fightlikehell | (no subject)

*The alien notes of her body chemistry waft all through the building, as she'd taken a tour of the gym with the place's owner. Now, she's trying out one of the heavy bags, a rapid-fire string of resounding blows ringing out and making other beings pause in their own exercises to see what the fuss is about. The echoing strikes end abruptly, though, with a dull tearing sound and the hiss of spilling sand.*

...shards.

With only wandering on his list, Matt makes his way toward the source of the smell and it happens to pair up with the sound of a bag getting the beating of it's whole life's existence. He pauses at a respectful distance. The steady leak of sand is almost unsurprising considering what kind of a punch was being packed into it's worn surface.

"I don't think it stood a chance."

*She chuckles, glancing over her shoulder to him, before she sees about steadying the bag and pulling her fist out.*

Story of my life. Hello again--Matt, right?

"I'm sure it had a very full life."

Hopefully they won't be billing her. A simple manufacturing defect. It just wasn't prepared for her.

"That's me. Uh, Samus?" He's pretty sure it's her by now. Never hurts to be certain.

That would be me.

*In the Nexus, with alternates and magic and who-knows-what, it's always good to be sure. Judging by her heart rate and perspiration, she was only just beginning to warm up when the bag broke. She gives a rueful sigh and a half-laugh.*

At least I'm used to being billed for damages. Maybe they'll get a sturdier bag for next time. On that search for a gym you mentioned?

Matt waves though the gesture not one he would seem to appreciate. It's nice to start to recognize people and places, however fluid they are.

"I should hope they wouldn't. I mean, you were only using it the way it is meant to function. Just... packing a big punch. That's all." He laughs too before clearing his throat. "Yes. Uh this is closer to what I had in mind. A little bigger but maybe another change might be good. How about yourself?"

*Oh, Matt, gestures like that are more telling than you realize, with someone observant and attentive.*

"You break it, you buy it" seems like a multiversal constant. If someone broke any of the other equipment at a gym, they'd probably be expected to pay for it.

*She chuckles.*

As for me, I'm scouting places to bring a couple students of mine. One's very eager, and needs a spotter or he'll do himself harm trying to push too far, too fast. He'll also need opponents at his own level, eventually. You mentioned you like to go at the bag, you ever step into the ring?

That's how he is used to being. Foggy would understand. Though yes, he's not used to people who pay attention to every detail. Just the obvious. That's how he's got by so easily for so long.

"If you need a lawyer..." Joking of course but this would be the context to offer up someone to argue. Seems like Samus is easy going either way.

"That's right you did mention you've taken a few people under your wing. This is the third place I've checked out. It's not bad."

Step into the ring. The thought makes his heart swell with pride and a touch of sadness. He's had his fair share of fights. Sparring doesn't count as a true match, not for the son of Battlin' Jack Murdock. Matt smiles and sighs. "No, not in the ring."

*She chuckles at the suggestion.*

Well, what's your retainer like, counsel?

*She makes a sound of agreement about having taken on students.*

I'm disappointed that there isn't a pool, but I like the attentiveness the staff show people who seem to need it.

*How's your poker face, Matt? While those emotions are surging through your heart, there's a keen-eyed woman reading the nuances of your stance and expression.*

Well. We'll have to take a turn, sometime, then.

"At this moment? I have no clients so I could cut you a screaming deal." A Karen Page deal though some people would be uncomfortable. Money works very, very differently here.

"There is a spa. That's a plus for post work out but a pool would have been an improvement now that you mention it." Every now and then it's nice to just swim.

His poker face is decent. Though Samus has a natural knack for catching people off guard, he can tell. His smile stays on. "You and I? I don't know how great I'll do. That bag and I aren't so different."

I guess that could be good, depending on who does the screaming. Have you got a number in mind? A currency? And how far that number will take me before the billables start accruing?

*Money may work differently, but this is apparently someone who has hired a lawyer or two in her day. Or perhaps there are other professions that bill in similar ways.*

The spa will be good for him, true. I'd been hoping to assign him some swimming as a good full-body development with relatively little strain.

*She smiles as well, her mouth pulling up more to the left than the right.*

Less silicon in you, I'd think. But I promise not to find out.

"Uh favor for a favor as it were. I have been in need of some kind of transitional help. And last we spoke it sounded like you were familiar with being able to pop in and out of Nexus."

If he is remembering right. Matt plays coy. There's no telling what Samus would be needing his services for really here but it doesn't seem fair to bind anyone to a common currency when that is just not what is natural here. Information and guidance for information and guidance with other things tacked on depending on the difficulty would be good.

"That's... incredibly kind of you." To not try and gut him of what's inside. It sure isn't sand.

Seems fair. What kind of help were you looking for?

*She hasn't, strictly speaking, confirmed that he's remembering right, but her tone makes it fairly clear that yes, she's got the Nexus life more or less figured out. There are times when it seems favors and barter are the true currency of the Nexus. She chuckles at his rejoinder.*

Oh, that's me. Sweetness personified.

"It's not just... one type of help. I was hoping you'd give me an idea of what it is like to keep residency so to speak in your home world and here. Is there any kind of time and space repercussions for yourself or your home world and time... that kind of thing." He hopes he's explaining it right. And standing here in a gym it feels more surreal. Samus is real. Matt knows that he's real. If he were to allow himself to keep standing, he could believe that this is a gym in New York, that the whole concept of Nexus and the wonderful people he's met a dream...

A too elaborate dream.

Matt smiles and tilts his head a little. "Now I think you're trying to lead me to believe that I'm wrong there."

No, no, I'm very sweet. And like many sweet things, people who get careless with me end up losing teeth.

*Her smile is tight, and it's hard to tell whether she's joking or not.*

Ah. Well, in that case, it depends on how you handle your dual residency--if dual residency is even what you do. Most people have a door or the like at a fixed location in their world. Once they figure out what, if any, time difference this place has for them, they can plan their visits.

*She rolls her shoulders as she considers how best to explain.*

For some people, time spent here in the Nexus doesn't count in their world--time at home effectively stands still from the time they get here to the time they leave. They could come here to steal a night's sleep or a week's vacation on their coffee break. They could take the time to heal bruises or broken bones, and be back before anyone knows they're gone.

But time standing still at home doesn't mean time is standing still for them. They still age through the time they're here, and it isn't like going home gets them that time back.

Personally, before I had a way here, I would spend long periods, sometimes weeks or months, alone on a small ship in transit between two places. Now, I can set the autopilot and wait here until my ship gets to where and when I expect it to be before going back.

Tooth loss eh? Got it. Matt hears that she's not one to mess with and will not be afraid to put anyone in their place if they ask for it. And he's really not asking for it.

He listens. So many angles to consider. So many questions to answer for himself. The best way to figure time would be to test how much time passes. "Do you know if there is a way to control how much time passes or it just... is something you must accept?" Because it will take more planning. Matt Murdock won't leave Hell's Kitchen, not for life. He can't. They need him and they need him masked and fighting. And he needs Nexus to stay level and grounded.

Alone on a small ship. "That sounds... lonely out in space." No wonder she'd pop here even for a bit. "I think I'd get stir-crazy."

*Matt is perceptive. Her demeanor remains light and pleasant, though, so she probably isn't threatening him with that statement.*

There is a way, yes. I travel to my Facet by the use of a device called a PINpoint to create temporary portals, rather than relying on my ability to get to a permanent, static one. Because it leverages Nexus-space, a PINpoint can open a portal to effectively anywhere, in any Facet, and time is simply another coordinate for it. I could have lunch here before going to the end of a week-long trip for my ship.

*At his assessment of space travel, she nods, making a quiet sound of agreement.*

Space travel isn't for everyone. Most people who do it at least travel on a ship large enough for a few other people. Even then, the psychological stresses are specific and non-trivial.

Perceptive and oblivious all at once is what he aims for. It's a very difficult juggling act. And let's be honest, he's not an Oscar performer at all times. It's taught him to be aware of the ways others may have their own parts to play. Samus reminds him of Claire in glimmers.

"Is that technology exclusive to you? I'm just trying to brain what would be the best way to go about it. I've... really come to like this place but I just can't turn my back on my home." Foggy. Karen. Hell's Kitchen. Maybe he'll just come off as preoccupied and busy with the day to day. "I had no idea what I was getting into." Matt ducks his head and laughs a little at himself.

The idea of space, just open spaces and silence would probably drive him crazy. "Despite that you travel alone. Is that a preference?"

It's not exclusive to me, no. They're fairly freely available, if you can find one. Did you want to explore this place a little, or have I derailed your afternoon?

*At the admission of the Nexus' daunting prospects, she gives a sympathetic chuckle.*

Nobody knew what they were getting into when they came here. There are literal gods who pop in and are surprised.

*On the subject of space, she nods, making a wordless sound of affirmation.*

It is. I go to dangerous places. When I go in alone, coming out alone is fine. When I go in with company... odds are I'm still coming out alone.

"I've never had this much freedom in my schedule to allow derailment. I think I'm going to take it." And it's another very honest admission. "That if... so that means it'd be tricky?"

Matt feels at ease that he has her laughing. And hearing that he may just be among gods gets a surprised, confused look. This place, every time... new surprises. "Gods?" What on earth would he do if he had met with a god let alone God? Woah.

A dangerous life alone. So much truth resonates. Matt might not go to different worlds but leaving his rooftop into the night alone has been his plan from the start. "Hope I didn't bring up something."

Never? You have stumbled into the high life. Finding a PINpoint is a little hit-or-miss. Sometimes the Nexus shifts and you'll be practically tripping over vending machines and bowls full of the things. Sometimes, your only hope is that someone who has a spare will like you enough to part with it.

*She smirks a little at his unease over the theological implications.*

We get gods here, sometimes. It apparently makes a great break room when your job is reality.

*His concern gets a shake of her head.*

It's the life I chose, and keep choosing. If the consequences were too much to handle, I'd choose something else.

"More than a little, yes." It's a jackpot! "I'm no stranger to tripping." He idly taps his cane. "I feel like I've been this lucky.... who knows what the future will hold." Maybe someone will spare, maybe someone won't. Talking it over is the right direction to head into.

A god leaving their post. In all the things he is learning these days, it isn't too out there push comes to shove. He still would have a hard pressed time believing if he were to meet such a being.

"That really does sum it all up when you put it like that. It's really a calling to you." He means it as an observation rather than a question.

*She raises a brow when he indicates his cane.*

Don't sell yourself short. You're quite steady on your feet.

*It might be worth noting that Samus has spares--she loads up on the things whenever she finds them. She's just still evaluating Matt.*

I do what I do because if I didn't, I wouldn't be me. That's true of everyone, don't you think?

The cane is always there. And sometimes it's more of a prop than others. "Thank you, I try. I'm more careful than I used to be. Accidents still happen." Which is why he can brush off bruises and black eyes.

"Yes," he smiles a little at the further explanation. "You're more than right. It is always about choice in the end." Matt wants to stay here and still be Daredevil. That's his decision.

"Accidents." Mm-hm.

*Your bluff is being called, Matt.*

And what do you do, when you're choosing?

Looks good!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject