Thread: Against the Ropes [ Sigr & Captain Brandeau ]

Something in the back of her head made Ayna feel bad about scaring Nick away, but she had some more pressing matters in her mind that took all her attention, and the club felt muted and distant once Vinny started to talk, as the rest didn't matter. Like fate she echoed, having felt the same notion, although in her case she wasn't so sure that it was something deserving of the same tender and honest smile Vinny had plastered in his face. Looking at him like that did soften Ayna though, feeling that as true it was that she wasn't the same little girl she was when Vinny disappeared from her life, he wasn't the same man either. The difference was that for the first time, Ayna entertained the idea that such a change didn't have to be a bad thing, although it would take more than that for such an idea to settle. After all, they were now almost strangers, as she didn't know a Vinny that didn't fight nor did he knew an Ayna that wasn't a little kid. As Ayna was opening her mouth to talk, Vinny's distracted expression and the closing ruckus gave Ayna some pause that felt irksome, but also provided her with a chance to think things through. Turning around to look at the bunch, Ayna sized them up quickly. The enthusiastic boy was clearly not of age to be there, although it wasn't like Ayna cared about such a thing and had a slightly obnoxious energy to him that made him look friendly yet immature. The two girls were about her age, perhaps younger, perhaps older, hastily applied makeup making it hard to guess and didn't look like they shared much else with her besides their gender. Ayna did nod thankfully to the one that commented on her beauty, just out of courtesy. The most mature one of the group, both in age and behavior caught Ayna's attention a bit more, even if it was just by the admiration of her performance. Like some guy out of a boy band, Ayna couldn't deny that he was pretty even if conventionally so. He looked athletic and had nice charming eyes, the classic kind of person that never cared for girls like her, feeling diminished by her presence. Ayna Omarov she introduced herself, rising a friendly hand, sounding a bit distant but still decently raised enough to not be uncouth. You must be Vinny's work mates she commented, knowing nothing else about them or why they had decided to go there of all places. Was it a hip place to be even if you weren't interested in fighting? Ayna was never aware of those things, as any quick look at her clothes would tell. I don't need an escort, but I want to keep talking so it's fine Ayna protested at first, making clear the point that she was the one allowing him to stick, not some kind of protective need. Once out of the building, Ayna separated herself from the rowdy foursome, wanting to continue her conversation with Vinny. I thought about it she announced, a pause making him sweat a bit. I'm fine with you helping me, but I have one condition she said, getting slightly closer to him to make sure he got the seriousness of the message. You have to come home. Talk to my parents into it. They deserve at least that she announced, wanting nothing for herself, but caring for her parents. Leaving Vinny some time to think about it, she turned to face the younger bunch, still walking next to Vinny without hurry. A fighting club is an odd place to sneak into, but it's nice to see interest Ayna said, trying her best to be friendly.