Fresh Glass of Milk {Murphy}

@"King"

Murphy tagged alongside Milk quietly, lost in contemplation as they wandered the forest together. He'd been training sporadically with and without her for a couple of weeks with her occasionally having to nudge him into continuing. He wasn't any stronger, or even in much better shape than before. What he was becoming, however, was more tolerant to pain and injury. Maybe there was something to this whole 'punch rocks until you bleed' routine.

He'd wondered briefly about the sack that she'd brought with her today. It was big, bigger than the pack he himself carried. Was it training equipment? Had she just picked up like, a quarter of the gym's equipment and packed it up? Ah well, he was sure she would explain in due time. "So what are we doing today Milk? More running? Punching boulders? Breaking logs with our bare hands? Or perhaps, bears with our bare hands?" he added, remembering their last adventure into the woods.

@"King"

He glanced from her, to the boulder and back to her. Christ, punching rocks again? He was going to develop permanent scars if he kept this up for too much longer. Well, at least he'd been insightful enough to wrap his hands up this time. Dropping his bag to the ground he approached the dented rock, comfortably dropping into the stance she'd shown him time and time again. It wasn't a perfect mirror, but he'd found that adapting it to how he preferred to swing helped him last longer.

Murphy took a couple of practice swings before looking back to Milk. She wasn't moving to join him which was odd, usually she started and then refused to engage with him unless he started doing so as well. Perhaps she had something planned with that pack of hers. The unnatural silence of the forest was punctuated by the steady 'thud thud' of fist, or in this case, linen against rock.

@"King"

Murphy focused on the rhythm of his blows, shoving the pain aside and swinging harder and harder. Distantly, he recognized something off, and paused his training to listen. Thud, Thud, Thud... Well shit, what sort of beast is coming around this time?

He turned towards Milk and closed his eyes, trying to fight off the tension that had begun building up in his shoulders. His hand dropped into his pocket and grabbed for the coin while he tried to hone in on the direction of the creature's approach. He was scared, certainly, but there were factors in play this time that they'd lacked several weeks ago that might serve to keep them safe.

For one, he was well rested rather than running on metaphorical fumes. That alone altered the situation entirely as he was more aware and had far more energy than last time. Second, they were aware it was coming and could prepare a reaction. Third, the coin was moderately charged and ready. Not enough to alter reality perhaps, but it had enough luck stored to at least get him out of an immediately lethal situation... probably. He'd still run if it came down to it. In his eyes the only good fight is one that was circumvented entirely, but instead of listening to his instincts he opened his eyes and looked at Milk. "Do we stay or leave?"

@"King"

A smirk? That was new, she must have had something really interesting up her sleeve. Instead of returning to punching the boulder, he dropped down and began doing stretches. If he was going to have to keep training during this, he sure as hell wasn't going to miss...whatever it was she was going to do. Besides, keeping your back to a foe, regardless of how competent your ally is, was a bad idea.

He leaned over and grabbed his foot, feeling the light burn in his leg as he watched the bear barrel towards them. It was difficult not to give into the innate terror that a large beasts instills in one... but Milk was a monster all unto herself, AND she was on his side.

@"King"

Murphy braced himself as the bear drew closer, and nearly toppled over when it came to a stop at Milk's motion. She talked to it and went over to the pack to get something... and it waited. What the actual fuck was going on? Had she tamed the damn thing? He caught himself stopping and continued the stretches, laughing at the absurdity of the situation. "Are you fucking serious? Milk? How?