Grudge Match

[Rust Mane]

Rust's Alex's eye open. For a moment everything is bright, too bright.

There are people..

And he is..

"Wet. Why am I wet?" Cool water runs orange over the open wounds. It stings. Who was the genius who thought pouring water on a metal elemental was smart?

Alex frowns looking between faces. "And what did I do? Why is everyone so pissed?" He archs his back to get up, but it hurts to move and makes the room spin funny. Though most of the pain... "I feel like I got hit by a Truck.."

Alex tries again to climb back his feet. His mouth still bloody, the headache keeping his eyes from focusing. Should anyone try and help, He gently, firmly pushes them away.

As he climbs his mantle roils. A summer storm. An electric heat.
He wouldn't need a crutch. Not any more.

[Forn Clakes]

"Looks like he don't need any," Terri smiled to Mary before turning back to Rust. "That's because I poured water on your head....because you were knocked out." When her attempt to help him to his feet is pushed away, she steps back, waiting for the beaten lion to get up in his own time.

[Rust Mane]

"I remember Rook." Alex replies gently rubbing his bruised face. "You did well. You stood up for the Court." Alex closes his eyes and summons a bit of aggression, letting the gloumour reinforce his body.

Alex stands staight, eyes clear. The strength of steel would only last so long.

"Did you sate your anger? Did hitting me sooth your Wrath?" Alex cocks his head, curious to hear the reply.

Alex knew his own answer would be no. You don't sate Wrath by feeding it.
That only makes it stronger. This is why Rust keeps his own anger toward his brother silent.
Anger for being fool at Castor's first meeting. Anger for not stepping up at the Coronation. Anger for being too weak to control his own tongue.

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri watched the exchange, glancing back and forth between the pair.

"You know?" she said out loud, looking between them both, smiling, placing a gentle hand on each of their arms, "I think I'm finally beginning to understand where Summer comes from. Thank you for that."

Looking up at the office, Terri wondered what Spartan had wanted. She could walk away but her curiousity had been piqued.

"Excuse me," she smiled, heading out of the ring and up to the Summer King's office, where she knocked on the door and waited.

[Nightfall]

Nightfall frowned at Rust's question to Rook.

Same old Rust.

"Rust, did it ever occur to you to stop judging and labeling people? You act like you're some martyr for Rook to vent on. That's so dumb. You ought to to try to stop deciding you know everything and everyone, because you do this thing where you make up your mind about stuff and are totally blind to what's really there. I told you flat out when you came to see me to go talk to Sam so he could tell you about the Dusk Court because you are one fucked up fatalist. But I bet you didn't, did you? Because you weren't listening to a word I said."

"Nobody needs your praise, or your self-pitying attempts at martyrdom. We just want you to quit acting like an ass. So the real question is, did Rook knock the stupid out of you?"

[Terri Nutkins]

Terri gently pushes the door open, peering her head round. However, knowing that she could be walking into a shit-storm, Terri keeps one hand resting firmly on the door handle, ready to use the door as a shield.

"Spartan? Are you alright?" she asks, her voice concerned.