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Yeah, yeah that's it in a word. Unnerving.

[ he shakes his head. ] You haven't met him either? Max. Another friend from home. [ apparently they're making sure frank is surrounded, or distracting him. he's not sure what the goal is really. can't even begin to guess. ]

Needles?

[ Max. Raleigh files the name away, but it'll be easy to remember. Chuck's dog is named Max too. And the way Frank says it makes it sound like he just lets the fella run around the station alone to meet people. He pictures a dog booping elevator buttons with his nose and grins. ]

I would've noticed a dog running around. When do I get to meet him?

[ Oh right. ]

Knitting needles, specifically. I learned during physical therapy to try and get fine motor skills back. [ He flexes his left hand, which is still weaker than he'd like. With his jumpsuit hanging off, the scarring on that side is visible, circuitboard-like patterns spreading over his arm and chest and a ragged gash peeking out from under his tank. ] Nerve damage.

He gets around. Right now he's with Karen but he'll find his way back down here eventually. Always does.

[ dogs always know the way 'home.' even when their home is a room on a space station. at least he doesn't have to explain to raleigh what a dog is, that shit was getting old. ]

Oh. [ it's not judgmental, though he's sure the guys in his unit would've made fun of a guy for knitting. marines are savages like that. frank thinks it's smart, actually. ] Wouldn't be such a bad way to pass the time, place like this.

He can work the elevators? [ Raleigh's only half kidding, he's seen dogs do more impressive things. ] I've gotta tell Mako he's here. She loves Max -- different Max. He's a bulldog.

[ Oh Frank. Being made fun of would have necessitated Raleigh to be around anyone else, ever. And he just wasn't, during recovery. Or since, really, not until very recently. Nobody's ever seen him knit, just the many cozy sweaters that came of it. ]

It's not all that distracting once you actually get the hang of it, but it's good to keep your hands busy. And I like making things. [ He hesitates, tilting his head. ] You wanna learn? There's a ton of supplies back in our room.

He knows how to get people to work the elevators for him, more like.

[ he's a charming piece of shit!!!! frank says it fondly, of course. ]

Max is a pit, near as I can figure. He used to run security for the Irish mob.

[ he gives a moment's pause, but then tips his head in agreement. ]

Alright, you're on. I probably should get a workout in first. [ frank looks over at the mats set up in the far corner. ] Wanna have a go?

Of course he does. [ Security, huh? That probably means he's had a shitty life... and dogs like that aren't easy to adopt out, let alone rehab well enough to be running around unsupervised. Raleigh's not sure if it's impressive or vaguely irresponsible but will give Frank the benefit of the doubt here. ] You get him through a rescue?

[ A go? After a moment's consideration, that gets a nod. At least the lower gravity probably means taking a fall won't hurt as much, even on his bad side. And it's not like he's sleeping on the floor anymore... which he's still sort of working through in his head, but is grateful for. ]

Why not? Yeah. From what the actual space people have been saying you should hit the machines at some point too, though.

[ it can be both!!!! he doesn't mean to leave max unsupervised. it just... happens, on occasion. people are always happy enough to escort him where he's going, frank figures it's good for socialization or whatever. ]

More like I... liberated him from the situation.

[ you stole the dog frank. just say you stole the dog. but then raleigh is agreeing to fite which he's all too eager to get to now, unwinding his arms and starting to walk towards the mats. the lecture gets a look even if he knows the man is right. he's never been an exercise machine guy, he's hoping something more familiar will jumpstart his motivation. ]

Yeah, yeah. Already got the speech.

[ You totally stole the dog, Frank. But from assholes, so... ]

Good.

[ Raleigh follows him over to the mats, stretching out each shoulder in turn. The glare his suggestion gets doesn't seem to phase him. ]

Just saying. It's your body. [ He considers his boots before stepping onto the mat, not used to sparring in footwear and they wouldn't work through the thick foam anyway. But Frank doesn't lose his, so they'll just run with it. No kicking is all. ] What're you into, fight-wise?

[ he nods once at the praise. max is better off with him, even in a killer space station. and all his abusers are dead anyway, also a good thing as far as frank's concerned. but he'll leave that part out of the story, naturally. ]

Uh- Punch until the other guy doesn't get up? Usually.

[ he quirks half a dry, dry smile, bouncing a little on the balls of his feet. the boots bring him down harder than even his combat boots would, but after a few more times he's used to the weight. just fists then, that suits him fine. ]

You a boxer?

[ When it comes to spars, Raleigh's far more used to martial arts. Mostly aikido, but Rangers train in a variety of style, and usually with weapons. But yes, he can box. Not enough to call himself a "boxer" but it is one of his favorite sports. He knows the techniques well. ]

I've boxed. It's been awhile since I hit a person instead of a bag, though. [ A pause, consideration. ] In a ring, anyway.

...guy had it coming.

[ that gets a much more sincere smile and frank puts his fists up, stretching his neck from side to side. he can do the kickpunching kind aka mma but that would require taking his boots off and even on the mats he's too paranoid yet to do so. so boxing it is. ]

Yeah? Well, just pretend I'm him then.

Sure. Try not to break my nose or anything, okay?

[ Fists up, then. And Raleigh starts to circle, studying Frank's body language. Looking for openings. Doesn't seem like he'll get many, so he'll have to be sharp.

It's been quite awhile, but this sort of thing never really leaves you. His instinct is still there, and his reflexes are slow on the left but he's still strong and fast overall. They each get some good hits in, to the point Raleigh's vaguely worried that Mako's going to fuss him later... but he doesn't actually mind that so. Bring it on, Frank. ]

I know better than to piss your girlfriend off.

[ frank is faster than he looks, even in low gravity. but he's less concerned about getting hit, and when raleigh's fist connects with his side it doesn't slow him down at all. which is probably why he doesn't bother blocking all that much really - it's faster and more efficient to just power through. overall, he's enjoying himself - they seem evenly matched. he lays off raleigh's left side when he seems to favor it and that suits him fine since he can't hit as hard with his right hand after injuring it his first days here.

once he starts to work up a sweat, he seems like a different guy - the tension gone from his frame when he gets to do what he loves. hit people. sometimes he loses himself, striking a little too hard; but there's a softness to his gaze every time, realizing shortly after and adjusting his strength accordingly. ]

She's not my girlfriend.

[ But not wanting to piss Mako off is totally valid. She'd probably break Frank's nose right back, honestly.

In general Raleigh avoids hitting Frank in the face at all, but after a few hits hard enough to send him stumbling back he revises that plan and just starts taking every opening he sees. Until they're both sweating and bruised and maybe a little bloody. His knuckles start to ache a bit, unaccustomed to the impacts, but he's not going to be the one to call it. It feels like he's got something to prove. ]

[ he smirks, glad that got to raleigh. maybe because it means he's close. he might even win that bet, though honestly for him it's more about mako and raleigh being happy. what a romantic asshole???? ]

Yet. [ an obvious tease as he dodges the fist coming for his face, but only once. he's glad the fight is getting dirtier and if anything it makes him more vicious in return. where raleigh is slowing down, frank is ramping up, though he's still focusing most of his powerful attacks to the right side of the man's torso. that face is a lot prettier than his, and he's got a lady to go back to, after all. let it never be said that he isn't considerate. there's that and the fact that hiding someone in the face could only ever remind him of billy, and that's not a road he wants to go down while he actually likes raleigh. they're something like friends, he thinks. that falter earns him a punch just below his eye, it'll definitely be black tomorrow. ]

You sound like you're getting tired, Beckett. [ he licks blood from his lips, still bouncing though now his chest is heaving, breathing labored. he could do this all night, but he also knows logically - that they should quit soon. maybe raleigh isn't the only stubborn idiot in the room. ]

[ Frank might win the bet. Maybe. He's got a shot, but he probably should have accounted more time for them being complete idiots. Raleigh doesn't keep arguing, in any case, just throws himself into the fight hoping to tire himself out. It's kinda nice not to hold back, just aims the harder hits at places that won't do any damage. Still friendly, but real.

He's definitely the one to slow down first, and Frank noticing it makes him want to rally and win... but it's not really about winning. And the comment doesn't sound quite like a taunt. He just ran about five miles anyway, he's allowed to wind down first. So Raleigh just grins, circling for another opening. ]

You don't. Next time I'm gonna have to find somebody to tag in just to wear you out.

[ he grins wider at the concession, feeling like he won even though it was just a friendly match. he taps raleigh gently with his fist on the right to show he's okay with stopping. ]

Your old lady home? Maybe I could bring Max up for a meet and greet if he isn't too busy keeping the rest of the station in check.

[ The little tap is clear enough, and after a moment's consideration Raleigh does drop his fists, stance relaxing. That was a good workout, though. ]

Don't call her that, or she'll punch you herself. [ He steps off the mat, waving a finger at Frank in warning. Then turns his wrist to check the time. ] But if she's not back by now she probably will be soon. You wanna track him down and swing by 427? If we've got time to kill I'll set you up with some yarn.

Yeah? She hit as hard as you? [ he wipes some sweat off his forehead with the back of his sleeve and looks at the smear of blood that accompanies it. ] ...Yarn?

Edited 2018-06-14 02:13 (UTC)

Maybe? I've never given her a reason to hit me. But she got me down in the kwoon. [ Raleigh takes a moment to consider if he wants to put the top half of his jumpsuit back on for modesty in the hallways, and decides against it. He's too sweaty. Heading for the door like this it is! ] Yeah, I thought you wanted to learn to knit.

Oh. [ did he say that? maybe raleigh hit him harder than he'd thought. ] Right - I knew that. I'll see you in 10... 20. [ depending on where max is then he should probably shower. he taps raleigh's arm again in farewell before heading in the opposite direction to check karen's room first. ]

[ He didn't hit Frank that hard, or he didn't think so. But it was just an offhand comment anyway so Raleigh doesn't think anything of it, just nods and heads back down to his quarters.

Mako isn't there yet, but it looks like she made a little more progress balling up his yarn after he went to work out. He makes sure the door's unlocked and goes to clean up a little, then drags the whole mess onto the bed with him to further untangle. It's like 70% done, he's just got a few colors left still unraveled together. If Frank should knock when he comes by with Max, he'll hear Raleigh calling out. ]

It's open!

[ he does knock, albeit in a specific way. he raps the morse code for S-A-F-E into the frame before the door slides open to accommodate himself and the brown pit bull who immediately takes to sniffing every last square inch of the space. frank is wearing a fresh blue jumpsuit with a black hoodie overtop only zipped up a few inches but with the hood up over his head anyway. his eye is already swollen and well on its way towards a bruise by the morning. ]

I think Max likes what you've done with the place.

[ Frank hasn't actually been over before to be able to note the changes, has he? If he has ever glanced in, he'd know that there used to be a makeshift bedroll on the floor that's gone now since he and Mako have started -- albeit very awkwardly -- sharing the double bed. It's otherwise spartan, a toolkit and first aid kit on top of the dresser beside a little action figure of Gipsy Danger. Above her, a sketch of a man bearing a resemblance to Raleigh, but who definitely is not Raleigh, is tacked to the metal wall. The sketchbook it obviously came from is resting on their little table with an assortment of pencils and knitting needles. ]

We didn't exactly have much to work with. Hey, Max.

[ Raleigh sets down the tangle of yarn and lowers a hand to the dog's level, waiting patiently for him to wander over for a sniff. ]

[ because raleigh doesn't stand or try to approach him, max beelines for him within seconds, sniffing his hand before licking a sloppy stripe across his palm and panting like he's happy with himself, his tail going a mile a minute. raleigh will be able to see his fancy collar now, brown leather with a blue leather inside, and a big brass plate that reads MAX please return to 319 or 619. frank is wandering closer too once they've gotten properly acquainted, trying to get a better look at the yarn like he's never seen something like it before. of course, he had, and he'd probably even watched someone knit in his life. he had to have, right? a grandmother or great aunt. but for the life of him, he can't pluck any specific memory from the air and maybe that's for the best. ]

For this you really will have to go easy on me. [ he's always excited to learn a new skill though, especially something repetitive and mindless that he can lose himself in. this might be just the thing he needs. frank leans over the bed and starts helping to untangle the last of the yarn before winding it up neatly again. ]

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