Collaboration

Alexis' sudden strike against Nathan instantly spurred Elias into action. The Grimm stepped forward quickly, pulling his arm away from Amelia's grasp and catching the man's flying fist in an iron grasp.

The momentum of the punch still carried through, gently landing on the side of Alexis' face, however it was far too soft to do any real damage. The men came eye to eye, Elias' nose mere inches from Nathan's as he firmly held the younger man's hand, preventing him from taking any more action.

[color=royalblue]"That's enough,"[/color] Elias voice was low and possessed a growling quality to it, immediately establishing his dominance. Before Nathan could protest, Elias whirled around and glared Alexis down. [color=royalblue]"Mind your place, [i]cousin.[/i]"[/color]

Elias was secretly thrilled that Alexis has struck the man, as he did love to see all kinds of drama, however he had to maintain an image. Alexis couldn't be allowed to act out like that in public, and Elias needed to establish the unquestionable fact that he was not to be tested.

Slowly releasing his grip from Nathan's wrist, Elias turned to face the man, anger burning in his eyes at the fact that he had attempted to strike Alexis. [color=royalblue]"My apologies, Sir Broussard, I know not what has overcome her."[/color]

Alexis looked downwards acting like the pious young maiden that she should be. Alexis was really trying not to smile. She pulled her hand back from Elias and she curtsied to Nathan and Amelia. [color=f6989d]"I am so sorry. I have no excuse for my actions. Please forgive me!"[/color] She turned and ran to the house. Once inside she went straight to her father and told him what happened. Once she was certain that her father would not allow her to date Nathan Broussard she went to her room to change. 

As Alexis sprinted off, Elias let out a low huff and turned to the Broussards. [color=royalblue]"I apologize for her rash actions. Alexis has never been on of the most well restrained individuals."[/color]

Nathan's face was beginning to swell and redden, revealing just how hard Alexis had struck him. He opened his mouth to no doubt unleash some form of hatred towards Elias' cousin, however Amelia interjected first.

[color=ed145b]"That is no excuse,"[/color] Her tone was even and cold, portraying an evident dislike for Alexis. [color=ed145b]"She should be beaten for her trespasses."[/color]

[color=blue]"Do not apologie for her actions,"[/color] Nathan's glowered, gently rubbing his face. [color=blue]"She has sinned, not you. However, you will not prevent me from disciplining her again."[/color]

Elias' jaw tensed visibly at the man's insolence. The tendons in his arm stood out as his fists tightened, however his voice carried a clear tone of control and restraint. [color=royalblue]"I advise you not make the same mistake as Alexis and forget your authority."[/color]

The hunter locked eyes with Nathan before giving a cold smile that never reached his eyes. [color=royalblue]"But that is of no concern. Come, let's tend to your bruise."[/color] Without another word, Elias took Amelia's arm once more and led the pair back to the house.

Alexis snuck back out of the house and ran to the barn. She had seen Elias take them into the house by the back door. The thought of one more moment of Nathan Broussard's company was nauseating to her. She couldn't stand the man he had become. She went to see Merle and before a moment or two had passed she was riding out and away from the house in the opposite direction that the Broussards would go when they left. 

She knew she was going to probably get punished by Ellinora and she knew she had been pinning her hopes on a match for Alexis with Nathan Broussard. She just couldn't figure out a way to tell her that it was not going to happen.  She waited by the pond where she and Elias often sparred when not inside. She figured he might look for her after they left, if he wasn't mad at her.

The conversation was the Broussards was strained, however Elias soon got Nathan to speak of his "great exploits", feigning interest in the man's stories. After almost an hour of listening to nothing but over-inflated ego, Elias was more than ready to lead the guests to the door.

Marcus thanked them for their visit, apologized for Alexis' actions, and assured them she would be disciplined most harshly for her obscene behavior. Once the house was clear of any unwanted guests, Elias informed Marcus he would locate Alexis.

After ensuring that Merle was indeed gone from the stables, Elias set out on foot, positive she would be at the water's edge. As expected, Alexis had taken refuge by the cool pond, relaxing with her feet in the water.

Elias approached silently, moving towards Merle before gently whispering a command word in the horse's ear, commanding it to return to the stables. Once she had departed. Elias sat silently behind Alexis, contemplating whether or not to teach his cousin a valuable lesson. It didn't take much deliberation to reach a decision.

Elias pulled a small, blunted kunai from his sleeve and whistled, hurling it with incredible accuracy at her back. It was time for Alexis to learn to adapt.

Alexis had heard footsteps and when Merle had moved away she knew for certain who it was. Besides her only he and her father knew how to speak to Merle. She felt the movement rather than heard it. She dropped to the ground and rolled away from it as it would have thumped her in the back.

In the next moment she was on her feet and she hurled herself at him knocking them both to the ground. [color=f6989d]"Are they gone?"[/color] Alexis was barely holding it together at this point. 

Rather than answering her, Elias unleashed a growl, lifting her off the ground with one arm and slamming her back down beside him. Normally, he would've taken this opportunity to pin her, but instead he rolled away, coming to his feet and pulling a second kunai from his belt.

[color=royalblue]"Get up."[/color] His tone was cold and hostile; Elias was unaware of any other way to teach other than chilled brutality.

Alexis focussed on him realizing that they were gone or he wouldn't have come here. Her mind went to Ellinora next but her eyes stayed on Elias. When the next kunai was thrown she was able to dodge it easily and she kicked him in the ribs knocking him backwards.

Instead of charging her, per his usual style, Elias moved with her kick, grasping her ankle and yanking her along with him. Turning her momentum against her, Elias hurled Alexis through the air, knocking her onto her back. [color=royalblue]"Get. Up."[/color]

Alexis was dragged off balance and then tossed through the air. Looking up at him she rolled away from him and stood up. [color=f6989d]"Elias, I -"[/color] She ducked  as something came at her. It was small and she didn't see what it was but Elias was almost on top of her too so she back kicked him and the other was only a distraction she determined as she glanced back. 

[color=f6989d]"I wanted to talk to you."[/color]

Elias nimbly rolled away from her kick, standing once more. [color=royalblue]"This isn't the time to talk. It's time to learn."[/color]

Without another word, Elias darted forward, sliding under Alexis' strike and sweeping her leg out from beneath her, planting a quick jab towards her ribs.

Alexis adapted but had to protect her side and she turned inwards to do so as she fell to her stomach and rolled away from him. [color=f6989d]"Thank you for helping me with Nathan. My aunt wants me to marry him but I don't want to."[/color]

Elias simply huffed and grounded himself, bending low to the ground. [color=royalblue]"Your actions were rash, your restraint lacking."[/color]

Without another word, he lunged, holding nothing back. Fist after fist flew at Alexis, forcing her on the defensive as he pushed her back to the water. His hits became much harder, dealing actual damage each time Alexis failed to divert them.

Alexis pushed the pain back and finally she dove into the water and swam away from him. She waited a moment and when he appeared to be calmer she came back to him. Alexis was soaked to the skin of course and she swam back to him and she started to fall over in the water when she went to stand up. She reached out for him and she grabbed his arm trying to regain her balance. [color=f6989d]"Elias I-"[/color] At that point her eyes locked on his and she leaned into him and kissed him.

Elias' plan to throw her back into the water was put on hold by her actions. He had planned to teach her a lesson about adapting she wouldn't soon forget, however he needed to practice it himself in the new, unexpected scenario.

After a moment, their lips stopped touching when Elias didn't kiss her back. Instead, he stood there, stoic, his eyes scanning her's for any hint of her intentions. When none were readily apparent, he furrowed his brow.

Normally, he would have jumped at the opportunity to make out with a woman as beautiful as her, but this was different. Elias gently pushed her soaking hair out of her face and stared deeply into her eyes.

After a long moment of silence, Elias spoke. [color=royalblue]"Was that because you love me, or because you don't want to love someone else?"[/color]

Alexis quietly asked him, [color=f6989d]"You mean you don't know how much you mean to me? Of course I love you."[/color]
[@December]