[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/vzqQ7Xh.png[/img]
[i][u][color=b18f71]January 2nd, 9:30 AM.
New York City, Pricetown, Nello's home.
Interactions - None.
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With a heavy breath, Nello raised his fists for another bout. Scenes like these were common and abundant, an attempt at further knowledge, and most certainly an escape from that of which caused distress. Nello's next attack was deflected by a vigilant demon spirit, which was echoed by his second, and third attempt. It was a choreographed exchange, without fault. Kicks and punches were given and granted, each one meeting another, in turn. It was only when Nocturne managed to sweep the teen's legs with a quick swipe that Nello lost his balance. 

Ceasing the chance he had been granted, Nocturne tackled Nello to the carpeted, wooden floor, warm breaths flowing down the boy's snout, from the demon on top of him. [color=b18f71][i]"You're still thinking about it, aren't you?"[/i][/color] Nocturne raised a brow, his eyes looking into the sanguine rubies beneath him, where he had pinned Nello to the spot. 

[color=b18f71]"It's not just something I can get over,"[/color] Nello retorted, his knee hitting Nocturne in the side, before the demonic creature was pushed off. Within an instant, the combatants had risen to their taloned feet, once more. 

[color=b18f71][i]"So, what do you suggest? Angsting like a little bitch for all eternity?"[/i][/color] Nocturne taunted, avoiding Nello's punch, before he manouvered behind the boy, and pulled him into a grapple. [color=b18f71][i]"'Cause while you're cute like this, it won't do you any good,"[/i][/color] came a teasing whisper against Nello's ear before the boy managed to break free of his restraints. 

With a spin, the young hero delivered a strong kick to Nocturne's side, causing the creature to stumble, before another expertly executed kick sent him to the floor. A keen eye would note, however, that Nocturne never, in fact, touched the surface of any material foundation. Rather, it was as if he was moving like air, across his surroundings. [color=b18f71]"Fuck off,"[/color] a slight grin stretched its way across the boy's lips. Not even the crisis he had been cursed with was enough to wash away his joy of battle. Nocturne's very existence was that of chaos, and now, Nello's was, as well. 

[color=b18f71][i]"There he is,"[/i][/color] Nocturne chuckled, jolting to his feet like a weightless feather. [color=b18f71][i]"We should fight crime like this,"[/i][/color] the creature smirked, motioning to the shorts Nello wore, with little else covering his body. Sparring in anything else seemed unnecessary, and less than reasonable. 

[color=b18f71]"Don't be so horny,"[/color] Nello returned, shaking his head before dodging another incoming strike, one which initiated their new exchange of what seemed like countless aggressive motions. The boy was not trying to hide his pain. In fact, it had taken center stage all night, and without Nocturne's presence, he would likely have broken beneath its weight. However, the bliss of battle was reminiscent of a drug, an intoxicating nectar. Odd, indeed, but a feature one would agree belonged within the heart of a demon. Even the pain shared between both Nello and Nocturne with every  attack fueled a joy found within conflict which was incomparable. 

It was only after two hours of fluid action that Nello eventually fell to the floor, his body sore, and his lungs clinging to breath. It was a blissful sensation, indeed. [color=b18f71][i]"So, what now?"[/i][/color] Nocturne breathed, sitting with Nello where the boy leaned his back against the wall. Nafir had dedicated what would have been a guestroom to Nello, where the boy could practice. It was a small room, but empty, which allowed for space. [color=b18f71][i]"No more hero crap, because you had to do something difficult?"[/i][/color]

With eyes falling to his small, draconic feet, Nello gently curled his toes, or rather, his talons, before managing a soft sigh. It was a repeated statement which he had uttered for the other to hear. 'I should just stop'. Nocturne was quick to shut that down, however, making his opinion on the matter known. Like their sparring match, the night had been occupied with a long 'back and forth', concerning transpired events. Doubt and confusion had swept into self into Nello's mind like a crashing wave, and his attempts at dispelling this lingering anxiety was met by little more than a reflection of the misery he was trying to escape. [color=b18f71]"Part of me knows that you're right, Nocturne,"[/color] Nello began, [color=b18f71]"but I can't just.., I mean, I killed someone."[/color]

Rolling his eyes, Nocturne let his head rest against Nello's lap in a manner most comfortable. [color=b18f71][i]"You killed a demon who was eating kids. Yeah, you're horrible,"[/i][/color] the spirit joked. [color=b18f71][i]"You know what you did was the right thing, you're just acting like a bitch because you had to get your hands dirty. Welcome to the real world, Nello."[/i][/color]

Though silence lingered, Nello would eventually speak up, his eyes revealing a mixture of acceptance, and melancholy. [color=b18f71]"The Blackthorn Coven deserves it, I know..,"[/color] he sighed, yet again. 

[color=b18f71][i]"And you liked it,"[/i][/color] Nocturne grinned, reminding Nello of the fact. [color=b18f71][i]"Yesterday you saved more people than you ever have. You're a soldier in a war against the coven. Start acting like one."[/i][/color]

With his fingers gently tightening around Nocturne's forearm, Nello tensed. A war against the coven? They were the biggest, meanest, and most dangerous force available. After what Nello had seen, he knew that fighting them was not a comfortable endeavor, but a necessity. Heroes were merely propaganda, weren't they? If he wanted to make a difference, he needed to step up from common thieves, and fight those who truly needed an enemy, an opposing force. [color=b18f71]"Fine,"[/color] the boy clenched his teeth, [color=b18f71]"I'll be a soldier against the Blackthorn Coven. "[/color] The frown on Nello's face was not aimed at Nocturne, but rather, it was a reaction to the realization. Life was not a comic book. The coven was not a conventional villain, and if Nello wanted to do what truly mattered, he could not continue to delude himself. Heroes belonged in the sky, and on the news. Nello was no hero, and he never would be, but he could make a difference. He would fight. [color=b18f71]"We'll keep hunting them, and no matter how shitty it makes me feel..,"[/color] the teen found himself trembling, his eyes watering at the thought, [color=b18f71]"we're going to save everyone we can, from the Blackthorn Coven."[/color] Children tortured to death and consumed by a demon should have been enough to tip Nello over the edge, but the tear-filled determination now visible on his features expressed a statement, indeed. [color=b18f71]"By any means necessary..."[/color]