The Replacements

1. Barfights and Brief Discussions

Chapter 1                                                                                                                             

Barfights and Brief Discussions             

If there was one thing in this damn world you can rely on to be consistent it would be the rush of adrenaline that accompanies a punch to the face. A brunette ducked just narrowly barely dodging the pale fist hurtling towards her. As her opponent was regaining his balance she football tackled his middle sending them both flying towards the ground. The crowds drunken cheers accompanied by the heavy smell of smoke and liquor gave a extra thrill to the fight. Her opponent let out a grunt as he hit the floor, the smaller girl on top took this opportunity to punch his crooked nose hard enough to make an audible cracking noise which earned oohs of sympathy from the crowd  gathered around them in a wide circle. She landed a few more blows before jumping back and allowing her opponent to get his bearings. 

The man wasted no time jumping to his feet and letting the blood from his freshly broken nose drip down to his lean chest. He stood, at least, two heads taller than her and with a bigger build, his hair was falling out of its pony into chin length messy strands around his face. They panted heavily as they studied each other, both with smears of dirt off the floor sticking to their shiny skin. A bruise was forming on his jaw from a previous blow turning a dark greenish colour that stood out strikingly against his pale skin. The girls hair stayed securely back in a ponytail as she moved her left shoulder resulting in a large cracking sound and a slight wince from her. The music blared so loud that it nearly drowned out the crowd's screams and cheers for whoever they bet on, tonight the bets were split  nearly down the middle. 

He made the first move, this time, letting out a yell as he ran towards her. Her jumping out of the way seconds too late gave him the time he needed, he caught her arm yanking it behind her back and putting her in a headlock. The girl struggled loosening his hold on her. 

"Stop squirming so much damn it,  just tap out" he grunted readjusting his hold on her to keep her from getting away. 

"Screw you Adler" she spat out squirming and doing her best to kick his legs. He arms tightened cutting off her air supply and she begrudgingly tapped his arm making him release her instantly and back away. 

Falling to her hand and knees on the dirty cement floor she gasped for air as her opponent raised his arms in victory causing the small crowd to go wild. 

"And after that exciting fight, I'm glad to announce Adler Falken as tonight's champion!" The announcer was cut off by the crowd's loud cheers and screams.

 "Everyone who placed a bet please report to the money pot, it'd be a shame if you had to be escorted there by... force" the announcer's sly voice laughed and a handful of men and women with guns or knives stood up from their seats next to a half burnt out glowing sign reading 'money pot' pointing towards the entrance to a hallway. Most the crowd started walking towards the hall some happily shouting and high-fiving or stopping to quickly grab a victory drink, others grumbling angerly shooting her glares as they walked past pulling out their wallets. 

The brunette cracked her neck as she stood up stiffly and walked towards the bar taking a seat on a wooden stool and slamming her head down on the cool counter. She could hear a beer bottle being opened and set down beside her.

"Maybe you straightened out my nose" Adler's voice was somewhat nasally and his German accent was thicker than usual as it always was after a fight. They sat for another minute or two in silence as Adler finished his drink.