Gambit (multi-pup post, OTA and tag Data)
Avon could remember a time when he had been a far more cautious man, but so much had happened since then. He had come to the casino with the excuse in mind that he was, to use a crude phrase, on a blag. His real purpose was essentially to make trouble for Travis, and probably for himself as well. It was an act half of defiance, half of penance. He strolled around the various gambling tables, pausing occasionally to watch and sometimes to intervene, but his attention was elsewhere.
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Travis considered himself on duty whenever he was in the casino, whether his employer was present or not. He enjoyed the sense of fulfilment he got from stalking between the tables, keeping an eye open for miscreants. In fact, Travis considered himself on duty most of the time. Being a bodyguard wasn’t a job, it was a vocation.
Besides, he had a reason for keeping his eyes open tonight. Avon was foolish to think that Travis didn’t hear rumours, or that he couldn’t hack a computer just because he didn’t advertise the skill. He knew that Avon was planning something, and he was determined that his employer’s assets would not be compromised by whatever sordid little blag the fraudster had in mind.
He got himself a drink - he wasn’t technically on duty, after all - and lurked in a corner, maintaining vigilance.
Avon spotted Travis at the same moment the other man saw him. It was hard to miss that absurd highwayman outfit, after all. Travis gave him a smile that looked more like a suppressed snarl, and Avon bared his teeth in response. They approached each other unhurriedly. Travis informed Avon that he was not welcome in the casino. Avon replied that Travis didn’t own the place, at which point Travis invited him outside. Avon was more than pleased to go.
They circled each other warily; this was the first time they had fought hand-to-hand. Avon watched the two hate-filled eyes carefully, waiting for the strike. What he wasn’t expecting was to be stunned by a glancing blow from some kind of energy weapon, which knocked him off his feet. He lay on his back, gasping, then grunted as a metal-capped boot caught him in the side.
“You are not going to mess this up for me, Avon,” Travis growled, and kicked him again. Avon grabbed his leg and tugged. Travis fell hard, and it didn’t improve his temper. He gained his feet while Avon was still on hands and knees, and kicked out again, connecting with Avon’s jaw this time.
“Bloody cheat,” Avon grunted. “Coward.”
“Shut up!” Another kick. Avon sprawled on his stomach as blow after blow rained down on him. He finally managed to roll over, sneered up at Travis as the bigger man loomed over him, pulling out the weapon again and aiming it at Avon’s head. "I've been waiting for this."
OOC: OTA aside from the fight thread, please come and hang out with either of them before their ill-fated meeting!
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Travis considered himself on duty whenever he was in the casino, whether his employer was present or not. He enjoyed the sense of fulfilment he got from stalking between the tables, keeping an eye open for miscreants. In fact, Travis considered himself on duty most of the time. Being a bodyguard wasn’t a job, it was a vocation.
Besides, he had a reason for keeping his eyes open tonight. Avon was foolish to think that Travis didn’t hear rumours, or that he couldn’t hack a computer just because he didn’t advertise the skill. He knew that Avon was planning something, and he was determined that his employer’s assets would not be compromised by whatever sordid little blag the fraudster had in mind.
He got himself a drink - he wasn’t technically on duty, after all - and lurked in a corner, maintaining vigilance.
Avon spotted Travis at the same moment the other man saw him. It was hard to miss that absurd highwayman outfit, after all. Travis gave him a smile that looked more like a suppressed snarl, and Avon bared his teeth in response. They approached each other unhurriedly. Travis informed Avon that he was not welcome in the casino. Avon replied that Travis didn’t own the place, at which point Travis invited him outside. Avon was more than pleased to go.
They circled each other warily; this was the first time they had fought hand-to-hand. Avon watched the two hate-filled eyes carefully, waiting for the strike. What he wasn’t expecting was to be stunned by a glancing blow from some kind of energy weapon, which knocked him off his feet. He lay on his back, gasping, then grunted as a metal-capped boot caught him in the side.
“You are not going to mess this up for me, Avon,” Travis growled, and kicked him again. Avon grabbed his leg and tugged. Travis fell hard, and it didn’t improve his temper. He gained his feet while Avon was still on hands and knees, and kicked out again, connecting with Avon’s jaw this time.
“Bloody cheat,” Avon grunted. “Coward.”
“Shut up!” Another kick. Avon sprawled on his stomach as blow after blow rained down on him. He finally managed to roll over, sneered up at Travis as the bigger man loomed over him, pulling out the weapon again and aiming it at Avon’s head. "I've been waiting for this."
OOC: OTA aside from the fight thread, please come and hang out with either of them before their ill-fated meeting!