Elektra smiled faintly,Ā āI think Iām bored and even the slightest challenge would be welcome entertainment,ā The smile grew just a little more,Ā āAnd looking at you, the challenge might be more than slight.ā Damn well carried himself like he might be, had the carrying of someone who knew what battle looked like, who had survivedĀ it more than once. Who had made the first kill and no longer carried the fear of it around. She knew that look - remembered it, saw it only in seasoned fighters. Survivors.Ā
It made her curious. Especially at the very succinct appraisal of her. Elektra found herself laughing, oddly pleased in the strangest way. Sheād been a mysteryĀ for so long there was an odd amount of - appreciation, perhaps? Appreciation to have someone who didnāt bother with the games, who simply saw her and engaged. Being a mystery, playing the kunoichi and the femme fatale mantles that were placed on her grewĀ old. Like called to like, tore past the playing and for once, she felt fine being just Elektra in front of someone new - someone who wasnāt looking for the assassin, wasnāt looking for the dead woman.Ā āAccurate assessment. And you? Are you looking for an adrenaline fix in the fight, win or lose?āĀ
āI am Elektra, if youād like a name.ā Felt more like he wanted a challenge, a sparring match, but a name might be useful all the same.Ā āDo you train hand to hand only, or do you use a weapon?ā She had trained with more weapons than she could count, such was the way of the Hand. Proficiency in whatever was available, whatever might become usefulĀ on a mission. Knives were her preference, but she could adapt if necessary - and it was polite to let the other pick the weapons.Ā Ā
Her honesty - though he did not show it - was appreciated. Though he supposed, given that their common interests seemed to be rather violent involving engaging another in a fight to the death, there was really no need to lie. She could have, of course. Frank didnāt need to be looking at her to know she was sussing him out in return; that was only fair. He wasnāt here for entertainment, naturally - heād never seen what he did as fun. It wasnāt the worst thing around but it wasnāt... jovial. It was hard, took a toll. Not as much as it once had.Ā
āNo,ā Frankās simple reply fell from his lips before heād had a chance to think about it. His head tilted up slightly, dark eyes meeting hers.Ā āIām not a kid; adrenalineās not bad, Iāll give you that. Helpful, more than anything but Iām not a dog chasinā a stick.ā Truth be told the Punisher wasnāt after a fight, really -- it was something to do though and Elektra seemed more than eager. Who was he to pass up an opportunity that was all but thrown in his direction?Ā
He nodded stiffly, sitting up a little straighter on the bench.Ā āFrank.ā The Marine Corps were thorough - knife training was doled out along with the wordsĀ ā if you can find a way to avoid a knife fight, do. you WILL get hurt, they WILL get hurt. ā knives were a pain in the ass.Ā āWhatever you want, maāam.ā Even if Elektra chose something he wasnāt overly familiar with ( which was unlikely ), Frank was a quick learner.Ā
