The Crimson King

VI. At Each Others Throats

Two weeks after earning the right to have his own blade forged, Jake finally had a day off. Though he wasn't enjoying his free time at home, Jake had to come to the HQ. It was rare for the whole Legion to gather there at once, but then again, not every member was there.
Jake was leaning back in a chair, his feet on the table and arms behind his head. Just ignoring Shadow and another man chugging down on some whiskey. The man was tall, dark skinned and bald. He also didn't mind showing off his strong build, hence he wore form fitting shirts. The Witch was sat in a corner of the library, one she called her little nest where she could read in peace. Across from Jake sat a woman, quite literally dressed as a pirate and with an eye patch to top it all of. She was fiddling around with her musket and much to Jake's discomfort, pointed the barrel at him.
"You know, I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't point that thing at me."
"Relax matey, it's not even loaded. See?"
The woman pointed the musket to the side and as she pulled the trigger, a bullet shot into the ceiling. The cheerful chatting between Shadow and the man stopped, the Witch looked in their direction as well, for the first time in a long time shock written on her face. If it were a scene from the movie, the old record player that was playing would have stopped at that exact moment.
"Not loaded huh?"
"Must've slipped my mind."
"You're gonna kill the poor kid one day Emma."
"Schnauze Andrew!"
"You only know that one because of him."
"You wanna go?"
Emma threw a paper ball at Andrew, doing her best to provoke him. He on the other hand was laughing it off, taking another sip of his whiskey. The Witch gave up on reading and went to the bar, getting a drink for herself and changing the record. She sat down on the table, crossing her legs and tapping Jake's knee.
"Not every day you get too see all your seniors together, huh?"
"There's only four of you here, so you're wrong. And where the hell is Ashley? Kinda unfair that I have to be here early in the morning and she gets to sleep in."
"Oh don't worry, I have a punishment in mind for her."
She offered Jake a sip of her drink, but he Just looked at her, somewhat angry and confused.
"Want a sip?"
"I don't drink."
"Are you really offering that lightweight alcohol?"
From the dark hallway that lead to the room they were all residing in walked a young woman, maybe a year older than Jake. Brown hair tied up into a pony tail and brown eyes. She was clad in a black trench coat like every other Slayer, but had a green Tengu sown onto the back of it. A flail swung on her hip as she walked and once she stopped, the woman smirked at Jake. One that was saying she was considering herself to be superior.
"That's a lot of nerve coming from someone who only killed two Gods."
"Hah. I at least stopped multiple Skirmishes and have a nickname."
"Like that means anything to me."
"You're asking for a beating, aren't you?"
Jake got up from his seat, cracking his knuckles. He wasn't smirking like the woman, Jake was dead serious.
"Try me."

The Witch took a sip of her drink, waiting to see what will happen next.
"Things always get interesting when those two meet. Don't break his bones Ashley, otherwise his little girlfriend will have a word with you."
"Is that so? You need your girlfriend to fight for you?"
"You really piss me off, you know that?"
They were now standing across from each other. Ashley was looking down her nose at Jake while his was pointing down. He was looking up at her. Jake never had a problem at beating her, but that isn't only because he was better, Ashley always looked down at him. Constantly making the excuse that she let him win.
"You gonna do something or what?"
"You know the saying, ladies first. Though I'm not sure if that involves you."
"Why you little!"
Ashley threw a punch at Jake that he dodged with ease. Jake grabbed the collar of her coat and turned around. Ashley was behind him, her collar still in Jake's hand and what was coming she never liked. Jake started to get down on his knee, leaning forward with his upper body and taking Ashley with him. Her feet left the ground as Jake threw her over his shoulder. A loud thud followed as she landed.
"And yet another win for Jake."
The Witch gave a small round of applause as Jake got back up and walked back to his seat. Once Ashley got back on her feet she was fuming. It took Jake so little effort to win while she had her work cut out for her whenever she was the winner. Of course it was her pride that didn't allow her to admit that Jake was the more skilled fighter and that he killed more Gods for a reason.
On top of that she was jealous, jealous that Jake was the Witch's choice to succeed her place as the leader of the Legion. Ashley knew that he was the better choice in many ways, but she just couldn't accept it.
"Again!"
"Fu- screw that! I'm done for today, I need sleep."
Jake was about to sit down, but just as he was about to, Ashley pulled the chair under him. He fell to the floor and while Jake laid there to just gather his thoughts, all he could see was Ashley. Smirking at him from above, provoking him.
"You're dead."
Jake got back on his feet. What started out as a serious fight between him and Ashley soon turned into a joking karate swings at each other while dodging as best they could. The Witch joined the others at the bar who were chatting amongst each other, occasionally taking a look what the "kids" were doing.
"The place is never quiet with them around."
"They're too loud."
"Oh come on Shadow, they're stuck with us old folks. The kids need to entertain themselves somehow."
"I'm only twenty seven man."
"I like having those scallywags around. They bring some color to the place."
"You're right Emma, they sure do."