Cass Listened to Good Advice... For Once - Marvin's Haven

"Yes. It bothers me that I didn't know what it was, that I couldn't even strike a blow quickly, and it's not nice knowing that suddenly you may be on the verge of becoming a pile of ash. My first time in a combat situation, and it was stressful. Sorry Cass. It's a mind fuck."

Cass stood and took him by the arm, pulling him to sit.

"The you should talk about it. You keep it inside and just dwell on it, it will make it worse. If you had to do it again, what would you do differently? It's a learning experience, right?"

He sat "Truly very little. It was a case of it being overwhelmed even without me there. I may have tried to move faster, or taken a different position, but mostly it's the fact that I was sitting in a graveyard minding my own business when that thing crawled out of the ocean. It's not nice realizing you aren't the top of the food chain."

Cass squeezed his arm. "There is always a bigger fish, Marvin. Always. The thought isn't pleasant, but you can choose to be oblivious or you can be realistic. Do you really think is was because you weren't fast enough?"

He waved the last part off "It was dead before I could strike. I mostly do not like... I don't like... you know. This was my first time in combat. It is no different than anything else for the first time. I just thought I could do better. Decades of fencing, but it didn't matter. The impulses were different, the reaction was different. I've deluded myself that if all else failed I could still protect myself with a blade."

He sighed "Live and learn. Mostly I am still sorting out the different emotions. Fighting a monster is scary" he laughed

"I'll get over it."

"Everyone stumbles their first time," she shrugged. "Go through the emotions, though. That's healthy. After a good day's sleep, you'll feel a little better. You need anything?"

"Beer? Hookers? Blackjack? Hookers and blackjack are always good. Oh and hey, do you have Alex Rourke's phone number?"

"I'm out all 4 items, I'm afraid," she frowned. "Alex got my number, but he didn't reciprocate."

"Ah, no worries, I'll look it up. Well, I'm going to do some programming. Stick around if you wish, but I need to focus my mind."

"No, no. I didn't come to intrude. Just wanted to head you off from coming to the apartment for now." Cass stood and gave a little wave. "I've got plenty to do, it seems. Aren't I lucky?" She shook her head.

"You take care and I'll see you around, sugar."

"Have a good night honey buns" he said with a smirk

"Ain't nothin' sweet about me, babe."

She winked and with keys in hand, headed out the door.

He chuckled, and got out his laptop, and spent the rest of the night playing games.

Minecraft FTW woot.