Chance Encounters

This was one of the few days where the Tension gym was nearly empty, which was was how Dave wanted it. Ever since his last meeting with Ronin, the pair have not spoken. Maybe it was because Ronin felt guilty? Did he hate the way David ran off? He didn't know, and he was too angry at himself to care. He opened up to someone and he ended up with his heart broken, AGAIN.

"Just." THUMP! "Fucking." THUMP! "Typical!" he growled slamming his fists harder and harder into the bag. His knuckles were aching and his body was sore, but working out was all he could do to keep himself from being consumed by his loneliness and depression. All his rejections and all the breakups, just proved that no one will ever look at David Blake seriously. Not now, and not ever again.

"Yo."

A new recruit to the AFW, Raiden found himself heading over to the gym to see if he could see any of the competition. Of course, he was clad in his usual casual outfit, the small sweater over his shoulder, tie loose around his neck. Not the type of attire you'd expect from someone in a wrestling federation, let alone in a gym.

There were a few people around, but he found himself drawn to Dave, for some reason; perhaps it was the growling, or the strength he punched the bag with despite his small stature -- so similar to his own. He knew the feeling all too well. "You…uh. You all right? Seem to be a bit angry."

Dave looked over his shoulder, sweat clinging to his hair and skin. He was still angry, but when he noticed the unfamiliar face, he tried keeping it inside. No need in unloading his emotional baggage on another new wrestler.

"I'm fine. I's just some personal stuff going on right now." he answered, turning back to the bag and going to work.The young man's multicolored eyes threw him off a bit, but he was not checking him out! No sir! That road only ended in pain for him.

As Dave looked over at him with that sweaty face and body, he gave a small chuckle, bowing his head. "I will not push the question any farther then." He had such an odd way of speaking; he didn't have clear command over the English language, and it was almost endearing. He turned around for a moment and grabbed the towel off the rack, handing it over to Dave.

"Here. You…look like you've been here for a while. Perhaps you can rest for a moment?" Raiden pulled his hand back, before reaching down and rolling his sleeves up. "I am Naozumi Raiden -- ah, Raiden Naozumi, rather! Raiden is my birth name." He looked sheepish for a moment, before sticking his hand out to shake Dave's once he finished with the towel. Of course, Raiden couldn't help but look Dave up and down; he had a nice frame, much different than the usual men he spent time with. But he was still very attractive, in his own way.

Already Dave was having horrible flashbacks to his run in with Casi. The smiles, the compliments, the eyes checking him out. Hell even the towel and handshake was nearly identical to that night! Dave took a step back, "Hi.."

He quickly shook his hand, but pulled away quickly in case the guy tried anything. Dave wasn't too keen on being ko'd again.

Raiden couldn't help but blink at Dave's reactions, giving a small frown. "Are…you sure you're all right?" he asked, before putting his hands up, showing he meant no harm. "I am sorry if I'm interrupting something. But you seem like you're angry for some reason. Am I wrong in making that assumption?"

He was drawn to Dave for some reason. Was he just drawn to the cute guy, or was there something about it that just reminded him of his own…issues in the past.

"I've seen how this goes before," Dave replied, "You're just another heel looking for someone small to beat up aren't you? First time in a new league so you want to validate yourself by trashing the nearest small guy?"

Dave was acting on an assumption here, but after Casi, he was wary of new fighters in the gym at any point. News got out of his beating, and Dave was none too happy about it. Then this new guy comes in pulling the same stunt that Casi did? Dave wasn't THAT stupid.

As Dave accused him of being a heel looking to beat someone up someone else, Raiden couldn't help but let out a short laugh. "No, I am afraid not. I'm sure you're the one who would beat me up given the chance anyway." He looked down at himself, and back up at Dave. "If you would like, you can attack me instead. Easiest way to know if I'm a heel, ne? If I fight back and beat you up, I am a heel. If I do not, then I am not!"

He lowered his hands and put them behind his back, moving forward so Dave could attack him easier. Even jutting his face out a bit, in case he wanted to go for an uppercut. He understood the apprehensiveness a little too well, but he wanted to prove somehow that he wasn't the type of guy Dave should be apprehensive of.

Dave felt like he was being goaded into a attack, and he acted in anger, raising his fist to strike. But the way Raiden just stood there, acting passive and serene.....Dave yelled out as he turned and slammed his fist into the bag, finding something, ANYTHING, to vent out his anger. He just wanted to be alone, but life always seemed to find a way to provide him with someone when he needed it the most, even if he himself did not want to admit it.

Raiden moved forward as he slammed his hand into the bag, giving a small smile. He couldn't hit him. He was too nice, despite the anger he was feeling. He reached a hand out, grabbing for Dave's hand. If he could, he would bring the fist up to lightly punch himself in the face, making a small "oof" to go along with it, before dropping it.

"Tell me what is wrong. I will sit down here and listen, and if you want to attack me, I will not fight back." With that, Raiden plopped down on the mats, looking up at the man expectantly.