Fight for a New Beginning [Open]

The university gym was definitely something to brag about, and since she had teacher access, Echo used it whenever she could. There was something about the college gym that just seemed better than the high school one. It could have simply been because here, Echo could be around people close to her own age, rather than stunted children.

Dressed in her regular workout tank and briefs with the earbuds of her headphones tucked into her bra so they wouldn't tangle, she could probably pass as any other college student. Considering she'd never actually gone to college, and didn't like talking to people besides, it was a nice disguise to put on every now and then to avoid responsibility. Which was why she was currently staring longingly at the punching bag, waiting impatiently for its current user to up and disappear. Not that she didn't take a good long minute to analyze the girl's skills and technique while she was waiting.

Moving in eagerly, Echo began cracking her knuckles under the laced gym gloves. She certainly wasn't going to pass up that invitation, and started rocking punches almost as soon as the other girl was safely out of range. Unfortunately she couldn't resist looking over her arm, eyes gleaming a she quipped, "What? So tired after those baby kicks? What are they teaching you here"

Echo was surprised the girl hadn't disappeared after her little jab, but pleasantly so. She planted her foot and spun in a wide kick, hoping to get another glimpse of her without having to actually stop her workout. Now behind the bag and facing towards her, the blonde smirked. "Old Jackie Chan movies of course," she retorted sarcastically, knocking the bag aside then following with an open-palm strike. Most of the moves she was practicing appeared purely defensive, deflective strikes then more of the open-hand jabs. It probably looked strange, but then, the style was supposed to be paired with a pair of push-daggers, and taking a pair of sharp blades to town on a punching bag was just a waste of money.

She continued with the movements, dancing around the bag as she talked. Now that she'd gotten a proper look at the girl she was conversing with it didn't seem necessary to maintain eye-contact. She'd come here to fight, not chat.
Echo bared her teeth; it was about as close to a smile as she would come during fighting. To hear someone return her snark instead of turning defensive was refreshing, and saved her a headache she didn't need.

"Echo," she puffed in reply, flicking her fringe out of her eyes. She'd already noted that her breathing was becoming ragged as she exerted herself, probably not helped by the fact that she was talking. She'd heard of a technique, running while singing to improve lung capacity and stamina, and if she was getting winded from idle chatter, it was perhaps something to investigate further. "You a student?"

She let out a noncommittal hum, not agreeing but not exactly disagreeing with the quip either. She was at a half-way point between being amused by the conversation, and being not at all invested. If nothing else she was impressed with Kristen's wit. "Sylvester Stallone is where things get really interesting," she promised with a dry chuckle.

Echo stopped her dancing, fists still up but in a relaxed position. She turned her full attention to Kristen, a smirk on her sharp features. "Trainer." A PE teacher was something she definitely couldn't handle. She much preferred giving personal attentions to students she'd picked herself; once she actually saw talent in.

"You one of Ares' kids? I only really see brats of that muscle-head kicking the leather like you were." It was supposed to be a compliment, or at least as close to one as she could come. Echo crossed her arms over her chest and once again looked Kristen up and down. "What do you want out of it, strength? Power? Or do you just punch stuff because 'daddy's blood tells me to'?"