Please, Spike -- we both know I'm no stranger to steep prices. [ about the things she would give up if she had to. ] But for now, I just need something other than straw-filled dummies to hit. I need something that'll hit back.

[ and there isn't anyone else she can ask. those she trusts are more often than not too squishy to provide anything other than play-fighting. those who are looking for spar-partners for fun? they bother her and bore her and she isn't interested in them. and everyone else...? she either didn't trust that they wouldn't hold back or else suspected they might genuinely want to do her harm.

spike, though. spike. with a sick feeling in her stomach, she knew that he was the only one who knew just what she needed. ]