"Ahh, I know you really want to talk to me, but I'm a pretty busy guy, you know. I guess you'll just have to leave a message so I can get back to you later, hm?"
[ Judith doesn't hesitate simply ("simply") because he has a blade pointed at her. Nor does she reach for her spear - yet- opting to merely raise an eyebrow in polite curiosity.
No, of course she's not even going to address the fact that he's holding her at swordpoint. ]
[it's a bit beyond quiet at this hour, when the city actually does seem to be sleep in a way. but it's all very curious and interesting—she clearly shows no fear or takes it as a thread how he holds his sword, which is more than can be said for many.
which is enough to earn his respect for the moment. he's sure she wouldn't be foolish enough to attack him recklessly, so he lowers his sword, a smirk settling on his lips. she's interesting already.]
[he wouldn't call it nightly, though he certainly does it nearly enough. granted, he's had a few months to get into a rhythm, and he observes plenty even when this isn't where he settles for the evening.]
There aren't all that many places to practice at this hour, after all. [and one of the most important things right now, as far as he's concerned? staying sharp.]
[meaning: he can practice formations well enough.]
It may not be the same as combat, but it does the job well enough. [after all, that was primarily how it worked in kyoto, too. the times they really got to wield their swords weren't as common as the time spent preparing, after all.]
I guess that'll depend on how you fare, don't you think? It'll be no fun if there's not a challenge.
[though maybe if they actually spar, his memory will be jogged. he's done so good at trying to push aside a lot of his feelings and experiences from haven that it doesn't immediately occur to him that they've met on more than one occasion.
not that it matters, since she clearly has no recollection of it either, and souji wouldn't dare mention it. so maybe it's for the better that a lot of time has passed and enough of his bad memories have been shoved aside to make this awkward. funny how the brain works, that conversation wouldn't bring that familiarity to the forefront—but if he gets a feel for her fighting style, that definitely would.]
[there they are, the slight shreds of familiarity. but they only flash in his head for a brief moment before he jumps back into a more proper stance.]
As long as you don't expect me to go easy on you, I think we can call it fair. [he'll take the offer, but he won't treat her differently in a fight just because she's a woman. the only strength he'll hold back would be his rasetsu abilities... for obvious reasons.]
I don't believe in easy. [ It's all she offers, eyebrows raised, expression politely expectant. He's welcome to strike first, but if he doesn't, she'll be happy to get this started. ]
Good, good! Then I look forward to seeing what you can do.
[he likes the sound of that, even if it... again, seems to ring familiar. it's more fun for souji when he doesn't have to hold back though, so he does make the move to strike first, thrusting his sword forward.]
[ And Judith's already bringing her spear up to meet it, catching the blade against the handle before she shoves back and twirls it forward for a quick slash at his chest. ]
[she's fast and swift, and if not for that expert training and inhuman reflex, she definitely would have made the first strike. but souji jumps back and swings his sword to the side in an effort to deflect the blade of that spear from piercing him.
either way, it's a pretty close call, and a solid indication that he definitely can't let his guard down.]
[ No, letting his guard down would definitely be a bad idea. But his reflexes are sharp-- surprisingly so, admittedly, and when he deflects the blade, Judith swings the spear around, shifting her grip to strike at him with the blunt end.
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tuberculosis) wrote2014-08-12 10:41 pm
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cerealia)
for me too, right
No, of course she's not even going to address the fact that he's holding her at swordpoint. ]
I like to save my walks for the quieter times.
of course!
[it's a bit beyond quiet at this hour, when the city actually does seem to be sleep in a way. but it's all very curious and interesting—she clearly shows no fear or takes it as a thread how he holds his sword, which is more than can be said for many.
which is enough to earn his respect for the moment. he's sure she wouldn't be foolish enough to attack him recklessly, so he lowers his sword, a smirk settling on his lips. she's interesting already.]
I don't think I've seen you on this path before.
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[ But that tells her something else, which she'll ask about, just to confirm. ]
Is this a nightly routine for you, then?
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[he wouldn't call it nightly, though he certainly does it nearly enough. granted, he's had a few months to get into a rhythm, and he observes plenty even when this isn't where he settles for the evening.]
There aren't all that many places to practice at this hour, after all. [and one of the most important things right now, as far as he's concerned? staying sharp.]
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[ Fresh-ish, anyway. ]
Is it any sort of helpful to practice by yourself, though?
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[meaning: he can practice formations well enough.]
It may not be the same as combat, but it does the job well enough. [after all, that was primarily how it worked in kyoto, too. the times they really got to wield their swords weren't as common as the time spent preparing, after all.]
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It's better than doing nothing at all, isn't it?
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[well, that changes things.]
If you were looking for someone to spar with, you could have just said so.
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[ Always so sassy, this one. ]
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[though maybe if they actually spar, his memory will be jogged. he's done so good at trying to push aside a lot of his feelings and experiences from haven that it doesn't immediately occur to him that they've met on more than one occasion.
not that it matters, since she clearly has no recollection of it either, and souji wouldn't dare mention it. so maybe it's for the better that a lot of time has passed and enough of his bad memories have been shoved aside to make this awkward. funny how the brain works, that conversation wouldn't bring that familiarity to the forefront—but if he gets a feel for her fighting style, that definitely would.]
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[ IS SHE PULLING OUT HER SPEAR, of course she is, of course. Where she keeps it, no one truly knows. ]
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As long as you don't expect me to go easy on you, I think we can call it fair. [he'll take the offer, but he won't treat her differently in a fight just because she's a woman. the only strength he'll hold back would be his rasetsu abilities... for obvious reasons.]
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[he likes the sound of that, even if it... again, seems to ring familiar. it's more fun for souji when he doesn't have to hold back though, so he does make the move to strike first, thrusting his sword forward.]
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either way, it's a pretty close call, and a solid indication that he definitely can't let his guard down.]
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Hey, it still hurts. ]