Of course it wasn't. I think the sisters-- our hosts-- played a huge part in carving a path for us to the heart.
But we still had to trek that path ourselves, and it was wrought with danger.
[hm. how to explain]
The Room of Req-- well, whatever it stands for, was a room that would change shape and appearance based on whatever the person entering the room wanted. That was its defense system against us. . . it could morph that room into literally anything to prevent us from reaching its heart.
[raises a brow curiously, but takes a step back to give Guy plenty of room to whale on that bale of hay]
More "residuals," so to speak. [a shrugs] Or at least, that's what I'm assuming. I wouldn't be surprised if the portal leads to a new location and the movie theater shows different movies next week.
He steels himself, blade in one hand and sheath in the other, before it turns into a stream of deliberate, practiced motion. Despite how relaxed he's been in demeanor, the blonde is extremely agile, the motions of his blade meant to keep an enemy at a distance, to damage before gaining cover. At one point, he even uses the momentum of attacks to flip entirely over the top of his target and attack from behind.
[Akira-- who also excels in speed with quick, sharply-focused strikes-- watches Guy move with the eye of someone who knows what to look for. he might be a self-taught combatant, but his gaze is sharp nevertheless]
[he stays silent while Guy works, arms folded and shoulder resting up against the walls of the stable. it isn't until Guy rests (after straw is scattered everywhere) that he speaks]
[He'll rest his armed hand with the sword tip against the ground, blowing his bangs out of his face.]
Practice makes perfect. Being away from home this long means not having many chances to apply what I've learned. I know better than to let myself get rusty.
[. . . huffs a little, and in one swift motion he draws a dagger from his belt. he hasn't exactly been hiding it since arriving in camp, since it's on his boarding pass, but it's still probably pretty surprising to see him handle one so efficiently]
[Impressive, but the sight of a dagger of ALL THINGS just makes him double down.]
Easy there, hotshot.
I got stabbed in the ribs because I let my guard down and the kid didn't know when to stop. To train on another living person with an actual blade means you acknowledge that you have to keep close attention to your actions or else risk injuring your partner.
[...PFT sorry but that gets a laugh. Wow, Akira really wants to go at it, doesn't he... The reasoning is hard for Guy to pinpoint right this second, but he definitely wouldn't mind a little rough-and-tumble.]
We don't. Can't say I'm the best at it, but we can definitely try.
[Aha. Actually, this gives him an idea.]
Here, I'll give you an offer. We've got a task to teach each other something this week, right?
You show me something new with all that criminal knowledge of yours, and I'll see what I can do in return for handling a weapon of your size.
[Akira takes a step back to adopt an offensive stance, his gaze sharp as he studies Guy for an openings. naturally, he doesn't see one. . . which means he'll have to create one himself]
[so he starts simply, kicking at the ground and bolting forward like a bullet shot from a gun, feinting left and then ducking right to aim an arced kick at Guy's side]
Sword in hand or not, Guy knows more than enough of a feigned blow. He'll take a step back, arms hooking up to take the force of the blow and use the momentum to twist on his heel, trying to keep himself faced in Akira's direction.
He's definitely not in a position to return the blow yet, far more comfortable evading. Akira seemed bright, though. How long would it be before he caught on?]
[probably not long, but for now, despite Guy's defense. . . Akira presses the offensive. his kick glances rather harmlessly off of Guy's arms, and the sudden halt in his momentum is a bit jarring. but Akira is quick on his feet, too; he jerks back, takes a second to reorient himself, and then swaps tactics]
[by using their sudden proximity to his advantage and aiming a punch right at Guy's face. coming from his non-dominant hand, even!! opposite the side of the kick]
[his hope is that Guy is too busy guarding one side to see the blow from the opposite side coming]
[His reflexes are fast, but not quite THAT fast. He sees the motion on his opposite side and quickly dodges back, enough that the swing connects with his shoulder rather than his face. It still hits hard, earning a grunt of pain--
And also his elbow slamming right down onto Akira's arm, before Guy drops his weight and hooks one of his legs against Akira's, attempting to send him toppling before he can regain his footing properly.]
[oh. that's not bad at all, and Akira is so focused on the offensive he doesn't see it coming. he also lets out a low noise of pain as Guy's elbow connects with his arm, and before he knows it? his footing is being swept out from underneath him and he topples backwards to crash hard against the ground]
[. . .]
[he doesn't stay there. almost immediately after hitting the ground, Akira pulls his legs into a back tuck-and-roll, popping back onto his feet like a cat poised to pounce again. there's some space between them now, and without his Persona. . . well. he needs to close it]
[IN A LEAPING TACKLE]
Ive never been able to use this icon icly im impressed
[He's scrambling back as soon as Akira's weight topples, trying to keep distance, but-- yeah, not much he can do about a full body tackle. Down they go, the wind knocking out of Guy as his back hits the ground. With a grunt, he flings his arms above his head as he tries to keep their movement going, hoisting his weight to rest against his back and jerking one of his knees up to hit Akira in the stomach while trying to twist himself back to his feet.]
[oof-- that's a solid hit, too. which is always a risk when you excel in melee combat. Akira can feel the wind knocked out of him, and the momentum of the blow knocks him sideways, giving Guy plenty of opportunity to twist back to his feet while Akira purposefully keeps rolling]
[he needs a moment to reorient himself, and it shows in the way he also leaps back to his feet, inhaling deeply to catch his breath]
[his stance is defensive now, and he watches Guy with a studious gaze, trying to plan his next strike]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Of course it wasn't. I think the sisters-- our hosts-- played a huge part in carving a path for us to the heart.
But we still had to trek that path ourselves, and it was wrought with danger.
[hm. how to explain]
The Room of Req-- well, whatever it stands for, was a room that would change shape and appearance based on whatever the person entering the room wanted. That was its defense system against us. . . it could morph that room into literally anything to prevent us from reaching its heart.
no subject
It really must have thought you presented a major threat, then. You guys must have given it hell.
Sounds like it deserved every second of it.
no subject
[and he can't help but be a little pleased as he says that]
But that's all in the past. Even though we're standing on the mansion grounds right now, I'm pretty sure it's still dead as a doornail.
[which is the only reason he is not freaking out right now]
no subject
[He'll unhook his sword from his hip, waving for Akira to take a step back.]
Not sure why they'd have the entire grounds replicated, other than to maybe agitate your group into overthinking things. Same thing with the theater.
Someone went as far as piling up furtniture in the path to the theater yesterday, though, so it's not like the bait isn't working.
no subject
More "residuals," so to speak. [a shrugs] Or at least, that's what I'm assuming. I wouldn't be surprised if the portal leads to a new location and the movie theater shows different movies next week.
[a pause]
What are you doing out here, anyway?
no subject
[He pulls the blade from the sheath with flourish, the metal a brilliant sapphire blue.]
Normally I'd use the sports area, but that's gotten a little too exciting for my tastes since yesterday.
no subject
Letting out some frustrations from yesterday?
[time to ease into it]
no subject
[Uno momento.
He steels himself, blade in one hand and sheath in the other, before it turns into a stream of deliberate, practiced motion. Despite how relaxed he's been in demeanor, the blonde is extremely agile, the motions of his blade meant to keep an enemy at a distance, to damage before gaining cover. At one point, he even uses the momentum of attacks to flip entirely over the top of his target and attack from behind.
There is now straw everywhere but it's fine.]
no subject
[Akira-- who also excels in speed with quick, sharply-focused strikes-- watches Guy move with the eye of someone who knows what to look for. he might be a self-taught combatant, but his gaze is sharp nevertheless]
[he stays silent while Guy works, arms folded and shoulder resting up against the walls of the stable. it isn't until Guy rests (after straw is scattered everywhere) that he speaks]
Huh.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
[what he means to say is VERY IMPRESSIVE]
no subject
Practice makes perfect. Being away from home this long means not having many chances to apply what I've learned. I know better than to let myself get rusty.
It's a discipline, just like anything else.
no subject
Wouldn't you prefer to practice on a moving target?
no subject
[At first, he looks eager to the offer. But there's a flash of hesitation, as something comes to mind.
...
A beat, looking Akira up and down.]
Does the mansion have access to dummy swords? Last time I used live steel against a kid your age, someone got hurt. I'd rather not repeat that.
no subject
Hn? You think I can't take it?
[NO AKIRA HE'S JUST BEING CAUTIOUS]
no subject
Easy there, hotshot.
I got stabbed in the ribs because I let my guard down and the kid didn't know when to stop. To train on another living person with an actual blade means you acknowledge that you have to keep close attention to your actions or else risk injuring your partner.
You understand?
no subject
All right, all right. Fair enough.
There are no practice swords in the mansion, but we don't need them for a good hand-to-hand scuffle, do we?
no subject
We don't. Can't say I'm the best at it, but we can definitely try.
[Aha. Actually, this gives him an idea.]
Here, I'll give you an offer. We've got a task to teach each other something this week, right?
You show me something new with all that criminal knowledge of yours, and I'll see what I can do in return for handling a weapon of your size.
no subject
Huh. Sounds like killing two birds with one stone, then.
[releasing some pent-up tension that built up from yesterday while completing Heart's task]?
Count me in.
no subject
[The Jewel goes back into its sheath, set to rest against the wall as Guy squares his stance again, flexing his gloved hands at his sides.]
Come on, Phantom Thief. Show me what you got.
no subject
[so he starts simply, kicking at the ground and bolting forward like a bullet shot from a gun, feinting left and then ducking right to aim an arced kick at Guy's side]
no subject
Sword in hand or not, Guy knows more than enough of a feigned blow. He'll take a step back, arms hooking up to take the force of the blow and use the momentum to twist on his heel, trying to keep himself faced in Akira's direction.
He's definitely not in a position to return the blow yet, far more comfortable evading. Akira seemed bright, though. How long would it be before he caught on?]
no subject
[by using their sudden proximity to his advantage and aiming a punch right at Guy's face. coming from his non-dominant hand, even!! opposite the side of the kick]
[his hope is that Guy is too busy guarding one side to see the blow from the opposite side coming]
no subject
And also his elbow slamming right down onto Akira's arm, before Guy drops his weight and hooks one of his legs against Akira's, attempting to send him toppling before he can regain his footing properly.]
no subject
[. . .]
[he doesn't stay there. almost immediately after hitting the ground, Akira pulls his legs into a back tuck-and-roll, popping back onto his feet like a cat poised to pounce again. there's some space between them now, and without his Persona. . . well. he needs to close it]
[IN A LEAPING TACKLE]
Ive never been able to use this icon icly im impressed
I FEEL SO SPECIAL
[he needs a moment to reorient himself, and it shows in the way he also leaps back to his feet, inhaling deeply to catch his breath]
[his stance is defensive now, and he watches Guy with a studious gaze, trying to plan his next strike]
(no subject)
(no subject)
we are going to be tagging this fight for the rest of the game, how much you want to bet
PROBABLY... I LOVE MY FIGHT THREADS!!!
And then they fought forever and we retconned most of these injuries, the end