thenearshore

Entry tags:

[OTA]

Who: Everyone!
What: Sparring, training etc
When: All day March 2nd
Where: A fancy pants gym in the far shore
Summary: There's a war going on and it won't be won sitting around twiddling your thumbs. Time to work up a sweat and earn yourself a few bruises and bragging rights in the process.

Turns out the far shore isn't devoid of some of the more earthly facilities enjoyed in life. Not the least of which is a gym. And not just one of those, hot cramps, 24/7 affairs but a whole arena that looks like it might have been plucked out of some classical epic. A real gym for the stars. Or the gods as it were. Upon finding it, it leaves Shepard with just a few ideas and today is the day they come to fruition. A couple days back, guests and residents alike recieve a mass invitation with the time and the place to come spar, train and otherwise get together to work out this situation.

The Main Event;
The largest space is dominated by a number of sparring rings for everyone to take advantage of. And off on the sidelines is ever possible melee weapons one could imagine. It's the perfect time to work on your skills before another wave of ayakashi show up to catch you and your shinki off guard. Some of the rings are even dotted with practice dummies for those pairs that are still figuring out exactly how this god and shinki thing works together. Or perhaps you'd like to pick up some new abilities. You never know when you might be caught off guard with only a bottle opener and a ball of twine to defend yourself. Just grab a partner and have at it.

The Shooting Range;
You didn't think the far shore's most vocal gun advocate would leave this out did you? But it's not just guns that stock the racks at this range. Bows and arrows from all ages as well as a rather impressive collection of throwing knives lay amidst the firearms. You might even find the odd slingshot or two if you really look hard enough. But target practice is target practice which makes this the perfect time to engage in some friendly competition with your neighbor, regardless
of the weapon.

Combat Instruction;
Perhaps some of you come from a world where war is the furthest thing from your mind. Where the worst you have to worry about is whether or not you passed that last exam or when that girl down the street might finally notice you. But to some, your recruitment into the battle against the Ayakashi is just one more stage in the mundane fight that's followed you for most of your life. There's novices and experts alike and this is where both can come together to share their skills. We're all in this together brogamis.

The Water Cooler;
More like a whole corner of the gym that's stocked with not only water, but juice, energy drinks, power bars and all manner of refreshments. There's a pile of clean towels for those of you that really work up a sweat and a bin for you to kindly dispose of them. After a hard day of hitting the gym, it's always nice to relax, unwind, maybe shoot the shit with a few new friends. Or enemies. No one said you had to get along and that was the last bag of chips after all.

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Oh-- hiya!

[She doesn't seem at all put off by the request, at least! Unlike Elsa, she's completely at ease, and it shows in how fluidly she turns to the woman.]

Sure, sure, I don't mind! You wanted to practice with a sword too?

[She needs to get some sparring in herself, so that works out just fine.]

It looks clear, so we can probably start right away! Oh, and-- can you fly or anything, or should we stick to the ground?

[What.]

[The fact that Yuuki seems unperturbed actually helps Elsa relax a little. That's one thing out of the way.

She lifts up her sword a little and nods, but Yuuki continues before Elsa can answer, and--

'What' is right.]

Just-- think of me as an average human, I guess. [A human who is now divine and who can fight like she's still full of evil power. That's completely average, right?

As she leads the way to a free sparring ring, Elsa glances back at her.] You can fly?

Yup!

[Right on cue, a pair of translucent black wings appear behind her. Shape-wise they look similar to a bat's, but the sparkles and the fact that they are slightly see through might bring to mind a fairy's gossamer wings instead. She gives them a few weak flutters before they disappear in another small shower of sparkles.]

I'll stick to the ground. It isn't fair if I'm in the sky and you aren't.

[It's as simple as that, apparently. Once she's reached her place, she turns to face Elsa properly, sword loosely at the ready and a smile on her face. She'll wait for Elsa to strike first.]

[The sight of those wings shouldn't surprise Elsa, after the year she's had, but somehow they still do. At least some part of her is still childlike and full of wonder. Makes for a good scientist, she' say.]

Thanks.

[It takes a second to realize Yuuki is waiting for her to begin. As soon as she does, though, Elsa nods, takes a breath, and thrusts with her sword.]

[One second she's there, the next - Elsa is stabbing at thin air. It's a quick but no less graceful sidestep, and though she still has her sword at the ready, she makes absolutely no move to actually use it.

She's also still smiling. C'mon, you can do it!]

[To say that Elsa is surprised would be an understatement. This girl moved in the blink of an eye! Elsa needs to step up her game, tap into the skill still living inside her, somewhere--

Before letting herself think on it too long, she swings her sword horizontally at Yuuki. She can't discount this girl will pull her trick again, but one test and one result are hardly enough to base a theory on.]

[This one she doesn't dodge. Instead, she simply moves her own blade by the bare minimum needed to deflect the attack entirely.

Care to try again, Elsa?]

[When her attack is deflected so easily, Elsa takes a step back and regards Yuuki with a frown. How is this girl so calm? She's obviously very good at this. Or maybe Elsa is just that bad.

Still, she does try again, stepping with, essentially, dance steps that take her to Yuuki's side before she tries again, giving a vertical swing.]

[There's a satisfied smile when Elsa attempts as much. This is more what she's talking about!

In a blink of the eye, she's twirling right around Elsa, batting her sword to the side as she goes.]

Yeah, like that! You've got it!

[Her voice is encouraging enough, at least? Although Elsa won't have long to focus on the words, because Yuuki's finally taking the offensive just enough to get right up in Elsa's space and aim a diagonal strike at her side!]

[That smile can mean that Yuuki is either pleased with Elsa's performance or going to win in one strike. What she says confirms it's the former, which is a relief.

But there's not much time to feel relieved as Yuuki attacks. Elsa lets her body move the way it wants, latent instincts guiding her, as she consciously tries only to predict what she'll do. She swings her sword to block Yuuki's strike, her palm on the broad side of the blade so she stays steady, and pushes Yuuki back when Yuuki's forward motion stops.]

[Honestly? It's a mix of both.

As her blade stops short, she reverses directions, spinning absurdly quickly to aim an attack at Elsa's other side!

Regardless if the attack connects or not, it's a good example of her strange style. Calling her quick on her feet is an understatement; the twirls she executes should by all means leave her exposed, but the movements are so fast, there's a blade where her back was less than a second ago.]

[It's like Yuuki is dancing, like she's trained at it so much that she's more than just fast.

Relying in her own dancing skills, Elsa reacts quickly enough to block this next strike, but she staggers back against the force of it. She regains her footing quickly, but rather than try attacking again, she lowers her sword and takes a few slow, deep breaths.]

You're incredible at this. Where did you learn to fight like that?

[She is so impressed, there isn't even a word for it.]

[Yuuki's sword remains in a neutral guard position as she steps back, though her stance is obviously more relaxed than before. Unlike Elsa, she doesn't seem all that tired yet.]

I have no idea!

[Which, judging by her expression, is slightly embarrassing but not exactly earth-shattering. She's just sorta accepted her lack of memories.]

Maybe I did a lot of fighting when I was alive?

[Ah-- that's right, shinki don't remember their time among the living. Oops.]

That must be it. It shows. I'm sorry I'm not a challenge at all to you.

[Elsa doesn't look ashamed, though. It's kind of funny, actually, how far apart they are in skill level.

In fact, that's precisely why she feels okay lunging at Yuuki again, thrusting with her sword. She may have the element of surprise on her side (maybe), but Yuuki will probably be more than fine.]

It's fine! That's why you're practicing, right?

[And then Elsa lunges for her, and--!

Sidestepped again. The element of surprise is all well and good, but it might have gone better if Yuuki weren't still facing her head on.

The sword is still in that neutral guard position as she waits for Elsa to make another move.]

[Welp, that went about as expected! Elsa doesn't strike again, just lets out a huff of a sigh as she straightens, giving a sheepish grin.]

I had to try.

[Swinging her sword to the side in a slow arc, Elsa gets into position again.] I'll play fair this time.

[And she does, tapping into her dance skills to pull off some quick, weaving footwork. In a few seconds, she ends up at Yuuki's side and does a horizontal strike.]

[And for her nice footwork, her reward is the sight of Yuuki fluidly dipping down under the strike and what will be the sensation of her leg tugging Elsa's ankle out from under her, unless she manages to avoid it even whilst mid-swing. Whether or not it works, Yuuki won't stick around for long, rolling easily out of range and popping right back onto her feet again.]

[It happens so fast that Elsa doesn't manage to react in time to avoid being caught in Yuuki's move, but she does manage to regain her balance, spinning away like she's just done some trick dance move. Once she's back on both feet, she sighs and lowers her sword -- for good. For now, anyway.]

I think-- [she pauses for breath -- this has definitely been a workout, mental and physical!] I think I need a break. [She flashes Yuuki a smile.] Thank you. This is... I would love to spar with you again. You're an excellent partner!

Heheheh-!

[She definitely looks pleased to hear that, finally letting the sword's tip drop as she plants her hand on her hip.]

That was fun! Your movements are really good - you just need to get faster!

[Still smiling, Elsa sheaths her sword.] I don't think I'll ever be fast enough to match you, but I'll do my best.

What's your name, by the way?

Yuuki! Yuuki Konno.

[She sheathes her sword right before holding out her newly freed up hand for a handshake.]

Nice to meet you...?

[Reaching out to take Yuuki's hand, Elsa goes for her now usual self-introduction.] Elsa Randall, the god Menrva. I prefer Elsa. It's nice to meet you, Yuuki.

You're a goddess?

[Oops!]

Sorry-- should I be more formal? [Sounds like a Western god, so maybe...] Ms. Elsa?

[While Elsa's first instinct is to dismiss the formality, she doesn't act on it. It's... supposed to be this way, right? Sort of like how she was always 'Ms. Randall' back home, on the job.

But this isn't like home. This is... worlds away from that.]

Oh, just 'Elsa' is fine, really. No need to be so formal. [It's not as if she feels like a god, anyway.]

[She nods, accepting this answer immediately. Not all of the gods liked formalities, as she's found.]

Elsa, then!

Are you just gonna rest now?

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