Log; complete

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

When; Dec 30
Rating; PG-13 (violence)
Characters; Naoto [naoto_two] & Percival Fraulein [gegnet]
Summary; Naoto and Percival have a friendly spar in Xanadu.
Log;

Naoto had not used her katana since her return to the City nearly a month before. All of her training had been for that final moment when she would avenge her parents' deaths, and now that said moment was past, the woman had no real use for the sword. But it was a part of her now, just as her scar was a part of her, and her master's coat which she refused to part with. She might as well not let her skills and sword rust.

The woman sat waiting on a stone bench not too far from the sakura tree that was still in bloom even in the dead of winter. She checked the placement of her weapons again: her katana slung at her shoulder in its case, its partner knife secure at her belt, and her scarf -- yes, she used that in combat as well -- wrapped loosely around her neck.

The minutes ticked by.

Comments

[gegnet.livejournal.com]

Percival made his way to Xanadu. Despite the fact that he’d only been in the City for a short time he knew his way around decently. As long as he had a clear destination in mind it was as if the place would guide him there, just as that man had told him.

Now that he was no longer a knight Percival didn’t wear the heavy armor, moving more quietly than the clacking would ever allow. It was warmer too, the armor was not ideal insulation, even the light traveling cloak that he’d worn for the trek to Vinay del Zexay provided more comfort in the cool winter weather. Along with snow pale pink petals seemed to fall from the clouds, cloaking the ground with a delicate floral pattern. He almost felt ashamed for messing it up with each step he took.

He noticed a young woman sitting on a bench near the large tree, the source of the petals apparently. “Miss Naoto?” he addressed politely as he approached. After years as a knight he was no longer accustomed to addressing people casually by first name with a few exceptions.

[ooc; sorry for how long it took, comment spam is distracting XP]

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

The call of her name brought Naoto's attention away from the petals decorating the snow, and she smiled politely and stood upon seeing the ex-knight. After years of hunting and killing, her mind automatically began to size the opponent, noting every weapon and possible defense on his person.

"Percival, hello," she greeted, removing the bag from her shoulder, unzipping it, and removing the sheathed sword from within. "We can start at any time."

[gegnet.livejournal.com]

She was a fairly tall woman but Percival still had the advantage of size regardless. He wasn’t accustomed to sparring with women. During the Second Fire Bringer War he had the opportunity to meet very able female warriors but as far as knights go Chris was the exception rather than the norm. Even compared to men she was formidable in strength. Of course he wouldn’t underestimate an opponent regardless of gender and Naoto he could tell was very much a veteran.

Then again it was a friendly match. “Very serious, aren’t you? You’ll have to excuse me I have not had the opportunity for practice in a while so it may take me a while to get warmed up,” he told her casually. A part of him though was eager, he didn’t enjoy fighting but with the stress that the last few days had put on him he was glad to find some kind of outlet.

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

She lightly tossed the empty bag onto the bench, nodding. "Of course. I haven't had much practice since I came back, either, so you'll have to excuse me if I'm not at my best."

The assassin adjusted her grip on the blade and its sheath, moving one hand to the decorated hilt. For a moment her thoughts wandered to the identical katana still in her apartment, the one she'd taken as a prize from her dead namesake. "However," she added, returning her attention to Percival, "don't take me lightly."

That said, she hopped backwards onto the bench and launched herself into the air at him, swiftly drawing the katana in the same action and swinging it at his shoulder.

[gegnet.livejournal.com]

“I don’t intend to,” Percival answered the same moment that he parried the strike. She was fast but Percival wasn’t named the Swordsman of Gale for no reason. He hadn’t been in a duel in a long time but he found himself instinctively reacting. Years as a knight had deeply ingrained the motions into his body.

He didn’t have a shield or even heavy armor that he was used to but it made him faster. If he’d been hunkered down by the armor he might not have been able to keep up with the woman.

[ooc; sorry, I suck at action :x]

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

She'd expected that parry. No decent swordsman would let the first strike hit him.

Naoto reached out and grabbed his shoulder with her free hand, using it as leverage to continue her leap. She twisted in mid-air and landed behind him deftly, facing him with sword raised. She paused for only a heartbeat, then aimed a slice at his side.

[gegnet.livejournal.com]

It was a different kind of sparring than he was accustomed to. Knights were heavy and sturdy, no were near as agile as this woman he was fighting. Though if he’d been in armor even if the strikes connected he’d barely be scratched, it wasn’t the kind of fighting suitable for the wars in his home world.

Giving her a thin grin he deflected the blow, brushing it to the side. Percival wasn’t an aggressive man by nature but as a cavalry leader one learns to charge and charge well. He aimed a slash at her smoothly, though he was aiming to hit with the flat of his blade rather than the sharpened edge.

[ooc; we'll just pretend they're impressive instead of confused :D]

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

He was fast, she admitted, but not nearly as fast as she was. Her city was no place for lethargy, because the faster one moved, the higher the chance of survival. She conceded she was no match for Percival in strength, which she could gauge through the force of his blocks, but strength alone did not win swordfights.

Naoto blocked the oncoming blow, then swiftly stepped towards him. Every swordsman had a certain space within his reach not readily accessible with a sword, usually directly in front of him. The woman entered that space and aimed a slash at his neck, planning to stop short before her blade could touch skin.

[gegnet.livejournal.com]

Percival leapt back quickly but sprung again as soon as his foot touched the ground. The tip of the blade came pretty close, though the former knight had no fears. He’d sparred with Borus for many years. And Borus was the kind of person that could take off your head with a thrust if you weren’t careful. “Quite a fierce swordswoman you are, you almost remind me of Lady Chris,” he commented idly even as they exchanged rapid strikes and fended off each other admirably.

[ooc; compy died for a few days, so sorry for the slow tag. And uh I hope it's okay I did the :insert generic battle STUFF: bit if not I can change :3]

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

Naoto was impressed. She knew few swordsmen who could keep up with her, and she was grateful for the chance to spar someone new. His strength, however, was not a match for her speed, and she nimbly dodged his heavier blows, skirting around to beside and behind him to find openings in his defense.

"Lady Chris?" the woman inquired as she parried a blow. "A fellow knight?"

[gegnet.livejournal.com]

The clash of the metal rang sharply in the crisp air. He'd only worn rather light clothing but any chill that might have settled in his bones had been chased away by their spar. They were well matched for a spar despite the difference of fighting style.

Percival dodged and parried as well as she did but her mobility overall was superior to his. And while he had the advantage in terms of strength it wasn't all that noticable in their blows. It wasn't as refined as dueling but Percival was glad for that, he was in no mood to follow codes and formalities.

"Much more than a fellow knight," he replied fondly. He hadn't seen his captain in almost a year now and missed her dearly. "The only lady who I swear myself to."

[ooc;...er how many more tags of psuedo sparring should we do? 8D;; Call it a draw? Or should someone actually win?]

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

They crossed swords again, and Naoto struggled against Percival's greater strength. Her boot heels dug into the snow.

"I see. It must be nice, to have men respect you for being a woman." She remembered what it was like in her own city, back in her world. She was a skilled swordsman, but few people believed her until she actually fought and won against them.

She took a step backwards, yielding. They had been sparring for a while now, and her continuous use of dodging was wearing down on her stamina. "You're a good swordsman, Percival," she acknowledged with a smile. "I don't think I could keep up with you if this duel went on any longer."

[gegnet.livejournal.com]

"Lady Chris was an exception, the only female knight. Though I have great respect for many of the women fighters I've met," he replied as they pressed on steadily. "You included, Naoto," he continued as they broke apart.

Percival offered a formal bow, in acknowledgement. Honestly though if she had been aiming to kill it would have been a very different fight. Percival's strength and stamina were perhaps improved compared to even during the Second Fire Bringer War. Farm work and riding on a daily basis had trained him better than the idle duties that the knights usually fulfilled.

[ooc; works for me :3;; Sorry if I rushed you...just dueling is not my strongest skill :D;;]

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

When he bowed, Naoto wasn't quite sure what to do. Should she bow back? She dipped her shoulders forward a bit, hesitantly. She wasn't used to having people be courteous to her, let alone any formalities.

"It was a pleasure sparring with you." She sheathed her katana and picked up the bag she carried it in. "After a bit of training, let's have another one."

[gegnet.livejournal.com]

"A pleasure for me as well," he replied, ever polite. Percival slid Zukenft back into its sheath.

"I would enjoy another one," the former knight agreed with a smile. A formidable opponent. And something about her did remind him of Chris a lot. "Though perhaps I'd enjoy your company even without crossing swords," he invited vaguely. Borus was here in the city, and he loved the blonde's company, more than just his company really, enough to drive him insane. It would do some good to make other acquaintances.

[naoto-two.livejournal.com]

The woman allowed herself a wider smile. "I would like that. There's not much to do at home, and I'm afraid I don't have many friends here though I've been away from my world for four months now."

Slinging the bag around her shoulder, she tilted her head in farewell. "I'm free most days, so just let me know when you wish to meet again."

[gegnet.livejournal.com]

Percival waved faintly in response, "I shall definitely take you up on that gracious offer."

[ooc; ...end? :3;;]