aefenglom | text; un: magicowl

You came to the right place! Swords are my specialty -- how about you?

I've been thoroughly trained, but I'm most adept with swords, knives, and firearms. Are you available now?

[ He's an assassin, he can - and has - killed someone with a spoon. ]

Wow, you don't waste any time! Yeah, I guess I am. Where did you wanna do this?

The Bright Wall, northern end. There's a spot there where no one really goes and if we tell the guards before hand, they won't interfere.

Huh, good to know that they won't take issue with it. Sounds like you've done this before. I'll head over in a few, then!

Understood. Tell the guard you're looking for 'Bishop'.

[ His preparations don't take too long and he's soon out the door and headed towards the specified gate. A quick chat with the guards, the OK from their captain, and telling them to direct anyone up to the wall, and Bishop is already waiting at the designated spot.

He's in the middle of practicing some simple sword forms that are, if nothing else, pleasing to the eye as he smoothly transitions from stance to the other. The forms were slow but elegant and were not to strike but to meditate and focus the mind. ]

Will do.

[ Once Zack reaches the north side of the Wall, it doesn't take him long to find a guard who knows what he's talking about, who's quick to point him in the right direction after issuing a few safety warnings. It's nice to know that they can spar in the open without attracting any attention.

This is actually Zack's first time up on top of the wall, though being so far up mainly just reminds him of some of the views from the top plate of Midgar. Granted, here there's a very different sort of city on one side, and a forest that reaches as far as he can see on the other. Having entered the Wilde a few times already, it's interesting to see it from this vantage point.

He eventually comes across a man practicing with a sword, notes that they're a similar age and height, and decides this should be a fun time. Zack has come equipped with Organics, which is more like a greatsword than anything else, though he leaves it strapped to his back for now.

He watches for a few seconds, judging the stranger's skill, before he speaks up. ]

Bishop, right?

[ He stopped only as he finished his last form and exhaled before easing off his stance and looking at the arrival. ]

That I am. You're the guy about my request then?

[ It was pretty obvious but never hurt to make sure. The sword on his back does not go unnoticed and he can't help but wonder if this guy was just like Mira of Iryha, another dark knight. Seriously though, what the heck is with this place and people having giant swords??? ]

What's you're name?

[ Zack nods, though he suspects that his appearance and the giant sword on his back had made that a pretty easy guess. It's not like he'd given a physical description of himself, so... fair.

As for his name, it had been his username, but it's not like everyone uses their real name for those things. He strides forward a few steps, closing the distance between then, and then extends a gloved hand. ]

Zack. Nice to meet you.

[ He met Zack's hand with his own before curiously leaning to one side to get a look at his sword. ]

...You, ah, wouldn't happen to be a dark knight would you?

[ Because big sword = dark knight. That's how that works right? ]

[ While Zack catches the quick glance at his sword that proceeds the question, he isn't any less confused by it. ]

Uhh... nope, not sure what that is. [ The concept of a knight doesn't really exist where he's from, save for stories in books or plays. He knows that Organics has a pretty imposing look to it, though, befitting of someone known as a 'dark knight.' ]

Is that a thing where you're from?

No. Just, I'm acquainted with two other people with swords like yours.

[ He means large and over compensating. ]

But nevermind that. You mind if I see it for a second? I'm going to put a spell on the edge that'll make sure we both leave here with all our limbs intact.

[ While Zack has no intention of hurting Bishop, he can understand his wariness given that Organics looks like it's designed to inflict as much pain as possible. They've also literally just met, so he can't really expect the guy to trust him.

With a nod, he pulls the greatsword off his back and spins it around so that he's handing it over hilt-first. The fact that he can handle something so massive with one hand if need be sort of speaks for itself. ]

Are these other people with swords here in Aefenglom?

[ He's curious! ]

They are. Both ladies by the name of Mira and Iryha.

[ Hey that rhymes. ]

Both have slim but solid builds, the first has dark hair the other is a...bluenette?

[ Baby blue is still blue. ]

And has cat ears and a tail. Don't call her a cat, offensive I hear.

[ He takes the blade and, while Bishop is no weakling, he did lurch forward a bit before getting a good hold on it to cast his spell. A simple sphere of light on the tip of his finger which he runs along the edge of the gargantuan blade and after a quick test of running his palm across along it, and no cuts to be found, handed it back to Zack before doing the same to his katana. ]

Anyway, rules of engagement. No underhanded strikes? First to land a "killing blow" wins the round. Say....best four out of five?

Edited 2020-09-04 17:07 (UTC)

[ Zack doesn't recognize either of those names, but he puts them to memory now, along with their physical descriptions. Cat ears and a tail? Did that mean she was a chimera, or some other kind of monster?

Well, it's not relevant to their sparring match, so he leaves it that, quickly distracted as he watches Bishop enchant his blade. Zack's never seen anything quite like it, and when he takes Organics back, he can't help but test it himself.

No matter how sharp the edges of the blade look, though, they don't cut him. ]

Wow, that's a neat trick! Guess you're a Witch, then? [ Magic can do so many different things that it's difficult to even keep track. As for the rules, they sound acceptable to Zack, so he gives a quick nod and then backs up a few steps to give each of them some room to ready themselves for the fight.

He holds Organics with both hands now, bending his knees slightly as he preps for their friendly spar. ]

Whenever you're ready!

[ He nods as he takes a few steps back then dig into his pocket for a coin to flip. ]

When this hits the ground, we start. Ready?

[ And he flips it high into the air. Almost immediately after it left his hand, Bishop sheathed his blade and crouched low. That blade, among all he's seen of that type, is a nasty piece of work and the closest one that's come to something from his world. Meant to hurt, maim, tear, slash but this time it's in the hands of a human, not a demon.

He doesn't know if that's better or not.

Regardless, he knows what he has to do. His first strike has to be quick, decisive. His mind tells him to end the match in one go, a sure kill, but...this was just a friendly spar and this stranger is humoring him. A good opportunity to try something new. He'll give it his all, but he's not fighting to kill. For now, he'll wait for the coin to drop but study Zack as much as he can to find a kink in his defenses. ]

[ A coin flip to signal the start of a match? It's not something that Zack's ever heard of before, but he doesn't mind spicing things up a little, so he nods.

The amount of time that the coin is actually in the air can't be more than a second or two, but Bishop doesn't waste any time in readying himself for the coming spar. Zack does the same, but he chooses to go on the defensive from the start, lifting Organics and then holding it horizontally in front of him as a shield of sorts against any coming attacks.

He wants to get some idea of what Bishop is capable of -- his strength, his speed, and how it will match up to Zack's enhancements. It'll give him a better idea of how to approach the fight, as he'd like it to be evenly matched and he's willing to pull his punches a little, if need be. ]

[ The coin rang with a loud ring as it crashed on the ground and Bishop immediately dash forward, drawing his blade for a powerful swing after quickly closing the distance between them, and aimed for organics. Force his blade up and turn it's weight against him, leave him open for a sure kill.

A curious choice but, the blade was a threat not only for it's shape but the sheer size. Trying to block a blade like that with a katana is damn near impossible not to mention foolish since if the blade didn't get him, the weight and aftershock of blocking it would be hell on his sword arm.

Striking the blade and disrupting his defense until it breaks is the best strategy he can use right now. At least until he has a better gauge of Zack's ability, but till then he'll make use of his speed and agility to his advantage. ]

[ There's a loud clang as blade hits blade, and Zack finds that he'd only just been fast enough to pull his sword up before Bishop was in his space. That agility is not something to be ignored, and he'll definitely be keeping it in mind for the duration of the spar.

In a sheer contest of strength, though, it's going to be difficult for a katana to push past the defenses of a sword the size of Organics. If this was Masamune, and if Sephiroth was wielding it? That would be a different story. As things stand, though, Zack's able to hold up his block, arms tensing with the effort of it.

And then he adds additional strength, pushing pack against the blade as he intends to apply enough pressure that he can break through Bishop's stance and force him back. Zack's strength is nothing to sneeze at, though he doesn't put his all into it, mainly because he wants to make sure he doesn't accidentally hurt his sparring partner. ]

[ The descending great sword forces him to quickly leap back given his first attempt to break through didn't go so well. No matter, "if at first you don't succeed..." and all that and once he's avoided Zack's counter Bishop is on the offensive again.

He can't win in a contest of strength, he suspected it at first but now he's confirmed it. Zack has exceptional strength and control of his body given, making that ridiculous thing he calls a sword even more dangerous. He's not just swinging a lump of metal on a stick, like most of the detestable creatures back home, he can actually wield it. The question now is, to what degree.

Dashing in with light but furiously quick strikes, switching targets as to whatever suits the angle of the katana as he goes from one swing to the other. ]

text; un: magicowl

un: zack

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

text -> action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject