text; un: magicowl

[getting_better]

Name: Bishop
Date: 7/31
Format: Text

I'll keep this brief, I need sparring partners. Martial arts, swords, spears, fire arms, fucking silverware, I don't care. I'm starting to feel rusty and I need to shake it off, preferably now. This isn't a quest but I'm willing to compensate you for your time. Anyone will do my only condition is don't hold back.

Have a nice day.

Comments

[exsoldier]

[ 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?

[getting_better]

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.

[exsoldier]

[ 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! ]

[getting_better]

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?

[exsoldier]

[ 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!

[getting_better]

[ 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. ]

[exsoldier]

[ 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. ]

[getting_better]

[ 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. ]

[exsoldier]

[ 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. ]

[getting_better]

[ 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. ]