Me either. Well, not like this anyway. [But the cipher's set aside as Cunning watches Ishikirimaru approach. This giant tree man is the only person in the temple taller than they are.]
Likewise. I haven't met with very many of you yet. Call it a slow start. So the kid got my message across? [What was actually said, they wonder.]
He told me that he believed you were looking for someone to spar with, who's capable of using swords-- I suppose he thought I was a likely choice for that.
[And with a slight smile, he adds-]
Not that he was wrong, of course. Was that message accurate?
I assume because it's powerful. [They're curious, and they actually seem to have forgotten what they were doing because suddenly this is more interesting.] I've seen some pretty powerful blades in the past that've seen a lot of history, but you're a really special case. It just means you've been fighting your entire life, doesn't it?
It is harder to pull back from a blow with a blade this size, if an opponent fails to block or dodge.
[So it's mostly just... not wanting to accidentally slice someone, really.
He laughs slightly at that last question, though, with a shake of his head.]
I have seen far less battle than most of my kind, truthfully... It is only recently that I have seen war. I still know how to wield myself effectively, though.
Interesting...[There's a very thoughtful hum before they turn, looking at the wall of swords behind them.]
In my old life, I trained for years and eventually started training other people. I'm pretty sure I can block whatever you throw at me, so don't worry about that.
[Hmm...] Takaomi didn't specify everything because I didn't tell him, but I like to make things a little interesting when it comes to these kind of things. Set wagers, stuff like that.
[Ishikirimaru hums thoughtfully at that, considering. Reasonably, it would be a bad idea. He has no true idea about their skill aside from what they've just said, nor does he know that they would fight fairly; he might be outmatched easily by a god when he lacks his own divinity here.
On the other hand, well. It could be interesting, and could be a decent opportunity besides.]
...I am willing to listen to any proposal you may have, though I cannot promise you my agreement yet.
Beats sitting around waiting, doesn't it? [They continue browsing swords.] Originally the proposal was gonna be if I win, you switch to align with me. If you win, I'll owe you a favor. As it turns out, I happen to like your patron enough not to do that...so instead, if I win, you've gotta find someone to defect to me even for a week.
[when you feel like it's a bad idea but also you super want to do it: me right now.]
Is that so...? I suppose he has that sort of way about him, doesn't he.
[He wouldn't have expected it, honestly, but neither is he truly surprised by that.
Ishi glances down to his own sword, contemplative.]
Would there be any particular rules of engagement? I'm aware enough that considering your divinity, your abilities may well exceed mine... but if you intend to fight on an even enough footing, then I could certainly be convinced.
Something like that. [That's the sound of someone who doesn't want to talk about it, but smoothly going around it. On the other hand, Ishikirimaru seems smart enough to not immediately agree and that, too, is useful.]
I never used divinity for sparring before, why start now? I can curb my skill down enough to be about even. Think of it as a friendly bet and nothing more than that.
[It's just a bet that determines an action to be taken, no big deal.]
[as teej whispers 'why do i keep doing fight threads' gently in the bg
But even if he loses, he feels this is a reasonable enough risk to be worth taking, and he really is curious about testing their skill. One hand settles on the hilt of his sword.]
The first to yield loses, then, or do you prefer other terms?
[We made mistakes Teej. Cunning finally selects a blade, something a little more ancient in appearance than some of the newer swords.]
We'll stick with the first to yield. I'm not interested in a fight to the death or anything like that. [A gesture toward the open arena then. Come along.] Plus it'll be good practice.
There's enough of that here without adding to it unnecessarily.
[Ishi nods and moves to the arena, before drawing his sword and taking a moment to shift his grip on it. He doesn't delay past that, though, settling into a ready stance-- more defensive, rather than preparing to take the offense.]
[Sword in hand, Cunning steps to the arena as well and moves into their own readying stance. It'd be much easier without the robes and the like, but here we are. There's barely a moment between Ishikirimaru telling Cunning to swing and when they step forward.
Through the magic of timeskips, the fighting goes on. It's a very nearly even match, but thanks to the magic of RNG, Ishikirimaru lands a hit that causes Cunning to relent as they block, backing off entirely.]
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay, you win. [But they sound rather impressed.] You really were a worthy opponent.
[He's breathing more heavily as he sheathes his sword, but smiling as well-- this is exactly the sort of thing he's needed, honestly, the kind of outlet he can't get from practicing forms or using practice weapons. It's still different from how it was when he was connected to the blade, but... this is definitely as good as he's going to get, finding someone he really thought he might lose to. He feels somewhat more centered.]
It is a relief to find someone with your skill, truthfully. Majima-san isn't half bad himself, but it is still a bit different.
[Because Majima is Majima, basically.]
I am not often a betting man-- but I wouldn't mind doing this again simply for the sake of it, if you'd ever like to.
[Cunning isn't out of breath because, well, god, but they seem satisfied with themselves even as they place the sword back in its place on the wall.]
Thanks. Like I said it's been a while. Can't get most people to agree. I think I could probably consider making time in my schedule for a rematch though.
[...please....]
Buuut I did make a wager, and I consider myself a fair person. Favor's yours, I'll see what I can do with the extent of power.
I guess I can't hold it against you since I wasn't exactly expecting to lose in the first place. [Cunning can be an okay sport about it.] Summon me whenever you wanna go a few rounds, I'm usually not that busy. This place is actually pretty boring these days.
Yeah, yeah...I'm used to winning. [There's a shrug shortly after.] You could probably just leave a note saying you want to spar and I'll answer if I'm around. Consider it a benefit of being the winner.
[Hm...] In the temple? Nah, this is new to us, too. But the old life was starting to be a drag, so I picked this one instead.
I dunno. It was really just the offer of being able to control and have a say in stuff that was appealing to me. [Which is a weirdly honest thing to say, but.]
The challenge stopped being a challenge. Plans were completed, I ran out of things to do...you know how it goes.
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[Ishi gives them a respectful bow before he steps further into the armory, hands folded in front of him.]
My apologies for the delay in reaching out to you, but I am pleased to meet with you.
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Likewise. I haven't met with very many of you yet. Call it a slow start. So the kid got my message across? [What was actually said, they wonder.]
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[And with a slight smile, he adds-]
Not that he was wrong, of course. Was that message accurate?
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[There's a tilt of their head.] I guess it counts even if...you...are a sword?
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[They're in a similar boat on that front; he's practiced, of course, but Majima is the only one he's actually sparred.]
There are few people I am comfortable actually using this blade with.
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[So it's mostly just... not wanting to accidentally slice someone, really.
He laughs slightly at that last question, though, with a shake of his head.]
I have seen far less battle than most of my kind, truthfully... It is only recently that I have seen war. I still know how to wield myself effectively, though.
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In my old life, I trained for years and eventually started training other people. I'm pretty sure I can block whatever you throw at me, so don't worry about that.
[Hmm...] Takaomi didn't specify everything because I didn't tell him, but I like to make things a little interesting when it comes to these kind of things. Set wagers, stuff like that.
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[Ishikirimaru hums thoughtfully at that, considering. Reasonably, it would be a bad idea. He has no true idea about their skill aside from what they've just said, nor does he know that they would fight fairly; he might be outmatched easily by a god when he lacks his own divinity here.
On the other hand, well. It could be interesting, and could be a decent opportunity besides.]
...I am willing to listen to any proposal you may have, though I cannot promise you my agreement yet.
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And I'll even throw in a consolation prize.
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Is that so...? I suppose he has that sort of way about him, doesn't he.
[He wouldn't have expected it, honestly, but neither is he truly surprised by that.
Ishi glances down to his own sword, contemplative.]
Would there be any particular rules of engagement? I'm aware enough that considering your divinity, your abilities may well exceed mine... but if you intend to fight on an even enough footing, then I could certainly be convinced.
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I never used divinity for sparring before, why start now? I can curb my skill down enough to be about even. Think of it as a friendly bet and nothing more than that.
[It's just a bet that determines an action to be taken, no big deal.]
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[as teej whispers 'why do i keep doing fight threads' gently in the bg
But even if he loses, he feels this is a reasonable enough risk to be worth taking, and he really is curious about testing their skill. One hand settles on the hilt of his sword.]
The first to yield loses, then, or do you prefer other terms?
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We'll stick with the first to yield. I'm not interested in a fight to the death or anything like that. [A gesture toward the open arena then. Come along.] Plus it'll be good practice.
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[Ishi nods and moves to the arena, before drawing his sword and taking a moment to shift his grip on it. He doesn't delay past that, though, settling into a ready stance-- more defensive, rather than preparing to take the offense.]
Come, then.
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Through the magic of timeskips, the fighting goes on. It's a very nearly even match, but thanks to the magic of RNG, Ishikirimaru lands a hit that causes Cunning to relent as they block, backing off entirely.]
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay, you win. [But they sound rather impressed.] You really were a worthy opponent.
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[He's breathing more heavily as he sheathes his sword, but smiling as well-- this is exactly the sort of thing he's needed, honestly, the kind of outlet he can't get from practicing forms or using practice weapons. It's still different from how it was when he was connected to the blade, but... this is definitely as good as he's going to get, finding someone he really thought he might lose to. He feels somewhat more centered.]
It is a relief to find someone with your skill, truthfully. Majima-san isn't half bad himself, but it is still a bit different.
[Because Majima is Majima, basically.]
I am not often a betting man-- but I wouldn't mind doing this again simply for the sake of it, if you'd ever like to.
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Thanks. Like I said it's been a while. Can't get most people to agree. I think I could probably consider making time in my schedule for a rematch though.
[...please....]
Buuut I did make a wager, and I consider myself a fair person. Favor's yours, I'll see what I can do with the extent of power.
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[Sometimes you just gotta fight? You just gotta.]
And I will certainly bear it in mind, if you do not mind me holding on to that for now; at the moment I do not believe there's anything I require.
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[is he being zen or is that the inner shitty grandpa sneaking out, you decide. he's still got the same calm smile as always.]
But I certainly will, and I will also take it into account if you have preferences for being summoned.
[after a brief pause, he also asks:]
Was there anything that made it more interesting before?
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Yeah, yeah...I'm used to winning. [There's a shrug shortly after.] You could probably just leave a note saying you want to spar and I'll answer if I'm around. Consider it a benefit of being the winner.
[Hm...] In the temple? Nah, this is new to us, too. But the old life was starting to be a drag, so I picked this one instead.
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[not that he would really know, considering he's just always sort of been a minor one.]
What about it did you find so boring?
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The challenge stopped being a challenge. Plans were completed, I ran out of things to do...you know how it goes.