greatness is what we're on the brink of

[autocratic]

Who: Saber/Nero (autocratic) & Ventus (wayfinder)
Where: Goldrenod City
When: Early Afternoon
Summary: Nero's got a bit of a surprise for Ventus himself, in return for his gift of a Magikarp. Commence massive derping and awkward.
Rating: PG
Log:


And... it is done!

[ After finally tying the knot of the red ribbon onto the object, Nero chuckles to herself. She holds up the finished product of her most recent project: a Keyblade, as Ventus had shown and described to her a few times. The bow rests on the hilt of the wooden Keyblade, its vibrant red coloring standing out from the grain and brown of the wood.

She just has to puff her chest up in pride. The odd shape of the weapon resonated well with her, and having analyzed his own make of his weapon, it was quite easy to get the general shape down. After all, if she could carve Aestus Estus from her own memory, it was child's play when an actual example is near and on hand.

Nero then proceeds to swing the practice weapon a couple of times, ending with a mild thrust at an invisible opponent before she gives a nod of satisfaction. The weight is good, the durability assured thanks to the quality of wood she searched for around the forests of Goldenrod. There are strings applied where needed to be, but overall, to Ventus, it might as well be indistinguishable from the real thing. ]

An admiral job, Gladius. [ She raises a hand to her faithful Scyther, who gives a small rumble of appreciation as she strokes his head. ] He will find this very pleasing. Ah, I cannot wait to see what reaction he will give.

[ Now she proceeds to whip out her Gear and send a text message to Ventus: ]

Ventus, an urgent matter has arrived that you and I must address. Meet me at the city gates.

[ Storing her Gear after the message is sent, she places the wooden Wayward Wind Behind her back. Good thing the weapon itself is relatively small, and her red, ballroom dress is wide and flamboyant enough that he won't notice. Time to wait. ]

Comments

[autocratic]

[ She lets out a hearty laugh at his question, but his reaction and statement earlier made her all but giddy with joy. Well, can't break character now. Nero still holds out the Keyblade to him. ]

Is it not so obvious? You have given me joy by presenting me with a creature as strong and beautiful as Praetor, it was only a matter of time before I repay the deed with equal measure.

Do not let my effort go to waste by not taking this sword. [ Key, but while she was making it, Nero saw all the conventional functions and makings of a sword to it. ]

[ex_aeroga402]

You did tell me that, I just...

[Gosh, it's such a very nice weapon. He looks down at it again, noticing one detail that does differ from his weapon back home - a red ribbon.

Although he doesn't think he'd ever forget which friend did this for him, it still makes him smile. Red is so distinctly Nero.

It takes him a moment to remind himself to lift a hand and grab the hilt of the wooden keyblade, something he does rather carefully. Sure, he can tell it's sturdy, but it's such a nice gift]

Thanks, Nero.

[autocratic]

[ And she calmly and easily lets go of the Keyblade, letting him fully test the weight of it. Hope he doesn't drop it since he was holding it so delicately! ]

The pleasure is all mine.

[ex_aeroga402]

[Fortunately he manages to avoid that, turning to give the weapon a test-swing or two]

Gosh, it even feels like the real thing.

[autocratic]

[ She watches this display, a last minute and minor check to see that the weapon is holding up to specifications. Her smile widens. ]

When I commit to something, I ensure that the details are met with satisfaction, to perfection, even the little ones. Although the "feel" is coincidental; likely a product of the wood I procured.

[ex_aeroga402]

[Once again he looks from the wooden weapon to Nero, and there's really no masking his curiosity]

Is there something special about the wood? I just used what I could find around, when I've made things...

[autocratic]

[ And it is here she pouts. ]

Of course! Though the wood itself has no magical properties, you must always be careful of what types of medium you use to craft your piece. To do so is a sign of negligence and a lack of care and respect for one's own talent. The artist within me cannot abide with anything else but the best!

[ex_aeroga402]

Guess I should've known that, huh?

[Nero's perfectionism is admirable, at least Ven sure thinks it is. That's the kind of energy he hopes he puts into his training, since he's not really much of an artist himself]

[autocratic]

[ She briefly holds up a hand to show her forgiveness on the matter. ]

A common novice mistake, one easily forgivable. That said, your own attempt was not so poor. In fact, I admire the effort!

Besides, we are both warriors, are we not? Our true talents lie elsewhere.

[ex_aeroga402]

You must be one impressive combatant, if something this nice doesn't even compare with your fighting skills...

[And because he's Ven, he's not the slightest bit skeptical of the notion. If anything, he's trying to imagine what that must be like]

[autocratic]

[ Now she proceeds to plant her hands on her hips and puff up her chest. Thanks for stroking the ego, Ventus. ]

I am of the Servant Saber class. Exceptional combat prowess is expected of me, and I know for a fact that my skills and strength were made even greater back in my own world! This realm may have reverted me back into a human, but that doesn't matter: my skills are more than enough.

[ex_aeroga402]

[At least she's not wearing a bikini, Ven thinks...and then immediately tells himself that ought not to enter his mind at all. Master taught him better than this nonsense, goodness]

Maybe I could learn a few things from training with you sometime then. I'm not a Master just yet, and I've got a lot of improving to do if I'm going to teach anybody as well as Master Eraqus taught me.

[autocratic]

[ The image is burned into your mind, Ventus. You can't resist. You can't.

At his words, another gleam strikes her gaze, and she places a casual hand upon the hilts of her own wooden sword. ]

Why not we partake in a sparring match now? It would be a good test to see how my newest piece will handle under actual pressure.

[ex_aeroga402]

[But he'll try because he can't be a proper gentleman if he's paying that much attention to those things. It shouldn't be difficult, darnit.

At least mention of a spar easily draws his full focus]

Really, you wouldn't mind or anything?

[autocratic]

Of course! I have not had a decent match with anyone in this world. It is quite boring. As you said, you need more practice: this will give me a chance to evaluate your own prowess, Ventus.

[ex_aeroga402]

Alright then, I'll do my best.

[Accompanied by one big, earnest grin. Ven's glad for the prospect of gaining experience, and he gets to see how his friend fights with such a huge weapon, too]

[autocratic]

[ She nods before turning to the city gates. Then she motions for Ventus to follow her. ]

There is a spot a little ways outside of the city that is an adequate place to hold such matches. Let us go.

[ex_aeroga402]

Okay, lead the way.

[He steps nearer, glancing at the keyblade again]

[autocratic]

[ And lead away she does! She proceeds to move her Aestus Estus into her hands instead of being strapped to her lower back. It's only a few minutes of companiable silence before they finally reach their destination.

Nero swerves to face Ventus in a rather open clearing on the side of the main road to Goldenrod City. She does not go into a proper stance, but she gestures to the area in a grand sort of motion. ]

And here we are. Do you have a condition set in mind, or shall I make one?

[ex_aeroga402]

[Ventus takes a brief survey of their surroundings when Nero comes to a halt, tipping his head curiously when she mentions conditions]

D'you mean like rules?

[autocratic]

Yes. The condition to win this sparring match. We are not out for each other's blood, after all.

[ex_aeroga402]

[He can't help a small wince at the thought]

That's true. I've gotten some bumps and bruises training with Lightning, but blood's kind of...

[autocratic]

Too much? Perhaps we should set the condition, then, to be the one who disarms the other first.

[ex_aeroga402]

I could give that a shot, although I don't hit as hard as others. Makes it a challenge, right?

[autocratic]

Ventus, force isn't just the only thing that should apply when attempting to disarm your enemy.

Well, this will be a test to show you. Prepare yourself!

[ And then Nero shifts into her stance, Aestus Estus at the ready. ]