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]

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. ]

[ex_aeroga402]

Right.

[Ventus gives a short nod and gets ready himself with a twirl of his new keyblade]

[autocratic]

Hah!

[ Here comes Nero, with some surprising amount of speed put into her charge despite her small frame and the length of her sword. In a wide sweep, she attempts to strike at Ventus' chest. ]

[ex_aeroga402]

Whoa-

[Ven barely manages to get that out, throwing himself to one side and rolling back onto his feet behind Nero. He's spent a lot of time reclaiming his lost dodge roll, and he's got it back now, taking a swing at Nero with his key]

[autocratic]

[ Her gaze attempts to follow Ventus' path of escape. She can only pivot slightly to bring her sword up in a block. ]

Do not just stop there!

[ Indeed, once she's stopped his key, she's pulling her arm back for a thrust. ]

[ex_aeroga402]

[He'd say he doesn't want to hurt her, because it's truly not in his nature, but he doesn't want to insult Nero. She's a fighter and she's obviously strong, so rather than say anything he jumps aside.

The sword still glances across his shoulder, and he's glad then that it isn't a blade, but it does make him wince.

And then he's taking a quick sidestep and slicing through the air with his key again]

[autocratic]

[ She knew she'd be taking a gamble by throwing such an open thrust to Ventus. Such a move can always leave one open, but her gaze still manages to keep a lock on Ventus while he moves out of the way and performs an attack.

Nero grits her teeth. Honestly, from being Servant to a human once more... The change was grating, and staying within this realm has softened her up just a tad. But she has not lost everything, and she certainly hasn't slacked on her own training, so when she sees that key coming down, she does her own somersault on the ground, a flutter of red and gold dragging on the ground for a moment before she rights herself.

She's actually smirking. ]

Good attitude, Ventus. Show me more!

[ Then she hefts her sword over her shoulder and charges once more with a swing overhead. ]

[ex_aeroga402]

[Ven opens his mouth to reply but only manages a sound when she comes at him again. A swing like that is something he wasn't able to block the way Terra could back home, but at the same time Nero's going to start looking for him to dodge if that's all he does...

So this time he thinks back to what Lightning taught him and plants his feet, bringing his keyblade up to defend as that big sword comes sailing down]

[autocratic]

[ Thwack!

Goes the two blades as they clash. Nero smiles even wider as he manages to set his feet into a proper position to withstand this clash. Hell, she's even prouder because she's noticing that both of her wonderful pieces are enduring the strain of this spar.

The emperor laughs, even as she puts pressure onto Ventus' blade. ]

Splendid! [ Now what will you do, Ventus? ]

[ex_aeroga402]

[There's a twinge in Ven's right arm that makes it hard to keep frowm drawing it back. His arm shakes a little but he braces himself and does his best to keep his arms locked. If he doesn't, that weapon's going to give him a solid clout and he knows it]

Th-thanks. You're faster with that big sword than I expected.

[And after several moments more, he throws all his weight behind his key in an attempt to knock that weapon back]

[autocratic]

[ Her only response to his observation is a smirk gracing her lips before that sudden force of strength is rammed against her. She keeps her control, of course, forcing the both of them to break the lock after that, but she doesn't stop her movements and goes to swing at Ventus' Keyblade with a sideswipe. ]

[ex_aeroga402]

[That attack, Ven dances away from, if one wants to call it that. He manages to move beyond the arc of her swing, dodging around and coming at her side with his keyblade]

[autocratic]

[ Oho! Trying to catch her in the middle of recovering from that swing, huh?

With a flick of her wrist, Nero shifts the grip on her sword, and bringing up her Aestus Estus in time to block Ventus' attack, mirroring his own reverse-grip. ]

You have good reflexes, Ventus. [ But he is either being far too gentle, or something other, as there doesn't seem to be much power behind his attacks. ]

[ex_aeroga402]

[Her dexterity with a weapon of that size comes as a surprise to him, springing back with the recoil of that defense. Terra was never so nimble, for all his hard-hitting]

I had to be good at something, since Terra's stronger and Aqua's magic is better.

[Although spells really do help him, he's no slouch with those himself. But he can't rely on those now, so he tries another attack, taking a diagonal swipe]

[autocratic]

[ By the time he had finished his sentence, Nero had already reverted her grip on her weapon the way she usually is. She watches the way he's swinging towards her and--

--actually rushes into his path, then takes a sudden pivot on her heel, narrowly dodging his swing while bringing her weapon up in an arc opposite his. The corner of her lip twitches. ]

Truly, you fit the nature of your name well.

[ The "blade" of her sword is pressing lightly against his side. In this position, they were close, shoulders nearly touching, her body poised as if in mid-swing, but her intent is pretty clear. Were this a match to a death, were her enemy other than Ventus and they were wielding real steel, it would have been pretty clear she'd have cleaved the person in half. ]

You are skilled, but you are kind. That can be a slight disadvantage.

[ex_aeroga402]

[It takes Ven a few moments to catch up with what just happened, glancing at the weapon leveled at his side. For having such a heavy weapon, she moves very quickly. Shame Terra couldn't train with her too, he can't help thinking]

The first Master I had considered me too...benign.

[As he says this, he lowers his weapon, aware that in this match he's lost. It doesn't surprise him too much, since he's sure that she would've been a tough opponent even with his full capabilities, but he's glad he could make it sporting at least]

[autocratic]

[ Almost immediately following his actions, she lowers her own weapon and straightens herself, moving away. Though the condition was to disarm, the outcome was clear in that moment. She could have flicked away his weapon to make it more of a confirmation, but this would be enough. No need to do so any further when they both knew this. ]

The "first"? I suppose this is not the same Master Eraqus you spoke of before.

Either way, Ventus, do not despair: your skills and reflexes are at a level many would wish to already have. Keep at your training, and you will become better. This was enjoyable!

[ex_aeroga402]

...No, Xehanort was very different.

[There's something stiff about his countenance as he says the words, selective in his expression. Eraqus was the daylight, and Xehanort was a festering darkness. The difference in how they treated apprentices was vast, and getting to know Vanitas better has only proven this further.

His feelings are expressed well enough by the lack of a "Master" before Xehanort's name, anyhow.

Soon after the words his expression brightens though, allowing a small smile]

Thanks. It really surprised me how fast you could move, Terra hits hard but he's less mobile.

[autocratic]

[ "Xehanort. She'll file that name in head for future reference. Judging by his reaction and posture alone, it's clear that this "Master" Ventus didn't think highly of, and - considering his disposition - for good reason.

There were some good and bad Masters, after all. ]

When you say that, I assume this "Terra" wields a weapon similar in length to mine? Tell me: are these "Terra" and "Aqua" your friends?

[ex_aeroga402]

[Mention of those two will lighten his mood just about any day, and this is no exception. Where there was an utter lack of it when speaking of Xehanort, there's no mistaking the fondness in his tone when it comes to the new subjects of discussion]

That's right. Terra and Aqua are my best friends back home, and they're the closest I've ever been to having a family. Them and Master Eraqus, they mean worlds to me.

...Not that all my friends aren't special, because they are.

[autocratic]

[ She lets out a brief chuckle, placing a hand on her hip. ]

Something closer to home is always personally favored, not that it lessens the value of those who are not. In fact, were my Master here with me, my attention would be rather divided into keeping her safe and sound in this world, as any good Servant would do.