It's kinda hard to explain, but like...I'm tied to Kurikara. Normally taking it out makes me stronger.
[But he's not stronger, because his magic is sealed.
And normally he would be offended by that kind of a statement, but Tsuru gets special consideration because he's a very old sword and can probably kick Rin's ass.]
Just don't stab anything vital and we're good.
[An important note about Rin's fighting skills: there's some sign of training there, sort of? He definitely has a swordmaster who's been beating sword skills into him. But he's also definitely new to this and everything about his stance and balance screams "he's got the general idea but he hasn't put THAT much practice in yet." Also he starts with the sword out, rather than in a scabbard and drawing it.
He waits a few seconds to see what Tsuru does, and if Tsuru will attack first. If Tsuru doesn't move, then he'll run in to do a quick slice at Tsuru, a move that is easy to see and easy to block or dodge. He's not serious about fighting yet, he's still testing the waters.]
(Regardless of whatever special rules and effects are in this place, Rin is stronger when his sword is drawn.
Tsurumaru doesn't make the first move. He's patient, studying Rin and watching to see what he'll do-- and there it is. Rin charges and Tsurumaru gives a light, easy smile.
In one, swift motion, he draws his sword and deflects. He might be a twig of sorts but he's stronger than he looks. Is he really holding back when he swings his sword? Well, considering he doesn't follow up with another attack and just returns to a waiting position with his sword now drawn, it looks like what he means by "go easy" is "let Rin keep charging at him.")
[This is true, though not quite what Rin means. There's a distinct lack of blue fire here.
That sure is a deflect! Kurikara bounces off of it, and Rin pulls back a bit. He braces for what he expects to be a counter-attack, but then nothing happens. So he regards Tsuru for a moment, considering what his move might be. A defensive fighter, huh? Rin is going to have trouble cracking this puzzle, especially without all the neat flips and speed tricks he can do with his demon powers.
Rin does charge again, though this time he takes their heights into account and aims low, trying to sweep down enough that he could get under Tsuru's blade before he attacks. Risky, and it leaves him open to being struck from above, but he doesn't seem to care about that? Something something normally having fast healing makes him have a disregard for what his body can take.]
That gets a smile from Tsurumaru. He's impressed. Using his height against him is certainly a move and a step in the right direction to really putting Tsurumaru in his place. Unfortunately, when they're in a large open area like this, he's still in his element.
If Rin expected Tsurumaru to be a noble fighter, he wouldn't be completely wrong. He's a spirit with honor but he's also not the most conventional spirit. He will use everything at his disposal to fight, even if it means using tricks and other tactics.
Rin will come under Tsurumaru's comfortable range but did you know he also has
his sheath? While his sword gives the more obvious swipe at mid-level, with his other hand, he pulls his sheath in front of him to block and catch Rin's blade. This sure is a position to be stuck in, isn't it and he looks down at Rin, eyes bright gold and filled with amusement...
With a turn of his wrist so that his sword now faces outward instead of inward, he brings the handle of of his sword down on Rin.)
[It makes sense, really. Fighting is about survival, and you don't survive by fighting fair.
But in the moment Rin's sword is blocked and he's practically doing the splits and it's a little uncomfortable. Which becomes a lot uncomfortable when he gets bonked by the handle of Tsuru's sword.]
Fuck!
[He doesn't drop his sword, but he's holding it at a weird angle because he's now also clutching his head with his hands. Pause? It's a pretend fight, they can pause maybe.]
(He's going to raise his leg to knee/kick Rin in the stomach sorry not sorry but he's also going to use this as a chance to pull back and give himself the appropriate space he needs to give his next attack.)
(He steps back and leaps forward, bringing the sheath of his sword down hard
Right next to Rin's face. There's a loud, sharp, thwock as it hits the ground, the gold chains on the sheath jingling. He stands over Rin and leans down to look closely at his face,)
[Well. That's a good way to shock him out of his breathlessness. Or back into it maybe, because he's laying still for a moment, shocked.
And then his eyes light up like a kid at Christmas, because Tsuru is really cool okok]
A little! I'm still learning. Especially if you can kick my ass this quickly.
[But he's still learning, even in the moment, because the hand not currently holding Kurikara is going to abruptly reach up to try and grab the front of Tsuru's robes.]
(He gets up though, using the sheath of his sword to help him keep his weight off of Rin in the process. Sheathing of his sword and returning it to his side, he offers a hand to Rin,)
Careful.
(You know what happened the last time you tried to surprise Tsuru!!!)
[Rin dusts himself off and then goes to pick up Kurikara. Ready stance...ready stance...what did Shura say about that again? He does get into a stance, but he takes a few seconds to look himself over and make sure he's doing it right. The way he fights is low to the ground with quick movements, not unlike how a snake strikes, as that's what Shura knows and has been teaching him. Help please I don't know much about swordfighting I'm yeeting this out as best as I can.]
Tsurumaru places a hand on his arm and raises it just slightly. It's the smallest correction and truly, in the long run, probably doesn't mean much of anything but it makes sense for someone like Tsurumaru who is obsessed with appearances and perfection to fix even the little things.
He takes one step back and mimics Rin's position.)
A wide attack also leaves you wide open.
(One foot back,)
Watch my swing; catch my blade.
(And he steps off. He's fast. But he brings his sword down in a vertical slash this time.)
[It's good that Tsuru warns him, otherwise he would have buffed this. But since he knows it's coming, Rin can get the sword up to block the attack. The swords clang together as Rin holds Tsuru off from him, the blade of Tsuru's sword coming close to his head.]
Caught you~!
[The sword is Tsuru and Tsuru is the sword, hence his sing-song reply.]
[It's tighter, and it a little harder to block a horizontal strike like that. But Rin manages it by holding the hilt with one hand and placing the palm of his other against the flat back of his blade, trying to brace it better that way. It does help him block, but it means he's not ready to follow up with an attack either, since only one hand on the hilt.]
[He stays on his feet though, and he lifts the sword again. This boy doesn't give up.]
Right, got it.
[This time he keeps both hands on the hilt as he deflects. There's move give to his own blade, but he's able to keep Tsuru from striking him. And since he has both hands on the hilt, he can turn the block into a parry of sorts: he hits back as their swords meet in an attempt to push Tsuru's sword out of the way, and then he'll go in for a strike of his own. The movements are stiff, but not horrible.]
(And he has it. Tsurumaru smiles, clearly pleased and when Rin moves to make a strike of his own, he returns it with the same move he's been teaching. He does it effortlessly, naturally, and with plenty of power. It's clear he's been doing this for some time.
He makes the same, wide slash back at Rin-- slow enough for him to catch, weak enough to not hurt him, but strong enough to apply some force.)
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 12:48 am (UTC)[But he's not stronger, because his magic is sealed.
And normally he would be offended by that kind of a statement, but Tsuru gets special consideration because he's a very old sword and can probably kick Rin's ass.]
Just don't stab anything vital and we're good.
[An important note about Rin's fighting skills: there's some sign of training there, sort of? He definitely has a swordmaster who's been beating sword skills into him. But he's also definitely new to this and everything about his stance and balance screams "he's got the general idea but he hasn't put THAT much practice in yet." Also he starts with the sword out, rather than in a scabbard and drawing it.
He waits a few seconds to see what Tsuru does, and if Tsuru will attack first. If Tsuru doesn't move, then he'll run in to do a quick slice at Tsuru, a move that is easy to see and easy to block or dodge. He's not serious about fighting yet, he's still testing the waters.]
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 12:55 am (UTC)(Regardless of whatever special rules and effects are in this place, Rin is stronger when his sword is drawn.
Tsurumaru doesn't make the first move. He's patient, studying Rin and watching to see what he'll do-- and there it is. Rin charges and Tsurumaru gives a light, easy smile.
In one, swift motion, he draws his sword and deflects. He might be a twig of sorts but he's stronger than he looks. Is he really holding back when he swings his sword? Well, considering he doesn't follow up with another attack and just returns to a waiting position with his sword now drawn, it looks like what he means by "go easy" is "let Rin keep charging at him.")
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 01:26 am (UTC)That sure is a deflect! Kurikara bounces off of it, and Rin pulls back a bit. He braces for what he expects to be a counter-attack, but then nothing happens. So he regards Tsuru for a moment, considering what his move might be. A defensive fighter, huh? Rin is going to have trouble cracking this puzzle, especially without all the neat flips and speed tricks he can do with his demon powers.
Rin does charge again, though this time he takes their heights into account and aims low, trying to sweep down enough that he could get under Tsuru's blade before he attacks. Risky, and it leaves him open to being struck from above, but he doesn't seem to care about that? Something something normally having fast healing makes him have a disregard for what his body can take.]
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 01:42 am (UTC)That gets a smile from Tsurumaru. He's impressed. Using his height against him is certainly a move and a step in the right direction to really putting Tsurumaru in his place. Unfortunately, when they're in a large open area like this, he's still in his element.
If Rin expected Tsurumaru to be a noble fighter, he wouldn't be completely wrong. He's a spirit with honor but he's also not the most conventional spirit. He will use everything at his disposal to fight, even if it means using tricks and other tactics.
Rin will come under Tsurumaru's comfortable range but did you know he also has
his sheath? While his sword gives the more obvious swipe at mid-level, with his other hand, he pulls his sheath in front of him to block and catch Rin's blade. This sure is a position to be stuck in, isn't it and he looks down at Rin, eyes bright gold and filled with amusement...
With a turn of his wrist so that his sword now faces outward instead of inward, he brings the handle of of his sword down on Rin.)
Not bad, not bad~
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 03:41 am (UTC)But in the moment Rin's sword is blocked and he's practically doing the splits and it's a little uncomfortable. Which becomes a lot uncomfortable when he gets bonked by the handle of Tsuru's sword.]
Fuck!
[He doesn't drop his sword, but he's holding it at a weird angle because he's now also clutching his head with his hands. Pause? It's a pretend fight, they can pause maybe.]
1/2
Date: 2021-10-11 03:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 03:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 03:58 am (UTC)It might take a moment for that attack to come, Tsuru. Pain hurts him more like this, he doesn't have his fast healing.]
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 04:12 am (UTC)Right next to Rin's face. There's a loud, sharp, thwock as it hits the ground, the gold chains on the sheath jingling. He stands over Rin and leans down to look closely at his face,)
You've been practicing.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 04:18 am (UTC)And then his eyes light up like a kid at Christmas, because Tsuru is really cool okok]
A little! I'm still learning. Especially if you can kick my ass this quickly.
[But he's still learning, even in the moment, because the hand not currently holding Kurikara is going to abruptly reach up to try and grab the front of Tsuru's robes.]
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 04:24 am (UTC)What a fast learner you are!
(Using tricks and surprises already,)
But I believe I still have the high ground.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 04:30 am (UTC)[out of breath, again, because Tsuru knocked it out of him again.
Finally he drops Kurikara onto the ground just above his head, so he can weakly punch at Tsuru's shoulder for hitting him rough twice like that.]
Asshole-
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 04:33 am (UTC)(He gets up though, using the sheath of his sword to help him keep his weight off of Rin in the process. Sheathing of his sword and returning it to his side, he offers a hand to Rin,)
Careful.
(You know what happened the last time you tried to surprise Tsuru!!!)
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 04:35 am (UTC)Dunno if I should trust that or not.
[Considering...considering...
but finally he reaches up to take Tsuru's hand. He's going to regret this in a moment isn't he?]
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 04:46 am (UTC)I've already won.
(no point dragging it out and beating up rin more than necessary!!)
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 04:55 am (UTC)This time at least. We'll have to see about next time.
[He's already making plans of how he can fight dirtier to get the upper hand.]
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 05:24 am (UTC)(He accepts the date.)
Pick up your sword. Show me your ready stance.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 11:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 12:20 pm (UTC)Tsurumaru places a hand on his arm and raises it just slightly. It's the smallest correction and truly, in the long run, probably doesn't mean much of anything but it makes sense for someone like Tsurumaru who is obsessed with appearances and perfection to fix even the little things.
He takes one step back and mimics Rin's position.)
A wide attack also leaves you wide open.
(One foot back,)
Watch my swing; catch my blade.
(And he steps off. He's fast. But he brings his sword down in a vertical slash this time.)
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 02:25 pm (UTC)Caught you~!
[The sword is Tsuru and Tsuru is the sword, hence his sing-song reply.]
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 02:33 pm (UTC)(And he pulls back, returning to the same position.)
Once more.
(This time, it's a wide, horizontal slash. It's not unlike Rin's earlier attack. It's the same move, just tighter.)
no subject
Date: 2021-10-11 10:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-10-12 01:22 am (UTC)Don't leave yourself vulnerable.
Once more. (He's going to step back to do it all over again,) Deflect.
(And he strikes.)
no subject
Date: 2021-10-12 03:43 am (UTC)[He stays on his feet though, and he lifts the sword again. This boy doesn't give up.]
Right, got it.
[This time he keeps both hands on the hilt as he deflects. There's move give to his own blade, but he's able to keep Tsuru from striking him. And since he has both hands on the hilt, he can turn the block into a parry of sorts: he hits back as their swords meet in an attempt to push Tsuru's sword out of the way, and then he'll go in for a strike of his own. The movements are stiff, but not horrible.]
no subject
Date: 2021-10-12 07:32 am (UTC)He makes the same, wide slash back at Rin-- slow enough for him to catch, weak enough to not hurt him, but strong enough to apply some force.)
(no subject)
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