(no subject)

[adastrea]

[So, the Republic of Albion. For whatever reason and whatever traumas that lead them here, word of god has decreed that Our Heroes are at the military academy there. That said, as with any other school full of teenagers, there's definitely a hierarchy among the students...and as it turns out, the pretty upperclassman who is responsible for the sudden, sharp uptick in the visitor curfew at the girls' dormitory being obeyed is dominating the practice rooms. We're not sure why she's spent the better part of the afternoon defeating students at swordplay, but she's run through both the fencing and kendo teams, and is standing there in the center of the room looking magnificently bored.]

...Is that really all? Is there no one who can provide me even a decent challenge?

[Clearly, an intervention, or failing that, a new challenger is required.]

Comments

[downbygravity]

[Well, she's run through both teams, which means she's got quite the crowd. Crowd enough, it seems, to draw him, and while there's a sudden, loud murmur, it takes awhile before he's able to work his way to front. One student in kendo gear removes his coat, another hands him a shinai. With his hair tied up in a high ponytail he almost looks the part of some upperclassman in a drama.]

I see that you've crashed my club. Why don't you try your skills against me?

[adastrea]

[She watches him for a second or two, clearly sizing him up, before bringing her dull practice rapier up into stance.]

If I've defeated all of them, they've only their lack of discipline to blame...Come, then, let me judge you by the same metric.

[downbygravity]

So be it.

[He comes in fast, incredibly quick on his feet with a decisive downward cut.]

[adastrea]

[He's faster than her, that much should be clear to anyone with skill. And, normally, that would decide it, with a style like that.

But she starts moving to defend from his attack before he begins it, side-stepping and following through a powerful thrust for his heart. It'd be a killing blow with live weapons, and it's not exactly the kind of...elegance one expects from a rapier, but it's definitely clear why she's been wrecking people all day.]

[downbygravity]

[And anyone else that would have likely been the sort of strike that finished them immediately. However, she'll find her sword connects not with his heart, but the tsuba on the shinai: a last-second correction that barely saves him. He'll then swipe the wooden blade down to push their weapons apart.]

Hmph.

[adastrea]

[She steps back as he pushes them apart, and starts to circle him, clearly watching for his next move. If the fact he's still standing pleases her, she doesn't really betray it on her face.]

A fine defense...very good.

[...It's also a little hard to tell if she's deliberately condescending or just like that.]

[downbygravity]

[Well aside from taking stance, he does not yet make any moves, while she circles. He is also fairly silent despite her comments. He doesn't seem to react much at all; this might be why he's apparently the team captain.]

[adastrea]

[She goes silent while she completes the circuit, and pauses in front of him, as if she's trying to read into his behavior, before she drops the tip of her sword to the ground, to much murmuring from the gathered crowd.]

...You are better than I am. Do you still wish to play this out?

[No reason to put on a show if they're not interested in the fight, right?]

[downbygravity]

I would think the honor of the rest of my club would demand that you be humbled in some way.

[He pauses.]

Your style is... certainly unique, as well.

[adastrea]

Politer than most about it. But I can't deny you a fight for their honor...very well.

[She waits a moment or two, to give him time to realize the fight's back on, before suddenly and rather explosively pressing an offensive with a series of rapid-fire thrusts. ]

I'll just have to make you work for it!

[downbygravity]

[It turns out deflecting thrusts only keeps you on the defensive, so after a few he comes back, swinging up and around, not for some kind of kill shot, but to strike her in the hand with the bamboo sword in again a rather swift, decisive motion.]

Yes, fantastic!

[adastrea]

[And once more, she starts reacting just before the movement, but this time it's not enough. He catches her at the fingers, sending her blade out of her hand and skittering towards the crowd. She does hiss at the hit, because shinai or not, ow, but once disarmed she just steps back away from him, almost sliding into a judo stance before she catches herself.]

...Well, that's a bit embarrassing after all my talk.

[downbygravity]

You've incredible raw talent, and the best reaction times that I've ever seen. Join a club; learning the art and a bit of humility would do you a world of good.

[And with that, he's turning his back on her, this time, to go reclaim his coat and hand off the shinai.]

[adastrea]

[She stares at him for a moment, and a more hotblooded individual might have thrown a shoe at him for that. As it is, she's quiet for a moment or two, before she responds.]

...With all respect, I am flattered, and honored, but I'm not sure I'd want the attention.

[She says, after an afternoon like this? Either way, she's retrieving and then putting away the rapier, and untying her hair from the tight braid it had been in.]

[downbygravity]

[He doesn't respond because apparently it is contractual that as the cool aloof upperclassman type he is a bit of a jerk. But he's not far from where he left them, mostly it looks like he primarily left to escape the crowd.

...Also even with the ponytail he's got some insane hair.]

[adastrea]

[...Yeah alright she's kind of impressed because she's walked out because he, you know, vanished and she was curious and now she's getting a better look at that hair.]

...It was Laukkanen, wasn't it?

[downbygravity]

Yes. Leo Laukkanen. And you were who, again?

[Look he's a busy senpai he doesn't have time to notice everyone.]

[adastrea]

[To be fair, she doesn't actually care if senpais notice her, anyway.]

Let's go with Signe, it's easier that way.

[No need to rattle off the whole long spiel and remind people she's going to this school. It is amazing how well people will forget you're nobility if you don't advertise it.]

[downbygravity]

Signe. Well, it's nice to make your acquaintance, then. Are you new here, or have I simply missed you elsewhere?

[adastrea]

You've missed me, but it isn't so surprising...aside from ocassional spurts of frustration that leaves the fencing team a bruised wreck, I tend to be rather forgettable.

[For a tall girl with blond hair and, despite being in hiding, a rather regal bearing...this seems an odd thing to say.]

Nevertheless, the pleasure is all mine, Mr. Laukkanen.

[downbygravity]

[He tilts his head to the side, clearly looking her over a few times.]

I wouldn't think you would be that forgettable.

[He's a pretty man with rather regal bearing himself, but the name is nothing like any of the noble houses.]

[adastrea]

It's a talent.

[SHRUG.] Not all of us can be so powerful in stature and popularity. This suits me fine.

[downbygravity]

I don't believe that. You wouldn't have struck out against the clubs if you were that interested in maintaining a low profile. I imagine you've had similar escapades here on campus.

[Crossing his arms, then.]

[adastrea]

But since you can't remember any of them, it's as if they never happened, hm?

[She grins right back at him.] I have my reasons.

[downbygravity]

It simply means that I have not put your name together with your reputation, is simply all. I'm sure that if I tried to find out it would be easy enough.

[He tilts his head some, still so serious.]