RP:Lesson Five in the Dojo
Part of the Requiem Nocturnus Arc
Ensorcelled Dojo
Kasyr is busy experimenting, the Kensai having taken a break from his training to simply tinker with the pedestal near the door- seemingly engrossed in trying to discern just what kind of logic follows the formation of the illusions. "..What do I have to do to get a windswept field et a storm?" The vampire isn't alone either, with both a feline and a foxy companion remaining relatively closeby- the pair being smart enough not to venture too far into the constantly shifting room.
Satoshi waltzes into the room, fingers in her ears and trilling a singsong "La la la~. Can't he~ar you~", with a disgruntled fox spirit on her tails. The spirit pauses at the door, gives a final frustrated huff at being childishly ignored, and vanishes, leaving Satoshi grinning as she looks toward the kensai and his experiments--in time to catch his question. "Aww, I made it sulky, now it'll leave me be~. Also... Garnet, for that. Or, at least for a storm. The ground changes a lot." With a nod, the kit simply plops down onto the ground beside Casper and Sparky, offering the two pats of greeting.
Kasyr offers Satoshi a brief nod and wave, before simply proceeding to fumble around in his pockets, "Erm, hrm- do tu know where one es? I seem to be short." Shrugging, he simply leans up against the pedestal, "Oh! Et, well, how are tu? Et why exactly are tu giving your...new whatever it es the cold shoulder?" Casper and Sparky are far less inquisitive than the Vampiric Kensai, finding themselves wholly engrossed by the simply task of looking cute in an attempt to keep Satoshis' attention.
Satoshi's a talented multi-tasker, petting the fluffy ones while likewise answering questions. "It seems to forget non-spirits need rest time between lessons, so I was just reminding it. And," Casper and Sparky's attention gets interrupted a moment as Satoshi fishes in her pocket, pulling out a small crimson stone and bouncing it in her palm. "I have it~. Safe-keeping and such." Not because the gem is valuable but rather... because the idea of her being anywhere near the lightning-happy kensai with an active thunderstorm just seems like a very un-safe thing to Satoshi.
Kasyr offers Satoshi an almost sympathic look, one that carries the subtlest taint of mischief, "Wearing you out? I thought that was something better left to moi~ Perhaps I ought to have a nice little talk with it sometime. It'd be interessant, at least."Drawing one hand up to his chin, the Kensai thoughtfully scratchs at his neck, "So, how have those lessons been? Et would tu perhaps have some time for a quick one?" While Sparky is still nuzzling into Satoshi, to the point of sparking due to its exciteable nature, Casper has since shifted to a point behind the larger feline, her head occasionally poking at to stare suspiciously at Kasyr.
Satoshi wears a very similar expression to Casper's as she looks at Kasyr. "I'm going to guess you don't mean the fun kind of quick one and more what I just got away from with the Spirit of Grump." Cautiously shuffling away from Sparky and his... 'sparky'ness, the kit adds, "And, the lessons are a... slow progress. I can do this now, at least." In demonstration, Satoshi holds up a hand and, frowning in concentration, wills up a ghostly thin wisp of blue flame in her palm.
Kasyr whistles, and tries to feign innocence, "Well, that's not to say it can't lead to that, but... I am rather intent on seeing just how much you've progressed mon cher.I am all but obligated to test vous et keep you sharp, after all." Stretching out, the vampire simply extends his hand out to his wife, "So, about that gem..." Casper has by this point retreated -away- from Satoshi, headbutting Sparky on her way out. Sparky, hyper-active kit that he is, simply runs out after the white cat, apparently oblivious to the potentially imminent disaster.
Satoshi promptly stows the gem in her sleeve--more accurately, in Nom's ribcage while the skeletal mouse dozes--before climbing to her feet. "Lessons and suicide are two very different things. I prefer the former, thanks. But, I prefer Casper's choice moreso~." Which is to say, the kit's turning on her heel and making to follow the smaller cat and fox out the door.
Satoshi was originally going to swallow the gem, but thought better of it. She knows Kas too well. >>
Kasyr runs a hand through his hair, before simply falling into a partial bow, "Pity, I suppose. I was looking forward to see just how you've progressed- but, j'suppose I can wait for another time- peut-etre help that...'grump' of yours, peut-etre?"
Satoshi pauses to glance back at the kensai. "Hrm? Help it, how so?" She can't quite help mentally kicking herself at this point, her curiosity having effectively stopped her from a quick escape. And stopped her long enough for Nom to wake up, stretch, scramble out of her sleeve with a clatter of old bones, and begin scurrying across the dojo floor in Kasyr's direction with the chunk of garnet rattling in his ribs.
Kasyr casually draws his right hand up to his forehead, a splotch of shadow gathering up beneath Nom as he makes the motion, "Well, in this particular instance, it'd simply be a meshing of teaching styles, to ensure that you caught up in lessons you had missed. Although, one has to wonder just what tu think it needs help with~" It's on that note that the Kensai outstretchs his left hand, as the fingers on his right simply snap. In response, the shadows beneath Nom surge forward, that tenebrous energy condensing into the form of a bastard sword- Propelling Nom upwards on the pommel of the newly formed blade. Prepared as he is, the Kensai simply has to wait for Nom to fall into his hand, so that he can carelessly extract the gem and toss it into the Pedestal. "Whoops."
Satoshi mentally kicks herself yet again as the first rumble of thunder announces the change of scenery to that wished for windswept field, and she's convinced she should have gone with her first idea and just eaten the damn gem. Nom's given something akin to a death glare then, the predatory gaze enough to send the dead rodent scrambling into a hiding place quickly. "Traitorous rat..." The remark is lost to a sudden gust of wind from the storm overhead, causing the kit to sigh and shake her head. "Not fair! And I'm not behind on lessons! I've been doing next to nothing -but- lessons, as of late!" Satoshi looks particularly sulky once the torrential downpour of rain starts, resigning herself to glaring at the kensai--while looking a bit look a half-drowned stray.
Kasyr just glances around as the rooms fixed shape gives way, seemingly fascinated by the manner in which stone gradually molds itself into endless fields of knee high grass. It's only when the rain starts coming down that the hybrid starts to move, hands falling back into his pockets as he casually begins walking towards Satoshi- seemingly indifferent to the gusts of wind, and the crash of thunder, "Not from me, mon amour. Et, think, At least there'll be a pleasent reward, after."
Satoshi shuffles back a number of paces, eyes warily watching those pocket-bound hands. "Sometimes I wonder if the reward is worth it..." With a vaguely familiar air, the kit reaches for Ko'tar's hilt... and finds an empty sheath. Satoshi spends a wild moment frantically looking for her absent katana before memory catches up and a hand goes to her throat, where the item has been resting in its mark since meeting Kirien's fire-breath. "Ah~. This.. might not be a very effective lesson," Satoshi stammers, taking another step back as she weighs her limited options. Magic means Empera, Empera means pain. But no magic and no sword means pain likewise. Satoshi's not liking where this is going, at all.
Kasyr looks all but ready to say something when he takes particular note of Satoshi's stammering, and frantic searching. Though he no longer held the natural affinity that demonic blood had granted him, the Kensai's no slouch when it comes to empathy. "Er. Are tu alright? I mean, I realise you normally get cold feet to a degree et all, but tu seem a bit off kilter, et such. Et, you sort of, seem to have forgotten your sword. Just saying, et all." With seemingly careless gestures from his right hand, the hybrid coaxes the blade he had formed earlier to gravitate towards him- if only so he could snatch it from mid-air, plant it in the ground, and than proceed to lean on it.
Satoshi's as uneasy as Kasyr is casual, sending forlorn looks to the empty sheath at her side while plucking at a long blade of grass. "Erm. Didn't forget. Just.. forgot it's, ah, not exactly feeling up to playing. It's hasn't been out and about since it took a bad hit for me a few days ago..." Glancing sidelong at the vampire, Satoshi can't help raising a curious brow. "So~..."
Kasyr carelessly lurchs forward, tightening his grip on the blade as his does to effectively wrench it free from the ground. It doesn't end there however, as he simply twists in place, and releases the blade- turning the onyx bastard sword into an improvised bastard sword. On the bright side, the sword isn't poised to carve into Satoshi, the weapon actually being directed towards a the ground directly in front of her. The secondary boon only becomes apparent when it gets a chance to dig into the ground, the blade compacting into the elegant form of a Katana in but a few moments, "...I have spares. Trust moi."
Satoshi doesn't look any more at ease despite now having a weapon available, and it's with that same reluctant, cautious air that she reaches for the blade, hand pausing above the hilt as she shoots Kasyr a scrutinizing look. "No using those gloves, right?" Obviously, when it comes to Empera 'trust moi' holds little water. Only with the kensai's agreement on that condition will she take hold of the black katana and tug it free of the muddied ground. Unbidden, those wraith-thin blue flames creep down the blade's length on contact--the Fox Spirit, watching in that silent, unseen way it has, has had its private guess confirmed and settles in to continue observing as no more than a faint presence in the enchanted room.
Kasyr claps his hands together, before falling into a polite bow, "Madamoiselle, so long as this does not degenerate into you relying upon your magic, I won't use those gloves." Slowly he rises back to a standing position, hands still clasped together as he tilts his head sharply to both sides- coaxing out an unpleasent cracking noise. "Er, don't mind moi, Cherie- I'm just finding the weather to be a bit pleasent., feel free to start whenever, et tout cela." Which is followed quite brusquely by the hybrid simply rolling his shoulders, seemingly focused on getting what few kinks remain in his neck and back out. That it incidentally serves to readjust his coat, and keep his feet hidden from view so that he can slide one back is just an additional bonus.
Satoshi grumbles darkly as she swings the katana about experimentally. "It doesn't feel like Ko'tar at all... Feels wrong. Off. Just, nyeh." The complaint-happy kit stares accusingly at the blade and its faint coat of blue fire before glancing at the kensai. "I can't even use a few little spells..? Doesn't seem fair, you getting to use all your little sword tricks, and I get..." She gestures rather pointedly at the borrowed sword, stalling for time. Apparently she's still not over that instinctive need to keep a safe distance from Kasyr when he's prepared to fight.
Kasyr gives Satoshi a chiding look, before simply shaking his head, "Quand meme, how harsh mon amour- et right after you did a trick of your own to that blade~ Or would tu have moi believe that those flames are simply a trick of the light." The tiefling doesn't seem particularily bothered by the delay, simply hunching his body down slightly- even as he casts his gaze up towards the overcast sky, eyes fixating on the streaks of light that play through the heaven, "Are you really going to wait for me to take the offensive, cherie?"
Satoshi takes a reluctant step closer, if the sparse two inch shuffle can be called a 'step'. "I'm thinking so, yes... You're faster than me, stronger than me, heavier than me, and know a lot more about blade-y things than me. I learned a long time ago, you don't try to bear hug a bear. It gets you mauled." Nodding in a matter-of-fact way, she casts a withering look at the transparent flames. "Didn't do that on purpose..."
Kasyr shrugs a bit, before he begins to walk towards Satoshi, his pace and posture all but ensuring that one foot is always behind himself so he can hop back at a moments notice. "I suppose so, but waiting until a bull es charging at tu es no way to go about things either, mon amour. Still, if your choice es made- I suppose I'll have to honor it to the best of my ability, et gather a fair bit of momentum, non?" Even as he continues to move, his body tenses up- as though in preperation for the aforementioned rush.
Satoshi begins moving backwards in reverse mimicry of Kasyr's every step, carefully maintaining the distance between them. "Yeah, maybe, but it's easier to dodge a charging bull than it is to try and out-charge it. Bulls always win those kinds of matches." She's fairly certain the smooth sheet of ice creeping across the ground with each step she takes doesn't count as a spell, considering it's -really- just an innate effect of her boots upon the soggy ground. Try charging across that, Bull!
Kasyr shrugs one last time before he abruptly hunchs down and breaks into an all out dash, the intensity of his footfalls measured by the hunks of dirt and grass kicked up in his wake, alongside the rhythmic squelch of moistened earth. And even still, the vampire manages to keep his hands clasped together, fingers clasped at his right hip as he bears down towards the feline- or at least, until his feet first meet the patch of unseen ice. For one moment his eyes betray a look of surprise, his arms swinging out in front of himself as his body lurchs backwards- And than there's simply a blank coldness that overtakes his expression, a steely focus settling into place as he approached the ground. And than simply stops, the parting of his hands coaxing an Obsidian blade that mirrors the one held in Satoshi's hand to materialise into the hybrids grasp, neatly slammed into the ground to prevent the Kensai from face planting. It doesn't end there either, as Kasyr simply kicks off the ice to send himself into a full swing, actually building up a bit more momentum before he allows himself to simply slide straight towards Satoshi. However, This time he's prepared, hands clapping together as they did before- if only to reveal a pair of darkling shadows when they part. Albeit the fact that Satoshi holds one blackened blade, and another is still resting back in the ice- the vampire is currently in possession of two more mirror-like blades, one of which is promptly slammed down directly into Kasyrs to provide a stepping stone he can leap off of- while the other is held swung out in front of himself, every intention to slam it into the felines blade should she try and defend- to essentially crush her beneath the combined force his momentum and weight grants him.
Satoshi, in her eyes, is left with very few options while watching the kensai right himself and resume charging, and her reflexive option when faced with a head-on attack from Kasyr is simple. Dumb, but simple. With something of a strangled yelp, the kit hurls her borrowed blade at the vampire--the weak blaze dying instantly, no extra effort put into aiming as she focuses on a haphazard lunge and roll across the ice beneath him mid-leap. Amidst scrabbling and scrapping in her slide across the rain-slick ice, Satoshi rights herself beside the katana just used as a stepping stone, dragging it out of the frost and leveling its point at the kensai with a look that's about as threatening as a squirrel waving a toothpick.
Kasyr doesn't really bother readjusting himself, merely allowing his momentum to carry him forward so that his sword can meet Satoshi's improvised projectile. The result isn't anything too special, the Kensai slaming into the blade with such force that it spirals off to one side- incidentally taking a small portion of his coats sleeve with it's departure. Which, leaves the hybrid to simply slam down into the patch of frozen turf Satoshi had been standing in- his crouched form causing cracks to ripple out in all directions. "..Well, I suppose that works. I was sort of hoping tu wouldn't actually try et block that."Rising partway, the Vampiric Figment simply turns his attention towards his wife and smirks, "En guarde? Would you prefer to lead this time?" Curiously, Kasyr doesn't even really bother fully turning his body towards Satoshi, preferring to simply lean on his sword which had been partly buried into the ground by his landing.
Satoshi flinches and glances skyward at a crack of lightning, and doesn't take her wary gaze off the dark clouds when she responds to Kasyr. "Nn. Not really. Until I see a way I can actually win against bear or bull, I'll play the quick little rabbit that gets her tail out of the way of a mauling charge." Finally tearing her gaze away from the storm overhead, she fixes the kensai with a careful look. "Make it worth my while and maybe I'll bite? These lessons aren't exactly... fun."
Kasyr gives Satoshi a peculiar look before turns all the way around to face her, precariously balancing against the katana. "Why don't you offer some suggestions- I'm a touch focused, mon amour~" Raising both his arms up, the Kensai simply draws his arms in towards himself, the two swords that didn't have an owner simply dispersing into darkness- melding into a growing pool which was forming at Kasyrs feet, " Et I suppose, if you insist on playing Evasive, I'll have to pick up my own pace, oui?"
Satoshi plants the katana at her feet and leans against it in a fashion not unlike the kensai had been doing moments ago. "Less attempted murder, more instruction? You and that spirit should mix your teaching methods. That bugger's all "Do this, do that", and no hands-on. You're the opposite~. Honestly," the kit whistles, straightening as she plucks the blade up again to point it at Kasyr. "I learned my magic through doing -and- reading, y'know. Worked wonders, don'tcha think~?"
Kasyr offers the feline an altogether perturbed look, his hands drawing up to the back of his head- even as the darkness begins to solidify into a ring of swords around him, "Well, given you seem to have..erm, acquired a certain affinity for them- I figured for the most part you just needed to be tested. To coax that knowledge into a more prominent form. I mean vraiment, you have a basic stance and posture down, a knowledge of when to evade an attack- an obvious penchant for defensive fighting..." The vampire frowns a little bit, before he sighs and casually snaps his fingers. As if on cue, the blades promptly surge up from the ground, gravitating around the kensai in two rings of 12 swords, "I really can't do much to unlearn what you do no, so the only thing I can do is simply work at eventually tapping into the knowledge I ...think tu have. Anything specific es likely going to come from tu improvising to compensate for your particular weight et capabilities." Poking his finger to his forehead the hybrid concludes, "I'm very applied, j'suppose. I test you until you develop on your own to become better- once you know more than the basics."
Satoshi gives Kasyr a particularly flat look before holding up her left arm, tugging down the sleeve to show the glacial bracer running down from her wrist. "-This- is all the armor I wear, to all that you wear. I'm a -spellweaver-. Everything I've learned is meant to keep me at a distance from ones like you. And you want me to ignore all that and close the gap to try and 'bear hug the bear', as it is?" The kit scoffs, settling back onto her heels and into a puddle. "I'm not afraid of death anymore, but I'm not stupid enough to go running headlong into, either, just to try and learn a new way to cut someone open. Which wouldn't work on you anyway, unless I used my magic. Then you'd bring out... -those-." Shuddering, Satoshi adds as an end to her thoughts, "It's just a game of bob and weave, for me. I've learned how to keep away from you, admittedly~."
Kasyr scratchs at the side of his head, his body starting to slouch back to the point where the sword still laying embedded in the ground behind him is the only thing keeping him from falling over, "...And what if you're in range of an anti-mage? What if you have to conserve your energy, what if you risk detection through the usage of magic? I'm trying to teach tu how to 'tackle a bear' as it were, so that when it comes down to that eventuality, tu will be properly equipped. Given the effective life span you have, this es something you should prepare for."
Satoshi begins rocking back and forth on her heels, producing a small splash from the puddle with each movement. "If I didn't want to learn how, I wouldn't be here right now. But... there's got to be a better method to learning how to wrestle with a bear than siccing the bear on me at first chance. Also," the minstrel pauses to eye the rings of swords suspiciously before whistling, willing up from the rain-drenched ground her own rings of ice to encircle her. "that isn't intimidating or anything, nope~. Next time, we fight with -only- magic, hm? No swords, no wires. Howssat?"
Kasyr simply frowns, "For the moment, it's not all that feasible, I only have certain abilities that are tied to Gospel, and a few reserves of knowledge. Nothing..major as I once did. I wouldn't even have the advantage of a few years of practice- since I was effectively limited by those..entities." Scratching at the side of his head, the Kensai quietly begins to mumble something about grave injury and likelihood of recovery. "..So, if this is your threshold, are we done for now? I'm hardly going to drag you through this any longer if it means I have to deal with tu looking all heartbroken."
Satoshi simply stares at the kensai, for a long, silent moment before, quietly, she replies, "Go over your words there again. That sounds... very similar to my own case, wouldn't you say? So, it'd be fair at this point, no?"
Kasyr scratchs at the side of his head, "Maybe if you were consistantly holding back et not losing your temper et trying to kill moi whenever you invoke your magic. I don't have that knowledge just waiting there, Satoshi. What I had has been...put under lock et key. Nonetheless, if that's all this es to you- a hopeless endeavour... Et bien, I suppose I'm done for the moment. I still need to find Riss, after all." Planting his hands in his pockets, the kensai simply begins to move away, all of his blades dissipating into the darkness of his shadow. "It was a plaisir, Chere Damoiselle- though I apologize that it was not more helpful."
Satoshi bristles before promptly turning on a heel and plopping down onto the ground with a huff, letting the ice dissolve and the pouring rain back in. "...Didn't say that," the kit murmurs, plucking irritably at one of the tall blades of grass effectively hiding her in her pouting position. "Just want to know what I am and am not doing right. Not always guessing..."
Kasyr pauses, seemingly at a loss for remembering where the pedestal is supposed to be. "Honestly? You're too reliant on your magic. Whilst your evasiveness does function in keeping you alive, If your magic was removed, you'd likely just get worn down in a prolonged physical conflict. You don't take full enough advantage of your natural grace to try and press your advantage. Not to say that your particular style doesn't suit tu. your strategys are clever- it's just that they could be much more. ...Et mon amour, Even though I can't see tu- I'm still quite able to pick up on your shifts in mood still. Quand meme."
Satoshi puffs out her cheeks in a frustrated gesture stolen from Shishi and sets about further harassing the unfortunate blade of grass. "You make that sound easy. Getting near you when you're like that... is scary..."
Kasyr folds his arms behind his head, and glances back at her, "You don't really have the time to be afraid, Sato-cat. You know that, oui? It's life or death, et it's not like we can always choose to fight on our terms. Nor can we run away if things get difficult. ...When I was ...mortal, when I still had to worry about dying- I leapt down a living dragons throat to slay it. We sometimes have to do unpleasent things. Risk things on a gamble. It shouldn't come down to that, if things go right...but, if that journey to Shesryn proved anything... Well, alot of things can go wrong all at once, cherie. Anyways, philosphy isn't really my thing. I try and teach you things, so you can apply them when you need to, C'est tout." Groping around near where he suspects the pedestal might be, and failing completely, the Vampire turns back to Satoshi. "Anyways, can you help me leave, so we can retire to someplace that es not rain soaked? This es tiring, et I don't feel tired, generally."
Satoshi refrains from a reply, choosing to simply climb to her feet--and giving her mud-splattered self a disapproving glare--and trude over to the kensai. Glancing about, she reaches just to the left of him and plucks a garnet seemingly from empty air. With a ripple the illusory environment returns to its dojo state, even if it leaves the results of the storm still on the pair. " 's easy to find, for me," the kit offers with a shrug before burying her head against Kasyr's side, grumbling.
Kasyr notes the mud and rain still coating them both and quietly murmurs something about refraining from a lava bath. That aside, the vampire wastes very little time in pressing a kiss to the felines forehead- quite intent on retreating to a more pleasent location in their home. "On y va?"
Satoshi murmurs agreement and just nuzzles moreso.