video † looking for duel

[cruxified]

[video]

[The man on the screen is a bit tall, if the camera angle is any indication. He is dressed in a tight navy uniform and a cape. Someone please tell him that Halloween isn't for another month.

He has a rather frightening stare, though. Maybe... tell him next time.]

I require a sparring partner. I use a sword and shield, but you can use whatever you're comfortable with. I know some magic as well.

[A pause.]

Meet me in District 2, in the small park at [intersection].

[He shuts the feed off after an awkward silence.]

Comments

audio;

[the_ninja]

How skilled are you? I don't want to waste my time on someone unworthy of it.

[The possibility that he might be the unworthy one here doesn't seem to have even crossed his mind.]

video;

[cruxified]

[Thankfully, Kratos doesn't seem fazed. While he doesn't boast about his skills, there is something unshakable about him even so.]

I have had students. Does that answer your question?

[the_ninja]

[musingly] It might do- or it might just mean that you're an egotist.

[cruxified]

Words are, at the end of the day, only words.

[calmly] Would you like to find out which it is?

Video

[redcladidealist]

[A sparring partner. Kratos is looking for someone to spar with. The request tugs at something inside of Lloyd, the part of him that remembers when they used to spar. Once he'd put away his animosity toward the man, those spars had been... well, maybe not exactly fun. He'd never enjoyed the bruises he'd always seemed to end up with (both to his body and his ego), but it had been something he'd started looking forward to. Kratos really knew a lot. Learning from him had really made Lloyd feel like he was becoming a stronger fighter. And those rare moments of approval had...

It's almost a knee-jerk response to try not to think about that, because it had made the sting of betrayal feel that much worse. Kratos isn't working for Cruxis now, though...

Would it really be all right? To do something so much like they used to do before? To pretend that nothing had changed?

Hesitantly, Lloyd hits the button on the machine that will let him talk back.]

How long are you going to be there?

video;

[cruxified]

[Kratos is surprised to hear from Lloyd. This is some Tethe'allan level tech here. But he's smart, so he must've picked up on it at some point.]

... A few hours.

[He peers at the boy from behind his fringe.]

Have you trained since your arrival?

Re: video;

[redcladidealist]

[Give a curious teen free reign to play with a computer all he wants, especially after seeing other people using one, and see if he doesn't pick a few things up. He's by no means proficient, but he's at least at a point now where he can respond to people if he wants (and when he bothers to check these things). And hey, no risk of crashing into a mountain if he doesn't get it right! Always a plus for practicing!

Speaking of practicing, a look flashes across his face when Kratos asks about his training. You know that look. It's the look of a student whose teacher just asked if he studied for a test. Or did his homework. Or anything. That look, like a deer caught in a hunter's sights, the one that says 'aw crap.']

Well, uh... a little? [Quick, damage control, how can he make this sound not so bad?] I haven't sparred with anyone, but I've done a little by myself.

[Not a lie. For a few days after he'd challenged Zack, Lloyd had gone through a few routines so he'd be ready in case Zack found a sword fairly soon. But no word from Zack meant that his resolve to practice was soon distracted by all the other things there were to do.

Quick, subject change.]

What about you?

video;

[cruxified]

Hmph.

[It's hard to tell if Kratos is satisfied with this answer. Most likely not, but that's Kratos for you.]

We both could use the practice, I suppose. [And there he goes, dodging questions again.]

[Video]

[winged_knight]

Kratos. It's been a while. [He smiles and nods a greeting.] I hope you've been well?

I imagine others would provide you a more typical challenge but if you want something more unique to push your boundaries with I'm available.

[Forgive him. At only 10 ft tall, sometimes he forgets he's not as giant a robot as he used to be.]

[video]

[cruxified]

[Oh hey it's the knight robot. Don't ask how that works, Kratos doesn't know either. He's still getting used to actually talking to people.]

Well enough, I suppose. And you?

[But this isn't really time for smalltalk. He has some training to catch up on.]

I must admit, I'm curious to see how you fight.

[video]

[winged_knight]

Fair, considering. I feel a bit like my skills are...underutilized here, but I still find ways to help out.

[Now training and small talk can go hand-in-hand!]

I know and can teach several martial disciplines, both hard and soft, with blades or hand-to-hand. I tend to focus on speed and agility for my personal style though. I'd happy to give a demonstration at some point.

[Now he wonders if Deadlock wants to get thrown around the sparring ring again. Probably not.]

[cruxified]

Hmm... It's been some time since I had an opponent with knowledge of martial arts.

[He pauses, considering...]

In return, I could demonstrate some magic from my world.

anon video;

[ichoosefight]

Ever fought against a staff?

[ Batgirl knows not this 'Halloween' of which you speak, as she calls from one of the many public consoles to accept your challenge. ]

video;

[cruxified]

[Anon... video. That's interesting.]

Not recently. Are you offering?

video;

[ichoosefight]

[ Somebody couldn't be bothered to get a portable device. ]

I'm always up for a little sparring, and I've never gone up against someone with a sword before. [ Damian doesn't count. ]

[cruxified]

Perhaps we may both learn something.

[He straightens a little.]

I will be at the park until after sunset. You have some time to prepare, if necessary.

[Video]

[foolish_seal]

Guess I could give it a shot. Better than doing nothing.

[Judging by the looks of the guy, Minato figures he's horribly outclassed in terms of skill. Won't stop him from trying, however.]

[video]

[cruxified]

[He is... doubtful. This kid doesn't look like a fighter.

... He'll probably have to go easy on him.]

Are you experienced?

Re: [video]

[foolish_seal]

More by necessity than formal training, But it's worked for me so far.

[video]

[dontthesunlookgoodtoday]

[it's not that much worse than disapproving stares he can only tell are there by feeling.]

So a staff is cool, yeah?

What kind of magic?

[video]

[cruxified]

[He's really not a mean guy... just... he has a serious face all the time.]

I won't be using one, but I don't care if you do.

[Hmm, what kind? He's the first person to ask that. He lifts his chin a little, trying to make sense of the creature on the other side of the screen.]

Elemental magic, mostly.

[He'd rather not pull out the angel magic unless he has to.]

[video]

[dontthesunlookgoodtoday]

[some people are just like that. Or try to cultivate it, anyhow.]

Kay, cool. Makes it more of a learning experience to boot.

You mean like… earth, water, fire, air? Heart? Or the periodic table? [he's guessing the former, the latter is just because.

also yeah that's probably a good idea.]

action

[cloakand_danger]

[Yuan doesn't even bother responding to the video post. He just shows up at the park, strolling along casually as if he's not looking for Kratos...although his watchful air says otherwise.]

[cruxified]

[Kratos looks a little surprised to see Yuan here. Everyone else left him a nice message on the network before showing up, but Yuan is here unannounced. The sight that greets him is about as much as he'd expect-- Kratos, almost serene, just sitting on the grass with his sword across his lap.]

I should have expected you, [he says, the faintest trace of a smile on his lips.] You never turned down a spar before.

[cloakand_danger]

Of course you should have. [Yuan swaggers over, grinning down at him, and for a moment the last four thousand years never happened.] I didn't even think it needed to be said.