Day 133

[coolerthansora]

Who: Roxas and anyone!
Open: Open
When: Day 133
Where: Outside the apartments
What: Sparring time with Nobodies
Format: I'll match
Warnings: None

It's been a long time since Roxas has put much thought into improving his skills. Back in the Organization, he was fighting and training constantly, but during his year and a half in Vatheon, he thinks he spent more time trying to talk people out of fights than actually getting into them. It was a relief, not to need any of that most of the time.

He doesn't think he's lost much of his edge, and so far the monsters he's encountered on the Skyway haven't been that tough, but fighting is now a far cry from 'unnecessary.' He'd rather be at his best.

Which is why he can be found today sparring with his Samurai Nobody in the field near the apartments. He used to train with them a long time ago. It seems like a good place to start.

Comments

[croceamors]

"It's good to see you keeping sharp."

Look at that- something of a compliment coming from a certain scarred face. Saix isn't wearing his usual coat for now- he'd been dealing with the farm and trying to remember what Isa had known about caring for plants. That means it's just a tanktop, pants, and boots for today. His own Lesser has been sent elsewhere, which suits Saix just fine. After their arrival here, he suspects the Berserker and the Samurai to be rather tense around one another.

[coolerthansora]

No, tension still remains between the Samurai and the Berserker, probably worse than between Roxas and Saix. The Samurai seems to regard the other Nobody's approach warily, holding off on its fight with Roxas.

Roxas looks over at him, too, automatically wondering what he wants. They may be getting along better, but Saix still generally has a reason for seeking him out.

"It seems like it'll be important, so long as we're here."

[croceamors]

"There isn't any doubt about that." Saix hasn't encountered creatures too strong on the Skyway, but he knows that doesn't mean anything. There's always something stronger out there. Ignoring the presence of the Samurai, Saix summons Lunatic to his hands.

"Care for a better opponent?"

After all, Saix knows he's not as strong as he should be. Before he rose up into the ranks to be Xemnas' right hand, he was better. He went into the field more often. So much time spent organizing and handing out missions, however... It's made him weak. Being beaten by keyblade wielders before has made that plenty apparent. Roxas and his Other have already beaten him before, so fighting against him should help sharpen his skills.

[coolerthansora]

The Samurai goes tense at the appearance of Saix's weapon, but Roxas holds up his free hand and reassures it, "It's okay."

Still, he thinks for a moment before he turns to face Saix. Just sparring with him feels a little strange, but... "All right. Let's go."

He should be able to handle himself better than Axel if Saix gets carried away.

[croceamors]

Well, his last fight with Axel involved murderous intent. Fortunately for Roxas and the rest of Bastion, Saix isn't much interested in killing anyone right now. He really is going into this with a spar in mind.

Of course, that doesn't mean he plans on holding back. He adjusts his grip on Lunatic accordingly, shifting into a proper stance as he looks over Roxas. He comes to his plan of action quick enough, launching himself forward while his claymore comes slashing in from overhead.

[coolerthansora]

Yeah, well, just because he's going into it with sparring in mind doesn't guarantee it'll stay that way once they're trading blows.

Roxas lets him come in close, and then darts forward himself. He ducks beneath the claymore and past Saix, making a backhanded swing with Oblivion as he turns, hoping to catch him in the back.

[croceamors]

It looks like someone is going to have to call Axel to play referee, then. Unless the Samurai wants to volunteer.

The claymore tears through the ground as Saix twists around to follow Roxas, just barely managing to draw up his weapon in time to block the Keyblade with its hilt. He digs his feet into the ground as he hefts it up again, trying to force the other away with a side swing.

[coolerthansora]

Nope, the Samurai is staying out of this for now, thanks.

Roxas isn't one to dig into his stances. When he feels the claymore connect again with his keyblade, he jumps back, wanting to move back himself rather than be forced and lose his balance. He quickly moves in again though, swinging to Saix's other side.

[croceamors]

This time, the Keyblade connects with flesh instead of metal. Saix grits his teeth together to stop himself from making any noise, focusing instead on how to immediately counter. That involves stepping a bit further into the attack, sacrificing a bit of health in order to try and slam his elbow into Roxas' face while one hand keeps a tight grip on his claymore.

[coolerthansora]

Roxas's eyes widen a bit before the elbow connects with his face and he yelps, stumbling back. He was not expecting that, ow. He doesn't waste any time feeling his nose--he doesn't think it's broken...--but he does jump back farther to regain his balance and keep out of range of any follow-up attacks.

[croceamors]

That might be a problem, since Saix's follow up attack involves throwing his claymore much like his own Lesser Nobodies were known to do on occasion. It makes his side ache, but Saix ignores it. Instead, he darts forward, already chasing after Roxas whether his previous attack hit or not. He's hoping that a kick to the boy's legs will help trip him up and make it easier to bring him down.

[coolerthansora]

This sounds like a situation for Dodge Roll^TM. The thrown claymore only narrowly misses him, but it's hard to trip someone up when they aren't on their feet anyway.

Roxas doesn't like being on the defensive, though. The moment he is back on his feet, he lashes out blindly with the keyblade, sensing more than seeing that Saix is nearby and hoping it's near enough to hit.

[croceamors]

It's a good thing the swing is a blind one, at least for Saix. The sloppiness of it lets him dodge, even if that blade is far too close for comfort. He could call back Lunatic at any moment, but he keeps hand to hand for now and tries to make a strike for the back of Roxas' hand.

If he can disarm him, Saix is certain he'll have the advantage for just a moment. He can't go into this battle like he's done the last time, after all, so he's looking into new tactics.

[coolerthansora]

The strike to his hand doesn't make him lose his grip, but it does throw off his next attack, the swing losing its force.

Roxas glances towards Saix's claymore, wondering why he's not taking it up again, but presses in for another strike. As long as he's not between Saix and his weapon, he doesn't think it's something to worry about.

it all comes back to roxas' face, there isn't a fixation i swear

[croceamors]

What a shame. Saix barely spends a second on the failure, only long enough to acknowledge it, because there's the more pressing matter of Roxas' next attack. He blocks it with his forearm, grimacing. The next attack he's not so willing to take; he dodges it with a hasty sidestep. His hand makes a jerking motion towards Roxas' face, but not to punch him. Instead, Lunatic appears in his hand again, the pommel coming right at Roxas.

you and Vanibutt man =|

[coolerthansora]

Roxas ducks hurriedly, not eager to have something else smashing into his nose, but he can feel the pommel brushing through his hair.

While he's down, he swings Oblivion around in a hooking motion, so that pulling it towards him will slam the head of the blade into the back of Saix's knee. Let's see if we can bring you down.

"you have a smashable face" isn't a good compliment is it...

[croceamors]

Bring down successful- Saix's leg crumples beneath him. It leaves him off balance for a moment, but the second he regains it he's sweeping his claymore towards Roxas. He doesn't want to leave an opening exposed for too long.

it's not really a compliment at all

[coolerthansora]

It wasn't as much of an opening as he'd been hoping for. The next swing of his keyblade still meets with Saix's claymore instead of striking the other Nobody. He pushes forward, testing to see how steady Saix is on his feet already.