Action [Open] : Maybe tomorrow is a better day

[bastionpc]

Who: NPC Ahime, OPEN
Open: Open
When: 106, afternoon
Where: Bastion, outdoors
What: The new swordswoman is finally recovered, and it's time to test out her arm
Format: action
Warnings: None!

[The introduction of the hospital to the Bastion had been good for those injured in the most recent retrieval of a Core, but it also helped some one else who had been injured weeks before then - the swordswoman Ahime. She had broken her arm attempting to protect Kelly upon their arrival, but the fast healing at the hospital cut down her recovery time significantly.

However she had sustained a decent amount of damage, and while she didn't have to wear a sling anymore, scars remained on her skin and there was a tenseness in her muscles from lack of use.

She was outside anyway, though, dressed down in a simple tunic and slacks, going through slow, deliberate motions with her sword. Focused, but not so much that she couldn't be interrupted.]

Comments

[individuates]

[Kaoru had got into the habit of heading just outside of the Bastion with Tama-chan every day, just to give her the space to dig and do anklegator things without screwing up the foundations of their safe haven for good. At first, her digging had been so shallow as not to be a big deal, but since practicing outside her holes had been growing a lot deeper as she grew more adept. Sometimes she could dig so deep her horn barely showed above ground!

However, the Bastion was a no-digging territory, so Kaoru was making a habit to take her out every day to get her running. Although she couldn't quite bound after him on her short legs, she was mostly able to keep up with his pace if he ran, perfectly happy to chase him. When she couldn't be bothered to keep up, her weight across his shoulders was a helpful training aid in its own way, so long as she didn't try to climb on top of his head. She hadn't grown much since she had hatched nearly two weeks prior, but that was quite fine. Kaoru would be content to baby her for a good while yet.

He sees Ahime training from a little way off and slows his pace to a stop, moving off to the side to watch without disturbing her. Certainly more than a little envious of her skills, injured through she may be. He had tried in the beginning, but it hadn't quite worked out. For now he was content to watch in awe.

On the other hand Tama-chan, who had slowed along with him, quietly slinks closer to the new friend? unfamiliar woman before coming to a stop close by, tail swishing lazily left to right.]

[bastionpc]

[So far Ahime had yet to notice that she wasn't alone on the small section of Skyway she deemed safe enough to practice on. Had they been actual enemies she would have been on high alert, but there was no sense of threat coming from either of them at the moment.

She swung her sword out, wincing a little at the tightness in her arm. Pulling back with a sigh, she undid the clasp to the silver armor gauntlet she was wearing (the only bit of armor she had on currently) and ran her other hand over the faintly scarred skin there.

Her gaze shifted down enough to finally spot Tama-chan, earning a curious blink.]

Hello.

[individuates]

[the Littlest Anklegator takes a few cautious steps forward... then flops onto her back.

...cue Kaoru facepalming from a short distance away. Tama-chan, if you actually did this to an enemy it wouldn't end well for you at all.]

((I thought she was in the Bastion?))

[bastionpc]

((... whoops she is. I'm full of fail today.))

[[The action just earns a confused and somewhat curious head tilt from the warrior woman. She's really not sure what to make of this...]

[individuates]

Tama-chan...

[a long-suffering sigh as Kaoru comes over. By this point, Tama-chan is waggling about on the ground, hoping for tummy rubs] ...you don't just go ahead and roll over for people you don't know without even introducing yourself. It's kinda forward, y'know?

[bastionpc]

[That earned a laugh from her. She crouched a bit, finally giving those belly rubs that Tama-chan seemed to want so badly.]

She's yours then?

[individuates]

Pretty much. [with a smile, bending down beside them, Tama-chan making happy noises and flapping her legs around a bit]

I found her out on the Skyway just after I arrived here... only she was just an egg back then. Everyone was like, "Oh, Kaoru, you'll be an amazing mum!" so I kind of ended up looking after her. Carrying her all over the place. A few weeks later and I found this little monster sitting in my bed. Yes, you. [giving her a light scratch under the chin that makes Tama-chan's tongue flick in and out a few times] She still expects me to carry her around. [smiles fondly though, as Tama-chan tries pushing the end of her nose against his hand] I mean really, what do you think I am, huh? You're small now, but what am I supposed to do if you get big?!

[bastionpc]

[Another laugh, full of bright amusement at the situation.]

Well, sometimes the most unexpected people can be mothers! And she really seems to adore you.

[individuates]

[chuckles lightly] She adores everyone - well, everyone except the monsters outside. Luckily everyone inside the Bastion is pretty nice but I worry sometimes. She's still just a baby and I worry someone might mistake her for a monster.

That's kinda why I put the bell on her. I figured monsters don't wear bells...

[bastionpc]

Oh, I doubt that! The bell is a good idea, but she doesn't have the eyes of a monster. Though... I would be careful with her around Kelly. He jumps at the silliest things.

[individuates]

Of course she doesn't! [a tad protectively] She has lovely eyes, don't you Tama-Tama?

Besides, how can anyone be scared of her when the fiercest thing she's ever done has been... well this, actually. [pating her tummy] I've never actually seen her try to be threatening, I don't even know if she can be. Might be my fault, though...

[bastionpc]

[Ahime just smiles at that, knowing a protective tone all to well.]

Well, you'd be surprised. As I said, Kelly is a skittish little thing. Not that I blame him, all of this would be terrifying to someone who's never had to face down armies before.

[individuates]

I've never had to face down armies before and I'm doing quite fine... [Though perhaps corporate heavyweights count as training? He's not sure. That, and he's had more than a little help from Seimei as well]

Then we have to get him and Tama-chan together. Who could possibly be afraid of this face?

[blackblooded]

[Ahime is someone Crona feels comfortable just being around, which is rare. Even if Crona didn't feel comfortable around the woman, the sword would have gotten the meister's attention.

Ragnarok wants to break that sword, prove his superiority, run Ahime through and eat her soul. Crona would like a brief sparring match, if it's not too much trouble. But for now, Crona's just going to stand silently and watch.]

[bastionpc]

[You're welcome to try, Ragnarok, but the Bastion would probably prevent an all out fight from going on much longer than a few seconds.

Crona's presence does go unnoticed for a while, if only because Ahime is fairly focused. Eventually though, she turns and smiles.]

Good afternoon, Crona.

[blackblooded]

[Crona would prevent an all out fight from ever happening/]

G-good afternoon.

[bastionpc]

How are you doing today, Crona?

[blackblooded]

[A bit of awkward shifting, switching weight from one foot to the other.]

... fine.

Are you practicing?

[bastionpc]

Yes. My arm is more or less healed at this point. It's nice, to be able to pick up my blade again.

[blackblooded]

C-can we... maybe... practice?

Ragnarok wants to fight someone.

[bastionpc]

Practice? I don't see why not. I could use a live opponent.

[blackblooded]

[A tilt of the head, listening to Ragnarok make demands only his meister can hear.]

Now?

[bastionpc]

Sure!

[blackblooded]

[Crona nods, serious. One hand, held out to the meister's side, begins to drip drip drip blood as black as ink. With a faintly purple glow, the blood forms into a long, thin, two-edged sword, made of some metal so deeply black it consumes the light without reflecting. The only color on the blade is a thin white line running down the center of the length, and a wide, living red-lipped mouth near the hilt. The mouth grins, showing off an impossible amount of teeth.]

We're ready.

[Crona will wait for Ahime before striking.]

[bastionpc]

[If the method in which Crona summons her blame bothers her at all, Ahime doesn't show it. She flexes her hand, noting some residual tenseness that she's going to have to compensate for as they spar.

Returning her sword to her proper hand, she slides in to a strong, heavy stance, behaving a bit as some one who is used to wearing quite a bit of armor.]

Ready.