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

[unwrittenformula]

N was not a fighter by any means at all. He didn't much care for letting his friends fight, either, but when it came to Zoroark and many of the ones he grew up around, they were always more than eager to defend him whenever the need arose.

But N also knows that thing are going to be very different here. He's struggling to adjust to what's happened and their new situation, but he could struggle with that forever and it still wouldn't change anything.

This day found him wandering about with Zoroark as aimless as ever, but the the fox Pokemon tugs on N's sleeve to get his attention on what's happening near the apartments. They both stop to watch, curious and a little wary.

[coolerthansora]

It's the Samurai who notices N and his pokemon first, although that much may not be obvious. After all, it doesn't appear to have eyes, and it communicates the others' presence to Roxas silently. He backs off and holds up a hand to the lesser Nobody to wait a moment. He doesn't know the guy more than having seen him around. Was he one of the Vatheon group?

"Ah... Hey. We're not in your way or anything, are we?" There's enough open space around the Bastion that he doesn't see how they could be, but he knows the lesser Nobodies can be a little off-putting.

[unwrittenformula]

He was, though his presence in both places hasn't exactly been the most noticeable. If anything Zoroark makes more of an impression than N does.

N shakes his head to the question.

"No. We're just... curious. About what you were doing."

[coolerthansora]

"Oh. We were just training." Roxas makes a slight gesture with his keyblade as though N wouldn't have noticed it already. He glances curiously at Zoroark but doesn't ask about it just yet.

"It seemed like a good idea with- well, you know." Everything?

[unwrittenformula]

Zoroark seems to be mimicking his companion, standing still and watching and not much more.

"I see. Yes, I can understand how that would be valuable here."

[coolerthansora]

Meanwhile the Samurai watches, too, with its eyeless head turned in their direction. It seems to be waiting patiently.

"I guess you and your- friend don't fight, huh?" Roxas doesn't think they'd have to ask about a sparring match if they did.

[unwrittenformula]

"I do not," N said, but gestured to Zoroark afterwards. "Zoroark, however, is a Pokemon and capable in battle. I have another Pokemon here but he's far too young to battle just yet."

[coolerthansora]

"Oh." Not knowing anything about pokemon, Roxas doesn't think to ask what sort the other one is. He assumes pokemon must be fox-looking things.

"Still, I don't think he'd wanna be out on the skyway by himself."

[unwrittenformula]

N glanced at Zoroark.

"No, of course not. He's... quite attached to me. I worry about being in the way out there, though."

[coolerthansora]

Roxas looks between them uncertainly.

"I guess- you're not interested in learning?"

[unwrittenformula]

"I really have no skill in it. I suppose if anything I would be closer to a strategist when it comes to battle situations."

[coolerthansora]

"Well- maybe you guys can come out with us sometimes. Three should be enough to handle things, so you won't be in the way."

[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.

[amphibian]

[Aoi hears the spar before she sees it. She's walking back to her room after a jog out on the Skyway (two exercise routines in one!) when she hears clashing and banging. When she walks a little farther, she sees Roxas and the Samurai duking it out a couple of yards away from her—only the Nobody just looks like a monster, and instead of questioning how little sense a monster being at the Bastion and only one person doing anything about it makes, Aoi panics because there's a monster at the Bastion.

She has to drop the spiked bat in her hand and it takes her a moment to get her bow off her shoulder, and stringing it's another matter entirely, but she manages and—]

Look out!

[—an arrow flies towards the skirmish and ineffectually plants itself in the ground a few feet away.

Okay, so she's new to archery.

So instead, Aoi drops her bow, picks up her bat, and charges right at the Samurai.

All in the name of being helpful, really.]

[coolerthansora]

[Roxas and the Samurai both turn their heads at her shout, and Roxas jumps back unnecessarily from the arrow. What. Did she just- fire at them? Was that an accident?

But no, she's- charging right for them. Why would she tell them to look out if she's going to attack?

Or... she could just be attacking his Samurai.]

H-hey, wait!

[The Samurai shifts its stance, ready to block her attack, but Roxas steps in between them before she's quite reached it and raises his keyblade defensively.]