[Day 153] I understood the meaning of love... [OPEN]

[hellpyre]

Who: Rin and YOU!
Open: Open
When: 153, afternoon
Where: The Gazebo
What: The past few days have been difficult, but Rin is in a surprisingly good mood today. Apparently that's enough to warrant randomly singing??
Format: Starting in action, but I'll folow
Warnings: Rin being Rin is a given by now.

[The past few days had been a whirlwind of emotion. Some good, some bad, but all of it actually fairly exhausting. In it, though, Rin had gotten out some much needed things that had been bottling up for some time, and in a stark contrast to the anger that had nearly destroyed the kitchen, she found herself in a surprisingly good mood this day.

Like. Really good mood.

Good enough to apparently sing. Which she didn't do very often at all. Sometimes she could be caught humming a song while working, but actually singing something?

Well, she did used to be in the church choir growing up, so it wasn't that far fetched of an idea. But it had been years since then, and her voice was a little out of practice.

Still, something about that good mood compelled her to make her way over to the gazebo where the piano was. She couldn't play (Yuki could, but even she had fallen out of practice with that in recent years, too) but she knew enough to strike a note and start from there. She wasn't singing to anyone in particular, and the song that came out of here surprisingly wasn't a church hymn.]

Kuon no shijima yagate sora ni
aoku aoku tokete nijinde
mahiru no tsuki no usui kage wa
sugu ni sugu ni mirai wo yobu...

[It didn't quite sound the same without some accompaniment, but she still got rather in to it. Enough that she probably wouldn't notice if some one stopped to listen...]

Comments

[hellpyre]

[Rin nodded to that, looking a bit sheepish now that the question was out there]

Sorry to go so serious all of a sudden... I just figured with you comin' up to me it was a good time to ask.

I had a teacher back home trainin' me, but...

[Shura obviously didn't make it.]

I don't wanna get taken out again that easily, y'know? I'm one'a the strongest ones here. It just makes it difficult for everyone else if I can't fight.

[rebellionsheart]

I see.

[Jazz isn't going to comment on that last part from the girl. He has no doubts she's strong but strength isn't everything. There are all kinds of strength. The question is, what are her weaknesses and how can she cover them?]

I can do it. Our sword styles are different but the basics are the same. It will take some time though. No one gets good in a day.

[hellpyre]

[Hey she said "one of". And in her mind all she has is her skill in the kitchen and her... moderate skill with a sword along with her ability to take the hits that would otherwise kill some one weaker than her.

Really though that does mean one of her weaknesses (aside from fucking fire extinguishers) is lack of versatility and skill. She can only play half-demon shield so much before even she's taken out.]

... I know. I had to work at the one thing I am good at. And I can... try to be patient.

[rebellionsheart]

[Jazz smiles and puts his hand on her shoulder.]

Trying is all you can do. We'll need to see just how good you are first. So how about a sparring match? Just so I can see what you've got.

[hellpyre]

[She nods to that, straightening a little as she tries to put on a more confident look.]

I can do that. There's nothin' goin' on right now that needs my attention.

[rebellionsheart]

Then let's do it. Where is your sword?

[hellpyre]

Back in the kitchen! C'mon, I can go grab it. I think the Dragonfield would be good place to spar.

[rebellionsheart]

Alright. I'll grab my sword and see you there.

[hellpyre]

Okay!

[And with that, Rin bounces out of the gazebo and heads for the kitchen, making a stop at her apartment before heading to the Dragonfield.

She gets there after Jazz, since she changed in to something more appropriate for sparring and hooked up her harness for her two swords to her waist.]

So. How we wanna do this. 'cause I'm not sure how you'd do against my flames, even if you are pretty damn strong.

[rebellionsheart]

[Jazz is stretching when Rin arrives. He turns to look at the teenage girl and taps his chin. She might be correct though part of him wonders. That would be another test for another day. He also doesn't want to hurt the girl with his abilities. This is meant to be helping her get better, not end up with them both in the hospital.

He could see Frederic's face now if that happened.]

Why don't we both not use our abilities? Just our swords. I'm here to help you with swordsmanship, not powers after all.

[hellpyre]

Right! I can do that.

[She tossed Kurikara to the side then, keeping it off her harness as she draws out the other, non-enchanted blade. She was prepared for that possibility.]

Okay. Whenever you're ready!

[rebellionsheart]

If you say so.

[With that, Jazz leaped into the air and aimed to bring his sword down on Rin. You might wanna dodge this one girl. That is a lot of weight coming toward you.]

[hellpyre]

[Wuhoh. That sure is a big sword coming her way. She probably should dodge, but...

Let's face it. It's Rin. She's going to be reckless right off the bat.

She has enough sense to go down on one knee rather than keep standing in a weak stance, throwing her own blade up over her head to block the hit. The swords clash noisily, but rather than cutting right through her much thinner sword or knocking her back like one would expect, Rin actually manages to keep it from hitting her at all.

She pushes back, showing a surprising amount of strength for her tiny size, but it's still a struggle to get him back away from her, and she's left herself completely open to any other attack.]

[rebellionsheart]

[That show of strength is a surprise. Though Jazz gets over the initial shock rather quickly. He has seen her strength and the fact this girl is clearly not human helps. Though with her in such a vulnerable position, and him trying to teach her, it is time to give her her first lesson.

He turns his sword around and pulls back, The small slight spike to the sword catches hers and he tries to pull hard and yank her sword out of her hands.]

[hellpyre]

Shit--!

[Well that sure was a thing that happened. Rin's blade went tumbling away, sticking in the ground far out of arm (and tail) reach from where she still was knelt on the ground.

Perfect time to stick a blade in her face and tell her why that was a Bad Idea.]

[rebellionsheart]

[And that large blade is not in Rin's face. Jazz clears his throat.]

Lesson one. Never leave yourself in a disadvantaged state. Dodge or guard where you can deflect. You allowed me to get the upper hand. A true enemy will take that advantage and then take your head.

[hellpyre]

["You need to stop using your body as a shield, neesan!"]

Can... can't I get the upper hand on 'em by takin' blows they won't expect?!

[rebellionsheart]

No.

[There is no hesitation in his answer.]

Doing that causes unnecessary damage to yourself. It lets your enemy control the battle, not you. You have to always stay in control of the battle or you will die.

[hellpyre]

[Jazz, you are now going to be introduced to Rin's arrogance.]

I'm stronger than that! Even if some one else gets knocked down for good I'd be able to get back up again!

[rebellionsheart]

You get knocked down. As you are struggling to get up, your friends are left without your strength. What do you do when they are all slaughtered in front of you then?

[hellpyre]

I--...

[Well, that got her.]

[rebellionsheart]

You cannot think only of your strength and weaknesses. Our numbers are limited here. We must work as a team. A unit. A family. You must always think of everyone.

[hellpyre]

[Rin winced at that. How many times had Yuki and other teachers jumped over all of her class about working together? "An exorcist working alone is as good as dead," they had been told. Hell, they had passed their first proficiency because of team work!

Why was it so easy to forget that just because only Bon was here... ?

Then again, she had never worked well with other people at all before going to True Cross. Slipping back in to old habits... she was doing it more than she realized here.

Swallowing hard, Rin nodded and rose to her feet again.]

Okay...