action | open to Kojuro, Sasuke, Zero and other spectators (if any)

[nopast]

[ It’s nearing sundown. Ceci is standing in front of her farmhouse, her hair even redder under the light of the late afternoon sun. Her battle outfit of choice is a sports bra and a pair of stretchy yoga pants — because why not? She needs to be able to move freely and quickly, given that she’s not the strongest of fighters.

More interesting, though, is the patchwork of tattoos on her back, which run from one shoulder blade to another. They’re healing and protection runes, and they allow her to cast a variety of defensive spells, although she has no intention of using them in the upcoming sparring match.

She’s done absolutely no work on her farm since her arrival (other than to celebrate her acquisition of it through a night of drinking) so it’s all weeds and overgrown vines and rocks, except for a small clearing by the front of the farmhouse. But, eh, she’s warned her new samurai friend, so he shouldn’t be too surprised. Even with the monsters that come out at night around these parts. ]

Comments

[righteyed]

[Hey, he's not good with talking to girls. Fighting girls is the same as fighting boys, though. ...Right? Right. He knows full well that underestimation is the way to a quick death, must treat all risks as a matter of priority-- shit that got serious, never mind. The point is that he holds back as much as he would hold back on anyone he's trying not to kill or seriously injure, and that's all.

He's also aware that he's put himself into a vulnerable position by baring his back in this manner. Normally it's protected in turn, but not so much today obviously, which is why he doesn't stop.

Besides. If it was enough to make Ceci stop the fight, if she was really dazed or hurt, then she would have told him to stop instead of tottering on the spot. That's why Kojuro feels perfectly justified in his decision to follow through after his charge with an attempted grab. Right arm hooking backwards around her neck, the left taking the brunt of her weight (WHAT WEIGHT AM I RIGHT) by trying to literally scoop her off her feet. You got time to play with him, you got time to dodge, Missy!]

No petty tricks, either! You stop, you tell me to stop! [Still no suplexing, but maaaybe he's going to go for a drop all the same. Just...a front one. It's better than a kick with his treetrunk thighs okay. Why you think those hakama are so puffy.]

[nopast]

[ Oh hey grappling time! Ceci manages to maneuver enough so Kojuro ends up behind her, grabbing the inside of his right arm with both hands so he doesn't cut off her air. She knows she's light enough to be swept off her feet, but still she takes the time to grin like the total flirt that she is, even if he can't actually see her. She grins because she feels deserves it, since he's been a total darling so far — treating her as an equal, among other things.

At his words, her grin turns into a laugh; she hasn't fooled him, huh? Oh, he's good. He's really good. ]

My, Katakura-san... this is an interesting position to be in. I don't think I want to stop.

[ All that said in a super coy fashion. It's not even her trying to use her femininity to wiggle out of tight situations (although that would've been literal in this case). This is just how she is; playful, fun, one of the coolest mom!friends you can ever have. ]

[righteyed]

[See now, Ceci...

That was not a petty trick, but it jolts Kojuro all the same. Purely because he takes it as an implication that his hold is improper, which means that he almost immediately drops her and backs away, hands up and face turning red.

(To be fair, he would've done that even if she'd been a dude. DON'T FLIRT WHILE FIGHTING HIM THIS IS MEANT TO BE HONEST NOT SEXY EVEN IF HE HAS HIS HAORI OFF AND HE'S PROBABLY SWEATING A LIL WHO KNOWS.)]

My--

My apologies, Duchess Fermina! I did not mean to act-- [Oh god he's really gone full bust hasn't he. Kojuro is Broken. Which is probably good timing because hey, weren't there bushes rustling behind their audience anyway? But still, way to go Kojuro, just sit in your mental shame corner for a second because you are a ridiculous man.]

[nopast]

[ Ceci actually feels bad... for a while. But when it all sinks in, she just bursts out laughing. ]

Oh gods, I... I'm s-sorry! I didn't mean it to be a trick or anything — but gods you are adorable!

[ Probably not the adjective you'd expect to be used on a badass samurai, but hey.

She holds up her hands in a gesture of surrender. ] Okay, you win this round. Even if that was unintentional, I really shouldn't have done that. [ She grins sheepishly. ] I guess I'm just so used to the banter with the guys back home—

[ A thought occurs to her, and her smile becomes teasing. ] But why would a big, strong man like you be so embarrassed? Are you not a married man, Katakura-san?

... Girlfriend?

... ... Crush?

[righteyed]

No! No, I surrendered first; it was your win! I...Your win. Your win, my lady.

[His hands move faster at Ceci's continued teasing, because his face can't get any redder that's for damn sure. He can't look her in the eye! HE CAN'T LOOK HER IN THE EYE HHHHHHHHHH]

I am just--

That is--

I am not very good at talking to women, and I feel as that speaks for itself with regards to my status. Anyway, your win, I surrendered first, and I will prove more formidable opponent next time. I-- You're very talented. Very talented. [SO HEY the ground's very interesting right now. Don't look at him this is normal he's fine everything's ok, just a fight right? ha ha ha ha ha]