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

[lycannerd]

[Ryder is just passing by Ceci's farmhouse, carrying some seeds he needed for his farm. However, he stops to see a young woman in a sporty outfit and judging from his actions, he guesses that she is preparing for a battle of some sorts.

Curious, he puts down his groceries and watches the events unfold. But just in case, he looks around and asks a nearby spectator or maybe, the fighters themselves.]

What's going on? Are they preparing for a battle training or something?

[gatescostmoney]

[ A voice comes from one of those overgrown trees on the property. Honestly, this farm looks like his plot of land. Good to know that he's not the only one not too sold on actually working the earth. ]

To my information, it's exactly that.

busts in after work with iced coffees for everyone!

[righteyed]

[...Well...Yeah, Ceci absolutely warned him about the fact that her farm was a work in progress, but...

Kojuro's still stunned when he wanders on over, clutching a flask of sake in one hand and cups in the other. She...Really hasn't put in any effort, has she...But that's not the way to think of a future opponent, right? So he swallows back that initial horror and keeps on walking over to Ceci, who kind of stands out against all the...Mess. Once he's close enough to not have to raise his voice, he bows deeply and places his gift on the ground.]

Thank you for having me. The dress code is minimal, then? [Because he'll take off his farmer's haori and bring out his tits if he has to, but not until she confirms it.]

i am still at work but hurray coffee and tags!

[nopast]

[ She catches his stunned look and laughs. She doesn't bother to wait for him to get close enough, though, and calls out good-naturedly: ] It's terrible, isn't it? There are monsters, too!

[ She smiles appreciatively as he approaches, noticing his gift. Awwww, he didn't have to bother! Is this a samurai thing? The history logs say they're supposed to be honorable and all, and he's giving a very good impression of that, from the calligraphy to the bowing. This fight should be very interesting...

In response to his bow, she curtsies — a gesture that's a little too Western for her obviously Oriental features. She still speaks with a Chinese undertone, which becomes especially thick when she's flustered or agitated. ]

Cecilia Fermina. Duchess of Airyglyph, in the very near future, at least. I hope. Pleasure to meet you, Katakura-san.

You can dress however you like. This is a sparring match, not a party... although by the looks of that bottle, we'll be having one afterwards.


ooc: this is her canon art (rightmost) but i use a PB because she's a very obscure character lol

[lycannerd]

[He still has his enhanced hearing, but it isn't enough to protect him from the shock as Ryder jumps up, startled before turning around to see at the top of the overgrown trees.]

Huh. I guess they are also aware of the monsters outside the valley. Makes sense if they want to do some sparring.

[gatescostmoney]

[ Sasuke drops down from his vantage point to make it easier to talk. He's not planning on watching the fight in secret, so it's not like he needs to hide. (It won't be as fun to tease Kojuro if he doesn't know he's there.) ]

And one of them just likes a good fight.

[ However, fighting monsters is also a good way to pass time. ]

OTA/Thread Jacking/etc

[h41ku]

[Zer0 had heard of what was going on from some people talking in the Café, and on the network, and he wasn't about to miss out on some good old fighting. Challenging humans was the best, it let him learn so much more every single time. His AI would be hard at work tonight, especially, because while he was programmed as a combat android, Zer0 doesn't even know the basics of CQC. His noodle arms and legs weren't going to take him very far.]

Hey, is this the place? / Where we are going to fight? / My name is Zer0.

[He gives you a friendly :).]

When are we starting?

where is my work-free paradise for everyone (ALSO CECI IS SO PRETTY...bless)

[righteyed]

Ah-- not terrible! I did not say--

[CAUGHT OUT. He slumps a little in sheepish defeat.] Duchess Fermina, the pleasure is mine. Monsters and untidiness do not matter when we are sparring, and--

I could not let you cater alone; this much should be a joint effort, I think...And my crops are not yet large enough; I sold my grown ones at the Stardrop Festival, and am left with sprouts and nothing else.

[Then Kojuro shrugs, undoes his haori and bandanna, and folds them both up to set beside the sake. He doesn't want to risk tearing either; the hakama are slightly harder to grab, and he's hoping that this won't be a below-the-waist sort of bout anyway. Ceci might be tall and willowy, true CLAMP-style, but...

He's dealt with speed before, and isn't too shabby on that front either. Better to let her land a few hits and evaluate her style than to judge beforehand, which is why he simply drops into a loose boxing stance and inclines his head in a small bow.] Shall we begin?

[righteyed]

[SARUTOBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII DON'T THROW HIM OFF HIS GAAAAAAME]

[lycannerd]

I-I see...

[Why does he have a feeling of dread around him? Answer, a right-eyed man's glare.]

Well, this might looks interesting to watch.

apologies for grumpy baby grandpa; he didn't realise fight club started okay

[righteyed]

[WHAT IS WITH THE CROWD Y'ALL DIDN'T ANSWER HIS AD

Kojuro, despite logically knowing that the mere act of putting the ad up would start something like this off, is clearly a little moody over the fact that it's not just him and his designated sparring partner. He wipes his face with his bandanna, looking Zer0 over with a scowl.

Look if there's going to be a ｐａｒｔｙ here then he'll bring the snacks, okay?]

If you want to spar as well, then I would be foolish to turn you down. Though...This is not my farm, so if we fight it'll be as guests to Duchess Fermina.

Your name, first. [Since his name was on the ad. He'll probably weep on the inside if anyone noticed his slip up about Tengu Kamen, though...]

[gatescostmoney]

[ What was that? Cheer for the other person? Can do! ]

[gatescostmoney]

[ Sasuke laughs. ]

You're here now, so why not? Unless you have some other place to be.

[lycannerd]

I do have somewhere to be, but I'm more curious about this fight. So maybe I should stick around for awhile.

i died at 'true CLAMP-style' lmao (HER PRETTINESS IS THANKS TO THE POWER OF CLAMP)

[nopast]

[ She hums thoughtfully at his comment about monsters and untidiness. Her farm's been untouched primarily because she knows nothing about farming; it's not expected of her as Cecilia, and, well, before assuming that identity, fighting and killing had been all she's really known. ]

You know, that's an idea. Fermina Fighting Farm — has a nice ring to it, eh?

Thank you for your generosity, Katakura-san. May this be the start of a good friendship!

[ She's cheerful, clearly, but it becomes more pronounced when he drops into a fighting stance; she could feel his eagerness for a good fight, and it's simply contagious. She takes on a loose karate fighting stance, bouncing lightly, and grins. ]

Ladies first, yes?

[ Then she lunges at him. Watch out, Kojuro, this one's a kicker. ]

[gatescostmoney]

Pull up a seat. It'll probably begin soon.

[lycannerd]

[Of course, Ryder sat on a nearby rock to watch the whole spectacle.]

[innoxious]

[ A girl eventually comes wandering around the general vicinity of the farm. Fia's signed up as Forest Officer a few days after her arrival, and she's been out patrolling since. She's taken particular interest in the wilderness farms because of the monsters that are said to come out in the area at night, although it doesn't seem like the place for someone like her. Even with her weapons — a bow on her back, a dagger on her waist — she hardly looks imposing, at first glance appearing more like a dancer than a fighter.

Curiously, she bears a resemblance to the redhead Kojuro's having a sparring match with.

She scans the area, pausing for a moment to take in the setting sun, and, when she finally sees Sasuke, her eyes light up in recognition. ]

Mr. Sasuke!

[ She approaches, smiling — and also having forgotten that she's not told the ninja that a kind-hearted dryad had restored her voice.

Seeing Ryder, sitting on a rock nearby, she turns to smile at him as well. ] Oh, hello.

[lycannerd]

[While he expects some spectators joining him and the strange young man to watch the spar. Though he didn't expect a young woman to join them. In fact, he's not shocked at the weapons she has, but her appearance resembling the woman in the spar.

It didn't help his shock when she sat down next to him.]

U-Um... Hi...

[He just sheepishly waves at the woman.]

IF SHE'S GOT THE CLAMP POWER SHE MIGHT AS WELL USE IT...

[righteyed]

And here I was thinking about clearing a space for training on my farm, but I can--

[SO MUCH FOR THAT THOUGH. Can't chat, gotta brace himself instead. He's intent on taking this first hit still, so he doesn't move so much as duck down, arms closer to his chest and shoulders around his ears to protect his head. Even if his legs are his weakest spot, they're still braced, locked into a bend so that she can't stagger him.

Or so he hopes. Look, I can't write fights but here we are, this is what Kojuro is doing and that's the tea on that.]

Don't hold back on me, now! [Come on Ceci, give him a benchmark to remember! Ignore the terrifying look on his face okay it's nothin'.]

[nopast]

[ Ceci's fighting style when it comes to first-time opponents is relatively simple: she goes first. It's not just because of her impulsiveness; she also knows that she's usually not as strong as the men she chooses to fight against. Even if she has nice, strong legs, and just as nice and powerful kicks. CLAMP POWER

She aims for a kick at Kojuro's head. Because why not? Element of surprise!

Then she'll go for his legs next, and then his side, still with those kicks. Because I can't write fights she doesn't want to give him an opening; he's clearly strong, and it might only take a few well-placed hits for him to defeat her. ]

I don't hold back!

[ Not even against her husband. ]

[righteyed]

[Okay, that's definitely an above-the-belt blow so it's all fair, isn't it? ...And that means, despite Kojuro managing to get an arm in between his skull and Ceci's leg, that he's still staggered a little. His reflexes are pretty hot shit, but it's still a powerful kick to the head.

His legs are still solid, though, and he moves to snatch her ankle when she goes to kick his side in because that's a little too close to painful for his liking. Even if he doesn't manage a solid hold, he's going to whip his arm into himself, either to snare or twist her leg; anything to stall her for a second, really. He can't make to swing her around by the fuckin' ankle if she's not still for at least a nanosecond.

(If anyone observing or the CLAMP beauty herself manages to get close enough and think on it enough, they might notice a little static electricity in the air. Nothing major, just enough to make a few strands of Kojuro's hair come loose and make the little hairs on one's arms stand on end, y'know?)]

[nopast]

[ Well. She didn't expect him to be fast. Strong, maybe, but not this fast. Is it a samurai thing? She's never met one before, only knew of them by reputation. In any case, he's got her ankle now, and it occurs to her in that split-second that she's going to be in so much trouble if she doesn't roll with it.

Which she does, quite literally: when he twists her leg, she uses that momentum to go for a spin, hoping that it would make him release her. It's not something she's exceptionally good at, but she's had some practice; after all, with long, CLAMP legs like that, she's almost always prone to being grabbed, you know?

Even if he does let her go, though, she'll need a few seconds to get her bearings. If she's lucky, he'll take some time to say something quotable, and she can aim for a low, sweeping kick. If not — if he lets go and she crashes, or he manages to keep his hold on her — well, she's been on the receiving end of more painful blows. Nothing her healing rune can't fix later on. ]

[innoxious]

[ Her smile grows a little more at Ryder's wave, although her shyness also kicks in and she sheepishly looks away, back to the nearby farm and the two battling figures. ]

They're just sparring, right? Not really in a brawl or something?

[ Because she'll hate to have to break them up — part of the job, yes, but the fighting looks intense. ]

[lycannerd]

[His shyness turned into neutral as he wonders if she's worried about the fight.]

I highly doubt it's a full-on brawl. Besides, with the rumored dungeons around running around, I feel that it's a good idea for them to spar to prepare themselves.