isleofavalon | [September Catch-All]

[Thursday, 4pm.

Red Wine walks into the theatre ready for whatever might come out of this session. The young lady he had met in the mirror room hadn't been the kind of person he would have expected to want to learn to fight like this, but since she'd expressed interest - and expressed it to him specifically - he hadn't wanted to turn her down.

At least Red Wine knows that he wouldn't push her so hard as to hurt her, even if he fully intends on giving her no quarter... to the boundaries of her ability, at least.

He doesn't actually know where to go from here, so he sends her a quick message and lingers in the foyer, catching the glances those passing through are sending his way. Though he isn't dressed up in any particular way today - a white shirt, black trousers, smart shoes and a simple jacket he intends to take off - he still has the look of someone who doesn't quite belong there.]

( when she was younger, still full of dreams of being an actress, she might have thought her only contact with swordsmanship lessons would be for a role. no different to the hours she put in at shooting games to play a sniper.

but life pans out in ways you never expect, and if she's going to be here, she's going to do her best to not be a burden to others. and she was, back in the hall of mirrors.

when it comes to four o'clock, she's mostly through everything she needs to do. there's a couple of miscellaneous tasks she needs to take care of (there's more to do now that Sakyo's gone, but she won't let him down) but nothing that can't wait when she reads the text on her phone.

a minute later, Izumi comes bounding up to the foyer, dressed in comfortable looking jeans and a soft cotton t-shirt, her jacket tied around her waist and her hair scraped back in a ponytail. )

I'm glad you found us.

( Izumi it's a whole ass theatre with a row of budding flowerbeds outside, how can people not find you? )

Follow me.

( it's easy enough to get to the back, they just need to go through the theatre and duck behind the stage. the room she's got in mind for this is just past the dressing room, and it's a good space. bright and airy, with mirrors lining the wall opposite the door they walk in through. there's signs of use already, with chairs and tables pushed to the back and a few props that haven't been put into storage.

and, of course, the wooden swords she promised. )

[He's still not sure she's a good fit for this. Usually he can tell, though sometimes people do surprise him. He's considering messaging her again when she finally makes an appearance and he nods slightly in reply (a theatre isn't difficult to find...) before following after her.

The first thing he does is tie up his hair, then checks the swords, picking one up and weighting it lightly in his hand. It's not the right weight or balance, but he doesn't expect it to be. It would do for the moment.]

All right. [Red Wine says then, offering her one sword while he picks up the other.]

Take that jacket off your waist, it's going to throw you off. Now-- [Once she takes the sword he settles his own in his right hand, giving it a few experimental swipes through the air.]

Battle is essentially chaotic in nature, and one can never assume that a plan is going to last beyond first contact with an enemy. However, there are ways to prepare for this both physically and mentally.

[He steps over to her and though his expression is serious, he doesn't look unkind.]

There are eight basic angles of attack when using a sword. [And then, using the tip of the 'blade' but not touching her, he demonstrates while counting from one to eight.] And while I'd always recommend pressing the offensive in a fight, we're going to start off with some defensive positions for the moment. How does that sound?

( truth be told, she might not even argue that if he says it. but she has to try, if for no other reason than to be able to rely on herself in this place if it comes down to that. Sakyo’s disappearance, still a fresh wound, drove that point home nicely. she can’t expect that she’ll be free of danger forever, protected by well-meaning people and bolstered by magic.

the instruction to remove her jacket is met with a nod, Izumi following direction without hesitation. she asked Red Wine because it’s clear he knows what he’s doing with a sword, so as far as Izumi is concerned, there’s no need to question an instruction like that. her hand then wraps around the hilt of the prop sword, looking comfortable with that part at least. she’s certainly handled these kinds of props more than once in her life, even if she hasn’t been the one to use them on the stage.

funny that she’d end up using them this way. it’s something the her of a year ago — even a few months ago — would never have believed necessary. modern day Japan wasn’t exactly brimming with reasons to engage in sword fights. but here she is, listening attentively, nodding along, following the arc of his sword as it moves through each of the directions. basic fundamentals that, despite the time taken to choreograph action scenes and sword fights with her actors, she’s never had occasion to engage properly.

it makes sense, it’s just that Izumi thinks about how focused those scenes were on the showmanship of it all. how best to make things look impressive to the audience while keeping the actors safe.

this is real. or, well, preparing her for reality. )

Right! ( she’s in your care, Red Wine-sensei. ) That goes... something like this, I think.

( the pose she strikes isn’t... terrible, by any account, with her feet spaced and the blade pulled in front of her torso, but it’s clear that Izumi’s picture of what a defensive stance should look like comes from her theatre background. it looks more impressive than it is, designed for a setting where the weapons can’t do real damage and the audience are simply looking to be entertained. )

[Her form isn't terrible, but it's the form of a person who has never held a sword for any reason other than to play with it. Red Wine observes her for a moment and then tucks his own sword underneath his belt before he steps over to her.]

Raise your arm like this, and your fingers need to be-- there. That's it. Grip the hilt like that. And move your foot in a little-- yes.[He isn't shy about putting his hands on her but his touches are careful and respectful and he never gets too close to her.]

Remember... you're defending against a weapon that can hurt you. Not performing on a stage. Conserve your energy.

[Another moment of looking at her thoughtfully, and he nods.]

All right. I'm going to try to hit you, and you're going to block me.

Edited 2021-10-02 20:57 (UTC)

( a-ah. okay. it's always a bit awkward when a relative stranger first touches you, but hands on practice is an integral part of acting too, so she quickly lets out the breath she sucks in and relaxes.

well. as much as anyone can relax when absurdly attractive men are pushing you into position. but Izumi steadies her breath and studies this new position. it's firmer, more balanced. that makes sense. )

Got it. ( she thinks. but best not to say that out loud. it's not too difficult, it's just making sure she remembers this feeling, waiting until he steps back to bounce a little on the balls of her feet, letting the movement shake her body into action, into hopefully remembering. )

Right! ( she keeps at it with the same earnestness she started this whole thing, a determination glinting in her eyes. she might not be a good actor, might be winging it at directing and nothing particularly special, but if years of trying to break into the theatre has taught her anything, it's that she has to keep pushing forward. keep going and learning.

she can do this. all she has to do is block at the right time. )

[He does keep an eye on her reactions to him to make sure she doesn't look too unsettled by the contact, and makes sure to keep everything very light. No reason given for her to think he has any untoward reasons for wanting to put his hands on her. At her confirmation, he gives her a faint smile and a nod of approval.]

All right. I'll do it slowly the first time, so you can observe.

[Red Wine holds his own sword all too easily. He's used to something that weighs more, that has a different balance, and he wasn't exaggerating when he said this wouldn't do at all in the long term.]

From the top. [He tells her, and while it's definitely not a slow-motion hit of any kind he definitely doesn't come at her with full force. The wooden sword comes up, his centre of gravity and posture shifting, then drops as if to cut her from her left shoulder to her right hip.]

( it's Izumi. he'd probably be safe from those assumptions unless he goes full Azuma (pour one out for Sakyo, man tried his best). her mind trains in on the reason they're here soon enough anyway, focusing on what she needs to know and nodding obediently at Red Wine's commands.

he's kind about it, telegraphing movements in a way that makes it easy to follow and fall into position — a little bit slow, a little bit unsteady, the ghosts of years of theatre bringing with them the temptation to go for a showier stance and ultimately ignored — as she blocks. this is just the beginning, she knows that, she knows that actual fights won't have people making their moves that obvious or soft, but despite it all, Izumi smiles.

she did it. )

How was that?

Good.

[She does have potential, he can tell that much already. As for how far she would be able to take that potential... he couldn't say, but he doesn't mind putting the time in to find out.]

I don't think it would be a waste of either of our time to try to teach you more.

[Then he smiles slightly.]

If you can shake off the idea that you're performing for an audience. I think you have the ability to grow quite proficient at this.

( that smile on her face only grows wider. there's promise here. potential. something so unlike her time as an actor that it could sting but she won't let it.

this is something good. and she has something great in her theatre, both here and back home. she doesn't have to wallow in that failure any more. )

Eh...heh. ( but she does have the grace to look suitably sheepish about that last comment. ) I've been involved with the theatre my whole life. It's hard to turn it off sometimes.

( seriously. get her drunk sometime, you'll see. )

Mm. I understand.

[And it sounds like he does mean that. Though never involved in the theatre himself, not being able to turn some aspect of your personality 'off' is something he's familiar with. He doesn't think it's going to impact much on what he's able to teach her, though.]

All right, shall we try another? A different angle this time.

[The positions would be the most important thing to learn first. Then they could speed up, and he could start letting her try to work out what he was going to do next.

They have time for all of that.]

( Izumi's story isn't a unique one, or even a remarkable one, she's sure. there are lots of people who are consumed by what they do, who need to do it for their sanity. who turn everything into a story about theatre, or curry.

or something else entirely. )

Sure!

( she nods and shifts herself back to the position she was in earlier. or close to it. no. maybe a little bit more like...

ah, that feels right. )

What did you do before you came here? Were you a teacher?

( of swordsmanship, of course. but he's good and easy to understand, so she's assuming he probably had some experience in that arena. )

[He huffs out a soft laugh through his nose as he swings another hit for her to block. Though his movements are almost casual, he has his eye on her motions too and will make sure to not accidentally injure her. Even a stage sword could hurt if it was used correctly.]

Block down-- good. And again. [Another swing.

Then he finally answers her question with a shake of his head.]

I'm not anything of the sort. I'm a mercenary.

[Probably not the answer she expected.]

( she's getting the hang of this, she thinks. it isn't perfect — a life of theatre helps her notice the places where her reactions aren't up to par, but they'll come in time, as will a more solid and perfect stance — but she's proud of herself for managing this much.

only a few months ago, she would never had dreamed of truly needing this skill, and here she is. doing her best to learn it. that's what life is all about, isn't it? adapting to the circumstances and doing your best.

Red Wine's answer... well. yes, it's unexpected, mostly because Izumi comes from a world where things like mercenaries are a far thought. a concept she knows exists but are so far removed from her daily life that they may as well not. but this is Avalon, isn't it? magic land where she's met people from all walks of life. so maybe, maybe meeting a mercenary isn't the weirdest thing that could happen. )

Oh. ... That makes sense. ( a smile replaces the momentary confusion that crosses her face, satisfied by his answer. ) You must be used to how things work here, then, huh?

( with the questboard and all of that. it looks interesting, and she does sometimes pick up quests she thinks she can manage, but mostly Izumi is thankful that Camelot likes theatre, or she might have been screwed. )

Hm?

[He's satisfied enough by how she's anticipating his moves to not give her further correction just yet, so the conversation acts as both a way to pass the time and a distraction to see if she can focus on the swordplay at the same time.

Still, he doesn't push her too hard yet, simply swings his sword from various angles for her to get the idea of the best way to stand and raise or lower her arm to keep the weapon from hitting her.]

You mean the work? Yes, you could say that. I pick up a good amount of it. [Though he doesn't make a fuss about having done so. Red Wine has no need of a knighthood or lordship, after all.] And I tend to ask around to see if the locals need anything else done.

[Red Wine moves quickly then, aiming to disarm her if she doesn't react swiftly enough.]

I like to keep myself busy.

( she's getting the hang of it, she thinks! strikes are blocked successfully, and she feels more steady in her position as time goes on. it's all well and good until that.

she is distracted by the conversation, and the sudden shift in rhythm catches Izumi off guard, leaving her scrambling to try and react, but it isn't enough to keep her from losing her sword and stumbling back a step. )

Whoa-!!

( oof. dang it. )

[He did expect that, and huffs out a soft breath of laughter as she startles against his - admittedly underhanded - move. It doesn't look like he's especially displeased, however.]

Mistakes are how you learn. Pick it up.

[Red Wine tilts his head towards where the sword had landed. He is a tutor here after all and not an enemy that she needs to defend her life against. In time he can pretend to be that, but not right now.]

I'll never scold you for a mistake.

( Izumi knows that mistakes are integral to the process, but it's nice to hear Red Wine speak it into the momentary silence. she knows how bad the receiving end of harsh criticism can feel. how her old director's final words to her still sting from time to time.

mistakes are important, and they have the time to fix them.

but still, there's a flutter of dragged-through-the-fire pride that spurs the answer she gives. )

Don't worry about me! I'm tough and used to criticism!

( very used to it. theatre doesn't mince its words. )

Criticism is useless if the thing being criticised can't be fixed.

[Though she will find he certainly will criticise. What he means is that he won't berate her for a misstep or for doing something wrong, so long as it still looks like she's doing her best... and he has a feeling he's going to get nothing but her best.

Red Wine recognises that eager look in her eyes.

He smiles.]

And if you're to be my student, that makes you my responsibility as long as I'm your teacher. I'm responsible for how I impact your mind as much as anything else. Now pick up the sword.

... That's a good way to phrase it.

( she may have to gank that for using with her actors, stash it away for when it's needed. theatre is tough, and many directors think the only way to work is to pick every little thing apart.

which, yeah, you want to perfect the smallest details, but not at the price of your actors' wellbeing.

she nods, and picks up the sword as instructed. )

I was right to ask you, Red Wine-sensei. ( it's official now. ur sensei. )

[He pauses a moment, clearly surprised by the honorific. It isn't that he doesn't understand what it means, but he hadn't expected to hear it. The hesitation is only brief, though, before he chuckles lightly and gives her elbow a little nudge to get her back into position.]

All right.

[No need to make a fuss of it. If she wants to call him that, he'll accept it.]

We'll go again. Keep blocking, and I'll try to disarm you. I won't tell you when I'm going to try it, you need to be observant.

( well, that's what you are, Red Wine-sensei. it's only right and proper to use the title. and since he is sensei, there's no arguing with that nudge, or the next part of the lesson. Izumi falls into blocking, movements jerky, staccato, eyes clearly focused on each twitch of movement that comes her way.

she's certainly trying to anticipate his upcoming attack, all focus and tense muscles. it might be (okay it definitely is) too much, but she's going to catch him! )

Yah!

( oh... he was just doing a normal move. no need to try that hard, Izumi. now you've disarmed yourself. :| )

[He doesn't correct her yet. Not because he wants her falling into bad habits but because he knows that pointing out what she's doing will likely just make it worse. She's over-concentrating, maybe nervous, maybe anxious to impress him.

Her weapon goes clattering down again and he looks far more amused than annoyed.]

Can you tell me where you're going wrong?

[Though she might not realise that she's overdoing it when it comes to trying to anticipate his next move, he'll give her the opportunity to think through it first.]

( it's a longstanding problem, if she's honest. she wants to give it her all in everything, but sometimes it's hard to hold back. ... maybe that's why she's always been such a hammy actor.

(okay, no. that's just because, as her director said, she has no talent. people like Sakuya and Juza try just as hard but they have the talent to get better. but that's okay! she'll watch them bloom from the wings. seeing them get better fills her heart in a way nothing else could.) )

... I'm overdoing it, aren't I?

( it takes a minute for the answer to come, and when it does, its with the sheepish grin of someone who isn't surprised if that is indeed the answer Red Wine-sensei is thinking of. )

[He waits patiently for her to figure it out, then smiles crookedly when she gives what is, undeniably, the correct answer.]

You are. Remember, this isn't a play.

[Where such over-reaching and display would be necessary in performance, when fighting an enemy it only becomes a hindrance. But his tone doesn't judge her and the smile remains on his face as he waits for her to gather herself up again.]

When you're in combat, you need to retain your energy. Use only what you need - a flourish will only waste time and leave you open to attack.

( Izumi laughs, sheepish at that comparison. )

My director would tell me that, too. ( not every scene needs to be acted so loudly, Tachibana. but she could never nail that down. always remained stiff and awkward while acting, too loud, too desperate to do her best.

she won't be the same here, right? it's just nerves. )

... Okay. I think I can get this.

( come at her, sensei. )

You can.

[It sounds, when he says that, that Red Wine completely believes that Izumi is capable of this. He isn't the kind of person to waste time on useless endeavours, of course.

When he attacks again he keeps his eye on how she moves. He fully expects her to make many more mistakes but she has already proven to him that she is able to learn from her missteps and take his criticism and guidance with grace. Both of those things make her an ideal pupil.]

That's it, block-- Keep your eyes up, miss.

( it's a nice boost of confidence, that tone, though even when she stops overdoing it, she's still a long way from perfecting anything. still a step behind, scrambling to do the moves she's been taught in time, still stiff and wobbly in places, especially as they continue.

oof, she really thought those morning jogs were enough fitness. maybe she was wrong.

but despite it all, there's a light in her eyes and a smile playing at the corners of her mouth when she does manage to block his attacks. )

Ah!

( that's a noise of pleased surprise at her own ability. sure, it's nothing impressive to someone like Red Wine-sensei, but it is for her. )

[She blocks him. Not quite effectively - if they were really fighting he could easily find a way around it - but she does block, and that's more than what she was doing before.]

Well done.

[He is keeping an eye on her, making sure to not push her any further than he believes she's able to go today, but he thinks that she can take a little more yet.]

Now, do it again, but better.

( well, she certainly doesn't have to worry about sleeping tonight, she'll be out like a light after all this exercise. )

Right!

( and once more into the fray. but after this? after this she needs a big meal and her duvet. )

[Taking the undead creature down had been an easy thing to start with. Between Red Wine's two centuries of swordplay experience and the elemental powers currently at his disposal, he quickly dispatches one of them and packs it away into 'storage'. He'll lend a hand to anyone else too - a flash of fire, or ice (his personal favourites) or a jolt of static to stun from a distance - if it looks like they need the help. If anyone happened to watch him for long enough, they might realise that he fights as if he doesn't care if he gets hurt.

On the way back to Camelot, he doesn't sleep. Unusual for him, given his love of getting plenty of sleep and having lazy mornings, but he stays up through the night and keeps an eye on the creature inside his pack and those of others. If he spots someone's cargo making an attempt at escape while they're sleeping, he reaches over to give them a quick shake of the arm.]

Oi. Wake up. It's getting out.

[Otherwise, he spends the night lightly prodding at one of the dim campfires with a stick, keeping it burning.]

[Red Wine has no issues with his body or the various small scars on it, and occasionally spends some time in the sometimes red-tinged waters of the Red Springs when the place is less heavily populated. This tends to be more between the influxes of new arrivals, when everyone is settling in and not thinking too much about going back to the first place they ended up at when they got here.

He sinks into the water up to his collar bone and drops his shoulders, looking about himself across the still surface of the water. It's calming to be here whether he's injured or not, and for a moment he lets his eyelids drop closed over wine-red eyes. He could doze off. It would be easy.

Movement near to him has him snapping out of that particular train of thought, blinking both eyes open and looking towards the source of the noise. He huffs out a quiet breath through his nose.]

Evening.

[Despite being on somewhat of a break this month Hijikata still wants to keep himself in good shape, both physically and in terms of his magical skills, so he came to the Red Springs to train for most of the day. He's been looking forward to relaxing in the hot springs, and seeing Red Wine here perks him up. He sits down nearby him, similarly covered in various faint old scars (none outstandingly huge or remarkable), as could be expected of a fellow swordsman.]

Evening! Seems like we've got the place to ourselves.

[He noticed and followed Red Wine's network post... it sure was an eye-opener. Since most other human respondents gave realistic insight into how Food Souls would be treated in most worlds he felt content to simply lurk and read, but it still left him with a number of questions. A tactful person would ease into the conversation, but Hijikata tends to be more on the blunt side of things.]

So you're like a Servant, huh? I mean, those people from that world that slots them into battle classes?

[Sorry, Red Wine, Fate is simply more ubiquitous than Food Fantasy...]

[Ah, Hijikata.

Red Wine thinks this a far better place to meet than just after a strenuous battle, and he relaxes a little into the water as the other man joins him. His chosen topic prompts a brief raise of the eyebrows, but he supposes he should have expected more people to see what he was discussing than had actually chosen to comment.]

I'm like them only in the way that we're summoned by somebody in order to serve. Outside of that, I don't think we're very similar at all.

[He lets his eyes fall closed, leaning his head back.]

Magic cups aside. [The corners of his mouth quirk up. Ah, he had irritated that 'Caster' with that one.] Our purposes seem quite different.

[At first Hijikata had a hard time wrapping his mind around Food Souls - of all things! - being more powerful than humans, but then he ruminated on the cultural importance of, for example, rice or sake back in his homeland... or mayonnaise, of course. His favourite brand's mascot Mayorin is not only totally real but a great mayonnaise fairy ~~in his demented imagination~~!1 And if nothing else he knows that red wine is at least as significant as sake in large parts of the western world.]

What were you guys recruited to fight over, then? No one really asked you about that from what I saw, but I think you mentioned that it was an all-out war?

[He wonders if Red Wine misses his Master (to stick with the Fate analogy)... he seems to be handling the separation - if his Master was even still alive back home - well enough, but even Hijikata struggles with the absence of his comrades to a degree. How much more difficult must it be for a Food Soul or a Servant?]

'Recruited' wouldn't really be the right word.

[But he's feeling quite relaxed and a little lazy, so it sounds more like an idle correction than an admonishment. He thinks for a moment, his eyes not quite settled on the other man's, then he looks at him properly and straightens up slightly.]

We weren't summoned to fight over something. We were brought forth as weapons to defend humans against creatures they call fallen angels. Though the initial war against them was long before I was summoned and they aren't nearly as numerous as they used to be.

[Still, they'd never truly be eradicated. Not as long as humans continued to exist.]

They were created from... the negative energy of the god who created our world. Fueled by hunger and greed. They were driving the world to destruction prior to the discovery and weaponisation of Food Souls.

That sounds damn serious.

[He may not be from Red Wine's world, but fallen angels and evil gods are top-tier enemies, way worse than anything he ever had to face off against!]

I guess it wasn't for no reason that you asked about how Food Souls would be treated on other worlds... honestly, mine's about the same as those of most people who answered. If someone's a strong and loyal warrior you can bet they'll be used to further the interests of their master, whatever those may be.

[September Catch-All]

Closed to Izumi (@currysseur)

<3

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steak: WE'RE KNIGHTS, DAMMIT.

muahaha

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think we can wrap this up?

ye!

[OTA] Fighting Badass

[OTA] Red Springs

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