isleofavalon | [Open/Arrivals] Some Red Spring threads

[Open/Arrivals] Some Red Spring threads

Who: Saber and you!
What: Arrival prompt I liked but didn't do (keeping tdm's canon, unless you respond to a prompt that comes before our character interaction in tdm's, in which case I'll consider the thread that comes chronologically before the tdm thread canon instead.)
When: Arrival Month!
Where: Multiple locations, using unused tdm prompt
Warnings: None at the moment but I'll put them here if they appear

(3) Roommate Situation

[ Saber is admittedly impatient. She wants to see this "Camelot" and know for herself just how different it is from the one that she ruled. Still, she does accept that the trip is a long one, and so a brief respite is necessary.

Since two are assigned to an inn, she's currently looking around in the lobby for someone she would prefer to be roommates with. Preferably, someone familiar. ]

(2) The Red Spring

[ After that, the spring is up next. She was, after all, curious about what to expect from these waters. She's already been amazed by how technologically advanced the inns are compared to the kingdom she once ruled over, so she needs a break.

So, she manages to get her armor off and wrap a towel around herself so that she can take a dip in the springs. She does, however, come in with her sword. The reason? A mixture of being cautious in an unfamiliar environment, not wanting it to be stolen, and the fact that she can't just have it dematerialize when she doesn't need it anymore.

Which, another note made... she needs to get a sheathe for her sword now, even if it isn't the same as it's true sheathe.

Feel free to say hello while she finds a nice place to sit and relax in the spring water! ]

(3) Training Grounds

[ After her time in the spring, Saber can be found at the training grounds with her familiar (a small red dragon). She's dressed in her armor once again and is currently practicing her elemental magic. Specifically, her ability to control wind.

Ever since she's arrived, many of her abilities have been lost to her. As a result, though she can still wield it, her sword feels heavy.

This, of course, will not do. She's currently holding her sword in her usual stance while wind swirls around her. ]

Hm... hngh...!

[ She's trying to replicate an ability she once had known as Invisible Air. Wind is currently swirling mainly around her sword, but her control still isn't quite right. Her sword still feels too heavy for her regular physical strength to handle for a prolonged period of time.

Her dragon, whom she still has yet to name, isn't helping much. Instead, the beast just sits upon her head, messing around with her ahoge and snorting whenever the wind Saber is generating decides to dissipate.

Feel free to talk to her if you want! Maybe even give her some tips if you have any. ]

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Try it without your sword.

[Dust is in so much the same position. Lacking abilities. Weaker. Bringing a sword from home. And possessed of elemental magic.]

[But having never had any sort of magic, possessing primarily the Dust Storm (and platforming skills, but let's not go there), Dust has lost less. The lack of the Dust Storm stings bitterly, but in some ways that had helped him. So to demonstrate, he opens the hand that isn't holding the Blade of Ahrah reverse-grip, and tightens all the fingers like he's trying to to squeeze something large and invisible. A whirl of air spins out, whisking around before dissipating.]

It's a lot easier for me than trying to wrap it around Ahrah like that.

[ Saber's eyes widen a bit at Dust's surprise appearance, but she hears his advice and plants her sword in the ground, instead holding her empty hand out in front of her.

She then tightens her fingers as if gripping an imaginary handle. It's not a new sight for her, since before she came here, she could turn her sword invisible. ]

Hm...

[ The dragon on her head perks up a bit as wind starts to swirl around her closed hand. It funnels through the open space in her grip, and it almost feels like she's holding something. ]

Oh!

[ While it wasn't exactly around her sword like she had wanted, it was definitely her first real success. ]

You have my thanks! Now if I just continue to practice, I should be able to accomplish my initial goal with this magic.

[Dust nods in satisfaction, letting the tension go out of his hand. The whirlwind fades away all at once, instead of slowly guttering out as it had been doing a moment ago.]

[Hard to tell, considering his general aversion to eye contact, but he's looking at her sword.]

That came with you from... where you came from?

[ Saber notices his interest in her sword and releases the gale in her hands, picking her sword back up. ]

Yes, it is the strongest holy sword in my world. However, it seems that it lost it's power when it arrived here.

[ Indeed, it's a powerful-looking sword. However it no longer shines with the light of the planet that it had back in her own world. ]

Edited 2020-11-16 23:42 (UTC)

Ahrah, too. Not that I'm sure what powers he ever had besides floating. [Dust casts a faint smile down at the sword, the kind of expression one uses when teasing a friend.] But he can't do that here, not that he needs to.

Ah, so you are a swordsman? [ She looks at him in interest. ]

[He nods, a slight motion that his hat amplifies quite a bit.]

I'm Dust. And I already mentioned Ahrah.

You can call me Saber. It's nice to meet another swordsman, Dust.

[ She gives a small bow of respect to Dust. ]

[And that's how the formed the Nouns as Names club.]

I've actually never met another one before... that I wasn't trying to kill. [He scratches at his neck a little awkwardly, with that.]

[ Hm... well in that case. ]

In that case, would you like to spar against me? I know I've weakened tremendously, but I've yet to properly gauge just how much progress I need to make before I can fight at full strength again.

[Dust is no stranger to smiling... but rarely do they come so broad, nor quite so fierce.]

I'd like that a lot, actually. I've been feeling the same way.

[ Saber takes a stance, holding her blade out in front of her. It's still somewhat heavy, but she can still swing the weapon. Her main concern is whether her swings will carry any power with only her physical strength and not her Mana Burst. ]

Then, whenever you are ready.

[Dust is, if one feels charitable, very confident in his abilities. He's weakened by the lack of the Dust Storm, and certainly not as strong as he'd been in his last moments, before the volcano blew... but he's not weak by any means.]

[But he isn't about to assume anything about Saber, even if she doesn't look like the sort of person who'd pose much danger with a blade. People could say that about him too, right?]

[Dust lowers his head and curves his spine slightly, Ahrah back and to one side, the other arm crossed in front of him. After a moment of consideration, he twists Ahrah slightly, putting the flat parallel to the ground. It would handicap him, but better that than strike her with the edge of the sword, backhand or fore.]

[She invited him, so he delivers -- loping forward a few paces before slashing the sword at her in one huge, swift arc. ]

[ Though her abilities have weakened, her instincts are still as sharp as ever. This is, of course, because they are something she's honed on the battlefield.

Meeting Dust's attack, Saber swings her own sword to meet his and clashes, deflecting the large slash with a swift and immediate counter.

Her skills with her weapon are still present. Still, normally Saber would have returned Dust's attack with a slash of her own. However, she's unable to do something like that when her weapon is already too heavy for her natural physical abilities.

Maybe they should have gotten some wooden training swords, but it's too late for that now. ]

[The clash of weapon against weapon, the ringing of steel (or whatever Ahrah is made out of!), the feeling of recoil down the blade and into his palms -- the soul of Cassius within him revels at the thrill. Even just as a spar, this feels good. No, great.]

[Throwing himself forward, Dust half-dives, half-rolls to Saber's other side, rising with a backhand arc. He's no weakling, but now she gets to see that his battles rely on speed and athleticism even more so.]

[ Dust's movements aren't something Saber can't see through. The problem comes with how physically taxing it is to move her body to match her instincts. ]

Hah...!

[ Matching his speed and athleticism isn't something she is currently physically capable of while she wears plate armor and swings a sword that she doesn't have the physical build for.

Maybe she should take a page out of a certain-someone's book and start training her body up.

Either way, she follows Dust as he attempts to roll to Saber's side. It seems that she's taking a more stationary approach to this battle, as to conserve her physical strength, and slashes at him in response. ]

[He figured she'd be slower to move -- honestly he can't imagine wearing all that armor, it would make him so slow he might as well be standing still. But she can still follow him, and that sparks bright fervor in him.]

[He isn't proud of it -- it's Cassius's soul, he knows it -- but he feels alive in the middle of a good fight.]

[Dust's turn to parry, which he does with ringing force that makes his own sword recoil, but he turns that into a spin and a rising vertical strike that comes out practically behind his back as he turns. Fluid and graceful, as ever.]

[ The decision to remain stationary is a good one. Comparing their current speeds, Dust is clearly more agile. Attempting to contest him in a battle of mobility would simply burn whatever energy Saber had. ]

Hah...!

[ Saber deflects Dust's slash, the sound of ringing steel filling the air. If she were to focus entirely on defense, she could certainly continue to deflect Dust's attacks.

But that won't do. You only need to beat down someone who's gone defensive. ]

HAAH!!

[ Giving up on defense, immediately after deflecting Dust's slash, she suddenly pushes off the ground with all her might, charging at Dust and attacking with three rapid slashes. ]

Edited 2020-11-17 19:47 (UTC)

[Just like that, Dust is on the defensive, and his defense comes by getting the heck out of there. He tosses himself backwards in another half-roll half-dash, tapping down one hand in the middle of it for enough momentum to flip backwards again. Taking no chances!]

[ Saber similarly takes a step back. In truth, those three slashes were physically draining. ]

You fight well.

[ She compliments as she takes the opportunity to regain some energy. ]

[Dust has the advantage in stamina, though he doesn't realize it -- in fact, the idea that he could wear out an opponent, rather than need to defeat them directly, doesn't even occur to him. That's what comes of fighting monsters, minor gods, and suchforth.]

[And really, on a better day for both of them, would he be wrong?]

You too. [Quiet though he might be, the striking intensity says more than volume ever could. Oh yeah, and his smile.] You've already got me rethinking a hundred things.

Indeed. I can only wonder how powerful you were before you came here.

[ She tightens her grip on Excalibur. So long as the blade remains heavy, she will be unable to properly display her strength.

When she was practicing magic earlier, she was attempting to replicate Invisible Air. However, she knew it would be impossible to layer and compress that much wind around her sword with her abilities alone.

No, the true objective was to lighten the weight of her sword, as well as increase the force behind each slash. ]

Do you wish to continue?

Forever, honestly. [Not one to laugh too loudly, Dust settles for sounding richly amused and pleased.] But that isn't realistic, I know... unless humans have a trick or two I don't know about.

Indeed. While I would like to continue this duel, I feel as though we should bring this to an end.

[ Also, she isn't sure how much longer she can keep holding her sword. ]

Would you mind if I attempt something with the abilities this world has granted me? [ She asks, readying her stance yet again. ]

[Dust isn't kidding when he said forever, but she surely didn't want to waste her entire day humoring him.]

Sure, fire away.

[Figuring a dodge would be better than anything else, Dust gets ready to fling himself out of the way of whatever idea she hurls at him.]

[ She smiles. This will likely be the last her body can afford to do during this duel.

She changes her stance, holding her sword at her waist with the blade pointed behind her. The wind around her suddenly starts to pick up and swirl around her.

Thanks to the advice Dust had just given her earlier, she now had a better idea of what she was aiming for. Though she wasn't at her goal yet, there was still one thing she could pull off. ]

In that case... HAH!!

[ Using her hand as the origin point of her wind generation, and the length of her weapon to aim it, a blast of wind suddenly erupts from her blade and propels her forward at a shocking speed. ]

HAAAAAH!!

[ Her speed is almost double the speed of her ordinary kick off the ground, allowing her to close the distance between them in a shocking amount of time.

At the same time, a single sudden slash moving at the same speed is suddenly descending on Dust. Thanks to the momentum behind Saber's movement, the force behind it is considerably increased as well.

Although... now that she thinks about it, she doesn't exactly have a way to stop herself like this. ]

[She launched herself with wind.]

[That's brilliant.]

[No, he's not dodging this. He has to meet it head-on. He owes it to her, and himself.]

[Whipping Ahrah back, Dust grabs the hilt in both hands and with all the strength in his body, swings the blade in a descending vertical arc to meet hers--]

[--and he's still using Ahrah at an angle.]

[Instead of meeting the narrow edge of the Blade of Ahrah, which would have focused all of Dust's strength into one powerful, narrow line, she instead slams her sword into the flat. Now, ordinarily, this is actually the proper technique, because most swords aren't Ahrah and you don't actually want to block with the part that gets easily chipped and dulled, but it sure isn't Dust's technique, and he isn't prepared for just how it spreads out the force of the clash.]

[Her sword forces Ahrah backs such that the weapon smacks Dust straight in the face, although not hard enough to really hurt, because it also catches his hat. So now his hat is standing almost vertical, the brim covering down past his mouth as the flat of the blade presses it into his nose and chin.]

[...on the upside, he at least manages to eat enough of the momentum that Saber probably won't crash into him. So if nothing else he's preserved her dignity. DEFINITELY not his own.]

[ Stopping her momentum was definitely helped, as she quickly lands back on the ground.

Her arms are straining from the speed at which they had moved without any kind of magical reinforcement. She wants to continue moving and place her sword in a position that implies victory (close to the chest/neck), but it's even harder to hold her sword now than it was before.

So, the tip of her blade goes into the ground as she uses her weapon to hold herself up while she gasps for air. ]

You blocked my strike... well...

[ She manages to get those words in, though. She does note the funny position his hat is in, but there's no need for her to point that out. ]

[Dust holds very still for a long moment, even after Saber drops back to catch her breath. In fact, he's so very motionless it might be worrying, till at last he finally moves Ahrah out of his face by degrees. His hat drops back into his head, hiding the frustration and exasperation in his eyes.]

Ahrah, just what was that?

[The question isn't rhetorical. And knowing this, the sword answers, the runes on its blade flickering with each syllable.]

You must advance your skills, Dust. What suited you in Falana will not see you through the whole path of your journey in this land.

That isn't an answer.

Maybe it is not the answer you sought, Dust, but it is the one you need.

[Heaving a sigh, Dust flips Ahrah back into a reverse grip as he lowers his arms.] I suppose I can't argue that. Saber... thank you for the spar.

I should be thanking you. I now realize what I must work on while I am here.

[ She's incredibly exhausted. Despite having surprised Dust by launching herself with wind, she wasn't able to do a follow-up.

Her skills with her weapon have not deteriorated, but she's bound by her own physical limitations. She'll have to either improve upon her own natural physical strength, or find a new way to compensate magically. ]

You are a skilled swordsman. When our skills have been adjusted to this world, I hope you will do me the honor of a duel once again.

Any time. You might get tired of me wanting to spar, actually. Unless we actually get some direction here, soon.

[Some of Dust's good humor slips away as he looks off into the distance. Even this short delay without an obvious purpose feels uncomfortable.]

I will accept your challenge anytime.

[ It was an exhilarating duel, so Saber is satisfied. Though, training swords may be for the best in the future. ]

[But Ahrah! His blade and friend! Training sword nothing!]

Oh, and I'm going to try that trick you did, too. So be ready for that!

[Shirou's got a lot to take in. The whole experience of the Holy Grail War still hasn't completed settled within him. Part of him thinks this is all a dream, and when he opens his eyes, he'll be back home and Saber won't be there. Yet she is here, in a place heavily connected to her story and lore. This might not be the Avalon she knows or what he's read in stories, but there might be a glimmer of something known and familiar to them here. He's going to help Saber speak to this Avalon's King Arthur.

Going to the Inn only makes sense as he needs his own space and a place to sleep. Apparently he has to share a room with someone? He's used to having his own space and then some. After his father passed away, the large compound only had him and Taiga. It was only until recently that it became quite lively.

He's standing in the lobby, trying to figure out the basics of this place. There are so many things he needs to figure out or get a better understanding of. He also wants some space to see if his magecraft abilities really are gone or dormant. Even if he can't use them, he still has his knowledge of how to wield a sword.

As he's standing in the lobby, he's rather easy to miss. He doesn't stand out and he's to himself, quiet as he looks around.]

Shirou, there you are.

[ There isn't any presence concealment, but Saber still pops in out of nowhere. ]

[He turns his head to see the voice calling his name. He's only a bit surprised for a few seconds but remembers Saber seems to have a knack for finding him (command spell or not).]

Saber, [Was she looking for him? Probably, knowing her. It's not like he tried to hide from her or anything.] were you looking for me? [Saying the obvious.]

Indeed. You see, the rooms here are assigned as two to one room. It would be troublesome if we were to get separated for too long while we're here.

[ Straight to the point. To Saber, this conversation was a matter of necessity. ]

Therefore, I suggest that we share a room.

[A wave of déjà vu overtakes him. What she's saying makes sense, it's extremely logical. Last time she insisted on this, his home was big enough and he was in familiar surroundings. This time, they're both in an unfamiliar place.

His cheeks warm and he starts to become flustered, not helping him out in this situation at all.] Um... [Speaking has become more much more difficult.] I need my space and you need yours, too, right? [Panic mode.] And we can have rooms next to each other, can't we? We did that back at home and it worked out all right. [Yes, let's not mention the time Caster controlled his body.]

[ She eyes him suspiciously. ]

I believe 'last time' ended with Caster controlling your body and bringing you to Ryuudou Temple.

[ Yes. Yes she is calling him out. ]

Besides. Would it not be for the best if our 'roommates' were people we already know? We are in a new environment, Shirou. While the other people here aren't necessarily suspicious, I believe it would be for the best if we stayed together.

[ She places her hands on her hips for this last part. ] Even here you are still so unreasonably stubborn in this matter. Sharing the same room carries only benefits, and they do hold two beds in each room.

[Before she responds, she can see that look she's giving him and he knows his words nowhere near convinced her. It's not exactly like he can tell her living together as roommates is way too awkward to even think about let alone actually doing.

When she does reply, he remembers what happened last time. He's not annoyed or frustrated at her, but himself for that. Now she feels the need to keep a close eye him.]

Caster isn't here though and there isn't a Grail War going on as far as we both know, so she wouldn't have a reason to start anything. [That's his logic anyway.] It sounds like most people here lost their abilities and powers, too, not just us. [He's seen that on the network.] And I've gotten better at defending myself since that time. [His powers may be gone, but his sword skills and knowledge didn't go away.]

[He doesn't mean to be stubborn, but he knows he is being this way.] You don't think it's strange in any way for us sharing a room? [For him it's so obvious as to why. Saber's a woman and he's a guy.] Being right next door would be about the same, wouldn't it?

Even so, in a new environment, it would be for the best if we stay together.

[ No, no she's not backing down. ]

Why would it be strange? After Caster took control of you, I slept in the room connected to yours. There should be no issues with us sharing a room, and in any case, simply being in the next room is not nearly effective enough. If something happens, how do you expect me to come to your aid?

[ Saber's dragon familiar (who has yet to be named) suddenly crawls up onto Saber's head and stares at him. If you were to look closely, it would almost look like it's smiling and almost laughing at Shirou's plight. Saber doesn't seem to pay any attention to it's presence on top of her. ]

[He knows he's on the losing side of all of this. He doesn't blame Saber for feeling this strongly about this. He has to prove he'll be fine and he can protect himself. Now the question is, how he's going to do that and do it convincingly. He's now realizing how worried he actually made Saber feel and he does feel bad about that. Too many things were happening and so quickly back then.]

But nothing's happened yet. No one's threatened either of us. [He's not going to easily back down, too, but Saber is clearly winning the argument here.]

It's strange because I'm a guy. [He leaves out 'and you're a woman' part.] And Tohsaka. [He's really not explaining himself well.]

[ Saber sighs and shakes her head. It seems that she must make one last push. ]

You aren't making any sense, Shirou. Though we may not be Master and Servant, I still intend to abide by my oath. My decision is final, and in any case, I fail to see how your gender plays a part.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Open/Arrivals] Some Red Spring threads

(3) Roommate Situation

(2) The Red Spring

(3) Training Grounds

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rommates!

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