isleofavalon | 🌸凶 ahead on our way

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🌸凶 ahead on our way

🧙 WHO: Cloud Strife & You!
⚔️️ WHAT: March Catch-All
🕒 WHEN: Early to Mid-March (Unless stated otherwise!)
🗺️ WHERE: Around Camelot
⚠️ WARNINGS: None! Fighting in one prompt maybe?

Take All Comers • Camelot Training Grounds

[ The sound of steel ringing through the field is synonymous with the open grounds where knights and warriors of all walks can hone their skills. From archery ranges, to a multitude of dummies ripe for testing weaponry on, to the designated circles that make for a battle ring, there's a place for everyone. Considering the myriad of dangers that can arise, those that enter these grounds and agree to duel are generally bound by the honor of sparring. Improvement didn't come to those with nary a bruise, after all.

Speaking of which... ]

Hmmph—!!

[ "Gah!!"

It wasn't uncommon for small gatherings to come and observe when two fighters would challenge the other. So those in attendance were just in time to observe as the latest knight decked out in full armor was sent barreling over himself backwards. A hard indent is left in the man's chest plate where they were struck. Some recognized the other man, with spiky-blond hair and wielding a sizable claymore that favors a single edge. While uncommon, it wasn't like there weren't other swordsmen that once carried around such large weapons. But it had a tendency to slow them down in battle in exchange for the raw crushing and cutting power.

For Cloud Strife? That wasn't so much noticeable. Instead, whilst he still holds the weapon with two hands still, he swings it like it were a larger broadsword. When he first arrived here, his own weapons were too unwieldy... Given time to adjust (and build up a bit more natural muscle), and he saw himself fighting far above his weight class for the blade he wielded. It ain't the Buster Sword or the Fusion Sword...but, it still serves him well enough. The downed knight groans as he struggles to sit upright as onlookers clap at the display.

Sheathing his weapon to his back, Cloud wastes little time in closing the distance between himself and his former opponent, extending his hand with a calm, confident expression. ]

Not bad.

[ "... Hahah, that's rich." But the man accepts the blond's help anyways, getting hoisted to his feet with a limp. "Coming from the lad that came in here drawing lines in the dirt with those things."

Cloud finally breaks his lined expression, faintly smirking. It's true. When he first arrived, he stubbornly attempted to continue using the Fusion Sword, be it dual-wielding it or trying the larger set. But it was too heavy and unwieldy for him now. He could, but he wouldn't last long in a fight when it counted. In due time, he got stronger and swapped the weapon out for something simpler for now. But that simple blade, combined with his Elemental Magic, helped him adapt to a new style for this world.

And to show it? Well...that dent in the man's armor wasn't directly from the steel breaking through. Cloud was finally getting the hang of infusing magic through his sword. Getting hammered by a wind blade packed a wallop. Conceding his defeat, the knight retires for the day, leaving Cloud standing tall. But still not exhausted. He can keep going! And so... ]

Anyone else?

No Work All Play! • Hop Skip and a Jump

[ Spring is in the air. The Equinox is coming! And there are a myriad of festival activities to help ring in a new year of blooming opportunities. Everything from Barrel Rolling races, to Brewing, and now as the blond minds his business through the crowds of people, the bigger crowds gathering around for the magically explosive event that is Hopscotch! At first, he simply watched with curiosity as holes opened up on different spots.

Then someone decided to cast Dark Magic on the opponent and suddenly they were moving waaay more sluggish. Clearly they don't mess around. But he stands out just a little too much, apparently. It's enough that locals attempt goading the young swordsman into participating. It's kids stuff.

"Not interested." he said before his pathway was cut off by people wooing and encouraging him to go on! Some heard about Cloud! That farmboy who suddenly appeared, carrying a large sword and eventually making a name for himself at the training grounds. He really should have been able to excuse himself and get a move on. But like all other shenanigans that have unfolded in his life...one way or another... ]

Just a hop and a skip...right?

[ Cloud finds himself at the start on his side. Whether it's the crowd that nudged him alongside a random opponent...or maybe your character is the one who managed to goad him into it somehow! His footwork and Elemental Magic are all he's got in this little impromptu showdown. He never even played this kinda game back in Nibelheim...

Hell with it. Bring it on. ]

Flower Shopping • City of Camelot

[ Even if the farmland that he lives on with Weiss was mostly taken care of by their landlord, that didn't stop Cloud from attempting to keep some of his green thumb intact. On Gaia, he mostly watched over the flowers in the old ruins of the Sector 5 Church. It wasn't until he was whisked away to Prismatica that he took more time to actually tending to them in his own apartment. Sure enough, he would rotate the types he'd have in a vase on his table.

Now with the both a new season and the Equinox upon them, it only makes sense that the house gets a new lively batch of flowers blooming. Weiss had been wanting to learn how to garden more, so he really didn't mind taking a backseat to her giving it a try. In fact, that's exactly why he's in town today! ]

How much for these lily seeds? [ He asks the merchant.

Elaine, the elderly farmlady that took the two in, tasked him with a list of things to pick up. It was easy when he was given the money for it... But now he had to make sure he didn't overspend. She'd told him to just pick and choose what he felt was right.

Today, you can find him outside various flower stalls, carrying around a little paper bag that's got some packets of seeds in it. ]

Wildcard

( ooc; This prompt is for anything you wanna play out that's not above! Need something more slice of life? Got something with action in mind? Maybe something from the event or other TDM prompts that you wanna try out? Go ahead and ping me either at my journal here, Discord (Kuraudo@0214) or PM me on Plurk at Clandon. As an aside, I'll have an event top level for the Spring Equinox up in a little while when that log goes live!

Laters! )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ That's exactly what he was hoping for. The cross guard blades are a concern, but since he was anticipating a thrust in the first place, Cloud's already charged ahead, crouching low as he passes the spear. The lower rushdown was so that he was less in line with the secondary blades. Having already wound back with his claymore in preparation, he stares up at Gaius at his side, planting his feet as he prepares to deliver a hefty rising slash to the man's side.

When they started, he'd told himself he would reserve himself in using magic. But...when an opportunity presents itself.

With a flicker of ferocity in his eyes, wind magic envelopes his sword. It acts as a barrier of sorts around the blade; should Cloud succeed in making contact, it won't cut. Just deliver a wallop of a punch. Should he clash or miss though, the crowd to the other side of Gaius might want to hold onto their hats and helmets. Cause the wind that rushes forth is gonna be rough. ]

[Not only is the man super confident, he's way faster than Gaius thought possible. So much that he goes around Gaius' path of attack to try and strike him.

However, Gaius isn't a complete glacier in combat. Perhaps because of his own combat training or because he and his people seek blessings from the winds as well as Aidios, he has just enough time to twist his body out of the way and swing the staff part of the spear up to deflect the blow away from his body.

He can't keep doing that, though. Either he'll get hit or it could crack his spear and he'd rather not attempt that.]

[ Gaius' deflection of the blond's sword is successful, a burst of wind taking to the sky as the magic is let off. This time, now not having to wait for the man's spear thrust, Cloud will go on the offensive once more. This time he takes a more direct approach, grip tense. There's no wind behind this attack this time, not quite as sure he'll score a direct hit this time.

But he instead raises his blade above his head, intending to bring the full weight of the claymore down with another vertical slash, this time coming down. ]

Hmph—

[ This may very well become a dance for a while. Trade blows, dodging, parrying- it becomes easy to find a rhythm in these things. Something greatly beneficial if neither slips up too much in a sparring match. ]

[This time, Gaius doesn't even bother trying to block the overhead chop because unless he times it right, his spear might get ripped out of his hands.

But he hadn't even attempted using his elemental power to aid in attacking before! So after trading and dodging blows, Gaius decides if Cloud can do it, he can do it too, but his own way. With a wind burst of speed. He yells out a command that makes zero sense to anyone but him, since it's been the only way he's been able to use his magic so far.]

ARCUS, activate!

[It feels like wind just picked him up and threw him forward and he aims his spear right for Cloud.]

[ There's a short distance given between the two in the broadening circle granted of them. Nobody wants to get too close, even as some spectators talk amongst themselves, beyond impressed by the footwork and skill on display. Gaius' spearplay is swifter than the blond's usage of a claymore. But that's to be expected. Everyone took something of a hit upon arriving in this world... One thing that didn't take a hit, thankfully, was the reflexes of one Cloud Strife.

As the wind picks up Gaius, the burst of speed that accompanies the lunge forces Cloud to actually stop thinking. But in the moment, the sheer shock in his eyes is clear as crystal. There was no time to process what was happening. All his body could tell him before his brain could even accept commands was move. Sidestepping the spear and Gaius, he doesn't come out unscathed. The blade along the crossguard not only delivers a clean cut through the blond's vest, but even scratches the surface of his skin. He'll be feeling that one later till a healer reverses it.

If he still had his Aura, there'd have been no damage at all... But he doesn't even process the mark as instinct guides his movements completely.

Spinning around to Gaius' exposed back, he aims to deliver a strong kick. ]

[The problem when trying new things? You don't exactly have backup plans or how to counter. The kick nails him HARD in the back, screwing with his momentum and now putting Gaius in a dangerous position of flying toward a crowd with a spear.

As dangerous as this is for himself, he can't risk hurting anyone else. So as fast as his mind can process this situation, he lets go of the spear and tries to twist his body to roll with the momentum. He has enough time to try to protect his head before he slams into the ground, bounces a few times and finally lands on his side, all of the wind knocked out of him.

He's stunned and he knows he needs to find his spear and try again, but he can't seem to get his body to work. Just move just move JUST MOVE...!]

[ Seeing Gaius lose control after the hard kick, he tenses as he wastes no time in rushing after the man. It's a futile effort, but he also didn't want to be responsible for other people getting hurt. Granted...they knew the risks that came with observing a sparring match this close. Usually for these kind of bouts, there were seats and a farther distance. Luckily for the two of them, Gaius is the one who makes the decision to abandon his spear and take the brunt of the fall.

The duo that were in his line of fire heave a sigh of relief, shuffling back to give them some more space because that was on the brink of being too close for comfort.

As Gaius struggles to gather his bearings... He'd feel the gentle yet firm presence of a massive sword held to the side of his neck. Standing tall over his wind-inclined opponent, Cloud's expression is stoic, like he's passing judgment. In actuality...this round has been decided in his eyes. And as he feels the trickling of blood rolling from the thin cut Gaius landed earlier, the victor may not be who everyone thinks it is. ]

If we're going by first blows...

[ Should Gaius manage to look up at the man holding him at bladepoint, there's now a thin, impressed smile upon the blond's lips. ]

That's your win.

[ The cut came before Cloud's kick. Sure, the end result sees one on the ground over the other...but it's a sparring match. Practice. A chance for both parties to learn. Withdrawing the sword, he holds it in one hand while extended his now free one for him, should he want the help back up. ]

But...sir...I'm on the ground so how did I win?

[He coughs a few more times, wheezing and trying to get his breath back. He gladly accepts the hand up, getting to his feet. The honest confusion on Gaius' face helps illuminate that Gaius may be a few years younger than Cloud thinks.]

You had complete control over the fight the whole time but...did I actually manage to score on you?

[Because all Gaius perceived was Cloud dodging and him getting an almost literal kick in the ass.]

[ Firmly hoisting the man back to his feet, he takes a step back so that he can evaluate the damage.

In truths, it was just a scratch. But a clean scratch nonetheless. He's even got a tear in his shirt and the thin line where the blood's drawn. ]

See for yourself.

[ Now it's starting to sting a little. But he doesn't show it on his face. The surrounding audience begins to disperse a little after the end of this round. Unless they're willing to call it a day on this exchange. There were some fierce blows despite the control Cloud had over the fight. With a slower spin of his sword (can't victory fanfare like he used to yet...), he sheathes it to his back once more. ]

Sure I got you grounded. But... [ He shrugs as a local healer surveys the scene and begins heading over. ] It's just training.

[ He nods, resolute. ]

You did good.

[The instant admiration on Gaius' face is palpable. This is someone he HAS to have teach him and not only that, teach a certain newbie swordsman he knows...]

Thank you, sir...uh, Cloud, right? Would it be too much to ask if I wanted to train with you more? You seem to have a lot of skill with a sword.

If you have the time, I mean.

[ Seeing the shift in Gaius' expression lifts a brow from the blond. This was unexpected. Being asked to train with him? Most of the time, he tended to work alone and get stronger alone, even if he used his strength for the sake of what he cherishes. Hmmm... Maybe this was the start of a new business? ...no. Cloud would make for a bad teacher to a "class". At least, he tells himself this. But he also can't think of asking to train people to get stronger for a price either.

So, the surprise ebbs away from Cloud's face as he returns to that trace of a smile. ]

[ "If you have the time, I mean." ]

Got plenty of it.

[ But speaking of training... ]

You got some experience yourself.

[ Just as he says this, the old healer checks on them, offering to patch up their injuries. Granted, Cloud's the one with a cut. Agreeing to it, they cast a simple restorative spell, the cut Gaius delivered closing itself up as soothing waves envelope Cloud. Placing a hand upon his chest where the mark landed, he sighs before thanking the healer.

And what of Gaius? Did he need healing? They ask him if he's alright too. ]

[Gaius takes the healing as well because he just feel bruises started to form everywhere. He protected himself well, but that landing was still on the rough side.]

I've used a spear for a while living with my tribe. Then before I came here, I was 7 months into my first year at Thors Military Academy. So I guess I have a little bit of skill.

But I'm still learning so...I would be grateful for your time, Cloud.

[ Thors Military Academy... So this guy was something of a soldier too then, eh? That perks his interest even more. Cloud might not have been a true member of SOLDIER, but the legacy he carries sure as hell makes him feel a part of it. Hearing Gaius out, after a moment to deliberate, he decides to nod. This time, taking the first step and holding out his hand.

A handshake it is then! ]

Mm. [ He nods. ] We'll both learn.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

🌸凶 ahead on our way

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I flipped a coin and...

I lose at Google Coin Flip like. All the time. dsakjfh

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Damn, that's a great icon! Also flipped another coin and...

Omg thank you! The movie still holds up to this day IMO.

It's a great movie

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