🌸凶 ahead on our way

[liveandforgive]

🧙 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! )

Comments

[crimsongirl]

You can certainly try. Let's kick this up a notch, shall we?

[She wanted to move like the female knight did before. It was the closest she could think of helping her move back in her world. The only downside...well this was her trial run. If nothing else, Cloud had the advantage in experience when it came to wind magic here. Feet kick off the ground, wind boosting her dash right towards Cloud. Yet as soon as she got close, nearly coming to a stop, she boosted twice: one to zip past Cloud, and the other to bounce off of it, bringing the back of both blades down onto Cloud from opposing angles. This feeling was definitely different, focus split up more just to get used to the sudden rush.

Now would he turn around, or find another way to strike?]

[liveandforgive]

[ He anticipates the first deke, pivoting in an attempt to find her. What he wasn't anticipating however, is the second boost. ]

!?

[ The back of both blades succeed in striking him in the side, the blond not getting a chance to turn around fully in time. The force of Homura's wind-bolstered impact sends him sliding across the earth, knees bent as he narrowly avoids losing his balance and tumbling over. Those are gonna leave a mark in the form of rough bruising later. But this didn't mean he wasn't incapable of landing a decisive strike of his own.

She did say they were going to kick things up a notch. So, with little fanfare, sparks crackle in his hand as he winds back with his free arm. ]

Hmph—!!

[ The last attempt was a makeshift electric barrier. This time with a swipe of his hand, he launches a magical bolt of lightning for her from a distance, hoping to strike her. Whether he follows up from it or not depends on if he's successful. He has more experience with the magics here by comparison. But that didn't mean the inherent skill of everyone waned. ]

[crimsongirl]

[She had intended to capitalize, use more wind boosts to close the distance. However...well there was a reason she called this fight the trial run. She previously tried to experiment with ice, succeeding being able to slide, but the speed wasn't quite what she wanted. And with her affinity for wind magic not quite being as good with fire (ignoring how Homura's mere touch weeks ago was troublesome to some objects), ice had formed around her feet, planting her down.]

Oh for fu--

[Before expletive could leave her mouth, she had to immediately raise her blades to block the lightning. She grit her teeth as the blast struck the metal, only thinking of using fire to fight it off, and doing so poorly, the blast still causing pain. The stance of her legs was in a poor position thanks to the ice. Why did the magic have to work so different from her world? Being out of sync with her scroll--

No, no more excuses by now! She just had to do something before he pulled something else.]

[liveandforgive]

[ While she struggles with her feet encased in ice, the fellow elemental wielder has already rushed to close what little distance remains between them. His mana reserves are winding down, so Cloud has to act fast, taking a page out of the ninja's book as the wind bursts behind him, sliding behind Homura. The audience gasps as he comes to a grinding halt behind her, pivoting on his heel as he means to bring the full force of his sword around for a strike.

He hasn't shifted the way his weapon would hit either. If this were to make contact...that's unyielding, sharpened steel aimed straight for her neck. ]

...

[ But it never lands. He stops short of landing. Those were the rules. Get the opponent down for five seconds or 'land' a decisive blow. Then again... Homura was the one to land a strike first, even if her swords were reversed. Knowing this (and the fact that if he hasn't lost, he at least lot a lot of make-believe points to her), he holds his ground behind her, edge of his blade hovering close to her skin as the crowd watches on in suspense. ]

Got me first.

[crimsongirl]

[Distracted by the lightning, Homura had just noticed the blade. But...she lost. Her feet weren't going to break free in time. Even if she ducked, it would still leave her vulnerable to an overhead strike, or just a lower slash, if not an outright blast of magic. With a sigh, she twirled the blades around her before sheathing them once more.]

Even so, you proved you were better with magic. Not usually one to freeze up like this but well--

[Fire briefly erupts around her feet, burning more energy to shatter and melt the ice. Took more energy, but the fight was over anyway. She turned around to face the spiky-haired blonde.]

Ya know, that happened. Still need a lot more practice switching between the spells. [She holds out her hand though, with a smile.] Good match though. I'll try and make it better next time.

[liveandforgive]

[ When Homura concedes, sheathing her swords, he wordlessly takes a couple steps back to sheath his own. Little to no fanfare, he's more exhausted than he lets on when he finally relieves his hands of the weight as he sheathes the larger sword to his back. The crowd claps and continues to talk amongst themselves. That girl was so flashy! They've never seen a sword style quite like that before! Talk about precision and picking his spots. The murmurings are plenty as they gradually disperse.

Huffing with relief, he blinks down at the ninja's hand before accepting it in kind. As he extends it and goes for the shake, a shot of pain causes the side of his body to spasm a little bit. He still succeeds in shaking her hand! But that double strike from Homura's swords earlier were gonna be throbbing for a bit.

Still, he thinly smiles right back. ]

It'll come to ya. [ A beat. ] You did good.

[ If he had Healing magic or his own Materia was still working, he'd offer to relieve any tension she built up over the fight. Lord knows he'll want some later for his side. ]

[crimsongirl]

[Still felt weird to have people watching her. But hey, better than last time this happened back in her world; least her team didn't have to do anything stupid to gain more attention for their squad. She winced at Cloud's pain. Yeah, might have swung too hard there. Her bad.]

Might wanna get ya to a healer first before any more challengers come. [Letting go of Cloud's hand, she motions for a healer to come over. Might be easier to continue their talk with the wound taken care of.]

[liveandforgive]

A healer?

[ Ah, that's right. There are people on the premises who tend to stick around in case a skirmish or test gets a little too bloody. Luckily, Homura and Cloud had the wherewithal to know when to pull their proverbial punches. Sure enough, a healer arrives upon the girl ushering them over. When asking where it hurts, he spares a glance to his side, lowering his hand so that they can get a good look at it.

If that was all? Quelling the bruising would be an easy thing! Upon getting healed, soothing waves coursing through the blond, he offers his thanks before they inquire with Homura if they require healing. ]

Think I might call it a day actually.

[crimsongirl]

[Homura shook her head at the offer. Nothing was really hurt, beyond a smidge of her pride. Only cure for that was to get stronger. At Cloud's words, she pointed to a nearby resting area away.]

In that case, wanna go grab a bite? I'm curious what's in your world with moves like those, and the asses that needed to be kicked!

[And to hopefully get some food back in her stomach.]

[liveandforgive]

[ He wasn't expecting the offer! Maybe after he gets a chance to wash his hands and face (shower will hafta come when he gets home). But in the meantime, he regards her with a hand on his hip. ]

Sure.

[ Girl's got a lot of spirit. There's something about her that reminds him of Yuffie. Grabbing some skewers of kebabs on the go would be the best. Near the training grounds, they're an easy street food for the combatants looking for a quick but hearty pick me up. ]

[crimsongirl]

[Homura already had her eyes set on such food, already heading off ahead of Cloud. Not having four other mouths to help feed made eating food like this a luxury, something she missed for over a year now. One would think she hadn't eaten anything good in a long time with how happy she looked, scarfing down the meat from the kebab.

Almost made her forget why she did this in the first place...]