isleofavalon | 🌸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

[ Perhaps it'll come up another time, or come to light amidst their current conversation. As Lightning takes a short swig from her water bottle (note to self, bring one...), his Chocobo familiar drops down on his shoulder, peeping at him in congratulations before poofing out of sight. They always come and go as they please unless called for... With his attention now entirely occupied by the pink-haired l'Cie, he follows a short distance behind her towards the benches.

At first, he keeps behind her when she mentions how the military wasn't all it was cracked up to be. That's enough to draw his curious gaze, silently musing what she could mean. Yet, somehow...he has a feeling, without even prodding. To her words, a distant voice echoes in the back of his mind.

"SOLDIER is like a den of monsters. Don't go inside."

Shaking his head dismissively, he picks up the pace. It only takes a second for him to be side-by-side with her as they walk, this time as he looks over. The timbre of his voice hasn't changed much from the time they started talking, but he's reflected well enough on her own admittance to chime in. ]

Funny. [ A beat. ] That's why I left.

[ That's...technically true - even if it means glossing over the gruesome facts of a certain incident in the mountains. The rabbit hole goes deep, but he's not really thinking of dropping that kind of bomb on his impromptu sparring partner. After that, he's quiet for another fleeting moment, studying Lightning's face from a side glance. A terse, albeit soft and thoughtful hum before adding, ]

Better that we take what we got out of it for what's ahead.

[She scoffs, and although there's a thick layer of bitterness on top of it, there's a note of agreement in there, too. A sense of understanding that few she's met will ever get. Whether it was corruption or reality straying too far from expectations that prompted them to leave, it's a hard feeling for her to really put into words, so she doesn't.]

Yeah. At least we both got something out of it.

[For her, it was more than just combat, strength, and endurance training. It was an eye-opening experience...

With a heavy sigh, relieving the tension she's been holding in her shoulders, she throws her things (mainly just her water bottle) into her bag and zips it up. Her lips turn up into half a smile, and her voice is a touch brighter now as she forcefully steers the subject somewhere light.]

Think these knights could learn a lot from us ex-soldiers... First step is losing the ridiculous armour.

[ Some might have taken that bitter scoff as a reason to worry, or apologize for maybe touching on some unseen nerve, Cloud accepts all of it. There's nary a word, a firm glance as his deeper blue eyes study her own from her side. In the same vein that he wasn't about to divulge the trials that lead him here, he decides that he'll leave her own journey to herself. So when there's a lift to her tone as she drops her belongings into her bag, he's just as content in moving on. He didn't have a water bottle of his own yet (get on that, smh), so ultimately no bag. Frankly, he'll just wash his face and eventually head back for the farm.

The benefits of not living in the heart of the city is that he found himself closer out towards these training grounds. With a strained sigh as he stretches his arms over his head, hand on his wrist, he can't help returning that half smile. ]

And they called me nuts for mine.

[ Huh! Left shoulder pauldron buddies. He rolls said shoulder. ]

[Lightning's eyes widen, feigning surprise, as she eyes the pauldron on his shoulder.

That's what they consider nuts!? It has a purpose! Anyone who thinks it's weird just doesn't know the ins and outs of fighting, okay. It protects the left shoulder while you carry your weapon on the right!? Hello!?]

Wow. [Her voice is dripping with sarcasm, but her smile is audible.] How'd you ever manage to fight with that massive thing?

[It's hardly anything at all compared to what the others are wearing.

She reaches up to knock her knuckles against her own.]

At least mine's got lights.

[ Somebody. Who. Understands. 😭 ]

[ As she raps her knuckles on her pauldron, she's given something rather rare from the likes of Cloud. Smiling comes easier to him these days. But that soft shake of his shoulders as he stifles a laugh?

There's the accomplishment. ]

Now that's 1st Class.

[ Lightning can have her ~~LED~~ lights. He concedes. ]

[Lightning seems pleased with herself, and she snorts quietly, disguising it under a breath.]

Work hard and maybe we can get you one with lights sometime.

[She had almost made it to the orange stripes once upon a time. A promotion was in her future, if she hadn't left and burned that bridge down in the process. It's fine, at least she got to keep it.]

Blue stripes, maybe.

[She kids, of course. His pauldron is fine without the flashy lights.]

[ Almost mirroring her own suppressed snort, the little banter did good in putting him in an even better mood. He won't get sentimental on someone he just met, but fair is fair. However this world decides to toss obstacles at them? He knows that he'll do his part to have her back if their goals align. ]

Thanks for steppin' up, Lightning.

[She gives him a firm, appreciative nod.]

You ever need an even match, just shout.

[She'll be there in a jiffy if that call ever came. It was a good time, even if she did get her ass handed to her! It's not every day she comes across someone who can hold their own against her like that!

With no other words needed, so she turns on her heel and makes for the door. Time to go get cleaned up, maybe grab a bite to eat. Mull over what she can do better next time... And with a single wave of her hand over her shoulder, she's gone.]

🌸凶 ahead on our way

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wrapping!! 🎀🎀