Cutting through a park was faster than going around it, and thus, Squall was starting to learn his way around it. He was passing by the pond when he spotted Mitsuru out of the corner of his eye and stopped to watch for a bit. People practicing fighting techniques tended to grab one's attention.
She was obviously skilled with that sword of hers, and it looked like skill honed from actual battle and not just practice sessions. He had his own weapon slung casually over his shoulder, as he was intending to move it from the hotel to his new home.
"Not bad," he said once she had finished a flourish of slashes.
The voice makes her lower her sword and turn around to face who had addressed her. Mitsuru wondered how long he had been watching. It wasn't as if she was particularly calling attention to herself, but it was just more convenient to practise in the open space. She shouldn't be surprised and yet, there she is wondering.
"Thank you." came Mitsuru's reply after she brushed a lock of hair from her face.
The stranger was holding what looked to be a sword with a revolver barrel attached to it. How curious. But his ease with it seemed to suggest that he knew his way around a bladed weapon.
"I assume that you have an interest in the techniques of slicing and dicing then?"
"I have to," he answered, then lowered his right arm, letting the tip of his Gunblade sink into the ground. The lion's head keychain on the grip swayed back and forth, catching the light as it did. "It's my job. Or, it was before coming here."
And it wasn't like Vatheon didn't have its fair share of dangers.
She looks appreciatively at the weapon, it was unlike anything she'd ever seen before. And his words intrigued her. Anybody who made a job of fighting was a hooligan or a mercenary. He was too well dressed for a hooligan, so mercenary it was.
"Hm." A noncommittal response while she reshuffled her thoughts. It was another moment before Mitsuru replied in full. "I wouldn't say that this was a job, but perhaps a duty. Or was, before coming here."
[There's a dark figure in the trees, watching her. He's a little impressed with her skill, but he doesn't make himself known. Not yet. When she pulls the gun to her head, he doesn't move either, not until she puts it down. When her back is turned, he drops down to a lower branch, still half-hidden by the branches. Maybe he should announce his presence? ... No.]
[Mitsuru continues her routine, taking her sword out once again. But something is twigging at the back of her head that she may be watched. Well that was to be expected, she was in the open. Yet something didn't seem right.
[... Maybe he wasn't as stealthy as he thought. No matter. He drops down to the ground and leans against the tree a little. The sword he found in a weapon shop hangs loosely against his side - it's not quite the size he needs, but it's what he could find.]
[Was it someone hostile? Mitsuru is still looking up at the tree, when she notice that someone drops down. When it's clear that he doesn't speak, she continues. If this man had anything to say, he would say in due time. For now, she's just going to concentrate in the accuracy of her slashes.]
[Yukari's just finished her lunch for the day, actually. Things have been kind of quiet lately, even cheerful, with the holidays coming around, and she can't complain about that. She's not surprised to find her senpai practicing though--taking things as seriously as ever, even so far away from home, so far away from the Dark Hour and Shadows. That's just like her, though...
In fact, there was only thing that surprised her about the scene was the fact that Akihiko wasn't training right alongside her. Not yet, anyway.]
Hesitating, senpai?
[Something of a teasing chuckle escapes Yukari's lips, as she watches her put the Evoker back in its holster.]
I don't think I've ever seen you do that before.
[Then again, there aren't really enemies around to 'execute'...]
[Mitsuru turned around to see Yukari smiling at her. That teasing tone of voice... oh, how must this appear to her? The reason why she didn't pull the trigger was because she was hesitant, but perhaps not for the reasons Yukari was expecting.]
I am hesitant to use Artemisia in such a setting.
[She looks up, where the sea could still be seen above their heads, separated from crashing in on everything by that impenetrable barrier.]
Being in this city is affecting my ability to summon her properly. I wish I could explain it better than that.
...Hey, no need for that. After all, I'm a Persona user, too.
[In case you forgot, Mitsuru. Heh. Yukari makes her hand into the shape of a gun and puts it to her head with a grin, though she lets it fall back to her side rather quickly. She walks a bit closer to her, making eye contact as she continues on towards the water where she can better see the ducks she was feeding.]
I know what you mean...but don't worry. It's still possible to summon them, even if it is more difficult.
[There's a bit of a pause, before she adds, albeit with hesitation:]
[She looks thoughtful as a duck walks up to her. Mitsuru puts the Evoker away in its holster and picks up a piece of bread that could be given to it. After the duck quacks its contentment for the nourishment, she continus.]
I was able to summon her fine. But then, after that...
[Mitsuru doesn't finish her sentence, but it's clear that if she could bring herself to say it, it would mean actually facing the possibility of her not being able to summon her Persona properly.]
Out of the corner of her eye, Mitsuru noticed that a different bird had joined the ducks. How curious, doves didn't generally congregate here.
She had left out some of the bread for the birds while she trained so she assumed that's what it had come here for. But when she spotted the dove not actually eating, Mitsuru stopped. Lowering her sword, she turned around to see that man from the Island. He seemed in a better state now.
"Bitteschön, it was no problem at all." Mitsuru gives a nod to his words, acknowledging that . "I only did what any reasonable person would do in that situation."
She was relieved that he was doing much better and it showed - he looked less manic than she imagined and a lot more dignified and reserved. Well, he was a doctor or at the very least, trained in medicine.
[Where there's a Mitsuru, it's likely there's an Akihiko not too far away. Though he didn't come with her to the park, he's found himself there this afternoon - and he's caught sight of her by the lake, thrusting her épée and practicing her form. It's not an unusual sight by any means and is one Akihiko's almost relieved to see. It means that Mitsuru has at least begun to settle into their new home here in Vatheon.
And a content Mitsuru means a content Akihiko.
Making his way over to her, he hears the nearby ducks quacking up a curious chorus at his presence.]
Heh... I know you're a great teacher but I don't think you'll be teaching these ducks how to fence any time soon, Mitsuru.
If a dog can use a knife, then a duck being able to hone its skills is not out of the question as well.
[She was being intentionally flat with her reply, leaving to Akihiko to gauge whether she was being serious or not as she made one last thrust towards the center of the target. The point hit dead centre and she withdrew it back. The sword goes down once again and Mitsuru turns to face him.]
[A nod of understanding. Mitsuru understood the importance of being ready for any situation and that included keeping yourself ready to respond to any danger.]
You've been here longer than I have, perhaps you can assist me.
[She puts a hand to her chest and makes a clutching action towards it, as if trying to grasp some part deep within herself.]
One of the prolonged effects of exposure to Tartarus is fatigue. But here, it seems as if my ability to summon Artemisia seems hampered. I feel unable to... sustain her.
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She was obviously skilled with that sword of hers, and it looked like skill honed from actual battle and not just practice sessions. He had his own weapon slung casually over his shoulder, as he was intending to move it from the hotel to his new home.
"Not bad," he said once she had finished a flourish of slashes.
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"Thank you." came Mitsuru's reply after she brushed a lock of hair from her face.
The stranger was holding what looked to be a sword with a revolver barrel attached to it. How curious. But his ease with it seemed to suggest that he knew his way around a bladed weapon.
"I assume that you have an interest in the techniques of slicing and dicing then?"
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And it wasn't like Vatheon didn't have its fair share of dangers.
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"Hm." A noncommittal response while she reshuffled her thoughts. It was another moment before Mitsuru replied in full. "I wouldn't say that this was a job, but perhaps a duty. Or was, before coming here."
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And she looked up into the trees.]
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[He doesn't speak yet, just watches her more.]
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In fact, there was only thing that surprised her about the scene was the fact that Akihiko wasn't training right alongside her. Not yet, anyway.]
Hesitating, senpai?
[Something of a teasing chuckle escapes Yukari's lips, as she watches her put the Evoker back in its holster.]
I don't think I've ever seen you do that before.
[Then again, there aren't really enemies around to 'execute'...]
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I am hesitant to use Artemisia in such a setting.
[She looks up, where the sea could still be seen above their heads, separated from crashing in on everything by that impenetrable barrier.]
Being in this city is affecting my ability to summon her properly. I wish I could explain it better than that.
Reply
[In case you forgot, Mitsuru. Heh. Yukari makes her hand into the shape of a gun and puts it to her head with a grin, though she lets it fall back to her side rather quickly. She walks a bit closer to her, making eye contact as she continues on towards the water where she can better see the ducks she was feeding.]
I know what you mean...but don't worry. It's still possible to summon them, even if it is more difficult.
[There's a bit of a pause, before she adds, albeit with hesitation:]
We've...well. We've had to do it before.
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[She looks thoughtful as a duck walks up to her. Mitsuru puts the Evoker away in its holster and picks up a piece of bread that could be given to it. After the duck quacks its contentment for the nourishment, she continus.]
I was able to summon her fine. But then, after that...
[Mitsuru doesn't finish her sentence, but it's clear that if she could bring herself to say it, it would mean actually facing the possibility of her not being able to summon her Persona properly.]
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She had left out some of the bread for the birds while she trained so she assumed that's what it had come here for. But when she spotted the dove not actually eating, Mitsuru stopped. Lowering her sword, she turned around to see that man from the Island. He seemed in a better state now.
"Ah, Herr Medic, isn't it?"
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She was relieved that he was doing much better and it showed - he looked less manic than she imagined and a lot more dignified and reserved. Well, he was a doctor or at the very least, trained in medicine.
"Have you been well since then?"
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And a content Mitsuru means a content Akihiko.
Making his way over to her, he hears the nearby ducks quacking up a curious chorus at his presence.]
Heh... I know you're a great teacher but I don't think you'll be teaching these ducks how to fence any time soon, Mitsuru.
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[She was being intentionally flat with her reply, leaving to Akihiko to gauge whether she was being serious or not as she made one last thrust towards the center of the target. The point hit dead centre and she withdrew it back. The sword goes down once again and Mitsuru turns to face him.]
What brings you to this part of the city?
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Same reason you are, I'd say. Looking for a good spot to train... It's important I keep my body sharp in all kinds of weather.
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You've been here longer than I have, perhaps you can assist me.
[She puts a hand to her chest and makes a clutching action towards it, as if trying to grasp some part deep within herself.]
One of the prolonged effects of exposure to Tartarus is fatigue. But here, it seems as if my ability to summon Artemisia seems hampered. I feel unable to... sustain her.
Reply
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