towerofanimus | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Characters: Reno, open
Setting: Floo- you know what, the Meadow Floor. The one with all the meadow-y things.
Format: Prose or action
Summary: Reno is on the meadow floor, practicing his moves.
Warnings: I'm going to say, yes.

Today, Reno did not have to go out on the rope and wash those stupid windows, so instead of sitting in the library he decided to head up here. It seemed to be a comfortable spot, plenty of room to move around in. On top of that, he was wearing his uniform. It had been a while since he had worn it. In fact, it had been far too long. Definitely not since he had been in the Tower. Why now he chose to wear it was something to ask a therapist. He figured he had probably been here way too long. As it was, all he knew for certain was that he needed to wear it, to show something of what he was to the Tower and be damned the consequences. The longer he was here, the more he thought that these people honestly had no idea of what Shinra was anyway, so why bother anymore? Besides, his uniform was created with the utmost of comfort and sweat control while fighting in mind. He always gave props to the little known textiles division for developing the material.

Now if only they could invent a tie that wouldn't choke a person when it was tightened.

It was definitely a good day to start up a routine. He was starting to feel sluggish lately, not quite as quick on reflexes, and that had him worried a bit. The incident with that bird statue still bothered him from time to time, even if the wounds were no longer reminding him of it. Of course, there were no dummies or punching bags on the meadow, and he didn't feel much like trying to hunt down monsters, so he did the best he could with practicing combo moves. He started off simple, punching, then punch-kick-punch, and at the end let off a full combo that would have a group of invisible attackers on the ground, writhing in agony.

Satisfied, he turned around, tapping his EMR on his shoulder and prepared for his next set of moves. Maybe this time he would throw in a few bolts in for good measure.

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It was almost to be expected, finding someone training in the meadow. Every time he came, he found someone new engaging in some sort of weapon form. Here, the fiery redhead from before - although in a rather sharp suit - was executing some precise hand-to-hand combos. His body build seemed appropriate for that, but - ah, a melee weapon. That explained the physique of his upper body.

It was always good to cultivate resources. He approached quietly, but non-threateningly. While he wasn't entirely familiar with this style of fighting, he was still good at picking apart such things.

Moving into another set of short combos minus the bolts this time, as he was already aware of the newcomer's presence, Reno ended this one with a round kick that brought him to face Xehanort. Shifting his posture back into a stance, he gave him a scrutinizing look though more in curiosity than maliciousness. Ah, that guy again. Well, that was just fine by him if he wanted to watch.

Hefting his EMR on to his shoulder again, he gave a small, lazy salute. "Wasn't expectin' anyone else up here this early."

[ Having left the library for once in favor of exploring the other floors, Gandalf ventured to the meadow and... spotted Reno, training.

There was something he meant to ask to this young man... Something very special. He had never spoken to him before, he had no idea who he was, what his intentions were or even if he could be trusted but-

But for now, he'll just stand at a moderate distance and watch as the Turk trains. Some of those techniques had not been developed yet back in his homeworld, and his weapon was certainly most interesting. ]

[Today seemed to be one of those days. Reno kept up his current combo, working up into a series of midair kicks accompanied by bolts from his EMR aimed at a clump of grass. He ended with a flip, catching one foot in a small pothole and having to catch his balance at the last second.

He pressed his lips together, shaking his head. He should have been able to compensate for things like that. It seemed like he was really out of practice just sitting around.

Testing out his ankle for damage, he gave the old man a glance. This was a strange one, like a figure out of legends told only to children to get them to go to sleep. The man reminded him a little of the Elders at Cosmo Canyon.]

Can I help ya?

[He briefly thought about finding some place else to train, with all the interruptions. And potholes.]

Early? He hadn't slept that night, feeling particularly studious. So morning had already come... "Waking early ensures there's more time during the day," he said simply, managing a pleasant smile for Reno. He hadn't flinched back or withdrawn when the young man had finished his training form, simply appraising it as though he was appraising a coin or jewel.

"It's fascinating to see so many different styles of battle."

That had Reno shrugging while wiping strands of hair out of his face. "There's as many styles as there is people, so they say. What do you fight with?" It was a blunt question, since he didn't think for a minute the first time they met that Xehanort would be helpless.

A slight chuckle at the presumption, but then he indulges Reno's question by summoning his keyblade.

"This, my boy. Would you care to try me?"

Reno's seen those before. With the same weird summoning trick. Wasn't it... oh yeah, Ventus. Ventus had a weapon like that.

Honestly, Reno was intrigued by the idea. It was a weapon completely alien to him, and the fighting style probably would be, as well. What better way to practice?

It looks like a nasty bit of equipment, though.

"Sure." He said after a moment. "Why not?"

"As you wish." Xehanort slipped into his fighting stance, his wielding arm held high with the blade parallel to the ground, the other below as if forming a circle, as if gesturing for the other to come closer. His grip on his blade seemed tenuous, as though at any moment he would simply drop it, but his eyes were alert, prepared.

Waiting to see what move Reno would make, to see just how much he should show of his abilities...

There was a moment of silence as Reno sized his opponent up. He wasn't fool enough to believe the outward appearance, instead focusing on his eyes. Eyes told everything. Where they were looking, what they were thinking, and where they were going. If there was one sure thing, Reno's instincts were telling him Xehanort was no slouch, and possibly even a master with that- didn't Ventus call it a keyblade? Yes.

Grinning, he slipped into his own battle stance, EMR tapping his shoulder. It didn't even look like a battle stance, and it certainly wasn't the one he was using while sparring.

Well, it looked like Xehanort wasn't going to make the first move. That was fine by him. He started to circle, trying to get a feel before trying anything.

There. Reno feinted at him, only aiming to give Xehanort a light tap.

[ Gandalf smiled ever so lightly when Reno caught his balance- But then nodded when Reno spotted him and addressed him.

Yes, you can help Reno, in more ways than you can imagine. ]

Maybe.

[ His tone was mysterious and he walked up to Reno. Yup, that's serious business. And the absolute opposite of what reno could see at the Evil Reunion. ]

[That caught the turk's attention right there. Mysterious people and their mysterious ways were always interesting, if slightly frustration.

He collapses his EMR and returns it to his little holster.]

You look like ya got something important, so either yes or no, I don't got all day.

It will depend of you.

[ Alright Reno, since you're in a hurry. But Gandalf say it all just yet, he thinks you can be trusted but he's not so sure. ]

I've heard rumors... Rumors that something happened a few days ago.

[The turk grew a little pale at Gandalf's words, but that was the only indication he reacted. He knew about the meeting? Sure, there had been some floating around before, but were there new ones now, and how did this man know he had been present?]

Things happen all the time. Any specifics?

One of my friends met with death on that day.

[ Remember the corpse on the ground? Yup, that was Gandalf's friend. And you don't just kill his friends and hope to get away with it. ]

I have seen him since then and his words worried me... I have made some research and I believe something dangerous may have been forming in the shadows.

[He changes slightly, growing thoughtful and worried. This was a stranger, one he wasn't sure he could trust. For all he knew, Gandalf could have been a test of his loyalty to the alliange.]

May have been? You're not sure? What about your friend?

[The body hadn't worried him so much, people had a way of coming back from death here. Besides, he was pretty sure if he said anything he would have been the next.]

He had little desire to destroy Reno entirely, which was more than likely if he used any of his spells or moves. It would take a different sort of planning to ensure the young man's safety, a very deliberate and measured pulling of punches.

There was a first time for everything, really.

When Reno approached him, he simply concentrated, disappearing from sight as he teleported behind the young man, reaching out with his blade in what would be a light tap of his own.

All was going good, Reno looked like he had him until- wait, what?! Where'd he go?! The force of his move set him off balance when he found he suddenly had no target, Xehanort appearing behind him instead of staying where he should have been.

That tap sent him even more off balance, and the turk fell forward. His training kicked in, and he tucked to make the fall into a forward tumble, landing in a crouch.

"Whoa." He mumbled, standing up and turning to face the older man, but not relaxing just yet. Oh no, this might be fun. "That's pretty impressive."

He smiled, his shoulders rolling in a shrug as he raised his arms in gesture for the moment. "A simple manoever, little more." He lowered the arm holding his blade, letting it dangle by his side. "Show me how impressive you can be."

[ ... Bit light nearly emanates from him! ~~Okay he could be a Templar for all he knows but still.~~

Gandalf looks at him with gravity. ]

He's fine, and I am not sure indeed. This is the very reason I am talking to you right now.

[ Gandalf understands that; and it's smart. And he dares to hope Reno will meet his expectations. ]

You think I had something to do with it.

[It was posed as a statement- a sort of acknowledgment that he did have the knowledge Gandalf sought.

He gestured for Gandalf to follow him, walking away from the staircase and farther into the meadow.]

Talking about this could wind up with me getting killed. Or worse.

[ Gandalf follows him. He's not worried, he doubt Reno would try to attack him or something. And if ever he did, he would be up for a surprise. ]

Not talking about this could get many more people killed- Life in this tower is hard, and I would like to prevent is from becoming worst.

[Frustration, worry. Both were present as Reno spoke.]

Yeah, I know, but this can jeopardize any chance I got of stopping it. Death isn't permanent here. What I'm tryin' to stop is worse than that.

And on your own you are doomed to fail. Your will may be strong, but there are evils at work here against who only cooperation can prevail.

[He was probably right. Reno was used to working with a team; by himself he was far less sure of what was the correct course of action to take.]

I like thinkin' I've got a fair shot at it. Are you offering your help on this?

This guy was not going to be easy, not by a long shot. Reno himself had doubts that he would be anything even remotely impressive to Xehanort, and he had the distinct feeling Xehanort wasn't even trying.

"I'll give it a shot."

He lowered the EMR to his side, out of his usual stance. The materia inside of it glowed and the metal rod started crackling with energy, charging up for his next attack. Without a word, he made a dash at the older man, lifting his rod and aimed the Pyramid attack as soon as he felt close enough to attack without miss.

He watched the EMR power up, curious about what abilities it could possess. He knew better than to assume it was nothing, as he was more than aware of the powers of the simple and unassuming. It was a matter to take seriously, even if he did not feel a threat from this encounter.

He could feel the power of a foreign sort of magic begin to grip him, and that familiar stiffening of his joints that implied some sort of stop- or stasis-magic. Before it could get any worse he quickly released his hold on the darkness beneath his skin, allowing it to flare up in an attempt to break the hold of the spell before it could finish settling around him.

I am. I have been working since my arrival to unite the free people of this tower, to have them work and fight together to restore their homeworld and escape this place.

I do not know what it is that happened during that reunion, but I fear it might compromise our chances to properly work at restoring our homes.

[ In fact, pretty much what Reno wanted for the bad guys to do. You'll have a whole group of people backing you up soon if you accept. ]

It won't. At least not yet.

[Suck it up, Reno. You don't have to be alone in this, even if these people aren't Turks.]

I wouldn't mind some backup.

[Pause here, looking serious.]

I'm part of it. Somehow. Problem is I don't have powers like they do, and I'm not a dragon.

Raw power is not everything, willpower matters as much if not more in those case... Those you speak with won't be looking too much in your lack of raw power as long as you put on the mask of a man whose mindset equals theirs.

[ He looks serious as well and sighs. ]

It means only I and the leader of the group I'm organizing can know about you until the organization is settled. Then, the hardest part for you will start if you accept to go that far, but you will not be alone any more.

I'm not a fool. I know how to handle myself, it just makes me uneasy.

[He gives Gandalf a scrutinizing look. If any reminded him of Bugenhagen, it was this man. Even maybe a wizard of lore.]

Who are you, anyway?

What would be worrying is if it didn't.

[ He smiles ever so lightly. ]

I have many names, people in the tower call me Gandalf.

[At least it was a name.]

Reno. How will I contact you? Not exactly something to use the network for...

You'll find me at the library. The one at the 19th Floor.

If you need to speak to me but I am nowhere to be found, find Zelda. She's a blonde young woman and her ears are different, pointed- If you heard about Elves or Hylians you'll easily recognize her.

[ Wouldn't it be precisely who Ganondorf asked him to spy? Oh well. ]

Pyramind was strong, but not that strong before it could do its job and solidify, so while Reno was still sort of surprised that he was able to break it, it was consistent with his assessment of the man.

Even as the remnants of the pyramid spell scattered and melted into bits of energy, Reno charged in for another tag attempt.

While it would be far too easy to teleport out of the way again, Xehanort was interested in the EMR. The best way to learn about it was to let it do its job properly, after all... and so he simply watched Reno's movements carefully for the proper timing in order to counter his potential strike.

Reaching out with the EMR, he gave it just enough juice for a small zap, enough so that Xehanort could feel it but not hurt. He came in close, running at his fastest speed. Just when he thought he had touched the man with that strike, he let the little charge go.

With Reno's movement, he attempts to bring his blade up to block. Alas, perhaps his age is catching up to him after all, as Reno's attack does connect. The current jolts through him, making his toes curl just slightly, but it's a weak current and does little else.

Of course now that Reno's in close range, it's all too easy to strike him. He moves in, angling his grip to strike with the guard, aiming at the younger man's abdomen in an attempt to wind him.

Edited 2012-06-01 12:32 (UTC)

Unfortunately for the turk, Reno does not take direct blows too well- and well, it hits, and winds him. But it isn't anything he hadn't dealt with before, so he staggers back a bit only to turn it into a back flip away from Xehanort.

Balance restored, he's panting a bit, but now he's changing tactics. Instead of rushing again, he stands at the ready, just watching and studying the man.

With the Turk at a distance, Xehanort dips into his other attack reserve, throwing a fairly strong Thunder at Reno, seeing how he reacts to the swath of electricity.

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I'm starting to think he stalks this floor just for this purpose. sob.

Xehanort = stalky pedobear

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