towerofanimus | In the Land of Snow and Swords

Characters: Monkey D. Luffy [O.U.],

forhylia[O.U.], and you!
Setting: Floor 73, but may or may not move to other floors.
Time: After the masquerade and the rumor event.
Format: Prose to start, I will gladly match.
Summary: Luffy has finally found himself a sword, shield, and suit of armor among the ruins of the pyramid and castle. Now contacting Link, he's trying to better himself with a sword in hopes of becoming a knight (like in the books he looked at as a child).
Warnings: Stupidity (on Luffy's part)

[It had taken him a few days to scrounge up the desired items, and he'd gone through a few fights in order to leave with them. Luffy had finally managed to supply himself with what he felt would be sturdy and reliable enough for his training. Having no real grasp on temperature, Luffy had traveled his way down to the snow-covered floor on the seventy-third room, dropping all of his supplies before looking about for a network communicator. Once found, he anxiously barks into the device with a child-like, enthusiastic call.]

"HEY! LINK! LINK, LINK, LINK! I finally found some stuff that I can use if you're able to meet me! It's snowing here, so if you know where there's snow, go there! I'll be here waiting! I think it's floor.. Umm.. Seventy somethin'. Maybe three? Maybe four? I can't remember! I've been busy swinging this stuff around! I'm sooooo excited to try and start learning! Get here quick, okay?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yes, I suppose we can!

[Link smiles once again.]

So... have you ever handled a sword before?

[He's willing to bet good money that would be a "no," but he wants to check.]

Only a few times! Not really good at it. That's what my swordsman is usually for.

[Luffy extends out a hand, clenching a fist as he grins at his tutor.]

Usually I can just punch stuff, but if I knew how to handle a sword I could probably block and defend against blades and sharp stuff better. They're my only weakness!!

[No, no they aren't Luffy. But there's no need to tell Link you're easy to hypnotize or fool. Like, it's really easy to do that. Really, really, REALLY easy to do that. But "mums" the word. Mostly because it's hard for Luffy to even pronounce, "hypnotize'.]

[His swordsmen? Don't tell him Luffy is a commander of some sort... Link isn't sure whether he should even be asking about how he usually fights with his fists.]

I would guess that knowledge of handling a blade would be preferable to fighting more powerful enemies, yes.

[Though it's less "I would guess" and more like "Definitely," but Link is trying to avoid furthering any potential... rants.]

I have never been one to use shields, myself. A sword with a wide, sturdy hilt is enough to defend yourself if you know how to properly use it.

Hmm.. Just a sword, huh?

[Luffy turns back to the pile and chucks a few of the numerous shields he has gathered as if they were discs.]

Okay then, no shields, huh?

[Gripping the Gladius once more, he turns to face his teacher with an eager grin.]

So just a sword'll do, yeah?

[Link holds up a hand for a moment, as if to try and stop him before he tossed the equipment, but no luck there.]

It depends on what you would prefer! If you think you want to use the shield, I can certainly teach you. Or, I could teach you two-handed techniques for that blade.

[He is trying, at least, to keep a somewhat open mind.]

I.. I think I can go with just the sword. It looks cooler without the shield right?

[For some one so dim-witted, Luffy is overly concerned about aesthetics here.]

Let's go with just the sword! That way I can still punch if I need to!

[Link raises an eyebrow.]

I suppose... But it is hardly a matter of what looks the best. It is what keeps you alive.

[Again with the punching... Link still isn't so sure what he thinks of that, or if he should even ask.]

All right: the most basic thing to know is how to hold it. If you do not plan on using a shield, two-handed techniques are best to know, because keeping your arms together means that you are keeping your center guarded. That is most important: protect yourself.

[He draws his own sword, preparing to demonstrate.]

But what about being able to punch? If I hold it with two hands how am I going to be able to attack with a punch?

[Luffy looks at his free hand, then to the hand holding the sword. Back and forth his eyes go, pondering how he could possibly do both at the same time.

And then it occurs to him.]

AH! Just like Zoro!!

[Lifting the sword up, Luffy clenches his teeth down upon the handle. Surprisingly, his jaw strength is enough to keep the blade steady.]

[Link only stares, slightly bewildered as Luffy puts the sword in his mouth.]

Well, I...

[He's starting to regret agreeing to this. Though he does wonder how strong this boy actually is...]

Are you deceptively strong?

[He isn't sure how else to phrase the question. Could that be why he keeps insisting on... punching things?]

Deceptively? You mean like, am I hiding my strength or somethin'?

[Removing the sword from his mouth, he sinks the blade into the ground as he places a hand atop his right shoulder.]

I don't hide the fact that I'm strong!

[Turning his back to Link, the young man looks out to the remains of a castle tower in the distance.]

Look, I'll show you. Not that I'm showing off or anything.

[His knees bending, the pirate cocked his right arm back to prepare his punch.]

GUM~ GUM~ PISTOL!

[His hand snaps forward, punching through the air and hitting no visable target.. Except that his arm doesn't stop moving. The limb stretches, as if an unsee force were dragging it a great distance towards the tower. It continues to elongate, finally meeting the structure with a thundering explosion as his attack slams into the stone and brick. Smoke and dust rise in the air as he turns his hips, pulling the stretched out arm back towards him. With an audible "WHIP", the arm returns to it's normal length and position.

He turns back towards Link, blinking curiously at his teacher, unphased by the show case of strength.]

See? Told ya'.

[It is difficult to shock a knight who has pretty much seen it all, but this is definitely something very new and very... odd.

Link is standing by Luffy, confusion melting into utter shock as his arms stretch... stretch... stretch... until the distant rumble of falling stone reaches his ears. And then just like that, the boy is completely normal again. It is only when Luffy speaks that Link snaps out of the trance.]

I certainly cannot say that I have ever seen anything like that in my life. [He's eyeing Luffy's now perfectly normal arms.] It's impressive, certainly.

[So, yes, Luffy. You are very deceptively strong.]

So yeah! How do I make it so I only use one hand? With a shield, I can at least stretch and send it at some one to block. But if I stretch out both arms, I'd be in real trouble!

[He lets his arms drop, as if the very bones in them had disappeared. He watches as he tries to make the appendages jiggle and shake like an ocotopus, swinging the sword in his hand around wildly.]

This.. Doesn't seem.. Right..

[Link can't help but be slightly distracted as Luffy's arms seem to turn to rubber at his sides. What kind of magic is this??]

Well... The first thing you ought to do is keep your arms firm. A sword is not a toy, and it is not to be swung so wildly.

[The boy is admittedly starting to make Link a wee bit nervous.]

I must admit that I am not sure how I could teach you too take a fuller advantage of your... unique abilities when using a blade, but I am certain you have a better idea of how they work than I.

Oh.. Huh.. Well..

[His arms shrink back once more, holding the blade in a steady grip with both hands as he looks towards his mentor.]

I guess once I learn how to use a sword properly, then I can figure it out. That'd be smarter, right?

[Link nods.]

That is what makes the most sense to me. Once you have learned how to safely manage a sword you can start incorporating your abilities.

[He offers Luffy a smile.]

They could prove to be a deadly combination, used with proper control and precision. [Deadly to the right people. Not for his poor instructor who is still trying to figure out how in the name of Hylia he can stretch his limbs in such a way.]

In the Land of Snow and Swords - A Knight in Training

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Sorry for the holdup! I had to make an icon, hahaha

No worries! You're totally fine!

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