mages are bad swordsmen

[crouching_sin]

Characters: Naoya and open
Setting: Floor 25
Format: Whichever.
Summary: Naoya got a sword, and is trying to remember how to use it properly. Unfortunately, physical skills are not so easily remembered.
Warnings: Naoya is probably only a danger to himself in this log, really. At least he has a healing spell.


[Naoya - or rather, Cain - had used swords before. It wasn't an uncommon weapon through the years, and it wasn't always that he'd had relatively weak physical strength. In some lives, he'd been extremely physically strong.]

[However, this life - Naoya - is… less so. He's still strong, but when he lifts the arming sword he struggles slightly with the weight. He needs to practice, and the meadow has enough space to wave a sharp object around with a minimal risk of hurting someone other than himself.]

[Which is how he's come to be in the meadow, going through old drills. His movements are a mixture of various styles, but he's rusty with them. His movements, while quick, lack power. The weight of the blade is significant enough that he occasionally has to set it down and rub his wrists, which is a good time for anyone who's been watching to speak or be noticed.]

Comments

[crouching_sin]

Both. It's been a very long time since I've used one.

[He reaches down to pick his sword up again.]

[evokingfool]

Did you consider having a sparring partner or a teacher? It might help more.

[In case he's dead set on using this sword over other weapons.]

[crouching_sin]

A sparring partner might help. It's just a matter of developing the muscle memory again.

[evokingfool]

...I can offer to help, if you don't mind.

[His partners come and go, and he can't go back to Sephiroth for lessons again.]

[crouching_sin]

... Why not? We might as well pick each others' brains while we can.

[evokingfool]

[He gives a nod, resting a hand on his sheathed sword.]

I'm Minato Arisato.

[In case this man doesn't know the Strega version of himself.]

[crouching_sin]

Naoya.

[He picks his sword up again, testing the weight. It's not too heavy, but the motions used are a little bit of a strain on this body.]

[evokingfool]

[With one swift movement, he unsheathe his sword.]

Do you need a lighter sword, or do you want to train yourself to use that one?

[crouching_sin]

This sword is fine. I'm just generally more of a magic-user.

[He drops into a ready position, sword held defensively.]

[evokingfool]

Then we'll just have to build up your muscle memory.

[He shifts into his usual stance, honed by both experience and training. He doesn't know how Naoya would fare against an actual opponent, so...

Minato moves in, his sword aiming right for one of Naoya's arms.]

[crouching_sin]

[A memory leaps to his mind and he darts away. He doesn't trust himself to be able to properly parry just yet, after all.]

[evokingfool]

[He watches him carefully, holding his sword at his side.]

You have some nice reflexes. [Sure, he's not giving his all, but it's not too bad.]

[crouching_sin]

Haha... it keeps you alive.

[He dashes in for an attack, aiming for Minato's shoulder.]

[evokingfool]

[He sees the attack and raise his sword, bracing himself to block and deflect it away.

He doesn't know how much power Naoya can put behind that blade.]

[crouching_sin]

[It's a surprising amount for someone who's so skinny, though he's not nearly strong enough to pose any kind of real danger to Minato. He grins as he's deflected though, following the motion and whipping the sword around to try to tap Minato with the flat of the blade on the other side of his body.]

[evokingfool]

[Quite so, but it's not the first time someone has shown to hold greater strength than their build hold. But it's enough to briefly unbalanced him.

And tapped.

Blinks, and then a smile.]

I guess I should step up more. [He's not giving his all from the beginning.]

[crouching_sin]

It would be wise not to underestimate me.

[There's something dangerous at the edge of his smirk. He's at least enjoying himself?]

[evokingfool]

I won't. I apologise for going easy on you earlier, but I'm decent with a sword at my best.

[After all, he did receive some lessons from Sephiroth in the past. He raise his sword. Continue?]

[crouching_sin]

[He raises his sword as well.]

Let's keep going, then.

[evokingfool]

[With a nod, Minato gives only the briefest of pauses before he moves forth to engage Naoya again.

This time, with more strength and speed than before. Time to make this one worth it.]