compnetwork | Fourth Curse

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Fourth Curse

[Anonymous Text]

Subject: Notes
Attached file: amd.doc

For those of you who do not wish to stand in ignorance.

During the time Visitors have arrived, certain events have been observed relating to earth's Astrology, or the constellations found in the sky as they correspond with different times. During these events, changes in personalities as well as the appearance of powerful demons are common.

In order to prepare for more of these events in the future, the above document was made listing any information known about the signs themselves as well as the effects of the events on individual signs. If you are unsure of which sign you are, the city ID you were provided with should have this information.

This document is a work in progress. Anyone who has access to this document can also edit it with any corrections or other findings they may come across.

As with the previous time, this post may also be used as a forum for discussion. Newer arrivals who have questions about these events are encouraged to ask, and Visitors who have been here for some time are encouraged to provide whatever answers they know.

[Video; 4 hours later]

[After leaving the network alone for a while, he makes an unassuming post with his name attached and everything.]

Hey! So a while back, this demon gave me this sword...

[He pauses to hold up a sheathe, pulling a rather nice looking sword out a bit for the camera.]

...Buuut, I don't know how to use it at all. And it seems like a huge waste, considering how nice it is.

[And the fact that it lights itself on fire every thirteenth hour is also pretty spiffy in its own unique way.]

So anyway, I was wondering if anyone here has time to train a guy in swordsmanship! I heard about some people who had a school or something a while back, but I don't know if any of them are around.

[And then, a grin.]

But anyway, if you think you could teach me or know someone who could, drop me a line here! I can pay at least a little, and I'm a fast learner, too!

((OOC: As noted in the post itself, there is a section for forum discussion where characters can discuss, anonymously or not! Characters are free to make their own sub threads for topics and threadjack as they please.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He can be disciplined! ...Probably!]

Could you? I'd really appreciate it!

[ Nod. ] Of course. I often train in the morning, if that's a convenient time for you?

[ She's pretty sure she's got herself a wooden sword somewhere here... You know, for safety measures. ]

Mornings would be good! I don't usually have work then.

Great. As for a location... [ She often just goes over to Gemini, but it's a bit of a walk. ] ... A suggestion would be appreciated.

Hmm... Maybe Capricorn? It's a park, so that should probably give us plenty of space, right?

[ Give her a minute to glance down, probably at a map. Then she looks up, nodding. ] It would. I'll meet you at 7AM, by the entrance--

Ah, I apologize - I haven't introduced myself. My name is Lucina.

It's great to meet you, Lucina! [He gives a small bow with probably a little more flourish than absolutely necessary.] My name is Hizumi Mizushiro. That time will work out just fine for me. Should we meet every day, then?

[ The flourish makes her chuckle quietly, at least. ] As long as nothing urgent comes up, it's best to keep up with training every day.

Would you be available to start tomorrow?

I should be able to keep up with that! In that case, I'll be seeing you at 7 tomorrow!

[ She nods. ] I'll be waiting. [ And after an awkward pause, the feed cuts. ]

-

[ And as promised, by 7AM, Lucina's waiting by the park's gates. The area seems to be deserted, for the most part - it's a little too early for residents to be out, aside from the very few early morning joggers.

But Lucina's there, with her sword, the Falchion, and another sword made out of wood by her side. She has her sword head in her hand, carefully studying the blade. ]

( ooc. I wasn't sure if you were up for threading this, or just hand waving their sessions, or... yeah, aha. I'm up for rolling with anything. )

[Hizumi comes right on time, the sheath slung over his shoulders rather nonchalantly despite also having brought a belt suitable for strapping the sword to. When he spots Lucina, he gives an apologetic smile.]

Ah, sorry! I hope I didn't make you wait too long!

((OOC: I can also roll with whatever \o/ Threading out at least one session might be nice though, regardless of whether or not we handwave the rest?))

[ She looks up, smiling in recognition (though they've only met through videos) as she sheathes the Falchion. She bows lightly with her head. ] Ah, not at all. It's good to meet you in person.

[ With a small gesture, she begins to walk into the park. ] There's a clearing not too far from the entrance I often use. It'll be suitable for our training, I believe. [ A small pause, and then... ] Have you tried using the sword at all?

( ooc: Sounds good! )

And the same to you! You're even lovelier in person.

[Hizumi, pls. But he does begin to follow her into the park, giving an enthusiastic nod at her suggested training place.]

Not really, I'm afraid. I've gotten used to carrying it around with me during the Thirteenth Hour, but since I mostly go out to explore, I try to avoid fights as much as possible. I've never actually trained in fighting, you see.

[ Lucina's known Inigo, the biggest flirt she's ever known, for maybe a bit too long; little things like that don't bother her anymore. She just... smiles, and doesn't say anything.

She's considering what he said, though. ] I see. When you're carrying the blade in your hands, then - how heavy does it feel? [ She spares another glance at the sword. It doesn't look heavy, but looks can be deceiving. ] Oh, er - and have you ever trained physically at all?

Well, it's definitely got some weight to it. That's why I've been trying to get used to carrying it around.

I've never really trained per se, but I sometimes play sports for fun. I've been told I have good reflexes?

[And just... a natural aptitude for anything he tries. Thanks, Yaiba genes.]

Quick reflexes are a necessity in battle. Sometimes more so than your skills.

[ They arrive at a small clearing about then. ] Ah, we're here. [ The practice sword is placed on the ground, and Lucina extends a hand. ] If it's not much trouble, may I see the sword for a moment?

Sure!

[He hands it over, sheath and all. Upon further inspection, it's a high quality katana that's probably seen its share of battles. And yet, the blade is still sharp, and it could certainly see its way through many more to come.]

Aah, right. It may not look like it right now, but it also catches on fire during the Thirteenth Hour. I think it has to do with the demon who gave it to me.

[ She's no sword expert - though she knows someone who is - but she can tell that this is... well-made. Solid. She unsheathes it completely, studying the actual blade itself, too. ] Oh?

That would be interesting to see that in the near future. Though... we should first get you acquainted with a blade. [ She sheathes the sword, handing it back to him. ] We'll train with the wooden sword for now - it's rather light, but it should serve its purpose. [ She then picks up the wooden sword from the floor, giving that to him, as well. ]

Would you like to try holding the sword? However it feels comfortable.

Right? That's why I feel like it's disrespectful to the sword to just leave it to rust.

[And he'll take it back, if only to lean it up against a tree where he can see it. Since hey, he's gotta have free hands to use that wooden sword!]

Hmm, it is a lot lighter, but...

[He gives it a couple of experimental swings using only one arm before settling on a stance, both hands on the hilt with his right hand close to the guard and his left by the end.]

...It should be like this, right?

[ Lucina's watching carefully, giving a small nod. ] Yes. It's best to get comfortable with the current stance, so that it becomes an instinct, rather than a force of habit.

Fighting with a sword ultimately is a matter of timing, watching for the enemy's opening, and strength. Swinging the sword aimlessly will only wear the both of you down. [ She pauses, as if she's trying to remember something. She ends up shaking her head, though. ]

Try swinging the sword - raise it up to your head, and swing down. Make sure to have your left hand carry most of the weight.

[Oh? That was an interesting little pause, even if he doesn't comment on it.]

So I need to be careful to conserve my strength for when it matters.

[He grips the hilt, raising it and giving an experimental slash, following her directions down to the letter.]

Exactly. It may sound obvious, but the better directed your attacks are, the more impact it would have on the enemy. It also reduces the risk of leaving yourself open.

[ She watches, slightly surprised. But her face shows composure again. ] ... If you keep this up, I don't think you'll be needing me for very long. Try coming from the side - the same method, just from a different angle.

It'd be bad if I took a wide swing and left myself unprotected because I missed, huh...

[More just thoughtful musing than anything else. His expression becomes only slightly more focused as he once again follows her instructions, this time executing a horizontal slash. As with before, his left hand carries the weight while his right hand guides the movement, but he's cautious enough not to put any more than the necessary force.]

--Like that?

It may sometimes leave others - who try to protect you - vulnerable as well. [ So yeah. Not good in general.

She decides there and then that he does have natural talent, whether he knows it or not. Perhaps he does pick things up quickly, like he said. ] Exactly so.

Now the other side?

Ah-- right, if I'm fighting alongside others, that could be a problem.

[Though something about his tone there makes it sound like he doesn't expect that to be much of an issue.

Now that he knows for certain what the movement should be like, it's no trouble at all to replicate it, even if it's aimed from the other side. A fast learner indeed.]

Fourth Curse

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