01 [Text]

[stridercentric]

[If there's one thing Bro doesn't like, it's being tossed into an unexpected situation. SBURB had been filled with that sort of thing, but this place clearly isn't much better. Even after gathering some information about Hinoto-Ri, he continues to be filled with restlessness because he didn't get the answer he wanted most of all. No choice but to address the local network, then.]

sup kiddies. listen up. i got separated from my flock.

if you know what sburb is? drop me a line here. if youve been to skaia? drop me a line. if your name is dave strider? youre grounded. and drop me a line too i guess.

btw. i have a mad hankering for doritos. plz tell me they have doritos here. will not accept shitty poser brands. and maybe some orange soda.

Comments

[stridercentric]

[Dirk getting hit is exactly what Bro was hoping for. The moment the kid rolls backwards, he flashsteps after him, hoping to get behind him and land another kick from back there. This is the sort of stunt he could pull on Dave all the time, but Dirk might just recover from the roll fast enough to dodge his next kick. It's hard to tell. Only one way to find out.]

[anotherdirkstrider]

[Dirk is no Dave-- he knows what tactic he'd use in this situation, and it seems like Bro would do the same. He stays low and ducks under the kick, swiping a leg out to knock Bro's grounding out from under him. Dirk is in a vulnerable position now, and he can't afford to let Bro get the better of him again. That reach could do him in.]

[stridercentric]

[With the way Dirk ducks under his kick, Bro would have a hard time avoiding the kid's swipe. So he doesn't. Instead, he allows his other leg to be knocked out from under him and moves along in that same momentum by flipping backwards, first landing with his free hand on the ground and then flipping straight on to plant both feet on the ground again. He's nimble like a gymnast, this one. No time to stand around and gloat, though, because he fully expects Dirk to continue on the offensive and he needs to counter with his own slashes again. meanwhile, Lil Cal's still holding onto his shoulders for dear life.]

[anotherdirkstrider]

Rather than go in for a follow-up Dirk distances himself, taking the opportunity to spring backwards and re-establish his fighting stance. Bro is fast, and moving into another combo would have put him in range for a second kick. With most enemies he can hound them with his speed and ferocity until they are beaten into submission-- but that won't fly against this opponent. He's got to play it cool and wait for the right moment.

[stridercentric]

[That fighting stance is exactly what Bro was hoping for. It means Dirk's ready to counter at a moment's notice. He would be too, if he were in Dirk's shoes, but instead he's the one dashing forward to attack. He needs to try and use that to his advantage.

His charge is unrelenting. He rushes straight towards Dirk, sword at the ready, but just before he reaches the kid he suddenly disappears from the spot to try and get behind him. If he's lucky, Dirk fell for it and countered a person who was no longer there, leaving his back open for another kick. If he's not lucky... Well, that just means Dirk knew exactly what sort of strategy Bro was going for, which would make sense considering they're the same person.]

[anotherdirkstrider]

[Dirk braces for a block only to have Bro disappear-- which means he knows just what's coming. He turns around just fast enough to block the blade still takes the brunt of another kick; this time only staggering back a moment before returning with a parry. They would be evenly matched but for the extra decade or so of growth (and practice) on the part of Bro, because even the harsh conditions of the Crockpocalypse can't make up for years of training.]

[stridercentric]

[The parry's good, but not good enough. Bro tilts his sword into a vertical position to block it, then immediately flashsteps upwards to avoid any further attacks. It's been a fun ride, but he'll try and find a way to end it now. If it was Dave, he would've grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and flung him off the building, but Dirk is older and taller. No dice on that. The next best thing would be knocking his katana out of his hands, so he'll attempt just that with a well-aimed swipe.]

[anotherdirkstrider]

[His sword clatters to the ground a few feet away. He's sagging in his stance and breathing heavily; Dirk looks frustrated-- but with himself more than anything.]

Alright, alright. Got me.

[He begrudgingly yields, walking over to pick up his sword.]

Good fight. Haven't been bested like that by anyone before.

[stridercentric]

[Bro has his own katana disappear into his sylladex again, a mild smile tugging at the corners of his lips.]

Yeah, well, unironically ironically? I'm you. Your greatest opponent is yourself or some shit like that. If it helps, you put up one hell of a fight.

[anotherdirkstrider]

[Great, last thing he needs is another splinter of himself to grapple with. Luckily Bro seems like he has crap of his own to keep him out of Dirk's own personal shitstorm-- at least his older-AU incarnation seems like he's at least marginally less fucked-up. If Bro is anything like Dirk is, though, that's all just a big show put on so no one sees the tangled mess of a fucker beneath it.]

I don't let anyone take me easy.