Log: [CLOSED] Japan and Taiwan, sparring

[lu_dao_gu_niang]

Despite everything else that had been going on, Taiwan had worked hard preparing for this fight. To give it less than her best would be insulting to both Japan and herself. A lot of people hadn't seemed to understand why the two of them would fight if they insisted they weren't angry at each other - because she hadn't been, not really - but she

Comments

[honorifics]

Bored. Above all, Japan was bored. Not to say life on the seas wasn't exciting -- oh no, it was far from that -- but he simply missed a good, charged fight. It had been so long since his last duel, he could hardly remember what it was like. It was a good excuse to see Taiwan too, even if their conversations had been a tad bit... awkward as of late. It was hardly an issue, as he would not let his emotions get in the way.

On the deck of the S.S. Pasta, sun high in the sky, he holds out a sheathed katana for her as she approaches. He had originally asked her for a spar, but it was more of a challenge this way and he longed to hear the clash of swords again. "I hope you have prepared yourself for this." Japan smiles softly as he lets go of the hilt, testing her speed already.

[lu_dao_gu_niang]

They'd cleared a huge area of the deck for use during the fight, but likely they wouldn't use most of it. Japan...looked...well, as excited as he ever seemed to. Which wasn't much. But you don't live with someone for half a century without coming to know them well - or at least better. Sometimes better than they knew...

Without even thinking about it, she reaches out to take a hold of the sword as it falls, grip firm on the hilt, letting gravity pull it out of the sheath before flicking her wrist just so to send the sheath flying up, catching it in her other hand without looking. It was a flashy, entirely unnecessary movement, but one challenge must needs be met by another. "Yes." She says formally, and bows.

[honorifics]

He bows as well, unsheathing his sword in a smooth motion as he rises again. Japan can see that Taiwan had retained the skills he had taught her and that pleased him. Speed was good so far, but will she hold her own during this...? He steps back a fair distance from her, settling into a starting position, sword raised and waiting.

"I will allow you to strike first," he says airily, smile fading fast, a more serious expression replacing it.

[lu_dao_gu_niang]

"What makes you think I need your permission?" Taiwan answers, perhaps a little bit petulantly, but mostly accepting the challenge for what it was. She swings the sword a bit hesitantly; not because she wasn't confident, but because she wasn't yet used to the weight... No more talk now, and she brings her sword up in an arc from low to high to meet Japan's already raised one.

[honorifics]

"Not permission," he gets out before holding his ground, tightening his grip on the hilt. "Merely giving you the first move." Japan steps back and shifts to his right, sliding the sword back against her, putting some force into it.

[lu_dao_gu_niang]

She spins, catching Japan's blade with her own and dissipating some of the force, but it still sends tingles up her arm. She counters by using her momentum from the spin to try to land a hit behind Japan...

[honorifics]

[ counters too late, the sword angled strangely as he does so, stumbling back ]

Good. Resourceful as always.

[lu_dao_gu_niang]

[ a little overconfident now, presses forward a bit too soon, perhaps, to try and take advantage of Japan losing balance ]

That's part of being an island, isn't it?

[honorifics]

True enough. [ had already regained his footing and steps aside quickly, hoping to catch her off guard ]

[lu_dao_gu_niang]

[ miscalculates and goes flying past Japan; not exactly off balance, but just that little bit uncentered ] Ah-!

[honorifics]

Too rash. [ he waits for her to steady herself again, unwilling to take advantage ]

[lu_dao_gu_niang]

[ a little disappointed in herself for making such an obvious error, but more at Japan for not taking her seriously... It takes her a split second to resume a solid stance, and she holds up her sword, looking at Japan ] You said you wouldn't go easy on me.

[honorifics]

I am not. [ dashes forward, swinging towards her midsection ]

[lu_dao_gu_niang]

You are. [ easily parries the swing, stepping back to increase the distance and then slightly to the side to try and knock the blade off balance. ] Don't think I can't tell-

[honorifics]

[ follows along with her parry, scraping his sword along hers ] I do not know what you are talking about.

[lu_dao_gu_niang]

[ anger makes her a little stronger, and she forcibly tries to push Japan's blade away to give herself more room to maneuver ] Japan-!