Of Swords (log)
Where: Devil May Cry
When: Wednesday, 26th July, 2006, evening
Who: Karla (nosaneland) and Vergil (yamato_devil)
Summary: Karla goes in search of rumours and finds Vergil. Fighting ensues.
Notes: Comments are loved and petted. :D If only to tell me how bad my Karla is.
She had to forgive them for staring, Karla decided as she strode through the streets of one of the worse areas of time, consulting the street signs and numbers every so often, although other than that, her gaze was fixed firmly ahead. It wasn't very often that one saw a woman in white robes with a sheathed katana walking down the street, and she was doing little to avoid drawing attention to herself. Still, unless any of those around her were swordsmen, they were of no concern whatsoever.
Opponents... She'd heard rumour after arriving in this polluted city, heard that there was a family of swordsmen -like my own...?-, heard that they were unparalleled. She'd heard other things -the blood of monsters, not humans...? It isn't my concern...-, but the fact remained that there were supposedly an infamous family of swordsmen. And if the rumours were so prevalent that she, a newcomer of only two weeks to the grimy city had heard them, then surely he must have heard them, too.
Brother... am I to meet the family of a foe you've slain, or is this another dead end...?
Stopping in her tracks outside the run down building, Karla took it all in. The flashing neon sign, the half-painted front of the house, the broken window, the 'open' sign in the window. "I'm prepared," she murmured to herself, striding through the doors and into the shop.
Being a demon hunter was hardly pleasurable. Demons seemed to have no consideration for what others may have been doing as often, there would be no work for days and then quite abruptly, there would be four or five jobs to see to in one morning, it really was tiresome even if it did get his blood pumping whenever he actually got to fight. It was what he lived for and unlike his twin, he got paid.
Striding out of the bathroom wearing nothing but his leather pants and knee-high boots, Vergil rubbed his damp hair with a towel, not particularly caring as it stuck up in all directions, after all he was not expecting anyone, so what did he care if he was without a shirt and with wet hair? Tossing the towel into the laundry basket (which was rather full, but it was Dante's turn to take it to the Laundromat), he sat on the couch and began to polish Yamato, looking rather relaxed.
That was until he heard the front door open. Frowning darkly, he rose to his full height, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to tame it "The shop is closing." He commented emotionlessly.
Karla's eyes were instantly drawn not to Vergil's bare chest or wet hair, but to the blade in his hands. It was an exquisitely crafted katana, she could tell that from here; it was no random blade to be used and discarded, it transcended the purpose for which it had been crafted. It was a fine blade, but it brought Karla disappointment. Brother would not have passed up competition with a man who wielded a blade such as that. "Shop?" she questioned absently, eventually processing that the man who held that blade had spoken to her. "I don't come here for business," she shook her head, dark hair falling in her eyes.
One hand went to the sheath of her katana as she kneaded the green tassels in her hand, more as an idle habit than out of any nonexistent nervousness. "I'd heard that a family of respected swordsmen lived in this place," she explained, her gaze inevitably going back to his katana. "Is it true...?"
Someone actively seeking out Dante and I? Hm, she has a katana too, but she's only human. I doubt as an opponent she'd be particularly formidable, he thought, allowing his piercing gaze to wander as he took in her appearance, paying particular attention to the katana in her hand. It was shorter than his own, but given the girl's height it was no real surprise as he had always thought it was rather foolish wielding a weapon that was bigger than you.
"So, what did you come down here for?" He questioned after a moment, although he already had a good idea of what it was, seeing the determination in her eyes. It seems as though she wants to prove herself. But what is a woman doing with a sword? No honourable man would have a woman fight their battles. Moving over and grabbing his waistcoat, he added flatly, "I assume you wish to fight, well I refuse to fight a woman. It is dishonourable, this may be a modern world, but women are no stronger now than they were a hundred years ago."
She will need to prove her strength, before I raise my blade to her.
Karla's eyebrows arched. That had been unexpected. It didn't particularly annoy her, that he dismissed her purely for her gender; it was something that she was adjusted to from her upbringing and didn't even find particularly wrong or unfair. "I see," her tone was simple and solemn. "I wished to fight, and I wished to know if you've fought another. But... that blade you hold," she nodded to it. "...you would not still be alive if you had fought him, he would not have turned away from one such as you." She didn't mean it as a provocative statement in the least; she had very little interest in provoking Vergil. While Karla accepted any challenge that came her way, if a challenge of hers was refused, she merely accepted it and moved on. If brother is not here, it does not matter whether I fight him or not.
Another? Vergil raised an eyebrow, studying her appearance once again before he drawled casually "You overestimate your friend. Against someone such an I, he would not stand a chance," he refrained from adding 'because he's a human', only because he figured it would alarm her. Perhaps I should fight her. She clearly wants to fight, she seems to have some kind of experience with a blade, not just anyone can wield a katana and wield it well.
Slicking back his wet hair again as several strands fell over his eyes, he folded his arms across his chest, the golden tassels tied around the hilt of his katana swaying a little with the action "I'll fight you," he drawled after a moment, gazing down at her with cold eyes "Only because you have a katana. Do not disappoint me."
"I will judge whether or not you'd be able to stand against him," Karla said calmly, gazing at Vergil. She didn't particularly care how her opponents perceived her, so the prospect of disappointing him was not too unpleasant. As far as she was concerned, this was just another battle after a failed lead in seeking Karel. Spotting the open door to the back lot, Karla nodded in that direction, questioning, "And the terms of the battle?"
Karla didn't always fight to the death, often just to unconsciousness or clear victory, although the prospect of a mortal battle didn't at all disturb her. That was another of her ways; always let the opponent choose the terms of the battle. She was a swordmaster, she would flourish or fall whether it be to the death or otherwise.
"You're the woman," Vergil responded after a moment, fastening his waistcoat and striding outside (Dante would kill him if he broke another piece of furniture) "It's only fair that you dictate the terms, since you are the one at a disadvantage." Taking a fighting stance, he waited for her to make the decision.
Karla's eyebrows arched as she followed him outside, although she shook her head after a moment, her long hair flicking around her. "I care not. Whatever the terms, I expect no mercy and will give none." If he wished to underestimate her for her womanhood, that was really his problem. "Decide whichever you prefer." Honour was too much to accept from today's warrior, but Karla still had it in spades.
"Very well," the half-demon drawled "In that case, I propose a sparring match. The winner shall be determined by the one who is left standing. If a serious injury is sustained, the fight will end automatically, you would do well to prepare yourself. We shall begin when you are ready." He was unused to setting the terms in battle, usually leaving it to his opponent, but he did not want to engage in a battle to the death with a human. He placed no value on a human life (unless that human happened to be Yuna), but it was bad enough that he had agreed to fight a human woman.
"As you wish," Karla said simply, gazing at him impassively. He was muscular, but not a brute, so he was probably like her, relying on a mixture of speed and strength. He was taller than her, although by only a couple of inches, and most likely had more force. His katana was longer, but also slightly thicker. She'd need to keep an eye on it at all times. Nodding and drawing her own katana, Karla beckoned him forwards. "I am ready. Come."
I should make sure I don't use my Phantom Blades and teleportation powers. Not until I know what this girl is capable of. Besides, my speed alone will be enough for this. No human could match me. Smirking confidently, Vergil abruptly darted forwards, moving swiftly as he unsheathed his katana and slashed outwards, stopping dead as he did so to make the slash even more sudden and powerful. No human will defeat me. Especially not a woman.
Catching the movement out of the corner of her eye, Karla leapt high in the air, twisting in the air and drawing her blade, landing rather elegantly on the blade of Vergil's katana, although she quickly flipped backwards, jumping to the ground again. While standing on the blade of your opponent's sword was impressive, it left you critically vulnerable, and Karla was much too experienced for that. Rushing forwards at an abnormal speed for a mortal, she struck forwards with the katana, diving to the side as she did so, in an attempt to land a blow to his chest. Non-fatal, but severe should it strike.
She's fast! Deflecting her attack with Yamato with relative ease, he began to take the fight much more seriously, taking advantage of his height and superior strength he forced her blade to the side before jumping up, twisting his body elegantly in the air and landing behind her before he slashed again with Yamato. No more fooling around. If she wants a battle, she'll get one. No human could be that fast. Something must be helping her.
He's a disciplined warrior, Karla mused, managing to dodge the blow, although the side of her robe was nicked, a thin slit appearing. Her robes were rather battered, anyway, it was irritatingly hard to find clothing suitable for swordfighting in battle in the city limits. Blocking another strike with her katana, she stood back, deciding to try a different tactic. Rushing at him and leaping high in the air, flipping in the air and landing cleanly behind him, she swung around to make a slash at him. But... he isn't like him...
How could she block my attack?! … what is she? Narrowing his eyes as he heard her land behind him, he swiftly twisted his body to evade her katana although due to the awkward position he could not completely evade it, the blade leaving a shallow cut on his chest although he did not react to it, merely taking advantage of her position and slashing rapidly. I can beat a human without my powers.
Karla gritted her teeth. This man wasn't like brother, but he was certainly strong, inhumanly strong. I'd heard all sorts of things, monster's blood, perhaps it is true. But this is not the time for such thoughts. Managing to narrowly dodge and deflect the strikes, she wound up backed against a wall, although it served her purposes. For a moment, she stood still, and then moved impossibly fast; to the naked eye, it seemed that she was almost teleporting, striking Vergil three times, once from behind and once from each side before seeming to reappear above where she had been, twisting in the air and landing well, gripping the hilt of the katana tightly as she breathed deeply. It was her most damaging move, it had struck countless men before down, although she'd taken care to make sure none of the strikes against Vergil would be deadly. She'd play by his rules all the way.
Feeling the first strike cut into his back, Vergil reacted quickly and in a flash of blue, teleported and re-appeared a short distance away, swiftly slicking back his hair again as he sheathed Yamato calmly. She is capable of displacement? … Interesting. Perhaps she is more of a worthy opponent than I had first thought. Deciding he would no longer hold back, he narrowed silver-blue eyes before swiftly teleporting again, appearing right in front of her and driving Yamato forward. It was a standard impalement move, although it lacked the force to do any real damage, it would pierce the skin and hurt a fair bit, but not run right through her whole body.
Holding back is so tiresome, Yamato could slice through her body like butter. But she's human. Last time I checked, impalement was fatal to a human.
Karla gasped in surprise, unable to help it as she dived to the side quickly. She managed to avoid the brunt of the strike, preventing any potential death, but the blade grazed her side deep, her robes quickly becoming stained blood red. Hissing in pain and quickly moving aside, holding one hand over her wound, the thought of conceding went through her mind for a moment. No, she decided, she'd give it one more try. It was hard to gauge if she'd dealt much damage to Vergil, but she would give it one more shot before conceding her defeat. For all she knew, victory could be right around the corner.
Ignoring the growing agony in her side, Karla moved forwards, raising her katana -thankfully, it had not been her sword side that had been struck, so she was still able to put a decent amount of power behind her strikes- and striking at him. It was a well-timed strike, although her movements lacked quite the same elegance and grace that they had had before she was wounded.
She is injured. She should concede soon, he thought, elegantly dodging the strike before swiftly adjusting his stance, crouching a little as he slashed powerfully with Yamato once again, although this time he kept the blade in the sheathe. If the wood connected, it would hurt, a lot but it would not cause any serious damage. She was already injured, it would not do to turn his blade on her now.
Karla managed to jump high in the air, flipping and dodging the strike, although her jump and landing were a great deal more sloppy than usual as the blood continued to flow from her wound. Falling to one knee and pressing both hands to the wound, dropping her blade to the ground, she bowed her head. "I concede," she called, not sounding too ashamed or upset at the fact, her tone pained. Her head was bowed, her neck exposed to allow a potential killing blow, although she was still focusing on stopping the bleeding. "The victory is yours, do as you will."
Hn. As I predicted, he thought smugly before striding over to her, offering his hand without speaking. Still, she is more powerful than I had thought. I underestimated her because she was a human woman. Not that he would concede to her doing well, he wasn't prepared to go that far just yet. "That is a fine sword you have." Her blade on the other hand…
Karla stood by herself, refusing his help, although she wasn't particularly rude about it, still focused on covering the wound. Picking up the blade and offering it, she explained in a pained tone, "It was won from a previous opponent."
Glancing down at the wound, visible through the tear in her robes, she noted that it didn't look too severe; it was painful right now, but it was just a graze, it should be gone altogether in a month's time. That was some comfort, Karla decided. Eventually, when she had grown stronger, she would challenge this man once again, however now was not the time. She had her pride, but she was not blinded by it.
Unlike Karla, Vergil's wounds had almost completely healed already since they were not particularly serious. Taking the katana from her after a moment, he held out Yamato. After all, he could not expect a swordsman… swordswoman to part with her blade for nothing. Turning the blade over in his hands, he examined the hilt and sheathe closely, admiring the quality and beauty of it before he calmly slid it out of the sheathe, twirling it experimentally and performing a few slashes, keeping himself at a safe distance from her.
The shortness was an issue, as was the fact that it was lighter than his own. It felt strange in his hands and whilst he could wield the blade competently, it was no Yamato. "It is a quality blade," he drawled after a moment, taking in every visible detail. "Balanced… well cared for. You certainly acquired a good sword."
Karla gazed over Yamato, unable to fully test it out due to her injury, although with a few swipes, she knew what she needed to. This must be a prized kind of blade, similar to the Wo Dao... if my brother has not come here now, he will at some point, I am sure of it. He would want to defeat the man who holds a sword like this.
"He was sad to part with it," she agreed absently. The pain was fading now, at least somewhat, although she would have to be careful not to overexert herself. "But those were the terms of our battle."
It occurred to her then that no terms had been set for the battle just past, although she supposed that would have been a good thing. She would not mind sacrificing the katana if it was in the terms, but a swordmaster without a weapon was an inconvenient thing indeed, and she lacked the money to purchase another. "He will come for you," she mused absently, her mind going back to the man she sought. Offering Yamato back to him, she added in a clearer tone, "The rumours that I had heard were true. Are all your family as trained in the sword arts as you?"
"Hn, no," the half-demon replied after taking Yamato back from her. "My brother would be a talented swordsman if he put in the effort, but instead of training, he fools around with guns. He is no warrior," taking a moment to check on his wounds, content when he found that they had already healed completely, he added flatly, "I will not fear someone I have never met. If ‘he’ wishes to fight then I will fight but rest assured, he wont defeat me."
"He will come here eventually," Karla assured him absently, sheathing her katana and pressing both hands against her wound, giving a soft hiss of pain for a moment. "We are drawn to the most powerful opponents."
Looking quite thoughtful as she considered Vergil’s remark about his own brother, she eventually conceded, "But it is difficult to find those who still follow the way of the blade, rather than modern weapons." She didn't scorn those who chose a modern path for weaponry, but they were not her fellow warriors, she would not fight them. Axemen, swordsmen, she would fight. Gunslingers, she would not.
"He does have broadswords," Vergil conceded after a moment "However, given the choice he will resort to his guns. He is skilled with them, but they are not the weapons of a warrior," Noticing her wince, he guided her back inside and fetched the first aid kit, returning to the lounge "Can you bandage it yourself?"
"Yes," Karla nodded. The hospitality was somewhat surprising, but she was not a proud fool, she would not refuse it. Binding the bandage around her stomach as she had hundreds of times before, she wrapped it tightly, securing the wound and ignoring the throbbing pain that the action stirred up. "I suppose those who use modern weapons have their own way," she mused after a moment. "...but that way is not mine. I live by my blade, as do my family."
"Nor is it mine," Vergil answered emotionlessly, taking the bandages from her once she was finished, inclining his head "I apologise. I misjudged my attack and you were the one who paid the price." He offered. It was not a matter of pride, but they were only sparring and she was human, he should have been in more control to avoid giving her such a bad injury.
Karla's eyebrows arched and she shook her head. "There's nothing to apologise for. The injury will heal, and it was within the terms of the fight. I would not have expected an apology had you slain me on the spot." Securing the bandages with the help of her bloody robe, she mused, "When I have grown stronger, I will challenge you to a rematch. Does this sound acceptable...?"
Studying her movements closely, Vergil offered thoughtfully, "That would suit me just fine. You have proven yourself to be a worthy opponent, I was clearly in the wrong to underestimate you," he admitted, realising that her robes were rather tattered, he calmly picked up his trench coat from where he had draped it over the couch, offering it out to her. "You may not want to walk through the streets like that."
Karla nodded, taking the trench coat from him and pulling it on. It was practicality; her robes were too tattered to possibly provide much warmth, and barely doing their job in covering her. Thankfully, Karla was quite skilled at sewing, so she'd be able to mend the robes in time, but for the short-term, this was practical. "Few people were dressed in warrior's garb," she admitted, looking thoughtful. "...I am not familiar with the ways of the city."
"I must admit, it is a rarity to see another warrior," Vergil admitted, somehow managing to refrain from adding 'human' to that sentence "Bring the coat back whenever you are able to. I'm not that attached to it."
"I'll return it soon," Karla agreed calmly, looking thoughtful. "...how others live is none of my concern. Although this place is not what I had expected." Shaking her head, hair falling in her eyes, she mused more to herself, "If there are few warriors here... I must wonder if he is in a place like this."
Vergil decided not to ask who 'he' was, merely offering casually "If you would like, I can walk you back to your home. The streets are dangerous at this time."
"It is no trouble," Karla shook her head calmly. "I have no home. Were anyone to attack me, they would be dealt with accordingly. Your offer is appreciated, though." Turning away, she mused, "...I will return for a rematch when my strength has grown."
"Take it easy for a while," he offered emotionlessly, motioning to where the blood-stained robes were visible "An injury like that will require lots of rest."
"I know," Karla agreed, admitting, "But most opponents are not so taxing in battle. I will endure." Gazing at him, she added, "I am Karla. The man you may meet... a swordsman named Karel. If you meet him... please tell him that I seek him."
Vergil inclined his head "I shall. Before I defeat him," he replied confidently before adding "I am Vergil." He considered adding that it was Vergil with an E, not an I, but decided against it.
"Vergil," Karla murmured to herself, nodding after a moment. She had never been particularly good at remembering names, often forgetting anything that was not directly related to her sword art or to her brother, but the name of an undefeated opponent? She would remember that. "Then I will be sure to return and defeat you before my brother will." A small smile graced Karla's face at that moment as she nodded, turning away. "Farewell."
When: Wednesday, 26th July, 2006, evening
Who: Karla (nosaneland) and Vergil (yamato_devil)
Summary: Karla goes in search of rumours and finds Vergil. Fighting ensues.
Notes: Comments are loved and petted. :D If only to tell me how bad my Karla is.
She had to forgive them for staring, Karla decided as she strode through the streets of one of the worse areas of time, consulting the street signs and numbers every so often, although other than that, her gaze was fixed firmly ahead. It wasn't very often that one saw a woman in white robes with a sheathed katana walking down the street, and she was doing little to avoid drawing attention to herself. Still, unless any of those around her were swordsmen, they were of no concern whatsoever.
Opponents... She'd heard rumour after arriving in this polluted city, heard that there was a family of swordsmen -like my own...?-, heard that they were unparalleled. She'd heard other things -the blood of monsters, not humans...? It isn't my concern...-, but the fact remained that there were supposedly an infamous family of swordsmen. And if the rumours were so prevalent that she, a newcomer of only two weeks to the grimy city had heard them, then surely he must have heard them, too.
Brother... am I to meet the family of a foe you've slain, or is this another dead end...?
Stopping in her tracks outside the run down building, Karla took it all in. The flashing neon sign, the half-painted front of the house, the broken window, the 'open' sign in the window. "I'm prepared," she murmured to herself, striding through the doors and into the shop.
Being a demon hunter was hardly pleasurable. Demons seemed to have no consideration for what others may have been doing as often, there would be no work for days and then quite abruptly, there would be four or five jobs to see to in one morning, it really was tiresome even if it did get his blood pumping whenever he actually got to fight. It was what he lived for and unlike his twin, he got paid.
Striding out of the bathroom wearing nothing but his leather pants and knee-high boots, Vergil rubbed his damp hair with a towel, not particularly caring as it stuck up in all directions, after all he was not expecting anyone, so what did he care if he was without a shirt and with wet hair? Tossing the towel into the laundry basket (which was rather full, but it was Dante's turn to take it to the Laundromat), he sat on the couch and began to polish Yamato, looking rather relaxed.
That was until he heard the front door open. Frowning darkly, he rose to his full height, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to tame it "The shop is closing." He commented emotionlessly.
Karla's eyes were instantly drawn not to Vergil's bare chest or wet hair, but to the blade in his hands. It was an exquisitely crafted katana, she could tell that from here; it was no random blade to be used and discarded, it transcended the purpose for which it had been crafted. It was a fine blade, but it brought Karla disappointment. Brother would not have passed up competition with a man who wielded a blade such as that. "Shop?" she questioned absently, eventually processing that the man who held that blade had spoken to her. "I don't come here for business," she shook her head, dark hair falling in her eyes.
One hand went to the sheath of her katana as she kneaded the green tassels in her hand, more as an idle habit than out of any nonexistent nervousness. "I'd heard that a family of respected swordsmen lived in this place," she explained, her gaze inevitably going back to his katana. "Is it true...?"
Someone actively seeking out Dante and I? Hm, she has a katana too, but she's only human. I doubt as an opponent she'd be particularly formidable, he thought, allowing his piercing gaze to wander as he took in her appearance, paying particular attention to the katana in her hand. It was shorter than his own, but given the girl's height it was no real surprise as he had always thought it was rather foolish wielding a weapon that was bigger than you.
"So, what did you come down here for?" He questioned after a moment, although he already had a good idea of what it was, seeing the determination in her eyes. It seems as though she wants to prove herself. But what is a woman doing with a sword? No honourable man would have a woman fight their battles. Moving over and grabbing his waistcoat, he added flatly, "I assume you wish to fight, well I refuse to fight a woman. It is dishonourable, this may be a modern world, but women are no stronger now than they were a hundred years ago."
She will need to prove her strength, before I raise my blade to her.
Karla's eyebrows arched. That had been unexpected. It didn't particularly annoy her, that he dismissed her purely for her gender; it was something that she was adjusted to from her upbringing and didn't even find particularly wrong or unfair. "I see," her tone was simple and solemn. "I wished to fight, and I wished to know if you've fought another. But... that blade you hold," she nodded to it. "...you would not still be alive if you had fought him, he would not have turned away from one such as you." She didn't mean it as a provocative statement in the least; she had very little interest in provoking Vergil. While Karla accepted any challenge that came her way, if a challenge of hers was refused, she merely accepted it and moved on. If brother is not here, it does not matter whether I fight him or not.
Another? Vergil raised an eyebrow, studying her appearance once again before he drawled casually "You overestimate your friend. Against someone such an I, he would not stand a chance," he refrained from adding 'because he's a human', only because he figured it would alarm her. Perhaps I should fight her. She clearly wants to fight, she seems to have some kind of experience with a blade, not just anyone can wield a katana and wield it well.
Slicking back his wet hair again as several strands fell over his eyes, he folded his arms across his chest, the golden tassels tied around the hilt of his katana swaying a little with the action "I'll fight you," he drawled after a moment, gazing down at her with cold eyes "Only because you have a katana. Do not disappoint me."
"I will judge whether or not you'd be able to stand against him," Karla said calmly, gazing at Vergil. She didn't particularly care how her opponents perceived her, so the prospect of disappointing him was not too unpleasant. As far as she was concerned, this was just another battle after a failed lead in seeking Karel. Spotting the open door to the back lot, Karla nodded in that direction, questioning, "And the terms of the battle?"
Karla didn't always fight to the death, often just to unconsciousness or clear victory, although the prospect of a mortal battle didn't at all disturb her. That was another of her ways; always let the opponent choose the terms of the battle. She was a swordmaster, she would flourish or fall whether it be to the death or otherwise.
"You're the woman," Vergil responded after a moment, fastening his waistcoat and striding outside (Dante would kill him if he broke another piece of furniture) "It's only fair that you dictate the terms, since you are the one at a disadvantage." Taking a fighting stance, he waited for her to make the decision.
Karla's eyebrows arched as she followed him outside, although she shook her head after a moment, her long hair flicking around her. "I care not. Whatever the terms, I expect no mercy and will give none." If he wished to underestimate her for her womanhood, that was really his problem. "Decide whichever you prefer." Honour was too much to accept from today's warrior, but Karla still had it in spades.
"Very well," the half-demon drawled "In that case, I propose a sparring match. The winner shall be determined by the one who is left standing. If a serious injury is sustained, the fight will end automatically, you would do well to prepare yourself. We shall begin when you are ready." He was unused to setting the terms in battle, usually leaving it to his opponent, but he did not want to engage in a battle to the death with a human. He placed no value on a human life (unless that human happened to be Yuna), but it was bad enough that he had agreed to fight a human woman.
"As you wish," Karla said simply, gazing at him impassively. He was muscular, but not a brute, so he was probably like her, relying on a mixture of speed and strength. He was taller than her, although by only a couple of inches, and most likely had more force. His katana was longer, but also slightly thicker. She'd need to keep an eye on it at all times. Nodding and drawing her own katana, Karla beckoned him forwards. "I am ready. Come."
I should make sure I don't use my Phantom Blades and teleportation powers. Not until I know what this girl is capable of. Besides, my speed alone will be enough for this. No human could match me. Smirking confidently, Vergil abruptly darted forwards, moving swiftly as he unsheathed his katana and slashed outwards, stopping dead as he did so to make the slash even more sudden and powerful. No human will defeat me. Especially not a woman.
Catching the movement out of the corner of her eye, Karla leapt high in the air, twisting in the air and drawing her blade, landing rather elegantly on the blade of Vergil's katana, although she quickly flipped backwards, jumping to the ground again. While standing on the blade of your opponent's sword was impressive, it left you critically vulnerable, and Karla was much too experienced for that. Rushing forwards at an abnormal speed for a mortal, she struck forwards with the katana, diving to the side as she did so, in an attempt to land a blow to his chest. Non-fatal, but severe should it strike.
She's fast! Deflecting her attack with Yamato with relative ease, he began to take the fight much more seriously, taking advantage of his height and superior strength he forced her blade to the side before jumping up, twisting his body elegantly in the air and landing behind her before he slashed again with Yamato. No more fooling around. If she wants a battle, she'll get one. No human could be that fast. Something must be helping her.
He's a disciplined warrior, Karla mused, managing to dodge the blow, although the side of her robe was nicked, a thin slit appearing. Her robes were rather battered, anyway, it was irritatingly hard to find clothing suitable for swordfighting in battle in the city limits. Blocking another strike with her katana, she stood back, deciding to try a different tactic. Rushing at him and leaping high in the air, flipping in the air and landing cleanly behind him, she swung around to make a slash at him. But... he isn't like him...
How could she block my attack?! … what is she? Narrowing his eyes as he heard her land behind him, he swiftly twisted his body to evade her katana although due to the awkward position he could not completely evade it, the blade leaving a shallow cut on his chest although he did not react to it, merely taking advantage of her position and slashing rapidly. I can beat a human without my powers.
Karla gritted her teeth. This man wasn't like brother, but he was certainly strong, inhumanly strong. I'd heard all sorts of things, monster's blood, perhaps it is true. But this is not the time for such thoughts. Managing to narrowly dodge and deflect the strikes, she wound up backed against a wall, although it served her purposes. For a moment, she stood still, and then moved impossibly fast; to the naked eye, it seemed that she was almost teleporting, striking Vergil three times, once from behind and once from each side before seeming to reappear above where she had been, twisting in the air and landing well, gripping the hilt of the katana tightly as she breathed deeply. It was her most damaging move, it had struck countless men before down, although she'd taken care to make sure none of the strikes against Vergil would be deadly. She'd play by his rules all the way.
Feeling the first strike cut into his back, Vergil reacted quickly and in a flash of blue, teleported and re-appeared a short distance away, swiftly slicking back his hair again as he sheathed Yamato calmly. She is capable of displacement? … Interesting. Perhaps she is more of a worthy opponent than I had first thought. Deciding he would no longer hold back, he narrowed silver-blue eyes before swiftly teleporting again, appearing right in front of her and driving Yamato forward. It was a standard impalement move, although it lacked the force to do any real damage, it would pierce the skin and hurt a fair bit, but not run right through her whole body.
Holding back is so tiresome, Yamato could slice through her body like butter. But she's human. Last time I checked, impalement was fatal to a human.
Karla gasped in surprise, unable to help it as she dived to the side quickly. She managed to avoid the brunt of the strike, preventing any potential death, but the blade grazed her side deep, her robes quickly becoming stained blood red. Hissing in pain and quickly moving aside, holding one hand over her wound, the thought of conceding went through her mind for a moment. No, she decided, she'd give it one more try. It was hard to gauge if she'd dealt much damage to Vergil, but she would give it one more shot before conceding her defeat. For all she knew, victory could be right around the corner.
Ignoring the growing agony in her side, Karla moved forwards, raising her katana -thankfully, it had not been her sword side that had been struck, so she was still able to put a decent amount of power behind her strikes- and striking at him. It was a well-timed strike, although her movements lacked quite the same elegance and grace that they had had before she was wounded.
She is injured. She should concede soon, he thought, elegantly dodging the strike before swiftly adjusting his stance, crouching a little as he slashed powerfully with Yamato once again, although this time he kept the blade in the sheathe. If the wood connected, it would hurt, a lot but it would not cause any serious damage. She was already injured, it would not do to turn his blade on her now.
Karla managed to jump high in the air, flipping and dodging the strike, although her jump and landing were a great deal more sloppy than usual as the blood continued to flow from her wound. Falling to one knee and pressing both hands to the wound, dropping her blade to the ground, she bowed her head. "I concede," she called, not sounding too ashamed or upset at the fact, her tone pained. Her head was bowed, her neck exposed to allow a potential killing blow, although she was still focusing on stopping the bleeding. "The victory is yours, do as you will."
Hn. As I predicted, he thought smugly before striding over to her, offering his hand without speaking. Still, she is more powerful than I had thought. I underestimated her because she was a human woman. Not that he would concede to her doing well, he wasn't prepared to go that far just yet. "That is a fine sword you have." Her blade on the other hand…
Karla stood by herself, refusing his help, although she wasn't particularly rude about it, still focused on covering the wound. Picking up the blade and offering it, she explained in a pained tone, "It was won from a previous opponent."
Glancing down at the wound, visible through the tear in her robes, she noted that it didn't look too severe; it was painful right now, but it was just a graze, it should be gone altogether in a month's time. That was some comfort, Karla decided. Eventually, when she had grown stronger, she would challenge this man once again, however now was not the time. She had her pride, but she was not blinded by it.
Unlike Karla, Vergil's wounds had almost completely healed already since they were not particularly serious. Taking the katana from her after a moment, he held out Yamato. After all, he could not expect a swordsman… swordswoman to part with her blade for nothing. Turning the blade over in his hands, he examined the hilt and sheathe closely, admiring the quality and beauty of it before he calmly slid it out of the sheathe, twirling it experimentally and performing a few slashes, keeping himself at a safe distance from her.
The shortness was an issue, as was the fact that it was lighter than his own. It felt strange in his hands and whilst he could wield the blade competently, it was no Yamato. "It is a quality blade," he drawled after a moment, taking in every visible detail. "Balanced… well cared for. You certainly acquired a good sword."
Karla gazed over Yamato, unable to fully test it out due to her injury, although with a few swipes, she knew what she needed to. This must be a prized kind of blade, similar to the Wo Dao... if my brother has not come here now, he will at some point, I am sure of it. He would want to defeat the man who holds a sword like this.
"He was sad to part with it," she agreed absently. The pain was fading now, at least somewhat, although she would have to be careful not to overexert herself. "But those were the terms of our battle."
It occurred to her then that no terms had been set for the battle just past, although she supposed that would have been a good thing. She would not mind sacrificing the katana if it was in the terms, but a swordmaster without a weapon was an inconvenient thing indeed, and she lacked the money to purchase another. "He will come for you," she mused absently, her mind going back to the man she sought. Offering Yamato back to him, she added in a clearer tone, "The rumours that I had heard were true. Are all your family as trained in the sword arts as you?"
"Hn, no," the half-demon replied after taking Yamato back from her. "My brother would be a talented swordsman if he put in the effort, but instead of training, he fools around with guns. He is no warrior," taking a moment to check on his wounds, content when he found that they had already healed completely, he added flatly, "I will not fear someone I have never met. If ‘he’ wishes to fight then I will fight but rest assured, he wont defeat me."
"He will come here eventually," Karla assured him absently, sheathing her katana and pressing both hands against her wound, giving a soft hiss of pain for a moment. "We are drawn to the most powerful opponents."
Looking quite thoughtful as she considered Vergil’s remark about his own brother, she eventually conceded, "But it is difficult to find those who still follow the way of the blade, rather than modern weapons." She didn't scorn those who chose a modern path for weaponry, but they were not her fellow warriors, she would not fight them. Axemen, swordsmen, she would fight. Gunslingers, she would not.
"He does have broadswords," Vergil conceded after a moment "However, given the choice he will resort to his guns. He is skilled with them, but they are not the weapons of a warrior," Noticing her wince, he guided her back inside and fetched the first aid kit, returning to the lounge "Can you bandage it yourself?"
"Yes," Karla nodded. The hospitality was somewhat surprising, but she was not a proud fool, she would not refuse it. Binding the bandage around her stomach as she had hundreds of times before, she wrapped it tightly, securing the wound and ignoring the throbbing pain that the action stirred up. "I suppose those who use modern weapons have their own way," she mused after a moment. "...but that way is not mine. I live by my blade, as do my family."
"Nor is it mine," Vergil answered emotionlessly, taking the bandages from her once she was finished, inclining his head "I apologise. I misjudged my attack and you were the one who paid the price." He offered. It was not a matter of pride, but they were only sparring and she was human, he should have been in more control to avoid giving her such a bad injury.
Karla's eyebrows arched and she shook her head. "There's nothing to apologise for. The injury will heal, and it was within the terms of the fight. I would not have expected an apology had you slain me on the spot." Securing the bandages with the help of her bloody robe, she mused, "When I have grown stronger, I will challenge you to a rematch. Does this sound acceptable...?"
Studying her movements closely, Vergil offered thoughtfully, "That would suit me just fine. You have proven yourself to be a worthy opponent, I was clearly in the wrong to underestimate you," he admitted, realising that her robes were rather tattered, he calmly picked up his trench coat from where he had draped it over the couch, offering it out to her. "You may not want to walk through the streets like that."
Karla nodded, taking the trench coat from him and pulling it on. It was practicality; her robes were too tattered to possibly provide much warmth, and barely doing their job in covering her. Thankfully, Karla was quite skilled at sewing, so she'd be able to mend the robes in time, but for the short-term, this was practical. "Few people were dressed in warrior's garb," she admitted, looking thoughtful. "...I am not familiar with the ways of the city."
"I must admit, it is a rarity to see another warrior," Vergil admitted, somehow managing to refrain from adding 'human' to that sentence "Bring the coat back whenever you are able to. I'm not that attached to it."
"I'll return it soon," Karla agreed calmly, looking thoughtful. "...how others live is none of my concern. Although this place is not what I had expected." Shaking her head, hair falling in her eyes, she mused more to herself, "If there are few warriors here... I must wonder if he is in a place like this."
Vergil decided not to ask who 'he' was, merely offering casually "If you would like, I can walk you back to your home. The streets are dangerous at this time."
"It is no trouble," Karla shook her head calmly. "I have no home. Were anyone to attack me, they would be dealt with accordingly. Your offer is appreciated, though." Turning away, she mused, "...I will return for a rematch when my strength has grown."
"Take it easy for a while," he offered emotionlessly, motioning to where the blood-stained robes were visible "An injury like that will require lots of rest."
"I know," Karla agreed, admitting, "But most opponents are not so taxing in battle. I will endure." Gazing at him, she added, "I am Karla. The man you may meet... a swordsman named Karel. If you meet him... please tell him that I seek him."
Vergil inclined his head "I shall. Before I defeat him," he replied confidently before adding "I am Vergil." He considered adding that it was Vergil with an E, not an I, but decided against it.
"Vergil," Karla murmured to herself, nodding after a moment. She had never been particularly good at remembering names, often forgetting anything that was not directly related to her sword art or to her brother, but the name of an undefeated opponent? She would remember that. "Then I will be sure to return and defeat you before my brother will." A small smile graced Karla's face at that moment as she nodded, turning away. "Farewell."