☘ 003; [action]

[riastrad_ridire]

[A; 1335 Benny Rd.]

[Those passing by today might be able to find Lancer walking out of his house holding a lance and leaning it against his shoulder; it was far more mundane than his Noble Phantasm, but a respectable weapon regardless. Unfortunately, having only the strength of a human made him realize how heavy and awkward a lance was. But he

Comments

B:

[lunawolves10th]

[An armored figure steps into view, holding an old-style spatha in one hand.]

Care for some practice, friend?

[riastrad_ridire]

[Screw headaches, his sparring match radar is going off.]

What the-...Garviel?

[That was a lot of armor.]

[lunawolves10th]

Indeed.

[he takes a wide stance, blade held in his right hand for the moment, left hand open-palmed and out towards Lancer.]

[riastrad_ridire]

Heh. Sounds good to me.

[He shifted into a stance, slightly awkward due to dealing with the enhanced speed and the weight of a different lance in his hands.]

Don't hold back just because I'm human.

[lunawolves10th]

[Garviel steps forward at the inhuman speed granted by his boosted astartes physique, sweeping a thunderous blow in across Lancer's body, testing his guard and reflexes.]

[riastrad_ridire]

--?!

[He raised the lance to block, the sheer force of the strike running through his whole body and damn near making him lose his grip on the weapon. Lancer hadn't felt this weak in the face of an opponent since...ever, actually.]

[lunawolves10th]

[Garviel halts, lowering his blade]

Are you all right, friend?

[riastrad_ridire]

Fine. Perfectly fine.

[Damn, did he ever hate being human.]

And I told you not to hold back--!

[Lancer recovered fairly quickly, lashing out with a strike driven by years of experience and yet only a fraction of the strength he should have had.]

[lunawolves10th]

[Garviel steps back, parrying the strike, smiling behind his helm in response to the thrust, deflecting it as sparks run along the metal of both their weapons, casting little cinders down to the ground.]

I did not. I just saw the look on your face and was concerned.

[riastrad_ridire]

Don't be concerned--if I get killed, I get killed. I'll need to learn this ridiculous form's limits eventually.

[He jumped back to put some distance between them before moving to strike again--the speed boost was getting easier to manage now.]

[lunawolves10th]

[he manages a half-shrug before he's on the defensive again, sweeping his blade out and across the haft of the spear as it plunges in, deflecting it from his body and into his shoulder pauldron, which is stripped clean of paint and begins to have scratched ceramite. He counters with an open-handed backhand with his left hand at Lancer's chest, trying to knock him down.]

[riastrad_ridire]

--!

[Ever been hit by a truck? Well, Lancer hadn't. But he was pretty sure it'd feel like that.]

[He got back up as quickly as he could, taking on a defensive stance and silently cursing Mayfield for dropping him to this level.]

[lunawolves10th]

[Garviel nods, ceding the initiative to Lancer for a moment, thoughtful.]

I know how you feel. You still have your technique but the body will not function at the level you need it to. I can understand your frustration. Give it time, endure, and do what you can.

[he moves forward, feinting a high-line cut with the spatha, converting to a mid-range skewering thrust at Lancer's midsection halfway through the movement.]

But remember, friend. Even as a human we can still make a difference.

[riastrad_ridire]

Don't have much of a choice, do I--?!

[He managed to dodge Garviel's strike, but there was barely an inch between Lancer and one hell of a nasty injury.]

Heh. I can live with this. Even if it's on a different level, I can still fight.

[lunawolves10th]

Indeed!

[he halts for a moment, giving Lancer time to adjust and readdress him.]

I am glad you contracted with Rin, you know.

[riastrad_ridire]

Is that right? I doubt you're as pleased about it as I am.

[He readjusted his stance and waited for Garviel to attack again.]

She's several levels above the false priest I had as my last Master.