A holiday tradition [OPEN]

[adiosasshole]

Characters: Shinjiro Aragaki, Akihiko Sanda, any others who want to go who aren't on the plot mission
Content: Shinjiro goes monster hunting ala Vohemaro tradition, Aki insists on going too. Gotta love the holidays
Setting: The Badlands, far enough from the Silvana/Farm to avoid trouble
Time: Afternoon
Warnings: Fighting, grumpy brotastic moments

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[caesarstrike]

Akihiko narrowed his eyes as he stepped outside. It was that harsh kind of cold that he hadn't quite been expecting, not to mention the arid air. It didn't matter. He'd get in more than enough fights to warm himself up - and Caesar (the warlord, how appropriate) was itching for some practice.

He sighed. Of course Shinji would leave without him, he'd known it when he told him not to. It would have been surprising if he'd actually stuck around.

But it was the principle of the thing.

He pulled his scarf a little tighter and picked up his pace - not quite running, but fast enough to catch up. He idly wondered how long Shinji had been gone for. Not long, since he wasn't that far away, but long enough to be a good distance. He caught up, and grabbed Shinji's arm, the one that wasn't holding the axe. "Thanks for not letting me know you were leaving."

[adiosasshole]

"You're welcome." He tossed back, a shadow of the smirk he carried so well when they were teenagers on his face. He didn't even bother stopping or slowing down: the day Aki couldn't keep up with him was the day the Reial split in half or something.

Shinjiro himself didn't seem bothered at all by the bitter winds; his coat was buttoned up just as much as it ever was, and he has always dressed as if he was preparing for a sudden cold snap.

"You ready?"

[caesarstrike]

Akihiko's lips twitched at Shinji's response. How... typical. It seemed some things would never change, and that level of familiarity was almost calming, compared to the initial shock that had come with finding that Shinji was alive, let alone on the ship.

Akihiko grinned. "Let's do it."

[adiosasshole]

"Tch, calm down." He snorted, shifting his shoulders and moving his axe from one to the other. Once upon a time he had been even more hot-headed then Aki when it came to battle. Running ahead, not paying attention to who got in his way. But four years seemed to have soothed some of that fire in his belly.

A death would do that.

Shinji tilted his head to one side, indicating a beaten path about 50 feet away. "Chocobo tracks. Thinking about hunting down a Red for dinner." Chocobos weren't known for being overly intimidating. But Reds and Blacks were meaner, stronger, and could easily kill a man.

They also tasted amazing.

[caesarstrike]

Akihiko smirked. He was eager, yes, but he was able to keep himself from bouncing off the walls, as the saying goes, in anticipation. It was the Badlands - he'd get a good fight soon enough. It wouldn't be smart to use up all his energy before anything fun could happen. "It'll be nice to fight with you again."

He looked in the direction Shinji indicated, and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Chocobo, huh? Can't say I've ever had that." But he'd heard about how nasty Reds and Blacks could be, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't looking forward to seeing how he'd fare against one.

[adiosasshole]

"It tastes kinda like wild turkey. You'll like it." he replied off-handedly, walking towards the tracks as if he expected Aki to follow.

"Watch out if we see one. Reds know magic."

[caesarstrike]

"I hope so," he said, slightly behind Shinji.

He cocked an eyebrow. "Magic... would you happen to know its affinities?" Birds were usually weak against lightning, but sometimes they could be surprising.

[adiosasshole]

"Do I look like frickin' Kirijo?" he grumbled, though there was a hint of familiarity in his words. But no way in hell was he going to say he missed that preppy ice-queen. Guy had to have some pride, after all.

"I know they can shot fire. That's it." That said he started walking towards the trail, his pace quickening to a steady jog he knew would get both their blood pumping and ready to go.

[caesarstrike]

His lips twitched. That reminded him, he had to get a missive to her. She'd be happy to know that Shinji was all right.

"Fire, hm." At least there wouldn't be an elemental issue. He usually did pretty well against fire, in fact, all things considered. He joined Shinji when he picked up the pace, anticipation building.

[adiosasshole]

"Hn." Was all he replied with. Outside of the occasional taunt, he was never chatty in a fight, even less so now. Instead his jog became a long legged run, and before long they were passing yellow chocobos grazing in the scrubby Badlands brush. The birds 'warked' and scattered. Nothing red as of yet.

"Try spookin' them. Might flush the big guy out."

[caesarstrike]

His eyes narrowed. What was Shinji expecting, for him to run into them flapping his arms? He sighed and took out his Evoker. If he could tone down a Ziodyne into a simple Zio, it shouldn't be an issue. He opened the chamber, made sure that there weren't any bullets inside, and put it between his eyes. He summoned Caesar, who brought down lightning as he raised his globe.

It was enough to send the yellow Chocobo scrambling, and the make the red one come out. He put his Evoker away and rolled his shoulder, ready to fight.

[adiosasshole]

He watched Caesar appear, and his eyes widened in pure unadulterated shock. That.... that was not Polyduces. Not at all. Somewhere in the back of his mind Castor stirred, sharing his surprise. How.... how was that even possible?

'Looks like Akihiko ain't your twin anymore.' some darkly amused part of him, the part that was slowly gaining Gin's voice, whispered in his ear.

But there was no time for that now, that bird was pissed. The Red was bigger then the others, and faster. So before Shinjiro could manage a swing at it, the bird was spewing fireballs from it's beak.

[caesarstrike]

The fireballs landed haphazardly around him, and he vaguely wondered why he wasn't surprised. Imagine, a red magical bird using fire. Who would've thought?

He pulled out his Evoker again, and checked it again out of habit. He didn't want to kill it with lightning, but at the same time, getting close to it wasn't an option. He summoned Caesar again, toning down another Ziodyne. That should injure it enough to get in a good fight without having to resort to Caesar again, maybe stun it, if he was lucky.

[adiosasshole]

The bird warked loudly, upset that it's attacks weren't working. With another hissing call it charged at Akihiko, it's feathers charged with electricity from the Ziodyne.

Up close it was taller then either of them by far, and had to weigh as much as them both put together. Not to mention those talons looked to be as long as steak knives....

"Damn it Aki! Punch it!" Shinji bellowed, charging behind the bird.

[caesarstrike]

Shit. That hadn't turned out the way he'd thought.

The bird came toward him, and he only had maybe five seconds to think. He could hit it at the base of its throat, maybe, if he jumped. He heard Shinji yell out... something, the words not registering.

It was a lot bigger than it looked, up close. He wasn't quite fast enough in getting out of the way, dodging the bird's slash late enough to end up with a gash on his arm. He jumped, aiming high, and felt his fist make contact against something that felt softer than bone.

[adiosasshole]

Akihiko's fist slammed right into the bird's throat, making it gags and it's eyes bug out. The chocobo backed up, wings flapping in panic...

... just in time to step into Shinjiro's attack with his axe, swipping the legs out from under the beast and cutting it deeply.

Shinjiro didn't say anything, though he was smirking with a familiar lust for battle. For taking on something stronger and coming out on top.