10th Kill [Action]

[myowndrumbeat]

[The sun is lowering in the sky as River Tam steps out of one of the many shops along the main avenue in Luceti, her eyes sharp and piercing, yet at the same time dully reflecting the ruddy light from the sun in her two shining orbs of bloodied crystal

Comments

[oda_hates_me]

[Sanji's on another one of his trips through the plaza, now that he's checked on the crew and made sure they haven't eaten each other or his dear Robin-chwan hasn't trolled them all to death. It's time to return to Nami in the plains before settling down somewhere for the night.

The lady he spots is a girl he's seen before, here and there. Can't place a name, though, a fact which makes him sad. A shame he's never had a chance to converse with her, now that he thinks about it, and he's on a bit of a schedule, too--

... One that is suddenly going to have to wait when he takes note of the blood dripping down her hand and the sword that's in a bruising grip. He doesn't stop to think - Sanji just moves, immediately concerned and not a little bit worried for her health]

Oi, Miss!

[myowndrumbeat]

[She doesn't move a muscle as Sanji calls out, not even her eyes move as he approaches, River just stands there, the blood dripping from her palm slowly sliding down the blade and dripping off the tip.]

[oda_hates_me]

[The concern spikes... as does his wariness. Why isn't she moving? Did she not hear him?]

Ah... Miss? [he's a few feet away and still walking forward, glance bouncing between her face and the sword she still wields. Said very softly:]

You're bleeding.

[myowndrumbeat]

[As Sanji steps closer into range, there's an abrupt shift in River's stance. There's no discernible moment between her frozen body, and the suddenness of her fluid change into motion. Between one moment and the next, her sword has come flying from it's original position along her side, and is swinging up towards Sanji's face.

Her face.. remains unchanged]

[oda_hates_me]

[Quick.

That the blow merely grazes Sanji's cheek rather than slicing off his nose when he takes a reflexive step back is testament to years of Zeff pounding all his fighting knowledge into the chef. Without even thinking, he switches to a defensive position.

But he doesn't take another step back yet]

Miss... [his voice has grown quiet] I'm not going to hurt you.

[myowndrumbeat]

[Oh, that "Miss" you're talking to, she's already followed your retreat backwards, and her sharp-implement is coming towards your midriff this time.]

[oda_hates_me]

[Well shit.

The moment the blow hits and skin splits from contact, Sanji puts on some speed so there's actual distance between them.

He doesn't need to look down to know how much damage she's inflicted - the sharp pain is taken note of, cataloged as a mid-level injury (shit, he should know better than to let his guard down like that), and then firmly ignored while he keeps a stubborn eye on her.

He's not ready to give up yet]

O-oi! Wait a second!

[myowndrumbeat]

[Her eyes flicker for a moment, taking in his almost inhuman speed and cataloging it for future reference. She then looks down at the intermingled blood on her sword, if it can be called a sword, and then looks up at Sanji]

..A slender thread... [She starts walking towards him again]

[oda_hates_me]

[...

Wonderful. She's insane.

And she's apparently wanting to take this further. The cries for battle that demand he fight back are stubbornly squelched into submission. This is a woman, and not one he'd call mentally stable.

He can't fight her.]

Are you even listening? [It's not a desperate plea, instead still worried and wondering if he can break through]

[myowndrumbeat]

[As he finishes his question, her eyes snap back around to his face, clearly focusing on him]

You're too loud. [SWING GOES THE SWORD, around River's head elegantly and arcing towards Sanji's]

[oda_hates_me]

[Woman or not, he's in the heat of battle and she's using a weapon he's all too familiar with. Sanji lets his body naturally pick out the trajectory, fit against it so it brushes past, and now sidestepping back as quickly as possible because he knows she'll follow regardless.

He can feel the blood running down his front and frowns]

Why are you attacking me?

[myowndrumbeat]

[As quickly as he side-steps, River rushes into the area her sword had occupied and using her bodies built up inertia, shoots her hand out like a darting snake towards Sanji's leg, her other hand coming around to punch in the opposing knee-cap as she drops into a defensive crouch]

[She does not answer the question]

[oda_hates_me]

[And Sanji backflips high into the air just as quickly, the blow grazing her intended target. But he still feels it, winces from a darting pain and the knowledgeable assumption that she's not going to listen to him.

The stance he lands into is not one of defense, but of offense, no matter how it twists his stomach.

Damn it.]

[myowndrumbeat]

[She turns towards Sanji's new position, her other hand closing around her makeshift sword, and her own stance becoming something like a traditional Japanese samurai, raising it over her head, tip pointed towards Sanji's feet, as she looks at him evenly]

[oda_hates_me]

[And after a tense second of staring her down...

Sanji bows his head, stance shifting back into defense. The coil in his stomach simultaneously tightens and relaxes with the movement.

No matter what happens, the first move is always going to belong to her]

[myowndrumbeat]

[She shifts slightly, and then abruptly bursts forward, her sword slipping through the air and almost... sidling, up to Sanji before slapping forward with a deadly cutting force across his chest]