( OPEN ) i'm sinking fast into the sea

[fortissimos]

Date & Time: All week!
Location: Music room, training facility.
Characters: Sayaka Miki/fortissimos & OPEN.
Summary: Blue loser blows things up and gets in the way of people. So, the usual.
Warnings: Suffering?? actually there might not be a lot of that this time SHOCKING.


a. ( training facility. )

[ Good mood or not, she never once stops pushing herself to the limit when it comes to training. Visitors might notice a tiny blue magical girl launching a pair of blades into one of the training dummies — they embed themselves deeply into the straw, only to explode a few seconds later.

The attack might have been a success, but Sayaka just looks frustrated. She looks around for anyone close enough to enlist, then calls out from her spot; mostly-destroyed dummy still smouldering behind her. ]

Uh, hey! You wanna give me a hand? [ She rubs the back of her head, inserting a fresh magazine into one of the (now bladeless) hilts. ] These things are okay, but... I need some practice defending, too.

b. ( music room. )

[ From the moment Sayaka realized the music room existed, it quickly became one of her regular haunts. For the most part, she stays out of the way; pouring over a book on music theory or quietly listening to those who can actually play.

Today is no different... except for the fact she's really, really tired after training. She's already smothering a yawn by the time she shows up, and after a few minutes, promptly passes out with a book on romantic era music over her face. At the very least, she's off to the side... until she also starts snoring, loud enough to disturb anyone else trying to play or read. ]

Comments

[fortissimos]

[ Sayaka has no easy way of gauging someone's strength, but as she quickly finds out, she doesn't need to. Saber's power is something she can immediately feel, and she doesn't even try to stand up to it — dodging to the side and letting her magic take care of the deep gash her shoulder receives in the process.

One thing is already clear: she can't compete against that in close quarters. She flicks off the safety on her swords and takes aim at Saber, launching the pair of blades much like she did to the training dummy minutes before. ]

[autocratic]

[ Instead of dodging, Saber holds her ground to bounce those swords off of her own. Like baseball, but with swords! These weapons were infused with magic of some kind, and with her own meager Magic Resistance, she'd hate to be caught in one of those.

So she keeps moving forward. Each sword bounces off, she takes a step. Sayaka must have realized she'd be overwhelmed within the given range of her longsword. But since she did ask for this...

A step is taken, and it immediately sends Saber bursting forth in breakneck speed, deflecting incoming swords that Sayaka might be throwing further. ]

[fortissimos]

[ She times Saber's steps, bracing herself to take a leap backwards when the time is right. Unfortunately, she didn't count on the sudden burst of speed — caught unaware, she has no time to shift her balance enough to make the jump, and instead has to face the other woman head-on. ]

Ah, geez—

[ It's a bad situation to be caught in, and she knows it. She brings her swords up, making no attempt to do anything except put something between her and that longsword. Even a few seconds gives her time enough to initiate a counterattack; the air around her shifts as swords start to form, a dozen blades pointing directly down at Saber. ]

[autocratic]

Hah!

[ She sees the barrier of swords draw themselves up between her and Sayaka. As she nears, Saber's body motions to a twirl and using the momentum to give more force to her blade. For only a brief second do the swords hold until they shatter into pieces as the red and black blade tears through them.

Saber jerks her head up in time to catch wind of the swords. They come down upon her like locusts, but she fights them all back in a flurry of red and gold. Steel clangs upon steel, but amidst the noise, is jubilant laughter coming from the emperor. Practice, indeed! ]

[fortissimos]

[ Her display is impressive, but Sayaka still remembers to leap back before Saber has time to press the advantage any more. As the last few swords fall to the ground and dissipate in a shower of blue sparks, she laughs along with the other woman, overwhelmed by the challenge and thrill of being able to let herself go in battle. ]

Ahaha, you're really good! [ Too good — she's well aware that in a real fight, she'd likely have been pushed far beyond her limits already. But she's grateful for the experience, and so falls back into stance and waits, deciding to finish things off with an attempt at close-quarters combat. ]

[autocratic]

Mmm, you certainly do not lack in potential yourself! [ Saber responds with flourishing her weapon back into a proper stance. ] Given enough time, you would be deemed a proper and truly terrifying threat to most lesser men. I will want to play spectator to such an event.

[ Sayaka is young, and she has enough time to improve, that much is certain. If the girl could hold onto the hope that she'll be better, she will accomplish that, no doubt. At the moment, though, it's almost obvious that Saber's sort of holding back, at least in terms of not going for any fatal blows, but still giving what Sayaka wants. ]

Show me beauty; show me this music that will ring from our blades striking in unison!

[ Saber closes the distance between them, smashing her longsword against Sayaka's blade in a ringing of steel and sparks. ]

[fortissimos]

[ Okay, she's gotta learn to talk like that sometime. Saber's words throw her off for a moment, but she puts strength into her guard just in time, taking a step back to help absorb the impact of the blow. Even if her opponent is holding back a little, just the fact she isn't a waste of time is encouraging — drives her to fight better and better.

It isn't going to last, though. She's far stronger than a normal human, but compared to someone like this, that strength is nothing. As her foot starts to slip backward on the floor, she throws her arms out to the side; letting Saber's longsword cut deeply into her shoulder as both her blades swing inward. The impact hurts a little, but her healing quickly takes care of the bleeding, and the skin starts to knit back together almost instantly. ]

[autocratic]

[ Saber is only mildly surprised Sayaka would let go of the guard like that, but she quickly regains her bearings to quickly lean her body back before those swords could mark home. There's a sound of clothing being ripped as one of those blades rake across her sleeve, but Saber doesn't even feel the slight sting of a cut being left.

Still, when she sees what Sayaka is relying, Saber can't help feeling slightly annoyed. She charges again, putting in more force and speed in her irritation. ]

Tch! Do not rely on just that alone!

[ To test her, Saber's next four blows are coming in quick succession with no loss of power she's currently applying. Hope Sayaka can deflect the strikes of a Thunderous Applause! ]

[fortissimos]

[ Not really, no. She tries — the first one is deflected by a combination of both her own blades, and she manages to reduce the second to a light scrape across her arm, but last two hit hard. Her left shoulder is cut to the bone, and she drops her swords; right hand instinctively moving to hold the wound together.

It only takes a few seconds to heal over, but that's long enough. The pain is nothing more than a dull ache in the back of her mind, but finding the energy to summon her weapons again is difficult, and she takes a stumbling step backwards from Saber. If it's not a retreat, it's close enough to one. ]

[autocratic]

[ Her sword comes up to lightly press against Sayaka's neck before the girl could retreat further. Her expression is focused and stoic, but her green eyes show a hint of approval that betrays the near ruthlessness of her actions just now. A few rose petals flutter between them from her previous attack. ]

Were you truly an enemy, I would give you the honor of a swift death. [ As her action should imply, so once she relays that, she removes her blade from the girl's skin. ] As it stands, enough blood has been spilled. You performed admirably, summoner of swords.

[ Now she gets a smile. ]

[fortissimos]

[ Her eyes go wide at the blade against her throat — no matter how good her healing is, she doubts decapitation is something so easily recovered from — and it's not until Saber pulls it away that she remembers to breathe again. There's a slight shake to her legs, but she manages to hold her ground. ]

I, uh... thanks. [ Do you thank someone for not killing you? Is that proper etiquette?? ] I guess you had to hold back after all, huh? I didn't think...

[ Weirdly enough, that's what she feels bad about. She'd promised Saber a challenge. ]

[autocratic]

[ She shoulders her weapon and arches a brow at Sayaka's words. ]

Mmm? There were openings I could have taken, and though you lasted a fair bit, I do not make it a practice to slay young women - unless they pose a hindrance or threat to my goals.

[ Might as well lay down the honesty right there. She'd slain Caster, a little girl whose innocence and purity contrasted with her honest brutality. In that instance, they were at "war," and it was fair game. Here, however... ]

You wished for a practice match with the gloves slightly loosened. At the very least, you gave me a proper outlet and show of entertainment with your reckless abandon.

[fortissimos]

[ Suddenly, she's more grateful than ever that this woman (hopefully) won't ever be her enemy. The way she talks, Sayaka can feel the truth behind her words, and it's almost scary to listen to. ]

Reckless abandon? Geez, that was pretty controlled for me... [ She does her best to sound indignant, but a smile sneaks through before long. No matter how much care she takes, she knows her fighting style won't ever be refined or precise. ] That's the hardest I've fought in a long time, though. I think I really learned from it.

[autocratic]

I would certainly hope you do. Powerful as your regenerative abilities are, they should not be a trait you should solely rely on.

[ That's what she meant by the "reckless abandon" part. Not long after she says that, the hand holding her sword lowers, with the sword itself disappearing. Unarmed, she almost looks completely harmless, huh? ]

Experience plays a far better teacher than any master of a skill, but I truly adore these little chances to let loose. You are open for another rematch, should you so desire. My instrument, Aestus Estus, will be more than happy to string chords with your cutlass at any time.

[fortissimos]

Ah, yeah. I've been trying to rely on it less, but...

[ It's hard. Against most opponents, her ability to keep fighting no matter what tends to be overwhelming enough to guarantee victory, but Saber is a good example of why she can't always depend on that. ]

I'll probably challenge you again sometime. You're really talented, and I've never been taught or anything, so... [ Sayaka your gay is showing. She trails off, scratching her head with a gloved hand. ] Thanks.

[autocratic]

[ At the mention of her talent, Saber unconsciously puffs up her chest at that, her hands placing themselves on her hips. ]

Mmm! Do not worry; ignorance is hardly a sin to scorn over, and you are well on your way if you acknowledge what lies before you. [ She gives a small chuckle. ] How Fortuna favors me: to allow me a chance encounter with a beautiful young girl whose potential matches her charms.

[fortissimos]

[ what

No seriously, what. She blinks, then rubs at her head even more, pointedly glancing off to the side. ]

I... [ Wow is she blushing?? Time to change the topic. ] Y, yeah, I know what I've gotta do. Practicing's the best way to get better, right? Ahaha...

[autocratic]

As well as combat experience.

[ At this, Saber's voice goes back to more of that professional tone. She only says this in hopes that the girl would let go of that odd habit of hers; "trying" not to rely on the healing can only do so much if they actively were avoiding using it altogether. ]

Which I have no doubt this war will give plenty of opportunities for that. It is a harsher teacher, and places you close within death's grasp. Knowing that, will you still continue?

[fortissimos]

[ ... She's never been more confused in her life. A hint of a blush still lingers on her cheeks, but she tries to shrug it off, sighing before she answers. ]

... Yeah, of course. I've gotta protect everyone. [ For a long time — as recently as a few weeks ago — she thought she'd be better off dead. Things might have changed, but she'd never place her own life above that of others. ] I wanted this power so I could keep people safe. I can't run away from that now.

[autocratic]

Hmph. How atrociously altruistic. [ It reminds her too much like her previous Master. Eee, Hakuno...! Ahem. Not that Saber didn't mind selfless generosity. She just liked it when that was solely placed on her. ]

That only means there will be many trials to test that resolve of yours. Often, the result is not what you initially seek, and many could misinterpret, or even ignore the true reasons behind your actions.

[ A hint of personal experience? Maaaaaybe. ]

To see that determined look on your face, however - it reassures me you will not falter easily. Why, it has even brightened up red by the thought!

[ Welp. ]

[fortissimos]

[ Sayaka's been warned enough to understand the reasoning behind it, but she's as stubborn as the day she started. Though she nods, her resolution is clear — she won't be knocked off her path. ]

It doesn't matter. I... [ Wait what. She hesitates, pointedly finding something else in the room to focus on before continuing. ] I don't care what happens to me, or what other people think. I'm gonna do what's right.

[autocratic]

Hold there! [ Sudden outburst, followed by Saber's finger pointing itself at Sayaka. ]

Rethink your words: you have already made a mistake to contrast your resolve. Do you wish to disappoint me in your performance so soon? If you truly do not care what happens to you on your path, then I should slay you right here and now.

[fortissimos]

[ UHHHH WELL SHE DOESN'T WANT TO DIE RN so she's staring that finger down. ]

No way! [ okay so she probably couldn't actually stop her if she tried, but!! ] I'm not gonna try and get hurt. It's just... real heroes don't put themselves above other people. If protecting someone else meant putting myself in danger, then that's a choice I'm prepared to make.

[autocratic]

[ Saber gives the girl a long stare, finger still pointed. Her next words come in a calm, almost observational tone. ]

Do you take up the sword to save people, or to protect an ideal?

[fortissimos]

[ Her answer should be immediate, but it's not. She seems to stop and think about the words for a moment, before she sighs, and her shoulders slump a little. ]

... I want to be a defender of justice, and protect the people I care about. I guess you could call that an ideal, but... I don't think about it like that. It's just the right thing to do.