Cloud Strife (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sultanofsquat) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
jikan_rpg2022-07-17 06:07 pm
sultanofsquat) wrote in jikan_rpg2022-07-17 06:07 pm
[closed] πΈstill like the morning dewβοΈ
β Who: Cloud Strife & Kamisato Ayaka
β What: Sparring & learning the ways of Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu
β When: After their Itabashi Springs vacation
β Where: Kamisato Estate β’ Kyoto
β Warnings: None!
[ It's a conversation they've had before, wishing to keep their wits sharp and blades even moreso despite these peaceful times. But with the space between them as he grows ever so closer towards finding a place in Kyoto, there hasn't really been enough time to actively pursue this contest. Not when both of them were contented with spending time together in other ways. But it's when the two of them returned back to his apartment, his newfound Kizuna Katana drawing their eye, that he finally voiced something he'd been harboring for a while. At first, it was the wish to spar with her; he told her as much the night they left the palace. But now? It's something deeper than just wishing to test his strength against hers- deeper than just learning how to fight somebody lighter and faster than him.
"I wanna learn." a beat and a nod, affirmation to himself before he seeks her gaze to ask, "The Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu." ]
β β β
Kamisato Estate β’ Kyoto
β β β
[ It was a foregone conclusion. Even without their intent to spar and train, neither one were prepared to say goodbye just yet, even after their getaway to the Itabashi Springs. It also didn't hurt that he could use this time to house hunt during his stay in Kyoto. It was just for a couple days; then he'd return to Tokyo to work again. This would be the first time that Cloud was going to stay on the estate, no need for crashing someone's place or renting a hotel this time. This time, he's packed appropriately, still opting to bring the Buster Sword just in case. But he has zero intention of using it on this trip. Not when he's packed two different weapons.
The longer-bladed Kizuna Katana gifted to him by the researchers, and a matching bokken. Luckily for him, both are secured around his waist so he has less to carry in his arms. To anybody else who sees the man loaded out with light luggage and three different swords? He's making a damning case as an intimidating bodyguard for the young Miss Kamisato. The walk back to the estate from the station is a tried and practiced path for him, having done this many times before as they round the street corner leading towards home.
First order of business? Get unpacked and settled in. Second order of business? Well...he's not in a hurry to start fighting. ]
β What: Sparring & learning the ways of Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu
β When: After their Itabashi Springs vacation
β Where: Kamisato Estate β’ Kyoto
β Warnings: None!
[ It's a conversation they've had before, wishing to keep their wits sharp and blades even moreso despite these peaceful times. But with the space between them as he grows ever so closer towards finding a place in Kyoto, there hasn't really been enough time to actively pursue this contest. Not when both of them were contented with spending time together in other ways. But it's when the two of them returned back to his apartment, his newfound Kizuna Katana drawing their eye, that he finally voiced something he'd been harboring for a while. At first, it was the wish to spar with her; he told her as much the night they left the palace. But now? It's something deeper than just wishing to test his strength against hers- deeper than just learning how to fight somebody lighter and faster than him.
"I wanna learn." a beat and a nod, affirmation to himself before he seeks her gaze to ask, "The Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu." ]
Kamisato Estate β’ Kyoto
β β β
[ It was a foregone conclusion. Even without their intent to spar and train, neither one were prepared to say goodbye just yet, even after their getaway to the Itabashi Springs. It also didn't hurt that he could use this time to house hunt during his stay in Kyoto. It was just for a couple days; then he'd return to Tokyo to work again. This would be the first time that Cloud was going to stay on the estate, no need for crashing someone's place or renting a hotel this time. This time, he's packed appropriately, still opting to bring the Buster Sword just in case. But he has zero intention of using it on this trip. Not when he's packed two different weapons.
The longer-bladed Kizuna Katana gifted to him by the researchers, and a matching bokken. Luckily for him, both are secured around his waist so he has less to carry in his arms. To anybody else who sees the man loaded out with light luggage and three different swords? He's making a damning case as an intimidating bodyguard for the young Miss Kamisato. The walk back to the estate from the station is a tried and practiced path for him, having done this many times before as they round the street corner leading towards home.
First order of business? Get unpacked and settled in. Second order of business? Well...he's not in a hurry to start fighting. ]
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Now? He's finally got one! And if it weren't for getting used to kimonos and yukatas, this would have been less comfortable for him.
Well...save for his sleeves. Because he was still trying to figure those out when Ayaka saves him, staring down between both of them with a light tint of red in his cheeks. Okay. He almost had it. ]
Still trying to figure out that part, [ he admits as he kneels down for a second to set the bokken on the floor beside him. ]
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[ It is but a short trip to her room. While she may not have training gear in this world yet, she can at least try to help Cloud out! His sleeves are rather long, after all, and she wouldn't want him to get injured by accident, or at all, on her watch!
They will have to make doβ all Ayaka can offer is something like a ribbon, not that delicate in material, and strong and thick enough to hold. Coming back to where Cloud is, she holds them up with a smile. ]
Please pull your sleeves up a little, I shall tie it for you.
[ And she'll demonstrate and guide Cloud on how to do it when she does, so that he can figure out how to do it on his own if he ever needs it again! Or she can keep doing it for him, nbd :) ]
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Wiggle wiggleβ ]
Ah, [ She's back! He notices the ribbon, tilting his head curiously when she instructs him. He of course, abides, doing his best to neatly pull his sleeves up until his forearms are fully exposed. ] This far enough?
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[ It's not very intricate, but it's something Ayaka and Ayato wear whenever they train, so that they can continue to move fluidly despite what they're wearing. The longer part of the sleeve is held back with how she wraps the ribbon around and to his shoulder, then doing the same thing for his other sleeve. It's all so she can make a cross at his back, tying it with a ribbon to make sure it doesn't loosen. Now, it's as if he's wearing short sleeves!
It might take some time getting used to, though. ]
See if you can still move your arms? It shouldn't hurt.
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So relaxed... There's a grace even in this, practiced many times in her pursuit to be the best version of herself she can be- the best version of the Shirasagi Himegimi. Lost in her motions, he almost doesn't register her talking to him, bringing him back down to earth as he blinks and looks over his shoulders one at a time to the way the ribbon is tied. As for his arms? ]
Doesn't feel restricting at all... So that's how you do it, huh?
[ No kissing her out of thanks in the living room. (Not where her parents can see.) But he glows up with a little red in his cheeks and a smile, doing his best to contain his excitement as he nods his head. ]
Thanks. [ He should pick up his bokken, now. ] All set?
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[ Ayaka can't kiss Cloud right now, but she can at least take his hand to lead him to the garden, the very same place where she'd held her little sparring competition during the housewarming. As soon as they're outside, though, Ayaka stops in her tracks to turn around and get on her toes all for a kiss.
What? Her parents aren't there anymore! Her brother isn't around either. This is totally fine.
The windchimes ding-a-ling as a breeze passes by at the same time. ]
Hehe.
[ Ayaka doesn't have an excuse for that. She just really wanted to kiss him... but okay, okay! It's not too hot outside, so the atmosphere is good! Cloud wants to learn the Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu, and Ayaka is more than happy to teach him what she's been taught growing up. Before that, though, ]
I'd like to see how you handle your sword, first.
[ It'll be easy to figure out where to start after that! As such? First thing to do is to cross bladesβ rather... cross wooden swords. ]
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If they weren't about to head out for a spar, he'd be dropping his bokken to hold her, instead his eyes are wide as the windchimes ring upon this little piece of serenity. He stares at her with a sense of wonder, and without his realizing it, that familiar light blue spike of hair starts coloring in on the side of his head.
"Hehe."
Please do that again, Ayaka. Take his breath away and give him one more moment to his list of memories worth looping time for.
With that out of the way, the two can focus on training! Determined, he seals that moment in his heart and prepares to come at her. As he steps away from her and gains some distance, he looks over his shoulder first before turning on his heel to face her fully. At the same time, he brings his sword down into a relaxed hold at his side, having seen enough practitioners do this at the start to follow suit, a sign of respect to his new
sensei? senpai?sparring partner with a light bow. ]Gimme everything you've got.
[ And he'll do the same. ...as much as he can with a wooden sword, anyway. Cloud already has an idea of the parameters! Common sense mandates that this
doesn't turn into some ultra shonen anime fightstays a test of their swordplay. So he'll do his best to demonstrate and show her what he's capable of, planting his feet and getting into a seigan no kamae stance. Familiar to him - akin to how he'd stance up with his Buster Sword. But now wielding an odachi-length bokken? He feels comfortable. ]...
!
[ He makes the first move! Eyes flashing with renewed focus, when Ayaka's ready, he dashes at her quickly, intent on delivering the first strike from above. A slash diagonally aimed down her side! Cloud isn't in this for winning or losing, though that didn't mean he was going to fight her like he didn't mean it. The sound of wood crossing wood cracks across the estate as they exchange blows. He doesn't know where Ayaka's upper limits are, and he's not intending to push her to them, but having witnessed her speed in the past...
It was safe to say that whilst he was physically stronger and a talented swordsman, much like his duel with the Anemo-wielding samurai, Cloud was climbing an uphill battle when faced with the faster Shirasagi Himegimi. And he'll keep climbing that hill! Until his sword was loosed from his hand, or hers in kind. Or until told to stop. ]
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As such, Ayaka does not show any aggression. Staying her sword and only moving to block and to parry. Her eyes, while she would enjoy studying every part of him in a more intimate way, do roam his body with each move he makes. Making mental notes for now, she formulates what comments she can give him when they're done.
It's as if she's dancing on waterβ the fluidity of each movement Ayaka makes with each block of her wooden sword. Her sandals dig a little into the ground after one particular slash, reminding the younger girl of their difference in physical strength. She takes a few step backwards to maintain distance, finally lowering her sword. ]
How does it feel to wield something lighter than what you are used to?
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But the more confused the blond feels, the more clouded his thoughts become, effectively going through the motions of combat by the time he pushes Ayaka back and she distances herself. Conscious enough of his own movements to realize she's lowering her sword, he looses the tension from his muscles as he answers her in kind, lowering his guard and keeping that distance between them. To answer her question as he glances down at his longer bokken, grip tightening a little as he inspects the dark oak with mako-infused eyes: ]
Like I'm still trying to use something heavier. [ He lifts his sword up in front of him, fingers running along the back of the blade. ] I'm more used to this length, but...
[ The weapon returns to his side. Something feels off. He doesn't understand yet, but it's not the weapon he wields. It's himself. Cloud is off. ]
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[ It is both asked out of concern, and because she would like for him to reflect on the answer so that he may discover it for himself. Ayaka does not know what the problem is, if there is one, but Cloud's answer to her first question did not sound very confident. As such, it is something that must be addressed. ]
Please don't let your guard down.
[ Because earlier on? For the first few minutes of exchanging attacks? It was Cloud chasing after her as she mostly defended. Now, she swings her arm to the side before she begins to take steps towards him in an attempt to be the one on the offensive this time. ]
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[ Bothered by something? Nothing that pertains to their training... He doesn't think any impending bumps on the road back home were going to impede his time here. That? And he couldn't have been happier to return to Kyoto with her. He's financially sound, yet the only thing he has to keep working towards is getting a place in this city. So then...
"Please don't let your guard down." ]
Copy.
[ Perhaps he'll find his answer, spending his time on the defensive by his teacher to deliberate what could be holding him back. It's clear that he's trying to use his new weapon as if he were still possessing the Buster Sword, or Hardedge... Ayaka will find that in the next minute or so of exchanging blows, Cloud is indeed put on the backfoot. To fight alongside her is one thing, but to actually be facing down a legitimate master was a completely different situation. She's not fierce, or imposing. Every bit as graceful as she would be whilst dancing with cryo petals scattering into the ether around her.
Something so light and beautiful, be it fans or a blade...and she makes it all look so seamless, as if she hardly has to think and is simply feeling. Like it mattered not what she held as it was all just Kamisato Ayaka. It's impressive, yet upon first glance, seems too soft of heart to really be considered dangerous. ]
Tchβ
[ So then why was he being pushed back? Why was he losing ground, rapid taps of her bokken against his guard that his eyes can barely perceive?
You're getting Vergil'd, Cloud.The situation may be different if he were actually wielding weapons he was used to...or perhaps the outcome would have been just the same- for daring to come to that conclusion, before the duel even began.Yet Cloud manages to hold his own...up to a vital point in their sparring session where he overcommits upon swiftly flashing to her side, intent on attacking her blindspot. Their eyes meet for that miniscule second, in a moment that could stretch into eternity. Tranquil and still, a stark contrast to the well of emotion in her student's gaze, shock that, should she successfully evade or parry him, gives way to being left wide open as he holds his breath. ]
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Ayaka doesn't intend to take advantage of the gap between them, because this isn't serious combat. When her eyes do meet Cloud's, what would have been the exact moment she's taken off guard and her defenses lowered, is a moment when her eyes narrow and she looks for an opening. If she didn't sense his uncertainty with what he's doing, she'd likely be on her butt right now on the floor. Instead, their swords clash, with Ayaka putting everything she can to parry and swing his sword away.
She has enough to work on that she thinks she knows where they should begin from what she's seen today. Cloud will be the one to decide if he wants to continue or not. ]
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"Not yet." he can hear Sephiroth's voice coolly state the facts before he effortlessly disarmed him. And whilst Ayaka doesn't do the same, her parrying his strike and swinging his sword away as he barely manages to hang onto the handle brings that same feeling back. Except while he felt conflicted and beaten down in the former, with her...all he sees is how far he needs to keep going until he's caught up to her. That he has a long way to go. And something about that...
Excites him?
Digging a sandal into the earth beneath his feet after skipping back to gain ground from the Shirasagi Himegimi, he reaffirms his hold on his sword. Sure enough, like her, he yields and lowers his weapon to his side as he heaves a sigh. Far from tired, he has to loosen some of that tension that's built up inside of him from staving off a more aggressive Kamisato up to now.
And...to finally answer her question: ]
I don't think I'm bothered. I'm just... [ His eyes follow down the length of his sword. ] ...trying to understand. The way you move... I don't know how to describe it, but it's...
[ Beautiful. ]
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While it is important to stay alert with one's surroundings, I feel as if I am a distraction to you.
[ ... which is no good? Get your head in the game, Cloud! :T
Ayaka doesn't see a need to continue at this time, lowering her weapon as she heads back to the shade to sit down. Cloud is more than welcome to join her, or he can stay where he is as Ayaka speaks. ]
We will need to work on your form. There's much to be done, starting with how you use your weapon. It feels... so detached from you.
[ Just a "weapon". But these weapons, swords in particular, have heart and soul. They may just be practising with wooden ones, but Cloud needs to understand that they aren't just tools. And whatever is on his mind gets carried by his blade with each strike. ]
The Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu is not an art where you just swing and hit where you see an opening. It makes use of the elements, and one cannot control an element if their mind and body are not at ease.
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[ Which...wasn't good either, but his heart wasn't skipping a beat at the sight of her. It was frozen in place when he realized he'd lost in the face of her experience. As Ayaka moves to sit in the shade, Cloud follows her a few steps of the way, opting to stay standing as he focuses intently on her. While he's more relaxed now that they were taking a break, he's taken to being a student seriously as she parts her words of critique on him. ]
Detached...? [ That's when his brow furrows, in a bid to understand. While he breaks his gaze of her, it's only so he can look down to his hand on his sword. As she speaks of the Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu, his mako-infused eyes roam the length once more as he raises it up in front of him.
"It makes use of the elements, and one cannot control an element if their mind and body are not at ease." ] ...
[ Like with Materia? If he channeled Lightning magic in the same way Elemental Materia supported it in the respective slot? A pause as he deliberates her words, and ultimately...he discards that notion, back to square one as all he has is this trialβ ]
!
[ He swings his sword, a clean vertical swing down as the word 'trial' sparks another thought. Another memory as familiar words ring through his mind.
"Losing a part of you..." A piece of her soul, detached from her.
He repeats that very same swing.
"Perhaps, if it has lived long enough and has experienced many things, it may have its own soul." ]
Losing a part of you...
[ Suddenly, he holds his head high, maneuvering the odachi-sized bokken as he closes his eyes, this time to cleanly swing horizontally until he's holding it out to his side. It...still feels like he's holding something foreign. But this time? It feels lighter than before. Thinking and saying something didn't mean that he could just do it. But he has to know if he's on the right track.
No JRPG vagueness horseshit.]Remember the Trials in Kyushu? [ Rhetorical, as he turns to face Ayaka fully with his weapon at rest. ] When we had to call on our Soul Artifacts...
When you said this was detached from me... Do you see your sword as a piece of you?
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[ No two swords are exactly the same. But that's not what she's getting at here. ]
I see my sword as a trusted ally. [ Not a piece of her. In any case, she still has a relationship with her own sword. ] One whom I can rely on during hardships.
For others, it may be different. I cannot dictate how it is you should see your blade, as it is something you should discover for yourself.
[ Ayaka will commit to helping in her own way, though. They are here already, after all, and she is excited to impart what she has learned of a form of art founded by her ancestors on him. Yet again, she is sharing more of her world with him. ]
Hm... I may have an idea. Do you trust me?
[ It's a crazy idea, though. She's going to blindfold him. ]
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[ Cloud might have been off a little bit. But he doesn't seem disheartened either. When she asks if he trusts her? The reaction is only natural as he takes another couple steps towards her. ]
Of course I do.
[ He'll follow her every lead.
And get another idea for the bedroomβ UHH ACTUALLY]no subject
[ Hm, she doesn't have anything nearby that she can use as a blindfold. She'll have to get one from her room again. Before she excuses herself, thoughβ ]
I thought of covering your eyes and have you try and find me.
[ He'd only have his sword. Ayaka won't attack him while he is defenseless! But he'll need to rely on his senses and his sword if he wants to find her. ]
Are you amenable to the idea, Cloud?
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[ Amenable to the idea? He has to be. He said he would trust her. But just now...when he closed his eyes and thought he felt something different in the weight of his sword after swinging it, Cloud was fine then, right? His raised eyebrow doesn't last very long before he's serious and true to his word. ]
Okay. Let's do it.
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[ To get another piece of cloth! Ayaka bows to excuse herself before leaving the area, heading to her room to fetch a nice handkerchief which can double as a blindfold. Once that's done and she's back outside, she gestures for Cloud to come near. He'll need to sit down so she can cover his eyes, and when he does? ]
I won't put you in a big disadvantage, but I will move around from time to time. We can keep doing this exercise until there is more fluidity in your movements.
[ And he has her full support! She'll cheer him on, even if she's the one giving him this exercise. ]
Is it tight enough? I hope it doesn't hurt.
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Even as he was moments away from being literally left in the dark. When she returns, he nods and returns the bokken to its invisible sheath at his waist (weeb) as he holds it at his side. Obeying her, the blond takes a seat close to the same spot Ayaka was in, looking over his shoulder and back, he nods before closing his eyes. ]
More fluidity...
[ His head only slightly jostles when she works to tighten the handkerchief around the back of his head. Even with his heightened and focused sight? He can't see through the layers, only a vague sense of light from the natural daylight they train in. It's snug...and as he lifts a blinded hand up the back of his head, if he finds her hand still there, he'll take hold of it for a second before he lets go. Otherwise, it's to test how well she bound him. Sure enough, as snug a fit as it is... ]
Not at all.
[ It doesn't hurt at all! A cool sigh looses from his lips, pushing himself to his feet before he starts to walk ahead into the opening all by himself. He walks with confidence, whilst in his head he counts up to seven steps. An approximation of where he is, and sure enough, Ayaka wasn't teaching a complete novice. He's near the center of their battleground. He doesn't return to his former stance yet, instead keeping an assertive hold upon his bokken as he calls out to Ayaka. ]
Ready to begin.
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Let what you can't see be what your sword sees, [ she tells him. Slowly, she takes a few steps backwards and then taps the edge of her sword with his. This is what it sounds like when their swords would cross, and it is something worth remembering since that is what he would be looking for again in this exercise. ]
Come find me.
[ Ayaka maintains some distance between them, and he'd hear her footsteps whenever she moves, too. He can strike when he feels like it, if he thinks he's close. Ayaka will block it every time. That's the objective, after all. ]
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... .... .....
[ Then, ]
!
[ He swings, delivering a clean vertical slash through the air. But the very second that he does that? Steps. He hears a single step and suddenly, there's the clack of wood against wood. But there's reluctance in his slash despite the fact Ayaka blocks him. More importantly though...were his brows visible, they'd be furrowed right now as he envisions his sword in his hand despite the fact that he can't see it. He looks perplexed...but the reason why is: ]
When did I...?
[ Swing? Was it his fighting instincts? Or was his sword the one who saw everything for him? As if guiding him... He can't hear anything beyond the world around him and the Shirasagi Himegimi who continues to defend and test him. And as he continues to move and go through the motions, still overstepping and missing his strikes at first, every time he does? The second attempt seems to lead to success, by the guidance of his bokken.
There's still not complete unity, but for the first time since he ever started fighting with swords at all...it wasn't just his own raw skill and heightened senses that were guiding him. It was his sword. And with time, he starts landing more hits, paying attention as his hands move before his mind can even tell him how to move. The core of his fighting style remains, yet there's something lighter in the way he moves. Less of an aggressive stomp in closing any distance between himself and what he chases, but a glide of his feet, cool breathes in and out as he utters nary a battle cry.
Cloud may still have a lot of work ahead of him, but coupled with his own willpower and hard work? He was a prodigy of the sword. His trust in Ayaka is leading him to a connection he never would have considered before. ]
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Later on, Cloud's movements grow faster, as if he's gotten used to what he's doing now. Ayaka doesn't go for the offensive straight away, butβ ]
You're doing well, Cloud. [ She's a few steps away from him, but he'll likely be able to hear her footsteps get louder by the second. ]
The objective remains the sameβ come find me. But I will try to hit you from time to time, as well.
[ Just like now! A predictable strike, if anything, and she knows he'd be able to block it easily. Yet another kind of sound to watch out for while he's blindfolded like this. ]
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Now there's another variable in the mix. At first, it was easier when he was the one seeking her out as he trained himself solely on both sound and the feeling resonating deep inside him. And as they continue, he can feel his heartrate getting a little faster. A contrast from the more tranquil feeling he had before when exchanging blows with the Shirasagi Himegimi. Though he feels his connection with his sword, it's tenser than before as he succeeds in most cases in seeking her, but it's when he hears nothing...her footsteps barely registering that he brings his guard up and... ]
!
[ He gets tapped. Cloud's plenty strong, so getting hit by her bokken doesn't hurt. But it feels so sudden when he can't brace for it thanks to being blindfolded. Sensing his own rising anxiousness, he pauses, lowering his sword in that lull between waiting for him and coming at him. Another deep breath in through his nose, the warm summer sun casting over him as he straightens upright. And a gentle exhale through his mouth, loosing his grip on his blade before stepping forward once more. Removing his steps from hers, he hears a distant footstep. Too far away, even with his longer sword. So he moves, footsteps soft as he doesn't rush into finding her.
Until he tests the waters with another vertical swing. He hears steps andβ
Tap! ]
Ow-
[ A kneejerk slip. It didn't actually hurt. The session continues for a short while, and while Cloud does show some improvement as the upped difficulty ensues...he spends over half of it in a mixture of missing, succeeding in 'finding' her and clashing, and getting the timing mixed up as she tries hitting him from time to time.
Suffice to say, a rockier stage of his training as he exercises balance with his blade. But perhaps more importantly? Any tension that rises within him, he dispels before he can get frustrated.
Trust her, he repeats when he's left between success and failure. And though he's not visibly shaken, his breathing is starting to come in just a little less composed than before, the summer heat working in creating a thin sheen of sweat down his exposed arms and his exposed neck. ]
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