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 Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 5:49 am
Okay, so it was incredibly irresponsible and probably downright suicidal to be out and about after dark. But Orcus needed something to keep her mind occupied and her books weren't doing the job as well as she might wish. And at least if she went for a walk while powered up, her chances of survival went up.
Of course, that was all conjecture if Alodie didn't run across her. Which, frankly, Orcus hoped would remain the case for a little while more. Just long enough to get that much stronger. Build up her arguments as to why Alodie needed to allow herself to be purified.
Pausing before one storefront, Orcus peered into the windows, noting the signs of renovation. She played little guessing games with herself, trying to figure out what sort of work was being done. Once she grew bored with that, she wandered a little further, peeking into boutiques here and there and generally window shopping.
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:06 am
After Arian had come home a few weeks ago all cut up and battered, Anxo found himself patrolling around the city alot more frequently. What had once been only a few days a month now became nearly nightly, powering up right after his night classes were done, and then patrolling until the early morning hours. And that was fine for him, having been used to all nighters pulled in the theater atleast a few times each semester.
Tonight was one of those nights where, he decided to go check on the shop to make sure it wasn't damaged or what not. Property damage was certainly on the rise ever since the youma began to appear and it only seemed to get worse day by day. HIs mother and father's sweat and tears went into making the shop how it was, and he truly wanted to protect it.
Something strange occurred this night, however. Near his family's shop, then moving away was an aura he hadn't quite felt before. Chaotic but not in the same way Youma were. It made him a little nervous, since that must have meant it was another human... So far in this war, he had not yet met another human to fight, atleast none that wished to hurt him, and he really didn't want tonight to be that night. So cautiously, he approached the aura, finding it slowly forming into the shape of a young woman, and he cleared his throat in an attempt to get her attention.
"Good evening! Are you, um... Are you looking for something from the shops?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:13 am
When she'd first felt the approaching aura, Orcus had resigned herself to the idea of potential unpleasantness. And really at least the aura wasn't laced with Chaos. Which meant there was a decent chance of whoever owned this one being friendly. And when she heard the throat clearing, her first thought was that this person was remarkably polite.
Turning slightly, she studied the young man, trying to decide what he was before offering a civil nod.
"Not really, no," she answered. "I'm afraid I'm just restless and wanted to take a walk while I thought about things. I promise I'm not up to anything nefarious."
Only then did she offer up a smile of sorts.
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:39 am
Well that was certainly a pleasant surprise! The aura, though chaotic, wasn't unpleasant! In fact, she seemed she was a rather nice young woman, atleast initially anyway. And her smile was returned with a gentle one of his own.
"Ah, I can understand that... Would you like some company? And if I may ask, what faction are you a part of? If I am completely honest, I have not yet met someone of another. I'm still rather wet behind the ears when it comes to the whole Senshi business." Something kinda told him that he shouldn't say so much, but maybe, if she knew he was 'new' then she'd be gentle on him, just incase some things went unfortunately sour.
"Your colors are alot darker than what I've seen. I think they look very lovely on you."
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:49 am
"Polite and flattering," Orcus chuckled and studied this senshi with renewed interest. "I could get to like you."
Privately, she quite approved of his manners and quiet forthright-ness. She also found herself mildly alarmed by his admission of being new to the whole senshi thing. Normally, she knew she wouldn't have cared very much. And then Nereid and Alodie had happened. And after having seen some of the awful the Negaverse was capable of, well. She wouldn't feel right leaving this boy on his own without making sure he could hold his own.
"Since you asked so nicely, I would love some company," she answered, holding out a hand to him. "And perhaps I can manage to do you a favor. I'm Orcus and I am the Dark Mirror Senshi of Drowning. Tell me, how much fighting have you had to do so far?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:03 am
Fornax's smile turned a bit sheepish when she pointed out his ways, and averted his eyes from her for a bit. He really needed to get his words under control one of these days before he ended up hurting someone by accident. Hurt them with kindness and honesty, that is!
"That sounds wonderful then!" He took the offered hand and gave it a firm squeeze and shake before letting his own drop to his side.
"I've not yet heard of the Dark Mirror Court, so feel free to tell me what you wish. Drowning sounds so much more frightening than my sphere... I'm Fornax, White Moon Senshi of Dough. Not money, but bread dough. Don't know why it's not bread itself, but... Ah well." While he didn't know why or how he was a Dough boy, he didn't seem to mind one bit as he took to following the woman on her stroll. It was his sphere and his alone, and that made him happy enough.
"Fighting-wise... I've dusted quite a few number of Youma, but that's not the same as a human at all... I've spared but never really have been in a terrible situation. I guess I've just been lucky so far."
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:11 am
Dough? There was a senshi of dough? What wasn't there a senshi of at this point? Still, Orcus had to fight down the impulse to poke Fornax in the stomach and see if he giggled. That would just be rude and far too forward. Instead, she focused on the fact that she could, indeed, offer him a kindness in return for his own.
"There's not a great deal to tell," she admitted. "We can travel through mirrors if they're large enough, we have a Prince and Princess and well, we're Chaos. Though no one seems to know why or how ours is so different. And we absolutely cannot touch anyone's starseed while it's within them. Which I find oddly comforting."
So, he'd fought and defeated youma. Good enough, in and of itself, but slightly more problematical if he came up against human enemies.
"Let me teach you a few basic moves, Fornax," she said impulsively. "I'm sure you're quite capable, but youma ultimately are nothing like people. If you get into a tight spot, I'd be happier knowing you have some tricks up your sleeves to get out."
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:29 am
Orcus would find that if she DID poke Fornax in the gut he would indeed giggle. And probably flail a bit as well, but since she did not, that would remain a secret for now.
He found her tale interesting, to say the least. He knew little of princess or princesses, even less about chaos, but she didn't seem like a bad person at all. He had heard horror stories about individuals who would torture and hurt others, but the name of her court never came to light during those conversations. Perhaps they weren't a threat. And he, too, found that emphasising the fact that his soul was safe in his chest was a great deal of comfort as well.
"Oh.... You'd wish to teach me a thing or two? I think that's a fantastic idea, especially since you already seem so much more experienced than I am. I've used my magic a few times before, and it seemed to work alright. I would happily show it to you if you'd like, and if you had any advice on how to use it better, that would be even better."
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:36 am
Smiling that her offer had been accepted, Orcus paused in her stroll and turned to fully face Fornax. A quick glance showed that as long as they were quite careful, there'd be little to no property damage.
"As far as your magic, the best uses I can think of are diversionary or if you are literally backed into a wall with no other options. I tend to use mine as a means of escape, to be honest."
Magic use was not where she shone.
"I would like to see what your magic does, but I was thinking more along the lines of non-magical fighting."
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 8:14 am
Fornax had been following along just a little too closely, for when Orcus paused and turned, he stumbled a little before taking a few quick steps back. They were going to spar, right? So no reason to be so close! He listened intently to her, nodding at the suggestion to use it only when needed... He wondered, though, if that was because her magic was that scary. After all, it was drowning not doughing.
"Oh! Like hand to hand combat. I'm definitely not the best at that, but I can try. I try not to hurt people if I can avoid it.... And I don't seek out that pain either. But... It would be best to know. Just because we're peaceful doesn't mean We won't find someone with less honorable thoughts, I suppose..."
That being said, he tried to get into the best 'ready' stance he had, loosely resembling the MMA fighters his papa liked to watch on the TV every now and then.
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 8:31 am
Nodding in approval, Orcus felt herself agreeing with him to some degree. While she didn't go out of her way looking for people to hurt, she also didn't shy away from it. And she couldn't shake the feeling that some days, she was one of those less than honorable types.
Shaking her head slightly to dispel the thoughts, she watched with some amusement as Fornax assumed a fighting stance. It wasn't the worst she'd seen and in many ways was close to what he'd need. After a few tweaks it'd be better.
"Very good. Remember to keep your weight firmly balanced. Don't lean too hard on one leg or anyone with an idiot's luck will be able to knock you off balance. Keep your arms close to your torso. Those will be what protects your gut, throat and head."
She circled him a moment, feeling better for saying the words even though it looked as if Fornax already knew everything she'd told him.
"I want you on defense mode. I will pull my punches so they don't hurt you, okay? I also promise I won't go for any groin shots."
With an attempt at a reassuring smile, she shook out her arms and legs before immediately going on the attack, throwing a barrage of punches and kicks at Fornax, determined to find his weak spots.
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 9:33 am
Fornax just beamed when he was told he was doing a good job already, and listened to her guide him with eager ears. Yes, alot of it was stuff he thought about before, things that made sense, but it wasn't bad at all to have those ideas re-enforced into his head.
As she circled him, he tried to keep his eyes on her, turning his head easily to keep the shorter woman in his line of sight. It wasn't until now he realized just how short she was, and he smiled to himself about it.
"I appreciate the warnings." Barely managed to escape his lips before Orcus was on him, and he found that the first three our four hits landed solidly against his arms and sides. And they HURT, but not enough for him to drop his arms. If this was punch pulling, he'd hate to see what an actual fight was like against the Dark Mirror Senshi. Having swam for the past nearly every year of his life certainly helped the pain hurt just a little bit less, but she still was so quick and fast that it took a few seconds before he found a rhythm to respond to.
Soon, he was actually moving, dodging her blows, or pushing the ones out of the way that he could, and actually retaliating with a few taps of his own every now and then. And he was SMILING! Maybe he did have some way he could survive the everlasting fighting that was going on in the city.... Maybe he could really be strong enough to protect his family and Arian... Wouldn't that be something!
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 9:49 am
"Very good," Orcus exclaimed. "But don't let your guard down! And if you see an opening to lay 'em flat, you take it! Even if it's kicking 'em in the balls and running like fury."
She paused for a moments and actually beamed at the taller senshi. He was a quick learner and she thought he'd be a fine fighter with a bit more practice. Maybe she could talk him into joining one of the gyms in the area that offered classes in MMA.
"I think in a straight fight, you'll stand a good chance. Now, here's where I slow down and talk you through one or two tricks. This is also why you need to always be mindful in a fight when it comes to what the person you're fighting is doing."
Standing and stretching out her arms, Orcus moved close to Fornax and looked up at him, eyes serious.
"These tricks aren't nice. And depending on how hard you hit, they're not pretty. But they are effective and if used properly will keep you alive. First trick. If someone's grabbed you from behind or if you need them off balance and you're nice and close, stomp their instep. Drive your heel in hard and fast."
She turned so her back faced him and mimed the action before turning back to face him.
"Reason I bring that up first is if you can get them distracted, in pain and off balance, it's a lot easier to go for the throat. Fist or hand outstretched is good."
She moved slowly and carefully, hand going to his throat where the larynx could be crushed or badly wounded. She stopped when the tips of her fingers just barely brushed his skin.
"I'm sure you can see why I'm not exactly willing to do a full speed practice with this, yeah," she asked drily.
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 10:05 am
The praise was worn on Fornax's face like a sparkling gold medal. He really did enjoy hearing it, that was for certain, even more so from someone who seemed so battle hardened like Orcus did.
His smiles stopped, however, when the other became serious as well, and he nodded his understanding. Even if he was prepared to hear it, it didn't change his own feelings about her tactics, about how deadly she tried and succeeded to make it seem. It all seemed to flow so naturally from her mouth, as if she had done this many many times before, and it worried him, just a little bit.
He wasn't afraid to say that even with Orcus' slow and steady movements that he flinched when the hand got to his throat. It was a terrifying thought for that to be at real speed as just a regular human, much less a powered one.
"Yes, I can see... It's a good move but.... Tell me, Orcus, have you had to use this on someone before?
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 10:16 am
Noting the flinch and nodding slowly, Orcus was just as grateful that Fornax was willing to listen to her and take her words to heart. It helped, she thought, that he seemed inherently gentle. In her own experience, it was that type of person who roused the quickest and hit the hardest when the time came.
She could at least give him the knowledge of where to hit for when his time came.
And when his question came, she was able to answer as truthfully as he might want.
"Once. I was younger and at a ren faire for the weekend. One guy disliked seeing a tiny female kicking the a** of big dudes in the tourneys. He tried to jump me and I laid him on his a**. And I enjoyed it."
She stared somberly up, trying to find a nice way of telling Fornax that was might as well be a sociopath.
"I'm not a nice person," she said softly. "Not really. Not deep down. I enjoyed handing that guy his own a**. And I've made sure since to learn where to hit to make it hurt the most. Now," she continued, voice going crisp. "One last lesson for the night, I think. This one has a better chance of stopping someone for keeps. And no, I have never used this one on anyone. I've never been desperate enough."
Resuming her place before him, she moved in the same slow, careful way as before, but this time her knuckles gently brushed the bridge on his nose.
"Hit here as hard as you possibly can. Trust me, you will feel bone breaking. But that's not where the devastation comes in. Once you've hit the bridge of the nose, you must follow through quickly with a strike driving upward. What you are accomplishing is driving those bone shards you've just created up into the brain."
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