[Game Thread] Lord Windos’ PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Akamu might be forced to scramble back, as Kusanagi immediately gets in his space, stepping forward and towering over the young man in a smooth but rapid blur of motion. Her eyeless gaze bore holes into them, before they let out a scoff and turns away.

"Tell that boy he's far from mastering a blade with his bearing and attitude. That if he's unprepared and unwilling to handle true danger, to truly fight and kill for his life and others, then he has no business wielding a sword. Weak hands begat a weak sword, and a weak sword only shall get you and your own killed.  Hmpt....his lack of Guts handling his 'problem' Pokemon is woeful too. It does not bode well for his own journey if he can't come to grips with, perhaps, the first dangerous threat he can be responsible for."

Harsh, but not entirely without merit.


Veluza gives the old otter a battle hungry, menacing grin, completely undeterred by the vast disparity of Typing and Experience that lay between them. If anything that got him more put to meet with her - and the possibility of crossing his own Sharp blade-like fins with her own! This is meet with a savage, almost blood thirsty grin and a booming laugh as she shook her head in obvious mirth. 

"HA! Sharp in all the right ways, this one is! He may not be a Sword, but he most certainly is a Blade. A Cleaver, perhaps, hacking away at all that opposes him with gleeful exuberance and great relish. Ah yes....what a wonderful attitude and potential this one holds. He'd fit right in any proper Battle or Fight to the death, butchering his enemies like so much meat to be sliced ."

The most daring Fishie didn't seem to know how to take Kusanagi's words, a thoughtful frown appearing as they pondered them. On one hand they were right - he did very much enjoy what he did, and that included Lethal Combat when the time came for it. He could easily see himself cutting down enemies permanently if need be or his blood boils too hot. On the other, he knows that his Master - you - is not nearly as much of a Battle junkie and fiend for the blade, let alone have any taste for murder and death of any kind. He doesn't want to disappoint you, not unless it was unavoidable. Hm...what to think, what to think...   

Your high praise for your elite swordsman only gets an interested tilt of the head from the scarred warrior, before she lets out dismissive huff, waving it off entirely.

"Bold words and high praise, especially for a swordsman so young and still wet behind the ears. Forgive me if I withhold judgement until I can actually meet with him - only Pokemon I knew that could call upon the true Power of Sacred Sword are all long since dead and gone, and nobody since has approached their prowess."

Iron Leaves....

The title of Verdant Sword causes the seasoned and sightless warrior to twitch, a slight frown on her muzzle. Iron Leaves, on the other hoof, was a tad apprehensive of revealing themselves to a Mon like Kusa that could shrug off their main capabilities, but in the end she complied with your Will. Through your Bond with the Future Paradox you could feel her leashing her power once more and marshaling their Will for this meeting , so you knew the moment she was 'ready' .

With that all that done, you released Iron Leaves, who stood firm and tall right in front of you as she stoically stared down Kusanagi. Her Verdant Terrain, restrained as it was, only pooled around her feet, small patches of greenery and the occasional flower popping up as she strode towards the Blade of Glory. Upon reaching a few feet distance from them - and manipulating her Terrain to spread only the narrowest 'branch' onto their feet - she gave the a bow of their head.

[GREETINGS: This Unit is Referred to as Iron Leaves. Let Us Cooperate and Progress Our Master's Goals, And Complete Your Own Desires As Well.]

Kusanagi went still, their normally arrogant and slightly mocking, sly, or sneering expression stricken and dumbfounded for a brief moment.

...Then it was gone, and a grimly intrigued and...something else frown appeared as they 'looked' your hydraulic house over, slowly taking their time to circle around Her and occasionally prodding Her with a paw. Your Partner took this without compliant, though through your link she was most uncomfortable with this.

At last the old warrior stopped her silent examinations, now in front of you and with Her behind as her frown turned solemn and....bittersweet amusement?

"....I knew you were concealing something significant from me, but this One..... *Deep, sharp chuckling* Do you realize the full extent of the Blade you wield? The most core thing about her?"

Behind them Leaves shuffles, a lightly curious look on Her face. Looks like she doesn't know what they building up too.

"....Heh, I suppose it matters not. She is your Sword, a Pokemon almost without Peer in what she is capable of, and she shall serve you well and grow to her fullest in time. As too will you, if your commitment proves True, Ideal, and Pure. *Wane Smirk* Do take good care of her - it'd be a shame for the world to lose a Master of a Blade like them again."

With a light chuckle Kusanagi goes silent, remaining motionless and ready between you and Iron Leaves.

Seddi will give Kusanagi a long, hard, thoughtful stare.  It's not particularly surprising that all of her comments about his more 'average' Swords pertain to how lethal they are.  It's clear that the comments are putting them off, though.  

"Sage advice for Akamu indeed.  A blade swung without purpose and commitment will never find its target, and can often cause more harm than good.  If you're going to learn, better to do so with intent.  And whether it's to harm or kill, know exactly what that intent is before you swing."

A difference in philosophies between them perhaps.  Or maybe just a difference in goals, seeing as Kusanagi is likely trying to provoke her opponents into trying to kill her.

He glances at Ceruledge and Veluza and nods reassuringly.  They know his policy.  A master of the blade also knows how not to kill with their deadly weapon.  Seddi's not above letting his mons inflict Lethal damage if it will help them maintain a necessary edge, but killing is something they only rarely need to do.

Seddi could not be prouder of his partners' control, their precision and purpose when they strike.  He can always trust them to do what's necessary in a given situation.

Even if it means they'll need to kill when a situation calls for it.  Because if they need to, they can.

Briefly getting back on track with the training though...

"Before we begin the sparrin', I have a...trainin' aid of sorts that I'd like to try applyin'. One that I obtained after a great deal of unexpected trouble.  Just so we're clear, I am not on friendly terms with the individual this item originally belonged to."

He doesn't know exactly how Kusanagi is going to react to this, but better he show her this now so he can explain why he has it.  Just in case though, he silently motions to his partners to be ready in case Kusanagi tries something...

Leaves was not the only thing Seddi was hiding from her initially.  And he can only hope her reaction to this won't be deadly.

"Given that we'll be defendin' the people of Bayahama soon, I think it's only appropriate that we seek what aid we can from one who would do the same.  They may be dead, but they're not gone.  Not entirely."

The cowboy has pulled out of his bag the Blue Boa.  Kusanagi may not have her sight, but she can likely recognize the item from its aura.

Seddi waits in anticipation of Kusanagi's reaction, ready to react, regardless of what that reaction may be...