concoursec | The Way of the Sword

Entry tags:

The Way of the Sword

Character(s): Byakuya Kuchiki and OPEN
Location: Training Center
Rating: PG, more than likely
Open/Closed/Finished: Open!
Summary: Byakuya is ensuring that his blade never dulls

Sometimes, it was good to get back to basics. The rules requiring discretion about off-worlder abilities and teachiching the bladed weapons course had reinforced that well. Rather than using kidou or Senbonzakura's shikai, Byakuya had largely stuck to basic swordsmanship techniques. He had taken the time to become moderately proficient in all bladed weapons students could specialize in at Garden so that he could effectively instruct his students. Perhaps he could have practiced with one of those, but he felt like giving himself a reminder of his Shinigami Academy training.

Presently, he was in the training center, Senbonzakura drawn and ready. When he saw a person approaching instead of a grat or T-rexaur, he lowered his blade and inclined his head slightly in non-verbal greeting.

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Though Quistis had no missions lined up in the near future, she still preferred to keep her skills in check by frequenting the Training Center when she wasn't helping Squall with his Commander duties or completing paperwork for Cid. While the Toramas, Elnoyles, Glacial Eyes, Imps and other monsters that frequented the area surrounding Esthar would have proven to be far more challenging enemies than the usual Grats and T-Rexuars that littered the small jungle setting, the fact that Malboros still roamed the plains was something Quistis didn't particularly want to encounter that day especially on her own. So instead she took to the Training Center in her usual battle attire, Save the Queen held securely in her hand as she carefully made her way around the Training Center.

It was when she stepped around a dense patch of foliage did she spot Byakuya. While he was a SeeD and instructor, Quistis realized that she hadn't interacted much with the male besides the usual SeeD meetings that they both frequented. Deciding that being friendly to a fellow comrade wouldn't hurt, Quistis ducked her own head into a small nod in response to his greeting before making an attempt at small talk.

"How are you, Instructor Kuchiki?"

"Well enough," said Byakuya. "Thank you for asking, Ms. Trepe. And yourself?"

Byakuya was seldom talkative, but there was no need to be rude. Particularly not to another SeeD - and one who wasn't annoying and loud, at that.

(ooc: Short tags are short. I lack the brainpower for a more intelligent reply today)

[OOC: No worries. And sorry for the late tag!]

"I'm fine-- just looking for a bit of a work out today in the Training Center." Quistis comments, her eyes giving the area a quick glance before she settles her gaze back onto Byakuya. "Wasn't particularly up to facing the Malboros outside today."

"The Marlboros can be troublesome," Byakuya agreed. Particularly when he had to restrict himself to the abilities common to this world rather than his own. He had passed Senbonzakura's first release off as a limit break, but preferred to avoid using it when it wasn't necessary, and especially if there were others present. Byakuya Kuchiki was many things - a rule breaker was not amongst those things.

"Although if you would like to face them together for some more challenging training, I would be willing to join you."

The last time Gakupo was in the training center, he was helping someone sing to the creatures there. Very odd, yes, but it was either that, or let Maria stay there by herself, unarmed and very new to Garden. He would never forgive himself if he allowed that to happen.

He planned to get more practice with his sword skills than last time. A few grats were finished off with a distinct ring of sound from his treasured sword before moving onto a new section of the training center. He cast a simple Cure spell for a gash on his arm from an earlier encounter. Hopefully it would suffice until he left.

Once through some overhanging foliage, Gakupo spotted Instructor Kuchiki. He blinked before nodding in return.

"Fancy meeting you here, Instructor."

"I am uncertain why that would be surprising, Cadet Gakupo," replied Byakuya, though there was no chiding in his voice. "A consistent practice routine is important for maintaining one's skills."

Although Byakuya held his students to a high standard in class, he held himself to an even higher standard. If he did not follow his own example, how could he expect any of his students to?

(ooc: Short tags are short. I lack the brainpower for a more intelligent reply today)

(ooc: that's okay! It's still a good tag!)

That reminded him of his former instructor. So rigid. It was nostalgic. Gakupo nodded softly nonetheless, stepping further out of the foliage, blade still out. "It's a rather large training center, though."

Somehow, he felt like he was intruding on Byakuya's space. He cleared his throat with a fidget. "I'll leave you to your training then, instructor." Gakupo gave a salute before going to continue on his way.

Normally, Byakuya would have been glad to be left to his own devices. Something that Renji told him once stopped him today. He could clearly recall their battle, when his vice-captain unveiled his newly developed bankai to save Rukia. Renji had told him that he didn't pay attention to his subordinates. Realizing that Renji was right about that had been uncomfortable.

As an instructor, it was more important that he be attentive to his charges. It was part of his duty, and duty was not something that Byakuya Kuchiki ignored. If he neglected a responsibility it was only because it conflicted with another responsibility that he felt took precedence.

"There is no need for you to do that," he said, speaking up slightly. "If there is something you wish to work on, I can assist you with it."

Gakupo paused and looked back to Byakuya in surprise. There were few opportunities to work with an instructor with his blade skills. He turned to Byakuya fully and bowed traditionally.

"Thank you, instructor. I'm actually uncertain which area I need more practice in with my blade." Gakupo looked to his ancestor's sword in all its colorful glory. "It's...been a while since I last had proper instruction." Even after his father's death, he still honed his skills on his own. Blue eyes turned back to Byakuya, not looking pleased, moreso with himself. "But it doesn't feel right. Every movement feels robotic, or rigid. Routine..."

"There comes a point when a swordsman or swordswoman develops beyond the techniques they are taught," said Byakuya. "Small adjustments are made to account for the individual's build, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps you are reaching that point now."

His technique was superior to most, but it was the result of decades of training and striving to always improve himself. It was only natural that he would have his own style. And unlike a certain foolish captain who wore his hair spiked with bells in it, he actually did have style and did not crudely hack away at an opponent to prolong a fight.

"Attack me as though you mean me harm. I will defend and observe."

This was all true. The year on his own, he honed in on his skills in between tours and other promotional activities. Coming here to Garden really helped out his techniques, but they still weren't...right. Weren't his own style. This resulted in him sticking to what he knew best. Classes also interfered with his own personal training, leaving little time to develop himself.

Now here he was, at stagnation.

Byakuya...wanted him to attack. Well, he wouldn't disappoint by holding back. Gakupo readied his junction of Shiva before he took his stance, his blade making the faintest of sounds as it moved to his front. He dashed forward, going in for a quick horizontal slash, making the air ring with a shrill melody of glass being scratched.

Byakuya brought his blade up to meet Gakupo's in a swift and elegant motion. He observed the attack, mentally making notes.

"Treat me as if I am a Galbadian soldier who must be detained for questioning," he added a half second later. "Although I will not be attacking you the way an enemy soldier would and merely defending, I will attempt to escape, and try to throw obstacles in your path. Your task is to prevent me from leaving while making certain I am left in a state that I could reasonably be questioned in."

Admittedly, if he really wanted to escape, there were very few who would be able to stop him from doing just that, but he wasn't going to be using flash steps or any of his kidou. The worst thing Gakupo was in danger of at the moment was having an errant grat kicked into his path as an obstacle.

With a nod, Gakupo pushed away from Byakuya and quickly cast Slow at his new 'enemy'. If he could at least slow down the other, then it may give him a chance. Gakupo has a feeling the instructor wouldn't make this easy.

That was a good way to prevent an opponent from escaping without causing significant harm. It was also an effective way to deal with an opponent who was faster than oneself. Byakuya silently approved of the tactic, though his expression remained as stone faced as ever. He sliced some nearby foliage with his blade, flinging the leafy debris at Gakupo while he started to make his escape. His movements were hindered, but even without using flash steps, he moved fairly well for someone who had been slowed down.

He then cast Haste on himself and went after, moving faster than normal. The sliced leafs are batted away, letting his draft whisk them away naturally. A ball of Fira was shot from his hand, honing in on the ground in front of Byakuya.

Just simply chasing behind him wasn't going to work by itself. He thought up a plan b in case he was right.

Byakuya switched direction as abruptly as he could in his slowed state, the fire hitting his ankle. It was challenging to time things this way. He had said he would only be defending rather than attacking, and cast Silence at Gakupo to remove the possibility of any other para-magic from this exercise. The point was to focus on Gakupo's swordsmanship, after all.

Kind of hard to practice when he couldn't even catch the 'enemy'.

Silence. How detests that. Gakupo frowned and noticed the path ahead had a shortcut. If he could cut the other off from ahead...

He jumped into the foliage, taking another route. The terrain was a path that not many traveled through, from the obvious lack of a trail. Rocks and small ponds were leaped over, while his lungs and legs worked to try and get ahead.

It was tiring to push himself to run without using flash steps in this slowed state, and the burn to his ankle caused some discomfort as well. Byakuya's pace slowed slightly while he made his way for the exit. Between that and the haste cast on Gakupo, it was more than enough time for the cadet to cut him off.

The corners of Byakuya's mouth turned upward for a second when he saw that Gakupo had intercepted his path. Good. Skill by itself counted for very little if one couldn't adapt it. By forcing Gakupo to focus on a challenge, perhaps his technique would flow more naturally. If nothing else, it would help prepare him a little for situations he might face were he to pass the SeeD exams.

That detour may have cut time, but once he looks in the mirror later...

Gakupo leaped out of the foliage, leaves tangled in his hair along with twigs, but that didn't matter as he went to slash at Byakuya vertically. Although this was all a challenge, it was actually refreshing to take up.

Byakuya brought his sword up to defend, narrowly blocking the strike. He would let Gakupo take the lead here, and see if Gakupo could corner him effectively by pushing him in the right direction to prevent his escape.

Although he had never fancied himself a teacher before coming here, he could silently admit to himself that there was some reward in seeing his students progress through their lessons. Instructor Byakuya Kuchiki expected hard work and discipline. In return, he strived to provide direction, and to go beyond the basic requirements of his job.

The further away from the exit he could get the instructor, the better. Their swords clashed, but Gakupo knew that with the right angle, a high note could ring out to distract the other.

He shoved the other back as best as he could, only for the chance to be able to scrape his sword against Byakuya's, letting off a shrill note. If he put more power into it, it could have damaged the other's ears, but he didn't want that. What good is a prisoner if they can't hear the interrogation questions?

Byakuya's ear flinched at the unpleasantly shrill noise, pushing to resist against Gakupo's blade without working to overpower him. He couldn't tell at first if the scraping was deliberate or if it was happenstance, but it was an effective split-second distraction.

Gakupo finished his slash, the ringing even affecting him as he forgot to wear his protective ear coverings. He spun on the ball of his foot and tried to kick the other's feet from beneath him.

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The Way of the Sword

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Sorry for the delay - I had a tooth pulled this week

D: oh gosh...

Seems to be healing now at least :D

So very glad to hear! /o/

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