tigerpoet: inner smile (☽ face to face)
Nakajima Atsushi ([personal profile] tigerpoet) wrote in [community profile] starsand2022-06-25 04:10 pm

sparring with an audience

[If you're passing by the detective agency's office today, you might get to see a fight. Fauna, a familiar sight to most around Starsand, and Atsushi - no, the other one. The other other one.

Atsushi's grinning as they battle, so there's probably no bad blood involved… then again, with these two, it's hard to tell, especially with Fauna's mask covering any expression she might make.

Atsushi is a straightforward fighter, and his strikes with his sword are powerful. He doesn't dodge much, but he takes Fauna's fire and ice attacks head-on and keeps going strong. His attacks are almost reckless, the aggressive style of someone who knows he can tank any hit his opponent deals him and can fix any injuries later, trading openings in his own form for damage dealt to his opponent.

Fauna's fighting style, in contrast to her normal, headstrong nature, is quite methodical- First, blasts of fire and ice, scarring the battlefield to restrict her opponent's movements. Then a form change to her owl form, a bombardment of high-speed knives as she flies around to create openings. Then, when she's finally restricted and worn her opponent down, she strikes- Her lion form comes in swinging, intending to end it in a single, electric blow.

The battle ends in a draw, with Atsushi's sword at Fauna's neck and Fauna's sword at his heart. There's plenty of time afterwards to catch either of the two in conversation, if you've stuck around to watch.]
unquestioned_loyalty: (Focused)

[personal profile] unquestioned_loyalty 2022-06-29 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ The mild curiosity was quickly replaced with a frown when she decided to poke at the prince thing. ]

I am perfectly capable of worrying for you and spending time with others when needed. Right now is your time.

And perhaps you are fine. You can take care of yourself. I merely have not seen this happen to you before.

[ He watches her warily since she seems liable to attack, but he doesn't back down. If what she needs is to blow off steam he can do that. ]
nightwild: (pic#15737829)

[personal profile] nightwild 2022-06-29 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
[She grimaces.

The armor's spread halts, with her helmet half-formed around her, covering half her face.]


You don't need to worry about me. It happens sometimes. It's the price I pay for being a monster.
unquestioned_loyalty: (Default)

cw: chronic illness mention

[personal profile] unquestioned_loyalty 2022-06-29 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
Is that what you think of yourself?

[ To Akutagawa's credit he sounds more curious than concerned. ]

I suppose you could consider my illness much the same... Why is it you view yourself that way?

And I am aware I don't need to. You are an ally however, so I choose to anyway.
Edited 2022-06-29 02:22 (UTC)
nightwild: (pic#15737829)

cw: teeth on things that shouldn't have teeth

[personal profile] nightwild 2022-06-29 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
Why do I think...?

[She grimaces, and then lets her transformation complete. Her armor forms- Unlike her normal transformations, though, this one is far less ornate. It's simply gray armor, scarred and gouged and battered. The undersuit has red scarring all around it, the armor itself looks like it's been through a ton of horrible battles...

If the transformation is linked to her emotions, if the armor is linked to her soul, then what does this mean about her as a person?

Her faceplate slides open, showing a mouth full of horrible metal teeth, fangs designed to rip apart anything they can grab.]


I think I'm a monster because I am a monster. I make other monsters, I've ruined lives, I tried to destroy the damn world.
unquestioned_loyalty: (Default)

[personal profile] unquestioned_loyalty 2022-06-29 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
And I have killed more people than I can count. Indiscriminately. And would have continued to do so had I not been bound by my word not to.

You say these things in past tense, however. You clearly regret what you did.

True monsters would not regret their actions.

[ He points this out evenly, crossing his arms. He's never much understood her transformations, but he can get the message. ]

That is not to make light of your suffering or the suffering of those you hurt. Merely that you had reasons and are making an effort to change. In my mind that makes you different from a monster.
nightwild: (pic#15746657)

[personal profile] nightwild 2022-06-29 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
So what if I regret it?!

[She growls, hackles raised as she slashes her claws at the air, trying to work out all her anger and energy.

She doesn't even know how to begin to process Akutagawa's confession, though. He killed people? He was mafia, but...]


Regret doesn't fix things! Just because I regret it doesn't make anything right! If I want to make a just world, I have to start with myself, don't I?!
unquestioned_loyalty: (Default)

[personal profile] unquestioned_loyalty 2022-06-29 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
And you are. You've protected people since coming here, haven't you? I heard you helped save those kidnapped by the tree, and then again with the more recent kidnappings. Are those actions to be ignored?

[ He gazes at her, watching her claws ]

You made a change and acted. Your victims may not be here, but the best way to make up for any wrongdoing is to change. I've seen a few people chase the light this way.

You've made mistakes Fauna. Don't let your guilt cause you to make another.
nightwild: (pic#15425342)

[personal profile] nightwild 2022-06-29 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
What am I supposed to do, then...?

[She shouts, but her voice is uneven, breaking.]

I have to do something. What I've done here isn't enough! I have to do something more, fix things for good!