starsand | 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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You can't do it anymore?

[Her voice is carefully kept neutral, like she doesn't care, like she's just talking about whatever.

Her tail, on the other hand, is wagging.]

[ This girl's suddenly really excited?! ]

I haven't really tried yet. Where I came from, we had to make sure to use our magic sparingly or... well, it'd be really bad. If I can, I'll show you for sure.

I mean... Only if you want to. I don't care that much.

[Once again, her ears and tail prove the lie in her words.]

[ Ryoko thinks about it for a moment, rattling around her options in her head. When she thinks about it... ]

I could give it a shot right now, then. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad? I'm sure there's some way to keep things from getting out of hand.

[ As she reaches into her pocket, grasping onto the gem she's holding inside. ]

What could get out of hand?

[she is paying RAPT attention.]

[ Ugh... ugh ugh, does she have to say it... well, it probably makes sense to. Just in case. ]

I could turn into a monster.

[and all her enthusiasm comes immediately crashing to a halt.]

... A monster?

Right, but--

[ Aaaah, no no!! Wait, this is probably not good to start talking about?! ]

But, it'll probably be okay! I mean, I'd have to use up a ton of magic for that, and I'm sure I can stop before then! I've been doing this for a while, you know! I'm experienced!

Don't waste it, then!

What the hell... If you can transform, shouldn't that mean you've surpassed becoming a monster?

[ She hesitates on her next words... surpassed becoming a monster... ]

Ah... well...

[ Ryoko wishes she could. ]

That's the price I paid to even be able to transform. Honestly... I wouldn't even want to transform anymore if it would keep me from hurting anyone.