video | username: pearl

[beyourrock]

[Pearl was a little apprehensive at first to go ahead about this. But when she thought about it, this would be beneficial to many people here. Especially for people who were not used to missions, or even fighting for that matter.

Swallowing hard, Pearl lifts her head and sets her 'communicator' on a rock in the outskirts of the city. Out of harm's way. Once it was perfect, she starts.]

Greetings everyone of ALASTAIR. My name is Pearl, and I wanted to offer my assistance.

[In her hand, it looks to be a sword, held confidently. She bows in greeting to the jewel, shifting awkwardly. This was so different than what she's used to. Heck, she didn't know if it was even working.

Behind her, another 'Pearl' comes up behind her, with a sword as well, about to strike her over the head with it. But in one swift movement, the opposing Pearl falls to the ground, flickering. Pearl lowers her arm, the sword having penetrated the hologram, which fizzles out of existence altogether.]

I have experience when it comes to swordsmanship, and as well as experience with the use of a spear. I wanted to gather if there would be any interest for some training. We all come from many different backgrounds, myself included. I want to make sure everyone has a chance to defend themselves.

For now, I'm gauging interest. Also, if anyone else is interested in hosting some training as well. I don't... mean to be the 'head' of any group. I merely wish to help where I can. This would help immensely for what might be on the horizon for us.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know. And if you wish to speak to me in person, I'm just on the outskirts here.

Comments

[beyourrock]

I've heard of such things in the past. But, things have changed, for the better if anything.

[adlantisag]

[ Recognizing Pearl's sheepishness for shame, Kida's face softens into a warm smile. ]

Be at ease, Pearl. You could not have known. I have lived...

[ Her eyes slide away as she considers the number. Time flows so strangely in Atlantis, without the sun and moon, that sometimes days will feel eternal and years will go by in a blink. ]

...eight thousand years now. I am not very strong— [ She clenches her fist, her human fist. ]—but I am fast, cunning, and experienced in hunting. I have to use those skills when I fight, or I would soon be overpowered.

1/2

[beyourrock]

I don't think that's a bad thing at all! You have the skills to hold your own! It's a unique take on fighting in which I haven't seen in a very long time.

[Pearl smiles a little brighter, her shoulders perked up. Confident. The Gem soon clasps her hands in tight fists and punches the air a few times.]

That brute strength! That war cry of yours! It was incredible! Intimidation, shocking your opponent to the very core before swooping in for the final blow!

[beyourrock]

[Well. That was a little dramatic. But Pearl tries to steel her emotions and clears her throat.]

I mean. Yes. Very good.

[evasively]

That sounds like a very romantic thing.

[beyourrock]

In a way, it can be. At other times, it's for a mutual benefit. To overcome obstacles you couldn't do alone.

Just as long as you have a healthy relationship with whomever you fuse with.

[evasively]

Will the 'fusion' be stronger if your relationship with the other person is stronger?

[beyourrock]

Yes, that is true. Sometimes they can stay fused for a very long time.

[evasively]

That would require a very deep bond, wouldn't it?

[ and since she confirmed that it can be 'romantic': ]

Something like 'love', perhaps?

[digophelia]

It is for the better; being a woman does not make you any less of an efficient fighter or a leader.

[ It makes Alice all the more eager to see how she uses a sword. ]

Oh, then... Miss Pearl, my name is Alice Liddell.

[adlantisag]

[ Ah--that is--well. ]

2/2

[adlantisag]

[ That's considerably more enthusiasm she's had thrown her way since...well, ever, really. She finds it rather endearing. ]

Pagen'! Thank you, Pearl. If you would like, we could face each other, though I like your system of projections. It would not be good for either of us to be injured.

[ They'd be fairly evenly matched, she thinks, or at least she hopes. ]

What other skills do you have? You must have learned much, in your travels.

[beyourrock]

Yes. Love.

[Pearl nods again, her expression turning forlorn, before she shakes her head and waves her hand dismissively.]

But yeah! That's basically fusion!

[beyourrock]

[Pearl smiles a little more, seeing that Kida wasn't taken aback by her sudden outburst of enthusiasm. the Gem rubs at her chin as she considers this. While both of them did have different techniques, the two of them were very skilled. And Kida made a good point. It'd wouldn't help them to be injured after a sparring match.

She contemplates for a moment before she furrows her brow.]

There's dancing, but I know many people don't like dancing. But it's what I incorporate into my battle techniques. It catches my opponents off guard.

[evasively]

[ The shift in her expression doesn't go unnoticed. An old wound, maybe? Or a longing for someone else? Fai isn't tactless enough to bring it up, however. He wouldn't want someone to pry into his life like that. ]

I can't imagine what that must be like - to become 'one' with someone else. You would have to open yourself up to them completely.

[ It's something he would be too afraid to ever do. Fai simply has too many secrets to allow another person into his mind. ]

username: mikazukimunechika

[munechika]

How very fascinating and very impressive. [ especially from a sword like him who's only known one form of magic and that's his saniwa's. ] Are you a sage as well, young miss?

[adlantisag]

[ That makes Kida blink, surprised at the suggestion, but interested none the less. ]

Dancing? I have never seen dance used in battle before.

[ Her people dance in celebration, though they have precious little to celebrate these days. She plants the finial of her speak into the ground, leaning on it as she considers Pearl with that focused gaze. ]

Show me.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl nods and summons yet another projection. Taking her position in the open landscape, near the torches, Pearl activates the training program. Holding her sword in a firm grip, she watches as the hologram charges forward, thrusting out its own sword at her chest.

Pearl tilts her body, like a ballerina would, holding her arms up high, and craning her body to the side to avoid the sword's deadly tip. She sweeps her feet in a gliding motion, bending her body down low to make her way behind the hologram.

Soon, the two of them engage in a deadly, and yet graceful dance of swords. The swords collide. Their steps precise and calculated. However, it all looks so effortless. There's a rush behind each sword strike. A small gust of wind passing by the torches, causing them to flicker, almost completely out. But once they settled, Pearl found her opening.

The Gem bends down low, in an elegant bow, before she uses her bent knees to thrust herself forward, piercing through the hologram's middle with her sword. In an instant, the hologram poofs into a cloud of smoke.]

[perma_banned]

Seems like you're gettin' it.

[Pearl couldn't be blamed for not knowing. With that fox's sneer on his face all the time, Ban looked the part of an arrogant, self-serving man.

The latter was more true than the prior.

Happiness couldn't find him easily, while alcohol helped him sleep when his mind spoke far too loudly to him. His exterior wouldn't let that one slip.]

Wantin' to be happy, healthy and full of food's not greedy at all. I'll want somethin' way more than that.

[Something absolutely unobtainable.]

[adlantisag]

[ Kida watches Pearl and her double duel to the sound of a music she cannot hear. She can sense it, in a way, the age-old beat of battle, of hard footfalls in the earth, rucking up dirt. This is a dance she knows in her bones, and she can appreciate the beauty that Pearl adds to it with her flourishes. The line that separates fighting from dancing, after all, is mostly intention.

And Pearl's intention, to strike and to destroy, is evident in every line. Kida isn't prone to fancy, but she tries to keep an open mind. She thinks she could learn something, here. The fire flickers, and in the interstices of light and dark Pearl moves with the hologram, faster and faster, until they too are only a flicker.

Until Pearl stands alone in a cloud of smoke. Kida purses her lips in wonder. ]

You are impressive. You move like water. Can you show me your technique?

[ She can't say if she can merge it to her own style--which to be fair, is no style at all--but she can always use more method, more discipline. ]

[of_her_own_accord]

I believe it was a boy named Steven? Very energetic, very optimistic.

[onblackwings]

It's not like you can prevent every would-be death — and neither can anyone else. That would be ridiculous.

[keystaff]

Yup! This is the Mirror Card. Because she can be a mirror of me. Or...I guess whoever she might want to or who I ask her to. I've only ever seen her as me, or herself. Not anyone else, though. But she does have a mind of her own. When I first found her she was...she was running around pretending to be me and getting into trouble. She found my brother and led him away.

[Down a cliff, actually. Sakura was rather panicked then, which the Mirror card obviously still feels bad for from the expression as Sakura tries to explain, having actually gotten rather fond of the older Kinomoto sibling from her brief time with him. But she doesn't shy away from Pearl either. Simply remaining fairly still as she waits for any sort of instruction.]

Sometimes when I've had to go out, I've let Mirror pretend to be me so brother and dad don't get worried.

[grunehexe]

I see. I will wait, then.

[beyourrock]

Ah yes, he's from my world.