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[when it's night, and the Temple should be sleeping, that's when Merlin knows it's a good time to train some. it's not like something worse than sickness feels like it will be happening, but he doesn't want to grow rusty - nor does he wants everyone just yet to know his capacity. call it an aura of mystery, call it being contradictory. but the fighting ring is away from the general center of things, so he figures he'll have some time to himself.
his cloak and outer layers he leaves folded up where they won't get dirty, leaving him in his sleeveless undershirt. his staff as well stays there after he withdraws the sword that hides within it. these dummies might not be exceptional opponents, but they fight back, and that's all he needs. alone, he can concentrate, let his blade talk for him. if someone was to see him, they'd see his face solemn in its concentration, his moves quick. this is a man accustomed to handling a sword - someone who fights not for pure joy, but to win. to battle, for life.
if something worse is to come, he'll need to keep his own head on his shoulders.]
his cloak and outer layers he leaves folded up where they won't get dirty, leaving him in his sleeveless undershirt. his staff as well stays there after he withdraws the sword that hides within it. these dummies might not be exceptional opponents, but they fight back, and that's all he needs. alone, he can concentrate, let his blade talk for him. if someone was to see him, they'd see his face solemn in its concentration, his moves quick. this is a man accustomed to handling a sword - someone who fights not for pure joy, but to win. to battle, for life.
if something worse is to come, he'll need to keep his own head on his shoulders.]
[ nothing good ever awaits him in his dreams.
he hates sleeping. he always has. his designated purpose here is to protect these people.
or maybe the truth is that the prospect of being forced to witness the world die, bit by bit, just as it did before haunts him.
so he gets up, blade in tow, dressed down to his pants, hair tied up and tightened until it has no chance of sweeping across his shoulders. the iron of his boots sift against the ground. there's a figure, familiar, graceful—
...
nier doesn't speak. instead, he watches. he gets a feel for his movements. there is purpose in his stance. he is firm in how he carries himself, and he can see it flicker in his eyes, the way he envisions an opponent that does not exist, something to concentrate his energy towards.
of course, he's never been much of a spectator. so he enters the ring, arms behind his head. ]
...People make for better practice than dummies do.
[ his features are hard, but he cants his head the slightest bit — like it's a proposition. ]
he hates sleeping. he always has. his designated purpose here is to protect these people.
or maybe the truth is that the prospect of being forced to witness the world die, bit by bit, just as it did before haunts him.
so he gets up, blade in tow, dressed down to his pants, hair tied up and tightened until it has no chance of sweeping across his shoulders. the iron of his boots sift against the ground. there's a figure, familiar, graceful—
...
nier doesn't speak. instead, he watches. he gets a feel for his movements. there is purpose in his stance. he is firm in how he carries himself, and he can see it flicker in his eyes, the way he envisions an opponent that does not exist, something to concentrate his energy towards.
of course, he's never been much of a spectator. so he enters the ring, arms behind his head. ]
...People make for better practice than dummies do.
[ his features are hard, but he cants his head the slightest bit — like it's a proposition. ]
[Nier's voice cuts through the sound of fighting, registers to him, but Merlin doesn't respond immediately. instead, he blocks the blow that the dummy is sending him and counters, before he holds his hand up.]
That's enough.
[light, but there's not a request in it. instead, it is a command solid enough that the dummies back off, and Merlin can look to Nier.]
...Can't sleep, Nier?
[of course people make better practice. but he has his reasons - he always does. his own hair hangs loose, but it doesn't seem to bother him - somehow, it wasn't getting in the way.]
That's enough.
[light, but there's not a request in it. instead, it is a command solid enough that the dummies back off, and Merlin can look to Nier.]
...Can't sleep, Nier?
[of course people make better practice. but he has his reasons - he always does. his own hair hangs loose, but it doesn't seem to bother him - somehow, it wasn't getting in the way.]
Edited 2018-10-02 06:01 (UTC)
...Yeah. It's a little hard to, these days.
[ he's said that for the past 6 years.
nier stands tall, gradually drawing out his blade — just two dudes, hanging out with their swords.
his fingers run along its sheath. ]
I take it you couldn't either...but I didn't know you were good with a sword.
[ he's said that for the past 6 years.
nier stands tall, gradually drawing out his blade — just two dudes, hanging out with their swords.
his fingers run along its sheath. ]
I take it you couldn't either...but I didn't know you were good with a sword.
I'm a man of many surprises. It's more fun to keep it that way.
[his eyes trail over Nier, lingering on the sword.]
Am I in the way of you having a bout of your own?
[his eyes trail over Nier, lingering on the sword.]
Am I in the way of you having a bout of your own?
...It's a pleasant surprise, to say the least.
[ his gaze is hard — it flits over merlin's own blade. ]
No. Am I in yours?
[ his gaze is hard — it flits over merlin's own blade. ]
No. Am I in yours?
Not at all. I didn't expect anyone to be up at this hour, after all - but I can make accommodations.
[however. however, a living person is far, far better than a substitute.]
[however. however, a living person is far, far better than a substitute.]
I see.
[ he cants his head, slowly. ]
...Do you want to spar? [ a hand runs through his hair. ] I told you you could get even whenever you liked. If you have any aggression inside of you, I'm fine with taking the brunt of it.
[ something small tugs at the corner of his mouth. ]
I can't promise that you won't lose, though.
[ he cants his head, slowly. ]
...Do you want to spar? [ a hand runs through his hair. ] I told you you could get even whenever you liked. If you have any aggression inside of you, I'm fine with taking the brunt of it.
[ something small tugs at the corner of his mouth. ]
I can't promise that you won't lose, though.
Edited 2018-10-02 07:35 (UTC)
[he's about to be more cagey, to play with words and make his decision, but then Nier says that, and a part of himself that he usually keeps very down speaks. Nier's already seen him with a sword, so playing dumb won't help him too much. instead, he smiles, and his eyes are unreadable.]
Not to get even. But a friendly spar, now...I'm sure you'd give me a better time than these pieces of wood.
[and that said, he walks back a little, to give them proper space.]
Not to get even. But a friendly spar, now...I'm sure you'd give me a better time than these pieces of wood.
[and that said, he walks back a little, to give them proper space.]
Hm.
[ the cue clicks in his mind with ease.
so he steps back in turn, his katana slowly unsheathing, head held high. ]
I don't have any hard limits.
[ ... ]
But I'll try not to blemish your skin.
[ and he lunges, quick on his feet, swinging down. ]
[ the cue clicks in his mind with ease.
so he steps back in turn, his katana slowly unsheathing, head held high. ]
I don't have any hard limits.
[ ... ]
But I'll try not to blemish your skin.
[ and he lunges, quick on his feet, swinging down. ]
[oh, he's fast, and Merlin can instantly feel the difference from his imagined opponents - an actual pushback, requiring him to swing his sword up to block and redirect, the clash of metal on metal ringing out in the arena, and there's a light in Merlin's eyes as he leaps back.]
Leave your marks, if you even can. They'll make a great story to tell.
[that he got them in a heated battle under the stars. but there'll be enough space to taunt, and he darts in to swing his sword, trying to slip under Nier's guard.]
Leave your marks, if you even can. They'll make a great story to tell.
[that he got them in a heated battle under the stars. but there'll be enough space to taunt, and he darts in to swing his sword, trying to slip under Nier's guard.]
[ his eyes are alight with something inexplicable — the gentleness so commonly present in his features leaves him, and instead he smiles, brows knitted and expression hard with a quiet ferocity.
merlin moves like the wind; he sees the purpose in his eyes more closely this time, flickering like a flame. metal rings. merlin swings, and nier parries; metal rings again. ]
Your skin is fairer than mine. [ he leaps back only to pivot forward on a foot and strike hard towards his middle, right along his chest. of course, this leaves his abdomen relatively exposed, but he doesn't care. ] I thought you'd value it more. [ merlin fights on the offense.
he likes that. it shows. ]
I'll make sure it's one worth asking about. Something that lasts with fondness.
merlin moves like the wind; he sees the purpose in his eyes more closely this time, flickering like a flame. metal rings. merlin swings, and nier parries; metal rings again. ]
Your skin is fairer than mine. [ he leaps back only to pivot forward on a foot and strike hard towards his middle, right along his chest. of course, this leaves his abdomen relatively exposed, but he doesn't care. ] I thought you'd value it more. [ merlin fights on the offense.
he likes that. it shows. ]
I'll make sure it's one worth asking about. Something that lasts with fondness.
Edited 2018-10-02 08:42 (UTC)
[he'll heal himself, he thinks, if it'll be anything that really impacts his looks. he's not like Nier, who wears the evidence of what he knows across his body - such is the blessing of magic for those with even a touch of vanity in their veins. if he really showed it...
well. he doesn't. instead he knows at this range it'd be too hard to avoid it with his body, so he uses the blade, halting it an inch or so from his middle before he pushes back hard, trying to sway Nier's balance and push his sword out to the side so he can take advantage of that gap in Nier's defense.
obvious. he knows it'll be read. but if he really wanted to win, to draw blood, he'd start playing dirtier than this. that was the realm of a mage - victory at all costs. he can see that resolution in his opponent - time will tell if the same sort of thing gets drawn out of Merlin.]
Now that, I'd like to see.
well. he doesn't. instead he knows at this range it'd be too hard to avoid it with his body, so he uses the blade, halting it an inch or so from his middle before he pushes back hard, trying to sway Nier's balance and push his sword out to the side so he can take advantage of that gap in Nier's defense.
obvious. he knows it'll be read. but if he really wanted to win, to draw blood, he'd start playing dirtier than this. that was the realm of a mage - victory at all costs. he can see that resolution in his opponent - time will tell if the same sort of thing gets drawn out of Merlin.]
Now that, I'd like to see.
[ nier's stamina seems to be at the forefront of his skillset, his strength being second — when merlin pushes back, nier does the same, teeth gritting as metal meets metal. his form threatens to fall apart, but he is notably immovable, wanting to knock merlin forward instead of deftly dodging. his voice lowers a register when he speaks, slow and deep— ]
Seeing is one thing. Feeling is another.
[ but the definition of "victory" in this fight seems to have taken something a little less clear-cut. in his mind, however, the pieces fall together, and he's eventually shoved off balance. this does not seem to distress him — it's an invitation to attack, to gauge what he'll do next. it's more exciting that way. ]
Seeing is one thing. Feeling is another.
[ but the definition of "victory" in this fight seems to have taken something a little less clear-cut. in his mind, however, the pieces fall together, and he's eventually shoved off balance. this does not seem to distress him — it's an invitation to attack, to gauge what he'll do next. it's more exciting that way. ]
How right you are.
[it's too simple, too foolish to completely rush in. he breathes in, evaluating the situation, and foregoes the simple opening to kick out, going for Nier's legs to further push him. he can reason out how it would put him at a disadvantage to simply look for the easiest route - a brute charges ahead without thought.
but if he can slip a little more under his guard, then he can take another swipe at him.]
[it's too simple, too foolish to completely rush in. he breathes in, evaluating the situation, and foregoes the simple opening to kick out, going for Nier's legs to further push him. he can reason out how it would put him at a disadvantage to simply look for the easiest route - a brute charges ahead without thought.
but if he can slip a little more under his guard, then he can take another swipe at him.]
Not bad for a mage.
[ steel grazes his bare skin — until it pierces, rivulets of blood beginning to spill from and trickle down his abdomen. he uses this as an opportunity to charge forward and shift his katana upwards, going for a frontal offense as he strikes towards merlin's chest in a fluid motion.
merlin can do as he pleases. he'll grit through the pain no less, he's decided. ]
[ steel grazes his bare skin — until it pierces, rivulets of blood beginning to spill from and trickle down his abdomen. he uses this as an opportunity to charge forward and shift his katana upwards, going for a frontal offense as he strikes towards merlin's chest in a fluid motion.
merlin can do as he pleases. he'll grit through the pain no less, he's decided. ]
[Merlin pulls back, but not quick enough - the blade cuts through his shirt, a thin scratch along his torso. hardly something to worry about, flesh wound wise, but...]
Ah.
[glancing down, Merlin holds up a finger. one moment.
what he's doing is clear in the next second, as he uses the hand not holding a sword to pull off the shirt all together. better than having to repair it further later, and it made them more equal, didn't it?
that's all the time he needs though, before he's rushing back in for an overhand swing, keeping on his toes. clearly, he couldn't close his eyes around this one. and he intended now to make Nier view him the same - just for a moment, if he could.]
Ah.
[glancing down, Merlin holds up a finger. one moment.
what he's doing is clear in the next second, as he uses the hand not holding a sword to pull off the shirt all together. better than having to repair it further later, and it made them more equal, didn't it?
that's all the time he needs though, before he's rushing back in for an overhand swing, keeping on his toes. clearly, he couldn't close his eyes around this one. and he intended now to make Nier view him the same - just for a moment, if he could.]
[ he folds the sheets delicately. they're set atop the bed, hands moving to smooth them out with a few strokes of the palm. there's a quilt, intricately woven and red, that is draped right across those lofty layers of cotton and fabric. ]
This is your bed. The winter hasn't ended yet, so you'll need to keep warm at night.
This is your bed. The winter hasn't ended yet, so you'll need to keep warm at night.
Edited 2019-02-08 05:52 (UTC)
[ frisk has been watching nier make this bed closely. they're committing every little thing to memory, filing it away for later use. there is going to be a day where they make nier's bed and neither of them will be ready for it. this is because frisk has baby hands and the coordination of a ten year old, and thus will not do a good job.
anyway. ]
'Kay.
[ this sense of being immediately cared for isn't new to them, so there's a quality of nostalgia here. it doesn't help that nier's hair is as white as toriel's fur. ]
What if it's still cold under my blankets.
[ is there even heating here... frisk has no idea. if there's a thermostat, they're too short to see it. ]
anyway. ]
'Kay.
[ this sense of being immediately cared for isn't new to them, so there's a quality of nostalgia here. it doesn't help that nier's hair is as white as toriel's fur. ]
What if it's still cold under my blankets.
[ is there even heating here... frisk has no idea. if there's a thermostat, they're too short to see it. ]
I'll put you in a sweater.
[ something earnest and benign plays along his lips. he looks down towards frisk, hands on his hips. ]
Longer pants too...and I'll find you another blanket. But you have to tell me if it's cold, alright?
[ something earnest and benign plays along his lips. he looks down towards frisk, hands on his hips. ]
Longer pants too...and I'll find you another blanket. But you have to tell me if it's cold, alright?
[ hmm... this is solid. they stop to imagine all the scenarios in which they might not tell nier, but probably, if they have to, they'll just get in bed with him. for some reason, nier's bed seems warmer.
eventually, they nod, understanding. ]
I already have a sweater.
[ they do have shorts on, admittedly. but their booties are still boots! frisk stands on one foot, holding their leg out so that their shoe is easy to see. ] And I have... boots.
[ said boots go up to their ankles. they're not doing much in terms of warmth. ]
eventually, they nod, understanding. ]
I already have a sweater.
[ they do have shorts on, admittedly. but their booties are still boots! frisk stands on one foot, holding their leg out so that their shoe is easy to see. ] And I have... boots.
[ said boots go up to their ankles. they're not doing much in terms of warmth. ]
[ they do indeed have a sweater — but he can tell from the way this child speaks that they will not be placated so easily. so... ]
You can sleep in my bed, then.
[ and then his eyes flicker down towards their boots. ]
Those shoes aren't fit for the winter. I'll have to make you socks..
You can sleep in my bed, then.
[ and then his eyes flicker down towards their boots. ]
Those shoes aren't fit for the winter. I'll have to make you socks..
[ you know, they were going to do that anyway. nier probably knows that. frisk knows that. but the fact nier gives them permission to do it is good. a soft smile splashes across their face -- and then they look down at their feet.
their hair bounces a little as they look up at nier again. not that he can tell, but frisk is wiggling all ten of their toes. ]
How do you make socks?
[ ...they want to help. ]
their hair bounces a little as they look up at nier again. not that he can tell, but frisk is wiggling all ten of their toes. ]
How do you make socks?
[ ...they want to help. ]
Edited 2019-02-08 06:21 (UTC)
[ his features soften. all children were the same at their core: fragile, pure beings who craved love — normalcy, to know that their existences were accepted into and by the world.
he looks at them, and for a moment he sees bright blue eyes and snow white hair. ]
You knit them. The needles are sharp, though, so it takes time.
[ something warm swims in his eyes. ]
Do you want to learn? I can teach you, but you have to promise me that you'll be careful.
he looks at them, and for a moment he sees bright blue eyes and snow white hair. ]
You knit them. The needles are sharp, though, so it takes time.
[ something warm swims in his eyes. ]
Do you want to learn? I can teach you, but you have to promise me that you'll be careful.
I'll be careful.
[ even if they say this gently, there's a sense of ... something radiating from that makes it clear: they will learn, and they will be careful and they will be so good at knitting.
... oh wait! ]
I promise I will be careful, Nier.
[ maybe someday they can knit socks for him, too! ]
[ even if they say this gently, there's a sense of ... something radiating from that makes it clear: they will learn, and they will be careful and they will be so good at knitting.
... oh wait! ]
I promise I will be careful, Nier.
[ maybe someday they can knit socks for him, too! ]
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