for witchesreign

[forged_miracle]

Ruka could be found in the steaming crucible of the training grounds. His elaborate uniform (a holdover from the school he'd just come from) was stuck to his chest with sweat and he was grinning wide and cocky.

He knew the para-magic he'd been learning would no doubt prove useful, and he would get to practicing it soon enough. But he liked warming up with physical combat first. Nothing quite compared to the cut, the thrust, the staccato back and forth rythm of steel on steel (or in this case steel on ambulatory plantlike creatures that swayed and attempted to wrap him up). It was in these moments of fierce passionate concentration that he believed, contrary to his recent history, that he was alive. His blood raced as he immersed himself, seeking the high only outwitting an opponent could give.

Then something huge punched him in the chest and his vision went alternately red and white, synched with his now spastic heartbeat.

I pushed myself too far...a rookie's mistake. He thought, full of shame as he hit his knees, hand that formerly held a sword grasping at his heart.

Comments

Hey Hedge! It's Ammy

[y_so_standard]

623 had yet to really venture deep into the Training Center, being unused to having to work alone and not having made very many 'friends' yet, he was still being careful. And well, he'd managed to find someone who was willing to sell a 12 year old a machine gun and wanted to test it out.

However he is not unkind, and when he sees someone obviously not exactly the most alert in this jungle, he'll go over to investigate.

"Hello? Are you alright?" He asked, after drawing away the ugly thing that was attacking the guy.

hi!

[forged_miracle]

Ruka's vision slowly cleared and he managed to stagger to his feet. He sheathed his sword and regarded the newcomer.

A child. What was a child doing in a place like this? He had a sinking feeling he knew. The boy was another recruit, of course, being groomed for a life as a mercenary. After Ohtori, that didn't sit completely right with him.

"It's...nothing." He said, still a little short of breath.

[y_so_standard]

To be fair, this 'boy' was already a mercenary pretty much in his home world. A created soldier, that gets really confused when people think it's strange. He chooses to stay here because it's close to what he knows.

"Are you sure? You don't look so good."

[forged_miracle]

A created thing...Ruka can't deny that he's known a few of those. Suspects, in his more paranoid moments, that he might be one himself.

He waves the concern away. He has enough pride to not ask for help from a kid. Unsteadily standing, he looks down at him (he's pretty tall). "I recently got out of the hospital. I have to remember that I can't push myself at my former level."

[y_so_standard]

Everyone (except a certain brightly coloured chameleon) is quite a bit taller then 623, considering he's 12 and hasn't hit the growth spurt that will take him to the towering height of 6'3.

"I understand, it's hard to remember that you are still not quite right for a while after treatment. Maybe you should go back and rest."

[forged_miracle]

Still, the men of Ohtori Academy (except Miki) all seem to naturally tower, with fabulously long, coltlike legs. Sounds like he'd fit right in.

Ah wonderful. From champion of the dueling game to being scolded by a child. This part wasn't in the brochure about the world revolution.

"Yes, that would probably be for the best. And what's your name, good samaritan?"

[y_so_standard]

Oh for the age of neo-shoujo.

"I'm 623 sir. I've never seen a blade like that out side of a book, you must be very good with it to get this far with it." He is however, impressed with Ruka's weapon, eying it curiously.

[forged_miracle]

Oh brave new world that has such bishies in it...

Ruka's eyebrows shot up.

"You've really never seen a real sword? Well, I used to be the fencing coach at my old academy and I fought in a few duels."

[y_so_standard]

"So that's a foil then?" He's seen a broadsword, and maybe a katana once, but not anything like Ruka's. Too impractical for the space faring universe he comes from. Blade users are archaic there.

"That's pretty impressive."

[forged_miracle]

Ruka chuckles, shakes his head (causing that mutant forelock of his to bob).

"Close. This is a saber. A foil is basically a flexible rod with a guard and pommel, used only for sport. It would not be much more effective than bare fists against these grats. A saber is sharp though and the tip is pointed, making it an effective stabbing weapon."

He holds it out.

"Would you like to try it?"

[y_so_standard]

Coming from a world with sparkly robots, and spaceships, and people who have weird hair, kind of makes that mutant forelock something rather par for the course for the little guy.

"Oh, I see." 623 looks at the weapon for a moment, and then back up to Ruka.

"I would if you don't mind."

[forged_miracle]

He opens his hand, carefully supporting the blade on his hand. "Do be careful. This isn't a toy."

[y_so_standard]

623 nodded and slowly took the blade by its hilt, being very careful to take it with out accidentally hurting Ruka. His form sucks, considering he was trained with a gun instead of a sword, but he doesn't seem to have trouble dealing with the balance or the weight of the weapon.

"Oh, it's lighter then I was expecting."