1 ; video/action

[eyeforaneye]

(video: @s.uchiha)

[ The video opens to a view of a simple sign in the quarantine’s common language, a dark green background causing the white lettering of “The Coffee Shop” to really pop alongside a graphic of what appears to be some kind of mermaid or siren. Why does this feel like copyright infringement. ]

It’s my understanding that there aren’t many places like this here. [ So comes the voice from behind the camera, view panning to the right and left to showcase the street he’s on and make it clear just where this particular shop is. Only then does he move forward, the small store’s bell jangling as he steps into what can only be described as an immaculate café, the specials written neatly on a chalkboard in Japanese characters on the counter, booths and tables lining the walls, and plants placed stalwartly in the windows like leafy guardians. ]

So it should receive more business. Now that you’re aware, consider spending your extra money here. [ As he finally turns that camera around, revealing a dour young dark-haired man in all his glory. ]

If you need more information, I suppose it can’t be helped. I’ll address concerns.

(action)

[ Feel free to stop in! Expect a quiet one-armed man behind the counter cleaning an already spotless work station in his down time. ]

Comments

2/2

[eyeforaneye]

You care far too much about this. What are you going to do if it isn't?

[leatherdaddy]

[ This is a bad idea, Gladio's too fired up from his disappointment in seeing such talent wasted on mundane occupations. If it was a passion of Sasuke's, that would be one thing. But if he was simply wasting his skills? ]

I'll challenge you and see for myself if I should care.

[eyeforaneye]

[ This is reaching new levels. ]

You want to fight? [ Well, that would make his day more interesting. ]

UNNECESSARILY DRAMATIC MUSIC?

[leatherdaddy]

If you're just screwing around with that talent of yours, yeah. Yeah, I do.

[ He can't think of anything worse than squandering it when there's a lot of good that can be done. ]

If that coffee doesn't reveal your passion, then maybe your sword will!

[eyeforaneye]

[ This would be laughable in its drama to a good number of people, most likely, but Sasuke isn't one of them. ]

You must be pretty confident if you think you can get me that excited. If you're that eager to stretch your legs, however... I'll indulge you. Just know it won't be any kind of fight to the death.

[leatherdaddy]

Nothing so reckless.

Sasuke, if you're just screwing around with this - the least you can do is help me break my limit.

[ Put that skill to something useful at least. ]

[eyeforaneye]

Screwing around with our match or screwing around "wasting" my talents by multitasking? I assure you...

It's more likely to be the former. [ Smacktalk begins now. ]

[leatherdaddy]

[ oh iT IS ON ]

I've seen you in action - you're pretty good and you've got me on speed. I wonder if that scrawny body of yours can handle my strength.

[eyeforaneye]

I hope you have a lot more than that up your sleeve. [ Which shows exactly what he thinks about that. ]

When and where do you want to do this, then?

[leatherdaddy]

[ Scrubs at his beard, he's realizing more and more that 'dismissive' is a tone he'd better get used to hearing from Sasuke. But is it really dismissal when he's still entertaining this?

There's no use overthinking it. ]

When do you get off? We can do it then.

[eyeforaneye]

Eager. Who knew someone taking up a peaceful occupation would rile you so much?

I have four hours left yet, but then it should be fine. [ Already he's timing how long he should take before it'll be time for dinner. ]

should we just action it up here?

[leatherdaddy]

[ Gladio's jaw works as he stifles the urge to yell - he suspects Sasuke is just trying to goad him more and it's working. But okay. He's got four hours to get over the insult (however accurate it may be) ]

Tch, I'll be waiting in the Abandoned City.

sounds good to me!

[eyeforaneye]

Too vague. I'll message you again when it's time, however. I have some work to get to. [ Which is all this long-suffering soul gets in return before the call is abruptly disconnected. After all, Sasuke has a shift to trudge through and money to make, so he completes every order to irritating perfection in order to earn tips.

After all, he's not getting them with his winning personality.

True to his word he texts Gladio some four and a half hours later, however, right on time. ] I've exited the inner city limits, specify where you actually are.

ACTION

[leatherdaddy]

[ Those parting words may have prompted Gladio to upend his schedule (after some aborted sputtering before the feed cuts off of course) arriving in the vast, abandoned section of the old city in search of an adequate arena, then pumping himself up for a go a good two hours ahead of the agreed upon time.

Don't judge. He's seen him and Suigetsu fight and the experience left him feeling woefully inadequate. He's strong, tanky, but those guys? They're on a whole different level.

Suigetsu, he's found, operates like a child suffering from pretty severe developmental or social drawbacks and an excess of power, power that from what he gathered during the mission was held at bay because of one constant - Sasuke. And Sasuke? Was wasting his talents on making chai lattes when he could be making a difference. Maybe. In any case, Gladio sends the coordinates. ]

Found a spot. What do you think?

[eyeforaneye]

[ Upon receipt of the new message Sasuke immediately shifts direction, utilizing the remains of crumbling buildings and ruinous structures as the foundation for chakra-enhanced jumps that allow him to travel far more quickly through the area. The last leap ends with a drop down into the spot Gladio's chosen, the skeleton of what he believes must have been some kind of assembly hall at one point but now the roof is gone and the walls are cracked.

He toes at vegetation as he steps closer, thinking very little of the fact that he is absolutely still dressed in his work slacks and shirt. Just be glad he left the apron behind and brought his sword instead. ]

Seems like it'll work. Should we add stakes?

[leatherdaddy]

[ THIS GUY

didn't even bother to change before showing up. It's YET ANOTHER DISMISSAL that Gladio has told himself, lectured himself for the last two freaking hours on not letting rile him up. Guess how well that worked out. ]

Stakes?! [ The fact that gets thrown in here draws uncomfortably to light the fact Gladio knows - knows - this isn't a match he can just win. He saw this guy practically one-shot a Behemoth and he wants to place a bet on his inevitable defeat? That. really grinds his gears! ]

For what, how long it takes for me to throw in the towel?

[ His fists clench, his voice straining not to shout and failing. FULLY EXPECTS that Sasuke's going to use this opportunity to knock him down another peg. Thing is, he'd be right. And as much as it pisses him off, he needs to really challenge himself to grow stronger and temper himself as an unbreakable Shield. ]

[eyeforaneye]

"Throw in the towel"? [ There's an absolute calm to that voice as he examines their surroundings a last time before fixing his gaze back on Gladio, wondering exactly how long he's been here waiting. ]

No, I expect this to be definitive. I just thought I'd give you the chance to earn something by beating me. After all, you're angry about what I'm doing... I thought I'd offer to quit and instead join the Perimeter Guard should you win.

[leatherdaddy]

Perimeter Guard might be a start, or hell -- you could be a trainer for all I care.

[ Gladio feels himself tensing again, this time under the unwavering and impassive gaze of a man who kept a Behemoth at bay with complete ease. And he's trying to spar with him. He can feel his resolve wavering for a moment before he clenches his fists against it. ]

Look, do whatever you want if that's your goal... but you don't even care about it -- don't you think someone with your skill can do a lot of good?

[eyeforaneye]

[ He does him the courtesy of at least visibly considering it, a single brow even lifting before he glances away. ]

Yes. Power is the capacity to enact change... Of course I believe it can be used to do good. [ And vice versa, a side he also knows well. ]

Are you more interested in having this conversation or should we return to terms?

[leatherdaddy]

[ The fact that it's considered is a little surprising, but yeah. He's not going to turn this into a debate. Gladio drops his eyes to some point near his feet before returning it, voice calmer. ]

Let's hear it, then.

[ Sasuke's terms. ]

[eyeforaneye]

[ Sasuke's accepting of this even if in reality he wouldn't have minded continuing the talk either. It might've been beneficial.

Still. ]

I've seen you summon your sword before. I can only assume there's a possibility that you have a store of others... and if that's the case, I'd like one that you aren't currently using.

[leatherdaddy]

[ Gladio considers it, fights with the potential - no, likely outcome - and then recalls a similar arrangement. It's all about the phrasing, isn't it?

He gives a firm nod. He knows just the one he'll give him, but despite all odds being against his emergence as victor, he'll give it his all. That's the respectful thing to do. ]

Agreed.

um where did your shirt go

[eyeforaneye]

Very well. Then I expect it to be high quality if it's comparing to your desire to see my powers used for "good". [ After all, that's what's weighing the other side of the scale here.

He steps forward now, however, easing Kusanagi from its sheath with a satisfying slide of metal. ]

Anything else?

do we need to talk about the fact sasuke looks like he's kissing the flat of his blade

[leatherdaddy]

[ Damn, he's underestimated him again - Sasuke's cunning and has upped the stakes - Where Gladio had thought to offer his practice weapon in his arsenal in exchange as on-par to the value of some dumb barista job, Sasuke has compared it to a matter of honor.

It goes without saying, but Gladiolus reminds himself not to take this man lightly.

Gladio's mouth tightens, brow furrowing in that way that spells out that Sasuke's guess is right on the nose. It causes some hesitation, enough for Gladio to cast his gaze down before he throws out his arm. A blade explodes into life out of thin air, its hilt grasped and swung as it solidifies into shape. ]

Let's do this!

don't try to act like those are the same

[eyeforaneye]

[ Sasuke doesn't consider himself to be a manipulative person. Making a factual comparison that highlights something which would be beneficial for him? That's free game. So when he notices a chance in Gladio's expression he feels he's landed on something significant, his grip on Kusanagi tightening even if he doesn't yet lift it. So. He's as honorable as he seems. ]

Very well. Take the first hit. [ You should've known this was coming. ]