Uchiha Sasuke (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
eyeforaneye) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
riverview2017-04-17 11:55 am
eyeforaneye) wrote in riverview2017-04-17 11:55 am
1 ; video/action
(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. ]
[ 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. ]
sounds good to me!
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
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?
no subject
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?
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
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?
no subject
Let's hear it, then.
[ Sasuke's terms. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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
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
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
Very well. Take the first hit. [ You should've known this was coming. ]
listen I'm sure it's a euphemism for something
The Shield closes the distance far slower than Sasuke or Suigetsu can - they run like it's a feather-light flirtation with the earth unhindered by wind or gravity. He's sure-footed across the broken terrain peppered with crumbling architecture long overgrown and mossy, kicking up a spray of gravel and dirt as heavy, red-soled boots rip up the ground in his charge.
But then he gets in close enough, he winds his sword back and leaps - but with the intention of climbing up Sasuke's chest for a kick that should, if successfully landed, result in him flipping back and launching the ninja backwards. It's certainly not what one might consider a typical opening move. ]
no subject
Surprise shows on his features for a mere half-second as he looks up with now red eyes, meeting Gladio's. ]
I guess that muscle isn't for show after all. Good. [ With only a hint of a smirk to indicate that now it's his turn, suddenly darting forward with a leap and a reverse-spin strike of his chokuto aimed between Gladio's left shoulder and throat. ]
no subject
The red glow of Sasuke's eyes are a shocking enough sight that he's slow in raising his weapon. ]
Your eyes - the hell?!
[ Now it's his turn to be surprised. This was a detail (one of probably several) that were overlooked in their previous encounters. It's enough to stun, although after spending some time with a frumpy skeleton, such things are becoming something of the norm. He associates it with the awesome power of the Astrals, though, and it makes him instantly nervous.
Gladio's keenly aware of the drawbacks of such strength. Greatswords exchange mobility and speed for power, and so he's trained hard to cover himself and his king by faster means than trying to maneuver such a big blade to intercept an attack. Amber eyes glare over the edge of a teardrop shield that he summons to form around a clenched fist, raised in defense against that attack, his sword-arm tensing as he prepares for an overhead swing as a counter attack with ground crushing force, delivered on the heels of a roar of effort. ]
RRRAH!
no subject
Interesting.
His last second mid-air dodge of that attack is almost unnatural in its fluidity, foot catching on the lip of his shield with the aid of chakra just so he can spin out of its range. ] That's another good trick. [ It's muttered almost mockingly low as his next step forward has him digging a heel into Gladio's shoulder before he's dropping down onto the ground behind him, already whirling around for another slice at the arm holding that shield. ]
no subject
Ugh! Shit--
[ Gladio twists around with too much haste, bringing his shield arm around to block the oncoming hit, but it leaves him down on one knee and tipped just too far off balance to recover quickly. The blow staggers him, and the shield vanishes. Already he's breathing hard as he grasps his weapon in both hands. Despite the clear disadvantage, it's kind of exciting facing off with such a daunting challenge. Gladio's getting pumped. ]
You've got some moves yourself, Sassy.
no subject
His chokuto could easily find the soft flesh of Gladio's throat with that shield out of the way... but instead he takes a step back, letting him recover. ]
Get up and come at me again, Gladiolus.
no subject
Thanks.
[ There's a brief huff of amusement, just breathless enough to resound to any swordsman worth his salt like a man struggling to hide the fact he's catching his breath. ]
That kind of formality makes me feel self-conscious. [ He eyes that chokuto again with a smile that, despite the vigilance and wariness that draws his attention to them, never loses that smile at all. It reaches his eyes even if he's still watchful, careful. There's a joy in this he's found, the kind found in a man who has accepted his role in life and embraced it. ]
...Best two out of three then?
[ He throws his weight out in front of him in another charge, blade at the ready to lunge. He's not going to keep you waiting for that thrust, Sasuke. ]
no subject
Didn't I tell you before? Exhaust yourself. However many rounds that takes. [ With the implication there being that Gladio will reach his limit before Sasuke will. Only time will tell.
He waits far too long to raise his sword to block another fast hit, however, still quietly noting how quickly Gladio can really move despite his size and the power behind his strikes. Just like before it's enough to test his balance... but this time thick steel truly overpowers thin, with the focal point of that blow actually cracking a blade that refuses to dent. It weakens Sasuke's grasp, fingers sliding on the hilt as eyes widen at the first realization of what's about to happen.
That chokuto flies out of his hand and the momentum of Gladio's swing is one he doesn't move away from quickly enough, one ankle pressed into dirt to force him back only enough to keep a sharp broadsword from cleaving him in two -- instead it slices through the front of his midsection, red staining his torso almost instantaneously. ]
Fuck-- [ The curse escapes with a rattle of an exhale as Sasuke drops to one knee, blood splattering dirt and debris even as his arm wraps around his midsection. ]
no subject
What happened should be the chiefest of question he asks. He finds few answers in such a short notice. ]
Sh- [ He can feel it, that slide of a honed blade powering through flesh that slides too easily through it, skin and muscle and blood and bone because it's not protected, not guarded, he didn't pull back-- ]
Shit, shit!!
[ Panic dumps adrenaline into his bloodstream, heightening every sensation, ever breath, every decision feels life threatening - this is a boon, makes him live every moment like it might be someone's last, makes him appreciate all his choices, all misadventures. But this one came completely out of left field - Gladio can't help but wheel in place, mentally pirouettes with a deep gasp and guttural demand for answers. ]
Sasuke! [ A demand that requires more attention than he's willing to dedicate to the summoning of his weapons and shields. They vanish as he drops down to a knee, hands outstretched and wondering how to stop it up. This mistake. ]
Hang on -- [ Gladio does not have many of these, but in his open hand bursts into being a vial that glows with a pure, warm light. Surely he has a cure for him before Sasuke bleeds out, right? Right? ]