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

[eyeforaneye]

[ The question isn't banter and it isn't a threat so it goes unanswered in the midst of battle. Why explain his abilities when they're still fighting? He'd rather keep a few trump cards close to the chest, just as he's sure Gladio would... and nothing illustrates that better than the sudden appearance of a powerful shield, one that his strike reverberates against with a vicious clang of metal and a rattling of his bones.

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. ]

[leatherdaddy]

[ That arcing blade cuts only air and earth, splitting old concrete into fragments. It shouldn't surprise him, considering he's seen what the man nearly single-handedly bring a Behemoth to the ground, with absolutely no concern registering in his expression when it tried to throw him off. What does surprise him is how he then uses him as a living springboard, throwing the Shield further off balance with a grunt. ]

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.

[eyeforaneye]

One or two. [ Again it's low and too calm, but just the fact that he'd make a quip like that in the first place is proof that he loosens up considerably more in a battle than he does normally. It's as if fluid movements relax wound-up muscles and that extends to an even more trapped mind and caged-in emotions. If anything he still worries he doesn't keep the lid on those tight enough.

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.

[leatherdaddy]

[ Amber eyes blink - they're too experienced, too lacking in naivete not to recognize an honorable gesture when offered. He accepts it as graciously as an Amicitia can, with a bright smile and nod for his sportsmanlike behavior. Grunts as he hoists himself up and yanks his greatsword from the broken stone beneath him and rests its weight on his broad shoulders. ]

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. ]

[eyeforaneye]

[ It's a few steps distance that Sasuke's put between them while Gladio catches his breath and regains his stance, chokuto spinning in a lazy arc while he waits and shakes out tense muscles. Perhaps he should've stretched before this... Gladio's hits were strong enough to make steel sing, after all, and he can still feel them reverberating in his bones. ]

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. ]

[leatherdaddy]

[ Victory is one of those things that grows too stale the moment you realize it was misplaced. This is definitely one of those times. Be breaks through that ninja's guard and his smile fades in stages, dropping from him as he recognizes every step of tragedy, feels the vibrations of that cast-aside chokuto thrumming where it rests into unfeeling earth or crumbling concrete. Only to have them coated and wetted by liquid red shortly after.

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? ]