17th Combo - [Video]

[redcladidealist]

There! I-

[Locked from Eridan]

-did it! Good. That'll keep him from listening in on this. Thanks, Genis. I owe you one.

[Yup, somebody begged his best friend to show him how to lock. That done, he turns his attention on the Dreamberry - and Somarium in general by extension. His expression is very serious, and perhaps a little chagrined.]

Hey, everyone. I... kind of need some help. I need to get stronger, so I need to train, but I also need help learning how to fight magic users. [He makes a face.] Especially magic users that can fly.

[No, he's not talking about anyone in specific. What makes you think that?]

Does anyone want to spar? Or have any advice?

Comments

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd had been armed and prepared with an apology for arriving late to their meeting, but hey, new place he's never been, he's sure Ace will understand. When he'd been the first to arrive, though...

Well, that makes that apology unnecessary. Lloyd blinks and looks around to make sure Ace isn't there, then settles himself in to wait.

And wait.

The minutes crawl by.

Ugh, so bored.

Ten extremely dull minutes later, Lloyd flips open the Dreamberry again.]

Hey, Ace! Did you get lost?

[action]

[knightofchanges]

[and answering!]

You know...haha, I think I might have.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[Wow, he'd been right? He'd only meant the question half-seriously, more as an excuse to call Ace to find out what was up. But if Ace is lost...]

Want me to come find you?

[action]

[knightofchanges]

No, I think I'm close...but here, do these buildings seem familiar to you?

[holds up the screen and let's just say he's like one block down.]

[action]

[redcladidealist]

Oh, yeah, hey, I saw that building behind you on my way here! You're really close! I think you're just down the street.

[action]

[knightofchanges]

Oh, really?

All right, I should be there soon then.

[and he hangs up and miraculously doesn't go the wrong way. so he's entering the dojo and waving.]

Haha, sorry about that.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

Hey, Ace!

[Lloyd waves and grins back.]

Nah, don't worry about it. I was a little late getting here, too. I probably should have given myself some extra time to figure out where I was going.

So, are you ready? I think the main room's over here.

[action]

[knightofchanges]

I'm ready whenever you are. [and he looks a little too happy about this.]

Though it's probably best if you lead.

[because it is very possible he could still get lost. and end up in the wrong room.]

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[That last comment earns a blink, but Lloyd just decides not to ask. Instead, he nods and leads the way to a fairly spacious, empty room. Once inside, Lloyd stretches, then draws both his swords.]

We're just training, not dueling, right? Do you want to put any limits on this, or just keep going until we decide to stop?

[action]

[knightofchanges]

[unsheathing his sword.]

I don't need any limits, but I'll hold back if you need me to since we're only training.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

Yeah, same here.

[They'll have to figure out where they stand against each other before they can really decide if one of them needs to hold back.

He falls into position. He's ready whenever Ace is.]

[action]

[knightofchanges]

All right then...here I go!

[and with probably more speed than Lloyd probably expected, Ace was suddenly rushing at him, the blade flashing as he brought down in a downward slash.]

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[Definitely more than he was expecting. Lloyd's eyes widen in surprise and he barely has time to bring both his swords up to block. The harsh clash of steel on steel rings through the air, then Lloyd is struggling to hold Ace's sword back. If he can just... shift the weight to one sword...

There!

Freeing one sword, he brings it around to slash at Ace from the side.]

[action]

[knightofchanges]

[whoa, that's kind of close!

seeing Lloyd free one sword, Ace expected he would use it to attack him. he had little choice but to swerve around, his blade sliding off one to parry the other before jumping back.

but he was still smiling—in fact he looked like he was enjoying this quite a lot.]

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[His attack might not have succeeded, but there's a grin on Lloyd's face, too. He's enjoying this challenge, having someone he can test himself against without anything riding on it. Ace is good. He can tell that even after just that one short exchange. How good is another question, but the only way to find that out is to try another attack.

He presses forward, going on the offensive this time. One sword swings across from the side, trying to catch Ace in an awkward position to defend. His other follows in its wake from the same direction, ready to take advantage if Ace occupies his sword with fending off the first.]

[action]

[knightofchanges]

[though Ace had to block the blade, it was more of a quick deflection and step back as he swiftly brought the sword up to parry the other. not only was Ace known for his strength, but also for his fast reflexes.]

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[The ring of steel on steel splits again and again as Lloyd continues to try to press an attack, only to be thwarted every time. Man, it's like fighting against Kratos.

But even the best can slip. He just needs to find an advantage, a weakness, a hole in Ace's guard. Maybe if he tries a double attack-

He's already acting on the thought before it's even finished, both swords striking out. It's a bold and reckless move, leaving him unprepared to defend, but sometimes the best defense is a strong offense. Ace can't take advantage if he's too busy fending Lloyd off!]

[action]

[knightofchanges]

[or can he? instead of blocking the swords, Ace twists his body to dodge to the side, essentially sidestepping to avoid them. continuing with the momentum he spins around to bring his own sword at Lloyd at an upward angled slash.]

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[In a brief flare of panic Lloyd jerks his swords back to try to defend himself, but it's too late, there's no way he can move fast enough. He left himself too open.

He's dead.]

[action]

[knightofchanges]

[and the tip of his blade just stops inches away from Lloyd's neck. there's an actual cold chill in the air as Ace just stares down the line of the steel, but it all disappears in an instant as he laughs and relaxes, pulling back.]

You did pretty well for a while there!

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[Yeah, Lloyd can feel the cold chill, and it's all he can do not to shiver. His heart is pounding. If that had been a real fight...

When Ace pulls back, he takes a deep breath, then laughs sheepishly, lowering his swords.]

I shouldn't have tried that last attack. Man, you're really good.

[action]

[knightofchanges]

Haha, thanks. I wouldn't be a Knight of Hearts if I couldn't even fight properly.

But your attack wasn't completely flawed. Against someone as skilled as me it would have been trouble, but against some more of your level, it would have been all right. Most would probably just block rather than evade.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

I can't count on the guy I'm fighting being worse than me, though.

[Lloyd ponders this for a moment.]

What would you have done?

[action]

[knightofchanges]

If I were in your position? Just keep moving. It would have been close, but if you kept up with the momentum of your attack, you could have at least dodged the initial strike long enough to bring your swords back around to either counter or parry my sword to push me back.

Of course, I was aiming for your neck, so if I had gone for your chest that might have been a little more difficult.

If you wanted to still try for a double attack, you should take advantage of the fact you have two swords. Instead of having both go toward the same target, you should try having one go to one location and the other aim for another, but still free to maneuver in case something like that happens.

[action]

[redcladidealist]

[He considers the advice for a moment, playing out the suggestions in his head. Then he lifts his swords, going through the last few moves of their fight. Parry, dodge, twist, then strike. This time, though, he angles one sword lower than the other when he attacks his invisible opponent, and once the attack is finished, he keeps moving, turning in preparation to block a possible counterattack. Only then does he stop, glancing at Ace for confirmation.]

Something like that?