And the branches to hands (Open)

[closedcircuit]

Who: Ky Kiske and OPEN
Where: The island
When: July 12th
What: Ky wakes from his coma, and needs a minder (or a sparring partner)
Style: Use what you're comfortable with.

Waking up from a sleep coma is never a pleasant experience: there's always the residual taste in his mouth, the fear that he's missed something that would have benefited from his presence, and the sinking fact that he's still in Vatheon, instead of where his duty truly dictates he ought to be. This time is worse (much worse, though Ky wouldn't acknowledge that part of it), because he'd woken up and found that not only had Sol gone posting to the SFC about science, of all things, but that when Ky tries to contact him he can't, in that particular way of the bubble letting people know someone has gone.

He can't figure out if he should be glad or not about the news, knowing what Sol might do in their world, but he also can't stay in his apartment and think about that, so he doesn't.

He grabs Fuuraiken and heads for the island instead, to run through some sword forms, to try to find reassurance in the constancy of magic and the sharpness of the blade.

He finds himself having to stop frequently, more out of shape by the coma than he'd thought. Or perhaps he should have eaten something before heading straight to do this, but he needs to keep his mind off of Sol being gone. He stumbles in a step, takes a breath, and tries to keep going.

Comments

[copesetic]

Albert's been spending quite a lot of time up on the island lately. It feels more natural than the city below the water, less closed in despite the curve of the bubble still looming on the horizon. He also tends to run into people less up here, something for which he's a little grateful. he plans on leaving as soon as he can so there's really no use in forming attachments.

But he can't help but be fascinated at the way this man moves with the sword. True, it seems he's rusty, but as one who's seen the measure of war with guns and missiles, a sword fighter is something of a novelty. It wouldn't do much to protect someone on a real battlefield, not in his age, but the blond seems to be dressed as some sort of paladin. It could be that technology hasn't progressed to the point that Earth's has.

After seeing a gout of lightning racing across the flat of the blade, Albert reassess that estimation. Perhaps the sword is mechanical in some way, emitting a powerful electric charge when used in a specific manner. An odd progression for the technology to take, but not illogical if the science developed in a certain way.

Because what could it be, other than science?

He's so intrigued that he doesn't realize he's staring quite openly. Hopefully Ky doesn't mind...

[closedcircuit]

Ky's aware enough that he's been joined -- he's a little out of it still, but not that much, or he never would have allowed himself to touch his blade in this state, or reached for the magic that requires so much of his control -- but he finishes up his form first, flowing into the final moves with a bit more comfort, the pulse of the lightning in his blood pushing him through the movements.

Since he doesn't want to send the charge towards where it might hit anyone, for the final move Ky lifts his sword, sends a burst towards the sky, not fast enough to look quite like a lightning bolt in reverse, but the idea is there.

Then he lets his sword drop to his side. Vatheon isn't very hostile, and this man doesn't seem to be inclined that way (and the sword can be raised again if it has to be).

"Can I help you?" It's politely said, if a bit awkward, as if the man were just looking for directions and decided to stop near a sword-fighter for it.

[copesetic]

Whoops. Albert runs a hand through the fringe at the back of his head self consciously. "Sorry, I didn't realize I'd been watching for so long. That's an interesting ability you have."

If he's caught, he may as well be honest about why he was watching. The guy doesn't seem to be angry that he has an audience, and if it does turn out that the blond is hostile, Albert can handle himself. He'd just rather not.

[closedcircuit]

Ky's certainly not aggressive, and he relaxes his grip on the sword at the answer to the question. This man seems friendly enough, and curiosity about the other inhabitants of Vatheon is no sin.

"Lightning magic seems even rarer here than it is on my own world, it's true." Ky's face is open and earnest. He doesn't recognize this person, and he's not opposed to making some new connections.

[copesetic]

"Magic?" Well. That's a new one. As far as he's concerned, magic doesn't exist. The supernatural is only the scientific before a discernible explanation can be found.

He doesn't want to offend this guy though, even if he has the suspicion his leg is being pulled. "I can't say I've ever seen the like."

[closedcircuit]

Not making any mention of science is a decent start to not offending Ky, but the man can hear the skepticism at the idea of magic, and it makes him feel some sharp piece of amusement that he suppresses.

"It is what brought you to this city, although mine admittedly takes a very different form." Ky bites back a sigh. "I can't use it to go back home." Perhaps Sol could have used the forbidden sciences to... He wouldn't though, would he?

[copesetic]

"I see. I hadn't thought of it that way." Probably because magic isn't a thing but telling someone that with powers that they deem magical is like telling a devout Christian God is a lie. He's not going to tread there.

"Considering they pulled us all here, I figure they'd have take precautions to make sure we couldn't leave, otherwise that would defeat the purpose." He keeps his smile, but it turns a bit chilly at that.

[closedcircuit]

Exactly, don't be rude. (Not that Ky would be terribly polite himself if the subject came up, so it's probably better for everyone that things stay as they are, except that the other topic the man brings up is no less appealing to him, putting his thoughts as it does in mind of Sol.)

"Some people do leave, but it seems as though they pick those as arbitrarily as they picked us to be brought here in the first place."

[copesetic]

"Possibly to keep us all on our toes." He sighs. "In the mean time, it's all we can do to look for our own ways out. May I ask where you're from that magic is so prevalent?"

That's as polite a way he can think to ask as any.

[not_heavens_adam]

Ever since their temporary stay on the island, Johnny found himself more at ease with the place as time went by. He liked taking walks on it on occasion and, when the night was clear, looking up at the stars. The bubble might allow him out in the day, but it blocked the view of those gentle points of light that were so easy to get lost in.

Although, it wasn't quite time for the stars to show just yet, dusk still colored the sky, though the sun was hidden away enough he barely felt any discomfort from it. It wasn't too hard to spot Ky once the vampire was close enough, his smell obscured by the salty scent of the ocean. He watched the man a moment, noticing the fact he wasn't moving like he usually did and the way he stumbled at times, which led him to the conclusion the blond wasn't taking care of himself again.

Shock and amaze.

Johnny was quick and silent as he closed the distance between them, barely a blur before he appeared with the metallic clang of his blade catching Ky's. He smirked. "Your form is terrible."

[closedcircuit]

Ky had awareness enough to note that Johnny was coming a little before their blades actually struck, which kept him from doing anything that would be harder to take back. Instead he pulled his blade back, went for a feint and then a follow-up on Johnny's other side, forcing himself to focus through some of the lightheadedness now that he had a more concrete goal. He had put up with worse than a little hunger before.

He was more than willing to participate in a spar. It had helped him communicate with Sol sometimes, and he could agree that there were times it was better than talking. (Because it didn't make him confront anything he didn't want to deal with.)

"Does it offend you?" Ky asked, and if it sounded a little flat to him, like he was sleep-deprived when he clearly wasn't, had had more than enough sleep, then it wasn't really any of Johnny's business, and Ky was a bit winded anyway.

[not_heavens_adam]

Johnny turned and blocked the move easily enough before taking a step back and lunged to take a swipe at Ky's shoulder. He was being slower than he would usually, but that was mostly so he could pull back if Ky didn't defend himself in time, his friend didn't look good at all.

"It does. It tells me you're not doing your best. The only reason I can think you wouldn't do your best was if you weren't taking care of yourself." He shot the blond a skeptical look. "You aren't, are you? Again."

[closedcircuit]

Ky danced back from the swipe instead of blocking it, less effort that way, and then brought his sword up to clash with Johnny's blade once it was devoid of the force it had started. He tore back his swing partway through, though, stepping back and dropping his blade.

He didn't want to be scolded, not like this, not by Johnny. (Not by anyone, but at least he was used to a certain tone of it from Sol.)

"I just woke up from a coma and I'm missing a week and a half of my life because I was asleep. Even if that's considered normal here, it's not healthy, even beyond the fact that I already knew I stayed at the whim of the city, I don't like to be reminded that I wake at its whim as well." Or that other people could leave, and he was still here, and it wasn't right to say that he missed Sol, because it wasn't that sort of interaction. Sol had never given him anything while he was around anyway.

[not_heavens_adam]

Johnny stared at Ky a long moment before dropping his blade and letting it flake away into nothing. Ky had been affected by this place's comas before and, as far as Johnny was aware, he'd never been this effected by it; usually he just picked up and moved on to be the busy-body he was.

The vampire took a step closer to his friend, his expression showing a bit of the concern he'd been feeling. "What's wrong, Ky? That can't be all it is."

[closedcircuit]

It got worse every time: that loss of control and the knowledge that he'd missed something and not been missed, that his unconsciousness was barely even noticed, or an excuse to ask questions about science.

Ky took a step back, reflexively, and kept his own blade at his side.

"It's not anything that can be changed either way, just...don't give me a hard time about it."

[not_heavens_adam]

A flicker of annoyance crossed Johnny's expression.

"I'm not going to give you a hard time, Ky, I just want to know what's bothering you."

He resisted the urge to say something snappish about friends caring about each other and Ky having forgotten that while he was sleeping. It wasn't the blond's fault Johnny's patience was worn a little thin these days.

[closedcircuit]

Ky let his face go resolute, because he was certain that telling Johnny would really help.

"I don't really understand it myself," he said, because he knew the cause of his annoyance with Sol, but there was more than that at play, because being annoyed at Sol was a continual state for him.

Hope I'm not late.

[angelicbadass]

Pit had been spending some time on the island too. It was the perfect spot when Pit wanted to relax as well as a perfect spot for training, which was what he was doing when he spotted Ky. Walking up to him, he called out in his usual friendly tone. "Hey Ky." If Ky turned around, he'd be staring at an angel.

Nope!

[closedcircuit]

Ky finished up the set of moves he'd been in the middle of, before he turned to regard Pit, sword resting back at his side.

"Hello. Can I help you with something?" Because being social for its own sake wasn't something Ky had too much experience with.

[angelicbadass]

"Nothing, really. I just noticed you sparring. Would you mind having a sparring partner?" Pit asked.

[closedcircuit]

Ky considered his exhaustion level, and then he considered what he might do if he said no. Not much, really.

"That would be nice."

[angelicbadass]

"Okay then!" Pit then pulled out his Palutena Blade and dropped in a fighting stance.

[closedcircuit]

Ky shifted into fighting stance as well, letting the lightning charge along Fuuraiken for the moment, trying to refocus his mind.

[angelicbadass]

"Ready?" Pit asked. He didn't want to attack Ky when he wasn't ready.

[closedcircuit]

"I am." Ky doesn't attack first, since Pit chose to ask he'll let him take the first move, and the rest of the fight flow naturally from there. Besides, he could read in Pit's body how ready he looked, and if Ky wanted to conserve some energy he would spar on the more conservative side than he usually did.

He didn't really need to prove anything to Pit, this was just a way to keep his mind off of Sol and all the rest of what this place was.

"Whenever you're ready."