voidtreckernet | horseshoe 22, voice

[ It's familiar certainly, the same spell that quickened his feet against troll after troll back in Irivar. A boost, something he's never had the privilege of casting even in the second world. Everyone else in the team capable of magic that could wreak the entire field, but Roland was always the physical front liner, not quite hitting the requirements for casting for one reason or another. Perhaps as the perfect counterbalance to his other, more spell-oriented half?

So you can forgive that spark of excitement that may or may not be hidden behind open eyes when he watches Tidus use the spell on his Arms Band. Not taking his eyes off of it, feeling a bit of its effects crawl up his muscles, as if he's now ready to take flight. At Tidus's prompt, Roland he nods and lets the spell - if at all - settle in. A few seconds, even Gibbs watching, then he extends his arm again, eyes closed, trying to access the same mindspace he would had this been a regular move of his.

...

...

...

Nothing happens. Roland opens his eyes, deflates somewhat. ]

Well, I guess I shouldn't have expected learning a spell to be that easy for me. Thanks for trying, Tidus.

[ Tidus clicks his tongue against the back of his teeth. ] Really? What's the difference? Pah, woulda been a good move to have.

[ He's biased for his speed moves though. ]

What if I tried teaching you? I mean, try - it took some work for me to get it, but I know the idea about it. It's just getting you to understand it too...?

[ Would it be difficult though? If Roland knows what magic is and believes in it, and uses some form of energy anyway, with his weaponry. It can't be totally hopeless. ]

[ Roland glances at Gibbs, who for some reason, is still in the mood to move around? And then back again at Tidus who proposes something unusual. If only because Roland's own skillsets were the responsibility of not just the Arms Band remembering moves, but Evermore's own scholars granting him extended power to perform them. He leans a hand against his hip. ]

I'm sure you'll welcome the challenge, pro. I certainly won't stop you from trying. [ Not to be a downer, but he is a realistic person. ] Just set your expectations. If Evermore's Spellworks sorcerers couldn't teach me the kind of magic you cast, I don't know what can.

[ Tidus isn't stubborn about everything, he knows he can be outmatched and this is certainly it, but at the same time- ]

Well, what's the problem? What was stopping you? How did you learn it?

[ He feels insistent, only since he figures that if he can get it, why can't Roland? The guy's a lot smarter and dedicated than himself. ]

...

[ He looks away in thought. Gibbs won't have the answers this time, and so Roland asks himself the same question. Was it for lack of trying in the second world? Never really bothering to try?

No, that's impossible too. Roland was at the Spellworks learning new moves for everyone - and the Arms Band only enhanced or awakened underlying potential and skill. ]

Hm. It might be because I'm from a world that doesn't have magic in the first place. [ A helpful suggestion; one rooted in logic? ] Or I'm just not cut out for spells. It's not unheard of, you know? There's a country in the second world that manufactured magic wands so that even non-magic folk could cast spells. It could be as simple as that.

[ It seems unfortunate, or confusing, that a guy that ca use some type of skill with his weaponry can't do magic. A reason or logic that Tidus couldn't understand even if he wanted to, but the mention of the wands light up his face. Like an answer being right there: ]

Can you get one? Why not use that then! [ Meanwhile, Gibbs hops down onto the floor, an understanding happening between them in supposed silence. Tidus rolls a shoulder, elbow bending in. ]

What's a wand look like?

[ Can you wear it?? ]

[ That's...not something Roland ever thought about. At the time, this information was only relevant because of the mission. ]

It's called a smartstick. It kind of looks like a metal rod that can extend and collapse at ease, with a gem at the tip. But I don't know about getting one. I'd have to swap out my pistol for it in a fight.

[ And he'd rather stake his life on the gun than the wand; the gun, he knows he's great at. The wand, well... ]

[ Pah! ] Just get five arms bands and wear them like rings. Easy! Why's something called an arms band so limited...

[ Don't mind his mumbling over here. But Tidus extends out his hand, and in an easy display, he forms a small geyser in an instant, more of a manhole letting rip than anything too large. Until Gibbers squeals and bumbles on over, jumping on in and letting it spring up higher, wider.

Water splashes the flooring as it dies down, leaving Gibbers split into a multiple of smaller water higgledies. Tidus thinking, humming- ] So if I make it blast forward..., [ and doing the same set-up, a clenched hand and then throwing it out, he forms more of a squirting cannon of water that the higgledies spring up into, and send it rushing on ahead like in the games car.

...well, somewhat, until the spell dispels and the higgledies splash against the floor, scattering around. ]

Doesn't work like that, pro. But I'll keep it in mind for a future purchase. If not me, then somebody else who's non-magical can use it.

[ One Arms Band to one person! The rules are the rules, Roland just follows. Doesn't make them. Or you know, he could keep it in his Armory locker. Magic really isn't his strong suit, and he's learned to accept that. Tidus though, seems to have an affinity for it regardless. Maybe he could stand to have a smartstick? Or was his blitzball considered a ranged weapon...? ]

[ Also, this water show was going to wreak some havoc on the flooring. Still, Roland watches the display with wide eyes and lightly crossed arms over his chest. He's getting the hang of it, and Gibbs seems to be lending his strength to it too. Studying the scene, getting a grasp of the geiser and its size, Roland hums quietly until an idea comes to him. ]

You know you can absorb Gibbs and make your other moves stronger, right? [ Roland tilts his head slightly. ] Just something to think about when you practice. He's like a walking water battery pack, heh.

[ THE RULES AIN'T TIDUS'S DAD!!!

The tiny higgledies are gathering themselves up with gleeful squeaks and body language. ...and slipping back over again, but you have to wonder if it's on purpose or not, given their affinity to water (but then, their affinity isn't to the floor). Tidus looks over at Roland and his suggestion, then back again. ]

Can we do that water slide like that? With him in me? I'll still need to practice anyway - the time magic's what I'm good at, not this. [ Well. ] I mean, I'm not bad, but compared to people who really know their magic, you know? I never learned to do much with it except the basics for a fight.

Yes. Pretty sure it can work, still. [ Roland joins in on watching the higgledy scene before them. Forgetting that the water is collateral damage, but really, what's the worst the train could do to them? They're already doing chores for it. ] Though to be honest, you'll need to ask Gibbs yourself how he can help you. He might even surprise you, combining your quick spells with his magic.

[ He touches Tidus's shoulder, as a natural inclination, a grasp of hand against him before he lets go. ] Take that strength and work together with your new partner on how to be better. You've both got this. You hit those trolls pretty hard on Irivar with your magic too, you know? What's a pro athlete without a little bit of training, off-season?

[ Roland smiles, an encouragement to keep going. ] Besides, it could even be as simple as enhancing physical moves, too. That's how I seem to utilize magic the best.

[ Now reformed, Gibbers hops and skips back to them, sliding as well on the wet residue left behind in its ride. While Tidus's cool is being teste by that hand that comes to rest reassuringly, confidently on his shoulder; the point that Roland is trying to make secondary to the stir of emotions that rise up onto his face. As a frown, wobbly as it is.

But then Roland speaks a language he can understand, moving out his dominant right hand, his brotherhood blade being brought out, bubbling inside and out. ]

I can use it with physical moves. My blade's all water! [ Yeah!! Please don't mind how twitchy Tidus suddenly is, like he needs to move a lot!! ] I can show you right now, in a fight! What do you say? Wanna take me on!?

[ YEAH YEAH LET'S GO! Gibbers is squeaking in approval, coming up on the pair --

and when he gets close enough, he'll jump into the blade, more the azure of its blue that much more so. ]

[ Uh oh. Now this is something Roland didn't think of. He takes a step back, only because he's not sure where this sudden surge of energy comes from. But seeing as he's done exactly as was advised - the combination of water on water making things so much bluer than they used to be - Roland knows he's going to have to help him train now. He shakes his head, slightly amused but mostly a little apprehensive, summoning his own sword; dark in contrast.

Thank goodness they're already at the gym. ]

Something tells me you're going to be walking out of here with some pretty impressive moves. All right, let's do it. I'll be your moving training dummy. Come on.

[ Roland falls into stance. Where he's steady and waiting for movement, Tidus is already light and bouncing on the balls of his feet. If anything, this is bound to get interesting. ]

Edited 2020-10-31 19:23 (UTC)

[ He's bouncing alright, giving his legs and back the stretch they need and then righting himself, getting his footwork ready. ]

Lemme show you what a legendary guardian looks like! [ He's allowed to call himself that, right.

He's doing it anyway.

And someone may want to check elsewhere in the rulebook of 'Is that allowed?' when Tidus puts to work his connection with Gibbers to a quick test, the spell of a water sphere shaped like a certain blitzball circulating and forming in his left hand, pulling back for a throw in the few seconds it needs to be deployed. A cheap shot, not a very hard-hitting thing, a move more to distract Roland while Tidus comes in with a leap following it: defying physics as he swings his body to change his angle from being direct on, but then coming with his body and blade swinging for Roland in a full-circular assault, leg kicked out too.

Think fast, Roland - or block fast. ]

Here we go.

[ So much for a second water slide, right? But this is still something he'll put his heart into, a version of Roland that's mostly present during missions; brow furrowed and eyes locked on to his sparring partner. Thankfully this is Roland's first instinct anyway, because whatever advice he gives Tidus about combining his power with Gibbs is catapulting into a move executed so quickly, Roland was this close to missing that block. The sphere of water does exactly what it was intended to do, but he recoils just enough to block, block, block! His sword is raised close to his chest, his face, bracing his arms as Tidus commits to a flurry of moves. It pushes him back somewhat, but rather than roll or evade, Roland absorbs as much as he can before he pushes on the ball of his foot, parrying as soon as Tidus halts. It's enough momentum to hopefully, throw Tidus off-balance somewhat so he can disarm from a sweeping vertical slash to the side. But it's a conservative movement, wanting him to get a feel of the tide of the fight more than wanting to win. ]

[ Tidus doesn't have the confidence to fight a parry when it meets him, not at this stage, ~~not when he might know how better at them Roland is than him~~. Better to back off and to remove fancy sword work from the equation, be prepared for the counter-blow that comes and use the fuller of his blade than have a smarter answer.

A pause, but not inactive. Tidus jumps diagonally, sprinting on the tips of his feet, an art to how he moves. Swift, confidently; keep Roland on his toes too, or not--when he sweeps like he's gliding, dashing in with his feet aimed to knock Roland off his. ]

[ He's reading every move carefully. Tidus is indeed, fast. Quick on the draw, but a bit too proactive and not reactive where it would count. Roland's face is stony as he moves to evade that sliding kick to get him to fall, would have forced him into a surrender. The barrel roll is well-timed, and he pivots right away to slash and meet Tidus's sword from beneath. Where Tidus is attempting to disarm Roland with maneuvers that are sprightly and jumpy, Roland is more steady, not moving unless he has to block, evade, or counterattack.

Right now, he's too busy on Tidus's form and how he's faring on a one-on-one. If he'll use the power of a higgledy to do more stunts, and to begin with, Roland doesn't even know the full extent of Tidus's moves and skillset apart from what he's seen in Irivar, or in the gym...

He's cautious, keen. ]

[ The contact may not go as intended, but the blade keeps Tidus protected, and he has a way of getting back onto his feet: with a spring that's aided by the tip of his blade on the flooring, for no more than a second before he's up.

But that higgledy in his blade is getting animated, and Tidus can sense it: a gleeful impatience in his heart, inspiring a laugh that might tell Roland something is up -- if the obvious aqua-gleam of Tidus's aquatic weaponry didn't in the moment before he readies it. A preparation that might be too early, too showing of what he's about to do since he needs to run in, except--

Tidus slashes the air, and in the motions, strips of water in the shape of those strikes come out, firing at Roland from that distance. And when Tidus is so agile, does a guy like him need to continue to assault straight forward, when he can jump up, send more strikes like shots at Roland from above, and break out into a run to send more from other directions? ]

[ It's good he was paying attention like this; if he had been one second too late to the draw, Roland would have gotten hit with the blades of water without a doubt. The first wave of crescents hit the edge of his sword in defense, but to absorb more than that would mean he would be pushed too far back. Blocking didn't protect him from getting hurt, after all; only deflecting it, cushioning the blows.

He moves as fast he can, but he's being rushed. Tidus's strategy was clearer than ever: rather than face Roland head on, he was attempting to force his hand by overwhelming him. And Tidus certainly had the energy to do so; to keep this up until Roland would be forced into a corner. No, he isn't that easily flustered. Tidus's jumping reminds him of a creature they often fight in the second world, relying mostly on the same strategy of jumps and quick moves to catch opponents off their guard.

But all he needs is that split second the magic runs out. There's always a cooldown, there's always an end to it. It can't last forever. When he is granted it - that gap, that pause, however short it is - Roland moves with purpose. Pushes himself, burn in his thighs, as he performs a basic combination that focuses every slash, strike, and thrust only on Tidus and nowhere else. It's a string of five, six, seven attacks, not letting up the form. ]

Defense up, Tidus. Let's go.

[ He says, neither encouraging nor condescending. Roland is spurring him own too, almost like lending advice. Whether or not he'd take it, is a completely different matter altogether. Regardless. ]

horseshoe 22, voice

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