the_campus | ANNOUNCEMENT 005

[Henry's face remains the same as ever, but inside there's a wide grin. Bakura doesn't recognize it. That's a very, very good sign.]

Ryou had wanted to exert himself, so I had been thinking of at least showing him the basics so he could spar with the air. Even if it's not polished, it's still exercise, isn't it?

I'm surprised the one I picked up felt so comfortable, admittedly. Perhaps I had a bit of help with that... but either way, I'll be sure to pass it onto him later on.

[Henry moves over, adjusting Bakura's hands once he grips the smaller sword again.]

Here. You space your hands like this.

[He scoffs a little, taking the bait. Right, as if Ryou could ever learn to fight...]

That idiot would probably stab himself in the foot if he tried. It might be better not to teach him something like that... Anything that puts him in range of something sharp sounds like a bad idea. Why do you think I always take the dagger away before I let him out on his own? Even if he never takes it out of the sheath, he'd probably find a way to hurt himself on it.

[Huh, so that's how you hold it... Interesting. Though his grip is confident, there's no skill in it at all. He's just mimicking what Henry's suggesting.]

Huh... Weapons this long are pretty awkward, huh? Even holding it like this is strange.

[Oh Bakura. If only you could see into Henry's head.]

He does seem a bit... clumsy at times. Perhaps I should think on this a bit more.

[His voice is affectionate, a father teasing his son. He picks up his own sword, taking a few paces away and turning to face Bakura.]

First, let's see if you have any natural talent. Come at me!

'Natural talent'? Who do you think you're talking to?

[Heh. Of course... like all humans, he can't commit to something easily.

Lifting the blade, he handles it more like a long knife than a sword.]

I'll do my best!

[And with that said, he strikes out at him, unhesitatingly. He may not be skilled, but there's force behind the blade, and his balance is fairly natural - if a little thrown-off by the longer weight. He has the potential to be good, if he bothered to try, but it's clear he's never bothered with it before.]

[Henry doesn't reply to that, eyes suddenly sharp and cold as he watches the swing. His own blade snaps out, parrying the strike fluidly and in a way that makes it almost seem easy. The force does send a slight shock through the metal, enough to make Henry take notice...]

Not too bad. Sloppy and rough, with holes, but you've handled a blade besides a knife before.

[He doesn't attempt to strike back.]

[Impressive... his own eyes narrow at that, but not with malice. Compared to him, this man has much more experience.]

Ore-sama?

[He laughs a little.]

If I've wielded a sword, it was probably before I lost my memories. There wouldn't be anywhere near the level of skill you know of behind it. After all, I've seen those blades. They're made for quick kills rather than defensive or long-lasting battles.

[His arm aches from the parrying.]

What's the hold-up?

The body can remember what the mind forgets... and it seems the soul can remember what both the mind did and the body doesn't know. That's an interesting bit of information, I must admit...

[Henry tilts his head.]

I'm waiting on your strikes, Spirit.

Then you just plan to defend? How boring... Fine, then! But you better give your all to defending, if that's what you plan to do.

[Drawing back, he attacks again, from a different angle this time. Striking from higher, the weapon no less forceful, but little more skilled than before. What Henry said about holes has been acknowledged; he's trying not to leave himself open in the strike, even if Henry's waiting.]

Did you know about the three parts of the soul? It's only natural! If my personality was passed on, my memories are still there too. I just can't access them.

[His all to defending? Henry quirks an eyebrow, a cold grin crossing his face even as Bakura strikes. Rather than parrying, he swings his sword up in a way to block it. His position shifts forward and to the side, almost as if he's trying to side-step the blade...

And then his foot steps between Bakura's legs and he pulls it outwards as he finishes the shift, intention on yanking it out from under him and send him to the dirt. If it works... well, Bakura will find a blade dangerously close to his throat.]

I wasn't aware souls came in parts.

-!

[He hit the floor in surprise, freezing at the blade against his throat. Despite the coldness in Henry's expression, he's not afraid. Henry wouldn't destroy his host over something like this. Still, it's impressive.]

...heh.

[His lips twitch into a grin and he bursts into peals of laughter that seem to come out of nowhere to suddenly fill the air.]

You're tricky, as I expected! I'm glad. Heheh... but it's true. I'll tell you, if you want.

[Lifting his own sword, he uses it to try to push the blade away from his throat.]

[Henry moves the blade at the push, taking a few steps back to position himself again.]

You told me to put my all into it, didn't you? Sometimes, you have to a bit tricky to stop a duel quickly... or without a death.

[He casually shifts his grip on his sword, nodding a bit.]

I would like to know, yes.

[Climbing to his feet, he adjusts the sword in his hand, trying to remember how Henry told him to hold it.]

Heh heh... I don't like people going easy on me, so I appreciate it. Even if I get beaten into the ground, I'd rather you kept doing your best.

The soul is divided into three parts. There's the 'ka', which is a reflection of one's true nature and resides forever in what could be considered a mirror world. The other two parts are held within the body. You might not consider them both parts of the soul, but they are regardless.

The part held within the Ring is my 'akh', which permanently resides within the body normally. The 'akh' contains all of the personality and memories, everything that makes a person into a person. It's the 'true self' that all people hold!

[This time, he tries to keep aware of where his feet are as he strikes out, ready to jump back at any sign of the same trick.]

I won't be beating you into the ground for the sake of your body, but I will be happy to not hold back any more than I feel necessary for that.

[The information is... strange. Egyptian ideals are certainly different, but perhaps not entirely bad so.]

And the third part?

[Henry steps back slightly, parrying the other blade to the side and moving to hit the side of Bakura's arm without burns with the flat of his sword.]

[-! Nice move... This guy really is skilled.]

That's the 'ba'. You could consider it the part of the soul that's required for 'life'. That's the part that is consumed if you've been sinful... because your soul and body will be destroyed if the 'ba' is damaged. But the 'ba' isn't tied to the body like the 'akh' is. It's essentially a life force that cannot be seen.

[This time, he doesn't give even a second's hesitation before whirling to try to knock the blade away with his own, striking up and out.]

[Henry easily dodges the clumsy strike, stepping around and taking advantage of another hole to lightly whack Bakura's leg.]

Interesting! Egyptians certainly have a complicated view of the soul!

Hah! Is it that complicated?

[He scoffs at the strike, whirling on his heel to keep him in sight at all times. He's already breathing hard, the force of his strikes, clumsy as they are, tiring. He's not used to handling this weapon, and uses up more energy than he needs to with it.

But he doesn't mind. This is fun...]

It's less complicated than the rest of that mythology!

[These holes in his defenses... he tries to keep aware of them as he moves, trying to judge Henry's most likely movements before striking at the sword-wielding arm this time.]

Compared to our belief? Certainly it is!

[Being heavily trained, Henry's gaps and moves are beyond Bakura's skill to clearly see, and the king is being cautious not to telegraph anything too much. He feints as if moving to smack Bakura's arm again, then instead goes for a low strike on his leg.

This is a fun, in a way. Much like training someone new.]

Though I could be biased some!

You certainly are! Heheh, but that doesn't matter!

[Too skilled... He can't see an opening at all. If this were a real battle, he'd be helpless by now. He makes a mental note not to piss Henry off too much. His own level is so far below Henry's that it's laughable.

But he wasn't beyond using tricky methods either. Even as he strikes upwards, his free arm slams out to try to knock Henry's sword-arm aside.]

All religions have their foolishnesses to them... even with as many truths as there are. After all, human minds fill in the blanks with what seems to make sense to them!

Edited 2013-10-03 12:33 (UTC)

[Henry sees that grab, Bakura, and his face splits into that cold grin again. His sword goes out to block the strike and he releases one hand, letting the tip pass close to his side in order to grab the arm after him. It's a bit of an awkward position...

Especially once Henry's boot snaps out to try to catch him in the stomach and send him back a little.]

I suppose that's a true enough claim, from the outside! Though it gives many of us strength to know God watches over us!

[He stumbles back, laughing a little as he speaks.]

Whatever it takes, right? Heh heh... the life of a human must be hard!

[Ugh, his stomach... Bakura grins widely, baring those fangs of his, and moves in to strike again. This time, he isn't going for tricks; he's aiming to tire Henry out. Henry may be more skilled, but Bakura has enough energy to keep attacking.]

I've never had the patience for Gods!

Edited 2013-10-03 12:40 (UTC)

Is that so? And why would that be?

[Henry's voice is easy, but excited, his blood pumping even in such an easy fight. The problem, of course, is that Henry's endurance may be more than Bakura expects... and he has no qualms with striking in the health spots on Bakura's body that he can.]

Not that I'm surprised! You seem the type to steal from them just out of spite!

Haha! It's not quite like that! I give the gods a wide berth. Consider it a mix of respect for their power... and dislike for their nature!

[Bit by bit, he's wearing down, his arm aching under the pressure of wielding that weapon for a long time. It's exhilarating in its own way. He doesn't need to hold back, knowing as he does that Henry can easily block him, and that even with his lack of skill, the weapon isn't likely to do much damage if he does hit him. It's a type of exercise he's never tried before.

And it's fun.]

Heh heh, call it spite if you wish! I don't feel the need to show any being respect like that! Human or god, they're all beneath me!

[Henry had been just enjoying the sparring up until that point, but when Bakura says that last line, a cold, sharp expression crosses his face, a look that's likely strange and out of place on the normally friendly face.

As he parries one strike, moving the sword away, he lunges forward, closing what little distance there is. One of his legs kicks hard at Bakura's knee, while the other twists the blade to slam into his chest to force him to the ground.

Before the spirit can recover from that, Henry's boot is on his throat, the sword of the king resting threateningly over the wrist that holds the other's blade, as if daring him to strike out.]

Funny. You seem to be beneath me now.

[His voice is suddenly sharp, cold, and threatening, as if he's genuinely thinking of breaking the bones just under his feet.]

Edited 2013-10-03 12:57 (UTC)

[The look of shock and fear on Bakura's face seems unlike his usual viciously pleasant facade. He's been taken by surprise. Mentally cursing his foolishness for letting that slip out, he lies still. His breathing is harsh, not least of all because landing on his back was a painful experience. One new thing learnt:

Don't insult gods around Henry Tudor.

Why didn't he pick that up faster?]

Kh...

[What a dangerous position to be in. Ryou or no Ryou, this guy might just do it.]

That's right, you're religious... I'd almost forgotten the level of religious fervor people had in your time.

Edited 2013-10-03 13:05 (UTC)

While the insult was certainly a major part, that was not all of it.

[Henry presses his boot down a little, applying enough pressure to be noticed.]

You became cocky and confident in your superiority... and had I been a real opponent, you would have paid for your arrogance and underestimation with your life.

Never boast about yourself until your enemy lays before you, either dying or subdued. This is your first lesson, Spirit.

[And then all that ice is gone, Henry sheathing his sword and his face relaxing into that calm expression as he moves his foot off Bakura's throat, offering the man a hand up.]

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Incoming hovertext because I am a dork.

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