redjacketthief | 6th Turn [Voice/Action]

[It's mid-afternoon when the journal post is made by a familiar voice in an unfamiliar mood. A quick look at the image reveals a face that is both familiar and unfamiliar--but that smile, with it's odd curl and suppressed mirth, can mean it is only one person.]

[Failed Filter to Mine Fujiko: Completely Readable]

Hey...Fujiko? Remember that game you gave me at the end of the last month before you went on your mission? It was very clever, and the prize has been a joy. How did you know I liked history books? I'm wondering, though...why are you having me read about your ex-boyfriend's grandfather, after you made it clear that you don't want to think about it?

[There's a pause as the man notices the feed.] Oh... blast it! I messed, Fujiko. Want to meet in my place?

...Everyone, disregard that.

[Later that day the man wanders the town, his hair in a mussed disarray and red jacket noticeably missing. Instead he wears dark colors, fitted but more casual clothes, and his wings are for once in the open. He's headed to the library to return some books, gather others and other supplies. Early that evening, another journal post is made. This time, it's intended for anyone.]

Evening, Luceti, this is Red. I was just wondering...is anyone else around here missing about twenty-one hours of their weekend? Does anybody who isn't know what happened? It's just a question for inquiring minds.

Also--has anybody actually given the Battle Dome a good once over after last week?

[He's serious in his words, even if the smile is light. Ladies and Gentleman, meet the man who's going to be adamant about calling himself Red...someone you're more likely to know as Arsene Lupin III. He's not going to stand down from that either.]

[OOC: Details about how Lupin has been shifted, for the curious, are here. He has a number of physical details in terms of style that are changing beyond what's available to me in normal fanart and screencaps, so I've had to choose a PB, ~~Emiya Kiritsugu~~ a man from another anime that I've yet to actually see. Replies will have appropriate icons, thanks.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Wait--what?

[He should have been expecting this, but was taken by surprise.]

I-I'm still learning basics from the Captain. You want to spar all ready??

Edited 2012-04-06 18:54 (UTC)

No...but the only way to learn is to practice. We aren't sparring, you are just going to try and hit me, and I can figure out just where we need to work.

Also, you can't practice if you aren't in the right stance.

[He nods in understanding of her rationale.]

So we start something like...

[Feet shift into a more balanced position as he trails off, arms lifting into a basic ready position he had seen used by unarmed fighters dozens of times before. Shoulder's relax, back is straight.]

...like this, right?

Edited 2012-04-07 03:51 (UTC)

Yes, but angle your body. Present the smallest possible target. And try and hit me.

[She takes her own stance, right leg forward, her arms held in a blocking posture]

[He nods in understanding and properly adjusts his stance like she said to. It was a mimic of hers, feet not parallel but solid.]

Like this?

[It was a distraction. He doesn't wait for a reply before launching out with an experimental punch, just to see how she moved.]

Yes, exactly. Except...you're entirely predictable. I can see your muscles tensing up.

[She barely moves at all, merely twisting her body out of the way and smiling]

C'mon, you'll have to do better than that.

You realize that I'm out of my element like this, right?

[But this was her's, and she was good.]

Less talking, more punching.

[She takes a few mock jabs at Lupin, just to drive home her point]

[Red acts on instinct and takes a couple of steps backward, startled.]

I see. All right.

[He attempts another strike, not exactly certain what point she was trying to get him to see.]

Getting warmer!

[This one she actually had to block, not dodge]

Never stop fighting, until you've won, or you've been knocked out. Stopping to talk, and make excuses? That'll just get you killed.

Right. Usually I have a weapon in hand, but--

[He attempts a low kick while she's distracted by his hand.] That's the reason we're doing this, isn't it?

You don't need a weapon, if you let your body become one.

[She senses the motion, and hops backwards before launching a mock snap-kick right at Lupin's face, halting her sneaker inches from his nose]

Are we opening the floor for kicks, Red?

[It was too fast for him to track--suddenly he's staring crosseyed at a foot almost in his face.]

Point taken. I dunno, Chun-Li. Are we opening it for kicks?

Edited 2012-04-11 14:56 (UTC)

I said try and punch me. [She skips back a few paces and reassumes her stance]

[He attempts again, this time reaching out with a jab with his offhand in hopes to distract her from the succeeding one on the right.

With luck, one would hit.]

[She slaps aside each strike, catching his wrists with reflexes faster than those of a cat. Then, she uses her INCREDIBLE strength to simply cast him aside]

Slow. Keep trying.

[The defensive maneuver wasn't quite the surprise that the throw was. His reflexes, though deft enough to react quickly to technical stimuli, weren't honed enough to deal with physical altercation. He manages to land on his feet without grace, stumbling as he righted himself into a proper fighting stance as he stares at her, dumbfounded.]

How am I supposed to hit you if I don't even have a good handle on the basics, Chun-Li?

[It's a valid question--one that he won't wait for an answer for again.]

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