middaeg | The Room where it happens (open catch all!)

Who: Sokie and you!
When: All month
Where: All over the city and on the outskirts
What: Open starters for Sokie as she tries to be productive!
Warnings: TBA

I: Parliament

[There was a lot of listening on Sokie's part, which may have seemed unusual for those who Kew her. Usually she was chatty, filled with charm and wit- but in Parliament, she dressed in a formal business suit and took notes (and also doodled). In exiting a meeting, she paused outside of the building and took a few moments to stretch. Her butt felt sore for sitting still so long.]

My butt hurts. I guess this is why I've always turned down a desk job.

[She needed to do some yoga and have a run. And a bath.]

II: Radio Hour

[Anyone and everyone could call or text in, but Sokie would stay on voice since...well, she was on the morning hour with her radio advice show. Which was on right now, live.]

Hello dear listener, welcome to An Undertaking with Undertown. What question can I answer today?

III: Teaching Magic

[She left a notice on te boards again. It wasn't good last month, by this time...maybe She could help some of the newbies learn their magic or how to counter it.

She asked them to meet at the entry of Haven, and after some introductions, things would move on from there. Well. She got to the point really.]

So, what do you want to learn today?

IV: A different kind of practice

[It was true she had a baton, but it was the kidnapping and speaking to Sephiroth that was a wake up call. Heck, she might have even been denying it, since the snow storm.

But she found a smithy and was going through the weapons, one by one, trying to find which would suit her best. So far, nothing really caught her eye but...she found one, and lightly twirled tin in one hand.]

It feels nicer but I think I need to put this through its paces.

...hey. You wouldn't mind going for a round, right?

[Sorry curious customer and or passerby. Sokie wants a smol fite.]

V: A moment of quiet

[She was in a corner of a cafe, or maybe just in Diplomatea. As usual, there were books around her, papers of various formulae, but she seemed more interested in her tea or coffee then she was in her work. Seeing someone nearby, she made a beckoning motion with her hand.]

Don't worry, I can move my stuff. Why don't you come sit?

VI: Wildcard

All other options, including hunting outside of the city can be done here! Any questions, comments, can be directed to my discord or at my plurk!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He doesn't answer verbally, but pulls his coat back slightly to show the sword belted at his hip. Not only can he use a sword, but his skill with one is a point of pride for him.

A small nod and a faint smile follows.]

They must trust you, if a little something is all it takes.

[Oh good, he's not flashing anything, just his blade.

Sokie's smile widened, and she shrugged.]

What can I say? They're friends of friends. Plus I've done a little work for them here and there. It helps.

[Not his modus operandi. Leave that to other, less physically modest Food Souls.]

Mm, I imagine it does.

[It's been a while, even since he got here, since he's tested his blade against something other than the creatures outside of the city... or against Steak. Maybe that accounts for his eagerness.]

Do you often ask strangers to test your choices in new weaponry?

[Like Steak...?]

It helps to be nice.

[But ah, this could be fun and pleasant. And she'll enjoy the exercise, if not the bruises.]

But no, not always. Sometimes you need to make sure you're not being protected and test something in earnest.

Mm. In that case, I promise I won't go easy on you.

[Not that he was planning to. But still, it's a test, nothing more than training, so he isn't intending to spill any blood unless he has to.]

Just let me know when you're ready to begin.

You're too kind to a woman like me.

[She flashed another grin. She wasn't intending to spill blood either-but she had no problem in getting a bruise or two if it happened.

And she brought up her blade in the ready position.]

Ready.

It's just my nature.

[He shoots back almost flippantly. She brings up her blade and he draws his with the ringing sound of steel.]

Likewise.

A soft, kind nature. You must be a popular boy.

[She winks and just like that, lunges forward, blade in hand and smiling. She's expecting to be repelled but-

She wants to see what he does when he's surprised.]

You caught me on a good day.

[Popular? No, not exactly, and very much by design.

His reaction to her lunge is instant and fluid. He brings his blade up smoothly, the contact of steel on steel ringing out like a bell as he blocks her swing.]

Uh huh.

[She smells a lie, but it makes her laugh. She's having a good time, and her blood is already up.]

Nice block.

[Sokie's smile widens. And the blade slithers against his own, and aims low.

Towards his feet.]

[He gives a small nod of thanks to the compliment, then grins as he jumps neatly back to avoid the swing at his feet.]

Come, now... are we going to spar, or not?

[She's testing him, he's sure... but Red Wine is proud of his skill for good reason.]

Did you need more time?

[Oh! Very nice, he was just like a cat.]

Oh, naturally. I just wanted to see how you reaction time thing.

[She grinned, and after rolling her wrist, she brought up her blade again, and made to lunge forward, and see if she could disarm him.]

I see.

[He's actually faster since the transformations started, and he wasn't terribly slow to begin with. The sound of steel rings again as their blades clash, but he keeps his grip on his sword and deflects her attempt to disarm him.]

Not bad. How old were you when you started to learn?

Oh-older I believe. Maybe...my twenties? Twenty one?

[Not exactly the truth, but she wants to go along and pretend that she's as old as she looks.

Her blade slides against his, and she disengages with a soft laugh.]

But I'm rusty, as you can tell.

I've sparred with worse who should have known better.

[Those who have held a sword for decades, centuries, and still are unable to disarm him. He doesn't blame them. Red Wine came into Tierra with exceptional sword skills and his pride of them is not unwarranted.]

Come. Don't worry about injuring me.

You're being quite flattering. Very nice.

[He's going to disarm her readily and she knows it. He'll win, but it's good for her to warm up and practice.]

You want me to stop fooling around? All right.

[Her expression changed, and she whirled her sword once, warming up her wrist.

And she lunged, her sword aiming for his chest. She wanted to see his reaction to being deadly earnest.]

I don't tend towards flattery. I find it unnecessary.

[That is to say, he'll give a compliment where it's due and no more than that, and prefers to be honest about certain feelings where it works to his benefit.

He notes her change in posture, the flourish, and tightens his grip on his own weapon in time to sweep his sword up and knock hers aside as he moves smoothly out of the path of her lunge.]

Very good. Again.

Mmm. I see.

[Flattering because he means it is still flattery! Least that's what she thinks. But she doesn't feel as if she's being toyed with; rather, he's trying to teach her. Maybe.

Knocked aside, she moved with it, planting her feet solidly on the ground. But hearing again...she didn't say anything. She just moved smoothly, lunging with a slow exhale.

That felt better with her this time. Smoother.]

[There's something satisfying about this, even if it only began as a casual request to test out a new weapon. She has skill, and he wonders if she's being entirely honest about how long she's been handling a blade...

But he doesn't ruin things by asking.

He doesn't knock her aside this time, sidesteps the lunge with a soft hiss of air and brings his sword up with a small flourish.]

How does it feel. Is it weighted correctly?

[Yeah, she wouldn't give him a straight answer. Which...really would be frustrating wouldn't it. But she steps with him, after taking a moment to recover from her near over extension.

Sloppy. Good way to get knocked on the back of the neck.]

Oh, the weight is fine.

[Sokie made a face though, as she drew herself up, and into the ready position. But she was frowning at her sword, not Red Wine.]

It might be a touch too light for me though. I must have added muscle since I used a sword last.

The Room where it happens (open catch all!)

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