pawnstorm | [semi-open] come, let's fly.

[ Maybe she's not at his level with all those years of experience, she's only fifteen, but she also knows a thing or too about getting what she wants. It's less about manipulation and just knowing what to say. Besides, her reasons aren't nefarious.

If gods bring her here along with everyone else, Gil included, she does believe that. If she was able to do what gods could do, then she would have found a way to go home already. To save this world and stop the war. Asuna knows limitations but she pushes herself to overcome them within reason. For example, not being able to fight with a sword but having Setsuna start apprenticing her. Learning about magic and theory and training every day.

So it was potential he was looking for when she spoke to him first.

She inhales sharply. Gil's belief in her isn't warm like Setsuna's is or even earnest like Yata saying she was cool. It doesn't make her heart skip beats or for it to swell. Eyes hardening, she doesn't take the bait, she straightens her shoulders. ]

Would you kindly take me a bit more seriously?

[Gilgamesh's belief stems solely from a place of selfishness. From perversion, and from a wish to entertain himself at someone else's expense. If she died, so what? Maybe she'd go down screaming to the very end, which would also serve to amuse. If she didn't, then he'd be proven right, that there was more to her than the childish little girl she seemed. Her humanity is what wins him over and makes him despise her, all in the same breath.

At her curious request, he seems taken aback. Blinking a few times, he folds his arms, and how he looks at her now... it's like he's standing on the other end of a lion's cage, trying to figure the beast out. At least it's some small victory as she appears to have stumped him.]

Have I not?

[Tilting his head, his eyes land upon her sword again.]

Hm... tell me, girl, what do you know of swordplay?

[ His reaction baffles her too but she wonders if he's putting up an act. He doesn't actually believe in her, does he? He doesn't know her so why would he? Asuna may be serious 99% of the time, but she has no idea when it comes to Gil.

He doesn't have a vibe that leads her to believe he exactly trusts in people unconditionally. Especially for a King who seems to look down on others.

So no, she doesn't think he has been taking her seriously. Before she can tell him that he hasn't, he points out her sword. More than that, he calls her girl.

Yeah, definitely not taking her seriously. ]

My name is Asuna, Gilgamesh-san. [ Subconsciously, her hand brushes the hilt of her rapier. She comes back at him with another question. ]

What do you want to know?

So it is.

[But whether or not Gilgamesh will respect that assertion remains up for debate. Even if he doesn't, he's at least somewhat impressed she would even stand up to him at all. Perhaps it was because he didn't command his full extent of powers here, which would've had her kneeling in seconds...

Or perhaps she really did have a superior sense of spirit. Either way, Gilgamesh will ferret it out.]

I will make a deal with you. When you feel you are comfortable enough with the sword, reach out to me. We will have a match.

[Again, with that slippery smile, tilting the corners of his mouth up.]

You need not win; only hold your own. If you can manage to do that, I will, as you say, take you seriously.

[ There's that smile she had seen before. Like it had done on the network, her skin crawls. Snake, it screams. Why does she have to prove her worth to him, anyway? Just so he can take her seriously?

She tries not to lose her temper.

She's somewhat proud of her prowess now. Training with Setsuna every morning has made her much more comfortable with handling a weapon, her sword. She's a fast learner and even more of a perfectionist. Although she doesn't have the experience that Setsuna does, she can hold her own.

Or so she thinks.

His over-confidence rubs her the wrong way and before she knows it, she's agreeing. If he wants a duel then that's fine. ]

I won't have a match with you with the intention of holding my own. I'll have a match with the intention to win.

I'm ready when you are.

[Gilgamesh leans on the hilt of his own sword, sheathed at his hip, and wonders if she really and truly understands what she's getting herself into here. While he was no swordsman himself, he favored a blade as his ultimate weapon back home, against his enemies. He had some degree of familiarity with one that surely such a young girl could not boast of... or could she?

Hm. Alright. He's got nothing else to do and nowhere else to be, so he'll indulge this. She'll either walk away having learned a serious lesson or he'll have his curiosity sated in knowing that she was stronger than innocent appearances implied.

Gilgamesh walks past her and gestures for her to follow.]

They've a courtyard towards the center of the temple, dedicated to the goddess of war. I'm certain they won't mind a spar in the spirit of her station.

[They have actually taken notice of what's going on. A group of bright-eyed Alfersa appear to be staring at Asuna from around the corner, inquistively.]

[ There's a chance both of those things could happen....

Asuna follows, even if she's biting the inside of her cheek. If they spar, she'll have a chance to put all her frustration into her swordplay. Ah, that's not how she was taught though. She has to keep a calm mind or she'll make mistakes. So as they walk, Asuna trailing behind Gil, she takes calming breaths.

... First one here, huh? If he knows there's a courtyard, she wonders if she actually was or he was just trying to make conversation. Why? She can't wonder about it when she feels eyes on her. Glancing over her shoulder reveals that they're being watched and she tenses. This kind of duel doesn't need an audience.

She jogs to catch up with Gil, so she's not just following him and walking at his side. ]

If you weren't certain, there's a chance to ask.

[Gilgamesh stops, and miraculously, seems to heed Asuna. He turns to the group of Alfersa that had been tagging along behind them, supposedly on the sly. They all freeze in place and squeak, but a more daring member of the pack clears her throat and tells him quite bluntly, "Yes! Asking permission would be best, stranger! Especially such a..."

Gilgamesh raises an eyebrow, but as he has company, decides to entertain this.]

Such a what?

["Such a... such a.. such a rude male, accosting the fair lady!"

Gilgamesh quirks a smile. Yes, maybe this was what Asuna meant, questioning his claims of balance. In a word, the Alfersa were... well, sexist. They did not look kindly upon men in their midst, and certainly not men like Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh wouldn't mind putting them in their place, ordinarily, but it was their territory. He can respect that much, at least, and so bows at the chest and inquires with his most charming smile:]

May I use your courtyard, then, for the purposes of exhibition? I am certain the lady Asuna will put on quite a show for you.

[The supposed leader of the group looks to her comrades, gnawing at her lip. "You promise no undue violence against her?"]

Not outside the scope of combat. It would be rude of me.

[They glance and mumble among themselves for a moment, then all nod together. There you have it, Asuna. Permission acquired... and a small audience, at that.]

[ Asuna stops too, half-turning to regard the Alfersa. She's kind of on their side, he is a rude male okay. What she knows of him. Before now. But she watches Gil and his reaction as subtly as she can.

She goes a bit wide-eyed when he BOWS. TO THEM. Last thing she expects from the egotistical king, actually. She holds in her sputters by holding her breath, keeping her looks between Gil and the girls as they converse. They're talking as if she's not here, irritating her. If this guy put any undue violence against her she would just RETALIATE. The girls are probably well-intended, she knows that. Even so...

Asuna gives the girls a small nod of acknowledgement too anyway. She doesn't want an audience but there's not much she can do about it. They still watch over Asuna protectively. They can't be blamed, Asuna doesn't really look like a warrior at first glance.

Then she's back to settling her attention on Gil. ]

You're not going to put on a show?

[Gilgamesh just smiles at Asuna.]

Do I not simply put one on all the time?

[And that answers that.

It's a short trek to the courtyard in question, a pretty players of flowers and greenery. Statues of the Alfersa's beloved goddesses are littered about the area, and there's plenty of space for the sparring in question. Asuna's little cadre settles around the edges and look to her hopefully, as if to say don't let this arrogant male get the better of you. They'll be rooting for her, most assuredly.

Gilgamesh assumes a position on the opposite end of the courtyard, leaning on the hilt of his blade and sizing Asuna up. She didn't seem like much, but he's already learned there's a lot of spirit in that pert little body of hers. Perhaps she'd provide him adequate challenge after all, though he doubts it.]

I propose we fight until first blood has been drawn. Since it's only a spar, we each should be able to heal such a wound sufficiently, so there is no risk.

[As easy as it would be, he feels, to tear her apart. As before, with the Alfersa, Gilgamesh bows before his opponent, though it's hard to say how genuine it really is. Kings bow to no one, in truth, and Gilgamesh was no exception. If she wanted his earnest respect, she'd have to fight for it, as with everyone else.]

I cede right of first move to you. Show me your best, Asuna.

[ For some reason, his smile doesn't give her chills but she still doesn't TRUST IT so she narrows her eyes. ]

I would say you put on an act...

[ Stop sassing Kings, Asuna. After that, they make it to the courtyard. Asuna tries not to get all big-eyed at all the flowers and greenery but she's a hippie so she can't help it. ]

Oh!

[ A small sound leaves her in a breath and she looks around. The Alfersa definitely do well to worship their goddess. There's even a flower crown on one of the statues. The reminder causes her to look towards the small audience again and she can practically read their minds. Once she looks at Gil again, she tries to school her expression back to something more serious. Even if he wasn't arrogant, or male, she won't let anybody get the better of her. For the most part, she can pretend they're not there.

Once she gets psyched up for the duel, anyway.

Since he takes the other side, Asuna stands in her spot with her hand gripping her sheath and her other arm stretched across her body to grip the handle of her sword. He looks so relaxed and she feels her jaw tense. ]

That's fine. Also, I propose we don't use any magic. This is purely a test of our blades. [ She doesn't want this to be a fight to the death or anything. As he bows, Asuna draws her rapier and gets into a stance that might be very familiar to him -- as she learned it from Setsuna. Even the expression on her face is very calm and focused.

First move, her best. She inhales slowly, exhales. Then, her coiled muscles explode and her Pawn speed moves her fast enough that she's in front of Gil in almost the blink of an eye, her sword glinting ferociously and it comes at his shoulder first. ]

[A maiden, tried and true, he thinks, hearing that little oh of wonder and watching her gaze about in evident wonder. It draws a soft chuckle from him, and for once it isn't derisive and mocking; he's genuinely amused by her reaction, as well as the band of followers she's gained for herself. That certainly hadn't happened by accident, so maybe, just maybe, there was room for a revision of opinion here.

But she'd have to earn it. Indeed, Gilgamesh looks ready, and has been for this since the moment of their first meeting.]

I agree to your terms. Melee only. A test of pure skill.

[And so Gilgamesh lowers himself into a defensive position and prepares to accept the first blow. Much to his surprise, she's fast. Certainly no faster than the monsters he'd encountered in the dungeon, nor the men and women that fought alongside him, but fast enough to draw some shock from it. He recovers quickly, though, just in time to raise his own blade in defense. Asuna hits him hard, and his heels dig into the grass to keep him level.

This is when the fight truly begins. His eyes gain a feral crimson glow, and he stares at her has he never has before. Not like a King, but like a monster, like something bestial and deadly that she's not yet encountered. He says nothing, but his lips move. If she reads them, she will see you shall not survive. He's trying to scare her, to intimidate her before she can even so much take another swing at him. For now, he just anchors himself to her, and waits for her to cower. To surrender.

If she so much as hesitates here, it will be over. Gilgamesh bares fangs, and they will dig in if she does not hold firm.]

[ Asuna had seen the brief widening of his eyes and she resists the urge to grin confidently that she's made her point that this will be much more than holding her own. The meeting of their swords creates a loud clanging but all other sounds are drowned out, even any the Alfersa make when they see Asuna go for Gil with all the speed she can muster.

Like Gil, however, she's taken aback by the glow that happens in his eyes like a predator looking down at prey. She looks the rabbit, just like her carrier, since she's not prepared for it. She keeps their swords locked, pushing against each other and reads his lips. Stunned, she grips her sword harder.

Then suddenly, her eyes flash and burn with a fire too. There is one thing that's kept her going, a sentiment she heard from one of the first people she met in Caissa. But living on, that is a fight on its own. One of the first things Setsuna said to her. Asuna fights. She wants to survive so she can go home.

The blades grind against each other as she twists her wrist, both tips pointed towards the ground. Then she pulls herself free, dancing back a few steps and holding up her sword again, expression stolid. It's all in the pale red fire of her eyes. ]

[She's fierce, too, he thinks. For someone so small, so seemingly delicate and unknown to the ways of the world, she has a fire burning in her he can plainly see. So be it, then. This battle will not be won through intimidation tactics alone, and that's for the best. He would've been disappointed to have him time wasted in a such a pitiful fashion on such on a pitiful girl. He might've even killed her on the spot for daring to do so, so hot the King's wrath would've blazed.

Asuna withdraws. He cannot call it a proper retreat, because they both know that's not what she's aiming for here. Gilgamesh takes a moment of his own to prepare, then rushes forward much as she did not moments go, sword swinging violently. He does not aim for any spot in particular, but rather seeks to force an opening however he can, as was his style: direct, damning, devastating. There's a lot of power being thrown at her and a lot she's going to need to defend against, but maybe...

Maybe she can handle it. Maybe she can impress him yet. He was a heartless King, but he still held some love for humanity and their potential, however faint.]

[ Asuna doesn't have to wait long before she sees Gil coming with a very direct approach that should be easy to block and then parry. But the force behind his swing makes her arm tremble, tremors traveling through to her shoulder that makes her gasp. This clang of tempered metal meeting each other is louder than the last, but she holds her ground by reaching up with her other hand so she's holding her rapier with both hands to fight against his power.

Even if she had no plans to underestimate him, now she had an idea of what he's capable of.

It's not the proper etiquette to hold a rapier with two hands, not something Setsuna taught her, but she's going to have to cut this corner. Her teeth grit and she pushes against him, breaking free again so she can step back, retreating, before going in again.

It's a dance for her. Back and forth, light on her feet, her sword flashing as it cuts at him again. This time, vertically, at his chest. ]

[She does not collapse from the onslaught. That in itself was worth noting. Back home, he would've ended this confrontation within seconds, but here he doesn't have the same luxury of a superior swing. Here, he can only rely on skill alone to carry the day, and frankly speaking Gilgamesh wasn't much of a swordsman; capable in melee range, certainly, but he fell far behind the likes of a Saber when it came to blades.

Still, he can hold up against a little girl. When Asuna pushes back, Gilgamesh adjusts accordingly, and indeed the dance begins. He flows in step with her, meeting each strike with one of his own. It's beautiful to witness, and their Alfersan audience all gasp in awe at the very sight of it. Asuna in her grace, Gilgamesh in his, with neither opponent yielding any ground. Asuna aims bold for his chest, but Gilgamesh blocks with the stiffer end of his sword. She did, however, come perilously close to an actual cut, as the tip of rapier lies a mere inch or so from his flesh.

But this only encourages him. Grinning, he gives her a shove using the brunt of his shoulder—and at least in terms of physical size, he has the advantage. He's counting on brute force to unsteady her long enough to nail a finishing blow to her side. It won't cut too deep, but it will hurt and she will learn a very painful lesson if she doesn't act to stop it.]

[ His shoulder causes her to stumble, lose her footing, and nearly fall back on her ass. She stops the backwards momentum he forces onto her by pressing her foot back, the sole of her boot grinding into the ground, the ball of her foot digging for a hold. Not like this, she thinks. She's not going to go out like this. Even if Gil is the bigger of the two of them, she won't go out just because he has the advantage of size.

She can use hers to her advantage, too. The blow just glances her. It doesn't draw blood but it does create a nice, loud tear in her outfit as she side-steps out of the way, watching his sword. As soon as she's sure she's in the clear, she looks towards his face. Gil is no pushover either. He's not Setsuna, he's not Yata, but now she has an idea why he might be considered a King of Heroes.

That doesn't cause her to cow, by any means.

All the new hole in her shirt gets is a small glare and then she comes at him faster, more intensely. Her strikes aren't as powerful as Gil's but they are fast and as soon as she realizes it's going to be blocked or parried, she's changing and moving into another swing without any pause. It might even be difficult for their Alfersa to keep up with the movement of her sword. ]

[And so they struggle for some time.

Back and forth, over and over, clashing blades and trading minor blows at best. Neither seems able to land anything substantial, nothing decisive that would end the battle, and the irritation of it all has finally sunk in for Gilgamesh. How could it be that she refused to tire? How could she be faring so well against him, with that pitiful frame, those weak little arms?

Gilgamesh wants to break them. Wants to snap them, to teach her a lesson, but he can't even get close enough to do that much. His eyes flare dangerously, as they had the very beginning of the battle, and he grits his teeth. He calls out to her, attempting a more psychological approach rather than physical:]

Give in now! It is only a matter of time before you fall to me, girl!

[He says this as he leans heavily on his own sword. Panting heavily, clearly out of breath. How could it be that one human could run him so ragged?!]

I will not hold back any longer! If you do not surrender...!

[Gilgamesh won't give her any opportunity for an indignant reply. He charges again, but this time it's more like a bull rush. It's sloppy and it's predictable but it's going to be awfully hard to get out of the way with the speed at which he's moving, and no mere girl no matter how stubborn will survive against its full onslaught. So he tells himself. So he must believe for the sake of his pride.]

[ While Gil grows more irritated, Asuna burns with even more determination. She's been going on for this long, holding her own, she wants to win this. She said she would win this or she's going to keep coming at him with the intention to win. It's probably the hardest she's ever had to concentrate during a battle. She has to watch each swing of his sword and move her body accordingly. Then, she has to quickly come up with a way to counter attack.

And this has been going on for a while now.

It's not that she refused to tire, she's exhausted. But she won't let it show in front of him. All that shows is the sweat that slides down the side of her face and neck as she grips her sword more tightly, another clang filling the area. The Alfersa are dead silent, watching that small body of Asuna's come at Gil with ferocity that doesn't change.

She doesn't answer to his goad. Her sword strikes out again at him with her hard expression. Inside, she burns hotter. She'll only fall when she's ready to fall. As he leans on his sword, Asuna remains standing back five feet and her chest heaves with her deep breaths. She keeps her sword steady, pointing at him before a hand reaches up and wipes at her cheek.

Surrender? Not a chance. Was he actually holding back when he's leaning so heavily on his own sword? While she keeps herself upright? Her eyelids just twitch a little before widening, seeing him coming at her too quickly. What the- ]

H-Hey!

[ She leaps out of his path at the last second, but she tumbles and rolls against the ground. She's covered in dirt when she sits up on her hands, glaring from her spot on the floor. What was that?! She wasn't expecting him to charge her like an animal! Struggling a bit to get onto her feet, she finally shouts back. ]

Are you part bull or something?!

YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT I AM, WOMAN!

[Well, that's one way of answering her.

Another manifests itself in how quickly he picks himself up and goes for another blind charge. However, he's more confident that he'll catch her off guard now. He's using his last bit of energy to turn the tide, and so what if they wouldn't be trading blows so much as rolling around in the dirt now, if he could at least get a sword pointed at her throat then he could claim this as a victory...!

It's all or nothing. He doesn't have strength for much more than this. Gilgamesh swivels on his heel and throws himself at Asuna with everything he's got. At best, he'll clobber her to the point of unconsciousness. At worst, they'll just wind up wiggling on top of each other and both looking like morons as they fight it out for that last scrap of dominance. Either way, Gilgamesh no longer has any regard for pride or appearing elegant; he's going to come out on top no matter what it takes.]

[ UH ALRIGHT. She blinks a few times and stares, stupefied by his answer. Even the Alfersa seem to jump in the air at the volume and lack of shame in admitting such a thing. He's not actually part bull. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF?? If she had a red cape though, maybe she would have used it as a target instead. She should probably stop thinking about being a matador and instead focus on Gil coming at her again with his head low.

Oops.

Her legs aren't cooperating this time, she's just as tired. Gil hits her side and this time BOTH OF THEM go tumbling across the ground, skidding across and struggling until the end. She's not unconscious but she's definitely light-headed. For the record, they definitely look like morons. Especially as Asuna shoves at his shoulders angrily and kicks her legs, trying to jab a knee into his gut. ]

Get off of me, you... ! You stupid bull!

[ Where is her sword?! SHE'LL KILL HIM. Actually, she doesn't need a sword.

THROWS A PUNCH AT HIS NOSE. ]

Edited (SORRY SETH) 2016-04-28 03:39 (UTC)

[And for a moment, it appears to be over. Gilgamesh appears to have achieved the desired outcome by pinning poor Asuna beneath him. He has his blade at the ready. He could cut her deep, or if he let go, he could even strangle her into submission. She was stubborn, he'd grant her that, but no human could hold out forever against deprivation of air. He has a sure path to victory, and now...]

OW!

[...and now, he's getting clocked squarely on the nose, rolling off in a hasty retreat and clutching his bloody face. He can't quite tell if anything's broken but it sure feels that way, though he refuses to do anything as pitiful as whimper. As a result, they both just kind of sit there as the Alfersa side-eye each other.

"Ah, I'd hate to say it, but..."

"Mm, he's a pig, but it's true."

"Draw!"]

D... draw?! Did you not see how I wrestled her down? I was on the verge of—

["Draw, you nasty ape! Be glad we don't pummel you ourselves!"

"Leave the lady be! In spirit, she was certainly the victor!"

Gilgamesh grumbles something under his breath, but it goes unheard and unheeded. The Alfersa rush to Asuna's aid and leave Gilgamesh groaning in the dirt. This was not what he wanted, not by a long shot, and yet... yet he's not as furious as he could be about it. If anything, it just confirmed that Asuna hadn't been wasting his time.

Asuna, definitively, was someone to keep an eye on. That and whoever had obviously been training her.]

[ At the sight of red, she nearly cheers but she's too angry at the position they're in and she's ready to throw another punch before he rolls off of her. She rolls away too, sitting on her heels and angling her body away from him. Stupid... idiot! Why is he getting on top of her? Ugh, he's infuriating. Everything about him pushed her buttons. Why did she even entertain the notion that he might actually be a decent person?!

He's bleeding though. She won. Those were the terms -- whoever drew first blood was the victor. So it's no surprise Asuna is arguing right along with Gil.

At nearly the same time, to boot. ]

What do you mean draw?! You didn't wrestle anything! The loser was supposed to be the one who─

[ They're just talking over each other. She had no idea the audience were the refs. In the end, she bites her tongue and throws scathing looks to Gil who looks very sad for himself in the dirt. She waves off the Alfersa, saying she's fine with an awkward smile. Just a little out of breath. If he wasn't such an insufferable oaf, she might have offered healing magic. ]

He's the one who's bleeding from the nose.

[ Which means she WON. She dusts off her clothes and then sheathes her sword loudly before crossing her arms. With the Alfersa standing at her flanks and Asuna standing straight, she looks like the leader of this girl troupe. Even if she's about a foot shorter. ]

I trust you are a man of your word? I drew first blood in this spar and you said you would take me more seriously from now on.

It is a draw because I was quite capable of drawing blood first. I spared you.

[Gilgamesh clarifies before the argument can intensify. And it's true, he'd thought about it, thought about caving her skull in for the fun of it or running her through with his blade, which he was quite capable of doing... but then he'd be no better than a Berserker. Ultimately he'd resigned his victory in favor of mercy, as the kind of bloodshed he'd inflict was not the sort easily recovered from. Or at all.

Gilgamesh does get up, eventually, dusting himself off and wiping the blood from his mangled nose. He'll fix it later. For now, she's owned a response. He supposes, for as far as she came here, he can give it to her, though he remains predictably testy throughout.]

And I spare you further insult. You are... Asuna. No more and no less.

[An acknowledgment of her name, followed by a dip of his head. It's as good as she can hope for.]

Why you...

[ Although she doesn't argue any more than she does now, she tries to burn holes into his face with the black look she gives him. Spared her, huh? She nearly wants to try again, hand twitching with the desire to draw her sword again with her second wind. And didn't he say he was holding back? What an insult.

If he was so capable, why didn't he do it? Asuna grinds her teeth, keeping all the sharp comments she wants to make to herself. Spare her insult, too. Her mana nearly manifests around her with her anger and the girls at her side throw her looks and glowers to Gil, as well.

"She should be Lady Asuna to you, brute!"

No, not that. Asuna is enough. Lady Asuna might make her feel sick if it comes from him. In any case, he's kept his word and she gets what she wants -- to be taken seriously. ]

Then, I believe we are done here. Good day. [ She spins on her heel and starts marching away with as much dignity as she can. BUT SHE IS STOMPING, REALLY. She's so angry, not even the pretty courtyard is enough to lift her mood. ]

[semi-open] come, let's fly.

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SWOOPS IN HERE AGAIN

ONLY IF YOU HAVE STARBUCKS

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smh

dont shake your head at me

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