re_alignment_logs | can you teach me how to fight [closed]

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can you teach me how to fight [closed]

WHO: Kay Faraday and Kagerou
WHERE: The skies over Trion's sector.
WHEN: RIGHT NOW.
WHAT: Birdbrain instructs his adopted child in the ways of the ninja. Sort of.
WARNINGS: Cavities, probably.

[She knew where to meet him. He had no doubt of that. Part of him was excited, in a strange way, for this. It was what he knew how to do, after all. He knew how to train someone. This was... familiar.]

[He held a small chain in his hand, attached to a weight. This one lacked a blade, for the moment. But she had enough bladed weapons to practice with, before he added another. Best she learn how to handle the chain before he attached the blade. It was how he'd taught before, and the kusarigama was his favored weapon. She'd do fine with it.]

[And then... flying.]

[He smiled a little, waiting for her. That part... that part he looked forward to most. Maybe too much -- but she'd enjoyed it so much before. Why wouldn't she again? And this time -- this time they could do it together.]

[It stood to reason the most important person here to him be the one to share the most important thing.]

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[He nods. There is a lot of pride in his face, looking at her. She's come a long way, honestly. Even he can see that.]

[The hand edges toward her again, still offering up the weapon.]

Yes. I think it's your size...

And I know how to help someone use it. You'll be good at it, once we're done.

[Immediately her hands take hold of it, bouncing it in her hands to feel the weight. It wasn't as heavy as her firefighter axe, but not as lightweight as her halberd either.

A medium weapon. Good for power, better for speed.

And long range.]

It's perfect. But...how do you use it?

I mean...you just chuck it?

[He withdraws his hand as she picks up the weapon, straightening up. His own weapon slides into his hand, the chain rattling through his fingers.]

No, you don't chuck it.

[He takes several long steps back, and, as he does, the chain begins to slowly spin in the air in front of him.]

Watch me first. All right?

[It was like magic, how fast she snapped to attention. Her back straightened as she gained a little distance between the two, both to get a better view and to give Kagerou ample room to show example.

It was like a whole different--yet same energy-level--girl.]

Gotcha! Just show me the way!

The chain is a weapon. A distraction. A trap. You need to use it, not just throw it.

[He sees her shift. The difference in her focus warms something in his AI. This is familiar, this is...]

[Is this what he was made to do? To teach others?]

You have to control it.

[Which is just what he does, flicking his wrist ever so slightly, so that the weight of the chain thwaps the ground beside her, before he pulls it back again.]

You try. Hit the place beside my foot.

[Her eyes harden, never losing sight of Kagerou's hands, of the chain it's spinning. She wanted to show him that she could do this--that she was more than she looked.

A baby bird who could take flight.

And when it hits the ground, she leaps back a pace, mainly from the surprise. But it clicks...she gets what Kagerou's saying. A distraction...she was so entranced by the chain that she didn't even notice what else Kagerou could be doing. If there was a weapon...]

!! Me? Right! I got this...

[And she starts trying to spin the chain as well, although it takes a few tries.]

Like this?

[He knows she can. He can push her further if he has to -- if he can make Shadowmaru excel beyond his specs... he can do it for her, too. For someone who matters so much.]

[Quietly, he watches her start, before shaking his head ever so slightly.]

Don't move your wrist so much. If you do, you lose control. And you have to remain in control.

[His voice is perfectly calm, not reprimanding her -- instructing.]

[She remains focused, ready for anything Kagerou can dish out--any advice he'd give her. She wants to prove herself, not only to Cybertron, but to Kagerou himself. She wanted to make him proud, and that was her driving force.]

Don't move my wrist...

[Her chain stops spinning a moment, so she can get her bearings, making sure to steady her hand.]

Like this?

[And she starts spinning it again, keeping the base of her wrist stable, rotating her hand.]

[He nods to her.]

Yes.

[And then falls quiet, to watch her movements. He keeps his expression neutral as ever -- neither approving, nor disapproving. She is doing well. But it's best not to distract her now. The calmer he stays, the more she can concentrate.]

[But he nods, again, at her question.]

Yes. Like that. The more you practice, the less motions your hand will make. Like mine. And once you begin it spinning... it won't take much at all.

[Once more, he sets his own to spinning, showing her again -- before catching it.]

When you're ready, aim for the space beside me.

Right. Just takes...practice.

[Her hand falters a moment, but it's soon to correct itself, the spin returning to its rapid movement in no time.]

...

[She focuses on the space next to Kagerou, as if locking onto it with her eyes. And with the flick of her wrist, the chain goes towards the space, hitting it--although it could have used a little more 'oomph'.]

Oh...

[Once she actually hits it, he can't restrain the smile. He crouches to her, nodding.]

That was good. You made it. And you didn't even hit me.

Try again, all right? A little harder.

Heh, it wasn't as good as yours...

[She seems almost shy by it, a rare trait shown by her, brushing some of the hair behind her ear.]

O-Okay. This time, it's gonna be even more powerful!

[Her wrist begins to turn, concentrating on the spot Kagerou had instructed. She wanted to make him proud--to be his new apprentice, like Kagerou was once.

The wrist seems to turn on it's own, not quite perfect, but much more fluid.

And...when she has her full focus, she whips the chain at the spot. And in return, there's a nice 'thwap'!]

It's all right, Kay. You won't be. Not right away.

[He sees that shyness. As a result, the neutral expression softens again. He means what he's saying...]

But you'll get better.

[Including that. He is proud. Hopefully she can see that.]

[And when she releases the chain the second time, he smiles again. If she couldn't see the pride before, it's clear now.]

That's better. See?

You think so? Say...as good as you?

[There's a smirk, obviously teasing her mentor as she watches that chain connect a hit.]

Ah! I almost got you!

I almost got you!

I think so.

[Even if she's teasing... he means it. He's serious. If she keeps trying, she'll be very good.]

[His smile doesn't change. Except to broaden a little.]

Yes. You did.

Again.

Right!

[With her confidence renewed, her focus goes back to the chain. She doesn't look at it, but it turns, with a lot more confidence. If anything, the spinning is little effort. It's just finding the right time to launch it with the most force.

That would still take some practice. But that's how you get better, right?]

Where should I hit now?

[He straightens up, setting his own weapon to spinning. He keeps it slow, a lot slower than usual, for him. However, this time, the chain whirling through the air is longer, as he's gathered less of it into his hands than usual.]

Wherever you can.

[Part of him wants to see if she guesses what he's doing here -- using the kusari as a shield against her strike.]

[... something else he intends to teach her.]

[She notices the length, and how it'd increase the lag of the spin. If Kagerou was trying to provide an example, he wouldn't be going slower--she'd already learned the spin.

So what was he doing?

She was wary, focusing on another part of the ground near Kagerou, sending the chain that way.

As a test.]

[And thwack!]

[His spinning chain deflects hers, almost casually. He has to adjust the rotation of it, shift it a little to keep it from spinning too wildly afterward, but manages. Purposefully taking his time in order to show her.]

Did you see what happened?

[The chain bounces back, it's spin slowing into a pendulum like motion, with Kay's wide eyes only all but staring back. She almost didn't see it--what Kagerou did. It happened so fast, and she could only piece some parts together before she really knew what was going on.

And when she figured it out, her smile only widens.]

You're so cool...

[And that, if nothing else, makes his spin falter. He almost doesn't recover from it, staring down at her in muted shock. That wasn't the answer he was expecting to hear from her.]

I... what? No, that isn't... that's not what I meant.

[He's so flustered, words are difficult.]

Did you see how I kept it off me?

Yeah! And it was awesome. You're going to teach me how to do that, right?

[Her gaze is complete and utter adoration of him. Just watching him show his skills was amazing in itself.]

Do you have to do it differently? Spin it slower?

Of course I am.

[He nods to her, indicating she should try again, while he starts the chain to picking up speed again.]

More chain. Faster. You need to make it like a shield.

All right?

[And she starts twirling hers, attempting to imitate his. It's a bit amateur, but she's only been at this a day. For an imitation, though, she's doing rather well.]

Like a shield...kinda like a propeller?

A propeller...

[He tilts his head, thinking for a moment. And then he nods.]

You can think of it that way, yes. Make sure it can cover all of you -- as a real shield should.

[He can tell she's trying her best. There are things he could critique but, really, she doesn't look half bad at this.]

Got it.

[She extends the chain, as he'd done earlier, making sure that in full swing it doesn't hit the ground, nor does it not give enough coverage. It takes a few tries, but...she'd get it eventually.]

Okay, so like this...only slower.

[The spins start, and they're a tad wobbly at first. But...like everything, it takes practice.]

Hm.

Yes... Like that. That's a good start.

[He offers her a smile -- a real smile, watching her work at it. It's heartening, really. It feels as if she's really learning.]

[As if he's really capable of teaching someone else.]

There you go. Once you get used to it, you can do it without watching the end.

[As he says that, her smile grows wider, her gaze turning to the end of the chain--CLACK

CLACK CLACK

The chain hit the ground, flailing around like a jump rope as she gives a hop back. Complete with a little girl shriek...and a giggle.]

Whoops, I messed up. You distracted me!

It's all right.

[He's still smiling. Even though her practice has gone awry, he still smiles. She brings it out in him.]

I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?

[The smile only widens hers, slinging the chain over her shoulder and popping a hip.

You can tell she's totally serious.]

Sorry, never. It's too late to fix.

[She can't say it without a snort or two escaping, though.]

Is it?

[He tilts his head, crouching down. With that, he reaches forward, attempting to poke at her with a fingertip.]

[Defend yourself, girl!]

[Not so fast!

As that finger approaches, that chain is back in action, swinging and flicking that finger. But the look on Kay's face is entirely playful, a sassy little smirk spreading across her lips.]

Not this time!

[When his finger is struck, the look on his face couldn't possibly be prouder. He's basically beaming at her.]

[She did it. She learned from him.]

Kay... You did it.

[This is his new purpose. Isn't it?]

[She almost didn't realize she did it. It had happened so fast, and she was in the current mindset--

So when it happens, it's bad, right? She'd always learned to respect your elders. Your parents.

And she just hit him. Playfully, but it was still a smack, in the proverbial way. So...

Why was he smil-]

[And then it hits her. She did it. She was just like Kagerou--in a way. He'd taught her, and she'd picked up on it.

Just like with her dad back home.]

I did it!!

[As if those last two minutes didn't even exist, she tosses the chain aside and leaps onto that arm, wrapping her own around it and hugging.

And there's immense giggling. So much giggling.]

[Kagerou doesn't laugh. Hearing that sound out of him is... well. It's like seeing a solar eclipse or something.]

[But when Kay realizes what's happened. When she lights up. When she wraps her arms around his own... the impossible happens. He actually laughs.]

[It's a dry, whispering little sound. But it's there.]

Are you proud?

[Because he is.]

[She heard it. She heard that laugh, and it's enough to cause her to laugh louder. Laugh with him. She really felt like part of Kagerou's family now. Like she was carrying on his legacy.

But when asked, she leans her cheek on that cold metal, looking up at him with those large, green eyes.]

I am. Of both of us.

[It's... nice. It's so weirdly nice. Like he fits here -- like there's finally something worth living for again. She's learning. She's following his direction, improving.]

[It's familiar. It's warm, in his AI -- this feeling is all but perfect. And it's finally his again.]

[He lifts her, then, holding her up to his chest. Like always.]

So am I.

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