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[ hey dimitri, your roomie's coming to find you! ]
I have a question for you.
I have a question for you.
[ new question: what the heckie are you doing there, dima.
okay no ]
The power they gave you. Is it offensive?
okay no ]
The power they gave you. Is it offensive?
[ this is fine. he expected some resistance. ]
I'm not asking what it is, or which faction they've assigned you to. I just want to know how many of us received something offensive, even though they keep insisting they don't want any violence here.
I'm not asking what it is, or which faction they've assigned you to. I just want to know how many of us received something offensive, even though they keep insisting they don't want any violence here.
They haven't given me a reason not to yet. [ a beat. ] And my power is made to kill.
[ Whatever his thoughts of the 'team' leads, his expression quickly turns grim, an unpleasant jolt in his stomach. ]
What? [ It's not that he distrusts this man—how can he know who to believe and not at this point, really—but his answer surprises him enough that he has to ask: ] Unmistakeably so?
What? [ It's not that he distrusts this man—how can he know who to believe and not at this point, really—but his answer surprises him enough that he has to ask: ] Unmistakeably so?
[ there's not really anything for him to add there, so he just! nods! ]
[ Dimitri squeezes his eyes shut for a moment. ]
Perhaps it is not to hurt others, but so you can defend yourself... [ There's doubt in his own words, obvious in his voice. ] In any case, may I ask why you're choosing to tell me? You don't know if I would lie to you.
Perhaps it is not to hurt others, but so you can defend yourself... [ There's doubt in his own words, obvious in his voice. ] In any case, may I ask why you're choosing to tell me? You don't know if I would lie to you.
Doubtful.
[ he crosses his arms. ]
I'm telling you because someone said I should try to trust you, and because I'm not interested in more killing for the sake of killing. I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure it doesn't continue. Knowing what we're working with is a start, even if it's just basics like this for now.
[ he crosses his arms. ]
I'm telling you because someone said I should try to trust you, and because I'm not interested in more killing for the sake of killing. I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure it doesn't continue. Knowing what we're working with is a start, even if it's just basics like this for now.
[ He listens to Kara carefully, taking in the weight of someone trusting him, the idea that there really could be more death on the horizon for them—it's a lot to process. He starts with what he's sure of. ]
I have no interest in fueling any more deaths either. More than anything... I want every single innocent person to survive to see home.
[ He takes a pause, but his voice does not falter when he does speak. ]
You've told me yours, and I would not withhold the truth in return, however foolish that makes me. My power is not shaped like a weapon. Otherwise, I would not have been so surprised when you told me about yours.
I have no interest in fueling any more deaths either. More than anything... I want every single innocent person to survive to see home.
[ He takes a pause, but his voice does not falter when he does speak. ]
You've told me yours, and I would not withhold the truth in return, however foolish that makes me. My power is not shaped like a weapon. Otherwise, I would not have been so surprised when you told me about yours.
So do I.
[ he nods after dimitri finishes, though he frowns thoughtfully. ]
Then that's only mine that's explicitly made for killing, then... one out of seven, so far.
[ he nods after dimitri finishes, though he frowns thoughtfully. ]
Then that's only mine that's explicitly made for killing, then... one out of seven, so far.
You've gotten quite a few people to confide in you, Ookurikara. [ He sounds a little impressed, but that's not the point here. ] I suppose that should be promising news, but if there are possibly 40-some different powers... In any case, it seems that offensive skills are the minority.
[ That's good? Maybe? ]
[ That's good? Maybe? ]
Not really. They could be more spread out among the others.
[ or someone could be lying, but kara doesn't seem to be considering that. ]
It's better to keep looking. Even if someone lies, it'll come out soon enough, if things start going south.
[ or someone could be lying, but kara doesn't seem to be considering that. ]
It's better to keep looking. Even if someone lies, it'll come out soon enough, if things start going south.
[ Lili's feelings are an easier read, but it's clear that Ookurikara had his own connection with Tsurumaru. It's not hard to find him at the sports court again this week, though the atmosphere is very different.
Dimitri approaches slowly at first, as though considering whether to leave him be, before picking up his step and showing up near Kara's side. ]
Ookurikara. Do you mind if I join you?
Dimitri approaches slowly at first, as though considering whether to leave him be, before picking up his step and showing up near Kara's side. ]
Ookurikara. Do you mind if I join you?
[ there is no reply, as kara turns to face dimitri, eyes burning with anger as he considers the request. it's another moment before he takes a step back, bringing his sword up to a ready position as his answer. ]
[ ookurikara is not in a mood to dodge. he meets the strike head on, angling his blade just enough to avoid getting it stuck in the wood as he ducks low to try to swat it out of his way. then he pulls back into a two-handed grip, angling forward into a jab at dimitri's heart. ]
[ Dimitri is feverish, heart already pounding too quickly before they'd started, but it doesn't affect his movements. He drops the bat back, letting it catch the jab and divert it away with a flourish. And however unwieldy, he manages to swing it back around, bat swinging up towards Kara's chin. ]
[ ookurikara pulls back instantly, his breath already coming in light pants. he's been here for some time already, enough to start feeling tired through the fever, and still he refuses to stop for more than a second. he's relentless, charging back in almost immediately with a series of wide, controlled slashes meant to overwhelm an inferior weapon. ]
[ And a bat is an inferior weapon. It takes time—it's several slashes that Dimitri blocks, refusing to be pushed back no matter how feverish Ookurikara's assault is, digging in his heels and shifting his stance only to defend himself.
But the poor bat can only take so much. It splinters, failing, and Dimitri suddenly jerks back before he can be slashed in earnest, blade whipping past him. ]
—I yield. [ ... ] A good bout.
[ Is he feeling any better, now? ]
But the poor bat can only take so much. It splinters, failing, and Dimitri suddenly jerks back before he can be slashed in earnest, blade whipping past him. ]
—I yield. [ ... ] A good bout.
[ Is he feeling any better, now? ]
[ kara would never allow himself to cut someone who hasn't earned it, so as dimitri pulls back, so does he, frowning at the remains of this poor bat with disdain. ]
You should find a real weapon for when this continues.
[ he still looks angry, but a little more worn out. is that better than before...? it's hard to tell. ]
You should find a real weapon for when this continues.
[ he still looks angry, but a little more worn out. is that better than before...? it's hard to tell. ]
[ Kara is a fierce swordsman, but one with honor. Even if he's making unreasonable requests, now. Dimitri laughs a little, soft and mirthless. ]
There isn't a glut to choose from, I'm afraid. I suppose I could try and make a lance for our next match.
[ He looks over the splintered wooden slashes, running a thumb over one of the gashes. ]
Forgive me for saying so, Ookurikara, but you seem... tense. There's an anger in the way you fight.
There isn't a glut to choose from, I'm afraid. I suppose I could try and make a lance for our next match.
[ He looks over the splintered wooden slashes, running a thumb over one of the gashes. ]
Forgive me for saying so, Ookurikara, but you seem... tense. There's an anger in the way you fight.
[ ookurikara turns his eyes away, answering sharply through gritted teeth. ]
Tsuru is gone.
Tsuru is gone.
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