[ the fact that someone had died did not come as a surprise. it's who it is that throws ookurikara, and that voice... why? if he's here, then where? why isn't he with them? and why did it have to be tsuru, again? and after that conversation...
this time, he doesn't question it, and he doesn't go looking for the sword. he goes, instead, to the court where he's been practicing all week - going through the motions, trying to use them to keep himself calm. it's like a moving meditation - or it would be, if his thoughts could calm down. the longer he's at it, the more aggressive the moves become, though no less masterful. sometimes, you just need an outlet, after all.
when he spots ash in the corner of his eyes, kara barely spares him a glance. the last thing he wants to do is talk. ]
[ welp. ash isn't exactly here to share words and platitudes about any of this -- he's got his own weapon over his shoulders again and there's a determined, if not angry, edge to his movements as well.
he's fine just watching for a moment, before kara's movements get sharper, and angrier. it only takes a moment for him to think about it, and then drop his axe from his shoulders, whistling to get kara's attention whether he wants to acknowledge him or not. ]
[ a no is on the tip of his tongue, a reflex - until he realizes exactly what ash is offering. the axe still weirds him out a little, but ookurikara is too distracted to care. he doesn't offer an explicit answer, no "yes" or even a nod, but kara does turn to face him before sinking into a defensive stance, as clear an answer as any.
[ welp. that's an acceptance if he ever saw one. while kara may be taking a defensive stance, and preparing himself for a fight, ash doesn't look any different in how he holds himself - axe still on one shoulder, hand still in his pocket.
it doesn't stop him from fighting well though. he's not the speediest of fighters, but he doesn't have to be -- it only takes him a couple of steps to get in range with his axe, weapon lifting from his shoulder as he moves, and use the momentum of the movement to swing his axe down towards the place where kara is stood. ]
[ polearm versus axe means that ookurikara is at an obvious disadvantage. as an uchigatanaa, he is suited to handle any battle conditions thrown at him - he, more often than the others of his class, relies on his strength to carry him through a battle, but a heavier weapon can hold that over him. speed was never his best trait, but he'll be more mobile than the axe... so it's that, and his defensive capabilities, that he'll have to fall back on here.
not that he minds, as he meets ash head on to block with his blade. It pushes him back a step, but in a moment, ookurikara throws it to the side and ducks under, dashing forward to close the distance, with a controlled slash toward ash's chest. ]
[ ash is quick to twist the axe around, putting the long handle between himself and ookurikara. it's enough to block the slash at his chest, and he twists the handle more to deflect the blade away from him, and put a little more distance between them - an advantage for him, at least.
he also shifts his grip on the axe, blade pointing away from ookurikara and aim a jab with the base of the handle at his chest. ]
[ he side-steps so only the edge of his jacket takes the hit, frowning as he grants the distance ash wants. his best bet will be to get in close - the question is how. he takes a moment to consider, blade held at the ready, before rushing forward again in a feint at ash's right, before trying to get around toward his back for another jab. ]
[ at least ash has a long weapon to work with -- it may be a bit heavy and look kinda cumbersome, but he knows how to twist and move with it. he just swings himself in a wide arc to follow kara, axe moving ahead of his body.
it should be enough to blow or throw a jab off course, but just in case there's that familiar sound as the blade of the axe extends, becoming sharper and hooked. more blade for him to swing upwards with, once he's fully turned himself around. ]
[ now that i'm not too exhausted for battle choreography--
kara has to pause the advance to catch the blade, though he falls a step back as he does. he isn’t made to face off against such a heavier weapon like this, but that’s never stopped him before - and now, he’s angry. so he channels that, shoving the axe upward, away from his blade, and slashing at ash’s dominant arm. ]
ash can almost see that shift to anger in kara's movements -- it's not like it's tough to see when an opponent is putting more power into their strikes, or moving more irratically. he's only saved a nasty slice to the arm by pure instinct. sure, he's military trained and part of the academy, but his roots are rougher, less refined, and lack the honour of a fight between people who respect a craft and the unspoken rules of a fight. if you don't learn to dodge in these circumstances, you're beaten, bruised or even killed.
he's not fast enough to completely avoid getting a little hit - kara's blade slices through fabric and narrowly misses carving skin before he yanks it back and down. but now their positions are changed, and kara is in close...
ash drives his non-dominant arm forwards, aiming a punch right for kara's diaphargm. ]
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week 0, friday.
this time, he doesn't question it, and he doesn't go looking for the sword. he goes, instead, to the court where he's been practicing all week - going through the motions, trying to use them to keep himself calm. it's like a moving meditation - or it would be, if his thoughts could calm down. the longer he's at it, the more aggressive the moves become, though no less masterful. sometimes, you just need an outlet, after all.
when he spots ash in the corner of his eyes, kara barely spares him a glance. the last thing he wants to do is talk. ]
no subject
he's fine just watching for a moment, before kara's movements get sharper, and angrier. it only takes a moment for him to think about it, and then drop his axe from his shoulders, whistling to get kara's attention whether he wants to acknowledge him or not. ]
Wanna channel that into something better?
no subject
come at him. ]
no subject
it doesn't stop him from fighting well though. he's not the speediest of fighters, but he doesn't have to be -- it only takes him a couple of steps to get in range with his axe, weapon lifting from his shoulder as he moves, and use the momentum of the movement to swing his axe down towards the place where kara is stood. ]
no subject
not that he minds, as he meets ash head on to block with his blade. It pushes him back a step, but in a moment, ookurikara throws it to the side and ducks under, dashing forward to close the distance, with a controlled slash toward ash's chest. ]
no subject
he also shifts his grip on the axe, blade pointing away from ookurikara and aim a jab with the base of the handle at his chest. ]
no subject
no subject
it should be enough to blow or throw a jab off course, but just in case there's that familiar sound as the blade of the axe extends, becoming sharper and hooked. more blade for him to swing upwards with, once he's fully turned himself around. ]
no subject
kara has to pause the advance to catch the blade, though he falls a step back as he does. he isn’t made to face off against such a heavier weapon like this, but that’s never stopped him before - and now, he’s angry. so he channels that, shoving the axe upward, away from his blade, and slashing at ash’s dominant arm. ]
no subject
ash can almost see that shift to anger in kara's movements -- it's not like it's tough to see when an opponent is putting more power into their strikes, or moving more irratically. he's only saved a nasty slice to the arm by pure instinct. sure, he's military trained and part of the academy, but his roots are rougher, less refined, and lack the honour of a fight between people who respect a craft and the unspoken rules of a fight. if you don't learn to dodge in these circumstances, you're beaten, bruised or even killed.
he's not fast enough to completely avoid getting a little hit - kara's blade slices through fabric and narrowly misses carving skin before he yanks it back and down. but now their positions are changed, and kara is in close...
ash drives his non-dominant arm forwards, aiming a punch right for kara's diaphargm. ]