A Fellow Swordswoman (Kyra, Kisaragi)

[Kyra]

It was evening, and the arena events had ended for the day. While Kyra had been mostly satisfied by the rules of the rounds, one in particular had rubbed her the wrong way: that Sacaean woman who fought against a wyvern rider. As much pride as Kyra had for Bern, she had to admit, Kisaragi should have won that round by and large. She clearly demonstrated more skill and reflexes than the rider had, and it seemed unfair to strip her of a fair victory. Kyra had been very interested in getting to talk to Kisaragi earlier, but when she went looking for her, the Sacaean was nowhere to be found. Now, Kyra was just walking through the streets, mildly disappointed by her failed search, but still glancing around in the streets while the sun began to fall from its position in the sky, hoping to find Kisaragi.

Sure enough, after a bit longer, she spotted Kisaragi walking along the street somewhat near her, and she walked briskly over, saying somewhat shyly, "U-um.. Hello, Kisaragi! I was, uh, watching your match in the arena earlier, and I have to say, I was quite impressed! You really put up a good fight, even against seemingly unfair odds. Although, I do feel that it was a bit unjust to have Aria win. I may be a native of Bern, but that's no excuse to condone or support shoddy combat performance just because the fighter is also Bernese."

Realizing that as she was talking, Kisaragi wouldn't have recognized her one bit, she introduced herself before she came across as some loony stranger. "M-my name's Kyra! I'm from Lucerne, just to the southwest of here. In case you didn't see by my weapon, I prefer to use the sword as well, although I can't quite say that I use the same style of battling as you did. Still, it's nice to meet you! I've been searching for you for the last couple hours."

[Kisaragi]

The talk and following events with Siegmund had definitely helped to repair Kisaragi's mood to some degree; if nothing else she was now capable of acting like a normal people person again as compared to a caveman who communicated through grunts and scowls. Not her most flattering look, but in fairness she had been really, REALLY mad at the time. Sieg had made a good point though, one that she should have seen a lot faster on her own given her own history of getting her ass beat by everyone better than her; the only real loss is the one you don't get back up from, and that losing a few fights here and there isn't the end of the world. She had been trapped in a poisonous mindset and almost forgotten that she wasn't representing anyone, not her father or the Deva - just herself. And while it was never OK for her to stop moving forwards or give up, it was OK to lose a few fights.

So when the blonde girl accosted her, rather than looking particularly angry, Kisaragi managed a small smile as she heard out the other girl's statement. The talkative sort eh? Hard to tell if she was shy and trying to make up for it, or just a chatterbox, but it didn't bother the Sacaen either way. She wasn't allergic to words or anything, and she liked to think she was a little more... emotive than some of her kin. To put it lightly. And she had a sword, Kisaragi's questing eyes noted, which was another plus.

...It was ironic that given how much she had hated Bern as a child, given the whole 'war' thing and her father disappearing as a result, she seemed to be running into a lot of perfectly decent Bernese folks today. Almost made one thing that they were all people too. Crazy, right? "Well, I've learned today that apparently there are a lot of good folks in Bern, so that makes up for it to a degree. All I can do from here is learn what I can from the fight and move on." She... wasn't 100% certain that she truly believed it, it would be a lie to say that Kisaragi wasn't still a touch salty about the results, but she couldn't dwell on it forever. Otherwise she WOULD be betraying everything she represented - herself - and the true defeat would lay therein. "It's nice to meet you, Kyra," and she extended her arm out for a firm shake, "and good to see another swordswoman. They seem pretty uncommon outside of Sacae. And, uh, sorry I was hard to find. Been a weird afternoon. Thought the arena was gonna be the extent of today's adventures; turns out I was wrong."

[Kyra]

Kyra was pleased with Kisaragi's outlook on the matter of her loss. "I'm glad you're at least able to move on from it. I'm sure many others in your position would get really angry or resentful, but apparently not you. I'm not entirely sure how I'd feel in your position, although I bet I'm far from ready to fight in an arena. I'd probably get stomped on in the first round... It's also nice to see someone have their perspective changed a bit about us Bernese. I know we don't really have the best reputation elsewhere as far as I can tell, but we're really not bad people overall." Kyra almost added to that, but decided it was better not to, in case of any possible allegiances Kisaragi had. Ilians, however...

Kyra's face became slightly flustered as she looked around, realizing it was getting even darker, and she was holding up Kisaragi here with a conversation that was probably worthless to the Sacaean girl. "I-I'm sorry for holding you up.. You probably have places to go, people to see, monsters to slay... I-I mean.. unless you'd be okay if I walked with you? A-at least for a little bit? I've never met a swordsman or swordswoman in my life aside from my father... Well, and of course, myself, but I'm still pretty inexperienced."

Am I being too awkward? Gods, she probably wants nothing to do with me. Who just goes up to someone and starts blabbering this much to them? Sigh.. then again, I wasn't sure if I'd get the chance to say anything again especially if she isn't gonna stay in Bern long term. On the outside, Kyra was looking fairly nervous awaiting Kisaragi's response to her possibly awkward question. Please say yes, please say yes... I know the question might be sounded weird, but I promise I'm not a creep or anything...

[Kisaragi]

"Uh, well," Retracting her hand, Kisaragi rubbed the back of her head with her face flushing a bit. "I... had a little help there. I was pretty mad when I left. I'm not so great at the whole 'stoic Sacaen' thing myself, but I have enough experience losing to rebound pretty quick. Usually." Truth hurt, didn't it? Just another reminder that she had a LONG way to go on every level. Goals, ideals, skill, emotional control, she was pretty rough around the edges, Kisaragi continued to learn on a daily basis. Definitely gave some serious meaning to leaving Sacae that she had been faced so bluntly with her myriad failings and forced to decide between accepting or remedying them. It was really interesting to have had a fair number of Bernese apologizing for what they saw as unfairness too, though. Not something she could really see a lot of Sacaens doing, since they were ALWAYS right the first time so any judgement was by definition fair... at least so the belief went. She didn't necessarily agree. "Well, to be fair, there was that whole war thing a while back," Kisaragi ventured joking with a wry half smile, "-But sins of the fathers and all that. I don't care for holding grudges, and it'd be a bit hypocritical of me to judge everyone in Bern by one cloth considering how often I've seen it applied to us Sacaens in turn - 'subhuman savages'."

Huh, it was later than she'd realized. The adventures with Sieg had taken longer than she had expected, and then errands, and wandering, and then being lost because f**k towns. Sun was already getting towards setting though, a nice time of day but not the best to be wandering a strange town she'd already gotten lost once in. Still. "I don't have much pressing to do tonight. Just some training, and I've stayed up plenty late for that before. You're welcome to tag along if you like." Savage or no, even she could tell that Kyra was pretty uncertain, HOPEFULLY out of nervousness rather than a built in fear of Sacaens but who knew right? "'Sides, I left home to meet new people anyways, and you seem like an alright type. It's no skin off my back. Somewhere you wanted to be?"

[Kyra]

Kyra's face saddened a bit as Kisaragi mentioned stereotypes. "I can't imagine going around and having to hear things like that, or probably worse. I mean, I have heard that Sacaeans above others are disliked more so than others in Elibe in general, but admittedly I've never met any until now, so I figured it was best to postpone any judgment." Kyra's mind was starting to strain a bit at this topic, as it made her think about the people of Ilia. N-no... they're different... Ilians are monsters... No normal people would condone murdering someone, especially a retired soldier, in the dead of night without even offering up a fair fight...

When Kisaragi mentioned training, Kyra perked up again."Training, huh? I wouldn't mind coming along for that, whether just to watch, or maybe also to spar a bit. It'd probably do both of us some good to experience how other people fight, that way we can be ready to expect styles that are more unorthodox to us. And I didn't have anywhere else I was really planning on going, so.. lead the way I guess!"

As they walked off through the dimming streets, Kyra decided to make some more small talk with her new acquaintance. "So, how long have you been in Bern exactly? Has it been nice for you? I've never a exactly gone beyond the borders of Bern myself, so I can't say I know much of travelling across the continent like you seem to." Kyra had a look of genuine interest in her eyes, and it almost looked as if she had run into some sort of minor celebrity, and she suddenly seemed to have a bit more bounce in her step,though maybe still harboring a hint of nervousness.

[Kisaragi]

"Sacaen savages, Bernese bumpkins, Ilian assholes, there're plenty of stereotypes and a lot of bad blood on this side of Elibe." She wasn't sure if that was half as deep and meaningful as it had sounded in her head, but there was no denying that those three countries all had some level of dislike for each other. They were so culturally dissimilar and particularly in Bern and Sacae's case, relatively insular, that it was only natural that those kinds of resentment would grow and flourish over time. Given the Bernese war of aggression and Ilia's apparently brutal occupation of Bern, those two in particular probably hated each other worse than Sacae in general felt about either. "Me, I don't have a very good track record with Lycians so far, but I met too many good ones to hate them all."

...Maybe it was just Lycian bandits that she kept meeting. Hm. Something to keep in mind. For now though, they had training to discuss. Her favorite word! Right alongside 'ohoho, looks like I won again' and 'you're not supposed to block the sword with your face, Kisaragi.' Ah, good times. "There's something to be said for training alone, rote muscle memorization of swings and certain movements... but there's nothing like an actual partner for actually fighting. Trees aren't very good at holding swords sadly. No opposable thumbs." She giggled, grinning at Kyra, her mood definitely better now that she had met a few people closer to her own age and decent ones at that... unlike that Leiva mongol.

As they got moving, Kisaragi's stable stride and hakama swirling around her legs made for a minor disjunction with her, ah, modest height and tender features, but she didn't care, or think about it for that matter. Her focus was more on Kyra's question, a bit of a conversation starter rather than crucially important information but not a bad one as icebreakers went. "Not long. I heard there was a tournament and showed up. I only left my home a few months ago at most, ended up in Lycia dealing with the mess they've got over there - bandits and monsters everywhere. Great for training, but the people living there get the rough end of the deal." She inclined her head more towards the girl at her side, interested to hear her thoughts on the subject given that Kyra was the expert on this. "I hear Bern has had it pretty rough these days too, with the gargoyles and such."

[Kyra]

"G-gargoyles.. I'd heard stories of the things, but never seen them myself, nor knew anyone who had. I assumed they were more folktale than real. Have you seen them yourself?" Kyra shuddered at the thought of the creatures, at least the way she'd been told they are by her parents as a warning when she was young: Massive, batlike wings, devilish features, ear splitting screeches that shake even the most stalwart men to their very core. How much was truth and what was legend, Kyra may never know. Or maybe she would, by the sounds of it. While her mind was on monsters, she added, "I hadn't heard much of Lycia. I had no idea it was so bad there. My father didn't travel outside Bern much, but he had been to Lycia once or twice, and he would always tell me how wonderful of a place it was. I suppose times have changed though..."

Realizing the dark shift in the mood of the conversation, Kyra tried to change the subject. "So, uh, where see we headed to? I'm about as unfamiliar with this city as you are. I'm guessing the streets aren't the best spot to have sparring sessions. A-are we just going out into the woods beyond the city..? It's no big deal or anything! I just.. I wouldn't want you to have any disadvantage because it's dark or anything, heh.. heh..."

What the hell, Kyra? Are you trying to sound like an absolute buffoon? It'll be fine. Kisaragi wouldn't lead us to an unsafe location just to spar... Right..?

[Kisaragi]

"Never seen a gargoyle," Kisaragi answered honestly and promptly, shrugging her shoulders a bit as she kept walking. She had heard OF them obviously, but never fought one of the damn things. "Heard they were tough as nails and could shrug off most weapons... kinda like fighting a wyvern, I guess, but better at stabbing you. Sounded like it'd be interesting to fight, but if they're really that tough I'm not sure how. Don't got a silver-blessed weapon or anything. Though I did end up fighting a Mathe Doog in Lycia, and that thing had hide thick enough I could hardly cut it. No exaggerations on what those things are capable of."

The Sacaen swordmaiden shook her head regretfully at both that and Kyra's questions of Lycia. That place had been... unnerving. "I don't know much about the politics of it, but some of the, uh, states or whatever they're called, are just knee deep in monsters and bandits. Caelin was the worst I found, bandits and warlords everywhere, and they all want to be the next Hargus. I uh, never realized how good we had it in Sacae. Really makes ya think, you know? You think you have problems, then BAM, next country over half the people aren't sure if they'll survive the next night." She had... tried to help. Kisaragi had cut down a few brigands and beasts there. But nowhere near enough to make a real difference, and from what she could tell most of central and eastern Elibe was suffering from similar issues to varying degrees.

"On sparring... I usually just do it outside of town. Woods are a good place, scares less people. And you get used to the dark. Though... if you have a better idea, I'm all ears. Guards usually aren't a big fan of fights inside city limits though, so unless you want to put it off 'til tomorrow we're probably gonna have to make do."

[Kyra]

Kyra listened intently to Kisaragi's description of her time in Lycia, responding only when she was sure she'd finished. "Gods, it sounds awful there... Remind me to avoid that area as much as possible. At least, until I get stronger, that is! I bet with me and my friend Lunie, and maybe some others, we could make some real difference in the world. Sigh.. wouldn't that be something. Almost sounds like the beginnings of something straight out of a legend or something."

"A-and, I guess you're right about sparring in the woods. It'll help get me adjusted to the darkness if nothing else. I guess I'm just a little wary since I've never been out in the woods at night before, and well, I had a nasty run in with a big wolf a while back, and that was in broad daylight. Who knows what's out that here now..." Kyra shook her head a bit, continuing, "No, I won't be scared. Father wouldn't be scared of the dark, so neither will I. I am a warrior of Bern, not some scaredy-cat!" It was admirable to see a girl as young as her blowing up her ego in a sort of personal pep talk. And the way she held her father up on a pedestal, almost as if he were some sort of lesser deity or guardian spirit was almost inspiring, showing a fierce sense of honor and duty that many older people don't even possess.

Once the two of them had approached a group of trees beyond the city wall, Kyra turned to Kisaragi, her face now bright and determined. "Alright, so how are we gonna do this? I've never really formally sparred with anyone aside from my father before..."

[Kisaragi]

Making a difference, huh? Kisaragi wasn't entirely certain how to respond to that. Not in a mean way or anything, she didn't dislike the concept, she just wasn't used enough to thinking about it or all that good at philosophy in general to really have a position. "...I guess I hadn't thought about it that way. I've always tried to help the people around me, but... I still have a lot to learn about the greater world. Never thought much 'bout trying to fix it." Realizing that that might not sound the most... uplifting, the Sacaen hastily backtracked after a beat. "I-it's good that folks like you try though. Aint gonna get anywhere without someone trying. I just don't know where I'd start."

...That was probably the difference between her and Kyra. At least if Kyra was actually interested in fixin' the world and not just her legend. She went out of her way to actively try to do something. Kisaragi, eh, most of what she focused on was the sword. Wasn't to say she wouldn't right wrongs wherever she found them. But she didn't think that she was the kind of person who should be making fancy ass moral decisions for other folks like it was her Sky given duty. Leave that for people smarter and wiser, just point her at the nearest bad guy to stab. Clear roles.

It was kind of interesting though, she had to admit, that both of them were in some ways defined by their fathers. But the difference in ideals was clear. For her, she didn't dislike or hate her father by any means, but she wanted to strike out on her own. Not just be the next successor to the Deva clan legend, the next wielder of her father's style, but... Kisaragi. Kyra didn't have that problem, and in turn was able to actually show her respect and love for her father. Kinda made her a bit envious. But hey, what were teenage years without a bit of rebellion and angst? Heh. "Well, if there are any wolves, we'll take care of them. I'm somewhat of a specialist in the field!" More or less anyways, they couldn't be worse than a roided out Mauthe Doog. "As for sparring..."

Kisaragi swept her gaze through the tree cover and adjoining road, thinking for a moment. "Well, ideally we'd be using wooden training swords to ensure no one got hurt, buut... a few cuts never hurt anyone!" She grinned. "I'm kidding. ...Mostly. Just try not to cut any limbs off. I kinda need those." On her end, Kisaragi wasn't as worried - her time with Mizu and Veigue had definitely given her some practice with real sparring - and she found that she quite liked it. It felt a lot more real than wooden bokken, more on the edge, and forced her to train her technical style ever further. Her right arm dropped to the handle of her blade, and with a flourish she drew it and pointed it in Kyra's general direction in one smooth motion, a silvery arc of steel. Obviously not, uh, actually trying to cut Kyra, they were far enough apart that would be difficult to say the least and VERY unsporting. But she did have a bit too much fun with the theatrical sometimes. "For now, come at me. Show me what you can do!"

[Kyra]

S-sparring.. with real weapons? Kyra had only ever sparred with her father using thick wooden blades, so this would be an entirely new experience for her. On top of that, this was a complete stranger, but at the same time, she felt that she could trust Kisaragi not to go too hard on her, at least not so much that she'd need a healer for the wounds. Taking her sword out, notably with much less flourish than the Sacaean had done, she gripped it in both her hands, which were now sweating slightly.

Kyra tried to calm herself down by breathing slower and steadier, eyeing down Kisaragi and looking for an opening in her stance. It was hard to find one unfortunately. I already knew this wasn't her first battle. She's had plenty more time to figure out how to cover up any obvious weak points.. or at least make them seem covered. Well.. I can't stand here forever. Kyra shifted her foot ever so slightly, her gaze never moving from Kisaragi's, prepping herself for her next action.

Without any other warning, Kyra dashed towards her opponent as quickly as she could, readying her blade above her head, preparing for a powerful two handed strike. However, just before she was about to make contact or have her attack parried, she shifted the blade into a single hand, twirling it downward towards one of Kisaragi's legs, hoping for the feint to catch her off guard just enough to gain an advantageous position.

[Kisaragi]

Good! Kisaragi smiled, openly and unreservedly, as Kyra charged her. Not out of some twisted desire to mock Kyra's actions or mock her in any way, but the recognition of taking the first step. In taking action, no matter how scared you were or how hard it was. THAT was the code she tried to live by, even if it, uh, tended to get her into trouble. Always do the right thing, even when it was hard, even when it felt like the whole world was pushing back. It didn't matter if she had more experience than Kyra, the lighter haired Bernese girl had taken matters into her own hands nonetheless. And THAT was something that Kisaragi could respect.

Of course it would be kind of awkward to get cut in half in the first few moments of a spar so as the other girl charged her, the Sacaen gripped her blade with two hands, relishing the stability and control that it offered. Her style was far more technical than simply speed or power based and required a great deal of attention and control in equal parts - she had flirted with trying to move to a one handed style in the past, something with martial arts maybe, or dual wielding, but it simply hadn't felt right. Not to say there was anything wrong with those styles. They just weren't her. And she... knew enough to say that now.

Admittedly she had... hoped for something a little less telegraphed from the charging swordswoman from Bern than an overhand strike, but the girl WAS pretty new to swordsmanship, apparently. It actually put Kisaragi into a bit of a weird spot in terms of having to decide how to respond to it, but she resolved to let it come.

Or... not come. Kyra's feint was unexpected, but moving the sword from two hands to one and then downwards fully interrupted the other girl's momentum and was quite frankly slow enough that she could have jabbed in with her own blade and ended the fight there. Killing with the point lacked artistry, but that had nto stayed her hand before. But, uh, that was against bandits and brigands, not perfectly well meaning teenage swordsmen, and Kisaragi wasn't really looking to make the jump to murderer right now. So while Kyra's little move did take her somewhat off guard, it was the work of a moment to sidestep, footing already one of her core components, and bring her originally already lower blade down to deflect Kyra's own, riposting with the two handed grip to push the other girl's one handed swordsmanship off balance if possible. Not a bad start though. Thinking outside the box. Nodding, Kisaragi rotated it in a heartbeat and brought her own blade cutting upwards at a forty-five degree angle from the horizontal, a fast but simple strike, stepping into the movement. In an actual fight, if Kyra didn't dodge or find a way to block it, it would have bisected her... though she was hoping that wouldn't have to be tested. If so, she'd flip the edge at the last second and just hit with the flat. But better not to telegraph that. If Kyra saw it as more real of a fight, she'd try harder.

[Kyra]

It was fascinating for Kyra to see Kisaragi so.. calm as she went in for her attack, and shifted into the feint. It was like she was fearless, although she wasn't sure if that was actually the case, or it was because Kyra herself wasn't all that imposing in the first place, even if she tried to be at times. She was amazed at how easily Kisaragi dodged her feint, almost as if she saw it coming. No.. she seemed ready for my initial attack more. I think I surprised her, maybe just not enough... As Kyra thought to herself, she saw Kisaragi parry in her feint, sliding her own sword upwards towards her. Oh god, think fast, think fast!

Kyra did the only think she could think to do in the heat of that moment, and it admittedly wasn't all that glamorous. She simply tried her best to back up quickly, albeit very clumsily, just moving out of the blade range. Even then, she didn't stop backing up until she felt herself hit a tree, at which point she held up her sword, again in two hands, but this time defensively, waiting now for Kisaragi to make the next move. Her stance seemed a bit shakier now after having come so close to being sliced in half. K-Kisaragi was going to stop before she did any real harm, right? Right..?

Kyra tried her best to breathe steadily, but it wasn't doing her much good. She tried not to look vulnerable and weak in front of the clearly superior swordswoman, but this just wasn't the same as sparring with her father, and she was beginning to get worried about making a total fool of herself, or worse, getting badly injured in a practice duel. Regardless, she couldn't do much more now but brace for impact.

[Kisaragi]

The Sacaen paused rather than chase immediately, a mix of happiness and slight discomfort writ across her face. She was... torn about Kyra's reaction, not quite certain how to act. If she had actually been going for the kill, the blade would have been much faster than the girl's movements... and honestly, she hadn't even wanted to hit her with the flat of the blade. Much less the edge. "Good start," she resolved on stating simply, bringing her blade back into her typical zone and beginning to walk towards Kyra. "But always try to think one step ahead. Dodging only works if you're faster. Deflecting is safer. Blocking is easier. Try to catch the blade on the hilt of your own. Drop under the blade. Jump over it. Or just go for the mutual kill."

Still, Kyra had moved pretty fast, definitely a good start. Given the girl's lack of armor it was clear that they had similar styles to at least some degree, prioritizing speed over pure power or defense, though at the same time it was clear that Kyra didn't have the same level of experience as she. Not a slight. Simply a fact of life. Given a few months of experience the Bernese swordswoman could grow enormously, though. But it seemed as though the girl in question had been pretty seriously demoralized by that, which Kisaragi admittedly hadn't expected - she wasn't a master teacher by any means, she didn't have the steady hand and endless patience of her father. Some practice in training other students at the dojo, but she didn't go easy on them, didn't have to, with the wooden swords and all.

Of course that didn't mean she was gonna go a whole lot easier on Kyra, but it was... something to keep in mind. Just bullying the other swordsman wouldn't do any of them either good; this was supposed to be a moment to learn in. So Kisaragi repressed her urge to go on the offensive as she normally would have... admittedly her solution to most things, and spoke again instead as she continued to close in. Trying to smile reassuringly. "C'mon, we're here to learn, not kill each other. It's ok to try stuff." Fingers wrapping around the hilt of her blade, both hands attached to its textured surface, the weapon held upward at a sixty degree angle from the horizontal as she neared Kyra. Can't back up any further than that. What would you do in that moment...?

[Kyra]

Kyra's nervousness was very obvious at this point. Even though it was just supposed to be sparring, she wondered if she had bit off more than no he could chew in picking Kisaragi as a potential sparring paring partner. She's way too skilled.. There's no way I can outmatch her when when had much more experience than me. Her hands were still sweating a bit, and she almost lost the grip on her sword, but caught herself, and as she did so, she caught her own moonlit reflection in the steel, and she could've sworn she also saw her father standing behind her. Blinking a few times, and glancing behind her quickly, she realized that, ands expected, he wasn't really there, but the thought of him at the forefront of her thoughts, along with Kisaragi's words of encouragement, reinvigorated her just enough to get back into things.

"Y-you're right.. We're here to learn and try things. I need to stop being so afraid. Well then.. let's see how this works!"

Once Kisaragi drew just a bit closer, Kyra took her blade in one hand, lunging as fast as she could at the Sacaean, aiming for her arm. If Kisaragi were to parry the attack, which Kyra guessed she would, she'd need a backup plan. Kyra prepared herself to be able to swing the blade downward, we're it to be blocked, that way she could at least try to throw off Kisaragi's footing, if not actually hit make contact with her leg.