jikan_network | video; un: ragnvindr

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video; un: ragnvindr

This seems to be the easiest way to make a request like this.

[Diluc does not use the communication device often save for private messages, because he doesn't trust it - as he doesn't trust many things here. But needs must, and if he wants to make sure that he doesn't get anyone wasting his time this seems like the best way to go about it.]

Recent events have turned my interest back to some of the weapons I laid aside over the years in favour of my preferred one. If anyone has the time and the inclination, I would be grateful for some experienced partners to re-hone my skills against. [The redhead looks quite young, but don't let that fool you.]

Swordplay, polearms, archery. I can be reached privately or in response to this message. We can work out the specifics before we meet.

[And with no patience for small talk, he ends it there.]

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More than I expected.

[Though perhaps he shouldn't have been surprised. Diluc is young, but so are many people here with combat skills, and all of them looking for someone to test themselves against.

As they figure each other out Diluc speeds up the timing of his swings, though slowly so the other man isn't suddenly taken off-guard, It's an invitation to do the same, if he wants to.]

But I couldn't say how many of them would be for the long term. You seem like a good match.

[Zack matches the timing easily, and as he counters he puts a little more strength behind it. Not much, there's only so much you can do with a sword like this and it would be bad if he accidentally broke it]

Can't let myself get too rusty, you know? If you need a long term sparring partner, I could use one, too. [his laugh is a little sheepish] I got a few people from home here, but doing this with any of them would be a little weird.

[an understatement, all things considered]

[Good. Zack can keep up with him blow for blow as they both increase their speed and strength of their swings and Diluc is incredibly pleased by this development.]

I think it's important to keep my skills sharp, with far fewer things that need to be fought around here.

[No Abyss Order... save for that one Abyss Mage he knows damn well uses the train and thinks he hasn't noticed it. But no Order, no organisation for him to pit himself against night after night... Diluc doesn't want to lose his edge, even if he ends up not needing it.

Plus, it's fun.]

But if you don't mind my asking, what makes it strange to spar with the people you know from home?

[Diluc is in for a hell of a good time once they really get going, or if they move onto the weapons they've both mastered. But Zack is in the same boat, not having to fight the same things or people here that he did back home. Which - takes some getting used to, when it's all he's really done since he was a kid]

There's a distinct lack of monsters here, yeah. Do you end up fighting a lot where you're from?

[not that it isn't obvious in the way Diluc handles himself and the sword, but it is an invitation to elaborate if he wants to]

I don't mind you asking. [he smiles a little wryly] I've already sparred with one of them, so maybe weird isn't the word I'm looking for. Awkward, maybe? A lot of them are former co-workers, emphasis on former. I guess I'm still adjusting to that part.

Mm... I can understand that.

[After he left the Knights, even if he hadn't left Mondstadt entirely, he isn't sure he ever would have been able to look at those he used to train with in the same way again. In Nippon that hasn't been much of a problem at all, and he has been more able to find new people to test himself against who don't already know of his reputation.]

But as for where I'm from... yes, I do. More than most people realise. [Almost up to full speed with each strike now, he starts trying to press Zack backwards against the training yard to see how he'll react.] I'm fighting a battle on two fronts, trying to protect my country from being encroached upon.

[And not many even realise he's doing it.]

[there's a pause as he responds to the quicker pace, lips twitching as he steps back with the strikes. Zack parries each one before he plants a foot behind him, standing his ground to see what the redhead does next]

Sounds like we've got more in common than I thought. [which is both kind of nice, to meet someone who, while the situations are different, can understand it, but also incredibly unfortunate]

I hope you're not handling it on your own, at least. [though, he wouldn't be surprised if that was the case, either]

Mm...

[Is he handling it on his own? It's more of a layered question than Zack might expect. Or... maybe he'd understand. It's hard to say these days, with so much of a wealth of experience around him in Nippon.

He continues leaning his attacks into Zack's stance, as if seeing how far he will allow himself to be pushed back before he starts to respond.]

Back home, I would probably say that I would prefer it if I was. [Keeping people out of his business. Keeping them out of danger. Taking on the darkness and shadows himself so that no one else has to.] But-- no. I have more helping hands than I would give credit to. Some of whom I do not give the appreciation they deserve.

[Zack definitely understands it, at least the part about preferring to do things on his own. Though maybe that was the nature of being a part of SOLDIER, a lot of missions did have him working by himself, so he got used to it. But keeping people safe? Trying to keep people he cared about out of the insanity of everything that happened? That part he understands really well]

I get it. [a simple response to a lot of what is going unsaid, but is implied] Glad to hear you aren't doing it by yourself, but I'm sure your helpers know you appreciate them, too.

[they wouldn't help if they didn't think so, right? That's what Zack thinks, at least.

He lets Diluc get in a few more attacks before he steps forward, taking his turn in pushing Diluc back. He changes it up this time, in between strikes tossing the sword to the other hand to continue. A little flashy, but that's the only change; the strength and timing of his strikes remain the same]

Hah... No, I don't think they do.

[He doesn't show them that he appreciates them very often, if at all. At the most, he might acknowledge them by asking them what the heck they're doing there and why they're getting in his way, or admonish them for following him around. Unless it's Elzer, or Adelinde, who he always appreciates.

No... he's really not a grateful person back home. Not when it comes to other people getting involved in his business. Of course, he has his reasons for that. Not wanting to see other people hurt on his account, for one.

While his mind is elsewhere Zack gets the upper hand, and Diluc's stance shifts to a more defensive one. He watches the shift of his sword from one hand to the other and chuckles softly... then does the same.]

You're just full of surprises, aren't you?

Hmm. [he tilts his head with the hum] Well, it makes sense, if you prefer working by yourself.

[there's no judgment. Zack is someone who sees the best in people, sometimes to his own deterrent. Diluc doesn't come off as someone who wouldn't show his appreciation eventually; he seems like a nice guy. Quiet, serious, but a good guy. Besides, it isn't his place to tell someone that they should be more openly grateful, and especially not someone he's only just met recently.

Zack grins at catching the redhead by surprise, and he can't help but laugh when Diluc does the same thing. They really are well-matched]

So are you. What other surprises do you have?

Ah, I'm not sure if that would be fair.

[But... since he asked. Diluc holds up his free hand to bring a brief halt to their bout, as this isn't something he wants to take Zack by surprise with given the amicable way they are sparring and the fact that half the place is made of wood. The Vision - a large red bauble - hanging at his hip briefly flares and fire creeps along the blade of his sword from where he's gripping the hilt.

He gives the sword a gentle swing - not threatening - then extinguishes it.]

I'd prefer a little more space if I'm going to start doing that, though.

[Diluc's claymore had reminded him of Genesis' sword, but the magic that crawls up over his hand and along the blade is even more reminiscent of the former SOLDIER. Materia? But no, the glowing gem doesn't look too much like one, except maybe in color . . . still, both eyebrows shoot up in surprise]

Whoa. [he tries to pout but it's a terrible attempt, what with the grin on his face] You've got me beat there, I don't think I can use my magic like that.

It isn't Nippon's magic.

[He can't use the magic he learned here quite in the same way either, though the kinds he is able to use certainly compliment it when he chooses to employ them. He gives the Vision he's wearing a small tap with one finger.]

It's this. Back home we call them Visions. They're... gifts from the gods, in layman's terms.

[It's more complicated than that, and in ways that Diluc does not understand entirely, but... that's the basic line.]

You did ask about surprises.

[he laughs] I did ask.

["They're... gifts from the gods, in layman's terms." The gift of the goddess . . . geez, the reminders keep coming, and he doesn't quite stop himself from making a brief face. He glances to the Vision again, head tilted thoughtfully]

Does that mean only a few people have one? [while Nippon's magic is incredibly convenient, Diluc's seems so, too, not having to carry a bunch of different Materia just for different types of spells] Is there different kinds?

Relatively, a minority of the population have Visions, though it isn't unusual to see several in the same town.

[He lowers his sword entirely and unclips the Vision from his belt, and though he doesn't hand it over he does hold it up so that Zack can get a better look at it.]

And there are seven different elements. A person will only ever be able to use one... save for under very exceptional circumstances. [Diluc turns his attention to the bauble, and it seems to glow with an inner light.] I received mine when I was ten years old.

Huh. [he hasn't heard much, if anything, about magic from other worlds. So to hear similarities to his own world's magic - and the differences, just as numerous - is pretty interesting. Especially the part about only being able to use one element - that had to be convenient and a pain in the butt, all at once]

That's pretty young. [it isn't said with any surprise, though; he wasn't much older when he started learning how to use Materia, and it wasn't impossible for kids to use them, either] Is it different for everyone? When they get theirs, I mean.

[Zack also lowers his sword, and without taking his attention off Diluc as he explains, reaches back for his other sword, fiddling with it for a moment until he can draw out a small, dark green orb]

Oh, yes, it is.

[Different for everyone, that is. Diluc lowers the Vision, brings it closer to himself, and cups his palm around it to look at it. Something he's had with him for so long now that it feels like part of him, and something he could have lost had it not been kept so safe by someone he would not have expected to hold on to it.

Though, he expects that it would have found its way back to him one way or another...]

I was ten, but some get theirs in their teen years, or even as adults. I know a young girl who got hers at a younger age than I did... though she isn't quite so prudent with its use as I was. [He huffs out a soft sound of amusement.] She's a child. She'll learn.

[even younger than ten, geez. But he said they were gifts from their gods, so - would they give something like that to a child if it wasn't for a reason? A question he'll keep to himself, it seems rude to uh, question someone else's gods and their motives.

He faintly shakes his head, though the huff makes him smile] Kids are quick learners. Bet she'll be showing you up in no time.

[it's teasing, and he laughs briefly before holding out the orb to Diluc. He nods down to it]

We use Materia to cast magic where I'm from - this one's a type of fire spell. They come from the Planet - well, the energy it produces. Most of these get made in a lab nowadays.

[Even if he did question it, Diluc would have no answer to give him. Just why Celestia doles out Vision and the people they choose to give them to are a mystery yet unsolved, and not a question likely to be answered any time soon.

The corner of his mouth twitches in response to the teasing, though Zack may be more correct than he thinks. Klee's people are long-lived and he expects that in her adulthood she will become a very powerful wielder of Pyro.

But then he's peering at the 'Materia', though he doesn't reach out to touch it.]

Hmn... [Well that prods an alarm bell.] Does lab production alter it?

[he had someone in mind with the showing up line, a certain lil ninja who terrorized him when he was younger. She had to be a teenager now . . . and probably still a terror.

He turns his hand over so the orb rests in his palm instead]

I don't think so. Even ones made artificially are made by condensing mako, and the mako stones you need are natural. But natural materia are so rare because of how long it takes them to form.

[he pauses, then smiles a little lopsidedly]

At least, that's how it was explained to me. Mako itself is more complicated . . . and technically altered.

[so Diluc's warning bell isn't wrong]

Ah-huh...

[Yes, little red flags going up all over this. He won't say he knows enough to make a proper evaluation of what he's hearing but what is being explained to him sounds so reminiscent of how Delusions are made that it sends an uncomfortable creeping sensation up his spine.]

Does it have negative effects? [Might as well ask the question. He's not touching it because he doesn't want to assume he can, but also because he doesn't really trust it.]

Over time, if not immediately.

Nah, materia are safe. [he glances down at the materia in his hand] They'll tire you out if you use them too much in a short period of time, but that's about it. They won't hurt you - unless you accidentally set yourself on fire.

[Zack looks back up with a quick, cheeky little grin] The healing ones are safe, too.

Mako is dangerous, but not when it's like this.

Ah... well it's been a while since I did that. [Diluc murmurs to the 'fire' comment, implying without entirely confirming that he may have in fact, once upon a time, accidentally set himself on fire (his clothing, anyway).

He's sure that grin means Zack is expecting exactly that, though.]

Hm. It's interesting. Some people with Visions are able to turn them to healing as well, but not everyone. Mostly Hydro users, though there are some exceptions.

[he is expecting it, if the little laugh the murmur gets is any clue. But, fair is fair - ]

I definitely did it a few times when I was younger. [probably zapped and poisoned himself too, until he got the hang of it]

That would be - water? [he looks a little surprised, but thoughtful] There isn't any water materia - there's a summon that uses water, but it isn't for healing. Healing and other similar spells aren't element-based, or at least, they're something different.

Mm, water, that's right.

[Sometimes he forgets that the words used for Vision abilities aren't common knowledge. Those who use Hydro Visions are often healers - Barbara, for one - or have some healing element in their use of their power. But there are others, like Jean and Bennett, who have found ways to utilise their own elemental gifts in the same fashion.

He can't say he knows much about how it works, only that the development of the abilities seems to fall in line with what the user wishes of them.]

The similarities and differences are interesting in all respects. I'm always curious about the powers found in other worlds, natural or otherwise. [The corner of his mouth quirks in a smile and he tilts his head towards their weapons.] But if we're going to talk instead, we should move to a more suitable space.

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