The Fiendish Thing That Is [open]

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

The setting, Heatherfield. The scene, Matt's back yard.

A well maintained lawn with a high fence surrounded the Olsen family homestead as Matt finished setting up the first opponent for training. Certainly he could have gotten Stacy to set it all up for him, but there was some kind of satisfiaction in the way he carefully balanced the wood, set it up, nailed it all together.

There was a lawn chair close to the full pool and the summer heat bore down on the occupants of the Sensorium as Matt finished, grinning at his handiwork. Sitting there was a curious device. It was a training dummy, cobbled out of various items in the neighborhood. With a silly looking practice sword and shield made out of a trash can lid, it looked harmless.



"Arise my Trash Knight, arise and fight once more!" laughed Matt maniacally, throwing his hands into the air.

It would be noted that the young man was dressed not in his plant suit but simply a pair of shorts with bandages wrapped around his hands and legs, as he laughed like a madman, hands curled into the air.

Thunder boomed dramatically.

Comments

[notsaintkaiser.livejournal.com]

As Vivio walked by the Sensoriums, she happened to hear Matt's little dramatic quote and the thunder rumbling. Curiosity crossed her and the girl stuck her head in, coming across a nice little neighborhood and, in plain view, Matt with a strange cobbled together... thing.

Stepping in, she walked up to Matt.

"Um, Matt-san? What's that?" Vivio asked.

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

Rubbing his hands in glee, Matt proclaimed, "This is the crown jewel of Meridian technology, pioneered by Caleb. Guaranteed to make the hardiest of fighters weap, it is known as the Trash Knight."

"Basically he's going to be your opponent first off so I can see what you can do first."

[notsaintkaiser.livejournal.com]

"A Trash Knight?" Vivio said, looking at the creation. She couldn't see how this could be her opponent. "What does it do? How is it supposed to fight back?"

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

"It's a centrifugal thing," explained Matt, picking up a sword. "Here, lemme demonstrate."

Steeling himself, he charged forward, slashing once, twice, deftly avoiding the attacking wooden sword and beheading it. "Now you try, with your hand to hand. Or a sword. I'm not picky."

[notsaintkaiser.livejournal.com]

"Wow... that seems simple enough!" Vivio said. With a nod, a confident smile formed on her face as she took a hold of Sacred Heart and held it up. "Sacred Heart, set up!"

A moment later, Vivio had transformed into her adult self. "Alright, let's see what I can do!" With that, she charged in, intending on striking it before it could strike.

A few seconds later, Matt would hear a resounding THWACK as the wooden sword connected with Vivio's head.

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

Matt winced, chuckling, despite his wide grin. "Told you he was a challenge. Give it another go?"

[notsaintkaiser.livejournal.com]

Vivio staggered as she recovered from the strike. Shaking her head, she regained her bearings, a determined look on her face.

"I'm not done yet!" Vivio said. "He can be beaten, I know he can!" Charging in again, she was able to get in one blow before the sword connected. Staggering back, she shook her head a bit and went in again, having her next attack blocked by the shield and countered with the sword.

This would probably be the scenario for just a bit before Vivio would stumble back and flop on her rear, holding her head. "Aaaaugh..."

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

Matt grinned as he leaned over Vivio and offered a hand to help her up. "You see, while a human can be read, a trash knight has only two directions it can go, side to side. While it seems easy enough, it's actually really hard to keep track of it all."

"You have to approach it carefully, as the centrifuge aspect of it will make it flip no matter what."

[notsaintkaiser.livejournal.com]

Vivio looked up and noticed Matt holding out a hand to help her up. Taking it, she pulled herself up to her feet and listened to what he had to say. He was right - when she was sparring with Nove, she could tell what she was doing and prepare accordingly. Here, the thing was only moving in one real direction.

"...approach it carefully..." Vivio repeated. She was starting to understand - she was going about it all wrong.

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

Matt nodded as he watched her square off against the Trash Knight, arms folded. "That's the way. Analyze the direction, remember how fast it goes and strike."

[notsaintkaiser.livejournal.com]

Charging in, Vivio took note of how the Trash Knight was moving. Coming in, she was able to strike twice at the Knight's upper torso before pulling back, watching as the wooded blade brushed against one of her pigtails (if it were real, it probably would have chopped it off), before delivering a high kick at the Knight's head, taking it off.

"I... I did it! I did it! I--WUAGH!" Vivio cheered before the Knight gave her one last smack in the head with its sword.

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

Chuckling, Matt patted her on the shoulder. "Rule number 1 when you're fighting a Trash Knight: you're never safe until out of range."

"Rule number 2 also means that you need to keep in mind that this," and he thumped the blade, "stands in for a real sword."

[notsaintkaiser.livejournal.com]

Vivio let out a chuckle before she heard the last part and her eyes went wide. Her hands instinctively moved to each other as she counted how many times she'd been smacked. Those times she'd been smacked were probably how many times she'd been killed.

She was certain that if Signum or even her Fate-mama had seen her doing this, they'd be very disappointed.

"Aaah...! I could of... ahhh..." Vivio stammered, shocked. Her shoulders slumped as she hung her head. "I failed..."

[governorkang]

The sensoriums really were amazing. The grass moved in the breeze, said breeze actually carried scents with it, and he actually felt the thunder when it boomed. Eyeing the training dummy with amusement, Kang crossed his arms over his chest, "I didn't know humans on Earth still used swords. Thought they'd moved on to guns and the like."

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

"Most of humanity does, but there's still some who keep up the traditions of old," replied Matt, straightening up. "Welcome to my back yard. Often referred to as the Painkeep considering this little blighter here."

He thumped the trash knight with a hearty degree of amusement. "Kang was it?"

[governorkang]

"That's me. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised I'm known already, being as... noticable as I am," Kang smiled wryly, wings rustling. "I don't know your name, though."

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

"Yeah I suppose not. Matthew Olsen, or just Matt to my friends. I was down on Earth when you guys were unsealed and I really wasn't in too good condition when I came back up." replied Matt, inclining his head politely.

[governorkang]

Kang inclined his head as well, "Well met, then, Matt." Glancing over at the training dummy, he put his hand on the sword hilt on his right hip, one eyebrow ridge going up curiously. "So. How good are you with a blade?"

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

"Pretty decent actually," replied Matt as he went over and drew one of the swords from the rack sitting to the side, a Meridian longsword that he twirled in his hand. "Care for a spar?"

[governorkang]

Grinning, Kang held up his right hand, to show the scars covering it, "Afraid I'm not as good as I used to be, since I've had to switch to my left. I was always better with axes than swords, too. That doesn't meant I couldn't use the practice, though."

He reached back with his good hand to remove the battle-axe between his wings, and set it to the side before drawing the kriss blade out of the sheath somewhat awkwardly.

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

Matt nodded, smiling at Kang. "Everyone needs practice when they can."

He sized up his opponent. Kang had the advantage in size and strength but like he said, had to swap hands so his blows would be weaker. Still, best not let it connect.

"Let us begin," said Matt as his stance shifted into a Meridianite combat stance, one foot out in front of the other, the weapon hand drawn back and the front arm held out like it bore a shield.

[governorkang]

"Wouldn't be surprised at all if you beat me. I still don't stand a chance against my mate, and I've got decades of experience on her."

Draconians hardly ever bothered with shields, trusting in the fact that they were stronger and more skilled than most humans with swords and spears. Tail twitching slightly in anticipation, Kang got into position, taking note of Matt's stance. He did look like he knew what he was doing.

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

The first move apparently was Matt's and he took it, hoping to get in close.

The blade came up in a sweeping arc, aimed for the sword hand.

[governorkang]

Dodging, Kang was careful to keep his wings pulled tight against his back, out of the way of danger and to keep from broadcasting his actions. His own blade came down on top of Matt's, in an attempt to bat it away, but at an awkward angle that didn't have very much power behind it.

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

Stepping to the side from the force, Matt's blade sheared into the kris as he ducked under it. "You weren't kidding!" he exclaimed, feeling the lack of power from the blow.

'Still got to be careful' thought Matt to himself as he got some room and thrust.