paradisa | Fifth shot

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james bond

Fifth shot

[Having had enough of the man at the gym who simply would not stop talking, Bond decided to relocate to the pool to do some laps. He's already ran on the treadmill and now he's in the middle of swimming 50 laps.

Since his death he's been pushing him body to the brink, training harder than ever before to attempt to prepare himself for whatever this place might throw at him next. He knows that he hadn't been able to fight the madness last time, enemies from within are the hardest to face, after all. That doesn't mean he can't be ready for enemies from without. Thus he's been dividing his time between research, reconnaissance and training. Even while he swims his mind is running over the facts he'd pulled from Zelos' report. Each stroke of his arm is another detail pulled deeper into his memory. The best way to fight anyone is to know as much as you possibly can about them, after all.

Eventually he pauses to take a brief breather, pulling himself out of the water and sitting on the edge of the pool. He seems quite content to be by himself right now. Clearly this means this solitude should be interrupted]

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_{[ Was it horrible of Ashura to rather like that view? No, no it wasn't, but he had the good grace not to say anything as he came over, wrapped in what could amount to a sarong, except only around his hips. It left the scar across his chest displayed, ranging from his shoulder, across his breast, down to hip into the sarong.

He padded up, ankled chiming gently. ]}

You seem quite serious, for someone out for a swim.

[Kate has ideas of a peaceful swim, but when she arrives at the pool, she sees a familiar backside and sighs to herself. She was bound to run into him sooner or later.

She drops her towel beside the pool and sits down next to him.]

Hey.

[Oh lovely, who's interrupting his... oh. Alright then. His eyes slide up to look at her, not revealing anything of the turmoil within his mind]

Hello.

[It's okay, Ashura, everyone enjoys that view. He doesn't mind, really. His eyes look over Ashura's state of undress with some interest. That's a unique scar you have there. He idly wonders how far down it goes and what weapon made that scar.]

I wasn't aware a sunny disposition was a requirement.

[She dips her feet into the water and leans back on her hands.]

It's good to see you.

[She leaves off the 'alive' part because she's trying not to make this more awkward, she really is.]

Well, I thought the pool was a place of enjoyment. Most people are not dour when playing in it - or, swimming, I suppose. Children play.

_{[ He turned slightly, and Bond might catch the start of a mirrored
scar on his back. ]}

What troubles you?

[He lifts an eyebrow, smirking slightly]

It's certainly an improvement from our last meeting.

[He does glance at that scar momentarily before returning his gaze to Ashura's face, cool blue eyes watching his]

Are you truly expecting me to answer that?

[Kate laughs lightly, tossing her hair over her shoulder.]

Absolutely. At least you're not armed this time. I don't know where you'd hide a gun in that swimsuit.

I would hope you might, but you do not have to.

_{[ He settled down near him at the water's edge, though not to close,
leaving a few feet of space. ]}

I only hope to lighten your burden some, if I can, but I am jus as happy to accept a lie.

[His smirk widens]

That would be telling, wouldn't it?

[Thank you for respecting the personal bubble, Ashura.]

I'm not the "opening up" type.

_{[ He nodded his head. ]}

I understand. But, if you do not want to talk about it, perhaps we could spar it out. We did speak of sparring, you and I, and I admit I have been looking forward to it now that my hands are better.

A little bit. But it would also be a great answer to 'Is that a gun in your swimsuit, or are you just happy to see me?'

[He glances over at the man, a small smirk lifting his lips. Oh yay a distraction.]

I believe that sounds like an excellent idea.

Can't it be both?

In that suit? Not likely. I know what kind of gun you're packing.

_{[ His own lips quirking, seeing James' facial expression and he nods
to him. ]}

Good, I thought it was. Perhaps, though, in a wider area than the pool room? The gardens should serve fine, I think.

Agreed.

[He nods, standing and moving towards the towel he'd left draped over a nearby chair. He quickly towels off before pulling on the workout trousers and t-shirt he'd left nearby. He wasn't certain how he felt about the possibility of an audience but it was probably the best place for the fight, especially if Ashura decided to use his "talent"]

[Oh that's just crass. He chuckles nonetheless.]

Can't put anything past you.

_{[ It was an easy thing to wish up his battle attire, if without his
armor - a simple white shift, leg warmers to his thighs, arm warmers to his
biceps, a tight black wrap around his chest, and a red sash about his
waist. He was more intricate in his home world, but there was no need to
put all of that nonsense on for this. ]}

Well then, shall we?

_{[ He smiled at James, and turned to head out of the pool and towards
the gardens instead and as he did he held out his hand, a somewhat long,
elegant sword dropping into his hand, gripping it with the casual surety of
someone who has handled such a weapon for a long time. ]}

[He could feel underdressed but, well, that would imply that he cared. This was a fight, not a fashion show after all. If he were on a mission that was one thing but for sparring? Why bother when his clothing was bound to just get mussed up?

He smirked at the sword, not saying a word as he followed the other man outside. This was going to be interesting]

_{[ Once outside, Ashura angled to a back part of the garden where few
people went as far as he knew, and had open enough space to allow for a
good spar. It would be close quarters, so he figured, so there wasn't much
need to for a terrible large space, just big enough.}

He swung his sword in neat, assured arcs, warming up his muscles as he took his place on one side of the small square cleared space of grass, his toes flexing into the earth, getting a sense for it.]

First to submit? And no killing blows, by the by.

[Bond is pretty well limbered up after his swim so he simply follows, rolling his shoulders back as he watches Ashura's form. This was certainly going to be an interesting fight. Especially since he has no intention of wishing up anything, weapon or otherwise.

As Ashura finishes warming up his eyes cast around the garden, taking into account features that would come in handy later. Noting quite a few he nods in acknowledgement, turning his gaze back to the other man.]

Of course.

[That being said he sets himself at an angle to Ashura, tilting his head and opening his hands]

En garde?

_{[ Ashura had fought against hand-to-hand fighters before, and was
thankful for it.}

He was still a long moment, watching James... and then he lunged, his eyes narrow in concentration. He was quick, upon James in seconds, swinging in an angled cross cut with the blade to begin and put James right on the defensive. ]

[James had been expecting the attack and was quick to dip to the side to avoid that blade. His plan was to let Ashura do the attacking for now, watching his form and technique as he looked for an opening. He stays to the balls of his feet, staying light and loose as he circles the man.]

[She's a female cop in one of the toughest cities in the US. You get crass, or you don't survive. Still, it's nice to hear him laugh.]

I'm a detective. Goes with the territory.

_{[ It was a smart thing to do. Any good fighter would. And one of them
had to attack first, after all, otherwise it would be a staring contest the
whole time.}

Ashura's movements were fluid, as much dance as attack. Swinging in sharp arches and thrusts, adding in jabs with his elbows and knees when he could. He kept the pace smooth and steady, not rushing and seeking the immediate kill. ]

[Bond continued to dip and hop out of the way of the attacks, blue eyes never leaving the man in front of him. He blocked an elbow jab with a sweep of his left arm, using the momentum to strike at Ashura's abdomen with his right fist.]

_{[ Ashura grunted as the blow connected, and he danced back to catch
his breath and let his body work through the burst of pain. He knew he
would get precious few seconds to accomplish it against James, who already
was proving to be competent. Of course, that only excited Ashura, pleased
at the prospect of getting a good workout.}

Once again he came in, wanting to put James on the defensive as he swept low with blade and legs, attempt to unbalance him. ]

[There was a smile playing at the corners of Bond's lips as they fought. It had been a while since he'd fought a worthwhile opponent. This was a better idea than he'd originally anticipated.

He hadn't been expecting the low sweep and, though he managed to avoid the blade, Ashura's leg connected with his own. He stumbled backwards a few steps, losing his fighting stance as he tried to keep his footing.]

_{[ It was an opening, and Ashura would be a fool to ignore it, even in
a sparring match.}

He came in hard, blade flashing in short, sharp thrusts and a few horizontal slashes, keeping himself low to aim at James' thighs and belly. ]

[Well, shit. He pulls a face as the tip of the blade slices open his shirt and scratches his stomach. Ah, well, it wouldn't be a proper fight if he didn't get injured at all. It's only a scratch, though, not enough for him to call it a win.

He takes advantage of Ashura's slash by lunging forward, himself, aiming to grapple the other man and pin his sword arm between them.]

_{[ Ashura grunted as James got a hold of him, widening his stance to
keep himself up right and from being pushed back. The awkward angle meant
his sword was, for the moment, out of the game and any movement could as
easily hurt him as it would James.}

But Ashura was not without his tricks.

Ashura's eyes began to glow a faint yellow-gold and he sucked in... the breathed out, a jet of flame sizzling by James' face. The actual breathing part was not so much necessary was it was a control device for Ashura, and he kept it cool enough that all James would feel would be an uncomfortable heat. He was not so into this match he would risk burning James, but as a shock tool? It was useful. ]

[Well, shit. As soon as Ashura's eyes started to glow James' own widened. He had a feeling Ashura would pull something like this if he got cornered.

He cursed under his breath, turning his head away and closing his eyes just in time to shield himself as much as possible from the heat. He held on for a good while, longer than any sane man probably would have. Eventually he could take it no longer and he let go of Ashura, shoving the man backwards.

He took a few steps back, wiping the sweat from his face with the back of his hand. Watching Ashura very closely he held his ground for a moment as he caught his breath.]

_{[ Ashura stumbled back but gained his feet. He switched his sword to
his other hand and lashed out with the other one, fire crackling to life in
the form of a whip. Holding back was not something he could wisely do
against James, that much was clear. He wouldn't try to give him something
like burns, but the whip would be an effective herding method so long as
James did not know that.}

He "cracked" it near James, wanting him to move, draw him in close again. Of course, if James figured out that he never intended to touch him with the thing, well, he'd have to think of a new tactic... ]

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Fifth shot

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