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WHO: Jolyne, Chrollo, a dash of Josuke and some other creepers
WHERE: the wild lands of... near heropa
WHEN: 2/8
WHAT: SPARRING. because if you're gonna rob a bank you wanna know what's in the vault first.
WARNINGS: fight....ing...

[She's never actually sparred with anyone before, so this whole thing is a bit odd from the outset. All of her fights have been real ones, high stakes and dangerous, and without the luxury of practice. It always served her well enough in learning, so trading blows with someone for the hell of it was never high on her priority list back home. But here? There was danger present, yes, but not quite so aggressively so, so it's not a bad idea to get some practice in. To keep on her toes at least. Or to see what others are capable of.]

[In this instance, she's very curious about that. Chrollo doesn't exactly seem like the fighting type, and yet he was interested enough to agree to this, so then...]

[And she's expecting something brutal, which is why she invited Josuke along... even if it took some convincing to get him to agree to come out to this secluded area, at the edge of one of the nearby marshes. Out of the way, so they won't disrupt anybody (or get into trouble), still close enough to the roadways that if something went wrong, they wouldn't all be stranded out here. And the scenery just adds to the oddness of it, for her - reminding Jolyne of other fights in similar places, far more dangerous ones. Other friends at her side.]

[It puts her a little on edge, perhaps, at the same time that it makes her a bit melancholy as she waits to start. The sort of mood that causes one to stare quietly out over the scenery for a few moments, apparently lost in thought, and then to speak very softly to no one in particular--]

...is that an alligator?

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[Of course it was a marsh. And not just any marsh, but a marsh in Florida. Jolyne had to know what that would mean, had to know how that'd make his skin prickle and his nerves dance, because gross, gross, gross—do you know the kinds of things that live out here?

Of course she does. But here they are, out here anyway, as if they couldn't have found anywhere else to have this spar go down. And there she goes, dropping that word like a bomb, causing Josuke's eyes (and head) to whip around, looking at this patch of funny colored moss or that curiously large log...]

Stop doing that!

[Honestly. He hasn't seen any alligators yet, despite having heard the marshes in the area are known for harboring pretty large ones. There's been plenty of croaking frogs and toads, some snakes...

But the most common annoyance? Not even the reptiles! It's the mud.]

...you're gonna owe me new shoes after this. Just so you know. [A beat and then, a little loudly to drown out the unwanted reptilian thoughts...] Where's your boyfriend at! Doesn't he know it's rude to keep you waiting!

[It's not that she's even really concerned about alligators - nothing she can't handle anyway, even if Josuke won't - but she'd rather not have them getting in the way of things. And besides, they are kind of assholes.]

[She considers chucking a rock at the thing just to be sure she's wrong. Or even if she isn't. Either way, she doesn't actually turn back to Josuke when she responds.]

Relax. He'll get here soon... we're a little early, actually. I gave us some extra time.

[Sorry did she not mention that, must've slipped her mind.]

Just don't get all weird around him, okay? I'll buy you new shoes if you don't.

[What gives. He wouldn't act weird! ...well, not too weird. Maybe.

Whatever, who cares.]

You're pretty tense. What's up? I thought you were looking forward to this thing.

[That does finally get her to turn back to him, giving him a bit of one of those stone wall Kujo looks.]

What are you talking about? I am. ...I'm fine. I was just thinking about--

[...nothing important. At least, evidently not as important as what draws her attention now that she's looking back in Josuke's direction.]

Hey.

[He hears them snickety snicketing from a little while away - swamps are full of noises, but not many of them are louder than the rancor of an apparently very squeamish teenage boy. It's almost amusing, actually, which is why he approaches with a smile on his face - and not even one he has to paint on.]

[The spar was an interesting idea - kind of spur of the moment, actually. The result of his curiosity getting the better of him when he took note of her reflexes, when he heard her critiques of poorly coordinated film battle scenes. It's only his luck - and he's had rather a lot of that, both for the good and the bad - that she also had an uncle, and that uncle happened to possess the ability that's currently top of his priority list as far as acquisition goes.]

[That, at least, definitely counts as good luck.]

[So, a spar it is. He makes his way through the swamp, properly dressed for a messy occasion - wearing jeans and a simple black shirt, a relatively blank jacket. He also arrives with bandages wrapped around his forehead and his hands in his pockets, casual, casual.]

[So Casual it's impossible to tell how he feels Hisoka, hiding in the shadows. Watching.]

[Well, he'd promised a show, and he's ready to deliver.]

Hey yourself. [He grins that Good Boy grin.] This is an interesting choice for training grounds! All those reptiles.

[IT'S A GOOD NATURED GRIN, OKAY. he doesn't know how badly Josuke is squicked by them. If he did, he wouldn't say that... but he'd be thinking it even harder, oops.]

[Almost immediately her expression lightens, because yes, she is looking forward to this so yeah, she is glad to see him there. Of course then he has to go and say that, and... She shoots a look at Josuke.]

Not you, too... Look, they're not gonna bother us. I just wanted a spot that was out of the way, with plenty of room. We'll be fine.

[Moving forward. And giving Josuke another look, now - more reassuring, perhaps, and to make sure he's not actually having a meltdown.]

You guys haven't met in person yet, have you?

[Josuke turns, following Jolyne's line of sight to find the new arrival behind him: Chrollo.

What he'd been about to say to his niece—Thinking about what?—doesn't even have a chance to roll off his tongue. It's not that he doesn't trust Chrollo enough to speak openly arond him, because the truth is, he's got no reason not to! The guy really came through for him when nobody else had offered (and that's saying a lot considering how many were willing to accept his offer to heal but pay no mind to the fact he said he'd need a little help getting there to provide said healing).

...Anyway, he just. Gets distracted by those thoughts for a second and completely forgets to prompt Jolyne because he realizes she doesn't know how close to the whole Lunatic take-down scene he got. Not like she'd tell Joseph or anything—he just feels badly about having not told her.]

Uh...we've met. Sort of. [Talking about anything besides reptiles seems like a good idea, so he spits out the rest of the story.] I needed Porter access before and Chrollo offered.

[...so the guy's not really a bad boyfriend (that Josuke knows of) but it's his job to give him a hard time, right? At least a little? He can still be grateful and do that!

...he shoots Jolyne a look like If you're sure you're okay, and then starts looking around for a spot to stand or sit out of the way.]

[No no, not him too. He doesn't mind a reptile here and there, they kind of remind him of Feitan. But in any case, he lets the reptilian subject matter float off, and waves a little in greetings to Josuke.]

It was an exciting time.

[Ambiguously stated. Did he mean it was fun? Yes and no. In fact, let him clarify:]

I was grateful for the chance to help, but I... would rather the circumstances be a little different next time. Homicidal maniacs can be really... disturbing.

[Although, really, it's not like he was disturbed. But whatever. Chrollo stretches a bit, interlacing his fingers, stretching his arms back, and then forward, that kind of thing.]

All right! I'm curious to see what my lady can do! That said... ground rules? Anything?

[Hey, he didn't even bring his dagger. ... well, he did, but it's not coming out of hiding.]

[...unless it has to.]

[But really what are the chances of that.]

[Oh, so they have. And what's this about homicidal maniacs? Something she's fairly sure she specifically warned Josuke away from. She tosses him another look - one that was meant to be a yes, everything's fine smile but is instead an I'll deal with you later glare.]

[Which is perhaps subtly undercut by being called a lady. That's kind of... distracting.]

Oh... uh. Yeah. Right, ground rules.

Let's stick with hand to hand. Your power isn't really for combat, so using mine wouldn't be very fair. Aside from that... nothing lethal, obviously. Josuke can heal injuries, so I'm not worried about it getting rough, but this is friendly. If one of us decides they're done, then we're done. No questions asked. Got it?

And no hard feelings afterwards.

Anything else?

To me... that sounds quite suitable.

[A little nod. And then... a pause.]

Although, I don't really mind whether you use your powers. Actually, that might be a better idea.

[because he can shrug off collapsed walls, so come on. And honestly.. he wants to see what she can do.]

[After all, isnt that the real point?]

[Jolyne gives Josuke a look. Josuke gives Chrollo a look. Like... Jeez, big eyes AND a big mouth, you're a real piece of work, man. Oh well, while they're busy sparring...he'll think of something to smooth things over.

Shuffling out of the way towards a pretty clear area (there's some shrubs and such nearby, but not so close as to cause his imagination to run wild) he parks himself beneath a willowy tree and leans against the trunk.]

All clear! ...but don't overdo it!

[It's said to both of them. He might be able to heal injuries, but that doesn't really mean he wants to see those injuries come anywhere even remotely close to being life-threatening.]

Maybe let the lady go first!

[She's a little skeptical about the offer to let her use her powers... if nothing else, she only wants to be fair in this. And she's not one to flaunt them without a damn good reason to.]

[And she means to respond to that - well, if you're sure, maybe a little - but then there's Josuke again and she swings back to him, pointing.]

Hey, knock that off! I'm here to fight same as he is.

[And then back to Chrollo - redirecting that point, and there's no more of that hesitation.]

Now. You.

[She flexes her fingers in a beckoning motion, letting herself settle into a more ready stance.]

Come on, let's get this started.

[Grinning a little, and his stance hasn't even changed - it's completely casual, almost as though she's saying "lets get this game of Parcheesi started," instead of "let's start this spar."]

Sorry, weren't you going first?

[And then he takes off his jacket, revealing... that physique, the one from the ads. Yes, it's definitely him, no Photoshop here.]

[...well then. Good. To. Know.]

[She blinks at the gesture - or lack of one, perhaps, which is telling in its own way - and can't help smirking a bit as she relaxes her stance and steps closer to him. Casual, as if the challenge was forgotten, as if they were back outside of the movie theater from the other night. Right up until she takes a swing at him. A short, sharp jab to close the distance, just to see what she's dealing with.]

[He can tell her punching angle before she actually takes the swing.

It's a quick moment - almost unnoticeable, broadcast by the way her muscles flex and how close-or-far she stands from him when she does it. If he were anyone else... maybe he wouldn't have noticed at all. But he isn't. Even so, he stays perfectly still until the last split second - the instant before her fist would connect, before jumping backwards.

Just like that. Effortless, smooth - the water underfoot barely disturbed by his movements. That's a little trick, really - and he comes to rest under the branches of tree, still at a relatively casual stance. But.

Look at his face - it's changed. There's something focused there, now, and a little smile on the edge of his lips, too.

One foot to the trunk, leg bent at the knee - he uses the trunk to propel his jump, which carries him up... just enough for him to drop his jacket in the nearest branch. Another sharp kick before he starts his descent back to the ground, and he flips up, over her head to land behind her, a jab aimed at her upper back.

Not trying to break any spines, after all.

Now to see if she can dodge like a proper fighter!]

[She hadn't really expected to connect with that swing - was waiting for the block or counter that would come. But she wasn't expecting... that. Whatever the hell that is. The switch from the casual air a moment before to what comes next is almost too quick for her to properly react to, and he's behind her practically before she realizes it.]

[Which is a little annoying. But explains why he insisted she use her powers.]

[...not yet, though. It make take a moment to adjust, but she does in the end - that instinct kicks in and she moves, turning, and sweeping her arm out behind her to further deflect the jab. Slightly awkward, sure, but already she has a better idea of what's to come from this... and if he can catch her expression in that moment, he'll see that spark of curious intensity.]

Not bad for an art dealer.

[She says it even as she twists further, reaching for his wrist, and following it with another swing from her other hand.]

[Oh, reaching for his wrist, huh? Chrollo grins a little, and... lets her grab it. Only to block the other hand with his forearm.]

I did say I kept my skills sharp!

[Admittedly, he didn't say how sharp. Speaking of which, kick to the shin!]

[Yeah, funny how he didn't mention any of this ever. The little glimpse she got during their post-movie discussion wasn't quite enough to prepare her for this - but now of course she knows to take his words a bit more seriously.]

[And that kick... it's hard to avoid like this. So she doesn't, really, aside from shifting backwards a bit to counter the force of the blow... and giving his arm a sharp tug, trying to pull him off-balance.]

[In fairness, she didn't mention that she can turn into string. Everyone has secrets! Chrollo just has more than most. ...really. A lot more than most.

For example, he knows enough to follow with the tug instead of fighting against it - and to use that moment to step in close - closer than than a normal blow could accommodate, really, and give her a quick shove to the center of her chest... all the while tugging his captured arm back, trying to free it.

A strange move, maybe, except the catch is... he floods the palm of his striking hand, and the captured arm itself, with power. Not enough power to seriously injure, but... enough that, if he connects, the impact will be audible.]

[Whoa! Whoa! Josuke sure as shit didn't expect this out of Jolyne's pretty boy boyfriend. Not only is the guy hella fast, he's about as agile as a monkey, to boot!

And for an...an art dealer, he heard Jolyne say! Who knew!

He's enjoying himself watching them exchange blows, though. Things have only just started and they both look to be 'warming up' still, but it's pretty clear in the way the young teen is doing his best to follow their every move that...he's excited. Maybe wishing a little that he could take part?

That is, until that last strike, and the sound of the impact alone. His eyes widen and he opens his mouth to shout before he even has a chance to think better of it—]

Jolyne!!

[It's probably bad when Chrollo's strike makes a sound like that - followed quickly by something no doubt very unladylike from Jolyne herself. But the fact is, she didn't entirely try to avoid that one, and even easily releases his wrist when he pulls his arm back.]

[...releases... sort of. To her knowledge, he won't notice the fine thread wound loosely around his wrist.]

[It doesn't help that Josuke is yelling now, that's almost as much a distraction as the impact itself. And if this was a real fight, she wouldn't be able to afford to let the sound reach her. But it does now, and she takes a half moment to suck her breath in and shout back--]

Shut up! I'm fine!

[...and as if to prove it, she sends another jab Chrollo's way, towards the same side she'd been holding onto a moment ago. Whether he blocks or dodges, she still hasn't released that string.]

[Blocking wins the day. Chrollo crosses his arms in front of him, shifting his aura to shield him from the blow, and leaps backwards a step with a grin.]

You really are pretty good, too, hm?

[Gee, maybe he should take it up a notch?]

[Both arms, huh? Works for her. And she can't help herself - she grins at him, taking the brief moment to shake her hand out, loosening it up a little.]

Pretty good? I haven't even gotten a solid hit on you yet.

...but this time...

[She doesn't wait, but starts in on him again, quickly closing the distance and sending a feint his way... at the same time that that thread tightens around both of his wrists and pulls downward, hopefully enough to break that block and leave him exposed for the very real follow up punch.]

No... but you haven't been knocked out yet either.

[He grins when he says that, which probably speaks for itself. But the grin fades into a slight frown and a furrowed brow the next moment, because what the hell just pulled him?

It would be more confusing, actually, if he hadn't encountered at least two people with similar abilities. And his thoughts go in exactly this order: First, find out what the hell she's doing, and Second, block that blow enough to prevent a full-strength hit.

It is, of course, the kind of priority one would expect from him. Quickly, his eyes flare with Gyo, and he sees.... strings. Shimmering strings made of-- it's not Nen, but it's similar, and he immediately thinks of Machi.

What an annoying ability - almost as annoying as Bungee Gum, but that one's even worse.

And maybe it's because he was distracted with thoughts of Machi, and then of Hisoka's most frustrating ability, but in the end, the punch does land, and without his erecting a proper defense which...

...would have hurt more if he weren't capable of shrugging off a wall collapsing on him. Still, it does sting enough to make him smile as he leaps back a few steps.]

Good trick. You're pretty strong.

[Yes!]

[The victory is more in the hit than the damage done, and at least she now knows hitting him is doable. The problem, however, is in his reaction to it... and as he jumps back, she shifts back a step or two herself.]

Thanks. You're quick - that was a good recovery.

[Too good, maybe. She's pretty sure she won't be able to use that trick again. Oh well.]

[She brings her hands up again, fists ready.]

Still think you can knock me out?

Oh, definitely. Although that's not to say I will! It's just a spar!

[Or something like that. The only thing is, Chrollo doesn't like losing so how seriously he takes it... well, that depends on how things go, doesn't it?]

Still, maybe I should be a little less playful?

[Well. Let's see. He smiles a little... and only one person in the area will really see what he's doing - though Jolyne and Josuke may feel... something. A shift in the atmosphere. Subtle, controlled, but definite. And then...

Off he goes, barely slowed by the soggy ground, barely disturbing the water for that matter... and unleashing a series of jabs at her, more to test her defenses than anything else. All the time, he keeps his eyes enhanced, watching for those. Strings.]

[She does feel... something. A discomfort, not quite like knowing a Stand is in use nearby. But there isn't any time to dwell on what it is or what it means.]

[...Or time to do much of anything but defend - which she does, blocking and deflecting simply with her arms when she can. But the blows are quick, direct, and some hit a fine netting instead - others may not hit anything at all, seemingly slipping right past her. Or... through, as the case may be.]

[It's a little annoying, staying on the defensive like this, and her instincts scream at her to find an opening and counter... until she finally does by pushing back hard against his latest jab and sending a sharp kick towards his middle.]

[He watches her, too. Her reactions - she definitely felt something, didn't she? A shift in the air if nothing else. It makes sense, given her abilities, that she'd have some kind of connection to life or spirit energy, but she can't tell exactly what it is, or what it does - he can tell that, too.]

[And he can tell she's an excellent defensive fighter, although - did he literally just hit through her? More than once? He watches more closely and is just about to try to trigger whatever that was again when she pushes back and tries to kick him and...]

[You know what, he's just going to let her hit him. But he's also going to shield the blow. Which means when her kick lands, he jumps back a foot grinning.]

That was good.

[Oops when did he get behind her? He kicks at the back of her knee.]

Edited 2015-02-17 11:29 (UTC)

[--goddammit, when did he get behind her? It's even quicker than before - she can only assume that was the result of that 'disturbance' she felt a moment ago. Which means...]

[...never mind, she's getting kicked. And there's no real time to dodge it, though she manages to shield herself from the brunt of it and lets her knee buckle, bringing her ungracefully - but still on balance and ready - to her hands on the wet earth.]

Liked that one, huh? I got more.

[And, well, since she's down there anyway... just gonna go ahead and swing a handful of mud at him. No doubt it'll miss its target, but it'll give her a moment to get back to her feet and, perhaps, provide some distraction from the threads she sends out, this time along the ground towards him.]

[Wow, lady, wow. Did you just literally sling mud at him? Chrollo ducks it, of course, a minor dodge, and then Jolyne is back on her feat, and...

He sees those strings, thanks lady. Which means he just kind of moves out of their way, mostly because he's curious about what she'll do. Will they follow him? If so, that's a pretty impressive level of control over something like a string.

Frankly, he's also curious about whether she'll notice that he can see them, or just assume it was a coincidental movement.

Well... let's see!]

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