[She's right: if V's incapacitated or otherwise weakened, then it's hard to summon the strengthāno pun intendedāto keep Shadow on the battlefield. Thus his interest in remaining at a relatively safe distance away from the main fight. It's a strategy that has served him well in the past, if only because heās had no other choice.
Shadowās tendrils, meanwhile, strike only thin air. Sheās already teleported and reappeared directly behind the familiar, and it hears her and twists on its four legs to meet her head-on, but by then itās already too late. The axe comes down and collides straight into the panther, and it loses form, splitting into two dark waves, as though she had struck black, liquid mercury rather than a physical shape.
Hard to tell if sheās done any damage to it, then, but by Vās frown over in the distance, she likely has.]
Mmn.
[Tricky, tricky.
Shadow reforms, though, at her side. Thereās a moment of disorientation, probably wrought from having been cleaved in two, but then itās swiping at her with a huge claw that simply turns into the shape of a pointed scythe.]
[ She knows that her greataxe has found purchase on this beast, but as its form splits fluidly, Juniper's eyes go wide, and she nearly stumbles on her feet from the continued momentum of swinging a giant axe into something that she thought wouldn't quite have so much give. ]
Hahh... Ah!?
[ Wait a second. This is... This is awesome, isn't it!? To fight a beast with such a form...! In short order, Juniper's surprised noises tumble right into an almost mad laughter. Barbarians, man...
The laughing can't go on for too long, because soon Shadow is reconstituting itself next to her and swiping at her with a scythe. It's with just barely enough time that Juniper manages to raise her greataxe to block the blow with its haft, but the force of the blow does cause her to stumble back on her feet a bit. ]
Hahaha! You are one fun little kitty, but I'll see you later, okay!?
[ And then poof! She's gone again, this time reappearing closer to V. However, she isn't exactly poised to take a swing at him, so when she pops back in, all she can really offer is: ]
[Another loud clank!, another deflection. Shadow still hits hard, V notes, but its attacks are simplistic and straightforward. It really does appear like his familiar has been "reset" to a weaker, or at least a less versatile, version of itself. Perhaps this was expected, though it's still worrisome to see it in action; but best he learn about it now than later, right?
Shadow lets out a growl as Juni teleports away again. It lurches around and makes to move in her direction.
But V, on the other hand, has to deal with her close proximity now.]
...Ah.
[His strategy is a lot less, impressive... shall we say... when he has to deal with a strong enemy up-close.]
[REACHES OUT TO BONK HER ON THE HEAD WITH HIS CANE,,,,]
...Shadow. Quickly.
[The panther forms into darkness again, sliding along the ground, and finding purchase beneath V's feet. It lifts a little, as though to carry the man atop it, and they both attempt to shimmy away!!]
Just as she is about to follow through with a swing of her axe, his cane meets her head, squarely in between those leporine ears of hers, and she hadn't expected such a move! It catches her off-guard, such that she's unable to react when Shadow's form shifts yet again to reappear and abscond with her target! ]
Ah, oh no!
[ But much like V's magicks aren't to their full strength, neither is Juni's wild magic. She's rather a beginner at harnessing its potential, anyway, but that moment of surprise causes her enraged state - and the teleportation magic that accompanies it this time - to fizzle out, at least for the moment... ]
I didn't know you would use your cane as a melee weapon! I should have known! Stupid Juniper—
[ ...Because her anger, though directed inwardly, causes wild magic to surge yet again - this time manifesting in in colorful arcane lights, almost like an aurora that surrounds her person. ]
[ AK;SDF this has not turned into the most graceful spar between two people, exactly, but this is fine.
But V is busy gliding along the floor, backing up, backing up, still facing her but being drawn away by Shadow-darkness on the floor.]
Many a demon has met their end at the tip of my cane.
[He's not joking, but it is a slight exaggeration when he has to get his familiars to do most of the work first. Still, it's enough to laugh about, which he nearly does, the sound barely kept imprisoned behind his smile.
NOPE HE'S GONNA KEEP ZOOPING AWAY though he does wonder what those lights, colorful and surrounding her person, might mean...]
Demons!? So you're some kind of demon hunter!? Wow!
[ Said as she is cartoonishly giving chase around the training hall... But oh, look! She's right back where that weapons rack was! Pausing momentarily, she hastily grabs a spear off of the rack and expertly throws it in his direction, though it sure is difficult to predict how he might move on account of him gliding around like that. ]
Won't you attack me at range, at least? I want to see what these lights do! Please!
[The spear whizzes past, just missing V because heās still strafing to the side atop Shadow. He pauses at that remarkāabout being a demon hunter, of all thingsāand it actually makes him laugh.
...So hard that it turns into a cough, and he takes a moment, clearing his throat.]
No. Not a demon hunter. Iām just a man.
[But you know, heās going to humor her, bending down to reach for that fallen spear and toss it back at her. His strength is middling, so itās not a very ferocious throw, but it at least arcs in her general direction, point-forward.]
[ Just a man... who has a shadow familiar whose head can turn into weapons and whose cane has bonked demons on the head before!! Sure!
Though, oops. She didn't mean to attack his weak constitution with her words alone. She is truly so powerful. So powerful, in fact, that she lunges towards the spear, actually, in order to properly meet the blow.
And though it should have been a direct hit on account of Juniper literally stepping into its trajectory, the lights seem to coalesce and then deflect the blow, causing the spear to clatter uselessly beside her. ]
—Aha! So that's what they do! Thanks for that, by the way!
[ And with that, she will properly give chase once more, though without her teleportation it's likely going to be an endeavor to try and catch him. ]
By now, somehow, he's not surprised that she practically flings herself into the spear's trajectory. Maybe he should be worried about this. Maybe he should be more worried that he's not worried.
But it works out, because those strange magical lights all bleed together to deflect the spear, and here comes Juni once more.]
You're welcome.
[So, the thing is: Shadow can't be his transport and fight at the same time. So it's either continue to run away, or halt and reform Shadow and fight.
So, he supposes, he opts for the latter. Shadow appears in front of V again, twisting around with its tail and lashing again, whip-like, right at those lights. Does it deflect a second time?]
[ That's exactly what she was hoping for! She's a melee fighter, after all, and there's little she can do at range short of flinging weapons in his direction.
And so once again, she plants her feet down firmly before rushing forward, emboldened by her discovery of these strange magical lights. They are certainly useful, but as they will find when Shadow's tendril does break through and successfully slash at her arm - they are not infallible. ]
Ooh, ouch!!
[ She stumbles back a bit with the hit, soon she's shaking it off and dashing forward again! Or as well as someone can dash while holding a greataxe! ]
Nice hit, kitty cat! It's my turn!
[ It's a bit reckless, but she's going to adjust her grip on her axe such that she's holding the very end of it, to extend her reach as she tries to swing at Shadow! ]
[Reckless works sometimes. Sometimes, reckless means that Shadow doesn't have much time to get out of the way because Juni's dashing forward almost immediately after taking that hit, and V is trying to parse whether or not they need to flee again or try to counter with another attack-
Yes, sometimes impulsivity overrides strategy because that moment of hesitation is enough for Juni's axe to come cleaving down, right onto Shadow's head! The panther loses its shape again, becoming little more than a wavy blob of black on the floor. It strains to reform, writhing, but nothing yet-
V knows what that means. It means Shadow is on cooldown will need a moment, and without any other familiars to help him, this just leaves... himself. Standing there. With his cane.]
[ Oh... Juniper feels a bit bad about cleaving Shadow's head in half, but she knows it'll be back! It's a familiar, after all! It'll be back, right?
She's a bit off-balance from the gutsy swing, which is just as well since V is š§āāļø with his cane. Taking a moment to readjust her grip on the haft, she draws in a deep breath and then exhales. ]
Alright, then. Just you and me, V. Here I come!
[ Here comes a rabbit girl with a greataxe and a light shield, good luck V! ]
V has no recourse. He could just try to evade her attacks, but there's only so long he can keep that up. For good or ill, he has his pride, and if he's going to get knocked onto his ass or worse, then at least he'll do so trying to put up a meager fight.
So yes, he's twisting his body to the side to try to shoulder in, striking as hard as he can manage at her light-shield. HE'S TRYING HIS BEST.]
The thing is, in a fight, Juniper should be making herself easy to hit. She is meant to soak up damage, to be big and present to draw attention away from her teammates. And so her fighting style focuses on endurance, on how to soften the blows of those hits, and so almost by design, V's strike slips past the shield and bonks her on the head again. Which she's not surprised by this time, and she offers a little huff of amusement in kind. ]
Heh. You got me again!
[ In the same vein, Juniper's fighting style means she is strong and at such close quarters, it's easy to just overpower V. She catches V's cane by the hook of the axe's head and uses her brutish force to try and knock it out of his hand and to knock him off his feet so she can pin him down, haft held across his shoulders. As gently as she can manage. ]
[He's surprised to have bonked her on the head a second time. That actually wins a widening smile from him, seen easily when they're this up-close. Definitely worth whatever's coming next.
And whatever's coming next is not something he could stop on his own, even if he wanted to. One moment, he's standing, and then the next? His cane's gone flying out of his hands and the ground is out from under his feet, his back slamming hard into the floor and the haft of her axe pressing down against his shoulders and collarbone.
Ow. He's a fragile sort, you know. Even though he's been knocked around by much worse, this still jostles the air out of him, and a moment passes as he gets his bearings and manages to say, breathy:]
[ Just because she had him pinned doesn't necessarily mean he couldn't have had another trick up his (tattoo) sleeve! But, oh... She probably didn't need to fully pin him, huh. Woops. She'll try to remember for next time, but at least she's quick to release him and then get back up to her feet so she can offer him a hand up. ]
That was a great spar, though. So refreshing! Thank you!
[Alas, no more tricks. Not as he is now, anyway. Shadow is still a whorling blob of spherical darkness on the floor, and V's cane has clattered and slid to the middle of the training hall. He's well and truly defeated for now.
He gutters in a breath once she unpins him, sitting up.]
It was enlightening, wasn't it? I should be thanking you for illuminating me.
[He takes her hand and hefts himself up to his feet, just a little wobbly. A little... sore. But it's fine.]
[ Did he say that because of her light shield? Regardless, Juniper laughs brightly even as that magic fizzes out now that she's come down from her battle rage. Then, once they're both standing, she rests a steadying hand on his shoulder if he lets her. Just in case. ]
Oh, thank you! Hitting hard and getting hit hard is my specialty. [ t a n k ] You and your familiar got some nice hits in, too, though.
[ ... There sure is a bleeding gash on her arm from Shadow's last attack. ]
And yes, he doesn't mind the touch. It's steadying and far less embarrassing than staggering around while his brain catches up with his body now standing upright.]
Ah... well.
[Shadow did get a hit in, didn't it? V notices properly that bleeding cut across her arm. It's a clean slice, at least.]
Maybe we should tend to that. [He gestures at it.]
[Spokenly bluntly, as he often is when he isn't being dramatic about something, but it's well-meaning. He shakes his head.]
I don't. [His skills have always been on the offensive side. More "kill them before they can kill you" type of deal.] But there must be a first-aid kit somewhere. What sort of house provides a training hall but not healing?
[One with a weird sense of humor, that's for sure.]
Let's go look. [With an effort... He walks, going over to pick up his cane first and foremost.] I'm sure we'll stumble across something to bandage you up.
Hah! So you noticed! I promise I don't forget the important things, though...
[ Apparently, being injured is not that important. It is simply a state of being... And it's not as if she was being very subtle about her forgetfulness, but still! She doesn't take any offense to how he points it out, though it is something she's a little embarrassed about sometimes, so she offers a nervous little laugh as she turns to return the greataxe to the weapon rack. ]
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Shadowās tendrils, meanwhile, strike only thin air. Sheās already teleported and reappeared directly behind the familiar, and it hears her and twists on its four legs to meet her head-on, but by then itās already too late. The axe comes down and collides straight into the panther, and it loses form, splitting into two dark waves, as though she had struck black, liquid mercury rather than a physical shape.
Hard to tell if sheās done any damage to it, then, but by Vās frown over in the distance, she likely has.]
Mmn.
[Tricky, tricky.
Shadow reforms, though, at her side. Thereās a moment of disorientation, probably wrought from having been cleaved in two, but then itās swiping at her with a huge claw that simply turns into the shape of a pointed scythe.]
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Hahh... Ah!?
[ Wait a second. This is... This is awesome, isn't it!? To fight a beast with such a form...! In short order, Juniper's surprised noises tumble right into an almost mad laughter. Barbarians, man...
The laughing can't go on for too long, because soon Shadow is reconstituting itself next to her and swiping at her with a scythe. It's with just barely enough time that Juniper manages to raise her greataxe to block the blow with its haft, but the force of the blow does cause her to stumble back on her feet a bit. ]
Hahaha! You are one fun little kitty, but I'll see you later, okay!?
[ And then poof! She's gone again, this time reappearing closer to V. However, she isn't exactly poised to take a swing at him, so when she pops back in, all she can really offer is: ]
— Hello, again! I didn't forget this time!
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Shadow lets out a growl as Juni teleports away again. It lurches around and makes to move in her direction.
But V, on the other hand, has to deal with her close proximity now.]
...Ah.
[His strategy is a lot less, impressive... shall we say... when he has to deal with a strong enemy up-close.]
I see you're taking the direct route.
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...Shadow. Quickly.
[The panther forms into darkness again, sliding along the ground, and finding purchase beneath V's feet. It lifts a little, as though to carry the man atop it, and they both attempt to shimmy away!!]
1/2
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Just as she is about to follow through with a swing of her axe, his cane meets her head, squarely in between those leporine ears of hers, and she hadn't expected such a move! It catches her off-guard, such that she's unable to react when Shadow's form shifts yet again to reappear and abscond with her target! ]
Ah, oh no!
[ But much like V's magicks aren't to their full strength, neither is Juni's wild magic. She's rather a beginner at harnessing its potential, anyway, but that moment of surprise causes her enraged state - and the teleportation magic that accompanies it this time - to fizzle out, at least for the moment... ]
I didn't know you would use your cane as a melee weapon! I should have known! Stupid Juniper—
[ ...Because her anger, though directed inwardly, causes wild magic to surge yet again - this time manifesting in in colorful arcane lights, almost like an aurora that surrounds her person. ]
Come back here!!
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But V is busy gliding along the floor, backing up, backing up, still facing her but being drawn away by Shadow-darkness on the floor.]
Many a demon has met their end at the tip of my cane.
[He's not joking, but it is a slight exaggeration when he has to get his familiars to do most of the work first. Still, it's enough to laugh about, which he nearly does, the sound barely kept imprisoned behind his smile.
NOPE HE'S GONNA KEEP ZOOPING AWAY though he does wonder what those lights, colorful and surrounding her person, might mean...]
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[ Said as she is cartoonishly giving chase around the training hall... But oh, look! She's right back where that weapons rack was! Pausing momentarily, she hastily grabs a spear off of the rack and expertly throws it in his direction, though it sure is difficult to predict how he might move on account of him gliding around like that. ]
Won't you attack me at range, at least? I want to see what these lights do! Please!
[ She also doesn't know!! ]
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...So hard that it turns into a cough, and he takes a moment, clearing his throat.]
No. Not a demon hunter. Iām just a man.
[But you know, heās going to humor her, bending down to reach for that fallen spear and toss it back at her. His strength is middling, so itās not a very ferocious throw, but it at least arcs in her general direction, point-forward.]
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Though, oops. She didn't mean to attack his weak constitution with her words alone. She is truly so powerful. So powerful, in fact, that she lunges towards the spear, actually, in order to properly meet the blow.
And though it should have been a direct hit on account of Juniper literally stepping into its trajectory, the lights seem to coalesce and then deflect the blow, causing the spear to clatter uselessly beside her. ]
—Aha! So that's what they do! Thanks for that, by the way!
[ And with that, she will properly give chase once more, though without her teleportation it's likely going to be an endeavor to try and catch him. ]
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By now, somehow, he's not surprised that she practically flings herself into the spear's trajectory. Maybe he should be worried about this. Maybe he should be more worried that he's not worried.
But it works out, because those strange magical lights all bleed together to deflect the spear, and here comes Juni once more.]
You're welcome.
[So, the thing is: Shadow can't be his transport and fight at the same time. So it's either continue to run away, or halt and reform Shadow and fight.
So, he supposes, he opts for the latter. Shadow appears in front of V again, twisting around with its tail and lashing again, whip-like, right at those lights. Does it deflect a second time?]
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And so once again, she plants her feet down firmly before rushing forward, emboldened by her discovery of these strange magical lights. They are certainly useful, but as they will find when Shadow's tendril does break through and successfully slash at her arm - they are not infallible. ]
Ooh, ouch!!
[ She stumbles back a bit with the hit, soon she's shaking it off and dashing forward again! Or as well as someone can dash while holding a greataxe! ]
Nice hit, kitty cat! It's my turn!
[ It's a bit reckless, but she's going to adjust her grip on her axe such that she's holding the very end of it, to extend her reach as she tries to swing at Shadow! ]
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Yes, sometimes impulsivity overrides strategy because that moment of hesitation is enough for Juni's axe to come cleaving down, right onto Shadow's head! The panther loses its shape again, becoming little more than a wavy blob of black on the floor. It strains to reform, writhing, but nothing yet-
V knows what that means. It means Shadow
is on cooldownwill need a moment, and without any other familiars to help him, this just leaves... himself. Standing there. With his cane.]...
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He twirls his cane, brandishing it by pointing its tip at her with a grin.]
Just you and me, then. Come on, Juni.
[rip V]
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She's a bit off-balance from the gutsy swing, which is just as well since V is š§āāļø with his cane. Taking a moment to readjust her grip on the haft, she draws in a deep breath and then exhales. ]
Alright, then. Just you and me, V. Here I come!
[ Here comes a rabbit girl with a greataxe and a light shield, good luck V! ]
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V has no recourse. He could just try to evade her attacks, but there's only so long he can keep that up. For good or ill, he has his pride, and if he's going to get knocked onto his ass or worse, then at least he'll do so trying to put up a meager fight.
So yes, he's twisting his body to the side to try to shoulder in, striking as hard as he can manage at her light-shield. HE'S TRYING HIS BEST.]
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The thing is, in a fight, Juniper should be making herself easy to hit. She is meant to soak up damage, to be big and present to draw attention away from her teammates. And so her fighting style focuses on endurance, on how to soften the blows of those hits, and so almost by design, V's strike slips past the shield and bonks her on the head again. Which she's not surprised by this time, and she offers a little huff of amusement in kind. ]
Heh. You got me again!
[ In the same vein, Juniper's fighting style means she is strong and at such close quarters, it's easy to just overpower V. She catches V's cane by the hook of the axe's head and uses her brutish force to try and knock it out of his hand and to knock him off his feet so she can pin him down, haft held across his shoulders. As gently as she can manage. ]
Do you yield?
[ Cheerfully. ]
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And whatever's coming next is not something he could stop on his own, even if he wanted to. One moment, he's standing, and then the next? His cane's gone flying out of his hands and the ground is out from under his feet, his back slamming hard into the floor and the haft of her axe pressing down against his shoulders and collarbone.
Ow. He's a fragile sort, you know. Even though he's been knocked around by much worse, this still jostles the air out of him, and a moment passes as he gets his bearings and manages to say, breathy:]
Ha. Do I have a choice?
[He can't do much now!]
Yes, I yield. You win.
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[ Just because she had him pinned doesn't necessarily mean he couldn't have had another trick up his (tattoo) sleeve! But, oh... She probably didn't need to fully pin him, huh. Woops. She'll try to remember for next time, but at least she's quick to release him and then get back up to her feet so she can offer him a hand up. ]
That was a great spar, though. So refreshing! Thank you!
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He gutters in a breath once she unpins him, sitting up.]
It was enlightening, wasn't it? I should be thanking you for illuminating me.
[He takes her hand and hefts himself up to his feet, just a little wobbly. A little... sore. But it's fine.]
You hit very hard.
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[ Did he say that because of her light shield? Regardless, Juniper laughs brightly even as that magic fizzes out now that she's come down from her battle rage. Then, once they're both standing, she rests a steadying hand on his shoulder if he lets her. Just in case. ]
Oh, thank you! Hitting hard and getting hit hard is my specialty. [ t a n k ] You and your familiar got some nice hits in, too, though.
[ ... There sure is a bleeding gash on her arm from Shadow's last attack. ]
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And yes, he doesn't mind the touch. It's steadying and far less embarrassing than staggering around while his brain catches up with his body now standing upright.]
Ah... well.
[Shadow did get a hit in, didn't it? V notices properly that bleeding cut across her arm. It's a clean slice, at least.]
Maybe we should tend to that. [He gestures at it.]
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[ Once again: she forgot!? ]
There's probably a first aid kit around here somewhere, right? Or - do you have healing magic?
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[Spokenly bluntly, as he often is when he isn't being dramatic about something, but it's well-meaning. He shakes his head.]
I don't. [His skills have always been on the offensive side. More "kill them before they can kill you" type of deal.] But there must be a first-aid kit somewhere. What sort of house provides a training hall but not healing?
[One with a weird sense of humor, that's for sure.]
Let's go look. [With an effort... He walks, going over to pick up his cane first and foremost.] I'm sure we'll stumble across something to bandage you up.
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[ Apparently, being injured is not that important. It is simply a state of being... And it's not as if she was being very subtle about her forgetfulness, but still! She doesn't take any offense to how he points it out, though it is something she's a little embarrassed about sometimes, so she offers a nervous little laugh as she turns to return the greataxe to the weapon rack. ]
I can go looking for a kit myself, V!
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