Quest 01 (Open)

[newmemorywhodis]

i. Flotsam: Scouting from the sails
In any new place, Link's first instinct is always to go up. Get high, get somewhere he can see, and then paraglide to the next point of interest. Well, with no paraglider, he couldn't do the last part. But he could do the rest.

So Link will just casually climb up the mast of whatever ship he happens to be on. If there's a ladder, he'll use it. But if there isn't, he'll find a way to scamper up anyway. From there, he'll perch on the edge of the sails, looking out over the armada of ships that make up the Flotsam.

And if you don't spot him when it's up or - or feel like braving the heights to join him - well, he's gotta come down sometime. He might drop down next to you.

ii. Flotsam: Floating markets
Link can't afford anything here, but already he loves this place.

He's already mentally making a long list of things he wants to buy - that wickedly long spear! That exotic spice! The weird glowing rock that would probably be useful somehow! But it's the clothes shops that Link ends up spending the most time in. Something with a bit of protection would be best, but he can't help but also be drawn to some more decorative options. Like that nice flowy white blouse, that reminds him of the Gerudo style...

iii. Flotsam and/or the Vault: Sword practice
On the deck of one of the ships - or sometimes in the Vault's armoury, if he's feeling like a change of scenery - Link finds runs through a sequence of sword forms. They're smooth and practiced, leaving no openings or visible weaknesses in form. It's clear from the way he moves that these movements have been ingrained over many, many years.

When the sequence comes to an end, he lists up his sword and looks at it. It's not the Sword that Seals the Darkness. It's not even comparable to most of his other weapons. But it's serviceable enough. Link can fight with a stick if he has to - he can certainly make do with this.

Comments

[lyorning]

Aerich deflects the blow with a dagger. Inwardly he registers that he needs more distance, and steps back, trying to keep Link at a greater range.

[newmemorywhodis]

A dagger's a difficult weapon to wield against a sword, even if it's a secondary weapon; the reach is so much smaller that it's hard to get a strike in. It's not the kind of weapon that Link favours, but he's certainly not above exploiting its weaknesses.

So while Aerich moves back, Link presses forward - while keeping on the side of the arm that's wielding the dagger rather than the sword, so that Link can use his own sword's reach to bring in another strike.

[lyorning]

Aerich is trained, but he chose to practice because he is not used to fighting people shorter than he is, and it shows. Typically, his style is to defend until he can get a final blow in -- here, one that would signal the end of the match -- but he's having trouble bringing his own sword to bear without getting some distance.

He shifts to a different, less familiar stance to use things he has observed in other styles, and starts to get a bit more aggressive, trying to force Link to defend against both blades.

[newmemorywhodis]

Meanwhile, Link's used to everyone being taller than he is. He's got more than enough practice at using his height to his advantage.

But he'a also used to fighting with a shield, and right now he doesn't have one. He can get by without it, but it does limit his defensive options. So as Aerich's moves become more aggressive, Link shifts his own tactics - moving back to circle at a distance.

He can't block - but if he can watch Aerich closely, and dodge his attacks at just the right moment...

[lyorning]

It is unfamiliar enough a style that Aerich overextends, leaving himself open to a follow-up as Link dodges out of the way.

[newmemorywhodis]

There.

That's the moment Link needs, and he doesn't waste it. At just the right moment, Link dodges - and then everything slows down.

Although what Aerich will see is that Link suddenly is moving very, very fast. No more than a second goes by, and yet in that time Link manages to get in at least five strikes. And then the moment passes, and Link is moving at a normal speed once more.

[lyorning]

That was... unexpected. The blows land, thankfully in a way that wasn't going to leave more than bruises, and Aerich called out. "Yield. I am bested."

That was far quicker than he had seen most people move.

[newmemorywhodis]

Link might have been trying to win, but he hadn't been wanting to hurt Aerich. He'd made sure none of the strikes were anything that would do real damage.

But now that Aerich has yielding, Link pauses. Gives Aerich a nod of acknowledgement, and sheathes his sword on his back.

"You over-extended," he says. Without that, Link might not have been able to dodge.

[lyorning]

Aerich sheathes his own blades, after a brief check that they were clean and undamaged. He nods in acknowledgement. "I was attempted an unfamiliar style. And you are quite accomplished."

[newmemorywhodis]

Link nods. Yes, he is accomplished. It's not a matter of ego, just simple fact.

"Need more practice," Link suggests. Aerich certainly had been capable, just not quite polished enough for what he was trying to do.

[lyorning]

"Yes. Though I shall practice techniques I do have mastered, against smaller opponents first."

It would mean less need to improvise.

[newmemorywhodis]

Link looks at Aerich, head cocked to one side.

"...Try again?" he suggests. Perhaps Aerich would like another go, while using more familiar techniques.

And...maybe Link should go a little easier on him.

"I won't flurry rush," he promises.

[lyorning]

Aerich nodded, drawing his sword again. "If I had my vambraces, why, I would feel more comfortable."

[newmemorywhodis]

Link hums, a soft sound of agreement.

"Haven't got a shield," he adds. Which he didn't need to fight. And for any two-handed weapons, wasn't possible to use anyway. But usually when wielding a one-handed weapon - like he was at the moment - Link very much preferred to have a shield.

Although, he could always try picking up a pot lid somewhere...

[lyorning]

"Shall we continue this play, then?" This time, Aerich was going to just focus on his defense and basic forms, rather than worry about winning the engagement.

[newmemorywhodis]

Link nods, and once again raises his sword and faces off Aerich.

This time, though, Aerich won't need to worry about Link moving faster than humanly possible.


[[ooc: shall we wrap up here, and assume they keep practicing / sparring off each other a while? We could also timeskip if we want them to talk afterwards]]

[lyorning]

[Wrapping up is fine wiht me!]