V O I C E ★

[debtor]

[The voice on the other side of the tablet is young and vaguely male, and a little hesitant. Despite being here for months, this is is the first time he's actually tried posting to the network himself, and addressing a sizable, unseen audience, live, is somehow daunting. . . But he knows he needs to find someone, sooner rather than later, so:]

Er. Good afternoon! I'm wondering... if there is anyone here who is skilled with a sword, who would be willing to help train a beginner? I've a few months' practice already. And I don't require formal lessons, but I would appreciate a sparring partner. [ a pause, he clears his throat ]

But, if preferred, I could provide compensation for lessons...

[Though he'd rather not, it seems only prudent to offer. —And oh, right:]

Right, also, my sword is— a bit broad. And tall. And held with one hand? I don't know if that matters!

[He knows for a fact there are talented swordsmen here. One in particular comes to mind immediately, but he's not going to just ask him. And there's one or two others he could possibly wheedle lessons out of, but isn't it best to cast a wide net?

He's about to end the feed there, when he remembers one last thing: ]

And if it's all right, I have a question for those who use one of the Initiative's sentient weapons. ...How long did you train with it before it began to 'evolve'? Were the changes very drastic?

Thank you very much!

Comments

Voice

[wilder]

[Sure, he's probably just in the next room over but why move??]

...Wow. I don't know if I should be relieved or offended that you didn't ask me.

SHOUTING THROUGH THE WALL

[debtor]

I'm asking everyone!

[You're included HE SUPPOSES.]

[payback]

If someone named Ichimaru Gin offers do not say yes.

[debtor]

[ oh dear ]

May I ask why?

permaprivate; permavoice;

[wolfchild]

Not very long. Sort of.

[ yo. ]

ditto until further notice;

[debtor]

[SORRY WERE YOU SAYING SOMETHING]

—Miss Cat!? There you are! Are you all right??

voice;

[maskmaker]

-- One hand?! Wow, isn't that hard to wield? It sounds really heavy!

[spoilers: she will be absolutely unhelpful to you, Allen.]

voice;

[debtor]

[Oh. HAHA, maybe he should've been prepared for that sort of question.]

No - I mean, it looks heavy, but it isn't that bad! [Hardly feels like it weighs anything, in fact.]

voice

[maddeninghatter]

It doesn't matter how long or broad your sword is. Particularly if you don't know what you're doing. You'll just fumble around and get frustrated.

You're right to look for someone with experience.

voice

[debtor]

[ARE YOU—

oh my god. No! He's going to pretend he didn't hear those emphases.

Don't ruin swords, you gross old man.]

Yes, I know. That's why I'm asking.

voice

[blossomgale]

[ TALKS ON THE TABLET even if she's also next door or something ]

You could ask Asbel. He's skilled with a sword!

heading to her room!!

[debtor]

[Because he's not going to shout through the walls at Sophie and using the tablet when they're in the same apartment seems ridiculous.]

Asbel?

Do you think he'd like to spar?

voice;

[phaseshifts]

A sword.

[What's this...]

voice;

[debtor]

That's right.

[A GIANT SWORD. How do you like that! Are you trembling in your smelly hobo boots, Tyki Mikk?]

video;

[onehundredswords]

Ah, my weapon ain't really evolved too much. Shame honestly, considerin' it sounds pretty exciting...lemme know what the general consensus is on that when ya' get it, alright kid?

Maybe I'll give ya' one free spar outta it if ya' do.

voice;

[debtor]

Thank you, that's a generous offer. I'll keep you posted, sir.

[Is your name on the tablet, Gin. . .]

voice;

[recorden]

[ Here to voice exactly what you've been thinking! ]

You could've just asked Yu, y'know.

voice;

[debtor]

[IT'S KANDA, LAVI. KANDA!!]

I'd like to keep my options open!

voice.

[overclocking]

[... No way. Chrono's good with a sword--not an expert, by any means, but it's the weapon he's always defaulted to if he's using a weapon at all. But even he's never been crazy enough to wave one around one-handed.

... And this person sounds really young. Are they superhuman? Or maybe just crazy?]

You... you wield a broadsword with one hand?

voice.

[debtor]

[On the other end, Allen is struggling to figure out a way to answer this in a way that doesn't make him sound superhuman. Or insane.]

Well, yes-! Er, it's because I— [ rip my other arm off? ] have to wield it that way.

voice;

[retraced]

[He recognizes this kid's voice; the one who fought beside him in their failed battle to save someone's world. The one that he hadn't made the best first impression on. Though he still doesn't regret his actions, he still hasn't had a chance to explain himself. If he even wants an explanation, which he might not.

Really, he knows nothing about him aside from the fact that he'd been upset when Gilbert had shot that agent in front of them.]

Xerxes Break. [He answers, quietly.]

His personality is terrible, but he's the most skilled person that I know.

voice;

[debtor]

[Allen, likewise, recognizes this as the gentleman who shot at the UE's forces. But any enmity he might have felt towards Gilbert that day had been quickly swallowed up by despair at the deaths of billions of innocents; months later, it's hardly worth getting upset over what Gilbert might have done.

Though now he knows this is definitely that 'Gilbert' Break had been looking for back then. And a friend of Oz's, as well?]

Really? [ Why can't anyone with skill have a pleasant personality, just once...?

Still, NO ONE. NO ONE CAN BE WORSE THAN CROSS. ] Would he want to take on a student, do you think?

voice;

[ringwizard]

If you're just looking for a sparring partner, I can make some time. I don't know much about broadswords, mine are a little shorter, but I'm told I make a pretty entertaining training partner.

As far as evolving weapons--I enchanted a power I had before I came. I guess I saw some change after a couple of weeks of daily training? It depends on how much you use it, I think.

It didn't do anything drastic immediately, but it's gotten pretty amazing now.

voice;

[debtor]

Oh - thank you, sir! [An actual helpful person! Imagine that.]

That's quite all right, about your sword. I don't think I'd find anyone with one quite like mine. Whatever time is convenient for you, let me know!

And I suppose a few weeks sounds similar to how quickly mine began changing, as well. Have you been here long...?

[video]

[fraternize]

Tall and broad... and held with one hand. [he repeats, memory sharp and acute because he thinks of someone he hasn't seen in over a year (fang, now, a dear family member).]

...I'd be willing to help. Someone I know uses a sword like that and more often than not, we sparred together. [because there was no one else with enough skill to stand on par with him and beat him—

but he's not going to think too hard about that.]

[video]

[debtor]

[Color Allen surprised. He switches to video as well, to see who he's speaking to.]

Really? Thank you, sir! I would appreciate it.

You really know someone with that sort of sword? [ a pause; he figures there's no harm in checking: ] They're not here now, are they...?

voice

[gevurah]

One handed, huh.

voice

[debtor]

Hello, Miss Kane!

That's right. It's... er, a special type of sword.

video

[priad]

I can teach any sort of weapon you like, mortal.

voice

[debtor]

['Mortal'. . .]

To whom am I speaking?

voice;

[acemedium]

[From dolls to swards.... COMPENSATING FOR SOMETHING, ARE WE....]

Are you taking up swashbuckling or something?

voice;

[debtor]

[HE'S JUST

SO MANLY]

Hello, Miss Maya!

I don't know that it's swashbuckling. I'm learning how to fight with a sword, is all!

then a billion years later; also video sdkjf sorry feel free to ignore!!

[outliving]

[ Kanda hasn't been paying attention to the network; it's not surprising, really, and the fact that he is seeing this at all is attributed only to mistakenly opening his tablet at the apparently right moment.

There's his distinctive click of his tongue. Sparring huh? ] I'd gladly beat you again, Beansprout, if that's what you're asking for.

[ He wasn't, and he knew he wasn't, but that's alright. With a bit of a pause and some borderline indifferent consideration, he's continuing. ] It'll be good for you. [ It's unclear if he's referring to the beating he just threatened Allen with, or acknowledgement that the training itself was a good idea.

Safest bet to say it's both. ]

never 1/2

[debtor]

[SPEAK OF THE DEVIL. Lavi'd told him Kanda wouldn't ever check the network, and he'd almost believed it. Alas!

-Wait, are you issuing a challenge, Kanda?

Well, Allen's taking it like one.]

You never beat me, idiot! [Not in HIS timeline! ...yet, which means it doesn't count at all!!]