High Noon [Closed. Shizuo/Ame. ]

”Pretend huh?”

The notion of make-believe was amusing to Magnolia, not that she’d admit it. She stood her ground when hanako launched forward. Her golden eyes took in every last movement from beneath her hat. Hanako was like an arrow loosed from a bow, running headlong toward her enemy until she wasnt.

”Flashstep? “

The thought briefly crossed Magnolia’s mind before she noticed the faint flash of movement on her left. Hanako had done well to not attack straight on, it was commendable. Magnolia couldn’t help the devilish smile that blossomed upon her lips as she heard the cry that burst forth from Hanako’s lips. It was a war cry if there ever was one. There was such enthusiasm and emotion behind it.

’Still… I haven’t pushed her quite enough have i?’ The thought passed through Magnolia’s mind as her own fighting spirit couldn’t help but leak out. That wild warriors spirit of hers could be felt akin to the crackle of electricity across one's skin.

’Clang!’ The sound of blade on blade resounded as sparks blossomed forth from the colliding edges of hardened metal. Magnolia’s eyes briefly glanced at Hanako before she leveraged her strength to fling hanako and her blade backwards by brute forcing her sword-swing. The force behind it would be enough to launch hanako backwards like a cannon ball into a wall. Of course she could maneuver to avoid it, but none the less after that single action a devilish little giggle escaped Magnolia’s lips all the same.

”Is it my turn?”

Her voice dripped with bemusement as bloodlust leaked out of each syllable uttered from her mouth. Her right scimitar was leveled to point at hanako, while faint blue strands of reishi began to billow across the surface of her skin, tiny arcs of electricity jumping from her skin to the ground, causing the faintest scent of ozone to charr the air. Pure oppression exuded from every fibre of magnolia’s being as she let the full extent of her will and intent cascade into the world around her. While of course this wasn’t accompanied with the usual crushing weight of her reiatsu which was still being monitored, it would still be something frightening to deal with.

The smile on her lips was no longer a thing of beauty. It was the grin of a beast, one that was intent on ravaging the world. Now, of course she’d never harm her newest squadmember, but.. She had to push her a little bit right?





.

Hanako's expectations had been just on point. A flash step on her level wasn't even remotely enough to fool Magnolia. She felt the impact in her whole body when the lieutenant parried. Sparks flew and for the fraction of a second the eyes of the two women met. Then mAgnolia forced Hanako and her sword back with a swing of brutal strength. She was launched back and Magnolia could see the surprise on her face. For a moment, Hanako had no control of her 'flight attitude' and her sword was almost jerked out of her hand. Only in the last possible moment she managed to turn in a way that her back hit the walk, not her head.

Hanako hit a wall, in the most literal way possible. It forced the air out of her lungs. For a brief moment her vision went black, but it was only the moment of the impact. Dust flowed up like a veil between the two women, shielding them from each others eyesight, at least for a few seconds. Hanako sank on one knee. That had been brutal. Her body ached, but she hadn't been unconscious. When she looked over her shoulder, a fierce sense of satisfaction drove away some of the pain: a small crater had formed in the wall, where Hanako had impacted. So, at least she was sturdier than a bunch of bricks, that had to be worth something.

When the dust had settled after a few seconds and Hanako looked at Magnolia again, she looked at the tip of her right scimitar. Small lightings crept over Magnolias body and she very much reminded Hanako of a tiger, deciding to play a little more with it's prey before dinner time. It wasn't even so much her spiritual pressure, she still kept that in check, or Hana wouldn't even be able to kneel. But this woman there was dangerous. Lethally dangerous. It was frightening. Yes, Hanako felt it in her gut.

'No, no, that can't be it…' she thought. But she felt how it grasped her heart with an ice cold hand and squeezed. She had not a chance in hell to win this. If Magnolia wanted she could snuff Hana out in a heartbeat and both of them knew it.

Only a moment after fear reared it's ugly head in Hanako's mind, selfloathing and defiance made an entrance. Was that all? She attacked with all she got and ended up in a wall. Pathetic.

No, no, nononono! Not now! This wasn't right! She wouldn't give up because of a little bit of pain! She knew that she was so far outclassed as it could ever be, and yet she willingly got into this fight. Don't back down, or she would hate herself for it.

The emotional storm didn't last longer than half a heartbeat, but when it was over, or at least subsided, a new resolve sparkled in her eyes. She had changed so much in such a short time and she was willing to change further, even if she wouldn't recognize herself some day. Even if it meant pain and tears. One of these changes was that had found a new love for the thrill of fighting. She felt so alive when she had her sword in hand. It grew inside her still, but Hanako knew already that it was right.

She bowed her head, eyes on the ground, as if she forfeited or waited for Magnolia's turn, but she was only gathering her strength. Without warning she launched herself towards Magnolia's scimitar, sword raised, as if she had lost it and threw herself right into the blade of her lieutenant. Shortly before she reached Magnolia she flash-stepped again, as if she wanted to repeat the same attack pattern as before. Only this time she didn't. This time she really launched herself straight at Magnolia...or almost.

Her flashstep would carry her the short distance right next to Magnolia's arm, on her outside, where she'd use her raised sword's flat side to push the scimitar to the side with a short smack and then attack in the same motion.