dissonates | [Voice / Action]

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[Voice / Action]

I need to speak with one of the Malnosso.

[Today, Asch is all over the place. First to the plaza, to check the item bazaar for a few things; next, to the north edge of the village, above the houses, his favourite spot to ~~blow shit up~~ practice his fonic artes; finally, to the opposite edge, sword practice against the targets inside the barracks. He's gotten so restless since Luke's disappearance and he needs to stay on the move to avoid going crazy.

Feel free to bother him at any of those locations or even en route; he could use some socializing.]

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I know how to use a sword. [Asch glances back pointedly as he says the word, his own blade rising, obviously smaller than Cloud's. Trying to cart around a broadsword that massive would look ridiculous- even the Key of Lorelei is too big for effective use, in his opinion. His Maestro sword suits him much better.]

I have to use swords like this. [He's not sure why, but all his "techniques" and everything- and Zack's memory. ...even though he's alive. ...and he's not using the Buster anymore.]

They work fine. [So don't give it that look.]

You can use whatever you want, I don't care. But if your claim to success is "I'm not dead yet", I can't really help but question your logic.

Might be a good idea to keep your opinion to yourself if you don't know what you're talking about.

I did, until you asked me. [If you want to be left alone, don't continue a conversation, dude.]

I didn't ask you about how sound you thought my logic was. I asked if you knew how to use a sword like this.

[Asch narrows his eyes for a moment, then chooses his usual tactic of "/brb ignoring everything" by turning away again, going back to his drills with irritated yet methodical skill.]

Guess that's a "no."

[OH MY GOD WHY HE IS STILL-] Do I look like someone who could use a sword that ridiculous?

Definitely don't. [Cloud's usually not this argumentative.

...well, he used to be. When he was crazy and thought he was The Shit.]

[Oi, was that a jab at his size?] I could say the same about you. [Except you're defying physics by lifting that thing with your scrawny twig arms.]

Luckily I have proof.

[Cloud eyes Asch's Maestro sword critically. Sure, it's probably easier to maneuver with, but it wasn't as if the broadswords he used were heavy. And they always worked fine against smaller blades.

Yeah. He could totally take him. ~~Despite the fact that he's injured and he's using an unfamiliar weapon right now.~~]

Good for you. [Just. Dripping sarcasm. And just why is he looking at Asch like that...? He's getting a little on edge again.]

[Yeah, totally not impressive.

...but...if he could use a smaller sword... Well, the broadswords weren't exactly a strain to use, but they were heavier. If he could use something lighter, he might get a lot faster, and Cloud knows he's decently speedy. He heads over to the weapons rack to check out the lighter swords.]

[Asch blinks at that, surprised; he hadn't expected Cloud to actually concede on the issue. Is he actually going to try something more reasonable?]

[Maybe it's time to stop living as a legacy and start living as Cloud.

Cloud hesitates though; guh. It's one thing to make a decision like that and another to voice it to a person that's just so...disagreeable. But it's obvious he knows what he's doing...

Cloud selects a blade -it's probably obvious he didn't put a lot of thought into what kind it was- and half-turns to speak over his shoulder -because he can't FACE him, obviously.] ...will you teach me how to use this?

[Asch pauses at that; the most he remembers from Cloud is the attitude, how obnoxious he'd been about the whole Zack fiasco. His first instinct is to just say to hell with it- he's not the only one who knows how to use a regular-sized broadsword. People who are less likely to explode.

....Hm.]

Will you listen to me if I try?

[Cloud bites back the urge to roll his eyes and point out that he wouldn't have asked otherwise.

Be nice, Cloud. Be an adult.] I'll do my best.

[Yeah, be the adult. One of you has to be.]

...Fine. Come here. [He turns back to the training dummy he'd been beating on and kicking over the remains of it. One down.]

[This may have been a mistake.

Cloud heads over and refrains from rubbing his forehead in agitation. The sword feels way too light in his hand, and he sets Edward's broadsword out of the way, against the wall.]

[Lovely, Asch has an extremely reluctant student! This should end well.

He turns to face Cloud once he's found a suitable dummy to move on to, lifting his sword to point it at Cloud.]

Show me what you know first.

[Oh, this should be interesting.

Cloud looks down at the sword in his hand; turns it a few times in a futile attempt to get used to the weight of it. Then looks back at Asch and goes for a simple slash...only he didn't check himself nearly enough so it's fast and hard enough to actually throw him off balance.]

[And Asch learns a new definition of "excessive force" as Cloud SENDS HIM FLYING.]

[Okay his instructor being an obnoxious jerk aside, Cloud really hadn't meant to do that. So after her regains his balance he jogs over there to...he doesn't even know, help him back up?]

Sorry-! I'm sorry. Seriously. I really didn't mean to do that, I'm used to...really heavy, like a lot heavier swords, I didn't think I swung that hard...

[It takes Asch a moment or two to sit up, mostly because, while lying flat on his back, he has to try and figure out what the hell just happened. He'd braced himself for the sort of strength it must take to swing a sword that size. He hadn't braced himself for that.

Sitting up and working on getting back on his feet (ow ow), he tries not to look surprised, because hello, letting his guard down even more than he already has?]

What... the hell?

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