True, that is something to be proud of...even if I did score the first hits.
[But he knows, a solid hit is more significant than just knocking someone off balance or giving them a mild jolt. Really, it's exciting...there's a thrill to having a sparring partner who can really push him. Is that also why his rivalry with Joe ended up meaning so much to him?
He pushes that thought aside before it can distract him from the now and regards those swords carefully. They look like they're only half real, so they can't be as sturdy as his...but better to test before counting on it. He waves his hand, and another sword materializes and hurtles toward Vergil.]
[ Vergil feels a similar thrill. It's not that Dante doesn't push him, but they're even in skill - fighting Alastor was different. It pushes him to think things through in new ways, something which he appreciates.
The only problem with this fight is he has genuine reason to fear for his life for once. He doesn't think Alastor will push past a certain point, but there's always mistakes and screwups. Now that it's truly sinking in who he's fighting, he's becoming a little more cautious with his moves. It throws him off.
So while he tries to parry the sword away with one of the magical swords, it instantly breaks and the sword gets through to his defenses. He can't move away fast enough, and it penetrates him through the shoulder. ]
Ah.
[ He reaches to pull it out, then finds it disappears before he can do so. Interesting. ]
[He could have left it in place, but then Vergil might have had time to use it against him, with how fast he is. Better not to take the chance for the couple seconds it would take for Vergil to remove the projectile on his own.
But this is confirmation, Vergil's summoned swords aren't as durable as the real thing. Useful to know, as it gives him the confidence to close in with a swipe of his sword at the conjured barrier.]
Do you happen to know anyone who could help me with that?
[ Vergil is asking this pointedly. It's difficult for him to ask for help outright, and that's showing now. He's used to recruiting servants, not having a mentor.
As for the conjured barrier, it breaks from the swipe, but Vergil is ready. He greets Alastor with a move stolen from Dante - the fist that's clutched around the sword hilt is thrown at the demon's face. ]
[That catches him by surprise and knocks him a few feet back through the air. It leaves a momentary bruise, but that fades even as he rubs at his cheek.]
Heh...I've already agreed to give Dante magic lessons, so why not? It'd be a shame to let either of your talent fall short of its potential. But first, you'll have to avoid ending up on a stretcher.
[He uses the distance to his advantage to charge head first in a spinning tackle, taking advantage of both his preternatural speed and the curved horns that arch over the top of his head.]
Does this count as a contract? What do I owe you in return?
[ Vergil's heard something of Alastor's fondness for cambion blood from Dante, and he'd be fine offering that. But he imagines it'd be something even more pricey, for something like this. He tries to sidestep the tackle but he's not quite fast enough, and the horns catch him on the side, tearing a long gash. ]
...
[ He attempts to bring the hilt of his sword down on Alastor's head. ]
[The hilt strikes him, though the spin of his charge mitigates the impact. It also leaves him disoriented when he pulls out of it, however, and he has to take a precious few seconds to glance over the current state of the battlefield.]
In Dante's case, we made it an apprenticeship...that's how I got him to actually pull his weight on the housework. But for you...you strike me as the studious sort. How about knowledge for knowledge? Help me catch up with history over the past say, oh, two-thousand years?
[ So that's how. Vergil has to admit he's entertained by the idea of forcing Dante to do chores to learn, both of which are things he hates. But he has no time to laugh, as he needs to try to grab a foot-hold. He summons another magical sword, grabs it with his other hand, and swings it towards Alastor's chest. ]
I do happen to have an apartment full of books about the very subject.
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no subject
[But he knows, a solid hit is more significant than just knocking someone off balance or giving them a mild jolt. Really, it's exciting...there's a thrill to having a sparring partner who can really push him. Is that also why his rivalry with Joe ended up meaning so much to him?
He pushes that thought aside before it can distract him from the now and regards those swords carefully. They look like they're only half real, so they can't be as sturdy as his...but better to test before counting on it. He waves his hand, and another sword materializes and hurtles toward Vergil.]
no subject
The only problem with this fight is he has genuine reason to fear for his life for once. He doesn't think Alastor will push past a certain point, but there's always mistakes and screwups. Now that it's truly sinking in who he's fighting, he's becoming a little more cautious with his moves. It throws him off.
So while he tries to parry the sword away with one of the magical swords, it instantly breaks and the sword gets through to his defenses. He can't move away fast enough, and it penetrates him through the shoulder. ]
Ah.
[ He reaches to pull it out, then finds it disappears before he can do so. Interesting. ]
One for you.
no subject
But this is confirmation, Vergil's summoned swords aren't as durable as the real thing. Useful to know, as it gives him the confidence to close in with a swipe of his sword at the conjured barrier.]
Guess you need to work on your conjuration.
no subject
[ Vergil is asking this pointedly. It's difficult for him to ask for help outright, and that's showing now. He's used to recruiting servants, not having a mentor.
As for the conjured barrier, it breaks from the swipe, but Vergil is ready. He greets Alastor with a move stolen from Dante - the fist that's clutched around the sword hilt is thrown at the demon's face. ]
no subject
Heh...I've already agreed to give Dante magic lessons, so why not? It'd be a shame to let either of your talent fall short of its potential. But first, you'll have to avoid ending up on a stretcher.
[He uses the distance to his advantage to charge head first in a spinning tackle, taking advantage of both his preternatural speed and the curved horns that arch over the top of his head.]
no subject
[ Vergil's heard something of Alastor's fondness for cambion blood from Dante, and he'd be fine offering that. But he imagines it'd be something even more pricey, for something like this. He tries to sidestep the tackle but he's not quite fast enough, and the horns catch him on the side, tearing a long gash. ]
...
[ He attempts to bring the hilt of his sword down on Alastor's head. ]
no subject
In Dante's case, we made it an apprenticeship...that's how I got him to actually pull his weight on the housework. But for you...you strike me as the studious sort. How about knowledge for knowledge? Help me catch up with history over the past say, oh, two-thousand years?
no subject
I do happen to have an apartment full of books about the very subject.