un: tigerpoet, video

[tigerpoet]

[It's Atsushi! Without his glasses, and with his hair pushed back, and looking 95% more grumpy than anyone has seen the 'usual' Atsushi, but it's definitely him.]

My other half told me that I need to make more friends. [Speech patterns are definitely Inner's, but it may come as a shock to anyone who hasn't met him yet.] I don't care, but if it'll satisfy him I'll ask.

People willing to be sparring partners preferred. No one too noisy or annoying. If the other Atsushis don't like you then I hate you already, so don't bother replying.

[This is how you friendship, right?]

Comments

[killercoat]

I will.

[It doesn't take long for Akutagawa to knock on the apartment door. He doesn't waste any time.]

[tigerpoet]

[Neither does Inner - when he answers the door, he already has his sword in hand. It's live steel, not a wooden sword like a sensible person would use for training.]

Come in.

[killercoat]

[ Real steel is fine, it'll be a disrespect to him if he decides to fight with a training sword. He enters, casts Inner a heated glare.]

You want to fight in here?

[It's not a problem to him, but he doesn't want to ruin Atsushi's---no, their apartment.]

[tigerpoet]

[Inner could not be less intimidated by that glare.]

We won't be interrupted that way.

[Otherwise someone might think they were actually trying to kill each other.]

[killercoat]

I see you've thought of everything.

[ Since, Inner already has a blade drawn, Akutagawa unleashes his weapon as well. His dark coat ripples with energy, before ribbon-like appendages, extend out from the fabric. They assume the form of claws and stretch forward in an attempt to grab for Inner.]

[tigerpoet]

[The thing about fabric is that it's pretty easy to cut, be it with scissors or a sword. Which is why Inner lashes out with his sword to try to slice the claws that are heading for him apart.]

[killercoat]

[This is no ordinary fabric though. Inner can cut through the claws, but the strands will start to mend. The fibers knitting together before his eyes, before pursuing their target once more.]

[tigerpoet]

Not a bad trick-

[It means the playing field is much more even. Atsushi stays on the defensive for now, warding off the tendrils with blows as fast as Akutagawa can send them. He's looking for an opening and a chance to get a solid slash in against Akutagawa himself.]

[killercoat]

[Inner's fast, which is good since he can hold up against his onslaught. Akutagawa doesn't let up. He summons more strips of fabric for each one Inner manages to parry with his sword. He alters the tips of the new set sharpening them to cut like a knife. It makes his sword vibrate when the hard material hits against his blade.]

I know you can do more than dodge.

[tigerpoet]

So impatient.

[He feels the vibration of Rashomon against his sword - against his soul. Thankfully his sword is made of sturdy stuff, even with the seemingly endless number of tendrils it beats back.

He dashes forward suddenly, trying to get a good slash at Akutagawa's knees. He's not holding back at all - it'll definitely draw blood if it connects.]

[killercoat]

[ Inner does manage a hit. Akutagawa's footing is off as he stumbles back stable because of his bleeding knees. Still, he's able to get Inner right where he wants him. Akutagawa focuses his tendrils on wrapping around his limbs at an attempt to immobilize the other man.]

[tigerpoet]

[Atsushi is stronger than any normal human, but not stronger than Rashomon, and the concentrated effort on holding him still succeeds. Unable to slice at the strands holding onto his sword arm, Atsushi tries biting them instead, though he has no idea if they can feel pain or not.]

Tch...

[killercoat]

[ No, it doesn't feel pain. So the biting is futile, but it is amusing to see the other man struggle. Akutagawa pulls at his restraints so they hold him more firmly. His knees are still searing from where the blade cuts them, but he ignores the pain. His body tense, ready for Inner to retaliate, if he can.]

Have I proven myself,then?

[tigerpoet]

...You pass.

[Tch. Atsushi hates losing, but it's more bearable if it's to someone he likes. Akutagawa doesn't qualify as that, at least not yet.]

I yield.

[killercoat]

[ Hearing that Inner yields, Akutagawa retracts his tendrils back into his coat. He starts to tend to his knees.]

It's been a long time since I fought against someone who doesn't hold back.

[tigerpoet]

[Inner holds out a hand - moonlacing is the quickest and most efficient way of healing, but this isn't like with him and Atsushi where they have sex after sparring.]

It'd be an insult to not give it my all.

[killercoat]

I'm glad you think so.

[ Akutagawa seems apprehensive at first, but after some debating, he does take Inner's hand. The warmth of moonlacing does soothe the burn.]

...You feel like him. I know, you're his split personality, but when I look at you, I only see a stranger.

[tigerpoet]

I've seen you through his eyes. He's fond of you.

[Outer might have some terrible taste.]

[killercoat]

[ He has to agree. Atsushi does have bad taste to be fond of him.]

It's a mistake, I'm sure. Though, I'm fond of him too.

[ Akutagawa feels it's okay to express this to Atsushi's other half. There's nothing to hide since Inner has seen every interaction he's had with Outer anyway.]

He's a good person, too generous, but extremely intelligent.

[tigerpoet]

He's soft. That's why he has me to take care of him.

[Inner will be first in line to shank somebody for Outer's sake.]

[killercoat]

[He's valid. Akutagawa won't shame anyone for shanking, anyway.]

And how do you do that? Do you come out whenever he's in distress?

[ Akutagawa is genuinely curious.]

[tigerpoet]

Yes. To protect him from anyone who would do him harm.

[It doesn't hurt that he likes fighting.]

[killercoat]

I see. That's comforting.

[ Akutagawa did worry about Outer since he was so nice. Even if the author was capable enough to defend himself, it's nice to know there's someone constantly there to watch his back.]

And what about you? Don't you want to come out more often than you do?

[Akutagawa still can't get over just meeting Inner now after all this time.]

[tigerpoet]

I don't have patience for dealing with fools. He can handle the socializing.

[...but Outer's been on him recently to at least try to take more time for himself, so he'll add, reluctantly:] I do like spars. And chocolate.

[killercoat]

Not everyone is a fool.

[ Akutagawa understands that way of thinking. There's never a short supply of idiots, and socializing can be a pain, but sometimes it was necessary to force yourself.]

I acknowledge that you have a fierce fighting spirit. Chocolate is good. I prefer it on the bitter side, myself. Are there other things that you like?

[ Since Inner is holding his hand, it's a good reason as any to strike up small talk.]