open | spring into the new season

[complementing]

WHO: Minako Arisato and you!
WHERE: Peach Beach
WHEN: Most of the month in the evenings.
WHAT: Sparring! Come blow off some steam and get some training in with Minako, or ask for a dragon ride in the sky!
WARNINGS: Persona 3 gunshots to the head, but nothing other than that.

[A new Persona means new skills to practice and master, which means Minako is back on the beach and at it again.

Sometimes you'll see her with one of three dragons, surfing on their backs over the water or flying high into the air. Other times, she'll be trying (and failing) to dual wield two spears. But most of the time, she'll be with a golden bird, who is creating bright flashes of light on the ground. Upon closer inspection, it looks like the bird is creating seals of some kind...better not get too close, or else you'll find yourself knocked out for a while.

Whether you happen to walk along the beach at this time, or prearranged a meeting with her, you're welcome to join her and get a work out in.]

Comments

4/7

[destiny_key]

[Sora's nervous, to be honest. It's been months since he's so much as used his keyblade, not to mention any sort of sparring or practice. When was the last time he went to the Fight Club? January, maybe?

But this is Minako, and he knows she'd never hurt him. When it's just the two of them, he feels less nervous, like he can actually try without all those eyes watching him. This will be good for him.

Walking up the beach, it's pretty easy for Sora to spot his cousin, alone on the sand. It's still much too cold for swimming, and too early in the year for tourists to be here, so they have the area to themselves.]

Minako!

[complementing]

[She pauses in the middle of a lunge, sticking her spears into the sand blades down to give him a hug as soon as he gets close.]

Hi Sora! [And then, diving right into it:] So how do you wanna do this? I could go on the attack or the defensive, depending on what you want to practice.

[destiny_key]

Oh, well, um...

[He didn't have much of a plan, if he's honest. Sora was just sort of hoping Minako would know what to do, how to train him, but maybe that was a bit silly; his cousin didn't use swords much, after all.

In the end, he just sort of shrugs and smiles awkwardly.]

I'm okay with either, I guess?

[complementing]

[Hmmm. She doesn't mind setting the pace, but she would've thought Sora had a better idea of what he'd want to do. Minako thinks for a moment.]

Alright. I'll go on the attack, and you can go on the defensive.

[It looks like he's still hesitant with his swordplay, so better that he knows how to protect himself than have him focus on taking out his opponent.]

Show me your stance?

[fiddlestick]

[ Elliot was diligent about his own training, so it was only a matter of time before he came across Minako on the beach. He's wearing a raincoat, rainboots, and has his staff with him. But when he sees Minako practicing, he'll take a moment to watch. He's seen a lot of Personas, but hers were always impressive. ]

What a beautiful bird...

[complementing]

[Oh no, Elliot in a raincoat and boots is an adorable sight. One that Horus alerts Minako to, the woman turning as she raises her hand to let the hawk land on her wrist.]

Elliot, meet Horus. Horus, meet Elliot. [She smiles.] Kind of weird to get him and have Seth, but what can a girl do.

[fiddlestick]

[Aw dang, that's so cool that he landed on her wrist like that. Minako is so cool!!!]

Oh! Nice to meet you Horus! [He has to think for a moment- oh right, Egyptian mythology] Haha, they don't fight all the time do they?

[complementing]

[Her Personas exist only for making her look cool tbh.]

They can get pretty bad. But there's so many Personas in here that I've learned how to ignore them until I need them.

[She touches her chest with her free hand, over her heart.]

You're practicing your magic here too, I take it?

[mincingminuet]

[Penelope isn't really sure this is the best idea, not now that she's down on the beach, but Minako had said she could use someone to blow off steam with. The bird tugs at her thoughts as she trots down the beach, but that's not really why she's here. It's certainly cool, though.

The spear held in her grip grows a little heavier as she slows, looking her friend up and down. She's quite different like this...not exactly imposing, but more serious somehow.]

Sure you want to practice like this?

[Pen plants her spearbutt in the sand, her leather armor creaking with the motion.]

I don't mind, but you don't exactly have armor.

[complementing]

[She laughs wryly, gesturing to her animal print leggings.]

Nothing as nice as yours, no...but these are supposed to be armor, if you can believe it. Oh, and--

[She walks over to where her bag is, yanking out a dark colored mantle and swinging it around her shoulders.]

This, too.

[mincingminuet]

I mean, if you're sure.

[Pen whirls her spear around in her hands, the weapon spinning through a series of complex arcs, a show routine more than anything useful. The enchanted armor could stop bullets, she'd discovered, and when she wore it she felt...different. Braver, somehow.]

Rules wise, I think I'd prefer to leave my summons and yours out if we can. Because despite Tons's looks, he gets a lot stronger and more ferocious the more tired or hurt I am.

[There is a reason Freya's afraid of him.]

[complementing]

Agreed.

[It seems sort of like missing the point of sparring, if they were to use summons. And if you asked Minako, she would count Pen's summons as the stronger between the two of them anyways.]

On three, then?

[matchbreaker]

[ I mean idk if Minako would have invited her so really this can be a chance encounter or an invitation but either way... Elda's taking this moment to actually test something. She's been noticing she's been able to get the jump on a lot of people. Ever since this body became (mostly) a vampire's, her footsteps have been almost supernaturally silent. And she wonders if she can manage it on sand.

So in the darkness of the night, the small woman intends to sneak up behind Minako with silent footsteps and then quickly poke her in the back.

That is her intention. ]

1/2

[complementing]

[Uh, hope you're okay with getting a spear pointed in your face, Elda. Minako's eyes don't glow, but in the moonlight, the red pops against her pale skin, making her look like a vengeful ghost or wraith, hair strewn around her shoulders and lips ready to snarl at her opponent.]

[complementing]

And then it's wiped clean off her face, shock replacing it when she realizes who it is.]

Elda! Oh my god, I almost impaled your face--

[matchbreaker]

[ Well I mean, the fact of the matter is that Elda's way stronger than minako is, physically. So when that spear comes at her, she's surprised, but her eyes turn cat-like and she's leapt a half-step backwards before it actually gets too close to her. And when she does, she does have her hair standing on end!

But... ]

Oh, drat! No, no, that's my bad!

[ Did she see her? No, it's dark out...? Hear her...? But her footsteps are silent... maybe it's not as much silent on the sand? ]

[complementing]

[Minako takes a second to calm down, sticking her spear into the sand and sighing over her knees.]

I thought I sensed someone coming, but then you gave me that poke [right over her werewolf scars?!] and then I just went on autopilot...you okay?

Near the end of the month

[deathboss]

[After his awakening, Michel had wanted to practice as well and had heard that Minato did this here. However once he got there, a guitar case strapped to his back he felt really out of his element. Was this a good idea?]

Hey!

[He waved from his side, before looking at her, confused.]

Two spears? Where those your weapons in your other life?

[complementing]

[She finishes a clumsy cross sweep in front of her before glancing over, smiling in welcome. She sticks the two spears into the sand and wipes her face with her sleeve.]

Polearms in general. And I only used one in my other life, but I thought I'd give dual wielding a try. It's not going so well so far. [A tilt of her head at the guitar case.] Come here to practice?

[deathboss]

Well honestly dual wielding polearms I...don't think I've even seen a video game character do it. So that's pretty awesome!

[Damn, he has a lot of catching up to do at this point.]

Yeah! I figured practicing might help me with my Persona. And I also got this!

[A guitar case. Wow.]

[complementing]

Wait for me to actually master it before you say that... [But she laughs, walking over and leaning in to inspect the guitar case.] Yeah, that's what I meant, did you come here to practice your guitar playing on the side?

BUSTS IN LATE

[reaquila]

[That golden bird is really pretty. Nanashi can sense some kind of magical power emitting from it. He wonders if it's a spirit from another dimension. ]

Minako!! Is that a friend of yours?

[You know he'd be concerned if it wasn't an ally. It doesn't appear to be like one of those aggressive monsters. It's different somehow.]

[complementing]

[Minako smiles as she turns, the golden bird still circling overhead and keening softly.]

Hello, Nanashi. Yes, this is my friend Horus. We're practicing some spells right now.

[reaquila]

Horus looks really freaking cool.

[He's honestly impressed. Minako's got some incredible powers.]

I'm sensing spiritual energy coming from your buddy over there. What's their deal? Do you know them from your past life?

[complementing]

[She blinks at him.]

I was a summoner in my past life-- but more importantly, you can sense spiritual energy?

[At least, she thinks it's more important.]