[audio]

[hollowchild]

[when the audio comes on, there's about a minute of nothing but ambient street noise--the sound of people on a sidewalk, snatches of conversation. once or twice there's the sound of an indrawn breath, like the preparation to speak, but it's not followed by any words. sophie had turned on her feed impulsively, and then realized that it was actually necessary to say something. finally, she decides:]

I'm feeling restless tonight. If anyone is up for a spar, I'll be at the Arena.

Comments

( video )

[conquering]

[ 'I'm feeling restless tonight', she says and morgana would smirk and say that for them it is a constant thing, an ease they cannot quite achieve when day become night and sleep becomes a tricky friend. still, she lays down her book ('the prince', again; she is quite fond of it) and grants her more than just her full attention ]

I will be meeting you then, there.

[audio --> action]

[hollowchild]

Then I shall see you shortly.

[morgana will find her there in the arena, occupying herself with a practice dummy that she is gradually but systematically destroying with two blades of shadow that she wields like swords. her hair is braided tightly back and she's barefoot, stripped down to a sleeveless shirt and pants.]

[action]

[conquering]

You will cut your feet.

[ morgana herself is in breeches and a dark tunic, hair pulled up and morgause's bracelet still on her wrist. she walks forward, a smile lingering on her lips, watches the blades as they go. ]

impressive.

[action]

[hollowchild]

[sophie's smile is the only obvious acknowledgment of morgana for a moment; her swords don't break their rhythm]

I prefer being barefoot. It's nice, being in contact with the ground.

[in her hands, the blades of shadow change, and she spins, slashing, and the dummy falls to pieces]

They're very simple, in truth. One of the first things I figured out, blades. Shadow can be incredibly sharp.

[they fade away to nothing, and she turns and faces morgana, smiles]

Hello, Morgana.

[action]

[conquering]

I prefer metal. silver, iron, gold -

[ she grins, sits down to take off her boots; all pale skin and slender fingers. when she stands again, she is as barefoot as sophie is and her smile is easier. ]

for all my magic, I still love metal. Hello, Sophie.

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

Any particular reason for the restlessness?

[Video]

[hollowchild]

[she flicks her video on to answer, although she's still walking, so the feed isn't the smoothest and the angle's a bit off]

A few. Some people left, some things are difficult. I'd rather unpent my frustrations before they get ridiculous, and perhaps if I tire myself enough I'll sleep.

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

Ah, yes, I see. I can't remember; do you know how to handle a sword? It's been a long time since I tried sparring with one, but I could give it a go.

[Video]

[hollowchild]

I do, yes, and there are no lack of practice blades at the Arena.

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

Well, then, I'll be right over.

[Voice]

[hadbadays]

What sort of spar?

[Voice]

[hollowchild]

I fight hand-to-hand, with swords, and with my shadows. The former would best suit, if you're interested.

[and she has to admit she's curious what john has up his very unassuming sleeves]

[Voice]

[hadbadays]

It would, yes. Definitely interested.

[Voice]

[hollowchild]

I'll be at the Arena for awhile yet.

[Voice -> Action]

[hadbadays]

I'll come by soon.

[ Soon meaning an hour after he ends the feed. When he's not storming out out of annoyance or principle or just needing a break right away, he likes taking his time to check on everything. But he shows up, he does. ]

Hullo.

[action]

[felttheburn]

[he just shows up. ash in tow, of course, but they seem more comfortable letting go of each others' hands when ash drifts off to the side to sit.]

[action]

[hollowchild]

[well that's new and interesting. she waves a greeting to ash, noting that he sits down in a place that's still within sight of most everywhere in the room, but even still, that's quite different. her eyes flick between them and she tilts her head a bit at kieran, but that's as close as she comes to making it a question]

Hello, Kieran. Taking me up on my offer?

Re: [action]

[felttheburn]

[kieran very casually straightens his necklace -- a bullet on a chain, which sophie can see is etched and inked with runes. that might explain why they seem comfortable letting go of each other.]

Yeah. Before meeting your boss, I figured.

[what he doesn't seem entirely comfortable with yet is pulling strings.]

[action]

[hollowchild]

[she doesn't know runes, but a flick of her eyes to the side reveals that ash is wearing an identical chain, and yes, that does fill in the blanks significantly. she nods]

All right. It would be good if you could tell her what you've achieved on your own.

What do you want to do, exactly?

Re: [action]

[felttheburn]

Casual spar. I want to try and stop your hits, maybe you could build them up. If you can stay willing enough, since this Talent is fucking pathetic.

[he's clearly trying to hold himself in that I SWEAR I'M NOT DANGEROUS way. it's still unconvincing, but he does appear genuine about intent.]

[LATER]

[daddyissues]

[connor comes by a little later, his bag hanging heavy on his shoulder]

Anybody worth fighting tonight?

[LATER]

[hollowchild]

[there's hair that's fallen loose from sophie's braid and she looks like she's been working hard, but she also looks much calmer than she'd sounded on the network]

An interesting cast of characters. Kind of surprising, actually.

Did you come to spar?

Re: [LATER]

[daddyissues]

I came just to be here. I can spar, I can watch, I can hold a form for someone... whatever.

[he lets his bag down, reaching into it for a bottle of water and tossing that to her]

[hollowchild]

[she catches the bottle and takes a sip]

...actually, I want to try something with you, then. Isaac and I were experimenting the other day, and we figured out that you can pass a shadow to someone else. Taking one of my animals and feeling the shape of it helped him make a more accurate one, when he tried.

[daddyissues]

Huh. That's a really good idea, actually.