Ninjas and Lancers and Dragons, oh my

[brbwalking]

[ there are very few things that can break through Judith's cool, but she's very, very protective of her former home. Mt. Temza was not meant to be intruded upon, especially when she knew there were still people who desired the Entelexeia. She'd never once forgotten that Ba'ul was constantly at risk.

And it's why she's fighting so fiercely now, fighting to kill if he persists, where she might otherwise find joy in a good challenge. Her method of fighting isn't fair. She aims to knock her opponent to the side, to leave lasting injuries, to evade and flip and gouge and slash-- but he's fast, feral, and she hasn't stayed unharmed from this encounter. Truth be told, she's bleeding rather heavily down one arm, another injury dripping into one eye from a gash beneath her bangs. ]

... I won't say it again.

[ she pauses to catch her breath. ]

Leave.

Comments

[brbwalking]

[ funnily enough, she doesn't believe him. ]

You're trespassing either way.

[monkeyjump]

You are master of this land?

[brbwalking]

I am.

[ the sole survivor, more like. ]

[monkeyjump]

My orders are to scout this mountain. I cannot back down from that task.

[ It is almost something of an olive branch, some explanation of why he is here and will not leave. ]

[brbwalking]

[ she's not quite mollified, though the killing intent does lessen. Slightly. ]

And what interest could your master possibly have in this mountain?

[monkeyjump]

That is not my place to question. Nor my information to give freely, even if I did know the answer.

[ Someone takes his job very seriously. ]

[brbwalking]

You're loyal.

[ she almost looks wistful, before her gaze hardens. ]

Unfortunately, unless your master himself can give me a reason, I can't let you pass.

[ if he does find Ba'ul and reports back... she won't risk it. Not her closest friend. Not her family. ]

[monkeyjump]

[ Sasuke nods in acceptance of the fact. So it is. ]

Have no other choice but to continue.

[ He leaps for her again. ]

[brbwalking]

[ and she's dancing backward, swinging the spear at a sharp angle and lunging to try and kick him into the air. ]

[monkeyjump]

[ Sasuke ceases talking as he dodges, entirely focused on the fight. He does not mean to kill her, but he will win, whatever it takes. ]

[brbwalking]

[ likewise, she's less focused on killing him. The ideal is beating him back enough for him to rethink this course of action and speak to the one whose orders he was following. If it comes to taking his life, there's no helping it; she's no bright-eyed optimist.

But all this constant vigilance has been wearing down at her. Hunters, seeking Ba'ul. Researchers, wanting to get their hands on apatheia.

Judith isn't at her full strength right now, but she's certainly fighting as hard as she can. ]

[monkeyjump]

[ Sasuke wastes no time taking advantage of that weariness.

At least, until he hears a very strange sound, one unlike he has ever heard before. He leaps away from her, trying to puzzle out what it might be and yet not let it distract him enough from the battle she will get the advantage. ]

[brbwalking]

[ it's all right-- Judith's eyes flick upwards, and for a split second, she looks almost alarmed. ]

Ba'ul--!

[monkeyjump]

[ Who?

Sasuke looks up as well -- and then freezes, eyes open wide in shock. ]

[brbwalking]

[ and down the massive dragon-whale descends; Sasuke had best move if he doesn't want to get landed on. Judith raises a hand to rest reassuringly on one section of the creature's side, at once concerned and still on guard. ]

Really, I'm fine. You didn't have to show yourself.

[monkeyjump]

[ Sasuke leaps back to keep from getting squished...

But then he stops. In fact, he seems incapable of movement, instead fascinated by the dragon-whale that has so suddenly appeared. ]

[brbwalking]

...

[ wryly. ]

You know, it's rude to stare.

[monkeyjump]

Beautiful...

[ It is mumbled before words startle him out of his daze. What wait where they were fighting yes! He takes a defensive position, but otherwise does not move. ]

[brbwalking]

[ neither does she. Instead, she studies him warily. Her hearing's much sharper than an average human's; had he been a Krityan, she would have understood his emotions as well. Ah, well. ]

Ba'ul is someone very important to me. And I won't be letting either you or your master hurt him.

[monkeyjump]

... I do not want to hurt him.

[ That is sincere, if nothing else. ]

[brbwalking]

And do you want him?

[monkeyjump]

[ There is a long moment when he watches Ba'ul. When the answer comes out of his mouth, it is not in the harsh tone Sasuke used with her before, but something much softer, more personal. ]

... I'd like to meet him.

[brbwalking]

[ her eyes don't exactly widen, nor does her mouth drop open, but from the sudden pause and the slow ebb of anger from her features, it might be evident that he's surprised her. About to answer, Judith hesitates and glances back towards the dragon, head tilted as though she's listening intently.

... Which she is. Ba'ul makes another noise, indecipherable to most, but her expression softens. ]

This is Ba'ul. I suppose you could call him a dragon, but his true name is an Entelexeia. We've known each other for years now.

[monkeyjump]

... greetings, Ba'ul.

[ He takes a step forward and then pauses yet again, though he seems to have forgotten the wounds from their fight, even as blood stains his clothing. This dragon, Entelexeia... he has never seen anything like him. He is enamored from first glance.

Sasuke eyes flick between them both and, then, he gives a slight bow. ]

I am Sarutobi Sasuke, leader of the Sanada Ninjas.

[brbwalking]

[ she leans slightly against the gigantic shape, and yes, she's getting somewhat light-headed from bloodloss, but Ba'ul doesn't appear to be wary. She relaxes, somewhat. ]

Judith.

[ not as official or impressive a title, but she doesn't put much stock in such things. When the dragon emits a sound like a whale's croon, she smiles. ]

It's a pleasure, he says.