Dante ([personal profile] royalguard_style) wrote in [community profile] tushanshu2014-09-09 07:09 pm

Video Two// This threat produced by your local high school theater department

[Dante's been the closest things to diligent and vigilant as he can be since the other foreigners were attacked. Since he saw the initial reason for the meeting as a petty political squabble, he was sound asleep until it was too late to go help with the attack. It's not the worst news that could have come out of that meeting, but it still sucks to find out that a war you were supposed to be fighting turned hot, a bunch of innocents got hurt, and the enemy was nowhere to be found.

So here he was, speaking in front of the console and sitting on a flimsy wooden chair. The video is harshly lit with a black background. Dante wanted answers, but apparently circumstances aren't dire enough to scrimp on the dramatic flair. Things only get worse once he actually starts talking.]


You. Yes, you jerks hiding out in the castle right now.

[He makes an exaggerated pointing motion towards the screen.]

A few of the folks here have been waiting a good long time for a piece of you. You know how much it sucks to sit around waiting for an enemy that doesn't feel like showing it's ugly mug?

[He stands up and starts pacing around the flimsy chair and starts pacing around it, never straying out of the light. All the while, he keeps talking with an increasingly theatrical timbre.]

And then you finally decided to show yourselves! But apparently the people who actually want to kick your ass aren't worth your time. No, you wanted that good-for-nothing emperor, didn't you? That's why a bunch of cowards like you decided to charge into a building full of foreigners.

[He swings back onto the chair and crosses his legs in one fluid motion. Afterwards, his voice drops down to it's normal, casual tone of voice.]

Let me give you a bit of friendly advice. That guy's not the guy you want to worry about. Haven't you heard the news? I'll tell you what: why don't you come on over so I can kick your ass personally. There's a nice little bar not far from here you can try and ambush me at, and you'll have me outnumbered. I'll be waiting.

[And he waves before turning the video feed off.]
gistful: (so let this life begin)

video; private

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-14 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
[He's amused. It just might be hard to tell.]

That may not be wise. However, the same could be said for our endeavour.

Would you like some backup?

[He didn't like all that poisoning going on, so Dante may as well have someone to drag him back to safety if things go wrong.]
gistful: (it's easy)

video; private

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-17 09:08 am (UTC)(link)
Too many. I overestimated the ... discretion of the instigating players.

[Anton's been wondering about that as well. Or he would, if he was the type to dwell on things that enrage him. He smiles. Unlike the smile he once gave Daisy, this one is almost wolfish.]

The Hotel is a place of neutrality. I am but a man seeking to avoid his allies being harmed more than they have currently.
gistful: (it's easy)

video; private

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-19 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
This is war. It hasn't been as well commanded as I thought.

[He just hadn't realised quite how badly until now.]

I am not much of a diplomat, I assure you. If you want someone to fight alongside, I am your best choice.

[He'd fight. Just be on hand to pull Dante out of the fire if he needs to. And he really wants to punch some things.]
gistful: (why give up?)

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-19 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
Yet a certain degree of authority is required to keep those who would be less effective in combat in safety.

[Read: to keep the idiots who'd get in the way out of the way. He inclines his head.]

Oh?
gistful: (the final fight i'll win)

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-19 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
The emperor is ... unaccustomed to trusting others.

[Read: he's an idiot who needs to learn to delegate. Anton smiles.]

No. That would be my friend Hopeless. He died some time ago and isn't here besides; unfortunate, as he would have been able to talk Evandau into sense. I'm a warrior, one who offers a safe place to rest, nothing more.
gistful: (it's easy)

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-20 11:04 pm (UTC)(link)
It is ... confusing.

Given names grant power over their owner. Sorcerers take names based on their natures, pasts and dreams for the future in order to build a seal of protection around that control.

Where shall I meet you?
gistful: (so let this life begin)

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-21 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
Skulduggery enjoys dramatising many things.

In that event we could have a sparring match to make it worth our while.
gistful: (no longer)

--> action?

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-21 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
That depends on your definition of exciting.

I'll meet you soon.

[He disconnects. He has a bit of a walk, because even though he's nearly got the door to transfer between sectors, he has to use consoles elsewhere. It still won't be too long before he arrives.]
gistful: (it's easy)

permaction!

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-22 08:05 am (UTC)(link)
You're here, are you not?

[The smile is friendly enough, but there's a certain amount of tension evident around Anton's eyes. Though he isn't restless or twitchy the way he moves would make it clear, to a fighter like Dante, that Anton is very much in need of some physical outlet.

[He takes a moment to glance around the empty warehouse.]

It seems adequate for our purposes, at least.
gistful: (no longer)

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-27 09:43 am (UTC)(link)
I did not bring a weapon.

[Usually, his sparring matches were hand-to-hand, but sometimes they were bare-handed against weaponry.]

Though you may use one, if you would like.
gistful: (alone i walk the winding way)

[personal profile] gistful 2014-09-29 09:17 am (UTC)(link)
Very well.

[He sketches a quick sigil on the wall, where it pulses with a soft light, counting down to ten before it activates fully.]

Timer. We have two minutes to establish a victor.

[Anton takes off his jacket and leaves it on a piece of debris, and when the sigil reaches zero to begin its secondary countdown he attacks, his movements smooth with that benefit of long experience.]
gistful: (alone i walk the winding way)

[personal profile] gistful 2014-10-09 08:05 am (UTC)(link)
[That Dante could take such a blow without flinching was a good sign--Anton may not have been a boxer like Ghastly, but usually the things he punched stayed down. It meant Anton wouldn't have to hold back on this occasion.

[Dante fought like Dexter--quick and ruthless and brutal. Brawlers. Anton shifted his style to quick jabs and dirty-tactics, using his shoulders and forearms as cover for the blows he couldn't parry but taking advantage of his benefit of experience to widen his footwork. It gave him a greater range of area--and it meant that, when he got the opportunity he was watching for, he could surprise Dante with a quick change in styles using his feet and knees.]
gistful: (to fall apart completely)

[personal profile] gistful 2014-10-12 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Anton was quick to take advantage--he held Dante in close to break through his guard with his knees, aiming to wind and bruise and try to bring Dante to the ground. Anton wasn't an acrobat, not like some others among the Dead Men, but he could still kicks as well as fists to rain down pain atop an opponent--though his style admittedly leaned toward bludgeoning his foe with force and speed, regardless of whether he was uses fists or feet.]

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