[And now the battle over range has entered an entirely new dimension. Leo instantly recognizes the tactical situation as similar to one he's faced at home in live combat – the home-turf opponent being a 12-foot-tall, regenerating weed monster. Korra's a lot nicer to look at, naturally, but Leo can already tell that the water tentacles will probably function in combat much like Snakeweed's vines.
Switching his katana to the other hand, Leo shakes the tingles out of his arm as he evaluates her new set up. In a real battle, these logistics would create a very dangerous situation; taking on Snakeweed without the benefit of a brother at his side would be nearly impossible, in lieu of a truly lucky break.
Fortunately, this battle isn't for keeps; Leo can use his favorite opening technique without having to worry about his neck should Korra overwhelm him. That outcome is distinct possibility though, and the thrill of this challenge lights up his eyes.
This is the most fun he's had in a long time.
His arm is ready for full action within seconds. Instead of returning the single katana to a two-handed grip he draws his secondary blade, holding one high and the other low, each parallel to the ground in one of the hallmark ready positions of the Niten Ryū style in which specializes. The tension in his frame smooths and sharpens the angles of his terrapin body into a clearly hydrodynamic figure; intensely focused, narrowed eyes evaluate Korra's posture, the way her water tentacles move, her concentration...
Leo doesn't give his opponent long to solidify her position. After a human-sized handful of heartbeats the turtle charges; when he gets to the lip of the spreading and shallow puddle, his toes splash the rippling edge as he propels himself in an arcing leap punctuated by a fierce battle yell.]
HYAAH!!
[Yes, Leonardo is charging a water bender who's brandishing water tentacles. Tactically, the odds aren't in his favor, but with little chance of sneaking around her or getting behind her and given that he's not willing to pull out the shuriken or smoke bombs, his options are limited. So instead of a superior strategy, he banks on his skill and experience.
As Leo jumps, his katana are held at the perfect angle to scythe through the air of any feasible approach vector; front, side or diagonal. Snakeweed typically had at least four vicious, thorny vines in play, so Leo expects to track and handle a pair of water tentacles just fine. And although this jump sometimes results in him getting batted out of the air? This time, he doesn't need to worry that his opponent will follow-up by trying to turn him into fertilizer.
However, if he breaks through her defense, slashing his way past and inside her guard? There's a twist and a kick planned at the end of his samurai-style charge. If – but only if – his chosen tactic goes spectacularly well, that kick has the potential to result in the match-ending KO.
But Leonardo does hope it won't be quite that easy.]
no subject
Switching his katana to the other hand, Leo shakes the tingles out of his arm as he evaluates her new set up. In a real battle, these logistics would create a very dangerous situation; taking on Snakeweed without the benefit of a brother at his side would be nearly impossible, in lieu of a truly lucky break.
Fortunately, this battle isn't for keeps; Leo can use his favorite opening technique without having to worry about his neck should Korra overwhelm him. That outcome is distinct possibility though, and the thrill of this challenge lights up his eyes.
This is the most fun he's had in a long time.
His arm is ready for full action within seconds. Instead of returning the single katana to a two-handed grip he draws his secondary blade, holding one high and the other low, each parallel to the ground in one of the hallmark ready positions of the Niten Ryū style in which specializes. The tension in his frame smooths and sharpens the angles of his terrapin body into a clearly hydrodynamic figure; intensely focused, narrowed eyes evaluate Korra's posture, the way her water tentacles move, her concentration...
Leo doesn't give his opponent long to solidify her position. After a human-sized handful of heartbeats the turtle charges; when he gets to the lip of the spreading and shallow puddle, his toes splash the rippling edge as he propels himself in an arcing leap punctuated by a fierce battle yell.]
HYAAH!!
[Yes, Leonardo is charging a water bender who's brandishing water tentacles. Tactically, the odds aren't in his favor, but with little chance of sneaking around her or getting behind her and given that he's not willing to pull out the shuriken or smoke bombs, his options are limited. So instead of a superior strategy, he banks on his skill and experience.
As Leo jumps, his katana are held at the perfect angle to scythe through the air of any feasible approach vector; front, side or diagonal. Snakeweed typically had at least four vicious, thorny vines in play, so Leo expects to track and handle a pair of water tentacles just fine. And although this jump sometimes results in him getting batted out of the air? This time, he doesn't need to worry that his opponent will follow-up by trying to turn him into fertilizer.
However, if he breaks through her defense, slashing his way past and inside her guard? There's a twist and a kick planned at the end of his samurai-style charge. If – but only if – his chosen tactic goes spectacularly well, that kick has the potential to result in the match-ending KO.
But Leonardo does hope it won't be quite that easy.]