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tushanshu2013-05-24 12:23 pm
anything_it_takes) wrote in tushanshu2013-05-24 12:23 pm
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[VOICE | Backdated Pre-Event] Survey
[You wanna play it this say, Raph? Taking surveys to prove a point? Fine. Let's play.
It's not about who cares - well okay, to be fair, that's the MAIN reason they developed such fine-tuned stealth skills in the first place. But that's not the only reason a ninja should stay hidden. With enemies who would probably not announce themselves first, who would see him and his brothers on the Network and then proceed to silently hunt them down one by one...
The last time the team faced Shredder, he nearly killed them all, starting with Leonardo himself; the memory of seeing the intent in Oruku's eyes while facing down his blade remained a deeply chilling moment. But now Leo's team is down by one, they're not always together and they can't just stay underground here. If Shredder found one of them out in Keeliai, alone, with no way to contact the others for help...]
How many people have had their enemies show up.
[A question with the cadence of a statement. That's how you know he's serious, apparently.
If this survey turns up zilch? Leo will have to concede the point completely. But he doesn't really suppose that'll be the case. Let's find out.]
It's not about who cares - well okay, to be fair, that's the MAIN reason they developed such fine-tuned stealth skills in the first place. But that's not the only reason a ninja should stay hidden. With enemies who would probably not announce themselves first, who would see him and his brothers on the Network and then proceed to silently hunt them down one by one...
The last time the team faced Shredder, he nearly killed them all, starting with Leonardo himself; the memory of seeing the intent in Oruku's eyes while facing down his blade remained a deeply chilling moment. But now Leo's team is down by one, they're not always together and they can't just stay underground here. If Shredder found one of them out in Keeliai, alone, with no way to contact the others for help...]
How many people have had their enemies show up.
[A question with the cadence of a statement. That's how you know he's serious, apparently.
If this survey turns up zilch? Leo will have to concede the point completely. But he doesn't really suppose that'll be the case. Let's find out.]
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I'm glad Sensei didn't make us wait around that long to let us go topside. You know, he wasn't really sure we were ready at first, but - in the end we did just fine. [The corner of Leo's mouth turns upwards in a combination of reminiscence and pride. It's not strictly true that they did "just fine," but it's the end result that matters. And the fact that they've become bona fide heroes is a great end result.] Better than fine. We've saved a lot of lives since then.
[Leo thinks - not unreasonably - that if you're old enough to save people, you're old enough for them to treat you as an adult. Not that the humans they meet often think to treat them as children rather than threatening monsters, or that their accomplishments stop Splinter from grounding them when they behave like children, as they still do; Leo can be an immature brat as much as the next fifteen-year-old. But he knows full well he's the most responsible of his siblings, and lets out a single amused breath at her comment on his maturity.] Well, somebody has to be. Yaknow? [As if he doesn't get a gigantic kick out of being the big hero and bossing everyone else around. But it's perfectly clear from the self-assured smirk that he loves it, despite the phrasing that makes it sound like a chore.]
This Piandao guy does sound a lot like Miyamoto. He fought his first duel at thirteen - they say he fought over sixty of them over his lifetime and never lost a single one! [Leo believes it, and as far as history tells, he's right. He's palpably enthusiastic about this historical figure; Miyamoto is more or less the Jesus of niten ryū.]
Yeah, Sensei - he really is something. [There's no way Leo can hide the complete adoration he has for his Sensei, which is as much a clue as anything that his father and teacher are one and the same.] It's like he's almost standing still, but nothing can hit him - you'd be better off fighting the wind. [Leo's smile broadens, and his voice warms with pride.] But I did tag him in training a little while ago. It wasn't easy, and it caught everyone by surprise - including me. [The smile turns sheepish. He'd stopped cold out of shock and consternation at hitting the Sensei he respected more than anything, and wound up thrown and pinned for his lapse. But Splinter had merely issued a lesson about hesitation, and quietly left the boys to celebrate their victory.]
What about your Sensei - a Master of "bending," right? I guess that means you must be pretty good too. [Oh that smirk. He's just daring Korra to show him some moves - because he'd love to find out what she can really do. Martial arts that integrate the creation of fire? That. Sounds. AMAZING.]
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Wow, so you guys are superheroes? [That word is really floating around in her head a lot lately since there were so many of those powered beings on the network.]
Fighting the wind?? [Korra’s eyes widen as she stares at Leo and her thoughts reach her lips in a murmur.] Like striking air; spiral movements… [No use in asking, Leo had already stated his master wasn’t anywhere on Tu Vishan. Holding herself from making a sigh at that unwanted reminder of her minimal airbending skills Korra folds her arms and gives Leo a grin.]
There’s been a few, but my current master is the only one who could instruct me in airbending. [And that new skill really needed to be refined and honed, but there was nothing to be done except keep practicing what she’s learned so far.] But yeah, I would definitely put me in the “pretty good” class. Back home at least. I haven’t even met half of the others here. [They kind of already talked about why she hasn’t earlier and that’s not her favorite subject of discussion.]
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[Leo's statement of the city's survival isn't boasting, and he doesn't hand-wring over the necessity of their secrecy (which he prefers). It's just truth backed by the sober knowledge that a lot of people would be hurt, mutated or outright killed without them working behind the scenes. He's proud of being a hero - it's what he's wanted to be since he first laid baby blue turtle eyes on a dramatic portrayal of daring-do - but saving people is a very serious responsibility, not a matter of egos or self-congratulation, or even the congratulations of others.
He's pretty sure he's missing something as Korra reacts to his metaphor. If Sensei were here, Leo might even try asking if he would allow Korra to sit in on a training session so she can witness the old rat's skill herself. There's simply no way his words can do justice. As for her masters, Leo would jump at the chance to see their performance as well. What could he learn from a practice like airbending?
Leo tilts his head as she mentions the others from her world. From her tone, Leo guesses that the feuding blood-bending brothers might be the only ones in town.]
Yeah, well they're not here. ["Here" as in this remote courtyard, not "here" as in Keeliai of course. The two of them are both students of masters in fascinatingly different techniques, stranded far from their teachers. There's clearly only one thing for the pair of them to do.
Leo smirks at Korra, a well-practiced cocky grin of challenge. He's itching to see what bending can do when integrated into martial arts, eyes bright with thirst for new knowledge... and maybe a new friend. One who won't turn on him.]
How would you like to spar with me sometime?
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[Raphael's mention of mutant was fairly vague for her, this really did confirm for her that they were unique in their world and not living in a world of turtle people. Also explains the secrecy and wariness that both Mike and Leo exhibited.] Maybe they will someday. Stranger things have happened.
[ Oh yes, she recognized that look on Leo's face, eager to learn and excel. After all, they had both been training since being toddlers.]
You're on! I haven't had anyone to spar with since, well since I got here.
[Over a week now. Had it really been ten days? And to think, she had already gotten used to the rationing.]
I just remembered. You guys don't have jobs, do you? I know times are rough right now, I mean I met Mike because he ran out of food. What I'm saying is I have extra food and also extra fish since that's kind of my new job.
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At the offer, Leo's eyes brighten in the way that only those who scrounge for their food can match. Although April has recently spoiled them silly with human fare, for the majority of their lives it was either algae and worms or picking through garbage. Leo considers their native dumpster-diving a halfway decent way to get by, fruitful once you knew what you were doing - and the turtles are professionals.
However the competition for quality leavings is stiff in Keeliai, so pickings aren't always reliable. With the rations in place, people were also less inclined to throw out perfectly good food than they had been in New York. So yes, he is very interested in free food.]
Wow, that - that's really generous. Yeah, we'll definitely take you up on that. [Can't really afford to say no. Especially because Leo wants as much juulan as possible saved for a rainy day. You never know what plan might require a bribe or black market materials; additionally the ninja have supplies to maintain, their prior resources in New York being inaccessible. Leo wants to retain their options even as he branches out and makes connections.]
But in the meantime, how about a quick round? That is [he banters in the spirit of competition] unless you've got something better to do...
[If she agrees, Leo will recommend they re-locate slightly. Their network conversation in which he suggested this meeting place had only default-level encryption, and he doesn't want any uninvited visitors studying their fighting styles.
Leo's concern is mostly for himself, but he's also thinking of Korra. As far as he's concerned it's a basic precaution anyone with enemies should take, and she's the one with antagonists from her world already in Keeliai.
There's a location he has in mind, about a mile away; tolerably undisturbed, with enough distance from habitation that they can have a vocalized fight without alarming the local kedan. Or bringing down law enforcement.]
I don't know about you, but I'm taking the rooftops.
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You got it. Make sure to clear up some space and I’ll bring some extras over. [Buying more sea prunes wouldn’t be that hard at all since the kedan sold them at dirt cheap prices. An “acquired” taste for anyone who’s used to the average tasting meal. Getting more fish was inevitable and giving them half of her own catch outside of her work's demands was the least she could do.]
Sure! But somewhere a little less residential. [After all, she’s been arrested once for that kind of fun mayhem.] Sounds like a plan, but I don’t want to lose you while I’m down here. [Turning her ankle sideways and sliding it quickly forward caused small handholds to suddenly jut out from the stone bricks of the nearby building for her to climb up on.]
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Because HE'S never had a crush on a human girl in his life, nosirree.]
I think we can find the room. [They might get sick of sea prunes, but the boys will eat 'em that's for sure. And the fish will be a welcome source of free protein, always a prerogative when trying to maintain their class of high-demand physical activity.]
Don't worry, I won't try to lose you. [The reassurance makes way for awe as Korra rockbends for the first time; Leo's eyes widen. He'd planned on telling her how to get there and just pacing her from above, but grins as it sinks in that she can navigate the buildings alongside him. Korra moves well along her improvised steps, so hopefully she won't have trouble with the gaps. They can get pretty big on either side of the canals.] Now that... is a useful trick. [Murmured mostly to himself before Leo bounds up the wall in his own unconscious display of insanely capable acrobatics. When the right angles are available he can scale a three-story building within nearly as many seconds, so he'll probably beat her to the top despite the head start.
Regardless, when they're both on Leo's preferred city level he turns to locate the best landmark.]
See those two buildings? We're heading straight for them and past, about thirty-five feet. [He glances at her, eager to begin and see how she navigates his adopted terrain.] Ready?
[And the ninja turtle takes a short run for the building edge, jumping easily over the gap which easily spanned eight feet. He flips once for ease of trajectory, showing remarkable restraint; it's so easy it's hardly worth showing off. The maneuver is child's play; Leo's been known to work in a good seven flips over the appropriate terrain. He lands with a crouching skid casually braked by one hand and an outstretched leg.
Standing, he pauses and looks back to see how she's going to navigate the same obstacle.]
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Trust me, I think I can follow you just f- [Cut off mid sentence by Leo's nimble prowess, Korra had forgotten that much like Mike their shells were hardly a hindrance. Once she caught up on the roof she peers into the distance at the destination.]
Ready when you are fearless leader. [Greatly amused and excited at being able to do something like this with someone else, Korra was all smiles.
Waiting for her turn, Korra nodded a "not bad" and began her sprint for the edge of the roof. Small patches of brick popped up, boosting her heels as she took off over the gap and Korra indulged herself in something she had been wanting to try utilizing her airbending training; a corkscrew spin. Putting her arms before her in mid-air before hugging them to herself as she spun a full 360 degrees and then landed with her leg doing a circular sweep. Showing off wasn't what she had planned, but she could go with that.]
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Let's do this.
[And he takes off. Not at his mile-beating dead run, but enough to keep momentum between buildings. He tries to adjust his speed to whatever she finds comfortable; personally, Leo usually travels at a swift, low-riding "ninja run" that's just as useful pursuing cars along surface streets as it is traveling with energy efficiency.
As he makes his way from structure to structure it's obvious that this is one of his favorite things to do, and he's spent a lot of time doing it. Leo throws a corkscrew as well, just to prove that he can, and branches out to other fun stunts. He's utterly fearless and seems to like to bounce off as many surfaces as possible, and with the right momentum he can even run straight up a featureless wall.
But aside from simple fun, Leonardo's watching to see what Korra can do - reflexes, jumping reach, how she uses her bending to maneuver. He's not trying to be sneaky; it's just common sense to absorb as much information as possible before they face off. Even though she's not an enemy, it's an instinct drilled hard into his little turtle skull, and he fully expects her to be doing the same thing.
Approximately a mile later, twilight has eased into dark and they're a comfortable distance away from the sorts of people who would either interfere or raise an alarm. The run was a comfortable warm-up, and Leo pauses to stretch his arms and shoulders before they start.]
So, how do you want to do this? First round without armaments, or jump straight to the good stuff? [Leo's confident of his ability to avoid hurting anything he doesn't mean to hurt, but the last guy he sparred with requested he refrain from using pointy things during their first go-round. It's a prudent request, so he's sure to give her the option.]
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Keeping pace with Leo isn’t too hard, but then again neither of them were over exerting themselves. Feeling a little need to show off Korra answered his acrobatics with somersaults and a few vaults off of building that left some brick crumbling behind her heel. When the next structured was at a taller level than the rest, Korra ran alongside the wall of it, halfway across it she felt gravity starting to claim her and she defied it by shooting flames from her fists downwards. Keeping her aloft she continued her sprint across until she leapt off to the next building that was at a close enough level for her.
When she landed next to Leo she was actually laughing.] I haven’t really had the chance to do this yet. [Actually she did, but doing it alone was pretty boring and usually drew unwanted attention.]
Armaments? [She gave the katanas on his back a raised eyebrow. But she wasn’t armed…] Oh, right. [It finally registered that he was referring to her bending. It was definitely weird that it could be considered the same as being armed unlike back home.]
The good stuff is what I’m used to then.
[”As long as we keep it to sparring and not chopping.” She thought to herself as her eyes drifted back to his katanas. That wasn’t something to be worried about though, she doubted Leo lacked the control and restraint needed. After all, he trained with his brothers a lot, right?]
*pops in from vacationaitus*
Fortunately, despite his weapons of choice, Leo excels at non-lethal combat. Unless his life is on the line, his katana function primarily as tools of disarmament, providing an opening for Leo to issue a body strike with his foot or one fist (occasionally hilt-reinforced) instead. It’s been a very long time since any of his brothers came away with an accidental scratch, not since he perfected turning the blade so a surface other than the slicing edge makes contact when he intends to wing close.
None of his precautions make Leo a soft touch. Those techniques in and of themselves leave impressive bruises when the turtle’s playing hardball, and it will never not be dangerous to twirl blades around. A true competitive spark lights up as she chooses the Real Deal, and Leo smiles with a sense of wild fun he hasn’t enjoyed since before getting to Keeliai.]
Me too.
[Every dojo has its own rules. Leo can’t know what Korra’s are, but it doesn’t feel right to begin a friendly match against the student of a different master without that compulsory gesture of respect.
Displaying a smooth grace in anticipation of the spar, Leo shifts himself to the appropriate placement within their chosen arena and crouches low on one knee. His expression sobers and sharpens. Whether she returns the pose exactly, uses one of her own or does nothing, he meets her eyes and says a phrase that, being so highly ritualized in Leonardo’s context, may not translate precisely or automatically:]
Onegai shimasu. [Thank you for training with me.]
[Then with a green blur Leo’s on his feet, a single right-hand blade whistling through the air as it’s drawn and held arrow-straight towards Korra; he’s provided enough room so the tip comes no closer than the halfway point between them. Leo knows his reach, and this is his demonstration of it to his sparring partner so she knows the danger zone. After a heartbeat the tip sings through the air once more; Leo withdraws his blade from its extended position with a twirl and sets both the weapon and his body into a standard ready pose.
The young turtle’s blue eyes are hard-lined within the smooth frame of his mask, an irrepressible smile lingering beneath the edges. He’s inviting her to strike first and watching keenly for her reactions and form, but if Korra won’t make the first move then he doesn’t mind taking the lead.]
!
Most. All but one. Katara. Her waterbending master had never let her down before and Korra was hoping this trend held true here on Tu Vishan.
Placing her feet next to each other with toes pointing at Leonardo, Korra covered her her right fist with her left hand and bowed deeply so her head was level with them. As she lowered her upper body she extended her arms until they were taut.
Her left hand symbolized peace and that it entirely covered the right, which symbolizes the ability to fight, was a statement. "I restrain my fighting nature."
Korra did not understand what Leonardo had spoken, but she understood the sentiment. She was sure Leo would understand in kind.]
Gǎnxiè nín yǔ wǒ de xùnliàn. [Thank you for training with me.]
[Taking a moment to recognize exactly what Leo had shown her, Korra stood up straight and set her feet shoulder length apart; one foot before her with the other carrying the weight of her leg and hip. Knees bent and neither heel touching the ground.
An initial strike was something Korra would never turn down. The first step in her charge sparked a small trail of flame on the ground, though it was her left fist that gathered flame as she went for a strong over head strike. Fully intent on using the momentum behind it to propel a windmill kick from her right foot.
As always, she had taken power as her first option.]
?!
Well - not unless you’re Raphael. Which Leo is not. And he’s not about to tackle fire head-on, either. There are a lot of things he wouldn’t meet head-on, and Leonardo has learned strategy to cope with a great many of them. When he wins, it’s typically because of his skill or strategy, not his power.
The fist sweeps in, a scythe of flame; Leo steps forward as if to counter or block, putting himself in perilously close range. But then he drops like a stone to allow her fist to pass over his head with a rush and crackle of heat, and hears her weight-bearing foot crunch on gravel as she twists to continue momentum into the kick.
Leo’s right leg stretches to the side from his crouch, and as Korra's windmill kick spins its course he slides to follow, moving right and sideways as his opponent's technique carries her forwards. As Leo transfers his full weight to his right and straightens one-legged in the wake of her attack, his left folds tight and close in preparation for a sharp perpendicular sidekick to the bender’s now-exposed back.
There are a handful of advanced blocks or dodges Korra could employ, if she’s prepared for the move coming for her blind side. But if she isn’t ready for the feint or if the smooth close-quarters dodge catches her by surprise, Korra will shortly find out that those big feet and calf muscles aren’t just for show.
His foot whips out, sharp and precise and balanced, with approximately the striking power of a small pony.]
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As she did so, the ground they were on jutted up so it was touching the bottom of her foot and following its motion towards Leonardo’s ankle. Korra was actually surprised to see the force behind the kick that was aimed for her back, her crouching had given her a fair view of it.]
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But he makes it, spinning with agility that makes his shell-laden bulk seem weightless. He lands just within striking range so that she's no longer inside his reach, and before he touches down his katana is already humming through the air in an aggressive set designed to drive her back. His Musashi-based technique is backed by a brutal strength and he presses hard, but never once does he try to actually cut her. His blade intends to cut only air, aiming inches shy of his sparring partner, and his weapon remains faithful to his intent. But they're designed to come perilously close, and he's counting on her to either retreat for her own safety or meet his weapon with an appropriate guard.
He's seen a little of what she can do now, and trusts her to react well. How does a bender contend with a swordsman? Leo's looking forward to finding out.]
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As he spun through the air, Korra continued with her current option and her hand touched the ground causing stone to latch onto her arm like a gauntlet. The rock from her missed sweep came to her as she brought her leg back in and covered her other forearm in the same manner.
Korra had only trained against swordplay, never had she been a cut-throat battle with one. Even though the blade of the katana was just out of reach, she didn't take any chances and Korra thrust her arm defensively out to deter it's path.
Where as most would take the tentative option to retreat farther back, Leonardo would find that Korra was very aggressive in combat and she pressed into his reach. With weapons that were best used from a distance, Korra sought to close the gap as much as possible and turn the tide in her favor by attempting to make it a close quarters combat situation. Using the arm that had blocked his sword, Korra continued forward in order to aim a punch at the elbow holding the offending sword.
The only time she had ever fought someone wielding two weapon in a serious situation had been Amon's Lieutenant and his electrified kali sticks. Having taken him down before by disarming him, Korra saw that was a viable method to apply here.]
*resurrects*
The punch is enhanced by bending as well, the rock-enforced blow hitting as hard as those of his own brothers. At impact, rather than allow the jangle of nerves crawling up his forearm to disable his grip completely, Leo lets the strength go out of his arm while keeping his fingers and thumb linked. It loosens his grip, yet keeps the blade under control so it's neither fumbled nor dropped. He tucks the katana into a space used by neither of their bodies, edge out.
Leo's other hand whips out, crosses over between them, and firmly grasps the upper portion of Korra's offensive arm. In the space of a split second Leo grins, pivots, twists his shell into Korra's body for leverage and yanks to throw.
It's true that as a medium-range fighter, Leo prefers his opponents at blade's length. He does, however, have plenty of ways to cope with those who would rather get up close and personal. It's necessary to contend with his two younger brothers, if nothing else.]
\o/
Uh-oh.
The shell is shaped just right for a shoulder throw. Without a missing a beat, Korra is sent sailing into the air. Tucking her chin in, Korra's back hit the ground and she continued rolling backwards a few times before twisting herself forward. She swept her foot in Leo's direction forcefully even though he was far away and then set it firmly on their personal arena; a very low rumbling sound started.
A return grin.
Part of the ground near her feet became a sink hole and Korra stood up. Water gushed out of the hole, and her arms simultaneously performed a quick, yet tranquil motion which summoned water onto both of her arms. Not unlike tentacles.
First move was hers, and now she waited as water continued to cover the ground.]
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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.]
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While she favored her firebending, Korra’s innate waterbending was strong to begin with and was honed by the best teacher her world could offer. Of course she utilized more of the aggressive Southern Water style than the defensive Northern Water style. Since bending had been what comprised most of her life, this too was the most fun she had since arriving on Tu Vishan.
Moving her fingers idly, Korra waited, the very tips of the water surrounding her arms flicked back and forth, much like a cat’s tail. Hearing the battle cry and seeing his charge, Korra kept watching Leo until she saw his weight shift mid-run and he jumped into the air.
Both tentacles pressurized enough to be firm enough to grab an opponent while maintain its liquid form. Reaching with an outstretched hand, this one was going straight to wrap around the ankle of the offending foot. As she did so, Korra brought her other hand to her shoulder so she could give a backfist at Leonardo remotely with the other tentacle. Effectively attempting to grapple him and deliver a strong, discouraging blow. To be followed by more, if successful, with the submission of her sparring partner in mind.
A lot less brutal than anything she would have employed in a non-sparring match.]
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Hitting the earth shell-first with a splash, Leo pounds the dirt with his hilts to channel the impact; the technique ensures he isn't winded by the throw, and immediately he raises one oversized and very sturdy forearm in defense against her backfist. Leo can block a full roundhouse kick with those solid flippers and they can take a lot of punishment. But he's only engaged one in defense; the other?
Leo almost forgets to drop his katana first; his standard combat procedure is to hit with the pommel for a nasty KO, and his weapons-grip is firm. But that's dirty pool for sparring, and he doesn't need to hit that hard, so the incoming offensive that swings around from Korra's near side (the one belonging to the arm she's using to strike, so there's no upper limb available on that side for a block) aiming for her jaw is composed merely of a natural fist about the size of her head, and knuckles nearly the width of her entire palm.
If he connects, he'll follow the force he's engaged with a twist, hoping to flip her attempt to pin and pummel him into a pin of his own. From there he wagers he'll either be able to immobilize her arms and keep her down, or end this spar with the edge of his katana held a few inches from her neck (also known as standard procedure).]
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The oncoming goes through, all Korra can do is see it at the last moment. Unable to block, and unable to use her legs to earthbend a defense in time the blow lands squarely on her jaw. Water splashes loudly onto the ground as the foot that shared the same side of the injured jaw was forced into the air by the impact, her balance toppled.
When she went to stop herself from falling and getting her fists prepared to firebend, Leo was already atop of her and had both of her arms pinned limiting her firebending options. The only bending maneuvers that came to her mind were breath related, one that she attempted to use on Tarrlok when her arms were bound: firebreathing and ice breath: a technique learned from her years of training under Katara. Both were something reserved for a real duel, not a sparring match.]
Not bad.
[Said playfully, in a much more joking tone than when Mako said those same words to her on the day they met. It hurt a bit to talk, but nothing worse than she's received from fighting Amon's chi-blockers, and she wasn't too concerned since she would heal it up when she was free to do so.]
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With her concession, Leo immediately releases his grip, backs his weight off and stands to offer his worthy opponent a hand up off the ground with an open smile. On top of their commonalities, Korra has earned his solid respect.]
You almost had me for a minute. I've never seen anything like that!
Er - I hope I didn't hit you too hard. [Leo hadn't hit her any harder than he would hit his brothers, but the lot of them are nature's tanks after all. Although the strike wasn't quite as hard as one he would've used in a life-or-death situation, he's not accustomed to pulling his punches, nor would he do so as an issue of respect for his partner. He can, however, tell from the set of her jaw that she's feeling it.]
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Yeah, bending's pretty cool. But it's not everything.
[Massaging her jaw gently, Korra smiled even though it stung.]
I'll be fine, don't worry.
[She set her teeth apart and look occupied for a moment as her tongue dug around in her mouth, then she spat a small speck of blood on the ground. Her back teeth had made a small cut from the blow.]
So you're ninjutsu training really forces you to think on your feet, huh?
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You could say that. [Nudging his toes under the hilt of one of his weapons, Leo flips it up to easily catch with one hand. He frowns at the mud clinging to the blade, and proceeds to wipe it off on one forearm – keeping the business end against his wrist-wrap as a matter of habitual safety precaution – before splashing his way to the next one.]
Ninjutsu has been refined for centuries to enable warriors to overcome great odds… Superior firepower and armor, too. A small team of lightly-armed ninja could prevail over a mounted Lord and 20 of his best samurai or more. [Leo elaborates as he works; he was the only one of his brothers who paid rapt attention when Splinter spoke of Japanese history.] Technique and stealth are more important than force, but it doesn't hurt to be a heavy-hitter too.
So it doesn't really matter if you're fighting on entire ninja army, or just a single guy who can pound you into the pavement with one good hit – or, somebody who can shoot fire from their fists. [Leo breaks slightly from his "quoting daddy"/classroom mode to grin at her again.] Reflexes and strategy are key to any victory. Thinking on our feet? It's just part of the job description.
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