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Ohh, a kind of train-modern world, huh...!

[ There's absolutely an opening -- openings, even -- with how distracted Tidus is, especially for a trained swordsman. Might be an issue of him not taking this as seriously as he should today (did he say he was going to be his most serious before they started?), and when the blade comes to his neck--

He's wide-eyed, paused, a clean stab possible with how he freezes. …and then his expression turns into something more sulky than fearful, allowing the tip to linger there as- ]

You want it 'cause I'm so cute? What would you do with it? [ Huhhh? ]

[ Sure, Inigo literally has him at swordpoint right now, but there's no way he can do anything but laugh when he gets that sulking reaction of all things.

At least he's quick to lower his blade. He doesn't like pointing it at friends for too long. ]

I think I prefer it where it is right now, actually. [ Not denying that it's cute though, bro. No homo. ] You shouldn't freeze up though when someone's got you like that. I know it's instinct, but you have to push past it. Just because someone's gone for your weak spot, or slipped past your guard, doesn't mean that the battle is over yet.

[ Look at Inigo sounding all SERIOUS for once. Even though that still comes with an easy smile on his face. It's just nice to talk about something that he's familiar with for once, and he doesn't have to feel like he's just fumbling around like an idiot. ]

[ Ugh, look at him being taught! But Tidus isn't 100% 24/7 sulky all the time, despite what impressions he gives off. He huffs, but it's more of a relenting release of breath as he pays attention to what Inigo says. ]

I know - Drizzt used to tell me that all the time. Plus, all my failures was a death count. [ A scoff. ] This is what, death seventeen? You're a lot nicer about killing me than he was.

I think we got up to the seventies before he left.

[ It's all fond, despite the sarcasm in it. Also, don't take that as a challenge, bro. Not as Tidus shuffles on his feet, a small jog that he always seems to like to do when getting prepared to continue. ]

But, I'd say you nearly taking my head off a few times'll get me to stop! Yeah? Maybe you'll have to watch for your hand!

[ And he waves his sword out towards Inigo in a playful manner. Yeah!! Coming for a hand! ]

My hand? [ The playfulness about the gesture makes him laugh as he raises his sword again - not to counter the playful jabs, but more just to show he's ready for when Tidus wants to continue. Inigo can talk and parry hits at the same time, okay.

He can even do more. Because in a near-perfect copy of the tone Tidus was using only a few moments ago, he says with a grin: ]

You want it 'cause I'm so cute? What would you do with it?

How about I show you later!

[ He's adjusted his grasp, and in that last word jumps, using the momentum of what becomes a flip to shove forward his blade into Inigo's. Aiming to send him off-balance, pushing for a reaction.

He's got to be bolder, right!! (Also, flip-jumps are totally allowed in this lesson, surely-) ]

[ It's true that he wasn't quite expecting the flip - which means that Tidus's blow comes with more momentum than Inigo expected. Not enough to fully get past him, since he's had worse, but it does feel like he has to put more force into it when he quickly raises his blade further to catch the impact of Tidus's, his foot sliding backwards just a bit. ]

Hey! Both feet on the ground at all times!

[ He sounds partially serious about it, but it's certainly no full on scolding. Inigo isn't good at that kind of thing. There's just something about this move that's so Tidus-y that it makes him grin, even as he's still pushing back against the sword. ]

You don't see me pull out my sword in the middle of our flips training! [ .. Not that.. a sword would help him flip better BUT LOOK, HE HAS TO TRY AND MAKE SOME SORT OF COMPARISON HERE. ] It's fine to do this kind of thing during actual battles [ since all of them have to use all the skills they have to get by, after all ] but we're trying to focus on the plain basics here.

[ And maybe Inigo is catching on just a bit more lately as to what motivates Tidus. What eggs him on. Which is why the corner of his mouth angles a bit, moving up just slightly into a cocky smirk. ]

Unless you're saying you can't match me without your fancy tricks?

[ A clash of the swords. But Tidus doesn't even whine or make any sheepish noises at the scolding as they stay locked in the meeting of their blades -- which might look a sight with Tidus's thicker one against Inigo's far more normal-appearing one.

Maybe Tidus just wanted to liven things up. What can he say, he gets easily bored if he's allowed the chance, though this is less about boredom and trying to spice things up. Which oh, listen to Inigo add some spice himself, huh? ]

Why don't you show me some of your fancy tricks, huh? Come on, lemme see you really get going! [ He pushes forward as he takes a foot in, to straighten their blades, eyes on Inigo, like he's daring to meet his face. ]

Teach me a lesson, hot stuff.

[ Why don't you pound him into the ground, smarty pants?? ]

[ See, this is the problem with egging Tidus on. Tidus can easily keep going like this all day long, while with Inigo it takes actual effort to muster up these levels of confidence. They don't come natural to him in the slightest.

But can he back down from it now? Of course not. Even though he has to surpress a blush at Tidus calling him hot stuff (WHICH IS SO MUCH HARDER WHEN TIDUS'S FACE IS RIGHT THERE), but guess what, he actually manages to do so! No red face here, nope siree! He's still grinning, this is cool, he's cool. ]

Fine, if you sure you won't regret that!

[ He takes a step back, using the momentum to escape the swordlock, but then immediately strikes again - and again, and again, faster than before. Like there were some training wheels on before that are now gone. Inigo makes sure to alternate the directions he's swinging from too, just to try and keep Tidus on his toes. He knows speed-wise is the easiest way for Tidus to match him, so he's got to try and make him think fast too, instead of just move fast.

He keeps taking a step forward with each swing, like he's trying to force Tidus to move back. ]

[ Inigo backs off, and Tidus's blade and body come forward, stopped by the front foot he's been keeping his weight on. A recovery that has him meeting the blade coming for him again, and now there's more of a rapid assault that Tidus can engage in.

This doesn't have Tidus sweating yet though. A quick response is something he can give, a situation he's used to even before Spira. It's the skill of blitzball: There's roles, rules, tactics that you opponents like, but those alone don't make a game. Being quick, being pushed--this is what Tidus likes! And he meets each swing like a dance, and though he does shift some, he goes cocky; dangerously so, spinning in place, meeting the obvious turn of Inigo's blade that hasn't tried switching its rhythm yet to throw off Inigo, hit his blade after the fact.

Both feet stayed on the ground, too- ]

Too fancy for you? Gonna tell me off?

[ Tidus is so damned cheeky.

Then again, is that anything new? This is the guy who will find any way to squeeze by on technicalities just to try and outwit other people. Even when they're trying to practice something he's bad at! It's not like Inigo is trying to get out of having to practice what he's bad at when the roles are flipped.

(Then again, it could be because he's just too dumb to do so in comparison-- but this is not the time to slip into a negative thought spiral and he knows it, tries to force it out of his mind as quickly as possible.)

Instead he just does his best to not get too thrown off by the spin. Trying to think a step ahead. There's that belated hit against his sword. Think.

Of course thinking about that doesn't leave much brain capacity for what he's saying, which is why his mouth just rambles on its own with little thought. ]

Why, do you want to be told off that bad? Are you into it or something? [ Definitely the thing Inigo's easy flustering would never let him say at full brain capacity, but alas, his thoughts are elsewhere.

At least said brain capacity is being used for something good. Knowing Tidus will anticipate his next reaction, he swings - but when Tidus moves to block it, Inigo quickly changes the curve of his sword to instead meet Tidus's blade during the upwards part of the swing, leaving Inigo free to angle his sword so the tip is right at the side of Tidus's neck when their swords meet. ]

Eighteen.

[ Truthfully, Tidus knows better. He knows that this isn't going to make things easier, him learning. But can he help himself? Not to have lessons be the same ol' thing, to spice things up. And what if he finds himself goaded on when Inigo meets his sass with that of his own? Tidus doesn't have the brain capacity to quip right then as Inigo does, though his tongue is being held in his mouth. Just as soon as he can get Inigo's blade grinding to his again--

--but it doesn't come. It curves for his neck, close to taking its place on his shoulder. Tidus breaks a huff like a laugh, a stilted thing; knowing that's bad, but he liked the excite, brief as it lasted. ]

Ohhh, I like it when you tell me off like that. Giving me goosebumps here, pal.

[ Will Inigo tell him off for real here, now? Probably, he's expecting it. But he'll take it, apologise or whatever. You've gotta spice life up once in a while. ]

Come on, Tidus, I'm being serious!

[ There's definitely a hint of a whine in his voice as he says that, and after letting his sword linger like that for a moment - surely a contrast with his whiny tone - he pulls it back, momentarily lowering it by his side.

This probably isn't really the telling off Tidus was expecting though, huh. Inigo just doesn't have it in him to be strict with anyone - his heart is too soft for it. Instead it just comes out this way. ]

How am I supposed to be helping you learn something if you keep doing stuff I can't? [ Maybe it's in those words that part of the problem lies.

It's not just that he's worries Tidus won't learn these techniques if he keeps using his own - but also Inigo's fear of his own inadequacy. ]

Aww, c'mon, Inigo!

[ He's rolling his shoulder, loosening up, letting that neck still on the rest of his body lean from side to side. ]

I'm just having some fun! You were too, werent'cha? It was just for a round or two. [ And see! They've had both rounds now! ]

[ Hey, he was not planning on actually seperating that head from the rest of the body, okay! He likes it where it currently is! ]

We're training! It's not supposed to be fu--

[ He stops himself mid-sentence, quickly shutting his own mouth. A second later he starts looking exasperated all over again. ]

I can't believe you're making me sound like Kjelle. [ Either you die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the Kjelle. ] I'm just saying that I don't know how I'm supposed to teach you anything this way!

You are! I'm getting it, we need to repeat moves over and over so I know what to do, then I need to know how to react to other moves too.

[ Now it's his time to be exasperated, through a sigh. ]

I know this is serious stuff, but- [ shoulders slumping! ] I have training on the regular with Piccolo too, and he's as straight as a plank is stiff.

I just figured you wouldn't be grumpy if I messed about a lil'.

[ He may sound pouty...not intentionally... ]

W-Well..

[ This is definitely how weak Inigo is to the pouting. Even when Tidus is not doing it on purpose, his heart still gets weak at the very idea that he may have been making Tidus feel bad even in the slightest. Inigo's cheeks may even be colouring slightly pink before he can catch himself. ]

O.. Of course I don't mind us having fun! I don't want to be all serious about it either! [ Which, he realises, makes his objection from a moment ago seem dumb.

But Inigo has learned. He needs to speak up about stuff when he feels it, no matter how embarrassing, before they can cause a dumb misunderstanding between him and Tidus over absolutely nothing. ]

I just.. worry about not being able to match you if you get too fancy. [ Since swordfighting techniques are all Inigo has in comparison. ]

You've killed me how many times, Inigo.

[ He knows what Inigo is like, but considering how their training sessions usually go in here? There's nothing to do than to point out the obvious here for what it is.

Please, Inigo. ]

You really don't have anything to worry about. Plus, when you start using the grav con in training more, you'll be able to match me!

[ He rests his free hand on his side, a fist. ]

You're still the guy in charge here.

I always have something to worry about. [ It's called anxiety, bro!!

But despite it sounding like a kind of pouty protest, it's really saying a lot about how far Inigo has let Tidus in that he's willing to admit as much in the first place. Regardless of tone. ]

I'm just saying.. if I get weird about all this, that's why. I'm trying not to be. I want us to have fun too! [ Because it's so easy for the two of them to have fun in the first place. It comes naturally, inbetween all the dumb dramatics about it. ] It's just been hard not to feel stupidly incompetent after the whole thing with Reno. Especially since I'm still not quite getting there with the grav-con.

[ It makes Tidus ease his position some, internally. He knows how Inigo can get, but hearing Inigo acknowledge and talk about it - it's easier to be sympathetic, being the same guy in Inigo's position. Not with his anxiety, but having to learn and struggle through it. Even Tidus needs to pull himself out of his bad habits and all. ]

You're learning though, [ Tidus starts gently. ] And it's not like you can't use it - you're just trying to do more with it than the basics. It's some military gadget, back in Light's world. It takes time.

Time we both wish we didn't have to take tripping or getting a sword to our neck or gut every ten minutes. [ He lifts his blade to tap on his shoulder. ] But we're not quitters.

[ Tidus hits the nail exactly on the head. Maybe it's the problem for both of them, even though they express - and maybe even internally feel - it in different ways. The fact that this stuff takes time, that it feels like you're fumbling for so long that you may never get it right.

And of course with Inigo that kind of thing always turns into internal personal criticism. Maybe it's just him. Maybe he'll never be good enough.

But, like Tidus also says-- ]

We're not.

[ They've already been at this training thing for a while now! Ever since they dragged themselves out of their slump for the most part. ]

It just feels like this stuff went way faster and easier when I was a kid. [ But he knows that's an experience Tidus doesn't share, so he doesn't stick with it for long. Instead he quickly speaks on. ] Though it's definitely so much better training with someone who doesn't scold you every other minute for falling flat on your face. So.. I'll try to lighten up a bit too. You can flip as much as you want, I'll adjust.

[ Maybe it's better for Tidus to learn how to do these things in his own style in the first place anyway. ]

We can mix it up. [ There, how about that? Which is what he was already suggested, but ah- This is all too serious for what was meant to be some fun! And Tidus starts hopping on his feet, getting the energy in him rolling again! ]

Don't worry too hard about it! We'll do it your way, then sometimes I'll make you put some work into it! You'll need to have answer to my tricks too - we're gonna be taking this training to the next level one day. You and me, going fast and hard!

[ Yeah!! ]

I'll try.

[ It's said with a hint of something wry, since trying to not worry about things often is a losing battle when it's Inigo who's trying.

But he means it all the same. Genuinely so. It's not like he wants this to be a dumb worrying time! He just wants to have fun with his friend and have them both improve through it!

So he lifts his sword again when he sees Tidus start ~~his idle animation~~ to bounce again, like saying he's ready again too. ]

Though it'd be pretty nice to get there and disprove the people who doubt us, right?

[ Aha-! ]

See? Don't you want to beat me to the ground when you think about it like that? Show me what you've got, Inigo! You come at me!

[ Keep him on his toes! Let's pick this up fast!! It's okay for a bro to beat you up if it's for training (the physical kind of training, and boosting his confidence). Tidus jumps back easy on his feet, still with a bounce, waiting on Inigo to come at him. Blade at the ready! ]

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