[Interesting, indeed. Furiosa gives a soft chuckle and shakes her head.] Remind me to tell you the story some time.
[That tone of voice tells her they've hit yet another topic of mutual interest. This time when she smiles, there's a subtle sign of dimples at the corners of her mouth.] Easy, is it? Maybe you've been sparring with the wrong people.
Please do. I'll even buy you a drink to keep the conversation flowing.
[Not that they need any help with that, given their talk so far, but it's only polite to offer something like that, right? Root may be capable of taking on any identity during undercover missions, but she's not very familiar with socializing and meeting new people when she's actually being herself.
Idly, the hacker can't help thinking that those slight dimples at the corners of Furiosa's mouth are downright adorable. Root has always been fascinated by paradoxes, like ruthless criminals engaging in acts of kindness or delicate and feminine women with rough calloused hands. Furiosa seems to be a bit of a paradox, too; her body language tells her that this is not someone to mess with, and yet, there have been hints of softness in her expression as they talked. But that softness (or those dimples, for that matter) doesn't make her any less strong or capable, just like Root's penchant for bunny slippers and ugly plushies doesn't make her any less of a badass. Layers are what make human beings so interesting, after all.
Root's smile widens quite a bit at those words, and there's a gleam in her eyes that is downright wicked. She leans forward, her voice lowering slightly as if she's about to let Furiosa in on a secret.]
Or maybe I'm just too good at what I do.
[Challenge accepted. Bring it on.]
Edited (little ESL things) Date: 2016-07-28 01:39 am (UTC)
Oh, will you now? [Her eyes sparkle, because while she's not used to the monetary system outside her own world, that strikes her as a very friendly offer. Possibly even flirting? Hard to be sure, but Furiosa can't deny she's enjoying herself.
Someday, Root should really introduce her to bunny slippers.
The word game seems to have fallen by the wayside, but sparring is a more tempting game altogether.]
In that case, I would love to see a demonstration. Let's get out of here and find some open space. [When was the last time she sparred with another woman? Aside from teaching the Sisters a few tricks, it's been years. In Furiosa's experience, women are more ruthless fighters--she herself is no exception--and she loves that.]
Absolutely. [It is definitely a very friendly offer; maybe a little too friendly. Although her preferences-- both romantic and sexual-- are exclusively for women, Root just loves flirting with people regardless of their gender: it's just too much fun to get under someone else's skin and press all the right buttons.
(Root definitely wouldn't mind introducing her to bunny slippers, or to cute and silly things in general. This is the same woman who went undercover at a children's party as an entertainer dressed in a bear costume, after all.)
She certainly doesn't mind setting the word game aside for something more interesting and challenging; besides, it's always good getting some practice with different sparring partners.]
I thought you'd never ask, [she says in a sing song kind of voice. Root is definitely a ruthless fighter, partly because she's always been ruthless in general, but also to compensate for only having learned how to fight fairly recently. Until not very long ago, she could barely defend herself in hand to hand combat, but Shaw's lessons turned her into a very skilled-- and downright vicious-- fighter] Lead the way, then.
[Furiosa tends to feel it's not too friendly unless the other person is invading her personal space bubble. She's not unaware of when she's being teased or manipulated, though. She thinks Root may be teasing a bit, but she'll cope.
She doesn't talk much, herself, as a rule, but she doesn't mind banter and wordplay. It's entertaining.
Rising, she beckons Root after her, heading for a hallway out into what appears to be an undeveloped sort of courtyard, clipped grass and gravel with a few low walls and posts.]
It occurs to me we haven't exchanged names yet. I'm Furiosa.
[Root doesn't usually invade other people's personal space-- well, okay, she does sometimes, but it mostly happens when men get on her nerves. Or when she needs to get into close combat. Sure, she has been known to slap her best friend's butt when being sleep deprived, but her exhaustion made her a bit silly that night.
She follows the other woman into the courtyard outside, an elegant eyebrow raising slightly at the new information. Furiosa? That's a very powerful name. Root wonders if it was given to her or if she chose it, but she doesn't ask; whatever the answer is, the other woman identifies with it enough to introduce herself as such, and that's all that matters. Root was originally Samantha Groves, but she doesn't enjoy being called as such; it calls back to a time when she was weak and powerless.]
Please, call me Root, [she says pleasantly, sounding far too perky for someone about to fight a complete stranger without knowing how they'll end up when the fight is over.] I've never been too big on formalities, but it's so nice to meet you.
[She looks around the courtyard, scanning the area, and walks up to the middle of it. It's time to find out if the other woman lives up to her name. Root certainly lives up to hers: root is a superuser account in Unix and Unix-like systems that has extreme clearance and power over every file, program and script, much like Root herself can hack into any system or human mind.]
[Furiosa was born with a softer name, only to be shared within her clan. The name of the Furies was given to her by her Initiate mother when she came of age. She wears it well, and she's beyond grateful for the power and strength she gets from it, whether that strength is a gift of ancestors or goddesses or just something that lives within her.
'Root' strikes her as an auspicious name as well, though she has no sense of the origin in this case. It makes her think of tree roots, deep and sturdy and holding the earth together. Computers are foreign to her. She's seen them in pictures but the workings of them are no longer well known in her world.] I'm honored, Root.
[She offers a faint smile, then begins to unbuckle the straps of her metal arm.] I'm going to set this aside. Don't disturb it. [She never spars with the arm on. Fighting to kill is different, but for sparring...well it's a lot harder to pull your blows with that much weight in steel attached.]
[The other woman says she's honored, and Root feels a little flattered by that choice of words; it reminds her of the historical and fantasy novels she used to read as a teenager. Not that she stopped reading them as she grew up, but still.]
Likewise. [She returns that with a bright smile of her own, a little distracted by the sight of Furiosa unbuckling all those straps. Root takes a step closer, her hands stuck in her back pockets as if showing the other woman that she won't reach out to touch the metal arm. Although she has never been much of a mechanic, Root has always loved finding out how things work, from technology to people, and the intent look in her eyes as she watches Furiosa take her metal arm off shows as much.]
Wouldn't dream of it. [She tilts her head to the side, almost catlike.] Did you make it yourself?
[Furiosa is not particularly chivalrous, alas, but some of the Vuvalini customs and language for communicating with other women almost comes across that way.
She glances a little warily at the way her actions are watched, but doesn't object. A little curiosity is natural, after all. Up close, Root may be able to pick out some of the pieces that have been welded together to make the arm work: a tiny wrench on one finger, pieces of a set of pliers on the thumb, a leather glove holding much of it together.] I did. This one is only a few months old. I've been through almost a dozen versions.
[If Furiosa ever tells her about the Vuvalini, Root will have a hard time restraining her admiration. A group of self sufficient badass women keeping each other safe, and having their own set of rules? Yes please.
Root finds all of those little details fascinating. The technology isn't very modern, but that doesn't seem to make it any less functional and effective; Root definitely wouldn't want to get hit by that metal arm in a fight.] That's impressive. [She straightens up a little and finally shifts her focus to Furiosa, smiling lopsidedly at her.] And so the saying goes: if you want something done right, do it yourself.
[Furiosa has plenty of stories about the Vuvalini to share. For the longest time she forgot them, too caught up in various desperate bids for survival. Now that she's had time to talk with the remnants of her people, she has a little more internal peace, and a great deal of renewed memory. Names, ceremonies, stories Katy told...some days new things are still coming back to her like flashes of lightning in the midst of a Fury Storm.
She smiles faintly at the compliment to her arm.] The first version was just a wrench welded to a tin cup that one of the mechanics made for me. It's come a long way.
[Setting the arm aside on the clean wall, she rolls her left shoulder to loosen the muscles.] Right. No spitting, no biting.
[An elegant eyebrow raises at that new bit of information, and it's obvious from her expression that she's a little surprised.] A long way indeed. [That only makes it even more impressive in Root's opinion; then again, if a mechanic's first draft of a prosthesis is something so rudimentary, it can only get better from there.]
And no hitting the right side of my skull, [she adds casually, completing their little rule book. She realizes that she may have given a weakness away, but Root isn't about to put her cochlear implant at risk; she doesn't know how strong Furiosa is, or how well she fights. The right side of her head is a no go, but she didn't say anything about the left side.] Roger that.
[She watches Furiosa roll her shoulder, but she stands still, not doing any kind of warm up or preparation. Root doesn't even take on a traditional sparring stance (her fighting style is far from being traditional) as she waits for the other woman to get ready; the only thing she does is to remove her hands from her back pockets and stretch her arms above her head with a soft sigh. She's ready for whatever the other woman throws at her.]
[Furiosa was also a lot smaller then, barely more than a child. That's a long story, though, and not an entirely pleasant one.]
Sounds all right. [She agrees mildly to the rule Root has added. She's not sure what it's apropos of, but this is supposed to be relatively friendly. She doesn't want to actually injure her new acquaintance, at least not beyond grass stains and bruises.
Furiosa's stance is very solid; she's fought mostly men, and they've been bigger than her, by and large, at least by weight and muscle mass. Root may be a challenge simply by virtue of being female and a little shorter.]
Two taps to stop. [She adds as a final rule, and then her body language shifts abruptly from military to loose-limbed and almost predatory as she darts forward in an attempt to sweep the other woman's feet.]
[Even if Furiosa does end up injuring her, Root won't mind: she's more than okay with a little violence, after all. There's something to be said about a good sparring match, and if their fight includes blood and bruises that won't heal for days, Root certainly won't complain.
While Furiosa's stance is solid, Root's is almost fluid: she's built like a ballerina-- tall, thin, and disarmingly feminine-- and definitely far from athletic, but she's the complete opposite of fragile or helpless. She's fought men and women alike, and although she frequently spars with a friend of the same gender, Root isn't used to actually being the shorter girl herself.]
Noted, [she replies, waiting for Furiosa to make her move. She doesn't have to wait at all, though, and as soon as she finishes speaking, the other woman is darting forward and trying to sweep her feet with her right leg. Root counters her move by sidestepping suddenly, making use of the momentum to aim a blow at Furiosa's left side.]
[Bruises are virtually guaranteed, particularly when they've never fought each other before and can't be sure how far to pull their blows. Furiosa would rather not draw blood, but these things happen. She won't hold it against Root if she walks away with a split lip or scraped elbows.
It's actually just a little bit distracting, noting the way Root stands. The grace, the slenderness, the clean and unmarked skin...Furiosa is damaged in many ways--romantically, psychologically--but she's not dead. Now is not the time to admire, though.
She's impressed by Root's agility, but she's not so careless she'd overextend on the first move, and she's ready for the counterstrike, parrying efficiently with the left elbow. There's power in that motion; some of the muscles have been built up by carrying the heavy prosthesis. It's her right fist, though, that jabs for the other woman's solar plexus.]
[Do Furiosa's eyes linger for a little bit longer than necessary, or is it just Root's imagination? Whatever it is, she pushes those thoughts aside as she focuses on their fight. Even if Furiosa did stare for a fraction of a second longer, there's nothing wrong with admiring an attractive woman, and Root knows she qualifies as such; her self esteem is just a tiny bit too high, after all.
Root is a very curious person. When Furiosa first suggested sparring, she wondered how the other woman would use her metal arm in a fight, and when she realized that Furiosa wouldn't be using it, she became even more interested in what was about to happen. So Root is pleased to see her using her left elbow just as efficiently as if she were using her whole arm, and can't help being impressed by how powerful the move is. She doesn't let herself get distracted, however, and she is just as ready for her own counterstrike. Once again, Root makes use of momentum to try to turn the tables to her advantage: she grabs at Furiosa's right arm and rotates her body, just enough to get up close and personal as she tries to do a shoulder throw.]
[It's not her imagination. Furiosa tends to be drawn to strength and competence first, but she's far from immune to beauty, either, and Root seems to have all the above, and then some.
The shoulder throw is a move Furiosa has made use of before, herself, and she's surprised to have it used against her so efficiently. It's doubly effective since it's trickier for her to counter with the abbreviated left arm, and she feels herself being pulled off-balance before she can break the hold. What she can do with that left arm, though, is curl the elbow tightly around Root's opposite shoulder and neck even as she's flipped. The grip may not hold well, but it should be enough to pull her opponent off-balance and land them both on the ground.]
[Well, that doesn't exactly go as planned. Root's move is successful, but it's obvious that Furiosa isn't planning on falling down on her own, and her grip is just enough to make her lose her balance: Root lets out a surprised little sound when she feels herself being pulled, which turns into breathless laughter when she does fall down (and quite ungracefully, at that), landing almost on top of her opponent. Her laugh isn't mocking, however; she's positively delighted that Furiosa managed to use that move to her advantage, when she didn't think she'd manage to do so. Root should have considered that possibility.
She doesn't waste any time pondering her mistakes, however: Root moves quickly so she can straddle the other woman, reaching for her arms so she can pin them above her head.]
Not bad, Furiosa, [she says with a wide grin as she twists Furiosa's right arm-- just enough to hurt, but not enough to actually harm her-- and pins her left arm by the elbow. Root knows that this position isn't really that good of a strategy, but she can never resist being a cocky little shit.] Not bad at all.
[Furiosa is laughing too, in fact, only silently, doing her best to save her breath. Root will no doubt notice the grin on her face when she tumbles on top of her. For a moment, the older woman is reminded of tussling with her clan-sisters as children. Valkyrie pinning her down and prodding for ticklish spots.
She gasps at the arm twist, fighting it while planting her heels. It hurts, but in that strange, semi-pleasant way that sparks adrenaline rather than distress. It's wise of Root to pin her elbow; men have made that mistake before. She's slippery as a snake with that arm and she'll get it out of most grips easily.]
Mmn? [Her eyes narrow, but the smile doesn't fade.] Could tell you the same.
[Then her hips twist, body writhing in a sudden explosion of movement to tip Root toward her left side, taking advantage of the way she's poised unevenly to throw her.]
[It seems like she's not the only one who's having a lot of fun: Furiosa's laughter is much quieter, yes, but it's there, and her grin is just as obvious as Root's. That gasp is only to be expected, and so is the way she fights back, but the hacker doesn't let go: she puts most of her weight on her arms, allowing her to pin the other woman more efficiently.
Unfortunately, her actions make it more difficult to keep her legs as stable and grounded as her upper body, and she pays the price immediately after: Furiosa's whole body writhes to the left, throwing her off. Root doesn't stop laughing even as she rolls away, her hair flying everywhere, and she rises quickly to her feet.]
Now that we've both established we're quite good at what we do, [she steps closer to Furiosa, offering her right hand to help her get up.] Maybe we could stop holding back, hm?
[Furiosa is already halfway up when Root offers her hand. She grins, accepting, although she's watching to make sure this isn't a prelude to a sneak attack.]
We seem to have established we both enjoy a good match, too. [She nods slightly. They're both standing now, right hands clasped, but Root may notice Furiosa's stance is balanced again, her side turned toward her opponent to present less of a target.]
Where'd you learn? [She's not quite ready to make another lunge, not yet. Weighing her opportunity, and hoping the other woman will attack first and allow her to play defense.]
[Root may be as ruthless during a fight as she is during a shootout or when hacking complex security systems, but she wouldn't just help someone up only to betray their trust; she's sneaky, but she's not that sneaky. She's glad that the other woman takes her offer to help her up.]
Oh, absolutely, [she says with a smile, but she doesn't let go of Furiosa's hand just yet. While her stance is defensive, Root's posture couldn't be more different: she doesn't turn her side to present less of a target, or even tense up in anticipation of an attack. She looks harmless, as if she's greeting a friend instead of taking a very short break during a fight.] A friend taught me. She and I both agreed that I needed to know how to defend myself. And you?
[She takes a few steps back, letting go of her hand and putting some distance between them. Root is going to make the first move this time around-- it's only fair, after all-- but not right away, so she circles Furiosa without taking her eyes off of her, her body language shifting to predatory and almost feline. And then she strikes, stepping closer and pivoting her body to aim a roundhouse kick at Furiosa's torso, targeting the left side just so she can see how good her opponent is at defending with her left arm.]
[Furiosa actually is that sneaky, but not during friendly sparring. If she's fighting for her life, everything is fair game, and if she's fighting for status, almost everything is fair game. Not now, though.]
Started learning when I was little. From my mothers. [Mostly from Katy Concannon. Mary, her biological mother, was capable of shooting and punching, but she didn't relish the physical challenge the way Katy did.
She turns subtly, watching Root circle and choose her target. And that is a very impressive kick she's got there. Rather than try and block with her arm, Furiosa counters with her own leg, aiming for Root's hip region in what's more of a shove than a kick. While they're around the same height, Furiosa has quite a bit of leg to work with, and may have better reach. She gives a little growl of effort as she moves, then pushes forward to swing her right elbow up and in toward Root's chin, forearm held close to protect her own face.]
[Indeed, everything goes when fighting for her life or someone else's. But friendly sparring is a different game altogether; she's not above sneaky moves such as faking an injury or fragility in general to bring her sparring partner's guard down, though.
Her eyebrows go up in surprise at Furiosa's answer. Mothers, plural, just like the other woman mentioned during their word game, right after the hacker said 'motorbike'. Root had found it an odd word association at the time, but the game itself can be delightfully weird, so she just chalked it up to different life experiences. She didn't think Furiosa had meant it literally, and the thought that her opponent is lucky enough to have two mothers looking out for her distracts Root enough that she isn't able to dodge the foot aimed at her hip. She stumbles, but before she can rearrange her body and her limbs into a defensive stance, there's an elbow connecting with her chin and mouth, bringing a pained little sound out of her and making her stumble backwards once again. This time, Root takes a few steps back, retreating to a safe distance to rethink her next move.]
They taught you well. [The hit was enough to make her bleed, and Root licks at the broken skin on her lower lip like it's no big deal, her eyes never leaving the other woman. It isn't a big deal at all: the metallic taste is nothing more than a reminder that she's alive, and a natural consequence of sparring with a very skilled fighter. Speaking of skilled fighters, Root doesn't take long to recover: she crosses the distance between them all of a sudden, pretending to aim a punch at Furiosa's face in retaliation, trying to distract her from her real move: a punch right to the solar plexus, using her right fist, like the other woman tried to do to her before.]
[Not just two mothers, but a host of other female clan members. By the standards of some worlds and individual, Furiosa's early childhood was tough. Certainly she had to learn to survive, to shoot and fight and work, very young. But she had a huge, doting, affectionate family, and even if she was torn away from them too soon, that love has stuck with her. If she had started out as an unparented war pup or feral child, she would have fallen for Immortan Joe's poison much harder, and maybe never freed herself from it.
She had memories of green, and women laughing, and playing with her sisters, and whether she knows it or not, they're the root of a great deal of her strength.]
They were strong. [It's a quiet, simple response. She watches Root's reaction a moment, gauging how angry she is, whether there's a loss of control forthcoming. She sees adrenaline rather than rage, and her lips quirk in a small, approving smile before Root darts in again.
The next several minutes are a blur of motion and endorphins, punches and kicks and holds and twists. She finds Root a very tricky opponent; in a lot of ways, she is better-trained. Her form and technique are more precise and elegant than anything Furiosa has ever faced before. That makes the fight a kind of joy in itself, like a dance. If she could move outside herself and just watch the two of them moving together, she'd be tempted. It must be a hell of a show.
Furiosa's own strengths are an ability to zero in on her opponents' unguarded moments, even as few and far between as they are. If there's an opening, she's there. She's also impossible to discourage, patient and stubborn and relentless.
By the end of it, her left side is terribly sore--it will be shades of blue and purple tomorrow--and she has assorted cuts and abrasions on her face and arms. She can feel herself wearing down, tiring slowly but surely, and her right hand is clumsy now, numb from repeated impacts. It's not completely useless, though, not yet, and Root's long brunette waves are too tempting a target to pass up. She's already pulled on them once or twice, but this time when she lunges in, she locks her left arm around Root's neck and curls her right hand in her hair, a secondary, stinging hold.]
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sarken
(no subject)
Date: 2016-07-27 02:47 am (UTC)[That tone of voice tells her they've hit yet another topic of mutual interest. This time when she smiles, there's a subtle sign of dimples at the corners of her mouth.] Easy, is it? Maybe you've been sparring with the wrong people.
[Ooh, was that a challenge?]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-07-28 01:38 am (UTC)[Not that they need any help with that, given their talk so far, but it's only polite to offer something like that, right? Root may be capable of taking on any identity during undercover missions, but she's not very familiar with socializing and meeting new people when she's actually being herself.
Idly, the hacker can't help thinking that those slight dimples at the corners of Furiosa's mouth are downright adorable. Root has always been fascinated by paradoxes, like ruthless criminals engaging in acts of kindness or delicate and feminine women with rough calloused hands. Furiosa seems to be a bit of a paradox, too; her body language tells her that this is not someone to mess with, and yet, there have been hints of softness in her expression as they talked. But that softness (or those dimples, for that matter) doesn't make her any less strong or capable, just like Root's penchant for bunny slippers and ugly plushies doesn't make her any less of a badass. Layers are what make human beings so interesting, after all.
Root's smile widens quite a bit at those words, and there's a gleam in her eyes that is downright wicked. She leans forward, her voice lowering slightly as if she's about to let Furiosa in on a secret.]
Or maybe I'm just too good at what I do.
[Challenge accepted. Bring it on.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-07-29 01:10 am (UTC)Someday, Root should really introduce her to bunny slippers.
The word game seems to have fallen by the wayside, but sparring is a more tempting game altogether.]
In that case, I would love to see a demonstration. Let's get out of here and find some open space. [When was the last time she sparred with another woman? Aside from teaching the Sisters a few tricks, it's been years. In Furiosa's experience, women are more ruthless fighters--she herself is no exception--and she loves that.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-07-29 02:28 am (UTC)(Root definitely wouldn't mind introducing her to bunny slippers, or to cute and silly things in general. This is the same woman who went undercover at a children's party as an entertainer dressed in a bear costume, after all.)
She certainly doesn't mind setting the word game aside for something more interesting and challenging; besides, it's always good getting some practice with different sparring partners.]
I thought you'd never ask, [she says in a sing song kind of voice. Root is definitely a ruthless fighter, partly because she's always been ruthless in general, but also to compensate for only having learned how to fight fairly recently. Until not very long ago, she could barely defend herself in hand to hand combat, but Shaw's lessons turned her into a very skilled-- and downright vicious-- fighter] Lead the way, then.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-07-30 05:21 pm (UTC)She doesn't talk much, herself, as a rule, but she doesn't mind banter and wordplay. It's entertaining.
Rising, she beckons Root after her, heading for a hallway out into what appears to be an undeveloped sort of courtyard, clipped grass and gravel with a few low walls and posts.]
It occurs to me we haven't exchanged names yet. I'm Furiosa.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-07-31 06:16 pm (UTC)She follows the other woman into the courtyard outside, an elegant eyebrow raising slightly at the new information. Furiosa? That's a very powerful name. Root wonders if it was given to her or if she chose it, but she doesn't ask; whatever the answer is, the other woman identifies with it enough to introduce herself as such, and that's all that matters. Root was originally Samantha Groves, but she doesn't enjoy being called as such; it calls back to a time when she was weak and powerless.]
Please, call me Root, [she says pleasantly, sounding far too perky for someone about to fight a complete stranger without knowing how they'll end up when the fight is over.] I've never been too big on formalities, but it's so nice to meet you.
[She looks around the courtyard, scanning the area, and walks up to the middle of it. It's time to find out if the other woman lives up to her name. Root certainly lives up to hers: root is a superuser account in Unix and Unix-like systems that has extreme clearance and power over every file, program and script, much like Root herself can hack into any system or human mind.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-07-31 09:46 pm (UTC)'Root' strikes her as an auspicious name as well, though she has no sense of the origin in this case. It makes her think of tree roots, deep and sturdy and holding the earth together. Computers are foreign to her. She's seen them in pictures but the workings of them are no longer well known in her world.] I'm honored, Root.
[She offers a faint smile, then begins to unbuckle the straps of her metal arm.] I'm going to set this aside. Don't disturb it. [She never spars with the arm on. Fighting to kill is different, but for sparring...well it's a lot harder to pull your blows with that much weight in steel attached.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-07-31 11:29 pm (UTC)Likewise. [She returns that with a bright smile of her own, a little distracted by the sight of Furiosa unbuckling all those straps. Root takes a step closer, her hands stuck in her back pockets as if showing the other woman that she won't reach out to touch the metal arm. Although she has never been much of a mechanic, Root has always loved finding out how things work, from technology to people, and the intent look in her eyes as she watches Furiosa take her metal arm off shows as much.]
Wouldn't dream of it. [She tilts her head to the side, almost catlike.] Did you make it yourself?
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-01 02:27 am (UTC)She glances a little warily at the way her actions are watched, but doesn't object. A little curiosity is natural, after all. Up close, Root may be able to pick out some of the pieces that have been welded together to make the arm work: a tiny wrench on one finger, pieces of a set of pliers on the thumb, a leather glove holding much of it together.] I did. This one is only a few months old. I've been through almost a dozen versions.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-01 07:30 am (UTC)Root finds all of those little details fascinating. The technology isn't very modern, but that doesn't seem to make it any less functional and effective; Root definitely wouldn't want to get hit by that metal arm in a fight.] That's impressive. [She straightens up a little and finally shifts her focus to Furiosa, smiling lopsidedly at her.] And so the saying goes: if you want something done right, do it yourself.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-03 04:00 pm (UTC)She smiles faintly at the compliment to her arm.] The first version was just a wrench welded to a tin cup that one of the mechanics made for me. It's come a long way.
[Setting the arm aside on the clean wall, she rolls her left shoulder to loosen the muscles.] Right. No spitting, no biting.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-04 01:44 am (UTC)And no hitting the right side of my skull, [she adds casually, completing their little rule book. She realizes that she may have given a weakness away, but Root isn't about to put her cochlear implant at risk; she doesn't know how strong Furiosa is, or how well she fights. The right side of her head is a no go, but she didn't say anything about the left side.] Roger that.
[She watches Furiosa roll her shoulder, but she stands still, not doing any kind of warm up or preparation. Root doesn't even take on a traditional sparring stance (her fighting style is far from being traditional) as she waits for the other woman to get ready; the only thing she does is to remove her hands from her back pockets and stretch her arms above her head with a soft sigh. She's ready for whatever the other woman throws at her.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-05 02:38 am (UTC)Sounds all right. [She agrees mildly to the rule Root has added. She's not sure what it's apropos of, but this is supposed to be relatively friendly. She doesn't want to actually injure her new acquaintance, at least not beyond grass stains and bruises.
Furiosa's stance is very solid; she's fought mostly men, and they've been bigger than her, by and large, at least by weight and muscle mass. Root may be a challenge simply by virtue of being female and a little shorter.]
Two taps to stop. [She adds as a final rule, and then her body language shifts abruptly from military to loose-limbed and almost predatory as she darts forward in an attempt to sweep the other woman's feet.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-09 01:57 am (UTC)While Furiosa's stance is solid, Root's is almost fluid: she's built like a ballerina-- tall, thin, and disarmingly feminine-- and definitely far from athletic, but she's the complete opposite of fragile or helpless. She's fought men and women alike, and although she frequently spars with a friend of the same gender, Root isn't used to actually being the shorter girl herself.]
Noted, [she replies, waiting for Furiosa to make her move. She doesn't have to wait at all, though, and as soon as she finishes speaking, the other woman is darting forward and trying to sweep her feet with her right leg. Root counters her move by sidestepping suddenly, making use of the momentum to aim a blow at Furiosa's left side.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-11 02:52 am (UTC)It's actually just a little bit distracting, noting the way Root stands. The grace, the slenderness, the clean and unmarked skin...Furiosa is damaged in many ways--romantically, psychologically--but she's not dead. Now is not the time to admire, though.
She's impressed by Root's agility, but she's not so careless she'd overextend on the first move, and she's ready for the counterstrike, parrying efficiently with the left elbow. There's power in that motion; some of the muscles have been built up by carrying the heavy prosthesis. It's her right fist, though, that jabs for the other woman's solar plexus.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-14 05:28 pm (UTC)Root is a very curious person. When Furiosa first suggested sparring, she wondered how the other woman would use her metal arm in a fight, and when she realized that Furiosa wouldn't be using it, she became even more interested in what was about to happen. So Root is pleased to see her using her left elbow just as efficiently as if she were using her whole arm, and can't help being impressed by how powerful the move is. She doesn't let herself get distracted, however, and she is just as ready for her own counterstrike. Once again, Root makes use of momentum to try to turn the tables to her advantage: she grabs at Furiosa's right arm and rotates her body, just enough to get up close and personal as she tries to do a shoulder throw.]
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Date: 2016-08-15 02:09 am (UTC)The shoulder throw is a move Furiosa has made use of before, herself, and she's surprised to have it used against her so efficiently. It's doubly effective since it's trickier for her to counter with the abbreviated left arm, and she feels herself being pulled off-balance before she can break the hold. What she can do with that left arm, though, is curl the elbow tightly around Root's opposite shoulder and neck even as she's flipped. The grip may not hold well, but it should be enough to pull her opponent off-balance and land them both on the ground.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-16 05:26 pm (UTC)She doesn't waste any time pondering her mistakes, however: Root moves quickly so she can straddle the other woman, reaching for her arms so she can pin them above her head.]
Not bad, Furiosa, [she says with a wide grin as she twists Furiosa's right arm-- just enough to hurt, but not enough to actually harm her-- and pins her left arm by the elbow. Root knows that this position isn't really that good of a strategy, but she can never resist being a cocky little shit.] Not bad at all.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-18 12:46 am (UTC)She gasps at the arm twist, fighting it while planting her heels. It hurts, but in that strange, semi-pleasant way that sparks adrenaline rather than distress. It's wise of Root to pin her elbow; men have made that mistake before. She's slippery as a snake with that arm and she'll get it out of most grips easily.]
Mmn? [Her eyes narrow, but the smile doesn't fade.] Could tell you the same.
[Then her hips twist, body writhing in a sudden explosion of movement to tip Root toward her left side, taking advantage of the way she's poised unevenly to throw her.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-18 11:50 pm (UTC)Unfortunately, her actions make it more difficult to keep her legs as stable and grounded as her upper body, and she pays the price immediately after: Furiosa's whole body writhes to the left, throwing her off. Root doesn't stop laughing even as she rolls away, her hair flying everywhere, and she rises quickly to her feet.]
Now that we've both established we're quite good at what we do, [she steps closer to Furiosa, offering her right hand to help her get up.] Maybe we could stop holding back, hm?
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-28 08:04 pm (UTC)We seem to have established we both enjoy a good match, too. [She nods slightly. They're both standing now, right hands clasped, but Root may notice Furiosa's stance is balanced again, her side turned toward her opponent to present less of a target.]
Where'd you learn? [She's not quite ready to make another lunge, not yet. Weighing her opportunity, and hoping the other woman will attack first and allow her to play defense.]
welp, it seems notifs are messing up again! or so I've been told...
Date: 2016-09-01 03:01 am (UTC)Oh, absolutely, [she says with a smile, but she doesn't let go of Furiosa's hand just yet. While her stance is defensive, Root's posture couldn't be more different: she doesn't turn her side to present less of a target, or even tense up in anticipation of an attack. She looks harmless, as if she's greeting a friend instead of taking a very short break during a fight.] A friend taught me. She and I both agreed that I needed to know how to defend myself. And you?
[She takes a few steps back, letting go of her hand and putting some distance between them. Root is going to make the first move this time around-- it's only fair, after all-- but not right away, so she circles Furiosa without taking her eyes off of her, her body language shifting to predatory and almost feline. And then she strikes, stepping closer and pivoting her body to aim a roundhouse kick at Furiosa's torso, targeting the left side just so she can see how good her opponent is at defending with her left arm.]
I'm messing up. Not sure about notifs. >_>
Date: 2016-09-05 07:12 pm (UTC)Started learning when I was little. From my mothers. [Mostly from Katy Concannon. Mary, her biological mother, was capable of shooting and punching, but she didn't relish the physical challenge the way Katy did.
She turns subtly, watching Root circle and choose her target. And that is a very impressive kick she's got there. Rather than try and block with her arm, Furiosa counters with her own leg, aiming for Root's hip region in what's more of a shove than a kick. While they're around the same height, Furiosa has quite a bit of leg to work with, and may have better reach. She gives a little growl of effort as she moves, then pushes forward to swing her right elbow up and in toward Root's chin, forearm held close to protect her own face.]
You're not messing up, don't worry about it! <3
Date: 2016-09-07 12:49 am (UTC)Her eyebrows go up in surprise at Furiosa's answer. Mothers, plural, just like the other woman mentioned during their word game, right after the hacker said 'motorbike'. Root had found it an odd word association at the time, but the game itself can be delightfully weird, so she just chalked it up to different life experiences. She didn't think Furiosa had meant it literally, and the thought that her opponent is lucky enough to have two mothers looking out for her distracts Root enough that she isn't able to dodge the foot aimed at her hip. She stumbles, but before she can rearrange her body and her limbs into a defensive stance, there's an elbow connecting with her chin and mouth, bringing a pained little sound out of her and making her stumble backwards once again. This time, Root takes a few steps back, retreating to a safe distance to rethink her next move.]
They taught you well. [The hit was enough to make her bleed, and Root licks at the broken skin on her lower lip like it's no big deal, her eyes never leaving the other woman. It isn't a big deal at all: the metallic taste is nothing more than a reminder that she's alive, and a natural consequence of sparring with a very skilled fighter. Speaking of skilled fighters, Root doesn't take long to recover: she crosses the distance between them all of a sudden, pretending to aim a punch at Furiosa's face in retaliation, trying to distract her from her real move: a punch right to the solar plexus, using her right fist, like the other woman tried to do to her before.]
(no subject)
Date: 2016-09-14 12:53 am (UTC)She had memories of green, and women laughing, and playing with her sisters, and whether she knows it or not, they're the root of a great deal of her strength.]
They were strong. [It's a quiet, simple response. She watches Root's reaction a moment, gauging how angry she is, whether there's a loss of control forthcoming. She sees adrenaline rather than rage, and her lips quirk in a small, approving smile before Root darts in again.
The next several minutes are a blur of motion and endorphins, punches and kicks and holds and twists. She finds Root a very tricky opponent; in a lot of ways, she is better-trained. Her form and technique are more precise and elegant than anything Furiosa has ever faced before. That makes the fight a kind of joy in itself, like a dance. If she could move outside herself and just watch the two of them moving together, she'd be tempted. It must be a hell of a show.
Furiosa's own strengths are an ability to zero in on her opponents' unguarded moments, even as few and far between as they are. If there's an opening, she's there. She's also impossible to discourage, patient and stubborn and relentless.
By the end of it, her left side is terribly sore--it will be shades of blue and purple tomorrow--and she has assorted cuts and abrasions on her face and arms. She can feel herself wearing down, tiring slowly but surely, and her right hand is clumsy now, numb from repeated impacts. It's not completely useless, though, not yet, and Root's long brunette waves are too tempting a target to pass up. She's already pulled on them once or twice, but this time when she lunges in, she locks her left arm around Root's neck and curls her right hand in her hair, a secondary, stinging hold.]
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