pika pika

[revelate]

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sunday week one post-meeting

[revelate]

[Much like Kurapika, Noah is drowning in some sort of indescribable feeling when the saloon door creaks open. Noah lifts his head from where he'd been resting it on the bar, vision swimming, and studies the man who just walked in.

...Right. That's Kurapika. Noah isn't all there, obviously, but he's present enough to wave him over.]

Evening. If you've come for a drink, the bartender's taken off.

[revengier]

[ It's obvious just from a cursory glance that Noah is already out of it. The fact that he was resting his head on the table gave it away, too. ]

That's fine.

[ He can just as easily walk behind the bar and grab something for himself, which is exactly what he does. His voice carries over the bar as he digs for something to pour into a glass. ]

I wouldn't have expected you to be a drinker.

[revelate]

[Noah shakes his head slowly, carefully. The world's already spinning around him.]

I'm not, really. The opportunity to drink never came up back on Aoinios, so I gave it a try. It's safe to say I won't be trying it again.

[revengier]

[ He stands back up straight, setting a bottle of whiskey on the bar. ]

You need to be more careful, especially with our current situation.

[ But is Kurapika really one to say anything? He's literally pouring some whiskey into a glass right now. ]

Were you alone?

[ Would that be better or worse? He isn't sure. ]

[revelate]

I understand that. Believe me, I do.

[Noah shakes his head.]

No. I'd been here with someone, but don't fault them for leaving. In fact, it's better that they did.

[revengier]

[ He sets his glass down on the other side of the bar, in front of a seat a little closer to Noah. ]

Did things get heated?

[ Alcohol often leads to fights, after all. ]

[revelate]

Mm. Not at all. We were having quite the pleasant conversation, actually.

It's just... afterwards, I needed some time to think and get my thoughts sorted. Easier said than done while intoxicated, I'm realizing.

[revengier]

[ He settles on the stool, bringing the glass up to his lips. It's a familiar, but no less unpleasant, burn.

He'll never get used to alcohol. ]

What thoughts? About how we're supposed to leave this town?

[revelate]

[Noah shakes his head, bracing it on a palm, elbow on the bar.]

No. About something more... personal. Feelings, I suppose.

[revengier]

...

[ Ugh.

He bites back a "why are you even thinking about feelings right now" simply because he doesn't think Noah deserves that remark. ]

Such as?

[revelate]

[HELP I LAUGHED PIKA IS SO MEAN]

Personal feelings.

[Wait. He just said that. Uh.]

A friend of mine, I guess. What I'll tell her before her time is up.

[revengier]

[ This is his worst nightmare.

For a moment, Kurapika considers downing the rest of his drink, but he holds off for the time being. ]

Is she going to die?

[revelate]

[Noah nods.]

That's right. She has about two months until her homecoming.

saturday week two post trial

[revelate]

[Post-trial, Noah can be found sulking here, there, and everywhere... but when Kurapika finds him, he'll be by the beach staring pointedly out into the ocean. He finds the ocean calming on a good day, though it isn't doing much for him here.

If he hears Kurapika approaching, and he does, Noah doesn't give any sort of sign that he's acknowledged him. At his sides, his fists are tightly balled. Good evening!]

[revengier]

[ Wow, what a lovely and polite greeting! Kurapika sighs loudly as he shoves his hands into his pockets. ]

Staring at the ocean like that isn't going to help you blow off any steam.

[revelate]

No?

[He supposes nothing will help him blow off steam, in that case. Noah glances at Kurapika over his shoulder.]

Then I take it you've got a better suggestion in mind.

[revengier]

Anything. Walking, for one. Movement will help you relax more than looking off into the sea.

[ After all, there's nothing to find out there. No answers, and certainly no way to escape this hell. ]

[revelate]

I see your point.

[To that end, a suggestion!]

Fancy a spar? You're not quite the picture of relaxed yourself.

[revengier]

[ It's been a long time since he's sparred for fun (though is this really for fun?), so Kurapika gives it a moment or two of real thought before finally nodding.

He starts to unbutton his flannel, revealing a short-sleeved shirt underneath. ]

Fine. Let's set some rules, then. Weapons or no?

[revelate]

[Noah's already in a t-shirt and jeans. He came to the beach ready to throw hands, turning to face Kurapika and adopt a combat stance. His sword's already out, but he's going to ask the question anyway:]

I've got more experience with a blade than I do in unarmed combat. You?

[revengier]

I've practiced both enough.

[ But he reaches into his back pocket anyway, pulling out a knife. ]

I've mostly used a gun and my own chains lately, but I can adapt well enough.

[ He gives Noah a nod.

Come at him. ]

[revelate]

Fair enough. Get ready!

[Kurapika gets nothing else by way of warning before Noah lunges at him and swings down, his aim deadly and precise (17). He trusts Kurapika is more than capable of defending himself, and so Noah's held nothing back.]

[revengier]

[ It's a hit that Kurapika isn't expecting, not when he thought Noah was going to warm up. That doesn't seem to be the case, though, not anymore. Something has shifted inside of Noah, and Kurapika wonders if it's permanent as he dodges (12), quickly maneuvering himself out of the path of the blade.

The purpose in Noah's swing, however, leaves him reeling to the point that he isn't able to make a counterattack.

But maybe it's better this way. If he plays to the defense for a little bit, he can get a good feel for the way Noah fights. ]

[revelate]

[Keep up, Kurapika. Noah's placing his faith in Kurapika's ability to keep up a fight, cutting him no slack when he falters in his defense. With Kutapika unable to counterattack, Noah wastes no time rushing in to launch another attack.

.............And nearly loses his grip on his blade in the process (1). Welp. If Kurapika was looking for his in, he's found it.]

[revengier]

[ Noah has left an opening, but how helpful is it really? Kurapika quickly moves in, using his smaller stature to dodge Noah’s second attack, moving in to land a punch towards his ribs.

Only… his punch isn’t particularly powerful (2) and is more of a showcase of how rusty he’s gotten with hand to hand combat. ]