Private Dunnstads Seaside Stroll

Harukami · Jul 31, 2022

Though she was a bit surprised he refused her offer, she wasn't surprised one-hundred percent. Somehow, fending for himself seemed like something Morpheus would enjoy rather than abstain from. He was, after all, very good at teaching about survival.

"Can we at least eat together?" She asked, but he was gone by the time she'd managed. With a sigh, she opened up her lunch box. Fried chicken (or some similar meat- she honestly wasn't sure what it was when she'd gotten it from a market), and some stir fried vegetables were packed neatly and tightly into the container. She had a set of hand-crafted chopsticks to eat with, making her feel more at home even on this sandy beach.

When Morpheus avoided showing her his meal, particularly after he'd told her what he found, she giggled slightly. "Ojii-san doesn't need to hold back on my account. I may not be the strongest girl there is, but even I have eaten bugs as a child... Or so my mother and sister have teased me about."

@Morpheus

Morpheus · Jul 31, 2022

Morpheus heard the words when he got back, not bothered much by them and would sit to face her. if the kid thought they could handle it then so be it her choice. Calmly eating his food with his hands as he did not bother to pack anything else or felt the need when he was more on a one way trip in his eyes and what he gathered along the way would be used along the way or given to the person when he was at his end.

"Just because you eaten them does not mean you can stand someone else eating them little light. Besides I know it is not exactly fun to watch others eat bugs even if you are also or worse eating other foods as the mind can play tricks and ruin your apatite."

Morpheus would do his best to hide what he was eating by covering his mouth with his hand or keeping a closed fist around it until he would eat it and kept mixing the items on his makeshift plate. Humming some to help himself forget the fact he was eating things he did not enjoy but knew if he did not eat death would come a lot faster and be more painful an end then just time expire. That thought though would lead him to finish eating his limited gathered items before speaking again.

"You got the talent and desire to get stronger, long as you don't lose that desire and don't let it overtake you one day they just might sing songs about you ha ha."

Morpheus spoke while breaking apart is makeshift plate to scatter in the wood line to make it decay faster and help the forest grow better. giving a silent and quick thanks to the forest for the food he was able to get from it, and to say sorry for needing it before returning to Harukami and sitting with his cane over his legs. he would likely be waiting until she finished eating, but maybe she ate faster then the old man? If she did he would smack her with his cane to hint to slow down eating as it was not a race or to be rushed.

Rolls

None

@Harukami
Player Sheet Link

Harukami · Jul 31, 2022

She watched him eat with wonder in her eyes. The things other people did were truly astounding! She couldn't imagine eating maggots so smoothly. She knew food was mostly for sustenance, but she also was raised to see food as a joyous occasion. She clapped her hands together and thanked the food for its existence before starting to eat, taking her time as was customary for her.

"I've seen people eat all sorts of stuff at school," Harukami admitted. "Not maggots, but... Still some strange stuff. I find a lot of foods strange though. Even this fried meat is pretty mysterious to me."

Taking another bite of stir fry with her chopsticks, she smiled brightly. "It turned out really good! I'll have to make some of this for dinner tonight... Etsuko does love karaage..." That girl loved anything friend, Haruka believed. But still, making food for others was a delight. So, she was a little sad Morpheus wouldn't try it.

When she did finish, which took slightly longer than her elderly companion, she packed up the lunch box with her chopsticks and returned it to her inventory. "I'm not looking to be famous or anything. I just want to be stronger as a person... for my own sake. I can't let my sister baby me forever, after all." She gave Morpheus a clear smile. "Thank you for eating with me, Ojii-san! Food tastes better with family and friends, after all!"

@Morpheus

Morpheus · Jul 31, 2022

He would simply listen to Harukami, mostly because he did not feel like he had much to say on the matter is it all cam to personal opinion or real life things that he wished to have no part in anymore. He had spent a few days logged into the game and not once did they disconnect his headset to say he had guest, or anything like that so far as he cared his kids gave up on him or did not care and that was his only reason to keep fighting as long as he had.

"I suppose... Not sure if you would like to spar again, chat, or just relax a bit longer. These old bones don't stay still for long or they tend to lock up so."

Morpheus would stay seated for a bit longer at the least, but eventually he would force himself to stand as his bones creaked and clearly showed his age with the struggle. Going to sit was the easy part, but now that he was up again he would chose not to sit for a while as he walked to the water and set his sandals outside the waves to stand ankle deep in the chilled water looking out while using his cane for support. He tried to recall the last time he was allowed to go to the beach.

The memory was bitter sweet, as he recalled the distant memory his last time seeing his harp alive. They had gone to the beach they first met on, one last date after the doctors said she only had a few days of heavy medication to live and less if she refused it like she had. His harp fought the battle so long, and in the final moments Alexander pleaded her to reconsider the choice, cursed the gods above as he was forced to watch the light fade from her eyes as they watched a setting sun. Lost deep in the memory as the waves began to brush against his clothing and he slowly walked into the waves.

Rolls

None

@Harukami
Player Sheet Link

Harukami · Jul 31, 2022

With her food eaten and lunch box put away, Harukami stood as Morpheus did, stretching for a moment. "If Ojii-san is really okay with it, I'd love to learn more from you. I never sparred before today, but... It's really educational, and kind of fun!" A bright smile took over her features as she gripped her staff and looked out at the water.

A question made her lips quiver. She wanted to tell him, but was afraid of being judged by the kind man with so much mystery. But, she finally brought it to the surface. "Nee, Ojii-san... Do you think I'm a boy or a girl?" She twirled in place for a minute, giggling. "The truth is, I'm both!"

Lifting her staff, she ran a few feet away to make a distance between them for the potential spar. "Ojii-san treats me kindly. It makes me feel like you're really my Ojii-san. That's why... I thought I should tell you the truth about me, before we spar. Clear the air, if you will."

Twisting her wrist, she brought her staff close to her. "I am Akimiya Haruka... And as someone aspiring to be strong, I request you fight me with all you've got. Boy or girl, man or woman. I want you to keep giving me your all no matter what I am. Is it okay to expect that?"

@Morpheus

Morpheus · Jul 31, 2022

It would take him a moment to break from the bad memory before he would turn to face the child. He really did not understand the question but hearing the answer he would simply shrug. He met a few like the kid in real life, those who felt they did not belong to the gender born as, or loved the same gender. To him they had all been people, respect him and he would respect them. Moving out from the water as he adjusted his Kimonos once more this time to his serious mode.

The outer white Kimono was set down while the black under Kimono was folded down to expose his countless scars and upper body as Divine magic crackled off him. Then he would wrap the cane in the white Kimono and set it beside his sandels. If the child wanted to spar again then he would do his best to go all out. His mind slowly going back to combat mode as he went from kind old man to serious combat veteran. There was little show of mercy in his eyes as he spoke.

"Very well then Little light, Guess we shall have a serious spar this time. Try to keep up with your elders and put what you learn and know to the test. You get first move, only fair since I took first blow last time."

Divine magic clustered around the old man, forming a aura like armor and boxing gloves in each hand. He was asked to go all out, and so it would be just that. Adjusting his stance as he hopped on his toes getting ready to blitz the caster and show why he liked street fighter games better then RPG style ones. Maybe he would try to make the combo happen in this world since he failed to achieve it in real life.

Rolls

None

@Harukami
Player Sheet Link

Harukami · Jul 31, 2022

5 / 5

"What I learn and know... Got it!" Did she really get it, though? Haruka's memory was pretty bad... But even knowing that, she had a swell of confidence that fighting her new grandfather would be fruitful. Clutching her staff tightly, she tapped the sand to create a shockwave of Divine Magic, hoping to surprise the elderly man from below.

A small smirk was on her face. She didn't know why she was feeling so powerful- but she was. Part of her wanted to practice magic she wasn't used to, but she'd promised Morpheus her all. That meant the power of the Gods would be required, in her mind. She was, after all, primarily a light mage.

"I can do this..." She chirped to herself. "Okay, Ojii-san! Now you go! I'll take everything you've got!" She pumped her fist into her other hand, preparing to brace herself. She wanted to dodge, but she was more confident in her clumsiness than her speed- so she'd have to give it her all just to stay standing during this brawl.

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (43) + 15 + 5 = 63
63+ or -1 LP
Divine Magic | Harukami | 788C24

Player Sheet Link
@Morpheus

Morpheus · Jul 31, 2022

5 / 5

Morpheus smirked a little watching Harukami try to use the very same tricks he had the previous fight. Frame lowering before he would hop over the approaching wave of magic and land on the other side of it. Right foot digging into the sand before he kicked forward rushing the caster to force her into close combat. He was a divine brawler and while he was approaching his mind played tricks on him. The black shadow figures swarming around the child forcing him to redirect the attack to the side likely to only graze Harukami at best.

"LEAVE THE KID ALONE YOU DAMN SHADOW DEMONS!"

His words an enraged shout as he looked to the side of Harukami blinking only to lose sight of the shadow figures as quickly as they had shown up. His age was his greatest enemy in fights and having the shadowbound curse trait alongside his DA to see the worst things was not helping. Growling as he spun around wildly searching for the shadows only to find they had left for the time being leaving the annoying cackle having done what they set out for making a mockery of him.

"Ignore that... Just my senile side showing a bit pay it no mind."

Morpheus would return his focus to the kid, he looked a little annoyed for a moment longer but eventually returned full focus to the fighting at hand. he would not let the kid get space and would keep staying in close range unless she found a way to get an opening to move away. This time he had no plan on letting other things force him to miss an attack.

Rolls

@Harukami
Player Sheet Link

Harukami · Jul 31, 2022

5 / 5

"S-Senile?" It wasn't fear in her voice, but confusion. She spoke fluent English due to school, but some words still evaded her- senility being one of them. "I don't even know what that is, but... What was that about shadow demons? If you mean the spirits following me around... I promise they're friendly..."

She managed to dodge, mostly by tripping while ducking and falling down just out of his reach. A bit nervous, she held up her staff and called forth a bolt of Divine Light to shine and attack from above his head. It was a large beam- larger than she'd intended it to be, at that.

"W-Wha!? I just wanted a small arrow or something! What just happened!?" She paled slightly. "Are you okay, Ojii-san? That was a big burst of energy!"

Rolls

Player Sheet Link
@Morpheus

Morpheus · Jul 31, 2022

Critical Failure

1

3 / 5

Morpheus was forgetful of one clear thing, defending from incoming attacks as he tried to keep the gap closed and get ready for a real punch. Sadly as the beam of magic was unleashed so was his attack that would go once more off course while the old man staggered backwards having the senses knocked out of him. He tried to catch himself only to stumble more and land on his butt and cough up some blood while his body tried to mend the injury as quickly as possible to keep him awake.

"I'm fine, just forgot defense was a thing in the heat of the moment like I'm always doing."

Coughing a bit more as he staggered to his feet and got up a defensive boxing stance this time not just offence. He was two hits down, least that was how he was counting such a mistake as forgetting to defend entirely. But he be damned if he tossed the towel when he still had three hits left before he was tapped out of the spar rules they set. Grinning a but as he would have to pull some serious upset to make the fight even again.

"We shall count that mistake as two hits, not to mention the power of the hit was a bit more then i could have blocked even if I had tried ha ha."

Digging his feet a bit into the ground as he got ready to either evade an attack he could not match or overpower, or give him the proper footing to do just that. Either way it was back on the youthful one to take another swing or attack and Morpheus was ready to start the comeback if he had anything to say about it!

Rolls

@Harukami
Player Sheet Link

Harukami · Jul 31, 2022

5 / 5

She panicked, running back and forth as the light made contact with Morpheus far stronger than she'd intended. He had no chance of escaping- and honestly, the amount of power behind it was far more than she had intended, leaving her confidence broken like a twig in two. "I'm so sorry, Ojii-san! I'll work harder on controlling my power levels!"

When he attacked, she was still running back and forth in a frenzy. The attack just barely missed her shoulder while she was pacing. When she heard it make contact somewhere further past her, she turned to look at Morpheus. In her frantic worry, she'd forgotten they were sparring.

"R-Right, um..." She raised her staff and called forth a small ball of light. It was now smaller than she intended as she threw it directly at her grandfather-figure. "Control is really hard, isn't it, Ojii-san?"

Rolls

Player Sheet Link
@Morpheus

Morpheus · Aug 1, 2022

3 / 5

"Control is hard ha ha, but just have to keep trying and eventually it just comes natural I'm told."

Morpheus would chuckle as he pulled a punch back and used it to deal with the incoming ball of light, using his own divine magic to shatter it and rushed forward again to try and start the combo chain. His first attack a quick uppercut towards Harukami's jaw to try and get her to stumble or as the game of old had airborne but he doubted that would ever happen in real life or with how he was still in a sense holding back. It was mostly because he felt bad and was distracted by other things.

Combat or sparring always took him back to his youth, sometimes it was a good memory and had him at ease, then there was the bad ones that made him volatile. Lucky and unfortune for 'serious' training he was stuck recalling his boot camp days and the oldest days he could recall his division and how silly they had all taken things. None of them took war serious, or the training for it and the air was always laid back even as they got yelled at by drill sergeants.

Shaking his head to get out of the memory as he refocused on the fighting and namely the defense aspect. He was still going to try and keep Harukami locked in close combat if he could. Sure he was not doing well with it but this was his style and eventually he would get into his old groove again and hopefully before he took three more hits he chuckled internally.

Rolls

@Harukami
Player Sheet Link

Harukami · Aug 2, 2022

5 / 5

Though he tried to keep her within arm's length, Haruka was getting better at dodging even from a close range. Her clumsy nature was somehow helpful for it- but she was also gaining some control over her bad balance. This training was serious, but it was seriously helpful because of that. She didn't think even her training in pyromancy with Brutus could top sparring with Morpheus. His wisdom was confusing at times, but she was really getting the hang of fighting!

"I see... So I just have to keep working hard! It's hard to control the light when I'm attacking compared to healing, but... I won't lose this time!"

She laughed a little, preparing another ball of light- this one more or less the size she'd intended last time, if not a bit bigger than her goal. "Okay, let's see if I can control the trajectory better..." She got out of the way and hit the floating ball of magic with her staff, batting it towards the old man while she slipped out of his way.

No literally, she slipped on the sand and fell. She was lucky she'd managed to hit the ball of magic at all. Getting up, she grinned slightly. "Why is training so fun all of a sudden? I've never felt so alive."

Rolls

Player Sheet Link
@Morpheus

Morpheus · Aug 3, 2022

2 / 5

Morpheus was just failing left and right this spar, so much he could only laugh at his own blunders and how Harukami was only doing so well with defense with her own blunders. Sure he also felt it was a jab at his pride but he was an old man against youth, there was already plenty things he was not doing as well but he would keep trying none the less as another attack collided with him and his mending tried to keep up. He still tried to defend against the attack but failed all the same with a huff.

"Ain't gonna lie, this underdog story is taking a while to get started ha-ha."

Rolling his shoulders as he would rush forward to try and get his comeback started or least get a single hit in this fight. Starting with a leg sweep to try and take use from the kid's bad ability to stay up rather then keep going for shoulder blows that they fell out of the way of. Worst case he would be kicking a punch of sand at them to maybe ensure his next attack mattered but he was not one to hold his breath. The kid learned fast, that was something he could least be proud of as a final helping hand to the world right?

"Either way this old soldier ain't going to stop giving it his all until the battle is over. Don't count me down and out just because you got three hits to my zero Little light! The final moments is when the true heroes shine the brightest!"

Rolls

@Harukami
Player Sheet Link

Harukami · Aug 3, 2022

4 / 5

Haruka didn't falter until her legs were sweeped out from under her like a pile of dirt. She fell flat on her butt, laughing timidly. Well, that was a bit embarrassing. He really did well in close combat- and Haruka was far from comfortable with it. "Ojii-san is good at fighting with his body," she mused, slowly backing away by sliding on the sandy ground. "I should be careful not to let you so close..."

She couldn't control the battlefield, but she had a chance at winning this still, and she was going to take it. Gripping her staff and pulling it to her chest, she spun it so that it was still straight upward and raised it from the ground- while she was still sitting on her rear like a weirdo. A bright light began to emit from the staff, shooting a beam from its core to reach for Morpheus. It wasn't overly strong, but it was at least somewhat fast moving.

"I'm glad you're not giving up, but I'm not giving up either!"

Rolls

Player Sheet Link
@Morpheus

Morpheus · Aug 5, 2022

1 / 5

He least got a hit on, that was mostly all he had cared about was not getting five zero in the second spar. That said though as the attack hit him, he still had one last hit to take before the spar was over and her was going to try and make it count. Leg moving up to try and ax kick down at Harukami, he was not fast enough to keep the kid stuck in the air with a string of attacks just yet, but he would attack all the same. His bones creaking as he kept up the heavy strain on them and ignored it.

"Your style of fighting is certainly throwing me for a loop ha-ha I will admit that much."

He would speak as he focused, trying to pull as much focus on defense now as he could. If he got lucky he could stall the match a little longer to show he still had some kick and pep in his soul. The same token though he know how much a bad idea that was as Mending could only keep him feeling energetic for so long. He was thankful he got to have a decent two spars in, and a nice chat with someone but the looming thought of his death kept a tight grip.

How long till all this overstrain took a toll? How many times would the reaper loom but never approach? How soon would he get to have a reunion with his Harp and talk about all he missed likely having been watched over this whole time by her? The thoughts slowed him down, he was as good at defense as he could be in the moment and was fine either way if he was able to get another swing, or if this would be his last swing of the spar.

Rolls

@Harukami
Player Sheet Link

Harukami · Aug 5, 2022

4 / 5

"To be honest, I'm confused by my fighting style too."

Haruka could tell the elderly man was getting hit hard by the strain he was putting on his body. For a moment, she frowned a bit, worried about him. However, as he took a swing at her, the young woman ducked and rolled out of the way. She wasn't going to give in just because she was worried, not this time. This time, she'd win this match with certainty. She'd prove she was learning something from him, and from her teacher.

She was certain she'd be able to defeat him with one last hit of divinity.

Taking a long, slow breath, Harukami concentrated her all on a single ball of light- one that grew to the size of a basketball, if not a bit bigger. It was condensed, well thought out, and pushed towards Morpheus with as much will as she could muster. It flew fast towards the old man. She was somehow certain it would hit.

She winced, not able to look. She was too busy concentrating. When she felt some form of impact in her head, she weakly opened one eye, the other remaining tightly shut. Had she gone too far? "Ojii-san...?"

Rolls

Player Sheet Link
@Morpheus

Morpheus · Aug 6, 2022

0 / 5

He just felt like he was getting into his strides, his divine magic was back to a decent defense level and he himself ready to throw a few more kicks and punches. Sadly it was not enough as the next attack broke his divine energy aura and smacked into him giving the winning point to Harukami this time. A faint chuckle would escape his lips as he dusted off the area of impact and got his Kimono reset on his shoulders while walking to get his other one to sling it back on his back.

"Yes yes I'm still here, you won the second spar so we are now one for one. Sadly though these old bones need a serious break this time. So next time we cross paths we can settle that score I suppose. Till then this old man needs to find a tree to climb up and sleep in as I don't think I'll make it to town ha-ha."

With that said and done though Morpheus would wave and keep moving leaving the child behind or if they decided to follow into the woods as he tapped his cane against both ground and to the bottom of branches to check how sturdy they had been to figure out if he could trust his body weight on them. It was not the most ideal sleeping spot, but in a forest where both monsters and animals roamed it would give him some advantage and that was all that mattered.

~Possible thread exit~

Rolls

Normal block
1d100 (92) + 5 + 0 = 97
97 vs 109 = -1LP damage
Divine Magic | Morpheus | 788C29 | Defend

@Harukami
Player Sheet Link

Harukami · Aug 12, 2022

A deep sigh of relief escaped the girl's lips as she heard Morpheus make sure to assure her he was okay. Not generally a fan of violence, Haruka was surprised how into the spar she'd gotten. He was a man well over three times her age, and yet somehow... He made fighting enjoyable for her, by turning it into a learning experience in a way others wouldn't have bothered. She liked her new ojii-san. He was really something else.

About to offer to bring him to town or her home herself, Haruka stopped the train of thought pretty quickly. As much as she wanted to be helpful to him, Haruka had a feeling he wouldn't take kindly to her good will. He refused to join her on her lunch, preferring to hunt and gather for himself, after all. If he couldn't accept a meal cooked by her, she highly doubted he'd take much else that he could mistake as a 'handout' by her.

Feeling powerless for a moment, Haruka waved back to the old man with a weak smile. "Take good care of yourself, Ojii-san. I look forward to our next encounter." As she was walking back home in the opposite direction, she paled and held her head.

"I... I forgot to get his contact!"

She shook it off, letting out another sigh- this time one of personal frustration. Continuing to walk, she reminded herself simply, "Surely we'll get to meet again someday. And when we do... I'll win our tie breaker for sure!" With a soft giggle, she moved on to finish her walk with a broad smile. Today was a good day. With any luck, the next time they met, she'd make him proud to be her grandfather.

~End Thread~