(he just ignored his all caps... good survival instinct. mildly put out by itachi's attitude, he drops a bomb on him:)
k
(time to strike out, wondering if itachi knows what venturing beyond the bright wall—despite their training being well-contained and safely within—means for the monsters. probably; he seems like the smart type. always watching, perceptive, waiting to turn problems on their heads. that's so like sasuke that he smiles, wondering why they seem almost cool to one another. no matter. time will tell.
it takes him a surprisingly short time to get there, only mildly out of breath when he does recognize the area.)
Heeey, man. I– whew. Good to see you. I pretty much ran here. (shaking his arms out, before his thumbs hook into his knapsack's straps.) I haven't been to this area in a while... I wonder how the locals are doing on the outskirts...
[In Itachi's mind, that message was made in error and sent unfinished. Hm... He'll look past it as unnecessary so long as Jonas doesn't follow it up with anything. You silly kids.
He's already there and waiting when Jonas makes his appearance, familiar face bobbing into view, bright now in the daylight. Itachi himself is a pillar dressed in all-black where he stands at the center of the empty lot. The buildings around them are derelict and abandoned; a good place to practice magic without interference.]
I visited the outskirts earlier this week. Some are providing relief efforts and medical care, though their resources are somewhat limited. [Itachi slides a bag off his shoulder, setting it on the ground. It's the same one he got from Stiles, but it's not carrying leeks today. Mysterious...] Demonstrate to me one of your barrier spells, Jonas. [SNAP TO IT.]
Yeah, uh, the alchemy provisioning students brought some stuff out there recently... and my teacher explained how long it's been going on for? Seems every world has a class divide. (much to his dismay, feeling terribly for the people who live beyond the wall.
it seems unfair, with all of the unoccupied cottages left to the mirrorbound, that the healthy aren't invited to live within. that they've be sacrificed to the cwyld infection isn't right, but that's not what they came here for. jonas' eyes lower, dropping his bag to reach within himself for a spell. it's activated without much showmanship, a simple raise of his arms; palms out, he draws the sea green magic forward until thumbs touch.)
First Barrier. (it connects, as impenetrable as his focus which is a dangerous variable. not today, not with the grounding feeling of his new bond.) How does it look?
[Although he's heard Jonas' initial commentary, he gives no reply to show for it. Rather, his attention has closed onto the display of magic, the differences in technique individual to every caster so unlike hand seals. It would be almost impossible to predicts movements even with the aid of the Sharingan due to that variability alone.
Once the barrier forms in place and Jonas has asked his question, Itachi gives a silent nod of his head.]
Do not dispel it yet.
[This is all the warning he gives before a subtle hand dips into the belted pouch at his side, withdrawing a shuriken with the tips of fingers. It's thrown with accurate precision across that distance with aim for Jonas's left side. Avoiding major organs just in case the barrier screws up; Itachi's not here to kill him...]
(jonas' reaction time strikes just as the shuriken leaves itachi's fingers, a pronounced flicker in his barrier when he calls on another:) S-Second Barrier! (the shuriken meets the translucent physical wall he's created, just barely managing to catch and deflect it.
the weapon hits the ground instead in a violent ricochet. the witch doesn't expel the breath he's holding until he's sure no more follow it.)
... H-Holy crap! I-I thought you were gonna' biff a magic spell at me, not a ninja star. (a strained laugh, adrenaline kicking in. whew.) My– I learned two separate abjuration spells for this, one that deflects the physical and... you know, the first one I tried. That was lucky...
[This teaches him the variety of abjuration barrier magic, albeit at Jonas' expense. There's some acknowledgement deserved for that quick-thinking reflex. Not that Itachi intends to dole out praise... this will help Jonas train for the sudden surprise of an opponent's unpredictable tactics. They could perhaps work to improve his timing.]
Fortunately, you were paying attention and recognized my attack before it landed. [No apologies here LMAO.] That will serve as good practice. When you're expecting one maneuver, an enemy can easily surprise you with another, so it's important to be cautious.
Now, prepare yourself again.
[This is his warning as he brings up his right hand, forming a symbol—a hand seal repurposed, not that Jonas will recognize it—and attempts a spell he's practiced over the last few days. Itachi teleports the short distance between them and reappears to Jonas' immediate left, a kunai brandished; though he strikes, it isn't with the intention to make contact with Jonas' body. Even if the barrier fails, he'll stop the bladed tip just before connection with the boy's shoulder.]
Oh. (itachi's actually... teaching him? confused, his brow pinches to consider the new side to him, wondering if that was his goal here all along.) Right, always... expect something else. Got it.
(did he even plan to try out his new techniques, like he said he would? jonas gears up to ask him, opening his mouth. then closes it a moment later.
ah, he's gone.)
Wait, wha– whaugh! (when itachi reappears at his side, his barrier does nothing but fall under the immediate pressure of having to decide what to do. instead, throwing up his arms as though to protect himself—or very literally sacrifice his arms in a dull display of wits—against the knife, jonas trips over his own foot, staggers backward away from the kunai, and falls unceremoniously onto his ass.) Oomph!
...
(still squinting when his hands lower, staring up at him. that was terrifying, impressive, and fast. how the hell is he expected to keep up with something like that in real combat?)
[Itachi stands poised through this spectacle, flat affect unchanged as Jonas stumbles gracelessly backward and lands on his ass. While he hadn't expected the caliber of a shinobi, in a world where monstrous, Cwyld-poisoned creatures existed, this is... disappointing.
And concerning, perhaps in equal parts.]
I see now it was too much for your current capability, even with the forewarning.
[Sasuke has Bonded himself to this boy? Like an anchor sinking in the mud...]
What is the full extent of your combat experience? Do you know how to protect yourself?
God, okay, no shade. I'm not– I was never claiming to be an expert. The only times I've gotten into fights were, like, in junior high and my early days of high school. We're talking years ago. (hauling himself up from the ground easily enough, pat-patting away the dust that's gathered on his rump.
fucking ground. fucking dirt.)
So, I guess it'd be safe to say I've got little to no combat experience. I'm pretty strong, though, so if I actually learned then I might be able to do some damage. Not that I'd want to, or anything. (this boy is a pacifist. at least nowadays he is, less into scraps and more into working out for the hell of it. gotta' stay in shape.)
I can totally block a kunai and most evocation against my barriers, I'm just not used to the speed at which... your attacks... happen. Or whatever.
[He can admit that much. He doesn't know the world Jonas has left, what it's like, but he'd incorrectly presumed Jonas would have more familiarity with fighting.]
You're a civilian. I have no intention of forcing you to learn combat techniques if that isn't your wish. [Is this a lie, is he going to gaslight Jonas, we just don't know.] Regardless, Aefenglom does not appear to be without its own hidden threats. It would be wise to learn to defend yourself against opponents of every level, even if their attacks are fast and intimidating.
Or will you instead rely solely on Sasuke to protect you?
Oh, there he goes. Applying the reverse psychology on me. (apology accepted, bro, but jonas is gen-z and knows when he's getting chirped hard by someone who may—or may not be, sasuke told him itachi was nigh impossible for people to understand—trying to motivate him.) Sasuke can do what he wants, so, like, if he wants to protect me and thinks that's cool?
Well, then, yeah. I'll rely on him to do that. Why not?
(rolling out his shoulders to limber himself up, shaking off the embarrassment of having failed.)
But I came out here to learn, so that's what I'm gonna' do. Uh, do you have any tips on how to read people before they can make moves like that? I might be able to try and sense spells as they're being prepped... might be really hard, though...
[You would never survive in the wild, Jonas... it's domestic life indoors for you forever.]
Sasuke will not always be there to protect you.
[Lmao, anyway.]
But yes, it would be difficult. Your instinct is correct. The main reason for this is because the way users cast magic in this world is unique across most individuals. For example, you used a verbal incantation for your barriers, didn't you? To accomplish the same or a similar spell, I do not have to perfectly mimic your method. And that is only one spell. So there are numerous possibilities.
[He relaxes his ready posture, pocketing the kunai again.]
Recognizing body language, listening for words, learning a specific opponent's style through direct observation... If there's a way to sense magic before it is cast, I haven't encountered it yet in my research, but it could be useful.
"Sasuke will not always be there to protect you." (mimicking him childishly under his breath, waiting for itachi to finish. goddamn, he's long-winded when he wants to be, maybe he's suited to this whole teaching thing. jonas has always rebelled against the people he's meant to be learning from, unaccustomed to behaving when he really, really should, but there's something compelling about this.
learning to protect and defend, instead of learning what dirt's composed of. one's crucial to his survival here, where he'll be living out the rest of his days, and the other is for dweebs.)
But what if I don't have time to learn them? ... oh, you mean on the fly, while you're fighting? (and here jonas seems to secretly gear up to cast another spell at itachi while they're in the middle of the discussion, except it takes him too long and it's extremely overt. something someone like the uchiha could see coming minutes before the actual thing happens.) Well, I can try, though I don't know how– hiyah!
(the barrier—its strength the only thing that's impressive about it—is propelled out at the shinobi. a really disappointing "surprise attack.")
[He saw that teenage sass, don't think he missed it even though he judiciously decides to turn a blind eye.......
And yes, Itachi notices as Jonas prepares the new spell. Now that he's seen Jonas cast a few of these barriers, he's read through the boy's body language and method of spellcasting, so the surprise attack is fairly transparent. Even that energetic hiyah—which reminds him of a toddler first learning how to throw shuriken or kunai—is enough of a tell.
All that to say... Itachi deftly dodges, eyes following the attack's trajectory. He moves about a meter to the right... chill af.] You shouldn't verbally announce yourself. [Well, some people do that (even shinobi), but it just seems unnecessarily flashy to him.]
This would be more effective practice for you if I was blindfolded. [...] I'd prefer not to do that. Perhaps we could begin with having you practice on standalone targets.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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k
(time to strike out, wondering if itachi knows what venturing beyond the bright wall—despite their training being well-contained and safely within—means for the monsters. probably; he seems like the smart type. always watching, perceptive, waiting to turn problems on their heads. that's so like sasuke that he smiles, wondering why they seem almost cool to one another. no matter. time will tell.
it takes him a surprisingly short time to get there, only mildly out of breath when he does recognize the area.)
Heeey, man. I– whew. Good to see you. I pretty much ran here. (shaking his arms out, before his thumbs hook into his knapsack's straps.) I haven't been to this area in a while... I wonder how the locals are doing on the outskirts...
no subject
He's already there and waiting when Jonas makes his appearance, familiar face bobbing into view, bright now in the daylight. Itachi himself is a pillar dressed in all-black where he stands at the center of the empty lot. The buildings around them are derelict and abandoned; a good place to practice magic without interference.]
I visited the outskirts earlier this week. Some are providing relief efforts and medical care, though their resources are somewhat limited. [Itachi slides a bag off his shoulder, setting it on the ground. It's the same one he got from Stiles, but it's not carrying leeks today. Mysterious...] Demonstrate to me one of your barrier spells, Jonas. [SNAP TO IT.]
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it seems unfair, with all of the unoccupied cottages left to the mirrorbound, that the healthy aren't invited to live within. that they've be sacrificed to the cwyld infection isn't right, but that's not what they came here for. jonas' eyes lower, dropping his bag to reach within himself for a spell. it's activated without much showmanship, a simple raise of his arms; palms out, he draws the sea green magic forward until thumbs touch.)
First Barrier. (it connects, as impenetrable as his focus which is a dangerous variable. not today, not with the grounding feeling of his new bond.) How does it look?
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Once the barrier forms in place and Jonas has asked his question, Itachi gives a silent nod of his head.]
Do not dispel it yet.
[This is all the warning he gives before a subtle hand dips into the belted pouch at his side, withdrawing a shuriken with the tips of fingers. It's thrown with accurate precision across that distance with aim for Jonas's left side. Avoiding major organs just in case the barrier screws up; Itachi's not here to kill him...]
no subject
the weapon hits the ground instead in a violent ricochet. the witch doesn't expel the breath he's holding until he's sure no more follow it.)
... H-Holy crap! I-I thought you were gonna' biff a magic spell at me, not a ninja star. (a strained laugh, adrenaline kicking in. whew.) My– I learned two separate abjuration spells for this, one that deflects the physical and... you know, the first one I tried. That was lucky...
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Fortunately, you were paying attention and recognized my attack before it landed. [No apologies here LMAO.] That will serve as good practice. When you're expecting one maneuver, an enemy can easily surprise you with another, so it's important to be cautious.
Now, prepare yourself again.
[This is his warning as he brings up his right hand, forming a symbol—a hand seal repurposed, not that Jonas will recognize it—and attempts a spell he's practiced over the last few days. Itachi teleports the short distance between them and reappears to Jonas' immediate left, a kunai brandished; though he strikes, it isn't with the intention to make contact with Jonas' body. Even if the barrier fails, he'll stop the bladed tip just before connection with the boy's shoulder.]
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(did he even plan to try out his new techniques, like he said he would? jonas gears up to ask him, opening his mouth. then closes it a moment later.
ah, he's gone.)
Wait, wha– whaugh! (when itachi reappears at his side, his barrier does nothing but fall under the immediate pressure of having to decide what to do. instead, throwing up his arms as though to protect himself—or very literally sacrifice his arms in a dull display of wits—against the knife, jonas trips over his own foot, staggers backward away from the kunai, and falls unceremoniously onto his ass.) Oomph!
...
(still squinting when his hands lower, staring up at him. that was terrifying, impressive, and fast. how the hell is he expected to keep up with something like that in real combat?)
You are a scary, scary man.
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And concerning, perhaps in equal parts.]
I see now it was too much for your current capability, even with the forewarning.
[Sasuke has Bonded himself to this boy? Like an anchor sinking in the mud...]
What is the full extent of your combat experience? Do you know how to protect yourself?
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fucking ground. fucking dirt.)
So, I guess it'd be safe to say I've got little to no combat experience. I'm pretty strong, though, so if I actually learned then I might be able to do some damage. Not that I'd want to, or anything. (this boy is a pacifist. at least nowadays he is, less into scraps and more into working out for the hell of it. gotta' stay in shape.)
I can totally block a kunai and most evocation against my barriers, I'm just not used to the speed at which... your attacks... happen. Or whatever.
(or whatever, man.)
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... Then it was my mistake.
[He can admit that much. He doesn't know the world Jonas has left, what it's like, but he'd incorrectly presumed Jonas would have more familiarity with fighting.]
You're a civilian. I have no intention of forcing you to learn combat techniques if that isn't your wish. [Is this a lie, is he going to gaslight Jonas, we just don't know.] Regardless, Aefenglom does not appear to be without its own hidden threats. It would be wise to learn to defend yourself against opponents of every level, even if their attacks are fast and intimidating.
Or will you instead rely solely on Sasuke to protect you?
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Well, then, yeah. I'll rely on him to do that. Why not?
(rolling out his shoulders to limber himself up, shaking off the embarrassment of having failed.)
But I came out here to learn, so that's what I'm gonna' do. Uh, do you have any tips on how to read people before they can make moves like that? I might be able to try and sense spells as they're being prepped... might be really hard, though...
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Sasuke will not always be there to protect you.
[Lmao, anyway.]
But yes, it would be difficult. Your instinct is correct. The main reason for this is because the way users cast magic in this world is unique across most individuals. For example, you used a verbal incantation for your barriers, didn't you? To accomplish the same or a similar spell, I do not have to perfectly mimic your method. And that is only one spell. So there are numerous possibilities.
[He relaxes his ready posture, pocketing the kunai again.]
Recognizing body language, listening for words, learning a specific opponent's style through direct observation... If there's a way to sense magic before it is cast, I haven't encountered it yet in my research, but it could be useful.
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"Sasuke will not always be there to protect you." (mimicking him childishly under his breath, waiting for itachi to finish. goddamn, he's long-winded when he wants to be, maybe he's suited to this whole teaching thing. jonas has always rebelled against the people he's meant to be learning from, unaccustomed to behaving when he really, really should, but there's something compelling about this.
learning to protect and defend, instead of learning what dirt's composed of. one's crucial to his survival here, where he'll be living out the rest of his days, and the other is for dweebs.)
But what if I don't have time to learn them? ... oh, you mean on the fly, while you're fighting? (and here jonas seems to secretly gear up to cast another spell at itachi while they're in the middle of the discussion, except it takes him too long and it's extremely overt. something someone like the uchiha could see coming minutes before the actual thing happens.) Well, I can try, though I don't know how– hiyah!
(the barrier—its strength the only thing that's impressive about it—is propelled out at the shinobi. a really disappointing "surprise attack.")
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And yes, Itachi notices as Jonas prepares the new spell. Now that he's seen Jonas cast a few of these barriers, he's read through the boy's body language and method of spellcasting, so the surprise attack is fairly transparent. Even that energetic hiyah—which reminds him of a toddler first learning how to throw shuriken or kunai—is enough of a tell.
All that to say... Itachi deftly dodges, eyes following the attack's trajectory. He moves about a meter to the right... chill af.] You shouldn't verbally announce yourself. [Well, some people do that (even shinobi), but it just seems unnecessarily flashy to him.]
This would be more effective practice for you if I was blindfolded. [...] I'd prefer not to do that. Perhaps we could begin with having you practice on standalone targets.