The Start (With Holly)

[09:25] It was hard to remember that Holly knew about this condition he had, something he did to himself. Trying to hide it from others and cover it up was hard, sometimes it was impossible. But even now, he was adjusting to the fact that Holly knew.

And... That's when a voice creeps into her mind. And it wasn't Lio's voice exactly, it was different.

"Footwork? That could be helpful. I think I move in nicely and do what I can, before pushing back out to take less damage. I always thought my movement was good, but maybe I am wrong?" She would know since she had fought him before in the dojo.

"As for meditating? That's a tough one... I don't know if it would help me or do much since being left alone with my mind doesn't sound like the best thing for me. I am willing to give it a try though?" He wouldn't just turn it down, maybe it could work? He couldn't tell the future, and he didn't want to just deny her offering of helping him through it.

"I usually hunt for fun, but it can also leave nasty wounds if you run into the wrong beast." Turning to the empty air at his right, he shakes his head. "No! Enough of that, they don't even want to hear from you. Your opinion isn't needed, how about you leave?" As if muttering to himself, he doesn't even notice Yiel behind him.

"What a nuisance... But anyway! Take your pick, any works for me! Anything you want to do for fun."
(Lio Sartre)
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[09:35] Holly shook her head ever so slightly as he spoke, "No, no. Just as an example of things one could improve on - not that it's specifically you. However, one can always, always improve on their movements and such. Even experienced combatants in the Order, like myself." She'd explain, a brief glance is passed towards Yiel before returning to Lio.

She just assumed the girl would speak up at some point on her own.

"Well, the way I meditate, and teach others to meditate, is to separate themselves from their minds. I'm well aware of how the head can be a hostile environment for many people."

A bit of reassurance.

Her lips pursed together as he spoke to something else - part of him reminded her of one man she knew... "Nonetheless, I believe that we--"

She paused, her brows furrowed.

What...?

She'd glance to either side of herself... No, there were no spirits she could see contacting her at this very moment - even with her special 'sight'.

"...Actually, I think we should converse inside for a moment or so." The Druid states.

She's clearly perplexed.
(Holly Hargrave)
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[09:41] An eyebrow arches gently at the self-talking of the Sartre, at first thinking she's being talked to - before noticing that his attention isn't even on her. Thoughtful, for a moment.

Nevertheless, she just listens on for a few moments to the Druid and perspective student. The notion of speaking inside has her give a small, respectful nod towards the pair - probably only noticed by Holly! That Deacon will move on for now, continuing to enjoy her starlit walk!
(Yiel)
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[09:41] The girl behind him still quiet, he had no reason to turn around or say anything towards them. He still didn't even know they were present, focused on his mentor!

"I can agree with that, movement can always use work. I didn't say I was perfect, just I felt like I moved pretty well! Confident in how I move, but it seems my output is lackluster… As said by even Sophie."

How annoying, he didn't want to have to hear that all the time. How could his output be so lackluster? Did that make him not even a fun opponent to fight against? What was he lacking? Experience? Maybe he just had to work on his swing, to make each blow more dangerous to be hit by.

"Separate from the mind? I don't think I typically have a good spirit either... Maybe it's best we stay away from that? These things are already acting up..." Things, he hasn't gotten a name for them yet. The illusions that form around him, stuck to his mind and now... Evolving.

"We what?" He tilts his head to one side, blinking. What happened to make her stop talking? "Are you okay?" Whatever had just happened or been experienced by Holly, he clearly had no idea!

"Converse inside for a moment or so? We can do that." He saw no problems with it, smiling. "Lead the way?" Making his way forward, he prepares to follow her inside.
(Lio Sartre)
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[09:49] "I don't even think I can beat Sophie - most of the time, that is. Then again, it has been years since we last fought but I still would like to think she didn't let Moonfall dull her blade." She pondered aloud, a nod passed towards the leaving Yiel.

"...I'm fine. I believe."

Something came up that Holly had to tend to, whoever that girl was would have to continue elsewhere and enjoy her night.

"Well, you don't necessarily wield you spirit for it either. It's something complex that I'll explain later on mayhaps."

She'd open her door, allowing him inside before entering after him and closing it for what was likely to lead to a strange discussion about what just happened.
(Holly Hargrave)
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[09:54] Sophie was that strong? Holly wasn't a pushover, she had bested one of the Supremes from Moonfall. But if Sophie was stronger, after even being captured? It meant the world had a lot more to offer, and they were only scraping the cusp of things.

"That's comforting to hear, she was holding back a little but I still took a round from her. Maybe I have even improved since our last fight? We'll see in due time, I suppose!"

But now inside of her home, he wasn't exactly sure what she wanted to talk about. "I am down to try it if it's really something you do for fun? I never thought sitting around meditating could be fun though, you can prove me wrong~." He teased, sitting down on one of the cushions.

"So what is it?"
(Lio Sartre)
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[10:01] Holly would certainly have to test Sophie to see just how much she's improved, or stagnated, over the years. But, that's a thought she pushed to the back of her mind for now. It did not take priority in comparison to what she wanted to clear the air about with Lio.

She starts bluntly.

"You aren't capable of Witchcraft, are you?" She inquires first.

"If not, how can you do that...? Or, how do those beings that you see... do that?" She knew what it was like for someone to have certain voices of the mind they could not control, but this...

This was something else.

"Something... reached out." She starts. An index rose to point towards her own head.

"A foreign voice which is not of my own mind, but was referring to you - I can only think it's something of yours."

She's experienced telepathy before, she knew she wasn't going crazy.

Not yet.
(Holly Hargrave)
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[10:09] That was blunt, it even causes him to blink.

"Witchcraft?" As far as he knew, he wasn't capable of witchcraft at all. No fight's he ever performed in had empowered him, and he didn't have an urge to sacrifice people-- What did witches even do? Those were his assumptions, but he could be wrong about it.

"No? I am not capable of Witchcraft... And I think if I was, I would know about it?" Wouldn't he? Witchcraft wasn't something you just learned either, was it?

"How can I do?" He still had no idea, what did she experience? "My being's that I see?" Wait... "Do you mean?" No, that wasn't possible, was it? The use of his illusion magic on himself had grown so strong, that the voices of those mirages in his mind could reach other people? Like a ghost whispering in your ear.

"You can hear them?!" Bothhis hands move up to his hair, ruffling at it for a moment out of frustration. "How does that even happen? They always try to communicate and mess with people, but since I can see them they can't really do it." But now? "And you're telling me... You heard it?"

Looking at the empty air at his side, he squints. "Don't you dare..." And that voice reaches out a second time, faint but as clear as if someone else was in the room.

"I don't know how to explain this... My only assumption would be working on my shadow magic and illusion... Maybe I have picked up this use of my own mistakes?" This looked awful.
(Lio Sartre)
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[10:18] Holly slowly nodded as he claimed he was incapable of Witchcraft. A deep breath is taken for a hefty expiration of air empties her lungs. She hummed in thought, leaning to and fro atop her cushion. She was trying to piece together what this might actually be.

"I can hear... something." She spoke in response before he explains a little further about the voices she'd grown cautious of.

"That certainly is, uh..."

…

"Strange. I very strange manifestation of your magic's influence on you. Though, the illusory arts are formed out of manipulating the senses and mind of someone..."

She couldn't see why telepathy wouldn't be some distant, unknown, path of illusions. With that hold on the mind, many things were possible to make one perceive.

"Shadow now as well? I see,"

The voice came back and she'd sigh lightly.

She decides to go with the voice and respond to it, "I'd rather not leave whatever you are a secret." She looks to Lio, "It more or less just admitted it can be heard when lingering close by."

"I'm farm from certain of how this works, but... If there is nothing you can think of for this - we could try meditation earlier than I'd expected. To at least aim to reel in some control."
(Holly Hargrave)
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Skip Slice of Life rp part.

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"What do you want to do now?"
(Lio Sartre)
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[12:22] Holly paused for a moment, imagining the hazards with knives and hostile illusion which always seemed to try troubling the man. Yeah, that probably was not a great idea - all things considered. Nevertheless, she nodded understandingly and pushed herself up to her heels. She'd save the rest of her meal for later, so she wouldn't need to cook again too soon.

"I'll hold you to that promise then."

She'd stretch from one side to the other before heading down the stairs and looking back towards Lio as she'd signal for the man to follow along with her.

"My boredom certainly had been put on hold throughout this. We could work on that combat practice, hm?"

She nodded.

"I wonder how much you've improved with Shadow magic under your control now too."
(Holly Hargrave)
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[12:26] Rising up from his cushion, he follows her when she signals for it. To be held to by the promise he made, he was pretty confident he could stand by it.

"Combat practice sound's fun, maybe I could put you on your back like I removed Sophie's sword? But I doubt I could manage that... Not yet!" Unless she held back a little, but he typically didn't want people holding back against him. Losing to them without holding back already felt bad, so if they held back and won? Worse.

Grinning though, he makes his way down to her side. A slight nudge is given before he nods his head a few times. "Lead the way then, Sophie took us to a different place to practice before... We could go there instead of the normal dojo too?"

The place they fought was actually nice and quiet, maybe it was a Knight exclusive area? "I hope I have improved a lot, otherwise I am gonna have to work extra hard."
(Lio Sartre)
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[12:45] Holly positions herself across from Lio, rolling her shoulders as she'd allow the ground below to twist and turn upwards in a series of brown protrusions which gradually take on virid hues. It's clear they're the vines she'd once fought him with.

All off which studded along every inch with emeraldine thorns.

"Or if you've even improved, mayhaps." She states before beckoning Lio over with an index.

"Let's begin, shall we?" She calls as a gentle freefall of leaves and petals manifest of her own mana - a few even blooming by her heels to form a mobile flowerbed.
(Holly Hargrave)
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[12:50] Nothing fancy was needed, so he got straight to the point. Drawing his blade, he lowers himself into the stance of the Raging Demon. Eyebrows furrowed, as the act of illusion already takes its hold over the battlefield. Flames flickering, even the carpet moving below... But it wouldn't be at it's greatest effects on a strong mind like Holly.

Shadows begin to bend, calling to his will. Blue hues watching her vines and petals, each as deadly as the other. Illusions putting words into her head wouldn't help here, would it?

Grinning, he nods his head. "We can only hope, can't we?" Teased, he can't help but prepare to move forward. Pushing one foot back, he's ready to launch himself into the center of all that plant life she has control over.

"Go!"
(Lio Sartre)
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[12:58] Holly Hargrave says, "Hm... Not bad. You're certainly doing better."
[12:59] Lio Sartre says, "Yeah! But it's no easier than before."
[12:59] Lio Sartre says, "You really beat my ass with all those plants."
[12:59] Lio Sartre says, "I doubt even if I had the same experience, I would be able to fight you."
[12:59] Holly Hargrave says, "Well these smaller guys are actually spirits who've come to take on the form of 'Mandrakes'."
[12:59] Holly Hargrave says, "And they eventually return to their realm if dwelling."
[12:59] Lio Sartre says, "Really? That's interesting..."
[12:59] Lio Sartre exclaims, "Never been into the spirit stuff, I am just a dirty fighter!"
[12:59] Lio Sartre asks, "But I guess in combat... Anything goes?"
[12:59] Holly Hargrave asks, "Define dirty fighter, in what way?"
[13:00] Lio Sartre says, "Tricks of the mind, most think it's dirty fighting so I come to accept it that way."
[13:00] Lio Sartre says, "Illusions to make others believe in something else."
[13:00] Lio Sartre says, "Like tossing pocket sand in someones eyes."
[13:00] Holly Hargrave says, "I suppose I--"
[13:00] Holly Hargrave says, "..."
[13:00] Lio Sartre asks, "Hmm?"
[13:00] Lio Sartre says, "I don't throw pocket sand in people's eyes..."
[13:01] Lio Sartre says, "But I could certainly make them think that, with the right build up."
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[13:01] Holly cleared her throat, trying not to burst out laughing at that.
(Holly Hargrave)
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[13:01] Lio Sartre says, "You should know too, since you are also an illusionist."
[13:01] Holly Hargrave says, "I do know."
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[13:01] Lio sweats nervously, he felt like she was going to insult him or something... Not find it funny.
(Lio Sartre)
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[13:01] Lio Sartre exclaims, "But you know! Anything goes in combat! Even trickery!"
[13:01] Lio Sartre says, "HAha... Not really a dirty fighter, I just use all my resources."
[13:02] Holly Hargrave says, "One time I convinced an opponent they'd fallen for me and didn't want to fight back."
[13:02] Lio Sartre asks, "Wow? Really?"
[13:02] Lio Sartre asks, "How did you do that?"
[13:02] Lio Sartre asks, "They must've had doubts about their feelings... Before you did it? Or maybe doubting themselves?"
[13:02] Lio Sartre says, "I like to think the strongest way of using illusion magic, is working from someones doubts."
[13:03] Holly Hargrave says, "That does make the most sense."
[13:03] Lio Sartre says, "Like if you had any bit of worry fighting me... I would turn it from one to one hundred."
[13:03] Holly Hargrave says, "I think they were in a fragile area, I learnt shortly afterwards that their wife left them."
[13:03] Lio Sartre says, "Ahh... That makes sense."
[13:03] Lio Sartre asks, "That's tough, why did you do it?"
[13:03] Lio Sartre asks, "To avoid combat?"
[13:04] Holly Hargrave says, "Oh, no. We were fighting. I meant I did this whilst we fought."
[13:04] Lio Sartre says, "Oh..."
[13:04] Lio Sartre asks, "Why?"
[13:04] Holly Hargrave says, "I was experimenting, the hesitation to make moves seemed to work."
[13:04] Lio Sartre says, "That's fair."
[13:05] Lio Sartre asks, "Did anything happen... After?"

[13:05] Lio blinks.
(Lio Sartre)
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[13:05] Holly Hargrave asks, "Such as?"
[13:05] Lio Sartre exclaims, "If they figured they fell in love with you, surely they tried to make moves on you? Even after losing!"
[13:05] Holly Hargrave says, "Ah, no, no. Thankfully not."
[13:05] Holly Hargrave asks, "Shall we resume?"
[13:05] Lio Sartre says, "Haha... I was just curious, I didn't take you for a deviant or anything."
[13:05] Lio Sartre says, "But yes! Let's continue."
[13:06] Lio Sartre asks, "The more we fight, the more I learn?"
[13:06] Holly Hargrave says, "Indeed."
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[14:03] Those vines of hers thrashed forth and around - she remains stationary beneath the canopy of the Tree of Life which continuously dispensed its healing essence upon the Knight to mend most of the superficial wounds he'd thrown out.

"Hm... You'll--"

She cut herself off as it seemed he'd gotten much faster. Well, perhaps he was paying extra mind to his footwork. She did make a reference to that in general earlier.

Just like Marisol at times, that claw of night slashing forth which sent her skidding out from her refuge... "Oho." He'd gotten her to move about now. She couldn't take him lightly anymore, evident with the writhing of her vines before they flickered around to lash the man.

"Much better!" She announced as her eyes illuminate further, mandrakes doing what they could to headbutt and throw sand into Lio's eyes all the while the airspace was laden with rose-pink plumes of asphyxiating pollen.

She sought to steal his breath away until his knees met the floor - the illusion of meter-long stakes forming all around before piercing his legs to tether him down would take form.

Surely he'd know it to be just an illusion, but it didn't feel like 'only and illusion'.

"I have to try, otherwise you'll take advantage of openings. I'm liking this progress."
(Holly Hargrave)
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[14:12] He wasn't going to hold back, wanting to show just how strong he has gotten in such little time.

As she talks, he made sure there was no time to think. The shadow her tree cast is used against her, those claws moving forth to explode against her body. Sending her skidding back and away from safety, he continues to charge forward with his sword in hand.

That pure red energy dancing around his body wasn't a joke, the form of the Raging Demon was relentless... And Lio was being relentless with how he fought this time around.

Now she was surprised, he took that as a chance to twist her mind. In the corners of her eyes, illusions spread with shadows that loom. Like people rushing from other directions, they seem to vanish if she ever turned her head to face them. But unfortunately, even if Holly did turn to make sure she wasn't being ambushed... These vines held no mercy.

And just as quick as he controlled the momentum of battle, he had lost it. With even the mandrakes moving in to slow his movements, blinding him and smacking against his body. And smog formed from the plants, it was hard to breathe when he was being smothered constantly.

A weakness in his mind for her to exploit, which she does. Stakes formed around her, before piercing into his legs to tether him to the ground. Even if he knew it was an illusion in his mind, his whole body freezes up as he's stuck in place. Gritting his teeth, with hands grasping at his legs. Pain... A falsity that he couldn't shake, it felt real despite being an illusion.

"Tsk!" It was over, she had taken the victory again. Which he takes a moment to relax... Bruised and cut, he had no serious injuries since they were only sparring. "You win..." And that weakness in his mind fades, rising up to stand with his eyes closed still.

A heavy breath, he was sure she dissipated those illusions by now. Opening up his eyes, he focuses on her again. "Yes, it's good that I can make you sweat now. I don't want you going easy on me ever... And I am glad you witness my progression. In the end, my progression is yours too! It's what you are doing to help, which makes me improve."

Bowing his head for a moment, he sighs. "Still on your feet though, I have yet to put you on your back~. Maybe next time will be different? Thank you, Holly."
(Lio Sartre)
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[14:23] Holly certainly was far from used to working against other illusionists. Especially with that mind of his, many things that others couldn't dream to wield had come to meet her own mind. Nonetheless, she still powered through with her raw magical output and endurance that she'd trained over a decade in the Order.

"Well, that's certainly true. It does feel good to see I'm getting others up to par gradually." She admits

A nod is passed towards Lio before she'd aim to seat herself somewhere and allow him to leave.

"We'll see what you've gained and remembered next time."
(Holly Hargrave)
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