τέσσερα

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

{You may (or may not have) noticed a desert on the Plane. Once you step onto the sand, it's just as hot and dry as a real desert, occasionally complete with sandstorms. There's no good explanation for how that's even possible, but hey, that was Rider's wish.}

How perfect indeed! After all the damned snow and ice, this place was in need of hot sands to counteract it! I would venture to say that it is positively re-energizing!

{He grins, crossing his arms}

So! There are so many people here that claim exceptional skill in some manner. If it is intelligence, that is all well and good, but I am not interested. Physical prowess is much more impressive! Come, challenge the King of Conquerors to a small fight to challenge your strength! You will certainly learn of the harshness of fighting in the Persian deserts!

Comments

[sunkenlight.livejournal.com]

King of Conquerors, huh? [ And this is Roxas, very interested in what sounds to be a sparring match. ] Count me in!

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Wonderful, wonderful! I thought perhaps none would be willing to try to match me! I cannot be sure with the people here, so I shall say as a pretext, how about we both avoid using any magical arts? Only fists, mind, and sword! Or, something similar to the last.

[sunkenlight.livejournal.com]

No magic, huh...? Sure, I can do that. [ Wait— ] Unless you mean no magical weapons, either.

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Hmm, what sort of magical weapon is it?

[sunkenlight.livejournal.com]

This one. [ Fwoosh! Keyblade (http://i49.tinypic.com/oic0uq.png)! ]

[elegantthestars.livejournal.com]

[she is, admittedly, amused]

Isn't that a bit draconian?

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Perhaps! But it really is all in good sport and fun! I do not consider anyone here my enemy, so why not spar with them if they would like?

[elegantthestars.livejournal.com]

Well, I can certainly think of better ways to spend my time than getting sweaty and bruised, but I find men enjoy their games a bit too much for my opinion to matter.

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Quite so! But it's merely good sport between companions who wish to sharpen their skills. I miss it quite a bit!

[elegantthestars.livejournal.com]

So you do this often back home?

[lamb_of_gold]

Terribly confident of you.

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

For good reason! I won countless battles without so much as an inconvenience. How then could someone challenge me without the aid of magic?

[lamb_of_gold]

How anyone rises to a challenge. With determination and strength.

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

You say that as if it would be enough! Only illness brought me to my knees and then to death! No man could ever stand as my equal, not in Macedonia, nor even in the farthest reaches of Persia!

[lamb_of_gold]

I know someone who would heartily disagree with that, and challenge you in the same breath.

[grand-gaia.livejournal.com]

You like deserts?

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

There is nothing better! The hot sands whipping against your face remind you why you are alive at all!

[grand-gaia.livejournal.com]

I think I have to disagree with you there.

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Then you're hardly ready to spar with me, boy! You must be toughened ten times over first.

[grand-gaia.livejournal.com]

[That seems to trigger something in Isaac, since he lets one hand rest on his sword] Oh yeah?

[ex_fatalist246]

[Thanks, Alexander. Satoshi just appeared in the middle of that desert and now he's linefacing like there's no tomorrow]

Is this completely necessary?

[He will trudge out towards what he assumes is the edge of the desert now. It is heavy. This is irritating]

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

{Laughs, following after}

Absolutely! I have not had a desert around me since my mortal life, so this is a welcome gift, is it not?

[ex_fatalist246]

I could book you a plane to Egypt.

[Satoshi is now wondering if he hates hot weather more or less than he hates cold weather. Also there is sand in his face and eyes and hair. Augh.]

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Ah, if only I could! But young Waver and I are far too busy at war! So a desert here is a reprieve instead.

[ex_fatalist246]

[trudging sand as he finally gets out, very unhappy at the derpbamf]

It's possible the wind will spread it.