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[swordfucker]

Guren Ichinose | Red | #A5211F

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[swordfucker]

For someone with high intellect, you sure are jumping to conclusions. See? Not only does text tell me plenty, but you shouldn't think that it stops here. I've seen most everyone in town. New people like you have arrived, but I only need a few more days to get my information.

It's a combination that matters. And it's what you tell me on here versus what I see, or if it's information that I need to check immediately to begin with.

Your answer sounds fake. What kind of CEO-following intern or whatever is going to want to join just because? The types like that who did join approached it differently. "I can't fight, but..." Or even "If you don't hold full town meetings on top of your defense force meetings, it won't be enough." But let's say your words were actually convincing and not shady as hell from the moment you asked if I let just anyone in: you couldn't hide your true nature, talent (or lack thereof), or anything else from me forever.

What are you really looking for? I don't have time for bullshit, so come out and say it.

[Though, this is giving him a fun time, so thanks for that!!]

[bittybat]

Think what you want. It isn't a lie.

My father and I are here. He's the president of an enterprise that is worth billions. I want to join because it is an avenue to increase my experience. If you need proof, just ask my father. If anything, he'd have made me join regardless for the same reasons.

Besides, a defense force may have all the power it needs, but it won't be anything without people who understand strategy.

[swordfucker]

I understand strategy. I'm Lt. Colonel of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, and I led the Moon Demon Company, an elite group under the military made for exterminating vampires in a world after the apocalypse.

I don't like your attitude so far. I'm not going to ask your daddy how good you are at your job, so either meet up with me and prove you really have good intentions with this, or you can end the conversation now.

I don't have anything against questions, but it sounds more like you're just trying to tell me why what I'm doing isn't going to work. If that's the case, you don't belong in my group. It relies on trust and cooperation.

[bittybat]

Now who's making assumptions?

You're the one who asked for reasons then made an attempt to tell me those reasons were false. Just get to the point next time and ask for me in person.

Furthermore, if my experiences mean so little here, then so do yours. Your rank means nothing. This isn't Japan. We're not fighting vampires. Where do you stand with your authority then? We're not the grunts of your little Imperial Demon Army to pretend to command.

Meet me at the edge of the forest unless you're a coward who discredits the value of others' accomplishments.

[swordfucker]

[MEET ME IN THE PIT - Damian 2k18, probably.

But Guren just laughs at that response. There are a number of ways people can approach him via text that he'll listen to, but while tone doesn't show in text, intentions can leak through. Guren is paranoid, and when certain things hit his attention, he's grumpy and his temper comes out, too. He's already been told he's not fit to lead because he cares about people too much, but Kureto isn't here. He doesn't have to worry about that.

His only response is "Meet me there in ten, Ruga's side," and then he's moving to head there himself, going over the newbies in his head. There were a good number of them, and he didn't speak to all of them, so can he really profile someone based on what he heard here? A son here with his dad... there are too many kids here. He'd sooner find the dad.]

i am pre emptively sorry for damian wayne

[bittybat]

[Exactly him.

Around the crest of the Ruga-forest edge comes a German Shepherd. The dog seems on alert at Guren's presence, though not hostile. More obedient. Maybe searching. Its tail doesn't wag and the ears are up, but it approaches toward Guren's direction with an easy confidence.

At maybe three yards, it stops and gives Guren a bark.]

I love him so much?? also correct me if that's not the same dog bruce has idk these things GFDJLGF

[swordfucker]

[Guren's ability to sense what's around him isn't exactly human, so anything not hiding its presence can be found rather easily. Still, finding out that it's just a dog is a little... Wait, he recognizes that dog?

He blinks, one hand on his hip, and tilts his head a little.]

Bruce's dog? [That's giving him a chain of thoughts to connect. Father and son... there's no way there's anyone older than Bruce here, or that Bruce's typing would come off like that, so he has to be the dad, right?]

no dont love him he's trash

[bittybat]

[The dog is, in fact, the same one that has been following Bruce around. Ace. Guren's voice gets the dog's tail to raise and begin to wag, and Ace offers up another bark. Guren found the dad.

But the son is still a little like his mother. Guren should, essentially, be fine. A pint-sized powerhouse busts out of a nearby tree along the edge. The height is ridiculous for a thirteen year old--maybe--though not too far near the top.

It's not Robin. Damian has altered the medieval style clothing given to him by Izuku, turning it into something more Eastern, layered, with a wrapped tunic, loose pants, and boots. He looks like a mini ninja Jedi, which may be hilarious if not for the fact he also has the bottom half of his face covered and a solid, four and a half foot stick.

Without hesitation, he's bringing it sweeping straight down at Gurren from above and to the side, letting the dog be the distraction.]

I LOVE HIM EVEN MORE

[swordfucker]

Aha!

[Oh, this brings back memories of his own bratty kid, and there's probably a little too much enjoyment on his face as he turns, letting the stick swing right past him and grabbing for one of Damian's ankles, instead. He knows that opens him up to stick swinging at his legs, if the kid doesn't drop it, but he doesn't seem to worried about it at all, with his free hand still in his pocket.]

[bittybat]

[It's surreally familiar. The implemented hood falls off, and he's got a head of similar black hair. The eyes above the mouth guard are green and wildly intelligent, sharp. He wields the stick not unlike he's had experience with both a staff and a blade.

The ankle grab doesn't surprise him so much as rally him. There's no panic. He bends back toward the ground and tries to use his other leg to swing a kick at Guren's head with the momentum--less to hit and more to get Guren to let him go.

But if he is released, when he flips over onto the ground, he immediately tries to slap Guren's calves with the stick.]

[swordfucker]

[He leans back, easily, dropping Damian with the understanding that he'll keep coming at him. It's fine. He's learning plenty about his ability this way. But when the stick is swung at him, he moves in a way to kick it straight out of Damian's hands, and he's not going to hold back from really hurting those fingers in the process.]

You think this is playtime, kid? Give it up. [Still, one hand in his pocket, he really is aiming to piss him off.]

[bittybat]

[The fingers are fine, if sore, but only because he was forced to sacrifice his childhood to get the calluses that protect him. The stick snaps; a quarter of it goes flying away.

But he brings the rest of it down against his thigh roughly, splitting it into two shorter sticks. He seems just as irritated when he stands to pull the cloth down from his mouth. It's true. He's got to be Bruce's son. They look laughably similar.] Fight me like you mean it!

[Battle is the one thing Damian can be sure of most of all. A test of skill, and an intimate dance that lets him get to know someone better than simply talking to them.] You're not capable of running a defense force unless you can beat me. [Carefully twirling the sticks, he falls into a ready stance, but then doesn't give Guren a chance to forfeit a battle.

He charges.]

[swordfucker]

[Guren sighs like it's a big problem, even if something like this is harmless and honestly more fun than it should be. He's learning that Damian has strengths above what a normal kid his age probably should have, his own post-apocalyptic world not counted, and he's learning that his fierce attitude doesn't stop at all.

It almost seems like he's not even going to dodge. One hand stays in his pocket, and he's looking dully at Damian. Honestly, he's trying to guess whether Bruce seemed like the type of father to get pissed if his kid comes home with a bruise or two, or just understand that his kid is a walking troublemaker.

Well. It'll have to be fine, either way.

He doesn't call on his demon, since he's strong enough without those extra powers to fight a human child, even with intense training. He himself has been training since he was 5 and possibly sooner, so they can both share that serious childhood thing. But he doesn't hold back, this time, either. His speed is faster than a normal human's, and he times it well enough. Right when Damian swings, Guren is there one minute, and then the obscured vision of him behind two sticks leaves him gone, behind him, instead.

He brings his fist harshly against the back of his head, and if that's not enough to knock him out, then he follows up with a kick to his back that's enough to send anyone normal flying into a tree.]

[bittybat]

[Even here, Damian is prepared for metahuman. He's a Wayne, a Bat. He's always prepared for the worst possible outcome. The only problem--he doesn't know what exactly to be prepared for other that "vampire hunter," and that's not a lot to go on.

He swings expertly, and then Guren is gone. Damian already realizes that Guren is going to be behind him. He flips the stick over his shoulder to hit Guren's attack, but the fist is so powerful it breaks it like it's sugar glass, and Damian's head gets a majority brunt of the blow.

White light explodes behind his eyes, and his first instinct is to stumble forward to get out of the way of any kind of follow-up from his backside. But the white is replaced by darkness, and he starts going down. The kick jump-starts him. Haphazardly, he goes flying several feet over and across the ground to roll to a stop where he lies motionless for a few moments. But he's as stubborn as he as trained, and one palm comes to rest on the ground like he might try to pick himself up.

Behind Guren, Ace lets out an angry growl before pressing forward. It doesn't seem like he wants to attack so much as back Guren out of the way to get by.]

[swordfucker]

Take it easy.

[Guren glances back at the dog, stepping to the side as if to show that he's not following up. Ace can get by, and Guren stays where he is, several feet away. It's impressive that Damian is still going to get up after that, but—]

That's my strength without relying on my demon at all. If I call on power from that, then it's not just a small boost. It's not something you can just stand up to at your level right now.

It's admirable that you can still push yourself to try and stand after that, but it's a fool's move to go against an opponent you can't beat. If this were a real battle, you should be retreating to think about how to come at me differently. You do know that, right? Mr. Strategist.

[bittybat]

[For now, he doesn't actually make it up. Ace churls, but dodges Guren with a wide berth and heads around to Damian. The boy's head is given a handful of rousing licks, and Damian brushes the dog's muzzle away while turning his face. His head swims, and it's hard not to retch when he finally manages to push his upper half up.] Shut up.

You're not human. That's practically cheating. [Ace attempts another string of licking along the forehead and the cheek. He has to pet the dog's neck and shoulder to try to get it to lay off.] But that just means you have weaknesses. [Looping his arm around Ace's neck, he uses the dog to stand unsteadily up to his feet. Once he's on them, he's actually quite balanced for the most part.

It's fine. This was simply all a way for him to get to learn what Guren is capable of in power.] If I can stand up to myself, I can stand up to anything. [He doesn't elaborate on what that means.]

[swordfucker]

I am human.

[He believes that firmly, and he's quick to correct him, eyes sharp.] I don't know what the hell you're talking about, but everyone has weaknesses. That means you, too. So quit trying to make enemies when you could be making friends.

If you want to know more about me, ask anyone here. But I only take people on my team if they're willing to work on a team.

[bittybat]

[Whatever Damian takes of the assertion, he doesn't show it on his face when he peers across at Guren.]

I don't need friends.

[And it sounds as if he honestly believes this; the words are given to genuinely, without pomp or air. He gives Guren a sour look, and he gives Ace a few strokes along the neck.] I lead my own team. [Well, not here.] Who says I want to be in yours?

[swordfucker]

Your endless questioning does.

[But still, he points accusingly at Damian.] You need friends. If you're on a team and you can't even call them friends, then they're not a team at all. Hate to break it to you.

On your own, in a place like this that thrives on connections between us, then you're going to fail every step you take. Maybe I'll have to talk to your daddy, after all.

[bittybat]

Tt. I don't have to be their friend to do the job. Being friends gets in the way. You make idiotic choices, and it puts others in danger. [Thankfully, it's a little bit of bullshit. They're not as close friends to him as Jon, but they're still... friends, he guesses.] Father doesn't have any say in whether I win or fail.

I won't fail. I can do whatever it takes.

[GUREN WILL NEVER KNOW HE'S ALREADY MADE ONE OR TWO "FRIENDS."]

[swordfucker]

You're wrong. They give you something to care about, and believe in. Something you can fight for. They're your family. That's what the defense force is.

[He will absolutely see Damian making friends, he has eyes all over!! And when he does, boy is he going to tease him.]

Don't act like such a hardass when you're like, ten. [He knows he must be a teen because of "Teen Titans" and yet he still chooses to tease.]

[bittybat]

[fucK]

I'm thirteen. I'm not a child. [He looks as offended as he can muster after being pummeled in the back of the head and the spine. Guess who is going to be starving and sore during the event? DAMIAN.] My team isn't my family. I already have a family.

[Like Guren about being human, he sounds intensely offended by the notion. Mostly because his father means a great deal to him. Dick and Alfred, Pennyworth, Ace, Titus. Those are his family.]

[swordfucker]

It's a different type of family. I had a regular family, too.

[But he's talking NAKAMA over here. He hopes Damian is sore for days, that brat!! Anyway... "had." So shush.]

Do you have a real weapon here?

[bittybat]

[Both brows pinch together in the middle of his forever, but he doesn't say anything about the family. Trying to question Guren right now would just cause Guren to question him back.]

I don't need a weapon to fight. [It's a half-assed way of saying no. Is his suit a weapon? Technically? It has some shit on it that he can use, look.] If you can't fight without a weapon, you don't deserve to have one.

[swordfucker]

[Guren rolls his eyes.]

I wasn't asking you if you could fight without one, brat. I saw that for myself just now.

[Although, the way he looks Damian over is a rude comment on that... He does actually recognize his ability. He just refuses to do so aloud with that attitude.] I have extra knives. Good sized ones. If you're interested in one of those, you can earn it.

Sticks won't work against harpies, jorogumo or anything else.