animus_network | [video]

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[video]

[The video switches on and... All anyone can see is a hand trying desperately to hit keys on the keyboard. And then, an annoyed little grunt is heard and the hand disappears, seemingly giving up.

And then, the terminal starts rocking. Lightly at first, and then violently enough that the desk the keyboard was in and the monitor go toppling onto the floor. By some odd miracle, they still actually function.

Now that it's down on the floor, the video shows Stein looking rather pissed off, and kind of like she was playing Twister without a mat. The awkward positioning of her legs and left arm is held in place by some glowing white strings stitched between her hand and feet, and the floor. Weird.]

I'm in the library. I need something sharp.

...Please.

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All right. I'll be down in a minute.

[And indeed - there he is, walking right out of the portal of black flames that blossomed from the floor just seconds earlier.]

[She's going to just pretend that's completely normal because she doesn't have the energy to be curious right now.]

I'm guessing the stairs would have taken too long?

[Hey, where he is from it totally- okay maybe not, but to him it's become kinda normal-ish.]

I thought, you'd prefer if I made this a priority. [He shrugs.] Of course, I can go back up again and take the stairs, if you'd like that better.

[It's not like he hasn't got the time or anything.]

I wouldn't want to make you go through all that extra effort for little ol' me. I feel bad enough making you haul a sword up here. [Which means, when translated from Steinese to English: Where's the sword, my arm's starting to cramp.]

[A small, amused smirk flickers over his face as he stretches out his arm, black mist crackling and forming into Soul Eater.]

That's actually the least effort.

[The amount of irony of the name of that sword can barely be contained by mere brackets.]

I'd say the least effort would be coming up here with a pair of scissors or a sharp rock, not transporting yourself and summoning a sword. [She... Really kind of wants to dissect you, Riku.]

[Imagine the time, when it won't be anymore.

He shrugs.]

I guess that depends on the person.

[For him at least it isn't much effort.]

What exactly do you need it for?

[Also Re:Dissection, please. Don't.]

Well, as you can see... [She points down at her feet, where those same glowing white strands from the video are stitched between her and the floor.] I'm a bit tied up at the moment and I'd like to be able to walk around again at some point.

[He nods, adjusting his grip on his sword a little.]

Better stay still.

[And already working on cutting off the strings.]

[After performing surgery on yourself a number of times, you become a bit of an expert at staying still.

Once he's done freeing her from her stitched up prison, though, she picks her feet up, stretching her legs a bit.]

You're pretty good with that thing. A little sloppy, but I'm guessing you trained yourself for the most part?

[He takes a step back and straights, grip loosening as he dismisses Soul Eater with a flick of his wrist.]

...Yes. Is it that obvious?

When you've spent half of your life being taught how to fight, and the other half teaching others how to fight, it's a little obvious. Sorry.

[He looks at her for just a moment, then nods.]

I suppose it would be.

Swords aren't exactly my specialty but if you wanted, I could probably at least help you polish your swing up a bit.

[For just a second he looks just a bit dumbfound at that... he does not usually get this kind of offer... and he can't help but be just a little suspicious. And it probably shows.]

...Why?

Because I'm a teacher, who happens to specialize in teaching students how to fight, and I'm the best fighter to ever come out of the school I teach at. This is what I do for a living, and part of me has definitely missed it.

[Riku looks at her intently, frowning... it's an offer that he can't really effort not to think about, but... there is something in her scent that makes him wary, that makes his stomach twist a little. It's not as bad as Ansem, but... it's something that was better watched out for. And what better way to find that out and guard others than to take that offer.

And if his skills were sharpened as side effect, that was only all the better.]

I'd... like to accept then.

Wonderful~

When are you free? I'd usually just give you a lesson now, but with my abilities acting of their own accord, I can't exactly guarantee your safety.

It's not just you... my abilities aren't at their most stable either. It's probably better to wait until whatever the tower has done to mess them up looses it's effect.

I'm usually in one of the libraries in the afternoon... or on floor twenty-five. We can meet once everything's back to normal and figure it out from there.

Sounds like a plan. I suppose I'll see you when this is all over then, oh new student of mine.

Though just a warning, I typically don't go easy on people.

Riku.

I'd feel insulted, if you did. [Bring on your worst.]

[Stein chuckles darkly, unbalanced smile slowly forming on her face.] I was hoping you'd say something like that. We'll make sure we fight close to the infirmary.

[...Oh boy. Riku's already getting a bad feeling about this. Nevertheless... he's not backing down.]

...Right.

[Having healing facilities close is never a bad idea. Especially considering that he'll soon run low on potions and other healing items anyways.]

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[Voice -> Action, if that's alright?]

[Action, but of course~]

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