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[timeshares]

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[abandon_hope]

[ This is going to end so badly, he just knows it. But somehow he holds out the comm anyway. ]

I told you, I'm perfectly fine.

[timeshares]

[It's only a few minutes of work.

There was a time period, very early in where he had the time and luxury to enjoy the benefits of service to Kronos. One of the greatest of which was the cruise liner's high speed wifi and all of the nearby monsters being on HIS payroll.

Admittedly, he's not sure if he spelled all of that right, but good enough for not.]

This here? Is your bookmarks, you just tap it and you'll get to one of the sites I set up. These three are useful. A reference site, the translation site I showed you earlier and a video site.

Everything under that.. well. Let me know how it goes.

[abandon_hope]

[ Nico can't help but stare in muted awe for a moment. Having a cell phone that won't kill him is crazy enough; being able to do things on it that aren't network posts or games is even crazier. ]

... Why? Why are you doing this?

[timeshares]

[He nods amiably enough. Suspicion and surprise is more than natural, it's expected.]

Because I'm here for who knows how long. A couple days? The rest of my natural life span? Maybe just until this world gets cut too.

Then it's back to waiting for Judgement.

[There's a certain fatalism in his tone there, as if he knows what the verdict will be.]

I don't want to spend this time fighting.

[abandon_hope]

[ Proof that they're from different points in time, right there ... Nico's expression softens. If he were in the same situation, wouldn't he want the same thing? ... isn't he in a similar situation himself? This is his first chance to live a normal life, with no gods and no Underworld expecting his input ... ]

I don't want to fight either.

[timeshares]

Well then, that's good enough for now, isn't it?

[timeshares]

...


Also, while I'm being honest, the other reason is that I'm really expecting that seventh link to be funny as all Hades.

[abandon_hope]

[ That he has an easier time believing. Another soft snort at that. ]

Better than a sword fight, I guess.

[timeshares]

Well.

[An appraising look... all demigods had a fair amount of developed muscle but the kid was practically skeletal beside it... the sword isn't his FIRST pick. He gives Nico a grin.]

You'd probably lose that.

[abandon_hope]

[ Nico's always been skinny, and then there's all the trauma he's been through lately, and the fact that the pomegranate's effects are slow to wear off completely ... but he's already tall for his age, and will be monstrously so once he's reached adulthood. If he reaches it. ]

Don't try me. You'd be surprised.

[timeshares]

[He can't help it. He practically lights up with interest.]

That a challenge?

[abandon_hope]

[ Nico considers that. On the one hand, he's had very fights or spars here - and that ADHD side is aching for something to fill up that combat attunement. On the other hand ... it's Luke. This could go disastrously wrong incredibly quickly. He hesitates. ]

How do I know it would stay a spar?

[timeshares]

You wouldn't.

[He gives it some thought. It's been ages... years, actually, since he'd had an actually simple sparring match.]

I could swear to it.

[abandon_hope]

... On the Styx?

[ Who knows how binding an oath would be in a place like this. ]

[timeshares]

[No idea. But Luke isn't in any hurry to find out. He's already been there, done that, with 'worse than death.' No interest in a repeat.]

As long as you do too.

No offense.

[abandon_hope]

Fair is fair. If you swear, I'll swear.

[ And they'll both be on the hook for whatever repercussions this place might have for them. ]

[timeshares]

No deadly intent, no deliberate maiming, tools and powers are fine, mortal weapons only. I swear on the Styx that I will abide by those rules for this match.

[abandon_hope]

[ He tilts his head, considering if that covers everything ... There's gaps, definitely, but Nico wants to make use of those too. It ain't a half-blood spar without some cheating.

He repeats Luke's terms word for word. ]

... I swear on the Styx I will abide by those rules for this match.

[timeshares]

Ha! Lets see what you've got, then.

[He jumps to his feet, stretching his arms over his head.

He meant it, too. Of the demigods he faced, Nico was one of the biggest mysteries as far as extent and skill. It wouldn't hurt to figure him out a bit, if it DID come to that.]

First... there training facilities nearby, right?

[abandon_hope]

In Heropa, yeah. Usually for mortal ImPorts.

[ In other words: they'll have to be careful. ]

[timeshares]

What's another challenge?

[It will turn out, when they get there... that Luke is almost ridiculously picky about weapons. Refusing to just grab one of the blades there, he checks each for length, make, balance and sharpness before FINALLY settling on one. The shield was the first off the shelf, without a second thought.]

Outside or in?

[There's something pointedly taunting in the question. How confident do you actually feel about this?]

[abandon_hope]

[ Nico, meanwhile, selects the first one he see that vaguely resembles his Stygian iron blade; other than that, he's not fussy. There's a first indication that he doesn't intend to fight with his weapon much.

As for the question ... well. If he wants to use his powers without wrecking the place, outside is the way to go. But if he wants to prove he doesn't need all that ... It's tempting to try that too. Especially with that tone. ]

I can take you just fine in here.

[timeshares]

I'll be expecting a lot, then.

[Luke raises his blade in a simple salute... and swings it down and across Nico's chest, fast and nimble. Not pushing in yet, more like a snake strike, just testing the younger half-blood's guard.]

[abandon_hope]

[ It's not bad - he gets the sword up neatly enough, catching Luke's blade and shoving it back roughly. A step back for balance, then he's moving in for a counter strike. Wide, large movements, the kind of stroke that could cleave somebody's leg off if it hit properly. ]

[timeshares]

[A proper two handed style... he's at least trained down there.

Luke moves smoothly back with the parry, and doesn't bother bringing his sword up, just throws his weight behind the shield, driving it straight into the path.]