AFTER BATTLE CHIT-CHAT (rin)

[rin]

Mitsukai made clear that he had no intention of interfering, much to Rin's relief. The knowledge that if she ever needed to talk to someone a little more mature that wouldn't use such information against her, was also rather reassuring, since Rin had few in the way of friends outside of family and the Spiaggia. When he pulled out the card and handed it to her, she took it with a brief nod at his words. Might as well, Rai had already demonstrated his forgetfulness when it came to important information, so it was probably safer to have such things on hand, just in case another emergency occurred and they need assistance.

Glancing at the bar's logo on the front curiously, Rin made a mental note of the place, before turning over the card and taking in the number and address on the back. Once she'd looked it, she slipped the card into the pocket of her coat, where it could be added to her cellphone later. Her thoughts were soon distracted once more though, as Mitsukai expressed curiosity over a question that he had been asked some time ago, one that Rin was not entirely unfamiliar with.

"You know, when I was younger, I asked my grandfather the same question." Rin began calmly, thinking back to how small she had been at the time. Barely big enough to even hold a sword and what seemed like another lifetime ago in comparison to these days. "He told me, that fighting is an instinct that exists at the deepest core of what it means to live. That's why whether a person is a saint or an assassin, under the right circumstances he will choose to fight. Whatever reason or cause a person may give himself, in the end there is one truth that exists, in a world that is constantly moving and changing, those that stop moving, that cease to struggle and fight are those that are doomed to perish." She explained seriously, hoping that she was getting across what she was trying to say, despite some paraphrasing on her part.

The answer went so much deeper than a simple single reason, but into a side very few ever saw of the swordsman. "To fight, is to preserve, whether that is one's own life, his wealth, his dreams, or those around us. It is the most basic of instincts and the most natural. It is also why I devoted myself to the blade, not simply for the sake of death, but to understand what it truly means to live." Rin added, glancing over at Mitsukai curiously to see how he reacted, as it was rare for her admit to anyone why she had chosen to take up the sword. However, in the end, while Rin wasn't much of a philosopher, she knew a little something about instincts and human behavior.

Perhaps it was a rather simplistic manner of thinking, but was that really such a bad thing? She could only protect what she cared about if she was alive, to become stronger, and the only way to ensure that was to fight. If that's what was necessary, then that was exactly what Rin intended to do, for however long she could. There was no shame or dishonor in such a notion, no matter a person's status or background.

[nox]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i.imgur.com/8qnsq.gif); padding: 7px; width: 400px, bTable][atrb=vAlign,top][style=background-color: #303030; padding: 5px; float: left;][/style]

[atrb=vAlign,top][style=background-color: #303030; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: center; width: 300px; text-transform: lowercase; color: #bebebe; margin-top: 3px; margin-left: 3px;]words 347 · tags rin · notes running out of ideas[/style][style=background-color: #303030; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; color: #bebebe; padding: 5px; width: 290px; margin-left: 3px; text-align: justify; margin-top: 5px; height: 180px; overflow: auto;] The Shimon boss found an interesting, very philosophical, answer from a rather unexpected source. Rin’s reason for fighting made every level of sense to him. Both her grandfather’s answer to that very question and her own were perfect. Fighting is an instinct and she fights to preserve. Mitsukai absorbed that information into himself, stewing over every single word. It was a perfect answer, at least to Mitsukai. It spoke to every side of him. His swordsman side found it correct; his philosopher side did the same, as did his leader side. All he could really respond with at first was a nice little “hm”. Not a bad sounding one, but one of those “I agree completely” ones. Mitsukai sat up and looked over at Rin, then laughed a bit and scratched the back of his head. Never would have pegged you to respond philosophically. He said with a rather small laugh. Well, Rin. That’s all that I really have to talk about. Mitsukai said with another laugh before laying back on the floor. They could just sit in awkward silence, but maybe Rin had a talking point. Maybe. Then one hit him. From all the records he’d ever seen, Squalo Superbi fought with a sword that was attached to his hand. Who taught Rin to fight then? She fights with a katana, as opposed to the straight swords Squalo favored. If anything, Mitsukai fought more like Squalo than she did. Interesting indeed. I just thought of something… Who taught you to fight the way you do? Mitsukai asked the silver haired girl, suddenly sitting up. I ask because, in all the records I’ve seen, Squalo Superbi fought with a straight sword that was attached to his left hand. However, you fight with a katana… I find it… interesting. He added, clarifying his prior statement to avoid confusion. He was more than willing to openly share his stories of teaching himself to fight if it pleased her, but he just wanted to know who taught her. It just seemed like someone taught by Squalo would fight like him. [/style][style=background-color: #303030; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: center; width: 300px; text-transform: lowercase; color: #bebebe; margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 3px; margin-bottom: -3px;]template by john of ote & btn[/style]

[rin]

Rin smiled softly as he seemed contented with the answer and made a comment about being somewhat philosophic, a somewhat amusing matter for someone who was normally so blunt. When he confirmed there was nothing more he wished to speak of, she simply nodded quietly and moved to gather the cups back to the tray, so that she could return them inside and leave Mitsukai to his relaxation. However, barely a few moments had passed, before something suddenly seemed to poke at his interest. It was a question very few had ever asked, since they rarely understood the complexity of swordsmanship, but he was quick to point out the uniqueness of her fighting style.

"It's true, that was the was the weapon my grandfather was famous for using. However, he used many different swords and absorbed a variety of styles, before claiming the title of Sword Emperor." Rin pointed out, recalling a part of the story that many forgot about. That title was not simply someone who mastered a single style, but one that had mastered the sword as a whole, whose abilities transcended any one form or blade. "When the time came to pass down that knowledge, the decision to use a katana was primarily mine." She explained calmly, thinking back to her attempts.

"You see, while my grandfather and I shared many things in common, we differed on some level. The sword that I found myself to be the most comfortable wielding was never a European blade at all, but one from my father's homeland." Rin explained, letting on the reason she carried a Japanese last name. "Besides, while I was expected to carry on my family's legacy with a sword, it was also my own ambitions that led to do more than learn, but to surpass my grandfather in skill." She confessed calmly, admitting to something that many viewed as impossible, but probably spoke volumes about how reckless she could be.

Pushing aside a few strand of hair, Rin allowed her gaze to drift to the garden around them, as her expression remained steady. "To do that, it was necessary that I adapt and in combination with my own abilities, the katana proved more versatile and allowed me to create the style I use now without the need of removal of any necessary body parts." She added calmly, recalling another factor in Squalo's choice of weapon as opposed to her own, a step she didn't want to have to take, unless absolutely necessary. "Also, while my grandfather was my primary teacher, he wasn't the only person I ever learned from. My big brother, Arashi and I used to spare all the time. Well,..." Rin hesitated a moment, suddenly thinking to herself seriously.

"I guess, he's not actually related by blood, but he kind of acts that way. Grandpa helped teach him, since he would be the next Captain of the Varia, so it was kind of a game when we we're kids." Rin admitted with a cheerful smile, seeming rather oblivious to how dangerous that kind of game was. Then again, growing up around the Varia was hardly normal, under any circumstance. Although, it certainly explained how she'd been able to deal with all the chaos in the Spiaggia, being accustomed to such madness.

[nox]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i.imgur.com/8qnsq.gif); padding: 7px; width: 400px, bTable][atrb=vAlign,top][style=background-color: #303030; padding: 5px; float: left;][/style]

[atrb=vAlign,top][style=background-color: #303030; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: center; width: 300px; text-transform: lowercase; color: #bebebe; margin-top: 3px; margin-left: 3px;]words 387 · tags rin · notes I guess your post ends it[/style][style=background-color: #303030; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; color: #bebebe; padding: 5px; width: 290px; margin-left: 3px; text-align: justify; margin-top: 5px; height: 180px; overflow: auto;] Listening to the story that Rin had to tell about the origin of her swordsmanship raised few red flags. Everything made proper sense to Mitsukai, something that Rin had been consistently doing. There were a few points that she made that didn’t quite click though. For one, based on records, Mitsukai seemed to fight like Squalo at times. Thanks to how his box weapon was designed, but he hasn’t replaced a single body part. But he understood what she meant and how she felt. She felt more comfortable with an Eastern blade, her katana, than a western blade. Mitsukai was just favored a straight blade. Both his father’s sword and his box weapons were both straight swords. It just felt right in his hands. Though one thing was strange. Rin, for some reason, felt the need to explain her relation to her “brother” Arashi. There were plenty of people that viewed others that they weren’t related to as siblings or family members because they grew up with them as if they were. No need to justify that in one’s mind. The more Mitsukai thought on it, it made him chuckle a bit. I’ve never seen a point to justify a relation to someone you viewed as a sibling. Blood is often the least important thing. I’ve seen friends love each other like siblings, yet siblings hate each other. Mitsukai said to the white haired girl with a small laugh and a smile. Well… I guess I’ll tell you of my choice. I decided on my straight swords because I learned on my father’s ninjato. Then my box weapon comes out and it’s gauntlets with swords attached. Luckily the swords can come off, or I’d be fighting like your grandfather all the time. Mitsukai said with another laugh as he checked his phone for the time. Ugh… His next shift would start in… a few hours. Damn… My shift starts in a few hours. I should probably go. He said as he stood up and began to head out. He then looked over his shoulder laughed a bit. He was obviously in a good mood. It was nice talking to you, call if you need. Thanks for the tea. He finished before heading out, and dashing back to his house to get ready. This day proved interesting indeed. [/style][style=background-color: #303030; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: center; width: 300px; text-transform: lowercase; color: #bebebe; margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 3px; margin-bottom: -3px;]template by john of ote & btn[/style]

[rin]

Rin had never been able to fully grasp her preference for a curved blade, though had her suspicions it was more her father's fault than anything. Even so, that wasn't to say she didn't occasionally revert back to the familiar techniques her grandfather had taught. In fact, her technique Shiden had been designed around a similar principle and use when fighting, though it wasn't quite as obvious as her box weapon was. He seemed to take the news about Arashi better than she had hope though, since most people tended to be a little taken aback by the discovery that Rin was so closely associated with the current Head of the Vongola's assassination Squad.

Then again, maybe she should have been to surprised. Mitsukai reminded her of Rai in many respects as a leader, he seemed to look beyond the obvious fearful notions to the person behind that mask. "Yeah, I guess your right." She answered with a smile, seeming content. However, the description was probably about as accurate as one could get, since they tended to fight, but when push came to shove, doubted that Arashi would hesitate to come to her aid if need be. That went both ways, as despite having turned down his offer as vice-captain, she still tended to worry herself over his health and well-being.

She'd been considering contact him again, since she'd been using some of his subordinates in the Varia to gather information. Although, to be honest, Rin had hesitated out of concern, not looking forward to explaining exactly how she had ended up as a subordinate to a boss outside of the Varia. It was then that Mitsukai began to explain how he had settled on his own choice of weapons, a matter that was rather surprising to Rin, especially when it became apparent they shared something else in common.

"Oh? Then we should spare together sometime. For fun, of course, it'd be interesting to see what kind of sword skills the Shimon are capable of." Rin suggested, offering the friendly invitation as she did to those that tended to peak her interest and Mitsukai had certain done that. Besides, they were allies and there was no harm in a little sport every now again, especially if his style favored her grandfather's so much. However, time always seemed to fly when one was enjoying themselves and the young boss soon noted the time on his phone, explaining that he had to go to prepare for his next work shift.

"No problem. We appreciated the help. Feel free to come by anytime." She called out with a smile as dashed off, smiling softly to herself as she rose to her feet with the gathered cup. He really was a nice person and tactically, an all to valuable ally, given his abilities. Before Rin could get much further into thought, however, a loud crash could be heard from insight, causing her to glance over her shoulder in dismay. Oh dear. One would think that after such an experience they would be resting, but they were clearly back their old trick. Turning on her heel, Rin moved to rejoined the festivities and the normal chaos that was so frequent to the Spiaggia family.