Gunslinger Vs Gunner {Paine//Closed}

[Vincent Valentine]

Why Vincent was here… he didn’t really know. He’d seen the name on that door… Olympus Coliseum… and he just had to go through it. If it was a matter of Vincent been curious, for once in his long life time or because he was bored with Transverse Town, he didn’t know, nor did he seem to care. He moved through the hallway he’d appeared in, moving into what looked like a registration area. His clawed hand moved to scratch the side of his face, blinking slowly as he tried to figure this all out. He hadn’t asked what this place was for, but by the looks of it, there were some strong people here, all covered head to toe in their armours, all ready to fight.

Suddenly Vincent felt his body turn, looking down at what looked like a half goat, half human… thing. And before Vincent knew it, he’d been draw into something. Philoctetes, the things name was, hadn’t given Vincent a chance to talk, and had caught the red eyed man completely off guard. Looking down, Vincent saw that, without him even saying anything, he was being registered into a fight.

“Excuse me… Philoctetes… but I’m not here to-” Vincent was cut off once more by the loud mouthed red creature. The creature waving him off as he pulled a register from behind his desk, and then proceeded to bombard Vincent with questions. Name, Age, Race, Powers and style of combat, and all Vincent could do was watch in slight horror as he just gave in and did what the little thing wanted, just to be given some peace.

“Name Vincent Valentine, age… varied, race altered human” He tilted his head, blinking down at the creature as he looked up into Vincent’s red eyes, seeing that Vincent was perfectly serious with what he was saying. “Power, again varied and style I’d say something akin to a gunslinger” licking his lips softly, Vincent’s clawed hand moved to pluck the pen from Philoctetes hand, sighing on the register as he felt the look he was getting. It wasn’t normal for a person to dress like he did, not look the way he did, he was already waiting for the reference to a vampire to be thrown into the conversation.

Vincent listened to the instructions he was given, moving out into a circular arena. His gaze lifted up, taking in the sight, only to notice that the place was still empty, so he didn’t need to start fighting his way out just yet. It was amazing… the shear size of the place, and to think… people fought here for fun, to win a competition… god forbid should Vincent ever get used to this… or people might just start wondering how he can enter for some many years in a row and not grow older.

He turned his frame, looking around as he waited. He was told to come out here and wait for his match, there was still roughly half an hour before it would start, so he’d have enough time to get to know his opponent. But why Vincent was suddenly first, and not one of the final battles… was another mystery to him,

“Well my little nut… seems that I’ve gotten us into another predicament” He tilted his head, biting his bottom lip softly, he couldnt believe he still had that nut... and was now talking to it as though it were an actual living creature.

[Paine]

Olympus Coliseum, home of champions, the place where the famed arena is. Why am I here again? Oh yeah, there is supposedly a dressphere on the trophy.[/color] Paine wasn’t the fight for fun type, nor the competitive type, but she wanted that dressphere, even if all of the Underworld’s souls came up to challenge her. She had drive on her side, at the very least. She was wearing her psychic dressphere for now, but she could change any time she wanted, depending on the opponent. She likes fair fights, and would try and match her opposition’s combat style, if possible. Yeah, because so many people fight with the Laws of Physics, and reels, cards and dice. She sighed, missing the vast variety of dresspheres she and the Gullwings had picked up on their journey through Spira.

She stepped inside the building; her white suit and futuristic look clashed against the ancient Greek architecture. She hoped she wouldn’t have to explain her clothing to anyone. The air was dry, like the Bikanel Desert, but cool like Macalania Forest. The room was very monochromatic; the orange sandstone covered the entire expanse of the walls and ceiling. An intricate design trimmed the edge of the walls. The entire place was lit by two torches on opposite walls. As she stepped forward, she became aware of the sand crunching beneath her boots. No floor?[/color]

The former spherehunter approached the goat behind the counter, whose back was turned and it was muttering to itself about something. Goats can speak?[/color] The very idea surprised her. “Uhh…Excuse me?” [/color] She said, unsure if the stout slightly reddish goat was going to reply.

“Go away! I’m busy.” It said, rather sharply. Paine felt a little bit of anger build up inside of her, after all a goat had just deigned to speak to her. A goat, of all uhh… people?[/i]

“Hey, you listen here, punk. I’m entering this arena, and you’re signing me up. Otherwise, I am going to make you wish you hadn’t been born. Got it?”[/color] her voice was laced with laced with acid, and she meant every word of it.

“Woah, woah there, darling! First, I got two words for you: you get more with honey than with vinegar. Second I—”

“That’s seven words, goat, but anyways, continue.” He was cut off by Paine. Her patience was shrinking.

“Okay, okay. Second, I like your style. Third, to sign up I gotta ask you some questions. By the way, I’m Philoctetes, or simply Phil, and I’m a satyr, not a goat.” The satyr responded with a blush, he went on to ask, Okay, the questions are: What is your name? Age? Power? Race? Fighting Style? And do you like long walks on the beach?” He smiled at his last question, but Paine was not amused. She was silent for a few seconds and he hastily added, “Do you need me to write those—”

She interrupted Phil again and fired off a barrage of answers, so fast that an auctioneer would’ve cringed. “Paine. 18. Depends on the Dressphere. Human. Again, Depends on the Dressphere. And no, but I’d like you to take a long walk off of a short pier. Anything else?”[/color] She smiled back at him, but it was more of a sarcastic smirk, than a friendly grin.

The satyr stared for a moment, trying to comprehend what just happened. Finally he said, “Uhh wow, nope that’s everything. Go on in.”

She entered through the curtained door that led to the arena. She saw a vast, empty stadium, which could rival Luca’s in size. In the center, she saw the fighting stage, a raised platform, made of the same orange sandstone as the lobby. Four pillars were affixed on the corners, but she assumed that that was just the center of the arena, and the fighters could use the entire floor. She surveyed the area more closely and saw a single man, clad in red from head to toe, with raven black hair and a golden glove around his arm, which reminded her of Tidus’ glove. She also noticed the intricately carved revolver around his hip. Looks like I get my wish after all. [/color] She thought happily as she transformed into her gunner Dressphere, abandoning her all white suit and visors for a darker leather outfit and two guns. She approached the man cautiously, they both must have arrived early, and the fights probably didn’t start for quite some time. A great way to get to know potential opponents. [/color] she thought.

She stood beside him, leaning up against the wall in the shade. She turned to him and noticed his striking red eyes, similar to her own. Shocked by the fact that she had never met anyone else with the same eye color, she said nothing and waited for him to start the conversation.

[Vincent Valentine]

Vincent sighed softly, looking up as he waited. He wasn’t bored, his patience ran further than the eye could see and still some. He’s mind would wonder to various topics at hand, and he could easily spend hours just standing around thinking, and it was a habit, that Vincent didn’t especially hate. Thinking was good, especially for him, he needed to find a way to deal with what happened to him, what happened to his friends, and the simple fact that his friends would all die before him… that last thought Vincent did in fact hate.

His head jerked up slightly when he noticed the presence of the female, his head turning softly. he blinked in her direction, wondering how long she’d been there and if she had spoken to him. His head tilted slightly as he turned his frame, moving it to have a better look at the new addition to the arena. His cloak swayed slightly, moving over his shoulders in that organic way, the armour that covered his feet clanking softly against the other plates as he moved, his pointed fingers curling slightly as he bowed his head. At least he acknowledged here being there, that was more than what he usually gave.

It didn’t take long before his reddened gaze moved over her figure, but in the least suggestive way imaginable. Vincent was not one to check out a woman’s body, the female figure was the last thing that crossed his mind when he spoke to one of the opposite sex. His heart had been stolen a long time ago, and the same person still held onto his heart… and it seemed that she always would. His gaze was aimed for information, to learn about his knew companion and to prepare himself as best he could. Taking in the weapons the female had, her outfit, possible abilities that she might use against him. It was interesting to say the least.

“Duel pistols I see…” Vincent’s gaze rose, that penetrating look hidden behind his blood red eyes. His face cleared of emotion as was his voice, and Vincent knew this, it took a lot to force him to sound somewhat friendly, and most people never gave him a chance. But other than his look, his body gave no signs of been dangerous, didn’t give off the idea of a threat. He was good at that, making sure that the people around him knew he was passive, that despite his looks he wouldn’t attack unless provoked.

“Good choice… a lot of damage can be gone with those” he tilted his head, turning his body, feeling Cerberus by his side, knowing that the lone weapon would be stronger on one to one, but against two… not to mention that this girl didn’t look like she would be an easy opponent. Then again… Vincent wasn’t an easy knock over either. He tilted his had once more, his gaze moving to her weapons, he’d seen enough in his life time to be able to list what it was capable of, he had been a TURK after all. But the look of the weapons, it looked like an automatic in silver, but at the same time… he knew that it wouldnt be exactly the same

“You’re not from my world…” His gaze lifted up, his eyes softening slightly, “if you had been I would have recognised your guns, and I don’t…” he blinked softly, folding his arms across his chest, his clawed fingers tapping slightly on his human arm, “at least I know I’ll have something akin to fun during this competition” he tilted his head in a somewhat friendly way, although his face still showed little emotion,

“What brings you to this competition?”

[Paine]

The very pale, dark haired man looked pensive, as if he had a lot on his mind, although his face hid it well. A few more pained moments of silence passed by, the wind whipped through the arena howling as it went on its way. One could feel sand lightly brush against their skin when the breeze picked up. The man, finally, was snapped out of his contemplative state and he turned to her.

First he surveyed her body, not in a sexual way, but more like he was sizing her up, trying to decide which forms of attack he could use against her, and where her weak points are. She was doing the same. Looks like we think alike. She noticed all the details of his slightly built figure, the long flowing red cape, as fluid as a river’s current in its movements, the metal boots, and arm. His expressionless face and calm crimson eyes, staring with such intent, almost as if he was trying to burn her with his gaze. Her eyes rested on his gun, a revolver, it looked like an older model, but she had never seen anything like it before.

After awhile, he spoke, “Dual pistols, I see.” he continued, a sort of strained, almost forced, tone of friendliness barely cracked through his otherwise monotonous voice, “Good choice, a lot of damage can be gone with those.” She noticed his stance, he wasn’t being overtly aggressive, and he didn’t show any signs of a desire to attack, or even fight until the tournament started. She nodded slightly, trying to see what he was getting at. He’s making small talk, guess I’d better do the same.[/i] She was still a bit unsure of what to make of this enigma in front of her.

“You’re not from my world.” he said suddenly, still staring at her pistols, his voice still showed that he was trying to be affable, “if you had been I would have recognized your guns, and I don’t.” He demonstrated perceptiveness, being able to tell just from her weapon that she wasn’t from around here, also an extensive knowledge of guns, which could’ve been fatal to her if he had recognized them. At least I’ll have something akin to fun in this competition.” he admitted. This meant that he thought that she would be a challenge and rightfully so, she wasn’t one to be trifled with.

There was some presence about him, an overwhelming feeling of seclusion. Like he had been misunderstood by a lot of people, and she could relate. Before she met the Gullwings and before she met Nooj, Gippal and Baralai, a lot of people judged her based on her appearance and were afraid to speak to her. If she could sum this stranger up in one word, it would be forlorn. Her observational thinking was interrupted by another question, posed by this eccentric man.

“What brings you to this competition?” he asked, a mild curiosity inching into his voice.

She replied, “The circular gem on the trophy. How about you?” [/b] She said simply, having no reason to lie to this friendly foreigner. She figured she might as well introduce herself, so as not to seem rude. “I’m Paine, and you are?”

[Vincent Valentine]

One eyebrow seemed to raise up as he looked towards the newly introduced Paine. An orb on the trophy? What trophy? On the inside, Vincent laughed, to think, he’d entered a competition that he didn’t know, to win something he hadn’t ever thought about. He turned his head away, a small amused sort of look growing on his features at the thought of fighting for no reason at all... it was truly a first.

“Vincent Valentine… it’s a pleasure” He bowed his head once more, that amused look still on his face, “And to be perfectly honest, I only found this place this morning as was dragged into signing up… so really…” He turned his head, looking over her features, “I’m not really here fighting for anything” His eyes seemed to smirk as his face stayed emotionless, his cape moving around his body lightly as his clawed hand moved down to his side, moving to his hip as he tilted his head, shrugging softly.

It was… refreshing, to find someone that didn’t think he was a monster. Paine seemed to… understand him, to see past his cold, hard features, and to somehow see the man that Vincent had been before, before Sephiroth, before Hojo. When people hadn’t backed away from him because of his expression, and that damned comment on him being a vampire, that was the worst. He licked the corner of his lip softly, turning his gaze back to hers, a small warmth in his eyes, respecting her slightly more than he had before, only because she reminded him, in a way, of Cloud.

A male that, even upon their first meeting, hadn’t judged him, had somewhat opened his heart for the forsaken man, and had given Vincent something worth continuing to live for. He had friends, people that depended on him, he was part of a team, one that benefited from having his shooting skills. And no matter how much he would complain about the others, Vincent cared for each of them in his own little way… and they seemed to understand that.

“This… orb you speak of… is it some type of Mako? Elemental or physical?” He looked into those eyes, seeing a near reflection of his own, had she too been altered but someone like Hojo? Or was it that in her world that eye colour was common?
He turned his head, biting his lip as he saw the first few people begin to enter the arena sitting area. It seemed that the doors had been opened and the people were now been allowed in, although it seemed a while before any fights would actually start.

“To be perfectly honest… I think you’re the only one here I need to worry about…” He turned his head back, a small smirk on his features, “I mean… the power from these others… they are nothing compared to Sephiroth and not even close to Cloud” Although to others, the conversation sounded like Vincent was being arrogant, but there was a soft playful hint to his words, like he was still going to fight each match with everything he had. He was good because of experience, but you always need more, you can never be too good at something. He tilted his head as he took a deep breath, just imagining his fight with Paine.

“A gunner’s fight… that should be interesting, see which one of us holds the best form”

[Paine]

“Vincent Valentine, it’s a pleasure.” the gunslinger said, courteously bowing his head, while an amused look crept on to his face. Paine wondered what this mysterious man’s motives were for entering the competition. He didn’t seem like the fight-for-glory type, nor the kind of person that was here for the prize money. Despite his looks, he also didn’t seem like an individual who fought purely for fun. As if he read her mind, Vincent continued on to say, “And to be perfectly honest, I only found this place this morning, and was dragged in to signing up, so really, I’m not really here fighting for anything.”

She laughed slightly, “That fast talking goat-thing, err I mean satyr, got you? He tried to wave me away but I put him in his place.” [/color] She smiled again. She was thinking about Nooj, how he was so cold when she first met him, but warmed up to the group after a while, she wondered if Vincent was the same, seeking death, all alone, or if he had friends like the Gullwings, back on his home world, someone to melt his heart and put his guards down, like they had done for her.

Thinking of the Gullwings made her a little melancholy, she wondered how Rikku and Yuna were doing, now that the group had gone their separate ways, she missed the times flying through the air; Brother’s constant fawning over Yuna; Rikku always pestering her to reveal her secrets. She wished they had never broken up and she was still in Spira hunting spheres with them, as opposed to traveling the galaxy, searching on her own.

“This orb you speak of, is it some type of Mako? Elemental or physical?” Vincent asked suddenly. Paine, lost in her reminiscing, almost didn’t catch what he said.

“What? Oh, no it’s more of like a sphere, it has various uses, and it’s imperative that I get it.”[/color] She replied after a moment of deliberation. She noticed he was staring into her eyes, as opposed to letting them wander while sizing her up. Again, the strikingly similar red eyes, which she had only seen in her reflection until now, made her wonder. She didn’t remember anything from her childhood, but would never admit that to anyone, and how she got red eyes was a mystery to even her.

She noticed that people began pouring into the stands, it seems the fights would start soon, but where were the rest of the participants? It looks like it’s still going to be a while. [/color]

“To be perfectly honest, I think you’re the only one here I need to worry about,” he said with a smirk, his head tilted slightly back, “I mean the power from these others; they are nothing compared to Sephiroth and not even close to Cloud.” He said, in what sounded like a playful tone. Sephiroth? Cloud? Probably people from his home world. [/color]

“Yeah, I agree, I’m sure Brother could even take some of these people.” [/color] she replies with a laugh. Imagining Brother in any combat situation was hilarious. She wondered about her fight with Vincent though, could she beat him? She had the advantage of two pistols, but would that be enough? Stop having doubts, you can win. You just need to focus.[/color]

“A gunner’s fight, this should be interesting, see which one of us holds the best form.” he said.

“Hmm… Form.” She thought aloud. She partly agreed with him. However, she thought that fighting is 30 percent form and skill, 40 percent ingenuity and creativity, 10 percent knowledge, and 10 percent luck. “It will be interesting, that’s for sure. So where are you from anyways?” she asked, trying to keep the conversation alive until the fights started.

[Vincent Valentine]

Vincent nodded softly, imperative she said… then maybe Vincent should attempt to win, just to see what this sphere was all about. If it wasn’t Mako and it seemed to hold amazing value, then it might even hold some importance for Vincent himself. Turning his head, he looked up at where he assumed the cup would be placed once the fights started, it was a somewhat grand sitting area with some type of platform.

Licking his lip softly, he tilted his head, it was… interesting. How long had it been since Vincent last fought for something? He had fought Sephiroth to clear a mistake that Vincent should have prevented, and the second time, he stood by Cloud and the others when the same threat arose. But now… he was fighting for what he wanted.

His gaze moved back to hers, his mind thinking about who this Brother could be. Was Paine been technical and she was talking about her biological brother? Or was she talking about someone that was like a brother? He sighed softly. He never had someone that was that close to him, at least not after Hojo. He swallowed down, thinking back to everything that had been before, remembering been part of the Turks, he’d had close friends then, and Lucrecia was still alive…

Shaking his head clear of that woman, he focused on what Paine was saying, “Where am I from?” He tilted his head thinking about it. He knew Paine wasn’t from his world, and he was fairly sure that letting her into his small little world wouldn’t cause problems for him later on, at least he didn’t think so. His mind wondered for a moment, thinking about his home, smirking softly as his eyes calmed. He missed that place; for once in his life he could say that. He missed his home; he missed those two annoying children that lived with Tifa and Cloud, Cloud himself. Even the crated of a town Midgar

“A world called Gaia” Well... it was to late now to just stop, “It’s a nice place, especially now that Sephiroth has stopped trying to destroy it” He nodded his head softly, those green eyes still burned into his mind. He’d never be able to forget that man. The son of his love and the monster that Hojo created… ironic that …Sephiroth was the spawn of what Vincent loved and hated most in the world. The monster that even chilled Vincent’s core, although no one would ever guess. Fear, love, happiness… all sparked no emotion on his face, only his eyes betrayed what he felt.

“I live in a place called Midgar, I say live… I just…” his claw hand lifted up, his fingers moving slightly as he used the limb to talk, “wonder about it…" his clawed finger pointed down as his human index finder moved around d it, “it’s my centre mark" a few important people there that I need to protect” he tilted his head, his eyes glistening softly at the thought of that odd family, even if Cloud hadn’t completely dedicated himself to it just yet, but Vincent knew, eventually, it would happen.

“How about you Paine? It interests me to know there are other worlds out there I never knew about”