[ He's being forced into the defensive, whereas before Tidus would hit him once then fall back, or revert to his tactic of trying to disorient his opponents before hitting them with a time spell. Roland's observed enough training sessions with him to know he seems to be more confident when he has the distance as an upper-hand, versus the proximity Roland expects of close-range combat. But here he's shocked at the quick steps, the sudden tug at his weapon that he definitely doesn't see coming after a flurry of slashes and strikes. No wonder Tidus kept those attacks light; it's only experience that saves Roland from meeting a double kick to the chest, knocking the air out of him had he not angled his body immediately to the side. The motion akin to curling up to the right, so his arm takes the kick...but it's not fast enough. His shoulder becomes collateral damage to, and the force pushes him all the way back, digging his heels into the floor with little traction to stop him from toppling backwards.
Roland winces quietly and shakes it off, brandishing his weapon once to the side before resuming position. Roland ignores the flowering ache that begins to develop in the side that absorbs Tidus's blow, or how he's come to realize he should have just taken that attack by the chest since his arms are now compromised.
Someone's definitely been practicing, and it's dawning on him how serious he has to take this sportsman now. Roland smirks. ]
Not playing around, huh? Good. Me neither.
[ Not to be outdone, he runs towards Tidus already on the offensive just as before. Only now, he attacks with a plan in mind: three, four-slash combos with every move pushing Tidus back against the edge of his blade, each one more decisive than the last, until he sees an opening. That hook of Tidus's sword is dangerous, but Roland meets it head on, using what he thinks is his advantage against him. Angling his blade diagonally, Roland deliberately catches the Claw against the tip of Tidus's sword. Gripping the hilt of his own weapon tighter than ever, Roland grits his teeth and pulls, hopefully dislodging or loosening Tidus's hold on his own weapon from the momentum. ]
no subject
Roland winces quietly and shakes it off, brandishing his weapon once to the side before resuming position. Roland ignores the flowering ache that begins to develop in the side that absorbs Tidus's blow, or how he's come to realize he should have just taken that attack by the chest since his arms are now compromised.
Someone's definitely been practicing, and it's dawning on him how serious he has to take this sportsman now. Roland smirks. ]
Not playing around, huh? Good. Me neither.
[ Not to be outdone, he runs towards Tidus already on the offensive just as before. Only now, he attacks with a plan in mind: three, four-slash combos with every move pushing Tidus back against the edge of his blade, each one more decisive than the last, until he sees an opening. That hook of Tidus's sword is dangerous, but Roland meets it head on, using what he thinks is his advantage against him. Angling his blade diagonally, Roland deliberately catches the Claw against the tip of Tidus's sword. Gripping the hilt of his own weapon tighter than ever, Roland grits his teeth and pulls, hopefully dislodging or loosening Tidus's hold on his own weapon from the momentum. ]