[ Before departing Inazuma to return to Snezhnaya, Childe has one more person to track down. Meeting Yoimiya had taught him a lot about some local customs, including, of course, the art of battling onikabuto, and there's nothing that Childe would rather take home to teach Teucer than exactly that.
It's in his quest to learn more about this unique form of combat that Childe learns the name of one Arataki Itto from the Traveler during her visit, and decides to seek him out for his expertise on the subject. In his quest to master all types of battles, Childe must seek out only the finest of teachers to learn their combat arts. Though he can't help but wonder why Lumine had seemed like she was suppressing a smirk when she told him Itto's name...
Well, anyway. It's probably nothing. A few of the locals are able to point him in the direction of the Inazuma countryside where the so-called Arataki Gang has supposedly been spotted recently, though he is poised for a battle at a moment's notice. It would be just like a master of a unique fighting style to ambush him unawares as a test.
Before he finds them, however, Childe finds another sort of jackpot - a tree just covered in onikabuto. He picks up a sizeable one in his hands, giving it an appraising look. ]
Now, this one looks like it has the spirit of a warrior! What secrets do you hold, my horned friend?
[Onikabuto hunts have been part of Itto’s routine for some time now, and it’s no coincidence that the Arataki Gang’s last known whereabouts are thick with them. Itto expects to find a pretty wide variety to choose from while he’s out hunting, but what he doesn’t expect is to find someone else doing the exact same thing.
A rival.]
Hey there!
[The boisterous greeting comes from somewhere behind Childe, and if he looks over his shoulder, he’ll see a tall, broad-shouldered Oni standing there with his hands on his hips, wearing a toothy grin.]
Another onikabuto enthusiast, huh? That’s a fine specimen you have there— but there’s more to this than size, you know!
As soon as he's addressed, Childe reacts quickly, whirling around, poised to summon his weapon if necessary, though he's still holding the onikabuto in his hand. It's just kind of chilling there, not minding being manhandled. ]
Oh? You seem to know your stuff, good sir!
[ Child eyes the horns and his hair. Could he have been so lucky as to find the onikabuto expert already? ]
[ Ah, it’s good to know his instincts were right on, though even if Childe did not correctly identify him as Arataki Itto, he gets the impression that he would have been informed as much pretty soon anyway.
People with egos can only go so long without talking about themselves. He would know. ]
Ahaha, well met, Arataki Itto! You can call me Childe. As a matter of fact, I’ve been looking for you. I was told you are the preeminent expert on onikabuto fighting in all of Inazuma.
[ If that is even a title someone can have. There’s so much Childe still has to learn! ]
[Friend, rival, they're the same thing, right? Another thing people with egos enjoy is having them stroked— and Itto's chest actually puffs out a little bit as he eagerly accepts that bit of praise.
That's definitely a title someone can have. He's adding it to his growing list.]
You seek to learn from the master?
[It doesn't matter that he's never won a game, don't worry about it.]
[ To Childe, a friend and a rival are absolutely the same. It seems like he and this Itto fellow will get along just fine. Lumine really did him a solid, here! ]
I have! I want to take some back home with me to Snezhnaya, you see, and battle them with my little brother. Who knows, maybe the art of onikabuto battling will even catch on there!
[ He extends the beetle in his hand towards Itto. ]
Give me a glimpse into your mind. What do you make of this one?
[He closes his eyes for a moment as he rests a crooked index finger against his chin, nodding.]
I see, I see. Very noble of you!
[He opens his eyes once more, though his hand remains right where it is as he leans in to get a better look at the beetle in question without taking it for himself.]
This is a pretty impressive specimen! On the bigger end of mid-sized, so he might not be as heavy a hitter as some, but he should move faster! Hard to get an age estimate on thise little guy, though...
[ Hmm, those were his speculative impressions of the onikabuto as well. It's good to know his intuition wasn't off! Maybe he'll wind up being a natural at this, which means Teucer will be, too. He'll be even better than Childe could ever be. ]
Ah, so age plays a part too, then? I see, I see...fascinating. What's the ideal age for a fighting onikabuto? Young and spry, or seasoned with a bit of experience?
[ They're not too unlike Fatui recruits, if this winds up being the case! There may be even more he can draw from in his, ahem, professional life. ]
Sure does! Just like with people. You get older, things start breaking down, right?
[Not something either of them has to worry about just yet, but those are just the facts of life.]
Of course, all ages have their pros and cons. If you get a young one, they've got more energy and feel like they've got something to prove, so they'll have a lot of drive— but they can get reckless in the heat of the moment.
[He gives a sage nod as he straightens up and folds his arms across his broad chest.]
Experienced means they'll make more calculated decisions during battle, but get one that's too old, and they'll tire out quickly. It's a delicate balance, my friend.
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It's in his quest to learn more about this unique form of combat that Childe learns the name of one Arataki Itto from the Traveler during her visit, and decides to seek him out for his expertise on the subject. In his quest to master all types of battles, Childe must seek out only the finest of teachers to learn their combat arts. Though he can't help but wonder why Lumine had seemed like she was suppressing a smirk when she told him Itto's name...
Well, anyway. It's probably nothing. A few of the locals are able to point him in the direction of the Inazuma countryside where the so-called Arataki Gang has supposedly been spotted recently, though he is poised for a battle at a moment's notice. It would be just like a master of a unique fighting style to ambush him unawares as a test.
Before he finds them, however, Childe finds another sort of jackpot - a tree just covered in onikabuto. He picks up a sizeable one in his hands, giving it an appraising look. ]
Now, this one looks like it has the spirit of a warrior! What secrets do you hold, my horned friend?
no subject
A rival.]
Hey there!
[The boisterous greeting comes from somewhere behind Childe, and if he looks over his shoulder, he’ll see a tall, broad-shouldered Oni standing there with his hands on his hips, wearing a toothy grin.]
Another onikabuto enthusiast, huh? That’s a fine specimen you have there— but there’s more to this than size, you know!
no subject
As soon as he's addressed, Childe reacts quickly, whirling around, poised to summon his weapon if necessary, though he's still holding the onikabuto in his hand. It's just kind of chilling there, not minding being manhandled. ]
Oh? You seem to know your stuff, good sir!
[ Child eyes the horns and his hair. Could he have been so lucky as to find the onikabuto expert already? ]
Are you perhaps Arataki Itto, then?
[ The one and oni?? ]
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Itto laughs openly when the other man guesses at his name, showing sharp teeth in the process.]
That's me! First and greatest head of the infamously awesome Arataki Gang!
[He's great, just ask him.]
Who wants to know?
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People with egos can only go so long without talking about themselves. He would know. ]
Ahaha, well met, Arataki Itto! You can call me Childe. As a matter of fact, I’ve been looking for you. I was told you are the preeminent expert on onikabuto fighting in all of Inazuma.
[ If that is even a title someone can have. There’s so much Childe still has to learn! ]
no subject
[Friend, rival, they're the same thing, right? Another thing people with egos enjoy is having them stroked— and Itto's chest actually puffs out a little bit as he eagerly accepts that bit of praise.
That's definitely a title someone can have. He's adding it to his growing list.]
You seek to learn from the master?
[It doesn't matter that he's never won a game, don't worry about it.]
no subject
I have! I want to take some back home with me to Snezhnaya, you see, and battle them with my little brother. Who knows, maybe the art of onikabuto battling will even catch on there!
[ He extends the beetle in his hand towards Itto. ]
Give me a glimpse into your mind. What do you make of this one?
[ Let him see the master in action. ]
no subject
[He closes his eyes for a moment as he rests a crooked index finger against his chin, nodding.]
I see, I see. Very noble of you!
[He opens his eyes once more, though his hand remains right where it is as he leans in to get a better look at the beetle in question without taking it for himself.]
This is a pretty impressive specimen! On the bigger end of mid-sized, so he might not be as heavy a hitter as some, but he should move faster! Hard to get an age estimate on thise little guy, though...
no subject
Ah, so age plays a part too, then? I see, I see...fascinating. What's the ideal age for a fighting onikabuto? Young and spry, or seasoned with a bit of experience?
[ They're not too unlike Fatui recruits, if this winds up being the case! There may be even more he can draw from in his, ahem, professional life. ]
no subject
[Not something either of them has to worry about just yet, but those are just the facts of life.]
Of course, all ages have their pros and cons. If you get a young one, they've got more energy and feel like they've got something to prove, so they'll have a lot of drive— but they can get reckless in the heat of the moment.
[He gives a sage nod as he straightens up and folds his arms across his broad chest.]
Experienced means they'll make more calculated decisions during battle, but get one that's too old, and they'll tire out quickly. It's a delicate balance, my friend.