[The pathetic thing about Joshua's performance here is that he can do better than this. He has done better. The fact that he's alive now to take part in this mess proves as much.]
[But he's off. The month has been taking its toll on him, and today was no exception.]
[Joshua isn't quick enough to fully deflect nor dodge per the Yato in the mirror's insistence. His gloves are enough to keep his hands relatively safe (the blade connects, but he will thankfully be keeping all of his fingers this time), but even if Burning Thorn doesn't drop, his form has been forced open, and he has no choice but to surrender some ground to the doppelgänger.]
[He grits his teeth in frustration, but doesn't indulge that jeer with a retort of his own. Instead, Joshua's mind races elsewhere, trying to figure out a way to turn this fight around. He'll probably have to resort to more of his magicks again. Dangerous, given their flammable surroundings, but if he's not given a choice, then that's just a risk everyone will have to take.]
no subject
[The pathetic thing about Joshua's performance here is that he can do better than this. He has done better. The fact that he's alive now to take part in this mess proves as much.]
[But he's off. The month has been taking its toll on him, and today was no exception.]
[Joshua isn't quick enough to fully deflect nor dodge per the Yato in the mirror's insistence. His gloves are enough to keep his hands relatively safe (the blade connects, but he will thankfully be keeping all of his fingers this time), but even if Burning Thorn doesn't drop, his form has been forced open, and he has no choice but to surrender some ground to the doppelgänger.]
[He grits his teeth in frustration, but doesn't indulge that jeer with a retort of his own. Instead, Joshua's mind races elsewhere, trying to figure out a way to turn this fight around. He'll probably have to resort to more of his magicks again. Dangerous, given their flammable surroundings, but if he's not given a choice, then that's just a risk everyone will have to take.]