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For the whole time since they have been walking, Benji had been giving Break a few tips on what to NOT do around his family. Benji knew Break wouldn't even try to listen, but all the talking kept him from being anxious. They already made it into the condominium and were now standing in the elevator heading for the 6th floor. "-and just remember to always keep eye contact with them, 'kay? That's also one of their many pet peeves," Benji let out an exhausted sigh, a sign that he was done talking. The elevator door made a "ding" sound as it came to an abrupt stop and the doors slid open.

"Finally," Benji mumbled as he stepped out. The blonde made his way down the hall toward a door with "602-Buckley" labeled on the plate. Benji took a key out of his jacket and slipped it into the hole, unlocking the door. "Here it is, just stay cool." Benji said. The last few words were meant more for him then Break.

"Mother, Father, I'm back and I brought a guest," Benji announced as he opened the door.

"Benjamin, do you have any idea how late it is? Shibusen classes ended hours ago," stepping out of the kitchen, neatly dressed in a black skirt and a white blouse, was a middle-aged woman who had blonde hair tied in a bun. "honestly, I expected our son to know better than to come home late on a school day-" The woman seemed to have froze in place when she saw Break.

"Um...Mother, I would like you to meet my weapon partner,"

Break was not entirely sure what was happening here. Benji and his mother seemed to be engaging in some greeting that even Break knew was not common. Without a clue as to how to react to this all, he simply allowed the tall woman to analyze him without letting out a single breath. Break really did feel like an object here, like a Weapon without the human form. Though he knew she was simply looking him over and trying to see how he measured up as a person, Break felt like he was already in his knife form and being tested.

Regardless of his discomfort, Break saw this as a challenge, and stood defiantly, not letting his gaze drop or his expression lesson. When she finally did walk away, Break let out his pent-up breath and his harsh features seemed to lessen considerably. He muttered to Benji, trying not to attract her attention again, "What just happened here?"

Break followed his Meister into the living room without protest, taking a seat as directed and trying to get a handle on all of what was happening. This was far too close for comfort, especially after years of his parents either not being there or simply allowing him unthinkable levels of freedom when they were there. He looked slightly put off, but still as determined as ever, still as strong when he turned his attention to Benji, "I didn't sign up for this. I'm not some kind of show dog, you know, and I'm not going to sit through more of that."

"Look, you're a good Meister, but I'm not a partner type, and these introductions make it feel too settled," Break admitted, not fully comfortable with what took place. In his mind, Benji would be around until the tournament, then after that, both could start their searches if they needed. Then again, Benji did say that his parents would react badly if they just fought in the tournament, so remembering his reason for being here, Break attempted to add, "I'll keep it cool, but try to deflect so--Woah what the hell?!"

His mood changed radically when Benji leapt from his place in response to the voice. Break lightened up and felt right in his element for the surprise. He was about to transform into his swordbreaker form to combat this new foe, but realizing that he was just a relative of Benji's, Break watched with some degree of confusion mixed in with his new found comfort.

With a more focused, alive voice, Break agreed, "This I can deal with. You're a million years too late to challenge me, old man."

Like a soldier, he stood resolute, gaze forward and knees bent. No muscle even twitched in his statuesque defense, he was far too experienced to let adrenaline override his calm. He was confident enough to use the same tactic that he always used for stabbing weapons. When the cane was within attack range, Break suddenly dashed in from the side away from the older attacker's body and gripped the base of the cane just above his hand with practiced precision, the other against what would have been the blade's flat side.

He didn't quite know how well the man would react, but Break intended to push the cane to the floor and past him, using his hand on the "handle" as a lever to give him more force in the attack. That was the next step, though, as he planned it, but it was up to the gentleman's reaction speed whether or not that worked.

[ooc// Just for the record, I'm giving you the decision on whether the planned attack works or not, to avoid power playing.]

Break was fully immersed in the battle, unable to even register his partner at the moment. It was almost frightening, how thoroughly fixated he was on every movement and small detail, unable to see anything that didn't relate to him and his opponent. With pride, Break responded to the complement, "I'm a Lyndel, a swordbreaker. I take pride in my skill."

Going with the flow of the fight, Break allowed himself to be pulled in, though he kept only one hand on the cane and added to its acceleration, using Benji's grandfather's motion to push it further than it wanted to go. With the space between them clear, Break used the man's arm and cane to trap his other arm, and pushed down with both hands just above his on the handle, hoping to lock him into a position where he couldn't attack.

Break never broke his constant scowl, but with a playful look to his eyes, he taunted, "Your move, then."

"Remember me, then, as your first chance to face one. It's been an honor fighting you," Break nodded, not entirely unfamiliar with the idea of carrying on a conversation during a fight. It even felt more comfortable this way, when you could see a person for who they really were, no trying to please you or pretend to be a friend; in fights, you had to be yourself and react like yourself, whether that involved charging or deception. In that sense, Break could confidently say that he knew most people better than their friends did, because they didn't have to put on an act or try to please him. With a sense of satisfaction, Break agreed, "If you think that'll be enough..."

What happened next, however, changed Break's steely gaze completely. His scowl, though somehow kind and passionate, was overtaken by a look of surprise and excitement, feeling the beginning of a move that could turn the tide. He tightened his grip and readied for a true fight, all before it came to a shocking end.

For a while, Break watched in silence, removing his hands from the cane. The situation panned out as his all-too-familiar adrenaline burst slowly crept away. The older woman had made her introduction, though what he seemed to gather from all of that was a simple, "What time of the day do you all fight?"

After a second, he shook his head, and added a simple, "I'm Swordbreaker Lyndel, though I prefer Break."

"Yeah, just fine," Break's mind was, of course, on the nature of the battle. What was he about to do, exactly? How would a fast fighter wield a mace? Break wanted to fight again, to conquer this style used by an experienced Meister. Not now, though. When Macy asked Break how he met Benji, all the Weapon could do was shoot a pleading look at Benji, asking him to tell the story.

"Mornings, eh? Good to know," Break muttered, registering some time he should be over, just in case something exciting was happening. He actually really liked this family, treating fighting as a part of their lifestyle. For that much, Break had respect, it meant that they had a stronger bond than most.

Break knew that Benji was under some stress, but after he heard his story, Break mentally made a decision. For better or worse, it was time for Benji to start becoming a stronger partner. It was partially what made him so difficult to work with, but Break refused to work with someone who didn't stick to the truth no matter what. As much of a fight addict as he was, Break had very strong morals, and in that, he was clearly annoyed. When Benji looked his way apologetically, Break shot him a glare.

Break looked straight at his partner's grandparents, and in an even tone, explained, "Benji's only told half the story. Yeah, he first saw me in a fight, but it wasn't exactly my best moment. I failed miserably in a fight against a Black Blood in the school, taking their resonance after an attack from him was intercepted by a teacher, to save me. Benji wasn't happy about that, I know I screwed up, but that's why we teamed up. I'm not gong to sit back and let my failure overcome me, that's the path of a man. I'm not going to ask your permission, but this is Benji's decision, and you need to know the full story because I'm going to work with him if he'll have me as his Weapon."

All at once, the words just spilled out, fueled by his anger at how his family had directed Benji to have to hide things and feel fear that he couldn't make a decision for himself. At the very least, Break should work on his tact, since he continued before anyone could move, "This is my challenge, think whatever you will. I care very little of your opinion of me, but Benji is the only one I trust to wield me in battle, and I'm leaving my faith in him as a partner."

Without realizing it, Break had risen from his seat during his speech. Feeling rather strange about it, he simply cleared his throat and sat back down, ready to deal with the consequences. Even if he was kicked right out, that would have been a better thing for him than knowing that his honor was compromised.