Description: Mr. Burr is a classy and upstanding member of certain societies, and certain groups. But as running a criminal empires falls right into place, one can get... bored. To shake things up, the man has invited himself to the opportunity of a team. Is it a front for the Shadow Council? Or is it simply an idle man entertaining himself? In any case, the accursed Zappa will find himself in the path of the crime boss in the depths of Greece, and swiftly on the path towards a potential team... or a potential rivalry. Mr. Burr could certainly tell Zappa off, but can he do the same for the fair S-ko? <Winner: Zappa>
It's a nice day in Greece. High noon has departed, and the sun has started its descent. The city is bathed in golden rays, making the shadows of the Parthenons shadows seem longer than usual and almost foreboding.
The crowds seem to have thinned out for the day as the tourists flock to the restaurants throughout the city. For the well-mannered Mr.Burr this is just fine as he walks into the ancient building, his footsteps punctuated by taps of the tip of his cane upon the marble floor. He silently admires the architecture around him, the art of it's walls, all it's history. A fitting battleground, and the idea of adding one more battle to these hallowed halls is not lost on him in the least!
Dear Diary,
I have already wished mother Happy Mother's day, and told her her son has found a burning love in his heart - I do not lie to her for it's just as bright as ever in my quest to find a suitable woman to spend the rest of my life with. This raging inferno in my heart has, of all places, brought me to Greece. While not the city of love, I have decided to go to the Parthenon. The tales of war and love in this country may yet stir a foreign woman's heart towards me. I do intend to do battle with them over their heart and find myself quite wanting, but also quite charming and desirable. Oh mother, you will yet see your son happy and with a wonderful family! It is strange as well, though, that I fell asleep and woke upon the train... literatelly upon it. I do not remember going out for air, especially not falling asleep atop there!
Now, Zappa stands within the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to Athena. Such a woman clearly had many humans that had devoted themselves to her, in heart and mind. It is no surprise he feels a bit odd. While Zappa attributes it to the situational location, his heart pounding faster in the presence of what may be something to remember and tell his kids years down the line, it is actually his significantly other. S-ko willing to defile such a place, if it came to it.
A tourist dressed in white and other odd clothing atop it, Zappa is quite obviously not here for the 'fight'. At least, it may seem that way. As Mr. Burr walks in, Zappa whirls around to see him - and sighs. it is not as his heart had wanted.
"A-are you the member who wanted to join a team? I ... I must inform you sir that I .. perhaps selfishly... just wished to join a team for the attention of the fair maidens who would root for them. ...You can understand, can't you?" Hands are held out before him, one clasped over the other.
Is he quite serious?
The steady gaze and somewhat warm smile on Burrs face, as Zappa states his reasons, sharpen to a piercing stare and twisted smirk, head tilted slightly to the side with his cane on the floor out in front of him "Oh, i assume you, young man, i do indeed understand. However, *I* have an interest, of sorts, with joining a team. I won't trouble you with the reasons". He reaches down to his cane and slowly twists the metal ring dividing the handle from the rest of the shaft for whatever reason "Unfortunately, those reasons are at odds with yours, so...." he reaches up and takes off his bowler in salute "... if you won't forfiet, we must settle this like the men we are".
"H-Hold on... you don't mean that-" Of course, Mr. Burr does. He most certainly does! As Mr.Burr makes such claims, Zappa backs off, hands up now waving, palms up, wiggling back and forth as he shakes his head. "N-No you must understand I'm a peaceful individual and wouldn't ever think of raising a hand to... you know. I ... My I ... f-fell kind of faint..."
It's no surprise that Zappa, as he staggers backwards, feels in such a way! Yet it's not simply a feeling. Zappa holds an arm across his forehead, suddenly tilting backwards and falling - body beholden to gravity and his future place to impact the ground, top curving backwards quicker than the rest of his body. Which would of course continue to the ground and impact first. that ... doesn't happen. The body suddenly stops, as if held up by a mysterious force, eyes empty and wide, staring away from Mr. Burr. Body arched in such a way that a chiropractor would be in fear, body wagging back and forth.
"OKAY. LIKE THE MEN WE ARE. THE /MEN/ WE ARE." The other half of Zappa exclaims through a voice not his, but certainly not hers. "LIKE MEN. LIKE MEN. I'LL SETTLE IT FOR YOU!"
Twisting around, the body contors on itself, upside down form staring down Mr. Burr.
Well, THIS takes Burr off-guard. Interesting, yet also a little terrifying. Of late, Burr has seen werewolves and other darkstalkers, been in the presence of Vega and Duke (both VERY intimidating individuals), and had an acid trip induced by an insected bodily fluids. That being said, the sight of Zappa doesn't exactly SCARE him.
It IS unnerving, however!
Placing his hat back upon his head, he holds his cane in one hand as he brings up his other into a fighting stance. With a sarcastic tone he can't help but comment "Oh dear. I do hope i didn't offend you".
COMBATSYS: Mr.Burr has started a fight here.
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Mr.Burr 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Zappa has joined the fight here.
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Mr.Burr 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Zappa
To the actual warriors out there, this is just an ... interesting 'fighting' style. It's not something to be afraid of, or if it is, it perhaps could be a slight intimidation tactic. It's quite really neither. Zappa's intentions are nowhere to be had - the man completely lost to the slumber that S-ko puts him under in order to use his body for whatever purpose she wishes. In this case it is not surprising what kind of wish she has.
Especially as Mr. Burr falls into a combat stance, cane in one hand, the other held up. Zappa twists entirely around, body swaying to and fro as hestaggers back and forth. Completely in control and yet dangerously out of control. It's all in the same. "OFFEND. OFFENDED. NO. AS MEN WE WILL FIGHT. AS MEN WE'LL HURT. THAT'S ALL WE'RE GOOD FOR! ALL. WE. ARE. GOOD. FOR!"
S-ko is not very particularly subtle, invisible eyes glaring a hole into Mr. Burr's form, if at all possible. The eyes wouldn't be a problem, though.
It would be three specific other things, a swarm of three 'centipedes' swarming around him to vanish moments later, three 'ghosts' in straight jackets floating nearby him, a condensed swarm of energy. Zappa throws himself forwards, towards Mr. Burr, but he lands face down into the ground before he meets him. The ghosts, however, follow his actions - and headbutt towards him, one after the other, "UNO!" "TWO!" "THIRD!" The 'voices' exclaim, solid but burning of an 'otherworldly' energy.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Burr blocks Zappa's Medium Punch.
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Mr.Burr 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Zappa
Luckily, Burr has a moment to see some of where this is going in time to bring up his arms. Seems he has indeed offended, which really doesn't matter in this case. He isn't quite sure what is going on until the ghosts and centapedes come out....
This guys possessed!
As the ghosts impact his arms, metal frames under his sleeves or no, he can't help but wince a bit at the chill of their touch. They ARE undead creatures of otherworldy energy, after all! He pulls at the handle of his cane... and wonder of wonders pulls out a sword (as if EVERY cane isn't secretly a sword!), taking a fast Iai swing at Zappa as the ghosts return to their host. He doesn't have an immediate retort, but the battle is still young!
COMBATSYS: Zappa blocks Mr.Burr's Crescent Arc.
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Mr.Burr 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Zappa
As the impacts of the ghosts make their mark, Zappa does not so much stand as roll forwards and up to his 'toes', or as close to his feet as possible, body writhing this way and that as is, otherwise, mostly still. It certainly doesn't like being in one place perpetually! Yet despite his ever moving body, almost pendulous, the movement of Burr is not forgotten. It's just also not the most important thing. Not until, of course, the sword suddenly pulls free of the cane and is swung towards Zappa, blade slashing out to catch him and his own in a poor position, to dig into the flesh of the mostly well toned body of the man!
There is a flicker of something more as S-ko redirects the assault, hands and ragged body and clothing appearing for a split second as Zappa slides backwards, as if the blade was a solid force.
"NO CHANCE. NO CHANCE." Wounds appear on the body still, however, S-ko helpfully redirectly the damage to Zappa. After all, he was the scape-goat, the doll to be torn and shorn, among other things!
The ghosts this time are thrown, Zappa taking a head up face down sort of stance, arms twisted around, like he was a tree. The ghosts roll forwards, as if called on, bounding against the ground once as the energy hoops they seem to morph into send them arcing towards Burr to curse him in their own way. "Comin to get ya!" "Here we go!" "!!!"
COMBATSYS: Mr.Burr blocks Zappa's Kaette Konaide Kudasai.
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Mr.Burr 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Zappa
Sheathing his cane-sabre almost as soon as the stroke is complete, Burr is more than ready for the ghosts as they make their move. Feet planted, he does his best to try to bat them away with his forearms as they come, reasoning that if their solid enough to cause impact, they may also be solid enough to be warded off. His arms again feel that chill as their touched, successful or otherwise, but regardless he manages to keep them away from his center of mass and head taking minor damage from the assault. "No chance? How rude!".
He does indeed notice the arms and tattered clothes as the strike is stopped.
VERY interesting!
This collective would be thrilling to have investigated later. In the meantime, moving in for a moment he comments "A true gentleman is never rude in reply, so i salute you sir!", tips his hat again "..... and THEN commence my reply!". He then abruptly slams his hat down towards the mans head, the felt around the iron underneath doing little to dampen the impact if it connects!
COMBATSYS: Zappa interrupts Destruction Derby from Mr.Burr with Ochitoite Kudasai.
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Mr.Burr 0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Zappa
As the arms brushaway the assault of the ghosts, Zappa doesn't seem to pay any attention at all - no care at all to the outcome. Swaying back and forth, leaving his previous position, Zappa rocks backwards and staggers away, though Burr manages to ward the spirits off like a proper priest - if he could ever be called one. It is likely that they both are a bit too off the other side to ever be considered anything like that! Yet Burr notices the faint being of S-ko - faint as it is, she was there for but a moment.
One of the many spirits, obviously.
Yet Burr salutes, being gentlemanly as he always seems to be - or tries to, before the hat is slammed down towards the man's head, the iron of the weapon slamming hard against the head that hangs forwards, empty eyes... opening again? And again. The head widens, growing larger and larger like a balloon as Burr slams the hat down towards it, before it seemingly explodes. Seemingly. For where there was once a head now has a blade like a razor through it, parrying the hat and then spinning upwards and back to push the hat away, spinning around and into the ground before Burr before accelerating upwards, spinning in the dreary purple and white energy that seems to stem from the man's possession. The blade, in reality, is directed by S-ko, held by the woman, and Zappa collapses as she spins it up with Burr 'attached' to the energy - before it disperses, Zappa staggering backwards and swaying.
"REPLY. REPLY. NO REPLY. NO ONE HOME. EMPTY."
The gibberish likely does not help, the head reforming and hanging, empty eyes staring still.
Burr is, for lack of better word, knocked senseless a moment. Even he isn't quite sure what just happened, only that it hurt a LOT, and he is on the floor. Pulling himself up, he shakes his head to clear it. Giving a pained glare he says "Fine. No one home. I get it. Now do shut up". Pointing his cane at Zappa, he begins firing bursts of greenish chi from it's tip, trying to get a clean hit to the possessed mans head! Simple and effective if he can potentially do some damage.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Burr successfully hits Zappa with Cane Beam.
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Mr.Burr 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Zappa
As Burr is knocked senseless, Zappa does not immediately go on the offensive! Almost seeming to hang back, Zappa's body is actually a bit fatigued already - and it is no surprise, based on the amount of energy he bleeds from S-ko's machinations. From the amount of energy that seems to flow out of him at once. Alone he cannot channel it, cannot even dream of doing so. Yet he doesn't need to do it alone - or at all involving him. Just his still living 'corpse'. Almost zombie like if it wasn't for the fact that he is anything but one.
Of course, you shoot zombies. Burr does that quite effectively, the cane firing off greenish chi, slamming into the man's head and causing him to stagger backwards, multiple times as he staggers and finally falls, collapsing to the ground. Has the battle ended? Is the nightmare over!? Unfortunately not so as the body pulls itself up, bottom half morphing into a tongue to 'push' it up and then reforming into legs. Something is different though - the energy flowing through and around him grows thicker, the body bleeding it in ernest as S-ko jams her fingers into the body to release it like a pent up valve.
Hands grasp the head in pain as the body throws itself towards Burr, teeth first, intending to grasp the man with his open choppers and throw him using only his mouth, though his body would smash against the ground as well. "GOOD GOOD GOOOOOOOD!"
COMBATSYS: Mr.Burr Toughs Out Zappa's Medium Throw!
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Mr.Burr 1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0 Zappa
When Zappa doesn't move after being hit cleanly, Burr has that uneasy sense, just as with zombies, that it can't be trusted. Sure enough, this is indeed the case.
When zappa rushes him with that unearthly speed, all he can do is brace himself, throwing an arm up to take the impact and waiting to react. The metal bracing underneath his sleeves bends and shifts as the teeth clamp down on it, and he moves with the throw, turning himself in the air so he lands on his feet in a crouch, one arm held by Zappas teeth, the other holding his hat on his head!
Without missing a beat, he lifts his arm, and brings it down in a hard strike, hoping potentially in vain that Zappa won't be able to respond in time!
COMBATSYS: Zappa blocks Mr.Burr's Strong Punch.
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Mr.Burr 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\0 Zappa
The arm catches the impact, even as Zappa literatelly throws himself towards the man! Following that, the metal that braces underneath the sleeves manages to bend and shift even as those chompers, somehow larger than they looked moments ago, attempt to crush down upon it. Yet even as Zappa does throw the man, Burr manages to land! Slamming into the ground before Burr, Zappa still latches on like a fish to bait and it's up to him to not take the strong armed sanctions about to be imposed upon him through the other arm!
It's not really up to Zappa though to decide what happens next.
Burr's fist slams down hard, meeting... bone? Flesh suddenly retreats like so many insects, revealing bone - and just bone. The impact is hard, cracking it, but more seems to just sprout up before more flesh sprouts back up and continues to grow into a whole other arm, pushing the man away just as Zappa falls and rolls to the side from the impact, bouncing once before coming to a stop. If not frightening, the possession makes it difficult to predict his next actions.
Face and feet, one in the air, the other on the ground, switch places in moments - literately moving along the body before Zappa, writhing, continues to swing and sway back and forth. "I'M A MAN. A MAN. MAN MAN MAN. MAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"
The raving and ranting suddenly comes to a stop.
"IF THAT'S ALL YOU THINK ABOUT BEING A MAN, THEN YOU'RE NO BETTER THAN THE ONE I KNEW. GENTLE MAN OR NOT. I WON'T BE EITHER."
The scorn of the voice is palpable before the man lets out a groan and crawls towards Burr like a dog or insect before pushing off the ground with all limbs and rolling, limbs randomly flailing towards him. At least it looks like he's rolling. The head isn't moving but the rest of the body is!?
COMBATSYS: Mr.Burr fails to interrupt Medium Kick from Zappa with Roman Candle.
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Mr.Burr 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1 Zappa
Gotta admit, despite what he HAS seen, Burr has little to no past experience with hauntings or things THIS odd. Let alone FIGHTING them! When he sees Zappa skittering towards him like that, he actually has a moment of near-panic, pointing his cane to fire a large ball of green chi, more powerful than earlier.
Alas, in his panic, and Zappas extraordinary flexability, he misses. This leaves him open to repeated hits as Zappa flails, multiple strikes impacting solidly, sending the older gentleman back several steps and hurting even moreso....
Writhing, slithering, stampeding on the ground, Zappa could change direction without even attempting to - because once more, Zappa does not have any control over this. It is the woman that, if he could see, would be plastered atop the man's shoulder. Either sticking out of it or simply sitting atop it - or out of his back, as if he was a vehicle for her to pilot and command. He may as well be. Already Burr had seen three kinds of spirits, yet there were always more beyond the head one. The massive ball of green chi files towards Zappa. It is at that time that not only does Burr miss, it is only because his body somehow flattens even more-so to go under it. It simply shouldn't.
The energy continues to bleed out of Zappa, visibly, the energy seems almost to cook off of him, a haze of the stuff. In truth, his skin is burning. His entire 'body' is on fire through channeling it, the energy destroying him from the inside out faster than S-ko can stabilize him. Yet it doesn't matter to her, especially here. A man, a gentleman, of all things. He needed to understand the curse that his way can be - the curse of manliness. The pain he will suffer through because of S-ko's vitrol and bile.
'Landing', Zappa's feet come below him once more, body standing 'tall' once more. For a moment, except for wild flailings that are controlled briefly, Zappa seems in 'control'. The eyes are still blank. "AS I PROMISED. NOW THIS ENDS." The energy that flowed about him suddenly spikes, a massive aura forming about him and into a form above him - a giant knight of energy, formed as if he was made out of electricity. Clad in a massive gauntlets and armoring, face that of barely put together 'eyes' of electricity, the upper-half of this being flows off, three times the size of Zappa. "THOU HAVE CALLED RAOU FORTH!" The spirit decrees, arms crossing the giant armored chest. "AND I SHALL PROTECT MINE MASTER!"
The massive gauntleted fist slams into the ground before Burr, energy like electricity detonating the area about it - along with Burr!
COMBATSYS: Zappa successfully hits Mr.Burr with Raou.
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Mr.Burr 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Zappa
Burr has barely enough time to throw up his arms before the blast hits. Unfortunately, it does little! He is thrown back, impacting hard against a column and falling to his knees. His suit is torn and burnt badly, and he is bleeding from his nose as well as many other smaller and internal injuries. His cane, somehow still held in his hand despite all this, is now used for more than just looks, as one of his legs feels very unsteady when he goes to stand. He gives a rather insidious smile, despite all this, and tips his hat to Zappa and all his roommates "At this point, i feel it smart to concede. It is, after all, only for entertainment. So with that, i say goodbye, my dear!". He saw enough of S-ko to figure out there is a 'she' in there, so he can't help but ever be the gentleman when it counted.
Pointing his cane abruptly sideways, he fires a single shot at a pillar, dislodging it so it will fall right towards Zappa! Once the dust clears, he is nowhere to be found! Maybe he wasn't as injured as it seemed? Either way, he has last this battle.
Alas.
COMBATSYS: Mr.Burr can no longer fight.
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Zappa 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Zappa interrupts Huge Random Weapon from Mr.Burr with Umareru!!.
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Zappa 0/-------/---====|
The damage is done as the eruption in the parthenon catches not only Burr but the structure itself in the onslaught. With Raou leaving after the strike, Zappa wriggles back and forth as he advances slowly, an always odd and uncertain vision as he stalked forwards - of course, it wasn't yet over. "GOODBYE!? NO. GOOD RIDDANCE!" The declaration, even as nice at it was, was of course shot down by the pure hatred that flowed freely from S-ko. Of course... he didn't leave with just that. There was a shot, the pillar, dislodging as it fell towards Zappa. S-ko twists about, Zappa doing the same, to see the massive bug swatter about to do the very same with him and a rolled up newspaper!
Zappa falls forwards, clutching his chest.
From the back, massive centipedes race out, ghostly as they were with eyes around every section, wrapping around parts of the pillar and biting, constricting and tearing through where they can. Much of it clatters about Zappa but parts and pieces still slam against him, though no writhing occurs, oddly, from impact.
Finally, as Burr seems to be gone, the body goes limp and no movement remains.
Infact, Zappa doesn't move until morning, when he is found by those who see him in the debris of parts of the parthenon! "Oh no... was there an accident...? I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT!? ... I feel fine, though. To the hospital? Well I ..."
"Will there be nurses there?"
And so, that is how Zappa ended up in the hospital - they never did find out why his spine was backwards, though.
COMBATSYS: Zappa has ended the fight here.
Log created on 20:32:35 05/08/2016 by Zappa, and last modified on 17:37:13 05/09/2016.