Match of the Millennium

Description: Two ravens fight on a rooftop and discuss NESTS. No, not bird nests, the other NESTS. Who is the mysterious figure and just exactly what do they want from Munin? Where is Hugin in all this? Why do I keep asking so many questions? Stay tuned for the next episode of 'The White Raven'!

[MUNIN]
Those dirty motherfuckers!

A shadowy form blurs between the rooftops and buildings of the buisness district, shifting from a small humanoid form to what almost seems to be a cloud of smoke and back again. At this time of night, few have the darkvision to see such a form against a black sky. Far fewer have the response time to even realize it's passing even if they knew to look for it.

Munin is PISSED! Ever since the leak about Violet Systems and their VR system hit the news, shes been making her way towards their home office. They had her and Maki test those darn V-Guages earlier in their development, and now that it's been revealed they have MISused them, potentially using data gleaned from her chi, she intends to take it out of SOMEones hide..... or at least destroy what systems pertaining to it she can find.

Landing on a large flat buildings roof, she stops to regain her bearings, and plan her course over the next several buildings in her quest!

COMBATSYS: Hugin has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Hugin            0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Munin has joined the fight here.

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Munin            0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Hugin

[HUGIN]
Warning? No, there's no warning. Either someone was tailing Munin's shadow leaps, or she stumbled across someone who was waiting for her. Either is a disturbing possibility. Not many may have the darkvision to follow someone around this time of night, but this is a busy city, there's still traffic and noise that one can use to keep their presence hidden a little.

The night suddenly flares with light from one of the adjacent buildings, a figure dressed in head to toe motorcycle leathers, including a full visored helmet dashing accross the tar-gravel surface towards the building where Munin perches. In their hand is the source of the light, a spear of chi.

The figure leaps into the air to bridge the gap between the two buildings, spear bearing arm held aloft, only to fling the shaped chi-blast forward a few moments before the leather-clad individual hits the roof of the bulding the two now share.

COMBATSYS: Hugin successfully hits Munin with Geirdriful.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Munin            0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0            Hugin

[MUNIN]
As Munin makes her way across the rooftop, she doesn't see the figure until the last minute! Unfortunately, her eyes take a moment to adjust to the light from the chi-spear, and despite her best efforts to evade, it impacts her shoulder just before she would have dodged, sending her spinning to the ground!

With a grunt, shes back on her feet, eyes blazing with dark violet light in the darkness as twin blades of light form from each hand!

Leaping at the figure, she swipes as she ducks past, turns, and swipes again as she leaps up and over to give herself some space, and plan her next move! The figure attacked without any hesitation, so she does the same in kind!

COMBATSYS: Munin blitzes into action and acts again!

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Munin            0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0            Hugin

COMBATSYS: Hugin blocks Munin's Shadow Spike.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Munin            0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0            Hugin

COMBATSYS: Hugin just-defends Munin's Shadow Spike!

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Munin            0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0            Hugin

[HUGIN]
Once the figure is on the rooftop by Munin, they're a bit easier to make out. The leather and helmet still fully conceals any identifying features, though whoever it is is a little on the short side. But young or old, male or female, the only identifying marks are the white wing motifs on the helmet, the back of the jacket, and the shield. Oh yes, the shield.

There's something to be said for ambushes, and the element of surprise. Even though Munin recovers well from the sudden attack, the mysterious figure still seems to maintain the upper hand for a moment. The shield comes off their back just in time to block the first strike, then pivots right around to take the second sword strike clean to the center of the shield, the sound of ringing metal reverberating across the roof top.

Even face to face, that damned visor keeps anything but the most general of facial features hidden. But there's not enough time to take a close look. Still ringing like a struck gong, the shield suddenly flares with the same brilliant chi that was thrown just a moment ago, but this time their entire body is the projectile as they charge shield first, not letting up even for a moment.

COMBATSYS: Hugin successfully hits Munin with Brynhildr.

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Munin            0/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0            Hugin

[MUNIN]
*BAM!* the sudden shield charge takes Munin by suprise, and away she goes, landing hard on her back a distance away.

She does a backwards shoulder roll, and comes up fast once again, throwing a burst of shadowy chi at the figure with one hand!

COMBATSYS: Munin successfully hits Hugin with Shadow Wave.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Munin            1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0            Hugin

[HUGIN]
Well, the advantage would only last so long. It's not like leather-clad was up against an amateur. But even after the successful opening salvo, they're not quick enough to get out of the way of the chi blast that sends them sliding back a foot or two, the shield eventually planted against the roof to stop their momentum.

Finally, they speak, though that helmet must have some sort of modulator inside of it, because while the speech is clear, it sounds tinny and mechanical. Only the use of inflection keeps it from sounding altogether robotic, but the Japanese at least is flawless. "Tell me. Are you real?"

The figure remains in place, shield against the roof-top, visored helmet turned towards Munin. It's not hard to imagine the piercing stare of the figure inside. Everything about them is tense. There's no anger, no malice, just an indescribable need.

"Answer me!"

COMBATSYS: Hugin focuses on her next action.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Munin            1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0            Hugin

[MUNIN]
Dark wisps flare off Munins form like a thin smokey mist, eyes pulsing with violet light as she takes in her helmeted assailant, poised for a followup but at the same time.... too curious....

Her instincts tell her something is off..... there is a familiar sense at the same time....

"Depends on what your context is.... real enough to make this difficult for you". Her tone is plain but threatening, like a cornered animal ready to go for the throat if provoked "Who are you. What do you want".

COMBATSYS: Munin focuses on her next action.

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Munin            1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0            Hugin

[HUGIN]
"Are you the real Munin Arshe, or just some fake NESTS clone?" Well, theres not going to be a pleasant discussion here, even when asking the question the figure launches itself back towards Munin. Gravel crunches under their boots as they sprint full-speed at her, not even bothering to be subtle in their attacks.

Just before coming into range the mysterious figure pivots and brings the shield around to descend on Munin like a hammer blow, a good deal of strength if not a whole lot of inesse behind the blow. One might think they're trying to keep Munin to focused on combat to come up with any clever lies, truth through pummelling.

"Your answer!"

COMBATSYS: Munin fails to counter Fierce Strike from Hugin with Shadow Strike.

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Munin            0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0            Hugin

[MUNIN]
Blink? NESTS?

It's been a decent amount of time since Munin had any runins with THEM! She had hoped that was behind her.....

The hesitation plus the pivot throw off her timing as she moves too late to step just inside the strikes blindspot with a chop with her chi-enshrouded hand!

She goes flying again, seeing stars after hitting her head on the ground as she rolls, too stunned to move, but not enough to be unable to respond "Definately... not a clone. Haven't heard THEIR name in a good while now..... hoped they had collapsed".

[HUGIN]
The figure stands upright after the last assault, not taking advantage of their opponent being temporarily vulnerable. "Had to make sure." They grip their shielf in hand and slide it off of their arm, shifting it around to their back where it sits comfortably on some mount built into the jacket. "You've been in contact with one."

Apparently, leather-clad seems to think the fight done, arms crossed over their chest, but not quite ready to reveal themselves at this point. "I'm pursuing them, and I need to know any information you provide me isn't coming from them. So if you tell me what you know, I'll leave you be."

There's a moment of silence, head canted slightly to the side. "The one you met calling herself Hugin Arshe, is not. Tell me her where she is and you can get back to your rooftop brooding."

COMBATSYS: Hugin focuses on her next action.

[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Munin            0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0            Hugin

[MUNIN]
This snaps Munin out of her pained stupor REAL fast. She GLARES at the helmeted figure, with an expression that isn't playing. On the one hand, it IS a tactical possibility...... on the other....

It isn't something she wants to even CONSIDER as reality.

Poised to move at a moments notice, her tone becomes almost monotonous despite the short response "Prove it".

COMBATSYS: Munin takes no action.

[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Munin            0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0            Hugin

[HUGIN]
"I'm working with the real Hugin Arshe. She wanted you tested to make sure you were trustworthy." The glare seems to bother the leather-clad stranger not at all, if anything their whole posture just seems somewhat bored now. "But if you need proof."

They unzip a jacket pocket and reach inside. "She thinks this will prove it." Reaching inside, a small golden pendant on a chain is produced, one that Munin would recognize from childhood. Even with leather-gloved hands, the stranger manages to find the hidden catch on the pendant, opening it up to reveal two small pictures, one of Hugin and Munin as children, the other of their parents.

"Does this suit as your proof?"

COMBATSYS: Hugin takes no action.

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Munin            0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0            Hugin

[MUNIN]
Tactical analyis comes through Munin mind clearly, even moreso now that shes angered. She does indeed recognize the pendant. It could have been stolen in one of many ways. The knowledge of its true relevence, however, is not something that can be duplicated.

That SHE is aware of, anyway.

Keeping a defensive posture just in case, Munin relaxes from an attack stance, watching the helmeted individual like a hawk "It's enough for me to listen. In truth i haven't seen Hugin in quite awhile. She dropped off the map again shortly after we met up. Last time i was home she had supposedly gone off travelling, and i haven't heard anything since. Now what can YOU tell ME about this further?"

COMBATSYS: Munin takes no action.

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Munin            0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0            Hugin

[HUGIN]
"Hmm.." The figure quickly snaps the pendant shut and slides it back inside the pocket and zipper done back up all in one quick motion. "Damn it, if you don't know where she is." The figure shakes their head. "What is she up to?" It was a mumble to themselves, but the voice modulator picks it up regardless.

"Tell you? Other than what I already did? Your sister has clones out there, and when hunting clones, you don't trust twins blindly."

The posture of the figure practically radiates 'frown' even without a face visible. "Better if you don't get involved too deeply." The figure quickly produces a card and flicks it to the ground in front of Munin, all there is on it is a picture of a white raven and a phone number, nothing else. "If you would call me if you do hear something, your sister would appreciate it."

COMBATSYS: Hugin takes no action.

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Munin            0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0            Hugin

[MUNIN]
A trio of shadowy whisps come from Munins outstretched hand, lifting the card and bringing it back to her to look over. She frowns, clearly no happier about this than the figures posture would indicate. Pocketing this, she waits a beat before saying "I still owe you a bruise or two for attacking me off guard......". She is angry about the V-guage, AND now she has news her family is potentially being fucked with..... some venting is in order, and a target seems to have presented itself, and be more than capable of handling it "Even with this information, we aren't quite done YET!".

That said, she moves in again, fast, striking with a combination of blows ending with a shoulder throw!

COMBATSYS: Hugin blocks Munin's Fierce Combo.

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Munin            0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0            Hugin

[HUGIN]
The figure turns their back on Munin just as she's about to launch her assualt, seemingly for a moment about to be caught unawares. Though they hunker down as soon as the blows come, most of them landing harmlessly on the shield.

Who ever the figure is, they don't seem to be one for taking attacks laying down any more than Munin is, and as the blows rain down, another chi spear forms in their hand. They quickly move into a spin, slashing high and low with the chi spear, to clear a small area around themselves, an area in which Munin unfortunately currently stands.

COMBATSYS: Munin blocks Hugin's Kara.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Munin            0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1            Hugin

[MUNIN]
Dark shadows forming along Munins hands, she deflects chi with chi, doing a spin with the high swing to spin over and knock away the low swing!

Leaving a chi-illusion of herself standing up, she instead takes a swipe at the figure while rolling past them, hoping to take them off guard at a blind angle, and prepare for a followup when they realize what has happened....

provided they fall for it!

COMBATSYS: Munin successfully hits Hugin with Mirror Image.
- Power hit! -

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Munin            1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1            Hugin

[HUGIN]
They did indeed fall for it. Moving to block what might be comeing from the standing illusion instead left the figure open for the low swipe. A tinny, modulated growl comes from the figure as they spin to face Munin, shield once more pulls off their back.

Though the spin wasn't just to face Munin, and the shield coming off the back wasn't just to replace it on their arm. Instead the spin carries them right into an attack against the illusionist, the shield coming down like a axe blade towards the woman.

COMBATSYS: Munin fails to counter Medium Strike from Hugin with Terminal Response.

[                        \\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Munin            1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1            Hugin

[MUNIN]
Again, Munins timing is entirely off. The mystery fighters speed of recovery is just fast enough to keep up with Munins evasion, and she she goes to sidestep the shield, it strikes her solidly, knocking her off balance for juuuuuust enough of a moment to leave her open!

[HUGIN]
Even as the figure is drawing the shield back to themselves, it's already starting to glow with chi. With a quick, smooth motion the shield is remounted on their forarm, glowing ever brighter with each passing moment, until little arcs of what looks like lightning begin to throw off from the shield.

Feet moving quickly, crunching in the rooftop gravel, they launch themselves towards Munin again, the sparking shield leading the way, as they throw their entire body into a point-blank bull rush against the shadow-chi-wielder. "Enough!"

COMBATSYS: Munin fails to counter Mjollnir from Hugin with Shadow Strike.

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Hugin            0/-------/-----==|

COMBATSYS: Munin can no longer fight.

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Hugin            0/-------/-----==|

[MUNIN]
As the pair close, there almost seems to be a dramatic slowing of time

Cue dramatic slow-motion effect!

Sadly, Munin is unable to make her move count. She is tired, hurting, and not in the best frame of mind with the news shes had so far today..... She manages to see at the last minute that her effects to counteract the shield strike will fail, and as the shield impacts, like a cloud of smoke she wafts around it, catching the edge but not being slowed.

She comes to a halt a few feet away, on one knee and clutching her side, smirking "Had to try..... i concede".

Standing with a wince, she says "I still don't entirely trust you. There is a lot going on.... BUT i will keep an eye out for anything.... strange".

[HUGIN]
The figure takes a moment to recover from that headlong charge. They are more injured from the back and forth of the fight than they are willing to let on, but the slower movements let on that they've taken a bit of a beating themselves. Slowly, delibrately they right themselves and the visor turns in Munin's direction. "I don't need your trust, just your eyes. Trust can come later."

The shield is once more returned to the back mount as the figure makes their way over to the edge of the building. "You can call me the White Raven by the way, some internet loon called me that, and well, it seems to have stuck."

Then without another moment's ado, they step off the side of the building, a few metal clangs of a fire escape echoing up from the alley, followed by the revving of a motorcycle engine, and the stranger, whoever they were, is gone.

COMBATSYS: Hugin has ended the fight here.

Log created on 13:40:57 09/11/2017 by Hugin, and last modified on 16:19:31 09/11/2017.