Match of the Millennium

Description: Rashid of the Turbulent Wind was traveling through Thailand to clear his head and enjoy some time to himself without Azam in tow. Hayley was getting a break from hanging around Jezebel and getting in some training with some local Muay Thai fighters. Two souls looking to just try and relax facing off in a fight that neither expected to have.

[HAYLEY]
Cheers and jeers rise over a crowd of people gathered in the side of a marketplace. Clear of the shops, they seem to have circled around to watch something. In Thailand, like in many places, there's only one likely answer to what they're watching:

A fight.

A bare-chested Thai man with a mohawk and purple boxing shorts and hand and foot wraps launches across the makeshift ring with a flying knee. His opponent, a modest-height young woman with short black hair, blocks the flying knee with both forearms. She's dressed in a black tanktop, blue karate pants, and black handguards. When the knee impacts her she slides nearly a foot before shifting her footing to stop. The Muay Thai fighter lifts up onto his knee to try and punch the woman in the head, but she ducks down and pushes him up from below. The end result is he gets flipped up backwards, bouncing on one foot to try and regain his balance.

She pursues, launching herself in an imitation of his knee strike. The woman smashes into his guard, but as he's still on one foot, the man stumbles once, twice, and then falls flat on his butt. A referee steps in, breaking the two up and sending them to their respective corners.

----------------

Hayley Lethbridge set out as a simple woman with a simple goal. She wanted to find her father. For some people, this would involve a DNA test. For others, it might involve hiring a detective and following leads of connections. Hayley? She took a very different path.

She instead decided that the best way to find her dad was to become a fighter so skilled and so famous that her father would be drawn to her like a magnet. Strength attracts strength, as many of her teachers--and "teachers" have taught her.

But lately Hayley has been off course. A chance meeting with her childhood hero Lightning Spangles thrust her into a reboot of a franchise and darker, more sinister dealings the depth of which Hayley still does not fully understand. Dwelling on it too much bothers her, so she's set out to do what she's always done. Fight against new faces and learn all she can. Today's class in Muay Thai.

----------------

The referee bangs a metal bowl, signaling the start of the second round.

[RASHID]
"I am fine. Just went out for a walk! You worry to much, Azam." Walking along the streets is a younger man dressed in rather simple attire. Dressed in cargo pants, t-shirt and bandana to keep his hair in check, Rashid is enjoying a stroll without Azam shadowing him like most of the time the young Arab is out and about. "Just wait for me at the hotel and relax for once. I will be back in a bit." He talks to the fancy cell phone in his hand. He just smiles and flips it closed as he cuts off Azam who was perhaps in mid lecture and he pockets the phone.

Sure he had his own search. A close friend who is not just missing, but he is pretty sure kidnapped. Even with all the connections he has found little in the way clues and leads. It is frustrating and Rashid honestly just needed some time to himself to walk and clear his head. He doesn't feel in any real danger himself so he felt it wouldn't kill Azam have time to himself as well. He appreciates his friend and guardian, but sometimes he just needs a break.

"Hmm?" He seems to hear the banging of the metal bowl and his attention shifts to the group of people gathered around. Turning about on the heel of one foot he steps over towards the crowd and tries to nudge his way through towards the front where he sees the two fighters going at it. "Huh, interesting." he says to himself and folds his arms over his chest. For now he watches. He has to wonder just how skilled these two are.

[HAYLEY]
The two fighters circle each other like predators looking for an exposed throat. The Muay Thai fighter goes in first, launching forward with a right hook. He leaps into it, but as he draws close he shifts suddenly. His fist snaps out past his opponent's head in a hook, but then he snaps back toward her face with an elbow strike. The feint catches her off-guard so that she narrowly blocks the strike with her forearm. When she does, he snaps up the knee instead, catching her in the stomach hard enough to knock the wind out of her.

He goes for a second knee, but by then she's on the defensive again. She intercepts with her own knee, blocking he blow. She follows up with a quick, boxer-like jab to the ribs to relieve the pressure. The Muay Thai fighter staggers back, but the young woman is moving again. She steps forward and then...spins. She pivots on her hips and wind seems to whip around her in a small tornado. She picks up momentum and then launches a powerful haymaker at the other fighter, pounding right through his guard hard enough to lay him out flat on his back.

The referee cuts in, slapping the man's face once or twice to see if he gets up, then moving to lift up the woman's arm in victory. The crowd seems to have mixed reactions. Some are scowling. Others seem thrilled. Still others just seem disappointed the fight is over.

[RASHID]
Both prove to be pretty capable fighters. In this case one just seems to be better than the other and while Rashid knows there are some fierce women fighter's he looks a bit on the surprised side when Hayley comes out on top. He unfolds his arms and claps along with the others that seem excited that they made the right bed.

As things die down a bit it is when Rashid finally speaks up. "Not bad at all!" He then crouches and launches himself upwards. A nimble flip as he twirls about in the air and lands a few feet from Hayley. "I am Rashid of the Turbulent Wind! You are pretty skilled miss." He smiles and bounces from foot to foot. "Where did you learn to fight? I can't say I have ever seen you before. An up and comer?"

Rashid in this case does watch television and videos, but it seems like if he has seen Hayley before it was when she was much younger and he makes no connection. He then sort of looks about and he leans in. "You aren't doing this for money are you? Hate to see that if so. I got some money if you need it." He means well, but it might come off just a bit insulting.

[HAYLEY]
Rashid's dramatic flip certainly draws a few oohs and ahs from the crowd, as well as a few calls of 'Who is this guy? and 'Get him out of here!' At the very least there isn't any immediate violence.

"Oh, uh," Hayley puts her hands on her hips. "I guess you could say that, yeah. I didn't really get very far when I tried the professional circuit a few years ago," she says this while rubbing the side of her face and looking away. "But I was on a TV show for a while, but I was smaller then. Um, you don't know 'Fight Hunter,' do you?"

And then the question seems to set in. "--oh, no no, I want the experience!"

----------------

Hayley sits waiting with her cellphone held to her ear. It rings a few times before going to voicemail.

"Oh, hey Mum, I was wondering if you could wire me some for plane tickets. I'm in Thailand, but I realized I'm a little short for going to the US from here. Just...call me back, okay, Mum? Thanks. Love you."

----------------

Hayley decides not to share not that part.

[RASHID]
The Arab offers a kind and rather infectious smile. While his offer may have come off a bit on the rude side it seems he was at least meaning well. The mention of the show gives him a pause. "I think so? I had limited viewing experiences with television growing up and even now I mostly catch videos on Youtube." When on the go as much as he is it is just easier to settle down and watch snippets of things when eating or getting ready for bed.

"But experience is a good thing! I can understand that myself. I travel around and take a few fights here and there for the same reason. One day I should be able to greet my opponents properly. Until then all I can tell them who I am and to remember it well." He makes a bit of a pose with arms raised and a cheeky grin for a moment before straightening back up.

"I do feel better about that though. I guess I am not the most progressive of people, but I do not like the idea of a woman having to fight for a living. I can understand it, but it also doesn't mean I have to like it. What brings you to Thailand?" He asks and he turns about and notices all the people staring at him and Hayley. Did he do something wrong? Wait....why are they taking bets? "N...now wait a moment!"

[HAYLEY]
Hayley puts her hands on her hips and leans to the side slightly. The smile is infectious. She's caught it too. "Oh, that's right! I didn't even introduce m'self. I'm Hayley, Hayley Lethbridge. I'm guessing the Turbulent Wind bit is a title, eh? Nice to meetcha, Rashid."

"Oh, I've uploaded a few clips to YouTube actually. I can link them to you if you want. Show's a few years old now, but it's still g--" People are starting to put bets down now. Hayley glances around the crowd, then over to Rashid.

"Well then, uh--" Hayley shrugs. "Would you be up for a match then? Seems people want another fight and m'new friend over there's already down for the count."

[RASHID]
For a moment Rashid seems uneasy. He is not usually one to take a fight against a woman. At the same time money is being laid down and she even asked him if he wanted to go a round. He saw her fight. He knows she can handle herself. Even so there is a few moments. "I....can?"

He much rather get the youtube clips. Maybe even a twitter handle or facebook invite. Those he is comfortable with. He recovers fast and he gives a bit of a nod. "Sure! Any rules? I don't tend to do this sort of thing in front of people making bets!"

He does step back a few steps. His movements see him shifting from foot to foot and his arms moving in a rhythm. It is something a bit like a dance and he seems to be trying to get himself ready. "Ahh, ladies first?"

COMBATSYS: Rashid has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rashid           0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Hayley has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Rashid           0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Hayley

[HAYLEY]
Hayley rolls her neck, snapping it side to side quickly to loosen up the stiffness. She hops in place, getting her bearings. "Oh, no rules, really besides weapons and dirty tricks. Chi tricks and all that is fair game." She shifts into shadowboxing, throwing a few mock punches before wiping her nose with the back of her fist. Her stance is bouncy and boxer-like.

"All right, but hopefully you won't regret it!" Hayley says, launching forward. She snaps out with a quick left hook, clearly testing Rashid's guard.

COMBATSYS: Rashid blocks Hayley's Quick Punch.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Rashid           0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Hayley

[RASHID]
There is a bit of a weak chuckle. "Yeah.....regret it." He already sort of is. Not that he feels he is going to get his ass kicked or he is going to kick ass. More just the awkwardness in some situations. He has to watch his hands and feet. He doesn't want to grab at the wrong spot and piss her off. Nothing worse than an angered woman he has learned over the years.

And even as these thoughts run through his mind he seems focused enough to realize Hayley is ready to act. That fist is quick, but he seems to do well to bring up an arm and deflect a punch. His forearm throbs, but it could have hurt a lot more if that punch had connected. "Right! Time to get serious....a little."

Hopping back he gives a bit of a twirling motion. A leg kicking upwards and at first seeming to just kick up some dust, but the motion does more than that. The energy he controls gathering the air about it and making something of a little mini tornado that hurtles away from him and towards Hayley. "Heads up!"

COMBATSYS: Rashid successfully hits Hayley with Whirlwind Shot.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rashid           0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0           Hayley

[HAYLEY]
Hayley backsteps after the punch, hopping back slightly away from Rashid. She stays light on her feet, bouncing on her heels. "A little?" she asks, "Don't think I'm a pushover just because I'm not famous yet!" Hayley seems less mad and more excited, at least.

She's ready to move again when Rashid starts to kick up dust. Instead, however, she gets a small tornado. The wind smashes into her, whipping at her gi and launching her back. She lands rear-first on a small wooden table, smashing it underneath her considerable hind-end. She rubs the sore spot, then pushes hops back onto her feet.

"Hey hey, ow," Hayley says, a little less springy for the moment. "That's a neat trick, though. I haven't seen wind before -- well, mostly."

Hayley swings a haymaker around, but she's not even close to Rashid. She does a complete turn, her aura kicking up around her again. When she finishes the spin, she flings a big, hooked semi-circle of a projectile out toward Rashid.

"Mostly!" she adds.

COMBATSYS: Rashid dodges Hayley's Emu Shoot.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Rashid           0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0           Hayley

[RASHID]
"I didn't mean it as an insult! This is a spar!" Rashid quickly tries to correct things. Getting involved in a fight on the fly with a girl still has him perhaps a bit flustered to where he isn't saying the right things. He is going to have to keep his trap shut at this rate if he doesn't want things to escalate.

He maintains a safe distance and he gives a bit of a grin. "Turbulent Wind is in my introduction for a reason. I know a few more tricks." Ones Hayley will probably see much sooner rather than later.

It also seems he isn't the only one with some control of the wind in his moves as Hayley fires right back with her own technique. His feet move quickly as he raises a leg and spins about to narrowly avoid the strike. He comes right out of that spin and into a run before leaping upwards. He attempts to land one foot on the shoulder of Hayley as the other comes down on her head in a quick kick before he pushes off with the first foot and looks to give another kick to the back of the woman's head as he lunges away and twirls about in the air once more to land on both feet behind her. "Impressive stuff. What else do you have?"

COMBATSYS: Rashid successfully hits Hayley with Rising Sun.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Rashid           0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0           Hayley

[HAYLEY]
"Oh, right," Hayley says, flipping her hair back. She bounces on her heels after watching Rashid dodge her projectile, but she doesn't have much time to dwell on it.

Instead, Rashid plants one boot on her shoulder and kicks her in the back of the head. She tries to brace for the impact, but instead gets smacked face down in the dust. She lifts herself back up with both hands, shaking her head clear. "Hrgh," Hayley mumbles, getting back on her feet.

She snaps into a stiff stance, clenching her fists and holding them up close to her face like a boxer. She shifts her footing as well, wind picking up around her as she tries to focus her chi inward.

"Oh, don't worry, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve still, alroight?"

COMBATSYS: Hayley gathers her will.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Rashid           0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1           Hayley

[RASHID]
%"That's the ticket. I figured as much!" In a way Rashid feels a bit bad about this. Not like Hayley is exactly going into this fight entirely fresh, but she seems to be doing well enough for herself and he might actually anger her if he took it easy. His boasting earlier clued him in on that.

He watches her for a few moments while keeping his distance. If anything seeing her get in a more readied stance makes him think she is about to do something, but for now she holds back and Rashid decides that is more than enough reason to go onto the attack.

He bounces back a few steps then does a forward cartwheel and then leaps into the air once more. His movements graceful as he twirls about for a moment, then suddenly comes out of that twirl with a very quick kick, his foot extending as is energy flares around it to plant square into Hayley's chest with quite a bit of force so he can try and push back off and backflip away after connecting.

COMBATSYS: Hayley blocks Rashid's Eagle Spike.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Rashid           0/-------/---====|=======\=======\1           Hayley

[HAYLEY]
Hayley clenches her fists tightly, digging her feet in as she adjusts her stance. She laughs a bit to herself, getting revved up now that things have really started to move. This, of course, hides the fact that she's breathing heavily and already feels like she's going to bruise.

----------------

Hayley works against a heavy bag, bobbing and weaving to try and pepper the bag with blows. She hops backward, springing forward into a jumping straight. She then snaps to her other foot, swinging her leg around to kick the bag hard. Across the gym, a heavyset older man watches her go at it. He is balding on the top and wearing a logoed jacket over his heavyset body. The logo features two boxing gloves -- red and blue-- meeting in the middle of a globe and "Davidson Boxing School" in big lettering.

"You hit pretty hard young lady, but that's not boxing. You really come here for my advice, or did you just wanna use the bag?"

"Well," Hayley says, "Boxing is good stuff, but I need more than that. There's so many styles out there you've got to be ready for anything!" Hayley punches the bag again. She daps it twice more in a flurry.

"Hah," the older man laughs. "You know, your pops was all on about his 'perfect fighting system' too when he was here. You ask me, one style's good enough for anything if you stick to it. You spread out too much and you're not good at nothing." The older man wipes his nose. "How is your dad anyway? Figured he'd be here too."

----------------

Hayley tightens her guard when Rashid flies in. The kick impacts with her forearms hard enough to drive her back. She slides across the stone street. Rashid's winds whip around her as her own chi gathers. As she rides out the momentum of the kick she turns her heel to apply the brakes.

"Okay!" Hayley shouts, the wind whipping around her more intensely. "Let's try this one!" She launches forward, kicking herself into a corkscrew as she launches toward Rashid. The wind whips around her as she goes, turning into a cyclone of force until she throws it all into a chi-infused haymaker!

COMBATSYS: Hayley successfully hits Rashid with Devil Spin.
>>> Punitive Hit!!! <<<

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Rashid           0/-------/--=====|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2           Hayley

[RASHID]
The kick hits, but Hayley did well to guard herself against the full impact of the Arab's strike. It is still enough he was able to push off and put some distance between them once again like he had hoped. "Hmm? Ready to show more tricks? I am not trying to insult when I say I am interested in seeing what you got!"

He doesn't wait long. Hayley comes in and she looks like a whirlwind. ONe that honestly reminds him of one of his own attacks. And that might be why he thinks he can avoid things easily enough. It is overconfidence and it bites him in the ass. Well not really. It is more the haymaker connects with enough force it sends Rashid tumbling away and trying to quickly recover.

It is a sideways roll and he pops upwards to his feet and he rubs at his chin. His lip looks to have gotten split on that one and he gives a faint grin. Yeah, she is tough.

"Nice!" he manages to recover and he takes a few moments to consider his next action. He keeps it simple this time and he bounces from foot to foot as he closes in and he then drops low as he thrusts both legs outwards to knock Hayley's left leg out from under her and put her off balance.

COMBATSYS: Hayley interrupts Medium Kick from Rashid with Devil Rampage.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////                  ]
Rashid           1/------=/=======|>>>----\-------\0           Hayley

[HAYLEY]
Hayley actually almost goes on over after delivering the haymaker due to the amount of spin she put into it. She holds her footing, however, even if it means hopping briefly on one foot. The crowd seems to be wtaching intently at this point between the number of solid hits delivered by the newcomer (Rashid) and the feisty weird girl (Hayley). When Rashid's back on his feet, Hayley has managed to resume her stance and get ready to go once more.

The low kick comes in, and Hayley moves to intercept. She drops in low, taking the kick to leg as she positions herself good and close to Rashid. The kick still almost takes her footing out from under her, but the Aussie seems willing to make that sacrifice to get into position.

----------------

"He's traveling right now," Hayley quickly answers. She punches the bag a bit harder than before. "Got any tips about boxing? What's the great secret of it, if you said one thing?"

"Timing," the older man says. "Any boxer worth his salt knows it's about timing. Lightweights go in for rushes then back out. Heavy weights bide their time and look for that chance to throw the big hits. You gotta wait for the opening, especially if you're punching outside your weight class." The old man smiles widely. "It's not just about hitting things hard, after all. There's a reason it's call the sweet science."

----------------

Hayley's chi gathers again. She's practically surging with it after her moment to get her breath earlier. She launches upward with a powerful corkscrew uppercut aimed to catch Rashid under the chin and launch him straight up--taking Hayley with her as she launches with her powerful legs.

"Sorry if this is a little awkward," she says as the soar, reaching out to try and grapple with Rashid in mid-air. She then flips them both over, tumbling down in a cartwheel back toward the ground.

The ground, where Hayley lands on him with her backside. If Rashid did notice it before, he probably does now. "Ha ha!" Hayley says. "How was that?!"

[RASHID]
When Rashid decided to go for a walk his current position of being on the ground with a big bottomed girl on top of him was not one of the things he was expecting to experience, but yet he was caught off guard again and his attempt at a simple kick gets him another hit to the jaw and then soon grounded with Hayley on top.

He is sore, but far from done. He just sort of lays there regretting perhaps getting into this fight and he doesn't exactly respond at first when Hayley asks a question. If anything though the wind is kicking up around him as he tries to refocus and he starts to get to his feet. "Pretty...pretty good." he admits and he is still slightly dazed as that wind gets stronger and stronger.

That gust from earlier he produced? Nothing like the actual tornado seeming to form. Rashid then bursts forward with that tornado formed around him. He says nothing, but Hayley may soon get caught in the heavy winds and find herself being struck multiple times by the whirling dervish that Rashid has become.

COMBATSYS: Rashid successfully hits Hayley with Ysaar Mixer.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //                            ]
Rashid           0/-------/-------|>>>>>>>\>------\1           Hayley

[HAYLEY]
"Glad you think so," Hayley beams. "It's my original fighting style, I--" Hayley realizes something is going on just a bit too late. A tornado gathers around the two of them, picking up Hayley before she can make an attempt to block. She's wrapped up in the vortex, spun around several times, and then shot across the makeshift fighting arena.

She smashes into another table with a heavy crash that sends bystanders scattering. Hayley, meanwhile, lays in the rubble for a minute without getting up.

"Urrrgh," Hayley says, "good fight. I think I may hurl though."

COMBATSYS: Hayley takes no action.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rashid           0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Hayley can no longer fight.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rashid           0/-------/-------|

[RASHID]
Battered and bruised, but Rashid still stands when Hayley isn't so lucky. He comes out of that whirlwind a bit dizzied himself, but he quickly recovers. The exchange of money is starting to be made as the onlookers seem overall displeased by the result. They got to see Hayley and thought they had a good bet going.

"Ahh! Please don't." he quickly waves his hands and moves to help the young woman up to her feet. Just....he does so without her facing him just in case she does hurl. He isn't at his best dressed, but he also rather not smell of vom. "I didn't go too far did I? Everything is okay?"

And before he can ask much more his phone is going off. "Not now. Hello? Ahh! Azam! It was not....no it isn't what you think!" He looks rather flustered and he looks at Hayley in an apologetic manner. He pulls out some money and hands it to her. A rather good amount. she might be able to afford that ticket with what he just gave her. "I am so sorry not to stick around. I have to take care of something. At least buy a nice dinner.....after you feel less dizzy!"

With that he dashes off. Oh he should have held back on his more noticeable moves. As for Hayley she is left standing with a good amount of money in hand. So maybe the fight with the odd Arab wasn't such a bad thing.

COMBATSYS: Rashid has ended the fight here.


[HAYLEY]
Hayley takes a few moments to get her bearings, but she does not barf at least. When Rashid offers her a hand, she takes it, standing back up shakily. She wobbles a bit once she's on her feet, but at least she doesn't topple over.

"Oh, no no, it's fine," she says. "Good fight. Sorry I couldn't do a better job there." She dusts herself off, knocking away a piece of table. Then Rashid gets a call, and in the next moment Hayley is holding a big stack of money.

"Oh, uh," Hayley says. She looks down it, counting it for a moment, but in the process she doesn't notice that Rashid has taken off entirely.

"Oh, I don't need this!" she calls. She totally needs it, but that's beside the point. "And you don't give me you contact info!" Hayley thinks for a moment, then adds, "Go find my YouTube channel, it's under Fight Hunter 2!!"

Well that was fun, Hayley thinks to herself. She rubs her backside, wincing a bit. She'll definitely be sore for a bit, but it'll pass. What will linger though is yet another reminder of how many strong fighters there are out there--she still has a ways to go.

----------------

"The second trick of boxing," Mr. Davidson says, "is always getting up when you're knocked down. You gotta make it through each round if you're gonna win. Endurance keeps you going even when strength and speed let you down. You outlast the opponent, you get the edge."

Hayley breathes heavily, looking at the bag. She looks at her gloves for a moment, then goes back to striking it.

----------------

And then Hayley remembers the crowd. She looks around, the spectators all eyeing her. It's then that she comes to a realization.

"Oh, Muay Thai is *kick* boxing, that's right." Hayley slaps her forehead. "Now who was dad's Muay Thai contact ..."

Log created on 22:11:45 12/08/2017 by Rashid, and last modified on 20:29:10 12/12/2017.