Match of the Millennium

Description: In the long awaited sequel to Brawly, Burly, Brawny and Slightly Hairy, recently appointed therapist Braun gives Hawksley an opportunity to speak out on the matters weighing on him: Meaning there is drinking and brawling. Much, much brawling.

[HAWKSLEY]
Hawksley is exhausted and it's not from over exerting himself mentally or physically. Quite the opposite. He's been spending the majority of his time recently sitting in a chair by a hospital bed. The only occasion he's been in any way active is during his fight against Djamila and the less said about that the better. The walk to get back to the Blaze Headquarters is therefore welcome. Seeing the sights and sounds of the city stirs him somewhat and the crisp coldness on his cheeks gives them an extra glow. It's the first time he's actually worn the coat he bought earlier in the month and combined with the beanie hat and gloves he's got on, the Irish lad is pretty damn cosy.

Before long he's arrived at the vast building that's served as his home since September. He's gonna weirdly miss it once they leave next month. He's got used to his apartment and even acquired a few creature comforts to make it feel more like home. Then there's the people. Team Blaze may be a weird bunch but Hawksley finds them pretty wonderful nonetheless. He's sad that none of them now stand a chance at being victorious in the final tournament of the New Fighting Generation but at least there's still a chance one of his other friends could win.

As he enters the lobby that leads to the living quarters, he pulls off his hat, stuffing it in his coat pocket and moves towards the stairway to start the climb.

[BRAUN]
"Heeeeey,.. Hawksley!"

Braun's basso rolling voice rolls through the room shortly after the irishman has pushed open the doors to enter into the large open area of the converted gym. His deep voice possibly a surprise as the lights were all fairly down and there wasn't much by way of activity going on so the place could have very well looked unoccupied for the moment.

But no, apparently not the case at all as the large Beastman is currently lounging boredly on a bench presss machine not far from the center ring, a massive heavy keg of some sort of alchohol in a clawed hand, hefting the hundred pound container like it were but a regular drinking cup as he raises it in a toast towards the irishman with a single arm.

"Well well. Look at you. I didn't think I was gonna run into you here or anyone. In fact...the place was trashed when I got back not long ago. Like I'd missed a fight."

He raises his other massive hand in a wave to the brawler and beckons for him.

"Git on over here.. You aint too bruised still are ya?"

[HAWKSLEY]
Turning around, Hawksley looks towards the sound of the voice, recognising it as Braun's. "Oh hey, fella. I didn't see you there. What the feck were you doing in the dark or shouldn't I ask?"

He starts to laugh, pulling off his gloves and stuffing them in the opposite coat pocket to the hat, as he makes his way over to join the other man. "Having yourself a party by the looks of it. Is Zog around or maybe Ayala?" There's a hint of teasing in his tone as he says the latter name.

"I've still been living here officially, I've just been spending most of my time at the hospital lately. I pop back every now and then to get some fresh gear and what have you." He eyes the keg. "I could do with a drink if you're up for sharing."

The coat comes off now, apparently he's staying, and he moves closer to Braun, so he can show off his bruises. "I've still got plenty of war wounds but what's new? I'm always fecked up in some way or another. It goes with the territory. Besides, I'm hardly gonna moan when Coco is in the hospital badly burned."

[BRAUN]
"Suuuuuure.." drawls out Braun, "Grab yourself a cup unless you wanna taste of my whiskers along with whatever this is I had delivered."

Braun sloshes the keg around, grinning with his large teeth showing full and massive.

"Should be some behind th'counter..."

He looks the brawler over thoughtfully and then says with some amusement, "Djamila hits like a horse. I"m still tryin' to figure out what her secret is... I took on a sparrin' match with her over by Drippin' Style some time back and she clobbered me. I had t'pull out all the stops and nearly got her but she got me first...."

He takes another heavy pull from the keg and then lowering it rumbles, "I aint seen nobody recently. Keep missing the big dogs. Nope, no Ayala.."

The teasing draws a light smirk from him and he rumbles, "Aint ya heard? Brian Storm seems t'think Chevy and I are gonna end up gettin' together. The internet's already jumped on that bandwagon. Callin it 'Chevraun...."

He seems amused by this more then annoyed, "Bad brutish beastman biker and girl next door. Sounds like the start of a bad movie.." he grunts with the candor of someone who probably enjoys watching trash films. "Maybe in a couple o'years. I got what, six or seven on her."

There's a pause as he studies Hawksley and then asks, expression neutral and not betraying any thoughts on it yet: "How's Coco?"

[HAWKSLEY]
Hawksley fetches himself the biggest cup he can from behind the counter and holds it out towards Braun expectantly. "My fecking head was banging after she slammed her staff on it so many times" the Irishman shudders. "Fair play to her though, she really wants it and I don't think my heart was in it like it should have been. Not that I'm making excuses of course. She beat me fair and square."

He nods as Braun explains about Ayala not being around, then a grin appears on his face at the mention of 'Chevraun'. "Your turn to be shipped with her now is it? Tom and Lou are such a pair of fecking old women with their gossiping and now Brian is at it too. You're not wrong though, it does sound a bit like the plot of a B movie or something. You'd be the local bad boy looking to corrupt her. Don't worry though, fella. I'd probably get cast in that role too."

His expression turns more serious at the mention of Coco and he lets out a loud sigh. "Ah, she's alright I suppose. I mean, things are getting to her obviously. Mostly moodwise. You know how she is, yeah? She's usually sparky but she seems kinda flat. I'm trying to keep her spirits up but I'm not sure I'm doing much good."

[BRAUN]
"You? Cast as a bad boy?"

That seems to get Braun's attention more then the rest of the words uttered by the brawler.

"No way. Yer a baby face! You couldn't manage a bad attitude t'save yer life."

His grin remains amused and big as he obliges the request for some brew and tilts the heavy keg over and begins pouring the drink to the point of it nearly over flowing the large cup Hawksley managed to find. Might have been one of Kongou's or Zog's even. Probably best to imagine it was one of Kongou's then Zog's in terms of sanitary safety. It looks clean at least!

"Anyway if yer heart wasns't in it..that's fair. Aint no excuse. Your mind was distracted. Facts are facts. Things can happen that can rattle us and knock us off our game. That's why th'pre fight head game is so important. Intimidation, gettin' pumped up, bein' sad. That all matters. It just so happened that...you had to fight someone as tough as her while you had all that baggage. No shame. To bad Blaze is out tho'. Was countin' on ya since Ayala, Laurel and I all got knocked out. It's a Team Thunder vs Team Metal show now.."

He takes another heavy drink and then sets the kegger down next to the bench.

"Kinda hard to keep someone's spirits up if yers are in the gutter..." he notes simply. "Course...it proably aint helpin' that it aint lookin' like there's any justice for her over what happened. Yet at least. Kinda sus t'me... Maybe somethin' out there oughta be able t'perk her up."

[HAWKSLEY]
Hawksley pinches his own face as Braun describes it as 'baby'. "Feck, fella. You're the first one to ever say that. I've been told I was trouble most of my life and I dread to think what Coco's mammy and da would think of their princess dating me. I suppose next to you though, I'm probably not that rough" he admits.

He takes a long drink from his tall glass. "You know I've barely had any booze lately. I had what I could fit in my flask during the fight and a bottle of Lucky's Fiery Ale while I was filming my stream thing. It's a bit awkward smuggling it into the hospital and it's not like Coco can join me for a few with all the drugs she's been on."

As Braun seems to pick up on the fact Hawksley's own mood is low, he lifts his head up to look at him. "I'm trying to be cheerful as best I can and it's not like I've given up hope or anything. It just all feels so fecking heavy, you know? Feck knows if she'll ever get justice for what happened and I don't even know what that would look like at this stage. I reckon Abigail won't let it rest though. If you'd have seen him the other night at the hospital. The man was on a mission. Even I thought I was gonna get thrown out at one point."

He takes another drink of whatever the hell it is and continues. "Yeah, no more Blaze or Frost. Who do you want to win now then? I don't mean who you think will win but feel free to answer that too."

[BRAUN]
"Hmmm..."

It's a fair question and one that he hadn't put much thought into it once some of his favorites were knocked out.

"Well I sure as hell dont' want Junko t'win. Can ya imagine?" he notes before letting his deep voice drag off into silence again.

"Y'know...That's a tough one fella. They all earned it and have worked hard yeah? Fought fair and square, for the most part.. That was the first time I'd met Chevy and she left an impression on me but y'know Kenzo was good stuff as well. Buck's a solid bruiser. Since yer out and I'm out be fun to have someone that just goes fer broke t'walk away with it. HIs fightin' reminds me a lot of my old home.. Of course Djamila's a doll. She aint been nothin' but a sweetheart but got her a dark side as well.. Man you got me on the spot."

He sweeps the keg up from the floor again, hefting the masive thing with one hand once more as he stands now and then lifts it up to dump more of its contents into his gaping maw.

That done he lifts his other arm up to drag his forearm across his face, back turned slightly to Hawksley as he thinks. Then finally;

"I'm gonna cheat and say that I think I'd like t'see Chevy or Buck walk away with it..but it's a hard call so dont' be surprised if I change my mind.."

He sets the keg down again and then looks over his shoulder, "As for the rest? Yeah...it's heavy stuff. I can't walk th'streets without some folk giving me th'evil eye but that gets a pass. Maybe the organixers hands are tied but yer right. Abigail and Coco dont' seem the type to just let stuff sit. Team Frost don't exactly have sponsors known for turnin' the other cheek. Course..maybe if Coco's burns and wounds are healed she might feel better about it. Might be wishful thinkin' but there's folk out there that can help 'er.."

[HAWKSLEY]
Hawksley listens to Braun debating with himself over who he'd like to win the contest. He nods here and there, continuing to drink, though at least he's switched from swigging to sipping. His own thoughts, just like on his live stream earlier, remain unspoken.

"I don't think Coco has it in her to fight for justice right now. I think it will come eventually though and then I wouldn't wanna be whoever she decides to make pay. As for her being helped, maybe so but it won't be from Ariastra. She wouldn't take her help and Ariastra has made it clear she wouldn't be willing to give it. I'm never gonna forget what she did for me after The Rumble but she was pretty fecking vile to Coco at the hospital."

The drinking is speeding up again. "I feel bad as well, because a part of me did just want it to magically go away, you know? Not just for Coco but for myself. Does that make me selfish? Not that I'm gonna ditch her or something, I'm not a fecking monster but I'm not gonna lie that part of her appeal was the way that she looked."

He shakes his head laughing bitterly. "It's pretty ironic because I told her not to worry about getting hurt in fights, way back in Southtown. I told her that anyone who was bothered about breaks, bruises and scars wasn't a real friend to her."

[BRAUN]
The idea of Ariastra healing Coco draws a slight smirk to Braun's face. He says nothing as Hawksley relays what happened and then just shrugs lightly as if not surprised.

"There might be other options if they're willin' to show themselvs or be sought out..." he says simply enough.. But then he listens abit more and as Hawksley admits to his own conflict feelings, Braun interjects:

"Well, I mean, yeah man. Yer human. You'd be shallow to -not- admit you were attracted to her looks. And a damn liar to claim they didn't matter. And the girl was proud of her looks as well."

He considers things and looks away, "But like..you know...life happens. She''s gonna grow old eventually. Yer muscles are gonna sag. My hair's gonna gray. Sometimes folk like us struggle the most with these sorta things yeah? And of course injuries are a risk..yeah."

His voice fades and then he says more firmly, "This is a bit different though. You let me lose it and tear into someone after the match has been called.. Probably be the last you heard of me..at least in a given tournament. You accept certain risks by gettin' into that fight but ..I dunno..last I knew the only reason why this works at all is cause there's some unspoken rule on when to stop those blows."

The mood seems heavier then he wishes it..and Braun suddenly stretches his arms and then crouches and leaps, his massive body springing up into the air to vault over the ropes to land in the sparring ring.

His heavy body touches down roughly and he straightens up to lean forward and lounge his massive body against one of the posts.

"I think y'need to get yer head cleared abit and get perked back up again.." He curls a finger at him, "You owe me a fight..."

[HAWKSLEY]
"Other options?" Hawksley wonders about those briefly but he doesn't press it. After all, it will be Coco's business whatever she decides.

He seems grateful that he isn't being judged too harshly by Braun for airing his feelings. "I hear what you're saying but ageing is a gradual thing and you've usually been with the person years, changing together. Coco is nineteen years old, I'm twenty one and I've only known her a few months. I'll adjust though and more importantly she will or find a solution or something. I'm sure it will all be grand."

He doesn't sound that sure but it seems like he's pretty much ready to move on from the subject at least but not before he quickly comments "Well Coco can't really say much about late blows after her match against Chevy but that's a whole other story."

Hawksley is fast to follow his friend into the ring and soon his t-shirt is coming off. It looks like it's definitely fight time! Like his face, his body bears the signs of his brutal battle with Djamila but this isn't going to stop him agreeing to a brawl. "I reckon that will be just the tonic" he agrees.

[BRAUN]
"-Nineteen- and -Twenty One-."

Braun's deep gravelly voice states this in mock surprise, feigning shock and dismay as he steps away towards an opposite side of the sparring ring.

"That's enough to make someone like Buford and my'self feel positively old and late to this thing.. Yer right though. Growin' old together is different. Course lotta folk find they fall outta love when they realize what they've gotten into and weren't committed for more then just the physical attraction. I don't think that's you though, fella..." he drawls out with amusement.

Turning, he sees the bruiises still on Hawksley's body but also notes his eagerness to do this. Physical brawling can indeed clear the mind. Focus the thoughts of a fighter, sharpen their intentions.

"You sure..?" he asks, nevertheless and then he adds to that, "I don't want you whinin' about Djamila having clonked ya if I kick yer ass..."

He drags his deep voice down low again as he finishes speaking, and then settles into a crouch, resting his massive arms against his bent knees as he peers at the irishman with a big grin.

"As to 'other methods'.." he presses, "..Hell if I know the particulars but ...I'm attuned t'the makai remember?" he pauses as if considering Hawksley still hasn't quite processed what that means.

"...Meanin' I've seen all sorts of wild things with spirits, magic, supernatural power...wild stunts with chi. Hell, the NFG should tell you anythin'gs possible. If she wants to look for it and do it.. You got the contacts out there to make it so. But it doesn't mean there aren't gonna be prices involved....and yer right, Coco did nail Chevy when she was down You could say there's some karma here. You could also say that she still toed the line.."

Standing back up he stretches a huge arm out and beckons for Hawksley,

COMBATSYS: Braun has started a fight here.

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Braun            0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Hawksley has joined the fight here.

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Hawksley         0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Braun

[HAWKSLEY]
"We're mere babies, Braun" Hawksley laughs. "You and Buford aren't so old though. Feck, you know I still haven't met the fella?" He shakes his head at this strange twist of fate.

It seems like his fellow Blaze member has faith in him, which is kinda touching in a way. It's good to know he doesn't come across as shallow to others, even if he's been questioning himself of late.

"I'm sure about fighting you. I'm not gonna be fecking whinging and whining about my war wounds" he assures Braun. "It's not the first time I've gone into a brawl with bruises galore and it won't be the last. No need to hold back on me. If you kick my arse, fair play to you, fella."

As Braun crouches down, Hawksley's dark eyes follow him, listening to what else he has to say. "Well maybe we will be talking again some time about such things. If it's what Coco wants of course."

He starts to move towards Braun when he's beckoned, presenting himself as a target. "You first, fella. I insist. You were kind enough to share your drink with me, so you were."

[BRAUN]
The large bruiser bounces up and down on his heels a few times as if testing the buoyance of the ring. He grins mildly as he hears Hawksley's response and then shrugs lightly, "Maybe..." he muses in response to Coco and the possible inivitation to the world of the supernatural in search of healing for her. "I'm just spit-ballin'..."

As to the fight? The invitation has hardly left Hawksley's mouth for the large man to take first crack and Braun has suddenly launched into action making it debatable if he was waiting for the invitation to begin with or just expecting the fastest striker to act first.

EIther way the massive beastman blurs across the sparring mat like a runaway train, ducking down low and then coming up again in a massive sweeping strike that brings one massive clawed fist arcing down and then up at a wide swinging angle to try and slam right into Hawksley's flank with thunderous force.

COMBATSYS: Hawksley blocks Braun's Aggressive Strike.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Hawksley         0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0            Braun

[HAWKSLEY]
Braun the beast is straight on the Blaze brawler. He's fast as well as furious, so when the strike comes swinging in, Hawksley is swift to defend himself from it. He turns his body to avoid the likely blow to the ribs, meaning that Braun's fist finds muscle rather than bone when it lands on the lad.

"I'm gonna have to watch them claws, aren't I, fella? I don't wanna end up with suspicious scratches on my back, so I don't."

Hawksley slips forward and twists into a left snap elbow to try and put Braun off-balance. If able he'll then pivot into a devastating right-handed haymaker toward the bigger man's centre of mass, intending to knock him backwards.

COMBATSYS: Hawksley successfully hits Braun with Detonator.
- Power hit! -

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Hawksley         0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0            Braun

[BRAUN]
He may be fast - but there is a lot of him. Seven foot and a whole lot of mass to deal with and with a close combat fighter on the level of Hawksley in play...let's just say that Braun's attempts to twist the blow avail him not and Hawksley's fist lands..and lands with incredibly explosive force as Braun's massive body is actually heaved upwards slightly and forced backwards as intended..and backwards not an insignifigant distnace either.

His eyes bug out and his teeth grit from the force of the blow and when he lands, touching down one first and then the other, he goes into a brief slide which takes additional effort to arrest.

"Hn. Now that was a punch." he grumbles with a pained but bemused sneer.

"Let's run it again!"

Hawksley may be attempting to close the distance but Braun makes no attempt to stay clear and instead goes blurring in, coming in low once more and this time reaching both of his huge arms up to try and grab Hawksley by the waist as he rears up infront and then to the side of him, attempting to get behind the brawler.

Success would see the two men launch upwards as Braun leaps, the air whirling and spiraling around them with red chi beginning to crackle as he spins skywards and then comes back down again in a type of beastly izuna drop.

COMBATSYS: Hawksley just-defends Braun's Cyclonic Driver!

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Hawksley         0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0            Braun

[HAWKSLEY]
As his blow smashes into the seven foot scrapper, Hawksley sends him backwards by a fair bit. He's soon heading towards the Irishman again though, intending to grab a hold of him from behind. Hawksley's having none of it. As the muscular arms reach for him, he pushes back against them, resisting any attempt at being lifted upwards.

He's able to stand his ground firmly and from this position he seeks to delivers a left-handed jab into a right cross to break open Braun's guard. He's looking to put him off-balance again, so he can grab his shoulders and pull him face-first into his rising knee.

COMBATSYS: Hawksley successfully hits Braun with Buzzkill ES.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Hawksley         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1            Braun

[BRAUN]
It's not looking so good for the furred berseker brawler. Despite his prior poking and egging at Hawksley, the iriishman has swiftly proven that any recent battles have had no impact on his ability to bring the pain and as Braun finds himself strugglign to lift the man, he is startled to then find his face coming full force into the other bruisers knee in the aftermath of the jab that loosened his grip. The momentum of his failed throw and Hawksley's own strength sends him tumbling downward to slam into the irishmans legs and then from there to rebound and land solidly onto his back in the ring, grimacing from both the force and power of the attack and not a small amount of embaressement at the showing so far.

Taking a second, he rolls over from his back to his legs and then pushes up to his feet once more while rumbling, "...You -sure- musta been distracted fightin' Djamila...based on how well yer fightin' right now. Im downright embaressed..."

He says this with a smile though as he rubs his jaw and then rumbles, "I'm gonna have to kick it up a notch a little sooner rather then later--!"

With that, he springs at Hawksley again, going for a lunging uppercut that sends chi crackling in the wake of out stretched claws. The energy seems to rip and gouge into the air itself as he attempts to crash into the other bruiser and then leap with him up into a spiralling upper cut that would take them both into the air.

Hit or miss, he lunges into action again, this time dashing into a sudden blur like a shell from a battleship as he springs back at the man, wreathed in a flaring corona of blazing energy as he tries to crash into him like a rushing comet and send him flying.

COMBATSYS: Braun blitzes into action and acts again!

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Hawksley         0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0            Braun

COMBATSYS: Hawksley blocks Braun's Whirlwind Fang.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Hawksley         0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0            Braun

COMBATSYS: Hawksley interrupts Chimeric Crash from Braun with There's A Star ES.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Hawksley         1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1            Braun

[HAWKSLEY]
Hawksley watches as Braun ends up flat on his back. He has no doubt that the beastman will get up but it's just a matter of when. As it turns out, he doesn't take too long and is soon smiling and chattering away to his opponent.

"Ah, c'mon now" Hawksley responds, matching the other man's smile. "You know better than all that shite. I've talked about this with Djamila herself. So and so beat so and so means nothing when you come up against someone else. We're all wired and built differently and sometimes our brains come in to play too. I'm fine with you kicking it up a notch though. Give me what you've got."

Maybe he spoke too soon, because not one but two attacks come Hawksley's way. First is the uppercut, albeit it one with added claws. The Eire fella can feel the energy coming off the strike and he's not fancying facing it. He uses his boxing experience to bat it off, bringing his forearm up to block it and feeling the force of his furry friend's fist batter an existing bruise.

Then Braun is again at him, using his speed and strength to spring back and then forwards, the energy visible again to fuel the violence. Hawksley reacts rapidly, using his own chi to create a burning ball of fire in his hand. As he spins towards Braun, he causes a fiery trail to follow him. Once he's close enough, he slams the fireball into the other man with his palm, causing it to explode with the impact.

[BRAUN]
The fireball explodes into the massive Beastman, fully engulfing him from sight and sending a shockwave rippling up over the combat area and then beyond it to wash over the interior of the gym and shake the adjacent dorms that have served as Team Blaze's home for months. If Braun emits a cry of pain, it's swallowed up by the sound of the explosion ..which then seems to intermix with a crackle of energy and a blazing rush of spiraling chi which explodes to life from within the heart of the explosion itself like a star within the inferno caused by the irishman.

The fire flower rips apart, revealing the enlarged beastmode full battle form of Braun. More then a foot larger and with added mass that would make Abigail proud. His garments crackle with the flourish of his bestial chi, enlarged and reworked by whatever supernatural forces enable his transformation and his visage, burned and battered though it is, maintains a blooded grin in its more leonine like state as he looms overhead still in mid recoil from the force of the blast unleashed by Hawksley.

When he lands, its with a thunderous *BOOM* and this is followed by another spiraling lunging assault as he rips back towards Hawksley, wreathed in energy, and coming like a semi truck for the mother of all shoulder tackles..

Except at the last minute his body adjusts and he springs into a massive leap - attempting to bring his mammoth wall like torso slamming into him in a full powered impact. He lacks the blubber of an ogre mind you but perhaps the cinderblock like bricks of his abs are a good substitute.

COMBATSYS: Braun successfully hits Hawksley with Predator and Prey Collision.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////                   ]
Hawksley         1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0            Braun

[HAWKSLEY]
Amidst the chaos stands the man responsible. Hawksley watches in wonder as a series of spectacles start to unfold.

First is his own fireball exploding. He feels his frame rocked by the force of it colliding with the beastman before him and sees the bright flash of its power as it performs its intended role.

Next is Braun's power up. "Feck" is the first word that escapes Hawksley's lips when he sees the sheer size of him. It's a beautiful and formiddable sight, so it is. He'd probably like it even more if he didn't have to face fighting it. Yet despite his fear he can't help but grin back at the predatory figure.

Some strange part of him wants to see how it feels to be hit by such a foe. He's so caught up in this thought that he forgets to get the feck out the way and soon the full force of Braun is upon him.

As the lion like man leaps on him, Hawksley goes hurtling across the ring, his body bouncing off the ropes as its slammed into by the titanic torso.

He starts to laugh gleefully, letting himself lay there a moment before getting to his feet. When he does, his body is bloody and there's fresh bruises forming on his flesh. "Now that was fecking fun. Shall we keep the party going?"

Hawksley seeks out eye contact with Braun before stamping his foot on the floor of the ring. Fire starts to spread outwards to surround both fighters, lighting the ring up with its flames. The flickering causes a glow in the low lights of the gym, making the blaze seem even more vibrant and vivid.

Hawksley starts to stalk towards Braun, throwing out his fist to deliver a devastating lightning-fast punch to try and send him flying through the wall of fire.

COMBATSYS: Braun blocks Hawksley's Burn Baby Burn.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////                      ]
Hawksley         0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0            Braun

[BRAUN]
"Theeeere he is.."

Braun's deep voice drags out with satisfaction as Hawksley's laugh fills the room.

"I was wondering what it'd take to pull a good belly laugh outta ya.. Taunting you seemed to not do it. But throwin' you around..."

Hawksley's fist comes hurtling in for the enlarged beastman as fire erupts all around them, caging them both in the furious inferno.

Holding his ground, the beastman reaches out and is able, by sheer strength and speed, to cartch hold of Hawksley's fist just before impact, engulfing it in his own massive one. The force still ripples through him, rocketing through his body and forcing him to slide back but not so much it actually shoves him successfully into the inferno. Meanwhile his other hand begins crackling with a charge up of energy, chi dancing between his talons.

"Hnngh! Throwin' you around seems ta do the trick!"

His other arm comes sweeping up, a wide jagged swinging arc that drags a huge sweeping scythe of energy with it. Both massive limb, clawed hand and energy seek to rip up into Hawksley and also expand outward in a wide air rending wave of force that blasts out at point blank range at the irish brawler.

COMBATSYS: Hawksley blocks Braun's Sky-Rending Claw.

[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////                       ]
Hawksley         0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0            Braun

[HAWKSLEY]
"I do enjoy being thrown around" Hawksley confirms. "I'm a bit of a fecking weirdo aren't I?" he continues to laugh.

He's still in cheery spirits even when the full force of his flaming attack is thrwarted. "Spoilsport" he fires at Braun.

He looks down at his fist trapped by the bigger man's hand and then his eyes shift to the other fist, becoming wider as he spots that energy again.

As the arm comes around, intent on injuring the Irishman, it does indeed manage to rip into his exposed flesh. Its progress is prevented further however by the brawler's determination to stay upright. He stiffens his frame and stands his ground, centering himself as he prepares for what will come his way next.

COMBATSYS: Hawksley focuses on his next action.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////                       ]
Hawksley         0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0            Braun

[BRAUN]
As the energy arcs upwards it seems to drag Braun's enhanced form with it. A living VFX, it seems, the energy crackles over him, shirnking his body back down to its more svelte seven footer form and pulling with it his more bestial visage back down to his more 'Thundercat' inspired looks as opposed to the full on lion man of his giantish state.

"Hrgh" he grunts, disappointed in the lack of solid purchase of Hawksley from his attack and also looking winded and strained, as if these previous efforts have truly yanked much out of him.

Still, the playing field seems more even now and it could go any direction. Overall, however, he seems pleased.

"Naw...not wierd to me at all.." he notes between heavy breaths. "It's a way to get stronger.. Helps you feel alive!"

He presses forward, noting Hawksley's determination but lacking many options himself at the moment. Instead, he leaps and goes into a full on overhead flip that ends up with him doing a massive clawed dive kick straight down for the brawler.

COMBATSYS: Hawksley interrupts Light Kick from Braun with Numbskull ES.

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///                           ]
Hawksley         0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1            Braun

[HAWKSLEY]
Seeing his friend at his more usual size, Hawksley can't help but comment. "Did someone let the air out of you, fella? Seriously though, that's some power up you've got yourself. Do you reckon you could teach me how to do it?"

He nods his head with enthusiasm at Braun's words. "Yeah! Alive! Ex-fecking-actly."

As the beastman goes into acrobatic mode, jumping into the air, Hawksley is there to meet him on the descent. As the kick comes in, Hawksley moves to the side, making a grab for Braun's arms and using them to hold him in place.

Once he's trapped him, the Irishman takes advantage by smashing his forehead into the furry fella's face repeatedley. It's probably not gonna be pretty for either of them.

[BRAUN]
It is indeed not a pretty sight as for all of the visual effects around the big beastman - he's still flesh and blood and plenty of it. It's not that nasty scraps haven't happened before mind you but it doesn't make it any less pretty for either of them.

Indeed the rough nature of this brawl is pretty much what was both anticipated and also looked for..but it's no less painful and disorientating and Braun finds his world filled with pain and confusion as he's pulled from his attack and locked in place by the persistant irishman.

The force of the smashes rock him violently, filling his vision with both red and white and successfully putting him over the threshold -- though there's just enough in him for there to be a last minute burst of energy as his massive arms attempt to lift up and free himself from Hawksley's grasp - and then reach back down to try and return the favor of a brutal up close assault. His body enlarges once again, energy building up around him as his massive limbs swipe in for a sweeping counter attack that then end with the giant attempting to seize Hawksley around the waist and then if successful lift him up for another brutal spiraling throw attempt.

Chi energy burns around them both violently at that, wrapping them int a corona of both fire and black and red jagged energy .. but hit or miss, throw or no throw, Braun will tumble to the mat, with or without Hawksley, and fail to push back up to his feet again.

COMBATSYS: Braun can no longer fight.

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

COMBATSYS: Braun successfully hits Hawksley with Beast Roar's Impact.
- Power hit! -

[                           \\\  <
Hawksley         1/-----==/=======|

[HAWKSLEY]
The two men become a bloody mess as Hawksley's taste for violence makes them both victims of the assault. When he pulls back from his brutal attack on Braun, his nose looks busted and blood pours from it. He also has the makings of two black eyes and yet he seems a happier lad than the Hawksley that walked in here earlier.

"You alright there, fella?" he checks. He can see the other fighter is fading and he's not doing so clever himself.

Despite his decline, Braun still has the stamina to sweep in and scoop Hawksley up into his arms. The smaller man doesn't have the strength left to struggle, so when the beastman falls, he takes the Cork cruiserweight with him.

Down down they go, destination the mat of the ring. It seems a fitting end to this thrilling fight and it's done the dark haired man's mental state the world of good. So much so, he can't resist trying to have one more stab at the action. Grabbing hold of the ropes, he tries to force himself back to his feet but is his state too fragile to manage it?

COMBATSYS: Hawksley takes no action.

[                        \\\\\\  <
Hawksley         1/-----==/=======|

COMBATSYS: Hawksley has reached second wind!

[                        \\\\\\  <
Hawksley         1/-----==/=======|

Apparently not! Looming over the lionman, Hawksley pulls back his arm, ready to strike him again but then he has a change of heart and offers him a helping hand up instead.

"Come on now, fella. There's drink to be drunk and I'm thinking of calling out for pizza. That place Zog usually orders from is grand."

[BRAUN]
":Ugh.. How the -hell-'d you get up from -that-...." rumbles Braun with a sort of gargled snarl mixed with a laugh. He's by no means upset here but it's hard for his voice to not come out rougher and hoarser then usual. By now the enhanced form has drained away again but he seems to be taking a moment to pull himself back together.

Literally, perhaps, given the bloodied mess of his face. Strangely enough, though, there seems to be a visible knitting together and fixing of his wounds. It doesn't clean him up but..there's clearly some sort of bestial enhanced healing going on here.

It's hardly enough to put him ready to fight again though and after a few more seconds of laying there, he takes Hawksley's hand and lets the man help pull his nearly four hundred pound physique back up towards a wobbling standing height.

"There.." he rumbles, "How was that.. That reinforce ya a little bit?"

[HAWKSLEY]
"I don't like quitting" Hawksley shrugs, taking his cellphone out of his jeans pocket to tap the number in for 'Hadou Pizza'. "I've never been the strongest or the biggest but I'm a stubborn fecker."

Before hitting the connect button, he reaches up to pat the other man on his back once he's standing, needing to be on his tiptoes to reach comfortably. "Thanks for this. For the fight but also for listening before. It beats a therapist's couch any day and we get to have beer and pizza here too. What flavour do you want me to order you? My treat."

Log created on 14:54:31 11/18/2023 by Braun, and last modified on 09:45:14 11/19/2023.