Match of the Millennium

Description: Kenzo and Djamila talk together. Then they have a spar. They thought Kenzo was safe after his match, but no one is safe from injuries...

[KENZO]
Every since his fight with Junko, he had been studying the fight footage. He had a rough start in the beginning before he managed to land a couple of decisive attacks. Then after she managed to get back up after receiving so much damage both from her self-destructive powers as well as those previously mentioned decisive attacks, he couldn't finish the fight. Then he watches as Junko moves towards his fallen body. Djamila comes in, Kenzo says something while still grounded, the Fulgore units activate, Junko backs off and exits.

After multiple playbacks, both via tablet and holoscreens in the gymnasium where he is currently located, Kenzo has come to a few conclusions.

1) His strategy wasn't flawed. His execution of it was. A combination of failures of well-reasoned defenses plus Junko responding in unexpected ways kept Kenzo from getting into a flow until late in the fight where he finally got a sense of how she would respond.
2) It wasn't a relatively fresh Djamila's threat to kick her ass, or Kenzo's logical laying out of what consequences would be ahead of her that deterred her from attacking a fallen opponent. It was the Fulgores.
3) If Djamila is going to move on, she's going to need to be prepared to face a threat that gets up after being dropped or Junko is going to have to be hit over the head with the consequences bat.

[DJAMILA]
Djamila has been doing different things since Kenzo's fight and her fight with Hawksley. She has been out a lot. Finally, she's really in and makes her way to the Gymnasius floor itself.

The little chime of the elevator can be heard as the door opens and out comes Djamila. She realizes Kenzo is there, and it makes her smile. She walks toward him. "Hey babe, it's good to see you. Always is."

She looks at the screen. "Ah. Yeah. Figured you might be on this. We can talk about it if you like. I am happy you didn't end up like Coco." She moves near him. "I am going to do my best to kick her ass. Still wish it had been you who won." She ponders. "It does make it easier to want to beat her in, compared fighting you." She smiles.

After a moment of silence. "Anyway, I missed you. I just had to... I don't know. Lots happened, in a way. So it's just nice to just find you here."

After that, she settles against her staff to give time for Kenzo to say things too, smiling sheepishly.

[KENZO]
Kenzo takes a moment to pause the playback before turning to face Djamila. So many things to talk about and so little time. Yes, there was the fight. He still did have to talk about Ultratech's pitch.

"While, I'm glad I didn't receive further injuries from the fight, there's a part of me that wishes she didn't get scared off by the Fulgores. I know and you know that she would've kept going no matter what we said, but her backing off after the activation gave her plausible deniability."

He glances off at the video footage before moving towards Djamila with his arms open as if he was about to give her a hug but stopping just short.

"I missed you too. Hope you don't mind the smell. I did get in a bit of a workout in, after all."

[DJAMILA]
"If she had continued, we would have fought right there." She says matter of factly. She has no idea about the pitch, though. She didn't get the talk Kenzo had. "I will be ready when it's my turn, in case I lose. Doesn't mean I want to end up in the burnt ward after." Though she would use the wind, who knows? The pain doesn't seem fun anyway.

She is aware of his arms stopping short. When he tells her about the smell, she doesn't mind. "Can't smell like a rose after a fight or a workout. "It's fine, babe." She then ends up putting his arms around him for a tight hug. "You're my Kenzo, no matter the smell, injuries, or anything else."

After a moment or two, she does let go, though. "I am planning on hitting her hard and using the wind. Be myself in the end. You've seen me fight, so if you want to add to that, feel free." She shrugs. "It's not an Einstein plan, but it should get the job done."

"Of course, if there is anything on your mind, share. Sorry. The fight is, at least, not the only important thing. I don't want to sound like it is. You're important." She gives another smile.

[KENZO]
"And she would've received a butt kicking as well as grounds for removal from the tournament."

When she hugs him, Kenzo leans into it and closes his eyes as he just enjoys the moment of closeness with her. It is with a bit of hesitation that he releases the hug.

"There were a few moments where if I had gone with instinct instead of logic it would have been a much different fight. That is potentially the key to your fight with her. Keep in mind though, that her miracle rising from damage takes a lot out of her and can be taken advantage of."

His combat specs clad gaze falls upon his wrist to the Lifeband which in turn reminds him of another topic of discussion.

You'll be having a meeting with a high ranking member of Ultratech soon. They're are going to make a job offer soon. I knew that I wouldn't be comfortable saying yes or no on mine without discussing it with you first especially considering you'll be moving to Southtown after the tournament to make being together easier."

[DJAMILA]
"But I understand they didn't want to risk anything. Neither of us needed to end up in the hospital. I didn't even think when I saw what might happen, I just went down there. Nobody could have stopped me." She shrugs. "You mean so much to me." She smiles after that.

She also enjoyed the hug very much. Kenzo makes her happy and she hopes she can display it well enough.

She listens to Kenzo. "Yeah, instinct is important." She nods her head. "I used it with Genie too, when things weren't working too well, and it paid off. I also had the chance to have experience against her. However, she also has the same chance. As a counterpoint, we both evolved from then. So instinct, but in the fight and survival." She chuckles a bit.

She listens to Kenzo as he explains the meeting and what it's for. It made sense he would get the job offer first. With his brain and fighting ability, he's a good catch for a company. "Thank you, babe, this is very much appreciated. Do you have a side you are leaning toward, between yes or no, just like that, without knowing which side I would lean myself?" She is curious about what he wants without her input first. She's not afraid to ask. At the same time, it gives her a bit of time to pass the offer kenzo says she will get herself shortly, in her mind.

[KENZO]
"Hmmm."

Kenzo rubs his chin and looks at Djamila, specs to blindfold as he thinks about his thoughts on the matter and the adjustments made. The questions he asked during the meeting and then the way things were handled after the Junko fight.

"If you had asked me before the Junko fight, I'd say I was close to the middle but edging towards 'yes.' After the fight, I moved significantly closer to 'yes,' especially with Junko showing herself to be the type of being that they want to 'deal' with."

There's a moment where Kenzo pauses as if something else pops into his head that he realizes.

"They also seemed very confident that you would say yes to it as well."

Kenzo has a hunch about why that would be but no proof and no intent to look for it either

[DJAMILA]
"Hard question? It's ok, take your time." It's all she says. She's not sarcastic or mocking. She simply meant it as it is. It's fine to put your mind to it properly, to be sure of what you say before saying it. She will certainly have questions of her own to Ultratech proper before she makes a choice. But what Kenzo feels about it matters a lot, too.

When Kenzo is finally ready to speak, she listens. No words come out of her mouth until he's done. She understands why he would be more inclined now than before. Or at least further along the yes. Yet he also waited to talk to her. That means a lot to her. Then, her mind wanders. If, somewhat, they thought he would lose against her. So, figures they would talk about the dangers of the like of Junko beforehand, and then when Junko proves their words, Kenzo would be more inclined to join them.

Finally, after Kenzo is done talking, she is about to answer. Oops, Kenzo does add one thing. She doesn't plan to comment on that one yet. "Ok, thank you for talking with me about it and thank you for being honest." She takes a deep breath. "I need to talk with them properly and be able to ask my own questions. But unless I get a big red flag out of the meeting, seeing with all of your intelligence you are leaning toward yes and seeing some people can be really dangerous, I will be fine joining Ultratech with you." She goes silent for a moment after that, letting Kenzo take it in.

"As for why they are sure I will join them. I am not sure I understand why. If we remove you from the equation. This is something I will have to ask them, too." She gives him another hug because it really means to her he took the time to wait to talk with her. He's every bit the man she thought he was. He proves it every time.

Then a grin forms on her lips. "Are you too tired from your workout, or do you have it in you to kick my ass?" She puts a peck on his lips, assuming they are available. "No pressure. I've been trying to keep my body combat-ready. between fighting and meditation. And the only memory I have sparring with you is making a nasty mistake, which ended up falling on my head. Not really felt like I gave the best impression with that." She giggles a bit though, waiting to see what he decides, no pressure beyond what she just said.

Then she quickly adds, after a short moment. "Oh, if you want to talk more, it takes precedence!" She goes quiet again.

[KENZO]
"I think I have enough juice in the battery for a sparring session."

Oddly enough, when Kenzo steps onto the mat and takes his stance, there's no motion to go for the kusari-gama which he usually does in all of his matches.

"I'm going to try to get as close to fighting like her as I can without damaging myself to do it. Begin."

He takes a deep breath and then beckons Djamila in an invitation to attack him while keeping his eyes on her the entire time.

COMBATSYS: Kenzo has started a fight here.

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

COMBATSYS: Djamila has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Kenzo            0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0          Djamila

[DJAMILA]
"Sounds good to me babe." She grins and makes her way to the mat as well.

She would blink at him if she had eyes. "You're sure? Your fighting style is also a source of learning. But you're the smart one, so I am not going to tell you how you have to do things." She chuckles and gets in a stance.

But then Kenzo beckons her to start first. Why not. It could be a trap. It could just be he needs time to see how he can react like her. So she decides to go for it.

She goes in front of him and slams her staff upright on the mat. After this, she jumped on her staff high, then she reversed herself on it, holding herself by the legs. She reaches for his ankles to try and trip him down. She mentally notes with Junko, that there is the possibility of burning. Which makes her think of having winds around her hands to keep them cooler. Could be something to try or could be something that turns against her. She will figure it out.

After that, whether she succeeds in tripping him or not, she gracefully flips to be on her feet. At least if she gets her way.

COMBATSYS: Djamila successfully hits Kenzo with Inside Leg Hang.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Kenzo            0/-------/-======|>>-----\-------\0          Djamila

[KENZO]
Kenzo attempts to stand his ground and take the hit in order to deliver a harder hit. It is very unlike his normal strategy and it doesn't quite work for him. If there's any comfort to him, it's that his readouts are indicating that his normal responses wouldn't have been successful responding to it either. Kenzo's feet get snatched from under him sending him crashing to the ground.

As suddenly as he fell, he's just as suddenly back on his feet. He lets out a feral growl, in an attempt to mimic Junko's rage before attempting to crash into Djamila. Should he manage that, he'll claw upwards with both hands in an attempt to catch the dancer under her arms and then immediately jump into the air and flip backwards to slam her down to the mat on her back.

Try as he might, he can't divorce himself completely from his technique.

COMBATSYS: Kenzo successfully hits Djamila with Izuna Drop.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Kenzo            0/-------/=======|>>>>---\-------\0          Djamila

[DJAMILA]
She is a bit amused when Kenzo does tries his best to act like Junko. However, he falls down on the ground because her move succeeds. It definitely shows on her face how she feels about it. "You're awesome."

Kenzo growling is almost like tickling her. She tries to get out of the way while trying to not giggle. That proves to not work and he crashes into her, which in turn catches her under her arms. Then she's caught for a little trip in the air, only to fall back on her back. "Oof. Good one." She rolls back on her feet, not wanting to stay down longer than necessary.

She then grabs her staff again and sets it near Kenzo before she jumps back high on it. She extends her legs and then spins all the way down. if she has her way, she hits Kenzo in the process until she ends up on the ground in a split. She gently pulls herself back up into her feet.

She doesn't seem to be holding back.

COMBATSYS: Djamila successfully hits Kenzo with Chopper Spin.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Kenzo            1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>>\-------\0          Djamila

[KENZO]
The ninja, attempting to stand in for the posessed miko, attempts to cover up to protect himself from the whirling legs of devastation but his guard is absolutely batted aside. By the time Djamila has landed in a split, Kenzo has been knocked aside and to the ground.

Kenzo sits back up and rises to his feet once more before roaring and launching himself at the dancer performing a clawing motion with his hand. If it wasn't for the empty hands, it would look almost like the mechanics for the Flicker Edge.

The nin-gineer may not be going all out in terms of strategy, he's attempting to keep the intensity at high level. He's attempting to duplicate an upcoming opponent even if he might not be the best suited for it.

COMBATSYS: Djamila parries Kenzo's Flicker Edge!

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Kenzo            1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>>\-------\0          Djamila

[DJAMILA]
Djamila might find it funny, but damn, it makes her heart beat fast too. Kenzo is not trying to win or anything. Not as himself, but trying to be Junko. She can see it's not for his benefit at all. Only for hers. She is so grateful for it. She just doesn't express it right this moment, but damn it's there in her head. He's a sweety.

When Kenzo goes for her with a sort of clawing motion, by the time he reaches where he wasn't, she and her staff are not there anymore, but on his left side. Like she did a dash of her own to move. By that time, her staff is down. she's up on it and inverted on it.

It takes no time at all for her to slide herself down on it until her left-hand touches the floor. Then she releases her legs from the staff and kicks at Kenzo's with those legs, aiming at his head, before getting on her feet, if she can.

"You're awesome babe." She has to say because it's true.

COMBATSYS: Kenzo endures Djamila's Cross Knee Release EX.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Kenzo            1/---====/=======|>>>>>>>\>>-----\1          Djamila

[KENZO]
Kenzo can't defend against it, can't escape it and doesn't have enough room to jam an attack in her face. As it stands, he has no other option than to take the attack. If he has to eat the attack, he might as well take advantage of the vulnerability presented by it if he can just move quickly enough to take advantage of it.

With a growl of imitated rage, he slashes at Djamila over and over with his hand covered in electricity and leaving trails of energy in it's wake.

When the attack is done, he takes a step back and readies himself to be able to respond.

COMBATSYS: Djamila reflects Shredding Spark Frenzy ES from Kenzo with Superman EX.
-* WILD HIT! *-

[                                < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Kenzo            1/------=/=======|>>>>>>>\>>-----\1          Djamila

[DJAMILA]
She gets the hit in. She's in the zone right now, it seems to be. Of course, Kenzo is at a disadvantage trying to fight like Junko instead of himself. Now, she hopes she won't hurt him too much. That's not the goal either.

She is surprised this time by the growl. She is still not used to Kenzo doing such things. She lets out a scream, and the wind starts surrounding her like a sort of shield.

Then she just goes in for the attack, her own chi around her pushing the electricity back as she jumps in the air and hits him rather hard over the head. Then she jumps again. There's even a crack sound from her staff the second time... hopefully, it's the staff. Then she backs up a bit, still in a fighting style, and she screams again until she calms down. "Oh god, are you ok?" She doesn't want to injure her Kenzo. "Please be ok!"

[KENZO]
A whole lot of terrible things happen to Kenzo. First, there's the electricity being force fed back into him sending him into convulsions before he can even complete the attack. Then there's the hit from the staff that takes his consciousness away.

It's a kindness in that Kenzo isn't conscious for the second hit to the head that sends him down at such an awkward angle that when he hits the ground, there's a crack. That would be his spine. He's also spared consciousness from when the remnants of the wind chi summoned send him flying crotch first into the corner one of the benches. And his chances of being able to father children have just rapidly declined.

When his body hits the ground for the last time, there's blood leaking from two different locations on his head and a puddle of blood forming between his legs.

[DJAMILA]
"KENZO!!!" She runs to him. Her staff, which she never leaves behind or forgotten, is now completely out of her mind.. "KENZO!!! Oh god, I am so sorry! I didn't mean to." She panics. "HELP!! WE NEED HELP IN THE TRAINING ROOM"

Yes, she is loud. She was worried Junko would do something to him, and in the end, she's the one who injures him."

"I KNOW WE ARE LISTENED TO, SO FUCKING SEND SOMEONE" she takes his hand in hers, "Please be alright. I am so sorry. So so sorry." She holds his hand, wishing she could heal him, but that's not how it works for her. She sobs. There is no tear coming out, but she sobs.

Finally people come in, ready to take care of Kenzo. If allowed at all, she will come with him to be there for him. But can she ever forgive herself? When they leave wherever they will go for this, Djamila does grab her staff there. "Stupid bitch." She mutters to herself on the way. Yeah, she's not going to forgive herself anytime soon.

Log created on 11:10:37 11/28/2023 by Djamila, and last modified on 08:26:49 11/29/2023.