Description: The Neo League provides Vega's Doll Juli and Bernstein's secretary Mature the chance to test their skills against one another. Orochi power versus Psycho Power in China! (Winner: Mature)
There's places that seem to just radiate calmness and tranquility, a calm that transcends nature itself. Places where even the very air itself seems to still and hold its breath, letting it out in a slow exhale that sets branches shaking gently and leaves rustling. This is one of those places, a bamboo forest that stretches out as far as the eye can see, tall stalks of brown bamboo and green leaves filtering the very sunlight itself, coloring the shadows that fall about the grown in various shades and hues of tranquility.
As if to preserve the peaceful nature of this setting, a series of cameras have been carefully placed about the bamboo trees. No signs of spectators, carefully cordoned off out of sight of the actual fight itself, and more importantly, no annoying announcers. The only ones allowed to interrupt the peacefulness of the forest are the fighters themselves.
The tranquility and calm is indeed a change of pace for the blonde secretary: all of her fights have been a spectacle at best, and while she doesn't necessarily mind the attention, there's something somewhat degrading about being put on display for others' amusement. But orders are orders.
Mature does not arrive late. She does not arrive after her opponent; instead, Mature stands at one end of the clearing, arms folded across her chest. Unlike most fights thus far, there's something a bit more exciting about the prospect of this one. While, yes, it's a legitimate League fight, it's also against one of Vega's very own Dolls. Finally, a chance to see just what they're capable of.
Her arms break away, only to pull out a small compact and check her makeup and hair. While there may not be people physically present, eyes across the world are watching the fight, no thanks to the strategically placed cameras in the bamboo clearing.
The first sign of Juli's presence is the crunch of leaves under her feet, unavoidable noises made when Juli makes her entrance. Of the forest, Juli definately approves... She's been making it something of a point to select places more secluded than where her usual fights have been. Being stared at, so obviously being noticed unnerves the Assassin, she finds.
And then you see the girl as she emerges from a cluster of trees. She still hasn't broken out the traditional outfit of the Shadaloo Dolls. Were this fight merely between one of Rugal's secretaries, and one of Vega's Dolls, she'd most definately wear ths leotard. She's well aware of the eyes upon her, even if they're not directly present, and dresses to suit; a red slinky cheomsong that clings nicely to her body at the appropriate parts. Cut high on her legs and armless, the outfit gives her as much range of motion as she could ask for, the woman's slender, muscular arms unhampered by sleeves.
"You are Mature." Juli greets when she enters the area selected for the fight, a cleared out area amidst the trees. "It is a pleasure to meet you." Juli's voice, as always, is a low monotone. Very few people have had the privilege of hearing any sort of emotion in her voice, the audience watching this fight, and her opponent, are unlikely to be some of the lucky few.
The snap of dead leaves beneath a foot that is not her own is enough signal for the woman. Quick is her hand to click the compact in hand shut, blue eyes narrowing a touch as she looks from the mirror into the brief distance. The approaching Doll is noted, the faintest of grins tugging at the blonde secretary's lips. This is one of Vega's treasured Dolls? She looks awfully young...
"Indeed," the woman says, bowing in one graceful motion. While Juli seems to better blend in with the culture in that red cheongsam, Mature has opted for a fine black suit with a white blouse. "I am Mature, and you must be Juli." The small grin on her lips grows, but seems almost friendly. Her eyes belie the smile; she seems anything but compassionate. "I've heard about you.
"The pleasure is mine."
Shifting her weight, the woman seems to stand her ground. She does not move; instead she keeps blue eyes alert, focused entirely on the Doll that she's meant to fight this evening. "Come at me when you're ready!"
COMBATSYS: Mature has started a fight here.
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Mature 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Mature focuses on her next action.
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Mature 0/-------/-------|
Young Juli is, 16, possibly 17 years old, certainly no older. It's nothing that's ever stopped the girl before, nothing that she's ever considered as anything 'odd'. Vega has chosen her for the honor to be his Doll, to be his Hand in many operations. This is enough, her age, her physical status... her build, all these are secondary.
Mature doesn't seem to want to ask many questions, or engage in 'witty' banter before a fight. Juli definately approves of this. Introductions are made, and that's all that should be done, really. Anything more detracts from the purpose the two are here. Sketching a bow to Mature, confirming the start of the fight, Juli slowly advances on the older woman. She's in no hurry to open with an attack yet, there's too much distance between the two for one, and Juli can use the time spent closing the distance in more productive means... studying this almost casual woman.
COMBATSYS: Juli has joined the fight here.
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Mature 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Juli
COMBATSYS: Juli focuses on her next action.
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Mature 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Juli
Indeed; Mature seems more intent on closing her mouth as quickly as possible, if only to beckon the Doll into the fight that they both came her to participate in. There's little expression on the clearly older woman's, save for the smallest of smiles. Yes, she's very much looking forward to pitting her skill against one of Vega's personal assassins.
The woman beckons the girl to start off their little soiree, but it would seem she chooses to do anything but blindly rush the secretary. Instead she takes her time, moving with calculated steps toward the woman. A brow lifts briefly, her lips pursing slightly. "I see," she says, quietly. She's playing it safe as well?
With a burst of dead leaves the woman takes off from her standing position, the soft hiss of stirred underbrush the only sound the woman makes. She closes in, sealing the distance between the pair before planting a foot sharply into the soft soil, letting her arm come around and swiftly tear through the air, chi lacing her long nails as they seek to bite into Juli's midriff.
"I insist you do not go easy!"
COMBATSYS: Juli interrupts Metal Massacre from Mature with Sniping Arrow.
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Mature 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Juli
She's fast! Juli realizes suddenly as Mature takes off, perhaps even too fast for even Juli to handle properly. She never expected Mature to be an easy match, but this? Mature has certainly got Juli impressed, her breath sucked in quickly the moment she watches Mature spring into action.
And then there's that arm slashing down, fingertips seen as knives for a moment, murderous intent clear in her motions let alone any emotions her psychopower may be picking up in the fraction of a second Juli has to react with. And react she does. She's airborn almost immediately, a foot swinging out to meet Mature's head. So fast is her response to the slash that Juli doesn't even have the time to do the form of her attack right. The psychopower powering the kick is well placed though, her entire leg flashing a dull blood red, the color of Juli's eyes, at the moment of impact... and it's that swift burst of energy that makes even collecting a nasty slash along her leg and side worth it.
Landing to her feet again, Juli shakes her head slowly.. "You are one of the fastest fighters I've faced. Perhaps the fastest." Even in the compliment, Juli's voice refuses to waver from a monotone.
The blonde closes in, her features surprisingly clam and subdued for such a murderous intent with those dangerous nails. Her foot finds purchase against the ground, her speed coming to a sudden halt just before the girl. Intent on cutting into her, the woman's arm swings--
--only, the girl surprises her with a counterattack. Juli moves in a manner completely unexpected by Mature, her leg moving and laced with the familiar power that Vega himself wields: that dreaded Psycho Power. Although the woman's nails leave a delightful slash in Juli's leg, the woman is struck as well, sent flying back a good distance. Midair, however, the blonde twists, landing on her feet. She staggers slightly after impact.
"Hm, I thank you for the compliment," she offers with the faintest of smiles still haunting her red lips. "It would seem that the reputation of the Dolls precedes them. Impressive." The fact she landed her assault is somewhat daunting, but the Bernstein secretary is not thwarted. Not yet, anyway.
Again the woman moves, making her way toward the younger woman before gracefully springing into the air, letting her foot extend out, to plant the sole of her heel right into the center of her chest.
COMBATSYS: Mature successfully hits Juli with Light Kick.
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Mature 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Juli
And then Juli entirely underestimates Mature's speed. Shifting her balance again for a quick evasion when she sees the nature of Mature's attack, Juli attempts to sidestep away from it, her foot grinding a few leaves as she presses down on it, giving her sideways shift more leverage.
Not enough leverage though, that much is clear as Mature's foot ends up finding its target despite Juli's best efforts. Yes, the secretary's fast... perhaps even faster than Juli. It is something the girl does not find comforting in the least.
Pushed backwards and to the side as Mature's slightly off target kick sends the Doll spinning. Juli manages to regain her balance with the aid of a hand placed briefly against the ground, a three point stance that would disqualify her from nearly any olympic competition. This isn't the olympics though, and Juli has a reason for that hand to be there, used to push herself forward and barrel into Mature. Hopefully, she'll knock the girl down with it so Juli can fight her on more equal terms.
COMBATSYS: Mature blocks Juli's Fast Throw.
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Mature 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Juli
Ever so graceful is Mature, her rise and descent into the girl's chest--despite her best efforts to move OUT of harm's way--with her foot prove successful. She uses the impact as a springboard of sorts, rebounding off her body and rotating midair, landing on both feet with the soft crunch and hiss of disturbed dead leaves. Her eyes are swift to rise, coming up to meet what sight may lay before her. Clearly it's the girl crouched in that three-point stance.
She smiles lightly, eyes narrowing briefly as she tears off with equally-impressive speed, intent on knocking Mature flat on her back.
Moving her arms, the woman lifts them up as her foot slides back. Rather than move OUT of the way like most normal folk would, Mature instead catches her by the shoulders, her body sturdy and braced against the forest floor. "My, my," the blonde chides lightly.
With such close proximity the woman uses it to her advantage. Curling long fingers, Mature seeks to take a handful of that silk cheongsam and drive a knee into the girl's midsection.
COMBATSYS: Mature successfully hits Juli with Heavy Kick.
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Mature 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Juli
Ah, that feeling again .. Juli getting slammed with Mature's foot. Something tells Juli this feeling will be s reaccuring sensation during this fight. The impact of this one leaves Juli crumpled on the ground for a moment, her breath as harsh and ragged as the noises the leaves made as she crushed them under her knees.
It's only a brief moment spent so vulnerable though, spent with her arms up to defend herself as she catches her breath again. Thus recovered, Juli returns to the fight again... She starts by getting to her feet again, of course, then taking a few steps backwards, her attention focused on little more than her opponent -- even the soothing calm of the forest has little affect on Juli's concentration and intent... hitting Mature as fast and as hard as possible, Juli's losing this and unless she's to disgrace Vega by losing to someone who .knows. the connection ... No, it's unthinkable.
Going airborne again, Juli has time to do the attack right, tucking her trailing leg against her hip, her striking foot extended as far as it can reach, and that psychopower around it again.
COMBATSYS: Mature dodges Juli's Sniping Arrow.
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Mature 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Juli
Gripped, Mature seems merciless in delivering a fierce drive of her crooked knee into the poor girl's gut, the impact enough to send her flying back as long nails release the silk of her dress. The impact of her body against the leaves is signal enough she did some damage. Still, the blonde smiles that tiny little smile on otherwise unexpressive features.
She does not take advantage of the girl's otherwise prone position, letting her do good and well to catch her breath if need be and recover to fight her fullest. She rises, much to Mature's delight. The smile grows a touch further, baby blue eyes alight with a morbid sense of delight. Yes, let the girl attack her.
She's seen this attack before, firsthand. She knows how painful that dreadful Psycho Power is, and this time the blonde is sure to prepare herself for potential impact. Thus the blonde slides a foot back and around, slowly but surely--before she suddenly and quite gracefully ducks back and sidesteps. Juli whizzes past. Moments later, Mature turns around to face her.
Rather than pursue the assassin like before, Mature instead lifts her arms up and brings them down as she bows deeply, an arc of chi wind energy sent spiraling after the poor Doll. "Show me the strength of the Psycho Power you possess!"
COMBATSYS: Juli dodges Mature's Ebony Tears.
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Mature 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Juli
Projectiles now? Mature seems to have Juli outclassed in every way. Faster attacks, an ability to .dodge. and now ... the secretary's throwing things at her. Juli never did like that sort of thing, she always considered it a low form of attack... punishment should be handed out with your body, not things tossed about.
Perhaps she'd feel better about it if she had a decent counter to them, instead of the simple 'don't get hit' tactics that have served her so unwell during this fight.
She's not going to be hit .this. time, she swears it. Grabbing a thick bamboo stalk, Juli uses it to swing her body around, her arms strong enough to pull herself almost horizontal to the ground and provide an even smaller target for the chi wind to target. The acrobatic manuever serves Juli well, and the chi flies harmlessly past her. More to the point, it gives Juli a quick burst of speed to use.
It's speed Juli doesn't want to waste. Dashing forward, she clears the distance between her and the secretary again, then lashes out with her elbow, joining her hands together to form a solid spear of bone and muscle.
COMBATSYS: Mature blocks Juli's Quick Punch.
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Mature 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Juli
This is not really what Mature expected. Clearly the girl is resourceful; using their environs the girl swings herself after gripping the stalk of bamboo, moving just out of harm's way. The slice of chi-wind cuts a path through the woods beyond before it fizzles out behind Juli.
Speaking of the Doll, she's used that branch quite effectively--the momentum gained hurls her forward at the blonde secretary, using her arms at the last minute to connect her with the elder woman. Rather than move, the blonde lifts her own arms up, her forearms accepting the brunt of the harsh blow. A light 'oof' slips past the woman's lips.
"You're quick," the woman says with her typical faint and seemingly friendly smile. Blue eyes, however, are narrowed slightly and quite on fire. Yes, she's rather enjoying this little bout. It's not about the League--it's about comparing her skill to Vega's Doll.
Their proximity close, Mature's body twists, a hand opening wide as she drives it for the girl's face, long nails curled, intent on biting flesh with those vicious but sturdy talons she wields so lethally.
COMBATSYS: Mature successfully hits Juli with Strong Punch.
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Mature 0/-------/--=====|=======\====---\1 Juli
A slash, a yelp, and Juli's left bleeding. Furthermore, the cheomsang's irreplacably ruined, a rather nice slash taken out of it at chest level, neatly parting the outer layers to reveal cut flesh, and the hint of the sports bra Juli's wearing underneath. Stepping backwards in pain, Juli hisses at the girl.. This has gone on far too long.
Crouching down, Juli settles her knees on the ground with another crackle of leaves ... leaves that her body takes up in a cloud of leaf and debris that orbits her body in a dustcloud as she throws herself in an impossibly low path, her body spiralling as she flies towards Mature feet first.
COMBATSYS: Mature endures Juli's Spin Drive Smasher.
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Mature 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Juli
And it doesn't end there. To be certain there's a lot of power in those kicks, but none of it carries the alarming feel of Juli's psychopower. If any of it's used, it's to push her body in ways that are entirely unnatural.
For instance, once the forward momentum's burnt itself out by those repeated spiral kicks against Mature's legs, the girl stops for a second, then pushes herself .upwards. More kicks follow as Juli's body flips backwards, then flies upside down to offer more kicks to Mature's chest and face. Once the attack's finally finished, Juli neatly flips backwards to her feet, hands behind her for support... chest heaving in her slashed cheomsang as she struggles to catch her breath. The attack was exhillerating, but it took so much out of her.
The sound of flesh parting is a familiar one. A small spray of blood rises on impact, the elder woman's well-manicured nails digging into the poor Doll's chest, leaving a small mess in its wake. For a brief moment the elder blonde's eyes go wide, a nigh-sadistic fire burning behind her baby blue eyes. Seconds later it's gone.
As Juli steps back, so too does Mature. She says nothing, nor does she chide or encourage the Shadaloo assassin. Instead she just watches and waits. For some odd reason the girl is getting on the ground--
--that's why.
Somehow Juli manages to tear off from the ground, spinning at the blonde feet-first. Rather than dodge, however, Mature stands her ground, anticipating that moment of impact. It comes, quite painfully so; kick after powerful kick is delivered, sending the Orochi assassin up into the air before landing quite painfully, back first. A pile of leaves blows up upon impact, a small crater left in the damp soil beneath her.
"Impressive," the woman says, slowly but surely rising to her feet. She pauses a moment, letting a hand reach down and dust debris off her legs. "My, I'm getting so dirty!" she observes in an almost jovial fashion. Her expression remains neutral at best.
There's nothing more than that. Instead there's a hiss and a disturbance of dead leaves and the woman is suddenly GONE. But she is hardly out of sight--because seconds later the blonde is right there in Juli's face, intent on reintroducing Juli to those talons she calls her nails. The first slash is a familiar one, a horizontal strike aimed for her midriff, laced with chi...
COMBATSYS: Juli blocks Mature's Nocturnal Lights.
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Mature 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Juli
And suddenly Juli remembers to block. The pain from Mature's last slash is still stinging, a fire that seems to radiate through her entire body from the mangled mess of her chest... Vega does not care to see his Dolls so badly damaged, so the healing ability of her psychopower will probably come in use later. Much later.
Catching the talons with her arms, Juli hisses as another collection of would be heavily scarring gashes are added to her body... The pain is intense, and she can only imagine how bad it would feel should Mature have hit something more important.
She didn't though, and Juli's still on her feet. Rubbing an arm just above the slash marks, Juli hisses under her breath, then lashes out with a psychopowered fist toward Mature's chest.
COMBATSYS: Mature dodges Juli's Axle Spin Knuckle.
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Mature 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Juli
Alas; the blonde seems somewhat disappointed when long talons cut only arms, and not the soft, squishy midsection and other body parts she'd hope to rend asunder with her hands. Still, the lack of a successful connection sends the woman's feet stirring as she quickly moves back, putting brief distance between them. The girl has taken a beating and then some, but her spirit is truly admirable. Mature is impressed.
That fist and the power surrounding it is noted. Blinking once, the blonde narrows her eyes and shifts her weight, letting her body bend back and out of harm's way. She does hate that power the girl wields. It hurts.
A lot.
Still, the blonde says nothing. An intense fight, to say the least, the secretary shifts her weight again. Stirring, she moves with considerable speed once more--perhaps more than Juli's seen of the blonde thus far- -dipping low to the ground as she skids to a halt before the girl. Only then does the secretary come UP, swiping her hand viciously through the air, to leave a chi-laced gash across her body from hip to opposite shoulder, followed by two more successive slices, the last intent on knocking her back.
COMBATSYS: Mature successfully hits Juli with Death Row.
- Power hit! -
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Mature 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Juli
Ah yes, .those. slices have the result Mature wants. It seems almost at once her body blossoms with red, Mature's carefully manicured hands leaving Juli's body with a splash of the Doll's blood. Crying out from the sheer pain of it... and it .is. pain. While the other fighters have bashed her around, most of the impact has been from fists and that electrical charge of Chi ripping through her body. This though, or Vega, .this. pain is something else. It's death from a half dozen nasty, brutal cuts and she's bleeding out all over the place.
Staggering backwards, Juli bites her lower lip strongly.., must not cry out again, must not give the Secretary of seeing Juli responding to the pain that rips through her body as effortlessly and cruelly as Mature's claws have. Eyes squinted to tight slits, head lowered, Juli charges... She has precious little to give anymore, some of those slashes must have left nerve damage in its wake, but there's still that kick, the last clumsy attempt at an attack she can make before she collapses.
COMBATSYS: Juli can no longer fight.
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Mature 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Mature dodges Juli's Sniping Arrow.
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Mature 0/-------/-----==|
One after another after another; three successive strikes hit the poor Doll, whose is clearly beginning to suffer from the harsh, unforgiving wounds the secretary has inflicted upon her. The woman moves swiftly, each strike swift before she knocks the girl back with the last, the blonde secretary, on the other hand, standing her ground. Once poor Juli finally finds her footing the woman looks up, blue eyes on fire with sheer delight.
This has been a most invigorating battle.
There's still fight left in the battered Doll, evident by the kick she seeks to execute once more, that familiar Psycho Power surging with that attack. Shifting her feet once again, the woman mindfully AVOIDS that attack. She does NOT want to suffer the pain such power inflicts. There's a cautious expression underneath the eerily calm look that secretary bears on her smooth face.
Moments thereafter the girl whizzes past does she fall. Only then does the woman walk over and kneel, arms folding across her knees. "It was a most enjoyable fight, darling," she says, whether the Doll is awake or not. "Train harder and come see me again when you're ready." The faintest of laughs slips past the secretary's lips as she reaches out, patting the Doll's head lightly before she rises and makes her way out of the thicket. The medical team chopper can be heard in the distance, preparing to come in and assist the poor, well-tenderized Shadaloo Doll upon Mature's departure.
COMBATSYS: Mature has ended the fight here.
Log created by Mature, and last modified on 15:01:20 12/27/2005.