Description: Iori Yagami takes Niesje, Mimiru, and Alma out to dinner in Kyoto's fashionable Gion district. (Winner: Iori)
Whenever Kyoto locals think of the Gion historical district, the word 'geisha' immediately comes to mind. The white-faced geisha can often be seen scurrying about to their respective appointments, some with long-sleeved maiko apprentices following along in their wakes.
The time now: early evening. Here at the popular tourist attraction, camera crews are (for once) aimed not upon the lovely ladies in meticulously-kept kimono... but instead upon a bitter, almost scowling, young man with dark red hair. Iori Yagami seems remotely interested in the preparations taking place for the battle scheduled to take place here... but it, like many things, is just a minor annoyance to him. Every so often, he glances down to the humble bars and restaurants of the district, finding small comfort in the panic of the geisha ladies rushing to meet their appointments, but otherwise having little to say.
There's no one he feels like sharing his moments with, after all.
Considering his documented misogyny, in concert with Geese's own off-camera disdain for females in general... the local maidens shuffling around might turn out to be a rather ironic parallel to his opponents.
The faint sound of eerie, vaguely-samurai epic-inspired music playing comes up from nowhere in the wind. A lone figure walks down the streets of Gion towards one of the cameras, until she's in clear sight - a halberd rests across her shoulders. After a moment, she slowly moves her hand up to take the stereo off her hand, flicks it off, and sets in on the ground.
This done, Niesje raises her head up to look over to Iori. A faint smile plays across her lips, but she remains other still and silent, as if simply waiting for something.
It's a change from all of her other Saturday Night Fights but tonight, Mimiru's not really all that into the cheerful energitic burst of energy as she usually has been. No Super Mimiru entrance or anything of the like. In fact, she would have prefered if she hadn't been here at all. She does seem a little pre-occupied and not really all there mentally for the time being.
Clad in her usual garments, nothing flashy, just a pair of black pants and a white shirt, Mimiru at least manages a smile on her lips as she approaches the fighting place. For some reason, she appears a little nervous! Maybe this whole fight's making her that way? Still... At least she's accompagnied by her best friend who's always there to give her support and all!
It's a breath of the classical in a modern world.
You'd think Alma could be at home in a place like this. Very much a modern teenager in the way he dresses and in his superficial daily activities, the young fighting model still seems to have the soul of one from an earlier time in many respects. His elegant composure, the inner sentimentality it obscures, his fervent passion for what he believes is right, his unshakable sense of duty; all these harken back to a forgotten age. Indeed, at his greatest heights, Alma can seem something of an unearthly presence, and it can appear strange that he's able to take an approach to life that seems so out of sync with modern culture and still seem, in his own way, to fit in.
But ironically, it's /here/ that he's starting to feel most out of place.
~ All these girls, they... ~
You'll never see Alma in the theater, at a concert, or probably even watching a sports game. The notion of being a spectator, of observing a situation without engaging in it, somehow unnerves him. Even when he knows it's what's expected of him, he feels like he's giving offense somehow. Now, of course, surely spectators contribute in their own way -- and isn't there some scientific principle about not being able to observe without affecting? -- but, whether his feelings are rational or not, that sort of thing makes Alma a little uncomfortable. Now, normally, he's a mellow enough guy that if he's asked to deal with such things, he'll roll with it. But... he can't stop thinking about these women performing, singing and dancing... it just... it just makes him feel /weird/, man...
Quietly struggling with his own unfortunate combination of bashfulness and prudishness, two aspects of himself rarely revealed, Alma Towazu passes through Gion with eyes respectfully downcast, as though this will somehow make everything that's making the frankly still naive young man uncomfortable just go away. Trying to focus his mind on the architecture, on the nice autumn day, on things that the psychic prettyboy is used to thinking about, he practically stumbles across the designated fight area without realizing it. But seeing a familiar face seems to alleviate his mental burden somewhat, and looking up as he breaks from his personal reverie, he grins.
"Imouto-san," he says to Mimiru, inclining his head. "It's been a while." Casting his gaze back over his shoulder to Niesje as she approaches, it takes him a moment-- but he remembers her. "Miss Sato," he greets her, sounding friendly enough. "I haven't seen you since the Medal Tournament. I trust you've been well..." Still smiling with mild-mannered amiability, secretly relieved to not have to think about parts of the world he doesn't fully comprehend, Alma Towazu turns his gaze to where his future opponent stands and--
--stares.
~ What the... that aura... ~
"Who," he asks with a strange quiet, gaze not moving from Iori's face, "are we fighting, again?"
Himeko of course arrived with Mimiru, but not just because she's on the job, but she's always been a supporter of the girl.. The difference between the Mimiru of the past and in the present doesn't concern her too much, in fact she thinks this match may be a good opportunity to see if it makes things work out for the better or for the worse in this environment.
Distant enough to be clear from the fray, but close enough to take pictures with an expensive camera, Himeko is clad in her usual school uniform with a big orange band about her right arm that reads 'Taiyo Press', camera raised to her lips instead of her eyes. She hopes she'll be able to write a great article of the three person-team winning this match!
The halberd, naturally, catches Iori's eye first. Weapons are not outright forbidden in these little tournaments -- if anything else, the Yasakani descendent has found those with weapons to be vastly inferior to those without, save for one notable exception: Billy Kane.
Sato Niesje is no Billy Kane, in Iori's eyes. Not her fault -- it's genetic. But if she receives a sneer from Yagami, in response to her smile, she may be comforted to know he looks down on most women -- until they kick his butt that is.
Mimiru receives a similar look from the red-haired one, who's hardly impressed by her bravely-displayed smile. She's scared -- it doesn't take a psychic to figure it out from the last time Super Mimiru went up against him.
Alma, though... receives a quite different reaction. Alma may be nervous, but his reaction to Yagami is... notable, to say the least. Alma receives not a sneer, not a smirk... but a half-frown -- and a somewhat apprehensive one at that.
He casts his eyes over to the SNF officials lying in wait. Now that the combatants have assembled, he strides towards the center of the stone-paved street, crimson gaze passing once more to each of his three opponents. "You would be wise to study your opponents before fighting them, Mr. Towazu." His hand extends to Alma as he more or less =ignores= the two ladies. Nice guy, eh? But in the midst of his hand erupts a blossom of violet flame, burning with a flame not quite like chi... definitely not like Psycho Power. A faint twinge crosses his lips from the effort, but it's soon effaced by his beckoning gesture.
"Now quit gawking so we can finish this."
The referee seems to be in agreement here.
COMBATSYS: Iori has started a fight here.
Niesje moves her hand to adjust her sunglasses at Alma's greeting, and her smile becomes seemingly genuine. "Oh, hello there. I did not know Mimiru was your sister. Still, I wonder if your strength has grown since I last saw you - my fighting since that time has not been quite as extensive as might have been useful." She pauses, and turns her head to Mimiru. "...The same to you, for brevity. Only replace 'Mimiru' with 'Alma', and 'sister' with 'brother'."
This done, she turns back to Iorias she rests her halberd against her shoulder. She places her hands in opposing sleeves, inclining her head slightly as her own smile becomes a little more smirky. "Shall we begin, then... Iori, was it?" Without waiting for an answer, she whips a chain from her sleeves, and hurls it towards Iori's neck in a blur. This done, she picks her halberd back up, and steps back into a defensive position.
COMBATSYS: Niesje has joined the fight here.
Considering the color of the Taiyo school uniform, it's not overtly hard to spot Himeko out there in the little crowd. Mimiru does acknowledge to her presence by lifting one arm up and waving to her friend for a few seconds. Though she has to focus on other things right now, her presence was enough to make her smile.
Her eyes wander over to Alma, since his voice came to her ears and she narrows her eyes a little, "Yeah, been a while," She says. Mimiru tilts her head to one side and she answers, "So how's been Jiro? Hope you've been taking good care of him," Mimiru says idly. The girl waves her hand up in the air, almost a little dissimingly, "Just try not to be day-dreaming too much during the fight," As for Niesje... Mimiru just shakes her head but she doesn't bother explaining, it'd be too long for no reasons.
And with that, Mimiru's attention turns toward Iori. The last time she had the chance, or rather, the misfortune to actually face him it was rather unpleasant. Very unpleasant for her at least. "Right, I agree on that much at least."
And with that, Mimiru leans down slightly and then takes a sprint toward Iori, dashing toward him. Since Niesje's already trying to get to his neck, Mimiru leaps and making a sliding kick right off for Iori's shin, hoping that she'll be able to destabilize him enough to give Niejse's some leverage.
COMBATSYS: Mimiru has joined the fight here.
Alma doesn't bother to explain either. He also doesn't respond to Mimiru's question about Jiro. Admittedly, that would also take a while, because he has no idea where that guy went -- and it's something he plans on asking her about afterward, if he can -- but that's not why he hasn't said anything.
He won't stop staring at Iori.
He has a reason to forget his insignificant personal troubles, now. He has something to orient him completely. This aura, this overwhelming aura, this toxic roiling darkness. Alma doesn't look afraid. He looks perfectly calm; just very intent, very focused. And, to be perfectly honest, he's /not/ afraid.
He's awed.
~ What on earth... what /is/ this... ~
Fists clenching slowly, his own aura responding despite himself, the young fighting model stares at the red-haired man, his forceful gaze possibly enough to intimidate a lesser opponent -- yet it might be at least enough to distract, if for no other reason than his reaction has no obvious reaction.
~ I never thought... there were people like you... ~
"Who /are/ you..." he murmurs.
COMBATSYS: Alma has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Iori 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> //////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Niesje
COMBATSYS: Alma takes no action.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Iori 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> //////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Niesje
COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Mimiru's Heavy Kick.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Iori 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> //////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Niesje
COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Niesje's Thrown Chain.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Iori 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> //////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Niesje
Iori rarely feels the need to talk much. When he does, he often finds himself pontificating at length upon topics most would rather not have considered. Even though he's intelligent enough to not sound like a total moron... it's still rather embarassing.
Thus, the net reply is no more than a simple, "Mm." And that's directed towards both females, as they're both trying to hit him at the same time. A worthy goal, to be sure, but Yagami's had quite a bit of experience in these 'handicap' matches.
A simple hop upwards is all it takes for him to clear Mimiru's low sliding kick. While in mid-air, Niesje's chain is swatted aside with a brush of his arm, the chain tangling about his wrist for the briefest of instants before he pulls free.
His boots land right beside the prone Mimiru, but his response to her is as little as before -- "Hmph," -- as by this point he's already engaged in the act of lashing out with a wild lateral slash at the halberd-wielder's torso. "Hraaaagh!"
Alma doesn't get another reply just yet, as Iori feels he answered that with his last statement.
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Niesje with Quick Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Iori 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> ////////////////////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Niesje
Niesje seems to move at the speed of molasses compared to Iori, and his fist seems to just brush against her to an outside viewer- And suddenly, she's flying through the air, through the wooden railing, and into one of the wooden walls of the nearby houses. Luckily no geisha are injured in the process, but Niesje seems to have a bit of trouble for a moment, slowly getting up...
And then she grimaces through the blood that is now trickling from her mouth. "It would seem that I am no match for you, but...." She lashes out at the broken wooden railing in front of her, and hurls it towards Iori, then follows up with the two chains themselves - metal and wood taking up a large space as it flies through the air towards him.
That didn't quite go as expected. Thankfully, Mimiru's not getting stomped or trampled by Iori. However, when Mimiru recovers from her prone state, the first thing she does is not to give Niesje's a hand -- Alma's still day dreaming and, well, if no one does something about it, he'll probably just stand there dumbfounded.
With a grunt, Mimiru rushes over Alma and she leaps up, to actually give him a few harmless little smacks to his face, like wake-up swats, "Come on, wake up! Snap out of it!" Mimiru groans and she sticks her tongue out. "Make yourself useful at least!"
And so, Mimiru tries to get a hold of Alma's clothing and, even if Alma hasn't totally recovered, she tries to force him to rush closer to Iori and just hurl him right at him. With a bit of luck, maybe Alma'll do something of it, if not, well he can always just tackle him without knowing it and they'll make a big sandwhich out there together.
COMBATSYS: Mimiru assists Alma.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Iori 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> ///////////////////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Niesje
Alma didn't expect a response to his final murmured comment, and doesn't really need one. Like Iori, he often takes an odd slant in conversations -- although perhaps the young model tends to be more charming in his approach -- and with that, the psychic doesn't always express himself with a normal terminology. The first time he asked, yes, he just wanted the man's name. But the second time--
~ It's people who turn out like you... ~
--he wanted an explanation.
~ ...that remind me what power is for. ~
It's a bit late now, as Iori is already in motion, but still, moving as though in a trance, Alma raises his hand as well. His inscrutible gaze reflects the flames of mingled cherry blossom pink, indigo and white that begin to flicker vibrantly around that hand; lips parted as though deep in thought, the model watches his opponent's movements. He feels his clenched left hand almost begin to tremble with his righteous rising spirit, but not out of emnity or some kind of violent disgust with what he sees in his opponent's aura. The existence of this, too, seems somehow part of the fullness of life. He doesn't understand it, he doesn't know how it came about or even what it really means, but... he will. In confronting it, in reaching out to it, he will. For every fiber of his being, everything he's practiced to become resonates with--
Hmm?
Alma actually remains completely still for a few moments as Mimiru lays the smackdown on him, flames still flickering around his hand, apparently still entranced. It's only as in desperation she grabs hold of his clothing that, with eerie suddenness, the tall boy tilts his chin down to look at her, eyes gleaming-- and smiles.
"Take care, Mimiru."
He lunges as she pushes. Like a comet the halo of his gathered aura explodes around him, body trailing faint plumes of white and bluish purple; like a shooting star he descends upon his enemy in a single bound, attacking from behind with searing power focused around his right hand, lashing out with a rupturing mental blast. Striking directly at that aura that surges in front of him, that twisting nest of hateful serpents...
"Yagami! Prepare yourself!"
COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Niesje's Grand Chain.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> ///////////////////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Niesje
COMBATSYS: Iori interrupts Self Expression from Alma with Yumebiki.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> ///////////////////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Niesje
Yagami =does= move a lot faster than one would expect of someone quite so tall. He's been training. A lot.
If he were in a better mood, and perhaps a lot more familiar with Niesje, he might even comment on her ingenuity in shattering a wooden railing for weaponry purposes. With two other combatants to keep focus on, however, such niceties are not only rare, but a liability. As she seems to be 'done' with the attack as soon as she throws it, Yagami deals with her attack as efficiently as he can -- turning to face Alma while calmly raising his forearm to deflect the brunt of the attack. Metal and wood jar his arm, yet again -- he clearly can't keep this up forever -- but from the way he pivots gracefully to the side, it doesn't seem to be bothering him terribly just yet.
What =does= concern him is the antics of Mimiru and Alma -- which present him with a rather abrupt introduction to the team member he'd had the most trepidation facing. Crimson eyes narrow on the young model as he flies towards him, even in the midst of his recovery from Niesje's attack. As his halberd-toting opponent's chain clanks noisily about, Yagami's already in motion to intercept Alma. The attacking hand just barely reaches its mark, soulfire burning into Iori's nerve endings, an instant before the overhand palm strike Iori had begun mere moments before crashes into the model from above. Roaring with pain -- though it's unclear whether it's from Alma's strike or his own -- Iori continues rushing forward, reversing direction on his strike and catching Alma just under the chin with a vicious backhand. "GURA-GURAAAAOH!"
Scowling as Alma's knocked back, Iori finds himself taking a step back, panting heavily for breath. Narrowing his eyes at Alma once again, one hand cradles around his chest. The beast =can= be hurt.
An... energy user, with that much physical power?
Niesje raises an eyebrow, and leans against her halberd, carefully sizing Iori's movement style up as she gathers her strength.
This is, apparently, an enemy that she can not afford to take lightly - but still, there must be a weakness somewhere... She smirks a bit, and readies her halberd again, waiting as she watches for the smallest opening in his moves....
COMBATSYS: Niesje gathers her will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> /////////////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Niesje
Alma sees his attack make contact against Iori's body, and he senses his soulfire crackle as it impacts against the tormented mass that is his opponent's aura -- like a torch thrust under the stump of a Hydra's head. But more critical than what he sees or senses is what he feels, and that, of course, is pain. Vision blurring as the strike catches the airborne model under the chin, gasping for breath as he feels the very spiritual energy he is attempting to overcome and disperse burn him in return, Alma goes flying back, another victim to Iori's overwhelming power.
Yet he does not collapse, and he does not retreat. With grace inspired by unrelenting resolve, the tall youth lands in a poised crouch, gritting his teeth and slapping his palm on the ground to prevent himself from skidding back. Senses heightened by his rising spirit, without taking his burning eyes off his opponent, he calls out--
"Mimiru!"
Alma's a little in the way, see -- Mimiru's not in a good position to strike, but right after Iori's countered Alma's charge, Mimiru takes a go for it. She charges toward him, even though Alma's in the way for the time being, and it's probably the movement behind him that made Alma realize Mimiru's heading his way.
Just as he gets into a crouch and shouts Mimiru's name, the girl jumped up over Alma and she ends up falling right on his back. Now that one, Iori might have hardly saw it coming! And just as Mimiru's knees bend and prepare to make another jump to attack Iori, Alma's back rise up to give Mimiru just an extra boost to hurl her toward him.
Right in midair, Mimiru performs a front flip and chi flares out of her legs, "Kyaaaa!!" She shouts as she performs a diving drop-kick meant straight for Iori's shoulders.
Feeling the girl's familiar aura approach, Alma is able to time his rise just as the girl prepares to leap, giving her that much more momentum for her attack. Mimiru's a lightweight as it is, so the fighting model wouldn't have had too much trouble helping her own even in normal circumstances, but in this case he is especially capable of boosting her up unflichingly -- for the flames that explode into existence around his feet are fuelling him.
"Urryaaaaahh!"
Plunging forward, Alma goes for the airborne kick as well, but his is aimed lower than Mimiru's; his lunge lifts him little into the air, all of his force devoted to streaking him forward as quickly and powerfully as possible. Trailing flame now mainly pink and white, Alma twists in midair, and with his challenging roar strikes out with a fierce flame-wreathed kick to his opponent's abdomen. ...at least, that's where it /looks/ like he's attacking.
All Alma can see now is the aura, overwhelming his every sense.
COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Mimiru's Super Mimiru Kick EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> /////////////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Niesje
COMBATSYS: Alma successfully hits Iori with Shooting Star EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Alma
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> /////////////////////// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Niesje
The geisha had been rushing =before= the battle. With all the noise kicking up from this battle, they're practically nowhere to be seen now, having selected alternate routes to carry them past the carnage.
Iori's attention is fully upon Alma, at this point. He may not be able to see Niesje, but he doesn't =hear= her, and that makes him somewhat confident that she's not trying anything just yet. Growling under his breath as the animalistic nature of his blood takes charge, he's not quite capable of holding a conversation to say the least.
And with his full attention on Alma, he's quite aware of what their motions -- which is to say nothing of his ability to do anything about them. He treats Mimiru's attack as the feint it is, swerving sharply out of the superhero-wannabe's dropkick, he smirks faintly. "Worthless!"
But while Mimiru may not have hit, she did block Alma for all of a split-second -- enough time for him to close the gap and land a searing kick into his abdomen.
Reeling backwards with a feral howl, Iori lands in a low crouch, fingertips grasping for the stone-paved street as he glares back at Alma. Again... that hurt. It may not even be =obvious= in anything but Iori's screaming, really -- but with Iori's control on his consciousness even =before= Alma started blasting it to shreds... well.
He reacts in as violent a fashion as possible, snapping his hand back to the nearest object available -- one of the SNF cameras! -- and whipping it rapidly towards the Psycho-powered model. "HRAAAAAAAOGH!" They've got three more, they won't miss one!
...And, well... That's quite a big opening. Niesje is lunging towards Iori's back with her halberd extended, apparently about to just plain stab him if she can get away with it - when she remembers she's not supposed to be acting in a cowardly manner for this fight. So she pauses for a second.
"Prepare yourself to be stabbed in the back, Iori Yagami!" As she begins to yell, she also begins a series of quick jabs at Iori's back with the spear end of her halberd, covering a good deal of area as she tries to disable various pressure points through stabbing.
While everyone's saying Iori to prepare himself for something, Mimiru decides not to do the sheep and follow everyone along. Nope she stays silent and focuses on the battle instead. Even though her drop kick miserably failed, it was enough of a divertion to allow Alma to connect his attack on Iori.
Mimiru quickly rises back to her feet and she lunges at Iori. Little girl latching at him, eeek. Well looks like it! With a bit of luck, she'll be able to hold on to the big guy long enough to let Niesje stab him a few times in the back, and right after that, she'll attempt to trip him by holding on to his clothes and striding by his side and sweeping him off his legs.
COMBATSYS: Alma blocks Iori's Large Thrown Object.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Alma
> ///////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> /////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
"Hyaaaaahhh!"
In a way, even Alma's battle cries oppose Iori. Where the red-haired man roars with bestial rage, the fighting model's kiais are sudden and controlled, highly focused expressions of his passion. Yet the younger fighter's battle fury seems no less for that fact, for he is able to mount a spectacular defense against his opponent's wild strike despite his lesser strength.
'Spectacular' indeed, for it is more of a spectacle than one might expect. Alma grounds himself as quickly as he can after kicking off his opponent, and he crosses his arms across his face in preparation for the assault to follow -- yet the camera never seems to touch him. Eyes blazing with the will to fight, that inner fire is echoed in a shield of raw aura that flashes into existence around his arms, exploding apart the camera and tripod and sending the various parts tickling across the ground. Alma still staggers back several paces, teeth gritting, so the force he's absorbed seems no less for the fact that the strike did not appear to make physical contact -- more than anything else, the manner of his defense shows just how intensely his mysterious power has risen to the occasion in this battle.
All unnecessary conscious thought literally burned away, Alma's struggling soul cultivates and hones that rising power yet more as he re-establishes his stance, fists clenching as he gathers his will...
~ This taint before me... I will see it burned away! ~
COMBATSYS: Alma gathers his will.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/--=====|=======\====---\1 Alma
> ///////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> /////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
COMBATSYS: Niesje successfully hits Iori with Relative Frenzy.
Glancing Blow
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/-======|=======\====---\1 Alma
> ///////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> /////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
COMBATSYS: Mimiru successfully hits Iori with O Soto Gari.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/-======|=======\====---\1 Alma
> ///////////////////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> /////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
Why =is= everyone announcing their attacks, anyway? Iori's not really in a mindset where he can react to the words, per se -- just their announced intent. Niesje's motions behind him speak louder than words, really -- and Iori wildly leaps to the right to avoid her pressure-point attack. His evasion isn't completely effective -- she nips him rather hard in the ribs and in the funnybone as he steps away -- but it serves its purpose. Mostly.
Which seems to send him right into Mimiru's awaiting arms. He's more than powerful enough to pull himself out, but getting tagged in the ribs has the unfortunate side effect of hitting a reflex nerve -- causing him to spasm sharply to the side, and leaving him unable to retaliate against the little Super-gal. Chucked to the side from the throw, Iori lands hard upon his back. howling something incomprehensible.
But he can't be kept down for long! ... He stays there totally by choice, as with =him= on the ground, kicking the person who put him there ought to be obvious. Sure, the =tactical= thing to do would be to annihilate the source of the most pain, but... well. You just don't hit Iori Yagami without invoking his wrath! Planting his hands flat upon the ground, he launches his two boots right into Mimiru's face -- quite plainly aiming to knock her out with one solid blow if he can. He's =that= ticked off! "GURAAAAAH!"
Niesje swings her halberd downwards as she sees Iori closing in on Megumi, but isn't quite fast enough to do anything before the blow reaches her.
Still, she swings the hook end of the halberd down, attempts to catch it onto Iori's trenchcoat, and then toss the trenchcoat - along with, presumably, Iori - into the nearest wall.
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Mimiru with Heavy Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Alma
> ///////////////// ]
|=======\===----\1 Mimiru
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
That's rather painful. Unfortunately, Mimiru's not quite able to actually move out of the way of this double-kick aimed straight for her chin. The force of the blow is enough to cause the little girl to go flying off a good real distance off and away. Well, really far, far off away.
Mimiru's not down for the count, but she's quite dazed from that attack and she's staggering a little. She attempts to get back into it and regain her focus, shaking her head a bit and trying to get her bearing back.
COMBATSYS: Mimiru focuses on her next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Alma
> ///////////////// ]
|=======\===----\1 Mimiru
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
Throughout the fight, despite the energy he's demonstrated through his aggressive strategy and loud battlecries, Alma has not once seemed to lose his composure. Fuelled by a clear purpose, all his passion directed toward this effort, nothing seems able to faze him. But with all this surging emotional energy gathered within him, it's only a matter of time before something breaks his calm--
"Imouto-san!"
With a grunt of frustration, Alma can only watch as his best friend's sister is laid out by the red-haired man's powerful kick. The model's composure doesn't shatter; he doesn't react with rage. But a bead of sweat trickles down his cheek as he strains to continue to focus on Iori's bizarre aura -- and only then, with a sudden mighty roar, does Alma leap, trailing white fire in his wake.
"HAAAAAAAHHH!"
Whatever he's got, he's got to use it now. With all of the spiritual power at his disposal, Alma draws his soulfire into a throbbing, shimmering point at his fingertips, the hand itself glowing white hot. Blond bangs lifting up as his lunges through the air, Alma's eyes become fields of light.
"SURRENDER!"
He strikes, wielding the flames of purification.
COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Niesje's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Alma
> ///////////////// ]
|=======\===----\1 Mimiru
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
COMBATSYS: Alma successfully hits Iori with Absolution.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Iori 1/-----==/=======|=------\-------\0 Alma
> ///////////////// ]
|=======\===----\1 Mimiru
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
Iori's in full-on reactive mode after his kick slams into Mimiru. Landing in a low, feral crouch, his glare shifts between the three combatants. Mimiru, as one can easily expect, is taking her time; Niesje is attacking, and Alma, having suitably charged up for battle, is also attacking. No pressure, no pressure!
Niesje's halberd is dealt with easily enough -- Iori lurches wildly to the side, trenchcoat incidentally carried out of the halberd's reach. But Alma... pays Mimiru back, almost threefold, for what Iori's done. The Yagami scion's soul practically =explodes= from the purifying light, forcing him staggering back, arms and legs shot out to their full extent -- not unlike a golfer struck by lightning! Crashing back through the paper windows of a Gion yakiniku restaurant, Iori finds himself sprawled out upon a diner's table.
Specifically, the =grill=.
Roaring with rage, Iori leaps back to his feet, standing on a surprised restauranteur's lap! After some adjustment, it's a simple matter for the enraged fighter to rend the table from the floor, setting gas lines aflame while the other customers scatter! Howling even =still=, Iori carries the table and grill through the destroyed wall, charging at Alma -- and positively =hurling= it at the young model. "GURRRRRRRRRRRRAAAHHHH!"
Niesje's eyebrows raise as she sees Iori running in to be knocked over on a table. She runs in, raising her halberd over her head, apparently getting ready to skewer him - and, then she sees he's picking up a table. And decides descretion is the greater part of valor.
However, seeing him run towards Alma with table upturned, she blinks - Alma is going to be facing a weapon weaponless! She could lend him her halberd or chains, but... well. Um. They're hers.
Niesje valiantly picks up a rather sharp looking knife and a pair of chopsticks, and hurls them through the air, a fast yet gentle arc towards Alma's hands. "Alma! Catch!"
COMBATSYS: Niesje assists Alma.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Iori 1/-----==/=======|=------\-------\0 Alma
> ///////////////// ]
|=======\===----\1 Mimiru
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
Looks like Alma's in trouble or something. Well that's good for him, it just means that Iori's not on her case. Whatever'll happen with him is his problem, but now that she's managed to recover from that last attack, she's going to try and sneak up on Iori while he seems so full of rage and focused on smashing Alma with that grill.
The girl rushes toward Iori, chi flaring out of her fists, like flames as she charges at him and attempts to smash him a couple of times into his flank, attacking him from behind with a wide variety of chi-powered punches and kicks alike, "Waaah!" "Kyaaa! And a lot of other words that means nothing are yelled as Mimiru delivers a flurry of blows at Iori.
COMBATSYS: Alma fails to interrupt Random Weapon from Iori with Divine Intervention EX.
- Power fail! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Iori 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Alma
> ///////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
Alma is in control.
With his opponent gone completely berserk from the psychic's powerful attack, the fighting model stands fast, awaiting Iori's oncoming attack. For while the yakiniku grill is a formidible weapon indeed, Alma has his priorities straight: he's on a team, and he's going to hit his opponent whenever he can, if only so that he can spare imouto-san any more punishment. Drawing his right hand back and regathering his Psycho Power there, Alma sets his stance, focusing all his attention on Iori's dark aura, all senses tuned toward the oncoming foe--
'Alma! Catch!'
"Eh?"
*poik*
"Ggh!" Alma's tilts his head to the side, expression suddenly gone from focused calm to mild bemusement -- at least until a chopstick hits him directly in the right eye, causing him to reflexively jerk the hand he isn't focusing soulfire in up to his face. "Wha--"
*thunk*
"Grhhaa--?" He really shouldn't have covered his eyes. Having left his right arm in place, poor Alma's handsome face becomes a mask of bewilderment as he looks back to his still aura-shrouded arm... and sees a large knife gently quivering in his clenched right bicep. Stunned and appalled, the pain only begins to register as Alma, now completely lost, reflexively turns his gaze back toward a shadow now looming over him--
*WHAM*
In the silence, a second chopstick bounces harmlessly off the table-grill that has firmly embedded Alma in the pavement, a spiderweb of cracks emanating out from where he fell.
...the chopsticks... they do nothing.
COMBATSYS: Iori endures Mimiru's Super Mimiru Combo.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Iori 1/--=====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Alma
> ///////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
The small photographer is still here, by the way! And she's gotten great photo's thus far of various signiture moves, awesome team-ups, and nasty counter attacks! So far, the battle has left a smile on Himeko's face, and she silently cheers for the three brave combatants. There's already a great story in store, but she really hopes for an even greater ending!
It's rather funny that there is some destruction going on. It has drawn a lot of attention, and those that fled to a safe distance is another concern. Of course, there is one figure that stands out for those that look at an eyeshot.
...Blond hair, a neutral face. Someone has been watching the whole time. But, as another person running passes through, the figure is gone.
That person was Jiro.
If Iori possessed more control of his mental faculties at the moment, he'd be laughing at Alma's misfortune here. As it is... well, he's pretty darn feral at the moment, and he's still holding onto the yakiniku table he'd just bashed Alma around with. Roaring with rage, he whirls about to find Mimiru charging at him with a series of attacks!
Picking the table up right now for another attack is not viable -- meeting Mimiru head-on, however, =is=. Still bellowing his anger, he doesn't seem to be making any attempt to get out of the way -- punch, kick, elbow strike, what have you all land completely as intended, driving Iori back further and further, even as blood spills from his jaw from the savage beating he's receiving at Mimiru's hands.
And yet, when it's all over, not only has he not been driven =away= from Alma -- he's now facing both Mimiru =and= Alma.
And =grinning= madly, with hollow eyes. Perhaps Alma hit him harder where it =counts=, for it's not just the blood of the Orochi in control now -- it's the =madness=.
Said madness not only manifests in his roaring laughter, but in the purple flames spilling to his right hand. "GUWAAAAAHAHAHA!" he howls, wrist flicking its flame to the ground, sending it racing along the ground towards the two.
Just before the sky itself opens up, a bolt of lightning thundering down to meet the flames in a boom of energy. *KRAKA-THOOOOM!*
Only to be met by a second, then a third, in equal measure. Iori's madness-laced laughter continues unchecked, shadowed only by the deafening booms of thunder.
And Niesje just... watches. Awfully cold, to just watch when your teammates are getting beaten up like that - but, Niesje is a rather cold person. And she wants to observe this attack for herself, so she does not fall victim to it.
Maybe it's just cowardice, but she just slowly walks up towards him, not quite getting in the field of energy, biding her time....
COMBATSYS: Niesje focuses on her next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Iori 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Alma
> ///////////////// ]
|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Mimiru with Ya Sakazuki.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Iori 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Alma
> ]
|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Mimiru
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
Lightning coming down from the sky, that has to be a first. One thing's for sure though, Iori still hits as hard as he used to the last time she has faced him. And it seems that she can't really withstand more than two hits from him. He's way too powerful for Mimiru, and that's being realistic, seeing how her remaining strength and energy are quickly being sapped and drained away with every lightning bolt falling and crashing down on her. She can only hope that Alma'll be able to defend himself a little better than she does. Still she hardly has any idea how he's doing himself.
Being caught up in between the flames and the electric energy doesn't help the pain that's for sure! Not that she's masochist, but Mimiru tries to bear it and ignore it for just a bit longer! Even though her whole body's trembling from the pain, she grits her teeth and gives one last bit of effort to finish this.
Clothes slightly scorched, a little trail of blood going down her forehead thanks to that previous double-kick and a few temporary burnt mark here and there due to the flames, Mimiru lunges at Iori with a shouting. Every step she takes make her feel like a whole new burden's growing on her back but she gives what she can to finish this up.
And at least, not to be repetitive, Mimiru's onslaught changes a little! She tries to approach Iori as rapidly as possible, despite the wobbling of her slowly failing body and she tries to give him a quick rising uppercut -- probably not one high enough to smack him under his chin but if she manages to hit his chest it'll be just enough. She's not in a good enough state to care about where she'll actually hit if she does any at all. Once, twice and thrice, every time performing a little spin in midair -- the fourth and last one's a little different though -- Chi burst out of her feet to give her an extra boost of strength and she performs a much more massive jump, white flaming chi swirling out of her fist, and this time, it'd be high enough to actually smack him easily under his chin -- Super Mimiru Punch style though, only grazing him with the chi and energy outburst instead of a direct physical hit.
COMBATSYS: Mimiru can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Iori 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Alma
> //////////////////////// ]
|=======\=------\1 Niesje
No matter what happens, when Mimiru'll fall back to her feet after that, she won't have the strength to even support herself, and so, she'll just crumble down.
COMBATSYS: Alma slows Ya Sakazuki from Iori with Full Confession.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Niesje
COMBATSYS: Alma can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Niesje
The dark energy...
"Rrrgghhaaa--"
...it calls to him.
"--AAAAAAAAAAHH!"
Erupting violently from beneath the table that entraps him, Alma Towazu emerges a glowing angel of retribution. Bleeding heavily and beyond all reason himself, the young fighter can only respond to the storm of power heading toward him, his driving passion to throw everything he has against that darkness the only thing sustaining him. Reaching back, Alma lets out a mighty cry to the heavens, blazing with sacred flame, and then he plunges forward, heedless of the oncoming doom.
Beyond victory and defeat, all Alma has to give is his all -- and he gives it.
But against Iori Yagami, it is not enough. Though suffused in every ounce of his remaining power, Alma's progress at first seems promising-- he burns his way halfway through the raging storm of fire and lightning. But then he seems to lose his footing, knees buckling under the strain, and all at once he goes flying back, for the first time letting out a genuine cry of anguished pain as Iori's strange energy engulfs him.
"Kaaah--!"
Weightless, drifting, Alma doesn't even feel himself hit the ground. Distantly, he realizes the attack is savaging his mind and body, yet-- before, he would have felt regret at his failure to defeat his opponent. As he is now, he feels nothing but that same awe that he felt when he first witnessed Iori's aura... and the flattered satisfaction that he was able to pit the entirety of his self against it, that he had the chance to live till this moment.
~ Mother... are you proud? ~
Alma lays where he has fallen, at peace.
COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Mimiru's Super Mimiru Combo.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Niesje
Cold? ... Some would argue that Niesje is just being pragmatic. There's a crazed lunatic who's just bashed someone nearly to death with a yakitori table, and he's still raving mad? Yeah, stay away! No shame in =that!=
Likewise, there should be no shame for Alma in trying his darndest to power through the attack. Nor should there be any for Mimiru, in plowing forward with an uppercut, followed by a rather vicious series of attacks. Unfortunately, neither is successful in their last-ditch attack -- Alma doesn't make it out, and Iori's quick enough to dart to the side, letting Mimiru's uppercut and the rest of her volley pass overhead, undisturbed. His own knees wobbly as he steadies himself long enough to watch Mimiru fall, Iori drops low to the ground, one hand hovering nearby for the simple act of balance.
The breadth and depth of the fight can be assessed later. The events are, of no doubt, significant, but with two down, Iori's only focus is on the third remaining person in the midst of the cleared-aside section of Gion: Niesje.
And she's just standing there watching him.
Bursting into another display of hideous, sickening laughter, the new-and-improved psychotic Yagami breaks into a rapid dash for the halberd-bearer. He leads with his elbow, but the true attack is an open palm, illuminated by a brilliant purple blaze of flame. It should be even brighter as he's aiming that palm of flame for her head. Should it land, he'd bring his left hand up to join the right, detonating an enormous explosion of chi between his hands, powerful enough to send Niesje flying back into some =other= storefront. "GYAAAAAAAH HA HA HAAAA!"
COMBATSYS: Niesje fails to interrupt Koto Moon Negative from Iori with Grand Execution.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Niesje
Niesje whips two chains from her sleeves, and a smirk plays around her lips as Iori runs towards her - apparently, she's preparing to go into lengthy tirade mode. "Yes, well, you see, while I'm not against cruelty-" With that, she moves to swirl her chain around Iori's arm. And WHAM- it hits her before she can react.
At the explosion, her coat is ripped away by the blast - leaving her in a pair of jeans, and a whole bunch of chains wrapped around her upper body. Possibly something beneath that, but there's enough chains that it's just odd instead of sexy, probably.
Niesje flies through the air, and crashes into another storefront. For a moment, she just lies there, and it seems like this is all over... then she slowly, painfully, gets to her feet, removing her broken sunglasses with one hand as she raises her halberd again to point at Iori - her eyes a lighter red then the blood, but nothing compared to the Orochi flames.
Iori doesn't seem to be affected by the start of a lecture -- partly because it never gets to develop into one. But, upon realizing that he'd interrupted the young woman, Yagami erupts into a fit of snickering. "heheheheHEheHEEHEEhe... not... against cruelty either!"
%When the woman stands up, though, Iori raises an eyebrow. Chains? Is that the new haute couture? Considering his usual garb, he might indeed find it attractive, but ... well, it's still hard to tell, as his emotional responses are still messed up at the moment -- his previous words as proof.
Instead, he just tilts his head and breaks into another fit of snickering as the woman points her blade at him. "What... more?" He rises to his full height, manic grin plastering across his features. "You..." he notes, raising a finger, "... you haven't hurt me yet."
A twitch, a facial tic. And yet... he stands his ground for a moment, hands dropping to either side.
"Hurt me." A languid grin, a subtle shift of his weight onto one leg. And he waits -- the only time his body's been =able= to wait thus far in the match.
COMBATSYS: Iori gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Niesje
"Those... those chains of mine early on didn't hurt you enough? Or... that chopstick I threw Alma...?" Niesje's voice is a little faint as she leans against her halberd. She begins a bit laughter, coughs a bit, then stops. "You're unexpectedly tough, Iori Yagami. Most have fallen to just my chains."
Niesje slowly levels her halberd, aiming it straight at him with a slightly shaking hand. "For you, I shall make an exception. Prepare for the very meaning of pain." With that, she charges him, aiming the spearpoint of her halberd at his belly.
COMBATSYS: Niesje successfully hits Iori with Random Weapon.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Iori 0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1 Niesje
Unexpectedly tough... yes, that pretty much sums up Iori Yagami. "Not at all!" he chuckles, shaking his head.
But he's also easily distracted, in this singularly odd mood of his. His hands are still out to the side, he remains standing at full height -- an open target. It'd be a trivial matter for him to run to the side from such an all-out attack. He just... doesn't. The nerves to get him out of the way fail to fire on command.
And Iori gets stabbed in the belly. Big-time. Blood spurts out from the wound, as Iori looks down at it. "Y... you hurt me..."
"WONDERFUL!!!!" howls the Yagami scion, impaling himself further upon the halberd as he leans forward in a wild diagonal slash, raking his nails across Niesje's face. Should he connect, he'd continue further forward, reversing sharply to slam the back of his fist into the woman -- before ramming his shoulder into her, knocking her back down. His mind may be out on vacation, but his muscles retain their memory perfectly.
COMBATSYS: Niesje fails to counter Yumebiki from Iori with Calm the Storm.
-* CRITICAL FAIL! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Iori 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Niesje can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Iori 0/-------/=======|
Niesje attempts to stab the staff end of the halberd into the ground, and just leave Iori there to impale himself. However, she instead drives it down on her foot, which sort of puts a damper on things. And then it doesn't help at all when Iori scratches along her face, punches her, and knocks her to the ground.
She convulses or struggles to get up for about a second - but either way, she doesn't have the strength left, and falls back down.
Iori doesn't have much fight left in him... getting nearly run through will do that to a person, even incredibly tough people. But with Niesje falling to the ground from his series of attacks, there isn't much left to say. He staggers back, scratching the wound with a harsh, albeit, confused snarl across his face -- not seeming to mind the blood, in his crazed state -- and starts to walk off.
"And the winnah of this Saturday Night Fight Main Event is... Ior--"
The announcer trails off in mid-sentence because Iori's no longer walking, but running -- and he'd knocked over camera four in his hasty retreat. "GYAAAAAAAAAAAA-HAHA-HAAAAA-HAAAOH" echoes his maniacal laughter as he rushes off into the distance. He'll be fine... eventually.
"... Iori Yagami, ladies and gentlemen!"
COMBATSYS: Iori has ended the fight here.
Log created by Iori, and last modified on 13:48:57 10/21/2006.