Description: A winter match in (and outside) Gedo Dojo between two faces familiar at NESTS. (Winner: Aislinn)
Gedo High School Dojo
Time: 4:45pm
Winter always seems slower than the rest of the year--of course, there's the helter-skelter of Christmas and Thanksgiving, but other than that, the world is a slower place. For fighters, too--in some ways, they're like bears, hibernating until conditions are more suited for the dynamism of a fight. In Japan--in Southtown--there's the snow to blame--a medium covering on the ground--but then, there are also plenty of warm, enclosed spaces that are appropriate for fighting. And actually...
The Gedo Dojo is perfect for it. It's a building meant for fighting; it's meant to echo with the sounds of kiai and the sharp impacts of bodies on the floor. It's a shame it's been in disuse fo r a while, but it's been opened up now, lit up... and even though at least one participant in this match is hardly popular with the Gedo crowd, she -is- one of their members and some have come to support... and some to deride. Aislinn, however, takes it all in stride as she waits at the far end of the dojo, making sure all her laces are laced and all her zippers are zipped.
Winter allegedly was Kula's favorite time of season. In Candy Diamonds case, though, while she had no particular preference for the seasons, Winter and Summer seemed to bring out the most bustling activity, indoors and outdoors repectivly. Very useful considering her original purpose.
Today though, Candy had a special mission of her own in mind, and while she wasn't very fond of Gedo students (only because one day she'd actually have to hurt someone if there was one more wolf-whistle), she'd endure it to pay visit to Aislinn even if she didn't have to. Normally she's the first to be about to stare into space for a good period of time. Instead she's the second, walking in wearing a long black trenchcoat over her usual attire, heavy boots thumping lightly on the floor to shake the snow off. The wheels click out, and as she shrugs the coat off along with her shoulderbag, her eyes lock right onto Aislinn, "Aislinn," she greets with a small smile, "Punctual as always. Perhaps too punctual. Have you completed your homework..?"
Of course, the question is asked. It -has- to be asked. And as always, Aislinn returns the answer that is always the answer, her tone showing a complete lack of regard for this thing known as 'homework'.
"Of course I have," she replies, rolling her neck, eliciting a series of pops from the joints within. Candy can't have missed the gathering of people--this match is to be public whether she likes it or not; but even if she did, she definitely can't miss the Neo League announcer, his station set up at 'midcourt' as it were, with portable speakers for his microphone. But even if she missed that, it's impossibel to miss Aislinn's gloved hands coming up and tightening into fists, her feet sliding out into stance...
All the same, Aislinn transmits on the private band, reminding Candy of the purpose in this particular meeting. While it can't be helped that Candy and Aislinn are now known, at least to sharp observers (few in the Gedo crowd of course) to know each other... that is hardly a 'big deal'. But this match -is-, to Aislinn, as she hasn't truly tested herself against Candy in quite some time...
COMBATSYS: Aislinn has started a fight here.
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Aislinn 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Candy has joined the fight here.
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Candy 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Aislinn
Candy didn't /mind/ the crowds per se, she could understand their purpose. But it's a bit of a mystery why she prefers to have her matches in some god-awful time in the middle of the night. Those that follow up on the league standings may actually appreciate being able to see her at a reasonable hour. Or.. Something.
She gives a slight nod of her head to Aislinn, seeming to be the response to both the homework answer as well as the silent message sent to her. Without even missing a beat, her trenchcoat is dropped and her silver tonfa are removed from the shoulder bag as she continues to skate closer to her opponent. The weapons extend, and the announcer pretty much is forced to call the match to start once they see Candy intends to strike first. And the first strike is simple enough, the arm-length weapon striking in an uppercup motion across the jaw, twirling around to follow with a backhand to the gut.
COMBATSYS: Aislinn counters Medium Strike from Candy with Banishing Needle.
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Candy 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Aislinn
It's good for Aislinn to see that Candy can, so to speak, 'switch gears' quickly; her friend (and it still sounds odd to her ears to say that) is the kind of being that can, of course, do so, though one must question whether it is a mechanical or mental thing. Speaking of mental things, Aislinn is almost caught sleeping, as it were; or so it seems, her eyes closed even as Candy comes skating in, despite the announcer's amplified voice and the immediate raise in decibel levels from the crowd.
Just as that uppercut comes flying in, however, Aislinn ducks backwards, taking a low hop, and when the follow-up comes in... Aislinn takes her chance, and swings her right knee up, twisting to her left, stopping the backhand with a knee-strike to the forearm, then following through with a snap side-kick straight to Candy's midsection. First points scored, though obviously the game's just begun.
Aislinn brings her foot down... and smiles, ever so slightly. First test... successful. But she knows that Candy's got more going...
Impressive work there, Aislinns quick movements scores points not just for herself, but in Candy's internal 'progress report'. The snap kick hits with jarring force, enough to make Candy lose balance on her skates and fall to the side with a rather heavy thump- But true to form, she's already in the process of getting back to her feet, a short tumble gets her into a crouch, ".. Not bad," and springs off her tiptoes to close in on Aislinn once more. This time though, she leaps into the air once close enough, her leg extended as she performs a double-axel kick targeted toward the shoulders.
COMBATSYS: Aislinn blocks Candy's Lay Spin.
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Candy 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Aislinn
Not bad? Well, Candy's never been effusive with the praise. Aislinn has already pretty much tuned out the spectators, as she tends to do, and her focus is entirely on her opponent. She keeps on her toes, bouncing on them very much like a certain master of Jeet Kune Do, and when the kicks come, as they must, Aislinn is ready for them, thrusting her shoulder and forearm into the rotation, taking away much--but not quite all--of the impact.
Now, of course, it's time to retaliate, and to do so, Aislinn seeks to grab Candy by that kicking leg, and if she gets her grab, she'll throw the other girl into the ground--and release a burst of her patented red-electric chi as she does so.
COMBATSYS: Candy blocks Aislinn's Quick Throw.
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Candy 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Aislinn
It is slightly disheartening, for lack of a better word, that Aislinn tunes out the crowd so easily. Candy can do that with no trouble at all, of course, and really what else could she expect. Aislinn is no showboater.
Candy's leg is grabbed, but it wasn't something the demi-punk was suprised about, in fact was easily prepared for. Power is forced to generate a small amount of hardlight toward the area that is grabbed though, taking punch out of the shock while the throw itself is mostly derailed by how easily she slips free and lands on her feet, skating backward once more, tonfa twirled effortlessly. It seems energy efficiency is on the menu today.
And speaking of which, she ends up leaning against the wall, back pressed to it as well as her palms. THen with a fierce push, Candy blazes toward Aislinn, making a few quick circles around her opponent. Ai is a sharp one though, she may have no trouble telling that Candy is intensly picking up data.
COMBATSYS: Candy focuses on her next action.
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Candy 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Aislinn
Aislinn tunes them out because it is what she does; she is designed to focus on her opponents and little else in a fight, because distractions equal death. She gets her grip, but Candy is able to deflect most of the impact; that's fine with her, as she still got something out of it. Using the momentum gained from the throw, she springs backwards a couple of steps; where Candy begins to circle her opponent, Aislinn begins to center herself, her weight settling in a subtle manner... and then there's a surge of power, her body suddenly limned in a crimson glow... once again her eyes are closed, but is she really not paying attention...?
COMBATSYS: Aislinn gathers her will.
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Candy 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Aislinn
Not paying attention? Very unlikely that such is the case, probably in concentration herself, Candy figures. But seeing something and doing something are completely different actions; in this case, she feels no amount of preperation will leave Aislinn ready for her next strike.
In fact after the third circling, she puts all the momentum to the test, coming at the other girl head on with a low tackle across the midsection right to the ground. If it proves successful, it hardly kills her momentum an immediet handspring follows to get her back onto her feet.
COMBATSYS: Aislinn blocks Candy's Quick Throw.
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Candy 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Aislinn
%gIn truth, she is very -acutely- paying attention; learning to sense with more than her eyes. Though vision is very useful, there are times when every and any sense can be fooled or be made useless; knowing how to use all of one's senses is an important part of learning how to not only survive fights, but to win them.
Aislinn tenses and she suddenly drops her right leg back, shifting her weight forward to meet Candy's, twisting her body so that much of the tackle's impact is slid away from her; Aislinn pushes off her feet as Candy goes back and snaps a quick backhand out to try and tag Candy 'upside the head', as it were.
COMBATSYS: Aislinn successfully hits Candy with Medium Punch.
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Candy 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Aislinn
That theory.. Didn't work out too well, no. Perhaps she had overlooked something, but what, Candy wasn't exactly sure. A slightly suprised grunt passes her lips when she slams into Ai and doesn't knock her over, and the slight stagger backward unfortunatly leaves her wide open for the counter-attack.
One that Candy couldn't quite twist into her advantage in the short-run. Head twisting a bit to the side, she does at least manage to pick up in speed again, the wheels of one skate holding her weight as she makes a small circle. Away and the toward again in practically an instant, Candy swings her opposite leg upward to return the 'favor' and high-kick Aislinn at the neck with the top of her foot.
COMBATSYS: Candy successfully hits Aislinn with Light Kick.
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Candy 1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Aislinn
Aislinn staggers; she hadn't expected her opponent to be able to react so swiftly after Aislinn really felt her backhand connect. She reaches up, seeking to trap Candy's leg between neck and arm--but too slow, and instead she just gets, well, neck kicked. It hurts, but not too bad; Aislinn stumbles in the direction of the force, but only a few steps, and she straightens herself up, then makes a bold point, by popping her neck back into place, which draws some admiring whistles from the crowd. It seems like she's actually... 'having fun', with this fight, not quite being as savage as she could be.
Or maybe she is; Aislinn takes a long backstep, practically floating off the ground--and then she lands and is lunging forward, her two hands clasped into a giant fist, held to her chest, then thrust forward as she aims to slam the fists right into Candy's sternum.
COMBATSYS: Candy endures Aislinn's Sniper Thrust.
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Candy 1/-----==/=======|=======\=------\1 Aislinn
Aislinn shouldn't be too suprised about it, Candy's style more or less relies on overwhelming the opponent to do the most damage. Unfortunatly for Candy, however, Aislinn is doing an extremely good job of keeping control of the situation.
Lately, however, the demi-punk has been taking gambles, and this time around she's finding herself to rely on it. As the Silent Assassin bursts downward and actually slams her fist point-blank, there's an abrubt explosion of steam that clouds out and surrounds the two fighters. Standing on her tip-toes, Candy doesn't even budge, her eyes glowing red for a moment.
And she attempts to wrap her arms then about Aislinns waist..
COMBATSYS: Candy successfully hits Aislinn with Candy Drop.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Candy 1/---====/=======|=======\====---\1 Aislinn
And from that point it's machine-work... Pardon the pun. With a slight crouch, and a burst of air from her legs, the two rocket out of the cloaking cloud, Candy twirling around like a cork-screw with her opponent in tow, but instead of crashing toward the ground, Candy releases Aislinn toward the dojo's window.. Or rather, through it, and onto the snow-covered concrete below. She handsprings to her feet then, twirling around and leaps through the collateral damage, cleary in pursuit of Aislinn still, like shark to blood.
Well that was... unpleasant... to say the least. And only the least. Aislinn maintains her silent demeanor even as she's grabbed, hurled, and hits the groudn very much like a sack of concrete, and with as much bounce; she rolls, twice, before pushing herself up, painfully, to her feet; her face, where it hit the ground, is scraped raw, oozing blood slowly, and she's going to have a nasty bruise, right about--now.
Of course, everyone in the dojo scrambled like hell to get outside, and it's only dark out for a moment, before a lithe, quick fellow runs over to the breaker box and flips on the outside lighting, stark and harsh, throwing deep shadows on the ground. Aislinn gives Candy a look, a much more serious look, then charges forward, lunging right at the robot girl, putting the brakes on just a few yards from Candy--momentum converted as she plants her left leg and thrusts forward with her right knee, aiming it for Candy's chest, a move taken straight from Muay Thai.
COMBATSYS: Candy blocks Aislinn's Medium Kick.
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Candy 1/-======/=======|=======\====---\1 Aislinn
Again landing on her toes, (as landing on her wheels wouldn't be very smart,) Candy drops to a crouch, and by the time she' standing again, it's just in time to see Aislinn looking more serious.
Which is always fine by Candy's standards, she's told time and time again to fight to destroy. One probably couldn't tell that was exactly what Candy was 'thinking', especially with the small, almost friendly smile on her lips. She's working on that. Ai's knee doesn't find it in the sternum, but instead slamming into crossed tonfa, positioned in a way to keep from getting knocked back from the blow, "It seems it would benefit me most to end this as quickly as possible," Candy says, instead skating backward of her own free will, eyes narrowing again, "So I will prepare my finishing blows. Can you stop me, Aislinn..?"
COMBATSYS: Candy focuses on her next action.
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Candy 1/-======/=======|=======\====---\1 Aislinn
Can Aislinn stop Candy? Of course she can. The question is not can Aislinn stop Candy--but if she can stop her -this time-. The Silent Assassin's demeanor is still completely composed, as she withdraws her right leg; rather than pursue Candy immediately, Ais decides to stand, and wait... presuming, or perhaps simply planning, should Candy bring out her 'finishing blow'. There are times for action, and times for patience; this is a time for patience, feels Ais, and so patience it is she sets before her, her eyes searching, watching, her body loosening up, preparing to act or react as necessary.
COMBATSYS: Aislinn focuses on her next action.
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Candy 1/-======/=======|=======\====---\1 Aislinn
That's the tough thing about Aislinn, there is a bit of psychological warfare involved in Candy's style, and while it doesn't cripple her, she doesn't have an advantage otherwise. The two don't just know each other well, but the usual 'tricks' aren't as reliable, at least in Candy's case. The two stand off for a moment, and then Candy zips forward once more, she almost a streak as she falls into a slight crouch again, to give herself momentum to leap upward. There's another burst of steam within the cold air, enough to cloak her presence from a normal eye, but Aislinn may see that Candy is dropping faster than she normally should- She falls right pasy Aislinn, her arm jerking up at the last moment to hook her weapon around Ai's neck and bring her down violently to the ground once more.
That's the tough thing about Aislinn, there is a bit of psychological warfare involved in Candy's style, and while it doesn't cripple her, she doesn't have an advantage otherwise. The two don't just know each other well, but the usual 'tricks' aren't as reliable, at least in Candy's case. The two stand off for a moment, and then Candy zips forward once more, she almost a streak as she falls into a slight crouch again, to give herself momentum to leap upward. There's another burst of steam within the cold air, enough to cloak her presence from a normal eye, but Aislinn may see that Candy is holding out her tonfa like twin pistols, and there's only a slight hum otherwise, as a single bolt of energy is fired at Aislinn, a white, glittery pillar looking to slam right into her opponents chest before she 'appears' again.
COMBATSYS: Candy successfully hits Aislinn with Diamond Shot.
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Candy 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\=====--\1 Aislinn
Aislinn has seen the Diamond Shot many times before. So, then, why does she keep falling for it? The cloud of steam is barely noticed, but that bolt of energy--well. It strikes and Aislinn is staggered backwards. In fact, she actually moves with the attack, seeking to gain momentum; on her third stumbling retreat step she actually gathers herself and launches up into the air, to gain more ground. As she lands, she 'sticks' her landing, a small shockwave of force emanating behind her--but what's this? A heavy ball bearing, roughly the size of the trackball of an old-style mouse, is flying through the air--right at Candy! It must've been thrown during that leap, though no one could say they saw it; yet, it gleams in the light, thrown with enough force that it leaves a brief light-trail behind, almost like a ray gun shot.
COMBATSYS: Candy dodges Aislinn's Thrown Object.
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Candy 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\=====--\1 Aislinn
Perhaps it's not so much that Aislinn 'fell' for it than Candy is getting more creative. While it may have not been the most powerful attack in her arsenal, it's set her up quite nicely for her to continue her assault. She lands with her side toward Ai, kicking up snow, then sweeps around, leaping to the side to what seems like deftly avoiding the bearing that the spectators could have sworn Candy didn't have time to see. One hand sets down to rebalance herself and land on her toes, and the blazing demi-punk continues forward, this time leaping upward when she's close enough, swinging a backhand at Aislinns shoulder. Should that connect, her opposite tonfa strikes, twirling around twice and striking each time as she would carry Aislinn up into the air, weapons cracking lightling with bolts of electrical power.
COMBATSYS: Aislinn counters Crow Bites from Candy with Banishing Hammer.
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Candy 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|====---\-------\0 Aislinn
Not this time, Candy. Aislinn is injured, definitely; but despite the dodge of her sneaky attack, it gave Ais just enough time to set up; and set up she does. She lets Candy close in--she *wants* Candy to close in. And then, finally, when Candy starts to make her move...
Aislinn is simply faster, in a single, blazing moment, as she crosses her wrists together and steps into that leap, aborting it, her hands unerringly finding Candy's throat, getting a good, firm grip. Spectators can see--those with cameras or who catch the replay on TV see it in slow-motion; the way Aislinn pulls Candy back down to the ground, still gripping... her head swinging back, then forward, Aislinn's forehead impacting with great force against Candy's, the Silent Assassin headbutting the girl not once, not twice, but three times, pulling Candy into each one for just a little additional power; after the third massive headbutt, Aislinn pushes Candy back, and in the same motion, twists, bringing her right leg up, and snapping a side kick into Candy's stomach... hopefully enough to down her for good, at least this fight.
COMBATSYS: Candy takes no action.
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Aislinn 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Candy can no longer fight.
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Aislinn 0/-------/---====|
It's extremely quick, yes, much faster than Candy had expected. And she wasn't nearly finished with her string of attacks before she finds herself stopped- Not quite cold, but the disruption throws off her rythem, and allows the assualt of headbutts to hit clean on with considerable damage. Disoriented for a moment, the kick that follows is what sends her had onto the ground, flat on her back, but the grip on her tonfa still there.
And as always, there's a moment of drama when Candy lay there, some expect her to sit up in her sort of trademark way.
But after a good ten seconds she doesn't, instead rolling a bit to the side, holding her enclosed fist to her forehead, still seeming to be unaware of her surroundings, "..." and slumps once more.
That's it; fight's over, as far as Aislinn is concerned. And now she does something no one has -ever- seen her do before; she walks over to her opponent... and takes a knee, reaching out to touch Candy on the shoulder. She -is- ignoring the announcer and the officials, as she always does, but she seems to worry more about Candy... of course fans knew there was -something- between the two, but this is more tenderness than anyone might have expected. Ais... doesn't say anything, though, communicating over that private band instead. <<You are... alright?>>
Candy actually moves the moment her shoulder is touched, though still holds her 'injury'. Had she been on the receiving end of that attack before? She couldn't remember, but it'd jarred her up pretty good, she needing a moment to pull herself togeather so to speak. She gradually sits up, and without assistance manages to get to her feet, though her stature this time is somewhat slouched, << I will be fine, I had not anticipated that attack to be so.. Jarring. I'll need to run a system check as soon as possible. You did well.>>
Candy tilts her head a bit from side to side, and then extends her hand to Aislinn.. An offer to shake, of course.
Naturally, Candy's hand is shaken--and in a rare visible moment of true sportsmanship and cameraderie, Aislinn rises to her feet, helping Candy up to hers. Little is said, of course--nothing at all, really, and after looking Candy over one more time, just to make sure, Ais nods to herself... and walks away, hands in her pockets. She has her own injuries to have tended, and she has to review the fight, to figure out what she did wrong--and what she did right.
Log created by Aislinn, and last modified on 19:04:20 01/03/2007.