Description: The Manila waterfront, and a crowd of thousands. A luxury super-yacht, cruising to nowhere. Four fighters. Two boys, two girls. It's Roberto and Faolan versus Hinako and Riko. The guys gain the upper hand, but before they can celebrate their victory, things go terribly wrong. It's like this week's SNF is cursed or something. First a murder, and now... (Official Winners: Roberto/Faolan) (Real Winners: Pirates)
Manila. Capital of the Philippines.
Manila's on the eastern shore of a considerably large bay. In any other city, that might mean good things for property prices.
In Manila? Not so much.
Oh, the bay was beautiful. Once. Now it's one of the most polluted bodies of water in Asia. Urbanisation has taken its toll. Sludge. Human waste. It's a floating dump.
Of course, the city's been trying to clean it up. No self-respecting capital would put up with that sort of thing, right? So, the government and private partners have been pouring millions of dollars into reclaiming the waterfront. Cleaning it up. Making it nice and vibrant for tourism.
Maybe that's all just a public relations move to boost the city - and the country's - image. But you can't deny that they're serious about it.
That's why tonight's event is something of a coup for the city. Saturday Night Fight isn't just a TV show. It's an international event. Hosting an SNF match is /big/.
And that's why all the stops have been pulled right out.
Tonight...the waterfront is alive with people. Locals and visitors alike, thronging the shores at the city centre. The sheer noise is overwhelming, much less the lights. There's banners everywhere, in Filipino and English, massive SNF logos hanging from buildings and streetlamps. Giant screens, too, for better views of the action.
All that activity isn't just on the shore. There's a considerable fleet of boats out on the water, some with camera crews, some with spectators rich or lucky enough to afford a closer vantage point. And up in the air, there's helicopters. Circling round in the sky.
The centre of attention is the large vessel in the heart of the harbour. Cruising in a steady course round the waterfront. A big ship, proud and gleaming, white and pure, beneath the city lights.
"LAAADIES AND GENTLEMEN! FIGHT FANS! WELCOME TO SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHT!"
The announcer's voice, loud and amplified, booms across the harbour. To the sound of cheers.
"FOUR FIGHTERS! ONE YACHT! CRUSING TO NOWHERE! FOUR GET ON...BUT ONLY ONE GETS OFF!"
Well, okay. It's probably not as dire as he makes it sound. But he's paid for hyperbole.
The yacht is a suitably dramatic setting for it, anyway. The Saint Tropez is a big yacht, 65 metres from bow to stern, over 200 feet. At that kind of size, it's almost a small cruise ship. Complete with all the amenities. Property of one of Manila's richest men - who's more than happy to loan it out for a venture such as this.
Even with the expected repair costs.
The area marked out for the fight is the main deck, the partially-sheltered exterior space towards the rear of the boat. Flat and open, railings on the sides. The stern on one end, and doors leading to the salon with the other. But with the way the boat's structured, it would be trivially easy for acrobatic fighters to jump upward to the upper deck - a smaller space, but more cluttered with deckchairs and fixtures. And the boat's jacuzzi. There's nothing to stop the fighters from busting into the interior of the boat, either, into the plush appointed lounge and bar amidships.
All of which doesn't escape Riko's attention when she drops down from above, snaking down a rope from one of the SNF helicopters circling round overhead. Touching down, her in-line skates scraping against the deck. The little ninja girl looks around, arching a brow. Pretty cool.
Hinako's entrance isn't quite as flashy as her partner's. Scaling down a rope from a flying helicopter isn't really her cup of tea, so she opted to get a ride on a small power boat out to the yacht. It pulls up near the stern, and then it's a relatively easy matter for Hinako to clamber up a ladder and get herself onto the deck.
This isn't her first time fighting on a boat, and she knows that she's luckily not prone to seasickness. She's also quite good at keeping her footing, even if the sea should start to turn a bit choppy. The yacht itself is fairly impressive, but it's not anything she hasn't seen before; her family is pretty wealthy, and her parents hang out with wealthy friends. Hinako's been to more than one party hosted out on a yacht before. Fights are so much more fun, though.
The sumo girl stretches her arms up over her head, lacing her fingers together and bending them backward until she feels them popping. She then flexes her hands a few times, making sure the tape wrapped around them is staying in place correctly. A quick check of her weighted boots to make sure they're properly laced, a quick motion to smooth out the hem of her dress, and she's ready for whatever her opponents and throw at her! Now she just needs to talk to her partner. "Hey there!" She beams at the ninja girl. "Looking forward to the match?"
Kids. Why did it have to be kids of all things? Sure they would probably argue that they are teens, but whoopty dip. Faolan knows exactly what they are and that is an age group that he rather not fight. First an exibition match against that one crazy Spanish chick and now a more professional fight involving more of the lit'luns. It is a bit too late to pull out unfortunantly and the Irishman is puffing on a cigarette as he leans back in a seat on one of the helicopters as he is brought to where the fight is to take place.
Soon he too is coming down from a ladder that was lowered down and he drops down heavily on the deck of the yacht. His tall lanky body remains slouched some as he lightly taps his bata against his shoulder. "Least the boat is nice." he says to himself with cigarette still resting between his lips. He finally leans over the railing to spit it out into the water and he lets out a sigh that exhales the last of the smoke. These kids better be good or he is just sticking to pulling pranks on Leona for training.
Roberto's arrival isn't quite as subtle. First one mesh bag filled with soccer balls hits the main deck then another drops down to the upper deck with just as loud a thump. Normally he'd avoid bringing soccer balls to a ship but when he found out that there were no innocent bystanders to hit with them he figure d just bring more incase they fly off the ship which they probably will in the process of this fight.
Quickly after the soccer balls drop, There's a teenager clad in a Brazilian national team shirt and blue swim trunks, wearing watersocks and goalie gloves sliding down the rope at a fast speed before hitting the deck with a landing that looks graceful but doesn't quite sound it and actually is almost as loud of a thump as the previously mentioned soccer balls.
After that, the soccer genius is moving to the mesh bag on the main deck and dumping the soccer balls all over. He expects for most of the fighters here to give him a weird look but the one person he does know he turns to and speaks, "Hinako, looks like Mr. Howard hasn't gotten enough of matching us up, has he?" After that, there are no more words. He nods to his team mate and then begins to juggle a soccer ball as he waits for things to get started.
It's easy for Riko to spot her partner. After all, the fighters have the yacht to themselves. There's no audience members aboard - they're all watching from shore, or from other boats. No, the only people on board are the ship's crew...and the contestants on deck.
Riko glances at each of them in turn. Old military guy, dude with ball...what's up with that, anyway? But she spares her attention for Hinako, looking her over. "Hey, you're the sumo girl, right? Sumo and ninja, we're gonna kick ASS."
She emphasises this with a proud thumbs-up.
You can tell that Riko's a ninja. It's written on her t-shirt and everything, emblazoned across the black baby-doll in large letters:
NINJA PIRATE
Well. She's a nautical ninja, anyway. Gotta be properly equipped for the fight, after all.
Riko makes sure of that, running through a mental checklist. She adjusts the stereo headphones on her head, flicking her iPod on. Music, check. She purses her lips, and blows - a bubble appears, bright pink, and pops. Gum, check.
Then she rocks on her heels, the wheels of her skates bouncing against the deck. Polyurethane against polished wood. She shifts her weight, testing her balance. Movement, check.
The motion of the boat is faint, but discernable. Not exactly rough, but impossible to ignore. Because the yacht isn't docked, she's cruising gently southwards along the waterfront. On a parallel line to the shore.
That's part of the show, after all. To make sure the action comes as close as possible to the crowds. So the yacht is proceeding gently down the bay, at a slow and stately pace. Trailed and flanked by a small flotilla of small craft, smaller boats with camera crews and spectators, and a couple of coast guard vessels.
The Irishman leans back on the railing of the boat, his bata getting set down so he can reach in his jacket for a metal flask while watching the others arrive. He upends the flask to take a pull from it while waiting for his own partner to show up. It looks like he doesn't have to wait too long as he hears the thud of something heavy hitting the deck not far from him. A brow quirks and Faolan looks upwards while stuffing the flask back into his jacket. He does look at Roberto a bit oddly and he rubs at his temples while standing back up straight. "Least you play a sensible sport." he says offhandedly to Roberto. It might not be rugby, but soccer is alot better than American Football.
He taps the tip of his bata against the deck to draw the attention of others. "Oi oi oi. You all ready?" he asks while twirling the large stick about while his free hand rather awkwardly grasps for his long hair to put a rubber band around the unruly mop so it doesn't get in his face while he fights. He then brings the bata about to grip it with both hands and the tall Irishman hunches forward some looking ready to go. "My invisible watch says it is time to get this shindig on the road."
COMBATSYS: Faolan has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Faolan focuses on his next action.
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Roberto has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Roberto 0/-------/-------|
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Hinako has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Roberto 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Riko has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Roberto 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Riko
"Get started, huh? Alright then..." Taiyo's soccer star flips the soccer ball up into the air and leans forward to catch it on the back of the neck as he begins to look at his two opponents. This is the part of the battle where likes to call information gathering. He's already gotten some info on Hinako since they've been in more than one fight together which brings us to Riko who Roberto has no experience with other than bumping into the park with her that one time and to be honest that wasn't all that memorable.
Because of that he chooses to send the soccer ball the ninja girl's way. Of course before that happens, Roberto flips the soccer ball up into the air off his neck and up in front of him not even giving the soccer ball time to land before it flies. Should be easy enough for ninjas to dodge, right? It's not exactly going on a straight path for but rather it's bouncing off railings and walls and other parts of the deck until eventually it either hits Riko or rolls back to his foot.
COMBATSYS: Riko dodges Roberto's Long Shot.
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Roberto 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Riko
No go.
No goal.
The ball bounces off the railing, but Riko isn't there. No, she's rolling to the side, a swift and fluid motion. She brakes, skates skidding against the deck. Smirking.
"OLE!"
Riko's grin is devil-may-care. Blissfully confident, unconcerned.
Her eyes, though, are a different story. They're locked on Roberto.
Then she casts a careful gaze at the multiple soccer balls littering the deck. Some already beginning to roll around, given the faint rocking motion of the yacht. No matter how expensive or smooth the vessel, it's still a ship on the ocean, a ship under way.
Those balls, Riko thinks, that's gonna change the tactical situation. She didn't plan for that. She'll have to adjust her plans.
Riko exchanges a warning glance with Hinako, nodding to the balls on the floor.
Watch your footing, Riko seems to say, with her eyes.
Then the ninja girl works her jaw, chewing her gum. Snapping it loudly. Thoughtfully.
Yeap. This will change things. But no worries. She's good at improvising.
COMBATSYS: Riko focuses on her next action.
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Roberto 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Riko
Well, it seems Hinako's opponent is ready for this fight. And quite enthusiastic about being a ninja. And those are both okay in Hinako's book! She nods approvingly as Riko rolls away from the incoming soccer ball, then nods again to show that she's recognized the warning. She's fought with Roberto a couple times now... She knows not to underestimate those soccer balls.
However... Because Hinako /has/ fought Roberto a few times, she's more curious about Faolan. Just what kind of fighting style does he use, and how does it compare against sumo? She intends to find out! The sumo girl charges across the deck in his direction, so now he should have no doubt that the 'shindig' is under way. She attempts to crash into him at full speed, trying to wrap her arms around his torso as she does so. If she succeeds in grasping him, Hinako's next act is to hurl Faolan up and over her shoulders, leaving him to come crashing back down to the deck.
COMBATSYS: Hinako successfully hits Faolan with Tasuki Nage.
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Roberto 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Riko
So it looks like he has the lesser of the two spazzes to deal with, but it looks like things are going to be a bit on the non fun side for Faolon very shortly as the sumo comes charging in. He steps forward and starts to push his arms out to use his bata to block the incoming Hinako, but the short fighter just ends up coming in low enough that he gets slammed into and sent skywards and through the air. "Ahh shi-" WHAM. He lands rather ungracefully and kinda lays there on his back for a moment.
Oh how he wishes he had a cig right about now. Rising to his feet Faolan dusts himself off and he tchs at Hinako. "Not bad...." He grips his bata once again and he comes forward towards Hinako this time while putting his shoulder down and sliding his hand closer to the other as he goes to drive the end of his bata right into Hinako's throat before there is soon a concussive force released from the end to knock the girl back afterwards. "Hup, hah!"
As the soccer ball rolls back to his feet, he begins to plan how to deal with this opponent. The fact that she managed to dodge his soccer ball told him alot about her. The fact that she didn't attack though, meant that he still had some questions unanswered.
In order to deal with that, he's going to have to come up closer. There's still the soccer balls rolling about the deck and he gracefully manages to dribble around them. Swaying left and right as he performs intricate moves around the balls until he's finally near the in-line ninja. Running by her as he attempts to give a quick shoulder to shoulder push as if he was performing a soccer tackle but because this is a fight there's also a bit of elbow thrown in as well.
COMBATSYS: Roberto successfully hits Riko with Quick Punch.
- Power hit! -
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Roberto 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Riko
An explosive gasp escapes Riko's lungs. Breath forced from her, owing to the sheer strength of Roberto's tackle. And that not-so-nice elbow. She chokes, nearly swallowing her bubble gum.
Thrown backwards, Riko is knocked clean off her feet. And for a moment, it looks like she'll go over the side of the railing, and into the water.
Almost.
One hand shoots out. Grabbing the metal. She spins like a gymnast on the parallel bars. Landing right-side up in a crouch, the wheels of her skates resting on the rail.
Riko smiles back, defiantly.
She drops one hand to her side, fingers thumbing her iPod. The player's screen lights up, and a distinct /beat/ begins to pulse from the large headphones on her head. Loud enough that everyone can hear. A throbbing techno rhythm.
Then she lunges forward, towards Roberto. Almost like the tackle he did earlier, her skates rolling as she blasts across the deck.
Past him.
Her hand moves from her iPod controls, moving to lightly tap Roberto as she passes.
A line of crackling blue sparks streaming from the music player, to her fingers, to the soccer boy.
Meanwhile, the shouts and cheers from the crowds along the shore...reach fever pitch. Now that the action's started, they're getting really worked up.
There's a big press of humanity over there, people packed all the way along the waterfront, watching from buildings as well as street level.
The spectators on the small craft in the harbour are cheering too, screaming from the little boats flanking the big yacht.
COMBATSYS: Faolan successfully hits Hinako with Saying Hello.
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Roberto 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Riko
Anything Hinako might have had to say at this moment is cut off as Faolan's bata is driven into her throat. In the big picture, it won't be a huge detriment to her ability to fight... but right now it's pretty darn painful. Tears spring to her eyes as she tries to choke out a cry of pain.
But even as she's being blasted back with tears of pain in her eyes, this is still a fight. And that means that Hinako is a sumo before anything else. Her hand flies up as she staggers back, reaching up in an attempt to grab Faolan by the wrist and yank him along with her.
If she succeeds, she'll yank on his arm to steady herself, then reach with her other arm in an attempt to grab him by the shoulder and slam him down into the deck. If she fails, she'll probably end up falling over backwards.
COMBATSYS: Faolan interrupts Kake Nage from Hinako with Jig Kick.
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Roberto 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Riko
There is some unfolding of events that mostly make Faolan react on instinct more than anything. Damn he hates having to fight the kiddies for reasons like this. Hinako's hands grasp for the Irishman's wrist and he starts getting pulled forward, but he starts to tug back to pull her forward as he keeps both hands gripped on the bata as he feels his damn arm get tweaked to hell and probably out of socket in the process of getting loose of the sumo's grip. "Oh hell no. Not again." he says rather quickly as he jumps back and whips out a leg.
Then it happens. The guy actually cheap shotted Hinako right between the legs while he was jumping back. He is stumbling some to regain his footing and he then realizes that what he did and he winces some as he takes another step back. This might not be good. "Sorry about that kid, but all is fair in love and war." he says while reaching up to rub the back of his neck for a moment. "You gonna need ice for that?"
[OOC] Ryu says, "..Isn't Hinako a girl? :|a"
[OOC] Riko says, "He drove his stick between her legs."
[OOC] Riko says, "SCANDAL"
[OOC] Faolan says, "Hey hey hey, it was my foot!"
[OOC] Faolan doesn't want to be arrested afterall. D:<
COMBATSYS: Roberto just-defends Riko's Light Fantastic!
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Roberto 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Riko
Well it's hard to say whether or not being a star striker or being a golden goalie helps him more in this situation. It starts with the ball handling skills of a striker. As the Roller Ninja makes her way towards him, he performs a spin move away from her allowing for enough room to let the goalie instincts to kick in.
Then when the blue electricity shoots out, his left hand begins to glow as if he were performing the Shining Clutch but instead of actually deflecting it his draws it in from her finger tips and then he closes his hand around the ball of light that formed in the process of drawing the in energy in.
With the energy dealt with, he breaks into a rapid sprint after the ninja, dribbling the soccer ball as he moves and when he gets close enough, he kicks his energy engulfed, watersock clad, foot past the ball at her and ideally sending the ninja into the air.
COMBATSYS: Roberto successfully hits Riko with Thrust Kick.
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Roberto 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Riko
The yacht cruises slowly along the shore, gracefully parting the water.
It's almost serene, really.
Or at least it would be.
Unfortunately, that visual's spoilt by the spotlights illuminating the boat. And the frantic shouting of the announcer, delivering a blow-by-blow of the fight's proceedings. Then there's the continued cheers from the crowd. And the sound of the helicopters overhead.
This is SNF.
SNF doesn't do peaceful.
That should be obvious.
And if it's violence the people want, it's violence they'll get. In spades.
Like, you know, that kick from Roberto which sends Riko into the air. Thankfully for her, she doesn't fly all the way off the deck.
Unfortunately for her, that's because she crashes into the one end of the battlefield that -doesn't- lead to open water. The side of the boat, the bulkhead leading to the main body of the yacht and the salon. She crashes into it hard enough to rattle the glass in the portholes and the doors.
Riko groans, picking herself up. Shaking her head. Her eyes narrow.
Oh, she acts like a teenage ditz. Looks the part, too, with her in-line skates, headphones, and music player. But her brain is working in overtime, running a careful tactical analysis.
Her eyes flick to the other end of the deck, where Hinako and Faolan are dancing with each other. Riko's never met this Hinako before. But she made sure to study all publically available information about the other fighters before coming to this match. And the sumo girl seems remarkably capab---
Oh, ow. Did that guy just kick the sumo girl IN THE GROIN?
Riko experiences a moment of shared estrogen solidarity.
Riko surprised wince only lasts a second, though, before her awareness shifts firmly back to Roberto.
Hinako can avenge her own virtue. For now, Riko's got a Brazillian to deal with.
She chews aggressively, teeth gnawing at the gum in her mouth.
Then she blasts forward, fully on her feet. Skating, now. She sweeps a couple of the soccer balls on the deck up, as she passes, juggling them with her hands.
Apparently she's confused about which sport's in game here.
Is Roberto?
She throws the ball.
Now is a very good time for Hinako to be thankful that she's a girl, and that such an attack isn't quite as painful as it could have been. As far as pain goes, it's not much worse than when she got hit in the throat. It is, however, rather uncouth. Still, allowances must be made when you're in a fight. And at least Faolan isn't stabbing her or anything like that. Hinako doesn't like being stabbed.
Not that she favors being kicked in the groin much, either. Climbing back to her feet, she just shakes her head briefly. "D-don't worry about it." Honestly, she'd rather that whole event just be forgotten as quickly as possible. Maybe dishing out some violence of her own will help with that!
The blonde sumo dashes off toward Faolan, leading with an upward angled palm strike aimed for the stick fighter's face. She quickly follows up with another one aimed at his shoulder, the combination meant to shift his balance into a precarious position. She then tries to take advantage of that, stepping forward to grab Faolan by the shoulder and slam his back down to the deck.
COMBATSYS: Faolan just-defends Hinako's Combo Throw!
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Roberto 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Riko
This having to hunch over to compensate for the big height difference was taking some getting used to, but Faolan finally seems to be finding his footing and setting up a better defense to take care of the rather agile and strong sumo. His eyes narrow some and he brings up the bata to stop the first strike and then he twists to where the one aimed for his shoulder misses as well. He pushes off that hand and hops back while nodding his head. "Forgive and forget works." he finally says, a grin coming across his face as it seems that he is finally getting in the fighting spirit and not being as grumpy.
He keeps his distance from the sumo right now. Trying to go toe to toe with Hinako is probably not the greatest idea and Roberto seems to be handling Riko well enough. Right now this fight looks like it could go either way. This is somethign he really needs to change or else Heidern might give him some horrible training sessions the next few days. That is not something that sounds savory to the Ikari recruit at all. With that in mind he raises his bata up high then slashes downwards. It looks like he is swinging at air, but Hinako will know differently because another concussive blast is heading right her way to knock her back again.
COMBATSYS: Roberto fails to reflect Thrown Object from Riko with Shining Clutch.
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Roberto 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Riko
Hey Roberto has some Japanese in his blood too, you know. But anyway... Remember those reflexes we mentioned earlier? Well probably he was a little off... Perhaps he was paying a little too much attention to the fight on Hinako and Faolan's front... Nevertheless Roberto Miura gets hit in the chest before he bring those glowing hands to intercept that as well... And it bounces off his chest. He can only muster a raised eyebrow in response. He's gonna keep his mouth shut for a bit while he figures out what happened.
In response, Riko grins, and sticks her tongue out - a wad of bright pink gum balanced on the tip. Taunting Roberto. It's a small victory, but she'll take what she can get.
She flicks her mouth shut, and chews. Deliberately.
Before skating backwards, sliding across the ship's deck. She's still holding one of the soccer balls in her hand. This she tucks under one arm. Casually.
Gently, gently. A calm and stately rear-ward progress.
Before she -spins on a dime-, the wheels of her skates -shrieking-.
She barrels towards Faolan. Extremely fast, heading in at an angle towards his left side, even as he shoots an air blast at Hinako.
Taking advantage of his focus upon her teammate to /charge/ him. Leaving blazing trails of blue chi-charged sparks on the wooden floorboards, so fast she skates.
"Hey, Sumo Girl," Riko calls out, "SWITCH!"
Meanwhile...
The fighters aren't the only ones on the ship.
No, of course not. Some poor saps have to drive the boat, you know.
Up on the yacht's bridge, the captain breathes a deep and long-suffering sigh. He shares a sympathetic glance with his uniformed bridge crew, then turns his attention back to the screens. Keeping an eye on the fight raging on his precious vessel. He wishes his employer wasn't so...so...-eager- to loan the yacht out for this...this.../TV show/. But orders are orders.
He's not happy, though. So far things have been okay. But what if one of those crazy martial artists does something really destructive? You never know, with these fighters. You never know.
COMBATSYS: Faolan successfully hits Hinako with Bata Blast.
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Roberto 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0 Riko
Hinako blinks once as Riko calls out, but then she quickly changes her footing to face toward Roberto. If you're going to throw your opponents off balance, you've got to act quickly. "Gotcha!" Unfortunately, this leaves her back wide open for Faolan's attack. She's already running when it hits, and for a moment she tries to shift her weight to simply ride it out when she feels it slamming into her. That... doesn't work so well, and she winds up stumbling a bit.
But not for long! Hinako is quickly back on the move, running once more at Roberto. She lunges at the soccer player, trying to wrap an arm around his torso as she runs past. She then firmly plants a foot, intent on spinning around, dragging Roberto off his feet, then spiking him right into the deck.
COMBATSYS: Faolan blocks Riko's One Hit Wonder EX.
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Roberto 0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0 Hinako
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Faolan 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Riko
The distance between him and Hinako is enough for Faolan to see Riko coming in at him. Of course the whole shouting kinda draws his attention as well. She comes in quick, but Riko's momentum is quickly stopped when she comes in and barely knocks the Irishman back a step with her attack. "A switch up? I am fine with that." he grumps and he grins while ducking in low and wielding the bata one handed at least for a moment.
He brings it around in an attempt to slam into the back of Riko's knees to throw her off balance before twisting about to swing the bata back around as he grips it too handed once again. He slams the end of the stick into Riko's stomach while pushing forward to almost try to pick her up on the end of the stick as he charges forward with a yell before finally a concussive blast attempts to send the ninjagirl up and away into the railing of the yacht.
COMBATSYS: Roberto endures Hinako's Strong Throw.
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Roberto 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Riko
The soccer phenom goes up and over getting slammed hard into the deck letting out a pained grunt as he makes impact with the deck leaving a hole shaped like Roberto's back. It would appear the damage of the ship is beginning.
However it doesn't quite end there since Roberto doesn't allow her to disengage from him and as a matter of fact, he grabs onto her arm as she pulls away... As he holds onto her as he swings her toward a railing, not quite touching the railing yet. He then swings leg around into her torso while still attempting to trap her in order to make her impact the railing.
COMBATSYS: Faolan successfully hits Riko with Hair of the Dog.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Roberto 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/------=|=======\==-----\1 Riko
The wind from the final concussive blast...throws Riko's hair into complete disarray.
Oddly enough, that's what annoys her the most. You'd think it'll be the pain from that series of punishing blows. Being whacked in the knees by a stick can't be fun. Or having it rammed into her gut. But no. It's the shockwave at the end which really ticks her off.
It's powerful enough to overcome even her industrial-grade ninja hairspray.
Riko flies backward. Only the railing breaks her flight. And not in a nice way, since it crashes into the small of her back, against her spine.
She winces. Ouch.
And chews her gum. Focusing on the taste, using it as a focus to block out the pain.
The ninja girl looks up. Her stereo headphones and iPod pulsing a steady beat. Appropriate to the agony dancing from her abused form. That's gonna bruise in the morning.
Despite all that, she manages a quip, grinning at Faolan.
"Soooo...you keep hitting us girls with it. I gotta ask, is that stick compensating for something?"
COMBATSYS: Riko gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Roberto 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/------=|=======\=------\1 Riko
Aboard one of the patrol boats flanking the yacht, the commanding officer of the detatchment shakes his head. Riding herd on a boat with people fighting on it... that wasn't what he signed up for when he joined the coast guard. Oh, sure, the assignment's not such a bad duty, and from where he's standing, he's got a great view of the action.
But still.
He shakes his head again. Shouldn't let it distract him. He sweeps the waters of the bay with a cool, practiced gaze, then exchanges a glance with his officers. Making sure everything's still running smooth.
The Manila authorities aren't taking any chances here. An event like this is a potential terrorist target, and if there's one thing the Filipino government doesn't mess around with, it's that.
Not that they're really expecting any trouble, but better safe than sorry.
COMBATSYS: Hinako blocks Roberto's Heavy Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Roberto 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/------=|=======\=------\1 Riko
There is a slight shrug in response from the question and the Irishman just grins as he rubs at the back of his neck. "What's a kid like you asking about that sort of thing anyways? Sorry lass, but you are a bit young for me to give any response using innuendo." he replies. It isn't like Riko is the first person that has asked that sort of question. Faolan has kinda grown used to that sort of thing and while it used to get his blood boiling in the past it looks like he doesn't even flinch at it now. Especially coming from a kid.
Enough with the chitchatting, though. Faolan figures he gave the ninja enough of a break that he is ready to come right at her and bring his bata around again though as a feint this time as it whiffs over Riko's head and he charges in to just bring his knee in to catch her between the attack and the railing before hopping back.
Hinako yelps in surprise as she's swung around, but then doesn't find herself slammed into the railing as she was expecting. A moment later it's clear what is happening, and she backs up against the railing herself, giving her something to brace herself again. Roberto's feet come swinging in, but crash into the palms of Hinako's hands. She's used to stopping charging sumo wrestlers with them... a kick is a smaller target, but just as easily stopped if she can aim right.
Pulling her right arm back and out over the railing, Hinako gathers her strength, then suddenly lunges forward with a single palm strike aimed for the center of Roberto's chest. Her intention is to send him staggering so that she can dash out and get herself out of this pinned position. Having her back to the railing is gonna be bad before long.
COMBATSYS: Roberto interrupts Fierce Punch from Hinako with Bicycle Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Roberto 1/------=/=======|=======\====---\1 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/------=|=======\=------\1 Riko
Even if Roberto was completely un prepared for Hinako's ability to defend against the attack, Roberto was completely prepared for her response. He shifts to the side allowing the attack to glance off his side and speed up his turn with his back facing Hinako. He then flips backwards driving his foot into her forehead, treating her much like a soccer ball that the move was originally meant for.
After he lands, he slips into his stance, his fingers wiggling as he waits for Hinako to come in. The soccer star is breathing hard and he knows that pretty much anything can happen in the SNFs.
COMBATSYS: Faolan successfully hits Riko with Strong Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Roberto 1/------=/=======|=======\====---\1 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/-----==|=======\====---\1 Riko
She miscalculated.
It's not an admission Riko makes easily. But she's willing to make it, all the same. At least in the privacy of her own head. She was played by Faolan's faint, ducking from a strike that really...wasn't real. And that's when the kick hits her in the midsection. Pounding her abdomen, knocking her into that damned steel railing at the edge of the deck. Again. Her vertabrae cracking against the metal.
Amazingly, despite all this...Riko still has a soccer ball cradled in her arm. The one she scooped up. She hasn't dropped it...
...well. Until now.
It slips from her hand as she slumps to her knees.
"Ow," Riko says, faintly.
The ball rolls. Bouncing on the deck, once, twice, three times.
The soccer ball rolls beside Faolan. If he's really sharp, he might notice the wad of gum stuck to it, smeared across the ball's surface. The gum Riko's been chewing all this while.
Except...
It isn't gum.
It's coloured pink, and it is sticky.
But it's not gum. Not really.
It's plastic explosive.
And Riko?
Riko commands electric chi.
Boom.
White foam. Water splashing. The yacht's streamlined bow, slicing across the bay.
But not in a straight line, no.
It's a gradual thing, so small that it's barely noticable. Just a matter of a few degrees. But a few degrees, over time, make a whole lot of difference.
And the yacht is now, very subtly...turning away from shore.
Aboard the lead escort boat, the coast guard commander frowns faintly. He leans forward, staring out of the bridge window. He turns towards his XO - but the other officer's already spotted it.
There's no mistake. Or if there's a mistake, it isn't their's. The yacht is off-course. Not by much, but enough. At this rate, it'll soon be moving away from the waterfront, and travelling at an oblique angle out to sea.
Some sort of malfunction? Or just sloppy piloting? The coast guard commander shakes his head. Civilians. He picks up his radio handset and signals the yacht.
It's rather clear to Hinako that Roberto /is/ in fact waiting for her to come to him... And that's a bad sign. She's well aware that many of her techniques are fairly easy to see through. She has to rely on raw power where guile while not suffice. When she's feeling in top shape, that's usually not a problem. But right now she's starting to get rather run down. The kick in the head manages to shake her up a bit, too. So rather than go charging toward Roberto, the sumo girl hangs back for a moment. "Pretty good kicks you've got there..." Well, it's to be expected, right? He /is/ a soccer player. But she needs to bide her time somehow.
COMBATSYS: Hinako gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Roberto 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Riko
COMBATSYS: Faolan blocks Riko's Chaos Tactics.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Roberto 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Riko
That was perhaps a bit too easy, but who cares at thsi point. Faolan is into the groove and he is all grins as he wielding his bata one handed while fishing in his coat pocket. He is about to say something up till he notices the ball slowly rolling his way. At first he thinks nothing of it, but then his instincts start to kick in as he starts to wonder if the gum isn't gum at all. He starts leaping back right as the ball explodes and once things die down there stands the Irishman with slightly singed jacket and red hair, but also now with a lit cig resting in his mouth. "Thanks kid. Saves me time."
And indeed it does. It gives him enough time to come right forward again at the young girl, eyes glancing over the railing as he eyes the other boats. No, none close enough for what he wants to do and he isn't a big enough bastard to toss the girl in the water. Instead he comes in and graps for her with both hands to heft her up and toss her across the deck of the yacht with a mighty heft. "Hup!"
"Thanks." Roberto allows himself a little smirk before getting himself back to business. By that, I mean he shifts himself around and attempts to punch out at Hinako with closed fist as if pushing away soccer ball.
But now the question becomes where is he attempt to push her. And the answer is he's attempting to use a series of punches, while not exactly the most damaging, to sort of move her towards the ninja girl.
It looks like the quick handed goalie has a plan....
COMBATSYS: Riko blocks Faolan's Medium Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Roberto 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Riko
Riko's eyes widen at Faolan.
That...that...
...that thing with the cigar was so cool.
It's just not fair.
She hits the deck, slung unceremoniously by the Ikari Warrior. Hard enough to crack the wood planks. She manages to roll, though, diffusing some of the impact. Just barely. She ends up back on her feet, in a low crouch. And since there are -wheels- on her feet, owing to her in-line skates, she continues to move. Sliding. Still bleeding off the momentum from that throw.
Well ow.
"Okay," Riko manages, wheezing, "that was...impressive."
That said, she moves. Springing from her crouch, spine uncurling like a releasing spring. Going forward, going low, stretching out a hand to full extension.
Like she's making a grab for Faolan's weapon.
She isn't, though. Not really.
If she manages to touch it, just -brushing- her fingers across it... a little circle of blue chi will glow on the wood. Just for an instant.
Before the entire bata becomes a lightning rod.
By now, the change in the yacht's direction is becoming obvious. At least to the spectators on shore. The boat is definitely turning. It's not a sharp turn...but it's a turn all the same. And while the large luxury motor yacht might not be the most nimble of vessels, she's still surprisingly quick and agile for her size. Which means, by now, she's quite visibly presenting her aft aspect to the shore. And she's picking up speed.
Water churns in her wake, rocking the fleet of small craft shadowing the yacht. Much to their consternation.
The coast guard escorts signal the yacht again. Frantically, this time.
There isn't any answer.
COMBATSYS: Hinako interrupts Quick Punch from Roberto with Gasshou Hineri.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Roberto 1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Riko
Whether or not the other fighters have begun to notice something odd about the ship they're on, Hinako is too caught up in the fight to worry about little things like where the boat is going. The brief flurry of punches coming from Roberto has all of her attention. As she charges right through it. Roberto's fist clips the sumo on the cheek, but she doesn't slow down.
Leaping up, Hinako slams her arm into Roberto's upper chest, sliding the limb upwards to wrap it around the soccer player's neck as she moves past. She then quickly spins around, yanking Roberto off his feet as she rotates several times quickly. And finally the sumo releases her opponent, sending him sailing, head first and at high speed, toward the wall of the ship's cabin.
COMBATSYS: Faolan endures Riko's Dragon Seal Blue.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Roberto 1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Faolan 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Riko
The speeding of the boat has been slightly noticed by the Ikari Warrior, but also Faolan hasn't had much time to really say anything right now. He has a rather quick little ninja harassing him at the moment and keeping track of her movements is a full time job. Riko's job of grasping for the bata is made only easier since Faolan is ready to use it to block whatever she is trying to do. Of course that only helps her in this case. That is when the Irishman is in for a shock of his life and he shakes as the discharge of electricity runs through him.
He still remains standing after it, but his red hair is spiked out all over the place and that cigarette he just lit? It is nothing but a but resting between his lips as the rest was burned up quickly from the attack. He spits out the remnents of his smoke and he his brow twitches some. "I only got two puffs off that....TWO!" he grumps and attempts to slam his bata right into Riko's chest full force and hoist her up to rest on the end of the stick. "Those things are expensive dammit!" A blast of chi explodes out of the bata during his proclomation as well intent on sending the ninja up into the air and away from Faolan. Damn ninja!
Oh the humanity!!! That was not in the plans. Roberto goes right through the cabin... Not just head but his whole body goes through and his becomes a world of agony. Even still, he has a job to and he crawls back through the hole and he glances at one of those soccer balls.
At this point in the fight he isn't in the condition to run without hurting himself in the process. So he limps as he moves towards it. When he gets there he takes deep breaths... Desperately he's drawing in air and looking at both Hinako and Riko. It looks like he's planning something big...
COMBATSYS: Roberto focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Roberto 1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Faolan 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Riko
COMBATSYS: Faolan successfully hits Riko with One for the Road.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Roberto 1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > /// ]
Faolan 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Riko
Riko tries to dodge. Oh she tries. But all that happens is...she gets hit at an awkward angle. Flinging her -straight up-. Or almost. Faolan's blast of chi
throws Riko in the air.
Again.
This is getting to be a habit. Not a good habit, either. One of those bad ones. Like smoking.
Smoking is hazardous to your health. Riko's health, anyway. Looks like Faolan was -really mad- about that cigar.
Under normal circumstances, Riko'd probably be...very wary about what Roberto's doing. That boy's prepping something, it's obvious.
Heck, she'd be paying more attention to the way the ship's moving, too.
But all that's just...background for her, now. She lands in a sprawled heap, flopping down a couple of feet from Faolan, on the deck.
"S...sorry," Riko mumbles.
She sounds genuinely contrite.
Which she is, really. Her fight's with the Irishman. The cigar never did anything to her. It was just an innocent bystander.
Well, that's what she'd say.
Her sensei would probably call it a matter of honour or something.
Of course, someone /rational/ might point out that it's Faolan's own fault for stopping to light a /cigar/, of all things, in the middle of a fight.
But Riko understands that kinda thing.
She's still got a pair of stereo headphones on, the background beat loud enough to be audible /beyond/ her ears.
Then there's the in-line skates. She seems remarkably adept at fighting with them, but surely that isn't practical?
And then there's her gum habit, of course.
Mind you...
...the gum turned out to be explosives, after all.
So there's probably a good reason why she wears those headphones. And those skates.
Well. There is.
The techno beat from Riko's headphones is a loud, loud thing. So most folks assume if the volume's that loud in ambient noise...it must be totally deafening to Riko.
That'd be a fair assumption. If these were normal headphones.
They're not. They aren't -really- piping music to her ears. They're actually external speakers, with all the output directed -outside-.
Designed to give the impression of deafening volume, without actually being so.
So that's a distraction.
The headphones also -protect- her hearing.
Especially when she does things like this. Raising one leg, pointing a skated foot at Faolan.
Her face shifting into a grin of defiance.
A spark of chi. Slamming into the metal of her skate plates, into the wheels.
An explosion, as her skate -blows apart-, a loud resounding KA-BOOM of shrapnel.
...and, after that, Riko just flops back, gasping. She isn't quite unconscious, but it's clear she's not getting up.
COMBATSYS: Riko can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Roberto 1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Faolan 1/------=/=======|
At this point, the yacht is very badly off-course. The spectators are none the wiser. They don't notice anything wrong. Heck, there isn't anything wrong...if you believe the announcer's amplified voice, blasting out over the harbour. From what he's saying, this is a planned part of the show. Nothing's amiss.
Really.
But...a small crisis is occuring among the SNF organisers, the Howard Enterprises staff on-scene. The yacht was /supposed/ to sail parallel to the waterfront, on a southward course...before turning back and heading north. But it wasn't supposed to turn /here/. And it doesn't look like the yacht is going back the way it came, either. Now the bow is pointing towards open sea. Her powerful engines going to full speed.
And now... It seems Hinako is left in a precarious situation. Riko didn't look to be in good shape, and now the explosion briefly masks just what's going on over there. Roberto, for his part, seems to be planning something... And if it comes down to Hinako vs Roberto and Faolan, she's going to be in trouble. Rather big trouble.
Unless... Unless she can find some opening to exploit. Some perfect moment to strike. It's very likely that she's only going to get once chance, so she's going to have to make it /count/.
COMBATSYS: Hinako focuses on her next action.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Roberto 1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Faolan 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Faolan blocks Riko's Chaos Tactics.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Roberto 1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Faolan 0/-------/----===|
Damn this fight is taxing for fighting a couple of girls. It has been fun at least! Nothing like a fight where everyone is so damned serious. Only when it looks like he finally gets Riko down and out does he straighten up to speak out. "Hey I don't think we are supposed to be...." he trails off as he notices the spark from the skate and he dives as the explosion goes and he misses most of the blast as he hits the deck rolling. He ends up coming to a stop and he mutters as he rubs at his head and then glances to his side to where a soccer ball rests by his side.
He ponders for a moment and then raises up. "Ey, Roberto!" He calls out to get his partner's attention as he holds the ball up in one hand then tosses it into the air. He then grips his bata with both hands and brings it back to swing hard and knock the ball towards the soccer player. "Head's up!" he calls. Hey, he might not play soccer, but he figures a little old pass and shoot isn't a bad idea at all.
COMBATSYS: Faolan assists Roberto.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Roberto 1/-======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Faolan 0/-------/----===|
Roberto sees the soccer ball coming and he chest traps it up into the air just high enough that it lands on his face. If there are any hidden cameras on the ship at the just the right angle they would notice his lips kissing the ball for just an instant before drops to his thigh to be propelled back up this time his head slamming into the soccer ball loudly as it screams towards the petite sumo wrestler.
That first soccer ball isn't the real threat. It's actually the soccer ball that he had by his feet the entire time. As that first ball is traveling towards her the second soccer ball gets kicked hard at her with a bright glow as it travels towards Hinako before it suddenly explodes with a loud BOOM as the area centered around the soccer ball is engulfed in energy which probably would be quite damaging to the boat as well.
Probably is damaging to the boat. The sort of thing that leaves a whole in the deck, sending chips of wood flying into the water. It'd probably draw a good deal of attention...
...if things weren't so messed up out there already. As it is, it just adds to the chaos. Confusion, total and utter.
The yacht, with all the fighters on board, is just blazing out of the harbour now. The SNF announcer back on shore is trying his best to play down the situation, but he's not having much success. The crowds along the waterfront are still getting aerial views of the match, from the helicopters following the yacht. But...well. No hiding it.
It's clear that something is terribly, terribly wrong.
The yacht is speeding towards open sea. Despite the coast guard's best attempts to stop it. The escort boats are keeping pace with the yacht, just barely, but it's a losing battle. And there's no answer on the radio.
Up in the motor yacht's bridge, everything is still. Quite a contrast from the chaos outside.
The radio crackles, demanding a response. But nobody answers.
The captain sits in his command chair, his feet on the deck, back straight...
...head lolling, eyes shut, unconscious.
Like the rest of his crew.
COMBATSYS: Roberto successfully hits Hinako with Blazing Strikers.
[ \\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Roberto 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0 Hinako
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Faolan 0/-------/----===|
Hinako stands her ground as the explosion erupts around her. When the blast fades, the sumo girl is still on her feet, but visible wobbling. She takes one unsteady step forward, though it's not clear if she's going for Roberto or Faolan. She starts taking a deep breath...
...And then the first, normal soccer ball ricochets off the railing behind her, bouncing back to strike her squarely in the back of the head. Hinako wasn't expecting that, and she doesn't have enough energy to maintain her balance. Or try to break her fall. She hits the deck, her forehead slamming painfully against it, and then everything goes black.
COMBATSYS: Hinako takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Roberto 0/-------/-----==|
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Faolan 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Hinako can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Roberto 0/-------/-----==|
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Faolan 0/-------/----===|
There is finally a slight break in the chaos that has allowed Faolan reorient himself as Roberto finishes off Hinako and thus makes the fight end. Of course the Ikari Warrior has a feeling that is only a minor thing to care about. This thing is way off course and the lack of escort is even more disconcerting.
"Oi oi oi. I think we have a problem here. Check on the ladies." he tells Roberto as he starts to head towards the cabin with brow furrowed. If only he had brought backup with him. Of course this was SNF so whoever is doing this is pretty ballsy if they are looking to get the ire of one Geese Howard. "Slow this thi...." he stops in mid shout as he notices something wrong about the posture of the captain when looking for the window and he goes to open up the door and dart in.
COMBATSYS: Faolan gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\ <
Roberto 0/-------/-----==|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Faolan 0/-------/------=|
Roberto finally takes a look around and when the fog of war actually wears off he takes a deep breath as he finally realizes the gravity of their situation. He checks on Hinako, checking her pulse and then trying to wake her up. He then moves towards Riko in an attempt to check on her and noticing that she is conscious but not moving. "Hey!! Hinako is out cold and..." he turns to the ninja girl. "Hey Riko... Are you alright?"
It's at this point Roberto notices that the Ikari Warrior stopped mid-sentence and it's at this point that he notices the posture of the captain and the crew. "What the..." Roberto doesn't even bother finishing the questions he focuses on gulping as much air as possible and praying he's not too worn out to deal with whatever the hell is going on.
COMBATSYS: Roberto drops his guard to recover.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Roberto 0/-------/-----==|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Faolan 0/-------/------=|
Riko groans, propping herself up on one elbow. Her head's all fuzzy, but she's still just /barely/ aware enough to realise...well. Hinako's down. That means they've lost. She's too badly beaten to get up, but she manages to turn her head just enough to look in the other girl's direction. And breathe a sigh.
Ah well.
Then she blinks, forcing her head to clear.
There's something.
She tries to listen.
Wait...
At this point, the luxury yacht is almost entirely out of the harbour. The two coast guard boats are still following, but the officers on board just...have no idea /what/ to do about the situation. In the lead craft, the commander grits his teeth. They've tried signalling the yacht. They're just about ready to whip out the megaphones and yell to the fighters they can see on deck...
...when it happens.
Faolan's probably noticed the state of the yacht captain and his bridge crew by now. And an experienced soldier like him...should have no problems telling that the whole lot of them have been knocked out by a professional.
And that's when the ball drops.
Whooping. Hollering.
Just a whole lot of animal noise.
Coming from the lower decks.
And then, they burst up from below, seemingly appearing from everywhere at once.
PIRATES!
Or possibly ninja pirates. Certainly they seem to have red bandannas wrapped around their faces. But that's possibly more Wild West Outlaw chic than ninja. And it isn't totally out of the pirate aesthetic, anyway. They're definitely dressed the part /otherwise/, with cheesy blue-and-white striped shirts, leggings, and stylish pirate boots.
They're pirate men, yo. Pirates are cool.
And there's a lot of them. Over a dozen and there must be more of them infesting the ship. For them to have just taken over like this. And now they're rushing the fighters. Swarming onto the deck en-mass, shouting their heads off. No merry yo-ho-hos, these. Just sheer incoherent noise. And barking.
'cause one of them appears to be a dog. A pirate dog. With an eyepatch.
Which is appropriate, since the pirates are dogpiling the fighters. Who are badly outnumbered.
It's not like the girls can fight back, since Hinako's unconscious, and Riko's very nearly so. So both Hinako and Riko get picked up, manhandled, and just /tossed off the boat/. Thrown over the railings. Riko gives a scream of protest, but that's about all she can do.
Poor Hinako can't even do that.
True, they may not be top-tier combatants. But they ARE rough and tough pirates. Some of them are really big guys. Particularly that one pirate whose traditional striped shirt is stretched near breaking point, with an Elvis hairstyle peeking through his bandanna.
So they've got the strength, and they've got the numbers, and they had the sense to wait until the fighters had /finished the match/, tiring themselves out in the process.
Hey, you gotta think in the pirate profession. By now...Faolan and Roberto are still on their feet. But not by much. So half the pirates go for Roberto, intent on just overpowering him and throwing him off the boat as well. Another party charges Faolan on the bridge. To repeat the performance.
WALK THE PLANK! Except, well, there isn't any plank. So just over the side with you!
Oh hell this is just nuts. A perfectly good fight ruined by fools who think that ruining one of Geese's matches was a good idea. All he knows is he doesn't want to be in the shoes of these guys any time soon. Nor does Faolan really want to be touched by one. The lanky fighter is already trying to move away from any grasping hands, but there are a bit too many of them coming from the various sides that he is soon caught and starts getting carted towards the edge of the boat.
"You all are so fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc-" his sentence is cut off when he hits the water and it is a few seconds before the Irishman comes to the surface gulping for air and holding up a hand to give the pirates a one fingered salute. "Have fun getting bent over by Howard!" he calls out to them and then he looks about for where the others landed, helping Hinako or Riko remain afloat till the once escort will catch up to them depending on if he can even find em among the waves being created by the yacht moving onwards.
COMBATSYS: Faolan has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Roberto 0/-------/-----==|
Actually Roberto doesn't give them much trouble as far as getting tossed off. As matter of fact he goes quite willingly. Why? Because both Riko and Hinako aren't exactly in the best condition for swimming. Since Roberto was closest to Riko he swims out to her and tries to keep her afloat.
As much as he wants to yell and curse and carry on, he doesn't. Those things are a waste of energy which could be better put use keeping them afloat for that much longer. He has a firm belief that they'll get theirs... He hopes that he'll be one of the people to give it to them... He came wearing swim trunks and watersocks and they're getting good use... Too bad it was under the worst of worst case scenarios for this fight.
COMBATSYS: Roberto has ended the fight here.
Muttering a curse, the commander aboard the lead patrol boat orders his officers to break off the pursuit. They -saw- Hinako and Riko being thrown off the deck, and with the sheer number of.../pirates/...swarming up there...
...yeap. Faolan and Roberto follow suit a moment later.
The coast guards immediately spring into action, pulling over to the stranded fighters, moving to render assistance. They've got no choice. Faolan and Roberto can't keep the ladies afloat forever, and...they can't just let people drown.
Which is what the pirates were counting on.
A few more splashes come in the yacht's wake, as the ship's crew and captain get tossed overboard as well. With life vests, oddly enough.
Or maybe not so oddly. They're pirates, not murderers. It's nothing /personal/, after all. Just piracy.
Although...
...well, there -is- that one pirate there.
At the aft of the boat, as it steams away.
Wiggling his bare ass over the railing.
At the coast guard pursuers in general...and Faolan in particular.
Wiggle.
Wiggle.
Wiggle.
Maybe it is personal.
But hey. Pirates.
[OOC] Faolan says, "Next time I am bringing Heidern's corpse to flog people with. D:< Damn pirates."
[OOC] Riko <3
[OOC] Riko closes the log, unless you guys have more to add?
[OOC] Faolan says, "JOE IS A PIRATE!?"
[OOC] Riko says, "YES."
[OOC] Faolan says, "Nah, I am done."
[OOC] Hinako is also done. z.z
[OOC] Riko z_z
[OOC] Roberto says, "I'm done.... And Joe... Pirate? DIS IS SOME BULL... *censored*"
Ship Stolen on SNF!
MANILA -- A luxury motor yacht was hijacked in Manila Bay today, during the filming of a Saturday Night Fight match.
The yacht was being used as a fight venue for the weekly fighting event, popularly known as SNF. The hijackers were apparently hiding aboard the vessel, waiting for the conclusion of the match - before overpowering the fighters. Fighters Roberto Miura, Faolan Sheehan, Hinako Shijou and Riko Koganei were thrown overboard, along with the yacht's crew. They were rescued by Philippine Coast Guard boats, but this meant the Coast Guard was unable to pursue the yacht as it left the bay. A large crowd, estimated in the tens of thousands, was watching the match from the Manila waterfront as the yacht was stolen.
There were no serious injuries among the fighters and crew. Local authorities are investigating the incident, but they do not have any clues about the identity of the hijackers, or the yacht's current location. The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of an estimated 7,107 islands, and the stolen yacht also had sufficient range to reach international waters.
According to SNF officials on the scene in Manila, the results of the match - a victory for Roberto Miura and Faolan Sheehan - will be upheld in the SNF standings, as knockouts were achieved before the fighters were overpowered by the hijackers.
This hijacking follows directly after the reported death of Ikari Warrior commander Heidern, at a seperate SNF match in Dubai. SNF officials refused to comment on whether this represents a pattern in the popular television programme.
The missing vessel is the "Saint Tropez", a 65 metre (213 foot) luxury super-yacht, on-loan to SNF organisers by Filipino businessman Manuel Villanueva.
-- AFP
Log created by Riko, and last modified on 17:10:14 04/22/2007.