Description: After getting his body broken by Grant, Gato crawls down a mountainside and ends up at the Heinlein estate. There Kain waits to give him part two of his orientation meeting. The result. Gato gets further battered by the other practicioner of Ankoku. In the end though, he proved himself worthy of training.
The past several hours of Gato's life have been, in few words, a living hell. Crawling down from the mountain-top at a snail's pace has done very little to help him recuperate from his introductory battle with Grant, though eventually he was able to stand up again.
In standing, he found that walking on hobbled legs wasn't much easier than crawling. But he perservered. He found his path down. Now he limps along a footpath remembering Grant's words: 'Make your way to the Heinlein estate. You have one day.'
With no real direction in mind, he takes a brief rest against a tree, breathing laboredly and trying to collect his thoughts. No one ever said the Martyr of Might was helpful.
The woods may be thick, but luckily the Heinlein estate is a fairly large property. And Gato has been wandering in generally the right direction. Of course, Kain isn't going to go out and /meet/ him... That'd be too easy. But their are paths running through the woods that have been made by Kain for the purposes of getting to some of the training grounds that he's set up.
And speaking of training grounds... The tree Gato leans against has a rope tied to one of the branches midway up the trunk. It's no trap, thankfully... Simply part of a small network of ropes criss-crossing the area a short distance above head height. The exact purpose of the setup isn't immediately clear at first glance, and it looks like it probably hasn't been used in some time. The path leading away from it, however, is still clearly visible despite some undergrowth. A short way down that path, and the massive Heinlein mansion should become visible. With a small figure standing on the grounds behind the mansion, facing out towards the woods from which Gato will hopefully soon emerge.
The battered man takes a look at the rope network, before looking at the path, and turns towards the path. With quiet determination he limps through the undergrowth, stepping over the scant branches and brambles that no-doubt have found their way onto the trail through decay and wind.
After awhile, Gato does find his way out of the woods, having taken the winding path to its end. He looks to the mansion without a change in expression, before he begins to hobble towards the figure. It seem's Gato's initial trial is almost at an end, but appearances can be deciving.
Kain says nothing when Gato comes into view, nor does he make any effort to step out and greet the new arrival. When Gato has gotten within about 30 feet Kain does take a moment to glance at his watch, then looks back up to Gato. "You've made decent time. An excellent way to start things off." Well, that sounds promising, at least.
"You are Gato Futaba, correct?" The tone of voice which Kain uses suggests that denying that would probably not be a good idea. "Grant has spoken to me already. I presume he's given you some indication of the trials that await you on your path. If you're going to turn back, now would be the time." And any respect Kain might possibly have for Gato can be thrown out the window.
Gato regards Kain cooly before he nods at the question of his name, and speaks, "Turning back would make the events of last night useless. I've come too far to be turned away." He stands up straight and crosses his arms under his bruised chest, "I won't be turned away."
Well, at least he's got tenacity. His eyes travel across the mansion grounds for a moment before finding their way back to Kain, and he waits. After all, whatever test Kain has planned can't be much worse than the trial by fire he recieved from Grant hours ago. It looks like the pupil is ready.
The response from Kain is a brief nod. He slips his left hand into his pocket, leaning back slightly into a casual stance. "Very good. You needn't worry about having to stumble about in the woods to find Grant again to continue your training. That's simply a waste of time for all concerned when you've already shown some basic ability and determination. All that you need to do is earn those directions."
Kain gestures towards Gato with his right hand, leaving his palm facing up. Purple fire springs up in the palm of his blue-gloved hand as he watches Gato calmly. "Now then... I think, perhaps, you can guess what you need to do to earn those directions, hmm?" Not beat Kain, of course, although /that/ would certainly qualify. He just has to show himself to be worthwhile.
COMBATSYS: Kain has started a fight here.
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Kain 0/-------/-------|
Gato raises his eyebrow slightly, before he slides down into his stance, swaying slightly as if he is staying on his feet by sheer willpower alone.
With one hand up to protect his face, and the other forward, ready to strike, he says, "Very Well. I'll do what I must," With that he seems ready to fight, and it looks like the bruised man is actually looking for flaws in Kain.
COMBATSYS: Gato has joined the fight here.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
COMBATSYS: Gato focuses on his next action.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kain
Well now... Hanging back isn't generally the best way to impress someone. On the other hand, Kain cares about intelligence as well as fighting ability. And not throwing yourself into a potential meat grinder is a fairly intelligent approach to take. But the fight has to start sometime, or nobody is really going to learn anything.
Kain takes one step forward, still keeping his hand within his pocket. As he gets closer to Gato his right foot suddenly shoots upward, purple flame trailing behind it as he launches a vicious kick almost straight up toward the other man's jaw.
COMBATSYS: Gato counters Schwarze Lanze from Kain with Hou-zan Sai Heki-Ga.
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Gato 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Kain
Gato's body twists and moves, forcing a wince of pain out of him as he angles his body quite a ways away from the purple flame attached to the attack. He then pushes the leg aside, and thrusts his back towards Kain, ramming his shoulder into the white-suited fighter, then twisting once again and bringing his elbow raking down Kain's chest, while his fists go to his side.
With the attack completed, Gato takes a quick hop backwards, continuing to look at Kain, though an almost imperceptible smirk appears on his face. He may be getting a bit prematurely arrogant about such a successful opening. Other than that, his stance remains solid. Once again he waits with his eyes on Kain, ready to move like water.
The question is, how long will that smirk remain? Especially when Kain barely moves under the impact of Gato's counter assault, other than to take a single step backwards to maintain his balance when his leg hits the ground. Aside from that, he appears quite unconcerned.
Kain isn't one to talk much during a fight, though. He simply steps forward again, this time thrust an arm out toward Gato in the form of a palm strike. Except he doesn't actually try to connect. He stops a good foot short. The mass of flame engulfing his arm, however, does /not/ stop, continuing onward to splash over Gato.
COMBATSYS: Kain successfully hits Gato with Schwarz Cutter.
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Gato 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Kain
Gato is caught off guard by this, moving to the side as the palm looks as if it might connect, before pausing as Kain stops short, only to stagger backwards as the flame washes over him. Just as easy as that, his smirk becomes a stern frown as he regains his balance.
The he moves forward, launching himself towards Kain with his foot angled up in a flying kick. A simple "Kyah" being shouted by the strong looking fighter, as he tries to keep his head above water. The sheer power Kain harnesses has already led Gato to make a connection between the two of them.
COMBATSYS: Kain auto-guards Gato's Sen-Ga!
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Gato 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Kain
The next few moments are a blur of action. Kain doesn't move as Gato comes flying in at him... But then suddenly his right arm lashes out. His hand wraps around Gato's ankle, and a quick display of strength and timing serves to yank the fighter right out of his attack, dragging him down and to the side.
The question is if Gato can break free of Kain's grip in time. Heinlein doesn't intend to release his hold until Gato is already flying toward the ground at an unavoidably sharp angle. The flames from Kain's hand which quickly begin running their way up Gato's legs should also serve as adequate reason to not want to stay in contact with him for long.
COMBATSYS: Gato interrupts Quick Throw from Kain with Light Kick.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Gato 1/------=/=======|====---\-------\0 Kain
As one leg is ensnared by Kain, the other leg rakes quickly down to push that hand away, as Gato breaks free, and curls into a ball, before somersaulting in the air, and landing on his feet, with one hand touching the ground.
He looks up from his position at Kain and hmms, "Impressive," before he slides right back into his fighting stance, waiting like a cobra poised to attack. Though, the other man's nearly flawless style has clouded his thoughts, as he wonders how Kain so easily pulled his legs from underneath him, as it were.
Quite easily indeed, since Kain still has not removed his left hand from his pocket. Using both hands isn't necessarily a sign that he's fighting seriously, of course... But if he's actually being pressed, then his hand definitely won't be left sitting there. He's not some unstoppable monster, though. His hand gets knocked back when Gato kicks his arm, and he actually shakes his arm once before letting it drop back down to his side.
"You have some skills yourself... You might just be able to keep up with Grant's training. And I should say that I'd be a fairly good judge of that." How's that for an interesting little bit of information? And if Grant can train someone like Kain to this level of power, well, who knows what he can do for Gato? Of course, there's the little matter of Kain's natural talent. Which allows him to do things like casually wave his hand in Gato's direction, sending a blast of purple fire racing toward the man.
COMBATSYS: Gato blocks Kain's Schwarze Flame.
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Gato 1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kain
Gato decides that right now might be the right time to play it safe moving as much of his body as he can away from the flame while listening to the man talk about Grant's training, before nodding as it becomes clear.
This thinking however doesn't prevent him from renewing his assault on the other fighter. After all, he hasn't been told the test is passed yet, and so it goes that he's suddenly dashing for Kain. When the distance is finally closed his elbow hooks backwards before an open-palmed strike vaults out at the other Man's chest. It seems he's putting his all into this.
COMBATSYS: Kain interrupts Shin-Ga from Gato with Schwarzer Stob.
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Gato 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\1 Kain
Kain starts to tear back as Gato closes in on him... And as Futaba's elbow comes into contact with Kain's chest, Kain's foot comes into contact with Gato's torso... And continues onwards, sending the man rocketing back the way he came. The explosion of fire that accompanies the kick also seems likely to leave Gato seeing nothing but purple light and pain for a moment or two.
While Gato deals with the blast, Kain slowly lowers his foot back to the ground. He did actually have to remove his hand from his pocket for that, for the sake of maintaining his balance while pushing off with one leg. He quickly slips it back in, though. Still, he's not expecting /miracles/ from Gato, and the fighter has shown some real promise here. If he was already good enough to beat Kain or come close to it, he wouldn't really need that much training from Grant, now would he?
Gato lands on his back, covering the landing spot in dirt and grime as he slides a bit on the estates grounds. He tilts his head up towards Kain, and then hits it against the ground. One look can tell him that Kain is nowhere near in his league.
With a grunt of resignation, he pushes himself back up, getting to his feet before looking at Kain. His eyes cloes and he collects his thoughts. Bringing himself back towards a centered position. Sure, there's no way he can possibly win this fight. That makes him angry, and his face is proof of that; but, he can still do his best.
His eyes snap open and his frown softens, his hands pulling back into the stance before he waits Kain out, trying to figure out what his next move will be.
COMBATSYS: Gato focuses on his next action.
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Gato 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\1 Kain
Kain takes a moment to roll his neck, listening to the pops the action elicits, but he never takes his eyes off of Gato. "So far so good... But I see that you're angry. Are you upset that you haven't been able to do more damage than you have thus far? Feeling inadequate? Well why don't you make up for it? Hit me. Show me what you've got... If you can."
Is Kain taunting Gato? Why yes, yes he is. Gato's going to have to get used to the idea of /using/ his anger if he wants to train under Grant. Kain holds his right arm far out to his side, though his left remains in his pocket. "Don't make the mistake of thinking I'll just let you, though. That would rather defeat the point, wouldn't it?" Heinlein grins for a moment.
COMBATSYS: Kain takes no action.
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Gato 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\1 Kain
Gato looks at Kain as the man goads him. He shakes his head and shrugs, "Hmph. If you insist."
Once again he's on the move, leaping into the air towards Kain. He lands a scant few inches in-front of him, twisting his body backwards and ramming towards the man with everything he has left in him.
Should that find it's mark, his arms and body will twist in tandem, thrusting an open palmed strike into the white-suited man, before the final leg of the attack comes and he draws his arm backwards fully before thrusting his palm once more for the man's heart while stomping his foot on the ground.
If this succeeds, Kain has no one to blame but himself.
COMBATSYS: Gato successfully hits Kain with Ten-Ryuu Retsu-Kiba.
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Gato 0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1 Kain
Kain's body shudders under the impact of Gato's blows, although he stands his ground until the final full force strike. He's knocked off the ground, flying backwards several feet before landing back down and skidding another several feet until finally coming to a stop. Heinlein takes a deep breath, then looks up toward Gato. "Well done. Your strength and your anger should both serve you well... As long as you can control them both properly."
"But..." Kain raises both hands and points them toward Gato, palms out. "...You still have room to improve." There's a flare of blue light from within Kain's hands, which expands outwards into a massive roiling blue sphere of liquid flame a good five feet in diameter. And a moment later it shoots out, racing toward Gato at high speed.
COMBATSYS: Gato fails to slow Himmlische Seele from Kain with Kou-Ga.
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Kain 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Gato can no longer fight.
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Kain 0/-------/----===|
Well, what kind of thought starts racing through Gato's mind as the liquid flame starts racing towards him. Well, it sure isn't 'stand there and hug it.'
As he's about to leap up into the air and send back a volley of his own, he underestimates the size of the thing, and is caught by the leg with it, tripping him forward right into the heart of the terrible thing.
As he writhes in agony before falling to the mansion ground, he realizes that Kain may be right. For all his strength, he hasn't been able to score a truly decicisve blow against either of the two terrors that he wants to train under.
Something to think about, as he lies on the ground nearly motionless.
While Gato gets to gaze up at the sky, Kain stands out of his field of vision and observes. Considering what he and Grant are looking for... This should do just fine. Gato seems like a very angry man, and very interested in gaining strength. And he's sure Grant will be able to determine just what limits he might have... and deal with them, one way or another.
He fishes in his pocket for a moment, then makes a calculated flip of an envelope in Gato's direction. It spins around gently before finally settling down on Gato's chest. "The directions to find Grant are in there." And with that, Kain turns and walks back into his home. Apparently... Gato has passed.
COMBATSYS: Kain has ended the fight here.
Log created by Gato, and last modified on 22:21:22 05/04/2007.