Preston - I don't know any Marias!

Description: Preston fights Miu in a gripping, grippable battle! It's bound to be edge of your grip excitement! (In actuality, Miu visits Pacific attempting to locate Marisol. Preston decides he doesn't like the cut of her gib!)



There's something to be said for that final bell of the day. Of course, at Pacific High, it's less of a bell and more of a 'ok it's time to get the hell out of here' agreement with the teacher in the class. They've that few students -- and a bell is so passé. The other, ruffian schools can use a bell. Pacific is all about the international community, and coming to agreements; it's where the world's future diplomats attend, after all!

Now, there's a certain gentleman who strolls out of the main hall who isn't destined to be a diplomat, or an ambassador, or anything of the sort. The future Duke of Rutford, Preston Alistair Wellington the II, has a definite stroll about him. A wall of hard muscle, he cuts an imposing figure as he wanders towards the local dorms; he's got a meeting with a certain someone he needs to attend to, and he plans on utilizing the ever-present oar at least twice during said meeting.

But will he be delayed? As usual, he draws eyes simply by moving, and with his head somewhat in the clouds -- why, who knows who he could walk into?! It could be anyone, from a dog with a puffy tail to a girl from another school!

Pacific! A place that this girl has yet to set foot upon herself until this day, a girl from a campus full of the elite young ladies of Japan looking to get a rounded and full education. Much less intimidating than the tall Europeans, Americans, and lord knows how many other ethnicities that attend this school, Miu Kurosaki sticks out much like a sore thumb-- not only for her height, but for her dark attire and the flowery crest emblazoned on the left sleeve and breast pocket.

Of course, there's also the expensive-looking leather bag slung over her shoulder.

Undoubtedly, the presence of a student from elsewhere on the campus will draw enough attention-- wanted or otherwise. Stares are disregarded, and her embarassment is hidden behind a neutral veil, fingers grasping the strap of her bag a bit tighter. Walking about, her head is craned upward and her mind seems to likewise be in the clouds... but for an entirely different reason: She's so short she has to take a good look at everyone she passes for a face she could recognize.

A rounded and full education -- well, there's a joke there, but the artists of Japan are another thing entirely. Preston continues his stride across campus, although the further he advances the more whispers he hears about someone from another school violating the sanctum of Pacific. Shouldering his oar, he presses through the crowd.

Thus, a boy right in front of Miu is toppled over, and on his back stands the Brit with the Oar, staring down at the diminutive girl. By comparison, he's a freakin' monolith of muscle, blocking out what sun remains and casting the girl from Seijyun into the shade. "Hello hello, what's all this then?" he says in typical British fashion, a smirk appearing on his face as he sizes her up.

Clad in the blue blazer of his school, there's no denying just who he affiliates with -- and the potential trouble that's just come a-knockin'-down-a-boy to face Miu. "School pride says you're a long way from home there, luv."

If one's presence is a violation-- well, yes, then she's completely and totally violating the crap out of the campus. Faces-- no, that one isn't it. No, not that one either. Lost in a sea of the international elite, the small student is left at a loss for words... until the young man glaring daggers suddenly finds himself kissing the ground as what may as be an ogre of her country's myth looming over her. Time slows down, her head leans back completely-- and she's still glaring only into a silhouette as the sun's rays flow around him and reduce the visibility of his face. "I'm not here for school pride," Miu responds, giving the giant a level stare. "I wanted to speak to a student here. Perhaps you know her? Her name is Marisol." Her accent muddles the name slightly, but that's fine. The crow girl of Seijyun's feet shift slightly as she eyes that oar-- great, another one like the student from Gedo?

America is here whether you want it to be or not. Roy Bromwell is out on one of his patrols of the campus. He uses these walks to make sure he meets all the new students and keeps in touch with the existing ones. He has his Blackberry with him and takes notes as he walks as to things that need to be done around the campus. Once in a while people come up to Roy to talk to him about something. He stops and listens attentively, nodding and usually giving some sort of answer to their various questions or marking yet another thing in his Blackberry. It's hard to be the hyperpower of Pacific High, but somebody's got to do it.

Roy sees a disturbance up ahead between Preston ("oar boy" in Roy's mind) and what looks to be a Seijyun student. Are they trying to start up some sort of LGBT club again? Roy will need to handle this.

Sliding his Blackberry into his pocket, Roy starts to walk toward the conflict in a leisurely way, giving the 'all is well' wave to any curious onlookers. Roy can take care of this if it needs to be taken care of.

Comparing the likes of Preston Alistair Wellington the II to another may be the worst mistake that Miu could make -- but blissfully, the man's no mind-reader. He simply stands there on the back of his fellow student, that smirk on his face, even after Miu's finished. The accent, well; he deciphers enough of what she's after. Those clear eyes narrow as he squints down at the girl.

"Maria?" the Brit deciphers incorrectly. "I don't know any Maria's, but you'd be better off checking with the office than wanderin' around. Somebody's bound to call you up on the whole school pride thing."

In fact, it seems a little circle is gathering around the two-- three, including Preston's footrest-- in anticipation for what must be just that; the showing of school pride in a glorious fight between ancient rivals. "Shit," the Brit mouths under his breath, that squint turning to the side. There are heavy murmurs, and then a chant of 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' breaks out, as is the fashion.

Not having wanted to be caught up in one, the Brit considers his options. "How about I help you find her afterwards?" he says quietly down at Miu, leaning down towards her. With the two caught in the middle of a gathering, he's not seeing a lot of option but to give in to peer pressure -- he will no doubt be leaping from a bridge later, or smoking pot, but that's another story. He remains unaware of the approaching Roy. "Unless you want to just scream that you're too weak to fight and push off through the crowd. I don't think I would advise that particular course of action for you though, luv."

"I didn't say Maria--"

Chanting? Anger? And then in all of five seconds, Miu decides: School pride? Stupid concept.

Unshouldering her bag, the girl's small frame moves with a deep sigh and a tilt of her head. This is going to prove to be one of the stupidest reasons she's ever had to throw down fisticuffs with someone since she began a professional career. Casting the bag to the side, the crow girl of Seijyun High brings up her hands to her shoulders, purple-colored eyes narrowing as she regards the Brit: "I'll take you up on that."

With a firm snap downward, a burst of energy radiates from both hands, glowing black and white feathers cast out in all directions with a sudden gust of wind. "Aren't you forgetting your canoe?"

COMBATSYS: Miu has started a fight here.

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Miu              0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Preston has joined the fight here.

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Miu              0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Preston


Oh boy.

Roy hears that familiar chant. His steps quicken. He gets to the edge of the growing crowd and, like pushing through tall grass, eases his way through. The other Pacific students see who it is, and the last thing anyone wants to do is to get on the wrong side of Roy.

Roy stands in the midst of the crowd, watching the battle begin. He makes no move to stop it. All he'll do is try to contain it so it doesn't do damage to his school's property. He's got another interest here; he wants to see if Preston's got game.

Well, talk about pressure. Preston gives a heavy grunt as Miu takes up the challenge that's been forced on both of them. Not about to lose face in front of this many students, the teen strips off his school blazer. The shirt comes next, and suddenly he's bare-chested and bulging with muscle, clad in little save his black pants and shoes. The oar slants across his shoulders once more.

"Oh, that's fucking witty, isn't it?" he replies to Miu, that little outburst of hers noted--he judges her to be a chi wielder of some descript. Suddenly, he's a touch more eager to see just what she's got; the smirk deepens on his face, and his voice becomes a desert. "Here I am, standing with an oar, and you think you're the first one to come up with some kind of boat related joke about it. Well, my hat off to you, little girl -- except I am not fucking well wearing one, now am I?"

That voice could strip paint. The oar is twirled in both hands. He turns to those on the sidelines, the blade of the oar hovering between the Seijyun student and himself. Roy's presence is noted; but he's only heard rumor about that guy, and what happened with the Imawano plot; he otherwise doesn't care, more interested in himself as teens tend to be. The crowd is vocal; they want a fight. And so does Preston comply, sweeping the oar back behind him in a tight circle before swinging it forward in an attempt to uppercut the tiny teen. "Allow me to show you my appreciation for your wit, dwarf!"

COMBATSYS: Miu dodges Preston's Medium Strike.

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Miu              0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Preston


Though the crowd is vocal-- though one of the participants in the Justice High affair stands in the crowd-- Miu shows no obvious reactions. Besides her time in the professional circuit and her few arena appearances, letting the crowd get to her will result in nothing but a whole lot of trouble-- like say, the oar sweeping upward to greet her chin with a tender kiss of pain.

Miu's right arm sweeps up across her chest as the matching leg thrusts out backward, left foot pushing off to give her a bit of breathing room. "Jokes aren't my..." Seeking to take advantage of the follow-through of the Pacific student's boat oar, that same right arm snaps out to fling a glowing black feather at Preston-- and then as she lands, she spins around and casts out a second! "Strong suit!"

My, the language on him. Roy may need to give him a short lecture on the value of clean language later. Not that he hasn't dropped some f-bombs in his time, but that was a little excessive. Especially in the presence of a Seijyun student, the /scandal/.

COMBATSYS: Preston dodges Miu's Kakure Amagakeri.

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Miu              0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Preston


Most definitely a fan of excessive use of bad language, Preston hardly seems bothered as his oar sweeps through to strike little save air. It whimpers in agony, but it was merely a test. She's fast; that's what he figured, giving her size. It seems he'll be in need of that lecture.

The retaliation comes, but the Brit with the Oar shows a remarkable amount of agility for a man his size. The feather spirals in to strike at him -- but he twists to the side, heaving his abdomen in as it whistles by his front. The second comes in high -- and he manages to duck, his lack of any substantial amount of hair working in his favor. "What the fuck was that? Am I fighting a midget or a bird here? Were those feathers? You some kind of dancer?

"If so, let me give you a tip!"

The oar whistles in again, but it comes up short -- it proves to be the wake of his oar that's the problem, as the air shimmers. Vertical strikes mar the air, the feel of chi heavy as they lash out at Miu with intent to slash.

COMBATSYS: Preston successfully hits Miu with White Horses.

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Miu              0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0          Preston


Well-- the newest line of torment at least gets a twitch out of Miu, a tic in the face that shows some obvious irritation. The giant with a boat oar, criticizing her fighting style? Stepping back once more as the oar swings in, it seems her timing and judgment is a bit off-- the swing not being the attack intended, what with the energy blazing down at her in a swift swing. Miu's arms and hands present to try to ward off the blow-- and the tears in her armwarmers and the following cuts added to it end up being all she has to show for it. Riding the momentum, the small girl leans back and hits the ground, knees together as she rolls on her shoulder and back into a crouch.

A midget, a bird, -and- an acrobat, apparently.

From a sprinter's stance, Miu speeds in with eyes on breaking the range given unto Preston by being too close to properly swing-- and with a leap into the air, her small frame spins a near 180 before her leg lashes out at his sternum-- an admirable leap, considering the near-two feet of difference in their height.

Roy thinks that Miu got the whole oar. That's a good way to get some splinters. He watches the feathers fly with some interest. That's a neat technique, even if Preston appears to be more than able to take care of it.

Roy takes his Blackberry out and starts taking some notes.

COMBATSYS: Preston endures Miu's Medium Kick.

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Miu              0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0          Preston


The smirk never leaves Preston's face as he swings through with the oar again. Whether the heavy amount of speech he makes is keyed to unnerve or irritate the opponent remains unclear; he might just be fond of speaking a lot. It continues, even as Miu springs in towards him. "You're a quick little midget, I'll give you that -- but what do you really have going for you? Let's find out!"

With that grand statement, he simply spreads his arms wide and allows the Seijyun to strike at his middle. It proves to be an impressive blow, and he can feel that it's laced with something extra -- but all it does is cause the Brit with the Oar to take a half-step back.

And he's still right there in front of her. The oar slides in his grip, until he's clasping it, knuckles bulging, right about the blade. With Miu in the air, he drives his weapon forward, to catch the girl in the middle. What need has he for room to swing, when he can simply use it as a spear?

That blow stung, and he's lightly winded despite the heavy muscles that lace his body; but should he catch Miu, she'll know pain as well, as he extends her up overhead and then slams her down into the pavement.

COMBATSYS: Miu blocks Preston's Bunting Tosser.

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Miu              0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0          Preston


Her foot slams against his chest, complete with a minor swirl of feathers trailing from her foot, some even bursting out from the point of impact. Much to her chagrin, his reaction is less than she expected-- even giving him the room to change tactics from a cudgel swing to a thrusting point. From her moment of air-time and the incoming oar, Miu reaches out to grip onto the oar's surface and slow the attack-- still striking her middle and sending her up and down-- though landing harder on her feet and legs buckling on collision. "Ugh!!"

Jumping up from her kneel, Miu looks a little more upset at the progression of things-- and hops up into the air to pounce on the Pacific High student's weapon and use it to spring back into close range. Hand extended, her fingers seek to get a grip on the collar of his shirt as her fist reels back-- and should she even get that far-- a white feather bleeds out of her knuckles almost like a katar's blade. "You talk too much."

And with that, she swings that small fist right at his face with enough force to blow -her- backwards.

This is getting interesting. Roy taps away at his Blackberry, pausing momentarily in his note-taking to fire off a quick email to Boman about dinner. He keeps forgetting to pick up some hot sauce, and you just can't have pizza without hot sauce. It isn't American.

That oar is something else. It's not quite a bat but it isn't quite a staff. This technique might be worth learning some more about.

COMBATSYS: Miu successfully hits Preston with Psi-Launcher.

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Miu              0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0          Preston


It would seem that speed is much to the advantage of the little girl; as would be expected. Preston acts his part, the lumbering bull, watching as his opponent springs off the oar and brings the fight in close and personal. "Fuc--" he manages, as his collar is gripped and that fist comes barreling in for his face.

An attempt at defense fails -- she is simply too fast, and he doesn't have the time to respond. The feather strikes deep, and the force of the blow sends them both tumbling backwards. Somehow though, despite the precision of the strike and the height of it -- and the fact that he's momentarily blind from the sheer force of impact -- the Brit fails to fall.

Like a true giant, it will take much more to knock him down. "What in the fuck was that? Are you trying to tickle me to death here?" Preston declares, finding his lip again. The hand he had clutching at his face lowers, and his grip twists on his weapon of choice. He'd almost be flattered, if he knew Roy's thoughts right now. His muscled body glistening with sweat, he heaves the oar high up into the air, to draw eyes skyward.

It's a distraction, as he steps forward to drive his giant boot right into Miu's chest.

COMBATSYS: Preston successfully hits Miu with Light Kick.
- Power hit! -

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Miu              0/-------/-======|======-\-------\0          Preston


Sailing backward and high into the air, the poetic could describe Miu's pose as 'flight': Arms spread out to the sides, her legs together and gliding upside-down as she watches the Brit stumble and curse. Hands set to hold her skirt down as her angle changes and the massive backflip completes, Miu lands with a small bend of her knees. Saying nothing in return-- as really, retorts and quips aren't a talent she has-- Miu sprints in as the oar is swung upward-- and likewise, she falls completely for the feint. Stopping short and in a jerky, wide-stepping stance, the foot catches Miu much harder than it probably should have-- and not only does it send the Seijyun student sprawling on her ass, it just about knocks the wind out of her, too.

Stunned for a moment, Miu slowly rises to her feet and exhales slowly. "Nice kick." Turning her shoulder to the Brit, Miu's stance again changes, though her arms remain at her side and her expression resumes it's neutrality. "But I've been hit a lot harder than that." Her arm lifts to point at the young man, the barest of grins tugging up the corners of her mouth. "So cut the crap and come at me seriously!"

COMBATSYS: Miu focuses on her next action.

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Miu              0/-------/-======|======-\-------\0          Preston


Roy keeps taking the occasional note, but he seems to have the rough idea of what's going on here now. Preston's superior size against Miu's greater speed. Their advantages are only mitigated by the strength of their technique. Who shall yet perservere?

Probably Preston. That boot looks like it hurt. But wait, she's getting up! Business is picking up.

Indeed, who will be the victor? The fight comes to a crossroads, as the Brit drives his boot into the opposing student, driving her well back. That smirk remains on his face, despite the heavy strikes he's taken so far; Miu has a frame that belies her strength. "Seriously? And here I was, thinking we were having fuckin' tea and crumpets out on the lawn," he replies, casting a glance skyward. He lifts a hand to shield his eyes, and then takes two steps to the right.

The oar returns to his palms, and he spins it rather neatly. From his stance, he's been raised as a stick fighter. But rather than tuck it neatly under one arm, the weapon again slants across his shoulders. Despite the sweat, he seems laidback, almost lazy. The look in his hazel gaze says otherwise. "You know, those are some big words for a little girl," he tells her, the smirk easing a touch. "Are you really in high school?"

She has guts. He can appreciate that. But he's still going to trample her into the dirt. "Think fast!" he advises, stepping in close -- and then utilizes the full range of his oar, twisting it off of his shoulder to send the butt screaming for her nose.

COMBATSYS: Preston successfully hits Miu with Weapon Jab.

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Miu              1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0          Preston


Big words, and lies for all he knows. But after facing the man with the bladed cape, Yagami, even people like Marisol and Tenma, Miu has a rough idea of how much their 'line of work' can hurt. Even as the distance between them closes faster than she initially anticipated, the Seijyun student swings up her hand-- and even as the butt end of that oar crashes against her face, her fingers take a steely grip of the presented surface, holding on for all she's worth. Even as a bit of blood drips from her nose, even as her eyes momentarily cross and water up, the small girl clings on with vision blurred with stinging pain.

The odd energy within her suddenly spikes-- and black feathers seem to grow and bundle from her fist and wrist. The small girl pulls back her fist as the quantity of feathers suddenly -surges-, forming into a massive sphere around her hand. "Seijyun Girl's Academy, 1st Year student: Miu Kurosaki..."

The crow girl's arm hauls forward, telegraphing a punch unlike any other she's thrown yet, the energy bursting out into a massive cone of energy, spinning and swirling like a complex lance or a drill as it seeks to plow full-force into Preston's gut-- and more than likely send him flying off his footing.

"EAT THIS!!" Her friends are rubbing off on her.

A name. That's good to know. Roy watches Miu unload with a large strike -- but will it be enough?

COMBATSYS: Preston fails to interrupt Yomosugara from Miu with Queen's Regulations.

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Miu              1/-----==/=======|=======\=------\1          Preston


Actually hitting the girl in the face is somewhat of an oddity for Preston; he'd honestly prefer not to, since given her gothic nature she clearly needs all the help she can get. Rearranging her features isn't going to help. But with his oar gripped, the teen can't help but wonder... what's coming next?

He sees it forming in Miu's hand, and he likewise sees an opening. Waiting for the point of release, he attempts to rip his oar back and deliver swift justice with it -- but his timing is just a touch off, and his attempt is foiled by the sudden approach of the teen!

It's a lancing blow that catches him square in the middle -- and the boy loses his grip on the oar entirely. Indeed, the force actually lifts him off his feet, a feat to write him about...

But he does not fall. He lands, skidding backwards, to remain poised in a three-point stance. The other hand clutches at his middle... before he casually reaches into his back pocket, and withdraws a pack of cigarettes. "Tasty," he replies, putting on a brave face; that hurt, and his blunder is likely to cost him dearly in front of all of these students. Already they can sense it, the tide of battle now back in the Seijyun student's hands. "In fact, remind me to have you cook me breakfast sometime." He lifts the cigarette to his lips, and waits.

AND he smokes. Roy folds his arms disapprovingly. Cursing, smoking ... what is this, Gedo? There's going to have to be some sort of talk about this kind of thing later. Preston is setting a horrible example for the others. This might even require Boman coming over and preaching. He doesn't want to be associated with this ... seedy element!

But Roy doesn't get involved. This is a fight, and Preston is fighting for the honor of Pacific whether he realizes it or not.

The lance of energy bursts outward into a spiral of random, assorted feathers upon impact. Miu's arm remains extended afterward, the breath caught in her chest released with a hard sigh-- standing still amidst the scattering energy and the prior attack. "I'm not that good at home economics, either. You seem to have misgivings about me and the school I attend-- I wonder if this is only your personal views or a school-wide bias?" Shaking out her left hand, her fingers work in and out of a fist with the bones in her hand cracking and popping from wrist to fingertips.

Leaning forward and breaking into a light jog, Miu jumps once again and rears back her leg as if to kick at the giant Preston once again-- but then sweeps her arm around in a speedy, closed fist. Feathers still trail from her hand as she swings, and even more will pop out of her knuckles if it impacts-- still, despite her injuries and the pace of the battle, she seems to be holding her own quite well.

COMBATSYS: Preston endures Miu's Jab Punch.

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Miu              1/-----==/=======|=======\==-----\1          Preston


Clearly one of the bad seeds that are more suited for Gedo than for Pacific, it's a wonder that Preston even attends; he must have strong ties somewhere, to be amidst the elitist enrolment, instead of being across town.

"Just mine," he replies to Miu, lighting up as the girl goes about popping the joints on her hand. "But you'll learn." Without his oar, he seems somehow less -- but even with what remains, he's a remarkable specimen. He must work long and hard to maintain that physique. And as a trail of smoke rises from his cigarette, he simply watches with those clear eyes as the Seijyun high school student approaches. He takes a heavy drag on his cigarette.

For his part, the Brit does not even rise from his three-point stance. The blow can strike him about the head, but with a lack of hair and his otherwise sweaty appearance, it's likely to glance off -- and then, Miu is right in his sights.

Exhaling fiercely, the man becomes a charging bull. He rears up into the air, and then slams his forehead down towards Miu--!

COMBATSYS: Preston successfully hits Miu with Bull of Barney.

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Miu              2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|==-----\-------\0          Preston


And like the proverbial bull that he is, Preston gores poor little Miu. His forehead slams in roughly to catch the girl right in the collar bone if she's truly unlucky. Again, an exhale from him -- smoke flaring out of his nostrils as he exerts his body further.

Rearing up, he delivers a shattering uppercut square into the Seijyun student, to send her flying from his figurative horns!

Seemingly victorious, all he lacks is a woven circle of roses to fall about his neck. All the same, he rises to his full height, and flicks the cigarette away. His mouth opens, no doubt some pun on the tip of his tongue -- but he settles for exhaling out what smoke he has left in his lungs instead. Those clear eyes remain on Miu; what's she got left?

Roy is going to have a lot of work ahead of him. Once more, the administration at Pacific is directly acting to foil his plans to create the most superior high school in all of Southtown! He'll definitely need help to reform some of these rougher ones into the smooth, polished minions he requires to become President of the United States. ... that is, good model citizens. Yes. That's what he meant.

Roy watches Miu just get mauled by Preston's powerful hit. That's some impressive pepper he's got in those close-quarters moves. But that smoking and all that swearing, that needs to be worked on.

There's no doubt about it-- Miu knows, being hit with an attack like this is -bad-. Still, her moment of fear costs her dearly, the Pacific student's head crashing into her shoulder and jerking her arm downward. Before a reaction can escape her throat, the oar-slinger's fist wracks up her jaw hard enough to make her world go completely white for a minute, flying into the air and landing flat on her back. The impact is loud, hard, and she really makes no attempt to soften the fall-- completely out of it until she hits the ground.

Laying there for a moment while the white blurs to the mix of blue and white of the sky and clouds, the energy that lay dormant in Miu suddenly surges-- and surges to the point where those feathers are growing out of the entirety of her left arm, bleeding through sleeve and armwarmers, through the cuts on her forearms and her skin. On her feet in an instant, Miu's deep breathing and hostility are almost tangible in themselves-- and suddenly the small girl is charging at Preston with all she has left, the trickle of blood from her nose and now her mouth punctuating the extreme frown that marks her face. Her left arm hanging limp, that sore right arm lifts as she jumps into the air to hover at eye level with Preston-- and then comes down, a white feather emerging from her fingers and set to deliver a massive, powerful slash.

This will certainly be her last blow.

COMBATSYS: Miu can no longer fight.

[                      \\\\\\\\  <
Preston          0/-------/-----==|


COMBATSYS: Miu successfully hits Preston with Psychic Secrets.

[                                <
Preston          1/------=/=======|


The feather comes around and tears into the so-called wall of muscle with a massive slash. Feet hitting the ground, momentum carries her forward as she springs back up and continues to hack, slice-- numerous, vicious cuts and attacks that comes to an end as Miu's left arm lashes up to life, the feathers -exploding- into a massive display, a huge cone of psychic energy in the form of feathers. Much more powerful than the Yomosugara, and with at least twice the shoving force behind it-- and the second that psychotic charge is finished, the small Miu drops to the ground, falling to her hands and knees. Panting loudly, her dark eyes stay focused on the ground in front of her.

Now, being on the receiving end of a midget's fury? Not so fun. Preston, having already delivered what should have been a crippling blow to Miu, isn't fully prepared by the time the girl somehow manages to get back to her feet. Imagine his surprise when, without his oar, she comes screaming back at him with her fist ablaze with coated feathers, the power of the impending strike all but bleeding from her like the literal blood that is.

He attempts to put up a defense, but it's too little too late -- and without his oar by his side, he's half the man he should be when it comes to defense. Unable to even mount an offense, he can do little but weather the blows that rain in -- the repeated slashing from that charged feather, which ultimately leads to that cone of energy that bores into him without relent.

What it results in is a rather fried Preston, flying backwards, blown out of one of his boots. He slams into the surrounding crowd, and they're the only thing that stops him from falling over -- he finds his footing, and slides clear through them, ending halfway across the yard. Deep troughs run the length of the blast, from where it started and where he finished.

For his part, the Brit minus his Oar stands there, arms limp by his sides, staring up at the sky for the longest of moments. Smoke rises from his body, and he bleeds from more places than he'd care to mention; he's going to need new pants, as well.

Eventually though, minutes later, he lifts his feet out from the good two feet down he's found himself buried. Staggering forward, he steps back through half of the flattened crowd -- he is a big muscled lad, after all -- and moves to collect his oar. Every movement is pain, but he hides it well; he masks it, because Pacific has just taken a minor hit as a whole, through his failure to remain standing. Bending down to collect his weapon of choice, he shoulders it with a heavy grunt, and then spits towards towards Miu;

"Let's go find that Maria."

COMBATSYS: Preston has ended the fight here.

Log created on 20:49:22 05/16/2007 by Preston, and last modified on 05:00:21 06/29/2008.