Description: Business is still being conducted in the war-ravaged town of Bangkok... just enough going on to raise some suspicions. Guest starring Luise and one of the Seven Days!
'Psycho Power'. Upon hearing those two words, most people would be likely to associate the term with drug abuse or social deviancy than any particular ability. So few people know exactly what "Psycho Power" means that several of the people working here in this Thailand lab still don't believe it =exists=.
Part of this is by design, of course. The fewer people who understand Psycho Power, the better, as far as a trenchcoated, not-quite-thirtysomething gentleman is concerned. Tapping his clipboard with a frown, he hands a printout of records back to the lab technician who had handed it to him sparse moments ago. "This is unworkable. Check to ensure your titration samples weren't contaminated."
The lab tech looks skeptical. "Mr. Tiistai?"
Tiistai, as he was called, removes his silver-rimmed spectacles, folding them up and placing them into his coat pocket. "You heard correctly. I suspect those red streaks aren't what you should be looking for, but rather a simple error in execution. Please at least try for two out of three before you call me out here again." The man bows his head and steps out, as if to leave. He's not intending to sound mad or condescending, even if the lab tech's incredulous and enraged over the assumption; rather, Tiistai is unaccepting of anything less than definitive proof. Considering the work they're trying to replicate, anything less than perfection is of no use to him.
The trenchcoated gentleman steps out of the door. The Thai office name is loosely translated as: Advanced Rehabilitation Prospects, LLC. Official records state that the organization is seeking a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. They further state that the organization is funded entirely by private investors, and is perfectly legitimate.
Further research would indicate investments from truly legitimate organizations, approved by unknown and unattributed individuals who are not, in fact, legitimate employees. The only connection between these organizations is that they all have satellite bases here in Bangkok.
Further, the pattern of this company's purchases and acquisitions indicates a marked =lack= of sample data for Alzheimer's Disease... and a rather significant interest in neurotoxins and hallucinatory agents.
Tiistai shuts his briefcase, tying the belt about his trenchcoat as he steps away from the building. This attire might be perfectly normal were it not eleven p.m. and 86 degrees out.
Most people, seeing Vega's face on the television when he announced his coup, felt perhaps the typical sort of responses. You can almost see the crowd shots in the action movie milieu as people across the globe took it all in: some fear, some sadness, some anger. Cultures and languages notwithstanding, nationalism put aside, people's view was visceral but removed. Never mind the glass of the television, the LCD screen of the monitor... for most people, even in southeast Asia, Thailand is Somewhere Else. No matter how strong their feelings, they are distanced.
Luise was not.
The face of Shadaloo's leader... his aura, his burning gaze, his presence. All of this touched her on a level that shouldn't even be POSSIBLE with modern technology. It was if there was an inky darkness hiding somewhere in her own mind that suddenly dashed to the forefront when the world's arguably most powerful user of Psycho Power made his intentions clear. For a moment the pale blonde sat in her living room, dazed and confused at the screen, wondering if the man was somehow in the room with her. The sense of dread she described to Seth, the pervasive shadow... it had a name. Vega.
And thus it stands to reason that you couldn't keep Luise out of Thailand even if you tried. When the first group of humanitarian aid workers left from mainland China, she had been in the boat, chatting amiably with housewives and Peace Corps volunteers about the need to work shelters and help refugees move out of the country. But in her heart, she knew that such activities were not in her future. It got her near the borders, and that was enough.
Even now, the black and silver-clad Dancing Butterfly in the Starry Sky walks, stealthy but unhindered, through the streets of Bangkok. There were two names the information broker gave to her, places where the mystery of missing Detlev Meyrink might have some light shed on it. NESTS, a name she does not recognize, and Shadaloo... a name that was, until Vega's declaration of 'war', a cipher.
As with all things, Luise lets her intuition guide her as she seeks information, something in the young woman's aura keeping trouble at bay. She has never felt so scared in her life... but at the same time, she has a fiery dedication that gives her normally soft, muted expression a hard edge in the cold, artificial light of a Bangkok night.
NESTS and Shadaloo. Two names that have a great deal of investment in the fields of human genome research in general, genetic replication of chi and Psycho Power research in specific. Dr. Detlev was assuredly ensnared within the web of one of these plans, according to the informant. The actual truth is less clearly defined... but perhaps another piece to the puzzle lies in the otherwise nondescript office complex Tiistai had just exited from at such a late hour.
It's simple paranoia that causes him to leave through the most non-obtrusive, and difficult-to-observe exit. This might be useful... say, if someone happened to be snooping around Thailand looking for information on Shadaloo's activities. Privately he curses Vega's sudden grab for power, as it's made his own job exponentially more difficult. Try running secret operations when your boss is metaphorically mugging for the camera with a flip-of-the-bird.
... But his extraordinary caution seems to be well-warranted as he spots a well-known fighter in his neighborhood, after having circled to the opposite side of the building. Perhaps Luise is walking towards the office -- perhaps Luise is just walking down the street. It's hard to tell.
But Tiistai's primary mission objective for the week just kicked in, with the arrival of a powerful fighter such as Luise. Pausing for a moment, he punches three buttons on the briefcase... then steps out fully into the street. He moves as if to block Luise's path.
"You come seeking information," comes the operative's cool non-introduction. "This much is obvious from your poise, your determination, and your steadfast resolve." Setting the briefcase down, he unbuckles his trenchcoat belt, casually. He's wearing a maroon bodysuit underneath though -- certainly strange, but not indecent!
"You should consider yourself lucky: I've been ordered to assist you, however indirectly. Prepare yourself for combat."
And with that, he simply laces his fingers together, flashing the silver-haired woman a cool, collected smile.
COMBATSYS: Tiistai has started a fight here.
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Tiistai 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Tiistai focuses on his next action.
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Tiistai 0/-------/-------|
Now that didn't take long, did it? A brief look of surprise flickers across Luise's face at the sudden intrusion onto her walk, but part of it is feigned; fighters by nature are aware of their environments, users of Psycho Power moreso. Still, Tiistai's appearance is... abrupt, and that does catch her with her guard down somewhat. A more faith-driven person would almost call it providential that he has appeared so. Either way, Luise thinks to herself, it's an opportunity not to be missed.
However, going in fists akimbo is not the Meyrink way, and so she hangs back, putting a hand to her chin, the dark blue of her nails a stark contrast to her milk-pale skin, made even more luminescent in the street lighting. Nobody around... was this all a setup? "Should I be flattered that you've heard of me? But a gentlemen should always give his name before asking to dance with a lady..." Luise murmurs, eyes trained on her opponent. Something is wrong here. It's gnawing at her, both logically and intuitively. This situation is not right. "I would do the same courtesy but I can guess that you know who I am."
The Dancing Butterfly does not advance -- not just yet -- but she does get into stance, flickering blue light sparking about her form as she spins back, then seems to almost float in midair, her toes barely skimming the ground in a stance not common among fighters, rare even among those gifted with Psycho Power. "But you're right, and there's no sense beating around the bush about it. I hope you don't come to regret the decision you have just made, however."
COMBATSYS: Luise has joined the fight here.
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Luise 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Tiistai
COMBATSYS: Luise focuses on her next action.
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Luise 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Tiistai
Likewise... Tiistai is hardly one to charge into battle headfirst. Luise is a most powerful individual, and he's quite familiar with the woman after reviewing her fight footage. Putting that knowledge into practice, however, will pose a bit of a problem.
Luckily, he comes prepared.
"Please forgive my lack of manners. I'm sure you're aware of the perils of keeping imprudent company, but I find it to be a... necessary evil."
Chuckling softly, he approaches the woman, hands held out to either side in a (quite clearly) false show of innocence. His demeanor ought to be enough to reveal that he still has every intention of 'dancing'. "You may call me Tiistai. As you can likely surmise, it's not my given name." He pauses to rub the bridge of his nose, nodding back to the Butterfly. "But it shall suffice for the duration of our conversation, Miss Meyrink."
At this point, he calmly reaches into the left side of trenchcoat, removing a slender metal pole therein. It's difficult to get a read for how large it is, for once it's removed, it makes a rather loud *k-CH-k-CHACK!* sound, expanding to roughly six feet in length. In one simple, fluid motion, he strides forward, slashing the blade across the woman, simply aiming to shatter the woman's guard, scoring a glancing blow across her ribcage. "I trust you'll pardon me for being so forward."
COMBATSYS: Tiistai successfully hits Luise with Medium Strike.
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Luise 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Tiistai
Preparation apparently pays off in the end for Tiistai; the quarterstaff slams into her right side with a loud *CRACK*, Luise herself wincing as the blow drives her sideways across the walkway. She steadies herself with a quick 'drift', her odd floating stance being both a drawback in terms of momentum, and a benefit in terms of control of one's movement. That stung quite a lot, the Dancing Butterfly observes to herself, her fingers flexing. Time to let that resolve show through.
"What a clever pseudonym," she murmurs. A Scandinavian word, perhaps? The well-read Luise doesn't recognize the word, but she IS from Germany, and she knows the sound. However, it must be put from her mind as she decides to go on the counteroffensive, ducking forward and looking to grab her opponent's own staff, then twist her wrist and hopefully take him with it, dumping the mysterious gentleman fighter onto the ground unceremoniously. "You may surrender now, and tell me what you know... I am a person inclined to mercy and slow to anger. Please take advantage of that."
COMBATSYS: Tiistai endures Luise's Quick Throw.
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Luise 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Tiistai
Clever, perhaps -- but Tiistai wonders what alternatives were on the table. Surely a tactician such as himself could have thought of better. ... Condescension, however, is much more his speed than originating ideas.
And it's that same feeling of superiority that allows him to chuckle as the woman grabs for his staff. People tend to do that, he realizes, but he can use that to his advantage: leaping =into= the toss, he's able to plant his feet into proper position as he falls, bracing himself for the impact while keeping only a sole finger on his staff. Luise may find that he doesn't need the weapon after all -- for now that he's in range, with Luise still hovering somewhat over him, he's able to twist sharply to the side, rolling over top of his staff as his free hand sweeps a rather wide arc across the Dancing Butterfly. By itself, the hand wouldn't reach her -- but the brilliant purple wreath of Psycho Power ought to be large enough and strong enough to bring some numbness to her legs, should it hit. "WHOOOOOH!" he shouts, just above a whisper.
After which point, he shakes his head. "I'm afraid you're not my commanding officer, sadly."
COMBATSYS: Luise blocks Tiistai's Queen.
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Luise 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Tiistai
He's quick, and he's smart... Luise grimaces as she realizes what a poor combination that is, at least in boding for her future in the fight. Still, she trusts in her intuition to guide her in her fighting as it always has, and is not disappointed by the result. As the sudden burst of psychic energy comes for her lower extremities, she twists and pushes an arm out and downward at a 45 degree angle, the splash of purple flickering against motes of midnight blue as powers clash. He also wields psychic powers... unexpected, but not entirely shocking.
Of course, the comment about 'commanding officer' confirms her suspicions, even as she considers her next move carefully. Deciding to attack first and ask questions later, she leaves her blocking arm where it is and then swings her other arm forward in a graceful, windmill-like movement designed to knock her opponent back toward the ground. "I presume, then, that you are one of the people claiming false dominion here." There is an ice in her voice, one little seen in her public persona.
COMBATSYS: Tiistai fails to interrupt Strong Punch from Luise with Bishop Pair.
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Luise 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Tiistai
Yes, Tiistai is part of a paramilitary organization hell-bent on ruling the world. That much is obvious, even if he's evasive on providing an answer here. ... Mainly because he's returning to his feet, twirling his quarterstaff defensively in the process, and the whistling metal keeps his voice from being heard. Maybe after he finishes derailing the windmill-like motion and counterattacking, he'd provide a reply.
It's not meant to be though, as her overhead punch neatly short-circuits Tiistai's attempt to sweep her out of the way, opening him up for the series of follow-ups. He staggers to the side, his charming Scandinavian looks marred with a bloody nose for the trouble.
"Presumption can be useful at times," notes the man as he steps back, wiping his face with the back of his sleeve, "but it's a dangerous foundation to build upon."
"Everything is presumption without evidence," Luise says calmly, retreating and, curiously enough, giving Tiistai space to get up and collect himself. After all, she wants information from him... and that won't really work if she's forced to beat him bloody then that's counterproductive. "But you are right. What I am after is the truth. I would like for us not to have to resort to this sort of affair... but you appear to be insistent on it."
She doesn't move; instead, she centers herself, sharpening her perception, extending her senses. Probing Tiistai's aura, testing it boundaries and keeping the staff fighter under close surveillance. "There is, of course, no guarantee you will give me the truth, though I hope that you will."
COMBATSYS: Luise focuses on her next action.
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Luise 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Tiistai
Tiistai smiles, at that. "This sort of affair =is= my mission, as a matter of fact." Bowing gracefully, he twirls the quarterstaff once more, regaining its properly centered position within his palm. "You may further rest assured that I've told you nothing but the truth so far ... though that may, in fact, be all you recieve." Lunging forward with the speed and grace of a fencer, he thrusts once, twice, three times in a dizzying array of strikes -- less with the aim of landing a hit, and more to disconcert the collected fighter, dissuading her from further attack.
COMBATSYS: Luise fails to counter Weapon Jab from Tiistai with New Moon Nocturne.
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Luise 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Tiistai
It had been a good plan, in her opinion... a weapon is both a benefit and a curse to a fighter, depending on the situation. If she can just see through the hail of strikes to the right moment and take hold of that staff, Tiistai is in her control. Sadly, the staff fighter's speed overwhelms the Dancing Butterfly's ability to perceive the right moment, the third strike slamming into her shoulder and sending her back a few steps. Clutching at the point of impact with one hand, she gives her opponent a cold look. "I am not one for conversational games, sir," she says.
"Yet you persist on engaging in them. Curious." The Shadaloo operative has nothing further to contribute... yet his personal assessment of the Schmetterling fighter's tactics is not yet complete. He's seen her calm and composed, but he hasn't yet seen the woman =angry=. Maybe he won't be able to get her to that state... but empirical data is empirical data. Much better than the presumptions formed by watching a videotaped performance, diced up, reordered, and repackaged for mass consumption.
And... enraging the woman may be just what the doctor ordered here. Stepping sideways, he spears his quarterstaff into a half-destroyed television carelessly left upon the sidewalk, remains of the last mass exodus to pass through the area. "Perhaps you are simply ill-equipped for the art," he suggests, in a conscious effort to unsettle the woman. Stepping forward again, he flings the television at Luise, confidently. He's hoping to lure out the woman's true battle persona... and he won't do that by simply testing the waters.
COMBATSYS: Luise dodges Tiistai's Large Thrown Object.
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Luise 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Tiistai
Perhaps sadly for Tiistai, getting Luise actually ANGRY might be a longer row than he cares to hoe. When she wants to, Luise can move with a grace bordering on the superhuman, a combination not only of pure physical agility, but also the perception enhancing effect of her psychic abilities. She doesn't make a full body dodge as the TV swings past her at high speed; she merely inclines her torso to the left, letting it shear past her by mere centimeters. Two can play at that game.
"I believe it is you who set the tone, Mr. Tiistai," she says evenly, though a certain degree of irritation is slowly but surely slipping into her composure. There is no time to be messing about with underlings, but at the same time, she is frustrated that Tiistai has been setting the tempo of the bout, even from the first moment, even as Luise's own attacks struck home. "Although one would hope petty insults would be beneath you."
COMBATSYS: Luise gains composure.
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Luise 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Tiistai
"Hope, likewise, makes a shoddy foundation for the cold precision of reality." Another condescending smirk. Luise may in fact have the high ground in this particular conversation, but Tiistai seems either unable, or unwilling, to acknowledge it.
Instead, he simply presses his charge, hoping to garner just a little more of that irritation from the woman's voice. He did set the tone, yes -- and he's clearly aiming to annoy.
Which would be why he twists the quarterstaff to one side, raising his free hand sharply in a rather vicious sweep of his hand. Rather than a short-range wreath, this particular shot of brilliant purple psycho power whips out like a comet, following a long, lateral arc, like a golf ball with too much slice, blazing towards Luise's face. Yes, he's going for insult =and= injury now.
COMBATSYS: Luise reflects Rook from Tiistai with Treacherous Ballad.
- Power hit! -
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Luise 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Tiistai
"Hope is irrational, I agree," Luise says calmly, eyes tracking her opponent. It has taken some time, but she realizes that she's not the only one that wants something in this fight, and plans to use it to her advantage. If she's being tested, then Tiistai is going to be cautious, not going to overextend himself... not necessarily 'good news', but something she can use. She forces herself to keep her voice calm, level; to continue the appearance that she has everything under control, even if she doesn't Possession is nine tenths of the law.
As the violet-purple burst of tainted Psycho Power screams toward her, the Dancing Butterfly suddenly moves her hands in a tight circle, tracing lines through the air that become a shimmering, spiralling disc of midnight blue energy, strangely enough accompanied by the sound of a harp arpeggio, musical notes trilling through the hair. The disc catches the burst and quite handily redirects it at its originator, with considerable force added. "But irrational hope is what we all cling to in the darkness, no matter how misguided, and that's why I can't give up on it."
COMBATSYS: Tiistai fails to interrupt Reflected Rook from Luise with Castling.
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Luise 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Tiistai
The objective here... is not to completely annihilate Luise, but to gauge her power. The objective has been met in minimal fashion: Tiistai knows that she's about as strong as him, so far, and quite a bit better in energy manipulation to boot.
This much is known, at least.
His own shot, flying right back at him, with musical accompaniment to boot. He mildly steps into it, aiming to sweep his staff right =under= the blow -- but timing is critical, and he fails in his attempt. Staggering back as the violet energy splashes into his chest, the man shakes his head. "You're searching for your father, mm? The good Doctor has been busy."
Smiling, he watches for Luise's reaction. He's certainly =aware= of what's going on -- but to what extent, as with most of the man's words, remains a mystery.
It hits home. In fact, Tiistai's words hit home much harder than his counterstrike could ever have done. Luise's dark blue eyes narrow in the pale setting of her face. She is not angry, because anger is blinding. But she is certainly annoyed, and perhaps more determined than ever to do this Tiistai's way instead of her own. It may be difficult for an observer to believe, but the Dancing Butterfly truly did want a peaceful ending to this; she did believe, however remote the chance, that some sort of compromise was possible. A show of force or intent that cows, perhaps.
Shadaloo is not to be cowed, it would appear, and thus things have to be done the hard way.
"If you have sought to goad me, and I suspect you have, perhaps you've accomplished your goal." Swinging forward, Luise swings a sharp, swift kick toward Tiistai's waist, then turns and drives the same leg down, stomping sharply and aiming at her opponent's ankles. "You may wish you had not, however."
COMBATSYS: Tiistai interrupts Light Kick from Luise with Random Weapon.
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Luise 1/------=/=======|====---\-------\0 Tiistai
Exactly what Tiistai knows will remain a mystery until he's good and ready to speak. But he hasn't seen the woman get mad, just yet.
Until right then. His probing guess was right -- that is much too emotional a reaction to be a fluke, even buried under Luise's many-layered control. She even stated he was successful in goading her, in a roundabout way.
"On the contrary," comes Tiistai's condescending reply. He sees the kick racing for his stomach -- and in a sense, takes it full on. But while Luise is kicking, his staff is already whipping about for the woman. He's ascertained that sweeping strikes won't be useful against someone who floats -- so instead he steps aside, homerun smashing her in the side with his staff, while she's still delightfully off-balance from that kick.
"I've received exactly what I've wished for. Ergo... quid pro quo." He smiles distantly, withdrawing his staff with the showmanship of a stage magician, pressing a button to withdraw it... and sliding the device back into his trenchcoat. "You may find clues scattered in the mountains of Peru. Beyond that... I've nothing more."
She was hoping for a peaceful resolution? Perhaps she's gotten it. The man bows his head, and moves to retrieve his briefcase. "I trust you'll be on your way, lest further trouble occur."
Perhaps goading her was good for Luise's focus; even as the blow strikes her across the side again, the Dancing Butterfly wincing at the sudden pain in an already tender and bruised area, she twirls in midair and lands on her feet a good distance away, using once again that strange, almost telekinetic floating that so few others have mastered. "You have an interesting definition of the term," she observes, all business. "You're sparing yourself 'further trouble' as well." She doesn't say it in a side way; for her, it's a statement of fact.
But at the same time, Tiistai held up his side of the bargain, didn't he? He gave her information, and for some curious reason Luise has little reason to doubt him. After all, Peru is as good a lead as any... and if Shadaloo were TRULY interested in trapping her, they could have done so right here, right now, on their home turf. It's difficult to accept, but it's the truth.
Luise doesn't press farther. It's not even about honor, it's about practicality. "While you continue your takeover of Thailand, and gently nudge someone who could do your efforts harm out of the country," she observes, again all business. "I thank you for your demeanor, strange as that sounds. But don't think that this settles my accounts with your organization." It's a warning, in a way... it's also a promise. "Good day."
Tiistai doesn't see a continuance of the battle as 'further trouble'. As one of Vega's elite, he sees no reason to believe he'll fail. As the mission parameters consisted of reconnaisance, not a combat victory... he has not failed. It's as simple as that.
The Peru thing was just something he'd noticed during his meticulous research, after all.
Her logic is certainly sound -- the man had no intention of trapping her. "Persisting in your foolish pursuit of 'justice' would surely result in encountering individuals far more capable than myself." Tiistai smiles briefly, nodding his head as he disarms the bomb within his briefcase with an audible beep-beep. "Good day," he responds, cheerily in kind, as he turns towards the garage where he'd parked his private conveyance.
COMBATSYS: Tiistai has left the fight here.
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Luise 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Luise has ended the fight here.
Log created on 19:19:44 06/10/2007 by Tiistai, and last modified on 08:03:04 06/19/2007.