Description: Prideful, drunk, and angry, Nikolai Tippin stumbles into Soma Travedi in the hallways of the Suiryuu. Negotiations for information break down fast, as you might expect... but through a combination of sheer stupid luck and bloody-minded persistance, the ICPO officer shows the enforcer that he means business too, forcing a stalemate that might have unfortunate consequences later on...
It's not as if he came on to the Suiryuu expecting a calm sea voyage, but his time aboard this ship since his rather dramatic nighttime entrance a week past, has been nothing but trouble for Soma Travedi. A one-sided battle with a 'guard' sic'ed on him by the Ryouhara, who knew he was coming... his entire blowing of his cover to Hotaru Futaba, and his increasing annoyance at Elle and her cadre being one step ahead of him. In the meantime, his info base consists of a whole lot of nothing. In short, he appears to be getting himself beat up emotionally and physically for absolutely no reason at all.
But to his mind, that isn't the worst of it, by a longshot. The true problem is that he can't necessarily see that the Ryouhara have done anything *wrong*. Seishirou's destruction of an English bridge, Riko's hacking of Interpol records to contact him in Thailand... those were both obviously criminal acts, and the ICPO officer feels right to be suspicious of a ninja clan. But so far, Jinchuu has been... aboveboard. *Weird*, but aboveboard. Which only makes his lack of information all the more frustrating... and his lack of success all the more distracting.
But it's that feeling that motivates him to be where he is now, leaving his cabin. He's dressed head to toe in an approximation of his normal attire, but rather than a grey shirt between the chest-height bottom of his bolero jacket, and the silver stripe on his slacks, he is in *all* black, head to toe. Only his dark-skinned face and the indelibly silver tips of his hair give even a hint of color. Sometimes, he gathers, the time comes to fight ninja with ninja.
Perhaps it's because of his intense focus that the undercover detective isn't letting his sixth sense warn him of impending approach, nor is he particularly focused on the sound of footsteps. Instead he gives a quick, penetrating stare into both directions of the cabin hallway, then pulls his M9 service handgun from its shoulder holster under his jacket and cocks and preps it. Always the weapon of last resort, but... sometimes the psychological factor of having a gun can be a marvelous benefit. Of course, one might wonder what a novelist is doing with a Beretta...
Alexei Tippin is in a bad mood.
Such tends to be dangerous for anyone around him in the best of times, but aboard the Suiryuu with the dubious rules, it's significantly more volatile. The heavy footsteps herald a large presence, which proves to be the case; A broad silhouette manifests at the end of the hall, broad shouldered and barrel chested. With creased tan slacks, loafers and a white shirt with black suspenders, it's an oddly basic dress. He has a cigar clamped in his mouth, illuminating his rugged features in a halo of crimson. Despite lacking an arm, that hardly makes him any less menacing, the metallic thunk of his modified tire iron is a steady rhythm now, hard eyes quickly picking out Soma with only a mild pause. He slows as he gets near, seeming entirely gruff and unfriendly to say the least. "Well! Are you burglar prowling halls? Maybe I make citizen's arrest." is asked in a deep Russian-accented voice, letting off a strong exhale of dim smoke that is oddly sweet. Nikolai Tippin; A man who is very much wanted by Soma's agencies. A horrific criminal who's murders are worse then butcheries, the most extremist end of the Russian mobs where rule is forced through intimidation and savagery. ...Why Seishirou would invite him might be a question of it's own.
It's instinct, Soma's body whirling to the side to meet this figure, but some instinct gets him to re-holster that damned gun first. Of course, he's got to squint to see a cigar-lighted face in the dark, so whether he's fast enough to hide it is certainly up for debate. He lets out a breath he didn't even know he was holding and instantly regrets breathing in afterward; the smell of cigar smoke -- especially the sweet kind -- brings back unpleasant memories of the incense his parents thought would 'calm him down' as a child.
However, it's not long before the undercover cop 'circuit' kicks back in and Soma seems to relax, though below the surface his mind is working at 10 times normal RPM to process the depths of his sheer, stupid luck. Nikolai Tippin... the person Elle thought had all the answers, and an individual wanted by Eastern Europe and Asian branches of the Special Crimes Directorate for a list of things that would make even a hardened officer's stomach turn. The naked tire iron, swinging in the air, is testament to that.
The Indian forces himself to laugh, his American-accented English sounding a little strange coming from his face. "I don't know what I'd steal. Deck bolts, maybe, though I suspect the organizers have some strange surprise in store for us. Perhaps the entire thing is made of papier-mache."
"Ah, do not neglect that which is small. Everything in this world have value. Simply look in Mother Russia, where thing like pants worth fortune. Bolts, clothing, lives... There is venue for everything!" The way he spoke that one word, ‘lives', had a decidedly sadistic nuance. Eyes narrow, assessing, seeming to care too little about the holstered pistol. What little information there is on him has mostly been on this ship itself, savagely beating Alan by a large margin and attempting to have Hinata murdered before she slipped free. Although the former might be approvable by most, the second hardly is. His large neck cracks audibly in either direction, lips shifting his cigar to the other side in another puff that causes a temporarily brightening. "I know when person slinking. What you slinking for, mysterious man?" From the sound, he doesn't appear to actually care. Almost dismissive, like idle conversation. Given his hand remains hovering over the tire iron dangling from a strap at his belt, the hostility might only be higher.
Was he slinking? Even Soma doesn't really know, though a few of his coworkers often note, during training, that the young fighter/novelist/policeman moves as if he wants the world to forget he's even there, so perhaps it's simply his nature. And now Soma is faced with a difficult decision: make a second devil's deal, using what little he knows to coax something out of Nikolai, or simply let the half-drunken, belligerent Russian trundle off to whatever affairs await him in the blackened halls of the Suiryuu.
He doesn't take long to come to a decision.
With a faint smile, he crosses his arms over his chest, nodding at Nikolai. "You've got good eyes, though that's to be expected, I suppose. I guess you could call me a burglar in the night. I'm just not looking to steal anything so small as physical objects." He inclines his head down the hall, where a faint blue glow of some sort of lamp or light indicates a stairway down toward the hold. "I'm going to steal some answers from the Ryouhara."
"Man in my line of business die quick without eyes like wolf." Nikolai brings up his hand, two digits extended in an apparent underlining of the statement. He certainly bears the marks of such a fierce creature; Signs of torture and violent fighting, ruining his aging skin. Although he lacks nothing in raw strength, still holding the physique that gained him such successful employ as an enforcer. Although his smile broadens, if slightly offcenter, at the statement that follows. "One of many trying to untangle ball of yarn. You likely have plenty of company; Half contestants hear want know same thing. But last I hear, Ryouhara brat–" Some venom, half-spitting, "-Missing. Not seen in days." Another long, savored draw of his cigar follows, lips pulling away from clenched teeth as the wafting cloud flows anew, directed quite intensely towards Soma. "So you find any pieces to puzzle...?" Brows arch, little hiding the first tangible interest in the smaller undercover agent for the first time in this encounter.
"Everything but the edges," the detective says bitterly, unable to stop himself from doing so and really, once he hears it leave his mouth, not exactly sorry about it either. It's amazing how easy it is to talk to people like Elle or Nikolai, though now the same sixth sense that caused him to implicitly trust Hotaru is sending screaming warnings about the barely-restrained violence hiding beneath the scarred surface of Nikolai's skin.
But what's the harm. And in fact, having a Russian mobster in his almost-debt might be useful in the future. So he shrugs. "I have lots of facts and very little connecting them. The seals on the walls react to... the fun lightshows fighters make. I'm fairly sure that there's a connection between what's going on now and the resolution of the coup in Thailand. I'm entirely sure the cash prize is a sham." Of course, there's one more fact that Soma has to very carefully place on the table. He isn't exactly afraid of Tippin... but a physical confrontation isn't on his to-do list either. "And I've heard that the Russian mob is taking a personal interest, though I can't imagine why." Better to play dumb than play dead.
"Ah. You better informed then most flounders on ship." Nikolai admits, although the statement about the Russian mob earns a sudden hard look, as if that's not a piece of information he cared to have shared. Lips purse fierce enough to become white a moment, clamping about the hard expanse of his cigar. An almost sighing exhale follows, adjusting the collar of his shirt with one large hand. "Maybe you can help me, then. Thailand activities I have quite murky on Ryouhara. You enlighten me, yes?" This does not have even the most mild hint of being a question, but a vaguely polite demand with overt allusions of what denial might entail. He's leaning forward just a bit, hand again hovering near his weapon. There's almost a daring expression now, smirk just beginning to come to life. "But I not mention anything about Russians again. ...I might take offense."
And here he is, exactly back where he told Hotaru he didn't want to be. A part of Soma knows that this is simply the way of the world; that information is currency, that trading lunchroom gossip in schools about people you hate is the best training for the 'real world' you'll ever get. He had no hopes of appealing to Nikolai's sense of duty to society or justice because he knows the man has neither. But he's got to appear professional about it, and so he attempts to choose his words carefully.
"I've already handed you the freebies," Soma says with the ghost of a smile, but shakes his head. "I'll tell you about the Ryouhara involvement in Thailand, but I'd like to ask something in return. You seem... out of place here, compared to the other contestants. Like me, in fact. The rest are the normal assortment of arrogant thugs, hyper schookids, and whatever. Not you... you're a professional. I've seen you fight. Why did you come here? That's what I want to know." He takes a deep breath. Better to cultivate an aura of being afraid even if he isn't. It may be that Nikolai has an ego -- many in his line of work do -- and stroking it can't hurt.
"I respect a professional," he adds. "So obviously I'll talk first. As a gesture of good faith."
This is listened to, Nikolai grasping the base of his cigar between his fingers, the last of the ashes flaring and creating a somewhat perilous length of dark ashes. A flick sends the dying embers towards the ground, deep tsk tsk sound made in the base of his throat. Adjusting the cigar, it's then flicked rather openly towards Soma's face, the tip more then hot enough to make it an uncomfortable gesture if not avoided, And one more then a little dangerous. "You right, little man. I professional. And I know when man have little to barter with. Why bother trading anything?" His own scrape with Elle leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, and in some twisted manner Soma is almost a scapegoat for those frustrations yet to be vented. Before there's then a laugh, and Nikolai attempts to give a heavy, almost chumly pat upon the shoulder. He's now all smiles, and were the latter to work there'd be no further malice from that proximity. "I apologize! I in bad mood! Let us start over... You tell me all about Thailand!" One might make the subtle realization that he still didn't agree to any trade.
Alan enters from the corridor.
The cigar is snapped out of the air with unnerving speed and precision, like the stereotypical old Asian man catching flies with chopsticks. It's the only indication he's given so far that he has anyting approaching fighting skill, but Soma's not afraid to do it; after all, he's got a minor international reputation in the field. His expression never falters, either, nor does his head appear to move. Being able to read a man's intentions moments before he does anything is a handy talent. "Because that's how businessmen work," he says faintly, turning the cigar around and offering it to Nikolai.
If the Russian feels like sharing what he knows, fine. If not, well... just because he doesn't want to fight doesn't mean he won't. "You're familiar with the General Boonyaratglin, I take it? The new head of the Thai government and the man who rallied nationalist forces to fight back against Shadaloo..." He's not afraid to drop the name. Perhaps it'll convince Nikolai that he knows more than most, or at least reinforce the idea. "In actuality his sudden escape during a prison break wasn't a happy accident. The Ryouhara ninja leaked the information to the rebel and coalition forces." There's a pause, and then Soma shrugs. "Not a clan known for their altruism, are they? Yet they gave away a piece of information so critical it practically won the war. I can't make it stick to 'Jinchuu'," he adds, fingerquoting with one hand, "but the possibility that they're not related seems fairly low."
The little display is observed with distant interest, apparently impressing Nikolai; He gave some hint of what he intended before the flick, yet there was no lack of power or speed within the motion when it finally came to fruition. "Then let us break charade. You have information I want. But for me, laws of business not apply. You understand my dilemma." One arm spreads, fingers splaying with a helpless look utterly feigned on his features. As such is explained, there's a simple nod, Nikolai having caught the cigar and extinguished it with a thumb. There's an audible sizzle, but no wince; He has a heavy callous there, which might now be noticed. Yet afterwards he hucks it aside, to litter on the hallway floor. "Such is quite interesting, is it not? Why Seishirou help rebels? All I happy sharing is he not do anything without getting something. That include host grand ship with prize... One that is big battery..." What is he doing with that much chi, one might wonder. "Ah, heresy and conjecture! Nobody saw building of ship, so nobody know what he do. We standing on question, but no answer in sight... What cruel joke!"
A big steaming bowl of nothing. Not that Soma looks surprised, though he's too good at his job to let his annoyance show. "No, they're not. They don't do anything for free, and while the popular version of the story is that Koganei wanted to buy off criminal charges against Seishirou in England, that doesn't exactly seem like a fair trade, does it?" No sense admitting he was the person to whom the info was revealed.
And then, with a sigh, Soma shakes his head. For the third time in as many days, he's about to punt a boat out onto the Rubicon, push himself past the point of no return, and for what? He's not even sure anymore. "But there's more mysteries here than you might think. The 'agents of Jinchuu' are certainly an unusual lot, aren't they? Mostly high school and college age kids, fresh-faced types. New. A few more hardbitten thugs. A few unusual cases. Then there's an enforcer for the bratva who came all the way out here from western Russian to make an appearance in person. And I have to ask myself, Mr. Tippin," the ICPO detective says, muscles already tensed. He's not going to be able to play fancy footwork again, because he knows if Tippin tries to hit him, he's going for the throat right off the bat, "why is that? What's so special about this situation that you'd agree to this nonsense. What's your relationship to the Ryouhara?"
"Why you even care? You not seem like man out for profit. You not seem like man with vendetta. Too crisp... too collected..." The pieces are falling around Tippin rather haphazardly, but he's unable to put them together just yet. Although Soma then reveals that he is indeed informed, at least more so then he would care. Nikolai has already been on the darker side of an insistent informant. Again his hand returns to his collar, tugging lazily at the collar and removing a pair of buttons. Another long whuff of air, eyes slitting almost shut. "...I ask you nicely not talk about Russians again. Silly, silly man. I will tell you why I here. I man looking for answers. I not man here to answer them!" Eyes snap open, quite obviously furious. "...I think you be good to help cut off inquiries." Ah, Soma would realize what this entails. Nikolai does such through intimidation. From the sounds of it, using Soma as an example would fit the bill nicely. His approach is oddly fluid, despite the echoes of a limp in his leg. Within the narrow hallway the massive Russian is everywhere at once, utilizing raw range to sweep out his right hand, attempting to catch Soma by the face. To whirl him, and slam the back of his head into an adjacent door with enough potential force to dent the metal. It seems like he's not going to escape a brawl after all with the tipsy Tippin... If nothing else, Interpol will finally have details on his fighting style.
COMBATSYS: Nikolai has started a fight here.
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Nikolai 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Soma has joined the fight here.
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Soma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Nikolai
COMBATSYS: Soma dodges Nikolai's Strong Throw.
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Soma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Nikolai
Apparently, whatever it was he did earlier, it wasn't just for show. Nikolai is fast -- faster than Soma anticipated -- but even without empathic powers the Russian is painfully easy to read, at least in a physical and emotional sense. That and the ICPO agent knew that bringing in the Russian mob to the equation would spur Tippin to violence. When the Russian's hand sweeps toward the Fighting Novelist it sweeps through nothing but air, and the ICPO agent's movements were barely visible; he stands down the hall to Tippin's right, looking more calm and collected than he actually is.
"Trust me, Nikolai... nobody on this boat cares about you. Well, one person might, but if the pattern's consistent you've already met her. I just want to know why you're here because you're not here by mistake, and if you're here the Ryouhara want you here. Think about that." He doesn't make any offensive moves, but the rich violet gaze tracks the mob enforcer's every move. It was beneficial circumstance that helped him in that first salvo... it might not help a second time.
COMBATSYS: Soma focuses on his next action.
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Soma 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Nikolai
"Ah... so you know of stupid Blackjack whore. Yes, she talk with me already. I not want anyone else to get ideas. Story is mine to know, after all. I here for reason... and you no use for it. Except making others realize what kind of business I hope to conduct..." His hand maneuvers down to his hip, pulling free the tire iron and twirling it in his fingers. The sound is oddly heavy, whooshwhooshes that displace the air almost violently. He takes a few steps forward, nursing his good leg, while scowling towards the other man. Before advancing in a rumbling manner, the sheer irresistible force of a juggernaut, trying to run down Soma like a freight train. And focus all that inertia into a vicious thrust, the sharpened end of his weapon aiming to sink into his side. Were it to manage, a rather hellish shouldercheck follows, rushing into the two-hit combination with intent on sending him sprawling upon the ground. And likely hinting he lacks nothing in terms of raw power. Not that it would have been a mystery looking at him...
COMBATSYS: Soma endures Nikolai's Posadit' Na Piku.
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Soma 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Nikolai
It's probably trouble when Soma doesn't even *move*. The tire iron is a unique weapon, to be sure. But the Russian is moving far too fast for any fancy evasive maneuvers, so Soma goes for broke and doesn't bother. He winces as the sharp end of the semi-improvised weapon tears through the side of his black shirt, a line of dark red staining his dusky skin even as Nikolai's shouldercheck smacks into him like a flying anvil. Soma is light, it takes surprisingly little to send him *toward* the ground...
...but perhaps a little more to keep him there. In midfall the ICPO agent uses his acrobat training to good advantage, twisting to the side and, for a fraction of a moment, running horizontally along the wall right back toward the man who just put the hurting on him something fierce. "I'm sad you don't see the advantage in telling me," Soma snarls, arm whipping out as one of his own unique weapons drops into his hand, the silver blade of the dagger glowing silver-black as he looks to thrust it into a nerve point on the man's lower torso. The strike is barely enough to break flesh... but the dagger and the Psycho Power coursing through it both can deal some serious pain through the Russian's nervous system if he can't avoid the blow somehow.
COMBATSYS: Soma successfully hits Nikolai with Sagittarius.
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Soma 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Nikolai
Oh, there was no chance to do anything but twist towards Soma, marveling at his recovery before realizing a second later he was just struck, stumbling backwards with a hiss of pain as he grimaces, the burn within his body unique. He has little interactions with chi, but less so with Psycho Power, and his first taste is not a sample he cares for. "I have my reasons. Ones I wish to keep to myself." Maneuvering forward thereafter, he hefts up one great heel and snaps out, attempting to simply hit the other man dead in the sternum with rather horrific force. Unlike the acrobatic grace, this is sheer brutality; but almost artistic as well, improvisation painted with decades of practice, seemingly accustomed to restricted environments. "Come! You only person not stupid, braggart child! I respect you for that! My respect not mean much, but maybe it warm heart!"
COMBATSYS: Nikolai successfully hits Soma with Light Kick.
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Soma 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Nikolai
Speed's a tricky thing, especially in someone like Soma, who is *capable* of speeds exceeding human capability... but only in short, focused bursts, and not always on command, either. The Russian's shoe smacks into Soma's breastbone with a loud *THUD* sound even as he makes to twist out of the way, and Nikolai has more than demonstrated his great physical strength in a mere two blows. But as he stops stumbling and gets back into position, he's actually grinning. Adrenaline does that... and perhaps the secret (or not-so-secret) joy Nikolai feels when he inflicts pain is brushing onto the young empath's mind.
"I don't know much about you, Mr. Tippin," Soma says, flicking his other wrist and dropping his other dagger into his hand. "I know that wounded pride isn't the only reason you're here. And I'm trying to tell you that knowing what the Ryouhara are holding over you *is* going to help answer the great question of Jinchuu. I respect your not wanting me to know. I have pride too. But..." And here he suddenly sweeps forward and whips his right arm out, the blade of the wire-dagger unsticking and lashing out toward Tippin's feet like a whip, intending to simply yank him off balance and onto the floor. "...I've got a job to do!"
COMBATSYS: Nikolai fails to interrupt Quick Throw from Soma with Zaebal.
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Soma 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Nikolai
There's indeed a grin upon his face, his hard eyes having a spark of joy that likely exists in no other field. Inflicting pain. For a man who survived literally crippling torture, a hard life climbing over the bodies of others, it's all he has. And given his record in Interpol, a career he has relished in practicing. As the other man rushes forward, Nikolai merely rears back his right arm and snaps out a backhand, trying to smack Soma across the face with the jagged end of his tire iron. But there was enough forecast to avoid it, although his precision and the fact he had more then enough time to attempt it might hint he's not only dangerous when attacking, but to attack as well. Caught, he's uplifted to strike the ground with a rather heavy crash, sounding more annoyed then outright hurt. "Agh... You left yourself open that time. Hah! Underetimate your speedy little reflexes... I should not be playing, yes? This be work as well..." As he slowly rises, uncurling from the ground to grin down in the shadows, the grip on his weapon tightens. "I have job to do as well..."
"This is stupid," Soma says carefully, and he means it. He really didn't want this to end up this way, though it seems to always to. And while he's confident he can actually keep up with Nikolai long enough to make this something other than a one-sided fight, he's not so arrogant as to think beating at his own game is a sure thing, or even remotely close. There's something about a man who *enjoys* violence that just makes them difficult to put down.
"We should only be fighting if our jobs conflict, and I'm not sure they do. We both want to stop the Ryouhara." He's not going to let the man catch his breath, though. The British would use the term 'bottle covey': put him down or kill him, don't talk him to death. It's just in the ICPO agent's nature to try to defuse conflicts even as he jumps into them. Ducking forward, he feints a quick low kick, but almost instantly rises to give Nikolai a clear cut across the stomach with his right-hand dagger.
COMBATSYS: Nikolai blocks Soma's Medium Strike.
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Soma 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Nikolai
"Stop him? You want stop him? What for, Mr. Hero?" Nikolai comments, maneuvering forward as the lashing blade tries to catch him in the stomach. It's caught in his tire iron and cleanly deflected in a spray of sparks off his aging, weathered weapon. One nick in dozens within it's history, all of them bearing the history of those who resisted. "Me, I want more. I doubt you approve of what I do when wrap hand around brat's throat..." Twirling and ‘holstering' his tire iron anew at his side, he once more shifts forward, groping with his large hand for Soma's shirt. With the intent of wrenching him around to hurl down the hall, with all the difficulty of moving an inflatable person were it to succeed. He's still toying around, so to speak; In little rush, and not yet appearing concerned, with the conflict. "I not here to make friends or allies. I here be left alone. People not want to? Fine. I give incentive!"
COMBATSYS: Soma blocks Nikolai's Quick Throw.
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Soma 1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0 Nikolai
It could be that Soma's acrobatic training is really helping him in close-quarters combat, at least. The grab is too quick to resist, but in the narrow hallway the walls and even the ceiling are working in the ICPO agent's favor when it comes to 'tossing' people around. Case in point: as Soma's body flies overhead he actually kicks up and lets his feet drag along the ceiling, then presses off and lands in a crouch, turning a potentially nasty throw into merely bruising.
When he stands up, however, it's to shake out his hand, a quintet of little black spikes fanned between his knuckles. Showboat-y? A little... but they begin to glow with that same silver-black energy as before, so perhaps the showboating is worth it. "I don't give a damn about Seishirou Ryouhara or his damn band of ninjas," Soma snaps, irritated. "You can slice in him half and make barbecue for all I care. What I care about is knowing what they're planning with this stupid boat." With a flick of the wrist, he sends all five throwing spikes at Nikolai down the hallway. The spikes themselves are harmless... the explosions of silver and black Psycho Power each one causes when they connect with something, not so much.
COMBATSYS: Soma successfully hits Nikolai with Supernova.
- Power hit! -
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Soma 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Nikolai
"So you ruthless cutthroat? I not see it in your eyes." Nikolai mulls out, seeming to care little about the failure to land a meaningful hit. Yet when those spikes are all hurled in tandem, he stumbles back, failing to bring up a meaningful guard; The flashes of energy almost black him out, hitting the side of the wall as his head screams. But through grit teeth he begins to laugh, eyes watering as he turns to observe Soma with more raw respect then he housed before. "What is that? Not hurt as bad as good hangover, but that weird. No matter..." Nikolai spreads his stance and begins to rotate his tire iron again, smirking. "Maybe if you hated stupid Blackjack girl you be of better use to me... But otherwise, you only good to fill coffin... Yet please, continue. I plan finish this; Need good outlet! And not had challenge since arrived...!!" His feral grin hints that even if his veiled offer were found acceptable, it's not going to end a potential tire iron beating.
COMBATSYS: Nikolai focuses on his next action.
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Soma 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Nikolai
Ha. The 'ha' even registers on Soma's face, though he doesn't say it out loud. It's ha-worthy. "Oh, I'm not fond of Miss Belmounte, believe me," Soma says in a dry tone, flexing his fingers. He should be pressing his assault right now, but some sixth sense -- one of many the ICPO agent seems to have -- says otherwise, and so he just watches Nikolai carefully, taking measured breaths. "But if you're thinking of trying to put me against her, forget it. She was interested in you, though... from minute one. In fact she was where I first heard your name." It's only a little lie; it's where he first heard Nikolai's name *in connection to Jinchuu*, but if a partial truth widens the divide between the bratva and Elle, well... big deal.
COMBATSYS: Soma focuses on his next action.
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Soma 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Nikolai
"Who say I turn you against her? We friends now. I share information with people mutually useful, or who earn it. Was hoping to weed you out... No matter." Again he slips his tire iron into the side of his hip, before cracking his neck in either direction. "Gametime is over now..." He then rushes forward anew, in a manner that's far from surprising at this stage of the engagement. Although just prior to range, he pivots off, utilizing his good leg for a snapping offensive that compensates for the needed closing; And makes it entirely harder to evade by going backwards. With options neatly shattered, he simply tries to close vicelike fingers around Soma's neck...
COMBATSYS: Nikolai successfully hits Soma with Zamochit.
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Soma 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Nikolai
And once grasped, Soma will realize that when one is grappled by an immensely powerful physical fighter, it's not easy to get away. But he's got one arm; What can he do now? Beyond strangle, his forehead is rushing forward. Slamming into the Interpol agent's face with horrific force, drawing him forward in the same motion for added impact. Yet a single blow is not enough; Another follows, before a final one stronger then both combined. Thereafter he discards of Soma, hucking him backwards in a savage arc that would make the landing add proverbial insult to injury. "Fancy techniques do little against me... I fought ninja in my time as enforcer, after all... It is all about results!!"
That stung... Soma knows what the crippling force Nikolai is capable of putting out feels like, but he's unprepared for how much speed the man appears to be able to pour on when he needs it. His already lightweight body smacks into the floor and skids across it with a metallic noise. If Nikolai wanted to shut him up for a second, that last technique certainly fit the bill. However, it's not 100% enough to down him, or at least not just yet it isn't.
Slowly getting to his feet, frowning at the wet-sticky feeling of blood on his temple, Soma still grins at Nikolai. "You're right. You're strong, too... better fighter than me. But thanks for the tip. You do have some history with the Ryouhara... you must, if you've 'fought ninja in your time'. Though I don't know how I feel about being called a ninja." It's true, though, in a weird way. He fights with speed, two daggers, and whatever tricks he can manage. The only things separating Soma from ninjahood are a Hindu background and a strict moral code.
His daggers are gone to wherever they come from, but new ones form in his hands... these made of silver-black light. Even without his empathic abilities he knows that's his most effective weapon against this tank of an individual, even if the momentary psychic connection sends shivers of disgust down his spine. "So like you said, I'm going to 'finish this' too. Hopefully you'll see it my way in the end." And with that he drives forward, slamming the daggers together at the hilt, the two blades becoming one long psychic polearm. And no 'fancy technique' results; the ICPO agent simply swings the thing around and looks to stab it right into Nikolai's *face*.
COMBATSYS: Soma successfully hits Nikolai with Ashvinau.
[ \\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Soma 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Nikolai
Well, there was an attempt once more to deflect the assault, but it's a rather intangible thing. The warbling blade sinks into his head, and this time it does hurt as bad as a hangover; Although the sheer amount was less then the earlier assault, it's condensed into an area already groggy and worn down, indeed working well to stagger the large man. Knees weaken and begin to buckle, but he does not go down. Instead he spreads his stance, breathing heavily before spitting to the side. "You come closer then anyone else... god thing you not opponent, yes? You lack experience, but have talent. Sadly, I have both, even if it straightforward." Nikolai almost saunters the intervening distance, then lashes out. Trying to grip Soma this time by the hair, and yank him down into a pair of brutal knees to his already ravaged face to send him flying backwards. It was like a serpent, a quick snap that erupted in a heartbeat, but is his own final gambit for finishing this fight. He's worn out, tired, and achey... And needs a lot more vodka very soon!
COMBATSYS: Nikolai successfully hits Soma with Pizdy vlomit'.
[ \ < > ///////// ]
Soma 1/----===/=======|=======\====---\1 Nikolai
The truth is that Nikolai's previous assault was already too much for Soma, who is running on empty at this point... and he has no comforts like vodka to look forward to, either. Probably just a night dodging Kasumi Todoh and bandaging the wounds that he's picked up in this short and brutal battle. The odd silver tips of Soma's hair stick up through Nikolai's meaty grip as his jaw gets rammed into the Russian's knees, the entire affair working quite nicely to send him clattering down the deckplates again.
But it's up to Nikolai if he's sober and attentive enough to notice that there's a handful of faintly glowing silver objects at his feet.
"I'm glad we had this little chat, Mr. Tippin," Soma coughs out, feeling blood fleck across his lips and knowing that bandaging isn't all he's going to be doing. "And I have to say, it's nice to fight someone who knows what he's doing. But information from you or not, I've still got a job to do with the Ryouhara, so I have to say good night."
This is when, on mental command, the handful of spare change that Soma had charged with Psycho Power and let fall out of his hand as he flew back from Nikolai explode in a great pillar of silver light. Maybe Soma has a future as a ninja after all.
Either way, once the spots likely clear from Nikolai's eyes the ICPO agent is long gone, and moving quickly and without being detected is something he is *very* good at.
COMBATSYS: Soma can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Nikolai 1/--=====/=======|
COMBATSYS: Soma successfully hits Nikolai with Supernova.
[ \\\ <
Nikolai 1/=======/=======|
"Tch.I blame you if more vermin come..." is mused, before noticing the assault. Although there is an opening, he'd have to charge through the pillar of energy; Having no desire to brave that again, he tries to back up. But his bum leg doesn't appear to care for this venture, and he's enflamed in the blast of mind-scorching energy. This time he crashes to the ground with a clatter, and when he rouses to blandly stare at his surroundings, confusion melts away to the realization that he failed. "Mmm. He earn not getting limbs broke." is grunted. He's significantly less wounded for the exchange; Only a gash, scuffles, and one hell of a damn headache. Clamoring for his weapon, he manages to get to his feet in an arduous grunt, and thuds through the door to his room. To think, he had instigated this half to burn off the alcohol in his veins... but Psycho Power has one hell of a kick as well.
COMBATSYS: Nikolai takes no action.
COMBATSYS: Nikolai can no longer fight.
Log created on 00:28:15 09/16/2007 by Soma, and last modified on 06:13:16 09/17/2007.