Description: Princibear Raizo ventures to Pacific High to test the mettle of its students. Vince LaRose, dashing captain of the fencing team, rises to the challenge courageously, and gives a fair demonstration of the school's prowess.
Lazy, but crisp Fall afternoon on the athletics field, whereupon quite a few students of Pacific High are moseying about doing... athletic things. Some kicking a soccer ball around, some running football, others doing track exercises... it's pretty active, despite the overall sluggish feel of the day. The sky's a bit darker than it normally would be, what with the fat, puffy clouds rolling about obscuring the sun, and the chilly wind is only slightly nipping at those athletes out here doing their thing.
But not everyone is out training. Some are just loitering for their free time, talking and hanging out with friends. Vince LaRose is one such individual, chatting with people from the drama club. And man are they ever an assorted bunch. Lighthearted though, all the same. The French noble youth seems to be leading conversation at the moment - Hamlet, apparently - attempting to deduce whether the main character had in fact gone mad in his pursuit of justice. For the time being, Vince is dressed... normally. Which is almost abnormal for him. And at his side is a fencing foil, as opposed to his actual rapier. He doesn't much care for actually skewering and harming fellow students, in the event of a friendly bout.
Loitering, eh!?
LAZINESS, that's what they called it back in the days before political correctness!!
And if there's one thing Raizo Imawano, champion of justice, hates, it's LAZINESS!!
Nevermind that he should probably be at Justice High right now. Nevermind that he has a potential future world conquerer to keep an eye on. Nevermind that his secretary is chasing after him with a stack of paperwork in her arms. RAIZO IMAWANO WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS VILLAINY!!
And thus it is that, standing nearby, suddenly, seemingly with no cause or reason, there he is - the ludicrously enormous principal of Justice High, arms crossed and GLOWERING DISAPPROVINGLY UPON THE WAYWARD STUDENTS.
People are already running away. Wouldn't you?
Vince smiles at one of the ladies in his little circle of elitist friends, and he lifts his hand to tap her nose playfully. "You're just trying to justify Ophelia's actions. But if she was insane, herself, is she guilty of suicide or did she just not know better when she killed herself?," he queries, which gets a thoughtful silence...
Until a highly animated fat student next to Vince yelps in surprise, jumping back from, well, "Oh my God, Frankenstein!"
And this, the surprised student says in reference to Raizo. The others in the group, Vince included, look over to Raizo in confusion and surprise. But it's Vince who speaks up for his classmates, polite and eloquent as always with just a hint of a French accent. "Can we help you with something, monsieur?"
Ah, he is French. Well, perhaps he cannot help the inherent arrogant laziness of his blood! But don't worry, Raizo will relieve you of enough of that that it won't be a problem anymore!
The titanic superman merely stands there for a moment, staring down with LETHAL INTENSITY, like he is perhaps about to kill and eat one or all of them. Then finally, he tilts his head upward, his monocle glinting in the sun.
"Young man," the old man finally rumbles - his voice like thunder rolling across the plains. "Are you a fighter, by any chance?"
"Oui," Vince replies. And after a few moments, his icy blue eyes narrow on the tall man, chin upturned slightly to get a full view of him. "I recognize you. You're the principal of one of the neighboring schools, aren't you?"
A few of the other students shy back away from Vince and Raizo, but the noble stands where he is, back stiff, shoulders squared, looking pretty arrogant about the situation.
The curiosity and novelty of this encounter is not lost on the swordsman. A visiting principal from a rival school, asking students if they're fighters. It's almost amusing, were this man not giving him such a critical look. He's treating it rather seriously due to this. Even still, the polite etiquette in his voice does not rust or wash away in light of this. "What brings you here, Sir?"
Raizo stares down for a long moment, MILKING THE DRAMA FOR ALL IT IS WORTH.
"My name is Raizo Imawano!" he suddenly thunders. "Indeed, I am the principal of Justice High! And it's been some time since I've seen the mettle of the students of Pacific High School."
He grins, and it's almost as scary as when he was standing there trying to be dramatic.
"I see Mr. Bromwell and his friends are away, but how about it, young man? Would you care to show me the level of your talent? You seem pretty confident, if nothing else."
There is a pause as this challenge is issued. Vince gives Raizo an almost annoyed look. Almost. Frosty eyes go over Raizo slowly... and when they meet with the principal's crimson gaze again, he gives no direct answer. Instead, his left hand drops to grab the foil to kip it into the air to remove it from the sheath at his side, catching it again just above the cup hilt. This is held out to the side.
"Retrieve my blade, Jack."
Seems that is all that needs to be said. One of the smaller, more spry-looking of the group steps forward to take the foil, and he turns tail to run with it. This leaves Vince standing, regarding Raizo more critically now. "I've heard things, Principal Imawano. I believe wielding a foil against you would only insult you."
Vince has never actually -seen- Raizo in action before or anything, though. Which is likely why a few of the students from the cluster around them are murmering amidst themselves. Vince, captain of the fencing team of Pacific High, swordsman extraordinaire, fighting the likes of this behemoth. How incredible.
Raizo's grin grows, and the titan of a man nods, turning away to pace to a more respectable distance for a fight.
He'll probably go a bit easy on the boy. But he won't tell him that. He wouldn't want to insult the boy's pride after challenging him openly, after all.
After a moment, he explains, "This is more-or-less friendly, you understand. I've come to see what sorts of youths there are at the campuses these days. Pacific has a high reputation to live up to, after all."
And then he turns around, glaring down at Vince, fists balled, but those monstrous clawed fingernails not quite bared - waiting for the younger man to draw his weapon. "Ready?"
COMBATSYS: Raizo has started a fight here.
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Raizo 0/-------/-------|
"I understand," Vince replies coolly. "This is partially why I accepted." But only partially. He has his own reasons. What are the others? Well, one might be able to guess, if they knew Vince at all. He holds his style of rapier in high regard - Rose Dansant is not a cowardly form of fencing. And he's not one to withdraw from a challenge, anyway. Not when it permits him to make a display of Rose Dansant, at any rate.
Shortly after Raizo asks if he's ready, the other male runs up to Vince's side, scabbard in hand. Vince simply grabs the polished white handle of the weapon and smoothly draws it from its sheath into a downwards arc at his right side, then up before his face in typical fencing salute.
"En guarde."
And Vince is suddenly blurring forward, movement far too sudden for your average person to keep track of. The swordsman skips forward to close the gap Raizo had made, landing him in a low lunging stance, swordtip aimed to plunge deep into Raizo's torso, left hand extended out behind his back for balance.
COMBATSYS: Vince has joined the fight here.
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Raizo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Vince
COMBATSYS: Vince successfully hits Raizo with Balestra.
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Raizo 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Vince
The mountainous ninja master's eyes widen some as Vince moves. He may or may not be able to read some of Vince's thoughts - the old man is nothing if not perceptive - but if he can see some of that pride, he says nothing of it. He moves himself as Vince does, with an agility that's rather surprising for a man of his size - but as he does, the blade sinks home, slicing into his suit and the flesh beneath it.
That half-crazed grin Raizo is famous for shows itself as Raizo regains his center after the dodge, and then he says simply, "/Good/," before the old man streaks in for a straight punch - going a little slower than he strictly could, because he wants to see what the kid can do, and he knows going at full tilt would knock this poor swordsman over like a tree in a hurricane.
COMBATSYS: Vince blocks Raizo's Quick Punch.
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Raizo 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Vince
The very noteworthy lack of visible effect the normally deep, crippling stab has on Raizo is a bit disheartening to Vince. He remains in the deep lunge for a second longer than normal as he attempts to work out what just happened, really. He knows he pushed the blade as hard and deep as normal, but... this guy is immense.
Fortunately, the swordsman appears rather nimble and quick on his feet. As the rather sizable fist careens towards him, Vince angles his blade aside ideally to block to assault completely - but he can't get it into proper position in time. The force of the hit pushes the flat of his blade back, and there's still impact. Noteworthy impact, but also notably less powerful than it would have been otherwise.
The young master staggers a step back with an 'ouf' escaping him, icy eyes narrowing a little. Though Raizo may not be Frankenstein, it seems he hits with about as much force. Geeze. Perhaps moving to a small range might be more beneficial. So Vince hops high into the air backwards. Once he reaches the pinnacle of his height, he turns a quick spin - collecting two rosettes from his belt. The blades are flung simultaneously downwards at Raizo, both aimed for the torso, just at varying degrees. Normally one might be aimed for the collar, the other for the legs, but Raizo's a pretty big guy.
COMBATSYS: Raizo dodges Vince's Medium Fling.
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Raizo 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Vince
Big, infuriatingly sturdy, and maddeningly agile.
Never a good combination to be fighting against.
That blade doesn't go anywhere near as deep as it was supposed to, and now Raizo takes it yet another step by completely sidestepping the incoming flung blades, then in the same motion, shifting his weight from a sideways hop to a forward lunge, the momentum carrying him forward with enough force that when he lands in front of Vince, he's got enough left over to spin on one foot and drive the other titanic leg toward Vince's gut.
COMBATSYS: Raizo successfully hits Vince with Light Kick.
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Raizo 0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\1 Vince
Speed, Vince wasn't expecting. At all. He sees that the blades have planted themselves at an angle only on the school ground, which is kind'a cause for concern. He lands, and immediately Raizo is right in front of him. The young swordsman has literally no time to react before boot plunges into the fencer, blasting him back and hard.
Vince lands in a tumble, rolling over several times... but he manages to end on his feet in a crouch, teeth gritted. Truth be told, he's now in a world of pain. He's not about to let that show, though. Not right now. That's giving the opponent an advantage. And Vince still has some tricks he can pull out, here. So even while his classmates are all wide-eyed and concerned for the rapier-wielder, Vince pushes himself right back up to his height.
That kick put Vince at a distance once more from Raizo. So he's going to use it to his advantage, since he's already in position. Elegant blade is whisked to his right shoulder, and Vince inclines his head briefly, regarding Raizo. And suddenly, the rapier flashes into motion, sweeping and slicing at... the air. The speed in which he slashes, slices, and dices the blade through the air is astounding, sword along the with arm carrying it blurring out of clear vision.
And less than a second after the onslaught against the thin air begins, Raizo may very well begin to feel the effects. The very air in front of him begins to shred and rip, slicing and lacerating against his torso as though the very strokes themselves - innumerable and rapid as they are - carry all the way from the tip of Vince's blade to Raizo.
COMBATSYS: Raizo endures Vince's Phantom Laceration.
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Raizo 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Vince
It's not that Raizo has seen that particular move before, so much as that Raizo is experienced enough that when someone starts doing something seemingly dumb, like stabbing the air in a very intricate and practiced fashion, he knows to expect it to somehow hurt him in the next few seconds.
But lacking any direct means to anticipate how it intends to hurt him, Raizo engages in an age-old passtime: He walks forward, and as the phantom blades rip and tear at him, causing minor damage to his coat, to his body - ripping and tearing...
...Raizo continues on, grinning a little. "Good, good!" he says. "To have that kind of control...you'll do well, young man. Don't give up!"
And then, slowed down slightly but not nearly as much as Vince would probably like, Raizo raises a fist over his head, and then brings it down on Vince's.
COMBATSYS: Raizo successfully hits Vince with Strong Punch.
- Power hit! -
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Raizo 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Vince
The wild slicing and cutting continues, even as Raizo approaches. Needless to say, it's Hellishly confusing to see someone just march right through what could very well be a fatal maneuver on anyone else, not unlike a Teddy Ruxpin TERMINATOR. And just like a Teddy Ruxpin, when Raizo arrives, he tells him a story. OF PAIN.
The blade has only halted long enough for Vince to give him a bewildered, deer-in-headlights look before that fist just knocks his head right off. Well, okay, not literally right off, but... well, you know how in the cartoons, people can get bopped through the ground like a tent stake? That's about like what happens here. The fist hammers solidly, and Vince is just driven to the ground. He doesn't fall, no. The fist's momentum actually pushes him down.
And while common sense would tell anyone else to stay the Hell down and not get yourself killed, Vince has pride at stake here. He has a family legacy to preach. So, gritting his teeth, Vince pushes himself back up to his full height with partial help from the rapier in hand. Vision only barely focused on Raizo at this point, he attempts to press on. He takes a single step inwards, and his blade and arm flash from a downwards position to suddenly being plunged towards Raizo's torso. Moreover, a sheath of visible, swirling wind energy discharges from the rapier when stabbed, ideally lancing through its target to force an even more grievous wound.
COMBATSYS: Vince successfully hits Raizo with Venteuse.
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Raizo 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Vince
Raizo doesn't stand there this time - he moves, shifting his posture as if to dodge--
--and to Vince's credit, the swordsman gets there before the ninja has left, piercing the blade into him, the release of energy further pummeling the mighty Principal of Justice High.
But just as with his previous assaults, it doesn't do anywhere near what it's SUPPOSED to. When the assault ends, Raizo's still standing, looking maddeningly paternal - or at least, as close as it's possible for a man whose face is built like that of a wild animal to look paternal.
"Not bad," he notes. "Not bad at all."
And then, at last, he shows just what he's been holding back all this time, as he unclenches one fist - revealing the razor-edged nails at the end of each finger.
"Let me show you mine," he rumbles, and then he's moving - a single, sweeping slash meant to drive across Vince's torso.
COMBATSYS: Raizo successfully hits Vince with Claw Stab.
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Raizo 0/-------/=======|=======\======-\1 Vince
It's a bit pleasing to know Vince caught him before he could evade the blade - that's a bit of his specialty, after all. But it STILL didn't have the effect he'd hope for. Not even a backwards stagger! This guy is made out of pure granite, he believes. Granite and, hey, claws.
SHRED.
There's a fair bit of bloodspattering after that hit, shredding his pristine shirt, tie, and jacket. It's hard enough to push Vince off his feet and drop him a couple feet away from the monstrous principal... but persistent and determined as ever to prove the validity of Rose Dansant, Vince rises again.
Sure, he can only barely make out anything with his fading vision, but he's going to give this his all. Though on now wobbly legs, Vince lunes forward at Raizo again.. and halts abruptly to thrust his blade into the air.
Beneath Raizo, a torrent of violent wind energy suddenly flares, blazing into a cone in the air to blast Raizo off his feet. And if successful, Vince takes to flight after him, body turned over to face his blade at the principle beast. The blade and arm again flash far too rapidly and swiftly to be clearly seen, but this time the blurred movements are repetitive stabs, angled to sink in and gore all inches of Raizo's body before he hits the ground.
But when Vince lands, he just drops to a knee, blade upturned and planted in the grass to keep him from toppling over. He looks extremely exhausted and beaten, now bleeding, eyes narrowed on his challenger.
COMBATSYS: Vince can no longer fight.
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Raizo 0/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Raizo endures Vince's LaRose Storm.
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Raizo 1/------=/=======|
Raizo Imawano doesn't even try to dodge.
He stands there, simply...allowing the attack to come, allowing Vince to unleash the full force of his not inconsiderable might upon him.
It ends.
They land.
Raizo has the good grace to land in an unsteady crouch, but after a few moments, he rises, apparently not too much the worse for wear. He's breathing hard, at least.
"Not bad," Raizo says, repeating himself from earlier. He reaches into a miraculously unmutilated pocket and throws something down on the ground at Vince--
--it's cash. About enough to buy a new uniform. "I hope it's not too insulting for me to offer you this," the old man says, holding his side where some of the worst of Vincent's attacks concentrated. "I believe it's important to do this sort of thing, but I don't like to inconvenience students by ruining their wardrobes."
Another pause, and then he smirks, a little. "You did well. This city is a dangerous place for a high school student, but I think you'll be fine, young man."
"Your own garments are torn," Vince replies breathlessly, eyes lowering to the cash. "I would hope you've enough for repairs or new clothes, as well." It should go without saying, really. The guy's a principal. He likely makes a pretty good amount of money. So after a few moments, Vince pulls himself over enough to grab the cash and pocket it. It isn't insulting, really. He called this 'friendly', after all.
And though Vince lacks the strength to pull himself to his full height, or even to his feet, he lifts his head high and proud. "Thank you," he replies courteously. "I... typically do much better than this. What I've heard of you seems to be true."
Raizo's still clutching his side - although he was the victor, Vince was fast, and while his strikes weren't as strong as he'd like, taken together, they still did a number on Raizo's body.
But the old man is standing, and his opponent isn't. He feels almost bad for it, but...they have to prepare. And if that means a few fights like this, well...
...Raizo's alright with that.
"It's no shame to lose to a man like me, young man," Raizo says. "If you're lucky, you'll never have to see the things that force a man grow to be as powerful as I am. If I may ask...what's your name?"
Vince doesn't seem terribly perturbed by his situation. Being beaten down certainly has a sting to it, but still. It was friendly, and he can rise above the situation. "Good bragging," comments Vince wryly, complete with rueful grin. He then coughs a couple times - not for modesty's sake, but for honest to goodness coughing's sake. "I am Vince LaRose, master of Rose Dansant."
He attempts to push himself up to his full height again, but falls short and hits a knee once more.
The old mountain smirks, and says only, "I see. A pleasure, Mister LaRose. I am Raizo Imawano, master of Imawano-ryu. And as you know, principal of Justice High."
He looks around at the crowd, and says, with his I Am The Principal voice, "Haven't you people seen a fight before? Somebody fetch the nurse, this young man could use some help."
He looks down once more at Vince, and weighs his next few words. On the one hand, it'd be really pompous to just walk away. On the other hand, this fine young man seems to be French, and they can get uppity about what some would see as courtesy. Thus, with some caution, Raizo asks, "Would you like assistance?"
Vince is thankfully a happy middle. The gesture gets a faint sort of smile, but he shakes his head. "I'm fine. If I try to stand right now, I might feel a bit worse. I just.. need a moment." That was a lot of punishment to take in in so very little a time span. But then, there's the issue of pride, there. He doesn't necessarily -want- to be helped up, either. Besides, this guy isn't from Pacific High. He let his school down!
Though after a few moments, one of the school nurses is brought to the scene, shuffling over with a first aid kit.
Raizo watches for a few moments, and then nods. "That's a good attitude," Raizo says, obliquely. "If that's the case...good work today, Mr. LaRose. You do your school and your academy proud. I'll be going." He looks over at the nurse, nods a greeting, and says simply, "Take care of the boy," before turning and limping away - his faithful secretary, standing by all this time, skittering after him.
COMBATSYS: Raizo has ended the fight here.
Log created on 23:31:20 11/06/2007 by Vince, and last modified on 16:54:25 11/13/2007.