Neo League 701 - #713: Marisol vs Cherry

Description: Take two half-Irish, half-Spanish (sorta) redhead fighters. Put them at a remote Greek monastery. What results? Projectile cleaning supplies, an endless tide of weird nicknames, and Cherry proving that while you can KO a Diva, it's going to take a LOT of work. (Winner: Marisol)


Greece! Home of the Parthenon, Mykonos and gyros!

Also, home to yet another Masters Neo League!

Today's local is scenic Stavronikita Monastery, overlooking the ocean from its cliffside perch under the watchful eye of mount Athos. Despite its religious history and it being called 'home' to roughly 40 monks, the Neo League - and Marisol - could care less. In fact, they've catered the event, and the monks don't seem to mind either, as most enjoy fresh gyros. So does the half-Spaniard fighter.

Seated on a waist-high brick wall lining the pathway up to the monastery, she seems to enjoy her gyro while idly staring at the clear blue skies above. Around and about the NL crew finish their pre-fight setup, roping off the monastery proper to prevent potential collateral damage and setting up their cameras. Marisol is quite patient in waiting as they do precisely that.

And just as the redheaded half-Spaniard finishes the last bite of her gyro, the NL announcer waves his hand broadly, drawing the attentions of the 40 some-odd monks playing crowd to the fight to be. Clad in a pair of jeans and a light-weight pink hoodie and camisole affair, the redhead wanders up, dipping past the ropes and into the makeshift 'arena' as her name is called to the cameras and audiences. Once 'inside,' Marisol pulls tape out of the pocket of her hoodie and begins the process of taping her fists.

And, of course, left wondering who they've scheduled her to fight against!

Greece!

Despite her Basque heritage, Cherry hasn't spent much time in Europe, and what little she did was mostly in England and France, accompanying her mother and father on vacations or business trips. A few visits to the south of Spain to where her roots were. But Greece? Not on the itinerary, usually. When the Neo League called and asked if she was ready for her debut match, the Fighting Diva was more than happy to accept. Feeling pretty good after her little tete-a-tete with Ayame in Pacific's auditorium a few nights back, the redhead was more than happy to take her show on the road.

Stepping out of the airport in Athens was like a musical number. The big breasted bombastic Boiseian stepped out into the world and practically DID break into song ("Good Morning Baltimore" from Hairspray, FYI) before heading into town... and leaving the NL guy who was supposed to pick her up waiting with the little white card that said 'Aguirre'.

We think he's still there, waiting.

Let's laugh at him.

No, no... Cherry had her own ideas about how to really nail the entrance on her first globally-televised fight, and it took a little doing. Luckily Mount Athos is a good distance from Athens, and getting there in her preferred method took no time at all. What preferred method is that? The crowd gathered outside the roped area is about to find out. Nobody really questioned the mini-ramp behind them, after all. It's Neo League! They need all sorts of strange things.

People are still thinking that when Cherry flies over the crowd's heads on a cheap used motorcycle.

Pointing the bike away from the monastery proper, she suddenly stands in the 'saddle' and jumps up and off as the lightweight bike continues on in midair without her. The redhead executes a perfect three-point landing on the other side of the arena from Marisol, back turned to the sea... as the bike sails on over a cliff and, predictably, explodes on landing on the beach a really, really long distance below.

The smoke trail is visible rising in the background behind her as the Fighting Diva gives Marisol a little wave. "Hi there. You've got a *fantastic* tan."

There's a long, drawn out bout of silence as the gathered folk and Marisol wait for the second fighter to make their scheduled arrival. Gray eyes slowly blink as the girl waits patiently, her gaze wandering around and about her surroundings. The smell of gyros fills the air as the catering area, fortunately set out of harm's way, continues to bake.

"I swear if they don't show," the girl quietly mumbles aloud to herself. "I am gonna get myself another chicken gyro. Damn those were good." Dropping a hand to her stomach, the redhead absently pat-pats her hoodie and the abdomen beneath.

"And maybe some of that wine again. That was pretty go--"

The distant, strained purr of a motorcycle motor cuts her thoughts short, and soon enough the other redhead arrives, scaring half the monks present and sending them ducking and scattering as they're leapt over with the motorbike.

Marisol, on the other hand, stares with mild disbelief. Rather than panic or flail the redhead just watches the abandoned bike fly into the ocean beyond and its former rider land in a three-point stance nearby. Slowly the redhead's full lips pull into a thin, pensive line across her face. She begins to speak--

But finds herself cut off by the other girl, who compliments her tan. She blinks slowly again. What??

"Thanks. Nice hair," she offers, giving the other fighter a lopsided grin in response. "You must be Aguirre, then. So if you're Aguirre, and I'm O'Connell, then that must mean it's time to fight." The NL coordinator off to the side, looking stunned at the arrival, absently nods. Marisol's grin broadens. "Hope you're ready."

Without hesitating one bit the redhead suddenly blazes forward, sneakers grinding against the stony path as she zeroes in on Cherry with one intention: to drive a taped-up fist into the center of the other redhead's chest. "HYAGH!"

COMBATSYS: Marisol has started a fight here.

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Marisol          0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Cherry has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Marisol          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Cherry


COMBATSYS: Cherry blocks Marisol's Medium Punch.

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Marisol          0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0           Cherry


"Huh," Cherry says thoughtfully, looking for all the world like she didn't just Evil Knevil her way over the crowd and explode a motorcycle on the beaches of one of the Orthodox Church's holiest places. "My mom was a Shaughnessy, herself." The red hair is certainly explained, at this point. Brushing off her shirt, the older girl gets into stance, a flowing-looking kung fu affair. "And yes, despite all appearances I am 'Aguirre'. The other side is Basque." It's Cherry's turn to give a lopsided grin, now. "It's a fun combination."

But then everyone's raring to go, including Marisol, so some degree of 'gameface' gets put on: in Cherry's case, a wild grin. These two ladies will probably get along just fine, won't they. Deciding that she doesn't want to get too fancy right off the bat, Cherry doesn't try to slip out of the way of that punch; instead she throws out her hand and catches the punch in it with a loud *SLAP!* sound of flesh on flesh.

She's still pushed back along the ground about 8 inches.

Raising an eyebrow, the redhead shakes out that hand. "Damn, woman," is the only thing she can think of to say. That hurt. Way more than it should have. "You been training in ten times Earth's gravity, anime-style or something?" But commentary aside, she also leaps right to the attack, hopping up and twisting her body. At first it looks like she's going to *kick* Marisol in the face... but instead, Cherry attempts to snag Marisol around the throat with her ankles. If she can do that, the Fighting Diva drops into a horizontal spin that slams Marisol to the ground, giving Cherry time to push off the dirt at the same time and jump away.

COMBATSYS: Cherry successfully hits Marisol with Diva la Revolution.
- Power hit! -

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Marisol          0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0           Cherry


"Really now?" the girl replies, sounding mildly interested before she offers a lopsided grin. "And odd mix yourself, huh? There seems to be a lot of that going on lately. Must be something in the water." Her grin broadens a bit, eyes half-lidded before she lightly tosses a hand over her shoulder, brushing errant locks of red from her shoulder. "Basque though, that's a first."

But conversation comes to a standstill as Marisol charges into action, driving a fist right for the center of the other girl's chest. Rather than impact knuckles on flesh, she instead meets the center of Cherry's hand, to which the half-Spaniard offers a muted expression of disbelief. How'd that happen?

"Honestly, I don't like anime," the girl replies, straightening her back a bit with a light smirk. "And no. I just get a lot of chances TO practice. It kind of helps when one of your friends is a six foot six wall of muscle." Or when your teammates are masochists. The redhead begins to shrug, when suddenly Cherry launches herself at Marisol. Attempting to bring her arms up and slap her legs away, Marisol underestimates her perceived kick; the result? Beign slammed face-first into the dirty stone pathway.

A light groan follows.

Rolling to one side as she's released, Marisol offers a wolfish smirk as her gray eyes narrow, peering at the other redhead. A hand reaches up, fingers brushing her face of debris before she smoothes her free locks back into place.

"That hurt a bit," she offers with a broader smirk.

Dashing forward, Marisol again attempts to close in on Cherry, with every intention of driving her fist into the girl's stomach. But this time, rather than a simple punch to test the proverbial waters, Marisol instead follows up with a grab at her head, attempting to slam the Diva's face into her knee before she shoves the other girl back, closing the attack up with a vertical kick aimed for the bottom of her jaw.

COMBATSYS: Cherry dodges Marisol's Chain Reaction.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Marisol          0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0           Cherry


There's an *almost* derisive sound to the short, sharp laugh Cherry gives at Marisol's rejoinder, but the girl's face stays fairly open and friendly; she may just be one of those people destined to sound like a jerk even when they're in a good mood. "Yeah, well, now we're even, Xena," the Fighting Diva throws back, getting into it. "I still can't feel that palm." She's feeling good, so far; one of the things Cherry loves about fighting is the give and take, the drama of it... and Cherry is a Drama! Queen! with both !s richly deserved.

"It's not all bad," she continues, circling around Marisol a bit as the girl gets to her feet. She hits *damn* hard, and the Idahoan is bound and determined to take as few hits from that powerhouse as is humanly possible. Of course, from the effortless quality of the footwork she's doing so far, evasion might be the girl's strength as-is. "It's sort of like Ed Wood and b-movies. Once you resolve yourself to how horribly fucked up and stupid it is, it's a lot more fun." She pauses, then realizes: fighting big in Japan. Where she lives. Hmm.

Taking a brief second to find a camera, Cherry gives it a WAY too winning smile for it to be real, adding: "But uh, Nippon ichi! y'all. For reals." Oh lord.

Then Marisol is charging her, with another punch... but something in Cherry's gut tells her that deflecting this one is not in her best interest. Thus instead she drops low and somersaults to the right in a tight arc, making a sort of circle around Marisol to avoid her. Coming out of it in a crouch, she doesn't waste time with pithy jokes, and instead surges to her feet, looking to snap a kick -- a real one this time -- at Marisol's jaw from the ground up.

COMBATSYS: Marisol Toughs Out Cherry's Light Kick!

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Marisol          0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0           Cherry


Xena?

Marisol responds with a mild tilt of her head, gray eyes widening only slightly, before they slowly draw downwards, half-lidded as she peers at the self-styled Drama Queen. An archaic reference by today's standards, surely, but Marisol appears nothing but amused. A little confused, but definitely amused.

"Thanks. I work tirelessly to perfect my ability to hurt people," she replies with a light smirk. "I wager you do the same with your kicks and what not." An absent gesture is directed toward the other redhead's legs. And then the half-Spaniard girl wordlessly darts in, attempting to drive a fist right into poor Cherry's abdomen. Fortunately for her, she doesn't get hit. It earns her a light grunt from the redhead.

Whipping around, the redhead finds she has precious little time to...well, do anything. With a leg coming out from beneath Cherry, the redhead just perseveres, taking the kick to the jaw like a sport. It draws a light grunt from the half-Spaniard girl, gray eyes narrowing tightly again before she offers a light smirk in response.

"Don't tell me you're half-Japanese as well?" the girl wonders, absently rubbing at her chin...before she whips an arm around, a nasty right hook aimed for the other fighter from close proximity.

COMBATSYS: Marisol successfully hits Cherry with Hook Punch.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Marisol          0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0           Cherry


Well, Cherry, you should have expected anyone who PUNCHES that hard probably knows how to take a hit, too. She gets this realization once she feels her foot slam into Marisol's jaw and does NOT feel the refreshing sense that the woman is now sprawled on the ground somewhere instead of, oh, ready to smack her right in the face from a standing start a good few centimeters away.

"Oh... damn."

There's a MOMENT of trying to jump back from the kick before Marisol has time to plant a fist on her, but it absolutely does not work; the punch literally sends Cherry flying, the redhead landing in a crouch a good few yards away, sucking in a breath to try to get the air back in her lungs. Yeah, that stung. A lot. "No kidding?" she mutters to the idea of practicing. She opts AGAINST her followup of: I bet you sleep with that bandana world warrior guy's picture under your pillow. Don't taunt the bull in the china shop.

Instead, she gets to her feet and grins at Marisol. "Half Japanese? Oh, honey, no." Her hands come up and push up a bit on the bikini top that's part of what her mother referred to as 'that slutty fighting costume' upon seeing it for the first time. "Do these look Japanese to you?"

(Somewhere, Mai Shiranui sneezes.)

But there's no rest for the wicked. "Despite your freakish man-strength I believe I'm going to like you, Tan Girl." And then she's driving forward at a fairly good clip, sweeping one hand to the opposite side of her torso and then, when in close, bending her knees somewhat and whipping it around palm-first to smack Marisol in the stomach. Let's see how YOU like it.

COMBATSYS: Marisol fails to interrupt Strong Punch from Cherry with Snap Wind.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Marisol          0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0           Cherry


Grinning lightly as her fist makes contact, the half-Spaniard girl just watches as poor Cherry is sent flying, forced to roll into a crouch and struggle for breath. Okay, so maybe it was a little over-doing it. But hey, it's a fight! And if she holds back on ...well, anyone, she not only insults them, but herself as well. So, as far as she can tell it's fair game. Besides, she hit hard herself.

"Well, I didn't know, what with the Japanese and all," the girl wonders aloud, peering at Cherry as she hefts her chest and shows off her bosom in the bikini top. "And...heh. I may have, once or twice." She currently lives in (fictional) Japan, after all. "You never know these days. They put so much artificial bullshit in food. Then there's the whole fast food boom." But this is a fight.

"Not the first time I've been told that," the half-Spaniard absently remarks as she grits her teeth, a fist curling. Her attempt is simple. When Cherry punches, punch back. It's the rule of nature! Only, it doesn't quite go as planned; struck in the side, the girl exhales loudly, eyes bugging slightly before she grunts and staggers back. It stung a bit, but...

"Name's Marisol. Tan-Girl just doesn't have a real catchy, flashy sort of ring to it, y'know?" she offers, smirking faintly.

Now that's more like it. The older girl doesn't stop moving even when she connects; her version of it might be heavily modified, but it's still Meihuazhuang at heart, and that means moving and keeping control of her position at all times. Hands move in slow circles as Cherry backs off from her punch, and grins at the rejoinder. "No, not Japanese. I live there, though... I'm a student at Pacific University." Oh, hey. MAYBE YOU'VE HEARD OF IT, MARISOL.

Keeping in her circular pattern, Cherry takes a breath, then grins even wider at that. "Mah-ree-sohl," the Fighting Diva repeats, giving it a highly exaggerated Spanish pronounciation for the hell of it. "I like it. Aguirre's the only Basque left in my name. My mother got to pick my first name, Cherry." There's a pause, then a shrug. "I like it. My grandmother told her I was destined to be a stripper with that name." And in that outfit? She almost is.

Deciding not to get in close again, Cherry stops moving just long enough to bring her fingertips up to her lips and give them what appears to be a kiss. As she brings her hand away, the 'kiss' turns into a ball of fiery chi. Grinning behind it, Cherry singsongs, "Kids! Don't try this at home!" before bringing her hand forward again, palm first, and *SMACKING* the fire, hard, as if it were a physical object. The result is a spiralling ball of fire that swirls erratically across the monastery yard at Marisol.

For effect, Cherry also yells: "SERVICE!~" Is that a volleyball joke or a joke about her outfit? Who knows.

COMBATSYS: Marisol dodges Cherry's Burning Love Breakdown.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Marisol          0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0           Cherry


"Pacific Uni, eh?" the girl replies, carrying on a rather and frighteningly casual conversation amidst the fight. "Interesting, though sort of expected. Most foreigners in Southtown go there--but I'm sure you knew that much, eh?" A light, flighty smirk seizes her lips, gray eyes hooding before she simply tips her head to one side, hands on her hips. "So, yeah, you can presume I go there too. Well, not the university, anyway." SHE HAS HEARD OF IT.

There's a look of muted disbelief at the other girl's name, however. Cherry? The hair would explain the name to a degree, but it's certainly at the lower end of 'Popular Children's Names.' "That's a definite first. Definitely unique," the half-Spaniard offers. But indeed. With that outfit...

"Gotta be careful you don't wind up one by accident." A finger lifts, poking at Marisol's upper chest. The bikini straps, she means. "A friend of mind sometimes finds wearing those tops into fights can be troublesome. She's had a problem, once or twice."

Conversation ceases when the other girl kisses chi into being and summarily smacks it at the half-Spaniard. Breathing in deeply, the girl plants a heel and whips her body around, narrowly missing the flaming ball of flame, leaving to obnoxiously crash into the wall of the monastery. A few monks cry in horror. Their stone walls, singed!

Marisol, however, isn't phased. Instead she plugs forward, attempting to narrow the gap between herself and Cherry before she swings a fist, looking to sock the girl with a straight punch to the jaw with the fun cry of "HYAAAAAAH!"

COMBATSYS: Marisol successfully hits Cherry with Light Punch.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Marisol          0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1           Cherry


"You've got--" is all Cherry gets out. She had intended to deflect rather than dive out of the way of what felt like a simple punch, to her. Yes, Marisol hits hard, but presumably she can't do THAT much damage if Cherry can get her arm up in the way of a punch. Sadly, she doesn't do it QUITE in time, and thus her retort is cut short by a fist meeting her jaw, making her stumble back... more than a few steps, snapping out a hand to catch the cordon and keep herself from falling over. Ow! Ow ow ow.

This is, in fact, just what she says: "Ow! Ow ow ow."

Straightening, the Fighting Diva shakes her head, then cracks her knuckles and shakes her head sadly. "Interesting. I haven't been on campus long. You must be one of the --" And again, her mental voice omits: far too rich for their own good overbearing "high schoolers. Is that where these fighting friends of yours hang out, too? They sound... interesting."

A pause, and then she grins, pointing a finger at her chest. "And for the record, if these babies popped out on national television, the networks would be lining up with pasties and giant fans." Shame? What's 'shame'?

But she's not going to be daunted by a little crippling pain, oh no. Setting off at a dead run, Cherry doesn't do anything particularly elegant; she looks to hook her arm around Marisol's throat and, using all the speed she just built up, smack her right into the ground, *hard*.

COMBATSYS: Marisol blocks Cherry's Quick Throw.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Marisol          0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1           Cherry


Fingers curl as her fist recoils from impact, gray eyes fixed on the other redhead as she stumbles and staggers back from the seemingly innocent blow--well, to Marisol it seemed innocent! In truth it probably hurt a lot more than she realizes. But that's the man-strengthed Marisol O'Connell for you. Her lips ease into a light grin.

"Yeah, high school. Not out quite yet," the redhead offers. "We're all students there. Truth be told, I don't really know many people outside of Pacific." Except for Gedo, but damned if Marisol will confess as much. She has a reputation to maintain! Or something.

As for Cherry's chest, well. "Hey, it's good to have a bit of confidence," is Marisol's reply, lips easing into the faintest hints of a smirk. "I think that you'd have a bit of competition, however. Have you seen some of the things some girls wear to these fights? I--"

Cut off as Cherry charges in, the redhead lifts an arm up and catches the other girl's arm at the elbow, preventing it from capturing her neck and throwing the girl to the ground. Again. Growling lightly, the girl twists a bit and attempts to wrench herself free before she slams a foot down and drives a straight punch for the trunk of Cherry's body, followed by a swift uppercut. Her foot pivots sharply thereafter, a leg swinging up and around to deliver an odd spinning hook kick right for Cherry's temple.

Boy that sounds dirty.

"HYAAAAAGH!"

COMBATSYS: Marisol successfully hits Cherry with Iron Whip.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Marisol          0/-------/-======|=======\======-\1           Cherry


It would appear that fighting off that thief in the Pacific auditorium used up all of Cherry's magical footwork mojo; against this curiously strong fighter (mental note: MARISOL, THE ALTOIDS OF PUNCHING. Good on a t-shirt?) even the trained dancer-slash-kung fu fighter is having trouble keeping up. The older fighter attempts to do something TRULY fancy: leap upwards and over Marisol before she can land that punch. Sadly, her speed for the throw, plus Marisol's defensive effort, leave her off-balance; the series of blows connects with highly dramatic force, sending Cherry *literally* flying. She actually bounces OFF the cordon like a wrestler hitting the ropes, and then onto the ground.

When she gets up, she raises an eyebrow. "...ow." Yep. She's alright.

Covered in dust? Check. Little cut on her cheek? Check. Still, she doesn't seem too bothered. A steak, a baked potato, a long bath? She'll bounce back in no time. "Yeah, well. I don't give the milk away for free, pardon what may be the worst pun I've ever made." Dusting herself off, the woman's foot slides back a little as she gets back into stance. "Alright, She-Hulk. Time to bust out some wire-fu."

She sets her foot, like a track sprinter getting ready to start. And then... she starts.

She's a red and black blur right up to the point where her fist lashes out for Marisol's stomach...

COMBATSYS: Marisol endures Cherry's Disco Inferno.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Marisol          1/------=/=======|===----\-------\0           Cherry


...and once she connects, it's like being caught in a tornado. One strike after another, each one flowing to the next like a crashing wave. Fist strikes, kicks, one after the other lashing out at every part of the body one after the other, until the last one: a rising kick that extends Cherry's leg up over her head and smacks Marisol skyward... where Cherry follows, leaping after her. A massive aura of crimson fire explodes from the Fighting Diva's body, taking the shape of a phoenix for the briefest of moments and searing the other Pacific student before vanishing.

Swinging her leg around after the third and final blow, she sets her foot down and faces Cherry, who flies through the air and smacks into the cordon. The half-Spaniard winces in sympathy before she opens an eye wider than the other. Is she gonna be okay, the redhead wonders of the other, older redhead.

'Ow,' she says. Yeah, she'll be quite all right.

"Pardon accepted," the redhead offers, full lips easing into a lopsided smirk as she narrows her eyes. Her smile falters at the She-Hulk mention, however. She's not that atrocious! ...is she? Offended? Hurt?

"Ha ha, very well then!" the girl replies, widening her eyes as she fixes her gaze on the other fighter. "Let's see what you've got, then!" Gray eyes widen even further as the girl kneels...and sprints forward, a blur of red and black as she barrels into the half-Spaniard boxer. Marisol, however, doesn't move. Instead she weathers the furious barrage of strikes before she's launched upwards...and struck by a burst of crimson Phoenix-like chi.

The girl hits the ground near Cherry with a puff of dust. Is she out?

When the dust settles, however, Marisol is in a deep crouch, knees scuffed against the stony ground and her palms scraped. That hurt a bit, she decides. But...she's not out. Not yet, at least. Which means that she still has some fight left in her. Clearly her opponent does as well.

"That was pretty flashy. Impressive too. Can't say the same of myself, but, y'know. I think the point gets across, regardless." Lifting a hand, the girl brushes back locks of hair from her face, fingers brushing lightly over the gash in her forehead. A light wince follows before she drops her hands and dusts her now-singed pink pullover hoodie. "Damn." Another loss. "Gotta stop wearing stuff I like to fights."

Curling a taped fist up, the redhead rushes in and, with a swift twist of her torso, attempts to drive a downward angled punch straight into Cherry's chest. Thank goodness she's a girl! This could be harassment!

COMBATSYS: Cherry endures Marisol's Fierce Punch.

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /                             ]
Marisol          1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1           Cherry


Flashy? Yep. Impressive? In the eye of the beholder, but Cherry's not known for her modesty. Does it take a HELL of a lot out of her to do that? It sure does! Even as Marisol is landing in the dust, Cherry touches down and hunches forward a little bit, hands on her knees, catching her breath. "I was kinda hopin'... you'd blow into little pieces like... a boss in that one video game..." she gets out between breaths. "Thanks for... runining my dramatic vision."

And then she's up in her grill. AGAIN. If it weren't so hot this would be practically obscene.

But Cherry knows when she's basically used it all up, so she doesn't bother to try and dance her way out. Some miracle might keep her on her feet after this, but the big neon flashing sign in her head says -* NOT DAMNED LIKELY *- (also -* EAT AT JOES *-). So when the punch comes in, she doesn't move. She grits her teeth, digs in, and TAKES IT LIKE A WOMAN. Let's face it, at least she's getting hit somewhere well-padded.

And Marisol finds a hand gripped on her punching fist before it can be pulled back.

"People are gonna start getting the wrong idea about us," she says with a smirk, holding up her other hand. Cherry's grip is weak; it's not intended to do more than keep Marisol in place a second or two longer. But that might be all that's needed: her other hand comes up, palm up... like someone carrying a tray of food.

And then the world is orange flame.

Around Cherry's -- and possibly Marisol's -- body is suddenly a massive burst of orange-red flame, a domed inferno that burns in a massive, perfect circle for the briefest of moments before flickering out of existence... and after delivering it, Cherry...

COMBATSYS: Cherry has reached second wind!

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Marisol          1/-----==/=======|-------\-------\0           Cherry


...does not fall over.

COMBATSYS: Cherry successfully hits Marisol with Cherry Bomb.
- Power hit! -

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Marisol          1/--=====/=======|-------\-------\0           Cherry


"Sorry," the half-Spaniard replies, as her fist drives itno the other woman's chest. It's nothing personal, but.

But? Suddenly she can't pull her hand back. What?

Blinking as Cherry seizes her arm, the redhead scoffs lightly before she smirks, eyes lidded as she eyes the other redhead down. "Good job," she replies. "I thought you'd have flown back again. It seems I was wrong. As for ideas, well. I've dealt with worse, y'know?"

And then fwoom.

Ignited and burnt ALIVE the girl is sent flying back, her body hitting the ground with a loud THUD before she bounces once and lays flat. Exhaling loudly, Marisol just stares at the clear blue skies with a dumbfounded look, eyes peering toward the other girl...before she thunks her head back and groans. She's still up? How is that possible?

"Okay, gotta rethink this," the redhead offers, rolling to one side before she peels herself up. She needs only a moment to get her wits about her and rethink this plan of hers...whatever it may be. And decide if she has to trash this now-burnt hoodie of hers. Damn.

COMBATSYS: Marisol gains composure.

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Marisol          1/---====/=======|-------\-------\0           Cherry


Breathing heavily, bringing her hand down, Cherry moves from disbelief to a manic grin. Bruised and beaten? Sure. But you can't keep a good diva down, that's for absolute certain. She's swaying with ataxic confidence -- too many blows to the head are starting to make her ears ring -- but she's still in it. "What's the number for the Excedrin headache 'i've been punched to hell by a superstrong schoolgirl and really just want a stiff drink?'" she jokes, forcing herself to stand straight up and get into this once more. "God, I feel that like that drunk guy in that Kids in the Hall sketch where the Queen shows up and tells him to stay down." Way to lose the audience, Cherry.

How to do this. She's just NOT in the mood to get close to Marisol right now, but just sitting there doing nothing isn't going to help either. Perhaps fortuitously, at this point a monk -- concerned with the DUST these girls are kicking up, GAWD -- wanders by just outside the cordon carrying a broom.

"Sorry," the Fighting Diva says, snatching it out of his hands before he can figure out what she's doing. "I need to borrow this." And then, turning to Marisol, she salutes with the broom handle... before bringing her arm back and chucking it at the other fighter like a javelin. A sort of wobbly, non-aerodynamic javelin, but a javelin nonetheless. "THIS! IS! SPARTA!"

Someone in the crowd helpfully points out: "No, that was northwest of here!"

COMBATSYS: Cherry successfully hits Marisol with Large Thrown Object.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////                       ]
Marisol          1/--=====/=======|-------\-------\0           Cherry


Shaking her head, the half-Spaniard struggles to get her wits about her, teeth clenched behind her full lips as she struggles to maintain her awareness. It's not easy when you've been bitchslapped around repeatedly! Grunting lightly to herself, Cherry's words fall upon 'deaf' ears as the girl recovers for the most part and looks back up. There's a monk with a broom.

And she's stealing the broom from the monk. And throwing it at her. What?

Despite best efforts to avoid the slow-moving impromptu javeline, the girl is struck and sent wheeling back, gray eyes wide with disbelief as the broom THOCKS into her forehead. What the fuck, seriously?? "A b-broom!?" Better than a wooden sword, she guesses. A grunt slips past her lips, eyes hooded before a fist curls...and she tears forward, looking to sock the girl across the face. Again! "HAAAGH!" Not to be confused with 'hag!'

COMBATSYS: Cherry dodges Marisol's Medium Punch.

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Marisol          1/--=====/=======|-------\-------\0           Cherry


Sadly for Marisol, whatever (choose one: divine, infernal) power saw fit to breathe vigor back into Cherry's body also reignited her focus; the punch goes wide as Cherry pushes off the ground and does a quick, hopping backstep. However, the miss is by mere inches, Marisol's powerful punch slicing the air between them by mere centimeters. "Sorry about that. Heat of the moment." At least she didn't swing the bristle end for her face. That would have been an assholish thing to do. Surprisingly, Cherry keeps backing up. Why is anyone's guess, but she's moving fairly slowly. Is she just going to keep pelting Marisol with pieces of the landscape?! "I know it's not a boomerang shoe or hat or anything, but I'm improvising here. Cut me some slack."

And then it becomes clear why she was backing up.

When the Idahoan moves again, it is from a standing start, which given her METHOD of movement physics says shouldn't be possible. Why? Because she's HURTLING at Marisol through the air, one foot extended and the other curled back Bruce Lee-style... and an aura of red-gold fire in the shape of a dragon's head surrounds her extended foot as well. Giving in to narrative demands, the Fighting Diva also shouts: "WAH-CHOU!"

COMBATSYS: Marisol blocks Cherry's House of Ninja.

[                      \\\\\\\\  < >  /////                         ]
Marisol          1/-======/=======|=------\-------\0           Cherry


Brushing her forehead - and the red mark now haunting her brow - the girl offers a lopsided smirk, eyes drawing shut as she exhales through her nostrils. "Don't worry about it," she offers in response, tilting her head absently to one side. "Besides, if you were throwing boomerang shoes or hats I'd have to wonder." A brow lofts slightly, gray eyes slowly opening...

To find Cherry flying foot-first at her. Flaming foot first.

Whipping an arm up, the redhead catches the incoming (flaming) foot in her palm, a hiss and wince escaping her lips before she gives her a shove downwards to help her touch down. Then?

Suddenly leaping forward, the girl delivers four swift hook punches, attempting to sock Cherry four times and stun her as she recoils back, her arm and fist incredibly tense...before she fires off and forward, a fist aimed for dead center of her chest. "HYAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

COMBATSYS: Marisol successfully hits Cherry with Atom Smasher.

[                      \\\\\\\\  < >                                ]
Marisol          0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0           Cherry


That was unquestionably Cherry's last gasp. She just doesn't have it in her to get out of the way and was entirely counting on Marisol being nice enough to fall over after she so GRACIOUSLY helped her out by FIRE KICKING HER IN THE FACE. Some people just cannot accept gifts! In fact, Marisol even returns it without the receipt, which is just flat out mean. She also pastes Cherry a good one not once, but FIVE times, sending the Fighting Diva flying again to skid across the ground. The crowd gasps dramatically. Cherry stays down for a good long while.

And then she stands up.

Cue more gasping.

It doesn't even seem POSSIBLE, and yet she's doing it. It takes an agonizingly long time, but she does it. One last hurrah... she might be able to even this up. MAYBE. "Ha... god, you're tough." One lurching step. Another. "I kinda wanted to win... my first time out. But... what the hey. Was... fun."

And then her steps get... a little more sure. Not a lot, but a little. And she closes in. "Also... been wantin' to do this... for a while now."

Then she makes a fist and just tries to deck Marisol across the jaw brawler-style. Screw fancy kung fu. Sometimes you just need to slug a bitch.

She then promptly...

COMBATSYS: Cherry can no longer fight.

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


...topples over.

COMBATSYS: Marisol blocks Cherry's Strong Punch.

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


With one good, solid punch, Marisol sends Cherry packing. Right across the ground, in fact. It's mean, and it was a bit cruel, but...it gets the point across. But the redhead is then left to wonder: WILL she stay down for good now, or will she get back up again and continue fighting? Part of the redhead hopes not. Damn she's getting tired. And her body still aches from being nearly burnt alive. And the smell of chi-burnt hair haunts her...

"Er...t-thanks. You're pretty resilient yourself, y'know. How the hell are you not out yet?" she asks, a lopsided smirk haunting her full lips as she hoods her gaze on the other redhead. "Impressive really." Tenma would have probably passed out by now. As well as other people, she's sure. "First time, eh? That was...really good. You'll do real f-fine, I bet."

Perhaps expectedly, the other, spirited redhead comes in once more for her final hurrah, the half-Spaniard girl blinking in disbelief...before she lets her heels drift and her and snap up, the incoming strike intercepted on her forearm. It sends a sting down her forearm and draws a gasp from the redhead as she staggers back. And then...Cherry is finally down.

"Christ, Energizer Rabbit much?" the half-Spaniard wonders with a lopsided smirk. A glance is spared to the ref, who flags her down as the victor. It's finally over, the girl realizes. And with that she falls to her knees and exhales in relief. Damn she's tired.

And those gyros are calling to her.

COMBATSYS: Marisol has ended the fight here.

Log created on 00:34:17 06/18/2008 by Cherry, and last modified on 11:36:18 06/18/2008.