Neo League 701 - #715: Aranha vs Mary

Description: A battle between the spider and Mary that comes down to a close finish! But is there a real purpose behind this than a simple battle? ( Winner: Aranha )





No sooner than Aranha got finished with his fight in San Diego did Aranha receive a call from Neo League Headquarters informing him that he has another match lined up in Metro City. Considering that it gave Aranha a chance to return to his old haunts, the traceur/capoeirista was excited to say the least.

Of course there's also the fact that he has a bit of a following in the city he was born and raised. As a result there's one particular fan who is near by with an mp3 player connected to some speakers. It's a low tech affair but fans don't have the budget that Haggar, Howard, or Masters can bring to bear.

And then Aranha arrives wearing an open, black button down shirt with exposed scars covering his chest and arms and the parts left uncovered by his purple swim trunks. And that's when that one fan of his plays 'Welcome to Metro City' as he strolls into the area cleared out for the fight. With a nod to that single fan he then stretches and pulls out a pair of Oakley Thumps and slides them on. He doesn't turn on his music. Especially not while his unofficial theme is playing. The song fades out and then Aranha is left all alone while he stretches and waits for his opponent to arrive.

Aranha's opponent would be upon a first as well. While she had learned, been taught, and made her own style, or styles, growing out from a multitude that existed.. there is nothing quite like a hands on approach. Having been provided transportation to the square, as Aranha himself arrives to his serenade of the mp3 and speakers. It does seem archaic, but it's not Mary's interest to care about them. She actually feels sorry for the fan, seeing a hero or perhaps something more in Aranha. Some one he wants to follow after because he could never grow to be as strong.. not without the right connections, or perhaps.. sacrifices.

Much like Mary had to bear a few times. Out of the taxi, into the 'light', the woman steps out, a rather odd, extensive pure white dress like something you'd see in the south. But her orange hair is all Aranha might see, the umbrella opening and suddenly obscuring her face. And head, to a point, being held above her. It's a rather large object. Far larger than a normal umbrella for a certain reason.

As she finally begins towards Aranha, she gives a hint of a smile. Oh! So many eyes upon her and this other man. This man that apparently has quite a following. But is he truly deserving of it? She doesn't care of that test, of course.

She worries more if he is worth what Urien is looking for, as well as looking for those who would be worth something, once Urien finally makes his move. As she slowly makes her way into the center of the Beach, she doesn't seem to mind the sand that gets into her shoes. Her feet are covered, as are most parts of her body, in gloves, socks, or other odds and ends.

Aranha might smell what seems to be fresh rain, as well, if he pays close attention. "Y'all here for a fight.. aren't you? I'd just hate to come all this way to watch a young'n like you simply rest about.." She asks, holding the umbrella over her. If he is looking up, well, if the shades don't prevent him, he'll see what seems to be .. far too white skin for what it is. Almost pure white, like the dress.

Whether he was deserving or not of his following has never been a thing that has ever to occur to him. In Neo League fights it has always been about the fun for him though what parts he considers fun differs from a lot of the other fighters. Where(for the most part) he's been about matching wits with opponents, overcoming obstacles, and the use of tactics, and precision hidden within the illusion of flashiness.

But that's neither here nor there. What is more important is the fact that his opponent comes out in a white dress and then the large umbrella. When she gets to the fight area he sees more. Or rather that he sees less than what would be usual for a day at the beach. And then there's that pale skin which reminds him a little too much of his run in with Marise of Blackjack for comfort. "Hmmm. Unusual fashion choice. Don't you think you'll get hot in that? Eh. What you wear is none of my biz."

Aranha pauses to crack his neck. "Well I'd hate to ruin their fun. I suppose you're my opponent. Let's get this started."

COMBATSYS: Aranha has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Aranha           0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Mary has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Aranha           0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0             Mary


It's always considered differently when your thinking is a bit different. Mary's certainly is, and so such things cross her mind far more than others. Some others, at least. There are a few like her, perhaps, that tend to agree upon a few things. Not that she has met any of them, unfortunately. She will one day, of course. One day her prince may just come. And they can live happily forever, and ever, and ever.

At least, that's the plan.

Mary doesn't move close to Aranha, however, as he ends up being on the other side of the beach. It is a bit warm, isn't it, she realizes a bit late. But she would wear the same. And plus .. the beach might not be very sunny in a bit. Not very, at the least. "I'd be more worried with what you're a wearin'. The weather's a bit unpredictable. Ain't she?" The woman questions a bit, as Aranha asks her. Responding to Aranha, the umbrella is swung about her, held upright and in the U, angling a bit to the air.

"Why, looky there." What seems to be clouds begin to slowly manifest above the two. "I reckon it might start rainin' soon. So we best get this underway." Holding it out with her left hand, and standing sideways, she flashes a small smile before the umbrella just lowers.

And the 'purely for fashion' bladed top suddenly fires off towards Aranha, spinning. A test, as it were!

COMBATSYS: Mary successfully hits Aranha with Medium Shot.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Aranha           0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0             Mary


It's a combinations of factors at work on Aranha here. There's the fact that he's never faced someone wielding an umbrella the fact that all of a sudden the weather is not only changing but it's being localized above the two combatants and the fact that Aranha does not have a good record against fire arms.

All the same Aranha finds himself adding another future scar to the collection of scars of varying levels ugliness. The blade catches him in the shoulder and he spins in response before he attempts to close in. After all, he needs to get some information on Mary as well.

Aranha taps the button on his sunglasses and goes into a tumbling pass to get in just the right spot before he attempts to lash out with an outside crescent kick across her face.

COMBATSYS: Mary blocks Aranha's Medium Kick.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Aranha           0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0             Mary


A combination of things does tend to add up in the end. And Mary uses it to her advantage, to a point. As Aranha is caught in the shoulder, Mary shakes her head. "Oh dear. From the look of it you seemed so young and spry!" Not that Mary is quite a wrinkled old bag. She's just deep into her thirties, thought it may not be obvious due to the pale skin and the little .. work that G-project has done on her.

It's not really little, either.

As Aranha attempts to close in, tumbling past her as he lashes out with a crescent kick. It almost catches her, but the umbrella is made as a hasty barrier between her and Aranha, the kick still getting through to a point, even if the Umbrella is in between her and the spider. Umbrellas are not walls, but they do certainly help.

Stumbling back a bit, Mary taps her chin a moment, before kicking off the ground, moving into the air. The umbrella doesn't actually help her move upwards. Oh no. It's closed as she falls, her dress moving upwards a bit as the storm continues to brew. It may just get a bit rainy, instead of simply cloudy, soon.

"But this just be the beginning. Darlin', I'm sure you have a lot of potential."

COMBATSYS: Aranha blocks Mary's Light Kick.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Aranha           0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0             Mary


Aranha rocks backwards away from Mary as she takes to the air moving his forearm in between her and himself taking the impact of the sudden rise there instead of sustaining even more damage.

After dealing with the attack he reaches down to the ground with one hand as he extends his leg forward. "Well, I have been told I have potential. As for this moment, I have yet to show what I have to offer in the here and now."

And here's where he begins to build his plans, starting with a sweep for her front leg which serves two purposes. One, it serves as a feint to get his opponent looking low though with his already low body position that probably is already happening. Two, and here's the most important part, it generates momentum to swing him up into a handstand where he can deliver a flurry of kicks on Mary's head.

COMBATSYS: Mary fails to interrupt Inverted Flurry from Aranha with Beg Your Pardon.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Aranha           0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0             Mary


With Aranha rocking backwards and away from her, Mary isn't quit worrying at all. These are simply tests, that they are. And as Aranha explains he has 'potential', Mary doesn't simply believe things just by hearing them, and attempts to really put his skills to the test, as he sweeps for her front leg.

Yet, things do not truly always go so well. As she brings her Umbrella forwards once more, Aranha's kick causes her to stumble, the dress and all getting just a touch ruined.

Worse yet, is that the momentum allows him to break through what she had attempted, causing her to stumble backwards from the force, a flurry of kicks to her head especially troubling. It's just painful, for one, and brutal, for another! What a bother! Why, if her head wasn't screwed on so tight.. well, attached, she just might lose it!

Coming to a stop, staggering, the woman has to agree. "Perhaps you do! But I'm not sure if it's enough y'see." She adds. "But that t'was somethin'." She's learning as she goes, and this time, what she's learned is that sometimes even the safest best may just cause you to trip over your shoelaces! She's a bit unsettled, if only because her head now is ringing.

COMBATSYS: Mary has left the fight here.

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


Aranha didn't have that response in mind when he originally went for that series of rapid fire kicks from the handstand. On the other hand, Aranha wasn't the type to look a gift horse in the mouth either and a hit is a hit and series is even better.

Aranha tilts out of the handstand after those kicks and decides to keep up the pressure by cartwheeling in towards her to close the gap created by the stumble backwards and then thrusting a side kick at Mary's stomach while one hand is touching the ground for added stability.

COMBATSYS: Mary blocks Aranha's Short Kick.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Aranha           0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0             Mary


As Aranha tilts out of the handstand, cartwheeling towards her with the gap, Mary isn't completely ignorant of what is going on. As Aranha's kick comes towards her, Mary's umbrella suddenly changes, and with Aranha thrusting a kick towards her stomach, it's a perfect set up for what happens next.

The handle of the umbrella slides out as Mary grabs both ends, catching the foot slightly within the grasp of the chain, slowing it, even if it still strikes her. The metal is far less painful than the full force of that blow, especially without the makeshift shield she usually has.

But oh, Aranha's leg and foot is but inches from her. And the chain is wrapped around, hooking onto his leg with the U handle as Mary grasps the Umbrella and suddenly wrenches upwards, attempting to snare his leg and cause him to whip into the air as she pull back on the now mostly closed umbrella.

It's a hazard, you know, when open like this.

"Darlin', you're really quick on your feet. Maybe you might just be what he's lookin' fo! Gee golly!" She adds, giggling .. the pale white skin actually supporting a smile against the woman's painted red lips.

"Hold on tight now!" She whips it completely around.. but will the spider be able to slide out of this web!?

COMBATSYS: Aranha dodges Mary's Snare Whip.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Aranha           0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0             Mary


When she whips him into the air Aranha twists around back and away landing on his feet touches down quietly in the sand. Lips curling into a smile as he watches her pulling back on the weapon. "Interesting weapon you have there."

As she winds back up to whip it around again he moves forwards charging her and then when the chain comes forward again to snare him, Aranha goes into a dead halt with his legs closed together and just when it's about to connect, he jumps up and over it with legs together as he twists before folding his body at the waist as he twists so his leg is held straight and together. The result? He uses a Double Leg aka Armada Dupla to pull him up and over.

After that Aranha spins around using the momentum of the spin to throw a blue glowing roundhouse and then uses the spin to follow up with a chi engulfed spinning jump kick, before finishing with a glowing back flip kick to drive Mary downwards. "Wait wha? What do you mean by 'he?'"

COMBATSYS: Mary endures Aranha's Aggressive Dance.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Aranha           0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0             Mary


As Aranha twists away, Mary recognizes there just might be a problem here. Her attempts at stopping this rather quick man is just not working.

So she'll need things to work for her. "Oh, this? Yes, custom made y'see. It's just a toy I do certainly enjoy." She mentions, before Aranha figures a way around it, charging her and then leaping over, sliding through the chain as he twists his leg about, and pulls himself up and away .. hmm. Aranha is quite nimble. Aranha is quite quick! But now is the time he'll have to jump over THIS candle stick!

As the blue glowing roundhouse slams towards her, Mary actually moves towards it, ducking under it, allowing the blow to slam against an arm she brings up, a spinning jump kick taking Aranha off the ground .. but she doesn't budge! She takes the blow, smiling, albeit marred from his blows.

"Oh nothin'. You know about all this here gossip. Just the man at home y'see!" A lie, but not really. Her arm is still holding onto that U, which is quickly wrapped about Aranha's leg. And the clouds above spread out. She whips Aranha around, if it works, and begins to let out more and more chain. But that's not the main problem. Up above, the clouds are beginning to rain down. It's not really normal rain, however.. and it's raining just about them.

If he's not able to get free, he might find out that it's not really rain. It's a form of chi energy, and it's not really anything like water, which would explain the sizzling if he ends up staying in one place too long.. the end result of being whipped against the ground after he's swung around and around a few times.

It's a Mary-Go-Round!

COMBATSYS: Aranha blocks Mary's Singing in the Rain.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Aranha           0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0             Mary


Aranha is in quite the spot. Between the committing to his to his kick combo and her holding her ground to set up an opportunity Aranha is in a poor position to move out of the way. At least he has just enough awareness to perform damage control.

The chain wraps around the Dancing Spider's Leg and he gets whipped around but instead of freaking out, he shows how much composure he has by quickly grabbing on the length of chain unwrapping it as he swung about ultimately causing him to be flung away earlier than scheduled. That's where his parkour experience comes to the fore. Aranha drops to the ground in a roll but while it saves him from the impact it doesn't do much to save him from the rain pouring down on him.

Of course, Aranha is not without his own tricks. As he spins around and flings a blue spider web of chi, he says, "Awww... Did you have to rain on my parade?" Shut up... We know you were thinking it. Aranha just said it.

COMBATSYS: Mary overcomes Web Shot from Aranha with Power Shot.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Aranha           0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0             Mary


Aranha has the perfect chance to perform damage control. The question in the end, however, is will his efforts eventually, at one point, hinder him?

It's Mary's job, perhaps her existence, to help test these things and seek out the answers. But it doesn't mean she's actually not interested in just what Aranha has to say or do. With Aranha able to unwrap his leg, the woman still finds that he's able to mostly mitigate her attempts, and while she doesn't look very happy, she's not one for a downcast attitude when it's not necessary.

With the blue spider web of chi, it might amuse Aranha that she focuses more on his pun than not. "Oh, ya'll just be happy I'm not downcast with you. Now.. you ever hear that nursery rhyme..." She adds, amused. Perhaps this is brought on by the spiders web towards her.

"The spider and the water spout. I reckon you just might know a thing or two about it." The chain slides back in, having it's use completed, before Mary suddenly extends the umbrella, and just as it goes in, locking into place, two sharp blades like before spin through the air. The first is engulfed by the web..

But the second is still going strong. "Now, I don't have a hobby of pinnin' those little critters but .. you ain't one of them! They're all icky anyways." She adds, sticking out her tongue.

Isn't she a bit old for that?

COMBATSYS: Mary successfully hits Aranha with Power Shot.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Aranha           1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0             Mary


Aranha the fact that she's amused by his pun gives him a bit of a smile on his face. He doesn't really mind the more laid back fights.

What Aranha does mind is the fact that the one of the blades goes through his energy spider web and the fact that there's a second one right behind it bearing down on him. The thing that he likes least of all is that he isn't quite able to get out of the way and so the blade buries itself in his stomach.

Unlike before, Aranha doesn't attack right away. Instead he sways, he dances, performing the ginga as he changes the song on his Oakley Thumps. The entire time though, he's watching her.

COMBATSYS: Aranha focuses on his next action.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Aranha           1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0             Mary


It's not uncommon to mind a blade in your stomach. It's hard to not to mind such a thing.

But when Aranha begins to sway, dance, and move with the music, Mary does something herself. "Oh by golly.. that must've smarted." She comments, smiling a bit from her work. "But this is where it really gets interesting, ain't it?" She mentions to Aranha, meanwhile swinging her umbrella around.

As she steps backwards, the chain sliding out of the bottom again, she begins to spin it as she lets Aranha perform his dance. "What's that little number called?" She asks Aranha. "Ain't really a dancer, y'see." She gives a slight chuckle, swinging the chain around as she begins to step around Aranha, the rain coming down.. but none of it now actually burning.

It must be voluntary.

COMBATSYS: Mary gains composure.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Aranha           1/------=/=======|====---\-------\0             Mary


"It's called the ginga." He doesn't explain it further than that. No comments about that it's part of the martial art style he practices or what uses it has. After all if she really wants to know more she can do some research on the internet like everybody else.

But Aranha, he can also demonstrate after all since no attack is coming, he decides to be the aggressor. He dances forward to the beat of the song on his sunglasses and when he's in range he lashes out with a roundhouse kick and then quickly follow up with a spinning back heel to hook around the back of her neck, much like she has been doing to his legs for most of the fight, with the ultimate result being pulling her face first to the sand.

COMBATSYS: Mary blocks Aranha's Face Down EX.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Aranha           0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Mary


Ah, the ginga! "I wonder if it has anything to do with ginger." She comments to herself, as Aranha pushes the situation, dancing forwards towards her, a roundhouse kick, a spinning back heel.. oh that looks quite unpleasant she muses.

It's through pure luck, and a bit of skill, that the damage is mitigated as much as it is. The spinning chain is a ploy, but it has it's uses. As the kick comes forwards, the roundhouse kick being hooked onto as she uses his own momentum to pull the umbrella into the way of the spinning back heel, it opening and opposing what force he has. But yet, how painful it is! A risk is a risk, yet she was fortunate enough to have taken it, it seems. Even without her face down in the sand, she's still reeling, her umbrella bent a bit and her arms hurt as well from holding the weapon in place, pulling away from Aranha, umbrella and all.

"Now that's just quaint. A catchy beat, in this humid heat, why I could just faint!" She recites, taking a few steps back from Aranha on the sand.. yet she finally lunges forwards in the end, following him, the wet sand sinking her heels a bit more .. but by golly that won't stop her. "Don't tire out now, y'hear!" The wet sand functions well enough as a way to slide, and boy does she, kicking up some sand as she holds onto the umbrella.. but focuses on kicking Aranha upwards, aiming to boff him a few times with the umbrella over and over before bonking him back to the ground!

It's a heavy bonk, however, one that is sure to put the stars around Aranha, and perhaps fill the sky with them!

And she'll ride the Umbrella down in the end, fail or not.

COMBATSYS: Aranha dodges Mary's Higgledy-piggledy.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Aranha           0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Mary


But when she kicks upwards the sand ends up working against her. The sand obscures the capoeirista's location and Aranha fully intends on using it against her. Aranha spins around that first kick making sure it hits nothing but air and then he lets her flail away while covers his escape.

Then as the sand falls to the ground, she might that Aranha was no longer in front of her. That's the only chance she'd have to realize that Aranha was right behind her and ready to play baseball with her. Aranha whips leg around glowing with chi as he attempts to slam his heel in her back. But if Aranha's leg is the bat, would that mean that Mary is the baseball?

COMBATSYS: Mary fails to interrupt Malicia from Aranha with No Explanations.

[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////                     ]
Aranha           0/-------/----===|=======\=------\1             Mary


And as Aranha zips out of the way, Mary swings at the air again and again! Take that you darned air! .. Yet there is an unfortunate problem. It turns out that Aranha was behind her! And Mary, already hovering down, attempts to turn the umbrella about, and instead crash it straight towards Aranha, spinning section first, coated with the burning rain.

But the kick is just too fast, and instead, Mary eats shoe.

Well not eats shoe. The heel launches her away, tumbling in the sand as she finally comes to a stop. Her dress somewhat ruined, and her white skin now a bit bloody, Mary staggers to her feet.. but far from how she was before. "Na na na na na na... y-you don't really scare me! Not at all.. y-you're out of luck! It's n-not going to be going so good for you anymore!" She says, a bit singsong, the umbrella barely held up..

Oh she looks pretty broken.

"C-Come if you daaaare!"

Aranha just smiles and nods when she declares that he doesn't scare her. The fact that she said it probably meant that she is. Or at least that's the way he sees it in her mind so he changes the music once again in his head phones. And while he'd normally wouldn't let his opponent in on what he's listening to, this time he sees fit to let her in on the secret because it's so appropriate but also because he assumes that she wouldn't have a frame of reference to the song.

He sings in reply his voice being playful as he sings:

"My dear, my dear, my dear
You do not know me
But I know you very well
Now let me tell you that I caught you
My dear, my dear, my dear
You do not know me
But I know you very well
Now let me tell you that I caught you"

Why is he singing that? It's because of the other sign. He can tell you're lying because when she's replying she stutter, stutters.

With the musical interlude out of the way, he quick runs forward and then hops up kicking forward with a double front kick to the chest.

COMBATSYS: Aranha successfully hits Mary with Change-Up Kick.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////                         ]
Aranha           0/-------/-----==|=======\====---\1             Mary


She's actually not really lying, but in the end it's hardly important. She can't prevent what he's about to do, even if she tries.

A song is not however what she wants to hear. Well. Not without one in kind, and as Aranha sings to her, she's staying on her feet, backing up a bit, inch by inch. But she may not react how Aranha wishes her to! "No.. you don't know me at all! Not at all.. not at all!" She repeats, "Ya'll don't have a clue .." But it doesn't matter, as Aranha suddenly hops forwards, kicking her chest with the double front kick, sending her flying backwards. Backwards.. down.. but certainly not out yet. Oh, that would be just such a bother!

Holding her umbrella, the storm actually begins to rage a bit, the water coming down heavier than ever.. and her eyes, and the blood seeping down her white, 'perfect' skin stand out especially. The iris' of the eyes are pure white, almost empty, staring at Aranha as the clouds cover up all the sun. She begins to speak herself. Reciting something, actually.

"The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.
Down Came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
But the itsy bitsy spider drown.. he won't be up the spout 'gain."

The rain is heavy now, nearly impossible to completely be dry, lest they be spectators. However that works. But she holds the umbrella at her side as she runs towards Aranha, dashing past him, spinning around and jamming the umbrella under him and opening it. Flipping him upwards, she attempts to bat him up with the umbrella before striking him with it a few times, the umbrella slick with the rain, burning pain if it connects. Under them, the rain begins to gather.. a mini pool of the liquid under them!

Which she attempts to plunge the spider into, using the Umbrella to drive him down!

COMBATSYS: Mary successfully hits Aranha with Supercallifragilisticexpialidocious.

[                       \\\\\\\  < >  ///////                       ]
Aranha           1/-------/=======|=------\-------\0             Mary


Aranha sees the clouds gathering, the localized storm front is not something he wants to feel and the umbrella that pretty much falls in that catagory of things he does not want to feel. And so he does the most logical thing he can think of. Mentally he says 'Screw this,' and then turns to move away from both umbrella and the rain.

Unfortunately Aranha doesn't get a say in the matter. He's violently bashed around and rained on. Battered, bruised, and bloody, Aranha slowly climbs back to his feet. A smile plastered on his face. "True. I don't know /you/ very well but you'd probably be amazed at what I can tell you as far as what I know about your style. But that's neither here nor there. Let's just give them a hell of a show, ok?"

And then Aranha proceeds to run once more this time not away from her or towards her but towards the the barrier and then leaps up on it and off towards Mary as he begins to glow blue in mid air descending down upon her with a glowing kick before bouncing off her towards another part of the barrier and then at her at different angle then rapidly running along the barrier as he set up for another glowing jump kick off the barrier, continuing this way over and over from a variety of angles before the last kick he finally bounces off and rolls away from her.

COMBATSYS: Aranha successfully hits Mary with Joker's Wild.

[                        \\\\\\  < >                                ]
Aranha           0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0             Mary


Of course.. as Aranha begins to run towards the barrier, Mary hadn't seen anything like it, honestly. It's odd to see someone actually running towards the barrier. But his idea is obvious once he leaps off it it and away, descending towards her before bouncing off and towards another barrier. Each strike over and over again causes her to bend this way and that, even if she shouldn't really bend that way, before the G-Project subject staggers fowards from the last assault, extending the chain and whipping it slowly..

"G-Guess you aren't going to d-drown today. Heehee.... but maybe another time. Let's play another time.. Yes. Okay?.. O-One more test you have to pass. Juuuuust one." She speaks slowly, but almost childlike. "Don't mess this up now." She adds in, before she throws .. the top of the umbrella towards Aranha? It suddenly opens behind him, and attempts to just drag him forwards with a heavy yank.

But that yank causes the woman to topple over onto her back, a few more raindrops collecting on her face as she watches Aranha.

She watches.. interested. Will he really make it? .. Maybe. Then he would pass the test!

Just maybe.

COMBATSYS: Mary can no longer fight.

[                        \\\\\\  <
Aranha           0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Aranha blocks Mary's Tuppence a Bag.

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


As Aranha rises from the roll performed to gain some distance so he could see what's coming, he couldn't help but comment on how she bent in ways that man, nor woman was meant to bend. "Uh... That's just not natural."

One more test makes the capoeirista raise his eyebrow. This fight has raised so many questions that he doesn't have the tools to answer, yet. But he takes it in stride. However before he can meditate on that, he has the top of the umbrella thrown past him. He doesn't understand what she hopes to gain by it but he knows it isn't going to hit.

It isn't until he hears the sound of the umbrella opening before he realizes that was the plan all along. He's dragged forward at first against his will but then he uses his creativity and her own umbrella to protect him from the bulk of the harm by leaping into the umbrella and then surfing the interior of the umbrella to it's final destination and leaping out into a dive roll right landing right next to Mary's body. "Well this fight has been interesting."

As Aranha manages to deal with the little trap she set, Mary smiles a bit. "Ooh yes. I'm .. happy with the results." She exclaims, mostly to herself.. although Aranha lands nearby her. Laying back, the heavily dressed woman closes the umbrella as it drags through the sand, slowing down as more and more sand, wet, gets into it.

The clouds part, and then vanish, the sun shining once more.

"Ya'll tougher than you look .." She finishes, agreeing with Aranha. "But I've got to .. be off." She exclaims, slowly rising to her feet with quite a bit of effort, and heading back to one of the taxis. "Just stay on your toes, darlin'." She says as she walks off.

"Ya never know when there's a pop quiz!" She's heading off, slowly but surely. But she couldn't keep fighting.

Aranha shrugs as he walks away but he makes one final comment before he makes his own exit. "Everyone is so quick to count out the spider but there's a reason he climbs up water spout again. It's his heart."

He doesn't say anything else until he's completely out of ear shot of the woman in white."First those damn ninjas... and now her?" Aranha pauses to shake his head. "Seems like everybody wants to test me these days."

Log created on 22:14:25 06/18/2008 by Mary, and last modified on 03:31:41 06/20/2008.