Description: In the banquet hall of Strolheim, Teams Whimsicality and Spiritualists do battle. There is food. There is fight. There is food fight. There is fight food. There is a victor. The spoils of war - whatever survived the battle. (WINNERS: Chizuru and Frei)
The great Strolheim banquet hall. Where to begin, where to end? The food is great. The greatest. For the greatest of fighters, the greatest of food. Krauser and his kruel krew dine well. If Strolheim is the ultimate fitness club, this, friends and enemies alike, is by far and wide the ultimate nutritionist's dream. All the meals are expertly prepared and perfectly conceived to ensure one's bodies are receiving everything they need to continue to pave the way to being the very paragon of humanity.
Such paragons(?) of humanity(?) like Ryuhaku Todoh, who stands not in the background, nor the foreground, but the very plane in which people actually walk/jump/flop/dance/laugh/cry around, he is steaming mad. So steaming mad that, in fact, he could not help but express this in the most obnoxious, childish, thankless way possible in the face of all he could ever enjoy eating from all corners of the Earth by some of the finest culinary minds.
"Waffles?! There are... no... waffles?!" A staunchly Japanese man cannot even resist the temptation, fists shaking with impotent rage at chefs who remain level in the face of his tirade because chances are the lot of them could kick his ass at a moment's ass anyway, this is Strolheim. "Gah!! You buffoons! I see this for what it is now! That Sam Issac Am punk put you up to this to get me to try those green eggs and ham, isn't he? Ooooh, he crossed my tastes for the last time!"
A nearby butler knows the best way to resolve this dispute peacefully. He rings a little bell signifying for those involved in the upcoming tournament battle to assemble in a nice, mannerly fashion before someone gets hurt. So that everyone can get hurt in a nice, mannerly fashion of course.
Fashionable manners are how fighters should conduct themselves in these halls, after all.
Skullo "All Man" Mania stands at the edge of the table, a bib with a lobster on it curling up from beneath his collar and across his chest. A plate is held daintily on one hand, pinky finger extended beneath, a few toaster waffles half eaten and cut across its syrup drenched perimeter. "Nope. No waffles." The man in the skeleton costume says succinctly. "But I know a man from France, he's got word on a shipment coming in by North by Northwest tonight. You could get you some." He scarfs down another mouthful and points his fork at the cieling pointedly. "Forsooth!"
On cue, Robert Garcia skuttles out from one of the nearby portals, hastily slicking his hair back and tying it into a ponytail. If the manners here are to be of a fashionable nature, then he would be decidedly of the fashionably late subschool. "Heeeey there folks! I almost didn't make it, but apparently there was some lag in the paperwork or something. For some reason no one seems to know who my team members are."
Obviously, the man was in a hurry to get here. His orange vest is wrinkled, and one of the black sleeves is twisted around in the wrong direction. Still, the man grins, a pearly white flash of teeth demonstrating dauntless bravado in the face of the forces conspiring against him. "Robert Garcia is the name! Pleased to meet you or beat you, it's all the same to me really. ...Now, seriously here. Can someone tell me who the teams are? I really don't know." His gaze travels on the room, settling on each person who seems to stand out in turn. The Skulled Crusader evicts a faint eyebrow twitch. Is this a costume themed fight or something? Did no one tell him? Then his gaze briefly touches on elderly individual so adamantly complaining about the lack of waffles. Pause. ...His eyes swiftly move on. Oh man. PLEASE tell him that's a costume and no the real thing. No. No. Anything but that. That would be needlessly inconsiderate and cruel. So very inhumane. That *cannot* be Old Man Todoh of all people.
COMBATSYS: Robert has started a fight here.
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Robert 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Skullomania has joined the fight here.
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Robert 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Skullomania
COMBATSYS: Todoh has joined the fight here.
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Robert 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Todoh
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Skullomania 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Skullomania has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Todoh 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Robert
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Skullomania 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Robert has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Robert 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Todoh
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Skullomania 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Todoh has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Todoh 0/-------/-------|
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Robert 0/-------/-------|
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Skullomania 0/-------/-------|
Chizuru has not eaten very much, because to eat before you fight is just asking for trouble. That, and the spicy dishes she likes are not usually much in evidence at European dinners, but that's a totally different issue.
Chizuru puts her just-emptied cup of tea down when other people start filing in, rising a moment later. She thought they'd never come... or never stop harassing people for waffles, in some cases. What is the appeal with them? She doesn't see it. Maybe it's something in the syrup.
Politely, she pushes the chair in behind her. "That," she says to Roberto, "is your team. Mine is Frei Tsukitomi-Renard and, of course, myself." And that's it. Less to coordinate. Less people to screw up.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Todoh 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chizuru
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Robert 0/-------/-------|
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Skullomania 0/-------/-------|
It's a banquet! Fun for everyone, especially a surprisingly hearty eater like Frei. You'd never know Japanese culture produced him, because when he is determined to eat, he *eats*... and he has a crazy sweet tooth for pastries, rolls, and starches of all kinds. Technically the eating isn't supposed to start until AFTER the fight, but it's like Thanksgiving, here; how can you not sneak a bite or two beforehand?! Thus he's standing against the wall on the opposite side of the room as Todoh, holding a large dinner roll with both hands and taking bites of it, occasionally looking up and around the room for the other fighters to arrive.
Which they do! Todoh's complaints seem... loud, but Frei is a fan of waffles and thus he can't completely blame the man. Robert is flashy but normal. And then there's Skullomania... a man who makes the redhead tilt a bit to the right in confusion. "I thought Dia de los Muetros was in October..." he murmurs around the last mouthful of roll.
Robert's question and Chizuru's response, however, encourage him to speak up. He jams the last of the roll into his mouth, chewing heavily, and pushes off the wall, walking up to stand beside Chizuru and give her a little smile before turning back to their opponents. "That is me! And I guess that means everyone's here." He pauses, taking in Chizuru's stately appearance and traditional dress for a moment, before turning back to Team Whimsicality. They look... well, whimsical. "Shall we start? I've been eyeing that barbacoa pork for a while now, I'm kinda hungry."
COMBATSYS: Frei has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Todoh 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 0/-------/-------|
"Harrumph!" The elder Todoh snorts. Oh, they'll make him do the smuggling run, will they. How dare the world not cater to his every whim and demand! After all the trouble he goes through to educate the masses as to the truest might of al martial arts! He fans himself, uncaring of the bell or most of the assembled.
Robert appears. The voice, oh, Ryuhaku knows the voice. He knows what he did! (...which he didn't.) He doesn't turn to face Robert. The fan swinging gets slower and slower, and his disposition just grows that much darker with every slowed fan flap. "Hm. He is here," he mumbles loudly. Which is to say everyone can hear him say that he is here.
Todoh is the 'teacher' of his team. Of this Teacher-Student tournament. But should they fail, they would look to Robert, yes. Robert could very well cast a bad name on that damnable Kyokugen if all went south! This prospect is so sweet that Todoh fails to complete the rest of the complex mathematical construct of consequences in his head because this part of the whole function is so appealing.
"Yes! He is... here. We are all... here." He clears his throat and puts the fan away. "Here in Strolheim. For our fight. Not an outright slaughter of all who raise my blood pressure! Yes. Perhaps." His eye twitches. That grin is not authentic of anything approaching elation in the least as he continues to fan himself. At least the fanning is approaching normal speed at this point.
The eyes narrow again. This must be handled delicately and with purpose, for the honor of his family is on the line. As if it didn't collapse and burn all those sixteen-ish times before it. The call to fight through the proper channels seems to go one ear and out the other and maybe even into the flan. The flan jiggles mysteriously without any other stimuli to contradict this disturbing theorem.
No instruction is given, which is kind of bad news because he's the Teacher and now it's time to fight and he's not calling any shots except for the ones in his head that he will probably attempt to shoot through his head in descending segmented hate bullets soon enough. Yes.
COMBATSYS: Todoh focuses on his next action.
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Todoh 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 0/-------/-------|
Skullo "All Man" Mania nods sagely, rapt with attention at Todoh's every scholarly word. Skullo dabs at his mask with a napkin, dapping up imperceptible maple syrup stains and then he looks down to see his plate is surprisingly unsticky, with only two dry Eggos upon its white circumference.
"Got it." He says to Todoh as he scoops up a bottle of maple syrup. "In waffletown, this is our syrup." He giggles victoriously and douses the dry toastercakes before carving them up easily with a fork and mowing down a few big bites. A rosey pink glow surrounds the fighter as his scarf unfurls in unseen winds, flapping about at its full length of just under six feet. Skullo eats a few more bites and his chest expands triumphantly. "Hoohaa!" He then points two fingers into his eyes before waving a single finger accusationally around Team Whimsicality's opponents.
COMBATSYS: Skullomania gathers his will.
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Todoh 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 0/-------/---====|
The Italian man just flatly...stares...at the shrine maiden in reply. "I...see! Thank you." His brow knits. Well, so he's working with Todoh. Still, that's better than having a man in a cybernetic cape interrupt his car washing, or a psychopath with with more restraining orders than he has teeth interruptin his grocery shopping. Deep breath. He can fight alongside Todoh, he tells himself. At least until he learns that Todoh is supposed to be his 'teacher', which thankfully he remains blissfully aware of at this venture.
Then the man has to pause and double-take.
"Wait a minute. You look familiar, miss. I think we may have fought before, though it would have been a few years ago...I don't recollect the name, however?" Shit-eating grin and flattery will get you nowhere, boy-o.
But in true shit-eating fashion, that grin remains perfectly fixed in place as Robert nimbly bounds straight upward, flipping once, only to emerge from that revolution in a gravity-defying kick angled at a sharp, downward angle. ...At the woman's companion, who he hasn't so much as glanced at thus far. The targeting is done with peripheral vision, but the element of surprise may yet be on his side. And that would be his intent. A stylish entrance to accent a fateful re-introduction! <3
"Chizuru Kagura," Chizuru says easily, stepping around the table and toward the more open area in front of it, where everyone else seems to be standing. She looks Robert over; he doesn't ring any bells, but that doesn't mean anything. She very well could have met him before.
She raises her hand when Robert charges - but it's not at her, so she needn't have stood defensively. Well, perhaps she'll go after one of the others. Like the one who's been sitting there, scarfing waffles for a while.
Chizuru darts forward - while simultaneously staying in place, as there are abruptly two Chizurus. One of them comes at Skullomania with a straight palm strike, while the other stays back, dancing slightly to one side to clear out of the way of return attacks. Which one's real?
Well...
COMBATSYS: Frei blocks Robert's Hien Ryuujin Kyaku.
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Todoh 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 0/-------/---====|
He flirts with Frei's partner, and then tries to kick Frei in the face. Well, it's a good thing he and Chizuru are basically strangers, because that might not endear Robert to her! Thankfully for him, the YFCC instructor is on his toes; the downward-sniping aerial kick rebounds off his suddenly-raised forearm, Frei shoving forward to send Robert off-balance and give himself some breathing room. He hisses sharply at the pain of that -- such defenses have a price -- but doesn't seem too awfully bad off otherwise.
When he gets back to his senses, he notices his teammate leaping toward one of the two fighters that decided not to make the first move. Well, if she can, he can too. The redhead gives Roberto a goofy smile, even a little wave, before darting forward at Todoh, fingers flexing, before he makes a grab at the waffle-loving fighter's wrist, intending to snap him up, spin him in a circle, and then toss him into the distance with a pulse of windy chi at the very end!
And hopefully not into the food.
COMBATSYS: Frei successfully hits Todoh with Medium Throw.
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Todoh 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Chizuru successfully hits Skullomania with Shinsoku no Norito.
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Todoh 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 1/=======/=======|
There is a certain rhythm to the fanning. It is slow, deliberate. Methodical. There is a disturbing evenness to one so steeped into chaos despite the narrow focus of his actual fighting technique when he's not, say, trying to put Hotaru into the hospital with a mere innocent plastic playpen ball.
He doesn't even really regard Frei too much outside of raising his wrist a little. Frei's advance is not defeated by just 'a little.' Frei has come far too far to be foiled by just 'a little.' Frei is no longer the kind of guy to be pushed around by the big established names (and the names that keep trying to thrust square pegs into round holes too, while we're at it).
He is snapped up in a way that is not 'a little,' eyes going wide in acknowledgement of contact at which point he gets spun in a circle and then flung with that gust of fresh chi wind. He can feel it! This is actual chi! Not that sparkly... whatsit all these kids around him seem to be using these days! But any enjoyment in this fact gets blunted immediately by the fact that he refuses to be shown up by these kids while Robert's already gone ahead to forge a path for glory and he wants a piece of that!
It's something of a knee-jerk response, working with the little chi breeze that's already there as he tries to tag the advancing Chizuru passing by underneath, raising his arms up like he doesn't care (and maybe he doesn't?) before throwing down the mighty segmented yellowish-orangeish chi that accents well against the light of the current time of day, whatever that time of day might be.
He's on an eventual crash course with a tofu dish. More on that in mere moments, for nobody cares about the tofu dishes.
Skullo "All Man" Mania continues eating waffles as he rudely has some fellow named Chizuru walk up and try to kill him with his super fast hands. "Now I realize we're under some kind of a time limit or..." Skullo whines in a wheezy affected french accent until the plate in his hands explodes in a shower of white china shards. "Oh." He says glumly, staring at his falling waffle.
But then he gets a handful of attacks that hit him so hard orange explosions rock his body suit and the would-be superhero blasts into the banquet table, food and stuff flying everywhere before he bounces up into the air and manages to roll back onto his feet. "Aha! But unlike most other Skullomanias! I can talk with my mouth full!" He hungrily grabs a handful of crackers, swipes them through a luxurious cheeseball and into his mouth. He continues to talk but all that comes out are big fat gross crumbs and charlie brown noises.
With a nod of his head and an angry point of his finger he runs back towards the table Chizuru just punched him through. He dives towards it, and somehow lands underneath the table cloth. Plates and food move around as the skullo-shaped lump moving under the cloth slides along, nothing gets knocked over impossibly. Then as Skullomania bursts out the other side, hands reaching out to grab Chizuru's wrists, visions of painful submission holds and over the top action punches dancing in the Tokusatsu warriors mind. "We're moving so fast! Time for a Skullo Snuggle Spell!" He cackles trying to lock the clinch and get down to business.
"Chizuru.", Robert voices with a hint of annoyance as he kicks off of Frei's guard, landing solidly enough on his feet despite the outcome. At least the his opponent doesn't seem to take much affront to his trickery in casual conversation, actually offering the guy a small shrug of his own as if to say 'can't fault me for trying'. As Frei speeds away, leaving Robert to contemplate the further insanity that he seems to be registering as the *least threat of those gathered*, he mouths the name a few times to himself. It seems more compelling than the slight that he's tempted to contemplate for whatever reason. Chizuru, Chizuru, Chizuru. Somehow the syllables are familiar to him. Strangely, they tug at the part of his mind more related to cursing instead of serene beauties and Kyokugen hotties. That name...oh crap, suddenly it dawns on him. The woman who CANNOT BE HIT. Well, right now her back is turned to him, so it might be a good opportunity to take advantage of circumstances while he's still able!
He doesn't make further conversation at this venture, as the last thing he wants to do is give away his intent with a shout of gusto announcing his maneuver. Instead, he just takes action - turning to face the shrine maiden, he breaks out into a sprint, leaps and briefly touches down on a table ladden with delicious fighter-fueling noodles, only to spring off of the edge in an attempt to deliver a series of alternating kicks to the woman's back. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS, WITH KYOKUGEN FEET.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru dodges Robert's Flying Whirlwind Kick.
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Todoh 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Chizuru dodges Skullomania's Skullo Dream.
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Todoh 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Chizuru fails to reflect Kasane Ate from Todoh with Tamayura no Shitsune.
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Todoh 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 0/-------/-----==|
Chizuru's image flickers and vanishes. It was the one behind; she herself actually rushed forward at Skullomania, but she wanted to make that a little harder to tell at first so she had a chance to be /tricky/.
It actually works, even though everyone goes after the front image anyway. Skullomania doesn't manage to get ahold of her, since she twists to the side, letting him grab nothing but air - and very nearly her sleeves, but not quite. The whirlwind of kicks goes wide as Chizuru keeps moving, placing her hands near where Todoh's waves of energy erupt.
She does not, however, manage to bring up her chi barrier in time. Gold and orange flicker around her arms, but Todoh's own yellowy chi plows through it, striking Chizuru and causing her to slide back a few feet, attack forgotten in the defense. He's more skilled than she thought he was.
Frei is wincing even before Chizuru takes the chi strike on the proverbial chin, snapping his hand back even after he has so casually flung Todoh off into the distance. All three of them converging on her at once... that's nasty, even by trained fighter standards. He breathes a sigh of relief as his 'teacher' evades the first two blows... but the third appears to be too much even for someone of Chizuru's prodigious skill. Hmm. It would appear that the redhead's going to have to step in.
Hoping to capitalize on Skullo being somewhat unsettled, the chi sage dives after him, pouring on as much speed as he can muster (which isn't much, but) and letting his hand drop to his side, the fist he's making suddenly bursting into crimson flame. "What kind of student would I be if I let you get ganged up on?" he asks Chizuru with a faint smile, before lashing out with the fiery fist at Skullomania, shouting a trademark-infringing "Burn Knuckle!"
COMBATSYS: Skullomania fails to interrupt Fierce Punch from Frei with Skullo Dream.
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Todoh 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 1/-------/=======|
And now we get to the part where Todoh finally hits ground zero, where Frei has inadvertedly thrown him. The collision, solid enough to send the entire table rattling, holds against the weight of a flying fully grown man as he busts his back against the table, exhaling with a loud vocal 'uhoooooah!' of pain as he slides through tofu dish after tofu dish. Ryuhaku Todoh may very well now have ascended to the alternate form of Ryuhaku Tofu.
Or not.
He rolls off the side of the table with a labored grunt back onto his feet, robbed of any instant gratification of having hit that lady with the long sleeves on account of being Frei-thrown. He rubs it gingerly while all the battle happens... well, it happens further and further away from him. "What's this?! Think you can escape notice from me! Ryuhaku Todoh! Think I am irrelevant because you can throw me thiiiis far, huh?!"
The world is a hungry place, full of hungry people. Those here should be thankful and joyous that they get to eat such great, luxurious food. There are so many people today who aren't, and may never will in their lives. But none of this stops a man who runs largely on spite, whimsy, and a known disrespect for laws of time and space from grasping an orange and pitching it into the fray.
It sails just past Robert. "GAAAAAAAH!!" The elder man growls as he hikes up his trousers and takes off back towards the bulk of the battle, uncaring that it could feasibly, say, tag Frei in the lower back. Given it is an orange, there is no rhyme to pit against the reason for tossing one to grab the attention of any of a number of highly-trained, skilled, powerful fighters.
Perhaps this is just the precursor to a low-down and dirty food fight, the likes of which is feared by the custodial staff (that will totally kick your ass).
Skullo "All Man" Mania rushes headlong in as Frei comes after him now. He switches focus to the other fighter with waggling fingertips and an admonishing, "OooooOooOOOh!" Using the same play he just did on Chizuru, he runs in, hand leading forewards, but as he tries to make the grab and unleash his insanity, Frei just drills him and a big yellow star explodes around Skullomania as he bounces off. He hits the ground so hard plumes of purple smoke puff into existence around his perimeter, and his head lolls about woozily as he seems to have difficulty getting more than his shoulders off the ground.
...The woman simply vanishes. Grrr. There's no mistaking it, this Chizuru and the tricky woman of his memory are one and the same. Still, there's a small amount of elation as the would-be rival to the might of Kyokugen manages to land his blow. Elation that quickly turns to ire. How is it that he, the Kyokugen Dragon, goes ignored in the midst of this skirmish? How is it that Todoh is able to land a blow on Chizuru, something that he himself finds nothing short of infuriating?! How is it--
The thought is interrupted as the orange goes sailing just by his face. "Hey now, watch where you're throwing those things old man! No friendly fire!" That said, the man contemplates his options here. His opponent is not an easy one. Still, he is being granted little attention, so perhaps that is what will turn the tides of this fight. "I see that I must call upon the might of KYOKUGEN to see this battle to its proper end!", bellows the Italian, fist raised as an orange mist begins to swirl about him, gathering in invisible layers around his arms and legs. Invisible to the people watching at least - the fighters gathered make for a veritable chi factory, so it's doubtless that the true intent of this display of bravado goes unnoticed.
COMBATSYS: Robert gathers his will.
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Todoh 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Chizuru
[ \\\\\\ <
Skullomania 1/-------/=======|
Chizuru gets a moment to herself: a plus.
Chizuru comes up to a standing position again, putting her back to a table full of meat and raising her hand in front of her. Hmm. On one hand, she could just watch for a moment; Frei appears to be able to handle himself well enough to not die, especially as right now Skullomania is wobbly and Robert is nowhere near him.
She walks toward Robert, lunging low at the last moment and rising back up, hand-first, trying to palm him backwards into the fight at large. It might be invisible, but the gathering of chi is not indetectable; it makes her hair stand on end as she pushes through the aura so she can strike.
COMBATSYS: Todoh successfully hits Frei with Thrown Object.
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Todoh 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Chizuru
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Skullomania 1/-------/=======|
So someone just threw an orange. I mean, look, it's a banquet. You sort of expect there's going to be food thrown eventually.
It's like a clarion call to Frei. There's so many smarter things to do with a thrown orange than what he does. Freeze it in midair! Catch it! Hurl another food object at it! But none of these things are what he does. What he DOES is try to catch it IN HIS MOUTH. Why is this stupid? First of all, he's thrusting his head *at the orange*, and it's moving at high speed, and while it is just a thrown orange Todoh IS an experienced martial artist to whom even mundane citrus can be a weapon. Frei's dental setup is not sufficient to stop its momentum, and the thrown object snaps his head back whiplash-style with a resounding *THUD* noise.
All is quiet for a moment, before Frei brings his head back up, rubbing his nose. "Ow."
Of course, even injured as he is, he can sense the sudden buildup of energy from Robert, too... and he is more than willing to team up with Chizuru in potentially suppressing it, hand flashing blue-white briefly as he makes a quick motion with it in the Italian Stallion's direction, the gesture causing a storm of ice shards to suddenly erupt in the air around Robert in a wave of freezing cold. "Argh, by node."
"The might of a kitten you little twerp!!" Goes the Todoh as he continues dashing to close the length that Frei had initially tossed him, tofu flakes flying behind him like a dramatic wind as a number of HARDCORE CLEANERS fix the mess behind him with nary a complaint about their predicament.
And lo, the Ryuhaku Todoh dashes forth bravely into battle and relevance, murder in his eyes, the fire of a rivalry generations older than any of the ones here individually. His mouth, agape in offense closes as he braves closer to the gathering chi energies that even he can feel from there. Such energy! Even the little nip of frost from this far away graces his cheeks.
When he draws close enough, there is hardly a pause as he takes to the air in a dramatic, exaggerated leap that is rather normal for the fighter population so... maybe it isn't exaggerated at all? But he extends his foot forward as he comes upon Chizuru, with only one mighty vocalization to power this flying kick!
"DAH!" ...Oddly it sounds like Dan just said it. Hmm. Nonetheless, the foot comes into a crash course somewhere for Chizuru's standing-on-end hair and nearby the wake of Frei's frosty offense. His foot, in fact, might go numb just throwing himself that close into it.
STUPIDFORGOTTOSTARTLOGAGAINSYS: Robert blocks Frei's Hatsuyuki
STUPIDFORGOTTOSTARTLOGAGAINSYS: Robert just-defends Chizuru's Strong Punch!
Even in the midst of concentrating, Robert's eyes bulge briefly at Todoh's verbal quip. "A kitten? ...A kitten?! I'm not RYO, you senile old coot!!", roars the Italian as he drops both elbows to his sides, that surge of gathered orange chi flaring with renewed intensity not only in response to Todoh's challenge, but also the encroachment of Frei's own frosty energies. Crystalline shards rain against his stationary form, a number raking against him with diminished force while others are swept up into Robert's aura and cast aside. His attention turns to Chizuru instead, sensing her attack more than seeing it, reflexively squatting down just enough with his knees so that her wrist brushes the top of his shoulder and otherwise continues unhindered. He answers with what seems to be a palm strike of his own, letting the priestess overextend herself as he seeks to land a solid blow on her shoulder. Or at least...that's what it seems like, but should his hand meet cloth, Robert will instead grab a handful of fabric and swing on his heel, ideally with his opponent in tow so that he can spike her rather tactlessly into the adjacent table. Hopefully, Chizuru had the foresight of bringing stain resistent-fabrics to the banquet.
COMBATSYS: Todoh successfully hits Chizuru with Medium Kick.
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Todoh 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Chizuru
COMBATSYS: Chizuru just-defends Robert's Kubukiri Nage!
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Todoh 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Chizuru
Chizuru did indeed bring stain resistant clothes, because you don't go anywhere with an outfit as white as hers is without being prepared.
Chizuru recovers from her attack, straightening up and raising her hand again, palm out, turning to meet Todoh's flying kick. She is slightly slow on the response, and the foot drives into her shoulder, sending her staggering back toward Robert.
Robert does indeed grab her sleeve and pitch her, but Chizuru appears prepared; she moves with the twist somehow, reorienting herself in the air so that she actually lands on the banquet table feet-first. She accidentally kicks off a fair bit of the food when her feet slide across the tablecloth, but she herself remains unharmed and unstained (except for a stray green bean that appears to have gotten on her shoe).
She kicks it off almost lazily. "Tsukitomi-Renard," Chizuru says, calmly, "please show me what you've been practicing lately." And then - she does nothing other than keep her hand up, balancing easily on the table, letting chi wash through her body as she refocuses herself.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru enters a meditative state.
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Todoh 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
Being called by his full last name is an unsettling sort of thing for Frei; it reminds him unpleasantly of high school gym class, where nobody has an actual name of their own, just their family name used as a sort of pejorative. Giving his instructor a sort of sheepish grin, he rubs a hand through the back of his dark red hair. "Just 'Frei' is fine, honestly..." He seems to have that conversation a lot lately.
But the 'command' from his instructor is met well enough. He doesn't have the unique Yata-clan ability to create afterimages like Chizuru does... but the young chi sage has his own individual way of doing something relatively close. Seeing Chizuru embroiled with both opponents, he zeroes in on Todoh and shakes out his hands. "Yes, ma'am."
Dashing at the Todoh-ryuu master, Frei's body is limned with an aura of fiery red as he does so... and when the YFCC instructor gets close, the aura becomes an actual 'clone' of Frei made entirely of fire; features indinstict but recognizable. The fire-Frei suddenly lashes out a kick at Todoh's shoulder, while the real one spins and lashes out at Todoh's midsection... a tricksy little number, if he does say so himself.
COMBATSYS: Todoh blocks Frei's Kagerou.
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Todoh 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
The only way that jump kick could've been better is if he had a wall to jump off of when doing it, just like old times in the Before Ryo! Landing on the foot that is slightly less cold, he grins that maniacal grin as he comes face to face with Robert. Not that it stays long as Robert moves on to try and take on Chizuru with another of those flashy little techniques that are ALL WRONG and WEAK and STUPID. He stops to watch Chizuru's skilful aerial maneuvering as if to seek visual confirmation that Robert has indeed just failed it.
"Harumph!" He goes as he starts towards the table, at which point his Chi Senses(tm) tingle at the warmth radiating from the prodigal youth nearby, forcing his attention as the fiery clone meets a forearm with a twitching open hand at the little sting that comes from trying to block it almost /too/ late. The midsection follow up is met with the opposite arm, taking it just a bit past the wrist. A wince, he shakes that other arm out as one wider eye regards Frei from top to bottom.
"Why can't you be like this kid?! He doesn't horse around, he actually comes at me!" Is that a compliment? "And... and all that chi! You weren't trained by a complete loser! But... there is room for a little... shall we say... improvement. Yes." He clears his throat as he points his arms forward in his ready stance, slightly sorer forearm be damned for a number of moments as if it were for some dramatic phone shoot. Meanwhile, Skullomania appears to have ducked out. He probably had an exceedingly important business call or something of the sort, and who can begrudge him for that?
"Let's start with... hm." What can he teach this kid that is not his student in this tourney?! Why, many things. Chi as an efficient weapon as opposed to all these flashy, interesting, amazingly useful feats that Frei himself possesses and continues to push towards mastery of every day. Maybe deep down, Ryuhaku realizes the potential gap between them, through that thick, ego-driven skull projecting some crazy alternate universe where Todoh's perception of reality is in fact correct.
If he does, it's not enough to stop him from taking a telegraphing step closer, assuming a gap in space between them exists, and trying to lift up the man of the :) by his body and slam him down to the harsh banquet hall ground. It is harsh for the fallen food that survives the maids will grow to become the most terrible smells, the most infectious diseases, the most unsightly stains - and Todoh may very well now test Frei's legacy by bodyslamming him against the very best of the best of food-related filth in all the land! (...Maybe?)
Garcia watches Chizuru's sailing form with triumph...only for her to easily touch down on her feat unharmed, and not in the ruinous crater of diningware that he had so provocatively imagined for her. Teeth are set against each other firmly. He's fought many different fighters over the years, experienced fighters, each with their own specialties. Strengths. Weaknesses. But none...none have ever approached the level of infuriation of one fighter, and it's not surprising for him to find that she's kept herself in top form since their last encounter. What's worse, he's forced to renew this old one-sided rilvalry...with a peanut gallery.
With Chizuru sitting off on the side-lines and minding her own business for the moment, Robert's attention turns to the geezer and the wannabe chi prodigy--Frei, that's it! A single dark eyebrow twitches irately on oliv eskin. "Not trained by a...!!" And then he starts to compare Robert to Frei. Compares *his* chi to that guy's little candle? Of all the nerve! "Hah. You think that's alot of chi? You need to get out more often. Find a hobby or something. Maybe find a good master to train under, so all that energy doesn't go to waste!"
His eyes train on Frei. The Italian's words may be merry and calmly measured, but inwardly he's bristling. He can't afford to let himself look like a fool in front of Todoh, and the priestess is definitely an expert at that. Yeeeees. Frei, he's looking at you. Watching you attack Todoh. Eliciting ill-gotten compliments from his dojo's rival. He cannot permit this farce to continue! Spreading his hands in front of him, that chi he had summoned earlier gathers into his hands. Instead of doing the expected however, he simply drops that gathered lump of glowing orange energy and dances back a step, delivering a wide roundhouse and punting it across the banquet hall. "Prepare yourself! Graaaaagh!!"
Frustrated Robert is Frustrated.
Excellent, Chizuru thinks. Frei is actually quite good; she was afraid they would put her with someone who has no business being anywhere near a real fight, or using chi. Unfortunately, the only time she can be sure about that is in a stress situation - a fight. /And/ he doesn't use any noxious form of energy like some of the people she's encountered lately.
She smiles, just a little, as she leaps off the table. She comes in fast and suddenly toward Roberto as he lets loose in his anger, darting in low.
Chizuru goes /very/ low, in fact, sweeping downward at close range from behind and trying to take him down with a leg sweep in a surge of motion but, perhaps surprisingly, no chi. She doesn't need an image right now. "Stay calm," she suggests, as she rises back up after her sweep.
COMBATSYS: Frei just-defends Robert's Ryuugeki Ken!
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Todoh 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Chizuru
COMBATSYS: Frei interrupts Bodyslam from Todoh with Shindou EX.
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Todoh 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Chizuru
Oh dear. And now they're both coming at him! One with words of cautious approbation; another with words of haughty condemnation. It's enough to make a young man's green eyes widen with... well, surprise at first, and then confusion. This fight is making his head hurt. But Chizuru's words -- "stay calm" -- are indeed inspiring... and they're Frei's creed to begin with. In the face of adversity he maintains aplomb.
The flying sphere of orange energy is first on the list, and with a look of concentration, Frei extends his hand, which bursts to life with an aura of energy, a sandy yellow-green haze. The hand is interposed in front of Robert's burst, which suddenly and violently dissipates as if slammed into a wall... before the energy gathers back *into* Frei's hand, strengthening that glowing grip. It's too late to evade Todoh's grab at that point, of course, but that doesn't mean he's not prepared for it. Rather than slamming back-first onto the ground, Frei extends his other, non-glowing hand, and is in a handstand for a moment before flipping around, landing in a crouch. At point blank range. To... Todoh's feet.
Grimacing in pain -- for such a maneuver is not without cost -- he nevertheless snaps out his glowing hand and all but yanks Todoh into the air by one ankle, spinning him in a circle and then tossing him skyward before thrusting his glowing hand straight up. The energy explodes in a rippling shockwave of force that rattles the food-laden tables and hopefully knocks Todoh well away from the young sage.
Exhaling slowly, he then drops into stance and, after a beat, smiles. "Thank you for the compliment."
Todoh only thinks for a moment that it completes satisfactorily, knelt down vulnerable for that second in which Frei catches himself in a handstand and promptly reasserts himself before the elder Todoh can do the same, yanked up into the air a second time, high, high, high up towards the ceiling which he slams against with a loudly exhaled curse that drowns out the sound of any echoes of his body hitting the ceiling, going into freefall.
That smile is kind of unsettling, but you know what, this is the first time in a long time any kid has gone 'oh thank you for giving me the chance to make myself look cooler than you, Master Todoh' or something of the sort as opposed to 'ha ha you suck also I am Hotaru and I didn't actually say you suck but I sure do keep making you look like you do!'
Frei doesn't get much horizontal distance on the toss this time as Todoh reasserts himself in the air half-way down, arms high up in the air as blood trickles down the left side of his head and a massive bruise can be seen forming around the inner forearm of his right hand. Neither of which really stops him, of course, from asserting his AWESOME WILL.
The same yellow-orangeish energies, which are never the same in the heat of the moment despite being the same (okay, so it is the same, bah) barely held together by the three segments as he plummets back down. In place of a kiai is a loud challenge, no, a demand: "YOU'LL HAVE TO EARN EVERY OTHER ONE!"
And with that, the hands come down, thrusting the little chi wave that could, should, would, and by all means very may well do, exerting that little extra force with such strength that his velocity in midair halts significantly. This'll make landing a lot more gentle.
Gravity takes over, letting the manifestation descent gently upon Frei. Frei is a master of the elements. Todoh's is the equivalent of simply forcing the energies of the world into a simple, easily directed shape that lacks much of the natural beauty one could find among the more... refined, intricate chi masters.
COMBATSYS: Robert dodges Chizuru's Kaiten.
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Todoh 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
Blink. Blink. As much energy as Robert had packed into that orb of chi, it seems to do little good. Frei deflects it with the same finesse that he himself had displayed earlier, leaving the two at an impasse in terms of chi mastery. Bizarrely enough, Todoh actually seems too busy to redicule Robert for his failed attempt to land a shot on the man, but it isn't something that he has long to contemplate. Words are spoken, words that seem almost as directed as Robert as they are at Chizuru's student: "Stay calm."
The sweep that would have taken the Garcia Heir off of his feet is narrowly avoided by a hasty forward flip. In that brief mid-air moment, he comes to a decision: his frustration is getting him nowhere here, and is probably a bigger barrier to landing a blow on his longstanding nemesis than her agility in and of itself. Even *Todoh* is getting too into his own fight to pay him any heed. If that doesn't say something, well...hah. No, that's saying something alright!
There is no further conversation from Robert as he touches down on ground once more. Not with his feet so much as his hands - and immediately bracing upward against the floor, held up by the strength of his arms, he swings the weight of his lower torso around and sends it boomeringing right back at Chizuru, seeking to reward one trip attempt with another.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru dodges Robert's Light Kick.
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Todoh 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
Chizuru is content to keep quiet after that, apparently, because she too says nothing anymore - not to Frei, not to Robert. Not to Todoh either, for that matter.
She doesn't seem to realize that Robert is upset at her, or frustrated, but Chizuru is not adverse to taking advantage of his physical cues to keep out of the way. She keeps moving around him, leaping up when he sweeps downward and landing on the table again. It flexes under her sudden weight, but stays intact.
Chizuru kicks forward and downward, using her new height to try to smash Robert as he gets back up, using the force to spring away and to the other side of the table. Fight across it - IF YOU DARE.
Or just follow her across, there's a path where she knocked off most of the food.
COMBATSYS: Frei overcomes Fierce Kasane Ate from Todoh with Seiya.
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Todoh 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
The energy, she is flying fast and furious now in this battle. Chizuru and Robert's exchange of skillful blows, however, is a distant country to Frei right now... probably because while Todoh might not be the most graceful ballerina on the stage, that doesn't mean he doesn't pack a whallop. Those lances of orange energy coming at him from above make the hair on his neck stand up before he even sees them appear. If that hits, it's going to hurt. A lot. And the seemingly insane -- if benignly so -- man throws it out with such ease...
But perhaps that is what drives Frei to do what he does. Spinning about, he clutches both hands toward his chest, palms inward, a swirl of bright white light gathering there. Normally this attack is seven pinpoints of light... but the situation here calls for something a little different. "I'll endeavor to do so, then!" he shouts, bringing both hands up and aiming them *right at Todoh's attack*. The white glow becomes a coherent beam of pure energy, shattering the orange-colored force wave and possibly giving Todoh a taste of his own medicine. Of course, the attack already gave the Todoh-ryuu master a midair recovery, so nothing is guaranteed...
COMBATSYS: Frei successfully hits Todoh with Seiya.
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Todoh 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
The orange and white mix into a tasty dreamchickle. Gravity takes back control of the eldest of the four here as he prepares to land at least somewhat gracefully in comparison to some of the last couple of times he's been thrown or blasted these days, when the pure energy beam shatters the segments and send them flying like large pieces of confetti back into his breadbasket along with the rest of it, eyes bugging out with a 'gohoof!'
The extra momentum sees him land harshly on his bum on a seat. Some would say, 'you've been owned, old man, sit down,' and he would yell back, 'well I'm already sitting down!!' His back arcs against the back of the seat and into the table before it stabilizes and has him sit back down, rubbing his back with the less sore hand with a grumpy grandpa grumble. Except he is not officially a grandfather yet. He is also, very thankfully, not yet someone's father in law. Just imagine what poor Kasumi and her suitor would have to go through!
He then taps his fingers on the table, an awkward kind of reaching out motion given the direction he's facing. How is he going to deal with this particular kid, he wonders. How is he going to deal with this one, what with all these... /things/ around for him to use. Oh, the stuff he could do with those mashed potatoes. Without breaking eye contact, he does at least manage to get off some obnoxious query or accusation or another.
"Hey! Fop head! Are you in dire need of your most illustrious educator that you will ever have the divine grace to come across yet?!" You know, just to make sure he doesn't have to go save Robert's poor little butt while he sits here and tries to figure that smiley man out as opposed to outright wasting precious time and energy, oh, bringing the fight back.
COMBATSYS: Todoh takes no action.
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Todoh 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Frei
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Robert 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
COMBATSYS: Robert interrupts Heavy Kick from Chizuru with Dragon Fang EX.
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Todoh 1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Frei
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Robert 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Chizuru
The woman's graceful evasion is marvelous, exactly what Robert has come to expect from her. Legs returning from their extended trip (DOUBLE ENTENDRE?!), the Italian transfers his weight to his feet and begins to rise. Chizuru, tactical as ever, darts forward to capitalize on the situation - and at that exact moment the man launches his full weight right back into her, fist spiralling around his torso in midair and crashing into her chin with a triumphant, "BooYEAH!"
Still, Chizuru's stomp does find purchase, at least enough to evict a wince from her opponent even in the midst of his moment of triumph, and her spring to the other side of the table continues unabated - albeit not exactly as planned. Landing on the edge of the table that she once occupied, Robert immediately launches himself after Chizuru once more with a hoot, "As if! I've got this handled over here, you keep on teaching that guy...whatever it is you're teaching him!!"
Unfortunately, the poor table couldn't handle the combined tag-teaming of springing fighters and snaps in twain, a landslide of food platters beginning a slow slide downward that eventually accelerates into an avalanche of delicacies meeting in a profane embrace of splatters. Tofu meets chili. Pastries meet spaghetti. The resulting cataclysm would be enough to make any self-respecting chef fall to their knees in grief.
That hurt. A lot, in fact; Chizuru was not expecting the surprise interruption, and the blow to her chin is enough to literally lift her off the ground (well, the table). She lands a moment later, dazed and disoriented, and is an easy target for Robert's follow-up strikes.
And, unfortunately, the destruction of the table. Chizuru rises from the mess like a particularly tomatoey Venus rising from the sea, the contents of a bowl of cherries rolling off one of her shoulder-pads as she frees herself from her spaghetti'd pile.
That /almost/ makes her snap something irritatedly, but she restrains herself. Instead she cups her hand around a point in space - which begins to glow orange and gold, shimmering with the sphere of chi she holds there. With a yell, she reaches out toward Robert, trying to plant it against his chest as it explodes into a sphere of energy about the size of a basketball, pushing away chi and energy in its vicinity.
A wince of sympathy for Chizuru, a look of confusion for Robert and Todoh. This match is turning out to be... awful strange, all things considered. With no attack immediately coming his way, the young sage has a moment to stretch and reflect, and he takes it, standing off to the side and taking a few deep breaths. "Everything alright, sensei?" he throws out to Chizuru, right before she unleashes... a really interesting attack. Auburn eyebrows go up in surprise at what he can perceive of the complexity and nature of the attack... something complex and highly dangerous in the wrong hands. His mouth is even a little round 'o' of surprise for a moment.
He'll have to ask her about that later.
"Maybe you are... well. I'm ready whenever you are," he says to Todoh, taking a deep breath and then getting into a defensive stance, the air around him whirling to life in resonance with his own gathering of chi. So many blows have already been exchanged but it feels like the fight's only just begun.
COMBATSYS: Frei gathers his will.
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Todoh 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Frei
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Robert 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Chizuru
Ryuhaku and his luxurious black why-the-hell-hasn't-it-gone-gray hair flap in the breeze created by the excess chi being shoved along from wherever Chizuru and Robert are still fighting. As Robert hasn't screamed for help yet, Todoh grunts half-heartedly again. How to deal with /him/, then. Look at him! Young, energetic, giving him extremely little to complain about. How dare he. Having the capacity to whine about anything and everything is part of a precious gift one receives as they age!
He's still bleeding from one side of his head but nonetheless pushes himself up off the chair with only a shaky leg that steadies itself once he stretches it out, a perfect enough frame of time being passed for Frei to really focus for whatever that old coot might do. If he even... does... anything?
"Harumph! Well. Cut above the average punk or two," as if he isn't? "But is that beginner's luck? Or... bah!" Really, if Todoh were expecting, at all, to have the advantage of surprise in movement, guess what, he gave it up by being a slouch. But with what time he makes use of, he makes use of it best he is able, tumbling forward onto his hands with another loud grunt because putting weight on that particular arm really hurts like a mother, sliding a ways against the carpet housing the toughest stains on this giant wet spherical rock one will ever find among the few stains that truly survive, swinging his foot out and hooking it up and back a bit with this momentum as he brings the fight to Frei, looking to land that foot somewhere in... oh he doesn't care where! But unless Frei bends in funny directions it's likely to sock Frei in the gut if it even touches him.
The chi makes his knee tingle a little.
COMBATSYS: Robert blocks Chizuru's Tamayura no Shitsune.
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Todoh 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Frei
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Robert 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Chizuru
Robert was not anticipating the collapse of the table. Leap after Chizuru he does - but by the time he's in the air, the table has slanted downward, and he watches with mild befuddlement as his opponent slides right beneath him and down into the mess below. His follow-up kick, thusly, strikes not Chizuru but the space that she once occupied, now at an incline. This, regretfully, has further unintended side effects. With Chizuru quick to rise and not support the lower end of the sundered wooden platform, it seesaws upward with the weight applied by the Ryuugeki Scion, catapulting a bowl of - horror of horrors - white tapioca pudding in the general direction of the other two combatants. Someone may very well have the misfortune of wearing it for a helmet in a moment if they're not too careful.
Oh, Robert? Right. Having the table so unkindly shift on him, albeit not as unkindly as it did for his opponent, he finds himself stumbling to the ground and catching his balance just in time to realize that she has regained her footing and is currently charging at him with, oh my, a rather angry looking sun of energy. Opting to play it safe on this one, particularly given his shaky footing, he crosses his forearms in front of his chest and pushes back against the encroaching forces, squinting as he diverts some of his own chi into his arms in order to shore up his guard. At last, the storm weathered, the man is quick to throw his weight back into a backward roll. Rising to his feet once more, he simply lowers both arms to his sides with a smirk. And for now, simply watches. With Frei gathering his inner forces much like he himself had done earlier, and Chizuru back on the offensive, he's going to need to be on his toes for what follows.
COMBATSYS: Robert focuses on his next action.
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Todoh 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Frei
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Robert 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Chizuru
Chizuru remains on the offensive once she pulls her hand back, letting the chi globe disperse with another pulse of energy. She presses forward, leveling a punch or two in Robert's direction, trying to get him to hold his ground and cover his face.
The punches are a feint. Her primary target is not Robert at all. Her image continues to feint at him for a few seconds while a second Chizuru rushes at Todoh, palm-striking toward his side with a flicker of energy washing over her hands. She's decided to give her partner a hand instead of leaving him on his own, apparently.
Robert's opponent fades away a few moments later. Guess it was just a distraction after all.
COMBATSYS: Frei auto-guards Todoh's Sweeping Kick!
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Todoh 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Frei
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Robert 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Chizuru
Frei is actually quite happy to see Todoh get back in the fight; he's found the man an invigorating (if loud) opponent. The fact that he's already in a defensive stance probably works to his benefit, though; that kick is moving in a fierce arc and if it connects, things are going to go rather poorly for him. However, as the kick snaps toward his... something... he gets inspired, suddenly twirling and lashing out with a kick of his own! It's not laced with chi, as his usual blows are, but the sole of his shoe meets the sole of Todoh's sandal in perfect unison for a moment, two fighters joined as one in a wire-fu tableau of bullet time proportions.
In an instant, however, that all comes to an end, the chi sage pushing back and away, landing next to the table that Todoh just abandoned and reaching one hand behind him for stability. He is mildly surprised when it comes back with a turkey leg in it, ren faire-style. With a shrug, he pauses and bites into it before setting it back on the table. "Mmm... if the rest is that good, I guess I've got good incentive to win this thing!"
Continuing to leave Robert in Chizuru's capable hands, the YFCC instructor attempts to close the gap between himself and Todoh, snapping out a hand for the man's wrist. If he can get that grip, it quickly becomes an armbar, followed by a spinning release that twirls Todoh about... just as Frei slams his hand, coated in a crackling aura of electrical chi, into the small of his back!
COMBATSYS: Todoh dodges Frei's Shunrai.
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Todoh 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Frei
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Robert 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Chizuru
COMBATSYS: Chizuru successfully hits Todoh with Shinsoku no Norito.
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Todoh 1/--=====/=======|=======\====---\1 Frei
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Robert 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Chizuru
Foot meets foot. It is a battle of imperial measurements, because metric is sometimes not hardcore enough to convey a battle of feet where few can give an inch when both are looking to go the whole nine yards for a battle that will be renowned for miles. (ugh)
The impact sends Ryuhaku skidding back a ways while still in that awkward sliding position, shoving himself up on his stronger hand up to his feet. Sure, he yells, runs around, and acts like he's a good forty years younger but sometimes, just sometimes, his body reminds him he's not and it expresses itself well with the time he takes to stand back up when Frei comes rushing in.
The hand snaps forth for the man's wrist, and Frei actually does get a touch of skin until Todoh cruelly yanks it free, sticking his tongue out briefly to spit raspberries in a spiteful gesture as part of the ongoing battle between him and Takuma to ensure that they are better at western insults and crude gestures than the other. It is eternally escalating.
That's when he feels that tingle a little too late, turning his head only slightly in the direction of the oncoming Chizuru as she lands her palm just under his arm and into his ribcage, a loud gasp of discomfort as he tumbles off in the direction Chizuru was moving and then, moments later, a whole bowl of tapioca pudding flies and lands on Todoh's head, spinning about until it falls off which leaves little bit a motionless crouched, pissed white-tapioca-faced Todoh.
Some of the mess drips off his face a few moments before he actually stands up and does anything of note again. He doesn't even /blink/. There is a tangible aura of animosity that simply comes with being a cranky old man who doesn't get his way as much as he wants to, feet spreading apart a little as he drops his hands forward, one eyebrow going higher. His teeth clench.
"I say it is time for, shall we say... just desserts, hm?" The hands go up again, a short wheeze from having stomached that blow from Chizuru so poorly as an odd light comes from the air above Todoh. It is a lot like any other one would see from him. It is not orange. It is not yellow. It is not yellowish-orange. It is not the white-ish one sometimes sees him do when he decides Kasumi's method of delivery is particularly better in the situation.
"HEEYAH!" He calls as the same damn thing people have seen him do throughout, except colored a bright blue and with maybe an extra segment tacked on as though the forces of the universe just wanted to give a palette swap and little else, descends with his arms and gravity itself.
He might be giving a little too much credit to the distance he can actually afford with it, but it's a little hard to get depth perception when one of your eyes is covered in foul tapioca pudding! But one thing's for sure, the few stains down there that are there? They live in fear. They so live in fear. (Do they have feelings? They just spontaneously developed them now, for serious.)
Robert glances to the left, glances to the right. Continuing to smirk quietly to himself, his arms cross, and he slowly sinks into the floor until he can no longer be seen.
Okay, the table between him and the gathered combatants just makes it look that way, but for a moment it was just cool to imagine that he did it. Nobody is paying attention to him right now anyway, so who cares if he's off goobering on the other side of the room.
Surprisingly, theatrics aside, there is in fact an actual purpose to this. Without anyone really watching him, it's a rather simple matter to swiftly creep behind the cover of tableware and the gathered delicacies heaped upon them. He continues to (hopefully) go unnoticed as his opponents do their damnest to break Todoh's old man hip in a most unseemly display of brutality towards the elderly. It's in that same moment that Todoh reaches the height of his single technique recursions that Shadow Master Garcia-sensei makes his presence known once more, suddenly *appearing* right next to Chizuru without warning. Okay, so he was on the other side of the table and quietly rolled under it. SAME DIFFERENCE, THIS IS HOW THE PROS DO IT."
"Crouching Haiga..."
The Kyokugen Disciple is swift to strike from his secrecy, attempting to drill a left hook into Chizuru's stomach from a kneeling position. Whether or not it lands with the full force of his strength, his follow-up is instantenous, an immediate rotation of his entire body accompanied by an upward lunge, his other fist swinging around and attempting to catch his unaware nemesis with a spiralling, jagged-knuckle uppercut that will send her on an express trip straight into a chandelier if he has any say in the matter.
"HIDDEN RYUU!"
COMBATSYS: Robert successfully hits Chizuru with Haiga Ryuu.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Todoh 0/-------/------=|=======\====---\1 Frei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/-----==|=======\====---\1 Chizuru
Chizuru pulls away from Todoh - not far, only a few feet, enough to let Frei have easy access without her getting in the way. She raises her hand again, turning to face Robert, to deal with the other man and keep him away -
- and right as she turns, she gets pounded in the stomach, having not even had the vaguest clue that it was coming. Chizuru almost doubles over it, presenting her chin for easy pounding by Robert, a bone-cracking blow audible throughout the room.
She goes up, into the chandelier - and hangs, showering glass and other assorted parts downward as she sways wildly, attempting to get it under control. Her weight threatens to pull the whole thing down.
Having used the swaying momentum to her advantage as much as possible, Chizuru throws herself back down, both her hands churning with energy. The chi-disrupting power is much the same as last time, except stronger - this time, it has all Chizuru's speed and power behind it as she comes in for a diving blow.
COMBATSYS: Frei blocks Todoh's Meiou Ken.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Todoh 0/-------/------=|=======\======-\1 Frei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
The tapioca thing leaves Frei somewhere between ^_^ and D: expression-wise; nobody really deserves a bowl of tapioca to the face, but on the other hand it IS sort of funny in a haw haw, Zucker brothers, Airplane! sort of way. It also gives him time to step back from his abortive attack on Todoh just a little bit and survey the situation. The older man looks a little beat up... his 'student', though, is another thing entirely. Robert's putting up a hell of a fight. This may get tricky.
It gets even trickier when the Swap to End All Swaps comes for Frei, and he is left with few defensive options but to weather the storm. Gritting his teeth, he turns toward Todoh and, forearm glowing with a haze of a silver-gold metallic sheen, slams it into the oncoming Meiou Ken outright. The two energy fields clash with an impressive display of sparks flying in all directions, Frei's teeth gritted in the obvious effort of keeping the attack from overwhelming him. Bits of blue-white energy spill through his defenses, drawing a few hisses of pain as they do so. In the end, though, Frei remains unbowed, though not unharmed.
It was still a Kasane Ate though.
Hm.
"That was... interesting, sir," he offers to Todoh with a smile, letting an aura of purple-black energy start fo flow around his hands. "And proof of something your student didn't seem to understand before. It's not the size so much as... how you use it." And to illustrate this point -- and run interference for his OWN teacher -- Frei drives at Robert this time, from an angle that makes a rough < shape with Chizuru. He lashes out with a series of kicks and punches, each surrounded with that aura of chilly darkness.
The old man huffs and puffs and doesn't quite blow the feast hall down but if he could he probably would, spitting out some tapioca as he struggles to stay fully upright as the two energy fields grind and spray and otherwise fill this part of Strolheim full of magical fighter energy fireworks... and in the end, Frei is left standing.
Frei is unfailingly polite about the whole experience. Todoh is... a little frustrated. Any kid doing well under /him/, sure, but this kid doing this well... oooh he'd have to pass on his complaints to his master! If they... even... exist. (Not that it would stop him from still trying!)
"He... he sure doesn't know much, does he? Yeh hah hah! You hear him, nimrod? He thinks you suck!" Frei totally did not say that but Todoh's all for the spin as he grumbles, coughs, and otherwise yanks himself a little closer to the battle by sheer will.
While Frei's back is turned, he decides to slap him nicely on the back. So nicely it hurts. "Yep! I just can't hate an upstart that puts down one of Takuma's most idiotically devoted! Yeh hah hah!!" Maybe he could also abuse Frei for something to keep his balance with, while we're at it, but hey.
A slap on the back from Todoh, how high praise is that?! (is it really?)
COMBATSYS: Robert blocks Chizuru's Reigi no Ishizue+.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Todoh 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Frei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
COMBATSYS: Robert dodges Frei's Ashura Ressenjin.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Todoh 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Frei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
Numerous times during this match, Robert Garcia had a moment to reflect on how his opponents were taking Todoh (of all people) more of a serious threat. Naturally, one should be careful of what they wish for. The *elation* of out-maneuvering Chizuru twice in succession, each outdoing the last? Those watching at home have no idea. But that elation swiftly turns into a very, *very* brief "deer in headlights" moment as he finds that she is not as helpless when entangled as a chandelier as most would be. Similarly, her pleasant and exceptionally well-mannered student would like to address his approach to the match. More than likely prompted by the sudden and unexpected launch of his mentor into the sky.
The moment of hesitation isn't long. Even so, it's almost too long. But suddenly the coin in his pocket burns, burns *hot*, launching him into action. No time for conscious thought, he just acts! Drawing upon the Dragon's Breath once more, Robert's crossed arms are raised once more and Chizuru's dazzling golden energy is met by a barrier of Robert's duller orange right in front of his fists, sweat beading down the man's forehead as the two forces clash in persuit of dominance over the other. At last, his own energies begin to give in the force of Chizuru's (perhaps not so) surprising mastery of the chi arts. Still, narrowing his eyes further, Robert refuses to back down from a challenge - and letting out a very audible growl, forces one last renewed surge of his strength into the contest and is rewarded by a deafening *BOOM* as the two forces go critical and send him flying back with the force of a small shockwave, sleeves chared and singed black...with exceptionally LUCKY timing as it's just that moment that Frei arrives on the scene to join in on the fun.
Still, Frei is patient and persistent. A few feet of distance isn't going to sway him from his quarry, no sir. What happens here is somewhat comical to watch, an artform of Robert's perfected from years of training (very) painfully ingrained into him by years upon years of training under one Takuma Sakazaki. But not the standard dojo stuff, oh no. More like the rampaging bear of a karate man who just learned that his one and only daughter and apple of his eye was just asked out on a *date*. Robert's evasive techniques in the face of Frei's onslaught are a series of comical barrel rolls and flinging of weight, the panicked man having no time to simply find any *balance* as he repeatedly dives out of the way of the oncoming barrage. Finally, he finds an opportunity to roll under a table and hop back up to his feet on the other side, at last recovering his balance.
Glancing flatly at Frei, the Italian man smiles flatly at him while brushing at the charred remnants of his cuffs. "Hello again." He then proceeds to bound straight over the table, attempting to deliver a series of alternating kicks to the guy as a way of dissuading him from further acts of bravery.
Chizuru lands slightly awkwardly after her launch back up from Robert's explosion of chi. Her arms are sore - as is the rest of her, from catching herself in a chandelier - but she tries to show no pain, to look as calm and unruffled as she possibly can. Her poker face is excellent.
Her choice of who to go after is surprisingly simple. Both of them are going after Frei, but Chizuru has had bad luck against Robert - something about him... Maybe it's the way he's driven, or maybe his lucky coin is interfering with her good vibes.
Chizuru elects to slide several feet to the side and strike at Todoh instead, using the side of one hand in a skilled-looking chop. It doesn't quite match her normal fluid style... maybe she's trying to throw him off a little bit?
COMBATSYS: Todoh successfully hits Frei with Jab Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Todoh 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Frei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
COMBATSYS: Robert successfully hits Frei with Flying Whirlwind Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Todoh 0/-------/------=|=======\=------\1 Frei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
It's like pinball. Frei is not expecting that at all. He tries instinctively to duck out of the way and gets slapped in the back of the head for his trouble... right into the first of Roberto's kicks. After that he tries his best to roll with it, but it doesn't... really work. The relatively light fighter goes flying and lands face-first on one of the tables in a heap. That... stung kind of a bit maybe sort of. Grumbling a bit, he gets up, dusting crumbs and such from his shirt and taking a second to compose himself. "Ngh... ow." Ever-eloquent! He also snags a dinner roll and takes a bite out of it, just 'cause.
COMBATSYS: Frei gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Todoh 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Frei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
COMBATSYS: Todoh endures Chizuru's Strong Punch!
[ \\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Todoh 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Frei
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Chizuru
Ryuhaku would be proud of Frei, so proud enough to playfully pat him on the back (that is patting?!) right as Robert runs up and kicks the crap out of him. Todoh, too, actually ducks a bit from this because that's a lotta kicks this close up and in fact a few nick off some of the foul tapioca off his face.
in the aftermath, he turns and stares at Frei. He gives Robert the stink eye. That moment of distraction is really all Chizuru needs to JUDO CHOP his side with such force that he finds himself thrust towards the table, his world growing faint.
Everything slows down with that ever-familiar feeling, that... floatiness in one's consciousness as you accumulate punches. Through this slow motion, he sees that Frei has decided to stop and eat a dinner roll. A sleepy face goes far more lively as he continues to glide towards the table under the strength of Chizuru's womanly touch.
His arms move fast, clapping above his head loudly enough that even some people in the next room may lift their head to wonder what it was. It's what he usually does to center himself in a pinch, except he may be beyond 'centering.' His hands point outwards, palms open. His mouth hangs open as he speaks the words that shall bring one to victory.
"STOP LOAFING AROUND!!" He commands of Frei as his arms swing down. There's no energy above - it is entirely below, spiking up in a triangular spread outwards of sheets of white-ish blue chi that looks far more like the sort of thing his daughter throws around, looking to set Frei's butt on fire so that he can, indeed, be propelled to victory via the motivation of stepping away from the table and kicking Robert's teeth in with one last manly shout.
...Whose side is this whackjo-- I mean this RESPECTABLE GENTLEMAN, on anyway?!
COMBATSYS: Todoh can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Frei
> /////////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Chizuru
Moments later after it fires off, the elder Todoh slams his ribs up against the side of the (busted) table hard enough to knock the rest of the wind out of his ribs, of which he desperately tries to stay standing by pressing an arm against it. He is quickly losing this bid to stay in the fight.
But not so far lost as to, say, not get hilariously kicked all the way down if the opportunity presents itself.
For one brief, miraculous moment, there is teamwork. Todoh smites Frei. Robert gives him a few samples of Italian footwear! Todoh strikes again!! And...then...goes down. Touching down from yet another aerial maneuver, Garcia is suddenly confronted with the fact that he is very much Alone. A brief glance travels between him and his two adversaries, but instead of conceding, he cricks his neck and takes a very long breath to re-center himself and work out his strategy. It doesn't take long, really. He's seen what Chizuru can do, many times now, and despite him having learned how to work around her tricks...right now, the last thing he needs is for her to adapt to him once more. Therefore...
Robert's gaze settles upon Frei once more, sizing him up. While not immediately striking, he seems to be a chi scion of worthy measure - after all, the two of them have exercised quite a bit of mutual energy negation already. That qualifies him as a worthy threat, one that is more than capable of taking him apart if Chizuru is allowed to play the bait.
She will not, as Robert must take this situation very seriously if he intends to actually win when the spotlight is upon him.
Calmly walking up to the man, Robert is actually nice enough to let the red-haired gentleman finish eating. "Hate to do this to you guy, but I'm not exactly dancing in options here." Pause. Frei chews. Swallow. A nod. "Forgive me, sir."
Robert then proceeds, without much hesitation at all, to slug Frei in the stomach. That will make for some rather nasty indigestion, but at least he's gentlemanly about it.
Everyone likes to punch Frei in the stomach while he's eating. It's just one of those things, apparently.
Chizuru turns almost immediately after delivering her blow, not even waiting for Todoh to finish whatever he does after the clapping. She expects the attack to come from behind, from Robert - and it doesn't, but that doesn't mean he wasn't at least thinking about it.
Chizuru waits about one heartbeat for Frei to have a moment to react, then comes in fast, if not hard; she slips behind Robert, going for his arm to pull it back and drag him away from Frei, trying to lock the joint painfully.
COMBATSYS: Frei endures Todoh's Cho Kasane Ate.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/-------|=======\====---\1 Frei
> /////////////// ]
|=====--\-------\0 Chizuru
COMBATSYS: Frei interrupts Strong Punch from Robert with Ashura Ressenjin.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Chizuru
COMBATSYS: Frei can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Chizuru
Oh, he knew the punching was coming. He was prepared.
He's grinning when the blast wave is heading toward him. He's not even LOOKING at it. But oh, he knows it's coming. He can feel it in his bones. The dinner roll is thrown away, his hands suddenly erupt with that cold dark chi again, and he says to Robert -- with a smile, and without rancor -- "...yeah, me too."
tThe Kasane Ate++ sends him into Robert at *RIDICULOUS* speed. The Garcia heir's fist punches into his stomach... and Frei's slams into Robert's *FACE*. With all the energy left in his body, the chi sage goes nuts, lashing out with every trick he can think of, chi-laced blow after chi-laced blow until a final, punishing blast of energy that literally blasts the two apart.
Frei lands on the ground, leaning back against the table. Not hit so hard he's unconscious... but definitely done fighting.
Against all logic, a bottled water rolls off the table and plunks off the floor next to him. There's a moment, and then he opens it, saluting Chizuru with it before taking a sip. "Good luck, sensei."
COMBATSYS: Robert dodges Chizuru's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Chizuru
...Damn, did he ever DESERVE that. Fair is fair! Robert gets that sinking, ominous feeling that one gets when something is *allowed* to happen without resistance, that pit of inescapable dread that tells one that they've fallen into a trap. And that it's already too late.
The beating that Robert had denied the sage earlier is claimed. Strike after strike wracks the Italian's body, chi lashing across his chest and shredding his ever-doomed designerwear, until at last he's just blown straight *through* a table and into the wall. On the bright side? Frei sends him flying so far that his mentor isn't left with an opportunity to give Robert the wrenching that he probably deserved. He just...goes whizzing right by, nearly clipping her in the process.
For a moment, Robert just lies there. His ponytail, hair tie snapped somewhere in the midst of the assault and collision with the wall, slowly splays apart until hair covers his face. Then, comes the odd thing - unless you know Robert. Behind the dark, oily hair, he starts laughing. It's quiet at first, doesn't get nearly loud enough to reach certifiably Yamazaki levels, but it's there all the same. "Ha ha ha ha ha. Man, wow. Damned if I didn't earn it..." Dragging himself upright once more, he rattles his head sharply from side to side as if shaking loose a few screws that had gotten knocked loose. Brushing his hair back, he takes note of the down Frei, the all-too-present Chizuru...and offers the two a lobsided grin. Wasn't quite how he had planned things going, but no more worrying about having two people gang up on him. That just leaves him and his rival-unaware, just how he wanted it. "So, just you and me now. Good times." He slowly begins to close the distance, smiling the whole way.
COMBATSYS: Robert focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Chizuru
Chizuru leans far back to let the flying Robert go past her. She checks on Frei briefly - he looks okay, what with his water bottle - and then Todoh. Also okay, although his head may be too hard to break.
And then she waits. She lets Robert come closer, preparing himself without her interfering or trying to interrupt him. "Yes, it is. I wonder," Chizuru says, thoughtfully. "I wonder what you have learned?"
It's time to test it... but not yet to destruction. Chizuru comes in surprisingly quickly, closing the last few yards of distance with a flying, two-footed kick at Robert's torso; it's strong, and she's put her whole body into it, leaving her open for a few seconds.
But is it a trick? It's Chizuru. It might be. There's no chi, though...
COMBATSYS: Robert fails to interrupt Heavy Kick from Chizuru with Ryuugeki Ken.
[ \\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Robert 1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Chizuru
It's chancy. But he'll chance it. Hell, Robert is all about chancing things. Unfortunately, after awhile, odds begin to shift. Luck isn't half so much as being smiled on by Lady Luck, as knowing *when* she's smiling at you and taking those opportunities. Right now, she's saying "tut, tut". Robert just doesn't hear it until he's already diving forward to meet Chizuru with a small sunburst of chi in his palm, ready and willing to return her early favors. But open as Chizuru is, her speed is deceptive and her aim is true - she probably feels the slightest singe as that energy brushes past her, not quite connecting, leaving Robert to take a solid impact in the chest that launches him right back down on the flat of his ass. "...Hmm. Don't stand up? Nah, I'm not that dumb." His body his starting to complain, but he's not giving in just yet, hauling himself back up for another go.
"I'd say...don't let your opponent irritate you. Sometimes all your enemy needs is a little skill and discouragement." Smirking, he extends a hand and flicks his fingers at the woman. "C'mon, let's try that again."
Chizuru bounces off Robert with her feet and actually flips to land on her feet, showing a remarkable amount of agility so late in a fight, after being battered and thrown around so much. Still, her fatigue is starting to show; she's breathing a little harder, moving a little less smoothly.
"Are you certain?" Chizuru asks, before smiling. "Very well then, if you want it so - "
The run-in looks familiar, with one image staying back and one running forward. The real one is the one in back this time; the one in front flickers and fades a moment after delivering a rising palm strike, going from half-crouched to standing straight.
That doesn't stop the image from striking surprisingly solidly, though, for the few instants it exists.
COMBATSYS: Robert dodges Chizuru's Tenjin no Kotowari.
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Chizuru
A telltale glint in the young man's eyes are a ready enough answer, even without speaking. "You don't get better by chickening out. C'mon!"
The illusion is real enough when she wants it to be, Robert knows that by now. He treats the image of Chizuru with the due caution, sidestepping the reality she offers him...only to suddenly twist on his hip and deliver a reverse mule kick, one that will pass through *both* mysterious maidens and solve the identity crisis simply enough, if he's lucky.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru blocks Robert's Heavy Kick.
[ \\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Robert 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Chizuru
It does solve the problem! The first one vanishes; the second one takes the kick on her arm rather than her torso. It stings, but it doesn't knock her down - although she has to take a step back to accomodate the force.
And once again she immediately goes on the offensive. Normally she might wait, to give Robert a chance to tire himself out against her guard - but he's already tired. She might watch, to see if he lowers his guard - but she doesn't think it's going to get any lower than it already is.
Chizuru suddenly surges forward, reaching out with one arm to twist and tangle at Robert's legs with her sleeve and arm, to yank him off balance and bring him down. The attack isn't as punishing as some of hers - but it might be enough, this late in the fight.
COMBATSYS: Chizuru successfully hits Robert with Reigetsu.
- Power hit! -
[ \\ < > //////////// ]
Robert 1/----===/=======|=======\-------\0 Chizuru
Indeed, it's enough. Just barely enough. Landing hard on his back once more, head taking a good knock against the hard floor, it's all he can do to keep going. He just...does not give up easily, if he's committed to the fight. His body tells his brain that it's ready to go on strike. The brain doesn't listen, even now, with that last incidental concussion.
And so, Robert seems down for the count. Down, until with one final, sudden surge of energy, the inert form abruptly *lunges* like a zombie playing dead, into one last powerful uppercut. Chizuri knows those uppercuts very well by now, possibly well enough to be able to improvise with so little warning - but even as every muscle screams with the agony of being forced into this one lsat maneuver, a pained grin *still* remains fixed in place. He will not go down for lack of trying.
COMBATSYS: Robert can no longer fight.
> //////////// ]
|=======\-------\0 Chizuru
COMBATSYS: Robert successfully hits Chizuru with Haiga Ryuu EX.
> ///// ]
|=======\==-----\1 Chizuru
Chizuru goes for the simplest, safest response to the uppercut that she was expected - brace and block, protect her face.
It doesn't work. Robert's punch slips through her guard and connects with Chizuru's jaw; it doesn't launch her quite so high as the last one, but it does pick her up and throw her back, dropping her back on the table with a crunch. Is she down too?
Chizuru staggers back to her feet, covered with a second layer of food debris. But she is still up...even if she looks a little wobbly. She smiles, just a little. "Oh, very well done!" she says, brightly. "Very well done indeed."
Todoh has since slumped from his attempt to hold onto the side of the busted table for balance and now lies on his back, wheezing and otherwise finding ways to annoy those nearby with the simple act of breathing which is to say, this is oddly normal for him.
"I knew you could do it!" Ryuhaku wheezes from where he lays. "I knew you could fail me! You... you twerp! Yeh hah hah! That's what you get!!" How is he mustering so many exclamation marks from the ground after getting all that wind beaten out of him, anyway? He lazily waves a fan haphazardly, up and down, even though for all intents and purposes the man should not be celebrating.
...but this is Todoh we're talking about.
Robert laughs, very *weakly*, but laughs all the same. "Thanks. It's not a good fight unless I'm laid out like this...so I got what I came here for. Nice tricks, like last time...but just you wait though, I'll get you one of these day--" Pause. Glancing over to the side, Robert strains and manages to reach a single ceramic plate. He has enough strength to sling it in the direction of Todoh's skull like a frisbee at least, give or take a foot for bad aim. He's too tired to care. "Oh, hush you senile old coot. Some teacher you make. Now, if that's all...I'll be taking a nap if anyone needs me."
The Italian raises a single warm, waves it absently, for anyone who might be watching and giving a damn, and proceeds to roll over to sleep rather uncomfortably on his face. Mmm. Dreams of Yuri on a bikini, if he's lucky.
Log created on 21:42:53 11/16/2008 by Todoh, and last modified on 13:28:46 11/23/2008.