Description: Kurenai goes to Taiyo to scout--and spots a fellow wooden-blade user. A challenge, and then a chat with one Kaida Inoue ensues, the two girls finding common ground to stand on.
Classes are out at Taiyo High, and with them a large population of the students- most of them in fact. For many there's little reason to hang around the school once classes are over, although some do find a reason to stick around. Kaida Inoue is one of these today, the green haired student deciding to sit in on a few of the after school clubs to see what they're all about. For a brief moment she actually considered what it would be like to join one of them, but after today she realizes that she can't put in the time that would be required for such an endeavor. She has too much on her plate already, with homework, studying, and practicing her swordsmanship.
The kendo club made a hard pitch to her, but deciding it'd be a conflict of interest she turned even them down, as starved for new members as they were. Still, it was a fun waste of time, even if it was just that, so she doesn't feel too bad about throwing away a few hours.
At the moment this teenager is walking from the Dome area towards the main entrance of the school, unsure to what she's going to spend the rest of her day on, but knowing that homework is going to be at least a part of it. That's not really a problem though, she's well used to it, by now!
With classes out, the school is a riot of activity--students heading home, heading to classes, heading to work, heading to hang out with friends. It's approximately ninety percent kids leaving and ten percent staying--and zero percent actually coming in. Well, make that zero-point-one percent. She might be hard to notice amongst all the people--she's relatively short, and even though she's got cotton-candy pink hair, that might not be noticeable...
Or it wouldn't be if she wasn't, you konw, standing on the retaining wall that separates the school from the street. Standing there quite casually, her yardstrick strapped across her back. It's been a while since anyone's bothered to gather intel on Taiyo...
And now it's Kurenai's business, at least for now. She scans the area, the look in her eyes somewhat at odds with the cute overall appearance--and she's wearing a Seijyun uniform. That said, her gaze is just roaming, and roaming... until she spots Kaida. The wooden weapons draw her attention immediately, The girl hops down off the wall and makes her way towards Kaida, across the courtyard...
Kaida may not be the most observant of the students, but she's also not close to the most oblivious of them. Having headed towards those gates it took little more than a minute raise of her head to notice a figure standing on the wall, even if it's a short one. A curiosity. The teenager looks in Kurenai's direction for a short moment, only to see her hop down.
The Taiyo student considers the matter at it's close when that occurs, and continues towards the entrance with a casual gait. It does not take long for the distance between the two to be traversed, heading in opposite directions as they are, and even with Kurenai's small stature her presence is yet again noticed by Kaida. It takes a short moment of study to realize the intent to meet her, and a minor correction in her course is changed, bringing her directly in front of the pink haired teen.
"Yes? Is there something you want with me?" Direct, straight forward, and perhaps a little rude, but it gets the point across quickly.
Kurenai does something perhaps unexpected. She /POINTS!!!/ with her right hand, dramatically, left on her hip. "I want.... /YOUR LIFE!!!/" she says, again... dramatically!! And then she lowers her hand, and giggles, as cute as can be.
"Actually I just saw you wearing those bokken and... I was intrigued." As if the grip tape-wrapped handle weren't obvious enough, she reaches up to touch it, drawing attention to the implement. "I do a little, ah, swordplay of a sort... and yet I haven't had much chance to fight other sword-wielders, especially ones using wooden weapons. So I thought I'd introduce myself."
Puase. Beat.
"I'm Kurenai Takayanagi, I go to school at Seijyun High. Would you like to have a match?"
Perhaps frighteningly, Kaida doesn't draw her sword and attempt to strike Kurenai down where she stands at the exclamation. She doesn't even flinch. Instead she waits for the real explanation to come, her face showing faint interest. And then the real explanation comes. "I see, yes that makes sense." A small smile forms on her lips and she gives a short bow, "Kaida Inoue"
The teen smiles, "You're interested in swordsmanship? I'm glad to hear that. Considering our tradition in swordplay I'm honestly surprised that more aren't." Considering for a short moment- a very short one, she gives an accepting nod of her head. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Takayanagi. I am a practitioner of the Crescent Moon Sword Style, and I'd be pleased to spar with you." She isn't exactly what you'd call stiff, but she does seem a tad lacking in social graces; especially compared to someone as lively as the one she's speaking with.
Kurenai nods, her hairpoofs bobbing as she does so. "Uh-huh. I was trained in it, so naturally I'm interested. But I wasn't taught a two-sword style," she remarks, with a nod toward the twinned blades--a very obvious set of weapons. Of course, they're no less conspicious than, say, an oversized yardstick... which Kurenai handily ignores the hell out of.
"I wanted to learn, but my sensei said he didn't know how to do that. I think he was holding back on me but I can't prove it and..." She shrugs. "In any case, I know what I know now, so... there's no use wishing. I've dedicated myself to a single-blade style and so it shall be."
Despite Kaida's immediate acceptance of the bout, the duel as it were, Kurenai doesn't draw her weapon immediately. She starts to, actually--then pauses. "Oh! Ah, where should we do this? I don't think fighting amongst a crowd of students is the /best/ ideas," she says, rather dryly.
That draws a laugh from Kaida, "To be honest with you, neither was I. I was personally trained in the art of single sword fighting, but I am mostly self-taught when it comes to wielding both. If you are still interested, I wouldn't consider such a path to be closed to yourself- at least not yet. You're still quite young, after all." Not much younger than herself, even.
The young woman looks around herself when the question of where is raised, peeking this way and that before motioning to a much more open area near the auditorium, which is currently empty and thus devoid of foot traffic. "It looks like over there would be our best bet. I don't think the auditorium has anything scheduled, so we should be fine over there." A small smile, and she turns in that direction and begins walking over, not mindful of Kurenai for the fact that she expects her to follow right along. "You said you were trained to use your weapon, though? In that case I am eager to see the extent of your skill and knowledge, and I hope you'll find my swordplay to be up to your expectations."
Kurenai's head tilts a little. "Self-taught, hmm? I hadn't considered trying that. I might, someday... but I'm still trying to master what I know now... I'm pretty far off. Adding another weapon might not be the best thing for me right now. But I'll definitely think about it." When Kaida mentions a possible arena, Kurenai glances over, then nods. It looks just about perfect, with plenty of open space to move around in.
"That does look good. And... well, yes. You said your style is the Crescent Moon Sword Style? I haven't heard of that." The pinkhair pauses, and smiles a little ruefully. "My style is called the Twin Demons' Sword... according to my sensei, it was named such because it 'sounds fearsome'. But he was kind of goofy... And I'm sure you'll do fine! It's just for fun, after all, right?"
"Largely yes. Like you my teacher knew only how to fight with a single sword, but upon speaking with him it was decided that wielding two would better suit me. I could lead you to some good reference material on the subject some time, if you'd like. Reading and examining videos proved the most helpful to me, while my sensei was able to give pointers on flaws in my form." Kaida speaks as she walks, stopping once near the auditorium and smiling. "But you are right, it is rather difficult to walk down two separate paths."
The green haired teen slowly removes one of her swords from her belt, and after a moment of consideration pulls out the second as well. "It's a small school, and unfortunately has very few practitioners at the moment. I am not surprised that you have not heard of it. Twin Demons' Sword... it does impose a frightening visage." After a small frown she adds, "Personally, I consider swordsmanship a pursuit of self betterment. It is quite fun, however. In that you are correct."
Kurenai smiles a bit as Kaida draws her wooden blades--there's no reason that the girl should know of -her- style, as it was... well, the naming is sketchy at best. But for all that, it's time to fight. Or just about, really; Kurenai follows the green-haired girl to the open area. Of course, a fight always draws a crowd--this will likely be no exception, as a cry goes up of an impending fight. Taiyo's kids can count some of the finest young martial artists amongst their ranks, and so they tend to see a lot of fights.
For them, it never gets old, and so a crowd of sorts starts gathering. The added babble of crowd noise is just another distraction, as Kurenai takes up a place not too far from Kaida--maybe a good ten yards hence--and faces her opponent. Bowing, the pink-haired girl draws her weapon, which, in turn, draws some whispers and snickers from the crowd.
"Hey, that's a yardstick! Looks kinda weird though..." Kurenai closes her eyes, just for a moment, to center herself, then bows to Kaida, though she never takes her eyes /off/ the opponent, and then assumes her fighting stance, the weapon held in a shoulder-high guard, tip aimed at Kaida, bobbing lightly with Kurenai's movements.
"Go," she says, simply, but... doesn't move an inch, her green eyes watching her creen-haired opponent carefully.
COMBATSYS: Kurenai has started a fight here.
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Kurenai 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kurenai calculates her next move.
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Kurenai 0/-------/-------|
The crowd was all but assured to form, even if it's only a small one. Kaida's seen it happen enough times to have known to expect it. It does seem a little odd, but at the same time she realizes that she'd be doing exactly the same thing if she wasn't involved. This isn't a fight over some problem people are having, but rather a sort of spar. Why not watch? There's no reason for them not to, unless they have somewhere else to be.
At the bow the green haired student returns it, being careful to make sure it's even so as not to offer some small slight or show deference that might suggest she lacks confidence. It's then time for her to move into her own stance, her left leg and arm forward, her other sword held to the side and slightly behind it. The posture is quite obviously a defensive one, whatever that may mean to Kurenai.
"Hmm..." 'Go,' is it? When that is pronounced the swordswoman stays planted firmly in place, trying to get a feel for Kurenai and what she intends. After that she does go, but by moving in cautiously or recklessly, but instead standing firm and focusing on herself, as her opponent has. A soft sigh is given and her body seems to relax, allowing her mind to forget the sudden audience. The air stirs around her and then quickly builds, white chi slowly becoming visible in the afternoon air. Faint away from her and brighter near it swirls around her body and limbs, appearing not to exude but rather draw inward, absorbing into her body and becoming a part of her own.
Amidst the sudden clamor she smiles to Kurenai. "I am ready."
COMBATSYS: Kaida has joined the fight here.
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Kurenai 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kaida
COMBATSYS: Kaida gathers her will.
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Kurenai 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Kaida
Oooh. It's quite a show, one that Kurenai can't match--but that's quite alright. She's spending her time watching Kaida--both her stance, and how she's gathering chi. It's interesting--she can't /see/ what's going on, exactly... but she can intuit some and guess the rest. Doesn't mean she's right, just that she's able to try...
And she thinks that this might be bad for her. Still, Kurenai simply nods to Kaida's comment of readiness. They're both ready, in their own ways, and that means it's time for the clashing of blades to begin. Already the crowd is shouting for it, but Kurenai tunes them out; she can't let them influence her decisions--such as the one made right now, to begin the assault.
Kurenai moves forward, crossing the ten yards, starting almost before the word 'ready' falls from Kaida's lips--and as she's moving forward, her arms--wrists, forearms, upper arms, shoulders--are moving backward, gathering kinetic energy for a simple thrust forward, targeted right for Kaida's upper chest. A fatal blow, surely, were they using live steel... but one, now, that would give a hard bruise at most...
COMBATSYS: Kaida just-defends Kurenai's Fierce Strike!
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Kurenai 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Kaida
Kaida holds solid as Kurenai comes in to attack, keeping her position with that energy still swirling into her. And though her opponent is thinking this might be bad for her, Kaida is also wondering if this is exactly what she wanted- giving her time to come up with some cunning plan. But with her opponent charging in she doesn't have time for things like that. Doubt must be erased from her mind. She re-centers herself.
%r In nearly no time at all the pink haired attack is upon her, and finally she begins to react. The forward sword in her left hand moves forward to intercept the blow, turning parallel to the ground. The powerful thrust comes in and is met with exact and opposite force, the chi around Kaida bolstering her strength to normally unattainable levels. The wooden weapons clash, and both stop dead, the tip of the yardstick a full two feet from it's intended target.
Now Kaida begins to move, her motions fluid and graceful. The protecting sword is swing upwards and around as the other spins in from below. "Twin--" It slashes through the air between the two and misses cleanly, but it's quickly apparent that that was the intent, "Moonlit--" A blast of white chi emits from the blade and shoots quickly forward, making up that small distance easily. And as it does Kaida begins turning away and taking a step to the side, the sword she blocked with now coming around and sweeping through the air only a moment later, releasing a perfect match to the first blast of chi. "Swords!!"
Kaida continues rotating until she's made a full turn, putting two steps of distance between Kurenai and herself, her guard back up as it was a moment earlier.
COMBATSYS: Kaida successfully hits Kurenai with Twin Moonlit Swords.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Kurenai 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Kaida
In the moment, Kurenai finds herself outmatched; her weapon is stopped well before it reaches Kaida... and the return attack... she's still recovering, and so the twinned blasts =tear= through her. There's a shriek of pain as she's flung backwards, tumbling twice along the ground, kicking up rather pictureseque clouds of dust--and then she rises. Wincing, already a little bowed, as she shakes the cobwebs out, or tries. That... that was a spectacularly bad turn for her... inadvertently, her mind flashes back to when she fought Zach, and how hard /he/ hit her...
She'll... she'll have to be more careful, that's for sure. That wasn't supposed to happen like that. By the time she's done with that, her breathing has begun to normalize--but it's still not /normal/, as it won't be until long after the match.
There's a theory of fighting that says when one is hit hard--the only solution is to hit /harder/. Kurenai can't let herself get scared, and so she goes on the attack again, anew. Despite the distance she has to make up, she does it, though it gives Kaida ample time to act, more than likely--as Kurenai seeks to close in. She feints an attack, a low stab--and then, suddenly, flicks the blade upwards, switching attack-styles midway, her blade flaring with her own chi--pink-edged white--as she slashes.
COMBATSYS: Kaida dodges Kurenai's Medium Strike.
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Kurenai 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Kaida
Kaida's eyes follow the blasts as they go in and meet their target. All in all, that went as good as she ever could have hoped. She stopped the first attack without injury, and her own counterstrike came so fast that it seemed to completely overwhelm her opponent. If that's all this fight entailed she'd be congratulating herself right now, but instead she's reminding herself that there's still a long way to go, and 'desperate' opponents are always the ones who fight the hardest.
She reacts to the attack when it comes by twisting sideways during the feint, which puts her in a somewhat poor position to deal with the true attack. Her eyes widen at the sudden flare of pink and white chi, and she jumps backward in a less then graceful manner, though it gets the job done. Almost on instinct the sword in her left hand is shoved through her belt and stowed away, the teenager taking a double handed grip her remaining sword.
It all happens very quickly, and Kaida is now moving forward herself, and quickly. A swing is taken at the tip of the Kurenai's blade, intending to knock it downward, and she continues to advance, trying to get inside the reach of the yardstick to make it hard for her opponent to respond, quickly twisting the blade around and attacking from close with a hard diagonal slash from bottom to top. "Haah!"
COMBATSYS: Kurenai interrupts Power Strike from Kaida with Heaven Splitter.
- Power hit! -
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Kurenai 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Kaida
There /was/ a lot of distance to make up... and Kaida proves adequately prepared to use it to her advantage. She avoids the feint--and then avoids the actual attack. Kurenai, however, doesn't stop moving. Her weapon is stopped at about head level, but it doesn't stop /moving/--she's already pulling ti back, sweeping it around, turning away... perhaps knowing Kaida will attack...
She sweeps the weapon around again, low... and /up/. As the yardstick passes the lowest point of the arc, Kurenai starts to crouch--and then as she's rising upwards, putting her legs into the attack as well, Kaida's downwards diagonal slash is coming in... and bouncing off her shoulder.
Kurenai's upwards motion is enough to blunt some of the attack, and then Kaida will get to deal with Kurenai's weapon, slashing upwards as the pink-haired swordswoman leaps upwards, her attack leaving behind a brief pink trail of energy, fading away as Kurenai reaches full extenion, spiralling once as she goes to land.
Already committed to the attack, Kaida realizes something bad is about to happen when Kurenai begins turning away. Primarily using circular attacks herself she knows what's about to happen, and that her only hope is to try and get there before her spin can be completed. She charges in a test of her speed against her opponents- and Kurenai ends up the victor.
She's lifted up by the force of the blow and simultaneously blasted with the power of chi, with the effect that she's flipped completely off of her feet and sent in a slow tumble through the air. Landing chest first on the hard ground she thinks for a brief moment how it'd be nice if she could just stay down and let the pain dull. Unfortunately for her, that is not a real option.
Instead she picks herself up off the ground and regains her solid grip on her bokken. Taking a deep breath she recommits herself to the offense, moving in more cautiously this time. She skirts around Kurenai's attack range, testing the length of her reach, and then quickly dashes in, pulling her bokken back and making a quick, probing slash towards the wrist of her swordarm. It occurs to her now that she never did test her defenses, so now is probably a good time.
COMBATSYS: Kurenai blocks Kaida's Quick Strike.
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Kurenai 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Kaida
She's been given a chance to land, and that is quite welcome--if it were her, she might have gone for a retaliation while Kaida was falling. When she lands, she's back in the first stance she was using, weapon up at shoulder level; the probing slash is caught with a flip of the yardstick, the weapon used to blunt the impact against her wrist. It stings, but not much more than that; Kurenai slides her weapon back in an attempt to catch the bokken mid-body and flip it out of the way, to open Kaida's guard instead.
This close, it's harder to use her thrusting strikes--so she reverses her grip to hold the weapon butt-first, attemping to hammer it into Kaida's chest, to further open her guard for a lungn shoulder tackle. Not exactly traditional swordplay, but... in a real battle, one uses everything they have, not just what they were taught, right?
The crowd's gotten even wilder, but still Kurenai tunes them out--especially as they're cheering for the home-school favorite.
COMBATSYS: Kurenai successfully hits Kaida with Armed Combo.
- Power hit! -
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Kurenai 0/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Kaida
Sadly, Kaida was a bit busy reeling from the blow she had just taken to capitalize on the opening created by the attack. She nods to herself a little as the slash is handily deflected by the yardstick, stepping backwards as her sword is shoved against, trying to keep herself protected. She of course knew quite well that it'd be hard to stab with such a long weapon up close, which is why she tried to get close in the first place, but the sudden grip change catches her off guard.
By the time she realizes how the attack is coming it's already too late, and she's unable to catch the hammer blow with anything but her body. She stumbles backwards and tries to regain her balance, but is quickly slammed into and is sent stumbling to the ground. Suddenly, things aren't looking quite so up as they were at the start of the fight, and Kaida sets herself in her mind to remedy that.
The crowd more silent after a loud, "Ohhh..." when their schoolmate was tackled back to the ground, she picks herself as quickly as she can manage. Taking in a deep breath and blowing some hair that got out of her flower clip away from her face she sets herself, and then charges. Her movements are more graceful, once again, and she begins moving in slow circles around Kurenai, using intricate footwork to keep her in continual motion, her sword swinging out time and time again with powerful strokes, a spinning motion of her body providing additional speed and power behind the attacks. The spinning combined with the circling almost gives the appearance of dancing, her grip continually changing on the bokken to make the best possible use of her motions, her arm even swinging above her head with sword in hand as she goes several times.
And for the finale her momentum suddenly reverses, creating a whip effect that brings the sword all the way back around in a powerful underhand slash that could almost appear like a golf swing, a blow coming up from below very much like the one that sent her flying away only a few moments ago, though a distinct lack of chi or jumping may be noticed.
COMBATSYS: Kurenai blocks Kaida's Forbidden Dance - Deadly Blade.
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Kurenai 1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0 Kaida
There's no time for any joy on Kurenai's part--though she's hit Kaida twice now to good effect, the match is far from over--something that Kaida herself proves, the moment she comes at Kurenai, spinning and slashing. Briefly, the pink-haired swordswoman thought about just... ducking and covering, getting out of the way--but she opts for the more prudent course, and instead braces herself to meet the challenge that Kaida and her spinning attack represent.
Once, twice, again, Kaida's blade is met by not flesh, but weapon, the surprisingly sturdy yardstick helping blunt much of the impact--though plenty still gets through, of course. Kurenai blocks and blocks and when the final slash comes, that's when she ducks out of the way, taking a quick backstep to avoid that final, powerful attack.
Just as quickly, though, she's ducking back in, with another shoulder rush--this one designed to let her create enough room to apply a mid-body thrust of the yardstick-blade. Of course, she might just be trying to get distance, as she takes a half-step back once she's thrust the blade forward...
COMBATSYS: Kaida fails to interrupt Demon's Charge from Kurenai with Unstoppable Blow - Crescent Slash.
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Kurenai 1/-----==/=======|====---\-------\0 Kaida
Kaida is left panting by the time her powerful series of attacks is over, but when she's done she can do little more than admire Kurenai for her ability to defend herself so handily from that kind of onslaught. But right now she isn't worried, because she's yet to use any of her aces or trump cards. She stands waiting in a ready position when she's done attacking, and Kurenai responds as expected, coming in with a powerful attack.
For Kaida it's just about perfect- as good as could be expected, really. Completely ready for such an attack she pulls her sword back again and prepares to take a powerful swing, her bokken surrounded by a white glow. She swings hard, bringing it around and intending to catch Kurenai under the chin as she charges, but makes a fatal error.
She swings too soon. "Cresent Slash!" The blade sweeps through the air and leaves a long trail of energy, but that energy is harmless when you're simply running through it. Her eyes widen, and then the thrust comes. The sword smacks into her chest, and Kaida stumbles backwards, letting and lifting a hand to her chest where the blow hit. That one hurt- both her body and her ego.
Timing is everything in a fight--doesn't matter how much power you have, or how much speed, if you can't time things right. But it's also true that battle is chaotic, even a single, one on one battle. No one can account for every factor, particularly not the myriad internal factors--emotional and otherwise. Kurenai knows this. She'd like to give Kaida a moment to recover. But she knows she shouldn't--can't. It wouldn't be worthy of the fight, of her teacher, or of Kaida herself.
So she commits herself to attacking again, pressing her advantage. Once again she feints, her weapon raised, aimed squarely at Kaida's throat. It even pushes forward by maybe a foot in a simple thrust. But it's held short and suddenly, Kurenai is planting her left foot.
Planting her left foot, and twisting on it, snapping her right around in a thigh-level kick, the toe of her shoe aimed to connect right above the knee--where a pressure point lies. Painful and debilitating but not particularly injurious...
COMBATSYS: Kaida blocks Kurenai's Light Kick.
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Kurenai 1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0 Kaida
Kaida doesn't want to take any more chances. She's done that already, and it hasn't gotten her anywhere except into trouble- and fast. It's true that she shouldn't be afraid to take risks, but at the same time it's an equal folly to risk things you can't afford. Right now she's behind in this fight, and while some might decide that means it's time to get reckless, for her it means she needs to get back to basics.
Her one sword style doesn't suit her perfectly- that is the very reason she started training to fight with two swords. So it's time to do what she does best, and make sure she can cover herself while attacking.
The feint is met as it is likely intended to be, her sword coming up and blocking it with ease. This leaves her fairly open to the kick, save for one thing. Her left hand reaches over and pulls out her second sword, and it swings forward, smacking it into the bottom of Kurenai's shoes. No, it won't hurt her, and it won't even completely stop the toe from kicking her- but it will knock it off course and slow it down, the pressure point missed and a tap that doesn't even cause her to stumble remaining.
With that leg still extended she moves to punish Kurenai for it by stepping forward. Her left sword remaining high for protection her right one swoops down, a hard underhanded swing sending a bokken on a collision course for her shin. The shin is luckily one of the most resilient locations on the body, but that doesn't stop it from hurting like hell if it gets hit.
COMBATSYS: Kaida successfully hits Kurenai with Fierce Strike.
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Kurenai 1/--=====/=======|====---\-------\0 Kaida
It's a relatively slow attack. Slow... but that often means powerful. Kurenai doesn't want any part of it. But... But. But Kaida's innovative defense throws her off balance, and the poofballs quiver as Kurenai is struck by the powerful attack; the bokken *cracks* against her shin and she immediately hops away, yelping. Yeah, it doesn't injure... but /oh my god/ it hurts. Her instincts failed her, in that moment... but she's /still/ fighting. Resiliant little thing, for her size.
She's favoring her leg as she finally puts it down... but the pain seems to be blocked off for a moment, as Kurenai's stance changes. Her grip drops down, to stomach level... and she turns, drawing her hands back, back, until the tip of her weapon is just protruding past her waist. At the same time, she's leaning back...
And then she lunges forward, throwing her whole body forward. She won't attack until the last moment--until she's right on Kaida--and then she'll thrust the weapon forward, a single attack. An attack that might ram a steel weapon straight through the target's body--but again, they're 'just' using wooden weapons... it can't hurt that bad, can it...?
COMBATSYS: Kurenai successfully hits Kaida with Demonbane.
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Kurenai 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Kaida
Kaida can at least gain back some confidence now, having been able to land a solid blow on Kurenai once more. Sure, it wasn't exactly enough to turn the tables, but it's enough to get her back on the right track. It's easy to think of a fight as a one sided thing- a battle of yourself, and what you're capable of. But if you do that you forget that your opponent's will is just as important.
As such, now is not the time for Kaida to revel in her ability to strike properly, because Kurenai is clearly not going to let her get away with it unscathed. And in she comes, charging with the yardstick. With the length of it it's almost like defending against a spear, and in truth the green haired student is far more used to dealing with slashes than she is with stabs.
And so far she hasn't had to deal with one with this kind of power behind it. In the attack comes, and all she can think to do is try to parry it upward and send the sword over her shoulder. She swings with one of her swords, hits it, and it's not enough. Rather than hitting the stomach it hits her in the chest- right where the previous strike had earlier. She lets out a cry of pain as it hits, send stumbling backwards from the force of it, and slumping down to one knee in order to keep from falling.
But once again, she can't give up. Sucking in her breath, she does her best to ignore the pain. Moving forward again, white chi begins to glow around her body and swords, the teen stepping forward once more to attack. Nevermind that sword- she'll rely on Kurenai's need to defend herself as a defense against it. It's a bit of a sprint to get in range but once she is she lashes out with her swords, attacking with a double 'one-two' combination that forces her to defend from nearly every direction in rapid succession, four powerful attacks coming in all.
COMBATSYS: Kurenai dodges Kaida's Shining Slashes.
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Kurenai 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Kaida
Kurenai finally demonstrates some nimbleness--she, like Kaida, knows this i essentially 'down to the wire'... and as such... she knwos she can't afford to just stand around. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she's ready, as ready as she can be with her body as responsive as it's going to be... and that proves to be enough. The four slashes come rapidly, and the pink-haired girl avoids her counterpart's attacks as best as she can--but with as little movement as possible.
She leans, she sidesteps, she backsteps. It doesn't look easy, though it does look graceful. The last slash is avoided with a leaping backstep--backstep, then leap upwards--and Kurenai is still going as she whips her right arm around... and hurls her weapon, point-first, at Kaida.
Once again, it's aimed to strike in the chest area... and Kaida might notice that there's a thin, elastic band connected to the butt-end of the weapon, one that stretches between Kurenai's wrist and the weapon... surely a way to retrieve the thing.
COMBATSYS: Kaida reflects Needle Threader from Kurenai with Stoic Refusal - Spiral Blade.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Kurenai 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Kaida
Whiff, whiff, whiff, whiff. Kurenai picks probably the best course of action with such strong attacks coming at her- simply getting out of the way. It's impressive to be able to get away from attacks like that with someone so close to you, and Kaida can't help but admire the footwork required to do it.
And with her leaping up in the air, there's not much she can do to give chase, especially when she's still recovering from the effects of the attack, the white aura about her slowly fading away. And soon her life is made a lot more difficult by the flung weapon. The elastic is noticed, but Kaida has other things to worry about at the moment.
Quickly she slides one of her bokken back into her belt, and twists her body around, turning away from the oncoming attack. What's this? Is she giving up? Is she intending to let it smack her right in the back? Clearly not.
Making sure to get her timing correct this time, she whips back around and swings her sword while lifting it, giving it a spiraling look as it cuts through the air. "Spiral Blade!".
**==CLACK==**
The sound of wood on wood rings out through the air, and the yardstick suddenly begins returning to its owner- only much faster than she likely would have intended! Kaida lowers her sword and takes a deep breath, this is getting really close.
COMBATSYS: Kaida successfully hits Kurenai with Reflected Needle Threader.
[ \\\\\ < > ////// ]
Kurenai 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Kaida
--wh--
Unexpected. And returned so fast! Kurenai is still in midair--she attempts to catch the weapon, as fast as it is. But to no avail--she catches it alright, but in the pit of her stomach. She's already falling, but she makes one last attempt--sacrificing her ability to fall safely to make one last try... it's a heroic effort, twisting herself around, attempting to land... not on Kaida, but close...
With her weapon leading the way, of course, as she attempts to swing her weapon one last time, a slashing cut made for Kaida's shoulder. That pink-white energy flares along the weapon, but gutteringly, as if Kurenai is on her last legs... or past them.
The latter will be revealed as the truth, as she lands heavily, on her side... and then lays out on her back, looking a little dizzy.
COMBATSYS: Kurenai can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\ <
Kaida 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Kaida reflects Light Strike from Kurenai with Grand Refusal - Moon's Punishment.
[ \\\\\ <
Kaida 0/-------/-----==|
That... looked like it had to hurt. Kaida just has to remind herself that it would have hurt /her/ just as much if she had let it hit. The last attack that comes out of desperation leaves her feeling conflicted. She has a lot of options open to her, but rather than making it easy it makes it harder. She's most inclined to just lift her sword and try to parry the blow, but with the speed Kurenai's falling at it could be enough to crush her in the process.
She opts for what she considers the 'safest' option- overwhelming power as a defense. She lifts her sword in front at chest level with the blade pointing upwards, and then spins it around clockwise by its handle, creating a crescent shaped shell of energy in front of her. "Moons Protection!"
The energized yardstick hits, and then bounces off with a lot of force- though hopefully, she thinks, it'll just knock it out of her hands. That leaves Kaida safe and protected- and gasping for air. She still holds her bokken however, not knowing how resilient Kurenai might be.
Kurenai thumps onto the concrete rather like a sack of potatoes. Fortunately she's a bit more sturdy than the potatoes would be; her yardstick clatters to the ground just a few feet way from her. Also fortunately, she isn't out long; in fact, it's not even fifteen seconds later she's back up. Sitting up, at least, and tugging on that nearly-invisible stretchy cord to retrieve her weapon. "Yowww..." she says, fighting the urge to shake her head--it'd probably hurt at this point.
From her sitting position she looks up at Kaida, and smiles--still looking a touch pained, though. "Good fight," she starts, simply enough.
"Could've gone either way... but you had me in the end. That's a pretty cool style you've got there..." There doesn't seem to be any animosity in her tone; in fact, when she's talking about the fight she sounds rather detached and clinical.
When Kurenai fails to get up after a second or two Kaida slides her bokken back into her belt and takes a few moments to catch her breath, regaining at least some of it by the time Kurenai sits back up. "Yes, very good. We seem to be fairly evenly matched as well. I'm surprised at that, to have such a close fight with someone who I have never met before."
Returning the smile, she gives a polite bow when her style is complimented, "Thank you. Coming from you, it means a lot to hear that. Your own style- it seems similar to mine in a lot of ways. Your execution was very good, as well. To be quite honest, I did not expect to win once we had both warmed up, as I made several mistakes."
A moment after speaking she looks over Kurenai, as if examining the extent of her injuries, and then leans down and extends a hand, offering to help her up.
"I wouldn't say it means a lot yet, Kaida-san. I still have... a long way to go. But I guess, as a comparison from a peer... it does mean something in that sense." Kurenai frowns at herself, then shakes her head--no dizziness now.
"What I'm trying to say is, I'm still a student--in a lot of ways--I don't want you thinking I'm a master or anything like that..." But Kaida likely already knew that... "And I made my own share of mistakes. No one's execution is perfect, but... well, we are pretty evenly matched, it's true." She accepts the hand up and dusts herself off, skirt-first.
"I'd like to fight you again, sometime. Like this. A friendly match, nothing more... I'm trying to join the 'professional fighting circuit', but... it's very stressful. Very intense..."
"I didn't mean to imply anything like that, Kurenai-san. It is hard to explain, but in some ways your opinion means more to me as an equal than it would if you were a master if your own style. Does that make sense?" Kaida helps her up when she accepts the hand, and then backs off a step to give her her space. "I agree, I think it would be a good idea to fight again with nothing on the line. I believe there is a good amount we could learn from one another, being so closely matched."
Kaida's breathing seems to have calmed down now, and there's a moment of silence as she thinks over one of the things said to her. "I have been planning on doing the same- joining the professional circuit. It seems like it can be very dangerous at times, but with great rewards for those that excel." Another short pause, "It would be different if we had to fight one another in a situation like that, wouldn't it? I do not consider myself merciless, but with so much pressure it could be hard not to be."
"Ah... yes, I understand that." Kurenai nods. It's a good concept--that the opinion of a peer means as much, if not more than, in some cases, that of a master. A more honest opinion, unfettered by the blinds of 'skill' and 'experience'... though those have their place as well.
"The only reward I'm really looking for right now is the opportunity to gain experience and further my skills. The money and fame are nice, but... not what I'm after." With a brief, rueful smile, she continues, "For now, anyways... And yes, it would be different. But perhaps a fight with 'something on the line' would bring out other qualities to consider..."
"I have no use for fame, but the money professional fights bring could be a great help to me," Kaida remarks, apparently not willing or caring enough to hide such a fact. "Hmm. There's something to that. You're right, it could be a large help to see how I fight under pressure like that, and against certain opponents as well. But at the same time there is something nice about a friendly spar that can be hard to find in other places."
A small wave of her hand is given, as if she's spoken too long on that. "However that might turn out, I was surprised to find how hard it was to get past your guard. At first I didn't consider such a long weapon create such an obstacle, but it was soon apparent that if I got careless it would be childs play for you to stab at me as I tried to attack. And then when I did get inside your guard, you were still often able to defend yourself. I was particularly impressed when you managed to avoid my sword swings and then jump away- your mobility caught me off guard."
Kurenai sheathes her weapon--or stows it, anwyays, as she doesn't wear a scabbard for the weapon, as such, just a set of leather straps across her back that are, apparently, integrated into the uniform somehow; the weapon seats with a solidity and assurance, as if to say it will always be there for Kurenai. "I would suggest, then, perhaps thinking about signing up for the Saturday Night Fights... at least, once or twice. My first one went pretty well; I feel like I learned a lot about myself and my fighting style... and how to react to people, in a fight, at least. It was a very interesting experience."
Kurenai smiles a little. "My second attempt didn't go so well, but that was due to scheduling conflicts. It's amazing, the variety of fighting styles you'll see in these fights..."
Kaida notes the way the weapon is carried and kept, curious about the straps but unwilling to go so far as to ask about them or walk around behind Kurenai to find out for herself. "Saturday Night Fight? I didn't think of that as a starting point, but if you suggest it I'll give it some thought." When the second fight is mentioned she tilts her head a little, "Scheduling conflict? That sounds almost as if you were expecting a partner and didn't get one. I'll have to keep the possibility in mind..."
"The various styles, however... I am worried about that, if only a little. Learning how to deal with such a wide variety of techniques will be incredibly difficult, I would imagine. Up until now my main opponents in sparring have been my father and sister- both sword wielders, like myself."
A brief pause is made, and Kaida looks to Kurenai in a direct sort of way, "May I ask you a question, though? The crowds... how is it fighting in front of cameras, and such large groups of people." A sideways glance is given to the quickly dissipating group of students who watched them fight, "This here is not entirely difficult to remained focused, but ten or a hundred times as many- what is that like?"
"It is... it's daunting. Maybe it's just my own inexperience but I had to shut the crowds out when I was fighting..." Kurenai takes a moment to think about it, drawing her blade again, inspecting it critically. Well, the yardstick. She thinks of it as a blade--uses it like it were a blade. One eye squeezed shut, she gazes down the length, inspecting it, before nodding. The weapon is holding up well to usage.
"But it's a good experience. Even if you're not out to fight professionally, the experience of doing so broadens your horizons..." A wry smile. "At least that's what I think. But I'm new at this, too... I know there's another option--it's called the Neo League. Run by, ah... by Ken Masters. It's more suited to one on one fights..." Like any good schoolgirl, Kurenai's done her homework--she knows what's what out there, at least insofar as the things she needs to know about.
"Hm. I suppose I could shut them out as well. That shouldn't be too hard for me. For my first few fights that would probably be the best course of action. If I pay too much attention to them I could easily forget to watch my opponents. I am unused to anything more than one on one duels and two on one cooperative fighting." And she has seen Saturday Night Fight. There are duels there, but far more likely is the chance of multiple fighters cast into various situations which are difficult to deal with.
"Your weapon is surprisingly resilient," Kaida states as Kurenai begins examining the yardstick. "I admit I was expecting it to snap after a few parries if there wasn't a hidden metal core inside of it." A smile is made, "Oh yes, the Neo League. I intended to start fighting there, but I think you might be right about SNF. It'd make a great introduction, and there's a chance I wouldn't have to fight alone, which would make my first time easier on me."
Kurenai turns to Kaida, her expression neutrally interested and surprised. "You noticed? Most don't... it's one reason the weapon is styled as it is. I could just carry a bokken but... this is both more amusing, more memorable, and less memorable... people pay attention to the weapon, not to me." The pink-haired girl nods a bit. "I, too, haven't done much more than one on one fighting... though my sensei did insist that I at least think about how to fight multiple opponents, and taught me some things... not techniques, just... strategies and things to think about."
A nod, when the League is mentioned. "I have yet to join the League... it's more of a time drain, I think, and a little more worrisome... you could be challenged by someone much stronger than you..." Of course that also happens in SNF, but then usually you're also paired up (or more)...
Kaida blinks a little, "I see. That's a little surprising to hear, your weapon is interesting, but to me that means that the person wielding it must be equally interesting, if not moreso, to choose have chosen it. You don't seem very forgettable to me." That brings a small smile to her face. "I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear."
Contemplative at fighting multiple opponents, the green haired student hums for a short moment and then nods, "It seems that the greatest problem is how little room for error you would have. One mistake would be doubly punished, and if your enemies are merciless you may never get the chance to recover." Get challenged by someone much stronger? "That is possible, but unless you do very well it wouldn't appear that they'd have much of a reason to do so. Then again there have been some surprising champions once the seasons come to an end, so anything is possible. It should be worth it, the way I see it. And in fighting stronger opponents you can truly test yourself. You did say that was one of your goals?" She seems to be seeking confirmation.
"Oh, it's okay. I'll just have to make sure that if you ever see me doing anything untoward, I'll have to kill you." Pause. Beat. She giggles. "Just kidding, of course!" She smiles, to show she's just kidding. Really, really just kidding.
"It isn't that I'm trying to be unobtrusive, or forgettable. But it also helps in battle--an opponent might not take me seriously when they should, or maybe the way the weapon looks might lead them to believe something that isn't true..." These are all things she's thought about, reasons to have picked the weapon up.
"Mmmmm~... I don't know. In the League you /can/ earn points no matter who you fight, so... potentially if there were someone strong out there who just wanted to earn points..." Of course, she isn't one-hundred-percent sure of how it works--she hasn't fully analyzed it yet, herself.
"But really, I might try doing it during summer... I haven't decided yet. It is one of my goals, yes... but I'd like a /little/ control over when I face that next stronger opponent!" she exclaims, with a smile.
Kaida gives a nod as it's proclaimed that she'll have to die if she sees Kurenai doing something bad, and then smiles as she giggles and revokes the warning. It's a very knowing smile, of the sort that speaks volumes about how often she must have to be around such antics.
"I see. That might work for a while, but once you hit someone with it even a single time I think they'd know better than to underestimate what you're capable of. A small advantage might be all you need though, so it could work well." She's not entirely convinced though, judging by the expression on her face. She does use bokken herself, so that's probably not entirely surprising.
"Oh, definitely. I admit if I was pitted against an opponent like Kain Heinlein or Billy Kane I'd be considering forfeiture rather seriously. They don't seem like the types to mess around, and I'm not foolish enough to think I'd have a chance against fighters like them."
"Sometimes, all you need is one moment of inattention to win a fight. Or even to gain an advantage... and sometimes that moment can be extended..." Kurenai smiles, and it's a somehow more crafty and cunning smile than before, though such qualifications are largely intangible.
"It isn't something I rely on, but it is something that can happen... something I keep in mind... being underestimated is one of the things that I could hope for most." She considers for a moment.
"Honestly, though, I've never heard of anyone trying to 'poach' on lower-ranked fighters like that... It may be a bit cliched to say, but I think they really do want to fight people of the same caliber..." The Taiyo clocktower bell rings again, and Kurenai realizes that the sun is starting to set. "Oh, wow... I didn't realize it was getting so late. I have to get back to Seijyun..." Kurenai slips her weapon back into the holder and bows. "It was very nice to meet you, Kaida-san! I'm sure I'll run into you again!"
Kaida nods in a curt manner and smiles, almost bordering on a grin, "You're right about that. Catching someone off guard who's underestimated you is one of the very best ways to win a fight. It also teaches them a lesson for not taking you seriously. Hopefully one they're not going to forget anytime soon."
%r She too seems surprised as she looks over to the clock as it rings, "...oops. Right, I hope to meet you again some time, Kurenai-san. Like I said, I think we could learn from each other." And she's a fairly fun person to talk to, which doesn't hurt! Returning the bow she smiles and then heads off to her destination. ...which humorously isn't back into Taiyo, but home, which should take them along the same path for at least a moment or two, though the green haired teen doesn't appear to be in any kind of rush.
Log created on 23:35:56 01/23/2009 by Kurenai, and last modified on 00:39:55 02/03/2009.