Description: An arranged fight that puts Farah and Faolan against Maki in a battle over a giant platform over some very COLD water. The winner gets the money. The loser gets a nice cold swim before they are fished out by medics. (Winner: Maki)
When it comes to fights like this, there's always a new setting or challenge involved to keep things more interesting and keep the audience watching longer. All the while making things more of a unique fight for those who are personally involved in it. And in this case, they've taken the classic 'dunk the person' game and changed it around so it's one of the fighters who will risk getting dunked. Or in this case, Faolan and Farah if they can't hold their own against Maki Genryuusai.
As Maki warms herself up nearby, she takes a look at the unique fighting platform that's been set up and shakes her head. "What won't they think of next?" She wonders aloud as she continues to loosen up. "I do know that I don't plan on taking a cold bath today!"
So it seems another day and another event for Faolan while taking a 'vacation' day from his training. The Ikari is also slightly amused when he finds out who his partner is this evening. It seems the officals seem to be enjoying teaming him up with a previous opponent. Not that he really minds. He hasn't honestly run into someone he has disliked. He was kinda confused by Naerose, but still doesn't mind the witch....he thinks. It also seems tonight he is tossed into something with a gimmick and he is idly poking at the platform with his bata. "Eh, solid enough."
He is just going to have to be careful with his movements and mind where he decides to toss people about if he ends up doing so. He gives a bit of a salute to the people gathered around and he waits for Farah to show up before giving a slight grin to the Egyptian. "Heya. Fancy meeting you here." he says while sounding humored by the situation. He also turns to Maki and gives the ninja a nod. "And a new opponent. This should make things feel fresh at least."
If nothing else, Farah's last 'arranged' battle proved to her that she can't give up on it as a pursuit, even if the wacky, gameshow-like nature of some of these fights seem to drive her toward situations -- and people -- she'd rather avoid. El Fuerte's concern, meeting Ingrid... they were reassuring things. And so, with winter break looming on the horizon, she decided to put her name in for the next such bout that became available to her. The girl has a specific training regimen in mind, as well, and knows that meeting random fighters via this sort of thing is her best bet.
Thus she's somewhat surprised to find Faolan in evidence when she gets to the... 'arena', and the Ikari gets a faint smile from the Egyptian as she steps onto the platform, tying her signature dark blue ribbon around her wrist and hand. "On the same side, this time," she adds, before turning toward Maki and getting into stance, taking a breath. There's something... well, 'forceful' about the blonde's aura, to Farah's perception. "Good luck. Let's hope we all learn something new in this battle." There's a pause, before she looks down at the ground. "Hopefully with it not being 'what does ice cold water feel like to swim in'..."
As soon as Maki finishes warming up, she steps to the beginning of the platform over the ice water and adjusts her tonfa briefly, then rolling her neck around a little to loosen up one last time. She then surveys the area and spots her opponents. Faolan and Farah, two opponents she does not recall fighting before. Oh well, it'll be interesting to see how she fares against these two fighters, not to mention seeing two new fighting styles should be interesting.
"I don't intend to go for a swim honestly, but it's all in how we handle ourselves!" Maki says sternly as she gets into her fighting stance. "Do you two think you can take me on? If so, then I'm ready when you are!"
COMBATSYS: Maki has started a fight here.
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Maki 0/-------/-------|
Faolan looks downwards when Farah speaks about what might be learned. "It ain't fun. I can tell ya that." he replies as his gaze returns to Maki. He cants his head a bit to the side and tries to decide what is the best way to approach this. She has to possess some skill if she is going to be fighting two people at once and he isn't familiar with what style she might be using. Of course he hopes she doesn't hit near as hard as Hayato did. His ribs are still sore from that kick he took not too long ago from the crazy teacher.
He still grins though when posed that question and he gives a tip of his hat. "Always got a chance. Either way I won't be holding back." he responds as he grips both ends of his bata and holds it out in front of him. He takes a deep breath and his eyes narrow slightly. His focus is shifting more away from the things going on around him more towards the fighter that stands in front of him. "At least we don't have bombs dropping on us this time, aye?" he asks Farah without glancing her way. He seems to be getting into the zone right now.
COMBATSYS: Faolan has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Maki
COMBATSYS: Faolan focuses on his next action.
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Maki
In Farah's recollection, Faolan is... one tough cookie. If he thinks that swimming in icy water isn't going to be fun, she's going to take him at his word. With a helpless, almost embarassed laugh, the Egyptian shakes her head. "I grew up on the shores of the Mediterranean... I'm used to much warmer waters than this." Neither Maki nor Faolan start things off, yet Farah herself doesn't seem particularly interested in doing so herself, either... so like Faolan, she hangs back and watches Maki carefully. The blonde is... confident, that's for sure. But whoever set this up thought she could take on two fighters at once, and so she likely has some good deal of skill. "Between the two," she asks of Fao out of the corner of her mouth, "would you prefer the swim or the shelling?"
COMBATSYS: Farah has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Farah focuses on her next action.
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/-------|
"Really, is that so?" Maki comments, watching as the two fighters join the competition. "Well, then perhaps you'll be used to swimming in this water after all!" She twirls her tonfa a few times and then stares at the two fighters again. "I don't expect either of you to hold back. In fact, I expect you to give it your all if you want to fight with me!" Maki steps towards the fighters, keeping a close eye on them.
COMBATSYS: Maki focuses on her next action.
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/-------|
"Honest opinion?" he asks Farah in response. "I'll take the shelling, but I am a bit of a weirdo." He tells her and gives a slight wink before his attention shifts back towards Maki. The guy prefers to be on the defensive, but as of late the matches have been making him take on a more offensive role. Afterall he would be a boring Chaos Agent or partner for that matter if he did his usual approach to a fight. It seems even in having fun you tend to learn things.
He tchs lightly when it seems no one is feeling too ready to start things off so the Irishman steps forward, his stance shifting from the defensive one he usually has. "Well hell. No reason to be dawdling about like this. We might all go for a swim otherwise." he says with a chuckle. He decides to rush towards Maki, his arms already in motion as he seems ready to come in at about chest level with one end of his bata before turning on his foot and attempting to land a second strike with the stick. The second blow aims to strike in the back of one of Maki's knees to put her slightly off balance.
Farah's laughter rings out, crystalline in the cold air. "Well, you can avoid the shells. I can see your logic." It's obvious that Faolan has... some sort of military background, and the Egyptian has little patience or love for the practice of war. Still, there is something refreshingly down-to-earth about Faolan that puts her at her ease. "Of course, I might be a bit of a 'weirdo' myself." And then Faolan's on the move, and Maki is continuing to boast... though Farah has no reason to think any of those boasts might be empty.
As for the admonishment not to hold back? "I never hold back."
Rather than Faolan's surge of movement, Farah's is more reserved, a little cautious, as she glides across the distance carefully. When she approaches Maki, she tries to snag the blonde's arm, then raise it over her head and step through this 'arch' and step past, hurling Maki to the ground in a flowing one-armed throw.
COMBATSYS: Faolan successfully hits Maki with Windmill.
- Power hit! -
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Faolan 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Maki blocks Farah's Medium Throw.
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Faolan 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/-------|
Getting hit in the back of the knees is both cheap and painful. Maki is hit hard and buckles a little, crouching down a little as she winces in pain... but this puts her into an optimal position to defend against Farah's incoming attempt to grab her arm. As soon as her arm is grabbed, Maki uses her other arm to push Farah away from her. After all is said and done, Maki shakes her arm out and rubs the back of her leg. "Damn, these two are real tough..."
Without missing a beat, Maki glares at Faolan and says, "Thanks for getting so up close and personal!" The sarcasm drips from her noticeably. "Let me return the favor!" Maki rushes at Faolan, attempting to deliver a clothesline-type attack with her tonfa.
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Faolan with Medium Strike.
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Faolan 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/-------|
It has been awhile since he managed to land that. It might be that slight bit of surprise that makes him a step too slow to get his guard up in time. Even as he attempts to shift and bring his bata up in an attempt to block that attack he instead finds himself getting hit in the throat and he ends up stumbling back and falls on his ass for a moment. He grumbles and shakes his head. "That was embarassing..." he mumbles as he gets back to his feet and he reaches up with a hand to readjust his hat that almost went flying off from the strike.
He looks to Farah for a brief moment then his attention turns back to Makin as he shifts about to try and put the ninja in between both Faolan and his partner. He them steps forward and he releases one end of his bata and instead swings it about more like a sword or the like as he brings it upwards before slashin quickly downwards to hit Maki right on the shoulder.
Maki appears to want to be close with Faolan... well, that's alright by Farah, who brings her arms down to her side, watching the two carefully. A faerie fire of starry-night Soul Power starts to glow on the ribbon around her hand, which she brings up in front of her. "Up close or far away... I suppose you can't do both at once if there's only one of you." With a sweep of her arm, Farah slices the air in front of her with the long tails of her ribbon, a flowing burst of Soul Power coalescing in the path of the arc and flying off toward Maki as she grappled with Faolan!
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Faolan's Medium Strike.
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Faolan 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Farah successfully hits Maki with Sacred Heart.
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Faolan 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/------=|
"Looks like you need to watch yourself!" Maki comments as she turns around to face Faolan. "That's just one of the moves I use to warm up with. I know weaker fighters who have countered that!" With those last few words, Maki twists around one-eighty and moves out of the way of Faolan's incoming attack... but puts herself right in the path of Farah's incoming projectile.
"Gahh!" Maki staggers backwards, doubled over in pain and trying to catch her breath. "Not bad," Maki says in between breaths. "So it seems you want a turn now, huh?" She looks up at Farah and says, "Well, I'll gladly oblige you!" Maki takes a few running steps and then attempts to slide into Farah with a low kick.
Seems like the woman likes to talk. Sometimes that is a useful skill to have. It can be distracting to some people. Given that Faolan deals with the likes of a loudmouth such as Ralf it isn't too distracting to him. He just worries more about the task at hand than being chided for a mistake. He finds his slash off his mark and Maki shows off her speed in being able to get out of the way. "Fast one..." he murmurs under his breath and he steps forward to close the distance between him and Maki gain.
He is going to try to capitalize that Maki is distracted with Farah at the moment. He hopes it leaves him with a chance to land a solid strike against the ninja as he grips the bata with both hands and he lets his energy filter into the stick, blackish chi swirling about and gathering at the end he is not gripping. He then lets go with a hand and thrusts the bata forward to slam the tip into the middle of Maki's back. The result if he manages to land cleanly is he releases the gathered chi to give a rather shocking blast that would push her forward.
COMBATSYS: Farah interrupts Light Kick from Maki with Strong Punch.
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Faolan 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
Apparently, Farah's feeling inventive today... if only because it's obvious to any observer that her 'defense' against Maki's kick is unorthodox indeed. When the blonde shares her intent to attack her, Farah braces for what's coming, and when she sees Maki is coming at her very low, an idea comes into her head. It's risky, but... when the lady ninja's kick strikes her leg, Farah heaves her weight forward so that she feel falls TOWARD Maki... and then slams both hands down on Maki's shoulder and collarbone, *hard*, before using the force of the strike to flip over the ninja and land in a crouch on the opposite side.
Farah grimaces when she gets up, however; Maki still landed a blow on the girl that, even with its impact lessened, hurt plenty. "Strong too," she says to Faolan, glancing over her shoulder. Intuition... she's got to rely on it, and apparently today it worked in her favor.
COMBATSYS: Faolan successfully hits Maki with Saying Hello.
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Faolan 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
Not good. Maki's punched by Farah, leaving her completely vulnerable to the incoming attack from Faolan, whch keeps her going untill she goes down to the platform face first. When she starts to get up, one can see a small spot of blood from where she landed. Maki is forced to use her tonfa like a cane to push herself back onto her feet.
When Maki turns to face the duo again, it's obvious why the blood is there: Her nose is bleeding rather profusely. When Maki bleeds, though, it spurs her into more action. She goes after Farah again, showing a slight limp as she does so, and then drops onto the tip of her tonfa, spinning around like a human whirlwind!
There is a solid hit made and then a visible wince from Faolan. Maki is already looking pretty worse for wear and the fight is still pretty young. Was she perhaps underestimating both he and Farah? He isn't really sure what to make of it all. For all he knows perhaps she hasn't shown what she can truely do and was holding back a bit herself to see what the two fighters could do. She certainly doesn't seem like the type to do that at least. Faolan supposes he will just have to be careful.
That might be exactly why he holds back when Maki again goes after Farah. She seems to think the Egyptian is the bigger threat at the moment and he is more than fine getting a chance to have a good look for an opening while Maki is more focused on the other fighter. And when Maki turns into that whirlwind of tonfa death he doesn't get anywhere near it. Instead he begins to siphon his chi into his bata again as he hangs back. It forms into a small ball that pops off the tip and sails forward to slam into Maki once the Irishman thrusts the stick forward.
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Farah with Bushin Senpuu Kyaku.
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Faolan 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Maki
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Farah 1/------=/=======|
It may be that Faolan and Farah have the offensive momentum, but as Maki demonstrates, it doesn't pay to underestimate the benefit of greater power and experience. Gritting her teeth, the Egyptian knows she's not going to have great luck trying to stay out of that spinning kick's way, and so she hunkers down, crosses her arms, and hopes to weather the storm. Sadly, Maki's speed means she's already gotten in the first hit before Farah can put her defense together, and the force of the blow sends her spiralling across the platform.
When she gets to her feet, the Egyptian looks a little unsteady. That probably hurt kinda sorta. "Not... an experience I'd like to repeat," she admits, but decides it can't keep her down just yet. Moving forward, she attacks alongside Faolan, bringing her right arm down in a an arcing blow, ribbon tails trailing, while her right arm stays close to the proverbial vest.
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Farah's Combo Attack.
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Faolan 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Maki
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Farah 1/------=/=======|
COMBATSYS: Maki blocks Faolan's Bata Blast.
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Faolan 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Maki
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Farah 1/------=/=======|
"These are experiences we'd not like to experience at all I'd think," Maki comments, keeping an eye on Farah once again as she tries another attack. This time, Maki's ready as she jumps back a little, spinning around to face Faolan just as his attack comes at her. With both arms raised, Maki absorbs the projectile... and nearly slumps over as her body starts to run low on steam.
"You two make a good team," Maki comments as she starts to focus on catching her breath some more. "But remember, being greater in numbers doesn't always mean that you have a greater chance of winning."
COMBATSYS: Maki gains composure.
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Faolan 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Maki
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Farah 1/------=/=======|
The Irishman grins slightly and he reaches up to idly scratches at a cheek, his guard dropping for a moment as he gives a bit of a shrug. "Not sure if we are too great. This is our first time teaming up actually." he admits and looks to Farah. "Guess we gotta take a compliment when we get it, aye?" He chuckles and he decides to slip back into his fighting stance as it seems Maki is taking a moment to catch a rbeather. Damn she must be really feeling it if she is already needing a small break.
That doesn't mean Faolan is going to relent in his assault. He is feeling slightly winded, but not too sore aside from the throbbing in his throat from where he got hit there. "Lets keep it up, Farah." he tells her and he lumbers forward and then comes to a sudden stop as he rears back with his bata with both hands and he swings it like a baseball bat while aiming to slam it right into Maki's hip rather forcefully. "Hup!"
"Maybe it's because we've fought as opponents," Farah says to Faolan with a faint smile, turning back toward Maki and taking a deep breath. She'd like a moment to catch her breath too, but she doesn't want to lose the initiative that she and her Ikari partner have seized. Plus, well... he asked her to keep it up. How could she disappoint him? "Nothing tells you about how to fight alongside someone than being on the wrong side of their techniques."
Speaking of techniques... while Faolan decides to take the fight to Maki, Farah opts to keep herself at range once again... trusting that the tough merc can take hits that the relatively more soft and squishy psychic cannot. Her ribbon once again glows as she brings her hand up, and then begins dancing in place, the tails of the ribbon tracing intricate whorling patterns in the air. With each arc it cuts through the air, however, a burst of Soul Power, the same cobalt color as the starry night sky, flies out to strike at Maki, the strikes flowing eerily around Faolan's every move. "I'm right behind you," she says to him, mid-dance.
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Faolan's Power Strike.
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Faolan 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Farah's Heart and Soul.
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Faolan 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/------=|
Now having a bit more energy in her body, Maki finds the ability to get herself back into this fight big time. First, Faolan will find that hitting Maki isn't as easy as he might have once thought since he's doing a bit of a good job telegraphing his incoming attack. She rolls aside, and then spots Farah coming at her with that dance-type attack. Maki does a little dancing of her own, spinning to the side and getting out of the way of the incoming dancing girl.
"All right, boy, now it's time I gave you some attention again!" Maki doesn't waste time in going at Faolan and then using her tonfa to deliver a swift strike using all her might.
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Faolan with Genkou.
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Faolan 1/------=/=======|=======\=------\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/------=|
He lets out a light chuckle. "Man, who am I to say no to that?" he asks and perhaps he is just feeling a bit cocky. He tries his best not to get that way if he can help it. He is feeling pretty good about things, though. Instead he finds himself inadequately prepared for the strike that comes in for him. He ends up anticipating the strike coming in higher than it does and his bata is out of place and instead he feels that tonfa slam hard into him.
Faolan staggers back and he grunts somewhat as he regains his footing after a few moments. "For being speedy you also pack a bit of a punch." he admits. At least it ain't as strong as Hayato's strikes. They still hurt quite a bit though. He decides to take a moment himself to reconsider his plan of attack and decide how to finally take this damn ninja down. Aren't ninja weak to Ikari anyways? Ralf and Clark always claim that.
COMBATSYS: Faolan gains composure.
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Faolan 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/------=|
Quick, she is... that much is patently clear. Farah winds down from the gyrations of her dancing, arms spreading in a sort of half-bow, before she stands and sees Maki deliver a nasty weapon strike to her partner. Now it looks like it's his time to take a breather... and while Farah would also like one, she instead takes a deep breath, and then charges Maki, looking to distract the blonde and give her partner a moment's respite. Her attack once again has the overtones of a dance, arms moving in circles and loops as Farah delivers one circular-arc hand strike, then spins perfectly into a third, before twisting and lashing out with both palms, pushing forward.
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Farah's Summer Storm.
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Faolan 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/------=|
"Strength isn't just from muscular build. It's also based on your skill and how well you handle your style of fighting," Maki comments, watching Faolan take the time to keep himself going. "You've got good skills also, I'll give you that. As does your partner over there," Maki adds, turning to face Farah.
With that, Maki spots Farah coming at her, and quickly moves aside and out of the way of the incoming strike from Farah. Without wasting a beat, Maki attempts to leap off a nearby object and fly directly at Farah with a direct flying kick!
Well sometimes the muscle helps. He isn't really one to argue too much though. Especially not in the middle of the fight. He just instead gives a nod and a slight smirk. It was nice to get that short moment to reconsider his approach to the fight. Once again it also seems that Maki is more than fine with going after Farah again. That certainly doesn't bother him as he decides to rejoin the fight and he goes lumbering forward again. With hopes of Maki being properly distracted again the Irishman comes forward as if about to strike. Even so if she seems to be distracted enough he actually makes it a feint and instead of hitting her with his bata it is a distraction as well so he can quickly bring a foot up and swing it about to deliver a powerful kick.
COMBATSYS: Farah counters Hassou Kyaku from Maki with Gensekiju EX.
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Faolan 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/----===|
While that little maneuver of Farah's would certainly have been as good as any other series of palm strikes had it connected, it also put her in a sort of... bagua groove, for lack of a better word. Her body is just 'so' so that no matter which direction she steps in a circle around Maki, she's in position to intercept anything that comes her way. Which is exactly what Farah does; Maki finds that instead of a soft target, her kick slams into the tails of Farah's ribbon, pulled taut and charged with cobalt-blue Soul Power. The psychic energy flows through the ribbon -- which is, briefly, as strong as steel -- into Maki, before Farah lets go of the opposite end, the tails of the ribbon wrapping around the ninja's ankles like a whip. With one final "Hya!" and a sweep of the arm, the Soul Star sends her opponent flying as if fired from a slingshot!
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Faolan's Strong Kick.
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/----===|
Apparently, sometimes even the best strategies backfire. Maki is caught by the attack from Farah and goes flying across the fighting area, causing her to land in a crumpled heap literally. Fortunately, this means that Maki is able to avoid Faolan's kick completely. When Maki manages to get herself uncrumpled and back up on her feet, it's obvious that she's losing more steam than before. Yet, she still remains determined to keep going.
"You got me good there. Very few people have countered that attack before," Maki comments, breathing deeply and keeping herself as steady as she can.
COMBATSYS: Maki gains composure.
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/----===|
Well that could have certainly been worse. He swung the leg about and found nothing like normal. This time he was met with something that would not destroy his facemeats or the like. Maki is just trying to avoid the pair now it would seem. "If you want to get a breather just tell em you are done." he says while chuckling at Maki. Perhaps he is just trying to goad her to come after him so Farah can at least have a small break.
He then begins to let his energy to flow through his bata once again. He keeps his gaze focused on Maki as he staggers forward and then aims to drive his bata right into the woman. He then hefts her upwards if he manages to catch her and then use the energy gathered to blast the ninja upwards and away.
Perhaps if she thought this through a little, Farah might not say it... but even as she sees Maki taking a short break, Farah calls out to the ninja, Faolan's comment putting an image in her mind of the woman quitting. "Don't give up yet," Farah encourages Maki, smiling somewhat. "I'm sure you have more to show us still." Of course, in Farah's eyes, the best way to get someone's fighting spirit up is to engage it... so even as Faolan is driving in to attack, so is Farah. She practically glides across the ground, her right fist extended and the tails of her ribbon, glowing with Soul Power, trail out behind her in a perfect double helix. It's her own little variation of, perhaps, Rose's more famous original technique. "Spiral!"
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Faolan's One for the Road EX.
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Farah successfully hits Maki with Spiral Heart.
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
Faolan's got it in him, it seems. He's coming right at her fast, but Maki's faster. She leaps out of the way quickly... and into the path of the incoming attack from Farah. She's hit hard and sent to the ground once again. This time, when she gets back up, she's showing signs of difficulty keeping herself going.
"All right, I think it's time we ended this dance!" Maki says as she takes a few quick steps, then jumps into the air and attempts to grab onto Farah by the neck. If successful, she intends to do a one-eighty in the air and throw Farah to the ground!
Even when he thinks he has got the drop on her the woman manages to get away. That damn ninja is just one step ahead of him every strike. He just keeps telling himself to stay focused on it all and not to let himself get too annoyed. She will slip up soon enough and when she does so that is when he is going to make sure it doesn't feel good at all. "Time to....oh..." he doesn't even have to finish that question. Looks like Maki is intent on trying to finish Farah off now from the looks of it.
He will just have to step it up if that happens. He at least doesn't feel too sore just yet. He feels like he is at least in slightly better shape than Maki. He closes the distance one more time and he grips the bata with both hands once again. He then brings it up high as he leaps up into the air and he comes slashing downwards full force aiming to just slam it as hard as he can on the top of the ninja's head.
COMBATSYS: Farah blocks Maki's Tengu Daoshi.
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/--=====|
Farah is very fortunate indeed that she's flexible, because there's no way she's going to be speedy enough to evade Maki's grasp. That said, she doesn't need to stay rigid in the woman's grip even as she goes sailing through the air. Her neck stings with the memory of Maki's grasp, and her legs ache as the Egyptian inverts herself and manages to slam into the ground on her feet instead of on her back. Still, that's better than heading into the ground on her... well, head. When she stands up, though... yeah. It's time for that breather moment she's been wanting since the fight started. "You're full of surprises," she breathes out at Maki. "I don't know many people who master grappling AND striking techniques together."
COMBATSYS: Farah gains composure.
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Faolan's Fierce Strike.
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Faolan 1/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
Maki fails in her effort to throw Farah, but her somersault to the ground allows her to roll out of the way of Faolan's incoming attack. Not only that, when she gets back to her feet, she finds herself in front of Faolan... albeit still somewhat weakened. But her fighting spirit remains just as strong as before. "Hello there..." She says sarcastically, before attempting to grab Faolan and throw him across the platform, adding, "And goodbye!"
COMBATSYS: Faolan fails to interrupt Quick Throw from Maki with Jig Kick.
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Faolan 1/------=/=======|=======\====---\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
She is wanting to give him a greeting? Well he has plans to give a proper one as well, but it doesn't pan out quite the way he does. As he leaps upwards he finds himself grabbed before he can swing his kick foward and instead he finds himself sailing across the platform. He twists about to land hard and he gives a grunt at twisting his knee pretty badly. "Oh hell...." he mumbles and gets to his feet and he tries to shake the pain out of that leg.
It certainly will change his plan of attack. He is going to have to test on how badly strained that knee is so he takes a moment to just sort of work out the kinks so he isn't a one legged man in an ass kicking contest. He keeps his focus on Maki, though. If he is showing that he is hurt it might just spur her to continue her attack in this case.
That earns a wince from Farah; it really looks like that stung. As a good teammate, it's her job to step in and try to take some of the heat off, so that's exactly what she does. Even as Maki is hopefully stepping back from her hurling of Fao to the ground, she will find Farah leaping through the air toward her, ribbon tails trailing, as the Egyptian attempts to plant both feet in Maki's chest with a diving aerial kick, before bouncing off the ninja and landing safely on her feet. On the one hand, such a massively telegraphed move will draw attention! On the other... it might not be the kind of attention Farah wants!
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Farah's Heavy Kick.
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Faolan 1/------=/=======|=======\====---\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
Maki shakes her head as she looks at Faolan. "You must learn to time your counterattacks better," She comments, before facing Farah and seeing her sandal-bound foot heading at her from the air. "No way," She comments, rolling sideways to get out of the way in the nick of time... and landing on what apparently is a bad shoulder. She curses loudly before getting back to her feet. "This is taking longer than I thought," Maki thinks to herself as she takes a moment to recover.
COMBATSYS: Maki gains composure.
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Faolan 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
He tchs lightly as he is chided again. "What is this a fight or a classroom?" he asks. So maybe he is finally getting a bit annoyed by all this. Especially since she just seems to want to take more time to talk than do anythig else. "And it's taking longer than ya thought because you are spending more time worrying about what we are doing wrong instead of punching us in the face." Honestly as sore as he is starting to feel from all this exertion the cold swim is somewhat sounding good. At least it will ease the throbbing of sore muscles and the like.
His annoyance just means he is flailing a bit more than normal too. He is usually someone that is pretty calm about things, but there is visible twitching from his brow as he launches himself forward. he just twirls the bata about in his hand and he takes another wildswing right for the woman. "Now be a nice lady and stay down!"
Well... Farah blinks at Faolan's diatribe, which does seem to come out of nowhere, and she can feel the annoyance radiating off him. That said, she rubs the back of her neck in embarassment. Not at Faolan, but at the fact that she kinda sorta agrees with him kinda. "Well, advice is never a bad thing, but..." She glances at the blonde ninja for a moment, curious. "I hope you're not giving up!" With that, she launches back onto the attack, timing her strikes with Faolan's, a quick thrust of an open-palmed hand toward Maki's stomach.
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Faolan's Medium Strike.
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Faolan 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Farah successfully hits Maki with Quick Punch.
- Power hit! -
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Faolan 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
With more air in her lungs, Maki is able to avoid the incoming attack from Faolan, but Farah's jab hits her and sends her staggering back across half of the arena. Now clutched over and with one hand by her lungs, Maki swallows in as much air as she can... And then something happens.
Maki begins to glow a little, her energy flowing through her like a waterfall, and then she looks up, glancing between the two fighters, before focusing on Faolan. "All right, you've had your fun... now it's MY turn!" With that, Maki starts running fast and faster, then suddenly transitions into a flying kick, flying directly at Faolan!
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Faolan with Tesshin Hou.
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Faolan 1/=======/=======|===----\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
There is a time to be cautious and there is a tiem to stop giving a damn. Faolan seems to be crossing right into that territory. He just starts to step forward right towards that flying kick. He is actually leading with his head as he starts to raise his bata and instead he finds himself getting hit with a bit more force than expected. It sends him staggering back and he falls over and catches himself with the bata and remains slumped there for a minute. "There we go. That is more like it." he tells her as he pushes himself back up to stand fully.
That is when he starts to let his energy to flow into his staff again. This time a massive amount is siphoned to create seven of the small orbs like the one he used earlier. "Gonna take alot more then that to keep me down, though." he tells her and he lets out a loud shout as he thrusts that staff forward and lets those orbs sail towards Maki, the group of them merging at the last moment into a massive orb intent on plowing into the ninja.
Part of Farah's fighting style is reading the tenor of the situation, and letting her intuition guide her. She glances at Maki carefully, trying to tell what is on the ninja's mind. She's been alternating between highly aggressive and very conservative, and when Farah comes to the conclusion that seems to bring her to, she sighs a little bit, squaring off with her. Now it's her turn to rush in while Faolan fires off his own long-distance attack; ducking forward and dodging between the seven black orbs before swinging her arm at Maki, glowing, Soul-empowered ribbon looking to connect with the Metro fighter. It doesn't have much physical impact, but it does carry a jolt of her psychic energy with it. "Don't worry about who wins or loses!" she says to Maki with a smile. "Just show us your best!"
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Farah's Soul Reflect.
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Faolan successfully hits Maki with Black Friday Rule EX.
Glancing Blow
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Faolan 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
Being a ninja means you learn to avoid things that are coming at you. Meaning that Farah's attack misses, but Faolan strikes Maki good, sending her staggering backwards once again. Even with her energy almost empty, Maki heeds Farah's words. "I am a member of the Genryuusai clan. I'm not about to give up!" She comments, before looking at Faolan.
"You are a good opponent, as is your partner. But can you keep it up?" Maki attempts to deliver a knee strike to Faolan's gut.
COMBATSYS: Faolan fails to interrupt Strong Kick from Maki with One for the Road.
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Faolan 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Maki
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Farah 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Faolan can no longer fight.
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Farah 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Maki
Well he managed to clip her at least. He was just hoping to do more than that. He just feels himself running low on gas and right now he is just to the point he is going to try and do something to hit this woman. It just doesn't work out the way he plans and he goes to slam his bata right into her when she comes rushing in. That knee just hits with alot more force than he expected and he ends up missing with his thrust and he lets out a loud 'HOORF'. It would seem Maki will need to do laundry after this fight.
Faolan staggers back afterwards and he wipes at his mouth with an arm as he drops down on to his ass. "Oh hell...." he mumbles and squints a bit. "Give her hell, Farah." he calls out to his partner. He is doing his best to stay concious, but for now it seems like he has had too much taken out of him and he slumps over.
Hmmm. Well, that's unexpected, but Maki needed to vent her fury on Faolan, it would seem, and now it's up to the Egyptian. She brings her hand up in front of her, taking a deep breath, and watches her opponent, trying not to focus on the fate of Faolan for the moment. Her hands come up, one held palm inward, a traditional bagua stance, and the girl tries her best to be strong. Maki is stronger, and faster, but if Farah stops now before giving it her all, she's only got herself to blame in the end.
"I won't know unless I try. So let's finish the fight and see!" she answers provocatively. It's now or never!
COMBATSYS: Farah focuses on her next action.
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Farah 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Maki
"Seems we're down to one on one," Maki says as she gets back into her fighting stance, not caring that Faolan puked on her clothes. "This is a rather interesting fight," She adds as she takes another deep breath and blows it out. "You have me on the ropes, but it could easily change at any moment." Maki steps back and takes a few more deep breaths.
COMBATSYS: Maki gains composure.
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Farah 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Maki
There it is again... when challenge, for some reason, the normally aggressive ninja seems to fall back into a lull. Perhaps she's just trying to be strategic? Despite herself, the frustration Farah had found surprising from Faolan, she can feel edging into her feelings too. Perhaps that, too, is a strategy? "Well, nothing was ever accomplished by waiting too long," the Egyptian says with a smile. "En garde!" With that, she surges forward, sweeping low, attempting to hook her arm behind the small of Maki's back and, yanking it upward again, knock the ninja off her feet.
COMBATSYS: Maki blocks Farah's Quick Throw.
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Farah 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Maki
Maki is not going into a sense of lull. Rather, she is using the breathing techniques she learned to restore some stamina into her body. And when Farah comes at her, Maki is ready. She is able to deflect Farah's arm away before it can do any actual damage to her. Although it does hurt her back a little, but that's just due to the strain of the fight. "Almost got me, but not good enough!" Maki says, before swinging her tonfa sideways at Farah's stomach.
COMBATSYS: Farah counters Medium Strike from Maki with Gensekiju.
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Farah 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Maki
Maki might not be done, but neither is Farah; not stopping for a moment, her throw technique deflected, she nevertheless continues to move in a dance-like pattern, her ribbon beginning to glow as she pivots, and then catches Maki's tonfa with it, delivering a charge of Soul Power through that contact before using the caught tonfa like a fulcrum to hurl the ninja away from her a second time. When that attack is done, however, Farah continues to move slowly, a bit like a capoeirista in ginga, waiting for Maki's next move. "I've only just begun," she says in response, voice smooth.
Maki is hurled away, and she does land in a heap once again. Yet, just as they're about to remove the platform, Maki somehow pushes herself back up. Hunched over and holding her tonfa arm with her free arm, Maki glares at Farah and says, "You almost have me, yeah, but don't let your guard down just yet." Maki steps towards Farah and attempts to take her down with a very hard hitting strike of her tonfa.
COMBATSYS: Farah fails to counter Deep Strike from Maki with Gensekiju.
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Farah 1/--=====/=======|=======\-------\0 Maki
Every dance must come to an end. Perhaps Farah really did get cocky, having defended herself against Maki's attacks twice now. The third time is not the charm; the ribbon again sweeps through the air, but rather than catching the weapon, the tails only brush its edge, and Maki's attack slams Farah so hard she goes sliding across the platform, almost slipping right off the very edge; only some quick thinking and quick moves on Farah's part manage to keep her on it. The girl gets to her feet -- perhaps a little more painfully than expected -- but keeps her ground, waiting for Maki's next attack to come. "Good advice," the Egyptian concedes, "but the fight's not over yet."
"You seem to have gotten a little ahead of yourself there," Maki comments, weakened but still going. "I appreciate the effort, but it must be combined with skill to succeed." Maki starts toward Farah, but then stops. She keeps an eye on Farah, knowing that she could easily get ahead of herself as well just like Farah did.
COMBATSYS: Maki focuses on her next action.
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Farah 1/--=====/=======|=======\-------\0 Maki
"Words are one thing," Farah says with a faint smile, getting into stance, "but actions are another. I've shown all the skill I have today. There's no reason for me to feel bad about any of it." With that, she feels her peace has been said, and she won't back down or stop fighting. Despite burning muscles crying in fatigue, slowing her down, Farah knows she has to be an example through and through. As she told Megane, it's not just when things are good that we're most tested; it's when the chips are down that our true selves show. Driving forward, Farah launches herself at Maki with a series of palm strikes, each flowing from one to the next, coming high, low, and middle unpredictably as the girl moves, dance-like, in loops and circles. It is probably her swan song in this battle, but it is all she has left to offer.
COMBATSYS: Farah successfully hits Maki with Tempest Flow.
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Farah 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Maki
More like Maki's swan song was this one. Maki gets his hard by Farah and is sent staggering backwards and then goes forwards. She stumbles around drunken-like and tries to look up but can't. She does, however, bring up her tonfa for one last strike before she goes down to the ground for the last time...
COMBATSYS: Maki has reached second wind!
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Farah 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Maki
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Farah with Medium Strike.
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Farah 1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Maki
But just as Maki hits the ground, she rolls forwards and gets back up. She looks weakened and beaten still, but somehow a burst of energy has come through to pick her back up for one last go.
Totally unexpected, and thus effective. Farah should have anticipated that the ninja would perhaps make some sort of tenacious comeback, but she did not, and pays the price, stumbling back a few steps and rubbing her jaw where the last ditch strike hit. "Now, that shows spirit..." Farah says approvingly, bringing her hand up, ribbon glowing. She's practically exhausted herself at this point, having very little left to give, but she refuses to go down without a fight and is going to give it all she has. With a sweep of the beribboned arm, a burst of Soul Power streaks out toward Maki once again... slowed by fatigue, but no less potent.
COMBATSYS: Maki dodges Farah's Sacred Heart EX.
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Farah 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Maki
Even weakened and with only a small burst of energy, Maki still manages to get out of the way in the nick of time. "Good effort," Maki says weakly, "But still not good enough." Maki takes a few steps forward, then, "It's down to the ropes here. One of us will fall, one of us will walk away the victor. Who will it be?" Without waiting to hear the answer, Maki attempts a kick to Farah's stomach.
COMBATSYS: Maki successfully hits Farah with Light Kick.
[ < > //// ]
Farah 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Maki
Her spirit may be willing, but at this point, Farah's body doesn't have any left to give. She tries to twist out of the way of Maki's attack, but her movements are far too sluggish considering how long the fight had dragged on... and on... and on, by this point. "Sorry... Faolan..." is the last thing she says, before she slides across the platform and into the water. It's a good thing they've got paramedics on hand, too... the water doesn't seem to wake her up.
COMBATSYS: Farah takes no action.
[ \\\\ <
Maki 1/-----==/=======|
COMBATSYS: Farah can no longer fight.
[ \\\\ <
Maki 1/-----==/=======|
Maki looks down at Farah and nods. "You fought well," Maki comments as she stumbles back to the end of the platform. "You and your companion put up a great fight." She smiles a little. "Maybe we'll meet each other again sometime." Maki then collapses down to the ground, albeit in a sitting position. Assistants come to tend to her injuries, but right now, victory is not something that Maki is concerned about. The thing is that Maki was given a very good challenge by her opponents.
COMBATSYS: Maki has ended the fight here.
Log created on 18:23:47 12/07/2010 by Faolan, and last modified on 13:39:39 12/12/2010.