Description: Angelo needs to hurt police officers. Aranha has managed this feat in the past. But how has he done it? In his usual diplomatic manner, Angelo approached Aranha to talk about this mystery. A nice, calm, social scene ensues. (WARNING: Desc may be entirely misleading)
After dealing with his team mates for so long, the leader of the Rogue Team decided to leave the hotel he was staying at and turn off his cellphone and take a long walk to clear his mind. A long mental health break from dealing with Naerose and her running off to check the Temple by herself, Varvara's team image destroying public dumpster diving shenanigans and Wing... Well Wing has a whole bunch of issues that need dealing with and while annoying, he tends to be more forgiving of them because of her loyalty and the fact that she has saved his life.
As he walks down the street, he finishes the last bites of his chicken sandwich and begins to head down to the slums where he can make a little more extra money in one of Metro's many fight halls.
Angelo's purpose here is rather more sinister. Having been asked by Kain to watch, and continue to harass, the various police forces of Metro City, the Rogue Team fight has cropped up on his radar. Angelo doesn't believe in moving too swiftly; if you rush into things, you are liable to get yourself killed. Thus, now that Aranha is moving on his own...
The tall man in the hoodie melts out of an alleyway as the leader of the Rogue Team passes by it. His features shrouded in shadow, his head bowed. A deep, richly Italian-accented voice greets the younger man.
"Mr. Mason. A moment of your time, if you please. I wish to ask you some questions."
It's not often that Aranha finds himself surprised and as a result he looks over the shadowy figure with a bit of a raised eyebrow as he attempts to go over in his mind why someone would approach him in that fashion.
He knows right from the beginning that this person isn't an autograph seeker because they wouldn't have approached from the alleyway, they would've came up from the street. It could be someone hiring him for a job however with the amount of stealth in this individual's approach, he didn't think that was likely unless Aranha was being hired to play a patsy in a job that could only go wrong. Of all the scenarios Aranha could think of, someone asking questions was the only thing that could make sense even if he didn't think he hadn't received any information worth coming up to him to ask questions about except maybe that whole Stonehenge thing.
Sure enough, it was someone coming to ask questions. He shrugs and then responds in a soft voice, "Well you can ask your questions but don't guarantee that I'll answer them." His posture shifts into a more guarded one.
"You recently bested the Cops Team in the King of Fighters tournament." As this is said, Angelo closes the distance. Apparently uncaring for the discomfort he is causing Aranha and the way he must be being perceived. It's true, Angelo practically radiates 'danger' and 'bad news', but this is something he has worked to cultivate. It is hardly unintentional.
"You will tell me how you managed it." He states, as he comes to a rest in front of the fighter. His gloved hands removed from his pockets, to rest at his side.
"What was your strategy? How did you account for the guns? I've watched the fight. But I cannot read what was going through your mind at the time."
It's not so much Angelo himself causing the capoeirista's discomfort as much as him not liking what essentially amounts to walking into an ambush even if the result of the ambush is just questions, for now. Especially considering this is the same person who told Rugal to kiss his ass.
When Angelo gets to the meat of what he wants to know, Aranha chafes at the hows rather than what information was wanted of him.
"I will tell you?" His eyebrow raises again. "Last time I checked it was a free country and I don't remember giving you control over what I say."
Then the capoeirista directs a hard stare at the shadowy figure. Whether or not he's going to answer those questions will depend on whether or not he changes the way he's asked those questions.
Angelo smirks underneath his hood, and his fingers flex. "I chose the questions I asked carefully, Mr. Mason." He says, "And I told you what you will do. This is because I have your best interests in mind. Mr. Mason, you may answer my questions verbally."
And now, a sickly brown energy begins to wreathe around Angelo's fingers. "Or I will take my answers from your corpse. I really do hate to be so vulgar with you, but I'm afraid I must insist."
"One problem with that line of thinking," says as he rolls up onto the balls of his feet. "Dead men tell no tales." His eyes take in the hooded man's features. Limb length, as much information on musculature as the man's clothing will allow and then he get his information on the environment and how he can use it to his advantage.
With all of that information taken in, he says one last thing. "Not that I plan on dying." With that, the capoeirista/traceur goes into motion, leaping up at the wall of the alley and kicking off glowing palms first as he aims to connect with the shadowy figure with them and pushing that energy into him before pushing him away with his feet as flips backwards off of him.
COMBATSYS: Aranha has started a fight here.
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Aranha 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Angelo has joined the fight here.
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Aranha 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Angelo
COMBATSYS: Angelo reflects Hunting Season from Aranha with Autumn Crocus.
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Aranha 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Angelo
Angelo's power surges, as Aranha attacks. He had been expecting this; it's perfectly reasonable. Indeed, Angelo may very well have done something similar if someone had pressed him with the same approach. But, then, this is what Angelo really wants. To fight! To learn the power of this man's soul, in order to know for certain whether he is ... worthy!
Both hands come up, and a harsh barrier of brown power meets Aranha's surging palms. It burns, and rebuffs the Spider's assault, before flickering away into nothingness. Leaving Angelo to put his hands back down by his sides.
"I will learn what I need to know in the process, Mr. Mason." He says, slowly. "If I don't learn how you did it as I beat you to death, then I will simply ... begin again."
Aranha's hand connects with the barrier and then he finds himself flying backwards and not as under control as he would've liked but this is how Aranha works. He takes those hits. He gathers information and then comes up with a plan.
Right now, the capoeirista needs more information and so he gets back to his feet and he begins to dance closer as he watches the other fighter carefully and then he drops low with a leg extended forward as he sits on the other before leaning forward and lashing the leg he was sitting on in a roundhouse kick while he keeps both of his hands and a foot planted on the ground.
COMBATSYS: Angelo blocks Aranha's Medium Kick.
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Aranha 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Angelo
Angelo snaps his leg out to the side, and though Aranha slams into his limb, the momentum of the blow is displaced. He doesn't stay still for very long, however. Instead, pausing only to grind his shoe into the floor, he steps forwards with both hands raised.
In a sudden blur, he comes in fast as he can. His fingers lash out as he does, aiming to drive into points just above Aranha's knees, before he can recover from his crouched position.
Two more stab out at his kidneys, and then, as he rolls along and up, the last two try to stab deep into Aranha's shoulders.
If all of these stabbing fingers find their mark, then Aranha will find that they hurt far longer than a simple finger-strike should. The acrobatic motion ending with Angelo, again, looking down at the other fighter with a sense of... detachment.
"Was this it? By rushing headlong and hoping for the best?"
COMBATSYS: Aranha interrupts Larkspur from Angelo with Dead Man's Hand EX.
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Aranha 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Angelo
As fast as Angelo darts in Aranha spins to his feet. This causes both the stab to the leg miss their marks. The attack to the shoulder does find its mark but just as it connects, Aranha connects with a glowing open handed strike across the jaw. In spite of that pain, the capoeirista continues to let the momentum from the handstrike carry him into another spin before shooting out a side kick to the collar bone.
After that, his feet return to the ground and he goes back into his dance. "That would be, incorrect. Please try again."
Angelo is impressed by the speed with which Aranha moves. The crashing palm sends him upwards, and before he can be entirely sure what hit him, he's picking himself up from the floor. Cracking his neck as he does so.
"Nicely done." He concedes, "Lets see if you can keep it up."
Coming in swiftly, his hand leads the way, aiming to punch forwards in a simple, spear-handed motion, to aggravate the pain he has already inflicted on Aranha's shoulder. Dig in from the other side, and twist.
COMBATSYS: Aranha blocks Angelo's Quick Punch.
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Aranha 0/-------/-======|======-\-------\0 Angelo
Aranha spins as he leans away from the hooded fighter as he brings up the arm to catch the impact of the spear hand on his forearm and away from his shoulder. He's careful about not only protecting the injury but keeping control of the range between them.
He then he suddenly drops low as he tries to scissor his legs about Angelo's legs and the twists attempting to send Angelo face first to the ground. If he can get the initial takedown, he'll then attempt to turn once more and drive his knee into the hooded man's back and then pull away from him.
COMBATSYS: Angelo dodges Aranha's Kick Combo.
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Aranha 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Angelo
Angelo is surprisingly nimble. This is demonstrated as he slides to the side, Aranha's scissoring legs meeting nothing but air, as he gathers his energy into his hand. More of that sickly, unpleasant brown energy surrounding his gloved fingers.
But the attack doesn't come from there. At least, not directly. Instead, suddenly, the air around Aranha is surging with that power. There's a ripple, and then slashing blades of dark blackness stab downwards, aiming to slash across his arms and legs, razor-sharp and painful, though very definitely aimed such as to be ... non-lethal.
Which might be a somewhat uncomfortable realization. Angelo's voice does sound slightly more frustrated as he speaks, however. "You are an interesting man, Mason. I suppose you think I was lying about wanting what is best for you. But truly, you've made my job easier. I owe you."
COMBATSYS: Aranha dodges Angelo's Black Locust.
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Aranha 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Angelo
Aranha's scissoring legs don't get their intended target. He spins away just in time to see dark slash directed towards him while he's still crouched on the ground he falls backwards as he reaches backwards with one hand and then launches himself up and over pulling himself out of the way of the energy blade in an acrobatic manuever.
He darts forward past Angelo and then leaps to a dumpster and waits for the man to turn around and then he leaps feet first at him driving his foot right for his bread basket and then using the other foot kick off his shoulder to launch him towards a fire escape.
COMBATSYS: Angelo blocks Aranha's Sky's the Limit.
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Aranha 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Angelo
Angelo is a little disappointed by the lack of response. But private disappointment aside, he does have more pressing matters to deal with. For instance; Aranha completely evading his strike. Interesting. The first kick is turned aside with the back of his arm, the attempt to climb on him is also met with the back of his arm, though Aranha is still sailing in the air...
And at this point, Angelo comes forwards, his aim being to slam the back of his elbow into Aranha's spine as the nimbler fighter backs away. Whether or not this hits, he's already turning to face Aranha more directly, however. His head bowing to keep his features hidden in shadow. His irritation is palpable, but he's not quite ready to back down yet.
COMBATSYS: Aranha blocks Angelo's Light Kick.
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Aranha 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Angelo
Aranha's body arcs as he comes down from his attack as he crosses arms to intercept the elbow with his forearms as he lands. The jump towards the fire escape getting aborted due to the brushed aside kick off.
He finds himself rolling backwards before coming back to his feet but he continues to keep in motion, spinning around as he lashes out with a blue spider web of chi.
Aranha continues to keep his silence. He learned ago it was better to keep silent and keep himself focused on the task at hand rather than opening his mouth and letting himself get distracted.
COMBATSYS: Angelo reflects Web Shot from Aranha with Autumn Crocus.
- Power hit! -
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Aranha 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Angelo
In a sudden blur, Angelo spins on his heel. That sickly energy surges and both arms come up. Although he may like to speak whilst he does so, Angelo is a man who is acutely aware of what his opponents are up to. He rarely leaves himself open. And when that blue power comes in for him, his reaction is as practiced and ready as it had been when Aranha first tried to strike him.
The dark energy surges, and turns the shot of power back around. Striking at the perfect angle, extra power surges into it, and taints the blue an unpleasant color as the web rebounds from the wall of power. Shooting back to trap the spider in his own trap.
COMBATSYS: Aranha dodges Angelo's Reflected Web Shot.
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Aranha 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Angelo
To be honest, Aranha isn't surprised when he sees the energy web return to him as tainted as it is. He just didn't think it was his best case scenario. Aranha's own reaction to it as just as practiced as Angelo's. He steps forward while leaning his torso back as he reaches back with both hands. His knees shoot forward and low almost touching the ground. He flips up and over from that position though it still keeps him under his own returned projectile.
He lets his lips curl into a grin and then he crawls on all fours in a way that resembles a spider and then he decides to take a risk. Conservative has earned what has pretty much amounted to a stalemate. Maybe something unexpected will change the pace of the fight. He sends a scything kick to his ankle before planting a hand on the ground and lifting the rest of his body up and kicking out with both feet in what is translated into a mule kick.
COMBATSYS: Angelo fails to counter Colossal Kick from Aranha with Deadly Nightshade.
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Aranha 0/-------/-======|=======\====---\1 Angelo
Angelo believes he sees exactly how this is going to go. Aranha is going to come in at him, and, as he rises for the kick, he will do everything in his power to cripple the extended limb--
But that isn't what happens.
The angle is all wrong. Angelo was, in fact, settling into a nice rhythm, so whilst he steps back from the scything kick, the leaping mule kick catches him completely by surprise. His head snaps to the side, and he is sent flying backwards, to crash, painfully, into the wall. There's a crunch.
And there's insight.
Perhaps, this was the message he needed; if he was going to truly defeat these individuals, he needs to stop responding and going with the same, tried and true strategies he had used throughout his career. He needed to respond. To be, chaotic. Unpredictable. He needs to be the agent of change in fighting as well as in society.
Blood trickles from his lips, staining the back of his wrist as he wipes it away, with a choking chuckle. Unmistakably wet.
"... impressive ..."
And that right there was what gives Aranha insight into the person he's facing off against. Though what the man was attempting to do. He may not be the weapons maven, but there's a significant amount of similarity between the tactics of this man before him and his mutually hated rival.
He doesn't stop attacking. He doesn't want this man to regain his balance but due to his previous experience with Ayame, he doesn't want to put too much pressure on him either. Too much pressure tended to cause the unexpected to happen that wasn't in his favor.
He cartwheels towards Angelo though instead of putting both feet down, he only puts down one foot before pushing out the man with a side kick to the chest.
COMBATSYS: Angelo dodges Aranha's Thrust Kick.
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Aranha 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Angelo
Angelo is many things, but he is not entirely without common sense. His head is ringing with the impact of the last blow. But this realization does seem to have caused him some, consternation. It makes sense; although he is a master of his art, his art is killing, not, necessarily, fighting. This does explain his beating at the hands of Metro's Finest. They are *very* unpredictable. Perhaps Aranha is moreso. Perhaps this is what one needs to be when fighting against others of great talent.
"Thank you, Mr. Mason."
And in that moment, he leaps upwards, grabbing the fire escape above, and flipping up onto it. "It was very educational to speak with you. Perhaps I will have cause to speak with you again. But for now, I wish you, and your Rogues, the very best of luck."
Aranha is going to have to move very quickly if he wants to keep up the attack on the mysterious assassin. Because if he gives him a moment, Angelo continues to leap upwards, dart, and run off. Taking his leave. Admittedly, when he said he would take what he wanted even if Aranha didn't tell him, he intended to beat it out of the man... but instead, he seems to have had it beaten into him. Amusing, but no less successful a venture for it!
COMBATSYS: Angelo takes no action.
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Aranha 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Angelo
Aranha doesn't give chase. Instead he shouts out to the man. "Hey! !Wait up!" He watches as the man run off. While Angelo may have gotten part of the reason for their team's success. He doesn't think that Angelo got all of the details.
Unpredictability was a factor but it wasn't the only one. Aranha's strategy in that fight was the same as this one. Both cases, he was confronted with relative unknowns and so he adjusted his strategy to gather information and when he found something he could use he took advantage. Back then he took advantage of the fact that their team underestimated them. Miracle underestimated Shiden when he kept asking who was the next fighter on their team. Carmine in general seemed to underestimate him when he said, 'Sorry,' and, 'Too slow,' during their fight. In this fight, he seemed to take advantage of the fact that the fight was falling into the same pattern and then used the lull to break the stalement.
Even if Aranha with his speed, and ability as both a traceur and a second story man, he doesn't give chase in spite of the fact that he's probably the best equipped person to catch up to Angelo. If Angelo wants that last bit of information, he's going to have to wait up. If he doesn't, it's Angelo's loss, not his.
COMBATSYS: Aranha takes no action.
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Aranha 0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0 Angelo
Log created on 14:16:15 03/04/2011 by Angelo, and last modified on 07:53:36 03/10/2011.