Description: On a whim, Munin goes to a drive-in movie theatre at 5 AM on an offer of information. In the end, it turns out to be an ambush set up by her attacker the other day. Despite being defeated, crucial information is revealed that she never expected to hear.
At five in the morning even a well-attended drive-in theater is completely abandoned. The sun still not risen and most of the lights in the place turned off creating small pools of light. There's not a car in the whole place, the screen dark as one would expect after hours. Though the speakers dotted around the parking lot release a steady hum of static, crackling in the otherwise silent theater. The invitation had been specific, 'Meet me at the Sunshine City Drive-In at 5:00 am. I have information you would be interested in.'
Despite that, there is no one here, no one in sight anyway, just the annoying, infernal static.
Munin cautiously approaches the place, still some distance away, but not looking entirely happy. Whatever this 'information' is, it better be damn good. She wouldn't normally even accept such a thing if not for her mission, particularly when it's unknown who is sending it, but it may be the lead she needs.
Then again, it may be nothing more than Dan popping out of a cake offering information on his school.
Her eyes glow eerily in the darkness as she glances around. She checks her watch: 5 AM on the dot. Whomever it is, they better show themselves and get this over with so she can go back to bed.
The projector house flickers to life, casting a image on the movie screen. The ubiquitous countdown flashing on the screen. 3. 2. 1... A giant fanged smile flashes up on the screen, a pair of green cat's eyes opening up above the too wide grin. A voice crackles over the speaker, blending with the static. "So. You came. If there's one thing I've learned from life, it's that people almost always want information. Leave it vague and they'll apply their own value to it."
The voice crackles away to static for a moment before resuming. "What is it you're looking for I wonder. Oh well, doesn't really matter now. Does it?" A crackling staticy laugh comes over the speakers. "I got you here. That's what matters. Munin your name is? I watched your fights. Cameras make studying easy."
Glowing violet eyes narrow as she looks first at the projection, then moments later for the source of it. With a quick flick she draws her shortswords, which instantly take on a glow of their own. She calls out "You again! What the HELL is your problem?!". She still has some scarring here and there from where his guns hit their marks in their last encounter. "I already told you *I* wasn't the one your looking for!".
"You think I'd forget the face that left me lying in my own blood to pay for her crimes. No. Nope. Not at all. I /remember/ your face." The glinting light from the projector house continues, spreading the Cheshire grin across the movie screen, the eyes ever scanning the lot. "The style is different, but I can't erase that face from my memory."
He steps from the shadows, the handles of two pistols and a shotgun peeking over his shoulders, his grinning bandana over his mouth as before. He laughs into the microphone he holds up to his mouth one more time before casting it off to the side. "You're lucky I didn't just get a rifle and shoot you from atop that screen. No. I'm going to beat you fair and square."
Munin blinks as he says he recalls her face. It makes no sense. Unless.... Her eyes go wide in suprise "Wait... when you encountered me and i supposedly did what you claim, was i using these to attack you?" she holds up her shortswords "Or something else?".
She doesn't seem to notice, or if she does respond, to his claim to beating her fair and square.
Cheshire draws one of his handguns. Sliding out the clip to look at it before sliding it back in. "Rubber bullets." He raises a brow as he draws out his second gun. "Spear." He spins his guns in his hands a bit before lowering himself down into his combat stance, legs slightly spread. "Less talking, more fighting. Maybe you don't remember, or maybe it was someone else. Either way, you're going to have to prove it to me."
He laughs softly, "Doesn't make sense, I know. But like I said. I don't do /sense/."
COMBATSYS: Cheshire has started a fight here.
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Cheshire 0/-------/-------|
The gears begin to turn in Munins mind. Once he says 'spear', though, she pales, and her voice drops to almost a whisper. "Not a spear.... a naginata...?".
Her expression becomes slightly feral looking "Where is she....". Her tone becomes a near-shout as she suddenly bumrushes towards him "WHERE is she!?!? Tell me or i'll beat you as badly as she did until i DRAG it out of you!"
COMBATSYS: Munin has joined the fight here.
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Cheshire 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Munin
Cheshire gives a slight shrug. "Blade was too busy poking me for me to get a good look at it." One brow goes up slightly as she suddenly charges him. "Hmmm.." His head tilts slightly to the side, almost as if watching some museum curiosity as she moves across the theater lot towards him.
One gun is raised, sighing his target long the barrel of the gun. "Bang." He sunctuates his words with the crack of the handgun firing right at the oncoming target.
COMBATSYS: Munin dodges Cheshire's Trick Shot.
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Cheshire 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Munin
A shadowy afterimage can almost be seen as Munin sidesteps the bullet, so quick is her movement. Her eyes begin to burn with violet light from sheer intensity as she crosses the distance as fast as she is able, teeth clenched in what seems to be anger. Her expression and movements, however, seem almost frantic rather than furious, though.
COMBATSYS: Munin focuses on her next action.
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Cheshire 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Munin
Cheshire remains where he stands, his eyes following Munin as she moves, no more shifting in his stance then to keep his guns aimed at her. "See, this is more how I remember it." He seems almost languid in his motions, completely different from the way he was fighting before. Patient, rather than frantically furious as he was before. He takes another shot at her, punctuated with a chuckle.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire successfully hits Munin with Quick Shot.
- Power hit! -
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Cheshire 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Munin
There is an obvious wince as the rubber bullet impacts the side of Munins cheek, as well as a visible red welt. She barely seems to notice or slow down for it, though, as she moves to the attack. Hopefully closing the range, she hopes, will lessen how effective his firearm use can be.
She whips the flat of one of her blades at the side of his head the moment she gets within range.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire blocks Munin's Fierce Strike.
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Cheshire 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Munin
Cheshire raises one hand, taking the blow along his forearm rather than to the side of his head. He grits his teeth behind the bandana, managing to control his eyes enough to just stare blandly at her. He lifts his other gun, aimed right at her midsection.
"Point blank, bad choice. Powder burns." He pulls the trigger, sending another of the rubber bullets on a short trip toward Munin.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire successfully hits Munin with Medium Shot.
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Cheshire 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Munin
With a grunt of pain, Munin lurches backwards a step as the shot hits her right in the gut. She glares at him momentarily "WHERE did you see my sister!?".
She doesn't wait for a response, however, sending another attack his way. She does try to keep tabs on where his weapon is aimed this time, however.
COMBATSYS: Munin successfully hits Cheshire with Random Strike.
- Power hit! -
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Cheshire 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Munin
Cheshire tries to get out of the way of the blow, but misjudges the direction and instead takes a hit straight to the gut, overlapping one he recieved from her in the previous fight. "Ooomph." He backs away a few steps, shaking his head a little. "Sister, eh? I guess I see the resemblence then."
He keeps his distance away from her, watching her carefully as he resumes his stance. Content to wait for her to come to him.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire focuses on his next action.
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Cheshire 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Munin
Munin wants to do just that. The sooner she has him immobilized, the sooner she can get the information she wants. She has no SNF timetable to keep to make her leave early this time, either!
She glares at him, one sword pointed at his chest as she glares "You WILL tell me where she is, one way or the other!". Those glowing eyes of hers bore into him with their intensity as she waits for his response.
COMBATSYS: Munin gains composure.
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Cheshire 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Munin
Cheshire snorts under his breath. "If I knew where she was, you think I'd be coming after you? Who's not making sense now?" He drops to one knee, both guns coming up in a flash, only a split second between him dropping down and a pair of bullets ripping through the air after a pair of cracks.
COMBATSYS: Munin blocks Cheshire's Trick Shot.
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Cheshire 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Munin
*THWACK* *THWACK* Both rubber bullets are deflected with the flats of her swords, despite the grunt of effort from the sheer blunt velocity to her wrists.
She then leaps fowards, quickly closing the distance, coming down with an overhead attack with both of her blades, each aimed at a shoulder.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire dodges Munin's Heavy Strike.
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Cheshire 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Munin
His eyes lock on Munin as she blocks his bullets, once she moves so does he, finally breaking his stance. Cheshire rolls to the side as Munin jumps, putting distance between himself and where the blade lands.
He comes up in a crouching stance, one of his guns flashing upwards to fire another bullet her way, avoiding closing the distance with her, backing away when she gets close.
COMBATSYS: Munin dodges Cheshire's Medium Shot.
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Cheshire 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Munin
The shot is seen coming, and with a spin of her body, Munin dodges the shot without losing momentum. As she completes the spin, she swings out her sword, sending a wave of shadowy chi hissing through the air towards Cheshire!
COMBATSYS: Cheshire reflects Shadow Wave from Munin with Cheshire Wink.
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Cheshire 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Munin
He gets up to his feet as his bullets are once again avoided. His head tilts only slightly to the side as the wave of energy is lauched in his direction. He lifts one of his arms across his chest, his hand begining to crackle with electrical chi.
He stands directly in the path of the wave, and just as it's about to hit him he backhands it, first stopping the energy then sending it roaring back towards Munin, with his own electrical chi crackling through it.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire successfully hits Munin with Reflected Shadow Wave.
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Cheshire 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Munin
(The Fu-)
Little else goes though Munins mind as she sees him send her attack back her way, with his bare hand no less. She tries to bring up her weapons in a crossblock, but is too slow due to her suprise, and takes her own attack full on.
When the blast clears, she glares at him again over her weapons, eyes once more glowing brightly. Now, however, she is that much the wiser in how to deal with him.
COMBATSYS: Munin focuses on her next action.
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Cheshire 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Munin
Cheshire raises his hand and tugs the bandana down, revealing the real grin hidden behind his fake one. "A little trick I picked up in order to handle her. But it works, don't you think." He pushes off his feet, rushing right towards Munin, then at the last moment veers to the side, taking a pot shot with his guns as he runs by her, spinning on his feet to come face to face with her again.
COMBATSYS: Munin blocks Cheshire's Quick Shot.
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Cheshire 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Munin
*PING!* The rubber shot is once again deflected by one of her swords. She frowns at him as she comes around in another hard strike aimed at the side of his head. So much for her projectile attack. It's just too risky.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire dodges Munin's Fierce Strike.
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Cheshire 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Munin
Cheshire's eyes go wide as the sword comes towards his head. "Woopsie!" He ducks low under the sword. He pops his head up again as the sword passes, chuckling almost giddily as he brings up his hand, crackling against with chi. He blasts off a ball of the energy towards the swordswoman. "Boom."
COMBATSYS: Munin fails to interrupt Little Bat from Cheshire with Terminal Response.
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Cheshire 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Munin
Seeing him duck, then come up, shadowy chi forms around Munins eyes and mouth as she brings up her swords in an attempt to counter-attack. She isn't fast enough, however, and shouts in pain as the chi strikes her.
She weaves back and forth afterwards, steaming from the electrical energy of his chi, dazed momentarily.
Cheshire steps back, though his pistols come up in front of him, appearantly not beyond taking advantage of his opponent's stunned state. "Sorry, I still intend to beat you. Even if you're not the one I want, I need the practice." He pulls the trigger on the gun, taking his time to aim the shot first.
COMBATSYS: Munin blocks Cheshire's Trick Shot.
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Cheshire 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Munin
The shortswords fly up at the last moment, deflecting the majority of the bullets impact. She looks up momentarily before rushing at him, jabbing with both weapons! She is starting to tire, and words are not coming as easily as action. Her mind is also beginning to wander as a result....
COMBATSYS: Munin successfully hits Cheshire with Twin Impale.
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Cheshire 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Munin
Cheshire brings his arms and guns up in an attempt to deflect the twin swords, instead misjudging the block and taking twin cuts along his arms for his trouble. His grin fades for a moment, teeth bared as he tries to shake the pain from fogging his thoughts. His eyes narrow, his casual nature draining away quickly. He backs up a step taking a moment to catch his breath after the hit.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire gains composure.
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Cheshire 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Munin
She isn't about to give him breathing room if she can help it. Munin rushes in, coming low and hard with both blades again, aiming one at his gut, and the other at his ribs!
COMBATSYS: Munin successfully hits Cheshire with Deep Strike.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Cheshire 1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0 Munin
Cheshire grunts from the twin impacts, taking the blows right on. He rolls across the ground, trying to collect himself as he comes back up to his feet. "Damn it. Sometimes I think my luck just likes screwing with me." It doesn't stop him from bringing up his gun and firing of another pot shot towards her.
COMBATSYS: Munin dodges Cheshire's Medium Shot.
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Cheshire 1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0 Munin
Munin quickly steps sideways and forwards, the shot zipping past her torso as she goes for another strike, trying to press her advantage.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire blocks Munin's Medium Strike.
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Cheshire 1/---====/=======|======-\-------\0 Munin
Cheshire raises a gun to block the blow, the second one rising only slightly in a different direction, aiming towards the ground. "Dance." A pair of bullets are fired down at the swordswoman's legs and feet.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire successfully hits Munin with Hatter.
[ \\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Cheshire 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\1 Munin
The shots strike true, causing pain to shoot through Munins legs as the rubber bullets do their work. She quickly tries to grab his arm, and go for a throw, gritting away the pain as best she can.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire interrupts Medium Throw from Munin with Queen of Hearts.
[ \\\ < > //// ]
Cheshire 0/-------/-----==|=======\====---\1 Munin
Cheshire drops one of his guns as Munin pulls him close. As she grabs him his eyes and mouth burst into an almost manic glee. He reaches behind him with his free hand, grasping the shotgun and pulling it over his shoulder. With the skill only someone trained in close quarters grappling could achieve he twists the throw back on his opponent, to shove her back against the ground. Once he's clear he raises the shotgun and fires off a spray of rubber shot point black at his hapless opponent.
OW! Munin winces as she gets shot point blank by the rubber spray. The spot on her back is hurting bad enough that it's actually gone numb. With a snarl, she rolls sideways, pushing herself up, and swinging her blade in a quick snap attack, aimed at his head. She hurts too much to put too much force into the attack, however.
COMBATSYS: Cheshire reflects Weapon Jab from Munin with Cheshire Wink.
[ \ < > / ]
Cheshire 0/-------/------=|=======\======-\1 Munin
Cheshire brings up his hand again, once more crackling with the energe. He backhands the sword, the two chi attacks crackling as they contact eachother, once more the electrical blasting the other back towards his opponent.
Munins head snaps back as her chi is fed back into her body, and she wavers. She loses her footing, spent, and stabs down, aiming for Cheshires foot with the tip. The act is as much to strike him one last time in sheer stubbornness as to catch herself before she hits the ground. She isn't unconscious, but her body is radiating too much pain, particularly from that shotgun hit, to move....
COMBATSYS: Munin can no longer fight.
[ \ <
Cheshire 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Cheshire dodges Munin's Weapon Jab.
[ \ <
Cheshire 0/-------/------=|
Cheshire sighs and moves his foot aside. He places his guns back in their sheathes, and without saying anything turns and walks over to where he dropped the third, crouching stiffly to pick up the weapon. With the adrenaline from the fight draining away he moves with a bit of a stumble, obviously barely standing himself.
He turns to look over his shoulder at the woman, then pulls a card from his pocket. He lets the bit of cardboard drop from his hand to the ground a few feet away. "When you feel up to it. Give me a call. I'll tell you what I know. Thanks for the fight, maybe we can dance again sometime." He flashes his grin again as he makes his way from the drive-in.
For her part, Munin doesn't respond. She just sits there. Her body shakes with the pain it's experienceing, and her head hangs as she catches her breath.
Her mind, however, is elsewhere, as it has been the entire fight. As her face is hidden by the darkness, the tears she has are invisible to anyone else. The idea of her sister being alive is strong enough and significent enough to overwhelm her thick emotional barriers.
It is some time before she comes to her senses enough to limp back to her apartment.
Log created on 12:37:30 02/08/2012 by Munin, and last modified on 20:22:37 02/08/2012.