Description: Ken and Geese have a meeting about the state and fate of the world, also they spar on a very, very large yacht.
There's business, and then there's /business/. Men like Geese Howard and Ken Masters always, /always/ conduct the latter. A strong and very bald fellow with a Russian accent meets Ken at the helipad, a sleek black helicopter already spinning up its rotors as two assistants provide him refreshments and a last chance to use the restroom on the ride up to the waiting aircraft. Its pilot is a dark-skinned man, tan as can be and almost too cheerful for words, who greets Masters with a thumbs up and an enthusiastic, "Great day to fly, Mr. Masters. We're looking at a flight time of forty-five minutes, with an absolutely spectacular view and no turbulence to speak of. Saw a pod of dolphins on my way down here."
The thoroughly worldly Mr. Masters could probably place this fellow, who says his name is Diego, or just Flyboy, as Spanish. From the southern coast, even. The formidable, somewhat standoffish Russian? Well, that's Ripper, Geese's bodyguard. Ken should already know that, of course. All the pilot's chatter comes through with a slight electronic resonance through the headset offered to Ken as he comes aboard the futuristic rotorcraft. Then they're off, over the seas, winging away from Ken's Seattle highrise and off over the vast Pacific.
It wouldn't be a bad day for a trip to the Hawaiian islands, that's for sure - evening draws its curtain across the sky as the chopper carries its trio to their rendevous, a gleaming white fortress-island unto itself, the massive and powerful superyacht known as the Golden Geese. A ghost ship in recent years, since Howard's 'death', despite the vessel's size its electronic warfare suites are massive - and unlike other battleships, from other syndicates with fewer letters, the Golden Geese is never a weapon; it is a retreat, a powerful tool - and yes, a massive luxury. Nearly five hundred feet from bow to stern, plenty of room for the swift VTOL to settle atop the helipad towards the latter, the pilot bidding Ken and Ripper good day with another contented thumbs up, and a white-toothed grin. "Good evening Mr. Masters, Mr. Ripper, sirs!"
Ripper nods, grins, and hands the guy a fifty as he exits the chopper. "Mr. Howard'll see you on the uppermost observation deck. Straight to the lift at the end of the hall." There's a nod. Ken is trusted here, it seems, to an extent. Because Geese's 'bodyguard' angles off towards one of the wet bars, instead. There's another offer of refreshments from a lovely asian woman, along with a gi in Ken's size and style if he happens to have forgotten his. The indicated lift? Well, that rises two -more- decks beyond the well and truly elevated helipad level, to a perfectly symmetrical, rounded square room that is exactly what it said on the tin. Observation deck. Right now, the reinforced glass is all retracted, the vast space open to the air, providing an unimpeded view of the unending, darkening waves beyond the sailing citadel.
Geese waits at the very edge, at the farthest point forward, wearing his dogi and hakama. His feet are bare. His hand holds a glass of fine red wine, brought aboard in Italy years, and years before. Another is already poured for Ken, the bottle sitting beside it on the room's only current appointment, a sleek table fitted into one of the four corners of the wall connected floor to ceiling, the only thing that seperates one from open air at all, just now. Geese raises his glass in toast to Ken. "You made it." Howard observes, pleasantly enough. So he did. Geese knew he would. "You know what I've been telling you is true. We can accomplish more working together than apart. For ourselves... for the world." It's why Ken came. Right? Geese is -ever- a true, stalwart, heart-of-gold optimist.
While Ken is generally the fountain of conversation with nearly everyone he meets, this time however he's remaining rather silent. He's agreed to meet with Howard, especially after his own men have finally finished compiling eighteen seperate reports on some of the more questionable aspects that Geese Howard is generally associated with. Most of then range from generally harmless to harmless(?).
Of course, the blonde Ansatsuken master had known already that Geese is a man with a very shady past. Some of the things in the reports confirmed his own thoughts, while the rest dismissed some of the more heavy handed things he had worried about.
Once the VTOL lands upon the yacht, Ken gives a short nod to Ripper as he slings his own bag over his shoulder. Ryu may be famed for this kind of thing, but there are times where Ken can pull it off and look just as intimidating. It doesn't take him long to find Geese, and while the mafiaso may be once more trying to once more sink his teeth into an alliance with Ken, the blonde man isn't really fully sold either way.
"Well, I do know that we could both make the world a better place, however I'm not quite fully sold just yet." The generally crimson clad man does however set his bag down to pick up the glass of wine that has been poured for him. The glass is raised towards Geese, returning the gesture.
"All I ever ask for is honesty. I do my best to give it to everyone I meet and interact with, wether its personal or for business. I can only hope to believe you're continuing to give me the same."
"I.. am not a naive man, Ken." Geese helped Masters back from a murderous bender, maybed saved two or three hobos. They're friends. "No one is honest to 'everyone' they 'meet and interact with'." Howard notes with a smirk, turning gracefully to face Ken fully, before lifting his glass to his lips. Despite his (ALLEGED) past with ledges, he doesn't seem at all ill at ease by the dropoff, or the sea breeze whipping a blonde ponytail out behind him, its length restrained by crimson leather that matches his ornately etched bracers.
"Particularly not a media mogul, keenly aware of the power of propaganda, sensationalism.. spin. You have your image, your walls. What you show your wife and son, what you show Ryu..." Intriguing Ryu, and his Sagat-slaying power. Geese hasn't forgotten it, after all these years, but if it's surfaced? Howard knows not where. ".. What you show your allies, your friends. Your staff, your extended family, your enemies. You are not honest with everyone, all the time, because if you were..." Geese pauses, to sip a healthy, tastebud teasing swallow from his wineglass, eyeing Ken over the fine crystal with icy blue eyes, "You would be a fool." Howard seems calmly sure of that.
"Even your statement, now." Howard waves a hand dismissively, "Rehearsed, the image you want me to see." Despite the seemingly critical words, Geese smiles, a relaxed smile.. one of the rare ones on the oft-smirking, oft-grinning overlord. "I can tell you I'll give you the truth, but you'll only believe me.. as far as you choose to believe me. I am telling you forces far darker than I are tearing this planet apart with strife, and someday, idiots on all sides should stop playing into the hands of fiends." Lightning gathers on the horizon, arcing down in triple columns, striking sky to shadowed ocean in swift succession. Initially, the swift-moving storm is silent.
"I am telling you that in the Syndicate's absence.." Howard plucks a manilla folder out from under the winebottle, crossing the room past Ken, and enjoying a bit more of his own drink. ".. in our absence, cities and institutions worldwide have fallen to junkies, to psychotics. Strip miners who'll rip everything we both care about, from places that can never be recovered, if lost." The dossier itself details a drug cartel in Miami. A massive string of murders, mostly gangbangers, with lethargic response from corrupt and vastly underequipped law enforcement. "The campaign to topple me /should/ be all the evidence you need. The world since. Is Southtown safer? Is anyone? Don't forget that 'Lord' Vega was one of the allies that helped to seize Southtown for its 'liberator'. So quick and predictable to villify and mistrust... right into their hands." The world at large just.. disappoints Geese.
The blonde smirks, now. That's more familiar, as he passes Ken and walks back towards the lift, the only exit from the observation deck that's not 'off'. The wineglass clinks as he sets it down, lightly, gently. "But, if we're being so honest... let's not pretend there's a real choice, here. No one is ready for another war, and we both know I could provide one, if I had to. The forces acting against you and yours for years now have been largely successful, the world's ability to resist, continually diminished. That an insane Psychic could strike so hard against the infrastructure you so value, it proves that much. Even if you don't trust me in the least, you need to keep me close, to keep an eye on things, to make sure I keep my word. To make sure I'm actually not planning to send my people to kill thousands, tens of thousands, worldwide." As Geese says - the Global Military Complex already has a bloody nose. People can't take it. Neither can Ken's sport, his business.
Howard waves a hand once more. "I'm not, of course." Even if he claims, without batting an eye, to be able. "Step one is stability, Ken. We can both agree on that." The classicly clad crimeboss moves to the center of the observation deck, as thunder rolls over the ship with bone-rumbling intensity. Geese turns to face Masters, eyes narrowing, "Come, let us speak with pure honesty, if you -truly- wish it." The /real/ language. Howard gestures Ken forward, too calmly, too lazily.
COMBATSYS: Geese has started a fight here on the right meter side. You cannot escape wrong death.
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|=------\-------\0 Geese
COMBATSYS: Geese takes no action.
> //////////////////////////////]
|=------\-------\0 Geese
"I try to to be. You may consider me to be a fool in your eyes, but it just doesn't feel right to be that way for me." Ken shrugs his shoulders as he sips the glass of wine, watching Geese intently. While Geese continues to speak, Ken reads over the dossier more closely. A slight frown appears on his face as he reads over the information. It truly is a massive change from the life he generally tries to lead.
"Vega was a madman who drowned himself in the desire for power. Better men have also gone down that road, only to find themselves becoming the nightmares we all share." It doesn't change the fact that Geese is right, and Ken can't even try to argue it. The world can't stand another war at this point in time, especially by someone who can easily attain the resources needed to fund it. "I can't say you're wrong. It's true that the world is still in a bad shape overall because of what Vega did."
"What worries me about you is just that. You could easily start a new conflict, and bring the world to its knees. But, the one thing I've thats been on my mind the most about you is this: If the world were to be a better place if you did not hold the power that you do, would you willingly give it up?"
Once Geese gives the challenge, Ken moves to set his own glass down upon the table. Kneeling to rummage about in that traveling bag he brought along with him, he pulls out the crimson gi that he is famed for. It doesn't take him long to change into a more suitable attire for what Geese now has in mind. Once changed, he sees that Geese is offering him the first strike. It's obvious this isn't meant to be a dual to settle a dispute, but one to offer more of an understanding. No matter what, a heart of a warrior resides in both of these men.
Quickly launching himself forward, Ken's right fist flies forward, seemingly to act as if it were a simple jab, only to prove just how wrong of an assessment that would be if it strikes Geese true. The blonde Ansatsuken master will follw up with a simple grab, only to attempt and deliver a simple yet effective grapple that'll send Geese to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Ken has joined the fight here.
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Ken 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Geese
COMBATSYS: Geese counters Combo Grapple from Ken with Combo Throw.
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Ken 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Geese
"I don't deal with fools." Geese makes that much perfectly clear, just as coolly. If he thought Masters were truly an idiot, well. He could just have the man mauled and thrown overboard. Save them both a great deal of trouble! "Vega... /is/ a fool. I'm not sure he's truly a man anymore, more ridden by power itself." Not a state Geese envies, the observation accompanied by a slow, almost sad shake of his head. "I could. Or -we- could stop the next tyrant who tries to sell their very soul for power." It's a compelling argument, to be certain.
"You cannot give -up- power, Ken Masters. If you have power..." Ken's skill is paramount - among the best in the world. His precision, execution, it's all impeccable - and still the almost lazy invitation is met by improvised and instantaneous response. Geese slides back on his right foot as Ken's jab launches in, deflecting it smoothly wide as he steps in on the Ansatsuken expert. Ken's other hand seeks to salvage the grab, and serves only to play into Howard's hands. Literally, and figuratively. Ken's left arm is a momentary prisoner as Geese abruptly steps around him, flexing the blonde battler's limb up and back and forcing him towards the ground in a brutal sweeping motion that would snap the arm of a lesser man.
"Moments of destiny, moments of fire will -FIND- you!!" it echoes with another clap of thunder, intensifying bolts of lightning. The crack of Geese's hand as it chops sidelong into the grounded Ken's skull, sending him clear as if the course were predestined as well. "You already know that. How many times have you tried to go home and be a family man, Ken? How many?" Geese chuckles lightly, an earthy, if soft rumble. "People are not here to change, people are here to fight, to strive for purpose.. to make something greater as humanity, no longer leveraged by gods or demons."
It doesn't take long for Ken to remain grounded after being brutalized so readily by Geese. It's painfully obvious to the blonde Ansatsuken master that his own cockiness once more got the better of him when dealing with an opponent that is far more experienced then he is. He could continue rushing in headlong, but that might just get him beaten even more.
Rolling his now sore shoulder around a few times to work the kinks out, Ken stares once more at Geese, thinking about what the older man has just said. Some of what is said echoes with things that he had been told so many years before by a man that was just that: something greater.
"It's how we handle our destiny that shapes the world we leave behind." A slight grin creeps onto Ken's face as he slides back into his own familiar stance, finally working out those kinks that always seem to hinder him at times when he now does battle. Once more he moves towards Geese, this time allowing himself to spin on the ball of his left foot, bringing the right foot crashing forward towards the other man's head with enough force to drop lesser fighters with ease. It truly has been sometime since had a match where he was at the true disadvantage.
COMBATSYS: Geese blocks Ken's Inazuma Kakato Wari.
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Ken 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Geese
Of the many things Geese Howard could be accused of, seldom is he shortsighted or impatient. ... or at least, allowing impatience to show. While finding oneself in close quarters with the master of redirection, timing, and leverage can be risky... many can attest that failing to press Geese can be an even more fatal mistake. "Indeed." the Syndicate Head agrees, shifting from a nigh-intangible swiftness of foot to an anchored lunge. Geese may be older than Ken, but the elder warrior is not /weaker/. Howard works rather hard to maintain his prime condition - as experience exponentially fuels the techniques of ancient masters both cooperative... and not.
Ken's foot meets squared forearm and elbow, the hardened guard literally heaving the assault back with a full-body flex, averting Ken's momentum before he even truly strikes. It stings at the point of impact, his forearm ringing, but it doesn't show on Howard's stern face, eyes icy pricks of perfectly composed intensity as they lock onto Ken. They may not be so far apart, two masters in their art... but Geese sure has a way of making it seem that way, some nights.
Darkness seems to swallow the ship up in an instant, as rain pelts the hull and ceiling loudly, rolling in around them with an impressive clamor. Still more or less in the center of the room, Geese fires back at the (hopefully!) off-balance Masters, fingers of his right hand flexing with viselike force as he cleaves an arc skyward, energy pouring from the motion as the arena floor before him erupts in a waist-high wave of ragged chi. Blues light and dark crackle with near-black edges as the reaving, icy blade of pure will all but flashes from one man to the next, threatening to consume Ken in nearly the instant it's conjured. "REPPUKEN!!"
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Geese's Reppuken.
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Ken 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Geese
While Geese may be stoic and hiding the emotion on his face, Ken is doing nothing of the sort. An almost estatic look rests on his face as Howard meets his kick with those steel-like arms of his. While he may love his wife and son, this is the one thing he truly cannot live without.
While Geese starts summoning his own chi in those brief microseconds after Ken's leg had collided, its enough to allow instinct to take over. He may not have much time to muster a true defense, but some is better then none as he leaps backwards. Arms cross as the blast of chi slams into him while he remains mid-air, allowing the force of the attack to give him even more space between himself and Geese. It's not the most brilliant of strategies, but its one that does work.
"Man, those things kind of sting, 'ya know?"
It's been said numerous times that if Ken were to ever apply himself like his brother-in-arms, the blonde Ansatsuken master would have long surpassed the headband wearing hobo, and its usually with fights like these that the natural talent Ken holds within him truly starts to leak outward.
Chi starts to swell within the younger man as he brings his hands together, rapidly forming the famous bluish-white ball that has been the bane of many fighters. It doesn't take much to pull together, but once it's thrust forward, there is a hope it'll strike its target true. "HAAADOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Ken successfully hits Geese with Hadouken.
- Power hit! -
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Ken 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Geese
Geese is finally moved from the center of the room, and profoundly. The Hadouken that rips back along the path moments before dominated by his fierce Reppuken reaves into a half-aligned guard once more, but the fire splashes around and over it, ripping through Geese's frame and sending the sturdily adaptive warrior staggering, sliding back across the panoramic arena's smooth floor. While Ken's show of defense is superior, this time, there's no mystery to the fact that most lesser fighters would've been taken off their feet entirely, by that blast.
Blue-white energy cleaves around and through him, erupting out the sides of the impact, as the Hadouken erupts into a shockwave tangible even over the thunder as Howard is forced back, and to a knee, fingers grazing the waterborn tower as he comes to a stop with an entertained "Heh!". Geese smirks lightly, "Would it make you feel better, if I said the same?" Sure, it stung. It takes a certain breed of chiblast to -really- impress Howard, however.
As Howard rights his stance, he slips out of his dogi, leaving it hanging behind him over his hakama and bearing scarred yet honed physique to THE WORLD. Or in this case, the only other person present for this unusual spar in equally unusual surroundings. ... at least if one isn't Geese. It would become clear to Ken that, even in the midst of being blasted back by the formidable Hadouken, Geese has been studying him. Measuring every motion, sensing the gathering storm less surely than the one within Masters - it's all locked out, except for the Ansatsuken expert's own strengths, and style.
The entire exchange leaves Geese smiling a little smile out of one corner of his mouth, quietly bemused at an unspoken observation... as smoke rises and dissipates from the point of contact, wavering away from Howard's own fearsome aura.
COMBATSYS: Geese calculates his next move.
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Ken 0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0 Geese
"It might!" Ken rolls his head to the side, forcing a loud pop from his neck. While he may be impressing Geese with his own prowess now, it's not something he's truly going to focus on. He's being studied, and its up to him to ensure that Geese doesn't quite pass this exam with ease.
The sheer power that Geese exudes is impressive to Ken, making him almost lose his concentration just to see how far those wells of energy within Geese really go.
"Hrm."
Ken stares at Geese for a few moments, only to drop out of his stance to adjust his gloves once again. It's obvious these tactics won't really go that far, but it could be quite enough to make the elder blonde question just what exactly is going on. "So, I take it you're getting a bit serious? Man. I guess I might as well do the same."
Ken's muscles tense slightly as he moves back into his stance. The blonde Ansatsuken master exhales, allowing his own chi to start to surge forward. It's obvious this is starting to get rather intense.
COMBATSYS: Ken starts to get serious!
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Ken 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Geese
"Hmph." Geese snorts, derisively, but not really. He's not leaping to sing the praises of the Hadouken, but then - the searing impact of the instants before will just have to be gratification enough for Masters. As far as being confused by Ken's feigned indecision? Geese doesn't really seem caught up in it, admittedly. He watches and waits with a knowing little smile, while no longer -relaxed-, rather far from it... the Syndicate head seems to have a leisurely enough attitude. At least, until he moves.
"You already know..." Geese is on Ken in an instant, crossing the last span of space between the men with a twist of his upper body, slashing his right hand around in a swift chop for the side of the Ansatsuken expert's neck. It's followed by a rotation that seems born of the same motion, the same instant, as Geese's left foot sliiiides swiftly forward, anchoring and abruptly bringing him lunging forth in a sidelong, straight jab square for the center of Ken's face, courtesy of the crimelord's accompanying hand.
"We have no time for games!" In a match between martial artists of this level. In the lives and times that face them both. Geese Howard is a serious man.
COMBATSYS: Ken dodges Geese's Quick Punch.
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Ken 1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0 Geese
Ken's eyebrows arch slightly as Geese finally goes on the offense once again, rapidly closing the space between them with relative ease. As each blow is launched towards Ken, he narrowly moves a step back, allowing each one to just barely miss him. It's a damned good thing too, because that really would have hurt.
"Well, if we did have time for them, I did bring my controller. Just sayin'." Sure, Ken's serious, but nowhere as much as Geese seems to be. Maybe Ken could get some lessons there on it. Once it seems that the temporary volley of blows has ceased, the Blonde Ansatsuken man decides to retaliate once again.
Quickly moving back in close to Geese, Ken's hands fly towards the dogi, seeking to grab ahold of it. It all depends on this critical first move for what is suppossed to follow to happen: Geese will find himself being lifted into the air as Ken flings himself backwards, using the older man's weight against him in a powerful judo throw, only to find a foot being planted into his stomach in order to add that extra bit of force to send Geese flying like his namesake.
COMBATSYS: Geese counters Jigoku-guruma from Ken with Chuudan Atemi Nage.
-+- CALCULATED HIT -+-
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Ken 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\1 Geese
It's not the outcome Geese would have ideally sought, but somehow? It comes across feeling like a plot he wrote, nonetheless. The mighty swipe and strike of his hand and fist find only air, an ominous whoosh sounding with each absent impact, that much speed and power behind every instant of that abrupt assault. Ken barely evades, and it puts him close enough to seek immediate reprisal. ... right where Geese Howard wants him. Ken's hands dart in for Geese's chest, but the contact is Howard's own forearms, slamming upwards and into a quick, circular motion, locking both of Ken's limbs within his own, at his sides, his open palms at Ken's chest. Geese smirks. Ken explodes.
The white-blue shockwave forms a ball of luminescence that all but consumes the Ansatsuken expert in icily radiant energy, erupting in a cold snap that's almost too swift a flash to be tracked by the eye. It pours from his palms, tears through Ken, and launches Gouken's flippant disciple away from Geese, torn from his honed grapple with deceptive ease, despite Ken's strides and the blows imparted to the nightmarish, masterful grappler.
"Oof." The way Ken slams into the ground once more leaves him rather winded and dazed. It's not really something he fully expected, but Geese is an opponent he doesn't quite know how to deal with. While he lays there catching his breath, he stares up at the ceiling, taking in the great detail of what he sees. "Man. You've gone all out for this boat. Who'd you get to paint the ceiling?" Yes Ken, continue to talk about nonsense as you're getting your ass handed to you.
Once he does finally choose to get back up to his feet, he scratches the back of his head, trying to really decide on what to try next. It's obvious that Geese isn't the person to try and grab now. "Oh. Right. Got distracted by your ceiling."
Once more Ken rushes forward, this time throwing his weight into his next attack, twisting his body in order to add some extra mometum as he extends out his right leg, seeking to slam it into the side of Geese.
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Ken 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0 Geese
COMBATSYS: Geese dodges Ken's Medium Kick.
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Ken 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0 Geese
Conversely, Ken is an opponent Geese has watched for years. His appearances in SNF and tournaments once under Howard's ownership, his relationship with the alarming power in his evolved style... in recent days, the manipulation of media enterprises that once belonged to Geese himself. The style is strong - it's one that Howard hasn't always been able to keep in line - but this evening, he makes a steady effort to stay that one step ahead of Ken Masters in the physical arena, as well.
"This ship is the product of dozens of artisans, and untold manhours." Geese helpfully informs Ken, a slight smile creeping onto his dangerously intent features. "A mastework of vision greater than any of their skills." He's gone in the next beat, surprisingly agile as the powerful crimelord weaves smoothly under Ken's swinging leg, dropping back and groundward with acceleration equalling the assault. He passes the opposite direction, coming up on Ken's exposed flank. "In need of coordination and vigilance." Ken gets that much warning.
Then Geese's left arm snaps around, forearm at neck level, as he seeks to sweep Ken's anchoring leg out from under him. Should he find his leverage, Geese will abruptly invert his airmail delivery, and lunge forward, launching Masters as if from a cannon, into the reinforced wall at the far corner of the arena. "Order, your much maligned control, Ken Masters. /Greater/ than the wild ambition of any man! The only way we will stop those consumed only by /chaos/."
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Geese's Medium Throw.
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Ken 1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0 Geese
It doesn't really matter right now at all to Ken to really win this, as he's having more fun just testing different tactics against one of what could be considered one of the worlds most dangerous men. Nor does it really occur that this sort of lax attitude will result in him getting beaten down entirely. That would be kind of a bad thing.
A slight grin appears on Ken's face as Geese explains everything about his ship, only to allow himself to be grabbed, and flung like he was a newspaper. His body tenses as he rolls his body up, slamming into the wall with his feet. His teeth rattle slightly from the force, but it would have been a lot worse if he hadn't of absorbed the impact as much as he did.
"Well, chaos really is a natural thing as well!" The blonde Ansatsuken master quickly pushes himself off the wall, allowing for the extra momentum to fuel his next assault upon Geese. His body rotates violently as he extends out his right leg, creating a force of air that propels him towards the older man, seeking to pull his opponent into a violent assault of mid-air kicks that'll batter the defenses of must who face it. "TATSUMAKI SENPUU KYAKU!"
COMBATSYS: Geese fails to interrupt Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku from Ken with Raging Storm.
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Ken 1/---====/=======|=====--\-------\0 Geese
"Brutality is very natural. War for resources. We are talking about rising -above- our natures!" Geese should, perhaps, talk a bit less and fight a bit more, however. Because Ken's return may have been planned, but the sheer velocity with which the Ansatsuken expert turns it around was not. Power surges within Geese, bluish, ragged edges erupting from his aura, and he drops into a crouch... perfectly aligned for Ken's foot to take his head clean off. It bounces across the floor and rolls into a corner... or at least, feels kind of like that, as one, two, three blows resound across Howard's skull and drop the blonde crimeboss right out of his preparations, launching him from ready to prone, sliding on his back towards the -other- edge of the arena with a groan.
The exiled Emperor of Southtown backflips back to his feet, coming to rest right at the watery edge, the storm blowing in to douse him with wind and rain, ponytail fluttering back out before him as he turns to face Ken anew, grinning dangerously as eyes narrow. "So, so barely, Ken Masters." He almost had him, right there. Now, of course... Ken has his own cards to play.
"Barely still counts." Ken winks at Geese as he takes a few steps back, trying to buy himself a bit of time to regain some of his lost stamina. The need for some of that stamina is great, but its obvious it isn't going to come easy. Maybe its time to start annoying Geese in a way he may not be used to.
"So, I need to ask you something. I honestly think it might be some of the most important conversation we have here today." A look of absolute seriousness crosses Ken's face as he clenches his fists, doing his best to try and convey just how much this possibly could mean to him.
"Geese Howard. I need to know. How much wood, could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"
The sheer fact that Ken said this with a straight face is enough to amaze most anyone who faces him, but what's next really wouldn't come as a surprise. Hoping that what he just said is enough to make Geese scratch his head and wonder if he did permenant brain damage to Ken, he'll attempt to capitalize on it as chi suddenly explodes to life upon his right leg.
Swinging that chi enveloped towards Geese causes it to explode into a violent fire, as he now cartwheels towards the mafioso, hoping to drag him into what could be considered one of the most devistating of Ken's own attacks. Chi-flamed kick after kick will come, almost as if it were a never ending assault of flames and blunt force trauma, only for it to end with the two of them going into the air as flames surround them.
"GUREN SENPUU KYAKU!"
COMBATSYS: Geese fails to counter Guren Senpuukyaku from Ken with Chuudan Atemi Nage.
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Ken 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Geese
It's probably not that Ken manages to disorient Geese with a random tongue-twister, so much as the sheer force and fury of the fire-filled followup, but regardless of the root of the problem - Geese has one. The flurry of inferno-fueled strikes drive past the crimelord's attempted intercession, and he's blasted off his feet and upwards in that torrent of force and fire, the end result being pain.
Not to mention a bit of blood, but at least Ken doesn't kick him into the ocean. It's not an outcome Geese didn't weigh coming into this - as forcefully as he kept Ken off balance and at his mercy, the Ansatsuken expert has turned the tables, the trap that was sprung failing him time and again. If only Howard were a man who could be defeated so easily.
Skidding to a crouch, and shakily starting to rise, Geese smirks back at Ken, "As much as he could, Ken Masters." He offers simply, in dry tones, past the trickle of blood down his features.
"Interesting. I never thought about it like that." Ken steps back away from Geese, carefully monitoring the man to see just what exactly he's going to do next. It's obvious that he may have gone a bit to far with that last move, and now Howard is most likely going to be hell bent on returning the pain ten-fold.
Ken's lungs expand as he takes in a deep breath. He could try to continue his own streak of violence upon Geese, but he's not quite sure thats what he wants to do. To him, this isn't supposed to have a clear winner. Even the best of friends still disagree on things, and while Geese is merely an acquaintance, he wouldn't expect it to truly defer there either.
"I'm not going to say I'll ever be one hundred percent with your goals, but I do agree with you on a few points."
Once more he takes a deep breath, this time trying to regain his own focus. Geese could take his words in a number of ways, and he'll have to prepare himself for whatever the elder man may choose to do.
COMBATSYS: Ken focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Ken 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Geese
Returning the pain tenfold might be a good idea - if, of course, Geese could see straight. There's no way he's going to be taking the fight to Ken properly in his current state, so instead the Syndicate head rights himself, pushing back to a wide, ready stance, forcing his arms to answer his call as he channels more of that infamous power, draws a steadier breath, finds his footing fully once more.
"One hundred percent agreement is reserved for weak lackeys and fools, Masters." Geese observes simply, flexing his hands and holding them ready at his sides as he twists to face Ken once more, sidelong. Eyeing the Ansatsuken expert over his left shoulder, Howard simply chuckles, the quiet laughter shaking his chest. "
You fight better than I recall, but this conversation is not finished, yet." There was no mistake in his calculation of Ken's measure.. only the steps taken to meet it. To the end, Geese focuses in, seeking that flaw that he can seize to regain dominance. Bloodied or not, Howard means to give Ken a real fight, still. Even if it is a rare and dangerous fellow who can make Geese Howard sweat like this.
COMBATSYS: Geese calculates his next move.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Ken 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Geese
"I thought you already said I was a fool?" Ken holds up his right hand, and starts counting down the number of times so far Geese has called him a fool today. "..At least three or four so far. Maybe." A bright smile crosses Ken's face as he lowers his hand, once more seeking to continue this showdown that the rest of the world will never truly know about.
He's already feeling his own fatigue, knowing full well that until Geese is down, this match could truly go any ways. "So after this, I say we get some hotdogs. I don't know why, but I really think that it'll be the thing that really hits the spot."
While Ken continues to talk he's once more gathering his chi, creating another ball of bluish-white energy. The blast of chi is sent forward, aimed straight for the stomach of the elder blonde. "HADOUKEEEEN!"
COMBATSYS: Geese blocks Ken's Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Ken 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Geese
"I /said/..." Geese reiterates, restating the point verbatim as Ken revisits the accusation, "I don't /deal/ with fools!" Though by the tone of his voice, Ken is pushing the border of that definition, here. One would think the woodchucks would have given him away, right? Of course, he also said that one could make themselves a fool by living any number of ways that... Ken clearly doesn't live, in Howard's estimation.
This time, the Syndicate boss heaves a limb into the Hadouken squarely, the luminescent blast erupting outwards as it sears his arm. The forceful backhand all but knocks it away, as Geese leaps past it, seeking to simply overpower Ken's guard with a weaving lunge, led by his right hand for Masters' throat. Ken would be hefted, jerked forward, and then /heaved/ squarely into the corner wall, should Geese find his grip. Food will just have to wait.
COMBATSYS: Ken blocks Geese's Choke Hold.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Ken 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Geese
Ken blinks as he finds himself being grabbed ahold of once again, putting his feet behind him to overcome the force of Geese's attack. He winces slightly as he's pushed into the wall, tensing his muscles to try and prevent as much damage as he can. "Well, we have different approaches to things, right?"
Quickly slipping out of Geese's grasp, Ken starts summoning his chi once again as he moves to the side of the man. The former kingpin of Southtown may have been keeping his eyes on Ken for some time now, but there's always things that're better to experience in person, then to see.
Ducking down low, Ken allows chi to spread across his right fist, covering it in a thin veil of flames. It's obvious what he's about to attempt next, and with him rocketing upwards towards the older man with that fist. It'll hurt if it connects, thats for sure.
"SHORYUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Geese blocks Ken's Shoryuken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Ken 0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1 Geese
Ken Masters has proven squirrely indeed. Not once, yet, when Geese has grabbed for or struck at the Ansatsuken expert, has he found his target fully... excepting, of course, when Ken rushes full on into his trap. The reflex and defensive skill with which Ken reacts is indeed startling, and impressive, to witness firsthand. As is the fiery, trademark technique for which the blonde battler is so known. Even so, Geese Howard is a man who has weathered his share of legendary techniques - and honed several of his own - isn't about to back down or hesitate.
Crossed arms divert Ken's force forward as he ascends, the searing impact exploding outwards with a crack echoed in the storm as it reverberates overhead, their battleground darkening further, lit dramatically by the bolts of lightning illuminating the horizon as Geese answers back with one of his own. The Shoryuken is formidable, fearsome, even. How quickly can Ken recover his alarmingly acute guard after launching it? It's a curiousity that Geese tests, in force.
Howard leads with an elbow that would break most men's very faces, following it with an uncountable flurry of punching fists, shattering elbows, wind-stealing knees, and energy-laden lunges. Should Ken be caught up in the blinding flurry, it would be some time before he has a chance to accomodate his senses anew, the seemingly endless string of strikes venting all of Geese's strength and fury into a dramatic, all-in attempt to seize the current that rages around him as the mighty Masters scents his victory... or DOES HE?!?
If Geese has his way, Ken's vision will be dominated by the blue-white, flesh-rending blast at the end of one of his most lethal techniques.
COMBATSYS: Geese successfully hits Ken with Deadly Rave.
[ \\\\ < > ///// ]
Ken 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Geese
The sheer brutality of Geese's onslaught leaves Ken laying in a heap on the ground, twitching slightly from it. "...Ow." Rolling over onto his back, Ken attempts to breathe normally, only to cough violently as a he realizes he has at least four broken ribs. "Oh man. /YOU/ get to explain to my wife why my ribs are broken. She's stopped believing what I tell her."
The blonde Ansatsuken master climbs up to his feet, realizing that after the brutal assault Geese just delivered, there isn't much left in those energy tanks of his. Ken winces as he finally climbs to his feet, trying to see what else might infact be broken. Thankfully, his arms and legs seem to be in working order. Thats all that matters for right now.
Seemingly for the last time, chi starts to swell within Ken as he limps towards Geese, rapidly picking up speed as he moves. He's going to gamble a good bit right now, knowing that it could truly put him down instead of Geese.
Quickly ducking down low as he nears Geese, Ken rises upwards with a rapid uppercut, seeking to throw the man's defenses off so he can proceed with his next onslaught of brutal kicks that'll explode with flames if they land. The onslaught will seemingly go on for a good while until Ken ducks down low once more. This is where it all matters, and if he's managed to pull Geese in for all of this, then the last thing will truly be spectacular. One more shoryuken, creating a torrent of spiarling flames that'll possibly blow a hole in the roof.
COMBATSYS: Geese counters Shinryuu Ken+ from Ken with Joudan Atemi Nage.
[ < > //// ]
Ken 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Geese
"Trust is essential to any lasting relationship." Geese helpfully informs Ken with a sardonic smirk, energy wisping from his hands with an ethereal transparency as he corrects his stance after the all-out offensive. Not a moment too soon, either. Despite the broken bones, and the sudden turn of fortunes anew, Ken is back on his opponent in the blink of an eye. Assuming one has -very- swift blinks.
Most couldn't even tell what happened next, as Ken launches himself in. That flaming uppercut rises, but its impact does not find Geese, does not drive him through the roof, does not even carry Ken skyward as might be expected if Howard had, in fact, gotten out of the way. No, in that half-instant of ascent, Geese may step a half-step away, he may stay out of the line of fire.. but barely.
It happens almost as quickly as the attack is launched, one hand finding a grip on the blonde battler's arm, the other destabilizing his skyrocketing attack at the midsection. Abruptly, instead of up, up, and away, Ken Masters is travelling up, over, and very, very down. The sheer force he provides adds impact to injury as Howard efficiently, masterfully slams him down on the opposite side, the fulcrum of his pinned arm twisting wildly and painfully with the sudden redirection. It's not the most pleasant landing, in other words.
"Gnrhglblab." That's about the best Ken can describe what just happened to him. He doesn't bother getting up this time, idly waving towards Geese to signafy he relents. Blood may be flowing freely from the both of them, but its not going to really matter in the end. Some things that happen between two warriors is best left unspoken, or in the overly vivid imaginations of some teenaged girls who will believe what they want to anyways.
A few minutes pass before Ken even bothers trying to sit up, wincing at the fact that his chest may kill him if he doesn't possibly get it taken care of. Hopefully Geese has a doctor onboard.
"All right. I totally meant what I said earlier about those hotdogs. Maybe some beer as well. Yeah. Totally sounds like we both need right now."
COMBATSYS: Ken takes no action.
> //// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Geese
COMBATSYS: Ken can no longer fight.
> //// ]
|==-----\-------\0 Geese
It's probably something for Ken's ribcage to be thankful for. Or Geese's, at this stage. Bloodied, sweaty, breathing heavily... the Syndicate head is nonetheless ready and willing to engage whatever Masters has left to give... but the fight has already been fought to its bloody and pitched end. Geese nods, once, as much to himself as to Ken, who does receive an initial grunt of acknowledgement. Along with an abatement of hostilities. "Well fought." Howard offers simply, moving to one wall and pressing a hidden button, revealing a store of work-out towels.
One is tossed to Ken, the other applied to his own features. Patting his neck dry, Geese paces towards the lift that brought Ken up here. "After your ribs are bandages, we can go to the galley, I'm sure there's plenty that will hit the spot." Oh, and then some. The accomodations aboard rest of the massive vessel makes the spacious, open arena at its apex look positively /plain/.
COMBATSYS: Geese has ended the fight here.
Log created on 01:37:35 05/29/2012 by Geese, and last modified on 00:14:12 05/30/2012.