Description: Rick has arrived in Sunshine City during his travels and expects some trouble given all the chaos going around. It seems he finds it in an unexpected manner. The punks he deals with end up not being the real trouble, but the woman that they were harassing.
It's a warm, sunny, afternoon in Sunshine City's not-so-sunny outer regions. The sky is as clear blue as a flawless aquamarine gemstone - barren and empty except for the occasional cloud. The breeze is gentle and cool, counterbalancing the heat of the sun overhead for what would be a rather pleasant outdoor atmosphere. It's the kind of day where you'd just want to go outdoors and unwind as you peruse all that the city would have to offer.
But here, in this place... filled with boarded up stores... dirt, grime... abandoned houses and the near-constant presence of siren sounds somewhere in the background... you just don't. Especially since the ratio of well-meaning citizen to ill-tempered thug is something akin to 10-1.
That's why most people, beautiful women especially, would be utterly stupid to come here on purpose. Sonia Romanenko, a lavender-haired fox weighing all of one hundred and thirty pounds - dressed to the minimum in her usual leather attire that makes look a bit akin to a show girl (or worse, a hooker) - and definitely not looking the part of a thug herself... would be by all appearances such a fool. Flanked on either side on a dimly-lit street corner by a pair of massive, well-muscled thugs... one of whom appears to be wielding a leadpipe... the girl is a scary sight for all the wrong reasons...
"I do not care how it's done, that isn't my job... just do it..." She appears to be ahving a discourse with the pair, though about what could only be guessed at from a distance.
Being a traveller can be alot of fun. Unless you are the wife of said traveller. Rick goes on many trips and seems to just let life carry him to wherever it feels like taking him. It is amazing the woman hasn't filed for a divorce. It truely is such an odd relationship that pair has and perhaps that is why it works. They never seem to be together enough to actually start suffering from the regular marriage woes. Plus he does call her. He just finished doing so not long ago actually.
He has come to Sunshine many times in his travels over the years since he gave up being a professional boxer. The place has some interesting people and really up until more recent years it has been a nice place. Now it just seems to be slumping really bad along with the economy. It can be downright dangerous in many parts and he can see why this Johann fellow and some other people are trying to get help.
The Native American does well to look like he isn't one for the lowlifes of the city to mess with. His braided hair tied back into a ponytail while wearing a leather jacket over a black tanktop. A pair of shades rest on his face as well while he keeps his hands shoved into the pockets of the jacket. He hasn't run into too much trouble since he has come through this time around, but he hears it is close to an all out gang war these days in the outer reaches of the city where the poorer folk live. He just tries to do what he can and help if need be. So far no one has needed it yet.
Well possibly that is the case. That is when he notices the two men seeming to be confronting a woman about something. What it is? He isn't really damn sure, but it probably isn't a good idea to be a woman and dressed like that in this part of town. It seems to be asking for trouble. His direction shifts and he slowly starts walking towards the trioo as he gives a bit of a smirk. "Is there a problem here?"
Travelling and being a wordly person can be a virtue. Sonia herself believed that, and if attachment is what's keeping her from doing so.... she'd most certainly have dispensed with it. Getting too attached to anything could be too prohibitive for an otherwise free spirit. On that much, the pair would agree. But the wisdom of travelling here of all places she'd certainly have to question...
As the vagabond Native American indian approaches in his boisterous manner... it definitely draws some stares from the two much larger men. And a private smirk from the violet-haired women standing opposite them... her curvaceous backside mostly still turned in Rick's general direction.
"Yeah, there's a problem..." The pun wielding the lead pipe growls, walking away from Sonia and lumbering slowly toward the indian. He was an odd looking one... bright yellow mohawk that stood like a skyscraper atop his otherwise bald noggin and wearing a too-tight lack leather vest and equally restrictive pair of torn blue jeans with beaten up white tennis shoes. "You ain't got noo business here scram..."
As the much larger punk finishes his little speech, the much shorter... scantily clad russian female turns to face his backside and... lies through her teeth. "I'm rather new to this city and I got awfully lost..." She coos, making herself sound so much younger than she actually is... "I came around here looking for directions but I seem to have met with some trouble..." Perhaps she wanted to see them fight for her own amusement, whatever the reason the yellow-haired punk turns his gaze toward her over his left shouler and raises an eyebrow in silence.. wondering what she's plotting perhaps but not about to contradict his superior...
Oh his gaze travels some over the sleek form of Sonia. It is hard not to really given what she is wearing. Even so he is quick to turn his attention to the mohawked punk that starts to tell him to get lost. As if such a request is something that would really work and send Rick off on his way. He might be smaller in stature, but he doesn't exactly look intimidated or even impressed by the guy. He just keeps a bit of a smirk on his face as he pulls his hands out of his jacket, one holding onto a pair of black fingerless gloves.
"Is that right? Quite lost if you are all the way out here." he says as he casts a glance towards Sonia. Is it true? Hell if he knows. He wasn't even sure of the conversation going on between the two men and her before he got in close. Even so he can't risk the chance she really is lost and she might have gotten herself into trouble. If it is true she at least seems pretty calm about it.
"Welp, I can see it going two ways." he finally says in response to the bigger man as he idly starts tugging on the gloves. "You can either leave the lady alone or...." he trails off and reaches up to take his shades off and pocket them. He then cracks his knuckles while giving a bit of a nod as if telling himself is ready. "Or I can rearrange that face of both you and your friend."
"Hehehe..." The punk with the mustard-dyed yellow hair emits a hearty chuckle, bouncing the lead pipe he's wielding in his right off of the upturned surface of his left hand. "You're real funny." Apparently too ignorant and inexperienced to realize the danger of the indian's confidence, he proceeds to make his way out into the street toward the interloper... while the other, balding but simlarly dressed punk hangs back silently. He either realizes there might be trouble, or he figures his mate can handle it.
"I'm not even gonna do you the honor of givin' you my name first... your attitude pisses me off. I'm just gonna beat your ass." ... And with that said, the two hundred and sixty-five pound street thug rushes in with his right armr aised above his head... and proceeds to swing that dingy lead pipe straight for much smaller man's skull.
Sonia, meanwhile, just watches in silence with a poker face and a inward smile... this was going to be amusing... at least for a few seconds. Canting her head to the side, ample bossom supported by her arms as she lean forward just a mite... she says quietly to the man next to her "No take...?" To which he doesn't seem to respond immediately, and then sighs... "No."
It is hard not to be confident in this sort of situation. Alot of these punks around here might think they are big and tough. So strong they are to be preying on the poor and weak. It must make them feel very important. Rick knows these types all too well. He spent alot of his life through the likes of Metro City where they have had very similar problems in the past. Something that has been quelled in more recent years after Mike Haggar was elected mayor. Much like these guys most of Mad Gear wanted to be big and bad, but really couldn't hold up against anyone that actually knew how to fight.
The Native American watches intently as the big man comes in to strike at him. He is already lightly bouncing on his feet and he moves back quick as he weaves and bobs about. That pipe is nowhere near close to hitting him as he dances away with ease as he lets out a bit of a snort. "Really? Beat my ass?"
He seems more amused than anything and worst of all he seems to just be showing off his fancy footwork as he just shifts and weaves about and making it that much harder to find a way to hit him. "I would give ya my name too, but I can't really care to give it to some dumb brick that probably couldn't even spell it." Those hands are clinched tight. While he hasn't even attempted a strike yet it also looks like just by the movements alone this guy was at least at one point a professional boxer. "Gonna hit me or just stand there?"
Sonia can't help but let a smile creep through as the indian shows himself to be a very capable fighter indeed. Not as though it's a surprise... even were she not a trained ex-spetnaz she would be able to tell... anyone could. When the size differences are this disproportionate, and the smaller guy doesn't seem even a tad concerned... he's either a fool or he knows he can destroy the larger man if he has to. The fact that the thug pressed the attack anyway just shows his inexperience. He's probably a new guy to one of the local gangs... a newbie who's about to get knocked out. He isn't wasting his time though, giving Sonia some time to analyze the capabilities of a foreign fighter in their midst would get him something. Besides a trip to the hospital...
Staggering forward, right past the indian as he slips gracefully out from beneath the thug, it takes the much larger man a moment or so to stop his own momentum and turn around.
Sneering, and rushing the smaller man again with the lead pipe over his head - apparently trying the same maneuver twice - he yells "Don't be a coward! Fight me!"
Even if he seems to be the one trying to play the calvary he also seems to be a bit of a show boater. Otherwise why hasn't he struck yet? It looks like he has the speed down, but what about strength? It doesn't seem like it will take long to find out in this case. The same attack is attempted again and Rick once again easily leans away to where the strike sails past him, but then he goes for a quick jab. One right into the gut of the much bigger man. It isn't a knockout blow, but it might be enough to make him think twice. There was some 'oomph' behind that blow.
"Oh yes, I am very scared." he says dryly and then it seems he might be done with toying around with the other fighter. That punk will find a rather powerful strike from the Southpaw that looks to slam right into the chin. It has much more power than that first jab and while he is smaller than the punk, he is by no means weak. The guy is well muscled and it seems like he holds alot of power in that body of his. "Have your friend come join too if you want." Of course the big guy might not even hear him at that point. He isn't sure how tough that thug truely is.
The first strike to the larger man's gut lands, as it should, exactly where it was aimed. There's a wheezing sound emitted by the thug as the air in his lungs is forced out of him by the punch. Staggering back a bit, dazed but clearly furious about the retaliation he seems yet undeterred. While Rick takes the time to talk and dance about a bit more, the thug takes a moment to catch his breath and snarls again. "Lucky shot... punk..." Lumberingforward again, tossing the lead pipe to his right side in a fury, the thug then proceeds to crack his knuckles. "I don't need no..." ... and before he has time to finish, the more capable Rick has already danced his way into his territory and sent a forceful jab sailing toward his chin. This hit, too, lands perfectly - almost completely unseen - and causes the fool to almost bite his tongue. Stumbling backwards clumsily, the larger man hits the pavement... apparently jarred right out of his senses. The last sound the man makes before he ceases to respond at all is a small groan..
Sonia sighs. Playtime was over it seemed. She turns her gaze toward the thug standing beside her, and then waves him off with her left hand in a dainty manner as if to say 'go'. Johann might be rather cross with her if she allowed TWO of his minions to get hospitalized in one day...
Sashaying slowly toward the fight in a sensual, but unconcerned, manner the violet-haired dame coos again... "Many thanks... stranger... I was terribly concerned for my welfare just moments ago..." She seemed oftly calm for a woman who claims to have just been in jeopardy moments prior. Bringing her hands up and behind her head, ample bossom thrust high as she streeeetches her sensual frame oh so slowly... she walks around Rick's right side and smiles invitingly... stepping right over the unconscious fat man in her path. ... Nearly useless, that one.
Looks like the other punk has at least some brains. He really doesn't see the command was given by Sonia for him to leave. The boxer just turns around to see him moving and he just assumes it was because he just saw his friend get laid out from the quick and powerful strikes. "Yeah, real tough guys." he mumbles to himself while shaking his head. Just as he had thought. All alot of bark and no real amount of bite. Almost a shame that they weren't a bit tougher.
With the problem taken care of he eases out of his stance and he starts to remove the gloves. He pauses a second when his gaze shifts. Yeah, it is hard not to kind of stare at a display like that. Hey, he has a wife he is loyal to and all, but catching a look is legal, right? Oh at least no one around has a camera or a way to contact her. For now he is safe from any sort of wrath that would come from a true threat.
He hehs a bit as he finishes removing his gloves and his gaze shifts back to look at her face instead of elsewhere. "Yeah, well just be more careful." he tells her. He still isn't quite sure why she is here and all, but she certainly seems to have kept calm even under pressure of having those two thugs seemingly shaking her down. "Heard this place has some problems and all that. Gotta be careful when on the outskirts like this I am told." Of course shouldn't he be taking that same advice? One or two of those dopes might be easy enough, but what if he came across the wrong group? At least he knows he would go down fighting. He has no idea how well this woman can handle herself.
Sonia continues to walk at a slow, measured, pace in a semi-circle about the other fighter as he proceeds to remove his gloves and /eye her/ just as she had expected him too. Rather than seem offended, the russian woman - whose prior nationality would be difficult to discern given she seems to have no traces of accent - smiles a bit wider... her seemingly flawless pearly whites perhaps an indication of her actual social standing. A hooker most certainly couldn't afford to maintain such immaculate teeth.
"You can be sure I won't come around these parts again..." Lies. Filthy lies. She's always in and out of this filthy rat's nest... however much she despised it. "Would you care to. join me for a drink somewhere..." ... Slinking up to his right side, and attempting to touch barebicep with those dainty well-manicured fingertips... if he'd let her that close. "I'd enjoy a man's company tonight... especially a man of your... caliber." Whether she meant moral, physical, or otherwise could only be guessed at... but she's clearly giving him an appreciative eye of her own. There could still be fun to be had here...
Hooboy. All the warning lights are going on in his head right about now. Some of his suspicions are seeming to be true, but he is also not quite ready to outright ask her a price or the like. Right now there are two parts in his brain fighting for him to make decisions. The voice of reason at least comes out ahead in this oen because the devil on his shoulder just has his eyes rolling like a slot machine while spouting 'TITTY TITTY TITTY' over and over.
He lets that hand touch him and as she draws close he ends up raising a hand. The down side is he has to quickly raise it higher because he didn't realize where the hand almost ended up. "Ahh, yeah. About that. I can help you get somewhere and all that, but I got other things to do." Many would call him crazy for saying no to this. Heck he almost wishes Rust was around so the old man could be of some help here. He knew he should have dragged him along for this trip!
He ends up stepping back and giving a nod. "I am uh, sure you won't have too much trouble finding someone else afterall." So that may have come out sounding a bit rude, but really he is trying to behave. Ever since that one incident with Amy kinda happened. He is pretty sure he wasn't too bad! It was just booze and they uh shared a bed. Nothing more! Or so he tells himself that. "If you are fine otherwise I should get going."
As her hand comes to rest on the man's bicep successfully, she smoothes her fingers delicately over its rough surface in a teasing manner... her inviting smile growing all the bigger as she realizes he's rather conflicted. As he extends a hand towards her, she eyes it... wondering where it might be heading... and then feels a tad frustrated when it becomes obvious he won't follow through.
More's the pity. Sonia sighs inwardly as he rejects her in the most polite manner possible, but never lets her smile falter. Very few men ever rejected her, and she didn't like it when they did. Rather than try to press the issue, however, she simply offers... "I see. That's a pity... I am terribly sorry to have caused you any discomfort..." Not really. She /loved/ watching men squirm. It was cute, in a pathetic way...
Unhanding him reluctantly, she raises her hands behind her head again and procees to walk back the way she came... in the general direction of the closest exit street. "Well then, I suppose I'll be on my way as well... " She stops, however, as she steps over the still unconscious fat man again and stares down a long street... a street that lead to Inner Sunshine. "I'll just... go back the way I came then..." She offers him yet another bright smile, and then proceeds to walk away immediately... "...Thanks for the show." she says aloud. One could only guess at what it might mean... if she was thanking him for saving her she had a funny way about it.
Well she didn't press the matter too much. For that he is thankful because he just isn't sure how long he could keep saying no in the long run. He just gives a wave. "Hey, no problem. See you around sometime." Hopefully not for a long while. That woman probably got the adrenaline up on him more than Sir Punk Alot. He just looks back down to where the unconcious thug still rests and he shakes his head. He gives the guy one good kick for extra measure and starts to wander off as well once Sonia is out of sight. Kinda hard to look away given the view he had.
With a low sigh he pinches the bridge of his nose. "Rick, you are too much of a beast sometimes." he murmurs to himself. At least for now he can still say he is a faithful man. He idly toys with his wedding band and he gives another shake of his head. "All right, time for a drink." He can just hope he doesn't pick the same bar as her. My, how awkward could that get? No, he doesn't want to think about it. STAY ON TARGET. With Sonia gone he decides to get moving in the opposite direction to reduce the risk of running into Sonia at the bar he goes to.
Log created on 17:07:45 06/03/2012 by Rick, and last modified on 20:00:39 06/03/2012.