Description: The quest for medals goes to Mexico, where Makoto, having already acquired a medal from Zach Glen, meets up with Julia Chang. Who will leave with an extra medal? (WINNER: Makoto)
A bustling marketplace, filled with vibrant colour and strange new smells and spices. Few drops of water escape her mouth racing down her upturned jawline and chasing the contours of muscle and tendons alike she guzzles water from the plastic bottle. Two more empty bottles at her feet the foreigner is certainly an unusual one and still greedily finishing her last.
Makoto turns down the now empty bottle, she felt completely revitalized!! She definitely had reached her second wind after attempting to walk from the American border. If she had not received a lift at the end there she may not have made the town until nightfall, perhaps not even at all.
Digging out a few notes and small change Makoto unhelpfully begins to translate the prices on display into yen in the back of her head, regretfully parting with yet even more of her funds for this trip. Money went fast if you weren't very careful with it. Price paid to the cent (and no more) she picks up the duffel bag and slings it over her shoulder, her skin has grown several degrees darker since her journey began and the ribbon bearing the gold Medallion won almost a week earlier from Zach Glen at his luxurious new mansion dangles freely around her neck. The ribbon moving against her neck as it swings heavily back and forth, she looks the part of an Olympic karate or Judo champion; possibly fallen on hard times with the patches on her knees. Even as she moves through the marketplace trying to get her bearing asking just one question of people occasionally.
"Julia Chang?"
The people smile and nod, pointing her way on.
Even though she's Native American, Julia is familiar with Mexico, and can speak some Spanish. In addition, she's still hunting for a way to save her native homeland, while she still seeks out the medals like the one she posesses. As a result, Julia has, indeed, traveled to Mexico for her environmental concern as well as the possibility of locating another medal.
In that very marketplace, Julia happens to be browsing the various trinkets and whatnot that are for sale. A pair of wire rimmed glasses adorn her face, the only unique thing about her appearance since she doesn't wear them when she fights. All the while, she's unaware that Makoto is looking for her.
Market and street stalls are a temptation to stop and explore but Makoto is focused on her mission, there's no way she can go back home without completing her mission- and also, and- there was something else. AAAaaa! Theres no way she can go back home without souvenirs! The disappointment on her brothers and grandfathers faces alone would be punishment enough for two lifetimes.
Footfalls slowing with the realization that this was probably her last good chance to snag something for a good price (aka cheap.) Considering the stalls she gravitates toward the ones with smaller items and looks over things with the uninformed eye of the true tourist. 'it has to fit in my carry on luggage,' 'not to fragile' and 'not too expensive.' Finally stopping beside a stall beside another young woman she picks out a rugged looking decorated bracelet her brother would most likely adore. Cursing her inability to really haggle or communicate she accepts this as a battle lost. The gold around her neck a total contrast to her willingness to spend money. She drops her bag to her feet and tucks the bracelet safely away as she asks the retailer here.
"Julia Chang?"
Expecting the man to direct her down the next row or toward a certain road.
As Julia looks up and prepares to move along, she notices Makoto, who seems a little out of place with her outfit and all. Julia lowers an eyebrow at her, trying to lean in a little to get a better look at her, and barely hearing Makoto mention her by name. She's not sure if she actually heard it or it was just a misunderstanding. Then, she spots the medal that Makoto is wearing, and her eyes go wide.
Immediately, Julia takes off to where Makoto is, her boots bringing up some dust as she skids to a stop. "You were looking for me?" Julia asks with a slight smile forming on her face. "Are you, by chance, looking for this?" She points to the medal that she wears proudly around her neck. "Because if you want it, I'm sorry, but you're going to fight for it!" She grins.
Craning her neck around at the commotion it is with a deliberate slowness the young girl reaches up and her hand graps her own medallion also raising it to display like the medallion the young native American has. Even with the language barrier in place Makoto can follow some of the words but that attitude, It's friendly, the smile is sincere and yet the challenge is plain spoken across any and all languages. The commotion draws eyes, two unusual people possibly fighters standing off in the midst of a marketplace. People are beginning to gather and watch, a few of the stall operators sensing the mood quickly start to move their more expensive merchandise. Muted whisper and approval shoot through the gathering crowds, it's a real street fight!
Makoto releases her medal lets it fall back against her chest.
"Julia Chang! In the Honour of Rinkokan karate. I take your Medal."
That same practiced phase from the woman standing in the European cut karate Gi before she raises an open hand into a ready stance. The move is fluid and deliberately slow until she flexes and tightens her muscles. Her mission is to win acclaim and honour for the Rindokan dojo and so the entire time her face is masked with a glower, this is a serious business for her.
While Makoto is speaking, Julia simply nonchalantly takes her glasses off and puts them into her pocket. They're mostly for reading anyway, although she tends to wear them quite a bit. Nevertheless, without her glasses on, Julia is now officially ready to battle. She lowers an eyebrow at the comments about her dojo and honour. "Is that what this is all about? Well, if that's what she wants."
Julia closes her eyes and clasps her hands in front of her. "Spirits, give me strength." Then she opens her eyes and assumes her fighting stance. "All right, let's fight!" Julia attempts to start things off with a right cross.
COMBATSYS: Julia has started a fight here.
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Julia 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Makoto has joined the fight here.
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Makoto 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Julia
COMBATSYS: Makoto endures Julia's Jab Punch.
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Makoto 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Julia
The cross setup sinks into a fist into Japanese girls cheek with ease and she recoils form the blow. It's just a little scary though that for some reason only one eye even closed with the blow. The girl steps in and grabs for the trailing edge of the brow vest the other woman is wearing. Trying to drag her in for the counter attack with her head already cocking back for delivering a headbutt.
COMBATSYS: Julia blocks Makoto's Araiso.
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Makoto 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Julia
Julia is grabbed by Makoto, and finds herself trying to break free, before she sees the head coming at her. Thinking quickly, she twists her head to the side while bringing up one of her arms to deflect Makoto's head away. After that, Julia steps back and shakes her arm out. She spins slightly before transitioning into a double uppercut.
COMBATSYS: Makoto blocks Julia's Tequila Sunrise Elbow Smash.
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Makoto 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Julia
Recovering her balance just quickly enough to muster a defense makoto draws her arms back and into the path of the uppercut. The blow against her bared arm is enough to shift her defense and open a gap in time to see the second blow. She hurls her free arm against the second blow and uses that momentum to bound back, dangerous combo.
"Toriyah!"
Rushing right back in from her landing she does so by dropping low and kicking at her opponents ankles with a quick sweep.
COMBATSYS: Julia blocks Makoto's Medium Kick.
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Makoto 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Julia
Julia senses the kick coming, and quickly she tenses her legs up as she leans back a little, using her boot to knock Makoto's leg away. "That wasn't how you kick someone," Julia comments with a little sarcasm. "Let me show you something." She then attempts to deliver a spinning back kick.
COMBATSYS: Julia successfully hits Makoto with Light Kick.
- Power hit! -
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Makoto 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Julia
The canvas like whip of her heavy Gi as the girl twirls around with the force of the blow. The momentum continues to turn her through a full revolution before coming back face to face with her opponent. As she does she resets her feet with a firm step and doesn't even acknowledge the pain of the blow, total focus. A tough opponent just made the battle all the more worthwhile!
A sharp lash upwards and a heavy descending ridge hand karate chop angled toward the young native American. A blow that has been shattering tile, block and brick for generations.
COMBATSYS: Julia dodges Makoto's Oroshi.
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Makoto 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Julia
A karate chop that can shatter brick, block, and tile is something that Julia does not wish to experience first hand. Of course, that is made easier by the fact that a swift twist to the side makes sure that doesn't happen. After that, Julia immediately focuses on her hands, building her inner power, before sending forth a palm strike that's full of energy.
COMBATSYS: Julia successfully hits Makoto with Palm Explosion.
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Makoto 0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Julia
Makoto doubles over around the extended palm, her body revolts and the urge to empty her stomach is choked down. This opponent is strong. The fuzziness at the edges of her vision as she stumbles back a pace is a bad sign. But this.. this isn't as far as she can go. This is nothing! The low breath escaping her lungs starts rising toward a growl as her system is flooded with all of her latent chi. THIS IS.. her skin reddens as she raises her arms back into guard. The roar of blood and chi alike thundering through her ears like a dumbeat. THIS IS.. the fruits of my training! This is.. Rindokan karate! Makoto rushes in, fists striking and smashing as fats as she can.
COMBATSYS: Makoto knocks away Julia with Tanden Renki.
- Power hit! -
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Makoto 0/-------/-----==|=======\==-----\1 Julia
The flurry is something that Julia is not prepared for. She has no time to react properly. She is hit hard and goes flying into a nearby merchant's booth. This results in some damaged merchandise, and a merchant who isn't interested in complaining about his damaged wares, but getting the heck outta there! Meanwhile, Julia is groaning as she rubs her body, trying to get up without hurting herself more than she already is. "Damn, what was I thinking?" Julia says to herself as she uses another booth to climb up onto her feet. "Spirits, help me." She whispers as she closes her eyes.
COMBATSYS: Julia gains composure.
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Makoto 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Julia
The crowds are calling to and egging on both fighters. The supercharge of Ki fading away makoto finds her breathing is heavy and ragged. With the power fading away she is left drained but her opponent seemed to feel that last one. The power of Rindokan Karate, that is what she is here to show the world. The pause in assault to allow her opponent to extricate herself from the damaged stall is honourable, but once the other girl is free she is off the mark and running.
"Chesto!"
Her feet stamp down with an almost equal force to that of the fist propelled at her as she throws herself into her attacks.
COMBATSYS: Julia fails to interrupt Fierce Punch from Makoto with Lashing Arrow.
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Makoto 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Julia can no longer fight.
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Makoto 0/-------/-----==|
Julia opens her eyes and sees Makoto coming for her, and attempts to go in for a counterattack, but her injured state prevents her from doing so. She gets punched and goes flying across the marketplace, crashing through several stalls before landing in a pile of random knicknacks and whatnots. She groans and attempts to move, but her body just won't allow it. The pain is too much, she has no strength, all she can think is, "My medal..."
The shadow of the taller Japanese girl falls over her opponent, tension and uncertainty circulates in the crowd. Makoto executes a formal Karate bow, the approval in the crowd builds to applause and cheering. A free street fight and a great showing, it was a pretty good day out for the citizen of this border town. Kneeling beside Julia Makoto softly mutters an apology.
"Please exscuse me"
And gently lifts her opponents head, snaking the ribbon with some difficulty past the twin braids. Setting it down and with some trepidation and excitement both makoto lifts the ribbon over her own messily arrange back hair and loops around her neck, hanging alongside the medal that had belonged to another powerful fighter. Zach Glen, Julia Chang. She wore gold medals but it was the fights with those two that were the greater prize.
Fist raised in the air the crowd exploded into even louder cheering. Amidst it all, even as people close and she feels an occasional pat on the back. It's over, Now she can go home.
Log created on 20:23:49 01/27/2013 by Julia, and last modified on 23:46:14 01/27/2013.