Description: Aranha seeks out Makoto to challenge a girl who came seemingly out of nowhere to collect two out of three of the medals. Aranha ends up having difficulty dealing with Makoto's overwhelming power while Makoto ends up being troubled by the unorthodox nature of his fighting style. (Winner: Draw)
Standing outside the Rindokan dojo the present Master lets out a pained sigh at the depressing state of disrepair. The tufts of grass, gleaming wetly and healthily growing on the tiled roof. Passing beneath the wooden sign bearing the name of the school Makoto slips inside. Finding it pretty much just as she had left it.
The shredded paper of the shoji windows do as little to keep out the elements as the roof overhead. At least there was no sign of anyone squatting or animals nesting.. again. Scattered around on the floor all over are various pots, containers and exotic jars all strategically placed across the floor to collect water from steadily dripping leaks. The interior of the dojo nonwithstanding the girl dances through the minefield of pots and pans to the framed photograph hanging above the doorway. With a very formal and stiff bow to the portrait she allows her hands to rise and grip the one of the two medals hanging loose around her neck.
"Father, I've taken the first steps to making Rindokan dojo as great as it was in your day. But I know there is still a lot of work ahead."
Mockingly behind her drips continue to fall loudly into their containers. Rolling up her sleeves carefully the teenager sets to work with a practiced manner. Juggling in a few new pots that were sitting aside and carefully carries three of the pots outside to carefully empty the water, one in either hand and the last is carried with handle clutched between her teeth as if perfectly normal.
Meanwhile, Aranha had quietly made his way up to the roof of the dojo, figuring that he'd watch and wait for a bit to see what she was doing before he'd make his own presence known. When Makoto comes back out with the three pots, Aranha leaps down, quietly landing due to his former life. The moment that Makoto turns around she would see Aranha casually leaning against the doorway leading back into the dojo.
Aranha runs on the assumption that Makoto should have at least a passing knowledge of English because while Japanese is the native language of Southtown, more often than not English is the secondary language of that city in particular. "Hey. 'Sup? You're Makoto, right?"
After that, he moves away from the archway to perform a bow. "I go by the name Aranha and I would like challenge you for the medals in this tournament."
Pouring the water into one of the gardens where the plants are starting to look a little dry and brittle Makoto goes about the task completely unaware of the presence of the stealthy visitor. Stacking the pots and packs inside one another she turns to go back inside. Frozen in place and blinking in surprise she listens to the informal greeting with a mixture of bewilderment and surprise. The lack of a formal or respectful introduction doesn't even register.
"Rindo Makoto, welcome to the Rindokan dojo."
Muscles tense and her frown deepens as the stranger states his intention and moves away form the archway. She hadn't felt his approach or even heard a thing. This was a tall, muscular, solidly built and yet he moved smoothly, perfect balance. Makoto sizing up her opponent actually feels a chill. He's strong!
As he straightens up she returns the bow, her own bow is much more rigid, setting the pails and pans aside just under the tiny veranda before the doorway to the dojo she makes a show of rolling her sleeves back down and shaking the arm so that the sleeve snaps and moves comfortably.
"As the master of this dojo I accept your challenge, when you leave here empty handed... I hope you will consider applying to join."
A ferocious seriousness in a girl so young though there is a smile in her eyes it never reaches her face. She is delighted to fight someone strong.
Aranha stretches as Makoto rolls her sleeves back down and then he rolls his neck releasing a low, almost quiet, cracking noise. He then slowly slides the denim jacket off of his shoulders and tosses it letting it hang on a low hanging branch of a tree in the dojo courtyard which in turn gets the jacket out of the way but also leaves it in an easily accessed location for when he wants to put back on again.
He then speaks in fluent if not highly accented Japanese, "I'm afraid that win or lose I shall not be joining your dojo. The way I fight already fits me and so while I may learn from you, to take on your style completely would only be a lie to both you and myself." Left unsaid is the fact that Aranha is counted upon as one of the premier practitioners of capoeira. If not for the fact he hasn't taken the steps to be accepted by the capoeira community as a whole, he'd probably be qualified to teach, himself.
"Anyway, how about you earn your right to trash talk before you actually do so?"
Aranha then readies himself by going into the swaying movements of ginga. He gives her a few moments and then when she appears to be ready, Aranha suddenly moves in low sending a quick scything kick towards Makoto's lead foot to upset her balance and then balances on a single hand as he snaps down a foot on top of her head.
COMBATSYS: Aranha has started a fight here.
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Aranha 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Makoto has joined the fight here.
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Aranha 0/-------/-======|=------\-------\0 Makoto
COMBATSYS: Aranha successfully hits Makoto with Medium Kick.
- Power hit! -
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Aranha 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Makoto
Sat down hard Makoto rolls back to put some space between her and the opponent. What kind of fighting style was this? The hook move that took her feet from under her was a surprise but the blow to her head was like an anvil fell on it. Tch, this wouldn't be easy in any way shape or form. Uncomplaining and cautious of this new style Makoto resets her guard poised to launch herself right back into the fray--Leaping back into the fray literally with a gigantic axe kick.
COMBATSYS: Aranha fails to interrupt Tsurugi from Makoto with Medium Throw.
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Aranha 1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0 Makoto
And now it's Aranha's turn for a teachable moment. When the Dancing Spider sees that foot rise he sees opportunity. He steps forward as he weaves to the side. His objective: To move forward so he can catch her leg up in the trapping it up high on his shoulder and then proceeding to sweep the foot still remaining on the ground from under her in a move called Cruz which translates to 'Cross' because of the body shape when the move is performed.
Aranha runs into two problems. First he doesn't get in close enough to trap the leg closer to the thigh which is a much safer zone which leads into the second problem. He severely underestimates the leg strength coming from a girl that size. End result, Aranha gets smashed face first into the ground. On the upside, Aranha hasn't talked trash so he's not being forced to eat his own words, along with the ground.
Gritting her teeth through the moment of impact as it seems frozen in time Makoto is unsure which of them will win. Her power versus the strange art that is completely alien to her, what he can or cannot do or even the forte of his art. The strength needed to overcome a strong counter is usually much stronger than the counter itself, Rindokan karate has always been about power and soul, with enough power and soul a fighter can break down any wall ANY defense.
"Hua-AAGH"
Applying all her strength she drives him down and quickly draws her leading food back to disengage. Her opponent is already beginning to rise, the benefits of such a hardy physique and a trained body. Raising one hand with just a whisper from her cotton Gi as the bare muscular forearm arm is exposed; the heavy ridge hand blow knifes down with the same moment as her kiai.
"Araiso!"
COMBATSYS: Aranha dodges Makoto's Araiso.
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Aranha 1/------=/=======|=====--\-------\0 Makoto
Aranha while relatively tough has come to the realization that he's not going to be able to take Rindokan karate-ka on in straight on battle. She hits hard enough that his toughness won't mean jack in the face of it. Now that he's received some measure of what the girl is capable of now it's his turn to show his own skills.
He sees that knife hand come down and the capoeirista is gone cartwheeling instantly to her flank and then rising to his to deliver a roundhouse kick, followed by spinning jump kick, and finally turning around so he can perform a back flip kick driving his foot downwards on the top of her head. Each kick glowing with blue chi as he performs the sequence of attacks.
COMBATSYS: Makoto interrupts Aggressive Dance from Aranha with Hayate.
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Aranha 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\0 Makoto
The sole of Aranhas sneaker does more than brush against the surface of the cotton Gi as Makoto steps back to avoid the worst of the blow. <This is..> As he transitions into the spinning back kick Makoto sinks low, crouched and with her guard up and intact to avoid the blow completely. <this is..?> The backflip kick whips down on at her from a position of strength, her movement sealed and having been driven into a disadvantageous state. <..the moment!>
'Ei-yah!"
Explosive power drives her up and in; rocketing along behind her extended fist. Her legs already braced for the impact and back on her feet. A drop of sweat rolls down her cheek and is the only visible sign of the strain and concentration going on inside her head. This guy was something else, a new type of fighter really.. the corner of her mouth crooks upwards and Makoto smiles ever so faintly, shes really enjoying this matchup so far. Her neck and shoulder both ache but her blood is burning now as well.
The explosive force of Makoto sends the capoeirista flying into the air. His body goes into a wild, uncontrollable spin before he finally hits the ground and skids backwards away Makoto.
Aranha slowly picks himself off the ground, dusts himself off, and then takes a moment to stare at his opponent. To study her and then he suddenly in a burst of motion once more.
The dance, at least for the moment, is abandoned. Instead of going directly for Makoto, he dashes for a close by tree, leaps from one trunk to another trunk to a branch of a tree and then swings back and forth on that branch. Each swing generates more and more momentum. When he has enough momentum, he releases the branch, and sends himself flying feet first for her torso.
COMBATSYS: Aranha successfully hits Makoto with Sky's the Limit.
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Aranha 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Makoto
"Eh?"
Makoto can only look on bewildered at the sudden change in tactics by her opponent. To her credit she never once lowers her guard in the face of an opponent whose movements she cannot understand and yet she can appreciate the performance. Wow that guy can really move, though she begins to worry when she notes just how much momentum he is getting up. It's coming!
She can't avoid it, it's too fast but as it bears down she braces herself and lifts her feet with a quick hop. The force drives her back and she bleeds it off with a little quick running backwards when she lands. Facing off against her opponent she makes a show of straightening her belt as she considers this new element to his fighting style.
His fighting style is his, and mine is mine. Walking forward with that same awkward looking wide step that allows her powerful dashes and striking power Makoto can see the differences in their styles but won't be intimidated by it.
COMBATSYS: Makoto focuses on her next action.
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Aranha 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Makoto
One of the things that Aranha was noticing was the way she was on the constant attack. Where Aranha was carefully pacing himself, she was going all out. It was only a matter of time before she wore herself out. He figured he might as well help her along to exhaustion. Of course, that was why Aranha had specifically chosen her stomach to attack. The problem was that her stance was adjusting but he wasn't able to get an idea of what she was doing. He just wasn't at a good angle to see everything.
It didn't really matter. At least not much. He still hit the target but instead of plowing through her, he forces her to back track.
He then returns to the ginga and sways to the rhythm that on he can hear in his head before he tilts over into a handstand and proceeds to deliver a series of snap kicks down upon her head while upside down.
COMBATSYS: Aranha successfully hits Makoto with Inverted Flurry.
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Aranha 1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1 Makoto
Makoto watches this Aranha resume that strange rhythmic dancing he was performing. Her slow pace and gives him plenty of time to do as he pleases and she is unsure how he will attack when he begins to move like this. Her guard up firmly she watches carefully trying to pick up any nuance of how he is going to move or attack. Her opponent performing a handstand was more than a little unexpected but the rain of blows coming down against her head bypassing her block is astounding.
How? From above? How can he attack from that position.. falling back and trying to change the angle does little to mitigate his aim or and in the end resorts to covering her head with her arms. Grunts of pain escape her lips after the first couple of hits, axe blows felling a mighty tree and as they batter against her she has little idea of how to defend against such an exotic technique. Rindokan karate is the best in the world, if you can't think of a way out then don't think. Just do it! Skin flushing and brightening from its usual dark tan to a bright red in just a few heartbeats.
"Huaaaaaaah"
Compared to before the girl is running with a supercharger, Throwing just one kick she is suddenly trying to get into Aranhas face. Chaining jabs and fast straights as best she can together she attempts to get through his defences before he batters down her own.
COMBATSYS: Makoto successfully hits Aranha with Tanden Renki.
At first, Aranha ponders the idea of meeting that kick head on but that tactic had the capoeirista feeling as if he was once bitten twice shy. He ends up hesitating when he ought to be getting the hell out of the way. He ends up eating that initial kick with a side of jabs and straights and he gets batted about like a human punching bag. After the brutal combo is finished he crumples down to the ground.
He's slow to rise back up from the ground. It takes every bit of will power to bring himself to a standing position and even more to resume the ginga. His dance is not as clean, not as graceful as it was when the fight first started. He takes a deep breath and slolwly dances in towards Makoto. He then wills himself to throw a clean, powerful roundhouse kick right for Makoto's head with technique he probably shouldn't be capable of at his current level of punch drunkeness and fatigue with heart picking up the slack where peak physical conditioning left off. He swings that foot back the way it came hooking his heel around the back of her neck and then dropping his weight downwards to pull her face first down to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Makoto blocks Aranha's Face Down EX.
Labouring for breath Makoto takes the opportunity to regain her wind if not her momentum. The stress of using the Tanden Renki technique was hard on a body in peak physical condition; right now the strain was telling. Sweat beads and rolls down across her exposed skin. The heat that built up alongside that explosive power is slowly dispersing from her body though the colour already returned to her normal sun darkened tan.
Makoto gingerly shifts her feet, edging forward in response to Aranha resuming his ginga but performs a quick back hop pre-emptively when she thought she saw the an attack. As Aranha turns backwards at speed she is already raising her guard and forearm to in opposition, that long lean leg collides firmly with an impact that unsettles plaster chips from the walls and resounds loudly throughout the dojo. The girl is still on feet through spine is curled forward and the arm shielding her head and torso form the kick is firmly pressed down into her own body. The arm is numb, solidly from shoulder to fingertip but her body is also cocked lightly to the side to escape some of the impact.
Bobbing down and coming in low she swings up for the his jaw with her good arm, fist travelling straight at the crescent shaped scar just below his eye.
"Te-eeeh!"
COMBATSYS: Makoto successfully hits Aranha with Aggressive Strike.
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Aranha 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Makoto
Aranha's body is too bruised and battered to even consider blocking. Best case scenario would be him ending up smacking himself in the face with his own hand and knocking himself out. That would be one embarassing way to go out. One could even imagine the signage at sporting events. 'Stop Hitting Yourself,' comes to mind instantly.
So he tries to move out of the way but his tired body refuses to listen to him refuses to obey those commands. It's almost as if fatigue and injury has overridden survival instinct. That fist connects and his vision goes white. And he finally manages to wrest control over his body back from agony but at this point it's too late and all he can do is share the pain.
He had been keeping something back in reserve just in case he needed it but now that he knew he was going down anyway, now was as good a time as any to let it all hang out. It starts with a glowing blue outside crescent kick. He whirls around delivering a variety of kicks, and then spins in the other direction to resume the kicking. Each kick glowing with blue energy, each one an attempt to overwhelm her defenses and drown her in a sea of kicks before he tilts over into a handstand and spins around delivering a final set of chi enhanced kicks and then his arms give out and he falls to ground.
COMBATSYS: Aranha can no longer fight.
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Makoto 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Aranha successfully hits Makoto with Royal Flush.
- Power hit! -
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Makoto 1/-----==/=======|
COMBATSYS: Makoto takes no action.
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Makoto 1/------=/=======|
The lights go dim for makoto as the kick turns her head aside, time stopped for a brain paralyzed by the sudden snap and rocking of her head. Her guard hovers ineffectively reflexively falling or raising against the last blow delivered and opening up another location to attack. Flesh and bone protest under the force of repeated heavy blows while strength begins to leave her limbs.
Motes of blue light and droplets of saliva and sweat hang in the air between then as the battering continues. Part ragdoll, part mighty oak the karate practitioner is whittled down as kicks rain down like the axe blows needed to fell that tree. The overhead blows drive her down, falling slowly to her knees and then falling forward as though she might topple; catching herself with her hand she kneels in front of Aranha even as the last of his strength gives way.
A draw then? Both fighters unable to rise and without a referee or panel to judge, no spectators to cheer them on. There is not even a winner. Makoto raises a knee from the ground and begins climbing back to her feet. It laboured, hard and she sways despite the resurgence of her consciousness. The proffered hand reaching down to help Aranha up is all she can think to do. There is no animosity or even pity in the gesture. In fact despite the marks, swelling, bruises and thin trail of blood emerging form her hairline. She seems happy.
"Let's keep fighting until we are both completely satisfied."
She'll fight him however many times he wants, again and again after they've rested or right the heck now. As much as it takes for their fists to be satisfied or to reach a conclusion.
Log created on 21:04:09 02/03/2013 by Aranha, and last modified on 14:07:04 02/08/2013.