21/09/04

Characters: Ryo, Chun-Li, Cammy, (Vega)

The Seattle afternoon drags onward, sun tracing its way across the city skyline
in its gradual path, and leaving Masters Stadium in its own natural spotlight. 
It's sort of symbolic, what with the buzz that's running through the city as the
tournament within kicks into high gear.  There's a subtle change to the
tournament bracket, with the appearance of a new name in place of another, a
name that some would recognize as belonging to the Kyokugen Tiger - Ryo
Sakazaki.  For the young karate expert, fanfare and publicity are secondary
concerns, and as such, there's very little of it accompanying the change, or at
least very little that he initiates or participates in... It's impossible to
prevent media speculation, particularly with a name that's well-known in certain
tournament circles, and among many enthusiasts.  For his part, though, it
doesn't really alter attitude or intent.  The biggest shift?  Well, the need  to
step up his training schedule... Ryo has seen what the fighters in this
tournament are capable of, time and again recently.  It doesn't make him
/uneasy/ per se, but realistic and logical, Ryo knows what needs to be done to
have a chance at winning these fights.  Currently, he's taking a break to
refuel, sitting off to one side of the sprawling food court with a bowl of rice
and chicken, doused thoroughly in a spicy-smelling brown sauce.  His trademark
orange gi shows signs of recent exertion, what with the lingering sweat on the
cloth, and his hair is in a similar state, partially dry, with his blonde locks
carrying something of a slicked-back look.  But hey, it keeps the hair out of
his face while he eats, which he does with a casual rhythm, his left hand
wielding chopsticks with a masterful touch.

Two matches had the crowds going positively wild yesterday... one a surprising
bout between a quick and nimble ninja youth, and a man with seeming great power
and an ability to wield the same flames as the King of Fighters himself, Kyo
Kusanagi. The boy prevailed. The other? It began slightly later, and turned into
an intensely long slugfest between two warriors with large followings; the boss
of Gedo High, a mountain of a man with a near-impenetrable defence, Daigo
Kazama. And Chun-Li, hailed as the world's strongest woman and quick becoming a
modern martial arts legend with a place in the public eye. The gang leader
prevailed, but it was a close battle and one few who were there are likely to
forget in a hurry - several heartstopping moments, and the minimal number of
attacks that did connect successfully did so with utterly expert precision.

Come the end, the Chinese woman had to be carried away by her unsinkable
opponent.. though he was in little better condition himself. Now though she has
returned to the stadium, bearing various dressings and with a distinct
sluggishness to her usual grace.. she'll be down for a couple of days, through
exertion rather than any specific injuries. This simply won't stop her tracing
the rest of the tournment, and she stands now near the main entrance, looking up
with a slightly dulled gaze at the current match listings. (Ryo Sakazaki...
looks like you got lucky...) There's a small smile on her lips, and she seems
unfazed by loss - the fighter she fell to was almost frighteningly on par with
herself, and it was closely matched to the last. But the smile is broken by
something else, her mouth twitching downward at either end in disappointment..
maybe even a little anger.

Anger indeed it would seem, as after a moment the rage flashes across her eyes
and she turns away, teeth gritting. A few steps are taken through the gathered
crowds, astonished fans forced to part as the young woman all but tosses them
aside with her stride, moving over towards the food court. Why is she so eager
to get away? Seeing Sagat's name mysteriously disappear from the roster has
riled her, and she doesn't want to be seen in such a state... maybe it's
paranoia, but such a happening raises her hackles and sets her to frustration
that this brief spell of contentment might be broken so inconveniently by
them... by Shadaloo.

Ah, Shadaloo.  That evil organisation of psychopaths, murderers, sadists and
worse.

Cammy is off to one side, snacking on a choc bar, a can of fizzy drink in one
pocket of her red cloak, creating a huge and obvious bulge as its really much
too big for said pocket.  She seems happy enough, nibbling tiny bites out of the
choc, and eying the lobby every so often for the presence of the Rich, Famous
and Fighty.

Chopsticks come together, pinning a slightly more than bite-sized chunk of rice
and chicken between the paired implements, the old-fashioned utensil carrying
the food to Ryo's waiting mouth, and he happily chows down.  He's blissfully
unaware, at least for this moment, of the darker side to the tournament
fighters, though that contentment is likely a product of conscious focus and
coached calm rather than ignorance... It'd be hard for anyone who knows the man
to believe that he could've missed the likes of Geese Howard ominiously close to
his own newfound spot in the tournament.  But, worry is useless, and anger would
just upset his stomach, so just now, he eats and relaxes, kicking his bare feet
out under the table and resting back in his chair, apparently not in the least
bit worried about losing grains of rice or spilling sauce on his sweatstained
Gi.  All in all, the Kyokugen Tiger makes for a deceptively carefree picture,
and the injuries he had been carrying the previous day are healing quickly and
effectively, the bruising on his face receding and the wrappings on his arm
nowhere to be seen, though there's still a mazework of scratches visible on his
left wrist and palm.

Ryo pauses his quest to fill his gut with tastyness and reaches for an oversized
glass of water that also rests on his table, lifting it and drinking down large
gulps, one after another, before he sets the cup back down and brushes his mouth
clean with the back of his right hand, stretching his neck this way then that
with a quiet crack.  The myriad of people milling about the stadium are mostly
ignored, but it's hard to miss the crowd-splitting ire of Chun-Li as she
veritably storms over, and it's with a slight surprise that his dark eyes take
her in.  Should he catch her eye, a simple greeting is offered by way of a wave
of his hand, and a slight smile.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell
that she's not in the greatest mood, even at that range, even if the reasons are
a mystery to him.  The cloaked Shadaloo brit receives a few sidelong glances,
but nothing lingering.  For Ryo, it's a matter of... Haven't I seen her around,
quite a bit?  Something odd there.  But as with Chun-Li's discontent, he can't
place the reasons, and he doesn't dwell on trying.  If she wants to lurk all
enigmatic-like, it's no skin off his nose, as long as she doesn't take steps to
change that.

"I'm sorry!" Her voice rather snappy, irritable.. actually impolite, in a total
break from her regular form, Chun-Li sends this quickly back to some casually
dressed youth as he looks to be approaching her for an autograph. The young
woman's gaze turns from him the moment the words are out, leaving a rather
stunned boy in her path as she continues on at the same breakneck pace, her
cheeks reddening and eyes narrowed with determination to get away from these
crowds. Deep down she's attempting to calm herself, putting it down to the pain
still running through her body at times, and down to sheer paranoid behaviour -
she'd intended to find and question Sagat during the tournament, on equal terms
this time, to try and finally prove or disprove the rumour regarding his
defection. But now his name disappears... she's confused and flustered, and boy
does it show. Heading towards Ryo's table, she even almost misses the flash of
orange and the familiar tousled hair. The wave rockets right past her. But then
something jerks her back to reality.. maybe the realisation that she's now free
from the crush, free to sit and think? Whatever the reason, she stops.

"Oh.." Chun-Li's gaze slips down to the Kyokugen master, her eyes blinking just
once before she stares for a few seconds, looking lost.. like someone just
jarred from a dream. "Ryo!" A jump with that, her shoulders shrugging abruptly
back, and then a smile makes its way into view.. uncertain, it none the less
lingers and she moves to grab a seat beside him, pulling it close and sitting
down hurriedly. Maybe some small talk can take her mind off things?
"C-Congratulations on entering the tournament, I just saw!" Ah.. the joy of
auto-pilot conversation.. though she -is- pleased for him. She was, up until
seeing the other change. It might be telling that her eyes can't stand still
after speaking her piece, and rove to the left, looking across this section of
the food court... spotting Cammy. A red-cloaked figure.. mysterious maybe, but
not worthy of attention. Not usually. This time she gasps, a hand going to her
mouth and then rather rapidly to her breast... she seems scared, certainly not
what you'd expect from the strongest woman in the world.

Cammy wasn't really looking in Chun-Li's direction, but when Chun-Li reacts,
Cammy's head comes up with a snap and she stares right back, a little wide eyed
herself.  She lifts up the choc to take a tiny bite, and then blinks at
Chunners, looking Very Innocent Indeed.  Her gaze wanders to Ryo briefly - and
then she busies herself digging out her can of drink, popping the top and taking
a sip.

Wow.  Something has Chun-Li on edge, and how!  Ryo's knowledge of the woman may
be somewhat limited, but there's no missing the dramatic shift in attitude and
demeanor that she's running with right now.  Sagat, and Shadaloo in general, are
a mystery to him, and in some ways he'd probably be glad if it stayed that way. 
Howard's Syndicate and Rugal's organization are certainly already a lot to nurse
enmity with, but that's just how he lives.  With a lot of fighters, it'd be easy
to write the short temper off on the previous night's photo finish loss, but
somehow the young Sakazaki isn't inclined to believe Chun-Li's anger is brought
on by sore loser tendencies, though it does look like she's more than a little
bit sore.  He knows how that works.  At first it looks like she's going to storm
right by him, which he seems quite willing to accept, dropping his waving hand
back to the table and looking her way with a slightly concerned look etched on
his face.  But hey, of all the people who can take care of themselves?  He's not
got a lot of cause to be truly worried, but it's something Ryo's damn good at
nonetheless.  When she turns, he returns the smile, and once more drinks from
his water as she delivers her little impromptu speech.  Borders on manic, but
what the heck, it's a nice sentiment.

"Thanks."  Ryo answers, sincerely and a substantial mark calmer in tone and
pacing compared to the Tai Chi master, "Came as something of a surprise, but I'm
definitely not complaining."  Just a little bit curious.  Who slid him in?  Who
knew he was here?  There's a few options, both positive and negative, but as
with many things, there's not a lot Ryo can do but ride it out and see what
happens... And of course, put his nose where it doesn't belong a bit on the way.
The third change in Chun-Li's demeanor draws him right back to concerned.  Fear?
Where did that come from?  He sets his chopsticks down and glances around, eyes
following the direction of the Chinese woman's gaze towards Cammy as well, but
in the end he's not nearly as shaken by the surroundings as she seems to be,
"What's wrong?"  Possibly, Ryo's most-spoken line!

"Idiot... stop it..." Chun-Li hisses, quietly berating herself.. maybe Ryo
thinks she refers to him, but given the evidence displayed so far it's very
doubtful. Besides which she remains eyeing Cammy across the way, one hand
lifting to nervously tighten a white-capped bun of hair. How could she jump at
such a sight? Everything about the cloaked girl beside the initial mystery makes
her out as less than worrisome - a face more innocent than most, and what manner
of agent would be sitting calmly munching on snacks scant meters away from one
of Shadaloo's greatest enemies? The Chinese martial artist knows she's being a
fool, knows this sudden fear is just another side-effect of suspicion coupled
with lingering grogginess.. she just needs a rest, that's all. It was wrong of
her to pull herself away from relaxation to return to the giddy lights of the
stadium. Cammy is just another merry-making fight fan, dressed practically
normally given the festival atmosphere brought into Seattle by the Master
Tournament, and Sagat could have any number of reasons for pulling out... or
could he? That she won't quite accept, it seems too wrong.. given his character,
given all that she knows... he wouldn't give up without quite staggering reason.
Like an order, something overriding the honour of battle.

But true or not, these thoughts need to be shaken. Her teeth grit for a moment,
then she looks back towards Ryo with a quick smile and a shake of her head.
"It's.." a hesitation. A pause. Is it worth lying to a friend, and someone who
might even understand her plight? "It's something.. but don't worry about it.
Just a change to the tournament that surprised me, it's a long story and one I
don't suppose you need to hear..." She tails off with a sigh and closes her
eyes, leaning back in the chair.. which might not be the best, most comfortable
perch, but right now it feels like heaven. The ache of yesterday's match
pervades near every inch of her form.

Cammy may not be looking really, but she is paying attention, the Doll being
imbued with some of Vega's psycho power after all.  Foremost amongst the Dolls,
her perceptive powers are better than most - and when she picks up vague
feelings of what Chun-Li is thinking, she smiles to herself in satisfaction. 
Vega's fiendish plan of making his top assassin look as cute as possible works!

The sudden hiss brings a rise to one of Ryo's dark brows, and a bit of surprise
to his eyes.  After that, it's probably a good thing she didn't try to write it
off as nothing.  The young Sakazaki may have his naive points, but he's not
stupid.  Or oblivious.  Of course, he's shirking bed-rest to be here, too. 
Training, no less.  Yuri would be quite put out, even if his little sister knew
he'd never take her advice to heart fully.  Staying off his feet a little longer
than he normally would have is a concession in and of itself, after all!  And
besides, he feels well enough, the slight ache from his own fight with Chun-Li
not near enough to keep him down, "Well, I doubt my getting slipped in would
unnerve you..."  He observes with a slight grin.  She did kick him down fairly
effectively, after all, even if he did put up quite a fight, "So it must be
something in one of the other brackets."  She didn't outright tell him it was
none of his business, so letting it lie isn't the option he chooses.

"If there's some kind of trouble, here or with people here... Well, then it sort
of involves all of us."  However indirectly.  But it's Ryo's way of saying that
at least with certain sorts of things?  A lack of direct threat to him doesn't
make a huge difference.  Some people, some activities, and some situations are
just against everything the Kyokugen Tiger holds dear.  He's outwardly relaxed,
despite the busy meanderings of his thoughts, picking up the chopsticks and
setting to finishing his food after a final comment, "If you're in some kind of
trouble, don't let the nature of it make your decisions for you.  Everybody
makes their own calls, dangerous or no."  He's aware she's not near her peak,
just now, and it'd be a vulnerable time for whatever enemies she's made to come
after her.  Ryo's not one to underestimate the value of allies, either.  Or the
simple weight of logistics.

Chun-Li gives a slight laugh at the Tiger's summary of his own threat to her
person.. her head shaking from side to side just faintly. Right now his sister
could likely handle her pretty effectively, but it's more that they both know
the fight could have gone either way - she was more primed to deal with his
abilities than he was her own, and it was simply a good day. You can't be at
your peak for a tournament without expecting such surprising victories. Herself
and Ryo may not be equal, but still there's little separating them.. differing
styles, and different methods of training will always create a gap in favour of
one party. Daigo showed her that by the narrowest of margins the night before.

Ryo's next statement is correct too.. and through her unwillingness to share,
this breaks through. Something she'd have realised already herself, if not for
the state she's in and the sudden attack of rage and subsequent panic.. if
Shadaloo have business here, it won't be simply with her. But she could be the
one to prevent it, to swing the odds. Her eyes open and she leans forward again,
forearms coming to rest lightly on the table's edge as she looks sidelong at the
Kyokugen warrior. "You're right.. and it might not be trouble. I just can't help
being on edge... hm." She pauses, biting lightly down on her lower lip and
considering her conversational partner for a moment. Just how much should she
share? She begins speaking again with a lowering of her tone, drawing the
conversation into something a little more private.

"I don't know how much you've heard about me, but.. I doubt if you'd know
everything. I'm an ex-Interpol agent, but I'm that for a reason.. it's that
reason I'm afraid of now." A frown.. because that might not be true. Fear isn't
quite the truth, though at times it is there.. as it would be against any foe so
fierce, so seemingly unbeatable as Vega. It's more that she knows she isn't
quite ready, another of the reasons she came to the tournament - to bring
herself past her current level, to improve and hopefully work towards another
chance at her vengeance. She sighs, the frown fading and replaced with a stoic
expression, her gaze sliding from Ryo idly back towards Cammy. "I'll be careful
after the shock subsides, and if anything happens I'm sure there's something I
can do about it... it's too early now anyway. If anything happens, it happens
towards the end of this tournament.." (If only I knew when exactly, and why.. if
only I knew more about his plans...)

Cammy slurps noisily at her coke, and then slowly walks over to Chun-Li and Ryo.
She doesn't really pay much attention to Ryo, as she has no idea who he is. 
"Good morning." she says softly.  "You are the strongest woman in the world,
no?" she asks Chun-Li.   "I recognise you.  You are quite famous."

Though in part, that which does seperate them is the reason Ryo is as close as
he seems to be... The Kyokugen fighter has few exploitable weaknesses, though
that balance in and of itself is his one shortcoming against someone like
Chun-Li, with her legendary speed, and the raw power of her kicks.  The
reminiscing brings Ryo's right hand to his face, to rub lightly at his chin. 
Yes, he'll be happy enough not to get kicked in the head by her too many more
times, though a rematch is certainly in the cards somewhere along the way.  His
expression sobers and his eyes are dead serious when she leans forward to reply,
and he once again stops his eating and drinking to pay attention.  It's not like
this is the best place for conversations like these, but then there's not ever
really a 'good time' for this stuff, now is there?  Still, the explanation, such
as it is, is more than a little obscure, and Ryo's only able to draw much
information from it by virtue of his own experiences with this sort of thing. 
His expression grows a bit sterner by the time Chun-Li finishes her account, due
to the less thanpleasant possibilities that float about in his mind.

"So you think that these people are here?"  It's a rhetorical sort of question,
he can tell that she does, it's just important enough to echo with a bit of
serious weight.  He nods after a moment, more to himself than to Chun-Li, "Well,
naturally that doesn't fill in all the details, and no, I sure don't know
everything about you."  That's a bit amusing, softening his face with a small
smile.  It seems like he knows less and less as time goes on, particularly with
this new development... What could she be involved in that would make a fighter
so strong scared or so on-edge?  Sure, he has his anxious moments, but even with
the Syndicate... Well, this just seems bigger somehow, though it could be the
sheer mystery her technique of explaining it laces it with.  He'd ask more, but
Cammy interrupts the line of questioning.  Not being addressed, he doesn't
respond, leaning back a bit and picking his water up once more, observing the
exchange neutrally.

Chun-Li might indeed be inclined to explain this with fewer intriguing
overtones, were they not sitting in the lobby of a stadium holding place to a
fairly huge event.. and while she dismissed the red-cloaked girl for what she
appeared to be, there could be any number of the enemy eavesdropping at any one
time. It's something you have to learn fast, or be caught out and instantly fail
when undertaking anything on the level she has intended for some time. As it
is... she might be known to Shadaloo's strongest and best, though of course
Vega's awesome ego may have prevented him treating her with any real respect.
That might be his downfall, she hopes.. and may prevent her investigation from
being easily torn down at any given point.

"They might be.. that's why the other change in the brackets disturbs me." The
young woman replies to Ryo, lifting one shoulder in a small shrug. "You might
know the fighter, but don't let his name known as a suspicious one. I'm not even
sure of it myself... the Muay Thai champion, Sagat." There it is. Something
concrete, spoken out of the corner of her mouth with a quick glance in the other
direction, just in case. Not that merely mentioning the man's name in such
context is going to be cause for concern, but it's best to be prudent. She sighs
again and looks down, two fingers toying with the plastic edging of the table..
and her mouth opens to say something else, before it ends with a soft gasp and
she glances upwards, at an approaching flicker of red and subsequent words from
the young girl she'd marked earlier.

"Oh.." Chun-Li blinks quickly, folding her arms across her chest and leaning
back.. one eyebrow raising as a smile is forced onto her lips. A friendly one -
her tension has subsided enough that she can offer this gesture, without falling
into a bad mood as she had with the autograph-hunting youth previously. "That's
what they tell me. It's always nice to meet a fan.." she can only assume that's
what that is, and her smile widens a little, before a hand is lifted from her
side and extended towards the girl. "Miss...?"

Cammy looks up at Chun-Li, tilts her head slightly, and blinks brilliant blue
eyes.  She extends a hand, with fingerless red gloves apparently made out of
some sort of hard plastic, previously hidden beneath her cloak, and gently
shakes Chun-Li's hand briefly.  "I am Cammy White." she announces.  "Are you
fighting today?" she asks.  "I am very interested in seeing your abilities for
real."

The admission regarding Sagat, and the generally enigmatic info leaves Ryo with
plenty to mull over while Chun-Li is busy with her 'fan'.  Could his own
inclusion in the tournament this late into play have something to do with the
more nefarious aims of some criminal organization he hadn't seen or heard from
before?  However unlikely it might be in reality, it's enough to give Ryo pause,
and cause for concern.  The introduction and inquiry on Cammy's behalf draws his
eyes, and despite the unassuming expression and seemingly innocent quetion,
there's just something unusual about the girl.  Not necessarily menacing, but
she doesn't move, or act, like your typical teenager.  And that's something Ryo
has plenty of experience with, whether he'd like to or not.  He doesn't speak
up, though... It's not his place to interrupt, nor does he see a lot of point in
doing so right at this moment.  It's the perfect opportunity to finish up his
meal, though, which he does, leaving only a bit of sauce in the bottom of his
bowl, and sliding the tray aside to take care of later.  His feet draw up nearer
his chair and he leans back in the seat, balancing on the back legs and shifting
his eyes between the two talking ladies.

Chun-Li's grip is firm enough, considering her state, and for all its
friendliness there's no disguising the power within her extended limb.. at
least, to a trained warrior. And she could almost swear she feels a similar
force behind the innocent-seeming girl's grasp... not that this would be overly
odd, it's merely something interesting to note and comes rather unexpected. As
does the flash of red leatherish plastic that emerges from the thick cloak, and
the Chinese woman's gaze flickers downward just briefly to note its make. It
doesn't appear cheaply made, not the kind of thing worn by those trying to
imitate their favourite fighters and failing miserably.. could Cammy be a
fighter herself? It's not like it matters immediately though, and she shrugs it
off, instead leaning back and setting her hands into her lap once the
introductory gesture is made.

"Well, Cammy.." she begins to answer, glancing to one side with that gradually
more open smile taking on a wry, amused edge. "I might have been, if I hadn't
already been beaten. I doubt yesterday's opponent is either, but keep an eye
out.. Daigo Kazama. He's strong, you could learn a lot from him!" Again the
smile changes, almost bordering on a grin as she says this and looks back to
Miss White. If she is a fighter, that information might register.. but it would
with a fan too. Either way there's no harm in working up a little fanbase for
the big man, he deserves it with such skill and power behind his style. "But I'm
sure I'll be fighting again, before I leave Seattle!" Now she glances toward
Ryo, and a hand is quickly raised to make a gesture towards him, "Have you met
Ryo Sakazaki? He'll be fighting shortly, and that might be worth watching as
well."

"Oh...  I know Daigo." Cammy replies.  "I have already interacted with him - for
quite some time.".  She flinches a bit, and suddenly looks very sad and
woebegone, though there are no tears in her eyes or anything like that.  She
manages to look woebegone without such theatrics.  "I cannot see him anymore
though, except to watch him fight." she says softly.  She turns to Ryo, and
blinks.  "I am not familiar with this individual." she states, narrowing her
eyes and giving him a burningly analytical look, her gaze wandering across him
like a photocopier scanning a page.

Ryo's foot taps lightly at the ground from time to time, correcting the balance
of his chair, and the unecessary torture he puts it through by rocking on the
pair of legs without the other two.  His schoolteachers would be so ashamed of
him, really.  Thankfully for Ryo, the only instructor's opinion that matters a
whole lot to him at this point in his life is Takuma's, and his father's pride
is something Ryo takes plenty of pride of his own in maintaining.  As Chun-Li
goes over the nature of the previous night's fight with Daigo, his attention
shifts to her fully, and he interjects, "That was one heck of a fight, by the
way.  And I thought ours was close.  You two had me holding my breath till right
at the end."  And of course, the Chinese warrior deserves a little praise after
such a hard-fought bout, especially with as well as she's taking it.  It can be
hard for some people after they rise so far in the rankings, especially with
Chun-Li's renown.  But she continues to impress him, in more fields than her
fighting.

Ryo nods to Cammy as he's introduced, offering up his own hand, and meeting her
analytical gaze with a similarly alert light to his own, slightly darker eyes,
"Good to meet you.  I'm the son of Takuma Sakazaki, of the Kyokugen school of
Karate."  Maybe she'll know /that/ famous name?  Nonetheless, Ryo's slightly
restrained demeanor isn't a product of the lack of recognition - He doesn't
really mind when fame fails him, though it would be nice (for the dojo) if
fortune found him a bit more often, but there's always Robert to help out with
that... But the unnerving aspect is just how searing that look is, and Ryo can't
help but notice he's being sized up like a cut of meat.  Not that he's not a
fighter worthy of such consideration, but from the source?  One more oddity, in
his mind.

Chun-Li blinks with open surprise at Cammy's reaction to that name. So she has
some history with Daigo? The obvious thoughts come to mind... and some less
obvious alternatives, but it's the former that stick given the cloaked girl's
expression. The sudden shift in her calm manner. The Chinese woman would never
have thought to make a connection here of all places, and in fact Kazama seemed
about the last person to have any such relationships in his past. A more nosy
person might make a note to ask him, to probe deeper into this little bit of
intrigue - but it's clearly personal. Whilst marked and noticed, it won't be
followed up unless something else comes to the fore, or there's cause for
concern in the friend she now feels she has in the Gedo boss.

"I see.." is Chun-Li's only outward comment though, something akin to concern
actually showing in her gaze, the girl's troubled look reflecting itself back
into her. But it's moved on from easily enough, with attention turning to Ryo
and away from this apparent spot of pain. The young woman hastily restores her
smile and lowers her hand back to her lap, receiving the man's praise with a
soundless laugh. "Thanks.. I tried my best, and so did he. I thought I had him
several times... but I suppose the day wasn't mine!" A shrug, a careless one.
She really sees that fight as another point of progression, a flag on her map.
Her early training came to the fore to aid her in toppling the huge mass of
Daigo and it almost worked.. the fact she was forced to remember such
perseverance was a good thing in itself. So it's with a mood returning to
contentment that she sits back and lets the two others converse, only a slightly
odd look given at Cammy's appraising stare. More evidence of her fighting
nature?

Cammy closes her eyes for a moment, for a second almost seeming to sleep on her
feet.  Then her eyes snap open, and she looks up at Chun-Li with new purpose. 
"Maybe you will demonstrate some moves for me, so I can watch, yes?" she asks
her, lifting up one hand to point at the door.  "Maybe out in the street, as
tradition demands." she says, pointing to the door of the lobby.  "As your
tournament is over.  Or I would not be so forward, and merely watch your fight
with Daigo.  A shame I missed it."

Well.  As much as Ryo doesn't mind not being recognized, the lack of respect for
his father is a bit more bothersome, and his expression fades to a frown for a
moment as Cammy turns back to Chun-Li without another word.  His offered hand
drifts back to his side, resting on the edge of the table nearest him in a half
fist.  He coaches his demeanor neutral again fairly quickly, however, and
instead of expressing or taking the offense to heart, he nods to Chun-Li,
"Everyone has their good and bad days.  When it really gets tricky is when both
hit the same stride at once."  Which is his impression on the previous night's
fight... Damned impressive show on behalf of both fighters!  Clearly, each was
at the top of their game... Otherwise, it never would have been as fierce (and
long!) as it was.  The request rings a bit odd in Ryo's ears... Surely Cammy can
see Chun-Li's not quite at the top of her game, and in a way that sitting
there's probably a good bit more comfortable than throwing high-kicks and
fireballs, but hey... It's her perogative to deal with, and he keeps his nose
out of it, this time.  He lifts his hands, fingers meshing behind his neck as he
once more rocks backwards in chair, muscular arms supporting his head.  Is this
a matter of a moves demonstration?  Or is there some other motive in asking
Chun-Li to 'step outside'?  The timing of the encounter seems... almost too
coincidental to Ryo.

Chun-Li's gaze shoots briefly to Ryo as she too marks the blatant ignorance in
Cammy's action. Impolite, but.. odd too. Her eyes narrow before she can really
stop them, and after the look to the karate master she's studying the suddenly
distant girl, wondering on her behaviour... the effects of a shattered
relationship? Drugs? She can't be sure, and there's no real indication of any of
that beside the similarly strange actions when Daigo was raised directly. The
Chinese woman's eyes re-widen, her expression becoming now rather passive - the
smile failing to return, through sheer confusion - once Cammy appears to awaken.
And makes.. an unexpected request.

A look goes down her front, and Chun-Li's eyes blink at her own figure.. she can
clearly see the bulge of applied dressings, and at her arms and on her cheek
there is also plastering in place, nothing major but as Ryo surmises it clearly
is nothing to be unconcerned about either. Sure, she could fight well enough if
forced to it but the weariness creeping through her every muscle hardly gives
her a desire to prove herself right now. Even to an apparent fan. She looks up
and studies Cammy White once more.. is that really what she is? A fighter and a
follower of the Tai Chi mistress might well make such a demand, but it seems
strange.. if she refuses, she might look offish, unfriendly. On the other hand,
accepting the near-order will bring no real ill effects save an hour or two's
additional sleep later on. Assuming all she wants is a cold demonstration of
course, and not a sparring match - either with herself, or with the overlooked
Ryo. Which would make little sense.

"Um.." she finally decides to reply, with a quick shrug of her shoulders and a
glance towards the door. "I'm quite happy to show you, but it's.. a little
inconvenient now. Ha!" She looks back with a short laugh, shaking her head.
Here's a compromise that keeps her from feeling guilty, and also gives her time
to get out of this curious funk today's news has placed her in. "I suppose the
fight's getting to me more than I'd like. Maybe another time, when I can be sure
you'll see me at my best? It might disappoint you at the moment.." a hand moves
to finger a couple of her bruised points, fingertips brushing across dressings
before her arm settles down casually again. She raises a hopeful eyebrow, and a
soft smile to the girl. "Would that be alright with you? I'll be staying at
least until the tournament finishes."

Cammy gets a bit agitated, and shakes her head.  "No, no." she says in a
suddenly desperate voice.  She even takes a few steps towards the door, eager. 
Somewhere along the way, she drops her choc bar, which was loosely held in her
free hand, she doesn't even notice it's passing, such is her singlemindedness. 
She takes a few paces to the door, and then pauses, to look back at Chun-Li with
pleading eyes.  "You must come with me."

Ryo shares that glance with Chun-Li.  Yep, it's weird.  Yep, she's being a bit
less than friendly, or even respectful, to either of them.  Not that that in and
of itself is odd for teenagers, but jeez!  With every other aspect of the
situation, it's just a tiny bit unusual.  Just because Chun-Li could survive a
bout, or a bit of exertion, doesn't necessarily make it a good idea, and
although the Chinese warrior doesn't have an overzealous little sister to get on
her case on that part, it seems to Ryo she's well aware the extent of her own
injuries, and he holds back from addressing that point himself.  Damn but it's
hard to keep his mouth shut in this situation, though!  Especially when Chun-Li
offers what seems like a more sensible compromise, and Cammy gets even more
demanding.  And what's with the look?  She seems more than bossy, but almost...
desperate?  What the heck's going on here.  He looks to Chun-Li, and back to
Cammy, "What's all this about?"  He finally inquires, a bit miffed at the
schluff-off given him, and the attitude towards the hurt fighter.

The world's strongest woman frowns, tilting her head to one side as she receives
Cammy's reply. It seemed a fair enough request but.. she's new to fame, despite
it having found its way to her even as she lay low and sought Shadaloo through
underground connections. Perhaps this is just the way of fans? And the girl
doesn't seem threatening, simply desperate to see her at work... whether it
leads to disappointment or not, can she really let that pass? Besides, perhaps
with some effort she could pull herself back to form for a while - imagine she
has a real reason to, and use that deceiving of herself to bring a return to her
usual level of skill. Without Ryo there this thought might pull her up into
giving the asked-for demonstration without further question, and she even moves
to stand.. hands planting to the tabletop and feet straightening, the chair
being pushed back to make room for the movement.

Once upright she sends one more glance towards the Kyokugen warrior before his
question comes. One that's been in her hand for quite a while now, and the frown
that had just been fading away returns with full force, as Chun-Li turns and
takes a few steps to catch up with Cammy. Idly she bends at the waist and
retrieves the dropped item, holding it out towards the girl with a questioning
look. She's trying to appear friendly still, but.. it's getting hard, so she
looks fairly neutral. There's no outright suspicion, but she needs a reason to
go exerting herself - beyond simple fandom - given the edge she has already been
set upon. "I'd ask the same question.. I don't mind doing this, Cammy, but I'd
like to know why you want to see me so much. Are you going home this evening, or
something?"

Yep.. she's desperate to find a perfectly innocent explanation. That sure sounds
like one.

Cammy looks at the two of them with wide, almost wild eyes, and then focuses
upon Chun-Li.  "I will get in trouble if you do not come with me." she intones,
and then casts about the lobby as if lost.  "And I want my credit card back."
she says in a small voice.  Seeing the offered choc, she hesitates a bit, and
then walks away from the door with some evident difficulty, to reclaim the
chocolate - and then stare at Chun-Li's hand, like she's contemplating grabbing
it.  She gnaws on the chocolate nervously for a second, and then with some
evident difficulty calms herself down, half closing her eyes as she thinks.  

Ryo looks a bit concerned when Chun-Li moves to stand.  The longer this goes on,
the odder it seems to get.  Sure, demanding fans can be a product of fame... But
there's an undertone of urgency here that lacks the innocence of your typical
fanatic.  His chair thumps back to the ground fully, squealing a bit as it is
pushed back from the table, and the Kyokugen Tiger rises to his feet with a fair
bit less hesitance or discomfort than Chun-Li shows in her motions, and he lifts
the tray in one hand, taking it to the nearest trash can and dumping it.  No
reason to pollute the Masters Stadium, even if there is somebody paid to clean
it up.  The mundane pursuit gives him a moment to think, and a reason to move
besides following Chun-Li and Cammy, though after he's done it, he does walk
back to the former's side, crossing his arms over his chest and looking at the
british youth with a bit more focused consideration than the initial exchange
had involved, "In trouble?  With whom?"  Is she leading Chun-Li to her parents
or something?  That seems awfully unlikely, with the sense he has of this
situation... But he's willing to entertain the possibilities.  He holds off
echoing his first question, just yet... But he's still not sure at /all/ what
all this is about.  And he doesn't like it.

...that certainly wasn't an innocent explanation. Chun-Li's eyes widen for an
instant, suspicion she was trying to keep suppressed now welling up inside and
causing a thousand thoughts to blaze through her skull. Last time she checked
Shadaloo didn't employ slips of girls.. and even though that look given her
outstretched hand is mildly unnerving, causing her fingers to curl inward
reflexively, she still has a hard time believing Cammy can be anything but an
innocent. (Charlie.. this had better not be some sick joke... if you wanted hold
of me, you know better ways to do it...) A sidelong glance is quickly sent
towards Ryo now that he draws close and her hand raises, palm open dismissively.
"Ryo, it's okay." Simple, to the point, before carefully she breathes a sigh and
then gives a rather tight half-smile to the red-cloaked young lady. "Very well,
we wouldn't want you to get in trouble, would we? I'll come along, and do as
you'd like..."

Rash? Foolish? Maybe so.. but even if this is what her worst fears would claim,
there's nothing to be done. If she doesn't follow now, she might be found in her
sleep or during an even more difficult period.. at least now she can force
herself to fight, whatever the resultant cost to her form. But it's still such a
leap to make, and the Chinese woman can only put the making of this leap down to
the paranoia she's been trying to crush. As she waits to fall into step with
Cammy, she studies her closely yet again.. trying to piece this puzzle together.
With that last sentence, she certainly dismissed herself as anything like a
simple fan.. perhaps a member of a rabid fanclub, if she thought she had such a
thing. But she doesn't. She knows that much.. and the only way to work this out
for certain is to go along with the apparent flow.

Cammy -is- an innocent! - a poor, unfortunate innocent to be precise.   She
seems very relieved when Chun-Li agrees, demeanour changing instantly to obvious
and heartfelt relief.  "Thank you very much.".  At the thought of her credit
card being returned to her, she practically bounces out the front door, into the
bright outside.

Whatever innocence Cammy herself may retain, there's nothing so harmless about
the agenda behind that, and Ryo is plenty aware of it.  His eyes narrow somewhat
as Cammy bounds off, and he turns the intensely serious look to Chun-Li, "You
sure you want to walk into this one?"  He sighs slightly, already knowing the
answer.  Pursue all leads, face all battles, show courage in the most dire
situations... There's too many principles and mandates that they seem to share
to suspect she'd turn away even from odds that are /definitely/ suicidal, with
the right motivation, "At least let me follow.  If things get out of hand, you
might need the back-up."  He's not a ninja by any stretch of the imagination,
but he's light on his feet, and quick, and at least sort of decent at staying
out of sight, "This doesn't seem right."

And that's that. The deal struck, the arrangement agreed to. Chun-Li breathes a
sigh, watching Cammy practically dance out of the stadium grounds and preparing
to follow behind.. but before following the girl, she has to ascertain Ryo's
position in all of this. A glance goes to him, as she unconsciously flexes her
fingers at her side.. that paranoid  sensation within bringing this motion to
the fore, as if in anticipation of activity. But then again, Cammy did ask for a
demonstration - she'd have to be loose for that, too. So maybe not so
suspicious. It's hard to be sure now.. this all makes so little sense, and
there's still only a single way to bring it all together.

"I'd.. be grateful." The Chinese woman responds to her friend, bowing her head
briefly. "Just in case, it has to be said I'm hardly in the best form. And if
this is anything to do with what I was talking about..." She tails off, letting
it go unspoken, and sends another nod to Ryo before starting off after the girl.
Little more needs to be said.. as people and fighters, they seem to understand
each other well enough, and more can be made of this later if it becomes
necessary. Including the answers she'll owe him.

Vega, before any mention is made, isn't anywhere in sight. The air seems a
little heavy however, almost imperceptibly so. Random peons may comment on how
the weather feels a bit colder now that it's reaching the end of the day; those
that don't know who, exactly, is nearby. Wherever he is, however, he's hidden in
the shadows in a way that he can watch his most effective Doll and elite
assassin to her duty. It really is a shame that he's not in public view, or his
large, toothy sneer could be seen. Cammy, at least, should be able to pick up on
things before too long.

Cammy heads out of the stadium, checking every so often to see that Chun-Li is
following along.  When out in the street she seems to relax, and looks around,
apparently somewhat confused now she's out here.  "Whoa.  What am I doing out
here?" she mutters, looking lost all of a sudden, though at least not on edge
like she was inside.

Stepping out into the fading sunlight after the mysterious red-cloaked girl...
she whose mystery has fluctuated back and forth during the afternoon's
encounter, until reaching the suspicion-stirring heights that it now
possesses... Chun-Li is slipping back into a more calm, stoic mode, ready and
composed. Internally she still runs through conflict, over whether her doubts
are well-founded or whether she should even be doing this at all. Her excuse for
not following would have been a valid one, should she have used it to
'escape'... but perhaps, if she did such a thing the Chinese martial artist just
wouldn't be the woman she is. For the benefit of her nemesis, she is clad in her
traditional garb but with the addition of several dressings - most visible only
as bulges beneath her clothing, though her bare arms and right cheek come with
plasters to cover some unseemly bruises and cuts left over from the last day's
duel with Daigo Kazama.

On leaving the carefully conditioned warmth of Ken's masterpiece stadium, the
world's strongest woman can't help but shiver. The weather.. has changed, as if
echoing her redarkening mood, complimenting her raised hackles and sending that
shudder down her spine to boot. She considers for a moment that perhaps she
should have retrieved her jacket before leaving the hotel earlier today, and
that raises a wry smirk, one side of her mouth turning up just a touch. (So,
Cammy White.. let's see just what all of that meant...) It's back to business,
her hardening brown gaze scanning the immediate area.. which seems to be oddly
freeing itself of the public press that has often been crushing this part of the
city of late.. for the striking young girl she has come in the wake of, her
steps carrying her after Cammy with every fresh sighting.

When she stops though, so does the powerful young woman, blinking as she covers
the ground between them to emerge beside Cammy. A quick glance is sent back in
search of Ryo - though perhaps she won't be able to glimpse him now - before she
glances into the girl's eyes. She's keeping a little distance, a few feet, out
of respect for that unnerving look back in the stadium. But also out of regard
for personal space - it doesn't do to crowd socially awkward teens. "Cammy? Are
you okay, is something wrong?"

Ryo waits a few moments to follow Chun-Li out of the stadium, watching carefully
beforehand to take note of the direction she and Cammy started off in.  Before
he leaves the arena, he slips off the shirt of his Gi, leaving the less
remarkable sleeveless black shirt beneath, though the orange pants are still a
bit notable.  Still, it's not full-on deer-hunter obvious, and that's something!
His pace is casual when he does give pursuit, alert eyes keeping up with the
people milling about outside the prominent stadium, and working to keep them
mostly between himself and the target of his pursuit.  He's not nearly as good
at the shadowing thing as other warriors, with more stealth-oriented training
might be, but he's light and quick on his feet, and possesses the keen instincts
of a lifetime of training, and his own inner potential.  That is to say, it's
not impossible that he'd be noticed, but it's a good bit less likely than it
would be for most attempting to follow the odd duo.  He keeps some distance
between himself and the other two, sticking to the line of buildings running the
length of the city street, and is apparently here more to observe than to
interfere... At least as long as things stay as unassuming as this.

Cammy looks over her shoulder at Chun-Li, blinks, and it seems a switch is
thrown within her somewhere, as her confused look melts away to be replaced with
new (dark, of course) purpose.  She takes a few steps towards Chun-Li, looking
up at the taller woman slightly.  "No.  Nothing is wrong." she says softly, in a
voice quiet enough that others may find it hard to overhear unless they were
close.  "You must have practiced a great deal, as you have had a had a burning
motive to do so.  You will show me now, perhaps?"

If Chun-Li's worst fears were to be realised... even the greatest of ninja could
be only so much raw meat. Better that Ryo has the power to withstand any great
threat, than can remain totally silent.. against certain foes, stealth and even
speed only go so far. Being able to read a person, to sense them and even to
feel their thoughts, is a skill to be feared and one that she can only pray
won't manifest itself today.. not when she's like this, less than ready and far
less than her true form. Again though... Shadaloo don't employ children, she
can't recall even seeing women among their enforcer ranks let alone those as
young as Cammy - this all seems wrong, too surreal to be what her heart tells
her it must be. No help lies in her mind, which is spinning with too many wild
ideas and theories she'd ordinarily dismiss in an instant.

On hearing that nothing is wrong, the Chinese woman hardly relaxes. Instead she
frowns down at the girl, tipping her head to one side. Just below her hips, her
fingers flex and then tighten to loose fists.. a pair of light clinks sounding
as her bracelets shift. As quiet as Cammy's voice but audible enough to those
with the heightened senses that come only too naturally to martial artists. "I'm
glad.." she replies, nodding her head and attempting a smile. But it won't come,
her expression locked into a stern neutral and refusing to obey her whim. The
darkness in Cammy's manner doesn't help, and her subsequent request coupled with
this is rather difficult to respond to.

Chun-Li takes a hesitant step back, her hands rising to her hips and feet
finding firm setting upon the street. Behind the girl she can see a circle
beginning to open, the uncanny instinct of fight-fans causing an arena in this
otherwise mildly crowded place. Or are they fleeing? Something within her causes
this conclusion to be drawn, but she tries to ignore it. "You wish to fight me?
I thought you'd want to see a demonstration.. I don't even know if you -can-
fight, Cammy." An eyebrow raises, and her face half-turns away. (This is wrong..
this feels wrong...)

Well, even from a distance away, the change in Cammy's demeanor is clear enough
to Ryo.  When the pair stop moving and turn to the inevitable fight, whether
real or demonstrative, Ryo does not immediately stop... It'd be too obvious to
anyone watching, after all.  Instead, he turns his attention away and moves a
few yards further up the sidewalk, filling in behind some of the other onlookers
as they gather around the famous Chinese fighter and the unpredictable, cloaked
teen.  Ryo puts a shoulder against the side of a building, half in the nearest
alleyway, but at an angle where he has a good view of events.  Arms crossed at
his waist, the Kyokugen Tiger simply observes, dark eyes carrying his own
skepticism in their alert depths.

"All my systems are operating at peak efficiency." Cammy replies in response to
the doubts levelled at her fighting abilities.  "Why?  You want to fight me?"
she asks.  She narrows her eyes a little in concentration, focusing on a point
behind Chun-Li's brown eyes, and eventually speaks.  "You are very confused. 
And have doubts about your own abilities." she states after a moment, but
speaking of confusion, she tilts her head herself suddenly, having caught an
inkling of what Chun-Li thinks of her.  "You are surprised at me.  Why?"

"All your what?" Chun-Li breathes, staring at Cammy in frank astonishment. Was
she playing with her now? That sounds like it would have to be a joke, but.. the
girl's manner didn't suggest as much and with what she said before... about
having a reason to train... suspicion is hammering higher and higher in her
mind. The woman is really having to fight herself now, to force calm and keep
herself thinking.. especially with the next little rush of cold speech. "Yes, I
am.. I was just in a difficult fight, Cammy, and that's why I asked if you'd
like to do this on another day. I can still perform okay, but I'm quite tired
and a little confused.." this time she does manage a smile, "You must admit you
are leaving me in the dark about quite a few things."

Another frown as she stops. How was all that summarised by the girl? It's
perfectly possible she has such training, even at a young age, to be able to
read body language and interpret the subtlest of gestures but really.. compared
to most people, the strongest woman in the world is quite difficult to call on
such things. "And.. and that's why you surprise me, I suppose. You come and ask
me who I am, then you seem to be asking for a fight... I'd assumed all you
wanted was to see a few moves, and then go on your way. Because you missed my
match." She stops herself from taking a second step back, keeping her concerned
gaze fixed upon the girl. "I'd rather not fight you, if I don't know how well
you can handle yourself.. but if you're sure..." (What's going on here? Ryo..
maybe you were right.)

"A demonstration is all I wish, unless you wish an experiment with me." Cammy
replies.  "And...  No, I did not mean that." she says, somewhat distracted
again.  "You think I cannot handle myself.  What makes you think that?".  She
blinks, and reaches up to brush her long tuft of hair out of her face, saying,
"What should I be doing if not fighting?"

Just who is this girl? While there are plenty of training regimes, and plenty of
martial arts tutors, strict enough to create somebody who would say such a thing
it just doesn't make sense to the Chinese woman in this one case. There seems to
be something running far deeper than simple training, and those constant
distractions.. the way she stopped so strangely before.. nothing here adds up.
Chun-Li's eyes neither narrow or widen now, her further surprised reactions held
back by careful application of a stoic demeanor, her every nuance set to remain
carefully neutral. Though in one case, Cammy has a point.. she had seemed to
draw an assumption that the girl could not fight. An unfair one. Many would deem
the world's strongest woman a mere girl before she began to make a name for
herself, and even now she finds herself resolving the odd sexist comment.

But she also suspects that this curious young lady -can- fight, the attitude has
at times made this out to be the case and those fighting gloves are another
clue. "I don't just assume you cannot fight, Cammy, but I have to ask.. I
thought you might be asking to take me on, and that's not something I'd ever do
lightly." She nods her head with the last, reaffirming her beliefs and thus
bringing herself an extra little wave of calm. "As to what else you can do,
maybe it would do to realise there's more to life than fighting. You're a pretty
girl, and there's many things you can do that don't involve physical harm." A
stern look is fixed on the girl, Chun-Li briefly looking far beyond her years,
before she steps out around Cammy and heads towards the empty circle of street,
people streaming around with only a brief pause from time to time - since
nothing seems to be progressing just yet, and there are plenty of other fights
to catch elsewhere. "Now, shall I continue? Is there anything you'd especially
like to see?"

Cammy shakes her head sadly.  "I am currently banned from visiting Daigo except
within certain limited parameters." she says with heavy heart.  Nefarious
parameters, of course.  She doesn't walk, but she does turn as Chun-Li walks
past, so she can stay focused upon her.  There is a pause while she apparently
considers, and then she says, "There is nothing special that I need to see.  You
may attack me so long as you do not kill me." she says, after some
interpretation.  She smiles at that, she isnt expendable apparently!

Certain parameters. (Those don't sound like the orders of a parent or a
teacher.. he'd have to be a harsh man...) Giving up on any over-logical
conclusions in her current state, Chun-Li shakes her head as she slips out into
the very central hub of the small circle, and spins to face Cammy.. then
smoothly lifting one knee up to her chest. At least, quite smoothly. There is in
her every movement a slight lethargy that detracts from her usual natural grace,
and while it doesn't seem to slow her down or inhibit her too much it's
certainly noticeable to one with an analytical eye. One hand lowers past her
raised knee, the other rising up above her left breast.. fingers on both hands
splayed perfectly for optimum balance. Professional, even with her injuries. She
can feel them, the dull throbbing coming through again now she prepares for
activity, but they're dismissed.. pushed aside, with a silent mantra rolling
through her mind to help suppress any pain.

Just as she decides to hurl a kick into the air, a frown is sent across to the
cloaked girl. "Cammy.. I thought we just dealt with that. I don't want to hurt
you. If you want to test yourself, and promise me you'll be okay, then we can do
something. But I'm not going to stand here throwing kicks at you, and seeing how
many it takes to knock you out." She's annoyed now, on edge as it was and the
stern mode is cracking to a little anger in her frustration. What is going on?
She's still expecting something else to happen, and just hopes Ryo has her back
covered.. this is all too strange... but it doesn't have Vega's mark. Not at
all. Why would he want such a thing as this?

Waiting for the girl's reply she executes a few swift kicks into the air,
shifting her balance back and aiming three - high, low and straight to the front
- each given an accompanying cry. It's an inncredibly slowed down version of her
Lightning Kick, which she then goes into for a second.. booted foot blurring
into a machine-gun round before it lowers back down to a ready position, her
arms resetting their delicate balance.

Cammy watches the performance with wide eyes, even walking around her in a
quarter circle to ensure she sees whats going on.  "We had dealt with it.  The
situation changed, however." she replies in response to the accusation of her
changing her mind, while trying to follow speed-blurred legs.  "You are fast."
she declares.  While watching, she adds, "What do you think is going to happen
next?" 

Chun-Li's foot sways just gently as it's held in the air, at ease for a few
moments. She glances sidelong to follow Cammy's progress as much as possible, a
couple of fingers twitching from their otherwise held positions.. this really is
getting strange. Unnerving, and she feels a slight chill that has nothing to do
with the cool breeze or the slightly clouded skies... and won't allow itself to
be staved off by her quickened pulse. (Who is this 'we'.. I can only think of
one collective who'd have any interest in me, but... why? And why now? If only
I'd been able to find out more, I have to know what his plans are..) Her hackles
are truly up now, and if it comes to that she may be able to ignore the injuries
dotting her for as long as further injury allows.

"The situation changed, hm?" She asks, tipping her head as Cammy circles behind
her, keeping attention locked on the cloaked girl except for the one uncoverable
blind spot. "Well.. I could get you with something small and- what do you mean?"
If there was any warmth left in her tone at all, that just killed it.. she has
no idea what was about to occur, how could she? But that lets her know something
truly is wrong, -very- wrong. Being observed or led on is one thing, but with
knowledge that further events are to come the Chinese martial arts mistress is
forced to chill herself completely.. slip into the concentrated focus of battle,
just in case. Though 'just in case' hardly seems applicable by now. "What
happens now, Cammy," she states loudly, lowering her leg now and shifting to
match the girl's circling for as long as it continues, her guard raised and feet
moving deftly to keep her balanced as she moves. "Is you tell me exactly what's
happening. I was happy to play along, but this.. this isn't right. What's going
on?"

Cammy looks all lost at that question.  Like she doesn't really know whats going
on either.  She sort of mumbles something, and says, "I don't know, wait a
moment.  Oh.".  She blinks, and suddenly whips off her red cloak, revealing a
snazzy blue uniform underneath which looks suspiciously spandex-like, complete
with calf length leather boots.  The cloak is cast onto the floor, and she
suddenly runs straight at Chun-Li, two long pigtails streaming out behind her
and a very determined expression on her face.

COMBATSYS: Cammy has started a fight here.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has joined the fight here.

Now comes the moment of truth. Deep inside Chun-Li prays that this really was an
innocent prank, or perhaps just an attempt to snatch her purse - not that she's
carrying one - or at least.. something else, beside what it will soon emerge as
being. She blinks herself when Cammy hesitates, and takes a moment to re-order
her guard, shifting position comfortably and taking quick glances to the left
and right... she keeps her attention on the girl, but can't presume for a second
that she is the threat, if there is any. "Are you sure you're-" she stops dead,
watching the cloak cast off after the hesitation, and has only a fleeting moment
to study the odd uniform before she has the dimunitive girl rushing towards her.

"...okay." The last word of her intended sentence comes out lamely in the time
it takes for the distance to close, and with a soft grunt the Chinese woman then
spins to the side, dodging away from Cammy's headlong rush and sending out a
quick, light palm-thrust to throw off her onward momentum. (She's built well..
maybe she really is a fighter! But why?) It's only that, a rather pathetic blow
by her standards, a straight extended arm carrying it towards the girl. With it
hurled, she starts to shift backward in short steps, trying to gain as much
distance as possible. "You never answered me.. why are you doing this?"

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Cammy with Jab Punch.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Chun-Li          0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Cammy

There's a slight shift to Ryo's stance as combat is joined, but he doesn't make
any move beyond that.  Sure, it was a bit more than it first appeared... But it
would be insulting to jump in before seeing if Chun-Li could handle the ambush
herself.  Or to play all his cards before seeing if this is really all of
Cammy's.

Cammy runs towards Chun-Li, and promptly gets a punch - well, almost a slap -
lightning fast, into her upper body, which fazes her slightly.  But only
slightly.  She ducks down a little, one boot beginning to glow with an ominous
purple light.  "I am following orders." she replies - and then suddenly the
glowing foot snaps up towards Chun-Li's head, her whole body behind the motion,
the kick somehow turning into a somersault which, if uninterrupted, will deposit
Cammy a safe distance from Chun Li and her legs of death.

COMBATSYS: Cammy successfully hits Chun-Li with Cannon Spike.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Chun-Li          0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0            Cammy

Chun-Li can already feel her breath beginning to come a little heavier than
normal, even with only a single dodging manuever and a single blow hurled. It's
more.. the knowledge that this won't be an easy fight, should the girl possess
any skill at all - and the way she weathers the light brush-off suggests she
does. Lightweight or not, to an ordinary teenager it would see her end up
facedown on the road for at least a moment. Then it comes.. her explanation..
orders. Her hardened brown gaze flashes with realisation of something she's been
denying, and a little rage burns there too.. it could become a lot, so easily.
So he knows.. he must do. Who else would issue orders for such a thing to
happen? This has too much subtlety to be a plot by some nameless gang of thugs,
or even a named one. But there's a second surprise, and more evidence... purple
energy, an aura surrounding the girl's first blow that looks and feels only too
familiar.

"I see." She's already moving, eyes narrowed on the incoming boot.. but it's
fast, a par for herself, her own reactions.. and it hits her cleanly, sending
her erupting a few feet off the ground and back onto her back with a solid
thump. "Nngh..." She felt that, through each bruise on her toned form. "So.. you
did want this..." Does she mean Cammy or her commanding officer, as she issues
such a gasped phrase? It's best left unanswered for the moment, the heat of the
battle moving to consume Chun-Li as she tucks into her left shoulder, rolling up
to a crouch and then surging forward. Hands move to her hips and then are hurled
forward, opening palm outward with a sudden blaze of golden light, a burst of
gold chi becoming a pulsing orb shrouded in the more common blue-white.
"KOUKEN!" The projectile whips off towards Cammy, the young woman who is to be
her opponent dashing in behind it with her own expression set and determined.
She'll get to the bottom of this.

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Cammy with Kikou Ken.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Chun-Li          0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0            Cammy

Cammy tries to jump up over the orb of energy, but she isn't quite fast enough,
and she's blown back to the floor by the force of the impact.  There is a slight
delay while she lies there for a moment - and then all of a sudden, in a burst
of motion, she flips herself back upright again.  "Ow." she says.  "Systems
green.".  And then she hurls herself up into the air, foot lashing out at the
last second, aimed at Chun-Li's head.

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Cammy's Medium Kick.

Ryo shifts back against the wall of the nearby building, flat of his back
resting easily there.  He has to smile, ever so slightly, at how the fight is
progressing.  So far, it looks like his initiative in watching Chun-Li's back is
more or less superfluous.  Of course, he's plenty happy if the injured fighter
can handle this herself, especially with that oddly ominous vibe he's been
getting from the beginning.  Still, the unusual circumstances don't let him take
his guard down completely, and his attention continues to drift across the
immediate area, the Kyokugen expert having a rather difficult time shaking the
feeling that things just aren't quite right here, even if Chun-Li does seem to
be managing her opponent rather effectively.

Chun-Li smirks a touch as she sees the pulsing sphere hit home true and hard...
over the focus she always exhibits, there is something malicious in her manner
due to the nature of what she's facing. But it's tempered.. by something else..
suspicion still burning deep inside that all is not as it seems. The blonde
girl's demeanor is strange, and constantly was breaking as they spoke earlier,
something she'll have to think on with a clearer mind later - when she knows she
can survive this planned assault. If Vega thinks to defeat her this easily
though, he has another thing coming. She means to crush him, and so his lackeys
have to fall also, and far easier. As Cammy surges up with the responding kick,
coming in to meet the sprinting Chinese woman with no small amount of power, she
simply shifts her posture and slides with canny grace straight around the blow,
a balletic spin carrying her fully around Cammy.

"Give this up.. and relay a message..." she snaps out quickly, as she turns to
face the girl and pulls one knee up in that same posture she had assumed
earlier, when she still had a wild thought that this might all be very innocent.
What an insane notion that turned out to be. Now, her leg snaps out to intercept
the assassin as she makes a landing, aiming a kick similar to one that was
demonstrated scant moments before... and then, it comes. A painful flurry of
near-identical blows, aimed to pepper the girl from head to toe and each
punctuated with a single martial cry. The Lightning Kick.

"YA! YA! YA! YA!"

COMBATSYS: Cammy dodges Chun-Li's Hyakuretsu Kyaku.

Cammy lands from the flying kick with grace, and the Killer Bee looks up to see
a volley of Chun-Li's famous kicks coming in.  She leaps up into the air, not as
high as last time but much quicker, and does an agile backflip away from the
strongest woman in the worlds boot.  Upon landing, she waits until Chun-Li kicks
her final kick, and then launches herself at her again, boots first this time,
on a flat trajectory.  A purplish glow surrounds her body again, her pigtails
acting like streamers that mark her path.  And she does a cry of her own,
"SPIRAL ARROW!"

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Cammy's Spiral Arrow.

This is why demonstrating your moves to would-be assassins is a bad idea... and
as Chun-Li unfolds from the final blinding kick, she knows her mistake. She
might manage a wry smirk, she might even laugh, if this weren't such a serious
fight. It has to be Shadaloo, it has to be Vega, and that means she can't falter
for a moment - can't make a single mistake that costs her this battle. She still
hardly believes her life is her own after the last encounter... why didn't he
finish her? Ego, perhaps. Something she won't allow herself to indulge in, and
as she moves back to that same agile knee-raised position, hands splayed around
her, she's ready to do whatever it takes. Like avoid the incoming
Cammy-missile.. and she rapidly sets her foot down, using both to throw her into
a fast backflip, springing off her hands and coming to a few feet away from the
girl. The girl who would be impressing her no end if this were a simple sparring
match.

"I told you to give up! This won't go well.." she tails off the last with a
murmur.. perhaps half of that directed inward, a message to herself. It remains
to be seen. Her hands are already back beside her, and chi is already gathering
there in a quick burst of gold and blue-white, a miniature maelstrom of power.
"KOUKEN!" Again they come forward, the woman leaning over one extended knee to
thrust the projectile out towards Miss White at relatively close range.. but she
hesitated, and she's not on form. She'll be surprised to hit twice, especially
with the apparent analytical abilities possessed by her opponent.

COMBATSYS: Cammy dodges Chun-Li's Kikou Ken.

Cammy is apparently blindingly fast, as as soon as she recovers from hurling her
own body at Chun-Li, she finds herself being chased by another ball of psi
energy.  Cammy crouches down low, and then leaps straight up, high into the air,
and the fireball flies underneath her, to damage one of Seattle's fine buildings
on the other side of the street.  Cammy twists in midair, and lands, facing Chun
Li again.  But there is no let up, as she sprints at the strongest woman in the
world yet again, and at the last minute, flips up into the air.  Legs first
seems to be Cammy's modus operandi.

COMBATSYS: Cammy successfully hits Chun-Li with Frankensteiner.
 - Power hit! -

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Chun-Li          0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0            Cammy

(She's impressive.. especially for her age... but since when did you employ
girls like this, Vega? I have to know more...) Her eyes narrowing again as she
straightens, Chun-Li moves back into her stance, arms raised around her body,
and lets her feet sketch a quiet rhythm on the floor as she watches the incoming
leap. Her reaction to this? She'd try for something.. she does, she tries to
lift her hands, to palm the girl's legs away and then turn around her.. but her
attempt is driven aside by pure speed, the equal to her own, and a split-second
later she gasps as she's clasped between the assassin's thighs. A quick drop, a
reversal onto her back, and it's over.. she groans with the pain flooding her
bruised body from that... but has so little time to do anything about it. She
rolls to a crouch and immediately spins into a speedy sweep, one leg coming
around as the other tucks up, ready to propel her back to her feet when the
desperate attack is over. Last night, she dealt with somebody that was her
perfect foil - her opposite, but a deadly counter to her style. And now, this
girl seems to have every characteristic she herself values. She knows who to
blame.

COMBATSYS: Cammy fails to counter Medium Kick from Chun-Li with Cannon Revenge.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Chun-Li          0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1            Cammy

Cammy gets up from the frankensteiner, ready for the next incoming attack - and
it turns out to be a kick, aimed straight at her with lightning speed.  Cammy
does a little jump and lashes out with both feet, but misjudges, and Chun-Li's
foot slams into her while she's in mid air.  Cammy goes flying back, skids
across the street, and is only stopped by the kerb, with an ominious crunching
noise.  She starts getting back up again, but not quite as rapidly as the first
time she was knocked over.

Chun-Li comes to her feet as smoothly as she'd planned, though the manner in
which her kick landed proves well enough that Cammy's not only fast - she has
initiative. She tried to turn that to her favour, and something tells her it was
a close call. Vega trains his troops well, assuming the obvious judgement is
truth. "That was very good..." The Chinese woman notes, smiling just a touch.
It's mostly cold.. but it's a crack in her stern exterior all the same. "You're
very good. Good enough?" She hits the floor with one leg forward and enters
another spring towards the girl as she rises, eyes narrowing and body gradually
bending like a willow, her right hand coming down to brush the street as she
nears. "We'll see... SPINNING BIRD KICK!" With just the gentlest motion from her
fingertips, she enters the legendary move direct from her sprint, her grace
almost unbelievable to those still passing by on the street - and those watching
wide-eyed - as her legs kick out to either side once her head is down beside the
street. One final push comes from her opposite hand and then she's into the
attack proper, spinning to catch Cammy at chestheight with alternating legs. If
Vega wants to imitate one of his greatest adversaries, she'll have to show him
just how the original operates... always the best.

COMBATSYS: Cammy dodges Chun-Li's Spinning Bird Kick.

Cammy sees Chun Li coming at her, upside down, in the air...  She knows about
this one, and drops flat onto the street, and Chun-Li goes over right over her
pigtailed head.  Cammy forces herself quickly back up, takes a jumping step
forward, and lashes out with her fist, in an attack which perhaps lacks
subtlety, but is made up for with raw speed.

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li blocks Cammy's Medium Punch.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Chun-Li          0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1            Cammy

...or perhaps not. But it's far from over, and Chun-Li is determined not to
allow herself to lose this. So much that the bruises of the day before have
ceased to matter almost entirely, this is all about her and Cammy.. for now.
Later she'll look into things, and ponder all of today's events. After she's
shown Vega just why he needs to fear her, and her friends.

She comes out of the Spinning Bird Kick with just as much grace at which she
entered it, and regardless of Cammy's quick-witted dodge she's flooding back to
her feet with one more deft application of her hands to the road's surface. The
incoming punch is met with something rather surprising, as one leg had not
unfolded entirely, and as part of her rising spin the Chinese martial artist
adds a lightweight kick to swat away the blow. Though she catches some of the
shock, it could be considerably worse. But it doesn't end there. As that foot
sets down and she turns into the re-aligned positioning of her body, she brings
the other leg up and spins back in the opposite direction.. aiming to catch the
over-extended Shadaloo operative with a much heavier blow across the front of
her body, aimed to deliver damage and not simply deflect it. "HYAH!"

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Cammy with Medium Kick.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Chun-Li          0/-------/-======|=======\===----\1            Cammy

Cammy tries to twist aside, but she doesn't quite escape the boot, which thuds
into her ribs with obvious pain.  Cammy backflips away after being so bruised,
and glares at Chun-Li malevolently from a safe distance, while favouring a
bruised rib.  And then...  she leaps at Chunners again, boot first again. 
Perhaps not as fast as it could be given the booting she got, but maybe fast
enough.  "SPIRAL ARROW!"

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Cammy's Spiral Arrow.

Chun-Li remains extended from delivering that blow, watching Cammy with mouth
agape as she backflips. It's not astonishment.. but her chest is heaving as
she's catching her breath. While she seems able to fight, and survive perfectly
well, with these injuries it's still clear it could go in just the wrong way.
She needs time to recover. Her foot lowers to the ground and she sinks into a
more defensive posture, legs spread.. one hand fisted at her right hip and the
other out in front... "I told you-" Her words pause, as with acrobatic readiness
she drops, outstretched hand going to the floor and propelling her in a quick
spinning hop over Cammy's repeated missile kick. She lands on the other side and
straightens back to the same stance, her dress and ribbons fluttering in the
breeze, slightly narrowed eyes fixed on the girl. "This is over.. you can't win.
Why do you think I asked if you could handle yourself?" She sucks in a breath
then, focusing herself on finishing this... though in her heart, away from the
heat of the battle, she doesn't want to hurt his girl any more than she has to.
Call it instinct... it's just there, deep down.

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li focuses on her next action.

Cammy flips away backwards from Chun-Li, and then leaps up into the air, so high
she gets up to a window ledge, high up on a nearby building.  From her vantage
point, she stares at Chun-Li for a few moments with wide eyes, silent.  And
then...  "LOCK ON!" she hurls herself at Chun-Li once more.  But this time it's
different, she is positively aglow with energy as she lances down towards the
older woman.  Surely if -that- hits, something bad will happen.

COMBATSYS: Cammy successfully hits Chun-Li with Killer Bee Assault.

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////                  ]
Chun-Li          1/----===/=======|-------\-------\0            Cammy

Chun-Li's concentrated gaze follows Cammy.. her expression once again stoical,
stern, locked within herself and ready to use that to her perfect advantage. But
this is no simple battle, this has layers and also an opponent she knows can
match her. Can defeat her, most likely, though that's something she'll be loath
indeed to admit. As she watches the Doll high up above the surface of the
street, she ignores the few cries of the nearby crowds and waits for her moment.
Of course... when it comes, it's fast. Faster than she would have called, the
energised blur of Cammy covering the distance in what seems like a split-second,
and though the world's strongest woman is fast.. this must be the best her
opponent can muster.. and she was hardly set to handle that, this early. She's
torn into, thrown backwards and down, her eyes closing to block out the absolute
searing agony that sweeps across her body and clouds her thoughts. (What is
this? That was.. stronger than anything I've felt.. in a while...) She can't
pause for long, and she's only too aware of this, but she remains down for the
moment, calculating her next move.. and with eyes opening just to slits she lies
in wait for the assassin. For an attempt to close the gap she felt open up with
the sheer brutality of that last missiled assault.

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li takes a breather.

Well, for a while there it looked like Chun-Li was going to do some impromptu
street-cleaning with her opponent, but from where Ryo's standing, the injuries
are starting to catch up with the Tai Chi master, slowing her down, making those
hits just a little harder than they might be normally.  Cammy's brutal, oddly
glowing kick assault pretty much clinches that assessment, and the Kyokugen
Tiger takes a trio of quick, sprinting strides from the crowd of onlookers,
launching himself on bent knees into the air and sailing through the long-jump
with a distance extending flip, landing him fairly squarely between Cammy and
the downed Chun-Li.  Despite the height of the jump, he lands fairly lightly,
touching down on bended legs and pushing himself back up, facing the blonde brit
sidelong, "Weren't you listening?  This one's over."  He reaffirms, coolly.

COMBATSYS: Ryo has joined the fight here.

Cammy gets up from the Killer Bee Assault, panting a bit with the effort.  She's
expecting a deadly riposte...  instead she see's Ryo standing there.  Not really
too sure what to do, she tilts her head a bit, seeing the beaten up Chun-Li
recovering on the far side.  "Memory error..." she eventually says.  "What are
you doing here?"

COMBATSYS: Cammy takes a breather.

Given her state as she recovers, Chun-Li feels more than really sees Ryo land at
first... her gaze so focused on Cammy but her mind so distant that it takes
several heartbeats to realise something has come into her way. But sight of him
brings a smile twitching onto her lips, and she feels herself a little more able
to carry this on. Strength in numbers? Not so much that, as.. strength in
knowing that further interruption will cause no problems. There are two of them
now, each as strong as the other in their own way. "I introduced you, Cammy..
and he decided to follow me." She pushes herself to her feet, moving swiftly
from a crouch to a standing position, and slips over to stand at Ryo's back,
looking directly towards the Doll with a hand set to her hip. Her eyes narrow
slowly before she speaks again. "Even alone, I'd have you now.. that was your
best, wasn't it? That was meant to take me down? Well.. you can tell 'Lord' Vega
that I've improved since we last met. None of these tricks are going to work on
me... now leave, Cammy. It's over." Her other hand raises, brushing at the brown
bangs partially concealing one eye. She only hopes the assassin does as asked...
under normal circumstance, with a different would-be killer, there'd be a
capture and an interrogation. But.. this feels different.

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li takes no action.

Cammy arches a brow at that.  "Incorrect.  Your delay at a critical moment would
have cost you dearly, if the fight was allowed to continue." the Killer Bee
replies with confidence.  "Disappointing.  That you hide behind others." she
adds, gaze wandering to Ryo.  Her words and stance seem looks somewhat comical,
she seems much the same age as Sakura, though her uniform is evidently not one
intended for school.  She does, however, lower her red gloved fists, and walk
across the street, to reclaim her voluminous cloak, which she wraps around
herself once more.

COMBATSYS: Cammy takes no action.

It's obvious to Ryo that Cammy's not in any better shape than Chun-Li, it's just
not his intention just now to let the two pound each other to a bloody pulp any
further, particularly with the circumstances and uncertainties involved. 
Nonetheless, he doesn't make any moves to attack Cammy right off, holding his
position between the two combatants.  Chun-Li pretty much sums it up, and the
young Sakazaki punctuates it with a nod, concurring with her explanation, "I
don't tend to let my friends wander off into ambushes alone."  He adds, deep
voice touched with just a tracing of irritation... Mostly, he seems to be all
business, sharp features set in a stern mask of alert readiness, "You've gotten
your demonstration, I'd suggest you accept the generosity and play messenger
instead."  Otherwise, it's going to be quite a bit harder getting out of here. 
But the threat hangs unspoken, with Ryo simply falling back into a ready stance,
left hand low at his waist, with the right up near his shoulder level, feet
shoulder width apart, a slight lightness to the stance as he shifts fluidly back
and forth.

COMBATSYS: Ryo takes no action.

"Ha!" Chun-Li can't help but utter a bitter laugh, her eyes glimmering with a
mixture of mirth and hatred.. to be insulted for such a thing by someone working
for -him-. But now she knows this to be truth, her ploy in mentioning that name
having paid off as Cammy confirms her suspicions... as to the girl's youth, it
had already been noted though she sees no comedy in it.The main reason she wants
to avoid any further conflict for now, the softer side of herself that can so
often be disguised in battle forbidding her from hurting such a young opponent
without good reason. She may have been training to be the woman she is at that
age, but.. it's no reason to act like the playground bully. She steps around Ryo
as the man falls into his stance, and explains her barking laugh to the
re-cloaking Cammy. "What you're doing in attacking me, would be no different to
allowing Ryo to fight for me now. Vega's using you to fight me.. to try and do
away with me before I can pose a threat. Now you know it's too late for that..."
Tailing off, she breathes a long sigh and half-turns away, allowing the girl to
leave at her leisure without further words. Unless she should choose otherwise.
Regret creeps into her suddenly downcast gaze, and more hatred seeps through to
join it... why is Cammy fighting for him? So young, and the words she spoke
earlier... it's all so much to think on, and with enough to focus on already she
just needs to be away from this. To recover and consider things when she has
more time, more ability to concentrate. (Just leave.. please...)

COMBATSYS: Chun-Li takes no action.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Ryo              0/-------/-------|=======\===----\1          Chun-Li
[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < 
Cammy            0/-------/-------|

Once Cammy is properly cloaked in red, she flashes a quick V sign, mission
accomplished apparently, and then jogs off down the street, into the nearest
alley.  By jog, for Cammy we mean - run really really fast.  And with a flash of
red - she's gone.

And as Cammy leaves, that heavy air lifts; now the only source of a chill would
be the late evening air and natural breeze, not through the presence of anyone
in particular. Just before he departs, Vega does indeed carry a wide sneer, not
at all disappointed with the turn of events. In fact, perhaps Ryo's butting in
was for the best.. At least the Chinese woman knows not to become too
complacent, hopefully. And if she midinterpreted the intention of the attack,
well...all the better.

However young and unassuming Shadaloo's agent may be, it appears she's either
unbothered or totally oblivious to the nefarious nature of her employment. 
Ryo's not especially /surprised/ that Cammy ignores Chun-Li's comparisons, but
he is glad she decides to take off.  Whatever's going on here, he has scant
details.  He trusts Chun-Li's motives, but being in a fight without a clear
grasp of what's what is not a situation he likes to be in.  As Cammy dons her
cloak and sprints away, Ryo falls out of his fighting stance once more, one arm
relaxing to his side, with the other rising to his head, fingertips rubbing
lightly at his temples.  He looks down the street after the red-cloaked assassin
a long moment, then turns his head towards Chun-Li, "Looks like they decided on
a bit of prologue."  He notes the error in Chun-Li's assumption of Shadaloo
waiting till the end of the tournament just a tad sardonically, though it's
softened by a quirking half-smile, though that fades quickly and he finds
himself shaking his head, looking a fair bit saddened, "What kind of monster
uses girls her age to do their dirty work?"  Even Geese only kidnapped Yuri. 
Turning her into an assassin?  Wow, whoever planned this one out is /fucked/ in
the /head/.

COMBATSYS: Ryo takes no action.
COMBATSYS: Cammy has left the fight here.
COMBATSYS: Ryo has left the fight here.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has ended the fight here.

Chun-Li smiles faintly at the joke... she's surprised to say the least that this
happened today. But it means one thing. She's being watched - Vega knew she was
injured, and decided to act upon it. The strongest woman in the world will be
keeping an eye out for Cammy White from now on, the Shadaloo boss can be assured
of that. And red cloaks are added to her list of 'bad things'. VERY bad things..
that girl was no mere dabbler, she was a fully trained combat operative, and the
Chinese woman is less than certain that that fight would have been hers with
time. But the thoughts primarily concerning now is exactly that picked up by
Ryo, and she sighs again, looking up and turning to face him fully. The girl is
gone, she can look around without fear of provoking another attack... and having
to end it. "I know, Ryo.. I told you this could mean trouble. She was strong
too, without you jumping in I may have got into more trouble." She shrugs at
that, aware only that.. if Vega could do such a horrific thing once, why not
time and again? There could be dozens of young girls just like that, all waiting
to take her down pre-emptively next time she finds and makes a strike against
her nemesis. This puts a whole new spin on things... 

Red cloaks and pigtails.  Ominous, scary things in this strange new age.  It's
definitely a new set of things to worry about, and keep an eye open for. 
Teenage girls honed to a killing edge, and apparently lacking full control over
their mental faculties?  As sure as Ryo was before, it's exponentially more
evident now that there's a /lot/ he doesn't know about this enemy of Chun-Li's. 
A more pragmatic fighter might have kept out of it at that realization, but for
Ryo?  It's one more reason he -should- be involved.  No one ever accused him of
living a safe and simple lifestyle.  A glance is spared down the street once
more, and then he considers Chun-Li.  She can't be feeling that great, just now,
"I thought you had her at first.  I'm not sure you'd have lost, but still... Not
much point in letting the two of you beat each other to a bloodier pulp." 
Besides, if there /were/ other assailants around, better that he be involved and
ready to act than leave Chun-Li at their mercies should the fight have turned
sour.  Heck, just Cammy could have done her in if the timing had been off just
enough, "Any way, not much point in standing out in the street.  Besides the
lack of subtlety, I'm sure you don't feel like it."  His turn to buy a round,
maybe?

    Source: geocities.com/terrybgoode/logs/chun

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