21/12/04
Characters: Ryu, Chun-Li
Well, the inside of the dojo is a bit better off than the outside, though not by
a whole hell of a lot. It's definitely geared towards the functional, with few
nods to luxury or even modernization. Lighting is spartan, and the main room is
dominated by mats and punching bags rather than sofas or televisions. Down the
hall off said training space is a hall of doors, presumably bunkspace, and in
the back of the training room, is the doorway to the kitchen. It's not quite
ready to fall down, but the entire affair has seen better days. All in all,
it's fairly easy to see why Ryu has been calling this home, right? The offered
dinner is a simple affair, rice steamed and seasoned along with a fairly
admirable assortment of fresh vegetables (Men have not been responsible for
stocking this fridge since Sakura took up quasi-residence training under Ryu),
and teriyaki chicken that's /so/ well prepared, it almost had to have been
cooked by the aforementioned pupil. And indeed, further reflection would yield
that they were indeed leftovers left, well, over, to sustain Ryu better than the
far more utilitarian recipes he tends to cook when left entirely to his own
devices. Which isn't to say he doesn't know his way around a stove, merely
that, well.... Utilitarian is how he lives his life. The efficient is generally
his choice. The rather unusual accent to this particular meal is the bottle of
positively wonderous vintage wine from Krauser's stocks, a lovely red that's
served, ignorantly, right along with the /chicken/ of all things. Can we tell
Ryu didn't come into this of his own accord? Yes indeed. The story of his
battle with Krauser is related, along with his plans to take Sakura to
Strolheim, both to better her own training and take the powerful German up on
his offer of both hospitality and rematch. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is
the night in a nutshell. And what do two people do after they've made an
undeniable connection, shared dinner, and a few drinks? That's right, they
FIGHT!
As the meal is finished, Ryu looks over towards Chun-Li, "If you're feeling up
to it, you could come with me for the last bit of training, tonight." He
offers, simply. The obvious intent is to see how well body and spirit have
truly healed, and the only way to be sure of that, is firsthand. And maybe,
just maybe, the company's rather acceptable, too. With everything that's been
talked about today, from the support and the camaraderie, it seems only right
that things end much as they began, "There's a clearing at the top of a hill not
far from here that's perfect for a night fight."
Indeed, there is nothing odd in Ryu's choice of accommodation or companionship
during his recent stay in Southtown. All the surprise of the conversation
outside has been tempered by the simple surroundings and pleasant - but almost
equally simplistic - meal. Though news of Strolheim, the defeat of Ryu at the
hands of its ruler, and indeed the inclusion of the inappropriately coloured
beverage have certainly counted as 'interesting', and Chun-Li couldn't any less
regret her decision to stay. All in all this was a pleasant middle portion to
what should prove to be a very pleasant night. Bruises notwithstanding.
Laying down her chopsticks with the expected grace and looking across to Ryu,
Chun-Li reacts to his words before they're even fully out, a smile teasing her
lips upward and a single eyebrow raising. "Well..." she begins carefully once
he's finished, reaching out with her still extended hand to grasp the stem of
her wineglass. A little scarlet fluid still graces its bottom half. "Since
you've been such an excellent host, and a -perfect- gentleman..." Sure, she's
teasing a little. Good company and wine will do that! She pauses a moment to
lift the wineglass to her lips, knocking back the last of its content and then
setting it down while she savours and swallows. Undoubtedly good; even for those
more given to water and fruit juice this is a clearly superior liquid. "I don't
think there's any way in which I could refuse such an offer."
Chun-Li smiles openly now, setting her hands in her lap and looking across at
the World Warrior. To say this evening has given her a different image of him
would be an understatement. He's stepped down from the pedestal he occupied in
her thoughts, become more than a powerful warrior.. in short? She's seen the man
behind the legend. Not something many get a chance to see. For all her playful
manner though, something asserts itself from the back of her mind and she
blinks, glancing down at the table and lifting one hand in a vague sweeping
gesture, "Shouldn't we clear this away first?" Maybe she's not picked up on the
whole student/housekeeper thing.
Ryu will never be the world's foremost gourmet. He'll never be the world's
foremost host, or anything of the sort. But those shortcomings are almost as
much pieces of the sum of parts as the man's strengths, and really, he wouldn't
have it any other way. Or at least, there's not much he'd choose to change.
Knowledge of fine wines and luxuries he can leave to Ken, who would no doubt
have noogied the World Warrior but good for his faux pas, and probably
facepalmed the decision to invite Chun-Li to /spar/ after all of this. But, for
all their similarities, Ryu really doesn't work like Ken at all. The two are as
different as night and day, in some ways. But whatever his ideosynchrocies, Ryu
is equally glad for the Chinese warrior's decision to stay, both for the
lighthearted interim company, and the inevitably enjoyable follow-up. Not that
he's expecting to walk away without his share of bruises. He's seen what this
particular fighter is capable of, after all.
And she proceeds to... tease him? That's certainly not something that the young
champion is used to, but he's not dense by any means, and it's obvious enough
what her eventual answer will be, despite the round-about and rather distracting
method in which it's reached. The look on his face is not unlike the one out on
the steps, though traced briefer in time this time around, until he clears his
throat and can't help but grin just a little. Perfect gentleman indeed. Hell,
he wouldn't know where to begin trying to be /that/. But she seems to get along
with /him/ well enough, so being that will just have to do. His eyes drift over
hers, and then to the glass-holding hand as she drinks, and a simple nod is paid
to the final words. Maybe it'll cover the fact that he's not really sure what
to say to that, right off. The evening's surprised them both, that's almost
certainly obvious, and well Chun-Li never occupied idol status in Ryu's book
(Who does?), she's certainly moved well beyond simply being a respected,
powerful warrior. Or perhaps beyond is the wrong word, but the depth there is
far more evident, in ways he never would have expected. A surprise that seems,
at least right now, extremely pleasant. While it's not quite normalcy, there's
a natural comfort to the whole affair that certainly borders on that, takes away
some of the edge of the life he leads.
The Ansatsuken master rises from the table after a moment, snagging both plates
in his hands and dropping them off at the sink, a process that's repeated with
the wineglasses after he's drained his own with a savoring draught. He may be
better suited for water, but he too can appreciate Krauser's gift, "I'll take
care of the rest when I get back." He decides after a moment, not really
wanting to stand around doing dishes right this minute. And sure, a lot of the
mundane chores around the dojo have passed to Sakura, but that's how it's meant
to be! Or at least, that's the excuse Gouken used, and it works just fine for
Ryu, "Shall we?" He invites, taking a step towards the door, and turning to
offer her a hand. There's a vague smile on his face with the gesture, which
stands partly as his return-shot to her playful tease, and partly as simple,
appreciative offer. An unusual offer, but one he seems comfortable making.
Could be the wine... But that's unlikely.
The entirety of tonight wouldn't be unremarkable if not for the very person
Chun-Li is sharing it with. To the more sociable fighter, connections are often
made - however miniscule - and social time is spent to varying degrees of
enjoyment. Depth is found. This is something entirely normal in the course of
life, whatever path you walk. However, few dedicate themselves as much to the
fighting arts as Ryu, or even as much as the Chinese woman herself... some, like
the latest student in Gouken's style of Ansatsuken, focus every bit as much on
their young lives as they do on all things martial. While Chun-Li may not be as
social as some, she still has a small selection of close friends with whom
evenings like this one have been seen... but the true revelation in -this-
evening has been getting through and relating to the stoic and powerful World
Warrior of all people, and due to that? There's no hiding the fact that it's
been something a few cuts above those spent with more 'accessible' folk. And
this certainly isn't the wine doing the thinking!
Not that the wine is having no effect, and when Ryu offers his hand he receives
a rather bemused look. Chun-Li has sat politely during the brief spat of
housework, not hastening to help after being told so. She's been comfortable.
But as comfortable as the night feels, something about the powerful warrior
making such a gesture sets her to a pause. It's a few heartbeats before
confusion turns to a smile. A small one, but full of sincere warmth. It's
gratifying to have her call for personal contact earlier finally returned, and
even comes as a relief. So she didn't push things too far, after all. The
gesture seems to cement the bond that's been forged, and the boundaries that
have been broken.
"I think so." The young woman finally responds, smile broadening as she lightly
takes the offered hand and rises to her feet. She releases it then, without
discomfited hesitation, and lingers to zip up the front of her body-warmer. "Of
course, you realise I won't be going this easy this time..." she adds with a
glance up to Ryu, keeping her gaze there now she straightens and prepares to
follow him out.
Ryu isn't without his 'connections'. He has a number of allies, people he's
comfortable being around, sharing most facets of day to day life and lingering
where goals seem to converge. But boundaries were broken, indeed, here, in ways
that they seldom are with the legendary nomad. Granted, it's not unheard of for
him to share some things, but much of what was said has been more or less
off-limits, spoken only when necessity demanded. And while there were elements
of necessity to relating some of the information to the Chinese warrior, it was
something far beyond that that truly inspired him to speak on it. Indeed, those
same shattered barriers factor into that, and the simple fact of the matter? Is
that Ryu was comfortable relating to Chun-Li on this level, something that is
very different from a contact or fighting companion, and much, much rarer in his
experiences. Almost nonexistant. So while Chun-Li's enjoyment may be
encouraged by Ryu's reclusive nature, his own is higher simply for her own
nature, in an almost-reversed sort of circumstances.
The confused pause in rising does set Ryu a bit ill at ease for that moment, as
well, and he's about to retract the hand when the seated woman of similarly
impressive strength takes it instead, and smiles. There's an audible
exhalation, and the contact is indeed welcomed, even pleasant. No, she didn't
offend with her earlier gesture. In fact it seems like it had the opposite sort
of effect, with such a thing being sought, if in brief measure. A subtle
squeeze conveys that reassurance as Chun-Li rises, and then Ryu also turns back
towards the door, taking several steps before her words give him another pause,
and he glances back over his shoulder, eyes seeking hers. It's a passing
consideration, mostly to see if she's /serious/ or not... And by the tone and
look of her, it could go either way. But he truly doubts she was holding much
back in their last encounter, "Guess I'll have to really keep on my toes,
then..." He observes, not overly worried by the declaration either way. He's
more than willing to see what she's got to offer, tonight. And once that's been
spoken, he's off for the door, and leading on across the field towards the
woods, and the short hike up to the moonlit clearing.
Serious? No, Chun-Li's not all that serious. There was nothing held in check
during their broadcast match some time ago. If anything her skill was
dangerously near its peak that day and it stands as testament to Ryu that he
managed to topple her so effectively - even if that victory didn't come without
souvenir bruises. So her comment was in jest, though it's certainly worth noting
that she won't be holding back tonight.. the displayed good humour and enjoyable
atmosphere won't be allowed to put a dull edge on her abilities, if she has any
say in the matter. Likely Ryu wants this rematch as much as she does, and so it
will be fought with nothing but the focus it deserves.
Which does nothing to hold back the light flush on her cheeks as she watches Ryu
turn away, her hand lowering and instantly going to work with the other in
unnecessarily straightening the hem of her dress. She freezes then as he turns
back, eyebrows raising in innocent question.. there's no further embarassment
there. It was a fleeting thing, and hopefully occurring for the final time...
what need is there for discomfort? It's a silly thing, another throwback to
girlhood and the thoughts reserved for her idolisation several years ago. When
Ryu's words come, she does visibly relax her expression, eyebrows lowering and
gaze darting briefly downward too before it lifts back to the gi-clad man. "Be
sure that you do." She says with a small grin, pausing only to watch the World
Warrior leave before following suit, trailing him up towards the moonlit rise...
Chun-Li can't help but feel amused. For how many girls could this be some kind
of magnificent fairytale? Taken to a romantic location by a dark and handsome
man in his prime... only the details save this imagery, of course, and the
ultimate purpose of this trip. Not too many young flowers dream of being beaten
senseless by their Prince Charming. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, the
Chinese woman follows on in silence, preparing herself mentally and - in small
but crucial ways - physically as she walks. A twist of the wrist, a crick of the
neck, it's all important.. but nothing so much so as the preparation of the
mind. She wants to make the most of this.
It was indeed an impressive battle, Ryu almost surprised himself in being able
to pull it out before he fell... He was very nearly beaten, and just as
exhausted. So the mere hint that Chun-Li was /hiding/ some measure of
capability was enough to make him stop and consider just a moment, even if the
woman's demeanor does help to support the general return to playfulness that the
remark actually illustrates. Yes, he's looking forward to the rematch.. Not so
much for the match's merit, as for the simple opportunity to go toe to toe with
one of the most remarkable warriors he's run across in a long long time, on many
levels. Granted, before tonight, he was only vaguely aware of all of that, and
so after the evening the two have shared, his excitement for the bout is far
greater. Not giddy, Ryu is far too controlled for such, but if there were a
relevant emotion within him, he is certainly pumped up, and looking forward to
it in ways that go beyond victory.
At least it's not just him. While the Ansatsuken master is doing a better job
at keeping the warm flushes from his cheeks, he's not been without a couple of
those moments, either... Something he's neither used to, nor entirely
understands. But it doesn't feel so terrible, all in all. It's just one more
reason to keep his concentration steady, for one thing, because Chun-Li is
enough of a test as it is! But she's not likely to be touching him
affectionately just now, so that should make things easier. As for keeping on
his toes, well... That's a given, of course. Bits of the Chinese warrior's
amusement are also mirrored in Ryu. He's somewhat aware of the dual setting and
the general paradox of the night, and while he might often miss that parallel in
other situations, as he turns in the clearing to face the woman who paced him up
here, it's hard to ignore. For a long moment, dark eyes merely study the
strongest woman in the world cast in moonlight, and then Ryu stretches a bit
himself. Two simple motions of the arms, out beside him, and an audible
cracking of his thick neck announce the preparations he makes for relaxed
motion, warmed muscles, and his feet slip in the grass into something closer to
a ready stance, "Beautiful night." He observes, hands drifting towards their
defensive positions, right fist clenching near his waist as his left hovers out
in front of him, palm open on a steady hand, "Show me what you can do." He
invites, a smile tracing its way across his face. In ways, it's simple invite.
In another, it's a subtle tease regarding her 'full power'.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has started a fight here.
By the time the stage is reached, Chun-Li has loosened her body more than
adequately.. she's primed and ready to face this challenge. Friendly as it may
be. As Ryu heads over to his chosen position, her booted feet carry her in an
opposing trajectory to take her to a respectably placed distance from the World
Warrior. Both hands lift to respectively unzip and remove her body-warmer as she
travels, the thing hardly suited for aerodynamic movement and hardly necessary
anyway, and it's thrown to one side once she stops. The padded black garment
soars off towards the base of a large tree, landing with a light, muffled thump
as its owner turns to face Ryu side-on, raising her arms in their accustomed
positions, her legs spreading beneath her. That stance so similar to his own
whilst remaining distinguishably unique - that same similarity they've picked up
on once today. And now? Her mind is feeling suitably emptied of distractions,
and all that remains now is to begin.
"It's a fine night, with finer company..." she responds before breaking into the
first motions of battle, sending a small smile toward Ryu. Odd that she's
dispensed with a formal bow, but then they seem too far beyond formality or even
tradition by this point... "I hope we're both ready for what happens now."
That's it, calm and collected, simple words with several possible deeper
meanings. Take as you will, though for the Chinese woman she means this at face
value for her own part; she really does hope she comes prepared, after her
period of downtime. With this said and the sentiment expressed, Chun-Li waits
for a silent count before exploding into action, moving forward into a direct
sprint towards Ryu.
"HYAH!" A martial cry pierces through parted lips, and the Chinese woman
suddenly changes her momentum entirely as her leg muscles tense and she propels
herself into a leaping flip, the gold of her dress reflecting in the moonlight
as she comes around some way above Ryu's head. Whatever she has planned is far
less extravagant than appearances might suggest, and this is what she relies on.
Essentially, overestimation. It's possible that the man may be expecting
something rather more 'special' than the knee she brings down towards the back
of his neck on soaring down from the night skies, the other leg extended and
arms held close to her body to maintain balance.
If she can connect with this, it should be a painful entrance to the battle..
the aim is certainly there. On the flipside, the World Warrior will read her
movements and not even be there by the time she comes down. She'll certainly be
leaving herself quite open in the latter case.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has joined the fight here.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Ryu with Strong Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Ryu 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
Ryu is ready for this battle as soon as his feet and fists are set as he wants
them, as soon as his eyes are affixed on the stunning woman who is, for the
moment, little more than an opponent. Or at least, that's the idea. She
doesn't make it easy for him, both for her skill and for the considerations that
must be put on the back burner just to keep up with what she's bound to throw
his way. The Chinese warrior's motions are tracked as she prepares and assumes
that ready stance, and a simple nod is paid to her words. Far more succinct
than such sentiments might deserve, but it's suited, and at this point Chun-Li
is hopefully unlikely to mistake Ryu's brevity for callousness. He simply
agrees, and nothing more needs to be said at that moment. Besides, all he /has/
is a moment.
Dark eyes track that sudden, upwards motion, and while tracking airborne
opponents is something the World Warrior is rather excellent at, going to the
air is Chun-Li's forte, isn't it? His feet slide in the chill grass, gaze
narrowing at the suddenly descending woman... The glinting does little to
distract him, but it doesn't change the fact that she's a step ahead, and as he
tries to weave aside from the crashing knee, he instead finds it crunching quite
soundly into his left shoulder, an impact that will certainly bruise, and sends
him into a spin on his feet, and nearly to the ground. With impressive
dexterity, the Ansatsuken master merely moves with that turn, rotating the full
three-hundred sixty degrees in the blink of an eye and shooting his hands out
for the front of the Chinese warrior's dress. Assuming his ironclad grip finds
purchase there, his next motion is simple, and powerful, a twist of his upper
body accompanying a shoulder throw meant to carry Chun-Li right back off the
ground, up, around, and back down... back first.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li blocks Ryu's Seoi Nage.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Chun-Li
And so the fight is joined, nothing apparently held back by either party and no
skill spared... this is just as it should have been, and were she not lost in
the precision of her motions the Chinese woman might pause to smile, to feel
some joy in this. This is a rare friendship; one that does not change their
relationship as one fighter to another.
Chun-Li /is/ lost in battle though, and focused as she is the reaction to Ryu's
attempted grab comes easily to the forefront of her mind. With no possible way
to evade, she echoes his own instincts and flows into the throwing manuever,
letting herself be guided by the World Warrior for the time it takes him to
execute the technique. Consequently her flight possesses that familiar eerie
grace, as she has enough control to turn in mid-air and land in a light crouch,
the landing registering only through a dull vibration in her bones and leaving
her with breath to spare as she hits the darkened grasses.
This breath is not contained for long, and it's put to good use within a second
of her arrival. "KOUKEN!" She cries, bringing up her hands from a shadowed
position at her hip - assumed during the flight - and thrusting them forward
with palms opening to the night. As the yell dies, something springs to life. It
should be remembered well, a golden pinpoint of light flaring outward and
becoming a pulsating orb as it streaks in towards the powerful man at
frightening speed.. a blue shroud enveloping it to add all-important control to
its flight. Beautiful, graceful and as feminine as chi attacks come...
COMBATSYS: Ryu fails to slow Kikou Ken from Chun-Li with Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Chun-Li
In a way, that relationship of warrior to warrior /helps/ the other aspects.
Both are devoted to their art, both are talented beyond the normal ken of these
things, and both find both passion and drive from their readiness to fight,
their ability to surmount or understand some of life through that combat. And
here, it is shared willingly, in a manner that Ryu can certainly appreciate, and
approve of. If not quite keep up with... yet. He can tell by the way Chun-Li
moves as he makes good on the throw that she's leading this particular dance as
much as is humanly possible, and she comes out of the slam with more grace than
he's /ever/ seen someone manage from that particular technique. He doesn't have
time to be surprised, however, or to appreciate the aesthetics of that
particular avoidance of impact, because it looks like the Chinese warrior is
making good on her promise to smack him around for /real/ this time.
Far different, and yet strangely similar to the Kikou Ken is Ryu's Hadouken,
which he tries to summon forth to oppose the gleaming projectile he can feel
welling up from Chun-Li's palms, indeed, charged from within her, not unlike his
answering surge, which flows in synchronicity with the World Warrior's own
remarkable chi reserves, and the current of nature and air around him in a
vibrant rush. The swirling mass of blue-white energy is quickly gathered, but
just not quickly /enough/, and as Ryu tries to push it forward into the hurtling
Kikou Ken, he's instead smacked clean in the chest by it, the force enough to
knock him backwards as the searing heat washes over his frame. A hand lifts to
brush over his face, wiping sweat that's already rising and brushing it back
through his tousled brown hair, eyes once more settling on Chun-Li, this time
locked steadily on her mirroring orbs. For a moment, it seems like he has
something to say. But his mouth never makes words, and after an instant, he
merely turns his outstretched hand over, and motions her hither with two quick
motions of his fingertips.
Chun-Li's intent here is exactly as it always is. Any dance is one she wishes to
lead, whether that leadership means victory or otherwise. Not every fight asks
that she attain final dominance, but in every battle she asks of herself that
she remain wary and at the peak of her skills for its duration. The only reason
a manuever like that recently executed should ever be beyond her is if the
opponent has exercised some perfect game of the mind or the body, to throw off
her perceptions. In that case... the fault would not be her own. She's not
entirely strict, merely disciplined. Her life's quest demands that this be so.
And as she watches Ryu past her outstretched hands, seeing him prepare his own
chi attack to counter her own, she only knows that she's done her best.. that
she has satisfied her own demands. The fact she ultimately succeeds only
vindicates her self-discipline.
She rises back to her feet and slips seamlessly into her stance, all the while
her gaze remaining locked upon Ryu's features. An inclination of her head, a
gesture roughly describing the missing bow, meets his invitation and a smile
enters her eyes despite a lack of reflection upon her lips. She won't be
allowing herself over-confidence, and is pacing herself in this, not rushing in
immediately or pressing her attack with desperation...
Instead, she waits a few moments, shifting lightly in her own rhythm and then
starting forward with her right foot leading. As the left sets down latterly,
she's already bending at the waist, reaching out with both hands to plant pale
palms to the ground and use a little pressure to throw herself into an agile
spin. Flipping herself head-down, it's one brief moment before suddenly she's
hammering in toward Ryu in a familiar and powerful attack... one he should know
well, as do all those who've tasted it's sting. "SPINNING BIRD KICK!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Ryu with Spinning Bird Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Ryu 1/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Chun-Li
Not strict, but disciplined. That's a very accurate descriptor, and one that
certainly applies to Ryu as well. Despite his tendencies towards perfectionism
where his own fighting is concerned, dogma isn't his foremost concerned, nor is
the propreity of others, really. There are matters of respect, but that's a
different sort of issue. As for leading the dance, she's doing a remarkable
job. Perhaps Ryu has had a bit too much wine, or... he's not managing to focus
as well as he'd like. It's an issue that does its job rushing back to his
consideration as she comes forward in that measured, fearsomely effective
assault that's so similar to his own... Paced, steady, and grimly efficient.
Usually. The glint in Chun-Li's eyes, smile or not, is warning to Ryu, and his
attempt to duck underneath the flurry of spinning kicks meets with rather less
than spectacular success, instead planting his face right in the path of the
Chinese warrior's booted feet, his skull yielding a rather resoundingly
painful-sounding *CRACK* at the first impact, a spray of blood following that's
redoubled with the further kicks, before he's spun out tumbling along the ground
in a heap. This is what he asked for. This is what he wanted. That mantra
keeps the pain away, keeps his head focused, perhaps /re/focused, on the battle
at hand. His eyes rise first, head lolling to the side the instant before he
flips back to his feet with a lithe spring, hands cradling an empty space by his
waist. A space that doesn't /stay/ empty, however, soon filled with a
coruscating mass of blue-white chi, the wild conflaguration building in
heartbeats to its rather remarkable fury, only to be swept forward at the
skilled woman, its wildly gusting mass launching itself from Ryu's palms as the
heels of his hands touch before him, accompanied by a fierce shout of,
"Hadooouken!!!" as the wildly luminescent chi-ball hurtles across the grass,
straight at Chun-Li's nearby landing spot.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Chun-Li with Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Ryu 1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1 Chun-Li
Strike after strike, each sending a small surge of elation through the body of
the world's strongest woman, land upon Ryu. She never doubted she had the
ability to connect the series of blows, but Chun-Li knows even better that the
World Warrior has ample skill to evade such a technique or even turn it against
her to painful conclusion. Once she feels him pull away, she twists at the hip
and spins down into a resting crouch, her legs tucking underneath her quickly
and smoothly. Of course, it's easy to forget that not all opponents are so fazed
by the Spinning Bird Kick - or indeed any attack - as others are, and on turning
her gaze to the presumed location of her current opponent, Chun-Li is just in
time to be met with a bright blue flare...
It may be beautiful, lighting the hilltop with its luminescent glow, but she
knows the Hadouken is also deadly. Her hands go to the floor to provided needed
leverage as she attempts to turn away, but another knowledge floats to her even
as she begins to move; she is too late. The attempt is useless, and a short cry
erupts from her throat as the Chinese woman feels the ball of chi break over her
form, its warmth flooding across her and the sting of pain carrying her back a
few feet, skidding inside her crouch. She topples at the last, hitting the grass
shoulder-first and rolling with it to come up in a rather less proficient crouch
nearby. Breathing heavily she shakes her head, setting ribbons to ferocious
whipping, and narrows her deep brown eyes upon Ryu. She may have been on top of
this battle, but now the tide could be turning...
With a dull throb in her limbs, Chun-Li knows all the same that this isn't over.
It's barely begun, and with this freshened realisation the pain soars away and
she rises to her feet, breaking almost immediately into a sprint. "Excellent!"
She gasps out in praise of the Ansatsuken master, before leaping forward, her
dress flapping in the winds as she soars in an awesome arc towards the warrior.
It's a long and predictable jump, but fast enough that she might just score
another hit... it's all about skill come the end, as her right leg snaps out in
a textbook flying kick aimed to snap into the powerful man's temple.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Chun-Li's Medium Kick.
Oh, it's not that Ryu's unphased. He felt that as surely as anyone else! But
he's got the drive and presence of mind, to say nothing of the stubborn will, to
continue fight past those jarring impacts, despite the ringing in his skull.
He's not going to let it end like that, that's for sure. He can't very well be
weakened by a few teasing words and a pretty face, right? Well, maybe if said
commodities come from a woman with sufficient strength to subsequently grind him
into the dirt.... But still, it's going to take more than that to best the World
Warrior, and he's not out of the fight. As soon as his head stops spinning, he
too will be fully aware of that fact. The Hadouken buys him a moment,
supercedes Chun-Li's remarkable speed with its own, and the vague satisfaction
from that shows on Ryu's chiseled face, his calm returning as he does indeed
break free of the lingering aftereffects ingratiated upon his head. It gives
him the instants he needs to study Chun-Li's subsequent charge, dark eyes
narrowing intently on the rushing Chinese warrior, and for a moment that seems
to hang in eternity as she ascends, he stands almost /too/ still. It's when
that foot lashes out that he moves, with an alacrity and grace that is indeed
worthy of his dance partner, shifting to the side as her booted foot catches
nothing but the air aside of where his face was a moment before. He doesn't
sacrifice much proximity, however, nor does he have the time to mix words with
combat right this instant. He shifts back in front of Chun-Li as she descends,
nearly toe to toe with the Ansatsuken master all of a sudden, scant distance
indeed seperating them as his eyes lock on hers. Moonlit glade notwithstanding,
Ryu's use of this proximity is to slam his right fist up from its coiled
position flexed at his waist in a rather forceful underhand slam for the
powerful woman's ribcage. That initial strike is only the beginning, however,
meant to set her up for what follows, as Ryu suddenly drops low, that powerful
right flexing once more, before it leads his ascent, aided by a forceful press
of his legs, and he hurtles upwards as bluish chi wisps a blurring trail from
his rapidly rocketing form, the rising uppercut aimed for Chun-Li's chest and
face, a somewhat more dramatic and powerful variant on his famed....
"Shooooryuuuuken!!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Ryu's Shin Shoryuken.
Indeed Ryu does make a worthy dance partner.. and there's no doubt as to who is
the greater of the two in this ballet. But greatness can be so relative, and
sits as one of the most negotiable traits a person can have - after all, there
is always weakness, and there is always outside influence to exploit it.
One such weakness is that the World Warrior finds within Chun-Li now, with his
perfected sidestep of her mighty right leg and his subsequent attempt at
catching her in the air. But she was prepared for an exloitation, and her left
hand is already moving to do something about it.. her leg bending at the knee
from the kick just as a dull thump sounds, that of her open palm closing about
Ryu's fist. The contact does not last long, but it's firm and the sound might
just prove convincing in such confused close quarters. When the pressure breaks,
the slight shift in momentum it adds to the woman's movements is used to good
effect, to propel her from the air at a fast near-vertical spin to land solidly
in a crouch below the rising Ansatsukener.
So why the need for convincing? Presumably his follow-through was fairly
inevitable, but more than that.. she meant for him to believe he had her, to
throw himself /fully/ into the second blow. Because this would allow her next
strike to land, precise as it has to be. With this in mind, she shoves herself
almost instantly from the ground up into the air again, springing off both hands
and whipping her right leg out for a second time, on this event going for a high
thrust kick, rocketing upward to catch Ryu with the blow dead in the bullseye of
his descending stomach. It must be right, the slightest shift from him could
lose this...
"HAZAN!" At the striking point, the Chinese martial arts mistress cries out and
suddenly bursts into stark light - blue chi lighting her up and running the
length of her leg to focus at the edge of her foot. It's an impressive sight,
and adds a painful complement to the attack. But it doesn't end there, and she
swivels at the hip, spinning her body about to deal a second kick from the
opposite limb. "TENSHOU!" The same occurs again, and by the third and final kick
she and (hopefully) her opponent sit that much higher in the air, towering above
the hill and silhouetted against a mass of warm blue-white energy. The final
touch is Chun-Li's voice hanging in the air, her focus and skill embodied in
what springs from her throat... "KYAKU!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Ryu with Hazan Tenshou Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
Raw power is little advantage when one partner has such a masterful control of
the dance. Finding that rhythm of battle, understanding not only his own
maneuvers, but those of his opponents, is one of Ryu's strongest abilities in
battle. But it's one at which Chun-Li also excells, and from the beginning,
she's been dictating the terms of this encounter. And good as he may be, Ryu
can do little, it seems, to unseat that advantage. He's certainly getting the
challenge he had hoped for, and seeing all too clearly the renewed nature of the
Chinese warrior's spirit for the fight. She is in peak form, perhaps better
indeed than their first battle, whereas he... Was relaxed, and entertained, and
while intent on the battle at hand, he finds himself unable to stay that step
ahead. He's aware that Chun-Li has averted his first hit, despite the firm
contact, there's absolutely no way for Chun-Li to disguse the feeling of her
hand as the firm impact of fist on ribs. His eyes follow her a moment, but he's
already committed, going airborne. He tries to adjust his ascent, to tumble
away from the kicks he can /feel/ coming, before he sees the power well up, but
it's as useless as a boombox in space in this instance, and he falls back into
the strikes with an impact that is more than faked in its intensity. With a
crunching series, the World Warrior is punted skyward, and subsequently kicked
free, his limp frame bouncing off a tree on the way down, branches tearing
crimson lines in his arms and face as he thwumps to the ground. Is this the
end?
No... A defiant palm finds the grass, and a still sturdy arm pushes Ryu back
upwards, and he regains his footing quickly, eyes levelling on Chun-Li. It's
hard to read the sentiment behind those eyes just now, still shrouded with the
fiery intensity of combat, but touched with something else, behind. Part of it
is the fact that he's impressed, given how badly he's been kicked around. But
he's not going to take the time to illustrate his thoughts or feelings just this
minute, instead cradling a void where he stands, bare feet slipping into a wider
stance as the entire area about him gleams with a sudden surge of chi that's
both dark and light at once, a flare of dark blue throwing off pure white light
as the initial vortex sweeps into being between his palms, the conflaguration of
blue-white and darker cerulean roaring to life as the surrounding winds are
drawn into the ravenous vortex, Ryu's headband fluttering madly along with the
tattered edges of his white gi, dry leaves consumed as the rather special
chi-ball increases in volume and power, "Shiiiinkuuuuuuuuuu...." Ryu incants,
subsequently hurtling his arms forward and launching the wrathful sphere of
wildly flaring energy forward, its passage consuming dirt, grass, and leaves
without hesitance as it drags a deep trench in the ground on its path for the
young woman, despite its aerial nature, "Hadoooooouken!!!!" Ryu shouts in
culmination, with the launch of the rampantly gusting ball of purest chi, which
careens st
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Ryu's Shinkuu Hadouken.
As Chun-Li hangs in the air from delivering the last of her devastating kicks,
one arm raised and bent at the elbow, the other thrust out towards Ryu's
previous location, she experiences a moment of sheer... purity of being. For all
the focus of battle and the untainted determination one can feel when duelling
with such a kindred warrior, to say that the mind is ever /truly/ clear would
simply not be a truth. However, for a second or two, the Tai Chi expert is in
exactly this unachievable state. As if this fight is her all, and nothing else
matters. Not Shadaloo, not Vega, not Charlie, not even her opponent beyond his
service in that capacity. It's a strange moment, and once left it seems as dust
upon the wind, when the woman is falling back to earth shortly behind the World
Warrior's own pained descent. Dress flaps fluttering again, she hits the grass
in an upright position, bending only a little at the knees to take the strain as
her white boots set down bearing the full weight of her form.
This is a curiously one-sided fight. It seems she can make no fatal error, like
her arts have only been sharpened by her absence from their use. Chun-Li's eyes
narrow a little upon Ryu as she watches him across the cold hilltop, heated only
by the heat of exertion and the enticing warmth of the chi-energy that has been
so liberally hurled about. For a moment she simply focuses on her friend and
erstwhile opponent, distantly feeling the golden ribbons fluttering at her
temples and the play of soft brown hair about her forehead. Slowly she has
unconsciously settled into a stance, right hand held fisted at her hip and the
other extended towards Ryu, fingers tensed and curled outward. Highlighted in
the moon's glow, she appears serene, almost angelic as she faces down the next
attack.
It comes. The Shinkuu Hadouken.. the very bolt of raw inner fire that hammered
her senseless in the last battle with this titan of battle. She watches its
blossoming as if in slow motion, observing every faint nuance of its summoning,
and then the horrible impetus as it comes toward her. To possibly finish this
fight, despite her good health... she won't underestimate this, and while
tensing every necessary muscle in her body she's all too aware that she can
evade it. That she CAN, if not that she will. Her skill and ability is riding
high, maybe higher than it was before the near-fatal pairing of Shadaloo
assaults. In passing she feels her three scars flare up, and while it may be
imagined the very fact that it registers throws her into motion, the Chinese
woman hurling herself up in a truly awe-inspiring vertical leap, flipping her
body in the air to gain further height.
Chun-Li finally comes to the zenith of her jump with a gasp, focusing blazing
optics down upon the guttered soil where she once stood. Evaded. Escaped. How
many can claim such a feat? She cannot fight back a surge of joyous pride, but
she does use it to her advantage, and as she hangs in the air she draws her
hands back, bringing her own energies to bear. "KOUKEN!" She begins to fall, but
remaining in an aerial crouch she thrusts her hands forward, a blaze of
beauteous light greeting the introduction of another chi-ball to the atmosphere,
the gold-centred projectile rocketing in on the overextended Ansatsuken master.
Fight fire with fire.
COMBATSYS: Ryu overcomes Kikou Ken from Chun-Li with Hadouken.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li blocks Ryu's Hadouken.
[ \\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Chun-Li
That clarity is evident in every motion that Chun-Li makes. In truth, Ryu
hadn't /expected/ such a level of sheer, honed edge from the woman so soon after
the battle with Balrog, with her spirits as they were the last time the two
really talked... Only a short while before said mauling. And given that the
World Warrior /did/ find the Chinese warrior sliced to hell and bleeding all
over her apartment afterwards, it's really not surprising that he had such an
overshadowing sense of that defeat. That she's surpassed it, that she's as good
as she is so soon, puts her fighting on a whole different level. What was
impressive before is now utterly respected, even more deeply. He was right in
his suspicions, she is like unto him, and he... Well, he must do better! If
Chun-Li can't be pushed into fatal error, he'll simply have to be perfect in
form and execution, and it's that fact that he focuses on as his foremost
Hadouken whiffs harmlessly past its mark.
The Ansatsuken master's eyes follow Chun-Li's ascent fluidly, despite the speed
and efficiency of it, his gaze never leaving her form, carefully considering
that sillhouette against the clear starlit sky. It's a moment etched in beauty
and perfection, much like the woman's renewed vigor, and Ryu manages to
appreciate that for a moment even as he focuses. Maybe that was the problem.
He's not found his step this entire fight, trying to push aside external
thoughts and simply focus. But this woman... is not like every other woman he
knows, and perhaps the truth of the matter is that he /needs/ to accept that, to
internalize it, and simply fight with that understanding intact. Sure, she's
managed to slip around barriers he didn't know were there, but that just makes
this all the more enjoyable. Or it should. And so Ryu resolves to allow that,
a slight smile coming to his bleeding and bruised features as he senses and see
another blossom forming in midair. A nice trick, indeed, and if he's going to
do what needs to be done, he'll need to match it.
And so Ryu matches it. Hands drifting to his sides, torrents of bluish chi are
drawn forth once more, and at the rapidly reached apex of those energies, the
World Warrior's legs lift him upwards, his eyes carefully split between Chun-Li
and her hurtling Kikou Ken, and at the perfect moment, Ryu releases his
spherical mass of flaring chi at a slight downward angle, slamming it straight
into the oncoming chi-ball with a wild fluctuation of raw power, golds and blues
overwhelmed by waves of both darker and lighter hues, the twin bolts of chi
wrestling in the air for a moment before the Hadouken triumphs, washing past
Chun-Li's offered chi with a massive backlash of dispersing energy, and
careening for her landing spot. Ah, the wily nature of this particular
intercept is revealed.... And Ryu too, begins to drop back after his short
leap.
Many factors come into the observed perfection of Chun-Li's form.. it is not
simply the drive for vengeance, or some prodigal status that she has been born
unto. Nor is it sheer hard work. Rather, her everything is due to a combined
effort from all these factors and more - she is, in short, complete. Something
many fighters at their level are, but few in the grand scheme of things. To
begin with a spark and to continue nurturing it takes some effort, but to remain
unerred in those efforts whatever the circumstance and to keep pushing on
through hardship? This is much harder. A great deal of blood and sweat has gone
into the evolution of the woman Ryu sees before him, who even now finds herself
the subject of his energies. From babe into girl and so suddenly into woman, she
is nothing short of a phenomenon.. subtle as that fact can be.
This particular phenomenon is forced to step down from any lofty perch though,
throwing her extended arms back as she lands, her awareness informing her the
instant this becomes necessary so that she is prepared, and ready, to let the
powerful Ansatsuken warrior's chi cascade over a sturdy defence. She had not the
time to move aside - his response was perfect - but at least she fends off the
worst of the combined fog derived from pain and forced relocation. On rising to
her feet she barely pauses to offer Ryu a brief inclination of her head before
dropping down low and rushing forward, her legs blurring beneath her as she
springs across the dishevelled soil towards her target.
Three times she strafes, darting left twice and then more dramatically to the
right, looping around closer to the World Warrior's flank than his fore before
promptly rushing in, a skidding crouch carrying her the rest of the way.
Spinning back up to her feet, in the same motion she extends that firmly muscled
right leg to catch Ryu with a brief blow to the back of the head. And brief
only, for after landing and shifting back two inches, her leg blurs to the eye
as a machine-gun round of booted strikes are aimed up the full length of the
gi-clad fighter's body. "YA! YA! YA!" She punctuates her flurry with short, high
exclamations. Dizzying in speed and power, as always.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Chun-Li's Hyakuretsu Kyaku.
In that, the two fighters are similar. Parallel even. Every motivator, every
attitude, every effort can be paralleled in many regards. Ryu may have been
born with an exceptional talent, but it's been through years upon years of
concerted effort that he's built that start into the masterful interplay of
grace and power that illustrate the Ansatsuken wanderer's mastery today. A far
cry from the promising youth who first fought Ken Masters. Hell, he's a far cry
from the up and coming martial artist who appeared in the World Warrior
tournament five years ago. But that evolution is part of what he seeks in his
fighting, in his training. To gain understanding, to seek truth, to find out
how life, his life, other lives... Truly work, and effect one another. To be
the best man, the best warrior, he can be. And to avoid that which would rob
him of both, by his estimation.
And what good is a life well-led if one misses the new things? Ignores new
opportunities in favor of old beliefs. There's a subtle line between holding
true to oneself and turning one's nose up at truth. Sometimes, walking a path
can be blinding, however necessary. And as one grows, it can become harder,
rather than easier to learn new things. This is a paradox Ryu struggles with
from time to time, but right now, is perfectly at ease with. Balancing his mind
and body, calm yet ferocious in spirit, he is descending on ready legs, and as
Chun-Li charges forward, brown eyes that mirror that paradoxical intensity
follow her feints with unerring precision, the World Warrior failing to errantly
weave with any of the attempts at throwing off his anticipation. But the actual
kicks, while, that's a different matter. The first, sweeping for his head,
catches nothing but air as Ryu suddenly ducks underneath it, allowing the
powerful limb to pass right over his head, brushing over the tousle of brown
there with the sudden nature of the dodge, and with a grace that almost belies
belief, Ryu weaves backwards, twisting away from one kick, then another, and
then another, always darting to the side, or just out of reach, with the
narrowest margin for error. This isn't a matter of showing off, it's a matter
of the sheer speed and strength of that brutal combination. Even with perfect
reflexes, perfect timing, he's only a half-step ahead. It's enough, however,
and as he drops back the final time away from the machine-gun legs, that smile
is back on his face, and he's looking right back at Chun-Li evenly, despite his
rather haggard visage, "Incredible." He offers simply, and it's unlikely he
meant the fanservice given throughout his avoidance.
But then he's moving forward, right back in at her, a quick leap carrying him
upwards as his upper body twists, bringing the lower half swinging around with
fearsome force, his right leg extended in a whirling rotor of kicking wrath,
left perpendicular to the ground to balance him as a tremendous wind is thrown
up beneath him, centered chi and sheer power carrying him forward, holding his
seemingly impossible flight aloft as he spins straight in, foot level with
Chun-Li's skull as his leg roundhouses around again, and again, and again,
spinning through the maneuver with breathtaking speed that's so great as to make
it difficult for a typical eye to even follow the actual twists, "Tatsumaki
Senpuu Kyaku!!!!" Ryu shouts out, looking to take back the offensive from the
strongest woman in the world.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li fails to interrupt Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku from Ryu with
Koshuu Tou.
[ \\\\ < > //////////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Chun-Li
Oh-ho. This could be something that leads to frustration for the Chinese
warrior, seeing her opponent flitter about like a firefly at the end of her
foot. For every change in angle, every shift she makes to her targetting, he's
somewhere else entirely... it /could/ be frustrating. It isn't ultimately,
because of their relationship and because this is such a treat to watch, to see
someone's expertise displayed so plainly at such close range. The evasions shown
here are beyond merely excellent.. it's a level few could ever aspire to, let
alone have a hope in reaching. Why do the most impressive of battles always seem
to take place so far from the public eye?
Perhaps that's exactly the reason this is so impressive. Because there is no
audience, no distraction, and no glitter to hide the true nature of either
fighter. This is personal and intimate, and comes as the finale to an otherwise
startling evening. On lowering her leg, Chun-Li briefly reflects upon all of
this, her fleeting moment of distraction hardly coming as a disadvantage but all
the same.. she has something else to deal with, the World Warrior seeming to
flow with her own movements. As he launches himself into the air, she is
earthing herself, and forcing her into a dangerous rush of speed!
Dropping down slightly on a bent right leg, the Tai Chi mistress reaches for the
incoming foot with both hands, aiming to stop its momentum and throw Ryu
backwards into her, before applying a grapple that could well end this. It feels
so perfect, until the instant of impact when she feels her arms blown back by
the force of that kick, subsequently taking every following blow upon her head
and shoulders, each rotation of Ryu's form garnering another pained grunt from
the woman. When it's over, she is thrown away, landing on her back and lying
still for a few moments, in a dishevelled heap, before finally pushing herself
into a tense crouch. One hand braces upon the grass between her legs, the other
going out sidelong and flickering almost imperceptibly with soft blue chi. Her
eyes are blazing with inner fire as they settle upon Ryu, but the wide smile on
her lips belies any anger.. feral as she appears, the edge is tinged with a
total lack of animosity. More than rageful, she's excited. The pain doesn't even
matter.
Well, at the least, she has a way to go before reaching the levels of
frustration Ryu could be experiencing... If he weren't also completely
enraptured by the skill and precision with which the Chinese warrior executes
her fighting style, and for a while, completely negated his own. But however
this ends, Ryu has found his rhythm, and made a bit of peace with his own
conflicted thoughts without even actually considering them. One more proof of
both the lifestyle's merits, and the natural catalyst of this particular
combination of warriors. As for an audience, Ryu wouldn't want one. The fact
that the fight is private is one more mark in its favor, in his mind. He needs
no spectators, no cameras, wants no fame or flashing lights. No, he's in his
element here, perfectly and completely, secluded from outside distractions in a
serene locale, with a warrior he both appreciates and feels (rather suddenly)
quite close to. He couldn't ask for much more than this battle, which is a
large part of why he asked for it, tonight. Ryu's not much on social tactics
aside from saying what he means, and expressing what he wants. Straightforward
and simple, though far from shallow.
The World Warrior lands the flurry of spinning kicks as Chun-Li is booted away,
dropping into a ready stance already as he lands mostly facing her. He's
already keenly aware of her quick reprisals, and even if he has a moment this
time, he's clearly planning to stay ready. He meets that gaze steadily, dark
eyes alight with a fire that's very very similar to the one in the Chinese
woman's own. Not quite feral, but certainly possessed of the fervor of the
battle, the rush of perfect execution and incredible challenge. A deep breath
steadies him, refreshes what was lost in the offensive, and before Chun-Li can
stage her own follow up, Ryu's hands are at his side, calling forth a searing
inferno of roaring chi, its hue this time a mass of multifaceted, fiery reds,
the literal fireball likely familiar to Chun-Li... But no less formidable for
that fact. The raging heat surges and gleams together for a moment into a rough
sphere of napalmy fury, which is subsequently hurled forward, flames licking
along Ryu's arms and hands as they surge outward, scorching the earth as the
mass speeds for the strongest woman in the world, with a fierce cry of,
"Hadoooouken!!!" Sounding fervently in its wake.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Chun-Li with Shakunetsu Hadouken.
[ \\\ < > ////// ]
Ryu 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Chun-Li
Actually, the world might be a better place if everybody acted a little more
like Ryu... not an obvious fact at first, or even second glance, but a fact all
the same. His fighting skill is admirable, but so then is his very way of being.
Something else Chun-Li has striven for, if something she fails through moments
of vengeful bloody-mindedness and childish uncertainty... and right now, she'd
fail on any social scale. Her chest heaving, she rises to her feet and slips
back into her stance as Ryu launches into a familiar posture of his own. Wild
eyes focus on the flare within his palms, and still smiling the woman lunges
forth to meet the quite literal fireball dead on, planning presumably to make a
last-second evasion and bring favour back to her. She tries, and fails. Twisting
around the burning orb, she instead finds herself twisting into it, hurling
herself onto its searing flame. Her nerves are wracked with pain, but she does
achieve a small something.
Instead of ending up blasted back by the encompassing flames, as they spread
across her and envelop her in a fiery cocoon, her forward momentum is still in
place and she spins sidelong towards the ground... but toward Ryu too, a
humanoid fireball rolling toward him once she hits the dark grass. Rising to her
feet, Chun-Li is disorientated but spectacular in appearance; crimson tendrils
flying about as she covers the last three paces into the World Warrior like some
mythical furie, her arms lashing out to either side of her body. And it's there
they hang, the woman pausing to gaze briefly through the dissipating chi-flames
around her. Her right leg lifts, and this time she unleashes a near carbon copy
of the technique she last attempted to land...
A NEAR carbon copy. But in truth this time the results come so much quicker,
frighteningly fast, and though the pause may have enabled Ryu time to escape
this was exactly the intent.. her flurry is followed by her spinning in place
and then lancing forward with a stomach-height thrust kick from the left leg.
"SENRETSU KYAKU!" Blue chi blazes outward, totally bursting the red into nothing
and forming a far cooler backdrop for the rage of strikes that follow, her right
leg coming forward next for a high kick, then as she shoots forward again with a
quick low blow from the left... the right's already rising again, for another
lightning burst. It's all done with less precision than sheer impressive
brutality, but when she finally pauses at the end of the combination it is with
a pre-emptive air of finality, her posture perfection and her expression once
more stoical.
This is all she has to offer... whether her foot connects with flesh or air
barely matters. She knows she's back on form, and ready to rejoin her quest.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Chun-Li's Senretsu Kyaku.
Everyone makes their own way in the world, for better or ill. That's a fact
that Ryu's come to accept, at least in large part, and while that doesn't mean
standing idly by, it means that he doesn't actually think that he's found the
only right way. He recognizes the merit in others, and in that trait if none
others, the world would indeed be better off with more like him. He doesn't see
himself as any sort of paragon, however... But she knows all that. Knows that
he is only a man, living life as best he knows how. Granted, his education in
that regards can be a bit narrow at times, but he does well enough with the
cards he's been dealt. With his own senses more fully in the fight, rather than
fighting against themselves, Ryu's tenacity proves to be equally capable of
tearing down the Chinese warrior's ample defense and remarkable offense. It's
still a touch-and-go situation, but it's one that the World Warrior is obviously
quite comfortable remaining involved in. There's no cry for a stay of
execution, not hesitance or fear in his intent gaze. Those steady, passionate
eyes follow the young woman as she heads for the hurtling ball of flame, observe
the spinning tumble that brings her out of it and back to her feet, knows by the
look in her eye, the measure of her step, that she's got something dangerous up
her sleeve.
Touched by fire seems to suit Chun-Li, and once again Ryu has that snapshot in
time to appreciate the strange sort of beauty that that combative elegance
exudes. Well complimented, they are... Thoroughly skilled, as well. Two
uncanny fighters pitted against one another by choice, even as their path begins
to twine inexorably for the coming spans. Ryu's got to suck in what gut he has
as that first kick sails in, a rather instinctual hop back accompanying a twist
to the side carrying him away from the assault, and once again he weathers it in
its entirety. The fevered pace is indeed something to keep up with, but the
World Warrior seems up to the task, eyes darting this way and that as he follows
the attacks in turn, operating as much from intuition and that warrior's sense
as the actual sight of the strongest woman in the world as he ducks and weaves,
sidesteps and scrambles backwards, his motions a bit more hurried than the first
time, as he also turns up the proverbial meter to hold even with her assault.
It's all he can do to keep ahead of that attack for the duration, breathing
heavily and now quite thoroughly coated with sweat. He's beaten bloody, nearly
to unconsciousness, as he has been for some time now. And his body really just
wants to give in, to fall to the grass, and a smile breaks his face once more, a
smile that very obviously would be a laugh were he able to release and do just
what he'd like. Of course, he's not laughing at her, he's laughing at the
situation, at the battle, at how incredibly matched this bout seems to be.
It's a short-lived moment of humour however, he just doesn't have time for it
right now. A stronger step carries him clear of the flurry's ebbing energy, and
he subsequently steps back in on his right foot, which leads his right fist,
which strikes inward with triphammer speed and precision in a punch that flies
rather like a straight, but angles downward for chest and ribs as the World
Warrior slides forward in the grass, looking to put his own punctuation on the
bout.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Chun-Li with Sakotsu Wari.
Insert another moment that seems to lack all links with reality... but this one
is less deep, more to do with a sense of abandon. Chun-Li has got the proof she
came for, and now her body screams for a rest she decides to give it as much.
All she required from this day was that she wake up the next morning back to her
true self, to regain the drive she lost. Terry brought her out of her mental
agony, and then she sought another legendary warrior to summon her spirit back
into being. It's worked. The fighter Ryu now lunges in towards, poised at the
end of her thunderbolt combination technique, is once more a complete woman. And
then some. Everything she was and additional evolution from experience... she is
back on track.
Which explains how little she cares when that fist comes in. There's a shallow
window there for her to attempt action, to flip aside in another burst of insane
grace and precision, but there's just so little point. She can keep struggling
to win a fight that does not need to be won, and gain nothing beside some
ultimately shallow sense of achievement, or she can submit to that darkness that
comes with loss, let herself be knocked senseless again. Either way she gains
nothing, but.. this way she loses nothing either. Defeating the World Warrior
could prove mentally unstabling, removing a pedestalled icon from her thoughts -
even if that man is no longer so ascendentally placed - would be an act of
imbalance. This way, he will still be the champion she knows, another obstacle
to be overcome at a later date.
Assuming of course, that after movement she could press on to defeat him at all.
If she couldn't, and this is far more likely, then the end result would be so
similar to that which she has now... but less perfect. It feels right to drop
now, to stop while she is so far ahead. And by the time these thoughts are
finished, she's already upon her back, ploughed into by the powerful man's fist
even as she attempted to puzzle out her desires. She coughs weakly, looking up
at him through a haze of pain and bloodshot eyes. "Good fight..." she murmurs,
letting her gaze become veiled as her eyes begin to close. "Thank you, Ryu."
Unconscious a heartbeat after her words, a smile remains sketched vaguely on her
lips, a declaration of her victory over herself. Victory in the battle she won
just a moment before being toppled by the titanic fighter she now calls friend
in the dearest sense...
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li takes no action.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li can no longer fight.
Worn to their limits, beaten beyond good sense, and still fighting strong. It
seems a fitting culmination to a surprising evening, every essence of
sensibility eskewed in this battle, from one extreme to the other, as each
warrior gave it everything they had. Not because it was life and death. Not
even because they had to. Simply because each /wanted/ to. Wanted nothing
less, either from themselves, or from the other combatant. It wasn't something
to prove, it was something to show, something to share. At least, that's how
Ryu feels about it. And he can't very well be let down by either fighter's
contribution to that endeavor. As for being unseated, well, she came damn close
to taking him down, that's for sure. The wobbly way he stands as she falls away
is evidence of that, his eyes watching her topple almost as if it were in slow
motion, his stance shifting only slightly, bobbing lightly on his feet as she
hits the ground. No, there's nothing else coming from those legs tonight, so
his consciousness is at least momentarily spared the impact, and he breathes a
sigh. Not of relief, not of discontent, but of relaxation, release... Letting
go of the fierce battle in an instant, knowing it for what it was.
A nod is his only initial response to the thanks, acknowledging the sentiment,
and returning it as well, though his exhausted being can't seem to form words
for that moment in time. As her eyes close, Ryu walks over towards her,
stooping in the grass beside the falling warrior and reaching out to brush a bit
of hair from her brow, and wipe a bit of blood and grime that the battle had
deposited from her face. The gesture is gentle, and passing, the lightest touch
of fingertips that are more reverent than anything. And then he smiles
slightly, and drops back himself, landing in a sitting position a bit harder
than he might have liked, but he's just... worn out. Too worn out to wait for
her to wake up. Too worn out to try carrying her back down the mountain. Yep,
he's too worn out to do anything but sit, sparing Chun-Li a final glance before
that sit shifts to deposit him on his back, beside her in much the same
condition, his eyes considering the stars for the moments it takes them to
flutter closed, and he simply drifts away, quite contented where he lays.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has ended the fight here.
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