25/10/05
Characters: Charlie, Chun-Li, Athena
Southtown Village
A change from the hectic pace of the Business District, and the gritty
environs of Downtown Southtown, the Southtown Village is a far quieter
district of the city. Few buildings top over five or six stories, and most of
the population of the area live in house-like brownstone apartments at street
level. A myriad of small shops dot the area, as the Village is a center for
culture and arts. Small theaters for live performances, coffee shops,
bookstores, art museums...all are common sights.
Probably the only sliver of the city that doesn't thrive on large
businesses and tourist attractions, the Village instead adopts a laid-back
pace to things. The only exception to this is nearby Taiyo High, which makes
the entire district of the city a hotbed for youth activity.
Afternoon, in Southtown, actually closer to evening; the sun burns bright, its
rays lacing the air, pollution making the horizon glow orange, the sun's rays
themselves taking on a warmer, darker shade. The Village is quiet for the most
part, only a few people going back and forth on their daily errands--picking up
fresh fish, tofu, buying alcohol for a celebration. A light wind blows through
the section of town, stirring up a whirlwind cloud of leaves that rolls past one
of the people who is standing in the street--someone who most definitely stands
out.
That person is Charlie--ex USAF and vigilante, Special Forces fighter
extraordinaire. He stands at one end of the street, next to a lightpole,
looking relaxed, even though he knows why he's been called out here--none of the
Vigilantes have handwriting as--delicate--as Chun-Li's, and only she would issue
a challenge by leaving the note on his desk. So he's just waiting for the
ex-Interpol Mistress of Tai Chi to show up, trusting she'll be here on time...
Despite the low-keyness of the area a few people -are- starting to notice and
gather, but it isn't a large crowd yet.
Well, this particular crossing of styles has been absent for quite some time;
Chun-Li versus Charlie last happened over half a year ago, and under
circumstances that could have been friendlier and more prolonged. With the
returning of the woman from the depths of Thailand, she has decided to dedicate
more time to both the Vigilante group as a whole - curbing her independent
instincts - and particularly to her closest friend within that group. The man
she now looks down upon from a rather unorthodox perch, smiling to herself and
waiting for just the right moment to make herself known...
"You were just on time!" She calls down after perhaps a ten minute wait, teasing
humour ringing in her bright tone. Kicking her legs back and forth playfully,
the blur of motion is just another incentive for Charlie to look upward and
sight his companion. Balanced perfectly on the semi-flat summit of the lamppost,
clad in her serviceable yellow-stripped tights and matching Chinese-styled top,
Chun-Li meets the ex-soldier's first sign of attention with a brief wave from an
uplifted right hand. "Hup-!"
Subsequently pushing herself off with a slight movement of her lower body, the
Strongest Woman in the World nimbly drops from on high to land in an equally
nimble crouch in front of her ally in justice, bouncing up to her feet and
turning immediately to face him with a hand raised to offer a mock-salute,
"Reporting for duty, Captain."
Meanwhile, Athena and her gaggle of friends slip out of a local bistro,
chattering away, some of them bearing small shopping bags and the like. School's
out, and so it's time to play! Or just relax, at least. As they pass throught
the evening, headed to a local karaoke spot, Athena slows in her step. Her
indigo eyes shift, noticing the two unfamiliar, but well-known fighters. After a
couple more steps, she gathers up the attention of the others, explaining and
politely bowing to them. Breaking away with a cheery wave, she gives them a
wave, and then tugs her red jacket a little tighter around herself. Taking a
breath, she glances over to the duo, and puts her hands in her pockets, walking
over.
Eh? Ah, yes, here she is. Charlie looks up as Chun drops down from the
lamppost, from the small notebook he was reading through--some notes, probably,
or maybe a grocery list... who can say? Tucking it back into an inner pocket of
the vest, he adjusts his glasses, before looking up. As if a ten minute wait
would faze him--his DI once made him stand in the mud and rain for twenty
minutes--and that was just to date the DI's cousin! Good thing he had an
umbrella at that time...
For just a moment Charlie looks stern, all business, eyes narrowing. And he
waits--though not ten minutes--more like a minute or two--before barking,
loudly, "At ease!" A shorter pause, and then he shakes his head, that one
weirdly long bang bobbing. "And I thought I told you not to call me that. I'm
not a Captain anymore, I resigned my commission, remember?" Charlie can't hold
the sternness for too long, and he gives Chun a good eye-ing. "Looks like you
still clean up well, Ms. Li." Turning on one heel, he looks around, whispers
going through the crowd--Chun is at least as famous as Charlie is, if not more
so. "And you sure picked an interesting place to have this little tete-a-tete...
what's the matter, the shrine all busted up or something?" he teases his
comrade, as he pushes off the lamppost when he's rotated so his back's to it,
stepping out into the street.
Chun-Li does hold position for as long as it takes - neither of them are exactly
stranger to discipline, though on this occasion she does find it a little hard
to keep a straight and solemn face, lips pursing as she attempts not to laugh or
even smile widely. Charlie should savour this! Not many people get to experience
her lighter side, let alone at this kind of level. When the order does finally
come, the Chinese woman relaxes her posture immediately, lowering her arm and
only then beaming up at the taller warrior. "I do my best," she replies to his
initial appraisal, winking just noticeably.
The whispers triggered as she speaks go seemingly unnoticed, as does the crowd
itself after a brief sideward glance to Chun-Li's right. She has been up there
for some time after all, and already offered the earliest to gather a hushing
motion. One or two are actually laughing now she's hopped down from the
lamppost... though don't tell Charlie that.
She does seem to get away with this, but is caught blindside by the next remark
from her friend, actually looking a little perplexed for a moment before
replying with a slightly nervous laugh, "The shrine... a church... this hasn't
been a good week for religion, Charlie..." Actually, she still feels rather
guilty about the shrine, and that odd teenager - with his eerie green flames -
has been on and off her mind ever since. "Anyway," cutting off her own
hesitation, the world's strongest woman takes a step back from the Vigilante
leader, lifting her hands in an obvious defensive position, "Enough about me! I
hope /you've/ stayed sharp..."
Charlie snorts. "I take it you didn't hear about my disastrous fight this last
weekend?" he queries, expression turning serious for a moment. "I'm not worried
that those two won--they beat me and they deserved it. But I -am- worried that
I'm losing my edge--I didn't do nearly as well as I should have." And that
doesn't even get into mentioning Sagat, something he will do later at the Base.
Without so many prying ears. "Well, religion aside, Chun-Li, I think what I
need is training." He pauses, then laughs a little, "I'm starting to sound like
Ryu, aren't I?" Without further ado he grins. "We can catch up later, maybe
over some drinks--for now--shall we begin?" he offers, looking to the Strongest
Woman in the World.
Raising an eyebrow, Athena slows a little at the salute. Huh. But she doesn't
let the seeming formality - or psuedo-formality - of the gesture slow her. After
all, she didn't break off on friendly fun for nothing! Pausing in her steps
nearby, she slips her hands out of her pockets, interlacing her fingers behind
herself, and politely waits for a break in the greeting. After all, she may be a
bit nosy, speaking of prying ears, but hardly rude.
Apprarently the time is right for eyebrows to raise, as Chun-Li joins Athena in
that self-same gesture, her head also tipping slightly to one side as Charlie
expresses misgivings. This doesn't sound entirely like the quietly confident man
she is so familiar with - but then, she knows the feeling well enough; not a
year to this day she was upon the brink of giving up the fight entirely after a
pair of savage beatings delivered in close succession. When Charlie finishes
though, the woman smiles, "I'd say that's an apt assumption... and just like
him, you underestimate yourself too much. Still, if it works for him," she
shrugs her shoulders, settling deeper into a fighting stance, "I suppose it
should work for you."
At that point Chun-Li appears ready to charge in and throw something her
comrade's way, but abruptly she pauses, craning her neck and looking to one side
- toward a nearby schoolgirl. "Looks likke we have a rather.. well-versed
audience," she comments loud enough to reach 'prying ears' quite comfortably,
sparking up another brief smile before turning upon her heel, placing her back
to Charlie as she offers a bow toward Athena. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss
Asamiya."
Cue more murmurings, whisperings and excited gasps from the crowd. This quiet
little street is gaining quite the banquet of international fighting talent.
Chun-Li does not tarry long though, parting her hands from her chest and lifting
them to either side as she looks back over her shoulder at Charlie. Legs evenly
spread and flat to the floor beneath her, she looks to have a considerably
sturdy stance - back turned or no. "Ready when you are, Charlie!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has started a fight here.
Charlie chuckles. "Ryu was my first fight when I came back here. He decided I
merited a special welcome. And it was good to see him fight--even if it was
painful too. I only hope I can dedicate as much to training myself again as he
has. He truly is a living legend..." And the woman across from him isn't far
off either. Quiet confidence? He still has it, even shaken as it is, and he
shows no hesitation in starting the fight--except when Chun-Li mentions the
observer. Casually he glances across to the purple-haired schoolgirl and greets
her with a brief, if warm, smile and wave. And then it's time for the fight;
Charlie can feel his blood pumping in anticipation and excitement. As much a
joy as it is to see Chun-Li work it's far more pulse-pounding to be under the
gun... this will be a true test. As he raises his hands he grins, the curve of
his lips attaining a fierceness to them. "What's the rules, Chun? No holds
barred?"
COMBATSYS: Charlie has joined the fight here.
Athena grins a bit, mildly embarassed. After all, she's approached a lot of
fighters, but it's still hard not to feel a bit odd when approaching older
strangers on the street. She bows back to Chun-Li, deeply. "Good to meet you
too, Miss Li.", smiling wider and retuning Charlie's wave, her fingers just
poking out of her jacket sleeves. She looks over her shoulder across the
audience for a moment, making sure she's the only... well-versed one about...
and then returns her attention to the pair. Well, this should be worth missing
karaoke!
Living Legend? Perhaps. From the opposite side of this streetfight, the feeling
is mutual; when Chun-Li first encountered Charlie he was by far the superior and
only a mixture of hard training and sheer bullheaded willpower has seen the
woman close this gap in the passing months. Along with no less than three
encounters with the Shadaloo dictator himself - something else that bears
further discussion. But then, so does the woman's relationship with the World
Warrior.
Regardless of the future, in the present she pauses only one beat more, to
favour the mildly shy Athena with a quick smile. Age is not an issue here, there
are few who haven't heard of Athena Asamiya in some sense... and the world's
strongest woman doesn't pay much attention to popular music. Glancing back
around to Charlie, it comes time to address the aforementioned rules.
"Well, Charlie," Chun-Li begins in a tone that is only partway serious, "Let me
put it this way. You fight one jot below your potential and soldier? I'll be
/carrying/ you back to base!" The playful edginess to her tone is tempered
further as the woman gives a mischievous wink, then turning away fully and
allowing her eyes to slide closed. Her breath regulating to a deep, smooth
rhythm, she remains with her whole form tensed to exactly the correct degree...
focused and waiting.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li focuses on her next action.
Charlie would find that, were he and Chun-Li to compare their views about being
'living legends', they might agree. But Charlie truly admires the woman's
willpower, determination... her skill and her poise. She would have impressed
his drill instructor, and that was a hard man to impress indeed. Truly? If
there were fighters of note in the crowd Charlie wouldn't care. His fighting
style is no secret. His tactics are usually made plain. He has nothing to
hide. Though he doesn't favor Athena with another smile, like Chun-Li does, he
does hope he can provide her a good fight to watch--like Chun, he isn't much for
music, but he has heard of Athena before. At Chun's banter he just barks a
short laugh, "Well, if you've improved as much as I think you may be carrying me
back to base anyways!" he quips. And yet... he's reluctant to make the first
move either, instead choosing to study Chun's stance and rhythm, grin fading as
he takes on the mien of the serious fighter. Chun-Li deserves his all, and he
expects nothing less in turn. There are few he could have an honest fight
with--a fight just for the thrill of it, the joy inherent in testing one's
skills; most of his combats have one purpose or another. But he, like many
other fighters, also takes joy in the fight. It's just brutality and random
violence that he disagrees with.
COMBATSYS: Charlie focuses on his next action.
"Hmph," Chun-Li's lips twitch upward on one side as she briefly sounds her
amusement. "Ever the gentleman, hm?" It's said so quietly as to be barely
audible, her voice lost to some extent in the stoicism of impending battle, as
she meditates upon her initial manuever. The lack of movement from Charlie means
she has to ruminate a little further, and a good minute of waiting passes before
she finally decides upon action; shifting into this in a rush of the winds and a
blur of her powerful form.
Whipping her body about, the Strongest Woman in the World opens this bout with a
technique only too familiar to those watching, one arm extending and bending to
the floor as she turns her entire weight oh-so-briefly upon tensed fingertips.
Using the momentary leverage to flip herself heels over head, Chun-Li tucks her
arms about her body and whips her legs out to either side in an incredibly
display of gymnastic ability. More incredible is the speed with which she
subsequently sets off toward Charlie, spinning ever faster and with increasing
power.
"SPINNING BIRD KICK!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Charlie with Spinning Bird Kick.
Gentleman? Charlie? OK, maybe. But he has his reasons for not making the
first move. Unfortunately for him, letting Chun-li have the first attack
doesn't do him any favors at all; before he can reply she's spinning at him, a
whirlwind of feet. Perhaps he ruminates himself, just a little too long, on how
similar this attack is to Ryu and Ken's own Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku--and before he
knows it she's on him, and the pounding rhythm pulls him in--and spits him out,
tumbling to the ground. He lands on his shoulder and rolls, getting back to his
feet, and grins. "Very nice shot, Chun," he compliments the woman, "I can see
you're not going to hold back. Very well." With a quick lunge forward he's
within range again, halting his movement abruptly, turning momentum into torque
as he spins forward, balanced on his left foot, snapping his right fist around
in an arcing backhand blow aimed for the Chinese woman's shoulder--or temple, if
he catches her badly.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li just-defends Charlie's Spin Back Knuckle!
Chun-Li registers no note of victory when she feels her trademark spinning kicks
connect. If the attack weren't know to be effective, it would not be so widely
used - in traditional or variant form, as with the woman's own technique. After
Charlie is battered away and pitched to the floor, she comes around with the
same flawless grace to land briefly in a crouch, turning to face her rising
comrade before easing herself to her feet, hands lifted in usual defensive
positon about her body.
"You know me," she murmurs in reply to the compliment, inclining her head in
brief acknowledgement, then tensing as that potentially devastating backhand
comes in toward her. "I never-" a pause in mid-sentence as she half-turns her
body, tossing up a surprisingly sturdy forearm to barely brush Charlie's strike
- enough to carry it away in its intendeed arc, but harmlessly failing to impact
with her good self. "Let my friends down!"
The last comes in something of a breathless rush, but the humour is clear enough
by the spark in her brown eyes shortly before she darts forward right into
Charlie's guard, dropping low and then rising from the ground with a twist of
her form. "TENSHOU KYAKU!" Lashing out with one leg she aims to catch the
recovering military man with a lancing kick to the midriff, propelling both he
and her higher into the air before spinning at the hip to deal an extra kick
from the opposite leg; and once more... three strikes following in speedy
succession before she lets him fall away and tucks into a backflip to drop back
to solid ground.
COMBATSYS: Charlie blocks Chun-Li's Tenshou Kyaku.
*WHACK* goes that first kick against Charlie's forearms--just as sturdy as
Chun-Li's if not as surprisingly so. That rising kick brings her into the air
but Charlie pushes off from the block, letting Chun-Li rise without him.
Fortunately for him. He's seen the Tenshou Kyaku in action before and,
generally, each of the other kicks is aimed squarely at the jaw. And while
Charlie's no Glass Joe, he isn't Vega and he doesn't have the chin to just take
it and smile. Well. With Chun in the air it seems only fit to rise to meet her
and so Charlie does, with a short crouch, the coiling of tensed leg muscles like
springs, and a leap into the air that takes him towards the Tai Chi fighter.
And he's reaching out to her. But not like those AT&T commercials; he's
reaching out to grab her at the waist and shoulder and, should he hit, with a
quick twist of the waist and a push with his hands, he'll send her flying to the
ground ahead of him.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li just-defends Charlie's Flying Buster Drop!
Folding her hands in front of herself now, Athena waits and watches. Her eyes
widen at the woman's impressive opening. "Oh my...", she breathes, making her
own mental notes on the exchange. Despite her own strength, she's not typically
one to analyze a fight, but the spirit and talent is unmistakable. Her hands
rise, and she taps her chin in thought with a fingertip. It has been a long
while since she's fought, and this brings back a little of the old thrill she
used to feel... though it would be a stretch to say that it's back.
Chun-Li does reign a little of her effort in as she feels the first of her blows
meet a sturdy defence, enough that by the time Charlie leaps toward her she is
far from disoriented. In fact, on spinning about from her third pulled strike
and meeting an incoming package from Special Forces... she smiles a touch and
allows herself to be caught for all of an instant. "Nice try!" She squeezes out
whilst twisting within that grip, the movement allowing her to reverse Charlie's
grip entirely so that /she/ holds the upper hand. From there it is a simple
matter to lean tight against the powerful man and exert her own attack...
"YA!" Effectively performing an aerial bodyslam, both hands and shoulder pivotal
in using her friend's force and momentum against him, the world's strongest
woman sends her opponent on a speedy trip down toward the floor. The plan
provided this gambit pays off is to once more drop at a rather slow pace to the
ground, landing in a tight crouch with fingertips resting lightly at either
side. Her form has not dwindled in recent times... if anything, the hell of
Thailand has sharpened her edge...
COMBATSYS: Charlie dodges Chun-Li's Ryuusei Raku.
Being trapped in Thailand would be enough to set anyone on edge--oh, wait. Not
that kind of edge. Charlie proves he hasn't lost his edge either; even as
Chun-Li redirects him to the ground, he's preparing to land, and in fact lands
on his own two feet, in a similar crouch. No words offered, merely the respect
given a fighter of equal stature. He has yet to land a blow on the swift
Chinese woman--perhaps, he muses, he should be trying harder, focusing more...
he rises from his crouch, gracefully, though keeping his center of gravity lower
to the ground. All attention is on Chun-Li now; Athena gets not a second
glance. Giving Chun-Li another opening could be--well, not fatal, certainly,
but very dangerous to his health and his chances of showing a good fight.
COMBATSYS: Charlie focuses on his next action.
Chun-Li allows herself another indulgent upturn of the lips as she also begins
to rise, mysteriously halting herself however, to remain in a half crouch. "That
was nicely done, Charlie.. I thought I had you." Gaze intent upon the man, she
allows her smile to remain a few moments longer, enough that she catches her
breath and refocuses the very centre of her being. Aerial manuevers like those
take a lot out of a fighter, even one as skilled as the Strongest Woman in the
World. When the pause is over she closes her eyes, breath deepening and hands
drawing to her right hip, cupping themselves around an imaginary ball.
Whoosh! A sudden gust of wind blows through the street, and in tandem a flare of
golden light explodes from within Chun-Li's pale-skinned fingers, lighting the
similar golden traces upon her top and causing several of those watching to
blink and rub their eyes. "KOUKEN!" With this kiai bursting forth, the Chinese
woman flows forward in a single liquid motion, hands thrusting forth and
spilling forth this golden light, which coalesces into a globe enshrouded in
shimmering blue-white.
The pulsating projectile heads on toward Charlie with deceptive speed, cutting a
spiral through the afternoon air. Behind it, the creator straightens her posture
and slips seamlessly into her regular fighting stance, raised upon her toes and
waiting with full focus for any reaction that may come.
COMBATSYS: Charlie overcomes Kikou Ken from Chun-Li with Sonic Boom.
- Power hit! -
"Chun-Li, you can have me anytime," replies the American, teasingly, "except
when you're looking to mash my face into the ground." Despite the teasing, he
remains focused on the fight, brown eyes flicking back and forth, calculating
Chun-Li's movements and trying to anticipate her attack. Though, since she
announces it, Charlie has ample time to reply. "Kikouken, huh?" Reaching back
with his right arm, his fist glows with power, momentarily, energy flaring
white, tinged with orange and green at the edges. "I think I can beat that," he
comments, "with a..." And he rips the arm forward, and across his body,
flinging his own chi-projectile, spinning, scything through the air, to meet
Chun's, "... Sonic... BOOM!" And beat it he does, his projectile slicing right
through the chiball.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li slows Sonic Boom from Charlie with Kikou Ken.
The waiting woman's eyes widen just slightly as she listens to, and watches,
Charlie's reaction to her graceful chi attack. Her pulse quickens with a burst
of adrenaline and she quickly curls her own hands, fingertips once more
crackling with energy.. this time no golden pinpoint, but with a pure pale blue
light. Then when the cry comes and that supersonic sickle comes whipping
directly through her own projected power, Chun-Li gives a martial cry and
launches herself forward over one extended leg, setting herself up for a
headlong sprint in opposition to the fast incoming blade. Her hands whip forth
and out to either side, tearing away at the Sonic Boom.
It amounts to a halfway futile gesture... chi whisping away and Charlie's
projectile continuing onward to impact, "Ngh!" The Chinese woman's impending
forward momentum, along with the diminishing achieved by her charged swipe, does
save her some anything more than an uncertain swagger and a lance of pain
through her powerful form. The assault's reduced effectiveness allows her pace
to resume as intended with only brief hesitation, and through the diminishing
mist of energies she thunders toward her opponent.
Charlie winces, momentarily, seeing Chun eat the Sonic Boom, even if it is
dissipated some. He wouldn't insult her by backing off, though, so he presses
his advantage, lunging forward to close the distance once more; halting his
motion as he moves within range he swings a quick kick at Chun's ankles, as much
to harass and keep her off balance as to actually do damage. Letting her
recover would be... unwise. And unwise is what Charlie tries to be, at least
most of the time.
COMBATSYS: Charlie successfully hits Chun-Li with Light Kick.
Chun-Li's rush is abruptly halted by the intrusion of Charlie's speedy kick,
enough that she actually topples full from her feet, looking to go down in a
tangle of limbs and with a rather graceless 'eep' of surprise. Somewhere between
dash and collapse though, her prescence of mind restores itself and a hand is
thrown out to slam palm-first to the floor, a swaying motion of the woman's
tumbling lower body bringing both legs back around and thrusting out to hit
Charlie with another trademark technique.
"YEE-AH!" The Assassin Kick, the woman's sneakered feet lancing out for an
incredibly painful collision with the Vigilante leader's own ankles, the blow
not pulled in the slightest and every bit as powerful as it ever has been; the
only downside is the slightly ungainly entrance that just might see Gen's
legendary technique letting his pupil down on this occasion.
COMBATSYS: Charlie dodges Chun-Li's Strong Kick.
"Hup!" Charlie actually just--jumps straight up, over the Assassin Kick, and he
actually frowns while doing so. Still in the air, he asks, "What's wrong, Chun?
You're not usually this slow. Are you," and his voice takes on a slight
tone--something unidentifiable, "not focusing on the fight? That could be a
problem!" he shouts, as, after that leap, he quite simply thrusts his feet out
at Chun's midsection--miniature drop kick! Maybe he's been watching some
pro-wrestling...
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li blocks Charlie's Heavy Kick.
Thwip! Chun-Li hears only the sound of two bodies moving in startling bursts of
air as Charlie makes such a nimble evasion of her master's technique. This
sparks a brief wry smirk and a quick shake of the woman's head as she listens to
the verbal retort to her poorly executed attack. "Perhaps if I wasn't up against
such a handsome devil..." she begins to tease in turn, starting on another of
those rare winks before hastily throwing up her arms from the crouch she now
maintains. Crossing her face with both forearms she catches the improvised
dropkick with just a mild grunt, and as she skids backward there is a sudden
rise in her prescence...
Whatever effect this might have on the less mundane senses of either Charlie or
the audience, or possibly both, the woman is clearly preparing for a surge of
power as one hand uncrosses to slap to the floor beside her. "HAZAAAN!" Crying
up toward the descending Charlie, she uses the leverage of her palm to throw
herself into a manuever much like the second of this fight, only this time her
extended leg glows with blue-white energy as it thrust in for the man's chin.
"TENSHOU KYAKU!" Completing the violent kiai, she surges upward with a series of
spinning kicks, swivelling at the waist for each and allowing both limbs to flow
freely with impressive manifestations of chi.
The fireworks continue until both fighters are high above the street, when with
one final kick Chun-Li completes her assault and kicks backward off Charlie with
a quick gasp of effort, falling into a spiralling backflip that carries her back
to a /just slightly/ unsteady landing on the road below.
COMBATSYS: Charlie blocks Chun-Li's Hazan Tenshou Kyaku EX.
Charlie tucks into something very much like a ball, as Chun rises towards him.
But he's not just curling into fetal position, as is evidenced by the quick
movement of legs and arms, taking each of these crazy impacts of foot and chi in
non-vital areas, weathering the almost literal storm of kicks. Once again he
takes the last crushing impact and uses its momentum to separate from Chun-Li,
backflipping and landing on the asphalt. His forearms are noticeably bruised,
but the Air Forcer doesn't seem to be too much the worse for wear; in what seems
to be yet another pause in the fight he merely lets Chun-Li land, preparing
himself for the next go-round for him and the Tai Chi Mistress. He has no words
to offer though; just an intense, intent gaze.
COMBATSYS: Charlie focuses on his next action.
Chun-Li is less prepared to weather her failure to constantly impact this time,
and continues through her dizzying motions with full vigour. By the time she
comes around to land, she is every bit as disoriented as she would have been
from hammering Charlie with each successive kick, and thus.. she needs the time
he gives her, drawing in smooth breaths to refill her lungs and redraw her
focus. When she finally rises to her feet, it is to raise a sturdy guard and
begin a quick pacing toward her waiting friend.
Similarly offering no words at this time, watching Charlie with a frown of
concentration and slightly narrowed eyes, the woman moves in even paces to
circle around and then close the distance methodically. Only for the last few
feet does she speed up suddenly, all but a blur as she dances in and lowers her
guard to reach out snakelike with one gripping hand, attempting to encircle
Charlie's wrist and then...
...sidestep with a swivelling of her body, turning the instinctive twitching of
his muscles into enough force to carry the man up off the ground and into the
same motion of her arm - a smooth circle that should end with her releasing his
wrist, shifting back into her stance, and he landing with a small jolt of pain
upon his back.
COMBATSYS: Charlie fails to interrupt Quick Throw from Chun-Li with Step Kick.
- Power hit! -
Charlie watches Chun-Li approach, warily; as she begins to make her move, he
steps forward--and right into her trap. Or her throw, more accurately. He is
flipped over, with a yelp, landing on his back and gasping, before attempting to
roll away from the woman, wincing a little. "Ow," he mutters, his concentration
disrupted somewhat but the jolt of pain, but he brings his hands up again, his
stance shifting almost into that of a classic boxer.
With this steady flow of combat set into motion, there is very little pause on
Chun-Li's behalf. Beside fixing her intensely concentrated gaze back upon
Charlie the only change in motion is barely noticeable due to the ease with
which it is executed, as she quickly covers the distance in a few controlled
strides and then demonstrates exactly how high she can kick. "Ee-YAH!" Shifting
her weight onto her left leg and leaning back, the right snaps up in tandem with
a momentum shift from her arms, the woman aiming to nail her crimefighting
partner with a fluid strike straight to the brainbox.
COMBATSYS: Charlie blocks Chun-Li's Medium Kick.
Charlie is barely up before Chun-Li is on him again; that high kick is admired
for a moment (hey, Charlie -is- a man, and an American man at that, he can't
help it) before his training kicks in and he throws his arms up to take the hit.
It still shifts him back a step, however, which just gives him enough room to
retaliate with a high roundhouse kick of his own, his upper torso leaned back to
give even more force and speed to the attack.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Charlie's Heavy Kick.
Keeping an eye on the back n' forth, Athena settles against the aforementioned
lamppost. She keeps a close eye on things, as it's turning out a fair deal
closer than it initially seemed! Not that she really made any assumptions,
having never seen either fighter really duke it out in person. Folding her arms,
she patiently waits on the ever-closer outcome.
Chun-Li's confidence seems only to heighten as Charlie brings up his guard, the
numbing of her blow causing an upsurge of energy as she reverses her momentum,
spinning fully around and dropping low to evade the incoming roundhouse that he
throws out in turn. With no need for a preparation to her next attack, as she
twists low to the ground all the woman offers as punctuation to her evasion is
the quick darting out of one leg, quickly enough merely to strike at one of
Charlie's heels and subsequently attempt to stagger him with the foot's
withdrawal - equally fast and with a tug against his boot that should have the
desired effect.
Regardless of her success at unbalancing the burly ex-soldier, Chun-Li spins
through her attack and then straight back up to her feet, at a ninety degree
angle that allows her to duck into a short sprint and then turn smoothly to fall
back into her stance nearby. Eyes glimmering with excitement she draws in a slow
breath and waits, watching, considering and analysing. It's good to be reunited.
COMBATSYS: Charlie blocks Chun-Li's Light Kick.
Charlie plants his foot, taking the kick but looking like he feels no effect at
all. "Was that supposed to -do- something, Chun-Li?" he asks, sounding stern...
a little less playful now, treating it more like training, now. It's a rare
treat for the spectators, though; fighters of this caliber don't just randomly
fight on the street every day. (Every other day, maybe...) Keeping the close
range, Charlie leans forward and launches a quick jabbing punch to Chun-Li's
midsection.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Charlie's Quick Punch.
Chun-Li quirks an eyebrow toward Charlie as his serious tone reaches her ears,
"Clearly I need more practice," she muses with a tilt of her head, not smiling
but hardly reaching the same level of solemnity. She is enjoying herself far too
much - not holding back or fighting to enforced limits, but simply fighting to
train to enjoy. After the serious psychological nature of her last duel - with
Iori Yagami - she needs this more than she needs anything else... vengeance
aside. "And you?"
The question is posed as Charlie's fist flickers out toward her and with greater
speed the Chinese woman is simply no longer in the same position, an
accompanying breeze prompting a swish of the ribbons binding her long hair. She
now crouches low to the ground, one hand lifted to knock Charlie's aside
harmlessly and the other lifting with a good deal more force. Tied to this
incoming blow, she rises to her full height and thrusts a rigid, upturned palm
up toward the chin of her opponent.
"SEIYAH!" Giving a cry to accompany the strike, her previously parrying fingers
remain where they are, forming a defensive perimeter from any reversal of
Charlie's initial blow and providing another striking edge to counter with
should she need it. She may well be playing it safe with these simple,
calculated attacks... but the fight is far from over, and the woman will need
every last ounce of her reserves if this spar continues as it begun.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Charlie with Medium Punch.
Charlie has fought Yagami as well; and while his fight with the man wasn't as
psychological in nature it was certainly more deadly. "UNH!" cries Charlie as
that palm strike rocks his head back. But he'll use that momentum to his
advantage; in a acrobatic, gymnastic twist that would make an Olympic coach
proud, Charlie twists with the impact, turning himself around, away from
Chun-Li, and, with an application of his life energies, he springs into a
backward somersault kick, both heels slicing through the air. And his heels are
glowing, slashing arcs of energy through the air, in Charlie's signature attack,
the one he's termed the Somersault Shell. "SOMERSAULT!" he cries, as he comes
back around, twisting again in midair to land once again facing his opponent.
He's starting to breathe hard, the length of the fight beginning to take some
toll on him; using his chi isn't the easiest thing for him.
COMBATSYS: Charlie successfully hits Chun-Li with Somersault Shell.
The returning blow seems to come in slow motion, Chun-Li quite aware of what is
occurring and what she should do but.. at the same time, mesmerised by the
moment and completely incapable of acting within the time constraint given.
Watching Charlie curl around in a perfect display of just why he is considered -
and IS - such a word-class fighter, she comes ill equipped with a last-instant
twist of her body that fails to free her from the lashing slash kick. Tossed
into a backward arc by the impact, the world's strongest woman lands heavily on
her shoulders and only barely recovers with a tight roll, tumbling a few feet
and coming up in a breathless crouch, one arm wrapped around her middle and the
other hand on the ground before her, for balance.
"...nice shot..." she gasps out, massaging herself gently before extending that
hand to give a thumbs up and the best grin she can manage, "I knew you hadn't
lost it." Nodding affirmation of this point, Chun-Li clambers to her feet and
dusts herself down even as she begins to walk forward, raising a guard halfway
toward Charlie and then - deceptively - shifting her momentum to a three-step
sprint and an arcing leap heavenward. "Seeeei-" Her path carries her high
through the air and then down in an aerial roundhouse kick aimed for the chest,
to stagger Charlie.
"-YAHA!" When and if the kick makes its connection, the woman rebounds expertly
to land upon one leg, the other setting halfway down whilst she reaches out to
grip her comrade with a single hand. When she has him by his scruff, a twist of
her body into a tight about-turn will drag him straight over her back and into
painful collision with the ground. Wham!
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Charlie with Strong Throw.
Charlie's fatigue makes him slow; even as he's landing Chun-Li's counterattack
tags him, both the kick and the over-the-back collision. "UNH!" he shouts again,
oh-so-eloquently, as he lands, bouncing on the ground once before rolling
backwards; clearly tired and close to the edge, he does his best to hide it.
"That... was a hell of a shot, too, Chun-Li..." He seems to take just a moment,
but summons up some inner reserves. "Let's see how you handle this!" And once
again he lunges forward, seemingly without regard for his own body, his body
seeming to flash with energy. "SOMERSAULT..." announces the start of the attack.
It looks a lot like what Chun-Li just saw; Charlie seems to take a short hop
forward, to carry himself forward; but he turns, his arms out to his sides, and
a quick, skipping step flings him upwards, his heels slashing the air with boots
and chi again--and again, as he lands, still going forward, smoothly twisting
into another, higher kick, to carry Chun-Li upwards, and somehow he lands again
for a third slashing somersault attack, shadows of energy seeming almost to
trail him as he lands. "... JUSTICE!"
COMBATSYS: Charlie successfully hits Chun-Li with Somersault Justice.
After tossing Charlie down to the floor for the second time, Chun-Li is quick to
scuttle back a few paces and raise a guard - this time falling into a very
defensive stance. Legs spread beneath her and evenly set to the floor, right
hand held in a fist at her side and left arm extended with fingers curled
outward roughly toward her rising opponent. "We'll see, won't we?" She murmurs
quietly in response to Charlie's jibe, watching and feeling him gather his
energies for his most powerful attack - something she's not sure she has ever
been upon the receiving end of. Shifting footing just a touch, she prepares
herself to dart /around/ the first rising kick, in a blur of motion. Focus,
tense, and-
The strike catches her full across the front, propelling the beautiful woman
upward and setting her up perfectly for the flurry of action that follows...
bruises bound to litter her form from each booted foot's trailing path across
her body. When the very last blow comes she is sent into a crazy spin to the
floor, bouncing twice before settling onto her side, breath coming heavy and
cheek pressed to the ground. She relishes in the coolness of this for several
moments as she forces her eyes to remain open against the pain; it is a truly
powerful technique she has tasted.
However, Chun-Li is no mere amateur, and after a few moments she skips to her
feet with surprising vigour. Working on the very last dregs of energy, pushing
herself beyond human limits, she starts at a run toward Charlie with a wild
grin, "Prepare yourself! This one... KEEYA!" She leaps forward, twisting in her
final approach to present one side of her body to the man, "Is new..."
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li can no longer fight.
COMBATSYS: Charlie dodges Chun-Li's Houyoku Sen.
"HOUYOKU S-ungh..." As her powerful right leg lances out to inflict a series of
devastating strikes, the Strongest Woman in the World suddenly falters, eyes
crossing and body failing her completely. Dropping to one knee in front of
Charlie, she manages a weak chuckle, "I... I'll show you later...""
Charlie reacts swiftly, reaching out to catch Chun-Li before she can drop too
far. "Don't worry, soldier, I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunities to see
it." Fight done, concern and an odd joy show in his brown eyes. "You've become
even better than I remember, Chun-Li, and I remember you as being very good
indeed." Though he won't say it out loud, Chun-Li almost had him, and in fact
had his number at several points in the fight. Some of the spectators are
cheering and whistling at the show, which Charlie acknowledges--somewhat
embarrassedly--with a salute, while helping Chun stand.
COMBATSYS: Charlie has ended the fight here.
"I'm sure," Chun-Li echoes with a sheepish grin, reaching down to push herself
upright with one hand, the other going to rest on a knee as she attempts to
stand. "And... thanks, I've been working hard." Shaking her head as she sinks
back onto one knee, the world's strongest woman lets her eyes close as she sucks
in a quick couple of breaths. Regardless of stamina and resilience, a fight like
that would take it out of anyone.
Consequently, when Charlie's helping hand comes it is welcomed warmly and the
woman manages to get to her feet on the second attempt, joining her Vigilante
partner in offering acknowledgement to the crowd. Rather than a salute, she
waves with one hand, before... throwing out a 'V' sign.Yes, someone has been
associating with her fans and has learned exactly what they like. She may have
only used a victory sign once in her career but it seems to have stuck and goes
well received even though she fell as the 'loser' here.
"Does this mean I get carried home, then?" The woman asks out of a corner of her
mouth as she smiles tiredly around the rather crowded street, when she is done
looking up at Charlie with expectant good humour, cocking an eyebrow and resting
her previously waving hand upon her hip. Aww, isn't it cute.
Charlie laughs out of the corner of his mouth. "I bet the guys would love to see
that. But only if you want to be. For now," he says, a bit louder, guiding the
other Vigilante to a bench, convieniently near to Athena, "rest. I'll get
something cold to drink," he promises just before disappearing into the crowd
briefly, headed for one of those ubiquitous vending machines that seem to be
everywhere.
Standing up straight, Athena loosens her arms and claps. "That was really good!"
Walking over casually, she leans forward a little as she smiles. "Either of you
need a bit of help with those bruises?" She straightens again, and smiles. "...
I figure it's the least I can do for a fight like that." She reaches up, rubbing
her shoulder for a moment.
Chun-Li takes a grateful seat upon said bench and smiles to Charlie as he walks
away, "Thanks." Knowing full well she won't be allowed to protect his taking
action on her behalf; and also resting assured in the knowledge the last thing
her partner in justice will do is acknowledge his own injuries, or fatigue, when
there are others worse off. However barely. Still.. grateful she is, and the
world's strongest woman crosses her legs, resting her hands in her lap and
leaning forward a little to take the weight off her shoulders. She only looks up
when alerted by Athena's voice.
"Hm?" Indictinct questioning comes before an 'oh!' of recognition and the
Chinese woman smiles again, lifting a hand to rub at the back of her neck. She
has heard of and seen the power the singer stroke Psycho Warrior is capable of,
and is too curious to refuse such treatment, "That would be lovely, thank you.
I'm glad you enjoyed it." Inclining her chin in the closest she can currently
produce to a bow, Chun-Li then leans in a little closer and lowers her voice
just enough, "But try to help Charlie out just as much - he hides it, but I can
tell he's almost as rough as I am."
Speaking of the man, here he comes--and with three bottles, not two. "Here you
go, ladies," he says, as gallantly as possible, leaning (gingerly) against the
bench that Chun is seated on, and popping open his drink. Bruised? You bet.
Battered? Like Julia Roberts in "Sleeping With the Enemy". Smiling? That too.
"That was one hell of a fight, Chun. Like I said--I'm impressed. You really
amaze me." A look at Athena and he nods, still smiling. "Did you enjoy the
show?" he asks, between gulps of drink.
"Guys are always a little weird about it...", Athena says quietly to Chun-Li,
glancing to Charlie for a moment. Then, she lays her hands on Chun-Li's
shoulder, closing her eyes as she concentrates on the power... drawing it out
and letting it soothe the Chinese woman's injuries. There's a faint glow playing
about her hands, and the younger fighter's hair and clothes rustle a bit with
the flow of energy. Then, she lets go, clasping her hands together as the effect
fades. It's not a full recovery, of course, but does give that healing process a
good jump-start. She takes the bottle, opening it, and takes a sip. "Yeah, it's
actually been a bit since I watched a live fight. Well, aside from keeping an
eye on the other Psycho Soldiers."
Chun-Li barely suppresses amusement at Athena's reply comment, lifting the back
of one hand to her mouth to hide any signs of this. Nodding to the girl - as if
giving permission - once she places her fingers upon her shoulder, the world's
strongest woman is ill prepared for what follows. Her eyes widen instantly as
the power surge moves from Athena to herself, and a shiver runs down the length
of her spine.
As refreshing as the effect is, the first contact brings a strong image of Vega
into her mind in stark enough fashion to briefly shock and unnerve. By the time
the process is over though, Chun-Li has composed herself.
"I owe you one," she remarks with a smile and a wink, reaching out now to take
the bottle proferred by Charlie, uncapping it with one finger and lifting it to
her lips to take a long drag. Listening to Athena as she does this, the woman
then lowers the bottle and peers sidelong, quizically, at the starlet. "You've
not been fighting yourself? The last news I heard, you were showing up almost
everybody... Ryo never quite got over what you did to him." Another wink, though
she's speaking full truth on this one.. it was mostly thanks to Athena that she
ended up tutoring the Kyokugen Tiger in the first place.
Charlie watches the healing process curiously; though he's been hit by Vega and
his Psycho Power before, he's never seen it used to heal--and while he doesn't
know exactly what Athena does (though the Vigilantes may have a file on her
somewhere), it does feel familiar somehow. Still, he would be 'weird' about
it--maybe you could even call it macho. Well, you could definitely call it
macho. Rather than bust in on the conversation, he lets Chun and Athena catch
up, taking smaller sips of his drink. When he has something useful to say,
he'll pipe up."
Shaking her head, Athena says, "Not since the last King of Fighters
tournament..." She looks embarrassed to admit it, and shrugs. "I haven't done
any serious fights since then." Smiling, she adds, "But I do have singing... and
school, too, so I'm always busy." Brushing a bit of her hair over her shoulder,
and she looks surprised. "Ryo? Really?", she says with a surprised look on her
face.
Chun-Li laughs a little in return, fatigue only marring the brightness of her
tone somewhat. "Really. He gets a hard deal from his family, I think." Read:
Takuma. "Tries to push himself too hard... worries a little too much..." Not at
all like anybody else who could be named. Anyway, shifting her position a little
on the bench, the woman chooses not to linger on the subject of the Sakazaki
clan, moving the conversation on - the end result of her friendship with Ryo was
not a desirable one, after all. Idly swirling her drink's bottle around, she
asks curiously, "Do you miss fighting?"
It's an honest query. There have been one or two instances where Chun-Li would
gladly have given up the thrill of battle if the fight for vengeance had been
over... or at least, instances where she assumed she might have done. Future
circumstance will see the truth in this, but for now there is no rhetorical note
to her questioning, nothing beside pure and simple honesty.
Athena looks aside, and says, "Well...", trailing off, and then looks back. "...
to some extent, but... it can be a pretty hard existence, too, and I don't
necessarily miss that part." She rubs her neck. "It gets complicated." Sipping,
she dances around the real reasons, worried about even admitting those to
herself, much less somebody she just met. "My reasons for fighting aren't like a
lot of people's, the whole... macho thing that seems to surround it and all."
She smiles sheepishly, and shakes her head. "I'm not making much sense, am I?"
"You're either making none, or plenty," Chun-Li responds with good humour,
lifting her shoulders in a small shrug and pausing to take another long gulp of
refeshing liquid. Lowering the bottle to dangle over the edge of the bench she
again looks sidelong to Athena, "But you seem like somebody who has her
reasons..." Trailing off a little, perhaps not too desiring of implying the
girl's odd power as such a reason. But it's because of this power - more than
any other reason - she now feels drawn to the starlet. Perhaps she holds some
answer to the reason for the similar power controlled by her nemesis?
Shaking herself before these thoughts become too deeply involved, before blind
conjecture can take over, the Chinese woman gives a small smile, "If you ever
need to remember those reasons, I'll be happy to help. Although if nothing else,
the two of us in one place could be quite a draw, hm?" Lifting an eyebrow in
brief suggestion, it would seem Chun-Li is really coming to terms with the whole
'fame' thing, though she's some way from believing all the hype.
Athena laughs, and then sighs, looking at the bottle. "I think I need to resolve
something from back then. I still have to fight, it's just..." She looks up.
"... I had one of my greatest victories, but... I also let everybody down, too."
She swishes the drink around inside the bottle, and then takes a sip. A grin,
and she meets Chun-li's eyes. "I'll think about it, okay? I think I still need a
little longer." She looks different from her public face, less sunny and more
just... lost. Not that the light is gone. She still has the same smile and
shining eyes, but... she just doesn't look quite so sure.
It's certainly proving a much more interesting first meeting than Chun-Li would
have imagined. But then, the cult of celebrity is always thus... much as she
makes no habit of leaping around crying 'yatta', Athena is clearly a lot deeper
and less artificial up close and personal. It should not be a surprise, and in
many ways it isn't, but there is always a lingering doubt until that doubt is
proven false.
"I understand," The Tai Chi mistress responds kindly, gently laying a hand on
Athena's shoulder for just a moment. It's removed as she stands up slowly, of
her own volition this time, and smiles down at the girl, "We may not really know
each other yet, but I for one wouldn't object to calling you a friend." Coming
slightly out of left field, but it certainly seems to be heartfelt, "Contact me
anytime you like. I might be able to sympathise a lot more than you'd
imagine..." Smiling again and this time holding it for a few seconds, the
Strongest Woman in the World is fairly certain she speaks truthfully; she has
let down family and friends before, and has recovered. But she has also failed
relative strangers, which can be equally distressing.
Looking to Charlie then, Chun-Li waves a hand to lift him from his silence,
"Shall we get going?"
Charlie blinks out of his reverie, and nods. "C'mon, let's get some rest... I
think I'll need it before I tangle with anyone, least of all you." He smiles.
"But it was a good fight. It's damn good to have you back, Chun. The Vigilantes
weren't the same without you." Now, goes his unspoken comment, if only Guile
would come back...
Raising a purple eyebrow, Athena nods slowly, and sips her drink for a moment.
She nods, and says cheerfully, "I'll do that... when I have time. Even without
fighting, I'm always busy." Between hobbies, career, school, and the 'soliders',
she retains more than her share of responsibilities. She waves to Charlie, and
then takes a step away, as well. "It was good meeting you, Miss Li. Have a nice
evening." Shifting to a bit more of a formal mode, she bows, and gives a goodbye
wave to her as well as she starts to turn. "Later!", she calls out, before
making her way briskly off. After all, rest is still a ways off for her...
"Thanks, Athena, you too." Chun-Li replies with a brief bow of her own, hands
clapping together at her chest. Lowering her hands she offers a less formal wave
and then turns to Charlie as the girl makes her way off. Grinning a touch, she
lifts a finger to poke the Vigilante leader in the chest, "As good as it to be
back... next time, you'll be the one kneeling. Let's go!" Turning on her heel
she starts to lead the way without waiting for a reply... she needs to rest up,
but beyond that; as a woman, it is her Right to have the last word. Winner.
Charlie would never deny Chun her rights, so, ruefully, he follows the woman.
"I'm kind of glad you didn't hit me with that final move... it sure looked like
it would've been painful..." he says, his voice fading off as the two Vigilantes
make their way back to the base that Charlie, at least, calls home. (Yes, in
Papua New Guinea. What, they have jets. ._.)
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