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 Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:30 pm
 VS.
To debut the opening of the new Beach Selena, which sits on the western coast of the GTB plot of land, Midus has decided to host the second round of the tournament in this lovely place. The sun is shining brightly as the warm breeze blows gentle waves along the clear crystal waters. Boats, surfers, and ski boats trail the waters as a large crowd of spectators gather around a single large wooden platform situated out in the middle of the water. This platform will serve as the fighting ground for both fighters as they are transported out here, either via boat or by their own creative method. The platform itself is made of wood, but contains a solid slab of stone underneath it that is four feet tall meant to keep the platform from being destroyed. Though you may think you can destroy rock with your attacks, this stone is extra tough, meaning knocking chunks out of it will be your only capability, so don't expect to punch any holes through it. Field Measurements: The platform is a square shape, with the distance measured from one side to the other merely 15 yards, which equates to 45 feet. You won't be able to run around this thing as freely as the last arena. The platform is raised a foot above water, so if you fall off, you can still simply climb back on. The platform is rooted underneath with a four pillars of the same stone at each corner, so it will always remain stationary. The pillars are ten feet long each (and quite wide), touching the sandy floor underneath. Ten Count Boundary: Falling into the water begins the ten count. If the other fighter goes into the water, too, or makes contact with the fighter in count-out in any way, the count resets. This does not apply if both fighters are in the water. Only when a fighter has both feet on the platform does the count stop for them. The flying rule remains in effect. Other Penalties: Do not attack spectators or attempt to destroy the platform's rooting underwater. Doing so will result in a DQ. Fight Ends: On July 9th, at 9 PM Central.
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Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:40 pm
SUDDENLY
A dark shadow fell over the crowd upon the shore, cast by a wingspan that neared 40 feet. Any spectators who hazarded the glance upward would be greeted with a rare and quite spectacular sight. The dappled underbelly of a blue dragon, at least 31 feet in length, soared above them its cry silencing the cheers and chatter. As the creature neared the water, it began to dive irridescent blue scales shimmering in the bright sunlight and casting a brilliant reflection upon the clear blue ocean beneath it.
Just as it seemed the magnificent beast would crash into the waves a flap of its powerful wings pulled it up once more, sending up a torrent of spray in its wake.
The dragon circled wide around the wooden platform. Once, twice, and then, on its third time a figure suddenly became apparent, standing upright in a saddle atop its back.
Viviana's silver mane whipped out behind her in the crisp sea air. Her blue eyes were almost a perfect match for the crystal waters upon which they gazed. The Lamia reached a hand out to gently brush against the dramatic frill of the creatures left ear. A whispered word was exchanged, and the beast dove again, its scaled underbelly cresting the surface of the water as it dipped and then pulled up once more, splattering the surface of the wooden structure with droplets of sea water.
The dragon rumbled its discontent slowing its speed to allow its rider to dismount. Viviana leapt from her saddle, landing nimbly upon her feet with the practiced poise of someone who had probably done this before. The regal creature gave one final ear splitting roar before ascending to the skies.
Viviana reached up and pushed the silver curls from her face.
"The beach. 'ow pleasant." She said with a wry grin, raising one hand in salute to the cheering masses.
Ensign Kim had been right. Azada was a real crowd pleaser.
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:27 pm
Flashy.
Far more so than the blacksmith could manage, to say the least. For as the dragon came sweeping down to come grazing across the water with all its shimmering might the woman could only manage a gasp of uncertainty and excitement at the beast's approach, its noble nature striking a true chord with the small woman as she ceased her paddling for a moment. Her eyes flickered across the waves it cast from its wings and a time or so to the rider, who herself seemed to be serpentine of some kind, before she took a shake or two to wring herself awake.
"Wondrous... Beautiful!" She found herself cheering with a bright smile as she picked up the pace between her strokes. "So many foreign creatures and cultures you outsiders have! If I can keep going... and keep advancing... I might even get to see more."
She continued on like that for a time, her voice innocent and kind and her body fluid through its motions. Though despite that her voice was simply too small and drowned out from the whoops of the crowd as they applauded the entrance of the dragon rider. Jurie didn't really mind, to tell the truth. In fact, were it not for their attention solely focused on the lamia the blacksmith might find herself struck with a sudden case of nausea followed by a nervous fit of shakes that she usually got before a fight.
Despite her stroke of confidence and vibes of enthusiasm Jurie was a very, VERY shy girl.
It wasn't long before she found herself hefting up atop the stage, shaking her hands out to dust herself off from the small trip. She bore her usual leather traveling grabs about her body, tassels and all which seemed to resemble something of a Native Indian tribe, though designed with a bit more modesty in mind. Paired with this were a pair of loose-fitting metal gauntlets and a pair of blacksmith hammers latched to the sides of her legs.
No other weapons or armor of note could be found.
"Hello Miss Stranger!" She'd call to her opponent aloud as she began to bound her way through a sort of joyful prance between a skip and a jog towards the lamia, which seemed innocent enough. Her motions were loose and relaxed and her expressions read something high on the scale of far too perky for a fighter. "I'm glad you've made it!" She shot a swift, cheerful glance at the dragon, her smile growing even broader and brighter, enough so to show a few pearly whites along the way. "The both of you! I'm glad to see such wonderful things from outsiders such as yourselves! We... We don't get many sights of creatures such as these back in the village."
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 2:17 pm
Viviana turned her eyes to her opponent. That chipper tone may have grated on the nerves of some. Some people assumed that these events were for only the serious, stoic, silent types.
Viviana, however, was not one of those people. At first glance Viviana didn't even appear as if she should be in an event like this at all. She was petite and slender, aside from a particularly nasty scar which sliced across her left cheek, her skin appeared flawless. Her attire was certainly not typical of battle. Snowy white hose covered her legs, tucked into a pair of sturdy calvary boots polished to a gleaming ebony finish. Her hands were busily rolling up the sleeves of her cream silk dress shirt. The whole outfit was rather plain, however there was an element of simple elegance to it.
She grinned at the hammer toting young woman.
"Well, dragons aren't exactly common place where I originally 'ail from either. But 'ere, literally anything seems possible." The French woman gave a haphazard shrug.
"You can address me as Viviana, Mademoiselle, or just Vivi is fine. Perhaps before we draw weapons you can enlighten me as to what I should call you."
The Lamia's hand drifted down towards the hilt of her sabre and rested there lazily as she awaited the end of their pleasant exchange. Although battle was the reason they were both here, it did no harm to speak a few kind words in introduction.
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 3:21 pm
Her features brightened up, seeming to enjoy the simple exchange far more so than any normal person would, her sandy-golden eyes flickering with an enthusiasm unheard of by many. Regardless, she didn't lose her composure and met the lamia's gesture with a respectful curtsy, her tanned arms stretching out to her sides and dipping ever so slightly to grip the frilled edges of her invisible skirt.
"Miss Viviana then." She paused long enough to draw herself back up and to raise her hand to her chest, splaying her fingertips out delicately across the nape of her neck as her voice carried on in its delicate play. "I am Jurie Arks, once blacksmith to my humble village and outsider to this strange new world. Its a pleasure to meet you and your companion alike."
She raised her hand once more to come out before her, a surge of spiritual power gathering within her hand, causing small sprinkles of violet and crimson to come drifting to the ground. A shaft of light began to form below her palm, extending down in a prismatic shimmer which, were it to less bright, would cast an array of dancing lights beneath her feet. Soon the weapon would take shape and form, the energy molding into what looked like a gondola oar.
A few sections of the crowd began calling out to the blacksmith, admiring the beauty of her ability as the oar came to form. Jurie cast her gaze to the small crowd with a blush, though gave a nod of appreciation. After her disappearance last year she didn't expect anyone to come out to support her, much less anyone to care that she made a return to the scene. It felt.... nice. Nice to have company and people who looked up to her. All the same there were a few jeers from the crowd which she tried hard to ignore.
It was hard though.... She let a lot of people down last year. They had every right to be upset with her in her mind.
Shaking that sobering feeling off, the blacksmith would jerk her head a few times to clear it out. She'd bring her hands around to grip the oar and twirl it a single time as the energy began to crystallize. With one potent snap the head of the oar would snap down across the ground. Soon after a single kick came crashing down against the paddle with a resounding crack and the head of the oar would shuttle off into the air with a translucent shimmer.
The head scuttled over across the blacksmith's grounded foot as she regained her balance and twirled the staff around in her hands a moment, slapping the wounded end into the ground as the energy sealed closed into a smooth, flat surface.
Jurie smiled at the girl and relaxed a bit as she gave the lamia a nod. "I know not why you've come here to this place, as many come for the strangest reasons. But I came to learn and grow. I know not what you've been through or what this means to you, as many have a splendor of various reasons I fail to understand, but I've come to experience all you have to offer. Know that I hold no tricks, I hold no grudge and I hold no hatred for the moments to come. I only stand to live and share."
"To help us both to grow."
She exhaled softly and gazed about one last time, as though taking in the world around her before going on. "Miss Viviana... The best way I can understand all of this... to understand you... is to see what you have to offer through your blows. So for this fight, give it your all! Do what it takes to take me down without hesitation. Show me your strength and defeat me with grace. Give me all your spirit and all your vigor and in return I shall return it in folds."
She spun her staff once more to rest gently in the palms of her hands and gave one last smile. "With that in mind... tell me. Are you ready to start the show?"Short Staff- Off: 1, Def: 1
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:05 pm
The Lamia watched with keen interest as her opponent somehow managed to manifest a staff out of seemingly thin air. Five hundred years old and magic could still make her eyes widen in surprise.
"Mon Dieu" She breathed, truly amazed by the strange and marvellous ability the young woman displayed. It certainly would be interesting to see what else she could bring to the arena.
"Much obliged, Jurie." Viviana replied with a gracious bow of her head. No sooner had the words left her lips than...
Schwing.
The Lamia's right hand unsheathed her sabre from its sheath, she shifted her weight to the balls of her feet and with a swift, confident stride, began to close the distance between the two of them.
"It was a very impressive show you just put on, mon ami. 'ow exactly did you pull that staff from thin air?"
Despite making friendly chit chat, the Lamia's mind was far from distracted. Her sharp mind was already appraising her opponent, it would certainly be exciting to see what she could do.
Once she was within five feet she made a quick thrust towards the lower right portion of Jurie's torso. Nothing flashy, the attack could easily be parried, in fact, Viviana intended that. It wasn't that she was goading the young black smith. She was just eager to see the weapon in action!
[1]
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Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:00 pm
The odd speech that these outsiders used were always a delight to the young blacksmith, even in times such as these. The lamia, simply put, was a strange and wondrous creature all around, mixing a flavor of various styles of exotic tastes which seemed to suit her all around. Jurie liked the woman and her appeal, especially considering she had been nothing but kind since the first greeting so much so that she, in fact, didn't seem to mind the weapon being drawn all that much.
Though being approached was a different story.
"How?" Jurie started as she centered her weight of her body and drew the staff forward so that the tip pointed towards her opponent's throat, her right hand taking the lead as the left trailed to the back to bring the staff to her left side. Her feet, too, would come balanced at the balls towards the front and her body would ease into a relaxed, loose form which filled her body with a fluid, livid motion which brought the staff bouncing lazily up and down in a simple fashion. "Such was the will of my spirit, which gave it shape and form."
But that's all she could get in before the attack shot forth, forcing her to take action.
The tip of the staff met with the sword's tip before going into a swirl. This caused the two tips of the weapons to go into a spin, Jurie's staff spinning in a clockwise fashion. This lasted for a moment or two until the lamia's thrust was half-way in, where as the blacksmith would flick her staff to the right ((the sword along with it)) and draw the back end of the staff forward in a deft strike towards the Vivi's exposed ribs.
Of course she didn't expect the strike to land, her tactic was moreso to keep the sword from piercing her side while throwing in a counter for flare. And just to give it a little more oomph... the blacksmith would send a charge of spiritual energy barreling into the weapon, causing it to crack and shimmer with a radiating silver light, just before impact.
Her feet would shift a little as this happened, simply bringing her back ((left)) foot forward to compensate for the distance while lunging a slight bit until the intended point of impact. Whether or not it hit... well... didn't matter too much at that point. The fight would finally be underway and the two could banter on as they truly saw fit.
That alone would give the crowd a reason to cheer about. The round was finally underway!
[1]Short Staff- Off: 3, Def: 0
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Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:19 pm
The parry was as Viviana had expected. (And a relief too, seeing as her previous fight with the animated plumber had been full of the unexpected!)
Decades of fencing had given the Lamia a certain amount of comfort with her sabre. As Jurie pushed her attack to her right Viviana's wrist responded with a swift riposte. The blade of her sabre swinging out to the right slightly before returning to deflect Jurie's jab at her ribs with a loud clang.
"Amazing!" Viviana exclaimed in response to the womans words regarding her unique ability. "Was this a gift you were born with, or did it require much training?"
Viviana's left hand had been, until this point, drawn up behind the small of her back in classical fencing style. She now however, saw fit to bring the appendage into play.
As soon as she had finished speaking she swung her left leg up, and drew her knee in towards her body. Her left hand made a quick grab at the top of her calvary boot, before she kicked out with the sole of her boot aiming for Jurie's right knee. The chain of movements happened in such a seamless and quick succession that there could be no doubt in the young black smith's mind now as to the speed and agility of her opponent.
As her left hand pulled back and chambered at her side, the real reason for the kick attack would become apparent. Now in the Lamia's left hand was grasped a stiletto blade, its steel as black as night. She brandished it with obvious expertise. It seemed Viviana was something of a florentine fighter.
[2]
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Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 2:44 pm
The blacksmith took her time during the short exchange to recover from the small lunge, drawing herself forward a step or so to center herself against her opponent. Though in most cases she might have tried to capitalize on the speech, there was a sense of comfort held within the civil passing, and the young lass held no intent on breaking that mold if not for the sake of passing a few more words.
But before she could respond the lamia shot into action, sending a kick towards her left knee as she drew her free hand down. Jurie took this in as well as she could, dismissing the hand for a split second to deal with the incoming blow. The blacksmith's leg would glide back, catching a graze of boot against her kneecap were it to push forward, as she retreated a step. Her weight shifted slightly to compensate for the blow and soon returned to center with the greatest sense of ease. But that wasn't all.
As Jurie began shifting herself back she'd switch the grip in her right hand to come palm up before the tip of the staff came dipping down, turning the staff to come around the incoming knee strike. It was here she'd hook the staff underneath her opponent's kneecap where she'd give the staff an upwards tug in attempt to unbalance the graceful Viviana.
Were it successful more would surely come, as a nicely placed shove with her left hand could potentially send the woman tumbling down if it landed right. If not... well... she'd cross that bridge when she came to it. Until then she'd shoot another surge of power into the staff which seemed to ebb away at the silver glow beaming through the cracks as the weapon solidified fully once more.
Regardless as soon as she managed to handle the leg her voice would etch out, her attention fully turned to the movements of her opponent's body as she spoke. "It is all I've ever known! A gift from the elders and the spirits of my home. We are all born with such blessings and each of us bare a different burden so that we may prosper as a whole." She smiled a bit more in afterthought. "I'm sure you, as well, used your blessings for the well being of those you cared for, Miss Viviana."
Curiosity was a double edged sword for the blacksmith. While she enjoyed sating the questions all could ask about her and the culture she grew from, she couldn't help but return in kind the chance to grace such company with some questions of her own.
[2]Short staff- Off: 2, Def: 2
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 10:45 am
Well at least they're getting along.
Naturally, Rhoslyn had gravitated towards a fight that involved two women and water, because the chance for seeing some boobs was too great a temptation to resist. Besides, he'd seen the fights semi-live from the Judge-O-Tron setup they had in the last round, and both of them had piqued his interest.
C'mon... titsplzkthx.
He watched with interest, hoping for at least some clothing damage. Hard to do with a staff, but the knife had more potential, oh yes.
[See Vansin's explanation posts in the other fights. Also, bonus points for clothing damage.
*mostly joking*]
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 3:37 pm
A very clever counter. Very clever indeed.
Viviana's attention had been focused on drawing the stiletto from its concealed pocket within her boot. She didn't notice the staff hooking beneath her outstretched leg until she felt it connect. The upwards thrust of the staff, combined with the shove from her opponent was enough to send even the agile Viviana sprawling backwards.
Her left hand, (the one holding her stiletto), shot behind her to keep herself from falling flat.
"I've found a strong desire to survive 'as taught me most of my tactics, and I wouldn't call any part of me blessed." Viviana replied with a wry smile as she sliced out with her sabre at the hand she had been shoved with, and Jurie's exposed palm.
She pushed off of the wooden platform beneath her with her left hand, her powerful calves and thigh muscles flexing beneath the white hose as she pulled herself back up into a standing position.
"You're quite adept with that staff of yours!" She added, the trip attempt had been quite ingenious in Viviana's mind and she wanted to ensure her opponent was aware of her admiration.
[3]
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 3:15 pm
Skkrrrriiittch!
Metal on metal that was! For as the sabre whipped out Jurie's hand would close, her hand turning away from the blow in an attempt to go with the flowing motion of the strike. It did little to prevent the weapon from biting through her armor a slight bit, cutting lightly past the thin metal into the meat of her hand for just a split moment before dipping back out. Fortunately though the armor did its job, minimalizing the power and depth the cut could make while leaving the hand still usable, if not a tad uncomfortable to deal with.
"There's more to it than just surviving!" She cried out as she whipped the staff up into the sabre-wielding wrist single-handedly with her right, her voice carrying a higher tone to fight off the pain throbbing in her left hand as more power surged into the staff. "Its more than being strong or skilled!"
Whether the blow caught on the wrist or not didn't stop the flow of Jurie's actions. The blacksmith was determined to press forth, and with her opponent now recovering from the fall she wasn't about to let her simply get up unhindered. Her right hand would come sailing down and her body would shuffle forward, her left returning to the staff with a close grip to the right to draw more power down into her blow. She'd center the blow right over her opponent's head, regardless if she was up at the time or not. Were either blow to connect Viviana would feel the magnified force of the staff pounding into her body, the spiritual energy within the staff lashing out and begging to be freed.
"Heart, Viviana! We are all blessed with heart!"
It may've just been the adrenaline kicking suddenly kicking in or just the intensity of being struck, but the young girl seemed pretty moved by the moment for some unseen reason. Not everyone was impassioned by the act, as plenty of the crowd just continued cheering out for far more primal things. But none of this seemed to phase the seemingly shy little outsider. Her expressions were strong and her eyes determined, though strangely... compassionate at the same time.
There was more to it than a simple fight for the woman. Though what it truly was... well... only she could say.
[3]Short staff- Off: 4, Def: 1
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Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:03 am
Jurie's staff swung out at Viviana's right wrist, the impact caused the Lamia to visibly wince, there was more behind the strike than just the bludgeoning force one would expect and Viviana was certain she heard an unpleasant crunch as perhaps one or two of those tiny, vertebrae like bones that made up her anatomy fractured. However she did not relinquish her grip upon her weapon.
Jurie intended to press her advantage, and Viviana was well aware of this fact. As her opponent moved her staff up and made to bring it down toward the Lamia's head, Viviana sprang to action.
"I am 'onoured by your words, Mademoiselle Jurie." She said.
Her steps carried her forward to meet the black smith and close the distance between them once more. Her sabre moving instinctively upwards to meet the blacksmith's spiritual weapon with a crash, while her left hand, still clutching her sable Stiletto, thrust forward. An attempt to drive the point of her blade at the centre of Jurie's stomach and slice diagonally upwards towards the right side of her rib cage and breast.
"But I am afraid there are many creatures in these worlds who do not 'ave the 'eart which you possess." A flicker of a smile broke the concentration on the Lamia's features for the briefest of moments. It was sweet to have such an idealistic young girl talk to a monster like her about the importance of heart.
[4]
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Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 6:38 pm
Crash was right! Jurie and her staff were laying into that outstretched hand full-throttle! Whether the lamia was capable of holding it off or not... she couldn't really say. Jurie was still human, after all, while she knew little of the lamia's physical prowess and what she was capable of. But the creature looked human, felt human, and really gave no indication to her to otherwise believe differently.
And perhaps, the blacksmith didn't want to believe otherwise.
All the same the stiletto came veering in with a menacing tone, promising all sorts of nasty things to the blacksmith were she to leave it unchecked. Fortunately Viviana did little to hide her stabbing attempt, more rather it would be hard for her to after getting up so abruptly from her fall. Jurie would have time to react to at least steer the strike off-target, but sadly... not off-course.
Blood swept across the blade of the stiletto and a piercing pain rang up Jurie's side as she pulled back and away to the side from the blow. Even with the subtle twist of her body it wasn't enough to save her from the clipping blow across her flesh. Though It wasn't as deep as it could've been, thanks to the leather garbs clinging to her body, but it was deep enough to cause some concern and a bit of a painful grunt. It was a road the blacksmith would soon cross, but for now she had another task to handle.
Jurie's grasp slid the back into her left hand as she pulled her right hand down to catch the lamia's stiletto arm, clamping the Viviana's outstretched wrist against her body as her hand wrenched down across her opponent's elbow to get a good, firm clench. The left would cast the weapon aside for the time being, stabbing the end of the staff down into the tiles with a stable show of strength that few her size could perform with such ease. She kept enough of an eye on the sabre hand during this, ready to simply drop the weapon and act accordingly if she needed to were she to be interrupted.
"We all have hearts." She ebbed out during her actions, the act alone not slowing down her motions in the least. "Its a matter of choice to listen, and a matter of strength to carry out its will."
Light wrapped its way around Jurie's waist, the spiritual energies fastening tightly to the contours of her body where her wound bled out. It didn't last for long, as the orange and yellow lights shimmered into a solid form, the energy solidifying into the shape of bandages which closed the wound off with a touch of flare as her free hand touched the surface of the energy.
Handy, but that wasn't all.Mists of Creation A means of releasing the heat generated from the forge ability. This heat is released as a cloud of steam from Jurie's body, much like one would see when heated iron is plunged into water to cool. For each weapon forged a radius of 5 ft. becomes coated in a heavy fog.
If the sword didn't come sweeping in by that point, or anything else for that matter, Viviana was going to get a up-close and personal introduction. Jurie's fist to her gut.
Short, simple, and sweet.
[4]Short Staff- Off: 4, Def: 1
Bandages- Off: 1, Def: 1
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