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 Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:45 pm
There was no reason to make an elaborate entrance just because he had the luxury. Keno was standing in the ring, finishing whatever stretching he hadn't already done, more out of impatience than a real need to get any more limber than he already was. Clearly from the look of him he was already warmed up to the point that he was looking a bit damp around the forehead, which was completely bare - as was his face - for the first time in a long while. It was actually liberating to be dressed in simple white garb and not have all the other gear he usually lugged about. That was his choice though and he really wasn't complaining.
Appearing unarmed and actually smiling, something he did rarely these days, he kept his place at the center of the ring, waiting at least for Jade's boyfriend to appear, at which point he would decide whether he wanted to move or not. There was nothing wrong with asymmetry.
Bending back completely, he planted his hands square on the ground before kicking up off of his feet into a handstand. His two toned hair stretched for the ground, only a few strands at the very top of his head succeeding. As his amber eyes darted about anxiously he only grinned more as he began doing push ups to pass the time, craning his neck back so he didn't bash his head against the floor.
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:26 pm
::Another quiet night, Deity thinks to himself, gazing down at the stadium lights. Not for long, though, perhaps. The tall Orinian is in his own building, standing at the edge of one of the slanted rafter beams along the Southwest wall. His posture is mildly slouched, hands in his pockets and head swivelling slowly as he looks around. Much has been on his mind since his encounter with Keno - the tiger that has apparently been waiting for him down below - a couple of days ago. The Tonepian wears his usual headband and eyeglasses, his locket and pendant missing today, collarbone hidden by a fitted black tanktop. His hands and wrists are bound with black tape, dark and loose-fitting jeans collecting into wrinkles at the ankles of his boots. His slenders arms look more pale than not, a heavy contrast to the darkness of his attire - one might think the guy never goes outside for a tan. They'd be right.
Having just arrived via his Shunkido abilty, Deity lets his vermillion eyes examine Keno for a moment, hidden brow wrinkling a little at the thought of what is to come. He didn't actually agree to this, but he hasn't yet seen how it could hurt. Aside from Father and Jade, the boy has had no sparring partners. This could be fun. Or not. Sighing softly, Deity steps forward, pushing away from the huge beam and into the air. As though guided by a zipline, he makes a curving descent, tocuhing down left foot first near the steps into the ring. Saying nothing to the tiger, he keeps his hands in his pockets as he makes his way over.::
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The Fierce Deity Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:52 am
"I hope you stretched," he said as he pushed himself up and flipped back onto his feet, his shoes vanishing to be replaced by a set of feet wraps, complemented immediately by a similar white pair over his palms, spanning to just three inches past his wrist. As he landed he looked at Deity for a moment, with a gleeful smile threatening to tear his face into two uneven halves.
Without warning, the very first thing he did was drastically increase the air pressure that applied itself on Deity to be about ten fold. It wasn't exactly an attack, just something to hopefully catch him off guard. Anyone could run up and throw a simple punch or kick, but the result was commonly the same; it wouldn't connect. Wasting no time he projected his own version of the kiai, which was nothing more than a pushier pocket of air, directly for the tall Orinian's abdomen. He wasn't far behind though, ready to get a sharp side snap kick to the wolf's left knee with his right foot. Clearly none of this yet was meant to cripple, just destabilize.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:55 am
::Taking note of the tiger's change in attire, Deity comes to a stop some seven feet away, standing tall and silent. A rare day, it is, that the Orinian isn't all limbered up during the day, especially before a battle. He tries his best to stretch out any sores or aches before they start, though almost always in private. The same can be said of his drawing, but that's an entirely different case. Still, he gives the tiger no response. Instead, he drops to one knee to level the playing field, removing his boots. That is, he intends to do such.
Just as the Tonepian begins to lower, he notices a distinct change in the atmosphere around him. Wincing - less in pain and more in unpleasant surprise - he casts a glance upward, stricken in the stomach with some manner of force. He'd have guessed Keno would start so suddenly, but wasn't paying any attention. The blow to his abdomen simply catches the boy off guard, causing him to stumble back two shuffling steps. Legs apart and knees bent, he lifts his eyes in time to see Keno; his senses are now fully aware of the attack, hands curled into loose fists just below chest level.
Deity answers with an equally quick block, shifting his weight to the left as his right knee bends, kicking his right sole into Keno's ankle behind the Orinian's own left knee. Right foot skidding back to the floor, it immediately pushes from the ring tile again. This time, the Deity delivers his own snapping right kick, this one to the inside of the tiger's right knee.::
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The Fierce Deity Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:27 pm
Crafty as always this one was. At least it was better than being pinned to the ground, squirming to keep your eye from being popped out. His assault not completely a failure though, he quickly plants his right foot on the ground firmly before he can be knocked off balance, keeping his knee bent as securely as possible.
No sooner however, Deity's fight foot, the same that had just blocked Keno's own, was coming to strike the feline on the inside of his knee - the one he just rested some of his weight on. In response he bring his left leg forward, level with his right, and lifts it so that the outside of his calf meets the kick instead of the inside of his knee. It struck hard, but none too painful, and thankfully being a low strike, he wasn't afraid of being tipped over. Waiting for impact though he followed up with a left punch straight up into the taller man's lower rib. This one was meant to hurt, though, the force of it shoving air immediately out of its path.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:39 pm
::Two kicks, two blocks, and Deity brings his foot back down, the sole of his boot scraping against the rocky floor. The Orinian's face appearing blank now, the tiger follows with a punch at the boy's ribcage. Bringing his right forearm horizontally across his abdomen, he swings his open hand backwards - like arm wrestling in reverse - using the back of his arm to block the punch and push it aside, to Keno's left. Instead of letting him pull it back, however, Deity then deftly hooks his left arm around Keno's attacking limb, locking his elbow to hold the arm in place against his own ribcage. The block and hold are used in such a way that they lock Keno's arm in place, palm-up, and prevent him from bending his elbow to free himself.
As soon as he's caught the tiger's arm, the Mystic Tonepian leans his left shoulder forward, curling his fingers tightly into a fist and bringing the arm up. Elbow close to his chest for only this instant, the boy's fist fires out in a swift backhand over his opponent's left arm, aimed at the corresponding side of Keno's jaw. Though powerful, its quickness allows Deity to keep his hold, should Keno not escape it - which is easy to imagine.::
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The Fierce Deity Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:43 pm
It never dawned on him that the reason he usually had to get out of tight spots was because he fell into them so easily.
His arm was being held captive, palm up and elbow locked. Even if he did manage to bend the joint, his forearm would only rise closer to Deity's under arm. Gross. Well no matter. There was a punch coming his way. He should probably do something about it.
Opting not to Drift, which was usually what he would do whenever something like this happened, he chose instead to let his arm stay as it was. Seeing as he was about to take a pimp hand across the jaw, the only other thing he could think of, besides ducking since it would fail with his arm all caught up, was to catch the Tonepian by the wrist. His grip could be nowhere near as secure as Deity's but it was perhaps the best point of the incoming appendage to get hold of. Still, he opted for another strike, pulling the arm above and over his head and then sharply down and back as though to rip it his...friend's?...arm straight out of its shoulder socket and toss it away behind him. With this jerky tug he put his weight on the wolf's right arm, holding his left captive, and brought his lower body, specifically his right knee to meet the elbow just under the joint.
Hoping that maybe this maneuver would strike a nerve, he did choose to tug at his left arm as though to wrench it free, though his success was pending on the execution of the maneuver, as well as the assumption that Deity wouldn't want to go tumbling down in which case they'd just fall into an awkward pile on the ground.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:52 pm
::The boy finds his backhand caught as soon as he lets it loose, unable to recover himself before Keno yanks it back. The power of the jerking pull shifting Deity's balance forward, he manages to keep both feet on the ground, leaning forward with most of his weight in his left leg. In any other situation, he would try to defend with that very leg, but - leaned forward the way he is - lifting his left foot would only make him topple over. So, he does the next best thing. In a mildly less technical maneuver, the Orinian kicks out with his right leg, intending to swipe the inside of his ankle against Keno's left calf.
If he can take that foot out from under the tiger, the knee may still hit Deity's elbow, but there would be much less impact behind it. Not only that, but with both legs in the air, Keno would fall to his back - the Tonepian may be able to retain his balance and take advantage of that. Or, he could fall over as well.::
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The Fierce Deity Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:56 pm
Just once it would be nice to have longer limbs. Not that he's all that disgruntled, but whatever. His choices are pretty much be knocked over and forced to the ground, at which point he'd likely lose access to his legs, or think of a way not to fall. The way their arms are locked up though...
Not finishing the thought, Keno responds by hopping off of his left leg - pulling his right back thus negating his own offense - still taking the blow. However he does force his weight on his left arm and Deity's right to swing from the recoil, not sure if it'll be stiff or loose as he can't determine his opponent's reaction or how hard he'll actually be swung considering one of his arms is held tightly and the other is firmly gripping another.
Either way, the only thing he can really think to do is dig his right foot straight into what he assumed would be the navel region and maybe follow up with a sharper rising axe kick. At least that way if they do fall they'd be in much too awkward a position to do much. That's his aim anyway.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:58 pm
::Quite the exchange of maneuvers, this is, Deity thinks to himself inbetween plan-cooking. Now the much smaller tiger has left the ring floor, the Orinian bearing the weight with his right arm as though it were a wet towel, not a human being. Not a terrible lot of swinging is to be done, depending on how dislocated Keno wishes his left shoulder to be.
Though not in danger of breaking anything, Deity is in quite the predicament. Keno's left arm is under his right, his own left wrist caught by Keno's right hand. He's leaned forward onto his left leg, right foot hovering in front of it with Keno's right foot firing in toward his abdomen. Toppling over his imminent, it seems. With his leg unable to stop from his kick and raise in time to block Keno's, the tiger's right kick lands hard on the boy's stomach, his cheeks puffing up for a beat as the wind is knocked out of him. The blow loosens his grip, causing him to release Keno, but it also forces him back, allowing his right foot to drop to the floor again.
A small victory, considering the price. The Orinian reels from the kick for just a moment longer, his right arm hovering over his chest to keep any subsquent kicks away from his face as he strains to keep from leaning down any further. It's not the sturdiest block, but it'll do for upward-aiming blows.::
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The Fierce Deity Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:00 pm
Honestly not expecting to be dropped, he realized there was nothing to catch him when his shoulders slammed into the tile under his own weight. Were his kick a bit harder, he might have landed on his neck and that would have been just about anything but good. Not yet aware of the fact that he wouldn't land in a more fatal position, his adrenaline starts to fire like crazy and everything slows down. He's aware of the distance between himself and his foe, and his body won't roll backward - away from Deity - but instead rock back into close proximity.
A likely better idea to get himself firmly planted, he goes with the motion of the roll, guided by his curved spine. As soon as his feet touch the ground safely he curls up to stand, but hops away rather than for Jade's beloved. Landing softly, he plants his left foot forward, right foot back, facing outward, and brings up his arms properly as though being taught how to stand for traditional battle. This was not likely something he could do in a real life or death fight, but it had its uses when time was allowed.
Thought a bit more dishevelled, he was still smiling, though less prominently than before. This was more or less a grin of either satisfaction or mischief. He couldn't wait to continue.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:02 pm
::Inwardly thankful that Keno moved away, Deity gladly takes the time to rub his freed left palm across his abdomen, coughing softly into his right fist. That one stung a bit. As he lowers his hand from his mouth, the gentle smile on his face indicates that he's not taking any hits he receives personally. If he did, Keno would already be defending himself. Shaking his head quickly once, the boy straightens his stance, the ache in his abdominal mucles starting to calm.
Does he take his stance? Does he advance upon Keno? Does he make a move to attack? Of course not. Calmly dropping to his left knee, the tall Orinian pulls the bottom hem of his right pantleg up, catching the zipper of his dark leather boot and pulling it down; upon removing it, he stuffs his black sock into it. He then switches legs and does the same to the opposite foot. Stretching his toes for a few seconds, the boy bounces on his heels, feeling a little lighter, even if only slightly.
Now he takes his stance. Standing with his left side forward, eyes on Keno, he folds his right forearm behind his waist. Extending his left arm, elbow pointed down and bent slightly, he keeps his fingers together, palm up. Deity stays this way only a moment longer before leaning forward into his left leg and kicking hims slender frame into a dash. His bare feet seeming to pat only softly on the tiles as he moves, one would take note just how non-superhuman his movement is. While he isn't weakened, his power is suppressed considerably - he still retains much of his strength, however, showing that he's simply not rushing things.
His forward arm drifting to the side as he advances, Deity curls his left arm in nearer his chest, palm near his shoulder. Once within striking range of Keno, the Tonepian's left foot absorbs the momentum to bring him to a stop - he swings his elbow and forearm in at the tiger's right temple, arm still curled in doing so. A simple attack, not too fast and not too strong.::
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The Fierce Deity Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:04 pm
So what next? Deity might not be the most aggressive being Keno had ever come across, but he was still probably the swiftest and any subtle movement was a signal not to let him get too many steps ahead. He'd hate to actually be immobilized simply for being too slow. With this mentality his entire body, arms and legs especially, jumped to react only to find that it was bracing to endure...watching him take his shoes off.
Th'hell?
He couldn't help but to look at Deity as though he had just delivered a horribly perplexing riddle that he couldn't make heads nor tails of. Still though, he waited patiently for the Tonepian to remove his footwear, thinking that there had to be a reason for this. He though initially that Deity was preparing for a dash at the very beginning, but maybe this is exactly what he was trying to do then, not that Keno felt sorry about it. Hopefully those shoes were just uncomfortable to fight in. If there was any weight in them, he very well might be in trouble.
No sooner than he thinks is is he taken aback again at the rather slow advance being made upon him. Deity is faster than bullets. Faster than sound. Not even by a little, but rather a lot and most everyone knew it. Why then was he coming as Keno as though he was only Olympic-grade material? It was like giving him time to read a book in the middle of timed chess. Still though, a punch was a punch.
Unsure of what exactly to make of the assault, he simply does what initially makes sense; he ducks. His body lowering to the left a bit, he swings it to the right before coming up on the opposite side of the elbow, using his left arm to bat it away (actually more to serve as a block in case it swings back around) as his right foot pivots forward. In a clean, fluid like motion he takes the opportunity present and offers a not nearly as slow, not nearly as weak right hook into the alien's lower back. He doesn't really take his time with this, not wanting there to be a huge window of opportunity for evasion or counter, but he can't shake the inkling of suspicion that shrouds his mind as he performs this relatively smooth and seamless counter.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:06 pm
::No plan, no underlying strategy, no ulterior motive. Deity was running slow simply because his power is low and he would need to raise it to move faster. He has no reason to go all-out against Keno, nor does he have a reason to do more than practice. Friend or not, the Orinian respects the tiger's in-battle ability. Not a terrible lot else, but his fighting skills are worthy of respect.
That said, the boy's senses do not slow down as much as his physical prowess at such low levels of power - he can clearly see and at times predict the movements of his fastest opponents. This instance is no different. The Orinian's initial left elbow is pushed aside, his footing staying in place for now. His torso turns with the direction of the blow and Keno's parry; as Keno throws his hook, Deity's right hand - still behind his back - opens fully and drifts away from his back just slightly, his wrist twisting so that his palm is up.
As the Tonepian turns, his hand snaps deftly around Keno's wrist and hand; his movements have clearly reached a speed more befitting of what Keno was expecting. That said, Deity's power remains rather low. His long fingers tightening their grip, the ball of his right foot shuffles back one step closer to Keno, that of his left gliding just over the smooth tile in following the rotation of his upper body. As Deity turns, he untwists and raises his unfolding right arm above head level, Keno's elbow and palm in turn now aimed skyward.
Upon nearly a full revolution - the youthful Orinian's left foot planting itself directly to the tiger's right - he clenches his fist tightly and returns with an attack of his own. Curling his arm slightly, he sends a barrage of ten nigh identical underhand punches to the lower right side of Keno's ribcage. The blows are so fast that the typical human eye would detect only one - each punch travels just slower than four thousand feet per second. Any one punch is not significantly powerful; altogether, over a concentrated area, they could deal much more damage.::
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The Fierce Deity Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:08 pm
Though he didn't expect this fight to be overly dramatic, emotional, or full of injury, he did expect it to be a fight in some sense. Not that it mattered much as speed was definitely not to his advantage anyway and all of this would likely be like field training for someone able to move much faster than Keno even if he were trying to move full speed. Deity was good, but Keno could see now that attacking in close proximity would be pointless if he'd continue losing access to one limb or another every time he advanced.
One. Two. Three. That was enough for him to get irritated with being punched in ribs. As the fourth came in, he extended his right foot out only about three inches before bringing the heel in to smash into the Tonepian's left ankle joint. The object was to shift his foot a bit as Keno lept into the air, tucked his body into a ball, and flipped forward. His arm wouldn't escape, but he'd be able to bend his elbow, now pointing down again, which was a higher priority.
To actually try and liberate himself, he aimed for what was holding him in place, Deity's hand. No sooner did he land would his left fist drive out to smash into the fingers that had fastened about his wrist, point of contact roughly being the section between the first two digits nearest the nails. His middle knuckle naturally standing out most, there was a slight, not high, chance of maybe even fracturing Deity's middle finger.
He abs were still exposed, and though the right side was feeling a bit sore, he was sure he could take more if he absolutely had to. He needed to change the pace somehow otherwise the two would be dancing in circles.
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