4168/A Few Friendly Spills

A Few Friendly Spills
Date of Scene:	30 May 2016
Location:	Tokyo-52605 <NXC>
Synopsis:	Kappa in Tokyo-52605 hold a sumo tournament; a few Multiversal guests drop by to visit.
Cast of Characters:	Deelel, 265, Alexis, Reiji Arisu, 707, 847

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Xiaomu (707) has posed:
It's actually kind of amazing what oddities your average mundane civilian will pay no heed to.

For instance, take the amateur sumo tournament that's being held in Ueno Park. Many of the participants - not quite 'all,' but a large majority - harbor various shades of green or (less commonly) blue, either in their hair or their skin. And a lot of them have either sparse or spiky hair.

The truth of the matter is that the tournament is an excuse for a large number of Tokyo's kappa to get together and practice their sumo with each other, in a friendly setting where nobody's going to get hurt (much). The tournament's been going for a while now, and a number of participants have been eliminated - but they're all still watching, some more restlessly than others, as the remaining contestants go about their matches. The quarterfinals are just wrapping up now - two surprisingly lithe loincloth-clad 'men' size each other up on the baked clay 'ring,' then lunge towards each other, grappling and struggling fiercely. It takes about three seconds before one of them gets flipped head-over-heels, a splash of water sloshing down out of the hollow atop his head, and then the loser gets slammed down hard enough to drive the wind out of his lungs.

Cue loud cheering from the onlookers, the winner raising his arms in triumph before helping the loser back out of the ring. Once there, an attendant dips a ladle into a cask of water and pours some into the loser's head-hollow.

It's not hard to find the tournament 'grounds,' either; just look for the banners with the three Greek letters, 'Rho Kappa Sigma'.

Alexis has posed:
'Monsters' having a sumo tournament. Something other than pokemon, which is a nice change of pace for Alexis to come see if this sort of thing is as cracked up as it sounds. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Who knows. Maybe she'll find a kappa wanting a challenge.

Not her. Though she totally could, sumo isn't really her thing. But she's got a standby if one of the duck-lizards (or whatever you'd call a kappa) is still looking for a scuffle.

Deelel has posed:
Deelel totally could pass for human really well she could most of the time unles she was hurt. Still the locak Kappa getitng out to have some fun really and part of her wonders? Do the locals know and just politely look the other way on issues of species all for everyone's sanity? Either way the basic has come to take in this match as it's much like the old non lethal disc wars back on the grid.

Rabby (265) has posed:
Rabby came as well, since she's been out of here for awhile and wants to get back into things. She managed to snag a front row seat, which is interesting considering you'd think she'd be the least interested in seeing action up close and personal, but who knows? She makes her way into the area and takes her seat before waiting patiently for things to start.

Konoe Kanno (847) has posed:
     At the edge of the arena, dressed in a sleeveless red dress shirt, black tie, and a black short skirt, stands Konoe.

     "......."

     She's not unfamiliar with kappa and their proclivities. But she's here today mostly to keep an eye on the proceedings and make sure nothing happens. Her arms are folded behind her back, and her face is set in a terribly business-like expression as she watches the proceedings with a somewhat bored manner.

     Being an agent of Shinra wasn't always high flying action, walking away from explosions, chasing ghostly bikers, and dueling thousand year old warlords.

     The tournament was at the quarterfinals now... just a little longer and then this job would be over, right? Hm...

Reiji Arisu has posed:
    Not far from Konoe is a distinctly unassuming man in a completely unassuming black suit. He's on his first cigarette of the night, but given the situation is almost sure to add to that number as the event goes on. He's wearing a pair of black shades, obscuring his watchful eyes... But the only hint that he's anything but a completely ordinary salary worker is the scar on his head and the great shock of white hair on the left side of his head.

It... kind of makes him look like some kind of Yak.

    He is not, of course. He is Reiji Arisu, the Agent of Shinra voted most frequently beset with paperwork. Tonight he's on duty; though that largely involves keeping an eye on things and making sure nobody does anything stupid. If someone DOES do something stupid, well.

Let's just hope nobody does.

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
And rounding out the Shinra representation at this event is Xiaomu, taking a break from her usual downtime of anime and gaming to help watch things and make sure nothing goes pear-shaped. She also managed to draw the short straw for handling Shinra's logistical support for the event: the supplies which are being used - including a rapidly-diminishing stock of cucumbers - were brought in by Black Dragon Shipping on her arrangement.

Once the last set of quarterfinalists (now reduced to semifinalists and losers, really) have left the dohyo behind, the head of the Ueno Park Kappa Association steps up, holding a microphone. "Thank you all, thank you for your support of all contenders thus far! At this time, while the semifinalists are preparing, I'd like to open up the ring for sumo enthusiasts not enrolled in the Association - anyone who'd like to test their skill, strength, and fortune among some of the first round's losers. Anyone?"

While he's talking, about a dozen of the scrawnier-looking kappa - who were also fidgeting the most obviously a moment ago - bounce to their feet. (One bounces too vigorously and topples over again, since he just sloshed the water out of his head-hollow. There's some good-natured snickering at the mishap, and an attendant refills him.)

Alexis has posed:
A Trainer tends to develope a keen sense for finding challenges, and Alexis' certainly prove to be as sharp as ever. A casual smirk curls her lips a little at the announcement, and a few moments after the pink-pigtailed Trainer nudges her way to the front of the crowd. "Hey! Over here!" She waves a hand over her head just to make sure she can get noticed, since considering this is some version of Tokyo the pink hair doesn't necessarily stand out. "I've got someone who'd be interested in challenging someone."

Deelel has posed:
Deelel figures the Shinra was here to keep the peace so to speak also enjoy the show if things didn't go nuts, right? She was just here to enjoy watching the fight for now. She seems amused but she's not going to laugh to hard. She does seme to be enjoying herself and cause a few hard light constructs to do what? Record or maybe even give an little concert depending on how things get going here.

Konoe Kanno (847) has posed:
     Konoe blinks slowly, her expression unchanging.

     Guest challenger hour? Oh boy. Her eyes swept the area slowly, taking stock of all the eager kappa, as well as the girl stepping up. "....." She didn't look much like a wrestler. She probably had something else up her sleeve.

     She mentioned 'someone'. ...A friend? Familiar? Some kind of summoned creature? Hm.

     Oh well, she'll see.

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
Xiaomu raises her eyebrows a bit as someone actually offers a challenge. "You know kappa are super-strong compared to humans, right?" she calls out to Alexis - but, well, challenge accepted already.

"Please come up to the dohyo, then!" the MC calls out, grinning and beckoning to Alexis. "We don't have many female challengers ..."

Wait, he thinks *Alexis* is the challenger? She might want to set him straight, but one young and lithe kappa - the loser from the very first match, as it happens - is already stepping up into the ring, grinning in anticipation.

Alexis has posed:
"I think you misheard me," Alexis replies as she saunters up to the dohyo, but stops outside of the actual ring. "I said I -have- someone." But look, here comes a challenger already. She should maybe feel a little bad about that. But that's what happens when you jump at a challenge before actually taking a moment to see what you're getting yourself into.

Trust me, she's had to learn that lesson the hard way. Many times.

On the other hand, the bit of confusion is amusing, so let's just roll with it. She plucks a pokeball from her belt, expands it, and flicks it towards the ring. "Take the field, Blockade."

The brief discharge of glowing energy follows, and as the ball bounces back into Alexis' hand the glow dulls and consolidates into a massive rotound form mostly of blue-grey and cream colored fatness. "Snorrrr." A pause, and then it holds a paw up to it's maw as if yawning. "laaaaaax."

Konoe Kanno (847) has posed:
     "......."

     Facepalm.

     Konoe broke her stoicism just for that. A snorlax. Really now? The thing was huge!

     Good luck with that one, kappa guy.

Reiji Arisu has posed:
You know, there was a time not so long ago that Reiji would have been obliged to SILENCE THIS BLATANT BREACH OF THE MASQUERADE.

But that's a multiversal, so that means he doesn't need to worry about it.

Instead, Reiji just leans back and takes a draw from a can of Sapporo beer. It's not... TECHNICALLY his day off, but...

May as well be!

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
Whatever you may have to say about the kappa who are gathered here, they certainly seem eager and friendly - there's an actual round of applause as the Snorlax is unveiled, and Alexis's opponent seems even MORE eager to wrestle the Snorlax now. "Well well well," the MC crows, "a *true* challenge from the Outside! Embargo vs. Kawanosuke, get set!" He takes a few steps back as the kappa - apparently Kawanosuke - grins widely, bowing (while keeping his head up) to the Snorlax, and then getting into his ready position behind one of the rope-bale 'lines', knees bent, knuckles resting on the clay.

... and then he backs away, scooping up a bit of salt from a nearby pail and tossing it into the ring. "Ritual purification," Xiaomu explains, having scurried up to Alexis's side. "Have Embargo mimic the gesture, then they can get into ready positions and go for it."

The sage fox pauses. "Embargo *does* know basic sumo rules, right ... ?"

Deelel has posed:
Deelel starts playing some music over her constructs to add to the match it's pretty high paced music hopefully it will be suitable but it's clearly not japanese at all. She's hanging back amused moving her fingers as she controls the units hovering by her.

"Come on Alexis!"

Alexis has posed:
Alexis gives Xiaomu a small smile over her shoulder. "Yeah, but thanks for the refresher." She gives the Snorlax a nudge before stepping back out of the way. "You heard her. Do the same thing he did."

"Snor." With the rotound build and not really having a visible neck it's hard to tell if that was a nod or not, and Blockage squats down into a similar position. Knees bent? One presumes so, all you can really see with all the bulk is his feet as he manages to get his front paws to the ground.

"Okay, now the salt. But don't eat it." Trust me, this is a necessary warning for a Snorlax. "And not too hard. No Fling-ing."

The step back is ponderous, rumbling a faint response as the behemoth dips his paw into the pail. And gets an extra stern look just to make sure that 'no eating' got through.

And a lump of salt thumps into the ring. "Lax!" What, he's got big paws. But despite the ponderousness he sounds ready to go.

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
Mizunosuke grins ear to ear as he settles into his ready posture, nearly vibrating with anticipatory tension as he gauges Embargo's size, weight, and probable strength. If he's about to lose, the young kappa still wants it to be awesome for all to see - and despite how lithe the kappa is, he's pretty sure that with the right leverage, he *could* lift the Snorlax.

And Xiaomu, judging by the look on her face, wouldn't be surprised either. Kappa are *strong*, there's a reason why the superstitions say to trick a kappa rather than accepting a challenge. Of course, the Kappa Association has its own rules which include 'go easy on mundanes' as an explicit commandment to all members ... but just in case?

Xiaomu has detoured to where the cucumbers are being kept, and is busy cutting Embargo's name into the peel in katakana. Just in case.

Alexis has posed:
Once the traditional salt-toss is finished the Snorlax ambles into position. He doesn't have to -try- and do that wide foot-stomp gate sumos often use, his form is pretty much built to move that way in the first place. He settles into the beginning stance... again, it might just be the bulk combined with stout limbs, but Snorlax appears almost designed for this sort of thing as it stands, waiting for the start signal.

Alexis chuckles a bit. "Don't think you have to go easy on him!" She's shouting that to Mizunosuke, actually. "Good luck you guys!" Because as tough of a girl as she is, Alexis is still a good sport when it comes to a compatition.

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
Mizunosuke just grins even wider - and at some unseen signal, the young kappa lunges. If Embargo reacts to the same instinct, the clash is on - but if the Snorlax stays put, they'll have to back off, toss some more salt in, and then get back into position.

At least, that's how they'd do it in professional sumo when there's a 'false start' like that. If Embargo doesn't know the routine and takes the opening, Mizunosuke will play along.

Rabby (265) has posed:
Meanwhile, Rabby has just been sitting there watching this whole thing... and actually enjoying it! She's enjoying this whole spectacle, despite what one might think of her upon first glance. "This wasn't too bad of an idea, actually," Rabby comments to herself. "Maybe I should come out to this area more often!"

Alexis has posed:
The kappa lunges. The Snorlax... it's more like a lumbering stomp, but with his size that's all it really takes. There's an audible *WHOMP* of flesh against flesh as the two creatures collide. On one hand, the Snorlax has a lot of fat to possibly hold onto. On the other, it might be a bit hard for the smaller Kappa to get his arms far enough around to get a good grip and leverage. Blockade, or 'Embargo' as they're translated his name to just puts his big paws on the smaller kappa for the grappling. It's rather intense! Though at the same time, a little comical looking.

"Snor... Laaaaax. Snorrr.... Laaaaaax." What is that? Some kind of growl? A chant to keep motivated? "Snorrrrr...." The girth of the pokemon seems to settle even more against Mizunosuke. "laaaaaaaax....."

No, it's.... snoring.

The snorlax has gone back to sleep. Standing up. And still isn't budging from the stop they grappled at, aptly living up to his name. It's like a sleeping cat, all the mass settles in one spot and seems to be even heavier.

Even Alexis has to facepalm at this, but you can hear her snickering softly behind her palm. "I've heard of doing things in your sleep, but this is rediculous."

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
Mizunosuke blinks as the fight seems to just go out of his opponent. He keeps trying to grapple the Snorlax, though ...

... even as the massive 'mon's weight settles more and more heavily against him, until finally the kappa goes down UNDERNEATH Alexis's Pokemon. There's a muffled yelp, and you can't even see or hear the water slosh out of the poor kappa's head-hollow, but there's an unbridled roar of cheering and laughter from the spectating kappa.

And even Xiaomu has to laugh at the sight, clapping energetically. "Way to go, Blockade! Nice win, Alexis - hope you can wake him up!"

Deelel has posed:
Deelel is just having a grand old time with the music as shew watches the whole fight go on, even if no one ever asks about it a bunch of beings from another world heard her music and that's enough for her, right? She on the edge of her seat as she watches the Snorlax get going, wait no it's falling asleep, well it's won? The Pokemon has earned a nap, right?

Alexis has posed:
"Yeah, give me a moment. You might want to get some water for his head though." To refill it I mean. This is a kappa after all.

While the crowd is celebrating Alexis steps into the ring to walk over to the sleeping behemoth. She rummages something from her pocket, waits for the Snorlax to open his mouth in another snore, and drops the Chesto Berry in. "Snrr.. Lax?" Eyes actually blink open briefly, before resuming their usual squint as Blockade hefts himself off the ground.

"There we go." Alexis helps Mizunosuke back to his feet so they can clear the ring for the next competators. "Good job, you tried hard! That is pretty much how a Snorlax fights though. Being the immovable object... They're almost impossible to budge."

Xiaomu (707) has posed:
One of the attendants is already on hand with a ladle-ful of holy water for the defeated kappa; it's only when his head-hollow is refilled that Mizunosuke regains his strength. Xiaomu steps up to give the kappa that cucumber - not really the 'decoy' that she thought she would need, but more of a consolation prize; in light of this, Mizunosuke actually snaps it in half and offers half to Blockade with a big grin. Good luck understanding what the kappa says, though - Tokyo resident or not, his accent is impenetrable even with the translation effect.

Luckily, Xiaomu caught enough of that to translate. "He says it was an embarassing loss but a lot of fun nonetheless," she explains, "and he'll remember this day to tell his children and grandchildren."

Meanwhile, the MC is exhorting the spectators. "A big round of applause for Embargo and Mizunosuke! Does anyone else want to challenge one of our earlier losers, to test their strength and skill?"

Alexis has posed:
It probably isn't a surprise that the Snorlax isn't as talkative as some of the other pokemon Alexis has. He's just... well... ponderous. The kappa is impossible to understand, but maybe that's not such a bad thing, as the sentiment seems to get across. Though Xiaomu being able to translate some seems to help. Blockade gives Mizunosuke a pat on the shoulder with one paw, and takes the half of a cucumber. It's technically food, but he seems to get that under the circumstances he's maybe not suppose to eat it. Yet.

"Where I come from, there's a saying," Alexis adds as she pats the Kappa's other shoulder. "A loss is a loss, but it's only a defeat if you don't keep trying. Right, Blockade?"

The Snorlax opens his mouth as if to actually reply for once... But instead he emits what by the sound can only be some sort of burp and a plume of a fumes right in the tomboy's face. Alexis staggers a moment, clasping one hand over her mouth and nose while trying to wave the fumes off with the other. "Gah! I forgot Belch triggers from eating berries. Should of used the g'damn flute!"