WMAT B1 Corvo Attano vs. Kirikou

WMAT B1 Corvo Attano vs. Kirikou
Date of Scene:	29 June 2014
Location:	WMAT Arena - Devil's Hand
Synopsis:	First round B-bracket match for the 2014 WMAT competition
Cast of Characters:	20, 127, 301, 398
Tinyplot:	WMAT

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Kirikou (127) has posed:
Cheeky brat. Well, Kilik can't be too upset at the title, so long as Toph doesn't exclude herself from the same category. Waiting to make his entrance, he settles his gear. The Twins, as always, are on his fists when he's ready for battle. He could enter the fighting ring with them at his side of course. It's no secret who and what they are... but he'd find that distatesful. The last thing he wants to do is to rub their nature in the face of his opponents, to give them doubts about fighting him, or to make them resent who their opponent is. If they're going to regret that, he wants to be sure it's AFTER he's beat them, not before.

#-1 ARGUMENT OUT OF RANGE addition to the gauntlets, he's geared up with a pair of holstered pistols. He'd done that last year too, though he'd never actually drawn the weapons. They're there just in case he simply can't reach a ranged opponent, and something he'll put aside only when he knows his opponent won't try to rely on ranged weapons.

When Toph finishes her initial announcement, he makes a nod of acknowledgement and gives a cocky grin. On cue, music begins to rock forth, announcing him in a different way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AC41dglnM

When the music first mentions 'Thunderstruck', Kirikou explodes onto the scene. Quite literally. Leaping in from an entrance into the view of the audience and the cameras, he comes down delivering an explosive punch to the ground, blasting out with lightning and shards of flying earth. And, full of himself and of cool, he doesn't look up until the explosion settles, maintaining the pose for a dramatic period until he finally lifts his head and pumps a fist into the air, showing off for his fans.

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
Old fart... heh. Truth is he felt old, older than he should be, pretty much all the time now... but it was still amusing to be referred to as such. Did it show that much? Perhaps. A smile graces his face for a moment, thoughtful, amused, his eyes drifting low as he makes his way in...

And then, people. This is... new. This is definitely new. He'd had no small amount of people watching him before; usually during training, somewhat during his earlier years, and his demonstrations for the emperor, he'd been quite popular, but it was never like this... fighting someone, in front of hundreds of people, in a tournament, being watched? It's all very new for the Lord Protector, but it's all in good fun, right? Nobody dies, nobody even really needs to get that hurt, just beaten and aching and winded enough to decide to stay down. It's all in good fun, so there's no reason to worry, to be edgy, any of it.

Still, that's a lot of eyes on him, he should be wearing the mask, he should be wearing the mask... and yet it hangs beside him, caught by one lip in one hand as he steps towards the... young, man, this one is hardly more than a child himself, isn't he? Little more than a boy...

Of course that doesn't mean much, not here, not anymore. Youth is not synonymous with any sort of shortcoming, and it's with a thoughtful air that he studies Kilik as he approaches the center, measured and measuring in turn. A soft 'hm'. And then a smile, wide and warm, a warmth that lays gentle in those dark hazel eyes as well, watching Kilik play to the fans, his own theme music starting up gently in the background behind him, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0NFGgl7Cqs as he simply draws his sword, unfolding it with a soft snktclick, holding the now extended sword up before himself, swirling it around in a few tight controlled spirals as he sweeps down into a graceful, liquid bow (he IS Serkonian afterall) and as the lyrics start up, he slips the mask over his face, pulls the hood up... and disappears in a soft billow of shadows, gone.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Tony Stark takes his seat in the stands, still a little uneasy about his decision to have convinced Lao Beifong to come watch another matchup, this time with his daughter as commentator rather than competitor. But... maybe it will be good for the man. To see that this isn't all just a big conspiracy to beat the crap out of his daughter. That it's just a sporting event. He offers the man one of the skewers of grilled spiced chicken he acquired, and explains, "Okay, so the guy who... just disappeared, that's who we're rooting for. The kid with the lightning and stuff, he's a Confederate. So, you know, boo." A beat. "Though as Feds go he's not so bad. He came to--" he stops short of mentioning his attendance at Toph's birthday party. "Well we've been to some of the same parties."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
While she waited, the greatest earthbender herself has been standing in the commentator's box, holding onto her microphone as the audiences have been getting more and more excited for the fight. When the first of them enters the fighting ground for today, the ruins of the old castle, they roar, and perhaps the Feds are a bit louder than the rest. Even Toph has to grin... she has to give Kilik credit for the choice of song! Over the speakers, clapping can be heard, and then the blind girl raises the mic to her lips. "There's no mistaking just who just entered the ring! Kirikou Rung, meister of Shibusen and partner with his two demon weapons, Fire and Thunder, have just entered the ring to some rocking music! Are you playing favourites here with just one of your partners, Gloves?" she jokes.
The second fighter though arrives on a more somber note, and the earthbender blinks, leaning over the edge of the commentator box. "Ah! Cave Hopper is here as well! Seriously... your entry song can need some more work if you ask me... Well, since both of them are here and they have both drawn their weapons..."
The girl then steps onto the edge of the commentator's box... and leaps off, landing on both legs down in the ring, creating cracks and fissures before she walks over to the two. "I want a good and fun fight, you two! Good luck!" And then they both earn a punch in a shoulder. Or Corvo earns one in the ribs since he is taller than her and trying to hide from the seeing people, that cheater. It might look a little weird when the blind girl punches into seemingly empty air with one hand.
With well wishes delivered to her two friends, Toph heads over to the edge of the ring near the stands... and kicks the ground, erecting a rocky throne for herself that she flops down in. Hey, she can see better down here with her feet on the ground! Raising her hand, she calls out loudly into the mic. "GET CRACKING, DUNDERHEADS!"

"Wait..." The man in the fancy clothes next to Tony blinks. Then he points to Kilik. "My daughter said that young man was her friend." The skewer is taken, but not eaten. All in all, Lao Beifong does not look pleased. What a shock. But this time isn't not directed at Tony.

Kirikou (127) has posed:
Kirikou assesses Corvo's entrance. Not flashy, not playing to the crowd. The music is ... well, best that can be said is it's music. Not to Kilik's tastes, but nothing that offends him either. The man seems to have some grace and agility to him. Well, that's no surprise. Anyone who's going to weild a sword on this stage is not someone to be trifled with.

"Fists against sword, huh?" Kilik says, quirking an ironic grin. Kind of reminds him of the match he commentated earlier. Fists won then, so he can't help but take it as a good sign. "Yo, gramps." he says, not unfriendly but not exactly full of respect either. "I hear you're a friend of Dirtbender up there." he says, jerking a metal-clad thumb towards the stands. "Probably means you're an okay guy and all, so it's nothing personal or anything. You're just in my way." he adds, grinning toothily and then slamming his fists together with a mighty clang.

With that, Kilik drops into a low stance, bending his legs so that he can use his oversize gauntlets to cover him from toe to top. A stance that might lead him to appear slow, or at least to favour a solid defense before his offense.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Oh, shit. Tony makes a wavering gesture with his hand. "Well, you know, you can respect your enemy on an individual level, even if you'll be on opposite sides of the battlefield later. Uh, figuratively speaking." God, he doesn't want Lao picturing Toph on literal battlefields. "You know, like... well, I'm sure you know people in the Fire Nation, right?"

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
Bringing a sword to a fight? Yeah, not always the best. But he's hardly going to be just standing there and being pummeled by this one; this Kilik, he looks strong, and Corvo's not keen on showing off just how fragile he really is. He might be tougher than your average man thanks to the Outsider's gifts to him, but that only goes so far and those gauntlets look like they're no laughing matter. He doesn't respond to Kilik, despite the amicability to some of those statements; he takes his fights seriously, though perhaps this one he shouldn't so much? It's just for fun and all, like a practice bout for the Emperor, back in the old days, but he wants to do a good showing.

Now this would be ridiculously frustrating for Kilik. At least at first, for a while? He wouldn't be able to SEE him. A low whisper, gentle and distant and he's able to see everything Kilik can see and stay far out of his line of sight, his movements near silent, swift but creeping, the advanced polymer on the soles of his boots rendering most movements to cushioned silence, and he creeps and ports with soft little 'whfs', making even the cameras have a hell of a time keeping up with him. He stalks Kilik, giving him a little while to perhaps search, perhaps wait... before Kilik might feel a few little searing points of pain. They're not great, and whether they miss or Kilik has to pull them out of his skin, they'd be little... crossbow quarrels? They're not long and rather thin, the tip not barbed or hooked, just a quick pak pak pak of near-silent fire from the bolts.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
Even as Tony does his best to row out of the situation, Lao does not look to pleased, studying the two fighters as they get ready. "I do know some of them, but I generally do not make a habit of inviting them into my home."

While the father might be grumpy, Toph herself seems rather eager as the fight begins. "It must be really frustrating to not be able to see Cave Hopper like this for you seeing people. And sure, I know where he is, but I say Gloves better learn to wait and listen instead of being such a hot head," she grins where she sits, keeping her legs up on the edge of her little throne. "Sure, it's always tough to keep up with those sneaky abilities of his... even more so when you have to rely on sight. Oh...! Oh damn Gloves didn't listen properly and Cave Hopper gets some shots in with his crossbow!"

Kirikou (127) has posed:
As Corvo remains silent and fades to stalk, Kilik considers his options. Guns? No, not yet. While he has some practicality and can respect the advantage ranged weapons give over fists, ultimately it's that same practicality that has him favour the Twins. He can synchronize with them after all, and that more than makes up for any shortfall in range.

He shuts up, listening instead of speaking. Using the Twins too, making it rather hard to sneak up on him. Not that the Twins' contribution is obvious, as they appear to be little more than inanimate weapons right this moment. Ready for a fight, expecting trouble, Kirikou whirls just as Corvo opens fire. Either he'd sensed the assassin moments before the man opened fire, or his reactions are incredible. It's not enough to spare him from the bolts though, just to let him partially deflect one and take the others in safely fleshy parts rather than vulnerable ones. The weapons draw blood, but it seems to fire Kirikou up rather than slow him down.

With a roar of challenge, Kirikou bounds into the air impossibly high and fast, using a wall as leverage to extend the leap. Coming down, he smashes out with an arcing punch, intending to pay back the stealthy attack with interest.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
Toph can't help but wince just slightly, though she does continue commenting with just as much vigor as before. "Two of Cave Hopper's bolts strike true, I can feel Gloves staggering a bit! Well, at least he got to partially deflect one! I guess you kinda poked the beast here, 'cause Gloves seems all fired up as he roars out and leaps! If my feet aren't wrong, then he's heading towards the area where Cave Hopper's shots came from. Watch out, those fists are nasty, lemmie tell you!" she warns Corvo.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Kirikou was, technically, in Tony's home for his birthday party. But he wasn't /invited/ Tony Stark doesn't invite people; he just throws a party and assumes they'll come. But he doesn't think Lao Beifong would appreciate the distinction. "Oh. Sure," he agrees, tearing off a bite of his chicken to buy some thinking time. God, why does this guy make him feel like he's talking to his own father? It was a lot easier dealing with him when he could just be snarky and hostile. "Same principle," he claims vaguely. And then thrusts a fist in the air for Corvo, to change the subject. "Yeah! That's it, don't even let him touch you!"

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
The man leaps back as he's jumped at- and then leaps again? He needs no crumbling castle wall to extend his jump, he just sort of sails up, hanging for a second as Kilik smashes down, right in his assessment that he did NOT want to be under that... and then a soft 'whf' and he's gone in another gentle billow of flickering shadows.

Though if Kilik were expecting a long delay before he strikes again, he wouldn't get one this time. It's a simple, precise set of strikes, each one shallow, each one designed to wind and hurt more than scar or maim, sort of a jab jab slice before he'd try to take his leave again with another 'whf', trying to take some of the wind out of those sails, some of the fire out of this young man with his frightening gauntlets. And hopefully get away again. Taking a bit of a risk here. Maybe not the best of ideas.

Kirikou (127) has posed:
Fisticuffs? That's Kirikou's game for sure. He takes a few hits, ducking and weaving like a prizefighter even when he can't see his attacker. Instinct or experience keep any of the punches from slamming him in the head, keep from staggering him so hard he can't retaliate.

He grins, then spins low, arcing out with a heel. The kick is a feint though, and his true strike comes as that heel plants and becomes a pivot around which the youth blurs upwards with a powerful uppercut!

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
"Damnit Cave Hopper, it's not nice to mess with kids, you know," Toph chides in amusement. "His sneakiness avoids the heavy swing and is seemingly gone... but to where? Man, you're not making this commentary easy for me either, you know? It--- OH HE DIDN'T!" Toph throws her arm up, letting out a surprised laugh. "A fight has turned into a game of cat and mouse! Cave Hopper avoided Gloves' swing and then struck in a combo of jabs and slices! Only try and sneak off yet again... But Kilik doesn't intend to let him do it twice! And who knew? He can be sneaky too, as a feint kick turns into one hell of a painful uppercut! TRY DODGING THAT!"

The chicken does taste decent, Lao must admit. At least it appears that the person they are supposed to cheer for is doing well. "How is he able to hide like that?" he wonders... only to wince and nearly jump in his seat when Kilik delivers his uppercut!

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Tony can only shrug a little helplessly at that and reply, "Eh... magic. I'm not really clear on his world's physics, myself. I can make my armor just about invisible with refractive light, but I have no idea how to duplicate that short range teleportation." Cupping his hands to his mouth, the end of his wooden skewer bobbing in his grip between two fingers, he shouts, "Shake it off, Corvo. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!"

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
That- that had been a mistake. He'd realize it after a moment, a dazed, hurt ringing moment, the man reeling back and sort of stumbling, catching himself on one hand- and then 'whf', and he's just gone again.

Too quick too impatient! He's not a young foolhardy soldier anymore, he doesn't have the time for acting out like this! Berating himself and nursing an ache from where the mask had smashed into his face (thankfully not damaged itself, those Tyvian ores made some crazy strong alloys) he takes a moment to breathe, keeping well out of Kilik's range of sight, his movements careful and quiet. He grunts, pulling out one of the funny round bottles that Auron had passed him, pulling out the stopper and downing the content. It's not as good as Piero's Remedy, but unlike the latter it can be replaced and he's got a rapidly dwindling collection of those, with no way of restoring them.

Still doesn't taste right though.

Too much quick porting though, too many rapidfire blinks. And they don't refill it all the way. He's just pulling out a second one when he hears the shuffle of Kilik getting too close for comfort. A soft grunt, and he jerks the mask down, stuffing the full bottle in his pocket- and, forgotten about briefly dropping the empty bottle to SHATTER loudly on the ground- and there would be a sudden blast of hard wind, like a shockwave, a sudden glimpse of the man rising from behind a ruined wall, hand out, hoping to batter Kilik into one of the nearby crumbling walls and hopefully make his escape! Hopefully. He'd move to blink- only for his sternum to go kind of tight and a soft funny noise, very faint- too much mana, too quick, he was still too low- by the Void not NOW.

Kirikou (127) has posed:
Kirikou IS a sometimes-angry youth, impatient and bold. The ways of caution and prudence aren't his ways. He's getting a little annoyed with Corvo's disappearances just as they're getting to blows, but he just feeds that annoyance into the fire in his soul. By this point his Weapons are beginning to glow with the beginnings of body-shattering energies.

Kirikou is beginning to get a feel for Corvo's teleportation. Its limit, its range. He's beginning to map out within his own head what places the clever assassin might try to escape to in an exchange, planning to surprise him one of these times. He begins tracking the older man down, grinning ferally the whole way. He's close, he can feel it. He's .... he's going flying.

With a crash, Kirikou tears clean through the wall he was blown into. The wall's none too sturdy, and the boy's not out of it for long. He takes the impact well, and bounds out of the interior room almost as quickly as he was slammed into it. Moving terribly fast, he rounds on Corvo, seeming to recognize something in the uncertainty of posture. He can't read the man's face due to that mask, and sensing intent isn't his specialty, but he knows enough of being a warrior to recognize an element of dismay when he sees it.

Not giving Corvo a break, Kirikou whirls to the attack, delivering a series of blows from fists, feet and elbows. Not all are meant to connect, just to deliver unto the Lord Protector the boy's own form of whirlwind.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
Magic... Lao scoffs at that thought. But wisely enough he doesn't comment on his thoughts regarding that subject. And while he is a bit nervous about the fight he seems to be less nervous than he was the last time he was watching a fight. Not so strange, since Toph is only commentating for this fight. "That Confederate boy does seem like he knows what he is doing..."

"Cave Hopper is trying to keep his distance from Gloves, wise choice! But the meister isn't keeping idle either, the hunt is on in the castle ruins! Ooops, Cave Hopper drops a bottle... and woah! Was that airbending?!" Toph sits more up, eyes wide as she feels the effect that Corvo's attack had on Kilik rather than feeling the attack itself. "Gloves goes crashing through the wall, now THAT is going to leave some bruising folks...! Cave Hopper then runs off, maybe trying to find another advantage point to strike from? He better be quick, as his opponent isn't staying down long and resumes the hunt! OH! There we go!"
Toph's face is a big grin. "Gloves is on the offensive, is it his turn to unleash a world of hurt? OH HELL YEAH!" Is the earthbender nearly bouncing in her seat, giving a swing of her free fist? It certainly looks like it! "We have a punch, kick and swing combo! Whatever goes!"

Up in Tony's private box, Lao looks down at Toph with what might be dismay at his daughter's... less than refined manners and eloquence at the moment.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Just as well Lao keeps his mouth shut, as Tony could retort with how bending is like 'magic' to most other worlds, too. He smirks a little at the man's dismay for his daughter's enthusiasm, but misinterprets the meaning, thinking he's still upset over her being friendly with a Confederate. "He does," he agrees. Know what he's doing that is. "Actually I'm not even sure WHY he's with the Feds. Seems like a good enough kid. If a little wild." As demonstrated by the flurry of punches and elbow-shots below. His hands twitch into loose fists and he can't help but raise his arms to deflect the phantom blows, imagining himself in Corvo's place. "C'mon, Corvo, get around him," he mutters quiet coaching. Armchair quarterback.

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
Hurt, hurt, too much hurt, too much, he's stumbling away with a shivering shake, his body aching and pummeled, screaming pain in places and quivering numb in others, and his hands would fumble at the crossbow as he tried to sprint away. Kilik might see a lurid reddish glow, a single point of dull light...

And then the explosive bolt is being fired, right at his head!

No wait, it'd go past him, with an acceptable amount of leeway- he's not trying to kill the boy or even hurt him- but it WOULD, if he'd done it right, hit one of the slightly more intact walls behind Kilik, juuust far enough that the explosive part wouldn't reach him- but the wall would, in a crumbling tumble of falling bricks and bits of masonry, looking if not to bury him then to at least tangle the boy. He can vanish with his feet but it's harder and he's still an aching, creaking mess, hoping the distraction helps him.

Then it'd be a manner of hiding a moment, downing another couple of blue and a red real quick; no time for messing around with water, or letting himself regenerate. He needs to be able to move; he sees this now. Need to be able to move around this one, this lad with his crazy gauntlets. There's a long low breath, his eyes closing, trying not to pant, but he's still a little easily winded after his stint in Coldridge, and he'd taken quite a battering.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
Bending actually makes sense! Both Beifongs present at the match would agree on that, though Toph might be even more adamant about that statement. "Let us hope that mister Attano is able to keep up..." Lao sighs and resumes eating his chicken skewer.

"Yup, that one smarts," Toph states rather matter of factly after Kilik's uppercut connects and strikes Corvo. When the stealthy man shoots and hits the wall though? "What? Are your eyes useless too, Cave Hopper? Seriously, it---" The explosion from the arrow and the crumbled wall does make the earthbender blink. Before she lets out a tiny roar of approval, that is. "NOW WE'RE TALKING! Cave Hopper uses an /explosive/ arrow to break apart a wall right behind Kilik! Not as elegant as I would have done it, but I guess it suffices, right? Aaaaand there he goes again! Even if Cave Hopper doesn't win today, I sure as hell will nominate him as this year's Hide and Seek champion!" The blind girl laughs, looking thoroughly amused.

Kirikou (127) has posed:
Kirikou eats a faceful of minerals. And then some, when it comes down to it. It might've been gentler for him if he'd taken that explosive hit directly. He brought up his fists, clearly intending to defend against the attack, seeming to believe it'd do him some good. Maybe it would, or maybe he wouldn't have been considering the explosive nature of the weapon.

Either way, Corvo gets his opportunity to flee and drink potions while Kirikou digs his way out of the collapsed masonry. This is done with more raw enthusiasm and strength than delicacy, so there's not THAT much time to get away. Kilik shakes his head, staggering somewhat, then looks around.

Where, he wonders, would the assassin have gone? He knows he hurt the man. Enough that if he can catch up, he could probably put him down. He doesn't know about the potions though, and is likely in for a bit of a surprise when he does find the man.

Well, whether the Lord Protector went down or up, Kilik figures going up will be his best bet. And if he wants to finish this fight quickly, it's time to pull out one of his new tricks. Turning to a still-intact wall, Kirikou jumps up and clings to it, pulling himself up the wall. There's no obvious scrambling for handholds and footholds, nor does he dig metallic fingers into the wall. He just seems to put his hands and feet where they need to go, scrambling upwards almost as fast as if he's running horizontally on all fours. In no time at all he finds himself at a parapet looking down, pausing to study, to wait, to see where Corvo might end up appearing.

"He's pretty good." Kilik murmurs quietly, seemingly to himself. "Not got much endurance, but then he's old. And he's got some good tricks." he says quietly, approvingly. Age brings wisdom, or so the old always say. "That's okay, time to change things up a bit." he grins. In his mind's eye, the Twins agree. Fire flares a soft red glow on his right fist. Time to go from defense to offense.

Finally spotting Corvo below him, Kirikou drops recklessly. The sudden THUMP of feet hitting stone behind him should give Corvo only the briefest moment of warning before Kirikou's fist, blazing with fiery red energy, comes crashing down at him. It's not meant to burn, just to break. He's modulating his soul energy away from lethal force, perhaps in thanks for Corvo not actually trying to put an explosive in his face or anything, and perhaps it also explains why he strikes after he lands rather than simply trying to land directly ON the older man. There's just no telling which is brighter when Corvo does turn however; Kilik's fire-wreathed descending fist or his wide triumphant grin.

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
And here's something Kilik might figure out about Corvo. He always goes up. If there's a chance, slinking through the sewers or creeping along the edge of some dizzyingly high building, he always goes up. Always.

And yet Kilik got the drop on HIM this time, how funny is that? Though he tries not to drop onto people. He's startled guards before, sort of kicking off their heads, (or occasionally falling into them, hello possession) but the urge to sink his blade... not something he likes to think about. But this time it's HIM who's getting dropped in on, and that heavy whud is the only warning he has- before he's looking directly into Kilik's face as that fist descends, the flare of light catching not the mask he'd pulled back over his face but the thirtysomething year old old man's eyes, wide and surprised, looking up...

And then Corvo WHUDs hard into a nearby wall, falling a bit bonelessly amid a clatter of spilled arrowheads and rolling grenades, smashed to a dazed glassy dizziness by the fall, blood leaking from his nose and mouth as he lays there on the ground a moment.

There'd be a faint shuffling noise, his hand rising, reaching towards Kilik, shaking a moment as one of the rolling grenades would sort of trundle to a stop against a bit of loose stone, clicking once and starting a low merry hiss against the ground. "L-look out, LOOK OUT!"

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Tony stands abruptly at the explosion. "Oh man that did not look intentional." He glances around for the judges, to see if the fight will be called to a halt. Not that there haven't been gunshots and explosions in other fights, but still. However, as no alert goes up, it seems the officials are fine with this. If Corvo didn't want his stuff to explode he wouldn't have brought it into the arena. Tony sits back down again, tearing the last piece of chicken off his skewer with his teeth. "Things might get ugly now."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
"Keep on digging, Gloves! Hurry up before Cave Hopper gets away!" Toph urges. "The two roam the ruins, and I'm certainly glad it's mostly stone! Otherwise you might as well get better commentary from an amateur. Things are getting more and more serious here, that's for sure. I mean, try as he might, our Hide and Seek expert can't run and hide forever. Those damn meisters hunt down demon weapons on a regular basis, I figure they would be pretty good at following trails."
And as Kilik decides to drop in on Corvo, Toph lets out an excited cry! "It's time for some more heavy hits as Gloves manages to find Cave Hopper! And this time he's really serious! Fire and Thunder are reared up and ready to go, watch out for burns...!" The girl cheers again. "And Cave Hopper gets a taste of his own medicine! BAM INTO THE WALL! It... uh oh...!" Is that what she thinks it is?!
Even as Tony gets up Lao remains seated, eyes wide in horror. True, Kilik is a Fed, but he is still just a child after all! "Why aren't the medics coming in in...?" he asks, looking around nervously. The audience at large looks worried, and even Toph leans forward in her seat to plant her feet properly on the ground, a determined and slightly worried look on her face...

Kirikou (127) has posed:
Kirikou's pleased by the blow he lands, and doesn't at all think he might have been better off doing something else. Landing on Corvo perhaps, or taking advantage of the falling speed to add power to the blow. Being a Meister isn't about seeking an advantage over someone though having an advantage is always helpful. In this sort of fight, in a duel of equals, taking advantage just isn't right. You win by strength and skill, not by tricks. He'll leave the tricks to others.

His eyes widen at the sight of the grenade tumbling loose though. Obviously it wasn't intended. Corvo had used explosives, yes, but apparently against the environment rather than against his opponent. For a moment Kilik freezes, not sure what to do. Dive on the grenade and try to punt it out of the room... no. There's no convenient opening to golf the little orb out of. He might end up just putting it somewhere else in the room. He loses the chance to act, though he does manage to bring up his fists and hunch down, protecting head and most of his torso behind soul-shielded metal.

The explosion is stunning, literally. Shrapnel pings against the gauntlets, some of it tearing into Kirikou's exposed shins and upper forearms. If the grenade had been right at his feet, it might have done considerably more damage. If his defense wasn't excellent, it might have done more as well. But his defense is solid, and the grenade wasn't right there close enough for him to deal with or to do critical damage.

More than the pain of his injuries, the ringing in Kirikou's head has him wobbly and distressed. It's not just the explosion either... he has a pair of Twins wailing within his headspace too. Well, not literally wailing. They're doing the empathic equivalent though, more in fear than in anguish, clutching each other like little children caught in a sudden thunderstorm.

Still, staggering a bit drunkenly, Kirikou advances on Corvo, apparently ready despite the injuries and the blast to dish out more. He extends an arm. "Hey man... you okay?" he asks, opening that fist to present a hand towards the Assassin. Perhaps he's NOT looking to continue the beating... not just yet. Of course it COULD be a trick.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
See, Lao? Tony told you that Kilik kid wasn't so bad. Stark sits on the edge of his seat, intent on what may come next.

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
Everything is ringing for several long, lazy seconds, his eyes blinded; he didn't have the mask up, and the optics help, somewhat- he uses grenades on swarms of rats and clusters of river krusts in the sewers, the idea of using them on living people puts a chill down his spine. Blind and dazed, he lays there, pretty well helpless for whatever Kilik was going to dish out... and then the hand is extended. He seems surprised, but doesn't hesitate, his hand extending (and missing) before clapping into Kilik's hand, shakily getting to his feet. His hand is quick, scooping up another couple of still-thankfully-inert grenades and a few quarrels before they can blow up too, and he shudders. "Am I okay, are YOU okay?" And then Kilik is being checked over, the man's eyes worried.

He pauses, taking a breath. "...You still up to continuing?" It's not a challenge or a try to get him to back down, just an honest question. They're both bleeding and winded, and Kilik just got a grenade going off near him, Corvo thankfully far enough away that he's just rattled and shaken by both the explosive and the worry for his opponent.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Some asshole in the audience shouts, "Booo, what is this shit? What happened to the FIGHTING? Fight fight fight!

Someone else dumps a beer on him.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
For now Toph holds her breath, both feet firmly on the ground as the seconds tic by. The grenade goes off, Kilik is still standing. The twins are most likely okay, as they seem to be invincible in their weapon forms... But still, Toph can't help but be relieved when she realizes that the two fighters didn't get hurt too badly from that runaway grenade. Still, even she can't tell whether Kilik is trying to pull a trick on Corvo here or not. Heck, the sneaker himself seems to be partially blinded by the grenade too.
When the asshole in the audience calls out though, Toph frowns, turning sharply as she kicks into the ground, causing a melon sized rock to launch up and land in Toph's waiting hand before she yells out. "THE NEXT ONE TO BOO THE FIGHTERS WILL GET A ROCK RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES! GOT THAT?!" she threatens, trying to look as stern as she can be. Nobody boos her friends!
Still, she calls back to the two. "If you two ladies can play patty cake, then you can do well enough to fight, right?" she calls, listening intently. They both seem okay enough. Though Kilik was caught in the blast.

Kirikou (127) has posed:
How hurt IS Kirikou? He glances down at himself, frowning slightly, then releases the hand to Corvo. "Been hurt worse." he says, breaking into a smirk. In truth he'd been hurt worse every time he'd fought in the WMAT so far, and he's not at all interested in stopping yet. Corvo's solicitude might earn him a bit of respect, but it doesn't make the Meister eager to stop. No, quite the contrary.

Kirikou takes a step back, rolling his shoulders, then rolling his neck, trying to get everything back more or less in order. Giving his opponent some time too, to be sure. Finally though, after some time, he slams his fists together once again, signalling his readiness. "Honestly I'm just getting fired up now." he says. "Shocking, ain't it?" he smirks. "Dirtbender's right. Besides, you knocked me through a wall. I think it's about time to even that count up, don't you?"

That's ALL the warning he's going to give. If Corvo isn't ready to continue by this point, and with those warnings given, he's going to have a very very bad day. Kirikou takes a quick half-step, shuffles, then unloads an exaggerated SLAM with both hands, aiming to do more raw force than crunching power, aiming to knock Corvo out of the ruined room through the nearest convenient vertical surface, not much caring whether flooring or open space lies beyond.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
You better be ready there, Tony. It looks like Lao is about to drop his chicken after Toph's loud and rude outburst! Either way he's simply staring for a moment. Though he does watch with a frown as Kilik lashes out at Corvo all of a sudden. Then again, the man isn't too used to these fights, now is he?

"ALL RIGHT! Sorry about that folks," Toph apologizes as she sits down on her throne again, dropping the rock next to her chair. Just in case that loud asshole really does need a rock in the face later. "A stray grenade that was not planned, and it took our fighters by surprise. Gloves got the worst of it, but after the fighters are okay and have agreed to continue, Gloves wastes no time for more talking as he delivers a serious /slam/!"

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Tony for his part is chuckling at Toph's outburst when he glances aside and sees Lao's reaction. You know what? No, he's not going to try to make excuses for her. It's in the spirit of the tournament. "Hey don't drop your skewer," he warns the man instead, before clapping appreciatively for the resumption of hostilities. "Okay Corvo, finish him off!"

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
And the man is caught laughing softly as he's struck; they're pretty basic puns, but the relief of seeing the other alright and the recent explosion has left him slightly giddy, and he's promptly put through a wall, smashing into the little courtyard area beyond in a skid of skittering masonry.

But he's still laughing. It's not a mad sort of laugh, it's a hurt, edgy but genuinely amused sort of a laugh, a man on far too much adrenaline and pain and genuine relief, and it's with that that he kicks up, boots slamming to the floor, face a-grinning- before pulling his mask on.

Then it would be 'whf' leap leap kick leap and there'd be a blur of movement as the man dashes at Kilik, blade drawn. No more running, no more hiding. This is almost done, and best to do it this way, properly. He dueled Daud, he can duel this young man too, though his fists are pure punishment, but he's smiling as he comes at him, blade flashing. He's not looking to wound, or even to hurt, but to bleed, to strike to tire, to tax, to put down without putting down, and his movements show a certain grace, a blurring speed but a casual knowledge. Just where to strike, just how deep to go, more jabs with the blade tip then slashes to scar, each avoiding nerve bundles, major veins, anything important. To the crowd he'd look like a madman in a mask, but on the nurse's table afterwards the precision would be apparent.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
When warned, Lao blinks and raises his food up a bit and takes a careful bite. "... it is indeed good that her mother isn't here," he laments with a shake of his head. Such brutal fights!

"OH MAN! Cave hopper goes skidding through yet another wall! Good thing we probably don't have to fix these ruins, huh? But he doesn't stay down for long! Again he does that strange teleporting thing he does... AND HE GOES STRAIGHT FOR GLOVES!" Toph is really loud at this point, realizing just how close this fight is to ending. Her free hand grips the arm rest of her throne, cracking it just slightly. "It's sword versus fists, who will win in this final part?! COME ON GUYS! It feels like Cave Hopper's blade is dancing, his hand steady as he delivers slash after slash...!"

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Tony isn't so sure about that. Poppy Beifong would be /shocked/, sure, but it might be good for her! But now isn't the time to make the case to Lao Beifong that his wife is too repressed. He has to wonder, though, if she'd be more shocked with the violence of the fighting or Toph's language. "Come on Corvo, keep it up!"

Kirikou (127) has posed:
Kirikou's push attack might not be the wisest of moves. Certainly he might have done better to try to crush his foe outright, at least in the eyes of some. The push however gave him one advantage in addition to the damage it did. It also gave him just a little bit of time and distance.

As he sends Corvo flying, Kilik drops into a wide and low stance. Tensing his muscles, bringing his fists up, he begins to draw forth power. By the time Corvo comes blinking back into melee range, his fists are both blazing with energy. Flame wreaths the one, yellow-blue plasma the other. He grins fiercely, blocking those sword blows as best he can, staying on the defensive and weathering the steel storm.

None of Corvo's attacks land perfectly. Too shallow, in some cases. Off-target in others, as Kirikou redirects the blade or blocks the attacks with steel of his own. They do score however, repeatedly, opening their share of bloody wounds. Physically, Kirikou has little left to go on. Fatigue piles up as loss of blood begins to tell. But Kirikou's strength is strength of soul, not merely of body. As phenomenal as his purely-physical nature appears, it's his soul that's the reason he's truly exceptional. The more wounded he gets, the more his fists blaze with supernatural energy.

Finally, turning one of Corvo's attacks into a whiff that barely scratches his skin, Kirikou turns the tables. "Triple D!" he shouts out, clapping both his hands together. Within his head, the twins have brought themselves into full alignment, resonating with him perfectly, determined to end the fight. And yet, Kilik's instructions to them were clear. <Non-lethal energy. He's not as tough as the last person I fought here.> Besides, she'd been armoured in layers of rock. This move, against all but the toughest of opponents, would normally kill. Here it's scaled down somewhat. He's not unleashing his ultimate attack, though it takes much the same form. He slams downwards with both his fists, unleashing a clap of fire and lightning in the hopes that Corvo overextended and has made the match's final error.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
Please, first class citizens of the Earth Kingdom are not repressed. They are /refined/.

"Too bad, it doesn't seem like these attacks are enough to take Kilik down for now! I dunno about you guys, but I can feel the heat from here! And I think I know what's coming next! And lemmie tell you, from personal experience I know this one hurts...!" Toph chuckles as she recalls her fight with Kilik the previous year. "Oh yeah there it comes! GLOVES AND HIS GLOVES COMBINE THEIR STRENGTH! TRIPLE SLAM!" she calls, throwing her arms up as fire and lightning dances around the fighters on the field!

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
This is- this is what living is. Fighting an opponent, using his years of skill, his training, his dedication and his love of the sword; no life to risk, no death, no kill or be killed but a fight, a simple honest straight up fight, with this young man, of the Confederacy but with decency and honor inside, brimming with it, those punishing, powerful fists against just his sword and the gifts the Outsider had given him. Kilik might be able to feel the smile behind that mask. He's standing taller now, that slight slump he'd carried with him into the arena gone. He's a much younger man than he'd been twenty minutes ago, and win or lose, he's happy.

Even as he burns, he's happy.

And burn he does, plasma and fire both, his head back, the mask rendering the howl of pain an odd echoing almost demonic thing, hollow and ringing, a shadow in a sudden blaze of light. For a long, slow, stretching moment, all is pain, and he must respect the pain, letting himself take his moment to scream with it, live it out, like in Coldridge, accepting it, not fighting the flow of it all through him.

This is what life is, that thing he'd been chasing for months, brief glimpses and then gone. He feels young again, like the world has possibility again, and him with some place in it.

Then the sword is tossed aside, and his fists come up. To hell with it. Let it end right, let it end one way or another. Either way, he's happy.

His fighting style is Serkonian. His strikes hard and direct. His strength only slightly enhanced human. His skill considerable. Will it be enough? Against the grand Meister with his two blazing friends in perfect synch? He's not sure, but he's willing to try, and he's loving every second of it.

Kirikou (127) has posed:
Kirikou would be happy were he to recognize Corvo's straightened spine, his fighting for the sake of pleasure rather than to win, to kill, or whatever. An honest straight-up fight, a battle of honour and respect. Part of him DOES respect and recognize that, of course. Weak as his perception is, he's good at understanding a warrior's soul. He flashes a grin as Corvo drops the sword, and he doesn't even try to block the punch.

Of course Kilik doesn't stick out his chin and dare Corvo to knock him down either. He dodges, shifting his weight and bobbing his chin so the hit isn't as severe as it might have been. It still rocks him though. It's a good punch. No, it's a GREAT punch. Kirikou can feel the man's soul behind it, even if Corvo's not a Meister. He can feel it, one fighter to another.

The fight is, however, pretty much over. Kirikou put his soul into that mighty attack. Not all of it, but he's got nothing left for a followup supernatural strike. The flame and lightning of his twin weapons has gone out, at least for now. It'll stay out until he can restore a measure of his soul... and neither fighter has the reserves for that most likely. Still, even without soul energy flooding his fists he's still swinging steel. Kirikou pivots and then rights himself, slamming a fist forward, aiming for the assassin's midriff. An attempt to incapacitate, to render the man unable to continue, not an attack aimed to do massive harm.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
"Somebody get a waterbender in here!" Toph calls only half-jokingly. "Or... wait, Cave Hopper is still not down, guess the guy is made out of tougher stuff than I thought! And... I can't believe my feet, ladies and gentlemen! CORVO ATTANO THROWS HIS SWORD ASIDE AND CHARGES AT KIRIKOU RUNG?! No offense, but Gloves has got the larger fists here...!" Toph shakes her head and makes a tsk tsk sound. "Kilik moves to decrease the impact... he pivots and punches out at Corvo..." Silence. "You /missed/?! Seriously?! Your eyes must be worse than mine!" Toph roars out, reaching up to pull down the lower eyelid of her left eye.

Next to Tony, Lao sighs, not finding that funny. "I don't see how she can joke about her blindness..."

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
"It's part of who she is," Tony replies immediately. "She's not ashamed of it, and she doesn't let it slow her down. Besides, if you can't laugh at yourself now and then, you're in for a pretty miserable life."

But seriously. He MISSED? "Holy shit, Corvo, come on, finish him!"

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
This is life. He's down to fists now, shaking with exhaustion and bloodloss, his ears still ringing, his left hand ablaze, the whispers of the void in his ears, he's so hurt. He can hear it, faraway, and yet it's comforting, familiar, and he can only smile. He's down to his fists, why? Because he wants to be, because he's caught up in the moment, and as Kilik strikes out at him he leaps back, all liquid agility, although it is close, close... he's about to fall over either way, but he's never been happier, and as he rushes in, fist drawing up, his voice is odd, echoing behind the mask, but warm. "Thank you. For showing me what it is to live again." And he's driving a hard strike, his shoulder and back behind it, aiming for dead center of Kilik's chest.

Kirikou (127) has posed:
Somehow, Kilik's aware this old man he's fighting... isn't quite so old any more. Whatever burdens he's borne, Kilik's aware they've somehow been removed. Whether or not there's a prize at the end of the tournament for anyone, Kilik's left with the feeling that something of real value, of incalculable worth, has been won right here and now. THIS is why he fights. Not for glory, not for prizes, not to save the world. Oh true, he appreciates all of these things and would fight given no better reason than any of them... but the true reason to fight is because you are a fighter. Because a burning soul deserves no less, and one burning soul can sometimes rekindle another.

Kirikou's off-balance and still quite dizzy from earlier. He can put on a good show, can deliver soul energy in a spectacular display of fireworks and even manage to dodge remarkably effectively, but that doesn't mean he's stable or that he can aim. That he's still on his feet is as much due to stubborn determination as to skill. That, and his chosen martial art. It only appears to feature overcommitted smashes and out-of-control spins. In truth it's a studied art, one based on momentum and balance.

As Corvo goes into his final charge, Kilik shifts slightly to one side. Then his momentum shifts to the other side abruptly, the boy faking the other fighter out somewhat and absorbing the impact with surprising grace, allowing the push to spin him rather than to meet his center. He hooks a heel up, continuing the spin, and tries to plant that heel in the back of Corvo's head in a move that seems oddly graceful for the thuggish-seeming Confederate.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
"This is insane," Tony determines, sitting back in his seat with a flump. "One of them HAS to fall over soon. How are they still on their feet?"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
"The boys are still duking it out, Cave Hopper punches out at Kilik's chest... And Gloves moves slightly to the side, moving into a roundhouse kick!" Toph calls. "It doesn't seem to me that these guys will be standing much longer. So the question is who will be the first to bite the dust here?" She looks rather pensive where she sits.

"I do not know that either," Lao snorts. He /has/ to admit that they are at least fighting at least somewhat sportsmanlike, deciding to not comment on Tony's earlier comment. "The medics /are/ on standby, right...?"

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
Rekindle.

What an appropriate word here. So much flame, so much brutal stylish badass back and forth, and all the world to see. He came in an old man, tired and drained, drawn down by the scars that cover his body beneath those clothes. And now they're just marks, his past a factor in his life but not a shackles around him, his head high and his face smiling. And it's all, so, wonderful.

The kick connects solidly with the back of his head, and the skull mask strikes sparks on the old, worn flagstones, the man going down like a sack of bricks. There's a beat. Two. As he slowly, pulls, himself, back up, a hand, at a time. Across one knee, across the flagstones, heaving himself, to, his feet. Tottering. And then advancing, like one of the Weepers himself, slow and sluggish, advancing on Kilik. He cracks his neck, his breath a soft laugh, echoing behind that mask. "Good hit. Good fight." A tensing... and then he's lashing out, not with a punch, but with a palm strike, drawing strength from the ruins beneath him, his eyes closing for a moment, driving forward towards his opponent with a fierce grin on his face.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
"Oh yeah, the medics will be rushing the field as soon as-- YEAH, there we go! Corvoooo!" he bellows appreciatively for the winner. Finally!

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
"The kick connects with Cave Hopper's head, and ouuuuch... that's gotta smart! Is he knocked out? Is this the end? Or... NO! He's getting up! Just... not so very elegantly. Not that Gloves himself has much strength right now, even a pebble could knock either of them over... And Cave Hopper lashes out with a palm strike!" Toph blinks, leaning forward as Corvo's attack hits, knowing that she has to be sure before she calls the match. So she pushes off of her throne and out into the field. Seriously. They can't continue fighting anymore when they can barely even throw punches!

Lao blinks. "Did he win...?" he asks, reaching up with one hand to smoothen out his mustache.

Kirikou (127) has posed:
Kirikou staggers after delivering that roundhouse heel. As agile as the move appears, it's clear he's standing by willpower alone. He has to turn himself through an effort of will to face the fallen man once again, looking more like an automaton than a boy. Like he was dancing the Robot rather than moving as a human would. Turn he does though, and he peers at Corvo, trying to decide if he'll get up or not.

Kirikou grins when the man, old no longer, manages to struggle to his feet. He stands there, spreading his hands wide, inviting the hit. The glow returns to his twin Weapons... not a fierce flame or a blazing plasma, just a soft glow as fighting spirit returns to the youth... but sometimes fighting spirit isn't enough.

The palm strike hits. Kirikou makes no move to dodge it, no move to block. He hardens his abdomen, but the strike hits him cleanly. It could hardly hit him more cleanly if it were arranged that way. The strike's not strong but it's precise, and in Kirikou's state it's enough. The boy keels over like a falling tree, remaining rigid through an act of will that surpasses his body's reserves of strength. When he hits the ground, he doesn't get back up.

Corvo Attano (398) has posed:
And not long after him Corvo decides to have a bit of a laydown himself, content to let the medics handle him this time. No bottle of water and walking it off for him, this was a proper fight and he has been properly beaten to a bloody pulp, as is, well, proper. Naptime.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
"That was a great matchup," Tony declares, well satisfied with his money's worth this time. "Got a little hairy there with the explosion -- sheesh, you'd think he'd leave that stuff at home if he didn't mean to use it." He glances at his watch. "Oh hey, looks like Rex is fighting soon. Want to come with, see someone get his ass handed to him who really deserves it?" he invites Lao, even as he taps the bud in his ear to send the same query to Toph. "The medical officials will take care of these guys, don't worry."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
Immediately Toph is there when Kilik falls, reaching out with a bending move to soften the ground there, causing lots of dust to whirl up as he falls. And once she confirms that Kilik isn't getting up... "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE WINNER... CORVO ATTANO!" She reaches out and takes a hold of Corvo's arm, holding up up... after she has bended herself a small pillar to stand on, that is. "Kirikou Rung fought bravely, we saw some real sportsmanship here today... but it's my buddy Cave Hopper here who will move on to round 2!" She reaches out and punches Corvo in the shoulder, then waits until the medics arrive. "Fire, Thunder... take care of him, right? I'll be there later after he's gotten treatment," she says to Kilik /after/ her mic has been turned off. Just in time for the radio message from Tony to kick in. "Just give me a moment, Goldie!" At least this fight was clean and fun. Who knows what the big dino will do?

Kirikou (127) has posed:
There's a shimmer of energy as Kirikou's two weapons restore to human form. They look pretty exhausted themselves, but the two dark-skinned twins look up at Toph with some measure of ... pride? They nod, and Thunder even snaps off a respectable salute to the blind girl. They'll look after Kilik, no question about it.