Scene #3812: Seriously, That's A Carrion Rose!!!

Owner	Pose
Momoyo Kawakami	Momoyo was excited finally. Shin really didn't scratch her itch, so now she roused a few of the monks to set up enough barriers and first aid for an impromptu match. It was a rule for fighting in the Dojo after all, but given the time of night, while a fight might awaken some folks there wouldn't be a large audience. She had no idea who was coming or what to expect, but she did dress up in her black sweater and slacks with a vest, given the cool weather. Beyond that, she had been antsy for the last hour, while Chrysanthemum was able to follow obvious and easy signs to get to Kawakami City, one of the reasonably welcoming places Multiversally.
Chrysanthemum	The women who show up for the match are possibly not what she would expect. Chrysanthemum arrives with another woman, who looks to be in her early twenties. Then again, Chrys doesn't look very old either. Both of them stride right up to the dojo, perfectly aware of where they're going thanks to the easy directions. Chrysanthemum is in the lead, the blonde wearing one of her typical elegant dresses. Behind her, looking much more nervous, is a more petite woman... also wearing a pretty dress, though it's not nearly so fancy. She, however, is carrying a polearm of some kind wrapped up in her hands. Chrysanthemum curtsies as she arrives. "Lady Chrysanthemum of the Azure Empire. This is my subordinate and protege, Princess Evangeline. You may fight either one of us you wish, really." Attempting to use aura sense on them will find Evangeline radiates some level of power, though it's magical so the exact read might be hard to guess. She's strong, no doubt. Chrysanthemum, curiously, doesn't have a reading at all.
Momoyo Kawakami	Mages. More and more, Momoyo was having to face off against magic, and it was entirely an enigma to her... and the few powerful mages that existed always seemed to be smart enough to keep from appearing to be the nail sticking up. Naturally, mages who were trained to assess spiritual energy could see that Momoyo's aura was also unexpectedly overwhelming. It was possible to detect Momoyo a few miles away even, as she didn't bother to hide much. The easy look on her face faded, however, realizing she could detect nothing from Chrysanthemum. In her world, it wasn't wise to underestimate people, but especially powerful women. More often than not, the old bloodlines seemed to be female-dominated. "My name is Momoyo Kawakami, Goddess of Martial Arts and the North of The Multiversal Big Four. You're suppressing your aura." she replies, flatly, as she looks Chrysanthemum in the eye. "You were the one who wanted to fight... so why offer her?" It was thrilling, to Momoyo at least, to meet in such a clandestine manner. Typical high schooler immaturity. But it was a measure of her own experience that she started to eye Chrysanthemum as if it were a possible risk to her own life.
Chrysanthemum	The moment Momoyo accuses Chrys of suppressing her aura, Evangeline's eyes go wide. The princess makes some quick gestures, shaking her head and making a 'zipping up' motion on the mouth, in a quick and panicked manner. Fortunately Chrysanthemum doesn't notice that, and seems to give the comment little heed right now. "I assure you, I am doing no such thing." She gestures over her shoulder. "Princess Evangeline needs experience, and watching her is entertaining for me. If you think you can give a proper challenge yourself, I'd be happy to enjoy it myself. I am more familiar with unarmed combat than she is, at least."
Momoyo Kawakami	Momoyo looked hard at Chrysanthemum for a long moment. Then glances back at Evangeline. Just... what was going on here? She was used to seeing eccentric rich folk, but that the maid looked more afraid of Chrysanthemum's abilities being discussed rather than eager to fight... something about the matter started to set the hair on the back of her neck on end. There was no malice here, but she was getting the distinct impression she was being tested. "Hmhmhm...mhmhmhm! Alright. You have your reasons... I'm not sure who you were hoping I would fight first. But if I have to fight her first, then I guess I should respect that since you accepted my invitation." she replies, shrugging. She wasn't the type to stop and agonize over the servant's strange behavior. She was just in the way of her real opponent, after all. Her hands clap together as she gives a characteristic bow, but other than some spotlights in the dojo's field, there were no signals other than the formal bow that it was time to start the match. She smirks at Evangeline, apparently a constant smiler, but if nothing else she wasn't going to be bored. Something in the pit of her stomach kept telling her that this meeting wouldn't end well at all, but that only seemed to make her more ready to fight.
Chrysanthemum	Chrysanthemum looks mildly surprised, but doesn't object. She shrugs, moving quietly to the edge of the arena and taking a seat. "I would have thought you'd go directly to me. I'm impressed. Evangeline is perhaps a better match for you... she's one of the most skilled and strongest in the Empire, but still has some to learn. This should be educational for her." Evangeline looks relieved, breathing out a small sigh. Looks like Momoyo dodged a bullet there, though WHO would have suffered for it is in the air. She unwraps her spear, laying the fabric aside and twirling it into a polite dipping guard, then bows her head. "I look forward to a good match. Please don't hold back on my account. If you are much stronger than I am, the Lady will step in."
Momoyo Kawakami	"You haven't done anything to annoy me, and this was her request. It's disappointing, but if I want to see what she's capable of, I'll just have to make sure you can't move." she replies respectfully. At the very least, Evangeline was strong enough she shouldn't have to stall the fight to get a decent thrill... maybe. Slowly, she advanced over the thirty feet or so that were between her and her opponent, walking carefully into her spear range. Having spent years fighting Kazuko's naginata, she might have her opponent at a disadvantage let alone the myriad of other reasons. She'd have to prove it the hard way. Regardless, both Momoyo and Chrys anticipated her doing far more damage than her last match. Her eyes never leave Evangeline's, as if cornering a beast... but instead, she waited for her opponent to flinch and show a split-second opening rather than assault her directly. For her own part... she typically had no openings of her own at the start of the match.
Chrysanthemum	Evangeline isn't like Chrys. She treats the battle as it should be treated. Serious, with honor and respect. While her Mistress sprawls out, Evangeline is doing a slow, edging shift with her footwork, as if testing Momoyo's reactions and seeing how she observes the tip of the spear. She hasn't done anything out of the ordinary yet, though... she's just circling, considering her opponent. But this is a spar, not a serious attempt on anyone's life. After a staredown of a few seconds, Evangeline kicks off abruptly, cracking the earth beneath her in a footprint. She moves in a flash, though no doubt Momoyo expected superhuman speed. The spear whips around to lash out with the butt end, but whatever it impacts, ground or flesh, will feel an explosion of heat. It's a small blast, not really intended to disable. Evangeline is testing, feeling out her opponent.
Momoyo Kawakami	Stepping to the side quickly, she watches the spear butt lash out, and her opponent move at a high speed... Yes, Kazuko was weaker, but the principle to her weapon was similar. "Kawakami Style: Musou Seikenzuki!!!" Taking the opportunity to counterattack, she let her opponent try to overcommit and hit the ground, but attack from the side. Of course, the attack itself was her signature move, the move she usually started the match with. The reason she could start most matches with it was because it was a punch with the force and speed of a modern battleship artillery cannon with the sound to match. Anyone who was knocked out by this blow had no business in the arena with her, and the raw brute strength of the attack demanded a response of some kind. In this case, she was fast and accurate enough... to simply aim for her temple and see what would happen.
Chrysanthemum	It's pure reflex to defend the head, and Evangeline does just that. She keeps one hand on the spear, with the other arm lashing out to block. She doesn't try to knock away the arm, she full on catches it with her forearm, letting it impact the supple and delicate fabric of her dress. Of course it only LOOKS supple and delicate. Actually punching it causes a shockwave to blast out to the sides, rippling her hair. It's like punching a very thick, solid steel plate when the attack connects. It's quite possible it bruised her arm, maybe even badly, but it certainly doesn't break it. The impact forces her back, but the princess still has the butt of her spear in the ground. She uses it as a pivot, whipping around at high speed to cause a flame-wreathed kick to axe out, keeping up the blurred motion.
Bahamut	Having heard rumors of this Momoyo over the radio, and the many questions about who would fight here, Bahamut has come to see just what all the talk is about. The tall grey metal dragon with the vibrant plummage makes his way into the dojo. He is very careful not to break anything, which is not easy when you are 15 feet tall, somewhere around a ton in weight, and have a long tail and broad wings. The grey dragon is also mindful of the combatants. He does not wish to draw any attention from the fight, and so as quietly as possible makes his way to wherever a spectator would go inside such a dojo. Once there, he leans back and crosses his arms over his chest.
Momoyo Kawakami	"Tch!" she crosses her arms to block the flaming kick, leaving her wrists singed. Although likely very painful, it seemed she was used to blocking or dealing with elemental attacks in this way. The flames blistering her skin a bit aside, she throws the foot down... and continues her next brutal assault. "Musou Seikenzuki Midareuchi!!!" Having thrown her opponent's foot to the side, even mid-spin she would be forced to use her momentum to respond to the assault. It was the same technique, so it should be just as difficult as her bruised arm... were it not for being two-dozen of the same technique thrown at the same time. Considering she had yet to use any ki, this was a measured demonstration of her power... attempting to slowly grind Evangeline down with peppered weak attacks. The spear's distance, range and durability were typically helpful for strong attacks, but even a spin to deflect often planted the opponent in a single position! Without protesting against her deceptive armor, she had already proven with one blow that it was extremely wise to wear it coming into contact with her. For Bahamut's part, there were plenty of empty bleachers near the wall Chrysanthemum was leaning against, allowing idle conversations while the fighters exchanged blows. Considering the speed of the attacks and movements between the two young women, only experienced martial artists could even perceive them... along with high level beings such as the two spectators.
Chrysanthemum	A flurry of blows was... actually what Evangeline had expected in the first place. Her spear remains in her hand, with her off hand moving in rapid darting motions to block and parry much of that flurry. It's at high speed, and several land on her dress, finding it just as hard as the arm of the dress despite the way it flutters. One manages to find her jaw, but even that is like hitting solid stone. It does make her step back briefly, but amidst that high-volume attack... her arms suddenly burst into flames, continuing the parry with a scorching heat that makes it difficult to attack her without going through flames. Her eyes are hard, determined... and wincing, suddenly, because Chrysanthemum speaks up. "Are the two of you done warming up?" She looks interested enough for now, but that's waning as the two aren't getting serious yet. Bahamut's entrance doesn't bother her, though she peers at the dragon for an instant, thoughtfully.
Momoyo Kawakami	Momoyo hops back out of Evangeline's range. "Kawakami Style: Restoration..." She uses a small amount of ki to heal the blisters on her arms and hands... but mostly because she was interrupted as surely as her opponent was. "If you're getting bored, you can always fight me instead G-" she bit her tongue with some effort. "...Lady Chrysanthemum." She was about to make an unwarranted guess as to the Lady's age, but the prior look on Evangeline's face told her to be more careful. "Seriously, even with the monks' help, if I get serious... she'll probably be injured for months." she admits. That was more Chrysanthemum's problem than her own, but it was as much out of respect the two girls had for one another as anything that they were ramping up so slowly.
Bahamut	Bahamut is somewhat surprised that his entrance didn't disrupt anything. That is hardly ever the case. But, it brings a slight grin to his face, which just widens more as Chrysanthemum implies that Momoyo and Evangeline should get serious. He looks over as Chrys when she looks at him, and gives a polite nod of greeting before holding out a clawed hand, palm up. "Greetings." he says, apparently offering a handshake. He raises an eyebrow as he hears Momoyo's comments on stepping things up. She seems quite certain. Is she really that strong, or does she not know about the advanced healing available to pretty much everyone in the Multiverse? Either way, he chuckles lightly before taking a seat beside Chrys.