(YB) Nekokaburi vs Shou Ren (Thanks to Rathan for Judging)

[nekokaburi]

The warrior sits in perfect stillness facing west, his blade before him. As the first light of dawn appears behind him, his eyes flick open. He snatches his blade to his hand as he rises in one fluid motion.

"It is time."

His eyes scan the horizon, searching for an unseen opponent.

"Though I am untested, I seek battle in the old ways. I seek a match of style! Who will face my Blackfist Style?!"

<font color="gray">
OOC: Style match preferred, open to any who will grace me with their presence.</font>

 

[Ciaran]

As the morning spreads across the land, one shadow does not give way to the light. The darkness coalesces into a figure robed in violet, its face concealed by an ornate bronze mask. A voice echoes hollowly from the mask. “I shall face you, young warrior,” it says in a harsh, metallic voice, “in a test of style and strategy. If you have the courage to accept.”

 

[nekokaburi]

Nekokaburi's eyes narrow, as if seeking to pierce the mask that hides his challenger, probing for some weakness. The moment passes, and he bows swiftly.

"My courage is only exceeded by my strength. I must face you, Ciaran, for <b>I find your employer to be insidious, your building to be unnecessary, and your glare to be dormant.</b>"

"Should my insult prove more cutting, I propose a five flag, traditional style match."

Nekokaburi drops into an easy fighting stance, and begins springing from one leg to the other, awaiting the presence of one wiser than himself to adjudicate this test of skill.

 

[Ciaran]

"Ha." The masked figure shakes its head heavily. "You have demanded a match of style. I have demanded that it also be a match of strategy. If you will not consent to both conditions, then you may find another opponent... coward."

((OoC note: this character's name is not Ciaran.))

 

[nekokaburi]

<font color="gray">OOC: my bad. All will be corrected momentarily</font>

 

[nekokaburi]

Nekokaburi bows low, his scarred face momentarily turning a bright crimson. As he rises from his bow, his eyes burn with anger fuelled by his mistakes.

"Very well, let us cast aside all masks, sorceror. I name you Shou Ren. I have brought shame to myself and you through my foolishness. Let us see if I may bring you honour through defeat at the hands of a skilled martial artist, sorceror. I agree to your match of style and strategy. This shall be a most interesting battle: let us see if your Manticore Style is truly strong."

Nekokaburi's hands begin moving in a slow and graceful arc, and with a sudden explosion of breath he drops into a low, rigid guard.

"I do not need to see your face to face you. My insult stands!"

<font color="gray">OoC: Apologies for the mistake there.</font>

 

[Ciaran]

The masked mage draws forth a skull from his robes. Yellowed bone gleams in the morning light. He strokes the jaw with a gauntleted hand, and a dull green glow flickers in its eyesockets. A cold whisper emanates from the bony mouth, saying, "I find your daughter to be arrogant, your kitchen to be bland, and your hand to be blunt."

"I agree to your terms," states the mage as the light in the skull's eyes darkens and fades. "If you wish a strategic style match of five flags, so shall it be. We shall see if such an inexperienced duelist can endure the rigors of such a contest."


Name: Shou Ren
Rank: Thug 0
Record: 2 wins, 1 loss
Powers: Signature Style (Manticore), Gang Location (Hells), Dirty Trick
Items: none
Yen: 1

 

[nekokaburi]

<p>The sun continues its arc through the sky, and Nekokaburi stands motionless staring impassively at Shou Ren. Small clues in his expression show he is sizing up this mysterious opponent. At the zenith of the sun's arc, all shadows are obliterated. Nekokaburi speaks, his eyes flicking from the skull in the sorceror's hand to the impassive, inhuman mask.</p>

<p>"I think you will find my style more than strong enough to compensate for my inexperience in this world of dueling. I am Nekokaburi! For nine days and nights I fought the demons who razed my village, resting only when the stench of their burning corpses filled the mountains of Suruga Province! For seven years I lived amongst the sohei of The Fortune of Emerald Song, leaving only once my Blackfist Style was strong enough to defeat the Iron Abbot!"</p>

<p>"You may think my words a shadow of my daughter's arrogance, but it is your sorcery that will be put to the test. Once one of these 'Ancient Ones' arrive, we shall see if you can produce more than talking skulls."</p>

<p>OoC: *bump* for a judge. <font color="red">(was it something I said?)</font></p>

 

[Rathan]

*A judge appers from a bright red light.... dressed in an all red robe with silver trim....*

"I shall judge if no one minds.... I've been out of commision for a while.. could use the practice....."


OOC: I warn you both now.. if I judge I'm only on at this time in the afternoons and late a night.... so the match may be a little slow... if this is no good for you two.. I would say find another judge....

 

[Rathan]

"An Inult anothers hand being blunt is on insult at all... but to insult someones glare... harsh indeed...... Insults to nekokaburi... you may set the lenth and type of match...."