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

Shou Ren twists his body as he soars through the air, altering his trajectory sufficiently to avoid being skewered. The blade barely nicks him, staining itself with blood along a few inches beneath its tip, as it continues its lazy arc through the thick sea air.

The wizard thuds against the ground, then rolls spryly to his feet. “Very good,” he rasps in reply to Nekokaburi’s oration, “my little samurai. But what are your centuries and your generations to me? Your blade now bears my taint, and it shall never be removed.” He raises his hands and begins to chant the words of a spell. The blood on the sword begins to glow a dull, sullen red, the only color visible beneath the leaden moon, and swirls into strange, mazelike patterns upon the blade. The sword hesitates for a moment; and then, it begins to dance.

The wind sighs as the sword spins and whirls in gyrating arcs, its edge flashing with starlight, tracing a labyrinthine path through the air between the two combatants. Its movements seem hauntingly familiar to Nekokaburi, and it takes him only a moment to recognize them: these are the katas of the Blackfist Style, the elegant techniques of his ancestors, echoed by the blade with gleaming, inhuman grace.

As the wizard chants, the blade moves faster and faster, singing as it carves the salty air. For a moment, the wind and sea grow quiet, as if even the elements were hypnotized by the beauty of the dance. Then he reaches forth into the maze of its movements, and the air ripples as it does in a desert’s heat. The sword continues to dance, but it seems strangely diminished, as if seen from a distance. It continues to dwindle, taking on a translucent sheen, until the wizard, uttering the final word of his incantation, enfolds it in one gauntleted fist.

Chuckling, Shou Ren opens his hand; the transformed blade glitters there, a glassy thing, shrunken to no more than a dagger by his arts. “The honor of a samurai,” he says, “is such a fragile thing, when it is invested in an object. Much like this.” And with that, he clenches his fist upon the blade. It seems to shriek as it fractures within his grasp; but then he tightens his grip, and it gives way in silence. When he opens his hand, nothing remains of the sword but pebbles and grit, a powdery residue much like desert sand, which sifts through his fingers and drifts away on the wind.

The dagger becomes one with the desert; redirects the beauty of the maze!
 

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*Rathan Claps as he gives Nekokaburi a small smile.....*

"Well done warrior.... you finally have some luck in this match.... lets see if you can keep it going.......

Point Nekokaburi


Two Flags Shou Ren , Three Flags Neutral
 

Nekokaburi dips his head and raises his hands clasped in the Sun and Moon symbol in acknowledgement of Rathan's words.

<font color="gray">OoC: I don't mean to sound like a sore winner, Ciaran, but given that it's part of the aesthetic of my character, isn't trying to destroy my sword outright a bit harsh without asking me first OoC?</font>
 
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(OoC: I have no objection to your getting your sword back. For my part, I’d like to ask that you desist from spelling out the actual effects of your attacks on your opponent, which is against the YB! Rules of Etiquette.

As this match is turning out to be more time-consuming and more stressful than anticipated, I’d like to request OoC that we move into Sudden Death. I don’t have the energy to keep churning out these long screeds every turn. Since I’m ahead on points right now anyway, this only decreases my chances of winning, so I hope it isn’t a problem. Please let me know what you think.)
 

All OoC...

Ciaran said:
(OoC: I have no objection to your getting your sword back. For my part, I’d like to ask that you desist from spelling out the actual effects of your attacks on your opponent, which is against the YB! Rules of Etiquette.

In all seriousness, which in which posts did you feel I was guilty of this? ("The topaz wolf lies within the foothills; grasps the quickening of the grass and brilliantly dodges the speed of the tides!" and the last post?) While we're on that note, though - isn't your last post doing the same thing?

I've made a conscious effort throughout to try to avoid that, (read through the Etiquette rules before signing up) but if I've missed the mark I apologise.

Originally posted by Ciaran As this match is turning out to be more time-consuming and more stressful than anticipated, I’d like to request OoC that we move into Sudden Death. I don’t have the energy to keep churning out these long screeds every turn. Since I’m ahead on points right now anyway, this only decreases my chances of winning, so I hope it isn’t a problem. Please let me know what you think.) [/B]

Your goodwill means more than the victory in the match, so I'd prefer to concede the match to you. In all fairness, I've been a bit of an ass, and I appreciate the chance to duel you. It's been a learning experience.

Conceding the match to you is also the fairest thing to do, with you ahead on points currently.

If that's OK with you, then I'll wrap up with my next post.
 
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nekokaburi said:
In all seriousness, which in which posts did you feel I was guilty of this? ("The topaz wolf lies within the foothills; grasps the quickening of the grass and brilliantly dodges the speed of the tides!" and the last post?) While we're on that note, though - isn't your last post doing the same thing?
Oh, I’m also guilty of violating the game etiquette rules. I got a little cranky and overreacted, but of course two wrongs don’t make a right.

As to which posts I’m looking at, it’s all of them after the first one; you’re not supposed to describe the effects of your attack, and so it’s appropriate to stop just before your attack would hit. Then again, my very first post could be construed as a violation of the rule, so who am I to talk? Let’s just let it lie.

(Style matches can be more trouble than they’re worth, eh?)

nekokaburi said:
Your goodwill means more than the victory in the match, so I'd prefer to concede the match to you. In all fairness, I've been a bit of an ass, and I appreciate the chance to duel you. It's been a learning experience.

Conceding the match to you is also the fairest thing to do, with you ahead on points currently.

If that's OK with you, then I'll wrap up with my next post.
I wouldn’t say you’ve been an ass. I’d chalk this whole thing up to that weird sort of personality conflict you only get in RPGs; both of our characters are obnoxious, and I expect that we’ve let that rub off on us OoC.

In any case, since I haven’t actually won, I suspect that it would be more appropriate for us to call it a draw. On the other hand, if you want to concede the match, I won’t complain. :) It’s up to you.

- Eric
 

Nekokaburi remains facing away from the sorceror, staring at the patch of ground before him as the last remnants of his sword disappear into the darkness of night. He mutters to himself, barely audible.

"Now I understand... 'on a wind of lotus petals, the blade of your family will come to the house of your style'."

He turns to face Shou Ren, his face more solemn than angry.

"This fight is over, sorceror. I cannot hope to follow the path of honor when I have faced you with none. You were right. The honor of a samurai is a fragile thing - if I were true to the spirit of my ancestors, your magic could not have tarnished its steel, let alone destroyed it. Until my honour is greater than a peasant's, I shall use a peasant's weapon."

"We will fight again. When I have founded my own dojo, I will come for you, Shou Ren, and we will settle this. Do not look for me before then."

"Do not think because I do not attack you now that the slight you have made upon the honor of my family is insignificant or forgotten. When I come for you, I will give no quarter and ask none."

Nekokaburi turns to Rathan, bowing low and raising his hands clasped in the Sun and Moon symbol in respect.

"I have not acted in a manner worthy of the Ancient Ones, Rathan-sama. I apologise most humbly for this offense."

<font color="gray">OoC: I leave the final decision in your hands, Rathan. Many thanks for judging, and apologies for the hassles.</font>
 

"Your words are true and honorable Nekokaburi... but this desision must be yours... you needed to choose one or the other.. do you accept the draw... or concede to Shou Ren??"


OOC: sorry it took so long to post but it's up to you Nekokaburi weather or not to accept the draw or concede....:)
 


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