Duelist League: Shenmi v Soujiro

Place: The fields near Alne
Time: High Noon
Artists: Draw

Soujiro is casually on the chimlink, talking to a Shenmi, as he goes through the motions of constant training. Today's challenge is to find large boulders in the field and cleave them in two. If you find the opening thread, all that is left is to strike. He permits that the lower level monsters target and attack him, giving an opportunity for his precious cluck clucks to intercept. It isn't going so well. They lack the bravery, after all they are a little chicken. "Next time," he reassures a Cluck Cluck that /tries/ to intercept but it only equates to flapping its wings. The samurai takes chip damage as a red line goes across his chest. Meanwhile the blow against that pesky rock causes it to shatter, much to the intimidation of the field gnoll that too a nibble out of the swordsman. It flees.

"Shenmi," the blue haired fighter says with a smile even as he uses the system, "I have a deeper appreciation for the bond you have with your companion while working on this technique." He lowers himself down to his hard working Clucks, giving them each a pet to let them know they are perfect the way they are. In the end it may require a swarm of the Clucks to get the same result.

"Worry not, young man. I can sense it in you, you have all it takes to succeed: determination without fanaticism, volition without coercion, presence of spirit yet capability to leave others room, and most importatnyl, not being above bribing creatures with delicious treats," Shenmi comments, as his mind anders back to his own training of Bao. Oh, how enriching that experience was (for the local greengrocer).

It is not long after that that chim talk becomes unnecessary, by virtue of Shenmi strolling into the area, hands in his pocket, casually. As soon as he spots Soujiro, he stops in place, and emits a low hummmm, and scratches his goatee. "No, no, this won't do. Let do this over from the start. Ahem."

SMOKE BOMB! Or something pretty close to it. Shenmi's location is suddenly enveloped by a thick gray cloud, and his projected voice comes loud and clear, "Prepare to be amazed, astonished, astounded! For today, the one and only Shenmi Jingren, Master of Misdirection, Weaver of Wonders, shall treat you to a spectacle most unique!"

He steps out from the cloud, arms crossed on his chest, looking down to present the top of his hat to the viewer. "If you believed you have a grip on reality, think again, for today your convictions shall be shaken at the very core. I will be your guide in this phantasmagorical journey to the blurry lines of demarcation between reality and illusion; together we'll question the limits of your own understanding, eperience vertigo as we reframe the foundations of experience, and-"

He looks up, with a grin, and from his apparently empty fists, a deck of cards fans out in each hand. "-well, use that for combat training purposes. That's why we're here today, isn't it?"

"And he can tell that just by looking at him." Not involved directly in the duel Daiyu has taken a spot on the figurative sidelines to sit and watch, parasol resting on one shoulder as usual. This was her 'casual' posture... and yet not without being able to defend herself. Many people had learned that parasol was not as innocent as it appeared to be.

"And don't even bother trying to tell him not to do a stage introduction," she adds, tails curling around the base of her seat. "If *I* could not get him to break that habit..." Pause. "... And we are accustomed to such duels being in an Arena with an audience, some manner of performance art is still suitable. Need to keep the crowd engaged."

She's here as much to see what her new ally is capable of and what her old friend has done in her absence, as to learn of this method of enacting duels in general.

Soujiro Seta was not expecting a personal cheerleader to show up as he listens to Daiyu elaborate over the former partner's mannerisms, "I bet he appreciates all the support you are giving him today! Being cheered on for the sidelines is a recipe for giving it your all." The samurai uses a calm kind of energy, as if his words were clenching a fist in Naruto level bravado while his body is not wasteful. That energy needs to go to training.

"Treats?" Souji asks Shenmi as he had a moment to digest the topic. Notably while there is smoke all around him from the previous bomb. He considers what kind of treats work as rewards for a Cluck Cluck in order of thinking of each one individiually. Bekaw likes rice but Alice doesn't, she prefers corn. Of course Cindy isn't food motivated and would prefer head pats. The samurai's fist slaps an open hand. "Of course!" he says. It is like swordsmanship! Just like your center of gravity, your footwork, and the motion of your arms are all part of the execution of a technique, so too is the execution of a treat-based positive reinforcement for the Clucks.

"I don't know about any of that, Shenmi. My grip on the present is strong enough to hold safe those that I care about, so it won't be shaken easily by illusions," the samurai says as the cluck clucks cluck in excitement. Daiyu is joined by a few rogue Lander women, junior Adventurers, and one mallard. "So if you have a lesson to teach," he slides back into a loose 'L' stance in his Edo period kimono, "I'm excited to see it." Hearing about it doesnt feel the same as experiencing it. And with that, Souji gives the duel invitation out. Katanas are still sheathed, but they are just as dangerous in that state as they are brandished.

"That, young man, remains to be seen," Shenmi grins.

His arms swipe open, his cards are shot out, fifty two rectangles from each hand, exploding in a radial direction, leaving a trail of flame in their wake.

The trails form a criss-cross pattern, describing a sphere, the flames making it look like the duo is inside a ball of yarn, the Conjurer at one end, the trails of flame weaving the patterns of the strings on the surface (but, oddly enough, seen from the inside), widening out, then converging towards Soujiro to complete the sphere. As they zip closer and closer, one can see that, paradoxically, they are encased in ice, their coating growing larger and colder with the attrition.

Soujiro Seta anchors his stance as one foot cuts behind his body. There is distance between them and the swordsman isnt known to use ranged combat often. Blue eyes watch the cards as if they were a swarm of bees unleashed at him. He draws out one of his katanas at the last moment, cleaving through one set of the cards as his second draw cleaves through a second set. The attack bypasses his parry and connects with his chest in a juxtaposition of thermal elements crackling away his health bar. When the dust settles, Souji's eyes look different. Focused. He heals with pure fighting spirit alone, the sword saint vaulting towards Shenmi to begin an exchange of blows marked by white steel in singular strength.

Having seen Soujiro in training previously Daiyu is unsurprised by the entourage... though the mallard is new. Is it following the samurai, or the cluck clucks following him. They will likely never know.

"Cheerlead," Daiyu pauses to sip some tea, "And make sure he has kept up to some degree of capability in my absence." Of course the tea is offered to the other ladies as well. Not that Daiyu can brew tea herself but she made sure to get it from someone with the actual Brew skill than bother with the bland menu version. That would be beneath a lady of her... well the stature she presents herself in, at least.

"Still using the modified card tricks, though." She's amused, but also appreciative of the display. "Not many people would -expect- cards to be dangerous."

Though even unexpected Soujiro handles the attack with determination and launches quickly into his own. "Though you don't need to fall for illusions for them to still be effective," she notes to no one in particular, and sips again. She doesn't feel a need to explain farther, Shenmi will likely do so himself soon enough.

"Cards. They have elevated and ruined many a man," Shenmi declaims in response to Daiyu. "So harmless alone, but once in a pack-"

As Soujiro approaches, Shenmi doffs his hat, and with one swift sweep, twirls it so that the opening faces Soujiro.

The rim is held tight, like a steering wheel, and-

BANG! The force with which Bao, in a little 1970s stuntman suit (white, with glittering stars and helmet and chinstrap and all) is shot at Soujiro's face is revealed by the amount of recoil Shenmi has to take from his headgear.

The bun-bun is not the only projectile from the improvised weapon, no: instead of a ring of smoke, a rapidly expanding ring of fire is also shot at Soujiro, immediately behind the animal companion; it wobbles, like a fast-forward ring of smoke, slightly off-center, so, once Bao hits Soujiro's face, it will hopefully be harder to predict it exact trajectory.

Oh, of course, there's also a shower of sparks and colorful beams of Light. Because, SHOWBIZ! The audience likes it big, and likes it loud.

Soujiro Seta's advance is marked by relentlessness and speed in equal measures. Both measuring samurai out of ten with crisp, steely eyes against the showy stage and assault. It is as if he could stride against sandstorms, blizzards, and even a bunnystorm. The flat of one of his katana's comes up, pressing in a straight deflection to the stuntman assistant. It looks like an act of mercy if not for the measurement of returning the bun back as if they were playing tennis. Back towards the fire, to which the fast-step samurai approaches in the wake of the tennis-ball-bunny in a strong, albiet distracting, blow. His garbs blaze with that of fire from the fringe of the attacks, giving him a burning streak until he is face to face.

Fwoosh. The metallic glow of Souji's katana comes down hard and fast. It is graceful enough to not displace the air around it and strong enough to cleave boulders as the surrounding field rocks can testify. It is a constant pursuit now, keeping pressure on so the gap between ranged and close combat is a small one. His attacks are not overly showy, providing a contrast to Shenmi's stage performance, but have a quiet and /intense/ grace to them befitting of the indominable spirit of the Japanese Samurai.

"Nothing up my sleeves!" Shenmi declares, as he tugs on his cuffs and lets the Samurai approach, and the bun fly back at him, unconcerned at the small loss of HP caused by the shared health pool. Until the last minute, that is, when he spins on one foot, in a sort of sideways dance. He throws his arm out every time one of his sides faces Souji; from the general wrist area, long strands of handkerchiefs tied togeher shoot out, left, right, forming a mesh; they soon also raise from the ground, a tangled network of colorful, distracting ready to slow down anone, catch on feet, and provide a safe landing structure for Bao, which bounces from rope to rope.

It is when he passes behind a particularly tangled mass of handkerchiefs that they all begin to writhe at once. Binders!

Strangely, they wrap against Shenmi as well, engulfing him and-

...falling down? He's gone?

So it would appear, but Soujiro will find a fireball coming for him out of left field...

Daiyu meanwhile has just been sitting back watching, and occasionally chatting with the samurai's entourage while sharing her tea. Though most of the ladies are more interested in watching Soujiro... honestly are they even watching the fight? Or just watching him, because it's him. Landers. Go figure.

Though as Shenmi pulls more tricks out of his hat, both literally and metaphorically depending on the point of the match they're in, the hulijing smirks a little. "Not the cleanest execution but he's done well to accomidate his performance art into defending himself." Pauses for a sip of tea. "Might still need a few refreshers though."

One of the nice things about Soujiro's entourage is that they are extremely welcoming. They may stop to watch the duel, but they are just as interested in Daiyu. What do you use on your tail to get such a nice coat? What kind of tea is that? Have you tried this? There is a sale on earrings in Shibuya! And also new wood chairs. The energy is infectious towards that of a sorority with S S S as their motto (Sword Saint Souji).

The bout has reached its midway point. There are matches that are two glass cannons fire against each other. There are matches that are two turtles staring at each other. This is somewhere in the middle as the two exchange our a series of attacks that are met with near-equal levels of evasion, deflection, or retaliation. Shenmi would launch a volley of ice rain, but Souji would lightning step ahead of the barrage. A dash-in Lanius capture to stun Shenmi is countered with a disappearing act that keeps the strike from landing so soundly. Even the more punishing attacks that open up against Souji appeared to be countered by the Dauntless spirit that pulls from deep wells of determination to shrug off the magical assault and showmanship.

The tension keeps mounting in a 'who will take the lead' tight duel. These are the ones that keep the audience interested. It appears as if the first opening is going to go Souji. It isn't his heavy katana swings. It is his posture that does it. It is his footing. A sure step through a barrage of burst shots that get him in range for a melee attack. It seems like it will continue as normal but /something/ changes. Intuition? Future sight? Hard to say but the swing utilizes both of his katanas, making a showy flourish difficult to mitigate the full effect of his sanctified strike.

And the amount of misdirection, it is staggering. Shenmi makes it always hard to predict what is going to happen, what he's -actually- up to. That slash at the Conjurer's shoulder? It wasn't supposed to chop his arm off. But it did! Wait, are arms supposed to clatter to the ground? They are, if they're wooden arms, as this one is. Like the second wooden arm that descends from the opposite direction to hit Soujiro. This one is parried and detached as well!

But what nobody usually expects is a third and fourth arm to stick out from inside one's jacket.

This gives Shenmi enough time to gain distance, and spread his arms, up at an angle, in a "Y" position of sorts. "Ladies and Gentleman!", he declaims. "A moment of attention please!" Inhale, grin. "Back in Kallamore, I met an Adventurer from what, in the World of Adventurers, was a faraway Land." Gotta make it understandable to the Landers in the audience. "He told me his story: he came from a city named "Las Vegas." It is very similar to Kallamore in this world. Full of light and gambling establishments, and enjoyment all over." Pause, let that settle. The audience looks ready, continue. "And he told me that, over there, they have a symbol: a majestic bird that is iconic of his country, that can be seen all over the place, and makes any of its citizens think of home. Based on his stories, I created something special for you: an artistic representation of this symbol uniting two worlds:"

He stretches his neck, arches it, bends a large part of his body to look like a "S" shape of sorts, in profile. Positions his legs like some certain metal bars.

"Behold, the -lawn flamingo-, which named a famous casino in his world, and also a similar establishment in Lumina Cloth!"

Well, seems like Shenmi got trolled by that Adventurer back in the Palace Lands.

Shenmi appears to burst into flames, and the outer shell of flame expands, in the shape of the iconic Lawn Flamingo. It's even a similar color. As he does so, he also fans out a bunch of cards from each hand. All of those *EXPLODE*, the flames ready to be sucked by Soujiro's katanas as they impact, and the cards flying like a swarm of insects, sharp and dangerous.

One does not expect a mere flaming bird to appear! Ask Haru! The iconic casino flamingo is just as pink and painful as losing your wages. Lost Wages, Nevada.

After a series of getting burned that has Souji's health bar looking into its last third, the samurai lowers himself into a 'Ill Finish This In One Blow' stance. What does someone do when they get in the Might Morphing Samurai Rangers stance? You shoot them. You shoot them before they are done their coreographed dance moves. By this time Souji has seen all of the moves from Shenmi. He has seen how an Animal Companion can be used to protect him, the big crux of the duel, and he has learned a series of illusion misdirects and what to look for. It isnt something that one 'learns' so much as Souji brings it into his instincts. The stance isn't that he wishes to end the fight, no, he has been enjoying every moment of it. Ending the fight, win or lose, is a bad thing to him. However this is the final test. This is the FINAL LESSON. Time to put it all together.

He waits for the next high energy showmanship, for the burning of a fireball. Then he is off. Don't blink, or you'll miss it. In a clean line he ends up on the other side of Shenmi, the slash wave of a Vengeance Samurai counterattack unleashed at full force.

Nobody expects the Nevada Inquisition! But Souji does expect the Kallamore Fireball. And possibly the flamingo. Which is not a real fire bird, just the empty, artificial, inanimate shell of one, like the garden variety (plastic) it is inspired by.

So, when, after a pregnant pause, all of them come at once, and more, Souji might know it's the time to act: cards all over the place, exploding into fireworks, -forming- the fireball as they burst into flames, in a call-back to the opening, light sparkling all over the place, a multi-layered fountain of knotted handkerchief, like a musical act!

Which it is: Shenmi is playing a triumphal tune on a kazoo, and what is most unnerving about it, it sounds -good-. This is not supposed to happen. Someone must be breaking the Law of Alba, somewhere.

It's a flight, the calculated economy of movement and focus of the Edo Period Samurai versus the all-in splurge of special effects budget of the Consummate Showman on the other.

It's a split second, the screen goes black, and a bright swipe in the shape of a crescent interlocks with sparks and fireworks.

Then the screen cuts to a wide shot of the field, the two combatants standing, crouched, at opposite ends, barely identifiable as silhouettes among the boulders.

Silence.

Then, the first one to fall, is a boulder.

Then another boulder, and another, and another, and another.

Last of all, Shenmi flops to the ground face-first; his hat rolls out, to describe an arc; Bao's nose twitches outwards from the opening, tentative; a couple of hops, and the little bunny begins to gnaw on a nearby root.

"You got me well, there," he says, his voice almost gone by now as he lays face-down on the floor, over the flashing interface declaring Soujiro the victor and what must be the accompanying sound effects of the Duel System of Root Towns -- likely some sort of fanfare. "It shows you're someone who's been training for a while!"

But despite being low on energy and knowning his HP was about to go in the red in a matter of seconds, he just -had- to shoot cards out to cut down those boulders.

Because you just don't rein in that sense for theatrics.