|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:45 pm
Ivan wiped the heel of a palm over his face, breathing heavily. He hissed as it came away damp – whoever said this was the tailend of summer should be shot in the head. His shirt was plastered to his stomach; if anything he looked freshly showered. August – ******** August. He pulled his shoulders back, and squinted his one eye against the sky. No clouds from end to end, just the big fat sun lolling his tongue out.
Not one to be outdone, Ivan swallowed against the dryness of his mouth – three months in this hellhole and he'd gotten damned soft – and gave it the two-figured salute. “Screw you,” he spat, and there may have been more than one bewildered mother who gaped and steered their child away.
Sleeves and slacks stubbornly rolled down, 1PM in the afternoon with the sun directly overhead, Ivan was just finishing up a run. Not a getaway sprint either - a genuine, godforsaken jog in the peak of the hot spell. Insane? Maybe. Used to chilly nights in the cool underbelly of the city, Ivan was beating the heat the only way he knew how - by meeting it head-on and pummeling it into submission.
Which was why Ivan stood there now, a bubble of gawkers forming around him. Stopped in the middle of the street and right outside the shiny GYM complex - the automatic doors slid open every so often to release a blast of arctic air.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:04 am
Jacob strolled down the street, enjoying the last sweaty grip summer could have on the city before the cold of winter would begin to creep in. Still it was hot enough out that he felt that at some point in the very near future he'd seek out a place with air conditioning, and maybe something to drink? The shining building ahead, shouting with the word, "GYM" felt like it could be a good start, they had things like juice bars didn't they?
But as he got closer, he noticed the small crowd gathered around. What... was going on? Frowning he edged closer to get a better look at the man in the middle, clearly having a deep and probably intricate swearing battle with the sun. Before he could manage to hold his own tongue, Jake gave a slight chuckle and said, "You're going to have to yell much louder for it to hear you." Now common sense told him that a man dressed like that, doing that action, saying those words, with that look on his face probably shouldn't have been chided, but Jake was also the person who walked into a pyrotech piece as it exploded so... he wasn't what many would call a genius. Still his 6' 2" frame was a decent threat and he was no slouch at the gym himself.
Hearing his words, the crowd that happened to be near him slowly backed away to form a circle around the two of them... great.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:43 am
Ivan was in the middle of a choice expletive when he caught the low laugh, and paused to absorb the words that followed before hurling out the rest of it. Finished for the moment, he rested a casual hand on the brim of his cap, then pivoted with a squeak of his flip-flops (probably the only items that were suitable for the weather).
Now facing the man who'd spoken, Ivan stretched his lips in a slow, lopsided smile. Eye to eye, mano a mano; he did like that. He liked the look of this guy too, he decided. First, the size-up, a quick flick up and down, and knowing his scrutiny sent small animals running, Ivan tilted his head and did it again, narrowed gaze travelling from face to torso to legs... Then back up again.
Yep. Built like a ******** mountain.
"And who the hell are you?" he asked, syllables lengthening and rolling out of his mouth. He could feel the familiar itch buzzing like a mosquito gone under his skin. Maybe it was the heat (about time it was good for something). Maybe it was the crowd making its own tiny arena around them. Honestly. They all pretended to be sheep, but what sorta sheep salivated at the slightest whiff of blood? The more Ivan thought about it, the more he felt the sudden urge to laugh - and he'd never been one to control his urges. He threw back his head and let out a huffing bark.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:09 am
Hmmmm yeah, this was the direction Jake had been hoping to avoid but it seemed fate wouldn't have it. The man was well threatening to say the least and it looked like he had more than enough presence to back up his tough veneer. But the competitive and slightly smug side of Jake seemed to be poking through as he rolled his shoulders and gave the guy his own brand of a smile/sneer. "Jake Lightfeld. You?"
Damn him and his inability to keep his mouth shut, maybe Leon was right, he did talk too much. And let's give one hurrah for mob mentality as they people surrounding them seemed less and less like street side gawkers and more and more like gladiator ring attendees. All he'd wanted was a walk in the sun and maybe some A/C and a glass of good-for-you juice. Now he was in an arena with someone obviously spoiling for a fight.
A strange someone spoiling for a fight as the guy let out what could cautiously be called a laugh. Yes because street brawling was hilarious. Glancing left and right, Jake wondered if there was some way he could get out of this without wimping out. And as the 'man' equation goes, there definitely wasn't. At least none that he could think of at the time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:27 am
Feeling the slightly manic laughter start to wrack his body, and not wanting to ruin the experience before they even got started, Ivan crammed his knuckles against his mouth – breath and stomach convulsing as he bit down hard on the skin. 'Calm,' he thought, although his eye darted wildly, taking in snatches of harsh blue, ground, concrete. Calm, or the mood would carry him away. He'd done it before – gotten so hysterical at the promise of a good fight that it drove him to seizure, and he did so want a taste of this man – Lightfeld, was it? Jake Lightfeld.
The other man seemed to be one of those though – a raring pitbull at first instance, reconsidering the next. Ivan straightened as the last vestiges of trembling disappeared. 'Come on now, don't disappoint me...' Out of his habitual slouch Ivan seemed taller, but he still had nothing on Lightfeld. A 6ft something monster and he had the look of a guy who wanted to back out; Ivan stared right at him and mirrored the shoulder roll. See if he could get this puppy to snap.
“Ivan,” he supplied with a hint of teeth. “No fancy last name. You from around here, Jake?"
He punctuated the question with a lazy step to the left, the beginnings of a circling, if Lightfeld wanted it to be. If not... Well, Ivan could get his kicks somewhere else. That was the thing about living near SHIBUSEN. There were always suckers who didn't know how to pick their victims.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 2:49 am
Okay fine, he was going to try and play the nice guy, he did that pretty well, but this guy was obviously spoiling for a fight. Taking on a rather cocky pose that showed just how tall he was he smirked. "Oh I'm from near enough." Never mind that he'd only moved to Death City a week ago. "Ivan, you looking for trouble?" There was a faint touch of amusement to his voice. If they were gonna do this, they were gonna do it right.
Following the guy's lead, Jake took a slow step to the left and adjusted his stance to be prepared for anything. He'd bite his tongue in half before he ever said it aloud, but he really wished Leon were there. Nobody, and he meant nobody, could read a person as well as his Technician could. And right about then, he was dying for a good read out on the guy. He couldn't tell if this was just a barroom brawler or an actual trained fighter. And the situation would need to be approached in a different manner depending on that.
s**t he was beginning to think like his Tech, what a crock. Rolling his head on his neck to crack a few vertebrae he decided, <******** it, he'd have a street side brawl and be the better for it. He could take out some of his new found anger with being the new kid on this guy and go off feeling better. He had a feeling that a guy like Ivan would find the fight mutually satisfying.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:50 am
Mm. Ivan let his hands drop to hang loose at his sides, legs tensing as if to counteract the movement. The fish was biting - now to land the sucker. No use in thinking deep thoughts - they only dulled the blade - and in the time it took to consider crossing a multi-lane highway someone'd creep behind you and crack your skull open. Ivan preferred to leap, and if he was unlucky enough to get grazed by a motorbike or semi-trailer, so ******** what.
The mammoth was speaking now, and Ivan pricked his ears to listen, grin taking over his mouth as Lightfeld's words penetrated the haze of anticipation, still set at low boil - but getting there. Was Ivan looking for trouble? "What can I say," he breathed, almost a low purr, pitched just loudly enough to carry over the murmur of the onlookers. "I attract all kinds."
He watched as the man put on a display like a mama lion, half in admiration, half in scorn - puffing up he usually never bothered with - but they did have an audience, and Ivan could appreciate a good show. Pleasantly warmed up from the run, he arched his back in a feline stretch, ignoring the way his shirt clung wetly to his to shoulders. When it came to a fight, Ivan was always ready; his mindset wasn't ever very far removed from that place at any time. Intent on a decent round, his body was already shifting towards a light probe. Reflex test. Ivan looked like a dumb cur and most of the time he was, but he was also a decent brawler and only dumbasses went in blind. He shuffled his toes further into his flip-flops. That was the only warning Lightfeld got before Ivan pounced, closing the distance in a heartbeat and knee snapping out in a semi-serious strike.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:38 pm
Jake had but moments to switch from posturing to defense. His eyes flashed and narrowed as the man came flying in for an attack. ******** he was fast, he felt his side jerk as the other's knee connected with a glancing blow. Using the momentum, Jake slid back a few feet and regained his footing. Okay so it was going to be something he'd actually have to be thought into. That was fine, he'd been his fair share of fights. Still couldn't get a read on the guy though.
Shifting his center of gravity, Jake bent his knees and took on a classic fighter's stance. He wasn't going to take chances, the last thing he needed was another broken nose. Though even at this point he wasn't sure if he would walk away from this one unscathed. Well, no use crying over it now, time to move on.
Grinning in his slightly smug manner, he brushed his nose with his thumb and whispered to himself, "Alright, time to let loose. Never let myself do this enough." Flexing his toes inside his boots, he lunged forward, body turning tightly, he thrust out a fist in a fast backhanded knuckle punch. And maybe it was the unruly rock star left over in him, but to anyone watching, there was a gleam of sadistic glee shining in his eye and his mouth was curved into what could only be called a smirk.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 am
Glorious. Ivan retracted the leg, skidding backwards with recoil. He'd gone with half-strength and Lightfeld didn't even look winded, plus the man had about as much give as a brick wall. Test passed. Ivan cut a grin. Even if Lightfeld just stood there he might give Ivan a good workout – ******** solid punching bag – nothing like the wimpy combat training for unpaireds they had in SHIBUSEN. The focus was on wishy-washy spirit bullshit, and Ivan didn't give a damn about any sort of force you couldn't reach out and crush someone with. His body was the only WEAPON he needed.
Now to see if Lightfeld could give as good as he got. Low to the ground, knees bent, he'd adopted your typical form. It didn't tell Ivan anything - but maybe this next bit would. He felt more than saw the fist coming, stood his ground with time to dodge and chose to absorb the blow. His left arm took most of the impact, shockwaves shooting down. So. Lightfeld was a big guy, and he might just have something other than pure muscle and height. An edge. Call it instinct, bloodthirst. Ivan could see it now – clear as ******** day – in the crazed glint in Leon's eyes.
Good. Ivan's smile was feral, latching onto Lightfeld's outstretched arm with his injured one and returning the favour with his right. He didn't want to be the only one enjoying himself after all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:16 pm
< ended due to inactivity >
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
