Bread and Brawn (Open to up to 2)

[David B.]

Grinning as the big man took his shirt, David would look over his shoulder and bring up his leg in a feat of his flexibility, planting to foot on top of the beam and pushing downward to smash it into the cement. Twirling his form, he would lift the man who was holding him so he could turn with him. He would push the mans body into the attacker who planned on grabbing at random parts of him, running to force both men backward until they hit a wall.

He wouldn't continue the assault there- he could have kicked the man in the chest and blew them both through the wall. But he didn't want to damage the property, or their forms. He would twist the males arm so it was forced off of him, waiting for continued assaults from behind.

"Looks like I'll be taking her head after all."

Just to piss them off a little more.

This time, he would wait to receive some punishment. Lets see what they would do to spare their leader.

[Kyrie Blaze]

'...no interference unless David's life comes to be in danger...'

The silent promise was made to herself for many reasons, none the least of which was that the Crows didn't need to know she was there. She didn't want to strain this connection. The Crows were a valuable ally...and even though she had figured Delilah to be a woman of her word, she wasn't leaving the Storm Dragon's fate to her alone. There was a certain amount of trust, but not that much. And There would be blood, most likely, if something happened to him--training the best of Delilah's unit or not.

She swapped to Delilah's shadow after their plan was agreed upon. And even though Kyrie was watching, she nearly missed the second exchange, as it happened that fast. But she made it back into David's shadow - hence, probably, the niggling sensation coming back as it had - and was content to bide her time.

[Delilah A. Black]

Delilah watched without opening her eyes, listening to the combat and seeing it take place in her minds eye. She tried not to smile. It sounded like David was having fun. The raven haired woman thought about jumping in there. She certainly could. If she was 'unconscious' any longer, it might signal brain damage. That was one of the last things she wanted her team worrying about. But still...they needed to learn to fight without her. And David was as good an opponent as any to learn from. So she would remain where she was for now. Though it sounded to her ears as though some of the Crow's army was approaching.

"Looks like I'll be taking her head after all."

And thus were the Tengu further antagonixed. Nick and Cain were slumped against the wall, coughing from the impact and more than a little dazed. Birch, having lost his staff (and grinning like a maniac) launched himself at David in a style rather similar to Delilahs, aiming pinpoint strikes for pressure points to cause maximum pain and damage.

He knew this might be futile. He knew this man was way stronger than them. But his mind was working quickly and he had a feeling this man was not all that he seemed. Why hadn't he killed them already if he was so strong? He had a Qi, why didn't he use it? He had knocked out Delilah with a single punch...that was a damn accomplishment. And they were far weaker than she was.

So, why was he holding back?

As he struck, he would speak in a singsong voice while Nick and Talon came in from behind, seeking to grab the man (who was hopefully very distracted with Birch attacking him and Heather and Sergei darting all over the place to fire their rounds of ammunition), "Is it her head you're after, mate, or is it something a little south o' the border?" a strike aimed at the liver, then the center of the throat. Birch was almost laughing now. "A hole's a hole, right? I don't think Barker differentiates between a woman and you when he plugs his pencil dick up your ass."

Delilah had to squeeze her eyes shut at that, trying not to laugh. Oh God, Birch...

[David B.]

David laughed, dropping to the ground as the three of them attacked at once, spinning 360 degrees with his leg out to knock them all off their feet and onto their asses. He would stare down at Birch.

"Hey now- Barker's not got a pencil. Try a pinky finger."

He grinned. He would dodge the attacking projectiles, launching himself at the female "archer". He would throw an uppercut into her stomach, but wouldn't let her be thrown away- he'd grab her and hurl her at the other "archer" male. He would grin.

"Wow. You guys aren't bad at all. Good teamwork, a steady flow of projectiles and attack patterns. You surge at once, good medium ranges. Now to test you with a commanding officer."

He stared at Delilahs form, dropping the charade. It would be obvious by the lack of response to the goading, and plus, he wanted them to see the different in their attack patterns. As a new age spartan, David was a warrior used to overbearing numbers. Plus, with Delilah, he would take more damage, and make them feel more successful.

[Delilah A. Black]

Talon, Nigel and Birch all had their legs go out from under them as David dropped for a sweep. Talon and Nigel both did the best break-fall they could, hitting the cement with a loud SLAP as their arms absorbed the shock of their falls with a wince, then getting their legs under them and rising to a crouch. Birch, on the other hand, was able to get his feet under him before he hit the ground, landing in a low crouch before bouncing upright, stumbling. He looked down at himself. He'd never managed to do that before. It was so alarming that he almost missed it when their opponent said Barker was even smaller than Birch had dramatized.

Heather blinked as...DAVID was suddenly in front of her. The realization of who the man was, was so surprising that she forgot to let the little shiv slip out of her sleeve to plunge into the man's throat. And then she was airborne, managing an apologetic look for Sergei as he caught her and they both fell back in a heap.

"Wow. You guys aren't bad at all. Good teamwork, a steady flow of projectiles and attack patterns. You surge at once, good medium ranges. Now to test you with a commanding officer."

"If you insist."

The Tengu blinked as one and looked over to Delilah who sat up and gave a cheery wave to her team. Birch looked back at the man they fought, grinning and laughing. "I KNEW IT!"

Delilah rolled forwards onto her feet, grinning broadly at David. She began giving orders through signals, not even sign language. A brush of her hand against her pant leg, smoothing her hair, dusting off both shoulders at once, popping her knuckles, scuffing her boot on the ground as she stepped forward. They had their orders.

Now that they knew what the game was, the Tengu relaxed somewhat. They still knew this man could kill them if he wanted to, so their guard was up. But now they knew their leader was alright, and she was fighting alongside them. They felt...emboldened. They moved as Delilah gave her orders; Birch picked up his staff again, twirling it in his hands almost lazily, rolling it over his shoulders, around his waist without missing a beat. Still grinning.

Nigel and Talon moved towards Sergei and Heather respectively. Nick and Cain fanned out, hands raised in defensive stances. Shortly, the Tengu had surrounded David; Clockwise from the "twelve" position (behind David) were Cain, Sergei, Nigel, Birch, Heather, Talon, and Nick. They would progress forward threateningly, Delilah still several paces behind her team, still smiling at David.

She dragged the toe of her boot behind her as she walked, loudly. The Tengu surged.

Cain Birch and Nick all moved forward from their positions, attacking at the same time, but separately. Nick threw a dive roll, coming up in front of David, throwing a baseball bat kick for his left leg and a series of fast jabs and crosses for his midsection, leading up to his face for a left hook if he went uninterrupted. If and once he was dealt with, Cain would be there immediately on his back left, going for a choke. Moments later, Birch would use the staff to try and hit the back of David's knees, to bring him down.

Meanwhile, Sergei and Heather would be running in opposite directions, firing where there was a space, getting in close so the bolts could really hit home. Nigel and Talon moved slower, distracting circles on the inner ring while the sharpshooters ran behind them; if David went for either Sergei or Heather, he would have to deal with the two large, muscular men first.

The moment there was an opening, however, say if David hit two of the three on the innermost track (Cain, Birch and Nick) at the same time, this would unleash not only a barrage of ball bearings on that side, but should he pull back to dodge, he would be met with Delilah herself.

It would be a simple, quick attack, designed to incapacitate. Usually it was a neck break or an arm lock followed by a knee to the face. But she and David were play-fighting. They could go hard...well, almost as hard as they wanted to without actually doing damage. But that still left a few things that she couldn't do. Like eye gouging, for instance. Instead, if she wound up behind him, she would aim a kick for the back of his knees, followed by a palm to his forehead to ride him down to the ground before leaping back and away, if she could. If she found herself somewhere in front of him, it would be a fast jab to the face, followed by a knee to the stomach which would then lift into a roundhouse kick for his face as she twisted her body away from him. If it connected and she wasn't prevented, she would leap aside.

[David B.]

David cracked his neck, before slowly removing his jacket. He let out a deep breath before waving them forward lazily, as though welcoming thei attacks- like he was lookin' forward to that shit.

And by God, he was.

He took every hit. Every punch. Every blow. He fell to his knees. Two projectiles struck his right ribcage. Another his him in the left side of the jaw. He was slammex into the earth by Delilah. He had a blood trail coming from hjs mouth as he rolled over, laughing. They hit him good. He could have struck back- could have hurt them. But he wanted to see what they had. As they started to back off, he'd throw an open palm in the air.

"Where you all going so soon?"

He would slowly start clenching his fist. Air within a thirty foot radius would suck inward at a violent pace, toward his slowly clenching hand. Anyone within that radius would find themselves pulled inward, sucked like a vacuum toward Davids hand. As they got within three feet, his fist would clench, and a thud to the air, like an explosion without sound, burst outward, and would blow away anyone caught within the ten foot blast zone. Anyone inside a twenty foot blast zone would be knocked off their feet. Anyone at thirty feet would feel like they got punched in the chest before it dissipated.

No lasting damage, as David severely reduced the power of his new technique, the compression grenade. He would slowly stand to his feet, grinning, waiting for the others.

OOC:

Within ten feet:

Only those with 50+ charisma can resist being blown off away with the force of a wreckingball.

Twenty feet:

35 charisma avoid getting knocked on their ass, like a kick from a horse.

Thirty feet:

Those with 20 charisma avoid getting the wind knocked out of them, and instead feel some discomforting pain in their joints.

[Delilah A. Black]

The Tengu backed off, just slightly and at the ready as Delilah moved in for the finish. It was how they operated; hit the target hard and fast and disappear. They looked at each other, though, as they realized that the man hadn't hit them once...or tried to, for that matter. He raised a hand into the air and only Delilah's eyes widened as she knew what was about to happen.

But before she could order her troops back, they were sucked inward. Heather screamed in alarm and they would all try their best to avoid being pulled towards David, but to no avail. They got within three feet and Delilah saw that his fist began to close.

In truth, she had no idea what was about to happen. She only made lightning quick decisions based on what was happening. Air was being drawn towards him, collecting in or around his clenching hand. Drawing them close. Fuck. This would be bad for her team. She couldn't afford to have all of them injured. She knew what she had to do. God, this is going to huuuurt.

"DOWN!"

Her team dropped automatically at the order as Delilah threw herself at David, letting herself be pulled towards him and activating her Qi as high as it would go. It covered her whole abdomen and face, permeating down to the bone. Risking her legs to exposure, she made an effort for the Qi to cover her internal organs as well as she folded his arm against her chest.

Only she, with her metallic Qi, would be strong enough to withstand the compressed air hitting her full force. Her team might not suffer any long term injuries from the shock, but even a day or two of rest was too long. She would be able to take it. She had to.

Delilah was their leader, after all.

BLAM!!

An explosion of air sent Delilah flying, though she would have absorbed most of the force of the 'grenade' by surrounding it. Still, as she was thrown off, the men and woman present would also be knocked back a ways, rolling on the ground for a few feet before they came to a rest, trying to catch their breath.

Delilah would land with a thud some thirty feet away, the range of the explosion. Her Qi receeded at once as she lay there, struggling to breathe, in huge amounts of pain despite her best efforts. It hurt more than it should have. About 10% more actually. Fucking white fruit of Leon's.

She coughed finally, forcing herself onto her side as blood bubbled up from between her lips. Ooowww...

"FIRST BLACK!"

And as if it couldn't look any worse, some of the Crow's guard had arrived en force. They did NOT look pleased.

David was not identified as a dragon currently, and all they saw was a slightly battered Qi user and Delilah looking like she got hit by a train lying way far away, bleeding and trying to gasp in air. The leader of this group raised his hand and the Crows present drew their weapons. Those at the back nocked arrows.

"SURRENDER AT ONCE OR YOU WILL BE KILLED HERE AND NOW!" the man bellowed. Panicking, Delilah forced herself to raise up on one side and make a few quick hand gestures to her reviving team, before collapsing again, in pain. "YOU HAVE TO THE COUNT OF THREE. ONE. TWO.--"

And for the second time that day, the countdown was interrupted.

"WAIT!!"

Limping slightly and bruised, Heather scampered up to stand in front of David, hands thrown out to guard him. "DON'T SHOOT! HE'S A FRIEND!"

The man didn't seem to understand, staring at the well known Tengu woman with a puzzled look. "Absolutely not! Stand down, Sister. This man injured the First! He MUST be dealt with!"

As he spoke, the other Tengu got to their feet as well, following Delilah's signal and standing around David defensively, facing outward, weapons in hand, though they would not hold them threateningly. Talon crossed his arms as he came to stand by Heather. "Sorry, Mac. First's orders override yours. And if she ain't pissed, then you shouldn't be either."

He looked back at Delilah, lying on the ground. She was paying attention to none of this and was lying on her side, thumping her chest hard as she choked and shuddered with pain. He looked back at the Tengu with confusion, raising his eyebrow. "You sure about that?"

"You're welcome to try and attack anyway," Cain said coldly. "But that's not something I'd recommend. Lower the weapons and go back to your posts."

The man stared at them for a moment longer before giving the signal to lower their arms. The soldiers did so, relieved to be dismissed. The guard captain would stay behind, though, just in case he would be needed.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kyrie had to accomplish an interesting feet so that she wasn't thrown from David's shadow when he went down. While her expression remained impassive throughout the team attack, suddenly much more cohesive with Delilah's...

Well, Kyrie obviously didn't know what everything meant, but she was obviously their leader. The dusting motions, everything up until the point that her group began to move was taken note of. Signals without signals. Interesting. The blonde doubted she would be able to decipher it, but, even so, it was good to know.

She watched and waited, prepared and ready to go should she see anything go even a touch wrong; but she was more at ease now that the rest of Delilah's band of merry men and women were on the level with what was going on. There was a moment that she wasn't sure she could hold, but she pushed, hard, and managed to elongate and manipulate David's shadow, adding to it, so she wouldn't be thrown. A test for herself. One she passed, but only just. It had been quite the learning experience thus far. It was when David's open palm was thrust into the air and closed in slow-motion, inexorably drawing everything and everyone within a certain radius in that the blonde perked up a little more. The shadows themselves were stable and fixed, and Kyrie herself - when in shadow - was on a completely separate plane. The only things she found so far that could physically disrupt her were gases in the air and the shadow she was located within growing too small to support even her small frame. Wind didn't stir the shadows, so she was fine.

"DOWN!"[/color]

It was peculiar to see the First Crow react to David's technique in such a way, especially considering the terms they had agreed upon...but then, in her own way, Kyrie understood.

What wouldn't she have done for her family? What Hell had she endured? What wouldn't she do for David and the Dragons? For Mathew? For Levi? Nothing, no price, was too great to pay. She watched as the woman coated herself, her upper torso to protect her body. Quicksilver. Or something much stronger. It was beautiful: the determination, the instant action and reaction to David's decision and technique.

The explosion hit. Delilah was blown back. To a much more minor extent, her group was, as well.

And then all hell broke loose. Kyrie's blue gaze, from the shadows, turned towards the massing Crow Guard. A quick headcount that was only a rough estimate at best was done, and the blonde was fully prepared to step from the shadows when a woman's voice cried out.

Kyrie's hand had appeared from the shadow, along with a hint of the hair at the top of her head, the shadows deepening with a faint ripple, like the surface of water after a pebble was tossed in, beneath David. With the rest of the 'Tengu' massing to form a ring around David, Kyrie's attention flickered to Delilah as she disappeared, sucked back into David's shadow. And as it seemed like the group was talking some sense into the Guard, Kyrie used the opportunity to fully step from the shadows.

The first step had her leg spinning into reality, like she was stepping out from a curtain. The second step pulled her fully into the "normal" realm, though the shadows insistently clutched and toyed with her softly curling locks before releasing her. Her hair settled against her back as she simply, fearlessly stepped from between a few of Delilah's unit forming their circle around David.

The blonde stepped very quietly, but with purpose and speed to reach Delilah's side, her posture deliberately non-threatening. She was completely unharmed and unfazed by David's attack. The slender blonde crouched carefully by the raven-haired woman's side, a gentle hand laid upon Delilah's shoulder.

"I know it is...difficult, but try not to move, too much. You will only aggravate your injuries." And thus began gently passing her hands along Delilah's upper torso, crystalline orbs flicking across her arms and legs to check for any visible breaks or wounds. The vast majority of her focus was upon the woman's vital organs and ribs - as punctured lungs wouldn't be the least bit fun to deal with. She was no Doctor...but she knew enough to start. David, or one of Delilah's own, would have to carry her to someone more experienced. "Simply nod or shake your head to answer. Are you dizzy? Do you feel sick? Did you feel anything break with the blast?"[/font]

[David B.]

David stood like a stone wall, staring at the men who were pointing at him, not moving from behind the Tengu that were there to guard him. He was actually...quite touched that they would do that. Then again, Delilah had probably ordered them to. He would step around them to move over to Delilah, and if they followed him as guard, he would move with them simply.

His eyes had gone wide a little at what Delilah had done. If it had hit them, it would have been air- not compact, not sharp and stabbing like he usually made it. Just air. It would have blown them from their feet, or given them minor scrapes and bruises, perhaps knocked the wind out of them. But because she jumped on it, his fist retracted more, causing him to lose focus and the blast to strike harder. If she hadn't been in her Qi, it would have taken the skin from her muscle.

He walked over to her, adrenaline pumping through him- only this time, in fear. He would reach Delilah, again not concerned with the men. If any of them fired, their ammunition would be blown off course by his 360 degree protective circle of air. Once he reached Delilah, he would crouch and put a hand on her back.

"Fool! Haven't you learned by now to trust me?"

He looked up at Heather, gesturing with his head as he spoke.

"Go- get a doctor, if you have one."

[Delilah A. Black]

As the guard dispersed, leaving the wary guard captain behind, the Tengu took a moment to smile at another....and then they jumped in surprise as a smallish, blonde woman came from nowhere and strode between Birch and Sergei as though she had been there the whole time, headed for Delilah.

"Vat in the..."

Then David joined the blonde in striding towards Delilah. He didn't even seem phased by the presence of the woman who came from nowhere. The Tengu quickly followed, headed to their leaders side. Birch would look down with a VERY interested expression a the young woman, but held his silence for now.

As Delilah answered 'yes', 'yes', and 'no' to Kiyr's question (tricky little Hobbits) still shuddering with pain as she forced herself to remain pushed up on her side and coughing minute amounts of blood, Heather looked to Talons who was fumbling with the med kit he kept in his coat. He dropped behind Delilah's head, hazel eyes moving up to David's steel grey ones.

"I need you to keep her body upright so she's sitting up," his eyes drifted down for a moment to watch Delilah sign something to them, though he was the only Tengu who knew the language. He looked back up at David. "She's having a hard time breathing. Listen at her back for anything unusual in her lungs."

If David did so, he would hear a wet, sucking sound inside her chest and her slowing heart rate. Her chest cavity was filled with air and fluid as the result of an impact, causing the collapse of one lung.

But that wasn't all they had to worry about

"MAMA!!"

Oliver rushed over, having seen everything, looking whiter than he usually did and shocked by his mother's injury. It wasn't the first time he had seen her so messed up...but it was no less harrowing, and brought back painful memories.

All the Tengu winced visibly before Birch burst into a wide grin, "Hey-hey sport, there you are! I have something to show you," and he would scoop the boy up in his arms unless he was stopped and flounce away.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Delilah's Unit's collective surprise was utterly ignored. Even as she continued her basic inspection, Kyrie's attention was - more or less - wholly centered upon the still-writhing woman.

At least. Until the scream from the little boy. Almost in sync with those gathered around, Kyrie visibly flinched. This was not something she was prepared to face, at all, but she quickly put it out of her mind when one of the men swooped to scoop the child up, and she heeded the words from Delilah's silent communication that was translated by one of her own.

Sick. Dizzy. Likely concussed. As if that wasn't bad enough, the word was that she found it hard to breathe, and that David should listen, which likely meant - as Delilah shook her head at the question of broken bones - that at minimum, her lungs had been damaged and were potentially bleeding internally. Though she wasn't coughing up a lot of blood, the blunt-force trauma would certainly be enough to cause at least that. If not more, to her other organs.

"Mind her head when you do; help to support her neck but take care in case she throws up. Do any of you have a small flashlight? It would seem we have multiple issues to deal with."

...it was no good that she hasn't been able to find any more of those candy tears, black or blue, after she gave that one to Levi. It would have been just as useful in this situation. But hopefully they would have an actual doctor here, soon, and that would likely help.

[David B.]

David would cock back an arm and punch delilah in the chest- just hard enough.

Doing so, with the added effects of his qi to help, would force the collapsed lung back into its correct position. He would the. Bend and, pursing his lips, would force a thin stream of air out of his mouth and down into her not an inch or two away. Another new ability he had developed recently- a sort of healing effect. The air would force its way into her lungs and body, not causing any damage but instead reinforcing areas of weakness, causing instant clotting over internal wounds.

It would also fuse broken bones together and strength bruised ones. Though violent pain would hit her, it would last exactly two seconds, before she would feel nearly new. David, however, would collase to the side, using one arm to prop himself as sweat dripped from his forehead. That ability was never tested before, and took more concentration the.n expected. Add to it that the pain she felt, he felt as well and, well, you got his weakness. It would pass in time though. He would look to Del and give a weak smile.

"F...feeling better?"

OOC:

Due to use of Qi in critical manner, David takes a -60 hit to strength, Con and Charisma for the remainder of this thread, or until the next standard day. Whenever standing, he becomes diszy, and is currently unable to fly.

[Delilah A. Black]

The Tengu cried out in alarm as David punched Delilah in the chest, forcing her to lie on her back. She coughed after a moment, feeling her rib cage decollapse. Talon at this point, (while staring incredulously at David), would pull one of the large needles from the inside of his jacket and jam it between her ribs before pulling it out. This was just to relieve pressure inside the chest cavity that was keeping the one lung closed.

She inhaled sharply as air was pushed into her lungs, her eyes snapping open. Immediately after, she began coughing violently, little gobs of blood pushing past her lips as she cried out in pain, writhing on the asphalt as tiny cracks, bruised organs and her pressure points went back to normal. She blinked, sitting up and feeling...better. Much better. Delilah looked round at David, seeing him lying on his side with a half-smile on his face. Her heart clenched in her chest, understanding fully of what he'd just done.

"F...feeling better?"

Delilah let out a short, wet laugh before grimacing at the action. Ow. She looped an arm under David's to gingerly pull him upright. Shakily, she rose to her feet, pulling his arm across her shoulder.

"Thanks to you,"

She jerked her head to Kiyr to take the other side, then looked to her team.

"Get the guest room ready and tell the cooks to make their finest. Then, back on patrol, all of you."

"What about Birch and Oliver?"

"Tell him to meet us there when he can. I'm sure he has Oliver nice and distracted."

Then she would begin walking with staggering steps back to the 'Nest, coughing every so often, the side of her head pressed against David's cheek as she stood under his arm to keep his head aloft.

[Kyrie Blaze]

David's actions were unexpected, and she lifted into a couch, eyes warning the Tengu away before her attention snapped back to David and Delilah, watching curiously a moment as he funneled a breath out and...

...and her eyes went flat with the pain Delilah was in. And currently - no, she wouldn't lie, David was more important to her than Delilah was - that David seemed to be suffering the same pain had red alarms whirring in her head. He collapsed and Delilah had a shocked look on her face...

She left the Tengu tend to Delilah and immediately shifted to David's side, expression falling to a carefully neutral one, eyes searching but also impassive. She was quiet as she now inspected David. But he didn't seem to have done a crazy injury-swap - and that she would have had no clue how he could have pulled that one off - which was a bit of a relief. She brushed away the beads of sweat along his brow, the motion gentle and collected despite her feelings being distinctly opposite. He was just...weak. And drained. And she had never seen him like this. The blonde remained quiet as she shifted David to a sitting position as Delilah reached over to help on the other side.

Thus, Kiyr needed no signal to take to David's other side. She rose to her feet, supporting David's other side as best she could, being three or so inches shorter than Delilah and more than that in comparison to David. She listened to the conversation, but said nothing, merely keeping her eyes ahead and ears open. The petite woman intended on giving absolutely nothing away in the presence of strangers. She was watchful and wary.

[David B.]

He smiled up at Kiyr, eyes closed as he breathed.

"Don't worry, I'll be okay. My abilities are…ugh…not really suited for curing injures. I have to…micromanage her cells to speed up the process. It causes a connection between the wounded area and myself, so I feel all of her pain, instantly. It's…handy, but also damages me."

He opened an eyes and looked at her, his smile widening.

"Don't look so displeased, Shadow one. Your making me…ugh..blush."

A chuckle followed by a groan. The pain was ebbing away now, slowly, but his weakness was intense. He let them help him up, before walking/stumbling along back toward the room Delilah ordered be provided.