The Dragons and the Behemoth

[David B.]

David waited for them to leave...then pressurized the room with Air so no sound could escape.

"Why would I want to align myself with you? Can you offer me incentives? Like Resources? Men? Information?"

The standard mojo- the guy came to David for it, not the other way around. So he would have to sell himself.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

- Of course he would ask, though Takehiro was not unprepared with a response.

- "I can obtain information on other factions, which I would willingly give you, if you so desired. Granted, I will sell no man, but I offer what I know." Like information on Kazuya, the ex-Dragon. "My men are few in number, but they have specific skills which could be very useful to you. Zeke and Arden both are very skilled with gathering any information I can not currently provide, and my nephew is indeed quite capable in battle. He cannot fight on your level, but he can hold his own against seemingly impossible odds." He paused a moment, letting out a small cough. "I would also offer you my strength, and the strength of any man willing to follow me."

- Maybe that would be enough, maybe it wouldn't. Surely, the Dragons were gifted with many a capable fighter, but another powerful warrior added to their ranks (not officially, mind you) couldn't hurt.

[David B.]

David would flick his wrist, sliding, with air, the chair from the wall up behind him so he could sit.

"What do you know of the Elder Dragons?"

Seemingly simple question, yes?

[Amakusa Takehiro]

- Takehiro knew regrettably little. He knew how David seemed to be as a person from this last encounter, and he knew Leon on a more personal level from previous relationships. "I know little of Mathew Amtrum. I can only make assumptions to his strength, as none of my men have ever actually seen him. I've only heard talk. Leon, I know, is not as strong as he had been in the past. I do know how he fights, if memory serves correctly, and I have trained my men to fight like and against his style. As for you, I now have very effective knowledge of how you fight, and that you are capable of a great deal." Though, here was where he ceased the personal explanations. "I also know you are some of the highest priority terrorists since Strike's introduction, due to what you are capable of."

- It was, in his own eyes, a disappointing reveal, but he had been out of the loop of power for a while.

[David B.]

David watched him for several moments.

"We don't abide traitors. How am I to know you won't turn on me for the sake of your current master? How do I truly know where your allegiance lies?"

David didn't know who he worked for, but Tak confirmed he worked for someone simply by not denying it.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

- Takehiro smiled, shutting his eyes for a moment. "I assume words would not be enough to convince you, but, at the moment, it is all I can offer you with certainty: I will not betray you, or any of your men. If given the chance to prove I truly mean to help, I would take it at a moment's notice. And, should I betray you, or should you suspect me of doing so, I would give you permission to take my life. You may do so here and now, if you believe I can not be trusted."

- It was a gamble, that was certain.

[David B.]

David shook his head.

"You truly know nothing about me, to offer that."

David ran a hand through his hair slowly.

"I'll consider your offer."

He would stand to walk from the room.

"You might need to stay for several days, you know."

[Kyrie Blaze]

This fight has been handed in through the Fight Turn-In System.

Overall: the fight was fairly simple to read (though I had to reread a few things because I was tired, last night) and easy to see the intensity between the two opponents.

Amakusa: +1 EXP
Aside from glancing over your fight with Shugo, Brandon, this was pretty much the first time I've seen you in combat. I like the fact your character didn't back down, and even has been ruthless. A couple small points of concern are the difference in some of Amakusa's stats vs. David's. As an example, when David fired the "oddball bullet" pebbles, which would be a comparison between David's CHA (133; how fast they were moving) vs. not only Amakusa's ability to see the attack (80; WIS) but also his ability to react (80; DEX). Just something to keep in mind for next time. Perhaps he could have been hit by one of the stones, which likely would have left some uber nasty welts instead of causing major damage? I think I also want to take note of Amakusa's qi and the amount of concentration it takes to manifest vs. what was going on in the fight, as well as the manifestation of the golem as armor and extra arms. In reading over your qi I was wondering about that, as it doesn't mention that portion.

Like I said, just things to keep in mind. C: To actually be able to read the way you fight was an interesting experience that I haven't had the pleasure of doing so as of yet. Paradigm wasn't the best place to look at all that. Good job, overall!


David: +1 EXP
...whalp. Corey, I always like seeing you fight and to fight against you. I like that despite David's clear agitation towards Amakusa he kept a level head, which enabled him to overcome being double teamed (...this fight turned into a three-way (OMAI)).

Guttermind and DBZ Abridged references aside, I think David was appropriately harsh for what happened between Tak and Shugo and shows that David is willing to do more for his Dragon Core than some might expect. He rolled with punches and, in going up against an opponent more on his level, was injured.


Beat him up a little harder, next time, Tak. ;D

[Amakusa Takehiro]

- Takehiro nodded slightly. He indeed knew very little about David's person, there was no denying that.

- "If I should, I will not protest. I must thank you for the hospitality, all circumstances considered." This was a good man, here. He only wished they could have met without the current conditions affecting anything. "And thank you for the consideration."

[David B.]

David would nod and walk from the room, his Qi dissipating to allow the men back into see their friend. Despite them being there under hospitality, there would be half a dozen guards in the hall and about thirty outside the building. He would gesture at one of the guards to walk with him.

"Fetch Kiyr Barrial immediately."

[Amakusa Takehiro]

- Arden and Zeke rushed into the room, not really acknowledging David as he passed. "Are you alright?! Did he do any-" "Zeke, shut UP!" The two seemed to have yet another squabble, interrupted by laughter from Takehiro. "Don't worry, nothing is wrong."

- There was so much going on today.

[Kyrie Blaze]

When the blonde arrived after being fetched, she slipped in in her quietly unobtrusive way and moved to where others gestured her that The Storm Dragon was. The Sky Force member had found her at this time of day at Mount Olympus within Dragon Territory, and so she'd taken her leave to fly back.

She paused long enough for formality - the customary Dragon Bow - and then proceeded towards him, footfalls soft and concerned. She'd been filled in on the bare minimum; just that David fought with a man and had broken him, and that it was related to Shugo.

[David B.]

David would stand. Unlike Tak, he seemed in perfect condition, besides a bump on the back of his head and bruised knuckles. He would gesture down the hall.

"Down the hall is a man named Takehiro Amakusa. He snapped Shugo Yuys back and left him to die. I returned the favor but...hopefully showed him the error of his ways. Now he wants to align himself with us...but I'm not sure I can trust him. I can tell he has secrets. Luckily, I was...in my right mind during the fight, and did not hurt him too badly, so he can talk. I want you and the Sky force to Monitor him as best you can, and you personally to get to know him. Make friends with him, get in close, and squeeze what information you can out of him. I want to know who he is working for and why he has come to us."

[Kyrie Blaze]

The tension eased from her shoulders, just a little, at the quick glance. Her gaze snapped to his face as he started to speak. Her brow drew forward a little as David explained, and a little more when he said Amakusa to align himself with the Dragons. When he started to tell her what he wanted from her in this...

The colour drained away from her cheeks a little, and her eyes widened. 'He's male. And unfamiliar. And likely untrustworthy. And you want me to get close to him?' Her stomach gave an uncomfortable twist. He was using her as a tool. Was that all she'd become to him? Was he able to turn his feelings around so easily?

...this...this was Dragon business, she had to remind herself of that. Despite her worry of whether he even considered her--of what he considered her, she understood that she was, essentially, best suited for this kind of task. But getting close to this unknown male sent apprehension and a curl of fear up her spine.

But she would voice her apprehension. She would not deny the request and order - for it was, still, an order - but...she couldn't help but feel vulnerable all the same.

"...and if by some chance he should touch me..?"

And so this fear was a vulnerability, one quickly and quietly uttered. For despite whatever innate skill at worming her way into inner circles she had, despite however friendly, warm, and accommodating she was as a person...that was a very real fear. She wasn't apt to take that kind of risky approach to begin with, not since Mason had done his damage, but this male she knew nothing about aside from that he had attacked a fellow Dragon, and what David told her. A hand curled into a white-knuckled fist, though she paid no heed to her nails digging into her palm.

[David B.]

David watched her think it through...as though what? Did she plan to say no? He frowned. He didn't understand this apprehension...but his eyes softened as she asked what she should do if he touched her.

"Kiyr...there are many people stronger than you in this world. Many stronger than me even. Working with men...is an eventuality that can't be avoided. But you know...you know you have only to speak my name and I'll rip anyone in half who looks at you sideways. Not to mention....touching you would be a bad move anyway. Unlike some, your not a victim that won't fight back, and you pack a punch."

David kept his gaze on hers...it almost looked like she was opening the door... was he, perhaps, too hopeful?