2017-07-01: Xantia vs. Seis Thurule
- Log: 2017-07-01: Xantia vs. Seis Thurule
- Cast: Kahm Yugh disguised as Seis Thurule, Xantia, Seraph Ragnell, Fei Fong Wong
- Where: Lacour - Arms Coliseum
- Date: July 1st, 2017
- Summary: In a truly electrifying first round match of the Lacour Tournament of Arms, a number of notable new discoveries are made, in the match itself as well as in the stands.
=========================<* Lacour - Arms Coliseum *>========================= Situated immediately adjacent to Lacour Castle, the Arms Coliseum is a temple to the pursuit of perfection in physical prowess. Built more than three centuries ago by King Etienne I, the Coliseum is laid over with ancient Symbols that blunt weapons and protect combatants on the brink of death, allowing competitors to fight to the best of their ability without fear of killing their opponents. The Coliseum is the site of the annual Lacour Tournament of Arms, a competition that fuels the spirit of martial artists and weapons merchants both. The Tournament is a spectacle that draws visitors and competitors from across Filgaia, and is the major event on the continent while it is running. A series of smaller tournaments are organized throughout the year; entering as a combatant is free of charge, but spectators pay a nominal fee that nonetheless provides a significant boost to Lacour's coffers. BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s8YkgEYlvY
<Pose Tracker> Seis Thurule has posed.
The Coliseum was an effective environment for the sort of martial contest it was meant to showcase, as far as that kind of thing went. Ample seating for spectators and a wide, open arena were effective choices to ensure that everyone got a decent view of the action. The structure of flat, open arena seemed designed to encourage flashy, unencumbered fighting styles to Captain Kahm Yugh's sensibilities, though he suspected this was intentional on behalf of the tournament's architects. It would get the audience engaged, but such a sanctified, strategy-free environment would hardly be a true picture of earnest combat.
But he supposed that wasn't the point. The disguised Solarian waited until the announcers called for him by the name he'd given them: Seis Thurule, a fighter and adventurer of little account in Ignas, allegedly hailing from one the numerous island chains in the Aquvy region and eager to make a name for himself by prevailing in the tournament. As covers went, it would do.
He stepped into the arena with little pomp and ceremony. In comparison to the previous alias he'd used in the Adlehyde region, this one was considerably more stylize: He wore a crisp, modestly-fitted vest without any cover for his arms, along with a pair of looser, baggy pants that could be written off as a regional style. His hair was slicked back in a break from his usual style, and a thick, dark visor kept his eyes obscured. He was armed with only his blade, which he thrust slightly into the ground with both hands as he awaited the arrival of his opponent.
The fighter had glimpsed his title card ahead of time. This ought to be interesting.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Finally, the day is here! Xantia has been looking forward to make an appearance in this tournament. By her standards, getting involved with this was a stroke of genius. What better way to get her name out there to a large number of people at once than to participate in an event like this? Surely with such a huge crowd, coming from far and wide, somebody is bound to show up who will recognize her and can help her recover her memories, she's sure of it!
Of course, that isn't the only reason, just the most important one. She's also quite eager for the fights themselves. There's bound to be a lot of strong opponents involved, it should be a lot of fun! Especially after being told that there's magical safeguards in place to guarantee that nobody can be fatally injured. A fight in which she doesn't have to worry about holding back at all is the best kind of fight.
The time has come. The arena doors opposite of 'Seis' fly open, and out comes Xantia, very much her usual self. All smiles and full of energy, waving cheerfully at the stands. Her fans are easy to spot - there's a few red signs with white X's on them in the crowd. It's a bit wasted on Xantia, who fails to understand what it means, but hearing some people chanting her name makes her happy.
The announcer adds in his own bit of flair. "And facing Seis Thurule, another tournament debutante! Known for her eternal cheer, ravenous appetite, and smashing local arm wrestling champions through tables! The Innocent Primeval Breaker, Xantia!"
Xantia frowns. She got in trouble for that last part, she doesn't want to be remembered for that! Besides, that was only the one time. And what's with that random title, she doesn't even know what that means!
It's quickly forgotten about, the fiery-headed girl getting excited all over again as she approaches her opponent. She has no idea who this is, a changed-up disguise and identity is plenty to make her not suspect a thing. Looks like this will be a good opportunity to see the full truth behind the reports of her enormous physical strength. If perhaps not in a preferable manner.
"Hi!" Xantia greets simply and cheerfully, while she executes a few arm and leg stretches before the match gets underway. "I'm Xantia, but you probably already knew that, and how it's spelled! Let's have fun!"
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
The good thing about a tournament is that you can eyeball not just known fighters, but total strangers too. Ragnell's never heard of either fighter up on the chopping block--though, after seeing 'Dark Hero Z,' she imagines some of them might be in disguises or operating under false names--but that just means she can expect something entirely unexpected. Plus, after yesterday's events... she could use something a little less emotionally fraught.
Besides, the lady's going to need some time to recover before Ragnell can reasonably hope to talk to her.
So here she is in the audience, peering down at Xantia and Seis Thurule on her perch at the very edge of the arena. She does not, in fact, recognize either fighter, and that's fine. The girl, Xantia, seems energetic and eager in spades--even has some fans, from the sound of the chanting in the stands--but Seis seems more straightforward and unruffled. She listens to the announcer, then half-smiles, watching to see how the battle begins.
<Pose Tracker> Seis Thurule has posed.
Xantia arrives with all the exuberance and pluckiness Kahm had come to expect from their initial meeting in Linga. That much, he knew, was not an act. Unlike her, there was no one in the stands holding signs and favors for an unknown fighter from a region of little interest to most Ignans, thought there might be a risky gambler or two who'd decided to throw a bet his way.
Xantia doesn't seem to recognize him, which should hopefully extend to anyone else he'd previously encountered in the stands. The Captain's naturally stoic, aloof personality may be of some benefit to the image of an otherwise mysterious fight, so he met the young girl's pledge with a shallow, but respectful nod. "To a good fight." He declared, already mentally in the fight.
This would be a change. He was not used to fighting not to kill, but the magical protections in place at least made it easy.
"Aaaand, begin!"
The announcers signaled the fight, and Kahm was already in motion, closing the physical gap between himself and Xantia with a breathless speed. His blade was held back at his hand, poised for a horizontal swing at Xantia as he ducked low to account for their differences height.
This was a deception, but the amnesiac girl might not catch it until the critical moment. He kept the blade back, and instead swing his right leg out in a heavy sweep at Xantia's feet.
There would be time enough to test the girl's rumored strength. He wanted to see how well she thought on her feet...or off of them.
GS: Seis Thurule has attacked Xantia with Scything Sweep! GS: Seis Thurule has completed his action. GS: Xantia takes a solid hit from Seis Thurule's Scything Sweep for 44 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Seis's assertion of having a good fight is met with an eager nod. Xantia is nothing if not keen to fight, that much is obvious. Even so, when the signal to fight is given, the bare-handed fighter digs in her heels and stands her ground. Odd, she seems very much like the type to charge right in. Did she somehow sense how quickly her opponent was going to act, and react accordingly?
Whatever the case may be, she was clearly unprepared for the initial charge being a ruse. Her full attention is on the weapon in her opponent's hand, ready to evade the strike she knows is coming - but it never comes. The real attack comes from below, literally sweeping her off her feet. "Wah--"
Her yelp of surprise is cut short, Xantia immediately adjusting to her predicament. Just coming down in a prone position would be bad, so she flips in the air, lands on her hands, then backflips to put some distance between her and Seis, landing in a crouch. Despite being totally tricked right from the get-go, she smiles. This really is going to be fun.
Now it's her turn. Leaping forward, her fists come in flying, displaying practiced, if not particularly refined technique. Right and left jabs go for the gut, followed by a right straight to the face. No tricks on her part, it's rather straightforward. The blows are quite forceful, if not extraordinarily powerful. If this is all she's capable of, perhaps her strength was overhyped.
GS: Xantia has attacked Seis Thurule with Flash Combo! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Seis Thurule critically Guards a hit from Xantia's Flash Combo for 11 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
LAST TIME ON EVERYBODY DIE IT'S SNOOPY ID TIME
Fei Fong Wong at some point ended up waddling into the tournament grounds. He sits down and watches Xantia. He is quiet otherwise. He's not sure why but he has a terrible splitting headache just looking at her now.
No, 'it' must have happened again. But he doesn't want to think about it. He just silently roots for Xantia while simultaneously hoping she doesn't notice him. He doesn't want to be noticed much right now.
<Pose Tracker> Seis Thurule has posed.
Although Xantia hadn't sussed out his faint, she was reflexive enough to manage a recover and avoid the worst outcome. 'Promising enough.' Thinks Kahm, who must fight back the urge to follow on the girl's heals and press the assault, 'I must fight like Seis Thurule, not Kahm Yugh.'
By the time Xantia reached him with her barrage, the unknown fight seems to have embraced this minor but essential detail. Seis does not move or try to evade her assault, perhaps repaying her with the same approach she had greeted his initial attack. In this case, the fighter seems to anticipate and block each blow she attempt the land, turning his core to left, then the right so the her first two punches merely glance off his flanks, then bringing his free hand up to knock her fist off-course before it could collide with his face, narrowly moving his head to the side all the same. There was a mild stinging in his sides where the edge of Xantia's knuckles had made contact (he wore no body armor, after all), but nothing more.
Seis's mouth betrayed a slight frown. Surely, she was capable of more than this.
His left leg came up in a knee thrust, intended more to create space between them than do any real damage, and his sword swung after, the blade humming with a quiet, potent power as he invoked an electrical charge along the weapon. He swung on the side she wielded her gauntlet on, as if goading her to block with the device.
'Let's test the conductivity of that artifact.' He thinks.
GS: Seis Thurule has attacked Xantia with Swordswain! GS: Seis Thurule has completed his action. GS: Xantia guards a hit from Seis Thurule's Swordswain for 33 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Though troubled by the same events that trouble Fei, one could never tell by looking at Xantia right now. Seis has her complete attention - Fei doesn't have to worry about being noticed. Neither does Ragnell, but then, she probably wouldn't have to worry about that if Xantia was staring straight at her. Girl's pretty low on the Resonance-o-meter.
The fight, meanwhile, doesn't disappoint. Her opponent clearly knows how to handle himself in hand-to-hand combat. Which is great! She doesn't mind somebody wielding a weapon, but, well, it's obvious what kind of a fight she herself prefers. Seis frowns. Xantia keeps smiling. To her, this is just simple fun.
The sudden literal kneejerk reaction strikes her right in the gut, prompting an "oof" as she stumbles backward. She briefly brings her left hand to where she was struck, but is forced to quickly react to the follow-up. As predicted, she brings up the bracer-guarded arm to block the blade.
It's unclear whether Xantia actually noticed the charge on the blade beforehand. But she sure notices it when the weapon strikes, causing her to yelp in surprise and jump backwards, shaking her arm in panic. But it doesn't look like she got shocked in the physical sense, so that answers the question conductivity. Her momentary alarm is quickly replaced by indignation. "Hey, watch it! You could've damaged it!" All over again, she doesn't add. She just got it fixed!
That seems to have motivated her. The way she draws back her arm clearly displays an intent for her next strike to be several times more forceful. It's odd, though, how she winds up for the punch well in advance. She still has to close the distance before she can actually reach Seis with it.
This was not actually the plan. Rather, she employs what's getting to be her signature ability to literally blow people away through the air displacement caused swinging her fists at full force.
Perhaps this sight'll remind Fei of happier times, even if he had to be on the receiving end of something similar to get there.
GS: Xantia has attacked Seis Thurule with Massive Shockwave! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Seis Thurule takes a solid hit from Xantia's Massive Shockwave for 80 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei does see Ragnell but frankly he doesn't recognize its significance and he's preoccupied. Instead he leans forward. Xantia seems ok, he thinks. There are some mercies at least. He remains quiet since he figures if he so much as whispers, Xantia will somehow pick it out in spite of her awareness level.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
Hmmm... Xantia seems to be enjoying herself well enough, but Seis doesn't look like he's having much fun, even though he's doing a pretty good job of fighting, both on attack and defense. Ragnell tilts a look at him. Did he want more of a challenge?
Either way, Ragnell doesn't particularly worry about being seen. If someone strikes up a conversation with her, that merits automatic interest, but she's here to watch a fight, after all. In the same way, so long as Fei's just watching and not trying to bring attention to himself, she's content to leave him be. She doesn't recognize him, after all; the last time they were on the battlefield together, Fei was in a golem.
But, hmm--Seis attacks towards Xantia's gauntlet, and *that* gets the smile off her face. Looks like she's starting to take this more seriously. Was that Seis's intent, or a miscalculation? ...Well, who knows? Ragnell smiles and keeps watching to try to figure it out.
<Pose Tracker> Seis Thurule has posed.
So, the gauntlet seemed to protect her from foreign attacks. A design feature, or happenstance? Seis ruminated on this while Xantia scolded him, bowing his head sympathetically. "My apologies." He said, remaining on guard, "Next time, I shall attack you in earnest."
But first, there's the matter of whatever Xantia is planning next. She was too far away for him to attack her effectively before she could move, but with a big, obvious wind-up like that it was clear she was planning a big hit. Surely, she couldn't simply be planning to do the same thing harder after he'd effectively disabled her first attack.
Not quite, as it turns out. Seis realizes her aim when she doesn't try to close with him, but it's too late to get clear of it. Instead, the unknown fighter brings both his arms up in an effort to guard from what was a truly a signature attack for the spectators in the audience-the air splits and roars even as the earth cracks with the force of Xantia's blow, the unseen force emanating from the impact enough the buffet Seis like a brick wall, knocking him back off his feat.
His arms and shins ached with paint, but Seis instinctively knew nothing was broken. Much like Xantia had, he avoided landing on his back by springing off his hand and recovering in a low crouch on his heat.
"Hm." He said, slightly adjusting his thick visor to sit appropriately on his face.
This was more like it.
The fighter's answer was obvious, and clear. Crouched so, he was well-posed to execute a counterattack-his legs pushing forward like coiled springs to rocket him back across the arena, surging towards Xantia with blazing speed. The point of his blade made for her, but the intent was not impale her. Rather, the blade was now loaded with so much electrical potential the the crackling wreath of sparks and arcing energy along was obvious, enough to erupt in an explosion of lightning the moment it made impact on anything.
GS: Seis Thurule has activated a Force Action! GS: Seis Thurule has attacked Xantia with Shock Thrust! GS: Seis Thurule has completed his action. GS: Xantia takes a glancing hit from Seis Thurule's Shock Thrust for 59 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
The mostly tepid audience response so far certainly does increase once flashy moves start happening. This is why most of them are here, after all. Xantia doesn't acknowledge it - she isn't trying to play to the crowd. First, she was just here to have fun. Now, she seems to have gained the motivation to actually want to win. A secondary concern, at first, but once she gets warmed up...
It's clear things have gotten serious from Xantia's focused expression. She doesn't gloat, taunt, or otherwise seek a follow-up. She simply waits for her opponent to recover. Or not, but for the fight to end after just that would've been seriously disappointing. She should hope more can be expected.
And indeed, Seis appears plenty ready for more. With impressive speed, the unknown fighter rushes back in, that blade at the ready once again. The red-haired girl stands at the ready with steeled resolve, poised to intercept - until she sees the electricity crackling off of it.
With a sudden yelp, Xantia leaps aside, deciding against trying to intercept this strike at the last second. It was an awkward dodge, causing her to slip, crash to the floor, and roll across it for a short distance until coming to a stop. She pushes herself up to her hands and knees in short order, having managed to avoid the actual attack, but that still looked like it hurt. She really didn't want to get hit by that. It's a similarly sudden panicked reaction as the one that she displayed earlier... could it be that she's afraid of electricity?
Nevertheless, as soon as she scrambles back to her feet, Xantia jumps back into action. Literally, taking a giant leap into the air, and landing close to Seis's new position. Then she strikes - once. A single pin-point strike for the solar plexus, using the flat of her hand. A practiced move aimed to disable, with a level of force quite unlike when she was using her fists earlier in the fight. If there was still any doubt of her trying to seriously end this fight, this should remove it.
GS: Xantia has attacked Seis Thurule with Disrupting Palm Strike! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Seis Thurule takes a solid hit from Xantia's Disrupting Palm Strike for 94 hit points! GS: Cripple! Statuses applied to Seis Thurule!
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei frowns. Xantia sure is strong. How did she get so strong as she is? He blinks twice and recognizes. That move. Especially that move.
Fei recognizes that move. He sits himself up sharply and stares. Xantia doesn't sound like a name from Guild Galad though...! He is confused. Is he from there or not?? His head is still hurting and he sets the thought aside.
"If its so similar..." He murmurs to himself. "Maybe the source of our amnesia is similar too... Or maybe we're from the same place, at least..."
<Pose Tracker> Seis Thurule has posed.
The crowd does seem to be getting more into it-both of the flashier attacks had been punctuated by an expectant roar of approval from the spectators. Like his opponent, Seis seemed to care little for it and spent all his focus on the fight in front of him. He could not afford to do any less as the girl appeared to stop pulling her punches.
The rolling, abrasive dodge she made to avoid his strike wasn't elegant, but it got the job done. The military acumen behind Seis's supposed visage could only approve of such tactics, noting with some intrigue that she seemed particularly desperate to avoid his attack when she noticed they were electrical. It seemed more than just concern over the supposed sensitive of her artifact...
'I will have you face those fears.' The man thought to himself. After he dealt with this next attack.
Or didn't deal with it. Xantia's speed is good, and her eye for the prize even better. He fist is just a hair faster than Seis's legs in this situation, and the power of her blow combined with her downward momentum all combine in single point hit the staggers the man and send him several paces backwards, his body quivering from the impact of the blow. Pain and weakness radiated from the the side of his abdomen...Seis knew it was a good hit; damn good. But he also knew it would pass in a few moments.
He just needed to buy himself that time.
If Xantia thinks to capitalize on Seis's vulnerability with follow-up attack, she'll be in for a surprise. The fighter's sword suddenly shimmers in a series of lightning-quick defensive cuts and sweeps, the arc of his sword swings leaving electrical afterimages in their wake. The visual effect is both dizzying and intimidating-swords appears to be in place all around Seis at once, and it becomes difficult to tell where the true blade is amidst potent, ghostly apparitions, covering the man in a veritable wall of blades.
GS: Seis Thurule has attacked Xantia with Blade Wall! GS: Seis Thurule has completed his action. GS: Xantia takes a glancing hit from Seis Thurule's Blade Wall for 59 hit points! GS: Seis Thurule takes Cover! He gains 50 temporary hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia remains stoic upon delivering her strike, looking deathly serious, but in no hurry to follow up. As serious as she may be, she evidently still doesn't want to do anything unnecessary. It's a credit to her opponent's fortitude that this blow only caused him to stagger back, which brings back a hint of a smile. It's always best when you're fighting someone strong.
She hasn't realized that she caused a bit of a stir with one particular audience member. To Xantia, it was just one move of many. But there's no mistaking it - a lot of her moves are crude enough so that it might be coincidence, but the fluidity of the movements involved with that strike, that was simply the only 'right' way to do it, in that one particular style.
Naturally, now that it's becoming clear that more is needed, the red-haired fighter approaches once again... only to be rebuffed by a sudden wall of swords. Or, from her perspective, not so much a wall of swords, as it's a wall of electricity. As was probably expected, she freezes, looking distressed. She wouldn't dare to get to close to all that crackling energy.
Why is she afraid? Like most of the few things she knows about herself, Xantia doesn't know the reasons. She's abnormally strong, knows how to fight, and is afraid of lightning. Facts, without any context. But although she would like to know there reasons more than anything, she can't get hung up on them. She wouldn't get anything done that way. Therefore, she tells herself regularly that it doesn't matter she's strong. It doesn't matter she knows how to fight. Should it matter that she's afraid of lightning? If she doesn't even know why, does it make any sense to be?
A moment of introspection later, Xantia has made her decision. She takes a deep breath, steels herself... then launches a single, powerful strike directly into the wall of blades. Somehow, she manages to avoid hitting the one physical sword in there. But that was never her primary concern. The electricity... the shock is definitely an unpleasant sensation. It doesn't hurt as badly as she feared. But there's something... familiar. A familiar feeling that frightens her all over again. But she pushes through it, all the same. It's something, something that happened in the past. What was it? The memory seems so close, but remains shrouded in mental fog.
And then it's over. Xantia's powerful blow pierces the barrier, to strike at Seis beyond it. For her part, she looks tired, more than anything else. That was a big mental hurdle to overcome. But she did it.
If only it felt like she had something meaningful to show for it.
GS: Xantia has attacked Seis Thurule with Focus Punch! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Seis Thurule takes a solid hit from Xantia's Focus Punch for 139 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
And above, at the very edge of the arena, Ragnell continues to watch. Both fighters seem skilled, but she gets the sense from Seis that victory is not necessarily his goal. Or maybe not his *only* goal? And meanwhile, Xantia panics at the mere sight of lightning on his blade, though it's not enough for her to give up the fight. In fact, she responds with impressive force--like she wants to end this fight right now and fun be damned. Ragnell chuckles a bit, tapping the heel of her boot against the arena wall.
Well, if Seis *is* out for something besides winning, he's definitely not making it easy for her either. As a Lightning Seraph, she can feel the electricity behind the blade after-images from up here. Psychological warfare, eh... That might backfire on him, though. Sure enough, Xantia, after shrinking back, presses forward with force through the wall of blades. That's not bad. Overcoming something that frightens you to press on to victory... That's not bad at all. Does Seis agree, Ragnell wonders?
<Pose Tracker> Seis Thurule has posed.
Seis waited.
From his position, there was only one way for Xantia to reach him-by breaking through that electric field. And break through it she does, overcoming whatever fears and misgivings she possessed to strike through the field and reach him. There was a sort of quiet approval on the man's face when she did so, a willingness to answer her willpower and ferocity in kind.
Again he attempts to block her fist, and again it seems to make little difference against force Xantia now put behind her punches, breaking the man's guard and landing a blow on his sternum. The barrier had taken some of the edge off the blow so that it didn't stagger him as badly as the last hit had, but Seis also knew he couldn't keep trading against her like this for long. Mentally, however, she seemed to be worse for the wear.
He supposes they'll have to see which breaks first.
"Well done." Seis comments, conjuring a thing bolt of lightning down from the heavens with a snap of his fingers. Weaving ether like conventional 'spells' as lambs would know them was something more in Lieutenant Van Houten's wheelhouse, but it didn't mean he couldn't find uses for it too. The idea seems to be to wear Xantia down more than anything else. After all, why give up something that had proven effective?
GS: Seis Thurule has attacked Xantia with Anemo Lance! GS: Seis Thurule has completed his action. GS: Xantia takes a glancing hit from Seis Thurule's Anemo Lance for 24 hit points! GS: Slow! Statuses applied to Xantia!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia receives praise from her opponent. True, what she just did took a lot of effort on her part. But somehow, it still doesn't feel entirely deserved. Like it was only a partial success, which doesn't feel like a success at all. Recovering memories is her primary motivation; few things cause her to become more dispirited than feeling like she got really close, only to fall short at the last second. As such, she only inclines her head a bit at being told 'well done'. Her own feelings on the matter are easily read in her expression, plain as day.
And then lightning is called down on her. That fingersnap could've meant anything. It didn't even have to mean magic was happening. She can't have known what was coming. But sometimes, a bad feeling is enough. Once it's all said and done, Xantia is knelt down on the floor, cradling her head, apparently having attempted to shield herself that way. She couldn't help herself, pure instinct. It wasn't even a bad reaction, some of the electricity effectively absorbed by her bracer. But she still ended up getting shocked. Again.
"Why," she exclaims, immediately back to her feet, addressing Seis accusatorily. "Use something else already!!" Ugh, her arm still feels tingly from where the electricity coursed through it. Almost like it's still there.
Imagine Xantia's surprise when she looks at her arm, and electricity is in fact still arcing across it.
Her immediate reaction is the same kind of instinctual panic she previously displayed, batting at her arm with the opposite hand as if to make it go away. Which it immediately does, as if responding to her wishes. She stares in puzzlement for a moment... And then she starts to laugh. Just, bursting into laughter right there, in the middle of the fight. "I see, I see, I get it now...!"
There was an instance before where lightning spontaneously erupted from her arm. More than one instance actually, though the more recent one happened while she was distressed and the whole thing barely registered. She thought it was a power that her bracer had. But, all along... "It was me...!"
For Seis's part, this would bring to mind the obvious question: is Xantia, too, an Ether-user? It certainly appears like she might be.
When she looks back on this moment later, even Xantia will be surprised at her reaction. The realization that she has Random Lightning Powers should have made her feel awful! But at this moment in time, it feels like a victory. Grasping another part of who she is. And it sends her right back into the mood she started the tournament with: full of cheer and enthusiasm.
And yet, not playing around in the slightest. She suddenly leaps at Seis, spins though the air, and launches an attack for the first time not with her hands, but with her feet. Another single, powerful strike, as seems to be her forte, aimed straight for the head.
Upon landing back on the ground, Xantia declares, "Now, you'd better stay down! Or I'm gonna have to test this on you!" She opens her palm, electricity crackling across her hand, then closes it, dispelling it once again. She is way too into this new discovery. Wasn't she deathly afraid of electricity just a minute ago??
GS: Xantia has attacked Seis Thurule with Whirlwind Kick! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Seis Thurule takes a glancing hit from Xantia's Whirlwind Kick for 61 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Seis Thurule has posed.
Seis meets Xantia's offended tone with little more than a bemused smile. It was clear to him what had been happening to the girl a few moment before she had realized it herself. 'So that's why.' He intoned to himself as the mysterious girl took hold of her newfound powers. More piece add to the mystery, more than Xantia could even know at this time.
Of course, this presents a problem to Seis. Ether users could be very unstable, particularly new ones who have yet to grasp the limits of their powers. Assuming that is what Xantia is, and considering what he knows of her personality, engaging her further might be...unwise.
As it is, he has already learned much, and he still has the opportunity for at least one more match before this farce is done with.
He sees her motions, and makes set to respond in kind. Seis ducks low, intending to rise up and punish Xantia's leap with a ferocious uppercut subtly reinforced by the same ethereal power she may now wield.
The exchange winds up being uneven, and while Seis doesn't take the direct hit to the head Xantia might have liked, she wings his noggin something good. Where the girl wonder lands on her feet, the visored warrior thuds to ground and rolls, just long enough for Xantia to posture and make her proclamation.
There was a moment or two of genuine hesitation-not because Xantia had struck fear into him, but because just over her shoulder he had managed to catch something...odd. It could be easily dismissed in a huge crowd of people, but had that woman....been there, just a moment ago?
He was looking straight at Ragnell.
Another second and he snaps back to his opponent, biting his lip and consider his injuries. "I shall yield." He says back, after a moments consideration, "Further battle would be pointless-you have proven yourself today."
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei Fong murmurs, "Chi manipulation, ether control..." He looks down at his own hands and tries to make electricity dart out by thinking real hard.
Nope, the hands tell Fei, screw you Fei.
Seis yields and Fei is compelled to let out a cheer. He isn't the only one either but he is the only one embarassed by it immediately after and he sits back down, red in the face.
"ah...well..." Fei mumbles. He turns his gaze to follow Seis's and blinks in confusion. What? He looks back. What????
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia puts her hands on her hips and puffs out her chest when Seis declares his forfeiture. "Uh-huh, that's what I thought!"
Blink.
"...wait, what? You're actually giving up?"
She can't hide the disappointment from her expression. Just when she was looking forward to seeing what she could do, too! She actually decides to double-check, asking in a much lower tone of voice, "Really? You're sure?"
It's too late at this point, anyway. The announcer is already declaring Xantia the winner, the crowd's reaction as mixed as the red-head's own feelings on the matter. There's certainly a number who would have liked to see a more climactic end. But, it is what it is.
Xantia takes a breath, and a smile is quick enough to reappear. "Ah well! It was a good fight! Thanks Seis, I had fun! Maybe we can fight again sometime!"
She takes a moment to wave to the crowd, and... is she looking straight at Fei? That general direction, at least. Doesn't that just figure?
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Ragnell has posed.
Huh... Ragnell's eyes narrow. It's not particularly rare or unusual to see humans wield magic, but what Seis used just now seemed... different. It's not like what she's seen of Crest Sorcery or Symbology... but it's not quite like the inborn magic of Lunarians either. What was that feeling in the air as he called down that lightning...?
And then, once again, Seis's attempts to psych Xantia out backfire when it turns out *she* can use lightning magic, too--*and* does so with great effect, and with that same strange feeling that Seis's did. Ragnell can feel it in the air, taste it, before she strikes, all of a sudden back full of the vim and vigor she had at the start of the fight. She knows Seis down... and Seis looks up at the crowds--straight at Ragnell.
Ragnell stares back down at him.
Then she wiggles her fingers in friendly-ish greeting as he surrenders, ceding victory to Xantia. Good for her, but... hmmm. And what's she looking at? Ragnell follows the general direction of her gaze towards Fei, but... well, she's never met Fei out of golem, as it were. He just looks like another human to her, particularly since he doesn't seem to be able to see her. Maybe Xantia was looking at someone else?
Either way, Ragnell hops up to her feet, then jumps backwards off the arena wall into the crowds. Unless someone goes out of their way to go after her, she'll mix into the throng and be gone soon enough.
<Pose Tracker> Seis Thurule has posed.
"I have already seen the outcome of this battle." Seis answers to Xantia's surprise, and disappointment, "Continuing to fight when one already knows what the result is an act reserved for fools. Or heroes, as they like."
Clearly, Seis does not see himself as befitting either of those terms.
The roar of the crowd overcomes them as the winner is announced, and Seis nods to her sentiment. "You should learn more about that power, and how to use." He said, crossing his arms when he stood to his feet, "When you have done so, I would be happy to face you again."
'With all I have to offer.' He adds, silently.
Pure happenstance sees to it that his gaze follows Xantia's then, settling squarely on it's recipient: Fei Fong Wong, the pilot of SLIDE-1.
Seis's hands instinctively began to curl into fists. Of course....he'd suspected the man might appear her. And yet....this task now belonged to the Lieutenant.
But that didn't mean he could not provide assistance.
For now, Seis offered a conciliatory bow and turned to exit the arena, perhaps seeking a quiet place to nurse his wounds.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei starts to wave at OH SHIT SHE JUMPED OF THE WAL WHAT THE HELL.
Fei will definitely remember that. "Did I scare her off...?" He rubs the back of his neck. "...She does seem a little familiar though..."
He considers going after her since she just jumped off an arena wall and it was pretty cool, but his head reminds him What exactly will happen if he catches up to her. She'll ask him what he wants and he'll say 'uhhh you did something weird maybe??' and she'll tell him to buzz off.
"Well if I did see her before, I probably will again." Fei reasons. "'Sides, I should congratulate..."
He looks over and sees Xantia looking in his direction.
"ahhhhh....." He raises a nervous thumbs up.
He watches as Seis departs. He seems ominously familiar too but he can't place it. Frankly a lot of people seem ominously familiar. His body language...with the fists, though...
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Fei says. Also weirdly common for him.