[Date: October 20, 2020. Time: 12:00 pm.] [Saldin vs. Bookie, the last fight of the third round!] [The arena-making enchanter, Breaker, Bookie, and Ceilia (Vanguard's operative) are all of course present.] [In addition, Will Cheng is present, presumably to root for Saldin.] * Saldin appears from somewhere, that's for sure! He's a she, today, and in classic orange robes. Slightly torn, but hey, what can you do? [Finally, Bookie has female accompaniment in the form of a black haired girl in her mid-teens. She's got a button up sweater and a wool skirt that goes down belief her knees. Probably a bit attractive to her age group, but otherwise nothing special.] [Start] So, Everest, right? * Saldin STILL appears from somewhere, she's STILL female, and that robe didn't repair itself. * Bookie glances warily to Ceilia. Good chance to demonstrate versatility. Let's get this over with before accounting comes after me. * Saldin smiles faintly. "It is a good place to visit. You are lucky to observe the earth's splendor, even through illusion." * Bookie sort of eyes Saldin at that. He isn't buying the sentiment and seems nervous. Buck up, Bookie. You've trained for this, relax and do your best. * Bookie seems a bit reassured. * Breaker rolls her eyes at the pep talk. "Let's get this started." [Everyone moves to take their position on the illusionist's circle.] * Saldin looks over the people and then walks to the circle. She stretches her arms out to her side for a moment, and then back to resting. * Will grins. "Kick ass and contemplate the majesty of nature, Saldin." * Saldin glances to Will and gives him a faint smile. Then back to Bookie. White flat eyes. Brr. * Bookie makes eye contact with Saldin and then glances over to the girl in an effort to avoid Saldin's gaze. [Saldin give me an intimidate roll, then an initiative roll.] [Bookie is disturbed, but not suffering any mechanical penalties. Saldin will go first.] [Everyone is now in position and the illusionist prepares his dramatic footstomping to transition over.] * Saldin puts her hands in front of her stomach and looks over to the girl besides Breaker before she to Bookie, with a very deadpan voice, "You certainly keep interesting company, Bookie." I like to think so. * Ceilia looks to Saldin. "There a problem I should know about?" * Breaker just looks curious. * Saldin gestures outward and says, "Honesty is an important virtue." * Girl smiles sweetly as the Enchanter stomps his foot taking the two of you too Everest. [The peak is cold and the air then, Bookie immediately begins his transformation sequence, which nicely protects him from the elements despite the fact that it involves him being minimally clothed. Go figure.] [Both Saldin and the mecha stand on the diagonally sloped summit of the mountain. The mecha has been upgraded with spiked "feet" that give it more purchase. There's also two stubby antenna on top that weren't there before.] * Yvonne has joined #SAB2020 Get ready... * Saldin doesn't seem concerned as she undoes the belt of her robe and takes a deep breath. "A fine day." ( Yvonne thinks so :o ) * Bookie takes a few tentative steps around, finding his footing. The mecha's movements are a bit ungainly, but not to the extent where it's going to fall over. Go! [Saldin, Bookie.] [And Saldin, give me a sixth sense roll.] * Saldin starts by making a high vertical leap towards Bookie's mech, Robe coming off into her left hand as she sails through the air. [Saldin is quite quick and lands in this round with time to act.] * Saldin bounces off the mecha's leg to get up to his head, sailing up... and then coming down on the head with her right hand on the medallion and the robe falling down to land on the mecha's face. "Pardon my appearance, Bookie." The medallion flashes. [Telekinesis fails this time, as Bookie rolled well. The robe hits Bookie's face and flies off.] [However, the landing throws off Breaker's positioning and the mecha teeters and falls before it manages to slam an arm into the mountain. Saldin's reaction?] * Saldin jumps free of the mecha again, straight uppish that she might land on its chest. And giving Bookie a reason to wish that that robe had kept his eyes covered, if he didn't want to be distracted. [Bookie does seem distracted. He attacks with the free macha arm at an irritant penalty.] [Bookie isn't even close. He does stand up though.] [Saldin's turn again] * Saldin jumps up again, right past Bookie's faceplate... and then down with her hands outstretched. (Repose.) * Saldin jumps up again, right past Bookie's faceplate... and then down with the medallion glowing in her hand again. [Bookie doesn't manage to resist this one and one of the two antennas up top, that lack the heavy armor of the rest of the mecha, break off.] [Bookie's still distracted by the naked woman jumping around.] * Bookie takes another swing, figuring that last miss was a fluke. He also rapid ly climbs up the mountain trying to shake off Saldin.] [However, his distraction is enough to make him miss.] [Saldin!] [Bookie's swing was from front to back, trying to slam Saldin from the side rather than crush her.] [Saldin has perfect balance, so no roll is needed to stay on.] * Rowyn has quit IRC (Read error: Connection reset by peer ) * Rowyn has joined #sab2020 * Saldin comes to her full height as she stands on his head, poses as she grabs her medallion, and gestures at the other antennae. The glowy flash of the medallion cracks the air again. [Bookie again does not make his soul roll. However, this time he's less distracted and turns on an electrical field generater. Saldin can make an unarmed/melee/acrobatics roll against DCV to get off in time, presuming he doesn't want to just take the electrical damage.] (Ah, our friend the EFG.) [24 damage to Saldin, he can decide whether he wants to jump off or just stick around to take it for next turrn as well.] [Saldin] * Saldin doesn't cry out as the electricity arcs over her, at least, and decides that dropping down to his back and kicking off to land on the mountain and perhaps topple him is the best plan of action as she drops and jumps. Her medallion is still in her hand. [Bookie manages to keep up despite the the jump. He then launches four of those happy little mini missiles over towards Saldin.] [Two of the missiles hit, and Saldin then manages to jump out of the way of the last.] [48 damage.] * Jex has joined #sab2020 Session Time: Mon Apr 17 00:00:00 2006 [Saldin's messed up real bad by that attack, but she barely manages to stay standing.] [Saldin!] * Saldin poses on the mountain for a moment as she holds out her medallion and says loudly as the amulet flashes, "Is this what you wish, Bookie? To beat on helpless women to prove yourself to the woman at Breaker's side?" * Saldin does look pretty beat up, all things considered. Explosions do that to you without clothes on. * Saldin adds with gritted teeth, "Perhaps you need to know what combat really feels like!" I'm just hired to do a job. One with good benefits. She'll stay by me either way. Do you want a woman who keeps her nature secret? Isn't that part of being a woman? * Saldin glares with those eyes. "Not when they are masking their nature, lest Breaker destroy them." What? * Saldin continues to deliver in a serious voice, "That woman is hiding what she is. She's using something to keep Breaker and Warlow to see what she really is." Beat. "Perhaps you too." * Bookie keeps hesistating. "You don't know her." * Saldin continues, "But you don't either. Are you willing to lay person after person at her feet, when she hides her nature from you?" Another beat, then, "This is as serious and life and death, Bookie. Breaker's life. Or death." * Saldin lowers her hand, although the glow stays. "Think of Breaker, Bookie. There is nothing you give her by winning you cannot give her with your company alone. Do you want to invite Breaker into a relationship with Vanguard built on lies? Your friend?" * Breaker remateralizes enough to be heard. "That girl is back on the oil rig. Yvonne's watching her. Should be safe." * Bookie looks relieved. "I.. look, she chose this." * Saldin replies, "But this is your choice, Bookie. Not hers. If you truly believe that Vanguard and that girl are in her best interests... as a friend said, if you believe you know enough about all the other options... then there is nothing more to say. Do you wish to consign Breaker's life to this?" She narrows her eyes. "Do you know them well enough?" [Hmm.. give me a psychology roll.] They've kept their word, on everything. I don't know that they're good guys, but they say protecting the world is part of protecting their assets. * Saldin replies, swiftly, "At any cost? Breaker's happiness or freedom needn't be part of their world." * Saldin stands battered and adds, "What do you think one woman's life would mean to them?" I think.. Her life doesn't matter to them, but agreements do. They keep contracts. * Saldin chuckles and quips back, "Demons keep contracts too. A devil's bargain is no bargain at all." So she'll need a good lawyer, one that will make sure they don't hurt her or put her in more danger than anyone else would. What could happen? Let your imagination soar, Bookie, and you will be certain to think of a thousand possibilities. If there is one thing Vanguard is well known for, it is caring not for life, but for their own survival. The innocents that have died at their hands are numerous. They are no stranger to sacrificing tens, hundreds, to their company's survival. * Saldin gestures with her free hand. "Would you put her in the hand of a black magess? Would you want her to deliver the chemical weapon that killed thousands of people rather than try to cure them of their disease?" What disease? When? Indonesia. People infected with lycanthropy, they would rather kill them than give them any chance, or any hope. * Saldin 's voice gets sadder, although no less serious. "The mass graves, I saw with my own two eyes." I.. well, werewolves are pretty dangerous... [Psych roll again Saldin.] * Saldin shakes her head. "They were barely infected. There were people working to cure them. They were quarantined." She looks to him. "They chose expediency over humanity. Why would you want that for yourself? For Breaker?" I don't want to live with a vow of poverty. I don't think Breaker does either. * Saldin smiles faintly. "Nobody has to take the vow if they do not believe. But there is one thing we will give her that no other place can promise fully." ( Sex? ) ( ... yes. Sex.) (And we change genders, too! Just in case you like it the other way.) What about me--- wait, what can you give her? [For the record, Ceilia's managed to cut off transmission by now and the Smee event promoters are making arrangements to drown their sorrows in beer once the fight is over.] (Ha.) * Saldin gestures outward. "Freedom. We walk where we will, save who we can, associate with who we will. We need no contract, because we give freely. She need make no moral compromise to train with us." * Saldin manages to quirk a smile. "She does not even have to get a tattoo." * Bookie sounds resigned. "Alright, look, surrender. I'll talk to her, if she prefers you guys, I'll drop out and Yvonne can win." [And psychology roll on that.] * Saldin smiles faintly, and then the amulet's glow fades and she bows. "I trust that you will do the right thing, Bookie. I yield." [And fade out.] [And Yvonne and Raleigh stand together. Three soldiers, including an exorcist, are also on deck, closely watching Raleigh.] * Yvonne waves. "How'd it go? Did we win?" We have to talk. ::She grabs Bookie once he drops out of mecha form by the shirt cuff:: Me first. * Saldin yells out, "HOLD!" and the glow catches. Cecilia can have a nice 100 KG resistance against her movement. * Ceilia looks at Saldin and then pushes through with one arm. Her muscles strain a bit but don't seem remotely capable of explaining that act. "Do not triffle with me monk..." I said, me first. ::She walks over to Bookie and glares at Ceilia:: * Raleigh looks perturbed. "Don't hurt him!" * Saldin says clearly, "I believe Breaker has made her opinion very clear. I suggest you listen, or it might become quite obvious which option she will 'prefer'." * Bookie looks flummoxed. * Ceilia lets out a breath. "Right, talk." [Breaker and Bookie go over and huddle in a corner. Hearing rolls.] * Raleigh looks to Saldin. "Thank you. I was afraid they might rip him apart." Her concern sounds genuine. * Saldin manages to give Raleigh a faint smile. "Perhaps, but lies may hurt him far more than that." So could lasers. (Or lies with lasers on them?) ( Lie-powered laser lie-chucks! ) * Saldin sighs slightly. "I am sure they would hurt as well, Yvonne." * Yvonne nods in assent. * Raleigh smiles. "I don't think you'll believe me, but I've never lied about my feelings towards him. * Ceilia has a smiling poker face and may or may not be listening to the kids talk. * Saldin gestures at Yvonne. "I believe anyone can be truthful, miss." He regards her with a serious look. "But if you want one middle-aged monk's advice, let the whole truth out." * Raleigh listens to the advice and smiles and nods. "I will consider that." [Bookie and Breaker break huddle.] Yvonne, if you win, do I work for Saldin or don't I? (don't I->for you.) * Yvonne blinks. "Huh?" Last fight, you were vague. If you win, who do I work for? I wouldn't advise giving any value to her word. I- Hey! * Bookie just sort of stands there, worried that his financial prospects are already ruined. * Raleigh walks over to Bookie when a soldier calls out "Stay away from the champion miss." She nods and Bookie walks over instead. * Yvonne eyes Ceilia. "As I was GOING to say..." * Yvonne shrugs. "I haven't decided yet!" * Saldin eyes Yvonne. "Yvonne, you are truly flightly." * Yvonne beams at Saldin. "Thanks!" And why would what you pick be any better than Vanguard? * Saldin sighs. "It was, unfortunately, not a compliment." 'Cause I'm gonna win. * Kaede has joined #sab2020 * Breaker purses her lips for a moment. "Is that so?" She turns to Bookie. "Stay in, you might as well at least get your pay out." The boy nods but doesn't exactly look relieved. Raleigh hold his hand. (holds) * Yvonne scratches her head. "What was that all about?" * Saldin decides that it would be nice to have her clothes back, and goes to get them, turning her back on the crowd to go and grab it. "If you had told them that you were to hold to your word and Breaker would train with me, then the decision would have been made." * Rowyn has quit IRC (Ping timeout ) * Ceilia moves to collect Bookie. When Raleigh keeps a hold of his hand for a moment she looks at the girl. "You can see him after the tournament is over." She nods. (Raleigh) * Yvonne boggles. "I never said that. Did I? 'Cause I was thinking we should all have a hand in it. Don't you think?" * Saldin sighs and picks up her robe. "We were all going to have a hand in it anyway, Yvonne." * Yvonne nod. "Yeah, exactly." * Saldin begins to wrap her robe around her. "So why did you not tell her she would train with the monks?" She said she was gonna work for you. I thought the point was she wasn't working for anyone. * Will walks up to Saldin but notes that she's in a fairly serious conversation so gives a wave and walks off. His cell phone then rings. * Saldin pauses, then chuckles, walks back over, and pats Yvonne on the shoulder. "How right you are, Yvonne. But you should have cleared that up before forcing a final round." What? I thought Kahlya was still in. So there would be one anyhow. More action figure designs to approve? How many do you need? Oh.. they've made that much? Net? Great, I'll be right over. * Rowyn has joined #sab2020 * Kaede has quit IRC (Ping timeout ) * Saldin mms and then ties the robe closed. "We will see, I do suppose." He looks over to Breaker. "I apologize for the lack of clarity in our position." * Breaker nods distractedly. (End?) * Yvonne holds out a hand towards Saldin. "Hey, wait a sec!" * Saldin looks over at Yvonne. "Yes? I got a lot of stuff I want to talk to you about, and you've been impossible to find. * Yvonne pokes Saldin in the chest. "So no vanishing acts until I do, 'kay?" * Saldin aahs slowly and then gestures outward in a sweeping motion. "If the world is cooperative." * Yvonne pouts. "It better be. It's getting kinda frusterating." * Saldin waves slightly to Breaker and then gingerly takes Yvonne's hand. "Be gentle. I am not exactly at my best." Then he begins to walk. (She) (She. Thank you.) * Yvonne takes Saldin's hand. "Oh my! So forward, huh. You know, I think you're hotter as a woman. Except you need to do something about the baldness." * Saldin just walks off, not dignifying that one with a response. Do your vows permit toupees? 'Cause you'd still be bald, you know. [Break!]