WHO: Kawn, Rydia of Mist, David (Diablos).
Where: Slums of Midgar.
Why: Kawn's been trying to find Rydia WITHOUT David, he finally did.
Date of Log: August 6th, 2000.
Kawn doesn't have any advantageous positions from which to lash out at some unsuspecting victim, or more appropriately somebody he's been searching for; Rydia. Though her exact whereabouts he knows not, he recalls vaguely that she was last inhabiting the 5th Sector of Midgar city, near the entrance where he arrived, and spooted her with some protector of sorts. No, he doesn't expect the cowardly girl to be unattended, but he can always hope, and it opportunity knocks, he'd regret missing the door. Now, as for the scene before you, a blackend decayed city beneath the towering framework of steel structures overlooking the city that is ShinRa, with Kawn silouetted (I spelled that wrong, please correct me) against it like a character moving in the background, he comes into view of the general public. Despite having his archaic mail look, you know that somehow.. he fits in this setting..
Indeed, David isn't always around Rydia. Sometimes he lets her wander on her own. However, half the time he's behind her somewhere like a shadow. He's good at that, but then again, he -is- the Father of Darkness, after all. However, today he's not. The Caller isn't aware of this, mind you, she just goes about her business, after all. And she's been getting to know a few of the slum dwellers lately, so of course here she comes, almost skipping along towards a pocket of little shops to chat with the owners.
Kawn doesn't know how well Rydia ids affiliated with mentioned vendors on the street, but even assuming they were somewhat close... Kawn has come to know something of this city- few peopel are heroes. They want to be, really, and stand up for ideals, but if that were so true why would they have not by now organized to dethrown ShinRa? Because they are trying so hard just to survive that there's no time to get involved in these revolutions, conditions are JUST good enough that they'll keep living in such standards and not have an uprising. Conditions are also JUST bad enough that people probably aren't willing to rescue a girl in distress, unless she's family. There are exceptions, but the dark knight, seeing her hold council with some poor stricken shop proprietor makes him guess... that EVEN if he provides resistance, it won't be anything near threatening. His move is made- he casually, yet stealthily moves from one obstacle or shop to the next, as if blending into the crowd by emulating their manner of movement, and trying to maintain his anonymity..
Oblivious to the Dark Knight's devious intentions, Rydia engages in a pleasant conversation with a younger looking woman behind a booth. The woman is haggard, even though youthful, but seems brighter merely by the Caller's presence. Innocence does that to you, and such is in short supply in Midgar. It's about as rare as... flowers. She does appear to be armed, a whip at her side, with one hand on the grip, though this is mostly to keep it out of her way with the way she gestures as she talks. So animated. So lively. And so naive to think it safe to walk out here by herself.
Kawn peers at Rydia through some dumpster full of trash; ironically, the contents are probably not that much inferior to the type of furniture and food that one in Midgar considers high quality. An incredible disparity exists between the slummers and those in authority- times are desperate, and some predict the coming of an apocolypse. Why? Insanity. A reassurance. A hope that judgement will come, an escape from the reality that is manifested in this hell called Midgar; populated by... humans? Or a city of dark angels? Well, one of the newer temporary residents fits this description, and currently he's almost within range of Rydia, now grinning at the sign of her whip . o O (Oh... maybe she's into spankings... whippings... bondage?.. Or maybe I can show her the ropes myself n.-) he smirks to himself.
No, Rydia still has no noticed Kawn's approach, laughing at something the vendor said to her. The two seem to be fast friends, though honestly Rydia just met her yesterday. Kawn is naught but another shadow in the slums, someone passing by. Since she senses no immediate threat by the way he walks, she doesn't assume that he is one. She only sees him from the corner of her vision, after all. And lots of people have passed by her already.
Here's where the following will ensue- either the chaotic dispersal of frightened citizens not wishing to be involved in a violent outbreak, or those so apathetic to the terrors of this place that they'll simply watch motionless and silent. That's up to the spectators to decide, but the origins of this, the cause, can be none other than Kawn! This black knight holds no regard for human life, or monster life, or any life- this sometimes includes himself oddly enough c.c Such is the code of a black knight though, and a heart of darkness like his can never feel guilt nor pain nor empathy, maybe sympathy... that's almost a negative emotion. Having had plently of chances to maneuver into her general vicinity, he now strikes outwards with a silent side slash from his shadow sword, attempting to cut her in the side. Of course, some people might be screaming and pointing, but as for him, no sounds... He wants pre-emptive here, that's far better than dramatic gloats in combat.... and more promising.
Someone indeed does scream, the very woman Rydia's been talking to. She glances up and shrieks! at the top of her lungs, which alerts the Caller to Kawn's presence immediately. Gasping, she dives to the side, barely missing the sharp edge of the blade, though the rough ground of the Midgar slums do not make good terrain for tumbling. Clumsily she sommersaults, ouch that's gonna leave bruises, and crouches on the balls of her feet, flicking out the whip with a solid *crack!*. So... the Dark Knight has seen fit to find her again, has he. He'll not find her so easy a target as he thinks!
Kawn has learned through many confrontations that deception is always a possibility, and thus will not under-estimate her if possible, but even his best guess may fall short of Rydia's abilities; for she may seem weak, that is hardly the case. No. Kawn will fight his best, and try to dispose of Rydia, or inflict some even more grave torture upon her, to avenge himself.. his comrades, and hurt Edge who humiliated him for no reason but his own suspicions! No evidence is never needed with that damn ninja, so now displacement dictates he'll vent his anger on Rydia. The whip is noted, and he frowns at the woman who warned Rydia, but that's for later to be dealt with... immediately he sets to doing this deed of his- a followup. A slash towards Rydia, aimed at leg, for she has fallen, that seems more easy a target... though, it's a bit troublesome, for he must crouch over to injure her.
And Rydia is a nimble little minx too, she has to be for she doesn't have the size or strength of Kawn. Compensation has to come in somewhere. She jumps to her feet, taking just enough steps back to avoid getting her leg slashed. *snap!* goes the whip, aiming for the sword hand in hopes of knocking him off balance when she tugs back with the grip. It'd be nice to disarm him, but the Dark Knight is rather large and she's not about to expect such a thing. Meanwhile, the opposite hand draws back, blue colored light forming in a ball within the palm. Seems she's not just a little innocent girl, but someone commanding magickal forces as well.
Kawn 's blade is amazingly caught by Rydia's whip, however there's this tendancy in anime for those entangled, or with weapons entangled to pull back and try to escape, when such an effort is futile- and often stupid. Ok, the player now hopes this reference is well known, in Ranma Movie 1, the girl with the guitar shoots strings which tighten around the victim and the harder they pull the more it hurts... but, if it's so tight, why do they pull back instead of moving forward? MORONIC! Kawn is not like that see, although he estimates Rydia would never be able to knock his weapon aside no chances are taken, even if he must engage whatever consequences he must endure for this course of action. In this case, probably a spell. He moves forward as she pulls/draws him with the whip adhered to his sword, and attempts to jab her in the arm with the whip, since... that's convenient- but he'll not evade that spell, it's inevitable.
No, the spell is chucked just as the whip grabs its intended target. But! Rydia doesn't forsee Kawn's ploy until it's too late. What in the world? Everyone tries to pull free, so why is the Dark Knight merely letting momentum carry him forward? Oh crap! She halts her tugging on the whip, trying to swing off to the side to let him stumble past her rather then tackle her! That would be bad see, especially since the ice spell appears to be right on target. She wriggles the whip too, trying to free it. The sudden wound to her arm hardly registers immediately, so surreal and detached she suddenly feels, though her lips part in a shriek of pain and blood droplets actually sparkle briefly in the air.
Kawn is hit by the ice spell at point blank range, which is surprising to Kawn, for this system he had was working so well until now. What a revolting development this is, now the surface of his armor is coated by icy frost which exploded on contact, causing MORE than minor agitation. This made him stumble back too btw, and incidentally, breaking the link between Rydia's whip and Kawn's sword. They are both free of eachother- ok, so the plan didn't go as thought, but improvision is never a bad plan! And best of all, it corresponds to current circumstances. . o O (Damn you...*&$^ing ice spell....) he says to himself, and then recovers. Moving back a pace, his turn now after taking the brunt of Rydia's attack. He....makes out like he's going to slash at her from overhead, though from out of reach, POSSIBLY misleading her to think he's just making an error and she's safe, if she falls for this- she's in serious trouble. Why?... because at the peak of his downward swing, he releases his sword, aiming it at her stomach area! trying to impale her x.x;; what a risk, tossing his sword c.c But then, is he defenseless! Is he an easy target without his weapon! O_O Would he mis-calculate like this?... Only one way to find out..
Free from Kawn, Rydia grasps at the sudden wound on her arm, forcing out of mind the pain caused and the warm oozey feel of her own blood. She looks up just in time to see the sword coming down at her head. Her good arm raises upward defensively, as if that might aid her. But no... this time red light begins to glow within that palm, drawn in and released in the form of fire. It'll melt that ice, for sure, but it'll heat up that armor damn quick too! However, it takes some concentration, and so the blade does connect with her abdomen, though not as impaling as Kawn had hoped. She allows herself to fall backward, gaining a nice long, but safely shallow slash instead of a deep, deadly wound. However, this leaves her decidedly vunerable at this point. Her only defense would be her spells.
Kawn has, essentially delivered a good hit this time, and he's confident in his abilities, but as well in her's- her efforts in resisting him are more effective than Irvine managed, but the black knight cheated! He had to cheat to beat Irvine c.c; and even then it could have been anyone's game, Cecil he nearly got.. and that robot, but he's had many losses too, failures. Win and lose, the game is what matters, and right now he's playing, hoping to win; but if not he won't cry. The fire spell makes short work of him, as ice melts and evaoprates quickly, but beyond that his armor becomes hot to the touch, and trapped inside he screams with pain, "GAH!" no.. it doesn't melt yet, but.. it's hot.. GRR! No sword, so what does he do? Run forward and retrieve it, at the expense of missing Rydia's vunerability? NEVER! He'll get the sword later, or go hand to hand if some ghetto thief steals it meanwhile, but right now... he chants his own words, extending an arm forward shakily as if hindered by stress of some sort, and casts... Lit1! A bolt of electricity reaches out like a branch, trying to collide with the innocent girl and give her a shocking experience. (Yes, it's cliche, so sue me)
Indeed, Rydia throws her head back and screams, her voice echoing through the desolate slums into silence. Lightning rips through her, jolting her nervous system and making her twitch and jerk on the ground like some sort of puppet whose master is having an epileptic fit. As it subsides, she wastes no time, palm drawn back wearily to form yet another fire spell. It worked so well the last time, frying Kawn in his armor, best to stick with what works. Enraged, in pain, she has no idea -what- Kawn's next move is, indeed he could be about to completely tackle her, but she throws the spell toward him regardless.
David is finally... here. His presence is an arrival from a shadowed little space between two piles of scrap. He steps around them and into view, no more than ten yards away from the two. Any closer and he might have to worry about the spell slinging. "Hey!" he's idly tossing and catching a dagger in one hand. Abruptly, the toss becomes a throw, the slim blade sent streaking toward the still upright Kawn at a strength that will be more than ample for the distance separating David from the two fighters. After that dagger he sends a jab, "If you're gonna pick on girls, at least have the decency to let 'em stand up before attacking." muttered added, "Idiot." Though... does he really mean that for Kawn, or for himself? There's no telling, and it's not likely something to be overheard this time 'round.
Kawn really doesn't want to engage this spell as fully as those other two, he's already taken a good dose of punishment from the girl who's frantically cringing and flinging around from that last spell of his. But now she's better, so he's gotta steer clear of what's heading in his direction...at him! A fire spell, singes one side of him as he darts to the side behind some random telephone pole or something, but still causing significant damage and pain. Grr! No sword, but he's used just one spell, and with this position he has a source of protection. He needs a few seconds to roll around like a pig wallowing to extinguish the flames, which he does promptly, perhaps giving Rydia a chance to find cover.. But QUICKLY. Of course, this stunt saves him from the dagger. Peering overtop his new 'fort' he blinks... Now he has two opponents, odds which are hardly fair! He's into the one-on-one thing, he's taken stronger enemies, and weaker, he does not discriminate, but numbers equalling that above his own is not preferable. No response is given to David's beliefs on how one should fight, nobody dictates who should do what.. there is no should! There just is, and the is is, David is attacking him too. His turn! He should now attack Davidm the interloper, but his target is Rydia and he won't deviate, from behind his cover he casts... another Lit1, sending it over towards the tiny caller.
(add on) then again, Kawn was probably too far away to hear Dave's rules, so maybe that's why he said nothing o.o;;
Indeed, seeing Kawn dash off for cover to escape the power of her casting, Rydia brings herself to her feet, an arm clutching at the slash across her belly. She has no idea how deep it is, but it's painful and it's bleeding. She stumbles and scrambles over a pile of junk, not realizing yet that David has arrived. Her flight reflex has kicked in, the desire to find safety. However, just as she leaps downward the lightening spell strikes her from behind and her shriek echos anew as her body disappears behind the wall of scrap, the sound of something clanging and crashing soon following.
Tsk. His dagger missed. As Kawn sends another bolt at David's Caller friend, the man in turn raises his hand. But... What was to be never is, as the sounds of clanging and crashing come from the pile that Rydia disappeared into. In a flash of movement, David is approaching that pile of junk, intent on seeing if Ryds is all right and everything. Sure, it leaves him wide open, but at the moment, he seems to care littler.
Kawn can make a choice, make a grab for his sword and fight, or cast a spell and continue fighting.. or grab his sword and escape, or cast a spell and escape. He has seen Rydia in combat situations before, and therefore is well aware of her capabilities, summoning and calling monsters, however this one he's never witnessed personally- and no such determination can be made about his limitations. How do you gauge an enemy? Fight them, and risk being pummeled, or wait until you see them in another fight, and observe their technique. The black knight can't very well inspect that area while David is over there, for if Rydia is ok, though it's evident she isn't, she'll cast a spell while he's preoccupied with her friend. And the reverse, to attack Rydia if she's beneath the rubble, Dave will strike. OK! So here's what he does. He darts to the side from where he's standing, then forward a little, and snatches his sword back, then running back behind his former hideout, he waits to see what follows....
On the other side of the wall of scrap, Rydia is sprawled on the ground, writhing as the second lightning spell finally finishes it's course. She's injured, that's for certain, her clothing soaked with her own blood and her hair frizzed from the numerous spells cast at her. Her breathing comes shallow one moment, then in great gulps the next, but the second she sees David she pulls herself to her feet, "David!" At last, her Esper savior! How she so wanted to Call on Phoenix for protection, but did not -dare-, not here in Midgar!
David ducks down, a grin for the sake of the fact that Rydia's alive... Bad off, but it could be dead. Which is something he can't do anything about. Right. That scrap pile between them and the attacker for the moment, David feels that it's fine enough to kneel down at Rydia's side to check her over, "Sorry it took me so long to get here." he says, just as if he were simply late to a small get together, or dinner. "You wouldn't believe the traffic." really. He's trying to perk up your spirits, Rydia... his hands are reaching out, seeking to touch stomach and shoulder. Healing magics are under his control, and that is his aim. "Hope you gave him hell, Ryds." he says, a touch more seriously. "'Cause when I'm done strewing his entrails over three sectors, there's not much that's gonna be left for other folks' vengance." ....Uh-oh.
Kawn would laugh at the commentary being spoken from this David character, listening to the vows and all that, he snorts to himself, . o O (Harm me he says, ... swearing is easy...) and shakes his head. Too bad all his efforts were all in vain, and that this person has healed the damage done, so Kawn shrugs... Kill the one who heals, and there will be no healing- he casts Ice1! The icy mists collect and surge towards David, solidfying in mid-air, then upon impact (if successful) they will explode violently! He btw, remains behind his shelter...
"I gave him as much hell as I could," she says, wincing as the wounds are touched intially, though they don't ache for long under David's touch, Rydia smiles somewhat nervously at the Esper's attempt at humor. She doesn't quite find this so funny, but is glad to see her wounds closing, her blood cease to flow. Even her hair stops looking so funny, shocked frizzy. However, she sees the spell coming for David and gasps, pointing, "David look out!" Why she's worried is anyone's guess, though Diablos isn't immune, he's certainly much tougher then she is.
What? If he moves, it hits Rydia. So, David stays, the spell targetting him directly behind that pile of scrap. As the ice shards pummel him, his hands press against Rydia from the force of the impact. Yeah, he grits his teeth. "Damn, it's like getting hugged by Shiva." he notes around the clenched jaw, his voice soft so that only Rydia should hear it. Then.. it is over. David stands, his back arching, accompanied by audible *cracking* of ice breaking, which then falls to the pile of scrap at his feet. He turns around, saying loudly enough to be heard, "Now that was low." he comments as he steps over the pile of scrap, beginning to approach Kawn's little fort. "Let's play a little game, huh? I walk over there, you try to kill me.... But if I reach you..." The grin on the man's features is just short of manical... though it'd be perfect for the features of a demon-spawn. Perhaps that is what makes it all the more sinister, that it is cast with the human features of the disguised esper.
Kawn shakes his head boredly at David's comment. Sure it's astonishing that despite Kawn's armor, this person's reaction to a spell seems approximately the same, while without being aided by the mail, but nothing and nobody is invincible. As for low, Kawn would comment about how a knife was thrown at him without warning, and this person's 'divine intervention' and minding his own bussiness but he's not about to talk hypocrisy to this duelist idealist. Low? There is no low... anyone stupid enough to make rules by which they restrict themselves claiming some concept called honor and all that is full of bulls#!+. Those who win, win, those who lose, lose. Those who survive, survive. As this weirdo begins to approach him cautiously, or maybe just slowly, he smirks.. a game? Hah! Why should he play this little game? Ok... administer some blows, and then if the guy isn't finished, run away! "Agreed" a man's word is only as good as he is, but do you know that? The features do look a bit, demonic almost but, this is a knight of darkness, and the most intimidating thing is not some big scary flaming evil growling horned demon, but a dorky white cloaked shining paladin, so he doesn't really cower in fear or quake. Instead though, he sends... another ice1 at David, hoping it freezes him in his tracks..
Scrambling up the wall of scrap, Rydia pauses at the top, eyes widening as she watches David in this strange, surreal battle. What's this? He's not going to attack? He's just gonna let Kawn fire away at him without defending himself even? Now, the Caller knows that Espers are strong, but this seems a bit much to her. If only she hadn't given up her white spells for the black... she would attempt to heal him.
David is a little... odd like that. The man pauses as the other spell comes his way. He's not so foolish as to take it without affording some protection to his face. Those arms come up, and indeed, he does have to struggle a moment, but finally breaks out of the ice that formed. If he's so close as to have heard David speak to Rydia in regard to the healing, the vows... then the distance isn't all that far. ANd it's closing rapidly. One, maybe two more spells on this strange man, before he reaches Kawn's place.
Kawn points and laughs at David, "Hah! You stupid person, you keep sustaining more damage, and by the time you reach me, you'll stiill have to engage me in melee! But even better, when this ordeal is done, and you are not around to protect her.." he smirks, and adds, "Even if YOU win.. and I survive, you can not ALWAYS be watching her, and for not your untimely entrance, she would be DEAD! DEAD! HAHAHAHAH!!!.." he then casts... Lit1, directing it towards David accurately, hoping to blast him into submission- ok.. third spell in a consecutive row, then afterwards... Kawn stands, hit or miss, he insults, "HAHAH! You idiot! Come follow me!.." he then hastily rushes down the street, leaving dust behind him, as well as David and Rydia. True, David isn't far, but he's not incredibly close, so.. a chase might be in order here.
Feeling a little helpless here, Rydia hestitates. Should she aid David? She's clearly in range to be chucking spells at Kawn, and certainly much more magickally powerful, not yet feeling too much of a draw on her capabilities. Watching him break through another ice spell, she winces, fidgeting with the tatter areas of her shirt. Then... Kawn runs. She blinks and calls after him, "Coward!"
Aaah, but well within the range of spell casting. This time, as David's hand raises, it twists in a circle trice, and lazily at that. "Suffer in a well of pain for your transgressions." he intones, though there seems little need for the dramatic words to be added to the nature of the spell casting. The air around Kawn's retreating figure seems to grow still before beginning to compress. If Kawn doesn't look sharply, he'll be caught momentarily in a well of gravity... (Demi)
Added, that David did go to his knee as the bolt struck... grounded thusly, his body shivers in both laughter and effect, before pushing himself to his feet once again... (and then the rest of that)
Kawn is taking neccessary precautions to ensure that he doesn't get struck in the back, which he's sure someone capabale of throwing daggers without warning would do. But, then again, he's concentrating on running, so the gravity spell manages to stun him for a second and reduce his life force by... 1/4th, which does not too much considering Rydia's already dealt him some damage, but at this point he needs all the life that he can get. Grrr... the situation is looking more grim by the second. He calls out to Rydia, "Coward you call me, while simultaneously you have someone to restore everything I inflict, thereby making you invincible... and you would call it lack of bravery that I wish to remain intact, rather than fight this hopeless cause?.. Let's see if you are not too cowardly to follow me, both of you!!!" and with that, he stumbles forward after being crushed by the spell, down the street... He doesn't retaliate this round, he's saving his strength..
David rolls his eyes heavenward, keeping still for a moment. An effort of concentration follows and slowly... /very/ slowly, the injuries heal. The clothing remains in soaked tatters however - David's blood is as red as any human's, though not much was drawn. "He's a real nutcase, isn't he?" the esper muses as he watches Kawn disappear around the bend. "Che, I'll find him later and have a bit of fun." In his own way, David might well be just as sadistic as Kawn. He turns around now and faces Rydia, "You okay, Ryds?"
Rydia scrambles down from the scrap heap, catching up to where David stands. She checks herself over really quick, no more bleeding. "Yeah... thanks to you I'm fine." Glancing up to where Kawn ran off to she shakes her head, then sighs. "You have no idea. The man wants me dead... though I think it not so much for Cecil as for... Edge also. He humiliated Kawn once... and Kawn has sworn revenge on me in his stead."
"What a moron." Yeah, that's David's opinion, "Bet he gets this little thrill over picking on little girls because he can't beat up real men." That's another line Dave learned from his books you see. But... Though chase is considered, David gives it up and starts to head for Rydia. "You did good, kid. Learning what it's like not being able to depend on us all the time." He nods his approval for a moment... Following shortly, a large yawn, which David speaks around, "Aaah, gotta get some rest though. Come on, Ryds." Casual as ever, he reaches over with the intent of ruffling the girl's hair, before moving toward their little place of temporary residence. Elmyra's place, or otherwise, wherever it may be.
Ducking her head to avoid getting her hair ruffled, Rydia seems vastly pleased at David's pride in her. Beaming, she falls in beside him to head off toward wherever their sleeping place is. Though the ordeal was frightening, she's glad it's ended. Glad she's ok, and glad David is too.