Kyuden Shika

Well.
Maybe she could handle this...
Narumi had been to a few sumai tournaments, and understood the basic premise. Don't get pushed out of the ring. Stealing a look to Ishioka, her expression is a steady one that didn't match how she felt inside. This was going to go terribly for her, she thought bitterly, but spent a moment to stretch out.

She bows to the judges, and steps inside the ring, taking her stance. Her first move is indirect, more centred on evading the Stone Matsu's grip.

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Round order: Air - Water - Fire - Void - Earth

D8MM Event: Air | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2


1 opp used to show off. 1 opp used to add a bonus Opp to my next check.

Narumi's evasion is breathtaking, including an incredible spin that almost eludes the big Matsu entirely. But Ishioka's military training is too sharp and he catches her hand, grasping tightly as he catches and lifts her by her hip into the air, and depositing her gently with her feet just outside the edge of the ring. There's a sudden swirl of angry air kami around the ring, incensed that their efforts to keep the beautiful woman out of reach of the stupid "Stone" Matsu had somehow failed.

In the next round, Ishioka's flexibility leaves him ready for whatever move the Otter may try to use on him.

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D8 event, Air round w/Narumi. Air/MAUnarmed. Skill 1, Air 1, Elemental Deficiency Air. | TN: ? | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 1

Ishi "throws" Narumi in round 1. Net 1 strife.
Cumulative __/12

D8 event, Water round w/Narumi. Water/MAUnarmed. Skill 1, Water 3 | TN: ? | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2

1 opp to show off. Net 2 strife.
Cumulative __/12

She's gracefully lifted and placed outside the ring, and Narumi smirks at Ishioka, conceding and noting the air shift- before stepping back inside and resuming starting position.
Her stance matches his at first before she moves to draw him forward, perhaps surprisingly fluid in motion and prepared to move with any advice and keep him off balance. It's not quite as smooth as his training, and he easily maneuvers the Otter outside the ring again.

Resetting for the third round with sweat creeping on her brow and a flush to her cheeks, she recentres and waits for him to be ready.

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(TN should be 2, my bad)
D8MM Event: Water | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2

+1 opp from previous check, +1 opp, both spent to show off
-2 strife via opp

strife count: 4/10
Ishi throws Narumi again for round 2.

D8MM Event: Fire | TN: ? | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

-1 strife via opp

strife count: 4/10

Ishioka can see Narumi starting to tire, and he is himself, but he steels his resolve to remain exactly what he wants to be: the one keeping her safe.

He goes for a flurry of movements and then catches Narumi around the waist, spinning her expertly to just outside the ring to end the third round quickly.

For their fourth round, the Lion settles an intense look on Narumi just before they go again. Do whatever you need to. I've got you.

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D8 event, Fire round w/Narumi. Fire/MAUnarmed. Skill 1, Fire2 | TN: ? | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

Ishi "throws" Narumi again. 1 opp to show off. Net 1 strife.
Cumulative 8/12

D8 event, Void round w/Narumi. Void/MAUnarmed. Skill 1, Void 2 | TN: ? | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0

1 opp to show off.
Cumulative 8/12

The look from Ishioka gets a tender smile in return. He's faster than her, obviously stronger, so as she resets so too does she change course.
His intensity spurs her to find the same intensity inside herself and project that with her actions.
It's... less than effective, as again he places her outside the ring, though she smirks despite feeling sore, shaking her head to clear it before meeting his gaze with quiet appreciation.
Last round, last set up, and her lungs were burning fiercely. She decided she'd meet the Stone Matsu head-on, and opted to stand her ground, putting everything into sinking her position and pressing back into him when they meet, theoretically making it harder for him to move her.

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D8MM Event: Void | TN: ? | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

-1 strife via opp.

strife count: 5/10
Ishi throws Narumi again for round 4.

D8MM Event: Earth, disad. | TN: ? | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2

-1 strife via opp.

strife count: 6/10

Narumi had planted her feet well. The spirits of earth appreciated her grit, and against a more evenly matched opponent, she likely could have held.

But the Stone Matsu was within reach of a successful mission to keep her safe. He was tiring, really feeling the exertion of the control he'd had to use. He knew she was tiring too, and the more tired they both got, the more likely something could go wrong. So, with a mighty breath to prepare, the Lion strode forward. He caught her hands, let them resist his power briefly, but then slowly and inexorably pushed her arms behind her back. He planted his own feet and effectively lifted her into a soft but secure bear hug, striding forward with seemingly little effort to set the Otter, gingerly, on her feet just outside the circle. And if it took him a moment to let her go, it was simple exhaustion that slowed the relaxing of his tense muscles. Not a stolen moment standing with beating hearts pressed together. Not a moment of his relieved sigh brushing past her ear in a way that might have caused both to hesitate. Just a slow relaxation of tired muscles as he let her go and they cleared the circle for the next bouts.


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D8 "wrestling" Narumi. Earth round. MAUnarmed 1, Earth 3, Indomitable Will. | TN: 1 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2

Ishi "throws" Narumi again. Net 2 strife.
Cumulative 10/12

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0 number of throws
3 total opportunities used to show off.
2 opportunities used to show off on a single roll.