(D8, MM Event) Land of the Giants (Yasu/Tanabe)

[Kuni Yasu]

Having already had a solid demonstration of Tanabe's mastery of his chosen art, Yasu has definitely been looking forward to this, and not just because of the amount of skin wrestling puts on display.

Even knowing it won't hold up long, her makeup has been applied carefully, startlingly white beneath hair looped and coiled tight against her head and secured a bit more with a wide, dark blue, headband. The simple chestwrap and traditional loincloth make it far easier to see the Kuni's athleticism today. A jade pendant rests at her collarbone, though it's a bit small to make out details from the crowd.

Yasu carefully performs all appropriate rites upon entering the ring before bowing deeply to her opponent, rising with a warm smile, eyes alight with an anticipation that stands as a sharp contrast to yesterday's stage nerves. She offers a smile and settles into something resembling the stance he has shown her in their sparring, fully expecting to find herself outside the ring, and possibly airborne in a few moments.

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Water -> Air -> Earth -> Fire -> Void
Strife 1/10 to begin

D8 MM Event Water/Unarmed | TN: ? | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 1


Strife 2/10

[Susaki Tanabe]

Tanabe joined the ring dressed in traditional sumai loin cloth putting his fiercely muscular body on display. He lacked the softness some sumai favored though he was not entirely lean his bulk did have a softness on its edges.

He walked about the ring with his hands held high, a jade bracelet around his wrist he bowed to the spectators in the tradition of sumai before entering the ring and stomping his feet releasing a fierce kiai.

But as he face Yasu the warmth in his look was evident and probably easy to see even for the spectators to see.

As the bout began he rushed the Kuni but adjusted and flowed like water around her eventually seeing the gap he locked around her waist "you've been practicing." He whispered in her ear before grunting and just managing to get her put of the ring.

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D8 sumai water/unarmed | TN: ? | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

Strife 2/12 1 opp to show off

[Kuni Yasu]

She was pleased to have been any challenge at all, and unsurprised that his greater experience found that tipping point, that edge of imbalance that stumbled her from the ring. "Of course. Need to keep up with you, love."

Despite the 'loss' her eyes are warm and full of pride as she looks across the ring to him once more. She's surprisingly light on her feet this time as she moves to engage him, something amused and a bit reminiscent of their run by the river yesterday in her smile.

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D8 MM Event Air/Unarmed | TN: ? | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 0

Strife 2/10

[Susaki Tanabe]

Tanabe was never one for the ticky approach and they circled each other and clashed here and there but it seemed neither could get the upper hand. Perhaps he was distracted by her playful smile, perhaps they both were distracted whatever the reason that round seemed a wash.

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D8 event air/unarmed | TN: ? | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 0

Tie
Strife 2/12

[Kuni Yasu]

It was a fun dance, but eventually there was that call for the round to end. This was fun, but felt a bit like they were barely trying, not even breathing hard.

So she settled her feet against the mat, feeling that connection she holds to the earth. There's a challenge when she looks to the Otter, a small determination not to give ground as pushes off to engage once more with momentum as inevitable as a rockfall.

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D8 event earth/unarmed | TN: ? | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 3

Strife: 5/10
1 opportunity to show off

[Susaki Tanabe]

Tanabe saw the challenge and his smile back to her reflected it they met in the middle he was bigger and stronger but the smaller Kuni had determination. Both pushed and pulled a fierce battle a different kind of excitement than what happened when their bodies were usually pressed together.

When the round was called the grin he wore was fierce despite not showing her up he was happy all the same "I see you took my lessons to heart Su-chan." He said as they moved to reset.

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D8 sumai event earth/unarmed | TN: ? | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0

Another tie one opp to show off
Strife 2/12

[Kuni Yasu]

"I take everything about you to heart," she says quietly, stepping away for the next round. Her eyes are much louder than her voice, reflecting the passion they share. Taking hold of that feeling, she pulls it into a fierce and direct assault, knee hooking behind his in an attempt to actually trip him to the ground. The lack of restraint was powerful and freeing, but could certainly end badly.

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D8 event Fire/unarmed | TN: ? | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2

Strife 7/10

[Susaki Tanabe]

Tanabe matched her fire and attempted to reverse her trip but she was too solid for the counter to work. There was a brightness to his features as he fought. "I take this as a sign I am a good coach." He joked lightly as they were separated once again. She surely was doing much better than the last time they had sparred.

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D8 sumai event fire unarmed | TN: ? | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 0

Yet again they tie
Strife 2/12

[Kuni Yasu]

"I can't disagree," she says with a cheery smile. All these stalemates probably do nothing for their standings, but it feels very..appropriate...how well-matched they are. Though given how heavily she's breathing compared to him, she's having to put a lot more effort into looking this well-matched!

Taking a long moment to reach for a stance she doesn't use often, but also that sense of direction that can come with it, she settles in for one last round, looking up at him with peaceful eyes as she moves without planning, and reaches for some understanding of the form.
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D8 event Void/unarmed, Distinction | TN: ? | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

Strife 8/10
1 opportunity to show off (total 2 for event)

Number of throws: 0
Total opportunities used to show off: 2
Most opportunities used to show off on a single roll: 1
S:G:H: 30:43:35

[Susaki Tanabe]

Tanabe had spent more time getting in touch with the universe lately, meditating a little, reaching for what many called the void. Now in this moment he embraced it centering himself meeting Yasu here in this space where time suspends itself.

He felt her touch and responded without thought arm ducking under hers hand coming to her waist and grabbing her loin cloth he hoisted her into the air in a serene reversal and brought her down outside the ring landing on top of her their eyes meeting as his breath came a little fast.

He quickly had to pull himself from that instinctual place lest he follow other instincts here in the dojo. He does delay there a second before straightening and offering her a hand up. "You honor me Yasu-chan." He said giving her a bow as their Match concluded. It hadn't been the best showing of his sumai skills but he couldn't bring himself to be sad about that. He had had fun and felt even closer to her than he had before.

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D8 sumai event void/unarmed size the moment | TN: ? | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2

Win
Strife 4/12

Most throws 2
Opps to show off 2