Jiro staggered back, guts trying to heave from the strike. That'd be a nope.

[OOC: 15:20, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 19 using 1d20+10. toughness save. Stunned and bruised.]

Jiro staggering is interrupted by a follow-up blow that knocks him to the ground and slides him back until he hit Chen Ming's unconscious body..

[OOC: Just a descriptor of the knockback, it's not another attack]

Alex was about to check on Chen when she saw Zhang Peter punch Jiro so hard that he fell and slid right by her. With one smooth motion, she leapt to her feet while snaping up the fallen Sai. She threw it with all her strength at the man who had just struck down her friend, screaming in rage.

[OOC: 18:29, Today: Alex rolled 30 using 1d20+13. AoA5, throwing.
DC24 save, taking into account the +1 damage for a Sai. Go go throwing mastery! ]

Zhang Peter didn't even grunt as the weapon bounce of his abs. He rushed forward, aiming to deliver another strong hit as he passed. Only Alex's unnatural combat skill allowed her to avoid needing soft food.

[OOC: 18:31, Today: Gamemaster rolled 25 using 1d20+13. Toughness Save.
18:33, Today: Gamemaster rolled 18 using 1d20+12. Attacking Alex AOA 5, PA3.
Move by action, coming to rest about 10 feet past Alex.}

Jiro bounced to her feet, regaining her breath in gulps. "Sorry for running into you, Chen-san," she muttered, taking aim at Zhang.

Ki gathered between her hands, and lashed out. "Wrathful Kami's Shout!"

[OOC: 15:38, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 10 using 1d20+8. Wrathful Kami's Shout. Probably a miss, unless the all out attack and defence-for-toughness thing he's doing plays more in my favour than I think it does... On the off chance of a hit, that's a DC 23]

Alex let's out a sigh of relief when Jiro proved that he was still in the fight. In unision with Jiro's attack she shouted her own attack name, as she kicked in the direction of her foe.
"WRATHFUL FLIP-FLOP ASSAULT!"

Sure enough, half her footware was now flying towards Zhang Peter.

[OOC: 18:44, Today: Alex rolled 27 using 1d20+13. AoA5, throwing.
DC 23 save. Throwing MASTERY.]

The ki bolt clearly pains him, but the flip flop hitting him in the face drew a larger reaction.

Zhang Peter makes another run past Alex. This time his fist hits, like that of an enraged god.

[OOC: 18:48, Today: Gamemaster rolled 19 using 1d20+13. Toughness Save.
18:48, Today: Gamemaster rolled 29 using 1d20+12. Toughness Save.
18:51, Today: Gamemaster rolled 16 using 1d20+12. Attacking Alex AOA 5, PA3.
18:51, Today: Gamemaster rolled 29 using 1d20+12. Attacking Alex AOA 5, PA3. FIAT.
Improved Crit means DC 33 save for Alex. Yes, a roll of 17 crits from him.
HP to Alex.]

Alex's head snaps back hard from the force of the blow.

[OOC: 18:56, Today: Alex rolled 15 using 1d20+9. HP Re-roll.
18:56, Today: Alex rolled 16 using 1d20+9. Toughness Save. 25 VS 33 = Stun and a bruise.
Bruised x2, Stunned]

Jiro sees Alex's head snap back in a very unhealthy looking way, and her blood boils. "NO!"  She charges, ki swirling around her fists. "You do! Not! Get! To hurt my friends!"

Her fist sought Zhang's torso. Specifically, the far side of it.

[OOC: 16:01, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 31 using 1d20+12. Ki Strike. AoA 5, Power Attack 5.

GOGO Improved Crit! DC 31 toughness save for Zhang, please.]

Even Ki enhanced toughness has it's limits. As Jiro's body wraps itself in an aura of pure blue ki, Zhang realizes he has just reached his. His last thought was that he had learned a very important lesson before his impact with the far wall drives all thoughts away. He tumbles down the pit beside the plate and lands out of sight.

[OOC: 19:08, Today: Gamemaster rolled 15 using 1d20+13. Toughness Save. ]

That felt good, thought Jiro as Zhang tumbled out of sight. The aquatransexual turned to Alex, offering a hand as her ki shifted into a more aiding flow. As Alex accepts her outstretched hand, healing energy begins to spread. "Merciful Spirit's Grasp," she murmers, then, "That went better than it had a right to, I think. How's the neck?"

[OOC: array is in healing]

Alex gratefully takes the hand. "Wow, that was awesome." She said as she climbed to her feet. The sudden surge of healing energy surprised her, and she lost her balance slightly. She instinctively reached out to steady herself on Jiro. Normally this wouldn't be a problem. Normally one would not be standing on an oil coated metal plate after a short, but exhausting fight.

The pair landed in a tumble, Alex's impact cushioned slightly by Jiro.

"Uhhh..." Alex's face, only inches away from Jiro's, was bright red.

On some level, I think this was inevitable. Jiro sighed, then started chuckling. "You know, I was wondering when something like this would happen. The universe has a strange sense of humor." She shook her head.

"Could you get off? You're heavy, and I'd like to check on Chen-san."

"The universe. Right." Alex said, still sounding out of sorts. A breath, and then she rolls off of Jiro.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Wed 09 Mar 2011.

Jiro bounced to her feet, walking over to Chen Ming. "Don't worry about it, Alex-san. I know it was an accident. Given how slick this plate is, I'm honestly surprised we didn't slip earlier." I know that sort of thing is awkward, Alex. Shake it off, we've still got to get out of here."

Kneeling beside Chen, she checked him over in preparation for healing. "Also... 'Wrathful flip-flop assault? Really?"

[OOC: 16:42, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 15 using 1d20+6. medicine check on Chen.]

Chen Ming is already showing signs of coming around. He's going to be sore for a while, but he'll recover.

Alex's blush had started to fade, but sprang back to full force. "Well... uhh... I was kinda out of things to throw and... Well, you shout all your attack names and that was the best I could come up with. Sorry..."

Jiro chuckles. "Fair enough, Alex-san. I am not offended, simply curious." She lays hands on Chen's shoulders. "Merciful Spirit's Grasp."


[OOC: healing Chen. He's been a good dude so far.]

Chen's eyes flicker open and he looks up a Jiro. There is no confusion in his face. He seems to have gotten his bearings back remarkably quickly. "You should not have done that. The challenge is only complete when all the foes have been defeated, and they are not defeated if they recover swiftly enough." He says, trying to pull himself to his feet.

The doors open.

"Or perhaps not." He says, then lays back on the cold metal floor. "Congratulations to both of you on your victory. Go, the Guide awaits. Go, and be on your guard."

"Thank you, Chen-san. You have been an honorable opponent. I hope we can meet again under less... unpleasent circumstances."

Jiro walked for the door, pausing only to make sure Alex was with her before exiting. I should probably check on Zhang as well... Nah.

Chen simply nods, and watches as the woman walk out of the room. As the door behind them vanishes, he whispers "May God watch over your souls, for you surely walk into the valley of the shadow of death."

A hand lands on his shoulder. "Having second thoughts, student?"

"No. Far better them then I to face the task. They will succeed where I will fail, where I have failed. Yet it will not be without pain, and I wish that on no living thing."

"You always were soft. Such feelings are what hold you back."

"Perhaps, but that is a burden I willingly bear."
---------------------------------

At the pair's approach, the Guide bows deeply. "You have passed the second test with admirable skill. Come, I will take you to where you might rest for a time while Dragoneye prepares to meet you."

Assuming no objections, he shows you to what looks like a guest suite. It has a number of comfortable looking couches and chairs, a hot tube, a shower, and a well stocked kitchenette. Bookshelves line one wall, filled with various titles. The other thing that seems missing is a TV.

"Rest well. I will return in two hours time."

"Ah, I think I do not object to this break. It feels like we were fighting for a month!" Jiro gave the hot tub and shower both longing looks, then shook her head, walking instead to the kitchnette. "A pity we don't have swim gear or a change of clothes. I suppose I'll settle for some food, for now."

Reaching the sink, she turns on the water and gives it a moment to heat up, then sticks a hand in. "That feels better." He started rooting in the fridge. "Anything in particular you want, Alex? Or should I just make up something simple?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Wed 09 Mar 2011.

"I'll eat anything." Alex said. "Thank you."

Alex started rooting around, to see what she could find. Her eyes lit up when she found supplies in a closet. Towels and housecoats to be specific.

"Oh, this is perfect. Walking around in oil soaked clothing isn't my idea of fun. I think I'm going to show with these things on, and hope they dry before we need to meet Dragoneye."

Indeed, her clothing is sticking to her body very closely.

"Have fun. I'll cook up something good and simple." And ignore the shower. This is awkward. Even if I hadn't changed back already it'd still be awkward, if not quite as bad.

Jiro pulled eggs, milk, and bacon from the fridge and dug out a pair of frying pans. Scrambled eggs and bacon qualified as good and simple, and would be nicely filling.

Once Alex is done with the shower, I'll take a turn, I suppose. Two hours ought to be enough time. A glance around. Mental note: be careful of your words, we're probably being monitored.

Alex has a good, hot shower. She improvises a bit to get the worst of the oil out of her clothing but that happens to.

Her task complete, Alex settles into a large housecoat. "It's yours when you want it."

She sniffs at what's cooking. "It's a good thing you were planning on sharing. You'd have another fight on your hands if you weren't." Alex says with a grin.