This action attracts a great deal of attention, yet no immediate takers. Then one of the men lifting weights sits up. He gives Jiro a long, measuring look. Then he speaks two words. "Chen Míng."

His spotter jumps a bit, but doesn't hesitate. He walks over to Jiro, sporting an obvious limp. He makes a small bow. "I am Chen Ming, and it would be my honor to allow you this demonstration."

Chen Ming stands waiting whatever Jiro should choose to do.

Better than I expected. Okay, let's do this. "Arigato, Chen-san, for this trust. I shall endevor to be worthy of it." He bows, hands together, and then kneels, giving the ankle a measuring look. "A minor sprain, I am guessing?"

He exhaled slowly, his hands surrounded by a nimbus of pale blue light. He slowly, deliberately moved them closer to the ankle, trying not to make any surprising or sudden moves. "This should not hurt a bit, but you might feel a tingling sensation."

The nimbus of blue light touched Chen's ankle, and seemed to draw into it, absorbing into the skin. For a brief moment, it glowed with residual light, which faded slowly. Jiro drew back, stood, and gave another bow. "That, I think, should help."

[OOC: healing ability gives him a +9 on his recovery check, I believe. Keeping the array in healing even after I'm done.]

Alex watches wide eyed at this. It was one thing to feel it, when you are to worked up to pay attention. It was quite another for someone to casually do magic right in front of you. "Woah."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:35, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

A ripple passes through the room, and even the tempo of the training brawl slows for a moment. All eyes are on Chen Míng.

He puts his full weight on his injured leg, then lifts the other in a slow circular motion. Chen Míng places both feet back on the ground. "It is well. Thank you." he says with a bow. Chen Míng then walks back to the man he had been spotting for and whispers a few words, receiving a nod in response.

Another ripple passes through the crowd, and people go back to what they were doing for the most part. The guide simply watches in silence.

The weight lifter stares at the pair for a few moments more, then stands and walks over to them. This draws the attention of everyone agin.

From the way he moves, Jiro can tell the man is about as skilled as he is, both defensively and offensively. Judging by what he can see of the weights, Jiro can also tell that he would be hard pressed to bench press that much. Jiro is confidant that he does have a very slight edge in speed, although his shorter reach would be a disadvantage.

"Very impressive. Healing is a hard skill to master, harder by far then destruction. That injury had resisted my own attempts to heal, and threatened to set back Chen Míng's progress substantially." He gives a small, respectful bow to Jiro "I am Zhang Peter. Better known by other names, but none that are of concern at present. I judge you worthy of the Second Test."

Zhang Peter says these words as though they are of great import. Certainly the crowd seems to think so.

He bows to Jiro again, then turns to face Alex. "You. You are not his mate, concubine, or play toy despite what some are thinking. You are more then you seem, else you would not have been brought here.  Show me. Are you worthy of the Second Test?" Again, there seems to be something ritual like here. Jiro gets the sense that it would be unwise to interrupt.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:03, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

"I am glad. As I said, it is one of the skills I am most proud of. The body is an amazing thing, and can heal itself well if given... the proper nudges." A shrug. "Using my ki to guide a body's healing efforts, as much as supplying additional power, is the essence of my healing abilities. A different path, perhaps, than some, but I would be lying if I did not say I would like to see how you heal, to compare, Zhang-san."



Jiro tensed at his words. That's... blunt. And a bit rude. You've been better about this than I've had any right to expect so far, Alex, please don't lose it now.

Alex watches the exchange with interest, starting to relax a bit. The he turns to face her.

Alex looks alternately flustered, scared, confused, and a bit angry. The first three fade, replaced by the uncanny calm that Jiro's seen before. The anger stays.

"Honestly couldn't tell you. I don't know a damn thing about the test or what makes one worthy. I don't have any fancy tricks like my friend here has. But I'll give it my best shot." There is a certain edge to her voice when she says

Jiro notices that the bowling ball that Alex bought was suddenly in her hand, and that she is looking really, really focused.

She moved in a flash, throwing the ball... backwards?

Quick Draw the ball, Full round action to Aim at an adjacent target then...
23:14, Today: Alex rolled 47 using 1d20+28. AOA5,ACC5, w/aim.
DC 18 Save if it hits. Please tell me that hit.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:04, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

The ball hits the wall above the door and bounces up. It ricochets off the ceiling to hit a set of weights. From there it bounces in a straight line towards Zhang Peter.

It hits him right between the shoulder blades. Zhang stumbles forward a step, and catches the falling ball behind his back, his eyes locked on Alex.

The room falls silent.

Zhang brings the ball up to look at it. He considers it for a moment, then looks at Alex. She meets his gaze levelly. The tension in the room is tremendous.

He then tilts his head back and laughs. "I was right about you. You ARE no man's toy." Zhang bows. "I judge you worthy of the Second Test."

"Kuso," Jiro said quietly, genuinely impressed by the shot - he knew warriors well enough to know that was no accident - and more than a little concerned about their host's reaction. Merciful Kamis let him be a man of good temper - he was more or less absolutely provoking her to begin with...



Jiro felt himself start to breath again. Domo Arigato, spirits.

Alex returns the bow, awkwardly at first, but manages to turn it into something vaguely resembling grace by the end. "I'm glad you liked it. So, what's the next step?"

"Next, you wait." Zhang replies, tossing the ball back to Alex. He turns to face the still nameless guide. "Go make preparations for the Second Test."

The guide bows once, and walks into one of back rooms. Zhang then returns his attention to the pair. "I suspect you will succeed in the Second Test. I will now go to inform Dragoneye that he may soon have guests. Make yourselves at home here as you prepare yourselves. Use the equipment or test yourselves against the others as you feel right. Whatever you choose, be ready. The Second Test is not for the unprepared or faint of heart."

Zhang bows one more time, then leaves through the same doors that the Guide did.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:57, Sun 06 Feb 2011.

Jiro nodded to Alex. "You did well. And at some point, I would love to learn that trick." More quietly he added, "At some point when we have more privacy, we should put some time into finding out what exactly your skills encompas. It might look like uncertainty or weakness here and now, however."

After waiting for her response, he walks to one of the mats, removing his shoes and stretching. "If anyone would like a friendly spar," he began, addressing the gathered crowd, "I would be happy to accomodate them."
[OOC: if anyone's up to sparring, Jiro will be happy to, but unless the sparring partner is up to his general level of strength and skill, he won't be using his ki abilities, simply fighting unenhansed for the sake of a fair fight. If someone who looks to be a decent match takes him up on it, he'll use the Array, but mostly just Ki Focus, and not the nastier bits. If there's no takers, he'll do kata.]

Alex nodded, and whispered back "I was probably the most surprised person in the room when I did that. This is one seriously fracked up situation. Now... do you have a plan or are you playing this by ear?"

"Entirely by ear, I am afraid. I do not wish to give offence to these people, and I do not want to squander this chance to learn." A shrug. "Though I am more hopeful about what sort of favour he might ask for."

"Ok. I guess I do the same and try not to get us killed." she replies. Alex then begins some warm up stretches, not being sure of her next step.

There is a bit of a stir, and it looks like a few people show interest in taking Jiro up on his challenge. There is a great deal of unspoken interplay between those here, to determine who will have the honor of doing so. Jiro observes some interesting facts about the dynamics of the power structure in this place, as the man who finally chooses to challenge him approaches. Chen Míng, the man he had just healed.

"It would be my honor to spar with you. I only hope that I prove a worth foe, healer." Chen Míng says with a bow. "The rules of challenges are simple here. Do not seek to cause permanent injury. Defeat comes when an opponent yields, is removed from the agreed limits of the battle, or is rendered unable to fight."

Chen Míng takes his place on one side of a large mat. "I propose that this be the field." he says with a gesture. "Does this seem suitable to yourself?"

[OOC: Jiro feels that his attack and defense bonuses are higher then Chen Ming's but not considerably so.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:07, Sun 06 Feb 2011.

Jiro bows slightly to Chen. "Those conditions seem very reasonable to myself." He slid into a ready stance.  When I healed him, I had some sense of his ki. He was strong but not, I think, well trained in its use. This should be interesting.

[OOC: 19:10, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 11 using 1d20+6. Rollin' Initiative.

Full defense this round; I want to get a feel for Chen's skills before I go on the offensive. The array is not currently active.

Chen is the first to move, taking a step forward and launching a gentle, probing attack. He seems more focused on defense then offense at this point, and the blow goes wide.

Jiro also remains on the defensive, but it does not stop Chen's next attack. It's a thing of beauty, a punch that strikes Jiro's chest cleanly, but does not leave him open to a counter attack. If he had been even slightly less focused on defense, Chen would have landed stunning blow.

OOC: 22:16, Today: Gamemaster rolled 19 using 1d20+8. Chen Míng Init.
22:17, Today: Gamemaster rolled 7 using 1d20+3. Def Attack 5.
Nothing. Jiro takes total defense. Chen attacks.
22:24, Today: Gamemaster rolled 23 using 1d20+3. Def Attack 5. It's a nat 20, but since it would have missed if it wasn't an auto hit, it's not a crit. DC18 toughness save.

Jiro's eyes went wide as Chen Ming's attacks sailed in. The one that hit had hit him cleanly, and he felt it's effects sure and true.

Get your head out of your ass, baka!

Still not drawing strongly upon his Ki, Jiro danced out of Chen's reach, then back in, faking a punch to cover another blow.
[OOC: 19:29, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 14 using 1d20+10. toughness save vrs Chen. That fails, so bruised, I believe.

taking 10 on an Acrobatic Bluff (22) and then attacking, still sans array.

19:35, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 26 using 1d20+10. Attacking Chen, nonlethal, DC 18 toughness save if it hits.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Sun 06 Feb 2011.

The room is focused on the match between Jiro and Chen Ming. Almost every eye is watching it.

Almost.

Alex hears a voice speaking right in her ear. "Pretty thing, thinks she's tough. Your trick may have fooled Zhang Peter but I know the truth. You're soft."

A hand brushes the side of her face as the man walks around her. His posture brings to mind that of a predator. Hungry. "I think you need to be shown your place. On your face with my jībā in your hóng rì. You'd like that, wouldn't you? You chòu biǎozi."

Jiro, distracted by the matter at hand, sees none of this.

Chen smiles at Jiro's feint, but isn't quite fast enough to avoid the blow. Jiro's strike nearly takes Chen Ming square between the eyes, but the he manages to roll his head to the side at just the right moment to allow the fist to cause no real harm.

"Very well done." Chen says, as he prepares to launch a spinning kick, only to abort at the last moment with a strong right jab.

[OOC: 22:50, Today: Gamemaster rolled 21 using 1d20+4. Fiat Re-roll.
22:49, Today: Gamemaster rolled 5 using 1d20+4. Toughness Save.
22:38, Today: Gamemaster rolled 22 using 1d20+12. Acrobatic Resist.
22:52, Today: Gamemaster rolled 17 using 1d20+12. Acrobatic Bluff.
22:53, Today: Gamemaster rolled 22 using 1d20+8. Chen Míng Attack.
Even without the bluff that should hit. DC18 save.

Jiro - Bruised 1
Chen - Uninjured
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:28, Mon 07 Feb 2011.

Jiro staggered back from that strike, head reeling. Kuso! He's genuinely good!

He shakes it off as quickly as possible, refocusing himself to his defense.

[OOC: 20:00, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 13 using 1d20+10. toughness save vrs Chen.]

Alex freezes at the voice in her ear, and shudders slightly at the 'caress'. While she might not speak Chinese, she has no trouble understanding what he is implying.

"Oh you did not just say that, you mother pocker! Take that drek and shove it before I shove it down your throat. I've had enough of this drek today." Alex voice is low with hate.

[OOC: 23:08, Today: Alex rolled 22 using 1d20+3. Intimidate. ]

Seeing an opening, Chen presses his attack. However, Jiro is less hurt then Chen believed, and the blow goes wide.

23:10, Today: Gamemaster rolled 14 using 1d20+6. Power Attack 2.
Chen misses

Jiro - Bruised 2
Chen - Uninjured

"Oh, little kitty thinks she's a tiger. I'll show you what a real tiger is."

The man steps in to seize Alex in an groping embrace and plant a rough kiss upon her face.

[OOC: The man uses his own skill mastery to ignore the intimidation check]

Jiro let himself smile at Chen's missed strike, and, blissfully ignorant of the drama developing by Alex, pressed his attack, feinting low before striking high.

[OOC: Taking 10 on Acrobatic Bluff for (10+12-1{cumulative penalty}-5{bluffing as a move action} 16 total. Defensive attacking for 4 (raising my defense bonus to 14) and making a non-ki enhanced strike.

 20:15, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 24 using 1d20+6. Defensive attack for 4 on Chen.]

Not expecting something so blatent, Alex is caught by surprise and the man almost manages to get his hands on her. "I SAID, LEAVE ME ALONE!" She shouts, and lashes out with one hand.

[OOC: 23:17, Today: Alex rolled 23 using 1d20+17. AOA 5, unarmed.
23:18, Today: Alex rolled 33 using 1d20+19. Grapple Check.
Throwing the bastard across the room.