As he headed inside, Alex could see that Tiny was already getting acquainted with one of the tourists, too.  In the back, as usual, a ring of people both local and not was formed around a makeshift arena of chairs and tables.  Bets and off-color comments flew wildly.

Tiny, moving surprisingly fast for all his bulk, seemed to be clearly mismatched.  His opponent was a Japanese man, probably in his early to mid thirties, wearing the same kind of suit all of the others wore, though without the jacket (or knife).  His black hair was tied back, and he was built more like a western brawler than the more stereotypical look.  As Tiny struck at him, the newcomer easily responded, with a well-executed spinning parry and backhand strike combination, followed by him taking the offense against Tiny.  During a few of the moves the newcomer uses, Alex's gem occasionally flared softly, then dimmed again.  The fight would probably be over in short order.

Coldmoon waited at the bar, as usual for a night like this, and nodded at Alex as he approached.  For a moment, Alex saw a great human-wolf hybrid superimposed over Coldmoon's features, snarling and dangerous.

As Alex reached the bar, Coldmooon walked over.

So, what'll it be, friend?  The usual?

"For now at least," Alex said amicably, watching the bout. "Incidentally who's the guy fighting Tiny? Seems like a real gem." Alex gave him a look, hoping Coldmoon picked up on his double meaning.

Of course.

Coldmoon barely reacted to Alex's comment, his eyes widening slightly before returning to his normal, bored gaze.  He nodded slightly to Alex as he started to mix Alex's drink.  As he was about to answer, a shout (one of many, supporting either side) rang out.

Kick his ass, Himura!  If you can't beat this guy, what makes you think you can actually win against that Myojin bastard!

Himura, who was fighting off Tiny's attempts to grab and break him, managed to fight free just a second, and, in a brutal burst of speed, drove his fist into Tiny's solar plexus as he lunged in again.  Instead of pressing his advantage, he turned to his associate.

Go to hell!

This nearly cost him, as Tiny recovered quickly and moved back in to attack.

Coldmoon chuckled a bit and answered quietly, enough so that no one would really overhear.

There's at least part of your answer.  His name is either Himura Kenji or Kenji Himura.  I'm still trying to figure out which way they prefer their names to go.  Anyways, from what little I picked up, he's an accomplished fighter, and his father was involved in some sort of revolution in Japan fifty, sixty years ago or so.

Coldmoon paused and smiled slightly.

Bit of a temper, though.
__________

OOC:  I figure it's a Intelligence + Lore roll, Difficulty 3 to know roughly what happened in the Meiji Revolution, primarily who the main players were, including things like the Shinsengumi and the various assassins.

Difficulty 4 to know that many of the same people were involved in a post-revolution battle in Kyoto roughly 10 years later.

I figure Alex will, at best, have a general idea.  I don't think he's been in a position to learn any of the specifics about what happened in either event.

Himura? He'd heard bits and scraps of the name from the news stories on Japans revolution some years back (and the almost second one less years back). Himura B-something. Bat's Eye?  Something like that. Maybe he was good at blind fighting?

Of course that was assuming that Bat's Eye was the kids father. It would hardly be the first time an unaging being posed as his own offspring. Too Early to make a call now. He needed more information.

If Tiny loses, think I could get in next fight?

You'd have to ask Himura.  Though I doubt it'd be hard to arrange.  You think Tiny's going to lose?  This appears pretty evenly matched to me.

As Coldmoon spoke, Tiny managed to land a few hits, even knocking Himura down.  After hitting the ground, Himura stood up, spitting blood.  Tiny, who had been celebrating a bit with the crowd, turned back to face Himura, and then stopped cold a moment.  In addition the blazing anger in Himura's stance and posture, something in Himura's gaze caused Tiny to slow a moment.

Tiny's slight hesitation cost him, as Himura charged in, laying in hit after hit with a viciousness Alex had seldom seen in a mortal opponent.  Yet, for all the ferocity of the attack, Himura did not lose his technique, easily bypassing Tiny's guard multiple times, making precise strikes that almost would seem more at home in the street fight this actually was as compared to the near-dance of Himura's movements.  As before, during some of the fight, the amulet would continue to glow.

In a droll conversational tone, Coldmoon grinned a little as he continued.

Never mind.  Perhaps it just took a little blood to get him serious.
__________

OOC: Perception + Awareness, Diff 2 to notice that Kenji's eyes changed color from a dark blue to a cold (and familiar) yellow.

In reply to Coldmoon (msg # 53):

I'm the last person to say Tiny's a slouch. But there are leagues. Alex's eyes narrowed as Himura's eyes changed color. And right now Tiny's way out of his. Honestly I'm probably gonna be out of mine too. But I'd rather figure out how much in a more controlled environment.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:13, Tue 01 Oct 2019.

Coldmoon nodded.

Though from what I've seen, you tend to do your best in uncontrolled environments... and now it's over.  Looks like you'll get your chance soon.

Himura kept the offense up, only to break just a moment to give Tiny a chance to commit to a counter attack.  As Tiny lunged in, Himura slapped him in the neck and then leaped nearly to the ceiling.  As he came crashing down, Himura arced his foot out, dropping his heel onto Tiny's back and shoulder.  Tiny hit the ground like a sack of potatoes.

Himura landed on his feet, then spit some blood to the side and wiped his mouth.  He gave a slight bow to Tiny, then turned to the bar.  Various cheers and jeers went on, and money changed hands.

This might get a little more uncontrolled than I'm comfortable with Alex admitted, before he straightened his hat.

He walked up to Himura. That was a good bout. Would you be interested in a second?

Himura leveled somewhat drunken measuring stare at Alex for a long moment then smiled.  He turned to Coldmoon.

Give me some of that swill you've been serving, and send one to the big guy once he wakes up.

As Coldmoon complied, Tiny already began stirring, even as some of his friends assisted him to a nearby seat.  Himura turned back to Alex as his beer arrived.

Sure.  Give me a moment to celebrate this fight, then I'll be happy to fight again.  You want one, too?

Himura motioned to the beer.

Alex lifted his own drink. I'm set for now, but I'll buy you a round after win or lose

Himura grinned.

Sounds like a plan.

-----

A few minutes later, both Alex and his opponent stood at the center of an impromptu arena in the back recesses of the Gator's Teeth.  Himura faced Alex, and brought his hands together and gave Alex a short bow, only a little deeper than a nod.

Before we fight, it is only honorable that I introduce myself. I am Kenji Himura, son of Battousai the Manslayer and true heir of the Hiten Mitsurugi style.

With that said, Himura settled into a fighting stance, light on his feet, and on guard, and waited for Alex.  To Alex's eyes, Himura seems to flicker and fade into a cloud darkness momentarily, before returning to normal.
_____

OOC:  16:54, Today: Kenji rolled 5 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,9,1,6,7,7,5,9.  Join Battle inc. Penalties.

This gives Kenji an Initiative of 8.  Kenji is also in Ebon Shadow Form (granting +1 Defense).  Kenji is also at a -2 Penalty due to alcohol (-1) and wound penalties (-1).

Parry 4, Evasion 3, Soak 4
This message was last edited by the player at 23:01, Tue 15 Oct 2019.

So he was the heir of that Bat's Eye guy. The flicker of darkness made sense in that respect, perfect for bats. Maybe the fighting style focused on the moved being hard to see?

I am Alex Thorne. I have no ancestral accolades and am heir to nothing I don't build myself.

He lifted his arms up into a more defensive position, wary of giving a skilled opponent any chances.

Shall we?

---

Today: Alex Thorne rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Initiative.

This gives an initiative of 7

Parry: 3   Evasion: 3  Soak: 4
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:30, Tue 22 Oct 2019.

With a quick nod, Himura charged, striking rapidly with both fists and more esoteric attacks coming from a myriad of odd angles, all angling for vulnerable spots ranging from the simple (the throat and eyes) to the more subtle, such as various pressure points.
__________

OOC: 16:58, Today: Kenji rolled 3 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Unarmed Attack. (normal is 12 dice, but drunkenness and wound bonuses (due to Berserker) somewhat cancel out.

This would be a hit with either of your defenses, unless you stunt or spend Essence/Inspiration.  I'll hold off on rolling damage until Alex gets a chance to respond.

Alex put his arms in front of him, palms out. A lot of the strikes seemed aimed randomly, but a few were going for soft spots and that's what he wanted to protect.  The stance looked haphazard, but sure enough gave him a chance to grab one of Himura's hands that came too close to his eyes.

Kenji growled in frustration as Alex blocked his attacks with such haphazard technique.
_____

Just leaving this here to give you something to work with.  Relevant status of people are in the OOC thread.  Plus, it's Alex's turn.

Alex saw he frustration. Good, a frustrated opponent was one who made mistakes. With the arm he'd caught going for his throat, Alex yanked him forward, attempting to strike his elbow into Himura's head to disorient him

---

Alex is attempting to make a withering unarmed strike. Judging by the fact that he only got two successes, I'm guessing he failed.

As Alex sent his elbow at Kenji's face, Kenji brought his other hand up, blocking the strike with this forearm, hand opened.  As Alex struck, Kenji let himself get driven back on his heels, stepping back slightly to maintain his balance.  As he did that, he brought his blocking hand down in a hard chop on Alex's forearm, intending to make him loosen his grip on Kenji's hand.  Kenji then immediately surged forward, aiming a fast open-hand palm strike at Alex's face.
__________

Yep.  That attack missed.  Don't forget about the die adder thing you can do (both with Inspiration a la Adventure! or motes as we discussed prior).

11:26, Today: Kenji rolled 4 successes (4,1,9,2,9,10,5,3,5,1) using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Returning the favor.

Without a defensive stunt, Kenji will land the attack.  Over to Alex, stats as posted have not changed.

Alex released the forearms with the hit, minimizing the damage he took and letting himself get knocked down, thus having Himura's hand sail over his head, rather than into it. On the way down he grabbed his opponents knee, hoping to pull him off balance.

---

Rolled 2 successes on a withering attack to trip Kenji, so failed again

Kenji managed to slip back, as Alex made the grab for his knee.  As soon as his back foot hit the ground, he launched himself forward in a rapid spin, frustration evident on his face, whipping his back leg up, and then bringing it down hard while aiming for Alex's collarbone.  To Alex's enhanced vision, a swirl of energy seemed to both propel the attack.
_________

Did you include Accuracy in that attack?  An unarmed attack should have a +4 accuracy bonus.

Kenji is using both Whirling Dragon Blade (4m) while making this (withering) attack.  This will add +5 pre-soak damage.

And I think it's going to hit.

18:26, Today: Kenji rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((10,2,4,2,8,1,10,8,4,8)).  Continuing the to attack Alex.

I'll wait to figure out final damage from this until you handle your defense, but I think this will hit either way.

Alex knew he wouldn't have time to dodge it completely. He put up his off hand to block, knowing that the arm would be injured, but it would be less debilitating than his collarbone or primary arm.

Still, the amount of magic, even magic that was invisible to most people, for a simple none life threatening bout seemed incredibly excessive.

---

Yeah, no way I can block that, so his defense is just to limit the damage as much as possible

Kenji smiled as Alex was driven down and back, sensing his growing advantage.
_________

As I put in the OOC thread, Alex lost 3 Initiative, and Kenji gained 4 (3+1 for hitting).  Kenji's at 12 Init, Alex is at 4, and it is Alex's turn.

Himura thought he'd won, that much was clear. But Alex wasn't out of the game yet. He shifted, adn then samshed Himura's extended knee with his undamaged arm.

---

Alex got 5 successes on a withering attack

Kenji's knee momentarily collapsed as connected with his strike.  Dropping down to one knee and facing the wrong way, Kenji tried to twist himself back up into a position where he could guard himself.
________

Just keeping things moving.  It's Alex's turn, with 10 Initiative.  Kenji is at 7.

While Alex could have targeted the same knee again, he didn't. This wasn't a life or death fight and certainly wasn't worth possibly crippling a man for. Figuring Himura would focus his guard on his face and torso, Alex hooked his foot around the ankle on the only foot supporting Himura's weight in an attempt to make him completely lose his footing.

---

8 Successes on a withering attack

Kenji hit the ground hard, and then tried rolling back to his feet and away from Alex.  Frustration was evident in his eyes as Kenji almost seemed to ricochet off the ground, launching himself into a forward flip, extending his leg to axe down at Alex.  Even as his foot hit the ground, he moved to press his attack again.
_________

Kenji's turn.  He's going to attack again with Whirling Dragon Blade (which will add 5 to his withering damage if he hits).

11:17, Today: Kenji rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((8,5,10,8,10,4,4,6,7,3)).