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Post by Pain Killer on Nov 29, 2007 21:59:58 GMT 1
OOC: No worries. After all , a victory this epic, I can wait for. IC: Pain Killer said nothing in response to Taiku, for there was nothing left to add to what he'd already mentioned, as well as his attention was focused soley on the fight as it unfolded. He wasn't sure what to make of the older man's apparent understanding nature, but given how often the two had clashed, didn't feel the need to blow it off, as usual. The motion of Taiku's leg moving caught Adam's eye, causing him to glance downward. The larger man knew there was nothing he could do in time to dodge or avoid the attack, but nevertheless, his left hand began to drop and retract back towards his stomach. There was no last second flinching or twisting away from the blow, instead, Pain Killer would live up to his name once more and face the strike head on. However, moments before his own punch landed, Adam found he had underestimated Taiku's leg strength. The smaller man's foot slammed into Pain Killer's ribs on his right side, causing the Senior's left hand to dip slightly on it's path towards the impact area, his feet digging into the sand and leaving small furrows in it's surface. Had Adam not been moving forward at the time, he would surely have been forced to stumble back. However, this fact was a double-edged sword, as it added slightly to Taiku's attack, making it that much more damaging, leaving behind a sharp pain in Pain Killer's lowest ribs. Adam had no idea what sort of damage had been done, but he knew it hurt, at least bruising the ribs there, however, he took comfort in one fact. His left hand had finally reached it's goal, albeit a little late. As Taiku's foot moved from where it had struck, Adam's left hand would grasp it around the ankle, holding it as firmly and tightly as he could. To keep Taiku from simply driving his foot down and breaking the hold, Adam had his thumb on the top of the ankle, while his fingers supported the bottom. Retracting his right fist back to beside his injured ribs, Pain Killer would glance towards Taiku's face, giving him what could be described as a devilish grin, before stepping forward with his right foot towards the former gang leader, swinging his right hand in an uppercut towards Taiku's left side of his torso.
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Nov 29, 2007 23:24:01 GMT 1
A damaged wrist, not the most risky of situations to be in for a fighter, but to one whose primary specialty was in speed and joint manipulation, it presented a large problem for Taiku, not least considering his opponent. His leg being caught put him in an awkward situation, though maintaining his balance wouldn't be an issue. The punch Adam was throwing, on the other hand, would be.
Throwing his injured arm down, sourly knowing full well the likelihood of the prevailing action causing more harm to his already likely broken wrist, his palm opened out to slam against the oncoming fist. There would be no point trying to grip it, he'd likely have no strength to even comprehend competing with Adam in this situation, and instead he was only aiming to slow the punch, at the expense of compounding the injury. Thankfully, though his wrist would likely buckle against it, he would lurch his shoulder against it to take the pressure and try to stop the bigger man from getting the full force of his blow off.
At least, until he got his own off as well. His right would snap forward, crossing over just enough to put the punch on a direct path with Adams left eye. Again, the younger fighter had left his face unprotected, though at an understandable measure, and Taiku would once again sacrifice his body to pick away at the most effective weak spots he could find. The punch, one now fuelled by a burning desire to at least make his would-be rival know that he would be forced to fight even harder to win, would be just as capable of cutting open the flesh above or below the eye as before, but with the Asian giving no ground in it, the chances of it doing more damage were there...
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Post by Pain Killer on Dec 1, 2007 23:08:53 GMT 1
Once again, it seemed, the two men would exchange blow for blow, something few individuals could accomplish against the self-proclaimed Pain Killer with any hope for success. Taiku, however, had been doing just that, picking vulnerable targets in order to deal out as much damage as he was receiving. It was this very fact, however, that tipped off Adam of the target of the older man's latest assault, as after all, Taiku had aimed for the left eye before, it was only a matter of time before he did so again. And it was this very fact that would make Adam ignore his body's natural instincts to tilt his head down and away from the punch, and instead, tilt it back and up, allowing Taiku's fist to slam into his cheek.
With the impact spread over a larger surface, it was less likely for Taiku's blow to succeed in drawing blood, though the damage would still be done, merely in another place. It was the second time blood would fly from Pain Killer's mouth, and his cheek would throb with newfound pain, but in the end, his eye had been saved once more. The force, however, had been considerable, but for a man who prided himself on being able to take punishment, was nothing to stop fighting over.
Pain Killer pulled his right hand towards his chest, idly noting the fact that Taiku hadn't grabbed it, but thinking nothing of it. With his step forward, he was now standing to Taiku's left, still holding his ankle in the air with his left hand, which meant he'd need to work his offense with his right. With this concept in mind, Pain Killer whipped his right fist back towards Taiku in a backhanded strike, aimed at the former gang leader's face, counting on the fact that if he just kept hammering away, eventually Taiku would be forced to call it quits. Every strike, even if blocked, added up, it was just a matter of time.
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Dec 3, 2007 1:29:01 GMT 1
With a rather lucky shift of his head, Adam would protect his eye on this occasion. The punch landed, but in a much less vital area, instead smashing against the larger fighters cheek with a solid connection. Taiku would be surprised if that punch didn't loosen a tooth or two, but for now it wasn't something he was concerned over as his fist drew back again, just in time for the elder to weave his head back from the sweeping backhander that quickly came his way. Caught up though he might have been, an attack with that kind of radial movement was much easier for him to evade.
Evading, however, was but the merest of instances as he immediately shot his own right forward again, this time as his hand grasped for Adams hair, fisting a handful of it in and knotting his fingers with a twist to both hold fast and ensure that the self-proclaimed Pain Killer wouldn't merely tear his head away, ripping the strands out. No, he would have too large a handful for Adam to do such a thing without risking serious damage to his scalp...
' This is it, if I can't put him down with this, I'm finished....'
Pouncing up as his hand suddenly dragged Adams head down, aiming to make the larger male double forward and bring his head closer, silently praying that the drag would cause his neck to buckle with the strain and move with the tug, Taiku brought his left knee up swiftly in a thunderous shot.
With such a high risk effort, it would be clear to any fighter to put everything into such a move. As he fired the knee up to meet Adams face, Taiku would do exactly that. It was awkward to draw his body into the position, but quite doable by all means. The clear fact remained however, if by some chance he failed in his effort, he was going to be completely vulnerable. A minor consolation, though, was the fact that with this final, swift pounce it was more than possible that his larger foe would haev no defences available to him after the backhand, and with the same kamikaze nature of the knee, his left elbow would come down in a cross-body swing, aiming to smash the bony joint into the top of Adams skull. Whilst not damaged as his wrist were, though, the shock from any connection would cause a painful surge through his wrist.
If he managed it, to land this last, two-pronged attack, the chances of him clinching victory would be almost certain. The knee had to have enough force to knock someone out, but in the back of his mind, one thing kept repeating itself...
Will it be enough?
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Post by Pain Killer on Dec 4, 2007 9:04:35 GMT 1
When his backhanded fist whipped over Taiku's head, Adam's eyes opened wide in alarm. With his hand sailing harmlessly into air, even as he began to pull it back, his upper body was horribly exposed. Taiku's head flew towards Pain Killer's head, grasping the hair and pulling the larger male's skull down and towards him. It was here that Pain Killer was faced with a choice, to either attempt to defend himself against whatever Taiku had planned for him, or to attempt to muscle through it and land his own move, and hopefully do more damage to Taiku in the exchange. Thus far, he'd been using the latter strategy, and typical to the somewhat simple-minded Senior, he wasn't about to abandon such tactics so easily.
Instead, when Taiku pulled on his hair to bring it lower, Adam would move with the motion, the lack of resistance and indeed, added momentum would push the larger male's head past its intended target, causing the knee to strike him in the left side of his chest, instead. As Taiku's left knee rose, Pain Killer would release his grip with his left hand and pull it closer to his torso, while at the same time, his right hand would have finished its momentum, and have begun pulling back to wrap his arm around the small of Taiku's back. His arms would reach their destinations at the same time, just as Taiku's knee had finished striking Adam's chest and had begun its descent, the knee joint being hooked by Pain Killer's left arm, in between his forearm and bicep.
Given the new positioning of Pain Killer's head, pressed against the right side of Taiku's stomach, the older man would have a hard time striking him with his elbow without changing the angle of his strike, lifting it before bringing it down upon the larger male's head which would cost him precious seconds, unless he decided to use his forearm instead, causing considerably less damage. In either event, Adam would immediately begin to lift the former gang leader into the air, aiming to do something similiar to what he'd done in their tournament bout, which involved driving his opponent over his right should and slamming his upper body into the ground. The twist on this particular slam, however, came unknowingly to Pain Killer in the form of Taiku's injured wrist, which would make it considerably harder for the older man to break his fall with only one good arm.
The lift would strain Pain Killer's already injured ribs, and should all go to plan, he would land flat on his back, his hands releasing Taiku as his arms went wide, his body laid out flat on the sand. There was very little left to give in him, his breath coming in short, shallow gasps so as to not aggravate the injury to his ribs. If Taiku could get up from that, there was nothing left Pain Killer could throw at him to put him down again.
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Dec 4, 2007 20:42:26 GMT 1
'Oh, shit!'
Taikus distress was well-founded, as when Adam managed to shift the target of the strike to his chest the efforts made by the elder of the pair quickly began to crumble. His knee strike would be nothing more than a bludgeoning strike against his torso, and the shift of his head meant the elbow would most likely miss. However, even in the direst of circumstance, a tiny glimmer of hope presented itself as Adam made one final, potentially fatal mistake; releasing the captured right leg.
Whilst his targets were clear, Taiku recognising what was imminent after the same, or at least similar efforts were made during the tournament fight before, it seemed that the one option left to the Asian was one last strike. The problem was, he couldn't react with it from this angle, and in order to land the hit, he would need to endure this powerful slam.
At least, that was what he continued to tell himself in his mind. He could endure this last hit, he was taking this attack willingly and for the greater purpose...He could still win. No, the reality had presented itself. Even if he managed to land a flukish strike at the last moment, and if chance prevailed that it could render the bigger fighter unconscious or incapacitated, he would acknowledge this as a loss. He had been overwhelmed, and whilst his speed had served well, his strength just wasn't able to attempt competing any longer.
Bracing as he was lifted, he kept his right leg stretched back until Adam had lifted him fully up and had begun to pass him over the shoulder. At the point where gravity would begin to take effect, his right leg would snap forward, the knee bending in to Adams head, which unless he'd moved would still be on Taikus right side and thus in direct collision with the final blow he would throw in this match. Connecting or not, the end result would be the same as the ground rapidly approached him, his arms folding over in front of him to brace his wrists against the sand, shifting down quickly to his forearms to bear a fraction of the shock. Despite this effort, his damaged wrist would buckle under the weight and cause him to topple to his left, landing awkwardly on his shoulder with a dull crash against the sand.
For the second time in this fight, he was glad they were fighting on the pliable surface, as when his body was slammed down, the wind was knocked out of him and his neck was jarred painfully from the impact, but he was lucky to escape breaking his collarbone. At least, he had thought so. Peering up and over from him, his body flat on the ground, he saw that Adam had yet to rise and made an attempt to get to his feet first.
The searing pain through his left arm as he tried to move it made him look, and he almost balked to see the elbow had dislocated from the bad landing. The adrenaline from the encounter had likely numbed the initial sensation, along with the other pains he'd felt, and when he'd attempted to push himself up the joint had given way...It also caused the rest of his body to suddenly acknowledge his exhaustion, and when he slumped back onto the sand he knew he wasn't going to push himself back up....
"You win, Adam. I...can't fight anymore..."
The admission was hard, and as he pushed himself over to his stomach, his breath ragged and quick, he smiled lightly and rested his head against the sand, thankful that he was not injured worse than he already was, and hopeful that Adam would acknowledge the victory and allow the fight to end. As it stood, it wasn't likely the bigger man had much left to give either, but that small notion of worry still stood....
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Post by Pain Killer on Dec 5, 2007 0:49:55 GMT 1
The knee had flown straight and true, slamming into Pain Killer's forehead just moments before the two had landed against the sand. As such, as the larger male lay in the sand, his vision blurred and swam in and out, just adding to the list of reasons he couldn't bring himself to sit up yet. Slowly, his vision cleared, the cloudy images slowly morphing into clouds themselves, strangely enough, something that Adam found oddly funny. Had Taiku not said anything, there was no telling how long the youngest Rydell would have laid there staring at the clouds, the voice sending a spike of adrenaline through his body as he realized he was still in a fight, until he processed the actual words.
I won?
"Haa... haa.... 'bout time..."
The words were accentuated by ragged panting, causing small gaps in Adam's speech, his lungs instinctively only filling halfway so as not to press against the pained ribs. There was nothing else that he felt needed to be said for the moment, and so naturally, he would not add to it. Instead, Pain Killer would bask in his victory, closing his eyes and allowing a smile to creep upon his lips, content to just lay there and rest.
"Adam!"
The higher, distinctly feminine voice made him open his eyes once again, the drowsyness rapidly disappearing at the apparent urgency he could feel. He turned his head to see his sister running over from where she had been watching the fight, noting the fact that she had put on her jeans over her bathing suit, as well as wearing his trenchcoat that he had dropped before. Slowly, he brought himself to a sitting position, letting her help him sit up, as since she was family, she was one of the few he'd actually accept help from. His right arm cradled his ribs, the left propping him up from the rear, as Mya helped him put on his socks and shoes again, knowing full well how horrible it'd be to try and bend that far on his own.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I think I am, nevermind how it looks."
Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself to his feet, hesitantly putting his left arm around Mya in what seemed like using her as support, but really, was his tendancy to be a bit overprotective of his sister. Pain Killer looked towards the former gang leader, who had at this point would likely be getting to his feet or already standing, silently watching for a moment before speaking.
"...Hey, Taiku. Can we talk?"
It was one of the few times he hadn't referred to him as "old man" or the like, which in and of itself was a feat, and the question might have sounded strange coming from the usually anti-social Pain Killer. Nevertheless, Adam would watch the older man, waiting for his answer with no small amount of curiousity.
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Dec 5, 2007 3:12:50 GMT 1
"Alright, lap it up. You earned it..."
The words were uttered with a quiet chuckle from the elder of the pairs lips as he smiled, content that for now he didn't have to move. Of course, when Mya ran towards Adam, he craned his head to where she had been, seeing that Reiko was also approaching. Unlike Adams younger sibling, however, she walked slowly and with a dignity towards her downed relative before kneeling beside him, speaking quietly and in their native tongue to keep her words between the pair.
"You want any help getting up, Kazuki?"
"No, I'm fine. Just....give me a minute."
"Why? You comfortable or something?"
Smirking at her sarcasm, he shook his head before pushing himself up, shakily, on his good arm this time. His left sat awkwardly, and he knew he'd need to relocate the shoulder before he did anything. The wrist he could deal with for now, so long as he didn't move it too much, but the elbow needed seen to now.
"Shut up and help me here, brat. I need you to help me with my elbow, alright?"
Nodding, she followed the instructions he gave her, careful not to strain his wrist more than it already was with the injury, and after a moment or so she was able to at least partially slide the joint back into place after a couple of attempts. Understandably, the elder of the pair wasn't about to stifle the short yelp of pain that came with it, and though it was aching worse than ever, he could tolerate it like this, with at least some range of movement available.
He left his footwear off, content to remain barefoot on the sand for the time being, but whilst that was a choice, the hoodie had to go back on. It was the middle of November, and favourable weather or not, it was getting cold. After a brief drama slipping his injured arm into the sleeve, he pulled the rest of it on without much hassle and finally took a moment to just stand and let the moment pass over his head. He'd lost, he wasn't about to deny it was an alien feeling, but it had been a good defeat.
'Can't start making a habit out of it, though...'
He grinned to himself, his eyes closed as a cool wind licked at his face, before his former opponents voice caught his ears and he glanced back, shifting on the balls of his feet. It was odd to hear Adam ask the question, not least for the lack of animosity it held and the fact he hadn't addressed him with an insult, and whilst it took a second or two to click, the elder of the pair nodded shortly.
"Sure, Adam. Let's talk."
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Post by Pain Killer on Dec 5, 2007 22:04:21 GMT 1
As soon as Adam asked his question, Mya looked up at her younger brother with unbridled surprise. She'd never seen him be respectful to anyone, or at least, not openly rude except to herself, and he'd never wanted to talk of his own accord. Her eyes travelled back to the man her brother had just been fighting, wondering just what had happened between the two before to inspire such behaviour from the normally anti-social "Pain Killer".
"Mya, want to go warm up the car?"
A glance back to Adam revealed he had fished his keys out of his pocket, and with a sigh, she took them without another word. Unlike her brother, Mya was fairly quick on the uptake, and knew when he was trying to "protect" her from things she might find unpleasant. As she walked away, Pain Killer would watch her as she headed up to the car, waiting until she was a good distance out of earshot before speaking.
"You've gotten more experience with... funerals... than I have. What's someone remembered for after they're gone?"
Once the words were spoken, he turned his head to look at Taiku, his arm still cradling his ribs. There was no stopping the question once it was out there, so the larger male felt he might as well explain where he was coming from with what he was asking.
"I don't think... after I graduate, that much of what I've done in this school or Varron will have mattered much. When I'm gone, the only person I can see missing me will be her."
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Dec 6, 2007 0:21:16 GMT 1
As soon as Mya was 'excused' by Adam, Taiku reciprocated the gesture as he turned to Reiko, his language reverting to English with a calm remark.
"Reiko, could you please give me a few minutes? Wait in the car."
Returning a short nod, she turned from the pair and ambled away slowly, leaving the pair effectively alone as Adam made his intentions for the discussion clear, asking his question. A question which raised Taikus eyebrow somewhat before the justification was given, and even then continued to have him hold his silence for a few moments, his face clearly in thought as he sat back down onto the sand, reaching back with his uninjured arm to support his upper body.
"Personally, I think we choose what we're remembered for. Our actions as men in this world will justify how we are seen by the next generation, nothing else, and nothing more or less."
A short pause as he laid back on the sand, folding the good arm under his head as the injured one rested loosely at his side, and he continued, "If it counts for anything, how many of us do you think will really be remembered for what we did at Varron or at Hircine? Hell, Adam, everything I tried to do at Varron only served to give me more trouble in the end, I helped where I could, but people are flawed. Most often, they're what will be remembered before our strengths, but we're the only ones who can change that."
Closing his eyes with a flicker of a smile on his face, he sighed quietly, "If one person misses you, it's still one person. Tons of the kids at the school will likely be forgotten before the start of the next year, the few of us who get a pitiful rememberance can take some kind of solace that we helped a few people, in whatever way. Look beyond the school and beyond the city, Adam, there's a whole fuckin' world out there to do something to be remembered for, and the only person stopping you, is you."
Opening his eyes again and tilting his head toward the larger of the two, his lips parted in a short grin, "It's like this, man. In the end, we decide if we're remembered for what we did, for happened to us, or for what we did in our lives in spite of those things, y'know?"
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Post by Pain Killer on Dec 7, 2007 2:53:29 GMT 1
OOC: Feh, short.
IC:
"Hm. I suppose."
Pain Killer had barely moved as Taiku spoke, remaining standing and just watching the older man sit, then lay down on the sand. He'd spent enough time on the ground, and bending only aggravated the pain in his ribs, which meant that there was very little chance of him sitting down as well. Scowling, he looked away from the former gang leader, his eyes resting instead upon the sea.
"Your attitude's... strange. I figured you'd be like the kid, all optimistic and hopeful in life."
Unconsciously, Adam began to adjust his fingerless gloves, his eyes still staring off into the distance as he spoke. After a moment, he looked back to Taiku, his face not quite scowling anymore, but retaining the typical Rydell-distaste for everything.
"But I guess the truth's not always happy and fun."
With a small exhalation of air, Adam looked away once more, looking up towards the car Mya was currently sitting in. It had become habit, since getting her back from his brother, for him to constantly make sure of where she was. After that last horrible situation, he'd never let something like that happen ever again.
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Dec 7, 2007 6:11:51 GMT 1
"The truth never is...Optimism is relative, Adam. I look for the best in what I have, and in the people around me, but I don't expect anything good to happen. If it does, then that's good, but so long as I prepare for the worst, I'll never be caught unawares again. I made that mistake when I was your age, if you'll pardon the remark."
Pushing himself up, he turned to look more directly at the youth, a furrow in his brow and a slight frown on his face before he began to speak again, this time posing a question of his own to the younger man.
"Answer something for me, Adam...Why do you have this bleak outlook on everything? I'm not exactly the poster child for happiness and sunshine, but it's as if you live in a world of grey and duldrum."
The glance towards the car was easy to catch, and Taiku could guess why...He had been privy to enough discussion with Adam to know that he cared deeply for his sister, perhaps more than any other person, and he couldn't fault the boy for it. It was similar to the way he watched over Kira and the others, and after the things that had happened with Kvist, even now, he still watched with one eye.
"It's over, you know? Trent and Kvist are gone, dead, it's not like before where we had to look over our shoulders and bear the burdens of our brood...If you live like this, you'll only deaden yourself to life, and no man should do that to himself. If not for you, then for her."
His head had flicked in the direction of the car with a short gesture at the last word, and he left the barest of pauses before speaking on again, "You think that's what she wants you to be?"
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Post by Pain Killer on Dec 8, 2007 7:32:45 GMT 1
Not once during the entire time Taiku spoke did Adam look towards him, his eyes instead resting on his car and the occupant within. Once the older man was finished, the self-proclaimed Pain Killer would remain silent for a good ten seconds before turning to the asian in order to reply.
"No, she doesn't. But what we want isn't always what's good for us, or what should happen. She's far too trusting... far too soft. In many ways, it's her strength, as well as her weakness. In a way... I'm there to balance that."
He ran his fingers through his hair, slowly removing some of the sand that had stuck to the sweat. It would take a long time to get rid of it all, at least, until he took a shower, but it didn't matter. There was plenty of time to worry about it later.
"It's never over, Taiku. Not really. Even with the two of them gone, it doesn't matter. Everybody has some crazy in them, you and I both know that. It's just a matter of how much. It could be two psychos dead, it could be a hundred. There's still many more to take their place."
His eyes travelled back up to the car, catching glimpses of the purple hair within. He continued to look towards his sister as he spoke, as if reaffirming the words being spoken to himself.
"If it's for her, I can do it. For her, I can use a sledgehammer on another human being without worrying about it later. For her, I can fight until my body gives out, despite whatever pain I feel. I'd take a shot at God Himself if I thought it would do her any good. And for her, I can be that monster, if only to keep the other monsters at bay.
Life is cheap, Taiku. Especially mine."
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Dec 9, 2007 20:45:49 GMT 1
"Jesus, stop living as a fucking martyr, Adam...."
The words were sharp, and whilst potentially provoking to the larger of the pair, Taikus eyes were fixed solidly on him, a genuine trace of anger in his face as he began to speak, his voice rising slightly, though not enough that either of their respective family members would hear anything.
"No, you're right, it's never over, there's always going to be someone else that poses a threat to those around us, but that's no damned excuse for anything. I've fought fights that nearly killed me for the sake of my friends, I risked my neck at Varron because of who I chose to love, I risked Kiras safety simply by being involved with her, and I'd willingly fight every single fight all over again, take every hit and suffer every injury again, if I had to."
The flash of anger had dimmed to a rough scowl that hung over his brow, the frown on his lips carrying his distaste as he continued, "Fact is, I'd be lying to say that I've not been afraid every single time I have to fight like that. I value my life, it's a precious thing and I'll bare fists to the devil himself to keep it, and if you wish to be so cavalier as to be willing to just throw yours away for whatever misplaced sense of fucking justice you have, then you're not even half the person I thought you were, and you really are just the 'self proclaimed' Pain Killer."
Whilst Adam would likely see no real offence in such a thing being spat at him, Taiku had long held him in higher regard after their clash shortly after arriving in San Francisco. He'd seen him as more than just the thug he'd appeared to many as a student in Varron...
"Look at the bigger picture, and maybe, just maybe, you'll understand what I mean. Look beyond the next few months, the next few years, and think to yourself whether this self-destruction is worth it."
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Post by Pain Killer on Dec 11, 2007 6:14:13 GMT 1
The hulking Senior's eyes snapped downwards at Taiku's tone, the anger clear in his gaze, though there was little other physical reaction. Under other circumstances, he may have taken a swing at Taiku, but as it stood, the two had just put each other through Hell. There was barely any fight left in him, anymore.
"I didn't ask for sympathy, pity, or whatever the hell else you're trying to give me. You asked, I answered."
It had only taken the one moment, but it seemed Taiku had done the very thing Pain Killer had been trying to prevent; finding fault with his ideals. It was the reason he hadn't opened up before, as he expected few people to understand. Then again, this was Taiku. Maybe he owed it to him to at least explain himself a little better.
"You keep saying how similiar we are, Kazuki, or at least, how you used to be like me. But what about our differences? You've got an entire circle of friends and associates, you've got your own club. You've got plenty to live for, and plenty to protect. But all that's important to me is in that car up there."
Slowly, painfully, Pain Killer brought himself to a kneeling position, then sitting down completely, his legs splayed out in front of him. His ribs were killing him, but the fact was, he was sick of being the only one standing. It made him feel... out of place.
"Do you really think I'd throw my life away, if it meant leaving her without some sort of protection? Even if my life were to have no meaning, hers certainly does. I just meant that if you're scared for your life, then sooner or later, the day will come that you're faced with a very difficult choice. I'll be able to make that choice without hesitating."
A small pause followed, as Pain Killer actually had an odd thought occur to him, one that he felt obligated to share after all.
"I don't know what you're looking for in me, but I'll tell you now; I don't have it. You of all people should have a good idea of who I am by now."
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Dec 13, 2007 20:40:43 GMT 1
"You would get no sympathy from me, and pity is spared for the weak."
His abrupt words came out before Adam would move onto his next remark, and though he was gradually getting more and more angry as this conversation spun in circles, he didn't move. Instead, he sat and stared out onto the water, his face blank aside from the mildly furrowed brow that betrayed his state of annoyance at the younger man. Waiting quietly before he said a thing, seeing that Adam was indeed finished with his own remarks, he spoke with a much quieter tone. The former anger no longer present in his voice, but near enough screaming from his expression.
"I have those things because I did what you're apparently not prepared to do. Fact is, I fought hard for everything I've got, both physically and mentally. I fought back my hate, my anger, what about you?"
Shrugging, he fished into the hoody pocket and pulled out a slightly battered packet of cigarettes, clearly old and well-handled, yet still half-full. He smoked rarely, and only when the need struck him, a remnant of a former habit almost completely beaten. Pulling one of them out, he set it in his lips and lit it, gesturing with the packet only a moment in the possible chance his former opponent wished for one himself before putting it back into his pocket. Taking a short drag on the stick, he held it between his fingers and sighed, the plume of smoke billowing away into the air above them.
"I don't know what it was I thought I could see in you, I just know it was something more than this. Don't get me wrong, I know pretty fucking well who you are, but who you make yourself out to be and who you actually are are two very different things. Still, if this is all you can aspire to, then do as you will and make your own choices, just remember what I said to you. Maybe in time, when you realise that perhaps I wasn't completely wrong, you'll still be able to do something about it."
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Post by Pain Killer on Dec 18, 2007 21:04:57 GMT 1
"I need it. It's not that I can't hold it back, it's that I don't want to. Hate's what gives someone their strength, their determination, their will to do what needs to be done."
A small shake of the head was the only response to the older man's offer of cigarettes, the Senior student having grown silent, at the moment. Try as he might, he couldn't understand why Kazuki was getting angry, or at least, had been angry with his ideals. After all, they hadn't changed from the last time the two had met. It was as if he was missing some small detail, something important, which in turn was beginning to frustrate the admittedly simple minded younger male.
The more he thought about it, the more it felt like a movie, one that Mya had insisted he watch. Although he'd tolerated it for her sake, Pain Killer had been horrified to find out it was the first of a trilogy, and his horror had grown when his sister had demanded they watch the other parts afterward. He'd nearly fallen asleep a few times, and barely remembered most of it, but there had been something about how hate "led to the dark side" or some such nonsense. Adam had hated the movie, though, as the part he did remember involved one family member trying to corrupt another.
Kind of like Trent.
The youngest surviving Rydell frowned, definitely not thrilled with where his train of thought was going, but feeling as if it was necessary. Not once had he seen his brother happy, not unless it had involved hurting someone else. Adam had always wondered why Trent had turned out that way, but hadn't exactly had an opportunity to find out, though Mya had spoken to him about it before. Even though he was dense, he could tell when she was worried, and knew full well that it had to do with his brother.
Does she think I'll turn out like him?
"But... say, someone I know has a similiar problem, and wanted to fix it. How would he go about that?"
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Jan 18, 2008 18:13:34 GMT 1
ooc: Maaaaassive sorry on the wait. Between Christmas, New Year and other family issues (not to mention connection issues), I've only just now gotten to finishing this.
ic:
"Hate doesn't give you strength, it takes it away from you. You managed to beat me because of your muscular power, and because, admittedly, you want the win more than me, but I'm always going to be stronger than you Adam."
With that, he fell silent for a few moments, milling over his thoughts and sighing to himself as he puffed the cigarette slowly, letting it sit between his lips between drags. It took a rather cliche question from Adam to return his attention, and he held in a rather slight smirk for a moment as he pondered the answer to the 'question'. His eyes didn't stop on the younger male, quite the opposite in fact as he dredged a handful of sand between his fingers, his attention seemingly elsewhere before he eventually spoke again.
"Nobody can be told how to fix themselves, Adam. If it were so easy, then goodness knows people would be doing it already. For most, they have to realise what they need to change in themselves and be willing, not least to say ready to change it. This person you know, however, I'd probably just say that he look at himself and recognise the difference between him and the person he's trying not to become. We're all capable of terrible things for the right reasons, I'm no exception after all, but there comes a point when you have to choose just which way you're going to live."
A quiet moment or so as he puffed at the burning stick between his fingers, flicking the ash between his knees onto the sand, and he continued.
"I've become 'weaker' in so many peoples eyes, and perhaps, in actuality, I have. Years ago, I'd have probably gone to any length to beat you, even in an honorable fight, but those needs are no longer important to me. So long as I'm strong enough to protect the people I love, be that through power or money, then I don't care how I'm viewed. Nothing matters more to me than them, and I've never regretted my choices."
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Post by Pain Killer on Jan 21, 2008 3:09:16 GMT 1
OOC: Well... alright. Just this once, I'll let it slide.
IC:
The self-proclaimed Pain Killer stayed silent as he listened to Taiku, his eyes slowly roaming across the sand while the words sunk in. It took a couple of moments after the older man had finished speaking before Pain Killer began to understand all the information properly, something that brought the barest of smiles to his face before it was quickly chased away.
"You know... you're smarter than I thought. I guess age has its own benefits, after all."
He spared a quick glance over to see Taiku's response to his attempt at humour, before slowly pushing himself to his feet again. Sooner or later, he would've had to get up anyway, and he figured he would get the pain over and done with now. Sure enough, his ribs ached, leading him to believe that they were cracked or bruised, something he would get checked out on the way home. Still, he wouldn't let such a thing stop him from finishing the conversation he was having, as such opportunities were rare.
"I've always been surprised how easy it is for you to offer help to someone else. Especially someone who just wanted to pound your face in the first time you met. I'm sure you have your reasons, and that it's just who you are. Still... it's so very... different."
Adam began to trail off for a moment, looking away as his mind worked furiously. It was one of his many drawbacks, needing more time to work things out than another, smarter person would require. Nevertheless, after a few seconds, he had reached a decision, his body turning to face Taiku completely.
"Well... uh, if you ever need any help with something, or a sparring partner, feel free to call on me. You know, if things get rough or whatever."
Depending on how well Taiku had figured out how the self-proclaimed Pain Killer worked, he may have gotten the underlying meaning behind such an offer.
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Jan 21, 2008 16:07:55 GMT 1
ooc: -bows at feet- Thank you, I promise not to let you down again ic: "Yeah, even an old fart like me has his uses...." The faint snort from his nose as he spoke was accented by a short smirk as he began to rise from the sand himself, stopping only to stub the fully burnt out cigarette into the sand and cover it over, knowing that their conversation was quickly drawing to a close. Both men had places to be, and whilst this was a chat quite full of revelations, he knew that any efforts to push Adams mental boundary would prove futile. "Reasons? Nah, I never really did have any. Sure, you may have wanted to fight me, and sure, you pursued that with a slightly unnerving obsession for a while, but I've never held a grudge against you for it, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone else. It's not all that different, it's just the way some people work, I guess." The last remark made, however, brought a more clear smile to the elder of the pairs face as he nodded slightly. He'd come to believe he was at least partially capable of reading the youth in front of him, but it wouldn't take more than a laymans grasp to know what the insinuation in Adams remark was. "I will, and the same to you." Glancing over his shoulder a moment, he spoke without turning back around, "We should probably get moving, the pair of them must be getting a little bored, wouldn't you say?" He was right, and he knew it. Reiko was more than likely going to blackmail him into taking her shopping or something after this, and all things considered, he was more inclined to get into another fight with Adam than face that kind of punishment from the teenager. Topping it off, he had to face Kira after this, and a very sudden chill raced up his back... Pausing as he began to walk away, he turned back to face Adam again a moment. "One last thing, Adam..." Waiting for the younger man to acknowledge the question about to be asked, he spoke on. "What did you have planned for after graduation?"
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