Aryn vs. Nathan

[Director Troutman]

Standard tournament fodder, you're fighting in the same location as Dain would normally host the Fighters League, but with a few small changes...

• The 'ring' is an octagon, similar to UFC standards, with canvas matting on the ground to cover the stone. No padding or anything, the perimeter is an eight-foot high close-knit mesh, so no climbing the cage walls.
  
• There is room for spectators, so it's not exactly going to be quiet in here. Bear that in mind.
  
• Fights are ended by submission or knockout, otherwise it goes to the judges after the week is up.
  
• The entire tournament is taking place in a single evening, so no opportunities to rest up. If you're injured, you'd be best to bear in mind you're not going to be 'fine' for the next fight. Also, unless you win VERY quickly, those who progress to the semi's are going to be at least a little tired.
  
• Competitors will be wearing their own clothing, but restrictions mean no weapons (obviously), and nothing that could be considered 'protective' clothing, so no steel-toed boots or whatnot.
  

Fight hard!

[Nathan Branigan]

The Tournament. Last time Nathan had entered, he was demolished by one of Hircine High's Pillars, Tiao Lei Shen. It also lead to his rush for improving himself and the respect he had gained from that same student afterward. Nathan could only hope the same improvements would happen again. Without a first round defeat, of course.

Nathan Branigan, the six foot tall Pillar walked casually down to the octagon ring. Not quite confident, yet not overly-skeptical of his abilities. Hopefully, he would not have to face someone in the top tier in the first round. No second round meant no chance for improvement.

He pulled himself up on to the ring and scanned the crowd around him. It looks like he arrived first for once. Cautiously, he walked to the center of the ring and kept his eyes focused as he looked in circles for his opponent. He refused to have the drop on him. He couldn't risk it.

This time it was different. This time he would win. 'Just one fight' he thought. 'I just have to win one fight'.

Nathan waited anxiously for his first opponent. It was goingto be a long night.

[Aryn Valcoph]

Why was she here again?

Well, she liked fighting for one...and two, it was summer vacation, she needed something to pass the time. Besides, she'd heard from the gossip mill that Will had joined in the tournament. Aryn couldn't very well say no to an opportunity to catch up with him after, well, everything that had happened. Though she didn't want to assume she'd make it to a match up with him...no, she still had this round to go through, at least.

Her hair was held back in a tight braid, and twitched to and fro as she made her way to the arena; reminding a few in the crowd of a stalking cat about to pounce. A good analogy, no doubt, as she eyed the tall opponent awaiting her arrival in the ring. He was four inches taller than herself, with a fair build.

Aryn was calm and collected. Anybody who thought she was good at hiding her nerves would be right, however, she wasn't nervous at all, having ''fought'' with Will before, she was used to having larger opponents. She nodded in silent gratitude at the man at the ring-side as he opened the cage for her to step through.

Coming into the ring, the crowd let out a cheer at the prospect of a good fight. It was an interesting match up, after all.

Stretching her arms up and over her head, Aryn did a final few stretches, twisting her body around until her back cracked upwards. She, of course, then had to repeat the process on the other side.

''Aaaahhhh...'' She sighed, giving Nathan a silly grin. ''Well hello there. Don't you look ready to fight... I'm Aryn.''

She didn't ask his name, figuring if he wanted to, he'd say it...and if not, well, she assumed he'd just start the fight, a thought made clear by the way she raised her hand a gestured for him to start whenever he was ready. Aryn assumed no real stance, but merely stood comfortably: feet at a comfortable distance apart, one slightly in front of the other.

[Nathan Branigan]

OOC: Sorry for the shit post. Lost the first one in a freak tab accident.

Finally, his opponent had arrived. They were four inches shorter, fifty pounds lighter, and complete with some of the prettiest...uh...eyes Nathan had ever seen. He had to fight a girl.

Normally he would refuse to do such a thing, but she had entered the tournament of her own free will. She most likely knew how to fight well enough to beat up most guys. Hopefully, Nathan wouldn't be on that list.

For a sense of formality, he gave her his own name since she gave him the same courtesy. "Hey, name's Nathan Branigan. For give me for not shaking, but the circumstances aren't really the best" he said in a polite manner that was obviously well practiced.

Given the go ahead by his opponent, he casually walked over to her to begin the fight, prepared for any sudden movements. He quickly assumed a boxing stance as soon as she got in his range and made a quick jab to he nose. He would be sure to stay out of her range, taking advantage of his height, yet stay aware of the likely hood that she was a very fast fighter. He would do his best not to make the same mistakes of the past in underestimating his opponents.

[Aryn Valcoph]

. o O ( No worries, James. )

''I wouldn't expect a handshake right now anyway. Perhaps later.'' It was a nonchalant answer, one said with a half-smile upon her face.

It may have been low - perhaps even downright nasty - she fluttered her eyes at him as he moved closer, glad she had decided to put her contacts in today after all, considering they changed her eyes from a chocolate brown to a leaf-green colour. The move was definitely shameless, but if it distracted him even just a little, she'd use it. Still, she waited until the last possible moment to make her move, knowing he was out of her 'reach', but still well within another.

As he started the jab, Aryn ducked down, the leg that had been slightly forwards acting as a center-balance along with one of her hands that were placed upon the floor as she twisted her body; the leg that had been held back now being brought around quickly in hopes of sweeping him off his feet, quite literally. It was a quick action, one that had a fair amount of force behind it, her head might have been vulnerable in this situation, but she had tilted it to the side, more or less tucking her jaw beneath her shoulder so she would still be able to see her opponent.

If she could get him off his feet, she might have a better chance, especially if he fell the right way.

. o O ( The edit? Course was supposed to be force. Don't ask. @__@ )

[Nathan Branigan]

Not surprisingly yo Nathan, Aryn managed to dodge his half-witted opening attack. She ducked under his jab and began a low sweep as she stepped in to try and knock him on his back. This would not be very difficult to counter. At least immediately.

Nathan would begin by stepping forward to allow for the distance to further close the gap. This would allow for the sweep kick to lose its effect of knocking Nathan down due to the thigh hitting instead. It would also save Nathan of any pain. He would also have an instantaneous duck down as he wound his left arm into an upper cut. He would then rise up just as quickly as the upper cut was sent directly under her defense and into Aryn's jaw. The added power from his rise would cause a devastating hit on his opponent. She wouldn't be knocked out, but it would definitely hurt like hell. Not to mention that she may begin to stumble backward as a result.

He wouldn't make any further judgment, waiting to see how this played out.

[Aryn Valcoph]

Definitely disappointed her tactic to put her opponent onto the floor, Aryn grit her teeth as she was jarred slightly by the collision with Nathan's leg. Aryn was hardly about to keel over at the sight of the marginally larger youth making his attack. His size was his advantage, and she knew to exploit that in her opponents. After all, being graced with a form like hers had its...'benefits', just not necessarily in a combative aspect...

The difference in height, however, combined with her lowered position, would mean Nathan would need to lower his body a sizeable amount in order to fire off his punch, and this would be her point of exploitation. Her right arm, held up from her position in the sweep, would immediately move to bind itself around Nathan's left leg as it stepped in to shoulder the brunt of the sweep. Her weight dropped back as she removed her bracing arm from the ground and her opponent would find his leg dragging away as her left hand shot towards his vulnerable crotch, an open palm shot that would likely meet little resistance; unless Nathan was either a mind-reader or possessed Olympic gymnastic qualities.

The low blow, despite its obvious intentions, would not be the point of her movement though. Instead, Aryn grasped the midsection of his shirt immediately after and dragged it, twisting her body as she did so to pull the youth completely off-balance and to the ground face-first, just to her left.

If she'd be successful in her endeavour, her grip on the leg wouldn't cease as she pushed off her left foot, rising enough to bring her right leg over and onto the middle of Nathan's back, driving her heel into the lower section of his ribs at the back as she twisted his ankle fiercely, locking her arms together to hopefully exert enough power to keep the foot trapped in its awkward and uncomfortable position. Even for someone of her size, it would be enough to cause pain and possible injury thanks to its reliance on the opponent's size, not her own, as the placement of her heel - and a fair bit of her weight - would make it difficult for him to move and shake her off.

[Nathan Branigan]

OOC: Ignore what I PM'd you about. I had someone explain it to me. Figured it out.

Although Aryn worked a decent counter to stop Nathan's punch, it would leave her completely vulnerable to another attack. She had her right arm wrapped around Nathan's left leg, so it wouldn't be able to help her. She was moving forward, giving a momentum that moved toward Nathan for an instant. And finally, because her right arm was now on the offense, she had no working defense left. Nathan would quickly fire his right knee straight at Aryn's unprotected face. It would take an instant and be a very powerful attack, stopping any plans she would have for controlling where Nathan went. When you get hit full force in the face by a knee strike, with momentum helping it, you have near no time to react. And her defenses were currently elsewhere.

Originally there was the problem of Aryn's left hand striking either Nathan's crotch or grabbing his shirt, but it would make little difference. The knee would effectively block this, the hand deflecting off of his incoming leg.

The strike would be quick, powerful, hurt like hell, and near impossible to stop. Not due to a freak move by Nathan, but by the lack of defense that Aryn had at the moment. It would sent Aryn back off Nathan, with none of her attempt to get him on the floor working.

If she was hit, then she would fall to the mat. He would quickly, yet cautiously, follow and make a quick follow up with a small kick to the side, trying to stay away from her arms, near her legs side if he had to.

[Aryn Valcoph]

With her arm in the way - still aiming for his crotch - Nathan's knee wouldn't be nearly as damaging, especially considering their close proximity. As it hit high up on her shoulder, Aryn winced at the pain, the hand holding his other leg loosening up for two reasons. One, as she was jarred, Aryn decided to let go, hoping Nathan took it that she might have been disoriented. Gritting her teeth together against the ache in her shoulder, Aryn managed to get her other foot that had been extended for the sweep beneath her.

Her hand which had been gripping at his leg slipped to his side, and the girl glanced up through her bangs, quickly aligning herself with Nathan's head as her other hand (the one that had been used to absorb the brunt of Nathan's knee) dropped. It all happened in the scant few seconds his knee connected with her shoulder, and Aryn gathered her strength. Then Aryn sprang up, the top of her head aimed at Nathan's chin and mouth area, as chances were he was looking down at her. True that there wasn't too much momentum behind her movement, considering how close they were, but it would be enough for him to feel a good amount of pain...maybe see a couple stars. Of course, it would hurt her as well, but most of the pain would be with her opponent.

Regardless, however, as soon as she regained her feet, she skipped backwards quickly, away from the larger student. There was no way she was going to get caught up after that. She'd most likely try again if given the chance. Subduing Nathan was one of the most surefire way to win the match.

[Nathan Branigan]

Nathan's knee strike hit, but not to the intended area. It hit Aryn in the shoulder instead of her face thanks to her using her attacking arm to block to blow. Still, the attack had gained its desired effect. Aryn had released his leg and Nathan would remain standing. He even got a half decent hit on his opponent.

However, Nathan would have to time to celebrate. Aryn shot up straight at him, intending to hit him with a head butt. It didn't have full momentum, but enough to hurt. Fortunately, Nathan's hands were both idle and ready to be shot into action. He quickly used his right arm as a buffer between his chin and the head butt. It may sting his arm for a second, but his head would be unharmed and the pain would quickly go away.His arm was kept tight to protect him from her arm that was held to her side. (This following part will be done if this doesn't also contradict Aryn's post.) Nathan then used his left arm to grab Aryn, preventing her from escaping. Once her head butt hit his right arm, he would send another knee strike aimed at Aryn's gut. Her body would have to be close to Nathan, thanks to her head butt. That would be all the opening Nathan would need.

OOC: Edited to accommodate Aryn's post after this.

[Aryn Valcoph]

. o O ( For the sake of leaving an OOC note before the match is judged, Nathan seems to have misinterpreted my move.

Aryn's hand that had been gripping his leg is now upon his left side, so he could not easily strike her diaphragm as he's written, and her left leg (not the one that had been used in the sweep) is the one further back, but even to move his leg to step behind her right, he would have to take a fairly long stride, thus putting him at major risk.

I figured I'd point this out, as I do not have time to make a formal post right now. As well, I do request a different judge (aka the one that will be judging Will's match) to judge this one as well. I highly doubt Liam would sway my way in judging even though he's my boyfriend, but this is just to rule that out (not that I believe James would accuse that anyway). It's just to be completely fair, is all. )

[Shamino Warhen Ph.D]

This one was actually surprisingly close. After a few minutes debating with myself i'm giving it to Aryn, but Nathan needs some honorable mention.

As a suggestion Nathan, spellcheck and reread your posts several times to make sure it's easy not only for you to understand, but your opponent as well. Always be as specific as possible, and i can see you progressing easily in future tournaments.