[It's almost the end of the school year, only two days away, in fact, but you're STILL here in a writers' workshop, helping other people improve their pitiful writing. You're such a saint. You deserve an award. Unfortunately, your concentration keeps being interrupted by the strangest feeling that you're being watched.] [The feeling persists for most of the meeting, and it's only ten minutes from the end when you finally figure out the source. Outside, across the street, and almost out of sight, is a figure dressed totally in black, capped with a blob of white that has to be hair, or horrible fashion sense. How he's making you feel watched from that far away is a mystery, but it's there.] [Mariah Intro... FIGHT!] * The current speaker drones on, oblivious to your agitation. * Mariah makes a really game attempt to listen attentively. .oO(... who *is* that guy, anyway?) * An overly defensive author tries weakly to defend his pathetic work. It doesn't work very well. He is quickly dissected and made to see the ERROR OF HIS WAYS. The poor author is saved from bursting into tears by the hasty dismissal of the meeting by the leader. * Mariah gets up and leaves, obviously still distracted... * People rather hastily get out of your way as you barge out of the room, not entirely aware that you're doing so in your haste to find out what's going on. * Strangely, getting out of the direct sight of the watcher doesn't alleviate the feeling of being watched. ... hey... where *is* he? * As you exit the main school doors and pop around the corner, you see the space where the man was standing. Emphasis on the "was". Hey, he's gone! ... That was kinda weird. * A voice speaks up from behind you, soft, but strong, and rather feminine, "Looking for someone?" * Mariah turns around slowly. "... uh, yeah?" .oO(I thought so! There's something up!) * Standing behind you is what must be the man who was watching you. He's got looks to match his feminine voice, and he's aged quite well, though you can tell he's at least forty years old. He's got clean, close-cropped white hair, and is dressed from head to toe in black, an overcoat over a business suit. Really? Who are you looking for? ... uh. You? ... Hi? What a coincidence. I'm looking for you, too. I kinda thought so... Yes, but do you know WHY I'm looking for you? -- Uh, no. Sorry, I can't read minds. * Mariah doesn't appear to say this ironically. You should give it a try sometime. You've gained quite the reputation as a fighter lately. Really? ... wow. I mean, I knew people were talking, but... You should pay more attention. You can't make waves without having people seek out the source. I'm really *really* sorry -- I've had tests and papers and stuff. ...pathetic. Why are you apologizing to an enemy? * Mariah pauses. "... uh. ... I should probably go, I have a bus to catch... You're running away from a fight? Uh, I dunno. Is this a fight? You're just talking and stuff. Stupid girl. I came here to fight you. Don't you know a challenge when you feel it? Sorta. Kinda. ... You just weren't *doing* anything. You expect me to suddenly jump you when you're unprepared? Lots of people do ! How was I supposed to know? ...good. Prepare yourself, girl. You may attack when ready. * Mariah nods and drops into a stance, readying her staff and waiting to see what the man does. * Man doesn't change his position at all. He's still just standing casually, hands in the pockets of his overcoat. "I said, you may attack when ready." .oO(I don't like this *at all.*) * Mariah charges forward to take a staff jab at the man's chest. * Man pulls his left hand from his pocket with lightning speed, extends his index finger, and catches the end of the staff as it comes within arm's reach. The staff stops dead when it touches his finger. It's good that you've started using a weapon. Your skills are still pathetic, however. * Mariah stops and swirls the staff back, dropping back into stance. .oO(Eh-heh.) Uh? Do you even fight, or do you just stand there? I'm letting you have a chance. Are you so eager to die? 'course not! .oO(I'm gonna die *anyway,* 'cause I think I just missed the bus...) Then attack, and do not hold back, or I shall surely slay you. ... okay. * Mariah backs up a few steps and begins to spin her staff, first slowly, then faster... ... Thundering Staff! * Mariah 's staff glimmers for a moment, as if sheathed in some sort of energy; she lashes out with it again, trying for a quick but forceful jab. * Man slips aside, letting the staff pass just inches from his torso. "Better, girl. You'll have to do better." * Mariah spins and attempts another jab, motions even and quick and as precise as she can make them. * Man is forced to block this time, bringing his right hand out of his pocket just in time to grab the head of the thundering staff as it's about to contact his chest. He grits his teeth as the sonic blast makes its way through his skeleton. Better still, little girl. You can't beat me like that. Then d'you have any advice? * Mariah pulls the staff away and backs up again, obviously thinking through options... Don't hold back. Find your opponent's weakness. You should know these things. * Mariah ponders this for only a moment before changing her stance, flipping her staff into one hand and using the other to gesture, like she's gathering something in and preparing to release it... and when she aims the hand to release, she screams. "Cone of Fire!" * Man crosses his forearms in front of him in a warding gesture just as the flames engulf him. When the flames clear, he is still standing there, apparently unharmed, though his overcoat is smoking a little around the edges. Interesting, girl. What else have you got? Show me! If you want to see it... * Mariah makes similar gestures, but these end in her pointing one finger at the man and staring hard for a moment... "Shock Bolt!" * Man bends backward at the waist, seeming almost to blur as he does so, and the lightning rockets less than an inch above him. He straightens back up in an instant. "Fire and lightning, is that all you've got?" * Mariah shakes her head and drops her staff; the next gesture is one of sweeping her arms upward, and the rocks and pebbles on the ground follow suit. "Not by half!" She points again... "Pebble Spray!" * Man goes into fast forward, his hands and forearms seeming to disappear save for those brief moments when they are stopped to change directions, and as the wave of pebbles hits him, it breaks like a wave on the rocky beach. He stops moving and opens his hands, letting a stream of pebbles fall to the ground from each one. Better still, girl. Keep going. Eh-heh... * Mariah makes another brief series of gestures, and then... "Acid Splash!" Shit! * Man throws his arms straight out in front of him, palms open towards Mariah, and the acid stops dead in the air on an invisible barrier. * Man scowls. * Man looks down at the ground where the acid is busily eating holes in the pavement. * Mariah smirks, just a little, and gestures again, aiming another bolt of acid at the man -- trying to avoid his hand-shield... * Man disappears as you hurl the bolt of acid, and reappears directly behind you. "I think that's about enough. Goodnight, girl." he throws a vicious straight kick, and it feels rather as if you've just been hit by a truck. You go flying straight through a light pole, leaving it to fall to the ground and probably taking out power service to several buildings. You skid to a stop in the middle of the street. * Mariah grunts and... does that, yeah. She manages to stand up, though. "... why are you doing this? Why not just kill me, if that's what you want?! * Man smiles. "Still going. Very good." * Man reaches into his coat, under the right breast. * Mariah 's facial expression panics, rather visibly, and her gestures are frantic... "Acid Splash!!" * Man disappears again, and reappears right behind Mariah. "That was unnecessary, girl. I'm not going to kill you." The fight is over. * Man withdraws his hand, revealing an official looking envelope. ... ohhh! ^^; * Mariah smiles nervously. "Sorry... If I wanted to kill you, I certainly wouldn't need a gun. * Man holds the envelope out to Mariah. * Mariah takes it and opens it up. * Inside is an equally official looking, gold embossed invitation for one Mariah Ritter to attend Battle High School, along with one ticket for passage on an airplane. The ticket has a date and time listed, but no destination. Oh, *wow!* My name is Quentin Nagawa. I'm the principal of Battle High. I'll see you at the first general assembly. Don't miss your flight. I won't, I won't... thank you so much, Mr. Nagawa! .oO(Goddess bless...) * Man executes a crisp about-face and walks away. He rounds a corner quickly and is gone, leaving you only with the words, "Don't thank me. Thank yourself." * Mariah just stands there for a moment before going to pick up her staff. "... wow. Just... wow! ... I'm gonna call Mom; she'll understand..." [Intro Fight... Draw]