aerialassault | 001 [audio/action] backdated to the 18th

[accidental audio/action for CH 5]

--at's it. I'm gonna pulverize--

[The words, made audible through an accidental feed on the journal that Cliff threw aside, were cut off by the crack of splintering wood as his fist slammed into it at full throttle. Cliff had finally awoken from his shift-induced dream, and he was pissed. It was just unfortunate that the first person he saw that morning had to be the target for his frustration at the Malnosso.

He was going to crush their captors...after he crushed Albel Nox.

It wasn't going to be pretty.]

[very intentional audio]

Sorry 'bout the mess this morning. Technical difficulties. Won't happen again.

Now. What the hell was that last week? A shift? That's one helluva-- [He stopped and took a deep, calming breath.] Don't tell me that happens all the time.

I'm more than game if anyone wants to work off some stress. See ya at the Barracks. Or the Dome. I dunno.

Cliff Fittir. Over and out.

[action]

[True to his word, Cliff could be found at both the Barracks and the Battle Dome at various points throughout the day, as he restlessly wandered between the two facilities because neither actually fit his needs for the moment. A good spar was what he had in mind, although he wouldn't say no to company with someone that didn't know him and was actually sane.

Don't worry. He'll be cool.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The slam may as well have been a warning siren that was as thunderous as his fist plowing through the thin wood that separated their apartments. Cliff was never one for subtlty, unlike the wicked snake that he knew was creeping near by. He kept his hearing sharp for any click, any scuff of boots on carpet as he pulled his hand out from the splintered wood. He had barely given himself time to get armed in his rage, and it showed in his bloodied knuckles.

He strapped on his second glove with the apparently lazy ease of a tiger on the hunt. This was an old game, and he was always willing to play.]

Y'know that this ain't gonna be interesting if you keep sneaking about. Show yourself.

You know you wanna.

[Sneaking? Sneaking? That oaf thought he was sneaking? Albel's jaw clenched even tighter, a muscle beneath one eye jumping in his fury. The knocked down wall was hardly anything he was concerned about, but here was this damned Klausian fool invading his space and Albel Nox did not mean to stand for that at all.

He'd show him the meaning of "sneaking."

Focusing his power, Albel drew up as much chi as he could, pulling it up from the soles of his feet and channeling it all down the steel of his claw gauntlet.

And whirled around the corner, letting the attack fly right at Cliff and what was left of the wall.]

Palm of Destruction!

[Bait: taken. Rattling the cage of a rabid dragon was easy if you knew where the right chains were.

Cliff grounded himself and braced impact, his arms already moving to block the blow the second he all but felt Albel's wrath. He skid backward with the blow, damaging more of the wall--but that was fine.

Close range was his specialty.

He grinned.]

So that's how it's gonna be, huh? Then try this!

[The cramped space of the hallway still left plenty of room for a furious uppercut that was aimed straight for Albel.]

[There wasn't enough room in the hall to try ducking around the punch, so Albel didn't even bother. Instead, he twisted so that the impact would slam into the shoulder of his gauntlet, using the steel to his advantage. The impact was still just as forceful as he expected, though; he might not think much of Cliff's mental capabilities, but he knew full well that the man was full of brute strength. It hurt, but Albel wasn't one to shy away from pain.

He let the punch push him back a little way, then hopped back further out of range, covering the move with a lash of the claw to make sure Cliff either wouldn't close the distance or would get slashed open.]

Is that the best you've got? Or did you waste all your strength on the wall?

[There wasn't quite enough room to use his katana, but his hand still fell to its hilt anyway. He could draw the thing, but his usual slashing style wouldn't quite work in cramped quarters. Which gave him an idea.]

You had better try harder, worm!

[And he ducked back in, hand closed around the hilt of his katana, gauntlet'd shoulder shoved forward both for defense and for a solid charge.]

[It was basic physics. Twist to avoid the blow and take advantage of the opponent's momentum to your own benefit. Cliff was never one to shy away from pain either, but he wasn't above dirty fighting with a man who remained perched on his ice wall no matter how bloodied he was.

He was grinning.]

Well alright then. Lights out!

[He shoved Albel and relied on physics to do the rest.]

Edited 2013-02-24 04:28 (UTC)

[It probably would have worked much better if Albel a) didn't expect such a move from Cliff, or b) hadn't been meaning to slip aside at the last second anyway. The shove only pushed him along more easily in a neat duck beneath Cliff's arm, and Albel used the extra momentum to speed up a twist around to face his opponent again.

And he was out into a larger room, which allowed him more than enough space to draw his katana. The Crimson Scourge flashed free of its sheath, humming softly. Albel fell into his usual fighting stance, red eyes narrowed dangerously.]

How foolish of me. I thought you would fight with dignity.

Says the man who doesn't clean up after his own men.

[Being a former captain himself, he felt justified in that jab. The crew of the Diplo, and everyone in Quark, were tight-knit. They all relied on eachother.

The Crimson Scourge didn't give him a moment's pause. All he needed to do was close the distance once more so Albel couldn't maneuver-- and he had the upper hand.

He charged forward in a vicious tackle, already prepared for whatever damage the action might incur.]