No Need For Alchemists
WHO: Scar, Excel Excel, Hyatt
WHEN: Tuesday Evening
WHERE: Central, Amestris
WHAT: Envy's instructions for the young officers of ACROSS leads them to the fire-ravaged library of Amestris, where their hopes of learning alchemy catch the attention of the most lethal human in the land: SCAR!
WATCH FOR: Hyatt dying, banana peels, butt punch, and the deep soulful reason for the ACROSS girls learning alchemy
"Wuh--"
Crowds of people cluster to stare and rubberneck at the charred remains of the library. Though there are hazard ribbons strewn up to keep the curious out of harm's way, people seem to be doing the best they can to get half of their bodies over the line without actually putting a foot inside the boundaries.
"Wuh--!"
All around are chunks of blackened marble, smoldering piles of ash, and a few scraps of loose-leaf pages. Some are still attached to the crumbling covers to which they once belonged.
"WUH--! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!?!" Excel flails, stomping madly in the streets and flailing her fists. They'd been sent to study the basics of alchemy. 'It's easy!' their pale-haired instructor had smiled with that toothy no-good oily shark mouth smile of his. 'Just learn basic elemental compounds and compositions, formulas for creating organic and inorganic materials, the proper runes to inscribe, and voila! /Alchemy!/ Easy as pie!'
Excel, for the record, had never found pie-making to be easy, if the burn marks in their apartment ceiling were any indication.
"Oh, my."
As usual, standing to the right of and a little behind Excel is Hyatt, her calm gaze focused more on the disaster zone in front of them than on her own senior's dance of frustration. "Senior, it appears that something went wrong," she murmurs simply, hands clasped around the only book from the library that HASN'T been reduced to slag- 'Alchemy for Dummies: Even a Monkey can draw an Array'. "... and then exploded."
Hyatt puts a finger to her chin, thinking for a moment. "Perhaps we were too hasty, and did something incorrectly, Senior? -- though come to think of it, I can't recall what it was we were trying to draw on the ground..." Chalk it up to chalk fumes.
The majority of the books and library are fine, at least. The main damage was caused when Scar was leaving this wing -- which manifested itself as blowing out the entire wall into the street. There have already been many statements that the vast majority of important books are safe, and that the wing was for 'general reference' of common books in one centralized location. In other words, nothing irreplaceable was blown up. People have also said that yes, the 'Scarred man' is the perpetrator of this assault. Apparently he attacked an extradimensional person for unknown reasons.
The injuries Scar took from that battle, at least, were very mild. Most of the damage was concussive, being hit by tables and books. Only the swift repeated stabbings to the ankle are causing him to still limp rather severely. He is now dressed in a very enshrouding outfit, lingering far from the line of people in a dark alley. A new pair of less trendy sunglasses are being worn, although the scar is visible on a lingering glance. It is just testament to people's blindness in disaster that nobody has pointed him out.
However, the yelling of Excel has captured the Ishbal man's attention. She is not from Amestris; That much can be pinpointed immediately. Is she another person who came here to learn the secrets of Alchemy? What catalyst is forcing all these people to meddle?! Hyatt, at least, confirms this suspicion. They don't even know the first thing of alchemy, it seems. Mayhaps the rest of the compound should be burned to rubble... It might deter some of the more -- impatient and lazy people from the quest.
Excel Excel scrubs a hand over the back of her neck. "The TV dinner circle, wasn't it, Ha-chan?" she grumbles. Someone had left half a dish of pot pie in the garbage, and what better way to test out the flame circle than to see if it could reheat cold food? Maybe she got a little carried away and exciteable when they'd found that they weren't the first living organisms to discover the pot pie...
BUT NO MATTER! "BUT NO MATTER!" Excel punches a fist into the air. "This is but a minor setback to the future of ACROSS! What's a little fire compared to the glorious construction of Lord Ilpalazzo statues out of common ordinary streetlights?" They had the plans all drawn out. Each street lamp would take on Ilpalazzo's form, and the eyes would glow to illuminate the darkened streets. Surely this would take away the terror of the night from the cowardly dark-fearing masses. "But first things first! Let's go see if we can transmute those dead rats into hamburgers," she announces cheerfully, swiveling about on her heel and marching towards the nearby alleyway.
"Now that you mention it, Senior..." Hyatt tilts her head. "... I /do/ have a fleeting impression that the library's fire codes might not have been up to the standard that we are used to back home." In all their past experiences, after all, most part-time job locations were able to handle explosions /far/ bigger than the one the library had just suffered.
Aaaaand on cue with Excel's abrupt about-face, Hyatt clasps her hands together happily, shifting the book to under her arms. "Indeed, Senior! I am looking forward to gracing our city with multiple likenesses of Ilpalazzo," she replies, trotting along as Excel begins to move off.
Ratburgers? This can only end in FIRE.
There is no longer any Scar lingering in the alley the pair are walking towards. He took the liberty of skittering up the side, maneuvering along a drainage pipe with ease. Perched upon the roof, ignoring the horrific burn within his right leg, Scar waits until both are within the alleyway to unleash his introductions to the aspiring alchemists. Leaping up a short distance, for just a moment a shadow flickers over the pair as the moon and starlight is eclipsed by the billowing clothes of the powerfully built Ishbal. Dropping with exceptional speed, the intent is to land upon Excel rather painfully. If the maneuver succeeds, she'll be slammed against the wall with Scar's right hand quite tightly gripping her neck -- and with her feet dangling, as well. Hyatt is ignored at the moment, at least. Regardless of whether she manages to evade, Scar's verbal response is quite hateful and angry. "Who are you?!" It's most definitely a demand. Nobody has noticed the initial scuffle, but that's probably going to change.
Scar gets a glancing blow on Excel Excel with his Back-Alley Groping jab.
"GHRRKLE!" is Excel's eloquent response. Which translates roughly to 'What the hell I can't respond when you're choking me to death!' More or less. Her hands snap up to grip his powerful wrist, prying at his fingers to get him to ease up a bit. What a rude greeting! She slowly cracks open one of her eyes, her gaze drifting to Hyatt. "Nnngh...krrrkkk...ggghhhhkkk!" This would be the equivalent of 'get that crowbar over there' if she could get the air through her esophagus.
To her credit, Hyatt noticed the flickering shadow along the ground, and pauses slightly. Her slow, 'my own pace' reaction time, however, means that Scar is on top of Excel by the time the frail woman's gaze starts angling towards the sky. "Senior, there appears to b- oh!" Hyatt gasps, mostly because by this time, the Ishbal is already strangling Excel- unnoticed, the book lands heavily against the alley ground.
Eyes widening incrementally, she waffles for a moment or two, unsure of what to do. Then, noticing her senior's frantic gaze and interpreting the vaguely coherent gasps, Hyatt kneels down, hurriedly picks something up off the ground, trots over to Scar and Excel...
... and places the previously dropped tome into her senior's hands.
Because it's not good to mistreat library books. :(
The grip upon Excel's neck does slacken enough to allow the girl to talk, but Scar's awareness of Hyatt is somewhat distracted. He glances towards her just as the book is handed over, and seems to react in a decidedly violent manner -- whipping out the back of his hand, trying to swat her away in more a dismissive manner then anything else. The intent is to knock Hyatt into a nearby trashcan, so she can't interfere with Pimpboy holding up his trick against the cool alley wall. "Answer me! Why are you at the Central library!!" Scar repeats, shifting a bit away from his hurt leg in a noticeable manner. Of course, now Excel is armed. The danger of a book should be on the front of his mind after the encounter with the Doctor...
Scar hits Hyatt with his Pray the Pimp's Prayor jab.
Excel Excel would fall over, if she weren't already being hoisted up in the air. What part of 'ggghhhhkkk' didn't Hyatt understand?! Still, she's gotta make do with what she's got, she supposes. She hoists the book overhead when Scar gets distracted, but before she can bring it down, Hyatt gets struck.
How /anyone/ could hurt Hyatt is a complete mystery. She's quiet, doe-eyed, sweet, pretty...completely harmless. And Excel's eyes suddenly gleam with intense rage.
"Yoooooouuuuuuuuuuuu huuuuuuuurrrrrrrrt Haaaaaa-chaaaaaaan!" she growls with sudden demonic undertones, flashing those little sharp teeth of hers. The book comes down on Scar's sexy hobo face with twice the force it would have if he'd just left the weak little purple-haired girl alone.
You hit Scar with your Ever Wanted Your Face On A Magazine? attack.
"Senio-" Innocent as a lamb, Hyatt can barely contemplate violence towards /anyone/, let alone any turned towards herself. As such, she barely has time to blink or even to cry out (there's the beginnings of a dismayed squeak in there somewhere, though) before the backhand slams into her face and sends her body pinwheeling into a nearby trashcan with a loud crash.
Slow-motion replay complete with X-ray footage: the back of Scar's hand slams into Hyatt's cheek, the force of the blow predictably whipping her head around; there'll be a nasty bruise later. The nerves all along her face scream and, with their usual bluntness, proceed to relay the damage information to the part of her brain that identifies 'oh god pain' in one massive shock. In normal human beings, this leads to wincing and crying out in pain. In Hyatt's case, this leads to all of her blood suddenly deciding that it wants to abandon ship through all exits and by any means possible, women and children first.
This might explain the wet-sounding "Keh-PHLORGH!!" that rings out in time with the trash can-induced clatter, along with the virutal /explosion/ of vision-obscuring blood that bursts out from the impact site.
Hyatt successfully targets Scar with her SPLOOOSH!! action.
Hyatt misses Excel Excel with her Wait, that's not water... action.
Well, Hyatt is indeed a fragile being. But Scar has no love for people who even joke about using Alchemy in such a manner. However, given the man's method of execution, a bit of collateral spattering is not uncommon. He doesn't even flinch as he takes on a trendy speckled red fashion, ergo the book does slam hard against his face. This causes him to immediately let go of Excel, stumbling away and bracing himself on the wall. It does at least reveal that Scar is not some invincible superman! All you have to do is hit him! So what danger is there? He does whirl around now, flexing his right hand and then snapping out towards Excel. His right hand suddenly blooms in crimson lightning, as he attempts to grasp Excel by the shoulder and then begin a severely painful process. Technically it's human transmutation, which might be the biggest contradiction in the world. Regardless, it's not pretty. People have begun to turn heads now, but Scar is more intent on answers then executing this girl. "Answer my questions! Why are you here? Who are you?!"
Scar misses Excel Excel with his Explosive Gropage super.
Excel Excel grrrrrrrrrs. This guy is getting way too fresh for her tastes! Not to mention way too violent. The fountain of blood is expected, and really, after spending so much time with Hyatt, it would be strange if Excel /didn't/ maneuver out of the way from the expected onslaught. And Scar makes such a nice big broad meaty shield, doesn't he?
Pivoting on her heel, Excel slams her boot towards Scar's stomach in two quick kicks before hopping backwards. "No way! You try to choke me, then you kill Ha-chan, and then you try to grope a pretty young maiden such as myself while yelling like a crazed babboon! Nuh uh, no way, Excel Excel isn't telling you a thing!" ...Oh wait.
You critically strike Scar with your Doublemint Kick attack.
Hyatt's body is disturbingly still, even despite the blood that continues to leak out of her mouth and ears (which gradually starts staining the alley floor AND the alley's mouth in the slick, biohazardous, and very, very red fluid). Well, it doesn't look like the purple-haired woman's getting up any time soon. It's game over, condeath, the end of her all-too-brief life-
Just as Excel raves on about Scar killing her co-worker, Hyatt is in the process of getting up and brushing at her drenched clothing. "It is as my senior says," she murmurs, giving a small nod of agreement.
And then, Hyatt frowns at Scar. It's a very slight thing- one would have to squint to catch the vague brow-furrowing and the edge of her lips turned down juuuuust a little- but to Excel, this behavior out of Hyatt might be the equivalent of a red flag going up. "I am afraid that you are being much too rude," she says quietly, kneeling down to pick a rock up off the ground. "And I will assist my senior in any way possible in getting you to leave us alone."
Here's the pitch...
Hyatt misses Hyatt with her Stay on target! action.
Hyatt leans back, aiming straight for Scar's head. And then she attempts to throw, straining her muscles and causing massive organ failure as her body can't keep up with the force exerted by-
Hyatt hits herself with her lkaslknskndgkj super.
"GEPHORGHIBLE!" Thud.
There was a lot dedicated to the explosive assault, but the stone where his hand touches only fractures, a few long cracks slithering about a meter in all directions. Unable to move around as easily in his state, Scar finds that once more random strangers tend to be aggravatingly good at self-defense. Struck twice in the stomach, he's kicked backwards; Both hands extend to either direction, scratching along the wall and scarcely managing to keep himself mostly upright. Once more nursing his injured ankle, Scar leans forward while slowly flexing and relaxing his hand. "You don't know what you are getting into. Alchemy is blasphemy against God. It is a path to damnation, and sin that even death will not atone." He glances towards his right arm as he states this. "I may not be able to save this world from alchemy... But I will not allow any others to learn it...!"
Of course, then Hyatt interrupts his speech by horrifically injuring herself in a manner that might be equaled with some effort by Scar. He doesn't spare her much thought, however. "Tell me what I wish to know, and swear to never return to Amestris. There is no reason to kill you unless I must..." Scar then reaches out, lightly pressing his palm against the alley wall. A loud, warbling hum ensues, as a sudden burst of red slithers along. And then there's a vicious detonation right beside Excel, as stone and rubble flashes out towards her with the destructive alchemic force. The military can already be heard shouting orders, but hopefully this battle will not last long enough for annoying intervention.
Scar misses Excel Excel with his Collateral Damage attack.
Also, some rubble totally falls on Hyatt.
Scar misses Hyatt with his GEPHORGHIBLE feint.
"Blasphemy schlasphemy!" Excel retorts, surprisingly nimble for one so...comical in nature. She did poorly in the schoolroom. But in the gym, she was always at the top of her class with her enthusiasm, dedication, and pure unbridled energy.
And then Hyatt dies again.
"AAAAAAAAAAGH!!!! QUIT KILLING HA-CHAN, YOU X-FACED BASTARD!" Because it is clearly all HIS fault. Excel roars, leaping to slam her knee...in slow motion, somehow...towards Scar's jaw. Hit or miss, her goal is to leap over his pale-haired sun-tanned noggin to land beside Hyatt. "This battlefield is much too dangerous for you," she states, digging into Hyatt's jacket to pull out a bottle of pills. Pop! goes the lid. Rattle! goes the medicine. Plop! right into Hyatt's blood-filled mouth. "Chew on that for a bit...while you recover all the way up THEEEEEEEEERE!!!!" Seizing Hyatt's arm and leg, Excel spins around as though preparing for a shotput toss and flings the poor, poor girl up onto the rooftops where she can get a little sun and a little rest.
Spitting into her hands, Excel briskly rubs her palms together, and turns to face Scar with gleaming green eyes. "Now we shall fight, grasshopper!" What the hell?
You critically strike Scar with your Knee of Fury attack.
There's a faint moan from the limp, mostly drenched pile of beauty that sounds like a mix between "Oh, but you're much too kind, Senior" and "Mrrrphxlargxhle honk blargh blurhonkxg Sebfxlork", as well as the sizzle of medicine dissolving much faster than should be normal once it lands in her blood-filled mouth. And then with a lurch, Hyatt finds her world alternating between sky blue and dirt brown before she lands backfirst on the rooftops with a 'squelch'.
Aaah... the sun is such a wonderfully bright yellow, Hyatt thinks.
"I didn't do anything!" Scar retorts. And this time he didn't, really! Just since she tried to throw something and keeled over, it doesn't make him responsible. The proclaimed innocence is enough to again get him kneed in the face for his trouble, sending Scar upon the ground with a sharp exhale, seeming to remain there for a few moments. He's by no means in the epitome of fighting shape. He'd probably not of bullied Excel around if he knew she might give him a swift kicking for the effort. Managing to get up, rubbing blood from his mouth, Scar narrows his gaze in an almost warning manner. There's a fair amount of regret for initially pouncing the girl, but he really wasn't looking for a fight so much as intimidation. Had he knew Hyatt would explode with a simple backhand, that would of probably not been done. But it's far too late for diplomacy. Unless the diplomacy -- IS DONE WITH SCAR'S FISTS. ...Or palm. Or, or with loose, supple touches. Whatever.
Slipping forward, a literal blur, Scar strikes out with an alchemic-imbued uppercut towards her face. It would be enough to lift her off the ground, but the internal damage would be more considerable. But he is holding back... Had he wished to kill her, he'd not of gone for her shoulder at the beginning. Or just blown up her head when she was pinned against the wall.
Scar hits Excel Excel with his Failed Negotiation attack.
Powie Zowie! Excel's head seems to go one way while her jaw insists on going the other. It combines to make a very painful experience, that's for sure. The strawberry-blonde skids roughly across the alleyway floor, tearing up bits and scraps of her uniform until she finally comes to a halt, exploding into a garbage can.
Banana peels.
Everywhere.
Spitting out a half-dozen fruit rinds, Excel leaps to her feet with a large swollen red bump on the side of her face. "Ha ha ha! It'll take a lot more than that to topple ol' Excel!" she boasts, punching her fists into her hips. "Ha ha ha ha ha h--ow." She sags, but only for a moment before she puffs out her chest once more. "And don't lie to me!" she thrusts an accusing finger. "You killed Ha-chan twice now, you're gonna pay for that!" She vaults into the air, throwing out her foot in one graceful flying jump kick. "And we don't take Amestris Expreeeeeeeeeeesssssss!" Oh yeah, how's THAT for catchy one-liners?
You get a glancing blow on Scar with your Jackie Chan, Eat Your Heart Out attack.
The moon continues to shine down upon Hyatt. She looks to be somewhat at peace, even as her body starts absorbing the moonlight (???) and all the blood that splattered out onto the rooftop upon impact. Even her clothes start drying out as the red stains start shrinking.
It's probably better not to bother asking WHY Hyatt's body works.
Hyatt heals Hyatt with her Reverse Photosynthesis? action.
There's no showboating from Scar. He just stands there, body loose and almost liquid, right arm the only one showing any tension. A few crackles of energy shimmer up the long sleeve, but thus far Excel hasn't seen the unique array upon it. Looking up at the suddenly descending Excel, despite her very, very lacking 'chest poofiness', he merely snaps himself to the side. The blow is a grazing one, knocking his glasses to clatter upon the ground. Swiftly he whirls around, abruptly behind Excel -- and then he snaps out his right hand, trying to snatch her own wrist and then drive her bodily against the wall to pin her with a then-raised elbow. "Enough of your useless prattling, girl!" is stated sharply. "I will get my answers." It's generic, but more foreboding then outright violence. How far will Scar stoop to get what he wants? Not very low yet... But maybe low enough.
Scar misses Excel Excel with his Against The Wall and Spread'm! stun.
Excel Excel starts to get driven back. But lo and behold, one of those damn banana peels gets under her foot. Her eyes are momentarily the size of saucers before she unexpectedly...disappears??? She grunts as she finds herself flat on her back, peering up at Scar from below. Well THAT wasn't part of the plan! She rolls forward, rising up on one knee as she spins around and throws a quick punch. "Saaaaaaaaaaa!" she squints her eyes, bellowing as her knuckles move to impact rock hard butt cheek.
You hit Scar with your Buns of Steel? <3 jab.
Lup-dub.
Lup-dub.
Lup-dub.
Hyatt's eyes snap open, blinking quietly at the sky. Oh... so it wasn't the sunlight that woke her. There's a faint sigh- and then a weak cough. Oops; she MUST remember to be more careful with her body. She IS anemic, after all!
Regardless, Hyatt turns and levers the upper half of her body off the ground, dragging herself closer to the edge of the roof; how considerate for Excel to launch her to a location with such a nice vantage point! Now she can watch as her senior shows this overly violent man the folly of his ways, and in the name of ACROSS, to boot!
Up above the fracas, a mass of purple hair peeks out over the roof's edge; this is quickly followed by Hyatt's innocently curious face. "Senior~! Please do your best!" she calls out weakly, waving a small hand.
Hyatt successfully targets Excel Excel with her ACROSS's very own Ouendan! action.
It does, at least, reveal that Scar has buns of steel. There's little more then a very loud thud, but he does appear mildly uncomfortable from the display. Turning down towards Excel, rearing back his right arm, he then snaps down his hand in an attempt to grasp her by the face and then slam her into the ground. His intent is to just end this confrontation, as opposed to perpetuating it. After all, even if he loses, there's a good chance he can get the information he wants. Nobody /really/ cares about Hyatt dying. It's just immediate shock, then a lazy shrug! If the maneuver succeeds...
Scar misses Excel Excel with his Super Alchemic Finishing Grope super.
...It might of hurt, but instead the ground just detonates. There's a bright flash of crimson, stone fragments raining down on the surroundings. But no Excel beneath it! How bothorsome. He's already just about ready to cash in his chips... Very much tired, and very much disoriented.
Let it be learned that Angry Excel is a slippery little @#$&* when she's caught up in her righteous fury. It's a shame that Scar has such a handsome, roguish face. Fangirls everywhere are going to be frothing at the mouth when Excel pulls back her foot, her body very nearly bending in half, before she swings her boot right into that manly visage to give him what for. "HANDS OFF THE GOODS!" she bellows, the little snaggletooth glinting brightly in the moonlight.
Then she pauses, turning on her heel to wave up at Hyatt's seemingly tiny little form. Wow, Excel tossed her pretty high, didn't she? "Thanks, Ha-chan! Don't you worry, bwah ha ha! Excel has everything under control!" Big thumbs up!
You get a glancing blow on Scar with your Boot to da Head attack.
Hyatt smiles calmly, though the small trickle of blood trailing down her mouth slightly ruins the effect. "As expected of my senior~!" wafts back down. Senior Excel can't lose! She's got the most experience, after all!
Excel is flexible, if nothing else. The brought up foot glances across Scar's temple; It still hurts a good deal, but it at least saves his face. That's where he makes a living -- amongst fans, if nothing else. Striking out with another alchemic jab, two southpaw jabs flow into it before a much more brutal grope towards the stomach... Attempting to flash in a few pulses of explosive energy and then send Excel crashing backwards. "Idiot..." Which means, if she's this stupid, that dabbling in Alchemy is the LAST thing he wants her to do!
Scar hits Excel Excel with his *FONDLES THE GOODS* attack.
NO NOT THE STOMACH! That's where the food goes!!! Excel's eyes widen in surprise as she utters a startled yelp. And suddenly, somehow, she's at the other end of the alley with a belly full of fire. At least, that's what it feels like. And as she wrestles herself to her feet, her stomach gives a loud ~gruuuuuuu~ of protest. Agh, they're wasting too much time avenging Hyatt's death! Deaths. Whatever. Crazy zealot needs food badly.
"For the sake of ACROSS..." she scowls, her green eyes burning feverishly. "For the sake of an ideal city, and eventually, an ideal world, and maybe an ideal galaxy or two though that might really be pushing it..." Excel pushes up at her sleeve, balling her hand into a fist and pulling it backwards. She begins to run forward, her footsteps hastening. "AND FOR THE GLORY OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL LORD ILPALAZZO! Ready steady goooooo!!!" She throws forth a dramatic uppercut, howling with indignation. Or maybe it's hunger. She could really go for a ratburger right about now.
You miss Scar with your Bang Zoom! TO THE MOON! super.
"Do watch out, Senior, he's going to- oh, my..." Hyatt waffles for a moment as Scar totals Excel, before... well, clapping at her following speech. "Well said, Senior! While I agree with you, he might hear you coming and- oh, dear," she murmurs quietly. If only Hyatt could do SOMETHING to help Excel...
"HkkcoughhackkBLORGH!"
Hyatt successfully targets Excel Excel with her From the bottom of Hyatt's heart action.
Hyatt successfully targets Scar with her Comes this heartfelt greeting! action.
Scar merely steps almost casually to the side as the uppercut is thrown, the miss quite complete. "Enough!!" Scar is very much exasperated by the whole turn of events, leaping towards Excel and attempting to snatch her by the face. If this succeeds, she'll be yanked back, driven into the ground head-first, and then get a severe headache from the insuing alchemic detonation. He's breathing hard, obviously at his rope's end already. Why do people have to not... die! It's so inconvenient.
Scar gets a glancing blow on Excel Excel with his REPELLING FRIENDS WITH FAST POSE ASSAULT attack.
Excel Excel has been facepalmed! How RUDE! Before she can allow Scar to bash her head against the ground...the ground would probably lose anyway against the power of Excel's thick skull...she resorts to drastic dirty measures. Sharp little teeth sink into Scar's fingers as Excel utters a feral "Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" and shakes her head back and forth from side to side.
She IS hungry, after all.
You get a glancing blow on Scar with your Don't bite that, you don't know where it's been! attack.
Bitten?! Ow! Scar yanks back his hand, gritting his teeth before attempting to finish this fight in the most humane, honorable way possible. By suckerpunching Excel in the chest. ...Wait, that might actually qualify as a grope. Well, it might hurt a good deal, given the entire 'alchemic destruction' portion of things. A suitable primal sound issues forth, and hopefully this will end the fight so Scar can be stolen into RL and finish the post-RP later. Also he is skipping Hyatt, omfg. HOW RUDE
Scar misses Excel Excel with his JWNEJGNKW attack.
Hyatt's head isn't there anymore. There's a pale, motionless hand sticking out over the rooftop, however. It waves weakly. "Seeeeeniooooor..."
Excel Excel is trying very, very hard to ignore Hyatt, not to mention the red stickiness seeping through her hair. Arrrrrgh, it's disgusting! All this dirt and garbage and blood...and she's tired, darn it. She might have to beg Il Palazzo to drop her down the pit so she can enjoy a nice, thorough soak when this is all over. "AAAAAAAGH DON'T YOU DARE!!!" Excel's hand flies fast, thwacking Scar's arm to redirect the punch past her shoulder. She leaps for the man, tucking in her chin with a large FROWN as she rams her forehead against Scar's face.
You get a glancing blow on Scar with your diediedieomgdie attack.
Snapping to the side, Scar is grazed rather heavily. This makes his attempted execution off by a margin; His crimson-sheathed hand only skims the top of Excel's head, impacting a wall and causing a resounding crackle as a solid meter-deep hole of stone and brick flashes outwards. Scar then stumbles away, dazed, before getting a swift kick in the face for his trouble and going down hard. He's assuredly out; This entire encounter did not go nearly as desired, the Ishbal trying to roll over and push himself to a kneel. "You... do not know what you are doing... Do you know... what Alchemy even is?" Scar hisses through clenched teeth, at the very least happy that he sealed the alley mouth earlier.
Scar gets a glancing blow on Excel Excel with his poot attack.
Agh! What's with the hard questions?! Excel's brow furrows. She just thought this was a typical alley brawl, with the head bustin' and the teeth kickin'. "It's, uh...where you make one thing...out of another thing..." The tips of her index fingers butt together awkwardly. "And an abomination of some sort too!" That's what SCAR had said, anyway. She should get bonus points for that, right? Well...
Excel sighs, and shrugs helplessly with a toothy smile. "Actually I don't have a $*#*in' clue, dude!" she replies cheerfully. "But I *do* know it means we won't be eating bread crusts for the rest of our lives, and it's a steady job, so ya gotta do whatcha gotta do! Let's get back to the fightin'!" She swings her arms rapidly, patting off the dust of her costume. Boy oh boy, is /she/ glad she wasn't part of that wall. All she got was a little graze of that attack, and it hurt like hell! So Scar can probably imagine that Excel feels little to no guilt whatsoever when she suddenly flies through the air, boot aimed for head.
You hit Scar with your JUMP KICK attack.
Scar has been knocked out!
The hand twitches. "Yaaaay... Seniooooor..." WIN!
"No!" Scar hisses, managing to pull himself up from the ground and lean heavily against an alley wall. He's certainly a tough cookie. Not as much as Excel, but being injured and tired was not a good state to begin a solid brawl with the other girl. He'll have to remember that it is rare for those incapable of the art to wander Amestris... "Alchemy is the tool of divinity in my world, you impudent girl. It is what Ishbala used to forge the world and all living beings... It is not for any other to use!" Swiftly impacted in the face, Scar is sent backwards and crashes upon the ground in a thorough sprawl. He was already more or less done with the fighting aspect, but now he is in capability as well as anything else.
Turning over and spitting bloodily, Scar just takes some well earned time to breath. "This city was forged... on the back of Alchemy. A tool of sin... sloth... greed... pride... There is no excuse to use it." Scar finally took the time to explain /why/ he hates it, at least. "If you come here... without knowing even that... Someone must have told you about it."
Excel Excel nods cheerfully, hands punched into her hips. This is because she won. (She wouldn't look half so happy if her head had exploded.) "Yup, me and Ha-chan are gonna be assistants to some chick named Dante! And it sounds to ME like you're just bein' selfish," she chides, wagging a scolding finger. "If it weren't meant to be learned, then we wouldn't be able to learn. That's the way it goes!" she shrugs. Then she leans forward, grinning. "And if you call me impudent again, I'll liquidate ya. Ciao!" she waves, scuttling up a nearby ladder to collect her anemic companion and begin anew their search for food.
"Dante...?" Scar's head swims as memory begins to rise. He knows of her, but none that he killed have ever met her. A hermit in the mountains, isn't she? Why would she look for a disciple from another world...? Especially one who so obviously understands nothing! This is definitely a peculiar circumstance. He's not quite done questioning Excel, even in this situation. But there's not a whole lot that can be done to stop her. "Where? Where did she speak to you? Was it in Amestris? If you leave without answering me, I will make sure to prevent at least your fragile friend from ever walking this path! You claimed I killed her twice... But I can make sure that such is permanent..." Scar has managed to get mostly to his feet now, bracing himself with his right hand against the wall. His left is cupping his hurt ribs, world still swirling around.
Excel Excel frowns. A LOT. "Don't you threaten me! ...Er...Ha-chan...either way, shut the hell up! We didn't meet her, we met some pasty-faced jerk named Smith who kept schmoozing slimily on Ha-chan and COMPLETELY ignored me despite the fact that I too happen to be a pretty young girl and even if my heart and soul DOES belong to the glorious Lord Ilpalazzo I don't think it's really too much to ask that I not be included in any disgusting schmoozing to at least bestow a little flattery and ego-inflating, DO YOU?" Heff! Heff! Heff! "Anyway, we just put up an ad looking for part-time work, and they answered, the end." And she continues to climb.
Hmm. This will do, at least for now. Scar will deal with the issue of these two later. They appear incapable of transmuting a piece of wood into splinters with a sledgehammer. But if more people like the Doctor begin to descend upon Amestris, it could be a very dangerous turn of events indeed. The military has reacted in swift force anew; Scar's right hand clenches against the wall, before crimson lightning runs up the side of the building along with a climbing warble. There's a vicious detonation that fills the alley with rubble, and hopefully knocks the ladder down just a little after Excel finishes her ascent. When the smoke and rubble clears, Scar is gone. He has some investigations now to do...
And somewhere, elsewhere, Ilpalazzo... takes his burnt popcorn out of the microwave. "..."
EDIT: Also, Scar needs a tag!
WHEN: Tuesday Evening
WHERE: Central, Amestris
WHAT: Envy's instructions for the young officers of ACROSS leads them to the fire-ravaged library of Amestris, where their hopes of learning alchemy catch the attention of the most lethal human in the land: SCAR!
WATCH FOR: Hyatt dying, banana peels, butt punch, and the deep soulful reason for the ACROSS girls learning alchemy
"Wuh--"
Crowds of people cluster to stare and rubberneck at the charred remains of the library. Though there are hazard ribbons strewn up to keep the curious out of harm's way, people seem to be doing the best they can to get half of their bodies over the line without actually putting a foot inside the boundaries.
"Wuh--!"
All around are chunks of blackened marble, smoldering piles of ash, and a few scraps of loose-leaf pages. Some are still attached to the crumbling covers to which they once belonged.
"WUH--! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!?!" Excel flails, stomping madly in the streets and flailing her fists. They'd been sent to study the basics of alchemy. 'It's easy!' their pale-haired instructor had smiled with that toothy no-good oily shark mouth smile of his. 'Just learn basic elemental compounds and compositions, formulas for creating organic and inorganic materials, the proper runes to inscribe, and voila! /Alchemy!/ Easy as pie!'
Excel, for the record, had never found pie-making to be easy, if the burn marks in their apartment ceiling were any indication.
"Oh, my."
As usual, standing to the right of and a little behind Excel is Hyatt, her calm gaze focused more on the disaster zone in front of them than on her own senior's dance of frustration. "Senior, it appears that something went wrong," she murmurs simply, hands clasped around the only book from the library that HASN'T been reduced to slag- 'Alchemy for Dummies: Even a Monkey can draw an Array'. "... and then exploded."
Hyatt puts a finger to her chin, thinking for a moment. "Perhaps we were too hasty, and did something incorrectly, Senior? -- though come to think of it, I can't recall what it was we were trying to draw on the ground..." Chalk it up to chalk fumes.
The majority of the books and library are fine, at least. The main damage was caused when Scar was leaving this wing -- which manifested itself as blowing out the entire wall into the street. There have already been many statements that the vast majority of important books are safe, and that the wing was for 'general reference' of common books in one centralized location. In other words, nothing irreplaceable was blown up. People have also said that yes, the 'Scarred man' is the perpetrator of this assault. Apparently he attacked an extradimensional person for unknown reasons.
The injuries Scar took from that battle, at least, were very mild. Most of the damage was concussive, being hit by tables and books. Only the swift repeated stabbings to the ankle are causing him to still limp rather severely. He is now dressed in a very enshrouding outfit, lingering far from the line of people in a dark alley. A new pair of less trendy sunglasses are being worn, although the scar is visible on a lingering glance. It is just testament to people's blindness in disaster that nobody has pointed him out.
However, the yelling of Excel has captured the Ishbal man's attention. She is not from Amestris; That much can be pinpointed immediately. Is she another person who came here to learn the secrets of Alchemy? What catalyst is forcing all these people to meddle?! Hyatt, at least, confirms this suspicion. They don't even know the first thing of alchemy, it seems. Mayhaps the rest of the compound should be burned to rubble... It might deter some of the more -- impatient and lazy people from the quest.
Excel Excel scrubs a hand over the back of her neck. "The TV dinner circle, wasn't it, Ha-chan?" she grumbles. Someone had left half a dish of pot pie in the garbage, and what better way to test out the flame circle than to see if it could reheat cold food? Maybe she got a little carried away and exciteable when they'd found that they weren't the first living organisms to discover the pot pie...
BUT NO MATTER! "BUT NO MATTER!" Excel punches a fist into the air. "This is but a minor setback to the future of ACROSS! What's a little fire compared to the glorious construction of Lord Ilpalazzo statues out of common ordinary streetlights?" They had the plans all drawn out. Each street lamp would take on Ilpalazzo's form, and the eyes would glow to illuminate the darkened streets. Surely this would take away the terror of the night from the cowardly dark-fearing masses. "But first things first! Let's go see if we can transmute those dead rats into hamburgers," she announces cheerfully, swiveling about on her heel and marching towards the nearby alleyway.
"Now that you mention it, Senior..." Hyatt tilts her head. "... I /do/ have a fleeting impression that the library's fire codes might not have been up to the standard that we are used to back home." In all their past experiences, after all, most part-time job locations were able to handle explosions /far/ bigger than the one the library had just suffered.
Aaaaand on cue with Excel's abrupt about-face, Hyatt clasps her hands together happily, shifting the book to under her arms. "Indeed, Senior! I am looking forward to gracing our city with multiple likenesses of Ilpalazzo," she replies, trotting along as Excel begins to move off.
Ratburgers? This can only end in FIRE.
There is no longer any Scar lingering in the alley the pair are walking towards. He took the liberty of skittering up the side, maneuvering along a drainage pipe with ease. Perched upon the roof, ignoring the horrific burn within his right leg, Scar waits until both are within the alleyway to unleash his introductions to the aspiring alchemists. Leaping up a short distance, for just a moment a shadow flickers over the pair as the moon and starlight is eclipsed by the billowing clothes of the powerfully built Ishbal. Dropping with exceptional speed, the intent is to land upon Excel rather painfully. If the maneuver succeeds, she'll be slammed against the wall with Scar's right hand quite tightly gripping her neck -- and with her feet dangling, as well. Hyatt is ignored at the moment, at least. Regardless of whether she manages to evade, Scar's verbal response is quite hateful and angry. "Who are you?!" It's most definitely a demand. Nobody has noticed the initial scuffle, but that's probably going to change.
Scar gets a glancing blow on Excel Excel with his Back-Alley Groping jab.
"GHRRKLE!" is Excel's eloquent response. Which translates roughly to 'What the hell I can't respond when you're choking me to death!' More or less. Her hands snap up to grip his powerful wrist, prying at his fingers to get him to ease up a bit. What a rude greeting! She slowly cracks open one of her eyes, her gaze drifting to Hyatt. "Nnngh...krrrkkk...ggghhhhkkk!" This would be the equivalent of 'get that crowbar over there' if she could get the air through her esophagus.
To her credit, Hyatt noticed the flickering shadow along the ground, and pauses slightly. Her slow, 'my own pace' reaction time, however, means that Scar is on top of Excel by the time the frail woman's gaze starts angling towards the sky. "Senior, there appears to b- oh!" Hyatt gasps, mostly because by this time, the Ishbal is already strangling Excel- unnoticed, the book lands heavily against the alley ground.
Eyes widening incrementally, she waffles for a moment or two, unsure of what to do. Then, noticing her senior's frantic gaze and interpreting the vaguely coherent gasps, Hyatt kneels down, hurriedly picks something up off the ground, trots over to Scar and Excel...
... and places the previously dropped tome into her senior's hands.
Because it's not good to mistreat library books. :(
The grip upon Excel's neck does slacken enough to allow the girl to talk, but Scar's awareness of Hyatt is somewhat distracted. He glances towards her just as the book is handed over, and seems to react in a decidedly violent manner -- whipping out the back of his hand, trying to swat her away in more a dismissive manner then anything else. The intent is to knock Hyatt into a nearby trashcan, so she can't interfere with Pimpboy holding up his trick against the cool alley wall. "Answer me! Why are you at the Central library!!" Scar repeats, shifting a bit away from his hurt leg in a noticeable manner. Of course, now Excel is armed. The danger of a book should be on the front of his mind after the encounter with the Doctor...
Scar hits Hyatt with his Pray the Pimp's Prayor jab.
Excel Excel would fall over, if she weren't already being hoisted up in the air. What part of 'ggghhhhkkk' didn't Hyatt understand?! Still, she's gotta make do with what she's got, she supposes. She hoists the book overhead when Scar gets distracted, but before she can bring it down, Hyatt gets struck.
How /anyone/ could hurt Hyatt is a complete mystery. She's quiet, doe-eyed, sweet, pretty...completely harmless. And Excel's eyes suddenly gleam with intense rage.
"Yoooooouuuuuuuuuuuu huuuuuuuurrrrrrrrt Haaaaaa-chaaaaaaan!" she growls with sudden demonic undertones, flashing those little sharp teeth of hers. The book comes down on Scar's sexy hobo face with twice the force it would have if he'd just left the weak little purple-haired girl alone.
You hit Scar with your Ever Wanted Your Face On A Magazine? attack.
"Senio-" Innocent as a lamb, Hyatt can barely contemplate violence towards /anyone/, let alone any turned towards herself. As such, she barely has time to blink or even to cry out (there's the beginnings of a dismayed squeak in there somewhere, though) before the backhand slams into her face and sends her body pinwheeling into a nearby trashcan with a loud crash.
Slow-motion replay complete with X-ray footage: the back of Scar's hand slams into Hyatt's cheek, the force of the blow predictably whipping her head around; there'll be a nasty bruise later. The nerves all along her face scream and, with their usual bluntness, proceed to relay the damage information to the part of her brain that identifies 'oh god pain' in one massive shock. In normal human beings, this leads to wincing and crying out in pain. In Hyatt's case, this leads to all of her blood suddenly deciding that it wants to abandon ship through all exits and by any means possible, women and children first.
This might explain the wet-sounding "Keh-PHLORGH!!" that rings out in time with the trash can-induced clatter, along with the virutal /explosion/ of vision-obscuring blood that bursts out from the impact site.
Hyatt successfully targets Scar with her SPLOOOSH!! action.
Hyatt misses Excel Excel with her Wait, that's not water... action.
Well, Hyatt is indeed a fragile being. But Scar has no love for people who even joke about using Alchemy in such a manner. However, given the man's method of execution, a bit of collateral spattering is not uncommon. He doesn't even flinch as he takes on a trendy speckled red fashion, ergo the book does slam hard against his face. This causes him to immediately let go of Excel, stumbling away and bracing himself on the wall. It does at least reveal that Scar is not some invincible superman! All you have to do is hit him! So what danger is there? He does whirl around now, flexing his right hand and then snapping out towards Excel. His right hand suddenly blooms in crimson lightning, as he attempts to grasp Excel by the shoulder and then begin a severely painful process. Technically it's human transmutation, which might be the biggest contradiction in the world. Regardless, it's not pretty. People have begun to turn heads now, but Scar is more intent on answers then executing this girl. "Answer my questions! Why are you here? Who are you?!"
Scar misses Excel Excel with his Explosive Gropage super.
Excel Excel grrrrrrrrrs. This guy is getting way too fresh for her tastes! Not to mention way too violent. The fountain of blood is expected, and really, after spending so much time with Hyatt, it would be strange if Excel /didn't/ maneuver out of the way from the expected onslaught. And Scar makes such a nice big broad meaty shield, doesn't he?
Pivoting on her heel, Excel slams her boot towards Scar's stomach in two quick kicks before hopping backwards. "No way! You try to choke me, then you kill Ha-chan, and then you try to grope a pretty young maiden such as myself while yelling like a crazed babboon! Nuh uh, no way, Excel Excel isn't telling you a thing!" ...Oh wait.
You critically strike Scar with your Doublemint Kick attack.
Hyatt's body is disturbingly still, even despite the blood that continues to leak out of her mouth and ears (which gradually starts staining the alley floor AND the alley's mouth in the slick, biohazardous, and very, very red fluid). Well, it doesn't look like the purple-haired woman's getting up any time soon. It's game over, condeath, the end of her all-too-brief life-
Just as Excel raves on about Scar killing her co-worker, Hyatt is in the process of getting up and brushing at her drenched clothing. "It is as my senior says," she murmurs, giving a small nod of agreement.
And then, Hyatt frowns at Scar. It's a very slight thing- one would have to squint to catch the vague brow-furrowing and the edge of her lips turned down juuuuust a little- but to Excel, this behavior out of Hyatt might be the equivalent of a red flag going up. "I am afraid that you are being much too rude," she says quietly, kneeling down to pick a rock up off the ground. "And I will assist my senior in any way possible in getting you to leave us alone."
Here's the pitch...
Hyatt misses Hyatt with her Stay on target! action.
Hyatt leans back, aiming straight for Scar's head. And then she attempts to throw, straining her muscles and causing massive organ failure as her body can't keep up with the force exerted by-
Hyatt hits herself with her lkaslknskndgkj super.
"GEPHORGHIBLE!" Thud.
There was a lot dedicated to the explosive assault, but the stone where his hand touches only fractures, a few long cracks slithering about a meter in all directions. Unable to move around as easily in his state, Scar finds that once more random strangers tend to be aggravatingly good at self-defense. Struck twice in the stomach, he's kicked backwards; Both hands extend to either direction, scratching along the wall and scarcely managing to keep himself mostly upright. Once more nursing his injured ankle, Scar leans forward while slowly flexing and relaxing his hand. "You don't know what you are getting into. Alchemy is blasphemy against God. It is a path to damnation, and sin that even death will not atone." He glances towards his right arm as he states this. "I may not be able to save this world from alchemy... But I will not allow any others to learn it...!"
Of course, then Hyatt interrupts his speech by horrifically injuring herself in a manner that might be equaled with some effort by Scar. He doesn't spare her much thought, however. "Tell me what I wish to know, and swear to never return to Amestris. There is no reason to kill you unless I must..." Scar then reaches out, lightly pressing his palm against the alley wall. A loud, warbling hum ensues, as a sudden burst of red slithers along. And then there's a vicious detonation right beside Excel, as stone and rubble flashes out towards her with the destructive alchemic force. The military can already be heard shouting orders, but hopefully this battle will not last long enough for annoying intervention.
Scar misses Excel Excel with his Collateral Damage attack.
Also, some rubble totally falls on Hyatt.
Scar misses Hyatt with his GEPHORGHIBLE feint.
"Blasphemy schlasphemy!" Excel retorts, surprisingly nimble for one so...comical in nature. She did poorly in the schoolroom. But in the gym, she was always at the top of her class with her enthusiasm, dedication, and pure unbridled energy.
And then Hyatt dies again.
"AAAAAAAAAAGH!!!! QUIT KILLING HA-CHAN, YOU X-FACED BASTARD!" Because it is clearly all HIS fault. Excel roars, leaping to slam her knee...in slow motion, somehow...towards Scar's jaw. Hit or miss, her goal is to leap over his pale-haired sun-tanned noggin to land beside Hyatt. "This battlefield is much too dangerous for you," she states, digging into Hyatt's jacket to pull out a bottle of pills. Pop! goes the lid. Rattle! goes the medicine. Plop! right into Hyatt's blood-filled mouth. "Chew on that for a bit...while you recover all the way up THEEEEEEEEERE!!!!" Seizing Hyatt's arm and leg, Excel spins around as though preparing for a shotput toss and flings the poor, poor girl up onto the rooftops where she can get a little sun and a little rest.
Spitting into her hands, Excel briskly rubs her palms together, and turns to face Scar with gleaming green eyes. "Now we shall fight, grasshopper!" What the hell?
You critically strike Scar with your Knee of Fury attack.
There's a faint moan from the limp, mostly drenched pile of beauty that sounds like a mix between "Oh, but you're much too kind, Senior" and "Mrrrphxlargxhle honk blargh blurhonkxg Sebfxlork", as well as the sizzle of medicine dissolving much faster than should be normal once it lands in her blood-filled mouth. And then with a lurch, Hyatt finds her world alternating between sky blue and dirt brown before she lands backfirst on the rooftops with a 'squelch'.
Aaah... the sun is such a wonderfully bright yellow, Hyatt thinks.
"I didn't do anything!" Scar retorts. And this time he didn't, really! Just since she tried to throw something and keeled over, it doesn't make him responsible. The proclaimed innocence is enough to again get him kneed in the face for his trouble, sending Scar upon the ground with a sharp exhale, seeming to remain there for a few moments. He's by no means in the epitome of fighting shape. He'd probably not of bullied Excel around if he knew she might give him a swift kicking for the effort. Managing to get up, rubbing blood from his mouth, Scar narrows his gaze in an almost warning manner. There's a fair amount of regret for initially pouncing the girl, but he really wasn't looking for a fight so much as intimidation. Had he knew Hyatt would explode with a simple backhand, that would of probably not been done. But it's far too late for diplomacy. Unless the diplomacy -- IS DONE WITH SCAR'S FISTS. ...Or palm. Or, or with loose, supple touches. Whatever.
Slipping forward, a literal blur, Scar strikes out with an alchemic-imbued uppercut towards her face. It would be enough to lift her off the ground, but the internal damage would be more considerable. But he is holding back... Had he wished to kill her, he'd not of gone for her shoulder at the beginning. Or just blown up her head when she was pinned against the wall.
Scar hits Excel Excel with his Failed Negotiation attack.
Powie Zowie! Excel's head seems to go one way while her jaw insists on going the other. It combines to make a very painful experience, that's for sure. The strawberry-blonde skids roughly across the alleyway floor, tearing up bits and scraps of her uniform until she finally comes to a halt, exploding into a garbage can.
Banana peels.
Everywhere.
Spitting out a half-dozen fruit rinds, Excel leaps to her feet with a large swollen red bump on the side of her face. "Ha ha ha! It'll take a lot more than that to topple ol' Excel!" she boasts, punching her fists into her hips. "Ha ha ha ha ha h--ow." She sags, but only for a moment before she puffs out her chest once more. "And don't lie to me!" she thrusts an accusing finger. "You killed Ha-chan twice now, you're gonna pay for that!" She vaults into the air, throwing out her foot in one graceful flying jump kick. "And we don't take Amestris Expreeeeeeeeeeesssssss!" Oh yeah, how's THAT for catchy one-liners?
You get a glancing blow on Scar with your Jackie Chan, Eat Your Heart Out attack.
The moon continues to shine down upon Hyatt. She looks to be somewhat at peace, even as her body starts absorbing the moonlight (???) and all the blood that splattered out onto the rooftop upon impact. Even her clothes start drying out as the red stains start shrinking.
It's probably better not to bother asking WHY Hyatt's body works.
Hyatt heals Hyatt with her Reverse Photosynthesis? action.
There's no showboating from Scar. He just stands there, body loose and almost liquid, right arm the only one showing any tension. A few crackles of energy shimmer up the long sleeve, but thus far Excel hasn't seen the unique array upon it. Looking up at the suddenly descending Excel, despite her very, very lacking 'chest poofiness', he merely snaps himself to the side. The blow is a grazing one, knocking his glasses to clatter upon the ground. Swiftly he whirls around, abruptly behind Excel -- and then he snaps out his right hand, trying to snatch her own wrist and then drive her bodily against the wall to pin her with a then-raised elbow. "Enough of your useless prattling, girl!" is stated sharply. "I will get my answers." It's generic, but more foreboding then outright violence. How far will Scar stoop to get what he wants? Not very low yet... But maybe low enough.
Scar misses Excel Excel with his Against The Wall and Spread'm! stun.
Excel Excel starts to get driven back. But lo and behold, one of those damn banana peels gets under her foot. Her eyes are momentarily the size of saucers before she unexpectedly...disappears??? She grunts as she finds herself flat on her back, peering up at Scar from below. Well THAT wasn't part of the plan! She rolls forward, rising up on one knee as she spins around and throws a quick punch. "Saaaaaaaaaaa!" she squints her eyes, bellowing as her knuckles move to impact rock hard butt cheek.
You hit Scar with your Buns of Steel? <3 jab.
Lup-dub.
Lup-dub.
Lup-dub.
Hyatt's eyes snap open, blinking quietly at the sky. Oh... so it wasn't the sunlight that woke her. There's a faint sigh- and then a weak cough. Oops; she MUST remember to be more careful with her body. She IS anemic, after all!
Regardless, Hyatt turns and levers the upper half of her body off the ground, dragging herself closer to the edge of the roof; how considerate for Excel to launch her to a location with such a nice vantage point! Now she can watch as her senior shows this overly violent man the folly of his ways, and in the name of ACROSS, to boot!
Up above the fracas, a mass of purple hair peeks out over the roof's edge; this is quickly followed by Hyatt's innocently curious face. "Senior~! Please do your best!" she calls out weakly, waving a small hand.
Hyatt successfully targets Excel Excel with her ACROSS's very own Ouendan! action.
It does, at least, reveal that Scar has buns of steel. There's little more then a very loud thud, but he does appear mildly uncomfortable from the display. Turning down towards Excel, rearing back his right arm, he then snaps down his hand in an attempt to grasp her by the face and then slam her into the ground. His intent is to just end this confrontation, as opposed to perpetuating it. After all, even if he loses, there's a good chance he can get the information he wants. Nobody /really/ cares about Hyatt dying. It's just immediate shock, then a lazy shrug! If the maneuver succeeds...
Scar misses Excel Excel with his Super Alchemic Finishing Grope super.
...It might of hurt, but instead the ground just detonates. There's a bright flash of crimson, stone fragments raining down on the surroundings. But no Excel beneath it! How bothorsome. He's already just about ready to cash in his chips... Very much tired, and very much disoriented.
Let it be learned that Angry Excel is a slippery little @#$&* when she's caught up in her righteous fury. It's a shame that Scar has such a handsome, roguish face. Fangirls everywhere are going to be frothing at the mouth when Excel pulls back her foot, her body very nearly bending in half, before she swings her boot right into that manly visage to give him what for. "HANDS OFF THE GOODS!" she bellows, the little snaggletooth glinting brightly in the moonlight.
Then she pauses, turning on her heel to wave up at Hyatt's seemingly tiny little form. Wow, Excel tossed her pretty high, didn't she? "Thanks, Ha-chan! Don't you worry, bwah ha ha! Excel has everything under control!" Big thumbs up!
You get a glancing blow on Scar with your Boot to da Head attack.
Hyatt smiles calmly, though the small trickle of blood trailing down her mouth slightly ruins the effect. "As expected of my senior~!" wafts back down. Senior Excel can't lose! She's got the most experience, after all!
Excel is flexible, if nothing else. The brought up foot glances across Scar's temple; It still hurts a good deal, but it at least saves his face. That's where he makes a living -- amongst fans, if nothing else. Striking out with another alchemic jab, two southpaw jabs flow into it before a much more brutal grope towards the stomach... Attempting to flash in a few pulses of explosive energy and then send Excel crashing backwards. "Idiot..." Which means, if she's this stupid, that dabbling in Alchemy is the LAST thing he wants her to do!
Scar hits Excel Excel with his *FONDLES THE GOODS* attack.
NO NOT THE STOMACH! That's where the food goes!!! Excel's eyes widen in surprise as she utters a startled yelp. And suddenly, somehow, she's at the other end of the alley with a belly full of fire. At least, that's what it feels like. And as she wrestles herself to her feet, her stomach gives a loud ~gruuuuuuu~ of protest. Agh, they're wasting too much time avenging Hyatt's death! Deaths. Whatever. Crazy zealot needs food badly.
"For the sake of ACROSS..." she scowls, her green eyes burning feverishly. "For the sake of an ideal city, and eventually, an ideal world, and maybe an ideal galaxy or two though that might really be pushing it..." Excel pushes up at her sleeve, balling her hand into a fist and pulling it backwards. She begins to run forward, her footsteps hastening. "AND FOR THE GLORY OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL LORD ILPALAZZO! Ready steady goooooo!!!" She throws forth a dramatic uppercut, howling with indignation. Or maybe it's hunger. She could really go for a ratburger right about now.
You miss Scar with your Bang Zoom! TO THE MOON! super.
"Do watch out, Senior, he's going to- oh, my..." Hyatt waffles for a moment as Scar totals Excel, before... well, clapping at her following speech. "Well said, Senior! While I agree with you, he might hear you coming and- oh, dear," she murmurs quietly. If only Hyatt could do SOMETHING to help Excel...
"HkkcoughhackkBLORGH!"
Hyatt successfully targets Excel Excel with her From the bottom of Hyatt's heart action.
Hyatt successfully targets Scar with her Comes this heartfelt greeting! action.
Scar merely steps almost casually to the side as the uppercut is thrown, the miss quite complete. "Enough!!" Scar is very much exasperated by the whole turn of events, leaping towards Excel and attempting to snatch her by the face. If this succeeds, she'll be yanked back, driven into the ground head-first, and then get a severe headache from the insuing alchemic detonation. He's breathing hard, obviously at his rope's end already. Why do people have to not... die! It's so inconvenient.
Scar gets a glancing blow on Excel Excel with his REPELLING FRIENDS WITH FAST POSE ASSAULT attack.
Excel Excel has been facepalmed! How RUDE! Before she can allow Scar to bash her head against the ground...the ground would probably lose anyway against the power of Excel's thick skull...she resorts to drastic dirty measures. Sharp little teeth sink into Scar's fingers as Excel utters a feral "Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" and shakes her head back and forth from side to side.
She IS hungry, after all.
You get a glancing blow on Scar with your Don't bite that, you don't know where it's been! attack.
Bitten?! Ow! Scar yanks back his hand, gritting his teeth before attempting to finish this fight in the most humane, honorable way possible. By suckerpunching Excel in the chest. ...Wait, that might actually qualify as a grope. Well, it might hurt a good deal, given the entire 'alchemic destruction' portion of things. A suitable primal sound issues forth, and hopefully this will end the fight so Scar can be stolen into RL and finish the post-RP later. Also he is skipping Hyatt, omfg. HOW RUDE
Scar misses Excel Excel with his JWNEJGNKW attack.
Hyatt's head isn't there anymore. There's a pale, motionless hand sticking out over the rooftop, however. It waves weakly. "Seeeeeniooooor..."
Excel Excel is trying very, very hard to ignore Hyatt, not to mention the red stickiness seeping through her hair. Arrrrrgh, it's disgusting! All this dirt and garbage and blood...and she's tired, darn it. She might have to beg Il Palazzo to drop her down the pit so she can enjoy a nice, thorough soak when this is all over. "AAAAAAAGH DON'T YOU DARE!!!" Excel's hand flies fast, thwacking Scar's arm to redirect the punch past her shoulder. She leaps for the man, tucking in her chin with a large FROWN as she rams her forehead against Scar's face.
You get a glancing blow on Scar with your diediedieomgdie attack.
Snapping to the side, Scar is grazed rather heavily. This makes his attempted execution off by a margin; His crimson-sheathed hand only skims the top of Excel's head, impacting a wall and causing a resounding crackle as a solid meter-deep hole of stone and brick flashes outwards. Scar then stumbles away, dazed, before getting a swift kick in the face for his trouble and going down hard. He's assuredly out; This entire encounter did not go nearly as desired, the Ishbal trying to roll over and push himself to a kneel. "You... do not know what you are doing... Do you know... what Alchemy even is?" Scar hisses through clenched teeth, at the very least happy that he sealed the alley mouth earlier.
Scar gets a glancing blow on Excel Excel with his poot attack.
Agh! What's with the hard questions?! Excel's brow furrows. She just thought this was a typical alley brawl, with the head bustin' and the teeth kickin'. "It's, uh...where you make one thing...out of another thing..." The tips of her index fingers butt together awkwardly. "And an abomination of some sort too!" That's what SCAR had said, anyway. She should get bonus points for that, right? Well...
Excel sighs, and shrugs helplessly with a toothy smile. "Actually I don't have a $*#*in' clue, dude!" she replies cheerfully. "But I *do* know it means we won't be eating bread crusts for the rest of our lives, and it's a steady job, so ya gotta do whatcha gotta do! Let's get back to the fightin'!" She swings her arms rapidly, patting off the dust of her costume. Boy oh boy, is /she/ glad she wasn't part of that wall. All she got was a little graze of that attack, and it hurt like hell! So Scar can probably imagine that Excel feels little to no guilt whatsoever when she suddenly flies through the air, boot aimed for head.
You hit Scar with your JUMP KICK attack.
Scar has been knocked out!
The hand twitches. "Yaaaay... Seniooooor..." WIN!
"No!" Scar hisses, managing to pull himself up from the ground and lean heavily against an alley wall. He's certainly a tough cookie. Not as much as Excel, but being injured and tired was not a good state to begin a solid brawl with the other girl. He'll have to remember that it is rare for those incapable of the art to wander Amestris... "Alchemy is the tool of divinity in my world, you impudent girl. It is what Ishbala used to forge the world and all living beings... It is not for any other to use!" Swiftly impacted in the face, Scar is sent backwards and crashes upon the ground in a thorough sprawl. He was already more or less done with the fighting aspect, but now he is in capability as well as anything else.
Turning over and spitting bloodily, Scar just takes some well earned time to breath. "This city was forged... on the back of Alchemy. A tool of sin... sloth... greed... pride... There is no excuse to use it." Scar finally took the time to explain /why/ he hates it, at least. "If you come here... without knowing even that... Someone must have told you about it."
Excel Excel nods cheerfully, hands punched into her hips. This is because she won. (She wouldn't look half so happy if her head had exploded.) "Yup, me and Ha-chan are gonna be assistants to some chick named Dante! And it sounds to ME like you're just bein' selfish," she chides, wagging a scolding finger. "If it weren't meant to be learned, then we wouldn't be able to learn. That's the way it goes!" she shrugs. Then she leans forward, grinning. "And if you call me impudent again, I'll liquidate ya. Ciao!" she waves, scuttling up a nearby ladder to collect her anemic companion and begin anew their search for food.
"Dante...?" Scar's head swims as memory begins to rise. He knows of her, but none that he killed have ever met her. A hermit in the mountains, isn't she? Why would she look for a disciple from another world...? Especially one who so obviously understands nothing! This is definitely a peculiar circumstance. He's not quite done questioning Excel, even in this situation. But there's not a whole lot that can be done to stop her. "Where? Where did she speak to you? Was it in Amestris? If you leave without answering me, I will make sure to prevent at least your fragile friend from ever walking this path! You claimed I killed her twice... But I can make sure that such is permanent..." Scar has managed to get mostly to his feet now, bracing himself with his right hand against the wall. His left is cupping his hurt ribs, world still swirling around.
Excel Excel frowns. A LOT. "Don't you threaten me! ...Er...Ha-chan...either way, shut the hell up! We didn't meet her, we met some pasty-faced jerk named Smith who kept schmoozing slimily on Ha-chan and COMPLETELY ignored me despite the fact that I too happen to be a pretty young girl and even if my heart and soul DOES belong to the glorious Lord Ilpalazzo I don't think it's really too much to ask that I not be included in any disgusting schmoozing to at least bestow a little flattery and ego-inflating, DO YOU?" Heff! Heff! Heff! "Anyway, we just put up an ad looking for part-time work, and they answered, the end." And she continues to climb.
Hmm. This will do, at least for now. Scar will deal with the issue of these two later. They appear incapable of transmuting a piece of wood into splinters with a sledgehammer. But if more people like the Doctor begin to descend upon Amestris, it could be a very dangerous turn of events indeed. The military has reacted in swift force anew; Scar's right hand clenches against the wall, before crimson lightning runs up the side of the building along with a climbing warble. There's a vicious detonation that fills the alley with rubble, and hopefully knocks the ladder down just a little after Excel finishes her ascent. When the smoke and rubble clears, Scar is gone. He has some investigations now to do...
And somewhere, elsewhere, Ilpalazzo... takes his burnt popcorn out of the microwave. "..."
EDIT: Also, Scar needs a tag!