Set Fire to the Face on Fire (Ryuu)

[Matrim Gallagher]

Matrim was still trying to get a lot of pent up aggression out, the lack of alcohol as he tried not to drink any more. He was planning on ridding his house of it, trying to detox himself from everything. Sex, drugs, alcohol, all of it. Still, there was one vice he couldn't quite get rid of, fighting. He always needed a good fight. And today was no different. In fact, he had been begging for a fight, trying to get someones attention somehow to piss them off. Bumping into people, stepping out in front of traffic, you name it.

In the end none of it had seemed to work, so Matrim was forced to get desperate. He stepped out int the middle of a four way and stood there, looking around, and yelled out. Just seemed to roar like he was insane. He sort of was, like an addict for his next fix he was looking for a challenge. Free of any other vice he sought to tear someone limb from limb. He sought to see someone bleed. Hell, he himself wanted to bleed.

He looked around, and that's when he saw him. He didn't know what Ryuu was doing downtown, but eh didn't care, "RYUU! FIGHT! NOW!"

Yes, he wanted to fight, in the middle of traffic.

[Ryuu]

Ryuu walked out of a bookstore with a brand new book in his hands, as he folded the top part of the bag the book was in down, as he stowed it away in his shoulder bag. He then began walking up the sidewalk as he zipped his bag up, and began making his way back home. He then stopped at a intersection, and waited for an opportunity to cross. As he stood waiting, he started to wonder what he should have for lunch when he got home. Just as a gap had appeared and Ryuu was about to start crossing, he heard someone roar his name out. "RYUU! FIGHT! NOW!" Ryuu stopped in his tracks, as people around him started to cross the street, he looked around, and saw who it was that had shouted out his name in broad daylight. "Matrim?" Ryuu said in disbelief, as he stared at Matrim, who was standing out in the middle of a four way, as cars sped past him.

"...Here?" Ryuu asked in disbelief, as he shook his head in exasperation. "GET OFF THE STREET YOU IDIOT!" One guy shouted from his car as he sped past Matrim. Ryuu shook his head once more in exasperation, as he sighed. "Alright then. Ryuu waited for a gap in the stream of cars, before quickly running over to where Matrim was. "... I don't know what the hell is going on, or why you want to fight me in the middle of traffic," Ryuu said, shaking his head, "But whatever. As long as I'm not thrown headlong into traffic." Ryuu then got into a standard boxing stance, his feet spread out slightly, he faced Matrim, a calm look on his face, even as cars sped past him from all sides. Man, what a pain. Ryuu didn't know what the heck Matrim was thinking, and honestly, he didn't want to know. As long as he didn't end up a Japanese pancake after this, he could care less what was going through Matrim's mind.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"...Here?"

GET OFF THE STREET YOU IDIOT!"

Oh, this is going to be fun.....

"Of course," Matrim said, extending his arms out in a welcoming manner. He stayed exactly where he was though. Not moving from his spot in between incoming and outgoing. He watched Ryuu run through traffic, dodging cars. Matrim heard of a game like this called frogger, but he wasn't much for video games so he himself wasn't clear if the reference applied or not.

"... I don't know what the hell is going on, or why you want to fight me in the middle of traffic, But whatever. As long as I'm not thrown headlong into traffic."

"Well there is an easy way to avoid that. Just throw me into traffic before I do the same. Either way, something tells me there is going to be a traffic collision. The only thing we can hope is that both of us walk away from it. Or at the very least, that we both live to tell the tale," Matrim said, not moving. "Funny, you aren't taking the initiative... I wonder why that is...."

Matrim didn't move from his spot, he was a strategic fighter, and he had gotten tougher lately, he knew he could go a whole fight with Li without it effecting him too much, so he might as well try out his new trick on an old foe. Just to see how much it quickens things.

(OOC: Posts remaining in the same spot 1/1)

[Ryuu]

"Of course." Ryuu saw Matrim extend his arms out in a welcoming manner, staying exactly where he was as cars sped past him in all directions. Ryuu didn't know whether Matrim was being brave, or being stupid. But all the same, Ryuu dodged through the traffic, and reached the spot where Matrim was standing, he was fine with fighting where they were, as long as he didn't end up flat as a pancake, and winding up in the hospital... again. He had a feeling Emi wouldn't be too pleased getting another phone call from him telling her he was in the hospital from another fight. "Well there is an easy way to avoid that. Just throw me into traffic before I do the same. Either way, something tells me there is going to be a traffic collision. The only thing we can hope is that both of us walk away from it. Or at the very least, that we both live to tell the tale." Ryuu saw Matrim was not moving, meaning he was most likely planning to use his Qi... again. Flaming fists of fury. Oh joy.

"Funny, you aren't taking the initiative... I wonder why that is...."

"... You honestly think I'm that stupid? Come on Matrim, now you're just insulting my intelligence." Ryuu replied, all the while calculating and creating strategies. Given the limited amount of space Ryuu had to maneuver around, he would have to be extremely careful. Add in that Matrim had his Qi, which can burn Ryuu if it made contact, and the odds were not in Ryuu's favor. He would have to be careful. But Ryuu noticed something. Matrim always stayed in the spot he was standing at, before using his Qi. Did that mean he needed to stay where he was for a little bit, before he could use it? Ryuu wasn't sure about that, but he had an idea now. He would then dash straight up to Matrim, tucking his right hand into his left armpit, and stuck his right elbow straight out, attempting to ram Matrim's ribs with it, and hopefully, send him off-balance. If he did in fact need to stay in one spot to activate his Qi, what would happen if he was forced to move? Of course Ryuu had calculated his speed, and if Matrim were to dodge, Ryuu would be able to stop before he would run into traffic. Though in this case, Matrim would most likely block. So if that happened, Ryuu, as soon as he got close, would lift his right knee up and attempt to smash it into Matrim's ribs, were his first attack failed to connect.

[Matrim Gallagher]

It's too late..... already got what I need boy....

Matrim already had enough time standing in one place, and when Ryuu charged him he was ready. He was ready to use the element of surprise on Ryuu as his hands set fire, and his feet did the same. Matrim's shoes were burning apart, flames leaking through, and he raised his right foot, kicking it out towards Ryuu's chest, aiming to shoot underneath the elbow. Hopefully the speed Ryuu put into that elbow would add to the kick.

Matrim's hands as a fail safe would come up to catch the elbow should the kick not land. Either way there would be a bit of firey Matrim to come in contact with. If the kick landed Matrim would simply wait for Ryuu to make another move. If the kick didn't hit and he caught his elbow, he'd throw him into the lane on Matrim's left, in hopes that a car wouldn't slow down in time.

(OOC: Qi Info
Constitution: 50 [-2 every other post]
Charisma: 35 [-5 Cha for ignition]
Posts of continuous use: 1)

[Ryuu]

So what Ryuu deduced was in essence, correct. Matrim did require the need to stay in one place to activate his Qi. Good to know. But back to the fight. As Ryuu charged at Matrim, although his speed appeared to look like he would not be able to stop in time, in actuality, Ryuu had taken into account that little bit of information. So as soon as Matrim had set fire to not only his hands, but his feet now, and raised his right foot, kicking it out towards Ryuu's chest, Ryuu kicked on the brakes, managing to stop, but the kick still managed to land, hitting underneath his elbow, burning a hole in Ryuu's shirt. But this time, Ryuu was wearing more than one layer of clothing, he was wearing a thick hoodie underneath his black jacket, but the hoodie he was wearing was old and worn out. As soon as the kick connected, Ryuu saw Matrim wait for him to make a move, as Ryuu pulled back, taking a look at his the burned hole in his hoodie.

Well this is fantastic. And I thought it was bad enough he could cover his hands in flames, now it's his feet. No matter which limb it is, he'll be able to burn me. And my hoodie won't last that long against fire.

Ryuu could not rush into a confrontation with Matrim again, because now he was able to burn Ryuu with both his hands and feet. Ryuu had very few options to work with right now, and this battle was not working in his favor. He could not attack, all he could do was evade and dodge Matrim's attacks. And given the small amount of space around him, it would be hard for him to do so. Come on... there has to be some kind of weakness to his Qi. Something, anything! Something like... water? Ryuu looked up at the sky, because he felt a drop of water land on his cheek. A dark storm cloud hovered above him, and like the heavens itself was answering him, it began to rain. Though Ryuu had absolutely no idea if Matrim's Qi would be doused by it. But Ryuu didn't care, anything that might help him, he would take.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"Don't even think the rain will help you," Matrim said with a smile, "The flames are my Qi, it can handle a little precipitation. If anything it'll just evaporate the water, now maybe if there was a water based Qi...."

Matrim charged, throwing both hands to grab the clothing on Ryuu's chest, he would try to grab on, and if he managed to do so he would smash Ryuu into the side of a semi making it's way down the lane to Matrim's right, Ryuu's left. It wouldn't run him over this way, but it would hurt a lot to be smashed into something and then have it scrape against your back. Of course, if this worked it would also undoubtedly cause Ryuu to be pushed away from the traffic after it had passed and back to where he had been previously.

Matrim would let go at this point if there was anything to let go of, and if he still had full control and if there was time to act he would throw a straight right jab towards Ryuu's face. There wouldn't be many hooks or haymakers since he didn't want to put his arms in the way of traffic.

(OOC: Qi Info
Constitution: 48 [-2 every other post]
Charisma: 35 [-5 Cha for ignition]
Posts of continuous use: 2)

[Ryuu]

"Don't even think the rain will help you. The flames are my Qi, it can handle a little precipitation. If anything it'll just evaporate the water, now maybe if there was a water based Qi...." "Who ever said I was hoping the rain would help me?" Ryuu retorted, the rain blurring the outline of his body, as the rain poured heavily down on them. And just like that, Ryuu saw Matrim charge at him, throwing his hands out in an attempt to grab onto Ryuu's shirt, Ryuu attempted to dodge to the left, though the ground was slippery from the rain, and because his clothes were now wet, they stuck to his body. He did however, feel Matrim manage to grab onto him with one hand, and attempted to fling him into the side of a semi making its way down the road, Matrim's right, Ryuu's left. Although Matrim burned another hole in Ryuu's hoodie, Ryuu grabbed onto Matrim's arm, and held on for dear life, he felt the side of the semi graze his back, and while it did hurt slightly, it was as bad as being smashed into it.

Once that happened however, he felt Matrim let go of him, as Ryuu immediately released Matrim's arm and strafed a bit, his back facing the oncoming traffic, and away from Matrim's flaming limbs. The rain continued to fall around them, as Ryuu's jacket and hoodie became even more soaked, if that was possible. He then saw Matrim throw a straight right jab right at Ryuu's face, who ducked immediately, although the rain was making it hard to see, because the rain was evaporating around the flames on Matrim's hands and feet, it gave Ryuu a small visual warning of what Matrim was going to do, whether it be a jab, or a kick. He continued to keep staying in constant motion. He didn't have much room to move around in, but as long as he could keep moving, he would hopefully get through this, relatively unharmed.

[Matrim Gallagher]

Ryuu ducked but at least he managed to get him into a vehicle of some sort. So.. mission accomplished? He had his fun, and quit fighting. He even turned his Qi off, "Haha, good Ryuu, good! Let's end this though..." He said, stepping out and slowing traffic down. Lots of horns and crap went off and Matrim waved Ryuu off to the edge of the street. He ran out of the street and to a nearby coffee shop, hoping Ryuu would follow. Once inside and out of the rain Matrim who was soaked pretty badly would find a place to sit hoping Ryuu would follow him.

"Sorry about that, had to keep you on your toes, but I don't want you getting seriously injured since you're on the soccer team. Besides, I can't have a Hikari dying on my watch, it'd make it seem like I was purposefully letting it happen or something," He joked around, "You thirsty? Let me buy you something warm, hot cocoa? Tea? Coffee? Whatever you want, I'm buying."

And with that Matrim would get up and get in line.

Time to have a chat with this kid.....

(OOC: Qi Info
Constitution: 48 [-2 every other post]
Charisma: 35 [-5 Cha for ignition]
Posts of continuous use: 3
Qi ended mid-post)

[Ryuu]

"Haha, good Ryuu, good! Let's end this though..." And just like that, the fight was over? Ryuu stared in mild surprise at Matrim, as he even turned his Qi off, and then stepped out into traffic, what the hell!? Was he insane!? It caused a lot of screeching of brakes and honking, as he saw Matrim wave him off to the edge of the street, as Ryuu dashed forward and followed Matrim, who ran out of the street and into a nearby coffee shop. Ryuu followed Matrim in, and saw him find a place to sit, as Ryuu sat down across from him at the table he was at. "Sorry about that, had to keep you on your toes, but I don't want you getting seriously injured since you're on the soccer team. Besides, I can't have a Hikari dying on my watch, it'd make it seem like I was purposefully letting it happen or something." Ryuu waved his hand casually, as he smiled slightly, "Don't worry about it, besides, I can't have a Gallagher go and burn another one of my shirts." He joked back, his jacket and hoodie were soaked, as he began to shiver slightly, despite the fact he was inside a warm coffee shop.

"You thirsty? Let me buy you something warm, hot cocoa? Tea? Coffee? Whatever you want, I'm buying."

"Hot cocoa!" Ryuu called out after Matrim, who had gotten up and got in line. Ryuu then leaned back against his chair, and stared out the window, the rain was now falling lightly, not as heavy like a few minutes ago. Now that Ryuu was by himself, it gave him some time to think. ... I see why you became friends with Matrim, Kazu. He's strong, but he also knows when to stop. You and I were always the smart ones, always the planning and strategical type. Even when we sparred against each other, we would always match each other move for move, neither one of us ever gaining the upper hand. But why did you have to die Kazu? Who in this world could possibly be able to kill you, you, the brains, just like I am... And Matrim. What is it he wants from me? He knows I am your cousin, but what does he want? I wonder...

[Matrim Gallagher]

"Hot cocoa!" Ryuu said and Matrim nodded. When his turn in line came up he smiled at the waitress who looked at his clothes. She continued to look at him funny but Matrim didn't care, he just ordered his drinks.

"A large hot cocoa, and a large green tea," He said, pulling out his card. She took it and looked at it funny before swiping it and shrugged when it was accepted. She must have never seen that type of card before, then again it wasn't the type of card someone used for every day coffee. (Not that either of them were having coffee.) Matrim got his drinks once they were ready and went back to the table, sitting across from Ryuu.

Matrim took a sip of his tea and let out a sigh of relief, "Just checking on your fighting skills there, didn't know it was gonna go water world on our asses," He explained. Ryuu probably wasn't exactly the type to just randomly fight people on the street while Matrim loved the concept. In fact he still felt proud of having the idea, "Just sort of my way to say 'hello' and 'keep your guard up'. Now, that aside, what's up with you? What's your life like here? Do you have family, friends, or an Enforcement Squad of your own?"

Ryuu probably never heard about the enforcement squad, so if he asked he would explain it. He wanted to tell Ryuu more about Alex. And maybe, just maybe, if he told Ryuu enough about Alex, Ryuu would find that he could trust Matrim. Alex and Matrim were very open with each other, and he wanted to be that way with Ryuu. Since all Ryuu saw was the pillarship title Matrim. Which, while there was that side to him, there was more then that. A side Alex knew, and Ryuu had the right to see that side. That way he knew his cousin wasn't friends with a total asshole.

[Ryuu]

Once Ryuu gave his order, he saw Matrim nod and go line up. A couple minutes later, Matrim returned with their drinks, as Ryuu stopped looking out the window and turned his head to look at him, and saw him sit down across from him and take a sip of his drink and let out a sigh of relief, as Ryuu took his, wrapping his hands around the cup and warming his hands up before taking a sip from it gratefully, letting the hot cocoa warm his body up. "Just checking on your fighting skills there, didn't know it was gonna go water world on our asses. Just sort of my way to say 'hello' and 'keep your guard up'. Now, that aside, what's up with you? What's your life like here? Do you have family, friends, or an Enforcement Squad of your own?" Ryuu took another sip before setting the cup down, pausing a bit to think on his answer, before speaking.

"My life has been well, for the most part. My father, Kane Hikari, and yes, his name is exactly the same as my uncle's, my grandmother named him from her previous marriage before marrying my grandfather, and my older sister, Kyoko Hikari, are living here with me, and what is an Enforcement Squad? Is it like Militia, a gang?"

If it was like Militia, and was a gang, than Ryuu had a small sense of what it was, though what its ideals were, Ryuu did not know, nor did he knew that Alex had been the Captain of it. Ryuu did not trust Matrim, not yet at least, partly because all Ryuu knew about Matrim was he is the Varsity Captain, and was a friend of Alex. That was all he knew, and that wasn't very much, when you think about it, but then again, Matrim didn't know very much about Ryuu either. Ryuu wouldn't mind being friends with Matrim, not Pillar Matrim, but the real Matrim, the one Alex knew. "I have a few friends, Emily, who is also my teacher in Militia," Ryuu continued, after taking a sip of his drink, "Trizen Takano, Nick, and my girlfriend, Emi." That's right, Ryuu had a girlfriend, unlike Alex, he had confessed his feelings to a girl who reciprocated his feelings. There's a new fun fact of the day for Matrim, Ryuu has a girlfriend.

[Matrim Gallagher]

(OOC: Not to mention that Kazuya had a sister named Kyoko as well xD)

Matrim's eyes got angry, real quick. He was pissed....

"My life has been well, for the most part. My father, Kane Hikari, and yes, his name is exactly the same as my uncle's, my grandmother named him from her previous marriage before marrying my grandfather, and my older sister, Kyoko Hikari, are living here with me, and what is an Enforcement Squad? Is it like Militia, a gang? I have a few friends, Emily, who is also my teacher in Militia, Trizen Takano, Nick, and my girlfriend, Emi."

Matrim shot a right hand across the table to slap Ryuu hard on the face, "You are too trusting Ryuu! Shut the fuck up! Now!"

He slammed that fist on the table, his teeth clenched, "God damnit Ryuu..... you never.... you never give away the identities of gang members that easily...." Matrim knew all of these people except for Emi. Emi was the one person on that list he didn't know, but the fact was that he didn't know much about the gang, "I didn't know a single thing about this gang until now, alright? So listen closely, I'll continue to play dumb about it. But I'm not sure how they operate, if they say who they are all the time, it's a weakness. You need to inform them to be more secretive about the members that aren't known. Also, as a gang member you have enemies, I...."

I'm probably one of them....

"There is more out there then just Militia. Oh, and good job on getting a girlfriend. Alex never had one, frankly I always thought that meant he was a little.... you know..." He didn't want to say it, but part of him had allllways wondered.

[Ryuu]

(OOC: I told you, Ryuu is Alex 2.0.)

The moment Ryuu spoke, he saw Matrim's eyes become angry very quickly, but Ryuu's expression never changed, he continued to look cool and calm. As soon as Ryuu finished however, he saw Matrim's right hand shot out, and slapped him hard across the face. Ryuu swore the entire coffee shop went silent, as Ryuu kept his head in its position, before slowly turning his head back to face Matrim, the spot on his face stung as he lifted his left hand and gently touched his cheek, rubbing it softly. "You are too trusting Ryuu! Shut the fuck up! Now!" Ryuu reached out and firmly held his cup down as Matrim slammed his right fist down on the table, making some of the customers nearby jump a little in fright. "God damn it Ryuu..... you never.... you never give away the identities of gang members that easily...." Ryuu continued to stay frighteningly calm, despite the fact he had just been slapped hard across the face by a guy who was much stronger than he was.

"I didn't know a single thing about this gang until now, alright? So listen closely, I'll continue to play dumb about it. But I'm not sure how they operate, if they say who they are all the time, it's a weakness. You need to inform them to be more secretive about the members that aren't known. Also, as a gang member you have enemies, I...."

"There is more out there then just Militia. Oh, and good job on getting a girlfriend. Alex never had one, frankly I always thought that meant he was a little.... you know..." "I do not know all that much about... it, either. I only know a couple things, and even so, Emily... She is well known, especially to those who transferred from 259. Much of it, I have no knowledge of, all that I know of, of it, is from simple observation." Ryuu folded his arms calmly across his chest, his cheek still stinging slightly. "I am not stupid Matrim, of course there are more gangs out there than Militia, did you really think I would be so naive as to believe Militia is the only one?" Ryuu leaned back in his seat, a look on contemplation on his face. "Yes well, Alex was never well known for being a genius in the subject of the opposite sex." Ryuu then pushed his chair back, and stood up. "Continue to play dumb, Matrim. Because if the Enforcement Squad was a gang, and if you were in it, then you are more than likely to be in another one as well. We will meet again Matrim, but there no guarantees it will be friendly."

Ryuu then turned, and began to head out of the coffee shop, but stopped and turned a bit. "Alex may have trusted you, but I don't. What I told you, is simple knowledge that anyone could gather, just from observing. There is more to Militia than meets the eye."

[Matrim Gallagher]

"There is more to Militia than meets the eye." He said, and Matrim was getting pissed because Ryuu was getting the wrong idea about him. Everyone always got the wrong idea about him. Why shouldn't they? He was a reaper, he was a pillar, he was with the guys who were Ryuu's enemy. But there was something deeper then that. Something that Matrim had learned from his old teacher. His old mentor.

"Wait, dumbass," Matrim said getting up and following Ryuu out of the coffee shop. He would walk with Ryuu for a bit, "We need to talk more. So either follow me and learn more about Alex, or you can leave, up to you."

He would start walking out of the store and walk down the sidewalk. If Ryuu left he could, but if Ryuu followed Matrim he would talk more. Teach him more. Not enough to make Matrim vulnerable, but hopefully enough that would let Ryuu understand Matrim's way of thinking. If he followed he would continue.

"Don't know what Militia does, don't care. I know what the reapers are about, and I know where I stand on that. Unless Militia is into some bad stuff, they can't be the worse of the two. But if that's all you've got.... you'll need more. You'll need to get stronger. Much stronger. So keep training with Emily. Me and Alex were the leaders of the Enforcement Squad, a group that didn't do much. We were the good guys in the end, at least... he was. Then we were pillars in Alaska..."

He would stop walking and say, "He was killed by a man named Marquise, who's Qi allowed him to change the shape and look of his body. He had gotten powerful enough to create illusions. Alex had wounded Marquise, but it was too late to... all I could do was deliver the killing blow. Finish what he started. He's buried in Alaska, I gave him a proper burial."