Locked to Isabela

[cihuatlatoani]

[Montage is here at the deserted village at the appointed time, without her sword as promised. She's wearing a stripped down version of her usual uniform, and has a very fierce expression! She's ready to throw down.]

Comments

[likebigboats]

[Callie is coming a bit late, since apparently there were some team things that needed addressing. But she's also coming unarmed, and is taking off her Tiamat cloak to drop casually once she's nearby.]

Last person I remember challenging me to a duel sent assassins instead.

[cihuatlatoani]

I have no interest in doing such things. I am an honorable woman. [Most of the time.] I do not wish to kill or maim you.

[likebigboats]

[Stretching an arm over her head and chuckling.]

No one ever lies about that.

[cihuatlatoani]

[Montage stretches as well, and takes a deep breath.]

Alas, I have only my word.

Is there anything you wish to say before we begin?

[likebigboats]

You're welcome to complain a while, if you want. Otherwise I'm fine.

[cihuatlatoani]

I have no complaints. The time for that is past. Only words that I must give to the Holy Ones.

[She whispers a prayer under her breath, then kneels to take a bit of dirt from under the snow, and touch it to her lips. A symbol of humbleness and piety. Nevertheless, she must admit she is exciting. She has been looking forward to this.

She stands back up, and crouches in a fighting stance.]

I am ready.

[likebigboats]

How do I always find the pious ones?

[Waiting with arms crossed through the prayer. When Montage rises, she'll bend knees slightly with a fist clenched. No formal fighting stance, just someone getting ready for things to be rough.

She should really acknowledge it when Montage says she's ready, but instead she'll just lunge forward and drive a fist at her gut.]

[cihuatlatoani]

[Montage sees the punch coming, and steps aside, extending her leg to trip Callie. She tries to put one arm around her back to push her forward into the sweep.]

[likebigboats]

[With more skills she might have evaded, or done something fancy, but instead the move successfully sends Callie tumbling. So she's just going to try grabbing Montage's leg and pull her down.]

[cihuatlatoani]

[Montage is forced down into an awkward kneel on one knee, retaliating with a sharp hand chop to Callie's forearm.]

[likebigboats]

[Hissing with pain, but instead of letting go, grabbing with her other hand too so she can pull closer and bite her ankle. Dignified, this fight ain't.]

[cihuatlatoani]

[She wasn't expecting that, so she cries out, and tries to pull away and get back onto her feet.]

[likebigboats]

Ha!

[She'll take that opportunity to regain her feet as well, if only to go for an attempted tackle as soon as she's vaguely upright.]

[cihuatlatoani]

[She crouches low to brace for the tackle, and thrusts out her elbow, trying to get Callie in the stomach or solar plexus.]

[likebigboats]

[Success! Callie is stumbling back some, trying to regain her breath.]

[cihuatlatoani]

[Montage presses her advantage with a punch to Callie's face, pouring her anger and grief into it. She roars wordlessly, raw with emotion.]

[likebigboats]

[That's going to bruise and swell awful later. But it's something she can deal with a bit better, spitting and coming back with a backhand.]

[cihuatlatoani]

[Spitting is disgusting, she's actually slightly grossed out. Regardless, she is hit by the backhand, being left open from that punch. But she keeps going with a jab to the ribs.]

[likebigboats]

[There's the start of a laugh for the look on Montage's face, but then there's a jab to the ribs and Callie is gasping for breath again. Doesn't particularly want this to gain moment, so making an attempt at a kick.]

[cihuatlatoani]

[The kick gets Montage in the stomach, and she stumbles back. She retreats for a few steps, trying to regain her balance, and settle back into a fighting stance.]

[likebigboats]

[Fakes another lunge for a tackle, trying to set her up for a right cross.]

[cihuatlatoani]

[She starts to brace herself for the tackle, but wises up, and retaliates with a kick of her own. The punch gets her, though.]

[likebigboats]

[That kick gets Callie, as well. She falls on her ass, because high-level combat this is not.]

Shit.

[cihuatlatoani]

[Montage kicks lower now, to hit Callie in the ribs while she's down.]

This pain does not begin to compare to what I have felt as a mother, a wife, and a daughter!

[likebigboats]

[Coughing from the kick and trying to grab her leg to pull her down.]

Because -- because it's so unique.

[cihuatlatoani]

[She kneels down into the snow, but follows right into a punch in Callie's nose.]

Of course it is not. Nobody's passions are unique. But they always have meaning.

[likebigboats]

[Well there's a bloody nose. Reeling a bit, and bringing a hand up instinctively to cover it.

They really, really don't.

[When she gets a moment, trying to put a fist in her eye.]

[cihuatlatoani]

[She's gonna get a black eye from that punch! But she tries to grab her arm before she pulls it back, and put her other hand on her shoulder, and wrestle her down.]

How nihilistic. To deny meaning in your life is to deny your existence!

[likebigboats]

[Struggling and making her work for it, but Montage definitely has the leverage advantage in this arrangement. Callie is mostly ending up just keeping her face off the ground.]

How about you try taking a look at your mirror before bragging about that.

[cihuatlatoani]

[Pinning Callie to the ground, but not hitting her for the moment.]

I know what I live for. I know my ideals.

[likebigboats]

[and yet the shittalking continues]

And yet our existences are a sad excuse.

[cihuatlatoani]

[This is getting stupidly shonen

Montage lets go with one arm to punch her again, trying to maintain her hold.]

I thought you the sort that rejoiced in life.

[likebigboats]

[A pained grunt, and she bucks to try breaking the remaining hold.]

Depends what mood you catch me in.

[Like right now, Callie's mood is: determined to headbutt Montage]

[cihuatlatoani]

[She cries out, reeling back, and lashes out with a less accurate punch. Her grip is pretty sufficiently loosened.]

[likebigboats]

[Swearing because she just clunked her head and then there's taking another punch...

But she's still determined to act on the opportunity. Squirming and trying to get a grasp on Montage's neck.]

[cihuatlatoani]

[She is starting to get a bit tired at this point, but she reaches her own hand out for Callie's neck in retaliation.]