(no subject)

[voluntasmachinae]

Hm, now that I've seen high-level play of these Action Duels, I think I understand much better how they work. I find it interesting how many lock-step strategies can be turned on their head with this physical jousting match.

It's only the quarter-finals, but many of thos who entered were quite spectacular. Though there is a bit of worry of overt aggression in some - Mr. Tsuyoshi's performance comes to mind - it seems that there are proper regulations in place for making sure that things like that aren't a barrier to entry.

At any rate, now that I2 has decided to remember that there are cards other than Dragon-Type Monsters, perhaps I'll shake some rust off myself. It's been too long.

Comments

[for_a_purpose]

... The Tsuyoshi guy's Duel is honestly remniscient of how bad Duels get be in the Spirit Realms.

Especially in mass conflicts.

[voluntasmachinae]

...I suppose, if I'm being open minded, that that doesn't surprise me.

He seems especially ruthless considering the general mood of the tournament.

[for_a_purpose]

I have to wonder if he was intentionally let in to scare the rest of the contestants.

[voluntasmachinae]

I suspect it's much simpler than that. Anything can be achieved with thee right amount of money, after all.

[for_a_purpose]

No point in bribery. He's won upcoming tournaments. But if they didn't want his viciousness they wouldn't of let him in.

It's a publicity stunt.

[voluntasmachinae]

But who would it benefit? Scaring off the other contestants seems like the last thing you want to do. Particularly after the World Riding Grand Prix, held a few years earlier, ended with as big of a disaster as it did.

[for_a_purpose]

It's not the contestants.

It's the audience. Shock ratings I believe, are a thing.

Reality Television of a sort. Of the Kayfabe of wrestling.

[voluntasmachinae]

You would think for a city whose dueling-related disasters are so frequent that Domino would be above shock value, though I guess that's discrediting the power of mob mentality.

[for_a_purpose]

They're broadcasting this across the world.

So.

[voluntasmachinae]

...I suppose that's a point.

I just wish people didn't need to stoop to such levels in the first place.

[for_a_purpose]

People anywhere like savagery.

[imajin_all_the]

Him?

I've heard of his school. Sort of kinda.

Rumor has it they're maybe connected to the Psycho Style of Jinzo in terms of sheer ruthlessness, potentially the practioners of both came from a common origin.

But the founder of Ryozanpaku is notorious for being coy about any of the 'mysteries' of his school. Builds up the myth and legend aspect.

[voluntasmachinae]

Ah, miss Wakahisa herself! Your performance was splendid, for the record. Possibly my favorite of the first round.

Of course no master of the art would reveal thee secrets to outsiders, but I would not be surprised to learn it was a distant relative of Psycho Style Dueling. Usually speaking though, there's... usually some restraint in it. This Ryozanpaku school seems more unchecked, to me.

[arknpcs6]

To be honest, I think the coolest from the first round was that Escher chick.

... Though I did have a soft spot watching Judai fleeing from satellites.

Why restrain yourself. If there's no rules against non-lethal blocks and kicks, use the advantage.

[voluntasmachinae]

Escher's duel was also very impressive, that's a solid choice.

Hah, I guess there's a story there, huh? It didn't seem like the first time those two had met.

Perhaps, but in other contact sports there's usually a fairly strict limit to what is 'too much' contact, without full on blanket permission to engage in non-lethal harm. I'm surprised they didn't disqualify him, really.

[arknpcs6]

Pretty much.

Rumor has it he and Judai had a Duel back during Genex but no one can confirm or deny it.

Action Duels aren't established and his sort of contact is exciting and again, as the chick above said, advertisers love shock advertising.

[voluntasmachinae]

Huh. The more you know.

I suppose I just have too much faith in people to not find that kind of thing compelling, I guess.

[imajin_all_the]

It's too much to ask. People half like me because of how cruel and Dark Fallen Girl I am. Tch.

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

So, can I ask how you became a Student Teacher, Ms. Arakawa. I'm planning the Grad Student path myself.

[voluntasmachinae]

That's a good question.

My path, unfortunately, is a bit nonstandard. I went through Tokyo U and the like, focusing on standard computer sciences, I never got too deeply involved in the game itself until my undergrad years. The selection process is fairly strict for a place as prestigious as Duel Academy, despite the fact that general purpose Computer Sciences are more of an elective there.

It's a pretty ruthless path, there were a lot of nights where sleep was a luxury.

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

Hrm, I see. Thank you for the advice.

Though you liked Wakahisa's Duel? Why? What was so compelling about it?

[voluntasmachinae]

She carried herself as a professional. Confident without cockiness, decisive without recklessness. Her aesthetics and theme were on point, as well.

It was a very solid execution start to finish, and she looked very in control the whole time.

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

I suppose that grace comes with an apparent 10+ year career in the pros.

[voluntasmachinae]

...Ten plus?

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

When she began, she was by the name "Kurosawa Akuma". Devil of the Black Swamp. She was notorious along with Marias and Hikari, apparently, for forming a Dueling Unit who specialized in being cold brutal young women.

She's been in and out over the years, but she's probably one of the most established professionals in this tournament.

Frankly if it wasn't for her erratic schedule and appearances...

She'd probably be the menace looming over the entire tournament along with Isabel Marias, if I had to wager.

[arknpcs6]

Fuck the commentators.

I'm here for two reasons, and I've already accomplished one.

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

Which are?

[arknpcs6]

A) Show off for my little brother.

B) Duel Isabel and/or Grave.

Everything else to me is icing.

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

You have a brother?

[arknpcs6]

Wakahisa, Sumiho. The currently only male child of the Wakahisa household.

And I'm damn proud of him.

So I want him to see me be cool.

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

I suppose that's a better goal than like. Most of the contestants here.

If a bit shallow at the same time.

[imajin_all_the]

Like I care. Him existing helped me want to be a better person. So he deserves all the love he can get.

And this is how I can show it to him.

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

I think you're overblowing it a little but. Hey. It's better than most.

[naturalcure]

Hey.

I'm not a menace...

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

... Whoa.

You're talking to me.

[naturalcure]

...

Yes.

Hi.

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

Hi.

[forgottenfrozenfloe]

Um.

What I meant by menace is you two have really. Uh.

Intimidating atmospheres, even now. Or. Something.

Bye.

[naturalcure]

...okay.

Bye.

[arknpcs6]

Something wrong with that, Little Ms. Generic?