re: mako probending with atla kids

[fireferret]

Seriously? Probending isn't as easy as you're making it out to be. Not everyone just gets it. [Let's not talk about Korra...] They can join the audience.

Comments

[deformed]

[ He doesn't share the smirk, already determining where would be best to force Mako back by. The first punches are aimed off-centre for his shoulders, but they're only a cover for the spin-kick that shunts a third blast for his waist, righting Zuko in time to respond. ]

[fireferret]

[His reaction is instantaneous. Already impressed -- though he hadn't expected any less, given what he's seen so far -- Mako rolls his body in a quick twist to the right side of his zone. Known for expert dodging, Mako moves like a snake coiling out of reach, the spot by his heels taking the blast.

Then he pinwheels his own punches, swiveling around, steps fluid. He aims at Zuko's legs, intent to drive him over the line of Zone 2.]

[deformed]

[ Trying to keep time with him, he's slippery like Azula, it's a matter of pulling his thrusts back and striking on the edge of each step as he dips and swerves, treating the zone lines like cliff edges he can't afford to be pushed back to.

A short blast hits the grate of water between them and in the steam that rises, Zuko flourishes a small fireball for Mako's feet. ]

[fireferret]

[Clever. Mako likes when his opponents can actually think.

The cover of steam surprises him, but he doesn't hesitate (having taken advantage like that before), cartwheeling on his hands to the opposite end of Zone 1. This puts him right against the ropes. Hooking his elbows over them for a solid foundation, Mako kicks both legs out in a flurry of short, powerful fireballs of his own, aimed at Zuko's chest-plate.]

[deformed]

[ He catches sight of flames through the steam before it disperses enough to reveal Mako himself, golden eyes flaring wise as he drops instinctively onto his side with elbows shoving him into a circular roll like an upended lion-turtle. Shots fire from his feet to cover him as he swerves up, skidding close to the line. ]

[fireferret]

[That's not a move he sees often out of firebenders. Not in the ring. Effective, though it requires a lot of space, most probably wouldn't risk it.

Mako curses, dodging sideways, though he takes a strip of that fire-wheel to one of his leg guards, knocking him back a few crucial inches. It's enough to put his heel at the line. A buzz sounds (did one of the janitors turn it on?).

He waves his hand at Zuko to stop.]

The round is over. It's been three minutes. [A sigh.] You're the Fire Lord, I guess I shouldn't have expected an easy win.

[He just wants to knock you into the water, sob.]

Technically, we're supposed to have a tiebreaker where one chosen player faces another player with the same element. Since it's only us, that doesn't matter. Let me see if one of those guys will raise the platform in the middle.

[deformed]

[ About to issue another shot, he wafts it aside instead, the buzzer making him wobble mid-move. That isn't something he's used to. ]

You're good too.

[ While Mako goes about seeing to the platform, Zuko takes the opportunity to stretch his arms and legs, disliking how the sweat runs down inside his helmet. It's difficult to see out of his left eye as it starts to sting at the corners, but he blinks determinedly and ignores it after forgetting about the visor and trying to wipe his brow with a clunk. Derp. ]

[fireferret]

[He's quick to return, hopping off the ramp into the ring just as the center circle lifts out of the floor, rising higher than the surrounding area. Mako eyes the other firebender.]

You okay?

[deformed]

Yeah.

[ He takes to pushing his gloves on tighter, watching the floor fall away over the centre ring. ]

We just have to knock the other down now?

[fireferret]

[He nods.]

Unlike the zones, you're allowed to get closer, too, if you think you can grapple the other player off the circle. First knocked down loses.

[deformed]

[ Nodding, he walks the perimeter of the circle, getting a feel for how wide it is. Not very, he wryly acknowledges, his new beginning stance more to do with a freedom of movements than openings for blasting fire, trying to figure out how far Mako's long limbs can issue strikes.

He's going to have to get used to Mako's style inside another three minutes with time to spare, wary of the time-limit after that jarring buzzer. ]