Second Clue - Text/Commentlog

[whistlesatengineers]

I guess I lost a month somewhere, since it's apparently December now. Well, merry Christmas or whatever holiday everyone celebrates in the winter!

[ Rookie can be non-denominational, see? If anyone's looking for him, they'll find him on the snowy jogging track on Deck Two, out for a run in his armor. What? It's warm! And also face-obscuring. ]

Comments

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

End me? Pathetic! You couldn't hope to accomplish such a feat!

[A small portion of the Elite's flank isn't covered by his armor, just above the hip; the boot against his side hurts, and Ripa's grip relaxes a fraction for a few moments. He's surprised that this human has managed to hurt him at all.]

[whistlesatengineers]

Never say never!

[ He feels the grip on his arm loosen and renews his efforts to free it. If he could just get it free he could hopefully scramble onto the Elite's back and get his arms around his neck. Though Ripa isn't the only one surprised that the Rookie managed to hurt him; he's been kicking blind. ]

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[Ripa roars and attempts to toss the ODST. He just wants to get that nuisance away from him for one damn second so that he doesn't feel those grubby finger scrabbling over his armor.]

[whistlesatengineers]

[ The Rookie yelps in pain - oh God it feels like his arm is being ripped off - finally losing his grip on the Elite's shoulder plate. ]

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[Ripa growls in relief when he feels the human let go. He roars once before straightening up. He sticks his head a few mere inches from the Rookie's visor.]

Like the rest of your race, weak. The mere thought that you would attempt stand up against my brethren amuses me.

[whistlesatengineers]

[ For his part, he doesn't flinch when all he can see is the face and orange eyes of the Arbiter. The Rookie squares his shoulders once he's got his footing again, not pulling away. Even if he can't be seen behind his visor, he's staring right at Ripa. ]

Better to fight than roll over.

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[The mandibles curl back into a cruel smile.]

You're hardly putting up a fight now. Surely that isn't the best you can muster?

[His arrogance means he isn't on his guard. At all. Hopefully the Rookie can see that.]

[whistlesatengineers]

[ He does. He's gotten a feel for cockiness since transferring to Buck's squad. He shrugs casually, then aims a swift punch at the Elite's unarmored side. Regardless of whether or not is connects, right after he drops to kick a booted foot out at Ripa's leg. ]

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[It hits, and it hurts. Although not incapacitating, the Elite staggers briefly before his leg goes out from underneath him. Down on one side, the Arbiter roars in fury and swings his knives to bear in a defensive position.]

[whistlesatengineers]

[ The Rookie scrabbles backwards away from those knives and scrambles to his feet, pulling into a defensive fighting posture. He motions for the Arbiter to get up with a couple jerks of his head. ]

Can muster more, if you want.

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[Ripa springs up from the ground and is charging for the Rookie without a second thought. He's infuriated that this human would even touch him, let alone hurt him.

The blades swing forward in a mad dash to close the distance between the Arbiter and the ODST.]

[whistlesatengineers]

[ The Rookie doesn't have time to wonder if his armor can handle knives attached to a charging Elite. He's already moving to dodge as fast as possible.

That doesn't mean the Helljumper gets out of the way fast enough, and one of the blades drags along his side where the armor is thinner. Nothing but that Kevlar stuff there. ]

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[Ripa snarls with delight when the blade bites in. He drops his shoulder and pushes against his attacker, hoping the drive his knife in deeper. This also brings his neck closer to the ODST's reach.]

[whistlesatengineers]

[ He is not liking his current position so much as the blade starts pushing into his armor. He couldn't remember if he'd heard anything about Kevlar and close-range weaponry. The Rookie can only hope it'll hold for a little while longer. Long enough for him to bring a fist up in an uppercut to the Elite's neck.

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[Ripa attempts to grab for the fist that hooks into his neck, even as he staggers and coughs. This fight is beginning to be more troublesome than he anticipated.]

[whistlesatengineers]

[ The Rookie, in spite of his nickname, is very familiar with hand-to-hand. Though that isn't going to stop him from being grabbed. ]

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[The second he feels his hand close over the human's fist, he squeezes as hard as he can and swings his arm downward, hoping he'll be able to beat the human down into the ground. He wants irritating fight over with as fast as possible.]

[whistlesatengineers]

[ The ODST's hand, clad in fingerless gloves, is woefully unarmored to take that kind of pressure. He's already starting to twist downwards when that arm comes down on his shoulder. He groans in pain, one knee slamming down onto the snowy jogging track. ]

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[Ripa feels the rookie go down on one knee, and attempts to kick the ODST in the stomach, hoping to wind or even incapacitate him. Although his other leg is open to be swept out from underneath him.]

Fall, wretch! Fall before me as your brothers in arms have, so many times in the past!

[whistlesatengineers]

[ The kick to his stomach slams the air of him and leaves him gasping. But that comment... He still has one hand and one shoulder free, and slams them toward Ripa's leg, to knock him off-balance. The Rookie replies between gasps. ]

You... first.

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[With his feet swept out from underneath him, Ripa pitches over backwards and hits the ground on his back. He once again raises his fists to protect himself, struggling to regain his footing. Even as he struggles to rise, he is still yelling at his opponent.]

I will make you suffer long and hard before I grant you the release of death for that blow!

[whistlesatengineers]

[ As soon as his hand's released, the Rookie starts staggering to his feet, cradling that hand close to him. He's torn between kicking him and just running. ]

No worse suffering than you still breathing.

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[Ripa finally crawls to his feet, shaking his head and spreading his mandibles. He notices that one of his knives has been broken off from his wrist guard during the fight.]

Then your suffering will be endless. My breaths will not stop, not for a time far from now-- not until my Prophets wish it!

[The Sangheili starts strafing, glaring at his foe all the while.]

[whistlesatengineers]

[ He noticed the broken blade, and was just thankful it hadn't broken off on or in him. The Rookie gives Ripa a wide berth, watching him warily. ]

Bummer.

[defiant-rage.livejournal.com]

[Ripa doesn't know what bummer means, but he assumes it's an insult of some sort. He roars something in his native tongue before dashing forward, slicing his remaining blade through the air towards his target.]