Log:Spar at the Gym

Role Call 2013/05/05 	 Scrapper Himinglaeva Riptide Maxwell Tigress 1

A superhuman gym. It looks like a traditional gym, just upscaled in all the obvious fashions. Treadmills that can handle hypersonic running speeds, weight sets that go up to a kiloton in weight, and all the other acoutrements of a gym. The floor is padded and comfortable to walk on, strong enough to handle the immense weights being slung about and the occasional droppage due to limits being reached. The computer monitors with force fields, protecting any whom look to have lost control of a piece of equipment to provide a safe and functional place for the supers of colonial bay to get a workout without requiring a villain to be present.

Scrapper says, "The princess has healers at her command, but they are all magicians"

Maxwell nods, "Yeah, though I have to admit, I need to practice and get back into combat trim."

Scrapper smirks, "I'm not a good training partner. I hit hard."

It didn't take long for Riptide to find the gym, really, it's close to the beach and a single question from a beach goer got him here. So it is that his long white hair and short wetsuit is still dripping wet when he arrives leaving his purple skin glossy and healthy looking, for a fish anyways. He looks around and studies the equipment and whatnot curiously not yet noticing that there are others here.

Maxwell nods, "And technically I don't fight fair." he says and shakes his head a bit.

Scrapper tries not to light up when she spots Riptide, but is a really bad actor. To Maxwell she says, "What is fair?"

Maxwell looks over and notices the guy and dips his head and then looks back, "Well I can freeze someone in place by paralyzing thier mind, convince them they are seeing things that are not there, and do it from some distance away."

Scrapper says, "Where I was trained, those are considered standard tactics. They called it glamor."

Maxwell nods, "They are things that are hard for me to use on just anyone." he shakes his head a bit.

Finally Riptide spots Scrapper and Maxwell and he smiles broadly at the first. Lots of white teeth behind those purple lips and he heads over in that direction. Still hasn't learned about that tact thing and not intruding unless asked apparently. "The mind alterer." Riptide says as he approaches, cocking his head to the side looking somewhat surprised to see Scrapper being so social with him. His smile turns to a grim frown as he looks at Maxwell, "Release your hold on her or I will remove you from this world." He says seriously.

Maxwell turns and looks over at Riptide and shakes his head, "I have no hold on her," he says and frowns a bit bt at the seriousness he brings up his telekinetic forcefield with a thought.

Scrapper coughs to hide a smile and says, "Would this qualify as the kind of friend you suggested earlier."

Riptide doesn't seem so sure, "When last I saw you Jo seemed unhappy with your practice of altering memories. Why would she now be standing here being your friend unless you had fundamentally altered her personality to be something more appealing to you." The distortion field causes nostrils to flare and eyes to glow more brilliantly as his chin goes down towards his chest. A subtle shift in the way he stands tilts his center of gravity to be much more flexible as fingers curl into fists. "Why would you protect yourself if you had done nothing wrong. Your actions do not match your words mindthief."

Scrapper does not seem at all apologetic that Riptide is being threatening. Quite the opposite, she seems flattered. "Maxwell, I believe you have met Riptide. I also recommended him for the Guard. You're skills are useful, but I do have a paranoid streak. He doesn't have any oaths of non-violence. If you are both accepted, you can consider him insurance." She considers both men for a moment, then says to Maxwell, "Needless to say, any assurances I make as to your oaths and attitudes at this point will be suspect. How fast are your social skills?"

Maxwell looks at him and then nods to Scrapper, "If he is close to you yes." he says and then looks at Riptide, "Very simple, I protect myself because you come in all menacing and if you were to hit me without my protection up, you could do serious harm." he shakes his head a bit, "This place is one of neutrality." he holds his hands up, and if I had done something wrong, wouldn't it make sense that I would be attacking not just defending, I am a healer, I will protect myself if you attack me, but I do not alter people just because. And what makes you think we are friends, at the moment, maybe aquaintances, two people that are holding a conversation. Her distrust of me is quite obvious, but it is understandable."

"I am not stupid." Riptide says seriously, "A mindthief's best manipulations are subtle, ones that do not lead to drastic changes but slowly build up overtime and appear natural." He leans forwards then, getting face to face, nose to nose if Maxwell doesn't back up, "I do not care about neutrality. If I discover you have altered Jo in any way I will remove you as a threat." He then straightens up and offers a hand, "If however, you are speaking truely, then I apologize, but I will always be watching."

[To Scrapper] Riptide says, "I have no intention of being a servant or slave to such a quaint and outdated concept such as 'royalty'."

Scrapper says, "You wouldn't be. You would be there to keep me out of trouble."

Maxwell shakes his head a bit but does let the shield go and take the hand, "If you need healing please look me up." he says and then nods, "I probably should go." he shakes his head a bit and sighs, glad at least that he didn't have to fight.

"I have a healing factor." Riptide says in response to the offer of healing, "This is a public place, you are not required to leave." He looks back towards Scrapper then and raises an eyebrow, "I do not think it would be a good idea still Jo. It is hard enough learning the surface worlds rules and culture, let alone one so backwards as to still have royalty."

Scrapper holds up two fingers. "Surface worldS (emphasizing the S). And the lady I work for happens to be a revisionist." To

Maxwell, she says, "All kidding aside, please consider the offer."

Maxwell nods to Scrapper, "I will, I am honestly wanting to help as much as I can." he says and then looks at Riptide, and then nods.

"There are other reasons." Riptide says softly to Jo, "That I will explain another time yes?" He flicks a glance towards Maxwell as if to indicate 'Not in front of a possible enemy' before he moves to give Scrapper a hug she can feel if she lets him. "Show me how this place works. I wish to know where I stand on your bell curve compared to others."

Scrapper nods and lets the matter drop. "Lets start you at my lecvel - 6 tons.

"Six tons it is then." Riptide says confidently, "Which machine do you wish me to use and how does it work?" Apparently, they do not have gyms of this style in Atlantis.

Maxwell shrugs a little and then sighs, "Probably should go anyway. Not sure how much of a workout I could get."

Riptide, Scrapper, and (formerly?) Maxwell are in the workout room that is currently set to gym mode. Though apparently Maxwell looks about to leave while Scrapper starts setting some of the equipment for specific tonnage.

Well, as during her previous visit to Colonial Bay, Himinglaeva was introduced to the workout room... she decided that she would seek it out today. After all, it seemed to be the place where most of those of the new heroic age gathered to test their martial skills. Even if she did not get to take part, she would enjoy watching them push one another to the limits.

Such is the way of things where she is from of course. So she sets down out front and walks into the gym. Last time, she was kinda... eye-popping in her near nakedness. This time, she has sought out advice from friends back home and wore what is to be her new heroic uniform. Granted, that is essentially a one piece bathing suit... and she's barefoot. But she comes casually, almost lazily strolling into the back room as if she owns the place...

When Himinglaeva arrives Riptide looks over towards the scent of the ocean and he smiles at the sight of the other heroine. "Greetings." He offers to her and then his face brightens, "Ah yes! Introductions!" He seems happy to have remembered something about the surface. "Himinglaeva Aegirsdottr of Asgard, this is Joanne Hopewell or Jo." He introduces Scrapper first, "And this is the mind thief known as Maxwell of the local constabulatory service if I remember properly." He introduces Maxwell, in less than flattering terms it seems.

Unfortunately Riptide only gets it about half right.

Maxwell sighs a little and shakes his head a bit but does dip his head to Himinglaeva and gives a bit of a smile.

Her face lighting up with a smile, Himinglaeva nods and eyes Maxwell. "Well met Maxwell the mind thief. You must have the blood of Loki in your veins." she adds as her smile turns to more of a grin. Then she looks back to Riptide and gives him a nod before her attention slips to Scrapper. "Joanna Hopewell. Well met." she adds.

As Scrapper goes about her business with the gym equipment Riptide tilts his head to the side at Himinglaeva's comment about the blood of Loki. "Do you truly think the surfacers so called metahumans are descended from Asgardians?" He asks curiously, "I know that somewhere down the line there must be Atlantean DNA in some of them, we did mingle with every culture we found, to one extent or another..." He looks thoughtful, folding his arms across his chest and tapping his chin with one hand. "That is a quandary. Perhaps latent Asgardian and Atlantean DNA is causing all these 'super heroes' to develop powers."

Maxwell looks at them both, "Or perhaps its just human evolution." he says and then chuckles just a little.

"The gods did indeed... venture into Midgard for trysts now and then so..." she shrugs, "Anything is possible. Plus, so many other gods as well, not just the Asgardians. Even among my people, there are the Aesir, the Vanir, and the Jotun... my own blood is a mix of them as it is." But Himinglaeva shrugs her shoulders, "Sometimes, it is better to leave a mystery, a mystery, and not delve into it too much." Yeah, anyone who exists -because- of superstition and raw faith.. might feel that way indeed.

"Oh, but I digress. I came to this location, to observe those of the heroic age.. demonstrating and testing their might against one another. Do not allow me to distract you from that."

Scrapper silently regards the new visiter, silent and a bit wary. Just when the silence is starting to become uncomfortable, she shrugs and says, "Your timing is perfect then. Riptide and I were here for a test, but not a very interesting one to watch."

"Jo is setting up the equipment to test me right now." Riptide says to Himinglaeva, "Apparently she is starting at six tons. I am fairly certain that will not be a challenge however." He looks over towards Maxwell, "Evolution without external stimuli takes many many generations. Millions of years. Still, you have harnessed the atom, the byproduct of crude methods could cause subtle damage and alterations to DNA in uncontrolled fashion." He hmms, "I don't know if that is evolution but... perhaps." He looks back over towards Scrapper and smiles towards her, though when she is called away to 'work' he seems less than thrilled by her departure. "Or perhaps another time unless you know how to work these machines?" that last bit is directed to Maxwell.

Maxwell nods his head a bit and then gestures towards the machines, and starts making adjustments to it without touching it, "She mostly had it all set up already. Do a couple reps and then I can increase it if you need."

"So, you are simply testing your limits? Do you not know your limits already Kyor of Atlantis?" asks Himinglaeva as she steps ... okay almost flows... a bit closer. "Would it not be better to test your skills and might against another of the world's heroes?"

"What is a 'rep'?" Riptide asks, "We do not have machines like this in Atlantis, I doubt they would perform adequately under water." Oh yes, that lack of surface knowledge does extend to lots of facets of technology as well. "I know my limits in the water." Riptide says to Himinglaeva, "I am unaware of what my limits will be on the surface. I have already once encountered a situation where I jumped, and was unable to generate the same force as I can while swimming."

Looking over towards Himinglaeva afterwards he continues, "Combat has many variables, skill, speed, toughness and even endurance are all factors. It is better to know where I compare in the most basic things so as to have a frame of reference with the surfacers yes?"

Maxwell cocks his head to the side, "Repitition, a number of repeated attempts at using the machine."

Eyeing Max, Himinglaeva just shakes her head, "Then why not just say so? I must say, the modern vernacular of this.. English, shortens so many words that are best left as they were." And then to Riptide she nods, "I can see that being a problem. The water provides a wholly different resistance as well as bouyancy after all."

To Himinglaeva: Riptide nods and agrees, "Precisely. This environment... it is different. I shall have to develop some method of flight. I amused to moving on every axis and plane." He frowns, "My leaping ability is not comparable. The tactical limitation concerns me greatly." Then...

To Maxwell: Riptide asks, "Very well, multiple repeated attempts at using the machine. How is the machine used in the first place? I am used to pushing water to determine strength. Mass of water disturbance and speed of the flow forms convection that can be measured. This... looks nothing like that..."

Maxwell blinks as gets called over the loud speaker. "Will you excuse me for a moment." he takes a moment to explain to Riptide how to use the machine.

Well, Himinglaeva is a child of the sea, but also of Asgard. "It is a weight. One lifts the weight to determine if one is strong enough to do so. Or at least they make the attempt. The mass of the weight provides a resistance to measure how much you are able to handle."

"I see... without water I suppose that would be a simple method to determine strength as air pressure is far less than water..." Riptide nods and then reaches out to grab hold of the six ton weight, unless Maxwell set it to over 50 tons while nobody was looking Riptide easily picks it up with just one hand, adjusting for the shift in mass by changing his stance, "Interesting it's mass shifts much quicker..."

Maxwell nods, and explains how to change the settings too, "If you will excuse me, I have to go make a phonecall."

"Aye, upon the surface.. the air provides the only resistance. Water is thicker and stronger of course. But.. one must adapt, yes?" asks Himinglaeva. She walks around the machine, studying it for a moment, "Such marvels of leverage..." she remarks.

"I could simply remain in the ocean, but... I do not find solitary existence to my liking. I would much prefer having misunderstanding and strange social encounters with surfacers than living in isolation with no contact with anyone." Riptide explains, "As that is my current options, then yes, I must adapt." He considers, "I wonder what is considered 'strong' for these so called 'heroes'..." His tone curious as he moves to place the bar back down and then goes to look at the machines settings. Being shown how to use it helps, but, not having a good frame of reference for the values on the other hand... "Perhaps it is based on age. Six tons is what a six year old would lift?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Himinglaeva doesn't really know that much about the modern world. "I am uncertain what a ... ton is myself. As it was explained to me, the mortals consider a ton to be a great deal of mass and weight. Most of them are unable to lift such weights. I doubt that I would be able to even. I am not... physically strong. My gifts are in other areas." she offers. "But I would assume that you are far stronger than the average mortal."

"Yes." Riptide agrees, "Atlanteans had to adapt to the pressures of the ocean floor and yet still make trips to the surface in order to look for survivors. We have a complicated protein synthesis structure in our hemoglobin that allows our muscles to function at heightened levels at all pressures. Our muscles are denser than normal, with reinforced bone structure to greater resist the outside pressure and our lungs are more powerful, able to push water in and out as easily as air, the cilia able to strip oxygen from the water itself. Without such modifications we would not have survived." He considers, "I wonder if their weight system is additive or multiplicative..."

"I know not." offers Himinglaeva. But she shrugs as if it really doesn't concern her overmuch. "I know what I am capable of, and have pitted myself against their versions of Jotun and trolls numerous times. As always.. the sea endures." She crouches to look at the weights though and reaches out to press a few buttons on the high tech thing. Really... random button presses to figure out. It's like a child somewhat. With the... what does -this- do!? mentality.

Since the weight system is holographic, as is everything else, pressing the buttons on the machine at random starts changing the weight /as/ Riptide is holding onto the bar. The hidden forcefields pushing and pulling to simulate the shifting weight and the holograph altering as well to match! The shifting weight has Riptide tipping over before he catches himself and then the weight is increasing and he has to use both hands before suddenly, as the last button is pushed the readout shoots to 100 and steadily increases. Riptide loses grip after much straining at about 400 and the weight crashes down towards the ground with four hundred tons of mass, rattling the floor with a thunderous boom!

Looking up as you react to the changing weights, Himinglaeva just blinks innocently and then reaches to press the one button she is sure of. It reads: OFF. Then she steps back, "My apologies. This is all new to me as well. I did not mean to overload or... please, are you alright?" she asks.

Riptide flexes his hands, the purple skin having gone white in the knuckles and fingers from trying to hold all that weight but the color is returning quickly, "I am fine." He says with a smile, "The mass shifted so rapidly I could not adjust quickly enough and then it increased to a point that I could not hold it no matter what I did." He looks impressed, "They have advanced their technology a fair bit it seems. More than I expected. Holograms... I wonder if they have progressed to crystal based computing..."

"As I told you.. the creativity of the mortals is not to be underestimated. They have... quite a variety of technology. Also, from what I heard, they have made contact with denizens of other worlds as well.. worlds with technology far in advance of this world's." offers Himinglaeva. She steps back from the machine now and clasps her hands behind her... obviously reluctant to touch anything new.

"Of course it isn't." Riptide says, "Surfacers have the same potential as Atlanteans, we were once identical to them. Our culture and technology is simply more advanced. I am not sure what I expected... their technology does not have a common frame of reference. Most is still... woefully crude and yet this..." He looks around, "And portable holographic interfaces... I do not understand how the advancement can be so lopsided and not universal."

"Change.. terrifies some. Many mortals prefer to stick to what they know, and not try new things. Others seem to wish to push the envelope and constantly force the change along faster. Thus... is the nature of mortals, to constantly be at odds with themselves." offers Himinglaeva, as if she were espousing great wisdom. "I have observed them from afar for many years." she adds.

"Tell me," Riptide says abruptly changing the conversation topic, "You have fought amongst these surfacers in the past, yet you claim to have always endured. Is there nothing that can challenge you on the surface?" He asks curiously. "I begin to wonder where I compare against you."

"I did not say that I was always victorious. Only that I endured. For as you likely know, it is very difficult to truly restrain, or -defeat-.. the sea itself. That is what my gifts are..." She lifts a hand and water seems to flow from her arm and hand, to coalesce about above her hand... swirling and flowing. "I summon the power of the sea itself to batter mine enemies."

"Aha... my apologies, I still must translate this language in my head, it is not so natural to me yet to have instinctive understanding and I misunderstood." Riptide bows his head towards her. "In this environment, I would probably be little challenge to you." He frowns, "I must find a way to better my mobility... being stuck on the ground is... so limiting."

"I find that when the sea and myself are one, controlling my own movement is simply a matter of will. Perhaps... you could learn a way to -swim- through the air? Perhaps with the aid of Atlantean technology, or even a mystical means?" asks Himinglaeva. She shrugs and opens her fingers wide, the water rushing back into her form...

"I am sure there is a technological, or even a mystical way to do so." Riptide admits, "I simply do not have access to my homeland. Still... it is possible that some of our ancient technology may have been confused for another cultures and still exist on the surface. I shall have to see if they have a repository for such things available to the public.... They have libraries after all they could well have such storehouses."

Nodding her head, as if that solves the problem then and there, Himinglaeva just says, "There you go. We should focus on finding such a thing for you. Until that time though... if I am present, I can offer you a means of swimming wherever you wish to go." she adds with a bit of a grin. "The sea comes to my beck and call as I said, and I can use to move quite a bit of mass."

"I will keep that in mind should we both be present for a distubance. Until then however, it appears I must adapt as you said." Riptide chuckles and then asks, "If you have come to be a hero, are you not one already from past altercations with the surface worlds villains?"

"I have not had the opportunity to be as pronounced as I would like. Merely some minor altercations, and some jumped up mortals who thought that they could harm the sea. Nothing really worth turning into song... yet. I seek the epic confrontation still." offers Himinglaeva. Modesty? Well, maybe.

"I am sure if the villains are capable of contending with the heroes of this city that you will find the epic confrontation you seek. My second day on the surface I was involved in an attack with a giant monster. It was quite strong." Riptide says seriously, "Soon after that, there was giant land crustaceans, though, admittedly, they were less of a challenge than the kitten was. It took Titan and myself to restrain the kitten." Kitten. Right. Some monster.

Riptide and Himinglaeva are apparently having an amiable conversation over by some of the weight equipment that looks to have had an accident and been shut off. The 'weight' bar is currently set at 400 tons and looks to have hit the ground at speed. Of course it's all easily fixed if one knows how to reset the hologram, that is not a skill possessed by Riptide or Himinglaeva however.

"I have yet to find anyone who can truly harm the sea. Slow it down maybe, but.. one cannot stop the inexorable progress of the ocean, can they?" asks Himinglaeva as she shakes her head. She pauses and inclines her head, "Kitten?" she asks. "How odd."

Alisha makes her way into the gym humming to herself. She is wearing a robe that looks like its a few sizes way too big. Its pulled tight around her. She glances around and then heads over towards the two.

"One could destroy the planetary body upon which the body of water rests which would scatter the sea into the void of space where it's component molecules would be stripped away and reduced..." Riptide notes clinically but nods towards Alisha when she approaches, "Greetings. I am Riptide, this is Himinglaeva." He introduces himself and the sea goddess, "Who are you?" He asks curiousity readily detectable in tone, open and inviting.

About three minutes after Alisha arrives, Malcolm arrives. The tall man is wearing a dark grey muscle shirt and a pair of Starguard fatigue pants, somewhat baggy, along with a pair of combat boots. Malcolm looks terribly surprised to find the training room both occupied and featuring damaged equipment. Scratching the back of his head with one hand, Malcolm ambles over toward the other, shooting a smile and a nod to Alisha before looking over at Rip and Himinglaeva.

"How's it going?" he intones, smiling faintly, "And am I interrupting a training session? I thought the room was free."

"Well, yes. but one could simply wait for Ragnarok as well. I assume that destroying the very world would have much the same effect." offers Himinglaeva. She smiles a bit wistfully though, "Oh, but to pit myself against one with such the power and ability to do that... would be glorious." Oy.. she has a warped definition of good and bad it seems. But then her sea green eyes alight upon Alisha, and her brows both raise. She was about to speak to the young woman, but refrains. One may as well be polite and let her respond to Riptide before demanding more of her. But.. the distraction of Malcolm is welcome, and she eyes him. "Nay. The room is as free as it can be. I am afraid that I do not know how to ... arrange settings upon the weight machine..." she says, gesturing to the 400 ton weight setting.

Alisha nods and smiles a little, "I am Alisha, though I am also called Tigress, we met at the beach the other day." she says and then looks at the sea goddess as well and then turns and waves to Malcolm too. She holds the robe closed. "I was going to come and work out, here is one of the few places I can without breaking things."

"Not training no." Riptide explains to Malcolm, "Jo was intending to test my physical capabilities but was called away. Himinglaeva and I are not the best with your technology and we had an accident." He looks towards Alisha and studies her momentarily, "The hybrid? Interesting! I was expecting more feline traits in your humanoid form." He says conversationally as he looks over Alisha without shame. "Hmmm. I know Himinglaeva was hoping to see a contest of skills rather than mundane training." He notes to both Malcolm and Alisha, "Is that what you intended?"

"Oh. Well that's easy enough to fix," replies Malcolm to Himinglaeva and Riptide, glancing over at the inactive weights. Shifting his weight as though to move somewhere, Malcolm pauses when Riptide inquires about his presence. Malcolm shrugs a little bit, "I was going to smash a few pixels, yeah. I didn't expect to find so many folks in here," answers Malcolm, head tilting slightly to one side.

Alisha nods her head, "Yes, well I am a weretiger not a hybrid really, what you saw is a hybrid of this form and tiger, I can turn into tigers too." she says and nods, "Let me change and get a little more comfortable. If that is okay."

"Of course." Riptide says to Alisha and then looks towards Malcolm, studying him for a few long moments, "Where are you on the bell curve?" He asks curiously, "I am trying to discover where I rank on Jo's Bell Curve of Power. I would offer to spar instead of pixels, but I do not wish to injure you on accident."

"... Bell Curve of Power?" inquires Malcolm, one eyebrow quirking. He shrugs his shoulders a little bit and smiles, the expression floating around in some sort of vague space between amused and predatory. Malcolm moves toward the broken weights and calls up the program to reset that particular portion. "I couldn't tell you. Jo's never let me know. Generally speaking though, I'm pretty tough, certainly tough enough to take some hits."

Alisha smiles a little, "IF you want we can spar and you don't have to hold back, I heal fast and am hard to hurt, part of being a weretiger." she smiles and moves away from them and then closes her eyes for a moment. A feral growl comes from her lips and then she roars loud and there is a ripping and cracking sound. Bones crack, joints pop as she starts to swell, fur starts to sprout from her face and hands though the robe does conceal most of it. The purpose of the large robe becomes apparent as it is large enough for the new hybrid. When she is done growing she stands ten feet covered in white fur with black stripes. She drops the robe off to the side and flexes her claws.

"Yes." Riptide said, "She indicated there is a Bell Curve, the mathematical equation, of power amongst surface walkers. With a vast majority being in the middle of the curve and with a secondary curve at the top consisting of various metas. Is this not a common practice?" He asks, concerned now that he's gotten it wrong. "Still... I find these machines to be lacking in all but the most basic manner. Strength and applied strength are two very different things." He looks over towards Alisha and watches her shift with open curiousity, "Does that hurt? Or does it feel good like stretching a tight muscle out?" Riptide smiles at the mention of sparring. "As you wish then. I would offer the same advance to you." He looks around, "Any rules?"

"Oh sure. There's bell curves for nearly everything, I'm not surprised someone - or someones - did the math for a bell curve for metahuman powers. I just dunno anything 'bout it," replies Malcolm. He takes a few moments to carefully reprogram the weight lifting routine, resetting the damaged bit of program in a fashion that suggests he may be doing it from rote rather than any particular skill.

Malcolm straightens up as Riptide and Tigress square up. The tall man smirks slightly and strolls around toward Himinglaeva, arms folding across his chest as he watches thoughtfully. "I guess I'll take the winner."

Tigress nods her head and then stretches a little, "it hurts, but its part of it, I have done it since I was cub." she says and then flexes a bit, "Rules...we fight, try not to kill, just fight."

Riptide nods, "Very good." And then the Atlantean is fighting. No 'Are you ready?' or 'Here I come!' or anything like that. He is simply moving. Of course the environment isn't the best for such a thing but then fights rarely happen in gladiator colloseums or the like in this day and age. As it is Riptide simply closes at a rush and when close enough throws a short but powerful uppercut trying to catch the feline square!

Tigress gets hit pretty good but doesn't try to move or anything, taking it. It doesn't see to do too much to her and she manages to move just right so that she does fall, "nice." she growls and then smiles as she realizes he sacrificed some of his defense to go all out and so she decides to try a bit herself and lashes out in a rapid series of strikes with her claws and teeth.

As the two start their sparring, Himinglaeva just steps to one side where she can observe. I mean sure, if things get really fun looking, she may ask to join in, but for now... it's just fun to watch.

"I'm Malcolm, by the way," comments Malcolm to Himinglaeva. He offers a hand, along with a smile, in greeting to the tall Nordic-featured woman.

Riptide avoids the flurry of strikes from the tigress but more due to luck than anything else and he chuckles at the speed of the assault. Thinking that she might try something like that again he steps backwards, onto the balls of his feet and brings his hands up, ready to protect himself more fully just in case before he darts an open handed palm strike towards the large feline.

Tigress manages to just avoid the strike against her and then lashes out with her teeth at Riptide trying to score him this time.

Riptide avoids the attempted bite fairly easily since he's actively trying to fight defensively, twisting to the side and ducking down under the outstretched muzzle. A muzzle that presents itself so well. Riptide reaches out to try and grab hold of the feline, and if successful pick her up and slam her into the ground. Hard. Not hard enough to let her go though not wanting to give up the hold if he manages to trap her arms.

Tigress growls as she is grabbed and not really able to fight free. She is slammed into the ground which really doesn't seem to do much other than piss her off. She turns her head and tries to bite him.

Riptide is bit, and squarely, Tigress' teeth pressing in against his skin and indeed breaking the skin to spill a trickle of blood, but, just a trickle. The muscles beneath resist the force of that bite completely turning what could have been a dangerous attack into what is essentially scratches though the pressure does cause him to hiss in annoyance. "I thought it was never grab a tiger by the tail..." And he flexes, arms squeeeezing in on the feline and trying to crush the fight out of her!

Tigress growls as she gets squeezed like that. She tries to bite him again maybe get him to let go. She is starting to get really upset.

Riptide manages to avoid the snapping bite from the Tigress' jaws this time and already the scratches from her previous bite have stopped bleeding and are already healing as his own abilities protect him from the trauma of that bite. Still the activity she's shown so far gives him an idea. "Good try but... lets see how you take what's coming." He drops the grab, letting the Tigress go suddenly but only so he can rear back and wind up a powerful overhand right that sacrifices all premise of defense for power!

Tigress shakes her head as she gets hit pretty good and goes flying back. She shakes her head as she rolls with it and manages to avoid getting hurt. She growls ferally and smiles. She leaps forward and then slashes at Riptide, in a frenzy of claws and teeth.

Riptide seems somewhat surprised at the ease in which the Tigress took that shot and though it sent her flying back she landed on her feet, and then pounced forwards again! "Impressive!" He says clearly encouraged by her response and enjoying himself now. As she comes in for a flurry of attacks the Atlantean switches his balance forwards and moves to intercept her swinging claws by interposing with his own forearms, catching her blows at the wrists and fending them off without more risk to his skin. Not that he shows any signs of battle other than the still wet trickles of blood on his skin from the earlier bite!

Riptide takes a step back as soon as those claw stikes are deflected but only so he can step back in, ducking under and then come up with another short and quick uppercut designed to tag the Tigress in the chin and send her flying. Wether it will or not, remains to be seen. Regardless Riptide seems to be enjoying himself, "You are a formidable opponent. Can you keep up the pace I wonder..." He comments curiously and amiably.

Tigress gets knocked back and this time ends up on her ass. She shakes her head and then leaps to her feet like it was nothing and then smiles, "Nice." she calls out and then looks at him and darts forward as fast as she can.

Riptide twists aside and steps back to avoid the swipe from the Tigress as she goes launching past him and he grins, "Good, mix it up, be versatile. Do not continue with the same attacks over and over again." He closes the distance in short order at a quick sprint and reaches out to try and grab hold of the Tigress once more. This time should he succeed instead of squeezing though he simply intends to throw her into the nearest bit of heavy machinery! "Leaving your back exposed can often be fatal however." He warns.

Tigress gets grabbed and thrown, ending up on her ass again. She doesn't get to her feet easily though it takes a bit more and she just stands there beckoning at him.

Riptide cocks his head to the side, "Good, very good. Unchecked aggression is a weakness." He offers with a nod when it appears the Tigress isn't going to try and put herself at risk just to get at him again. "Offense is all well and good, but if it cannot dispatch your opponent quickly enough it leaves one open for return fire." And he closes the distance again but rather than take another fully offensive action he snaps out a quick jab while keeping himself protected!

Tigress just manages to get out of the way of his punch and then lashes out with her sharp claws, not holding back anymore, she has seen how fast he heals.

The claws catch him square, ripping through his wetsuit and even his skin is torn open but the tears are shallow, and the muscle beneath resists damage as before. His healing factor allows a little blood but nothing life threatening, no worse than a kitten scratch to a normal person, really... when it should have ripped him apart were he a lesser individual. The force of the strike sends him flying backwards as well and he hits the ground with a grunt, rolling to his feet as he slides to a stop. "A good hit." He says with a smile, the wound already healing as the skin starts repairing itself.

Tigress roars ferally and seems to almost laugh, enjoying herself. She doesn't give even a moment after her last strike and leaps through the air to land in front of him and slash again at him with her claws, trying to find purchase.

Riptide dodges that set of claws, the swipe missing and hitting where he used to be as he steps to the side and reaches out to try and lightly place hands on her shoulders. Not to grab, not this time, no he intends to pull her top half forwards and down as he plants his left foot to get /all/ his power behind the right knee that is going to drive up towards her midsection! "Be careful not to overextend." It's possible his words aren't even being heard but, he's still treating this as a friendly sparring section regardless of the damage that could have been done to him otherwise!

Tigress gets knocked back quite a bit this time and lands on her ass again. She glares and gets to her feet with a bout of agility and eyes him over there. She just beckons with her hand as she stands there.

Riptide chuckles as she gets back to her feet, "Your stamina is impressive." He considers what to do for half a moment, but only half a moment and then he decides to risk it. Breaking out in a sprint he closes the distance, knowing the tigress is ready he tries to beat her to the punch. He ducks down, moving to try and slam his shoulders into her midsection and then smash upwards with his arms to try and send her flying like a track wreck waiting to happen! Riptide grins on his way in, thinking, .oO (Lets see if she can strike with her flurry before I connect with my shoulders. Should be interesting!)

Tigress manages that block and has him right there in front of her, a little vulnerable from his attempt to take her out like that so she tries her frenzy again, claw, claw bite, trying to score with them all if possible and take him out.

Riptide is caught by surprise when the Tigress manages to block his attack and stop his momentum clearly, "Ha! Good!" He seems thrilled by her success, even though he pretty much expects her to unleash on him this time the Atlantean doesn't even try to get out of the way and he is caught flush by all three strikes of the felines fury. In the end he is flung some distance away like a ragdoll and hits the ground. Rolling to a stop prone. He shakes his head with a chuckle and tries to flip to his feet quickly but it ends up being slow and purposeful instead of fast and nimble then jogs to a stop right in front of her. Apparently that hit took more out of him than he expected. "Very very good." His wetsuit and skin shows further signs of damage, more scratches and trickles of blood but the old ones have already faded leaving his skin unmarred and no sign of prior damage. Even the bruising fades from the most recent attack in a moment. He lifts a hand, grinning, "Come, let us continue. As you can see I am unharmed. You must do better." Is he crazy?

Tigress watches him come close like that and then decides to try and lay into him again. She takes a small step forward and lays into him with her frenzy of claws and teeth once more trying to find purchase in him.

Riptide avoids most of the frenzy this time, and the one that hits isn't enough to do any real damage to him though does drive a soft grunt from him with another rake of claws, another shredded piece of wetsuit and more cat scratches. He absorbs the impact without difficulty and then nods, "Very well, a slugfest it is." And he steps in to drive an elbow towards her midsection.

Tigress tries again with just her claws, really wanting to take him down but not seeing how she can, they both are pretty tough.

Riptide absorbs even more damage from the Tigress, if he didn't heal his skin would look like a mess of cat scratches at this point! As it is his wetsuit is getting pretty messed up but it's still hanging in there. Riptide gets flung back again and comes up on his feet before he charges forwards, attempting to drive his shoulder and arm into the tigress's midsection again. She has absorbed a lot of damage to, and that means really putting some 'oomph' into these hits when he can!

Riptide grunts as his shoulder slams into Tigress, the impact jarring him but not enough to stop him as he sends her flying through the air, actually somewhat surprised when she comes to a stop in front of him, he thought he'd have to double back. Instead he continues forwards and goes to try and finish the spar in deciding factor. Or at least make her give up due to bad positioning as he goes to hit her while she's still down. He doesn't ask for quarter though, expecting if she wishes to receive such a thing she'd say so. Instead it's on until it's over warrior against warrior!

Tigress comes a bit aware and holds up her claw and shakes her head, "Good fight, but am done." she says with a growl, not happy with it, but she knows when not to push it.

Riptide smiles, "You fought very well. There is nothing to be ashamed of." He straightens up from where he was prepared to continue pounding away but then reaches down in an attempt to clasp Tigress forearm of the clawed hand she's holding up and help pull her to her feet, if she lets him. It's entirely possible she could refuse his help and shake off the casual offered hand. His scratches heal up, leaving no trace of the combat behind except drying trickles of blood and his shredded wetsuit from where it was struck. "You are very tough, I would fight with you at my side or my back any day."

Tigress does take the hand and even as she does, her own injuries seem to heal almost as fast. "Same." she says, not really liking to talk in this form the teeth making it really hard to speak. She dips her head, "Get cleaned up I should." she moves to grab the robe.

Riptide nods, "Very well. I should acquire a new wetsuit as well." And he goes to head off and do just that leaving the workout room to those who remain.