[Nostalgia]

The soft tapping of small feet come from one of the hallways into the arena, an odd spiked white head appearing in the darkness first, four blue unblinking eyes looking out curiously over the arena. With a pep in their step the tiny vessel walked out into the arena, their red cloak fluttering slightly in the wind while the blue blob of slime on top of their head clung onto their horns to try and not fall off.

With one final tap the vessel stopped in the center, reaching under their cloak and pulling out a small wooden tablet, running their hand over it a couple of times before holding it up

Hello new friends! I would like to learn about you That is, to battle you and learn how you fight

The little blue vessel gave as much of a smile as one could without a mouth, shifting slightly in place as they eagerly searched for someone to accept their challenge.

---

Blue Vessel Health:150/150 Shield:50/50 Soul Points: 0/12 Status: Buffs: Cooldowns:

[Deleted]

Hat Kid stepped into the arena and approached the small cloaked figure, who seemed to be around her height. She had never seen them before, which made sense, considering they were apparently new to Li. This wouldn't really be considered a good thing to most, but they seemed pretty optimistic about it, and seemed to be looking for a good time.

"Hi! I'm Hat Kid! You wanna learn about how to fight, you say?" she asked. "Well, if you want, I could give you some practice. I have a lot of combat experience, actually. Mafia bosses, movie directors, living outhouses, you name it!"

She then paused to pull out her umbrella, her weapon of choice, out of hammerspace, and held it like a sword.

"So if you're okay with it, I'll teach you a bit about how things work here!" 

Hat Kid accepts the challenge!

Hat Kid
HP: 150/150
Cooldowns: None

[Nostalgia]

As hat kid steps up the Vessel becomes visibly excited, their eyes lighting up as they reach up and grab the blop off the top of their head, quickly running over to the side of the arena and setting it down, giving it a little pat on the head before coming back as Hat Kid came down, wiping their hand over the tablet again before holding it up.

Oh, don't misunderstand I know how to fight, but I love meeting new people! I am excited to learn how YOU fight

The vessel tucked the tablet back into their cloak, giving one more little smile before grabbing the end of their needle, seemingly taking a couple of deep breaths before suddenly dashing directly towards Hat Kid!

In mid air the vessel's wings suddenly became enveloped in blue slime, their holes somewhat repaired as their body goes horizontal, quickly flying through the air in a circle around hat Kid.(Lifeblood wings, +2 to dex and cha mods for 2 turns)

With a flick of their wrist their needle flies out of their hand towards the other challenger, whistling through the air before being pulled back and being thrown twice more in a quick flurry. (Targets Dex, 8% damage if hit)
3BENX7vRp_1d20+6
p_1d20+6
p_1d20+6
As they throw the needle the final time, they dont pull it back, instead continuing to fly in a circle as hat kid finds a thin thread starting to wrap around her! (Targets dex, 5% damage if hit, 100% chance of Slowed(DEX STAT is halved) if hit)
p_1d20+6

---

Blue Vessel Health:150/150 ||||||||||||||| Shield:50/50 Soul Points: 0/12 Status: Excited! Buffs: LifeBlood Cooldowns:

1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6

[Deleted]

"How I fight?" Hat Kid asked. She had apparently misinterpreted the intentions of the figure's request. "Well, there's not much to my fighting style. I just hit things with my umbrella and use my special hats, for the most part." She then realized that she was taking up too much of their time by explaining herself. Besides, it'd be better if they both went into this battle mostly blind. Figuratively, of course, but that went without saying.

In a swift motion the figure took flight, moving at a speed that was hard for Hat Kid to track. This would logically make avoiding their attacks that much harder to do.

yR|ZZdjNp_1d20+1(It's a tie, so the first strike hits)

The first strike of many came quick, to the point that Hat Kid's attempt at ducking out of the way only led to her being nicked badly on the shoulder. It was likely that the rest of the strikes would be just as fast, or even faster. Hat Kid decided she had no choice but to block them.

Bubble Shield Activated!

50-10 activation penalty-8-8-5= 19% left

The first string of attacks left Hat Kid with a minor stab wound and a battered shield. This wasn't the most ideal circumstance, but it seemed like she could turn it around. For that, she jumped up and tried to collide with him in the air.

p_1d20+4(Homing Attack: 14% damage, once per turn)

This wasn't the last thing she planned to do, though. As soon as she touched the ground again, she began making short leaps, attempting to bat him out of the sky.

p_1d20+2

p_1d20+2

p_1d20+2(Umbrella Smack: 8% damage each)

She then followed this up with a larger leap, trying to get on top of the flying Vessel. At the highest point of her jump, she suddenly turned into a statue made out of some sort of ice, before zooming downwards.

p_1d20+2(Ice Hat: 12% Damage, 50% chance to stun, 2 turn cooldown)

Hat Kid
HP: 142/150
Shield: 19/50
Cooldowns:
Homing Attack: 1
Ice Hat: 21d20+1·1d20+4·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20+2

[Nostalgia]

The Vessel's eyes lit up as they hit their first attack, their excitement quickly stiffled as Hat Kid blocks the rest, pulling their needle back to them.

L_SmW5Gbp_1d20+6 As hat kid suddenly lept up towards them they spun aside, narrowly avoiding a mid-air collision.
p_1d20+6 The first swipe with the umbrella was deftly avoided, the blue vessel flapping their wings to suddenly come to a stop.

The second swipe the vessel didn't see coming, not having enough time to dodge as they quickly brought up their nail to clash against it (Bubble sheild -8%+10, 32% now)

p_1d20+6 With the opening from their shield they were able to anticipate the next, quickly dashing out of the way of the third strike.
p_1d20+6 The Blue Vessel kept their eyes on Hat Kid, watching as they lept up into the air, being caught slightly by surprise but managing to roll out of the way, dropping their nail in the process.

---

As Hat Kid slammed into the ground where the blue vessel just was they quickly begin to fly erratically, with Hat Kid between them and their needle as the thin thread started to try and wind around them once again (Targets dex, 5% damage if hit, 100% chance of Slowed(DEX STAT is halved) if hit)
p_1d20+6 (Critical!)
p_1d20+6 (Crit confirm)

Immediately after trying to wind hatkid up they fly around in a circle around them, snatching up their nail again and letting the thread fall away, a new thread reattaching leaving the old one to keep hat kid tied up.

Not wanting to mess with what seemed to be working, the vessel turns and throws out their nail once again in a quick flurry (Targets dex, 8% damage on hit)
p_1d20+6 (Critical!)
p_1d20+6 (Crit confirm)
p_1d20+6
p_1d20+6

As they pulled the needle back one more time they paused in the air, winding up for a more powerful throw! (Targets dex, 12% damage if hit, 30% chance for "bleeding", dealing 4 damage per turn. time it lasts depends on Con roll)
p_1d20+6
p_1d100 (Attack will cause bleeding if it hits)

---

Blue Vessel Health:150/150 ||||||||||||||| Shield:42/50 Soul Points: 1/12 Status: Pumped! Buffs: LB wings (last turn) Cooldowns:

1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d100

[Deleted]

D1_nZve5p_1d20+1(Hat Kid's attempt to avoid the crit confirm: Success!)

The Vessel was too fast! Hat Kid just couldn't get a good hit in. This was only made worse by the Vessel's thread attack, which tangled her up badly.

p_1d20-2(Avoiding crit confirm: Success)

p_1d20-2(Success)

p_1d20-2(Success)

p_1d20-2(Dodge attempt: A futile effort)

p_1d20(Con roll: 7 Turns of bleeding)

Great... this wasn't really appreciated. Not only was she tied up, but now she was badly wounded. What was even worse was that the Blue Vessel was still going strong. Hat Kid didn't know if she could keep up at this rate. They were just too fast.

Before Vessel could retreat after the last wounding strike, Hat Kid attempted to swat him yet again.

p_1d20+2

p_1d20+2

p_1d20+2(8% each)

She then jumped into the air again, before homing in on her slippery opponent.

p_1d20+4(Homing Attack again: 14%)

Hat Kid still wasn't satisfied. While the Vessel was still airborne, her attacks had a much lower chance of actually connecting. Come to think of it, the Vessel seemed to be faster than her even without the wings. She had to stop him from getting away. For that, she reached out to them, still in mid-flight, and attempted to grab them.

p_1d20+2(Grapple attempt)

Hat Kid
HP: 121/150
Shield: 24/50
Status: Slowed for 3 turns, bleeding for 7
Cooldowns:
Homing Attack: 1
Ice Hat: 1

1d20+1·1d20-2·1d20-2·1d20-2·1d20-2·1d20·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20+4·1d20+2

[Nostalgia]

The Blue Vessel was flying around with visible anticipation, their heart racing from the thrill of their first battle. Their wings suddenly gave out, the blue gel dissipating away (LB wings have worn off, 2 rounds cooldown).
zXX|piQYp_1d20+4
p_1d20+4
p_1d20+4
Hat Kid's first two attacks were dodged with apparent ease, the vessel's confidence getting the best of them as the third swipe smacks them cleanly in the head (8% damage, 142 health left)

Knocked into a daze the vessel didn't dodge Hat Kid's homing attack, panicing and blocking with their nail once again. (14% damage to shields+activation, 8% shield remaining)

p_1d20+4
The vessel just barely was able to dodge away from Hat Kid's grapple, quickly trying to make up some distance once again before 

---

The Blue Vessel had steadily growing confidence, throwing out their needle for one quick jab (Target Dex, 8% damage if hit)
p_1d20+4
Oddly though, the vessel didn't continue their long range, now landlocked once again they ran directly towards Hat Kid! As soon as they were close enough they began swiping with their blade in 3 quick slashes (Target Dex, 8% damage if hit)
p_1d20-1
p_1d20-1
p_1d20-1
After the flurry the Vessel gripped their needle in both hands, blue slime quickly leaking from their arms and covering the blade as they slash! (Target Dex, 14% damage if hit, 20% chance to cause poison, 4% damage per turn, duration determined by con roll)
p_1d20-1
p_1d100 (Will not cause poison if it hits)

---

Blue Vessel Health:142/150 |||||||||||||| Shield:8/50 Soul Points: 3/12 Status: Buffs: LB wings 2 turns Cooldowns:

1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+4·1d20-1·1d20-1·1d20-1·1d20-1·1d100

[Deleted]

4TAZlzcxp_1d20-2(Fail)

p_1d20-2(Success)

p_1d20-2(Fail)

p_1d20-2(Fail)

p_1d20-2(Fail)

Dodging was, for the most part, a futile effort. Each blow only left Hat Kid in a worse condition than before, and her movements were still greatly impeded by the thread she was wrapped in. At this point, she was hurt badly, and couldn't help but pout like a petulant...well, child.

"Alright, that does it!" Hat Kid pulled out a new hat, black, with what looked to be a green visor. Putting it on, her movements seemed to speed up drastically, but don't be fooled. Time was simply slowing down. She took this opportunity to attack yet again, with yet another wave of umbrella swings.

p_1d20+5

p_1d20+5

p_1d20+5(8% each)

No good, they were too slippery, even now. Luckily, Hat Kid knew just what she could use to stop them in their tracks. She jumped up, almost in a blur, and came crashing down.

p_1d20+5(Ice Hat again. 12% damage, 50% chance to stun)

p_1d100(It will not stun)


Hat Kid
79/150
Shield: 29/50
Status: Slowed for 2 turns, bleeding for 6
Cooldowns: 
Ice Hat: 2
TimeStop Hat: 31d20-2·1d20-2·1d20-2·1d20-2·1d20-2·1d20+5·1d20+5·1d20+5·1d20+5·1d100

[Nostalgia]

As time began to slow the Vessel's eyes dilated a bit, glancing around curiously with obvious interest, glancing down at their body occationally as it moved more slowly than it should have. As hat kid went to strike them they focused back onto the fight, an excited light still in their eyes at what seemed to be a sudden burst of speed from Hat Kid, delighting in experiencing the odd ability.
56P_p7KXp_1d20+4(Dodge)
p_1d20+4(Hit)
p_1d20+4(Dodge)
Nevertheless, the Vessel moved smoothly, managing to cleanly lean out of the way of the first strike. The second strike however was simply too fast for them to react to, taking the blow (8% damage). Using the added momentum of the strike they barely managed to twist their body out of the way of the third swipe.
p_1d20+4
Try as they might, scrounging up every bit of speed they could was not enough to dodge Hat Kid crashing down on top of them, dealing a heavy blow to the vessel (12% damage, 20% total)

---

As time returned once again the Vessel tried to open some distance, scrambling quickly away once time started to return to normal, looking over their shoulder as their cloak flutters behind them, their needle shooting out multiple times to try and avoid persuit. (Dex target, 8% damage each)
p_1d20+4
p_1d20+4
p_1d20+4
As soon as the vessel thought they had enough distance they turned on the spot, using that momentum to throw out their needle with greater force (target dex, 12% damage if hit, no chance to apply bleeding because already bleeding)
p_1d20+4
Standing still for a moment the vessel's body started to glow, bright white surging through their dark body, gathering in their chest as their cape starts to flutter, their eyes turning white before they release it all in a great blast of soul energy ripping towards hat kid (targets dex, 20% damage if hit)
p_1d20+3

---

Blue Vessel Health:122/150 ||||||||||||| Shield:13/50 Soul Points: 3/12 Status: Enraptured! Buffs: Cooldowns:LB wings, 1 turn

1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+3

[Deleted]

uaRqB5rWp_1d20-2(Hit)

p_1d20-2(Hit)

p_1d20-2(Miss)

p_1d20-2(Hit)

p_1d20-2(Hit)

After time was brought back to normal speed, Blue Vessel began to counterattack, hitting Hat Kid just as hard and fast as they had previously. It got so bad that Hat Kid tried to run away from the danger zone when BV began charging up something. Unfortunately, she wasn't fast enough, and was hit with a blast of energy that left her dazed.  

"That was something," she commented. Her opponent seemed to have some tricks up their sleeves, and they hadn't even needed it in the first place. Maybe she wasn't cut out for this fight...

"Man, you really are tough. Maybe more than I am, even. I have half a mind to throw in the towel now, but where's the fun in that, huh?"

Hat Kid wasn't interested in being seen as a spoilsport. She figured if she was going down, she'd keep giving it her all. She ran back towards her opponent, slowed down some by her bindings, and literally flew back into action.

p_1d20+4(Homing Attack: 14%)

Hat Kid then tried something new: she pointed her umbrella towards BV and gathered up some energy of her own. That energy was then let loose in the form of a giant laser!

p_1d20-2(Beam Attack: 21%)

Hat Kid then attempted to grapple BV again. The figure had gone a while without their wings, and Hat Kid didn't want them to start flying around again.


p_1d20+2(Grapple attempt)

Hat Kid
HP: 27/150
Shield: 34/50
Status: Last turn of slowed and bleeding for 5
Cooldowns:
Ice Hat: 1
Homing Attack: 1
Beam Attack: 2
TimeStop Hat: 21d20-2·1d20-2·1d20-2·1d20-2·1d20-2·1d20+4·1d20-2·1d20+2

[Nostalgia]

The Vessel stood for a moment in place, the white energy steadily dissipating from their body, faint white flickers of similar white light floating out of Hat Kid's knicks and cuts and towards the Vessel. They seemed proud of their attack, holding their head a bit higher as their cape stopped fluttering and came to rest around them.

The Vessel looked them over a couple of times, having a few moments of break in the battle giving them a bit of time to calm down as they listened to Hat Kid, reaching into their cloak and pulling out their tablet once again, running their hand over it and turning it to Hat Kid, their bright blue eyes shifting slightly into the best smile that could come from a face without a mouth and four eyes.

Thank you for the warm welcome to the Life Sphere
Thank you for the excitement of my first battle in this world
I hope we can do more together when this is done

The Vessel set their tablet away as Hat Kid started to charge again, grabbing their nail and standing firm.
irqnjfGFp_1d20+4
Right before Hat Kid slammed into the vessel they rolled to the side, their cloak fluttering as they kept their eyes on Hat Kid.
p_1d20+4
Once again enraptured in curiosity the bug watched Hat Kid charge up their umbrella, shifting constantly with excitement before quickly sidestepping out of the way of the laser, following it with their eyes in amazement and fascination.
p_1d20+4
That proved to be enough for Hat Kid to succeed in their grapple, the distracted Vessel realizing too late that Hat Kid was close enough to grab them, the bug flailing a bit in her grip.

---

Held tightly in Hat Kid's grasp, the Vessel didn't even try to escape, instead focusing their efforts on finishing the fight. Their needle was enveloped once again in blue ooze, trying to slash behind them (14% if hit, 20% chance of poison)
(Attacks cannot be dodged while grappling)p_1d20-1
p_1d100(poison if 20 or under)
After the large slash their body began to glow once again, their cold body suddenly starting to heat up as streaks of white zip through the air around them, another great buildup leading to another massive force exploding from them (Targets Dex, 20% damage if hit)
p_1d20+4
As the glow dissipated they were already winding up for another slash with their needle, doing their best to jab it behind them despite the awkward position (14% if hit, 20% chance to poison)
p_1d20-1
p_1d100(Poison if at or below 20%)

---

Blue Vessel Health:122/150 ||||||||||||| Shield:18/50 Soul Points: 2/12 Status: Hugged! Buffs: None Cooldowns: None

1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20-1·1d100·1d20+3·1d20-1·1d100

[Deleted]

Hat Kid successfully grabbed her opponent, which was a relief at first, as that meant that they couldn't get away. Unfortunately, neither could she. Thus, BV was able to get the first few hits in on her. This may have been a bad idea.

Bubble Shield Activated.


(34-10-14-20=-10)

(14% damage received. Hat Kid is now at 3%)

Hat Kid had been saving her shield's durability for this, and it paid off at first, but a second blast took it out completely, which left her wide open. Taking one final jab, Hat Kid gave out a grunt of pain, and looked Blue Vessel right in the eyes (More specifically, the larger pair of eyes). As she did, the thread that had caused her so much trouble finally fell to the ground.

"I got you now! No way you can get away from me! It's time for me to-"

Drip...Drip...

Hat Kid paused and looked down. The wound that had been bleeding slowly throughout the match was still there. She didn't mind it at first, but being so weakened, she couldn't ignore it. She felt the last of her strength slip away.

"...Aw, man..."

Blue Vessel could feel Hat Kid's grip on them loosen as she stumbled back and fell.

(3%-4% bleed damage= -1%. Hat Kid is down.)

[Nostalgia]

As Hat kid's grip slowly loosened The Vessel started to relax, letting their nail slip out of their hand  as they slipped out of the hold, watching Hat Kid fall. The Vessel glanced around for a few moments a bit uncertainly.

After some hesitation the Vessel kneeled down beside hat kid, reaching out and resting their hand over the bleeding wound. Their body began to glow again as blue gel seeped from them and covered the wound. Instead of a blast however, the energy moved through their arm and into Hat Kid.

KxfHsGkap_1d10+3 hit points restored.

With that the Vessel grabbed their nail and put it over their back before grabbing Hat Kid, trying their best to carry them as they went to find somewhere to get them patched up from their wonderful first battle in a strange new world.

Blue Vessel has left the arena.

---

Grunge Match complete:
11 thunder tokens to Vessel
5 thunder tokens to Hat Kid
1d10+3

[Deleted]

Hat Kid got up slowly. She had apparently passed out from her injuries. Her opponent must've healed them up for her, because they were mostly gone. She was still worn out from the fighting, though.

Man, she thought, where did I go wrong in that fight? Thinking back, her first mistake was most likely shielding BV's first attacks. This gave her the opportunity to get an early lead, but it weakened the shield to the point where it was nearly unusable when she needed it the most, mainly against that thread attack. Speaking of the thread attack, though, that seemed like a pretty powerful ability to have in a 1v1 fight. Vessel seemed almost like they were made for the Arena. Hat Kid, though? She was never really one to go out and fight for an audience. She was better at going out and exploring, and that was fine with her. 

Hat Kid dusted herself off and left the Arena, wishing Vessel luck in the future. Though, given how one-sided their fight seemed to be, Vessel probably didn't need it.

End of Presence