Vusala shakes the hand of the Reaper, and her vision becomes obscured by a blue light.  When it fades, the world materialized around her is of a beach.  She takes a moment to breath in the air and feel the sand under her feet, getting a feel for the grain.  It's a nice enough place.. not the arena she was hoping for, but certainly nice enough.  The Reaper, on the other hand, seems to be all business.  He draws his sword menancingly and prepares for battle, radiating a grim energy that only true spiritual servants of death can give off.  The effect shakes her.<br/><br/>(Vusala spends 4 points of [Tactics] to boost [Will 4] to [Will 8].)<br/>(The 3 column shifts on the roll of 18 calculate the damage her [total resistance] to 3.)<br/><br/>Vusala stares at the Reaper, and then sighs, removing her jacket to reveal the open back top she habitually wears.  "Before we begin, I guess you should know that my culture actually has a moral taboo against fighting your kind.  I've brokered a few deals with other Reapers before, even some that called themselves Shinigami.  They're interesting folk.  And fun trading partners.  So, I'd like you to know that I consider this chance to actually fight you an honor.  And as such, I won't have time to play at being human."<br/><br/>Vusala has a deal in mind.  But no one is going to agree to such terms while they are intimidating her in such a way.  She spreads her arms, and the air around her begins to ripple, her arm muscles flexing and her veins beginning to glow bright red, almost as if magma inside of her is bursting at her flesh.  They brighten into a full and bright red quickly, the veins appearing in her neck and shoulders.  Her knees bend into a fighting stance slowly, and then she strikes the sand with one of her now glowing arms.  The bright red glow seems to launch itself into the ground, and the Reaper is suddenly aware of a foreboding silence in the air.<br/><br/>The heat around her body continues to build as she settles into a close combat fighting form.  The ground begins to rumble slightly, as Vusala dashes forward.  Her foot speed is impressive, especially for someone running on sand.  She is nearly in striking range when she stomps the sand and jumps backward a few feet.  In the place her foot struck, a spasm of flame erupts.<br/><br/>A geyser of fire explodes from the ground, sending sand bursting into a cloud, and launching a column of fire directly at the Shinigami.  Vusala flips, lands, and begins to use the effect to obfuscate herself.  Reapers may be able to detect the living, but a little feeling of security is a good purchase when fighting death.<br/><br/>(Vusala adds 2 [Tactics] to boost [Influence 5] to [Influence 7])<br/>(Vusala rolls Use Magick Blasting Columns of Azerbaijan on Danzo!  Result #######)<br/>(According to the Action Table, I needed ### to hit!  With a roll of ### I have ### columns shifts!)<br/>(Tactic Points on Opposition Pending)<br/>(Are there rules on terrain obfuscation, I wonder?  If not, oh well!)<br/><br/>Action        Power         Resistances<br/>Physical     Reflx   8         Str      6        End  4<br/>Magical      Inflnc  5         Mana  7        Spir  3<br/>Seduction  Chrm  2         Pass   6        Will   4<br/><br/>Initiative     15<br/>Tactics<del>19</del><del>15</del>13<br/>Total Res<del>11</del>8