3rd of Summer, 515 AV
Synaset
"Give it up for The Grinder!"
A round of applause, cursing, and wild howls of rowdy spectators erupted throughout the left side of Tall Johnny's booming establishment. Below the amphitheater they reigned within, a mountain of a man cast a shadow over the figure laying face down in the hard-packed arena dirt. One of the casino employees lifted one of the victor's menacing fists up toward the sky to please the ravenous crowd that surrounded them. The calls of praise increased in volume until their exuberance became almost deafening. Splats of blood appeared here and there throughout the enclosure, remnants of a battle hard-won and brutal to the broken bone. A few ticks passed before The Grinder's fist dropped back to his sore side and he trudged mightily from his battlefield. Two other men jogged into the cage and carefully slung the moaning, grounded victim over their shoulders. A trail of crimson followed the unconscious individual as he was hauled away. More of Tall Johnny's employees scattered themselves throughout the stands to deliver rewards for those who had made winning wagers. Another hustled from the crowd after The Grinder, presumably to ensure he was paid what he had earned. Then everything was reset again. The cycle would again repeat.
You've been here. Several times, actually, the woman coached herself within the confines of her own head. She paced in the darkness that concealed her before the mouth of the cage. Outside she could hear the exchange of bodies, wounded wallets leaving so fresher ones could take their place. You've just gotta keep your wits about you, use your head. Be smarter than your target and trust your body and instincts to know what to do. Use the cage. It was uncomfortable to feel the lack of weight upon her body. Gladius, kukris, knives, all were stripped from her person. Not even her bladed boots were allowed to remain on her feet. If nothing else, she had to admit the cage officials sure knew how to spot concealed weapons when they were around. Don't make a scene. Just do what you came to do and be done with it. No strings attached. Just blood. Foot prints marked her pacing at the entrance. Then it suddenly stopped, the Myrian twisting around impatiently.
"When will we start again?" Kaie asked of the dark figure leaned carelessly against one of the walls nearby. A plume of smoke erupted from his lips and framed his face. "Won't be long now. The boys are just looking for a proper match is all. You wanted the money match and, as promised, we're setting it up for you. The trick is just finding another stupid, sodding bastard to agree to it." A stern nod was all his answer earned from the woman. Kaie tore away from him, resumed her pacing. He eyed her with a certain, dark amusement. "Don't look so grim, Myrian." Outside there was a mumble of voices. Bodies were shoving through the crowds again. Before long there was a booming voice that conquered the noise pollution that engulfed most of Johnny's establishment. "Who's ready for a RUMBLE?!" Kaie and the mysterious man found themselves oddly mesmerized for a tick over the commanding tug of the speaker. They weren't the only ones. The new crowd turned its ravenous head to shout affirmations. "Well. Looks like you got your answer. Hope you're ready," the mysterious figure in her midst laughed in a raspy tone. He took another puff on his cigar. Outside the speaker began to take full control of the crowd's attention. "We've got something special for you lot before we shut the cage down for the evening! Get your coins ready!" The smoking man flashed her a grin and shoved himself away from the wall. Kaie squared herself to the entrance to the cage. The voice outside grew louder and the spectators more excited with anticipation. "Returning to bash some skulls comes a vicious, brutal savage straight from the jungles that haunt your nightmares. A killer, a cannibal, a Myrian...The Tigress!"
Kaie's amber stare found her smoky usher, whose grin turned mischievous with a shrug. "I took a few liberties," was all he cared to explain before he gestured her forward while her contender was announced. Blindsided by the awarded title she'd been given for the sake of intrigue when it came down to betting, she didn't even catch what was said about her opponent. It wasn't like it mattered anyway. Feet stepped forward along the packed dirt. Soon enough she was encircled by brighter lights and the crowded amphitheater. No one cared enough to kick away the blood that still speckled the ring. Bronze fingers clenched and relieved themselves from tight fists. Her gaze turned hard and her expression one that leaned toward unrelenting. This time she cared not to make a spectacle of herself. There was no wild chanting in her Myrian tongue to guarantee support and interest. No banging on her chest or ferocious, angry gestures. She merely stood there in menacing silence in all her savage glory, loincloth and all, and waited for her opponent to emerge.
"It's a battle to the death!"
Synaset
"Give it up for The Grinder!"
A round of applause, cursing, and wild howls of rowdy spectators erupted throughout the left side of Tall Johnny's booming establishment. Below the amphitheater they reigned within, a mountain of a man cast a shadow over the figure laying face down in the hard-packed arena dirt. One of the casino employees lifted one of the victor's menacing fists up toward the sky to please the ravenous crowd that surrounded them. The calls of praise increased in volume until their exuberance became almost deafening. Splats of blood appeared here and there throughout the enclosure, remnants of a battle hard-won and brutal to the broken bone. A few ticks passed before The Grinder's fist dropped back to his sore side and he trudged mightily from his battlefield. Two other men jogged into the cage and carefully slung the moaning, grounded victim over their shoulders. A trail of crimson followed the unconscious individual as he was hauled away. More of Tall Johnny's employees scattered themselves throughout the stands to deliver rewards for those who had made winning wagers. Another hustled from the crowd after The Grinder, presumably to ensure he was paid what he had earned. Then everything was reset again. The cycle would again repeat.
You've been here. Several times, actually, the woman coached herself within the confines of her own head. She paced in the darkness that concealed her before the mouth of the cage. Outside she could hear the exchange of bodies, wounded wallets leaving so fresher ones could take their place. You've just gotta keep your wits about you, use your head. Be smarter than your target and trust your body and instincts to know what to do. Use the cage. It was uncomfortable to feel the lack of weight upon her body. Gladius, kukris, knives, all were stripped from her person. Not even her bladed boots were allowed to remain on her feet. If nothing else, she had to admit the cage officials sure knew how to spot concealed weapons when they were around. Don't make a scene. Just do what you came to do and be done with it. No strings attached. Just blood. Foot prints marked her pacing at the entrance. Then it suddenly stopped, the Myrian twisting around impatiently.
"When will we start again?" Kaie asked of the dark figure leaned carelessly against one of the walls nearby. A plume of smoke erupted from his lips and framed his face. "Won't be long now. The boys are just looking for a proper match is all. You wanted the money match and, as promised, we're setting it up for you. The trick is just finding another stupid, sodding bastard to agree to it." A stern nod was all his answer earned from the woman. Kaie tore away from him, resumed her pacing. He eyed her with a certain, dark amusement. "Don't look so grim, Myrian." Outside there was a mumble of voices. Bodies were shoving through the crowds again. Before long there was a booming voice that conquered the noise pollution that engulfed most of Johnny's establishment. "Who's ready for a RUMBLE?!" Kaie and the mysterious man found themselves oddly mesmerized for a tick over the commanding tug of the speaker. They weren't the only ones. The new crowd turned its ravenous head to shout affirmations. "Well. Looks like you got your answer. Hope you're ready," the mysterious figure in her midst laughed in a raspy tone. He took another puff on his cigar. Outside the speaker began to take full control of the crowd's attention. "We've got something special for you lot before we shut the cage down for the evening! Get your coins ready!" The smoking man flashed her a grin and shoved himself away from the wall. Kaie squared herself to the entrance to the cage. The voice outside grew louder and the spectators more excited with anticipation. "Returning to bash some skulls comes a vicious, brutal savage straight from the jungles that haunt your nightmares. A killer, a cannibal, a Myrian...The Tigress!"
Kaie's amber stare found her smoky usher, whose grin turned mischievous with a shrug. "I took a few liberties," was all he cared to explain before he gestured her forward while her contender was announced. Blindsided by the awarded title she'd been given for the sake of intrigue when it came down to betting, she didn't even catch what was said about her opponent. It wasn't like it mattered anyway. Feet stepped forward along the packed dirt. Soon enough she was encircled by brighter lights and the crowded amphitheater. No one cared enough to kick away the blood that still speckled the ring. Bronze fingers clenched and relieved themselves from tight fists. Her gaze turned hard and her expression one that leaned toward unrelenting. This time she cared not to make a spectacle of herself. There was no wild chanting in her Myrian tongue to guarantee support and interest. No banging on her chest or ferocious, angry gestures. She merely stood there in menacing silence in all her savage glory, loincloth and all, and waited for her opponent to emerge.
"It's a battle to the death!"