Ao Xian
Everyone Forgets the Tail Flick
Bastion
Round 2
Round 1 of the Imperial Tournament was over. As the arena was cleared out and everything reset, there was mixed conversation from the Emperor's box.
“No shows and late arrivals. Punctuation is the hallmark of a great Sith, they have much to learn.”
"We could use them as an example."
"That's what you always say."
"Yes. I also always mean it."
*****
“Another reason why I need to pay the Fetts more.”
"You could send a basket next time."
"Fruit?"
"Heavens no."
*****
“Excellent! Orion has proved himself worthy of the Emperor’s praise, may he go on to achieve much.”
"Very clean match."
"You sound disappointed."
"..... maybe a little."
****
“It pleases me to see Ara taking my lessons to heart, she fought with fierce determination against an entity that fought only to ridicule another. Plus, she finally used that spell I had taught her.”
"......"
"Your mouth is full isn't it?"
"Mrufl*cronch*"
****
“Like father, like daughter. Again I am reminded why Joycelyn is worthy to be the successor of Vornskr above all of my other children.”
"It was an excellent showing."
"Mhm, indeed."
"Oh, I meant the Sithspawn. The humans too though I suppose."
"Ao please."
****
“Vaylin fought well, but one cannot rely solely on the defensive. That is where she lacked, while Elani showed initiative and aggression. Hesitate too long and victory will slip through your fingers.”
"My least favorite match."
"Because no blood?"
A pause, then a petulant, "Yes."
****
“I will have to remind myself to gift the Golden Company a bonus next time the Empire hires them, their exceptionalism continues to astonish.”
"His head is very shiny isn't it?"
"..... yes. Yes it is."
****
“An interesting bout, more even than I would have imagined. Alas, victory was decided by the most microscopic of circumstances.”
"Every one should be like that match. We can't allow them to both advance?"
"Unfortunately no."
"A pity."
****
“I didn’t know what to expect from a talking bear in the arena, but I’m not totally surprised.”
"..... That was an actual entrant? I thought he was a plague. Like the kath hounds."
"Ao. Please."
****
“At least he didn’t blow the place up with wrist rockets.”
"That seems like a very low bar."
"You'd be surprised."
"We could use them as an example."
"That's what you always say."
"Yes. I also always mean it."
*****
“Another reason why I need to pay the Fetts more.”
"You could send a basket next time."
"Fruit?"
"Heavens no."
*****
“Excellent! Orion has proved himself worthy of the Emperor’s praise, may he go on to achieve much.”
"Very clean match."
"You sound disappointed."
"..... maybe a little."
****
“It pleases me to see Ara taking my lessons to heart, she fought with fierce determination against an entity that fought only to ridicule another. Plus, she finally used that spell I had taught her.”
"......"
"Your mouth is full isn't it?"
"Mrufl*cronch*"
****
“Like father, like daughter. Again I am reminded why Joycelyn is worthy to be the successor of Vornskr above all of my other children.”
"It was an excellent showing."
"Mhm, indeed."
"Oh, I meant the Sithspawn. The humans too though I suppose."
"Ao please."
****
“Vaylin fought well, but one cannot rely solely on the defensive. That is where she lacked, while Elani showed initiative and aggression. Hesitate too long and victory will slip through your fingers.”
"My least favorite match."
"Because no blood?"
A pause, then a petulant, "Yes."
****
“I will have to remind myself to gift the Golden Company a bonus next time the Empire hires them, their exceptionalism continues to astonish.”
"His head is very shiny isn't it?"
"..... yes. Yes it is."
****
“An interesting bout, more even than I would have imagined. Alas, victory was decided by the most microscopic of circumstances.”
"Every one should be like that match. We can't allow them to both advance?"
"Unfortunately no."
"A pity."
****
“I didn’t know what to expect from a talking bear in the arena, but I’m not totally surprised.”
"..... That was an actual entrant? I thought he was a plague. Like the kath hounds."
"Ao. Please."
****
“At least he didn’t blow the place up with wrist rockets.”
"That seems like a very low bar."
"You'd be surprised."
The winners and the next round match ups were announced an hour later. All of the combatants had been seen and treated by medics, but some wounds would require more time to heal. Some of them would go into their new matches sporting the marks of the previous.
[member="Orion Darkstar"] vs [member="Ignis Imura"] - HANDICAP! Trap doors are rigged under your ring. They will open and close at random intervals.
[member="Adrian Vandiir"] vs [member="Ara Zambrano"]
[member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] vs [member="Kazmai"] - HANDICAP! Both participants are injected with a hallucinogen (dosed appropriate to their size) just before the match.
[member="Rexus Wenck"] vs [member="Essar Ibis"]
[member="Koda Fett"] vs [member="Khonsu Amon"] - HANDICAP! Gravity weights have been applied to the wrists and ankles of both opponents. An internal inertial tumbler resets the amount of weight at random intervals.
[member="Sokar Azad"] vs [member="Elani Zambrano"] vs [member="Thyne"]
The sun was just past midday, starting to throw shadows. It could be used to the canny opponent's benefit. The sand was warm, and the crowds were intent. The events were now being overseen by a brain in a jar..... and Ao'Xian was drowsy and replete.