Orion—a glittering tomb, an absolute jewel of a cave to tourists ignorant of the dead hidden amongst the rubble. More often than not, he whiled in silence here, cautious of sound's allure. He avoided the roving bands of mimics, distrusted words echoed in the darkness, and perched where the ground spoke only of life long expired. Time passed slow without event to mark its passage; no longer. The scream heard around the cave made certain of that, an awful sound that rattled bones and startled birds to full alertness.
It also could've been the cause of the ringing in his head and the faint buzz that flowed through every inch of him as he descended into the stands. Due to a lapse of judgment, having turned away from most other offerings of sustenance, the fault might've also lay with the small wooden cup strung round his neck. Upon landing, his talons skritched over stone. Wings outstretched, he teetered in place, and the cup's contents sloshed. The curious aroma that'd attracted him to this particular beverage wafted into his face then, and unsteadily, East settled himself down to spectate this "deathmatch".
Faculties impaired, concerns were slow to churn. But they did nonetheless, born from instinct that stood crest feathers on end. These matches weren't named in a cute attempt to sound fierce, and by the surrounding bays and howls for blood, the sand below would soon be stained to the mob's delight. Life had come to Orion, but at a cost he'd now witness.
Diot had arrived fairly early, he was so small that perhaps he was overlooked but that didn't matter as he wasn't a participant but rather a medic for this unusual but no doubt popular event. It seemed many gembounds wanted to fight, and what better way than in a controlled environment with the aid of multiple medics on standby. Granted he didn't quite appreciate the whole, fight to the death notion. But knowing a few faces in the crowd and some signups he was certain there weren't going to be any deaths-at least not...immediately.
Hopefully, everybody knew what they were getting themselves into, and he did like the fact that one could simply forfeit. There was no harm in that and for that he was thankful.
Still, he hopped about offering aid to any of the other medics who were scattered about. He liked how some were close to the action and others a bit away, as to offer privacy and a more calming and relaxed place. Diot would make a note to hop from place to place, stand to stand to offer his bundle of services to all in need and to all who asked. For a moment though he stopped in the crowd, emerald eyes flickering around to try and find the body of a voice that he- he swore he had just heard...
No, he wouldn't be here. It was far too risky for them. With a few moments he hummed and carried on with his preparations, the fights were so close to starting and there were still more tasks that needed doing!
Adenium, like several other members of her family, found herself at the site of the Deathmatch. Really, she was here because her family was here. She'd heard Hunter was going to participate, after all! Honestly, she wasn't sure how she felt about a deathmatch. Seem like it'd be pretty murder-y. But the 'music' was so loud, the lights and special effects so bright, that she was more dazzled than suspicious.
Adenium had procured a blue cotton candy (the pink one was very close in shade to her own hair, which felt wrong to eat somehow) and a bag of popcorn from the concession stand, and was now searching for a seat through the crowds of gembound, 'earthly' and 'monstrous' alike. Occasionally she'd take a bite of the cotton candy as she walked. It was the sweetest thing she'd ever tasted! Even sweeter than the fruits and berries she picked in Eridanus.
As she picked her way through the crowd, she spotted a familiar face (or rather, familiar back of head.)
Vanyel? But who was that next to him?
As she moved within earshot, she caught snippets of their conversation. Saw the way they were sitting next to eachother.
Wait.. they weren't.. were they?
Oh my gosh, they definitely were.
Grinning a mischievous grin that could only mean problems were about to be caused (on purpose) Moving with a quickened pace, she'd settle. in a seat a row or so behind the pair.
She leaned forward slightly, tail waving behind her. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend, Vanyel." She giggled, the inside of her mouth stained bluish-purple from the cotton candy.
@Vanyel @Barnabus
(addressing effluvium, vedette a little, maximus)
- THE LEVIATHAN -
Vargas glanced with interest at Effluvium. He'd planned to offer the shambling meat pile a place among the Forge when it hatched, but he and Sentinel--still recovering from its wounds--had both missed its subsequent hatching and departure. It seemed his changes had worked, however, and he grunted to it. "You! -You left Draco before I could speak with you. If you survive the Deathmatch, you should consider joining us among the Forge!" Would it? Wouldn't it? He didn't know, but he'd put effort into the thing, now--it'd be foolish not to try. Anyway--"Nemean will pair you up if another contender arrives!"
Vedette's remarks earned only a quizzical side-eye, and she was quickly forgotten. She probably thought she was being clever, offering something that could be taken as either insult or compliment, but it was clearly neither and the end result was a nonsensical yell. He ignored it as uninteresting.
As for Maximus-? Vargas glanced at it sidelong, with disgust that thankfully did not show past his rigid face. "I will 'cheer' if someone earns it. In the Deathmatch, we cheer for blood." Honestly, if someone killed Maximus, Vargas wouldn't have felt particularly bad. It'd be an annoyance off his back. Would he have felt a little bad? Maybe; there'd probably be a lot to unpack, there, if it weren't smothered by Maximus's more recent failings. Those had drawn a curtain of irritation over anything else there might have been, so that Vargas just sort of wanted nothing to do with his simpering spawn.
Maybe it would die, and he'd get to use the stone for something better, and finally have the space and air and time to think about his "feelings" or whatever.
Ugh.
"I WILL BE ONE OF YOUR JUDGES FOR THE DAY," he bellowed out over those signing up--as he made his way back up into the stands. "FIGHT WELL, FIGHT BLOODY, AND DIE FIGHTING OR WIN KILLING! -BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD!"
Hestia was here, and looking quite different from just a cycle ago- well...more or less. She had triumphantly helped Master Farina alongside an entire group of allies and was even rewarded for her bravery. She was able to pulse colors at will now, a plethora of hues at her command! Never mind she actually had hands now too! Or well, sort of! Two claw appendages, not too large but not too small; just the right size to aid her in her work and day-to-day activities. And! She had made it here on time, thankfully, to assist this event with the egregious need of healers! Also, her mother was here and Hestia was not going to miss out on this!
She couldn't wait to see her mother absolutely crush the competition! Hestia would be cheering her on with all her might! Like a neon display to show her support! Her mother was the very best of course, nobody stood a chance! They were all in her way, and her mother would simply trample them into dust! Easy!
Still, she aimed to get a small area ready for those who needed it. And luckily for her, a small tiny primate had helped her find the perfect spot! She was fairly close to watch the fights but it was also a spot all her own! She could even wander closer when it would be her mother's turn for that perfect cheer! Now as she needed to do was wait, and offer assistance to anyone who may be in need of it- though the small primate Diot seemed to have her beat there.