ORIGIN

Throughout the forum a building anticipation resonated. First conceived as a hushed silence, countless eyes fixated on the circular stage below, it began to slowly transition into the realm of sound. From one end of the arena, there came a steady drumbeat, swiftly picked up by the other side. Then the stomp of feet on stone arrived as a layer on top, accompanied by rhythmic claps that filled the spaces between them. As a singular entity, the crowd thrummed, the pulsing heart of an enormous beast. It patiently awaited the next pair of competitors to roar approval or dismay over.

Miriam made no attempts to disguise her appreciation of the noise as she slithered her way to the center. Her body swayed along to its relentless assault, golden and bronze scales gleaming wherever the lights overhead caught them. Draped over one shoulder was the distinct dark shape of the Kyte chosen to serve as her familiar, a living cape whose clawed wings helped him to remain clung fast to his master. Once she neared the stage, her arm raised in a dramatic gesture toward it, and the Lesser followed the given cue. He glided down to his designated square and settled into position with nary a growl or indignant snap.

A carefully executed smile, foremost fangs only, emerged upon the sight. She clasped her paws together, a delighted giggle falling past lips.

"Lovely, Claude. Just wonderful," she cooed. "Oh, Raiden? Come over here if you would, dear. It's time to start our bout."

Such a sweet, concerned child. Someone out there must be proud of his valiance. If only Miriam had the patience for the delays an innocent and caring mind tended to cause in their attempts to ensure their beloved vermin of choice avoided harm.

What would be the point in having her Kyte devour his opponent before a proper fight could even be underway? Comedic effect through subversion of expectations? Surely not, since any imbecile understood a moment like that was natural fulfillment of the established food chain. But, understanding what little help venting her frustrations aloud would do for her crafted image, she didn't say as much. Instead syrupy sweetness dripped from her next words, applied generously for maximum impact.

"Oh, that'd be silly! Where would be the fun in all of that?" As she inquired this rhetorically of Raiden, not once did the smile slip from her face. Her head tipped playfully sideways. "You wouldn't do something so nasty, would you, Claude?"

A claw stroked at her Lesser's neck while a demand of absolute obedience was conveyed to him. Should he step out of line and fall prey to his instincts for the sake of an easy meal, there'd be more than the anguished cries of a young Gembound to answer to. Although not much of an actor, courtesy of reptilian features lacking significant expressiveness, to his credit Claude didn't flinch upon receiving a dose of behavior-enforcing menace. He merely flexed wings, appearing for the most part sullen and docile.

Despite best efforts, fingers twitched and gave away building annoyance as she wasted time on pleasantries over developing a spectacle worthy of applause. What a remarkable ability speeding past tedious conversations would be. A shame she'd never encountered such a miraculous magic to claim knowledge of.