Even though Faelan was one of the judges, he had decided not to oversee this match. One of the contestants, Sebastian, was his friend, and he didn't feel like it was fair for him to have a say over it. He didn't tend to be unfair, but he'd want his friend to win, and not get hurt, so he'd probably show favoritism without even meaning to. Time soon showed his decision to be a wise one.
Even before the match started, when the wolf was just pacing around the ring waiting for Sebastian to enter, the lion had a strange feeling about her. There was an unsettling glint in her eyes. He tried to tell himself that he was just nervous for his friend, but the uneasy feeling Dezba gave him never really went away.
Much like Rift, the huge tawny lion watched most of the match tense and with his breath either held or coming out in gasps. His heart raced whenever Dezba pinned Sebastian down, and then soared whenever the puma kicked the wolf off. It seemed like the wolf was going to pin his friend again, but Sebastian was able to throw her off and then pin her down himself.
Faelan couldn't see the wolf's eyes anymore, but he noticed the way that Sebastian slunk off of her as the match was called. Cheers erupted all around him as Sebastian was named the winner, and he half-heartedly added his voice to them. Most of his attention was on the wolf as she snarled at Sebastian on her way out of the ring.
The uneasy feeling blossomed into actual concern at that, making Faelan push to his paws and start toward his friend. He watched Dezba disappear into the crowd on the other side of the ring, and for another Gembound to approach Sebastian. They were obviously familiar with one another, so the lion waited until the stranger had taken off before stepping into the ring himself.
Like a massive, golden-haired
apparition, he slipped out of the shifting Gembounds and padded up to Sebastian.
"Congratulations! You deserved the win, that was amazing!" Faelan grinned at Sebastian before looking over his shoulder to now disappeared wolf.
"And don't worry about her. I'll talk to her," he said reassuringly before nodding a farewell to Sebastian.
As soon as Faelan had passed by the younger, darker feline, his brow furrowed and he set his course to where Dezba disappeared to. He knew what that snarl, and look meant now. He had seen hate and rage like that before. The encounter had given him his first scars, and he didn't intend for anything like that to happen to his friend. Sebastian was a good Gembound, with an open and understanding heart. No one would hurt him if Faelan could help it.
-exit-
@Sebastian