[WRESTLING] V-Agate-One vs Relic

The last match had been close - not that Relic had expected to get this far. But she knew the chances of losing out on whatever waited at the end of the Olympics grew with each mistake she allowed herself. She should lock in, now, because she'd neglected to in the hour or so beforehand. Her second fight was the last in the line up, and had she seen any of the ones prior? No. She'd been busy licking her wounds.

It wasn't enough to want the win. She needed to fight like she deserved it.

With her armour readjusted (but not repaired, obviously), Relic stepped into the ring, dark and battered helm held high. She knew this one was Chaos Forge from the weird, stupid designation. She tried to keep her mind from running, but run it did. She was haunted by the potentials long before the Agate actually walked into view.

She couldn't stop thinking about the hulking silhouettes she'd spotted in the crowd and sign ups. Luck alone couldn't carry her through a fight with something five times her size.

The Gembound that stepped into the ring next was short, thankfully. It looked spiky, and it sported several eyes and nostrils, all glowing a bright acid green. A familiar shade of green- wait, hold on.

Was this her kid??

Was she about to beat up her child?????

Relic stared at agate from behind her helmet, mouth hung open as she mustered up the will to break the silence, to either confirm or deny her suspicion. A noise had just escaped her throat when it started yelling at her about her armor. This wasn't a real fight! It didn't actually factor into the match!! Why did people get so mad about it!!!!

"Whuh. HUH?" Her brain shifted from shock to anger as it stuttered to action again. It went for one of the straps - no, no, it did NOT get to do that. Teeth AWAY from the merchandise.

"Fuck you!?" Closing the rest of the distance, she lowered her head and charged into the Agate, wings beating down as she aimed to pummel it into a backpedal with the sheer amount of limbs she flailed in its overall direction.

No professional announcer nor particularly enamored with his current commentating job, sticking to an established format didn't occur to East as he overlooked this latest match from the stands. Maybe an impressive competitor might have warranted the formality of a grandiose introduction; a small amount of fondness for Vakornol's appreciation of a quick tongue admittedly had tilted him in favor of providing a verbal nod of recognition for her battle. This ongoing dispute in the arena, however, had the bird swallowing back a chuckle. The way it was playing out, he could be witnessing a spot of light entertainment compared to the more brutal fare he was bound to spectate later. He narrated accordingly.

"What's this we're seeing?" Despite the rhetorical nature of his remark, a glance full of feigned disbelief was cast about the audience. His beak clacked together a few times to sell a gobsmacked image before venturing further into empty, farcical questioning. "Did you hear that? Is this our first call to evaluate a rules violation? Unprecedented territory. Let me consult the big book."

Flapping wings, through use of rustling feathers, attempted their best imitation of pages fluttering in a breeze. "I'm sorry to inform," East called out, very much not so, "that the filed complaint has no legs to stand on. And soon our disadvantaged Agate mightn't either if it doesn't push back against this belligerent bat-winged beating."

Relic was beginning to forget her previous reservations as she ruthlessly battered the Agate with every limb she had available. She was fighting like she had to win - because she wanted to, and because it was the respectful and sportswomanly thing to do.

A voice rang out from the crowd, apparently commentating the match. Relic should've felt grateful, or enjoyed the attention, but she mostly just felt confused and irritated by everything. Had she ever been like the Agate when she was younger? She sure hoped not.

Her opponent whipped around to smack her with its sizeable tail, and Relic began to backstep in order to avoid the impact. With a wing-flap for good measure, Relic dodged the Agate's swipe at her legs.

There was a funny thing about perching in the arena stands: the further out your seat was, the less impactful the events occurring at center stage were. Those with the worst possible spots probably saw little more than blurry figures slamming into each other, each combatant's employed strategy too minuscule to perceive. And how small the Agate's anger must seem from afar, a gasp upon the wind rather than the explosion closer viewers experienced. Thanks to his announcing, East couldn't profess to that same level of detachment, the job requiring him to be nearer to the action. However, comfortable bounds kept feathers safe and dry from a downpour of spitting rage. Unblinking, unswayed by the verbal assault, he continued peering down at the battle.

"I'm afraid not, kid." Blatant lack of remorse was evident in shrugging shoulders. "My gab's part of the job. You've got problems, take it up with management."

"Besides," he added, "The best respect you can expect for your blessed silence down there is a good clap on the ears. Better learn to deal with the noise fast before someone helps you with it the painful way."

Relic almost - almost - flinched at the snap of teeth near her side, shooting for her wing this time. It was like it WANTED to get battered again, which was something she was currently considering... She was going to try, at least. It worked last time.

Rajani had been a challenge. Beating this indignant rat of a Valkhound was a cakewalk; Which was a thought she immediately regretted having, considering the non-zero chance of this kid being hers. What a mother she was.

That wave of guilt got to her, embarrassingly enough. She just kind... of waved at it.