He had entered now, leaving Firenze to enter himself; they were an adult just as he was, they could do it alone. Besides, he had a child in tow, and was rather focused on ensuring she would have a nice day, filled with food and familial fun. Though when she asked if he was going to get hurt he couldn't help but hum. His ears flickering down towards Juniper who walked beneath him and in his shadow.

"Well my little Juniper...Ideally no. But- as this is a fighting event, yes I will most likely be hurt- though I doubt it will come close to anything I've felt before."

He bowed his head slightly to talk to her, a soft reassuring smile on his maw. He was confident that nothing would compare to what he had been through previously in his life. The worst of it happening when he was but a cub. This would be fine, it was all fun and games, a good bloodsport of sorts. Firenze had even told and reassured him this was for entertainment, and while yes it was a fight, they had medics on standby as it wasn't that serious. Nevermind the fact that everybody from around the caves seemed to come in a great gathering.

It would be fine. It wasn't like they were putting him up against a child! Oh heavens no!

He just hoped Juniper and the others would enjoy the show, he was if anything a feline for dramatics and while he couldn't use magic in the arena he could certainly deal some heavy blows!

Still, he smiled, making his way past the food only momentarily before attempting to pick up a few things for Juniper and the others to munch on throughout the various rounds and plethora of fights. Then there was another question, on who everyone was, ah yes he would need to address that; everything had moved so fast he figured it easier to explain when they had a moment alone. And being how the others were busy signing up and currently finding seats for everyone, well now it was time.

"They are family, I have known Firenze the Coyote, and Lavonia the Snow Leopard for- many...many cycles ever since I was a cub. We lost touch when I was young when- life was rough-but. we have since reunited."

Now was not the time to try and go into details- details that nobody should really have to hear or deal with. Trauma and the like, but he took a breath and continued with a smile as he nosed through the food options before him.

"Kibou- from my knowledge...is a ...peryton? I think- either way I found them when they were also a child. They had wandered off from home and found their way to me deep within the mists. I kept them safe till they went home to their family, and now he comes and goes as he pleases. He is kind and I think you two will get along."

It was quick and short introductions but he had one more thing to add before making his way to the stands with Juniper.

"They are our pack, our clan, our pride, our flock as Kibou calls it even. Family. You do not need to take to them right away, but know they mean no harm and will also protect you whenever I am busy. Like today, when it is my turn to fight."

He smiles again, grabbing a basket of assorted chosen treats he had picked out so painstakingly. Gently motioning his head for Juniper to follow him to the stands where Lavonia, Kibou and by now probably Firenze wait.


"Clover Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

@Juniper

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.

Juniper trotted along occasionally ducking under Vicktor's head to look around at things. She looked up at Vicktor and whined, not very happy that this 'fun' meant him getting hurt.

”But wouldn't it be better if you didn't get hurt?”, she said, her ears drooping, ”Sorry... I'm being a worrywart.”

She plastered herself to his side as he introduced everyone, her tail wagging low as she smiled a doggy grin at them all.

”Hello everyone,” she said shyly, averting her eyes as she buried her face into Vicktor, ”It's nice to meet you...”

She snuggled into Vicktor and walked along pressed into his side, worried. She desperately hoped he'd be alright...

@Vicktor

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

The stench enters before Effluvium does. The rank smell of rotting meat. Then, came the sound of its movements. Wet stomp, wet slide, drag. Rhythmic. And the horrid wheezing. As it came into view, the pulsating beast could be seen lugging its' body of flesh. A trail of slime, the red of rotten meat, covering its tracks. It stared around it.

Glancing at the other contestants for a few solid moments, its multicolored eyes glaring, whites visible in a bloodshot whale-eye. Its' toungue came out to lick the myriad of teeth and jaws that constituted its' face. It spotted Nemean, memories surfacing of the creature and her...gifts. And then, slowly, dragged itself to her. It worked its jaws, hollow pops and cracks sounding. It had been too long, too many cycles, since the beast had last force itself to talk.

"Nnnnemean...I...remember you. Named Effluvium." Snap. Pause. It breathed for a moment, after forcing that sentence out. "I want ennnn-ter. Kill." Its' eyes glittered. A place where killing was good, actually. Where it could turn off the thinking brain it'd been cursed with. Effluvium sat on its haunches, tongue flopping out to the side, with teeth in too many wrong places to stop it.

"When I speak."

When I think.

(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!"

Vanyel yelped at the voice behind him and whirled his head around, hissing, ”ADENIUM- don't tell mom. She'll get all weird about it like you are, and stop that too!”

He clutched Barnabus tighter and sighed, gesturing to him gently, ”This is the wonderful Barnabus, my... boyfriend, yes.”

He did not pout as he crossed his arms and slumped, his lip jutting out. Absolutely not, he wasn't pouting. He wasn't even sulking! He was... not doing any of that.

Vanyel took a bite of whatever was left of his pretzel before pressing into Barney's side, lifting a leg to hook it over the other's, tugging him just a bit closer. He couldn't stay upset around Barnabus though.

@Barnabus @Adenium

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.

Fracture my spine

Normally, upon pristine beaches and underneath the blazing lamps of Leo, it might have been noticed at first amongst the bustling crowd by an erratic buzz, excitement evident in wings that flittered and battered against moist flesh. Here sheer size and smell would have to do, both unmistakable, even as clangs, thuds, and thumps drowned out perpetual glee. Drifting down to the lowest bench reachable, far more appetizing scents mingled with the putrid air left in its wake, the resulting concoction a true stomach-emptier. Pelts—a red kooru one covering many smaller rodent skins—slung over its thorax was the cause. From them, old and new kills blended together, and oil and blood dripped as rain while it passed overhead.

Preferring to stick to the open air, Karambit's collection of comforting blankets would not be distributed to the fighters prior to their matches. Instead, it'd hover over its seat, brimful of cheer and support for its family. And, no, it'd not shut up, no matter how much its joyous cries sounded like a wounded Lesser's wails.

"Terrrrroorrrr! Rrrrrippppp...emmm!"

That particular match hadn't begun yet either, but still, it was the thought that counted.

And swear that you're mine