No one had died, but at least Pollen had won.

"I saw you," the Hand assured, leaning over a little to look beyond the steep incline of the coliseum wall. She'd have to reward Pollen, somehow-- but surely, she could consider that over at a later time, depending on just how many battles the muta managed to scramble out of mostly unharmed.

An oil-slick tentacle lifted from the ground and in an oddly-gentle movement wrapped itself around Pollen's torso and hiked her up the several feet distance to the seating area, setting her down neatly on the ground next to Aethril. There, she ruffled at the shock of mane on top of her head.

The burns didn't look too severe, at least-- but Pollen would likely need to retreat away and hibernate when everything was all said and done. "I'll take you somewhere nice once this is over with, hm?"

@Pollen

Asher perhaps wasn't the most vocal or noticeable gembound in the crowd, lovingly laying in the lap of Aethril certainly didn't help that for prying eyes. But all their eyes were on Pollen and Khavur as the battle commenced. Attempting to sit up as straight as they could to peer over the wall that was otherwise in their way.

Though perhaps yes their gaze flickered to their Hand now and then, focused on her at times to see just how much she was enjoying this fight. Taking down little notes as they should, purring and nuzzling the Hand at even the slightest hint of a frown or scowl.

Asher though was rooting for a familiar face, the green one, Pollen! Tiny ones had to stick together yknow! And of course- they were more familiar with the Muta than they were with whatever Khavur was. But that wasn't to say one had a better reason to win than the other! Nothing personal Khavur but Asher was hoping for their home team to bring home victory today!

As Aethril brought Pollen up for praise, Asher meowed happily at the small- but still larger than them victor!

WOO!! Go Pollen!!!

Pollen twisted at the tentacle- a familiar cast, and one she associated with Aethril immediately. Oh, right! She could just climb out, after all. Latching on much lighter than she did when she held Khavur, Pollen gingerly held onto the tendril around her torso as she was lifted up higher and higher, deposited right next to her own mentor.

And at the ruffle, she laughed again, eyes shutting and her grin widening once more. It felt good to have Aethril this happy with her. She was doing good! Standing up a little taller, Pollen glanced to the seats at Asher's movements, grinning down to them, too.

"There's still a lot of fights to do, but if all of them are easy as that one, then we'll be done in no time!" The muta's words were excited as her tail wagged in a flurry behind her, one paw reaching out to pat Asher on their head. They hadn't interacted much- they met, Aethril had introduced them, but Pollen found she liked the cat-friend. They were both young, after all, and they had to stick together!

Running her hand through her own mane, Pollen turned to the arena, watching for whatever happened next. "Do you know the next fight?" came her voice quietly. It was an empty tone- her focus, right now, was on her own magic, and she flooded her skin with it, focusing on the plants and coercing them to take root once more. "I hope I get to have a little break between them, at least."

But, it was Nemean, and Nemean liked high stakes, after all. Imagine if she got paired against Draconua..! Actually, thinking about it now, Pollen nearly wanted the challenge- after all, Draconua could be self-destructive and turned on herself, just like Pollen tried with Khavur.

But, first thing's first, and she needed to recover from that last fight. Baby steps!

@Aethril (and pattin asher!)

The hand that was ruffling the top of Pollen's head left to resume her quiet business in massaging Asher's back, nails gently preening the feathers along their back. "No, but we can watch it if you'd like." Really, Aethril only planned on paying attention to the ones Pollen was in, but perhaps she could spare some interest for whatever else looked interesting.

She picked out a seat and settled Asher back onto her lap where they belonged, letting them lay among the silks of her skirt, and she gestured to the spot next to her for Pollen. "I'm sure Nemean has a few more line-ups to go through first, before she picks out your next opponent." She could almost be certain that Nemean would pick the biggest thing possible for Pollen to fight next.

A hum left her throat. "Rehydrate, if you can-- it might be an idea to visit one of the medics about those burns, too."

How corrupted was Pollen now, she wondered? There was a good chance that she'd need to take some time to recover after the Deathmatches, if she kept summoning Draconua to the end of them all. Aethril made a mental note to arrange something at a later date as her eyes cast down to Asher again.

"Would you like to tell Pollen 'well done'?" She asked, gently and encouragingly cooing.

@Asher

Asher was all too eager to receive the patting attention of Pollen. Happily purring as they nearly rolled to their side in Aethril's lap. They absolutely loved this 'Deathmatch'. Being able to watch and cheer for those they knew- and of course, staying by Aethril's side all the while. There wasn't a single place they rather be than in the lap of their Hand, right here, right now.

Their attention though flickered from Pollen and back to Aethril as she spoke, a question on if they'd like to tell Pollen something that they hoped was already obvious by their meowing and greeting. But it was not. Inhaling suddenly and with excitement they spoke up, rather quick and repetitive at first but, hey this little kit had spirit!

"W-well done! Well done!! Won! Well won!"

Full sentences were interesting to piece together, but they felt they did it right! Just as their Hand had so lovingly encouraged! Everybody was a winner here, especially Pollen! Asher couldn't help but try to rise to their tiptoes in Aethril's lap. All eyes shut so tight that they were but little crinkles on their face as they happily nuzzled in turn.

@Pollen @Aethril
Both for visibility,etc :D

Khavur will awaken from their chrysalis with a strange patches of white down their entire spine. They do not seem to shift or change like the rest of their hide does.

Glitch (Minor) - Pigment may disappear from areas of the Gembound. Will affect dye.

@Khavur

Pollen hummed gently. "We can see if it's someone interesting, then?" she offered, shaking some of the sand out of the fur on her arms. Movement hurt, a little- but she'd be fine, she silently promised herself, shaking the rest of her body too. "Ahh- I'll be okay," she murmured, brushing off her legs. "But, I'll visit them. I don't uh- I want to be okay for my next fight."

That sounded... Good. Yeah. The right thing to say. Straightening up, Pollen nodded and grinned, huffing out a short laugh. Her hand returned to patting Asher when the question was turned to them. Well, their excitement was infectious. Pollen giggled and rubbed her paw between their ears again, bending down to touch the top of her muzzle to Asher's.

"I'm going to go check the medics," she spoke as she looked back up to Aethril. "I'll be right back! Tell me if the fight's good?" Her hand slowly pulled away from Asher as she continued to brush herself off, dust still falling from her body. "Do you want anything from the concessions?"

She'd be right back, of course, if her burns weren't that bad.

@Aethril (and @Asher for vis! i dont need tags for visibility myself but idm givin them if you'd like <3)