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Black Pearl	There are various places throughout the arena for gathering, including an area only open to competitors, and the richest, most influential of fans. Food and drink are everywhere, as are many comforts. And people cheering or commiserating over bets being won or lost. Currently, Black Pearl is looking rather pleased, with a number of tokens on a table next to her seat as she talks with others about the next competitors to fight, while she had sent a messenger to Amethyst's room, requesting she join them there.
Amethyst	After finally getting a chance to relax after her insane battle, Amethyst was already getting ready to seek out her oathmate when the messenger arrived. The young dragon was victorious indeed, but she's troubled, lost in thought about what she just did in the arena, donning that mask and deliberately playing up her wyld blood. She's sure that others have taken note of what she did, and while she came here at least in part to gain a better reputation, she's not so sure she's heading down the right path there. And so, she needs to unwind with someone she loves and trusts. Like Salara. Thus she grins as she joins her in the gathering area, "Hey, you called?" She grins.
Misa	Misa, by contrast, is... quite well. Nothing to really recover from. So far, the matches she's had have been... mundane, swift affairs that hardly seem to stress her at all. She walks into the rest area more to while the time than to recuperate from anything- though perhaps with a couple more pouches than she had when she left the arena earlier, just after Amethyst's actual bout. But at the end of the day, she's a quiet and reserved person- and only offers the dragonblood she knows- Amethyst- a polite nod for the moment as she busies herself finding a place in the hustle and bustle to be seated.
Black Pearl	Black Pearl looks up and smiles. "Indeed I did, Ametis! Come and join me. Have a drink and relax." She looks at the others, a number of whom are looking warily at the smaller water-caste with some trepidation. "You were wonderful out there, and I look forward to the next round. How are you feeling? I...could hardly believe it when you put the mask on!"
Amethyst	"Been better." Amethyst admits, "I'm not hurt, barely scratched, but," She gestures to the folks who are weary of her, can't help it but chuckle. "I think I made an impression. Ya know? A drink would be lovely." Her tone is this mix of jovial and nervousiness that's uncharacteristic for the smaller dragon. She glances over towards Misa, "Did you get a chance to see that fight?"
Misa	The foreign woman looks up as she's addressed, head tilting a little at the question. "I did indeed see it- quite the... extravagant display, in some ways. I did not expect quite so much of a musician, truth be told," she answers, shrugging a little as she moves to draw nearer for the moment. "Congratulations on your victory, in any event. Seems that we might start seeing more and more of those sorts of battles as things draw nearer the later rounds of the tournament."
Black Pearl	"Of course," she says, and has a chilled peach brandy poured for Amethyst before sipping her own wine. "You made quite an impression, and I've been discussing it up here with people. For now, though, bask in admiration." As Misa is addressed, and responds, Salara gives her a warm smile. "Greetings! Have I seen you in the arena, yet? Will I get a chance to?" To Amethyst, she asks, "What is your friend's name?"
Fudou the Mountain	One of hte more visible spectators and occasional combatants is obviously Fudou the Mountain..and he's been busy in his own way. There is an art to these sort of things you see. A performance that the behemoth has obtained some skill at from hsi time in the field following his departure from his distant homeland and both before and after his exaltation. The experience of a Champion Gladiator of the Hundred Kingdoms is in him ..and he's been putting it to good use here. The name of the game is: intimidation..and thus far, having not encountered anyone with the strength or skill to put an end to his efforts, it seems to be working. The method is ..to make everything look easy. No displays of essence. No martial arts. Just boredly executed pure devestating power. It's a performance of course - so audiences don't get bored..but it -has- shaken the competitors up. Nervous moves ahead of him along with his footfalls and yet his demeanor has been carefully crafted to be affable, cordial, even kind at times. It's an odd contrast but it has managed to spread the word. It's a big tournament though... And so his arrival is preceeded by a rustle of the crowds and an awareness of his coming well before the rumble of his steps as he begins to make his way into the arena to observe the matches with a sort of languid stroll to his overall movements.
Amethyst	Amethyst sips on her own drink, and relaxes a little under Pearl's words. "Just think, that mask is capable of more than you might believe." Amethyst adds. And then she nods towards Pearl and gestures at Misa, "This here is Misa, talented martial artist." "And I gotta say, I prepared for many sorts of circumstance, but fighting music itself was not part of my plans. It's the only reason that I needed to use my mask." Amethyst explains. "I dare to dream of what else might meet us in that arena. I wonder if any of the resident fae of Great Forks would've been as bold as to take part." She continues to wonder. And then she feels the steady rumble of a certain giant's footsteps and the sounds of his fans. "Oh boy Fudou, you definitely make a hell of an impression all your own." She chuckles.
Misa	"Hanase Misa, if preferred, but I have no particular preference," the newcome woman adds, inclining her head in a small, but polite gesture. "I doubt you would have seen much of me- there was not much to see. The competition has not... enthused me thus far, in my own matches. I hope we shall see more intriguing engagements for me in the future." She shrugs it off, at that, shaking her head and taking a seat, with just the slightest smile at the telltale rumbling of a particular friend passing through the rest area.
Black Pearl	Black Pearl waves to Fudou from where she is sitting with Amethyst. "Mountain! Welcome. You've been helping me in my betting," she says with cheer. "If the two of you meet, well...I hope that isn't until late in the tournament." A bright laugh, and then she nods to her hearthmate, "Well, meet the challenges, and things will get more and more thrilling as the time goes on. As for the fae..." Salara thinks a long moment, then shakes her head, "No, not even if I were well matched to one would I enter." Another sip of her wine, and then Misa gets her attention, "As you like Hanase Misa. And I am sure there are many coming to say they have fought, even if they fall. Soon, only the serious contenders will be left. I am sure that you will find more suitable opponents."
Fudou the Mountain	"Well hello there luvs..." Fudou's deep voice rumbles over the trio as his shadow falls over them. He hadn't been heading to them but upon seeing and hearing them - perhaps from a distance that would not have normally been possible even over the din - he turns and draws nigh. "Taking a rest, are we? Betting you say? Mmm.. Have I made things exciting for you? I hope so!" Fudou inclines his head to MIsa and Amethyst both, allowing his features to pull into a slowly expanding grin. "Have you two found entertainment yet? Well..Amethyst has, I suppose. More suprises like the wielder of music as a martial art?" He seems to have picked up a little on Amethyst mood and he levels his gaze more heavily on her as if trying to see right through her. "..No troubles?"
Amethyst	"If all else fails you'll eventually face me or Fudou." Amethyst gives a cheeky grin to Misa. "Then we'll all get a load of what you can truly do. And if me and Fudou come to blows, well, the entire arena will get one hell of a show. Till then I'll just try to keep things exciting for your bets." Amethyst says. Then she looks up at the big mountain man, and she tries to hide that something's bothering her. She gives him a nervous grin and then sighs a little, "Shouldn't have panicked and used that form, probably could've won without it." Amethyst says, "Now all of Great Forks knows about it."
Misa	Misa looks to Amethyst with the note of potentially facing off and... simply offers a small smile. One that does not look especially perturbed by the idea of facing a dragon-blood or absurdly strong giant of a man. "Yes, I do think I would like to learn more of the form that woman used- I always find it valuable to know what one might face off against in this world. And well, similar to this... 'form' as you call it, that you used, Amethyst. Such curious things to see in the run of a day."
Fudou the Mountain	The massive lunar's tone is neutral - at least at first - as he addresses Amethyst: "Why do you think I said what I said to you when you told me you'd developed that form after fighting me and in anticipation of facing me> For you to have used it so quickly in this tournament suggests..a lack of confidence and revealing too many of your cards too soon. I would say that yes, you did panic." Fudou's demeanor then softens, ending his chiding of her, "But..that doesn't mean that it's of concern to you in here. If it affects your business then that's another matter. There are ways to..repair any sort of public perception.." He glances over to Misa and adds, "This...stance she took..it sent waves of fear and intimidation throughout the arena to all who saw it and could not bolster the will to resist. She may have..mm..created a certain perceptinn of her that she doesn't want to stick." Fudou looks back to Amethyst, "Is this so?"
Black Pearl	Black Pearl nods. "This is true, especially for those where this is the first time they've seen her. But there are ways to change things, though it may take effort. Or...you use the reputation you have as a shield. Or weapon. A disguise." "But the cost of that is...everyone knowing who you show yourself to be, except for those who know the woman behind the mask. It is...a lonely road to walk."
Amethyst	"I don't know what that songstress did, but it scared me more than I'd like to admit. When's the last time you've seen me /back up/ from someone I was facing?" Amethyst asks, "In response, I figured the only good move would be to fortify myself from whatever fear she could inspire in me by becoming it. It's more a technique than anything, one of legend." "But yes, I'm afraid I just scared half the arena into thinking I'm some sorta secret wyld demon thing. Worked really well with how I designed it. I just, like I said, I didn't expect to use it unless I truly had to." "But instead I panicked and used it when I didn't." She looks at Pearl, "I guess my intent was to show the raw visage of the wyld itself, unleash the fae that haunts my dreams, give into its madness to bolster my own strength." She pauses, "What I got, was the natural result that follows such an act. I could, if I wanted, reshape it not to be so terrifying next time. Or, as I mentioned before, I do have other masks I can don."
Misa	"If I may," suggests Misa in mild tones, looking to Amethyst with a fairly neutral expression. "You move faster than most can follow, and often wield purely sorcerous constructs in battle. You also harm your surroundings simply be existing in the heat of battle. Fear was already a given, for many of those. This may not be -as- big a shift as you are perceiving it to be." She shifts to lean back in her chair, looking at the ceiling for a moment or so. "But, well, who am I to say. I know my own mind to be... unusual. Perhaps I am underestimating this effect and its relative impact on the masses?"
Fudou the Mountain	"Mmm.." Fudou glances to Misa, arms folded and one hand against his chin as he rubs it absently, "It's not the same thing, is it? Someone who doesn't now me may 'fear me' or be on their guard. LIkewise mortals may 'fear' an angry dynast but a sudden primal fear falling over all who see her..emerges from a different sort of place then the 'fear' you speak of. You talk of awe, no? Healthy reverence. Caution... But you have a point...which is more to this.." He unfolds his arms and notes to Amethyst, "You have to consider that most of the spectators wouldn't know what they were looking at and so while the reaction was sudden they wouldn't necessarily know 'why'. Specifically identifying you as ...one of those ..may not happen. How many people who do business with you associate you and your wares with the wyld?" Fudou rubs his bearded jaw once again and then continues, "As to the rest..well.. I'll admit that this..exigent, I assume, was a bit of a surprise but more surprises then that await. You're going to face the unknown that's entirely part of the point..unless you're suggesting that she used something that caused a great fear to fall on you? Even so..what I say still applies, I think. If you're unfamiliar with it it's easy to understand that you might be afraid but...you should steal yourself and furthermore Amethyst, to not fear 'loss'. That fear creates that desire to panic, don't you think?"