Board Thread:Role Plays/@comment-5426254-20150930003410/@comment-5426254-20151004003932

Alicia had heard what Asher had to say. She was actually quite glad that there was an opponent that was nice.

"Oh thank you! I'm fine actually," Alicia bubbly replied. "You're too kind. But I do want to say that I wish you the best. Have fun!"

Asher cracked a smile now that he found someone who was kind as he was.

Meanwhile, Carmine sized down Heart as he responded to the insult.

"You are as brain-dead as you are ruthless, aren't ya?" Carmine quipped. "She's more like a kid sister to me."

Carmine, Sable and Pieter had stared at Rayne as they recognized the coat and weapon set from each of their experiences... -- "Ah, the rules."

Sable had remembered the possibilities for special requests just before he and everyone else was distracted with their challengers.

"Well, let's stick with the same formula - no Semblances. And with all due respect, I think we need a change of scenery, something more larger. I doubt this venue can handle eight people brawling all at once."

The audience then gave a short clap before they fell silent.

"And maybe, we should remind people to not throw objects in the arena, like, say a comic book or two. Right, Mercury?"

The audience then gave a loud roar when Sable openly dissed Mercury.

"Kid, I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not even doing anything right now."

"I'm okay for dissing and all," Sable continued, "but when you diss someone just cause you're bored, that's quite the dick move."

Another loud, yet quick roar was heard when Mercury sulked back into his seat.

"Is that, all, Mr. Taylor?"

"Pretty much, Professor." -- As the four went into their lockers, they decided to brief each other on strategies.

"Okay gents," Carmine announced. "Assuming you haven't seen our previous matchup, you've got Heart. She's a cold-blooded, bloodthirsty speedster who won't hesitate to go for the kill, as Alicia can attest to that. Make sure that you dodge, block and counter as much of her lunges and blows as much as possible. And hit as hard as you can, she's fragile."

Sable and Pieter nodded.

"Asher, on the other hand, is a passive fighter. He doesn't attack much, but he sure puts up good defense for a guy that virtually stands around. Try and pressure him into attacking."

"Both of them only use swords and don't shoot. We might have an advantage if we keep our distance. Oh- and don't let them join together - they synchronize together that way."

Sable then raised his hand.

"I'd like to add a few things. Some time ago, the two of us faced off a fighter just like that white cloak over there. She had a big spear-thing, and can control built-in taser wires. That woman was Selena Schiess."

"Selena Schiess, you said?"

"Damn straight."

"Wore a mask?"

"How'd ya know?"

"Vert and I faced off someone similar. Wielded a katana instead. Name's Memories."

"Interesting, he was there when we faced off Schiess."

"I know you'd like to catch up and all," Pieter angrily snapped, "but can you please make it quick!? We've got a match to start soon!"

"Bottom line," Sable hastily replied, "is that you should keep your distance and expect a hidden trick with whitecoat over there. Also, I noticed something about the midget over there. Since she still wields that impossibly-heavy axe even with that Semblance restriction, she should be strong enough to wield it. I doubt that physics will let her dominate with a thing that size for long. She'll also try and use her horns at every opportunity. Chances are, she's easy to counter. Always exploit every opening."

"That's it?"

"Yeah," Pieter replied. "Let's head out and give the audience what they want."

"That's the spirit," Sable chirped as the four of them headed center stage. -- The stage was very large, several sizes bigger than their sparring arena. The field took the form of a hexagonal field of ice littered with deposits of crystals available as cover and as materials to use.

"Students," Glynda announced. "For the Vytal Tournament, you'll be fighting in an arena similar to this one."

Many students were awestruck at the existence of such an arena. Tana and Sable had some particularly interesting reactions.

"Ho-ly shit," Sable exclaimed as he chewed out the scenery. "I wonder who got enough money for this? The taxpayers? Or the Schnees? Cause' this sure ain't a waste of money!"

The crowd had a big laugh at Sable's comment.

"Sugoi (Awesome)," Tana quipped as she was amazed by the size and the extravagance of the arena.

"Yeah, I lost it there with whatever gobbledygook you're talking about," Sable muttered, to the howls of laughter coming from the audience.

"Don't mind her," Asher sighed. "She's in this lalaland, where she believes in a parallel, Grimm-less universe, where people speak many strange languages and the only big thing they discriminate against is skin tone."

Sable gave it some thought, before laughing his ass off.

"Oh man, now that's crazy." But in the middle of the laughter, he noticed something familiar about his face.

"Wait, you two were from that cafe that time, right?"

"Correct."

"Ha- oh, you're from the cafe."

Sable was now worried whether or not Asher and Rayne had seen his moves that very night.

"Petie," he whispered.

"What?"

"They're the cafe employees. They might have seen us fight."

"I see," Pieter concurred.

Carmine, however, had expected that the enemy team had already discussed their strengths and weaknesses, and incorporated them into their strategy. But he had one final piece of advice to give, something he learned from the last match.

"One last thing," he whispered. "That chick in the silver hair? Chances are, she and the team are going to rush towards us. I want everyone to run towards cover and take a sniping position. Then pick an opponent you can fight against."

"Ladies and gentlemen, your favored champions. Team H.A.R.T., and Team CASP (Caspian)!" Goodwitch had announced to the cheering crowd.

"Caspian?" Mercury scoffed. "Really?"

"Quiet, Mercury," came Cinder's seductive, yet threatening voice on the scroll. "I want you to do what is required of you, to analyze potential threats to our goal."

"This time, you're recording with the camera," Emerald replied as she ate a bag of popcorn that she bought. "And at least pretend to be interested."

"Suit yourself."

"You will see a battle of strength, speed, skill, and strategy in these unique surroundings," Goodwitch continued.

"Let the battle commence. And may the odds ever be in your favor," the Huntress concluded as the audience cheered to that Starvation Simulations reference.

As the signal was given, the members of Team CASP went for the nearest hills and crystal deposits, taking cover there. Once they were ready, they unleashed a storm of fire on the members of Team H.A.R.T...