Snippet #2080945

It was another wonderful, ever-still day in Titania, where the hazing multicolor sky of blues and greens seemed to swirl in slow motion. Exotic birds flew around, only to soon find haven in the artificial trees built specifically for them. Streets were busy like usual all across the land, people from all different cultures and times feeding foods and ideas into a massive melting pot. Everyone travelled by foot. From one end to the far other would only be a few hours to walk. Rufus never liked cars or the pollution that followed. Crimes broke out in Delinquent Cove and gossip thundered through the Court of Royals. It was just another typical day in paradise, so they say.

At the top of his palace in the center of Titania stood the all-powerful Rufus Henry Wite. He gazed outwards, having a complete 360 degree view of the land around him, from the far off mountains up north to the Coliseum directly south. Rufus was particularly exhausted on this day. He had time-travelled back to Earth the day before and it took a lot out of him. That visit back was... Well, one in a long line of others. He lost track of the number of visits. Too many times, so many people. Yesterday he brought over 32 new people, specifically 32 of the world's best athletes. He swiped these wonderful beings up during the closing night of an Olympic ceremony, 2004. Why the sudden napping of all these athletes? There had been disapproval in the Court of Royals lately on the Games of Titania. Complaints ranged from "Things are getting boring; there aren't enough gladiators; I want more action!" Etc. Etc. Out of all his captives, Rufus listened to those that resided in the Court of Royals above all. He was fascinated by the nobility, the royalty, the beautiful and wise. He would do anything to please them, and that meant finding more athletes and well... forcing them to compete. Sometime to their death. Those ancient Romans really had extreme taste in sports. Especially when death was so rare in the land where no aged.

And so Rufus delivered. When the new lot of human athletes arrived in, they were easily manipulated into their holding cells of the Coliseum. Even the strongest of the strong put up no struggle, shell-shocked as to how they arrived at the place which looked like something out of a syfy movie. Everyone always reacted the same way in the beginning-- it would be days after the initial arrival where true personalities started to return and people calmed down. Now, the next day has come, and while Rufus watched from his tower, the new athletes were already being forced to train for their sporting events/ battles. Spectators from all around watched in pure joy from the elevated seating sections. It didn't matter what upbringing you had, anyone could watch the games. The Court of Royals was very pleased, already holding meetings on the games, and match-ups, who to bet on, and who they would sit next to.

Rufus yawned, slowly finding comfort in a chair within the tower room. It was the same chair he had had for a 100 years. He was old, and though he only aged when he went back to Earth, the time-travelling exhausted him. As soon as he sat down he fell asleep.

**
Meanwhile, at the Court of Royals...

One would find Bur Wite, daughter of the mastermind behind Titania, strolling through the marble covered marketplace modeled after the ancient Roman Forum of Augustus. Bur was dressed in a green satin frock, loose to her form. It was a dress she had purchased in India, while she was still there. Adorned around her wrists and neck were a collection of jewels she had acquired while on Earth as well. Bur had this aura about her that radiated boredom. She couldn't remember the last time she had a real laugh. Nothing interested her like how Earth did. She heard that her father had delivered in athletes at the Court's request, and if anything, that held the potential for entertainment. It was this sole event that caused her to make the trip to the Court. As she made her way through the forum, she was bombarded with jesters trying to rev any type of emotion from Bur's face. Each one failed at doing so, and she shooed them away with little to few words, sometimes with just a glare. It was impossible to walk through the forum without being pointed out or stopped. The dues of being his daughter. Sure, there were perks. She didn't wake up in fear like half the population in Titania, wondering if Rufus was going to find them unworthy and send them back to Early Earth. Bur would always be safe. Always. And that irked her. Was it danger she craved in this life of privilege? Possibly. But she never ran into any. She didn't know where to look. She was banned from entering Delinquent Cove because Rufus knew what went on there. It was a surprise to many that he put up with it. If anything ever was going to spark some emotion from Bur, maybe it would be that place.

Bur finally arrived at the steps to the main building in the center of the Court. It was a majestic white building with giant columns that stretched all the way around. This is where the elite went to carry out 'business', as in, what they wanted Rufus to do for them. Bur knew there would be those discussing the upcoming Games. She was also hoping some of her 'friends' were there. It was hard to say if they were truly her friends because they liked her or because they feared her father. Once again, the joy of being Rufus Wite's daughter. She began up the stairs, keeping her eyes focused on the ground, ignoring people that stopped to stare at her.

**

Meanwhile, at the Coliseum of Titania...

"Take your positions!" a loud voice declares through a megaphone (a modern invention which stuck out like a sore thumb in such a classic location). Gladiators that had been in Titania for a while hung around the parameter of the arena while newcomers such as the ones from the day before were huddled in the center, bugged eyed and confused. The loudspeaker voice continues, "This evening games will be held!" From the small audience that had already formed cheers could be heard. It had been at least a month since any significant games with so many participants was held. Spectators itched with excitement. Those in the center of the arena began to pace around, their hands on their heads. It was like walking into a history book. Some began to kick around a ball, some practiced with swords, others sat on the ground hugging their knees, asking god to wake them up from this awful nightmare. But no god answered their prayers.

**

In Delinquent Cove...

Smoke covered the area. Tobacco was everyone's friend and in able supply-- all one needed to do to get tobacco was provide something else, from bread to Titantium. There wasn't an official currency system. People gained new things by trading valuables or Titantium crystals, which were widely accepted everywhere. The more crystals one had, the better goods one could acquire. Card games were held out in the street as well as public drinking. The ironic thing was, none of the people the resided in Delinquent Cove were criminals in their Earth lives. It was only when they were brought to Titania that troublesome folk began to cause havoc. Out of boredom or anger, it didn't matter. People changed. Rufus has had to send some of the most dangerous back to Earth-- Early Earth, with the rabid dinosaurs. Others he let stay because he valued their science work or whatever their talents were that caused him to bring them here in the first place. Something special was happening in the Cove today. Two men, one named Amun (an ancient Egyptian) and Chang (from imperial China), have decided to battle. A 2,000 square foot area of prime real estate was on the line. Amun wanted the space to build a hookah haven. Chang wanted to build a temple. The battle would be hand to hand combat and take place in a popular section of the Cove. The winner would be determined by the last one standing. Residents were abuzz, joyful, and drunk. It would be a good day to all.