Snippet #2099288

Brice Enters

"A wonderful day!" Brice shouted, throwing his sculpted arms into the air. Today he was dressed in his usual: tan slacks and a red wool sweater. Around his head was the only item he brought from Earth which was his aviator glasses. He shaved his head recently but hair was growing up at a steady rate. Brice had just left his little shack in the Cove and was walking down the street, on his way to the Coliseum. It was talk everywhere that new athletes had been brought in. And not just the basic run of the mill athletes, but Olympians to be exact. Which either meant Rufus was one cold cookie or the talking heads in the Court of Royals were bumping up their demands. Usually he had a bone to pick with that court of 'officials' but not this time. He was going to have the opportunity to meet professionals and get to know them... at least for a little while. Brice, of course, wasn't only wanting to go to the Coliseum because of their physical prowess. He figured half of them were still at a complete loss as to where they were and Brice had a way of calming others down. He would be their brisk air in a room of murky fog.

So down the street he went, his pace fairly fast due to his excitement and determination to get to the Coliseum at a record breaking time. It was because he was in such a rush that he completely bypassed the crowd that had gathered to watch the fight. If he had noticed what was taking place, he would have tried his best to break it up and solve the real estate issue in a civil, diplomatic way. Then again, that rarely happened around Titania, at least in the Cove. He wound through the streets, passing various shops and even trailed along the path that led to Rufus' palace which hung high in the center of the land. He waved at the giant structure, not at anyone in particular, and kept on his jog. He was about 10 minutes away from the Coliseum when he paused to take a breather. The Coliseum was in straight shot from here. Miles away he could already see a significant crowd developing. The excitement was enough to have him shoot off the rest of the way there in full sprint. He nearly ran into someone in line as he abruptly slammed on his foot brakes.

"Woo!" he panted, rolling up his sleeves after building a sweat from his travels. His eyes searched eagerly around, taking in the atmosphere. He saw familiar faces and new faces. And then he saw what appeared to be a small cluster of fighters/athletes dressed in the classic Roman gladiator outfits. That was the typical dress wear that all the athletes wore in the Coliseum. It was clear that Rufus had an affinity for the culture over any of the rest. Though Brice couldn't blame the old man. There was something innately beautiful and exciting about the Roman lifestyle and architecture. While he waited in the back of the now forming line to get inside, he took this time to discuss with those around him and talk to new people.

~~~

Court of Royals

Bur cringed as she watched the bouncy, well fed group of individuals make their way towards her. They seemed to walk in sync, their feet scuffing against the marble as they waddled like penguins in a hurried manner. Some were wiggling their fingers at her as if she was the last piece of cake while the others just stared awkwardly.. creepily. She didn't realize she was taking steps backwards until they finally reached her.

"BUR, how charming it is to see you here!"/ "Oh, BUR, what a lovely green sari!"/ "BUR, the games! The athletes! They're here, finally!"

That last comment threw the group into a bubbling, incoherent thrills. So this was not exactly what Bur was wishing for, though it never was. Hoping for a peaceful exchange was a fleeting dream. She found herself immediately overwhelmed and wished she had something to cover her ears with so she couldn't hear them. Even the sight of them was giving her a slow, but coming headache. Bur nodded at randomly questions as her expression stayed faithful to who she was: lukewarm and somewhat annoyed. Of course, the group didn't care what mood she was in. It was all about appearances, fronts, and trying to come off as great as they could seeing as she had a direct line to Rufus Wite. People both noble and of the Cove area occasionally 'disappear' and there are many rumors out there that Bur had a hand in their missing. The rumors were face value though. Just rumors. Maybe twice in her stay here had she ever went to her father and complained about someone. All the other disappearances... well... she'd rather not say why they were gone now, but her role was insignificant in the whole of it.

As one of the officials went to pull Bur in closer, there was an opposite pull from behind her. She immediately whipped her head around, never fond of being grabbed at unsuspectedly, or suspected for that matter. Her eyes made contact with none other than the individual she had just watched before in the open forum. He had bumped in to Aileen and caused an unnecessary draw of attention to himself. Kind of like what he was doing now.

"It's official business, if you don't mind I'll be borrowing this young lady." He said, Bur mildly surprised. Mildly. Upon him trying to move her away, the same guards that had dealt with him earlier came back for a second try at imprisoning him. Normally Bur wouldn't care, wouldn't involve herself in the matter. But this fellow provided her with an escape from the ravenous officials who must have had too much caffeine in their systems. Bur held out her left hand in a stopping position, the guards freezing in their place. Their posture straightened and their movements became robotic. "This gentleman has business with me. Do the Court a favor and stand guard at your posts," she said coolly, the guards grudgingly obeying their orders without a peep spoken. Bur exhaled and finally gave the stranger a good look. He had an aura about him that screamed 'i'm different'. Possibly from a present time, possibly from the future? She wondered curiously for a moment and directly her attention back towards the stairs exiting the main building.

"I guess I owe you a formal thank you..." Bur spoke, the nicest thing she had said in a few days. "Thank you, Mister..." she followed, waiting for a response. She tried her best to ignore the gawking stares. She really didn't enjoy attention which was inconvenient in her case.