The Arena

With a smile, Marki Calum greeted his first creature to be interviewed: a kitsune. He always enjoyed these creatures because they lived to be noticed by the others. He specifically enjoyed the females because they weren't difficult to look at. After looking her over for a few seconds he finally asked his question. "You own houses, hotels, even islands all across the world! Do you think that this will give you an edge? Or are you just a pampered pooch?"

Starlet smiled at Marki, knowing interviews were a huge part in the games. They determined the audience favorites and by some strange turn of events, the favorites always seemed to last longer. "Well just because my family's rich doesn't mean it will give me an advantage, but the cultures I've been exposed to have given me the chance to interact with other species and even going to school has helped with this." She leaned back in the chair and crossed her legs, giving her the appearance that she was used to public speaking. "I'm not saying that it will be easy, but I know how to handle each creature and my balance of smarts and physique can get me through this." And with that her interview was done.

Marki was then looking at the little blonde witch. He went over the notes he had of her and found two important words that stuck out. If she denied or accepted it either make her or break her in these games. "So Arabella," Marki said as he finally looked up at the witch. "It says that you're a human lover. Is this true or just a rumor? If it's true how do you think it will affect your standings?" He was genuinely curious and leaned forward as if he needed the extra movement to hear properly.

Arabella looked frightened. Her violet eyes were wide with worry as she was looking at the man, but as he asked his question it turned into a smile and eventually a laugh. "Yes, I'm what people call a 'human-lover'," she laughed. "But just because I'm friends with humans doesn't mean much. In fact, I think it makes me stronger. I've dealt with hungry vampires, annoying kitsunes, a were-cat and a demon or two because of it. If anything, it gives me an advantage."

Marki was then thrilled to have another kitsune to question. Yes, he wasn't as good as the girl, but kitsunes seemed to have an aura about them. He examined the tall, dark-haired boy and nodded. "Kane," Marki said as if they were friends. "Everyone's whispering about you being the pretty boy of the competition and are calling you weak. Do you think you could honestly be held back by such an accusation?"

Kane listened to Marki, but all the while was posing for the camera. His blue eyes were laughing and gave a hint of seduction to the viewers watching from home. "Well Marki," he began his answer, turning towards the interviewer. "Why would looking good ruin me in the Games?" He laughed and that was it. His answer was done. It was such a short answer, but Kane wasn't the best at talking. He'd rather sit and smile at the cameras the whole time.

Marki smiled as the boy elf was next. This guy was supposed to be a character and he also had a past involving a human. He was curious about the human, but he decided that he would go with a different approach for the elf. "Mian, does it bother you that you fit so many sterotypes of elves?" he asked, tilting his head ever so slightly. "You sing, you play with animals and I'm sure you could dance if you wanted to."

Mian smiled goodnaturedly before replying. "My idea of a stereotypical elf are short little guys in pointy hats that live at the North Pole making toys for all of the good human boys and girls of the world." He laughed. "It doesn't bother me at all that I act like how an elf should act."

Marki Calum lifted an eyebrow as he walked over to sit with the minotaur as the interview began. "So Mr... Uh..." It was obvious the minotaur was making Marki nervous. "Corzaus... What makes you think that your pure strength can beat out the smarts in creatures such as witches?" He asked, attempting to word his question lightly.

Corzaus just stared at him for a moment giving him a look then in a voice like thunder said. "It is insulting that you would start off this interview with that stereotype weak one. I do use my strength to my advantage it is true... but i have fought in wars while you where still in diapers i use experience and knowledge of these creatures to my advantage i have dealt with magic before and to also imply that i am stupid makes you seem even smaller in my eyes." He shakes his head in contempt. "So please save what little class you where born with and save your breath... I think we are done here." He stands up out of the chair and walks out of the room.

Marki Calum looked over his first monster to be questioned. A vampire and a beautiful one at that. Leaning forward he lifted an eyebrow as he asked her a question. "I understand that you're a made vampire, is that correct?" he asks, waiting for confirmation before continuing. "Do you think this will put you at any kind of disadvantage against the pureblood creatures you will be fighting?"

Aria looked over at him. Her eyes made contact with his. Without a single bit of hesitation she said "I really think it's an advantage, not a disadvantage. I had to work hard to build my strength, to mold my powers. I was not just born into them." She spat the last sentence, such a rough tone you would not expect from such a lovely girl with a voice that dripped like honey. She knew tht last statement might not win her lots of affection from viewers but in her eyes it was true. That being said, she finished and left.

(OOC: I'm gunna need a question for Jace)

Marki Calum looked over the girl, noticing she was probably the second smallest there, next to the witch. They both seemed to have no physical way to win unlike most of the monsters here. "How did you react when you found out you wold be fighting against monsters, some of which had trained all their life to fight in these games?"

Kiera tilts her head, thinking about her competiotion and then chuckles, "My first thought was of who I would hunt down first. It's not every day you get to kill a competitor and show the world that I may be small, but like a good stilleto, " Kiera says, tilting the foot that was in the air due to her crossed legs and waving it around, "Lots of power in a small area equals major damage to those that get in the way."

Marki leaned back so that he was able to rest his feet on the coffee table that was between the two of them. "So Shadow," Marki said, obviously relaxed. "Not only are you the head of your family, but you have regained use of your blood magic! Average vampires have a history of winning the Games, let alone purebloods. Do you think you'll be able to add yourself to that list of names?"

"Nope." Shad smirked waiting for the gasps and whispers to respond to his unusual statement. "I don't want to be on a list with those wimps, I'm making my own list, no reason to live in the shadows of others when you can create the shadow yourself." He flashed his fangs with a dazzling smile, "Sure I'm going to win if that's the answer you're looking for, but I'm going to win without killing anyone, putting myself on my own list! The only vampire to win the games without killing anyone." Some eyes widened, this was way out of character, what was the vampire doing? Shad just lay back in his chair when he was done smiling like he had it all planned. Imagine the support he'd get: determination to win, a fresh idea, immense strength, and a stunning appearance, he was quite possibly the most appealing candidate. Of course there was clear motive behind his new plan, two people in this game he would never kill so he couldn't say he planned on killing everyone, plus it keeps the other players off his back when he says he isn't going to try and kill him.

Marki looked at the little elf girl. Yet another small contestant in the games. Without much thought he quickly asked one of his go-to questions: "What do you think your greatest strength will be in the arena?"

Angelina was tearing up and rubbed her eyes smudging the makeup they had forced on her face, the artificial lights hurt her eyes and she was already sad to begin with. "I wanna go home." she whimpered almost inaudibly, the microphone still picked up on it and amplified the sound scaring her. She nearly jumped out of her chair, when the frightened expression on her face subsided she went right back to crying her heart out in her sniffling little hiccups that echoed through the mic. She didn't have an answer to the question because there was none, she was weaker than all the others and she knew it. More tears streamed down her face as they took a close up of the little angel plucked from nature to be here.

Marki was beginning to get bored with the answers of the contestants though the vampire boy had surprised him. He definitely seemed more like the I'm-going-to-tear-you-to-pieces-with-my-fangs-just-because-you-looked-at-me-wrong kind. Next up was the werewolf and he had a fairly simple question for him. "How do you think you will fare on your own without your pack to back you up?"

Jace eyes the man with a hint of bordem himself. "I became leader of the pack because I was the strongest. Without my pack to back me up in the beginning. It will be easy." he said with the biggest grin. Of course he was going to win. He was strong and hard, emotionless.

Mathew traveled at as fast speed as his giant pumpkin could take him so he could arrive and when he finally did his pumpkin disappeared into a cloud of smoke which Mathew fell into but luckily for him no one saw. When the smoke cleared he said "I'm sorry am I late?" and an interviewer said no and motioned towards the question room. When he got in the question was...

Marki eyed the boy who appeared way too young to be in this competition. What was with this year? Everyone was so little and fragile when in previous years they had all been large and scary. "Teaching yourself magic has got to be hard," the man said, not knowing for himself. He was a shapeshifter and their magic was different. "Do you think that kind of discipline will aid you in the games?"

"Well...yes" Mathew said. "I believe that the fact that I had the drive to teach myself magic really boosted my power" he said, his eyes full of determination. "And that kind of discipline would aid me because with it comes patience and intellect; key parts to win" Mathew said blushing.

In a building, located in an unknown area that not even the contestants knew where they were, was the headquarters of the Games. In the deep basement tunnels of the building the Game Masters had gathered, creating the perfect game that would be enjoyed by all. In the building, each floor was dedicated to a species where both the female and the male would stay for the week before they were to head into the arena. In each room were simple things to accomodate the guests and make their stays as enjoyable as possible.

On the ground floor of the building was a grand ballroom where friends, family and camera crews were waiting for their glances at the tributes. Each competitor would be dressed in an outfit meant to stun the audience into being their favorites, but also while showing a key aspect of that creature. Let's say there was a species that turned into coal in the sight of danger, their costumes could be miner's outfits or being drawn on with coal or something more creative that would really stun the audience. They also have a make-up crew that insists on making them loo their very best.

Star was looking in the mirror one last time, surprised at what she saw. Her crew had actually put make up on her and she was stunned. Kitsunes never wore make up! They never wanted to marr that beautiful, sucubus face by adding make up! But Star thought she looked good. They had given her dark eye make-up to accentuate her crimson eyes, but she'd have to say the dress was her favorite. It was skin tight and very short. The way the material wrapped around her looked like the wrapping of a mummy, but in some spots the wrappings were seperated to reveal skin. Her belly button could be seen and so could multiple spots on her sides and the small of her back. Her hair was in beautiful waves down her back with a few falling next to her face. Her crew had played to the sucubus side of a kitsune and Star was enjoying it very much.

She went downstairs, not bothering to wait for the male kitsune. He would come down and notice her, she was sure about that. Downstairs she walked into the ballroom where a great feast was laid out. She noticed a bowl of blood and her mouth watered, but she shook her head. That was a horrible habit to show off in front of people. She went over to where there were glasses of champagne and waited for everyone else. The group would have a few minutes to themselves before the craziness of television arrived.

Marki eyed the Hirule suspiciously for this was the first time he had ever laid eyes on one of the species. Going over his notes he learned he was a teacher, but a young one at that, at a monster school, one of which was integrating humans, but another thing in his notes caught his eye. In big red letters HUMAN LOVER was written across the bottom. "So Mr. Ruler," Marki said, leaning in. "This is the first time Hirules have been in the games. What do you have to say about being the first of your race to be honoured to enter the competition? And you are also going against some of your students! Will this cause you to go easy on them?"

Desmond had been sitting in the comfortable spinning chair turned to the right (his right) away from the man and leaned back looking at the wall with a bored expression as he propped his face up on his left knuckles. He had listened to the man ask a question of him but did not instantly respond, instead he stayed still until the man made a slight gulping sound before he suddenly spoke.

“Honored…You’re a brave man Mr. Marki…” he gave a moment’s pause to look up at the man, his left hand remaining where it was to block the lower half of his face, “You and your fellows bring me here, interrupting preparations for my wedding… again…,” his eyes slowly began to shift as the piercing blue was cut by gold that streaked into his iris until his eyes glimmered, “now you are suggesting I have no choice but to play your game.”

The air began to shimmer around him as golden flecks of energy floated here and there, and the round interviewer was suddenly crushed beneath an ever growing gravity, several of the cameras in the roof cracked and one detonated. Desmond was letting his temper get away from him. These people had dragged him from his soon to be wife just after they had been reunited, and if it wasn’t for the issue with the council he had run into he wouldn’t even be here. “You seem to think I’m here by your power, so I’ll correct you,” Desmond began to lecture as he turned to the man fully keeping the aura pressure up, “I’m here as a favor in service to the Council Chairman, not oyu, and further more…” he stopped as he pointed at the man but suddenly realized his power was not just slightly crushing him but he had begun to crack the table from letting his aura go free.

Desmond stopped and stood, his eyes returning to normal and the aura receding, “To answer you inquiry, No, I’m not honored at all and Yes, I will certainly not be deliberate killing anyone especially those I consider at least acquaintances if not friends…” with that Desmond turned on his heel and left the room, still fuming enough for his aura to be tangible in his immediate area.

When Mathew heard about the ball he was quite pleased for it had been a long time since he had a real meal since he was searching for some one for quite a long time. When he got his outfit for the ball so that the camera people could take pictures of them he got a black and purple striped robe, on the inside a black shirt, black pants, a purple belt with tiny pumpkin things on it and big orange boots. Each color represented one of his magic types black for darkness, purple for poison, and orange for giant pumpkin. He made his way down to the ball room and noticed a beautiful female a kitsune or vampire he thought but he resisted her attraction because with attraction during a battle comes a weakness and with weakness in battle comes death and he could not afford to die because there was some one else HE needed to kill. So he just took a seat.

Kiera ponders the upcoming battle, already analysing the weaknesses and strengths of her oposition. At the top of her list was Shad, Star and Desmond. She knew they were strong, and as far as she was concerned they were the first she wanted to take out. She closes her eyes as the make up crew arranges her hair into a loose loop, clipping it up with a red barrette, to contrast with the black of her hair. Kiera enjoys the feeling of a group working to make her not just gorgeous, but spectacular. They paint her lips with a bright red and put on black eyeliner, with black eyeshadow, giving her the dark, and sexy, yet dangerous look. As they finish she looks into the mirror, smiling at the effect of the makeup. She puts on the dress and then steps into 5 inch heels, giving her a boost into the "normal" height range. Kiera is led to a mirror where she observes the dress, a full length gown, without a back that dips to right above her tailbone. It is made of a silky material giving it a certain shine and she observes it before whispering to her shadows, which incstantly create her accesories. For earings, her shadows stretch into thin rods that dangel, glittering in the light. For a necklace a chocker that matches the shine of the earrings. And finally tatoos on her arm and back. Kiera looks at herself once more, smiling at her appearance before making her way downstairs.

Once there she sees Star and Mathew, with whom she was not particularly concerned. Slowly she enters and makes her way over to Star, grabbing a glass of champange before placing herself in front of the kitsune. "I have a proposition to make."

"But... I don't want to wear either," Arabella complained to the two older witches. She looked on the verge of tears, but neither of the women held any sort of sympathy for her. Two outfits had been laid out, a beautiful, long dress or what looked like a human's halloween costume... for a five-year-old. Arabella was never this winey or picky about clothing, but something with the stress of almost certain death nearing made her very annoyed with it.

"Well you have to wear at least one," the red-haired woman said and then tapped the long dress. Arabella was suddeny switched into the dress through magic as they continued to do her hair. Arabella's long, blonde curls were pulled half up, leaving the underneath, her bangs and a few pieces towards the front down. They added eye liner and a pale foundation to make Arabella's violet eyes stand out against fair skin. She admired her dress in the mirror before heading down to the ball.

Arabella's dress was all white and looked like a ball gown. Somehow purple stars seemed to shimmer magically throughout it and looked very elegant. As the small witch entered the ball room, she noticed Star and rolled her eyes. She really disliked that girl. Then, she noticed the boy sitting down and her eyes widened. She had heard the male witch leave before her and hear he was even though she hadn't met him yet. "Hello," Arabella said politely as she made her way to sit next to him. He looked so young and she immediately felt bad for him.

"Hello" Mathew said while looking up to see her completely. There was something about her that he recognized...something about his past. Could she have possibly been in Luminescant before he left and...before he was cursed? "My name is Mathew, Mathew Grim, and may I ask you what your name is?" he said wanting to know if he remembered her name which would definitely mean he knew her from Luminescant hopefully.

Star lifted an eyebrow as Kiera approached her and almost laughed at the height difference despite Kiera wearing heels. Naturally, Star was in her usual stilettos and they matched Kiera's inch-for-inch. Star kept her composure as Kiera said she had a proposition. She didn't want to seem so shocked, but it was really something. "That you'll be the first to die so the rest of us can live without a pain in the ass running through the woods?" she asked, part of her really hoping that was the proposition.

"I'll wear that... thing if none of that make up touches my face." Shad hissed glaring at the hideous cape trench-coat covered with strange swirls and runes on the popped collar. Sure he could pull it off but he hated the formal wear, why they couldn't just let him wear a basic suit? He had to intimidate the others. That was the goal, spark fear so people didn't even bother to pick him off until the very end.

The female fashion designer approached him with a seductive step, she pressed her body against his, "Oh come on just let me get rid of that scar." She trailed his burned jawline with her long crimson red nail.

"Sorry, but I want people to know I can fight I'm choosing not to, I'm trying to prove I have control, so drop the foundation and I'll put on the outfit." he smirked in only his boxers pushing the girl away. She pouted but gave in, Shad then proceeded to slide into the skin tight under portions of his outfit, it hugged his body perfectly and made him look even more slim and muscular than usual. Slipping on the coat he examined himself in the mirror, dark, handsome, and intimidating, Shad couldn't wait to be the best looking guy in the room. Something was missing, his wings shot out from the outfit sliding perfectly through holes in the back, he looked even more menacing but something was still missing, his sign of power. Shuffling through his clothes on the bed he found what he was looking for and hung it proudly around his neck, the blood gem.

After perfecting his look he left the room without waiting for the other vampire, the girl was pretty but they hadn't talked yet, he didn't like something about her aura. He entered the Ballroom expanding his intimidating aura the weak of power would cower in his immense power. The girls were over by the drink table and he was tempted to join them, might as well. He made his approach, "Ladies, don't tell me you're fighting already?" He smiled in greeting.

Kiera smirked, "You wish. With me gone half your competition is gone. Scratch that. All your competition is gone. And well...I know you enjoy a good game as much as I do." Kiera pauses and notices Shad appear, so she turns to the kitsune and is about to quickly spit it out when Shad appears, saying "Ladies, don't tell me you're fighting already?" She turns and gives Shad a brilliant smile, "On the contrary my dear, we were just talking. And you are interrupting."

Kiera's shadows pick Shad up and place him about 15 feet away, forming a barrier to keep him away from the two girls. "Come back later."

Then she turns to Star, "Like I said a proposition." Then she gestures to the kitsune to lean in and she whispers in her ear, before taking a step backwards.

Desmond didn’t get as dressed up as the others… well, that was probably because of two things; one, he was always dressed up, and two the crews didn’t really know what to do for a Hirule. One suggested making him wear a professor outfit as he was a teacher but that particular person suddenly met the ground hard win a flash of golden flakes. He was only slightly more receptive of the make-up crew, and for a good reason.

“Desmond! Sit Still!” Kalen said sternly as she slapped him upside his head. He had no choice but to sit still as ordered and allow the crew to apply the thin layer of powdered something to make him look great on camera.

“Why should I, I should just find those Game Masters and kill them instead of participating in this farce and-OW!” Kalen hit him again and he calmed down. He was pissed at the whole situation, and had to ask himself is Shad got roped into this the same way he had. Probably not, knowing that guy he was here for the hell of it. But Desmond still took Kalen by the arm and entered with her in a flowing strapless red dress and her hair up.

He wore his usual white suit and long overcoat draped over his shoulders. However the crew had insisted he wear a dress shirt with it instead of his usual without. He did so but refused the tie and instead let the shirt be opened to show off the necklace his fiancé had got him. He wore a large engagement ring on his other hand and a strange silvery bracer on each arm adorned with alchemic symbols. Glancing around he noticed Ara off to the side and together they walked over to her, “Hey, you good?”

Aria looked at the make up crew with utter disgust. "What do you think I am? You just love to stereotype don't you?" she spat. She slid out of her clothing to slip into the red dress(see ooc) that shimmered in the light, suppose to cause the blood effect. Her nails were painted blood red and they even took her white hair and slicked it back to put in red highlight extensions. She had to admit, it looked like blood in her hair. Her heels were simple and black and she bore no accessories but earrings that looked like a simple drop of blood. Her make up was red lipstick and plain dark eyeliner. She looked in the mirror and didn't even think it was herself.

Once she was fully dressed, she walked down to the ballroom. Immediately she noticed the other vampire. She wanted to run over and rip his throat out. She knew it was him. But she remained calm and got herself something to drink while making him her personal target.

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Jace's jaw dropped. Were they serious. His "dress crew" or whatever had put him in the most ridiculous outfit. He wore a simple brown pants, no shirt or shoes and a feather head dress. He wanted to chuck his ax at them. He wore stereo typical "indian" face make. As they applied it, he growled. Once the were finished, he slammed the door and walked down to the big meet place to see many others were there. Two witches, a kitsune, both vampires, and a demon. He decided to grab himself something to drink.

Kane checked himself one last time in the mirror, smiling at the reflection. His team hadn't had to do too much considering he was an incubus and anyone who looked in his eyes would be stunned enough to not care if he was right for the camera. He was wearing a tight, sleeveless shirt that revealed layers of pure muscle beneath it and loose fitting black pants. Scars could be seen running up his arms, some looked like scratches, others teeth marks. Kane flashed one last brilliant smile before heading to the ball. He had caught a glimpse of the kitsune girl, but only a glimpse. He knew she spelt trouble, but that was his middle name.

Kane made his way into the room and threw the doors open with a flourish. He quickly took in the scene and eyed two girls off to themselves and he was grinning hugely, but a wall of shadows was seperating him from them so he moved on to the vampire girl. "Well, hello," he said, glancing around to take in the men. He eyed the werewolf and the vampire who were the only two that seemed threatening at the time.

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Arabella smiled at the boy as she began fidgeting with her necklace. Her crew hadn't wanted to take it off, luckily since it did have some sentimental value. "Nice to meet you, Mathew," she said, smiling good naturedy despite the circumstances. "I'm Arabella Tilling." She went back to playing with her necklace when she heard a familiar voice behind her and she immediately turned around in her chair.

"Kalen! Desmond!" she said happily, but then it suddenly fell and she looked like she might cry. "Not you, too," she complained. She glanced around and now saw Shad and Kiera. Just great... this was getting worse and worse.

Just being this close to Kiera made shivers be sent down her spine, but she obliged as the girl gestured for her to lean in. A smile crept onto her face as the girl said what she wanted and Star leaned back with a laugh. "For once, I agree with you," she said, looking shockedd as if those words would never come out of her mouth and probably never would have if the situation hadn't called for it.

"That's actually pretty good, but don't let it go to that oddly-shaped head of yours," she said before walking way from Kiera. She stepped around the wall of shadows so that she was lifting an eyebrow at the male vampire. Her eyes quickly glanced over as the other kitsune arrived and you could tell he was one easily. Star then turned her smile back to Shad. "Hello," she said as if she was greeting him for the first time. "Fancy meeting you here." She brought her index finger up so that it trailed seductively down the scar that the dark witch had put there. Her eyes narrowed at the thought.

"Is the feather really neccesary?" Mian asked, not arguing with the rest of the outfit. "Maybe if it was a crow feather... or an eagle feather.. but seriously a peacock?"

"Sshh," the man reprimanded, adjusting the feather back into the groove above Mian's pointy ear. The elf sighed before he headed out the door. His outfit was made of an organic material from some plants and it definitely looked it. He wore only an open vest for a top and his pants were shorts that looked like the forest had eaten something bad and spit the shorts back out. Mian headed downstairs and assessed the situation already. Great, Star, Kiera and Shad were here. He continued looking over the group and saw Desmond. He still didn't like that guy too much but he barely knew him. Mian made his way over to the blonde wtich and wrapped his arms arond her shoulders from behind.

"Hey Bella," he said, leaning his chin against her hair. "I'm glad you came to cheer me on." He didn't think Arabella had been picked for the competition because he didn't own a t.v. He then looked at the male witch and smiled. "Hiya," he said in greeting.