CAP When the fighting's done (Cameo, Marree)

[Jack Lexington]

Once the winner or this match has been announce a huge smile graces my lips. "Matthew Dunham". I've been waiting, wishing, wanting to hear this for so long!
On top of that I haven't even taken any real severe hits. Nope. All the training has paid off and left me with only a couple of severely bruised ribs on my left side, at elast I think so, and my left arm bleeding, but that one had been ruined before thanks to Kyanite. Other than that I was able to block and evade everything. Admittedly Astra threw a couple of hard kicks and punches but none of them were able to knock me down or out. I feel indestructible...like a true victor. The beast.
If this was the games I'd come home as a victor, never mind the fact that I only fought one girl. I worry about that later. For now I feel victorious despite the fact I just beat a girl, half of my size, to pulp.

Since I'm walking but my opponent is down the first aid staff dashes by me and hurries to help her. She probably needs it. 'Poor girl' I think for a moment before 'She knew what she signed up for.' I can't feel bad about her. At least not in my moment of victory.



One last time I raise my fists to the spectators and let out a loud roar "Yeah!!!!".
Then I step out of the dirt of the arena into the shadows of the hallways underneath it.

That's when my energy level drops rapidly and I'm merely dragging my feet. I need a drink of water or something.
Once my feet carry me out of the arena and all the excitement and adrenalin is wearing off I can barely walk in a straight line but have to lean my palm against the cold, stone walls for a moment. My shoulder follows, then my head. For a moment I simply enjoy the coolness of the stones but then I roll my head to the side to catch a glimpse of Astra and the medics hovering over her. What if I had to fight Kyanite or Cameo? Would I have been as ruthless?
"Shit." I only watch for a minute, then I turn away again.


OOC: Sorry about the pic, couldn't resist LOL. It's my victory pic.
So I'm not sure how Ky's fight will play out but we can leave that open to imagination for a bit...
BTW This is the last fight so it'd be about five days or so after yours

[*]

[presto]

Kyanite Ruze

"Don't tap out" My words had reached him I know. They had to have cause I can see when my voice reached him, he seemed to have stepped up his game just that much more. Was it the simple fact that I was there watching? Maybe it was the fact that I knew he would be the only one advancing onto round two that made me shout out? I can't clap the moment the judges declare him a winner, but I most certainly was one of the few congratulating him with a high pitched voice. My good arm doing a fist pump into the air while the other is casted and in a sling. The results of my battle has left me useless for a while until the bones heal. It hits me though, that Matthew is going on to round two now, and the fact that Kayghna also goes to round two makes my stomach churn. Will he get matched up with her? Will he be allowed payback for what she did to him and me? If you and Kay get matched, you better beat the living hell out of her, Matthew. I feel nothing but resentment and hatred against her.

I watch curiously as the medical staff comes on to the field, as I try to make my way down to the field to congratulate the winner. It's so different seeing him this happy. I mean, he's completely ecstatic! I can't help but feel a bit sour that he'll be able to go to round two and I'll just be sitting in the sidelines cheering him on, but would I have it any other way? Would I even risk the chance at really hurting him if I had been passed on through to the next round? To take up arms against my 'boyfriend'? How would that even work? If at all? Maybe, it was meant to happen this way? Maybe it was suppose to be this way. Afterall, Matthew is strong and well trained, not to mention he looks really good right now with him winning. I can't help but be happy for him.

The moment my feet hit the dirty ground, I see him take his last bit of energy and roar to the crowd about his victory. I follow him as he makes his way to the hallway and when I get there, all I see is him leaning against the wall. Concern floods over me though. He acted fine out there, but was he truely hiding some form of pain? Did his opponent make an injury on him that makes him need to hold onto the wall for support. I can see his eyes staring out into the feild for only a brief moment then he turns his head. I turn to see the medics attending to the girl. A couple of thrown words of congradulations are sent toward Matthew by passerbys, but I stare at him with the biggest smile I can muster.

"What a fight. Glad to see you didn't tap out." I go near him, letting my hand rest against his arm. I can't really fight this feeling anymore. I know he doesn't want our relationship to be public, and should anyone see what I'm about to do, they would just think I"m some huge fan of this ripped guy who'd just won. I throw my arm around his neck and whisper into his ear.

"I"m so proud of you!" The elation in my whispererd voice says it all. I pull back immediately and back up a step. "You hurting?"

[/presto]

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Gala Thomas
Age Thirteen
District Two

Maybe it wasn’t the healthiest to look up to two people so highly, but Gala couldn’t help it. Her sisters are annoying and selfish, plus they never even attempt to understand. Matthew and Kyanite on the other hand don’t even have to try; especially proofing this after Gala’s lose. Now though Gala gets to cheer in the stands as she watches her trainer go up against a girl much smaller then him. This time she leaves with plenty of time to make it early, knowing that Matthew has to win, as if he winning it for all three of them.

Was this how it was when Mason and Gala fought? With the height and size being greatly different between the two opponents. The female he was up against at least appears to be Kyanite’s age, though she seems to put up a worse fight then little Gala. Sure a few good attacks, but it appears that Matthew won’t need too much assistances for the nurses when this is all over. In no way does his trainee feel bad, cheering him on the entire time, even if the crowd was overpowering her loudest scream.

“Matthew Dunham”

The announcement causes Gala to nearly fall over the edge she was leaning on, as if the few inches closer could raise her voice higher. He won. Even if it wasn’t Gala, or the final round, he still won, her trainer won. A smile stays plastered on her face as she watches him screaming out to the crowd his victory. If he can be that powerful, then he’ll be able to teach someone to be similar; clearly be shown by her few good hits during her own battle.

With a load of excitement she finds her way back to the inside, knowing her way around nearly perfectly being the third time. Still it seems as though Matthew and Kyanite purposely find a new location as every time Gala has to search. At least within a couple of minutes she spots the two, with the older female pulling away from a comforting hug.

The small career gives a cough to warn of her presents, a smile lingering on her lips because she was able to catch on to anything. “My trainer won!” Gala announces proudly as her grin grows to the extreme. She was ready to jump and down at the fact one of them still won, but she resists. “I knew you could do it.” Why was it that Matthew didn’t seem as happy though? He had won! At least one of them won, and there really is a plus side to only one of them as well; they won’t be fighting against each other. “You okay?” Gala asks with concern replacing her happiness.

[Jack Lexington]

Even when I don’t look at her smaller, fragile, broken body I have this lingering feeling that Iäve done something unjust. To figth against her certainlz wasnät fair. This girl is much smaller than me and she doesn’t have the fierceness she needs to beat me like maybe Kayghna could.
Yetr it wasn’t my fault that we got matched. What was I supposed to do. Lay down without a fight?

On top of that I have trouble taking normal even breaths. Maybe I shouldn’t feel so sorry about her and start worrying about my own well being. The fight’s over and as much as I’m still riding on a wave of adrenalin and happiness it’s starting to wear off.

A familiar voice brings me out of my thoughts. Before I turn my head I know who the sweet sound belongs to. My girl. The one who had been brutally beaten out of her chance to advance to round two. Yet here she is with a huge smile on her face.


"What a fight. Glad to see you didn't tap out." She commends and touches my arm lightly. She’s so self less, just happy for me. I can’t help but return the same kind of smile when I see her.
“I heard you.” I admit because her opinion was the only one I cared about…not those idiots that I always train with.
For a moment I’m torn between hoping for a kiss and fearing the same thing out here in public. So I’m glad when she only wraps her arm around my neck. Her arm, however, rests on my collarbone that Astra bruised, so I flinch back a little.

Here words are a great reward though. A lot of people will hate me for going this hard on a girl but the one girl, who really matters, praises me for it.
“Thank you. I’m not sure whether I’m proud.” I motion for the girl who is now being escorted out of the arena.
“I am…80 percent proud.” A smirk appears on my lips because it’s starting to sink in that I won my first serious fight in these pregames.

Kynaite, whose sporting a cast and sling now and looks in pretty bad shape herself asks me whether I’m hurting so my first instinct is to tell her. “Nope, I’m good.”
It’s all part of the show. Don’t admit you’ve been hurt because people will take advantage of this kind of knowledge.
“She didn’t get any hard punches in.” I pride myself because at this very moment that’s how I feel.

Somebody clears his throat behind us so I turn to see who it is. It’s no other than my equally beaten up trainee, Gala. Poor girl can’t even stand on her own two legs but she sure enough she praises me with a lot of pride in her voice “My trainer won! I knew you could do it.”
The small girl makes me smile. She looks so giddy and cheerful despite her own defeat just because I won. Maybe girls aren’t all that bad after all, not all of them anyway.
“Yeah.” I nod to her. “I knew it as well. As soon as I heard who I’m going up against I knew I had this. Wasn’t all that hard.”
That’s the only downside. I ONLY won against a girl.
My expression becomes a bit more serious as I push my elbow off the wall and slowly walk towards her. Briefly my hand graces Kyanites but I only brush by her. That’s all I dare to do out here. How weird. I can punch a girl in public but not hold another ones hand.

“You okay?” Gala asks with big eyes but I shrug her question off.
“Sure, why? I just won, why wouldn’t I be okay?” Any other replz would be admitting defeat, wouldn't it? Plus I don't want to show any pain while my two 'girls' have broken bones and are in worse shape.
I put my hand on her shoulder and walk down the hallway with her.
“I wouldn’t mind some water and maybe an ice pack or two. Then we can go aND CELEBRATE.”

II look over at Kyanite searching her face. Is she really happy for me?
“Are you ready to celebrate?”

[*]

I am more than happy to see him standing there and for the brief moment that he allowed me to hug him gently. My arm that went around his neck made him flinch slightly, and I know its from one of the punches, though my words sneak into his ears quickly. He returns my praise with his own unsure tone. That he wasn't as proud. I shake my head. If I was him, I'd be more than glad to take the full praise because I would deserve it unlike having the loss I got. I would have felt nothing for my opponent should I had won against Kay and delt the final blow to her instead of the opposite way. Though, looking at the girl, I can understand the way she would be feeling right now. I understand what it felt like to be Gala. I understand what it feels like to be her. I've been in both of their shoes. It's the aftermath of losing that is the worst. Both the good and the bad that comes with the title. I can't and I won't ruin Matthew's good luck. I can't possibily feel even better than the fact that one of us gets to go on.

Once again though, he proves his strength when I ask if he's hurting and he declares that he's good. I give him a genuine smile and stiffle a small laugh when he mentions she didn't get any hard punches in. My retort? "Well, I'll see about that later on." And I give him subtle wink before someone clears their throat from behind me and I turn to see Gala and hear the pleasantry in her voice. She's so excited that her trainer has made it past the first round and is actually going to the next. I give Gala a grin and watch as Matthew makes his way over to her, but I feel his hand brush up against mine. I want to take it. I want to give him so much more than just a hug around the neck right now, cause I'm just more than happy for him. I'm totally excited to see him this way. Even though he looks worn out, I can see it in his eyes. But, I have to keep it down between us. Not even Gala knows about us, but I'm sure she saw us hugging before she made herself known. It's all in a good win though. Congratulating the winner of the round. Would she expect anything less from me?

AS I stand there, I let my hand touch the sling that cradles my arm and I look to Gala's leg. It must be hard on Matthew to see us both broken like this. Surely though, he sees this as the female race is actually weaker. Does he see me that way as well? I know the conversation we had the other day, he told me I was one of the best female fighters there was, but my battle could hardly show that. Now, I know where my support will be. It will be one hundred percent behind him. Anything he needs, whether it's cheering from the sidelines or a gentle hug after the next round, I will make it my promise to be there for him. I can see he wants this more than ever. This small win has given him enough confidence to go straight to the next round. I'm curious who he'll be up against though. Suddenly, I'm thrust out of my own thoughts when he turns his attention to me, away from Gala for a moment.

"Are you ready to celebrate?"

I nod to him, walking very close to him, and bumping his arm lightly with my arm. "Shoot yeah. Someone in our group had to come out on top. Why shouldn't it be you? Celebrating is what we do best! Just promise me one thing, Matthew?" I turn to him with a harsh stare and look at Gala for a moment before I let the smile appear. "Beat Kayghna's ass for me." I tell him and let my hand touch his as we begin to walk again, only letting my pinky finger, coil around his for a moment.

"So, where are you thinking? You're picking the celebration spot?" I look at both of my companions and let nothing but joy overflow from my voice. I know, Matthew will enjoy beating Kay if he got matched with her, so asking that small favor from his would be easy to fulfill. "Gala, suggestions for what we need to do to the winner?" I give her a wink and wait to see what plans we can come up with.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Dealing with someone's victory rather then defeat is certainly much more pleasant. For once Gala's praise is taken, though she couldn't blame Kyanite for yesterday. It was difficult to take any kind words after losing, that she understood more then anyone. Still it's a nice change to have a winning night. The small team would probably feel helpless without at least one. A smile mirrors onto Matthew's face, and his trainee's grin grows bigger; after all she didn't want to be intruding. She found herself to be where she's not wanted often.

“I knew it as well. As soon as I heard who I’m going up against I knew I had this. Wasn’t all that hard.” Matthew agrees and is happy over his accomplishment. Gala on the other hand had no clue who is opponent was, just was happy to see her trainer win.

"Now you have a chance to kick Mason or Kayghna's ass!" Gala blurts out with a giggle hinting in her voice. Maybe it wasn't the appropriate thing to say, but it was filling her mind. To witness Matthew fight against one of them would be priceless; either one as well, as Gala feels just as much anger towards Kya's fight.

The fight between Mason and Gala certainly felt unfair, but Matthew against a career Kyanite's age wasn't. There was no reason for him to feel guilty over his wounded opponent, though there was a bit concern that he would. He took his victory perfectly as he screamed out to the crowd at the very end, but seeing him backstage was different to say the least. Still Matthew claims to be good, that he had no reason not to be. "Good." Gala comments softly.

“I wouldn’t mind some water and maybe an ice pack or two. Then we can go and CELEBRATE.” Matthew clearly shifts to fully enjoying this; after all one of them had to win. He turns his attention over to Kyanite, making Gala's head title to the side a bit puzzled. So there was something going on. “Are you ready to celebrate?”

"Shoot yeah. Someone in our group had to come out on top. Why shouldn't it be you? Celebrating is what we do best! Just promise me one thing, Matthew?" Even though Kyanite was only let down yesterday she's willing to push that aside to be happy for Matthew. Yup something's going on. "Beat Kayghna's ass for me." That's the usual Kyanite! The smile grows upon Gala's face though it has yet to leave at all. It was so nice to have a joyful feeling after two disappointments.

"Or Mason's...." Gala comments, knowing Kyanite won't mind due to that fact he hurt her to. Plus who wouldn't want revenge for a friend? That's what they all were by now, if not more. She follows behind them as they all go on search for an icepack, and actually stays close behind despite her need of a crutch. Another plus to this fight, a lack of need for medical assistance for anyone! Sure Matthew was a little beaten up, but by the looks of it nothing broken.

"Gala, suggestions for what we need to do to the winner?" Kyanite asks with a wink. By the sounds of it she has something sneaky up her sleeve, but maybe that's just always on Gala's mind.

"Well I know we're in no shape for a prank." Gala giggles out her disappointment. "Save that for another time..." Her voice trails off with ideas. Getting into trouble was her best talent, but recovering was needed first. "I don't know. All the places to celebrate at I can't go near." She can only assume Kyanite and Matthew sneak into clubs just as her older sisters do. That's how older kids celebrate right?

[Jack Lexington]

She bumps into my arm. Not the gentlest of touched but something. I feel the sudden need to touch her and hold her close but right now I won’t allow myself to.
As we walk along the corridor my steps are slower than usual. I’m quite exhausted and starting to feel the soreness all over. Yet I my heart is set on celebrating

I’m glad the girls agree with me on this one.
"Shoot yeah. Someone in our group had to come out on top. Why shouldn't it be you? Celebrating is what we do best! Just promise me one thing, Matthew?" Silently I wonder what on earth she wants me to promise. I hope it’s not so bad. The look to Gala makes me a little uneasy. What have these girls been coming up with?

“Beat Kayghna's ass for me." The Gala adds. "Or Mason's...."
“I promise, twice as bad as you can imagine.” I smirk at her and place my hand on Galas shoulder, who is hobbling along because I actually hope that I get matched with her or Mason.

She lets her pinky curl around mine making me look down for only a second before we part again.
A quick look over to Gala confirms that she hasn’t seen it so I give Ky a quick look.

"So, where are you thinking? You're picking the celebration spot. Gala, suggestions for what we need to do to the winner?" She winks at the younger girl giving me a weird flash of goose bumps. That was hot.
Whatever they come up with to celebrate…I wish little Gala was much older so she could drink and party like the big dogs.

"Well I know we're in no shape for a prank." Gala giggled, which only makes me shake my head.
"Save that for another time...I don't know. All the places to celebrate at I can't go near." The young career sounds really disappointed.

We’ve reached the changing and treatment rooms so I stop for a moment and look at her young face. “That’s okay, we don’t need no public place to celebrate. You two don’t look like you’re in any shape to go out anyway.” I say in a really arrogant voice. It’s easy to point out their shape to cover up the fact that I won’t be dancing around tonight.
Since I’m still only clad in my gym pants and sweat soaked with the addition of a bit of blood smear from my arm I tell them. “I’ll take a shower and get my arm wrapped up. Give me 10 or 15 minutes.”

Somewhere down the hallway somebody calls out. “Good fight, Dunham. Glad you won.”
I nod to him and shout. “Thanks.”
Then I turn back to the two girls and give them a smile. I really would like to kiss Kyanite now. I simply feel like it. Still I turn away and close the changing room door behind me.


The hot water of the shower feels stings my arm at first but then feels mostly soothing: washing away the dirt and grime of the fight, relaxing my muscles but at the same time making me incredibly tired.
I first just hang my head with my hand on the wall but then slide down to simply sit on the floor while the hot water rains down on top of my head. I could sit like this for good.

After I don’t know how long I finally pick myself up and drag my tired bones to the locker to dress. Every move hurts now. The adrenalin wave I was riding has long rolled to the shore, leaving me tired and in pain. Sure I might not have broken any bones, although I’m not certain that all my ribs are intact, but I’m still bruised all along my left side.

Silently I wish that the girls got bored and left so I can simply go to bed.
I roll back my sleeve to examine the cut that Ky left there. It’s split in the middle again but strangely enough it doesn’t bother me. It’s like a secret reminder how we first met.

With my hair still wet but dressed in a blue plaid shirt and jeans that are hanging a little too loose from my hips and a duffle bag slung across my right shoulder I exit and look around for them.

[*]

Just that small bit of touch I allow myself to have, letting my pinky finger coil around his, sends a small amount of joy through me. How much right now, I want to wrap my arms around him and give him more than just this simple touch. He deserves to be shown how much I am happy that he's won and holding off is killing me. I know he can sense it, too with that look he gives me when I pull my finger away from his. At my next question I give Gala, she simply states that she's in no mood for a prank. I couldn't agree more. Though, the double meaning behind it I think he can tell what I was hinting toward but little Gala doesn't notice. So, once again, what me and Matthew have is safe.

Still, we walk down the hallways to the treatment rooms and the changing areas. Matthew makes the public celebration spot a thing of the past, saying that both me and Gala don't look like we could go out. In agreement, It would probably be best. "I kinda like that idea. Just somewhere we three can hang out. You have an idea Matthew?" I ask him as we reach the changing rooms and he tells us to give him some time for a shower and to wrap his arm. I nodd, then look to Gala as someone in the distance yells out something to congratulate him. Before he disappears into the shower room, he gives each of us a smile, but my eyes linger longingly at his lips and then he's gone in an instant.

Turning to Gala, I look at her with a head drop and shake. "Lets wait on him, shall we? See what kind of trouble we can get into by ourselves?" I ask her, let off a small laugh and start to walk off to a small cluster of chairs that sits outside one of the treatment rooms. Time seems to half for me though. To sit here outside of the treatment room that both me and Gala were using just the other day bothers me. To have both of us lose our fights and out of small group of three, only one made it to the next round. I draw my leg up, wrapping my arm around it as I sit and wait on Matthew to make his appearance. Time inches by before my eyes see the door open to the showers and I see him exit.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

There was a great downfall to be young despite what everyone thinks; more years in the reaping, less knowledge, and hardly any access to anything cool. Especially for a little career who's only two friends were both a couple of years older, not to mention a head taller and much stronger. That was why she stuck around though, as ironic as it sounds. Maybe one day she'd be like them, and if it was possible to take the good parts from each she'd have to be the perfect career. But for now, when it comes to celebrating, she was a bit of a roadblock.

“That’s okay, we don’t need no public place to celebrate. You two don’t look like you’re in any shape to go out anyway.” Matthew doesn't mind the inability to go somewhere his small trainee can't get into. He even adds a little joke at the end to show his lack of concern. That was certainly the old Matthew attitude returning after all these sad days of losing.

"Haha, very funny." Gala comments with a small sarcastic laugh behind her words.

Before any celebration can take place the winner needs a fast shower and change first. His small trainee thanks him in her head, not wanting to actually comment out loud how much sweaty guys stink. Why is it that they give off a worse odder then girls? Either way the victory smell wouldn't be lingering all night. The girls are left in the hall alone, to soak in there lack of winning.

"Lets wait on him, shall we? See what kind of trouble we can get into by ourselves?" Kyanite offers, and Gala nods her head with a giant smile. Of course they weren't going to actually cause trouble, not until they healed a bit. It's still nice to know they share the same interest though. Before Gala would purposely go out of her way not to listen to people, do the opposite of whatever they were asking. Now though, well with only the two older careers, she actually attempts to listen...most of the time. She plots herself down in a seat next to Kyanite, letting her wounded foot swing over the edge.

"Kyanite and Gala?" Someone questions, and the careers look up to see one of the trainers involved in creating the pregames. The younger one nods her head to inform he was correct. "Looks as though the judges were wrong with the amount of pain you girls gave on your opponents...Kayghna and Mason have both stepped down." He informs, making Gala's eyebrows arch inward with confusion. "Congratulations, you're getting a second chance at round one. The fight's in two days." Before they have a chance to ask any questions, the guy leaves.

"The fight..." Gala repeats, unsure of what the exactly meant. All of the matches have been held on separate days. So if Kyanite and Gala were fighting on the same day....they'd be fighting each other. Talk about mixed emotions. Joy over a second chance, but fear over who it was with. The youngster was even willing to fight against Mason again, but Kyanite? Matthew exits the changing room, fresh and clean and ready to celebrate certainly. But instead of the happy faces he left, at least Gala's is completely shocked. "We're back in the pregames." Is all Gala can explain to her trainer.

[Jack Lexington]

My feet don't want to move when I approach the girls because I'm pretty worn out by now. Yet I will them to keep moving only to look in Gala's confused face.
"What?" I raise my hand in question. "You never expected me to clean up that well or what?" I joke about my appearance but she doesn't smile. Neither does Kyanite. Both just look baffled when Gala mentions. "We're back in the pregames."
Stopping in front of them I drop my bag and wonder. "How? And who are you going to fight?"
I'm confused by this new bit of information. Had somebody stepped down?
Before they can add any more information I motion for three doors down. "Walk over there with me while you tell me, I need the nurse to wrap this up."
I lift my left arm, who is awefully sore now thanks to the hits that Astra let rain down on Kyanites work.
While we walk I cast a curious glance at the older girl.
"So how is this supposed to work? You're going to fight in casts and shit? What's going on?"

We reach the door that's open because nobody is inside so I simply step in. "Excuse me? Could I get you to wrap this up for me?"
The nurse on duty looks up from stacking supplies onto the shelves. She's way to young to be doing this job and way to pretty. I bet all those hungry career asses are hitting on her permanently.
"Yeah, sure." She smiles at me. "I was hoping you'd show up. Good fight."
Walking on over to sit on the exam table I smile at her. "Thank you."

[*]

Gala and I wait for Matthew to do what he needs to while we are left sitting outside to wait. Both of us sit with the first few minutes of it to joke about causing trouble only to suddenly become quiet and listen to the humm of the world passing us by. I casually glance over watching her swing her foot back and forth like a pendelum in a grandfather clock does to count the seconds.

One... two.... three.... fourty-seven... fouryt-eight. My counts don't even reach a minute before someones voice reaches out to our ears. Both Gala and myself look to the man at the sound of our names and he comes over to us. I perk up instantly. Apparently, from the way the man talks, both mine and Gala's opponents had dropped out. Mason, I can understand why he would have dropped out of the competition, but Kayghna? What made her step down? What happened in order for her, after breaking me down, to want to first humiliate me then make me go through it again? It had to be that. She wanted to put me through more pain and suffering and the only way to to do that is to step down and let me go further in the pregames. I shake my head in disbelief and before it know it, the man leaves. I sit there stunned still. My gaze going over to Gala for a moment.

"Can you believe that... is it true?" The realization of what's to come starts flooding in. We have to fight each other. I open my mouth to say something to my friend, but she comes out with something first. "The fight..." I nod to her, showing her that I know what she's thinking. That's when we both seem to notic that Matthew has exited the the shower room, and he comes out looking extremely tired. Tonight, will be a quiet celebration I hope. I know what I felt like after my fight and the same went for Gala. We can celebrate hard tomorrow. Then, Gala let it slip what just happened to us and Matthew's reaction was perfect. I can't help but place a smile upon my face, but fear instilled in my heart.

"This guy came by when you were in the shower. Told us that both Mason and Kayghna had dropped out. The only thing is... both of our fights are on the same day..." I drop the smile on my face and cringe. He tells us of his need to get to the nurse and I keep my mouth shut for the moment until he either figures it out or Gala spills the beans again. I follow behind him until we reach the door to the nurses station and he goes in and sits down as the woman begins to do what she needs to.

"I guess so. Casts. Crutches. Whatever it takes I guess. The only thing is... my opponent is..." I can't say it, so I look over to Gala. I know she'll not want to say it either, but it would sound better coming from her instead of me. I advert my gaze to his arm though, and touch the underside of his arm and stare at the mark that I had left on his arm. My memory of how it happened comes back to me with a grin on my face.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Leaving it to Matthew to pull out a joke with everything going on, and even teases himself a bit in the process. For a second a smile comes across Gala's face, but it quickly fades down. What a joyful opportunity to redeem themselves gone spoiled. A shiver runs through Gala at the thought of fighting against the female she looked up to. Anyone else, even her trainer, but not Kya. She sighs and bows her head, luckily Kyanite takes over for the next part. "This guy came by when you were in the shower. Told us that both Mason and Kayghna had dropped out. The only thing is... both of our fights are on the same day..." Certainly that had to be a dead give away, though not a direct one.

"Walk over there with me while you tell me, I need the nurse to wrap this up." Matthew waits to ask any further questions, but it certainly was the best idea to talk while moving...save time and all. Of course Gala follows without question, as does Kyanite. "So how is this supposed to work? You're going to fight in casts and shit? What's going on?" He asks while they make their way to a nurse's room.

It's difficult for either of them to say, as if it they don't verbalize it it won't happen. But it will. The distances isn't long at all, and soon enough Matthew's being treated by a nurse. Of course she tells him a good game, but that she was hoping he'd come by sounded funny. Gala shakes her head with a soft giggle. Forgetting about the match would be best, but also wasn't going to happen. "I guess so. Casts. Crutches. Whatever it takes I guess. The only thing is... my opponent is..." Kyanite's unable to get the last part out, which is completely understandable. What was Matthew going to think about the whole thing?

"We're fighting each other." Gala blurts out, sick of the suspense. Just out in the open was best. "So how are we having fun tonight?" She quickly adds in, hoping to ignore the first part all together.

[Jack Lexington]

I sit there and watch the young nurse apply some desinfectant and start wrapping my arm wondering what she meant by 'I was hoping you'd come by'. Was she a fan or something? I look up into her face and see her flushed cheeks when she tells me "There, like new. Come back when you need it changed."
A little bewildered I tell her. "Sure."

The Kyanite touches my arm and brings me back to their conversation when the little bubblehead announces "We're fighting each other."
I had a sneaking suspicion that that might be the case but ask nevertheless. "Are you sure? Oh, shit." Is all I can say to this.
For a moment I look at her with concern, then at Kyanite.
"Well, at least you know you're opponent is going to play fair." What concerns me more is that I might be going up against one of them at some stage.

"So how are we having fun tonight? The little one asks so I suggest.
"Let's go to my uncles place. The party house out back."
I shoot Ky a meaningful look because she'll know what I'm talking about.

--
Half an hour later we enter my uncles noble property with the big house, pool and club house out back, where Kyanite and I spend the night after our day in the woods. The water shines azure blue under the pool lights but we keep on walking until we get to the small fun place in the back.
I leave the girls there for a moment to run over to the main house to grab some drinks and food.
Soon I return with a whole basket full of stuff. The bed looks really comfortable right now so I lower myself onto mindful of my bruised ribs and grab a banana and a beer from the basket.

OOC: Up to you whether you want to play this or leave it at that.

[*]

Gala is more than intent of celebrating somewhere so she does ask about to Matthew and the responce he gives, has me grinning. The first night we had spent together. His arms around mine as we fell asleep after that very long day in the woods trying to survive. How it all began between the two of us. I keep that subtle grin on my face the whole walk there though, as I keep my gaze on Matthew off an on. What will happen there tonight with Gala? Will we all three fall asleep under the conditions of a long day and a celebritory victory? I can only begin to wonder as we approach his uncles house and the memory of this place comes back to me.

"How you like this Gala? Awesome, right?" I say as I stare at the blue water, then we reach the door to the party house and we enter after MAtthew had returned with a basket of goodies. Inside, he puts the basket down near the bed and he instantly lowers himself onto it while grabbing a peice of fruit and a beer. I follow suit, and grab a beer and hold off on the food for the moment. I hold the bottle between my legs while releasing the top with one hand and give off a small laugh. "This is going to be harder than I thought." I mention having to do things with one hand only. I look over to Gala and I see that look on her face when she sees the beer.

"Don't think about it." I smile at her then I look to Matthew and shake my head. Without even thinking, I sit on the bed next to him and cross my legs taking a few sips of the beer. What a way to end the day when one of us is going to be put through to the second round.

"Congratulations, Matthew. You deserve it!" I tell him, giving him a wink and returning the bottle to my lips to take a hefty drink.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

It's new for Gala for be invited somewhere, but she actually has friends and that's apparently what friends do; even when one of them is much younger then the other two. A nice change to say the least. "How you like this Gala? Awesome, right?" Kyanite comments as walk to the back of Matthew's uncle's property. That was an understatement to the young girl who had never been through such a place. Everything just appears huge and nice, with even a private pool in the back. Though that's not what really impresses Gala on account she purposely walks as far away from the water as they walk past it.

"Yeah." Is all she's able to reply with, simply amazed. Her family's home was huge to fit all the girls Ms. Thomas popped out, but certainly no where near as nice. The Thomas house was all about quantity, not quality.

Even though Matthew's the winner, he's the one to bring out a large basket of food and drinks. What's a party without the necessities though right? Of course both of the older careers going for the beer, and Gala can only stare at it questionably. "Don't think about it." Kyanite warns, bringing Gala's bright eyes from the beer and up to her gaze. Of course she has a smile upon her face, and Gala mimics her with a grin as well.

"Why not?" Gala asks, tilting her head to the side like a confused puppy. She turns her attention to her trainer, figuring he'd probably be much easier to convince. "Just one?"

Both Matthew & Kyanite are sitting on the bed, and knowing better Gala sits on one of the chairs opposite from them. Kyanite congratulates Matthew and takes a sip of her beer. "That's not how you toast silly, even I know that." She jokes, unconsciously getting Kyanite back for automatically refusing the small one beer. Still her voice is more innocent and teasing then holding a small grudge.

((OOC: Really hoping Matthew's a bad influence for this one! xD "Just oneeeeeee"))