Leave Your Rules at Home {Kyanite Vs. Vy ~ Open}

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Vy Pryce
District Two
Age Eighteen

"You were serious about joining the peacekeeper academy?" Brittany asks with laughter crumbled within her words. It's always so difficult for her to believe her daughter may be capable of being more then a career. Now that she's within her last reaping age though it's time to consider these things. Yeah, Vy despises peacekeepers with a passion but then again it's her mother that taught her to keep her no friends but keep the enemies close. After all her biggest enemy's the one that trained her, and the one mocking her currently.

By now Vy's learned to ignore the rude remarks, exactly the way people should do to her sarcastic comments but don't...that's another issue though. It's rare to actually get under her skin, even if it may seem like she's angry most of the time. "Aw, I'm sorry you were rejected Brittany." She has been calling her mother by her real name for years now. With her feet propped up on the table she easily leans back in her chair and balances on the back legs. There's big plans tonight, so annoying her mother will receive little consequence due to her need to leave within a short period. "Maybe it's because you wasted all your time being a fail trainer."

"Finally you pull off something serious!" Brittany's not the most intelligent with her words, which was also passed down to Vy as well. She just received all the good gens. "I clearly failed as a trainer with how you turned out." She mumbles, getting up to actually prepare food. That kind of stuff only started occurring after the birth of Brooklyn, and somehow Brittany always forgets to make enough for the three of them.

"You really need to stop with the attempted comebacks." Vy rolls her eyes and crosses her arms across her chest. Why not just leave Brittany, and start a better life? Simply hopes of being chosen to volunteer this year. If she died oh well, at least her mother's able to take care of Brooklyn a lot more successfully then how Vy turned out. "You're clearly not young anymore." She does her own mocking with repeating the stupid clearly word Brittany uses too often.

Before Vy even has a chance to react she can feel the legs of her chair slip, and both her and the object fly to the floor. This is far from the first time Brittany's pulled off this stunt, and Vy manages to prevent her head from hitting the floor too harshly. It's always the age card that pisses off Brittany the most, even though she's hardly thirty-three and appears the age of someone in their mid-twenties. "Respect Vanity! I thought I taught you damn respect." She lectures as she returns back to the carrots she's chopping into tiny pieces, clearly for Brooklyn.

At first Vy simply returns back to her feet and brings the chair back up as well, sliding it under the table as if she was actually listening for a change. With just a second that Brittany places down her cutting knife to retrieve another carrot, Vy manages to slide the sharp object across the counter to plunge into the sink. The age of fourteen was her first time successfully standing up to her mother; she doesn't do it too often anymore now though, with a clear understanding Brittany has no fear of fighting back unfairly. Right as she brings her fist up for some much desired payback, her ears catch onto the wiggle of a doorknob and small patter of tiny feet jumping to reach something. The anger within her knuckles returns to her face as she brings her arm back down to her side.

"She's made you too soft." Brittany's actually disappointed in her daughter's lack of going through with her actions. She shakes her head and makes this horrible clacking noise with her tongue. It's true though, even if no one else is able to tell. Since Brooklyn she doesn't have such a desire to break bones, or cause chaos throughout the district. Things have settled down, as it often does after having a kid. This has to change, she feels a stronger burn within her heart to knock the lights out of Brittany, but still the sounds of a two year old trying to escape fills the air. A soft whine, but then Brooklyn actually opens the door and the little blonde comes stumbling out of the room on her clumsy short legs. No tonight, tonight Vy shall not be weak. "You're not even going to say goodbye to your daughter?" She scolds as Vy flies out of the door faster then she hit the floor. One look at the little girl brings the tough career crumbling to her tiny needs.

---

"Hell yeah I'm fighting tonight." Vy announces to the small group of guys she finds herself taking a couple of shots with. Just some sparing or training buddies, hardly known nor cared about. Now that gym hours are over though, they're drinking buddies, but only due to the fact that Vy has alcohol and they have money. Most underground fight clubs are located somewhere with a bar, but they're not allowed to put one of those within the gym. They always find a way in, and within an hour the largest gym, with the sparing ring in it, is filled to the max capacity...whatever that may be. Just somewhere for the careers needing more then just sparing, going into the ring and leaving the rules out of it.

A couple of female careers sprinkle the crowd, usually wrapped around a larger career's arm with no appearance of desiring a fight. "Guess it's another night of only battling the boys." A cocky grin slides to her face as she pours another round of shots.



((OOC: The first fight will be between Kyanite (Marree) & Vy (Cameo), if anyone else would like the join please only be a witness and don't interfere with their actual fight within the ring. Anything else is all fair-game/website rules.))

[*]

Looking at myself in the mirror has to be one of the most upsetting things to see. I run my fingers up and down my shirtless body, covered by only my sports bra. My whole body just doesn't look right anymore. I know that beauty is only skin deep, but I'm kinda glad that Matthew and I aren't back together right now at this moment. I'm hideous. I know my mom always said beauty was only skin deep, but I use that to my advantage against the guys who expect me to be somewhat of a tease; at least, when I'm fighting them. Now? I've got scars. Heavy scars on my abdomen, my face and my arm. My shoulder still bears that mark that Matthew gave me when he impaled me with the knife so deep in my shoulder. It still pains me sometimes, but it has healed for the most part. I pass of the pain like I do everything else, but that's just the internal pain. The outter pain is what I see though; to have a man touch me with these scars? They will never find me attractive now. Who wants a girl with permanent marks on their body from the many failures? Who would truly want me?

No one.

I know Matthew might want me back, just from what he said that one day, but I just don't know about it right now. Not until I can prove myself. I need to get back to what I used to have and used to be. I need to become that girl again that the guys feared to spar with. What the hell happened to me lately? Was it him? Was it the fact that I had friends? Do they weaken me? Did they make me realize that life is nothing without friends and love? I take the shirt in my hand and throw it at the floor length mirror. I growl out feircely and fall down to my knees for a moment, letting them thud against the floor of my bedroom. I let my arms fall in front of me as someone yells from downstairs. I ignore it. What I don't ignore is that both arms are free of any stitching and casts. Free of anything holding me back now. My body is almost healed completely minus the scars that reak havok on my body.

"I have to get back my status. At least try. I've got no cast... I can fight. I've been building myself back up slowly. Two weeks. My arm is fine." I flex my fingers, feeling just a bit of a pull from the misuse of it for so long, but for the most part, it feels like new again.

"Kya? What's going on in there?" Jeran's voice comes from on the other side of my door and I keep my eyes peeled to the mirror as I stare at the scar on my face. It sends these chills down my back to see it. Everytime I look at myself, I feel the blade hitting me, splitting the skin all the way to my cheekbone before cutting the rest of the way down my face to my jawline.

"It looks feirce. It looks like a challenger." I come to a revelation. It might help me gain my status back somehow. If I can't look georgous for the guys I fight, I might as well look feirce and as un-girly as possible. I can take a hit. Can they? That' when I remember about this thing going on underground that I'd heard about in passing whispers and for some reason, my heart is already settling on this fightclub thing. What better way to regain some respect I used to have? What better way than to start my training back? What if I was actually able to do something about it?

"Kyanite-Dynamite"

Matthew's name for me comes to my head and I stand up from the floor, pushing myself off with my left arm, so happy to be able to put the weight on it again. I know what I'm going to do, and I will do it whether my family knows about it or not.

"Kya? I said, what are you doing in there?" Jeran's voice comes over the door again, but this time, he starts pounding on the door. My guess is, he's afraid I've gotten sick or something again. I sigh.

"I'm just getting dressed. Keep your panties on." I tease him and pick up the shirt that I threw down, quickly put it on and open the door once I've grabbed my jacket. Jeran's facial expression tells all. He don't like what I'm about to do, even though he has no clue what it is.

"Don't worry. I'm not going after Matthew. I've got other plans." I state and push past him after turning my light off and closing my door. He suddenly reaches out to me, grabbing my arm and pulling me into a quick hug.

"Kya. I'm just worried about you, okay? Don't be stupid. Whatever your about to do. Don't." He warns me, but he's seen that look in my eye before. I will not follow his orders. I push out of his grasp, zip up my black jacket and shrug my shoulders.

"Follow me or not, Jeran. I have something I need to do tonight. Don't stop me. If you want to keep being that loving brother who hunted down my ex to kick his ass, then cover for me while I'm gone. I've went to Gala's place or something. Do it."

With a quick jerk, my arm is free from him, and I take the stairs downward quickly.

"Kya, I'll follow you if you go..." I hear him say but the door shuts before I can await him any longer. The walk is nothing to me right now. I've been keeping my training back up with cardio since I could get back to doing something since my failure of the pregames and before I know it, I've reached my destination and go inside. I'm here to make an impression. I've left behind that good girl attitude I have in front of my father and Gala. Here with all of these people, I have to match them, so I try to blend in. I'm here to observe for now. Even with the antcipation of the fights here, I think I'm starting to need this adrenaline rush to get me back into that career mindset I used to once have. Maybe tonight, I will have that chance to redeem myself, against the right opponent. Question is, who? Who would I challenge in this sea of unfamiliar faces?

Someone bumps into me from behind, with the drink in their hands as they turn around and apologizes in their drunken state. I nod my head to acknowlede the apology but the guy looks stunned to even see me here.

"Kyanite? Shouldn't you be at home? You know... curfew? I mean, your daddy probably needs you in the kitchen or something right? Cause you obviously can't fight worth shit. You better be glad you didn't get reaped this year or you'd be dead on the first step off the platform. I'm surprised Mark didn't just kill you." The dark skinned guy taunts me, splashing his beer outward and onto my jacket just a little with his unsteady hand. I fold up my arms and I give him my most hateful of looks.

"Care to test that theory in the ring? I'm sure it's open for any two opponents." The anger inside of me is welling up for some reason. Is it that he's thinking I"m worthless because I lost in the pregames? He's got another thing coming. Tonight, I feel uncaged for some reason. Where is this feeling coming from?


(PAT - 1307)

[Anatra]

.:- Max Orca-:.

The smell of toast brings me from the couch as aunt Cecilia prepares me something nice to eat before I go back to my own house. I usually venture on over here every so often to make sure I'm keeping up my appearances. It's nothing sentimental to me, but if I stopped she'd wonder what was wrong. Uncle Francis and my cousins aren't in right now so it's just me and her. "It's ready, do you want butter on it?" She calls over just as I'm getting up, thinking ahead you see. "Yeah sure, I'll do it though." I've privately never liked how little she puts on. I have to have a lot so it doesn't taste so bland and boring. I grab my jacket from the back of the couch, "Going so soon?" she wonders. "Yeah, got some things to do around the house." My own house. It's strange to think that I actually have my own home now. Being nineteen has its benefits.

"Right, well I'll see you next time, hm?" She always asks this, and I always answer her the same. "Yep, same time next week." Because it is usually the same time, same day. I put on my jacket, finishing the slice of toast quickly. I'm dressed quite smartly, a bit too smart to just be going home, of course. That would be because I'm not. I have my usual grey dress pants on with a thin black jumper. My white casual jacket is over the top but I don't plan on keeping it on when I'm in the gym. I heard about the fights that happen down there and I feel obliged to take a look, and see what is what. Not only because it may be a bit interesting, but because of the curiosity I have behind the possibility of one of my cousins being down there. I don't like seeing them in danger. Thinking about it drives my feet forward a little.

The snow scuffs and scatters as I walk, my shoes politely asking it to move. The steps down to the gym door are a little slippy due to the snow. I test them first, because making my way down.

I open the door and I see why the place is appealing to the careers. I'm not exactly what you would call a career, I use the gym as much as any other person but I don't do it because I want to kill people. I do it because that's what the folks like. Upon entering I get a couple of strange looks because I'm one of the few people actually dressed decently. Maybe a few others are as well but they are no doubt a frequent attender to this place, whereas I'm not.

I lean myself against one of the supporting pillars and I ensure I have a decent look of the ring. After all, that is why I'm here - to watch two people fight for money or fun. Maybe even both if they're lucky. Hearing of my cousin's failure in the fighting profession, if you'd ever call it that, I do feel a bit apprehensive about willingly watching this kind of thing - but it's all around us anyway. Peacekeepers beat people all the time. Hell, they've probably beaten half the people here by the looks of them.

"Care to test that theory in the ring? I'm sure it's open for any two opponents." I hear from a little bit nearby. A girl? I'm a little surprised. I didn't think I'd really hear that from a girl, even in a career hot spot like this. And to a guy? She has some balls. She intrigues me. For some reason, I want to see whether she could actually stand up to a challenge such as this, let alone pose the challenge herself. I try not to stare, the last thing I need is to be asked for a fight too, because everybody would see how quickly I'd go down against half the people here.

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM

The trip to Midland had been a good distraction from everything that's been going on with the pregames, the injuries and the fights with Kyanite and Gala. Well fights was a wrong term. It was more a matter of me being an ass to both girls and pushing them away. I had told Kyanite when she got sick that I wasn't an ideal boyfriend and it would be up to her whether she'd want to be with me or not. She never got back to me on that one so I'm assuming that her father and brother intervened and she finally gave in. It might be for the better. In order to not cause her any more trouble and grief I decided to take my father up on the offer to join him on his business trip up the district and leave all my worries and problems behind. At least the non physical ones.

After a few days up there I got pretty bored. My decision to drop out of the career program had raised a few brows at the center and left me with no possibility to get back into shape or at least get some sort of motion range back. So I went to visit a gym a few times in midland just to train whatever part of my body was still functioning and get some strength back in my left leg.
The days were only filled with business, the evening with dinner invitations and casual talks about the weather. Even up here people knew who I was and I got a few invitations by girls to parties. I even went to one or two but found myself longing for the girl I had pushed away so ungracefully more and more.

I couldn't just stroll back into her life again though.
On the evening when I arrived back home I was urging to get out there and meet a few friends, see some fighting and have a beer or two.
By now I was walking fairly normal again. Even my right arm wasn't in a sling anymore but solely protected by the brace that was hidden under my plaid shirt.
Casually I stuff my thumbs in the front of my belt and look up at the old butcher sign above the door in the side alley. "John's meats."
I smirk up and then knock three times before somebody asks me what I want and then greets me. "Hey Matthew. What are you doing here? Are you fighting again?"
I push the door open and enter the dingy premises.
"Are you going to let me ion or what?" I shake my head at him with a smile and the nudge him in a friendly way.
"Just here to see a good fight. Who's on tonight?"
"You're going to love this...girl fight?"
I raise my brows at him. "Oh really?" Wondering who it could be before I slolwy descend the stairs to the basement where the fights happen.
The place is already filled with hungry people jearning to see something 'non manufactured. I look around before my blue eyes fall on the contestants.
It's her! Am I just imagining this or is this dark haired girl with her back to me really Kyanite?

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

There was never a point for Vy to take the long journey to the more inner part of district two, keeping to her part of the area until recently moving. So far it appears to be an annoying change with the appearance of careers who don't know how to shut up and just fight. The Pryce family relocated just in time to watch bits of the pregames, which must be how people gain their reputation around here, which a couple did prove to be a little ruthless. That's also a downfall as Vy didn't have the chance to register in time and there for the opportunity to redeem the rep she left behind. No one but the oldest bothered messing with her or requesting for fights miles away in the small career-packed town she claimed. She's suppose to be the one daring enough to knock someone out, and unafraid of the consequences that may follow. Now to regain that back.

"Stop dancing around!" Vy complains loudly to the guys hardly throwing a punch within the ring. She's managed to move to the very front, up close and personal as she's ready to claim the next spot in a fight. The guys from earlier somehow also squeezed their way to the front as they were eager for a real fight that Vy promised to perform. All that's left is to find the perfect opponent...

"Look who finally decided to get back into the game." One of the guys point out and immediately Vy's dark eyes go searching through the crowd. Who? The hope for someone from the pregames to challenge lingers within her.

"I didn't expect her to be an underground fight chick though." Another comments and cause Vy's smile to widen along with her curious eyes. Her, chick? Perfect. With all four guys staring at the brunette it's easy for Vy to finally spot her, as she stands out like a sore thumb with that expression of wanting to kill written all over her face and walk. Guess it won't even be a challenge to convince her.

"Nah, I can-" The first guy goes on to argue over what type of female career this person it, but instead gets cut off by the blonde. "Who is she?" She rudely interrupts though only the one that was talking seems to care. His face simmers down once he realizes why Vy was asking, she needs juice on whom ever she's going up against.

"Kyanite, she's the only female to make to round two." A smaller guy, who actually appears more built then his friends, informs. He's clearly up to seeing the outcome of this fighting match.

"Round two?" Vy laughs and shakes her head with disappointment. "Tough female careers aren't raised down here, huh?" By the looks on the guys' faces they all actually believe Kyanite's a bit of a threat. The blonde takes a better look at her just to see a career her height but clearly more frail and probably looking for her boyfriend to hide behind. Apparently she's the only one that made it to round two though, and that's a big deal around here. Another laugh escapes Vy randomly as she considers all this. Is this really the only one standing in her way of being the strongest female career again?

"Don't underestimate her too much, she uses her words to get into her opponent's head during the fight." He warns though it doesn't phase Vy for a second.

"Momma always said there's nothing up there anyways." She gives an eye roll and cheers as the two guys finally exit the ring. Before anyone has a chance to claim the next fight, Vy's upon the edge and hanging on by the rope to demand the places attention. "Hey Kyanite!" She calls out for her desired opponent, her eyes searching through the crowd to find the brunette. "Ready to get back into the fight so soon?" That egotistical smile returns as she ducks between two of the ropes to enter into the ring.

[*]

I have nothing holding me back right now. I've got my mindset into this one mode. It's all about showing what I can do now. My first spar back into the game since the pregames quit and I was declared the loser, though, for reasons I can't figure out, some of the people that is looking at me seem stunned that I'm here. Being self conscious isn't good when I'm outnumbered here. I know I've never been down here before, but it is that shocking for someone new to happen upon their little place? The dark skinned guy in front of me stares at me and mocks my stance, folding up his arms in front of him, though that kinda takes care of the rest of the beer in his hands and it splashse all over his boot. I give off a snide remark.

"Smooth move, ace. You know, I'd rather fight someone sober, if you don't mind. You know... a challenge maybe? I didn't come here to win against some incapacitated person. I at least want someone who can stand up straight for more than five seconds." I shake him off with a nod of my head only to have his arm grip my shoulder and pull me back into his embrace, while his now beerless hand lands right on my hip.

"Hey. Why we gotta fight? You know you can just give in if you want to? Come back to my place for a while. You ain't gotta get that pretty face all messed up any more." He brings his hand up close to the scar on my cheek, letting his fingers brush up against the edge of the mark. I jerk my face away from him and give him a death glare easily. He seems amused by it though. Almost as if it's a joke to him. Is that how he see's me? A joke? Even standing here, does he think I won't be able to handle myself if I need to? I would love to get him in the ring right now just to be able to show him up in front of everyone; knock him to the ground and kiss his cheek to finish. Just to prove to him and every single person in this place that I'm not as worthless as they might perceive me.

"Sorry. I'm not that kind of girl. I don't give in to just anyone. They have to prove to me that their worth it. Now, piss off worm." I flash him a devilish smile and smack his arms away leaving him somewhat stunned. I give him one more glance right before I hear my name being shouted out in the crowd. Automatically, I feel this chill running down my spine then I try to pinpoint where the voice came from. The guy beside me takes advantage of my curiosity to my name in order to grip my behind within his hand, earning him an elbow into his chest quickly. He chokes back a quick gasp when I heard the voice again calling me to the ring in the middle of the room.

"Ready to get back into the fight so soon?"

"Whose going to be my challenge?" I question the females voice watching as she stands inside of the ring. Instantaneously, a smile plays on my lips before I start looking around to a few people whispering things that I can't hear and a few cute looking guys, who look a few years older than me, start waving me up to the stage. Instead of taking the stage quickly, I hesitate by flexing my fingers a bit, pulling my arm's muscles to loosen them up. I wasn't expecting such a quick offer to fight. I wasn't even expecting to really 'fight' anyone my first night out. However, I wouldn't mind watching how the rules work here in this place, but I guess I won't have that luxury. "What kind of fight you looking for? Easy going? Hardcore? Anything goes? Just please don't tell me we going to pretend this is the pregames. Been there. Done that. As long as you give me a challenge."

Some person begins pushing on my back, shoving me toward the ring, but I oblige. I walk with them, and grabbing the ropes that encompass the fighting ring and hoist myself up. "The names Dynamite, if you don't mind. Don't forget it, blondie."

I give her a wicked grin, then push myself through the two ropes and pull off my jacket, revealing my skin tight tank top that barely covers my stomach. My black jacket though, I toss off to the side to some guy and let my gaze fall upon the girl in front of me. Now was the time to renew what I had instilled in people from beforehand. Fighting is the only way to get my respect back after such a harrowing loss in the pregames.

"Who starts?" I ask, lifting my shoulders up and down. My fingers of my left hand moving quickly to get those muscles going for what I am about to have to endure. Already the crowd in the background is starting to chatter about what is to be going on in just a short time.

(875 - PAT)

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

It doesn't take more then a couple of seconds for the famous Kyanite to speak out from the crowd, Vy's eyes quickly locks with hers and mocks her prideful grin. Of course ms only female to round two will be thinking high of herself, just wait princess. With the only decent amount of built on the female it's easy to place her in the better at weapons category, but then again wasn't weapons round two? "I'm your nightmare sweet heart." The blonde taunts with open arms as if to give a free shot though the other career is still a good distances away. Now she hesitates, after seeming so pumped and ready. This is going to be too easy.

Some of the guys egging her along, eager to see a female fight for a change. With the inner debate going on in Kyanite, Vy takes her time with wrapping up her knuckles and sliding on the gloves. A chuckle occasionally escapes as she wonders if Kya's going to actually go through with this. Before moving she questions the type of fight Vy's looking for. Someone's new to the underground fight scene. Easygoing, hardcore, is this a video game? Anything can go just as long as it's not like the pregames. Of course her ego's fed off of that event so much that she has to bring it up.

"I did get a warning that you talk to much." Vy's not afraid to cross over any lines, or say anything wrong. Maybe if she evokes some anger out of this frilly girl that's all worked up over her progress in the pregames, she'll put up a good fight. "Don't worry, you've got a challenge Princess." With the encouragement of someone's push Kyanite begins to move towards the ring,

Apparently fight names can be given before someone even raises their visits because Kyanite requests to be called Dynamite, causing yet another laugh from Vy as a reply. To show how serious she is a nickname is added after don't forget it. "Wow Blondie, that's original." As if Vy hasn't been labeled that a million times during a spar. "Alright Dynamite, just don't blow up. I'd hate to have to scrape you from the floor."

"You gonna put gloves on? I'd hate for you to break a nail." Vy's unable to stop with the teasing, knowing it'll only spice up the fight even more. Who starts? Gotta be prepared first, but it's clearly her first time. "Rules are, there are no rules. Someone will call the winner when it gets too violent." She gives the only little bit of information just to prevent Kyanite from making a fool of herself.

"Please, lady's first." Vy offers and taunts her forward without even raising up fists for guard. First she wants to know what this kid has in her, she desires a good fight not an unfair one.

[*]

Standing here in the ring, brings back memories of the pregames. Only two months after they are done and over with, here I am experiencing the same kind of fear and adrenaline courseing through my veins. A slightly overwheming feeling is pulling me under the lights again with the many faces and the voices I hear. One or two shout out the name I gave myself in honor of the idea from someone whom I'm no longer with, but doing this to make my self worth grow. If this ends badly, I can kiss my attempts goodbye for the future, cause I doubt I'd be able to do it again. I also, don't want to think of what's going to happen if I ned up going home with more bruises and cuts then skin.

"I did get a warning that you talk to much. Don't worry, you've got a challenge Princess." Automatically, a laugh escapes me when she calls me a princess. I didn't think that those fairytale creatures existed? With whatever she just said, I shake my head to her calling me princess.

"Princess? You're already calling me royalty? Tell you what, that don't run in my blood, but you're more than welcome to start bowing to me." I tell her and take my place in the ring while she's suiting up her knuckles to protect her fingers, while I confess my new name to her and at least for the first couple of people hanging around to listen. Though, she makes a witty comeback saying that I don't need to blow up.

"At least, if that happens, I'm taking you down with me. Besides, you're playing with fire, so I'd be careful just because of that reason. And the only way you'd be scraping me off the floor is from me laughing when I beat you. You talk just as much as I do, so I dun wanna hear it." I yell at her and then take to finding the pair of gloves sitting next to one of the corners. I sit for only a moment, wrapping my knuckles like I'd seen her doing. Is it normal to be this nervous? I've fought before. Why be nervous now? OH yeah, that's why.... Fighting for the first time since the pregames. The stakes are really high right now. Everything is depending on me at this very second.

The moment the tape is around my hand, I slip my hand into the gloves and stand up. Already, I can feel the weight pulling on my left arm, but it feels so good to be able to work with it now. I pull the gloves up to my face, one protecting my chest area as I wait for her mark. The rules of this game, is simply that there isn't none and I kinda like the sound of that. It isn't based off of a point system where you automatically just lose when one person gets a better hit. Down here, the rules are totally different. Just going until one is about to give up. Who cares for eternal glory in the pregames. Down here is where the real shit happens and i've made it just in time.

"Please, lady's first.

"Are you saying you're as brutal as a man? Or just a tomboy that's looking for ways to spice up your life? What? STaying home with mommy isn't cutting it anymore?" THen as if I hadn't thought about it, I drop one of the gloves just enough to show my true curiosity. "What's your name, blondie?"

I step forward, raising both gloves to protect my face and chest and soon enough, she begs me to go first. I won't deny that pristine opporitunity, so I edge near her, careful to be aware of a trap. When she doesn't even flinch to my coming close, I'm all kinds of full to the brim with excited delight to get his first fight overwith. I want to know who will become the winner of this so called underground battling grounds.

"I think the saying goes, age before beauty, but since you asked so nicely..." I'm quick to turn a full 360, aiming my glove quickly toward her face. Legs and arms. Legs and arms. The moment, I feel all the strength in my body be pushed toward my arm, I know the damage is done with how hard my gloved hand hits her face and immediately, I back up a few paces to regain control of the situation. I can see the pain in her eyes. I've just set the standard for this battle as I can already heard the shouting of the crowds for the first punch that has suddenly gotten the blood to come.

Come on, Dynamite. You can do this!


(795 PAT)

[Anatra]

.:- Max Orca-:.

Two girls. And it's that girl too. I don't know her name, I just recognize the face. And the fact that her name sounds similar to Tyren's, but still I don't know it. Tyren, Kyren? Is it Kyren?

Don't know. "Dynamite" is all I get. Dyren?

She's from the pregames, I know that much. I didn't watch any of the fights because I hated the whole event. Not because it was people fighting. But because it was my people fighting. Tyren, Alex. The two of them could easily have been posed against each other and they didn't even think twice. I'm glad they didn't get far. I just hate the fact they both learned the hard way. Tyren being hospitalized, etc. I look at the two girls, one of them I recognize and the other I don't. Kyanite being in the pregames has me judging her based on that specifically. She's either like my cousins, or she's brutal and insane. Either way, she's here and fighting again. That means one thing - losing doesn't put you off being a career. It also means another, I know who I'm betting on. I have some money with me, I may as well take this in my stride.

I head to the betting booth, which is a make-shift counter with a scary guy behind it. "The brown haired one." I tell him, saying the name of the person I'm betting on. He smirks at me as though I'm making a mistake - or maybe he's smirking because he agrees. I can't tell. I lean on the same pillar after paying my bet through. I think I'm older than both of them, yet they knew about this place before me. I usually make it my business to know about all these kinds of things, but clearly I've not looked this far into the District.

Not sure why Vy wants to ignite the dynamite though. Because dynamite brings buildings buildings crumbling down.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

The tease of calling Kyanite Princess is taken a different way as she claims royalty don't run in her blood. That's exactly how the kids where Vy's from communicate, but Brittany was harsh on making sure her daughter spoke properly. Education didn't matter, the need to put on a good presentation if ever reaped does though. "It doesn't run in your blood." Vy corrects with her own cocky grin now. "Clearly you're not royalty, but I won't even bow to Mr. Snow." Only down here would she be daring enough to use such words, most of these careers will only be remembering this fight anyways. As if Vy would ever kneel to someone who's unable to even win the pregames. Finally Kyanite jumps into the ring, the rude jokes must be kicking in now.

So there is some ego within the scrawny career that calls herself Dynamite. She goes on about how Vy's playing with fire, and how she's going to beat her and she plans on laughing afterwards. One of them will certainly be laughing afterwards. And now Vy apparently talks just as much. Maybe she does have a few remarks of her own, but Kyanite certainly seems to be way too wordy. "You're a bit more long-winded." Vy acts as if she cares about breaking the news that her opponent talks too much. "Would you like to sit down and have some coffee and a chat before this fight?" She offers sarcastically.

Finally it appears as though the fight's going to start as Vy gives Kyanite the first easy hit. Of course more words have to be exchanged, and the blond's unable to resist another eye roll as her patients are running low. "Are you saying you're as brutal as a man? Or just a tomboy that's looking for ways to spice up your life? What? Staying home with mommy isn't cutting it anymore?" This is exactly what the guys were talking about, how this chick likes to use distractions to catch someone off guard. Isn't it obvious enough that the first punch is all hers, no blocks or anything, just free game to see what she's got. But no she has to try to dig in and try to pull out some feeling. If only she knew Vy lacks emotions without Brooklyn around. Then she even has the nerve to ask for her opponents name, once again using the annoying Blondie nickname.

"It's Vy, now will you just shut up and punch me already?" Vy questions with a furious expression of wanting to get the punches flying already.All of this stupid chatter is useless. Clearly they're both simply wanting to claim their place, but Kyanite just has the most annoying strategy of getting under opponent's skins. There's not a single budge as Kyanite steps closer as Vy welcomes in her best shot, just to see what this fight may have in store for them. The prediction that there's more words to come before she actually goes through with this is true, and the blond laughs at her correct guess. Age before beauty, great the girls are stuck up here to.

Of course the first strike goes straight to the face, with the scar slowly fading on Kyanite's cheek it's clear she wants some payback. With no prediction of such a harsh attack Vy doesn't bother to block or dodge it at all. There's a nice crack that fills her ears and automatically she brings her glove up to detect the damage. There's been so many fights and wounds within Vy's life it's difficult to tell anymore. She's felt a broken nose before, this time it brings a huge smirk back to her face though. So this career does have a fight in her, good.

"Glad to see you're not all bark." Vy comments as she shakes off the first brutal hit. Now to show what she has. Seeing that a scar already graces Kyanite's face, she decides to go lower. As the career enjoys the praise from the audience, Vy takes no time to give her first punch right into the collarbone. One doesn't have to only talk to use distraction, because the crowd does a good job of that.

[*]

Vy is the first to give in to the first attack. While skeptical at first, it seems as though she isn't expecting much out of me. Too bad she let her guard down so early. She must not have seen the pregames because she should know that I don't like to go easy on my opponents, but then again, maybe I did. Maybe that's why I did lose was because I didn't go all out like I am now. I needed those failures to pick myself back up. I needed to lose to get stronger. At this very moment, it all comes down to the taunt. The moment she opens up her arms and waiting for me to make the first move. A devilish smile appears on my lips as I take full advantage for this opportunity and this is the moment that everyone in the crowd was waiting for. It's the ultimate first hit. One that I know has to hurt from the way I hit her. Too bad, she didn't try to block it, but too late now as she is clearly probably regretting what she just done.

"Glad to see you're not all bark." She mentions, making me smile. My eyes dart into the crowd, wanting to know what their reactions are at this moment, but in the sea of unfamiliar faces, I stop at just one. I see 'him' here. Why the hell is he here? After disappearing like that.. where's he been? I take my gaze away from the crowd and back at my opponent directly in front of me. She's wiping at her nose probably because of the apparent pain, maybe. I could care less right now. I do not know her. She has no ties to me. Maybe I should have gotten her in the pregames and I wouldn't have to worry about hurting someone I knew. That's the issue. I hate to hurt someone I know. The guilt is always right there, but down here in the underground fight ring? I know NO ONE. My conscious will be clear the moment I walk out of here tonight.

"I thought you were going to fight? Or was you not expecting an actual challenge yourself? Also, your name? Vy? Short for what? Vyper?" I ask her, a smirk appearing on my lips when she decides to take her first shot toward me. I step back trying to dodge and when I move my arms to protect myself, she expertly maneuvers her way around my arms and her glove belts right into my shoulder. Adrenaline courses through my veins, fueling me and protecting all these little nerve fibers from feeling the actual pain that's constricting around my collarbone where she just hit. I do place my glove there for only a moment, grimace then return to my stance cause I know this fight is the real thing. Down here, they don't 'play' games. What have I gotten myself into? I can't back out now. If I do, I will be even more of a laughing stock amongst my friends and foes alike. Even Matthew over there. Is he watching? Is he leaving? FORGET HIM like he forgot you.

No sooner than her glove left me, I take a quick breath and go after her again, only this time, when I try to throw a punch at her but I stumble, eliciting a loud roar of laughter among the crowd. I growl in frustration and regain my footing almost immediately before coming around with my leg to make up for it to kick her on her left knee. Take them down by the legs. Make her fall and it'll be easier to deal with. If they can't walk, they can't fight. Already, I'm losing myself in this career mode I've made for myself. It's been so long since I've had to fight like this and it feels so invigorating right now. How I've missed it!

"Come on Vyper. What else you got? You're not going easy on me. Step up your game. No baby hits." I taunt her, bouncing on the balls of my feet ready to move if I need to. Ready to dodge if I have to. I'm ready for this. I've never felt more alive right now.


(712 PAT)

[Jack Lexington]

From where I stand I cannot hear what the two girls who will be competing are saying to each other but they're clearly warming up...I try to push my way closer towards the ring but have to be careful because any jabbing still hurts. I'm not sure how on earth Kyanite can be fighting again. It must be on her own free will though because her father would certainly not allow her to take part in an illegal underground fight. Even just being here can earn you a night in detention. Taking part could lead to public flogging. It's a dangerous game these girls a re playing.
Everything inside of me wants to talk some sense into the girl but I aslo jump to the conclusion that her frustration because of me and the lost fights are causing her tot ake this step.
"Kyanite. Hey." I try to get her attention but she's already getting ready to fight.
"Damn, girl!" I tell her off when somebody bumps into my right arm. Ouch. That still hurts enough for me to feel the need to clutch it.
How can Kyanite be okay to fight again? A break takes at least six weeks to heal half assed. To actually get back to 100% could be as long as half a year.
"Don't do this." I try to get her attention but get shut up by a few guys in front of me. "What the fuck are you saying. Shut up. We want to see this!"

Then the fight is on. The first thing Vy does, who I recognise as the girl who's given me a lift and proofed to be reckless, is to throw a punch at her collarbone. Vy surely is one heck of a tough chick judging by her buff body.
Kyanite takes the punch and looks around. For a moment our eyes connect. I try to mouth. "Stop." With a worried expression but she keeps going. I knew she would.
So I try to get closer until I can get a real good view of her kick.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Before training career's are taught to warm-up, do stretching and cardio to get the heart pumping. There's never conversation, or a lesson on comebacks. Wanna know why? There's no weakening with words, not for the tough careers that actually know what they're doing. For some reason females enjoy to spice up the fight with the attempt to get under their opponent's skin. Maybe it does work for the majority of them, as for Vy though it's simply annoying. Lets bring on the blood and pain, but no Kyanite has to egg on the blondie some more. At first she's actually grateful to give up her name instead of staying a mystery, being called by a hair collar is obnoxious...she quickly shifts to regret when Kyanite goes on to figure out what it's short for.

"Just Vy." She tries to play off. The last thing she needs is for everyone to figure out her real name, though what's the chances of Kyanite figuring it out? Only a teen would name their kid after a table a chick does makeup on. But the guess of Vyper does cause her to chuckle, that's a good one. Does she want a challenge on who can hurt each other's feelings more?

Nearly right after Vy's retrieving her punch, Kyanite's ready to go in for another attack. At least now she's getting the picture that her mouth is moving too much. Vy's surprised to get such a quick reaction though it's still not fast enough. Hardly moving out of the way she's able to dodge the punch and watch Kyanite lose her footing for a second only to recover her miss. A sarcastic chuckle from Vy blends in with the crowd and shakes her head slowly. So much for a challenge. "Don't tell me you're already getting tired? I'm just getting started!" Her arms extend out again as if giving Kyanite another free hit, but under a second her guard's back up in front of her face.

There's a slight wobble as Vy catches her balance from a hard kick to her knee. Wasn't expecting to go down low this soon into the fight, but what ever the girl with the reputation wants. She grits her teeth and shakes off her soon-to-be nicely bruised knee. "Guess we both shouldn't be talk so soon." Vy has no shame in chuckling at herself as she pulls back into the game. With the words lingering through the air she takes no time to give her next attack, going up high just to try out that distraction method.

A few inches separate the blonde and brunette, as Kyanite manages to block another hit to her upper body. A sly grin grows upon Vy as she stares at her opponent. "Good one." She gives a compliment, just to slam her own foot into Kyanite's shin a second later. Is that how the whole distraction thing's suppose to work? Maybe she can put that into her routine somehow. She takes a step back as to give Kya some room to recover and give her own shot.

[*]

For as long as I can even think, one on one fights have always been my number one weakness. I found out so many times while I was sparring with Matthew and Kayghna. Odd sparring with guys from the gym. Never could I really hold my own against them to beat them at their own games, but what I was good at was deflecting their attacks and never giving up. Now, my game has been stepped up since my many failures in the pregames. My motives have changed and I've learned to take losing with a stiff upper lip, though right now, I want nothing more to win. More than anything. Is that why I feel so empowered right now? Even against this girl who looks a bit more suited for boxing and fighting then me? She's more stout, but can she be more limber and quick? What about strength. Vy... you are in for a treat.

For a split second, Matthew's face flashes in my mind. What was that look? Fear? Hatred. Was he hoping I'd lose... again? What was behind that image of his eyes when he looked right at me? But the fight is still going, so I quickly put him out of my mind again. This time, after my slip up and stumble, Vy's remark about it goes straight to my head. I AM NOT TIRING. I feel the anger boiling up in my body. My muscles are becoming tense now as I get ready to make yet another quick attack on her, though she decides to make one first. She comes at me to punch, but I could see it coming before she did it. I move my right arm up quickly and hit her arm away before she can take a hit at my face, in which she was aiming.

"Thanks..." I state right after she compliments my ability to actually ward her away from hitting me. It's an amazing feeling to be doing so well. I almost wished that my father was here watching this, but I knew he'd freak out to know I was down here and fighting again. Perhaps, he'll get to see me excel in the games one day. Bring home something worthwhile to the family. For now, I can only think of something else I didn't before stepping into this ring. What if i get seriously injured in this fight? How will I explain that? Lets hope it don't come to it... and Jeran.. is he going to follow me here? What if he does? DAmnit. YOu better stay away Jeran.

In a quick flash, not more than just a few seconds after she compliments me and I reply, do I feel this enormous amount of pain jolting through my leg. "You BITCH!" I shout, backing up as I see her do the same. I have no clue why, but the shin part on the leg is the most sensitive thing ever and anyone whose ever had felt it, knows what I'm feeling now. I limp quickly, watching her with my vision before leaning down to rub the hell out of the spot that she just laid her foot into. "Shit..."

I hiss out, and all pretenses of making this a fair and even fight is over with. No rules. Now it's somewhat personal as I hear a few guys nearest me start laughing.

"Hey, Kyanite... seems like a repeat of the pregames, huh? YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE!" I shift my gaze to that dark haired guy that's laughing, and point my finger at him, goign to the edge of the ring where the ropes keep us in for the fight.

"You're next." I growl and turn my attention back to Vy and take a few quick steps over to her, immediately throwing a punch at her and the moment she goes to block it, I aim a little high for her wrist, slamming the glove into it then without another moment of hesitation, I take both hands and shover her as hard as I can to make the odds in my favor. She'll be down and I can finish this so that I can get into a double match tonight and whip that fucking guy from the audience. I've never been so uncaged before. I don't understand why I'm acting like this.


(722)

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Who would of guessed that Vy's compliment's just a fluke? Except maybe the girl so famous for her distractions. Whatever wins the games though, and hey she even got a thanks for deciding to take this girl's strategy. The irony she must be feeling as she rubs away the pain, it's easy to know how sensitive a shin can be. A pathetic chuckle escapes Vy as she waits with crossed arms for Kyanite to stand up straight again. How easy it would be to just slam a foot into her pretty face and have this fight over with already. But where would be the fun in that? After all she has more nicknames to give as her anger translates into more words instead of just a damn punch.

"Looks like you finally figured out my name." Vy mocks with a golden smile as this fight's already in the bag. Before she has a chance to egg on her opponent more Kyanite's distracted by some guys that are doing the taunting themselves. It's nice to know that some of these kids are smart enough to go for Vy, the ones from back when would never question her though they pretended at times.

Instead of taking the dude's advice on Kyanite's destiny to lose this fight, she points at the guy and threatens that he's next. Despite the no rules, Vy waits for another attack as much as she craves to just knock this loud-mouth out. Doesn't she know not to turn her attention away from her opponent in the ring? Even if she's never been in one, she's a career. The most Vy gives is an eye-roll though, finding her lack of patients growing. Over the years she's built that up with a little baby around, but for some reason being in the ring takes that all away.

"You wanna deal with me first?" Vy advices as Kyanite finally returns her eyes back. Of course now she moves in for an attack, something easily predictable that Vy quickly brings her right arm up to block. She wasn't aiming for her face though, and instead directs her knuckles right below the glove. Incase of another hit the blond doesn't budge her hand, though stretches her hand to loosen the impact. Unexpected, nice one. At least Vy's smart enough to guard with her right arm to keep her dominant side in tact.

Even if a bit of pain consumed a part of her weak side, it's no time to give in. Before Kyanite has a chance to step back to retrieve and talk more, Vy pulls out her left arm and aims in the same direction below the glove. It's obvious Kya's a righty as her full concentration is upon that hand, leaving her left completely open and unaccounted for. Just as her gloves come in contact with skin, there's an even more unexpected push upon her shoulders. Suddenly her butt's upon the floor as Kyanite controls the stage. Did she really just manage to get her down? Not that quickly.

Knowing that the shin's clearly a weak spot for Kyanite, Vy quickly relocates the exact spot she hit last. What's more sensitive then a shin? An already kicked shin. There's no rules, and by no means is Vy going to lose to some pretty girl that belongs in the mall or what not. Not even a second later she kicks under that same damaged leg to sweep the little princess to the floor as well. Immediately the blond jumps back to her own feet with the widest, proudest grin upon her face. "Didn't I tell you I was gonna be your nightmare? Should of stayed home princess."