(no subject)

[violencetobasic]

She could be proud, at least, of this: not all the blood in her mouth was her own. She was covered in bruises and still snarling insults in four languages when she hit the rather dank ground in the relative darkness.

She looked around her, and knew she was probably going to die horribly in this place, and didn't regret a thing. A girl had to have Standards.

Comments

[dhrakon]

The aggressive attack breaks the stick he's using, and gives him an opening to use the one in his off-hand, giving her a swat on the ass, hard, for the trouble and her focusing her attention one way. Could be worse.

He steps back, gesturing towards a corner of the cage, where a few much larger bones are stacked.

"Many of the others, they think this is my trophy. It is a shrine. A year ago, maybe... they brought a rancor in. When the hunter's drugs wore off, it would not bend to the force powers of the overseers. It killed two of them. Finally, they just opened the doors to the arena before it killed more, and offered freedom to whoever killed it.
I did not wish to... others tried. Most died. I could not bear to allow it to starve to death... so we fought. It nearly killed me.
They lied about freedom, of course... for its killer. But I have always respected it, kept the bones and teeth as reminder... it died free."

[violencetobasic]

A choked sound at hit, and then, "...I get that." And she tries, to keep attentive, stay ready for everything. She's working on it, though it's hard going. At least she's already fairly good, considering she's more used to the classroom, at ignoring the pain.

[dhrakon]

He keeps at it a while longer, then finally pauses. "We rest now. Food will be coming soon. Its not good... but it will help you stay strong."

[violencetobasic]

She sinks to the ground, breathing heavily, listening and nodding. She stares up at him.

[dhrakon]

He settles in as well, waiting for the overseers to check in. "Many try to sleep until food is brought. A shame, it is good time to practice."

[violencetobasic]

"C learly." She reflects. "When does a fight end?"

[dhrakon]

"It depends on the fight. Some fights are stated to be to the death - usually if they want to be rid of someone, or against beasts who normally do not submit or allow surrender... usually. Otherwise, til there is a clear winner."

[violencetobasic]

She looks to the nexu pack. "You're unusual. So, don't have to kill or die every time. Something."

[dhrakon]

"I think they were intended to kill me. And as a pack at the time, probably would have."

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[violencetobasic]

"Reasonable assumption." A pause. "So the Sith would talk with you, when they were down here before they died?"

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[dhrakon]

"Not all of them. But some."

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[violencetobasic]

"Did they...say anything about ..." she nodded toward the nexu. "Them?"

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[dhrakon]

"Mostly, very little. But apparently it is one of the gifts the force can provide to some."

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[violencetobasic]

"I guess that figures."

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[dhrakon]

"Gifts and curses. I learn what I can, when I can. The code... simple as it is, remains helpful."

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[violencetobasic]

She listens and nods. "But something like that... don't you worry that it could give the overseers some kind of hook in you? They do those things too."

[dhrakon]

He nods. "Always a concern. The Sith are, by nature, duplicitous. But I suspect few are worried about a pit slave. There are too many measures in place to deal with escapees and revolts, after past experience."

[violencetobasic]

"They shouldn't be so secure in themselves," she mutters, quieter. "But nice if they are, I suppose"

[dhrakon]

"I agree. But in the meanwhile, we must first survive, and wait for the right time."

[violencetobasic]

She nods, then thinks quietly until the food comes, at which point she eats, still crouch-sitting oddly to accomodate her still slightly sore backside.

Eventually, after looking around again, "Dhrakhon? If the time comes... what will you do when you get out?"

[dhrakon]

He's quiet for a few moments.

"Find a place, find those who would help - and then repay the Sith tyranny for lifetimes of suffering. For this place. They will burn."

[violencetobasic]

She watches him as he says it. "I believe you." Pause. "Well, then." She shifts position to extend a hand to shakes his. "That's settled."

[dhrakon]

Apparently familiar with at least the basic idea, he grasps her forearm, pressing his own to her hand in turn.

"Through victory, my chains are broken."

[violencetobasic]

And, clasping his arm, hearing his words, she believes him. Following his lead, sparring morning after painful, exhausting morning, she believes him.

And when they put a blade in her hands and throw her in the arena alongside a dozen others, when even when she doesn't have to kill, she has to rend flesh and get bloodied yet again, when thoughts of being a grimey, gorey puppet for People Like That start to well up with despair, she catches sight of Dhrakon, and she still believes him, putting the horror and the anger behind the swing.

When it's over, she turns to Dhrakon and, still filthy with bloodspatter, presses an impulsive, chaste kiss to Dhrakon's jaw, leaving red lipmarks as if from cosmetics.

[dhrakon]

Dhrakon's usual quiet menace and intensity turns into, apparently, all out ferocity in the arena. Only those wching closely, or who know him well can see sparing those he does not have to kill - but never hesitating in the least when the killing blow is necessary - or perhaps the more merciful option.
He wields the twin axes he's given before every fight as if born to them, and likewise, fights with pack tactics, both with the nexu, and with Son'ja, like he was born with the instincts for it.

Covered in blood, roaring in victory - and ever the showman when on the arena floor - he reacts to the gesture by driving one of his axes point first into the gore-spattered arena floor, raises the other axe in victory, and with the now freed arm, pulls her in close for a kiss that's anything but chaste.