“Grounders are what we call people who live below the clouds.” Scrip answers.
The fights continued for a long time, some having runes, some without, some battles called ‘Speed Fights’ allowed poison, sometimes parts of the arena would be set on fire for the battle. You can tell that Scorpio is a celebrity based on how everyone reacts to him, and he fights most often, winning every single time. Scrip is energized by the battles, and is eager to start training again as soon as Battle Sun ends for the day.
Fenris turned to Scrip. "It is not enjoyable when you are the one fighting."
Scrip shook his head, or rather his torso as his head was not a separate extremity.
“I have fought in the arena before. It’s great! I get to test my skill against others like me, and can gain some good experience.”
Kiriti listened to Tatsu while he spoke. "…Perhaps… it is a good thing. I knew little while living with my kitsune clan. But when I joined the Vanguard, I discovered so many different kinds of people, and I started to question everything I was taught as a child. They–my father–suppressed our people and kept their perspectives very narrow."
Fenris just grunted. "To each to his own." he said to Scrip.
"But what if someone gets badly injured? Or killed?" Coco asked, "Is it still fun then?"
Tatsu gave a shrug, "Perhaps it was a good thing. I know live on the outskirts of a human village. Its a shack, well hidden from both kitsune and dragon. So I can get some peace without either of the clans finding me."
His ears swiveled back and forth, listening to the world around. He heard Kiriti mention that her people were 'suppressed' by the leader, her father.
"There are usually reason for such actions," his voice was soft, "Pride, protection of ones species, the preservation of life and tradition. Though as with everything, time changes, and some are too stubborn to change with time."
"But what if someone gets badly injured? Or killed?" Coco asked, "Is it still fun then?"
“You’d be surprised how little we get killed or seriously injured. A Scorpon can take a lot of hurt before being beat. Besides, there are mages.” Scrip points to the group of Scorpons that had set the runes for the current match.
Kiriti sighed wearily. "My father would be one of the ones that are too stubborn to change. Even our Elder–who has his nine tails–says it is probably a good time for change. My father will hear none of it."
Fenris listened quietly. Not all battles of glory have mages to heal the injured. Some end up with one victor and one dead loser.
Coco didn't look convinced.
Tatsu only gave a nod. He allowed his eyelids to fall, closing his eyes. He sat in silence, letting his thoughts drift off to the deeper corners of his mind.
"Yea, there's always one in the bunch. Too damn stubborn to listen."
He opened his eyes again. It was strange, being able to have a pleasant conversation for once. Especially with one who, if back home, would've tried to kill him.
"Heh…guess there are worse things in these worlds. Just so that hope remains, that is what matters. Hope and survival."
Kiriti tilted her head, but nodded nevertheless. "Indeed. And dragon girls that are a little too obsessed with explosions and fire." She chuckled at her inside joke.
Scrip went back to cheering, ignoring the strange grounders.
Tatsu actually smiled, something he didn't do so often when with another. Sure, he gave the polite, small smile to his customers, but other than that, it was nothing at all.
"Sounds a bit like fun," he mused, "Make things a bit more interesting."
She returned his smile, turning her ears forward. "Yes. It does make things quite interesting." she tapped her lips thoughtfully. "Hmm. What sort of creatures or people do you interact with? Or do you only willingly interact with humans?"
Cilvia was wandering around the area.
Coco glanced around and noticed a girl who was also human or a grounder whatever they were called.
"Where the heck am I?" Cilvia muttered.
Coco, being the eager idiot she is and wanting to make friends, walked up to the girl, "Hello!"
"Oh! Hello" the girl waved
Scrip noticed the newcomer and waved his tail, motioning with a claw for her to come sit by him.
Cilvia confusedly walked over but smiled at him when she sat down.
Coco followed, a smile on her face, "What's your name?"
"I'm Cilvia," she purred. She had never been this close to other creatures. She felt her ear twitch in exitement, so she was glad she decided to wear the hood.
“My names Scrip, the big Scorpon with wings down there is my adopted father, Scorpio,” Scrip held out a claw for Cilvia to shake.
"Cool! I'm Coco." Coco replied, Did she just purr? She thought.
"That's so cool," Cilvia smiled shaking Scrip's hand.
Scrip looked back down at the arena, and then gasped in horror, along with almost everyone else in the stands. A cycle 0 Scorpon child began wailing pitifully. In the middle of the arena, a woman had just appeared. She had long black hair, and wore a long, fitted white shirt, with a black belt and cloak. White magic still swirled around her hands, and she grinned at the crowd. A tall Scorpon with a scar shaped like a star engraved on his chest jumped into the arena. It was the Scorpon leader, or Peacemaker.
“Lorrehlyl! What are you doing here among my kind?” He growled angrily, and Scorpio stood to back up the shorter Scorpon.
