The fight is one of magic against magic. The goal is last team standing and the prize a chance to move up in life. But the reward could be so much more...

Name: Raston Prayer
Age: twenty-three
Species: human
Power: Manipulates and is sensitive to sound waves. He has very poor vision, but not to the point he's fully blind. Relies mostly on his other senses. The ears are not specifically cat, but something made for him through science and magic.
Personality: A loner, but also childish. You won't see him smile much, but he'll show a more innocent side once he opens up.

[ a b o u t ]
Gindart Wexbuero is his full elven name, and since it's not a common name, he often goes by Gin. Gin is a twenty-five year old of the Ashelynn Elf Tribe (Ashelynn is a tundra-like village just on the foot of an inactive volcano) who stands a whooping 6-foot, 5-inches tall. His body, lean with years of hunting on a tundra, has endured a great many harsh winters. His golden orbs are savory and rich, a window to his inner, softer nature. And his auburn hair is a sure-fire sign that he is of a foreign elven realm for many of the folk within the city have never seen an elf with such reddish, dark hair.

[ p o w e r & w e a p o n ]
A magical pair of gloves that grant him the ability to control fire. It should be noted that his gloves do not necessarily harness the power of fire; they merely protect his elven hands from the burning nature of the flame. Despite being of magical decent, Gin prefers not to use his fire for he finds it a huge contradiction to his forest-loving kind. Instead, Gin often utilizes his bow and quiver of arrows as his go-to savior for tight situations. Gin's also very handy when it comes to hand-to-hand or knife combat.

[ p e r s o n a l i t y ]
Comes across as arrogant and stuck up; is actually a rather nice guy who's upset at his recent life's decisions. Long story short, he got forcefully engaged to a woman and is not doing everything he can to escape that life. Upon ending the engagement, he left his homeland and moved to the big city. Much like a wild animal out of its ceaseless fields, Gin struggles to find comfort in the urbanized area. The only thing that really connects him with home is the battledome, the arena were he fights. He hopes that, if he wins, that he can erase his path and start his life anew as a journeyman or knight.

The generics:

My name is Chaiasa Koi or you can call me Chai. I’m about 5’ 8” and I'm 23 years old. I was blessed with my mothers curves and I work out a lot. Not so much work out as totally kicking some ass. So yeah, my body is a lean mean killing machine. I guess I should tell you that I'm a demi god. My mother is a goddess and had a..tryst with my father. Not being a full goddess I was sent at birth to my father, she visits me often.

My wavy black hair falls to the middle of my waist. I have a couple of tattoo’s that took weeks to complete. I decided to do them the traditional way. Japanese symbols go down my spine. My left thigh has a warrior going into battle, it’s totally sick. Right forearm is an intricate compass. Top of my left shoulder blade has more Japanese symbols. Now my eyes, totally cool. They’re a bright green, almost as if they're glowing. I love using kohl around my eyes to make them even brighter. I tend to always wear my hair in intricate braids, especially if I’m going into battle.

Personality:
I'm a fierce warrior and loyal to the extreme. I’m not some stinking delicate flower and I will definitely let you know that. People usually say I'm nice, when you don't piss me off. When I need to be serious you can bet your ass I’ll be serious. Though I’m known to crack a joke from time to time. When it comes to battle there is nothing more serious on this earth.

Skills and powers:
We'll start with skills. My fathers a ninja. I grew up with him and I'm his only child so therefore he taught me everything he knows. Disappearing in the shadows, stalking, different forms of martial arts, weaponry. Lean mean killing machine remember?
Now for my powers well..my mother is the goddess of time. I inherited a few things from her. I can slow and speed up time. When I slow time down the people or object affected will feel extreme cold and frost will appear over their bodies. When I speed it up the opposite happens. You’re hot and it feel’s like your skin is burning. I myself feel the effects but I've kind of gotten use to it, for the most part.
For weapons I have a samurai sword that is on my person at all times. I have a sheath that I wear on my back for it. The sword was my fathers and his fathers before that and so on. I also carry around a few throwing knives here and there. You never know what else I have up my sleeve. I’m tricky like that. I enjoy learning how to use new and exciting weapons.

City Map

---

There was a quaint calm that washed over him as his golden orbs hid from the world. As the announcer rolled his fingers on the table, the screaming crowd silenced. As breathes were held and hopes put on edge, the stringing click of the microphone vibrated along the walls of the battle dome.

It is time.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand it'll be the little Wombat woman of the West famous for her fists of furry, Wibbz, versus the uncivilized urchin of the sea whose water spells have slipped up everyone, Unioid! Folks, I don't know about you, but this could be the match of the season!"

The crowd flew into a frenzy. Tellers began to take bets and the service women were flagged down left and right to sell 'dogs and p'corn. It was such a strange, foreign world but it was one that grew on you with time.

With a sigh of relief, the elven man who stood idly behind the fence departed the waiting bay. His name wasn't called. He would have to fight another day. Like all the others who too didn't get there name drawn, they were escorted from the building and told to go about their lives. Sure, they could watch, but why watch when you could train and get better for your own fight?

Shifting from the platform, the golden eyed elf found himself scanning the faces of those around him. When he won, not if, he would have to befriend and team up with two of these faces. Who? Who in this crowd looked worthy of helping him carve out a new destiny.

"Uh, huge-ass tree, you mind moving," a gruff voice interrupted his dreaming. With an indifferent stare, he bluntly retorted. "It's Gin."

"Yeah, whatever," said the troll-like man who stopped off after his drinking buddies.

Rolling his eyes, Gin prayed to the heavens above that he not be paired up with a teammate like that.

As the herd thinned, Gin made his way to his favorite spot -- the meadow. It was just on the outskirts of town and ideal for his type of training, archery. With any luck the field would be empty today and he could peacefully go about flying off some arrows. And, sure enough, it was.

Wind in his hair and his back ever-straightening, he pulled forth an arrow. Eyes closed, lips pursed, and string taut, he let loose his finger tips.

SHURRRP!

Smirk in tow, Gin opened his eyes to see his arrow flawlessly lodged in its mark, a gleaming red apple now pinned against the bark. Only, before he could retrieve it, his ears twisted back as footsteps approached. Face keeping forward, he slid his eyes to meet whoever approached, be it a fan or opponent, he wouldn't do much more than keep to himself.

Raston tended to stay on the boundaries when people gathered. He stood out and he knew it. Human, but then he had these ears. Of course he had them made so he could interact more fully with the people around him, but they made him stand out more because what human had furred ears on top of his head? He himself did not stand tall, but the staff he was never without added to his height. A mix of white and pale blue, the simple thing with a carved thicker area at the top looked like no more than a walking stick. And with his eyes, one he used often as such. The hollow shape at the top housed an ever vibrating orb at the top though. The vibrations it created were a weapon to him the same at the thick wood, but he preferred to call the staff a walking stick.

The opponents for this fight were announced and his name was not called. Raston continued to lurk on the edges, his dark blue eyes watching the crowd that only registered as light, shadow, color, and movement to him. When it sufficiently dispersed, he made his leave. After all, the overwhelming, sound, smell, and indistinguishable amounts of people made him want to retch.

"Would you like to buy a--"

Raston was out of the battle dome before whoever could finish speaking. He made his way for the trees he favored. From there he would 'watch' the battle in his own way, ears tuned for footsteps and vibrations that a human couldn't dream of distinguishing. From a tree top, he could concentrate to the degree he needed. Passing by with his staff only ghosting over the grass, he avoided the sounds of others and made a bee line straight for a tree.

Air compressed as something small passed through it. He changed directions and picked a different tree, farther away.

Locked in the stupid waiting bay a tall woman stood towards the back, half hidden in the shadows. The deep hood of her jacket pulled up to conceal her face. Only her glowing green eyes could be seen. As the speaker announced who was fighting a snort could be heard coming from her. She was left to fight another day. Long legs strode forward as she quickly exited the waiting bay, some stayed to watch. She never did.

After making her way out of the battle dome she decided to head towards the meadow. It seemed like the perfect place to practice with her sword. She wasn’t one for groups or crowds so she tended to pick spots where no one would be.

It seemed this time she was wrong. A few feet in front of her she spotted a man with a bow. Looking farther she noticed an arrow sticking through an apple and into a tree. Impressive.

Keeping her hood on for now she strode forward until she was standing even with the archer but a few feet away.

“Great minds think alike.” Her voice was soft but laced with steal. Towards her right she saw another man walking with a staff.

A second later she was walking forward until she stood at the base of the tree. Reaching a hand up she pulled her hood back, exposing her face. A long thick braid fell from the depths of the hood to hang over her left shoulder. Behind her head you could make out the hilt of a sword her hood had been hiding.

Her once stoic face broke out into a devilish grin, green eyes starting to glow even more. “Fire upon me. I promise you will not connect.” She had been meaning to practice her power over time and this would be the perfect opportunity.

With a cocked brow, he gazed upon the woman. Who is he to deny her her wish? If he learned anything, he knew that you could not refute a woman's request.

He drew for his bow and aimed it just off to the left of her shoulder. Before she could object to his planned miss, he let loose his arrow. Just as before, he squandered not a minute for he knew time was of the essence. With such grace and speed, he fires off five more arrows, each perfectly strung to hit their intended missing mark.

Although he knew not the purpose of this woman's request, he didn't seem too concerned. Whatever it was was not his concern nor was it his place.

Hoping the lady satisfied, he ventured a glance her way. "Shall I continue?" he asked with a strangely welcoming tone.

Perhaps this could be fun, he mused as he awaited her response. And, of course, he was curious as to what the cat-earred man was up to. He lurked. Was he interested in sparing too?

// I apologize if this is choppy. I wrote it on my phone. ^^;

Trees were not easy to climb while holding onto a staff. Raston had a lot of practice, but one could not underestimate the difficulty presented by not actually being able to see hand and foot holds. Oh sure he could see the shape created by branches because the sunny sky beyond was so much brighter. Still not easy. Raston only made it far enough that he could hang onto the lowest branch, his weapon between his teeth, when the noises nearby presented themselves to be people.

Ignore or not?

Of course his first choice would be ignore. Human company had not treated him well over the years and silence soothed him. But then, they were being so interesting. He turned his ears to listen more fully. By their voices a woman and a man. He knew nothing else except she sounded quite cocky and he amused. Unfortunately, paying attention to something else ruined the precarious balance Raston had. The staff slipped out of his mouth and tumbled to the ground. "Ah...crud." A second later, he went tumbling down after it, partly on purpose. At least landing on it meant he didn't have to search and he clenched fingers around the wood.

For good measure, he decided not to act like he didn't know people were near. "Please ignore me," he called out because he was pretty sure at least one person was staring at him.

((That was pretty dang good for being a phone post!!))

The second he aimed she relaxed her body and held her hands out next to her side. Seeing his aim wasn’t pointed directly at her she opened her mouth to say something. He released before she could speak. Like rapid fire he released five more arrows, missing her but coming close to her body.

Laughing she shook her head. The man with the staff fell from the tree, her gaze turning his way. He called out his request for them to ignore him. “You could always join us.” She called back.

Attention turning back upon the archer a pout graced her lips. “I want you to aim at me. Right at me.” Tapping her chest she silently told him where to aim.

A confident and fierce look appeared in her eyes. The arrow wouldn’t even touch her.

Sorry about the delay. Work is killer. @_@ Also, I'll be gone all weekend. BIRFDAY WEEKEND SO IMMA PARTY LIKE A HAWKSTAR. B|

---

A small quiver came to his lower lip. This woman's request... how could he tactfully answer he without offending her. Letting his eyes slid closed, he exhaled calmly before exampling himself. "You're welcome to move before my arrows but attack you directly, I cannot. It is Ashlynn Law not to attach those who are not your enemy." Would that suffice. No, likely not. "I would rather not be branded a traitor and marked for exile for firing upon a woman. However," there was a bit of a twist in his one sorrowful tone. He seemed, hopeful. "You are welcome to move before my arrow. So long as I never purposely fire upon you, no laws have been broken by my kind."

Directing his attention to the fallen man, he tilted his head for Raston. Perhaps this cat-man could help? He seemed like the reliable type. He might also take some of the heat off Gin for the moment. He really did want to help the woman, but he really should not. Even hundreds of miles away, he dared not test his luck with his Ashlynn Elven laws.

"Or you can always ask if he would be capable of following out your request." It was just a suggestion. An obvious one but, again, one to keep this woman's anger at bay.

Raston frowned when their conversation turned to him. Oh no, that was not his intention. He should have picked the other side of the meadow to go tree climbing in if he was going to fail so bad at it. He held his staff in his lap without bothering to stand up again. He held up hands and staff both in a placating gesture.

"Me? Oh, I don't think that's a very good idea. That other guy feels like he has much more control than me. I don't even like fighting!" he exclaimed. If he were a real cat and his ears a natural part of his body language, they might have tilted down in a show of distress. They did not though and his face maintained its practiced mild expression.

Why did the woman want to be attacked anyway? A masochist of some sort maybe? Or did she just have something to show off? "If you want to do some magic trick, can't you do it without an enemy?" he muttered.

At the archers reaction to her request her head cocked to the side. But then his words made perfect sense. A grin broke out across her face and she nodded. “Ah so you’re an Elf, I completely understand and I’m sorry for asking you to do something against your laws. My apologies.” She felt bad for putting the Elf in a tricky spot. But he gave her an idea.

Glancing to the catman she smiled. He definitely wasn’t the social sort. He didn’t like fighting? She couldn’t live without fighting. But to each’s own.

His last words caused a laugh to bubble out. “Of course kitten. You are most definitely right. If I may ask without offending, why did you chose to join this tournament if you don't like fighting?”

As she waited for his response, she turned her attention back to the archer and nodded to his bow. “Can you fire five arrows like you did last time?” She hopped on each foot and got ready.

"No need to apologize," he lowered his head in a light bow as a sign of respect, "for not all know of elven law and not all elven law is carried throughout the entire race. For example, I can eat meat whereas others cannot. I suppose each clan dictates its own specific rules when necessary." He tried to laugh but it sounded a little forced. Perhaps it was? Or maybe he just didn't laugh much anymore.

Like the woman before him, he too was curious as to why the cat-man would enter the tournament. What kind of life was he seeking? Should he win, he could do anything he wanted. Well, almost anything. Right before the raven asked him to refire his arrows, his brows furrowed and he wondered what her story was. Why was she interested in fighting? What did she want to gain by winning?

With a light shrug, he dropped the thought and collected his arrows. While he walked back to his previous post, he smirked. "It's odd how winning a tournament of strength and power can determine your place in life. You would think there to be more to life than just brawn and strategy." Bow up and arrows ready, he began to fire away. Not wanting to look like a one-trick pony, he altered his pattern up, sending one, then three, then a series of one, one, and one.

When she seemed to believe he was done, he fired off four more arrows. Whilst firing those off, he scrapped a fifth arrow against his hip. The second it made contact, a flame appeared and he sent that arrow flying faster than he had any of the previous ones.

"If you'd like, I can always pull out my explosive arrows," he chirped while waiting for her comments on his firing. Even though he couldn't hit her directly, he could certainly make his attempts a little less meek!

Raston's dark blue eye's narrowed as he bristled at the woman's words. "Kitten? I assure you, I am quite human," he muttered. He took offense to few things and being considered a cat was one of them. He knew he should expect it as almost everyone treated him as if he were some part feline at least once. The ears were no more than a tool though. That's what he got for following weird people's advice and attaching furry ears.

He eyed the other two as best he could while not being able to see more than a smudge that separated them from the green environment. Indeed, why was he fighting? Raston agreed with the elf though. How unfortunate that a tournament like this was something to rely on. He had debts to pay though and little choice. "Why I fight is none of your business. We all have our reasons." That ended that conversation. He stood and shifted to another spot farther away from them because magic fighting had a way of getting...messy. He could 'see' them just as well from a distance.

((Sorry it’s so poopey...I’ve had a nasty cold that won’t go away. My head feels like a crap ton of cotton is stuffed in there. I tried going to the movies last night...boy was that an experience lol))

Her head bobbed in a nod to show she understood. She had heard a little bit about Elven law sometime ago. The laugh coming from the Elf sounded..different. Like maybe it was forced? Did he not laugh anymore? She couldn’t remember the last time she truly laughed and hadn’t faked it.

It seemed she had offended the other man with her words. “I know you are human, I was just using a nickname. I’m sorry if I have offended,” she called after his fleeting form. She was going to have to hunt him down and apologize at some point.

The woman turned her attention as the Elf got into place. “But I am all for brawn and strategy. Also stealth and manipulation.” Grinning she let the first seven arrows fly past her. But as the next set came she shot her palm up into the air. One by one they froze in the air. They looked frozen in time but really they were still moving just at an exceedingly slow rate.

Though it looked like all of her concentration was still on those four arrows, it was not. Without even looking her other palm shot up and stopped the fire arrow, it’s flame instantly going out as frost appeared over all the arrows.

She looked up and smiled. “I’m not sure what would happen if I slowed down an explosive arrow. Care to find out?” Taking a step forward she maneuvered under the hanging arrows. Once she was clear she flicked her wrists and they all shot forward to sink into the tree.

With the other taking to being skittish, very cat-like in his mind, his attention went back to the more personal human girl. As her moves seemed to freeze his arrows, he tried not to roll his eyes. As a tundra-elf, he was all too familiar with frost/ice abilities. Granted, Gin had no idea that what Chai truly controlled was time. Perhaps, in due time, he would learn. Until then, he would make a rookie and possibility stupid assumption.

"Freezing an arrow? Well, I'm not sure of the scoop of your powers, but one of my brethren had frost abilities. She wasn't the best user so the arrow imploded. It was... odd." His orbs moved to the woodland man. "If we are going to test this, I suggest we find a better place. Wouldn't want to level the town accidentally." With a light shoulder roll, he pointed an arrow in the direction of the woods. "About two and a half miles that way, there's the pit. We might be able to test out an explosion there. If you amplify it by any chance, at least it won't reach the city... well, I hope."

He was awfully spry for being previously mysterious and apologetic. Perhaps he was warming up to the idea of talking to another? Just when was the last time he truly had interactions of any sort? He was a bit of loner in this city. And it didn't help that he was elven. Sure, elves roamed the city, but not many of his cult and clan. In fact, he had yet to cross another who controlled either fire or ice, the two magical types that hailed from his region.

"Er, if you're interested Miss...?" He paused. "I've been rather rude, milady. My name is Gindart Wexbuero of the Ashelynn Elf Tribe." He bowed ever so lightly to the woman before him.

With his eyes closed now, Raston listened to the others talk. He still felt a little irked about the kitten comment even after the woman apologized. At least she recognized he was human though. Still, it didn't convince him to really interact with these others. He simply listened. Because he wasn't looking with his eyes, the frost that covered the arrows escaped him completely. The way the arrows sound moved, slowed, then stopped though--that did not escape him.

Tutting and shaking his head, he spoke. "I don't think that's a frost power." He didn't bother to raise his voice so as to warn the elf who just introduced himself though. Oh no, he wasn't hanging nearby because he wanted to be near these people. He was simply curious, even more so now. Some people had such unique magical gifts. More than fighting, he enjoyed learning. Maybe he'd tag along for educational reasons.

"Do you mind if I watch?" he called to them.

So the Elf thought she had frost abilities? Laughing wickedly she shook her head and just smiled. No she wasn’t going to correct him, not yet at least. As he kept talking she nodded in agreement. It really was better to get as far away as they could.

Even though he wasn’t being loud the Asian woman heard the cat man. So he knew her powers were something else.

Smiling to herself she pressed her palms together and bowed her head in greeting as Gindart introduced himself. “Chaiasa Koi, pleased to meet you.”

“It would be an immense pleasure if you did,” Chai directed to the other man. "Gentleman, shall we?” Sheathing her sword back behind her head she pulled up her deep hood and started walking. She couldn't wait to see what happened when she slowed down an explosive arrow. What would happen if she sped it up?

She hadn't had this much fun in a long time. Nor had she chatted so much. Chaiasa was always one that usually kept to herself. But these two were different and she had just met them.