(Pre-Show) The Lobby

[Gildarts]

Snow had proved to be more intriguing than Gildarts first thought, not that the utterly oblivious wizard noticed much in the first place, but he had a vague sense of what he wanted to do if he wasn't able to break down the door to his freedom. And Jon seemed to sympathize with the veteran's struggle.

In context, Jon had made a good point. But could Gildarts really let off the same people who had deceived him? Even if his goal had been to immediately escape, enjoying the place hadn't been an option to be considered. But it would spite the makers of the show. Time could only tell, and the Prime had other things on his mind, for the fighter more than welcomed the challenge of the many competitors' willingness to fight. Some enemies would even prove admirable, some could have been in the same coerced boat as he was, and some, like Jon, could prove to be friends after this was over.

The Syntex employees were speckled amongst the crowd, interwoven with their blue and white company t-shirts as they directed some distinguished people away from the rest. Gildarts took note of this, yet his attention remained steadfast on something that only could be seen in the glimmer of his eye. There was so much to see, and the people that had conglomerated in the room were a spectacle all their own. There were more short people in the room now, all wearing common clothing and blended in with the masses. On the far side of the room, Jon had mentioned taking a look, while on the other, lights had gone out which had originally alerted Gildarts to danger. He was pleasantly surprised to find that only the microphones were the only things screaming and he could make out amplified sounds resembling humble music. These lyrics were tuned out by his tunnel-like focus as the idea of a threatening enemy evaporated with his freshly sharpened caution.

In other words, it wasn't an attack. Those chosen to compete, who once stood out from the crowd, had thinned out or disappeared. As though their immediate presence had been smothered, many of the visiting Primes ventured off. The two cloaked warriors made their way forward and a hand intercepted the auburn-haired mage. He felt a chilled sensation against his raw skin, as the smooth caress of a woman's fingertips had brushed against his neck.

"Gildarts!" A faint voice called to him from the distance, but was drowned out by the lull of the crowd, as well as the blast of the speakers. His attention would have turned to the familiarity, almost identifying it over the unrecognizable crowd. But then, there were those fingertips that had sent a shiver through his senses.

Jazz music would have played to match the mood as the Prime's eyes turned to the source and met with the striking physique of a woman dressed in bright red. The distraction could have been set up by the schemer Karl himself, but her presence was merely a coincidence and her allure only swept his mind further away. He had been in front of Jon, dodging through the crowd of senseless reporters, hyped up fans, and the occasional 'disguised' contestant. Yet now, the powerful oaf had been stopped in his tracks as the women's lips cradled toward the stubble on his cheek. Static thrilled in the air and Gildarts welcomed the surprise as he fell hook-line and sinker for her elusive seductive charm.