Colosseum - Spectator Thread

[Strazio Rockwell]

“Oh my,” the verdant wizard crooned, “that is absolutely splendid, what a wonderfully miraculous froggy friend!”

Valerie giggled slightly as he gingerly grabbed the frozen amphibian. His fingertips grew flush with a darker shade of green as the cold nipped at them. He carefully inspected the frozen frog, marveling at the small galaxy-like patterns dancing along its smooth back. A stupid mouth-open smile was plastered across his maw, his eyes could not believe the intricate beauty of the small scuplture. After one last longing look Valerie reached into his robe and found a small yellow linen bag. Gently the gift frog was placed inside its bright yellow home, and tucked away within the folds of Valerie's robe.

“Thank you Miss Harley, I shall treasure this beautiful creature forever. Oh what a fortuitous meeting! I am glad that we have made acquaintances.”

“Likewise!” Jade responded cheerfully.

Valerie glanced over at the patrons filing out of the Colosseum, the quarterfinals were over. His cheerful disposition faltered for a moment as he thought of his student slaughtering others in a silly tournament to the death. There was no doubt in Valerie's mind that Strazio had pushed himself too far and was now being nursed back to health in the medical tent. For a moment he thought of dragging Jade along to see the perpetually perturbed mage, but he decided not to sour their friendship by introducing her to Strazio. Valerie sighed, Strazio's temper would be at an all time high and Valerie didn't want him to unnecessarily lash out at Jade. Becquerel barked, snapping the daydreamer from his stupor.

“Uhm,” Jade began to speak, cocking her head to the side slightly, “are you okay?”

“Oh yes! I'm absolutely peachy,” Val's smile returned and he looked off towards a row of carnival games. His eyes sparkled and he snapped his finger as if he was remembering something important. “Jade, do you think you could be so magnanimous as to assist me in securing a prize for my beloved pupil?” The plant mage pressed his hands together and spoke energetically, “he's always such a sour individual and I found the perfect prize to cheer him up! Unfortunately I cannot get past the infernal tribulation keeping me from said prize.”Valerie's parade of words finally came to a halt as he pleaded towards the Witch of Space.

“Of course I'll help you!” Jade responded, unsure of what challenge was keeping Valerie from his prize. She followed the excited man across the carnival grounds. The smell of freshly fried treats and sickly sweet confections hung heavy in the air. With the fresh deluge of hungry carnival goers the food vendors were working doubletime. Clowns, jugglers, and other performers wandered the grounds, impressing anyone that cared to be entertained. Camelot had surely pulled all the stops with the event, everything was grand and magnificent.

Valerie stopped and pointed at a carnival booth, “there, there is that pernicious contest of accuracy that keeps me from my student's gift!”

The attendant at the booth was a large rotund man, who was equal parts salesman and showman. The large carnie controlled his booth and the area around it with an impressive booming voice. He drew attention to himself like a firecracker in the dead of night, loud and obnoxiously. Noticing Valerie’s approach a deep rumbling laugh tumbled out of the carnie’s thick throat.

　　“Back again my viridescent friend?” The attendant used his booming voice to invite both Jade and Valerie into his sphere of influence.
　　
　　“Indeed I am! And this time I brought along a friend who agreed to help me best your damnable trial!” Valerie did not speak out of anger, but rather from frustration he had spent the better part of an hour trying to best the attendant’s game. Behind the booth stood rows of tin cans at the end of several long hallways. Above the counter hung all manner of stuffed animals and magical trinkets. The goal of the game was to knock down the stack of cans using a rudimentary pump-action pellet gun. The carnie motioned for the two to come closer to the counter and he brought his voice down low.
　　
　　“My friend since you seem so very persistent I’ll give you and your friend a deal of a lifetime! Three tries for five omnilium, you can’t beat that anywhere!”
　　
　　Valerie’s eye lit up and he reached into the inner pockets of his brightly colored robes. Inside was a small coin-purse, long since emptied of coins, and filled with the miraculous rainbow substance known as omnilium. He handed the man a small amount of omnilium and thank him profusely for the “special deal” offered.
　　
　　Valerie turned back to Jade, “thank you for helping me in these most dire of times!”