Tournament - Opening Ceremonies

It is a sunny spring day in Breg Epona, the cooler weather offset by the warm sun. People are steadily entering into the stands, both Adventurers and Landers, and the prime seating available to the public seems to be filling up quickly. Several private viewing suites are sectioned off from the regular seating and appear to have highly ranked or wealth Landers - along with personal guards stationed nearby. Some members of the audience wear distinctive colours, hold flags, or have handcrafted banners to cheer on their favourite tournament participant. A notable section of the stands seems to have fans of one of the popular tournament participants - Zekken the duelist Imp Gladiator Yuuki.

Inside the arena grounds of the coliseum a stage has been setup, and what appear to be a few of the tournament stuff are in the process of positioning themselves around it. One of the open gates to the interior arena also has a notable gathering of Aincrad Liberation Front soldiers in matching, pristinely polished suites of armour. Large banners for both the Scale Emblem Alliance and the Holy Empire Westelande are prominently displayed around the arena edge as well as up above the stands ringing the coliseum. Out of the way under the stands the tournament participants gather in preparation of the ceremony.

There is an air of anticipation as the audience situate themselves and chat. Magically enhanced music carries throughout the coliseum in the background. At the edge of the stands there are even a few more economically minded individuals that seem to be exchanging coin as bets are placed on the upcoming matches. Soon the opening ceremonies will begin.

Unbeknownst to many, this is not the first tournament that Mikage has participated in, but the others were all firmly grounded in the real world. This feels different. In fact, it feels more /real/ than those other moments. This body, not her own, feels more like herself. It isn't a mask she can hide behind. It means standing in front of a crowd, as herself. That is hard.

Her hands shake slightly with nerves, the Were Fang lightly flexing her fingers, trying to ease the jitters. She looks around, then tugs at her hood, taking a few quick breaths. "Right. This isn't hard. It's just thousands of people staring at you. No problem at all. Why should I be nervous?"

Except, she totally is. Miki hops from foot to foot, rolls her shoulders, and otherwise seems as if she is constantly in a fidgety state of motion as she stands with the other combatants.

    Merek looks to the people gathering about while he comes to that arena. He finds Mikage and nods a bit to that woman, while he takes a moment to pull the hood up along his features, the dark attire with that beltcape along the waist. The scarf which he wears then nicely placed into the inventory.

Looking rather spunky and cheerful, the Spriggan known as Kotono comes running in using a step that looks rather agile and acrobatic. Upon her arrival, she looks around with a smile on her face. "So this is the area where the tournament will be happening?" She nods a little. "Looks like a good place to me! Of course, we'll need plenty of space to warm up and stretch, but I'm sure that can be handled." She twirls on her foot. "Yes, indeed! Gotta be real flexible!"

The anticipation in the air. The excitement in the crowd... and of course there's people making bets on the side. There always is, always will be, no matter how hard authorative bodies try to declare otherwise.

But this is something Vertina has missed in her life for a very long time. The last time she was in any sort of tournament was in her youth, and that is literally worlds away right now. So her competitive spirit needed something like this, badly.

    Ever the man to share his creations, Hifumi is there moving through the crowd with a wooden tray on a neck strap. "Yakisoba pan! Get a taste of home or a new taste sensation from the home of the Adventurers!" equally selling to Adventurer and Lander alike. "Beer! Beer and Yakisoba Pan!" he announces loudly as he wanders through the crowd selling here and there, passing over the rolls stuffed with rich yakisoba and cups of beer.

    Wisteria hugs a certain Salamander from behind "Boo!" she says to Vertina "Hey this is great right?" she grins. The tall albino human with the bun tattoo on her neck. "It's like waiting for matches to start." it IS waiting for matches to start, but she hopes V understands what she means.

The stands are now well over half full and the stream of people entering in starts to slow somewhat. Different vendors are in full swing moving up and down the aisle calling out to sell their various products -food, flags, drinks, noise makers.

While the stage has several individuals positioned around it in SEA colours, no one has climbed up onto it. Regardless a magically enhanced voice suddenly booms out across the coliseum - seeming to come from multiple places. "Welcome! Welcome to the Grand Balancing of the Scales Tourrrrnaaaamenttt~!! While we wait for the next few minutes before the ceremonies begin, please welcome the Aincrad Liberation Front's 1st Battalion! Here to perform coordinated drills and maneuvers for your entertainment!"

At the announcement, the music shifts to an upbeat marching tune while rank and file soldiers of the ALF move out in lockstep into the arena, armour shining in the sunlight. Most carry long spears with red ribbons tied just below the spearhead but at regular intervals one holds up large standard with the symbol of the Scale Emblem Alliance emblazoned upon it. As they approach the stage they break off into different units that move to surround the stage and then start performing coordinated maneuvers facing the stands nearest to them. The magical screens above the arena show an overhead view of one of the units as the soldiers perform. While there is a degree of martial bases to their performance it is obvious to the more seasoned adventurers that this is much more to put on a showy spectacle then anything. There are lots of large sweeping movements that cause the ribbons tied to spears to stream and flow in the air, often with the standards at the center of each unit giving the whole affair a nearly flowerlike appearance.

As the demonstration continues the magically enhanced voice continues on with a narration, "The Aincrad Liberation Front along with the Odysseia Knights and the Divine Dragons have formed one of the most closely knit alliances of adventurers in all Yamato! They have joined forces to act as a truly unified organization - cooperating towards their goal of helping all adventurers return home safely! Commonly referred to as the SEA, they are known to have training and career opportunities for aspiring adventurers. Be sure to visit one of the recruitment booths to find out more details about how SEA can help you to reach new heights!" The announcer continues in this fashion as the ALF soldiers continue their performance.

Vertina turns her head a bit as she's embraced from behind and grins widly, putting an arm around the albino's shoulder. "I know right?" She knows exactly what Wisteria means. "It feels familiar and comforting... And at the same time new and exciting because most of my previous competitive experience was in sports rather than combat tournaments."

The nod in her direction is actually met with a brief moment of surprise. Not that Mikage wasn't expecting Merek to be here, but just that she is that much on edge that it spooks her. "Oh, hey Merek." She offers, voice sounding a little breathy as she offers him a sheepish smile.

Then, the sudden boom of the announcer has her flinching again. The pale Were Fang is definitely on edge. "Damnit Cyrus. I'm totally going to pour honey on your tail for abandoning me to deal with this alone." She mutters under her breath.

She listens to the recruitment speech, which does give her at least some time to calm herself down. It's just so obvious that she rolls her eyes, folding her arms across her chest. However, she keeps lightly bouncing on her toes, still not quite able to resist some outward showing of nerves. "I hate this part of tournaments."

Looks like the fun is starting. For Kotono, it gets her even more excited than she already is. "This is gonna be so much fun, I can sense it in my bones already!" If Mikage is bouncing on her toes, then Kotono would be lightly jumping up and down. That's how truly excited she is.

    Merek nods a bit to Mikage while he takes a moment to think about it. "You alright?" he asks, keeping a little bit away to give personal space, though also there if needed for anything, while he smiles.

    Wisteria leans shoulder to shoulder with Vertina happily. "I know, I've done my share. But those were all kendo... this is all different." she says "I mean sure my katana is right, but I'm mostly an enchanter, so tons of my fighting style is wave arts, with a fair ammount elemental sword arts." she smiles a bit lopsidedly "I'm not sure what this is going to be like, or if I'll do well... I'm not use to being the underdog." she gives a little wiggle "Isn't it awesome?"

The announcer stops and a silence ensues as the music also concludes with the ALF soldiers having completed their performance, now standing still in units around the central stage. A middle aged Japanese looking human steps up onto the stage, Zorin, and then a single flare of light rises up from one of the individuals holding a staff just to the side of the stage. The light rises into the air high above and then there is a burst of light along with a loud pop as a single firework explodes casting light around the coliseum.

Zorin begins to talk, holding some object to his mouth similar to a mic, and his voice is amplified as if coming from all around the coliseum. The magical screens also seem to zoom in and clearly show Zorin's face for all to see as he begins. "Welcome to the Grand Balancing of the Scales! The very first Adventurer tournament hosted by the Scale Emblem Alliance in cooperation with The Holy Empire Westelande!" as he mentions the Holy Empire he gives a slight bow in the direction of one of the largest private viewing suites. "Today we have the pleasure to witness some of the most talented and skilled Adventurers in all the Kingdoms!" Then with a dramatic wave of his arm towards one of the entrances to the arena grounds, "Welcome the contestants of the Grand Balancing of the Scales Tournament!!"

At that the contestants begin to enter in a procession to the cheers of the audience as they make their way up to stand on the central stage. As each one enters into the arena the magical screens show the individual and the off stage narrator provides a brief introduction to the cheers of the crowd.

"What's the point if it's not a challenge, right?", Vertina replies to Wisteria while watching the firework blast off into the sky. "Sounds like it's almost time to make an entrance."

The excitement coming off of Kotono actually does seem to ease some of Mikage's nerves, offering the other bouncy woman a small smile. "Yeah. It should be fun." She agrees, then looks towards Merek. "Nerves." Mikage answers, "I've never been good with crowds, and large crowds staring at me is even worse." She laugh softly, shaking her head.

As Zorin's voice comes over the magically enhanced sound system, she freezes. "Here we go." She sets her hands to her side, then falls in step along with the others as the group begins to make their way out into the Arena. She gives a soft pat to her side, and her lynx companion falls into step. He's clearly distracted by all the noise, but she has a bit of jerkey in her hand which is enough to keep his attention focused there.

As her turn comes, the announcer chimes in, "Our next contestant is Mikage Yurei! You heard that right, folks, this Ranger moves like a ghost! A wandering Were Fang from East! Fighting at her side is the fearsome and her frankly adorable companion, Rama the lynx!" Miki draws back her hood at her introduction, raising a hand to wave at the audience. For all her nerves, she seems mostly calm, you know, other than the fact she is white-knuckling that bit of jerky. Rama bounds at her side, as if this were any perfectly normal day.

Waiting her turn patiently, Kotono finally prances down into the arena and looks around at everyone before giving a big grin. "Hi everyone! I'm Kotono! I'm here to take part in the tournament using my unique acrobatic style of fighting! It's gonna be fun fun fun! We're gonna have a lot of fun!" She waves her hands with a smile.

    Wisteria gives Vertina a side hug. "Good luck." she says excitedly before the group starts walking out into the Arena.

    Wisteria walks out in her kimono without her hakama and without her katana at her hip. The tall albino human lifts a hand and waving in a way that seems natural and practiced at the same time. Someone it seems is use to this kind of thing. When she reaches her place she claps her hands and bows her head in a prayer like pose before lowering them to her sides and bowing first to the Zorin and then to the crowd.

    The announcer's tones play through the magical PA system as the magic screens focus on Wistera. After her bow she shifts, long bun ears, little nub bun horn and white fur sprouting everywhere along with other changes. "Lets give a big welcome to Wisteria, an Odyssian Knight and Were Fang from out of Alne. She's a fine hand with a sword, but she's a Shadow so best to watch out for all the Wave Arts she has hidden up those sleaves!" the were Caerbannog garners some gasps of fear and some cheers of a more bloodthirsty type when she gives a big smile into the 'camera'. That adorable albino bun face with it's red eyes becoming something nightmareish with the expression. Row upon row of jagged razor triangles like sharks teeth filling that smile.

    Rushing to the coliseum, he sees people heading inside, "Crap I'm late!" he exclaims and he runs towards where the people are entering. He could hear all the cheering around him and he jumps down the steps a few at a time and he slides and lands on his feet. He breaths hard and starts looking around to see whats goin gon and where the contestants are going.

Finally, something where Kasai can do some real PvP, and really get back to his roots. In the staging area with the others, he's sitting with his hood pulled up, crouched down low and watching the others that have already gathered.

For the moment, he's not saying much of anything to anyone. Trying to keep the air of mystery around himself. Anyone who followed the PvP scene prior to the apocalypse should know of him. But with everyone on relatively equal footing now, this should be interesting.

Once it's finally time for him to enter the arena, he rises up and walks out with the others. He keeps his hood pulled up, and his pace quick.

The announcer chimes in, "Next we have the infamous Silent Blade, Kasai Tora! Representing the Sleeping Knights of the Olympus Alliance, this cait sith is known for his skills in close quarters combat and for striking from the shadows, so seeing how he fights one on one should be quite the show!"

    Merek walks along to that Arena, with the hood up his beltcape moving along with the wind, watching all of the people while he nods a bit to Miki. He then stands with the competitors while he's announced.

Vertina gives Wisteria a snug back and a little playful push to help her on her way out. Then closes her eyes and sighs softly. It's okay girl, you can do this, you're just a little out of practice is all. She glances back up when she hears a familiar exasperated voice, and takes advantage of her height to wave over the group of contestants. "Wynfei! Over here! You made it in time for the entrances.. Speaking of which, it's my turn. See you out there!"

She darts out onto the field, a few sparks of fire crackling between her bare feet as she does so. The announcer quickly picks up on her trot onto the field. "And next we have another member of the Odysseia Knights, this one from our own Holy Empire -- Vertina Ketobasu!" Which gets some extra cheers from the Westelande groups in the crowd. The blonde Salamander gives an extra jerk of her feet, knocking the fireball forming between them a bit ahead of herself so the crowd can see it. Then darts up, scoops it with her foot like a soccerball, and lobs it high enough to bounce it off her head. Followed by jumping and flipping to strike it with a bicycle kick that shoots high over the field before popping into it's own little firework. "That Salamander is one high kicking spitfire!"

It's a bit of showboating, but it's important to make an impression that gets the crowd excited.

As the magical screens focus in on Merek the announcer continues, "Let's hear it for Merek the Magic Knight, known for have a resilient defense and fiery offense. This Human Knight recently was part of a joint effort that defeated a giant sand worm! Be thankful for the magical barriers so we don't have to worry about be blinded by this Magic Knight's Light!"

After all the tournament contestants have made their way in and arrived at their designated spot on the central stage the magical screens once again shifts to view Zorin. "Here we have the greatest adventurers of the known world! Here we will see the heights of skill and talent face off in honourable combat! Here we will find out who will climb to the very top! Ladies and Gentlemen, Lander and Adventurer, prepare yourselves for an event the likes of the world has never before seen!" Zorin pauses as there is cheer from the crowds which he waits for a moment to start settle before continuing, "Only one can climb to the very top, but the expertise and power that I'm sure will be demonstrated in every match is sure to wow! Once again please give a round of applause for the Grand Balancing of the Scales Contestants!"

As one of the magical screens positions to view the full stage and contestants another screen zooms well back to look down on the arena. As the cheers again begin the staff surrounding the stage point upward and waves of magic are unleashed upwards in a spectacular display. Gouts of flame roar upward. Fireworks explode unleashing sparkling lights. Water sprays leave a mist in the area and the lights refract through them casting the area in further rainbows of color.

Then as the light show starts to fade the announcer's voice booms out across the coliseum. "Let the Grand Balancing of the Scales TOOOOOURNAAAAAAMENNNNTTTT BEGIIIIINNNN!!~~"

    Wynfei quickly waves his hand, "HEY I"M HERE! Hey Vartina!" he calls out. Breathing hard and after a moment he bounces up to the others and steps forward. "I'm the monkey fighter Wynfei from the Ezzo Empire." he says rushed. But the Cait Sith moneky manages to catch his breath and bows towards teh crowd, "I'm sorry for my tardiness but I will be participating in these matches. I don't have no fancy name but I will let my skills do the rest of my talking." he says.

As the fighters leave the arena, Kasai takes a moment to try to look for his opponent. He doesn't see her, but that just means he's going to have to look harder. He wants to do some opposition research before he fights her, to make sure he knows what he's up against.

Having missed his chance here, he pulls his hood up tighter and then vanishes, heading towards the staging area again to see if he can pick up her trail.

There is a light that seems to shine in Mikage's eyes at the sight of the spectical of magic, as if it were enough to catch her breath on her lips. This is a wonder that she would never have been able to witness back in the real world. So, she crouches, plucking up Rama, giving him his treat, and then holding him in her arms so that he can see the play of light as well. The cat doesn't seem nearly as effected by it as she is, though.

When the lights begin to fade, though, Miki is quick to set her companion back down and then pull her hood back up over her head. Instinct drives her, as well as a need to get away from so many eyes. "Come on Rama. It's still a while before we get to fight. Let's go up to the stands and watch." Then, the two head out, following along with some of the other combatants.

Vertina throws one arm around Wynfei's shoulders when he catchs up to the group, and the other around Wisteria's. "This is going to be so much fun and excitement!" She's missed this sort of thing a lot more than she thought she did.

    Wisteria smiles and shifts back to her human form and heads off stage with that same easy practiced natural grace and the exact same wave. Not too attention grabbing but not letting herself fade into the background.

    Merek inclines, then makes a way along to the seats to settle in, nodding a bit to Miki, "I don't quite like the crowds as well," he notes, then he takes a moment to watch the fighting from that hood a little bit.

    Wynfei hugs Vertina, "This is the first time for me doing something like this." he laughs. "But I think this is going to be pretty fun and honestly I need the workout. I've been on my own for a bit too long." he laughs.

Vertina nods as they wander off the field so the actual matchs can get started. "It'll be good to compete in something again." Wynfei knows what she means, he's heard the story of why she's in Elder Tale in the first place.

    Wisteria nods "Yah, it's a nice taste of home at least." she says "Wana go get situated?" she asks rolling her shoulders.

    Looking to Vertina, "Yeah." he knows what she means and he hears Wisteria, "Well now I know most of you." he laughs as he scratches the back of his head and he yawns a little. Though as he does this, he stomach growls loudly and his tail goes stiff, "Uhh...shit, sorry." he laughs.

Vertina chuckles at them both. "Sounds like Wyn's stomach agrees with you on getting settled in."

    Hifumi has been plying the crowd. "Yakisoba Pan! Beer! Doradongo! Come get your tastes of home, or a first taste of the land the Adventurers come from!" The human wandering up and down the stairs and between the rows passing over buns stuffed with noodles and cups of beer along with skewers of brightly colored balls.

    "Food will be good, I don't think I've eaten in a while." eh says as he looks at Vertina and Wisteria. "You know a good place?" he asks.

    Wisteria shrugs "I haven't had a chance to explore the city yet." she says "I was busy training till it was time to make the trip."

Vertina shrugs. "The Inn where most of the competitors are staying probably has some food, if you don't want to hit up one of those wandering vendors." Pause. ".. The vendors are probably actual players with actual cooking though."