Private Tales Rivals

[Dominic Valentino]

10 Years Ago

"Alright, you've put in the work. He can't handle you. You got this."

A squirrely-looking man that was technically Dominic Valentine's trainer, but he had not done shit for him. He was just some guy he had been assigned to keep an eye on him. Dom had been forced into the pit fights shortly after arriving in the city. Alliria was an unforgiving city, and it had not taken long for Dom to need money to feed himself.

Thankfully, the sponsors for these fights had looked at him like a piece of meat. He was the perfect prospect. They had put time and money in to feed and train him. Tonight was the night that he was supposed to pay it all back. It was his debut match in the fighting pits. A convincing win would vault him into the headlines. His size and strength had already created rumors, but now was the point where he proved it true.

His opponent was a veteran fighter. Apparently, he was tough as nails with quick punches. It did not matter to Dom. Fighting was simple. He had to win. If he won then he got to eat tonight.

"Last chance to run," Dom mumbled to his opponent as they met in the center of the ring. His opponent laughed, thinking that it was a lighthearted joke...It was not.

Dom heard the bell ring and before he could move, his opponent was on him throwing a combo. The fist was strong, but they were meant more for speed than strength. They would not affect him.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he could hear the roar of the crowd. It made him angry. He was being watched like some type of pet for sport. One day, he would make sure no one ever looked down on him like this again.

The onslaught of punches from his opponent finally came to a halt when Dom swung his right fist out and landed a body blow. The fist slammed in like a hammer, he thought he could feel the man's ribs give out slightly. He should have run when he had the chance. He followed it up with a few quick jabs to the face. While meant for speed, his size made the strikes as strong as a normal human's KO shot. It was not long before Dom's opponent was wheezing and his face was streaming with blood.

The sound of the crowd had quieted at the sudden one-sidedness of this fight. Good, this would serve as a warning for everyone watching. Dom could see it in his eyes, his opponent did not want to be there anymore, but he no longer had anywhere to run to...He would at least make it quick.

In a sudden burst of movement that Dominic had not yet shown, he closed the distance and a powerful yet compact right swing dropped the man to the grown. He was unmoving and the crowd was silent. Dom took in several deep breaths to regain his composure before he simply raised his fist in victory.

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

"Uno, dos, uno, dos, tres, tres, tres!" the old grey haired man called out as leather smacked against leather. Bound fists struck out in rapid bursts. "Good, good! Si lo haces asi, ain't no way this Runos can go the distance," the old trainer smiled from behind the salt and pepper scruff that sprouted about his jaw.

"Still," Emiliano snapped out a jab, let his lead hand swing low, then whipped out another two in quick succession. "I can't help but feel uneasy, como se me va el aire,"

"Nervios," the old timer let out, clapped his padded hands together, and straightened up.

Emiliano nodded, and settled on his feet, let his hands down from his cross guard and low hanging lead left. "Nervios," he repeated.

"Es tu filo," he said to his fighter. "Your sharpness,"

Emiliano smirked, and nodded once more. "Supongo que si," he let out a huff of hot air. "First time we fight for a belt, Federico,"

Federico grinned. "A belt worth wearing, en verdad," The old timer slipped the training mitts off, and let them rest on a nearby bench. Took the rag from his shoulders and wiped Emiliano's brow down. "Pero no te dudes, this champ, he's a rich boy, playin at scrapper, sure, he can punch, but you?" he grinned wide, and his dark eyes twinkled with a proud malice. "Puedes dar guerra, muchacho."

Emiliano laughed a sharp laugh, and clenched his fists tight, felt the flex of his muscles and tendons and the strengths of his arms swell. "Pues, si," he agreed. "You have a point, old man,"

Federico winked. "Course I do," he pat the younger man's shoulder and led him toward the exit tunnel. "Come on, let's go see if any of these up and comers are worth keepin an eye on,"

---

It was fast. Sudden as hurricane wind. The way the big man swung in with all his weight. Fist crashing into the hairless fighter. Bent him over at the point of impact. The big man raised his fist and the crowd went wild.

Emiliano grinned wide. "Whose that?" He asked, eyes alit with a doggish joy.

"The otter?"

"No, the fool on the canvas," Emiliano quipped, "¡Si, Federico, the otter!"

"Some kid named Dominic I think, pretty new to the circuit,"

Emiliano's hands squeezed tight, and his knuckles popped as he went on grinning. "Dominic huh?" He turned and cut through the crowd of fans, "Let's see if we can catch him in the lockers," he was nothing but excited.

"Oye! We gotta prep for our fight!" Federico looked back at the big fighter, the crowd still cheering in a roar. "Carajo,"

Dominic Valentino

 

[Dominic Valentino]

The trainer was back bouncing around Dominic talking about something. Dom did not bother listening. The man got paid every time Dom one and that was all he really cared about. He did not care about Dom. He just wanted his money.

"Just get the padding off. I hate the way it pulls my fur."

The man quickly nodded and ran off to get a knife. Dominic glanced back at the unconscious individual who was now being taken off by two men. There was nothing for him to say. Dom had won and he had lost and it was over. Fighting was simple.

He walked back to the lockers trying his best to ignore the crowd when he was suddenly struck with a coin in his chest. He looked up to see a young boy, probably from wealth, who had thrown the coin. He probably thought he was making Dominic's day. Dom just shot back a glare and continued walking.

When he finally made it back to the locker, he had to wait for his wraps to get cut off. Then he would go collect his winnings and then get some grub. He wanted to be done with this place as soon as quickly as possible.

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

A sharp whistle came from the door of the locker where the big man waited. "Dominic, is it?" Emiliano asked in his warm cortosi accent, and wasted no time in walking up to the much larger fighter. "One hell of a hook you threw back there, kid," he looked down at his hands, still wrapped up tight. His lips pursed, and he looked around. "Shit trainer, huh?" he asked.

Federico shoved Emiliano out of the way, and nodded to the young fighter, showed him a small and all too harmless knife in one hand, while the other was offered out to the kid, palm up, welcoming his hand. "No need to go on wearing these any longer than you need to, muchacho," the old man grunted, never daring to touch the fighter, but not shy about wanting to help.

"First fight in the city?" Emiliano asked, still smiling as he looked on with big and expectant eyes.

Dominic Valentino

 

[Dominic Valentino]

Dominic's right ear twitched at the sound of the sharp whistle. He turned to glare at the new arrivals. The man that stood before him looked like a personification of everything he hated about this city. This guy was acting like he knew something about fighting, but he wasn't a guru. Of course, it was a good hook. He was fucking huge.

He tensed up just briefly at the sudden push forward of the old man with the knife. Once he saw what it was for, he looked the man up and down before handing over one of his hands. Dom only nodded in thanks, not actually speaking the words.

"First one where I was getting paid for it."

He did not need to explain that. This city was rough and his fighting for food was what had attracted patrons who had urged him to take up the sport.

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

Federico nodded as he took the big hand into his much smaller human digits. Wrinkled fingers deftly working the small knife into the tight bandages. Cutting them free with flicks of the wrist. The pop of cord small and feint against the dull commotion of the crowd outside in the Arena and the announcers hawking future events and sponsor merchants.

Emiliano thumbed his nose. "You from here then?" he asked, unable to hide his interest.

"Ya, dejalo, Emiliano, he's just got done with a fight, no need to go on pestering him with so many questions," Federico growled as he cut the last bit of wrap free, and worked the straps loose to let them fall from Dominic's hand. He offered up his hand to receive the other wrapped fist.

Emiliano laughed. "Sorry, sorry, un poco nervioso, you know? A little nervous before my own bout," He heard the trumpets begin their lead. The drums picking up, the voice of the announcer cutting through the rattle of the crowd. "Hmm, looks like we got to get going soon Federico,"

The greyed old trainer clicked his tongue, cutting the last bit of wrap free. "Dominic, you ever need a little extra coin on the side," the old man offered. "Could always use new talent for sparring sessions,"

 

[Dominic Valentino]

Dominic flexed his fingers as soon as they were free of the bandages. He offered up his other hand, thankful for one hand to be able to breathe, but he would not let it show.

"No, I'm from the south. I came in about 2 or three months ago."

His eyes then turned to Emiliano, realizing that this guy was probably in the title fight after him. He definitely wasn't intimidating, but appearances weren't everything. Dom had even asked to go straight to the top, but he had been told that he had to start in the same place as everyone else.

"You sure. I wouldn't want to break your little champion."

He did not say it in a joking manner, but to show he believed it to be absolute fact.

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

Federico smirked, and Emiliano just grinned all the wider and wilder. "If you can break him, kid, then he ain't going to be the champion," the old man snikted free the last bit of cloth wrap. Put the knife away and gave a soft pat to the big bruiser's knuckles. "There," he said softly.

"Vamos, Federico," Emiliano said with a sharp nod, turning one shoulder toward the exit. His eyes still carried a fire in them, his smile still wide, if only a little harder, a little more sure. Federico nodded, and got up from his crouch, moving toward his fighter. "You should watch the fight, Dominic," Emiliano said with a certain nod. "If only to see how you could try and break me," he turned his whole body toward the tunnel, and stepped out, raising a wrapped fist in salute and farewell.

Federico looked back at the young fighter. "Never a bad idea to look at the competition," he smirked and gave him a nod before he walked on out after Emiliano.

Dominic Valentino

---

 

[Dominic Valentino]

He could be the champion for a little while, either way, Dom was going to put him on his ass at some point. It was all just a matter of time.

His fist being free of those wrapping felt great, and he was still planning on just leaving and going home, but that little challenge was stuck in his head. When his trainer finally came back after taking way too long, Dominic had made his decision.

"Go find me some food. I'm going to watch the title bout."

Without any other explanation, Dom moved to go find a seat for the fight. Maybe, if he was lucky, this snobby asshole would lose. Then he might laugh in his face when this was all over.

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

"Ladies and gentleman! Humans and demi-humans! High rollers and penny pinchers, it's time for the main event!" A halfling with a booming voice cried out from the center of the ring. A glowing crystal fixed against a small disc of sheet tin hung by his mouth, affixed to some wooden fixture that stayed about his ear. "Endless rounds of that sweet sorcery, the dance in the square circle! The fight you've all been waiting fooooooor!"

Lanterns near the tunnel went dark.

"In the golden trunks, with the white trim, from the mean streets of Alliria, the home town hero, the Royal Rumble himself! Runos!"

Stage sorcerers cast some gouts of fire by the entrance tunnel from which one fighter, a tall and stocky orc robed in gold, stepped out. a hood over his head. Trumpets blared and drums beat to a steady and triumphant march.

"Ese Runos knows how to make an entrance," Federico smirked.

Emiliano was silent, eyes hard as he shook his gloved fists out down below his waist. A roll of the neck, head leaned left, head leaned right. He drew in a long and full breath.

"Classless," A bard in simple black attire said as the golden cloaked champion removed his cowl and raised his fists up to the crowd as he circled the ring. The crowd went wild.

"No need to be so mean, Juventud," Emiliano winked to his hype man. "Runos is a fine champion," the fighter said, eyes fixed on his opponent.

"Remember the game plan, Emiliano," Federico said, turning to his fighter. "Hard blocks, make them hurt, make him think twice about coming in with his power. Tie him up when he gets too close, he's bigger than you, so you'll need to wear him down, aint no one round knock out against a bruiser like this!"

Emiliano smirked. "Federico, I got it, we've trained all month for this,"

Federico's mouth set into a thin line. He gave his fighter a nod.

"And now, in the all black trunks, from the land of Cortos! Emiliano, El Yunque, Sinsangre!"

---

The bell rang with a clang clang clang. The sound distorted in Emiliano's ears as all the world about him buzzed, and his heart raced.

The ref pointed toward his corner, and Emiliano stood with his guard up. Blood and sweat spattered all about the ring.

"To your corner, Emiliano!" the ref shouted.

Heavy breaths left his lungs, and Emiliano nodded as his lungs pulled in cold fire with each pull of new air. Legs lead-laden, he plodded back to his corner. A red trail dripped behind him. He grinned at Federico, teeth stained with the blood that leaked from his gums.

"Andale, muchacho! Get back here!" the old trainer shouted as he pulled out an even older wooden stool. The other members of the team stood nearby. Oil paste for the cuts, a cold stone that misted about a rune carved into its surface for the swelling, a water skin.

Emiliano shook his head. "If I sit, I, I don't know if I'll be able to stand up again," he managed, up before the ringpost. His team got to work without another word. Wound cleaned up, oil smeared on his face, the runed stone sizzled cold against his swollen skin. He could hardly feel its burn.

Face frozen in grim certainty, Federico stared into his fighters eyes, "Lo sientes? Pues, el lo siente tambien! He's just as tired as you are, Muchacho! He's just better at hiding it!" The old trainer grinned. "If you want to be the champ, you have to go out there and out smart him. He's nailing you with his long jabs, but when you use that head of yours, duck the straights," the old man twisted, right fist clenched as it struck an invisible target with a hook. "Hit him in the body, just like you've been doing,"

Emiliano nodded. Even though his ears rang and were so full of the crowd's chatter and shouts, he heard his trainer, spat out pink water, and took another thirsty gulp from the water skin as more oil was dabbed onto his cut.

"Don't get caught again, Emiliano," Federico said grimly. "He's a tired, but those clubs he calls fists still pack all that weight behind him."

The warning bell announced the coming of the twelfth round. The crowd exploded in excitement. Shouts for Runos echoed across the mass of onlookers. A feint Yunque trailed in the distance.

The fighter from cortos grinned, blood's rusty stain feint on his teeth. "Lo voy a knockear, Federico,"

The old trainer grinned with a sharp nod. "Ya lo se, muchacho. Ahora, go and do it."

Emiliano nodded, and moved toward the ring. Gloves down, he almost looked relaxed, through the bruising and swelling that marred his face, and the red line that opened above his eye.

Runos stood almost a head taller. The tusked pugulist nodded as he stood before his opponent. Face less touched, though some red and swelling marked his features. Sweat poured off both men. Beaded across their backs and a fire burned in both their eyes.

Clang!

Both men raised their guards. Emiliano offered a gloved hand out to tap. Runos grunted, and tapped gloves in show of respect.

Only one of them would make it out of this round.


Dominic Valentino

 

[Dominic Valentino]

Dominic found a seat close to ring's side, mainly because most people would just move out of his way after they had all just watched what he had done. Even while he had been training, he had never bothered to watch any of these events. There didn't seem to be a point to it.

The first fighter to walk out was the champion, an Orc who was certainly big, but not as big as Dominic. He would enjoy fighting him and crushing that strength that he probably had so much faith in. Not to mention, the walkout theatrics was disgusting to Dom.

He had been asked to think of a ring entrance for himself by his patron but had declined. That would just turn all of this into more of a show, but it wasn't a show. This was a battle. No need for theater.

Then came the man he had spoken to in the back, the man's name was Emi- something or other. He was much smaller than the champion, but he carried himself confidently nonetheless.

This was going to be a lopsided battle in terms of size, but the size was never everything, but it was a big thing. Any that ever said they wish they weren't bigger or stronger in boxing was just lying to themselves.

"Alright, let's see you back up the talk."

---

The fight progressed roughly how Dom thought it would have to start. Emi had to be quick or risk getting hit by the much larger opponent. He took his time going after the champion's body. Dom wondered if that was how they would decide to fight him as well.

The longer the fight lasted, the more it likely weighed on Emiliano. He required more focus as one wrong move might be the end for him, but still, he gave as good as he got.

He had to admit, that Emi was good. He was technically skilled, along with great speed, and surprising power for his size. Most importantly, it looked like he could take a beating.

Dom did not know when it started, but at some point in the fight, his hands would start to twitch as he followed his movements of Emiliano trying to get a feel for his rhythm. Would he be able to keep up with his punches? He did manage to read some of the attacks but was disappointed to say he got hit by more than he read.

Eventually, the heavy punches started to look like they were getting to Emi. So, in end, it didn't look like he could back it up after all. He could not overcome the barrier that was size.

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

Leather bound fists flashed out beneath the magi-lights.

Bright with sweat and blood smeared across their oiled surface. One struck air, two found the hard bone of a forearm guard, three slipped just an inch too shallow across the jaw to really hurt. But he was inside. Emiliano was inside the bigger fighter's reach.

Battered and bruised as he was. Busted up to hell and back with his eye nearly swollen shut and the cut just above it pouring out a stream of bright red blood that tinted the corners of his left eye's sight. It had taken him twelve rounds to get there, in that space, just inside the champions space. Where those long battering rams he called fists couldn't quite bring about their full swing. Their thump just a little less heavy. Just enough to let him stand and trade.

But the right cross that slammed against the side of his head near knocked Emiliano to the floor. All the world turned to blur after a thump. He felt like he was floating. His feet barely on the ground. Off the ground. He fell to the canvas hard. The crowd went wild.

"Runos!!!" All the voices seemed to cry out. A sudden wave that crashed into Emiliano's ears.

He could hear the count. Three... Four...

Next time, right? He could get the belt next time.

Five...

But damn. He really hated that smile on Runos' face.

Six...

And the coin would really help all of them eat better tonight.

Emiliano was on one knee.

Seven...

He stood up, and though his head felt full of clouds, his hands balled into tight fists as he raised his guard.

Eight. The referee came to check him. "Can you fight son?" He asked as he checked the sturdiness of his guard. Found it stiff. Responsive.

Emiliano nodded.

The ref looked to his corner, and though the old trainer there stood with gritted teeth and a furious worry in his eye, he nodded too.

"Alright! Put em up! Fight!"

Runo wasted not time. Came in quick, arms dropping heavy hits that sought to end the fight. Emiliano wove away from one as he drove in. Took another straight right off his guard and he was already twisting in with a low hooking left. It slammed into Runo's side with a pop, and the large fighter seemed to wrap around it. The Champion's jaw caught an uppercut right on the chin.

Runo wobble stepped back, and thumped against the canvas.

The ref began his count. The bell rang to end the twelfth round. The crowd was losing their minds.

Dominic Valentino
(OOC: Sorry for the huge delay, school year ended, brain had to re-adjust for a bit, but should be more consistent again)

 

[Dominic Valentino]

The bright lights of the events flashed off the blood that covered to two fighters seeming to make them shine even more. A stark contrast to the dull and beaten leather that smashed into their faces and bodies. The room was getting hotter, not really, but Dom could feel the energy of the crowd going. They could smell the blood in the air, like sharks, sensing the approaching final moments.

It happened quickly, and Emiliano managed to slip in close. Dom needed to work on his inside defense. Most people thought he probably fought like the champion, but if he made it where it would be even more dangerous to go inside on him then he would have a perfect defense.

His own thoughts would have to wait as Emiliano had not been quick enough. He had been caught right in the ear, that would have to hurt.

The crowd exploded, expecting that they had just watched the end. Dominic knew better, or at least, he hoped he knew better. Emiliano had talked such a big game. He wouldn't have said that against the champion if he couldn't back it up. That has to be the first thing you learn if you want to win. How to get back up.

The count was close, but he saw the movement, and it was confirmed a few moments later when he made it back to his feet. A chorus of cheers from the crowd made it clear that they were amazed. Such simple people.

"Now's the chance. The champion thinks you are done in. Go for it all. It just takes one hit."

He spoke to himself, but Emiliano must have been thinking the same thing. Runos lunged in, Emi survived the first few punches and then he saw the opening. Emi had seen it even quicker as he quickly capitalize and sent the Champ to the floor.

The crowd erupted around him and Dominic just sighed.

"At least you aren't a liar."

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

Emiliano stood above his opponent, as his lungs pulled in greedy breaths. Blood pumped full in his head, and purple, red, and blue pain dug its nails and bared its weight into his flesh and deep into his bones.

The roar of the crowd. The bark of the count. All coalesced with the beat of his heart and the electricity between his ears.

Six, seven, Runos was up onto a knee, eight, his face pinched as he willed himself up. Tried. The ref looked. Counted nine. Runos buckled and fell down to his knee. Body bent toward the red swell at his side, where the liver blow had landed. The ref raised his hands and waved them, crossing out any chance for Runos to stand.

It was over.

"Emiliano!!!" Came the shout from his corner. Old Rico was already through the ropes, huge grin across his face. Juve was crying, and Pep and Lucinda rushed forward with Rico.

Two gloved fists shot up into the air in triumph.

---Back in the Locker Rooms, some moments after the hype----

"Five hundred fat ones, plus a two hundred bonus for the late round knock out," Juve smiled wide and cat like. "They should only get bigger from here on out,"

Emi, who had his arm around the accounting bard, smiled through his swollen and bruised features, one eye near shut and purpled, fat lip red and angry, a big fat bruise on the side of his head. "Let's just be glad we got this one, alright?" He laughed, but the sharp pain his ribs had him suck air through his teeth.

His friends eased him onto a bench.

"Lay down, kid," Rico said and coaxed the fighter down on his back. "Let Lucinda have a look at you,"

"God damn, Emi, did you have to get so banged up?" The healer quipped.

"Lo siento, Luci," the bruised and battered boxer wheezed. "I'll try not to next time,"

Dominic Valentino

 

[Dominic Valentino]

By the end of the match, Dominic was already standing up and making his way out of the crowd. He had no desire to watch another person celebrate their victory. It had been a good fight. That was all there is to it.

He wandered around for a bit, figuring he should get his own winnings, but there wouldn't be much. A debut fight gave out little, and then his patron and his 'trainer' took their cuts. Dominic was in debt, plain and simple. It was necessary to get him into the city. Hell, it was the whole reason that he had resorted to fighting in the first place.

Eventually, he realized he had wandered towards the back rooms again. He briefly remembered a guard trying to stop him, but then decided against that. Dom wondered if he had subconsciously drawn himself back here again or was it just coincidence. Either way, he might as well go and see him.

Dom stepped through the door to see the battered and bruised Emiliano.

"You look like shit. You won't last long if that is how every fight looks."

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

Emiliano laughed, though his face wrinkled up and pinched in pain as his body shook, forcing him to suck air through his teeth.

"Hey! I'm workin here Emi!" Luci scolded.

The boxer let out a ragged breath. "Don't blame me, blame the big guy,"

Luci huffed. "The big guy looked fine to me when he put his glove up," she smirked, and went back to channeling her mana.

Federico smiled, his head shaking left to right before he turned his dark eyes onto Dominic. "See young man?" the old trainer said, a hint of pride gleaming in his eye. "We need a hard hitter like you in our camp, if only to help bang the impurities out of this lump of bog iron,"

"Andale, Federico," Emiliano groaned from his prone position. "At least invite the up and comer out for dinner with us first," he grinned, swollen and misshapen as he was. "Sides, we don't know any good spots to eat around here,"

The old trainer grunt. "Some folks like straight talk, Emiliano, no que tu sabes algo de eso,"

The bard, Juve, smiled warmly as he tuned his lute. "Business goes great with a few drinks,"

"Show us a night on the town, and we'll cover the tab?" A dumb smile spread across Emi's lips.

Federico sighed and shook his head. "Spose it couldn't hurt," he looked up at the big otternali. "What do you say, Dominic?"

"After I'm done workin!" Luci clarified.

Dominic Valentino

 

[Dominic Valentino]

Dominic watched the group interact in fascination. They all had a lackadaisical and familiar aura around each other. It was quite the opposite compared to his team. Each one had been paid for and provided by his patron. He did not think most of them liked him and had even caught a few of them whispering slurs behind his back.

"I can show you around a bit...I don't spend my time near the fancy places, but I can show you a place or two with good food and drink...that's about it."

The otternali remembered the first time he had arrived in the city and tried to enter one of the nicer restaurants. He had nearly been killed on the spot, and he was arrested. It was that incident that had led him to fight in the first place.

"Are you sure it won't be opening up any injuries for him to be moving around though?"

He did not care any one way, but it would leave a bad taste in his mouth if the new champion had to relinquish his belt as soon as he won it because he aggravated one of the injuries...He should at least wait until Dom could take it from him fair and square.

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

Emiliano laughed. "Come on, Dominic, you gotta know I'm at least a *little* tougher than that!" He wore a proud grin, made all the prouder by the mottle of purple and yellow and angry red about his face.

Luci raised a single finger in dramatic fashion, and prodded the laid out fighter on the ribs. He twitched and curled inwards toward the spot which she had pressed, and he sucked in his breath, his eyes wincing as his smile turned to grimace. Luci smiled. "More like you have to know I am good at what I do," she turned and winked at the big Otternali. "He'll be good to go in a few minutes,"

Emiliano eased back onto the plank. "Yes," a pained laugh. "She's good."

Federico shook his head and grumbled disapproval, but there was a curl on his lips still as he turned again to see Dom. "He's bog iron, but he's tougher than most think,"

Emiliano raised a thumb up in the air, and Luci went on with her work. Juve smiled, and sat on a bench nearby, and began to idly pluck his strings.

Good for her word, Luci wouldn't take much longer. Emiliano would stand minutes later, still bruised, ribs still angry and red, but much of the swelling had settled. His movement was only a little stiffer than usual, but he got dressed all the same. Loose and airy plain linens.

"Well," Emiliano said as he slipped his arm through the sleeve of his shirt. "Lets get this grub," he wore that proud grin on his face once more, and his eyes seemed to twinkle with a fire that wanted more.

Federico looked to Luci, and the healer sighed, and nodded in approval. "He'll be alright for the night," her placid demeanor snapped to an iron sharpness, eyes narrowed, brows pinched down and lips flat. "But its full on recovery after this, Emi, you hear me?!"

Emiliano was already making toward Dominic. "Yes yes," he said casually, and stopped before the big fighter with a cocksure nod. "Shall we?"

Dominic Valentino

 

[Dominic Valentino]

Even with all the vocal support that Emiliano was getting for his toughness. The pure amount of bruises that covered his body were indicating otherwise. That was one of the benefits of the Otternali, they did not really bruise. The fur made it difficult to hit that deep, so even on the rare occasion they did bruise, no one could see it.

Dominic looked between Emi and then all of his supporters, wondering who was coming with them. Not that he minded if they all came, just meant more work for wherever he took them.

"Alright, let's go."

The first place Dom took them was a little walk as they had to get out of the nicer part of Alliria...No one would feed his kind up here.

When they finally stopped, what greeted them was a small whole in the wall tavern with a sign threatening to fall off the wall. If one looked past the grime, the sign would read, The Drunk Duck.

Dominic led them inside, and while it wasn't anything amazing, it looked better than the outside. The place only had a few folks enjoying the quaint tavern and they all turned to see the party that walked in.

An old man that looked like he had once had some meat on his bones, but the passage of time had thinned him out stuck his head out a door near the back. He looked over them before looking directly at Dom. The booming voice that followed did not match the thin man's frame.

"Who the hell are all these people, Dom? You got yourself into trouble?" One of the bartenders reached for something beneath the counter before Dominic put a hand up.

"None of that Fargus. Just some friends who are looking to celebrate. We need some food and drink."

"If you got the coin, then I can do that." He darted back through the door and everyone would be able to hear him shouting out orders.

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

From riches, to rags, to the very grime those rags were used to clean up. That about summed up the change in scenery they had all experienced as they followed the big otternali. Not that they weren't used to such places themselves.

As they passed through the creaky door that still clung to its hinges against the frame, Emiliano gave a warm smile to some old timer who was giving him the eye. The man huffed, and turned away quick enough, like grumbled something real nice beneath his breath too.

Shit. He knew that suspicion had its place. And he wouldn't fault anyone for not trusting him. Not like he trusted easy himself.

Dom gave the all clear, and Emi and crew followed in. Emiliano naturally sat at the bar, and wasted no time at making himself comfortable, elbows on the counter, whole body leaned forward as his shoulders sagged some. He smiled at the tender named Fargus, and asked. "Ya'll serve duck?"

Federico sighed, and sat beside the young man. "We have coin, yes,"

Lucinda examined the place with a scrutinizing gaze. "Clean enough," she said beneath her breath, and sat down a chair apart from the others.

Juve, with his lute in tow, sate neatly at the end of the bar as the kitchen clamored on and the fires hissed and sizzled. "Smells good," he said with a bit of song in his voice. "What do you recommend here, Dom?" He asked and was already fiddling with the chords of his instrument. Sweet little notes plucked and plingged out of the thing's belly with each gentle pull of his fingers.

Dominic Valentino

 

[Dominic Valentino]

Fargas looked Emiliano up and down with a confused expression on his face. The man smelled of a mix of old ale and various spices. He took a puff of a pipe.

"Duck is expensive. Why would we have a duck?" Not understand the irony at all.

Dominic just shook his head with a laugh and pointed to each member of their group. "Let's get some potatoes, the roast, and any veggies you can muster up...also an ale for each of us."

Fargas seemed skeptical as he looked back at the kitchen and then at Dominic again. Before he could even say anything, Dom cut him off.

"And some good bread. Don't worry. They can pay." Fargas shrugged and hurried off to the back to get started on the meals.

Dominic moved over to sit beside Emiliano but grabbed an empty stool that seemed to be bigger than the others, and then decided to explain to Emi.

"The name isn't from the food." He gestured towards a corner of the room where a duck was busy relaxing in a large bowl of what looked like ale.

"That's Gary."

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

Emiliano and crew stared at the duck blankly for a moment. The feathered creature, floating around as ducks did, quaked, as if it knew new eyes were upon him.

Emiliano burst out into laughter. Whole body rolling back, which quickly caused him to wince in pain and contort in the opposite direction. Juve was chuckling, and Luce was laughing at first until she saw Emi doing this weird in between jig of laughter and pain that just spawned more laughter and more pain, and tears that ran down the side of his face.

"Emi!" She said through gritted teeth. "You bloody idiot, you are going to hurt yourself more!" But she couldn't keep a straight face watching the battered boxer contort between laughing and agony.

Juve, cool as ever, just shook his head and smiled, while Federico shook his head and sighed.

"You got anything strong back there?" The old trainer said with a tired smirk on his face.

"I'm sorry," Emi confessed through his wheezing, "I... I just" his eyes were near shut as he fought back the tears that blinded him. "It's a fucking duck in a tub of booze!" He laughed even louder.

Some of the regulars just stared at Emiliano as if he had gone mad.

And to tell it true. He likely had.

After a few moments of absurdity, Emi wiped away the tears and turned his head back to the tender, and could already hear the food sizzling and singing from the back room. "Smells good," he said, shoulders still bouncing some with the last of his laughs.

Dominic Valentino

 

[Dominic Valentino]

Dominic smirked as he watched their reactions, which was common for newcomers to the establishment. It was a good thing Fargas was still in the back. A bartender simply nodded to Luce and moved to get him a strong drink.

"I wouldn't laugh at Gary around Fargas. He claims the duck is lucky. Says he found the duck one night on the way home from a drunken night on the town. Two days later, he was the owner of this establishment. In thanks, he named the place after him."

A loud quack filled the room, almost like Gary could hear them and be agreeing with the telling of the tale. Dom had watched many get kicked out of the place after disrespecting the duck.

"It should. This place is pretty well known for the slums. One of the few places that let in the beastfolk, but it has some of the best food in the city. Yes, I am including the rich part of town."

In answer to the praise, Fargas returned with several plates of food. He balanced them all precariously, yet steadily along his arms before he deposited them in front of each member of the group.

"Alright, order up. Enjoy!"

Emiliano

 

[Emiliano]

"We all have our superstitions," Federico grumbled, though his teeth shone through with a smile as he listened to Dom's story.

Emiliano gave a nod that was oddly solemn at the telling's conclusion. "Still wear the same wraps that I got my first knock out with,"

"Disgusting," Luce said from the corner. "I told you, you need to wash those,"

Emi puffed up. "Hey! I rinse them!"

Luce squinted her eyes. "Yeah? And I told you need to wash them!"

Emi glared at their healer. "Won't be lucky if I *wash* them,"

Luce clicked her tongue and turned away.

Federico just grinned and shook his head.

Juventude looked to Dom. "We are no strangers to holes in the walls and secret haunts," he plucked a few sweet notes before he put his instrument away as Fargas came out, arms loaded with the goods.

The plates were piled high with all the food stuffs. Roasted root vegetables and tomatoes and corn, steaming in a medley, skins blistered as flakes of pepper and spices clinging to the sweating skins. The roast.

"The roast!" Emiliano shouted, and near lunged at the hunk of meat that dripped fat along its sides and smelled of a promised afterlife. Luce shot him a glare and it staved him off. He frowned, and went back to squinting in agony.

"Damn shame," Federico grunted. "Thought a city as big as this might have left behind the old prejudices we human folk find so easily out west,"

The others sat in silent agreement.

"Fuck em," Emiliano said easily. "Makes no difference when you get into the ring, a fighter's a fighter," he started piling his plate high. This time Luce growled.

"Would you bloody wait for the rest of us!" she shout.

"I'm hungry!" Emi barked back, pain absent from his mind as he clutched close his plate.

Dominic Valentino

 

[Dominic Valentino]

Dominic smirked at the man's superstitions. The large otternalli had never been one for superstitions. His tribe had been extremely cautious of such things, but he had found them dumb then and he found them dumb now.

The pants you were wearing weren't going to stop Dom from knocking you out when he finally decided to. It was the same with the weird duck, but he never mentioned it. He knew the importance of having a little pet to keep you company.

Dominic dove into his food upon its arrival. It was delicious, the reason he kept coming back. Probably a shock to no one, but such a large body needed a lot of food to keep him moving properly. He looked up from his personal feast when their group began talking about prejudice. He frowned, but kept his anger in check, deciding to take it out on the food in front of him.

"Everywhere has prejudice. They do better with dwarves and elves out here, but...an animal that can talk is apparently still an animal."

He was not going to expand on that any more than what was said. Dom turned back to his food, but stop to look at Emi's group.

"He is right. Grab your food while the getting is good."

Emiliano