To live for thousands of years could get awfully dull. The fae were no strangers to that. Many scholars would argue that that is why they had a predisposition to mischief and meddling in the affairs of mortal men whom the fae saw as nothing more than toys. No fae would deny there was a delight in causing strife and watching the consequences topple kingdoms or empires over the years but that kind of fun was a slow burning story. Satisfying in one way but wholly dissatisfying in another. So the fae turned to other entertainments. Politics, drinking, dancing.
And Esquiva.
Nobody remembered how the game had come into existence and nobody truly remembered the original rules. Most players saw them more as guidelines to the way the game had to play. As such it was brilliantly violent and had become a beloved species game. The general premise was simple. There were two teams. The aim was to knock the other teammates off their podiums and thus out of the game. Once all the players of a team were eliminated the other team was crowned victors. Once upon a time it was probably a simple ball game but today it was something far more...
Opposite her the Winter Team were gingerly hopping from one pedestal to the next to find their tactical positions. A player could move to a different podium but they couldn't fall in. Moving had its own advantages and disadvantages of course. Better positions, getting closer to the target. But one slip...
The serpents fin cut through the surface of the water again as if it heard her thoughts.
And Esquiva.
Nobody remembered how the game had come into existence and nobody truly remembered the original rules. Most players saw them more as guidelines to the way the game had to play. As such it was brilliantly violent and had become a beloved species game. The general premise was simple. There were two teams. The aim was to knock the other teammates off their podiums and thus out of the game. Once all the players of a team were eliminated the other team was crowned victors. Once upon a time it was probably a simple ball game but today it was something far more...
* * *
Olyssa shifted her weight from one foot to the other in an effort to somehow root herself to the slime covered rock that was her podium then glanced down. The lake upon which the game was taking place was home to some of the deadliest water creatures known to fae. Falling in could mean death for a lesser fae which of course was all a part of the fun. She caught a glimpse of one of the red fins belonging to the Lusca, a long serpent like beast who had a particular taste for flesh. The only benefit was the beast was blind and moved through the sound of vibrations. It had no doubt stirred because of the roar from the audience packed in around the lakeside.
Opposite her the Winter Team were gingerly hopping from one pedestal to the next to find their tactical positions. A player could move to a different podium but they couldn't fall in. Moving had its own advantages and disadvantages of course. Better positions, getting closer to the target. But one slip...
The serpents fin cut through the surface of the water again as if it heard her thoughts.
"LADIES AND GENTLEFOLK! ARE YOU REEEEEADDDDYYYY?"
Olyssa took a breath and shifted the ball in her hands from hand to hand. The crowd screamed bloody murder.
"WELCOME TO THE FINAL IN THIS YEARS SEASON! THE ANTICIPATED AUTUMN VS. WINTER ESQUIVA GAMES!"
