[b]Niti Laevis[/b]

“What are you complaining about, Yuuka?  You gave me a good beating…” Niti sullenly huffed, twisting in his seat to face the Wood Dragon Slayer. With a pout, he could remember all the smacks and near ass-kicking given to him by the fair maiden. “I narrowly won all those spars by pure luck… and because you just so happened to be a klutz.” Quickly, he held up his arms in his defense. “You kept slipping on my soap bubbles and knocking yourself out!”

Niti paused for a moment, letting Yuuka’s words sink in. He stared at Sage with a look of horror, dramatically aghast. “Sage, I should’ve known of your dastardly plans of getting a harem! Am I not allowed to be a part of it?” He spoke before he was interrupted by the announcer. 

[i]“...We welcome you Sage Ruzuzaki and the newest member of Lamia Scale, Stacy Kaiser!"[/i]

He... He remembered that voice. It wasn't the voice of a young man that had announced the beginning of the games. No, it was a woman's voice this time and, for some reason, it reminded him of someone. The voice tugged at his ears. Niti lifted his head and looked out toward the audience, toward the source of the announcement. Among the judges in the booth, an oddly familiar woman was seated. Her elegant appearance and dignified stance was a distant cry of a much younger version in his memories. 

Could it be? Is that… 

“Kyou!” The name felt almost foreign on his tongue. Niti stared in awe as he leaned over the railing to get a better look. However, Hana blocked his view as she waved toward a stoic fella who happened to be in the same booth as Kyou and spoke of her disappointment in the match-up. 

Oh! The match! He has to focus on that right now.

As quick as a switch, he straightened and flashed a smile at Sage. “Welp, you’re up, dreamboat. Go wreck them!” He clapped his hands and looked to the newest member of Lamia Scale, Stacy Kaiser. He never did have the chance to talk to her since most of the time she was drunk and barely coherent. It was almost like talking to a brash iceberg before he decided to just go with it. “Best of luck, lovelies! Make us proud!” 

“Oh, who am I kidding? I’m already proud of you two! Come here!” Just as he was about to tackle the two players with a hug, Stacy fell over the railings. He winced as he was pretty sure he heard a sound very similar to a “SPLAT.” Nevertheless, he peered over the railings and settled for a wave. Hugs can come in later. 

As the cage rose, Niti bounced for the door, none too subtly gazing at the judges’ booth. “I’m heading out for a bit. Give Sage and Stacy a giant hug if I don’t come back in time!” There was no doubt in his voice. His confidence in his teammates’ abilities was unwavering since members of Lamia Scale were no pushovers. “Give me a holler if you need me~”