[color=6ecff6][h1][center]Aleksander, the Bear of the North[/center][/h1][/color]
[color=fff79a]Endar winced at the volume of the great man's bellow. He had expected a gladiator of such a size, but this one's boldness was a great refresher of those he might expect to see in the ring.

"Please, not so loud." he told the man. "Step closer, too. We need only speak as softly as we would to equals."[/color]

[color=6ecff6]Now that was unusual. Aleksander hadn't even realized he was shouting, really - that was just the tone one took to speak to nobles, whether you were giving them a report or loudly affirming a command. In all his years of soldiering, Lord Kalfsson had never once spoken to him in anything less than a tone of command, and never referred to them as equals. Come to think of it, he'd probably never even said the word 'please'.

Aleksander stepped forward, as he was asked, and spoke in a quieter, though no less gutural voice. "Does this volume suit you?" he asked, an eyebrow raised.[/color]

[color=fff79a]
Endar nodded. "Yes, it doesn't quite pierce my eardrums as before." Tilting his head to the side, he brushed his hand through his hair, revealing the pointed tips of his ears. "And due to my heritage, things tend to be a little louder than they would be. But please, tell me your name."[/color]

[color=6ecff6]Elf-blooded? This one was full of surprises. "My name is Aleksander Vadimovich. I hail from Tyren, where I served for several years in the armies of Lord Kalfsson." Aleksander shrugged his shoulders slightly. "Is there anything else you would like to know about my life story, or would you like to see me fight?"
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[color=fff79a]Endar shook his head. "I know that the people of Tyren are warriors through and through, even if I've not truly met one myself. But is there more that you might wish to tell me? Why you came here, perhaps?"[/color]

[color=6ecff6]Aleksander twitched his nose and tried not to let his irritation at being called a 'warrior' show on his face. "You know nothing of Tyren. I hope for you that you never do." He sighed. "Well, all my friends were dead, the army stopped paying me and I was tired of attacking small villages of women and children, so I left the soldiering. It's all I've done since I was seventeen, though, so gladiatoring seemed like a good career path now. I came to you because no other team will take me, say I fight too 'boring' for the crowds. This is because I fight like man that wants to win, rather than bloodthirsty beast." He shrugged. "Is your question answered?"[/color]

[color=fff79a]Endar closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Well... you may not wish for it, and I know all to well that it will do little to help... but for whatever it is truly worth, Aleksander, I give you my sympathies." Then, seeing that another had entered from under his lashes, he shook off those sad thoughts. "But, I suppose it would not do to speak of grim times. My name is Ignis Doman. And please, consider yourself accepted to the team. I look forward to seeing what you can offer."
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[color=6ecff6]"I do not need your sympathies. The job is more valuable, and for that you have my thanks." Aleksander bowed low. "Tell your gladiators that Aleksander Vadimovich will protect them. That is a promise I make to you." With that, he turned and stalked off to the food, his stomach already rumbling.[/color]