[h2][center][color=f6989d]Ashley Wyatt Harper[/color] & [color=fff79a]Endar Drayen[/color][/center][/h2]


[color=f6989d]"You're looking mighty parched, my lord,"[/color] shouted Harper as he stomped through the sand, uninvited, over to Ignis with the second glass of wine raised high as an offering. He stopped a few feet in front of the lord's chair, his eyes darting side to side in anticipation of some antsy guard coming to pull him aside as he extended the glass forward. [color=f6989d]"For you, my friend. For your hospitality."[/color]

Endar turned to the newcomer, having not expected someone to approach him right at that very moment. He was unoccupied, though, so he supposed he could understand the miscommunication. It wasn't the man's fault, after all.

[color=fff79a]"I... thank you."[/color] Endar wasn't thirsty at all, actually, but for the sake of good showing, he took the goblet anyway. Placing it on the arm of his chair, he met the eyes of the one who had brought it. [color=fff79a]"Now, could I ask you your name?"[/color]

Harper's smile widen as the other man took the drink. There was always something nice about getting a noble to step down, if only momentarily, to his level. [color=f6989d]"My name is Ashley Wyatt Harper,"[/color] he said, giving a slight bow of the head. [color=f6989d]"And you're the young Lord Ignis Doman, unless I happened to wander into the wrong soiree. So, you're trying to make a go at it in the arenas, correct?"[/color]

Endar was somewhat surprised, and not unpleasantly - here was the first person he'd not needed to introduce himself to. Granted, it was likely everyone else had some idea of who he was, they had just not known who they were looking for. He opened his mouth to respond, but he found himself distracted by his adviser rising from his own seat.

"Now stop right there." Ezekiel snapped. "I know your name, Harper. Disgraced gladiator. Gambler. Fixer. Game thrower. If you think that you're getting one step closer to his lordship then-"

That was [i]enough[/i]. [color=fff79a]"Then you'd be right."[/color] Endar interjected. [color=fff79a]"You can consider yourself accepted, Sir Harper, though I would ask that you detail what you can do, since Ezekiel clearly views you through coloured glass."[/color]

[color=f6989d]"Gladly,"[/color] said Harper, shooting a look over at Ezekiel as he took one step closer. [color=f6989d]"Let me answer your question with a question of my own: have you ever fought in an arena before?"[/color] He turned and waved his glass at the collection of neophytes lingering around the beverage table. [color=f6989d]"Have any of those people fought in an arena before? Does anyone here know the first step in preparing for a competition, setting up match ups, winning the favor of the crowd, and all the other various ins and outs of gladiatorial life?"[/color] He paused for just long enough to not give Ignis a chance to answer. [color=f6989d]"Because the look on your face tells me that the answer's no."[/color]

[color=f6989d]"Listen, your man's partly right. I am a gambler. I may have greased some palms to make some people who shouldn't have win. I don't know what this game throwing nonsense he's talking about is, but I can assure you that it's just that: nonsense. But, most importantly, I was a gladiator before. I know all the stuff that you know you don't know, and I know some of the stuff that you don't even know exists. You need somebody like me on the team, otherwise that crowd's going to eat you alive and, trust me, they're what you're fighting, not that pack of meatheads seven feet ahead of you,"[/color] said Harper. He paused for another second, and then added, [color=f6989d]"Plus I'm a fairly decent shot and nobody else around here has a bow."[/color]

Endar blinked. This one was as full of surprises as the last. He was right, though - he had no idea what went on in the arena other than the matches. And there was, admittedly, no gladiators among them aside Ezekiel... and at the moment, the idea of turning to him for assisstance was less and less appealing every other moment. The only reason he'd kept Ezekiel on was because he was his uncle's friend.

He mulled what Harper had said over in his mind for a few moments, before nodding. [color=fff79a]"I see. Though I would rather you didn't insult your teammates when they are six feet behind you. And... a warning, if I might add. Since both you and Ezekiel say you have a rather shady past... I'm asking you to cease any motions that are in action, and refrain to do so in the future. If I find that you're operating other means without my knowledge or permission, I can't say that you'd stay on our team. A twice-disgraced gladiator isn't likely to get a third chance, is he?"[/color]

[color=f6989d]"And he greatly appreciates this second chance,"[/color] said Harper, pointing at Ignis with his free hand. [color=f6989d]"Trust me, you won't regret this at all. When we're in my hometown, Letum, sweeping up victory after victory at the Dauoa Festival, it'll be this moment that you look back on smiling. I guarantee it." [/color]

The youth stilled... Letum? As in, Letum, capital city of Noctis? And this man called it home. [color=fff79a]"I... I cannot say we will visit the city, nor even the country, Harper... but I... do not doubt that I will come to value your advice in the days and weeks to come."[/color]

[color=f6989d]"I'm looking forward to it, my lord. Thank you for the wine,"[/color] said Harper, raising his glass one last time before turning to go join the others at the table. He had skipped breakfast that day, and he intended to make the most out of his new benefactor as he could.