[center][color=magenta][img]https://i.imgur.com/PMI1m6n.png[/img][/color][/center] [center][@Scarifar][@Dezuel][@AtomicNut][/center] [hr] Vera had to suppress a slight smirk at Michael's suffering. This was an acceptable comeuppance for the nosey little shit. However, as she made her way back toward the bar, something else was making its way around Midnight: the fact that Mina was dropping out of the tournament. "Wait, what!?" The announcer hissed to the guy relaying the news. "Are you fucking kidding me? Again with this shit?! No one is gonna wanna fucking come here if we keep shuffling the brackets like this!" "Well what are we gonna do then? It's the semi-finals! Just give them a pass?" "Shit, no..." He began biting his thumbnail in annoyance. "Fuck it, whatever! I'll make it work!" Vera's jaw dropped in realization. If Vera remembered correctly, that put Alex up against the sleezebag who'd been hitting on her. She didn't want Alex anywhere near that bastard. Alex had [i]barely[/i] been able to handle her, and after their fight she'd be even weaker. Maybe she still had that super strength, maybe she didn't, but Vera was pretty sure she'd seen all of those fancy, glowing cards Alex had disappear right before she'd done that. Did that mean she was out of ammo? It was impossible to say, Vera didn't know a damn thing about Alex's new powers, but she was one to err on the side of cynicism and assume the worst. Vera took her seat, back facing the bar, frantically chewing her nails while her friend was still conked out one seat over. . . . wait. [i]BAM![/i] Vera's elbow shot out into her friend's gut, causing the other girl's eyes to snap open as she broke into a coughing fit. "Yo, what the fu-" She was soon silenced as Vera grabbed her jaw and stared hard into her eyes. [color=magenta]"Shut up a listen."[/color] "Ooh, sho fowcefuw-" [color=magenta]"Shut."[/color] Vera tightened her grip. [color=magenta]"They're shuffling the matches again."[/color] "Eh?" Even her friend, half out of her mind on drugs, was able to put together that that made no sense. [color=magenta]"I don't like it. First me, now some asshole against Al-. . . That Andras girl."[/color] Seeing her friend was at least half focused now, Vera let go. [color=magenta]"I want you to go make a scene and fix it."[/color] "Pfft? Me? Ur [i]wayyy[/i] better at making a shcene," her friend slurred with a dry laugh. [color=magenta]"Yeah, except I'm suspicious since I started this whole mess,"[/color] Vera told her. [color=magenta]"Now pull it together and go do it."[/color] The other girl rolled her eyes, "Ugh, fine. You care who she doesh end up againsht?" [color=magenta]"The painter kid would be fine."[/color] Vera shrugged. "Cool, cool." The girl slid off her stool and stumbled to her feet. "Oh, and hwat do I get out of thish?" Vera, however, just reached over and grabbed her much emptier than before purse, holding it up for her friend to see. "You... make a sholid point." The girl rolled her neck, earning a few disgustingly loud cracks and then staggered off to do as she'd been told. "Heeyyyy, what'sh the big deal? I heard you're screwin' with that denim lady's match again!" she grumbled as she stormed over to the announcer booth, earning a few confused looks as she did so. "Wh-what? Where'd you come from?" The annoucer's face blanched at the sudden accusation. "Well? What givsh, huh?!" Unfortunately, he couldn't deny it. In a few minutes he'd be announcing it to the whole club! A thought that made his stomach churn, honestly. "OK, look, shut up!" He hissed at her. "The other girl dropped out and this other guy volunteered to take her place! We can't just give a pass through the semi-finals! We're trying to put on a show!" "Well... then make him fight shumbuddy else! What about that big brute who won the lasht match? New guy getsh pummeled, who givsh a damn?" Honestly, she was proud of herself for coming up with a more sly way of putting that Andy girl against the painter. She didn't even mention the painter! . . . Why the fuck was there a painter in the middle of a tournament? Questions for later... or never, more likely. The MC held up a finger to retort, but then stroked his chin. It was a decent solution. At least this way Andras didn't have someone new replacing her opponent twice. At least Michael had earned his way to this part of the tournament. It'd be a way easier sell. "OK, OK, fine. That works, now go away!" "OK, cool, but while I'm here can I order a drink, or-" "This is the DJ booth, dumbass!" "Riiiight." She gave him a finger gun and winked before staggering her way back to the bar, giving Vera a thumbs-up as she did. Vera just pinched the bridge of her nose, but gave a sigh or relief. Crisis momentarily averted. A few minutes later, it was time. [b]"OK EVERYBODY! That last match was real quick, so we're gonna be running it back so to speak!"[/b] The MC called out. [b]"Sadly, the milk truck that ran over the local pizza boy can't continue, but we've had a volunteer to take her place so you crazy motherfuckers can enjoy another fight! Now, since everyone's favorite underdog just broke one of our fucking tables, he doesn't get the luxury of any more rest! Get back in the ring! Now before anyone complains, I think you're gonna like this! Our replacement for this match is Suzakura Plagerzes! I think it's safe to say that whoever loses this match, [i]we all win.[/i]"[/b] Suffice it to say, Suzakura had a bit of a reputation, meanwhile the underdog had been throwing off the betting pool all night. [hr] [@Spin The Wheel] [hr] [u]Meanwhile...[/u] "Hmph..." The loser turned away from Duke, but then his eyes fell and he rubbed his jaw absentmindedly. ". . . he's been acting weird all night. Not gonna lie, either, normally when I lose to him it's my mistake, not him doing something right." His brow furrowed. "But tonight I didn't stand a chance. It was like running into a mile-high wall. I swear it was like he was roided out, but... that wouldn't explain this." It was a moment later the MC made his announcement. "Well, if you're so curious, looks like you get another chance to pay real close attention. Supposedly that Plagerzes guy can take a hit or two. Might last long enough to let you see what's going on..."