[color=#8D0000][center][sub][h1][b]Ashton Ignatius White[/b][/h1][/sub][img]https://i.imgur.com/t2u1Vve.png[/img]
Location: Coliseum
Mentions: [@Thayr][@Moon Child][/center][/color][hr]Ashton glanced up as Noah approached, and a small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth when he caught sight of Luka hanging back a few steps. He pushed off from the marble pillar, straightening slightly, though his posture remained relaxed and unbothered. The question didn't surprise him. He'd known someone would ask eventually, and of course it would be Noah.

[color=#8D0000]"Don't call me Ashie,"[/color] he said first, the words carrying no real heat. It was more reflex than anything, a familiar rhythm between siblings that had played out a thousand times before. His tone was light, almost playful, as if the entire day had been nothing more than a casual stroll rather than a gladiatorial bracket.

He let the silence stretch for a moment, his gaze drifting past Noah toward the festivities still in full swing across the arena grounds. The torches cast dancing shadows, and the sound of laughter and celebration washed over them in waves. When he finally answered, his voice was calm, almost wistful, like he was talking about choosing not to take a second helping at dinner rather than surrendering a fight.

[color=#8D0000]"I just didn't feel like it,"[/color] Ashton said with a casual shrug. [color=#8D0000]"Simple as that. Woke up tired, went through the motions, and when I got to Gigi, I looked at what that fight was going to cost me and thought… nah. Not today."[/color] He tilted his head slightly, considering his own words as if hearing them for the first time. [color=#8D0000]"Sometimes you've got to know when to fold, you know? I could've dragged it out, made it a spectacle, given everyone a show. But what's the point? She was going to win anyway. This way, I saved us both some bruises and got to spend the rest of the day watching everyone else have fun."[/color]

His eyes flicked back to Noah, and there was a glimmer of mischief there now. [color=#8D0000]"Speaking of Gigi, though. Sounds like she absolutely dismantled you out there. Should I feel guilty about that?"[/color] He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. [color=#8D0000]"I mean, probably. She definitely had some leftover energy she was planning to use on me, and when I bowed out, well… you were next in line. My condolences."[/color] The words were teasing, but there was genuine warmth in them. He wasn't mocking her. If anything, there was a kind of sibling pride woven into the ribbing, the acknowledgment that she'd made it far enough to face someone like Gigi in the first place.

Ashton crossed his arms loosely over his chest, his gaze shifting briefly to Luka before returning to Noah. [color=#8D0000]"Hey, Luka,"[/color] he added with a small nod of acknowledgment, his tone easy and welcoming. He didn't press for an introduction or make a big deal of it, just a simple recognition that someone else was there. It was the kind of effortless social grace that came naturally to him when he wasn't buried under the weight of his own thoughts.

[color=#8D0000]"Honestly, Noah, I'm fine,"[/color] he continued, his voice softening a bit. [color=#8D0000]"Better than fine, actually. I'm content. I got to swing my hammer around, reminded a few people that I still know what I'm doing, and then I got to step back and just… exist for a while. No pressure. No expectations. Just me, this column, and a front row seat to watch everyone else celebrate."[/color] He gestured vaguely toward the crowds with one hand, a lazy, sweeping motion that took in the whole scene. [color=#8D0000]"It's not a bad way to spend an evening."[/color]

There was something almost serene in the way he spoke, a quiet acceptance that might have seemed out of place for someone who had just walked away from a fight. But Ashton had learned, through years of grinding himself down to nothing, that sometimes the greatest act of strength was knowing when to stop. He wasn't running. He wasn't hiding. He was just choosing, for once, to let the world spin without throwing himself into the grinder.

[color=#8D0000]"Besides,"[/color] he added with a faint grin, [color=#8D0000]"someone had to make sure you didn't get too cocky after your earlier wins. Consider my forfeit a preemptive humbling on your behalf. You're welcome."[/color]