[img= http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h461/kathichan1/ariacastshot.png]

 [u][b] Thaum: Coliseum [/u][/b]

Aria watched with interest as Lulu greeted the woman who had come out of the crowd. Was she a friend of his? She certainly was pretty. Aria eyed the woman’s chest almost enviously as the rules were explained. 

Before Lute could introduce the two ladies, their team (The Blobfish Avengers? Nobody else had anything so that was most likely their name now. Lovely.) was escorted to the door where weapons and armors hung on racks for the challengers to pick from. The muscled man gave them another few rules before departing, leaving the team to their own devices. 

No magic was allowed, huh? She picked up a bundle of throwing knives, checking their balance before strapping them around her waist in the belt they came with. That would certainly make things much more challenging, especially for Syed and Lucien. She glanced at them in worry and noted to keep an eye on the two men while strapping on the lightest and least restricting armor she could find in the pile. Usually she would have forgone the extra bulk with her knives hidden underneath her clothing being adequate defenses, but in this case it would be better to play it safe with some extra covering.

[i] “You know, we could always quit and just eat lunch. I can cook your favorite dish,”[/i]

Aria turned to see Lute struggling with his armor and huffed in soft laughter. She placed a hand on the man’s shoulder, turning him around and adjusting the straps on the back so the padded leather sat more snugly on his form. 

“As lovely as that sounds, I think it’s a bit late to back out now.” She gave him a pat, before following the virtuoso through the doors and into the cage in the arena. From what she could see most of the teams were much burlier and tougher looking than theirs, but she was rather determined to put on a good show for the spectators in the stands.

She shifted on the balls of her feet as the pack of wolves were released from their cages, glancing up at Lute when he spoke again. 

[i] “Aria, I think lunch is out. Maybe dinner. With my sister? Hopefully we don’t get eaten first,”[/i]

“Dinner sounds wonderful,” she laughed in response, drawing the longest knife from her belt and getting ready to follow Moira in attacking. “What do you say we tag team that mean looking guy?” She motioned to one of the larger snarling wolves. “Just like old times.” With a quick confirmation from Lute she turned back to Lucien. "Be careful, Lucy! Don't try anything I wouldn't, now." With a wink she leaped forward, joining the fray.