After making sure to not slam the front door in case any of the neighbors were asleep, Greg made his way upstairs. He was more tired than he had judged; each step was more arduous than the last. As he crested the top, he sighed, noting how out of shape he was. A few steps down the bare wood hallway and he was at the door. He produced his key from a pocket, fumbling for it somewhat due to using his off hand. As he was tugging at the metal implement to get it free of the constricting fabric of his jeans, he heard a door open directly behind him. Knowing who it was, he casually looked over his shoulder. “Evening, Momoe.”
The girl, now closing her own door, cast a bored glance his way. “Hi.” This young woman's snobbishness and self-absorbency distinguished her much like Greg's hair did, though while his trait was exterior and hers interior, hers was far more powerful. In the way she dressed, moved, and even held herself her vanity was evident. Despite this glaring flaw, Greg always endeavored to be nice to her, and she treated him courteously enough. Now, however, wasn't the time for an extended encounter; Momoe clearly had something on her mind. Her clothing was even more extravagant than usual -a deep blue dress blanketed in floral patterns accompanied by a beige jacket and beret- so he assumed it was something important. With a short wave she swept down the hallway, silky jet-black hair bouncing with each step.
Greg didn't watch her go. Before she reached the stairs, he was inside his own apartment, takeout in hand, and with a dull noise the door was shut and the bleak hallway tranquil once more.
-=-=-
After a deep drink of her favorite beverage, Quicksilver Seraph wiped her mouth with the back of her hand -a strangely casual and improper gesture for such a regal lady- and explained. “The games are a series of challenges hosted every week by Viral Talon. Typically, there are three, each requiring a different approach. There are puzzles and trivia for Mind, an obstacle course for Alacrity, and a trial by combat for Durability. Officially they're called the MAD Sports but nobody calls them that. Nothing very grand or truly entertaining, more of a social event Talon feels obligated to provide. And we generally enjoy them.”
She gently rested her cup on a bare wooden table nearby. “As for the competitiveness, Ironclad is only part of it. He always participates but seldom wins, and I think he knows he's not the biggest contender. Until a few weeks ago, Mouth of the Void was the champion, winning almost every week in Alacrity and doing very well for the other events. Unfortunately...well, that's really our business. Almost everyone has gotten more into them since he...retired. Everyone wants to be the champ. Some aren't really serious about it, like Undertow and I. Mim might have made you think she's above it all, but she beat Ironclad last week in Durability. He complains that he only lost because Mim's specialty is fire, and funnily enough I sided with him on that one. She doesn't have anything to prove because she's apparently already the best or some such nonsense.”
As she talked, her speech grew faster and less refined, becoming less like a dignified queen and more like an excited teenager. She managed to catch herself fairly quickly, however, and turned her attention back to her guests. “Both of you had enough to drink? The next stop is the training room, and the sand in there will probably get into anything you bring, so best finish what you have with you now.”
The girl, now closing her own door, cast a bored glance his way. “Hi.” This young woman's snobbishness and self-absorbency distinguished her much like Greg's hair did, though while his trait was exterior and hers interior, hers was far more powerful. In the way she dressed, moved, and even held herself her vanity was evident. Despite this glaring flaw, Greg always endeavored to be nice to her, and she treated him courteously enough. Now, however, wasn't the time for an extended encounter; Momoe clearly had something on her mind. Her clothing was even more extravagant than usual -a deep blue dress blanketed in floral patterns accompanied by a beige jacket and beret- so he assumed it was something important. With a short wave she swept down the hallway, silky jet-black hair bouncing with each step.
Greg didn't watch her go. Before she reached the stairs, he was inside his own apartment, takeout in hand, and with a dull noise the door was shut and the bleak hallway tranquil once more.
-=-=-
After a deep drink of her favorite beverage, Quicksilver Seraph wiped her mouth with the back of her hand -a strangely casual and improper gesture for such a regal lady- and explained. “The games are a series of challenges hosted every week by Viral Talon. Typically, there are three, each requiring a different approach. There are puzzles and trivia for Mind, an obstacle course for Alacrity, and a trial by combat for Durability. Officially they're called the MAD Sports but nobody calls them that. Nothing very grand or truly entertaining, more of a social event Talon feels obligated to provide. And we generally enjoy them.”
She gently rested her cup on a bare wooden table nearby. “As for the competitiveness, Ironclad is only part of it. He always participates but seldom wins, and I think he knows he's not the biggest contender. Until a few weeks ago, Mouth of the Void was the champion, winning almost every week in Alacrity and doing very well for the other events. Unfortunately...well, that's really our business. Almost everyone has gotten more into them since he...retired. Everyone wants to be the champ. Some aren't really serious about it, like Undertow and I. Mim might have made you think she's above it all, but she beat Ironclad last week in Durability. He complains that he only lost because Mim's specialty is fire, and funnily enough I sided with him on that one. She doesn't have anything to prove because she's apparently already the best or some such nonsense.”
As she talked, her speech grew faster and less refined, becoming less like a dignified queen and more like an excited teenager. She managed to catch herself fairly quickly, however, and turned her attention back to her guests. “Both of you had enough to drink? The next stop is the training room, and the sand in there will probably get into anything you bring, so best finish what you have with you now.”