un: sieglindesullivan / video

[grunehexe]

[If you've ever seen an illegal cam recording from the back row of a theater, you are familiar with the style of this broadcast.

Observe, (as best you can), the players upon the stage. The stage being the cave in which many of them have taken shelter from the storm outside, specifically a large, flat rock, at which two fine male specimens you may recognize as Achilles, son of Peleus, and a certain McCree, locked in the midst of a fierce... arm wrestling battle.

Bare arm muscles flexing, beads of sweat dripping, jaws gritting, knuckles white and shaking, eyes narrowed in concentration and competition, testosterone veritably sparking in the air... as two very fit grown men have it out in a no holds barred thirst-fanning battle of the bulges. Arm muscle bulges.

You might catch glimpse of the lovely referee, (blond, very appropriately serious about judging this contest, thanks, Riza), and hear snatches of people rooting for a particular candidate, (the broadcaster herself seems to favor Achilles, if "steel yourself for victory, Achilles!" is any indication), but mostly this is about enjoying a good man on man test of strength.

Until, that is, a voice can be heard.]

- Are you recording that?

[The video sadly? and promptly goes black as the magitek jewelry is clutched to a bosom in scandalous retort.]

Is it not a sight worth sharing? For posterity, you see-

[And apparently she thought it best to post... for posterty. What? Any lady or inclined fella unfortunate enough to not see it go down surely wouldn't want to miss the show... ?]

Comments

[strictdiscipline]

[Her eyes travel back to the two men wrestling in front of them but her thoughts and gaze are elsewhere.

She thinks back to Nalanni and Ryba, and how they'd abused their power and disconnected themselves from those beneath them. The Fuhrer and his lack of compassion for his subjects, the homunculus - the closest things to gods back home - and their absolute disdain for humanity. Status has never been important to her.]

It's not always about status, Olivia.

[The words are murmured, almost lost in the shouts of the cheering crowd. Her mind flashes back to their first meeting and to the wounded deer they'd stumbled across in the forest. Most would have left it there; Olivia had sang to it, even checked up on it days after.]

You may be 'just a dancer', as you call it, but you've done more here than just dance. More than a lot of other people I've known, and a lot more than most gods and princes I've met.

[Here her gaze sharpens again, as does her tone.]

And quite frankly, if he can't see that, then he's an absolute idiot.

[winces]

[ she is struck by the intensity of both riza's words and her stare, so much so that she actually finds herself shrinking back in reflex. for a few moments, she doesn't even know how to respond, merely staring mutely at the other woman, mouth opening and closing as she struggles for words, looking like a dying fish more than a person.

eventually her own shyness gets the better of her, and she has to glance away. she stares down at the squidge in her hands, who peers back up at her curiously. ]

...Thank you, Miss Riza. [ and she truly does appreciate it. those words, that sentiment. the ferocity that had her expressing them in the first place. she doesn't want to discount the thought, the gesture. even if a part of her is still dubious, still unsure. she would like to believe in riza's words, of course she would...

but, as always, she is her own greatest enemy. ]

I-I guess sometimes it's just too easy for me to forget.

[strictdiscipline]

[In Olivia, Riza sees a little of the person she was years and years ago. The person she likely would have stayed if she hadn't been swept along in someone else's current.

She smiles quick at Olivia, a genuine upward curve of her lips.]

Then we'll just have to remind you often then.

[Achilles most of all, if he has any sense to him. Speaking of Achilles—a look back towards the main stage shows a clear victory in Achilles' favor and the two men already discussing a second round, meaning she should probably head back and wrap up her duties as judge for this first round. Sapphire gets a quick pet on the head and Olivia a quick wave as she steps forward again.]

Don't lose your voice cheering too loudly.

[winces]

[ there is no faking the smile that prompts that, shy but warm and tentatively hopeful. ]

...Th-Thank you, Miss Riza. [ she barely stifles a giggle. ] I'll try not to!