Welcome to Gaia! ::

The GTB Headquarters is stationed on private land that could very well be called its own city due to how large it is. It has businesses, shops, living residences, and even its own theme park, mostly for entertainment during the visits by people coming in for the yearly tournament. This year, however, the GTB is going to use its size to its advantage, and host a large public event that will draw in crowds from all interests and all ages. Known as the GTB Expo 2010, this first ever convention will allow vendors from different areas of the industry to come and showcase their wares. Whether it be weapons, armors, magical devices, or alien technology, it has a little something for everyone. Both fighters and visitors can come and check out the new advances in the world, and may even purchase something if something catches their fancy.



OOC Rules

If you're participating in the tournament, you may come to this expo and purchase something, but you cannot use it in a sanctioned fight due to it not being part of your official profile entry. The only exception is when the judges given you permission to bring in new equipment due to a special event. You are also allowed to host your own vendor, displaying anything that you want, as long as it isn't explicit or breaks any Gaia ToS.

There was a fairly large amount of space being taken up by a booth for a company called the Black Nine Corporation, with the logo of a black nine ball. Aside from their choice of decor, the booth itself was a popular stop for people who wanted more kick in their weaponry, the items showcased were particularly high-tech in both mechanical, and magical aspects.

Powerful stuff. A quartet of soldiers, armed and armored to the teeth in sleek ebony power armor and automatic weapons provided security, while others in more plain outfits and uniforms happily talked about and demostrated their innovations. There were few mundane things here, many of the objects hawked were high-quality weapons and defensive implements.

Larger than the Vernal booths put together...







It was a huge expanse of pits and rings, display cases and refrigerated units. It was the Grapple booth, Gaia's BEST fruit drink for fighters and lovers alike. To emphasize they catered to a wide variety of people, selling anything from Grapple drinks to Grapple Gear.

Signs, banners, shirts, sweatpants, IN-YOUR-FACE advertising. Everything was telling the public to put their thirst into a submission hold. Giant cut-outs of the Grapple poster boy pointed the way, even though it was impossible to miss.

Staff hustled about with headpieces, preparing. In the back workers were still laying carpet, putting up curtains, and putting together the stage. Sound equipment and video equipment were being secured and tested. The wrestling pits and rings were being finalized. The showers in the back for the Grapple Girls were being made up to the rigorous specifications demanded of them.

The CEO was absent, but his assistant was there busily checking things off of a list.

Just across from Rosalyn - disconnected from KB or GRAPPLE CO in any way - was an equally creepy looking shop. A single person sat inside the shop, which was a small enclosed building with a single door. This person was in direct competition with the succubus.

A lazy, interesting tune played from the shop and beckoned people to enter. Inside, the shop-keeper waited patiently.

"Heeeey! I can see you're already advertising, that's great!"

A cheery voice accosted Athena, the voice belonging to some intern-looking dude. He waved off any offense he might have caused remarking about her shirt. Pointing to the G, he chuckled.

"Kidding of course-" A momentary pause to listen to the voice in his ear, then, "- sorry, we're really busy. I'm Brian. I oversee the general setup while Mr. Baker is at the GTB opening ceremony... speaking of which, why aren't you there? You're one of the biggest names in the business!"

Glorious Athena. His hands gestured in the air, almost as if light were flashing her name. Then he was right back to work, checking things off and alternating between listening to her and the voices in his ear. It wasn't a personal thing, but they were very, very busy.

'Agüentar' abandoned the Ball early; having little interest in the mingling of what he now concluded was a bunch of idiots with fancy tails or metal arms. As he entered the Expo he soon found his own face plastered all over the Expo, from cardboard cut outs to simple advertisements for GRAPPLE co.

Why was Agüentar so sponsored? He was a small human with no powers who was willing to grapple his way to victory, at any cost. As he wondered the Expo mostly humans would approach him, asking for pictures or autographs. It was funny really, as the few times Agüentar has fought were not televised; he was receiving hype without actually doing anything.

He would be lying if he said it didn't feel good though; and eventually he fled to the bathroom to change to his trademark outfit. He exited the bathroom wearing a dark blue Gi, with a Blue Belt hanging from his hips. On the back of the Gi was 'GRAPPLE co' sponsor symbols, and on the right arm was the Gaian Flag, the Irish Flag and the Japanese Flag.

On the left arm was the American Flag, the Brazilian Flag, and the Danish Flag. He wore no shoes and the Gi was slightly open to reveal his defined but hardly 'massive' muscles; the build of a Judoka through and through. But James wasn't a sport Judoka, no. He was a Kosen Judoka, one made for Combat; and he would show the power of Judo to all in this tournament.

Eventually he made it to the GRAPPLE Co. Booth; and standing at it was none other then 'Glorious' Athena. A woman he knew from magazines and such. She was a grappler, but a grappler with powers and of the more Wrestling base.

East versus West, if you will. She was the prideful wrestler, and Agüentar was the Judoka. Stepping into the booth he took his place at center, not saying a word to the 'Glorious' woman before him.

"So, you say he's at the ball, correct?"

If she had to, she would go and try to get the main man's attention herself. She didn't feel like getting anymore attention right now from those people, but it was a sacrifice she needed to make. When one was at the top, it made it harder to have any decent private publicity.

"What is his full name and what does he look like?"

Athena's eyes gave a glance over to the man who walked into view and sat down. His face was the one posted over the advertisements of the product. As much as she respected another fighter, she unfortunately was going to knock him off his throne once she gets this deal set up. She was going to show him that it takes a real grappler to promote Grapple.

Athena took the picture and stared at it.

"I hope you don't mind me holding on to this. Thank you."

She then proceeded toward the exit, giving one last glance to the so-called Judoka before she left.