Welcome to Gaia! ::

*Alberto is about to answer the white-haired woman's inquiry, but suddenly a loudspeaker turns on with an exceptionally loud and enthusiastic voice.*

"¡TESTING! ¡....UNO....DOS...TRES...! ¡¡AWESOME!! ¡THIS IS...Hey...wh....!"

*there appers to be some conflict on the other end of the loud speaker, and another voice can be faintly heard.* "Silencio, mi hermano." *The other voice commandeers the loudspeaker.*

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. We will now begin accepting tickets, so please form lines and present them to our esteemed security team. We look forward to you joining us for the...."

*the loud voice returns*

"¡¡¡GRAPPLE STRRIIIIKEEEE MINOR CIRCUIT TOU...."

*the loudspeaker is cut off before he can finish.*



"I thank you for your patronage. You really should be going though. The ceremonies won't start without you, Señiorta Soto. And of course, your esteemed party." *he promptly closes his booth, puts some supplies into his elongated back-pack, and scurries off towards the colliseum. He seems to be in a hurry, and is already out of sight.*


*Everyone else nearby are walking towards the end of the street, congregating in front of something. The bricked road leads into what appears to be a coliseum at the end of the avenue. It's a large circular stone building made out of stone bricks, and there appear to be three other connecting entrances, this one labelled Entrada Norte.

Above the entrance is a mural with several images done in a unique style ((Aztec-inspired)). The highest image is that of a large green feathered feline sitting on a cloud. The creature is shooting green lightning shooting from its wings, with the features in each lightning bolt like a chain. The lightning travels downward and is striking three figures, flowing through them and into the ground beneath them. The figures are surrounded by many skulled figures from all sides. The image below that displays three figures with jaguar heads feathered claws, with no skulled figures in sight. Instead there are blue wavy lines surrounding them from all sides. It appears to be a very old mural, and perhaps the colosseum was made around it. Even so, it's kept in pretty good shape.*

Oh dear…Kyrie’s head started to swim just a bit as Wagner went into a lengthy description about how he made the diamond. While a simple yes or no would have sufficed, and was probably preferable in her current state of temperature; she should have known better than to ask. No matter, he did seem most excited about the process, and felt bad that her own discomfort had distracted him and cause him to needlessly worry.

“Oh, good sir. I am all right, though I do believe I need to find a bit of shade…or a cool glass of water.” While she could indulge in the beverage available from the vendor, she had a feeling it was something that wouldn’t quite help in keeping her well hydrated…especially judging by the ‘drunken’ reactions of Dendrobis and Jien.

Then again…it could just be an alcoholic drink for robots…and simply refreshing to anyone else…?

But she jumped in place at the sudden excitement over the loudspeaker. “Oh my!” She gasped, looking around as the crowds started to congregate towards the coliseum’s entrance. “Perhaps…we should be heading in…?” She suggested, fanning herself fervently.

*Berkana watches the limeappleman dash off, and notices the mural in the distance. She notices the colloseum. Of course it had been there the entire time, but she was so focused on confectionary delights that it slipped past her. She carefully inspects the green feline on the cloud.* "The 'Divine Quetzagriffon'....I see...but what about the 'Nagual'...?"

*She stops and gets lost in thought. She's carefully surveying the mural, trying to make sense of it.*

Rather suddenly the announcement announcing the start of the BoxeLibre match distracted Sara. She looked towards the sound of the speaker and started chuckling. "What an enthusiastic duo." Sara said to herself with a chuckle. By the time she looked back the vendor was already mentioning that they should head over and took off. Sara looked at Kyrie and nodded. "We should probably head to the stadium. It is probably shaded there." Sara agreed not wanting her friend to suffer heat stroke. Dendrobis was already hopping off towards the beautiful stadium. "Ah! Wait for us!"

((Katie says to keep posting without her. Jien and Dendrobis are still in the story, but she's done for the night. We're reaching a closing point pretty soon anyway.))


"Buenos días."

*Verde's coach, Señor Ricardo Guante, is arrives to greet the group. He's dressed in similar colors to Verde, though he's comparatively well-dressed compared to the locals. Being a coach, he must have a bit higher social status.* He stands in line with them.*



*He clears his throat, his moustache preparing itself like the vallet of a sir. He turns to Sara...attempting to speak in orthodox Gaian language ((English?))*

"My sorries for mi arrival of not earlies. We have met past, but my nombre is Mister Ricardo Guante. Please yell me Coach Guante. Much gratitude to your visit."

*Berkana interjects*



"...erm...excuse me Coach Guante, but we're able to understand Plumañol..."



*He jumps back startled, his hat almost sliding off his head.*

"¡Dios mío! I had no idea you spoke such excellent Plumañol. ¿Where did you learn it?"

*Berkana giggles* "Hmm...let's just say that I paid attention to the words Verde was using, and that I'm a long-time fan of Boxa Libre....so I've picked up on the linguistics. All you need to know is that everyone here can understand you if you speak normally."




*Ricardo grabs his hat and tips it before it falls off, despite his curiosity, he simply says,* "...it would seem ungentlemanly to inquire further."

*He strokes his moustache and adjusts his sunglasses.*

"Please allow me to formally welcome you to La Monarquía de Pluma Relámpago. By her majesty's will, today we're going to honor Los Tres Caballeros del Halcón Jaguares with the Boxa Libre matches. El Temblor Verde is set to be in the first match in El Coliseo Menor."



*Berkana grins. The 'Grapplestrike' thing is finally fixed.* "I'm used to reading it translated as: 'The Monarchy of Thunderplume', though I must admit I'm more used to people calling this place 'Pluma de Relámpago'. Is that a nickname or something?"*she shrugs, looking at the mural* "Is it related to the The Three Jaguaraptor Knights you mentioned? I'm assuming that mural up there has something to do with it?" that?"



"Correcto." *Coach Guante points to the feathered feline in the mural.* "According to legends the Divine Quetzagriffon, Teotzin, came to this land after a great battle. It would quake the sky with its roars, and cause great winds to form when it flapped its wings, and the feathers that fell struck the ground with a flash. I personally believe that's why people affectionately call this land 'Pluma de Relámpago'." (Feather of Lightning)

*he points to the figures below* "As you astutely noticed, this particular mural tells the story of The Three Jaguar Knights. These three were originally jaguaraptor hunters. The Divine Quetzagriffon's feathers fell from the heavens as lightning, they struck three hunters who were in a time of great strife against conquistadores. Instead of obliteration, they were struck with inspiration were awakened. They became aware of the natural world, as well as their latent potential within themselves.

After arduous training, their instincts were sharp, and their strikes were vicious, just like the jaguaraptors they hunted. Their heads and hands were transformed to signify the heights they reached. As a result, they became strong enough to drive out the invaders. For the rest of their lives they served as this land's protectors, becoming known as the Three Jaguaraptor Knights. Boxa Libre was founded as a tribute to them. Those who compete hope that by donning masks and gloves of the spirit that embodies the spirit that represents them best, their spirits and bodies can reach new levels of strength."

*Berkana blinks, getting lost in thought for a moment.*



"Enlightenment by a lightning strike. An interesting legend indeed. I've heard of knowledge and awakening through fire or water, but never through lightning...." *Berkana trails off, taking it all in.*

Wagner's gaze moved back and fourth from the mural to the discussion Berkana was having with the aged fellow as he tried to follow the story being told. He wasn't sure he really understood the whole picture, but as legends went it was interesting in an exotic manner, though there were many terms that even when translated were a bit difficult for Wagner to internalise.

"Masks that best fit the spirit of their animal, hmm..." Wagner considered this for a few moments before running into some kind of minor epiphany "Oh, maybe they're like those 'otherkin' fellows then? I think I heard of those once or twice in my travels" he pondered

*The moustached man nods to Sara.* "Gracias. It's an ancient legend that's been part of our culture for as long as anyone knows."

"Other...Kin?" *He looks thoroughly confused, and shrugs it off as delirium from the sickly gentleman.*

*Being the gentleman that he is, Coach Guante notices the purple woman in need of a rest. The inebriated robots seem like they could use a reprieve as well.* "Perhaps we should head inside. There's seating area where everyone can rest. I'm sure the travel was taxing, and I assure you there is still plenty of time before the bout begins. Please follow me."

*El Temblor Verde's trainer guides the group into the colosseum, showing their tickets at the gate, and heading into a waiting room. It's much cooler, and there's fresh water to drink.*



((I'm going to call it a night here. You can have your characters come inside or teleport out. If unspecified, I'll assume everyone just goes in for the break.

Thanks for hanging out! There's still a lot more to come, so I hope we can continue this very soon.))