Board Thread:Roleplay/@comment-31049256-20170816034817/@comment-28358106-20170819010237

(S9/Lu/Ant) Lucida gives a long, odd look to Lilrava, then shakes her head and yanks her map back open, giving it a cursory look. "Okay, if you wanna be that way, fine. But sooner or...hey, Papa!"

Thomas edges along the bleachers, back to his spot in the stands, with a look on his face that could only be described as tranquil. Lucida scootches over to him and gives him a hug, which he reciprocates in a distracted way. Lucida looks up to him, smiling, but her smile fades, replaced by puzzlement. "...Papa? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," Thomas says, his voice filled with doubt, "But..."

His eyes cut to Lilrava and her grin.

He looks back down at Lucida and shrugs with a goofy smile. "Guess you'll have to wait to find out."

Lucida looks back and forth between them. "You two are acting so weird..." Even as she talks, Thomas squeezes her and gives her a kiss on the top of her head.

"I just count myself the luckiest man in the world, is all." With a still-puzzled Lucida wrapped in his left arm, he reaches out and pulls Lilrava in with his right. "Come on, Sun-Mi, you too," he waves her in.

--

Antoinette pulls Maria in with a full but cautious hug, as not to squeeze her against her own armor. "I owe you much, Maria." She lets go and holds her gently at the shoulders, looking her in the eye, her face radiant. "I owe you more than I could ever repay. You needn't hide your eyes when you look at me."

She gently cups Maria's face with her hands, holding her chin up. "You are as worthy of The Light as one who ever walked its narrow path. You are good and true, and I am glad to call you friend.  If there is anything, anything I can ever do to repay you, you must tell me.  In fact, before the day is done, I will ask a quest of you.  Anything you ask, I shall do..."

The announcers echo the last call for the audience to take its seats, and for the fighters to enter the prep area. A cheer swells. Antoinette, looking up to listen, glances back down at Maria with fire in her eyes.

"But first, let us win this championship!" She turns and heads out the tent exit.