Curse of the Red Cheeks (invite only)

[Eurus]

"Orazi here is something of a fan favorite, so I'd take his advice. His actual winning record is... decent, but he knows how to put on a show whether he wins or loses."

Gretzky chuckles, obviously remembering some of the orc's more amusing shows.

[Zollith]

On one hand, Tambourin is now certain he can secure some easy money for much wanted creature comforts if he's brave enough to involve himself somehow. On the other, it is almost certain that he would be paired up with an experienced warrior several times his size, and all too willing to make a good show of humiliating the near-helpless wizard in front of all sorts of spectators who would be cheering on such a show...this was a concerningly foolish but easy decision to make.

He boldly scurries over to his allies and announces, "Gentlemen, whether I am grouped with the remainder of you or thrown into single combat, I am entering this contest one way or the other!"

[Spunny]

"Huh...a way to earn money, huh?" Mouse was seeing gold coins sparkling in his eyes. If they could do well, they could earn a ton of money! And with what a brat the others could be, he was sure they'd put on a good show if they got tipped over someone's lap! Of course, it never occurred to Mouse that *he* could be put over someone's lap. All he saw were the gold coins, and he was sure that between him and Orazi (even if he did get him spanked!) the two of them could earn a decent amount!

But first, there was something else to take care of...

Mouse didn't need his enhanced-hearing to hear the two orcs behind him, but he didn't have the level of patience most people of his village did. Quick to anger, quick to act. But, unlike most people, he was better at evening things out...even if his luck *has* been a bit rough lately.

"Alright guys! I got it! Let's go ahead and enter as a team! We'll have a better chance to win, earn more gold, and-Ah!"

He stumbled forward. Roughly. All of his weight crashed against the desk in front of him, hard enough to make several papers go flying. It was the kind of fall that made one wince, as Mouse slowly pushed himself up, rubbing his side that had bared the brunt of his weight as he looked behind him, right at the two orcs that had been *whispering*.

"Hey! We'll meet up in the arena, no need to be shoving me around, guys!"

[Eurus]

The crash of Mouse hitting the table, and the jingle of the bell on his collar, draws every eye in the room. The orcs blink in surprise, not quite sure what to make of that, while Grezky's eyes narrow. He immediately steps out from behind the desk, reaching for the paddle hanging from his belt.

"Hey! I told you two what would happen if you caused trouble in here again! Who did that?"

The orcs immediately start trying to blame each other, both equally confused but apparently intimidated by the suddenly stern catman.

"Hey, Jorg just got a little too excited, alright, Greztky?"
"Wha- hey, don't blame this on me! Lorg is the one who pushed the little thief!"
"Oi, you fucker-"

One hand claps down on each of the orc's shoulders, as Gretzky gives them a hard-eyed smile. "If you want to cover for each other, that's fine by me. Over the table, both of you. Unless you want me to kick you out of the tournament right now."

He turns to look back at Mouse, Orazi, and the others, his expression melting from intimidating to almost bashfully apologetic. "Really sorry about that, folks, I'll make sure these two apologize after I'm done with them. Go ahead and fill out your paperwork while I'm busy, please."

[Hiran]

Orazi gave a shrug and looked back quizically. "Huh, usually people wait to do stupid stuff like that until after they lose." He grinned, and looked over the spectacle that was about to unfold. "I'm all good with an early show. Now, about this paperwork..." He picked up a page and started to fill it out.

[Zollith]

Tambourin almost panics when he spots Mouse trip up over seemingly nothing, but sees the results of the what turned out to be a ruse, and thinks it better to stay quiet this time: if the orcs were not aware enough to notice the ploy, then at least it stops them from breathing down their necks while they sign up.

He joins Orazi at the desk while Grezky is occupied reads over the entry papers: the instructions seem clear enough and in accordance with everything Grezky told them. Remembering Orazi was of the gladiator's guild, after doing some mathematics and self-debate in his head, he says, "I had a realisation that at least one solo entrant and one team would result in a 60 gold minimum, rather than 50 if we all entered together. We could even theoretically do two pairs and one individual for 110..." The gnome thinks on his words for a moment, however, and suddenly reconsiders his potentially unsportsmanlike suggestion, and so stammers, "Only in theory, of course! I do not mean to make light of this event or discount our allies' abilities in a contest of esteemed combat sports other than my own obvious lacking, and especially not yours!."

[Eurus]

Gretzky just chuckles as the two aggrieved orcs bend over the table. With two quick yanks, two pairs of snug leather trousers are yanked down to their wearers' knees, and four seafoam-green buttocks are exposed to the the air.

"If you really want to enter in groups of two, you can, but you are expected to put up a decent fight... or at least be entertaining while you lose. The crowd doesn't mind a hopeless case, but they get testy if they think you're not even trying, and if you can't keep a crowd entertained for even a single match, you won't be allowed to compete again."

The catman's tone is light and his posture is relaxed, until he suddenly strikes like a deadly serpent. The air around his paddle whistles from the speed of the implement as he lashes out almost too fast to see, but the explosive impacts of wood on flesh are quite noticeable. Six thunderously loud paddle swats land in half as many seconds, and the orcs both freeze in shock before suddenly bolting upright with a howl as the fiery pain registers. They hop and stagger back and forth, frantically rubbing their vividly red rear ends, and Gretzky shrugs and turns back to the party.

"I won't stop you if that's what you want, but I'd personally recommend putting more effort into one team. You might even win a few rounds!"

[Hiran]

"Actually, speaking of, don't suppose the rules would let me enter both solo and team?" Orazi questioned as he heard Gretzky speak. It was hard to tell if he was seriously asking or just looking for an excuse to stare at some of his fellow orc's butts.

[Zollith]

"I imagine that would require a remarkable amount of stamina, which I hope you have," Tambourin remarks, having not even considered that possibility himself. "As for the matter of a 'hopeless case' like myself, I would not dare to attempt deliberately throwing a match, but fear I lack the stage presence to convince an audience otherwise...even though I would relish the audience's undivided attention while stripped down at the mercy of a huge, hulki- *ahem!*" The gnome catches himself partway through confessing an underlying motivation, now slightly more flushed in the face while he continues his original point, "if only one option is permitted, then perhaps I should be part of a larger team: I am certain I could make practical contribution through distraction and on-field strategising or moral support, rather than being on the sidelines."

[Manicorn]

"Hmm, I suppose entering as a team then would be the more prudent choice," Zaeles said, scratching his chin. "We'd simply have to make sure the rest of our group was properly motivated to perform..."