Competitions and Prizes. (open)

[Sevi]

A quick look around the yard told Sevi a few things about this place. One there were a lot of people in armor… rich people most likely, but status wasn’t a requirement for this… or so she’d heard. Also… the yard itself was better than anything she had ever seen. It was for fighting for Fuck’s sake. Not throwing beautiful balls full of idiots in costumes. Fucking Rich people didn’t know a damn thing about fighting apparently. She was here to show them that actually.

Well truthfully she was there for the prize money that was being offered. And having already won two fights she had shown just how idiotic knights and other ‘trained’ fighters could be. Also pathetically inadequate came to mind. She had watched a few others and there were some rather impressive fighters that she was eagerly waiting to go against. Should they not lose like complete Fucking Moron’s.

With the prize money offered up for this competition she could easily live richly for a month or nicely for two. Her mouth watered just thinking about that. All the MEAT and CHEESE she could eat. She could smell the food ahh it was heavenly. No… wait that was the food for the ‘nobles’ that were attending. It was tempting to steal some, but then she would be kicked out of the competition she was sure. She could wait a while for the food… she hoped.

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

A tournament was as good an in as any. Of course, she would still need to stick around the practice yard, in order to not arouse much suspicious. Especially since her costume was already drawing a bit of attention. The masked fighter in the tight-fitting clothes. Sure, there weren't as many folds and pockets to store her nasty little surprises. But, that didn't mean that Jo was without the tools that would be able to give her the upper hand.

She had already fought one of the knights that had once been on her trail. That was more fun, than it had any right to be. But, Jo enjoyed toying with her would-be captors. And defeating them, without them having a clue as to her identity was one of the best pleasures in her life. The first two, being quite obvious to anyone who had ever run across the thief.

As she waited for her next bout, she watched the competition. So far, a young girl was proving to be quite formidable. She wondered how long the fighter would last. She could be a problem......but, if she lost to the girl, she could just steal the prize money off of her.

But, Jo wanted to retire to Toph's chambers (wherever they were) as the victor and celebrate the occasion appropriately. Then, maybe she could even sneak some time with the princess. And some of her other guests, too. Of course, she would HAVE to steal a few trinkets. It wasn't often you had the chance to pilfer something directly from the castle, after all. Today was going to be very busy! And Jo was looking forward to it, very much.

(OOC: And here's Jo in cognito!)

[Toph Bei Fong]

And speaking of Toph...

The thing about armor was it slowed you down. Especially when your opponent wore none. And was used to fighting for her life where as you were used to fight for trophies. And knew every move you were going to make before you did just be feeling the flex of your muscles. And if you underestimated her because she was blind.

All in all, the armored fighter facing Toph pretty much had no chance for victory.

Toph's hair was tied off into a messy but effective ponytail, with bangs all but covering her useless eyes. She had a brace on each forearm, each bearing the crest of her family, the winged boar. There were similar shin guards on her legs. That was all the armor she needed, handy when it came time to turn away a sword blow or throw a kick against armored legs. The rest of her clothes were light and miinal. Leggings that left most of her powerful legs on display. A top coupled with expert wrapping to keep her bust from bouncing and getting in the way her, but left her midriff similarly bare.

Her metal bo staff was a blur as danced around her opponent, almost bored as his heavy sword swing missed her again. This was getting embarrassing. She hadn't needed to earthbend the whole match.

"You really starting to bored me," she said finally as she dodged another blow and swatted the staff on his armor clad butt. "Mind if I end this fight now? I promise to make it look good."

A grunt and a yell of rage was her only answer. His sword came up, and Toph batted it aside with her staff, tearing it from his grip. He was watching it sail through the air as she slid easily to the ground and swept his legs out from under him. He went down, she went up, and the sword landed with thud, blade first into the soil by his head.

Toph, now on her feet, stood over him and placed the end of her staff over his neck. She twisted her hands on it length, and the tip tapered into a sharp point.

"I would yield if I were you," she said.

On yield later, and Toph was striding happily out of the ring and over to were a small troop of castle maids were handing out water. She took one glass for drinking and poured another over her head to cool off.

Gaia, it felt good to fight again. Got the kinks out. Cleared her head.

She rubbed her bare feet against the earth, and froze.

"Jo?" she whispered.

The woman might have been on other side of the yard from her. but Toph never forgot a shape. And she happened to know this one intimately.

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

While Jo always liked to study up and get to know her adversaries, she was not beyond being distracted. And in such a crowded area, it was prime territory for picking pockets. A coin purse here, a pocket watch there. It wasn't a terribly good profit, but it was a fun activity. Plus, there were still a few fighters who had packed a little something extra.

And although she could certainly respect a fellow fighter's ingenuity, she wasn't about to let them potentially bring these surprises into the ring, when they were going to face HER. Her usual smirk was hidden beneath her mask.

As she traveled around the practice area, Jo was debating whether or not to go and flirt with the maids serving water. It was around this time that she heard a rather interesting conversation.

"...that bounty hunter looks like real trouble." One armored spectator said.

"How tough can she be? Couldn't round up that damn thief." his companion said, "Can't be much better than the rest o' City Watch. An' I've already beat one them!"

'Oh ho! My favorite little bandit is here?' Jo thought, as she lifted the cocky fighter of his valuables, 'I'll have to see if I can find her!'

[Sevi]

Cheers and anquished cry's drifted to her ears from the ring and... a strange woman with a staff walked out of the ring. Apparently she had beaten some guy in armor... just the thought of punching all that armor made her hands ache a bit. Hmm... another interesting fight. She hoped she would get to take them both on. And they eliminated some of the more pathetic bastards that decided to show up today.

And speaking of stealing... she was sure that one competitor in the overtly tight clothes was doing just that. though to people and not the food table. Only reason she even noticed it was becasue she had seen it so any times on the streets with the smaller kids... and a few grown ups. Though, it seemed this woman was in another league. Hell she made it look like an art... he stealing an art. If that was true there were a lot of artists out where she came from.

She was good at fighting as well it seemed as Sevi had watched one of the matches she was in. A smile played across her face as she watched the woman. It would be a fun match it seemed... assuming the woman didn't get eliminated like a fucking moron.

It seemed a visit was in order. Or rather she was just going to 'accidentally' bump into the woman. It wouldn't be a hard thing... she doubted the woman would catch her form in her eye... she seemed to be distracted by something.

She started off in a run and it was easy to catch up to the woman from the distance she had been. The woman hadn't noticed her approach and the crowd was too loud. So she slowed to a jog and 'bumped' into the womans back. "Oii! Watch where you're going Fucking Moron!" Sevi said staring at the woman with fake anger in her eyes.

She really just wanted to test the woman... if she was easily brought to anger then she was easy to take down. And... likely she would think the same thing of Sevi... which was a mistake.

"OII!!! Kage! Quite bugging the other competitors or I'll throw your ass back out on the streets and you won't get to compete!" Came a familiar voice from her left. Butting into her business... damned Guards! She didn't take her eyes off the woman before her... even if she wanted to beat the Hell out of some idiot in a guard uniform at that moment.

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

Bringing people to anger was something Jo prided herself on. So, it was an interesting experiment when someone tried the same tactic against her. The bump could have been much worse...and once she was certain it wasn't a mere cover to pick her own pockets, she turned and was greeted with a rather pleasant sight.

"Oh! If it isn't the darling fighter who's been causing havoc with the guards!" she grinned beneath her mask. She was quick to wrap her arms around Sevi's shoulders and spun around to face the hollering guard, "No worries, friend! I'm just getting acquainted with a fellow fighter!"

"What a joy it is to meet you outside of the ring. I'd love a pleasant chat before I get back in. Most of these fine fellows aren't very talkative with strangers! And you seem far more interesting." she said, "How such a fine young lady can learn to fight like that...I simply must ask, where did you find such skill?"

[Sevi]

What the hell was wrong with this person? She had obviously assumed she would get some reaction from the woman. Just not the one she had. It was even stranger when the woman dissuaded the guard from Riding her case till she blew up and hit him... thus being ejected from the competition. So it was lucky... sorta.

As the guard walked off Grumbling the wman continued to talk this time to her... though Sevi couldn't SEE the woman talign behind her. Chh maybe she should just beat the bitch up now... no... no... she had managed ot get Sevi out of that Jam. She had to show SOME rationality here lest she be considred a wild beast.

She moved out of the womans hold or rather shrugged out of it. Then she turned to face the other and crossed her arms over her non existant chest. Staring up at the woman in the overtly tight outfit... she decided the thing was a tactic to distract the moronic men of the competition. A stupid tactic to use. if you couldn't just beat them then why even fight? it took all the fun out of the everything.

She angrilly replied, "I learned it as I went along." She didn't want to deal with this anymore... she had been trying to guage the woman in some way and now THAT was over so why was she here now? Maybe she should just run off.

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

A bemused chuckle came from Jo. The girl was most entertaining. She almost reminded her of a certain vampire...although, she gathered that this one was a bit more volatile. And with such a temper!

Resting her hands on her hips, Jo quirked an eyebrow, "Ah...that sounds like a very rugged upbringing! How intriguing!" she said, "You really are quite the find. I always enjoy coming across a natural talent. And, you've had such practical use! Lovely!"

Underestimating this girl would be dangerous. Next to Toph, she would probably be just as dangerous. And she didn't even have the ability to move the earth around! This competition was shaping up to be more interesting than she first thought.

"Here I was, thinking this whole contest would be bunch of mercenaries and City Watch rejects. But, you impress me!" she continued her thoughts aloud, "I'll enjoy this even more! Which is saying a lot, because I was already having quite a fun time. Now! Who do you suppose we'll be facing next? Each other? Or, perhaps, a particular bounty hunter I've heard is hanging around. Oh, she's a fine fighter! You ever hear of the Blind Bandit?"

[Sevi]

She impressed her? Who gave a damn about that? Though in some way Sevi had to admit she was glad the whole competition wasn't a bunch of moronic twits who couldn't do anything but swing a waepon around like a bunch of sissy's.

And the woman didn't stop there. No she continued on tlaking. With an inward sigh she stared up at the womans face... her gaze had left a few moments before as a tray of food passed by. ANd... maybe she shoud say what she could SEE of the womans face. What was she doing? Hiding some hideous scar? That would be worth ripping the thing off in the competition.

"I doubt it will be the two of us. I think they are doing a bracket. The fights are following a small pattern... sorta." Sevi said looking over at the people leading the match. SHe had been around enough gambled street fight tournaments to pick up on the small things. There was usually a few fightsevery couple of days at some part of the city. Mostly near the river.

"heard of her vaguly, but I've never met her." Sevi said looking around at all the fighters a new match had started and they were dragging the senseless loser out of the ring. A bald watchman she recognized had won the fight. One of the city captains. She didn't know the blond man that lost.

[Toph Bei Fong]

"I hear," said Toph as she finally made her way over to the pair, "that the Blind Bandit is ten feet tall and shoots fire from her fingertips and lightning from her tits."

Toph's eyes were gazing in a random direction that was over Sevi's head and past Jo's right shoulder. Her bo staff had been shortened to a more conventional walking stick length, and she looked all the world to be a helpless blind woman. But her every step informed her of her surroundings. Her attention was mostly fixed on Jo, and the outfit she was wearing that was so tight she could feel it pressing against her skin. It did interesting thing to certain, more fleshy parts of her body...

But since her earthsight gave 360 'vision' she also noticed the smaller girl next to Jo. Felt the way she moved, all bundle of barely contrived nerves and muscles. She felt light a fighter to Toph. She'd have to pat attention to her next match. She'd be one to beat.

"I'd wacth out for her if I were you ladies. The Blind Bandit is... unpredictable,' she added with a smirk. "Same could be said about you, Sweetie," Toph said, using Jo's assigned nick name. "Pretty sure I said you should steer clear of town... and here you are at the castle?"

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

"So it seems..." she nodded her head and then gave a slight shrug of her shoulders, "Well, I sure hope we get a chance to fight. It would be -"

Jo was cut off, almost rudely, by a very familiar voice that she knew intimately well. A smirk crossed her masked features as the bounty hunter she mentioned stared off in her general direction.

"Well, forgive me if I've been a tad on the naughty side!" she chuckled and then spoke a bit quieter, "Wouldn't be the first time I've darted about beneath their noses. Besides, I couldn't pass up an opportunity like this...fighting, prizes...and all right in your backyard! I was hoping to surprise you, darling."

The smirk grew into a grin as Jo darted to Toph's side. An arm slung around her shoulder, as she seemed to move right past Sevi. Although Jo managed to keep an eye on the young fighter.

[Sevi]

Great! what were these two a Fucking couple? Just LOOKING at the two of them at the same time pissed her off. "Sweetie! Darling!" She didn't get the 'attraction' thing that some people showed one another. It was like they were saying hay come here let me a be a hinderance to you at any given damn moment.

She had purposfully ignored the comments that were whispered. Why should she put forth the effort of commenting on it. Besides that would be ONE more thing that a cometitor knew about her. The claws at the tips of her fingers went in and out a few times as she stared at the two.

The one she had been speaking to was quick... lest she wouldn't have made it past Sevi without such ease and Sevi would have noticed her MOVING earlier. The other she had already seen fight. So unless she was hiding something that she could do and Sevi wsan't aware of it... then the fight wouldn't be THAT much fun. At least not as much as the one in the tight fitting clothes.

If there had been hints in there about the newcommers identity they went right over her head. And actually she took the new one to seriously. Her mind wandered off and she spoke without thinking. "How would she shoot lighting from her tits?"

[Toph Bei Fong]

The arm around Toph's shoulder would have sensed her sudden tension. Not that Jo's touch was unwelcome, though it might have been easier if that was the case. Toph would've just broken her arm and call it a day.

No, the touch set a charge though the blind woman that killed the last of her hopes that the other night had been a one-shot deal, this kind of thing you heard 20's something do as soon as they hit Ba Sing Se University. It was enough to make her head spin with the memories of a night she was starting to doubt she could chalk up to alcohol and misplaced affection.


There goes my clear head, Toph thought. Her shoulder relaxed, and Toph even leaned into the half embrace ever so slightly. "Surprise me, how?" she asked. It was supposed to sound sharp, but came out merely curious.

Sevi's comment was like a lifeline to her, pulling her back to the here and now. "Why, she fights topless, of course," said Toph. "And damn, what impressive rack she has to. Men are more likely to purpose to her than fight her, and women have been known to run away sobbing with feelings of inadequacy. Its a clever tactic, you should try it." Toph rubbed her feet against the earth again , focusing on Sevi's slim form this time. "Oh. I guess that's not much of an option for you, huh Skeeter bites?"

[Daring Jo Lockwood]

She could feel the tension, alright. Not to mention the relaxation as Toph settled in. It happened more often than not, that people would find a way out of Jo's arms. Much in the way Sevi had, earlier. But, there would always be those who took Toph's route. The thief held back her chuckle.

"Oh, that wouldn't be much of a surprise if I went and told you." she smirked, "And I can still pull a trick or two out of my sleeve!"

Their conversation returned to the young fighter and Toph continued to tease her. Jo gave a light laugh, "Yes, she is rather distracting, isn't she?" she said, "Always flaunting about. I'd try and get a good feel, but I might wind up getting shocked! Can't have that, now can we?"

Another laugh as Toph continued her assessment of Sevi. She certainly had a knack for chatting up the competition. "Oh, don't go teasing the poor thing." she said, in an imitation of a chiding tone, "She looks fine for her age. Not to mention has a bite about as big as her bark! Of course, I don't know how well she would do against a set of lightening shooting breasts. Tell me, how would you face a topless woman trying to zap you?"

Jo turned the question to Sevi, allowing the mask to hide the wide and teasing smirk that was scrawled all over her face.

[Sevi]

Sevi stared at the two looking like she was thinking about something. The two comment on this 'bandit' woman were moronic. Why would a fighter go topless into a fight. A distraction could only be taken so far right? After all the bouncing HAD the throw off her balance or something while in the fight. It was the reason female fight... or rather most female fighters restrained them.

Sevi herself hoped to never be burdened with the damn things. She didn't needs two overtly large mounds stickign from her chest adding to the measurable hitting area on her body. So she merely blew off the comment about the 'skeeter bites' and rather took it as a compliment than some form of insult or nagging.

"Hmmph. A topless terror? Sounds more like she's a whore to me." Sevi said then looked over as another match ended. It was rather fast... perhaps too fast. Maybe she had a fight soon. though she wouldn't really know until they called for her. "Next thing you'll be telling me is that the two of you have met this monstrocity of a whore. i'm not so gullible as to beleive you could meet this woman." Though the thought that the stories were merely blown out of perportion never crossed her mind.