...I'm bored. Showing up early was definitely a bad idea. Nearly everybody here has separated off into their own corners to quietly wait. The most interesting thing that happens is when someone new walks through the door and everybody silently measures them with their gaze. Everybody looked so odd that I didn't even notice everybody turn their attention towards me earlier. Since then, however, I've been silently sitting against a wall waiting for the ceremony to start.

At first, I thought that bringing Tea along would at least mean that I could talk while I waited...

"...Oh! The end is serrated... Is that decorative or does it serve a purpose? The handle seems to be made to apply pressure to that point, so if it was for decoration that would be an issue... but the rest of it is so well made it wouldn't even matter! What I would give to talk to the blacksmith that made that! If his purpose was to..." He murmurs under his breath

He's been going on like that since we walked in. He's not even responding when I call out to him. He's completely in his own little world.

"Hey! You there!" Some obnoxious voice yells breaking the crushing silence of the room

Startled, I look around for the source, as does everybody else in the room. Though I didn't see who yelled out, eyes begin to focus on one particular individual... one that I wished not to get involved with. He is a large muscular man without a shirt on, with a large tuft of exposed chest hair. He has a "manly" kind of vibe to him in a way that screams that he is going to be a pain to deal with.

"Miss prissy over there!" He yells out again while staring in my direction

...Please, no.

"Stop looking so damn bored! Everybody in here is scared out of their pants at the idea of having to fight me, and yet you look like you're about to fall asleep! Show some respect!" He yells in an even more obnoxious voice

What is he even talking about? Doesn't he have eyes? Over half the people in here are looking at him like he is either crazy or stupid. Some look ready to murder him on the spot. He should really learn to keep his mouth shut.

"Whats that look supposed to mean! Guess you don't fear death, HUH?! I've fought in this tournament for decades, and not a single person I've ever won against has ever lived!" He boasts in a threatening manner

As he does he is walking towards me. I guess we are doing this. Is Tea going to step in?

"It seems like it would, but isn't there room for improvement there? Perhaps it was done with balance in mind... though with the right materials it wouldn't be hard to compensate..." he continues

Nope, he still hasn't even noticed. Guess I'm on my own.

"You have the nerve to look away?!" The gorilla ask as he gets close

As I look back he is lunging at me, reaching out to grab me.

"I don't think that would be a very good idea Joak. You know as well as I do that fighting outside of the arena will get you disqualified."

As if he had been there all along, a young man in his mid 20's wearing formal clothing appears next to the hairy buffoon and grabs his hand before it can reach me.

Though the moron trying to pick a fight over nothing doesn't interest me very much, the man that stopped him does. Right up until the point he spoke I never noticed him. I don't even remember seeing him in the room earlier. Did he just arrive, or has he been here all along? He seemed to stop the bumbling oaf rather easily as well, so it's safe to assume that he isn't just smoke and mirrors.

"Hmph! I know that! I was just trying to put some fire under the girl! I can't be the only one annoyed by all these fools that think they are so strong they don't even have to pay us mind!... and stop appearing out of thin air! It creeps me out!" The loud imbecile shouts out as he jerks his hand away from the man and walks away

"I suppose I should thank you. You saved me some trouble." I say as I brush myself off and stand to meet the strange gentlemen still standing there staring at the oaf with a disapproving look

"Don't think anything of it really. Joak does this nearly every time. He thinks it will scare some people off. Spoiler, it never does." The man says in a snide joking manner

"As big as he is, he doesn't really give off the feeling of being that strong. Perhaps he feels scaring people off is the only chance he has." I joke in return

"Well, every strategy is valid I suppose. The tournament is all about using whatever talents you have to win." He replies with a somewhat distant look in his eyes

Despite the fact that he gives off a somewhat charismatic feel, he's kinda creepy.

"Don't let his appearance fool you though. He's powerful in his own right. I certainly wouldn't want to end up matched against him." He continues

I don't trust him. I can't shake the feeling that he is someone I don't want to underestimate. This tournament is made up of the surrounding kingdoms greatest fighters, if he's here then he's a potential threat.

Would the fighters please assemble on the stage? Repeat, would ALL fighters please assemble on the ceremony stage?

An announcement echoes through the room, distorted and filled with static as if through an old intercom.

"What? Already? They told me someone would be along to explain what to do though..." I say aloud in confusion over the announcement

"Hmm... Well, just follow me. I've done this before. it's not really difficult. Just do what I do." He says confidently as he walks towards a door to the left

Off to a great start.