The stadium was packed, it was standing room only. The previous match, that you may or may not have watched from your private locker room was an interesting one to say the least. Your match was likely to have a combatant just as skilled, if not better than the two you witnessed. How did that make you feel -- excited or terrified? They did a better job than one would have expected cleaning up the arena, you would never have known that there was a fight here a day earlier. The crowd was riled, they were still cheering and recounting the previous match when you emerged through the pair of steel doors and now their roar was deafening. Sex and violence are mankind's most primal and basic instincts and it would appear that the people were working into a frenzy. It should not surprise anyone that a competition that pitted the world's strongest against each other would attract so much attention or that they would get so excited. There was certainly a need for the security Kurosawa provided, you had passed six samurais in a single hall and in the crowd you could see at least three dozen standing in the aisles. Apparently a few challengers attempted to start the competition a few hours early or so that was what one of the chattier sentinels claimed, but you found the history of the Arena more interesting than a squabble between a pair of meatheads.
The people of Kurosawa seemed accommodating enough, you were given comfortable living arrangements for the weeks you would spend in Tea Country and meals were delivered to your door promptly at 0600, 1200 and 1800 each day if you ate them or not. They were pretty good even if the fare was primarily fish and vegetables. Ao's room was apparently upgraded due to a 'wealthy benefactor' that claimed his fighter could not live in such 'squalor' as he put it. Ao would find himself in a suite with a Butler whom was stereotypically called 'Jeeves.' It was unlikely his real name but he answered to it all the same and he would shoo away the food that was sent, insisting that he would 'prepare all of the young mater's meals' for the duration of the competition. As for Miraku, he would find himself in a nice private room. Of course he would have no way of knowing the luxury his opponent has enjoyed these past few days but Miraku's room was still better than average and on the village of Kurosawa's tab apparently. The people of Kurosawa even seemed excited, even if it was a bit over the top at times. Both of you would have been approached for an autograph several times, hopefully you obliged at least a few. They would scream and carry on that you touched their pen and that they would treasure it forever. Awk-ward...
Perhaps this was what it was like to be a celebrity. The flash of cameras wherever you went and the sudden need for complete strangers to share your personal space. Rest might not have been particularly 'restful' for some, last night a girl would knock on Miraku's door, claiming she was sent to 'show you a good time before the big day.' If you let her in, you would have a good time ...for the rest of the night. You might have an extra spring in your step, but you would be a bit tired. Apparently she knew how to perform... well, that is not an appropriate thing to say considering site rating. *Cough* She would also be gone by the time you awoke, your wallet would also be missing. Damn... She was still worth every penny.
Ao would get no mysterious female visitor in the middle of the night. It would be him and Jeeves chilling, watching movies and turning in early. Mysteriously any booze or illicit substances that may or may not be found in your suite would be mysteriously missing the day before the competition. Responsible decisions were apparently being enforced for you.
Regardless of how you spent the evening before -- be it chilling with your butler or the night of your life, the big day has finally come. It was the day of the tournament and the air was abuzz! Someone was waiting for you when you opened the hotel room door. "Yo..." the stranger would call out and attempt to get your attention. "I am here to escort you to your match. Name is Besshou Hisamasa, but there is no reason to remember it." he claimed. Whoever he was, he knew who you were and he seemed to exude an aura of confidence about him. He was dressed simply and stood erect, it would appear that he was in his late twenties. He would announce your full, legal name and await validation. If asked why he would simply claim that he was there for their protection. That some of the civilians have placed bets on some of the fighters and that they are concerned about fighter safety in case some of the gamblers attempt to 'make assurances.' In addition, there was a separate entrance for the fighters at the Hisashī Zenshōsen Arena and they would not be familiar with the entrance.
He seemed pleasant enough but a bit serious. He was checking his watch periodically, slowing his pace if they were making good time on occasion. If asked, he would simply state "we are staggering the fighters we bring to avoid altercations between fighters outside of the ring." If details were requested, he would share none claiming it was above both our pay grades. He was not one for small talk but he would be polite in his statements which were mostly directions. This way. Wait a moment. This route is better. He seemed distracted, in the crowd there would be the occasional civilian that would attempt to scamper in your direction. "Begone," was the only thing he has to say for them to stop in their tracks. They would appear disappointed and he would mutter, "Don't." If you listened to his warning or not, that would be up to you. "You're not in Babylos anymore," he would state. If asked for the meaning, he would say "it is an old phrase meaning you are no longer home, be wary." He would guide you through the maze-like streets, they were fairly easy to get turned around in but that was not the problem as you might already know, it was the civilians and their apparent interest in you was not isolated to that one person. A similar incident would happen thrice more before you reached the Arena.
You would be led around the Arena. From the outside the Arena was rather imposing, there were four statues with their backs towards you that appeared to be looking down into the arena. The walls were rather high, three hundred feet, perhaps more by your best estimation. The grey stone had something etched into it, into every single brick. If Hisamasa is asked about the bricks, he would simply shrug his shoulders. He either did not know, did not care or had no intention of sharing. You would be led to an unmarked door that was flanked by a pair of guards, each wore the regalia of a samurai. They would look over at Hisamasa and then part, allowing entry without a word. Apparently this private hall was well-guarded, another pair of samurais would eye you cautiously as you entered the hall. The hall was long and well lit with overhead, a pair of samurais would be plastering a wall and sweeping the floor. There was the faint aroma of smoke that seemed to be partially obscured with a floral air freshener. On the ground, bits of broken plaster, wood as well as the burnt remains of a few dozen locusts. Hisamasa would sigh as you both made your way around the workers dressed as samurais. "you were supposed to be done by now," there was a tone of accusation in his voice. If asked about what happened, he would hesitate to reply. "We had a disqualification this morning, the first fighters ran into each other about an hour ago. They apparently knew each other. One of them partially removed their pants, exposing their backside and farted in the other shinobi's general direction before accusing his mother of smelling like elderberries." Your escort shook their head. He would pick up the pace ever so slightly, "which is why we are staggering the rest of you a bit better." His explanation was fairly basic but that was all that you were going to be getting out of him.
You would be led to a private locker room, your name on the door. You might recognize a few of the other names as well, fellow compatriots from your village or some famed shinobi from abroad. You would be summoned a few hours later, in the mean time you would be left to your devices -- eat, sleep, watch TV, call your wife on a headset, pray... [Yes, pick whatever amenities you want in the room] The same man would knock on your door, "it is time" he would announce solemnly as if he was taking you to your death. He would lead you to the door, it would be sealed shut. "The door will open at 1:00" he would note as he pointed at a clock, you had a few more minutes left. The sound of the ticking clock was deafening and the time would seem to pass slowly despite it being only a few minutes but the doors would eventually unlock and with a trumpet fanfare as well as confetti you would be queued to make an entrance. Half the show was about the spectacle. The other half... let's call it 'fighting.'
Notes:
- The Missing shinobi would be aware that Aburabuta Hirotomi is attempting to keep him 'in line' a bit. He seems to really have a vested interest in your success.
- A Cloud shinobi would recognize some of the clothes being worn by their escort. The clothes that are being worn are for cooler climates, cooler than the climate in Kurosawa. In addition, the shoes he wore tend to be worn by those that live in mountainous regions.
- Please IC make your entrance post. Remember that you have 2 free travel event threads for this event. This will occupy one of your two. you do not need to lave your village to participate in this event, however if two is too few for you, then some actual travel is required.
- This time marks the receipt of your profile. It will be copied and given to your moderator as well as logged. Your moderator will be Akujin.
- Please send your actions to Akujin. Remember to link everything. You have until January 10th to do so.
