SRW: Journey to the Lizard Folk Fighters!

Eros nodded along with Artoria’s words, listening carefully while maintaining her polite pokerface the entire time. Cirkot seemed to be listening quietly beside her, occasionally drinking from the cold glass of enchanted water as he quietly watched the procedures unfold. Neither dared to interrupt Artoria as she outwardly worried about the future of her clan and its legacy. With hardly any visitors coming to see the tribe itself and no wars or large scale conflicts to need their soldiers, it was entirely possible for the clan to be left behind in the dust of history. Eros thought she saw a reaction from Cirkot when the elder lamented that possibility. She could have been mistaken, but Cirkot was always the type to care for others and the preservation of homes. It would have been surprising if he wasn’t interested in what was best for the Shine Tail’s and their tribe. But the head warden wasn’t so concerned. The Overseer himself called for this tribe by name, and his word was law. The only way for the Shinetail clan to be lost to history would be if the Overseer deemed it to be so, and for the moment they clearly had his affinity.

Eros could understand Artoria’s concerns, but doubted they would fall into obscurity soon. And as Eros plotted and schemed, she almost missed Artoria’s declaration of learning a brand new style of combat. One she believed was popular in the Overseer’s land and that of Tsubar. Erotic wrestling was what the newer generation of warriors was being taught, and for the first time since the meeting started, Eros’s ear twitched.

Almost immediately, Eros subtly glanced at Cirkot. A questioning look in her golden eyes as she wondered just how Artoria got that idea. While erotic wrestling was certainly a part of the SRW by the Overseer’s design, most of the league was built up on the competitive spirit and exotic fighting styles. Fiery rivalries were welcomed, far and wide. But Artoria seemed so proud of learning this new style of combat, eyes almost shining with pride as her guests remained silent for a few more seconds. Eros wasn’t sure how best to explain the situation to Artoria, especially since she was already offering a demonstration from the best of her students.

“Of course. Being able to see your warriors in action would be an honor, Artoria. However, I’d like to elaborate that our SRW provides more opportunities for our fighters than erotic wrestling. In fact, we welcome combat styles that can be competitive against other fighters from anywhere in the world, though we are strictly non-lethal. Erotic maneuvers are as worthy of our consideration as any other combative style, but I personally hope to see some of your clan’s historic techniques.”

Eros moved the ice cold glass of water towards her, but only took a sip. The chilled water stung her throat almost immediately, though it wasn’t due to any tampering of the drink. At least, not intentionally. The sigil might have been some form of purification magic, or some other such thing. It erased the heat in the air and in the water, but for a spiritual creature like Eros, it was an unpleasant but bearable sensation. Eros simply kept her poker face on, and tentatively sipped at the water so as to not offend her host. Water as cold and abundant as this was rare in the Hot Expanse, and to waste it would be beyond rude and likely be seen as insulting.

Artoria's purple eyes widened, the orange lizard sitting up straighter as the feline Head Warden spoke, correcting her assumption about SRW's combat style.

Ever proper, Artoria stood up, smoothing her gown and offering a low, humble, bow towards Eros and Cirkot.

"Head Warden, I deeply apologize for my inaccurate description of your league. I was going off of information given to me by our rare visitors and the few scouts we've sent to explore the outside world and bring back information. Clearly, we were misinformed. I meant no offense to you or the Overseer."

She sat back down, taking another drink of the ice cold water before continuing.

"However, while I regret my mistake, I am happy to say it might not be that much of an issue. While I admit, the wrestlers I was going to show you are trained in erotic combat, all of them are also trained in both traditional wrestling holds that we've learned about, as well as our own grappling and striking techniques, so they can serve in either erotic or non erotic competition. I also have several warriors I've trained, should we be able to come to a deal, could serve as guards or...whats the term I've heard people use...law enforcement, I believe. I can show you them, as well as our wrestlers, for your consideration."

She sat straight after she spoke, feeling embarrassed over her faux pax, but hoping she hadn't ruined any interest Eros had in making an alliance or accepting her warriors!

The Head Warden caught the look of worry on Artoria's scaly face as she went on to describe the SRW's implementation of combat and the various styles and strengths used by the vast array of fighters under its employ. As mischievous as Eros could be, it was not her intention to suck the pride and joy from the eyes of the person she was speaking to like she seemed to do with Artoria. From beaming with pride to looking as though she had said something ill of the company as a whole without meaning to! A moment of silence clung in the air between both parties, with Artoria's guards shifting about uncomfortably. Cirkot silently drank his water, Eros swirled her own glass around in her hand, and Artoria sat quietly across from them. But Artoria would stand up and actually bow her head to the Warden and her subordinate! The action took not just Eros and Cirkot off guard, but her own guards as well.

"Artoria, please raise your head!" Eros said with a hint of urgency, "There is no need to apologize for this! Truthfully, we are happy to hear that not just our name is traveling to every reach of Gaia, but some of the talent of our fighters! I could not blame you for what our own customers have told you about us. That fault lies with me, and me alone."

Artoria sat back down, but there was still a sort of awkward tension in the air. But the lizard elder pushed past it and continued on. She listed that even though the fighters set up for today's presentation were trained in erotic combat, they had regular combat experience as well and even some warriors trained to be soldiers or guards that could be of use to Tsubar's law enforcement. Eros silently listened and noted that Artoria specifically mentioned warriors she trained herself. Eros didn't question the abilities of the granddaughter directly descended from one of the Overseer's greatest allies, but she was curious about her combat prowess. Despite the title of "Elder", Eros had noticed that lizard folk tend to be as spry in their later years as they were in their early teens if raised in a warm environment. Given Artoria was raised in one of the hottest deserts in Gaia, she showed no signs of stiffness or age. Were it not for the slightly faded color of her scales, Eros would have thought the title of "Elder" would be a cruel insult to someone who looked so young.

Lizard folk always hide their age so well. Half the time you have to go off their height alone just to guess!

"We'd like nothing more than to see the fruits of your labor, Artoria. I don't mind telling you I have high hopes for your clan and its quality of warriors." The warden smiled, "Please, if it is not too forward of me...I would love to see them as soon as possible."

Eros wouldn't rise from her chair unless she got a confirmation from Artoria. She respected the elder, and didn't want to make her feel awkward about the simple misunderstanding.

It was true that the state and situation of the lizardfolk tribe was, indeed, saddening. There were many such cases of old tribes and clans becoming irrelevant, or at worse, disappearing, entire generations of history gone and no longer being made. It twinged at Cirkot's heart to hear that though he kept his cool.

That was until Artorias brought up erotic wrestling and how her soldiers were trained in it. When Ero's eyes flashed at him, his own empty sockets did a subtle glance at her and then back. He shifted his position uncomfortably as he sipped from his glass of water. What was mentally happening to him though?

Cirkots Mental State:

That aside, he nodded his head when Artorias wanted to give a demonstration. He then quietly mumbled to himself, "Man, if they're going to be the top of the best here, imagine fighting one...."