Kat PoV
"I can’t believe you Kat..!"
Leone let out a huff and crossed her arms over her bountiful chest, refusing to look me in the eye as she accused me yet again, the four of us walking through the crowded streets of Muqai Al-Maedin, brushing past the myriad of well dressed and busy citizens as we went about our day just like they did theirs.
"What~? You ’can’t believe’ that I would give you some loving after showing off how cute you are with that little pout and tone of voice~? Aw, that’s adorable~!"
I couldn’t help myself as I grinned at the Vampire Princess, her reddening cheeks tickling my heart somewhat as I enjoyed the atmosphere of the city as we walked through it, the heat only mildly annoying now that I was beneath the shade and cloaked in a thin layer of chilled water.
"Yeah, really Leone? You can’t believe that Kat of all people would seduce you? That’s rich... besides, you gotta know by now that this is a vacation mostly, so of course we want to relax~!"
Anput grinned too, while Jahi just chuckled softly as she looked around the busy streets, taking it all in and enjoying the attention she received from passerby’s, her height and skin color making her stand out so much that everyone had to do a double take.
For Anput, people seemed to recognize her after they saw Jahi, their eyes falling on all of us in turn as they tried to figure out who we were and if that was really the Begum, and in doing so many of those eyes made their way to me, taking in my ears and tail before gradually focusing on the more ’important’ things.
My chest and hips, which made me stick close to Anput’s side so that her potent scent could mark the area around us both to ward those people off, though almost all were partaking in some innocent looking only, their gazes washing over Leone and I as they took in our curves before moving away, taking just a passing glance.
"I know we want to relax - I really do as well, hence why I had you pressed against that ice wall right in front of her - but we are also here to get stronger, and your Mom is making that list as we go have some fun that just so happens to make us some money~!""Yeah, we hope it makes us money Jahi... don’t go cashing any checks prematurely now, alright? We agreed on a 20 Gold limit per person for a total of 80 Gold to be spent... which is already too damn much honestly..."
Letting out a huff, I continued to walk down the street beside Anput, my mate grinning happily as she held me by my waist and flaunted me to her people as she guided us to one of the many arenas that were apparently operated within the city, but this one just so happened to be near a casino and a club that were owned by the same merchant group.
"Aw, who cares Kat~! We can make that back in a day, if not more~! Besides... I think it’s worth the experience honestly. Used to go to this arena - Yanzif - all the time when I was growing up. Mom took me, but Mother took me more often than not since one of the three merchants was a woman from the Sera Pack. Cruel bitch, but still technically family. Because of that, we get some free stuff too~!"
She giggled mischievously at that, causing Jahi to chuckle as she asked "What kind of free stuff, Anput? What did you milk from this relative of yours, you cheeky little minx?", accompanied by me turning to raise a brow at my mate as I waited for her response.
"Oh y’know... some free chips at the casino, a buffet at the arena whenever I visited, hell, I even got some wine before I was meant to when I went to the arena for the entire day~! Some good wine too, with a crisp, refreshing taste that is a bit rare here in the Sultanate~!"
"You really are a minx..."
"Sounds about right for her, doesn’t it?"
Jahi just shook her head while Leone muttered that mockingly, causing Anput to begin bickering with the Vampire as we continued to walk through Muqai Al-Maedin, the flat sandstone buildings passing by quickly whilst the pops of color from the various awnings and people’s clothing tied everything together beautifully.
The city was drab in terms of construction, but the people were what made it feel so vibrant as they turned the flat, squat buildings into unique areas full of life and purpose; the roof terraces, the open windows allowing glimpses into the lives of its inhabitants, the awnings covering the porches... everything was so perfect as we walked through the city, the sandstone brick road wide enough to fit us all and even the occasional carriage laden with goods and people.
Reaching the arena, I wasn’t at all surprised to see that it was already becoming crowded, the wide cubic building hosting dozens upon dozens of people despite it not even being midday just yet, with the sounds of battle and roars of entertained patrons filling the air with a vicious energy that only a place like a fighting pit could generate inside of a city.
Anput ignored the line that was waiting to get into the arena, her grin still there as she listened to Leone pick at her ’abuse’ of power, which was instantly made apparent as Anput said "Watch me then~!" before walking us straight up to the entrance, causing the two guards to cross their spears.
"Heya~! Surely you two haven’t forgotten me after all this time~? Still on door duty, after all~!"
Both of the guards stiffened as Anput stared at them, their muscular figures not that imposing since they instantly retrieved their spears and repeatedly bowed to Anput, with the taller, buffer one saying "Forgive us Begum! Please, head on inside! Forgive our impudence!" Snorting, Anput just strode past them and turned to wink at Leone as she said "I have the power, so of course~ I want to abuse it! Why would I want to wait in that line when I can come straight into this amazing place!"
The lobby of the arena was a spacious platform overlooking the pit below, the constructors of this arena digging into the sand to create the stage for the fighters whilst carving seats into the slope, allowing them to make the most of the space they had with the various platforms that provided shade down below and viewing areas up top.
A counter was situated atop each platform, nestled against the wall and guarded with many armored Caninekin, the vaults behind them constantly opening and closing as the clerks fetched and stored coins of all kinds.
In the middle of the pit, three Caninekin were entangled in combat, swinging simple swords at one another and earnestly fighting one another to submission, a fourth sprawled out on the sand, their chest heaving up and down as they recovered from their wound.
"A fight is underway already, but that just means we can have some fun~! Hey, why don’t we all take a couple of our Gold and make a blind bet on the next fight? No research or anything, just make a guess on the outcome~? Sound like fun~?"
Basking in the roars of the crowd that didn’t even know she was here, Anput grinned and bounced around as she pointed at the nearby counter, where more than a few Caninekin gathered around with various expressions; jubilation, acceptance, amusement, and of course... despair.
Seeing how my mate was being rather childish and excitable at the moment, I just sighed and reluctantly said "One coin, fine. Let’s go. Are they all multi fights like this one, or..?", which made Anput beam at me before tossing her hands up in joy as Jahi and Leone gave her a nod
Too.
"We shall see, won’t we~? That’s the beauty of the arena! Anything and everything can
Happen! One time, these four fighters managed to fight each other to a standstill, and they ALL passed out at the same time! All of them! All at once! So no one won, but no won lost! I
Was so pissed that day too..."
Ignoring this line as well, Anput approached the side of the counter and waved at one of the clerks, who stopped for a moment to stare at the Begum in shock before rushing over and bowing deeply to her, the thin Caninekin man giving her all of his attention.
"What’s the next fight and it’s odds?"
"The..? Of course! The next fight is a special one; it’s a retired guard, adventurer, and renowned gladiator going head to head for the chance to court a merchant’s daughter! They are actually fighting her for her hand too, so..."
Giving us a polite, practiced smile, the clerk focused on Anput again as she flipped him a coin, saying "Put this on the... guard! I bet the guard will win~! What about you three?", causing the clerk to blink a few times before he turned towards us.
I handed the man my own coin and said "I bet none of them can beat the merchant’s daughter;
Is that allowed?", earning myself a nod as the man took my coin and instantly pocketed it, placing it in a pouch attached to his waist that sealed itself tightly, the enchanted cord snaking around his body and ensuring it would never be lost.
"Tch... I was gonna bet on her. Fine, I’ll take the gladiator then; that leaves the adventurer for
You Leone, right?"
The Princess pursed her lips before sighing as she nodded, reluctantly handing the clerk her coin as she said "I’ll take the adventurer then...", ensuring we all got our own bets that would define a clear winner amongst us.
"Ooh~! So much fun to be had~! Is my suite still available? The Sera suite? If it is, send some food over, and send a servant too; we’ll be here for a little bit making bets, so we’ll need someone to run that back and forth."
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