The Deep Breath Before the Plunge [Open]

[Feliciano Vargas]

There are few things worse than life than being forced into a fight you didn't want. Having to sit and wait for that fight to begin is one of them. 

Feliciano kept his gaze firmly rooted to the ground, body tense beneath the burden of his own thoughts. The waiting room was arguably the worst place in the Underground--worse than the cells, the auction room, and maybe even the Arena itself. The Arena smelt of blood and dirt and the sweat of hundreds of bodies pressed together like sardines in order to cheer on the violence, reminiscent of days long since past. Feliciano remembered fondly the hours he spent in the library during dreary days, reading about the Roman Empire and their blood sports. Even up until the Industrial Revolution is seemed like pitting people against one another was a favored past time of humanity, but he'd mistakenly thought that their civilization had evolved above such barbarism. Or at least be considerate enough to the unwilling contestants to not shove them all in the same room together, staring down your potential murderer combatant. The stench of pain and fear filled the room, even when it was almost empty. It had gone so far as to seep into the stones themselves--a permanent reminder of the suffering hundreds of mutants had undergone in this god-forsaken place.

He just wanted to go home.

With a quiet sigh, he tugged at a loose thread in his sleeve. When had he start thinking the claustrophobic cell he'd been stuffed into as home? The place was hardly comfortable; a bed, a thin blanket, a small sink, and a toilet--there wasn't even a window to the surface so he could see the sky. It was a perfect prison, and yet he'd rather be there than here. He'd honestly rather be there than at the Academy, which the only other home he could remember. [If none of this would've happened...if he could've stayed with his parents, with his brother, that would be best, but with only a vague memory of a fluffy kitten, a small smile, and a dark room, he couldn't bring himself to call that home, either]. At Weeds of Tomorrow things were nice, they were better than this, but it was nothing but lies. False hopes and delusions fed to impressionable young minds. Thinking back on how he used to eat up everything the caretakers said made the Italian grimace in self-disgust. There was nothing like hindsight to show you your fallacies.

It wasn't the worst place in the world, though. He'd rather be in the Academy, enjoying a fun lunch with Ludwig rather than sit in this place, waiting to get attacked. Finally his gaze lifted from the floor to glance around. The room was empty save his opponent--whether the mutants from earlier fights had already left or they were the only scheduled match for the moment the brunette didn't know. He hadn't been paying enough attention. A lump formed in his throat as he sized up the other mutant. This match wasn't going to end well, not at all.

[Deleted]

591

Tags: Feli

Notes: forgive me if it sounds like a brainfart

Ah the Arena, where for the entertainment of the rich and those who if had the opportunity would rather spill the blood themselves would watch as Mathias and some other forsaken mutant fight. Though it was barely a week since he’d been brought back the third time the authorities of this place decided to throw him into the ring anyways.Whether it was because they wanted to kick him back into the works of this place or because some sick bastard wanted to see how a return would fair, rusty in his skills and possibly an easy picking for who ever was dared to face him.

He didn’t dare to look over at his would be opponent, not yet anyways. Mathias was too busy thinking for the moment, remembering no, reminiscing in the memories he had of the world just out the large cast iron doors, where every move made not only determined your fate in the fights but whether you would get a share of the meals when they came around. Those memories though were not driving fear into his heart, it did the opposite, he at one point or another learned to enjoy the fights, see them as more than just a means of food and forced entertainment but in away to to entertain himself and give a challenge. It was these things that kept his mind in check, prevented fights in the cells, to release penned up anger and energy though at the price of another’s life was worth it. Under it all though, in the heart of the issue was simply the enjoyment of winning a match simply gave him pride. The pride of showing your strength and the hopes of others taking you seriously through brute strength, though it was only for himself and the crowd in the stands simply thought it proof of how inhuman the ones forced to fight were, even such a primal pride was a pride worth keeping lit.

He wasn't sitting in fear, nor was he pacing around anxious. He was simply leaning against the wall staring at the one across. the light grey of the concrete was pink in some areas and holes that were obviously scratched or punched out, probably from fights that broke out as if ending the match early in here would save for one in the roar of the crowds only to be proven wrong by the guards sending the poor soul out with a new opponent waiting for them. It was now that he looked around the room, learning that it was absolutely empty and the noise outside the door quiet save from buzz of chattering. The fights this night had yet to start it seemed and he with who ever he was facing would be the first.

When he realized that, he decided to look around the room hoping to see if he could spot them. The Dane surely did see them and his gut sank, a frail thing he'd saw, not thin by the standards here but still obviously lacking everything needed to survive under the watchful eyes of the crowds. Just when he was about to look away, as if maybe if he didn't know them too well it would make it easier. He noticed that the other's eyes were locked on him, for how long he didn't know and all he could see was utter fear. Just those eyes said it all, but despite that he knew he had to say something, as if speaking to them would help their fate. "Have you been out there before?" He asked, calmly as if he was speaking to a frightened child.

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[Feliciano Vargas]

The first thing Feliciano noticed about his opponent was his size--not quite as big as he remembered Ludwig being, but still bigger than himself. A lot bigger. He looked healthy, too. That could only mean the guy was used to winning; if Feliciano was against another, weaker opponent, he'd at least be able to get away with a few scratches and bruises or something. This fight can only end one way: badly.

Blue eyes--more of a deep-water blue than his old friend's sky-blue eyes--turned on him and Feliciano started a bit. He wasn't quite sure why he was surprised the other mutant even spared him a glance, to be honest. He'd had a few conversations with other mutants in this room in the past, some worse than others. There were plenty of times where he'd sat in oppressive silence before disastrous matches. Hopefully this won't end as badly as those matches do. A moment of tense silence hung over the both of them. Then those blue eyes darkened, though not with agitation or anything--if anything, Feliciano could think the blonde man pitied him, at least a little. "Have you been out there before?" The other mutant asked quietly, slowly. The question only cemented Feliciano's previous observation.

He frowned, straightening up in his seat. Sure, he refused to fight in the Arena. Sure, he didn't like being dragged here. Sure, he probably couldn't do much damage even if he wanted to--at least, not without the element of surprise and something more than his fists. However, he chose to be pacifistic. He didn't want to do as he was told and hurt other mutants for peoples' pleasure. He certainly didn't want to be pitied or looked down upon for those decisions. He might think, from the blonde's question, that maybe the other was the one who hasn't been in the Arena before. The smudges of dirt against pale skin could simply be from the guards. They liked to get handsy on the mutants, hurt them simply because they can. But the man's heart wasn't racing like it should, there was no scent of sweat due to nerves. There just weren't enough signs to point to a new addition to the Underground. So that meant the other was trying to console him, or something equally "Ve, si, of course," he replied just as slowly, hands interlacing between his knees. "I've been here for two years, I don't think anyone could stay away from the Arena that long. Have you been in a lot of matches?" The brunette tilted his head to one side, still staring up at the blonde. "I haven't seen you before, ve, but you're not scared enough for this to be your first Arena match."

SPOILER: Click to show

I'm really sorry this is so short orz plz forgive me

[Deleted]

513

Tags:Feli

Notes: poor them, poor both of them

He continued to watch him calmly as usual, he didn’t want to intimidate him more than he knew he already was. He could see that even so that the other was, well. No one in his shoes would be exactly calm in this situation. Sure he himself was but that was simply because he was good in there, good and enjoyed it. This other one though, that was a whole other thing, but who knows maybe just maybe this one wasn’t as he seems. That was just an empty hope watching him there in that seat so the Dane just listened and listened carefully.

So the small little guy wasn’t new this room, in fact probably very acquainted with it hearing the words ‘2 years’. He himself couldn’t remember how long they waited till they threw him in the ring the first time but it was probably no more than a month but most likely a lot sooner than that. Just seeing the guy and how he was, in this place. It made his heart sink. The ones like him they really shouldn’t be thrown in, too sweet, friendly and there was no future other than near death on the sands for someone who was the least deserving of it. To answer the guy’s question he shook his head “it’s the first time in a while but by no means is it the first fight” The half hearted chuckle spelled out how even he was starting to think twice about this one. Sure the Dane wasn’t like most when it came to these fights but he wasn’t a sadist, beating on the weak and harmless was no fun and just hurt his conscience. He wanted strong opponents, challenges, ones that could hold their own, it felt good to win and not as bad to hurt them as it was a fair fight. Of course though if his opponent was a guard he wouldn’t have any problem beating on them, though weak compared to, well anyone in the room he was in now, they really did deserve the worst. That though was a whole other story a whole other nightmare and right now, the crowds were just itching for this fight and no matter what they would get it.

Part of him wanted to help him there, not getting him out of it but giving him a better chance but it could not happen Just to make it worse for himself, throwing the match for this near stranger was just gonna make it worse for the both of them. The guards, the crowds, the officials they wanted a real show, they wanted no mercy from either fighter and a show of the abilities to their fullest. To skip out and deny the showing would spell a worse fate even for the one that would usually win and for that, that was the only reason why he couldn’t help him the only right way available. He sighed and went over to sit with him.

made by MISSO for use only by NYX

[Feliciano Vargas]

As the blonde continued to stare, watching him carefully, Feliciano couldn't help but frown a bit more. Just what, exactly, was the other mutant staring at? It's not terribly uncommon for most mutants to be as small as him--between the lack of nourishment and many 'powers and abilities' ill-suited for fighting, it only made sense that there were more baits than there were Arena champions. The 'Powerhouses', they were called, the ones who only lost fights against one another. He didn't know how many of those special mutants there were, but he'd willingly hazard a guess that this person sitting before him was one; if by appearance alone. The confidence that oozed from him was one that most mutants dared not keep--especially the innumerable ones who honest to Dio believed that they were inferior to humans in every way. So obviously this blonde man knew that he was better; maybe not better than the humans, Feliciano didn't dare make a powerful assumption of someone else like that, but at least better than most, if not all the other mutants here.

That confidence, however, seemed to waver the longer the other stared at the Italian. Rather, a look of what seemed to be sadness colored deep-water eyes an even darker hue. After a moment's deliberation, the blonde shook his head. "It's the first time in a while," he admitted, a weak laugh escaping him, "but by no means is it the first fight."

Well, isn't that comforting. Feliciano couldn't help the slight derision in his mind, subtly shaking his head. Not in a long while, and yet the blonde was in such good condition? Either he'd been bought in one of the last auctions, had a very, very generous owner, and had been recently returned, or the blonde was simply worth too much to the keepers of the Underground to leave in destitute conditions. Which had to mean, despite the lack of fights, the other was a good fighter.

A very good one, judging by the excited murmurs and bets grazing his ears from the other side of the stone wall. The brunette shook his head again, clutching his trembling hands together between his knees. Oh, this will not bode well for the smaller mutant, not at all. He could flee, easily, but how long would he last? Not terribly long if the blonde got his hands on him, that was for sure. Whatever powers the taller mutant had, he couldn't even begin to guess, but they had to be powerful, or at least dangerous, if his assumption was correct. Then again, anyone who wasn't a bait mutant had a relatively useful power, even if it wasn't quite as adept as the ones seemingly made just for combat.

He honestly hadn't realized that the other had pushed himself to his feet until he felt the blonde sit next to him; that alone nearly made Feliciano's heart leap out of his chest. When had he gotten so distracted by his thoughts? When had he focused so much on calming the trembling of his fingers that he'd near-completely ignored the other's presence altogether? The Italian mentally chided himself--this kind of wandering and lack of focus could get him killed, either by the mutant now draped over the bench next to him, or by the guards by giving such a useless, bad 'show'. Not that his running and dodging was all that interesting to them anyway, if the lack of food and care after a strenuous fight were any indication. Thankfully, Feliciano's preferred method of cat and mouse, rather than rabid-dog fight that most mutant pulled off, kept the crowds entertained enough that the matches weren't ever dragged on long enough to let him bleed out on the dirty floor of the Arena.

The brunette could only pray that their consideration would save him in this one-sided duel, as well.

"I don't know if you'll tell me, but...what can you do, ve?" Feliciano asked hesitantly, finally glancing up at the blonde. He honestly didn't know if he wanted to know, whether that knowledge would only make him feel worse rather than better, but at the same time, he desperately wanted to know what he was up against. "I can enhance my senses, ve--Selective...S-Synes...Synesthes, I think the scientists called it. I can't remember, anymore. But I can make myself see better, or hear better, anything like that, really. It's not very useful, but--" He hurriedly cut himself off; the Italian was rambling. With another little shake of the head, he offered the blonde a little smile. "Ve, I'm sorry--you probably don't care all that much what I can do right now, si? You're gonna find out in the Arena anyway."

[Deleted]

No idea

Tags: Feli

Notes: he's way too proud of being creepy bone guy

The only reason what the Dane was practically staring was because the much smaller other was just that, much smaller and clearly not suited to the ring at all. Sure he’d faced many like the other before but that didn’t make this round any better. Not to mention Mathias was bent on the thought that the other deserved to be in here the least. He could tell they were practically shivering in fear for the quite obvious outcome too. He sighed and stretched a little, stretching enough to hear a slight crack but nothing even close to anything breaking.
He was sure that if the situation was different he would love to talk to the other, the smaller, thinner male in the room. Casual with out the whole practically betraying trust once the steel doors opened.To calm them down with sweet nothings like it was tempting to do would just make things worse for the both of them. The Dane already knew that no matter what he wouldn’t be holding back, holding back was cowardly and refused the crowed it’s show plus everyone knew showing anything but the best of your abilities would just spell doom for the both of them which meant he’d only prolong the suffering the smaller one would be getting anyways.

While leaning himself back into the wall behind the shabby benches they were both sitting on he hardly noticed how the other had instead of calmed down gotten more nervous. Though it was a useless ploy Mathias wanted the other to at least feel less intimidation, less than what was obvious in the room already anyways. After relaxing he turned back to them, only to catch their attempt of conversation, and ask to explain what they could do. From what he heard from them though he simply nodded. So they could hear better or see better or what ever it really was. It sounded well absolutely useless when the point of the game was to do damage.

The Dane opened his mouth to try join in initially before a much louder chant from just outside the door rang through, even he could hear what was going on from how loud it was. rather muffled he heard names and an announcer must have shown up now too. They were possibly mentioning the time till the fight started or they were explaining to the crowd what to expect either way it was loud and the idea of what would come soon was starting to make his own blood boil in a primal excitement.

Returning his thoughts back to the other sitting here as if answering his questions he raised a hand balling it in a fist and letting his knuckles push out short about half an inch long and as thick as the joint it originated from, as if he was wearing a brass knuckle. He figured showing them was a better way of explaining his own works than just saying it. “I can do this sort of thing” sounding a little too proud of the fact than he should. Of course his little demonstration was of course a small example of what he was capable of. In the outside world when asked this question the Dane enjoyed making himself a a creepy demonic figure with horns, tusks and thick spines where ever possible, creeping what ever big shot was staring too long, straight faced too as if it was completely normal but, he decided to not do it here, since he wasn’t looking to terrify anyone. He paused to draw the spines in again relaxing before holding the hand out for a shake. “and by the way, I’m Mathias.”

made by MISSO for use only by NYX

[Feliciano Vargas]

Spikes. Coming out of his knuckles.

Spikes. Out of his knuckles.

Bone spikes.

His knuckles were coming out of his skin as smooth, sharp spikes.

Feliciano's own hand shot up to his mouth as he stared, wide eyed, at the proffered appendage, clutched in a loose fist as the blonde seamlessly adjusted the shape of his own bones. He couldn't tear his gaze away, staring down in nauseated awe as the color seeped from his face.

Bone spikes.

Bones. He could manipulate his bones and make them into weapons. His own bones. They're just...sticking out, there. Like spikes. Like they weren't actually bone but white, bone-like spikes glued to his skin. But no. Feliciano knew human bone when he saw it, and that is real. Very, very real. Very living, too, and just tearing through the flesh covering his hand as if it were paper, causing little splits in the skin like punching a hole in supple leather. Amber eyes couldn't look away.

Because there was warped bone and broken skin but the taller mutant wasn't bleeding.

For a moment, Feliciano couldn't decide whether he wanted to scream and scurry to the other side of the waiting room, leaving Matthias to his own creepy, boney devices, or just vomit. However, he wasn't quite horrified enough to scream and there wasn't any blood or gore to stimulate his stomach to heave. It just roiled, unpleasantly, the same discomforting reeling making his head spin a bit. Bone spikes. Tearing through skin. No blood or jagged edges, like they would be if the knuckles were broken. If only it were that, but no. Just smooth, polished bone sticking out of his flesh as if that was normal. "I can do this sort of thing," the blonde boasted, clenching his hand into a fist to better show off the disconcerting protrusions. Light glimmered off smooth white and the Italian did nothing to hide his wince at the action.

Feliciano wasn't sure how to respond to this. Most mutants were proud of their powers, whether they were powerful, menacing things like this or something more supportive, like his own. However, to be happy you could contort your own bones into weapons, that was worrisome. Not that the man couldn't be proud of what he was capable of, or to just be confident in himself. It did not bode well for Feliciano's well-being in the upcoming fight, though. He could only stare, ignore the cold sweat forming at the back of his neck and down his spine. "T-That's...interesting, ve," he murmured, forcibly flexing his own fingers to scare away the imagined ache there. How doesn't that hurt? How can he just make bone appear and melt away as if it were nothing? How much calcium did the older mutant burn through, doing what he could do?

There was still no blood as the blonde let his hand relax, bone sliding back into its proper place. Everything just...knit itself back together; muscle, tendons, skin, blood vessels melting and mingling back together as if on fast-forward before his sharp eyes. He could see the blood jump from one end of a capillary to the other, yet stay trapped in the near-clear passage as it stitched together, soon hidden behind tissue and flesh as it all healed without a visible scar.

Bile rose in his throat. Maybe he'll throw up after all.

"By the way, I'm Matthias," the blonde continued easily enough, holding out that hand to be shaken as if nothing had happened. This was just a normal introduction to him. Amber eyes finally lifted from that pale hand to dark blue eyes; if any of Feliciano's discomfort was visible, he either didn't realize or didn't care that the other could see how bothered he'd been by the display granted to him. However, the young man only hesitated a moment before reaching out to clasp his hand around the proffered one, mustering up a weak smile.

Finding his voice was a bit harder. I-I'm Feliciano, ve," the brunette said, keeping a firm grip despite the slight tremble in his introduction. "Feliciano Vargas. It's nice to meet you...despite the circumstances."

Dear God almighty, he was in so much trouble.

[Deleted]

528

Tags:Feli

Notes: BONES

The Dane's showing off of his abilities had only lasted maybe a minute at the most. A flash of the spines, held long enough for the smaller male to get a good look at it. Enough to show 'yes I can control my bones' and then they slipped back in and the wounds closed to nothing. However the way the smaller male was acting, it felt like hours. The look on their face was pure disgust and terror. As if his hands were holding a ghost. The paling and the horrified sickly gestures weren't difficult to figure out. This really was going to be a quick fight, a quick and brutal fight and none of it on his own end.

It was his own bones and the healing verses. What did the other say they could do? Oh right enhance the senses. It was definitely one sided. He didn't make a horrified face towards it no but it was slightly obvious. His abilities alone were useful for nothing but fighting, it was purely offensive. Either he could use it to terrify like now, not very many people could keep a straight face while watching someone push their bones out of their skin like pushing a knife through butter and while Mathias showed no feeling of pain. Sure the actions hurt, nerves were servered, muscle and skin torn and split with each spine that pushed it's way out. Every time the bones shifted and grew he could feel every motion the skin stretching, all of it painful. He was used to it by now though, pain tolerance was simply higher than most since before his powers showed up. A reckless kid that liked to try crazy stunts, that was his childhood, that was way before he could heal in the blink of an eye so sucking up pain was like the back of his hand. His powers just gave him less reason to be careful, it's partly why he was almost crazy in the arena, why he was so reckless and brutal. He thought he could survive anything and he did. His bones became weapons, bludgeons of the worst sort, leaving horrible messes. The other sounded well, he wasn't sure if it even was defensive. It sounded like it wouldn't do much on it's own. Mathias hoped the other could fight, if they hoped to even live.

He returned the weak fear ridden smile with his own reassuring one. However useless it was, there was a fight in the next minute or so. These powers the Dane had, they were to be seen again, used to their full extent so reassuring that he meant no harm was a lie. Well not really a lie, he didn't want to harm him he just simply had to out there. A light affectionate squeeze of that hand and a rough genuine shake, solidifying these introduction, his own gesture was well much calmer, there was an odd ease to it like this was a casual conversation. "It's nice to meet you, despite everything." He pulled away for now. "so um..." Now to keep the conversation going. "you've been here a while haven't you?"

made by MISSO for use only by NYX