Author's Note: Strange crack story that makes no logical sense but that didn't stop me from writing it, did it? It's been quite some time since I've been here on , so readjusting my way back to the Tekken section! Hope you enjoy my silly minded tale about Lili and a petty rivalry! I don't own anything blah blah blah.

Meschino

(Petty)

The weird and wonderful world that was the King of Iron Fist Tournament had rolled into Lili's schedule. The internal rush, the all blazing adrenaline, the no doubt countless muscles that will obstinately tug at the most inopportune times made the Monegasque heiress smile warmly.

Surely the same old faces would return.

The blonde combatant looks up from her cup of herbal tea, breathing in the mint infusion as her blue eyes scan across the hallway. Searching for familiar contestants from the sanctuary of her table, right on cue comes the usual suspects a la Hwoarang and Steve Fox.

Somehow two tournaments later, the Korean seemed to boom obnoxiously in volume, showing off to Steve, the latter nodding politely with a sheepish grin. Same old, same old.

Some faces were missing.

Christie and Eddy didn't seem to be in the crowd, nor that boorish hunk Miguel or the enigmatic wanderer Zafina.

Speaking of same old...

The ever pushy Asuka Kazama comes sauntering into Lili's view, the teen barely contained when locking eyes with her elegant rival yet nods with gritted politeness, fists balled. "Rochefort."

"Kazama," Lili responds tight lipped between sips of tea, eyes narrowed with grudging disdain. That competitive spirit brews within, ever since losing the fifth tournament to the brusque Kazama girl. The memory was once a very sore, begrudging thorn in her side, torn between admiration and a dent in pride. Considering dignity had crash landed since that point, this was a more civilized greeting.

They would settle it later.

Lili's lips quirk into a slight smile behind Asuka's back.

Some things never change.

As for unfamiliar faces...

Sure, Asuka was a most formidable opponent but variety was the spice of life, fresh meat came in the form of a newcomer, curvy and loudmouthed, emerging with a sashay, heels clacking in announced superiority, an air of cocky certainty in each purposeful step. The same competitive hunger Lili knows well is obscured by oversized shades, glossy lips poised into a smug smirk.

"Not bad," she purrs to Hwoarang in reply to his fancy footwork, whistling with approval, "But you're all talk."

The redhead's brow furrows, scoffing with abrupt laughter as Steve hides his chuckling, "Says who?"

Lili couldn't help but smile at the unfolding drama, seeing the Korean wound up tighter than a snake tied in knots was quite sadistically amusing. Cocking her head to the possible scene of the crime, the blonde strolls and listens intently.

"Katarina," the brunette announces proudly, "Better remember that name."

"Why?"

"'Cause that's who's gonna make you run home to your mama from the tournament!"

Several dramatic "ooo's" ring out from the small crowd around Hwoarang, face nearly as red as his hair. Soon that all familiar cockiness when one can't back down from a challenge soon resurfaces, handsome features reeling back into entertained intrigue, "We'll see if your skills are as good as that pretty little mouth of yours!"

Katarina flicks back brunette tresses playfully with a winsome smile, back turned to Hwoarang as she walks away, not before getting in the last word, "I look forward to seeing you in action Ruivo." Lili couldn't help but look forward to perhaps meeting this Katarina in battle herself, a worthy newcomer in fighting spirit. Admirable. It would be a worthy challenge to wipe that trash talk from her pretty face and off her pedestal for was soon pestered by a hyperactive cat-eared pigtailed girl, decked in bright pink and black, waving gleefully with overbearing cat paws.

Interesting.

Everyone was present here for their own unique reasons.

Glory, revenge, money, pleasure, petty quibbles, looking for purpose.

Analyzing opponents made Lili's mind wander and within a moment's blink, somehow cold tea peppered her ivory attire. Inelegant in spectacle on her knees, scrabbling for a tea cup and saucer on the carpet, Lili's gaze is met by a gloved hand.

"Mi dispiace. Lascia che ti aiuti."

Blue eyes alight with curiosity trail upright, face to face with the enigmatic newcomer towering before her and Lili blinks dumbfounded, a less than graceful spectacle than most were accustomed to. Slate eyes full of apologetic sincerity freezes Lili to the spot, brow knitted in reply to his softly spoken words.

"I mean," the man laughs, "Please allow me to help you."

Accepting the aid, there's a streak of intrigue that courses through the curious teen's veins. "It's a habit of mine too. Being so lost in thought," the mysterious male's voice snaps Lili out of her stupor, patting sullied fabric with fervent disgust.

"You should look where you're going signorina."

"You should take your own advice." Lili tersely retorts.

"I never was good at that," he chuckles airily, "But try not to hold hot beverages while you swerve human traffic nor sizing up your opponents. Didn't anyone tell you it's rude to stare?"

Caught off guard, Lili folds arms haughtily. "Pardon?" The taller male smiles enigmatically to himself, a white gloved hand brushing through dark slick hair prompting the blonde to sigh with impatience, "I don't have time for these silly little games. I must take my leave."

"Glad we agree on something. No time for games, not in a high stakes tournament, si?"

Lili pauses momentarily, sizing up the man who had so gallantly spilt tea upon her in the five minutes they had even spoken. The blatant, oh-so-calm and cool nature of this gentleman had the nerve to caution her, Emilie de Rochefort, to be more careful. Strike 1. Making assumptions. That's strike 2. Tea upon attire. Strike 3 and he's out.

Petty perhaps.

Just who did he think he was?!

Before Lili could part with any condescending words of wisdom, the man had disappeared, mind clouded with all manner of witty comebacks and verbal putdowns. Pouting all the while, Asuka approached with sadistic laughter, prodding at the tea stain, "You could start fights with inanimate objects with a face like that."

"Not now Kazama!" Lili's eyes narrowed into irritated slits.

"What's your deal anyway? He was being polite!"

"I said not now."

Asuka didn't appear to hear Lili now, "What was his name again? Uh, Italian guy..."

Lili's ears prick at the sound.

Claudio.

From that instance, from a insignificant spat over something as petty as tea, Claudio seemed to invade her every waking moment. A curious fusion of calm and haughty, collected and altogether in all white, seemingly in deep thought in the afternoon air. From a distance, sky blues blink at this Claudio's lower arm, bounded by black ties.

"Buongiorno," Claudio cheerfully greets with his back to her, "Back to staring are we?"

Lili does not dignify with an answer, unable to explain or bat away this immediate intrigue. It was strange, something drawing her gaze to linger longer than intended.

"Ah that far away look again," he chuckles sardonically upon turning, "Keep this up and you'll be out the tournament before you know it!" Claudio's gloved palm pats Lili's shoulder playfully, "Focus signorina."

"I don't need advice from you regarding the Tekken tournament!"

"Clearly."

"Are you being sarcastic?" Lili plants hands on her hips, "Who do you think you are?"

"Who do I think I am?" Claudio clicks his tongue in mock thought, "I know who I am, I don't need to think about it."

Wise guy.

"Do you always treat possible opponents with such distaste signorina?"

"I am Emilie de Rochefort!" Lili announces proudly, hoping to put a stop to the sickly way he dubs her miss in his native tongue, "But that's Lili to most. My father calls me Emilie, and it stays that way."

"Ah I see," the dark haired Italian wags his finger, "You mean he uses Emilie if you're in trouble. Usually it's full name basis if daddy's little girl gets into trouble, si?" That earns a glimmer of annoyance from the young heiress, arms folded with irked aplomb. Claudio soon aligns into a more cool and poised manner, he had more than enough verbal sparring for now, "Save it for the tournament, you'll need it."

Lili is at once curious when he walks away, "So why are you here?"

He pauses and looks at his bandaged arm silently in a muse, unable to tear his eyes away. "I have my reasons." Upon that vague murmur, he ascends the stairs and dispenses a breezy a piu tardi in the air. Lili rubs her chin in a deep ponder, that all too irrepressibly inquisitive streak erupting.

Upon watching him fight for the first time...

This prompted more questions than answers.

How...does he do that?

This was no illusion, but actual sorcery, blue light emerging around his arm, twisting and turning at his whim. Amazement and scorn dances behind Lili's eyes, amusement alight at the manner of all the other surreal nonsense this tournament conjured up, that this threw her off. Of all things, him! The haughty manner he claps his hands at his keeled over opponent incurred a prick of intense dislike within Lili, grudging admiration for such ability hampered by such a cockyself congratulating...

Halting her mental narrative with a smile, the blonde waits in the wings.

This had been the challenge she had longed for.

A/N: I freaking love Claudio, he's so hot and mysterious! Hope you enjoyed this silly tale, it's not very good but hey I had fun trying to write this crack pairing XD