Chapter 12 - The Ribbon Queen

The medical room was oddly sterile compared to the arena. It was a medium-sized room with most of the floor space cleared for ease of movement, with a stairwell towards the back end of the room. Equipment for taking care of all kinds of injuries was neatly stored away in cabinets placed along the walls. A group of nurses moved throughout the room, attending to pit fighters who had taken their chances against Fen and lost. A row of beds lined one side of the room, most of them holding those fighters.

As the group entered the room, some of the more lively fighters wasted no time jeering at Fen the moment they noticed the blood-soaked ribbon wrapped around his chest. He snapped back at them with swears and reminders of who put them in the medical room to begin with. Before any violence could erupt, the nurses restrained the rowdier fighters and moved on to treating Azel and Fen's injuries.

"Hey, make sure not ta do too good of a job, I want this one ta scar!" Fen ordered.

"You… actually want a scar from that?" Azel asked, as one of the nurses cleaned and bandaged his arm.

"Fuck yeah! Best way ta remember a good fight is by tha scars ya got from it!"

"I wouldn't really say it was a good fight… Mostly just me making an act of it up until I got lucky…"

"Hey, don't sell yerself short, noodle boy. Ya did good fer yer first time. I expected ta have ya on flat yer face in tha first few seconds!"

"Like the guy with the spear?" Lucia asked, looking over at the still unconscious fighter from before.

"Yeah, just like him! That moron's always tryin' ta take me out, but he never learns. Azel on tha other hand, he did way better with a day of trainin' than that guy's done in a month!"

"I guess that's a compliment?" Mead said, still sticking close to Azel. "Why the sudden change of heart though? What happened to 'limp noodle' and 'shitty little sneak' and all the other things you said about Azel?"

"Yeah, I have to admit the sudden friendliness feels kind of weird."

"Hey, give me some credit! That was all before ya proved yer actually worth a damn in a fight. Ya gotta earn my respect after all."

"Huh… still feels weird though…" Mead muttered.

"Well, that's just how Fen is." Percy said.

"Whatever the case, I'm just glad I was able to pull it off without too much trouble…"

"Yeah, it's a good thing you didn't need to use Plan B." Lucia said. The group, with the exception of Fen, started chuckling.

"Hey, what're ya laughin' at? Tha fuck's Plan B anyway?"

"Plan B is, well… It's… the thing is, it's kind of hard to say with a bunch of people around…"

"Is it really though? We are all adults here, after all."

"Yes! Azel's right, it is!" Mead said quickly, giving Lucia and Percy a serious look. "Uh, besides, it's really just a dumb in-joke! You kind of had to be there to get it!"

"Ah, right, I suppose it wouldn't make much sense without all the context."

"Really? Damn."

Azel breathed a sigh of relief, and gave Mead a faint smile. She gave him a warm one in return.

"Oh, yeah, speaking of people," Lucia asked, changing the topic, "we were supposed to meet the Ribbon Queen back here, right?"

"Oh, yeah, that's right. I was looking forward to meeting her." Azel spoke up, flexing his now bandaged left arm.

"Heh, I bet ya were," Fen said with a smile. He turned to the nurse who was tending to his injury. "Ya done fuckin' with that yet? It's still gotta scar, remember?"

The nurse simply sighed and nodded, before backing away.

"Good. Now that's taken care of…" Fen pointed to the stairwell. "RQ's in tha office, just up tha stairs."

"Alright then." Azel said, as the group approached the stairs. "It'll be nice just to see who she is."

—

"Wait, you're the Ribbon Queen?"

"It's nice to see you again too, Mr. Atrox." Nadine said with a smile.

The group had made their way into the office, with Fen at the lead to introduce them. The introduction was cut short though, as Azel's shock could attest to. Across the table in the middle of the room sat a familiar ribbon seal woman, with a shimmering gold halo over her head. The moment she removed a mask she was wearing to show the group her face, Azel's mind made the connection.

Nadine wore an outfit that was a far cry from the ones Azel had previously seen her in. Where the wardrobe he was familiar with tended to accentuate her natural fur pattern, the dark colored, form-fitting bodysuit she was currently wearing left nothing exposed. Ribbon designs lined the length of her extremities and wrapped around the suit's chest, giving a splash of color to the outfit. The mask, which had similar ribbon patterns on it and was notably shaped to obscure the details of the wearer's face, now lay flat on the table she sat behind.

"Wait, 'Dine, Azel. Ya know each other?" Fen said, just as shocked.

"Know her? She runs a boutique in Sabbaton! I've ordered costumes from her personally!"

"Yes, Mr. Atrox - I suppose just Azel would be more appropriate, love?"

"Oh, ah, yeah. Go ahead." Azel said, half to himself. "Still trying to process all this…"

"Right. Azel is a customer of mine. One whose specific orders now make quite a lot of sense."

Lucia blinked. "So both of you were underground performers the whole time, but you never knew…"

"To be fair, love, we use our powers for our shows. With the law the way it is, I doubt either of us could have said anything about it to each other. I admit I did suspect that Azel was a performer, but I had no idea he was also a power user."

"Really?" Azel said. "You never could've guessed either?"

"So what made you decide to come see the fight?" Mead asked.

"Ya got me ta thank fer that one. I think I spent hours talkin' ta 'Dine last night about how I was gonna beat Azel's ass today! Not that that even happened though…"

"I had heard whispers of a new act springing up in Ruskol, and when Fen mentioned fighting a performer from there named Azel, that got me curious."

"Ta tell ya tha truth, she actually asked me if I didn't mean Hazel or somethin', just ta be sure!"

"Ugh, spirits damned Hazel again… I'm honestly surprised you never called me that."

"Yeah, well, Percy insisted, said ya'd get real bent outta shape if I did. Ah, shit, that's right! Percy, you've just been standin' there all quiet so far! Didn't ya want ta chat with 'Dine, too?"

"Ah, right." Percy said, stepping forward. "It's good to see you again, Nadine."

"It's good to see you too, love, and I apologize. We got so off track with how Azel and I know each other."

"Right, sorry about that…"

Percy chuckled. "It's all right, you two. To be fair, it is quite the coincidence. To think that Azel knew someone in Radiant Ring this whole time… So anyway, I take it things have been going well, considering that?"

"For the boutique, or with my act in the Ring?" Nadine laughed. "Both have been doing quite well, love. And I would imagine your work for the Marks has been going just as well?"

"It's been busy, to be sure. I've been splitting my time with them with time in the bar helping Azel work on his show. It really brings back some nice memories, to be honest."

"Well then, Azel, love. It seems you've been in good hands! Percy has always had a knack for putting performances together from his time with us, so it's good to know you've had him to help you along."

"Huh, I always just thought he just had a good eye for details, but… Yeah, that explains a lot."

"Wow, there's another big Percy Mystery solved! I didn't know you actually used to work with, it was Radiant Ring, right?"

"Yeah, that's right." Fen confirmed. "Y'know, like the halo ya get when ya use yer power."

"Radiant Ring… Sounds interesting… I think I'd like to know more." Azel said.

"Well, sit down an' listen! There's plenty more ta be told!"

Fen started going off talking about Radiant Ring and the types of performances the group staged. Nadine would occasionally add information or correct Fen's mistakes. Azel, Lucia, and Mead listened intently. After they had their fill of information, Percy got caught up with his old friends and exchanged stories with them. As the time passed and the meeting started wrapping up, Fen started up another conversation with Azel.

"So, Azel. Ya needed ta learn how ta use a sword fer yer next show, right?"

"Yeah, that's why I showed up here today."

"Well, ya earned tha right ta keep gettin' trained, so I'll be seein' ya tomorrow fer another round!"

"Oh, okay… I just hope I'll be able to keep up…"

"Hey, don't worry about it! I know I pretty much just beat on ya yesterday, but now I know yer serious. It'll be real trainin' headin' up to tha night of yer show, I promise.

"Geez, I wish you just did that before… Azel didn't deserve to be treated like that, you know!"

"Well, that's just the way Fen is, love. He tends to act like, well, to be blunt, like a bit of an asshole sometimes."

Mead paused. "Wait, you think so too? I've been trying to avoid saying that exact word about him this whole time!"

Fen sagged. "Ah, fuck, 'Dine, did ya really have ta go an' say that?"

"Well, it's true, love. You do have a way of pushing all the wrong buttons with people."

"Ugh, fuckin' damn it, yer right though…" Fen turned to Azel and Mead. "Look. Azel. I'm sorry about all tha shit I put ya through. Ya didn't deserve havin' ta put up with that."

"Well, when you put it that way… I think I can move on from a bad first meeting."

"Azel… You're really okay with this?" Mead looked at Azel, who simply nodded. She paused a moment before turning to Fen. "Well, if you're really sorry about it… As long as you give Azel the training he was expecting, I think I could manage to forgive you."

Fen extended his hand out to Azel. "Tell ya what. Let's shake on it. On, well, on whatever honor I've got in me, I swear it. No beatings, no bullshit, just real serious trainin'."

Azel took Fen's hand and the two shook. "Sounds good. So, I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

"Yeah, I'll be up there nice an' early! There's a whole lotta trainin' ya still need, an' I won't stop till ya know everythin' ya need to fer yer show!"

"Heh, well I guess it's a good thing you left the swords up in Ruskol, then. It'll be that much less of a struggle to get there." Percy said with a laugh.

"Oh, say, Azel," Nadine said, turning to him. "On the note of your show, love, I've been thinking. What would you say if I offered you a chance to join Radiant Ring?"

"To join… You're not serious, are you? I've only done two shows, I hardly have any real experience performing yet."

"Well, everyone has to start somewhere, you know. And even with as little experience as you're claiming to have, you were able to handle holding your own against Fen." Nadine pointed to a large data-scroll mounted on the wall, showing a fight going on in the arena pit. "I saw it all from here, love, and I have to say it was quite impressive!"

"I, well I just got lucky, really."

"Azel. Fuck's sake, just take tha compliment! 'Dine doesn't just hand those out fer free, y'know!"

"Just think of the possibilities! A wider audience for your shows, a network of other power users to help you out with specialized experience, and of course, being able to see their shows as well! And your friends here would also get those benefits, of course."

"Really?" Lucia asked. "That could be interesting. I wonder if they have any shows going on around Theophanies…"

"Yeah, we got a guy who does shows there. Last one I went ta see down there was some real good shit, too."

Mead grabbed Azel's hands and looked into his eyes. "I think you should do it, Azel! That all sounds great!"

"There's not really any downsides or expectations, either." Percy added. "You could still work on your show on your own time."

"Hm, it does sound pretty tempting… But I can't just accept like that."

"Tha fuck, Azel?"

"Hold on a moment, Fen." Nadine said. "I think he has more to say."

"Ah, thanks. I didn't say I'm turning you down. I just really want to feel like I earned it."

"Hey, come on man! Yer more than good enough! I think so, so does 'Dine!"

"But you've both only seen me in the one fight. I feel like if you want to have me as a performer, you should see my act for yourselves."

Nadine flashed Azel a warm smile. "There it is, love! Spoken like a true artist!"

"This Saturday night, at the Dry Vein. My next show's happening there, and I'd like you to see it. Just so you can know for sure whether you want me."

"I have to say, it's a good idea. Azel puts a lot of time into the show, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."

"Azel's right, just going off of what you saw in the fight doesn't do his act justice, really. It's something else entirely to see for real."

"You should go see it! Azel's shows have been great so far! Even the one I had to watch recorded was amazing!"

"Well, with alla those glowin' recommendations, how could I say no? Hell, I was plannin' ta come see it anyway, an' see how well ya learned what I taught ya!"

"Well, you've certainly got my interest, love. Count me in to see your show this weekend."

Azel beamed. "Thank you, I'll make sure you won't regret it!"

—

With a few goodbyes afterward, Nadine and Fen saw the group off. Azel spent the remainder of the week redoubling his efforts to make the coming show worthy of the performers he knew would be coming to see it. Occasionally, he would head to the Head to Tail boutique to talk with Nadine about show concepts as well as costume ideas for future performances.

Fen returned to the Dry Vein regularly over the span of the week to instruct Azel on swordplay techniques, thankfully keeping his word that the training would be serious. Mead and Percy continued working in the pub through the week as Azel practiced. Occasionally they would chat with him in the Mirage to offer comments and suggestions to help him work on the show. As for Lucia…

Lucia felt disconnected from it all. Being able to cheer Azel on during his fight had been the highlight of her week, and the monotony that reigned afterward started to make her think about her life. Sitting alone in her apartment the night before the show, Lucia mused on what motivated her continued existence.

She looked around at the books and portraits that once held the power to capture all her attention. History was a beautiful tapestry of stories. It had always fascinated her, it still did even now, and for the longest time it had been the sole object at the heart of her interests in life.

At least that was the case up until Azel had showed up in her life and invited her to share his first steps into a world of powers and performances.

Now, with his recent invitation to join Radiant Ring, Azel was moving forward, discovering new ground in his passion, with a wider group of people to associate with. People who, Lucia noted to herself, had very little to do with her and her interests. People like Azel, ones who used their powers.

Powers. The word alone echoed with conflicting concepts in Lucia's mind. From her youth, the term carried the weight of sin and vice. A deadly, terrible thing to be avoided at all costs.

But every one of her recent experiences with power users had been anything but that. Every power user she met carried themselves with an aura of greater fulfillment with their lives. Fen and Nadine had been skirting the law for a long time, possibly years, expressing their truest selves in the dark corners of Anduruna's most secret places. Even Azel, who had only been using his power in that way for a few weeks, had been looking more and more confident as he let his passion, the very flame of his soul burn in the darkness.

The three of them knew their powers, and used them to express themselves. And given that Radiant Ring apparently spanned all of Anduruna, there were likely many more out there who could feel that same expression of freedom, all because they knew their powers.

I've… I've never known what my power is… The thought occurred to her. What if knowing that feeling is what I'm missing?

Azel's show was tomorrow night. Fen and Nadine would both be there. If anyone could teach Lucia how to awaken her power, it would be one of them.

Tomorrow night, I have to ask them. I need to know if it's possible to learn how to use my power.

What began with only the faintest of sparks in the midst of a dull monotony soon became a flame of hope burning in Lucia's heart.