When Radasus Nailo was called for his next match with the spider-boy Collith, the canine kobold's will to continue with the Tournament was nonexistent. That was until he saw Tik Tik staring at him with expectation.
From the look in those eyes, the doggy kobold made a harrowing battle cry, rushing towards the spider boy and slicing at the opponent's frilly dress. How he would best such a being in sexual competition, Radasus didn't know. He worked his best to keep Collith away from him, swiping and cutting and clawing any shot of silk that came from Collith's body.
Even when Collith climbed his way onto the rafters, Radasus was undeterred. The warrior waited for the opportune moment to strike when the cowardly creature would come down.
Collith shot another string at Radasus, and Radasus stepped out of the way, only to feel his paw stick to the ground.
That was the moment that he was defeated.
Soon enough, the spider boy fired another blast of silk and then another, disarming the kobold. The silk covered up his visor, binding him, armor and all, into a cocoon that was neither tight around him nor cozy. Instead, he fell to a lump, unable to continue his match.
"Winner is Collith!" Tik Tik's voice rang out, the dogbold's uncovered ears could hear those words and the ring of… what was that? Excitement? Interest? That came from it.
And so, Radasus Nailo, brave fighter of his kobold tribe and newcomer to this strange land of Anteronia, lost.
---
Tik Tik's bright blue eyes and her happiness are infectious, indeed. As he took the punishment of the goblin alchemist's many clones, tied up in a fight that was not a fight but a demonstration, he tuned out all the other eyes but hers.
It was then that the doggy kobold fell in love.
His next match went on like a blur, defeating his opponent while more in his own wheelhouse. The challenger had been more interested in testing blades with the fighter, so Radasus indulged him. His desire to mix martial combat with self-gratification led Radasus to victory. He was a worthy opponent for the time.
However, it didn't really matter because Tik Tik wasn't there.
He had observed the match between Andromeda and Zelbia, and Radasus recognized the fear and disgust in the eyes of his lady—that total defeat that came from regret. He knew not the past Tik Tik had with the demon, but the sight before him made him resolve to push ahead—to see her happy once more.
And yet, she was nowhere to be seen among the commentators for his battle. He can only hope that he would meet her again, and soon, for the mysterious herald has become reclusive, locking herself away.
He doesn't want to pry, no matter how much he wants to let her know that he would be there for her. So, the canine kobold keeps his distance and waits for the right opportunity.
It seems the gods who organized this competition saw his desires and resolved to make them come true, for his third bout was to be against her! To meet Tik Tik face-to-face is something Radasus would never dream of, yet the gods seem to smile—or rather laugh—at him.
The Tik Tik that he met at the arena wears her cloak over herself. Her eyes are sullen and shadowed. The dark usually does well for kobolds, but he can only see a darkness in her gaze that is much deeper than any cavern. He doesn't realize just how much he can be lost in such a gaze before he kneels before her. He bows his head and proclaims his desire to aid her. He declares his willingness to resign from the Tournament of Pleasure and be there for her however she needed him.
To that, she just sneers and leaves, leaving him with a shocked crowd too stunned to respond.
"Such a humiliation," he says, "Such a waste. Why?"
"Maybe for a chance to see me again?"
Radasus drops his silk-stained helmet and stands up. The dogbold wears his leggings, but he feels naked before the beauty that stands before him.
Tik Tik lowers her hood, scanning over the creature before her, and she nods. "So, Radasus Nailo," she speaks fluently in the tongue of the kobolds. "You've lost the Tournament of Pleasure, but not for lack of trying. That was a good match that you had out there. But you were still distracted. Still are, by the looks of things."
Radasus whimpers a questioning whine, but Tik Tik holds up her tail, pointing to him.
It isn't until then that Radasus hears the rhythmic thumping, and he reached behind himself, stopping and silencing the offending tail from its constant wagging. “O… oh, sorry, Miss Tik Tik.”
"You really hurt my feelings in our match, Sir Nailo," she says, folding her arms over her chest. "I was looking forward to seeing just what I could get away with during it, and I wanted to learn just what you liked and what it meant to be a doggy kobold."
He lowers his gaze. "I… I'm sorry. I was wrong, but you looked so sad and-"
"No more of this." She responds, holding up a hand in a commanding gesture. "You want to help me? I think I have an idea for how you can do just that."
Radasus's pride bruises with Tik Tik's snapping. Instinctively, he wants to bare his teeth and challenge her. He grips at his knees, biting back the vanity that will ultimately serve to only make her more upset with him.
After a few moments of tense silence, Tik Tik speaks up. "I need some way to vent, Sir Nailo." She taps her fingers at her seat. "And you will be the perfect kobold to satisfy my curiosity and my frustration."
"If you think I will let you abuse me--"
She snaps her finger, muttering a magic word.
Radasus yelps, his snout shutting, unable to open. He reaches up to feel his mouth, to use his fingers to pry his lips apart, but the magic is too strong.
Tik Tik narrows her eyes. "Now, tell me, Sir Nailo, do you hate what I've done to you? Have I abused my power over you? Do you despise me for silencing your yapping?"
Radasus blinks, turning his gaze to match hers. He pulls his hands away, his shoulders relaxing, and he shakes his head.