>>354933
>calm down anon, it's not that bad
>just go back to the tavern, sit down and watch some fights from a distance
>if any monsters start moving on you, just look unappealing and start talking about your Furaffinity account
>internally curse myself for shaving the neckbeard
>begin making my way back, try and avert my eyes from the crowd gathered in the open area
>suddenly hear a painfully cheerful from behind
>"Hey sweetie, you're going the wrong way!"
>oh no
>turn to face the speaker
>it's a wurm, the trademark stupid happy smile plastered across face
>a black t-shirt with SECURITY emblazoned across it
>try to explain to her that I'm going back to the tavern
>she laughs, an upbeat sound that would be fantastic to hear in almost any other situation
>leans down to me like she's talking to a child, tells me contestants are supposed to be in the arena area
>try again to explain…oh god why am I trying to explain things to a wurm
>she suddenly grabs me and throws me across her shoulder like a sack of potatoes
>realize instantly that no amount of protesting or hammering away with my fists is going to get through that skull or that hide
>can only watch as she carries me towards the mass of monsters and others that've formed a circle
>with a "have fun!" she tosses me in what I'm sure she considers a gentle fashion
>land entirely too hard, but most of the damage seems to be to my pride
>start to haul myself to my feet when my vision is obscured by a pair of thick, muscular and very green legs
>slowly bring myself to look up to their owner
>a leather kilt is the first to come into focus, just long enough to avoid being revealing
>followed by an open jacket lined with rough looking fur over a stained tanktop
>finally, my gaze ended up meeting the orc woman's eyes
>I would have loved to say they were small, beady and untrustworthy
>but in all honesty, brilliant and golden was a more apt description
>the orc's face broke out into smirk, somehow managing to make snaggleteeth look good
>oh god
>hasten to scramble to my feet, turn away while muttering out an apology and that I'll just be going thanks
>forestalled by a heavy hand with an iron grip landing on my shoulder
>oh god
>look back at her, trying my best to plead with my eyes
>the smirk only widens, then she takes a breath
>"OI BOOKIE"
>the nearby crowd parts like the sea, revealing a demon sitting at a cheap folding table covered in assorted paperwork
>with a look of amusement, she responds, her voice breaking through clearly despite the din
>"Mmmm, Burshka…you have a claim to make?"
>her lips and tongue over-accentuate their motion on every syllable, each movement somehow looking like a perverse oral act
>contrarily, 'Burshka's response comes out bluntly
>"I wont dis 'un"
>oh god
>picking up her pen, the bookie demon playfully asks "Opponent or Prize?"
>trying to decide which is worse, this orc can clearly beat my ass without a problem, but I know damn well what "Prize" means
>feel my blood turn completely to ice when Burshka responds:
>"Both"