Horatio, as his persona had already taken over, was sitting at a bench at the silver moon inn. With it's garden being temporarily transformed to what appeared to be a make-shift arena. Wooden boards had been erected to designate an area, and benches had been moved to resemble stands. Hell, Horatio even made sure the Inn provided someone going around with snacks. After all, everyone should be capable of witnessing what happens when you defy the self proclaimed yet universally acknowledged ace of the universe. The day was already in full swing with the sun at it's highest point and with the sun raining down it's light upon the few poofy white clouds up in the sky. Ideal circumstances for a spar such as this.
Hell, Horatio even seemed to have trouble remembering how this all started. There were some new members to the guild, and he may or may not have insulted one of them, or their stupid flying cat. How pretentious of them to think such a creature could be above the likes of dug the actual duck, the replacement of dug the rubber duck. How he gained a real duck? Now that's a story for another time. In any case, they certainly weren't fond of such remarks, and after some quick boasting of Horatio truly the fight was on. Horatio was in his usual fancy dandy attire, he even intended to keep wearing his black limited edition collectible Horatio the grand mage top hat. Grabbing his cane and swinging it around he inspected his surroundings thoughtful. Of course the mage of trickery had some cards up his sleeve, but he couldn't help but secretly wonder how cards were going to help him in this situation. Oh well, who knew.
Horatio was sitting on a bench on the opposite side of his opponent. The wooden boards actually obstructed the view of each other, and until the referee gave the signal they actually weren't allowed to enter. After all, this was guild affairs, so someone from the silver moon inn was appointed a referee, someone who knew first aid and was sure to keep them from actually harming each other in ways that would have a lasting effect. Looking down at his feet Horatio had a slight moment of self realization. He was trying to focus on his surroundings, and on himself. Within he could feel his voice of reason, Strange, saying this was a bad idea but there was no turning back now. It was going to happen. As he slowly faded away that very voice he began to slowly come to witness of every detail in his surroundings. Though Horatio himself was sure it was his magical power, Strange knew it were the skills he had honed over many lonely nights, over every moment there was nobody looking at him. They were what made him capable of wearing the black Rose tattoo, the skills that made him a master con artist above all. What he lacked in magical potential, he made up for in wits, speed and sleight of hand. That was his way, and that was how he would proceed.
As he heard the leafs of the trees rustle as the wind passed by, as he heard the buzzing of the bees and the songs sang by the many birds, it became clear. He was ready and prepared to show once and for all why he had claimed the title 'ace of the universe', and why people were to take it seriously. As the referee looked to his side and to his opponents, she signaled with a brief raising of her right hand they were allowed to enter. Both boards were temporarily lowered, and Horatio entered the makeshift arena with what seemed to be a rather casual walk as he stared towards his would be opponent, hoping that his opponent wouldn't chicken out or be too struck with fear to fight.
Hell, Horatio even seemed to have trouble remembering how this all started. There were some new members to the guild, and he may or may not have insulted one of them, or their stupid flying cat. How pretentious of them to think such a creature could be above the likes of dug the actual duck, the replacement of dug the rubber duck. How he gained a real duck? Now that's a story for another time. In any case, they certainly weren't fond of such remarks, and after some quick boasting of Horatio truly the fight was on. Horatio was in his usual fancy dandy attire, he even intended to keep wearing his black limited edition collectible Horatio the grand mage top hat. Grabbing his cane and swinging it around he inspected his surroundings thoughtful. Of course the mage of trickery had some cards up his sleeve, but he couldn't help but secretly wonder how cards were going to help him in this situation. Oh well, who knew.
Horatio was sitting on a bench on the opposite side of his opponent. The wooden boards actually obstructed the view of each other, and until the referee gave the signal they actually weren't allowed to enter. After all, this was guild affairs, so someone from the silver moon inn was appointed a referee, someone who knew first aid and was sure to keep them from actually harming each other in ways that would have a lasting effect. Looking down at his feet Horatio had a slight moment of self realization. He was trying to focus on his surroundings, and on himself. Within he could feel his voice of reason, Strange, saying this was a bad idea but there was no turning back now. It was going to happen. As he slowly faded away that very voice he began to slowly come to witness of every detail in his surroundings. Though Horatio himself was sure it was his magical power, Strange knew it were the skills he had honed over many lonely nights, over every moment there was nobody looking at him. They were what made him capable of wearing the black Rose tattoo, the skills that made him a master con artist above all. What he lacked in magical potential, he made up for in wits, speed and sleight of hand. That was his way, and that was how he would proceed.
As he heard the leafs of the trees rustle as the wind passed by, as he heard the buzzing of the bees and the songs sang by the many birds, it became clear. He was ready and prepared to show once and for all why he had claimed the title 'ace of the universe', and why people were to take it seriously. As the referee looked to his side and to his opponents, she signaled with a brief raising of her right hand they were allowed to enter. Both boards were temporarily lowered, and Horatio entered the makeshift arena with what seemed to be a rather casual walk as he stared towards his would be opponent, hoping that his opponent wouldn't chicken out or be too struck with fear to fight.