[Tall Johnny's] Fixing is the problem (Mok)

[Bob Barton]

52nd day of Fall 511 AV

A brawl at the docks? Old news. No one in Tall Johnny's would actually care about it anyway. There is just no money to be made from it. Too many participants and no one could actually tell who is who. No one actually wins there either. Now in the cage there would be one winner and Bob knew who it was going to be today because his friend Mok would be fighting. No it is not going to be Mok who was going to win. Mok was going to lose and as Bob told him in the Crimson Edge camp "come to Tall Johnny's later and pick a fight with someone with worse odds against you. After that just throw the fight, but make sure its good." Mok might have something to say about his pride but Bob did not care because "we're going to get mizas and I'll split them with you." Hopefully that would convince the myrian. With that Bob made his move alone because "I'll try and prepare the crowd. Adjust the stakes in our favor. You come later. We don't want anyone finding out about the plan do we?" If they were lucky the might be able to get out of it only dead.

So once Bob was there he started looking through the day's fights. Finding a proper opponent for Mok to go up against. Since Mok did not sign up yet his name was nowhere in the list and Bob would not be able to compare the odds but he still would be able to find out about the rest of the fighters. In the end Bob chose some of the names with the most losses and started to scout them out for himself. The first one he looked for was a giant of a man and Bob dismissed him as soon as he laid eyes on him. He did not know or actually care why is it the man lost so much but what Bob knew was that comparing sizes alone as the people would normally do they were going to give a nice even estimate. Bad! Even worse than getting Cade because the man already somehow establish a reputation for himself. Mok on the other hand would be untested. Even against a loser he would be low enough for Bob to actually try getting a profit if the numbers were far enough apart.

The next one then. Bob moved quickly and thought that he found the perfect opponent for Mok. It was an average looking man and the stupid thing was that he was already drinking himself to a stupor. Everyone would think he is a loser already because that was what Bob was thinking of himself. Bob moved to one of the man's groupies and asked "why is he drinking so much. Is he that confident of winning?" Why yes, yes he was apparently. "Drunken fighting? What the petch is that?" It was the first time that Bob heard of a fighting style which actually became more potent the stronger they became. "Does everyone else know about this...style?" So they did... That is another name crossed out not because Bob actually believed that the man had a chance of winning. He knew the man would win if Mok fought him if the myrian followed his instructions but since everyone else knew about the nonsensical drunken style the reputation would make it seem like Mok had an equal chance of winning. Again, no good for Bob.

Bob went around scouting more fighters, all only capable of making him happy at another occasion until he found the one he was looking for. Someone in his right mind he would never bet on. "He's only good with a weapon? Then why is he grouped with the fist fighters?" Hearing the answer Bob actually burst out laughing. Who knew that there would actually be such a fool in Sunberth? In Syliras or maybe even Nyka he would have believed that someone would follow the philosophy that he would only get better by improving on his weaknesses but this was Sunberth! Everyone wanted to be known as strong so that no one would even dare to look at them wrong. Wiping the tear from his eye Bob agreed that "that would be an entertaining sight to see. I thought he was some sort of masochist before you described him." In for a whole world of hurt that one was but maybe today he would be given a false sense of security, Of hope. "Petch!" Bob told himself. Even if he was trying to manipulate events like that great man, he was turning out to become that horrible woman and he did not even need one of those glowy things to help him.

Who would actually care about depressing things like that when there are mizas to be made? Finding out his mark, Bob waited for Mok to come through those doors. To take the first steps of finally making himself known like that cousin of his. When Bob saw the myrian himself he did not even go to him. That would give himself up right away. He could not even spare more than a fleeting glance but that was all that was needed for him. Already Bob has been slowly building up djed into his eyes, collecting them little by little from what was flowing through all over him. It was only waiting for that one moment to be used. While turning his head his eyes locked with Mok's for a moment releasing the djed and giving his accomplice a verbal mental suggestion in his mind that "your opponent is a man named Welkin." Mok was one of those few people that Bob trusted in Sunberth since the midget relied on his protection at times which was why when he got back his memories he divulged a little bit of his abilities. He should know now what the message was for and who it was from.

[Mok]

Walking into the doors of Tall Johnny's, Mok made his way directly to Bob's location. Earlier that day, Bob had told Mok of an easy way to make a buck. All he had to do was throw a fight with the man of Bob's choosing and they would rake in the cash. As his scamming, gambling friend had explained, all Mok had to worry about was losing, everything else would be taken care of. Bob would scout ahead and figure out the best and most opportune time to strike.

The myrian loved the idea; taking a huge chance to come out with a grip of cash. Mok realized now for the first time ever that he actually liked gambling. Not with whimsical games of chance, but rather true gambling. Betting one's life for the sake of gold. Nothing else matter, but to win. This is why Mok liked Bob. He wasn't the biggest, baddest warrior in Sunberth, but he had balls of steel ready to lay everything down on the line in a heartbeat. The myrian had much to learn from his short friend and today would be his first lesson.

Moments after he entered the room, a voice in the back of his mind told him to fight a man named Welkins. It sounded like his own voice, but it was very strange. It was probally Bob's hypnosis. He had mentioned that is how he would communicate with him at the cages. No physically contact was to be had. All Mok could do was trust him.

The warrior walked towards the bookie and made a huge scene. He needed to show everyone that he meant business. Leaning over the man, Mok hid the fact he was illiterate and slammed his finger on the papers at some random spot, "I'll fight this bastard...Welkins is it... Bring it Welkins!"

This caused a scene. Some laughed and others cheered, but most ignored the myrian. At first the bookie began to mumble some nonsense, but it was quickly interrupted when Welkins himself appeared after hearing Mok's challenge. The two exchanged words.

Mok snarled deeply and spat on the floor. "I guess your Welkins huh?"

The man cracked his knuckles in response. His hands were rough and scarred from swordplay, but his knuckles were in pristine condition. Mok knew that this guy wasn't the real deal at all. He had no unarmed skills at all. Why would he throw himself into the lion's den? No matter, Mok was going to play this guy like a brand new fiddle. The myrian would smoke all the money from this casino.

"You little cunt. Go back to your mother's tit where you belong. The cage is no place for a baby such as yourself."

"Your one to speak, fool. I have never seen the likes of you. You've never fought in the cage. Don't pretend like you know what it is all about," Welkins then turned to the small crowd around them, "It is true that I have never fought in the fist matches, but I have been in the cage before!"

Mok paused for a moment then let out a roar of laughter, "You think just because you were locked in a cage that you have a chance? What do you know the technique of the fist? Bah! You no know nothing. Look at you!"

The myrian began to get excited. The savage's deep myrian accent only complimented his sarcastic voice. His eyes were aflame and his whole body was sweating. Mok had been pumping himself way too much for this. His whole body was shaking.

"Do you understand what it means to be beat to death," Mok continued, "I'll bury you alive Welkins and there is nothing you can do about it."

Red = Myrian
Bold = Common

[Bob Barton]

Unbelievable but then those two would not be cousins for nothing. Bob was starting to wonder whether that muscleheaded mentality was a family or racial trait for the both Mok and Cade but the idea of more of them was just a little bit too terrifying to pursue. On one hand, they were great allies to have but they were too unpredictable. Hopefully Mok would remember that he was supposed to lose and not allow that hotheaded of his to get the better of him and...win. Would it be too late to change his mind now? No, it was better to stick to the plan. Any confusion would end up with the both of them losing out on some mizas and that was the best that Bob could hope for.

The only question was how he was going to set the odds against Mok and make a bet against him? No one saw Bob the regular with Mok the newcomer before in Johnny's but what about outside? What if someone was able to connect the dots through another who has fought before that went by the name of Cade? Yes! That might be the answer. Friendships and alliances can turn sour pretty easily and in Sunberth the best you could hope for was that the strained relationship only made someone angry. Anger was something that Bob could use to ride his way to profit.

When Mok was done taunting, Bob answered for Welkin with a clear shout that "you should go back to hitting your scumbag cousin Cade because we all know you myrians can't even hit on women!" A joke that a lot of the patrons got as Bob heard the laughter that he did not know was quite close to the truth of the matriarchal society. Moving right at the two fighters with feigned anger seen from his tense body and stamping feet he started to poke Mok on the chest asking "didn't I say I never want to see your sorry hide again? And here you are in the place you know is my element?" Do you really want me to tell everyone about that?" There is no problem in keeping things vague with Mok. The only thing he wanted to get through is to the rest of the people in the casino is the suggestion that the myrian could not even hold his own against a midget.

That was until Bob tried to make Mok look better. A simple method of comparison in a non existent reputation for the untested fighter. Since Mok still did not seem to get it, Bob shoved him hard once, and even harder again asking with the most annoying smile on his face that "you can't do crap without your cousin can you?" As soon as he said that he turned a cheek and pointed to it because "I'll give you a free punch. Come on..." before gritting his teeth and forcing out "come on!" louder in anticipation of the coming blow. He could take it, he thinks and its only going to be one compared to what Mok would face.

Actually any signs of hostility would get Bob to back off shouting or whining that "I don't care how many of them you beat, they are just underlings. When she finds out that it was you, there will be hell to pay and you better remember that I hold your secret!" Saying that he took a look to his side and paused in front of Welkin as if he was hatching an idea that "you teach him a lesson for me" though the fighter would already be wanting to do that for himself. What would he get out of it? "Ten mizas if you straighten his ugly mug." A small price to pay just to do all that earlier. A punch and mizas to another should be good enough to make everyone else think that Bob was really against Mok.

He has done his part and went to take a seat to wait for one of the usual staff members to come to him. How much was he going to bet? As much as possible of course though that would really suspicious if he did so. Like a statement of his dissatisfaction, "I wish I could be the one in there beating him up instead..." as he rummaged through the coins in his pocket. "A hundred" he told the surprised staff before snarling it again because "I want to feel like he is getting what he deserves." That was like all his wages from the last season and "if you fine people would allow it I would even add an extra hundred on credit" he admitted with a shrug as if it was a joke. All it depended on now is how much Johnny would allow and how seriously they took Bob's words.

[Mok]

Bob made his move as soon as the myrian finished his words. Impeccable timing on Bob’s part. Right when the tension was high, he made his move on his prey. It was the gamblers instinct. The half-blood knew that any words coming for his friend's mouth would be words to help his cause. In the context of the situation Bob would use his words carefully with clues to help Mok act next.

The short gambler immediately insulted Mok and his cousin, making a joke out of their myrian heritage. Well played. Bob drew the eyes of the crowd on Mok. Although he was openly mocking the brawls man, Bob also planted the seed of corruption in everyone's mind. Anyone who knew truly knew Cade, knew that he was no one to petch with. His cousin would probably be no different. Also Bob now allied himself with Mok's opponent. Barton had essentially killed two birds with one stone.

Mok laughed at Bob's comment and responded in a way to showed he had no connection to Bob, "And who are you small man...Don't talk to me like you know me," Mok slapped Bob's hand away when he poked him in the chest, "Don't waste my time, tell them all you want, but your words mean nothing to me. If you want to step into the ring with me, I'll show you how we myrian bed a woman!"

Mok turned to the crowd for support, but Bob continued to poke at him, seemingly ignoring Mok's words. Bob even ordered for a punch. The myrian would oblige. It was all part of the plan right?

Swinging back around, Mok hit the kid hard. He didn't strike him as hard as he possibly could, but he did slam him good. The myrian took care to hit him on his upper check to reduce the chance of breaking his face. The strike connected and the warrior felt his bones crunch into his friends face. It was extremely weird for Mok to be hitting Bob, as Barton was a close friend. It had to be done though.

"Next time you’re going to have to ask me to stop instead," Mok responded and turned to the crowd, "I will beat anyone, including you!"

Bob staggered backward and whinnied at Mok's words. He claimed to enact some sort of revenge on the myrian. Skidding behind the opponent, Bob was ready to make his bet. The stage was lighted, the seeds planted, and game was on. Bob made his bet and slunk into the background nursing his wound.
The expert gambler's part was done. Now it was all up to the novice.

Mok wasted no time and took off his shirt. The barrel chested myrian was rippled with thick muscles and scars. He then proceeded to get psyched up. Hitting his head a few times, Mok broke the chains of restraint, "All right then, who here wants to see me dent this guy's head?"

The crowded roared with chatter. The betting began like wildfire. The match between Mok and Welkins would be the highlight of the afternoon. It would probably be the most exciting fight before the main fights came on at night.

Mok made his way to the side of the pit and began to warm up as the betting started. Working up a sweat, beating his chest, and getting ready to punish his opponent was all he could do now to get everyone betting on him? By Mok's standards he figured he was doing a good job. He was just being natural, trying to ramp up himself and the crowd.

~~~

Finally the fight was commenced to begin. Entering Tall Johnny’s pit for the first time in his life, Mok had butterflies. It was an exciting feeling. All eyes were on him now. Every action Mok did would be watched closely. He was on a lighted stage. The myrian was ready to put on a show for his guests. This was it! This was prime time!

Barebacked and pale, Welkins made his way into the pit opposite of Mok. The hard stone on the floor was the only thing standing between him and his opponent now.

Before Mok knew it round one began. Awed and dazed at the lights and the crowd Mok hesitated and Welkins got the first move on the myrian. A simple right jab was all the Welkin's had to offer. The warrior saw right away that this guy had no clue what he was doing. Of course the man had seen some brawls in his life, but he had no technique or form. Plus he stood like he was holding a damn sword.

The myrian side stepped dodging the strike and immediately went into his fighting stance. Moving his arms up and down constantly Mok could send a punch or a kick from any angle. Keeping his chin down and always having an arm ready to block, Mok began to dance with Welkins. Taking it easy at first, the unarms man let the guy throw a few punches. Mok blocked all but one letting his land a strike on his chin.

The crowd started to boo at Mok. He was just standing there eating punches and not fight back. He needed a plan quick. He needed to put on a show in the first round. It was the only way to make the fight believable to the crowd.

Mok then decided the feed the man an upper cut with his left hand. The man responded by aiming a punch at his face. Mok took the hit, even though he could have probably done something to soften the blow. Another punch and another. Mok circled the man throwing jabs and kicked and receiving everything the man gave him. Mok brawled rather than fight him normally. He needed to make the crowd think this was an even fight.

On and on they exchanged blows. Although Welkins had no fist fighting experience he was a tough man and he could take some beatings.

The bell rang. Round one was over. Walking back to his corner, Mok sat on the floor and began to regain his breath. Everyone around him was talking about the fight. It was strange to Mok to be criticized and commented on. During the fight he had nothing, he mind completely focused on the task. But now he was wide awake to his surroundings.

Slowly catching his breath, Mok waited for Bob to give him some sort of sign. He was hoping his comrade would hint to him whether or not he was doing good.

Red = Myrian
Bold = Common

[Bob Barton]

That hurt a lot especially with that hard punch. There are better ways to make a disagreement look convincing without doing something that would mark him for a day and that was only the physical bit. That comeback that Mok made was a lot worse since Bob was going to have to put up with it for the rest of the season but he would have the last laugh. Laughing all the way back home with a pocketful of mizas when he was done with this and the only way he was getting himself to continue was by reminding himself that the better the show was the more convincing it would be. Too bad the more convincing ones would mean that Bob would have to take a few blows himself even when he did not need to step into the cage.

It did its job convincing some people because even when Bob was rubbing his cheek and watching Mok enter enter the cage, the man beside him spoke up. The pain was not enough to distract Bob from the other's false concern for him and all those suggestions of revenge that Bob would take if he was really at odds with his partner. When all was said and done, Bob put his hand down asking "what is it you want? Because I'm only here to enjoy myself." The man really knew what he was doing. Thinking that Bob was really in a rage he started telling him how right it would be to see Mok getting petched up in the fight and profiting from it, pointing out the wager that Bob made on credit as well. Just how long has this man been listening in on him and how much did he know when Bob asserted that "no one is stupid enough to bring so much with them in Sunberth" in case what he was looking for is mizas.

Of course Bob knew what he was looking for. What else is there in a casino? Well mizas were not the only things of value and a few more pricey words for the midgets's rather humongous greed hooked him. "Well, if I have no mizas how about an alternative?" Taking out the very exotic looking dagger like weapon he carried around with him a lot nowadays he asked "how does this look to you? Won it off an akalak" right after he lost his life in the streets. "I wouldn't mind giving it to you as proof that I owe you a bit..." and after snatching it from beyond the man's reach Bob assured "only after you win of course." And what were they playing at? "That disgusting barbarian wins and you get..." how much? Bob tapped his chin acting as though he was deciding on something to test the man's patience right until he suggested a sum of his own. Let no one say that Bob forced anyone else into a bet in Tall Johnny's tonight.

"That sounds acceptable" and was sealed with a handshake. If Mok did not find out about this then Bob would be happy and if the myrian did, Bob will be less happy but happy nonetheless. Done with his side, Bob went to the main and watched how Mok was doing especially with the crowd booing like that. Mok was told to throw the fight convincingly at the start if Bob remembered properly and boos do not sound good with that idea in mind. Right until the bell rang Bob could not tell if he brought the right man in for the job seeing how well Mok was fighting. He looked at Mok's corner seeing the myrian looked well off and then to Welkin who looked a little exhausted before looking at Mok again comparing the two. Why was Mok looking at him like that if they were not supposed to be friends? With the statement from beside him with the other man he made that bet with, Bob slapped his palm to his face because he was right. If Mok keeps this up, Bob loses.

Bob knew it, the man knew it but did Mok know it? Even the man on his other side wanted to get in on the action but "no way!" If Bob took too many bets now he had a lot to lose if the plan went bad. People might also be suspicious of his confidence in taking in too much. There is a lot of difference between anger and confidence when there is mizas on the line. "We can do it next time" since everyone knows that Tall Johnny's was the only fun place in Sunberth.