[Worm]

Tennan grinned, pulling back her huff of Anisum to take a drag for herself. After a shudder and sniffle, she responded. "Smart Captain. Part of the Hangman's Cry aren't you?" Her mind was sharpened once more, focusing on her prize. The room around her buzzed in intense waves. "The posters didn't say, but y'all are looking for a wanted man. I assume you've gotta be pirates - with your accent and all." She waved her hands over them, talking with her hands. It was better to play dumb so she didn't alert them. After all, they were probably right about Marco and it'd be better to get some other eyes on the prize. Since she literally had none.

"Always wanted to ride on a ship as a passenger instead of a bounty." She grinned, wondering how hard it would be to befriend and kill these guys. They were erratic and energized. Hell, they might even be a fun ride. She adjusted her dress, pulling up the top to fit her large bosom. "You think I could hitch a ride to the next star system? I'm willing to uh- pay a price." She grinned seductively. With a pulse from her mental space, it might be hard to resist her persuasion. However, her real intent was to get the bounty together, agree to split the booty and kill the twins, so she'd end up getting triple the bounty. Hopefully she could kill them both before actually reaching their ship. After all, she wasn't sure what to expect from their Captain.

She wondered if they knew about her identity. After all, she wasn't wanted yet. Unlike her twin counterparts, she lived stealthily and under the radar. None of her murders were pinned to her. Especially because many of them were already wanted criminals. "I mean, its always good to have an extra set of hands, right?" She giggled, flipping a long braid from her shoulder to her back.

---

The competition was beginning. It started with blasts much like fireworks, all of the competitors lined up on terraced podiums. "Ladies, Gentlemen, and everyone in between - welcome to the Gunslinger's Hot Shot Competition!" Cheers roared throughout the ocean of an audience. From where Ino was standing, the audience was a blur. And this was partially because he was anxious and angry. Marco was no where to be found. His position on the central podium was left empty.

"We're happy to introduce our long time champion, Mister Marco Devana!" Cheers and whistles rolled through the stadium. A spotlight hit the empty podium and the cheers turned to gasps and silence. "Al-right folks.. It seems the champion has - has not made his position yet." The reptile spokesman pulled out a cloth from his shirt pocket and wiped his forehead anxiously. "Heh. But uhm, let us find a-a new champion tonight!" The gameshow music began, audience perplexed in the background. "Introducing-" Cue drumroll. "Miss Violet McMetter, The Wonderful Jax Wisp, Mister Quin Ngyuen, The Fabulous Sinder Waspet, Mister Ino Ysh and Miss Valya Zrtyag! He cleared his throat, hoping that he pronounced all the names correctly. The cheers returned, almost forgetting the missing champion. Targets began to rise in the background. The targets were of course, living. This was how Ariacan cleaned out its prisons.

Five people in restraints lifted from the ground, sealed to the ground. "And now, let's find our newest Hot Shot Champion!" On the various screens bidding odds were displayed. Ino, being a newcomer had very high odds. Marco Devana was still listed. Ino wondered if Quash was okay in his cage backstage. Little did he know that the lizard had escaped.