Monster Wrangler

Due to the rain, the awards ceremony has been moved indoors, to the AMBA Tournament HQ. AMBA workers escort everyone into a large area most reminiscent of a closed arena, albeit one that's somewhat smaller than the outdoors arena where all the fighting had taken place.

"First off, let me just say that I'm pleased we had a good tournament with lots of exciting fights. One of AMBA's most important objectives is to help people and monsters develop the bond that lets them exist together peacefully, and allowing monsters to channel their aggression into battles against each other is an important part of that. I hope that you've all learned something about your companions - and, perhaps, yourselves - over the past few days."

Fiadh had been told she had to be here, so here she was. Riki was nearby, and keeping the area around where he was extremely warm. There was also an extra creature that seemed to be following Fiadh around now, a large glowy Jinglot, standing right behind the girl.

Ashley was there in the crowd. She whispered, "No Mr. Wiggles, I don't think she sent the Jingolot. I think she got it after the others defeated it." Mr. Wiggles still seemed suspicious that the two monsters that put the hurt on him were apparently together. They're just lucky that doing something about would take like time and energy and probably not riding around in his carriage. And yeah, he's not doing that. Besides, if they are coming for him, they will try again. And he will be ready for them. Not that he was going to prepare or anything. But it sounded better when he told himself that.

Miss Sparkles, coming from the wild, took almost being killed yesterday much more in stride.

Calico had really put effort into getting presentable- her least-threadbare shirt-dress (the yellow one), a pair of sandals not as worn out as her sneakers, careful efforts with her hair.

She still didn't exactly look like a stereotypical champion, although Orlok, perched on her back, had his wings spread wide to give her a bit more pizzazz.

Ohboy.

There was also the matter of the interview following the ceremony, and that... might get awkward.

"And what are you planning to do with your winnings?"

"Well Jason, I figured I'd pay off my bookie so I stop getting visited by scary men with arms as big as my waist...."

Mara was there, Blitz standing on the rail of the arena, waiting for the cue that it was acceptable to go running to Orlok. Mara had attended the tournament as an Spectator and became support for the champion.

Felix was at the ceremony as well he had a lot of respect for both the winners and considered Calico at the very least a friend. Suramu was at at his side as usual looking about the space at all the people and their monsters.

Carl Heinrich and Killbot Rex were there to cheer on the winners, despite their loss to Calico and Orlok - or, perhaps, because of it! Certainly the tournament had provided the boy engineer a lot of useful data on the surprising effectiveness of Psychic combat. It would trigger weeks of tactical analysis for Carl Heinrich once he got home.

Also there was Milo, Diva and... another Jinglot. Much, much like the one Fiadh had. It was weird.

Anyhow, Milo listened to Dale's speech quietly and thoughtfully.

Ari sat near Milo. Llyan sat on her lap. Loll stood beside them, staring intently at the space directly to the right. And, Jeff hovered above Loll, trying to figure out what he was staring at.

"In first place for the tournament, we have Calico Carter and her Saturnadus, Orlok. As a reward for your excellent performance, you are awarded this rare egg and a purse of 200 onz!" Dale holds the egg and stack of bills out to her as photographers get into place to snap pictures of the victor and her monster.

"Woo-hoo! way to go Calico!" Came the loud shout of support from among the crowd as Felix joined in on the applause at the announcement of the winner.

Calico made a point of taking the egg first, holding it carefully in her left hand as she shook Dale's hand with her right.

Then she took the cash (easy come, easy go!), as Orlok spread his wings wide behind her, presumably to put on his best appearance for all of the attention.

It had been a while since she'd been photographed like this, but it didn't seem to bother her much.

A loud roar emitted from the crowd as Orlok spread his wings.

"Well done Calico!" Milo calls out enthusiastically.

"And in second place, we have Fiadh and her Maguana, Riki. As a reward, you are awarded this rare egg and a purse of 50 onz!" Dale holds the egg and bills out to her as the photographers turn their cameras in her direction.

Ashley cheers for Calico enthusiastically. She cheers for Faidh, if not as enthusiastically.

Mara cheered for Fiadh too. I feel a bit bad for Fiadh. I wish there is was a way to help her out.

The cameras turning round to Fiadh and Riki made the girl step back. The dragon however stepped forward and roared threateningly at them, moving more in front of Fiadh at the same time.

Calico quietly facepalmed.

'Good work, Fiadh! You did it!' Mara continued to offer encouragement from the crowd, still seeing her as a young monster in need.