Description: A simple interview with Antoine, in which the young man makes a startling request of Ken!
The cameras are rolling, and the stadium is alive with reporters, and different members of the Neo League staff. Where people would normally fight within the arena itself, a pair of chairs have been situated with the owner of it all sitting within them. While they aren't broadcasting just yet, a young makeup artist is gently applying some last minute powder to Ken's face, making sure that the camera's pick him up perfectly. He adjusts his tie, nodding towards the makeup artist as one of the cameramen starts giving him a cue.
The broadcast is now live, and the cameraman has finished his countdown. Behind the primary camera, a teleprompter is situated, making this a bit easier for Ken. "Thank you for tuning into this special broadcast for the Lightning Week Road to the Championship of the Neo League. For those of you who may be new to us, I'm Ken Masters, Owner and Chairman of the Neo League. Today, I'll be conducting interviews with different members of our league, to truly find out just what they would like for becoming this sessions reigning Neo League Champion. My first interview today will be with Antoine Huang, a recent and very welcome addition to the Neo League Roster."
While the cameras have not actually begun recording, Antoine is finding himself in an awkward position. There are a ton of people about, mostly reporters. All of the cameras are pointed at him and the glitzy atmosphere seems a bit offputting. While the duffelbag rests besides Antoine, he turns to face the older man.
As the cue is made and the broadcast occurs, Antoine is trying not to look like a deer in the headlights. As Ken speaks about him briefly, Antoine finally exhales a sigh, then he relaxes. A faint smile draws on his face and he bows his head, "Hello, thank you for having me here."
"So Antoine, tell us a little about yourself. Where were you born, what was life like as a small child. You're a fresh breath of air to the Neo League, and I know for a fact, that like our audience, I'm quite interested in hearing these kinds of things." The way the words roll from Ken's mouth, it'd make one believe that he's truly gotten down the showman aspect of running a fighting league down, except for the fact that some of the staff are looking rather confused, staring at the teleprompter, completely bewildered as to just why in the world the owner is ignoring it entirely.
As Ken asks Antoine about him, the young adult looks over towards Kn, then back to the camera, and then back to Ken. "...I grew up out in Compton, California. I lived in a house with a group of children. Don't remember who my parents were. I got mixed up in bad things, but... a man found me nearly dead. I would had been dead if it wasn't for him. I woke up in a ship, thinking that I was getting taken to the Underworld by Charon." He laughs thoughtfully.
"Instead, I was taken to a temple in China. I spent the eight years trying to fit in with the others. Language barrier was an issue, changing old habits was an issue. Despite all of that... I wanted to give up." A faint smile grows. "Then a good friend, no, my best friend gave me the best advice: Climb. ...To this day, I owe him for helping me get the will to climb. The sifu there grew to be someone that I could finally call father." His expression hardens, shaking his head, "After he passed away, my best friend and I set off on our own. He went to college to become an actor while I traveled the world for a bit to learn of the cultures and of other fighters, as well as upkeeping the traditions of Chongquan."
A slight smile grows on Ken's face as Antoine tells his story, causing the man to nod his head slightly. "Reminds me a lot of a good friend of mine. Well Antoine, you have a lot of work ahead of you if you wish to claim the championship prize, but it's still up for grabs. If you were to win, what would you ask of me to grant as a proper prize for you?" He grins slightly towards Antoine, motioning for him to speak up. "Don't be afraid. Someone once told me that its 'Do or Die' in our world, and I fully intend to live by that motto for as long as I can."
A glance is given towards Ken, nodding a moment. "Your friend?" He is about to ask what was his friend like, but... Antoine figures that he can wait until after the meeting to ask about his friend. However, while Ken explains about the tournament, Antoine offers a smile and he nods his head.
"I would ask for a challenge." The nomadic fighter offers a smile, "As a fighter, I always like seeing the styles of other fighters. You can tell a lot about a person from the way that they fight. ...The livelihood tends to be based off of it for some. There is a connection with the other person when you are in a match. ...You can also tell when there is something wrong."
He smiles towards Ken, "The proper prize that I would ask is a match against you."
This comes as a bit of a surprise to Ken, who can only grin brightly at the younger man, nodding his head empathically. "A worthy aspiration and goal, and a prize I can surely grant. Move towards the championship, and claim your prize." He climbs up from the chair, loosening his tie slightly and holding his hand out towards Antoine. "Strive for it, and I will be waiting there to deliver what you asked for."
Fame? Fortune? Many fighters seek those things. Many of the ambitions for the fighters rely on many things. For Antoine, however, it is the goal of fighting those that are strong. After all, he must learn from life's lessons.
As Ken responds to the youth's ambitions with a grin, there is that empathy that can be felt. "Thank you." Antoine smiles, "I will do my best to get to the champion. As my best friend told me... I have to climb." He stands up from the chair along with Ken. The hand extends out to grab and shake Ken's hand, "And climb I shall."
Log created on 22:58:42 01/10/2011 by Ken, and last modified on 23:58:23 01/10/2011.