"No extra wishes today.", the enforcer said as he pushed the trays with food into the cell. "Warmest wishes from the sheriff. He'd love to get an answer soon."

With narrowed eyes you snatched one of the trays and checked the food.

"Poisoned?", Vi asked, squatting next to you while hunger shimmered in the blue of her eyes.

"Only one way to find out.", you shoved a bite into your mouth.

She hadn't eaten in a while, mostly because you had been busy fighting for your life. And with each other. But now that things settled down, more or less, it was obvious that she was starving.

Prison food was no delicacy but when there was nothing else to eat it was almost like a three star meal. Mushy rice and over cooked vegetables mingled inside your mouth.

It was unseasoned, not even salt could be tasted. But it was the first bite you've had in a day or two so it was just the right thing.

"Soooo?", Vi looked at you with big eyes.

You swallowed the bite. Very unseasoned food. So unseasoned, you could still taste the water in which it had been cooked.

"Not good.", you said and wiped the corner of your mouth with the back of your hand. "But also not poisoned."

"Sounds good enough to me.", with a grin she grabbed the other tray and shoved a spoonful of everything into her mouth.

She wasn't the cleanest eater and you would have lied if you had said otherwise. But there was something strangely adoring about her, the way she shoved food into her as if it were the last time she'd ever get the chance to.

With a soft smile on your lips you ate your portion as well. It wasn't large, just enough to feed a person for long enough before they would go hungry again.

That was also a tactic of the prison. They starved their prisoners for them to get desperate. Most people who had to fight in the arena would just waste their favours on food, larger portions or something that wouldn't go bad too soon like dried goods and nuts.

But the ones smart enough and willing to hunger were able to get good deals out of the arena. You, for example had managed to bargain for a decent life in the cells. Most froze to death once winter came, you had blankets and pillows.

But it had been hard sacrifices. Your mind had started to banish the memories of hungry nights and pains beyond compare. But your body remembered and every now and then it would remind you as well.

"Hope you're in a good mood today.", a female voice suddenly sounded from behind you.

Torn from your thoughts you threw a bored glance over your shoulder. It was the female enforcer who had introduced herself as Eloise. She didn't wear her mask this time, but most of her features were hidden underneath the large helmet of her uniform.

With a sour smile she nodded, as to take note of your presence and then turned to look at Vi. The scarlet haired woman pulled a face in response.

Baring her teeth, she let out a low growl to signalise how little pleased she was to see the other woman. Ignoring the little feud, you took another bite.

"If you're here on the sheriffs behalf...", you cut yourself off as you noticed Eloise frown in confusion. "Forget about it."

With a shrug, she took the answer and returned to the original reason why she was here in the first place.

"You're up today.", she said to Vi. "Eat up. We will get you in a moment."

Your eyes narrowed. She was about to leave but you got up before she was out of hearing range.

"We fought two times in a row already.", you called after her. "It's time for a break."

Eloise stopped dead in her tracks. For a second you thought she would just ignore you and move on but as she threw a glance back over her shoulder there was a strange look in her eyes.

Almost like excitement. Or hateful happiness.

You could have sworn there was also a glimmer of money visible in that expression. As if someone had paid her a good amount to make this fight happen.

"I don't make the rules.", she simply shrugged. "You wanna volunteer?"

Something in the back of your neck tingled. It felt like this was not your fight to take. This was Vi's cross to bear and for some reason she felt the same way.

"I'll be fine.", she said in between bites. "My hands are just a little sore."

"Don't worry about that.", Eloise reached into the back of her pocket and pulled out something that you couldn't identify quick enough.

With a grin she tossed it through the bars of the cell. Out of surprise you jumped back only to realise that she had given Vi an opportunity.

"Gloves?", you asked, one eyebrow raised at the sight of brown leather, engraved with a blue symbol that you could not identify.

"Present from a sponsor.", the enforcer said. "They send their regards. And hope you'll put these to good use."

With these words she turned around again and left. The two of you remained silent until the was completely gone before exchanging a glance full of worry and scepticism.

"You know these sponsors by any chance?", Vi asked after a moment of tense silence.

You kneeled down to grab the gloves.

"They don't plaster their names on everything, unfortunately. Not made for boxing.", you noted. "But strangely heavy..."

You turned each one in your grip. Small threads were connected to the fingers. They looked like something a researcher would wear. Not the ones from the Undercity but prim and proper engineers from the academy.

"I wouldn't risk it if I were you.", you handed her the gloves, a strange feeling of discomfort growing inside your stomach.

She accepted them without a word but examined them once more as well.

"Don't recognise the emblem.", she noted.

You shrugged.

"Probably someone wealthy with an interest in violence. As always."

"Hm... maybe."