((OOC: I think it's time for a little lightheartedness! The emoness of this site is gettin to me...))

Zerozaki walked into the air of excitement. Children were singing; women were decorating. The men had set up an enormous stage, filling every corner of it with strange drums, horns, and stringed instruments. The younger boys were carrying large cut slabs of slate, creating a large circle in the middle of the town square. Everywhere Zero turned he found another smiling face. Wow, I gotta find out what is happening in Estolad today... He met an elder and questioned him of the 'big affair.'

"Well, young man, today is Estolad's annual Ballo Ballo Competition." Zerozaki, slightly confused, took two steps back and guarded his 'Ballo Ballos.' The elder cackled. "In common tounge, a dance competition! People from all over Arda have come do dance and show praise to the Goddesses Liara, Ita, and Lothlómendil for saving us from utter destruction!" Zerozaki spat. "C'mon! They come from the corners of the world just to show respect?" The old man cackled again, making Zerozaki raise his low guard again. "That, and a big bag of gold." Zerozaki's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Where's the sign-up sheet, old guy?" He cackled and pointed to the large oaken box near the stage.

Zerozaki looked at the list. He wrote his name and scanned his up and comming opponents. "Slazbad from Erredor? Suu Suu from the Western Ocean? Sounds like pirates more than it does dancers." He threw the pencil on the box and trotted over to the old guy. "Ok, I'm in. Anything else I gotta do to win that bag of gold?" The old man started to cackle. By now, it had become one of the most annoying noise on the face of the planet. Man, if you don't stop laughin, old cooter, I'll knock out the remaining three teeth you got... He old guy scooted over to te box and looked at the names. "You, my boy, are entry number 67. That means the next competitor to sign up will come before you. And by the looks of it you better be a good dancer, because the men who are ahead of you are nothing to be trifled with." Zerozaki laughed nad put his hands behind his head. "No prob, man. Anyone can dance. It's all about presentation!" The old man cackled again. This time, Zero's foot stopped 3 inches from the back of his head. The old man's teeth whistled as he spoke. "This isn't an ordinary Ball Ballo competition. This is to celebrate the failed raid of Estolad by Gammon Ocelot and the forces of darkness. You will be picked randomly to portray an important figure in the battle. It's mostly luck, but if you get a force of darkness..." The old man smiled maiciously. "It's not common for the Gods to smite you down." Zerozaki froze. Oh damn...