The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
They lost quite a few of the participants that morning. Iolous was one of the first to resign, saying that he hadn't really come to participate, but simply to see how his friends were doing. So, Cherise snagged him as one of the "impartial" judges. There were also a few couples which seemed to have formed overnight. The royalties who had been trying to "out gaze" each other, Prince Andrew and Princess Melony, became an item. Then there were two Amazons who found out they had more compatabilities than knife throwing and there were two young men who woke up in each others arms and found a new (or not so new) cure for hangovers. Then they lost quite a few, mostly nobility and a couple of bards, to the dress code or rather the lack of dress. In fairness, the standard dress for the competition didn't have to be enforced, but Cherise felt that the recommendations had been put there for a purpose. So, Gabrielle got an eyeful as she made the first field inspection, with her judges, that morning.
It wasn't that the individuals participating in the event were fully uncovered, rather, there simply wasn't much. Everyone was required to wear a simple loincloth, a halter for the women was optional, as were footwear. Xena wore the halter and her boots, not out of any sense of modesty, but out of practicality. Besides, Gabrielle already knew what they looked like. (To say that Xena looked good would be an understatement, so we won't even bother describing her delicious gorgeousness.)
By the time everyone was lined up, there were about ten men left, including Joxer and about nine women. The contestants alternated by gender in the line, so when Gabrielle was conducting her inspection, it went boy, girl, boy, girl and so on. Gabrielle was paying attention. However, she already knew who she wanted. Her mouth formed a slight smile, as her eyes passed over one of the more buff male candidates giving him some hope, but her mind wasn't on him. Rather it was on the small square cloth tucked neatly in her bodice.
She noticed that Joxer had put on a little muscle and that he was maybe a little less white than normal. This was good, she'd been concerned when she'd found out what the dress was going to be. She'd had visions of lobster colored Joxer. He might actually make it through the day, but she was going to watch him. She might not like everything he did, but he still counted as a friend and she wasn't going to let him get himself fried over this. She smiled at him and he returned it, then he stood up straighter and his expression turned very earnest. It was then that Gabrielle understood that he was serious about this. Her heart did a little stop, then she relaxed as she gazed at the other contestants. He didn't stand a chance. She would have to think of something properly consoling to say.
Some of the participants flexed and postured a little, though they weren't supposed to (mostly it was the nonAmazons). The Amazons usually gave her a solemn nod or a wink, except for a brown haired, brown eyed young Amazon who gave her a rather brazen return gaze. Like Joxer, her expression held a tinge of earnestness. This young one didn't wear a halter, showing off nut colored skin and wiry muscles. Gabrielle didn't smile, but didn't frown and the Amazon noticed that the queen lingered just a few seconds longer than with the others. She stood up a little straighter.
Gabrielle hardly glanced at the next candidate, who's muscular form drew many a contented sigh from some of the local spectators (not all of them women). Her gaze fell lovingly on Xena, taking in the dark hair, beautiful face and limber body. If one was watching the queen's body language, and Toris was, one would have thought she would bed the warrior princess on the spot. One of the judges had to push the queen to the next contender.
Xena kept a stoic look on her face even though she saw the fiery gaze her young lover gave her. The warrior princess wanted to smile back, but if she was going to participate in this silly contest, then she was going to do it right. Still, even standing still she emanated a power and a control, that the other candidates lacked. There was no need for posturing.
The challenge of the day had to do with two things, the spirit and the mind. The contestants were to search for and find a treasure that was located somewhere in the town and the surrounding area. Then they were to bring it to the local temple and make a sacrifice to the Gods. There was one catch. There were several treasures to be found, but the contestants could only bring one to the temple. Some clues would be provided, but the candidates would have to search them out.
There were several grins exchanged among some of the contestants. It sounded easy enough. Xena only looked thoughtful.
ŠJune 1997