Yannis had heard stories of a man that wielded beast just as skillfully as he wielded a blade. He though them just that; stories. He’d never seen such with his own eyes. Whatever spell he’d cast over the striking beast surely wouldn’t last. Men gave plenty of distance, moving back when their new Doctore stepped forward. Dominus was pleased. How he procured this man he wasn’t sure. He seemed a certain quality above his station but whatever it was, it would benefit them.<br/><br/>Ezara had a way about him that was inspiring, especially to those men that sought glory in the arena. Not all were cautiously respectful. Yannis wasn’t so ambitious that he felt he needed to do more than simply watch for the time being. One man found his bravado though, someone that had been closer to Celsus. Mettius. They joked about his growth spurt because the man had broadened into a brute under Regulus’ care and Celsus’ training. Wiry and not worthy of attention and a monster seemingly overnight. Perhaps confidence grown prematurely as well. Yannis wasn’t sure his exact country of origin. Egyptian, he thought.<br/><br/>“And can you fight without the beast?” Mettius asked, stepped forward. After the initial shock wore off he was left scowling. Prepared to defend their dead doctore’s honor, it would seem. He and Yannis had their scuffles since after the death of Celsus because of his involvement but it was broken up because the two were evenly matched. Perhaps Mettius thought that would be the case now if the man would give up the tigris and stand alone. Yannis wasn’t sure how the challenge was going to be handled. He looked up to Regulus, wondering how angry he was going to be as he was disrespected by extension after his speech.<br/><br/>“I have not heard your name and I do not rely upon stories to reflect the worth of a man,” he went on, “Only what my eyes can show me.” Mettius turned his attention to his dominus. There was some resentment there in his expression but he was a great deal more careful with it. “Dominus, might we have a proper demonstration?” While some were prepared to accept Ezara on reputation alone, Mettius was not.