"What's the point of wearing masks, they'll-"
"I know they'll know our breeds like pet veterans but dear, as long as they don't know the exact person it wouldn't be much of a deal. I don't want my parents suddenly barging in and making a commotion out of this."
The line towards the actual venue of the underground fights is filled with noisy chattering, smokes from pipes and tobaccos burnt, and even the sound of gobbling from those who have brought snacks inside, waiting until the checker sees them and speak of anything unusual. Aside from all those things that might seem irritating to some, the process itself went by like a breeze, especially with the passes provided to them after that one interaction with the Butcher.
"That's why, what's the point of doing all of this? Jia almost got injured earlier, if not for her being different than most of her kind. You know that the butcher is not a simple underling, he once ruled an area of his own before he was dragged away from it. She hasn't even rested properly yet and now she needs to do all this physical stuff, and I know that she heals really quick but still I-"
"Shhh. You just said it. That's the exact reason. That's why he's the best bait. I'm not undermining him, he shouldn't have been careless then just because she looked frail."
"But she'll be there inside the ring, not seated beside us, and we don't even know who she'll be facing, what if-"
As Amery saw the glittering blue dusts starting to fall off from Hinami's forehead and hands, a usual sign of anxiety or discomfort, she pulled her at the side to calm her down. Or maybe because the guards are looking at them like they're some kind of criminals with the walking glitter bomb beside her.
"You know her the best, don't you? Do you think she'll lose to anyone?"
"Of course not!"
She suddenly straightened up after hearing this, knowing more than anybody else, that Jia has got more to her than just what people might perceive of her due to the small but lithe appearance. Still, being strong doesn't equate to being immortal, and anything can still harm and hurt the younger one even by chance.
Or if someone really intends to hurt her.
"That's it, you know it already, why bother worrying now?"
"Still, you know-"
"Oh shut up or I'll cut down on your salary."
It effectively shut her up, and as they waited in line to enter a once desolate area behind one of the factories dedicated to production of alternative meat for the carnivorous clans due to the agreement among governments, refurnished to become a haven for those who wants to let go of their irritations and anger through watching or joining underground fights, their eyes lingered on the graffiti on the walls, a display of disagreements among the citizens.
As much as they want the fights to be more brutal, a set of rules were in place to avoid fatal injuries towards their opponent, as they all believe that fights between clans is far below their united anger and disgust to the government that cradled them into believing that peace can be reached.
--
Sound of clacking shoe heels and keyboards fill the room. Their office as part of patrols is too plain for their taste, and it would look like a prison itself if they did not give it some kind of redecoration. It's one of the many reasons why they feel like leaving their jobs even during the most important of times.
Another reason would be the passing of laws they won't even think of existing in the first place. After all, the peace displayed is all prints with few actualizations. It may seem silent but the silence itself that is made to be believed in is, in some way, the scary part.
"They just keep on allowing those barbarians to keep on entering the borders, like why?"
"You mean, the damons."
"Damons, demons, barbarians, whatever they are called, I don't care. I still won't welcome them."
"But they have the permit to pass through on official matters."
"It's enough headache that we need to deal with the monster clans here, in our jurisdiction, and they want to join too? They have their own country, let them have that destroyed if they want to, but not here. And that Leo is also parading here stepping on our forces' pride! That bitch."
"You can't deny though, she's really strong. After all, she has been the Leo on the Zodiac before becoming the head of the law force there."
"That too, how did those crazy ones even enter the country? Zodiac or not, even if they're part of that damn Red Bullets, it's still not an acceptable decision by the government. That damn Vixen and her minions. What has the world gone to?"
"I mean, they're the Zodiac, they even have a big influence too on almost every area in that country, sometimes even stronger than the actual government especially with their influence during the War of the Crossed-out nations. Of course, they got plenty of ways."
"Your basis of liking someone is because of that someone being unique. Don't even try to continue pursuing others, just because you see them to be different than the rest. That Vixen won't even notice you. What would you do when you find someone more different? Since you find those kind to be attractive, might as well as don't try to start anything you can't conclude yourself. Do you understand?"
"I understand that too, but you know you can't blame me. You know that yourself."
"Whatever you idiot."
--
The tiled walls and floors smelled strongly of disinfectant, while the person who's the reason behind it is simply seated on top of a patient's table, hand reaching out to pieces of cadaver, wanting to form a word and take pictures of it on the process.
"That was some kind of gore message you sent them."
"Isn't that one of the reasons we're in this business? Playing with the life of the weak, having them at our disposal, right from our fingertips, aaah, it really hypes me up. Blood is such a fragrant, precious thing."
"Can you lower down that psychotic mode of yours? I have other things to do as well for the company, but you keep on making me clean up after your mess. If you'll be using those items that can be connected to us, you know you can just have them burned as needed. You just need to fill out the forms with regard to the purchase request for ordering replacements. Seriously, I'm not your personal assistant, I'm an administrative assistant for the whole company and for our boss. Stop being selfish and childish."
"You and your nagging, you'd be almost perfect without that. Also, don't forget, I'll be visiting my next target later tonight, so please have the cold room prepared in advance. Hmmm, add the mirrors too, the large ones I've used for the first one. You know that right? Right? Quick, hey, answer me. Hey, hey."
"Whatever, fuck you."
If she wasn't in a hurry she would have slapped him and made another report to show her concern on how lavish he is and how careless he can be. After all, she works by the goals set by the company, and the crazy guy in front of her just makes things more complicated than it already is.
Might as well add some more tools already before they get worn out again.
--
"What do we have here?"
Despite of the growl near her right ear, she remained unbothered and still looked straight into the ring, waiting for Jia's turn. Amery has always been the composed type, despite of already planning hundreds of ways to kill the stranger in her head. Without giving him the look, she simply spoke while staying focused.
It seems like the VIP area itself does not exude such atmosphere nor it gives those who are seated there the privacy they seek. She had expected her, knowing how dilapidated the place is supposed to feel like, but it still irks her more knowing others can just come and go and talk as they please as it is not against the ground rules set there anyways.
"A fleabag trying to sit in the VIP area? How come?"
"You're not very welcoming yourself, fishbreath."
As she heard the insult, her neck snapped quickly, glaring at the sight of the wolf in his half-humanoid form. Whatever the storm that's brewing between them, it will simply get lost in the sea of disorder that are the spectators. After all, even shouting across the room and cursing while at it became a norm already. She might have thrown a fit herself if it wasn't for the want to get as minimal attention as possible.
"Aren't you two so mature? What a very pleasant sight it is."
Their attentions were all taken by someone who, despite of losing money because of the choice of players he had, has always been feared in a way by many due to the strength he himself owns, his herculean physique adding to that effect he has on people.
"Butcher? What are you doing here, aren't you supposed to serve in prison for-"
"I don't have time to talk to you, and how you dare insult my visitors you little pup? Would you like a little chat with me?"
Even without raising his voice, the other ended up slowly cowering in fear, showing how effective he is when it comes to his want to put others away.
"But-but it's her who started it!"
"Really? I did? Are you sure you want to lie now in front of the butcher?"
With this words from the siren, and as he started to back away after seeing the questioning look of the bigger guy, another one of his kind stepped in place to apologize for his behavior. The newcomer emits a commanding aura despite of the rugged features, that despite the huge difference in size and built, it make the onlookers think that he and the Butcher are at par with each other.
"Hey, I'm really sorry for the kid. He's still young and quite adventurous for his own good. Anyways, I thought you'll just simply send your underlings to take home the beacon, never saw you as the supportive type."
"Hmm, still irritatingly good with words Hans. I just have this feeling that tonight's a lucky one for me, so I want to see the one I bet for fight personally."
"I'll look forward to your win then, if I may excuse myself."
Nodding in return, Keno, the Butcher, then turned his attention to the two girls simply watching the exchange. He decided to talk directly to the one who looks bored but may actually give him a proper answer, while the other one seems to have her head floating somewhere around there with the blank stare she's giving him now.
"I suppose you're the siren. Though, you smell quite...distinct."
"I never thought juggernauts like you have a good sense of smell aside from knowing what blood is like after killing so many."
He knows it's supposed to be insulting, but he had heard it hundreds of times already that it hasn't brought out the same effect anymore. Casually ignoring the remark, he calmly responds.
"You're one of those from the older clans, aren't you? The ones not wanting to have their family tree infiltrated by the blood of other beings and humans. How come you ended up looking normal?"
"Why, how does it feel to have the blood of his ancestors thinned out?"
The atmosphere between the two grew heavier with every second of silence that passed by, before it was broken when Hinami pulled both of them to look into the ring area.
"Hey, it's Ji- I mean Jester!"
The spark of growing anger disappeared immediately as they turned their attention to the next bout. They can't help it, their clans were never on friendly terms, unless it is about business and gaining from each other. Amery is analytical and goal-oriented, digs too much into details at time and lives by information, a type of person Keno has always been irritated of, and whom he would never appreciate in his life.
As they settled in place, they all decided to just start watching, when Jia, dressed in what resembles a joker in a deck of cards, face hidden by an ebony black mask painted with a white smile, showed up, arrival emphasized by multiple spotlights on where she is standing on. The jumpsuit made her look like a young boy, but it's better for her, looking like a weakling to catch the opponent's attention.
"As we all know, the real personas of our competitors would not be revealed unless allowed by the one who en...."
Hinami had drowned the voice of the announcer, heart throbbing faster in fear of what could happen to her friend inside the ring, what could happen in a blink of an eye, all the uncertainties returning in her head, a voice mocking her for being the weak one.
She's able to return to herself after seeing Jia motioning her to smile, following the one on her mask.
"You know how you can help her? Send her your trust, believe in her like how she believes in her capabilities. When she knows she can, you know yourself that she can."
"Butcher, motivational speaking doesn't fit you, might as well stop now while you can."
"I really should talk to that jester after this fight, that I might hit you hard, accidentally of course."
Hearing this exchange in words and not of blows, Hinami ended up giggling, tension slowly easing away.
"It's starting."