Initation [Chain][w/Noir & Jingyi]

ingyi glanced down at the card she was given over, her eyes scanning the address. Looking back up, she was pretty sure that she was at the right place, though she wasn't entirely sure what that place was supposed to be.

It was all a queer situation, with her squadmates all urging her to accept the card that one of them had given to her. He was apparently "too sick to attend", but he was certain that she would love whatever place that they were sending her to. They all had amused looks on their face, but Jingyi, being one to please and not let down a challenge, accepted.

Now, standing in front of a lonely looking cottage. It had a muddy look to it, with its colors being a red and brown scheme, with the wooden frame peeking out. She wasn't entirely sure where she was supposed to go, which was cemented by the fact that she circled around the house.

Around the back, there was a difference to the earth, with the concrete turning into soft dirt. Kneeling down, she brushed her fingers along before a hatch suddenly burst open. Jumping back, Jingyi's hands flew to Grasscutter, her fingers curling around the hilt as she looked at the bearded man whose head peeked out from the entrance.

"You coming in or not. Hand me your letter, and everything will be A OKAY!" The man repeated, his fist held out for what she presumed the letter. Offering him a smile, Jingyi handed it to him before he disappeared back downstairs. Entering the tunnel, the redhead closed the hatch before hurrying after the bearded man. He led her to an underground ring surrounded by a mass of people. Now she understood why her comrades told her that she would enjoy the place.

It was a loud arena, with the crowd chattering eagerly as they apparently waited for the fights to begin. Jingyi wasn't sure where the snack bar was, though if she was going to be competing, something that she certainly wanted to do, the redhead wasn't entirely sure if it would be good for her stomach to eat before a fight.

Wandering around the area, she pushed her way through the crowd before spotting the sign about "Tag Teams". So she would need a partner? A grin growing on her face, Jingyi began to eagerly look around for another fighter-type who she could pair up with.

ingyi was looking around the ring when she spotted a black-haired woman with a large beast. Her eyes widened in surprise when she realized that it was a liger, meaning that the woman was probably a Beast Tamer!Jingyi herself had left Dullahan at home, thinking that beasts wouldn't be allowed. Though, she wasn't sure if the goat would be all too pleased with coming to a fighting circuit seeing how grumpily shy he is.

Maybe she could ask her if they could be partners? Shrugging her shoulders to herself, Jingyi turned and started to walk in one direction. She kept her eyes peeled for any sight of someone who could make for a good partner in the ring. There was quite a crowd, with more and more time passing as Jingyi stayed partner-less. She wasn't sure when the first battles would start, where she was to sign up, and if it was already too late for her to join. Surely, her friends wouldn't send her here to just watch some fights, right? If they knew her as well as she hoped, they would know better than that. Jingyi enjoyed competing against others, not watching others competing against each other.

As she thought to herself, Jingyi pushed through a crowd when a little boy with white hair ran in front of her. His appearance was a jolt to her, causing Jingyi to jump slightly as she took a step back, her red eyes slightly wide. She hadn't expected him there, which was obvious from her reaction, but most of her surprise came from his appearance. Her thoughts wheeled from the fight to who would bring their child here? He definitely couldn't be older than fifteen at most, but from his words, it was obvious that he was planning to participate in the ring.

Jingyi would have kneeled down to speak with the child, though unfortunately, she wasn't much taller than he was. But she was conflicted with his offer: she wanted to fight and she needed a partner, but he was a young boy! She shouldn't encourage fighting among the youth, seeing how she was supposed to be a good influence on others.

"I am looking for a partner..." Jingyi hesitatingly stated, feeling as if she was walking on thin ice. She didn't want to insult the boy, especially if he was just unfortunate to look much younger than he is. "But are you allowed to fight? I don't mean to be rude, but you, well you don't seem old enough. Again, I don't mean to be rude! I was just making sure. If it's fine, I suppose we could be partners!" Jingyi continued, biting her lip for a moment as she spoke. The redhead made sure to smile comfortingly, despite the white-haired boy being rather brash with her.

Clasping her hands behind her back, Jingyi really hoped that the boy wouldn't take offense to her words. Though, now that she thought about it maybe he couldn't afford to not fight? It could always be for money or because someone is forcing him? The thoughts make Jingyi furrow her brows; hopefully, that wasn't the case. But again, what kind of parents would allow their son to fight in an underground ring like this? Either they didn't know, didn't care, or they aren't around for the boy.

"I should probably tell him my name and ask for his?" Jingyi thought to herself while she looked down at him. Smiling in an affable way that she was known for, Jingyi quickly added: "Oh, I'm Jingyi Hou, by the way! Mind if I ask you what your name is?" While she spoke, she cocked her head slightly to the side and brushed some of her hair behind her ear.

ingyi looked up as she heard someone else approach them; a black-haired girl and a liger-like creature. Noir, the apparent name of the woman who just introduced herself, was searching for a partner as well. Looking at liger, who was named Haku, the redhead felt tempted to the pet the beast. But alas, she wasn't familiar with him, nor did she want to offend the either of them by petting him.

A soft voice from beside her then spoke up, trying to make himself heard above the general noise of the circuit. Turning her attention to him, Jingyi tilted her head as he then introduced himself as Thor. The way Thor addressed her made the woman smile sheepishly; 'Miss Hou' was her mother, not her. She was just Jingyi. Or Private Hou. Never Miss.

"I would love to get a chance to be part of the trio, though feel free to call me Jingyi," She commented with a chuckle, glancing at the other woman in question. Sticking her hands into her pockets, the redhead scuffed the floor with her shoe as she watched the pair. They seemed interesting enough by themselves; Noir with her lion-tiger thing and Thor who wasn't apparently a child despite his youthful looks. Thankfully she already grew out of looking younger than she actually was.

ingyi watched as Thorsten walked in the announcer's direction before glancing at Noir. She offered the woman a friendly smile before glancing at the lion. It would seem that she knew how to tame beasts, if the creature was of any indication. And from his interaction with the boy, Haku was capable of being rather friendly, then. For a briefest of moments, Jingyi wished that she had brought Dullahan with her, that way he could get some interaction with others.

She was about to say something to Noir when some men came by and grabbed her. Jingyi opened her mouth to yell at the man, to jab him in the gut for surprising her and touching her, but she didn't have a chance. In quick movements, her short body was yanked in the direction of the ring. With unsurprising bruteness, they shoved her in, but not before pulling off the armor that she wore. It was a fist fight, and it wouldn't be fair if she was covered in protective plates.

The redhead made sure to memorize the circuit-worker's face, shooting him a look before walking over to Thorsten. Her body felt light, unused to just being in her white Hitatare and black Kobakama shorts. They had even taken the Kote armor sleeves, leaving her in just her long robe sleeves. Crossing her arms over her chest, Jingyi sighed softly as she glanced around at the ring. It was something she expected of an old, run-down boxing arena. It was roped off with a worn floor, though Jingyi wasn't complaining.

As the announcer began the introductions, she felt insulted by the derogatory slurs. But, it was most likely just hazing for the new comers, so Jingyi just brushed it off. It wasn't like the man was to talk anyway, with his jester-like appearance and slimy tongue! The thought brought a smile to the girl's face as her red eyes narrowed, her gaze flickering to the opposing four men who entered the ring.

She kept her attention on the one dressing in nothing but shorts, a man who bared great resemblance to another fighter. Perhaps they were family? Jingyi shook the thought away before falling into a stance that her uncle had taught her to use when armed with nothing but her fists. Again, the announcer insulted her being by calling her a "harlot", but the redhead ignored it in favor of concentrating on her excitement.

As the bell rung, Jingyi ran forwards to start her offense. Aiguo, realizing that he was the target of the Kou soldier, charged in response. They met halfway, with the man pausing to Kick out his leg and knock Jingyi out. But the girl was faster, using her speed to assist her in her upcoming ability, she tensed up her legs and dug her heels into the mat before using Power Step to evade the attack.

Aiguo quickly continued his assault, sending out a series of strikes at Jingyi. But the girl used her speed to duck and weave around them. The only results of his attack were that Jingyi was forced back, but her arrogance got the best of her. With a well-placed Punch, he socked Jingyi in the nose and forced her back.

The soldier bit her lip to stop herself from making a sound from the blow, her ruby eyes narrowing in anger. Licking her lips, she could taste a faint pang of iron as she felt something trickle out of her nose. Digging her feet into the ground, Jingyi shot forwards with all her speed at Aiguo. She was too quick for the slower man, appearing nothing as a blur as she prepared her attack. With an open-palm strike, she hit the man in the stomach with all of her force. The attack was followed by a sweep from her leg, knocking him down to the ground. The final blow from her would be a kick to his head, knocking him out but leaving him alive.

Rubbing the back of her hand across the bridge of her mouth, Jingyi felt her heart hammer as she looked down. Her skin was stained with blood, which she promptly rubbed on the pants of her shorts. Turning her attention to Noir and Thorsten, Jingyi checked to see if there were any remaining foes.