Sun And Moon

Lost amidst the latest crop of prospective athletic hopefuls being guided throughout AFW's venerated halls by a chipper escort was one particular talented young tiger. Polished floors, a gigantic lobby, enhanced security, golden busts of past Friction and Tension champions. Lloyd was quite frankly taken aback by his surroundings and wondering just how much money must have gone into a facility this elaborate that was perhaps crafted to be intentionally intimidating to newcomers. Thankfully he didn't miss the appointed day for new arrivals despite nodding off on the train ride here, woken up by an elderly couple just as his stop was coming up. A fact he wasn't exactly proud of considering he was the last rookie to arrive and how all of the other athletes seemed to be brimming with overzealous excitement instead of the anxious energy he had. Some of them with muscles the size of his head, as if he didn't stick out enough already. Lloyd huffing out a dejected sigh before the group passed through double doors into...

Spoiler:

Collective gasps thankfully muffled Lloyd's own astonishment from the labyrinthine maze of weight lifting machines and cardio equipment. Wrestling rings interspersed throughout with over half of them being utilized for either sparring matches or coaching lessons. Veritable celebrities of the wrestling world casually walking by or in mid-workout as if they were just...well, regular ol' people. Whether it was the affluence of the training facility or from being sheer starstruck, the tour group definitely needed several minutes to breathe it all in. Lloyd casually taking inventory of his surroundings after the initial shock wore off, but wondering just how much of an impact as a fledgling officer he could even have on an organization this exceptionally gigantic. *Wow...it's like a miniature city in this place...* Lloyd internally monologued as the young tiger started taking a few steps away from the group of rookies, earnestly hoping the chief of police didn't make a mistake by signing him up for this distinctly unorthodox assignment.

In contrast to the experienced wrestlers making use of the venue and the new fledglings gaped in awe, Rixia occupied herself with solitude and silence. She hadn't meant to be working today, but the federation had wanted additional staff on-site due to the influx of raw talent currently making their way around the building. Therefore, she had been roped in to ensure the equipment was functioning as intended, that enough refreshments had been provided and that there wasn't a single trace of dust anywhere. That last part was unlikely considering how many people frequented this place, but she still found a few trophies and ornaments that needed polishing. And that's what she was doing as the rookies arrived, with all other menial tasks taken care of for the time being.

Spoiler:

As she surveyed the group, one particular individual managed to stand out and catch her eye. He wasn't as muscular as a lot of the entourage he had arrived with, and whereas the rest brimmed with eagerness and anticipation, there was something despondent and anxious in the way that he carried himself. Well, it would only be natural for him to be nervous. This was the biggest, most prestigious wrestling federation in all of Japan, after all. And then he began to walk away from the group, captivated by the intricacies of surroundings. He was actually wandering in close proximity to the girl now, but he didn't seem to have noticed her. Perhaps she should give him a gentle warning.

"I would suggest you stay with your tour group, sir." Rixia continued to polish the brass statue of a former champion as she spoke. "Getting left behind would be inconvenient." She glanced back to the ornament, silently musing on the last word she had mentioned. Yes, it certainly would be...

Whatever self-assured confidence Lloyd may have still possessed was summarily eclipsed by the dawning realization of the sheer breadth of his assignment. The degree of detective work necessary to properly police an organization this robust was making his head spin. Filing, background checks, interviews, supply manifests...and these were just in terms of procedural paperwork needing to be done. Lloyd glancing into the distance of the expansive fitness center to witness a threatening mastodon of a woman spinkick a punching bag into a cloud of feathers, an anxious gulp taken from the subtle reminder of the ruthless inclinations behind these savage fighters. A portion of whom probably won't be all that willing to graciously cooperate with the authorities. Ashamed though he'd be to admit it thoughts of asking for a different assignment came to mind. *...man. I wonder what my brother would do in this situation-*

"Huh?! OH, s-sorry about that..." Lloyd balked and side-stepped out of the way from the woman beside him, equal parts embarrassed and stunned he didn't notice her sooner...especially one this fetching to the eyes. After clearing his throat against his balled up fist, he opted to restart the conversation in a more polite manner and with a few obvious insinuations you didn't need to be a detective to notice. "Yeah, you're right. I have a sneaking suspicion that getting lost around here is how a lot of nightmares have started. Uh, Hi. I'm Lloyd Bannings. Officer in the Tokyo Police Department, and uh, one of the latest wrestling recruits I suppose." Lloyd cheerfully introduced himself with an extended offer for a handshake, smiling brightly beside the polished statue of the acclaimed wrestling legend of days gone by as the tour group remained in place behind him. "You know, I would have pegged you to be a wrestler yourself considering how uhm...fit, you are."

Just as she had suspected, he had failed to take notice of her. Upon hearing Rixia address him, the boy was taken by surprise and swifty stepped to the side. She continued to polish the brass ornament as he cleared his throat, watching him out of the corner of her eye whilst he introduced himself. His introduction was polite and yet intriguing. So he was a police officer? You saw some people from a diverse range of origins and backgrounds in AFW, some certainly from law enforcement...but they tended to be former. His wording implied he was still acting as one. She wondered what the story was behind that.

He extended a hand cheerfully. Rixia contemplated taking it, as she continued to fix her gaze (mostly) on the brass statue she was preoccupied with. But then he made an innocent remark that she interpreted in an entirely different way. The status was slammed a little forcefully onto the shelf as she turned to give him her full attention, a slight glare rising on her expression. "There are far more direct ways of flirting, Officer Bannings." Her tone did not raise, but there was a slight chill to it. "...It simply helps to be of an athletic build when you work backstage. Lifting props and standing on your feet all day."

"But I certainly wouldn't have pegged you for being a police officer." She could turn his own words upon him, and boy would she take advantage of it. "Tell me, with robberies and drugs in full swing on the streets, what led you to believe becoming a pro wrestler at Japan's most prestigious federation was more important? Should I be considering a career change, perhaps?" Her eyes narrowed, trying to pierce the boy's intent. Or his department's, rather. Either way, she wasn't afraid to openly display her distrust in him right now.

Lloyd's brother used to mention that having a naturally inquisitive demeanor is the key to becoming a worthwhile detective. And questions were certainly abounding from this chance encounter he was currently struggling his way through. Including how this unsuspecting custodian/backstage worker evaded detection and managed to sneak up on him like that without alerting him in the slightest. Honed instincts were somewhat of a specialty of his, sharpened moreso throughout various police procedures and arduous training courses back at the academy. Fortunately all he had to be wary of it seemed was assault with a deadly wax towel. Aroused though his suspicions were, he settled himself down to start a mere congenial conversation with the first friendly face he'd seen since he got here...but became unexpectedly accusatory. Lloyd balking from the misinterpretations of his intention and rather...biting, criticisms she had.  

"Huh?! Ohnono I didn't mean to hit on...I mean not that I wouldn't want to but..." Lloyd's flummoxed sputtering accompanying a spastic waving of his hands as if attempting to physically fan down the emblazoned fires of this conversation going down in flames. In the end an emphatic clearing of his throat and apologetic tone was his best chance to start fresh and make amends for any perceived slights. "S-Sorry, I shouldn't have commented on your physique in the first place. I truly meant no offense by it." Lloyd stoically placed his arm across his chest to further emphasize his apology as if pledging to never commit the infraction ever again, afterwards lowering his arm to a more relaxed posture. "And yeah. I guess it says a lot that with crime on the rise, the department gives me an assignment about as far removed from the streets as you can get. But you know, you mentioned changing careers. You could probably make for a swell detective yourself with how quick-witted you are."

Lloyd's defense only succeeded in digging further into his own grave as Rixia narrowed her eyes, skeptical of the young male who was seemingly unable to structure a well-meaning...and innocent sentence. She found herself questioning if he was truly an officer. But then, there was that badge clipped upon the breast of his jacket...clearly a new recruit, then. God help the Tokyo crime rate if these were the type of guys being pulled in.

Well, at least he was gracious enough to apologise. And even he acknowledged how peculiar his assignment was. Just what was his department's goal in bringing him here, however...? Rixia's interest was piqued, but something told the girl that not even Lloyd necessarily knew the reason. When he complimented her quick wit, she couldn't help but feel the slightest bit bashful. She turned her attention back to the ornament briefly.

"Perhaps, but the police has no place for someone like me." She was right there, although Lloyd would naturally miss the true meaning of her words. "Besides, I have no interest in joining them. The backstage suits me here just fine." Rixia turned her gaze back to Lloyd. "So Officer Bannings. When is your first match? You have been assigned a match, have you not? There's a lot that can be learned from your first night in Tension." Another double meaning that would inevitably go over his head. Spectators learned a lot from watching wrestlers as well, and Rixia wondered what she could gleam from seeing Lloyd in the ring. If the police were using this to try to identify a Heiyue presence in the AFW...well, she suspected she would be called upon to nip this boy's bud before he could truly bloom.

Unpleasant flashbacks of high school were beginning to permeate Lloyd's thought processes as he started melting underneath the scorching glare of the unassuming backstage attendant. In spite of being voted exceptionally handsome amongst his lady classmates, Lloyd somehow remained without even a prom date by the time he graduated. Somehow either being blissfully ignorant of all the subtle clues and innuendos offered by other interested girls, or becoming far too flustered and humble to accept any ladies outright asking for his attention. The Bannings Family Curse most definitely did not skip a generation, it seemed. However, the purple-haired attendant was beginning to show mercy on Lloyd by accepting his apology at least. Much to his relief as he breathed out an abated sigh, thankful for the swift changing of the subject. Even if he still maintained that this friend of his would make for an exceptional police cadet one day.

"Oh, no we haven't even broached the topic of our first matches yet. Heck, we haven't even been assigned rooms yet. I think we've got more paperwork to fill out for now. Seems like they're being exceptionally cautious about new recruits nowadays. Probably having something to do with the uptick in criminal activity within AFW, if you know what I mean." Lloyd nonchalantly mentioned with a chipper smile and hands in his pockets. "Ya know, if you ever get an inkling about any shady dealings or illegal activity around here, but feel unsafe about informing your boss, I'd be more than willing to hear you out and help you as best I can. But umm, you don't have to keep calling me Officer Bannings. You can just call me Lloyd~...I just kinda wish I had a name to go by as well. OH, if you don't mind of course!!" Lloyd catching himself this time, hoping he didn't accidentally offend her again.

Rixia's eyebrows rose at this. So he hadn't even been assigned a match yet? It was true that they were being extremely vigilant regarding new additions to the roster. She suspected that even with Heiyue backing her, it had taken some significant pulling of the strings to seal her sign up. But one thing was definitely certain. The Tokyo Police Department were aware of criminal activity within AFW. Potentially, meaning her. And that was a problem she couldn't afford to ignore. She'd have to arrange something. Perhaps an encounter with the Demon of the East, to dispatch their little lapdog out of here on a stretcher and send a message to his sergeants. "Don't go poking where your nose isn't wanted."

That inner threat within her head repeated itself before he requested her own name. She felt her insides freeze over, although she masked it well. "I'll keep your offer in mind. I would hate to think I work for an organisation that condones illegal activities, but with how large AFW is, it's inevitable that some people will fall through the cracks." She paused. Being on a first name basis with an officer felt strange, especially with the plan formulating in her head to take him out. Not literally, of course. But it would look suspicious if she declined. "Very well. Rixia. Rixia Mao. A pleasure to meet you, Lloyd."

She cast her gaze back over to the tour guide and their group, which looked ready to move on. "You'd best make your way back to the group. I have a feeling that your debut in the ring will come sooner than you suspect." Her tone was innocent and cordial enough... "And try to look after yourself, Lloyd. Some people overexert themselves and leave the ring with the paramedics, as opposed to their own two feet. You wouldn't want to be one of them." With that final warning, she would lower her head politely and turn away. Seemingly to do further backstage duties, but in reality mentally preparing to arrange a meeting with Cao and their league contact...