video | un: birdinthehand | july 4th, 6:55 pm

[chichichi]

[ This video opens to the image of a woman with entirely too many pitch feathers in her long hair standing with her back to the camera in what might appear to be a traditional stadium for those with the eyes for it. ​]

I have an important announcement that may be relevant to your interests. If I could have a moment of your time --

[ And she gets straight to it, turning to face the camera in a fluid, graceful motion. Her voice is feminine and remains both lower than the higher, cutesy depiction common in her culture and assertive, commanding -- the sort to turn heads and draw eyes where a smaller stature dressed in red and gold might otherwise fail. ]

My name is Setsura Light [ -- yes, Light, a discrepancy anyone who met her before April might notice given she introduced herself as Setsura Yamaguchi before that time, but she doesn't miss a beat -- ] and it is my privilege as owner and operator to announce that the Kennel, Tokyo's premiere fight club, is now actively hiring for all shifts and positions.

The Kennel is a business created with several purposes in mind. I'm certain I'm not the only refugee unaccustomed to such a peaceful climate and while dojos serve their purpose, many do not typically promote the largely unrestrained combat that allows finer tuning and a greater rack up of experience. The Kennel is first and foremost not a dojo; it is an arena where dogs may fight to their heart's content and the public may find enjoyment in it... for a price, of course. To that end, we are hiring dogs -- fighters, that is, moderators whose sole purpose it is to prevent fatalities among dogs and the audience, security, healers and medics, additional maintenance, and janitorial staff among others. We are also looking to welcome third-party vendors through our doors with a generous contract in promoting their business, so if you own or happen to know of a business you'd like to see under our roof, please contact us right away.

However [ and there's something sharp in her smile ], if that business should be suspected of being affiliated with the criminal organization responsible for the recent kidnappings of refugees and some natives, don't bother. The Kennel is an organization that is friendly to refugees and accepts human, yokai, hanyo, and everything in between. We do not welcome or condone discrimination or that sort of hostility.

[ And just like that, that sharp edge is gone. ]

Now, there are additional benefits provided to staff beyond a paycheck including free use of the locker rooms and baths, private rooms, various equipment and pr --

[ Please hold. There is an extremely large black puppy -- like, pony sized -- with red accents about his fur, a floopy tail, the floppiest ears, and gleaming red eyes shoving his whole, somewhat already occupied face against Setsura's stomach. In his mouth, quite visible on the screen as he pads up? Two vibrating jack rabbits whose beads are being ground to bits. Is that the remnants of a leather collar -- a harness maybe?? Hanging out of his mouth, too? It's hard to see after a moment because he's sitting front and center and Setsura's eyes have dropped from the camera to... well, the occupying bits of in her teething son's maw. ]

Props. Oh, you naughty boy! [ The way she says it, too. ] Those are fresh inventory!

[ There's a low little wine as she holds a hand out to have the drool covered contents spit into her hand. ]

Still teething, I take it. We'll get you a good chew toy when we go on break, but first -- [ and it's back to the camera ] -- we here at the Kennel hope you'll join us in one way or another.

[ The puppy pads over to sit at her side and turns to face the camera. Is he about to sneeze? How cute! He sneezes a little fire, nostrils smoking as Setsura continues, interruption taken in stride.

That's a bow -- a proper one, smooth and graceful if you've never seen her present one to a body -- and the puppy glances up at her and... attempts to replicate it. ]

We greatly appreciate your consideration and look forward to welcoming you to our grand opening this upcoming Friday at twilight in the entertainment capital of the nation, Yoshiwara District!

Comments

[chichichi]

[ That is the face of someone that looks entirely too interested for his own good and this is the face of someone who's very much into that. Bingo! ]

You can come down now if you'd like. The construction is done. You'll be able to tour the facility as well.

[acutabove]

I think I might just do that. Did you say it was in Tokyo?

[ He's making a mental note of the route he'll have to take to get there. it's still a new thing from him, especially coming from a place where boats, wagons and gliders were the norm for travel. ]

Is this an all day thing, or should I schedule an appointment?

[chichichi]

It's in Tokyo in Yoshiwara. You can't miss it. It's one of the largest stadiums and clearly marked with guides to usher applicants the right way. If you get lost, just ask and you'll be pointed in the right direction and yes, it's an all day thing.

[ Is there a large puppy snout attempting to nuzzle its way onto screen? Yes. ]

Every day leading up to our grand opening, actually, if you can't make it today.

[acutabove]

[ What is that

is she being attacked in the best way

Childe only knows the working dogs people occasionally keep in Snezhnaya so he doesn't understand the concept of pets but it looks big at least. maybe it's a protection dog.

or food dog. ]

I don't have much going on right now. You'll probably see me sooner rather than later.

[chichichi]

And your name is?

[ Pardon her. She's placing a hand atop the snout and evidently willing it to calm. ]

[acutabove]

[ big food

he wonders if he'd be able to benchpress it. it looks pretty big. ]

Tartaglia, but you can call me Childe. And your name was Setsura, right?

I don't suppose, as the owner, you're going to be participating in some of these fights?

[chichichi]

[ She's going to have to check the spelling of his name on his application to avoid any unfortunate advertising mix-ups, but it isn't that that draws the corners of her mouth up. ​]

That's right. After all, what sort of owner would I be if I let my dogs have all the fun?

[acutabove]

[ It's a curse, really, when people yell his name; Tartaglia's too much of a mouthful to be taken seriously and Childe sounds like someone's reprimanding their kid ]

Is that so? I can't wait to see what you bring to the ring, then, Miss Setsura. [ There's barely veiled interest in his tone and in his expression. He's no stranger to big things hiding in small packages. ]

[chichichi]

[ Promising, that tone and expression. She wonders if he'll be able to deliver. ]

Likewise, Childe.

video > action

[acutabove]

[ Childe wasn't lying about not having much to do today, so after the feed cuts off he makes his way to the station to see about hitching a ride to Yoshiwara.

True to Setsura's words there are signs that point him in the general direction of where he needs to go, and the building is large enough that he couldn't miss it even if he'd wanted to.

By the time he arrives the stars and the moon are already high in the sky and it's fairly late. He's not expecting much; this time of night, people were usually tucked into bed and winding down.

It's certainly not like what he was expecting or had even seen before.

Childe pulls up the chat on his device and taps out a quick text. ]

I'm here. Where do I go?

[chichichi]

[ He won't receive an answer via his device. Rather, it comes from a small, pitch black sparrow descending from some higher perch and alighting atop his shoulder. The inky blackness that trails it dissipates as it assumes its new perch. It cants its head at his device, then sharply in looking at him and opens its beak wide. Wider. Wider, so much so that it looks as though it might unhinge and then, there's a burst of sound.

Violent wind, the clashing of blades, and then -- ]

The main room. Follow the bird.

[ -- and it's stated calmly. Did a man just yell somewhat desperately some distance away? Yes. Yes, he did. ]

[acutabove]

[ Oh, this little guy is actually kind of cute.

And then it opens its little beak like a little monster and Childe decides it's very cute. The clashing of blades and wind only emphasizes this fact.

Main room, follow the bird...

Childe will look to the bird, then at his communications device before slipping it away and glancing over in the direction of the yell. Presuming that's where the main room is - and why wouldn't it, if it's a fighting arena? - Childe turns and starts making his way casually over to the sound.

The notion that it could be a trap is considered only once, and it's enough to make him quicken his pace a little in excitement. If only he were so lucky. ]

[chichichi]

[ If only he were so lucky, indeed, and wouldn't you know the bird simply closes its maw and chirps? He's going in the right direction and it realizes this, but it will remain on his shoulder until he passes through the doors.

And when he does, it's quite a sight. If the stadium looked huge outside, it's that much larger inside. Grandiose, perhaps, if in need of some work, but that isn't the most eye catching thing on the floor right now. If Childe has eyes, he cant miss it: a small, feather headed brunette, blade in hand, seeming to propel herself down from within the air off some seemingly invisible solid toward an impossibly larger, likewise armed man on the floor.

There's the sound of flame whipping in an attempt at both defense and offense as the man jumps to meet her. Blades clash, steel shatters as the fire splits in the air as though to make way for the man being thrown back, back, back.

He'll have more than a few bruises and burns.

And the brunette lands nimbly on her feet in stance and facing her opponent. It's as she's shifting to charge forward that he raises a hand and makes a certain gesture in surrender. He's good. He's done and she's... smiling? At the approaching medic who is... giving her something of a look?? ]

I guess I got a little carried away. I'll leave him in your care.

[ And that bird that was on Childe's shoulder is taking off toward her. ]

[acutabove]

[ Childe knows the sound of battle like the back of his hand, and if his step maybe quickens a little when the first clanging of metal reaches his ears, at least there's no one around to notice (save for the bird, of course, but that was just a bird).

The sight before him catches his immediate attention in ways the bird can probably feel under its little feet; Childe will visibly and physically perk in interest, his gaze and head turning to follow every movement of the two currently at-odds in the stadium before him. Despite his eagerness and enthusiasm there's nevertheless a calculating edge to his expression, like he's taking in every move of combat demonstrated before him and committing it to memory.

As much as he enjoyed taking part in the battle itself, there were things to be learned from watching, too. Things he could immediately put into practice during his own spars if they lined up well enough with his interests.

The battle is over much too quickly for his liking and he looks from the man to the brunette before he makes his way over, having recognized her as the one from the video earlier. What was her name again? Setsura? ]

That was quite a show you put on just now. [ He greets, casual grin in place. ] I hope you don't mind if I ask you for a repeat performance?

[chichichi]

[ She turns easily as the bird alights atop her shoulder, recognition clear upon her face before he's in her line of sight. Her lips tug too easily upward into a grin at that question, one hand settling atop her hip. ]

What, you want to play with me for a while? That's pretty forward, you know.

[acutabove]

This is a fight club, isn't it? What better way to test out your prospective employee?

[ Unless there was actually a pen and paper interview questionnaire he had to fill out. In a place like Nippon, he wouldn't be surprised. ]

I can only hope you wouldn't expect me to hold back.

[chichichi]

I'll have you mind that tongue of yours. That concept is only endorsed conditionally here and you'll be informed well beforehand where it is.

[ As though he'd uttered some curse. The night sparrow at her shoulder hops into the air now. ]

You do realize you're already on the clock.

[ Insofar as being tested, that is. ]

[acutabove]

[ A lady that gets right down to it. Just his type. ]

Are you gonna make me mind it, Boss?

[ the last bit is said so playfully, so sarcastically it's hardly venomous. Childe, as a matter of fact, looks like he's about to have the time of his life. ]