The Awakening Of A Beast

It was strange how Daring was drawn to this place. Ever since they had heard of the arena from the nurses in the hospital Daring had wanted to visit the place, see the fighting, hear the bloodthirsty shouts of the spectators, and they had expected to feel disgust, or the urge to draw away. But instead Daring couldn't take their eyes off of the fighting, fists hitting flesh, the blood on the arena floor. Daring couldn't even hear the audience, they were laser focused on the fighting. And all they felt was the urge to do what those people were doing, fight against a worthy opponent, feel pain and cause pain, and emerge victorious. Show everyone, and themselves, that Daring was strong, and no one would be able to deny it.

And so Daring sat, for who knew how long, right by the rail in their wheelchair. The nurses had said it was okay for Daring to stand and walk and only use the wheelchair if necessary, but Daring much rather sat in this wheelchair than among the audience. They didn't like the thought of blending into the crowd, becoming just one more bloodthirsty pair of eyes. Because that was what Daring knew their eyes looked like. Thirsty for blood, and more fighting. Their fluffy tail slowly swung from side to side in concentration, and their ears twitched at every new sound that the fighters let out. These two had been at it for almost 30 minutes. Soon one of them would break.

Daring didn't notice the figure approaching them before the person raised their voice, very clearly directing a greeting at Daring specifically. Daring's ear twitched towards the voice, and they slowly turned their head to look at the almost annoyingly colourful display that had talked to them. This person had said something about a community center, and Daring narrowed their eyes a bit, trying to remember if they had ever even been to a community center. And yes, a hazy memory of a nurse rolling Daring into one did pop up, but that was about it. At the time Daring had been so indifferent they hadn't cared one bit about the whole center. Well, this moment wasn't much different, Daring's expression was dairly indifferent, if not even a bit annoyed since this person had directed their attention away from the fight. But Daring wouldn't just purposefully annoy this person, who looked to be a NEK0 as well. Or at least they had the ears and tail.

"I can't remember yours either. Guess we're even then."
Daring said with a small shrug, and stood up. Today Daring was wearing high-waisted pants and a loose white shirt with frills on the sleeves and chest area, the hem tucked neatly into the pants. And Daring's robotic limbs were covered under calf-high boots and white satin gloves. Daring's signature single red rose hair ornament sat nearly by their left ear, one speck of colour among the light brown pants and white shirt.
"I'm Daring. Was there another reason for you approaching me aside from you recognizing me from an encounter so brief I'm surprised you remember it?"

Daring didn't trust this person who introduced themselves as Konpeitou Hatsu. Well, Daring didn't trust anyone outside Sweetpea, but Kon they trusted even less. Daring felt automatically put off by overly friendly or nice people, because Daring knew that it was a facade most of the time when it came to them. Daring was rude and blunt and they knew it, so anyone who acted overly nice at them was either faking to some extent or stupid. And Daring could tell Kon wasn't stupid. Daring almost told Kon that yes, they wanted to be left alone, but one thing that he said caught Daring's attention, and their ears perked.

"You work here?"
Daring asked, their tone still a bit indifferent but the way they now looked Kon directly in the eyes proved that Daring was actually paying attention. Although if Daring wasn't actually interested they wouldn't have asked that question.

It irritated Daring, when Kon answered like he had been waiting for Daring to ask the very question they had just presented. Daring didn't like being transparent or predictable, it made it far too easy to manipulate or use them. Daring frowned slightly as an answer to Kon's smirk, and crossed their arms slowly.

"Making assumptions of someone's career based on something so shallow and easily changeable as appearance is near-sighted and idiotic."
Daring commented at first, raising their brow slightly as their tail slowly curled up and around their waist.
"And even if your personality seems more like that of a maid cafe worker for all I know you might have a taste for blood hidden under that seemingly cheery exterior."
Much like Daring, although in Daring's case one might not be that surprised that they enjoyed spectating and even partaking in violence.

The more Kon smirked more vary Daring grew of him. All their senses told Daring not to trust this person, and they listened to their senses, staying on their toes as the conversation progressed. And even though Daring was still irritated at how Kon seemed amused at their demeanor this time Daring hid it, making sure their reactions did not evoke any sort of satisfaction within Kon. Thankfully indifference was Daring's forte.

"How does one enter a fight on this arena and what are the requirements?"
Daring presented their question, jumping right into the point and skipping any explanations. Because Daring, in the end, knew exactly what they wanted to know.