(Preshow) Preshow Facility

[Yu Kanda]

With what seemed to be the physical reincarnation of lust leaving the scene Kanda was able to breathe a bit more freely. Unable to pinpoint exactly what it was about this mysterious female creature, or how she was able to get inside his head like this made him feel more uneasy then he preferred. Perhaps this was her game after all, clouding men's judgment with impure thoughts in order to weaken them before the competition. The most alarming and slightly more horrifying thought was that she succeeded, even if for a moment, to capture the exorcist attention and call upon his buried desires. A feeling hidden beneath the layers of a past life. Flashes of the blonde woman appeared in front of his eyes, a condition that hadn't haunted him in months. He fiercely shook his head, attempting to snap out of it. "Are you alright?" the vertically challenged magus inquired with a slight hint of concern hidden amongst the words.

Kanda opened his eyes, seeing clearly again. With a kind smile on his face he looked towards his fellow Babylonian, "Thank you Shantotto, if it wasn't for you I don't know what would've happened here. I owe you one, you have my thanks." A formal nod combined with his military posture created an almost ceremonial event.

Shantotto seemed to be overwhelmed slightly, unaware of what the captain of the guards was thanking her for. After all, all she did was request a bit of information about this competition she signed up for. With both hands waving dismissively she stopped him before the situation became awkward, "No need to thank me Captain, I'm not even sure what you are thanking me for. But since you are offering, what exactly do you know of this, Dante's Abyss?" The question was followed quickly by her extracting both a notebook and pencil from her equipment. 

The unexpected question, combined with her sharp gaze of curiosity caught Kanda off guard. He wasn't expecting a pop-quiz. "Whoa there little one! There is no need to get this excited, I will share what I know." The professor responded with a slight disapproving huff, most likely towards the remark regarding her height. The swordsman realized his mistake not shortly after.

"My apologies miss. That was unintentionally rude of me." Kanda sat down in the grass, making it easier for the two primes to maintain eye contact. Removing any form of condescending communication gestures. "This competition has been around for years now. Every year primes voluntarily sign up to participate in it. It is a violent yet brave competition, warriors from all over the verses come together to face off in a clash of strength, wits, perseverance and honor."

Fierce full writing was heard as Kanda shared his knowledge with Shantotto. Not a single word was skipped in the highly detailed collection of information that was her notebook. The prime continued his story, "Every edition of this recurring event is different, yet one variable never changes. Lives are lost, this challenging endeavor is filled with death." The doctor's writing slowed down as she headed the exorcist's last sentence. The words within that sentence were woven together with an eerie atmosphere. The silence that followed did not help.

"But I am sure you were already aware of this, seeing as you signed up for it yourself." The captain was verifying his hunch that his new friend was indeed participating.

She scraped her throat, quickly returning her gaze to her precious book. "Yes of course I was aware of this, what else can you tell me?"

"Not sure really, I've been observing some of the primes that have been arriving throughout the day. And other then the succubus you successfully scared off with your presence none struck me as particularly evil or dangerous. But I do believe they keep more detailed records of previous years in a library here in the facility."

Library, a treasure cove for every literary scholar. Her ears peaked just by hearing the word. "They have a library here? Where? Could you show me?" Barely able to contain her excitement the magic wielder transformed her eyes in that of a kitten begging for food. There was no way he could refuse now.

"Sure, it's not that far off. I'll walk with you, could use a stretch for my legs." The exorcist got up, wiped the grass from his uniform before leading the way.

"Hello Candy my lover from another mother! How is this DA treating you, love?"

The swordsman froze. Goddamn…He knew that voice. Only one man in the entire Omniverse was stupid enough to provoke Kanda like this in public. The kindness he showed Shantotto quickly converted in a less sympathetic state of manners. A throbbing vein appeared almost instantly the moment he recognized the voice as none other than the Lord of bullshit from Nippur. The swordsman hadn't seen him after their ordeal with the shadow queen. And here he was, acting as if nothing happened.

Shantotto observed Kanda, as a doctor he recognized the symptoms quite easily, heavy breathing, raising pulse, clenched fists and veins clearly pushing outwards. "You know Captain, I could prescribe you something for that anxiety of yours. Or perhaps consider removing the source of your stress?"

The latter was exactly what was going through Kanda's head right at this point. It would be so easy, a single well aimed slash, liberation head from torso and it would solve so many problems. Alas, rules are rules and ranks are ranks. He was to honor both of those. Kanda turned around and there he was, Victor fucking Wolfe.

"I did not expect to see you here Victor. Then again, this entire competition is a stage for a showman like you to perform. And where the hell is your shirt?! Why is everyone here naked?!"

The assassin replied with a wink and pistol fingers, "You got me Candy! I am obligated to give the Omniverse and its female inhabitants what they want….Me, in all my glory." The ego of his lordship nearly busted through the edges of the facility. Once again Kanda was faced with the ever old question, brilliant or bat shit crazy. Behind Victor another prime was lurking, a female unknown to Kanda, even though she seemed to look familiar, perhaps a contender from another Dante's Abyss? A small young brunette wearing an oversized hoodie was staring at the three from Nippur hailing primes. Perhaps one of those fan girls Victor liked to boast about. Kanda made eye contact with the teenager right before she looked away, most likely doing the same thing as he wanted to do himself, scout the competition.
He returned his attention to the duo in front of him, "Shantotto, meet Lord Wolfe. Victor, meet Shantotto, another prime from Nippur representing us in the competition."

The doctor extended her hand towards the assassin, "Pleased to meat you, sir!"

Victor tilted his head, dropped through his knees, squatting in front of the professor. He patted her on the head with a friendly smile on his face, "Hey there sweetie, aren't you the cutest little thing out here?" In a single fluent movement he grabbed her hand and planted his soft, gentle lips on them.  Before Shantotto realized what the hell just happened and was able to react the arrogant lord got back up, "So where to Candy?"

"The library." Were the only words he managed to muster.

"Great! I know where it is, perhaps go for a drink afterwards?" Victor took the lead and started heading towards the Library. The others did not bother to get in between Lord Wolfe and his ego and followed.

Behind them Kanda noticed the young woman was still with them. Amber kept her distance yet kept a close eye on the three.

Moving to the library.