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.

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."

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."

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.