As Jill walked down the street, she couldn't help but think back to the fight she had before. The sharp clashing of blades, the ruthless intent of spilling the others blood, all of it was so exhilarating! She felt the blood rushing through her veins, the rhythm of her heart cranking up with each passing second. Not only that, she wasn’t able to put a mark on him! Each attack she gave was met with an appropriate response, whether defense, evasion, or a counter.

‘Impressive for someone so young,' she thought, a small smile on her face. He didn't seem like a Squire, since there was clear intent to kill. He wasn't part of a Clan either, since nothing from what she knew had completely zero form. Even those who speak of having a 'formless' fighting style had some basis of structure. Yet, Little Wolf was completely empty. It was like she was hunting a beast, where it simply knew its ability to kill. 

She may have a new performance idea!

As she started to plan out the music and the lyric concept (she’d definitely need to bother Jana about writing them down later), she felt a faint, but oh-so familiar scent enter her nose. The stench of alcohol and sweat, with an undercurrent of blood.

‘I’m back already? It's only been like an hour of walking,’ she thought, surprised. She was on the other side of the city, which would've been a couple hours by bus. Pulling out her Harcell, her eyes widened in shock as she saw the time. Turns, what was an hour in her mind was actually eight. 

'Man, I really need a watch,' she thought, letting out a small sigh. Shaking her head, she shoved her hands into her pockets before continuing down the path, following the ever growing scent. After a bit of walking, she eventually arrived at Little Opulenca. Crimson lights painted the brick street, with a wave of people going in and out. Each face was painted with desire, whether blatant or hidden. The smell of hunger came from everywhere, from the bars and food stands to the brothels and alleyways.

'Home sweet home,' she thought, opening her eyes. It may not be like Opulenca proper, but it's still nice to have a little sense of her old grounds.

As she walked down the crimson brick road, weaving through the crowd, she eventually arrived at her home and workplace. It was an older building, the stonework and more subdued design sticking out from the flashy lights around it. However, it was its own…special allure, which drew in the layman and people like herself.

Upon entering the building, she was met with a regular scene. A cacophony of music, a sea of people indulging in dance and drink, the cracking of bones and the cheering of spectators.

Looking through the crowd of people, her eyes landed on a very particular person. 

Considering that he’s chatting up another girl, he wouldn’t notice something coming up behind him. Pulling up her hood, he silently walked towards him, weaving through the people (and occasionally taking a snack) like a serpent stalking its prey. Once she got close enough, she dashed forward, latching onto his back and wrapping her body around his.

“Hey, sweetie! I missed you!” Jill shouted, digging her face into the crook of his neck. Hearing the indignant tone in his curses, she silently chuckled before turning her gaze onto the lady in front of them. It was clear she was here to possibly find a partner, considering the glint of annoyance in her eyes.

Sorry, lady, but she kinda needed Hankie for something, so kindly piss off.

Seeing the girl flinch, Jill let a small smile creep onto her face as the girl quickly scuttered off, almost like a spooked deer. Oh, how fear is truly the most entertaining emotion.

“I swear, I'm going to punch you in the face one of these days,” Hank muttered, a scowl on his face.

“We both know that’ll never happen,” Jill responded, dropping onto the floor. He's barely able to win an arm wrestle with her. Him trying to fight her would practically be a death sentence.

“Yeah, I know. Still, a guy can dream," Hank muttered, downing the pint he was holding before setting the glass back down.

"So, anything interesting happened while I was out on the town?" she asked, hopping into the seat next to him.

"Han-Jae and Mitch are going at each other in the pit again," he said flatly, jabbing his thumb towards the ring of spectators. 

Hearing that, she couldn't help but let out a groan of annoyance. Every time, with those two! This would be the tenth damned fight this month! 

"I swear, those two should just confess already. The sexual tension every time they're together is starting to be a pain," she groaned, rubbing her forehead. Those two have been into each other for like, what, three years at this point? It'd be best for the troupe if they got the theatrics over with.

"Truth to that. But hey, at least it's vaguely entertaining," he said, giving a light shrug.

"I'm gonna look for Maxim. Need to talk to him about something," she said before hopping out of her seat and walking off. As she weaved through the crowd of people, she eventually arrived at a gleaming steel door, hidden away from view. Opening the door, she walked down a stairway, the sound of her footsteps echoing against the stone wall. As she reached the bottom, she opened the oak door. Walking into the lounge, she was met with other members of the troupe, all of which were drunk if the smell of alcohol was anything to go by. Going over to one of the more sober members, she gave the girl a light shake.

“No, grandma, I didn't piss on the tree,” the brunette (Rui, if she remembered correctly) muttered, still not fully there in the head. 

Guess she’ll have to give a wake-up call or sorts.

Gingerly putting her hand on the back of Rui(?)’s head, Jill slammed her face into the table in front of them. Letting off a litany of curses, Rui(?) snapped her head her way, only to freeze upon seeing her.

“Glad you’re back from your trip to lala land. You know where Maxim is?” Jill asked, raising a brow. 

"H-he's in the training hall," Rui(?) answered, voice shaking.

"Good girl," Jill said, a smile on her face, before turning on her heel and walking down the hall. Slowly, the smell of alcohol was replaced with the smell of sweat and blood, only growing more intense as he went deeper. Arriving in front of a metallic door, she opened it to a knife flying towards her face. Plucking the blade out of the air, she glanced down at it before looking at the shirtless man in front of her. Scars covered his copper skin, with ones ranging from knives and axes to much more…odd ones (one looked like it came from a chainsaw, for fuck sake). Deep crimson stared into pink and purple, with the tension in the air slowly dissipating. 

“Having fun?” Jill asked, a small smile on her face.

Letting out a small chuckle, Maxim walked over to one of the chairs before picking off the hoodie and putting it on.

“How’re you doing, Jiji? Did you have fun?” Maxim asked, a small smile on his face. 

Hearing her old stage name, a small groan escaped her mouth, a light blush dusting her cheeks. He’ll never let her live that dumb name down.

“Well, for your information, I had fun. Even found someone who could best the two of us in a fight,” she said, causing Maxim to pause.

“...Oh, really now?” Maxim asked, interest clear in his voice.

With that cue, she started to speak about her fight with Little Wolf.