among the crowd is theo beckett, a familiar face in the battle tent of slateport as some would come to know. he uses it as a source of recruitment and of finding talent. it's where he had found ashton (Razz Kingsman). will he find more tonight?[break][break]

scouting will have to come later, perhaps, as his attention is drawn to a familiar face in the crowd.[break][break]

he steps up next to her.[break][break]

"not participating tonight?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-naganadel"]

Jessie was staring forward, watching the brawl on display. She wasn't aware that someone had approached her, taking a spot near her, until he spoke.

She blinked, snapping out of her daze before meeting the gaze of THEO BECKETT.

"I've never been one to fight. My job's to entertain, but not like this, Mr. Beckett," she said, looking back at the fight.

One of the men had the other pinned, his foot holding the other's skull to the ground as he leaned over and tugged his opponent's arm behind his back. She could see the weaker of the two cry out in pain, tapping on the ground as his arm threatened to snap.

"I'm not at their level. Even if I wanted to fight, I don't know how."

THEO BECKETT

☉

"you don't know how to fight?"[break][break]

not surprising, considering a decent amount within the organization have never received proper training. an oversight on rocket's part, but that's where theo's looking to fill the gap.[break][break]

despite the tapping, the man still gets his arm snapped back.[break][break]

"it seems our system has failed you. who recruited you? trained you?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-naganadel"]

Jessie shook her head, silently answering his question as she watched the remainder of the fight.

The snapping sound of the man's arm breaking was loud, and his arm bent back in a terrible angle. She closed her eyes, turning her head away from the scene as she heard him cry out, followed by the bell signaling the end of the match.

"I joined on the word that someone I knew from my childhood was in it. Administration del Mar. But I never received any formal training. I've just been a pretty face to look at," she answered, looking back at Theo finally.

"I joined to rebel against my father. I suppose I never anticipated wanting or needing to be trained. But now..." it was different.

THEO BECKETT

☉

"ah. then i apologize for the oversight on our end."[break][break]

not much else needs to be said, really, as there's no changing the past. he can only correct the mistakes and hope they aren't repeated in the future because jessie isn't the only instance.[break][break]

"all those in the organization should know how to fight. pretty face or otherwise."[break][break]

the bell sounds the start of a new round.[break][break]

"you should participate tonight."

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-naganadel"]

Jessie was a bit surprised by Theo's apology. In her eyes, it wasn't a big deal. Not until now, that is.

"You're a busy man. You don't have the ability to overlook every single grunt, right? Don't apologize," she insisted, feeling a bit awkward as she glanced away.

Though, she had to admit that she agreed with him. Jessie needed to have some sort of competency in battle. She just wasn't sure how to go about it.

And his suggestion took her by surprise yet again.

"Do you think that's a good idea? I've never brawled or fought like this before..." she said warily, eyeing the ring that was smeared with blood.

THEO BECKETT

☉

"i shouldn't have to, no. but some fault lies with me."[break][break]

those in the position of power and knowledge should've been more willing to share it. culture bleeds from the top down, so he'll be sure to ensure proper training for all rocket recruits, grunts, and employees should they need it.[break][break]

and he has a feeling they do.[break][break]

"i need to get an understanding of what your fighting prowess currently is."[break][break]

what better way than through real-life experience?

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-naganadel"]

There were people in the ring, mopping up the blood and whatever other fluids were spilt on the floor. It wasn't that effective, just spreading pink everywhere as it dried and stained the ground.

The thought of touching a place like that was enough to disgust her.

Jessie thought about it for a moment before speaking.

"I'll do it on one condition. I can't get severely injured like that last guy. I have a child to take care of now, alone. I can't be stupidly reckless. I don't mind learning, but..."

Jessie sighed, rubbing her face tiredly.

"I need someone on my level to fight against. Okay? Will you allow that, even if it's to evaluate my skills?"

She couldn't just break herself into pieces and leave Kai to fend for himself. She could rely on the gang, but they were busy enough as it is, with Caspian sending members out to gather intel and hunting down people himself.

THEO BECKETT

☉

"i'm afraid there may be no one here on your level."[break][break]

though blunt, he believes it to be true. there's no point sugarcoating what they both know.[break][break]

the crowd starts to pipe up once again as they rally for a new round to begin. the ringmaster looks towards theo who gestures towards jessica.[break][break]

"but i'll jump in if things look bad."

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-naganadel"]

Though she wanted to deny it and prove that there was someone as weak and puny as her there, Jessie was afraid that Theo was right. She massaged the back of her neck, closing her eyes before nodding.

"I'm taking your word."

If the fight went south quickly, she wouldn't hesitate to bail.

Stepping forward after pulling her hair into a ponytail, Jessie entered the ring. All she heard was the blood rushing through her body as the opponent stepped in: another woman, though she had muscle and scars ripped across her body.

"Hey, Princess. Ready for an assbeating?"

She didn't reply as the bell dinged, announcing the beginning of their fight. And Jessie was immediately swept off her feet.

THEO BECKETT

☉

being a man of his word, theo will jump in eventually, but being swept off her feet doesn't quite constitute his need to intervene just yet. so he watches, folding his arms over his chest as he analyzes the fight.[break][break]

the woman is relentless. she is quick to bring her leg back to throw a kick into jessie's midsection, wanting to knock the wind out of her.

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-naganadel"]

Jessie let out a loud grunt when her back hit the ground, an aching sensation running through her body as she rolled to the side. She got up, as quickly as she could while protecting her weak points.

However, within a matter of moments, the woman's leg was sent to her stomach, knocking air up and out of her body.

She bent over, left gasping and heaving as she tried to breathe again. Nothing would go in, and she felt like she was going to die. Until finally she could heave a breath in as her hair was yanked back.

Jessie threw a fist to her opponent's face, just barely making contact. But it didn't do much as her own face was met with a much harder punch.

THEO BECKETT

☉

it is a one-sided fight, one that has a predictable outcome from the very moment the two participants stepped foot into the ring. but it is a needed fight.[break][break]

despite whatever he might have said, theo does not jump in.[break][break]

after the much harder punch, the woman spits: "stay down!"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-naganadel"]