Up went the strings on the outside of the ring. “Don’t you even—” The copper-haired girl started as the Obstagoon stuck a foot onto the padding on the ring’s corner. “Goon.” Two fingers lifted in a sloppy salute as he freed himself from the ring. “That’s not cool, dude.!” Madeline called after him. But the fight was gone. The badger was a stubborn guy.

Just because Yakuza looked intimidating didn’t mean he liked getting punching people. Especially not his person. He liked watching movies and loafing on the beach. Turning into a roids monster was far from the top of his list. Red eyes fixed on the vending machine at the other side of the gym. One that only looked like it was full of yummy shit.


With a shrug and a huff, Madeline turned to look at the new combatant. Her lips spread in an easy smile. The tall girl moved to tug open the ropes. “I’d love one.” Her attention shifted briefly to the Obstagoon. Though annoyed, the affection in her gaze was clear. That Pokemon had taken a literal bullet for her. “My buddy’s not much of a fighter.”


Across the gym, the Obstagoon made a selection. Judging by his glower, he wasn’t exactly impressed by the selection. How the hell did these weirdos sweat for hours and want a fricking bag of saw dust with a side of raisins? Who actually liked oat cakes? The trail bar he grabbed was the only thing with chocolate.


A hand was offered down to the other girl to help her into the ring.“My name’s Madeline—Madd.” Technically, it was Madeline and like two bougie middle names. But that wasn’t something she ever wanted to share. “You?”

The redhead stepped back as she pulled, trying to stay out of the way of her new partner. “I’d say the same, but I only have a couple.” Copper eyes traced her Obstagoon’s form appraisingly. “He’s taken a bullet for me, but he won’t throw a punch.“ She shook her head, wishing she had a cigarette. “Guy’s chivalrous, I guess?” Though the idea of him as some chivalrous knight was hilarious. “Still, I wouldn’t change it.” Annoying as it was, Yakuza was her best (read: only) friend.

The introduction was met with a quirked brow. And she thought her name sucked. The real one, anyway. Being Madd was pretty cool. “Like cigarette? Or, uh, with a y? Like the bird?” That was a swan thing, wasn’t it? She remembered her Aunt Brenna throwing that word around a couple of times. Either way, she wouldn’t want that as her namesake. Swans were assholes. Stuck up, preppy assholes. They were like fancy geeze.

While Cygne stretched, the ginger took to tightening her gloves. The stupid things tended to flop loose after too long. And the last thing she wante was to end up punching a strange bare-fisted. That was a whole other level of aggressiveness. The woman’s next words drew a snort. “Oh, yeah? Same goes for you too, you know?” She gave her left foot a shake. “I used to be a black belt, but I haven’t really practiced in—” Well, she couldn’t use her fingers like this, unless she wanted things to stop at four. "A while."

“Ladies first.” The redhead gestured to herself. “Gorillas second.” Madd bowed as she settled into a more defensive stance, her hands in front of her face.

Snacks in hand, the badger made his way to a bench just outside the ring. Crunch!