[h2]CCG Regional Headquarters, 8th Ward, Gym[/h2]

High-kick, bounce off of grounded food, land on other, high-side kick - back into stance. Jab shadow-boxing, footwork and weaving. Hisoka's breathing did not falter, despite the hour of shadow-kicking and boxing which he had been working on. Sweat rolled from his brow and down his torso, but his breathing remained calm. That was the first lesson he'd been taught in the combat classes of the academy; breathing is everything. 

The last two years had been interesting for the newly instated investigator. Hisoka had quickly become a star pupil at the academy in everything but standard education. Mathematics? Fail. History? Barely a pass. Sciences? Middle of the lane. Once it became applied for Investigator work, however, Hisoka immediately became an A+ student. Ghoul Biology and Combat Education are the two which he stood out in, the latter due to him being the best in his class by a good skill gap and the former because of the stark contrast between that and the regular biology class. He could easily take up an apprenticeship at HQ and learn under Chigyou-sensei, but his calling was here, in combat. As far as Hisoka was concerned, this was the only thing his body was made for - 14 years of honing into a weapon. He was a loaded gun with an aim once, but after the Marrow incident that aim was suddenly gone. Ghouls were the only thing which could possibly take its place. 

The sound of the gym door opening served as a reminder. He was getting a partner today, wasn't he?

Hisoka turned to the door from his spot in the open area, only to get a face full of towel. He yelped, pulling it off of his sweaty skin to look at the sudden assailant.

[i]"You're a damned savant, boy. Get some help."[/i] Said assailant was 1st Rank Investigator Ikiryo, the academy combat instructor who had effectively taken Hisoka under his wing for two years. An ever impassive and difficult to please man, he rarely smiled and when he did it was rarely a good sign. [i]"First day on the new job and you somehow find a gym to hole yourself up in."[/i] With a respectful bow to his now-former instructor, Hisoka smiled up at the tall man. 

[i]"Nerves."[/i] He answered simply, wiping around his forehead with the towel, brushing a scruffy fringe of unnaturally pale hair our of the way. [i]"What're you doing here, Ikiryo-sensei?"[/i] He asked with an inquisitive edge. It was not like Ikiryo to come seeking one of his students, especially if they're so far from HQ. 

[i]"Can't a guy go and personally wish good luck to one of his students?"[/i]

[i]"It's not usually in your character, sensei."[/i]

[i]"Yeah, well. Consider this an exception. I also knew you'd probably forget to go find your partner."[/i] It was very much out of character, from Hisoka's perspective. The pale, bald man walked up to Hisoka, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. [i]"Seriously though. Good luck out there, Araújo - you've got talent, don't waste it and die early. Now go get changed and meet with your partner."[/i] Ikiryo nodded to Hisoka, pointing out his state of dress.

Yeah, probably would not be a good idea to dress in fight shorts and a sports top for your first day of work. Hisoka nodded to Ikiryo.

[i]"Thank you, sensei. Good luck to you as well."[/i] With their brief and appropriate goodbyes all said, Hisoka bowed once more and hurried off to the changing room.

[h2]CCG Regional Headquarters, 8th Ward, Cafeteria[/h2]

One would figure that getting changed into your work uniform would not take long, but the suit-and-tie appearance of the CCG did not really go down well with Hisoka. It was a nice look, but if he was going to be functional, he'd need freedom of movement. So he just went without the jacket and replaced it with a brown hoodie, feeling it was the most he could do while remaining in uniform. It got a few looks, but until he was a Rank 2 he could get away with it. 

Looking over the cafeteria, it was not exactly difficult to identify his new partner. Of course he had heard of Special Investigator Matsuoka previously through the grape vine, and he had had a look over her 'file' as it were, but seeing her in person was a different matter. He found himself sort of just blinking at her from across the room, trying to register what he was seeing. 

He had heard her be called a race traitor and a freak, but he simply did not see it. Yes, she was shocking, but he just saw...damage. She was damaged, evidently at more than face value given the extreme nature of her modifications. Either way, rank and track record did not lie - she's good at her job. For a few minutes, he contemplated how to go about introducing himself, sort of miming his greeting to the air while some Investigators and Bureau Investigators passed him with odd looks. He paid them no mind.

Might as well get used to the shock-value before meeting her, right? Hisoka finally approached Yuuka, stopping just before the chair opposite her.

[i]"Special Investigator Matsuoka?"[/i] An entire rhetorical question. He tried to disregard the fact she had noodles hanging out of her hair, more so distracting than the fact part of her face seemed to be grafted on. [i]"I'm His-"[/i] He stopped himself, remembering the formalities. [i]"Rank 3 Investigator Araújo Hisoka. I'm your new partner, I think."[/i] With a respectful and trained bow, he looked back up to Yuuka with a slight smile. 

[i]"Please take good care of me."[/i]