[center][abbr=Pit][img]https://i.ibb.co/7VzgY22/pit.png[/img][/abbr]
[sub][i]Friday Morning[/i][/sub]
Word Count: 1537 (+3 exp) 
[u]Level[/u]: [b]8[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 354/80 
[b]Location[/b]: Esaka, the Forbidden Kingdom[/center]
There was still a little bit of time to kill before Pit's next match. Not enough to tail Grima and try and see what was going on with the whole Robin's body thing (he was sure he'd see Grima again before long anyway), so with the rain to cool him down after their fight, Pit took a quick trip to the Low Tier to see if he could catch his team still at breakfast. His path this time saw him just leap down over the edge of each tier and either hop down from whatever roof he landed on or just catch himself with his wings before hitting the ground, which meant he arrived to the cafe pretty quickly, but the Seekers had cleared out by then. That figured.

Going back up via the lifts, Pit bypassed the Pools and weaved through the Mid-Tier's morning traffic. He arrived at the Order of Light's dojo, which was already more familiar to him than his own, and paused under its sloped eave to shake droplets of water from his wings, hair, and clothes before poking his head in. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Anybody home?"[/color]

Inside he found the sisters finishing up their latest round of practicing kata. "Come in, Pit," Ashrah said, though her focus never left her sister's form. The two of them flowed easily from one to the next before returning to their beginning stance and tipping their heads to each other, after which Ashrah turned to greet Pit properly and Sareena made for the door.

"Good timing, you just missed Bo' Rai Cho's morning complaints," she said. She stopped at the exit, looking back at the two still in the Winners Bracket. "Have you decided your strategy against Nyotengu?"

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"More or less,"[/color] Pit said with a nod. The lackluster response made Sareena glance at Ashrah for confirmation, who smiled lightly. 

"We have one, but are keeping our options open."

It was a more satisfying answer, so Sareena turned to leave while throwing a hand up to bid them goodbye and good luck. When she disappeared Pit hummed and crossed his arms behind his head.

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"She's not gonna watch us get revenge for her?"[/color] he questioned curiously. He hoped she wasn't still so sore about her loss, but a quiet sigh from Ashrah confirmed that was most likely the case.

"I choose to take it as her trusting us with winning in her stead," the demoness said. "That, and she must prepare for her own matches. Losers will be in full swing today."

Ashrah approached to look the angel over more closely while Pit wondered if the Losers matches were held in a separate area of the Pools or if they were just fought like normal. When he turned to ask her as much and caught her stare he looked down at himself. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"What? Do I have something on me?"[/color]

"Is it a habit of yours to start the day with a fight even before our tournament matches?" She asked. There was no blame in her voice, she just honestly wanted to know. "There are better ways to warm up."

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Oh! Ehehe..."[/color] Pit looked back up at her, slightly sheepish. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"It just happened to, uh, happen! It's not a habit - at least I hope it doesn't turn into one. I'll be alright though!"[/color]

Ashrah tutted lightly. "Our next opponent is strong, you shouldn't underestimate her by going into kombat at any less than your best. Let's get you patched up."

As she moved to the door to bring them both out into the city, a low rumble resounded from the angel's stomach. He looked less embarrassed about this than he did the fighting, especially when the demoness let out a short sound of amusement and added, "and fed."

[hr]
One quick meal, some healing, and last minute strategizing mixed in-between a rather casual chat between partners later, and Pit and Ashrah were back in the Pools Tier for day two of Mortal Kombat. They checked their assigned arena and passed under a covered section once more, giving them a break from the persistent shower. Coming upon the stage of their next fight, the first thing that hit the pair was heat, and a subtle smell of sulfur. The sound of sloshing water and the gibbering of spectators was next as the area finally came into view. There hadn't been anything too interesting or surprising about the previous arenas so far, but Pit was elated to see this venue and tugged at Ashrah's sleeve as soon as he saw it. 

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"It's a hot spring!"[/color]

Featuring a pair of warm sconces and a buff statue that stood just past the wide window that showed the rest of the Pools Tier in the center of the area, this [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/e0ae66909b6f.gif]stage[/url] was indeed a hot spring. It also hosted many, many more people that had come to watch than Pit had seen so far at a Pools match... well, [i]yokai[/i] to be specific. Pit saw one of the kappas that had been at his last match, as well as a pair of monkeys relaxing in the water next to it, one [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/46554531b1a1.jpg]large[/url] and one [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/56073a372298.png]small[/url]. There were also dozens of tengu of all kinds, perched in the high areas around the stage and chattering on about their princess. They were the loyal fans and followers of Pit and Ashrah's next opponents, the same ones that had defeated Sareena the day before. 

And speak of the devil - the yokai around the area roared in excitement as two women approached from opposite the angel and demon. The first, was a feisty red head with pointed teeth and a pair of small horns on her head. She walked briskly ahead of her partner like she couldn't wait to get this match started. 

"Wow, look what we've got this time!" [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/1510fbfbf578.png]Kanna[/url] said, one hand on her hip and the other pointed dramatically at the challengers.

The woman following her up moved leisurely, the bells on her geta chiming softly with each step. Her hair and intricately patterned kimono swayed gently as she walked, thanks to a small breeze that fluttered around her and only her. Judging by the reaction of the yokai in the audience, this dark haired beauty was the fighter that Pit would be up against: [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/e5924e65bec8.png]the princess of tengu[/url]. 

"Hmm~" Nyotengu covered the bottom half of her face with her fan as she sized her opponents up. Her gaze traced the bright white of Pit's wings at the same time that his was taking in her dark feathers. A twinkle formed in the princess' eye as she spread her wings out dramatically and raised her fan to point at Pit.

"Have I been misled?" She said, lolling her head to one side to look at one particular group of tengu, who all seemed to pale under her stare. "I'd been told one of my own had grown impudent and was planning to challenge me. Ah, I was looking forward to pitting two Tengu-do styles against each other... but this is no [i]tengu[/i], he's a [i]tenshi.[/i]"

She relaxed her posture, turning back to Pit as he huffed and said, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"actually, I'm an angel!"[/color]

"That's what she [i]said,[/i]" Kanna responded with a roll of her eyes.

Nyotengu glanced Ashrah's way and smiled. "And a lesser oni too! Aren't you happy, Kanna?"

"Don't just lump us together!!"

Though Pit looked up at Ashrah, the demoness did not seem to take offense at the remark. She hardly acknowledged either opponent at all, her face a stone slate and her hand wrapped tight around the hilt of her blade. It was hard to tell if the comment was meant as a provocation in the first place, especially because Nyotengu clearly didn't care about getting a reaction. She simply looked out over the arena as if seeing it for the first time, and when she looked back at Pit and Ashrah it was with a sharper smile and a hint of eagerness.

"No matter, this match up will be good too. You'll entertain me, won't you~?" She batted her eyeslashes at the angel. "And perhaps join me for my victory dip in these springs afterward~"

As far as smack talk went it was pretty light. Pit was about to point out that falling into the water was probably going to count as a ring out, but thinking about it, as long as it was after the match was over...

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"That sounds great! I'd like that!"[/color]

Ashrah blinked down at Pit, her tension completely broken by the comment she hadn't expected. "Really?" 

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Yeah! Feels like forever since I've last been in one!"[/color] he said. Then his smile turned to a grin as he looked back at their opponents. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"You can use it to cool down after we beat you!"[/color]

"It's a HOT spring!" Kanna shouted, stamping one foot. 

Further banter would have to wait as the tell tale sign of the match's start, the golden wind of the Heavenly Principles, began to materialize and twist though the air. The kameos for each fighter cleared the area, waiting on the edges for their cue. Pit and Nyotengu squared off, the former summoning his bow to his hand.

[color=lightgoldenrodyellow]"Let's do this!"[/color]

"Show me a good time~!"