Kin's back visibly tensed up, his shoulders less loose as he lost some of the nonchalant swagger. The air was less comfortable, still, smelling like animals of all sorts. Growling here, the loud screaming from a far corner. The hum of a stringed instrument traveled through the room. Echoing.

Which wouldn't be important if they weren't surrounded by dirt walls and an uneven ceiling. There shouldn't be an echo. He grew uncomfortable while the creepy embrace of magic started pressing on him, but he pushed on. This place was filled with greedy and untrustworthy people who used magic to get their way. He would not be trapped by it.

"This is called the Bangamor. Trading, cage fighting, galore. Skir's centre magical advancement and illegal transactions." He said, keeping his voice a little lower, taut. "Cage fighting includes animals, and mercenaries who are desperate enough to fight each other to the death. Or. You know, against demons."

Kin's eyes moved constantly, relieved to remain anonymous, at least for now. "This is not the only one, places like these are all around. This one is on the small side, comparatively. There are a few in Greenbriar too." He flashed a quick smile.

Unsure of where to go, he was just looking around til they got a little closer to the back, nearer to the Cage, where all the fighting happened. It got loud. However, he slowed down to a stop, score. His eyes lay on a slim-faced, dark haired and dark skinned elf. He spoke to a small group of unfamiliar people.

But eye contact was mutual, seeing as how Thallen straightened up, patted someone on the shoulder and started watching there way, a somewhat pleased look on his face.
That is, until he swung a fist, mid stride, which landed squarely on Kin's jaw, and sent him to the floor.

Eris listened intently as Kindred explained, her eyes searching the place with a new sense eof something between disgust and awe. She reached up and grabbed her long braid, spinning it around her wrist and then wrapping it in a circle around its base to make a low bun. She gave a tight nod at the summary, tilting her head at him with furrowed brows for the Greenbriar comment. She had heard of places like these. They were typically well hidden, and either paid officials to be passed by, or were good at going unnoticed. "I'm sure." She said curtly, her chest giving the slightest ache at the mention of home. She was going to ask what his connection was, but she didn't want to seem like she gave a shit about him. Not to mention, the people they approached cut off the opportunity.

She glanced to the side at the large pit-like arena beside them. It was dome shaped and enclosed by some sort of fencing, or cage bars. It looked just like a typical fighting ring. From what she could see, people surrounded it, money, alcohol, illegal substances in hand as they yelled and screamed at the two... bloody figures tussling within.

She turned her attention to the people surrounding them eagerly, noting and observing in silence. Elves were such a handsome species. A random thought, but valid, as she observed even the strange ones before her. She glanced up as someone approached, moving a half step off from Kindred's side as the man made a beeline for them. She could tell from his body language that there would be combat- yes, he could have warned him. But again, he wasn't in the business of giving a fuck when it came to her partner.

As the cracking sound of fist on face reached her ears, she was half between aggression toward the stranger, and wanting to shake his hand.

Her body instinctively shifted into something like a defensive stance, but she fixed herself quickly. "Nice hit." She covered, glancing at Kindred on the ground. "I'm Eris. It's lovely to meet you." She continued jokingly, holding her hand out for a shake with the large elf.

Kin likely went theough all stages of grief while on his hands and knees, including revenge but decided that one probably wouldn't make the situation any better.

He lightly brushed against his jaw, his eye twitching. Blood dripped out of a cut inside his cheek where his teeth had made a gash, and out of his mouth onto the ground. He pushed himself up onto his knees and spat.

Thallen looked up, a clean, toothy grin spreading as he made eye contact with the lady. T "Why, thank you madame." He charmed, shaking her hand firmly. "The name's Thallen." He nodded, tipping a proverbial hat. "One moment," and then looked down at the short haired elf on the floor. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing steppin' foot back here? How the hell'd you even get in?"

Kin looked up from his spot on his knees, flashing blood coated teeth before turning away to spit again. Running his tongue over his teeth and holding a hand up. Thallen rolled his eyes and picked him up. "Good to see you again." Kin greeted with a tight jaw.

T "What are you doin' with this pellopë(donkey, ass)?" He said, still smiling, though he pushed underyling anger on the back burner.
Thallen was much older than Kin, based on the dynamic, but still appeared young. He did not partake in the illegal substances, that much was obvious.

Eris couldn't help but smile at the slightly goofy smile on the elf's face. She returned his smile about as warmly as a Fae could, and then some- as Fae as she was, she still managed to express happiness.

Without showing her teeth, her smile lit up her face considerably, despite the fact that her features just weren't made for the action.

She returned the shake with an equally firm grasp, her hand soft, except for the calluses on her fingers. She dipped her head at his excuse, gently pulling her hand back. "By all means." She nodded, crossing her arms and looking down at Kindred. Was it shitty to just let him lay there without a word of defense? Yes. And some part of her felt guilty.

The other parts really liked watching him get socked.

Eris watched, keeping her confusion in her mind as Thallen plucked Kindred back up. She studied him for a few moments to make sure he wasn't too broken up, then glanced back at Thallen as she was addressed. "Oh, is it not obvious that we're in love?" She mocked, rolling her shoulders. "Technically, we're partners. Realistically, he's keeping me here with him against my will." She shrugged, glancing around. "When's the next fight?" She asked curiously, gesturing toward the Cage.

Kin scowled at the fae, falling for the handsome Thallen of the underworld. He adjusted any and all disheveled clothing and fixed the placement of the bag on his shoulder.

A nice red mark blossomed where his cheek had been struck, the bleeding had mostly stopped but the taste of it continued floating around his mouth.

Thallen's brows raised. T "So you're free?" The elf gave her the signature up-down look, with a smile at the end. "I didnt think he was the type." He commented about her captivity.

His eyes darted to the cage, eyes darting in assesment. T "Five minutes or so, by the looks of it. Did you come for the show or," he gave a short glare to Kin. "Any other reason?" Adressing the fae more directly.

While elves exactly weren't known for their memory, a century wasn't a long time in the grand scheme of things. And Kin had made a bit of an impression, despite the many years between Kin's last visit.

Eris smirked slightly at the comment, tilting her head in amusement at the Elf. "As a bird. With clipped wings." She shrugged, gesturing to Kindred with the second sentence. She rather enjoyed the flirting- it wasn't like this elf was ugly in any sense of the word, and no one had expressed interest in her since she had stood on that stupid hanging platform. "Mm. I didn't think I was the type to get caught, but here we are." She teased, one of her ears flicking gently at some loud noise or another.

She nodded lightly at his answer, glancing sidelong at Kindred. "Maybe a bit of both. But business can wait a while, can't it?" She said lightly, taking a few light steps forward. "Deign to watch the next match with me?" She asked lightly, holding her hand out to the large elf and rather ignoring Kindred behind her.

Kindred eyed her, she dug her nails in hard. The picture had been painted already, and Thallen had seen it. But she may as well have been drawing a pitchfork and some horns on him amd pointing it out. It did hurt.

He kept his mouth shut. He hadn't expected a warm welcome, nor had his hopes been up. But it didn't feel great to be trod on. He already hated having to do this. Why would he want to keep a warrior from a kingdom he didn't hate captive?

He stepped away as Thallen took her hand. T "My, what taste. Of course it can." Taking her hand to kiss it lightly and leading her through the crowd.

In the Cage below were two fighters, equally matched races indiscernible through their matted hair and blood-soaked faces. Not exactly the first thought for a date but if they both liked it, so be it.

Kin collected himself quietly as they moved off. He knew he was an outcast and that neither of them were very fond of him, for understandable reasons. He couldnt help but come to the conclusion he really wasn't that good. He shrugged his shoulders. He'd give them a few minutes.

Thallen analyzed Eris as she stood. T "You haven't been in Imedal long have you?" He asked.

Awe

He thinks she genuinely hates him and she thinks shes just playing a part and that he doesn't care))

Eris chuckled slightly at the kiss, gently squeezing her new companions fingers as they walked toward the railing to watch. She took in the violence quickly, blowing a small breath out and leaning against the railing to peer down. It was brutal.

She may have been a warrior, but that didn't mean she exactly enjoyed brutality. It was all part of a facade She had to keep until she got where she wanted to be- and she could fade from view. Out of sight, out of mind. If she ever got back to Greenbriar, anyway.

Eris blinked at the question, looking up at Thallen for a moment. "No. Maybe a few weeks. Is it that obvious?" She joked, dipping her eyes back down to the ground for a moment. Perfectly coy. "What's your station here? Do you fight, or..." She gestured down to the pit lightly and looked back up at the elf.

She glanced around subtly, a little confused at the lack of Kindred. If she wanted to, she could work her way out of this hellhole and be riding back to Greenbriar in a minute.

Well. She had a job to do. May as well stay, right?

This is what we wanted isn't it?)

Thallen peered into the Cage, no expression weitten on his face. No concern when one took a rough hit, the corner of his mouth may have even rose slightly. After a few hundred years in this line of work, he'd grown accustomed to it. However, she had his attention.

He chuckled slyly. T "Not that obvious." He said, just short of a lie with a nice calm smile. "You look like a warrior, but you don't like it here." Eyes running over her face, she nearly had him fooled with those batting eyelashes. It unfortunately seemed as though they both were playing.

T "I have fought, many times, sure. But I mainly help run the place. Funded, organized and out of the public eye." Thallen explained curtiously, describing himself like a manager possibly, not quite an owner but he worked with the people.

Kindred decided not to butt in on whatever that was, a date? He didn't know. Instead, he spoke to someone selling some suspiciously demon related items. Watching the pair out of the corner of his eye, while also remaining out of sight.

POV: enemies to lovers but it hurts your soul))

Eris watched the fight below, eyes narrowing as she picked her favorite to win. The sleeker one- a little smaller, less broad chested. Less brawn, it seemed. Her lips quirked upwards at the thinly veiled lie, and she glanced up at the elf. "Mmm. You flatter me, acting like I don't walk around with a perpetual bitch face." She chuckled, turning and leaning lightly against the rail at her back. "Sounds fun. You enjoy it?" She asked, tilting her head slightly. She could already tell they were both being less than honest. Both of them playing for a higher goal, of some kind. They weren't just talking to talk.

But maybe it was nice to pretend She was having a conversation with a friend.