The Tattooed Man

A new day dawned, and Leo felt peaceful for the first time in days, maybe even weeks. He decided that this morning would be spent walking the grounds of the colosseum, but he wasn't entirely alone. Tiam waltzed beside him prodding him with any question that came to their mind or thought they felt they should share, which was a lot. Besides that, the pair strolled and enjoyed the cool that blew through the walkways and gardens. They passed into a hall beneath the colosseum's stands, where one side looked back out to the housing and residents. It was almost like a perfectly normal Earth life, if it weren't for the occasional fluttering angel or crawling demon.

Leo had learned that the beings here played friendly, no matter who they were. So, when a demon came crawling alongside them, he just smiled and waved at it until it left in a fiery scamper. A shame, he was going to ask it if it wanted to sponsor him. They rounded a bend and heard some low chatter. They quietly pursued the sound and came to a lounge area. There sat a trio with some unexpected dynamics.

'Well hey!' the first, a human, immediately noticed them. He had long dark hair and offsetting bright hazel eyes. His lightly tanned skin was almost completely covered in geometric tattoos, many of the shapes circles with triangles around them. His tall and lean frame was clothed entirely in black. His open black jacket rested on a black shirt, with several cloudy crystals hanging from his neck and chains at his side.

'Who's this edge lord?' Tiam mumbled through their teeth. 'And why did that angel just kiss that demon?' Leo could feel the universe cringing as two beings that should never even touch were almost completely folded into one another.

'Mother, father, I think you're making them uncomfortable with your PDA.' The tattooed man gestured to the demon and angel in turn. They managed to release one another, albeit reluctantly. The angel brushed himself down, dressed in a fine silver and green suit that had patterns of wings that only showed when the light hit it a certain way. The demon on the other hand pressed herself into the corner of the couch they sat on, her black feathered dress ruffling like a massive pillow around her. Her cheeks puffed up like a disgruntled child.

'Risha,' the angel said. 'Aren't these th–'

'The new friends we're about to make.' The tattooed man lifted a hand and gestured for Leo and Tiam to join them. Leo cautiously approached, but Tiam immediately sat beside Risha with a grin on their face. Leo stayed standing.

'You're a pretty pair. How'd you find each other in a place like this?' The demon started chewing on her fingernail, curly grey hair entangled in her free hand.

'Oh, no we're not like that,' Tiam said with a solemn sigh. 'We're just good friends… roommates even.'

'Stop.' Leo raised a hand inches from Tiam's nose. Tiam licked the hand. 'Oh come on!' Leo stumbled away in horror as Tiam fell into an agony of chuckling. They were quickly joined by Risha, who laughed with a lightness and husk that reminded Leo of an old childhood friend back on Earth.

'I kid, truly.' Tiam fanned themselves, still giggling intermittently. 'Leo here is married and happily so.'

'And you?' Asked Risha with a quick glance up and down Tiam. Needless to say, Tiam flushed pink.

'Son, you've separated your mother and I. Make the reason good.' The angel folded his arms after having adjusted his silver tie for the twentieth time. He was waved away by the demon, who was keenly eying the interaction.

'Sorry, you're right.' Risha pulled himself upright and said, 'I just wanted to say hi, and that I saw you two meet in your survival match. You're a unique couple of fighters, to say the least. The colosseum needs some friendship to shake things up a bit. I think you'll become quite the celebrities.' He eyed the blade hanging at Leo's side. 'Nice sword. Cool lightning powers, too. I appreciate a unique move set.' He then smiled at Tiam. 'Your mastery of basic abilities has made you unique as well. Don't stop being creative.'

'Why thank you!' Tiam fanned themself again.

'Yes.' Leo was beginning to wonder if being near these strangers was a good idea. He could swear that the angel was scrutinizing him when he was looking away. Something about his brown eyes threw Leo off, like they didn't belong on him. He decided it was time to move before they pried any further.

'For iron rankers, you make quite the formidable fighters.' Risha nodded excessively, and again, that angel's eyes felt like they were burning holes into the side of Leo's skull. What was he looking for?

'Well, we're going for a bit of a walk.' Leo strolled past the weird group, tapping Tiam's shoulder. Thankfully, they understood the social queue and followed after. 'It was a pleasure to meet you all, Risha and…'

'Malendi,' said the angel. He adjusted his tie for the twenty-first time.

'Argel,' stated the demon, creeping towards the angel again. Leo immediately forgot their names and decided that was for the best.

'And you, Leo and Tiam!' Risha waved with a cheer that completely offset his look. Leo didn't recall giving their names out. 'Oh, if you'd like to go someplace cool, try heading to the end of that corridor and swinging a left. Keep going, even when the stairs descend.' He smiled and waved, which made Leo want to go in a completely different direction. But for the sake of maintaining friendly terms, he led Tiam down the corridor.

Once they were finally far enough, Leo gave Tiam a strained smile. 'Did you feel anything strange from the angel?'

'Huh? Nope.'

'Ah well, it felt like he was just staring at me. It was kind of creepy.' Leo realised his hand was tracing the pommel of his blade. He felt clammy and shaky.

'Oh, my apologies.' Tiam put a hand on Leo's shoulder. 'I'm sorry for not noticing. Honestly, unless you push it into my face, I wouldn't notice a tiger in the room. I doubt I'd have ever put together your… situation with your special sponsor if you hadn't outright said his name.'

'That's alright.' Leo patted the hand and just kept following the hall. 'The guy must be silver or gold rank, though. So hopefully it means he'll leave us alone until we run into him in the colosseum.'

'You could tell?'

'Easily. He felt experienced with this place, like any banter was just a mask to get a read on his new opponents.'

'Scary.'

'Definitely.'

The pair ended up following Risha's directions until they came to the staircase he mentioned. Leo stopped before descending as instructed. A sign hung from the ceiling, stating, 'do not pass. Platinum rank fighters or colosseum referees only.'

Did Risha try to set them up, or was he trying to show them something? Either way, Leo knew immediately that their meeting wasn't by chance, but design.