"Attention, please~" As Annie took the small rock and squeaked as it hit the floor, up on a white floating platform stood a small, androgynous human with pale skin and fashionable clothing, smiling coolly as he regarded everybody below him. Annie struggled with the ball, beginning to gnaw on it to get the trace minerals she could digest inside - a rock like this was a perfect meal for a Sli'f like her - meanwhile the individual began to speak. "I am Kyo Kimura, it's a pleasure to meet you all~" Kyo grinned wider as he opened his arms up, and his familiar blew a huge cloud of smoke into the air; upon which was projected an image of his face to make it easier to understand him, while his voice was magnified to be effortlessly heard by all. "You all know why you're here. Before we continue, however, we must conduct tryouts, to ensure those of you coming along will be up to scratch for the expedition itself, or will be instead on guard duty, ensuring nobody interferes. With that said, as everybody has a numbered tag, I'd like you all to hold that tightly. You'll be translocated into pairs in designated squares on the floor in preparation for combat tryouts. Should you opt out, you'll be instead translocated to the other side of the room, where you'll be interviewed for other talents." Kyo took a deep breath in and out once he was finished talking, then clapped his hands together and the cloud of smoke dispelled. "Okay, five, four, three, two, one.." And with a flash, everybody was taken to their positions.
Hinata was among those who opted out, and was brought to the opposite side of the room to the cage seen previously. He frowned a little - hoping that Mizumi and Titania would forgive him for opting out of the dangerous bits. He wasn't cut out for that sort of work, really..
Annie, however, was teleported to a square right next to Mizumi and Titania, who both - as they were master and familiar - were transported to a square alongside the Chorda who they may have previously seen from across the room. She was quite large, even for Chorda standards, and had many-jointed magitek limbs in place of front arms. "Hello, looks like we'll be up first. Are you nervous?" The Chorda asked, her voice sounding much like a young female human's - late teens, likely.