Marzia Servelli [D] vs. Katsumi Oshiro

[CaptainL]

From the minute the match ended, Marzia had she shot back a steely glare at Katsumi. Even though she didn't say anything, it was readily clear to everyone looking on just what she was thinking - the rage and resentment in the girl's eyes was as if she was trying to bore a hole through Katsumi's skull with her gaze alone. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately depending on who you'd ask, Marzia couldn't do this.

"And here is your winner," the ref said, quite audibly lackluster about the situation, "Katsumi Oshiro.

As soon as Katsumi got off of her, she quickly got to her feet, dusting off her shoulder before glancing back behind her to lock eyes with Katsumi as she stood at the corner of the ring. She crossed her arms, standing back until Katsumi was done with her post-match celebrations. Wanting to make sure that Katsumi would pass by her on her way out of the ring, she snapped at her in a low voice, one that she hoped wouldn't be heard over the noise of the crowd, who were still coming off the excitement of the match.

"Don't think this is over," she said. "Next time you won't be so lucky."

[CyanDimitrik]

The thrill of being the victor, of coming out on top and making good on her word - oh, that's delectable. Boos, cheers, they're all mixed in here, and it's all electric for the Punk Princess.

Turning, she sees Marzia is already on her feet again. Bit of a surprise, but that's fine. She didn't hit her with the Nightmare Fuel or Wild Rave. Those are the more damaging finishers in her repertoire. But she does start to move past her to exit the ring, smile still on her face. Her first objective is to reclaim her shirt-

'What did that bitch just say?'

Katsumi stops on heel, and without warning, pivots to drive a forearm strike against Marzia's skull. All it took was one sentence to remind Katsumi why she's so scarce with encouragement. She says something nice to this chick, and this is what she comes back with? Hell no. Hell. No.

"Luck!? You fuckin' kidding me!?"

[CaptainL]

Marzia had just begun to get out of the ring when Katsumi's elbow cracked straight into her skull, knocking her right into the ropes. The Italian girl let out a scream as she fell forward over the top rope, her head still throbbing from the impact.

"HEY!! What was that for!?" Marzia yelled back at her, getting to her senses in time to glance back towards Katsumi's direction. In truth, it had been a very hard-fought battle, and one that tested both of their limits. And it was all too close, too. Had Katsumi not come out of nowhere with the finisher, taking the victory away from Marzia at the last minute - after Marzia already had a potentially match-ending move locked in, at that - it could be a very different story playing out in the ring right now.

As she got back to a wobbly footing, Marzia clenched her teeth, livid in her glare straight into Katsumi's eyes. She balled one hand into a fist, starting to draw it back. But then, her would-be retaliating blow was cut short by the sound of a whistle blowing loudly from the ref.

"Stop!" she cried, desperately trying to hold onto some modicum of control in a situation that had been drifting away from her for a long while now. "The match is over!"

[CyanDimitrik]

Acting as though she doesn't know what would elicit that response only angers Katsumi more. At this point, she'd love to throw her former opponent down and begin curbstomping her. It's not something beyond her to do, but it's usually with a bit more control and purpose - less out of sheer anger and feeling wronged.

"You know what that was for!," she barks back. "I ripped through jerks like you for four years! Luck!? Bitch, you're lucky there isn't a round two!"

The matter concerning how close the match was or not doesn't matter to Katsumi. She knows what she's capable of. She knows how she's performed. She also knows she's made statements she has to back up here, and that there's no going back - not on those statements, and not on life choices. If it came to a second match, she'd be forced to make a point; hold nothing back.

"Fuckin' nerve on you! Thanks for reminding me to not be nice!"

At this point, were it not for the referee interposing between them, no amount of whistleblowing or bell-ringing would've stopped Katsumi from descending into a brawl. Of course, the mention of 'nice' gets an odd look from the referee-girl butting her shoulder into Katsumi's chest. The referee-girl wasn't privy to the encouragement she'd given before.

[CaptainL]

Marzia was pleased with the referee stepping in between the two of them, as after the grueling exercise of an intense match, she didn't know what kind of shape she'd be in to keep going. Still, the same couldn't be said about Katsumi, who she still watched with narrowed eyes and a frown. She crossed her arms, and the tension between them could be cut with a knife.

"Nice?! You call that nice? Hmph!" It was kind of a lame comeback, she was aware. But she was angry, and not usually the most gifted in rhetoric to begin with anyway. She was in no mood to argue with Katsumi. "Whatever. Let's get out of here. No use in wasting time. There are people besides you who need to use this ring, after all." As Marzia turned to climb over the ropes on her way out, she glanced over at Katsumi, curious to see what effect her taunt would have, knowing the Punk Princess's arrogant nature. At the back of her mind she might fear for whatever fallout could occur, but all the same, she hoped it would land where she wanted it. Whatever it was, it was as if something was awoken in the Italian, something she could find herself drawing a newfound well of confidence from. And the thought was almost enough to bring a small smile to her lips, just for a fleeting moment.

[CyanDimitrik]

"Nicest you'll ever see from me now!," Katsumi retorts as she pushes against the referee. The poor referee struggles to maintain arm's length between the Punk Princess and Marzia. She's livid. She, in her own way, presented a slightly vulnerable, less prickly side, and now she's paying for it. Had she not given that encouragement, would Marzia be doing what she's doing now? Would it have burned Katsumi this much?

Whatever route Marzia would've taken, it's certain that Katsumi wouldn't have cared what she had to say after the match. It's the fact that it was thrown back in her face that's more an insult than anything. And then for her to pretend she didn't understand - it cuts.

Katsumi growls as she continues trying to grab ahold of Marzia before she can get out of the ring. She'll settle for a fistful of her hair. That's all she'd need to teach her some humility. But no luck. She's forced to bear the brunt of Marzia's snideness until she exits, and the referee-girl detaches from her. She is not happy. But lesson learned. Don't lower your guard. These people should remain enemies. Like the last federation, they are not friends. They will not become friends.

Her hands raise. "I'm cool. Back off." The referee does so. Katsumi dips between the ropes and drops to the ground, snatches her shirt, and makes her way backstage with an irritable scowl on her face.

Winner by Pinfall: Katsumi Oshiro