Lacey Whitman vs. Arizona [D]

[CaptainL]

"Okay...okay." Lacey took in a breath. There were a lot of thoughts going through her head right now. There was the pain and the guilt of losing, and that fear that, just maybe, she really was nothing more than a hopeless failure. There was that fear, too, of disappointing Arizona and not being able to live up to what hopes the cowgirl had for her. But...at least Arizona had been willing to extend a hand to her in the first place. Even if Lacey had been quick to judge herself, it didn't seem like Arizona did. Arizona still thought she had potential, and what was more, she had enough faith in her, and enough kindness in her heart, to make the offer to bring that out of her herself. At the very least...Lacey wasn't alone. She had people who believed in her, even if she didn't.

A smile began to cross the green-haired girl's face as she stood up a little straighter, nodding to Arizona. "Yeah, I think...I'm gonna give it some thought. Thanks...for everything." Suddenly, she didn't feel so worried. Suddenly, she could breathe so much easier. Suddenly, she felt like she had a future after all - and the more she thought about that, the lighter that burden on her shoulders felt!

Lacey looked off down the rows of lockers, and after a pause she cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to hold you up..."

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Arizona: Again, take some time to think it over!

[CaptainL]

Lacey showed Arizona another nod, but she smiled to the cowgirl all the same. Arizona was willing to be patient with her - and the more she thought about that, the more she realized how grateful she was to have someone who understood her limits and her concerns and who wouldn't judge her for them. The very fact that Arizona was giving her some time to think it over was a sign she was willing to let Lacey take her time and go at her own pace. She'd come to appreciate people like that in a way that only people who had worked in food service could - and she let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping as she let the tension out of her body. At the back of her mind, Lacey still had to ask herself what Arizona would think of her if she struggled to live up to her expectations; that was a thought that made her bite her lip nervously. She'd already come across something she'd found all too rare and precious; she didn't want to lose it. But at least for now, she'd have time to think that through.

"Once again, thanks. I really owe you for that..." The green-haired girl walked over to her locker, retrieving her bags from inside. As she began to lay out a set of clean clothes, she remembered something else, and she turned back to face Arizona as she pulled her phone out too.

"Oh-! Could I get your number, then?" She blushed a little harder at how that had sounded - especially when she thought back on how the last time this had happened had seen things getting...steamy. A part of her even felt guilty for discussing something like that when she was still trying to figure out just what it even was she felt toward Reiko, and another part of her felt weird for feeling weird. Just as quickly, she cleared her throat and tried to flash Arizona a reassuring grin. "I mean, not like that! But in case I want to keep you posted on if I'm ready, you know..."

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Arizona: Oh sure, I don’t mind! (She rights down her phone number on a piece of paper and gives it to Lacey)

[CaptainL]

"Thanks!" The smile on Lacey's face was growing wider. The longer she stayed around Arizona, apart from the pressure of the public eye and the drive to stay competitive that could only come from being in the ring, the more she realized that she and the cowgirl were truly hitting it off - and that they were becoming fast friends. She still held onto the lingering concerns that she might not be able to live up to Arizona's expectations, but those were growing fainter and fainter the more they spoke. If they could so freely exchange phone numbers, then Arizona was someone Lacey was sure she could trust not to judge her, and to keep her best interests at heart. She breathed a sigh of relief - it was almost a weight off her shoulders to know she wouldn't have to stay on guard around her.

Taking the paper from Arizona, Lacey punched the number into her phone, saving Arizona as a new contact. However, a moment later, she paused. If she and Arizona truly were hitting it off so well...she couldn't help but feel like she still owed something in return. Taking a pen out of her bag, she wrote down her own number on the paper before passing it back to Arizona.

"I'll be sure to let you know if I ever want to train with you!" the green-haired girl said with a nod. "Or...even if we just want to talk, we can stay in touch! You can always message me any time. Er, I hope that's okay, anyway..."

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Arizona: No problem, pardner..

[CaptainL]

With another nod, Lacey looked up toward Arizona with a smile. She reflected back on what had come of her second match in LAW. Perhaps it hadn't exactly been what she had hoped for. Perhaps she hadn't been able to set her record straight. But...maybe, Lacey thought, that was okay. At the very least, she'd made a friend. Even if she felt alone in an unfamiliar land, working for a promotion bigger than anywhere she had even touched before, she had someone she knew she could turn to. Arizona wasn't going to judge her. She wanted to lend a helping hand. And just maybe...that might be the opportunity Lacey needed to get somewhere. She could breathe a sigh of relief as she thought about it. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.

Holding her back straighter, she waved to Arizona. "Well...I guess I should let you get going, huh?" she said. "If you've got somewhere to be, I don't want to hold you up..."

[ClockwerkSamurai12]

Arizona: Yeah, I’ll just mosey along.. happy trails!

[CaptainL]

"Okay-!" As Arizona turned to leave, Lacey shot her back a smile, raising her own hand to wave her off. For a moment, she stood watching as Arizona disappeared into the proverbial sunset - was that sort of cowboy metaphor too obvious? - but when she turned back to her locker to retrieve her clothes, the smile still hadn't fallen from her face. She still did regret her loss, and she was left asking herself what it was she didn't do and what it was she should have done. If she really had herself to blame for her shortcomings - and, if so, is there was any hope from her. But despite it all, she was able to look toward the future. She could remind herself that no matter what else had happened, Arizona still had faith in her - and she was willing to help her. If she ever needed anyone to fall back on, Arizona would be there. Maybe, Lacey thought to herself, she had a chance after all.

It was true that this was Lacey's second loss. But it was also the second time her good-natured and amicable personality had allowed her to make a lasting friendship with her opponent after the match. And maybe that would be enough to keep her going - she just needed to look to the bright side like she alway had!

Winner by Submission: Arizona
Continued here