The Price of Rejection

[BlackAkuma]

The LAW locker room was bustling, brimming with energy as the crew prepared for the upcoming show. While every program was important in its own way, this one held some real significance, serving as the opener for their new season. A lot of eyeballs were on the product, a lot of sponsors watching the product, so this was the time to put their best foot forward and really focus on showcasing their best talent.

Tonight, that best talent was Toshimi Minami. The Venus of Submissions was one of LAW’s more treasured prospects, a submission mistress who could always wow with her technical prowess. A well-known commodity, they were counting on her name recognition to put butts into seats and bring in the early viewers, something to set the tone for a stellar show.

A good idea. But, depending on a few factors, they might be disappointed.

Two of those factors were making their way down the hallways of LAW right now. Maria Crawford’s clicking heels could be heard long before she was seen, as she made her way through the building with her head held high and a curled whip in her hand. People were quick to get out of her way, and while she liked to think it was solely because of her imposing demeanor, she’d be lying if she ignored Zero’s hand in it.

The so-called Massacre Ordinance followed behind her strides, fending off anyone who came close with her icy glare. It was an impressive task for her, really - if Maria had been around Zero’s height and build, she doubted she could pull it off. The smaller woman had a way of making her height a none-issue, thanks to her frigid stares and her brutal reputation. People knew to stay clear of her, and even if they didn’t know her history, her demeanor itself told the story.

It was part of the reason she wanted Zero to come along for this. While there were, perhaps, scarier women on Wrestle Angels roster - Hibiki Izayoi, Migiri Oozaru, Dark Star Chaos - the tiny terror was the only one who managed to instill such fear with such a diminutive stature, intimidating through her unnerving, unnatural presence. Even Freia and SA-KI, two monsters in their own right, had largely kept their distance from her since they made a pact to work together, letting Maria serve as the go-between whenever they wanted to address her. Such a captivating presence was hard to find, but Maria had come to cherish it.

They would need that today. It had been a while since Maria had crossed paths with Toshimi, but she recalled her being an unflappable woman.

”Remember, we’re trying to recruit her, not maim her…initially.” Maria spoke low as they neared the dressing room that was designated for Toshimi tonight. ”Take position at her side, just outside of her vision. I’ll be at her front. If she’s not cooperative, I’ll give the signal. Clear?”

”Yes.” One word, one syllable. Sometimes, it was the most you could expect out of Zero.

The pair reached the dressing room, stood on both sides of the door, and Maria gave it a few quick knocks to get their targets attention.

[Bare]

Minami sighed softly as she entered her dressing room, having only gotten to the arena LAW was running its show tonight in. As such she was still dressed in her biking gear, a black leather jacket with purple accents, matching pants and black books. Placing her motorcycle helmet down on the table Minami sighed and popped an aspirin in her mouth, the chatter from the young brats on her way in giving her a head ache. Oh how she longed to teach them all a lesson and remind everyone what wrestling should be, like how it was back in the wrestle angels day.

Spoiler

However before Minami could lament on things longer the Venus of Submissions would have her attention shifted to a knock on her door. "Who could that be?" Minami asked herself as she got up and cautiously opened the door, only to see two vaguely familiar faces. "Maria, Zero, to what do I owe this visit?" Minami asked cordially to her two guests, and while she may have been speaking politely, her face showed she wasn't exactly keen on the sudden interruption from the two and that she likely wouldn't have much patience for them.

[BlackAkuma]

Ah, Toshimi Minami. It had been a while, hadn't it?

The famed Venus of Submissions may not have had any strong feelings towards her, but Maria had quite a few feelings towards her. She would go so far as to say she had been an admirer of the woman when she first came on to the scene, taking quite a few cues from her own style when she was trying to make it in her first run. It had been disheartening to see Toshimi’s tactics pay off for her so well, while she’d floundered xand failed at every turn.

But here they were.

”Toshimi. It’s good to see you.” She put on her best smile, a stark contrast to the face of the woman she’d come calling for. ”I just need to talk to you for a moment. Shan’t be long, I promise.” She collapsed her hands together and nodded. ”May we come in?”

Despite request to enter, Maria stepped to Toshimi’s side and attempted to slide her way in.

[Bare]

Minami wasn't a rude or unpleasant woman at all, or at least she didn't consider herself to be. Tough and terse maybe, or even blunt, but not rude. So when she saw other Wrestle Angel alums who she didn't have bad history with she was always polite till given reason not too.

Though having her dressing room practically barged into wasn't a great way to start. But Toshimi wasn't looking for a fight and she had time, so she would open the door wider to allow Maria, and apparently Kotobuki as well to enter. "Seeing as how you invited yourselves in yes I can spare the time." Minami said, indulging their entrance, but not without a degree of sass in the process before closing the door behind them.

Walking to her counter and grabbing the bottle of water there she would uncap it before turning to look at her fellow wrestle angels. "So what is it you wish to discuss?" Minami asked, getting straight to the point, before taking a sip of her drink and leaning against the counter, waiting with a sharp, analytical gaze to Maria, or rather the whip in her hand, as well as her entourage.

[BlackAkuma]

Maria promptly made her way in with a nod, taking up position at the farthest side of the room to give Toshimi a fair bit of space. For her part Zero stood ready just to the woman’s side, right on the edge of her line of sight. As close to being behind as she could get without actually being behind it. A subtle but deliberate placing, where they could strike for a moment if need be and give the woman no chance to retaliate or, even worse, call for help.

Maria opened her mouth to speak when Toshimi beat her to the punch. No pleasantries, no formalities. Not an outright rude woman, but not accustomed to beating around any bushes.

To business, then.

”I’m not sure if you’ve kept up with current events, but in brief, Zero, myself, and two other former Angels are creating a sort of…union, I think that’s the best word for it.” She decided to keep Freia’s name out of it for the time being, not wanting those connotations until she was further along in negotiations. ”I’m here to plead our case. See if we can convince you of the benefits.” She leaned against the table and settled against it, making herself as comfy as she could. ”Tell me - how has your career in LAW fared so far? And in general, since you left Wrestle Angels?”

[Bare]

Minami didn't like this. Not the unexpected visit, but the fact she was essentially cornered by two wrestle angels who she knew could fight, well. Especially when one of them had a weapon in hand. It was honestly one of the reasons that Minami had bothered to entertain the duo. But nothing about this appealed to Minami's sensibilities and she was already on guard just in case things began to break down.

As she was treated to the first part of the explanation by Maria her already narrowed eyes would sharpen even further. 'Vagueness isn't exactly helping my nerves here.' The Venus of Submissions thought to herself while crossing her arms and leaning back against her table as she was asked about her life after Wrestle Angels.

"Call it a soft retirement." Minami said bluntly, but already knowing that wouldn't be enough she would continue. "I had a daughter shortly after wrestle angels ended, and spent most of my time raising her and competed sparingly in minor promotions when I had the itch to wrestle, but money was never an issue given royalties from merchandise and such." Minami explained shortly before moving on to the second half of the question.

"As for my career in LAW so far I came to educate the new generation of wrestlers what proper technique and attitude is about. Something I've done well so far." Minami said as she thought back to some of her victories over the less... than respectable wrestlers she had faced thus far.

"Likewise DeFranco knows what he has based solely on my name and is treating me as such." She said referring to her being one of the most well known wrestle angels along with Mighty Yukiko, Beauty Ichigaya, and Panther Risako. Turning to the two in front of her Minami would add in a question of her own. "I assume thats why you came to me?" She asked bluntly in a subtle way of dissing the two in front of her, essentially saying neither were as well known as herself and needing her notoriety in their little group.

[BlackAkuma]

The revelation of Minami having a daughter was enough to get a moment of genuine shock out of Maria. For a variety of reasons, children were an uncommon thing among women in her profession - many wrestlers couldn't afford to take a year out of their careers to nurture a child, to say nothing of the bare minimum investment in attention and money such an endeavor required. She supposed if anyone could do it, though, it was a woman as focused as her. Bravo, impressive.

She let that surprise simmer, however, as Minami was quick to cut to the heart of the matter, doing so with a proverbial spoon. Maria kept her cool, not wanting to give too much away all at once, but it seemed like everyone in this room understood each other. Good.

”Something like that, yes.” She leaned against a table, letting her bare cheeks rest on the edge, while Zero took another step to the side and covered the door. No exits. No escapes. ”It’s nice that you’ve found a little niche to slide into. A mentor for the next generation. Commendable, really. But I came here because I’d hoped you might be into something a little more…promising.”

Maria leaned in and looked at Minami over the edge of her glasses, letting a hint of her wild side slip out in the process. ”You don’t have to settle, Minami-chan.” She kept her voice low, as if she was sharing a deep secret. ”We could use a woman like you on our side, someone with your skills, your pedigree, your focus. There’s plenty of gold to go around in LAW, and if you can be an asset? Well, we’re more than willing to share. As good as you’re doing now, you can’t very well say you couldn't be doing better.”

[Bare]

Minami's bomb of having a kid certainly rocked Maria. Good. It gave the Submission mistress a baseline of her reactions, her tell if you will, now she would have a better idea of when the woman was speaking crap... though in all honesty thats all Minami thought the woman was capable of speaking. Regardless however Minami would keep her calm and cool exterior, knowing that giving away anything else wouldn't do with these two.

Still Minami was quick to cut to the heart of things and she wasn't going to let things go easily. She knew almost immediately from Maria's initial offer that they wanted her for her reputation and notoriety, they wouldn't be the first. But Minami was careful about what... or more accurately who she attached her name too.

"I see." She said simply to the would be tantalizing offer made by Maria, not giving it a positive or negative reception, instead she merely focused on Maria, looking her in the eyes. "And just who is 'We?' I doubt you mean just you and Zero chan there." Minami said, returning the cold and not at all friendly usage of chan that Maria had uses on her and turning it on her accomplice.

Regardless of how either reacted however Minami moved to take control of the conversation and circle back to what she had initially asked to begin with. "No offense to you Maria chan, but I doubt you're the leader, so just who is it making such bold faced promises?" Minami had a few sneaking suspicions, just based on who would work with these two, but she needed confirmation sooner or later, and the look on Minami's face showed that if the bespectacled woman wanted this conversation to continue she had better answer clearly.

[BlackAkuma]

The idea of Minami as a mother was still a tough thing for Maria to process. Not that she was anyone to talk - she had no patience for ankle biters, wouldn’t last five minutes taking care of one, and the idea of giving birth made her stomach queasy. But the submission specialist before her never struck as the nurturing type, always so direct and standoffish, so focused on her career and training. The idea of her setting aside so much time to care for another was a hard thing to fathom, and yet…

She shook away her incredulity with a pinch on the nose, and went back to focusing on the task at hand. Mother or not, she was sti the fierce competitor that everyone knew her to be. Still, she was here to woo this woman. Best get to the selling.

She smiled - a thin, slim, knowing smile - as Minami correctly cut to the heart of things, or at least came closer to the truth than Maria had planned. Her intention going in was to keep all the cards close to her chest and save the bigger reveals for deeper into the conversation, but leave it Minami to toss a bucket of cold water over all of that.

”I don’t strike you as leader material?” She had a small laugh at that. ”You’re a little off the mark. We don’t have an official leader, per se - just four women out to further each others’ goals stake our claim in LAW, so forth and so on. There’s no hierarchy here.”

Maria took a moment to pull her glasses off and give them a quick polish, snatching up a tissue off Minami’s desk for the task and idly going to work while she spoke. ”But to answer your question, Freya Kagami and SA-KI are working with us. I’m sure you can see why a level such as yours would be appreciated.”

[Bare]

Minami wasn't one to beat around the bush, nor was she easy to take for a ride. No if you had an audience with her she kept it short, sweet and to the point with the Venus of Submissions having a sharp eye on everything happening and analyzing things as they happened. Thats why before even entertaining the thought of agreeing to what Maria proposed she wanted to know who was the one behind this woman.

"Actually I do." Minami shot back to Maria tersely about not seeing the woman as a leader, but short of that she would sit back and wait as Maria explained further. As she did so however and named names, thats when Minami would frown before closing her eyes and releasing a breath of air before looking up.

"Kagami? Really?" Minami asked as if she was stunned by the the audacity of the answer she got from Maria. "That woman is a cheating, manipulative fiend. I can respect her technical skill but thats about it. But you're fooling yourself if you think that you can trust that woman to assist you in getting further in this company, and even more of a fool to assume I'd be dumb enough to let that woman lead me." Minami said scathingly towards Maria, not at all tempted now that she knew who was behind this group.