Endless Greetings at tea time: Ashley and E'isa

[Afterhoursclub]

"Gosh, finally!" the redhead exclaimed. She was finally signing the last contract. It had been a long, arduous... and boring journey, but she was finally done with all her pending LAW paperwork: no more long, tedious forms to read, no more going to offices on her days off, no more suffering from bureaucracy and its long, slow procedures. She was free!

"Bye, God bless you all!" Smiling, she waved at everyone in the office before leaving, doing a poor job at hiding the sarcasm in her words. She closed the door behind her and was ready to head out. It was a Thursday afternoon in the LAW arena, and there was going to be a show tapping later; However, the redhead was not booked tonight.

Ashley walked toward the service tunnel, heading out to the parking exit. She passed next to a few equipment boxes, some staff members talking technical stuff. A few wrestlers arriving early for tonight's show. The usual, Ashley didn't bother with any of it.

Just before reaching the exit door, something caught the Brit's attention, something that had caught her attention many times before: The catering table! Already set up, it was filled with delicious dishes. However, what blew Ashley away was the wide variety of teas available. Every time! She couldn't let this chance slip away.

She had a short "Deja Vu" feeling out of nowhere: "The hell? Did this... happen before?" Ashley quickly shook her head, no time for wondering about crazy coincidences, it was Tea time!

The heelish redhead approached the table and, after a few moments, had a steaming cup of tea in her hands. Cautiously, she made her way to one of the benches next to the catering service and sat down. With a soft breath, she blew some of the steam away before taking a nice, long sip of chamomile tea. She closed her eyes...

"This is... nice..."

She got lost in the moment, not paying attention to anything else happening around her-

Ashley - Casual Look

[XXVV]

Coming out from an intense workout at the Law gym. Continuously working on her legs and back, E'isa would get hungry and eye a trip to Law's catering area. Peeping everything available, E-Mac would want to splurge and buy an assortment of things. Feeling like she could eat a whole month's rations in an instant. But the voice in the back of her head would advise her that overeating was a foolish idea and recommended she only grab a salad. Annoyed with what she felt was a hint at her weight, a subliminal aimed to discourage her from stuffing her face. E'isa would respond to the voices.

"Mira Mira Mira.. Yo soy Innegable, tu ves cómo manejo no solo en el ring, pero en como trabajo para no solo sentir pero pelear como uno del mejor mundial.. Si quiero comeré de todo aquí, yo lo haré.."

Shutting up the voices as she walked up and gestured like she wanted to order. But in the corner of her eye, she'd seen someone interesting. Ashley Morgan was here as well, and she seemed to be enjoying herself, sipping on tea alone. Remembering their time at the gym with Garlim, E'isa would grin and want a word. Telling the cashier she'd return in a bit to quench her hunger. Slowly pacing over E'isa would stop near the woman and look her up and down.

Spoiler

She had everything people scouted for in a superstar, EVERYTHING. The looks, the physique, the intimidating presence, you could even see it in her posture; she looked larger than life.

"Hola! You look like you're enjoying yourself.. Do you remember me?"

[Afterhoursclub]

It was everything she could have hoped for! The taste, the scent - everything!

For an instant, she frowned, confused while staring at the cup in her hands: "How the hell did a wrestling promotion have some of the best tea around?" It didn't make any sense! Regardless, she took another long sip.

Ashley took her training very seriously, most of the time, but the redhead had a weakness for sweets and hot drinks.

"Yes, very nice indeed," she was almost smiling, a rare sight for anyone who knew Ashley. The Brit had completely forgotten about the strenuous mountain of paperwork she had to read and sign mere moments ago; She could swear she had aged just by looking at those. However, any signs of annoyance or frustration had completely vanished.

Right until the moment she heard a voice talking to her. Ashley's trance was broken as soon as she heard that familiar tone. She opened her eyes, and her gaze met the sight of a muscular brunette staring right back at her.

She knew this woman-

"Ugh," she rolled her eyes, visibly annoyed. However, Ashley was in no mood for fighting either. "Yeah..." She controlled herself and tried to respond in the most civilized manner she could. "I remember you..."

It was E'isa, the referee for her impromptu match with Garlim back at the Goddess Gym. While Ashley had found the brunette wrestler somewhat pleasant to meet, she was not pleased after being interrupted unexpectedly.

"You are the ref girl...", posing her eyes on her acquaintance's "from the other day..."

Her eyes focused back on the cup in her hands, "E'isa, right?"

[XXVV]

E'isa would stare ENDLESSLY at Ashley and await an answer. She thought this woman was a star, but E'isa was a 5* (5-Star) supplier, show stopper, match of the night maker! She was and always felt like the best in the world. Without a doubt, she was! But to her surprise, Ashley not only seemed annoyed. She also referred to her as the ref from the gym spar with Garlim and the tone with which she said the Endless One's name. E-Mac would get a mild touch of crazy eye. Thinking to herself this had to be a joke.

"SHE'S JOKING, RIGHT?! I did act as a referee at the gym, but like am a superstar, THE SUPERSTAR! There's no way she doesn't understand the role I play here.."

Trying to calm herself down. She just wanted to talk to someone she felt she could relate to. A badass, larger-than-life talent who was also starting her run in the promotion. Her subconscious on high alert, feeling like E'isa was about to start a fight, would find relief in the fact that she had calmed herself down? A shocker to say the least. It was very rare that E'isa didn't let her emotions get the better of her.

"Mmmm.. Si Si el referee fue yo.. It was me, THE ENDLESS REFEREE, but I've made quite a name for myself here. So I would expect a more enthusiastic response to my arrival!"

She didn't give the time of day to anyone. Not when she could use it for training or taking a business call. So, Ashley giving her what felt like a nonchalant greeting felt kinda disrespectful. Electing to take a seat beside Ashley on the bench. E'isa would look back into the woman's eyes and want to understand what made her tick and why she was here.

"So? Law? Do you like it here? Does it just pay bills? Is there a deeper motivation to you signing on? Dime, quiero saber.. I really wanna know.. I find you intriguing!"

[Afterhoursclub]

"What is going ooon!?" Ashley frowned, thinking to herself and doing her best to hide her annoyance, but seemingly failing. "I just wanted some Tea!!!". Giving a side eye to her sudden companion, who was now sitting right beside her on the bench, threatening the Brits' personal space.

"Calm down, Ash! -you can do this..." Cheering for herself, trying to resist the urge to give this woman what she thought was a deserved response "You already had to pay for a whole new catering table last month..." She closed her eyes as she drank the last bit of tea from the cup.

"Why must she always talk that way?!" an awkward smile formed in the red head's face once she finally turned towards E'isa, wondering why everything that came out of the brunette's mouth sounded like an overly enthusiastic sales pitch.

Still, Ashley was already familiar with E'isa's mannerisms from her last encounter. And truth be told, regardless of all the annoying effusiveness, she found the brunette rather amusing, perhaps even likable...

That was a lot more than what Ashley was willing to admit. Maybe E'isa reminded her of Ryan, her brother, and the only person in the whole world who could make Ashley smile, without the redhead needing to have anyone in a choke hold or some similar move.

For a moment Ashley stared as E'isa with a puzzled look, but ultimately chose to speak, answering the girls inquiries:

"Yeah... It's been...

Well... Quite something, that's for sure...

Just finished my paper work today... It was a nightmare..." An annoyed look found it's was back to the redheads face...

[XXVV]

Another wait for the response. This woman seemed way too reserved. A lone wolf couldn't hold a candle to this woman's unquestionable desire to be alone. Or at least that's what E'isa could see when she grabbed a seat. It felt like E-Mac had stepped into Ashley's personal space. She had stepped into Ashley's box, her safe space, her bubble. The Latina wondered if maybe she had gotten too close and made the woman uneasy. Eyeing Ashley, she'd be met with various expressions.

It was like she was switching between multiple emotions all at once before responding. Each expression was something fresh and exciting! Something E'isa hadn't seen from the Brit. Then a thought would pop up in her head.

" THIS WOMAN WOULD BE AN AMAZING MODEL.. MAYBE EVEN A SUPERMODEL!"

She already had the look, the mystique, the physique, the presence, and the ability to shift her expressions at will. E'isa wondered if this woman knew how good she could be in front of a photographer. But then she'd hear the response and switch back to the redhead.

"Quite something.. Like yourself? You know, the stories you tell with just your expressions are something as well. If you could channel that into writing. You could be a Nobel Prize Winner! HAHAHA"

Laughing for a second before returning to the matter at hand.

Scooting herself closer to the redhead. Not only wanting to be closer, but wanting to see how Ashley would react to E'isa invading her space even more before she'd speak.

"I know there are things you don't want to tell me.. Everyone's path here is different.. So let's switch off this touchy subject then! What do you think of me? What is the first word that comes to mind when you look into my luminous brown eyes? I wanna know"

[Afterhoursclub]

Take "angry," "upset," and "furious" out of the equation. At that moment, Ashley was completely baffled. Like she had never been before. Normally, for the redhead, it took only one look to clear the way from any unwanted company, and if that wasn't enough, the brawl that followed was enough to dissuade anyone else from trying to approach.

Now with the most bewildered look that had ever graced her face, Ashley's eyes twitched as she saw that E'isa was not only ignoring her stern glares but leaning ever closer.

A little too much for comfort

A little, a lot...

Her eyes jumped from side to side before awkwardly going back to the Latina's

"Should I... punch her?" -"No, that would be too messy."

"Should I go?" - "But the teaaa!"

Ashley's inner monologue was proving pointless.

"Maybe... if I tell her what she wants to know, she'll just... go away!"

"Bingo!"

Ashley raised one hand between her and the eager Latina, not necessarily to stop E'isa from leaning even closer, but to give herself some space to clear her throat, regain composure. Trying to adopt her usual serious look back, the redhead finally replied:

"I think you are quite pushy and overbearing..."

Ashley made a short pause before continuing, fully aware that her words might sound hurtful, especially to someone who hadn't done anything wrong.

"But... you remind me of someone very important to me, and I guess..."

She let out a long sigh

"...I just can't get mad at you." This last part was much harder for the redhead to say than she expected, accustomed to most encounters with her "colleagues" ending in violence. Ashley stood up and headed to the catering table to pour herself some more tea.

[XXVV]

Staring at Ashley, her eyes glued onto the redhead. E'isa would take in all the expressions. It was like a blockbuster, a ticket to the hottest movie in town, and it was FREE! She had free front-row seats. Anger, confusion, bewilderment, joy, ANGER AGAIN! Ashley showcased it all, the Latina wishing she had popcorn in hand, her stomach rumbling as the hunger would come back around.

Patiently waiting for Ashley's response. Then she'd see the Brit's hand moving. Was she stretching? Did her arm fall asleep? Did she maybe burn her hand on the tea? There was no way she was gonna try something funny, right? But then she'd reach to clear her throat before getting out a response.

"Pushy and overbearing? I mean.. I do like to push people a lot and I can be demanding, but who here isn't?"

Shrugging off what some would consider an insult. E'isa operated that way on occasion, but she didn't like to wait around. Yet to her surprise, Ashley would not only tell E'isa she reminded her of someone special. But also that she couldn't get mad at her, a shocking development. E'isa thought she might have to fight Ashley in the beginning, but now things had taken an unexpected turn. Maybe coming over wasn't a risky idea after all; maybe it was fate that led her to catering.

Then she'd see Ashley rise like she was about to leave, still wanting to talk.

"Hey.. Are you leaving already? I feel like you were just starting to open up and come out of your shell. You're coming back right, hehe?"

[Afterhoursclub]

Ashley's first instinct when dealing with people was usually apprehensive at best, not because she was afraid of approaching them or because she was shy. The Brit considered such attitudes childish and annoying. She just didn't like people in general. Becoming aggressive if they proved to be too clingy or if they stepped out of line with her.

Something that happened more often than not, if we were to keep track of her backstage fight record up to now. Especially when dealing with "coworkers". She had a few new bruises and a couple of bills to pay as proof of that.

Maybe it was the exhaustion from all the paperwork she had to fill out, maybe she was genuinely in a good mood, or maybe the planets had aligned. But Ashley's current encounter hadn't ended in a brawl right away. The redhead didn't feel like fighting, even though E'isa was proving to have all the qualities she found annoying in a person. This time, things felt different. For once, she chose to talk over throwing hands. Intrigued by the brunette's attitude toward her.

Ashley stood up and poured herself some more tea. She didn't respond to E'isas' questions right away; She took a moment to appreciate the sweet scent steaming out of her cup before taking a quick sip. The redhead walked back to the bench, an inquisitive look on her face this time:

A reflective tone escaped her lips as she talked: "May I ask you one question, E'isa?"

The redhead sat next to the dark-haired girl,

"Why are you so interested in talking to me?"

[XXVV]

Left to await AGAIN! E'isa would eye her phone and see a text from a person whose name didn't appear in English? Eyeing the text, she'd smile and quickly reply before Ashley could return. Looking Ashley up and down again as she'd leave and then return. It was like E'isa was getting a private showing of a model on the runway. She walked so smoothly yet still maintained her presence. Ashley while looking elegant, also looked like she could break someone in half. E'isa felt like the constant waiting was worth it. Which is not something she could say about 90% of her encounters, phone calls, and business meetings.

Then Ashley would not only return but also elect to take a seat next to her again. E-Mac smiling ear to ear, waiting for the next words from Ashley. Keen to learn more about her. Not long after, Ashley would speak again and ask a question. Taking a moment to think, yet the answer wasn't hard. E'isa would respond with a calm, relaxed tone. She had let her guard down a while ago, everything Ashley had shown her in the last few minutes. Her demeanor, her tone, made E-Mac feel like there was no longer any danger. At least for now.

"Hmmmm.. Why would I come over to talk to you? I wonder? Have you looked in the mirror? Hehe.. Do you ever look back at how groundbreaking your start here has been? Why wouldn't I want a word?"

The Latina turned to the side of the bench to be more face-to-face with the Brit.

"I think you've got something very special.. And I know special when I see it! I look in the mirror A LOT!"

Taking a moment to laugh by herself for a moment before she'd settle down and continue.

"I'm a lot of things.. All world-class but one thing I am not is invincible.. And neither are you.. So here.."

Pulling out her business card, she'd look to slide it over to Ashley, but then pull it back. Popping a pen out of her sports bra before writing something on the back.

"Here.. That's my cell.. If you ever need me, dial it. Being alone all the time is respectable, but not always rational. I can tell you that from experience. Now, does that answer your question dear?"