L.A.W. - League of Anime Wrestling

Once again, it was time for Astrid Ostberg to teach LAW's class of Young Lionesses. It was a job the Norsewoman was proud to have, and she carried that pride with her into the gym, standing tall at the front of the room before a class of up and coming trainees watching her from where they kneeled on the mats. To be trusted with this position meant that Astrid was someone who, in the eyes of the promoters, carried the skills and the dedication to shape the future of wrestling - who was an expert among her peers, and an example she could set for generations to come. It meant that she had every quality that made her worthy of being called LAW Heavyweight Champion, and she would defend that honor with her life. It was everything she'd ever worked so hard to become.

...However, Astrid had a few more reservations as to the other trainer for tonight's lesson - Skylar Jones. Astrid and Skylar hadn't crossed paths all that much, but the Norwegian knew enough about Skylar to know that they were like night and day. She was dignified, dedicated, and a consumate professional who held herself to high standards of sportsmanship and skillful grappling, and Skylar was a rough-edged, foul-mouthed brawler who threw herself in the line of danger for a good laugh, and was willing to not only use plenty of dirty tricks to get ahead, but to brutalize her opponents in the process just for the hell of it. Astrid wasn't sure how, exactly, she had gotten picked for this job. But she supposed she did have a role in recommending Sakura Tanahashi to the training program - something that made her question the implications this would have on the future of LAW if Skylar was involved with recruitment. Nevertheless, Astrid wasn't here to pass judgment. She was here to teach, and hopefully, that meant she could set these students on the right track even if Sky tried to lead them astray.

"All right," Astrid said, looking over the class. "Is this everyone?" One such Young Lioness, Sheila Chihara, shot Astrid grin as she waved to her. Astrid, meanwhile, took the opportunity to look over at Skylar, knowing she might well have to watch her for anything funny.

Spoiler

Skylar still remembered the first time she stepped into a wrestling ring.

It was in the gymnasium of her home town's rec center, in front of a couple hundred people. She went up against the Red Pheonix Amanda Sterling, and she lost, but Amanda saw something in her. She offered to train Skylar, and though the prideful teenager was originally offended by the offer, she finally came around after a few months of back to back losses, and Amanda took a moody teenager with a chip on her shoulder, and slowly molded her into a monstrous force of nature. A beastly demon who could tear anyone who crossed her to bloody pieces. She was a god damn star. She'd won tournaments before she was even a legal adult, and fucking days after she was of age, she signed with one of the biggest wrestling promotions in the western hemisphere, and she DOMINATED. And now, at only twenty, she was in the biggest promotion in the world, getting title shots and showing up on pay-per-views at an age where most atheletes were just getting off their feet in the business. And where would she be were it not for Amanda seeing her potential?

She knew exactly where: in a back alley, either selling dope or her own body.

Skylar wanted to give back to the sport that gave her an opportunity to be something more than a bum. She wanted to help others in the same way Amanda helped her. That was why she took Sakura Tanahashi under her wing, and that was why she was here today to help in training the rest of the Young Lionesses.

Sakura dashed through the dojo's parking lot, a duffle bag filled with towels, a change of clothes, and a bottle of water hanging from her shoulder. "Shit, shit, shit!" She cussed. Skylar followed behind her with much less haste. "Chillax, we're not that late." She assured her trainee, finishing a bottle of chocolate milk. Sky wore her usual outfit, a pair of torn jeans and a ketchup stained hoodie, whereas Sakura wore gym clothes, a white tank top and basketball shorts. Saku burst through the door, promptly bowing to Astrid. "I'm so sorry I'm late, Miss. Astrid!" She said, before quickly joining the group, standing next to her friends, Meiyun and Sheila.

Skylar was much more casual as she strolled into the gym, tossing her bottle of chocolate milk in the trash. Walking towards the front of the room, she stripped off her hoodie, throwing it off to the side. Beneath it, she wore a black sports bra. Approaching Astrid, she'd smile, giving a performer's bow. "Skylar Jones. It's great to meet you, Astrid." She introduced herself, before offering Astrid a handshake.

When Skylar and her student stepped into the room, Astrid turned to face Sakura with a smile. "Oh, no worries at all! We're only getting started, anyway," she explained. The Norsewoman wasn't quite sure of what to think about Sakura. The idea of Skylar Jones, a woman who didn't exactly seem the most insightful when it came to grappling knowledge, training someone gave Astrid some reservations, especially when Sky had grown notorious for a few matches that got out of hand - matches she wasn't too keen on anyone taking after. Still, the blonde girl had potential in her, and Astrid was impressed to see how ready she was to stand up for what was right, and for her classmates. Maybe, with the right influences around, she could go somewhere good.

Also happy to see Sakura arrive was Meiyun Lai, another Young Lioness present in the class. She waved to the girl with an eager grin on her face, patting the space beside her to invite her to sit down. Then, Astrid looked back at Skylar, watching her reach a hand out to her. She was a bit hesitant to shake it, just in case the brunette had a trick up her sleeve - but although Astrid wouldn't doubt that, she still wanted to set a good example for the class, returning the gesture.

"I may not have had the chance to meet you yet," the champion explained, "but I've certainly heard stories." She chuckled a little at that, before clearing her throat and turning to the class. "Alright, now that everyone's here, we should start by warming up. Everyone, let's go through some stretches. After my lead!"

Astrid held her arms high above her head, reaching down all the way to touch her toes. In unison, the students fell into position, mirroring each move she made. In the meantime, Astrid looked back at Skylar. "Sakura's told me plenty of stories about you," she said. "How's it been, training her?"

Skylar and Astrid shook hands, exchanging smiles. Of course Sky knew Astrid. Though it was obvious how diametrically opposed they were, Sky had nothing but respect for Astrid. She was among the most honorable, sportsmanlike athletes Sky'd ever seen, not to mention all the good she heard about the her as a person. Girl was a damn paragon. "Heh, they're all true. 'Specially the ones about sex." She winked playfully. Meanwhile, Sakura shuffled towards Meiyun, sitting down next to her friend. She looked cute in gym clothes. "Hey Mei! Did you see the new-" And immediately, they were talking about anime, manga, and all the other interests they shared.

When Astrid started the class on some stretches, Sky followed along, touching her toes. She felt the pull of her muscles, a feeling she wasn't used to, as she didn't stretch often. She turned to look at Astrid. "She has, eh?" She smiled. It was cute how much that girl looked up to her. "It's... been a ride. I've never trained anyone before, but I feel like she's doin' good. Just the other day she rolled a big ol' rock up a hill." She said proudly. If Astrid took a look at Sakura's hands, she might've noticed some calluses...

As soon as Skylar mentioned sex, a few chuckles went through the crowd. That was the first sign Astrid saw that this was going to be trouble. She knew, of course, that was all but an inevitably when Skylar was concerned - it wasn't so much a question of if the session would descend into chaos as much as one of when. Still, she hoped that her presence, her esteemed status, and her dedication to uphold the integrity of wrestling would help keep things together. And already, that was being tested.

As Meiyun turned to Sakura with an eager grin on her face, launching into a spirited discussion on the latest episode of the hot new anime series - "Did I!? It was AWESOME! You saw when he did that thing, right? Was that cool or what?" - Astrid looked back at the two girls. Though she would appreciate if they tried to focus more on their training, she was at least glad they had something they could bond over. And, at least, if they were doing that they weren't asking any more uncomfortable questions about Sky's exploits. As the champion listened to Skylar's story, she smiled a little wider and nodded her head. "She's definitely dedicated, that's for sure. I have no doubts she'd try anything if you put the task to her...no wonder she and Mei get along," she noted. "I wish more of them would show that spirit some times."

Then, clearing her throat, Astrid looked out toward the assembled students. As soon as she spoke up, she had the attention of the class, who turned back to focus their eyes on her as she stood tall. "All right, then, we may as well get started. In the interest of fairness, I'd like to give it to Skylar to open up today's session. Anything you'd like to start us out with?" Astrid looked over at the brunette, leaning a little closer to whisper a few words in her ear. "Don't make me regret doing this."