On Being Humbled

[Highfly]

Lauren was at the gym but she was wearing her in-ring training gear today. Clad in a black one piece swimsuit, black kneepads and boots she was running ropes in the training ring to try to build her endurance. She had been in a bit of a rut.... again.... asher record showed that of a struggling undercard wrestler determined to wrestle her way out of being a jobber and gaining some mid-card recognition. The slightly belly bump, along with her flubbery legs and bouncy backside were all shaking as she ran the big woman getting tired as her toughness as well as her endurance left something to be desired. She was doing her best but soon her running speed looked more like a slow jog. Trying to hit a minimum time she really limped along doing all she could to keep herself moving the last 30 seconds.

Once she hit her time Lauren climbed through the ropes and sat on the apron while drinking some water hoping to recover before doing her other training for the day. She had to get better and she wanted to do it soon! However after a few minutes of recovery she looked over and saw a familiar face. This face was a reminder of Lauren's failures in the ring. The Drifter, a lightweight who managed to beat the heavyweight and she did so with some impressive slams after weathering Lauren's own. She scowled at the woman and shook her head, hoping that she wasn't going to be noticed.

[thesteedman]

Kay had been training in the gym for some time. It was an unusually quiet night, but she did not mind it at all as it gave her a chance to focus. She had began training with Tia Breaker, and those training sessions had been intense. So to get to have a little session in the gym on her own was somewhat of a blessing as she could train at her own pace. She slammed her fists into the punching bag, moving quickly before sending a stiff kick that rocked the chain violently. She continued this work out for some time, clad in a grey sports bra and black shorts that ended just below her knees.

Her midriff, arms, shins and feet were left bare, sweat beginning to glisten from her alluring skin from the intensity of her training session. She was in the middle of a powerful combo of strikes when she heard activity within the training ring. Letting out a sigh, and given no one else was within the gym, Kay decided to have a glance at who else was present... before seeing a familiar face doing a workout within the confines of the ring. Kay managed a pleasant smile, and decided to approach her last opponent.

"Lauren! Hey Lauren! It's nice to see you again! How are you doing?" Kay spoke out, quickly approaching the ring with a light jog, wearing a beautiful smile upon her lips. She hopped up to the side of the ring to greet Lauren, leaning forwards to say hello.

[Highfly]

Of course she saw Lauren too. Lauren watched Drifter approach and she was as friendly as can be. Lauren wasn't sure if that was good or bad as she had been embarrassed in the ring by the small woman. "Oh, hey there how are you doing?" Lauren asked doing her best to smile and give Drifter a nod. Honestly this was probably better as she would rather deal with someone pleasant than someone miserable. She in turn would try to do her best not to let the fact that Drifter beat her fairly soundly bug her. Her pride was still hurt though.

"So what are you doing today?" Lauren asked as she looked over at the frame of Drifter. She was thin, scrawny as far as Lauren could see but she knew she packed a lot of punch, a lot of power. She was also young, pretty and attractive. Quite a marketable package, something Lauren was not.

[thesteedman]

"Me? Oh, just having a bit of a training day. I kinda' came here on my own to get away from Tia Breaker, but I'm regretting it a little. Not much for the company of myself you know?" Kay responded with an upbeat tone.
"Hey listen. I really enjoyed our match last week by the way. I learned a great deal from you. You're a great wrestler! You really showed me how its done and what power the heavyweight division has. I won't lie... I got pretty damn lucky that night. I think everyone knows it too." Kay mentioned, clearly being modest.

"I'm free for a little while if you fancy hanging out? Ooh. Or if you're up for it, we could do a little tussle in the ring or spar?" Kay suggested, wearing a beautiful smile as she did a little playful shadow box where she stood. More than anything, Kay wanted to make sure there was no bad blood between her and Lauren. She knew the heavyweight was upset on the night... that much was clear when she chased her for a handshake.
"I'm game if you are." Kay added with a perked up tone, waiting for Lauren's reply. If the larger woman wasn't keen on it she would respect her choice... but Kay was hoping the two of them could do something together.

[Highfly]

"What did you learn exactly?" Lauren said, calling Drifter out on the false modesty. She did appreciate Drifter trying to make her feel better and all but when she continued Lauren's eyebrow raised. She smiled and saw a way to redeem herself, to heal her damaged pride in a way.

"Ookay.... I think I can do that. I am going to go all in, I have to get some payback for you putting me down in the ring for 3 so you better be ready little Drifter!" Lauren said trying to sound as confident as she could although she was horrified of being publicly embarrassed by the lightweight a second time. Lauren flexed her arms and looked at Drifter. "What exactly did you have in mind?" Lauren asked wondering what sort of contest this would be.

[thesteedman]

"Well the first lesson I learned was not to get up close and personal with a heavyweight wrestler like yourself." Kay spoke with a pleasant smile. "I don't know if you know this but... you hit like a damn truck, and when you throw me... it hurts a hell of a lot! So... try and keep out of reach was one valuable lesson discovered on the day." Kay continued with a slight giggle. Her smile dropped a little and her look became a little more serious...

"I also discovered how the fans can be assholes at times too. I saw a side to the crowd I hadn't seen before. I really didn't like what they were saying to you about your figure. If I learned something else from you... it's to take no sh*t no matter what people say at you. You wear who you are like armour, and I liked that about you. It's... something I think I need to learn to do." Kay mentioned on a more sombre note.

Kay quickly grasped the ropes, pulling down on the top one before using it to spring herself over in a deft manner. Once within the ring with Lauren she began to jump up and down a little, cricking her neck side to side before she danced a little and took the centre of the ring, motioning for Lauren to come and join her.
"Well.... Not gonna' lie. A spar would be pretty cool, but after the mess you made of me in the last match I could probably do without a few weeks of trying to get over the bruises. How about we do something a little easier and more controlled? I'm open to suggestions if you have any? We could test each other in some way?" Kay mentioned with a smile, stretching her arms and shoulders to try and warm herself up... something very basic she never used to do until Tia Breaker taught her what a difference such simple things could make.

[Highfly]

Lauren heard what Drifter said and her expression changed to one of total shock. She stood in silence for a second and shook her head. "T-that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me as far as being a wrestler is concerned. I really don't know what to say." Lauren said with a laugh. "I have been told by some in management that I am not marketable for being flabby, older, and not fitting the typical look of what most female wrestlers are today. That was just the thing I needed to hear I think." Lauren added with a nervous laugh. "You are one of the good ones kid."

After a moment Lauren thought about possible things to do and looked at Drifter. "Well maybe we go chop for chop or forearm smash for forearm smash to the chest and whoever falls to the ground loses? After we could see who slams better, 3 slams and a pin for each and whoever is pinned longer loses all capped by a spar?" Lauren proposed, feeling better about... well... pretty much everything at this point!

[thesteedman]

"Pshh! What does management know? I was told I was not even fit for a contract in my first year doing dark matches and house shows. My fighting style was considered too bland! Yet here we both are... I'd say that is a testament to our resolve!" Kay mentioned with a pleasant smile. She noticed she certainly hit a bit of a nerve with Lauren when she spoke previously... but it seemed to be a good one as she heard an honest and real laugh escape from her lips. It made Kay beam all the more, glad she was able to cheer up Lauren at least a little.

Kay listened to Lauren make a suggestion about a spar and challenge like situation. With a slight shrug Kay looked to Lauren.
"Honestly... I don't really have any ideas myself, so I say we go for it! Lay down the challenges and we'll see how we do against each other!" Kay spoke out, putting a tiny bit of distance between herself and Lauren.
"What would you like to go for first?" Kay mentioned, warming herself up a little bit.

[Highfly]

Lauren thought about this all for a minute. She was happy to have found a kindred spirit and didn't want to mess this up. "Maybe we exchange forearm smashes to the chest and whoever falls down to the mat loses?" Lauren said shrugging her shoulders. She hoped this would be acceptable to Drifter. After giving Drifter a moment to decide Lauren would grin and if she liked the idea Lauren took it upon herself to start things off.

"Get ready here I come!" Lauren said as she grunted stepping in to a hard forearm smash to the chest of Drifter to start things off with as hard a strike as she could muster!

[thesteedman]

Drifter yelped in a playful manner, as Lauren wasted no time getting things started! The challenge was clear enough... Forearm smashes! It seemed a little bit of a violent challenge for a friendly spar... but it looked like Lauren wanted to get a lot of her pent up thoughts off her chest. What better way to do it than to smash something? Regrettably it seemed Drifter was that thing to smash.

Lauren raced forward, moving faster than Kay had ever seen her move when the two shared a ring last week. Something drove her, made her more rigorous. It was good to actually see a smile upon the heavyweights face... so who was Kay to argue. Despite the quick push, Kay fortunately had just enough time to prepare herself, biting on her lower lip and wincing as she prepared for the impact.

The blow came hard against her chest, knocking the wind out of her lungs. Kay was sent stumbling back, but was just about able to keep her footing, gasping out loud as she held her chest.
"Ooo... Ow! That was something..." Kay yelped out, clearly having been struck good. Fortunately she had time to recover from the strike, leaning forward and resting her hands against her knees for a good few seconds whilst the sharp sting of the smash began to slowly subside. Kay knew she could probably take the blows for days... the question was whether she could stay on her feet however as Lauren declared with their challenge.

"Not too bad for a first hit! It's my turn now." Kay spoke out, slamming her fists together hard. This time she closed the distance, stepping forward with considerably speed before she rammed her own forearm towards Lauren's chest. Of all Kay's talents, it was clear striking was her greatest past her ability to take one hell of a beating. She hit hard for a slender looking thing, harder than she had any right to. She struck Lauren cleanly upon her chest!