The offer you can't refuse

[skip-stop]

Continued from here.

Another match ended and the fighters left the arena. The audience was looking forward to further events, because they knew that today, in addition to the matches, something else was prepared for them. There was not too much intrigue in what was going to happen, since all wrestling fans were aware of the events of a week ago. However, this did not negate the fact that they were very interested in finding out how exactly the planned promo would go. Their wait came to an end at the moment when an increasing tempo sounded from the speakers, and then the arena was filled with the musical theme of the first Openweight champion.

Entrance Music

Astrid Arvidsson

Astrid came out from behind the curtains to the top of the ramp. She was dressed in her casual clothes, but she had the golden belt around her waist, a symbol that she was still at the top of the greatest pro wrestling federation. Amid a roar of applause, the Golden Dragon raised her hands above her head and joined her palms in the manner of a crown. Even though she hadn't come here today for a match, she wasn't going to break with this tradition.

After coming down from the ramp, the champion spent some time with the most devoted fans who reached out to her for a selfie or an autograph. For many, it was not difficult to see that there were still bruises on the blonde's body here and there. Yes, she has not fully recovered from the treacherous attack a week ago. Actually, that was the reason she was here today.

Thanks to the journalist and her cameraman, everyone saw how Astrid was beaten a week ago. After that, what Victoria, the manager, called an information fire began. Someone took Astrid's side, calling what happened the most real meanness. Someone expressed the opinion that since the champion allowed this to happen, it means she does not deserve her title. Someone had no doubt that Emaline was behind all this. Someone thought that the pink-haired woman really happened to be there by accident. All week Victoria has been doing everything in her power to put out this fire. But even for Astrid, it was obvious that there was only one way to put a point on it.

Astrid made a short stop at the commentators' table to pick up the microphone, and then quickly climbed the metal steps. Slipping between the middle and top rope, she took a deep breath with a slight smile. It may sound strange, but she felt better in the ring than anywhere else. The champion headed to the center of the ring. Her smile widened and she waved to all the spectators who greeted her warmly.

"Konbanwa, Tokyo!" She said, bringing the microphone to her mouth. "I hope you have a great evening and I hope even more that you will forgive me for taking up your time before the next match!" Lowering the microphone, she had to wait a little for the audience to calm down. "You know that I don't like to waste time on words because fists speak much louder than any words, but today I have to make an exception." Astrid took a deep breath, which was an obvious hint that she was really uncomfortable with all this. "The events of a week ago, I came here to open the eyes of those who are confused about what happened and who could not see the truth behind the veil of lies that they saw on the video!"

The arena seemed to split into two parts. Those who zealously supported Astrid began to applaud after her words. But there were also those who shrugged their shoulders skeptically. They were the target audience today for the descendant of the great Vikings. As a champion, she couldn't let her reputation be uncertain. And even though the truth was bitter, she intended to shove that truth down the throats of those who doubted her.

"I was attacked," she began with a heavy heart. "And I won't deny that I still feel the consequences as if I had to go through another hardcore match." The blonde paused briefly. "I was not ready for this and paid for it, it is not in my rules to complain about the results of my own mistakes, every bruise on my body became a reminder to me that I am a champion and that everyone in this federation wants to get a piece of me!"

There was a flash of lightning in the lavender eyes. Astrid really wasn't going to make excuses for what happened a week ago. For her, it was akin to losing a match, but she never tried to find fault with her defeats. After defeat, a real fighter will rise to their feet and continue to move forward. That's exactly what she intended to do. That's why she was here today.

"But don't be confused by all the lies you heard back then," Astrid's free hand involuntarily clenched into a fist. "The perpetrator was KUREIJI, but it was Emaline who was responsible for what happened." For a few seconds Astrid's fist shook, but then she took a deep breath, which helped her relax, moreover, a smile appeared on her lips again. "And I understand, really, because she's not the first one who wants to get a title match, not the first one who wants to take THIS away from me!"

Astrid ran her free hand over the golden belt at her waist. It might seem to some that she was exaggerating to some extent, saying that she understood why Emaline did this. However, it was the truth. The champion really understood the desire of others to be in her place. If she hadn't been chosen for the honor of being the face of the federation, she probably would have also been looking for ways to get together in a match with the champion. The only difference was in the methods. She would never allow herself to be reduced to such despicable acts.

“But I'm going to show the difference between us!” She said it louder than before. “And the difference between us is that when challenging, I'm not afraid to look my opponent in the eyes!" The Golden Dragon pointed at herself with her thumb, which was her signature gesture. “So, Emaline, get your pink ass over here because I'm challenging you to a title match for the openweight championship!" And before the audience started screaming like crazy, she added something else. “At We Are LAW 7!!!” Now, as the arena shook with shouts and applause, the descendant of the great Vikings turned to face the ramp to find out if Emaline had the courage to look into her eyes this time.

[Kreydos]

"Ask and you shall receive." Emaline's voice resonated throughout the speakers, her tone haughty and pompous yet also relaxed and lackadaisical. Her own theme music followed with the woman herself strutting out onto the stage. She dressed herself in business casual; a dark green blazer worn over a hot pink turtleneck paired with similarly green pants. The typical chorus of boos interspersed with the occasional cheers rained down from the audience and as always, she paid little attention to them as she nonchalantly walked towards the ring. Instead, she smiled gently and maintained eye-contact with Astrid.

Entrance Theme

The Emerald Viper clambered the steel steps, grabbed onto the top ropes, and elegantly vaulted over the ropes, maintaining eye contact with the Golden Dragon all the while. Then Emaline primly held her hands behind her back and approached closer in an exaggeratedly harmless fashion, her lips still curled into a gentle smile. When she was within arms reach, she held out an open palm and gestured towards the microphone with her eyes.

Should Astrid indulge the heel's request, she would remain where she stood and lethargically move the microphone towards her lips. "My most gracious of greetings to you, Astrid Arvidsson." She spoke exceedingly eloquently and politely, to the point it became condescending. "Though this may surprise you, I do indeed hold my profession as a wrestler with great pride and esteem within my heart. To be blatantly challenged in a manner such as this? There is no other answer that I could conceivably give. I accept this honour."

For a moment she paused and let the moment sink in, her lips quirking in reaction to the crowd's inevitably raucous reaction. But then she lightly tapped the microphone and quietened them all down. "However, there is a small clarification I would like to make." She poignantly said. "Your claim that it was I who holds responsibility for that savage attack is erroneous." With a graceful flourish, she held her hand over her heart. "I regard you as a dear friend, and accordingly treat you with the respect and kindness you deserve."

Having made her piece, she presented the microphone back to Astrid.

[skip-stop]

Surprisingly, it didn't take long. Literally immediately after the Norwegian woman finished speaking, Emaline's voice sounded from the speakers, after which her music began. Even more surprising was that when the pink-haired woman appeared at the top of the ramp and did not stay there, but went straight to the champion. For many, including Astrid, it seemed something incredible, because a week ago Emaline hid behind the journalist's back to protect herself from the fiery temperament of the blonde.

Accompanied by both boos and a share of applause, Emaline reached the ring without breaking eye contact with Astrid. The champion replied to the pink-haired woman in the same manner. And when they were face to face in the center of the ring, she did not hesitate to hand Emaline the microphone, because no doubt it was Emaline's turn to speak.

When the Japanese-Italian woman started talking, Astrid had to make some effort not to roll her eyes. Of course, she expected that this woman's performance had just begun, but she did not think that it would be so sickly sweet. The first part of Emaline's speech ended with her accepting the champion's challenge, which was not surprising because she had put a lot of effort into making it all official.

“What in Odin's name are you talking about?.." Astrid muttered as soon as Emaline started talking again, and she didn't care that without a microphone only the pink-haired woman herself could hear her.

For people like Emaline arrogance is the second happiness, of course. But even for her it was too much. After saying that Astrid is a dear friend to her, the blonde had an irresistible desire to hit this woman. And when Emaline handed her the microphone, her right hand clenched into a fist. But suddenly…

“Well...” Astrid said, after which her lips stretched into a smile.

She picked up the microphone and brought it to her mouth. There was room for two in this game. She has already gone through an incredible surreal story once. So after Diana, it was difficult to surprise her, but Astrid herself definitely learned how to surprise people. So she was ready to play with Emaline on this field.

“Then, my dear friend,” she said deliberately sweetly. “Why don't you choose the type of match so that we can see together how far our friendship will go?” The arena was once again filled with noise from the audience, while Astrid's eyes flashed. “Please choose carefully and thoughtfully, because I appreciate our friendship so much that I am overwhelmed with desire to hug you so hard that I can hear the crunch of your sweet neck!” With a sense of accomplishment, the champion handed the microphone to Emaline.

[Kreydos]

"~Ohohoho, my.~" Emaline giggled as she languidly retook the microphone. "Come now, my dear." She spoke as if she were lecturing a child. "Please forgive me but I must reprimand you. Such passive aggressive statements is quite unbecoming of someone standing at the pinnacle of LAW, I kindly implore you to watch your manners. Especially when one considers how close your reign is meeting its definitive end."

A paused followed; she wanted to soak in everyone's collective reaction before she carried on with a lazy shrug. "But I digress. You allowed me the honour of deciding the type of match she shall engage in and for that..." She paused, stared at the ceiling, and idly tapped her lips as if in deep thought, blatantly drawing the moment out. Naturally, she made sure to slowly spell out her answer. "A No Disqualification Match." From there, she flipped the microphone in the air before catching it and offering it back to Astrid.

[skip-stop]

Would anyone blame Astrid if she lost her patience and punched Emaline in the face? This pink-haired woman clearly tested the patience of the champion and although Astrid agreed to play this game, she was really as close as ever to solving everything here and now instead of waiting for their match at the PPV.

Even when Emaline moved on to the most important part, she still was clearly in no hurry to make a decision. More precisely, she was clearly in no hurry to voice it, Astrid was sure that Emaline definitely had a plan in case she gave her that choice. She couldn't expect anything else from such a cunning woman. And finally…

“Huh?" Astrid couldn't help but grin.

To some extent, this came as a surprise to the champion. She assumed that Emaline would choose something that would definitely put the Norwegian woman in an unfavorable position. But in a no disqualification match, the conditions were equal for both of them, especially considering that Astrid was well known for her passion for hardcore.

“Meeting its definitive end you say...” shook her head slightly as she received the microphone back, she repeated. “Well...”

The blonde took a step towards Emaline, leaving almost no free space between them. For a few seconds, her lavender eyes were simply directed into the contender's eyes, after which she tilted her head forward, bringing her lips closer to Emaline's ear.

“Not by your hands!” She said with obvious pleasure.

Astrid handed the pink-haired woman the microphone, but at the same second that Emaline reached for it, the Norwegian woman relaxed her hand and the microphone fell to the mat. She shook her head guiltily, as if apologizing for her clumsiness, and then walked around Emaline. She intended to stop only at the ropes to look over her shoulder and say goodbye to the contender.

“Unlike you, I was able to defeat Kyoko on her own battlefield,” she said, her eyes flashing. “What do you think I'll do with you?”

[Kreydos]

A gentle grin adorned Emaline's face as she watched Astrid's show of bravado. Thus far, both wrestlers remained unphased by the other's barbs and provocations, even when Astrid unceremoniously dropped the microphone after making a show of passing it back, Emaline maintained her formal and placid disposition. She didn't bother with a response, opting to smilingly yet silently watch the Golden Dragon make her leave. However, that last remark prompted the Emerald Viper's eye to twitch but she overall held her composure. "Hmph." She scoffed amusedly. "You presume much."