Any other time, Charlotte would have firmly said no. But she didn't like to lie. Right now, she really felt a little uneasy. The Frenchwoman never sought to be the center of attention, not to mention the fact that she was a very complex person. It was difficult for her to find a common language with people, for this reason, her circle of communication was very limited all her life. And in a minute she was to perform in front of thousands of spectators. She took a deep breath.
"I rather feel responsible," she told to her manager, "I want to convey my thoughts to them, but I don't know if I can do it."
Victoria smiled good-naturedly. Perhaps of all the women and girls of her team, only Charlotte had such a high sense of responsibility. But at the same time, the Englishwoman was sure that her ward would cope. She adjusted her glasses.
"You don't have to try to come up with something," Victoria answered as honestly as possible, "they realized who you are thanks to your matches, so just be yourself and they will hear you."
Charlotte looked at her manager. Victoria was an unusual person. Next to her, the Frenchwoman always felt an unusual energy. She always had a bad relationship with her family and therefore she was not familiar with maternal care and other things. But almost every word Victoria said was always aimed at supporting every member of their team. And Charlotte was grateful for that. She smiled slightly and nodded to her manager.
Her dynamic music started and Charlotte came out from behind the curtains. She didn't count on the match today, so this time she decided to do without her trademark punches. Instead, she threw both hands up, accepting the audience's greetings with a smile. Victoria was really right, they remembered her because of her matches. From the outside, Charlotte didn't consider herself special or anything like that. But her behavior and principles clearly set her apart from many other fighters.
The Frenchwoman started down the ramp. No one had any doubts about why she was here today. Recently, many fighters have made loud statements in the light of recent events. And although Charlotte was not chasing popularity, today she also wanted to say a few words. She felt she had to do it. And she wanted to be heard by both the audience and potential rivals. The young woman approached the commentators' table and took the microphone.
She rolled under the bottom rope and quickly jumped to her feet. Charlotte headed to the center of the ring. Usually at this moment her heart was beating evenly, but this time it was different. This time she wasn't going to fight in front of thousands of eyes. This time she was going to talk to them. Charlotte felt this unusual atmosphere. She wasn't afraid, not at all. But all this was unusual for her. The Frenchwoman has never been a very emotional person. But at such moments, she just couldn't help but smile. When her music ended and the hall was filled with applause, she respectfully bowed to the audience. Charlotte took a deep breath and picked up the microphone.
Casual outfit
"Konbanwa Tokyo!" she said loudly and confidently, which caused a new wave of noise.
They always loved it when foreigners used Japanese. And although it might seem that Charlotte did it only for the approval of the crowd, in fact it was her gesture of respect. She was always honest with herself and with everyone around her.
"After my first matches, as well as my announcement that I would be taking part in the race for the Openweight title, I received a lot of questions," she began, "and I think it's time to answer some of them."
Of course, Charlotte was not a caveman, but still it seemed to her that answering questions on Twitter was somehow wrong. The behavior of the Frenchwoman was something far from the most ordinary for the audience. And although this made them remember her, many did not understand who Charlotte was and where she came from in the first place? Well, today she had a chance to answer these questions.
"My name is Charlotte Ravel'," this time there was some pride in the Frenchwoman's voice, "and for the last seven years of my life I have traveled all over the world studying martial arts. During my training in a Chinese monastery, I was called the Sand Lizard and a martial arts master. At the same time, I formed my own code of honor."
She paused briefly, giving the audience time to process this information. Charlotte was not going to tell them her biography, however, it was necessary to voice this information in order for them to understand what she was going to convey to them.
"And here I am, in the ring of the best federation," she said, after which her gaze became more serious, "but I'm sure you won't deny that mostly in this ring we see not impartial matches between professionals. Instead, we see personal vendettas, attempts to get money and fame, striving to satisfy their own ego. But the most important thing is that we remember less and less about such a thing as honor."
Oh, they're definitely not used to hearing something like that. People in general have not been used to hearing the truth lately. And although everyone in this room knew that what Charlotte said was true, her words caused a mixed reaction. Maybe they just forgot that matches don't have to be accompanied by contempt, hatred and other similar things.
"I consider myself a person of honor and I try to follow the path of a true fighter!" the young woman continued. "Martial arts is my life. And every fight for me is not a way to earn fame and money. Every fight for me is a new step on the way of self-improvement. I work on myself every day in order to become better than I was yesterday. Many have forgotten what martial arts really are. And I'm ready to remind you about it. Martial arts is not about beating the shit out of each other for personal gain, martial arts is about striving to become the best version of yourself."
Finally, the reaction in the audience became a little more unambiguous and now Charlotte heard an approving noise. The young woman turned towards the curtains. She was ready to move on to the main part of what she wanted to say. She could feel her heart beating fast. It was unusual for her to speak in front of so many people. But at the same time, she realized that with every word she was getting easier.
"A real fighter never refuses a challenge, so I'm ready to fight anyone," Charlotte said, after which her eyes flashed, "but not this time. I decided to take part in the race for the Openweight title. The path to this title lies through Apex. Four qualifying matches, this is where my path begins. And I want my first opponent to be someone who shares my views!"
Charlotte's smile reappeared. She knew that these would be big words and, considering that she was not used to talking at all, it was strange for her. But at the same time she felt anticipation, because right now she had to throw her first open challenge. And she was ready for it. The Frenchwoman took a deep breath.
"If honor is not an empty word for you, then come here, to this ring," she said, "I want my first opponent on the way to the title to be a fighter who, like me, is not ready to stoop to dirty tricks, but who is ready to earn the right to call themselves a winner with blood and sweat. I want me and my opponent to get into the ring and show a real impartial match at the limit of our capabilities. I want a match where we will fight not because of hatred for each other, but in order to become the best together and prove that honor is still not an empty word! I want this match to show that the real fighters are still here! AND DON'T YOU WANT THE SAME?"
She turned to the audience with the last question in a burst of emotion, and this time it was a truly explosive reaction. She may not have been able to reach everyone, but still Charlotte felt that her words were right. She really wanted to remind them that the hate that is most often seen in the ring is not something that the audience is required to see every time. She wanted a match with a worthy opponent who would give her everything they have. Charlotte pointed to the curtains. She had only one question left to ask.
"Will there be someone who is ready with me to show our viewers and fans a real unbiased match, where we will both go forward in order to become better than we are now?!"
