A Contest of Champions (For Highfly)

[CaptainL]

Astrid joined in the applause that the other two placements in the top three received. Though she hardly knew them, and this was hardly the sort of competition she had a lot of experience with, Astrid was happy to recognize and congratulate them all the same for their efforts. She knew more than anyone else how it felt to win such an honor, and she wanted them to feel accomplished, at least for a day.

But what Astrid didn't see coming was that, even after such a procession of women who she hardly felt she had anything in common with, she was proclaimed the number-one winner nonetheless! "WHAT!?" she gasped, straightening herself from against the wall. As the realization set in, a grin spread wider across her face. She had really won!

The crowd erupted in a burst of applause that dwarfed even what the last two contestants had gotten. Astrid could feel the excitement taking over as she made her way to the stage. It was a feeling she knew well - hearing the people cheering her name, she felt the same excitement that she'd gotten every time she won a match, and even the time she was crowned LAW Heavyweight Champion. Coming to the podium, Astrid took a bow toward the crowd (one that drew her a few more cheers as her plunging cleavage was on full display from it). Then she struck a pose, her hands on her hips and her chest thrust out, as the judges draped a sash around her shoulder proclaiming her the victor.

"Thank you, all of you!" she said. "Truly...it means the world to me to hear your praise, and to know how excited you get every time I make another achievement in my career. I'll keep doing my best for all of you, okay?"

Astrid was greeted, somewhat predictably, by another round of cheers. She glanced back over her shoulder, checking on what Alaina was up to. After the fervor had died down and the contestants began to file off stage, Astrid turned back to face Alaina, walking up to her friend's side.

"Hah, well! I can't say I saw that coming! Perhaps that's another thing I should add to my list of accomplishments, yeah?"

[Highfly]

Alaina smiled and clapped along with the crowd making a good show of it. After a few moments when everyone was disbursing she was Astrid approaching. "Congrats! After hearing the cheers you got over everyone else it was hardly a surprise at all to see you win." Alaina said with a nod and pat on the shoulder.

"I guess ya got two over on me now." Alaina added the words slipping out when she wasn't sure she wanted them to. Hearing them said aloud stung as badly as they did when Alaina was thinking them to herself, if not moreso. She took a deep breath and looked around the beach. Today was fun.... but also another dose of humbling when put up against the younger LAW Heavyweight Champion herself. "You know what, I should probably be heading out. I have to get home to the kids and spend some time with them you know?" Alaina asked. Of course Astrid didn't know, she didn't have kids and she was still in her prime, not a 45 year old wrestling mom trying to find glory again the way Alaina was. When she thought about things like that was she just trying to get a piece of the spotlight she missed? Was she destined to fall short when title gold was on the line?

[CaptainL]

Even as Astrid was heading off the stage, she still got plenty of cheers and applause from eager fans, and even some who flashed cameras at her to get a few more photos. While the Norwegian turned to wave after the crowd, she also fell in beside Alaina, accompanying her at her side and humbly accepting the praise. With a laugh, she slung her own arm around Alaina's shoulder. "Hah! I wouldn't quite say that...I was expecting them to bring out someone as a surprise for the number-one spot. I never would have guessed I'd be on their radar...but I suppose I've got it, yeah?" Chuckling, Astrid flexed a bicep, winking back over at Alaina.

Of course, she had no idea of the turmoil going on in Alaina's mind. To the veteran, Astrid's victory had been yet another piece of evidence that she was past her prime, and that she couldn't hope to measure up to the reigning champion. That she had missed her chance to hold the glory once again. But to Astrid, it was just another day, and another story to tell. She still considered Alaina a close friend; to even have such an experience with her, she would have to be.

Offering her hand for Alaina to shake, Astrid was all smiles. "Well, better luck next time, I suppose! I'm sure you've still got it in you. Believe me, I've seen what you've done, and I wouldn't put anything past you!" She also nodded to Alaina as she offered her parting words. "Ah, yes, I understand. Tell them I said hi, alright? And take care!"

[Highfly]

Alaina smiled and nodded as she took Astrids hand. "I will be sure to tell them don't you worry. I will see you around at the arena or maybe even in the ring if I can earn a shot against the champion." Alaina said with a wink trying to keep her spirits high although she was going to hit her gym at home the first thing she could when she arrived. She still had lots of work to do to measure up to the young champion.

[CaptainL]

With a nod of her own, Astrid eagerly took Alaina's hand, giving it a firm and confident shake. She smiled wider as she met eyes with the veteran - a woman she had now bested in more than one contest, but who she held nothing but the deepest of respect for nonetheless. "Hah, that's the spirit!" she said. "Keep at it! I know you have what it takes, and you can put your mind to it. And when that day comes...may the best woman win, yeah?"

The two of them broke apart, and Astrid lifted her hand high, giving Alaina a parting wave before she turned the other direction. Lifting her head high to face the sun, she walked down the beach, each step she took making her body feel lighter. With another victory under her belt, Astrid was sure her championship reign could only grow to new heights.