And kissed her. Right there in the ring. In front of God and everyone.
It was impulsive. Maybe even stupid. She knew her family would be watching her fight. And despite the beautifully wonderful experience, words, and promises made in the aftermath away from the cameras, Bandita's trip back to the apartment left a tight knot in her stomach. And not from the numerous shots to the abs she'd taken earlier that night.
The apartment was cramped. Way too small. It never felt smaller.
Her siblings were already in bed, but Nana Lola had words. The girl sheepishly endured the interrogation, her eyes on the toes of her scuffed sneakers, her hands fidgeting nervously. All she could offer in response were quiet appeasements and apologies - for what, she's not even sure. All she knew was she didn't like her family being upset with her.
But after all of that had subsided and Nana Lola dawdled off to bed, herself, the luchadora stayed up. She got out her cellphone, and she sent a text message:
<<Wouldn't trade tonight for anything in the world.
Talk tomorrow!>>The next day was spent recuperating from her match. Even coming out on top, Laxia had worked her over thoroughly. And in-ring abrasions and beatings always felt their worst the day after, when the adrenaline was gone and there was little else to occupy herself with. But each point of soreness, each ache, reminded her of her match with Laxia and brought the experience fresh to her mind. She normally wore her soreness with pride, but this time, it was pride mixed with a little something more; fondness. Daydreaming. Closing her eyes and letting her mind revisit the submission holds, the grapples, the strikes, feeling Laxia pin her exhausted body down, or in turn, pinning Laxia to the mat beneath her.
The day was riddled with texts on top of it; nervous to not become a nuisance, but unable to resist the excitement of talking to her again.
<<Did you HAVE to kick me in the face that hard earlier? Jaja>>
<<Should we watch the match together sometime?>>
<<Really excited to see you again!
>>The next day, the Latina was back to training. Despite everything else, she kept herself to a strict regiment. The soreness was gone enough to focus on strengthening herself, keeping in top shape and at peak agility. She hit the tumbling gym to practice rebounds and wall-runs. And in the process, wound up thinking about the aristocrat again - reflecting on nailing her with her signature move from the corner to counter. How she could have pinned her right there. If Laxia would've been mad at her for pinning her the way her impulse mind wanted to.
The cellphone made more appearances, shooting messages.
<<Hope things are going good! You have to tell me when you're wrestling next, I can't miss it!>>
<<Did I ever mention you look really cute all laid out on the mat? Jejeje!
>><<Let's get together tomorrow. Unless you're still hurt. I didn't hurt you, did I?>>
The prospect of their impending date played heavily on the girl's mind, and it was nearly impossible to not talk about it to her family. Of course there were teasing questions from her siblings about the girl she kissed, why she did it, what it means~... but she kept evasive! It was too new! And she wasn't even sure how to make it make sense! And the looks her grandmother would give her discouraged any kind of indulging in the topic at all!
Nothing could stop Bandita's excitement today, however. She'd sent the address to Laxia for where to meet her; the glorious Tokyo Dome City, just inside. She didn't know the city well enough to guess where to go, but that's the beauty of the dome. It has everything. Including a theme park, food, movies, like its own microcosmic city. Probably where it got its name from!
Bandita was waiting eagerly, bright smile on her face. Today, she decided that if she'd be going out as Bandita, she'd do it in Bandita style. A sleeveless split-top showing off her trim midsection, black shorts, and boots, along with her mask, crucifix, and hair tied back in the typical ponytail and ribbon.
The Latina stands out significantly - and to her delight, entertainment-seekers recognize her from her matches! She finds herself stumbling through conversation with fans, having to rely heavily on her cellphone's translator app, signing autographs, and accepting well-wishes from her elders. It's the first time she's interacted with fans since coming to Japan, and it has left the girl positively radiant with joy.
