Meet and Greet

[SuckerPunch]

Courage couldn't help but smirk at Ayame's reply. her good nature shone through, brightening the dull morose that stained Courage's self-confidence. "Well then, if it's just throwing your weight around, maybe you can at least teach me how to aim it!" The smirk didn't fade as she considered her most common attack tactic was a hip attack. It was fifty-fifty on whether it landed upon her opponent, or whether it landed her in hot water.

Then, Ayame accepted her invitation to hang out and she couldn't restrain herself. "Yatta!" With a giggle she leapt at Ayame and gave her a big goofy hug. This was the bit of her former career that bled into reality. She'd been taught that over-familiarity, while typically frowned upon, wasn't only encouraged for an idol, but was often sought after!

She didn't cling to her. She relinquished the hold as quickly as it was put on before taking Ayame's hand and taking the lead. "Great! I'll call for an uber! There's an excellent coffee house not too far from here, Lestats! They're open all night long!" She already had her phone out in the other hand. "After that we can do whatever you want!" Her level of excitement was -not- indicative of a girl who needed caffeine.

[Taskmaster12]

“Sure! I always manage to hit what I’m aiming for! Provided they don’t do anything rude like move out of the way.” Ayame was just glad to see that things were getting better and Courage’s pure joy when she agreed to go on a night out of town only made it better when she was quickly pulled into a nice old hug.“Hugs usually mean yes.” Ayame could tell she was someone she could get along with, life is better and traveling is more fun with friends. She felt warm both from the big hug she was currently being squeezed with and promptly returned it herself and keeping Courage close just a few seconds longer. Once they broke apart and her hand was taken instead Ayame sat up to get ready to go along smiling at her travel buddy for the day who she hoped would be a friend for more then just the day. “Coffee sounds great right about now. I never needed it for energy but I do love the taste, after talking with so many great people though I could use a pick me up.” Courage seemed to have plenty of energy as well but Ayame would be a fool to turn down such an offer and she was happy to let her lead the way.

[SuckerPunch]

Lestat's Coffeeshop

Lestat's wasn't far from where the convention center. Sunny California was the perfect place for an outdoor coffeeshop. Rain was seldom and cold weather typically only occurred at night. The perfect time for a warm beverage.

Cafe lights were strung from the tops of the cafe stands and imported trees. Tables were strewn about here and there, each with a few comfortable if not bohemian looking chairs.

"This place is great! You're going to love it!" Chirped Courage as she led Ayame to a nearby table. She pulled a chair out for her and bent at the waist like a butler. "Madam." It only took a moment for her composure to break into a snicker.

A hostess stood nearby, waiting for the women to take their seats so that she could perform her job duties. In fact, more than just the hostess was paying attention to them. Not only were both of them at least passingly famous, Courage was still in her wrestling gear!

[Taskmaster12]

The drive over was a short one and not much had been said besides how much Courage loved the place she was taking them. Ayame had to admit she was pretty excited since she hadn’t really seen most of the city yet and the chance to enjoy a nice warm beverage with maybe some snacks would be good for her. “So I didn’t ask how you know this place but I did want to know are you from here? Have you been here before or did you find this place when LAW moved here for the PPV?” Still she did like to pick at Courage’s brain and learn more about her when she could so a question every now and again. The place she mentioned looked nice when they did finally arrive, having a friendly and warm atmosphere to it which Ayame took a second to appreciate before noticing that some eyes were on the two of them. It made sense given that Courage was an idol and dressed in her gear while Ayame while not a a model or anyone known outside of the wrestling circuit looked good and came in with her. She let out a nervous chuckle when she saw herself being watched but the nervousness faded when Courage opened up the chair for her to sit in. “My proper gentleman.~” She teased before taking a seat and again not in that they were still being observed. “I have to say I’m liking your choice of shops so far. I can see myself spending hours relaxing in a place like this with a cup of coffee and some sweets to pass the time.”

[SuckerPunch]

"Oh!" She clapped her hands as Ayame asked how she'd found the place. "Well! This isn't my first trip to America. And this is the area I've been to most!" She started as she circled the table and pulled out her own chair to take a seat. "I'm here at least one month out of the year. Or... At least I used to be." She paused with pursed lips. "For a tour I mean. With Courage Generation!" She plopped down into her seat as she finished her explanation. The West Coast of the United States was the most accessible for those in the Pacific and was the subject of a nearly yearly tour for her idol group.

"And I'm too young to drink or get into bars in America. Not that my producer would let me anyway! So coffee it is!" She giggled and gave the nearby hostess a wink. She came over to take their orders. She didn't even flinch at Courage in her wrestling gear. Los Angeles, am I right?

"I'll have an Egg Nog Latte!" There were menus on the table. But she didn't need one. In truth, she'd already been here this trip. This wasn't even her first visit! It was her third... This coffee shop was something of a tradition for the young singer whenever she came to America. A... Nearly daily tradition.

"Their sweets are lovely too! I'd recommend the chocolate croissant!" The hostess nodded in agreement while waiting for Ayame's order.

"You said this is your first visit to America, right? It must be so exciting!!" Their table was quaint and lit by the cafe lights overhead. Not far from them was a stage with a basic PA system. Some stage hands were checking the equipment and making it ready for use.

[Taskmaster12]

“That makes sense.” Ayame wondered what the model life was like but she didn’t think that was a topic necessary when she was more interested in the person over the persona. “Never been someone to drink either. Settings like this beat bars any day.” She would take time to browse the menu since she was new but found something that caught her eye really fast. Alongside Courage’s suggestion and the hostess backing it up she had her order ready in less than a minute. “Okay so I’ll have a Gingerbread Cold Brew Latte and I'll have to see about these chocolate croissants myself.” Ayame handed her menu to the girl and watched her leave before her attention was taken by the idol again to continue the conversation. “Mhm. I’ve been enjoying everything I see since I’ve never really been outside of Japan save one trip to London that didn’t even last a weekend.. Most of my family lives in the country and since LAW is my first real wrestling gig and this being the first show here I am. I hope we do stuff like this more often. I can't imagine getting sick of this kind of sight seeing.” Truly a city like Los Angeles was something you couldn’t tire of easily unless you hated cities. Even something as small as this cafe seemed filled with new delights for Ayame to enjoy. She loved it all, the bright lights of the big city and the homely feel of this place and judging from the people all chatting happily amongst friends, so did they. “What do you want to talk about while we wait for our drinks? I’m an almost open book.”

[SuckerPunch]

The waitress jotted down Ayame's order after complimenting her choices and scurried off. A young woman took to the stage. She was pretty and had a guitar slung over her shoulder. She adjusted the mic stand until it was at the appropriate height and then took to a stool.

She introduced herself. A local college student who would be performing some of her favorite songs. She began to strum then, her music filling the little outdoor coffee shop with a pleasant ambiance.

Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pU1YJGvWqw

"It must be so exciting to be getting out of your comfort zone then!" She smiled and nodded, doubling down on her statement. She'd been traveling since she was a little girl. She'd been a junior idol since the age of 12. And performing and traveling had been the entirety of her... Adolescent life. "I can't speak for everyone, but I've never gotten sick of the sightseeing! The travel on the other hand can be taxing! It's hard to find a private moment to relax." The rigors of fame...

The baristas could be heard making their drinks. It wouldn't be long. "Well I..." she paused to consider Ayame's question. She wanted to talk about a lot of things! She wanted to know what made Ayame happy. What her favorite music was! She wanted to know more about her family! But... Something grim loomed over her head like an executioner's axe.

"What... Do you think it takes to make it in the world of wrestling?" She looked away as she asked. Her demeanor communicated more about what she wanted to know than her words. Could she... Really do this? Was she just kidding herself? Was she going to fail in this sport... Get hurt, humiliated, AND lose her position as an idol? This was what really plagued her... Because she knew, as it was right now... She simply wasn't good enough...

[Taskmaster12]

When the waitress left them waiting for some good drinks Ayame would take in the place once more and listen to the lovely music that was playing. She kept her ear perked for Courage telling her about sightseeing which Ayame could agree with. How could you get tired of seeing new things? It reminded you just how awesome the world could be. “It feels great. Japan is nice but being here is an adventure! I can’t imagine being given this chance and saying no. Sounds like I’m in good company for that.” Ayame could tell she and Courage had enough interests that she didn’t see this being a one off. Not only was she super sweet but being a wrestler in a family of them she could relate to many of what Ayame was going through and seemed to have an eye for listening. “What it takes?” Ayame’s train of thought nearly stopped with the question and noticing Courage change again. Like before it seemed she had nothing good to say about herself wrestling and wanted a friend to give her advise. Or maybe she wanted Ayame to tell her if she should stop trying. Surely someone like her had more confidence in her? What could wrestling throw at you that the world of being a public figure like an idol or singer couldn’t? “You know that is something I try to figure out myself. Growing up I was always told that if you wanted to make it you had to want it. Which I guess means having the right attitude but once I started wrestling I met so many people with different attitudes and they are all successful. But I’d still saying having your heart in it is important. Losing focus just causes trouble. After that I guess it’s about learning what areas you do best and making the most of them. That’s just my guess! I’ve always given working to be a wrestler all of my effort and more. 120%. I have t been wrestling very long but so far that works!”

[SuckerPunch]

The waitress returned with their drinks. She sat them down kindly and asked if that was all they needed. And the polite, socially conscious Courage didn't respond. She didn't even react.

She was lost in the abyss of her mind. Considering the words of insight offered to her by Ayame. Her words struck home. Resonating in the swell of her chest. And her mouth downturned into a frown. It was only then that she noticed the waitress and turned to look at her. Courage's expression was blank for a moment. Blank but for her big doe-eyes which seemed a little sad.

"T-thank you! That's all for now!" She said with a performative cheer that belied her inner turmoil. And the waitress scurried off. Leaving Courage and Ayame alone with their drinks.

"You're right." She said to Ayame even though she hadn't stated an opinion. "I... I know what that's like. It's how I became an idol." She continued. "I dreamed about it as a little girl. I was always singing and dancing and obsessing over my favorites." She placed a hand over her heart and her eyes got a little teary. Gosh, she was such a mess!

She wiped her eyes and took a sip of her coffee. It was hard to stay frowning after a taste of the sugary sweet drink. Her eyes were a little puffy, but she'd managed to battle back her tears. "I... Haven't been respecting Professional Wrestling." She put the cup down with a clink.

"I know it's important to you. So, I'm sorry if I've offended you." She bowed her head. "It... It wasn't my dream. I'm just using it to cling to my real dream... But I don't think that's enough any more..." She looked up to Ayame, even from her seated position.

"I know I can do better!" She said with a strange mix of sadness and confidence. Ever the optimist!

[Taskmaster12]

“Oh this looks so gooood! Thank you!” Ayame’s bright smile directed at the waitress for returning with their seemed to please her but it nearly went away when after politely declining any other needs and looking at Couraged she noticed she was off in her mind again. She had been doing that enough times now to know that something was wrong and that being in a nice place like this wouldn’t make it go away. Was it her words? She hoped she hadn’t said anything that bothered her. It was only when Courage finally spoke that she realized that wasn’t the case. In fact the idol seemed to be apologizing to her even though Ayame didn’t feel the slightest bit offended by anything up till now. That wasn’t to say she didn’t understand the apology, here she was in front of someone who had wrestling in her blood and admitting that she was using it as a platform for another goal. She knew many people even some people in her own family who would hate to hear that even if they didn’t get mad about it. “Hey don’t beat yourself up over it. Look at wrestling history, so many wrestlers started off just trying to make money and get noticed but that doesn’t mean you have no business here. They grew to love this sport and became stars and you still have a chance. Even if we take your mom out of the equation and say you’re just a normal idol we- we actually I guess being normal and an idol is hard huh? Nevermind let’s just say even if you weren’t the daughter of some wrestler and you came into this business, you still have so much potential. Young, big heart, and I know determination when I see it and let me tell you it is all over those eyes of yours.” Ayame could tell Courage meant every word and so did she. Adding to that Ayame took a sip of her coffee and felt the drink light up her whole body. “Ooommyyyygooosssh this place is a must visit again! One sip and I’m hooked!”