Meet and Greet

[SuckerPunch]

Ayame's words made Courage's heart melt. They were kind, but beyond that, exactly what she needed to hear.

As an idol, just about everything she did was predetermined and rehearsed. It was easy, in a way. She'd given up control to her producers and they would slate out her future. Her attire. Her music. Her public appearances. Even her conversations with the media and fans were thoroughly rehearsed, even if those outlets didn't know it.

But as a wrestler, she didn't have any control. That was what drew her to it, even if she didn't know it yet. She... Wanted to lose control. To eschew predetermination for excitement and... Danger! And Ayame's encouragement made her feel like... She could escape the tethers of her scripted life.

"You're really kind Ayame. Thank you!"

She took a sip of her own coffee and couldn't help but smile around the rim of the mug. She was still smiling when she put it down. And her pale cheeks had a bit of a blush. Admiration. She had noticed Ayame immediately at the convention center. But now, she was really, truly seeing her. And it made her heartbeat hasten, beating against her ribs like a drum.

She worried at her lip for a moment before Ayame's excitement over her drink gave her wandering mind something else to settle on. "Isn't it wonderful!? I'm so glad you like it! I'd love to take you here again! It'd make for a wonderful dat-" She cut herself off and quickly brought the coffee mug back to her lips. Oops!

[Taskmaster12]

“Psh. It cost nothing to give advice. I’d like to think most people would be happy to provide any insight. Thank you for listening.” Truthfully she was aware some wouldn’t but she chose to believe in a word where most were helpful and the ones that came to her mind were the minority. What mattered most was it felt like the cloud over Courage’s head seemed gone and she was looking at an idol who had bright spirits and was fully happy. That was all she could ask for and getting to say she helped brought a smile on her face even when Courage rambled on a bit about the place. It was cute. She briefly got lost in seeing her so happy that she took a second to actually respond to what was said “I’d love to come here with you again. I don’t think this should be the only time we talk like this.” She admitted between another sip of her drink before her mind started to process what she said. She could of sworn she mentioned a date but that must have been her mishearing or maybe she was telling her it was a good spot to bring a date which was true enough.

[SuckerPunch]

"I'm glad you think so too! That would be wonderful!" She practically jumped out of her seat with glee. She wasn't sure if Ayame had caught her slip up, but she was happy to let it fly under the radar. However, what did occur to her, was that this coffee shop was almost five thousand miles from home. She pursed her lips in consideration.

"Well. We'll have to make a thing of it. The next time we're in America together!" She recovered her optimism, continuing on. "But this night is young! And special!" She added. And her cheeks went as rosey as the cherry atop a chocolate cake that was being served to a table beside them. "Because- Um. You know. We have to fly back tomorrow!"

"W-what do you say we take our drinks and explore a little. There's a cute little park nearby. We can sit and drink together under the moonlight!" Her blush only deepened as her suggestion sounded more romantic than her last blunder.

Courage! What are you doing!?

[Taskmaster12]

“Oh don’t you worry about that. Between our respective careers and how successful this PPV was California will become a regular stop for LAW eventually. We’ll be back and you and me can sit right here again and chat about whatever.” Ayame’s confidence in that being a certainty matched her usual optimism. She was glad she made a friend who wanted to hang out with her and without the usual implication that they only cared for her last name. “Oooh moonlight snuggling with coffee and cute company. Can’t think of many ways to spend a night in California that beat that.” Ayame winked before realizing that sounded better in her head. She wasn’t sure why she used the word snuggling since that tended to have context that went beyond a friendly night out in the big city. It was also way too forward for Ayame and she soon found herself nervously laughing looking away and hoping her pastries would show up to help distract from what she just said.

[SuckerPunch]

"S-s-snuggle!?" The question was stammered out, barely above a whisper as it narrowly escaped her throat. Not because she was trying to keep a secret, but because she was so flustered that she couldn't find her voice. The cheery idol found herself dumbstruck. And blushing brighter than the shiniest apple.

And Ayame's laugh just made her blush deepen... She was so... Cute? Oh god, she felt something welling up in her heart. It bubbled and made her feel like she was choking, but on something sweet, like honey. And yet, she found herself energized by the sugary feeling as well! Eager for something that wasn't really promised.

She stood upright, like an arrow lodged in the Earth and nodded. The waitress was on her way towards the table, a plate with a napkin and pastry in hand. "We'll take that to go please!" She said with more authority in her voice than previously seemed possible.

She then looked over towards Ayame. "We've got snuggling to do!" She gave her a very serious look before being overcome with the urge to giggle.

[Taskmaster12]

The coffee helped calm the slightly raised nerves Ayame had in her after what she just said and thankfully the pastries did come soon after. She wanted to just stuff her face and forget that she just offered to snuggle with her new friend like that. They only just met and Courage simply offered to relax in the park yet she had to go and push things by talking too much. That’s what she thought at least until Courage told the waitress to put the sweets up to go instead and told her that they were going anyway and that she expected snuggling. Ayame was shocked staring at the assertive Courage before she found herself having a giggle fit the same time Courage broke out in one. Here she was thinking she had embarrassed herself and Courage calmed down that fear with barely 10 words. She was really something else Ayame wondered why she lacked confidence in herself. “Oh boy I can’t wait!” Ayame stood up once the waitress wrapped up their snacks and making sure to pay them before they could make a swift exit. “So I guess you’re leading the way to out moonlight snuggle in the park? Judging by your choice of hang out spots this place will be real nice.” As she spoke she wrapped one arm around Courage so she’d be walking with her with a big smile on her face.

[SuckerPunch]

Courage watched the waitress wrap up Ayame's snacks with eagerness. Her heart was beating quickly with excitement. She couldn't believe what she was doing. She was being so forward! But... She couldn't help herself. Something just felt right about tonight. About Ayame.

Courage withdrew her wallet and paid her half of their meal. As always, she left a huge tip for her favorite American Coffeeshop. Then, she prepared to leave.

It was at that moment that disaster struck. Ayame's arm wrapped about her. And she froze. Her face went pale.

"Ah-...Ah- Y-yes! I'll l-lead the w-way!" She stammered cutely as her heart caught in her throat! Her steps were awkward and stiff. As if she was just now learning to walk. But she stumbled with a big, stupid smile on her face.

And after a few moments of walking, she melted into Ayame. Her body sank against her, yielding to her friendly intimacy. Her head fell against Ayame's shoulder, nuzzling unconsciously against her. The warmth of her cheek permeated the Akan Scion's shoulder. Her throat filled with a satisfied purr that reverberated against the other girl.

And they walked together, arm in arm over to the nearest Los Angeles City Park.

[Taskmaster12]

So far what Ayame expected to be a long day with fans turned into a long day with Courage and had been really fun to do. Making friends and having some delicious drinks went well together that she was not looking to have it end until Courage was done with her. Her eagerness made her wrap an arm around her and briefly she felt embarrassed when Courage seemed surprised. Thankfully she recovered and reciprocated before Ayame had to dwell on the idea that she made a mistake. She was letting her mind run too wild it seemed with how many times she thought she messed up my to be proven wrong. She really needed to stop worrying about screwing things up when it was clear that her friend wasn’t going to be turned away by a little close contact when she was just as happy to give it back. Resting on her shoulder and feeling completely content right there which made Ayame happy Courage felt comfortable with her like this. Feeling an odd warmth from Courage that made this feel so great and only increasing her desire to see the night not end too soon. They walked to the park keeping close and taking a few sips of her coffee with an ear to ear smile, this felt nice and Ayame let out a long and comfortable sigh with such a cute girl on her shoulder and only wishing she could give her a nice hug if she didn’t want to keep hold of her food and drink.

[SuckerPunch]

The Park at Night

Their evening stroll led the two young wrestlers to a dazzling LA City park. Behind them was the LA Skyline. Tall buildings and bright lights. But in front of them was lush greenery and the night sky. They'd left the fluorescent illumination of the city behind them and now kept company with the stars.

They'd walked in silence. Not because Courage didn't have anything to say... But because she was worried that she might ruin the moment. Instead, she did her best to listen to Ayame's heartbeat. To take joy in the other girl's content sighs. She indulged in this feeling of closeness until they'd reached a clear stretch of grass that she had picked out for them.

Then, slowly, she moved, turning to face her.

Something in her was afraid. Afraid that if she stopped touching her, she might not ever be allowed this close again. And so as the arm about her waist slipped away, her fingers continued to stay in contact. To trail about the small of her back and to finally come to rest upon her hips.

Blushing. Courage finally spoke. "I-is this spot good?" Ba-bump! Her heart throbbed in her chest, realizing where her hand was. "T-the grass I mean!" Ba-bump! "I um-"

Her emerald green eyes fixated on Ayame's. Her lips trembled. Her heart was aflutter and her knees felt weak.

[Taskmaster12]

Lee paint the city side of the big city for the calmer feeling of the park the two wrestlers stayed on each other the entire time with the only sounds between them being their footsteps and Ayame’s humming. When they finally reached the spot Courage picked out she seemed hesitant to pull away and her hands lingered when they reached her backside. It was odd because it seemed to be indicating something but Ayame didn’t think THAT could be true. “This spot is great. Just enough light to enjoy the skies without getting in the way.” Ayame would grab Courage and take seat right beside her letting Courage keep her hands on her. The blushing and nervous behavior was not something Ayame failed to notice but she didn’t want to jump to any conclusions. Courage was just afraid to mess things up with a new friend. That made sense. “So do you do stuff like this often? Because if this was something you thought I’d like you nailed it! I love relaxing in quiet places like this after long days.”