Running up that Hill

[RedShinigami]

If I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh


The song:

Spoiler

The woman:

Spoiler

The ride:

Spoiler

Harmonia Edelstein exited her Audi when she reached the adress she was told on the phone. She had talked to a secretary and not Dana directly. Harmonia only had heard of her and her reputation and here she was. She was not invited by Dana herself, she was not picked for her talent, nothing. It was Harmonias decision to come here and ask Dana to train her to become stronger...
The lyrics of one of her favourite songs were still in her ear as she looked to the building before her.
Running up that road...running up that hill...no problem...

The young woman gulped. Since she had arrived she had been in stuck, she had some victories that got recognized but for what it was worth, it did'nt matter for the managers at LAW. She was the ditzy model with the skimply clothes and she would remain a lower midcarder as far as they were concerned...but this was'nt what Harmonia Edelstein wanted.
She and her sister had promised themselves to make it big in the wrestling leagues of this world and now that her dream had finally came true, the Ex-Model was faced with the bitter reality. She was a little fish in a big pond full of predatory fish,nothing special and always on the brink of getting eaten. The solution was to become one of the predators herself. And after Toni had told her about Shadow Fortress and Harmonias research about it she was sure to be at the right place.

Her heart was beating faster. What if Dana said no? What if she laughed at her, scoffed at her and sent her away? Harmonia would not be able to take it, she was sure. She wanted this. She just wanted to become strong ,as strong as she could, to fight her way to the top and become a star!
And she was willing to do everything Dana would say.
She shook her head, took a deep breath and then walked forward.
Be running up that hill...
Be running up that hill...
She pressed a button and voice spoke to her.
"Uh-uhm, Ha-Harmonia Edelstein for Miss Ashford.", she said nervously and when the door opened with a shrill sound she entered the Shadow Fortress...

She walked into a room with a lounge where sofas and chairs were prepaired and was told to wait for Dana.
Harmonia nodded, put down her sunglasses and sat herself down on one of the sofas. She looked around, it all seemed very...unimpressive. She did'nt know what she was expecting exactly but...it was a little underwhelming so to speak. But what caught her eye was not something related to this room but a magazine were a certain blonde looked back to her. Quickly she grabbed the Fashion Magazine and looked at herself, posing in a bikini.
"That thing is at least a year old...",she said and when she heard voices and a door open she quickly shoved the magazine into her purse, she did'nt want to meet Dana and then present her with some Bikini photos of her model career. She wanted to show her the other Harmonia, the Harmonia beyond her angelic looks.

[PrinceArjuna332]

Today was a rather interesting day for Dana Ashford. There was someone who wished to join Shadow Fortress and be put under her tutelage. Of course, Dana had her own standard and she was free to decide whether to accept or reject whoever it was. So, here she was, in her office, looking rather different than her usual self. As soon as Harmonia entered her office, she would be greeted not with the sight of a woman clad in her wrestling outfit, but in a rather elegant office-wear that somehow made her look dainty. Her hair was also fashioned differently that she looked totally different than her usual self. Of course, her motherly look didn't change at all.

Dana Ashford

"Welcome..." Dana said to Harmonia. "You must be Miss Edelstein. Please take a seat." Displaying her usual smile, she studied the younger woman's face, trying to ascertain what she wanted from her. "So... how can I help you?" She asked.

[RedShinigami]

The Austrian looked up and expected...well everything except what presented herself while walking through that door. It was Dana Ashford, no question about it. Her distinct features were unmistakeable and still, Harmonia had expexted, well, something else.

She knew matches of Dana, had watches Promos and Interviews of her and it seemed that her prominent leotard was something she never took off which of course was a stupid thought, Harmonia knew that and still... The Austrian was in awe at the sight of the beautiful older woman.

Harmonia gulped as she got up and offered a handshake.
"Y-Yes Harmonia Edelstein. Thanks for meeting me." the Ex-Model stuttered nervously and took a deep breath.

"As you surely know I fought against your daughter Toni and lost. I asked Toni were I could go to become stronger and she told me the name of your school. Well, here I am, asking you become one your student, Frau Ashford.", she said and her look got determined. Her lightblue eyes looked directly into Danas.
" I know I won't dissapoint you, I know I am strong. I just need...experience, guidance...", she said.

[PrinceArjuna332]

Dana listened to what Harmonia had to say. She was aware of the match between Harmonia and her daughter, Toni. Seemed like Toni had told Harmonia about the school she was running, the Shadow Fortress. After she was done listening to Harmonia, Dana nodded a few times, folding her arms under her ample breasts and tilting her head while looking at the younger woman.

"Ah, I can understand the desire to better oneself. It's only natural for someone to improve whenever they find themselves lacking. Still..." Dana looked at Harmonia in a discerning manner, as if trying to appraise the younger woman whether she was worthy of joining the vaunted Shadow Fortress or not. "...What can you offer for me?" Dana deliberately worded that question vaguely as she gave that question to Harmonia.

[RedShinigami]

When Dana nodded and agreed that it was a natural desire to get stronger and more capable, Harmonias face lightened up and her pounding heart got some rest. Maybe this would be it. The day of turning everything around. The day of becoming a whole new Harmonia Edelstein with the help of the legendary Dana Ashford. But when the matriarch of the family added a "still...", Harmonias shoulders dropped again. "Offer...", she said and immediatly she thought about money. Money she had and Dana would know that she had it.

She already opened her mouth before looking into the waiting eyes of the other wrestler. "I-offer...the absolute desire to become the best wrestler in this company, no, in this world.
Since I was a girl and my sister and I watched your matches on TV we knew what we wanted. Being a model was fine and it tought me manners, athleticism and the correct diet but I knew deep in my heart that this was'nt enough. It will never be enough. I want the rush of the fight, the lights, the booming themes, body against body, fist against fist, in short what I offer Frau Ashford is the absolute will to do everything and go through everything to make my dreams come true.", she said and was surprised how bold she had spoken, her gaze had never left Danas, her chest was pushed out and she spoke with a powerful and determined voice. She wanted it. More then anything else. "All I ask is a chance. If you take me I promise to become the best student you have ever had.", the Blonde said and nodded to herself. Her shaking hands betrayed her determined face but she did'nt care. She only cared for the other Blonde across from her to give her an answer. Be it a good...or a bad one.

[PrinceArjuna332]

Dana listened to the younger woman about what she could offer in exchange of apprenticeship under her. Once Harmonia was done, Dana was silent for a few seconds, seemingly mulling the younger woman's words. Folding her arms under her ample breasts, Dana then looked at Harmonia, showing an unreadable expression before she spoke, "I see. But I hope you understand what you're getting yourself into. Shadow Fortress isn't a place for ditherers the indecisive. And we expect nothing but the absolute best from our students..."

Dana kept her eyes on Harmonia as she continued. "Our training will be rigorous. Those who enter my Fortress will be shattered and then reshaped into ultimate weapons. We had quite a number of trainees who decided to quit because they couldn't take it. They couldn't bear being put through the grinders. And those who stayed would leave the Fortress completely changed." She gave Harmonia a challenging look. "Are you willing to go through that? This is your last chance to rethink your choice. There are still others options you can choose from other than my Fortress," she said.

[RedShinigami]

Harmonia looked Dana in the eyes and her heart pounded at an unforgiving rate as she heard the older woman speak. Harmonias features lightened up when she heard the words coming out of the Ashford matriarchs mouth.

She got a chance. Dana Ashford offered her a chance to become her student, getting stronger and having the chance to make it to the top. And Harmonia was eager.

"I grew up on a farm. I fell from tress and got dragged around by wild bulls. I am sure I can take what you put me through! I... I have my stuff in my car. Do you want to test me?", she said, ready to prove her worth to Dana.

[PrinceArjuna332]

Dana could see how determined Harmonia was. Chuckling after hearing her words, Dana just shook her head. "There is no need for that. We can do the test once we start training for real." She took out a folder containing all the necessary documents and contract for Harmonia. "Take your time reading these, and once you're done, sign the contract. With that, you will officially become my student in Shadow Fortress." There was nothing dubious about the documents and the contract as they provided details about what Harmonia would have to go through as Dana's student.

[RedShinigami]

Harmonia did'nt knew what to say. What if Dana would laugh? What if she would get mad, scolding her and send her away?

All kinds of negative scenarios went through Monis head and made the palms of her hands go sweaty, her heart racing and her body tremble. Her she was, the model, the beautiful face looking down from billboards and up from magazines. And when Harmonia arrived, many of the girls and the LAW Bookers made it clear that she was just that. A model. Her hands grabbed for the magazine she had taken from the desk and put in on the table. There she was, clad in a bikini, smiling at a beach. She looked up to Dana, a defiant look on her face.

"You know who I am an what I did for a living. Let me tell you that this is not what defines me. I mean it when I say that I will become your best student...",Harmonia promised.

When Dana accepted she lightened up.
"You will not regret it Frau Ashford. I will work harder then I have ever did. Because my goal is to be the best of the best!"

[PrinceArjuna332]

Dana smiled kindly at Harmonia. "Then I will look forward to see your success. In the end, whatever you wish to be depends on you. I will only provide you with guidance and training. It's up to you to decide where you are heading in your future." She waited for Harmonia to finish reading the documents and signing the contract. With that, Harmonia was officially a member of Shadow Fortress.

"Welcome to my fortress, Harmonia." Dana held out her hand, offering Harmonia a handshake.