Ideologically Opposed.

[Fairy Dragon]

It had been a few days since her match with Astrid, and Kyoko Akan was still in an immense amount of pain. It had mostly dulled but that didn't mean it wasn't still bothering her, she had tried to get up to her feet and back to work the day after but her back was not up for anything more than a short walk and she spent most of that day lying on her stomach or using some rests. A day of rest and some painkillers later she could move about more but nothing too strenuous, the lack of activity frustrated her as much as the fact that she lost the match that did this to her did. She had been through these kinds of wars before but she usually won them and could enjoy a well rested break, but with this just being one of 2 matches she needed for Apex and her second one already set for the PPV Kyoko needed to get back into action now, she was thankful it was just pain holding her back and that miraculously nothing had broken.

Spoiler

"Got me walking like a granny..." Kyoko muttered as she walked through the backstage area, the dull pain in her back and legs turning it more into a limp. She was trying to get to a meeting and arrange some time on the upcoming LAW cards for a promo or something to keep the interest around her for Apex since no matter what she was still making it to the event. She just had to learn and grow from this loss and propel herself into a few wins later, something she was very good at by now.

[Kreydos]

Elsewhere in backstage, Emaline idly drummed her fingers across the table as she waited for the time to pass by. Still dressed in her wrestling outfit she had recently completed an Apex Qualifier match against Sakura Hagiwara. Although she proved to be little more than a pushover, the plucky idol-wrestler somehow managed a fleeting comeback. The pinkette couldn't help knitting her brows as her thoughts naturally moved towards the lingering aching sensation around her midsection.

Emaline Appearance reference

She would have preferred to return home to rest and recuperate, the medical resources she had access to far exceeded whatever rudimentary first aid LAW had at hand. However, Yoro was in the midst of her own Apex Qualifier match so Emaline decided to remain at the LAW venue for the time being. Unfortunately, she was also incredibly bored, with no one else except Shira for company and she had no form of conversation to contribute.

The Viper allowed her eyes to wander around, looking for something, anything, to alleviate her boredom. Her gaze soon settled upon Kyoko's limping form. Emaline's eyes lit up as a devious idea formulated itself in her mind. Without skipping a beat, she stood up and strode to intercept apparently injured wrestler. Of course, her red-haired friend shuffled along behind her without raising any questions. "Kyoko Akan." She inclined her head as she cordially greeted Kyoko. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

[Fairy Dragon]

She passed everyone by, most of them tried to avoid her because they rightly assumed Kyoko didn't look to be in a talking mood but even people who might have gotten a hello from her most days were passed by without a glance. Kyoko just wanted to get to where she was going and head home, today was not a day to linger and chat. But not everyone got that message from her body language, or at least didn't care to listen to that message since soon she was stopped by a face she was familiar with, they had never met in person but had talked enough on social media and heard about each other to know who the other was on sight.

"Emaline....I can't say I'm in the mood to make anyone's acquaintance." Kyoko said. Despite this she knew that Emaline had already noticed Kyoko's state, if she wanted to approach her now it was because nothing Kyoko actually said was going to persuade her not too. She barely noticed her shadow member who simply stared at her and stayed behind Ema but she knew enough about how the Emerald Viper operated to know that she was never one to do things alone if help was needed and felt like she should watch her back. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Kyoko asked, knowing it was better to get it over with. Though Emaline and her had no known beef she didn't trust anyone like her and was guarded even now waiting to see what she wanted.

[Kreydos]

"To your wounded pride." Emaline answered without skipping a beat, still speaking in a polite and well-meaning manner despite saying words of open mockery. "I apologise but I can't help but feel pity for you due to the humiliating outcome of your match against Astrid." She paused to snicker and shake her head condescendingly. "Though, I suppose the humiliation may indeed be justified when one considers the fact that you allowed yourself to be bested by an upstart amateur."
Meanwhile, Shira remained silent as ever. Invariably, she also stood at attention as her friend's ready and capable bodyguard.

[Fairy Dragon]

Everything about Emaline told her that she was a bitch to her core, unable to hold any words of contempt to herself unless she was moments away from getting her head smashed, so she wasn't surprised that Kyoko had barely finished her sentence before Emaline started talking down to her. The response being expected didn't make it any easier to listen to and Kyoko gave Emaline a warning glare that did nothing to stop her from continuing. Every word of it dropped with so much of the same shit she had heard from so many top level wrestlers who didn't want to associate with her back when she was starting up that Kyoko almost started to move in to smack her when her back reminded her that her body was not in the best shape for a fight, especially one that would be a handicap match. For now her words would have to do, even though a fist always did the job better.

"Humilating? I accepted her challenge and fought her in a match of her choosing, and by the end of it she was nearly beaten several times and crying by the end of it from the pain I gave her...do you see me crying Emaline?" Kyoko said, though she knew the words to be true her tone was aggressive and clearly annoyed by everything the girl just said. Kyoko knew by now that even though Astrid was new to LAW she wasn't new to wrestling or an amateur..even if Kyoko still was fuming about the loss on the inside. "You should know what it's like when weapons are involved, anything can happen...or are you going to tell me that Skylar Jones just beat your ass because she was better than you?" Kyoko asked. Wanting to bring the smug from Emaline down just a little.

[Kreydos]

Despite Kyoko successfully restraining herself from attacking Emaline, she still sensed the intent to harm just from the look in the so-called Belly Queen's eyes. The Viper couldn't stop herself from reacting with a smirk, a thin grin which only grew wider the more she listened to Kyoko's excuses. Her mention of Skylar's name, however, caused Emaline's sneer to falter for a split second. Thankfully, she recovered quickly, adopting a more reserved courteous smile.

"A mere fluke on the barbaric brunette's end." She answered politely, though some venom underlined her words. "Moreover, that match occurred quite a long time ago and I have vastly improved since then." Retaking control of the conversation, she steered the topic back towards Kyoko. "Conversely, your recent loss is well, recent. And on a considerably important Apex Qualifier match no less. Mayhaps the Belly Queen is no longer deserving of her title?"

[Fairy Dragon]

Emaline's anger grew and now Kyoko could tell that the brutal beating she took was minor compared to what the damage to her ego was. "I haven't noticed any major improvements, you still wrestle the same. Confident you can win until you get a bruised lip and need to call for help." Kyoko added, whatever insults Emaline had for her she had plenty to give back. But all she had thought of were going away when Emaline pushed her attempt to take her loss as an idea that Kyoko was no longer worthy of her nickname. Nothing had been more treasured in her life than the accolades she had earned and that nickname which had persisted for the entire decade she had been wrestling still meant more to her than any belts she had won.

"Excuse me? Astrid didn't break my belly, she went for my back. If she had tried she'd still be in the hospital and my Apex run would be spotless. The last girl who tried to take that title from me, ended up making a fool of herself and ended up gagging at a PPV. There is no one more deserving of my title, and if you need help understanding that I can leave a lasting reminder." Kyoko said, her voice low but the venom in her words and her body nearly shaking told Emaline that she had gotten her angry, if that was part of her plan she would need the next half to go as well before things got bad.

[Kreydos]

Emaline ignored Kyoko's remarks regarding the Viper's supposed lack of improvement, instead focusing on the purplette's mini-tirade when her precious self-appointed title was put into question. "Hmph." The pinkette scoffed before replying in such an excessively respectful fashion that it instead came off as patronising. "Please forgive me, I was merely entertaining my thoughts. I apologise but it would seem that I failed to take your brittle ego into account." She paused to giggle. "In your current state, perhaps it would be best if I relinquish you of your title?"

[Fairy Dragon]

Emaline's focus was asking for her to be nearly destroyed by a very pissed off Kyoko, bad back or not she was not about to hear this from someone like her. "Oh are you? Is Emaline going to take my title from me? Or is it going to be Emaline, Yoro and Shira sharing my title since you winning matches without some help from them like a real wrestler isn't very high." Kyoko said, her eyes going to the silent bodyguard that was keeping her at bay for now. The Enclave had always been something Kyoko saw as the worst thing a stable was for, and Emaline the kind of person that even though the two were alike in some ways, the way the two were different would put them at odds.

"You couldn't last doing what I do, a few hits to your abs and Holly would be the new owner of my title if you had to fight. I wonder how much better your stablemates would be if they didn't need to waste time bailing your ass out of shit you get yourself into. At least I know they can fight." Kyoko spat, taking another step towards Emaline, her anger at the implications of what Emaline wanted growing as she tried to tear her down.

[Kreydos]

Although Emaline maintained her urbane smiling demeanour during the course of Kyoko's cute little tirade, the pinkette's lips twitched when she was criticised for involving her stablemates when the situation called for it. She placed her hands behind her back as she waited for the other woman to spout whatever insipid criticisms her unimaginative mind could come up with.

Without warning, Emaline swung her legs upwards and attempted to kick Kyoko's crotch. "Tsk tsk." The Viper clicked her tongue condescendingly should her low blow connect. "Couldn't last doing what you do, you say?" She leaned forwards slightly as she mockingly repeated the purplette's words. "I suppose I would have to concur with you in that regard. I for one wouldn't be caught off-guard by something as paltry as a low blow attempt."