View From the Other Side

[BlackAkuma]

It wasn’t often that Bast let Cersei get too far out of her sight, or vice versa. Ever since an incident at a wrestling convention where she’d gotten into a public catfight with another manager, they’d figured it was best not to leave each other alone for too long, at least not when they were near other wrestlers. Cersei liked to talk way too much, had made too many enemies in their short time with the company, and the chances of someone targeting her were too great, so Bast was stuck acting as her bodyguard.

Except for today.

Right now, Bast needed a little space from her sister. The two of them had just come back from a match - if you could be generous enough to call it that - with the ironically named Angie Samson. It was more of a slaughter than any real competition, with her having to struggle to hold back enough so that she didn’t cripple the poor girl. She knew that LAW wasn’t too picky when it came to the skill level of their wrestlers, hiring people who’d barely dipped a toe into the business, but she could tell Angie was coming in completely fresh. If someone said to her that was the woman’s first time in the ring, she wouldn’t have been surprised - she was totally out of her element, terrified, a minnow swimming with the sharks.

Despite her best efforts, there was only so much Bast could do to hold back and still convincingly win the match, and she’d wound up rocking Angie all the same. That was bad enough, but then Cersei used the woman as a bargaining chip to force Alaina out and challenge for the Heavyweight Title, which couldn't have done wonders for the blonde’s self-esteem.

It all left a sour taste in Bast’s mouth, which was why she’d decided to make some space between them for the time being.

One of the reasons, anyway. The other had to do with her current activity, as she made her way through LAW’s backstage area. She was dressed to leave, clad in a thick, black bomber jacket, her hands shoved into the pockets of her blue jeans while her backpack was slung over her shoulder, but she had some business to take care of. Bast made her way around, speaking to anyone who was brave enough to actually talk to her for a few seconds, as she tried to figure out where Angie was. She hoped the woman hadn't left while she was getting changed, wanting to get in a few words with her before the night was through, without Cersei around to bark at her.

[Lycanstar]

At least she could be alone.

Angie sat backstage behind some production crates as people unknowingly passed by her. Her time at LAW had not been in the least bit pleasant so far; and she could not stomach the courage to share a locker room with the Women of LAW who up till now had mostly been aggressive bullies and intimidating fighters. Aside from her training partner Erika and the intimidating Woman she just shared the ring with, this was not exactly the most welcoming place for somebody of her skill level and physical expertise.

Angie's sobs could be heard from nearby as she sat on the ground with her head on her knees, she was doing her best to get used to the punishing experience of a wrestling match but that would continue to prove difficult for her. Her match against Bast was a bit of a mixed bag~ For once her opponent showed her mercy, but that didn't mean she left without being rocked senseless. Despite her injuries not being as bad as previous experiences, the emotional damage of having her opponent take such pity on her was unbelievably humiliating. She was here to be a wrestler- and just from her appearance alone it was clear to anyone with a brain she had nothing to give. She thought she must just seem like some bimbo in a stripper outfit as her tears started to drip onto her white top...

Angie did her best to distract her mind- she was already counting down the days until her contractual obligation was ended and she could leave this place for good. Hopefully this could be nothing but a distant memory for her future self... Just keep her head down and survive until then.

[BlackAkuma]

Bast heard Angie before she saw her.

It might have seemed odd that she could, what with all the action going on around the place. LAW’s backstage area was a nexus of energy, a nonstop whirlwind of bodies moving around. People going in, coming out, going here, going there, each and every way without a single pause. There was always something getting set up, some pyrotechnics going off, some music playing, to say nothing of the constant din of the bustling crowd.

But, somehow, the simple cries of a lonely woman seemed to cut through it all, at least to Bast’s ears. Maybe she’d kind of expected it, on some level. Whatever the case, she honed in on Angie’s sobs, looked around the crates, and there she was.

In a way, she was glad that the woman was here, and not in the infirmary. Despite her best efforts, she’d still given her some nasty hits, blows that most people would’ve be able to just walk off. That she was able to come here of her own accord was a little surprising. Maybe the girl was tougher than she appeared, if only by a small degree.

She didn’t dwell on it, however. Instead, she stood and looked down on Angie, her eyes sullen and sad, looking for the right words to say. After a moment, she settled on something simple.

”Do you mind if I join you?” She tipped her head to the space on the wall next to Angie, just big enough for a woman her size to squeeze into.

[Lycanstar]

Keeping her head buried between her knees Angie's thoughts dwelled on comfier times and places... Her home, the cafe; anywhere that wasn't sitting here with her barely covered ass on the cold concrete. However she was content wallowing in her misery as she waited till all semblance of activity stopped and she could easily sneak out of the arena without any further interaction. She had enough of these jacked wrestlers, professional athletes and dismissive production staff members. If she never had to speak to anyone in LAW ever again it would still be too soon.

”Do you mind if I join you?”

Angie's body stopped shaking. Oh no. She recognized that voice.

Her head slowly but obediently lifted itself up from between her legs to gaze up at the Woman who had addressed her~ It was her opponent from earlier in the night. Angie was a little blinded as her eyes adjusted back to the light, the tears in the corner of her eyes causing slight irritation as she stared up with a woeful expression-

"W-what do you want... Are you here to just.. make fun of me more? Show some more fucking pity?"

Angie knew that Bast had... tried to be helpful. Internally Angie felt like she should continue to fear her, but that feeling was replaced with a harsh resentment- Why did she have to treat her the way she did? She almost wished Bast would have just annihilated her like all the others seemed content to do. This helpless lamb mentality ate up at Angie's insides~ She didn't want anyone to feel pity for her. She just wanted nobody to ever think about her in this place again. Still- The balls to talk to speak like that to this physically imposing and dangerous woman was impressive. At least Angie could feel content with that.

[BlackAkuma]

Bast wasn’t sure how Angie would respond to seeing her, but she could easily see how it might be less than a positive reaction. While she didn’t know the woman’s story, she could hazard a few guesses based on her performance in the ring, if you could even call it that. Not only did she not know what to do in the ropes, she didn’t even seem to want to be there, as if she had been forced into her position through some situation. The experience was terrifying, mortifying, she’d been helpless and alone, and seeing her tormentor again could deepen the wounds.

Even so, it felt right to be here. To offer Angie her company, if she could give her nothing else. To check on her. She owed her that much, at the least.

She tensed up as Angie bit back - not intimidated, but shocked by the venom this woman had mustered. It was bold, even more than anything she had done in the ring. At least there, the referee could’ve protected her. Out here, if Bast were the sort, she could’ve done all sorts of unmentionable things with little fear of retaliation.

Bast held her hands out, palms open, defensive, an unspoken sign of a truce. ”I just wanted to talk. And apologize. For the match, my sister, and…everything.” She stepped back to give her space. ”That was…” She sighed. ”You didn’t deserve that. I’m sorry.”

[Lycanstar]

Bast's apology was a little less than well received by Angie~ A fire she could not have expected before tonight was rising in her- fuelled by a harsh resentment and pent-up fury from matches past!

"Y-YEAH?! WELL WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY? THANKS FOR ONLY TREATING ME 'KINDA' LIKE A MASSIVE FUCKING JOKE?!"

Angie was practically screaming at Bast from the ground- a unbridled fury was etched across her usually sorrowful face! Bast was maybe the first opponent Angie had faced that had exposed herself in any way to her~ All the pent-up rage Angie had inside of her started spilling out!

"I DONT GIVE A SH-SHIT WHAT YOU AND YOUR SISTER DO! JUST LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE AND LET ME JUST GET MY ASS KICKED TILL IM DONE WITH THIS FUCKING PLACE!!!"

Angie was even a little scared of herself at this point- her blood was pumping hard and heart was beating a mile a minute! All the feelings she knew she could not express in the ring of to the management that held her match contract with a iron fist were completely loose against the opponent who dared show her a bit of mercy!

[BlackAkuma]

Bast was shocked by Angie’s yelling, taking a step back, but not for the reason she might have thought. Her mind raced for a moment - had anyone ever yelled at her? Ever? Perhaps long ago, but she started growing into her size and trained to fight, but after that? No, certainly not. Most people didn’t dare even to look her in the eye, much less raise their voices to her, afraid she might break them in half.

She was taken aback and gave her another step of space, not sure what to make of the situation. It seemed like someone was holding things above her head, keeping her there against her will. She wasn’t sure how such a thing could be legal, but then, there were many things about Japan she still didn’t understand.

She softened after a moment, then nodded. ”If that’s what you want, I’ll give you space. I apologize for disturbing you.” She leaned forward with a supplicant nod. ”I hope the best for you. I truly do.”

Not wanting to be deepen any wounds, Bast turned to leave, ready to give Angie the peace she seemed to want.

[Lycanstar]

It seemed to work; Angie was successfully getting Bast to leave her alone... Now she could be alone and wallow in misery while...

"Wait."

Angie stood up as Bast was turning to leave; the tears that rolled down her face were extremely noticeable as her top was just as soaked from her crying and sweat... She looked a bit more sorrowful as her emotions cooled back down and she could get a clear head on her shoulders- this could be her only chance to help her situation...

"I-I'm sorry- I didn't mean it... I just... Well you've been my only opponent that hasn't toyed with me or..."

Angie's words stammered as she stood awkwardly and a blush came over he face- This felt embarrassing to admit even if it was painfully obvious to everyone around her.

"I... don't know what I'm doing here. D-do you think I'm just going to get my ass kicked until I can leave? I don't even understand this sport... I-I'm sorry if I'm bothering you... P-please just tell me if you want me to leave you alone..."

Angie swallowed her pride as best as she could be she could tell what she was asking of the fearsome Woman... She knew she was a contender for a championship or trophy or something; why should she waste her time with Angie? But if Angie wasn't willing to take a risk... well the outcome was already a little obvious.

[BlackAkuma]

Bast had already taken some steps to move away, sighing in defeat. The way she was retreating, you would never have guessed that she was the one just dominated this woman in a physical contest. She felt beaten, outmatched, and it reminded her of life in her homeloand, in more ways than she wanted to admit. She’d come across people like Angie in the streets, often. People who were just crushed by life, who were so oppressed by their environment and their daily lives that it all just overwhelmed them. It was a sickness of the mind, and in her youth, she’d wished she could do something, anything, to bring them out of it.

But time had a way of desensitizing things. Then, just as now, she had grown accustomed to walking away.

She stopped and looked over her shoulder as Angie spoke again, her eyes coming alight with surprise as Angie approached her. Arms crossed, she turned towards the woman and stood on the backfoot, doing all she could not to appear opposing and stress her out even more. Bast took a moment to consider her questions, thinking hard before she spoke again.

”I’ll be honest.” She shook her head. ”I don’t know what sort of deal is forcing you to be employed here, but whatever the case - yes, if you keep going as you are now, you will keep experiencing losses. I fear that you’ll suffer a severe injury, or worse. The ring is no place for the inexperienced.”

She took a step back and placed her hands on her hips, giving her a look over, head to toe. ”But your situation might not be as dire as you think. You’re in good shape. You don’t seem exceptionally fit, but you have a decent body, and that’s more than many start with. If you can find someone to train you and give you serious time, if you devote yourself to a regimen, I think you’ll have a chance. You might not win for a while, but you will do better, and more importantly, protect yourself.”

[Lycanstar]

Bast's advice sounded like a truckload for Angie to take in- It sounded like she was describing what it takes to be a full-time martial artist or something~ How serious did people take this sport?

"I thought this was... Like a playfight show or something like that, I didn't know I had to be an athlete... I can't tell if I'm cut out for this- h-how do you deal with the... The pain? How do I... Do moves? A friend showed me but I don't think I'm very good~"

Angie recalled her sparring session with Erika which in the end seemed like a ray of hope for Angie- But all her sparring went right out the window when she was toe-to-toe against somebody like Bast~ She would need to be confident enough to actually attack her opponents, but how was she supposed to go against somebody ten times as strong as her?

"So-do I just have to work out and... learn moves? I'm... A little lost here..."

Angie did her best to sound relatable or like she knew what she was talking about~ But her 'deer in the headlights look' wasn't exactly going to fool Bast. Angie awkwardly stood around as she further blushed with each question; thinking to herself how much of an amateurish idiot she must sound...