Friendship Making Media Scrum! (For Bare)

[Vc0m]

Timeframe

This takes place shortly after the conclusion of Apex, but before We Are LAW 2023

The conference room was set up to ensure plenty of space for journalists while setting aside 3 tables for a mediator, and 2 members of talent to be interviewed. As an official entered the room, he sat down in the middle after bowing in an introduction to several members of sports and wrestling websites in attendance:

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our post-Apex scrum!", the LAW representative started: "I hope you enjoyed our Apex tour. To set aside several rules, please refrain from directly asking LAW employees, including officials and talent, about the identity of the LAW World Openweight Champion. You are free to ask them about their theories and thoughts on other matches, but the identity of the champion is a matter that will be announced on another day."

"I should also add, that a lot of our talent wanted to appear on the scrum, and as such, the interviews will be done in pairs. Don't worry, you will have plenty of time to ask questions to both members of the roster at the time."

"Now, without further ado, please welcome our first guest, coming off of defeating the Baroness in a Hell in a Cell match during our Newcastle show, "The Shadow Lord", Ms. Clara Gaster!"

Spoiler

Clara walked into the well-lit room, smiling at the audience, and waving hellos, before taking a seat on the right of the official.

"...mmgh...", she grunted. The chair was a regular steel chair, barely different from the ones used as a weapon in matches. It wasn't the most comfortable thing to sit in for a woman dealing with a hurting back after a vicious match against an archrival. But Clara was still doing everything for LAW during the tour. Scouting wrestlers, doing interviews, before and after her match...this was her last obligation for the company, and afterwards, she and Kay could leave for a bit of a vacation, which Clara desperately needed after her Apex Match...

[Bare]

"Joining Ms.Gaster, coming off of our Tokyo show in a brutal war against Mindy Midnight, Ms.Alizeh Midori!"

Upon hearing the que Alizeh would come out from the back smiling and waving before wincing softly as a spike of pain shot through her. Too say Alizeh was tired and sore was an understatement. Afterall her Apex match against Mindy Midnight had been just a few short days ago and she was still feeling the effects of the grueling bout. Especially in her abs which the former actress had used like speed bag.

Thankfully she had a nice vacation lined up that she was heading out for in the next day and this was the last obligation she had with LAW before then, and it was one she was actually looking forward too. Given it was a chance to interact with the public after making such a splash in Apex, and her overall desire to put herself just a bit more over in hopes that Dan or whoever was in charge of selecting a champion took notice.

Approaching the table and pulling the chair out Alizeh would take a seat, but not before turning to the woman she was sharing the time with and smiling amicably. Clara Gaster was someone who had been making her name in LAW since before even Alizeh and their careers had a bit of a similar trajectory, minus a few extra bumps on Clara's way.

But to say that Alizeh felt a... kinship and sense of admiration based respect for the brit was one hundred percent accurate. "Hey, this feels overdue, but nice to meet you I'm Alizeh." She said introducing herself to Clara first and foremost with a handshake. Assuming Clara accepted it she would let go and turn to the cameras. "Now lets get this over with." Alizeh said under her breath to the woman beside her with a small chuckle while bracing for the first question.

Spoiler

[Vc0m]

Clara took a look at Alizeh, her co-interviewee looking quite cute in her casual attire. She heard quite a bit about the second generation wrestler, almost all of it positive. She returned a polite smile to Alizeh as the greenette approached her, introducing herself to Clara as she extended her hand, the Brit firmly shaking it in introduction to Alizeh: "It's so nice to finally meet you too! I am Clara... and yes, let's get this done!"

With both women sat down, the scrum has officially began for the two of them:

"Um... third row from the front"

"Good day, Harley Cassidy from Battleful, for both women: How would you rate your performances in your respective matches during the tour?"

"U-um...", Clara would quickly look at Alizeh. In case she didn't want to speak first, the Brit would continue:

"It's... very difficult to judge it objectively. My situation wasn't just one where losing was even possible. If I lost, I wouldn't have been able to sit here. I won, but this match ended with a...very big pain in the neck...and back, especially my back. But overall, I feel like I did everything in my power to defeat a rival I previously only beat through a lucky fluke. No one can take away this win over the Baroness from me, especially not Stephanie Renaud herself.", Clara finished, nodding to Alizeh for her answer...

[Bare]

Officially meeting Clara after spending so much time in the same company with no interactions definitely felt good for Alizeh. Almost like checking a box off a to do list that had been evading her. Unfortunately doing more talking would have to wait since first the two of them had this presser to deal with. Taking her seat and perking up as the first question was asked Alizeh would nod slightly before gesturing for Clara to answer first. Smiling and nodding in approval of what she said Alizeh would clear her throat before answering herself. "Well now we're opening the pandora's box out of the gate huh?" Alizeh asked with a chuckle before settling in to continue.

"But I won't lie... Mindy? Karen? Whatever she calls herself, she gave me fight, certainly the hardest I've fought since embarking on this Apex journey, which is saying something considering the qualifier matches I put myself in, and, all credit due she had me out on my feet at one point, good as beat. But what got me through wasn't being stronger, or faster, or more vicious, it was me having a will that Mindy couldn't break. That when I was at my lowest I rose back up and flipped the script on Ms.Hollywood, and when she was put in the same position as me... she tapped. I showed and telled how much more I wanted it, and I feel that's something anyone watching could see, no feel." Alizeh said finishing her answer with an impassioned tone and glint in her eyes.

Shortly after thanking them for their answers hands would go up again as Alizeh pointed to a man this time. "You second row with the green shirt. Great color by the way." She said with a wink which made the reporter chuckle as he stood up. "Ahem thank you, Ran Hamada, pro wrestling inquiry, for both women, Apex was noted and even criticized for the hard schedule it forced upon talent via the multiple qualifiers prior to the main apex match. What are your thoughts on this decision to require qualifiers?" He asked to which like before Alizeh gestured for Clara to go first, figuring it would be better they stick to a pattern rather than try and talk over each other.

[Vc0m]

Clara found herself listening carefully to Alizeh's answer. Listening to her describe her rivalry with Mindy and ultimately beating her made Clara realize that she wasn't unique with how heated their APEX matches got (even if Clara's stakes were a fair bit more serious than just the potential to win the belt). She was happy that Alizeh ultimately overcame her rival (though sadly she had no time to watch Alizeh's...or really, anyone else's APEX match besides Alice's), and she could hear and see how happy the grenette was about her win.

The next interviewer asked a question, and Alizeh nodded to Clara to answer first, the order of action for both women decided, though in Clara's case, the question wasn't the one she was suited to answer... and as such, decided to simply tell the truth:

"Um...honestly, I don't think I am the best to answer this. Me being the finalist in the Lightweight title tournament meant I only needed to do one qualifier... but LAW asked me if I wanted to help other folks to qualify, and I am not the one to turn down a challenge. I... still feel bad about how much match with Wisteria Khan ended, and my match with Nerissa ended up becoming an issue for more than just myself...but I digress. As difficult as a wrestler's schedule is, I think requiring qualifiers on top of our regular weekly LAW matches was a good way to see who was committed to becoming a champion, which is what APEX is ultimately about. On top of just being the best, one has to be ready to consistently be the best, to represent the brand, and to defend the title regularly. But...again, I was only requested to do a single qualifier and did an optional one, so I think it's much more insightful to know thoughts of someone who did 3 mandatory qualifiers. Ms Alizeh?", she nodded to her co-interviewee as she finished her statement...

[Bare]

Alizeh listened as Clara answered the question and nodded along with her in appreciation of what she was saying. Just about everything she said was something that Alizeh more or less agreed with. Once Clara was done and turned things over to her, Alizeh would take a quick breath, collecting her thoughts before she began her answer. "Well as Clara alluded to I did the full three qualifier matches, one of which taking place on a ppv, in addition to two extra qualifiers for a total of five and my regular matches, so it goes without saying I probably had one of the more... loaded up schedules for Apex compared to most other participants, which I guess makes me uniquely qualified to answer this." Alizeh said while tapping her chin with a hum before she continued forward.

"In any case, I agree with Clara, while difficult requiring qualifiers was a way of intrinsically testing everyone that aimed to be at the top of apex, their commitment, their skill, their conditioning, everything and anything necessary of a top person to hold up the company and represent it as champion. Which is why I used them as an opportunity, going out of my way to make each and every one memorable, challenging myself in each one, facing giants, champions, rookies, and friends alike, not just to make a point to my eventual Apex opponent about being ready and worthy, but to the fans and management as well. In a way the qualifiers were a unique way of letting wrestlers stand out in comparison to our contemporaries who didn't have to wrestle as many if at all. Alizeh said before dropping her hands and letting Clara choose the next media person to ask a question.

[Vc0m]

Clara smiled at Alizeh’s answer, but this made her realize something about this scrum. 2 people being interviewed at a time gave some opportunity for drama. 2 women disagreeing with each other, and it turning ugly, would actually play to LAW’s hand with a potential hot match for the cards… but so far, the two were very civil with their answers. Then again, the questions so far weren’t too hard hitting.

”Hmmm… front row, uuum, you, 4th from the le—my left!”, Clara would choose the next interviewee, as he stood up: “Gus Bates, Combat Sports Central. For both of you, who would win in a match between the two of you?”

Oh. There’s the spicy question primed for drama.

Deciding not to be too dramatic, Clara gave an awkward laugh:

”Soooo, the match is whether Ms. Alizeh could lock in a bearhug faster then I can beat her stomach?”, Clara made a joke: ”For real though… I would like to have a match with Ms. Alizeh, but right now, both of us are still not 100% to go for a potential match. Right now? I don’t think I’ll beat her. Later? Who knows…”, Clara would awkwardly look to Alizeh, hoping that the question wouldn’t ignite too much flare…

[Bare]

Thus far the line of questioning was pretty basic and by the books. Nothing too drama inducing or probing to cause any incident or arguments between the two women. Which, surprise surprise meant that almost immediately after thinking that someone asked a question that inherently brought about conflict. Listening to Clara's answer and chuckling at the joke part Alizeh would hum softly while drumming her fingers on the table.

"Well... not to give a cop out answer, but I feel it could go either way between Clara and myself. In terms of technical skill I'd like to think we're relatively even, she has more experience, but I have the advantage in weight and strength, it's a situation where if you run the simulation multiple times it'd be about 50/50 everytime." Alizeh said, giving as reasonable a answer as she could before gaining a small smirk and side eyeing Clara playfully.

"If I had to give a definite answer however... I'd of course say I would win, just like I'm sure Clara would say herself. Right?" Alizeh said, answering while also delivering her own question to Clara, albeit a very playful and teasing one.

[Vc0m]

Alizeh gave the relatively simple answer Clara expected. Why guess when you could test it in the ring? Of course, the greenette still added the small joke about beating her:

”Oh, yeah, totally. Dreams are a healthy thing. Be careful to not get tied into knots while I make you tap…”, Clara stuck her tongue at Alizeh. As the two women’s focus returned to the interview at hand. Clara nodded to Alizeh to choose the next interviewee…

[Bare]

Giving her answer in a pretty clear cut albeit slightly joking way towards the question that added just a bit of competitive flare. Something that Clara shot back to quickly making Alizeh laugh a bit in response. "Oh I'm pretty good at that, in fact I may just have you seeing stars by the end." Alizeh said with a wink before Clara pointed at the next reporter who stood up. "Hiiiii! Shiori Takeda of LAW Magazin ehehe ahm sorry." Came the excited reply from the mousey reporter who seemed very excited to be there as she stood up, clearing her throat a bit to try and calm down and gather thoughts before asking her question.

"Speaking of opponents, if either of you wins the Openweight title, who would you ideally like as an opponent for a first defense?" Shiori asked, trying to sound as confident as possible while Alizeh hummed. "Damn thats a tough a one hehe, so many amazing people I'd want to put a clinic on with. Clara here is definitely up there, but speaking of lightweights, I do owe my friend Sanae a rubber match, but as far as dream opponent out of the gate I can't deny any of the Swat Katts are up there as well." Alizeh said as answer to the question before turning to Clara to hear her answer.