You Never Forget Your First Time (for CaptainL)

[Pegasus]

Lyra felt herself pulled back to the couch after the tender moment she shared with her girlfriend. It was always special to have Sanae by her side and Lyra couldn’t thank her enough for pretty much being in Jessica’s place. As a friend, lover, and tag team partner that Jessica always eagerly brought up to Lyra. They probably wouldn’t have dated, but they were set to do some teaming for their first outing on the indies before they even had the thought of going solo. Lyra already had plans to move in with Jessica’s family in Georgia while they competed there and in Florida. However, that future plan had never come to be, but maybe she could do it with Sanae when Sanae felt ready to do American shows.

However, another matter of importance was brought and Sanae asked if Lyra felt they did enough. Lyra was taken back by this and looked with widened eyes at her girlfriend. Did enough of what? Training? Loving each other? Dating? Lyra was a little confused at what was bringing this forward. She hesitated on answering closing her eyes before grabbing Sanae’s hands squeezing them with comfort.

“What’s bringing this up?” Lyra asked with a concerned look on her face.

[CaptainL]

When Lyra grabbed Sanae by the hands, the green-haired girl felt a moment's relief, reminded of her girlfriend's proximity - reminded that no matter what happened, she would still care. But only a moment later, she hung her head low with a sigh. Someone who cared about her this much didn't deserve to be treated so poorly, she told herself - she didn't deserve for Sanae to turn her back on her. Yet, in agreeing to the POW match with Alizeh, Sanae couldn't help but feel like that was exactly what she had done. And now, she had no choice but to confront that thought face to face. Lyra had taken notice of her concerns; there was no turning away now, no matter how much Sanae might have wanted it. Her heart thumped in her chest, and a sour taste rose in the back of her throat. But she was in too deep now.

"W-Well, uh...it's just..." She sighed. "Alizeh and I. You know how much she's done for me. Our first match together really helped me push my limits and expand my horizons, and I don't think either of us have ever really looked back from that. I know she's always looking out for me, and trying to give me a push. So...the last time we had a spar, well..." Sanae grit her teeth in frustration. Couldn't she just spit it out already? Why was she stalling this long?

"...The last time we had a spar, er...Alizeh challenged me to a POW match." And there it was, out in the open. The moment Sanae said those words, her face grew pale, and something dropped in the pit of her stomach. Now, she knew she was at the point of no return. And only time would tell if Lyra would be okay with this or not.

"K-Keep in mind, uh...I don't think she, like, meant anything by it. I think it was just to put me in another high-stakes situation and encourage me to fight harder, but...it just made me think, Lyra. I know how POW matches can get, uh...and is it fair to you that I'm entertaining that before you and I have even, uh...you know..." Her eyes looked back and forth anxiously - afraid of what Lyra might say, and arguably even more afraid of what she'd do in the alternative scenario. "Done anything..?"

[Pegasus]

Lyra widened her eyes and took her hands off Sanae’s for a brief moment as she bit at her lip. Alizeh challenging Sanae to a POW Match…..that honestly felt a little….much to be honest. Now, she understood POW matches were either sexual in nature or maybe for a chance two certain people can be more intimate or get to know each other. She understood that nearly all of LAW had some big lewd undertone and at some point, Lyra herself may be subjected to lewd things or lewd encounters. It’s not like Lyra hasn’t had sex before or hasn’t gotten intimate with private areas, but Sanae raised a fair point. It’s been nearly a year since they got together and they have yet to share a bedroom….in the more sexual tense. Lyra just didn’t want to go too fast into that area which is why she waited so long.

But it seems Alizeh hadn’t really cared too much about that fact. Just sparring with Sanae and bringing up a match just to fight for freedom? Without really taking her relationship into consideration? All for a thrill of a challenge and to become better? There is plenty of match types for that to happen and Alizeh just has to have her way. Lyra has heard the rumors that Alizeh doesn’t stop right at the ring. She likes to take things further if it’s someone she particularly likes. The press would eat this up for days and Lyra only knows Sanae just wants to have them off her back to enjoy what she has for Lyra. Again though, Alizeh seems to be this….obstacle that just seemed to come up and Lyra knew there was something itching at her underneath. A layer of…..hatred. She is never a hateful person, but when someone crosses her, like say Helena, Lyra doesn’t hold back and that’s when the darkness takes over. It speaks to her. It comforts her.

She’ll deal with Alizeh…..soon enough, but first, she has to engage with Sanae as she let out a heavy sigh after some time. Lyra smiled at her girlfriend and grabbed her hands yet again.

“She’s certainly full of surprises, isn’t she? I guess that’s why we love her….argh….darling, I understand that coming here to LAW means we run the risk of getting involved in more….sensual stuff with people outside of our relationship. If you want to do hentai wrestling, well, I can’t stop you since it’s business. It’s what to bring in ratings and money for us. I know you would do it more for that purpose. But….Alizeh…..I don’t trust her intentions. I….have seen her matches and how she can….get a little more….closer when it’s someone she really likes. Alizeh isn’t subtle about it either. You’re hot….she can try her ways. I love you and nothing changes that, but please…..if you take on this match, win it. That way, you can control what you two do and you don’t have to settle for anything that might jeopardize us. Do it for us. As for us doing…..things, I think we’ve probably waited enough. I can bring Crystal’s cage out here and…..we can…..have our first time if you’d like,” Lyra explained and offered with a slight blush.

[CaptainL]

The moment those words had left her throat, Sanae's whole body went tense. Whatever happened next was up to Lyra. How would she react? Would she be okay with this - or had Sanae rushed into something she'd regret, with no heed to the consequences? When she heard Lyra let out a sigh, she could feel something drop in the pit of her stomach, and a chill ran through her spine. Something told her she already knew the answer, and it wasn't a good one. She looked down at the couch; she couldn't bring herself to even lift her head. She couldn't imagine the look of disappointment that had to be on Lyra's face right now, hearing that she had let her down. But the thought of looking, to confirm it for herself, was even more fraught.

In fact, when Lyra began talking, Sanae just felt her heart sink lower and lower. It was hitting her now more than ever that she had really jumped into this head-first, without thinking through the consequences or the implications. She grit her teeth - had she really come this far with Lyra, moving into their own home together, only to fail her?

"I'm...I'm sorry, Lyra-!" she blurted out. She couldn't hold it in any longer - all her emotions were bubbling up to the surface. "I just figured, like I said, that she would just see it as, uh, a challenge...and she has a girlfriend now...but..." She fidgeted nervously in place, and her voice grew choked with tears; her whole body was trembling. "I mean, I just want to make sure that I won't do anything that you're not okay with! And I can talk to Alizeh about that too, I'm sure she'll understand, and...wait, what?"

Caught up in her own anxiety, Sanae almost hadn't caught that last part. But when she heard the words leave Lyra's mouth, only then did she look up at her, her eyes wide. Had...Lyra just offered that? This whole time, Sanae had thought she had doomed everything. But it seemed that Lyra was willing to make up for it.

"Y-You...really..?" She froze, her voice going soft, and her breaths slowed. "N-Now?" But a moment later, she cleared her throat. They'd been living together for a year now, and they had their own apartment. It was Sanae herself who had questioned how absurd it was that it had taken them this long, and yet, at the same time, it felt like the day would be so far away in the future that she didn't need to even think about it - up until it hit her full in the face. Still...by her own admission, it was about time. She couldn't run any more. She had to face the truth.

It wasn't without a blush on her face, but she sat up a little straighter, folding her hands in her lap, and nodded her head. "...Yeah. I think...I think we should."

[Pegasus]

Lyra had told her truth and how she felt a little cautious about Alizeh if Sanae were to pursue this. She did feel Sanae was running into something she couldn’t pull back from easily and hopefully, if she does take it up, she wins the match and saves their relationship for after Sanae takes Alizeh prisoner. Maybe Lyra made it more dire than she thought. She didn’t necessarily think Sanae would be stolen from her and right into Alizeh’s arms. Like Sanae said, Alizeh already had her own flame to have fun with, but they made it clear they were open to hooking up with others. Lyra and Sanae were suppose to be monogamous outside of the lewd business LAW offered should they venture further into that. Lyra had no trust for Alizeh that she wouldn’t try and have her way with Sanae should Alizeh win. No matter how good friends they were, Lyra wouldn’t hesitate if Alizeh needed to be knocked off her little perch and her fists clenched thinking about it, but she needed to handle business the proper way so Sanae stayed out of the way and out of harm’s way.

“Well, I prefer not to have sex right after a wrestling match so why don’t you freshen up with a shower and I’ll make arrangements back here? I know that must’ve been a load to get off your shoulders and we’ll cross that bridge once you’ve discussed things with Alizeh. I’m not mad at you, it’s business, risky business, but I’m sure you’ll handle it in the best manner,” Lyra assured as she kissed Sanae on the lips passionately.

Once Sanae grabbed her towels and a backpack of new clothes, Lyra was quick to go to the bedroom and grab her phone. She needed to make an urgent call and dialed up an unknown number.

“She’s a night owl. I know Roxanne is up right now!” Lyra whispered to herself as she dialed her friend’s number and hoped she picked up.

[CaptainL]

"A-Ah, right, yeah-!" It had completely slipped Sanae's mind that she needed a shower, up until Lyra reminded her of that. There were so many thoughts buzzing through her head that that seemed like the least of her worries at the moment - but once Lyra brought it to her attention, she blushed deeper. Yeah, when she put it like that, it did seem awfully silly of her to overlook something like that. Especially for a time as important as this would be. "I should go take care of that. But...thanks for understanding." As soon as she had said those words, the look on her face began to soften, and she smiled to Lyra. At last, the biggest fear that had been looming over her shoulder, casting a shadow over every thought that passed through her head, had been let off her chest. Lyra understood. She wasn't mad. She didn't need to worry any more.

As she rose from her seat, Sanae leaned over to plant a kiss on Lyra's lips. Then, she turned to the bedroom to gather her things before heading into the shower. She breathed a slow sigh of relief as she shut the door behind her and turned on the water to let it get warm. The worst part was behind her...but then, she realized, she and Lyra were actually going to...well...do it. She blushed a little harder, and her heart beat faster in her chest. One anxiety was gone, but another had risen in its place.

Meanwhile, somewhere far away from her, Roxanne Wolf - the woman who had once gone by Marzia Servelli, but her past was behind her now, and she was never going to look back - was lounging on the couch, her feet propped up on the armrest, when the phone beside her started to go off. She grumbled a little - she wasn't in any mood to be bothered when she was trying to watch TV. Nevertheless, when she saw it was Lyra calling her, it caught her attention. Last she heard, Lyra was off touring the US. What was this about?

"Whaddaya want?"

[Pegasus]

Lyra swallowed hard when calling Roxanne as the gruff girl picked up. Roxanne usually slept around the early hours of the morning and then became a gym junkie most of the day or planning targets with Miza and Saka. She’s pretty much a loner and prefers it that way so her and Lyra barely get to talk or hang out. Lyra knew Roxanne usually never cared about romance despite being married to Ryan, but she figured she could trigger her bloodlust and get her on board with this.

“Hey Roxanne, I know I’m probably calling a terrible hour, but I need help. You know Sanae, right? My girlfriend? The pop idol? Probably not since you don’t care much about anything, but she’s friends with Alizeh. Alizeh and her had a little outing following Apex and apparently they were…….doing some….intimate stuff and that led to a spar which led to Alizeh thinking nothing of my relationship and challenging Sanae to a POW match all because of a stupid chance to push each other. That’s it. Alizeh is starting to really toe the line here and I know you have some history with her. I know you’ve wanted to get your hands on her and I say we speed the process up!
But not go directly for her. Go for her allies and family. Go for the people that matter most to her. That ought to show her that you don’t screw around with circumstances that don’t involve her. I may sound pretty petty, but Sanae is off limits and Midori doesn’t seem to get that. So, I say cause as much carnage and destruction you and your girls can cause. Scope out targets and make sure Jonathan knows about it. The Selection is about to be very busy, Roxanne,” Lyra explained with a little dark chuckle into the phone.

[CaptainL]

Roxanne wasn't one to be bothered, and she didn't have time for other people. She'd been too connected to others, and those bonds had dragged her down - that was something the Selection had taught her. And from the way her successes had taken off in the wake of her shedding her old way of life, she saw no reason to question that lesson - no matter what everyone else tried to get through her head. But Lyra, at least, was her fellow disciple. They were sisters, in a way, connected through the guidance of their master...or something like that. Lyra would know about that stuff more; all Roxanne worried about was when he told her to hit people. At any rate, she could spare the time for her...she just didn't think she'd like it.

When Lyra brought up Sanae's name, Roxanne just scoffed. "Oh, that's her name? Whatever. Never had time for her anyway." Unlike Roxanne, Lyra wasn't fully committed to the Selection, and with that in mind, Roxanne had come to see Sanae as a tether that was holding her back. With the thought that she was cheating on her, though? Maybe that would change things.

"Oh, now this is gettin' interesting..." she nodded. But if there was one name that truly resonated with Roxanne, it was Alizeh. And when Lyra raised the suggestion of her going after the Emerald Storm...it was a thought that gave Roxanne pause.

A long time ago - back when she was still the same weak Marzia, and when Alizeh was new on the scene, before she had climbed to the top of the ladder as one of LAW's most celebrated stars - they had faced off in a submission match that brought them all the way to a mutual knockout, the two of them passing out in each others' embrace. When their paths crossed again, it was when Marzia had begun to embrace her dark side and stopped making excuses. She thought she would be able to surpass Alizeh then, now that she was stronger - but this time, it was Alizeh who ended up making her submit. No matter how far she'd come, she still hadn't beaten Alizeh. But now, Marzia's metamorphosis was complete. Now, she'd reached her fullest potential - and it was about time she showed that to her old rival! Lyra might not have known it, but she'd just given her the perfect excuse.

"Petty? Nah. You know what, Lyra? You had me at 'Alizeh.' I'll take 'er out, alright - but I want you to know, I might be playing your games, but I'm not doing this for you. I've got my own reasons, and this just happens to be in both our best interests. But...we've got a deal."

[Pegasus]

Lyra listened to Roxanne’s words and had to swallow her concerns on this one. Roxanne wouldn’t dare defy the Anomaly for fear of his vengeance, but she made it clear that her fellow disciples weren’t to get in the way. Roxanne had her own people to go after and she was loyal, that’s about the best they could ask from her. Lyra nodded her head as she crossed her arms and she closed her eyes.

“Fair enough, but we are in this together. You aren’t to just use our master to do your own shenanigans. I know you and Alizeh have history and I’ll gladly stay out of your way so you can have your revenge. I just want her out of my way with Sanae. And I’ll say this…..I will be getting her soon enough for myself and show her the deadly side of me. It’s not just you, Roxanne, she’s my enemy as much as she is yours,” Lyra stated.

Lyra and Roxanne are good friends and partners—at least when Roxanne wants to work together and it’s not with her cohorts. They are deadly together and adding Kanon to the mix makes them nearly unstoppable. But the last thing Lyra needs is to start causing rifts so she bid farewell to Roxanne to leave her be. She bit her lip dialing the next number and she hovered a thumb over the name: Kanon Fujiwara. Lyra already knew she was up at this time since the girl seems to mess with a oujia board or read one of her spell books on the daily (if you like to call them spell books legitimately). She’s the one her demon master caters to the most so she would want to hear about this. Lyra called the contact and raised the phone to her shivering a little bit.

[CaptainL]

Roxanne grumbled a little bit at Lyra's chiding - even if she was part of the Selection, she hadn't forgotten her fierce independent streak. Once she had broken out of the shadow of her old self - that meek, helpless girl who couldn't even grow enough of a spine to stand up for herself - she never wanted to look back; she never wanted anyone to push her around. She owed where she was to the Selection, but her aims and goals were her own. But if those goals happened to line up? Well, Roxanne wasn't about to say no.

"Just tell me where ya need me to be. I'll bring the Jackals. As long as I get my match with Alizeh, we're golden. Deal?"

With all that out of the way, there was another person Lyra needed to talk to - one who, like her, was deeply versed in the mystic arts, and one who seemed to be especially close to their shadowy master. If anyone could be called the second-in-command of the Selection, it would be her - though she maintained that she did all she did in service to a higher power, and that she was following His designs, hers was a name that was whispered with fear and reverence even among her fellow disciples, and they all knew her word was one that had to be obeyed. And their caution wasn't without reason, considering that Kanon maintained her stoic, shadowy disposition even when dealing with her teammates, always seeming half-in and half-out of a trance. When Lyra picked up the phone, it was silent on the other end for some time before a soft voice spoke only a single, even-toned word. "Speak."