Reluctant Reunion: Elaine Auclair Vs Van Arkride

[Cosmos]

Match Type: Pro Standard
Special Rules: N/A
Victory Conditions: Pinfall, KO, or Submission

Elaine Auclair

For what felt like the hundredth time, Elaine wondered if this was a good idea.

Some people wrestled for fame. Others for money. They had something to prove, to themselves. To others. But why was she here? Was this even the right place to begin? To track down a ghost from her past? One that potentially should stay buried? Conflict and doubt stirred within the pit of her stomach, blending into an unpleasant sensation that she couldn't completely shake off.

...It didn't help that the attire she had commissioned and put together came out as far more revealing than she intended, as she turned and grimaced slightly at her reflection in the mirror. Was that on the designer's part? He did seem to have had a thing for her when she approached him...but she had barely any time between receiving her gear and tonight's arranged match to request any changes. She'd have to make do with it. Perhaps the Frenchwoman would forget all about it, once she was in the ring with her mystery opponent tonight. Seems the promoters had someone in mind for her, but she had no idea who. She just wanted to ensure herself a debut that made an impression, that would show she was more than an heiress to a global corporation. That way, she wouldn't be just a figurehead. She'd have some actual sway and influence here.

And then Elaine could focus on her actual agenda.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E-cjBwVYDA

The call came for her to approach the arena, and she emerged from her dressing room. Her cape flourished behind her as the platinum blonde beauty stepped out from the backstage, giving her the appearance of a female heroine or sharply steeled blade ready to do battle. The audience greeted her with rambunctious cheers, and the girl responded with warm smiles. Her palm slapped the hands of awaiting fans as she descended down to the ring, while ignoring the occasional wolf whistle from her gear.

Climbing the metal steps to the ring, Elaine would peer back across the crowd before gripping the top rope. She vaulted over them, as if she were a falcon soaring. Her cape flew in the air as she seized the clasp on her shoulder and dramatically threw it upwards, where it fluttered down. The move scored a big response from the crowd, shouting praise towards the woman as she caught her discarded cloak above her. Then, Elaine moved to the nearby corner, placing the cape just under the ropes as she turned and fixated her eyes upon the entrance to the arena. It was time to discover who her first opponent was.

Match Gear

[killcarrion]

Given the type of disreputable individuals Van can find himself becoming partnered up with, the Spriggan never was a fan of making deals where he didn't know all the details. Or getting into scuffles he wasn't at least assured he had a decent chance of winning. Flying blind here when it came to his debut match made him somewhat anxious as he tied up his wrestling boots in the locker-room, but he figured this was just par for the course when you start out in the type of business that chews up and spits out rookies for breakfast. They're not exactly gonna roll out the red carpet for ya on yer first match. Ah well, he figured. Van thoroughly doubted this televised matchup was going to be any crazier than the types of donnybrooks he's taken part in throughout his career as essentially a mercenary. Turns out business was down when it came to his work as a merc. And tempting though it was to use this time to relax on the couch underneath one of his favorite magazines, his cantankerous landlord would probably evict him on the spot if he caught him slacking off one more time. He heard from the grapevine the kind of payday wrestlers scores these days, and it certainly seemed like a more reputable way to make money with his fighting skills that don't involve underworld cage pits. Whoever his opponent was...he sure felt sorry for them. A relaxed and composed Van taking his time leaving the locker-room on his way to the gorilla position.

Van Arkride

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plRVu8ehlbQ

Thrashing heavy metal blaring over the speakers signaled Van's entrance alongside "4SPG" showcased on the monolithic screen above the entrance ramp. A clever way to advertise his enterprising business as researching that phrase online takes them right to his website. The spriggan himself confidently jaunting out to a few spastic fireworks rocketing into the sky, unbeknownst to Van leaving a trail of smoke that curiously shielded his face from view of anyone within the ring. Van's charming smile winning over several ladies within the audience already as he casually strutted down the ramp with lackadaisical confidence. Adorned in a sleeveless jacket and wrestling tights he had a friend design for him that fit his style, and physique to a "T". Fans reacting with a decent pop and received the Spriggan favorably he figured, enough to the point he sauntered up to the top of a corner turnbuckle after climbing the steel steps and with his back to the wrestling ring struck a diamond hand pose with certain fans already engrossed by his natural charisma. But he figured he'd played around enough now. Van springing off the turnbuckle with his eyes closed and casually opened them while approaching the middle of the ring. "Hey there stranger. Hope we have a decent tussle. The name's-ELAINE!!!!!" Van barked out his mystery opponent's name in gobsmacked speechlessness, mouth agape until he swiveled his head and started asking the most obvious question. "What the hell are you doing here??!!...And since when have you been alright with wearing attire that revealing…"

Match Gear

[Cosmos]

The first real indicator Elaine got of her opponent was their entrance theme. Heavy metal erupting from the nearby speakers at the ramp between backstage and the arena. The letters '"4SPG" flashed onto the screen directly above, which caught the girl's eye. Naturally, she was curious as to what they perhaps stood for. Fireworks streaked into the air and left a dense layer of smoke that made it impossible for Elaine to make out the face of her opponent. The crowd seemed to be reacting positively to them however. Were they a face of some kind perhaps? The smoke was drifting down to the ring now, but she could hear the sound of her foe ascending the steel steps and clambering upon the corner turnbuckle. The elevation in height meant it was the first real glimpse she got of them. A bulked up physique, striking a pose with his hands...and...familiar...spiky...blue hair...

"...No. No, it couldn't be..."

He hopped down and walked towards the centre of the ring. She felt her face turning pale, her throat going dry. He opened his eyes...and promptly bulked at her. It was clear that he was just as shocked as she was. Someone, somewhere, was playing a very cruel joke on her. "V...Van...?" She offered up, almost breathless. So many emotions were swirling inside of her right now. Elaine had no idea which one to prioritise. Whatever she had been anticipating since signing up for the world of wrestling...this sudden reunion was certainly not one of them.

And then he remarked on her gear.

Elaine felt an instant need to stride over there and slap him hard. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves, pushing that desire down within her. Why the hell did he have to go and put his foot in his mouth like that? Well, truthfully...that was typical boneheaded Van. At least that part of him hadn't changed. It almost made her want to laugh. But the aching sensation in her chest overpowered her, and she gave her former acquaintance a huff. "Well, I could be wrong, but usually two people standing in a ring means they're going to wrestle until one of them succeeds over the other. So I suppose that makes you and I opponents for tonight, doesn't it?" Hands placed on her hips, she narrowed her eyes at Van. "Wrestlers do and wear what they have to, Van. But I would advise you from staring too hard, you degenerate. Unless you want to lie down and let me pin you quick and easy? Your choice." Part of her felt that would get what was an awkward situation swiftly done and dusted with. Yet, the other side of her was really keen to put the man through his paces after all these years...

[killcarrion]

Unfortunately, whatever blame there was to assign for this act of unfathomable happenstance, Van figured the majority of it was his own to shoulder. The excessive pyrotechnic display was actually his idea when the federation approached him about the details of his entrance. And what better to make a splash and advertise himself as a mercenary for hire than with fireworks you could see from the moon? The residual smoke making it nigh impossible to ascertain who was in the ring as he made his way down the ramp until it eventually dissipated altogether. Otherwise once seeing Elaine he'd have swiftly weaseled his way out of this match even if it meant feigning a spastic leg cramp to the ringside doctor. Or just straight up hightailing it for the exit doors before she could see him. In hindsight, Van could have also just gone out of his way to pay attention when the producers were offering the details of this match back in his office. Instead of just trying to catch a nap from underneath his favorite auto magazine draped over his face. Well, at least Van could say he was learning several vital lessons about his wrestling career so far, and the match hadn't even started. For now though, Van remained gobsmacked at Elaine sharing the same slack-jawed expression until he had to went and open his big mouth. Hey, you couldn't blame Van for asking given how conservative and uptight Elaine was back in high school.

"Gah!!! I KNOW how wrestling works, that's not what I mea-Ah, forget it...Doubt I'm gonna get a straight answer without working for it anyway." Van remarked with a defeated sigh while scratching the back of his spiky haired head, still attempting to rationalize the absurd situation while subduing his own whirlpool of emotions. Daydreams of of heartfelt memories he'd long since chosen to lock away all came flooding back with one gleam into this emerald eyes of hers...and within seconds they were already back to their dynamic back in high-school, like nothing had ever changed. "...*sigh*...Some choice in the matter. My street cred and merc business in general would tank once word got out I took a dive on a match, especially one I didn't place a bet on. I just wish you had made that same offer when the whole world wasn't watching us. I bet alotta guys would love being pinned down by you~..." Van quipped with a snarky smile in his own attempt to keep the conversation lighthearted between them. "BUT, alright. Guess there's no way I'm worming my way out of this one. We used to roughhouse a lot when we were kids, suppose this'll be no different. Let's keep this professional then. Good luck, Lainey..." Van extending his arm for an honorable handshake, afterward taking a few steps back while a confused referee signaled for the ringing of the bell. The merc taking his time as he approached for an attempted lock-up...

[Cosmos]

Yes, the bulk of this was absolutely Van's fault. Well...okay, Elaine had been a little careless herself. She should have questioned more, probed the promoters further as to the circumstances. But she didn't earnestly believe she would encounter him in her debut match. She couldn't quite grasp whether this was a fortunate twist of fate, or a cruel one. At least Van was as equally shocked as she was, her eyes drifting over that stunned face of his...before casting her gaze over the muscular, taut frame that her childhood friend now possessed. Certainly, he hadn't been physically unappealing during their teen years, far from it in fact. But this felt like a bulked-up reinvention. She became aware that she was staring, a little too intently. Casting her head aside with a red hue materialising on her face. "Great...why does he still make me feel this way...?"

Awkwardly, Elaine attempted to preface her next words with a cough to try and clear the air. "Hm. Well, at least you haven't forgotten that much about me, clearly." She and Kinclaid had always tried to motivate the third member of their lazy trio by offering him carrots on sticks...or donuts, considering Van's love of sweets. Even with his new and shredded body, the girl very much doubted he had kicked the persistent habit of his old sweet tooth. Truthfully, she anticipated that he wouldn't accept her offer to lie down and take an easy pin. She knew him too well. Although the blush on her face intensified when Van made that quip about guys loving the idea of being pinned down by her. "And I bet many girls would love the same from you. Which you'd probably have no problem indulging them in." Narrowed eyes attempting to pierce Van right through his soul as Elaine folded her arms with a disapproving stare.

He wasn't wrong - they did roughhouse a bunch when they were little. But the setting, the stakes, were very different here. Surely Van realised that? But he insisted on keeping this professional. Elaine's heart skipped several beats when he referred to her with his pet name for her. Lainey. "...I haven't been called that in a long time." She said, her tone melancholic. "But I didn't come here to get swept up in nostalgia. I came here to win, Van. And I suggest you remember that." And with that, she brought her hand forward, clasping Van's own for a polite and cordial handshake before the match officially started. Elaine separated from her opponent as the bell rang clear throughout the arena, as she would mimic Van's advance with one of her own, raising her own arms to accept her foe's proposed lock up. Her plump chest would press into Van's firm pecs as her eyes bore deep into him, exerting her full strength as she attempted to overpower him.

[killcarrion]

Given how absurdly coincidental this entire situation was, Van briefly wondered if the mercenary was due for any more outlandish surprises before the night was concluded. Whether any former clients would end up being the announcers at ringside. Or if Kincaid was going to end up being the one of the LAW executives or something. A childhood friend of both Elaine and him, Van knew Kincaid was going to have a hearty laugh once he learns about all of this-...*Wait a sec...Kincaid's got a wealth of connections in that governmental position of his. Did...Did that four-eyed sneak arrange for this matchup behind the scenes?!* Van glowered with a sideways glance once he started putting several pieces together, his knack for unraveling mysterious and sussing out motivations taking him out of the match temporarily before resigning himself to the task at hand for now. He could go sleuthing on his off hours, he figured. Elaine deserved his utmost attention...just like she always did. Moreso now considering Lainey was still the same uptight, honorable...sophisticated, regal beauty he remembered her as. A dignified knockout with curvatures to her alluring figure she's always been hesitant to accentuate, until tonight anyway. Thank goodness for wrestling outfit designers, these days. "...*Ahem*...Maybe not as many as you'd expect. But still probably far more than you'd care to know about..."

Van sheepishly remarked the last part under his breath for fear of the repercussions from his ex-girlfriends needling insinuations about the ladies in his life, timidly scratching his cheek with eyes cast aside to avoid that glacial glare of hers. The mercenary knew better than to pursue this conversation any further given Elaine seemed to already have enough aggression towards him as is to work out. She most definitely didn't need any more. The amiable handshake between them practically serving as a clean slate and acknowledgement of "May The Better Man/Woman Win" as they separated afterward but were swiftly reunited in the accepted lockup. Snatched together with Lainey's squished abundance swelled against his pecs, a sensation Van appreciated noticed but nevertheless locked his vision upon her emerald eyes as their flexed figures tensed against eachother. "Mgh...don't worry I'll remember. I also remember how much you hated losing to me back in the day. Just wondering if that's changed since then. Also...hope you don't mind if I wrestle this match my way..." Van mentioned as the mercenary was being ushered backward with Elaine seemingly winning the feat of strength, before he'd promptly pivoted in place for an abrupt release that chucked Elaine back first into the padded turnbuckle. A step back taken by Van before he'd dash ahead with an attempt at a leaping body splash.

[Cosmos]

Elaine didn't need see-through vision to spy the cogs turning in Van's head as he cast a glance to the side. The girl knew her ex well enough to suspect what he was mulling over, and honestly, she was having the same thoughts herself. Kinclaid was the one who had directed her to LAW...surely he was aware of Van's registration? Though he could have been considerate enough to give Elaine a heads up. Then again...he did often work in signs and riddles. It came hand in hand with his intelligence work. In any case, Van could lavish 'Lainey' with as many compliments as he could think of. It was going to take a lot more than that for him to worm his way back into her good books. And besides, she could lip read well enough to deduce Van's murmur, disguised under his breath. Narrowing her eyes with a silent, but icy glare at the blue haired man who was doing everything he could to evade eye contact with her.

Van hadn't been lacking in muscles back when they had dated in high school. Which was surprising considering how much of a sloth he almost seemed to pride himself in being. But as Elaine's chest mushroomed into his now toned, well defined pecs, she could feel her face beginning to heat up from the close contact. "True, I could be rather competitive. But what about you, hm?" Her eyebrows quirking upwards as a rare, mischievous glint flashed in her eyes. "Because I seem to recall you boldly declaring you'd never lose to a girl in wrestling. And how much you pouted in frustration when I pinned you. Perhaps I'll get to witness that familiar expression on your face by the end of tonight." She tilted her head quizzically as she pressed herself against him, trying to force him backwards. "Though, what exactly do you mean by your way?"

She'd soon get an inkling. Van was taking gradual steps backwards, signalling that Elaine was succeeding in overpowering him. Pushing him near the corner, almost against the padding...until her opponent abruptly shifted their positions, swapping them around. "Aah!" Shoved against the turnbuckle, Elaine would peer up to see Van charging at her, leaping forward to collide his body against hers for a leaping body splash! "Oogh!" His full muscular frame crashing into her, crushing the girl into the corner and forcing the wind out of her as she coughed from the impact! "Ow...so that's...what you meant...huh...?" She remarked with a pained look, the beauty pinned between him and the turnbuckle.

[killcarrion]

Van internally tabled his suspicions and put a pin in his theorizing considering this was neither the time nor the place to start revenge fantasizing about what he's going to do to Kincaid once he sees him again. The trio of friends having grown up through high school and were thick as thieves, although Van would be the only one amongst them who'd perpetrated his brand of five-fingered discounts in his troubled youth. Much to Elaine's chastising, he might add. Kincaid typically being the logical and mindful mediator between them while keeping them on the task at hand whenever their squabbling started becoming unwieldy. But he wasn't above playing his fair share of games in the background when it came to making light of his friends buried feelings for eachother. Van could imagine that arranging this match would have been right up his alley...but for now, the mercenary concentrated on overcoming a debut match that was definitely not going to be a piece of cake. Delicious though that sounds. Van locking him up with his ex-girlfriend while doing his best to refrain from broaching the topic of any possible paramours he may have had during their time apart. The subtle nudge of her bust against his pectorals thankfully didn't distract Van from leading Elaine backwards into him swiveling them around into a pancaked body splash in the corner.

And by doing, knocking the wind out of Elaine's sails and hopefully some fight out of her as well as the mercenary emphatically hefted himself against his cornered adversary and kept her pinned back in the process. "Yep, 'fraid so. Hope you don't mind, it's just how a Spriggan gets the job done. And yeah, you had one over on me a few times, but don't think you'll be seeing that same brattish pout again tonight. Besides, I myself recall you not particularly minding when I ended up having you pinned and cornered in our high school days~..." Van coyly whispered with breaths wafted against the side of her neck with his muscular physique sunken against her sweetened softness, briefly lost in in his own reminiscing about schoolyard romances and clandestine afterschool meetings in the Student Council room. At least before getting thunderstruck with an abrupt realization. "Heh, sorry. I know you mentioned now wanting to get swept in nostalgia, so whaddya say we get back to me laying the smackdown here..." Van uttered before taking a step back and striking Lainey's slim midsection with the side of his muscled thigh and hip in order to hopefully keep her placated, but afterwards wrapping his arms around Elaine's waist before spiraling around for an attempted belly-to-belly suplex, catapulting his friend overhead into the middle of the ring.

[Cosmos]

"A Spriggan...? Sounds dubious."

Her eyes stared flatly, as if she was gauging how much she could pierce into his soul. There was a lot of history, and much that she wanted to ask. If Van was the same type of man as he was all those years ago, she knew he'd stubbornly keep his secrets to his chest like a dog refusing to let go of a bone. So how best to go about this...? A light bulb flashed bright in her mind. "Well, if you're so sure...how about a proposal, Van?" Her ex could be goaded into a contest very easily. It was often how they had settled disputes and arguments in their youthful days. And with a competition inevitably came rewards. "Whoever wins between the two of us gets to ask the other a single question. And they have to answer. Truthfully." Elaine added sternly, making sure there were no loopholes that her mischievous blue-haired opponent could exploit in order to weasel out of the deal.

Her intimidating gaze would be swiftly abrupted as Van slammed his tree trunk of a thigh right into her midsection, causing the girl to grunt as her face seized up in pain. And when Van drew his arms around his waist, she felt herself pressed up against his muscled torso. Her breasts brushing against his pecs. His abs caressing her smooth, yet toned belly. Their lips so close, letting her feel every hitch of breath he took. It hadn't been her goal to get swept up in nostalgia, and yet, it was only natural. Her instincts letting her fall back into memories. At least until Van squeezed tightly and tossed her overhead, slamming Elaine upon the canvas.

"Grrk!" Her back seized up, her body arcing up against Van's which remained above her. "Don't presume...it'll be you...getting to ask the question..." She retorted, making sure the Spriggan was aware that even though he was currently in control, she was perfectly capable of wrestling it back from him at any given time...

[killcarrion]

Fate certainly was a cruel mistress for Van to be reunited with a childhood friend in circumstances as complicated as these. And Van should now all about malicious mistress' considering the extensive experience he acclimated over all those years cavorting with women whose moral compass was more twisted than a neurotic pretzel. And before anyone asks...No, they weren't sweethearts he was seeing. Just desperate clients in search of a capable mercenary who could sneak them out of the country or reclaim stolen shipments they may have stolen first anyway. Still, it was sensitive subjects like these which Van knew better than to discuss with Elaine without earning the wrath of that withering, judgmental scowl of hers. Therefore, the stakes were significantly raised once Lainey's wager was presented...one question answered truthfully. Van peeking to the side in a begrudging grimace after Elaine tacked on the part about absolute honesty, plans to lie through his teeth thwarted before they could even be formulated.

"...*sigh*...You must be damned serious about this proposal if it's the first thing on your mind after getting smashed down to the canvas by one helluva handsome Spriggan. Heh, alright then. I know better than to talk you out of something once you set your mind to it. Consider it a deal. Jus' so long as you know I'm gonna be taking this match twice as serious now, Lainey..." Van answered after the belly-to-belly suplex painted a portrait of the mercenary hefted upon the emerald-eyed noblewoman, rasped breathes panted alongside her neck with Elaine not being the only overcome with waves of nostalgia. Awakening from his own daydream with a startled blink, Van steeled his resolution and began ascending with the confectionery CEO swathed in his arms, but whose head was assertively yanked in between those tree trunk thighs of Van's. Smooth backside showcased and with flexed strength bearing down on Elaine's regal cranium, and all the precursor to being hauled onto Van's shoulders for an attempted sit-out powerbomb.