Overcoming Laziness

[Fairy Dragon]

It took longer than it did in the match to hear it again, Matilda's resilience was very real even if her body could no longer match the spirit her soul carried. But even that started to flicker, over a minute of squeezing before another sound left Matilda's lips that resembled the weakness in her voice from the match. It wasn't as bad, she still had some fight left in her, but it was all Mitzi needed to feel rejuvenated in her efforts. "Hah....had me going there for a second. I thought you might actually stand your ground this time, as illogical as that sounds." Mitzi said smirking as some sweat started to form on her brow. Even in her weakened state holding Matilda like this was no easy feat, thankfully Rianne was stepping up to get in Matilda's face and mock her for the squeaking, taunting her and trying to bring down her resilience, like Mitzi she caught on that it was Matilda's inner warrior that was fighting the battle now, the physical battle had long since been lost.

"That fire is more...like a candle right now isn't it Tilda? All it would take is one little whisper from you to knock it out for good...Go ahead and give us that little whisper, it'll make this less painful for you, and maybe you'll be ready to fight again before the months over." Mitzi taunted, starting to enjoy this beyond just the paycheck as she was curious to see if she could get Matilda to break twice, if she could really claim someone for more than just the money it would get her to do it, some part of her thought this was too much work as usual..but more parts of her didn't care.

[Weonna]

Matilda’s eyes fluttered, her breath shuddering with every pulse of pressure around her torso. Mitzi’s arms were iron—unyielding, relentless—and her ribs screamed beneath the crushing weight. Her battered body trembled, and no matter how strong her will was, the pain was speaking louder now.

She didn’t want to break.

But her body had other plans.

Another squeeze. A wrenching pulse of force.

And then—

“...N-Nein…”

The word slipped out like a ghost, not loud, not proud, but fragile. A whisper of defiance, barely audible, almost as if it had escaped on instinct. It wasn't the fiery roar of a proud warrior. It was the soft, involuntary reaction of someone who had taken too much… and had nothing left to hide behind.

Mitzi froze. Rianne leaned in with a wide grin.

“There it is…”

Rianne cooed, as if she'd just seen something precious.

“That’s what you were waitin’ for, innit?”

Matilda hung there in her grip, chest heaving, face flushed, too stunned by what just left her lips to even look up.

She hadn't meant to say it.

She hadn’t wanted to say it.

But she had.

And now… she knew they both heard it.

[Fairy Dragon]

The strain she put into squeezing her was tough, Matilda's body was broken down but still heavy and Mitzi knew she would need more strength than last time to get her down. Holding her this tight and lifting her took so much time and attention that she was having a hard time focusing on anything else, even Rianne's words. It was so bad that she almost missed those words from Matilda...but since she still heard them she froze in shock, letting them sink in. Matilda's face turned red, but not from pain or lack of air, from the shock and embarrassment that came with what she muttered. They heard the squeak, now the no....Matilda was right on the edge and she had no rope left to pull herself out. Only the mercy of Mitzi would save her now.

"Think we could get more?" Mitzi rhetorically asked Rianne. Her fate was sealed, Mitzi wasn't hired to show mercy and since she was on the clock...Mitzi gave Matilda a few more squeezes, putting enough pauses in between each one to see if Matilda would give them the last of he will, only then would she be physically free...but after that her spirit would belong to Mitzi, and somehow that seemed worth it to the prizefighter.

[Weonna]

Matilda’s battered core felt as though it might collapse in on itself. Every fresh pulse of pressure sent a spike of pain radiating through her ribs and into her spine. She tried to lock her jaw, to give these women nothing—but the iron vise around her midsection simply kept tightening, rhythmically, in merciless waves.

“Gh—hhnnn…!”

Another squeeze. Her head rocked back; the breath she’d tried to hoard fled her lungs in a thin, powerless whimper.

Mitzi paused, then cranked down again.

Matilda’s voice cracked.

“B–Bitte… g-genug…”

It was involuntary—soft, strained, shame-tinged German barely louder than a breath. She wanted to swallow the words back down, but they’d already slipped free.

A final wrenching pulse tore what little air remained from her chest. Her spine bowed; her hands, once clawing at Mitzi’s forearms, fell uselessly to her sides.

“Ich… gebe auf…”

The whisper was ragged, defeated, yet unmistakable. I submit. It slipped from her lips like the last ember of a dying flame.

Her body went slack in Mitzi’s grasp, shoulders drooping, legs giving a final tremor before hanging limp. Sweat-slick hair clung to her flushed face; each shallow breath fluttered against Mitzi’s shoulder, the fight all but gone.

From just a few steps away, Rianne gave an exaggerated clap, her Cockney lilt dripping with mock applause.

“There we go—knew the penny’d drop sooner or later! Took a lot o’ bendin’ to break, love, but you got there.”

She flashed a wicked grin, eyes glinting with equal parts admiration and derision.

“That stubborn streak’s a corker… but even granite cracks when you hammer it long enough.”

Matilda could only let her eyelids flutter half-closed, embarrassment and exhaustion washing over her as her own words echoed back in her ears. She had sworn not to beg. Now she had surrendered—an admission she’d never wanted to make, laid bare for her conquerors to hear.

Rianne folded her arms, nodding toward Mitzi with a satisfied smirk.

“Reckon that’s the squeak you were listenin’ for, mate. Loud ‘n clear.”

[Fairy Dragon]

The muscles of Matilda's body were growing weak and her midsection was getting slimmer and slimmer eventually it became too much even for the stubborn redhead and another plea left her lips. Mitzi's ears perked with interest but the hold didn't waver, not until the rest of it came out. A quiet but clear submission for Rianne and her to enjoy, Matilda's pride had been shattered for good and the fight seemed to leave her. If Mitzi wanted she could crush Matilda completely here and now...instead out of some respect for Matilda's call for mercy Mitzi did end up easing up the hold, keeping her arms around so that Matilda didn't fall right over. She gently directed Matilda towards the bench in the locker room so that she could place Matilda down somewhere without dropping her to the floor, even though Matilda body felt limp like she'd fall over the second Mitzi let go.

"I reckon it is. The poor thing made me work for it, but like you said everything cracks." Mitzi said letting go of Matilda's waist and stepping back to enjoy the sight of her. She imagined the mental image of Matilda when they first met in the ring earlier, standing tall and full of confidence, looking like a true warrior. Now her hair was messy and all over the place, the energy she had seemed drained and her body looked way smaller as if Matilda had lost all of her confidence. Her body was covered in sweat and a few bruises especially around her belly which was red and battered, having suffered most of the damage in this match and in the aftermath. It was a sad sight, but one that filled Mitzi with an odd sense of accomplishment. Mitzi would lower herself to try to get closer to Matilda's face and try to brush some of the hair out of the way so she could see her better. "I admit I enjoyed this more than I thought. But it was still nothing personal, I needed you to do this to you to show everyone how dangerous I am. Take it as a compliment that destroying you is what is going to make sure everyone today remembers me...and Maybe take it as a lesson about underestimating amazing fighters like me for the future Tilda." Mitzi said, waiting to see if Matilda had anything to say and then would stand up to direct her attention to Rianne. "I think we got plenty of value out of her wouldn't you say?" She asked offering a fist bump to her new partner, one who could end up giving her more reasons to enjoy moments like this.

[Weonna]

Matilda slumped onto the bench, every breath a shallow shiver against her bruised, reddened mid-section. Sweat-damp braids clung to her cheeks; her once-unyielding posture had melted into a weary slump. She managed to lift her head when Mitzi brushed the hair from her eyes, brown gaze flickering with the last embers of stubborn pride.

“H-heh… you proved your point,”

she rasped, voice rough but edged with a faint, rueful smile.

“Ich… won’t make zat mistake again.”

Her hands rested limply on her thighs, the rise and fall of her chest slow and uneven. For a moment she closed her eyes, steadying herself, before forcing them open to meet Mitzi’s.

“You… are dangerous,”

she admitted, tone low, gravelly.

“And next time… I vill come prepared.”

That was all the defiance she could muster; fatigue dragged her shoulders forward as she leaned back against the wall, breathing through the ache in her core.

Rianne, arms folded and lips curved in a sly grin, stepped closer. She studied the battered German—then Mitzi—eyes glinting with approval.

“Plenty of value?”

she echoed, tapping a finger to her chin.

“Oh, I’d say so. A lesson for the locker room… and a fine bit of entertainment.”

Rianne raised her fist.

“To new partnerships—and shattered egos.”

Mitzi knocked her knuckles against Rianne’s with a sharp, satisfied tap. The two women shared a nod before turning away, leaving Matilda to gather what fragments of strength—and pride—she still possessed.

Behind them, the Barbarian Woman let out one final, shaky exhale, eyes narrowing with quiet resolve. This defeat would sting a hell lot, but it would not define her.

Not for long Matilda hoped.

[Fairy Dragon]

Matilda took her time gather her words, and trying to look at Mitzi spoke them. She seemed to wisely understand the respect the better fighter was owed and spoke excellently for someone in her condition. Mitzi was impressed, especially when she opened her eyes after a moments pause and warned Mitzi that she would be prepared next time...she was beat to hell by the prizefighter but was not only telling Mitzi that there would be a next time but practically calling that she would win it no matter what. Mitzi wanted to laugh, but she merely smirked. "You better, you're good Matilda but you weren't prepared for me. You ever make that mistake again and you end up breaking for good. Until then I'll be watching and seeing how well you improve. Ta ta." Mitzi said finally moving on from Matilda to focus on her new partner. She was sure the redhead would come for her again, and she might care more beyond a paycheck then.

"To new partnerships and shattered egos." Mitzi said when they tapped fists matching Rianne's words. The Aussie impressed her as well, when she came in she seemed to be all talk with a big wallet but she was surprisingly open and encouraging for someone who wanted muscle. Mitzi normally wouldn't care so long as she was paying, but no one ever complained about someone who was also a good boss and she wouldn't be the first. The two walked out to let Matilda recover from this night while they discussed new plans and what else the partnership entailed. Mitzi could tell when she walked out that day that she was going to have a very fun time in LAW.

[Weonna]

END OF THREAD