Fun In The Sun (For Parker)

[Highfly]

JJ knew how important it was to do the hustle and dirty work. "No problem, hopefully I see us in the ring soon." JJ said with a grin.

After a moment Parker asked about Kyo and Sienna which made JJ smile. "Sienna is my favorite wrestler here. We're both similar, and we train together. We are ringside for each other sometimes when possible. Kyoko is a wrestler I just started dating, and that is off to a good start." JJ said before shifting her feet a bit. "Are you seeing anyone?"

[Parker]

Parker tilted her head as she listened, nodding along at JJ’s rundown. Her grin tugged wider when she mentioned Sienna, clearly impressed.

“That’s pretty awesome. Sounds like you’ve got everything pretty much figured out, save for that break out moment. Training partner, someone in your corner, and a little special someone on top? Very nice.”

When JJ turned the question back on her, Parker let out a quick laugh, shaking her head as she lifted her hands.

“Me? I’m uh… seeing you, right now. Eh…heh… but uh, no, not even close. I meant it when I said I’m over here flying solo. Honestly, I barely have enough time to finish unpacking my apartment, let alone think about… you know… other stuff. Hooking up with someone feels way out of my league right now… or maybe ever.” She gave a sheepish shrug, rubbing the back of her neck.

“Right now I’m trying to figure out how to work the weird washer-dryer combo in my building. The Japan dating scene would not be ready for me.”

She chuckled again, clearly covering for her own floundering, and glanced back at JJ with an easy grin before shrugging.

[Highfly]

"I get it, if it wasn't for Kyo being in LAW with me we never wpuld have met." JJ admitted knowing she was never getting a conventional date here.

"Being a muscular black woman here usually gets stares and that is it. Don't rush anything and that is when things happen." JJ said with a smile.

"We got more arcade games to check out don't we? That and a whole lot of boardwalk to explore too." JJ said more than happy to keep the little fun day going.

[Parker]

Parker scratched at the back of her neck, her shoulders hitching up in a half-shrug. JJ’s words sat with her, but she wasn’t entirely sure how to respond. Relationships, dating, all of that, was not exactly her wheelhouse, and she had the distinct feeling she was a little out of her depth in even discussing it.

“Right, yeah. Makes sense...”

She let out a nervous laugh, but before she could fumble her way through more words, her stomach betrayed her with a loud, unmistakable growl. Parker froze, her eyes widening slightly before she groaned and dragged a hand down her face.

“...aaand that’s me. Classy.” She huffed, the corners of her mouth quirking up despite herself. “Honestly, I only came down to the boardwalk today because I was hunting food. The arcade was kind of an accidental side quest.”

Her gaze shifted back toward JJ, green eyes a little sheepish. “You know the area better than me, any good noodle places around here? I keep hearing the seafood broth hits different this close to the beach.”

Parker rolled her shoulders, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “I should grab something quick, though. I left some of my stuff out on the sand, and I don’t really want to push my luck leaving it there too long.”

[Highfly]

JJ let out a little laugh as she looked around. "I know a couple places and neither one is very far. Lets go grab your stuff and then I'll get you to some good noodles." JJ said. This was nice. Usually she met people at the arena where her full cocky attitude was on display. It was just how she was at the arena and in the ring. She was going to stand out and be remembered one way or another. Here? Here she got to just be more laid back.

"How are are your things? Depending on where we go may determine the noodle stand we end up at." JJ said looking like she was trying to calculate distances internally. She knew that rumble and she knew Parker must be starving so she wanted to hold up her end of the bargain as quickly as she could.

[Parker]

Parker tilted her head toward the distant shoreline, thumb hooking back over her shoulder. “Bag’s just down on the beach. Nothing super important, towel, sunscreen, and a shirt. Not exactly prime loot to be getting snatched up, ya’know? I’m not hauling gold bars or anything.” She smirked faintly, then gave a shrug. “If food’s close, it can wait. Kinda feels like my stomach’s setting the schedule at this point.”

Another rumble in her gut made her grin widen, cheeks coloring as she rubbed the back of her neck. “Guess that answers that, huh? Noodles first, bag after. Unless you’re secretly the type who insists on proper order.”

She leaned a shoulder toward JJ as they passed the rows of claw machines, nudging her playfully before taking a few steps backward, hands tucked into her pockets as she drifted toward the arcade’s exit. Her blue eyes stayed on JJ, a crooked grin tugging at her lips.

“Not picky about the place, it’s all new to me… but spice is good. If one of ‘em has something nice and spicy, I’m sold.” She gave a little bounce on her heels as she continued to walk backward, the neon lights from the games flickering over her frame. “So, what’s the call, tour guide? Where’s the fire?”

[Highfly]

"Oh... well if food is first and you want spicy with some seafood type flavors then I got a spot all right." JJ said with a smile. "The owner is nice, doesn't oogle over ladies like us like a creep. He named it after some gameshow or something but its called Takeshi's Castle. Weird name, a corny but cute castle look like a tower for a roof but everything he makes is good." JJ added as she began leading the way. "It isn't far either which is a bonus."

JJ was leading happily which was a nice change. Usually when she was with Sienna she deferred to Sienna leading the way. She was the louder personality... marginally... and the more senior wrestler who took JJ under her wing. Now JJ was leading a newbie around but it was in a way that had nothing to do with competitive wrestling or anything. It was nice and relaxing. "I am glad I bumped into you. I was going to eat some flavorless garbage that fit my diet plan when I got home. This is way better." JJ looked over at Parker and shrugged. "If the powers that be don't give ya a debut soon I am happy to help ya even if its me stepping in there against ya. If there is anyone ya know of who you want to face first I can try to pull the half a string I can to try to make it happen."

[Parker]

Parker arched a brow as JJ led the way, slipping her hands into the pockets of her shorts as she fell in step beside her. Her lips curved into a faint grin, the boardwalk breeze tossing a few strands of hair across her face.

"Is that normal? The ogling part?" she asked, genuinely curious but with a teasing lilt in her voice. "I always heard Japanese folk were supposed to be quiet and respectful." She casually smiled at a pair of locals walking by past them.

When JJ caught her eye again, nodding at her words. "I know about Takeshi’s Castle. That’s the one with the obstacle courses, right? We had something like that back home when I was a kid. It was called Splatalot. Same deal, just with people in goofy costumes."

She gave a small laugh, shaking her head as she turned back around to match JJ’s pace. Her eyes drifted over the lit-up food stalls lining the boardwalk, but her attention returned to her new friend with a playful quip.

"Well, consider me your living cheat day," Parker said, with an easy air. "You can have steamed chicken and broccoli some other less important time"

"Pretty sure they have a match lined up for me, just making sure I am fully integrated before they book it. Look for me soon I guess."

[Highfly]

JJ shrugged. "Sometimes old guys look like a lady with muscle and curves is an oddity but I try to ignore it. It isn't super common but it isn't unheard of either." She felt that creepy old guys were the same worldwide before she tried to recall a gameshow that the noodle place was based on. "I never watched anything like that so Inam not sure, I am just going by what people tell me. I didn't get built like this watching TV honey." JJ said woth a subtle flex and wink.

"I am thankful for that. I will eat whatever and not care today." JJ added with a sigh if relief as the two walked along. It was nice notnhaving to posture or anything, able to just sit and talk. The noodles were going to be another welcome distraction for sure.

[Parker]

Parker tilted her head toward JJ, lips curling in a faint smirk at the subtle flex and wink. “Well, I can’t say I’ve had that same problem. I don’t usually waltz around in a bikini top, so if there’s been creeps, I must not have noticed them. Or maybe I was just lucky.” She gave a small shrug, like the thought had never really stuck with her until now.

The Canadian’s brows rose at JJ’s little quip about not getting her physique by watching television, and a soft laugh escaped her throat. “I guess eight-year-old Parker didn’t have the same hustle grind set as you. If only someone had steered her off the sugary cereals and Saturday morning cartoons, maybe I’d have been a crazy powerlifter by now.” The way she said it was playful, but there was a faint nostalgia to it too, remembering those simpler mornings. She couldn't help but wonder if she should feel guilty at all for watching youtube videos when she was on the elliptical at the gym.

Her voice tapered off, letting the conversation slip into a comfortable pause as they walked. Parker’s eyes wandered, soaking in the sensory blur of the boardwalk. Bright neon signs blinked overhead, vending machines chattered their glowing colors, and the mingling aromas of fried food, noodles, and fresh batter made her stomach tighten in anticipation. Her grin softened, and she pressed her hands into her pockets, content just to take it all in with a new acquaintance at her side