Kaeda Fukuda/Domino- Post Show Blues

[Rainmaker619]

Things, for once, were quiet in the LAW venue, as would be expected with the show being over. All the rowdy and cheering fans had left, already making plans to catch the next night of carnage, and most of the wrestlers had already taken off for home or to party with their cliques. The only people in the building were the ring crew taking down the stage and ring, the janitors cleaning the backstage area, a few higher ups overseeing them both, and one lone Kaeda Fukuda.

Even after a long hot shower, she still felt unclean.

Kaeda pressed a towel to her face in memory of what the Russian Seductress did to her. Kaeda was crushed and dominated by the bigger and stronger Natasha, but what hurt the most wasn't the bearhug, or even the face sit. The feeling that lingered within her was the words that Natasha spat out. They cut through Kaeda deeply, and they all appeared true. She had trained hard for this moment, and yet she was no more than a smother toy for women like Natasha.

When Kaeda stumbled backstage, not a single woman comforted her. Most turned their heads, and some stared at her like it was her fault for being squashed in such a fashion. It made Kaeda feel like absolute garbage. She wanted to just run home and cry herself to sleep and try to forget everything that had just taken place, but she couldn't do that. She had to keep as stiff of an upper lip as she could; Drake was going to be here any moment now, and then she would have someone to talk to.

[CyanDimitrik]

Kaeda's having to wait a little longer than she perhaps expected. Then again, maybe not. As soon as the show was over, Drake jolted out of the stadium as fast as he could on foot. Thank God for centralized locations, else he'd have never pulled this off!

But finally, at long last, there's a tittery knock on the girl's dressing room. On the other side stands Drake, wearing a black t-shirt with matching slacks, with a pristine white button-up worn as an overshirt. Between his fingers rotates a single long-stemmed red rose, prepared to offer it out to her the moment the door opens.

He couldn't see her crying in the ring, but he'd have to be dense to not know how a defeat and unnecessary humiliation like that must've made her feel. He's prepared for that.

"Kaeda? It's me," he calls gently.

[Rainmaker619]

Kaeda's head lifted up as she heard a knock at the door, followed by a warm, familiar voice.

"Drake?"

A sudden jolt of energy went through Kaeda, one that brought her up and over to the door, her sadness fading away for a brief moment as she went to greet the man she met at the gym just a few days prior! Swinging the door open, Kaeda's face brightened as a sharp dressed man stood before her. It was Drake!

"You arrived! It's so good to see you!" Kaeda chirped as she opened her arms wide for a hug; overjoyed at seeing her former sparring partner!

[CyanDimitrik]

As soon as Kaeda's arms go wide, Drake quickly pulls the rose aside to ensure it doesn't get crushed between them! But as soon as it's clear, he closes in and loops his arms tight around her for an embrace. "Of course! No way I'd miss seeing you again, y'know." He withdraws enough to gently bamf her nose with the soft petals of the rose. "This is for you. Because you're awesome and you deserve it."

Everything is about nursing her ego and reassuring her value. That spectacle during her match... it was difficult to watch. Difficult more to know the kind of girl Kaeda is, and what something like that may have done to her.

[Rainmaker619]

Kaeda placed her head on the shoulder of Drake as the two embraced. After everything that had taken place, it felt good to get a hug from someone who cared about her! Kaeda than felt something lightly press against her her nose, nearly making her sneeze from how it tickled! Looking down, Kaeda's eyes widened as she saw a rose.

"T-thanks," Kaeda said, holding the rose in her hand and twirling it slowly. Kaeda had always loved flowers, especially roses! However, in this precious moment, the thoughts of what took place just a few hours before came back into Kaeda's mind, causing her smile to fade as she stared back at Drake.

"It's lovely... but I'm not sure if I deserve it," Kaeda said with a sigh. She knew he saw everything that happened out there, and after the way she was dominated she figured the rose was simply a pity gift.

[CyanDimitrik]

Drake is quick to refute that.. modesty? Self-deprecation? It's a little hard to tell in this moment, but he has to set the record straight.

"You were doing fantastic," he insists. "That skank had to pull dirty tricks to get the upper hand. That means she was scared of you. Don't get all up in your head doubting yourself." Some handwaving about his temple helps drive the point home, maybe.

Elephant in the room can have a little bit of recognition for the sake of being honest and straight with her, though. Else, she may think he's just choosing to ignore what happened, and he doesn't want her to see him as someone she can't trust to be honest with her. "What happened... ah... well, it was horrible." He draws his shoulders inwards, followed by a mild, helpless shrug. "It was bad. And... I know something like that had to hurt. It..." As he tries to articulate, he realizes he doesn't even have the words. "...it was bad. But don't you dare let it drag you down. You remember she had to fight dirty to win. You're tough. You're capable. And all this, this right here? All it means it that you get to blow minds even more on your next match."

"And, for what it's worth," Drake lifts a hand to touch her cheek with his palm, "I was really proud of ya. You showed skill and heart."

[Rainmaker619]

The words of Drake went through the ears of Kaeda down into her heart, fighting against the posionous taunts of Natasha and Kaeda's own self doubts. Throughout the match Natasha made Kaeda feel as weak and small as possible, but now Drake was building her back up! She did, if only for a moment, have Natasha quite literally on the ropes, forcing an opponent that on paper should have not even broken a sweat against her to use a cheap trick to get the edge!

Kaeda then felt another wave of sadness hit her as Drake tried to articulate the humiliation Kaeda went through, bringing back the memory of the damp crotch of Natasha rubbing against her face, but deep down she appreciated Drake having the courtesy to bring it up now instead of trying to skip past it. It showed that Drake understood and cared, two things Kaeda really needed at the moment!

Then, Kaeda felt the palm of Drake lightly press against her cheek, causing her to look into his amethyst eyes as he told her he was impressed by her performance. Tears began to well up in the corners of Kaeda's eyes, this time more of joy than of sorrow. Drake's words were true, and the fact he cared to come to Kaeda and say them with upmost sincerity meant the world to the young girl. Kaeda's head then leaned forward into Drake's chest as she went in for another hug.

"Thank you..." she said as she felt her pent up emotions slowly be let out as she buried her head into his white button up.

[CyanDimitrik]

Drake... suspects he's going to have a damp shirt soon. That's okay. That's nothing he can't handle. Kaeda's been through some crap tonight, and she deserves someone who'll weather whatever emotional overflow she's been trying to bottle on her own. His arms just wind around her again, his head tilting to rub his cheek against her scalp wherever possible.

"Any time." The arms tighten gently, just to affirm the hug. She's safe. He's not judging her.

"Wanna get that milkshake I mentioned when we first met?," he asks. "Are places still open? I could make one back at my place, but it's not really the same. Kind've all.. like.. health-food shake-stuff." From the tone of his voice, one could probably surmise that he isn't confident in their taste. "Or do you wanna chill out here for a little bit? Talk'n stuff? It's your night, we'll do whatever you want."

[Rainmaker619]

Kaeda lifted her head from the shirt of Drake, but not before letting out a small giggle as she felt the soft cheek of Drake rub against her hair. Just the fact someone was there to comfort her, someone who understood how she felt, was enough to lift away the memory of what happened to her in the ring. Things may have went wrong, but she was going to keep doing her best!

"You know... I could use a milkshake right now," Kaeda said, her bubbly and cheerful attitude returning to her, "There actually is a place not too far from here that stays open for a while into the night,"

[CyanDimitrik]

She giggled! Drake exhales a happy sigh, relieved that she's feeling well enough at least for that. That does his heart good.

He leans back to get a look at her and those big, pretty eyes. "Sounds perfect!" He starts to step back from her, if she'll allow, and nods into her room. "Unless you need to grab anything, we can bail now and you can lead the way."