A Valkyrie's Dance- Agatha and Astrid!

[SubtleRoar]

*Hot off the heels of a strong victory over the crafty and agile Hinoka, the Scandinavian Sledgehammer took a much needed and well-earned respite from the gauntlet of a match she had. One evening, as fate would have it, she was spending a comfortable evening against The Gem's Haven living room sofa while catching a glimpse of a sensational exhibition- Another blonde, named Astrid, was proving her worth within the ring. Upon witnessing such brute strength on full display, Agatha was instantaneously enthralled by the raw power this enchanting woman possessed.* "By Odin's Beard, I need to test my mettle against someone of her caliber!"

*Within a matter of moments, she had launched herself up from the comfortable position she was in and dashed towards the front counter, hastily dialing the number for LAW's personnel assistance. Through a rather benevolent secretary, Agatha learned Astrid's fight schedule, and politely asked if she was available for a rousing spar the following day. She was delighted to know that indeed Astrid was, and before she knew it, a match was arranged at The Gem's Haven.* "Outstanding! I shall await her arrival!"

*And that she did- For nearly twenty four hours straight, Agatha couldn't stop pondering on how her first encounter with the gorgeous, golden goddess would go- Should she treat this like any other encounter, or perhaps this was something she should approach with an increased amount of vigor and energy? All of these meddling thoughts nagged at her constantly, but did little to diminish the amount of excitement she held within her heart.*

[CaptainL]

Astrid wasn't sure who this mysterious messenger was, or how they had managed to get her number. But an invitation to train at the Gem's Haven had come through her mailbox. At first, thinking over the message, Astrid was confused - was this some sort of stalker or crazy fan? How else could they have figured out how to reach her? But an ache in the Norwegian girl's back was enough to remind her of what was no doubt the reason. It had only been a few days since her hard-fought victory against Hiromi Rondo, in a grueling match that had tested the greatest limits of both wrestlers' endurance and forced them to prove themselves as great as they could be. Astrid was already considering it one of her greatest bouts in recent history - and it was clear that she wasn't the only one. Evidently, someone saw Astrid's strength, and thought that she was worthy of a personal audience. And how could she say no to that? Grinning, the blonde lifted an arm to flex a bicep, even if no one was around to see it. That was something she did. Finally making up her mind, Astrid went to her calendar, going to arrange her schedule.

The next day, Astrid arrived before the Gem's Haven, looking up at the building to get a sense of its scope. It definitely looked to be an important venue, which made Astrid smile. Not only did she get to meet and train alongside someone who recognized her might as she would want, she had the privilege of doing so in a state-of-the-art gym, one that was sure to help build her strength well in preparation for when she would need it next. She was honored by the thought of being deemed worthy of such a place - and she would have to give her thanks to whoever let this happen. Hefting her bag over her shoulder, Astrid proceeded to the door and stepped in, looking around to see if her benefactor would appear.

[SubtleRoar]

*As the bell above the entrance threshold let out a delicate peal, Agatha's clouded mind was immediately brought to a radiant glow once she laid eyes upon the mammoth angel that stood before her- A taut figure, unabashedly rippling with muscles that would catch the attention of anyone so fortunate enough to be within her radius, her golden locks effortlessly cascaded down her shoulders, adding a luminescent glimmer emanating from almost every pore on her silky smooth skin. Needless to say, Agatha was immediately smitten, yet she needed to contain herself if she wanted to avoid coming across too strong or informal. Stifling a deep cough within her throat, the gregarious norwegian approached the confused newcomer to the Haven, an inescapable jubilance to her stride as she extended a hand in her direction.*

"Salutations! You must be Astrid Ostberg, yes?" *Unaware of the concept of personal space, Agatha grew incredibly close to the towering titaness until only a thin length of air separated their voluptuous chests.* "It's such a pleasure to make your acquaintance! You're battle against Hiromi was something that Thor himself would salivate in envy over!" *Already beginning to bombard the ravishing blonde with her personal deities, the giddy viking just couldn't control herself it seemed- The moment, in and of itself, was too strong for the elated Agatha to keep herself maintained, yet it seemed as though she had dialed it back to a tolerable degree.*

Spoiler

[CaptainL]

Astrid couldn't help but smile at Agatha as her fellow Scandinavian looked at her with the wide eyes that could only be those of admiration. Meeting the people who looked up to her, who she inspired, was always a moment that lifted her spirits. It reminded her of what she was fighting for every time she stepped into the ring, of everyone who was watching her who she had to make sure to give her best effort for. The blonde took a bow towards her smaller but ultimately similar companion, expecting a modest response. Maybe she'd ask for an autograph, maybe even ask her to train her...

But then she started to shake her hand vigorously, all the while gushing about Astrid's greatness in the eloquent words that only someone proud of her Viking heritage could surmount. Astrid was proud to see that she was happy, but...this was a bit much, wasn't it? She blushed a little, and cleared her throat. "Ah, well...I should be glad you liked my match, anyway!" she added, giving a wide grin to make it quite clear that she was still excited to hear from a fan like Agatha. "So, if I may ask...why ask me here? You want my autograph? You want to see how I train? You want to pit your skills against mine?" She wasn't sure how someone as comparatively smaller as Agatha was would stand up against her strength - but if that's what she really wanted, who was she to say no?

[SubtleRoar]

*After such an officious introduction, Agatha allowed her zeal to subside, but only slightly as she would immediate follow up on her greeting with a proposal to engage in a test of personal mettle.* "I have witnessed how you move about the ring- You're remarkably composed and calm in the face of almost insurmountable adversity. I wish to pit myself against you in combat, Astrid Ostberg! I promise you shall not be disappointed with the skills I possesses within the arena. If you decline, I completely understand, but if you choose to accept my offer, then I shall prove my worth to both yourself and to my norse brothers and sisters above watching us brawl!"

*Her elation clear and evident with each word, the scandinavian woman urged Astrid to accept her modest request, all the while gingerly rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet as she awaited the giantess's reply. Granted, her potential adversary had a perfectly understandable reason for declining if she chose to do so- Her prior match with Hiromi may have taken its toll on the massive amazonian, and recuperation would be the more rational decision, but in Agatha's mind it never hurts to ask.*

[CaptainL]

She nodded and smiled, listening to what Agatha had to say. Her words were flattering, and she was proud to have someone who looked up to her like this. But if this was all she had come for, Astrid wasn't sure what to say. "Ah, well, thank-"

But before she could finish her sentence, Agatha kept going - and it soon became clear that she was looking for a fight! Astrid looked her would-be opponent up and down, trying to assess the smaller girl's skills in the ring. Certainly she was a good deal shorter and slimmer than Astrid - how did she expect to compete against the Norwegian's strength? And indeed, listening to her offer did bring back memories of her recent bout with Hiromi, reminding her of the ache she felt in her back, which she instinctively moved a hand to to try and stave off the pain. Nevertheless, though, Agatha was clearly a determined sort, and Astrid knew that she wouldn't take no for an answer, not for a prospect like this. And how could she say no to a face like that?

"So, you truly wish to face me? I do hope you're prepared for what I can do - but, if you think you are capable of standing against my full power, you could yet earn my respect as a fighter, yeah? Show me where it is you wish this match to take place!"

[SubtleRoar]

*Hearing that Astrid was just as excited to engage in a friendly skirmish as she was, Agatha's eyes immediately lit up with a fiery passion.* "Huzzah! I give you my word as the fiercest woman in scandinavia that you shall not regret your decision! Please, right this way~" *After traipsing for a few seconds towards the threshold of the training area within the spacious Haven, the elated blonde eagerly gestured towards the unoccupied ring, fully equipped with sleek ropes, cushiony turnbuckle weights and boasting a clean, healthy sheen to the metallic steps near the outskirts leading to the ring apron.* "I shall personally introduce you to a new level of wrestling acumen!"

*Coasting on this indescribable high, Agatha charged up the stairs and propelled her svelte, muscular frame over the top rope before promptly landing on the platforms of her boots, subsequently turning to face her guest.* "Please, allow me~" *She chortled aloud, still as giddy as she had been before while straddling the ring rope to allow easy access for her visitor.*

"I'm curious to know something Mrs. Ostberg." *The ebullient sledgehammer inquired, still bouncing against the center cable while maintaing eye contact.* "How did someone such as yourself find her way into the wrestling circuit? I myself became fascinated with my home country's fighting style, Glima, and my devotion to it only grew from there."

[CaptainL]

Already Astrid could feel her vigor returning to her just from walking with Agatha, and she cracked her knuckles at the sound of her fellow Norsewoman's challenge. "Fiercest woman in Scandinavia, yeah? I guess we'll just have to see about that..."

The two of them came to the site of the ring - and looking it over, Astrid's eyes went wide with awe. Truly a marvelous construction! It looked positively state-of-the-art, on par with what LAW had in their top arenas - if not even better. Putting her hands on her hips and standing tall, Astrid took in a scan of the area, her face showing a grin beaming with pride. "My! Impressive!" she said. "If this is the kind of ring you have to offer, I'm honored to be its guest." She followed Agatha into the ring, starting to walk around its perimeter and get a feel for how it held up under her feet.

As Astrid settled into the ring, she turned back to answer Agatha. "It's been a family business for me," she explained. "My father and uncle were both wrestlers in their day, and their father before them. When I was growing up, my dad was away a lot on tour, so I could only follow him on the TV. But I was inspired by his example, and I sought to train to be like him! It was the first time in our family that a woman had taken up the trade, but I wanted to prove myself capable."

[SubtleRoar]

*Perking up at the response Astrid gave, Agatha's body couldn't help but tremble from the level of excitement coursing through her- She had undoubtedly expected someone of the ravishing blonde's caliber to be well versed between the ropes, but this degree of aptitude was something Agatha could have only dreamed of, and it seems as though the divines deities above had blessed her with the rare opportunity to contend with one of Law's finest.* "Ah, so you fight for tradition and glory! Such a noble endeavorer you are! Please, the honor is all mine!"

*Sharing a mild laugh at the expense of her own jubilation, Agatha raised herself off the ropes and ambled towards her neutral corner, commencing a brief moment of gentle stretching before continuing her conversation.* "For as long as I could remember, I've always considered myself to have been born in the wrong time period- Not to boast, but I believe I possess the ferocity and fortitude of an amazon from a forgotten era, and this ring shall serve as my proving grounds. Call me a little ill if you must, but I strive to put my integrity on the line with every encounter."

*And with that, Agatha knelt down into a stance resembling a forward squat, hands extended before her with a glint of passion twinkling in the corner of her eye.* "And on this day, I shall make the gods above smile upon me. Take heart, Astrid Ostberg, for today our encounter shall shake the very foundations of this arena!"

Spoiler

[CaptainL]

Hearing Agatha explain her position, Astrid laughed and shook her head, giving her a warm smile to try and put forth the idea that she wasn't judging her fellow Scandinavian, even if her behavior might have been odd. "No need to apologize," she said, "I could tell that you owed a debt to the Vikings of old from the moment you started talking. What's the harm in taking pride in such a thing? After all, we do have the blood of great warriors in our veins, yeah? To embrace those roots as we bring forth our skill and strength in battle...I'd think that our ancestors would be proud."

As Agatha got into position, Astrid nodded to her, dropping her gym bag at the side of the ring. "Just a moment," she said, before unzipping the tracksuit she had worn to the gym and whipping it off, revealing her trademark maroon leotard beneath. After all, she could expect that such a confrontation could lead to a spar, and she might as well come prepared for it. She then took her boots out of her bag, lacing them on before she got back up into the ring and greeted Agatha with a flex and a grin. Then, she got into a stance. Astrid was ready.

"Go ahead, then, show me what you can do!" she said, hoping to be impressed by Agatha's prowess.