The Ol' Razzle-Dazzle - Katsumi Oshiro vs. Claire Thomas(!!!)

[CyanDimitrik]

Dismissiveness is one thing. Bravado and confidence were something else. Katsumi is so okay with banter, and that seems to be what Claire is offering back. Katsumi bites back a smile. This is better. Wait, did she say she's a LAW recruit? Brand new? Is she even cleared to wrestle yet? She knows the top brass can be scummy at times - all one has to do is look at the bookings. But would they clear someone to get in the ring with her who isn't ready?

"Yeah. They are," Katsumi replies.

And suddenly, she's firing a toe-kick towards Claire's bare belly! The force of it is pulled back extensively - not so noticeable to the audience, but Claire would hopefully be able to tell the difference between an intentional kick, and one that's little more than a firm bump to the stomach.

"Welcome to LAW."

Of course Katsumi isn't going to go all out on this girl. She has no idea what she can handle, and she really does seem sweet and genuine. Besides that, she got a look at the girl's attractive midsection; she looks fit. Toned. She should be able to take that much force without being hurt. The hope is that the impact surprises her into bending over and dropping her microphone. The real question is whether or not the girl would understand what's happening.

In the meantime, Katsumi holds her own microphone to the side, dropping it into the frantic hands of the referee.

[Ichi]

Claire was not expecting that kick. After the kick, Claire instinctively lowered her level to shoot for a single-leg takedown, dropping the microphone in the process. However, Claire paused---the kick was pulled and not meant to hurt. Claire made a split-second decision to pretend that the kick had doubled her over, something that was easy to do as Claire had already lowered her stance.

Claire smiled: she was happy that Katsumi did not seem to have any ill-feelings towards her, or at least not enough to actually kick hard. There were no bad intentions behind that kick.

"Welcome to LAW."

Claire almost laughed at that pithy statement but managed to hold it in. Instead, Claire replied with "Thank you!", spoken in a fake, hoarse voice, as if she just had the wind knocked out of her. Claire would then attempt to stumble back and create some distance.

[CyanDimitrik]

The kick could've been seen as a violation of budding trust. But instead, Claire had to go and thank her. The comedic timing couldn't have been more perfect, and a quick giggle escapes Katsumi before she clamps it down. This girl is dangerously endearing.

Moreover, Katsumi's positive that hit wouldn't have hurt that bad. Right? Maybe it's nerves. She'll have to test her out a little more.

Meanwhile, the referee is having a fit. She scrambles for the microphone Claire dropped, then pivots to flail her arm and signal the bell to start the match.

*DING*

And then she's rushing to deposit the microphones on the comms table, having to leave Katsumi and Claire alone in the ring.

Katsumi is fine with that. She closes in on Claire and makes a firm grab for the nape of her neck, intent on walking her to the corner of the ring. Should she bring her into position, she'll simply rotate Claire around to press her 'stunned' body into the corner pads. Her right arm will cross against Claire's collar and she leans in close to the fair-haired girl, enough that her chest is brushing hers. But more importantly, her face hovers bare inches from her opponent's, giving her a chance to match her bright emerald eyes onto Claire's amethysts.

"Listen, I'm obviously not gonna really hurt'cha," she murmurs. "I mean, unless you totally make me." Her head tilts just a touch closer, bringing her brow to touch Claire's meaningfully, "Please don't make me."

"But I can't lose to you either, y'know? This is your first match ever, right? And I meant what I said earlier..."

[Ichi]

As Katsumi grabbed the nape of her neck, Claire let out a quiet "Eep!" as she scrunched up her shoulders. She put up no resistance as she was pushed to the corner. While it looked like she was being forced to the corner, her stance was extremely solid: Claire could have easily put up some resistance here.

Katsumi pushed Claire into the corner and then rotated her around. Immediately, Katsumi's right forearm pressed against Claire's collar as their chests pressed together. Claire hears Katsumi whisper that she isn't going to hurt her, confirming Claire's suspicions that the woman in front of her was not some monstrous heel.

"This is a nice feeling," Claire said in a normal voice. Claire could feel their breasts pressing together as their eyes met.

"Let's have a fun match and put on a show," whispered Claire. She paused for a moment, staring into Katsumi's eyes.

"I promise I won't go down that easily," whispered Claire in a teasing manner. While Claire had no problem taking a loss, she at least wanted to make it memorable. After all, what good does it do anyone if she gets squashed without resistance? Squashing a newbie wrestler with no prior record would net no glory for her opponent and would bore the fans.

Suddenly, Claire would attempt to push Katsumi's right arm aside with her left hand, pushing at the elbow. Then, Claire would position her head against the outside of Katsumi's right shoulder while wrapping her right arm around Katsumi's waist. After that, Claire would use her head to turn Katsumi around, pushing her into the corner. All of this would be done in a firm manner to hopefully telegraph that Claire was not a pushover and could handle herself. If Claire successfully reversed position, she would then start running towards the ropes on the other side.

[CyanDimitrik]

Katsumi may, in fact, be slightly more innocent than Claire. Because when her opponent says it's a nice feeling, her mind isn't on the sensation of their chests brushing together; it's on the idea that they're about to have a match basically for funsies. It's a new concept for her, but one she's into. She doesn't mind playing for a crowd. She's pretty sure she looks good taking a beating as much as giving one, so as long as it's her arm raised at the sound of the bell, she shouldn't care. Right?

Whatever. Claire's been a little bit of a derpy sweetheart, and that's among the rarest of accolades granted from Katsumi. She's given it only to one other before, and not even in the same words!

The reversal of the position isn't even that much of a surprise. But the smoothness of the transition does communicate a fair amount to the punkette. The arm around her waist is the better guide than her head, but it makes no difference. The two swap positions, and Katsumi grunts as her back hits the turnbuckle padding. The last moment of the transition is carried with a slight hop, her arms slinging over the top ropes to either side. "Unf!"

Claire runs to the opposite ropes, and Katsumi dutifully remains in place, her head slightly hung - but her focus is kept keenly on the other girl. She's choosing to trust her. She's choosing to take a chance, leaving her body open. She could completely regret that very soon. But she'll have to see if they're truly on the same page...

[Ichi]

As Claire was running towards the ropes she tried to figure out what she would do next. Step one was to run at the ropes and bounce off them. Easy enough. But then what would she do next?

Claire's first instinct was to go for a takedown. She would feint a strike up high to get her opponent to raise her hands to block. Then, Claire would shoot in for a takedown. Only problem was, this was professional wrestling, not MMA or collegiate-style wrestling.

"Darn... what am I going to do?" thought Claire. Claire was mostly clueless when it came to professional wrestling. As she was pondering her next move, Claire ran into the ropes and bounced off them.

As she ran towards Katsumi, Claire's face had a look of hesitation on it for a brief moment. Then, that look faded as Claire decided what her next move would be: while she did not know it by name, Claire would attempt to do a "Stinger Splash". However, Claire would not put all of her force behind it: she would put enough force into it to make it look real but not enough to seriously hurt Katsumi.

Claire knew that when she started for real, i.e. after this match, she would have to be a little more serious. But for now, Claire was content with just playing around---as long as the audience gets a good show, it shouldn't matter, right?

[CyanDimitrik]

Katsumi worries her teeth along her bottom lip, unsure about the wisdom of her choice. She's giving a girl free and full access to her body here. An unknown. Sure, she seemed sweet, lovably doofy to a degree, and seemed to be rolling with the punches, but this is very untested territory. Claire may not realize what sort of impact her behavior is going to have.

Well, she may realize the impact her stinger is going to have, since she's holding back on it. Details!

Katsumi's eyes widen as Claire comes in, silently urging her to prove her nagging doubts wrong. The shorter girl springs into the air... and there's a collision of bodies, breasts slamming to breasts, stomach to stomach, and Katsumi mashed into the turnbuckle. Mildly. The Punk Princess grunts at the force, her head whipping back initially, only to slouch in the corner. Her arms drape the ropes, her rear slightly seated on the middle cushion, her head tilted forward enough to brush her cheek against Claire's unless she withdraws.

She could tell she held back. And Claire should be able to tell that Katsumi is selling for her, as well. Not that a stinger splash would've crippled her, but here, it was more like a pounce.

"Alright.. have a little fun..," she murmurs encouragingly to her fair-haired foe, warm breath breezing against her neck.

[Ichi]

Claire was thankful that her hit hadn't hurt Katsumi. As their bodies mashed together, Claire couldn't help but savor the feeling as she feel the warmth coming from Katsumi's body.

"Alright.. have a little fun..."

As soon as Claire heard those words, a playful smile came across her face. Claire would then attempt to grab Katsumi, lift her up, and do a body slam, being extra careful not to hurt Katsumi in the process. If that worked, hopefully Katsumi would be on her back. If so, Claire would attempt to go for a pin!

However, the pin attempt would not be serious and Claire hoped that Katsumi would kick out. Claire was not particularly worried, however: she had the feeling that Katsumi still wanted a win so she expected Katsumi to kick out. Ultimately, while Claire intended to have Katsumi leave with the win, Claire was still going to put up a "fight".

[CyanDimitrik]

It was oddly comforting, knowing the fight wouldn't be a particularly rough one; that they'd come to a sort of understanding in the ring. This match was more about giving the new girl a nice debut. It was also about letting Katsumi ease back into wrestling after her brief hiatus. Sure, they got here in a profoundly weird way, but it's becoming clear to the Punk Princess that Claire isn't some inept over-eager kid off the street.

The two press together for perhaps a little longer than strictly necessary, with zero complaint from Katsumi. Again, it's oddly comforting. Body contact in a fight is one thing. But they're not really fighting, are they? So pressing close just rubs her differently; like a much-needed sense of connection to another person. Typically she's prickly and keeps her distance from others. She doesn't really have that choice here. And that's weirdly nice. It takes the guesswork out.

An arm hooks between her legs. Katsumi's eyes widen. Instinctively, her right hand braces against Claire's stomach, her left arm hooking the girl's shoulder. The slender punkette is raised, turned out of the corner, and slammed down against the mat. The impact isn't anything she can't handle. She lies on her back for Claire, arching her spine unwards and pushing her chest and stomach up towards the skylights as if emphasizing a hard landing. And soon, that chest and stomach is pushed back down beneath Claire's weight.

The Punk Princess has every intention to lie still for her, eyes half-lidded, waiting for the two-count... before reaching out to hook a hand on the bottom rope to force a break.

[Ichi]

"ONE! TWO!"

Claire noticed Katsumi's hand grabbing the rope. At first, Claire did not know what was happening but then she recalled that a pin is broken if the person on bottom grabs the rope... at least, she thought that was the case. To be safe, Claire stood up, but not before affectionately flicking Katsumi's hair.

After getting up, Claire would take a few steps back. Beyond that, Claire was not sure if she was supposed to do---was she supposed to go back to her corner? Was she supposed to just stand there? Claire would look at the referee in an attempt to get a clue about what she was supposed to do.