L.A.W. - League of Anime Wrestling

Divine would need to rethink this. She had come in expecting something quick and easy - an inexperienced opponent, a playful romp, something that she could have fun with and end whenever she pleased. What she was getting, instead, was turning into a real challenge, as Miriam proved that she was no one to be taken lightly in the oils.

Not a problem, mind you. She welcomed the competition. But it meant Divine needed to bring out some real strategy to this affair, lest she wind up steamrolled.

She was already breaking out some of the fine china with this ankle lock, a move she could only recall using in dry matches. To Miriam’s credit, she took the move far better than most women would’ve in the same situation. No panicking, no anguished cries of pain. No, she was planning something. Smart woman.

A deft move - she spun about, redirected the force, making Divine hold her at an awkward angle. By the time she had adjusted, it was too late - Miriam had slipped free and backed away. It was tempting to dive in after her, but Divine saw those legs, poised to strike. She couldn't be too hasty.

She moved in with open arms, but instead of going straight for Miriam, Divine threw herself to the woman’s side when she close enough, trying to avoid those legs. Once she was clear, she pounced, attempting to get on top of her opponent and pin her down from the side, looking to exert some control.

Miriam’s chest rose and fell in a measured rhythm, her eyes never leaving Divine even as the distance between them grew. She could feel the subtle shift in her opponent’s approach, no longer the carefree dominance Divine often wielded in oil, but the beginnings of calculation. Miriam allowed herself a small, knowing smile. This would not be an easy showcase for Divine, and that much was clear to them both now.

The ankle lock had been a test, and Miriam had passed it, not with brute force but with control, patience, and a timely escape. She knew she had unsettled her foe just enough to make her think twice, but she also knew Divine’s reputation. This Latina wouldn’t back down. If anything, she would double down. Miriam adjusted her posture, legs bent and ready, prepared to meet whatever angle came next.

When Divine shifted low and to the side, Miriam reacted in kind, twisting on her shoulders and sliding her hips along the slick canvas to meet the sudden pounce. Her legs snapped outward, not to scissor outright, but to shield, catching against Divine’s ribs and stalling her advance just long enough to blunt the momentum. The collision left them pressed close; the oil making every change a slippery gamble, Miriam straining to keep her limbs between them.

Pinned or not, she refused to let Divine dictate the pace. Even as her opponent pressed in from the side, Miriam angled her free foot downward, planting firmly against the mat to give herself leverage. With a sharp push, she tried to rotate their bodies, attempting to roll the struggle into a scramble where her legs could once again become weapons. One move, one chance, everything balanced precariously in the oil’s shifting grip.

The crowd, who had only been passively watching the match before, drew in closer now, showing some real interest. Eyes locked on, following Divine and Miriam as they moved. Murmurs began, with people picking their bets. Lips were chewed on, whispered bets were exchanged, and favorites were picked.

Divine caught it all with a single flick of the eyes, taking it in with a smile. It was what she always hoped to see in these situations - people taking her art seriously, respecting her craft and viewing it as more than mere eye candy.

Of course, she wanted to win, too, and she had every intention of doing so. But this was a well-deserved side benefit, in her eyes.

She came in fast, hoping to take Miriam before she had the chance to put up a proper guard, but the woman’s defenses happened to be on point and she was greeted with a foot in the ribs for her troubles. The two of them into a rolling, tumbling, vying for control with every turn, until…

With Miriam focused on the lower body, Divine tried to switch things up and focus on the upper. She threw her body about hard, trying to come at her from the side, and tried to wrap her arm around the woman’s skull as she sat at her side, hoping to catch her in a headlock.