Too Close For Comfort [Sophia Wolfe Vs Asp] - Apex Qualifier Match

[thesteedman]

Sophia was making good progress, managing to get up to one knee, making the hold as awkward as possible. A testament to Asp's talents and strength in her legs and core, she was able to keep the bodyscissors clinched on tight, her grip still bringing great pressure against her core. However. Sophia was confident once she got up to her feet she would be able to deal with this hold. A quick slam or potentially a dash for the corner would soon have the serpent uncoiling herself from the Wolf. However, Asp had other things in mind, and in an impressive display of athleticism, she brought herself upwards, using her core so that she was eye level with Sophia.

Sophia only had to stick to her plan, aware that Asp could potentially lock an additional hold upon her, most likely a chokehold to attempt to seal the match. Sophia was confident that she could drop her for a potential escape. What came next however was not something she anticipated. By now she should have known Asp would resort to her own unique tactics, but there was something different about it this time. Sophia gasped out, up close and personal with Asp, who slipped her lips against Sophia's. The notion of it caused Sophia to fall back down, collapsing flat on her knees, completely taken unawares. The bodyscissors remained tight, keeping her restrained; whilst Asp let her lips begin to softly kiss at Sophia's own.

The nature of the bodyscissor hold and the positioning of Asp meant that Sophia could not pull away. The kiss lasted only a few seconds, but naturally it was still enough to throw Sophia off her game. She gasped out in alarm, feeling Asp slowly caress over the alluring features of her beautiful face. Asp's forehead was pressed against her own softly, her lips still nearing Sophia's as her fingers ever so delicately traced down her scar. The mention of Sophia being beautiful made her cheeks near turn a shade of pink... it was more mind games, it had to be, something to keep her in the bodyscissor... yet there was something very genuine about the way in which Asp whispered to her, and the look upon her eyes. Sophia had no reply... what could she say to such a thing? No one called her beautiful...

There was no time to think further on it, as Sophia's chest heaved, lacking significant air by now. The bodyscissors felt like it was tightening, and having already endured such a terrible constriction earlier, Sophia's ability to endure was not what it was, feeling the lasting effects of the previous squeeze. She had to get out now, or she would be in trouble and lack the energy to escape. Breathing deep, still shaken and off guard by the kiss, Sophia knew it was time to act or fail. She grunted, once more trying to power up to her feet. Her body strained, her back and lower midriff complained giving her significant pain and discomfort as the pressure remained tight. All the same, Sophia shouted out, lifting upwards, before trying to plant herself and Asp back down against the mat.

By now the German beauty was significantly drained. If this did not force a release, the Wolfe would be in serious trouble!

[BlackAkuma]

Asp had been toying with Sophia all during the match, and while much of what she said was born of true attraction, the underlying goal had always been to confound the woman. It was, perhaps, a sly and conniving strategy. She and everyone present knew that Sophia was the superior fighter, and she was surviving the battle through trickery. She had no shame in that - she wasn’t cheating, after all. But this could hardly be called ‘fair’, either.

What she did now, though, was nothing like that. No deception, no theatricality. It was genuine display of respect, given in the only way she deemed worthy. The only thing that marred it was the disbelief in Sophia’s eyes, as if no one had ever told her such a thing.

It was a saddening thought, one that so consumed Asp that pressing her advantage never occurred to her. She wished to take this woman aside for a private moment, to speak with her at greater length. She couldn't help but feel the two of them would have a great many things to speak on - experiences to share, lessons to teach. It could’ve been a fruitful moment.

Alas, as warming as that would be, it was a thought that would have to wait, as Sophia was far from done.. The woman once more proved to be a truly indomitable foe, as she made her way up in spite of the crushing vice, pulled back, and proceeded to drill Asp into the canvas with crushing force.

She had seen a match on LAW television recently, a brawl between two extraordinary brutes, in which one of them had been driven into the mat with such a manner. It had been devastating to the smaller one, but she was able to keep fighting on afterwards, despite such a hellish crash.

Asp, however, was nothing like that woman. When she was smashed onto the canvas, her arms flew open and she stayed there, writhing in pain, more open than she had been in the entire match, her fragile body finally taking more than it could bear.

[thesteedman]

Sophia managed to slam Asp as well as she could have hoped. Her arms all but released from around her shoulders, having been used to support Asp during the kiss. Her legs remained around Sophia's waist, but her grip was so loose that Sophia was able to pull her arms free. She breathed deep, her bare midriff still straining from enduring such a squeeze for a second time. The German fighter and wrestler was all too aware she would be doomed if caught in such an embrace again. Though capable of powerhouse moves, it did not come to Sophia naturally, and rising as she had with Asp latched and wrapped around her had not come without cost to her energy.

It was showing, as her form glistened in the light from growing exhaustion, combined with an air restricting bodyscissors that further sapped her strength and energy. It was for this reason that she was not fiercely taking advantage of her position. Sophia was known to strike and grapple for control on the ground, but right now she was just breathing, getting as much needed air as she could into her lungs. Barely a few seconds passed, and Sophia knew she could not remain in place. Despite Asp's downed position, she had already underestimated the beauty too much in this match, and knew she was capable of recapturing Sophia between those deadly legs if she did not move herself fast.

As such, Sophia rolled away. Her movements were sluggish; her arm was still giving her grave issues after tanking such a devastating kick from Asp moments earlier. The damage was piling up, and none could fault Asp for her determination and resolve in this match, having taken the fight to a foe that on paper was expected to defeat her with relatively no issues. The crowd were chanting for both wrestlers, caring not who won at this point, just that they had put on one hell of a match. Sophia certainly had her misgivings, given the style of wrestling Asp had resorted too, but it should have been expected and anticipated. Sophia could still feel a soft touch against her lips, an afterthought still from the kiss that played on her mind.

Such things had to be brushed aside if the German blonde hoped to win. She began to rise upwards, hearing activity from Asp behind her. Her movements were not as quick as the match had progressed, but there was still a sense of urgency in her movements, knowing how hard Asp could kick, knowing how hard she could squeeze! Wolfe could not allow this to continue. With an expression of determination, Sophia would spin despite her ailing form, looking to try and throw her infamous Tornado Kick, the 'Wolf Bite' towards Asp in an attempt to put an end to the match before it could slip through her fingers!

[BlackAkuma]

Asp hated to admit it, but as much as she loved combat, at the end of the day, she was simply not meant for it. Not in its purest form, at least. Not in the way that Sophia clearly was. Her body was firm and fit, yes, but there was more to being a fighter than having a solid form. Her mind hadn't been forged in a lifetime of fighting, her reflexes were trained by countless matches, she lacked the killer instinct that came from such a hardened, rigorous style of living.

At the end of the day, Sophia Wolfe was a warrior. Aspasia El-Shenawy was not.

Those were the thoughts that haunted her as she laid on the floor, and it would’ve been easy enough to listen to them and stay there. She had done well against one of the strongest fighters in LAW, fought admirably against an implacable foe. It was a performance that would’ve done most fighters proud, let alone one whose domain lay primarily in the sensual arts. There was no shame here, and it was not as if winning was a primary concern for her, anyway. She was here for the thrill, and this match had truly thrilled her.

And yet, as Sophia rose, Asp found a last, burning ember within herself to rise as well. She had power left, enough to perhaps end this in her favor. Madness, maybe. Or perhaps she was merely siphoning off the willpower that radiated from Sophia like a beacon.

Whatever the case, it was enough for Asp to stand, though she did need the aid of the ropes to do so in a timely manner. Withered as she was, the audience’s calls came as a driving force, edging her on. She could do this. She could win.

Asp stepped towards her opponent, took a deep breath, and went into motion at the same time as Sophia, their bodies moving in tandem so well that it could’ve been mistook for practiced motion. She spun about, turning herself into a wild blur of green and red, lashed out at the end of her kick, and…

…and she came back to consciousness a couple of seconds later, after her body had crumpled to the floor, laying there with her eyes skyward and her unbound hair splayed all about in a tattered mess.

[thesteedman]

It was a blink and you missed it kind of moment, one that would no doubt live on in highlight clips well beyond this match up in LAW history and the Internet beyond. The crowd were left in a manic state, cheering as both women lay on the ground in the aftermath of what had to be the finishing moment of what proved to be a surprising and entertaining Apex Qualifier.

Sophia, despite her ailments had begun her finishing move to perfection, managing to deftly rotate and gain momentum. Little did she know that when she turned to face Asp that she was also going for a massive kick to try and end Sophia. Both had been majestic and magnificent in their execution, as if the entire moment had been rehearsed a thousand times. Both women wanted to end this match before it could go on, and both had the same ambition in mind. The Wolf Bite clashed against Asp's head, connecting with tremendous velocity, but Asp's own kick managed to catch Sophia at virtually the same time. Both women seemed to snap back from each other in the aftermath, with Sophia's head whipping back before she completely collapsed.

Asp had landed on ring surface at the same time... both women taking terrible impact from the strike and the landing. The crowd were on their feet, wondering if it would be a double knockout, a result that would certainly be justified given how hard Asp had fought against her supposed superior foe. The referee could be seen checking on both women, looking upon Asp, seeing her motionless for the time being, before turning to Sophia Wolfe. Despite the strike that had landed upon her, Sophia was already beginning to move. She looked in bad shape, her alluring angelic face awash with an expression of pain. However, she was active, pushing herself up slowly with one straining arm.

With no sign of Asp making a move right now, she leaned in to check upon her, seeing that Asp was still out. Soon she signalled for the bell, declaring the match over as Sophia was just about on one knee, still struggling to get up. Her head was spinning, her body complaining at every bit of movement she made. The bell caught her attention, as she realised the referee was calling stoppage. It was a bit of a shame too, as Asp mere moments after the decision was made actually began to come too. The call had already been made however, and the fans were still impressed by the display, cheering loudly, and not just for Sophia given how much Asp had poured into the match against her.

Sophia was helped to her feet by the referee who lifted her damaged arm, causing Sophia to wince but revel in the celebrations none the less. It was an Apex Qualifier down, and a victory making it all the more important.
Winner: Knock Out via Wolf Bite
SOPHIA WOLFE

The German beauty was glad to have her arm back though, favouring it after the announcement made the decision final. There was some movement returning to her limb, and Sophia was confident it would recover... but it hurt like hell, making Sophia realise how lucky she was to block that kick when she had. In truth the beautiful scarred blonde was fortunate in that final moment... Sophia was aware that her own kick connected mere moments before Asp's own foot struck against her own temple... had it have been the other way around, Sophia was sure Asp would have got all her strength into that strike, and it would be Asp standing victorious now.

None the less, Sophia approached Asp, offering the red haired exotic beauty a hand up to her feet. Whilst she did not agree with her methods of combat, she could not deny Asp really gave her a fight she was not expecting. All the same, the platinum blonde let her thoughts be known, her unique German and English mixed accent deep within her stern tone.
"I am not sure I approve of the style or methods you used against me in this match tonight, but I do commend you for a good wrestling match. I must say... I underestimated you, a price I paid for more than once. It could have gone either way by the end." Sophia would speak, showing some good sportsmanship by offering to help Asp up. In truth she was a little apprehensive after what Asp had put her though, and that kiss was on her mind, not appreciating what she believed to be mind games, but Sophia put on a brave face. It was the end of the match after all...

[BlackAkuma]

And there was the bell. It was over.

Despite being conscious again, Asp stayed in her position for a few moments longer, as she gazed up at the ceiling lights and took it all in. The finality of the moment was what stunned her the moment, having such an abrupt end to a fevered battle. Even after being knocked out, her body was still beating with a high rhythm, blood rushed through her veins, sweat clung to her skin in heavy beads. It was the most exhausted she had felt in a long time, perhaps ever, but it was not an unpleasant sensation.

Quite the opposite, in fact. It was oddly satisfying, in a way. She had given it her all and came up short, but she couldn't regret it when such a magnificent woman was the cause.

Asp sat up slowly and ran a hand through her hair, starting to bundle it back up, when Sophia’s extended hand took her by surprise. She eyed it for a moment, not bothering to hide the shock - after their heated match, she was afraid that she had rubbed the Wolfe the wrong way, both figuratively and literally. The display of sporstmanship was more than welcome, however, and she was all too eager to reciprocate, gladly accepting the hand. She needed the help to rise to her feet, anyway.

”I’m honored, but you give me too much credit.” She did her best to keep her poise and stature, but the truth was that she had to keep hold of Sophia’s hand for a while after she rose just to maintain stability. ”You are a wondrous opponent and a marvel of a woman. Standing against you as long as I did is a mark of pride, and I doubt I could replicate the feat in a rematch.”

Indeed. As impressed as her opponent seemed to be, Asp felt most of her advantage came from the element of surprise. Now that the surprise was gone…

There was no point in dwelling on maybes. The match was over, and it was time to depart. Before they left, however, Asp had one thing to give her former opponent.

”Here.” She reached into her bra and pulled out a card she kept tucked away, handing it over to the other woman. ”This card is for my bellydancing classes. While I would welcome you as a student, I would rather you keep this to contact me. If you would deign to honor me again, I would love to have you as a guest. Anytime.”

Asp made her offer and promptly bowed, showing her deep respect for the woman in front of her. With nothing else to say, she gave Sophia a solemn smile, slid out of the ring, collected her pets and promptly made her way up the ramp.