Misfire [for Terracotta]

[HotWheels]

Meh.

Meh amounted to Alicia Soto's entire opinion of this "great opportunity" LAW had tossed in her lap along with a wad of money. While she had sworn off modeling plenty long ago, she knew LAW would want her in front of the cameras and had chosen to roll with it after leaving the performance center for the spotlight. Hell, she had made seeking a camera part of her whole schtick. And getting back in front of the cameras had worked out alright, admittedly. A few pouts and twists, and she had some extra spending money for the week. And a little self-satisfaction. That didn't fuckin' hurt. She had come to kind of like being across the lens again. She wouldn't tell that to Gabby in a thousand years.

But today's shoot? Different shit. LAW partnered with all these production companies. The companies pushed out kinky wrestling videos, got some advertising from LAW, got more traffic, and LAW got to use some of those kinky videos and the production company's small-time wrestlers in specialty matches, yadda yadda, business shit. Today, though, the talent trade was going in the other direction. Alicia and some Daiya chick - new wrestler, she didn't know her yet, and part of the point of the shoot was to show her off - were being "lent" to one of the companies for a photoshoot to boost their exposure.

That detail was what made this "meh" in Alicia's mind even if she didn't mind a camera worshipping her for an hour. For one, she didn't know how to deal with these small fry companies; she trusted LAW. For two, they had only said to show up in a bikini and be prepared to mimic a bunch of submission holds. Sounded specific. A little suspicious, too, but only because Alicia had seen other girls burned before she got out of the modeling world.

But she had gone for it because it paid well, and so she stood at the door of the apartment in her barely-there teal string bikini. She was a few minutes early - modeling had taught her that early was better - and the geek in charge was giving her the rundown. "-and we have a few different holds for the two of you. We'll alternate, and you two just have to get in the poses and... you know, do what you do. Be beautiful! Be fierce!" Enthusiastic, this guy. She had to resist rolling her eyes, but she nodded her understanding. Had to be kind to the strangers partnered with her company.

He looked ready to ask her if she had any questions, but a voice behind him announced that Daiya was on her way. He scurried off. Good, 'cause Alicia didn't have any questions. All in all, though, the place seemed professional enough - small crew, but hard-working. Hadn't stopped to ogle her for more than a few seconds, anyway, so kudos to them. The apartment was pristine. It was clearly just a prop apartment, one LAW owned more than likely, but it was fully furnished and provided a good view of the skyline. No mats. The same guy had claimed it made everything look more legitimate light a fight had broken out between babes in an apartment.

Alicia wouldn't have bought that story, and she had been on a soap opera before. Whatever. She adjusted her lean in the doorway and peeped down the hall, trying to spot Daiya. She hoped she wasn't the one sour spot in an otherwise decent arrangement so far.

[Terracotta]

Daiya was in a good mood. The prospect of a payday always brought a smile to her face and if it was quick and easy, all the better. This apartment wrestling venture would probably only reach a niche audience but the pay was surprisingly good and it promised to be quite a bit easier on her body than a normal match. A niche audience was still better than no audience too and every bit of exposure would help getting her budding career in LAW off the ground.

"Daiya! Just in time, Alicia's already here and..." The person in charge of the shoot hurried her around the corner to greet her.
"Good, good. Has everything been set up as we agreed?"
"Ah! Yes of course!"

Another reason for Daiya to be happy. Nothing too devious this time. She had just 'impressed' upon management that, as the newer wrestler to LAW, she needed to look good. Maybe just little better than the person she'd be wrestling with. She wasn't being selfish, she told herself. She was quite happy to take some holds from Alicia. It's just her moves would be a little more spectacular. She didn't feel too bad. She was sure her colleague would do the same given the opportunity.

As she rounded the corner, the staffer babbled about something or other but she found herself rather transfixed by the figure leaning in the doorway.
"A moment, please." She brushed off the man for a moment a walked to meet the person she'd be 'wrestling' with tonight. The bounce in her step hinted at her excitement.

As she came to a stop, she folded one arm beneath her chest and she pressed the other index finger to her lips in thought as she considered the woman in front of her. She had known from management the woman she'd be shooting with was called Alicia Soto, Hollywood Siren. She'd not seen her prior to this encounter and she admitted she was quite fascinated by the sight of her. It almost made her feel bad for her collusion with management. Almost.

Daiya was quite proud of her looks and figure but it was the product of image consultants, personal trainers and nutritionists. To Daiya it seemed Alicia possessed a rugged, natural beauty sculpted by hard work and determination. Daiya's black bikini probably cost more than most of the photographers in this shoot would earn in months yet Alicia's teal string bikini enhanced her appeal to the degree that Daiya was starting to feel a little envious. She couldn't help but smile though. She was in this business for the money and the fame but getting to tussle with ladies of quality was certainly a significant benefit of her work.

"You're a striking one, aren't you? A Siren for sure. You must be Ms. Soto? Daiya Martinet, of the Monte Carlo Martinets. Charmed." She offered her hand to Alicia in greeting, her gold bangle glittered in the light.
"You may have heard the name. Martinet Couture? Or if you read those atrocious gossip magazines. At least one of my sisters seem to embarrass themselves enough to have an article written about them every week." The tone of her voice betrayed as distate for their greater fame, not their indiscretion.

As Daiya sauntered past Alicia into the apartment she let an elegant finger beckon her with a delicate caress tracing from her collarbone to her shoulder.
"Shall we make some money, ma chérie?"

[HotWheels]

Alicia never made it obvious she was peering to look at anyone - didn't want 'em knowing they were potentially that interesting to her. Usually they weren't anyway. It helped that after Daiya didn't pop up at the other end of the hall immediately, the Hollywood hottie got bored of looking, anyway, and settled back into her lean, her long black hair falling to hide her face. But her eyes tilted up again with the sound of coming footsteps, and Alicia willed impassivity onto her face as she stared past the curtain of hair. It was a hell of a challenge. Daiya was a fuckin' sight.

Okay, made sense why they picked the two of them on the aesthetics front, anyway. They were in the same ballpark for body types. Specifically, the types that could work bikinis but also looked built enough to make for bad bitches in a wrestling ring. Where Alicia was more trim, though, Daiya was fuckin' strapped with all kinds of humps. Somethin' almost too perfect about her build. But Alicia made sure she picked all that up in little more than one sweeping glance, and she would wait her turn, let the nerds tell Daiya what was what, too. The woman was already on her way over, though. And she looked pleased. With herself? With Alicia? No telling, but at least she didn't seem like some stuffy bitch.

Until she opened her mouth. Bitch might have been too strong of a word, even for Alicia who used it for everyone, but she couldn't remember the last time anyone had spouted charmed at her unless they were talking about the shitty TV show. Alicia did nod at the greeting, but otherwise, the Latina peered at her, impassive and scrutinizing, as the diatribe went on. She did shift to shake her hand, much less delicately than the gently outstretched hand might have warranted. She didn't know the Monte Carlo Martinets. She didn't read gossip magazines. Well, she had the one time Gabby had told her she was in one, but had only been a picture of her in the background of a soap episode. And she couldn't decide if Daiya was actually down on her sisters being infamous or proud of it. Or... jealous of it?

But she didn't have to follow up on any of it, anyway, and the Latina only scrunched her lips, somewhere between amused and exasperated, while Daiya walked past and turned her back. "Yeah. Good to meet you," she said, to summarize all of it with as little as she could. At least it didn't seem like she had to worry about Daiya acting like some ape and turning this mock match into something out of a back alley. Tight and strong-looking as that body was, she seemed like a... delicate sort of person, in a strange way. Too graceful for her own good.

Alicia joined her inside. "Never said no to any money," she assured. Only one question popped into her head that hadn't been addressed. Alicia had accidentally started seeing herself as a professional after her time as a trainer in the performance center, and a newcomer could have any amount of experience. "You comin' in from another promotion, or... ?" Seemed a neutral enough way to ask "you know what the hell you're doing?"

[Terracotta]

Daiya was drawn immediately to the view of the skyline from the window. She was an appreciator of beauty in all of it's forms. Whether it was fascinating people like Alicia or the civilized charm of a million lights against the dark of the night, she adored anything that could make her heart race.
"I have some... that is to say quite a few years of experience in other promotions."
Alicia's question pierced Daiya's mask of confidence. She was glad she had her back to Alicia as she was sure she had let her expression darken. There was a reason she used her family name rather than her wrestling career for recognition. Daiya certainly had some success in her old promotions although none of them were as high profile as LAW. She'd almost won the heavyweight championship a few times even. It was the almost that was the problem.

Despite having over a decade of experience Daiya's track record on the title scene ranged from close defeats to utter humiliations. Her failings played out in her mind as she stared out on to the skyline. The night sky soothed her heart enough that she was able push the thoughts away and turn back to Alicia. Whatever melancholy had gripped her was now wholly under control and hidden out of sight. The past was the past and she was willing to do whatever it took to make sure things would be different this time.

"Suffice to say you won't need to worry about my inexperience causing you any trouble. I believe I've talked too much. That was quite tactless of me, my apologies. Why don't you tell me about yourself?" She hoped the sincerity of her curiosity could mask her deflection from the uncomfortable subject of her wrestling career. Daiya had a genuine interest in Alicia and it was one she would hopefully be able to indulge in given that she was free of her villainous ring persona for the moment. The photography crew were finishing up their preparations for the shoot so they still had some time.

[HotWheels]

Alicia was coming around on her.

Past the "owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome" portion of their introductions, Daiya slowed her roll talking about her experience in previous promotions. Good enough, because Alicia could take the time she was staring absent-mindedly out the skyline windows to look at her backside, which was something to look at. Much as Alicia didn't want to fuck every attractive creature she came across, unlike a lot of the women around here, she could appreciate the chance to take in an eyeful when something was that good to look at. She might have thought the woman had that ass chiseled out of marble if she didn't know better.

Wasn't quite her own, but nice anyway. She stopped her peeping and strode into the room as Daiya turned back to her - good timing.

Daiya did add to her thoughts, but it wasn't as much as the whole family diatribe. She nodded her understanding and let her arms rest beneath her chest. "Wasn't too worried. Look like someone who could bash a head in a ring." Or squeeze it, smother it - whatever. What to say to her admission that she had talked too much, however... Alicia didn't have one of those quite as ready. She tapped her bare toes against the polished flooring before she answered. "You good. Just don't know much about the gossip stuff. You'd have to ask my mama about all that. She might've read somethin'." People probably thought she did based on how she presented herself in the ring, but that was the point - the less she knew, the more of a caricature of the tabloid, sexualized bullshit she became.

But the impetus was on her to speak now; that part she liked less. At least she had become good at providing the basics. "Didn't do much outside of LAW. In-house trainee, but I've been here a while. Long enough to start teachin' some of the other people showin' up fresh." And she was an in-house success story, she might start to claim, but she would keep that bragging mostly in the ring. Or for bitches like Mama Belti. "Came from California, but not the part you got in mind." A lot of foreigners she knew thought of California as all glitz and glam and rich people, but she would hate to correct them.

She could throw in a dose of pride, though. She turned to face Daiya, a faint, cocky smile crossing her features. "Haven't been beat yet. Plannin' on it stayin' that way."

[Terracotta]

Daiya listened intently. Alicia was an interesting character indeed. She seemed close to family or with her mother at the very least. That she was trusted enough to help train newer wrestlers spoke volumes about both her skill and her favour with management. While Daiya wasn't sure of her exact age, it seemed Alicia was in her early to mid twenties which made her ability to train other quite impressive indeed. That was an assignment usually left to older wrestlers. Her comment about her hometown was intriguing too. From what she gathered, the two women had very different upbringings.

"You really are quite a remarkable woman. Inspirational, I daresay. You should be proud of what you've been able to accomplish in a such a short time." She didn't want to patronize by mentioning her background. It also stung in it's own way for Daiya. The thought that if their positions were switched and Alicia had been given the opportunities and privilege she'd had growing up would she have failed the way Daiya had? Or would she have been a champion already?

She was brought back to reality by another comment. That Alicia was undefeated and quite proud of it too. That could be a problem. Being undefeated in somewhere like LAW was no easy task considering how loaded the roster was with talent and her pride could cause her take issue with Daiya's little scheme to improve her image. Yet she seemed professional enough if a little rough around the edges and there was always a chance that Alicia wouldn't even notice anything was amiss so long as it wasn't too obvious. Daiya decided to cross that bridge when they got there.

"Is that so? Impressive. I wish you luck. You're making me rather glad this is just a photoshoot!" Daiya laughed but she was being a little serious. She hadn't seen Hollywood Siren in action yet but Daiya got the feeling that she'd be a formidable challenge in the ring. She'd very much rather have her as an ally than an enemy.

"I think we're all set up! Let's get things started, shall we? We'll kick things off with staredown, just for the introduction. We can use it for the cover. Then we'll move on to the holds!"
"Very good. How about we let Ms. Soto go first?"
"Oh?! No problem!"

It was time to get the show on the road. For the stare-down she'd stand next to Alicia and press her hip and shoulder against her, folding her arms beneath her breasts and shooting a combative sidelong glare at the siren. That'd give a good mix of sensuality and forcefulness, she thought. The aggressive posture made gave the impression of hostility to make the shoot seem more 'real' and it gave the photographers a good look at both of them. Getting to have Alicia's muscular flank and smooth skin against hers was a nice bonus too.

[HotWheels]

Alicia couldn't decide if the praise pleased her or... what. She liked to be acknowledged, yeah, but not too loudly. Not unless it was a screaming crowd making all the noise, anyway. With Daiya's introduction, she already had her haunches up, listening for insincerity, but it wasn't for her to judge, she supposed. As it was, the praise left her only offering a small, awkward nod and a shrug. "Yeah. Just gotta keep it up. Don't last long here without keepin' everyone happy." It was the case with LAW just like it was the case with her dips into acting and modeling. Didn't need to bring all that up, though. Not today. Maybe if they did get along after all this.

It occurred to her she should probably offer some kindness of her own, but she had never been good at that. She was a doubly unimpressive speaker when trying to have something complimentary to say to a woman standing in front of her in an equally skimpy bikini. To that end, she was almost glad her eager friend piped up, letting them know it was time to start. Staredown. Made sense. Two women jumping into a match without displaying some tension between them would make no sense, especially if this was supposed to be some bullshit storyline about the two of them getting into some sort of random domestic conflict. Alicia nodded at him and straightened.

And Daiya was passing off the opening torch to her, by the sound of it. While it wasn't anything grand - they both would have time to shine - but Alicia could see her making the effort, anyway, and she didn't want to be the stick in the mud between the two of them. In what was about the most comraderie she would ever show to a relative stranger, she gave Daiya a small flick on the upper arm. "You're alright."

Then... posing. Good thing Alicia knew this like the back of her hand, since awkwardness between two mostly naked bodies wouldn't do. She and Daiya had the same idea, turning and pressing side to side to give them a shot of the front of them, clear looks at their faces and their expressions. She, too, went for the folded arms to emphasize her chest and her own darting glare, though it was an anticipatory smirk on her face rather than outright coldness, better reflecting her attitude. If they wanted her, they would get the Siren and all the barbs of her attitude.

She waited until the praise heaped in from the man behind the camera, and when the camera flashed once, twice, three times, she started to turn, clearly experienced with how many pictures were typically taken of one pose. "One from the front?", she asked Daiya, more than the man in charge, who was already uttering his agreement.

[Terracotta]

Alicia's affectionate gesture stirred a twinge of regret in Daiya's heart. It was an unwelcome feeling and not one she felt often. It was much easier to feel justified in taking all measures available to grasp victory in the ring, to focus on particularly painful hit or aggravating taunt to excuse whatever underhanded methods she'd use to steal the match out from under her foes, to convince herself that she was just playing the bad girl to entertain the crowd.

This was different though. There was no crowd other than the photography crew to entertain. There was no victory at stake for this encounter. Alicia had done nothing to her to justify Daiya's scheming and Daiya even found herself quite fond of her taciturn companion from the brief time they had spent together. Yet she carried on with duplicitous scheme regardless. Even her offering the first move to Alicia was a calculated generosity to disguise her forthcoming trickery.

A better person would've owned up to it. Apologized. Or at the very least called off her plan. But that was not who Daiya was. A long time ago the woman she used to be might have done things differently but the guilt aching in her chest was nothing compared to her fervent desire to succeed. She needed to become a champion. In her mind it was the only way to redeem her past failings and for her to able to stand above her sisters. That was the most important thing to her. More important than friendship or honesty or fairness. Daiya's obsession and insecurities blinded her to the reality that Alicia was right: she'd last a lot longer if she made people happy instead of backstabbing them. Trading a potential ally or perhaps even a friend for looking slightly better in a photoshoot was short-sighted and foolish. She just couldn't see it.

"From the front? Very well." Daiya quietly took a deep, steadying breath. Stressing herself wouldn't do at all. If she did things right, Alicia would be none the wiser and if she figured out Daiya's plan she'd just have to find a way to calm her down. It wouldn't be the first time she'd had to smooth things over with another wrestler she'd wronged. But if things couldn't be solved peacefully then they just might have to get physical. From the look of the siren's physique and from her boasting of her undefeated streak it sounded like that would be a very tough situation and one she'd rather avoid but if it came down to it the Monégasque could handle herself by using all of the honourable and dishonourable techniques in her arsenal.

She returned to the usual excuse "It's not personal. I'm just trying to make it to the top like everyone else." to help soothe her guilty conscience and calm her mind. Besides, she told herself, it wasn't so bad in the grand scheme of things. It's not like she was going to smack her with a chair or something. She hadn't planned anything that wouldn't be out of place in a typical humiliation match.

Her composure regained, she was ready for the next pose. She turned to face Alicia and got into position. She thrust her chest out and flexed her arms at her side giving the camera a good view of one of her biceps. Their chests pressed against each other firmly as she brought her face close to Alicia's. Extremely close. Their noses would be a hair's breadth away from each other and their lips tantalizing close to touching. Getting right up in each other's faces was perfect for adding a hint of aggression to the scene but would also give the viewer the enticing impression that they were moments away from kissing. Daiya chose a different expression this time: a goading smirk brimming with the flirtatious, villainous swagger that she displayed in the ring.

[HotWheels]

Time spent at shoots and on sets had taught Alicia one thing outside of the fact that she didn't want her whole life consumed by acting or modeling anymore. It taught her that it was better to get along with the people there. Ignoring them didn't work, much as she would have liked to more often than not. She and they had to interact, so it was best to establish some sort of rapport, some sort of peace. It wasn't in her nature, but she knew how to pull on her big girl panties and act like an adult. Fuck, she had been acting like an adult for years. Life as the tough bitch of the household required it.

So offer a compliment. Easy way to start with models, easy way to start with actors. They ate up praise. Daiya struck her as one who appreciated a dose of appreciation, too. They could sing in harmony long enough to make this hour or so together work.

Judging by the way everyone behind the camera looked as they posed - somewhere between thrilled and slobbering at the sight of them together - she figured they were making it work in the way aspiring models dreamed. Alicia had received those same looks in the past, and they were part of the reason why she hadn't stuck with it. People admiring her, that she had no problem with... in small doses. She couldn't stand to plate herself up like a juicy steak in front of starving masses every damn day. Sometimes? Sure. But sometimes didn't pay the bills.

It was a small relief, then, when they turned to square up from the front. Daiya sank right in. Alicia, for all her blatant outward sexuality in front of a crowd, had to get her head in the right place in private when it came to sensual contact... not that this was private. Wasn't like working a crowd, though. She glanced at their chests as Daiya pressed into her - speaking of steak for the hungry - and scooted her body until she was in a good position. Then she mirrored Daiya's positioning, her arm propped on her hip with its own display of muscles. As Daiya leaned in closer - smelled nice - she settled for an upturned chin and confident
downward glare as if she were the one about to initiate an angry kiss between the two of them.

The camera flashed a few more times before she let her body relax. "Good enough for covers?", she asked, looking to the man in charge who nodded like a drunken fool. "Y-yes, yes! Those were incredible. Okay, let's move the camera, and we'll have a couple of shots of you still near the door, with you initiating an argument, Alicia. Then we'll move to a test of strength, then holds."

Easy enough. The Latina shifted away for the crew to start squeezing past, and she gestured to a free couple of inches by the door frame where she and Daiya could set up. She whirled when she was there. "Enough of a bitch that lookin' like one ain't a problem," she told her fellow model, before making herself taller with a straight back, tilting her chin high again, and pointing down at Daiya with fury written on her features.

[Terracotta]

Daiya really couldn't ask for better partner than Alicia for a photoshoot. Photogenic and with a great aesthetic sense, they played off one another beautifully. The camera crew were used to seeing some the hottest ladies around take part in their shoots yet even they could barely contain themselves at the sight of the pair. The public stood no chance. Perfect. She doubted anybody who saw this shoot would be able to resist wanting to see more of them.

With the covers taken care of there was just one last thing to do before things would start to get a lot more physical. Fine by her. A little framing work would only enhance the appeal of shoot, Daiya thought. It wasn't the most profound narrative but it was just believable enough to help with the suspension of disbelief. She followed Alicia to the doorway, taking a few moments to get set up.

When the Latina furiously rounded on her, even though it was (hopefully) faux anger, she still felt her heart skip a beat. It certainly seemed like she could have a very intimidating temper if provoked. She could only feel pity for the smaller wrestlers or trainees who had the misfortune of getting on Alicia's bad side. They were liable to get scared out of their skin even without being tossed around by the statuesque siren.

"What? A problem? Moi?"Daiya held up her hand to her chest and affected a look of wounded innocence. Since Alicia was the 'instigator' she decided to play it up for the camera. The irony of Daiya being the aggrieved party in this situation was not lost on her. After letting the photographers take a few snaps she decided to change her pose. Trembling hand clenched into fists, chest thrust out in explosive anger, righteous indignation etched plain across her features. She was the the very image of a woman pushed too far by one too many insults.

"That's it! I've had enough of you! " A natural progression for the confrontation, enough to justify the two women settling their differences with some wrestling. It'd be up to the writer or viewer's imagination to decide what exactly it was they were arguing about. She wasn't actually sure if it would be a story told purely through visuals or if they'd have someone cook up a written story to go along with the images. She hadn't asked. She made a mental note to do so after the shoot was over so she could maybe engage in a little quality control.

"Excellent work! Now for the test of strength! We thought you could be fairly evenly matched at first but with Daiya getting the upper hand in the end thanks to being the taller and heavier one between the two of you. Alright! Show us your strength, ladies! Make sure you get nice and close to each other, it'll make for a great visual!" The leader and his crew were quite excited to see the two amazons strain their sinewy bodies against one another. Daiya was little more apprehensive. This would be the first test to see how Alicia would react to being asked to be the weaker of the two women. She could potentially be seeing that fearsome temper sooner than she'd like.

" May I have this dance?" Daiya joked as she offered her hands to Alicia, trying to soothe any ill will she might have. She rather enjoyed tests of strength. While it was obviously a perfect opportunity to display her imposing power, there was also something charmingly romantic about the intial stage. That brief glimpse of intimacy as they laced their fingers together, holding hands like lovers.

The moment would pass as they always did. If Alicia had no objections, it would be time to get to work. Daiya would try and strike a balance between keeping things civil and making their grappling look good for the camera. Given that there was much less risk of doing any actual damage compared to the holds they'd be doing later, Daiya would push against Alicia with a fairly decent amount of power. First with just her arms and then, as requested by the photographers, mashing her body against Alicia's and putting their tits and tummies in direct competition. Perfect for showing the contrast between the leaner and more sculpted Latina and the thicker and curvier Monégasque.