L.A.W. - League of Anime Wrestling

Yeah, he remembered that entire name. When your best friend's a Mexican and you've damn near spent more time at her house than your own growing up, it becomes second-nature.

She looked good. Real good. Always did. She'd started filling out faster than most of the other girls; already had some of the curvature and muscle by the time he met her. The years had added to the wonders, and it was readily apparent that she trained religiously. And what's more, she never got rid of the glasses. She'd always hated the pair she wore back then, but the budding glasses fetishist always had a kind word ready for them.

couldn't say he hated the sight that stood in front of him, but it was tainted by their past. It was exactly as Beatriz had warned him: Lucielle knew of the flame he held for her back then, and she took full advantage of it, forming a typical "pretty girl/socially awkward nerd" dynamic. And mere days after he confessed to the feelings he had for her, she started dating his brother. Just took his heart out of his chest and stomped and spat on it.

Don't get him wrong; he was never one of those guys who felt entitled to a girl's affection. If she didn't feel that way, then that's just the way that cookie crumbled. But for her to go after his brother, of all the guys she had sniffing around her? After the conversation they had?

He took credit where it was due, though: B did tell her that she was bad news. And she tends to be right about these things, being a girl herself and thusly having insight that he lacked. But his dumb ass didn't listen.

The flame that had once been had been extinguished a long time ago, but the way it had been extinguished was making it difficult to begin this segment, even though he'd asked for only a few minutes. Even for that, he considered her one of the worst people that LAW could have possibly assigned to the task. Only Simon Lisa Baxter, his ex -- who had been signed onto LAW as well, because of course she was -- would've been lower on that list.

But whatever. He'll take it. Not that he had any choice, really: He was getting ignored through the normal channels: Made calls, knocked on a few doors, spoke to a few assistants in the weeks leading up to Fight The LAW 4. And he never got through to management. So he said "fuck it" and talked to the booker for tonight's show. Said he wanted to address the fans.

He reminded himself about the time he'd spend around Lucielle: It was only going to be a few minutes. And he wouldn't really even talking to her; he'd be talking to management.

When Lucielle Costa had gotten word that Black Severin had requested time for a segment, she had a good feeling of what it was going to be about. He was a hot name amongst the new arrivals in LAW, having an awkward beginning against Serena Kay Thomas, but getting it in gear afterwards to make a stellar showing, even managing to bring down Selket, a top Heavyweight talent. Hentai was, in her eyes, where the man really shined, but that wasn't to say that he couldn't get it done in vanilla fare as well. His performance in the Kings & Queens Tournament, although it was a losing effort in the end, only cemented the fact that he could.

He should've been walking away with his head held high. He did all he could. But he was looking downright ashamed when he made his way back up the ramp. But it wouldn't be the end of that story. Instead, he'd make a change and keep it pushing up that mountain, ascending to greater heights every week.

It was a story that she had to be there for. She knew who was underneath the mask. It was his match with Keira Robinson: That big, dorky smile he had on his face when the alternative babe flirted with him. The cheesy compliments. The soft, passionate kisses that took her back to that game of Spin The Bottle in high school.

Terrell Hughes had one hell of a glow up. And she hadn't heard any word of him having let it go to his head. Looks like he's still the soft, kindhearted guy he's always been. Increasingly more confident as time goes on, walking around with the swagger he lacked in their school days.

The both of them being here now felt like...a sign from the universe or something. It was a part of why she jumped at the opportunity to cover the turning of the page to the next chapter of his career. Of course, she was impressed with the competitor he turned out to be. But also, this felt like a chance to do things over.

And Lucielle was going to seize it. She slipped herself into a sweater and skirt that were both among her tightest. Showed off her powerful legs, had nothing on her feet besides the heels; she'd peeped the attention he gave to Keira's feet when he did his thing. It wasn't a confirmation of any new tastes beyond that she knew he had for athletic women, but it was another touch she'd add regardless.

She wasn't looking to try to steal the guy. But if Ms. Robinson didn't mind while they were all on the job, she'd plant a few seeds. See where it goes in regards to borrowing him every once in a while.

After a few extra checks in front of the mirror, she was feeling good. Had a bit of pep to her step. A little extra sway in her hips. And the crew could not stop staring to save their lives.

Oh yeah. This man won't know what hit him. She couldn't wait to see the look on that handsome, masked face of his. And sweet mother of God, his look in general! He was a feast for the eyes, one so delectable that she had to consciously keep them from snacking.

Lucielle had it planned out: She'd play it cool, pretend that she didn't recognize the voice or the mannerisms. Black Severin would be treated as a stranger. She'd let him say his piece, pass the focus back to commentary, then shoo the camera guy off somewhere so she could talk to him alone.

Buuuut...

The vibes were off from the very moment he laid eyes on her when they met in the interview area: His eyes fell, but there was no appreciation in them. Just a second-long scan to recognize what she was wearing, it felt like. It was cold, like she was wearing this in the middle of winter. Distant.

He was still feeling the wounds she left him with. Okay, fair enough. She did him pretty dirty, and she could maybe concede that high school wasn't that long ago.

"Olá pessoal!" She began, smiling through his wintery reception and into the camera. "Lucielle Costa here with Black Severin, a rising star in the intergender division! Coming into the world of professional wrestling with nothing but natural talent, you've managed to make quite a name for yourself, and earn the admiration of millions worldwide! What do you have on your mind tonight?"

Portuguese to English Translation

"Olá pessoal!" -- "Hello, everyone!"

Black Severin already knew what he wanted to say, but he didn't get to it right away. He took a breath through his nose. Let the moment cook a little, so to speak, then the words came.

"LAW management!" He stared right into the camera and ignored Lucielle entirely, like she was simply a living mic stand. "Lemme holla at'cha!" He'd been working on a catchphrase ever since the promo he shot for the Kings and Queens Tournament. "LAW Universe! Lemme holla at'cha!"

Seemed to be a good place to start, at least.

"Been getting some mixed signals from y'all!" And his annoyance was plain. "First you wanna give me shit for not settling things behind closed doors." He scoffed at that, with one of those nods that said "fuck you." "Okay. Fair enough, I suppose. So I followed your suggestion. Every opponent you set up in front of me after I came back from the Kings and Queens tournament, I knocked down. I've been keeping my end of that bargain, so what's up?" The question would be punctuated with a challenging shrug. "I tried setting up a meeting so things can get settled behind closed doors. Made calls, but I'm not hearing back. Knocking politely on doors, the only people I get to talk to are assistants. They tell me they'll pass the message along, what do I hear? Jack shit. Try to set up appointments, and y'all are too busy.

I tried it your way, for weeks. But since you don't wanna meet and come together on things...Well, here I am now! You know what I want: Fight. The LAW. Four. It'd be one thing if this was one of those events where it's ladies only, but this ain't one of those occasions.

I've busted my ass day in and day out to make it as far as I have, and I'm not about to sit this out. I'm not about stagnate." His tone would be solidified with resolution here. "I want a spot on that card. And I don't care who I have to face. Go ahead and put me in a gauntlet against the very best you've got in this place -- put me up against Astrid Arvidsson, followed by Alaina Sanders, followed by Kyoko Alan, followed by Annie Clark, followed by Hazel Nielsen! Go ahead and throw in the SWAT Cats, if you want! I'on give a fuck! I will fight! EVERY! LAST! ONE OF 'EM!"

The two could hear them from where they were backstage: All the fans he'd just won over with his passionate words. It was a crazy scenario. A match that may as well be career suicide if it were to actually happen. But Severin meant every word. He'd gotten the message. He wasn't going to get his opportunities just by showing up, doing his job, and trusting the process. He had to go out and make shit happen. And if that's what it ends up taking, that's what he'll do. He will find a way.

"That's all I've got to say. Anything else, I'll leave up to the people." He pointed at the camera -- at the higher-ups themselves as he turned to leave. "Ball's in your court."

All Lucielle could do was stand there and watch him walk away, forgetting all about her plan to catch up with him.

No, not walk. March, on to Fight The LAW 4. She'd forgotten all about catching up with him, her mind struggling to reconcile this man with the boy she used to know. The boy who just went with the flow. The boy who stayed quiet and avoided confrontation, even when it came at his expense. Let's be real: He was a wimp.

But now? Terrell really has changed, and definitely for the better.

The brunette turned to the camera to usher in the transition back to the commentary team.

"Tony. Cory. Back to you."

This isn't going to be their only interview. She's going to make sure of that.