Hearts In Hand...

The chants and cheers from the AFW arena echoed high and above the open air stadium, the GM Lukretia Von Creuzfeldt proudly issuing her closing statement to officially conclude Summer Splash and all such festivities. With all matches concluded and champions of the ring having etched their name as victorious competitors in one of the grandest stages of them all, the palpable buzz in the Atlantic City beachfront area had by now wined down as fans and wrestlers were returning to their respective homes or back to Japan. In commemoration of this hallowed competition the luxurious Palestra hotel/casino played host to all combatants who basked in the lavish accommodations, one such extravagance was the posh Milo Of Croton restaurant housed on the roof top, named after the legendary Greek wrestler. Palaestra had yet to be officially opened to the public and at this late stage of the event there were a mere select few indulging themselves there that night. Though one esteemed patron saw fit to isolate her from the rest, sitting all by her lonesome at a table for two..

Two shimmering glasses of bubbling imported french wine stood at her table, the heiress wistfully tracing the outer rim of her glass with her white satin gloved index finger. Her stunning radiance caught the attention of most passerby's though none dared to approach her, dressed in an empire royal blue evening dress and bejeweled Jimmy Choo high fashion white stilettos. The night sky brought a slight breeze her golden curls wafted in while she rested her chin on her up turned hand as she gazed nonchalantly towards the shimmering lights below. Gwendolyn sighed gently as she patiently waited for her guest to grace her with her presence, her dear engineer, Nikolette Tesla. Their clandestine rendezvous was planned well in advance, a congratulatory dinner arrangement meant to honor their triumphant bouts for SS '14.

Though sadly, there was little cause for celebration as the aristocrat was the only one to uphold her promise. Gwendolyn witnessed Nikolette's bloody duel with the firebrand Kelly Conway from her executive suite, though even from her vantage some moments were hard to watch. A passionately brutal affair that ultimately culminating with her beloved engineer lying unconscious drenched in blood, sweat, tears and degradingly spat upon by that loathsome degenerate. Her willpower and restraint was put to the test that night, fighting her inner compulsion to be by her side whether rushing the ring exacting divine retribution against Conway or by being remaining vigil at her hospital bedside. However the heiress pondered that the engineer may not have wanted to see her while in that condition, instead deciding to uphold their vow to not see each other until their fated reunion. So instead...Gwendolyn waited.

...her dear engineer was starting to become tardy. The heiress entrusted her new assistant Yayoi with informing Nikolette with the precise time and location of their meeting place, along with delivering an exquisite dress of the heiress' choosing to wear for this special occasion. A look of concern swept over her face as the distressing possibility of her dear engineer not showing sneaked into her mind...

Nikolette just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep forever. She had Kelly dead to rights but she came out of the match with a loss. Her heart was only in going to dinner because Gwen was there. She'd be lying if she said her heart was totally in it. She just hoped that Gwendolyn could actually do it.

Gwendolyn's assistant had contacted her with the details as well as some fancy dress. Nikolette couldn't even bring herself to try it on after looking in the mirror. She had a black eye and stitches across her forehead. She wasn't fit to be in the presence of the heiress.

However, Nikolette soldiered through it and after a long, hot shower she got dressed. She wore a pair of dress slacks and a dress shirt. After thinking it over, she had a tie sent up and completed her look with a pair of dress shoes and as much make up as she could get on. She still wasn't very good at that part.

She got to the restaurant a little late but found Gwendolyn easy enough. She looked immaculate, as always and Nikolette blushed as she approached. "Uhh... hey there, Gwendolyn...you look... real pretty." She said and took a seat. "Sorry I'm late. It took longer than I expected to get ready. Um... thanks a lot for sending the dress. I would have worn it but... it didn't feel right ta wear it while I'm all ... mangled, ya know?" Nikolette chuckled softly and pointed to her stitches.

"Didn't want to to think I was the bride of Frankenstein or somethin! I sure FEEL like I was brought back from thedead though..."

The business minded heiress started to ponder various things to get her mind off her worries, already listing several ways the casino could turn a higher profit. Once she heard Nikolette's distinct country voice all such thoughts vanished as she turned her head to address her dear engineer's arrival. Her heart jumped from the sound of her voice, but it sank down into the pit of her stomach when she witnessed up close the effects of her brutal match.

Her initial shock slowly devolved into a blank, emotionless stare as Nikolette desperately attempted to make light of her woeful appearance, though the heiress would hardly crack a smile. While it was commendable for Nikolette to try and put a brave face on, Gwendolyn recognized Nik's blatant attempt to mask whatever misery she was feeling.

A few seconds passed without a word being said once Nikolettes cheerfulness subsided. Abruptly Gwendolyn would rise up from her chair and stride towards her seated partner,the clomping sounds of her high heeled shoes against the balcony floor. Stopping just in front of her, Gwen bent down and gently pushed aside her engineer's strands of hair concealing her stitching. Some would recoil at the sight of skin sewn together, but the heiress never flinched.

"...Hmm, it shouldn't leave any scaring. The AFW medical staff know the importance of keeping their talent presentable..." Gwen looked down towards the blackened eye, examining both injuries with a cold and inquisitive demeanor before standing back up with a concerned look as the smooth textures of her gloved hand now rested on her engineers cheek. "...*sigh*...I'm afraid I'm the one who should offer my apologies. I know not what I could have done to prevent this from befalling you...but I'm convinced there was something. This night has been tainted with a somewhat morose aura, hasn't it?"

Nikolette turned her head bashfully as Gwendolyn got out of her seat to inspect her. She didn't care for being doted on and she didn't like a dainty girl like Gwen inspecting her grizzly looking face. "C-c'mon, Gwendolyn..." Nikolette said shyly. "It ain't a big deal. I mean, it don't look pretty but that's it. It's not like I got a concussion... thankfully..." She had HAD one of those before and it was the most horrible experience of her life. "Besides..." She said, looking up at Gwen with a playful smile. "I thought gals thought scars were neat!" Nikolette chuckled nervously.

"What...? Y'all don't need to apologize!" Nikolette said furrowing her brow. "Wasn't nothin you could do! I had that Kelly dead ta rights until the General Manager stepped in! So, I know I can beat Kelly! If they 're fixin ta not have me go fer that title, then that just means I gotta work even harder!"

Nikolette shook her head. "Night ain't tainted." She said and stood up and grabbed Gwendolyn's shoulders. "Unless yer gonna fuss about it all night. I came here cause I wanted ta see ya! If I was so melancholy that I couldn't make it ta dinner I woulda called and cancelled!"

Nikolette nudged Gwendolyn back to her seat and sat her down. "If ya wanna make me happy, then let's just have a good evenin so I aiin't gotta think about that match, ok?" Nikolette leaned a little closer. <Just worry about the evening> She whispered in French before she slipped away back to her seat.

While the engineer laughed off the extent of her injuries they were hardly a laughing matter to the heiress. To someone of such elegance and refinement, the fear of ever sustaining such facial lacerations was an outcome she may not be prepared for. Gwendolyn was somewhat taken aback as Nikolette cordially escorted her back to her seat, normally accustomed to leading her dear engineer around instead of the other way around. It made her heart skip a beat quite frankly. Gwendolyn's apprehension subsided once Nikolette whispered those tentative words into her ear, looking at the floor with a smile on her face before turning back to Nikolette.

"Mmm, very well Ms. Engineer. I can see you're indomitable spirit has remained undeterred through it all. You're innate fortitude continues to astound me..." Gwendolyn leaned forward and cupped her tall glass of champagne between her fingers. "On my honor as future CEO, not another word on the subject..." Although Gwendolyn promised not to bring up the results of Nik's match anymore, she actually had much to say on the matter. Though evidently, this was not the time nor place...

"Though if you were so distraught as to cancel our reunion, you may have heard gentle taps on your door. Whether atop Palaestra's most lavish casino or in some darkened room, I would have considered this trip an unmitigated disappointment if I were denied being in your company once again...To future endeavors~..." Gwen raised her glass in a toast, a glowing smile on her face.

Nikolette chuckled at Gwendolyn's words as she pondered taking a sip of the champagne. "Eheh, yer always such a class act. I still don't think ya outta be hangin around a country gal like me." She said as she looked at the wine glass and gave it a rather unladylike sip, enjoying the feel of it trickling down her throat.

Nikolette blushed a bit at Gwendolyn's words about cancellation. "Awww, c'mon. I wasn't gonna stand ya up! If I didn't feel like comin ta dinner, I still would have wanted to see ya. I'm already feelin better." Nikolette said genuinely.

She looked around, finally getting the chance to take in the elegant restaurant. "But I'm glad I came. This place sure is opulent! Don't think I've ever seen anythin as fancy in my whole life.' Nikolette then smiled sheepishly at GWendolyn. "Cept maybe that dress a yers! Must've been a king's ransom." The engineer said. "And yeah..." Nikolette said, raising her glass to toast with GWeondlyn, taking another deep sip. "To all of it!"

While Nikolette looked around to admire and appreciate their lavish eating establishment, unbeknownst to the engineer Gwen's sly gaze never left the slack jawed engineer. For Nik these settings were a sight to behold and a drastic change from her normal routine, but for Gwen such an atmosphere encapsulated her life since she was born, entirely accustomed to such affluence. "Mmm~...Yes well, it's still too early to say who will be a bad influence on who..." Gwen coyly stated while she toasted her glass against NIkolettes. "The dress I had sent is yours to keep of course. Perhaps on another auspicious occasion my eyes may be gifted with the sight of you donning such an exquisite garb~.."

Gwendolyn sipped the champagne with a deliberate slowness to better appreciate the lingering taste of her inebriating drink. She smiled coyly as she glanced toward her right and raised her hand slightly, beckoning the server to approach with menus in hand. He politely greeted himself and handed the menus to them, the menus listing numerous Greek/Italian dishes in keeping with the restaurants thematic surroundings.

"Kotopoulo me ryzi, please." Gwen ordered her meal relatively quickly after perusing the menu, and though her meal sounded refined it was in fact just chicken and rice with fresh green beans in tomato sauce.

"Aww, c'mon." Nikolette said, waving her hand at Gwendolyn. "Y'all ain't gotta go through that kinda trouble now." She said. "But I guess maybe... if ya wanna... you can dress me up like a doll or somethin. Put that dress up on me and do my make up. I'm not all that girly though, if ya couldn't tell..." Nikolette said as she flipped her tie. "Not that I feel much comfortable in a monkey suit either." She said with a sigh.

She took the menu and glanced it over. "Ahh, I'll have the spanikopita. I gotta see how ya fancy THAT up!" She said with a chuckle and handed off her menu. She then looked at Gwen and smiled. "It reminds me of home cookin anyway. Not that I really know what THAT'S like." Nikolette shrugged. 'So, at least one of us had a good match. I guess the management got what they wanted with putting the crowd right up front. Someone's bound ta stick an arm or somethin into the ring. it's hard ta calculate for that. Looks liek ya capitalized pretty well though." Nikolette said smiling as she took one more sip of her wine.

Nikolette's nonchalant flipping of her tie brought a smile to her face, bringing to light the slight oddity of the scene they were portraying. With Nikolette dressed in that manner, from a distance people could misinterpret this candlelight rendezvous as if the heiress was entertaining a gentleman caller. "Mmm~... Splendid! It appears my steadfast resolve to witness my dear engineer dress like the elegant vision I know her to be has finally bared fruit...*giggle*...the 'monkey suit' is a nice touch though...

As if on cue, an echoing yet incomprehensible chant from the deafening stadium worlds below them reached their attention as Nikolette mentioned the heiress' own Summer Splash bout, blissfully unaware of the masterful deception Gwendolyn had perpetrated to secure her victory in the lop-sided match up. The heiress' eyes glanced downward to the stadium as replays of the match rewound in her head, entirely guiltless towards her reprehensible actions. In her ruthless pursuit for success and victory, it was simply a matter of both opponents playing the cards in their arsenal, and Tatsuki simply had a bad hand. A slight breeze was felt as she used this slight distraction to ponder how to address her match with her dear engineer. Knowing full well her beloved's undying affection wouldn't be shaken by this revelation, the timing was an issue, considering Nikolette was victimized severely by such unsavory tactics. For now…discretion, turning back to Gwendolyn with a bewitching smile below alluring eyes.

"Indeed, such stipulations practically advocated audience interference. I almost regretted capitalizing on my opponent's simple misfortune, but to walk away from a pay-per-view match victorious and relatively unscathed is a convenience a scant few have had the opportunity to enjoy. Although my guilt weighs heavy on my heart considering...oh, I'm so sorry. Forgive me, my vow was nearly broken."Gwendolyn reached forward to take another sip of her glass, somewhat embarrassed at her faux-pais in also mentioning Nik's match again. Intending to change the subject, Gwen addressed something Nikolette said that picgued her curiosity.

"You mentioned back 'home'...is there a family back home waiting for you? A wrestler's roster information neglects to divulge personal information of that variety,"Gwendolyn asked with earnest honesty, noticing both their champagne glasses were getting dangerously low and signaling the waiter to fill up their glass.

"Awww, c'mon!" Nikolette blushed as Gwendolyn got giddy over the prospect of dressing her up like a doll. "Ya ain't gotta say it like that. I ain't no vision a nothin." She said, fidgeting around. "Yer the one who looks like she should be put in a box an wrapped in cellophane!" She fidgeted with her glass and finished off the last of her drink. "I just threw it on cause I didn't wanna show up in greasy overalls! Or a bloody wrasslin outfit!"

Nikolette sighed and tucked her chin downward. "Yeah, somethin like that ya don't really wanna win that way but it's not like it could be helped int hat kinda match. I mean, it's not like yo could [really keep the audience from stickin an arm out or somethin. Nikolette was glad that this time Gwen wasn't the reason that she had won in a less than reputable way. Even Nik might have capitalized on a match stipulation like that! "I did break it though... I shoulda... done somethin more.' Gwen said, clenching her fists under the table.

However, when Gwendolyn asked about her family, Nikolette turned her head. "Uh... not really..." She said, not looking up at Gwen. "My parents were killed when I was real little so... I spent most of my life in an orphanage. I ended up kinda gettin adopted by the mechanic in town but, I guess he's really the only family I got and ... I dunno." Nikolette looked up. "It doesn't really bother me or anythin. I didn't really have it too rough when I was grown up. I mean, I got as much love as I could, I guess and I ..." Nikolette looked around. "Well, I think I turned out well enough." Nikeollte looked at Gwendolyn and grinned. "You an me both ended up in the same place and we're from real different upbringings, so either it don't matter how a kid was raised or neither of us was raised right!" Nikolette added with a soft laugh.