Plans & Apologies

"Are we going to the petting zoo? Because I'm not sure if I can go there anymore."

Cassie made an impressed noise when the car pulled up. "My goodness, the V-I-P treatment." She slid into the back seat, buckled in, and sat with her knees together and her hands folded neatly on her lap.

"Well..." She looked out the window while she took a moment to think. "I guess... One way or another, since Dark Angel. But since I got back after going home after all that, things just haven't really clicked. It's been a gradual thing, I guess..."

"Nnn... Cassie-chan." Akashi said with a frown and patted Cassie's leg. "I really wanted to see you succeed in the AFW. I know circumstances can be tough, but I honesty thought you were on the right track. You're certainly skilled enough..." Akashi said.

"Honestly, I'm kind of sad you and I never got to mix it up... I mean, officially, you know?" Akashi said as though she'd give it some thought. She had, a bit.

Cassie frowned. That wasn't really the topic of conversation she was hoping for. "I think I'm pretty realistic about things," she said reasonably. "You have to be, if you want to improve. I haven't met anyone in AFW that is really on my level with submission grappling, but pro wrestling is so not just about submission grappling. The match against Kelly..."

She closed her mouth tight. She didn't want to talk about that match.

"Besides, you'd kill me," she said with a smile.

Akashi shook her head. "I'm confident in my victory, naturally, but I don't think there's a girl out there I can't beat. I just think that in a match, where neither one of us were holding back at all, it could be thrilling."

Akashi lowered her head again. "Cassie-chan..." She said. "Your words make me both happy and sad. You just may be your own worst enemy, Cassie-chan..."

Akashi was about to speak when the car rolled to a stop. Akashi put her grin back on flung the door open. "We're here! Kind of!" She said and hopped around and opened Cassie's door.

They had pulled up to what was clearly a bar and Akashi had a mischievous grin on her face.

"In a sense, sure. Briefly."

The descent of Cassie's head from up in the air to down on the mat when Akashi inevitably powerbombed her into a coma would be thrilling, in entirely the wrong way.

She stepped out of the car and blinked at the lighted signs facing her, and then cocked her eyes at the sumo. "Akashi..." She chided. There weren't many things Akashi could have been planning.

"No." Akashi said simply and tugged Cassie into the bar. "This isn't it." She began as she pulled Cassie to a stool and ordered two shots of sake. "But if this was it, you'd still have to do it or else you couldn't go home. I just think you'll need some liquid courage for the next part. Or, I might." She said and slid a shot over to Cassie.

"Just be thankful it's not something like "do me" Akashi said almost casually as she raised her glass. "I love you with all my heart, Cassie Elliot. Kanpai!"

Akashi downed the shot in one gulp.

"Okaaay..."

Cassie remained suspicious on her way inside the bar, and she glanced around cautiously. She hopped up onto a stool and reluctantly took the sake. She was no good with alcohol.

Nevertheless, she raised it to her lips and tipped it back, and it took several swallows to get it all down while Cassie made a face. "Bleh..." She shook her head. "There. My courage is overflowing."

"Yatta!"

Akashi slapped Cassie's back and giggled. "Good. Good." Akashi said and ordered two more shots. She gulped one down and stared at Cassie. "One more... Just to make sure. Trust me, Cassie-chan." Akashi said with rosy cheeks. "If you don't, I will." Akashi giggled again. "Oh, you're doing so great! This makes me so happy!"

Her lips drooped. "I'm not trying to get you drunk though, I promise. Hurry! Hurry! Just drink it so we can go!" Akashi said, pulling some yen fromher boobs and slapping it down on the bar before she tugged at Cassie to pull her along, drink or no drink.

"More!?" Cassie's eyes widened incredulously.

Still, she took the second shot in her hands, cradling it between them, and raised it to her lips. After a moment of trepidation, she swallowed hard and downed the shot. That one went down quicker, but burned even worse. She felt a little woozy.

"Oh...kay. You got me. So much courage. What's next?" She asked as she tripped along behind Akashi.

Akashi nodded in approval as Cassie took the second shot like a champ. She then tugged Cassie along and waved at her driver as they strolled down the sidewalk hand in hand.

Akashi continued to grin. After a minute of walking, Akashi stopped. "Here we are." She said and looked into the window of the store. Inside was a stoic looking Yakuza type with his shirt off. Next to him was a girl with short messy hair and surgical gloves, poking the tough's arm with a needle as she touched up the guy's impressive sleeve tattoo.