Strangers in the Night

Carmen looked over the ring as they passed, appreciating the view from the balconey. While it was hardly anything unique by itself - Carmen’s gym had its own ring in it, and so did the one at the Tension dome - the idea of being able to train in relative privacy with some other wrestlers was intriguing. It would certainly be nice not to worry so much about being bothered by some idiot out to make trouble, like King.

She followed along, listening intently to Korra's story. ”Honestly? I’m a little jealous of you. I could never do that.” She slid her hand along the wall as they walked, taking care not to trip over anything in the pale light. ”Wrestling other women full time, I mean. I grew up boxing with other women, but the sort of wrestling that happens in Friction can be so...charged. Intimiate.” She shivered at the thought. ”I’m better about it now, but the first wrestling match I had against another woman two years ago did not go well.”

She left it at that, as they stopped in front of the Kawaii’s room. She didn’t have much interest in pint-sized wrestlers, but it did make her consider some questions. ”How many girls did you say were here, total? And how many of them are, you know…” She held up a hand to the top of head. ”...our size?”

Korra quirked a brow quizzically at Carmen's response to her story, almost unable to comprehend just what she was talking about. She hadn't had an official match in the Friction ring yet, but all of the girls in the beach bar were all pretty relaxed. Granted, none of them were "professional" wrestlers. It was either a summer job, or a way to pay off debts owed to a drug dealer or the government. Now she just hoped that her experiences around the house would prepare her for the arena and its personalities.

When the conversation moved on to the population of the house Korra found herself having to do a quick headcount. "Twelve so far. Maybe four or five our size or larger. A few come close, and Dru is just tall and curvy from what I've seen. A lotta jiggle on that girl." She winked playfully before continuing the tour leading Carmen back inside towards the dining room and kitchen which were both proportioned for a dozen athletic (and a few still growing) girls. "Now, how did you wind up here?" She stopped to ask the question, knowing the living room was bound to be occupied so their privacy was finite.

The ‘or larger’ comment piqued Carmen’s interest. She wasn’t a giant, but in her experience, most of the women in the AFW were a bit smaller than her, with only a handful at her size and even less of a handful bigger. Training with someone who actually outweighed her would be an interesting experience.

”Well,” She had a slight pause, as she gathered all the thoughts together. ”I was a boxer. Professionally.” She echoed Korra with a slight nod. ”It’s a legacy thing in my family. I did well with that, competed in the Olympics, made it to the number one contender spot in my division. Didn’t win either time, but I had a solid record all the way around...”

Her voice trailed off as the passed through the kitchen, with Carmen taking some real interest the equipment and everything they had. Cooking was a strong hobby of hers, and she was hot on the idea of doing it for a large group of hungry women.

She put that thought on the backburner and hurried after Korra, catching up and walking beside her. ”But I wanted a change of pace, try something new. And I wanted to prove that my fighting skills could handle anyone, show people how powerful women’s boxing could be. So I joined up with Tension.” She rubbed shoulders with Korra and blew over her neck. ”Then I met you.”

Korra waited at the door to the living room, one hand upon the frame, as she listened intently to Carmen's brief accounting of her history. Although their paths were very different she could feel some familiar threads that tied them both together. There was a need to prove oneself and to move beyond what they were before. A warm smile spread across Korra's dusky lips which turned into a playful giggle at the breath against her neck. Instinctively she placed her hands upon Carmen's hips and leaned in close to her until their bodies touched. "I'm glad we met.." She whispered the words into her lover's ear before brushing her cheek with a soft kiss. With that she would slip away and push open the door to the next room.

The living room was large, having once been a function hall, appointed with a large television on one wall and an assortment of sofas, arm chairs, and beanbags scattered about for the viewers. Stretched out on the couch was a bleach blonde American in nothing but an oversized Misfits tee shirt and rainbow striped panties which the shirt only partially covered. A small girl of middle eastern descent was sitting in one of the chairs with her bare legs dangling over the arms; and a tall, curvy brunette with a freckled face sat upon the floor with her back against the American's sofa, she wore flannel pajamas that stretched across her breasts and showed an indecent amount of cleavage.

On the television was a Korean horror film which they watched without subtitles. Not that any of them spoke Korean, but rather they made a hobby of guessing at what was happening in the story.

Carmen was actually surprised by that response. While there was undoubtedly an element of lust, it seemed like there was a bit more to it than raw attraction, as if she really understood where Carmen was coming from. It was only a hint, of course, but it made her curious about a few things. Namely, what Korra could do in a more serious fight, how she’d make as a serious opponent in a full-on match.

She’d keep that thought in the back of her mind. The next morning was going to be an interesting one. ”Likewise.” Carmen ran her hand over the curve of Korra’s waist, gently sliding it over, before her lover moved on and she followed behind.

As they came into the new room, Carmen’s attention instantly centered on the beach blonde - she looked oddly familiar, from something she’d seen on Friction, though she was having some trouble bringing up an exact memory. Something to do with interviews, if she had to guess. The other two didn’t quite tip the radar, though that really just meant Carmen needed to dig deeper into the AFW’s massive roster.

At any rate, they were an impressive set of beauties, and it was nice to see three girls in the AFW who actually got along well enough to be in the same room. No drama, no fighting, just enjoying a night together. Carmen could do with more like that in her life.

”Interesting way to spend a night.” Carmen whispered to Korra with a little chuckle on top, not wanting to disturb their evening if she could help it. ”This a regular thing? Looks fun.”

Korra lead the way into the living room and with a giggle introduced her new friend to some of the house's residents with no concern for interrupting their fun. "Yeah, it started cause not all of the girls speak Japanese so local TV was kind of a loss. So we started having some fun with the language barrier. Anyhow," She points to the slender blonde on the couch, "That's Anne. The Aussie with the big tits is Dru, and the one in the one in the armchair is Lamb- Lamya." She quickly corrected herself on the Kuwaiti's nickname. "Girls, this is Carmen."

The trio replied, each in turn: "Hey." "G'day, love." "Pleasure to meet you, miss."

Of the three only Dru looked to be even close to their size, but it was plain to see that she was tall and curvy, but lacking in the conditioning required to hold up in a real fight.

Carmen could definitely relate to that - she’d never watched Youtube and Netflix more in her life than the first few months she’d spent in Japan.

”Hola.” Carmen gave them each a nod and a smile, looking them over. Not exactly top competitive material, but she couldn’t blame Lily for keeping her stable well-rounded. ”Nice meeting you all. Thinking about joining the stable, Korra’s just showing me around, and…”

Carmen paused for a moment, as one of the names sunk. She’d never seen her matches, but the name ‘Anne’ was one she recognized from Tension programs. She pointed towards the blond with a raised eyebrow. ”Are you the same Anne that’s fought King a bunch of times?” Maybe a rough subject, given how King’s matches typically went, but it was bound to come up eventually.

Korra opened her mouth to add her two cents to the introductions, but then Carmen had a moment of revelation. As soon as King's name came up the response was immediate. Lamya covered her mouth with a hand to suppress a giggle as Anne flopped dramatically backwards onto the couch with a loud sigh. "Yeah, yeah, that's me. Think I've spent more time upside down in that ring than I have on my own feet." There was a lightness to her tone that suggested that she was trying to take her failures in stride, but it still stung her pride.

Dru reached up to mat Anne's leg affectionately, "It's alright, dove, you still did better than my match with him. Over before it started it was."

Carmen shared in Dru’s sympathy - she’d never been in the exact same position, but she knew what it was like to come up short over and over again. Before she’d joined the official boxing ranks, she’d taken her fair share of lumps in smaller bouts. And the halls of Tension were filled with women who’d come up short against that pig of a man-beast.

”You keep getting back up, no matter how many times he puts you down. That’s good fire, I like that.” Carmen folded her arms and looked Anne over. She was a small thing, but she had some spirit, reminded Carmen a lot of the girls she trained back at her own gym. That sort of attitude could go a long way, if she wanted it to.

”Took King down, once. He’s tough, but it’s doable.” She rolled her shoulders, getting the kinks out and maybe showing her form off. Just a tad. ”Maybe we can train together sometime, I can show you a few things. Up to you.”

Anne would shrug indifferently, still too "cool" and proud to ask for help. With that she would turn her head and go back to watching the television without another word to Carmen. Lamya, the short and curvy Kuwaiti across the armchair, would look back to the Latina with a warm smile. "You must excuse, Anne, she forgot to pack her manners when she flew out here. We would be happy for any assistance you can offer."

Dru would give Anne a chiding look which would go completely unnoticed before turning back to Carmen with a nervous smile. "So, I think I should show you the gym next. It's not exactly Planet Fitness, but saves us the trip into town." Tentatively she would reach out and take Carmen by the hand, not entirely sure holding hands was appropriate given the nature of their relationship.