A Rose Blooms Twice~

As the imperialistic music rekindled dreaded memory's in everyone's subconscious, the golden-curled patrician herself would saunter out from behind the curtain in her cobalt blue dress suit ensemble. Surrounded on all sides by her ever so handy entourage of jumpsuit clad trainers and personnel, Gwen would traipse down the ramp with a commanding and authoritarian stride to her elegant steps. Neglecting to acknowledge any of the intensely booing audience members as she entered the ring with her mic already in her gloved hand, the antagonized crowd none too pleased with what the opening segment of the show turned out to be. A noticeable glower was across Gwen's face once she was in the middle of the ring, several seconds of foreboding silence passing once her theme faded away before she raised the mic to her mouth...

"...Approximately...one year ago today...I stood atop that very ramp...and humbly introduced myself towards your then Entropy champion, Haley Cote. And...through some manner sheer of happenstance that I assuredly had no way of predicting...was gifted with an opportunity of a lifetime. And thus set into motion a course of events that would herald one of the most illustrious title reigns ever to grace this sullen, despondent federation~..." Gwendolyn wistfully mused with a melancholic tone, extending her arm towards the heavens in a sweeping motion to emphasize her point.

"Alas...The higher you ascend towards that transcendent mountaintop, the more fierce those blistering winds become. The more fervently your detractors strive to unseat you from your throne and drag you back down to their level, down into the depths of their mediocrity. Such was my tragic case...when I was unjustly hounded and vilified by certain reprehensible reprobates whom I've seen gallivanting around as the supposed "conquering heroes"..." Gwen included exaggerated air quotes and a sarcastic inflection on that last part and proceeding diatribe.

"Yes...Julia Rogers and Alaina Sanders. Demonstrating such fearlessness and strength of character when they blindsided me, took turns pummeling your beloved heiress, and in the end needed to simultaneously pin me to the ground to secure their honorable victory. And where are they now?...Why, they're squabbling amongst themselves over who has claim to my title belt...Like bickering invaders who have laid waste to an illustrious empire and are now desperately attempting to lay claim to it's treasured remains. These, fitting representatives of that ineptly led dojo,...are your heroes, ladies and gentlemen. What say we give them a stirring ovation for their truly virtuous actions~..." After proceeding to daintily clap her hands together in faux applause, the heiress would tilt her head with a befuddled look on her face as she scanned the vast audience who were either booing heartily or remaining stone-lipped silent.

"Hmm?...Why, have I touched a nerve?...Have I misspoken?...Or perhaps my words are revealing an uncomfortable truth. That those classless individuals have succeeded only in proving my point since the very beginning. That...on their own...they quite simply, do not compare to one such as myself~...That they are woefully inept poseurs under incompetent tutelage who are all gifted rematches from a clearly biased General Manager...But...since they smile and wave and clap your little hands on their way down the ramp, you blindly cheer like so much...baying...sheep~..." Gwen's final comment would be the last straw for the formerly tight-lipped members of the crowd, an entire arena now booing and hollering their lungs out. Her blissful smile only riling them up even further.

"But...I digress~...I have come before you this day to set all your minds at ease. For you see... I will not allow such a travesty to be the bitter tune to my swan song in this league! This chapter of my life will not reach it's bookend until I say it does!! Like a blazing phoenix rising from the ashes in it's glorious rebirth, I will reemerge undeterred and ascend that mountain once again!!! And for all of you poor, unfortunate souls out there who are in desperate need of a shining beacon to enlighten your dreary lives...I will continue to outshine and outclass all others in this federation with my refined technique and heavenly grace...Because...title belt or not...I am still...simply...superior~..." Taking a few steps back towards the middle of the ring upon concluding her grandiose address, Gwen would delicately grip the sides of her blue dress for a picturesque curtsy towards the ravenous audience. The majority of which were one more word away from pelting the ring with whatever was in their hands at the moment.

Akiha was now in her locker room doing some paperwork. With her were her two maids who were helping with the paperwork while also watching AFW, to see what was going on. The raven hair Japanese girl then heard a theme and took a moment to look at the TV. It was Gwendolyn, a very infamous and well know wrestler but not for the right reasons. Like Akiha she was rich, in fact probably even had more money than the Japanese girl. In fact, it was because of these reasons Akiha saw her as a threat as both of them appealed to the same kind of a crowd and the raven hair didn't want to be seen as a weaker version of the blond foreigner. Thus, seeing her return was a bit disheartening for Akiha.

For now she would simply watch the TV and see what was going on. Gwendolyn was now going on a massive speech about how she was lost her title belt and how it took two wrestlers to beat her. Yet Akiha simply laughed at that, it served her right. She had watched the former champion use her henchmen to win match after match, so it was finally about time she got a taste of her own medicine. Though Akiha herself was a cheater, she had a code of conduct and made sure she always won on her own, be it cheating or legit means and never used outside help.

Yet all this talk about a title belt gave Akiha an idea. If she could defeat Gwendolyn in a match, then her chances of being selected for the Entropy title match would increase. Yet she would need to act fast as she knew someone else would probably target her. “Kohaku, Hisui, let's go, I am going to need you.” stated Akiha as she then exited the locker room before making her way to the staging area and telling the crew to get ready.

Suddenly her theme song played as Akiha step out though her maids stayed out of sight. The audience was confused by what had just happened as Akiha held a mic in her hand. “Gwendolyn, here you are, complaining about how two wrestlers teamed up against you to steal your title belt. Yet isn't that a bit hypocritical as you are constantly using your own henchmen to win matches.” said the Japanese wrestler as the crowd then began to cheer for her. A smirk appeared on the raven girl face as she rarely ever heard the crowd cheered for her, so she decided to enjoy the moment.

“I am curious, though, how well can you fight when the odds are suddenly even.” stated Akiha as her two maids then step onto the ramp where Akiha was. The crowd when then cheer even more, now happy to see that someone could actually fight Gwen at her own level. “So what do you say, how about me and you do a match. We can show everyone here how the upper class does battle.” stated the raven hair wrestler as she lowered her mic and waited for the former champion to respond. The crowd was now going crazy for Akiha and cheering her on despite the fact that a few nights ago they were booing her.

There had been a rather rousing round of applause from Gwendolyn's chronies once the heiress finished her speech. Indeed Yayoi had dutifully clapped along with Gwendolyn and nodded along with every word. Yayoi had been able to remain by her Maîtresse's side as Gwendolyn spun her rather sympathetic and endearing tale. While the rest of Gwendolyn's flock remained outside of the ring in case of intrusion, Yayoi was the last line of defense. She was Gwendolyn's shield, she was her bulletproof vest. She was the one who would take the bullet so Gwendolyn could escape if things got too out of control.

However, as she listened, she didn't understand how these cretins could boo someone who had the deck so obviously stacked against her. Perhaps they were jealous of her wealth and would find a way to boo her despite her radiance. However, despite all that, someone dared to intrude on Gwendolyn's rather tasteful lamentations and declarations and Yayoi's eyes narrowed at Akiha ever so slightly. She knew who the girl was, an up and coming girl who had fared pretty well in her short career. She had not thought the girl was one that Gwendolyn even needed to bother to gaze upon though, let alone entertain the thought of having a match with.

However, her eyes shifted to the two maids who flanked Akiha and Yayoi shook her head. It was, pretty disgraceful to the young lackey to see them there. Akiha's words would have made her scoff audibly if it wasn't for her ability to keep herself from distracting Gwendolyn. Once the girl was finished, Yayoi gave a small tug on Gwendolyn's sleeve.

"Maîtresse, that is Akiha Kosha. Remembering her name isn't important." She said simply. "Neither is talking to her. Please allow me to correct the record of this slanderous nobody." Yayoi then took the microphone she was holding for Gwendolyn and stepped forward, looking at Akiha and then at her maids.

"Excuse me." She said. "I think you're making a mistake. You are quite wrong in your use of the word henchmen on so many levels that Ms. Dupont Bettencourt does not have the patience to even allow me to correct every last mistake you've made. Ms. Dupont Bettencourt does not require anyone's assistance to do anything. Such a statement is quite slanderous in and of itself but quite forgivable when naivety is taken into account. However, were she to employ the services of her dutiful staff, it would be no different than throwing a punch or a kick, as we are not merely paid help. We do much more than dust and fold laundry." Yayoi said, eyeing the maids. "It is our job to act as extensions of Ms. Dupont Bettencourt. We do not just follow orders. It is our duty to anticipate the needs of our Maîtresse before even she herself knows it is her desire." Yayoi lowered her head. "We are instinctive, in the same way that Ms. Dupont Bettencourt's own perfectly hued and glorious body is." Yayoi was a tool. She knew that very well and wore the word like  badge of honor. However, she was not JUST a tool, she was finely honed and always perfect for the job that she was assigned to. She quickly glanced back at the other lackeys who nodded in fervent agreement before she looked up at Gwendolyn in hopes of attaining her Maîtresse's approval as well. She was bold for taking charge, but it proved her point quite well.

Upon concluding her impassioned return address, Gwendolyn remained center stage with a beaming smirk as she allowed the gravitas of the moment to wash over her. Her commanding presence and unparalleled knack for the vernacular were the cornerstones of her imperious leadership. Skills that were honed since childhood to challenge the perception of the lesser minded, the overwhelming boos raining down upon her proof positive that the she had struck a chord with them. That she had unveiled the ugly truth behind her Entropy title loss for all to bear witness, and in their unwillingness to accept that truth, had resorted to the most basest of knee jerk reactions...

However, in a rather curious reversal of positions between herself and Haley since last year, Gwendolyn was now the one intruded upon by a lone fellow aristocrat. Her hazel-eyed gaze unwavering on her raven haired interrupter even while her eternally dependable assistant Yayoi tugged at her arm and informed her as to whom this newcomer was. Her arms folded as she willfully played the spectator as Yayoi took it upon herself to speak on her illustrious leader's behalf. Bearing witness to her assistant audaciously taking the initiative filled her with a sense of motherly pride. The bespectacled subordinate had truly blossomed under her divine tutelage, as if growing wings of her own after being shielded within Gwendolyn's seraphim embrace~...

The heiress would stroll beside Yayoi once both sides of the argument had said their peace. "S'il vous plaît, permettez-moi de gérer cela, mon cher Yayoi~..." Gwen's whispered words would be accompanied by the faintest touch of her dainty hand across Yayoi's rosy cheeks, then gently gliding down to take the mic from Yayoi. Afterward returning her attention back towards the fellow aristocrat with a grand flourish and beaming smile.

"...Well, I hardly need to add anything further, do I?...Though I earnestly hope you were dutifully paying attention, Madam Kosha. Such an eloquently spoken profession serves to demonstrate the unparalleled level of devotion I have earned from my cherished associates. These devout followers you see before you...whom have willingly sought guidance and refuge in my transcendent guardianship...they are as undeniably precious to me...as my own kin~..." Gwen would take a moment to herself as she closed her eyes and held a hand to her chest, an audible lump in her throat as if being swept up in her own emotions. Her overly dramatic heavy heart would water the eyes of her deeply moved entourage, now sniffling and holding back tears of their own. "...whereas your...*giggle*...maids, seem about as dispensable as any throw away, low level, menial layabouts. As supposedly a fellow lady of upper class and sophistication, I'm ever so certain you can comprehend the differences in not only leadership caliber...but fighting capabilities~...between us."

Gwen's perky demeanor would darken slightly as she uttered her next words, an ominous infection to her velvety voice."If you can acknowledge such disparaties, are you still so confident in your challenge? I'm sure you have fought your share of inconsequential battles with the random riffraff in this federation...but I, Madam Kosha, have waged wars in this very ring. I assure you, there is no shame in withdrawing your ill-advised and unwarranted provocation. The exit is just there to your right, by the way~..."

Akiha simply smiled as she heard everything that was being said.  “I had hoped you had a bit of a more refined eye, but I guess while you westerns enjoy quantity, while we here in Japan tend to enjoy quality.  For example, have any of your so-called “kin” every done their own match, much less win one?  Because mine have actually done and won a match, without any help.  It seems, that you and your kin are just a bunch of bullies, who don't have their own strength and have to rely on numbers.  I mean you can keep on making excuses and throw words but in the end everyone knows that your so-called kin are just henchmen.  Isn't that right?” stated Akiha as she then point her mic to the crowd.  The audience would agree with Akiha by chanting the word “henchmen” over and over again.

“You see, everyone knows it but if you wish for me not to call them henchmen, you need only to ask me, I am not unreasonable.  There is no need to make such a huge issue over such a trivial thing.  As the saying goes, action speaks louder than words.” said Akiha as she took a moment to defend her own maids.  It felt good to have the crowd backing her up for once.  “As for you waging wars, I guess that is true, I mean you do seem to have an army behind you who fight them for you.  Sure I have fought battles and not wars but those battles I have always fought and won on my own.  Oh and let's not forget which one of us is going to Avalanche for the finals in a tournament, me, not you.  Not to mention I actually had two different spots in Avalanche, though I had to drop one least I get too greedy.” stated Akiha as she decided to hit Gwen with a low blow.  She knew that European wrestler was supposed to go to Avalanche originally but due to some decisions by the upper staff, she had lost her title and thus her spot in Avalanche.

“So I shall not be withdrawing by my own terms.  That being said, if you do not wish to do battle with me, I shall not force it.  Just tell me to leave and I shall be away.  That being said, if you now wish to do battle or war, then let us set down the ground rules or if you wish lack of rules.” said Akiha as she then gave Gwen a chance to talk.  If Gwen decided to send Akiha away, it would make her look like a coward and pragmatical prove that Akiha was right about her.

Gwendolyn daintily tapped her index finger on her cheek as Akiha appeared to have an obnoxiously clever counter argument for every expertly crafted point she had made, briefly musing with a sly grin if this scenario was what it was like for Ace last year. Nevertheless, having someone worthy of contending with her verbal jousts was an intriguing turn of events.

"Oh my~...well aren't you the brash hopeful rocketing her way up the ranks? A spirited fledgling so proud of her very first Avalanche and grande finale of a harrowing tournament. I do hope you'll forgive me if I'm not fully aware of the particulars of your engagement in this tournament. I was ever so busy BEING ENTROPY CHAMPION...to care for whatever menial trifles were occurring beneath my notice. But still, do enjoy the thrill of your first Avalanche, Madam Kosha. Regretfully, after having already reigned victorious at such an event, I truthfully have no need to repeat the process this year unless something had truly piqued my interest. This year, it appears you're the lady of privilege with something to prove. So...*giggle*...have fun with all that~..." After Gwens ominous warning of the joyful events to come at Akiha's first pay-per-view, the heiress speaking from experience in this matter, she would saunter next to Yayoi and stand shoulder to shoulder with her.

"However...it seems whatever disagreements we had have indeed gone beyond mere words now. You've thrown down more than just the gauntlet, Madam Kosha. Mayhaps the entire suit of armor has been cast at my feet. Whatever manner by which we settle our differences, it now seems only fitting to actively include our trusted subordinates in the proceedings as well. To prove without a shadow of a doubt who commands the more competent followers, and whose are more capable of assisting their leader when called upon. I'd wager...a lumberjack match would suit our needs quite nicely~..." Gwen would pause briefly to allow the audience time to get the cheers out of their system from the announcement of the match type, the heiress then turning to her side as she addressed her faithful bespectacled assistant.

"But what say we allow our subordinates an opportunity to weigh in on this. What say you, my closest compatriot Yayoi? Madam Kosha, with her slanderous remarks about the caliber of assistants at my beck and call, doesn't seem quite as convinced with your earlier plea as I was. Have my lowly western eyes indeed chosen poorly towards those I keep at my side~...?" Gwen pondered before offering Yayoi her microphone back to respond justly to Akiha.

Yayoi waited dutifully at her Maîtresse's side while Gwendolyn and Akiha tried to decide who was more rich and who was less cheaty. It didn't make a difference to Yayoi. Primol group paid her salary and Gwendolyn was very good to her. Her job was to be loyal and she was very good at what she did and she definitely would not be outdone by a couple of glorified chimney sweeps.

When Yayoi was handed back the microphone, she bowed politely. "Thank you Maîtresse." She said and then turned to look at the two maids, eyeing them carefully. "Her argument is flawed, Maîtresse. She bases their skill on the fact that they have won in the ring on their own. However, anyone could acheive victory in this ring. Surely neither of them faced the caliber of opponent you have been facing and besting since your illustrious career began. I am certain a carful inspection of the record would prove enough. I would not be surprised if the matches were of a much more illicit nature considering the sort of reputation wrestling maids have in this league."

Yayoi smiled at her own insinuation and then looked back to Gwendolyn briefly. "All of that is moot anyway. Since we are your arms and legs, your eyes and ears, your victories are our victories. In that respect, we are far more experienced."

Yayoi then looked back at the maids. "However, if this were a laundry folding competition, I daresay we may be outclassed, Maîtresse."

Akiha simply kept a smile on her face as she heard all of Gwen words, who talk about how she was a champion and how she had done all these great things and that everything Akiha was doing was nothing compared to hers.  “Here is the difference between you and me.  You're walking the same path that many others have taken.  I mean how many people have won and lost the Entropy title but me, I am going to win a tournament that has never been done before in AFW.  So feel free to keep repeating history while I create it.” said Akiha in response to Gwen comments.

Gwen then began to talk about a possible lumberjack match.  Something like that would probably favor Gwendolyn, but that would just make Akiha victory over her even better.  “If you want I can throw a second suit of armour or a third.  We both can afford to do so.  Being serious, though, I do feel a lumberjack match does fit.” said Akiha as she made a small joke about their wealth before then hearing how she wanted their subordinates thoughts on this.  Thus, Akiha would pass her mic to Kohaku while she listened to what Yayoi had to say.

After hearing what Yayoi had to say, Kohaku decided to finally respond.  “You know what we call people like you who let others people do all the heavy lifting and then try to claim it as their own?  Parasites... or leeches, take your pick.  My sister and I here don't need to leech off Akiha to claim experience.” stated Kohaku as she felt she didn't need to say much.  The crowd would then agree with her by chanting 'Leech' over and over again.

Akiha then took the mic again.  “Gwen, I do love having a conversation with you, but I think the people here came to see a match in psychical wrestling, not a verbal one.  Also, if we are going to have a lumberjack match, let us have one that is fit for both of us.  Instead of chairs, ladders and tables, why don't we use something more refined like say silver platters, wine bottles and painted portraits.  I know the other wrestlers you face could not afford such items, but you and I can.  So what say you, do you accept these terms for our lumberjack match?” ask the raven hair wrestler as she then waited for Gwendolyn to respond back.

With Yayoi and Akiha's maids exchanging quipped barbs between each other, the heiress intended for their interaction to incite her entourage towards rallying even further behind their cause. The prospect of a fellow aristocrat bringing perhaps the same manner of resources and tactics towards this engagement meant that their match could inevitably come down to whose followers showed the greater resolve towards their benevolent employer's victory. Gwen raised an eyebrow to Akiha's added stipulation, but as she pondered on the suggestion it ultimately grew on her with every second. She would then daintily grasp the mic back from Yayoi to respond.

"Well, who am I to refuse such an apropos setting for our fateful rendezvous? Two upper-class ladies of refined sophistication, setting aside all niceties for a dazzling clash of civilized combat, all whilst surrounded by fluttering rose petals and the lavish luxuries that serve to highlight their own elegance in comparison~..." Gwen poetically mused with an exaggerated sweeping motion of her hand around the ring. Eventually settling back down with a clearing of her throat and returning her attention back to Akiha, her flair for the dramatic occasionally getting the better of her.

"...*ahem*...but yes, I humbly agree to those terms. I must say though, I too have enjoyed this delightfully witty repartee, Madam Kosha. And so few of my woefully misguided challengers can claim to be from the same world of civilized etiquette and affluence as myself. Though despite our similarities, I fear this match will highlight even more of those supposed differences you previously mentioned. Differences in skill...differences in cunning...differences in leadership capabilities...all laid bare for the world to witness once I am the one left standing with my boot atop that raven haired head of yours. My apologies, Madam Kosha, But I am the premier lady of divine nobility in this federation, and that is one title I will not relinquish so willingly as any Entropy Championship~..." Gwen lowered her mic and placed a hand on her curvy hip after a pompous flick of her extravagant golden curls, the stage having been set for Gwens illustrious comeback match.

Akiha would nod her head. It seemed that Gwen had accepted her terms before talking about how she was going to destroy the raven hair wrestler. “Gwen, enough with the bravado. Let us get this match prepared.” stated Akiha as she would then make her way to the backstage as Kohaku and Hisui quickly followed behind her. Soon afterwards, AFW would show up, getting the ring ready for the two to do battle later on the night.