Indomitable

Mikoto hoped that in this one subtle gesture and turn of phrase, Chris could understand it's implications. That, in Miko's eyes, she didn't need to keep putting herself through such utter torment for mistakes make in the past. Mistakes that anyone could have made in her position, and that her quest for redemption in this league ultimately wouldn't earn her the inner peace she sought after.

Miko winced slightly from assisting the Phenom back to her feet, still holding her hand even once she was vertical once more. "Then...I graciously accept. Thank you, Chris...Thank you......*sniff*......Thank you so much..." Miko's continued graciousness would start to be distorted by a growing lump in her throat, the priestess beginning to squint from the tears swelling up in her eyes. The implications of what this meant to her family were starting to hit home. Bringing her siblings back home, ensuring her shrine's stability for generations to come...it wasn't long before Miko embraced Chris and hugged her tightly around her waist, pressing the side of her face against Chris's abundant chest where tears of joy started dotting her suit.

"...*sniff*...I know you feel you have to do this alone, but I want you to consider me an ally in all this. Someone...*sniff*...someone you can fall back on, alright? I...I consider myself somewhat of an expert at shouldering heavy burdens alone...but...this...this...doesn't have to be one of those times, alright?" Miko uttered in between bawling her eyes out in the heartfelt hug.

Chris let out a slight gasp as Mikoto threw her arms around her, hugging her. Before she knew it, tears were welling up in her own eyes, despite her usually calm demeanor. Her good arm came up, wrapping around the priestess's shoulders in a warm, if slightly awkward hug.

"I...thank you Mikoto. When I came back...I thought I'd be alone here. I'm so glad I turned out to be wrong. If there is anything I can do, for you, the shrine, your family....anything let me know, okay?" she replied through some sniffling.

Mikoto took a moment to reflect on just how incredibly far things have changed since first encountering Chris Morgan. From outright condemning her for supposed nefarious acts in the middle of a ring to embracing her as a cherished friend in the middle of her home. To say things had come full circle would probably have been a gross understatement, but for now Miko couldn't have been more thrilled to have been so wrong about her initial misconception on who Chris Morgan was.

"I kinda think you've done more than enough for me, but I'll gladly take that into consideration. And I want you to consider this place like a second home, alright? You're always welcome to stay here..." Miko calmly stated in the heartfelt hug before backpedaling with a slightly embarrassed expression on her face. She was certainly not accustomed to being that up front with her emotions, and it took her a few seconds of polite primping up before resuming her cordial demeanor. Though with her eyes still somewhat watery and with a beaming smile on her face.

"Would you like to stay for dinner? I'm sure my mother would love to meet you...if she's awoken from her nap that is..."

After Mikoto pulled away from their embrace, Chris took a moment to wipe the back of her hand across her watery tear filled eyes and did her best to compose herself by taking a steadying, deep breath.

When the priestess invited her to dinner, Chris felt the urge to say no, a fear of social situations welling up in her mind. After all, after the Wrestle Angels collapsed everywhere Chris in Japan had went had drawn angry glares and harsh words from both people she knew and strangers. But, she pushed it aside. Part of her reasoned that she would need to be on hand to help explain the offer to fund the shrine if Mikoto told her mother. But if she was being honest with herself, Chris was feeling somewhat lonely these days. Since her injury she had basically shut herself in her apartment, with her only company being red wine, sake, and whiskey. She was doing nothing but staring at photos of her and Risako in older, better days and then wallowing in the rage and and sadness they brought. Normally, her training regiment kept this at a minimum by keeping her too busy and then too exhausted to think about it. Now with nothing to dowhile away the hours, it was all she did. The only thing that broke that routine was when that check arrived, reminding Chris of her plan to help Mikoto. As tempting as it was to return to her seclusion now that it looked that her mission was done, Chris decided to stay and take Mikoto up on her offer, grateful for the distraction that sharing a meal with company would provide. Not that she would admit her loneliness to anyone but herself, of course.

"I'd be delighted to, as long as I'm not, you know, imposing on you and yours family." she replied with a smile.