Frenemies

For some, friends were simply not needed within the halls of AFW. Just like any other job, many would clock in, complete what was required, and clock out. You did not need a filled contact book of friends or rivals to succeed within the squared circle. Diana Accera knew that better than most. She was never in the business of going out of her way to make friends to begin with; the curses of her personal life only increasing this trait more so. Yet despite this, the fierce Italian had recently found herself in the possession of both women she respected, and women she wanted to know. Bar meetings gained her one, the squared circle itself gained her another. Even pegging herself toe-to-toe with an outright newcomer gained Diana someone she wouldn't hesitate to call a friend in the future.

There was one woman however, that was anything but a friend. No, not Bomber Kishima. Kishima was a unique individual to Diana; the Italian outright respected the Lariat Queen and everything she did in the squared circle. Outside of the ring however? She could see herself having a run in with the authorities over trying to finally take that smug look from her permanently.

Rather, today, Diana hoped to become friends with, or atleast bury the hatchet, with a much more recent and perhaps surprising woman of her life. Alaina Sanders had gained the Italians interest long ago at a mutual party; an interest that was peaked upon when the Italian saw it fit to track her down. A failed beauty contest and a impromptu spar later, and the two women were laid out flat thanks to the efforts of each others fists.

And yet, here Diana was, pressing the buzzer of Alaina Sander's house, dressed in perhaps her best set of casual clothes. This was no trick by the Italian to incite the former Entropy Champions wrath, nor force her into a rematch. For perhaps the first time in several months, the Italian's efforts were genuine.

As were the chocolates she held in one hand.

And the card in the other.

Alaina had just finished a workout and showered up, dressed in a pair of tight black jeans and an old Bon Jovi t-shirt. The sound of the doorbell echoed as the house sat unusually empty. No Peggy loudly cursing at a match on TV she was into. No Jesse hammering a punching bag.

Alaina was all alone, at least she was until now. The amazon yawned and got up, heading to the door with a bottle of water in her hand.

Alaina took a swig and opened the door. When she saw who it was she nearly choked on her water, coughing for a few seconds before she was able to speak. "W-what are you doing here?" Alaina asked, clearly in shock. The contents in Diana's hands left Alaina flat out dumbfounded.

Had she been in Alaina's shoes, she too would of been unnerved by the presence of such a figure, all things considered. The foundations of their relationship suggested that the two could maybe, at some point at least, become friends, but in the current place of things, it was likely Alaina expected a fight. Diana didn't intend to oblige of course. She genuinely wanted to somewhat bury the hatched with The Amazon.

Personalities aside, regardless, this was the sort of woman Diana was drawn to. Hell, she'd never admit it, but she considered knowing Alaina Sanders a privilege. She didn't actually believe there were wrestlers in AFW altogether that did not know the name Alaina Sanders. Fans of serious competition at least.

"Calm down Sandy Sanders" Diana smirked, nudging her way past the Amazon as she made her way in, ever the fan of a strong introduction.

"Thought you needed a pick-me up. Not everyday your clone knocks you flat on your ass in front of a arena full~"

Alaina raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms as Diana nudged her way in. She didn't seem to be looking for a fight. Alaina allowed her inside and followed behind her, not sure what was going on. "A pick me up? What the hell are you talking about?" Alaina asked shaking her head.

"I also recall you being knocked out just the same so why give me this special attention? I also don't think you are my clone even if we are pshycially very similar, our outlooks couldn't be more different.' Alaina added, feeling like Diana was indulging in the fact that she had in fact knocked Alaina out cold the last time they saw one another. The double KO count-out was a bit of a disappointment record-wise. But it was a nasty fight that the fans seemed to love.

"Oh don't be so hostile. I don't have to know you more than five minutes to know me dropping you on your ass stung more ways than one..." Sticking her tongue out at Alaina, Diana hoped that the Amazon didn't believe she was simply antagonising her. This was simply her idea of 'kindness.' It was hard to imagine why she had so few meak friends. Extending her finger as if to question if she was going the right way, a nod from Alaina would soon lead them both walking to the kitchen, where Diana put down her chocolates atop the counter.

Turning to face Alaina, she'd hand her 'clone' the card she had been holding, smug yet serious grin still gleaming.

"Here. No hard feelings."

Alaina listened and nodded as Diana pointed out the aftermath of the match. "Yeah I guess you are right. I knew you were good, but I just felt like I needed to win. I feel like that every time out. So all this losing and a draw really doesn't sit well with me. I came to be THE best, no questions asked. Instead I am not even great, I am just 'pretty good' which shouldn't be a bad thing, but it is." Alaina said with her hands on her hips, looking up at the ceiling at the end. She sighed and shook her head, her gaze returning to Daina after a moment.

Then... a gift? Alaina looked surprised and then looked back at Diana. "I... ah, thanks! That was unexpected."

Whilst it may have appeared that Diana brought the chocolates to match the gift, she really had only brought them as a compulsory side item. Such became apparent, as whilst Alaina was talking, she opened the box and grabbed a handful.

"Ohhh hush 'Laina. I spent my first two matches on my back, 'don't hear me complaining." Scoffing down a small fraction of the chocolates, she'd reach back behind her to pick the box up, somewhat shoving it in Alaina's hands.

"Besides, no one likes the ones who win all the time. Makes 'em think you've been playing handsie behind the curtains to make sure you get easy opponents. Plus it makes that next win all the sweeter."

Reaching into her jacket pocket, Diana would pull out the smallest bottle of water likely available; the only size available that would fit in those tiny pockets. After all, it was to early to be cracking open the whiskey.

"Anyway, open the card, open my card!" Diana's smirk grew, as Alaina would open up a custom card she had printed just for this moment, a rare motion of effort on the Italian's part.

On it, read some words Diana fully believed humourous, and hoped Alaina saw the humour too. After all, the contest she was jibing at mattered absolutely squat to the Italian.

Alaina:

Diana made a valid point. When Alaina won a big match again it was going to be sweet. So sweet she would win over and over, not letting go of that feeling. Alaina smiled as she ate some chocolate, putting the box on the table.

Alaina looked at the card and raised an eyebrow, slowly starting to smile. "I think the crowd was for me, the judges for you and don't forget these bavies were proven to be stronger. " Alaina said with a wink as she jokingly flexed her arms.

"We are very even. Not mirror images,
but on an overall equal ground in that ring. Maybe we could do it again sometime?"

At this point, Diana leaned against the corner, bottle to hand still as she chuckled at the joke on her own card. One hand crossed at her waist, she'd smile a little as it seemed Alaina saw the humour too.

"Ehhhhh don't be blaming your monstrous loss on specifics!" She'd laugh, again not giving the slightest of actual care towards winning a beauty contest of all things.

"Mmm...Usually I don't get into rematches, sorta makes the first one seem a little pointless, like the loser can't bare losing." She'd stop herself for a moment, remembering how she briefly pestered Rebecca Tomko a small deal in order to get a rematch after losing to the giant. There was satisfaction towards the possibility of a second match where you would come out on Friction's largest figure after all.

"But I guess a draw is a sucky way to end things. Just don't expect another after this, unless this one goes to a draw too. We ain't doing a best of five or seven or some shit..." Putting her bottle to her lips, she laughed a little at the thought of fighting Alaina to the point where surprising one another would of been next to impossible.

Alaina nodded along and smiled at Diana. "You are right, but sometimes the fans really want to see two women face off more than once so if we give them what they are looking for then we can't possibly be wrong can we?" Alaina stated, her fan-friendly nature showing through.

Her smile widened ever more before she spoke up again. "Also, after the next matchup I can promise you that there will be no draw to speak of. There will be a definitive amazonian winner in her tiger print attire strutting around victoriously." She said confidently with a wink.