The Welcome Mats (for BrittanyW)

Crista Zhang mauled her practice bag with one last kick, catching it as it tried to bounce back. A few swings at an inanimate object was more than enough to get her warmed up for the "match" that was about to take place on the mats she had laid out in front of the bed of her, and she didn't want to end up tired (or sweaty, either) before the main event. She had looked up the man currently on his way (presumably) to her apartment, and he was certainly no featherweight. He looked to be a well-carved athlete, someone the brunette should not fight while sluggish. Exactly the kind of person Crista had hoped would answer her sort of-advertisement.

It had been straightforward enough. Looking for members of the AFW roster for a friendly competitive match and potentially some semi-competitive practice. Wanting to train against as many different wrestling styles as possible. No wrestling ring necessary; can wrestle in the arena gym on the mats or at my apartment. Marc Troyard, a Tension wrestler, had been the first to inquire. Somewhat...eagerly, yes, but Crista could deal with eager, after years with her vivacious volleyball partner. Once she had seen some highlights of Marc's old matches, she had decided to invite him to her apartment for a late evening match, once both of their schedules were clear for the day. Most of his highlights appeared to have been from male-on-male matches, but his experience in those matches would, in turn, expand her experiences.

And besides, she was having a hard time resting on her laurels whenever she didn't have an immediate opportunity to grapple with another warm body. She was developing quite an addiction to this sport, in heart and body, that was going beyond her desire to be the best. It made her wonder if she didn't need to find another hobby here in Japan, but she couldn't think of any way she wanted to spend her time lately that would eclipse wrestling. Crashing to the mats with someone. Getting tangled up in a battle of strength. Witnessing someone else's strength, or how they reacted to hers. It all made her bounce on her heels. 

She straightened the bottom half of her [gear] over her waistline and checked the clock. They had arranged to get together at 8:30, giving him plenty of time to show without being late. And enough for her to get restless. Accursed waiting. She should have told him to come at 8.

With an overly dramatic sigh that no one could hear, Crista stomped through her apartment in her bare feet, resisting the urge to pace as she moved from her bed, to the TV in the next room, past her laptop, and finally into the kitchen to glance out the window at the adjacent buildings, deciding none of the momentary distractions would tide her over until the grappling began.

She certainly needed another outlet; wrestling had her obsessed.

"8:10." He said as he checked his watch, just a few meters away from the place after he hopped off the bus. He knew that was early, especially since they decided to meet at 8:30. Marc just wanted to account the fact that he would have to change and the fact that he was really excited for this!

But with the former, he obviously didn't walk outside with his wrestling attire. That would have been awkward enough as he took the bus to Crista Zhang's apartment. Nah, he came with just normal clothes. His attire was in the bag that he had slung over his shoulder. Over the past few months that he had been here, Marc had been training his body, getting stronger, and it shows. He looked good. He felt good. And he had a smile on his face that no one would wipe off. Having a job like this would do that to you.

As a gentleman, he was one that was willing to help out a 'damsel in distress', and when he saw the advertisement that Crista posted, he thought why not? Marc didn't have any matches at the moment and he saw that as a win win. He get to tussle with a hot girl and she would be learning more and get better. She had the body for it, one thing that Marc kept note of, so she could go far if she had the right direction and build up her arsenal that matches with her strengths.

"Okay Marc. You're just going to help out and tussle. You're not there to have sex. Unless if she agrees to that. So be on your best behavior and keep your dick in your pants." Not that he was some sex-crazed monster but he did need to have that talk with his mind. Especially since he's going to someone's apartment for a semi/competitive match. Yes, the one time that he went to someone apartment did lead to sex (only after a hot as fuck hentai match) but this was different. Sure, never say never, but Marc is the type of person to respect their wishes. The fact that he would be rolling around and getting tangled with a girl like Crista was good enough for him already! No need to fuck this up.

Luckily for the brunette, Crista didn't have to wait long as he came close to the apartment. Checking that he was at the right place, he walked up to the door, pressing the buzzer to let her know that he's here. Scratching the back of his head, he checked the time again. 8:15. All the while he didn't notice Crista glancing out of the window waiting for her 'wrestling (partner) prince' to come and help scratch that itch.

Crista had just started to become unfortunately interested in the tiles on the kitchen floor and where her bare feet landed within the borders of those tiles, signaling her growing boredom, when a buzz sounded through the apartment. Her eyebrows lifted, and so did her eyes to the clock. If that was Marc (and wouldn't it be awkward if it wasn't), he was almost twenty minutes early. What a pleasant surprise. If he could be counted on for such expedience, Crista would want to set up matches with him more often.

Briskly she headed for the door, only taking a moment to glance behind her and ensure she had forgotten nothing that would be too distracting and offensive to a guest. Nope, all was where it should be, for the most part, and what she couldn't see she would have to assume was put away. Wouldn't do to have any frilly underwear lying around. Sent the wrong message.

Not wanting to open the door to any murderers (though she felt she had a good chance of taking one down), she leveled a dark eye over the peephole in the door. The man on the other side wasn't standing in a perfect position for her to study his features, but she saw enough to know that it was the man who matched the profile on AFW's website. He didn't look to be dressed for grappling, but she imagined that was the reason for the bag slung over his shoulder.

Pleased, Crista unlocked the door and swung it open.

Her first greeting was a generous smile. "Marc? Please, come in." She stepped aside so he could do so. "You're a few minutes early, but I'm already set up."

Now Crista got to look at him properly. Around her height, well-cut in his street clothes, handsome by most anyone's standards. Nicely groomed, which was always a plus with someone she was to be pressed against for the better part of an hour or so. If she sat by him on the subway, she would probably have figured him one out of a footballer or a wrestler. He certainly looked to be a threatening athlete.

She gestured at the bag on his shoulder. "You can use the bathroom or the bedroom to change."

"Hmmm...Nice neighborhood..." Thinking to himself as he waits for the lovely lady to let him in. Scratching the back of his head as he waited. He's pretty sure he had got the right address from what Crista had gave her. If it wasn't then that would have been a real embarrassing moment.  Not the first time that had happened either when he got a girl's address from a club, only to direct him to a old lady's apartment. Needless to say, that was one drunk College tale that Marc wishes to not happen again. But Crista seems like a nice girl and probably wouldn't have done that. However, you could never know these days....

Marc kept faith that she was trustworthy, and besides, that was in the past and the girl got her kicks. (and free drinks from him. Even a gentleman can be exploited...) This was the future. And he saw having a great time tussling with a beautiful partner. And once she opened the door, he get to see the beauty in person.

"SSSHHHHIIIIIIITTTTTTT!!!!" The mind giving the typical greeting when it sees a hot woman in front of him. This was a change though. The female opponents he was with were a lot more lithe than Crista. She definitely had an athlete's body, that he could certainly tell. And those legs. Holy Jumping Jesus, those legs of hers. He's no slouch when it comes to the body but even he knows they could crack a rib. Or five.

He gave his trademark smile as the bearded gentleman greeted the Asian. "Yep, that's me." He chuckled as he pointed at himself with his thumb. "And you look even better in person if I say so myself." She stepped aside and allowed him to pass though. Giving a nod, he came in, giving another glance at her body. She was really fit. And someone who could probably do well in the leagues of AFW.

Crista mentioned the two places that he could change in. The bedroom sounds tempting but he'd rather not want to be called a perv so in fear of that, he decided on the-"Bathroom would be just fine, thanks." He let the bag fall off his shoulders, his hand still on it. "Couldn't really walk around in my wrestler's uniform, now could I? Ehe. Although with what my fans are saying on social media, they probably want me to." He joked, something to lighten things up before the tussle. Certainly a social creature. "Anyways, I shouldn't be too long, Crista. Which is the bathroom?"

Friendly in person. Still eager, too. And complimentary, judging by his words and his eyes (not that she wasn't giving him the first meeting inspection, herself). But Crista could handle complimentary. A hand made it to her hip, since she figured if she was being appreciated, she might as well have the posture of a model, and her smile shifted into a muted smirk.

"Thank you. And your pictures do you justice." Not quite as dramatic a compliment, but one nonetheless, since the pictures and his obvious fitness level and skill were what had compelled her to agree to her inviting him for this, her first get-together with another of AFW's wrestlers outside of the ring or the gym.

Pleased that he agreed to get right to changing, Crista offered him an acknowledging "Good." Admittedly, what he mentioned about social media, Crista didn't know anything about. A small sinking feeling, one brought on by uncomfortable forgetfulness, hit her that pulled a bit of the mirth from her red lips.

Heavens, she probably needed to set up a social media account. It had never been a priority during her volleyball career, even if many fans had asked her to open an account (and post lots of pictures when she did). She had been too occupied with traveling, competitions, and practice. Wrestling was different, though, since the focus was all on her and her performance during matches. Fans would want to be able to follow her, wouldn't they? And she should try to keep up with current events, too. Such as whatever the fans were saying about Marc. She imagined it was something to do with how they liked him in his wrestling gear. Completely understandable. But, thoughts for later. In her ignorance, she only giggled a few times and nodded.

She jabbed a finger past the kitchen behind her at his question about the bathroom, before strolling to the back of the broad room that incorporated kitchen, dining, and living space. "Right through there at the end of the hallway. The mat's set up in here." The finger turned to point around the corner of the cased opening that led to her bedroom, where the mat lay stretched across the floor, as wide as an AFW ring, and bordered by the side of her bed, a futon, and plenty of open space so they didn't throw each other into any hard furniture. "We'll talk about what we want to do, exactly, once you're dressed."

Right to business, yes, but they were gathered here for one reason, and that was to wrestle. Any more frills, beyond the refreshments Crista had chilling in the fridge for later, would only get in the way.

The ex-volleyball player started rocking on her feet when he left to change, ready to get to the action on the mats. Oh, this would be a fantastic way to fill the gaps between matches if it went well.

Marc never lies when it comes to women. And all the girls of the AFW league have received his compliments all the time and has never said a bad word to them. Albeit, he did learn to tune it down just a tad bit. As he had learned, not all women are hopeless romantics. And compliments could only get you so far.

But he could never hide his appreciation of women, especially those that tussle and/or fight. And Crista had the body for an athlete. One that could be a threat if used properly. Marc smiled at her compliment. Sure, not as dramatic as Marc's but the bearded gentleman appreciate it when it is reciprocated. She's a nice girl.

Once Crista directed Marc to the right room, the bearded gentleman made his way towards the bathroom, giving a nod and a wave to signal his acknowledgement. He saw the mats that were set up, 'pretty cool' he would think. Probably as wide as the standard ring. Awesome. But anyways, he didn't want to delay the lady of what she was looking for, so he went to the bathroom to get changed.

Stripping himself off his normal clothes, he changed into his usual black shorts with a white thick line on the sides, looking like boxer shorts. He didn't bring anything else, not even the tape for his hands. He reckon he'll be alright. Topless and showing off his impressive physique. After checking his BO levels, he packed his stuff nicely (can't be walking around with creased clothing now, would ya?) before peeking out of the doorway, wondering where Crista might be. Just a moment before he left the bathroom, tying his shorts so that they don't fall of mid-tussle. Heading towards the edge of the mats. "Hey.
All done!"

Crista busied herself for the couple minutes that Marc spent in the bathroom, pushing a couple more pieces of smaller furniture further into a corner with her foot and deciding that one more pillow against the closest wall wouldn't hurt. What a disaster if one of them got hurt and couldn't compete in their real matches. Crista would be endlessly embarrassed if Marc was injured on her time and in her apartment, and she was certain that she would lose her mind of she was stuck sidelined for any amount of time.

She was too eager for the grappling for it to truly worry her, but...yes. Precautions were smart.

The bathroom door soon opened elsewhere in the apartment, and Crista strolled onto the mat as Marc rounded the corner. She inspected him, perhaps more scientifically than she had intended. But she found what she wanted. This was one man who did not skip leg day. Or chest or arms or any of it. Good. Those pictures hadn't been surgically photoshopped.

His words drew her eyes back to his face, and she smiled at him. Now she could allow herself to get excited. Time for some action.

Her excitement manifested as the shifting of her feet and rubbing of her hands while she spoke. "Alright, so... I was thinking we base this on points. The one thing we lack is a ref." She shrugged. That would have just been impractical and crowded. Besides, she didn't know any, nor did she know anyone in Tokyo well enough to call them up and ask them to sit and watch her wrestle for two hours.

"Every tap is a point, slams and throws are each a point, strikes that knock one of us down or off the mats. Is that fair?"

A gentleman should take care of his body. It is a temple as they would say.

No doubt that his well built body certainly had the ladies's eyes on it, well packaged of pure hunkness. He was more impressed of Crista's body, but he could allow himself to love his body.

And no, that doesn't make him vain when he does it occasionally.

It is a wonder that he hasn't been modeling before he would find himself in AFW. Well, only some amateur ones here and there but nothing professional. The AFW could help him with that if that was the path he wishes to take. But for now, being in a federation with some of the hottest and strongest of women was more than enough for this guy.

Everytime he inspected more of Crista's body, he finds more to be impressed about. From her head to her toes, she was very nice. He can't wait to roll around with her.

He noticed the Chinese woman rubbing her hands as he inspected her, Crista discussing the rules and what could be good for the two. There was no ref, which even Marc could agree they could do without. Gets in the way for him to know her more...if you get what he means.

But those ideas were good, evident by him nodding at that. "Yeah, that sounds about good." He would smile. "We could have like a time limit, just so we keep it controlled. Last thing I need is for us to keep going until we end up with a very serious injury and ending up in hospital. It honestly wouldn't sit well with my conscious if I did hurt you very badly." He said so not in a condescending way but of genuine concern for the safety of both Crista and him. He clapped his hands together. "So! I have two ideas for what we could do. We got all this time so we set a time limit. Winner is the one who has the most points at the end of the time limit. Like a Ironman-slash-woman match." He said rather enthusiastically, but still keeping professional. "Or, winner is the one who gets to a set number of points first. So first to 20 points, if you get what I mean." His hands parted as he gave a nice smile. "What do you think?"