A Friend in Need

Hiro already had issues with being touched in a social encounter. This was the third person to encroach upon her personal space. Unlike the noodly Nobu or the beefy tanned fellow from earlier she accidently busted up though, Dasher wasn't someone she could really rebuke without consequence. Swift, immediate, and more than likely career ending consequence. He didn't strike her as the sort to hand over a trespasser to the security team, not before breaking something vital. So she remained still, practically strapped to his side with a meaty arm around her.

She found herself giving large exaggerated nods along with Dasher's line of thought, trying to will her lie into a reality without having to open her mouth and say something to poke a hold in the story. She didn't know enough about the arena or Dasher to withstand a barrage of in-depth questioning so if he was willing to fill the gaps himself, she was all for going along with it. She had started to breath through her mouth, catching far more of the natural odor of the large bowlcut bruiser than she ever cared to have.

"O-oh no, it's quite alright I couldn't possible. Just doing my civic duty was reward enough…" She mumbled quietly though Dasher's own voice drowned out her words as she didn't really make an effort to interrupt him. She wanted to get out of here as soon as possible but instead found herself toated across the room with the heels of her shoes dragging along the floor.

When she had finally been set free, her feet hit the floor when she wasn't quite ready to land, almost stumbling over on the spot. Regaining her composure she stood upright, rigidly so like a soldier standing at attention. She watched his slow search from drawers for a moment before turning her head to peer back towards the closet and catch sight of the door opening.

Wide eyes, she cringed, bringing a hand up to franticly make a swiping gesture across her throat at him, nodding back towards the closet. She was trying to signal for him to abort his current course of action. She had hopes of giving him an opening when she departed the room, what Nobu was attempting now was surely going to get both of them caught if he was seen. The sudden cream in the silent room made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She froze in place as if Nobu had just stepped on a pressure plate set to spring a deadly trap on them both.

"My most sincere apologies Inoba-sama! That was just me… my stomach. I haven't eaten since breakfast." Hiro jerked her head to the side, trying to silently order Nobu to take cover. The resident criminal was spoiled for choice between furniture and cardboard cutouts of Dasher himself. She turned back around, returning to attentively waiting. Hopefully Nobu would be more careful while she wasn't watching.

Dasher had only just than started to finish rummaging throughout his belongings to find what he was looking for when the creaking oscillation in the air earned his curious attention. Perplexed by what he could have sworn sounded just like a roughly one hundred and sixty pound male teenager stepping on a creaky wooden floorboard, and what smelled like abject terror in the air, Dasher was in the midst of turning around when Hiro suddenly offered his explanation and stopped the grappler in mid-twist. Dasher had his suspicions that poor Hiro here might not have been eating right what with how scrawny the young man was, and him skipping lunch altogether merely confirmed that theory. And the fact that Dasher heard his stomach as clear as day and make sounds akin to creaking floorboards, may all be signs of him having far worse digestive issues!!! Although no sooner did he appear to be placated with Hiro's reasoning...did he abruptly twist around to scan the entirety of the room!!!...

...and see nothing out of place. Only his well-dressed admirer and his closet door conspicuously opened. He scratched his temple trying to remember if he left it open earlier in the week before visibly frying some brain cells from trying to think too hard, and shrugged his shoulders before going back to his rummaging. Though once Nobu heard the flapping of paper and opening of drawers signaling that Dasher had his attention elsewhere, he sheepishly poked his head out from behind an office fern tree that matched his physique perfectly, even down to the sprouting leaves covering his electric hairdo. The prankster prince mouthing *Thanks!!* to Hiro signaling for him to take cover, than kissing some fingers on his hand and patting the tree as thanks for saving his bacon before tip-toeing his way out of the room. His cat-like agility and swift-footed movements ensuring he'd make no noises this time around as he made it out of the room, safe and sound.

"AHHAH!!! There it is!!!" Dasher bellowed having finally found everything he was searching for, the muscled strongman ominously standing tall before turning around once more to face Hiro and cast a darkened shadow over him. Followed soon afterward with a slumping avalanche of Dasher Inoba merchandise, all aiming to be caught in his devotee's arms. Dasher Inoba t-shirts in Hiro's presumed shirt size, Dasher Inoba cleaning towels, Dasher Inoba flags to wave around during wrestling matches, a Dasher Inoba baseball cap firmly affixed atop Hiro's own hat, the autographed still shot featuring a shiny-toothed smile and thumbs up from the grappler...and finally, a chocolate protein bar being opened from one end and shoved right into Hiro's mouth halfway. "Bwahah!!! What do you think?! That's the brand new Dasher Inoba Muscle-Man Protein Bar!!! Soon to be released in stores nationwide. Now if you're going to be a true Dasher Disciple, I need you to start bulking up!!! Which means muscle training everyday, one thousand calories a day, and plenty of my new protein bar!!!" Dasher bellowed with his pectorals puffed out, fists balled upon his waist and brimming with manly pride.

No sooner had she breathed out a sigh of relief than the mountainous form of Dasher shifted, twisting back around her way to show she had once again snapped to a state of attention. Like a child who had weaponized a magnifying glass to maliciously incinerate insects, Dasher's gaze swept over her nearly making her flinch. No direct eye contact here, she had fixed her eyes on the wall in front of her simply tracing the brute's movement in her peripheral vision. It wasn't until he had turned back around that she did the same trying to catch sight of Nobu. She didn't so much as catch the smallest hint of him until he had made his movements known, signalling her from afar. She felt a swell of camaraderie in the impromptu teamwork as if the pair had done something great... then she realized he was slipping out of the room to leave her alone. Her mouth opened to say something but promptly shut with lips pulled tight in mute frustration.

Hiro jumped at Dasher's sudden exclamation turning forward again to give him undivided attention. The danger, in theory had passed. He seemed to have been sold on the false narrative and without her new "bro" buddy to blow the ruse she just had to stay the course and not do anything foolish. She slowly leaned to the side in hopes of getting a peek at what he had found only to have it dumped on her in force. Arms snapping forward to cradle a ever growing pile of merchandise as she struggled to keep it all stacked in a carrying capacity.

"Ah.. thank you Inobu-sa-mmph!" Left wide eyed and blinking as her mouth was plugged with a protein bar. Her first though and hope was that this was a freshly opened ample and not something the monstrous mentor figure had been working on prior. The thought of bulking up was not really one she intended to humor past the context of this ruse. While she wore the guise of a man, she wasn't interested in sharing the physique on her off time. The bar wiggled and swayed in her mouth as she tried to free her lips to speak but found it impossible. With a wincing bite she severed the bar from its package and let the remains gingerly drop onto the pile in her hands. the blue haired rookie chewed, not overly fond of the chalky chocolate bar with the unique aftertaste before swallowing it was a large audible gasp that almost had her coughing.

"Delicious and nutritious. I'm certain it will help many achieve their goals of obtaining greatness like you, Inobu-Sama." She gave her a slight bow, careful not to dip too far as soon as she saw the protein bar trying to escape the top of her bounty. Leaning back the items hopped in her hands to resume a neatly stacked balancing act. She wasn't about to critique taste nor her desire to be rid of what was left of it as soon as was physically possible once she left the room. "While this was like a dream come true, I am afraid I must leave. Tension tours, I am to be part of one just now, I shouldn't selfishly keep them waiting or steal more of your precious time."

Guiding the next generation of young talented hopefuls into the wide world of wrestling was a task suited to only the most generous, noble-minded, kind-hearted, and benevolent of veterans...all attributes that Dasher believes exemplifies himself to a "T". The cornucopia of merchandise gifted to Hiro was what all the kids today were into. Dasher already imagining the pangs of jealously felt from all of his protege's friends once they see him adorned in all of this top-notch paraphernalia. He only wondered why it took so long for someone who was a part of his worshiping fandom to finally make their presence known to him. Regardless, he could see how overcome with with grateful jubilation Hiro was at the prospect of being blessed with such a plethora of cherished gifts. Why the young man was practically speechless and choking back tears after scarfing down on that deliciously nutritious and chocolatey scrumptious protein bar.

"Yes, Yes of course. I have matters to attend to as well. Enjoy the rest of your tour, young Hiro...oh, but do be on the lookout. There's rumors going around about thieving rapscallions pickpocketing and even breaking into private dressing rooms. Hmph...woe be unto any and all culprits, especially if I get my hands on them..." Dasher pounded his brick like fist into his other palm with a booming thump, glowering menacingly as he fantasized about all the myriad of contorted shapes he'd twist those dastardly burglars into before proceeding to escort his biggest fan to the door. Strolling beside him before coming to the exit and opening it widely for Hiro's exiting ease. "Good day to you, Young Hiro~...I'll be keeping a close eye on your burgeoning wrestling career, and don't be surprised to be receiving a gift in the mail for a certain...training membership...BWAHAHA!!! On your way now!!!" Dasher bellowed out as Hiro departed, patting him on the butt as typical of any macho baseball team clubhouse. The Dash strolling to his closet when remembering he actually had 20,000 yen in the pocket of a suit jacket he had in the closet. But upon roaming through its pockets, he found not a yen. Hmm...maybe he left it at home.

"...17...18...19..." Meanwhile outside in the hallway, Nobu merrily counted along the big bucks he happened across after foraging through some suit jackets, content as a clam to have gotten a little dough out of such an exhausting day of running and hiding for his life. Though he'd promptly stuff it into his pockets when overhearing the door to Dasher's dressing room close shut, the electric haired prankster twisting about to start jogging in Hiro's direction. "Yo dude!!! I can't believe that-PFFFTGAHAHA!!!! Oh man, NO, this is NOT happening right now!!! Oh, I gotta preserve this for posterity's sake..." Nobu guffawed and belly laughed from how badly dressed his partner in crime came out of this caper, than beginning to forage through his pockets for his cell phone to take a picture of Hiro covered in Dasher merch, goofy hat and all.

“Eh… heh… Yes of course. I am sure you of all people would handily dispatch anyone within these halls up to no good Inoba-sama.” Hiro stared with a nervous chuckle and paling complexion as each and every knuckle bone and muscle fiber ground in Dasher’s palm seemed louder and all encompassing. A single bead of sweat ran down the side of her face. She turned rather stiffly, robotting marching towards the door in the bowlcut brute’s shadow not daring to say or do anything else past manage their bountiful plunder from the Saint Nick of neck recalibrations.

Trot trot trot. Hiro penguin waddled out the door, the cool breeze of freedom licking at her face. It felt good… until she jolted upright from the startling clap of her backside. Her hackles immediately rose at the contact. Her features darkened in the doorway. Frantic gaze steadying to a cold stewing anger. She already disliked being touched but this was something altogether worse. Slowly she turned back around to gaze back to Dasher.

“So generous Inoba-sama, thank you!” She smiled so hard and forced her cheeks hurt and eyes threatened to water. She would have loved nothing more than to take those meaty fingers of him and twist them into unnatural shapes… she had seen large men like him before shed tears with the right amount of pressure applied. But reality was cruel, and she knew better than to pick another fight that would see them fleeing through the halls. Once was quite enough to last her for awhile.

She made her way off, hearing the door close loudly behind her. Marching onward she paid the approaching Nobu a glance that followed until he was alongside her with a matching tight lipped sour expression to match how she was feeling. The brisk pace she had adopted didn’t stop for flash photography, clearly wanting to abscond from the proximity of the Dashing One’s dressing room before giving her new “friend” a piece of her mind.

Oh this day just went from the absolute pits to having Nobu guffawing all the way up to Cloud-9. A day that started with him sprinting for his life under fear of imminent ass-whopping from a rightfully ticked off wrestler with a hilarious tan, to having scored some primo scratch now adding some weight to his wallet and find a fellow pint-sized compatriot to have his back in Tension with all his crazy sweet takedown moves. Plus he was providing ample entertainment for the spiky-haired trickster scarecely managing to snag one quick picture for safe-keeping, although the second one would become blurred and incomprehensible once his buddy started marching off and down the hallway in a huff. Aww...what'd he do to upset him this time?

"Dude...hey dude wait up!!" Nobu exclaimed in a declarative but hushed sound level so as to not rouse the bowl-cutted behemoth's suspicions, jogging up besides his speed-walking friendo looking mighty miffed over something. "OkayOkay I'm sorry for laughing...but you gotta admit you looked pretty darn fun-" He stopped himself from chuckling once he noticed that Hiro's lack of a sense of humor meant he wasn't going to be joining him in seeing the hilarity of the situation anytime soon. "Oh come on man...you should feel proud of yourself, I know I'm proud of ya. You played the situation perfectly back there, bro. Instead of ratting me out and being a boy-scout, which would have had the both of us sharing a room in the infirmary on gurney's all night...you played him like a fiddle and we got outta there Scot-free~...That's what I meant by learning to dip into shades of grey from time to time. Plus we made out like bandits, man!!! You're decked out in swag I'm sure...someone...will want, and look~..." Nobu dug into his pocket and started fanning Hiro with all the moolah he managed to abscond with, flashing the brightest smile. "I'd say we've both earned it for a caper well done, partner~..."

"No." Hiro trudged forward, not exactly sure of where she was going really, just away from here. What was she going to do with all this gifted merchandise? They had set her up with a locker. Perhaps put it there for now. She didn't like the idea of making the walk home with this mountain of unwanted swag… in passing by a trash bin she paused. Leaning the precarious pile of things, giving it a small jostle to shake the protein bar off the top and into the bin. She wouldn't humor that terrible tasting "treat" any longer without Dasher's gaze upon her. As Nobu rounded up beside her, she gave him another annoyed look but when she moved away from the bin it was at an easy pace for him to keep up.

"I don't feel particularly proud of what I just did, no…" She gave a soft sigh, giving a small shake of her head. "I don't think what you were guilty of warranted physical violence." She was of course referring to the catalyst that started it all. Thinking back on the rest of it she slowed to a stop, giving Nobu a sour look. She stared at him, long and hard, picking through everything that happened up until now. She took a deep breath, a calming breath… and gave him a swift kick in the shin. Not terribly strong, but enough to show her obvious disapproval while her hands were occupied.

"Don't be so careless… or stupid." With a huff Hiro continued on, speaking as she walked. "Just think what would have happened if someone caught us, or heck, just you. The pranks, the "found" keycard, the trespassing. Those are all serious problems that aren't worth the price you pay just for your idea of fun. I hope this was a bit of a wake-up call for you. Someone isn't always going to be there to bail you out like I was. Even then, we were lucky. You need to just… be better."

Hiro tilted her head as something came to her mind, making a soft thoughtful hum as she peered to at the passing florescent lights in the hallway ceiling. Perhaps there was another way to help instill some integrity to Nobu's moral fiber. With a softening tone she circled in the pile of items. "I suppose we're in this together now, for better or worse." With a light underhanded toss, she threw a shirt from the pile at Nobu's face. A grinning chibi Dasher face plastered prominently on the front, gazing hungrily down at assorted new flavors of ramen in a cup. With a uncharacteristically cheeky smirk she walked on alongside Nobu with a new direction in mind.