SRW Specials: Meet n Greetin' the Earthshaker!

The meet and greet had been decided to take place on SRW grounds inside the main lobby of the building. That way, Eros could simultaneously promote not just her new found titan, but also have an excuse to give the crowd a short tour around the building. Today was a slow day, with no matches planned so that repairs and safety checks could be completed under Eros’s orders. The tour gave the citizens a different look at the building, walking them through a few of the non-sensitive rooms that normally wouldn’t be open for display. Minor things, like storage areas, filming space, with the real eye catcher being the arena itself. Few citizens ever got to get very close to the arena due to the protective spells and security measures Eros took to keep them safe and allow the fighters to go all out. It lessened the burden on Hathiya to entertain the crowds, and got them over to the merchandise part of the SRW building. Of course, there was also the promise Eros had made to the Earthshaker. If someone was after her, then there were few places safer in Tsubar than the building specifically built and designed with security in mind. Here, Eros can maintain a close proximity to her golden goose without being too suspicious. As well as get a general idea on just how popular an event like this was first hand~

The Head Warden strolled into the changing room, her golden eyes seemed relaxed and calm. But anyone who knew her knew that nothing slipped by her gaze. She had eyes everywhere! And every guard and staff member knew to be on their best behavior when she walked the halls of the SRW. Today was no different, and in fact, more important than ever. This was a test of not only Hathiya’s charm and likeability, but a new format in general. Was it a bit unfair to put a newbie under so much pressure? Eros would concede that it might have been. But Eros knew Hathiya’s secret, and knew that the Earthshaker was no stranger to crowds or a bit of showmanship!

With a gentle knock on the changing room door, Eros would step inside without waiting for a response. She knew no one else but Hathiya was there. No fights meant no fighters, and Eros knew that many wouldn’t waste their rare days off hanging around at work.

“Oh Ha-thi-ya~” Eros teased in a sing-song manner, “Are you ready for your close up yet?”

Eros had already made a couple of arrangements for Hathiya. The Head Warden arranged it so that it looked as though Hathiya had lived in Gaia her whole life. All the documentation was there and legitimate! Hathiya never had gone through a Waygate before, according to the documents, and any mystery to her life before SRW was covered up and hidden neatly away behind a fake past written up by the Bakeneko herself. Along with anonymously donating working security cameras to the storage facility Hathiya’s shed resided in and moving a few Warden patrols to go through Prophet’s Road every night, Eros also went along to provide some subtle security for the meet and greet. Though Eros herself would also be there, she knew Hathiya was the type that would probably worry. Though even Eros knew that Hathiya was unpredictable, even for the Bakeneko.

“Get dressed~ You’re almost late for school~”

Eros would round the corner, looking for Hathiya with a smile on her face and sharp eyes wandering the room. The meet and greet wouldn’t start for a few more minutes, but people were already gathering. And Eros didn’t want another disappearing act.

ONE DAY AFTER THE TALK

She could remember the last time being out in front of a crowd. She couldn't remember when, to be precise. She couldn't remember why she was there. It was an old memory, and she had done much for so long to avoid crowds as much as possible.

But for the first time in a long time, she was going in front of a crowd again. Intentionally. She would have to go up and face a crowd. Just like her memory showed. Of course, her memory had far more people in it, at least in her memorys opinion. It really felt like back then that she was staring at an endless sea of people. Cheers, smiles, and faces all looking at her. And her father by her side. The Hathiya in the memory from who's eyes she was looking turned to look at the giant next to her. A towering entity with tusks that seemed to stretch on and curve far far long, with skin covered in cracks and rough textures, and arms wider than tree trunks, with a body as wide as a building, and wearing such regal fashion probably not seen by the people of Tsubar; covered in gold and flowers such that his robes were being hidden, vines entangled in the tusks, and even several birds sitting on his shoulders. This gigantic entity was her father.

And when he turned his head to look at her, she stared at his eyes. His beautiful, gentle, green eyes. A soft expression on his face despite his fearsomely impressive body. Just like Hathiya now.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breathe, and opened her eyes, returning to the current day; in the dressing room, sitting on the floor, having put on her bottom but not the top yet, her orange eyes seeming to have a reflective light of their own, inside the Sovereign Reign Wrestling building.  She blinked, feeling a tear in he eyes as she gently wiped it away with a finger. She looked away from the mirror that was in front of her (even when sitting, her uncovered breasts were all the mirror could reflect), and looked at the floor. Her fingers tapping her knees, her toes wiggling quickly. Looking back at the mirror, she then turned around away from it, and shook her head.

It's a big day for you...another new leaf in your book, Hathiya.

New leaf. New life. New leaf. New life. New leaf. New lif-

The thought train was interrupted by a gentle knock followed with the door immediately opening. The suddenness of her thoughts being interrupted sounded like someone broke the door down in her ears, causing her to release a terrified trumpet noise and running an arm over his breasts to hide them. It took Eros showing her face to realize what happened.

"YOU ALMOST GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK!" Hathiya groaned, taking a breathe of relief. Hearing Eros mention "late for school", her eyes widened as she looked at the clock.

Oh shit!

How long had she been zoned out in thoughts was beyond her, but she knew she had to waste no time now. Quickly putting her top on and brushing a hand through her hair, she nodded her head.

"I'm ready to meet the fans."

Eros tried to come off as playful and approachable when it suited her, attracting more flies with honey over vinegar despite her intimidating reputation. Since she wanted Hathiya to feel relaxed around her, Eros was trying to come across as friendly and approachable. Thankfully, Eros had the patience of a saint, because when she walked in and called out to Hathiya, a thunderous trumpet noise erupted from the otherside of the room like an explosion going off! The loud noise was disorientating, with Hathiya’s surprised trumpet being loud enough to shake the walls of the room they were in, causing a bit of plaster to fall from the ceiling. Thankfully, Eros’s ears immediately went flat against her head as she rounded the corner, Hathiya instantly stopping when she saw the Head Warden, who’s dark outfit and hat was now covered in ceiling dust. Apparently, Hathiya wasn’t dressed yet and hadn’t put on her top when Eros walked in and the Earthshaker insisted she almost had a heart attack.

[color:e509=pur[le]“A-ah…To think, I almost lost my hearing because of such a scare.”

Eros’s ears flicked, the bakeneko trying to get the ringing out of her ears as Hathiya looked at the time. Eros only mentioned being late for school as a joke, but Hathiya must have thought Eros was being serious as she rushed to put her top on. Eros only tried to rub her ears to try and hope the ringing would stop, but it only went away a little bit by the time Hathiya was standing in front of Eros eager to go out to meet her fans. At least she seemed keen on doing her job.

“Hang on Hathiya, we need to go over some things.” Eros said, her ears flicking one last time, “First things first, you need to know that you are ultimately here to promote yourself. Some people out there like you a lot, while others are simply curious. Try to get your personality across to them if you can. There are some kids here too, so if you need a break from questions or stuff, you can go to one of them.”

Eros was mostly just giving Hathiya generic advice and instructions, knowing full well Hathiya probably didn’t need to hear any of it but going over it just in case. Really she wanted to simply get to the important part, which Eros introduced with a tilt of her head.

“Look, what I want you to know is that so long as you’re careful then you can have some fun. Everyone is pretty much here to see you. If you need a break or someone in line is making you uncomfortable, then the magic word is It’s getting hot outside. I’ll step in and address the situation for you when I hear that, alright?”

Hathiya nodded her head at the instructions. The idea of children coming to see her and be amazed filled her with happiness. A smile grew on her face as she said, "I can do it! It's getting hot outside, got it." She thought for a moment, and said, "Well, let's do this. How long is this going to take?" She asked out of curiosity as the two would start their big mission of today.

“Not sure. Honestly, this is the first time we’ve ever had a meet and greet event. It could take a few hours, or maybe just one. I suppose it depends on the guests and how involved they are.”

Eros shrugged, content on this small scale exercise being more of an experiment than anything. Low cost promotion, or whatever the accountant called it. No matter what happened, Eros knew she would get something out of it and so didn’t have all that much to worry about. Hathiya seemed excited to please the crowds, so there wasn’t much point in stalling around. Turning around, Eros would leave the changing room while gesturing for Hathiya to follow her. Eros gently hummed to herself before getting to the lobby, where she gestured for Hathiya to stop, out of sight.

“Wait here for a spell, okay?”

Reaching into her purple smog, Eros retrieved a microphone and turned around to step out into the open in front of the crowd.

“Hello citizens of Tsubar! Welcome to the first ever SRW Meet N’ Greet and facility tour! Today is a big one for us here at the SRW, and we want to thank each and every one of you for joining us here today~ We here at SRW love our fans and want to repay you for your kindness in watching us! And we love our fighters as well for working so hard to bring entertainment to you all. That being said, we thought the first Meet N’ Greet should have a fighter that’s made a bit of a splash in our company. Someone still new, but without a doubt carrying the SRW spirit of sportsmanship and joy for the sport~ I’m sure you all know who I’m talking about since this is her Meet N’ Greet! But please welcome our fighter, The Earthshaker! Hathiya~”

As Eros turned towards the entryway she had come from, the crowds roaring cheers ringing in the air, all eyes turned to the way they expected Hathiya to come from. After a small bit of time passed after Eros announced her name, the building shook, and some people had to stabilize themselves, but the cheering roared.

And once again, through the entryway, standing taller than it so she had to lower down to fit through, came the Earthshaker herself, wearing her robes with flowers on it (wait how did she get that so fast) and taking a thundering step, the audience not at all minding that some of them were about to fall from how close they were.

Except unlike her debut, Hathiya's arms spread out, causing the robes to fly open and fall to the ground. She released her iconic trumpet sound, and then, with one arm bunching up to her torso, she pointed at the crowd with her other arm, her hand open, as she said,

"Welcome! And thank you, lovely people and children!"

She placed a hand over her chest, continuing "It really means much to me that you've all come here to see me and know me better. Though I have only recently come here, it brings great joy to me that I can put excited smiles on your faces in such short a time."

And with that, she pointed at the crowd again.

"And so, I shall take my time here, at this first Meet n Greet, and I happily accept the honors of Sovereign Reign Wrestling for this!"

It was genuinely like seeing someone else instead of the near jumpy person Eros was talking to just earlier.

With a dramatic turn, Eros pointed towards the entryway she had just come out of waiting for her fighter to follow her cue. It took a second, but eventually the small earthquake of Hathiya’s step rumbled through the floor and shook the crowd that was waiting. The Bakeneko had gotten used to the elephant woman’s unique ability to shake the ground around her, and had already centered herself so she wasn’t knocked over by Hathiya’s dramatic entrance. Some of the crowd weren’t so lucky, falling on their rears just in time for the fighter of the hour to step out in a fabulous red robe adorned with beautiful floral designs! Eros stepped back and let Hathiya steal the show, while silently wondering where the rope appeared from. As usual, Hathiya did a very good job getting the crowd excited and pumped up. It was strange to think that this was the same woman that nearly deafened her because of a fear trumpet.

Eros could already see the children practically eating up Hathiya’s performance. They probably hadn’t seen someone so large and powerful before. Perhaps that was part of Hathiya’s appeal, since most larger species in Gaia were predatory in nature and somewhat aggressive as a result. Crop-El was a fine example of that stereotype.

Eros smirked, wondering just how her plan would come along.

“Hathiya has become a valued member of our roster as being one of the few titans we have on our roster~ So please be gentle with her~” Eros said with a wink. “Handshakes are permitted, and if you be nice she might just take a picture with you~”

Eros’s golden eyes glanced at Hathiya, not asking her opinion, but not telling her to do it either. The Warden’s smile let Hathiya know it was ultimately up to her.

“But with that out of the way, please form an orderly line!”

Hathiya could see the look in Eros eyes as she said all that, and read her smile quickly.

The attendees, despite their excitement and some initial scuffles and pushing, managed to make a (rather impatient) orderly line that, while serviceable, would offend any drill instructor or a PT teacher. Nonetheless, the crowd managed to make one, with clicks of cameras and phones being audible, murmurs and whispers, talking back and forth, and a general attitude of excitement. Exactly what was needed.

Hathiya beamed happily at the sight. A sort of warmness started growing inside her, seeing people just happy like this. It pumped her more for the mood, as she gently sat down (causing the floor to rumble and almost cause the front parts of the line to fall over), and looked at the first people in line.

Eros made sure no one got hurt in the minor scuffles and confusion that forming a line sometimes had. But once that wrapped itself up, the Head Warden stepped off to the side and let Hathiya greet her fans. This was her show, after all, and Eros remained close enough that Hathiya could see her and feel confident that the code word could be heard if spoken. Eros sat back and watched, wondering what the show would bring~

The first in line was…well, ironically a goblin. A young goblin, but probably grown to full size given he was a bit tall. The species was fairly hit or miss, depending more on the individual’s qualities than anything. Some Goblins were practically feral, meanwhile others could be perfectly serviceable. The fact that this one actually had a few layers of clothes was a good sign at least, in Eros’s eyes.

“Geh!” The creature grunted as it crawled up into the chair to sit across from Hathiya. Its large, greenish yellow eyes practically sparkled as it looked the fighter up and down, smiling with sharp, pointed teeth.

“Heya! Your name is Hathiya right? I go by Gob-Gob!” he said, his ears twitching when there were snickers in the line upon hearing his name. He grunted a bit, but pushed forward. “I’m a bit new ‘round here, but I caught your debut! It was wicked cool, especially the way you used the big Croc like a hammer!”

Goblin’s were a resourceful species, making tools out of anything they had around them. Being so small, they had to be, and they were arguably the best at turning trash into treasure. Hathiya’s quick thinking and strength to wield someone so large was doubtlessly admired by the young creature.

“I heard ‘bout the meet n’ greet, and figured it’d be a blast ta meetcha’”

Hathiya looked down at the tiny being, wondering how she must've looked to such a creature. She lowered her head and craned her neck forward, so her trunk could ruffle his hair as she said, "Thank you, Gob-Gob! That was a technique I learnt from an old champions story from my father. This champion was so strange, he would actually throw the whole floor upside down to stop himself from getting surrounded! But it worked out for him, and he gave me the idea in that moment. I got to admit, though. Croo-El is no pillow in weight or density. Even with my strength, I had to exert a bit to throw her!" Hathiya then showed her arm and brought it forward to Gob-Gob to let him touch.

"But these muscles aren't just natural, I have to work for them to keep them!" If Gob-Gob touched her arm, Hathiya would've felt the tickle of his tiny fingers on her arm.