Wayward Souls

Tatyina smiled softly at Emily's words. "I would as much as I am able or as much as you are willing to learn." She said bowing her head just a little. Bu then Tatyina asked how long she had been training. Tatyina's memories extended to roughly the time of her accident. Any memories before she arrived in Tokyo were trapped deep in her subconscious recesses and she did not know that she had been trained all her life in the northern Island of Japan. "Um..." She said. "I've only been training for wrestling a short time before I joined but I've always had a natural inclination for health and fitness. I.. I guess it's in my blood to just want to be in the best condition I can be." She said. And she was. Despite being a meek and timid girl by personality, her body was nearly flawless in it's shape and tone.

Tatyina didn't even know how she was able to pick up wrestling so fast having seemingly known nothing about combat before her time in the AFW. But even if her memories were erased in the accident, her body had not forgotten a thing and had been honed in the ways of martial combat for years, allowing Tatyina, even as a novice, to quickly learn the skills needed to wrestle at a professional level.

"I don't know if they will let you train here if you're not a member." She then turned her head. "A-Are you old enough to join?" She asked. She didn't know what Emily's age was and felt bothered even asking for this reason. "Forgive me!" She then said. "Even if you can't train here, then We can go to a gym off the complex grounds if we must." She said bowing her head slightly.

Allison was often moody. When in a bad mood, people tried not to speak to her or do anything to make her any more unpleasant than she already was. When she was in a good mood, like today, it was best to avoid her entirely.

She had taken to training in the Friction gym. Initially, the thought had turned her stomach, being surrounded by coarse, unwashed mediocrity dripping their oily sweat all over everything. Recently, though, she'd decided she needed the motivation. If her loss had taught her anything, it was to pay closer attention to the competition.

So she dutifully made the trip six days a week to put in her cardio and maintain her strong, sculpted body. She didn't speak to anyone, and had little opportunity to train wrestling techniques. The lovely AFW overseers hadn't deemed it necessary to keep trainers on staff, instead forcing each horrible little girl to train with another similarly horrible little girl. The horror.

With every naive, oversexed, stupid little girl the came through the gym Allison's confidence was restored. She would watch them, observing them like wild animals and sneering contemptuously at the strength of character and experience they all uniformly lacked.

By the time she left the gym it was getting late. Of course she'd taken the time to shower and put herself back together properly, it simply wouldn't do to be seen in public at less than her best, and as she walked through the AFW halls no one would ever have guessed that not long before she'd been clad in sweat-soaked gym clothes. To complete the evening, she planned on enjoying a glass of wine and a book in her apartment, but that was after she found acceptable dinner. She was hungry.

As she rounded the corner and passed by a side entrance to the gym, she caught sight of something, someone, even more enticing than the thought of appeasing her empty stomach. She didn't break stride, didn't speed up to get to the little redhead, but continued just as she'd been, only now with a tight, sinister smile. She wasn't sure that she remembered her name, but she'd never forget the girl that gave her her first humiliating loss in the Friction league.

"Darling, such a pleasure to see you again. You look well, certainly no worse for the wear." She began as she approached from behind Tatyina, her velvety, intoxicating, posh voice slightly eager and dripping with contempt, but so well-composed that no one might have noticed. "It's good to see that you manage to grace these halls with your presence even when not competing... or training. Oh won't you introduce me to your friend? She..."

Allison got a good look at Emily for the first time, who so far had exercised admirable restraint. She knew she was familiar, but it took a moment to place her. "Oh... Emily." She said, at once deflated and confused and irritated.

"Hello, auntie." Emily said politely, trying her very best to mirror Allison's accent and manner.

Allison looked back and forth between the two girls and scowled. Never mind why her little niece was in Japan, in the backstage area of the Friction arena, which could only mean that she was looking for her, why on earth was she there with this little mumbling tart?

"Well, come here, girl." Allison said and opened her arms for a hug. Emily didn't hesitate, betraying her enthusiasm as she wrapped her arms around her aunt and pressed the side or her face against her shoulder. "I'm... delighted to see you, darling, but... I have no small amount of questions as to how you could possibly be here. Your... your mother doesn't know you're here, does she?" She asked. She already knew the answer.

"She doesn't. Actually she might be now. You know how she is with her financial records." Emily said, releasing her hug. She couldn't help but smile. Allison was a... magnificent woman. She was so proud to even be related to someone like her, someone like Emily wanted to be.

Allison directed her gaze at Tatyina, subtly burning her with her eyes. "Tell me, how did you come to meet my niece? And speak up."

Tatyina's fingers pricked up as she heard someone call out to her. She blushed instinctively, really not expecting to be recognized even by the staff or other wrestlers. She turned her head to catch a glimpse of Allison and her dull gray eyes widened in recognition, her lips tugging into the smallest smile. "A-Allison-ue!" Tatyina exclaimed as loudly as she could which amounted to about the normal speaking tone. She bowed deeply. "It's wonderful to see you again."

Tatyina then glanced at Emily and as the family made their reunion, she backed off a few steps, a soft glow on her cheeks as she witnessed the join of family bonding. When she was addressed again, Tatyina bowed once more. "Coincidentally, Allison-ue." She began to explain. "Though the site of a family brought together fills me with a wonder that it could have been destiny." She said as she pressed her tightly clenched fist to her chest. "I gave her my extra ticket when I saw her in line though why I chose her, only the gods know." Tatyina reiterated. Tatyina looked back to Emily. "Emily-ue is as honorable a persona as you yourself are, Allison-ue." She said on Emily's behalf, though she certainly believed her words.

Tatyina then turned and blushed a bit. "Ah... even though you have found your aunt." She said nervously. "I... I will still help you as much as possible if you would like that." She didn't want Emily to disappear with her aunt and part ways but also she knew that Allison would probably want to personally see to her niece's well being.

Allison's scowl deepened. The thought of Emily being "as honorable a person as she herself" was like a thorn in her side. She knew that seeing her in Japan could only mean trouble from her mother, Allison's sister, and her sister-in-law. That, in itself was a fate worse than death. If she was honest, though, she wanted Emily to stay the pure little girl that she had known in England. This business, her lifestyle, it seemed unfit for someone like Emily.

Luckily it would be some time before she'd even be allowed into a club or a gym without parental permission. Regardless, Tatyina's implication that Emily was like her was enough to make Allison want to beat her savagely right there in the hallway. She tensed, her fists opened and closed, but she could do nothing with Emily there. Her cheeks flushed just a little, and then she relaxed again.

"Emily, dear, if you're in Japan, regardless of why, that means I'm in charge of you. I can't have you getting into trouble and embarrassing me, can I? So, miss..." She couldn't remember Tatyina's name. "So I think that you'll do nothing for or with Emily of which I do not approve. Emily is a girl of strong will... admirably so, but know that you will answer to me." She said, relaxed but forceful, as though she were talking about any little thing but fully expected that everyone did what she said.

Emily wasn't sure how to take it all. She was thrilled that Allison was seemingly taking her in, but was less than enthusiastic about her seeming to discourage her from her wrestling ambitions. She said nothing. It was always better to say nothing when you weren't sure of what to say and how to say it.

"Emily is... fifteen? No, sixteen, and she shan't be joining the ranks of Friction any time soon. P'raps you could reevaluate your intentions, darling, as long as you insist on hanging around..." Allison hissed, her contempt more obvious. She knew that as long as Emily were involved with this girl, she could never lay a finger on her. She wouldn't. For the time being, Tatyina was safe, though even that could be subject to change pending what future developments may come. Allison's lips curled into a small, neat smile. Her eyes remained the same.

Tatyina bowed t Allison's command of the situation. "Of course, Allison-ue." She said, keeping her head low. "Emily-ue is in the best hands she could be in." She looked to Emily. "You are lucky to have such a loving aunt." She said as she thought upon Allison's next words.

"Ah.." Tatyina was flustered by Allison's words. "Well.. Ah.. I don't insist.." She muttered softly. 'If.. If I am burdening the situation, I'll take my leave. My only desire is to see Emily-ue and yourself happy." She said bowing her head once more. "I.. I did not realize Emily was still that young. Her mature features betray her age." It was true, Tatyina probably looked younger than Emily and she was three years older.

Tatyina decided that there was still something she could offer Emily. "If you desire, Emily-ue, I would still like to remain in contact. Even if your Aunt does not desire you to prepare for a similar lifestyle as hers, I would be honored to at least be your friend." She then paused. "If I am worthy that is." She added. "Even if you say no, that is also fine I would still be willing to allow you access to my employee ticket so that you could watch matches and visit with your aunt." That was probably stupid too. Why wouldn't Allison just give Emily a ticket? But Tatyina adored Emily and Allison. She wanted to maintain her friendship with them even though she did not realize the feelings were not mutual.

Allison stared at Tatyina for a long time. Emily fidgeted, the tension coming from Allison was palpable. Finally she let out a sigh. "I will need a long massage after listening to you mumble. Fate is a cruel, cruel thing. I must say, if Emily were not present you'd be much louder by now and speaking much less. You may thank Emily if you are so inclined." She said, vitriolic.

Emily stayed quiet while Allison studied her with a look that froze her in place. "Emily," she began. "Far be it from me to interrupt a blossoming young friendship such as this. You are free to do as you will. I find that the relationships one develops are an excellent measure of their character. People often become the equals of those they call friends, and if this weak, sniveling field mouse suits you, then perhaps you would like do well to cling to her as she clings to whatever idea has kept her here. What a happy thought, though I'm sure your mother will find you soon enough and drag you back to England."

"Of course, you may find yourself not on even ground with this one. Relationships can be used in many ways, my dear, and I encourage you to consider how each reflects upon you. Yes?" She smiled politely. "Well then, if we are quite finished here I'd like to continue with my evening. As you were, girls. Au revoir." She turned to leave.

Emily was still quiet. Evidently Allison did know Tatyina, but she certainly didn't seem to like her... at all. Allison's words put her on edge, as though there was a right and a wrong way to proceed. She looked at Tatyina, hesitant to speak to her or even make eye contact. She didn't know if she'd call Tatyina a friend, but what did Allison mean? What should she do?

"Um..." Emily began. That was about all she had.

Tatyina turned her head slightly. "I do not understand, Allison-ue." She said in her soft voice but then turned the other way. "But if it pleases you, you may do with me as you like." Tatyina forced herself into a state of naivety but she could feel the disdain rolling off of Allison like a fog. "If you would like, I can meet with you at a later date and then allow you to be satisfied." She said and lowered her head, her frown widening a bit more.

Tatyina then turned towards Emily. "Your honorable Aunt speaks wisely." She commented. "Those who you associate with reflect upon you greatly." She closed her eyes and gave her head a nod before smiling ever so slightly. "I have faith you will take such sagely advice to heart." She encouraged. She watched Allison turn. "Do as you will, Emily-ue. If it means putting me in exile for your sake or for the sake of your aunt, then so be it. My desire is only to see you happy." She said with a low bow.

Emily watched Allison go, only hearing Tatyina somewhere in the back of her mind. She wondered if she'd disappointed Allison already, being found with Tatyina, but that wasn't it. She didn't want to be weak. She wasn't weak. Allison hadn't actually told her she was, or what she thought of her at all... Maybe giving Emily space to do as she wanted was a way of testing her, or evaluating her, or even showing respect?

She thought about it for a moment, and when she turned back to Tatyina, she saw the girl in mid-bow. "Oh, shut up." She said curtly. "Stand up. Don't be foolish. You've got a backbone, haven't you?" While she spoke sharply, the words didn't feel totally natural to her. Still, they certainly didn't feel unnatural.

"I want you to teach me what you know."

Tatyina's gray eyes widened at Emily's reprimand. "Oh." She whispered, barely audible. "Emily-ue, you speak with such authority." She said and bowed ever so slightly again. "I have a backbone." She said as she turned her head tot he side. "But there is a time and place for it. Deferring to you or your aunt, especially in your own personal affairs is the appropriate response." She nodded softly, mostly to herself.

Tatyina then looked back up at Emily. "Emily-ue." She whispered and searched the girl's eyes. "Is this what you truly desire?" She asked, making certain it was.

Emily suddenly reached a lot of decisions. Her instincts as Allison walked away told her to chase her down and beg her to let her stay with her. She didn't do that. Maybe to be closest to Allison she needed to be independent. Maybe Allison's lack of reliance on other people was one of the reasons why Emily admired her, and maybe Emily needed to try to be like that herself.

Looking at Tatyina, so incredibly naive and good-hearted, a part of her felt bad for their relationship. She knew she didn't mean to be her friend. A part of her, maybe, wouldn't be able to stop from being friendly with her, leaning on her as one would a friend, but the idea she had in her head was to have Tatyina help train her, to take what help she could get from her. Like a parasite, she supposed, but something else... something better. With purpose. Something more majestic. She didn't know exactly what, but she was sure that Allison was one of them.

With a mixture of callusness and regret she said to Tatyina "Yes, of course I'm sure. I'd like you to teach me. No one else will, I think, so kudos to you, you good samaritan. When can we start? And where? I wouldn't like to waste any time... I've got to find a place to live, as well."