Description: Time for the promotional match between Domino and 'Princess Arika'. A fight like this COULD have taken place at Slam Masters Arena, but then it wouldn't be very much promotion for the Atlantic Islands Wrestling federation, would it?
So, the day for that promotional match has come! And why would they do that here instead of the Slam Masters arena? Why, because Drake happens to like the AIW! It's his home federation! These are his peeps! But regardless, he's not a full member again at this time. Instead, this is just kind've like an exhibition match, only meant more for entertainment, less for real competition.
And isn't that what professional wrestling is about?
So to hurry things along, the arena is packed. Filled both with fans of Drake and Arika's SNF and Neo League ventures, and with the typical professional wrestling fans. It makes for one Hell of an audience, it does. Even if no points are on the line, and this won't be going on any record. Well, pride is still an issue, but whatever.
The ring has just been cleared of fighters, when an announcer calls for Domino to make his entrance. And as usual, it truly is an 'entrance'. He stands at the top of he entry ramp, robed and hooded, fists lifted in true prizefighter manner. Sparkling black and white pyros go off at his sides in tandem with his fists lifting, and he simply basks in this. Mmn. Nostalgia. But then he starts down the ramp, shifting from one side to the other to slap the hands of his fans on the way to the ring. And once he reaches that, he circles its perimeter to greet and rile up the front row spectators.
After a full revolution around the ring, he climbs up a short flight of steps and steps in over the middle rope to set boot to canvas. And once inside, the robe's tying sash is pulled off, and the garment is quickly cast outside the ring, revealing the glorious model within. He dashes off for a turnbuckle and hops up to perch on the middle ropes to beam a bright, winning smile out at the audience. Right fist lifts into the air triumphantly... and he finally hops back down and looks to the entry ramp again. Because next up is Princess Arika.
COMBATSYS: Drake has started a fight here.
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Drake 0/-------/-------|
There's a whole other reason why it's not being held at the Slam Masters arena! The match is actually to promote the AIW! Exhibition match or not, the poor little princess is feeling the effects of butterflies in her stomach. She hasn't been this nervous since her first -real- gig with Femme Fatale. It's not the crowd - she's performed in front of larger audiences. It's that there's a lot riding on this match, and she's worried about what will happen if she wins.
Regardless, a few little butterflies aren't much of a deterrent for Princess Arika! Waiting behind the scenes as Domino makes his extravagant entrance, she smiles. He looks right at home here, like he belongs. A soft smile touches upon her lips as she watches him. It's not long before someone is nudging her, drawing her out of her thoughts and telling her to prepare herself for her own entrance.
Princess Arika does a quick check. Tiara is in place, long over-skirt is in place in lieu of a robe. The entire 'princess' motif is set and ready to go. Taking a deep breath, she plasters a smile on her face and moves up to the top of the entry ramp. Hands fold in front of her in a cutesy prim and proper manner. Head is held high, shoulders back, back straight creating an air of royalty around the young femme. Without warning, she too is given a dazzling pyrotechnic display. A dazzling burst of feminine pink lights up the white of her outfit for a moment, casting a soft blush of a hue over the diva. (Not her choice, really. She'd have chosen anything -other- than pink, but the promoters seem to know what they're doing).
Gracefully gliding down the ramp, she stops every few feet to blow a kiss out to the audience or wave. Anything to mask the nervousness that is threatening to bubble up to the surface. Upon reaching the steps, she takes hold of the longer over-skirt and lifts it up enough so that she doesn't trip on it. Climbing the steps, she glances at the ropes. Ah... logistics problems. Something she should have thought of beforehand! Teeth nip on to her lower lip, and then she gets an idea. She seats herself on the edge of the ring and slips under the lower rope by the turnbuckle. Once back on her feet, she takes no time in RIPPING off the long over-skirt to reveal the shorter one beneath it. As she does this, a sly little wink is given to Domino and the skirt is cast aside out of the ring. What a way to rile up the males in the crowd for the fight!
COMBATSYS: Arika has joined the fight here.
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Drake 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Arika
Doesn't she just look like Miss USA? Well.. as long as you ignore the fact that she's British. Domino grins at her and leans forward against the turnbuckle as he watches her entrance. She just sort've glides along, it looks like. And again, in that... painfully revealing bikini-fighter outfit of hers. Rawr. But he stays back, even as she rips off her outer skirt. He glances to the audience and gives a polite clap and nod, being all goodly with his sportsmanship. As always.
But it's time to start things. The bell tolls, and Domino sets to his dark side. Expression turns more no-nonsense and serious, less smiley and flirty. He hunkers down just a little, feet squaring, hands lifting at the ready. He circles the femme a time or two, then lunges forward to attempt locking up with her. Attempting to just overpower her in the lockup, he tries to walk her back against the ropes and press stomach-to-stomach to hold her there, arms pushing against her shoulders/neck area to arch her back over the top rope. Fairly simplistic, really.
COMBATSYS: Arika blocks Drake's Fast Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Arika
Well, she's definitely no slouch in the swimsuit competition to be sure! Though, the thought about Miss USA doesn't even cross her mind. She's dressed like a Princess... or the pro-wrestling version of one! Can't exactly get all Disney-fantasy-princess for this kind of thing and expect to be able to move around as much as she'd like. Besides, audiences love the skimpy outfits.
The bell tolls, and Princess Arika settles herself into a defensive stance. Domino lunges toward her and she locks up with him in a grapple hold. She pushes back against him, and though he does manage to get her back against the ropes she moves with the push so that it doesn't hurt as much as it should.
While the position isn't exactly unappealing to her, she can't allow herself to be distracted by flirtatious thought. Closing her eyes, she tries to keep her mind in the match, and as her body arches back further, she gets an idea. Arms are still free despite him pressing against her shoulders. Lashing them forward, she attempts to lock them about his waist in a tight bear-hugging fashion. Enough to crush against his ribs and potentially cause a lack of air momentarily.
COMBATSYS: Drake dodges Arika's Quick Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Arika
Domino continues the press-hold, and the ref starts to move in to tell him to release her - since, y'know, Arika's somewhat over the ropes, and referees can be annoying in this way - when Arika is suddenly looping her arms around him. Before she can tighten the hold, he ducks down through her arms and comes back up beside her. Back turns to her, and his right arm lifts to loop around her neck backwards. If caught, he drops to a knee and just flips her over to land her on her lower back and rear. But from there, his knee sets into her upper back to hold her in place, and the headlock he still has on her pulls in the other direction for a submission hold. Choke/stretch.
COMBATSYS: Arika dodges Drake's Medium Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Arika
She missed with the bear-crusher? Granted, it was a little difficult to try and pull off from the way she was being held, but never let it be said that Princess Arika doesn't try! Noting the movement beside her, she squeaks. Actually, noisily makes a squeaking sound of surprise. Someone went and scared the little princess! It doesn't quite catch her off guard, so before he can get a good enough lock on her neck she wrenches herself away from him.
Time to return the attempt in kind though. As she twists back to face him, she attempts to lock her arm around his throat in order to give it a tight crush. If caught, she twists in behind him to apply more pressure by slowly stretching his body back toward hers and raising a knee up into his back.
COMBATSYS: Drake dodges Arika's Diva Attaca.
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Drake 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Arika
Losing his grip on the princess, Domino turns quickly to keep his eyes locked on her. Those grabby hands of hers are noticed, and he ducks down low to avoid her stranglehold. He moves around behind her back and.. makes a grab for her tiara! She forgot to remove it, and the ref didn't take it away! So if he grabs the metal object, he simply lifts it and attempts to bonk her over the head with it. And, of course, he's going to get fussed at by the ref for using it. But hey, he let it in!
COMBATSYS: Drake successfully hits Arika with Random Weapon.
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Drake 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Arika
The ref isn't the only one who's going to fuss at Drake for using it! It's a prop, not a weapon. Though apparently he puts enough force behind the 'bonk' to nearly knock the diva unconscious. Geeze, who would have thought that a tiny tiara would cause so much fuss? On top of that, he's managed to mess Princess Arika's hair up. Growling at Domino, she sweeps in toward him and quickly jabs her knee up toward his stomach to get him to double over before she makes an attempt at slamming her elbow down toward his back.
COMBATSYS: Drake counters Medium Kick from Arika with Solar Eclipse.
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Drake 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Arika
And as predicted, the ref comes up to start ranting at Domino. Blah blah blah foreign weapons blah blah bashed'er good blah blah still can't use it blah blah technicality blah. Domino hands the tiara over to the ref, who turns just in time to see a snarly, angry princess coming at him. He does what any intelligent referee would do. He dives for cover.
Domino, however, spies her right in the nick of time. He steps aside and hooks an arm under the offending knee, and his other arm hooks over her shoulder. Using her lack of balance and momentum against her, he twists over and drives the girl down hard upon the mat in a powerslam.
And from there, he settles overtop her. Still hooking her knee, but with the other arm relocating behind her neck. Otherwise, he's just pressed against her to pin her to the mat. Aaand as such, the ref - recently discarding the tiara outside the ring - moves in to count the pin.
"One!"
As the ref's hand slams against the mat by her head, Princess Arika pops a shoulder up with a slight groan. What the bloody hell is wrong with her today? Surely it can't be just nervousness that's causing this kind of performance from her! Yanking her knee back toward her, she pushes herself away from Domino and then back up to her feet. Unless he moves quickly enough, she's coming right back at him with her elbow dropping down toward his back. Not a flashy move by any means, but at the moment she's just trying to keep him down so she can gain some more distance from him.
COMBATSYS: Drake blocks Arika's Jab Punch.
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Drake 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Arika
Drake tries to tighten the hold on the princess, but she yanks a shoulder up. Still got some energy, she does. He's jostled over, and she almost gets the full drop on him. Except he rolls onto his front and blocks the elbow with his forearms. Sure, there's a bit of pain, but nothing he can't handle. Using what he hopes is a moment of surprise, he twists over to force her onto the mat again and mounts upon her rear. Hands lock up beneath her jaw, and he yanks upright into a tight semi-camel clutch submission hold. Not something she's likely to submit to, but it's slapped on quickly enough.
COMBATSYS: Arika blocks Drake's Fast Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Arika
Definitely not something she's going to submit to, no. Princess Arika barely manages to get her hands on his wrists and her elbows on the mat before he begins to yank up on her jaw. Lessens the pain, but it doesn't help her come any closer to breaking free of the hold. Pulling down on his arms to give herself enough room to move, she twists to the side and gets out from under him. Instead of leaping up to her feet or anything of the sort, she simply sits up and scoots next to him. Turning on her side, she tries to slip her legs around his neck and lock one under his chin. From there, she'll just squeeze as tightly as she can, tightening the grip if she's managed to get it and compress his throat in a scissor-lock chokehold.
COMBATSYS: Drake dodges Arika's Medium Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Arika
Domino tries to fight off her resistance, but in the end, his grip just wasn't set up right and it costs him the hold. And then a pair of long legs shoot out at him, and they lock around his neck. But before any harm can be done, Domino's hands set to pry her legs right back off of him forcefully. Her left leg is kept, however, since he intends to turn around with it to roll her over onto her stomach. The boot of the caught leg is tucked under his arm, and he scooches back closer to her - until he's hovering over her midback on his knees, locking in a half-boston crab submission hold.
COMBATSYS: Arika dodges Drake's Medium Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Arika
The moment her legs are pried off of him, Princess Arika yanks her legs back as quickly as she can. It's a struggle with her left leg though, since his hands are trying to keep it, but she finally manages to get the boot back before he can catch it under his arm. Instead of crawling away from him, she kips back up to her feet and sends a sharp front kick toward his shoulders to knock him back onto the mat again. Yeah, she's pulling out -all- the stops in the 'showiness' department today, isn't she? Okay, not really, but it's still early on in the match. Though she's starting to hurt, surely there will be time enough for show-stoppers later.
COMBATSYS: Arika successfully hits Drake with Light Kick.
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Drake 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Arika
Wham. Domino is struck on the shoulder and floored before he even knows what's happening. But he doesn't stay down, of course. Not really his style. He rolls over and raises back to his feet quickly enough, ready to continue. He closes in on her again, and makes a sudden grab for her to lock up again. Though this doesn't last long. He attempts to quickly segway the lock-up into a full nelson hold behind her, pulling tight on her arms to strain them out.
COMBATSYS: Arika dodges Drake's Fast Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0 Arika
Tsk! He just likes locking her up in these holds! Problem is, as painful as the holds can be... they're distracting! Princess Arika can't let him get close to her again, otherwise her mind is going to seriously wander and in a match - even an exhibition match - that can be a dangerous thing. As he comes in for the grab, she ducks under his arms and shifts to the side. Taking a moment to catch her breath, she swings back in front of him and tries once more to ram her knee up into his stomach in order to double him over...
COMBATSYS: Drake dodges Arika's Femme Fatale.
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Drake 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Arika
Domino is denied his grapple, alas. But she seems to be keeping in close quarters with him, at least. And who's to say locking up with a vixen like her, dressed as she is and looking as fine as she does, isn't distracting him a bit? Likely why his attacks are a little uncoordinated. Of course, you'd never be able to guess this from the fairly stoic, determined look on his face.
Regardless, when her knee lifts, his body twists around to evade it. Instead, his left hand grabs for her right forearm, his right hand setting between her shoulders to whip her towards the ropes with enough velocity to spring her back towards him...
COMBATSYS: Arika blocks Drake's Rebound Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Arika
And when the pretty little princess comes springing back at him, Domino hooks his left arm over her neck in a forward headlock and grabs ahold of her fringy skirt with his right hand. Using her built-up momentum, he springs up into the air and twists with her until pressing front-to-front... which is precisely how he ideally lands atop her. Her back slamming down with a massive POW against the mat, reverberating through the arena, and his body landing overtop hers upside-down in a massive powerslam. And from there, his hands simply set to her hips and he settles atop her for the pin.
POW indeed! Dazed, Princess Arika tenses her muscles just enough so that the slam doesn't completely knock the wind out of her when his body lands atop hers. Blinking up at his hips, she's already starting to struggle out from beneath him.
The pesky ref moves in beside her and gets ready to slam his hand down onto the mat, and she shakes her head. "Not yet." Shoulders aren't exactly touching the mat, due to all of her moving about. When she's out of the pin hold, she tries to wrap her arms about his legs and then situate herself atop his rear so she can pull his legs back toward his head as she goes to hook an ankle under each arm before dropping her back to his.
COMBATSYS: Drake dodges Arika's Quick Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Arika
"Count it!," Domino yells to the ref. "C'mon, count!"
But that pesky ref is signalling that there's no pin. So Domino just gives him an annoyed look and scoots a little off the English girl. But she's helping herself out anyway, shoving and such. But when she grabs for his legs, he simply twists away from her. Taking advantage of this moment, he raises up to his feet and attempts to thrust his right knee up into her stomach firmly...
COMBATSYS: Arika counters Combo Throw from Drake with Diva Allegro.
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Drake 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Arika
Okay, okay. The diva has tried to stick mostly to grapples, submissions and throws but there's only so much she can take! She already knows what the outcome of the match is going to be, but she needs to do -something- to bolster fan confidence in her at this point! As Domino's knee comes toward her stomach, she narrowly skirts to the side of it. Her right hand sends a quick, sharp jab toward his chin - she's careful not to muck up his face, but only because she knows how much it irritates -her- when someone bruises her regularly smooth and pristine skin. Her left hand opens up flat, a flare of bright violet energy outlining it as her arm extends fully to smack him dead on in the chest and knock him back a few steps.
Try a couple feet. Domino wasn't expecting that, and it sends him tumbling head over heels. He lands on his back with a wince, and the ref just kind've blinks at her. Okay, so Arika's decided to use her full repertoire of moves. Fine. He curls onto his shoulders and kips back up to his feet, much to the cheer of the spectators. Yay, things are bright and flashy now!
Domino moves in close, hands chambering at his sides for a moment. He drops down low in front of her, launching both hands out towards her stomach in a double palmheel strike. His hands light up brilliantly with a flash of white concussive energy. See how she likes it.
COMBATSYS: Arika dodges Drake's Whiteout.
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Drake 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Arika
It's not so much that she's using her full repertoire of moves, just that she needed to gain some ground so to speak. Once she's gotten it, Princess Arika sends a dazzling smile out to her fans in the audience and then turns her attention back to the fight. Good thing she does too, because she catches the double palmheel strike slamming out toward her with a burst of energy. Dropping down onto the mat to avoid both the punches and the blast, she grins at him.
Not so much that she likes the move, but the double blasts of energy from each of the fighters seems to get the crowd cheering quite a bit.
Too bad she doesn't have time to dwell on the crowd and rile them up a little more. From her position on the mat, she tries to launch herself forward and tackle him down onto his back. Nothing so fanciful or showy this time, but even the attempt is sure to get the crowd cheering all the louder for them both. If she manages the simple tackle, though, she's going to grab for his wrists and set them behind her knees as she moves in for a schoolgirl pin.
COMBATSYS: Drake dodges Arika's Quick Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0 Arika
She's... preening! After hitting him! Arg. Someone stealing -his- spotlight. And what's worse, his strike whiffs completely. She's keeping out of harm's way a hell of a lot more than he'd expect her to. How utterly frustrating! But now she's apparently springing at him like a spidermonkey. Domino sidesteps to let her splat on the mat past him, and he goes to set his foot on her midback to pin her there. His hands then grab for her wrists, and he goes to wrench them up backwards. Not enough to break her arms, but enough to hurt. And from there? -He- beams at the crowd and winks at a few spectators. Nyah.
COMBATSYS: Drake successfully hits Arika with Fast Throw.
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Drake 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Arika
SPLAT!
Yeek!
Princess Arika could have handled the splat if it had been just that, but he's smooshing her face to the mat whilst his foot jabs into her back? No, wait. He's wrenching her body up in an unnatural manne-omgsubmissionhold. Blonde hair falls into her face, barely covering it up in time before her expression wries up into a wince. Cheers from the crowd cover the noise she makes as she tries to yank free of him. Rolling to the side in order to topple him off of her, she breaks her arms free in the process. But man... are they ever sore after that. So, doing much of anything with them is out of the question.
Quick thinking has her rolling back onto her shoulders in order to hop up to her feet. That's what it looks like, in any case, but it's not what she intends to do. Shifting to the side before she gets up, her legs scissor out and she attempts to catch him about the waist and slam him down onto the mat with her.
COMBATSYS: Drake counters Medium Throw from Arika with Solar Eclipse.
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Drake 1/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Arika
Domino holds that submission as long as he can, keeping her arms wrenched out backwards... still trying to go a little easy on them. He rather likes her girlie arms. He has no intention of breaking them! So when she wrenches over, he releases her. He doesn't have enough time to preen for the audience like her, though, seeing as she's rolling right back at him. He lets the scissoring occur to an extent... but he twists his body over to keep from being caught into it completely. Instead, his right arm hooks between her legs, and his left arm settles around her neck. Hugging her trapped body crossways to his, he turns over and powerslams her down onto the mat again.
Left arm remains cradling her neck. Right arm removes itself to instead hook under her left leg to draw it into the air. His right leg hooks over her right leg, and he lays atop her body at a slant. The referee immediately drops beside the pair to begin the count-off.
Annnd the referee gets no chance to hit the mat with that grubby hand of his, since Princess Arika has once again lifted her shoulder up.
By now it's apparent that she's hurting though. Eyes close, breathing is fairly labored. Girl still has a great deal of energy, but another drop like that is liable to knock her out of the match for good. This time, instead of simply nudging him off of her and coming in for another grapple attempt, she chambers both hands at her sides. Launching them upward in as strong of a double punch as she can manage toward his mid-section. She's hoping to launch him off of her so that she can get a few moments to catch her breath and refocus things.
COMBATSYS: Drake dodges Arika's Medium Punch.
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Drake 1/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Arika
Domino is fairly certain he has her! Fairly certain she's down for the count! But there she is, wrenching a shoulder up despite. With their faces nearly touching, and him all but cuddled up to her, he's highly tempted to just give'er a little kiss... but apparently she's still all for fighting with the way she's squirming. So he starts to raise back off of her, and her hands have chambered. He twists aside quickly to evade the punches.
But this time, he just hops over to the nearby ring ropes and perches on the lower rope. He doesn't take the time to pull out his full high-risk finisher - she's been moving too fast for that tonight already. But instead, he just bounces back off the bottom rope into a single backwards somersault in the air, aiming to land what is effectively a mini-Darkside Slam on her.
If this connects, it'll be six-pack landing across six-pack hard, followed by a quick pin. Right arm hooking the left leg again, body settling across her stomach and half her chest, right leg hooking her right leg. His left arm just settles over her left shoulder to hold it down and hopefully get the pinfall.
COMBATSYS: Arika blocks Drake's Medium Throw.
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Drake 1/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Arika
Tensing her abdomen up as he splashes atop her, the effects of the drop aren't as hard as he's likely intending. However, the overzealous ref is there again, this time slamming his hand to the mat in rapid succession before Princess Arika can even catch her breath after that splash.
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
The third strike comes just as the diva is lifting her shoulder up off of the mat, but by that time, it's too late. Looks like the AIW favorite has won yet another match here. Why not, right? It's his federation after all and so, the crowd goes absolutely wild at the win.
On the other hand, while things have worked out well for Drake, the whole fight has left a sour taste toward pro wrestling in Arika's mouth. Really, she thought she had what it took, but apparently she was wrong. Couldn't barely touch him during the match, her throwing techniques were too slow and way off mark. Yes, she's being hard on herself but this -has- taught her a valuable lesson - stick to what you know.
COMBATSYS: Arika has left the fight here.
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Drake 1/-------/=======|
Part of the idea of a pin! Hold someone down for three seconds! It's all that's needed! And when the third count is made, the ref signals the match to be over. The bell tolls three times, and Domino rises off the hurting Brit. He steps up to the ref's side, and his arm is lifted in sign of victory to those watching out in the audience and at home. Mmhm. Their alumni model still has it. He leaves the ref and climbs the closest turnbuckle to thrust both arms into the air to further rile on the audience, much to their delight.
And meanwhile, the ref crouches beside Arika to check on her. Make sure she isn't hurt or anything.
Why do they always do that? All it does is irritate the diva to no end. The ref is given a very dirty look, and he's extremely lucky she doesn't punch him in the face for making that third count as swiftly as he did. Gritting her teeth, she utters a stern, "Back off," before she pushes up to her feet and plasters that faux smile on her face again.
The world of Pro-Wrestling may have left a sour taste in her mouth, but she -still- has fans out there, and people that believe in her. Domino basks in his glory, but she just gives the crowd a small thumbs-up to signify that she's fine before she makes her way over to the stairs to clamber out of the ring.
Well, that makes the ref scuttle back a bit. She's obviously not injured. And Domino is still preening by the time she gets up to her feet. But he catches sight of her, and springs off the turnbuckle to attempt grabbing her into a tight hug. Whether from behind or from the front, he goes to give her a quick spin around before setting her back to her boots. He's in a right good mood. He -was- sucking earlier on, but if he can still pin Princess Arika, he must not have lost -too- much of his fighting mojo.
An audible squeak can be heard as the diva is caught around the middle from behind. Just before she made her escape too. Faux smile still plastered to her face, she allows the winner to do what he wants but as soon as her feet hit the mat again she's trying to clamber out of the ring. It's his glory, not hers. Arika knows how much it means to him, but she can't help feeling sore after that loss. It's not so much that she lost to -him-, but the way she was fighting that has her in this mood.
Domino intended to do more with her, but she's apparently dead-set on getting the heck out of the ring. So he just lets her leave and turns to the audience with a small shrug.. then a roguish smile and a wave before he too takes his leave. Heading up the ramp after Arika... and hopefully in time enough to catch her before she disappears into her room. "Princess~!," he calls after her, hoping to get her to stop.
Princess Arika -is- dead-set on getting out of the ring. Wouldn't Drake be after a loss like that? Normally she'd be all for sticking around, and while she -was- in a good mood, the ref totally spoiled it for her by pulling the 'check up on the fallen fighter' even though she was giving no indication of injury. That's not to say she's not in pain, but that -was- kind of embarrassing for her. The diva stops in her tracks when she hears him calling after her, and lets her shoulders drop a bit as she sighs.
Drake trots up to her like a high-falutin' showpony. He's all happy and elated at the moment. His arms sling around her neck and he leans in to apply a huuuge hug. "Mmmm~," he murrs into it, eyes all happy-squeezed shut. You know the look. This one right here: ^_^ "Hiya, baby," he coos to her. "Did'ja have fun?"
Shoulders lift up in a small shrug at his question, and she's happy she doesn't actually have to look at him at the moment. Arika would fail at a fake smile to him, she just knows it. Hard enough to mask her irritation at herself in her voice. C'mon! He got in three... THREE pin attempts... and she couldn't touch him hardly at all! It's enough to make a girl give up fighting. Especially since when they train together, she's able to actually hold her own and now? Whatever bad mojo he was having seems to have spread to her. "Mm. The crowd seemed to enjoy your win. Did you play up the victory for them?" Pause. "Any idea how well the promotion worked for the federation?"
Even if she skimpy Brit is unresponsive, Domino is still going to cling to her, nosing at her cheek. "'Course I did. Mostly was wondering why you ran off so quick, though. You're all slouchy. You shouldn't be! You were definitely entertaining'em! Little Miss Untouchable Eye-Candy...," he continues cooing. "And I've got no idea how it went over for'em. We won't know that until later. I know their ratings have gone up though, at least."
Now he's trying to butter her up? Arika just blinks at that and shakes her head very slowly. "Bet they loved it," she says in quiet response to his playing up his victory. "I didn't run off," she protests, "I was clearing the ring so you could bask without worrying about anyone stealing your spotlight." Partially the truth anyhow.
"Yeeaaah, right," Domino says with a grin. He finally declings from her and takes a step back. Oh snap, he forgot his robe. ..Eh, someone'll bring it back to him later. "Honey, I've been with you enough to know when something's upsetting you. C'mon, what's up?" His right hand lifts to nudge her chin gently, playfully.
Been with her. Arika -would- laugh at that since they're not -really- together, but she just doesn't have it in her today. It just sounds... nice to her right now. Comforting, almost. Someone knows her well enough to know when something's bothering her. "I'm just a little down about my techniques. Nothing you should be worrying about." He did fine after all... and wasn't she planning on throwing the fight if she came close to winning anyhow? No harm, no foul, right? "We should go celebrate. Dinner and dancing. On me."
Drake shakes his head. "No celebrating until you feel better." He steps up to her again and lifts his hands to set to her shoulders. "What techniques are you talking about, babe? Wrestling? C'mon... I've been wrestling how many years more than you?" He offers a small grin and leans in to her to touch his nose to hers. It's a subtle, but affectionate little thing. Trying to coax her back into a good mood. "You did great, sweetie. You looked beautiful - look, I mean - you're the sexiest girl wrestler out here, and you're tough enough to've had me start worrying. Don't you ever doubt yourself."
Oh, he's really trying to butter her up, isn't he? Arika searches his eyes then and her lip wavers. Lids slowly fall closed to mask the happy little tears that are causing her eyes to water. He's being sincere and not so much flirty. He's going to break her resolve in a second. "But I -should- have been able to pin you at least once." A quick pause. "Don't get me wrong, darling... I'm happy for your win! I just wish I'd put up a bit more of a fight for you. Made it showier. Made the crowd go wild and all of that." Grinning at him, she opens her now moist eyes and leans in to place a small peck on his cheek. "I love you for that though. What you said. That you meant it. Makes things not seem so bad."
"You put up plenty of a fight, baby," Drake replies. "I know it. The crowd knows it. You got some good hits in... you just didn't go after the pin too much. Don't worry about it." Seeing as her eyes are all moist and she looks like she's about to cry... well.. he can't just stop -there-, can he? He leans in and kisses her forehead softly. "All in all... you're new to professional wrestling. Don't sweat it. We've only been training these things, after all."
Good tears! Good tears because he's being all... almost relationshippy with her. Arika smiles at him and wipes her eyes. "Didn't show nearly half as well as I did our first fight here, but can't rock the world every time I hop into a ring." Sure, she's still upset over sucking so much, but when he puts it that way, she can't hate herself over it. The diva leans in against him and sighs softly. "I love you, Drake. Thank you for cheering me up."
Drake lowers his arms to loop them around her waist now that she's all leaned up against him. "According to you," Drake teases. "I think you rocked perfectly fine, doll. You were using a lot more wrestling than brawling. Just getting your feet wet, y'know?" He gives her a mild squeeze. "..Feelin' better now, sugar?"
And the compliments just keep coming. Arika -knows- he's being sincere and it just causes the tears to well up in her eyes again. "Thank you, darling. If you think I rocked, then I must have." Placing another small kiss on his cheek, she nods. "I am. Much."
They'd best sound sincere, since he -is- sincere. Domino tightens his squeeze on her, pulling her into a bearhug. "Mmm. Good. So... how would you like to go have a chat somewheres else?" The implication being somewhere more private. Alone. Out of the reach of prying eyes.
A chat. Arika gives him a look, though the implication is -well- given. "Mm. Sure. Here in the dressing room or back at the hotel?" Either way, they're sure to be given a wee bit of privacy. After all, people would be afraid of bugging the diva who was in a horrid mood.
A chat! For those listening in. Just so it sounds more innocent. "...Your hotel room?" He squeezes her tighter and tilts his head in to rub his nose against hers. "Ready to run off? I'll just get someone to grab my robe, and we'll skidaddle..."
Log created on 13:04:11 08/15/2007 by Arika, and last modified on 09:26:07 08/21/2007.