Full Squared Circle

Alaina slowly hobbled other feet wobbly and somewhat disoriented. She helped Valley up and looked her in the eye. "Val, in big matches when things matter most, you are like unstoppable. For me you are that mountain I couldn't climb, the plateau I could never reach. That is why you are friggin' amazing." Alaina said, the sound of weary exhaustion clear in her voice.


"I just.. I dunno. I had to prove it to myself that I had it in me to actually beat you in something. Anything."

Valley couldn’t help but laugh at that.

It wasn’t a mean, hurtful laugh - quite the opposite. It was more of chortle. A short burst, friendly and fun.

”I’m sorry.” She was quick to wave it off, not wanting to sound like she wasn’t taking what Alaina said seriously. She was. But… ”Just the idea of me being your mountain is just…”

She sighed and rubbed her shoulder, taking a moment to compose her thoughts more adequately. ”You’re young, Alaina. And great. And skilled. And strong. In three years, maybe four, I probably won’t even be competition for you. Of course you can beat me. You can beat anybody in this entire league - you just have to believe in yourself. You’ve got the tools.”

Alaina was silent as she took in what Valley said. She was breathing heavily finally sitting up and getting to her feet, offering a hand to Valley to help her up. "Heh, thanks but.. I dunno. I feel like getting into wrestling late cost me a bit. I was 25 when ya met me first over here. There years ago. Wow... its been that long already?" Alaina said, rubbing her head.

She smiled at Valley and winked. "Age is but a number though right? You just promise me you are not gonna lose that belt, unless I somehow challenge for Entropy again."

Valley couldn’t keep in a full laugh at Alaina’s attempt at a cheer-up. She meant well, Alaina always meant well, but…

”’Age’ is only a number’. Ha. Spoken like a young person.” She reached over and gave Alaina a little punch on the shoulder. ”Come back to me in ten years and see what you feel about that.”

She took a long, deep breath, taking in the air, absorbing this scent of sweat and musk and, well...wrestling.

She looked back to Alaina and winked. ”I think I can make that promise.”

Alaina laughed and smiled as Valley seemed to perk up a little bit. That was encouraging. Alaina could learn a lot from Valley and her ability to keep things in perspective. That was a necessary tool for a long, successful career.

"Good, ya better have that belt a good long while though. It will take a bit for me to get back into title contention form. ut I will be better than the last time you saw me." Alaina added with a wink. She nodded to Valley as she turned to make her way back towards the locker room.