Come As You Are

Ah, they were finally getting to the meat of the matter. As formidable as Haruka proved to be in debating philosophy, surprisingly so, it wasn’t what had Saif interested. Conflict was an inevitability here, and one she readily accepted. A chance to demonstrate, properly, in front of so many wrestlers, to draw their attention and show them her newfound power firsthand. She could’ve asked for little more than such a beautiful partner.

But more than that, Haruka presented a rare challenge. There were precious few women like in the AFW at all, but within the hentai division, she was a rose amongst the weeds. While many of the hentai wrestlers had the physical capabilities and skill to hold their own in regular fights, most of them were on the slimmer side, lacking raw power and muscle. She could only think of three others who fit such a bill. Akashi was long gone, Bubbles was out of reach, and Minerva…

She had special plans for Minerva.

But the woman before her now, this rare creature, was more than adequate. She shivered at the thought of testing her, of breaking her, of reshaping her into a powerful ally. The only questions were how and when?

”I wish to see that. Intensely.” Saif came over and planted a finger on Haruka’s impressed chest, giving her just the lightest touch and letting her breath wash over the woman’s chest with every word. ”But not here. Not now. Tempting as it may be, I wish for a grander stage, a full match. Is that acceptable?”

A rare creature, indeed.

It was a long shot that Haruka would get Saif to actually look inward, giving counterpoints to the words and claims that flow so freely from her lips. Introspection is a rare trait among zealots and she wasn't blind to the fact her question to the whereabouts of his master parallels to other religions. Not that this particular question has ever stopped them for centuries to begin with. Haruka doubted that there would be a second coming anytime soon, but stranger things have happened in AFW. You just never know.

Regardless if she's able to change her mind or not, the main goal was making sure that everyone was safe and nobody was hurt further. Haruka would have stopped Saif in her tracks the moment she had any ideas, being that mountain as she eloquently put. As much as she was prepared for violence, the manner in which she got Saif off Reika is a good indicator, even she preferred not to do so here. Haruka didn't mind a spar, but for this occasion, with this woman standing in front of her, things have to be properly done.

Lo and behold, they would not come to blows today.

"It is." Haruka simply stated as Saif came over, her finger planted on her chest. The glowing blue eyes still showed conviction, standing tall and strong at the face of adversity. The terms were laid out, something that seemed like an inevitability. At least this time around, she wouldn't be so woefully underprepared and lacking. With them so close, that they could feel the warmth radiating from another, Haruka slightly leaned her head forward. "Do you really find satisfaction of being a living weapon? That the only cause you serve for is to amuse and entertain?" Her tone was low, so that others surrounding the ring wouldn't hear, just between her and Saif.

Even now, Saif was already imagining how their match would go.  Haruka was an imposing woman, possessing more strength in a single arm than she could boast in two. But in truth, she wasn’t a challenge that was completely alien to her, from a certain point of view. While few in the AFW could make her, the Basement Wrestling League where Kim came from had boasted a high number of muscle bound beauties. The woman she had been before suffered against them, always outmatched and struggling to bridge the sizable gap. She’d lost those matches far more often than she won them, but Saif was a different beast.

In a way, this was precisely what she needed to show the full reach of changes, to show her true improvements. She would reach a much larger audience, as well, and possibly gain a powerful new convert. All satisfactory results.

Saif was, at the present moment, quite content.

So much so that, when Haruka came and whispered her way with these words so obviously meant to sow confusion, she was undeterred. She answered in the simplest way she could conceive - she leaned forward as well and pressed a quick, pecking kiss on Haruka’s lips, before turning about on her heels and slipping away.

”You’ve still a great many things to learn, Haruka. About how the world works. About how I work.” Saif flashed Haruka one last smile as she slipped through the ropes. ”But you needn’t fear. I will educate you.”

Had a match between these two happened months or even years ago, Haruka would not have believed there was a chance for her. Put her in the same ring as Saif when she has just gotten into the league and no one would have conceived the thought that Haruka would do much at all, even for a second. If it was a few months ago, where she managed to change and better herself, there would have been somewhat of a chance. But thinking upon it, the pinkette felt she didn’t have the tools needed that would give her the win. However, one could argue that it was mostly a belief problem. If the mind and the body aren’t on the same page, then the foundations are easy to break down. The hentai division has seen its fair share of gargantuan monsters that crumbled. When the mind falls, the body follows.

And people say that hentai isn’t legitimate as a competition.

The same could be said for Saif. Despite the diminutive stature, she was strong in both body and especially in mind. Even as Haruka held her own wading through the many half-truths and bastardized promises of something greater, Saif didn’t waver either. With neither relenting and giving up ground, Haruka has understood Saif a bit better.

Not much, but just a bit.

Still, even with the words that Haruka has said, Saif proved to be a tough nut to crack. A kiss was the first thing that Saif had to offer first before turning on her heels and taking her leave from the looks of it. Haruka didn't follow or chase after Saif, neither did she need to. She didn't need any answers from her. She didn't need to seek retribution here in this ring. There's an appointed time and Haruka will stick to that. So long as nobody else gets hurt.

"I'll look forward to the lesson then." Haruka crossed her arms under her chest as she's not the only one left in the ring. One by one, the crowd began to disperse, the excitement was indeed over and a poor soul didnt get broken beyond repair today. So long as it stays that way. Though something came to her mind as Haruka' eyes closed. Pondering in thought. "Just what kind of things has he done to turn you into this?" The thought about it made her skin crawl. And if that is what lies in wait for her, should she fail, this brings more conviction to the pinkette.

She must not fail.