Another Journey Begins
folder
Angst › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
12
Views:
867
Reviews:
0
Recommended:
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Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Angst › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
12
Views:
867
Reviews:
0
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
A little girl power
Rio stepped up her training routine in the two weeks she had to prepare for the tryouts. She'd designed a look, with Sven's help, that included silver body paint and a silver mask. She'd insisted on the cool steel look and opted for a metallic golden wig and mirrored sunglasses. The less anyone could see of the woman beneath the mask, the better, as far as she was concerned. In fact, she wished she could wear it all the time. Justin had found a company to manufacture the latex masks. He'd also provided a smudge-proof body paint formula so that Rio's perspiration didn't cause it to run. When asked how he'd managed it, he would only smile and shrug.
Rio grunted through her weightlifting as she remembered the conversation she'd had with the mysterious owner of the organization. It was lucky she'd been able to convince him she deserved a shot. He'd seemed skeptical but had apparently decided he'd have nothing to lose in giving her an appointment. Henry Bender was his name "¦ plain and unassuming. She supposed it probably wasn't his real name, but who cared anyway?
"You do not wish to overdo it, do you, Sweet One?"
Rio looked up at the blonde man and smiled sheepishly as she set the barbell down on its place on the bench.
"I guess I am excited," she sighed.
"It is to be expected."
She nodded and looked away. Sven had been very good to her in a time when she couldn't care for herself. She felt guilty for working to get into a club that would take her so far away, especially knowing that he would likely worry for her. And she wasn't quite sure how often she would be able to come home to see him and Justin.
"Do you think I have a chance?" she asked quietly.
She had every confidence in her own ability. But his and Justin's opinions meant a lot to her and she was curious as to what he actually thought.
"If I had any doubts, I would not have urged Justin to allow you to go."
"But I thought you did so because you felt I had a right to make my own decisions."
"And I do," he smiled. "But I would not knowingly allow you to walk into something unprepared. I have taught you all I can, Sweet One, as has Justin. What you do from here on must be your decision."
Rio blinked in surprise, unsure how to take that. But knowing Sven, he wouldn't answer even she asked. Oh, well. I guess I would be better off worrying about tomorrow's tryouts.
--------------------------------
"Have you seen the size of these men?" Justin brooded.
Sven smiled enigmatically at his lover and touched his arm briefly to calm him. He'd known that the dark-haired man would take issue with Rio's competition. Yet, he also knew she wouldn't be happy to know they were there to check up on her. She'd asked them not to come to the tryouts and they had led to believe they wouldn't.
"You have taught her well, love," Sven said, his Scandinavian accent soothing Justin's taut nerves. "Between your fighting lessons and my sensing techniques, none of these men stands a chance. I believe in her."
"I believe in her, too," Justin sighed wearily. "I just do not want to see anything else horrible happen to her. She has been through enough."
"I agree. But the rage is consuming her. You have said so yourself," Sven pointed out. "If she does not find an outlet for her, Tara Connors will be lost forever. And that would be a worse tragedy, would you not say?"
Justin gave a noncommittal grunt as they settled back to watch.
--------------------------------
Rio paced around the open area in the gymnasium, trying to loosen her muscles. She'd done her yoga and stretching, so she knew the tightness she felt was directly related to her nerves rather than her body. Her black tights and sports bra were new and itched her silver-painted skin like a bitch. The room wasn't filled with many fighters, as the club owner had apparently staggered the appointments. She assumed that most of the costumed fighters here now were actual fighters with the club, here to help assess the recruits.
"Look at what we have here," she heard a low taunting voice from behind her. "I've picked my teeth with men whose legs were bigger than you."
Turning she locked eyes with a masked behemoth masquerading as a human. He was easily the largest, most muscular man she'd ever seen, not that she'd been looking for that kind "¦ ever. His mask was a deep purple satin and covered his whole face, with holes cut for his eyes and mouth, though none that she could see for his nose. That must make breathing difficult, she mused silently. His long black curly hair was left free to tumble over his shoulders and his eyes matched their obsidian color. He wore no top whatsoever, leaving his glistening muscles shining in the fluorescent light. His powerful legs were encased in skintight leggings that matched his mask and his stance was positively aggressive.
"Not speaking to me?" he chuckled. "That's good. I prefer my girls to be seen and not heard anyway. Maybe I won't have to smack you around too much."
She allowed a golden eyebrow to lift above her mirrored sunglasses as she stared at him. Could I really take him on? Her conversation with Sven the day prior said he thought she could. But she was on her own here right now.
"You're a cute little door prize," he went on. "If things don't work out here, and they won't, want to be my "¦ valet?"
Rio swallowed in agitation before she lifted her chin defiantly. Justin had taught her to conceal her fears. Showing an adversary any sign of trepidation would give away an advantage that someone so small could ill-afford. She thought of all of the people who had used her over her lifetime, especially the ones who mistreated her. The rage began to hum inside of her.
"You must be Rio," a cool smooth voice interrupted as they continued to size each other up.
Rio glanced to her left and gave a curt nod to the lean man in the business suit who had suddenly appeared there. He was tall, though not quite as tall as the monster-man, with chestnut brown hair, slicked back into an impeccably neat style and cold light blue eyes.
"I'm Bender."
"Nice to meet you," she replied in her flawless Russian accent.
"I don't usually have girls try out for my club," he went on in a bored tone. "But you seemed very persistent and I decided it wouldn't hurt to see you." Then he flashed her a predatory grin that matched the monster's. "Maybe you'd like a different position here. After all, fighting is such an "¦ aggressive job."
"If it is all the same to you," she hissed darkly, "I would prefer to show you my particular "¦ skills in the ring."
He raised a skeptical eyebrow at her as he raked her small form up and down with his eyes. "As you wish."
"Let me take a crack at her, boss," the purple-clad fighter still standing before her suggested. "The others might not see her "¦ potential for a future here. We wouldn't want her seriously hurt, would we?"
Henry Bender gave him a knowing wink and nodded as he strutted away. So, this was to be her opponent for the day then? She was actually pleased, as he'd already shown her what kind of degenerate he was and she intended to use her emotions against him. Allowing the rage to take over, she followed him to the small ring set up in the center of the gym.
--------------------------------
Justin and Sven watched from a shadowed corner behind the bleachers, ready to appear if they felt they were needed. Justin swore under his breath as he noticed that her opponent just happened to be the biggest fighter in the gym. The other fighters all watched from afar, showing only mild curiosity in the small woman who dared try to join their ranks. Sven still had every confidence in Rio, but he crossed his fingers behind his back just in case.
--------------------------------
Rio paced around the small ring for a moment trying to calm her nerves. This would be the first fight she would have with someone besides her trainers and she took a deep breath to prepare.
"We don't have to do this," her opponent said in amusement as he stepped around her. "You could just concede. I could make sure Henry gives you a "¦ job anyway."
"I am no one's whore," she hissed at him.
"Aw, whore is such a nasty word," he laughed. "How about we just call you my bitch?"
Rio's eyes widened behind the lenses of her glasses and her nostril's flared. The rage surfaced immediately and she kicked out at his leg, making him yelp.
"I believe I would rather call you MY bitch!" she replied coldly.
"Goddamn it!" he growled. "I was going to go easy on you!"
"Who asked you to?"
He charged at her and she flipped out of his way grabbing his injured leg as she did and yanking on it. He lost his balance and stumbled to the floor. Rio vaulted up onto the turnbuckle and flipped down on him before he could get up, causing a loud crack in his leg.
"Fuck!"
She stood back and glared down at him. "Shall I go on, or do you concede?" she asked innocently.
"No fucking way!" he shouted limping to his feet.
The other fighters slowly drew in closer to the ring to watch the action now that they knew the girl wasn't an easy mark. Rio paid them no mind for the moment, sensing that none came closer than five feet to the ring. Her opponent staggered back toward her, apparently intending to get her onto the floor. Rio flipped under him through his legs and hooked an arm around his neck, bringing him down onto his back. He used his weight to flip himself over, catching her beneath him and grinning down at her coldly.
"Gotcha!" he hissed.
"Not really," she sang sweetly just before she brought a leg up and caught him under the shoulder, prying him off her. She saw that one of his arms was closer to her than the other and grabbed it, twisting and yanking it quickly. Another crack sounded and he cried loudly, pounding the mat. She grinned and flipped off him while Henry signaled for some medical people standing by to treat injuries.
--------------------------------
Justin stared at the aftermath with an open mouth. He knew he'd trained her well, but he had no idea just how well until he'd seen her today.
"You see?" Sven drawled. "I told you she was ready.
The dark-haired man could only nod to him.
--------------------------------
"Impressive, Quick Silver," he said once the large man had been loaded onto a gurney. "Most impressive."
"I am not "˜quick silver'," she seethed.
He shrugged as he turned back to her. "I still don't think a woman belongs in my club," he said.
"I do not believe you can turn me away now," she replied. "After all, think of the crowds such a small fighter will draw for you."
"Crowds?"
"Oh, come on. You know how hard everyone roots for the underdog."
Henry seemed to be looking for a reason to turn her down though she was well aware she'd neatly cornered him. She could sense his motivation, too. As long as she could sell him on her ticket-drawing potential, he would not refuse her.
"Your choice," he shrugged and pulled out a sheet of paper detailing the appearance schedule for the next few weeks. "I'll start you off in the rookie division, though, so you can get accustomed to our rules."
"If I must," she sighed, glancing at the sheet.
Even in the rookie division she would make more than twice what she and Monty made at the bar combined. Not a bad deal, for now. She noted that the higher her level, the more she would make. The Supreme Champion made the most, of course, and she was shocked to see that if she ever made it that high, she could pay off all of Ben's medical bills and the balance of her mortgage in just a few short weeks of fighting. That was her newest goal now, and she smiled inwardly as she contemplated it.
"I still think you should reconsider," Henry glowered at her, apparently hating the idea of a woman in his club more and more. "There's no way you can survive with us."
"I will manage."
"Fine. It will be your funeral."
"Oh, I do not think so," she laughed heartily.
Becoming Rio had been worth the effort. This new outlet for her rage would be very lucrative.
Rio grunted through her weightlifting as she remembered the conversation she'd had with the mysterious owner of the organization. It was lucky she'd been able to convince him she deserved a shot. He'd seemed skeptical but had apparently decided he'd have nothing to lose in giving her an appointment. Henry Bender was his name "¦ plain and unassuming. She supposed it probably wasn't his real name, but who cared anyway?
"You do not wish to overdo it, do you, Sweet One?"
Rio looked up at the blonde man and smiled sheepishly as she set the barbell down on its place on the bench.
"I guess I am excited," she sighed.
"It is to be expected."
She nodded and looked away. Sven had been very good to her in a time when she couldn't care for herself. She felt guilty for working to get into a club that would take her so far away, especially knowing that he would likely worry for her. And she wasn't quite sure how often she would be able to come home to see him and Justin.
"Do you think I have a chance?" she asked quietly.
She had every confidence in her own ability. But his and Justin's opinions meant a lot to her and she was curious as to what he actually thought.
"If I had any doubts, I would not have urged Justin to allow you to go."
"But I thought you did so because you felt I had a right to make my own decisions."
"And I do," he smiled. "But I would not knowingly allow you to walk into something unprepared. I have taught you all I can, Sweet One, as has Justin. What you do from here on must be your decision."
Rio blinked in surprise, unsure how to take that. But knowing Sven, he wouldn't answer even she asked. Oh, well. I guess I would be better off worrying about tomorrow's tryouts.
--------------------------------
"Have you seen the size of these men?" Justin brooded.
Sven smiled enigmatically at his lover and touched his arm briefly to calm him. He'd known that the dark-haired man would take issue with Rio's competition. Yet, he also knew she wouldn't be happy to know they were there to check up on her. She'd asked them not to come to the tryouts and they had led to believe they wouldn't.
"You have taught her well, love," Sven said, his Scandinavian accent soothing Justin's taut nerves. "Between your fighting lessons and my sensing techniques, none of these men stands a chance. I believe in her."
"I believe in her, too," Justin sighed wearily. "I just do not want to see anything else horrible happen to her. She has been through enough."
"I agree. But the rage is consuming her. You have said so yourself," Sven pointed out. "If she does not find an outlet for her, Tara Connors will be lost forever. And that would be a worse tragedy, would you not say?"
Justin gave a noncommittal grunt as they settled back to watch.
--------------------------------
Rio paced around the open area in the gymnasium, trying to loosen her muscles. She'd done her yoga and stretching, so she knew the tightness she felt was directly related to her nerves rather than her body. Her black tights and sports bra were new and itched her silver-painted skin like a bitch. The room wasn't filled with many fighters, as the club owner had apparently staggered the appointments. She assumed that most of the costumed fighters here now were actual fighters with the club, here to help assess the recruits.
"Look at what we have here," she heard a low taunting voice from behind her. "I've picked my teeth with men whose legs were bigger than you."
Turning she locked eyes with a masked behemoth masquerading as a human. He was easily the largest, most muscular man she'd ever seen, not that she'd been looking for that kind "¦ ever. His mask was a deep purple satin and covered his whole face, with holes cut for his eyes and mouth, though none that she could see for his nose. That must make breathing difficult, she mused silently. His long black curly hair was left free to tumble over his shoulders and his eyes matched their obsidian color. He wore no top whatsoever, leaving his glistening muscles shining in the fluorescent light. His powerful legs were encased in skintight leggings that matched his mask and his stance was positively aggressive.
"Not speaking to me?" he chuckled. "That's good. I prefer my girls to be seen and not heard anyway. Maybe I won't have to smack you around too much."
She allowed a golden eyebrow to lift above her mirrored sunglasses as she stared at him. Could I really take him on? Her conversation with Sven the day prior said he thought she could. But she was on her own here right now.
"You're a cute little door prize," he went on. "If things don't work out here, and they won't, want to be my "¦ valet?"
Rio swallowed in agitation before she lifted her chin defiantly. Justin had taught her to conceal her fears. Showing an adversary any sign of trepidation would give away an advantage that someone so small could ill-afford. She thought of all of the people who had used her over her lifetime, especially the ones who mistreated her. The rage began to hum inside of her.
"You must be Rio," a cool smooth voice interrupted as they continued to size each other up.
Rio glanced to her left and gave a curt nod to the lean man in the business suit who had suddenly appeared there. He was tall, though not quite as tall as the monster-man, with chestnut brown hair, slicked back into an impeccably neat style and cold light blue eyes.
"I'm Bender."
"Nice to meet you," she replied in her flawless Russian accent.
"I don't usually have girls try out for my club," he went on in a bored tone. "But you seemed very persistent and I decided it wouldn't hurt to see you." Then he flashed her a predatory grin that matched the monster's. "Maybe you'd like a different position here. After all, fighting is such an "¦ aggressive job."
"If it is all the same to you," she hissed darkly, "I would prefer to show you my particular "¦ skills in the ring."
He raised a skeptical eyebrow at her as he raked her small form up and down with his eyes. "As you wish."
"Let me take a crack at her, boss," the purple-clad fighter still standing before her suggested. "The others might not see her "¦ potential for a future here. We wouldn't want her seriously hurt, would we?"
Henry Bender gave him a knowing wink and nodded as he strutted away. So, this was to be her opponent for the day then? She was actually pleased, as he'd already shown her what kind of degenerate he was and she intended to use her emotions against him. Allowing the rage to take over, she followed him to the small ring set up in the center of the gym.
--------------------------------
Justin and Sven watched from a shadowed corner behind the bleachers, ready to appear if they felt they were needed. Justin swore under his breath as he noticed that her opponent just happened to be the biggest fighter in the gym. The other fighters all watched from afar, showing only mild curiosity in the small woman who dared try to join their ranks. Sven still had every confidence in Rio, but he crossed his fingers behind his back just in case.
--------------------------------
Rio paced around the small ring for a moment trying to calm her nerves. This would be the first fight she would have with someone besides her trainers and she took a deep breath to prepare.
"We don't have to do this," her opponent said in amusement as he stepped around her. "You could just concede. I could make sure Henry gives you a "¦ job anyway."
"I am no one's whore," she hissed at him.
"Aw, whore is such a nasty word," he laughed. "How about we just call you my bitch?"
Rio's eyes widened behind the lenses of her glasses and her nostril's flared. The rage surfaced immediately and she kicked out at his leg, making him yelp.
"I believe I would rather call you MY bitch!" she replied coldly.
"Goddamn it!" he growled. "I was going to go easy on you!"
"Who asked you to?"
He charged at her and she flipped out of his way grabbing his injured leg as she did and yanking on it. He lost his balance and stumbled to the floor. Rio vaulted up onto the turnbuckle and flipped down on him before he could get up, causing a loud crack in his leg.
"Fuck!"
She stood back and glared down at him. "Shall I go on, or do you concede?" she asked innocently.
"No fucking way!" he shouted limping to his feet.
The other fighters slowly drew in closer to the ring to watch the action now that they knew the girl wasn't an easy mark. Rio paid them no mind for the moment, sensing that none came closer than five feet to the ring. Her opponent staggered back toward her, apparently intending to get her onto the floor. Rio flipped under him through his legs and hooked an arm around his neck, bringing him down onto his back. He used his weight to flip himself over, catching her beneath him and grinning down at her coldly.
"Gotcha!" he hissed.
"Not really," she sang sweetly just before she brought a leg up and caught him under the shoulder, prying him off her. She saw that one of his arms was closer to her than the other and grabbed it, twisting and yanking it quickly. Another crack sounded and he cried loudly, pounding the mat. She grinned and flipped off him while Henry signaled for some medical people standing by to treat injuries.
--------------------------------
Justin stared at the aftermath with an open mouth. He knew he'd trained her well, but he had no idea just how well until he'd seen her today.
"You see?" Sven drawled. "I told you she was ready.
The dark-haired man could only nod to him.
--------------------------------
"Impressive, Quick Silver," he said once the large man had been loaded onto a gurney. "Most impressive."
"I am not "˜quick silver'," she seethed.
He shrugged as he turned back to her. "I still don't think a woman belongs in my club," he said.
"I do not believe you can turn me away now," she replied. "After all, think of the crowds such a small fighter will draw for you."
"Crowds?"
"Oh, come on. You know how hard everyone roots for the underdog."
Henry seemed to be looking for a reason to turn her down though she was well aware she'd neatly cornered him. She could sense his motivation, too. As long as she could sell him on her ticket-drawing potential, he would not refuse her.
"Your choice," he shrugged and pulled out a sheet of paper detailing the appearance schedule for the next few weeks. "I'll start you off in the rookie division, though, so you can get accustomed to our rules."
"If I must," she sighed, glancing at the sheet.
Even in the rookie division she would make more than twice what she and Monty made at the bar combined. Not a bad deal, for now. She noted that the higher her level, the more she would make. The Supreme Champion made the most, of course, and she was shocked to see that if she ever made it that high, she could pay off all of Ben's medical bills and the balance of her mortgage in just a few short weeks of fighting. That was her newest goal now, and she smiled inwardly as she contemplated it.
"I still think you should reconsider," Henry glowered at her, apparently hating the idea of a woman in his club more and more. "There's no way you can survive with us."
"I will manage."
"Fine. It will be your funeral."
"Oh, I do not think so," she laughed heartily.
Becoming Rio had been worth the effort. This new outlet for her rage would be very lucrative.