Tick Tock [Now O2A]

[Jamie Fury]

You can succeed Justice. I have a feeling that you'll do fine. It's tough, I'll be the first one to tell you that, but it can be done. You've got...something about you...that just tells me you can do it. Whatever this business pitches, you'll hit out of the park.

Jamie was the same way. Not really knowing what to expect when she first came on the scene, but it was drive, determination and a will that wouldn't break that got her to where she was now. It wasn't impossible. It just took hard work, and some help along the way. That was a big part of it. Going at it alone? Never a good idea if success is what you want.

But what exactly did Jamie want? That was a question that had suddenly conjured up in her mind as Justice spoke. She was a champion. She had been one three times prior. She had the highest honor bestowed upon any XWA competitor. She was a household name in the industry. She was regarded as "the best". That was everything that anyone could possibly want. All the things she fought for, all the things she worked for, she had.

So what was left now to want?

Want I want though...as far as "this" goes? Is to help you out, here and there. However I can. All you have to do is ask. I got help, and it really did...well...help...haha.

Did you have any plans after you got out of here? I'd like to show you around a bit. You're the new kid on the block in more ways than one, so it's only fitting that me being an "ambassador" be one to help you blend in. We can start by getting to know New York, and I'll introduce you to a friend of mine. What do you say?

[Justice Asuka]

"I wasn't planning on getting out of here, ever."

She could stay in the pool. Think herself into a prune before packing and returning to Japan. It wouldn't be that bad. She could get her old job back, move back in with her father, and tell all of her old friends that she had been to New York. Really, what kind of future did she have here? Uncertain at best and at worst? It was out of her limited realm of imagination.

"But you have changed my mind."

'No' She thought, to herself. 'I am not going back until I have succeeded' The fire of youth and independence still burned even in the water. She could not live like a child forever. She had to become more than just 'his' daughter. She needed the endless horizon right now in her life. She needed to find out what more she could be.

"I'll join you."

She pushed herself up and out of the pool, swinging her hips over as she did, until she was sitting on the edge as well. Her pale legs still resting in the water. She thought about Katja again just for a moment. She hoped the small assistant would be okay.

"Maybe we can both help some people."

She half said to herself and Fury. 'Maybe'

[Jamie Fury]

Inside herself, Jamie let out a sigh. It wasn't one that could be seen because of course it was..inside. But she was relieved that Asuka had taken her up on her offer. She was after all, for the most part still a stranger in the sense of them meeting for the first time on this very day. That and the fact that Jamie's stature could be seen as a little imposing to some. She was hoping to be able to show at least to Justice that she was if you will a "gentle giant".

That, and the fact that she was XWA meant she was part of a "sisterhood" of sorts. Albeit a dysfunctional sisterhood that would see many of those "sisters" trying to beat each other's brains out, but a sisterhood nonetheless. Especially now, Jamie held with pride the fact that it was women like her that truly represented what it meant to be a Diamond. It was something she wanted to share with Justice, but realistically with anyone. Through her strength, she wanted to make everyone stronger, in a spiritual sense.

She had kept think about what she wanted through all of this, and it was when Justice accepted the offer that it became clear what she truly wanted now. She was already successful. She was already on her way to becoming a legend in this business, but she didn't want to be there alone, because alone was not how she got there. She wanted to help anyone who accepted it in whatever way she could do so, to reach what she's reached. To achieve what she's achieved. Something beyond mere victory. Beyond championships. Beyond even status and potential "legendhood".

Happiness.

That which comes with looking at yourself and seeing the person you want to be on the other side, not the person you "wish" to be. It would start with this young girl from Japan. She had an idea of what she wanted, she had the spirit to get it, and she probably had the tools to as well. But those are only a few pieces to the puzzle. And there was a long road ahead. Lots of chances to get lost. Jamie wasn't going to allow that to happen to this girl though. She wouldn't be an "Xtraordinaire" is she did.

I'm really glad to hear you say that, Justice.

She smiles. Tossing back the towel, she dips into the pool now. Something relaxing about water after a hard workout. After anything physically strenuous actually. It calmed the body, and the mind sometimes too. She comes back up to the surface with a refreshed "phew".

Wow, that feels good...I see what you meant when you said you could stay in here. How long have you been on dry American land though?

[Justice Asuka]

"One week."

Justice leaned over and grabbed another towel from a white cart. Dropping her head for a moment she wrapped her hair tight until it was piled up on top of her head. 'One week' It hardly seemed possible, and already she was stumbling along. What would it all look like after one month? She couldn't imagine the answer to that question. If the other wrestlers were anything like Lilith or Fury? She was going to look like cat food.

"One week."

It had also been one week with no response from her father back in Japan. Would he ever write her? What kind of letter would it be? Begrudgingly supportive, or completely dis-owning. There was very little middle ground in her father's mind. That was also thanks to her mother. What a completely destructive force of nature she had been. Sucking everything in and tearing it apart, without looking back once to see what she had done. She never wanted to be anything like that. She never wanted to be her mother's daughter.

"Do things always move this fast here?"

[Jamie Fury]

Well, they call it the city that never sleeps for a reason.

Not being a native to New York herself, Jamie always found that fact to be both a good and a bad thing. NY had it's charm, but things were a little too crazy sometimes. It was a town that could chew a person up and spit them out with no hesitation or remorse. Kind of a predator in itself.

But one of the better parts of being in the XWA is that it's not all in New York. We're going to be traveling all over the country, even to other countries. Every year the XWA tours Europe and Japan too. Bet you'll like going back there for a month, won't you?

[Justice Asuka]

"Maybe. It's a little complicated right now."

That was a Japanese understatement. Would she still be in the XWA? Would her father have forgiven her? Would she have anything to show for her huge gamble? There were a hundred smaller questions attached to any return to Japan.

"I am more worried about Fort Bragg. It is first."

It would be her first American, stylized match. It was like standing in front of a subway tunnel at rush hour. You could hear the rumbling sound long before the train appeared. But you knew it was going to be big and squash you like a grape. That was their immediate future.

"I wish I knew what was happening."

Blackheart was keeping a tight wrap on things so far. Justice had no clue who she would be facing. It could be Fury for all she knew. She looked at her relaxing in the water. She wouldn't like that at all. She shook her head before standing up. No reason to worry about something she had no control over. She had too many other worries standing in line in her head.

[Jamie Fury]

That which Justice just said, was something that was probably on the minds of everyone on roster as pertains to this "special show" taking place.

Same here. It was kind of a surprise to me that we're doing this show. I though it was going to be a typical offseason, but I guess Blackheart and Lionheart had other plans.

It's nothing to beat yourself up about though. I'm sure once there's something more to be said about it, we'll hear about it.

Jamie was obviously more calm and collected about this event than Justice was. It wasn't her first, she knew exactly what to expect. For someone like Asuka though, a rookie to this "style" of wrestling, it could be a bit overwhelming.

I think we need to take your mind off of wrestling for a bit.

That was probably a really good idea. One can't be "all business" after all. She felt relaxed, wading in the pool back towards the edge which she came in from. Grabbing the ledge, she pulls herself up by her arms alone, the ripples of the muscles in her pectorals flexing as she effortlessly lifting her body, heavier now from the water, out of it. She sighs and grabs her towel, beginning to dry off her hair. She had said it before on TV, sometimes she was oblivious to just how she looked to most people, because she was so comfortable with herself.

She must've looked like a Roman goddess standing there, the water revealing to the naked eye the full detail of her superheroine-like form.

Let's get cleaned up, and we'll go do some sightseeing. I'll take you to meet Amber too.

She was definitely going to have to speak with her one way or the other. That Lilith was someone she had to keep an eye on, and if Amber knew anything about her, she wanted to know as well.

[Justice Asuka]

"I'll meet you out front."

Justice gave a little smile before walking quickly ahead to the changing area. It had been an eventful day to say the least. She was more than ready for a change of scenery and a change of thoughts. She wondered what this Amber would be like. She also, like any good citizen of Japan, began to wonder about dinner. At least there wouldn't be any more trouble today, it seemed.