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Post by Amber Gianni on Jan 18, 2011 0:15:48 GMT -5
The night had just fallen in New York, and Amber was in town like most of the XWA roster this offseason. She had been training hard to get herself ready for a "comeback" of sorts in 2011, but most of her time the last few weeks was modeling more material for her website and enjoying what free time she had before the new season sucked it all up.
She was staying at the Milford Plaza, just off of Broadway and right next door to Times Square. Inside of her hotel room, she was reclined on a bed, wearing a big, fluffy white terry robe. In her hand was the clicker, and sure enough she was flipping through channels.
It's amazing how there can be like 500 channels and still nothing on. 
A chime on her Blackberry sitting on the nightstand beside her breaks the monotony of channel surfing. She picks it up to see it indicate she just got a text.
Coming to see you. You better be decent, I'm bringing company.
-Jamie
Company? She scratched her head. Who could Jamie Fury be bringing along with her. It couldn't be Marisol, she was in Japan once again this offseason.
I wonder if it's a guy. I didn't know she had it in her. Tee hee...
As those naughty bits of thought passed through her head, Amber got out of the bed. Company did mean she was going to have to be dressed somewhat. She slides the robe off her back, revealing that underneath it, she wasn't.  Heading to a closet, she opens it and looks for something to put on that was casual. Some undies on her ample bottom, then some black jeggings over them. Then she slides on a black tank top she got from Fredricks of Hollywood that said "TALK FLIRTY TO ME" in bold, red letters.
Done. Now, back to the bed and more channel surfing until her visitors arrived. |
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Post by Jamie Fury on Jan 18, 2011 2:28:29 GMT -5
It was a few hours now since Jamie had met not one, but two new faces and one familiar one inside of a New York City Gym.
One such face happened to be walking into the hotel lobby with her. Jamie was a little nervous, though she didn't particularly look it. Have you ever introduced people you know to each other who didn't know each other? You'd be a little nervous too. Albeit she and Justice Asuka had only met this day, unfamiliarity can still be a challenge to get over, especially if like Asuka was, you're unfamiliar with the city, the country, and had only been there for a week.
A week. It must've taken a week simply to travel from Japan all the way to New York. Looking back at the young woman, Jamie thinks it's a wonder she's not a zombie right now from jet-lag.
They arrive in the lobby, chock full of life, as is most public places in the city. Lots of tourists around, and it didn't get past many that the Diamond Champion had arrived, so there was some photos taken, autographs signed. All the while, Jamie was keeping tabs on Justice, making sure she at least felt a little comfortable.
How're you doing, Justice? I didn't think it would be busy like this...
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Post by Justice Asuka on Jan 18, 2011 5:40:32 GMT -5
Fame. Justice was not used to being around it. The digital flashes hurt her eyes, but at least she was tall enough not to get pushed around too much by star struck Fury fans. She smiled uncomfortably at her guide. Not because she was uncomfortable really, but because she didn't know how to act when the person you were with was signing autographs. Her company had been so small, even their "Champions" didn't sign autographs. It had all been strictly small time and nothing like this. She wondered if the person they were meeting would have a more "normal" lifestyle.
"I am fine. I think I should worry about you."
She made a note to herself to lose any and all title matches that may or may not be in her future. She did not have the poise Fury did or the strength for all the public attention.
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Post by Jamie Fury on Jan 18, 2011 7:59:40 GMT -5
The sudden throng of fans soon dissipated, and Jamie was all smiles as she kept Justice close even through the spattering of admirers.
I've gotten used to it. I actually love these people. When you get them behind you Justice, they can be a huge motivator. I guess that can be a good first lesson in American wrestling, the fans are extremely passionate.
Wasn't she trying to take Justice's mind off of wrestling for a while though? Seems as if that was not likely to happen, not completely anyway. Jamie figured that was alright though, so long as they're having a good time that was all that really mattered, even if the "w" word came up once in a blue.
She had already knew what room Amber was staying in, so Jamie and Justice pass reception and head into the elevator. She began undoing her overcoat as the temperature got warmer the higher they got up from the cold, January street.
I don't know how much American wrestling you followed before you joined, but Amber's a pretty popular person in the business. She's been around a few places and knows a lot of stuff herself too. |
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Post by Justice Asuka on Jan 18, 2011 18:43:11 GMT -5
The names all sounded vaguely familiar; some more than others. But Justice's wrestling knowledge was mostly from first hand experience. While many American wrestlers were once fans who dreamed of being a Champion, Justice had never been a fan. Wrestling was just a part of her life. It always had been.
"Maybe."
She didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, or show how much she really didn't know. So she tried to lace her 'maybe' with as much face saving confidence as she could. She too, worked the zipper down on her own shiny parka and removed her pink, pom-pom'd hat.
"What is she like?"
What was Fury really like? Justice didn't really know that either. Fury seemed genuinely kind. But so do most people until you are alone. Plus, when the first person you meet in a new place is Lilith? You are bound to keep your guard up a little longer than usual. One thing for sure she knew about Amber, she liked tall buildings.
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Post by Jamie Fury on Jan 18, 2011 22:39:26 GMT -5
She's really cool...
It was a bit of a vague answer. Jamie tried to think harder.
A little flirtatious. Well, maybe not a little...
She's really smart, too. She knows more about the business side of wrestling than anyone else I know. She used to be a manager before she actually wrestled.
It was tough trying to explain who Amber was. She truly was someone who had to be seen to be believed. Luckily as the two walked down the hallway to Suite 3014, it was moments away from Justice seeing for herself.
Here we are. You can hear about her straight from the source. I'm sure she'd love to talk about herself some. Ha!
She smiles and rings to bell on the door. |
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Post by Amber Gianni on Jan 18, 2011 23:38:32 GMT -5
The doorbell rings, and Amber gets up from the bed to greet her friend and her apparent visitor. She gives her a good stretch and checks herself in the mirror. Whomever it was was going to see Amber in a rare moment of no make-up, but it was all good in her mind. She was relaxing. It wasn't about being in front of the camera right now, be it XWA or a glamour photographer. She opens the door a little, and on the other side was the usual statuesque form of Jamie Fury. Upon opening it fully, her visitor, a rather tall and pretty well proportioned Japanese woman. She looked a little "new" if you will, as in unfamiliar, like a tourist. Well, hello there Jamie. Who's your friend? |
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Post by Jamie Fury on Jan 18, 2011 23:43:39 GMT -5
This...is Justice Asuka.
Jamie smiled as she introduced her new acquaintance to one her old ones.
She's new to the city, the country, and most importantly, the XWA. Justice, meet Amber Gianni. |
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Post by Amber Gianni on Jan 18, 2011 23:47:50 GMT -5
Oh, I see. A co-worker is she? Well...
Amber extends her and in greeting the young woman.
Pleased to meet you, Justice.  |
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Post by Justice Asuka on Jan 19, 2011 0:13:41 GMT -5
Justice stepped forward, gripped her hand and bowed her head a little.
"It is nice to meet you."
Much like Manami earlier in the day, there was something familiar about Amber as well. But Justice couldn't quite put her finger on it. A picture in a Japanese wrestling magazine? Or was it a book? She tried to remember while looking at Amber's face. She was really naturally beautiful. Justice envied her a little, it was only natural. She tried to remember Amber for another second, but didn't want to stare too hard. That would be creepy in a Lilith kind of way.
"I hope I am not bothering you. I think... Jamie... does not know what to do with me."
She released Amber's hand and stuck her own hands back into her shiny, parka pockets.
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Post by Amber Gianni on Jan 19, 2011 1:05:41 GMT -5
What makes you say that? It's no bother at all, come on in girls!
She's all smiles as she steps aside to allow her guests in.
Besides, Jamie's what I like to call a good judge of character. There's no way she'd have you with her if she didn't think you were worth the time. Make yourselves comfortable.
There were plenty of places in which to do so, a couch, some easy chairs. Amber herself sat at one end of that big comfy couch.
One of the good things about hotels is that you can kick back and not have to worry about cleaning, cuz their gonna clean up after you're gone anyway.
Now, I don't know how much of your life story you wanna share, so let's start light. What made you decide to come to wrestle in America? |
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Post by Justice Asuka on Jan 19, 2011 1:59:43 GMT -5
"Oh."
These women lived and breathed wrestling. It was no wonder Jamie had found success. Justice, hesitantly, sat down on the other end of the sofa and quickly scanned the surroundings. Since it was a hotel, you could not tell too much about Amber from where she lived. She liked nice hotels, that probably meant she liked other nice things too.
"I"
Justice wondered how much to share with her new 'friends'. But she wanted to be honest. That was important to her.
"I just wanted to do something on my own. It didn't matter where. An XWA agent talked to me after one of my matches and gave me his card."
She dug around in her pocket and produced the very same card after a minute, like it was show and tell. Embarrassed by that move, she put it back in her pocket.
"I guess I called him."
She smiled, and kind of shrugged at it all beneath her shiny parka. She looked at Amber again.
"You look really familiar. Did you work in Japan?"
She still couldn't quite place why she knew Amber's face. It had something to do with back home.
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Post by Amber Gianni on Jan 19, 2011 12:01:52 GMT -5
Well, we do the Vendetta show at The Tokyo Dome every year, maybe you were at one of them?
XWA made sure that it truly a worldwide brand. That's why it was one of the only US based promotions to regularly runs shows abroad every year. Of course, Amber did have some other familiarity with Asuka's homeland though.
I did manage another Japanese girl wrestling here in the US back in the day though. Well, sort of. It started out with her partner, but then I guess I gravitated towards representing her as well. Natural progression and all that. She was amazing...but then again, most of you wrestlers from Japan are. You really have a talent for pulling off mind-blowing matches.
But still, I wonder sometimes what she's up to... |
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Post by Justice Asuka on Jan 19, 2011 19:46:03 GMT -5
Justice's mother had left them when she was three years old. That was when professional wrestling became her mother instead. 17 years, 12 matches a week... she had seen over 10,000 matches, not one of them televised or in front of a crowd larger than 1,000 that she could remember. They were a blur of faces, holds and sleepy Japanese towns. That was her childhood. Instant noodles, and a small, rotating roster of aunts and uncles with varying degrees of substance abuse problems. It was like being raised by a pack of alcoholic wolves, only with twice the love she figured.
"No, I've never seen an XWA show. Yet."
A few Japanese women had come over to America over the years. Fewer still had found any real success. American audiences were fickle like that. They were hard to connect to, and once the 'Japanese-ness' had worn off they usually found themselves quickly forgotten. But there were a few names: Anenokoji, Sakura, Kenzo, Kaze. She went down the list of more memorable names, from Okinawa to Hokkai--- The light that went off in her head, lit up her face. The picture of a tag team and their manager, years ago. She totally forgot herself and pointed at Amber.
"Wah! You managed Murai!"
A big grin covered her face.
"I can't believe it!"
The wrestling world became a little smaller and more manageable in that moment. The XWA became a little less foreign to Justice. Back in the day? Murai had been big in America. But in Japan? She had been a cultural phenomenon that rivaled Godzilla in size and presence. She had been the pioneer, the trail blazer and the compass for all Joshi wresters. Go East young woman. Go East. Magazines, variety shows, cook books and DVDs. She also helped bring American wrestling in to the Japanese living rooms, and for years they had been hooked. Her face had been everywhere, anywhere, on anything and then...
"I met her once."
A little red in her cheeks again. It was in her diary, page 45 and titled: "I am the biggest idiot to ever live."
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Post by Jamie Fury on Jan 19, 2011 20:13:49 GMT -5
Meanwhile, Jamie had housed her toned posterior in an easy chair. She was content for not to let Justice and Amber talk, but the mention of this "Murai" person was the second time she had seen any real outburst of emotion come from Asuka. At least unlike the last time though, this stemmed from something positive. She smiled... ...but she still had no clue who they were talking about. Pardon me for interrupting, but...who's Murai exactly?The span of wrestling knowledge for Jamie was not as long or extensive as either of the women on the couch. Her only home was the XWA. It's history was the only she was really aware of. Even in knowing her friends and their histories in the business, she had only a passing knowledge of it all, no real detail. That was something that she wished to change at least in terms of one specific person. With the current conversation, it appeared there was another. If only for curiosity's sake. |
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Heading to a closet, she opens it and looks for something to put on that was casual. Some undies on her ample bottom, then some black jeggings over them. Then she slides on a black tank top she got from Fredricks of Hollywood that said "TALK FLIRTY TO ME" in bold, red letters.
