Out & About In NYC (Invite)

[Amber Gianni]

I forgot, you were probably still bodybuilding during the Ohio days, Jamie.

Amber acknowledges the fact that Fury didn't know who the topic of discussion had swung to was. She gives a brief description.

Her full name was Oichi Murai. A humble girl from Hokkaido, Japan. Nobody really expected her to do much in a field of bigger, stronger opponents, but she shocked them all and rose to super-stardom. Became one of that company's legends...and that was before I had even met her.

It was like night and day. Outside the ring, she was so...so polite. A real lady. But when the bell rang, wow. It was like Bishamonten* himself flamed up out of her soul. She was a real warrior, never quit, always gave everything she had...kinda like you out there Jamie, but you could fit about three Oichis into one Jamie Fury though, hee hee. That was what was so amazing about her. Seeing her and her partner overcome what they did to achieve what they did...well...that's what drove me to stop managing really, haha.

After those two, I wanted to be a part of the action. See what I could achieve myself. The rest you could say is history.

So Justice, when did you two meet? This must've been sometime after they closed down that place...was she doing well?

*Bishamonten-Japanese God of War, Warrios & Wealth, for those who don't know.

[Justice Asuka]

"Yes, it was after that. It was stupid really."

Justice looked at Jamie and then Amber. They were nice, so she decided to tell them the short but embarassing story.

"I was in Tokyo with my father. I had just graduated from High School so we made a day trip to the city. I wanted to buy some clothes since I wouldn't be wearing my school uniform everyday. We went to the Dream Town Shopping Center, and there was a long line out of one of the bookstores. So, I was curious. When I saw the announcement I got in line. We didn't know it at the time, but it would be her last public appearance, ever."

She hadn't told this story for quite some time. She was surprised how much she remembered. Two years is a lifetime to a young woman like Justice.

"She was signing a copy of her book, 'Neh!' and so I grabbed a copy. She was so, uhm, cool! She just had this look, it was strange but great at the same time. My heart was beating so fast, it surprised me when I walked up to the table. I was so nervous I forgot to think of something to say to her. When she spoke, it was... odd. She had a strange way of speaking, even in Japanese."

Justice paused for a moment, she was getting to 'stupid' part and was trying to think of a way to make it less so.

"She asked me my name, and began to write. She wrote with a brush and ink, so weird and then I blurted out that I was a wrestler too, and asked her to train me."

Justice's cheeks had turned bright red again.

"I think I said it too loud, because I remember it got really quiet and some people behind me laughed."

It was like a high school band member going up to Slash and saying, 'Hey, I play guitar too. Let's jam!' It was one of the most embarrassing moments in Justice's short life. Murai had, quietly, been one of her heroes.

"I'm sure I turned red. I always do. But she didn't miss a beat. Her hand kept brushing out my name. She didn't stop until she had finished, and then she looked up at me. I mean she really looked into me. Like it was some kind of test. She looked soo old and strong, like the big tree at the temples and then... it was over. She handed me the book and bowed her head in thanks and I walked away. It was so stupid. I never got to tell her anything or how much she meant to me, or even how cool her hair was. Nothing."

Nothing but make a fool out of herself, that is. She sighed and settled back into her seat.

"That was it. She moved back to Hokkaido and bought a large cut of farm land. She has no phone. No car. No electricity at all. Once in a while a variety show will send someone to find her, but they never do. Her land is so big, and it has no roads. But looking for her makes a good 10 minute program I guess. I guess I wouldn't feel so bad if I thought I could meet her again and prove I'm not always stupid."

[Amber Gianni]

Not your typical storybook ending as Amber had imagined, but a good ending nonetheless.

Not too many people get it that lucky. To be able to go out like that, on your own terms, is a good thing really. But...

The details of the story though, it sounded a lot like the woman. She was polite yes, but that was after she let you in.

...she was a little hard to get to at times. Even when I first met her, she acted...a lot like she did with you in fact. Silent, and emotionless sometimes. I guess...you had to earn her trust before she showed you the person she was underneath that samurai spirit of hers. You don't have to be embarrassed too much, Justice...she was like that to a lot of people now that I remember.

Just the way she was. I suppose that's how she always wanted it to be. No need to beat yourself up about it though...even though I probably would've tried to convince her to be my teacher after the signing. You know...in private or something.

She giggles. That must've been really embarrassing, but kind of in a cute way.

[Justice Asuka]

"I think you're right. I really got the feeling she was thinking about it."

Wishful thinking most likely on her part. But who doesn't want their heroes to consider them for at least a second or two? But it seemed Murai was to have no protegee and only a few got have their perfect, storybook endings.

"I knew your face looked familiar."

Justice realized she was sitting in a room with a lot of experience and stories. Maybe she would be alright after all. But that experience would most likely beat her into the ground just as easily as educated her. It was a double edged sword that wouldn't fully appreciated until the bell rang.

"Did you two ever meet your heroes?"

[Amber Gianni]

Well, I've been lucky enough to be trained by mine on a regular basis actually.

Amber was pretty lucky herself. She actually was trained by her hero, the very woman who was why she decided to get into wrestling.

I suppose she was looking for someone to share all of her knowledge with, and I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I kind of approached her a little like how you did, Justice. I was fortunate enough though for her to give me the chance.

How about you, Jamie? Don't think I've ever asked you that...inquiring minds would like to know.

[Jamie Fury]

Heroes?

Jamie really hadn't been around long enough to have a bonafide "inspiration". It was more of a "progression" that was why she got into business.

I suppose Sarah Warfield, since a lot of people compare me to her nowadays. I never saw her wrestle in person, but the matches I've seen on video were pretty amazing.

For me, it's more about the respect I have...or had...for others who're in the business now. Even though there's only really one woman who had left recently that I have any respect for. The rest are still here in XWA. Definitely Sonya Robbins. I think the toughest matches I've had in XWA have been against her. Channelle too, believe it or not. She might be a low down, dirty cheater, but she's persistent. She knows how to succeed. Marisol as well, she's got so much passion. Then of course there's you Amber. There aren't too many ladies out there who've made the impression on American wrestling fans like you have.

[Amber Gianni]

You make me blush sometimes.

Amber smiles.

You still don't give yourself enough credit though, sweetie. You're the best in the world today. You ARE the hero right now, Jamie. There's no need to be modest about it. You earned it. You deserve it. I guess...

She looks around the room a little, briefly to Justice, and then eye to eye with Jamie as she comes to a bit of a realization.

...you're kind of my hero too. Not kind of...but really, truly. I'm honored to be able to say I know a woman like you.

[Jamie Fury]

You're gonna make me cry...

Jamie really was the one who was blushing now. She knew that she had a certain level of respect from her peers, but to hear that from someone like Amber really hit home.

I'd hug you if it didn't look awkward to Justice. Heh Heh. That really means a lot to me though. I think we're about to have a Kodak moment now or something.

But, we're not gonna just sit here and gush and be overly emotional now, are we? I told Justice we'd go see some sights, and you're coming along. You can't say no, cuz if you do I'll just drag you out of here kicking and screaming.

Jamie laughs. Meanwhile in her head, she wondered just how much did Justice know about New York. Even people who've never been know at least something about certain places that are famous about the city.

So, Justice...any places you've always wanted to see?

[Justice Asuka]

"Oh, yes please."

Justice dug around in her other pocket and produced a folded up, yellow piece of paper. With a happy smile on her face, she unfolded it and held it up for Jamie and Amber to see.



"This!"

She moved the flier back and forth between Jamie and Amber, and even turned it sideways a little, for extra emphasis. It was a tall order. But Justice didn't know that. There was nothing like Broadway in Japan. She had seen a story about the Lion King musical on a TV program. It was like magic, only bigger.

[Amber Gianni]

"Hakuna Matata?"

Amber giggles again as she recites the famous phrase from the musical and the animated film which it's based on.

That sounds like fun to me, and it's only right up 42nd Street too. I guess I better go put on a sweater and some shoes then, shouldn't I? If you'll excuse me...

She stepped away to the bedroom now, and the closet within to finish her outfit, leaving Jamie & Justice for a moment.

[Jamie Fury]

Meanwhile, Jamie looks pretty happy at how everything's turned out...but still she had something herself that she did have to talk about with Amber. Thinking it better to bring it up now than later...

Excuse me for a second, Justice? I just have to go ask something to Amber. Be right back. How about you check that refrigerator there? Hotels like this usually have complimentary goodies for the people who stay here.

She excuses herself and heads towards the bedroom. There on the bed sits Amber, pulling up onto her legs a pair of the fuzziest UGG boots she'd ever seen.

Um, Amber...can I have a minute? There's another reason I came. Justice wasn't the only new person to the XWA I met up with today. There was someone else to I think I need to tell you about.

One who I'd like to know a little something about myself if you don't mind.

Again, Jamie knows not of any history Amber's had with anyone outside of the XWA, so she couldn't have been able to gauge the reaction she'd get stating the name of...

She said her name was Lilith.

[Amber Gianni]

Startling didn't describe the reaction. The second Jamie says the "L" word, Amber paused in her tracks.

What'd you say?

She practically hopped up from the bed, coming closer to Jamie as if she hadn't heard what she just heard.

Did you say Lilith? There's about a million "Liliths" in the wrestling business, just look online. You're gonna have to be really specific here. What's her last name?

[Jamie Fury]

Creighton. Lilith Creighton is her name. I checked up on it on the way here.

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her own Blackberry Storm. Innovative little things. You could easily access the XWA Website from there, and an up to date roster is featured. She punches it up, and shows it to Amber. Sure enough, there goes the very name, and a face to go with it.

See?

Apparently, she has a vested interest in you and Hayley Jonas for some reason. Care to enlighten on what this all about?

[Amber Gianni]

Oh Amber could see. Right there in backlit color. But could she believe it, that was the question. She looked at the screen, then Jamie, then to the screen again.

*Sigh*

Well, isn't this a shocker. She's the last person I'd have expected to come to XWA. Then again, Pyro did for a second too...I guess anything is possible nowadays.

Lilith Creighton. She's an old "friend" from back in the day as well, but not as friendly as Oichi was. She's got some bad blood with me over...things.

Things. More specifically people. More specifically one lone face that suddenly resurfaces in her mind.

Elijah...

There were the men whom Amber had "congregated" with in her wrestling career. The first was a fling. The second was something deeper. Something special. There was a certain place in her heart for the second man, as big as that of the third man. But she knew what he was doing. She knew had to step away from the business to take care of business of his own did Keith Wyle. But Elijah...the man known to the wrestling world as "Dragon"...what happened to him after the League of Xtraordinary Wrestling closed down was a mystery to her. She wondered for a time, but then a new love came into her life, and the past becomes memory.

Until of course...those memories come back. And Lilith Creighton was directly associated with those memories. What's more, she knew that Lilith had those memories in her mind as well.

And they couldn't be pleasing.

I wonder if she's still as much of a people person as I remember?

[Jamie Fury]

Jamie was good at reading people. It was kind of like a "shaman sense" she had, same as her mother did. They could tell when a person was not letting their feelings show. When they were holding something back.

Or...when someone was being sarcastic.

If by "people person" you mean a total shark of a woman, then yes. You should have seen the way she treated her assistant, the poor girl. Or how she was acting around Justice at the gym we were in.

She's dangerous. I only needed to see what I did just today to know she's somebody to be on the lookout for, and that goes double for you Amber. You know I've got your back if anything happens...

But there's the holding back. You could see it in Amber's body language.

Are you okay, girl? Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it right now.