Post by Merlot Ayano on Jul 4, 2017 1:55:53 GMT
“Ayano, you coming?”
Natsuko Aimi’s voice was as loud and booming as ever as it traveled from the gym and crept into the locker room area. A couple of moments later, poked her head through the doorway.
Merlot Ayano sat on a bench in said locker room. The group had already done its powerlifting session; it was time for some cardio. Carly, Merlot, and Natsuko had all agreed on hitting the pavement and running a few miles in the fresh Vegas air (well, as fresh as air one could get in Vegas). Carly had made her way outside already, and Natsuko had been ready to head out as well.
The only straggler was Merlot.
“Are you alright?” Natsuko asked as she scanned her pupil’s face. She was normally able to tell if Merlot as upset or something of that nature. But to her surprise, she did not find Merlot depressed, sad, or upset. In fact, the younger Japanese woman had a bit of a smile on her face. She appeared to be in good spirits, despite harsh training and personal revelations that had hit her over the past couple of weeks.
The voice of her sensei’s voice made Merlot turn her head. “Oh, hai. Merlot okay.” She nodded her head. “Just need a moment or two alone. Is okay?”
Natsuko peered at her for a moment. She then nodded her head. “Very well. Meet us outside when you are finished.”
“Hai sensei.”
The older woman exited the locker room as Merlot continued to sit there. After a moment or two, Merlot’s gaze dropped down to her right leg. A pair of black and grey Nike running shorts covered up a good portion of that leg. Her eyes moved down slowly, until she reached her knee. A thin black ASCIS kneepad was tightly wrapped around her kneecap.
It had been years and years since Merlot had suffered her leg and knee injury. Her knee had long since healed. There wasn’t any pain in it at all, not even after she resumed wrestling, taken up lifting and all the like. Even still, Merlot continue to wear that kneepad.
It was a reminder of that heartbreaking moment…
It was a reminder of her harsh past…
It was a reminder of the terror she felt as well…
Part of her brain had always told her that her knee could give out at any time. Her brain recalled all the pain, all the turmoil. Therefore, she’d kept it unessecarily wrapped up for all of these years.
“Guess is kind of funny.” She laid her right hand on that knee. “Remember after rehab, doctors and trainers said knee was good as new. Some even say knee was better than new—stronger and things. And while Merlot doctors and trainers words, was really convinced. In back of mind, was thought knee would break again. Is why Merlot was slower to return to ring. Is why Merlot has always wore kneepad under gear for years.”
She stopped speaking for a moment as her eyes wandered down to the floor.
“Merlot thought she was being cautious. Thought she was being safe.” She shook her head a bit. “But was just being fearful, hai.
“Over course of intense training, Sensei Aimi has been instilling sense of confidence in Merlot. And this kneepad? Kneepad represents Merlot’s lack of confidence, represents Merlot’s fears.” Merlot shook her head once more. “No more!”
She slipped her off right shoe and promptly slid the kneepad off. She also removed the athletic tape that was underneath it. She replaced her shoe.
“No more.” Merlot stood up and tossed the items in the trash can.
Outside the locker stood Natsuko. She’d heard the soliloquy. A smile came to her face. “Beautiful,” Natsuko said as she pushed off the wall and walked outside. “I believe she’s ready.”
Natsuko Aimi’s voice was as loud and booming as ever as it traveled from the gym and crept into the locker room area. A couple of moments later, poked her head through the doorway.
Merlot Ayano sat on a bench in said locker room. The group had already done its powerlifting session; it was time for some cardio. Carly, Merlot, and Natsuko had all agreed on hitting the pavement and running a few miles in the fresh Vegas air (well, as fresh as air one could get in Vegas). Carly had made her way outside already, and Natsuko had been ready to head out as well.
The only straggler was Merlot.
“Are you alright?” Natsuko asked as she scanned her pupil’s face. She was normally able to tell if Merlot as upset or something of that nature. But to her surprise, she did not find Merlot depressed, sad, or upset. In fact, the younger Japanese woman had a bit of a smile on her face. She appeared to be in good spirits, despite harsh training and personal revelations that had hit her over the past couple of weeks.
The voice of her sensei’s voice made Merlot turn her head. “Oh, hai. Merlot okay.” She nodded her head. “Just need a moment or two alone. Is okay?”
Natsuko peered at her for a moment. She then nodded her head. “Very well. Meet us outside when you are finished.”
“Hai sensei.”
The older woman exited the locker room as Merlot continued to sit there. After a moment or two, Merlot’s gaze dropped down to her right leg. A pair of black and grey Nike running shorts covered up a good portion of that leg. Her eyes moved down slowly, until she reached her knee. A thin black ASCIS kneepad was tightly wrapped around her kneecap.
It had been years and years since Merlot had suffered her leg and knee injury. Her knee had long since healed. There wasn’t any pain in it at all, not even after she resumed wrestling, taken up lifting and all the like. Even still, Merlot continue to wear that kneepad.
It was a reminder of that heartbreaking moment…
It was a reminder of her harsh past…
It was a reminder of the terror she felt as well…
Part of her brain had always told her that her knee could give out at any time. Her brain recalled all the pain, all the turmoil. Therefore, she’d kept it unessecarily wrapped up for all of these years.
“Guess is kind of funny.” She laid her right hand on that knee. “Remember after rehab, doctors and trainers said knee was good as new. Some even say knee was better than new—stronger and things. And while Merlot doctors and trainers words, was really convinced. In back of mind, was thought knee would break again. Is why Merlot was slower to return to ring. Is why Merlot has always wore kneepad under gear for years.”
She stopped speaking for a moment as her eyes wandered down to the floor.
“Merlot thought she was being cautious. Thought she was being safe.” She shook her head a bit. “But was just being fearful, hai.
“Over course of intense training, Sensei Aimi has been instilling sense of confidence in Merlot. And this kneepad? Kneepad represents Merlot’s lack of confidence, represents Merlot’s fears.” Merlot shook her head once more. “No more!”
She slipped her off right shoe and promptly slid the kneepad off. She also removed the athletic tape that was underneath it. She replaced her shoe.
“No more.” Merlot stood up and tossed the items in the trash can.
Outside the locker stood Natsuko. She’d heard the soliloquy. A smile came to her face. “Beautiful,” Natsuko said as she pushed off the wall and walked outside. “I believe she’s ready.”