Melody.

“Mind if I join you?”

Your words startle Melody as she looks up from her laptop.

Dressed in black yoga pants and a pink blouse, her surprise quickly gives way to relief as you wave at her from your standing position.

Lounging comfortably on the couch with her feet tucked underneath her, she quickly puts the laptop to the side and pats the empty spot next to her.

“Go ahead,” she smiles at you, shifting over slightly so you could sit down.

As you recline back against the cushion, you can’t help but notice a slight blush on her cheeks.

Grinning a bit yourself, you nonetheless brush it off.

“So, how’s the League been treating you so far?”

Sighing heavily, you can almost feel the brunette visibly deflate at your question. “If I’m being honest, not so great. I mean, our match together was awesome and I definitely learned a lot but since then, it’s been going downhill.”

You raise a concerned eyebrow. “How so?”

“Well, to start I haven’t won any of my matches, and every time I lose my opponents always like rubbing it in,” she confides to you.

Having enjoyed similar luck, you nod in understanding as she continues on, “I think even the Commissioner is even having doubts about putting me in the ring this soon, seeing as how I’m basically a jobber to the stars now. I’ve been watching matches online to figure out new strategies, but nothing seems to help.”

Obviously sympathetic to her plight, you assure her, “Hey, you’re still here, aren’t you? Most people didn’t even make it through training, but you did. Plus, I heard that even the Champ saw potential in you, right?”

“I guess,” she reluctantly concedes.

“Look, you’re like one of the nicest girls I’ve ever met here. And what you don’t have in experience, at least not yet, you make for in heart. And I’m sure most fighters here went through what you’re going through now. Just have one awesome, kick-ass match, and I’m sure you’ll bounce back,” you smile at her encouragingly.

Your words finally seem to get through to Melody, who looks up at you with a look of gratitude.

“Thanks for that, John. It means a lot,” she smiles back at you.

“No prob. Hey, so I’ll be booked in some tag team action pretty soon. Usually, I make a habit of not getting my ass kicked by two fighters at the same time, so I’ll need a partner. And well-”

“You want me to be your partner?” she blurts out, almost buzzing with excitement at your proposition before you even finish.

“Hell yeah! So, how do you feel about taking on The Goddesses?”

The color almost drains from her face not even a second later.

“But…. they’re like the best team,” she points out, almost petrified at the thought of taking on such a formidable duo.

“Yeah, until someone beats them,” you shrug confidently.

Sensing her hesitance, you place a hand on her shoulder. “John, everyone’s going to be watching this match, even the Commissioner. Win or lose, we’ll be making a huge statement just stepping up to the plate.”

Giving her pause for thought, Melody ponders your offer for a few moments.

Anxiously tapping the sofa arm, she finally answers you with a tentative, “Okay.”

Beaming proudly, you start to thank her before she quickly adds, “On one condition, though.”

{if Won first match=false}Finding the words, she tells you, “If I say yes, you have to say yes to a rematch with me.”

Naturally, you’re a bit conflicted about having to revisit your initial loss in the ECl, even with more matches under your belt.

“John, I know I technically beat you, but let’s be honest: I wasn’t that good back then and I’ve got a feeling you went easy on me,” she admits candidly, surprising you with her honesty.

You continue to listen as she finishes, “I’d like to think that I’m a bit better now, but I’ll know for sure if I can beat you a second time. So, I’ll be your partner if you’ll face me one more time in the ring.”{endif}

{if Won first match=true}Finding the words, she tells you, “If I say yes, you have to say yes to a rematch with me.”

Naturally, you’re an even better fighter now than you were during your debut so a rematch with Melody would be a simple enough exhibition.

Still, you let her continue on as this has clearly been weighing on her.

“I know I did my best and I should be proud of that, but I still feel like I haven’t proven myself like you did. Most of the other girls won their debut matches, and I didn’t even have much of a good showing,” Melody frowns.

“Hey, we were both still figuring things out at that point. Sure, I got lucky but you still did great in my opinion,” you tell her reassuringly.

“You’re right, but I would feel alot better if we went at it one more time. So, that’s my one condition if you want me as your tag partner,” she states firmly.{endif}

“Deal,” you accept. “We’ll kick their ass in the ring, and then after that we’ll show everyone how much of a badass you are.”

Grinning ear to ear, she responds simply by leaning forward and planting a kiss on your cheek.

“You’re the best, John!” she beams happily, almost squealing with excitement.

You shrug, blushing a little bit yourself. “I’m just glad I could help.”

With that, you wave to each other and wander off, looking for other opportunities...