SSMM Ch22

Annette is an unknown quantity.

“Leave Annette out of it,” Ava mutters to Jane.

Jane seems to like that answer. She says nothing, but it’s physically painful when she nods and turns back to the others. A part of Ava is somehow relieved that she’s capable… if that’s the word, of all this chemistry. She’s not afraid to admit that her breakup left her feeling like a loser. Being desired by someone like Jane is more of a turn-on than any of the other horny antics that have been going on.

Ava’s glad she’s not in the skimpy suit; she’s getting wet.

She gathers herself.

“OK! Let’s rassle,” she says, joining Belinda and Chitose.

“Oh my god. You’re lucky you’re a good model,” Belinda tells her.

Ava sees the dangerous look that she’s getting from Annette.

“I’m helping,” Ava assures her.

“I think you get the idea,” Belinda’s saying to Viv, who makes a laudable effort to focus on Belinda and the pitch instead of on her maid.

Jane’s not striking poses or anything. She stands with a hand on her hip, exuding confidence and that aloof vibe that she’s so good at. She’s probably self-conscious about having it all out in a fully lit room like this.

“Japan’s been the home of the really fun, theatrical women’s wrestling,” Belinda is explaining. “Right now there are a couple of acts that are very hot, lots of buzz on social media. The way it’s set up just organically creates these iconic images that inevitably become memes. It gets a lot of eyeballs on the content that wouldn’t normally be looking for wrestling.” Belinda gestures toward Chitoes. “Or hot ladies.” She indicates Jane.

“While I’m not suggesting that Jane is not lovely,” Viv says. “Because she’s breathtaking. But to my knowledge, she is not a wrestler. Neither is Ava. Who are you really wanting to put into these costumes?”

“It’ll have to be women with some athletic ability because we do need some real wrestling, but we also need some performative stuff that’s almost gymnastic in nature,” Belinda says readily. “Jane and Ava are modeling so you can have a sense of the breadth of possibility we have for costuming. We aren’t trying to be subtle. Cheerleaders? Refs? Chitose pins Ava while Jane is the one giving the count. This is the kind of action on the screen that people will pay to see. And that’s just the appetizer course.”

Viv adjusts herself and crosses her legs. She’s much more attentive to this than she was to the last one. Is it the pitch? Or Jane? Or Jane’s plan? Viv’s narcissism makes her possessive. She already considers Jane her property, and she also thinks that Ava is in her net, at least for tonight. She doesn’t like seeing them looking too friendly together. At least not without her in the middle.

“Go on,” Viv says.

“Ava, is it OK if Chitose pins you?” Belinda asks.

“Uh, that sounds not painful at all,” Ava replies. “I mean, sure.”

Because she isn’t fighting back, it isn’t painful, although it’s still quite rough and startling. Ava finds herself on the floor in a bizarre position. She knows nothing about wrestling, but she knows a little about lesbian sex. Is there a wrestling move called a ‘Jammed-together-scissor-where-she’s-trying-to-break-your-leg?’

And she’s got Chitose’s foot in her face. Chitose has cute little feet, but that’s not really Ava’s thing.

“Yikes,” she squeaks.

Chitose’s got both arms wrapped around Ava’s leg.

Ava blinks. Nobody can probably see it, but Chitose’s sort of… rubbing her leg. She stops. Maybe she wasn’t really doing that. Ava isn’t sure.

“It’s an especially physical sport,” Belinda’s saying to Viv, who watches with interest. “Lots of chemistry. Lots of vibes. Now, imagine for a moment that you know something about both of these women. That there’s history. Maybe friendly, maybe not. Drama. Not just a silly wrestling storyline, but something a little more personal. Chitose, get on top.”

Chitose releases Ava’s leg and does something else; Ava finds herself on her side with one arm twisted behind her back and Chitose’s breath on her face.

“We can craft those stories. It can be porn or it can be something a little more empowering. It’s a perfect canvas. It’s been tried before, but never with a cohesive social media strategy and the market is different now. FUTA changed things. I guess the cliched thing to say is that FUTA walked so that these other things can run.”

“Ow,” Ava says. Her arm hurts, but it’s more that Chitose’s half on top of her, breathing on her. It’s hard for Ava to breathe.

“Chitose, ease up,” Belinda says distractedly. “I’ve got different pitches for different project scales and formats at different production levels. We have rules, we have uniforms, we have outlines—and it’s all ready to be massaged into whatever specific shape is going to best meet the needs of the company,” Belinda points to Annette, then faces Viv.

“Ow!” Ava says, cutting her off. Chitose’s actually putting on the pressure. Is this because of earlier? When Belinda asked for help and Ava didn’t follow through? “Ow! Ow!”

Belinda turns with a frown. “Chitose. Chill. Let her go.”

Chitose doesn’t.

“For fuck’s sake,” Belinda says, lunging in. She drags Chitose off and Ava scrambles clear as they grapple.

Eyes wide, Annette sits up and so does Viv. Everyone watches as they struggle.

“You OK?” Jane asks Ava as she helps her up.

“I think so. This is something,” Ava says, watching the battle.

There’s a lot of grunting and Belinda’s costume is torn; she has a boob out.

“This better not awaken anything in me,” Ava whispers.

“This is insane.”

Finally, Belinda slams Chitose to the ground and holds her down. Panting, she looks irritably at Viv.

“See?” she gasps. “Storylines. Like a diligent coach and her willful student.”

Chitose says something in Japanese.

“Shut up,” Belinda says.

Viv comes to her senses and clears her throat.

“Was that part of the pitch?”

“Sure,” Belinda says. “Can someone fix my skirt?”

It’s flipped up, giving Annette a view.

“I’m helping,” Ava says, flipping down and flashing a thumbs up.

Belinda gives Chitose a look, then hauls her to her feet, keeping her in a hold.

“So. How many gazillion dollars can you give me?” she asks Viv.

Viv stares at the two of them. Then she looks at Jane and Ava. Her gaze lingers on Jane.

Finally, she nods. “I want first look on this.”

Ava literally sees the tension leave Annette’s body. FUTA just scored big.

“You got it,” Belinda says. “Thanks for your time.”

“My pleasure.”

“Let’s go, princess,” she snarls, leading Chitose out.

Viv snorts and looks at Annette, who maintains her bearing.

“Only the highest level of professionalism from my people.” Annette swirls the drink in her glass.

“Someone’s getting a spanking,” Viv says, biting her lip and gazing at the door. “I love it. I’m gonna produce.”

Annette coughs, then clears her throat.

“What?”

“FUTA Wrestling.” Viv rolls her eyes and sits back, cackling. She kicks her feet. “Finally, some fun.” She sighs, then reaches out with one toe and touches Annette’s leg. “We have to have fun.”

Annette lifts her glass.

“I helped,” Ava says proudly.

“Yes. Good job, Ava,” Annette says, rubbing her face.

Jane pulls Ava aside.

“I guess that’s it,” she says.

“Guess so.”

Jane gazes into Ava’s eyes for a moment, then looks worriedly at the door.

“That was weird, though.”

“Yeah. She’s crazy,” Ava agrees, rubbing her shoulder. It’s not broken or anything, just a little sore.

“Should we make sure they’re OK?” Jane asks.

“Uh…”

Should they check on Chitose and Belinda?

Or call it a night?