This will serve as the first chapter when the story is going in sequential order and not devolving into snapshots when I inevitably distract myself with writing nothing but hypno battles between pretty wrestler girls
So this was it. This was what it felt like to make it to the big time. Sure, the Remix Wrestling Federation had endured its fair share of scrutiny and drama over the past year or so, but to someone like Chloe Black, it still had all the makings of the kind of place where a lifelong dream can come true. It hadn't been an easy road to get here. Never really is in the world of professional wrestling. You need to possess the right combination of looks, charisma, wrestling ability, and a mind that can deal with setback after setback. And while the humble and modest Chloe might have said she probably lacked in some of those areas, it was clear to outside observers that she had…something.
She had started training at the age of 16, which was technically not allowed in the States. But she had gotten around all that by consistently lying about her age, and most trainers didn't really care so long as the checks cleared. Her road had been bumpy. Injuries, having to work two other jobs to keep paying all the bills, homesickness. Through it all, however, she had kept her head down and persevered. With the help of a few of her friends, she had made her way onto a showcase event where she was scouted by RWF decision makers. By the end of that day, Chloe walked away with a contract offer in hand.
Maybe she wasn't the best and brightest out there, but she had certainly popped during that show. It hadn't hurt that her opponent that day had been Daphne Dean, only one of her best friends since her teenage years. Daphne had been signed to RWF for a few months by then and had gone out of her way to let Chloe shine in the match. Only two women had gotten signed after that showcase event, Chloe and the woman who bumped past her left shoulder on her way into the locker room.
"Maybe don't stand in the doorway?" snarled Zoe Lacroix, not even bothering to look over her shoulder as she stomped her way through.
Black shook it off and made a mental note to try and extend the olive branch. The two of them hadn't gotten off to the best of starts after Chloe had accidentally interrupted Zoe during a FaceTime call with her coach. She could tell Zoe was going to be someone she needed to get in good with. There was a star quality to her that had her earmarked as a future top star. And that wasn't just Chloe's opinion. Evelyn Taylor had said as much during the meeting where the two of them were offered contracts. Zoe had a cute face, flaming pink hair, and the whole world out ahead of her. Chloe couldn't help but feel envious.
She nervously stepped into the locker room, taking a look around to get a read on the situation. It wasn't easy considering she only knew most of the women in here from watching them on television. Where should she even start? Zoe was already making the rounds, breezily introducing herself. Her shift in tone had been a total 180 from the way she had spoken to Black just moments prior. But just as Chloe's spirits were starting to crater, she spotted Daphne sitting on a bench and adjusting her ankle socks.
Chloe smiled and waved but wasn't able to head in Daphne's direction before there was a huge slap on her back. It was a friendly one, but it startled her all the same.
Toots? Chloe turned around to see Kat Action. Kat had come in around the same time as Daphne and was already starting to be regularly featured on RWF programming. She was sporting a gray hoodie, and her hair was tied back in a messy bun. It was as if she had rolled out of bed and headed to the arena for today's taping. But she was smiling at Chloe, so Black felt obliged to return the favor.
"In your gear already?" Kat asked in that same playful tone. "Don't tell me you drove all the way here looking like that. We've got a hair and makeup team for a reason, ya know. Sheeeesh. Rookies!"
Chloe's cheeks couldn't help but turn scarlet, which only induced Kat to reach over and give one a pinch.
"Aren't you a cutie patootie? Yeah, I knew they were gonna bring you in. You and, well, her." Kat gestured over towards Zoe with her thumb, her smile faltering for just a moment. "But, hey, welcome to the show. I can take you for a spin around the locker room if you'd like."
Chloe suddenly had stars in her eyes. Kat had an undeniable confidence to her that made Black want to learn everything about her. She was cool, calm, collected, and everything Chloe hoped she could be someday. It would have taken a complete fool to turn down such a nice offer. But Action was already taking her by the shoulders to guide her around the area without so much as waiting for an answer.
Kat didn't bother introducing Chloe to anyone, preferring to simply give Black the rundown on her read of the situation. There was Alexis Valentine, the nerdy cosplayer who always had a quip handy. Amoeba and Fenomena, a couple of punk rock girlfriends who had a penchant for PDA. Sinn Maddox, who had flawlessly transitioned from MMA to pro wrestling stardom. Himeko, the joshi legend who swore Duolingo had helped her become bilingual in under a month. Aurora, who was always livestreaming to her army of wealthy simps. The list went on and on.
Chloe had so many questions she wanted to ask but couldn't find a break in Action's stream of consciousness to butt in. She found herself staring at Ginny Stark and Olivia Owens. The two of them sat across from one another on a bench, facing one another. Ginny appeared to be helplessly staring at Olivia while Owens spoke softly and slowly. "Uh…"
"Oh, don't mind that. A lot of the girls around here have a little game they like to play. Basically like a staring contest. You want my advice? Don't get mixed up in it. You'll put some of them out if you say no, but believe me when I tell you it's a lot better than the alternative."
As if on cue, Irene Quinn suddenly entered the room to a gale of laughter. She was dressed like a maid and had the blankest expression Chloe had ever seen. Black couldn't help but be alarmed at what she was seeing, especially when Irene walked right up to Himeko, curtsied, and began helping the joshi legend dress for her upcoming match.
"Dude, don't worry about it, alright? Irene lost to Himeko, so this is the punishment they worked out. Stay with me here, toots."
"Forget about it. Trust me. I've got you."
Kat looked hurt, and Chloe immediately regretted saying that. But Action bounced back with a wink. "I guess I'll have to work on changing that, huh? Oh, and one little piece of advice. Maybe change up the gear? You don't want people to get the impression you're working with two different cup sizes, eh?"
Action walked away, giggling to herself. Chloe looked down at her top. C. B. That thought had never even occurred to her. They were just her chosen initials! Suddenly feeling like everything was going wrong, Chloe had to bite her bottom lip to contain the swirling emotions. Maybe Kat was just trying to loosen her up with a joke.
"Hey, she's weird, huh? Kind of sleazy. Perverted. I mean, who picks a name like Action? We're not in a Spy Kids movie." Daphne must have picked up on what Chloe was going through and had placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"I don't know," Chloe said, allowing herself one sniffle before smiling. "I think it's great. I think everything's just great."
