Duty Bound

Yayoi felt like she had sweat off ten pounds watching the spectacle that had erupted just a few moments ago. If anyone were to ask her about the secret to staying fit, she would definitely say being Gwendolyn Dupont-Bettencourt's lackey was better than any diet or exercise she could try. She had watched as her fellow flunkies were taken out by a pair of diminutive "spies" and then watched as even her Maîtresse was subjected to humiliation. A far worse one. Yayoi wondered how many of her colleagues would even have employment tomorrow.

Yayloi herself had remained in the back, watching from just at the entrance to the arena. She had become quite adept at figuring out the best place to be and had even gotten quite good at coordinating the other cronies. Moreover, her ability to be brave and face Gwendolyn at her worst had gotten her a much cozier position. Though it required her to be the brunt of the damage control if things went wrong, she was always there at the end of the tunnel, rather than the beginning and she was certain it had decreased her chances of early termination exponentially. Yayoi had become quite the shining beacon of lackeyism. She was happy.

This time was no different.

The second Gwendolyn was out of the sight of cameras, Yayoi had gotten a large fighters robe over her Maîtresse. It even had the Primol P on it so as Yayoi led her to her private training facility, any onlookers would only see the elegant script of Gwendolyn's company. Maybe they would have seen the promo, but she doubted any of them brave enough to speak a word. The visual was more important. Having Gwendolyn not have to endure a walk of shame with brown goop in her luxurious golden curls would put the heiress' mind at ease and make her far easier to deal with.

After that it was a quick trip to a shower where Yayoi dutifully scrubbed every inch of Gwendolyn's immaculate skin, making sure not a single smudge was left to mar the beauty of her haughty employer.

Now she had Gwendolyn soaking in the hot tub. There were perfumes and relaxing oils and scents filling the tub, aimed at easing Gwendolyn's mind and letting her get lost in the wonderful pampering. Yayoi herself had the sleeves of her track suit pushed up while she went to work. One hand was gently massaging the dainty foot that protruded from the tun, while the other was hard at work trying to clean Gwendolyn's title so it looked as immaculate as Gwendolyn did. All the while, she had a tablet propped up on a chair that she was reading through, trying to do several things at once so Gwnedolyn could juts melt away tonight's humiliation.

The absolute lavishness of her surroundings and mindful massaging by a worshipful servant would be reminiscent of 18th century royalty, marble columns with embroidered floral designs lined along the room with a soothing classical overture playing at just the right volume to be enjoyed but not enough to overcome any chance of a dialogue. The tempestuous rage that had overcome the heiress was now subdued into a serene bliss due entirely to the attentive primping and preening by her ever meticulously devoted right hand attendant, Yayoi. So incensed over what had occurred that night, Gwendolyn had essentially lost all manner of time and place upon leaving the ring, a blank space in her memory up until this very moment...

As if in a spellbinding trance, her half lidded eyes gazed lazily towards the ceiling while the entirety of her bare, immaculate frame remained submerged under the sweltering waters save for her neck up and her massaged foot. Her flowing locks were straightened and hung loosely behind her just outside the tub, a beautician on call to attend to her hair once this session was concluded. Yet for all of these amenities, Gwen's mind was listless...the fight ahead and it's implications dominating her thoughts to nearly negate the utter relaxation she should be feeling.

Cassie...Elliot...

Someone whom she delighted in belittling upon their first encounter at that fateful movie premiere for her own amusement...someone whom she considered a hapless pauper and initially assumed to be her inferior in the ring...someone whom she felt had no... no earthly reason to be with someone like Shinobu. And yet time...and time again...this cherubic nuisance resurfaced to humiliate her no matter how many times Gwendolyn attempted to put her in her place. An insufferable pest who handled her with ease in the ring with a smile on her face...

Now the stage was set for them to finally meet in the squared circle...and Gwen...was...to her own absolute disgust...unsure...of her prospects. Gwen was no fool. Her research had been done. Cassie's penchant for breaking bones. Ending careers. Hobbling the most sadistic of villains. Cassandra was the bar Gwendolyn had set for herself and the time had come to see if the heiress would rise and overcome or crash and burn. The thought of losing her title belt in as embarrassing a manner as that sparring session...negating all of her efforts up until now to establish her dominance...all to Cassie...

"Yayoi...I demand your absolute honesty in this matter, as always. You were in attendance during that sparring match. You are aware of my capabilities...am I...is defeating Cassandra...an insurmountable task for me?..."

Yayoi stiffened as Gwendolyn finally spoke. While the silence had been relaxing for the heiress, it had been palpable for Gwendolyn. The many things she had occupied her mind with had been just that. Occupations so that she could ignore the inevitable questions. She tried her hardest not to loudly squeal in surprise when Gwendolyn finally spoke up, squeezing her Maîtresse's foot a little harder than she probably should have to steady herself as her body began to tremble at the thought of having to give such advice.

She panted heavily as she felt beads of sweat begin to form on her forehead, telling herself that it was the heat of the room, designed to sweat away all of Gwendolyn's anxieties.

She opened her mouth and looked at Gwendolyn, blowing a stray lock of her black hair out of her face. While her body was wracked with fear, her mind was much more calm. She just wished her voice would cooperate. "N-n-nothing is insurmountable for you, Maîtresse!" She stuttered.

Yayoi took a deep breath and then sighed. "A direct engagement may prove perilous, though, if I am to be honest. She has been fighting her whole life. She is very, very good. Opponents rarely beat Cassie Elliot with skill. They win because they are stronger, more clever or more ruthless." She stated plainly. "And even that isn't a sure bet."

Yayoi lowered her head. "And if she will truly have those friends of hers at ringside, then I am afraid that you will have to be both more clever AND more ruthless if you wish to secure victory. I am afraid there is nothing I, or any of your employees, will be able to do from ringside." Yayoi blinked and looked at Gwendolyn. "Maîtresse, I am afraid this may be your toughest challenge yet. However, if you can hold out long enough, I do believe that I have the tools to help you succeed." She said, smiling very faintly.

Gwendolyn sighed and clenched her toes, Yayoi's meticulous foot massaging techniques certainly improving exponentially since their fateful meeting soon after Gwen's SummerSplash win. An event that may held have held more significance as her introduction to her steadfast vassal than the victory itself. Yayoi's unflinching dedication to the heiress and to the illustrious Primol name had earned her the sacred role of Gwen's closest confidante, one to share her innermost thoughts and machinations towards the future...and most importantly, perhaps the only one in her employ bold enough to be completely candid with her when the need had arisen...

"Hmm...You never fail to impress, Yayoi. No sooner had the gauntlet been thrown than you'd already scouted the enemy in exact detail...or perhaps you foresaw this course of events laid out well in advance and had prepared accordingly..." Gwen stated coldly. Hearing Yayoi's blunt observations about her bleak situation reinforced Gwen thoughts about her prospects against Cassie, ones she easily surmised after being taken apart in her sparring match.

"...Though, the challenge, that, is what makes her the perfect foil, doesn't it? Imagine...trouncing someone with a pedigree like hers...humiliating her at what she he had dedicated her life towards...I dare say...the look on her face would be well worth the risk of a simple Entropy Championship belt~..." A devious sneer crept along her face, the first sign of confidence about her chances against Cassie this entire night. "I can ill afford to be reckless against this adversary, Yayoi. One false misstep and she WILL capitalize in as excruciating a manner you can imagine. She will, of course, play to her strengths...and I, as you so fittingly insinuated, will play to mine~...In fact,...I believe...I just may have an answer to my little Cassandra dilemma~..."

Now that the bath and consultation had succeeded in reinvigorating the heiress' damaged spirits, Gwendolyn felt actual enthusiasm towards the impending clash, and what the implications of defeating that wretched imp could mean for her. Enough to begin her preparations right then and there.

"Yayoi, I require that you adjust my training regiment to more fittingly counter Cassandra's fighting style. Terminate those incompetent attendants of mine from tonight and hire ones who may not be so easily overwhelmed by a child, for Heaven's sake..." Retracting her foot from Yayoi's soothing grasps, the heiress would lift herself from the simmering still waters and elegantly step out of the bath with an alluring sway to her hips. With her nude and immaculate form on full display, Gwen strode forward a few steps before extending her arms outward as she waited for Yayoi to robe and hand the heiress her polished title belt. "...and Yayoi, I'm afraid for my plans to come to fruition, I must indeed utilize your talents to their utmost capabilities. Will you do me the absolute privilege of continuing to be at my side in the coming maelstrom? In this, my most drastic hour of need?~..."

Yayoi only lowered her head at her Maîtresse's uncanny observation of her skill/cold accusation of her foresight. She remained patient as Gwendolyn began to be rejuvenated by Yayoi's intrepid scheming. The reward of Gwendolyn's praise would, indeed, have been enough in its own right if Yayoi could put a roof over her head with compliments. However, the praise did indirectly lead to something more tangibly benificial. The more trust Gwendolyn put in her, the better off Yayoi would be. The more secure her position would likely remain.

"M-Merci tres beaucoup, Maîtresse!" She said as Gwendolyn lavished her with praise. She didn't skip a beat though and only took a moment to admire Gwendolyn's nigh angelic form as she stepped with utter grace from the bathtub. The robe was on her in an instant and Yayoi made sure that even that was propped against the heiress in the perfect way while she laid out her own machinations.

"Oui, Maîtresse. I will hope to find suitable replacements. I'll make sure to look into Cassandra's friends as well." She knew that looks were deceiving. Gwendolyn and Cassie were both wolves in sheep's clothing in their own respective ways. No doubt Cassie's "spy team" was as well. "I will try and find a specialist in Jiu Jitsu to help assist you, Maîtresse."

Yayoi kept her head lowered as Gwendolyn continued, stating that she needed Yayoi to help with her plan. "I am your tool, Maîtresse, your bête de somme. S'il vous plait, use me as you desire. I will be at your side for as long as you require me to be to do whatever you desire."

Gwendolyn's regal posture remained steadfast and unwavering as Yayoi enveloped the heiress' soaking wet physique with the flowing pearl white robe, her initials in gold cursive lettering on her lapel. Her momentary signs of hesitation towards the impending confrontation were a distant memory now that the illustrious prize that awaited her towards the end of this momentous challenge was in clear view. She fixated her hazel-eyed gaze as if she was staring straight ahead into the future, a glorious destiny set in stone in which she emerged triumphant once again, with grandiose trumpets heralding another victory in her ever growing list of adversaries vanquished...

"...*giggle*...My sincerest gratitude as always, dear Yayoi~...Your response may be rudimentary at this point, but I find myself compelled to ask nevertheless. If only to reaffirm that you indeed follow me into the depths of your own volition, and not from some meager obligation as my assistant. Those are the individuals whom, I can safely say with the utmost confidence, are the ones I want by my side in the upcoming trials and tribulations. Come Yayoi, once more unto the breach, dear friend, once more..." With her flourishing robe fastened around her waist and the freshly polished Entropy title slung over shoulder, Gwen would march onward through the cavernous hallways of her exorbitant mansion with illuminating beams of moonlight shining through the towering windows littering the extensive corridors. Her confidence renewed and with her resolute attendant accompanying her, Gwen now eagerly awaited her next encounter with the insolent grappler, fully aware of whose turn it was to be utterly disgraced in front of the entire world...