Thomas and the Midara Wrestling League

Thomas had a really good lead on his sister's captors, and he had time to kill before he acted on it. He determined that he needed to get stronger, and to achieve that end, he decided to get busy on some traditional training. He joined a Midara Wrestler, Clea Vage, and followed her to her League where he'd be able to use the training facilities there as well as engage in practice bouts against Midara. Inside was a pretty large lobby and a reception desk.

"So this is the place?" Thomas asked Clea as he looked around. He really hoped she'd be able to help him get stronger.

"Yup! Here, if we register you as an exhibition fighter, you'll get full access to the facilities!" Clea Vage told him before dragging him to the front desk. There, he was given a registration sheet full of questions he had to fill out and a pamphlet titled 'The Heels and Faces of the MWL!'

Thomas nodded to the receptionist and got to work trying to fill out the registration sheet. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too difficult.

It was almost laughably easy, the only thing that wasn't a trifle was the 'Stage Name' he wanted. Once he filled that out, he could turn it in and become an honorary Exhibition Fighter who could challenge the other members and use the facilities here. They even provided food and board!

Huh. He'd have to let Addy know he had a place to stay now.

"So, is this stage name just supposed to be like a title or are they asking me to come up with a new name for myself?" he asked as he turned to Clea.

"It's a name for you to go by in the ring! I'm not actually named Clea Vage, not even the bustiest Midara would name their kid that." The busty wrestler chuckled. "A lot of people use their real names for it or as part of it, but you can go with something else if you want."

"Alright then." Thomas said before he simply wrote down Thomas the Explorer.

Thomas was given a card not long after he turned in the sheet that had his name on it, his symbol of being part of this League, even in a temporary or limited capacity. He also had that pamphlet, he could see the potential competition when he was ready for a bout.

"Oh, there is no obligation or expectation for you to stay a long time, don't worry. We only let flashy Midara promote to longer term fighters, sorry, it's part of the brand." Clea Vage said.

"I guess that makes sense." Thomas said as he pocketed the card. "So I guess we head in and start training, or is there something else I need to do first?"

"You can do whatever you like! Head to the gym or the track for exercises and training, set up small matches with other Exhibition Fighters, or you can request to go up against one of the big names on the big stage. The name of the game is to keep grinding, the more you work, the better you get!" Clea Vage said with a fist pump. "That's how I made it to be one of the stars here. But, there's some new girls who will pass me up if I slack off."

"I think I'll check out the gym first." Thomas said. "Uh, can you show me the way, or do you have other things you need to do?" he asked with a slight blush as he glanced at Clea Vage.

"I have time! I'll give you the whole tour! Besides, we have plenty of signs that show you where stuff is!" Clea Vage answered as she showed him to a hallway towards the right. True to her word, the modern building had signs hanging from the ceiling at every intersection with arrows and labels. Gym straight ahead, reception where they came from, bathrooms to the right.

"Th-Then would you mind helping m-me train?" Thomas asked with all the nervousness of a kid asking out their crush to a date.

"Of course! What are you trying to do? Weights? Cardio? Leg day? Martial arts? Oh, we can have another match, if you're up for it." Clea Vage didn't share any of his nerves, she seemed peppy and excited to help a new fighter get acclimated to the League.

"I'd love another match!" Thomas blurted out without thinking. "Oh, but I, uh, don't think it will go any differently than last time." he hastily added.

"Hmm... probably not! Maybe you should do some training first. So, what do you want to do besides wrestling me again?" Clea Vage asked before remembering something. "Oh, the rules here are basically the same as in that arena, but you can also win by pinning your opponent for three counts."

"Okay." Thomas said as he scratched his cheek. "I guess we could do some cardio?" he suggested uncertainly.

"Alright! Treadmills it is!" Clea Vage said as she showed him the equipment. Just get on and get walking or running. There was already a curvy woman with green hair and a blue leotard using one of the machines, working up quite the sweat.

Alright. Seemed simple enough. He got onto a treadmill next to the green haired woman and turned it on.

The machine was set to a walking pace at a decent incline to begin, but Thomas saw that he could change those settings with the touch or a button. Also... what was that smell? Why did it... it was strong and pungent but he couldn't stop sniffing it.. it made him feel so good.

Thomas kept sniffing, attempting to find out what that smell was as he absently sped up the treadmill, so he was going at a jog.

It was vaguely familiar, but it was so sweet and addictive that it was hard to compare to anything he remembered. All he had to go on was that it started when he started on the treadmill. Maybe a regular could know?

Thomas looked around as he jogged on the treadmill. His eyes eventually fell on the woman running next to him. "Um, excuse me." he said, trying to get her attention.

Thomas could see she was both cute and curvy as well as sweaty. She met his gaze and kept up her jog. "Oh, hello! Can I help you?" The girl asked somewhat timidly, but fully politely. Her sweat was dripping noticeably, but at the same time, she didn't seem fatigued or spent.