#LoveWins (Katie RP w/Johnny Ajax vs Butcher & Majima)

[British Body Shotz]

'Love wins.'

These words, spoken by Lion's Den Academy hopeful Katherine Kensington, open the latest video on the company's website. Seen sitting next to boyfriend Johnny Ajax, both looking tranquil and happy, the Brit then quickly proceeds:

'This expression has been quite ubiquitous in social media lately, for reasons entirely unrelated to grappling. However, I do believe it also applies to the situation at hand. For consider...'

Katherine pauses briefly to retrieve and put on her glasses, making Johnny chuckle.

'...on the upcoming Pride event, I shall be competing alongside my boyfriend, against the man responsible for my only defeat in the company thus far – Mr. Butcher - and someone who may feel slighted that our contest came to an inconclusive end – Mr. Majima. An imposing pairing, to be sure...

...at least on paper.'

A pause for effect, then:

'For you see, this pairing, commanding though it may be, is really not a 'pairing' at all. It is but an alliance of convenience between two men with a common target. An uneasy alliance, at that, what with both gentlemen having...shall we say forceful personalities...'

Katherine frowns slightly.

'Yes, rather the volatile partnership, if indeed it can be called a 'partnership'. Both men are skilled athletes, to be sure, but far too strong-willed to ever work as a unit.

..and across the ring from them...?'

Katie grins.

'Across the ring from them will be two people who – though they may command nothing but derision from certain onlookers – share every aspect of everyday life as a romantic couple. And risible though the concept of 'love' may be to some, truly happy couples possess enough chemistry to achieve almost anything they set their minds to...

...including achieving victory in a grappling contest.'

The Brit's grin evolves into a fully-fledged smile as she exchanges glances with her equally smiling boyfriend.

'John and I are just such a couple. We did not merely agree to work together for the ten or so minutes necessary to carry out a grappling bout – we have been a unit all along. We have our rhythms, our rituals. We each are aware of how the other thinks, how they react to situations or compensate for setbacks. We compromise. Defer. Negotiate. We do not let either of our individual personalities overshadow our relationship as a whole. 

In short, we are a team.'

'A damn good one!', Johnny interrupts, earning himself an elbow to the ribs. He grimaces comically to the camera as his girlfriend continues:

'And that, Mr. Butcher, Mr. Majima, is the main advantage we hold over you. You may be physically stronger than John and I, but you are not aware of how a true team works. When we face off come Wednesday, you will likely be expecting me to be the damsel in distress, cowering behind my boyfriend as he single-handedly obtains payback for your actions against me. You will certainly not be expecting me to stand alongside him, on equal footing, and contribute in any way I can to ensure victory. 

And yet...that is what will happen.'

Katie smiles up at her boyfriend as she concludes:

'For you see, Mr. Majima, Mr. Butcher...the secret to a functional partnership is for both parties to consider themselves equal. Our partnership certainly works that way. Can you say the same about yours?'

It then falls to Johnny to bookend his girlfriend's address with a few final words of his own:

'I hope you're ready, Butcher, Majima. On Wednesday, in Gibsonville...#LoveWins.'

It is with the couple nuzzling one another that the video ends.

(FINAL WORD COUNT: 595)