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Post by Casanova English on Mar 7, 2023 23:39:11 GMT
Okay, how this works is you can post small mini-promos here or CD leading up to What Happens In Vegas. It can be chatting about the last PPV, your upcoming match, or just some CD on how the wrasslin world affects a wrestler’s life. I’ll post some stuff here as well hyping the PPV, interviews and breakdowns with CU:LT staff and board meetings to push along the lore of the company. This is completely up to you if this is used, no pressure, does not count toward RP scores for shows. SEGMENT DEADLINE
MARCH 28TH 11:59:59 PM EST
A SEGMENT FOR HIGHWAY TO... CULT TV OR KILLDOZER CUP WILL ADD A BONUS POINT FOR GRADES! NO POINT STACKING! |
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JNK
New Member
"I believe the common denominator of the universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility, and murder."
Posts: 8
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Post by JNK on Mar 8, 2023 22:29:43 GMT
She was in Japan only three days prior. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake it. Maybe that's why Junko Souma went and did something stupid. February 28th, 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND BANGERS & MASH "Kilroy," she said under her breath. With her back to the wall, giving no one an opportunity to attack her from behind, Junko clenched her eyes shut and pounded on the wall with her fist, frustrated with Kilroy, the situation-- no, no... that wasn't true. She was frustrated with herself. It was her first time in London since Mary Taylor Chang and Eternity's Gate plucked her out of that homeless shelter and brought her back to Intense International Wrestling. She was only supposed to be visiting, meeting people-- --friends-- NO. She shook her head gently. "No friends," she whispered. It wasn't the jet lag, she decided. It was simply Chiba-san continuing to be correct about her from beyond the grave. She was nothing more than a stupid girl and she stuck her nose where it didn't belong... again. That's how she ended up with the busted knee and missed an entire year of her career. This was worse than that... Kilroy-- "Kilroy," she muttered again. --Kilroy was worse than Casie Debonair and her Coven. He was bigger, stronger... scarier. She should've just let him do whatever he wanted to Anderson Shepley. It wasn't her job to protect him, right? Right? She knew she couldn't save everyone but-- "I have to try."She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. For the briefest of moments, she knew that Kilroy would be standing there when she did... but he wasn't. She looked around, hearing the hustle and bustle of the machinations which go on behind the scenes at a CU:LT event. She watched other wrestlers and staff walk past her without a care in the world. It was as if she didn't exist at all. That was fine by her... the need for human contact was outweighed by the need not to be found by Kilroy-- hurt by Kilroy. She looked down at her hand, at her trembling fingers, realizing how badly that could have gone if he had gotten a hand on her-- if that dropkick hadn't landed just right to send him out to the floor. No, she was fine going unnoticed. She didn't have a problem with that at all. She took one last look around at her surroundings and struck out to see the people she needed to see and sign the paperwork that she needed to sign. Though her involvement in the Killdozer Cup had already been announced, she wanted to make it officially official and watch the rest of the show, hopefully without seeing Kilroy again. It felt good hearing the London fans cheer her name again. She smiled at the thought, but was relieved all the same that she would be back on a plane to Japan only hours after the show ended. Kilroy couldn't get her in Japan. Could he? |
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kilroy
New Member
I've got a secret I've been hiding
Posts: 45 
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Post by kilroy on Mar 12, 2023 5:00:07 GMT
Meanwhile, back at LAX, KILROY stood before what seemed like a small army of armed officers.
KILROY: I want to go to Japan.
Head Officer (yes, the same guy from the last time): You’re going back out that door and never returning to this airport.
KILROY: Okay.
Then, he began to leave.
Head Officer: OR ANY AIRPORT FOR THAT MATTER!
Later, KILROY was walking down the street, which, in a podunk shithole of a town, no big deal, but this was LA, and boy howdy, were drivers mad at him!
KILROY: “Or any airport for that matter”, youuuuu just WATCH what I’m capable of, you power-hungry tyrant!
The incessant honking of scores of vehicles fell on deaf ears. But, a store to his left caught his eye: it was a candy shop, and his sweet tooth was begging his five-finger discount to shuffle his feet over there. The absolute very moment KILROY came anywhere near the view of the clerk inside, they let out a frustrated sigh, and rested their head in their hands. Moments later, KILROY strolled into the store, bobbing to and fro, his almost serpentine movements could have easily been mistaken for a tweaker, but the clerk could only be so lucky.
KILROY: Nice place you got here.
Clerk: Thanks…
He then continued to admire the vast amount of sweet wares. Occasionally, he’d look to see if the clerk was looking at him, which he obviously was. KILROY grabbed a hold of some bulk Jolly Ranchers - yes, with his bare hands - going between feverishly observing the colorful treats and espying the clerk.
Clerk: So long as you don’t hurt me, take what you want.
KILROY looked offended, he dropped the candies, then slowly shuffled his way towards the now very nervous clerk. KILROY lurched forward, exhaling through his nose in one uninterrupted breath as he did.
KILROY: I, don’t, neeeeeed to steal, SIR.
He fishes into one of his furry trench coat pockets, pulling out a fistfull of receipts and bus tickets, practically shoving them in the clerk’s face.
KILROY: See?!
Clerk: Yes, yes, I see, I’m sorry, Mr. KILROY!
KILROY: MISTER KILROY? MISTER KILROY is my FATHER! You can just call me KILROY.
Clerk: O-okay, KILROY.
KILROY: That’s MISTER KILROY to you.
Clerk: Oh my God…
And as KILROY glared at the poor clerk, as he wondered how he’d senselessly torture him, a large jar full of jellybeans to the side of the counter caught his eye. He pointed at it.
KILROY: What’s that about?
Clerk: I-I-It’s a contest.
KILROY looked expectantly at the clerk, then grew impatient fast.
KILROY: AND?!
Clerk: And, uh, you just guess how many jellybeans are in the jar.
KILROY: AND?!?!
Clerk: And, and, you, uh, you win cash and five minutes grabbing as much candy as you can carry! Th-the closer to the correct number you guess, the greater the prizes.
KILROY grabbed a hold of the jar, looking at it from all angles.
Clerk: Did you, um, want to take a guess?
KILROY: Hmmmmmmm…
He spotted a green one.
KILROY: This one makes me think of Glum. I bet it tastes funny.
Then he spotted a pink one.
KILROY: This one makes me think of Junko Souma.
He made no further comment, but did pluck it out and ate it. He spat it out a second later.
KILROY: Fucking disGUSTING.
Then he spotted a brown one.
KILROY: I feel this one is Craig Cogan, because I have noooo clue what the hell flavor it is.
Then he spotted a solitary black one at the bottom of the jar.
KILROY: This one is obviously KILROY. Black licorice, much like myself, is an acquired taste.
Clerk: So did you want to take a guess now?
KILROY: Including the one I ate and spat out?
Clerk: Y-yeah.
KILROY continued to peruse the contents of the jar, now primarily the bottom of it, where the black licorice one shifted ever so slightly with every movement.
KILROY: Well, we all know numbers are disputable. What’s 100 to one could be 2000 to somebody else entirely.
Clerk: It’s not a trick, Mr. KILROY; there is an actual answer.
KILROY: Is that so?
Clerk: Yes, I swear!
KILROY nodded several times, too many times, well, not too many times for an unstable individual. Then, he smashed the jar over his own head, much to the horror of the clerk.
KILROY: Hey, look at me: I’ve shattered the glass ceiling!
Then, he began to walk away.
Clerk: So you don’t want to guess?
KILROY: Nahhhh, I have to stay in shape for my matches, sir. But thank you for cheering me up! I’ll be back after hours.
Then, he exited the shop. The clerk immediately shuttered the store and left for Wyoming.
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Post by Casanova English on Mar 19, 2023 13:12:47 GMT
PROMO THIS RELATES TO QUOTED AT BOTTOM
“People die every day, Detective,” I said, handing back the newspaper.
The same one Johnny Bacchus affiliate Grace Leary handed me at Bangers and Mash. The same headline scribbled across the top.
DRUG-INDUCED PSYCHOTIC EPISODE.
“Weird though, they never did find that horse mask at his home did they?”
I smirked, putting a cigarette between my lips and lighting it as the Detective looked the paper over in the back alley of The Dying Squirrel. After the success of the last few shows I bought my favorite dive bar in NYC and renamed it.
“No, they didn’t find the mask… I guess that’s good for us both huh? CULT just carries on, how convenient,” The Detective said, his bottom teeth grinding into his bottom – badly hidden anger getting ready to boil over.
“Bigger cut for you in all of this, maybe some more say for me. That’s what it’s all about Detective… some equity. It’s time you realize none of this would be possible without me. I think that is evident based on the time you tried to replace me at our show in Mexico,” I blow a few puffs toward the night sky.
“Shit just don’t hit the same without Casanova English.”
“I know what it happening to the board… I know you want to get rid of it. But you know all too well you can’t come for me. You know that I can blow your whole story up. I can let the world know you are a Manson esque mastermind who created and executed the plot to kill your father,” The Detective said trying to keep me in check – but we’re past that now.
If I go down… so does he.
“Flattered… I just want to know I am steering the ship, you want to take a little off the top to live comfortably I don’t give a fuck. But this company, it’s my baby, it’s my child… it’s an orphanage… a CULT,” I knock the ash off my cigarette.
“And something tells me these two aren’t really tag alongs by choice. I feel like this Horse masked weird and Elephant masked cunt aren’t just a pain in my ass. They disappear, you take a langer cut and the best part is… neither of us are doing the dirty work here.”
“Well how long do you think you can string this Bacchus fucker along for?”
“That’s where you come in, Detective. I need every bit of info you have on J. Howard DeWitt. If I can get to him, well my whole plan with Johnny making this a little more lucrative for us both will go off without a hitch.”
“I know the name,” The Detective responds, sucking so hard on his cigarette I hear the dry tobacco inside crackle.
I didn’t expect the conversation to go this well, and The Detective didn’t care how this weaved into matchmaking with CULT. But I do. See Lissie Hope… Lisse Hope beat me at the Denzel Porter Invitational II and if she thinks this match with Alice is some sort of prize she is mistaken. If Gemini doesn’t sink her teeth into the soft tissue of her neck and drain her… well… I’ve got a plan to crucify the bitch.
And I’m getting a little tired of getting my own hands dirty.
“You're going to keep Bacchus happy when it comes to his bookings in CULT? I know he came close to winning the CULT Classic Championship,” The Detective asked.
“You leave the booking for me. I’ll make Johnny happy… you just track down all the info you have on that name.”
It’s all a step by step process.
Now to deal with The Elephant in the room.
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Post by Casanova English on Mar 20, 2023 1:43:02 GMT
Big Match Breakdown CULT TV
Welcome to the first episode of Big Match Breakdown for Season II of CULT and let’s get right into it with breaking down predictions for CULT:TV Episode I and The Killdozer Cup! CULT TV Championship
Serenity Holmes vs Ace Sky
Ace Sky's the workhorse of the locker room. He gets knocked down and he just keeps on coming back. He has been so close to glory here at CULT. He has had classic after classic and just can’t seem to get it done. Unfortunately, he is up against one of the best rookies the business has ever seen – a co-New World Champion - Serenity Holmes. It might be along night for her going up against Ace Sky, but I think Holmes continues to dominate CULT. Double Homicide Championship
Trios Deathmatch
Three Ring Barney vs The Walkers
While we are waiting for the first episode of CULT:TV we will see the first episode of The Walkers… this sit-com family will debut to take on Three Ring Barney. Three Ring Barney has been the most dominant force in all of CULT. Luna Baby and Royston Popplewell have had a stranglehold on the Double Homicide Championships. Chester Roosevelt has also been on a tear as SNUFF Champion. Now they will defend the Double Homicide Titles in a trio match. It could be too much for The Walkers… but you know what… It's the first episode of CULT:TV… There is something in the air and I think The Walkers could walk out with the straps. CULT Classic Championship
JJ Slayer vs Jennie Fenix
JJ Slayer has the most defenses for a CULT Classic Champion to date, but it hasn’t come easy. In fact, Jennie Fenix and Slayer have faced off once already. It’s been bad luck for Fenix since starting here at CULT. She has put on some of the best matches, but she’s dealing with a bit of a curse. She is just off a match with Alice Gemini for the New World Championship. She had her foot on the ropes in that match and the ref didn’t see it, it’s the exact same result of her CULT Classic Championship match. Now JJ Slayer is a phenomenal champion, but even at Bangers and Mash he and Bacchus pinned Regal at the same time. I think Fenix proves she belongs in the company and walks away with a championship at CULT:TV. BFFS vs The Boomstick Twins
Paul Freedom and Jack Sullivan are a hell of a team. We saw that at Bangers and Mash. They put a hell of a fight up against Three Ring Barney and came up short. The Boomstick Twins are new – but they are excited to get in the ring and get a crack at the tag team division. Bellatrix Kash and Eavan Kash are WWA Hall of Famers. This might determine the landscape of the tag team division. I think I am going to have to go with BFFS this round… they came too close to winning the Double Homicide Championships to go against them. KILLDOZER CUP
New World Championship
Alice Gemini vs Lissie Hope
This is the biggest test for Alice Gemini since becoming New World Championship. Alice beat JD Driftwood for the strap, then Serenity Holmes to solidify who the undisputed champion was. She just went toe to toe with Jennie Fenix… but Lissie Hope is fresh off of beating Casanova English at the Denzel Porter Invitation. She has been very successful in Action Wrestling recently winning the cruiserweight championship. Hope almost walked away with the New World Championship but JD Driftwood got the pin in just before her. This is one of the biggest main events two friends going toe to toe and I think Gemini will show Lissie she is the true future of the business. Killdozer Cup Participants
Glum - Addy A -Junko Souma -Killroy - Max Daemon - Kaede Iruma - Craig Cogan - Datura - Grace Leary - Veronica Strader - Johnny Bacchus -Kallie Reznik
This is hard one to pick. We haven’t seen Glum since Cogan blew him up. Junko and Killroy got into a brawl at Bangers in Mash and were named as the first two participants. Max Deamon is the first SNUFF Champion – he has the company logo branded into his skin and we know he is clawing his way back to the top. Kaede Iruma, one half of Heartkillers had one of the best tag team debuts in company history at Banger and Mash but came up short. Criag Cogan, if the dumb fucker can stop getting powerbombed by Gram Gram might prove the wild card is useful. Datura is in the win column after a massive main event against Casanova English at The People V. Casanova English. Grace Leary is a bit of a mystery… and the industry is stirring as she prepares to make her CULT debut. Strader is the number one contender for the SNUFF Championship and if she can win this tournament she will prove she is The Queen of the Deathmatch and aim straight for Chester Roosevelt next. Johnny Bacchus has found himself in a favorable position after doing some dirty work for English, from what I understand. He was just a hair way from benign CULT Classic Champion and I know he is going to want to carry that momentum. Kallie Reznik might be pretty, but you won’t be after you step in the ring with her. The relentless highflyer will take it to whoever she is up against. It’s a triple threat first round and singles for the next two as we crown the master of the deathmatch and award them the Killdozer Cup. I think I am going to have to go with Max Daemon in this one. The man has been putting in work, knows his way around a deathmatch and I know he wants to surpass his claim to fame of being the first SNUFF Champion. |
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Post by Max f'n Daemon on Mar 23, 2023 16:43:25 GMT
It's been an hour since the plane landed in Maryland from Denver, and Max has managed to successfully convince Holo to go back home to Baltimore.
Or at least...he's pretty sure he has. He can't really tell given he's spent the last hour going through various restaurants and bars in the airport to try and avoid him.
At this point it's a game to him.
He's about to sit down at the McDonald's with his food when the hand on his shoulder causes him to freeze.
"Max, is there a reason you've been avoiding me?" Holo asks.
"Nah..." Max starts but doesn't finish his sentence.
Max turns and notices Holo narrowing his eyes.
"I figured coming back home from Denver would be easier. Then we can fly back from Chicago the day after. But...I'm thinking this was a mistake."
"What? No, it's fine!"
The lack of expression on the kid's face makes Max realize his lies are not working.
"Or...is it more likely that you do not want to go home?"
"What kinda silly idea would that be? What reason would I not want ta' go home?"
"Wuya."
The name and lack of care for the brutal truth pierces Max's lungs. He lets out a couple coughs, but Holo does not notice.
Or doesn't care. At this point either is likely.
"I know things aren't great with you two, but I had hoped a conversation would solve that. But...you're afraid of confronting her," Holo continues.
"Yeah, no shit there, Sherlock. Ingenious fuckin conclusion. Look, lemme just have my food and we can go back home," Max responds.
"Or...would you rather we not?"
Max raises his eyebrow as he munches on some fries from his bag.
"Max, I know I'm still working on how conversations and...people work, but I'm not completely ignorant. I am grateful for all your help, and while I would rather have you two on the same page, I am more willing to appease your needs than hers."
"Man...that is a bold sentiment, but I appreciate it all the same."
Holo nods. When he takes a burger from the bag, Max doesn't stop him.
"So...the way I see it, there's a lot of things we can do in this area of the country. We have to be in Chicago by Monday, but...otherwise..."
Max lets a smile grow on his face.
"Ever been ta' Beach City?"
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The smlle is gone as Max drives his continuously drenched car back down the highway towards Baltimore.
"Impressive. It's not even actually raining..." Holo comments.
"Yes, well...if I knew Lapis was still around I definitely wouldn't have shown up," Max says.
"You have negative history with a lot of powerful people."
Max's left eyebrow twitches as he continues to stare down the road through the constantly swinging windshield wipers.
"How long will this last?" Holo asks.
"Last I checked she has a 100 mile radius on it."
The silence in the car sits between the two.
"I don't think it's 100 miles to Baltimore," Holo comments.
"It's not."
The hand massaging Max's growing migraine twitches, desiring something else to hold instead of his forehead and now his throat is parched and oh, would you know it, it looks like the back of his neck is sweating and--
"Is it hot in here or is it just me?" Max says.
"Max, as you are a mentor figure to me, I do not appreciate you needlessly flirting with me," Holo says.
This fucking kid.
"Is the heat on for the car?" Max asks more viciously than intended.
"No."
Oh great, so it's more of this shit.
"Are you having a panic attack? Weird. I'd expect that to only happen when you're going through withdrawals."
Max slams his foot on the breaks. He pulls over to the shoulder and turns the car off. He opens his door, slamming it shut before leaning his back against the car and just...breathing.
Through the echo of his ears, he can hear the passenger side open and close.
"Oh."
This kid's a fuckin genius.
Way to pick 'em, Wuya. Next time get the isolated island boy from like...Jamaica or some shit, not an island nobody's heard of until recently.
"Think of Johnny."
"Fuckin...what?" Max asks.
His voice cracks from the unexpected statement.
"Bacchus. Think of him."
"Fuckin...why?!"
If he sounds incredulous it's because he is.
"You hate him, right?"
That question shouldn't be difficult to answer, but his tightening throat seems hellbent on not letting him.
"Then think about what it'll mean to beat him in the tournament. The thrill of it. The energy from actually defeating him."
Despite his raging headache, his mind manages to conjure up enough imagination to think about it.
Huh.
That would be nice.
Suddenly, everything becomes clearer. The panic subsides. His breathing evens.
He lets out a hard exhale. Holo stares at him with his usual lack of emotion.
Max turns towards Holo, whose hair his dry.
Max looks around at the car to notice the rain following them, and only them, had subsided.
"Huh..."
He turns back to Holo.
"Thanks, kid."
Holo nods once and they both get back in the car.
Neither man feels the need to say anything as they head back to Baltimore.
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Post by Alice Gemini on Mar 24, 2023 2:22:19 GMT
What am I doing? I have no idea of what direction my life is going and it just feels as though it’s spiraling faster and faster and I have zero control. I do these things that make no sense and I can hardly understand why I do them. I was seeing my new therapist yesterday and… I attacked him. He didn’t press charges because of something along the lines of “This is who she is”. Fucker just felt bad for me and my poor pitiful life.
YESTERDAY
“Alice, I’m so thankful that you’ve chosen me to talk to because I really do think that I’ll be able to help you work through everything that you need help with. I took a look at your documents and you’ve lived a rough life, I know it’ll mean nothing to you but I am sorry you had to suffer.”
Alice comfortably lays down on a shrink chair across from him, looking at her nails. She rolls her eyes and ignores what the therapist said to her.
“Um, I know you’re not too fond of talking with just about anyone about your problems but I need you to know that you can say absolutely anything to me and it’s 100% confidential. Nothing leaves this room.”
She dramatically sighs and sits up, looking him directly in his eyes with her dead expression.
“Listen, Doc, I’m strong enough to admit when I’m fucked up but I am horrible at this ‘opening up’ bullshit so you’re just gonna have to figure out how to crack this shell.”
“How about I start by asking you questions? They may be personal and you may be reluctant to answer them but I gotta help get you through this somehow.”
Alice takes one of the Cookies off of his desk and starts scarfing it down, not acknowledging the therapist again.
“Oh fuck! Ya know, a lot of people hate oatmeal raisin cookies because they’re all lame and only want chocolate chip but I fucking love these god damn things. Good choice, Doc.”
“Yes, well…”
She takes the entire package off of his desk and lays them next to her to snack on.
“Keep going, don’t let me distract you!”
“Right… So, Alice, How do you feel about life in general? Doesn’t necessarily have to be yours but it could be just the state of human lives and your thoughts on it.”
She freezes up immediately into a state of thought.
“I think about this probably more than I should. You better not fucking tell anyone but, as much as I say I hate people and want to see them squirm and suffer, I love seeing the good in people as well. The problem there though is that the bad people outweigh the good and genuine out there. This world is driven by hate and you can either become a wolf or a sheep. So many close-minded individuals out there who just blindly hate things they don’t understand because they’re not fucking intelligent enough to actually do their research for a better understanding so that they might not hate what it is. That’s just it though, why learn more about something you already hate for no reason? Those kinds of people are just afraid that maybe if they comprehend it, they won’t hate it anymore and that’s why their hate is blind.
I’m gay. I enjoy the company of women over men. Not just because I find women more attractive but it’s because most men just make me feel extremely uncomfortable. That’s because of the shit with my dad but… I can’t run from it. Literally, It follows me everywhere I fucking go. So many incel wrestling fans try and judge me for my sexual preference and I don’t care but it’s exactly what I had to hear when I was growing up. It- Wait, why the fuck did I just open up so easily?”
“Because you saw a chance to finally let out some pressure from your nerves. It’s a natural thing that every human needs to do eventually.”
“Fuck that. That’s why I don’t like talking about real deep shit like that. I don’t like letting anyone know me. I only hurt people who try and know me. I’m just not someone you’re supposed to know on a deep level.”
“Why do you think that, Alice?”
“I don’t know! Because I’m afraid of disappointment, because it's inevitable that the people that were there for me will be let down and I can’t get out of my own way. I enjoy the suffering that depression brings. Sometimes, it can overflow but with just the right amount of sadness, you get that perfect feeling of numb. Everything around you is awful but in that moment… nothing. You don’t enjoy anything but you also don’t feel any pain for once. It’s a moment of bliss in a fucked up way.”
A single tear runs down Alice’s face. Not a tear created of sadness though, she had a smile on her face.
“Are you saying you prefer feeling nothing at all to that of true human emotions?”
“Yeah, I guess. You gonna judge me because of my weird answer or something now?”
“Not at all. It helps me get to know you a bit better. Now how about I ask you a question about your current personal life?"
“Watch it, pal.”
“Don’t worry I will! Just simple questions to see where you’re at. Okay, Do you struggle with being alone? Like, just by yourself?”
“I- Next question. I can’t answer that.”
“You don’t want to answer that. You can, you just don’t want to. I won’t push it further but-”
“You’re fucking right you won’t push it any further. Ya know what, how does this even fucking help me at all?”
She stands up angrily and glares at the Therapist.
“Alice, please just take a seat and we can just move on”
“Fuck that. I talk about all of my traumas and who does that help? Me? Yeah, I don’t think so. You’re nothing but a hack trying to get people's money and enjoy the lives of fucked up people losing their shit.”
The therapist gets out of his chair to attempt to plead with Alice.
“Sit the fuck back down you soy boy beta cuck.”
“Alice, please I just want to help you, I promise-”
“Fuck promises! All they ever do is give you expectations that can never be met.”
Alice grabs a small potted plant on his desk and launches it across the room, shattering it. The therapist slowly moves his finger under his desk and presses a small button. Alice notices this and stares bullets through him. She stomps around the desk and grabs him by his collar and gets in his face.
“Are you fucking kidding me? You motherfucker, I knew you only cared about if you got paid or not. Fuck you!”
She drives her forehead down on his nose, instantly breaking it with a loud crunch. He shrieks out in pain as Alice nonchalantly makes her way to the exit where two security guards waited to escort her out of the building.
“See you never, Doc! I'm off to Las Vegas to probably ruin my life even further!” Alice waves from over her shoulder and is interrupted by one of the security guards shoving her along. |
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Post by JJ Slayer on Mar 28, 2023 20:57:40 GMT
***The following took place at Bangers and Mash, after the Classic Champion JJ Slayer dismissed the cameraman from eavesdropping on his discussion with Datura.***
OOC Note: Datura and I co-wrote this.
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Once the door is shut, Jake turns his attention back to Elizabeth. He takes a moment to collect his thoughts as he crosses back towards where she stood. “I have a proposal for you, an offer of a partnership. As I’m sure you noticed, our fellow competitors have been rather eager to demand a shot at my title.”
Elizabeth stands silently for a moment, her eyes seemingly lost in a blank trance. She stalks over to Jake, so close that they stand chest to chest. Slowly, she raises her hand and uses her pointer finger to trace lines across the golden belt. “And who is to say I am not one of them?”
“Difficult to make it in this business without being willing to gamble, isn’t it? Be bold, take a chance, all of that. You strike me as the type who’d be more forward with your intent and declare it at the door rather than hear me out.” The man doesn’t flinch when Elizabeth gets so close, his gaze drifting down for a moment as she runs her fingertips along the engraved design on the championship.
“I see.” Her finger bends, and she places her palm against the gold. She ponders his suggestion for a moment, then nods. “An accurate assessment,” she states. Her tone is flat, but a slight twitch of her lip betrays a hint of interest. “Why me?”
“Your reputation precedes you, of course, but it’s your fearlessness. Not many would walk straight into the lion’s den, punch the lion on the nose, and goad him into a fight. Same logic applies to why you should consider my offer, Casanova English doesn’t strike me as the type to let bygones be bygones. Having someone to watch your back is likely to be just as beneficial as my having someone watch mine.”
“Interesting.” She extends her arm, pushing off Jake’s body before turning her back to him. She slinks over to a bench and sits down, her gaze glued to the floor. “What is the difference between the brave and the foolish?”
Jake folds his arms, watching as the woman takes a seat, allowing the question to sink in for a moment before offering an answer. “Understanding the risks involved. A foolish man doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into, the bold man understands and does it regardless.”
Elizabeth raises her eyes and returns them to Slayer. After a moment of silence, her stoic gaze falters. It is replaced with girlish giggling. She raises her hands to cover her mouth. “Do you know what you are getting yourself into, Jake?”
“I know that from what I’ve seen around here, regardless of whether or not I want it to be eventually the crosshairs will be squarely on my back, and how that works out for me will likely be based entirely on who I have in my corner when it happens.” Despite Datura’s change in demeanor, Slayer keeps on the serious airs, his arms remaining folded.
Face entirely flushed, Elizabeth wipes a stray tear streaking down her cheek. She exhales deeply, attempting to regain her composure. “That is a very roundabout way to say no.” She buries her face in her hands. Through the spaces in her fingers, she continues, “But, I have no qualms aligning myself with fools, especially great ones. If I did, I would be very much alone in this world. You have yourself a deal, Jake.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time I got accused of being such a thing. We can discuss things more later, after I deal with my match. I’ll try not to stick any forks into electrical outlets on my way to the ring.” The Classic champion offers up a wry smile towards Elizabeth before making his exit, leaving her to get herself collected.
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Post by Jonathan Bacchus on Mar 29, 2023 2:30:39 GMT
The path through the hallways of the CU Event Center was lonely tonight – the second lonesome road he’d walked this week. Of course, the halls weren’t empty; quite the opposite. They hummed with the same manic energy as before every show, Casanova’s grotesques pushing around equipment and preparing for the spectacle to begin. The mood for Jonathan Bacchus, on the other hand, was different this time – the space between his fingers which Lissie’s own so often occupied was vacant. Even Olive Adler hadn’t flown into town: “I’m federally barred from entering the state of Colorado, let alone Boulder.”
But when Jonathan Bacchus finally came to the gorilla position, a familiar face stood out from his competitors. He moved swiftly to her, sidestepping Craig Cogan as he pulled money from Gram Gram’s purse and attempted to bribe him out of the tournament, and even Max Daemon’s ever burning glare only gave him light pause. Perhaps he'd have stopped to chat with the curious little woman he knew was Datura, but she sat perched upon a crate with her eyes closed and legs crossed, lost deep in meditation. Instead, Jonathan came straight to Grace Leary’s side, though she paid him no regard until he spoke.
“Haven’t heard from you all week – is something wrong?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” she replied quietly, her eyes fixed forward on the slit in the curtain. The bright glow of the stage beyond peaked through like rays of sunlight.
“Sorry to worry you. I’m fine, I was just over in Granby.”
“Quaint,” she remarked sardonically, before continuing after a pause, “I didn't get in until last night — took a little detour of my own.”
She turned to look at him, and his eyebrow instinctively cocked up. She replied to his incredulity with narrowed eyes.
“New York or Kansas?”
Her eyes went back to the curtain. “It hasn't changed a bit,” she said, soft and dry.
“Orinda’s the same way – Oakland’s always got some new street blocked off or artisan bagel shop opening, but some towns move slower.”
She didn’t reply, her eyes focused intently forward. But she didn’t need to face him – her hands shook violently at her sides. It was a delicate moment; an emotional tell of this nature was unusual of Jonathan’s normally vaulted compatriot, thus requiring a measure of thought and tact.
“Grace,” he began slowly and softly, “What happened in Cottonwood Falls?”
Her voice was barely above a whisper, her arms drawing tightly across her chest. Her eyelid twitched as she spoke. “I saw a ghost.”
Silence fell between them like a cleaver, allowing the sounds of the buzzing wrestlers to fill the air. He stood at her side, now looking towards the curtain, and his voice dropped to a whisper in kind. “Of whom?”
“The kind that would recognize this alias of mine.”
She’d spoken of the ghosts of Cottonwood Falls to him half a year before – that confession had seemed to bring her temporary abatement from their torment, but at this proclamation, a twinge of guilt shot up Jonathan’s spine. He drew his bottom lip between his teeth, chewing it lightly. “I think you need to elaborate. I don’t want to assume incorrectly.”
“A fed,” she answered, “At least, I presume he still is.”
Jonathan’s head turned to her. It wasn’t the answer he was expecting – a memory or a regret, perhaps, but nothing so concrete. “Like an agent?” he inquired, and she nodded in reply.
“Why would he be after you? Investigating ‘our friends’’ disappearance?”
“Would that it were that simple,” she remarked, her voice laced with regret. She paused momentarily, her eyes never leaving the curtain but her eyes reflecting a mind at work. “He and I have a more intimate history.”
“You’re not talking about an ex, are you?”
“I was tasked with compromising him. Poison his investigation if he ever made tangible progress.”
“You mean to tell me…” Jonathan began, a light going off, “You honey potted a fed with the same name?”
Grace didn’t reply, her eyes only on the curtain. Jonathan’s hands snapped out, grabbing her by the shoulders and turning her to face him as anger boiled up. “AS–” he began before catching himself, “…Grace. Why would you recycle an alias?"
She stared back at him, her eyes wide and icy. Her lip curled down into an impatient sneer, and he immediately released her shoulders. Standing there before the curtain, the compatriots held one another’s gaze, neither seeming bothered by Datura, who's eyes snapped open and head turned in intrigue. Finally, Jonathan relented. With a long sigh, he turned back to the curtain, and she followed in kind.
“I’m sorry. Please continue.”
“I couldn't tell you if he knew I was there beforehand - but I can't imagine I saw him and he didn't see me.”
Jonathan lowered his head, reaching up to rub the bridge of his nose in frustration. “What do you think he wants?”
“I can't imagine it's anything pleasant.”
“I’ll deal with it – this is my fault, I asked you to aid me. I promised to have your back no matter what, and I can fix this.”
“No," she replied curtly. It was abrupt enough to give him pause.
“No?” he asked hesitantly, turning to look at her.
“No,” she replied firmly, turning to meet his gaze, “This is my mess, I'll clean it up. Focus on Casanova English.”
“What if that’s what they want?”
“So what if it is?”
There was a pregnant pause. “I trust you,” Jonathan said quietly.
“I appreciate that,” she replied before the two turned back to the curtain, “Did you find what you were looking for? In Granby?”
The flaps of the curtain rustled, as if in anticipation of the show’s commencement. Beyond the curtain, their futures awaited Jonathan Bacchus and Grace Leary – the Killdozer Cup, Casanova English, and Elliot Duncan. It was a precarious, uncertain one, where even the most meticulous of planning and preparation could be thrown into bedlam with the slightest touch. Just like the webs of a spider – just like the swing of a double pendulum – just like a row of dominoes or a house of cards.
“There was nothing to find,” Jonathan finally replied. And the two readied themselves for battle.
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