Post by ladydedraca on Apr 20, 2017 17:55:50 GMT
■out of character■ Good luck to everyone involved. I hope you are well and have fun.
■supporting cast■ Christian Mercer
I M I S S Y O U
New York City, New York
ON/OFF camera
She was tired. More than usually. Way more than when she was on the road. Doing nothing, well being forced to doing nothing, didn’t really help the mood. She had been going through all stages of grief.
It is just an injury.
Wrong. It is never just an injury. For no professional fighter or sports entertainer. How could it be? In her whole career she had three injuries. A small one. A medium one. And… the broken neck. Yeah. The one that people said she would never return from. It was never a matter of want, but could. And literally nothing had changed. Elena hated standing still. Or not being in control for that matter. When she looked back at that tag team match, she should have seen it coming. Her leg had been acting up way before that. Not all the massages and bandages could help it.
Clever move DeDraca.
The end of story? Sprained ankle. With some complications on the sidelines, which caused the cast in the first place. Not that she understood anything the doctors explained. And even when her husband tried to make it more clear, she didn’t get it. Not because she was slow, but because she was angry. Disappointed.
They had been sitting inside that private clinic for the third time this week. The cast was itchy. Her mood was beyond grey. And he never complained. CHRISTIAN MERCER. He took every punch, verbally and physically. And there were quite some during the past weeks. Distracting herself with checking pictures on her phone, she didn’t pay any attention to the people walking past.
“Misses Mercer?” A young man called out. Lazily her eyes found him, shrugging her shoulders. Christian was wrapping his arm around her waist, she hissed at him.
“I can do that alone.”
Christian sighed heavily and shook his head before turning to her with a smirk, boyish and arrogant even for a man of his years he gave her a little wink. “Oh love, I know you can but I want any excuse I can find to hold my beautiful wife. Forgive a man for trying?” He got to his feet instead of holding her waist and held out his hand.
She didn’t wanna look at him. Getting up without using his hand while using those damned crutches. She cursed under her breath when putting pressure on her injured leg.
Had he noticed?
Elena wasn’t quite the same person she had been a year ago. Or even three months ago. Her head was constantly in a dark place. Doubting her own decisions. Shutting down while trying to keep up the facade. Her smile was the same, but underneath there was something she couldn’t explain. It didn’t take them too long to talk to the doctor. Going through all the scans and possibilities.
“We will remove the cast today. Under one condition Misses Mercer… you rest up.” His eyes were serious. “Don’t think we haven’t noticed the cuts and broken pieces of the cast.”
“Rest up? All I have been doing for the past month was resting up. I got a match to prepare for darling, relaxing is not really an option.”
The young professional looked over at Christian. A little helpless.
“Elena, he’s the doctor. He knows what he’s talking about. You could do more damage and then what?” He looked down at her leg with a sigh, his hand slowly gliding towards her face but stopping. “Take the cast off her, I’ll make sure she at least tries to rest up.”
“You make sure I rest up? Really?” Her voice was sharp. “You do realise I have a match coming up. Yeah. In that same place that I got injured in...I have no time for that nonsense.”
Christian growled under his breath, his fists balled together as he swallowed his frustration before looking down at her. “My love, if you get reinjured from not taking care of yourself what will that prove?” His voice was deeper now, sharper. Almost challenging.
The doctor was about saying something, but she glanced at him. Her eyes dark, almost black. Her full attention on her husband. Her lips not more than a thin line.
“What will it prove? That they are right. That i am as much of a joke as they think, right? I ain’t no Aurora or whatever that bird girl is called.” She stood up without crutches. Putting full weight on that damn leg. “Just a filler on the card. So who cares?”
“I CARE!” He had gotten up too. His voice raised as he shook his head, his hand moving now to her cheek, his thumb rubbing under her eye. “You are by far the toughest, strongest woman I have ever seen and I know this won’t slow you down but you need to be smart. You need to be the calculating Elena I have seen in the past love….please.” His voice became quieter, his heart calming as he looked at his wife, the woman he loved.
There were two options to this situation. She could snap and further fight with him and the whole world. Or, she could let him in and still fight the rest of the world. A thousand thoughts were running through her head at the same time. Seeing the concern on his face made her feel something more than anger though. Guilt. She reached out for his hand, rubbing it softly.
“Alright. You win. No marathons or anything like that. Just light training for a little while… but take that damn thing off.” In her mind she added, or I will do it myself.
The doctor nodded and seemed more relaxed now when doing a little phone call. Moments later her name got called and this time she would accept Christian’s hand. Leaving the crutches in the doctor’s office. Not looking back.
Hand me the knife.
Nope.
Around twenty minutes later they sat inside their huge car. Their driver looking straight forward while Elena had stretched out. Her injured foot resting on Christian’s lap. She hadn’t take on a shoe, looking at it from all angles.
“It looks all healed to me.”
Christian laughed and shook his head. His hands running up and down her uninjured leg. Up to her knee and back down her calf. Very slow and tender. He tilted his head smiling while looking at her injury. “Well, I’m sure I can think of ways to help you test it out my dear…”
“I do no need my leg for that… Unless you have been reading up on this Indian book.” She laughed. The first real laughter in a long while. With her good foot she poked him. “I have a request though.”
“When can I ever deny you? Between you and Isabella I’m a pushover.” He smiled warmly, his fingertips caressing her.
“I have been thinking a lot… let’s face it… I had way too much time.” For a moment her voice sounded bitter again. “I wanna do this right. So Christian Mercer… I want a trainer. Or trainers.”
She looked at him with those big eyes. She hadn’t really trained under anyone since graduating from Steel Bones Wrestling. Elena was a perfect loner which explained her circles of friends. People like Finn or Alex. But after the past months of struggling it was time to change things up.
He gave a small nod and cleared his throat. A small smile passing across his lips. “Well, if you listen to your trainer or...trainers...it’ll work. They might stop you from overtraining and doing damage.” He laughed under his breath and gave her a wink. “Do you have anyone in mind? Or do we put out a search net?”
“Give me your phone.” She held out her hand with a bright smile. “You know that you wanna. Hand it over without a fight.”
He moves his hand in his pocket bringing it out and laying it in her hand. “Why do I get the strong sensation that I’m going to regret this?”
“So little trust, I am almost wounded Mister Mercer.”
She started to type stuff up on his phone, not fully used to this notepad style. Such a business man. A small giggle escaped her. Fully concentrating on what she was writing before handing it back. The document still open. The headline reading ‘Contract Elena Mercer’. He cleared his throat and smiled looking over at her.
“Me?....you’d like me to train you?....well I know I said we needed to spend more quality time together. But yes my love, I’d be honoured…” He quickly moves his fingers around adding his signature to it with a small wink.
Elena looked at him a little puzzled. Happy. But puzzled. She had expected at least a little fight about it. Him being concerned about what it would do to their marriage. But instead he surprised her. Shrugging it off with a smile.
The things you didn’t know.
S H I E L D M A I D E N
New York City; New York
ON/OFF camera
It felt like work. For the first time in her career. Wrestling felt like work. She lived and breathed for this business. It was the one thing she was always certain of. Even after the neck injury. After losing her first title. Being demolished by her sister from another mister. None of this ever changed who Elena DeDraca was.
What changed? What happened? Why the struggle?
Her friends had noticed the changes, long before she even sensed them. Alex, Finn and even Lara. Truth to be told, she wasn’t upset when getting injured. Nothing she would ever accept in public or towards her friends and family. But there was a side of her that was… relieved. But eventually she healed.
And now what?
She had been working out for three hours. Nonstop. Sweating herself to death, her lungs hurting along with her arms. Kicking and punching whatever came in sight. When finally sinking down on the mat her eyes fell on her foot. She felt her pulse underneath her skin, the ankle itself still a little swollen. Or again. Slightly frustrated she leaned back, looking up at the ceiling. When speaking, it felt as if she talked to herself.
“Once more with feeling. Once more with the same passion I have showcased for the past decade. Give my heart and soul to a business that is heartless. Ruthless. Why? Because that is what we do. Those that live to fight. Those that flourish in the Art of War. With every new scar we push ourselves further towards the edge...”
It was then that she snapped out of her agony. Stopping the monologue, her eyes falling towards the camera. A serious expression covering her face,
“Is this the moment where I welcome myself back to the company? Or will there be a parade for me?” She let out a dry laughter. “Yeah. Didn’t think so. Not that I expected anything in the first place. Tempest. Another big show for Phoenix Wrestling. Another time the roster will put it all on the line. Hard work pays off, right?”
She made a pause. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. The frustration was still present. And this time she didn’t care if it was viewable or not.
“I could spend my time praising my opponents and what all they have done. Talking about the matches they have won and their reputation. But for what? Respect means little to nothing in this industry. Times have changed. People haven’t. Still the same scum crawling out of the shadows, running the place. So no need to play nice anymore. Who am I? That is the question I have been asking myself ever since the Iron King Tournament. Am I all they say, or is there still more to me? Another time I must let you all down, I am just a girl. No superwoman. No heroine. No weird dark witch. Just Elena. And while I might fall here and there, I always get back on my feet. On my own. So we can get over it. I ain’t doing shit for Phoenix Wrestling or their management. I am doing shit for me. And the people that pay their hard earned money to see me.”
She sat up a little too quickly. The room was spinning for a few seconds, before her sight did refocus. Headrush for all the wrong reasons.
“Oni Kamigawa. Not even sure if I pronounce that right, but you know who you are. I would lie if I said that I am aware of who you are. But does it really matter? We are in a match and that is all one should care about. From what I gathered your last fight didn’t exactly go as planned. Cheers mate. Join the club. But this is a new scenario. A new chance. At least that is how I look at it. I am certain they could have given me an easier return match, but you either adapt or perish. Do you know Kami I have seen your kind come and go. A monster. Someone that has the physique to dominate his opponents. But what does all that strength help you when you get no chance to use it? When you face someone that will wear you out like no other before? I am made for a marathon, not a sprint. Funny enough that is something I have learnt when I traveled to Japan. Take your time. Make it count. What is left of you when you can’t use those muscles? Just another human being that will collapse in front of the crowd. There are no hard feelings involved in this speech, just putting it on the table for you.”
Elena took the half empty water bottle, looking at it. Observing. A little smirk appearing on her face.
“My two opponents couldn’t be any more different. Like day and night. Fire and water. You have the huge bouncer type on one hand. But Frankie Starlight is something else. I mean there are parts of him that are rather immense.” She laughed. “Calm down. Talking about his ego. And why wouldn’t he be? He got the looks. The abilities. And a very important win. Of course we could now start to debate how that win happened, but in the end no one will ask. He won. But darling, I ain’t Nessa Wall. I have been sitting at the sideline for almost a month. Waiting. Counting my days. Don’t get me wrong, but I will eat you alive. Not because you pissed me off. Not because you think you are god’s greatest gift to the world. No. Just because I can. Is that easy enough? You can bring all your friends and if you must the friends of your friends… you get the idea. I got nothing to lose Frankie. Now even less than before. I ain’t the type that cares about looking pretty. Or outshine my opponents. I am ready to fuck shit up.”
Once more she paused. Getting up in a rather graceful manner, but still not putting too much weight on her leg. Putting on her best smile. Taking a long sip from the bottle.
“It all comes down to one thing and I wonder if you can guess it? Who has the better nerves. It doesn't take a genius to figure out your tactic. You will go for the weakest link. And considering you are both male, that leaves me. Right? It will be Kami trying to overpower me, while Frankie will try to cheat his way to the win. I applaud you both for having a master plan. But you shall not forget who you are up against. I have fought bigger battles. And I say that without arrogance or trying to offend either of you. I am just not the little Miss Sunshine that waits for a knight in shining armor. Because let’s face it. You only got two options in life. You either push through whatever gets thrown in your way, or you stay down for good. And last time I checked mates, I am still standing.”
Almost as if she wanted to prove something to herself, she would stand on both her legs. The small amount of pain was bearable, a smile growing on her face.
“I am no fortune teller, which would come quite handy right about now. But the truth is that this could go either way. Elena DeDraca could go down for good. Realising that she is indeed just a silhouette of the woman she once used to be. Or, and that seems more likely, i will set the world on fire. The ring for that matter. How does that sound boys? You are ready to put it all on the line? Not for fortune and fame. Not for a fancy title. No. Just for the sake of fighting. Because that is what warriors do.”
She winked towards the camera. Leaning her head slightly back, those dark eyes closing.
It’s time.
■supporting cast■ Christian Mercer
■■■■■■
I M I S S Y O U
New York City, New York
ON/OFF camera
She was tired. More than usually. Way more than when she was on the road. Doing nothing, well being forced to doing nothing, didn’t really help the mood. She had been going through all stages of grief.
It is just an injury.
Wrong. It is never just an injury. For no professional fighter or sports entertainer. How could it be? In her whole career she had three injuries. A small one. A medium one. And… the broken neck. Yeah. The one that people said she would never return from. It was never a matter of want, but could. And literally nothing had changed. Elena hated standing still. Or not being in control for that matter. When she looked back at that tag team match, she should have seen it coming. Her leg had been acting up way before that. Not all the massages and bandages could help it.
Clever move DeDraca.
The end of story? Sprained ankle. With some complications on the sidelines, which caused the cast in the first place. Not that she understood anything the doctors explained. And even when her husband tried to make it more clear, she didn’t get it. Not because she was slow, but because she was angry. Disappointed.
They had been sitting inside that private clinic for the third time this week. The cast was itchy. Her mood was beyond grey. And he never complained. CHRISTIAN MERCER. He took every punch, verbally and physically. And there were quite some during the past weeks. Distracting herself with checking pictures on her phone, she didn’t pay any attention to the people walking past.
“Misses Mercer?” A young man called out. Lazily her eyes found him, shrugging her shoulders. Christian was wrapping his arm around her waist, she hissed at him.
“I can do that alone.”
Christian sighed heavily and shook his head before turning to her with a smirk, boyish and arrogant even for a man of his years he gave her a little wink. “Oh love, I know you can but I want any excuse I can find to hold my beautiful wife. Forgive a man for trying?” He got to his feet instead of holding her waist and held out his hand.
She didn’t wanna look at him. Getting up without using his hand while using those damned crutches. She cursed under her breath when putting pressure on her injured leg.
Had he noticed?
Elena wasn’t quite the same person she had been a year ago. Or even three months ago. Her head was constantly in a dark place. Doubting her own decisions. Shutting down while trying to keep up the facade. Her smile was the same, but underneath there was something she couldn’t explain. It didn’t take them too long to talk to the doctor. Going through all the scans and possibilities.
“We will remove the cast today. Under one condition Misses Mercer… you rest up.” His eyes were serious. “Don’t think we haven’t noticed the cuts and broken pieces of the cast.”
“Rest up? All I have been doing for the past month was resting up. I got a match to prepare for darling, relaxing is not really an option.”
The young professional looked over at Christian. A little helpless.
“Elena, he’s the doctor. He knows what he’s talking about. You could do more damage and then what?” He looked down at her leg with a sigh, his hand slowly gliding towards her face but stopping. “Take the cast off her, I’ll make sure she at least tries to rest up.”
“You make sure I rest up? Really?” Her voice was sharp. “You do realise I have a match coming up. Yeah. In that same place that I got injured in...I have no time for that nonsense.”
Christian growled under his breath, his fists balled together as he swallowed his frustration before looking down at her. “My love, if you get reinjured from not taking care of yourself what will that prove?” His voice was deeper now, sharper. Almost challenging.
The doctor was about saying something, but she glanced at him. Her eyes dark, almost black. Her full attention on her husband. Her lips not more than a thin line.
“What will it prove? That they are right. That i am as much of a joke as they think, right? I ain’t no Aurora or whatever that bird girl is called.” She stood up without crutches. Putting full weight on that damn leg. “Just a filler on the card. So who cares?”
“I CARE!” He had gotten up too. His voice raised as he shook his head, his hand moving now to her cheek, his thumb rubbing under her eye. “You are by far the toughest, strongest woman I have ever seen and I know this won’t slow you down but you need to be smart. You need to be the calculating Elena I have seen in the past love….please.” His voice became quieter, his heart calming as he looked at his wife, the woman he loved.
There were two options to this situation. She could snap and further fight with him and the whole world. Or, she could let him in and still fight the rest of the world. A thousand thoughts were running through her head at the same time. Seeing the concern on his face made her feel something more than anger though. Guilt. She reached out for his hand, rubbing it softly.
“Alright. You win. No marathons or anything like that. Just light training for a little while… but take that damn thing off.” In her mind she added, or I will do it myself.
The doctor nodded and seemed more relaxed now when doing a little phone call. Moments later her name got called and this time she would accept Christian’s hand. Leaving the crutches in the doctor’s office. Not looking back.
Hand me the knife.
Nope.
Around twenty minutes later they sat inside their huge car. Their driver looking straight forward while Elena had stretched out. Her injured foot resting on Christian’s lap. She hadn’t take on a shoe, looking at it from all angles.
“It looks all healed to me.”
Christian laughed and shook his head. His hands running up and down her uninjured leg. Up to her knee and back down her calf. Very slow and tender. He tilted his head smiling while looking at her injury. “Well, I’m sure I can think of ways to help you test it out my dear…”
“I do no need my leg for that… Unless you have been reading up on this Indian book.” She laughed. The first real laughter in a long while. With her good foot she poked him. “I have a request though.”
“When can I ever deny you? Between you and Isabella I’m a pushover.” He smiled warmly, his fingertips caressing her.
“I have been thinking a lot… let’s face it… I had way too much time.” For a moment her voice sounded bitter again. “I wanna do this right. So Christian Mercer… I want a trainer. Or trainers.”
She looked at him with those big eyes. She hadn’t really trained under anyone since graduating from Steel Bones Wrestling. Elena was a perfect loner which explained her circles of friends. People like Finn or Alex. But after the past months of struggling it was time to change things up.
He gave a small nod and cleared his throat. A small smile passing across his lips. “Well, if you listen to your trainer or...trainers...it’ll work. They might stop you from overtraining and doing damage.” He laughed under his breath and gave her a wink. “Do you have anyone in mind? Or do we put out a search net?”
“Give me your phone.” She held out her hand with a bright smile. “You know that you wanna. Hand it over without a fight.”
He moves his hand in his pocket bringing it out and laying it in her hand. “Why do I get the strong sensation that I’m going to regret this?”
“So little trust, I am almost wounded Mister Mercer.”
She started to type stuff up on his phone, not fully used to this notepad style. Such a business man. A small giggle escaped her. Fully concentrating on what she was writing before handing it back. The document still open. The headline reading ‘Contract Elena Mercer’. He cleared his throat and smiled looking over at her.
“Me?....you’d like me to train you?....well I know I said we needed to spend more quality time together. But yes my love, I’d be honoured…” He quickly moves his fingers around adding his signature to it with a small wink.
Elena looked at him a little puzzled. Happy. But puzzled. She had expected at least a little fight about it. Him being concerned about what it would do to their marriage. But instead he surprised her. Shrugging it off with a smile.
The things you didn’t know.
S H I E L D M A I D E N
New York City; New York
ON/OFF camera
It felt like work. For the first time in her career. Wrestling felt like work. She lived and breathed for this business. It was the one thing she was always certain of. Even after the neck injury. After losing her first title. Being demolished by her sister from another mister. None of this ever changed who Elena DeDraca was.
What changed? What happened? Why the struggle?
Her friends had noticed the changes, long before she even sensed them. Alex, Finn and even Lara. Truth to be told, she wasn’t upset when getting injured. Nothing she would ever accept in public or towards her friends and family. But there was a side of her that was… relieved. But eventually she healed.
And now what?
She had been working out for three hours. Nonstop. Sweating herself to death, her lungs hurting along with her arms. Kicking and punching whatever came in sight. When finally sinking down on the mat her eyes fell on her foot. She felt her pulse underneath her skin, the ankle itself still a little swollen. Or again. Slightly frustrated she leaned back, looking up at the ceiling. When speaking, it felt as if she talked to herself.
“Once more with feeling. Once more with the same passion I have showcased for the past decade. Give my heart and soul to a business that is heartless. Ruthless. Why? Because that is what we do. Those that live to fight. Those that flourish in the Art of War. With every new scar we push ourselves further towards the edge...”
It was then that she snapped out of her agony. Stopping the monologue, her eyes falling towards the camera. A serious expression covering her face,
“Is this the moment where I welcome myself back to the company? Or will there be a parade for me?” She let out a dry laughter. “Yeah. Didn’t think so. Not that I expected anything in the first place. Tempest. Another big show for Phoenix Wrestling. Another time the roster will put it all on the line. Hard work pays off, right?”
She made a pause. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. The frustration was still present. And this time she didn’t care if it was viewable or not.
“I could spend my time praising my opponents and what all they have done. Talking about the matches they have won and their reputation. But for what? Respect means little to nothing in this industry. Times have changed. People haven’t. Still the same scum crawling out of the shadows, running the place. So no need to play nice anymore. Who am I? That is the question I have been asking myself ever since the Iron King Tournament. Am I all they say, or is there still more to me? Another time I must let you all down, I am just a girl. No superwoman. No heroine. No weird dark witch. Just Elena. And while I might fall here and there, I always get back on my feet. On my own. So we can get over it. I ain’t doing shit for Phoenix Wrestling or their management. I am doing shit for me. And the people that pay their hard earned money to see me.”
She sat up a little too quickly. The room was spinning for a few seconds, before her sight did refocus. Headrush for all the wrong reasons.
“Oni Kamigawa. Not even sure if I pronounce that right, but you know who you are. I would lie if I said that I am aware of who you are. But does it really matter? We are in a match and that is all one should care about. From what I gathered your last fight didn’t exactly go as planned. Cheers mate. Join the club. But this is a new scenario. A new chance. At least that is how I look at it. I am certain they could have given me an easier return match, but you either adapt or perish. Do you know Kami I have seen your kind come and go. A monster. Someone that has the physique to dominate his opponents. But what does all that strength help you when you get no chance to use it? When you face someone that will wear you out like no other before? I am made for a marathon, not a sprint. Funny enough that is something I have learnt when I traveled to Japan. Take your time. Make it count. What is left of you when you can’t use those muscles? Just another human being that will collapse in front of the crowd. There are no hard feelings involved in this speech, just putting it on the table for you.”
Elena took the half empty water bottle, looking at it. Observing. A little smirk appearing on her face.
“My two opponents couldn’t be any more different. Like day and night. Fire and water. You have the huge bouncer type on one hand. But Frankie Starlight is something else. I mean there are parts of him that are rather immense.” She laughed. “Calm down. Talking about his ego. And why wouldn’t he be? He got the looks. The abilities. And a very important win. Of course we could now start to debate how that win happened, but in the end no one will ask. He won. But darling, I ain’t Nessa Wall. I have been sitting at the sideline for almost a month. Waiting. Counting my days. Don’t get me wrong, but I will eat you alive. Not because you pissed me off. Not because you think you are god’s greatest gift to the world. No. Just because I can. Is that easy enough? You can bring all your friends and if you must the friends of your friends… you get the idea. I got nothing to lose Frankie. Now even less than before. I ain’t the type that cares about looking pretty. Or outshine my opponents. I am ready to fuck shit up.”
Once more she paused. Getting up in a rather graceful manner, but still not putting too much weight on her leg. Putting on her best smile. Taking a long sip from the bottle.
“It all comes down to one thing and I wonder if you can guess it? Who has the better nerves. It doesn't take a genius to figure out your tactic. You will go for the weakest link. And considering you are both male, that leaves me. Right? It will be Kami trying to overpower me, while Frankie will try to cheat his way to the win. I applaud you both for having a master plan. But you shall not forget who you are up against. I have fought bigger battles. And I say that without arrogance or trying to offend either of you. I am just not the little Miss Sunshine that waits for a knight in shining armor. Because let’s face it. You only got two options in life. You either push through whatever gets thrown in your way, or you stay down for good. And last time I checked mates, I am still standing.”
Almost as if she wanted to prove something to herself, she would stand on both her legs. The small amount of pain was bearable, a smile growing on her face.
“I am no fortune teller, which would come quite handy right about now. But the truth is that this could go either way. Elena DeDraca could go down for good. Realising that she is indeed just a silhouette of the woman she once used to be. Or, and that seems more likely, i will set the world on fire. The ring for that matter. How does that sound boys? You are ready to put it all on the line? Not for fortune and fame. Not for a fancy title. No. Just for the sake of fighting. Because that is what warriors do.”
She winked towards the camera. Leaning her head slightly back, those dark eyes closing.
It’s time.
The Pale Queen
