Bed of Confusion : Behind A Vacant Image : Psalm Eight

[Silver Eagle]

She sat on the edge of the bed, her legs kicking away idly. She wore cut off jean shorts, a dazzling design of a phoenix in flames embroidered into the fabric, her slender legs covered by a set of fishnet tights. She wore a t-shirt, white in colour with the slogan “Spice Girls of Wrestling” upon it, a picture of five renowned female competitors upon it, including herself. Her hair hung loose and low below her shoulders, her natural curls wild and free, shades of brunette and freshly dyed purple creating a waterfall like effect. Her makeup was subtle, her lips rosy, and a small teardrop was painted under her right eye like a mime in sorrow. Her hands were joined, almost in prayer as she fidgeted with her dazzling white and natural gold wedding band, four gemstones within it, emerald and aquamarine to represent her own eyes, a sapphire and a ruby to represent her beloved and her moods.

It had been a strange week, one that had greatly confused the young Lasiewicz. Major preparations had been made since she had made it known she was gunning for the Rebirth Champion, Cassius Reed. It had been on her mind for weeks and months on end, the brash champion with his carefully self picked opponents, the controversial way he made his way through the Iron King tournament and the way he carried himself as champion. The way he built himself as bigger than the company, how he proclaimed his uncontracted and disinterested supposed girlfriend as the Queen of Phoenix Wrestling and his overall egotistical demand for all attention was a constant niggle to the Polish born Songbird. She wanted to face him. She wanted to beat him. She knew she could beat him, if only given the opportunity and now that her wish was out in the open, she would force that opportunity by any means necessary. Reed seemed partially disinterested in the whole thing, telling Ana to prove herself, prove herself when she honestly felt his opponents prior had not. She had defended her title against all comers here in Phoenix, risen to within inches of the top in SSWA, emerged as one of the brightest lights of the Underground and she was the gosh darn Queen of the Mountain. All her accomplishments, especially the latter, being the most prestigious all female tournament in the whole world, was something that Starling was eternally proud of, and the fact that she was attempting to be the first person to defend her crown was something never seen or done before. But, here in Phoenix, there was one thing that mattered above all. Her own Rising Phoenix title, her most treasured and precious prize, one she honourably defended at every turn. She went to lengths she had never thought possible to defend that belt, to win that belt. She jumped off 20 foot scaffolding, used weaponry never before used and even threw someone into a moving car. This wasn’t the Little Songbird of old, this was an entirely new woman, powerful and strong and grown, ready to do everything within her power to succeed.

She peered down to the soft carpet, a sea of slithering snakes hissing and squirming at her feet. She looked down towards them with interest, watching them attempt to coil around her tiny boots. She adored all animals, more so birds, but serpents and lizards had always given her the creeps. Until now. Since her Papa had revealed who he was to her, her fascination with them grew and grew, seeing them curling around everyday objects in everyday scenarios. It was like she could not avoid them, and here she was in her marital home surrounded by their soft hisses as they encouraged her to pluck the fruit from the Tree of Wisdom, to take hold of the truth and conquer the Garden of Eden itself. Her heterochromia afflicted eyes look skywards, liquid fire dripping down from the ceiling like the sun itself had been feed through a sieve, the licks of flame forming wings on her back, flapping and trying to force her to take flight, to rain napalm death upon her opponents, the ones who would stand in her way. Ashlyn De Luca and Selena King in England, Cassius Reed in Phoenix, those who had entered both the Cult Classic and the Queen of the Mountain, even this Fin-Nisher. Her father’s words echoed in her ear, his sage like advice that was drawing a more efficient and violent side out of the former Circus Girl. “Nothing can stand in your way if you burn it all away.”

It was in this moment that the showers of fire, the oceans of serpents and the tune of the Pied Piper faded away, strong yet gentle arms wrapping around and bringing her both warmth and light as the darkness around her vanished to be replaced by adoration and love.

And doubt. So much doubt.

Her beloved wife nuzzled her neck, remarking that she seemed cold and had always promised to keep her warm. It was so a comforting feeling, one she eternally longed for as Sophie pulled her in tighter, wrapping her arms around her tighter as she kissed the back of her neck gently, sending a pleasant chill all the way through her. She leant back into her wife’s loving embrace, her blonde goddess lighting up her entire existence. But the doubt, so much doubt had been implanted in her mind and she was unsure if she could possibly contain it all.

Her dear Papa had never been keen on her wife, even before they were wed and the arguments and backstage brawls they had shared were well known. Papa, the man formerly known as Isaac Bongartz, the man now known as Bobby B. Barabbas was often outspoken about her, citing Sophie’s one mistake from a year and a half ago, the time she ran away with another woman. He kept telling her that history would repeat itself, that all the Kaiser clan did was take, take, take and their selfish indulgences would rip her apart. “The Little Lost Whore” he called her. He received an elbow to the jaw for that one, an elbow that felled him as that Lasiewicz rage got the better of her, her heel pressed against his throat. He grew pale as he stared into the armageddon of her eyes, before smiling gleefully. “You’re so much like your mother. I am proud.”

She snuggled up to her wife, closing her eyes and hiding her feelings. With all that had happened in her professional life as of late, and knowing of what was to come in the weeks ahead, especially having to prove herself to Cassius, she longed for some time away from it all. And so that’s what happened. The happy couple had invited their close friend Asteria over, a friend they had not seen in quite sometime. She was more than a friend to Ana a number of years ago, but due to a number of reasons that had ended, tragically and silently. There was silence between them for the longest time, till they bonded once more, becoming good friends. Steri, as she was known, came over to their little paradise in Paradise, Canada for a long weekend. It was a blessing in many ways, getting to see a dear friend again and Ana had company whilst Sophie competed in the monstrous WCS Tower match, eliminating more people than anyone else. Starling gave her friend a tour around town, they went out for many meals, saw the sights, sang at a few of the bars on open mic night. It was relaxing and blissful and just lovely. Until the final night.

Steri was a known exhibitionist, and whilst she had behaved herself over the weekend, the final night she let herself loose in the house. Ana chastised her for it, but Sophie, wild hunger in her eyes, encouraged it with such an innocent and playful manner. Ana knew that Sophie was fun loving, and knew her views on relationships prior to their union, but her father’s words echoed in her mind. “She’ll do it again.” The night passed, things happened and it did, it happened… But Ana had allowed it. She wasn’t quite sure how, swept up in a moment that she didn’t quite understand, but the horror she felt as she awoke abed with the pair in a tangled mess of arms and legs and bodies was something she didn’t understand. She knew what happened, she liked, loved what happened even. In the moment. Only the moment. But the confusion of it all was just too much, and the voices that plagued her in the aftermath were tortuous.

“Did you enjoy the weekend?” Sophie whispered in her ear, her hushed tones giving her such a peaceful feeling and blocking out the white noise in her brain. She nodded meekly, trying to block out the world and it’s happenings and just enjoy the moment. “We should invite friends over more often,” Sophie whispered, with the lightest of kisses, snuggling up to her, whispering that she loved her. And there it was, the noise breaking through once more, hammering at her brain and her heart pounding in indecision. Had her actions opened the floodgates?

---

Sometimes I wonder in wrestling, why some companies book the greatest mismatches in history. Do they want car crash TV? Do they want to rest their stars while still getting the exposure of their marquee name? Or do they simply want an underperforming would be wrestler hurt so badly that they never plague their ring again. This is something that has been echoed about the Fin-Nisher… Or should I say:

THE FINN-NISHER

Sorry, couldn’t quite help myself with that one, It sure was a surprise when that result came in. Nobody expected it, I don’t even think Fin-Nisher did. But it shows something in wrestling, and really proves a point. Anyone can beat anyone, and one lapse in concentration can cost everything. I have been in the same boat before, in my debut year. Nobody gave me any hope in any of my matches. Everyone questioned why I was there, why I even bothered, why I even thought there was a point in it all or even why I existed. I went on that long losing streak, I was hopeless, I was useless. But I kept on coming back for more, until that eventual win came and a whole world opened to me. The rest is history. And for my opponent, well, I guess it is the same thing for them. They got their win through a lapse in concentration, a combination of recent events and overconfidence cost Finn Whelan, but respect to Fin for keeping his mind on the game. Sometimes that is all it takes.

But against me? No. That will not be enough. I have proven time and time again that I am the most focused and ready star on the Phoenix roster. I keep my mind on the match from as soon as the bell is rung till my arm is raised. There will not be any lapses in judgement, there will not be any distractions. I have a title to defend. My title. MINE! And I also have a point to prove, or so I am told, so I am really sorry Fin. No, seriously, I really am sorry. Because you are not going to have a fun time. If I need to make an example out of you, I will. If I need to beat you by breaking a record, I will. If I have to go to places untold to send a message, I will.

But I will win. And I will defend my title. I am the Rising Phoenix. And you’re going to get burnt.