Post by turdferguson on Feb 3, 2017 20:41:08 GMT
Off Camera
2.1.17
RISE Gymnasium
Detroit, MI
Bailey had been in this position enough times that she'd started to develop a routine. Not deliberately, but from sheer force of habit. She'd huddle backstage at the RISE Gym to watch an episode of Breakthrough, her baggy hoodie pulled over her head. Her gum chewing and occasional blown bubble had a rhythm to it; a sharp staccato that carried an edge, one belying the affable expression she would--and is currently--wearing.
"Such anger, that really isn't healthy," a low male voice states from off behind her.
"Don't know what you're talking about bud, Alonso seems to be taking his L pretty well all things considered," she spits back, blowing--and popping--a bubble afterwards.
"You seem like a smart girl, please don't play dumb."
A snort chuckle came back,"Wait, are you talking about me? Listen dude, I'm cool as a --" Bailey pauses mid-utterance to observe the individual she was speaking to. Long-haired, a few inches taller than her, probably a bit older as well. Realizing who this was, she excitedly blurts out, "Oh shit, you're Stabby McPenface! I just name dropped you like a month back! Sup, dude?"
Conor Blackburn, the former dominant Phoenix Wrestling tag champion who had been asked to stop by the gym earlier in the day by RISE trainer Aurora Jansen, observesher with a blank expression before flatly stating: "Yes, I'm aware of that."
Now ignoring the show, she tries to press him,"Legit though, what did you mean when you called me angry? 'Cause the whole anger thing, def not my style," Huff assures him whilst quirking a brow.
"It means you're not actually observing the show, you're blankly staring and chewing your gum like a zombie," he remarks, despite not actually having seen her face while she was watching, "I've been around the block enough to know that means you've got thoughts festering in your head. Probably wondering why you're nowhere close to debuting on RISE programming, why your run in Iron King isn't getting you the same attention that your peers receive, thinking about how much praise other trainees got for their showings in a tournament your own family ran and that all those performances out there were trash-- that you could run through all of them," a shrug of his broad shoulders, "Am I on the right track?"
Bailey forces a loud laugh in response, throwing herself backwards to exaggerate it, "Uhhh, no! " Shaking her head, she chuckles nervously, "Are you trying to mindfreak me, did Coach Rori send you to mess with my head in case I'm her next matchup? Because that's like, all crazy talk-- sorta grounded in some fact-- but waaayyy off in the premise!"
That last utterance having confirmed Conor's suspicions that the girl analyzed everything-- to the degree that she was probably holding back in her RISE sessions right now and sabotaging herself out of fear Aurora and Arkia would spy to get an edge for a potential match up-- he runs a hand through his hair,"You're sharp and that's great--"
"Wait, are you hitting on me? 'Cause I have a boyfriend; I mean we're kinda on break and I'm not saying I'd be totally opposed to testing my options, but that's kinda presumptuous of ya!"
"-- but if you rely solely on having a master plan to out-think everyone, you're going to run into someone smarter than you, or as smart and more battle-tested. This is free advice, so I suggest you take it. That anger, that chip on your shoulder, is in you, whether you want to admit it or not. I suggest you get hold of it so you can channel it effectively, instead of losing control at the worst time. Now, if you really want some advice that would help you against my good friend Aurora--" he clears his throat, looking her in the eyes,"--Focus on beating the opponent in front of you first. Getting eliminated before you even get that far is a great way to ensure you never get the signature win you're looking for."
With a wink, he turns and walks off, leaving the lanky Canadian behind: "He winked, he was hitting on me! Knew it! Knew it! I knew it," she shakes her head, then blows another bubble, "What a frickin' perv."
Present
On Camera
2.1.17
RISE Gymnasium
Detroit, MI
Bailey had been in this position enough times that she'd started to develop a routine. Not deliberately, but from sheer force of habit. She'd huddle backstage at the RISE Gym to watch an episode of Breakthrough, her baggy hoodie pulled over her head. Her gum chewing and occasional blown bubble had a rhythm to it; a sharp staccato that carried an edge, one belying the affable expression she would--and is currently--wearing.
"Such anger, that really isn't healthy," a low male voice states from off behind her.
"Don't know what you're talking about bud, Alonso seems to be taking his L pretty well all things considered," she spits back, blowing--and popping--a bubble afterwards.
"You seem like a smart girl, please don't play dumb."
A snort chuckle came back,"Wait, are you talking about me? Listen dude, I'm cool as a --" Bailey pauses mid-utterance to observe the individual she was speaking to. Long-haired, a few inches taller than her, probably a bit older as well. Realizing who this was, she excitedly blurts out, "Oh shit, you're Stabby McPenface! I just name dropped you like a month back! Sup, dude?"
Conor Blackburn, the former dominant Phoenix Wrestling tag champion who had been asked to stop by the gym earlier in the day by RISE trainer Aurora Jansen, observesher with a blank expression before flatly stating: "Yes, I'm aware of that."
Now ignoring the show, she tries to press him,"Legit though, what did you mean when you called me angry? 'Cause the whole anger thing, def not my style," Huff assures him whilst quirking a brow.
"It means you're not actually observing the show, you're blankly staring and chewing your gum like a zombie," he remarks, despite not actually having seen her face while she was watching, "I've been around the block enough to know that means you've got thoughts festering in your head. Probably wondering why you're nowhere close to debuting on RISE programming, why your run in Iron King isn't getting you the same attention that your peers receive, thinking about how much praise other trainees got for their showings in a tournament your own family ran and that all those performances out there were trash-- that you could run through all of them," a shrug of his broad shoulders, "Am I on the right track?"
Bailey forces a loud laugh in response, throwing herself backwards to exaggerate it, "Uhhh, no! " Shaking her head, she chuckles nervously, "Are you trying to mindfreak me, did Coach Rori send you to mess with my head in case I'm her next matchup? Because that's like, all crazy talk-- sorta grounded in some fact-- but waaayyy off in the premise!"
That last utterance having confirmed Conor's suspicions that the girl analyzed everything-- to the degree that she was probably holding back in her RISE sessions right now and sabotaging herself out of fear Aurora and Arkia would spy to get an edge for a potential match up-- he runs a hand through his hair,"You're sharp and that's great--"
"Wait, are you hitting on me? 'Cause I have a boyfriend; I mean we're kinda on break and I'm not saying I'd be totally opposed to testing my options, but that's kinda presumptuous of ya!"
"-- but if you rely solely on having a master plan to out-think everyone, you're going to run into someone smarter than you, or as smart and more battle-tested. This is free advice, so I suggest you take it. That anger, that chip on your shoulder, is in you, whether you want to admit it or not. I suggest you get hold of it so you can channel it effectively, instead of losing control at the worst time. Now, if you really want some advice that would help you against my good friend Aurora--" he clears his throat, looking her in the eyes,"--Focus on beating the opponent in front of you first. Getting eliminated before you even get that far is a great way to ensure you never get the signature win you're looking for."
With a wink, he turns and walks off, leaving the lanky Canadian behind: "He winked, he was hitting on me! Knew it! Knew it! I knew it," she shakes her head, then blows another bubble, "What a frickin' perv."
Present
On Camera
As has become customary, Bailey has her hair tied back and is slouched back on a beanbag chair, with her long legs splayed out. Exuding her usual bubbly energy, she waves to the camera and greets the viewers of her latest promotional offering.
“Well hey there people, so we meet again!”
She flashes a quick grin.
“And, not to say I told you so, but – “
A beat skips as she crinkles her nose.
“—Wait, no, that’s exactly what I meant to do, my bad!”
Despite her best attempts, she is unable to suppress a giggle.
“Like, legit here guys, I don’t say the stuff I do without thinking it out first. It might seem like a bit of a novel concept, but I try to say things that have facts to back them up. So when I said I’d be seeing you all here in the third round, it was because I saw a clear advantage and path to victory. A path I followed, leading me here to take on good ol’ Elena, Lady Dracula herself!”
She declares, while beaming excitedly.
“She’s someone I can’t really denigrate the skills or toughness of, if I’m gonna be perfectly honest here. Whatever ya wanna say about her first round draw, beating Lex Collins in a grappling match says something. Whether he’s been in his peak form or not, that’s still a dude that’s fought some of the best across several companies and she went to a decision without getting her arm jacked up, having to tap out to that nasty armbar of his.”
A short nod of her head follows.
“That said, she doesn’t measure up to the skills I bring in that department. That’s not arrogance, I’ve admitted the areas I need to catch up to speed in, it’s the truth. Last round, I was up against someone who thought she was an expert at submissions and I subbed her while she had me mounted. If you know anything about grappling, you know how astounding that sounds. That’d be embarrassing if it happened to a white belt, forget a credentialed veteran. What happened there is exactly what I mean when I say that I’m a different type of matchup, that I’m the type of opponent that will redefine what you think about submission threats and how a match can be ended. I’m not doubting the hard work anyone has put in to refine their skills, but they just don’t measure up to what I’m bringing to the table mentally, physically and skill-wise.”
Following that confident declaration, she snakes a long arm over to grab a bottle of water, taking a swig from it.
“Of course I’m aware that this isn’t a straight up submission match, or even a straight grappling match. Pankration rules are a totally different animal, you need to be able to strike and grapple. So peep this, when it comes to that. Remember the time I mocked people who think they can train and become elite in a skill in the span of a couple weeks? If not, jog your memories, because I'm kinda making call backs a thing here right now. Remember again, how I made it pretty clear I saw advancing past the second round as a formality and talked about taking a big picture view? Remember how I showed an understanding of Iron King testing competitors of all disciplines in all their skills?"
Quirking a brow, she screws the cap back on her water bottle and sets it down.
"If it's not coming together for ya yet, the picture I'm trying to paint here is that I wasn't focusing my training to hone my submission skills heading into that last fight of mine. Why would I have needed to? I know how far ahead of the pack I am in that area. I was focused on working the holes in my game, focused on working my striking, it's not like I didn't have it in my head that I'd probably have to do striking of some kind this round after I got put in a grappling bout last time out. And sure, it might not seem like a big deal that I've been focused on bringing those areas up to speed for a couple extra weeks, but details matter, having your head in the right frame of mind matters. Not to mention--"
A wry smile tugs at her lips.
"--If you'll remember, my rudimentary striking skills did a pretty good number on ol' T-Bone back in round one. so every extra day I have to hone those skills? Pretty bad news for whoever's gonna be on the receiving end of these bad boys."
She puts her dukes up for a moment and kicks a leg up before relaxing her posture again.
"But I'm not just saying all this to brag about my sick ninja skills I'm picking up, there's a bigger point here, one about the way I approach things. Because for all the good things I said about Lady Dracula, I don't think she has anywhere near the mental acuity to keep up with me out there. Which means that she might seem more well-rounded on paper, these rules may seem to favor her, but really it favors me because in a grappling match she'd have an idea what to expect. Here, she has to prepare for multiple forms of attack and that's where I'll be playing Chess while she's vigorously dry-humping a Checkers board."
A shrug.
"Let's be real here, while I've done a pretty dope job in my view of using my mental sharpness to my advantage, I listen to her talk and it's kinda like ... ehhhh."
Her pitch changes and face contorts into a pained expression as she waves her hand, while wiggling her fingers.
"I know that's not the most vivid description, but it's like, I hear her talk and she comes off as someone who wants to sound smart, wants to sound profound, but really doesn't actually have anything of substance to say. There's not even really any thought put into whether what she says contradicts something she mighta said like ... 30 seconds earlier. Go back and pull the tapes up from the first round, because she totally rags on Swat's intelligence and takes a bunch of cheap shots at ol' Twinny moments after giving this high road speech where she was all on her high horse about being too good to insult someone's intelligence. I really don't see a coherent, consistent, thought process with her. It's just like she spits out a random cliche with no purpose every few seconds. "
Huff stops to scratch her chin in contemplation.
"Remember those old Elmo dolls where you'd press 'em and they'd say something? I had one as a little kid and she sorta reminds me of one of those: The Tickle Me Elena!"
She starts poking herself in the stomach.
"Hoo hoo! I'm the Queen of PW! Hoo hoo! I don't let other people's judgments define me! Aha, that tickles and our society is broken! Hee hee! I step on dreams and crush them!"
After completing her routine, she goes to continue, but starts corpsing. Finally, she manages to compose herself, clearing her throat.
"Speaking of those cliches, I'll make my point here in a language you can understand, Lady Dracs-- throw in some spiffy imagery to boot. You mighta gotten by Lex Collins, but they say that styles make fights -- there's one. He was going out there to scrap with you, give it his all -- there's two -- in a matchup predicated on a lot of mutual respect. You've said you came here to PW to start a fire -- there's three -- but you don't stop a fire by pouring gasoline on it -- there's four -- which is exactly what you dragged Lex into doing. You deal with a fire by remaining calm in the face of danger and following proper protocol, a fire's never been put it by 'wanting it more' than the searing flames -- and that makes five. I'm not in this tournament to give myself some kind of pretentious self-appointed label that inadvertently takes a steaming dump all over the accomplishments of the women that were kicking butt in this company going back to the last decade, my goals are pure and driven by a pure athletic competitive drive."
There is no sign of a smile on her face at this point.
"I'm not going to throw around the 'R' word to describe my feelings for what ya can do, because that would be a lie, but I absolutely am cognizant of the considerable challenge you bring to the table. Fact is though, I've put in the work to be prepared for that and greater challenges. I don't need you to believe that, it doesn't really matter if you do, because the evidence of my preparation is everywhere from my body of work to how I approach a bout. This is my biggest test yet, but as we draw closer to the finish line -- there's six -- that's where these seeds I've been planting are going to blossom -- seven. By the time we're done, there won't be a shadow of a doubt that for every advantage you have on me, that you're not on my level in the areas that will decide who advances. I'll be punching my ticket to the final four and you'll be headed home to reflect, work on getting a tan, whatever floats your boat -- and that? That's more than an empty cliche."
The familiar smile slowly creeps back across her visage, followed by a wink.
"That is a fact.”
Fin.
“Well hey there people, so we meet again!”
She flashes a quick grin.
“And, not to say I told you so, but – “
A beat skips as she crinkles her nose.
“—Wait, no, that’s exactly what I meant to do, my bad!”
Despite her best attempts, she is unable to suppress a giggle.
“Like, legit here guys, I don’t say the stuff I do without thinking it out first. It might seem like a bit of a novel concept, but I try to say things that have facts to back them up. So when I said I’d be seeing you all here in the third round, it was because I saw a clear advantage and path to victory. A path I followed, leading me here to take on good ol’ Elena, Lady Dracula herself!”
She declares, while beaming excitedly.
“She’s someone I can’t really denigrate the skills or toughness of, if I’m gonna be perfectly honest here. Whatever ya wanna say about her first round draw, beating Lex Collins in a grappling match says something. Whether he’s been in his peak form or not, that’s still a dude that’s fought some of the best across several companies and she went to a decision without getting her arm jacked up, having to tap out to that nasty armbar of his.”
A short nod of her head follows.
“That said, she doesn’t measure up to the skills I bring in that department. That’s not arrogance, I’ve admitted the areas I need to catch up to speed in, it’s the truth. Last round, I was up against someone who thought she was an expert at submissions and I subbed her while she had me mounted. If you know anything about grappling, you know how astounding that sounds. That’d be embarrassing if it happened to a white belt, forget a credentialed veteran. What happened there is exactly what I mean when I say that I’m a different type of matchup, that I’m the type of opponent that will redefine what you think about submission threats and how a match can be ended. I’m not doubting the hard work anyone has put in to refine their skills, but they just don’t measure up to what I’m bringing to the table mentally, physically and skill-wise.”
Following that confident declaration, she snakes a long arm over to grab a bottle of water, taking a swig from it.
“Of course I’m aware that this isn’t a straight up submission match, or even a straight grappling match. Pankration rules are a totally different animal, you need to be able to strike and grapple. So peep this, when it comes to that. Remember the time I mocked people who think they can train and become elite in a skill in the span of a couple weeks? If not, jog your memories, because I'm kinda making call backs a thing here right now. Remember again, how I made it pretty clear I saw advancing past the second round as a formality and talked about taking a big picture view? Remember how I showed an understanding of Iron King testing competitors of all disciplines in all their skills?"
Quirking a brow, she screws the cap back on her water bottle and sets it down.
"If it's not coming together for ya yet, the picture I'm trying to paint here is that I wasn't focusing my training to hone my submission skills heading into that last fight of mine. Why would I have needed to? I know how far ahead of the pack I am in that area. I was focused on working the holes in my game, focused on working my striking, it's not like I didn't have it in my head that I'd probably have to do striking of some kind this round after I got put in a grappling bout last time out. And sure, it might not seem like a big deal that I've been focused on bringing those areas up to speed for a couple extra weeks, but details matter, having your head in the right frame of mind matters. Not to mention--"
A wry smile tugs at her lips.
"--If you'll remember, my rudimentary striking skills did a pretty good number on ol' T-Bone back in round one. so every extra day I have to hone those skills? Pretty bad news for whoever's gonna be on the receiving end of these bad boys."
She puts her dukes up for a moment and kicks a leg up before relaxing her posture again.
"But I'm not just saying all this to brag about my sick ninja skills I'm picking up, there's a bigger point here, one about the way I approach things. Because for all the good things I said about Lady Dracula, I don't think she has anywhere near the mental acuity to keep up with me out there. Which means that she might seem more well-rounded on paper, these rules may seem to favor her, but really it favors me because in a grappling match she'd have an idea what to expect. Here, she has to prepare for multiple forms of attack and that's where I'll be playing Chess while she's vigorously dry-humping a Checkers board."
A shrug.
"Let's be real here, while I've done a pretty dope job in my view of using my mental sharpness to my advantage, I listen to her talk and it's kinda like ... ehhhh."
Her pitch changes and face contorts into a pained expression as she waves her hand, while wiggling her fingers.
"I know that's not the most vivid description, but it's like, I hear her talk and she comes off as someone who wants to sound smart, wants to sound profound, but really doesn't actually have anything of substance to say. There's not even really any thought put into whether what she says contradicts something she mighta said like ... 30 seconds earlier. Go back and pull the tapes up from the first round, because she totally rags on Swat's intelligence and takes a bunch of cheap shots at ol' Twinny moments after giving this high road speech where she was all on her high horse about being too good to insult someone's intelligence. I really don't see a coherent, consistent, thought process with her. It's just like she spits out a random cliche with no purpose every few seconds. "
Huff stops to scratch her chin in contemplation.
"Remember those old Elmo dolls where you'd press 'em and they'd say something? I had one as a little kid and she sorta reminds me of one of those: The Tickle Me Elena!"
She starts poking herself in the stomach.
"Hoo hoo! I'm the Queen of PW! Hoo hoo! I don't let other people's judgments define me! Aha, that tickles and our society is broken! Hee hee! I step on dreams and crush them!"
After completing her routine, she goes to continue, but starts corpsing. Finally, she manages to compose herself, clearing her throat.
"Speaking of those cliches, I'll make my point here in a language you can understand, Lady Dracs-- throw in some spiffy imagery to boot. You mighta gotten by Lex Collins, but they say that styles make fights -- there's one. He was going out there to scrap with you, give it his all -- there's two -- in a matchup predicated on a lot of mutual respect. You've said you came here to PW to start a fire -- there's three -- but you don't stop a fire by pouring gasoline on it -- there's four -- which is exactly what you dragged Lex into doing. You deal with a fire by remaining calm in the face of danger and following proper protocol, a fire's never been put it by 'wanting it more' than the searing flames -- and that makes five. I'm not in this tournament to give myself some kind of pretentious self-appointed label that inadvertently takes a steaming dump all over the accomplishments of the women that were kicking butt in this company going back to the last decade, my goals are pure and driven by a pure athletic competitive drive."
There is no sign of a smile on her face at this point.
"I'm not going to throw around the 'R' word to describe my feelings for what ya can do, because that would be a lie, but I absolutely am cognizant of the considerable challenge you bring to the table. Fact is though, I've put in the work to be prepared for that and greater challenges. I don't need you to believe that, it doesn't really matter if you do, because the evidence of my preparation is everywhere from my body of work to how I approach a bout. This is my biggest test yet, but as we draw closer to the finish line -- there's six -- that's where these seeds I've been planting are going to blossom -- seven. By the time we're done, there won't be a shadow of a doubt that for every advantage you have on me, that you're not on my level in the areas that will decide who advances. I'll be punching my ticket to the final four and you'll be headed home to reflect, work on getting a tan, whatever floats your boat -- and that? That's more than an empty cliche."
The familiar smile slowly creeps back across her visage, followed by a wink.
"That is a fact.”
Fin.