Post by aeryn on Sept 29, 2013 17:00:04 GMT -5
*High Stakes 2. After the PPV has gone off air.*
*Aeryn Ashfield clutches the handle of the brief case tightly, her knuckles almost tuning white with the irrational fear that if she actually lets it's it go, the case would vanish and this whole evening would just turn out to be a crazy dream. She walks slowly back to her locker room in a state of disbelief at what she had just accomplished. Five of the best up and coming stars in the MPW had just been in the ring along with her, the odds undoubtedly against her in ever aspect of the match, never mind the addition of the ladders. Yet somehow she had managed to get through and claim the prize although how she had done it she could never say, the whole thing already turning into a blur in her mind as the adrenaline starts to drain from her body leaving her feeling suddenly weary. Just as she is about to enter her locker room she is stopped briefly by Jamie McKenzie offering congratulations and also informing her of her next match on Reloaded.*
Jamie:....and because of that we feel that you should join Soul Shadow in the main event.
*Aeryn looks at her slightly bewildered, having been lost in her own thoughts she had missed most of what Jamie had just told her.*
Aeryn: I'm sorry, what?
*Jamie gives her an irritated look at having to repeat herself.*
Aeryn: I said that you had an amazing showing tonight, really proved you could hold your own out there. As a reward were putting you and Soul in the main event of Reloaded as a tag team. Everyone can see the camaraderie between you two, and it only seems right for you to be his partner against the Damned.
*Jamie pats her on the arm congratulating her once more before moving off down the corridor leaving Aeryn alone. Entering her locker room she places the briefcase down on a chair and locks the door, finally allowing herself to take a deep breath and process the evening. She runs a hand through her sweat soaked hair, wincing she pulls the hand away finding blood on her fingers. A remnant of the match. She's sure she'll find more of those over the next few hours as her body starts to relax. Right now though she's on to much of a high. Winning the briefcase and just now being handed something even more valuable, a chance at redeeming herself.*
*3 Days later, Anaheim.*
*Aeryn pulls her car into a space outside the Harvey's sports bar in Anaheim. She sits listening to the thrum of the engine for a few more moments than necessary as she collects her thoughts.
Earlier that day. In her hotel suite at the Marriott, Aeryn had sat and watched the interview that her partner Soul Shadow had taken part in with host and old friend, Xavier Fyles. Her earlier delight at having been selected to partner her friend in the match against the Damned being eroded by the second, as she listens to him explain to Xavier all of the reasons why he doesn't want her involved. She feels disappointed that this is how he feels as she had been looking forward to pairing with him once again and rekindling the chemistry that they both shared when they were in the ring together, and also most importantly and maybe more selfishly easing her own sense of guilt. Leaning back in her seat she runs her fingers back through her hair considering her options. Either let him go it alone and watch the fall out, as she had for the previous five weeks or...
Turning the key in the ignition she finally plunges the car into sudden silence. She has arrived here on a hunch that with this being the only bar in the area showing soccer, it would be a good place to find him and talk him out of his decision.
Exiting the car she walks across the parking lot, the chill in the autumn night air causing her to pull her open jacket around her a little tighter and tuck her hands into her pockets for some extra warmth. Entering the bar she pauses by the door scanning the room full of people, until she sees him. Sat on a stool at the bar she sees Soul nursing a drink and watching the game, Arsenal vs Swansea, playing out on the television. Taking a deep breath Aeryn walks across the bar until she is behind him, stopping at his shoulder. She smiles to herself, putting on her best attempt at a Californian accent.*
Aeryn: Hi there, how would you like to by a girl a drink?
*Soul waves his hand at her without turning around.*
Soul: Sorry, I'm not interested.
*Aeryn smirks to herself and leans in closer to his ear, draping an arm round his shoulder.*
Aeryn: Oh come on handsome, just one little drink?
*Soul, sounding a little more irritated*
Soul: Look I said I wasn't...
*He turns around to face her*
Soul:...Interested
*Aeryn laughs and pats him on the shoulder as she sits on the stool next to him.*
Aeryn: Someone's a little edgy, that was to easy to get a reaction.
*Soul smiles a little and drains the last mouthful of his glass, signalling to the bartender for a refill. Aeryn orders one of the same for herself.*
Soul: So what brings you here?
Aeryn: The amazing atmosphere of course.*she smiles* I was looking for you actually...
*She takes a sip of the drink set in front of her, wincing at the taste.*
Aeryn:...the hell are you drinking...
*Soul gives a low laugh*
Soul: Sam Adams.
Aeryn: Damn...this country has managed to ruin tea, chocolate and beer....
*She smiles at Soul who raises one back. He clears his throat and looks down at his glass.*
Soul: I have a feeling I know why you've come to find find me...
*She glances towards him, the humor suddenly leaves her voice for a more serious tone as she cuts him off.*
Aeryn: I wanted to talk to you about our tag match at reloaded...
*She looks down for a moment, running a finger up and down the edge of her glass as she sees Soul become a little more tense.*
Aeryn: I saw your interview with Xavier today...you don't want me to partner you in this tag match?!
Soul:..Aeryn, you know this thing with the Damned isn't just a fight , it was way more than that even before High Stakes. This is personal between me and them and I want it to stay that way. I know this is a sanctioned match, but I want you to stay away...
*Aeryn turns towards him fully. Her mouth moving to form a word, but Soul cuts her off.*
Soul:..Look I know what your going to say, but really I can handle this...I want to handle this...alone. Plus you have better things to do now. You have a World Title to win, what do you want to get dragged into this for?!
*Looking at the big man, Aeryn raises an eyebrow slightly dumbfounded at what he's telling her.*
Aeryn:...Are you done?..
Soul: I...
Aeryn: You listen to me Michael Johnson...
*She says her tone low and measured as Soul looks at her slightly surprised at the use of his real name.*
Aeryn: I am going to be your tag partner in this match whether you like it or not. I have sat on the side lines for the past few weeks watching you get torn apart by those two jackals, and not being able to do a thing about it because of the respect I had for our deal...respect for our deal *she shakes her head*...I should have scrapped that as soon as all this started happening. I should have been there fighting with you all along, but I wasn't and I have to live with that...that, shame... I was so happy when I heard that we had this tag match. You wanna know why?..
*He looks at her, listening carefully to what she's saying and then gives a slight nod.*
Aeryn: I was happy because it meant that I had the chance to redeem myself. I know that you say that it's fine and that I have nothing to feel sorry for, but I do. I'm sorry that I wasn't there Soul. Now I get the chance to stand with you to even up the odds and do what I should have been doing all along, helping you win this fight against the Damned.
*She puts a hand on his knee.*
Aeryn: And are you serious?! Do you really think that I have better things to do?!..Yeah, that briefcase that I won on Sunday is a chance to make my dream come true. But if you think for one second that me winning that changes anything, or that it means more than our friendship then you couldn't be more wrong... I'm not letting you do this on your own, not any more. I am going to be out there at Reloaded in your corner, as your partner and there really isn't anything that you can do or say to stop me. But I think you already knew that didn't you?
*Soul nods reluctantly.*
Soul: Yeah, I did.
*Aeryn stands up.*
Aeryn: I have to go *she clasps his shoulder* I'll see you at Reloaded..partner.
*She starts to walk off but stops at the sound of Souls voice.*
Soul:..You know you were wrong Aeryn, what you said at High Stakes. You are a good person.
*She looks back and flashes him a broad smile. Then feigns a serious look.*
Aeryn: Not so loud...you'll ruin my rep!
*She hears him laugh as she walks off across the bar. Soul continues to watch as she exits and disappears into the night.*
*Reloaded.*
Well this has been quite the week...Last week I was viewed as a mid card performer, lost a few matches, no where near a title opportunity and the outside bet to be the winner in the Roll of the Dice match given the calibre of the competition involved.
That was last week...
*Aeryn raises the briefcase slowly in front of her.*
This week I am the ultimate number one contender.
*She rests the briefcase on her lap, laying an arm across the top.*
But before I address the matter of future title...opportunities. I think that it is vital that I address something else. Something that I know is already being held against me in the MPW locker room...Well when I say locker room...Well it's mostly the Damned.
The Damned seem to have a problem with the way I won the match, they seem to think I was “Helped” by Soul Shadow when he chose to hit Impaler with the ladder and not me. I think the key word in that being “Chose”. Soul Shadow chose to hit you with the ladder Impaler and I'm guessing...just off the top of my head here...I'm guessing he chose to do that because he got a bit tired of you and Crow beating him bloody week after week...Just a hunch!
Your actions in previous weeks ultimately cost you that match Impaler, you cant blame me for that. You had me in your grasp, I could feel your cold fingers pressing into my neck, I looked into your eyes and I saw my dreams fading away. But you hesitated, and that split second changed everything. What I did next was what I had promised to do all along, I took the chance presented to me and grasped it with both hands. I won that match fair and square and whether you like it or not I stand before you the winner of the Roll of the Dice briefcase!
This week myself and Soul Shadow are reunited as a tag team to take on the Damned once more and this will not be anything like your previous encounters, I promise you that. I have had to sit back and watch your despicable attacks on Soul Shadow for the past five weeks, the purpose of them...because he refused to be emotionally vapid. Because he refuses to let the pain of losing his wife rule his life and fuel a hatred towards the world. Because he refused to be like Crow? Crow is a cancer in the MPW waiting to spread his special brand of disease throughout the roster one weak willed person at a time. Impaler being a perfect example. But your prime target, Soul Shadow, the person that shared your level of loss and understood your pain just won't break and come down to your level. Infuriating isn't it! All of those beatings and he's still coming at you for more...Well this week WE are coming at you for the last time! This week the odds are even, there will be no more handicap, surprise attacks or beat downs. This week we will see what the Damned are made of when the element of surprise is taken away and they are put to the test and made to finally work for their victory. Tonight is the night where Soul Shadow gets to wreak his revenge.
Tonight is the night it ends!
*The scene fades to black.*
*Aeryn Ashfield clutches the handle of the brief case tightly, her knuckles almost tuning white with the irrational fear that if she actually lets it's it go, the case would vanish and this whole evening would just turn out to be a crazy dream. She walks slowly back to her locker room in a state of disbelief at what she had just accomplished. Five of the best up and coming stars in the MPW had just been in the ring along with her, the odds undoubtedly against her in ever aspect of the match, never mind the addition of the ladders. Yet somehow she had managed to get through and claim the prize although how she had done it she could never say, the whole thing already turning into a blur in her mind as the adrenaline starts to drain from her body leaving her feeling suddenly weary. Just as she is about to enter her locker room she is stopped briefly by Jamie McKenzie offering congratulations and also informing her of her next match on Reloaded.*
Jamie:....and because of that we feel that you should join Soul Shadow in the main event.
*Aeryn looks at her slightly bewildered, having been lost in her own thoughts she had missed most of what Jamie had just told her.*
Aeryn: I'm sorry, what?
*Jamie gives her an irritated look at having to repeat herself.*
Aeryn: I said that you had an amazing showing tonight, really proved you could hold your own out there. As a reward were putting you and Soul in the main event of Reloaded as a tag team. Everyone can see the camaraderie between you two, and it only seems right for you to be his partner against the Damned.
*Jamie pats her on the arm congratulating her once more before moving off down the corridor leaving Aeryn alone. Entering her locker room she places the briefcase down on a chair and locks the door, finally allowing herself to take a deep breath and process the evening. She runs a hand through her sweat soaked hair, wincing she pulls the hand away finding blood on her fingers. A remnant of the match. She's sure she'll find more of those over the next few hours as her body starts to relax. Right now though she's on to much of a high. Winning the briefcase and just now being handed something even more valuable, a chance at redeeming herself.*
*3 Days later, Anaheim.*
*Aeryn pulls her car into a space outside the Harvey's sports bar in Anaheim. She sits listening to the thrum of the engine for a few more moments than necessary as she collects her thoughts.
Earlier that day. In her hotel suite at the Marriott, Aeryn had sat and watched the interview that her partner Soul Shadow had taken part in with host and old friend, Xavier Fyles. Her earlier delight at having been selected to partner her friend in the match against the Damned being eroded by the second, as she listens to him explain to Xavier all of the reasons why he doesn't want her involved. She feels disappointed that this is how he feels as she had been looking forward to pairing with him once again and rekindling the chemistry that they both shared when they were in the ring together, and also most importantly and maybe more selfishly easing her own sense of guilt. Leaning back in her seat she runs her fingers back through her hair considering her options. Either let him go it alone and watch the fall out, as she had for the previous five weeks or...
Turning the key in the ignition she finally plunges the car into sudden silence. She has arrived here on a hunch that with this being the only bar in the area showing soccer, it would be a good place to find him and talk him out of his decision.
Exiting the car she walks across the parking lot, the chill in the autumn night air causing her to pull her open jacket around her a little tighter and tuck her hands into her pockets for some extra warmth. Entering the bar she pauses by the door scanning the room full of people, until she sees him. Sat on a stool at the bar she sees Soul nursing a drink and watching the game, Arsenal vs Swansea, playing out on the television. Taking a deep breath Aeryn walks across the bar until she is behind him, stopping at his shoulder. She smiles to herself, putting on her best attempt at a Californian accent.*
Aeryn: Hi there, how would you like to by a girl a drink?
*Soul waves his hand at her without turning around.*
Soul: Sorry, I'm not interested.
*Aeryn smirks to herself and leans in closer to his ear, draping an arm round his shoulder.*
Aeryn: Oh come on handsome, just one little drink?
*Soul, sounding a little more irritated*
Soul: Look I said I wasn't...
*He turns around to face her*
Soul:...Interested
*Aeryn laughs and pats him on the shoulder as she sits on the stool next to him.*
Aeryn: Someone's a little edgy, that was to easy to get a reaction.
*Soul smiles a little and drains the last mouthful of his glass, signalling to the bartender for a refill. Aeryn orders one of the same for herself.*
Soul: So what brings you here?
Aeryn: The amazing atmosphere of course.*she smiles* I was looking for you actually...
*She takes a sip of the drink set in front of her, wincing at the taste.*
Aeryn:...the hell are you drinking...
*Soul gives a low laugh*
Soul: Sam Adams.
Aeryn: Damn...this country has managed to ruin tea, chocolate and beer....
*She smiles at Soul who raises one back. He clears his throat and looks down at his glass.*
Soul: I have a feeling I know why you've come to find find me...
*She glances towards him, the humor suddenly leaves her voice for a more serious tone as she cuts him off.*
Aeryn: I wanted to talk to you about our tag match at reloaded...
*She looks down for a moment, running a finger up and down the edge of her glass as she sees Soul become a little more tense.*
Aeryn: I saw your interview with Xavier today...you don't want me to partner you in this tag match?!
Soul:..Aeryn, you know this thing with the Damned isn't just a fight , it was way more than that even before High Stakes. This is personal between me and them and I want it to stay that way. I know this is a sanctioned match, but I want you to stay away...
*Aeryn turns towards him fully. Her mouth moving to form a word, but Soul cuts her off.*
Soul:..Look I know what your going to say, but really I can handle this...I want to handle this...alone. Plus you have better things to do now. You have a World Title to win, what do you want to get dragged into this for?!
*Looking at the big man, Aeryn raises an eyebrow slightly dumbfounded at what he's telling her.*
Aeryn:...Are you done?..
Soul: I...
Aeryn: You listen to me Michael Johnson...
*She says her tone low and measured as Soul looks at her slightly surprised at the use of his real name.*
Aeryn: I am going to be your tag partner in this match whether you like it or not. I have sat on the side lines for the past few weeks watching you get torn apart by those two jackals, and not being able to do a thing about it because of the respect I had for our deal...respect for our deal *she shakes her head*...I should have scrapped that as soon as all this started happening. I should have been there fighting with you all along, but I wasn't and I have to live with that...that, shame... I was so happy when I heard that we had this tag match. You wanna know why?..
*He looks at her, listening carefully to what she's saying and then gives a slight nod.*
Aeryn: I was happy because it meant that I had the chance to redeem myself. I know that you say that it's fine and that I have nothing to feel sorry for, but I do. I'm sorry that I wasn't there Soul. Now I get the chance to stand with you to even up the odds and do what I should have been doing all along, helping you win this fight against the Damned.
*She puts a hand on his knee.*
Aeryn: And are you serious?! Do you really think that I have better things to do?!..Yeah, that briefcase that I won on Sunday is a chance to make my dream come true. But if you think for one second that me winning that changes anything, or that it means more than our friendship then you couldn't be more wrong... I'm not letting you do this on your own, not any more. I am going to be out there at Reloaded in your corner, as your partner and there really isn't anything that you can do or say to stop me. But I think you already knew that didn't you?
*Soul nods reluctantly.*
Soul: Yeah, I did.
*Aeryn stands up.*
Aeryn: I have to go *she clasps his shoulder* I'll see you at Reloaded..partner.
*She starts to walk off but stops at the sound of Souls voice.*
Soul:..You know you were wrong Aeryn, what you said at High Stakes. You are a good person.
*She looks back and flashes him a broad smile. Then feigns a serious look.*
Aeryn: Not so loud...you'll ruin my rep!
*She hears him laugh as she walks off across the bar. Soul continues to watch as she exits and disappears into the night.*
*Reloaded.*
Well this has been quite the week...Last week I was viewed as a mid card performer, lost a few matches, no where near a title opportunity and the outside bet to be the winner in the Roll of the Dice match given the calibre of the competition involved.
That was last week...
*Aeryn raises the briefcase slowly in front of her.*
This week I am the ultimate number one contender.
*She rests the briefcase on her lap, laying an arm across the top.*
But before I address the matter of future title...opportunities. I think that it is vital that I address something else. Something that I know is already being held against me in the MPW locker room...Well when I say locker room...Well it's mostly the Damned.
The Damned seem to have a problem with the way I won the match, they seem to think I was “Helped” by Soul Shadow when he chose to hit Impaler with the ladder and not me. I think the key word in that being “Chose”. Soul Shadow chose to hit you with the ladder Impaler and I'm guessing...just off the top of my head here...I'm guessing he chose to do that because he got a bit tired of you and Crow beating him bloody week after week...Just a hunch!
Your actions in previous weeks ultimately cost you that match Impaler, you cant blame me for that. You had me in your grasp, I could feel your cold fingers pressing into my neck, I looked into your eyes and I saw my dreams fading away. But you hesitated, and that split second changed everything. What I did next was what I had promised to do all along, I took the chance presented to me and grasped it with both hands. I won that match fair and square and whether you like it or not I stand before you the winner of the Roll of the Dice briefcase!
This week myself and Soul Shadow are reunited as a tag team to take on the Damned once more and this will not be anything like your previous encounters, I promise you that. I have had to sit back and watch your despicable attacks on Soul Shadow for the past five weeks, the purpose of them...because he refused to be emotionally vapid. Because he refuses to let the pain of losing his wife rule his life and fuel a hatred towards the world. Because he refused to be like Crow? Crow is a cancer in the MPW waiting to spread his special brand of disease throughout the roster one weak willed person at a time. Impaler being a perfect example. But your prime target, Soul Shadow, the person that shared your level of loss and understood your pain just won't break and come down to your level. Infuriating isn't it! All of those beatings and he's still coming at you for more...Well this week WE are coming at you for the last time! This week the odds are even, there will be no more handicap, surprise attacks or beat downs. This week we will see what the Damned are made of when the element of surprise is taken away and they are put to the test and made to finally work for their victory. Tonight is the night where Soul Shadow gets to wreak his revenge.
Tonight is the night it ends!
*The scene fades to black.*