"Something I said?"
Jan 23, 2023 2:05:10 GMT -5
Post by OrochiGeese on Jan 23, 2023 2:05:10 GMT -5
*We fade into one of the training rooms in the feathery UBL wing of the Peter Venkman Memorial Arena. An agitated and sweaty Alicia Gordon is throwing haymaker kicks at one of the heavy bags that was just 2 days away from retirement. Standing nearby, with a look of perpetual concern as relates to his friend, is Thunder Strike.*
[Alicia:] “The last thing I wanted to start the year off with, *KICK*, was a sob story from Holly.” *KICK*…. *KICK*.
[Thunder:] “I understand the sentiment, but do you disagree with what she actually said?”
[Alicia:] “She lost the right to say it. *KICK*”
[Thunder:] “The old Holly did, but she’s not the same person now.”
[Alicia:] “Bullshit. *KICK*.”
[Thunder:] “After all this time, you don’t think people can change?”
[Alicia:] “Yes but real change, full change means honing up to your past by having a shred of awareness of it when you talk to others. Someone who engineered the crippling of Diane Cavuto doesn’t get to act like a f’n martyr.”
[Thunder:] “It’s not just the attack on Diane that is causing you to feel that way.”
[Alicia:] “Yeah, I get it. She tried to end my career too. Of course this is personal, but that doesn’t make me wrong.”
[Thunder:] “It doesn’t make her wrong either. Do you think you’re in better fighting condition after the past few years?”
[Alicia:] “Well, I'm certainly angrier." *HARDER KICK*
[Thunder:] “So is THRASH Ogawa, and both of you would acknowledge that UBL’s schedule has made life miserable for people who want to fight more. It hasn’t made anyone sharper in the ring. Robin had a valid point and Kathy Queen was right to acknowledge it.”
[Alicia:] “Kathy Queen can do whatever the f*ck she wants. *KICK* Hell, she can start a “HOLLY Army” fan club that makes even Keina and Naomi squirm.”
[Thunder:] “Please don’t recommend that anyone do that.”
*That got a quick smirk from Alicia but she follows it with two more strong kicks to the bag.*
[Alicia:] “And I don’t care if Holly has a point about not competing enough *KICK*. She shouldn’t have brought up how miserable her life is when she’s made life far more miserable for others. And if she never started the war with L..A.W.L. … “
[Thunder:] “Stop it.”
*Alicia looks confused and takes a breather.”
[Alicia:] “What?”
[Thunder:] “We’ve already ridden this train of thought you have to multiple derailments. None of it is your fault.”
[Alicia:] “If I hadn’t come to OG-Joshi, Holly would have never targeted L.A.W.L.. Then Ruby would have never taken those attacks personally and declared war on everyone here. It’s simple cause and effect.”
[Thunder:] “It’s the furthest thing from simple. You and I both know that Destiny was fully formed and dangerous well before Ruby and Holly had ever met. We also know that Ruby had UBL and OG-Joshi in her sights. Furthermore, Holly would have had Juli Krieger target Diane even if you never came to OG-Joshi. That had nothing to do with you or L.A.W.L.
More importantly, all of the worst things that Holly did were a result of her actions, not your innocent ones. Is it your fault that you wanted to join another professional wrestling promotion? Should everyone who joined OG-Joshi from another promotion share your guilt because Holly could have targeted their old promotion too? No, that is absurd, and you know it. What about Kat Black? Holly never targeted Dragon Isle Joshi but Kat’s pure motivations for joining OG-Joshi were the same as yours. According to your logic, why are you guilty but Kat is innocent? The truth is that you are both innocent.”
*Alicia has stopped kicking the bag and is fully concentrating on what Thunder is saying.*
[Thunder:] “The guilt that you carry is real but it’s not defensible, so you heave it onto to the pile of legitimate reasons that you hate Holly. This reaction happens every time the new Robin opens up her mouth. I know you don’t like seeing her use the difficulties of the past ten years to deflect criticism, but you have to stop hitching your guilt onto her. She’s not the same person and neither are you. The Holly that we know would never have showed true vulnerability like that to a rival. She was on the verge of tears, Alicia. She is not the same person, and neither are you.
Look at all of your accomplishments in the past 10 years. You fought hard to get past all she and Geese put us through. You became NEXUS Champion and are one of the favorites to win your Block and the entire Continuum league. Holly Walker doesn’t exist anymore so stop letting her ghost derail your career.”
*Alicia is slightly calmer and is regaining her composure.*
[Alicia:] “I’m not saying I still want revenge on her.”
[Thunder:] “You’re not saying that you don’t, either.”
*Alicia takes a few seconds then shrugs.*
[Alicia:] “I do, but on Holly. You’re right though, she doesn’t exist anymore. Robin is different. I don’t actually wish her harm and I have no desire to bring it to her. But that mouth of hers, the voice is the same. Her mannerisms are the same. The way she says some things are the same. I can still hear that cackle occasionally in her laugh, the same cackle from when she did her worst. I’m never going to be able to fully shake that when I hear anything from her. She could become my doctor and save me from death, yet that voice would still make me squirm. But you said it, I’m not the same person either. That’s why I came here to take it out on the bag: not on her or on anyone else.”
*Thunder nods and gestures Alicia to keep kicking. She does so but with more controlled strikes. After a few minutes of considering his words, Thunder speaks again.*
[Thunder:] “I can’t agree with them on one point, by the way.”
[Alicia:] “Which one?”
[Thunder:] “Geese seems convinced that Gauntlet is still actively targeting them.”
[Alicia:] “Who is left: some underlings? Could they even remain a threat?”
[Thunder:] “I have no evidence supporting that, but I don’t dispute that the evidence may exist.”
*Alicia smirks.*
[Alicia:] “So you’re not the only one annoyed at an old friend.”
[Thunder:] “After our our last meeting with Drake and Arthur about this topic, Geese asked if I trust him. I told him that trust is a two-way street. He has admitted to having information on Destiny and Gauntlet that he’s still not sharing with me. With Jarec and Masters arrested, the head of the snake has seemingly been cut off. So for Geese to still think there’s a threat means that his secret information is crucial. His refusal to share that with me does not make sense and does not make me fully trust him. Even if I believe everything that he’s said is the truth, he’s still holding back something big.”
[Alicia:] “And if it wasn’t for everything he’s done to us in the past, you might be more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt here. It’s not so easy to judge people’s intentions in the present without being influenced by their past, is it?”
[Thunder:] “No, it’s not.”
*Thunder steps up to the heavy bag and hammers it with an elbow smash, causing it to careen backwards. On the downswing, Alicia delivers an “AG-47” kick that snaps the bag in half.*
[Thunder:] “And that’s why we take it out on the bag.”
*Alicia actually lets out a laugh but that is quickly forced down when the sound of clapping is heard. Alicia and Thunder turn around to see Charles Langford clapping and Kurt Sanders pointing to the bag.”
[Kurt:] “Please say that happened because of something I said.”
[Alicia:] “No, but the day is still young, and I see two warm bodies as the next targets.”
*Thunder steps in front of Alicia and gestures his hand for her to keep her cool.
[Thunder:] “Gentlemen, this is not the time or place.”
[Kurt:] “On the contrary, whenever someone is deeply angry, I’ll be there.”
*Kurt puts his arms out like he’s a flying superhero.*
[Alicia:] “Yeah, fly into a room with angry kryptonite.”
*Alicia points to her left leg and then the crumpled heavy bag. Charles clears his throat and puts his hands up in a defensive manner.*
[Charles:] “Let’s start again. We come in peace and just wanted to discuss some business.”
[Alicia:] “Get out of mine, permanently.”
[Charles:] “Now, now, just hear me out. It’s come to our attention that you and young Mr. Sanders here have something in common.”
[Alicia:] “If you’re here to let me know that we’re in the same Block, that information has been available for two years. You should probably consult with your doctor again after that concussion Tetsu gave you.”
[Charles:] “Ahem, I appreciate the free medical advice and nostalgic stroll down memory lane. But it’s not just the Block I speak of, it’s the actual schedule. You are the next two opponents that Jason Hyde is schedule to wrestle. Kurt is going to face him at Continuum IV and you are Jason's next opponent at Continuum VI.”
[Alicia:] “That means absolutely nothing since five actual years may pass between those events.”
*Kurt actually laughs uproariously at this which almost gives Alicia a gag reflex.*
[Kurt:] “Yeah, ubble really sucks now, doesn’t it?”
[Thunder:] “Get to your points quicker.”
[Charles:] “Well my point is that you, Mr. Strike, have unique insights on the character traits and strategies of Jason Hyde. He was a former protégé of yours, was he not?”
*Thunder takes a second to respond and Alicia winces.*
[Thunder:] “He was an ally, but I do not think that he would like to be referred to as my former protégé.”
[Charles:] “But Miss Gordon, she is certainly a protégé?”
[Thunder:] “She’s an equal.”
[Charles:] “Very well then, you clearly want the best for her. So I was thinking –“
*Thunder is visibly angry now and takes a step forward, causing the other two to take significantly larger steps back. This time, Alicia steps forward and puts her hand on Thunder's shoulder to calm him down.*
[Alicia:] “You were thinking that if Thunder shared his view on Hyde’s weaknesses, that Kurt would be able to defeat him which would soften him up further for me.”
*Just then, we hear footsteps. Without turning his head to look inside the doorway, Jason Hyde walks right by the door.*
[Thunder:] “Jason! Wait, you didn’t hear everything that we said –“
*The foot steps continue as Jason keeps walking.*
[Charles:] “Well, seems like a clearer decision for you now. After all, he already thinks you’re doing it and will be angry at you regardless. Why not at least reap the benefits of a choice he thinks you already made?”
[Thunder:] “Get out.”
*Kurt laughs and Charles half-heartedly bows as the two exit the room and quickly walk in the opposite direction that Jason Hyde went in.*
[Alicia:] “Jason won’t actually think we were in on anything like that.”
[Thunder:] “Things ended very badly between us, I can’t presume to know how much he trusts me or, by extension, you. This needs to be dealt with. But first, we can’t assume this was a coincidence.”
[Alicia:] “You think they saw Jason and were able to somehow figure out the perfect timing for the conversation?”
[Thunder:] “Not without significant help.”
[Alicia:] “I hate to say it, I really do, but maybe Geese has a point.”
[Thunder:] “I never said he was wrong, just that I didn’t trust him when he refused to prove he was right.”
[Alicia:] “In any case, I don’t think we’re quite done here today.”
*Alicia points to a still standing heavy bag and they walk over as the scene fades.*
[Alicia:] “The last thing I wanted to start the year off with, *KICK*, was a sob story from Holly.” *KICK*…. *KICK*.
[Thunder:] “I understand the sentiment, but do you disagree with what she actually said?”
[Alicia:] “She lost the right to say it. *KICK*”
[Thunder:] “The old Holly did, but she’s not the same person now.”
[Alicia:] “Bullshit. *KICK*.”
[Thunder:] “After all this time, you don’t think people can change?”
[Alicia:] “Yes but real change, full change means honing up to your past by having a shred of awareness of it when you talk to others. Someone who engineered the crippling of Diane Cavuto doesn’t get to act like a f’n martyr.”
[Thunder:] “It’s not just the attack on Diane that is causing you to feel that way.”
[Alicia:] “Yeah, I get it. She tried to end my career too. Of course this is personal, but that doesn’t make me wrong.”
[Thunder:] “It doesn’t make her wrong either. Do you think you’re in better fighting condition after the past few years?”
[Alicia:] “Well, I'm certainly angrier." *HARDER KICK*
[Thunder:] “So is THRASH Ogawa, and both of you would acknowledge that UBL’s schedule has made life miserable for people who want to fight more. It hasn’t made anyone sharper in the ring. Robin had a valid point and Kathy Queen was right to acknowledge it.”
[Alicia:] “Kathy Queen can do whatever the f*ck she wants. *KICK* Hell, she can start a “HOLLY Army” fan club that makes even Keina and Naomi squirm.”
[Thunder:] “Please don’t recommend that anyone do that.”
*That got a quick smirk from Alicia but she follows it with two more strong kicks to the bag.*
[Alicia:] “And I don’t care if Holly has a point about not competing enough *KICK*. She shouldn’t have brought up how miserable her life is when she’s made life far more miserable for others. And if she never started the war with L..A.W.L. … “
[Thunder:] “Stop it.”
*Alicia looks confused and takes a breather.”
[Alicia:] “What?”
[Thunder:] “We’ve already ridden this train of thought you have to multiple derailments. None of it is your fault.”
[Alicia:] “If I hadn’t come to OG-Joshi, Holly would have never targeted L.A.W.L.. Then Ruby would have never taken those attacks personally and declared war on everyone here. It’s simple cause and effect.”
[Thunder:] “It’s the furthest thing from simple. You and I both know that Destiny was fully formed and dangerous well before Ruby and Holly had ever met. We also know that Ruby had UBL and OG-Joshi in her sights. Furthermore, Holly would have had Juli Krieger target Diane even if you never came to OG-Joshi. That had nothing to do with you or L.A.W.L.
More importantly, all of the worst things that Holly did were a result of her actions, not your innocent ones. Is it your fault that you wanted to join another professional wrestling promotion? Should everyone who joined OG-Joshi from another promotion share your guilt because Holly could have targeted their old promotion too? No, that is absurd, and you know it. What about Kat Black? Holly never targeted Dragon Isle Joshi but Kat’s pure motivations for joining OG-Joshi were the same as yours. According to your logic, why are you guilty but Kat is innocent? The truth is that you are both innocent.”
*Alicia has stopped kicking the bag and is fully concentrating on what Thunder is saying.*
[Thunder:] “The guilt that you carry is real but it’s not defensible, so you heave it onto to the pile of legitimate reasons that you hate Holly. This reaction happens every time the new Robin opens up her mouth. I know you don’t like seeing her use the difficulties of the past ten years to deflect criticism, but you have to stop hitching your guilt onto her. She’s not the same person and neither are you. The Holly that we know would never have showed true vulnerability like that to a rival. She was on the verge of tears, Alicia. She is not the same person, and neither are you.
Look at all of your accomplishments in the past 10 years. You fought hard to get past all she and Geese put us through. You became NEXUS Champion and are one of the favorites to win your Block and the entire Continuum league. Holly Walker doesn’t exist anymore so stop letting her ghost derail your career.”
*Alicia is slightly calmer and is regaining her composure.*
[Alicia:] “I’m not saying I still want revenge on her.”
[Thunder:] “You’re not saying that you don’t, either.”
*Alicia takes a few seconds then shrugs.*
[Alicia:] “I do, but on Holly. You’re right though, she doesn’t exist anymore. Robin is different. I don’t actually wish her harm and I have no desire to bring it to her. But that mouth of hers, the voice is the same. Her mannerisms are the same. The way she says some things are the same. I can still hear that cackle occasionally in her laugh, the same cackle from when she did her worst. I’m never going to be able to fully shake that when I hear anything from her. She could become my doctor and save me from death, yet that voice would still make me squirm. But you said it, I’m not the same person either. That’s why I came here to take it out on the bag: not on her or on anyone else.”
*Thunder nods and gestures Alicia to keep kicking. She does so but with more controlled strikes. After a few minutes of considering his words, Thunder speaks again.*
[Thunder:] “I can’t agree with them on one point, by the way.”
[Alicia:] “Which one?”
[Thunder:] “Geese seems convinced that Gauntlet is still actively targeting them.”
[Alicia:] “Who is left: some underlings? Could they even remain a threat?”
[Thunder:] “I have no evidence supporting that, but I don’t dispute that the evidence may exist.”
*Alicia smirks.*
[Alicia:] “So you’re not the only one annoyed at an old friend.”
[Thunder:] “After our our last meeting with Drake and Arthur about this topic, Geese asked if I trust him. I told him that trust is a two-way street. He has admitted to having information on Destiny and Gauntlet that he’s still not sharing with me. With Jarec and Masters arrested, the head of the snake has seemingly been cut off. So for Geese to still think there’s a threat means that his secret information is crucial. His refusal to share that with me does not make sense and does not make me fully trust him. Even if I believe everything that he’s said is the truth, he’s still holding back something big.”
[Alicia:] “And if it wasn’t for everything he’s done to us in the past, you might be more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt here. It’s not so easy to judge people’s intentions in the present without being influenced by their past, is it?”
[Thunder:] “No, it’s not.”
*Thunder steps up to the heavy bag and hammers it with an elbow smash, causing it to careen backwards. On the downswing, Alicia delivers an “AG-47” kick that snaps the bag in half.*
[Thunder:] “And that’s why we take it out on the bag.”
*Alicia actually lets out a laugh but that is quickly forced down when the sound of clapping is heard. Alicia and Thunder turn around to see Charles Langford clapping and Kurt Sanders pointing to the bag.”
[Kurt:] “Please say that happened because of something I said.”
[Alicia:] “No, but the day is still young, and I see two warm bodies as the next targets.”
*Thunder steps in front of Alicia and gestures his hand for her to keep her cool.
[Thunder:] “Gentlemen, this is not the time or place.”
[Kurt:] “On the contrary, whenever someone is deeply angry, I’ll be there.”
*Kurt puts his arms out like he’s a flying superhero.*
[Alicia:] “Yeah, fly into a room with angry kryptonite.”
*Alicia points to her left leg and then the crumpled heavy bag. Charles clears his throat and puts his hands up in a defensive manner.*
[Charles:] “Let’s start again. We come in peace and just wanted to discuss some business.”
[Alicia:] “Get out of mine, permanently.”
[Charles:] “Now, now, just hear me out. It’s come to our attention that you and young Mr. Sanders here have something in common.”
[Alicia:] “If you’re here to let me know that we’re in the same Block, that information has been available for two years. You should probably consult with your doctor again after that concussion Tetsu gave you.”
[Charles:] “Ahem, I appreciate the free medical advice and nostalgic stroll down memory lane. But it’s not just the Block I speak of, it’s the actual schedule. You are the next two opponents that Jason Hyde is schedule to wrestle. Kurt is going to face him at Continuum IV and you are Jason's next opponent at Continuum VI.”
[Alicia:] “That means absolutely nothing since five actual years may pass between those events.”
*Kurt actually laughs uproariously at this which almost gives Alicia a gag reflex.*
[Kurt:] “Yeah, ubble really sucks now, doesn’t it?”
[Thunder:] “Get to your points quicker.”
[Charles:] “Well my point is that you, Mr. Strike, have unique insights on the character traits and strategies of Jason Hyde. He was a former protégé of yours, was he not?”
*Thunder takes a second to respond and Alicia winces.*
[Thunder:] “He was an ally, but I do not think that he would like to be referred to as my former protégé.”
[Charles:] “But Miss Gordon, she is certainly a protégé?”
[Thunder:] “She’s an equal.”
[Charles:] “Very well then, you clearly want the best for her. So I was thinking –“
*Thunder is visibly angry now and takes a step forward, causing the other two to take significantly larger steps back. This time, Alicia steps forward and puts her hand on Thunder's shoulder to calm him down.*
[Alicia:] “You were thinking that if Thunder shared his view on Hyde’s weaknesses, that Kurt would be able to defeat him which would soften him up further for me.”
*Just then, we hear footsteps. Without turning his head to look inside the doorway, Jason Hyde walks right by the door.*
[Thunder:] “Jason! Wait, you didn’t hear everything that we said –“
*The foot steps continue as Jason keeps walking.*
[Charles:] “Well, seems like a clearer decision for you now. After all, he already thinks you’re doing it and will be angry at you regardless. Why not at least reap the benefits of a choice he thinks you already made?”
[Thunder:] “Get out.”
*Kurt laughs and Charles half-heartedly bows as the two exit the room and quickly walk in the opposite direction that Jason Hyde went in.*
[Alicia:] “Jason won’t actually think we were in on anything like that.”
[Thunder:] “Things ended very badly between us, I can’t presume to know how much he trusts me or, by extension, you. This needs to be dealt with. But first, we can’t assume this was a coincidence.”
[Alicia:] “You think they saw Jason and were able to somehow figure out the perfect timing for the conversation?”
[Thunder:] “Not without significant help.”
[Alicia:] “I hate to say it, I really do, but maybe Geese has a point.”
[Thunder:] “I never said he was wrong, just that I didn’t trust him when he refused to prove he was right.”
[Alicia:] “In any case, I don’t think we’re quite done here today.”
*Alicia points to a still standing heavy bag and they walk over as the scene fades.*