Post by Alice Harris on Jan 1, 2016 12:18:26 GMT -5
A new year, a new day, the same struggle.
Despite becoming Legacy champion, continuing her undefeated run of matches and silencing yet another critic and doubter, Alice found herself stuck in a severe case of same ol' shit, different day. She knew people would be plotting to topple her, it was only natural given how she was the woman to beat now, finally defeating Corey Bull and catching her white whale. Whilst he still held more victories over her than she did over him when it counted, Alice had scored the one which mattered the most, at least to her but more importantly in the grander scheme of things.
Alice had defeated the monster, and sometimes when you beat a monster, you take away the failsafe that kept the others in line.
Whilst Alice relished the upcoming weeks of combat and turmoil, getting to show why she was arguably the best wrestler in NAW right now and how she planned to prove she was worthy of the legacy title, she felt hollow once more.
She knew what it was, but she didn't want to admit it to herself - Corey.
-flashback-
-real time-
With the mask of the Hatebringer in her hands, Alice ran her fingertips across it. She was content that this thing between them had been 'resolved', yet the hollowness she felt, like she had been abandoned once again by someone who meant something to her. Her parents, her sister, Fenrir and now Corey Bull... Everyone she was close with or let close seemed to leave her.
Alice stood, still holding the mask in her hands. Running her fingers along the grooves on its inside, she lifted it to her face and looked at herself in the mirror. It didn't look right, but she understood why he wore said mask - the fear of the unknown, the power hiding something, obscuring everything but the eyes which can be one of the greatest weapons you can have in the ring.
Alice placed the mask back down and looked at her reflection once again.
Alice smirks.
Despite becoming Legacy champion, continuing her undefeated run of matches and silencing yet another critic and doubter, Alice found herself stuck in a severe case of same ol' shit, different day. She knew people would be plotting to topple her, it was only natural given how she was the woman to beat now, finally defeating Corey Bull and catching her white whale. Whilst he still held more victories over her than she did over him when it counted, Alice had scored the one which mattered the most, at least to her but more importantly in the grander scheme of things.
Alice had defeated the monster, and sometimes when you beat a monster, you take away the failsafe that kept the others in line.
"The Jason's are planning things once again... Rocky Hollywood and his Thundercat buddy Snaggletooth have their eyes on trying to degrade me much like most other men with ego's bigger than their actual body do and I have Trent looming on the Horizon for his shot at the Legacy title, my first defence..."
Whilst Alice relished the upcoming weeks of combat and turmoil, getting to show why she was arguably the best wrestler in NAW right now and how she planned to prove she was worthy of the legacy title, she felt hollow once more.
"It's just like when Fenrir left... Something is.. Missing once again"
She knew what it was, but she didn't want to admit it to herself - Corey.
-flashback-
The ovation and guard of honour for Corey Bull was the final thing the viewers watching the Year In Review show saw. As the cameras clicked off, the fans began to file out of the venue as did the stars, leaving the ring techs to go about their usual job of dismantling the ring and getting it ready to transport it for the next show. Standing on the edge of the stage watching were Bull and Alice. They both stood in silence, not saying a word to each other. Alice, with her title draped across her left shoulder glanced up at Bull who gazed at the NAW ring for what he claimed would be the very last time, but inside, the Valkyrie could tell that that itch, the burning flame of a warrior inside him would rekindle itself and he would be back... But in what capacity?
"You believe I can do this then?"
Corey glanced down at Alice for a moment as he smiled behind his mask.
Bull: "Not many have beaten me Alice, but the fact that time and time again, you rise and fight against the odds with everything you have... We see a worthy successor in you... One who understands how to use their hate and anger and turn it outward, brushing aside all those in their way much like us...."
Alice nodded and let her hand brush against Bulls. As her fingertips gently ran across his skin, she bent them, just enough to slip them round his and clutch it tightly in her hand.
Alice: "Where will you go then?"
Bull was taken aback by the gesture of Alice holding onto him. His mind(s) were racing, conflicted, trying to work out just exactly what she was doing.
Bull: "We are undecided as of now... Some...Things we need to take care of... Some...Things we have to do alone... We have to reflect... Find out why we were overpowered by you and find out how we can strengthen ourselves if we were to ever return to face you..."
Alice felt Bull trying to move his hand away but the petit woman (compared to his physical build anyway!) clutched at it tighter. Not looking at him, Alice spoke once more, but it wasn't the confident and collected tone she used when making a point... It was more.. Feminine... Like she was actually letting who she was show. Much like when she first started in PRW and for brief moments of her start in NAW. She was actually showing vulnerability, leaving herself wide open for attack if there was one to be made.
Alice: "When do you leave then?"
Bull: "We are ready to go now... Our mind is made up Alice... We do not want it changing..."
With a slight break in her voice, still avoiding looking at him and holding his hand tightly in hers, Alice straightened her back a little as she spoke.
Alice: "I would never try to change your mind, it wouldn't be fair... But this dance we have shared for the past few months... There is still a song or two left before the lights come on and everyone goes their separate ways..."
Finally turning to look at him, her eyes slightly watering, Alice took a deep breath as she lifted his hand up in hers before holding it in both of hers.
Alice: "I don't want to hurt you outside the ring Corey... But if I don't do this... I don't know what I will do given how the chances of me seeing you again...."
Bull was conflicted, he had an inkling as to what was going on but he could say for certain if Alice was getting at what she was getting at. Feeling her hand leave his grasp, she reached up for his mask and removed it. Normally the Hatebringer would have thrown her off the stage for such a bold move, but instead, curious as to what his former rival had in mind, he allowed her too. Tilting his head to the side and looking her up and down, Bull waited for what Alice did next.
Arms around his neck, Pulling him towards her, Alice pressed her lips against Bull's, letting them linger there before she felt him pull her close for a moment. They stayed like that for several seconds until he pushed her away.
Bull: "I...I cannot do this... My mind is made up... Alice... Why would you do this to us? We are monsters, we do not deserve this attention..."
Alice: "Monster or not... If I cannot resolve this.. I will go insane..."
-fast forward-
She lay there, wrapped up in the duvet on her bed. She was peaceful, her clothes were on the floor in a pile, kicked away somewhere and she had a content look on her face as she slept. Unknown to her, the man who was in the room with her was fully clothed. Looking at her, he approached her before leaning over her. Caressing her cheek, he backed away and walked towards the dresser. Fumbling about for a few moments, he placed something down on it and left the room, quietly closing the door, but before he completely left, he spoke in a whisper.
"Til we meet again Alice... We will not forget you, but you... You cannot come with us... You are like her... But you are not her... We are sorry..."
"You believe I can do this then?"
Corey glanced down at Alice for a moment as he smiled behind his mask.
Bull: "Not many have beaten me Alice, but the fact that time and time again, you rise and fight against the odds with everything you have... We see a worthy successor in you... One who understands how to use their hate and anger and turn it outward, brushing aside all those in their way much like us...."
Alice nodded and let her hand brush against Bulls. As her fingertips gently ran across his skin, she bent them, just enough to slip them round his and clutch it tightly in her hand.
Alice: "Where will you go then?"
Bull was taken aback by the gesture of Alice holding onto him. His mind(s) were racing, conflicted, trying to work out just exactly what she was doing.
Bull: "We are undecided as of now... Some...Things we need to take care of... Some...Things we have to do alone... We have to reflect... Find out why we were overpowered by you and find out how we can strengthen ourselves if we were to ever return to face you..."
Alice felt Bull trying to move his hand away but the petit woman (compared to his physical build anyway!) clutched at it tighter. Not looking at him, Alice spoke once more, but it wasn't the confident and collected tone she used when making a point... It was more.. Feminine... Like she was actually letting who she was show. Much like when she first started in PRW and for brief moments of her start in NAW. She was actually showing vulnerability, leaving herself wide open for attack if there was one to be made.
Alice: "When do you leave then?"
Bull: "We are ready to go now... Our mind is made up Alice... We do not want it changing..."
With a slight break in her voice, still avoiding looking at him and holding his hand tightly in hers, Alice straightened her back a little as she spoke.
Alice: "I would never try to change your mind, it wouldn't be fair... But this dance we have shared for the past few months... There is still a song or two left before the lights come on and everyone goes their separate ways..."
Finally turning to look at him, her eyes slightly watering, Alice took a deep breath as she lifted his hand up in hers before holding it in both of hers.
Alice: "I don't want to hurt you outside the ring Corey... But if I don't do this... I don't know what I will do given how the chances of me seeing you again...."
Bull was conflicted, he had an inkling as to what was going on but he could say for certain if Alice was getting at what she was getting at. Feeling her hand leave his grasp, she reached up for his mask and removed it. Normally the Hatebringer would have thrown her off the stage for such a bold move, but instead, curious as to what his former rival had in mind, he allowed her too. Tilting his head to the side and looking her up and down, Bull waited for what Alice did next.
Arms around his neck, Pulling him towards her, Alice pressed her lips against Bull's, letting them linger there before she felt him pull her close for a moment. They stayed like that for several seconds until he pushed her away.
Bull: "I...I cannot do this... My mind is made up... Alice... Why would you do this to us? We are monsters, we do not deserve this attention..."
Alice: "Monster or not... If I cannot resolve this.. I will go insane..."
-fast forward-
She lay there, wrapped up in the duvet on her bed. She was peaceful, her clothes were on the floor in a pile, kicked away somewhere and she had a content look on her face as she slept. Unknown to her, the man who was in the room with her was fully clothed. Looking at her, he approached her before leaning over her. Caressing her cheek, he backed away and walked towards the dresser. Fumbling about for a few moments, he placed something down on it and left the room, quietly closing the door, but before he completely left, he spoke in a whisper.
"Til we meet again Alice... We will not forget you, but you... You cannot come with us... You are like her... But you are not her... We are sorry..."
-real time-
With the mask of the Hatebringer in her hands, Alice ran her fingertips across it. She was content that this thing between them had been 'resolved', yet the hollowness she felt, like she had been abandoned once again by someone who meant something to her. Her parents, her sister, Fenrir and now Corey Bull... Everyone she was close with or let close seemed to leave her.
"I stand alone once again... Only memories are with me, no one else... I was entrusted with the task of guarding NAW from those who seek to destroy it and now I must step up and do my duty..."
Alice stood, still holding the mask in her hands. Running her fingers along the grooves on its inside, she lifted it to her face and looked at herself in the mirror. It didn't look right, but she understood why he wore said mask - the fear of the unknown, the power hiding something, obscuring everything but the eyes which can be one of the greatest weapons you can have in the ring.
"And now my watch begins... Facing not one opponent but two at meltdown... A couple so dedicated to each other that they go out of their way to ensure the very best possible chances of success for one another..."
Alice placed the mask back down and looked at her reflection once again.
"A new year, a new set of challenges but the same struggle persists... And once again, I have to face it alone... Because in the end, I only ever have myself... The problem with partners sometimes is that whilst they may have the best of intentions, by giving each other every window of opportunity to succeed... The numbers game despite being an obvious strength can change to a weakness... Trent and Steph may craftily work their way up the pecking order here, showing just how solid a unit they are... But what happens when it back fires? What happens when the chair your girlfriend slipped in when the ref was down becomes your undoing? Your partner, the one you absolutely trust in costs you the match... The doubt creeps in, the seeds of mistrust are sown and whilst it germinates, it slowly builds in intensity up until you look at them and wonder do they really have your back?"
Alice smirks.
"What happens if she gets on the apron to hold me in place, but you end up knocking her off and losing? What happens if she gets caught and costs you the match in a disqualification? As powerful a unit as you both may appear to be, the pride you have along with your own motives will ultimately be your downfall... I have no urge to come between you... I have no urge to be the wedge which breaks you two apart... But if I have to put your relationship on unstable ground to make sure I can win... I will do whatever I have to if it means success!"