Post by Alice Harris on Jun 11, 2016 16:08:10 GMT -5
Vincent De La Cruz was an observant man. He paid close attention to his surroundings, he always looked for the subtext, the subliminal, the words between the lines and made sure that when in the box, he could get his head out of it so he could think clearly. That was just the type of person he was, a man who was always thinking, always trying to come up with a plan or how to turn the situation to one where he may get any advantage or benefit from. That is probably why Alice Harris sought him out.
Sitting there, dressed like something out of a bad 80's D-List movie set in Miami and revolving around high speed chases in red sports cars, tacky suits with pastel or pale colours and suspicious amounts of substances and machine guns, Vincent closed his eyes and took a deep breath, clearing his thoughts. He subconsciously tugged on the sleeves of his cream suit jacket before slowly opening his eyes to see Alice sat there across from him. On the floor, leaning against the wall and in her typical training gear, she was sleeping, something she didn't seem to do much of these days.
Standing, the man in the suit and the tacky, multi-coloured Hawaiian shirt with black and white shoes to match was tempted to walk towards his leader in another company, but instead, after realising just how much she needed this, he turned his back and instead walked out of the room into the courtyard of the complex Alice usually frequented.
The sun was slowly passing over from its peak in the midday and despite being a Cuban by birth, Vincent wiped the sweat from his brow. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a slim, silver tin with the Cuban flag engraved on it and flicked it open. Reaching in, he pulled out a cigarette and placed it between his lips before lighting it and taking a pull. Holding it in, he felt the slight burn before he slowly exhaled, letting the bluish gray plume of smoke slowly twist upwards.
Glancing over his shoulder, Vincent saw Alice standing in the doorway.
Vincent: "What gave it away chica?"
Alice rolled her eyes as Vincent let out a guilty laugh, knowing the exact reason why. Approaching him, she took the cigarette from his hands and dropped it to the floor, stamping it out and drawing a look of disappointment from the Cuban.
Alice: "You always smoke when you're nervous... But what I don't get is why you are nervous.. I'm the one going into a match where I know there is no quick victory... Where I know there is no easy way out... I am the one going into hell once more...."
Alice's tone barely changed as she spoke. It was a skill the brunette had mastered. She was able to speak volumes whilst maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. Even her body language was neutral in the way it spoke. Everything about her was calm, collected and unnerving. Vincent, stepping back slightly on instinct shook his head.
Vincent: "I know that Alice... It is why I am nervous... Because you are the literal embodiment of zen right now... For someone going into a match where she may actually have met her match and not to show any signs of concern or apprehension, internally or externally, it makes me worry..."
Alice: "That's ever so sweet... But why do you worry? I knew exactly what I was getting into... I have simply accepted what may happen and allowed myself to move on"
Vincent shook his head.
Vincent: "And therein lies the problem Alice... You've forgotten how to feel..."
Alice raised an eyebrow. With a slight move of her wrist, she gestured for Vincent to expand further on the statement, obviously intrigued as to what her associate had to say and the meaning he had behind it. Seeing this, the Cuban scratched the back of his head before pacing back and forth, beginning to speak.
Vincent: "You see... Because you're so good at compartmentalizing things... Shutting yourself down, locking things in or out until the time is suitable in your mind to allow them to be expressed... You've entered this weird mental state where you're pretty much ready for everything... Now before you tell me to hold up and enquire as to why this is a bad thing... Let me just remind you of a few things..."
Vincent paused before holding one hand up. Extending his index finger, he began to speak.
Vincent: "Uno... Noah Hanson has stated his intentions for this match - he wants to defeat your spirit before pinning you right at the end, winning this match uno - cero. He wants to spend an hour putting you through your paces, showing you everything he can do... He is planning to draw on every single drop of experience he has in that long and illustrious career to put you through your paces..."
Alice: "I wouldn't expect anything less from Noah..."
Vincent: "But you forget, Noah plans to do this and he has told you he has because he knows at some stage in this match, you'll tire. He knows that the moment you begin to fall behind in the pace he sets and you keep trying to change, he will be in complete and total control and from there, he will have everything in his hands and he already knows how this match will end if that happens and you know what is scary? I believe him when he says he intends to make you break mentally, take every single shred of fight you have and bleed it out of you before breaking you professionally with a single fall"
Alice scoffs at the suggestion.
Vincent: "Dos...."
Vincent raises his middle finger alongside the index one.
Vincent: "Believe it or not, Hanson has actually expressed emotion regarding this match... He expressed concern, regret and although you would have to dig deep, cutting your way through the undergrowth and obstructions, a brief sense of fear... He knows just how tenacious you are. He knows even if he beats you, Alice Harris will simply regroup, recharge and rally once again, flying the flag and marching into the warzone once more. He knows how single minded and relentless you are because he has had the luxury to study you, to observe you... He has had the luxury to analyse every single match you have ever had and to identify trends, patterns, key moments, weaknesses and openings you yourself are not even aware of.... He has a dossier on you Alice, like one of those manila folders with paper, photographs, post-it notes... He has everything on you and you can be certain he will show that come the time for you both to compete"
Alice: "As would any good champion preparing to endure their first defense against someone who is a major force...."
Vincent: "But when he is defending it on his terms, picking a match where he has already anticipated and accounted for all the variables... Forcing you into a situation where any deviation from your traditional modus operandi would result in a point for him... Can't you see Alice? He has crafted the perfect environment to show everyone just how good he is and just how much more you have to learn about this industry"
Alice rolls her eyes and for the first time, actually allows a hint of emotion to ring through in her voice.
Alice: "Perfection is over-rated and a flawed concept."
The coldness in her words, matched only by the intensity in her glare causes a slight shiver to run down Vincent's spine.
Vincent: "Tres..."
With the third finger now extended, Vincent continues.
Vincent: "He is counting on you to be yourself. He is counting on you to approach this in the same way you have approached everything else and surprise Alice... You have done just that. The meticulous and intense preparations, the closing yourself off and betraying your emotional instincts, becoming a machine... Whilst against the monster Corey Bull or that hijo de puta Rocky, it was effective... But against someone like you... Someone dedicated to honing their craft and fighting the way they want to and savouring the feel of combat... Fighting against someone who he knows will throw everything they have, even to the point of serious risk to themselves... He knows how you will forgo some instincts and that will only play into his hand further..."
Alice simply shrugs her shoulders.
Vincent: "He knows that by you not allowing yourself to express fear, concern, apprehension, worry.. You are denying yourself the very thing which could help you... He knows that if you go in fearless in the face of danger, you will endure the hold instead of looking to escape or evade it or even counter it. He knows you will take whatever is thrown when it would be safer to put distance between yourself and him...."
Alice: "So you are telling me, the very thing which has made me successful will only doom me to failure?"
Vincent simply nods as Alice processes the genuine concern for her well being. After a few seconds of silence, she simply laughs.
Alice: "Vinnie... Vinnie... Vinnie... I honestly thought you would know me better than this..."
Walking towards a broken down wall, Alice sits on it and motions for the Cuban to join her or at least follow her. As she gets herself comfortable, hands crossed over each other and head tilted back, looking up at the clear blue sky, she begins to speak.
Alice: "This... The whole zen-like state, the picture of composure... It's a facade... I am terrified of what might happen...."
Shocked by the admission, Vincent simply stands there, staring dumbfounded.
Alice: "I'm going into a match with a defined length. One hour... The ultimate test of endurance... Whilst the warrior in me is thirsty for the purest expression of one on one combat against someone worthy to hold the Legacy title... Every single fibre in my body is fearing for its life... The thirst to compete is overpowering sure... But I have barely slept recently... I've sat there naked under a cold shower, shivering and shaking at four am some nights, trying to shock myself into a state of composure... I have cried myself to sleep... I have screamed myself hoarse in the early hours in a gym where no one is there to hear me scream...."
And for what might possibly be the first time since they met, Vincent De La Cruz gasps as he is fairly certain he heard a slight wavering in Alice's voice and seeing a single tear slowly roll down her pale cheek.
Alice: "I honestly don't know how much longer I can keep doing this Vince.... I'm sat here now, trying to be the picture of preparation, putting on this face of composure and fearlessness... But every time I see my reflection, my eyes tell the truth. They're conflicted, they're wrought with fear... And my heart, whilst it beats with the pride of a warrior... It aches because I know that maybe... Just maybe... I might have finally met my match... I may have finally found the foe I am unable to defeat."
Vincent says nothing as Alice wipes the tear away with the back of her hand.
Alice: "I'm going to be in the ring with a man who has told me exactly how he plans to beat me... A man who has expressed his desire to give the fans the match they deserve but to also use it as an example for why things are changing in NAW. I heard how he expressed concern that he did not want to put me on the shelf and for that, I admire him. He shows a professional concern and courtesy... He really is a different kind of 'criminal' to quote him.... But the fact he has explicitly stated he is going to break my mind and my spirit before defeating me with a single fall... That he has told me he will take everything I can throw at him because he knows he can defeat me with ease... This isn't just any smack talk Vince... This is a man who has every intent on delivering on what are pretty fucking realistic situations!"
Alice, shaking her head and trying to smile continues.
Alice: "I'm sitting here now, finally letting that mask slip, showing everyone just what lies beneath... Showing everyone the real Alice Harris and why? Because honestly, there is a part of me what honestly feels I won't be walking out of that match. There is a part of me which expects that the beating he will hand out will hurt my psyche more than my body and that I may never want to step foot in the ring again... Vince... I'm stepping into a match with a man who knows that the only way to stop me from ever becoming a genuine threat to him down the line is to make sure I can never be what I am now... I am going to face a man who wants to defeat who I am and what I am... He has no interest in defeating Alice Harris' physical manifestation... He wants to defeat the essence of Alice Harris..."
Vincent steps forward out of instinct to try and comfort his partner but Alice shakes her head.
Alice: "And honestly... I don't know what is worse... Me being prepared to walk into that situation, fully knowing just how monumental this challenge is going to be... Or me being prepared and apparently at ease with having everything which defines me destroyed for the whole world to see if Noah does accomplish his goals...."
Alice looks up, teary eyed and making no effort to hide it.
Alice: "This is it... The final hour... I cannot back out, I cannot turn tail and run because I don't do that.... I always rise to the challenge Vince... Noah knew this and he banked on it... He laid the trap and walked me right into it and now, I'm faced with the most demanding match of my career so far... I am pretty much risking everything here... Just for the sake of proving myself yet again when there is no need to.... Vince... I've pretty much backed myself up against the ledge now and I don't know what outcome will be worse - jumping or being knocked off"
Vincent: "You speak like you have no hope for victory"
And then, for the first time ever, Vincent heard Alice say the words he never expected.
Alice: "Because maybe I don't... One hour... He plans to play the match his way and have a contingency for every potential outcome imaginable... And as strong as I am, as talented as I am... I think this may be the final stand for Alice Harris and fighting for the NAW.... It doesn't mean I'm going to turn and run... It just means that maybe everyone was right all along and I had been fighting for a hopeless cause...."
Vincent placed both hands on Alice's shoulders.
Vincent: "Alice... Look at me...."
As Alice looked up, Vincent stared right into her eyes.
Vincent: "If you believe in something to the point where it practically tears you up inside... It's not a hopeless cause or a futile endeavor... Fight for what you believe in... Show Noah that if he wants to break you, it will take more than the hour he is allocated.... Do what you always do Alice.... Fuck the consequences... Sure, we're all worried... But you've fought the odds and defied them time and time again... Even in defeat you come out as a victor and able to hold your head up high.... Whatever happens... Just know that as long as you believe in something, what makes you who you are will never be broken. You will come back if you lose Alice... You will come back even more hardened, even stronger mentally and you will have more experience... Use that to sharpen and hone yourself so you can become even more dangerous...."
Vincent paused.
Vincent: "Alice... Noah said he intends to end the match with just a single fall.... Spoil his party.... Get the first fall and then make the match go the way the fans want it to, not him.... If you lose, you do so knowing that you stopped him from doing what he said he would... If you win... Then you truly are the greatest star in NAW and worthy of the Legacy Championship"
-fin-
Sitting there, dressed like something out of a bad 80's D-List movie set in Miami and revolving around high speed chases in red sports cars, tacky suits with pastel or pale colours and suspicious amounts of substances and machine guns, Vincent closed his eyes and took a deep breath, clearing his thoughts. He subconsciously tugged on the sleeves of his cream suit jacket before slowly opening his eyes to see Alice sat there across from him. On the floor, leaning against the wall and in her typical training gear, she was sleeping, something she didn't seem to do much of these days.
Standing, the man in the suit and the tacky, multi-coloured Hawaiian shirt with black and white shoes to match was tempted to walk towards his leader in another company, but instead, after realising just how much she needed this, he turned his back and instead walked out of the room into the courtyard of the complex Alice usually frequented.
The sun was slowly passing over from its peak in the midday and despite being a Cuban by birth, Vincent wiped the sweat from his brow. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a slim, silver tin with the Cuban flag engraved on it and flicked it open. Reaching in, he pulled out a cigarette and placed it between his lips before lighting it and taking a pull. Holding it in, he felt the slight burn before he slowly exhaled, letting the bluish gray plume of smoke slowly twist upwards.
"You're nervous..."
Glancing over his shoulder, Vincent saw Alice standing in the doorway.
Vincent: "What gave it away chica?"
Alice rolled her eyes as Vincent let out a guilty laugh, knowing the exact reason why. Approaching him, she took the cigarette from his hands and dropped it to the floor, stamping it out and drawing a look of disappointment from the Cuban.
Alice: "You always smoke when you're nervous... But what I don't get is why you are nervous.. I'm the one going into a match where I know there is no quick victory... Where I know there is no easy way out... I am the one going into hell once more...."
Alice's tone barely changed as she spoke. It was a skill the brunette had mastered. She was able to speak volumes whilst maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. Even her body language was neutral in the way it spoke. Everything about her was calm, collected and unnerving. Vincent, stepping back slightly on instinct shook his head.
Vincent: "I know that Alice... It is why I am nervous... Because you are the literal embodiment of zen right now... For someone going into a match where she may actually have met her match and not to show any signs of concern or apprehension, internally or externally, it makes me worry..."
Alice: "That's ever so sweet... But why do you worry? I knew exactly what I was getting into... I have simply accepted what may happen and allowed myself to move on"
Vincent shook his head.
Vincent: "And therein lies the problem Alice... You've forgotten how to feel..."
Alice raised an eyebrow. With a slight move of her wrist, she gestured for Vincent to expand further on the statement, obviously intrigued as to what her associate had to say and the meaning he had behind it. Seeing this, the Cuban scratched the back of his head before pacing back and forth, beginning to speak.
Vincent: "You see... Because you're so good at compartmentalizing things... Shutting yourself down, locking things in or out until the time is suitable in your mind to allow them to be expressed... You've entered this weird mental state where you're pretty much ready for everything... Now before you tell me to hold up and enquire as to why this is a bad thing... Let me just remind you of a few things..."
Vincent paused before holding one hand up. Extending his index finger, he began to speak.
Vincent: "Uno... Noah Hanson has stated his intentions for this match - he wants to defeat your spirit before pinning you right at the end, winning this match uno - cero. He wants to spend an hour putting you through your paces, showing you everything he can do... He is planning to draw on every single drop of experience he has in that long and illustrious career to put you through your paces..."
Alice: "I wouldn't expect anything less from Noah..."
Vincent: "But you forget, Noah plans to do this and he has told you he has because he knows at some stage in this match, you'll tire. He knows that the moment you begin to fall behind in the pace he sets and you keep trying to change, he will be in complete and total control and from there, he will have everything in his hands and he already knows how this match will end if that happens and you know what is scary? I believe him when he says he intends to make you break mentally, take every single shred of fight you have and bleed it out of you before breaking you professionally with a single fall"
Alice scoffs at the suggestion.
Vincent: "Dos...."
Vincent raises his middle finger alongside the index one.
Vincent: "Believe it or not, Hanson has actually expressed emotion regarding this match... He expressed concern, regret and although you would have to dig deep, cutting your way through the undergrowth and obstructions, a brief sense of fear... He knows just how tenacious you are. He knows even if he beats you, Alice Harris will simply regroup, recharge and rally once again, flying the flag and marching into the warzone once more. He knows how single minded and relentless you are because he has had the luxury to study you, to observe you... He has had the luxury to analyse every single match you have ever had and to identify trends, patterns, key moments, weaknesses and openings you yourself are not even aware of.... He has a dossier on you Alice, like one of those manila folders with paper, photographs, post-it notes... He has everything on you and you can be certain he will show that come the time for you both to compete"
Alice: "As would any good champion preparing to endure their first defense against someone who is a major force...."
Vincent: "But when he is defending it on his terms, picking a match where he has already anticipated and accounted for all the variables... Forcing you into a situation where any deviation from your traditional modus operandi would result in a point for him... Can't you see Alice? He has crafted the perfect environment to show everyone just how good he is and just how much more you have to learn about this industry"
Alice rolls her eyes and for the first time, actually allows a hint of emotion to ring through in her voice.
Alice: "Perfection is over-rated and a flawed concept."
The coldness in her words, matched only by the intensity in her glare causes a slight shiver to run down Vincent's spine.
Vincent: "Tres..."
With the third finger now extended, Vincent continues.
Vincent: "He is counting on you to be yourself. He is counting on you to approach this in the same way you have approached everything else and surprise Alice... You have done just that. The meticulous and intense preparations, the closing yourself off and betraying your emotional instincts, becoming a machine... Whilst against the monster Corey Bull or that hijo de puta Rocky, it was effective... But against someone like you... Someone dedicated to honing their craft and fighting the way they want to and savouring the feel of combat... Fighting against someone who he knows will throw everything they have, even to the point of serious risk to themselves... He knows how you will forgo some instincts and that will only play into his hand further..."
Alice simply shrugs her shoulders.
Vincent: "He knows that by you not allowing yourself to express fear, concern, apprehension, worry.. You are denying yourself the very thing which could help you... He knows that if you go in fearless in the face of danger, you will endure the hold instead of looking to escape or evade it or even counter it. He knows you will take whatever is thrown when it would be safer to put distance between yourself and him...."
Alice: "So you are telling me, the very thing which has made me successful will only doom me to failure?"
Vincent simply nods as Alice processes the genuine concern for her well being. After a few seconds of silence, she simply laughs.
Alice: "Vinnie... Vinnie... Vinnie... I honestly thought you would know me better than this..."
Walking towards a broken down wall, Alice sits on it and motions for the Cuban to join her or at least follow her. As she gets herself comfortable, hands crossed over each other and head tilted back, looking up at the clear blue sky, she begins to speak.
Alice: "This... The whole zen-like state, the picture of composure... It's a facade... I am terrified of what might happen...."
Shocked by the admission, Vincent simply stands there, staring dumbfounded.
Alice: "I'm going into a match with a defined length. One hour... The ultimate test of endurance... Whilst the warrior in me is thirsty for the purest expression of one on one combat against someone worthy to hold the Legacy title... Every single fibre in my body is fearing for its life... The thirst to compete is overpowering sure... But I have barely slept recently... I've sat there naked under a cold shower, shivering and shaking at four am some nights, trying to shock myself into a state of composure... I have cried myself to sleep... I have screamed myself hoarse in the early hours in a gym where no one is there to hear me scream...."
And for what might possibly be the first time since they met, Vincent De La Cruz gasps as he is fairly certain he heard a slight wavering in Alice's voice and seeing a single tear slowly roll down her pale cheek.
Alice: "I honestly don't know how much longer I can keep doing this Vince.... I'm sat here now, trying to be the picture of preparation, putting on this face of composure and fearlessness... But every time I see my reflection, my eyes tell the truth. They're conflicted, they're wrought with fear... And my heart, whilst it beats with the pride of a warrior... It aches because I know that maybe... Just maybe... I might have finally met my match... I may have finally found the foe I am unable to defeat."
Vincent says nothing as Alice wipes the tear away with the back of her hand.
Alice: "I'm going to be in the ring with a man who has told me exactly how he plans to beat me... A man who has expressed his desire to give the fans the match they deserve but to also use it as an example for why things are changing in NAW. I heard how he expressed concern that he did not want to put me on the shelf and for that, I admire him. He shows a professional concern and courtesy... He really is a different kind of 'criminal' to quote him.... But the fact he has explicitly stated he is going to break my mind and my spirit before defeating me with a single fall... That he has told me he will take everything I can throw at him because he knows he can defeat me with ease... This isn't just any smack talk Vince... This is a man who has every intent on delivering on what are pretty fucking realistic situations!"
Alice, shaking her head and trying to smile continues.
Alice: "I'm sitting here now, finally letting that mask slip, showing everyone just what lies beneath... Showing everyone the real Alice Harris and why? Because honestly, there is a part of me what honestly feels I won't be walking out of that match. There is a part of me which expects that the beating he will hand out will hurt my psyche more than my body and that I may never want to step foot in the ring again... Vince... I'm stepping into a match with a man who knows that the only way to stop me from ever becoming a genuine threat to him down the line is to make sure I can never be what I am now... I am going to face a man who wants to defeat who I am and what I am... He has no interest in defeating Alice Harris' physical manifestation... He wants to defeat the essence of Alice Harris..."
Vincent steps forward out of instinct to try and comfort his partner but Alice shakes her head.
Alice: "And honestly... I don't know what is worse... Me being prepared to walk into that situation, fully knowing just how monumental this challenge is going to be... Or me being prepared and apparently at ease with having everything which defines me destroyed for the whole world to see if Noah does accomplish his goals...."
Alice looks up, teary eyed and making no effort to hide it.
Alice: "This is it... The final hour... I cannot back out, I cannot turn tail and run because I don't do that.... I always rise to the challenge Vince... Noah knew this and he banked on it... He laid the trap and walked me right into it and now, I'm faced with the most demanding match of my career so far... I am pretty much risking everything here... Just for the sake of proving myself yet again when there is no need to.... Vince... I've pretty much backed myself up against the ledge now and I don't know what outcome will be worse - jumping or being knocked off"
Vincent: "You speak like you have no hope for victory"
And then, for the first time ever, Vincent heard Alice say the words he never expected.
Alice: "Because maybe I don't... One hour... He plans to play the match his way and have a contingency for every potential outcome imaginable... And as strong as I am, as talented as I am... I think this may be the final stand for Alice Harris and fighting for the NAW.... It doesn't mean I'm going to turn and run... It just means that maybe everyone was right all along and I had been fighting for a hopeless cause...."
Vincent placed both hands on Alice's shoulders.
Vincent: "Alice... Look at me...."
As Alice looked up, Vincent stared right into her eyes.
Vincent: "If you believe in something to the point where it practically tears you up inside... It's not a hopeless cause or a futile endeavor... Fight for what you believe in... Show Noah that if he wants to break you, it will take more than the hour he is allocated.... Do what you always do Alice.... Fuck the consequences... Sure, we're all worried... But you've fought the odds and defied them time and time again... Even in defeat you come out as a victor and able to hold your head up high.... Whatever happens... Just know that as long as you believe in something, what makes you who you are will never be broken. You will come back if you lose Alice... You will come back even more hardened, even stronger mentally and you will have more experience... Use that to sharpen and hone yourself so you can become even more dangerous...."
Vincent paused.
Vincent: "Alice... Noah said he intends to end the match with just a single fall.... Spoil his party.... Get the first fall and then make the match go the way the fans want it to, not him.... If you lose, you do so knowing that you stopped him from doing what he said he would... If you win... Then you truly are the greatest star in NAW and worthy of the Legacy Championship"
-fin-