Post by ꜰᴏʀᴛɪᴛᴜᴅᴇ on Nov 29, 2021 16:14:17 GMT -5
 My word, who knew Zooey could fight? I take a sip from my skinny latte as I await my good friend to arrive for our coffee date, the faint taste of gingerbread syrup reminds one of the times spent with Mother at the Bath Christmas Market, something we used to do yearly before the pandemic, and a trip I would sadly miss out on this year. But in truth, that wasn’t what was clouding my head with thoughts. No, I’d actually been uncharacteristically nervous for this meet up. Zooey was, no is, a really good friend - but on Monday, I discovered a whole side of her that I didn’t know existed. I’m not sure how this changes our relationship? To this point she was like a big sister, watching my back, offering emotional support, sending the best gift baskets. Now, we fight side by side, it’s just going to be kind of different. I remember what that deranged lunatic James Nightingale did to her, leaving her in a coma after that heinous, cruel attack on Clash a couple of years ago. It’s no surprise that she took steps to ensure that never happened to her again, but I thought she would have learnt some basic self-defence, not for all intents and purposes - become a wrestler herself. I take another sip from my latte. You know, I’m not convinced this syrup is as strong as the one back home - don’t Starbucks use the same syrups around the world? I refocus and wonder how Sam is doing with this? He knew she was training, but I’m not sure he’d ever see the day when he competed alongside the love of his life. I smile, damn that girl’s got some moves - she took all three of those Team Extreme buffoons down, Sam and I - we really owe her one. Suddenly, I feel the cool breeze of the wind touch the back of my neck. I turn my head to see my very good friend enter, she greets me as she always does with her beautiful smile. I don’t know why I was nervous as I was, it’s still Zooey. She’s just an ass-kicker now as well as being an amazing friend. I’m really sick to the back teeth of you three. Beefer, Striker and Dick, do I call you Dick? Big Dick? I’m sure your name is an over-exaggeration, we should probably call you Robby Small Penis but I’m not sure you’d sell many t-shirts in the bingo hall with that kind of name. Reflecting on this whole incident, Shane, was it worth it? When you decided to pick on a girl backstage as she was warming down after her match. All the hassle it’s caused you, what it’s going to still cause you, was it worth it? I suppose you’d answer yes, you’ve ultimately made yourself slightly relevant for a few more weeks. You’ve now been booked for three consecutive cards and have a pay per view paycheck coming your way so you're all sorted. Being a jerk backstage also probably saved you from being amongst the most recent group of released talent announced during Torture’s conference call - oh poor Diego, I wanted to complete a trilogy. But realistically, picking on me only slowed the blood loss, because once you and your two chums are beaten by my very good friends: Sam and Zooey, plus myself at Turmoil, your time in Action Wrestling will be done. I can’t imagine many people will pay top dollar to go see you in a bingo hall somewhere far far away from Action Wrestling, especially as the three of you got your arses handed to you by an actress. When I use the term “actress” to describe Zooey, I’m not referring to the woman who starred in New Girl, or who brings a smile every Christmas when I slip into my comfies and watch Elf. No, that Zooey sadly was taken from this world when James Nightingale left her in a coma. The Zooey who left you dazed and confused on Monday, she’s acted so perfectly for the last couple of years, she didn’t let anyone, not even myself discover the true Zooey - the fighter, the warrior, the wrestler born following the Nightingale incident. You didn’t see it coming, you thought you had a defenceless girl in your hands - and she made you pay for that error. And now that brings us to Turmoil. It’s you three against us. Team Extreme versus Fortitude. Yes, that’s who we are, what we are together. Zooey is not a third wheel, there is no weak link. The three of us stand as a team, each as important as the other. Do the three of you know what Fortitude even means? I doubt it, the three of you aren’t exactly the sharpest knives in the draw after all. Fortitude means having the strength of mind to enable a person (or persons) to encounter danger, pain or adversity with courage. You three dared to start this war, we three have the collective strength to whoop… your… butts! I’m so excited for this next chapter in my Action Wrestling story. I know Mick has reservations about myself entering the Tag Team Division; he thinks I’d be more suited to continue as a singles competitor. But this is the path that the lord has presented, and it feels right. I get to share the ring with two of my very good friends, we get the chance to build something very special. The Tag Team scene is currently on the thin side - Vanguard can’t build this on their own. We’ve even got matching ring gear, that’s how seriously we are taking this. Beefer, Dick, Striker - EVERYTHING I do in the ring, I take seriously, as does Sam, and as does Zooey who has been busting her butt in secret for over a year for this moment. Together we are Fortitude, and together we have the collective strength to make you regret starting a war you cannot win. Zooey sweeps into the coffee shop with the calm confidence of a woman who knows what she’s about. Her simple ensemble of a flowery dress flows as she strides. When she sees Katherine she has a genuinely happy smile for her. Katherine reciprocates and she stands for their customary hug. “Hey sweety, have you been waiting long?” she asks. “Not at all, I was cold so I ordered this latte, it’s absolutely divine!” “Do you want another? I’ll go order,” Zooey takes off her jacket and gloves. Katherine is in mid-sip, she stops and nods, before hurriedly gulping down. “Thanks,” she laughs nervously as Zooey gives her a sisterly chuckle. “I maybe should have asked you when you didn’t have your mouth full huh? OK, I’m gonna go grab a couple of drinks. I spy some fruit cake too! Don’t tell Sam, he thinks I don’t eat cake because he can’t have it”. Zooey has a mischievous glint in her eye. No sooner had Zooey gone to order, Katherine’s phone was buzzing. It was an incoming video call from Kidsgrove. “Hey!” Katherine says, excitedly, “Zooey just got here!” “Hi kid! Yeah, I dropped her off, walking back to my car and saw she was at the counter so thought I’d give you a call and see how you are!” “I’m good, and yeah she’s getting lattes”. Kidsgrove laughs, “You and I both know she’s getting a fruit cake! Either way, enjoy!” “Wait! Before you go, I just wanna ask you something”. “Oh?” Kidsgrove looks intrigued. “How are you feeling about Zooey? I have to admit I was a little nervous today about the dynamic, I see her in a whole new way”. Kidsgrove laughs again, this time heartily. “Aw kid, I’ve known she’s been a fighter since I met her. She can do anything in my eyes, as soon as she puts her mind to somethin’ she’s gonna do it and probably do it better than most people. Granted, other than the first couple of sessions with my old coach I’ve not seen her train. Once he was happy to take her on as a full student he sat me down and banned my ass from being there. Said I’d be a distraction for her and she needs to find her warrior heart without me there”. “So the other night, well that was the first time I’ve seen her in action myself. And oh boy, those Team Extreme fools really messed with the wrong bunch of people. Imagine thinking you could attack any of us more than once and not have any consequences. What absolute idiots they are. When she hit Beefer with that double knee Box Office Smash? Man, I popped, probably more than the crowd. I had no idea she was learning that!” “It was pretty great!” “What was?” Zooey says as she comes back, popping some cake into her mouth. She sees Kidsgrove in the video. “Hi hun, checking up on me?” “Not at all! Just saying hi to Kat here. What’s that you’re eatin?” “Erm, just a couple of raisins, you know how it is”. Kidsgrove narrows his eyes, “Raisins are in fruit cake you know…” “Sorry hun, gotta go. We’re gonna do some girl talk. Love you,” beams Zooey as she sits down opposite Katherine. This prompts some laughter as Kidsgrove mouths to her “See, fruit cake”. “I’ll catch you later, Sam,” says Katherine. “Yeah! Have a nice brunch or whatever you’re doing! Make sure Zo comes back without beating up a waiter or something”. Katherine disconnects the call and thanks Zooey for the latte. “Not like the coffees you get back at home right? But you get used to it. Sometimes we just don’t get the right taste here. Maybe it’s the water”. “Maybe! Sometimes it’s amazing though, like this one, life is full of crazy things that surprise you?” “I know right! I feel so bad that I never told you I was training you know? I just assumed you’d know, my coach always said “warrior recognises warrior.” after all”. “Yeah, I didn’t pick that up from you, at all! I feel embarrassed about that now”. “Oh don’t be, I was an actor way before I was a warrior. He also told me to only show my strength when I needed to, so I guess I did that subconsciously. It must have been good if it fooled you! I mean it fooled Team Extreme, but that goes without saying really. I don’t think they knew what was happening even when it was happening. Bless the overconfidence of stupid men”. “I mean I appreciate it and I love it, but why didn’t you do this kind of stuff ages ago?” “I didn’t need to. Sam had things covered already you see? He tends to be all action and a force of nature! So I didn’t need to do anything, but when I saw you guys on that table, Beefer on the middle rope I just had to jump in. Y’know, I enjoyed giving those guys a piece of my mind, I see why Sam loves doing this so much now”. “We just need to carry this on at Turmoil. We need to go to Turmoil as a team, kick-ass, take names and leave as a family. We have to look after one another no matter what Team Extreme are going to bring to us. They are terrible people, what other kind of people would try to smash a light tube over a small defenceless woman? It’s just gross”. “What they weren’t expecting is for that woman to fight back. We shouldn’t be afraid, together we’re going to emasculate these men, even more than when I took them down wearing a floral dress. You wanna know why? Because we have the fortitude to keep going and never back down against the bad stuff in this world. Together we can do anything”. |
