What Do You Want, ̶P̶a̶u̶l̶
Mar 20, 2022 10:34:45 GMT -5
Lissie Hope, Johnny Bacchus, and 1 more like this
Post by Cherry Vega on Mar 20, 2022 10:34:45 GMT -5
3/7/22
Sleep didn't come easy to Cherry that night; she was far too busy tossing, turning, and flopping across the stiff hotel mattress, replaying the events of her match with Sam Kidsgrove every time she closed her eyes.
You wanted to prove something to him? she interrogated herself silently. Mission accomplished, idiot. Smug bastard's already forgotten your name again.
With a huff, she rolled onto her back and stared up at the stucco ceiling as the night lights of New Orleans leaked into the room. Shooting a glance towards the city, she cursed herself for calling it an early night.
She was far too sober to deal with the voice in the back of her head whispering: "What do you want, Cher?"
Good morning, world! My name is Cherry.
Of course, you already know that — don't you, Lissie? Oh, don't act so surprised! All eyes on you, can't be shocked when someone's paying attention after all. Can I be honest with you? Like, really, really honest to the point of being embarrassing?
I was such a big fan of yours. Of The Swallowing. If you'd told me two years ago that — well, that Alice and I were actually doing this — I'd have called you nuts. And doubly so if you said that in our first two months on a roster, we'd be set to square off with the likes of you and Addy. It would've been an honor, really.
Would have, of course. Just like I was a fan. I'm sure you're sick to death of hearing people tell you how much they used to respect you, though, so I won't elaborate. Besides, you know what you've done, don't you? That's why you've sought redemption, right?
But those demons are your own, and unlike much of the roster, I don't feel it's my place to comment on them. No, let's keep this strictly professional, Lissie. Or, at least as professional as someone like me can be towards someone like you.
Because I remember how quickly you dismissed me the only other time my name's been in your mouth, Lissie. I was just a random-ass name, right? Definitely unbecoming of being your alternate for Battlebowl; you just had to get the band back together. I get it. Really, I do.
But before you crouch down, pat me on my head and patronize me, let's get one thing straight. The Swallowing name doesn't scare me one bit; you two might've been on top of the world a couple years ago, you might have been my faves a couple of years ago. Now, though? On a personal level at least, all you are in the year of our Lord 2022 is a gender flipped Vanguard, and all that implies.
And where I come from, the squeaky rat doesn't get the cheese; it gets smashed beneath the rail lines.
Because you two can say the magic word all you want. You're 'sisters', sure. But I heard the other words you two said at Battlebowl, how the knives were still sheathed, but you both had your fingers wrapped around the handles. You both would've sold the other up the river for it, and while you can say it's healthy competition, I can see it for what it is.
Maybe in 2020 you knew what you were fighting for, but now you're just playoff Aaron Rodgers: more concerned with doing enough to look impressive in a loss than to actually put your ass on the line to get a win for the team.
That's why Alice and I are going to take your shine on Monday. That's why any real team you two run across in this shambling zombie of a reunion is going to run right through you. Because you've fucking lost what this is about; you aren't a team, any more than the duo of Sam Kidsgrove and Cassidy Adler are.
You're two solo stars — correction: at this level I guess you're one solo star and her emotional support koala. Same difference, though. You two have your momentum to look after, your positions, your careers.
Alice and I have each other. We have the SFG, bay-bee and that's good enough for us. The same can't be said about you and Addy, though, can it? Don't get it twisted, this isn't about your ambitions. This is about what you're willing to do for the person you claim loyalty to. Who you claim is your teammate.
Because I'd do anything for Alice; and you two couldn't wait to tell the world just how precarious your partnership can get the second both of you start gunning for the same prize. At the end of the day, right now the ring isn't big enough for the two of you to be on the same side of it and you both know it. And you're both just waiting for the other to blink.
You're sisters?
Prove it.
3/2/22
"What do you want, Cher?" Adam asked as she downed yet another Old Style and shot her eyes towards the stage where another of their party stood, belting out an impressively off-key rendition of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" to the captive audience of the karaoke bar.
"Fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"This wrestling thing — is it something you want or something Alice wants?"
Cherry's eyes narrowed, lips curling into a frown.
"What she wants is what I want. Always and fucking forever."
Sleep didn't come easy to Cherry that night; she was far too busy tossing, turning, and flopping across the stiff hotel mattress, replaying the events of her match with Sam Kidsgrove every time she closed her eyes.
You wanted to prove something to him? she interrogated herself silently. Mission accomplished, idiot. Smug bastard's already forgotten your name again.
With a huff, she rolled onto her back and stared up at the stucco ceiling as the night lights of New Orleans leaked into the room. Shooting a glance towards the city, she cursed herself for calling it an early night.
She was far too sober to deal with the voice in the back of her head whispering: "What do you want, Cher?"
Good morning, world! My name is Cherry.
Of course, you already know that — don't you, Lissie? Oh, don't act so surprised! All eyes on you, can't be shocked when someone's paying attention after all. Can I be honest with you? Like, really, really honest to the point of being embarrassing?
I was such a big fan of yours. Of The Swallowing. If you'd told me two years ago that — well, that Alice and I were actually doing this — I'd have called you nuts. And doubly so if you said that in our first two months on a roster, we'd be set to square off with the likes of you and Addy. It would've been an honor, really.
Would have, of course. Just like I was a fan. I'm sure you're sick to death of hearing people tell you how much they used to respect you, though, so I won't elaborate. Besides, you know what you've done, don't you? That's why you've sought redemption, right?
But those demons are your own, and unlike much of the roster, I don't feel it's my place to comment on them. No, let's keep this strictly professional, Lissie. Or, at least as professional as someone like me can be towards someone like you.
Because I remember how quickly you dismissed me the only other time my name's been in your mouth, Lissie. I was just a random-ass name, right? Definitely unbecoming of being your alternate for Battlebowl; you just had to get the band back together. I get it. Really, I do.
But before you crouch down, pat me on my head and patronize me, let's get one thing straight. The Swallowing name doesn't scare me one bit; you two might've been on top of the world a couple years ago, you might have been my faves a couple of years ago. Now, though? On a personal level at least, all you are in the year of our Lord 2022 is a gender flipped Vanguard, and all that implies.
And where I come from, the squeaky rat doesn't get the cheese; it gets smashed beneath the rail lines.
Because you two can say the magic word all you want. You're 'sisters', sure. But I heard the other words you two said at Battlebowl, how the knives were still sheathed, but you both had your fingers wrapped around the handles. You both would've sold the other up the river for it, and while you can say it's healthy competition, I can see it for what it is.
Maybe in 2020 you knew what you were fighting for, but now you're just playoff Aaron Rodgers: more concerned with doing enough to look impressive in a loss than to actually put your ass on the line to get a win for the team.
That's why Alice and I are going to take your shine on Monday. That's why any real team you two run across in this shambling zombie of a reunion is going to run right through you. Because you've fucking lost what this is about; you aren't a team, any more than the duo of Sam Kidsgrove and Cassidy Adler are.
You're two solo stars — correction: at this level I guess you're one solo star and her emotional support koala. Same difference, though. You two have your momentum to look after, your positions, your careers.
Alice and I have each other. We have the SFG, bay-bee and that's good enough for us. The same can't be said about you and Addy, though, can it? Don't get it twisted, this isn't about your ambitions. This is about what you're willing to do for the person you claim loyalty to. Who you claim is your teammate.
Because I'd do anything for Alice; and you two couldn't wait to tell the world just how precarious your partnership can get the second both of you start gunning for the same prize. At the end of the day, right now the ring isn't big enough for the two of you to be on the same side of it and you both know it. And you're both just waiting for the other to blink.
You're sisters?
Prove it.
3/2/22
"What do you want, Cher?" Adam asked as she downed yet another Old Style and shot her eyes towards the stage where another of their party stood, belting out an impressively off-key rendition of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" to the captive audience of the karaoke bar.
"Fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"This wrestling thing — is it something you want or something Alice wants?"
Cherry's eyes narrowed, lips curling into a frown.
"What she wants is what I want. Always and fucking forever."