Qualis Artifex Pereo: Annus Vini et Rosarum
Dec 11, 2022 14:32:37 GMT -5
Downfall and Gerard Angelo like this
Post by Dionysus on Dec 11, 2022 14:32:37 GMT -5
 It was about time my mother and Benjamin married. It took a few attempts at the courthouse, but we finally made it work. The ceremony was short, with myself being the lone witness. Just as they had wanted it. I had brought them to The Dakota where I had rented the building for the evening. They had invited a few of their friends to celebrate the marriage, with Benjamin's band, The Nice Guys, playing their greatest hits with a replacement guitar player. We kept the mezzanine private, even though it overlooked the stage and dance floor. As the music died down, I was called up to the stage to deliver my speech. As I was stepping onto the stage, I took note of a few faces I recognized here at the club and from when my mother still taught. I also caught eye with Dr. Elbrook, who I gave a nod of acknowledgment to. Everyone began to clink their champagne flutes while the band handed me the microphone. "Before I get started, would you all please turn your attention to the happy couple on the balcony?" I asked, gesturing toward the pair. "Don't worry; for those of you straining to look, I'll keep this short," I joked, getting a polite chuckle from the crowd. I took a deep breath, then continued, "A lot of you know that Benjamin and Josephine have known each other for many years, and to watch their friendship blossom into romance, even in the midst of the circumstances in their lives, has been a wonderful experience. Especially for myself, a man who sees Benjamin as a father figure since my own father left all those years ago. When he first told me he intended to marry Josephine, I was surprised; not because he asked, but because it took so long for him to ask," the crowd laughed, and I fed off of it, "I was practically shoving an engagement ring in his hand and telling him 'GO DO IT ALREADY!'" I laughed; it felt good, in this moment, to allow the tension of the past few days finally escape me for this moment of pure happiness. "Well, in the end, we are all here to celebrate you two. I know you will make my mother happy. And if you don't...well, you know what I do for a living," I mockingly provoked, giving Benjamin a knowing wink. He raised his glass to me from the balcony. "I am glad...after all this time-" I choked up. I didn't realize how important this next line in my speech would be. "After all this time, you've been like a father...and now...I can just call you dad." Their family and friends aww'd at my admission, and knowing my face had turned red, I quickly said, "Alright alright, enough with the sappy words!" I raised my glass, and everyone followed. "To Benjamin and Josephine!" I exclaimed, with everyone repeating me and taking a drink. I set the microphone back in the stand and headed toward the mezzanine. I met Benjamin and my mother at their table, where I was hugged by both of them. "Great speech, kid," Benjamin said, his eyes puffier than usual. Perhaps I hit a good note with him on that speech. "Or should I call you son now? Hell, this is gonna be weird." "Call me whatever you want, I'm just glad I could make your guys' day," I replied, feeling around in my coat pocket for my gift. "I wanted to give you my present, but you have to open it now, ma," I explained, fishing out a small, wrapped, rectangular box from my coat and handing it to her. She smiled, saying "Well you didn't have to get us anything," but still accepting the gift and began to unwrap it. "I wonder what this could be," she hummed as she tore at the paper, revealing a small cardboard box. Inside the box was a single key. She set the box aside, holding the key in her hand for a moment. Then, recognition crossed her face, then shock. "Is this...Dionysus, what did-" I smiled. The jig was up. "That's the key to the house, ma. I finally bought it back. Its yours again." Her eyes welled up in tears. "I never thought...Dionysus...thank you." She gave me another hug, this one much harder. I knew this would make her happy. "I have paperwork to transfer completed and waiting at the Foundation office," I explained. "All you need to do, ma, is get your signature notarized and then it can all be filed...if you want. You guys can decide where you want to live." I gave my mother a kiss on the cheek, then turned again to hug Benjamin. "I'm sorry, I wish I could stay longer, but I need to get to the next show." Benjamin clapped my shoulder. "We'll be watching. Good luck...son," he encouraged, giving me the warmest smile I had ever seen. "No matter what happens, we're proud of you." I buckled. "Thanks...dad." I shook his hand, waved a final goodbye, and walked downstairs. Dr. Elbrook waited for me at the bottom, not looking in my direction, but noting the crowd. "It seems your family is once more filled with love. I enjoy weddings," he said uncharacteristically chipper. He turned to face me, his expression still muted and dour as usual. "Now then, I believe you had something you wanted to show me." I nodded. "Lets take a drive." Much like a sword, a shield must also be tempered in battle. While the blade cuts forward into the enemy line, the shield provides support and coverage. But what were to happen if the blade falls from your grip? Does that make the shield less powerful of a weapon? Certainly not. I view myself as a shield, the bulwark against the tide. I ended 2021 with a declaration. This would be The Year of Wine and Roses. The year I step up my game and become World Champion. It seems fate has saw it fit to still make that proclamation ring true. After all, much can happen in the span of one year. And the common thread that I have seen in our world champions this year has been...cowardice. Why else would a deranged clown cause so much chaos at the top of the food chain? Gerard Angelo. Former US Champion, current World Champion as of Meltdown. The last time we met, Grindhouse became a house of ruin, one that I helped to decimate. A five-star match, by John Thomas's standards. I said before that you would need to be able to stand on your own two feet, to pick up the bricks and rebuild. And here you stand as champion, having bested myself along with Corey Black and Carter Shaw. And since then, you have managed to spend half the year building yourself back up. I know you took my words to heart. And yet, you still allowed a lunatic like Bozo to get the best of you. He allowed himself to lose. He told you, straight to your face, that he did not need your title. And you gave him exactly what he wanted. The satisfaction in knowing that somewhere in that gelled-back head of yours, he has kept residence. Perhaps that is why your year, much like Jill Park's, was not capstoned with a Wrestler of the Year victory. Permit me to make a few corrections. Like Bozo, I too chose to stand aside and allowed those that were hungrier to take their place in the spotlight. The usual motivation of "if I become world champion, then that will prove my doubters wrong" is dry and out of date. So unlike your implication that I only recently started to take this seriously, I must simply correct you. Every day is a day that I take this seriously, from the moment my music hits, to the bell ringing at the end. Win or lose, everyone knows I put on the performance of a lifetime. A title belt accents that point, but does not revolve around my entire being. Think of that portion of my proclamation as more of a perk than a goal. A world title win accents a competitor's staying power, but is not the only exclamation point needed. Hell, look at Jill Park, who is no doubt stalking through the shadows like a predator hunting its prey; a double-champion and the current holder of the All-In briefcase. Or Spencer Adams who, while he has been a world champion, is nearing a solidified undefeated year. The notion that a title will silence those who wish to see me fail is a ludicrous one. A belt will not stop the calls for people to see me leave this business. My refusal to bow to those wishes will silence them. You have made mention in the past that my partnership with Downfall is one where I am desperate to seek credit from. And yet, I have never been shy to say that The Vanguard would not exist without me. The legendary run is by our hand, but with my guidance. Many have said what you have said, and to you I say the same thing; you think as you will, for the record speaks for itself. A team requires two people working in concert with each other. My skill is his skill, and his mine. I refuse to seek validation from those that want to continue to doubt what I am capable of, especially considering their betters have acknowledged my strengths and prowess. Or need I remind you that you are standing across the ring from a former world champion? That is right; the "supporting actor" now holds equal billing to you, and having moved from Lissie Hope to Sam Kidsgrove to...Bozo...you now stand with yet another challenge to your Living Legend year. The only difference is my determination. I earned my shot, and I sure as hell will not waste it. So come. Bring your spears to bare. Draw your blades and charge forward. But know that I will stand tall as a bulwark to your assault. And we shall see who's year will truly come to fruition. The ice that glazed over Appleby Pool glimmered in the moonlight. Elbrook and I trudged through the snow. To that tree. My father's tree. While cold for a Minnesota winter, on this particular night the wind was calm, making the environment much more tolerable. I looked out on the lake, remembering the day that I promised to find my father and bring him home. A gentle breeze blew through, causing loose snowflakes to be lifted from the drifts, slowly dancing in the air. I turned again to face the tree, seeing Dr. Elbrook knock on the side of the trunk and place a hand on it. "Seems sturdy," he remarked, "even in this climate." He kneeled down as best he could in this snow, brushing away some snowdrift. "Well this is a peculiar stone. Seems smooth...and the word 'Amino' is engraved on it..." he mused. So my stone was still there. "Courage," I muttered. "Pardon?" I suppose when no other sound is around, my voice can carry. "It is the latin word for courage." Elbrook nodded, standing upright and brushing snow from his legs. "It seems a fitting memorial...though if what you are saying is true, perhaps it is meant to be a reminder for yourself." He leaned against the tree as he directed his question toward me. "As you explained to me, your uncle seemed to imply your father is still alive and well. And you are choosing to continue your search on his implication...and nothing more?" "Yes," I replied, sliding my hands in my pockets. "I know Anton is devious, but even he would be incapable of lying about something like this." "And what gives you that impression?" "Its how he always operates, even when I was a kid," I pointed out. "He can lie all he wants, but he eventually lets something slip. Something he intended to keep to himself as ammunition for later." Elbrook shook his head, sighing deeply. "It seems as though your uncle prefers to play chess with his knowledge. I have known many like him. But should he prove to be untruthful..." I shrugged. "Then I'm back to where I started," I said nonchalantly. "It isn't as though my uncle's word is good for anything. There is no benefit for me to either dismiss or doubt his words." Elbrook nodded. "I am glad to hear that you are neither dissuaded nor overeager to try and prove him right. You are truly thinking of your own goals in this instance. That is progress, my friend." He stepped up to me, gesturing toward himself. "In that case, perhaps I can be of further assistance to you." I tilted my head to the side in confusion. "What, more therapy sessions?" "I am offering another service," Elbrook mysteriously opened with. "I have contacts within various law enforcement entities, many of which deal with missing persons. I try to help when I can in identifying runaway Jon Does and see if any of them were patients of mine. If you are able to supply me with information about your father, I could attempt to locate him as best I can. It may prove fruitless, but it would be another avenue and cover a wider search range." I looked beyond Elbrook at the tree, deep in thought. On the one hand, the information I did have from my own research and my uncle's words would definitely be insufficient for finding my father. Not to mention, Anton had kept this information from me in the past; who knows what kind of danger I would be putting Elbrook in. On the other hand, having those resources available would make the search quicker. Besides, what else did I have to lose. "I will consider it, doctor. If you are able to meet your contacts, I will pass along any information I have." Elbrook extended his hand. "Please. While I am your doctor and you my patient, we are now entering a new partnership. Jonas will suffice," he informed, his expression still stern but a smile slowly beginning to form. I took his hand and we shook. There would be no turning back now. We continued to stand as long as we could tolerating the cold. Elbrook seemed lost in his own thoughts, trying to work out who to contact first. My thoughts went to my father in that moment. I was getting closer. Closer than I had ever been. And now there was someone willing to help in my search. I began to walk toward the car, and Elbrook turned, saying "Give me a moment to admire the scenery," and pulling out his cell phone to take pictures. It seemed odd to me in that moment; I had never heard him express interest in landscapes. Then again, I only saw him as his patient, not as his friend. After a few minutes, we drove back to the airport, as I handed Elbrook my car keys. "I hate to ask you to do this, but I ate a lot of parking fees here before. Could you drive it to your office, perhaps?" "I will do so. Anything to help my patients," he replied, accepting the keys. "Until our next appointment," he finished, before turning back to my car and, after some seat adjustments, drove away from the departures unloading zone. It was at this moment that I took a deep breath and continued on my way, not knowing what lies next. Quia Possum Luctari. "I wrestle because I can." It is this philosophy that I place my reason for being in this business. I have played many roles since my arrival here. Action Wrestling Original. The Man Action Wrestling Forgot. One half of The Vanguard. And yet I, Dionysus, find myself at the precipice of my first singles world title opportunity. As to be expected, I feel butterflies in my stomach. Perhaps it is nerves, having only reached this point once before...though interference cost me that moment with Howard Black. Perhaps it is caution, knowing that Jill Park is in the wings, waiting for her moment to strike. ...No, I know precisely what this is. Anticipation. Excitement. ...The hunger. The strong desire to become champion is flowing through me once again. This road has been a difficult one. My journey took an unintended turn as I needed to rehabilitate my shoulder. Those two years were painful to watch, seeing everyone glide right by, seeing their moments in the spotlight. Then, triumphantly I returned, ready to take on the world...though at each opportunity I rose to, I fell. I did not let those failings dissuade me then, nor will I let them affect my performance now. I have proven my worth, paid my dues, and am ready to usurp Gerard Angelo. And I made it this far doing things my way. By fighting to earn my spot. I had no need to beat my opponent into unconsciousness. Nor did I wait until said opponent was out to slink in, like a coward, and steal the moment away, claiming the glory and none of the work that went toward it. What I have said before I will say once again. It was never a matter of "if" I could hold the title. It was "when" I would hold the title. Time and time again, I have shown my worth to everyone. Now it is time to convince myself of the same thing. This might be another Clash for everyone else, but for me, this is my Evolution. This is my Turmoil. This is my Havoc. This is my moment to add on to my legacy, and I am bringing the fullest extent of my power and ability to bear. You see, Gerard, from your perspective, you are simply walking into another title defense. But for me, I am walking into the fight of my life. I can respect your meteoric rise and your ability to rebuild quickly from your stumblings, but much like Nero in his final days, emperors falter under their hubris, and it is then that empires fall. As the hordes surround you, know that it will be I, The Crimson Gladiator, leading the charge and driving the final blow deep into the carcass that is your title reign. This isn't a matter of me wanting to win a battle. This is a matter of me winning a war. I must win this. For my father, wherever he may be, so that he can see I am able to achieve this without him. For my family, so they know the sacrifices I have made to them to reach this point. For Downfall, so that he can see my change was based on focus, not destruction. For Action Wrestling, so that they can at last have a champion worthy of respect. But most of all… I must win this...for myself. The emperor is dead. The Living Legend's chapter closes. Now begins The Reign of Wine and Roses. And no one, not even Jill Park, will be able to stop me. Vivat gladiator purpureus. |
