Extraordinary IV: From a whisper to a scream.
Feb 14, 2021 17:22:14 GMT -5
Flop, Ned the Intern, and 3 more like this
Post by Lissie Hope on Feb 14, 2021 17:22:14 GMT -5
You were gone for two months? We didn’t notice. Mae speaks into her reflection, her camera recording. It’s a shame, really. You’re an athletic wonder, Tsukiko. A wrestling marvel, a Japanese wunderkind training in tiny gyms in your native Kyoto, learning every hold, every maneuver; trying to prove your worth to your male counterparts who only see a pretty fuck-toy. Big hopes and dreams that you’d bring your talents stateside and compete for championships. Climb the ranks. Make your move. Only to disappear for two months. Only to return without even a whisper. Who fucking cares, Tsukiko? Mae smirks, her voice callous; her words cruel. You wish you would’ve heard the same devotion, the outpouring of support, the ovation we heard when your opponent this week returned soon thereafter. You didn’t hear screams. You heard silence. Crickets. Lyin’ Ryan Logan has tried to build you up, for months. Months! But you’ve left no impression on Action Wrestling. None, whatsoever. All the talent, all the aspirations of Cruiserweight Championship glory - and even I - the unknown, the untrained, and some would say the untalented - still matter more to CruiserClash than you ever will. I practically sent Kaz Mazy back to space! She giggles. Lissie is on this altruistic mission to make stars out of women like you. She wants to give you a seat at the table. Set you up for success. Leave the state of women’s wrestling in better shape than when she found it. But you don’t deserve it. You haven’t earned it. You wouldn’t cherish it. You’ve got a great face for Japanese foot porn, Tsukiko. Mae pauses and grins, the heat from her eyes pouring into the lens. For your sake, I hope Lissie doesn't fuck it up too bad. |
Something off-screen draws her attention and she quickly hits “end recording”.
“What are you doing?” Lissie asks sternly.
“I, just… I…” Mae mumbles, unable to come up with an explanation.
“I don’t need you to speak for me,” Lissie charges. “Not anymore. Not like that.”
“It’s, just…” Mae finally articulates. “You know Ryan is going to hit below the belt and I just wanted her to know how it feels. I was, just…” she trails off. “...trying to help.”
Lissie pulls her in for a hug.
“You don’t have to do that for me, Mae. You’ve already done enough,” Lissie assures. “I wouldn’t be here without your help.”
Mae acknowledges her appreciation and mirrors her smile, but it fades when she leaves the room.
♀️ Everyone deserves a second chance. The kitsune would like to shimmer again. The tragedy would like to be heroic again. You and I are awfully similar, Tsukiko. We’re not beyond redemption. Lissie pauses, collecting her thoughts. The culture of idolism this industry cultivates can bring even the strongest to her knees. The unexpected pandemic clipped the wings from your ascent. A handful of prescriptions nearly buried me in the earth. But we have all of these young girls looking up to us, don’t we? My resume of success offers them hope. Those little Japanese girls who see you perform, the arsenal you've mastered - striking and grappling; submissions; soaring through the fuckin' air. You can do it all. I admire that. So do they. Mae and I can learn a lot of from you. I’m sorry about my friend, by the way. Lissie smirks. I want you to live your dreams, Tsukiko. That’s why I moved to CruiserClash. And why I’m glad you were the first to accept. Back home in every tiny conference hall, you can fight in front of five people and still feel like a rockstar. But that’s why we’re fighting for thousands. I want you to hear them. Impress them. I’m doing this for everyone that inspires me. That's what Vice President Harris challenged me to do. For Pheobe, when she stands up to the straight, white, cis, small-dick energy. And for Hana, someone we both identify with differently, and who endured the worst of people until it was too much. A pause. And I’m doing it for you. For the moment you've craved. For your opportunity to take out the first. The only. The heroine. |