Post by Melinda Rhodes on Apr 6, 2019 9:46:46 GMT -7
(Credit to River Chance for contributing to this piece! Thank you! You're awesome!)
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The Rebel was in her office finishing up the last of her paperwork as customers left the building. The Ring crew had already begun tearing down the ring, arena lights, and stage as the show was over. She typed away at her laptop, preparing to gather up the gear and get started on clearing out her traveling office.
A gentle rap is heard on the office door. Melinda's head lifts up from her work and she pushes the laptop aside, hands clasped on her desk.
Rebel: It's got hinges! Come on in.
A distraught River Chance enters, and takes a seat across from Rebel.
River: You wished to converse?
There's a saddened look upon Melinda's face as she rises from her seat and settles down on the desk in front of River, taking a less formal place.
Rebel: Oh River, this has been a shitty fucking day for you hun.
River sighs, her mind still a total wreck. It had indeed been a "shitty day"
River: That is highly accurate. I just, I do not know what to do.
A nod is given as Melinda folds her arms over her chest.
Rebel: I guess this means Pulsar's dead, but you know who would be even better for the kids than that?
Melinda inclines her head forward, tilting it slightly to better look River in the eye.
River: I do not know, who?
Not picking up on Mel's que, the question just blurts out. River was not feeling her best, and the thought of those children were making matters so much worse.
Rebel: A real person like you. I watched you work with them as Pulsar and you were so great with those kids. They fucking loved you and I'm sure, now that it's out in the open that you're Princess Pulsar, you have an opportunity to capitalize on that.
She then leaned forward and placed a hand on River's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze:
Rebel: You lost tonight, but this ain't the end hun. You will come back stronger than ever. Remember your first match with Halo? You grew and learned from that and I dare say it's made you a better wrestler. This? This is another obstacle.
She then pats River's shoulder, then grips the edge of the desk and scoots her rear upon it to get more comfortable. Mel promptly crosses her legs and claspes her hands over her knees.
Rebel: I actually believe in you and that's not something I say often about people in our business. Lots of fakers, liars, and bullshit supreme artists, but not you and that's what I like about you most.
River: I know I will have other opportunities, but what I cannot give back is the innocence, that was stolen from those children. That was not neccessary.
River thinks about what Mel said, and it somewhat resonated with her, maybe she would he better for them, but without the suit, she was just an anxiety ridden mess, her people skills were not what one would call great.
River: I can attempt it, and I shall. They deserve it, I pray that it is enough, that I am enough. I wanted to give them a hero, I am just human.
A rather brilliant smile splits the Rebel's lips.
Rebel: The ring is our world and within those ropes, we're transformed into something greater than we can ever be outside of it. For decades since before I was born, the wrestling ring is a place where dreams come true, where anything can happen and the only thing that can limit you is your own creativity and ingenuity.
Melinda points at the far wall of her office, indicating the ring out in the Arena several feet away from them.
Rebel: Out there, we're whatever we want to be, a reflection of our inner selves. We're cranked up to 11 on a dial that's rated 1 to 10. You want to be a Hero? Be the best damn heroic figure you can possibly be.
River: I am confident in my ability to wrestle. Public appearances are more problematic. I just do not do well with people, I try, but I get nervous.
She was nervous now, and it was just her and Mel, though the events earlier in the day certainly didn't help matters.
River: I feel like I let people down, I hate this.
There's a small chuckle that passes through Melinda's lips and she simply shakes her head.
Rebel: Oh my God, you think you let people down? Goddamn girl, if I had a penny for every belt I've dropped and match I've lost, I'd be probably a buck fifty richer. This shit happens. As for your people skills, hey, there's a charm and an honesty to not being entirely at ease with people. It makes you relateable.
She straightened her posture a bit on the desk.
Rebel: Someone once told me very recently that I was so focused on what was going wrong that I failed to see what I was doing right. I think you have a similar issue. Today was a shit day, as I said, but look at everything you've accomplished since coming here. Look at all the good things versus all the bad and you'll find the good outweighs it. Have a little faith in yourself, sunshine, you're going places whether you know it or not.
River: To clarify, I am not worried about losing a title, I knew that would occur someday. Today was that day. No, I went out, and I did the best that I could, I am proud of that.
River shakes her head, she meant what she said, though was still not believing how much she let Bianca Davis get into her head, she had to give her props, it was a well executed plan, albeit a weaselly one.
River: When I rise tomorrow, I plan on working some more, and one day, I will get another shot. I will be ready, and I will not make that same error twice. I am just anxious, anxious about being myself. I realize I have fans, but am I really enough, alone, to inspire, to empower?
Melinda leans to the side and forward once more to look River in the eye, a bit of a smirk on her face.
Rebel: When I was just starting out in this business, I never thought I'd amount to jack shit, just another ring rat in tights who thought she could wrestle. Turns out, I was wrong. I've seen more of the world than I thought I ever would, faced talented people that I felt I had no business being in the ring with, won titles with my ass beat bloody and screamed in triumph. River, in time, you'll say the same of yourself. You'll inspire more people than you can possibly imagine, empowering them with the belief that they too can achieve a dream with enough hardwork and a clever thought or two.
The Rebel nods her head a bit, straightening up once more.
Rebel: The best part is, you probably won't even know it until someone tells you through a letter or when you're signing autographs for those fans. That's always the best kind of surprise you can have. Just out of the blue, someone tells you what you mean to them and that you had this great impact on their life. It's one thing to just be told you're awesome. It's another to hear that you made a difference for someone and that, girlfriend, is the addictive part of this sport for me.
River: I pray that is truth, I just want to do right by the people, by the people with whom I share a locker room. I realize, that is not an easy path. However, it is the one I choose. I could easily accuse Bianca of foul play, but I will not make that excuse. Do I agree with her methods, no. However, she was the victor, and I will acknowledge that.
Rebel: Straight up, she played you like the devil plays a fiddle when visiting Georgia, but that's what her kind does. Aside from you pressing charges for assault, there isn't much I can do at her presently outside of that except book appropriately.
Mel slips off her desk, folding her laptop up and slipping it under the crook of her arm.
Rebel: Come on, I'll treat you to a late dinner. I'm starving and I'm pretty sure you could use a bite to eat too after tonight.
River: I do not wish to press charges, she played her hand, I will continue to play mine. I feel our paths will cross again, I will be adequately prepared.
River nods subtlety, her eyes shifting towards Mel. She had heard mention of food, and perhaps food would be good about now.
River: Yes, I will accompany you to consume nutrients, that sounds like a logical next step to this evening, may as well end it on a high.
Melinda cocks her brow with a chuckle.
Rebel: Consume nutrients? You sure you're not from another world hun?
River: Ann Arbor, Michigan. I believe that qualifies as Earth, though I am sure one woman thought I was crafting a tale when I told her this.
With a shake of her head, Mel heads for and then pushes the door open to exit the office. River rises from her seat, following suit. The two would be found later, dining at the Alligator Soul Restaurant, enjoying some of the best local cuisine Savannah, Georgia has to offer.
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The Rebel was in her office finishing up the last of her paperwork as customers left the building. The Ring crew had already begun tearing down the ring, arena lights, and stage as the show was over. She typed away at her laptop, preparing to gather up the gear and get started on clearing out her traveling office.
A gentle rap is heard on the office door. Melinda's head lifts up from her work and she pushes the laptop aside, hands clasped on her desk.
Rebel: It's got hinges! Come on in.
A distraught River Chance enters, and takes a seat across from Rebel.
River: You wished to converse?
There's a saddened look upon Melinda's face as she rises from her seat and settles down on the desk in front of River, taking a less formal place.
Rebel: Oh River, this has been a shitty fucking day for you hun.
River sighs, her mind still a total wreck. It had indeed been a "shitty day"
River: That is highly accurate. I just, I do not know what to do.
A nod is given as Melinda folds her arms over her chest.
Rebel: I guess this means Pulsar's dead, but you know who would be even better for the kids than that?
Melinda inclines her head forward, tilting it slightly to better look River in the eye.
River: I do not know, who?
Not picking up on Mel's que, the question just blurts out. River was not feeling her best, and the thought of those children were making matters so much worse.
Rebel: A real person like you. I watched you work with them as Pulsar and you were so great with those kids. They fucking loved you and I'm sure, now that it's out in the open that you're Princess Pulsar, you have an opportunity to capitalize on that.
She then leaned forward and placed a hand on River's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze:
Rebel: You lost tonight, but this ain't the end hun. You will come back stronger than ever. Remember your first match with Halo? You grew and learned from that and I dare say it's made you a better wrestler. This? This is another obstacle.
She then pats River's shoulder, then grips the edge of the desk and scoots her rear upon it to get more comfortable. Mel promptly crosses her legs and claspes her hands over her knees.
Rebel: I actually believe in you and that's not something I say often about people in our business. Lots of fakers, liars, and bullshit supreme artists, but not you and that's what I like about you most.
River: I know I will have other opportunities, but what I cannot give back is the innocence, that was stolen from those children. That was not neccessary.
River thinks about what Mel said, and it somewhat resonated with her, maybe she would he better for them, but without the suit, she was just an anxiety ridden mess, her people skills were not what one would call great.
River: I can attempt it, and I shall. They deserve it, I pray that it is enough, that I am enough. I wanted to give them a hero, I am just human.
A rather brilliant smile splits the Rebel's lips.
Rebel: The ring is our world and within those ropes, we're transformed into something greater than we can ever be outside of it. For decades since before I was born, the wrestling ring is a place where dreams come true, where anything can happen and the only thing that can limit you is your own creativity and ingenuity.
Melinda points at the far wall of her office, indicating the ring out in the Arena several feet away from them.
Rebel: Out there, we're whatever we want to be, a reflection of our inner selves. We're cranked up to 11 on a dial that's rated 1 to 10. You want to be a Hero? Be the best damn heroic figure you can possibly be.
River: I am confident in my ability to wrestle. Public appearances are more problematic. I just do not do well with people, I try, but I get nervous.
She was nervous now, and it was just her and Mel, though the events earlier in the day certainly didn't help matters.
River: I feel like I let people down, I hate this.
There's a small chuckle that passes through Melinda's lips and she simply shakes her head.
Rebel: Oh my God, you think you let people down? Goddamn girl, if I had a penny for every belt I've dropped and match I've lost, I'd be probably a buck fifty richer. This shit happens. As for your people skills, hey, there's a charm and an honesty to not being entirely at ease with people. It makes you relateable.
She straightened her posture a bit on the desk.
Rebel: Someone once told me very recently that I was so focused on what was going wrong that I failed to see what I was doing right. I think you have a similar issue. Today was a shit day, as I said, but look at everything you've accomplished since coming here. Look at all the good things versus all the bad and you'll find the good outweighs it. Have a little faith in yourself, sunshine, you're going places whether you know it or not.
River: To clarify, I am not worried about losing a title, I knew that would occur someday. Today was that day. No, I went out, and I did the best that I could, I am proud of that.
River shakes her head, she meant what she said, though was still not believing how much she let Bianca Davis get into her head, she had to give her props, it was a well executed plan, albeit a weaselly one.
River: When I rise tomorrow, I plan on working some more, and one day, I will get another shot. I will be ready, and I will not make that same error twice. I am just anxious, anxious about being myself. I realize I have fans, but am I really enough, alone, to inspire, to empower?
Melinda leans to the side and forward once more to look River in the eye, a bit of a smirk on her face.
Rebel: When I was just starting out in this business, I never thought I'd amount to jack shit, just another ring rat in tights who thought she could wrestle. Turns out, I was wrong. I've seen more of the world than I thought I ever would, faced talented people that I felt I had no business being in the ring with, won titles with my ass beat bloody and screamed in triumph. River, in time, you'll say the same of yourself. You'll inspire more people than you can possibly imagine, empowering them with the belief that they too can achieve a dream with enough hardwork and a clever thought or two.
The Rebel nods her head a bit, straightening up once more.
Rebel: The best part is, you probably won't even know it until someone tells you through a letter or when you're signing autographs for those fans. That's always the best kind of surprise you can have. Just out of the blue, someone tells you what you mean to them and that you had this great impact on their life. It's one thing to just be told you're awesome. It's another to hear that you made a difference for someone and that, girlfriend, is the addictive part of this sport for me.
River: I pray that is truth, I just want to do right by the people, by the people with whom I share a locker room. I realize, that is not an easy path. However, it is the one I choose. I could easily accuse Bianca of foul play, but I will not make that excuse. Do I agree with her methods, no. However, she was the victor, and I will acknowledge that.
Rebel: Straight up, she played you like the devil plays a fiddle when visiting Georgia, but that's what her kind does. Aside from you pressing charges for assault, there isn't much I can do at her presently outside of that except book appropriately.
Mel slips off her desk, folding her laptop up and slipping it under the crook of her arm.
Rebel: Come on, I'll treat you to a late dinner. I'm starving and I'm pretty sure you could use a bite to eat too after tonight.
River: I do not wish to press charges, she played her hand, I will continue to play mine. I feel our paths will cross again, I will be adequately prepared.
River nods subtlety, her eyes shifting towards Mel. She had heard mention of food, and perhaps food would be good about now.
River: Yes, I will accompany you to consume nutrients, that sounds like a logical next step to this evening, may as well end it on a high.
Melinda cocks her brow with a chuckle.
Rebel: Consume nutrients? You sure you're not from another world hun?
River: Ann Arbor, Michigan. I believe that qualifies as Earth, though I am sure one woman thought I was crafting a tale when I told her this.
With a shake of her head, Mel heads for and then pushes the door open to exit the office. River rises from her seat, following suit. The two would be found later, dining at the Alligator Soul Restaurant, enjoying some of the best local cuisine Savannah, Georgia has to offer.