The dusk slowly descended over the city landscape, slowly bringing the coming night to the city of Las Vegas. This was not the famed Las Vegas Strip that we visit at this moment in time. This apartment where we find ourselves is a few miles away from the hustle and bustle of the famed locale, in Northern Las Vegas but still able to look out from where you stand and see the lights of the casinos and sky reaching hotels in the distance. In fact, the woman we are showcasing here did, in fact, use to live in the area closer to those very attractions. However, once she had accomplished her goal of saving her little sister from the life she led in their native land of Syria, Parand Ara packed up, and with an assist from Mark ward, moved to a neighborhood away from the Strip so that her sister need not be exposed needlessly.
Larissa: But it looks so pretty from here.
Parand's sister, a mere ten years of age, gazed out from where she stood on their patio balcony at the Sunset Terrace apartments where they called home. It was a modest, one bedroom abode, where she and her sister shared the bedroom. The rest of the apartment was comfortable, with a few furnishings but not overly so. Such was Parand's way; not to waste space with trivial luxuries. The one luxury for Larissa that she afforded was a HDTV, with a Roku adapter. Her sister had taken quite the adoration towards American cartoons, and Parand knew she, like all women, had suffered in Syria so she wanted her to enjoy what she could. Parand herself rarely watched TV, and never watched the news. It was always full of stories that either enraged her, or confused her. Why a news report would have anything to do with the social lives of sports stars or celebrities confounded her.
News, should be news.
But Larissa could sit in front of the TV all day, if Parand would allow it, watching episodes of Spongebob, reruns of Looney Tunes and Disney movies. Lilo and Stitch was Larissa's favorite. She had watched that one countless times, and conned her sister by whatever means necessary to watch it with her. Not that it took much, mind you. Parand found cartoons wasteful, but even she found the little alien character Stitch amusing (and cute).
Parand stepped out onto the patio of their third story apartment and felt the warm air slip lightly across her, gently blowing the folds of her garment.
Parand: Come inside, Larissa. While your dinner is warm.
That being said, Parand turned and slipped back into their home, and with one final, wistful glance, Larissa walked inside as well.
Parand: Close the door, please.
Larissa: Oh!
Her sister stopped and turned around and hurried to the sliding patio door and slid it closed, and locked it as was Parand's preference. Even though they were on the third story of their building. One could never be too safe. As Larissa pulled out her chair and climbed into it, Parand proceeded to shut the drapes in the kitchen before she proceeded to remove the headdress of her garment, so that she might eat along with her sister but without risk of prying eyes from neighboring homes.
And no, we are not going to describe what she looks like. Modesty.
Parand poured Larissa a glass of milk, and the child eagerly grabbed it in her hands for a drink. Parand then poured herself one before she returned to the kitchen and returned with the evening meal; Freekeh with lamb, tomato stew and burgul wheat.
Larissa: Can we, sometime?
Parand: Can we what?
Larissa: See what you called the Strip. The lights look so pretty. I would very much like to. So, can we?
Parand was unsure of whether or not she wanted Larissa to be exposed to such a place, but then again, it was not all gambling and vices. That was just the predominant trait of the Strip. There were also tourist attractions, such as the wax museum and Sigfried and Roy's animal habitat. She knew Larissa adored animals and would love that in particular. Still, it was a risk.
Parand: We'll see.
Larissa smiled, knowing that a "we'll see" was closer to a yes than it was to a no. As the sisters continued with their meal, Parand's mind wandered to the child across the table from her, and the amount of luck she had in rescuing her from life in Syria when their parents had died. Life in Syria was intense and difficult, and if you happened to be a female, even more so. Personal status law dominated, and in accordance to Sharia, the courts always discriminated against women of all ages. Women have no say in their marriages, as all contracts were between the husband and the bride's father, and worse; marital rape was not recognized in their courts. Child marriages were not unheard of, and the threat pf such a thing, along with harsh living conditions, 9insecurity and the fear of rape would often lead to such marriages for girls as low in age as thirteen.
Parand would not allow it. She had wanted Larissa to come to America even before the deaths of her parents, but their father forbade it. When they died, Parand was Larissa's oldest living relative, with no males to govern her, and so she was finally able to win the legal battle to extradite her sister fro Syria to live with her in America.
Things were not perfect here in America. Even Americans would state it as so, especially with the current political climate led by the orange faced bigot in office. Even here, male politicians ant to try and tell women what they can and can not do with their own bodies.
Night had fallen, and the hour grew late. Parand had pried Larissa away from the television and gotten her ready for bed. The two sisters curled up beneath the blankets on the queen sized bed. They slept peacefully, with Parand's arms wrapped protectively around Larissa's body while the little girl ran her fingers along her older sister's wrist in her sleep.
She was safe. That was enough.
Parand: I welcome this opportunity to face such an established young woman inside of the ring. Courtney Pierce has proven herself a worthy opponent with her current standing, having won the Blast From the Past tournament alongside the reigning world champion. She is the number one contender in waiting, and I believe with my soul that the only reason she too is not a world champion here and now is because of her unfortunate injury.
I am proud to be the first opposition she has now in her return, but I will not let the respect I have for her get in the way of my defeating her. I will fight her with all I have been blessed with, and I will summon forth even more to walk away the victor. Courtney may have the prestige of having made history as a Blast From the Past Champion, and she may very well be on the path to becoming the woman to dethrone Mikah, but for now she has me to contend with. I hope her hand has fully healed, and this return is not premature, because I will target it and do whatever I have to in order to disable her. My hand will be the one to be raised when all is said and done.
Respect is one thing that must be earned, not simply doled out like a dish being served. And you have earned my respect Courtney. It just will not be enough to allow you to walk away from this one with your head and arm held high.
