SCW Boards
Roleplay Boards => Archived Roleplays => Climax Control Archives => Topic started by: Devona on April 18, 2019, 10:05:18 PM
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The Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel overlooked the Piccadilly Gardens where the fountains were illuminated, casting off a colorful array of hues; reds, bright blues, golden yellows and more. This four-star hotel housed some of the SCW's very finest for this, their latest stop on their tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland, but one Superstar who had other motives for stopping by was none other than Alex Jones, one-half of the (so far!) successful combination of he and Devona, who now were in the Semi-Finals of the seventh annual Blast From the Past tournament.
The elevator on the fourth floor chimed, and the doors slid open and out came the former multi-time champion and Hall of Famer. Alex looked at the slip of paper in his hand, then went in search as he moved down the hall, passing random guests and the odd housekeeper or two. But as he went in search for the guest who was calling this hotel 'home' for this stop in England, he could not help but give an admiring look at his surroundings. Everything in this hotel was bright and modern. from the decor to the very structure of the building, just being there made one realize they were in opulent surroundings.
Alex knew that his partner had been trained by Gabriel and Odette Stevens, two greats in SCW's recorded history. And he knew that they took charge where her travel bookings were concerned, and had them to thank for these palatial accommodations. His own hotel was equally impressive. Alex knew though that Devona had really only left the hotel for meals so far, and he was simply not going to allow one more evening to pass by without getting his tag team partner 'OUT THERE,' even if he had to drag her out, kicking and screaming.
Arriving at the door, he rapped his knuckles on the door and waited. He heard the sound of feet approaching, and knew when she was peeking out through the peephole to see who was there. He heard the sound of the door being unlocked and it swung open, and there stood a slightly surprised Devona before him, clad in a t shirt in her trademark purple color, and a pair of favored, faded blue jeans.
Devona: Alex? What are you doing here?
Alex smirked.
Alex: I'm fine, thanks. And how are you?
Devona shook her head, but was unable to hide the smile on her face. Or unwilling. Sure, Alex was seen as being a braggart, and to some in the business, he was classified as a charming 'heel.' But to her, Devona had this habit of seeing the best in those around her. And as hurt as she had been by what he had said about her chances against Alicia Lukas, Alex was, in fact, a charmer.
Devona: Is something going on?
Alex nodded.
Alex: Yeah. You staying cooped up in this place like a hermit is what's going on. Already heard from a few you've barely set foot outside. We're in Manchester for god's sake!
Devona: I am well aware of where we are, Alex. And I have stepped out, for your information. I was just at the Piccadilly Gardens this morning for a run.
Alex: Yeah, working out?
He shook his head.
Alex: It doesn't count. Now c'mon. Grab your things. You took me out to dinner once. Now it's my turn. I wanted to see Castlefield, and I thought I could get you to actually get OUT and experience something of Manchester!
Devona looks at Alex and smiles briefly, but only briefly. She draws in a breath and exhales, before she looks back to him.
Devona: That's a sweet offer, but I don't know.
Alex: Come on, why not?
She shrugged.
Devona: I'm just not sure if there's much of a point. I mean, we could go to Castlefield. We could make the journey together, you and I, but once we get there, would there be a point? Or would my ending up there in the end be doomed to failure and disappointment?
Alex frowned, then shook his head. Women. Who could understand them?
Alex: What ... are you talking about?
Devona: Well not to get all girly on you Alex, but if you don't know, then I am certainly not going to tell you.
She went to shut the door, but give Alex credit. The man had incredibly fast reflexes. He placed the palm of his hand against the door and braced himself, and as strong a lady as Devona was, Alex was clearly the superior in physical strength. She all but allowed Alex to keep the door open, and even push it a little further. But he did not take the liberty to set foot inside of her room, uninvited. That was a line that a man such as he would not cross with a woman.
Devona: Alexander...
Alex: Alex. Call me Alex. And if there are issues here...
He waved a hand back and fort between them.
Alex: Then we are going to address them. You and I are partners. We both want to win this whole memorial event, but that's not going to happen if there are problems.
Devona sighed, and her shoulders slumped in faux defeat at Alex using his words. If he didn't understand why she was upset with him, at least he was open to allowing her to express those reasons, and more so? He was open to listening. She slipped her hands in the back pockets of her jeans as he continued.
Alex: So... you and I? We're going to leave this place, right now. We're going to relax and see Castlefield. Then when we're done, we're going to find someplace to eat in Manchester that doesn't serve British food! Last place I ate served steak and kidney pie!
He made a scrunched up face, gritting his teeth.
Alex: Say what you want about our cuisine but at least we steer clear of the urinary tract.
Devona barked out a laugh, then quickly covered her mouth with a hand to smother the smile that had fast grown.
Alex: And then? You and I are going to have a talk. Deal?
He extended his hand. Devona looked at it, then found herself accepting the gesture and they shook hands.
Devona: Deal.
Devona sat on a stool, in the middle of a lone, single spotlight that otherwise served as the only source of illumination in an otherwise darkened environment.
Devona: Last year, there was an online survey courtesy of Stop Street Harassment in January on the topic of sexual harassment. The results showed that 77% of women experienced some form of verbal sexual harassment. 51% experienced unwanted sexual touching. 34% experienced being physically followed. Now, I can't speak for any of the other members of the Bombshell roster, but I admit I've been sexually harassed in the past. Not in this business, but in past work and other environments. I am only bringing this up because of a single question I've been wanting to ask.
There was a close up of Devona's face, as she frowned and shook her head in stark confusion.
Devona: Goth, what happened to you? Even back when I watched SCW during your past runs, you never acted even remotely like you are now. When you were inducted into the SCW Hall of Fame, you were charming and even humble. You thanked everyone who had even the slightest impact on your career. I can not even begin to imagine the pain you experienced when you lost Sapphira. I myself have yet to be lucky enough to experience the sort of bond like what you shared with your wife. I've had boyfriends in the past. I have lovely friends and family that I would do absolutely anything for.
I lost my parents when I was a teenager, and it hurt. It's a pain that I never thought I'd be able to get past, and many times still I wake up and for the briefest of moments, wonder if it was just nightmare. When something wonderful happens, there are times I catch myself not being able to wait until I can tell my mom or dad about it. And then it hits me. They're not there any more. But to lose a soul mate? A partner? That just has to be a pain on an entirely new level. Which begs the question; how does that much pain excuse you for how you are behaving lately where women are concerned?
Do you believe that such painful losses excuse you for treating other women as if they're baggage waiting to be claimed as if at an airport? You are one step away from being one of those men who lurk at bus stops, waiting for a lone woman to sit down so he can 'join her' and begin an uncomfortable evening of unwanted attention. I can remember once when I worked at a pet store at night. A man called the store and asked me to bring his goods out to his car for him. A car that was parked clear across an empty parking lot, beneath the one section of street lamps that were not working. Needless to say, I didn't agree and he got rather disgruntled. I had no idea what his intentions were, if he even had any. But safety first!
You, Goth? When you suggested putting a woman on the line as the result of a match stipulation, you basically took that woman and reduced her from anything other than a common prostitute! A piece of meat, a pretty object for you to stare at and enjoy. Do you think, do you believe, that these women you stare at and harass, should actually be grateful to you for the unwanted attention that you're throwing their way? Because if you acted that way toward me on Sunday, I don't care if it caused my team a disqualification or me a fine. I'd gladly knock your teeth down your throat. But see, I don't have to do that. I have a partner that has my back -- for the most part. Deep down, I know Alex Jones wants to win just as much as I do. I know that for all of Goth's past credentials in the world of professional wrestling, Alex has as many to match. World Championships. Hall of Fame inductions. And now, he and Goth have the chance to have a truly epic contest with one another, once the men tag in. For all his bravado and confidence, for everything Alex has said that may have upset me, Alex is respectful when it comes to women, and I see him having no problem beating some respect back into that head of Goth's.
Goth, one last thing, and take this with a grain of salt in which it's delivered. The way you've been acting with women? How would you have felt if any other man had treated Sapphira the way you're acting right now?
Devona then takes a brief pause. She picks up a glass of water on a small stool beside her and has a drink, before setting it back down.
Devona: Of course, all of this pales in comparison to what is going to happen when the women are inside of the ring, am I right Mackenzie? See, when this whole tournament was announced, I hadn't really considered being a part of it. As I understand it, she wasn't going to either. But then I got a call from Mark Ward all the way in N'Awlins, and he proposed my entering, stating that my old training sister was also going to be a part of it. I admit it surprised me, but not half so much as what happened next.
You see, I was excited to be a part of this. I love wrestling and I love the history of wrestling, which is what the Blast From the Past is all about. And yes, I admit a part of me is excited about winning the entire ting and earning a shot at the World Champion, even if my own partner thinks it'll end up just being a waste of time.
Devona rolled her eyes before continuing.
Devona: And to get there, I think we can all agree that having a great partner is a big advantage, and that is what I have; a great partner. In fact, both Mackenzie and I have that going for us. So here I am, on social media, active for the first time regularly on Twitter in what felt like forever. I'm excited to be teamed with someone like Alex Jones, and I had no problem stating I thought we had a great chance at going all the way. I feel good. I feel confident.
Devona held her hands out and shook her head with a confused expression.
Devona: I mean, isn't that the point? To be confident? To support your partner? To tell the world that you intend to go all the way?
She shrugged.
Devona: Not to Mackenzie Page, apparently. Apparently my confidence and enthusiasm rubbed that girl the wrong way, but Knowing her since our days training together, I ca honestly say that's not a hard thing to accomplish. That girl is perpetually angry at the world it seems. But the trick is, Mackenzie can take that anger and channel it inside of the ring. For most, losing your cool is a disadvantage. Not her. But when you actually take that anger and turn it loose on someone that actually gives a damn about you? Then girl, there are problems.
You see Mackenzie, this is something I notice of a repeat performance. I noticed not too long ago, our 'gym brother' Fenris was talking big and it was rubbing you and yours the wrong way. Which begs the question; are you the only ones allowed to be confident and brag a little and it be alright? Because, whether you want to admit it or not, you have had your fair share of time being much more than just confident to the SCW Universe. You've threatened those that have crossed your path. you've quite brazenly bragged about what harm you were going to bring to them and you've remarked a number of times what you've accomplished in the ring, and deservedly so.
So then why, may I ask, is it any different for anyone else to do the same? Maybe you and I have different ideas on what the meaning was behind what I was posting on Twitter, but clearly you have issues when anyone else besides yourself gets angry or confident. You know what they call that where I come from?
Devona leaned closer toward the camera.
Devona: It's called hypocrisy. You get all butt hurt over someone acting the same way that you yourself have been known to act. That isn't going to work in this one, girl. Your biggest claim to fame was defeating Mikah in a non-title match, but that is the exact same chick I bested for the Internet Championship. How did you follow up on that momentum, hm? You never stepped back up in thee title picture and challenged Mikah for the world title, even when you had a perfectly legit claim to doing so. You went right back to the tag team and mixed tag divisions, and all but let people forget what you were capable of. You squandered an opportunity that so many others would have loved to have had!
She cast a brief gaze upward.
Devona: That is, when you could be bothered to climb through the ropes at all. You're all too used to intimidating your opponents. That's how you play mind games. That tough girl stare and then you just bulldoze right through them. I have no illusions that the encounter with you in this match will be easy. if anything, it'll be the exact opposite! But not just for me, for both of us. You're tough, Mackenzie. No, you're more than that. I'd say 'bad ass' sums it up quite nicely. But I am no different. I'm no little girl on the playground, waiting for the schoolyard bully to come and push me down and steal my lunch money. I've proven time and again, both in my first stint and in this tournament, that I can take some punishment but I am just as capable of dishing it out too!
Devona looked closely into the camera and her stare was harder edged than expected.
Devona: I went through the exact same training to enter this business that you did, Mackenzie. You don't scare me, and you aren't going to just run over me like you expect to every other woman that you're in the ring against. One has to wonder, how will that affect things going into this match? Knowing that for once, you're in there with an equal who will not be treated the way you treat every other woman you're up against.
Now, Devona paused and then a warm smile crossed her face.
Devona: And I hope that once the match is over, win or lose, we can put all this behind us because you, Charlotte, Daniel and yes, Osbourne. I would love nothing more than to shake your hand. To give you a hug and take you out to dinner, as this is my first time in England and I always wanted too hit up an authentic British pub! But first things first.
If you had a problem with something I said, then I am genuinely sorry but the mature thing would have been to come to me and talk. But no. You reacted like a woman with a chip on her shoulders, and you told me to 'shut the f**k' up. So, I am going to say one more time so we can end this whole farce between us;
Devona leaned closely into the camera.
Devona: Make. Me.