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Topics - Despayre

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21
Climax Control Archives / Love Thy Neighbor Act 1 ; Scene 5
« on: March 18, 2016, 11:52:41 AM »
 HAPPY SAINT PADDY'S DAY!

Hey I betcha didn't know that this was actually the correct way to phrase that famed holiday greeting! Paddy, not Patty! Too many people confuse the two or pay no attention, or simply think they know it all and go on in ignorance declaring some chick named Patty a Saint. Who is Saint Patty? Anyhoo! Unlike the rest of these poor folks, I do know! One of the great many benefits of your promo editor being a teddy bear "in the know"!

And okay, so it's the day AFTER Saint Paddy's Day. So what! That's the beauty of breaking the fourth wall in a promo! You can pretend it's the day before. ... SO PRETEND!

Las Vegas, Nevada -- what? Were you expecting something different? C'mon!

The weather has been altogether pleasant in this early afternoon in the famed "Sin City," with clear, blue skies with barely a cloud, and a modest temperature high of barely eighty degrees. A mild wind blew across the horizon, just enough to make the warm weather have a hint of what was to come with the cheerfulness of spring just around the corner. Had the weather been much warmer, we might have found the star of this here promo (no, not Angel) taking a swan dive into his pool, but for now, we're going to move past that realm of possibility and join Despayre and his cadre of friends and family, and friends who were family, in the usual setting of the house he and his father shared (with Angel) with a certain firecracker of a housekeeper.

"Okay, now look up."

Synn's voice directed his son Despayre as the young man sat perched on the edge of the bathroom sink, while the father took the task to run the electric shaver along his boy's chiseled cheek bones. Synn used the tips of the fingers on his left hand to lift Despayre's chin and started to gently run the shaver's flat heads along the edge of his jaw line and slowly down along his throat.

To many on the outside looking in, this might look a bit of an unusual occurrence for one grown man to be shaving another. Yes, Despayre is in fact twenty two years of age, but because of his mental conditions, there were still tasks that Synn would not risk him handling on his own. Such as times when the family might go out for a nice meal at a nice restaurant. If there is steak involved (and there should always be steak!), Synn would cut up Despayre's for him so the young man would not have to handle the shark steak knife and thus risk harming himself or another. The risks were minimal, but still; there were risks. And this?

This was simply a father lending a hand to his son who felt he had the need for a shave. Of course, thanks to the shared bloodlines of both his father and his mother, Despayre could manage what could be best described as 'peach fuzz', but to a stout man such as he, it was the principle of the thing! I'm sure you understand!

"Okay, finished." Synn said as he switched the power off from the razor with a flick of his thumb and set it on the back edge of the sink counter. Despayre hopped down from his perch and Synn started to playfully swat at him with a hand towel to wipe his off, but Despayre cried out, laughing, and 'fought back' by swatting away at the towel with both hands. Synn then tossed the towel over his son's head who quickly yoinked it off and gave his father a playful version of the ol' 'stink eye' but it just bounced right off.

"Okay, you go finish getting dressed." Synn directed Despayre who turned to reach for the teddy bear who sat perched on the back of the toilet, having watched the entire grooming process. "I'll be downstairs with Theresa in the kitchen."

"Okay!" Despayre chirped as he watched his dad set foot outside into the hall. Only then did Despayre turn back to his teddy bear and his eyes fell upon that electric razor. He bit his bottom lip when his father's voice startled him...

"Joshua?"

He jumped, finding Synn back in the door frame, giving him that 'knowing look' that Synn always seemed to have.

"Hm?" He asked innocently (enough).

Synn tilted his head forward and winked, "Let Angel keep that Don Johnson fuzzy look, okay?"

Despayre blinked, then turned Angel around so that he could hold his buddy up and inspect him closely. He looked at Synn and nodded, "You're right."

Synn nodded and stepped back out into the hall and Despayre hurried across to his room.

Downstairs in the kitchen, or as those that lived in the house referred to it as -- Theresa's Domain -- the aforementioned housekeeper, and family member in her own right, Theresa Aguilera, was busy at work, preparing a little feast for the holiday as was requested. As she busied herself at the counter, cutting up vegetables, Synn entered and headed right for the refrigerator.

"How're things going?" He inquired as she scooped up a handful of chopped onions and carrots into a cup and carried them carefully over to the large pot on the stove and dropped them into the water.

"Fine." She stated simply as she paused to remove her glasses and wipe her forehead with her apron. Despite the modest temperatures outside, the kitchen could only heighten the temperatures but the woman would not trade it for the world. She loved to cook and she loved to take care of those that she had grown to care about, which would include this family.

"Well it was nice of you to go through this bit of extra trouble for Joshua's little party." Synn stated as he lifted the lid off of a slow cooker and inhaled. "Smells good." Of course, temporarily forgetting himself in doing so as Theresa hurried over and he just as quickly replaced the lid. Complimenting her accomplishments in the kitchen of course took a bit of the sting off of getting in her path.

As she resumed her duties, Theresa said, "It was no trouble. This is an easy enough thing to prepare."

"Oh who are you kidding?" Synn smirked as he took a seat at a safe distance at the island counter and popped open the bottle of beer and took a sip. "You couldn't have said no to his little Saint Patrick's Day dinner party any more so than I could."

Theresa turned to give her employer, and yes, friend, a rather matching retort, but found that she was unable to do so. So rather than show that fact to the man teasing her, she instead pointed towards him with her wooden spoon and inquired, "Isn't a little bit early?"

Synn paused at taking a mid-sip and slowly lowered the bottle to look at her. Just about anyone else who would question him would be risking quite the scathing remark, but he knew this woman well enough to know that she was teasing and it was not, in fact, the earliest she had ever found him 'partaking'. Instead, he sighed and said, "Perhaps, perhaps not. I just needed a bit taken off of the sting from this morning. I heard from the lawyer."

That gave Theresa cause to pause from her cooking and she turned around to look at him with concern. "And?" She inquired.

"Don't be worried." Synn held his hand up. He then carefully looked out of the kitchen door frame and seeing that the coast was clear, he felt safe to continue. "My mother is in fact still pressing this ludicrous case forward. A date has been set. The judge has all of the statements collected..." He shrugged. "Everything looks good."

"Then what's with the 'sting' talk?"

Synn set the bottle down on the counter (on a coaster!), and frowned, "She wants to talk to Joshua."

"Oh." Theresa blinked as she approached the island counter, wiping her hands on her apron. "And Joshua still doesn't know what your momma is trying to do?"

"No." Synn shook his head. "And I explained to the judge the dangers of him finding out, as did his doctor, and she assured me that she won't tell him unless absolutely necessary."

"Just have faith." Theresa gave him a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder with her hand. Such was the gentle nature of both this woman and the special friendship she shared with this, her employer. "Everything will work out."

"I know it will." Synn stated as he picked the beer back up and she moved to resume her duties. "And if all else fails, I made certain to have a backup plan."

Theresa paused at the stove, but before she could ask about that cryptic statement, they were interrupted with the arrival of Despayre in the kitchen...

"Phew!" He wrinkled his nose. "What's that smell!?"

"That would be the smell of your holiday feast." Synn quipped without missing a beat.

Despayre blinked, wide eyed because he was not altogether certain that he liked this particular fragrance. Usually everything that came from out of this kitchen smelled absolutely dupely epic, but this? He slowly moved closer to the stove, almost like a timid baby dear, while Theresa watched him.

She said, "You did ask for a traditional Saint Patrick's Day meal. Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, the lot."

Despayre looked at her, the leaned on his tippy toes to look up and over into the pots on the stove and dropped back down to his feet and gawked at her, "THAT'S what corned beef is!?"

"Afraid so." Theresa answered, shooing him back and away from her stove to continue working. He shuffled back along the counter until he found himself near Synn who asked,

"You've never had corned beef?"

Despayre could only bite his bottom lip and shake his head in the negative. He then huffed and asked, "Do you think we'll have enough?"

"We'll have plenty." Theresa answered from where she worked. "There's you, your poppa..."

"You too!" Despayre chirped with a smile.

Theresa playfully rolled her eyes, ".. Me, Rage, Phil..."

"Phillip will be working." Synn interrupted. "One of the many fails I imagine of working in a Vegas nightclub on Saint Patrick's Day."

Theresa continued, "... Gabriel's family, and your momma and grandmother."

"And Missus O'Heaney!" Despayre smiled.

Theresa didn't answer, but simply turned away to continue working, while Synn leaned over to look to his son who turned his attention to his dad.

"Are you certain you want to invite her?" Synn asked, knowing that the old woman was by no means the most favorite of people in this neighborhood, let alone within their own private little circle. Her 'feud' with Despayre was fast becoming legend, even if it was on an again-off again status.

This was all lost on Despayre however as he shrugged, "Why not? It's an Irish holiday and she's Irish. Makes sense." he then added, "Besides, you didn't say anything when I invited Missus Dent in for supper last week."

Missus Dent, the local Avon lady. A sweet woman really who Despayre was always buying from her catalog for presents for his mother and grandmother, but mainly Theresa.

Synn countered, "You didn't give us much choice, or her. You just pulled her into the dining room and had her sit down."

Despayre said nothing in response. He just smiled. Synn couldn't fault him for this -- well, not really. His son was just that type of young man who was just friendly and inviting if he felt comfortable enough. Avon ladies... Jehovah Witnesses ... he'd invited them all in for a meal at one time or another. Sometimes repeatedly.

"Have you at least asked Missus O'Heaney if she even wanted to come over?" Theresa pointed out, and Despayre puckered his lips and fidgeted.

"Ooo! I knew I forgotted something!" And that being said, he spun around and hurried out of the kitchen. A moment later, they heard the front door slam and Synn shared a look with Theresa.

He said, "Maybe she'll refuse."

Theresa turned back to her stove. "We can only hope."



Racing down the walk and carefully across the road to the impressive old Victorian house, Despayre bounded up the curb and raced up the steps to the front door where resembling the speed of a woodpecker, he rapped his knuckles on the front door...

**rattattattattatttatttattattata**

... And he swung the front door open with a flourish and called out, "HelllOOoOOooo Missus O'Heaney!"

From somewhere inside, he heard an 'Oh Christ' and that almost gave him reason to pause. Did he interrupt her mid-day prayers? Was there such a thing as mid day prayers? Well best go find out! He carefully shut the door (much more so than he did at his own house but he was a GUEST here!), and then hurried along the familiar path; past the foyer and into the old house's main hall where the living room was. He popped into the elaborately decorated main room of this home to find the woman of the house seated in her usual chair with a book on her lap, and her German Shepard at her feet.

"Hi Missus O'Heaney!" He smiled, then looked down at the dog. "Hi Pongo!" But the dog whimpered at the sight of him and scooted on all fours until he was almost all of the way beneath Missus O'Heaney's chair. Despayre leaned down for a closer look, then stood upright and forgot all about it. He jetted a thumb back and asked with a smile, "Did you notice? I knocked first! That shows improvement, huh?"

"Despite the fact you didn't wait for me to answer or say 'come in'." She responded tartly, looking back from him and to her book once again.

"Oh." Despayre's cheeks flushed from the chastisement, as he was wont to do, even if it were such a minute bit. He then answered, "Would you have said come in?"

The old woman sighed and removed her glasses so they hung from a small, thin chain around her neck and looked up at him. "I suppose so. It's not like I could keep you out anyway, so it seems."

"Well then!" Despayre flopped into the chair across from her, taking her words as an invitation. "I see you're reading, and I heard you saying prayers just now..." (That gave the old woman a bit of a frown.) "So I won't stay long. I just wanted to invite you to supper tonight! I'm having a Saint Paddy's day dinner and you can be my guest of honor."

Closing the book on her lap and leaning back in her chair to elevate some of the pain in her back, the same pain she's suffered from ever since that fall many months ago, she asked, "Why on earth would I ever be the guest of honor at your dinner?"

Despayre asked, "It's an Irish holiday, isn't it?"

"Yes." She sighed.

"And you're Irish aren't ya?"

"That I am."

He held his arms out as if asking the obvious, "So what's the problem?"

"I believe I'll pass." Missus O'Heaney said as she opened her book back up and reached for her glasses.

Despayre slowly lowered his arms and the smile fell from his face as he asked, "How come?"

Before she set her glasses back on the bridge of her nose, she took the time to look at him and answer, "Because I don't feel like being made into a spectacle as this... 'guest of honor'. Now you go... enjoy your meal and holiday."

Having been dismissed, Despayre slowly stood up to his feet, looking absolutely crestfallen. He fiddled his hands in front of his waist as he started to walk out of the front room, when another idea slowly formed in that head of his. He turned back around and said with hope, "Happy Saint Patrick's Day."

Missus O'Heaney looked up from her book and gave him a nod, "And you."

His face lit up once again, having a hard time keeping this young man down, and he turned and he raced out -- slamming the door behind him and startling both the elderly woman inside, and the dog that was only now feeling it safe to come out.



The evening passed extremely pleasantly. A fine dinner of several corned beef briskets with the traditional cabbage, potatoes and other goodies were eaten heartily, and the green beer was drank! All in all, a very fine and fun way to start to draw this the 2016 Saint Patrick's Day to a slow close.

Outside of Synn's house, the man himself shut the door to the rear passenger side of a taxi cab and gave it a wave as it slowly pulled from out of the drive and went along down the road. He stood up to his full height of six foot eight, and turned around to head back inside when he found Gabriel and Odette, with the baby Lucas in Odette's arms, making their way outside and toward their car. In Gabriel's own hands was a large covered bowl, most likely filled with leftovers as was Theresa's habit. Given the appetites of everyone this evening, Synn had to admit a touch of surprise that there had been any leftovers at all to give away.

"You heading home already?" Synn asked with a frown. "You don't want to stick around?"

"Oh thank you, Synn." Odette said in her silken honey accent. "But it's long past time we put this one to bed."

"Mm." Synn then looked from the baby to Odette. "And what time does the baby have to be asleep?"

"Wise arse." Gabriel quipped.

"You going to be okay? That was more than just a few of those green beers you put away." Synn stressed.

"Look who's talking." Gabriel laughed as he opened up the rear door and set the container inside, then reached for the baby to secure him in the baby seat. "Besides, O is driving. She only had the one."

Synn nodded, then asked, "Sure you don't want to say good-bye to Joshua first?"

"Oh he said good-bye to us before he took off earlier." Odette pointed out. Her lovely face then took on a frown as she asked, "Is he feeling alright?"

Gabriel stood up, having fastened his son in securely, and looked from his wife to Synn as Synn asked himself, "Joshua? Yes, why do you ask?"

Odette said, "Well he barely ate a thing at dinner, then he practically took off for bed right after. Just had enough time to say bye to us and his mom and nan before taking to bed."

Synn smiled and shook his head, answering, "Oh, he didn't go to bed."

"He didn't?" Gabriel frowned. "Well then where did he go?"

The answer, of course, could be found just down the road...

In a certain Victorian house...

Where inside in the living room, with two TV trays set before their respective chairs, Despayre had chosen to bring a plate filled with Theresa's yummy supper for Missus O'Heaney, and just so that she didn't have to eat alone, another one for himself.



"It's not easy, is it, when one's path crosses with that of a friend? Especially when you that path runs in conflict and you actually find yourself against said friend in opposition."

"That is the conundrum we find ourselves in when Despayre's team finds himself standing across the ring from none other than Roxi Johnson on the opposing side. You see, Roxi is one of the select few whom Despayre has taken a shine to, and I have to admit a good deal of it probably has to do with the random plates of home made sweets she tends to ply Despayre with. A fine and endearing character trait to be sure, but a lot also has to do with just her general trait of character and her superhero tendencies where Despayre's little friend Angel is concerned. And where the athleticism comes into play? Well, Roxi has not amassed herself such an uncanny win-loss and championship record as she has if she weren't a capable athlete when inside of the ring. Two-time World Champion. Two-time Internet Champion. Current World Tag Team Champion. The woman is formidable, to say the very least. I can only appreciate the fact that Sin City Wrestling disallows inter gender participation in these matches, otherwise I couldn't be certain how Despayre would react to being opposite someone he is fond of. Of course, this would be where his partner, Crystal Millar, comes into play. As good a partner as Casey Williams has, I feel confidant that Despayre has for himself one just as capable of catapulting them even further into the Blast From the Past IV tournament. I mean, as a former Roulette Champion, Crystal has proved herself more than capable of securing victories over top level competition, and for this reason, I am feeling quite confidant in Despayre and Ms. Millar's chances."

"Of course, the same good will can not be said when Casey Williams's name is brought into the equation."

"Casey Williams, haven't you tired of this little revolving door that you continuously find yourself in whenever your path crosses with Despayre? It's as has been stated time and again, the history the two of you shared has been long and storied. From the Asylum Wrestling Alliance where you first crossed paths, right up until you walked through the doors of Sin City Wrestling, it just seems like destiny has foretold that time and again, you would find yourself stepping into the ring against Despayre in one form or another. Of course, judging by your recent running of the mouth on social media, one might begin to think yourself capable of subverting destiny so that you can, for the first time, emerge victorious over Despayre. Cute. Amusing even. Oh I bet that you would just love that, wouldn't you? After how many losses in tag team matches over the years, for the first time to score a win against Despayre -- to put his shoulders to the canvas for the fateful three, or to make him cry uncle and tap out, that would just be like the mental equivalent of icing on the cake for you. Even though this is technically a tag team match, due to the rules, this is the closest I believe the two of you have come to a singles encounter, is it not? And you think that this will work in your favor, due to your size and ferocity? You think without a partner who can help Despayre wear you down, he'll be a sitting duck for you to get your hands on and pound into pulp? No, no. You have it all wrong, Casey. All this special encounter is going to do is erase all doubt from the minds of fans and peers alike, as to why you have been unable to gain a victory over Despayre over all of these years. Size aside, he is simply, and undeniably, better than you. So rest up, so-called Freight Train of Pain. Take your Vitamin B12, call your local priest, and have it explained to you why destiny has a way of getting its own way. No more crying. No more whining. And for you especially -- no more excuses."

22
Climax Control Archives / Let the past stay buried
« on: March 04, 2016, 07:16:21 PM »
 "What are you talking about?" Margaret looked at Synn with a horrified expression on her face as they sat in the waiting room of Doctor Gwendolyn Stark, a renowned expert in clinical psychiatry. She also just so happened to be the doctor to the one person that these two shared a link to; their mutual son, Joshua Young aka Despayre.

"I mean," Synn began. "That my foolish mother has gotten it in her head that Joshua would be better off raised in what she perceives to be a more 'wholesome' environment." He scoffed and shook his head. "That is hardly what you would describe my home, now is it?"

"Bullshit."

At the sound of the voice, Synn glanced away from the gray eyes of Margaret Young, those same eyes he saw whenever he looked at their son's; something that he had inherited from her. Along with them in this office's waiting room were Despayre's grandmother, the good one, Victoria, and the man who Despayre looked up to and loved as a 'big brother', Gabriel. Victoria wore an expression much like her daughter's, and Gabriel? Words would be hard pressed to describe visually the pained, angry expression he himself had on his otherwise handsome face at the sheer gall someone would threaten to take 'his' Despy away from them.

Gabriel paid no mind to the looks of disapproval from the few others who waited in this office to be seen by one of Las Vegas's premiere psychiatrists, which is exactly what Gwendolyn Stark was. Nothing but the best would do where Synn's son was concerned. Gabriel saw one last 'patient' watching them, and he turned his head and curled his lip at the man while his arms remained folded across his upper body.

He leaned over slightly in his chair and said, "You know, if you weren't bloody well listening in on other peoples' chats, we wouldn't be having this awkward moment, now would we?"

The patient in question immediately flushed at being chastised so and hurriedly stood up from her chair and hurried around a partisan corner in the large office to a vacant chair, away from them. Gabriel shook his head but had a sarcastic smile on his face, one he wore well whenever he had the opportunity to call a fool a fool.

He went on, "While your house may not be fookin' Church at Christmas, it's not exactly what I would call a house of sin."

Their eyes blinked collectively, and Gabriel took pause after realizing what he had just stated and shook his head. "You know what I mean. Wait..." He frowned and asked, "When did this all happen?"

Synn tossed a clinical magazine on child psychiatry onto a table, having long since given up on trying to read the articles when the fact was, anything could be expected when dealing with a child -- or with a man who had the mind of one. Such as Despayre. So how then could the random so-called 'experts' instruct them in a few short paragraphs the best way to handle someone with a troubled mind? For the past number of years, Synn had learned through trial and error the best way to do so where Despayre was to be concerned was through simple instincts.

Synn answered, "Just a few weeks ago. She dropped the bombshell in a legal document right before that February Supercard SCW held."

"And you're just now telling us." Gabriel stated rather than asked...

Just twelve feet away from where Synn was seated with the rest of Despayre's family, inside of the office of Gwendolyn Stark, the woman sat on a couch, legs crossed, while she watched Despayre carefully, but with a critical albeit caring eye.

Subtlety was the key where Doctor Stark was concerned. Her office was much like her waiting room; carefully crafted in light tones to put the mind at ease subconsciously. While her waiting room was painted a soft, robin's egg blue, her office was much the same color but just a few shades lighter with overtones in white. Decor was minimal at best, with only a painting here or there of some of her favorite artists, and her personal favorite flower, the orchid, spaced at intervals throughout both her office as well as the waiting room to give off not just a pleasing scent, but also the white and wine colored colors to attract and please the eye.

Gwendolyn had ties to the world of professional wrestling; her family were the (in)famous Starks, a dynasty managed by none other than the Goldenboy Gene Banton. And while Gwendolyn played no active role in the sport herself, she never the less remained a fan and it was one of the very reasons why Synn had went through Gene to seek out her aid in helping Despayre to overcome the many obstacles he had been plagued with after his debilitating accident. Gene, having known Synn from their mutual past as active competitors, knew well enough the man would want only the best for the boy, and hence Gwendolyn had become Despayre's private doctor.



"No!" The young teenage Joshua begged and pleaded, tears streaming down his face as Synn stood up on his feet in the same office years ago, pulling his yet-to-be revealed son along with him. "Don't make me!" He shook his head wildly as Gwendolyn waited patiently at her office door, holding it open for the two. "I don't want to! Please!"

He dug his feet into the soft, cream toned carpeting, but Synn held a firm grip on his wrist and was a great deal larger than he was, and pulled him along despite his protests. Despayre had thought he would never need see a doctor again, not since he had been removed from the 'bad place', what he said when referring to Broodmoore, the brutal mental hospital he had been locked away in for the past few years. Yes, years.

"Joshua, stop." The gentle voice of Synn said, but with a baritone commanding tone behind it that practically made the lad wince openly. "Doctor Stark is not going to hurt you."

"You promised me I'd never have to see a doctor again!" He cried pitifully.

"No," Synn corrected. "I promised you that you would never see the doctors who mistreated you ever again, and you won't. Doctor Stark is unlike those other doctors who hurt you. She wants to just talk to you, and you need someone to talk to."

"But I talk to you!" Joshua protested, but with no success.

Synn stated, "And as much as I enjoy our little chats, even I am pained to admit I am no expert." Synn stopped and took him by the chin and lifted it so that he would look his father in the eyes, even though he had no idea that he was his father. "I have done all I can to treat you right and spoil you rotten." A small, impish smile flickered on the teenager's lips before they were gone in a flash. Synn continued, "But this is something that we simply have to do. All we are here to do today is talk. That's all."

Despayre closed his eyes, knowing that no matter how much he begged and pleaded, this was not something he would walk away victorious in with the man who had rescued him. A tear slowly streaked from his closed eye and trickled down his already wet cheek and he whispered, "Promise?"

"Promise." And words such as that were an honor-bound oath where Synn was concerned. At least they were where his son was concerned. He finally allowed Synn to reluctantly escort him without a struggle to the office door where the smiling Doctor Stark waited. Her first instinct was to offer the boy a reassuring pat on the arm for being so brave, but her expertise knew that in a case such as this, any form of physical contact would be a mistake. They stepped through and Doctor Stark shut the door behind them...



Gwendolyn watched as Despayre sat cross legged on her office floor, the small bowl of Skittles in his lap and the constant companion known as Angel perched close by to watch the grueling process of the purple Skittles being separated from their brethren into a second bowl. This had admittedly been the key to getting close enough to the boy when he first came to see her; she always had a small bowl of Skittles waiting for him, with an empty one to make sure Angel got his "due". The task gave him something to do with his hands, while he otherwise had his mind occupied with her. It helped in not making him feel as if these monthly office visits had to be something unpleasant.

"Joshua?" Doctor Stark started to speak, leaning forward on the sofa where she was seated opposite her own desk.

"Hm?" He murmured as his fingers sifted through the colorful rainbow of delicious candies, searching for another purple one. He would have just shoved his whole hand into the bowl but who wanted to eat Skittles that someone had been pawing at with their bare hands? -- Even if that hand was his own!

"Can we talk?"

He glanced up at her wide eyed and said, "I thought that's what we were doing?" He blinked, then looked down at Angel. "Where was I?"

"No." She smiled, her patient's charming nature unlike much of anything she had experienced in all her years of practicing clinical psychiatry. "I just meant you and me. Not..." Her forefinger gently pointed at the teddy bear. "Not that he's not lovely to talk to, but I was hoping this time it could be just you and me."

"Oh." Despayre reacted with hesitation. This was a first; Doctor Stark had never asked Angel to step out of the room before. Well, there was that one time, but he suspected it was more because the family had chili the night before and Angel was stinking up her office with a case of the toots. He frowned, then sighed in admission, looking at her and said, "I guess he does tend to interrupt you with his own diagnosisisis, huh?"

"Well, every now and then." She smiled. "But I don't mind. He does know you so much better than I do, but just this once?"

"*sigh* Okay..."

And out in the waiting room, the office door opening drew the heads of the other patients, as well as that of Synn, Margaret, Victoria and Gabriel up to see the teddy bear being set just out of the office door before it closed once again.

Gabriel looked up at Synn and the others, "O... kay?" He then forgot about everything else save for where they had been talking before this .. 'odd' interruption. His eyes turned again directly to Despayre's father and said, "Why are we just now hearing about all of this?"

The accusing eyes of Despayre's mother and grandmother met Synn as well as they wanted to know the answer to the very same thing, and Synn sighed, despite himself.

He shook his head, "Because I had hoped to spare any of you the drama that is surely to come of this. A mistake in judgement, I grant you. I believed that I could have all of this solved without involving or upsetting any of you."

"We had a right to know." Margaret hissed through clenched teeth. "I had a right to know! I am his mother!"

"I know you are." Synn turned to her, finding having made this error a hard and bitter pill to swallow. "And I know you do. When I knew my mother was looking for me, I knew something was up and this simply confirmed everything. I just wanted to at least try and spare any of you the worry of what is to come."

"And what is to come?" Gabriel asked. "Are you trying to tell us that there is an actual chance that that... that bitch is actually going to have at...?"

"No." Synn shook his head, interrupting the fear that he knew they were now feeling. Synn went on, stating, "No. She will not win. I will not allow it. From the moment I heard she was looking for me, I had been taking precautions in case she thought to try to involve herself back into my life, and after she dropped her little bombshell?" He almost smiled at the audacity -- almost

"And now?" Victoria prodded with a quiver in her voice. Never had she ever felt hatred for another human being, at least not until she had learned that this .. woman .. wanted to steal away her beloved grandson.

Synn answered for their benefit, "Now I know what her game is, and I'm prepared for it. It's like I told Gabriel before; after we found out she had hired that private investigator to locate me, I hired one of my own, a more competent one, and did a little digging, took a few precautions... Now all I can do is wait for her to play her hand."

"And then?" Margaret asked.

Synn's emerald green eyes locked onto her's in a silent promise shared between them that he would do absolutely anything and everything to protect their child. Anything. What lurked behind his eyes almost sent a chill down the spine of Despayre's mother.

Synn answered, "I am afraid that I'm going to have to sink to a new low, even for me." He looked then first to Victoria, and finally Gabriel who knew what such 'lows' would mean for this man. Especially, perhaps, where his own mother was concerned. "So perhaps it would be best if you didn't know exactly."

"Why don't you let us be the judges of that?" Gabriel asked. And to him, and those in this immediate circle of friends and family, it was obvious that he was not asking. He was perhaps one of the select few that could make such demands of Synn.

The leader of the Sins, and Despayre's father, rubbed his chin as he leaned back in the chair that was much too small to suit his large 6'8" frame, and he exhaled sharply.

"Fine." He said and leaned in, elbows on his knees, and the three with him became alert at what was to come...



"So," Gwendolyn started to say. "I understand that you met your grandmother."

Despayre looked up from his chore of sorting the Skittles by color, and he looked a tad perplexed by where this was going, "Of course I met her. So have you. She's out there in the waiting room."

He then used his fingers to scoop up a few of the yellow Skittles and offered them over to his doctor, and she held out her hand gratefully. She had conveniently mentioned in one of their first sessions together that while she did not indulge in sweets too often, she did have a fondness for the lemon Skittles, and being the gentleman that he was, Despayre felt obliged to share.

After all, she bought `em!

"Thank you." She said gently, popping one of the candies in her mouth, and Despayre's cheeks flushed faintly to a charming shade of pink at being thanked by a woman. Privately he was amazed that she ate just the one at a time, where he would have shoveled the handful into his mouth and simply chowed down. manners however dictated he hold off -- at least until it was just he and Angel.

Doctor Stark said, "And I didn't mean your grandmother, Victoria. I meant you 'other' grandmother."

Despayre froze. He simply -- froze. When most people state they did so, it was a bit of a gross exaggeration. However this time where Despayre was concerned, he literally stopped moving.

"Oh..." Was all he said, and the only confirmation that he was alright. This was a touchy subject, because in a private call, Synn had confided in her who his mother was, and the abusive past he had shared with both her and his father. He also told Doctor Stark that years ago, Synn had confided in both Despayre as well as Gabriel his past and what had been done to him.

Despayre's fingers started to move again in the bowl and he fished out a single orange candy and slid it between his lips and chewed. His mumble followed, "She's not my grandma."

"Well technically speaking Joshua..." The doctor started to say but she was interrupted, Despayre's tone of voice uncharacteristically hot in tone...

"She is not my grandma!" He stared her down, almost silently daring her to contradict him in who he viewed as family and who he did not. Not that she would of course. It was just a part of her own personal mind frame to strive the technicalities of any given situation. This one, of course, could be ignored.

Despayre said, "Anybody who treats my dad the way she did..." He shook his head and went back to his task, head down and his long, black hair falling in waves over his shoulders to hide his face away from her while he plucked out another purple Skittle for Angel. "... she's not my family."

"Of course." Doctor Stark smiled, sitting back against the rear of the sofa. "You don't have to share the same blood in order to be family."

"Like me and Gabriel and Rage and Melody." Despayre offered, and she nodded.

"Yes, and even sharing the same blood does not make you family if there is no bond."

"She's a bad woman." Despayre pulled out another orange candy and ate it. "She's mean."

"You didn't like her when you met her?"

Despayre shook his head.

"Because of how she treated your father?"

Despayre nodded.



"Are you sure you want to go that far?" Gabriel asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "I mean, that's extreme. Even for you."

"Showing concern for my mother?" Synn asked sarcastically, and almost immediately he felt the heat radiating from the magician's anger.

"Not funny." Gabriel frowned. "I could care less what happens to the woman who did to you what she did, or who thinks she can just walk into our lives and tear it apart!" He leaned in, his eyes burning. "I just want to make sure that you can live with what you just told us you're planning on doing!"

Synn's eyes met his own and he answered, "I could live with a lot worse, Gabriel, where protecting Margaret's (he placed a hand on her shoulder) and my son is concerned!"

Gabriel did not let his eyes stray from this man's, a testament to his own solid personality as it was well known in their circle that Synn had quite the unnerving stare. Gabriel simply sat back, and nodded in satisfaction at the answer when the office door opened, and Angel plopped over to the floor.

"Were you listening in!?" Despayre pointed an accusing finger down at his teddy bear bestie, before looking up to his family for an answer. "Was he listening in??"

"Well you know how your little friend there is where secrets are concerned." Synn offered as he and the others stood up to greet Despayre, who scooped Angel up, and the doctor, as they emerged from the office.

"Yeah!" Despayre huffed, never stopping the affection and love he had for Angel, cuddling the teddy bear close. "He only hates secrets when he's not in on `em!"

"Did everything go alright?" Margaret asked, wrapping her son in her arms for a quick hug.

"Everything went fine, as always." Gwendolyn assured them. "But before you leave, I was hoping for a quick word with Joshua's parents?" She looked to Gabriel and Victoria. "It'll only take a brief moment."

Not thrilled at being left out of whatever this was, Gabriel and Victoria both nodded with reluctance, and Despayre's grandma led him by the arm to a vacant chair and the three had a seat while Doctor Stark shut the office door behind Synn and Margaret.

Another patient, an older, heavier man turned in his chair beside Despayre and smiled, "I'll tell you what's wrong with me if you tell me what's wrong with you!"

Despayre stared for a brief moment at the man and then turned away. "That's not very fair. Now I already know what's wrong with you."



Inside of her office, Gwendolyn turned to face Synn and Margaret, none of the three taking a seat.

Gwendolyn said, "I have a meeting scheduled with the investigating attorney that is representing your mother's claims for custody next week."

"And?" Synn inquired.

TBC...

(Don't you just HATE it when I do that!?)



"It seems that as of late, the past has come back to make itself known and bite us in the proverbial ass, so to speak."

"I'm not talking about the situation that has recently plagued my family, but more so from a professional point of view. The Blast From the Past IV Memorial mixed tag team tournament. An annual event here in Sin City Wrestling that generates the most excitement, where we get to see everyone's favorite Superstars and Bombshells paired together randomly to compete to honor -- what exactly? Oh yes, the past."

"There was a time in professional wrestling, literally decades in the past, where wrestling was not held in ninety thousand seat stadiums, but in smokey halls where men wore suits and women wore their finest furs and jewels. It was an era where you seldom saw children in attendance, and instead it was a sport that was watched and celebrated with a lot more respect than it is in this day and age. It is a time where we look into the past, and celebrate a time known as the 'Golden Era' of wrestling, and where we honor the men and women who paved the road for those that compete inside of the ring for not just SCW, but the world over."

"June Byers and Gorgeous George, two legends of their time. Ms. Byers was one of the legitimate tough women of her days, her beauty aside she could fight tooth and nail inside of the ring. She scratched and clawed, and was both a physical power house and technical marvel. She fought hard as she rose through the ranks, and through controversial methods or no, she defeated the legendary Mildred Burke for the World Woman's Championship, a feat no other woman in the business had been able to do for Burke's near twenty year reign. And Gorgeous George, with his gold hairpins and bleached blonde hair, his sexy valet and spraying the ring with perfume? He was perhaps the first genuine showman of the business, and has been modeled after many times over through the years by scores of wrestlers who wished to model themselves after the 'effeminate one'. I can not think of two finer athletes to honor this year in this historic event."

"I also find it strangely ironic that Despayre will be staring across the ring, at none other than Goth himself. Speaking of a blast from the past..."

"The history between Goth and Despayre extends back years, clear back to the AWA where Goth made the near fatal mistake in judgment at attacking Angel, and suffering the price for having done so. And here in SCW when Goth showed up and sought to continue that long standing rivalry? Many here know what has went down between Despayre and this man he will soon meet again inside of the ring. And only too recently it would seem that Goth has had a change of heart."

"Whether this change is genuine, or how long it will last, is anyone's guess, but it was not so long ago that Goth approached Despayre and sought to end the war between them, and start over fresh and anew. While it would be nice for Despayre to finally get to close the door of the closet on his personal 'boogey man', there is a saying about old wounds not healing so easily. Once that bell rings, and you are inside of the ring against Despayre, there are no promises. There are no guarantees. You were gracious enough to offer the olive branch, and yes, Despayre did accept it. But in this event, winning is the key, and advancing to the next round the end goal."

"While I have no doubts that Despayre's partner Crystal Millar will be able to handle Traci Patterson once they are inside of the ring, I will make the promise that Ms. Millar's husband will play no role in the outcome as he has done in times past. That much I will promise, in return for you offering to end this war between my son and yourself."

23
Climax Control Archives / Hail to the king!
« on: January 15, 2016, 08:53:16 PM »
 "Hey man, I just wanted to thank you for doing this for us." Gabriel said as he stepped further inside of the foyer of the home of Synn and Despayre, two people that over the course of the last several years, he had come to know and regard as family. Synn had become something more than just a friend and mentor, but more so a father figure. And Despayre? That little nutter who Gabriel had affectionately coined 'Despy' was the loving little brother he had never had. As Synn took the large bag from his arm so that he might more easily tend to the fussy little baby in his arms, Gabriel continued, "O and I both do."

As Synn stood before him in the main hall of his home, hands folded as usual over his chest in the rigid demeanor he had come to be so well known for over the years, the travel bag dangling from his arm as his eyes remained on the small, blue laden bundle in Gabriel's arms.

"You don't need to thank us for doing what should be expected, Gabriel." Synn directed his attention with a tilt of the head toward the baby. "Your son was born over seven months ago, and you and Odette have not had any time to yourselves since." Synn's eyes glanced upward to meet Gabriel's own and there was the familiar twinkle of a father speaking to a father as he went on, "Truth be told, I'm surprised it took you this long to even ask."

"Well, it wasn't easy convincing O that we needed a bit of time to ourselves. She's even harder to separate from Lucas than I am..." Gabriel replied when the aforementioned Despayre came running in and he hurriedly took the baby's bag from Synn's arms and dashed off into the annals of the house, the light in his eyes never fading -- not even for an instant.

The eyes of the two men followed after him as he vanished down the hall, and then they returned to one another.

Gabriel smiled, "I take it then that Despy is looking forward to this?"

"That would be putting it mildly." Synn stated. "He was practically doing back flips when he found out that you and Odette were going to dinner and the theater and 'Uncle Joshua' would get to baby sit little Lucas for the duration of the evening."

Gabriel smiled, but despite the affection he held for his little brother, there was something nagging in the back of his mind, something that he and Odette had discussed at length ever since this idea had first manifested and the scenario of Despayre babysitting, or at the very least, helping to, was brought to light. Gabriel bit at his lower lip and rocked Lucas as the baby started to waken, wanting to lull him back to a peaceful slumber, when Synn's words brought him from out of his personal thoughts.

"Your son will be fine, Gabriel." Synn's words once again made the magician wonder if he had some sort of sixth sense or ESP. But no, it was simply because Synn could read people as easily as a book, and Synn knew what doubts lingered in the mind of the new father standing across from him. "You know Joshua will not allow anything to happen to him. he takes his responsibility as Uncle very seriously."

"I know," Gabriel sighed, feeling almost guilty for the doubts that swirled around in the recesses of his mind. "It's just..."

Synn finished for him, "You're worried Joshua's ... 'problems' might cause unforeseen complications."

Gabriel said, "I know Despy would never let something happen." He shrugged. "I guess it's just the worries of a new father."

"And an understandable one." Synn conceded. "Even on his medications, Joshua's mind is unpredictable. It can't be helped, but like you, I hold faith he knows where and when to draw the lines with his antics. You showed that very same faith when you named him as an Uncle, knowing what it would mean to him and what responsibilities he would wish to take on. Besides..." Synn smirked. "I'm fairly certain that he'll wait until your son is at least a few years older before the adventures begin."

"At least." Gabriel chuckled, when Despayre hurried back into the hallway, greeting the two men standing there, his words for them but his eyes entirely on the baby Lucas.

"Is he going to stay all night?" He asked with an eager hopefulness.

"`Fraid not, Despy." Gabriel answered, and quickly sought to quell the downcast look that suddenly soured Despayre's face. "He's still too young for sleep overs. But when he's old enough, and Odette and I feel the need for a little quality time, I promise."

That alone was enough to atone for Despayre's mindset. Gabriel's word was golden, as much as his own father's was. So if he said it was true, well then that was good enough for Despayre!

Gabriel then took a step closer toward Synn and said, "Now you, go to your Grandpa Synn." And before Synn could speak up, he found a small blue clad bundle being transferred carefully into his own, strong arms. This was not the first time that Synn had held a baby, surprisingly enough. He had held Lucas a time or two with Gabriel and Despayre's prodding, but it was as yet something he was unused to. Gabriel continued, "I need to have a little private chat with Uncle Despy."

"What are you...?" Synn started to ask with a frown as he carefully held the baby close against him.

"Relax, Grandpa." Gabriel chided as he slipped his arm around Despayre's slim shoulders to guide him down the hall and toward Synn's private office. "We'll only be a moment."

"Fine," Synn called after them. "But if Lucas makes a mess on my shirt, I'm rubbing your nose in it!"

As Gabriel shut the office door behind them, Synn hard Despayre say aloud, "That seems fair."

Once he had shut the door, Gabriel turned around and found Despayre's gray eyes watching him. Wasting no time and not wanting Synn to grow suspicious, Gabriel said, "You ran a pretty good shot there last week, Despy."

At the first words of praise, any wonderment Despayre might have felt was replaced with pride as his face lit up. Gabriel continued, "And you even signed a match for yourself for this weekend." Despayre nodded quickly. "Good on you. I am surprised, though."

"How come?"

"Because I know as well as anyone else how much you dislike singles matches." Was Gabriel's answer. "And you made quite a bit at stake, too. Your 'King' title and your future title shot."

Despayre shrugged without word, as if to silently declare that it was really no big deal.

Gabriel made his perceived move and asked, "You're not going to do the same thing here with Steve that you did with Sean Jackson, are you?"

"No." Despayre shook his head. "I'm just..." Then the words Gabriel spoke struck him and his eyes opened wide. "What are you... who TOLD you... I mean, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

"Really?" Gabriel leaned back against the office wall and folded his arms. He knew Despayre better than that. The lad was simply unable to tell a lie -- or at least a good one. Especially where his family was concerned. A fib to Synn or his mom or Nan, or himself, was simply the biggest of no-no's in Despayre's mind so all he had to do was bide his time and wait.

Finally his patience paid off as Despayre fidgeted and tucked his hands deep into his pockets and mumbled, "Did Angel tell you?"

"No." Gabriel smiled, seeing no sense in alerting Despayre to exactly how he had found out the little one-sided chat between his little brother and his teddy bear companion. "For once Angel kept a secret."

Despayre nodded. "Then how did you know?"

This time it was Gabriel who smiled as he shrugged and answered, "I'm Gabriel."

Despayre nodded, as if that answer made all the sense in the world, and to him, it did. He then glanced up through his eyebrows and asked timidly, "Did you tell dad?"

Gabriel raised his eyebrows in question and answered Despayre's question with one of his own, "Did it seem like I did?"

"No." Despayre shook his head in the negative. "The roof is still attached to the house."

"Exactly." Gabriel answered, "And I promise I wont tell him, if you just answer me one question."

"`Kay?"

"Why?" Came Gabriel's question. "If you indeed did lose to Sean on purpose, why did you do it? Especially after everything he did to us?"

Despayre answered, "It was Angel's brilliant scheme. I wanted a break so he cooked it up so when I decided to try to get the title back, Sean would be lulled into a false sense of security."

The next several seconds stretched out as Gabriel's eyes remained locked on Despayre's own. Despayre started to fidget and then he frowned and admitted, "It sounded a lot better coming from Angel than it did from me."

Gabriel only nodded and he asked, "And when exactly were you planning to take your return match? You have it, the fact you are still the number one challenger..."

"I know." Despayre sighed. "I dunno. I never really wanted it to start with. Just sorta got pushed into it anyway."

"Your dad just wanted to see you succeed, Despy." Gabriel stressed. "It's all we ever wanted after I retired."

"I know." Despayre practically rolled his eyes, as if he had heard this particular debate from others in the industry a hundred times -- and he probably had. From his father at least. "But nobody ever pays attention to what I want. I don't need a title to be successful. It's just window dressing. And I only went into that match to make Sean pay for what he'd do to you and Angel." A defiant expression crossed Despayre's face. "And I did."

The memory of just how Despayre had beaten Sean Jackson into a bloody mess inside of the steel cage before a mistimed moonsault from the top of the cage spelled a premature end to the match and Despayre's title reign came flooding back to Gabriel's memory.

"That you did, Despy." Gabriel soothed him and laced an arm around his shoulder in a friendly 'bro hug'. "But I don't want you to ever do something like that again. For one, you could have hurt yourself doing a move like that, and two?" Gabriel leaned in and whispered, "Sean Jackson is scum. You could have taken him any time in that match. Pulling a stunt like that just to give yourself a break? Buddy, you're better than that. I don't want you doing something like that again, specially with a guy like Steve Ramone."

Despayre's eyes opened wide and he shook his head rapidly, "Oh! I have no intention of losing to Steve Ramone!"

"Good." Gabriel nodded. "Then you'll forgive me if I ask ... why did you make sure to have it signed, knowing how much you hate singles matches? Especially after what you went through with Jackson?"

"This one is different." Despayre reasoned. "Dad and you never let anyone walk all over you like Steve is trying to do to me. So I thought what would either of you do, and I do'd it. And I'm gonna win!"

"You bet you are." Gabriel reached over and opened the office door back up, escorting Despayre through the frame and to the hall outside. "And after that, you're going to take your title back from Jackson."

"Don't push it!"

The pair soon found themselves back in the hallway, and a very disgruntled looking Synn staring holes in them as he held the baby at arm's length - and small wonder why; the evidence of a noticeable stain on the shoulder of his shirt. Gabriel slapped a hand over his mouth but not before a bark of laughter escaped his lips.

"Wow!" Gabriel chuckled. "How did milk turn into that?"

"Funny." Synn growled as he slowly passed the baby into Despayre's arms and started down the hallway. "I'll be back as soon as I change!"

"Don't rush. I have to split anyway." Gabriel called after the man. Gabriel walked over and gave Lucas a kiss atop his small head, then ruffled Despayre's hair, reducing the young man to all smiles. Gabriel then reached into the travel bag and pulled out a familiar kimono-clad plush form, Lucas's own teddy bear, Snowbird. Despayre smiled, thrilled that Lucas's protector was to spend the evening with them as well, and Gabriel set the teddy bear on the edge of an oak table in the hallway.

Gabriel headed for the door and saluted Despayre, saying, "We'll be back to pick up Lucas before midnight, Despy."

"Okay." Despayre called as the door closed behind Gabriel. "Have fun!"

At this age, most babies suffer from separation anxiety from the familiar, but Lucas just looked up into Despayre's gray eyes and smiling face and blinked.

He said, "Gee, I don't know why dad has a problem holding a widdle baby like you. What could you possibly do to make someone..."

Despayre then frowned and drew in a breath through his nose. He looked down and kicked up his foot so he could look at the underside of his shoe, then stood upright again. He drew Lucas in a little closer and smelled... "GAH!" Then choked back a cough and made a face, one eye squinted shut and his tongue halfway out.



Synn and Theresa stood just on the outside of the living room, both with curios expressions on their faces as they kept a close watch on what was unfolding before them while trying not to remain too obvious. There in the front room was the endearing sight of Despayre seated cross-legged on the living room floor, and opposite him was Gabriel and Odette's baby, Lucas, propped up on a large bean bag, and a curled up bed comforter to keep the baby snug and warm. And beside that comforter, one on each side of Lucas, was Angel and Snowbird, acting as protectors while listening to the very same story that Despayre was reciting to Lucas...

"Once upon a time in the magical land of Muppetopia..."

Theresa snorted back a laugh and Synn glanced back over his shoulder at her and gifted her with a wink while the story unfolded....

"... There lived a wise and brave King named King Joshua, but everyone always called Him King Despayre -- because that's what he always brought upon his enemies. Despair! King Despayre was brave, and handsome, and the people loved him -- especially the fair maidens of the realm. No matter what he did, or how much he resisted, the fair maidens themselves were unable to resist his royal machismo and were forever stealing smooches! Now, King Despayre was forever being called upon to dispatch the vile and the dastardly, and sometimes the unwashed, but that's a story for another day."

The brilliant form of the dazzling figure clad in white armor stood in battle against the dreaded Kryss Hack,a beast with many heads but no prospects. the first of many heads darted from the snake-like body, striking at the King but so brave was he that he remained undaunted and without fear! He ducked under the lunging head and struck it down with a swing from his mighty sword...

"A mighty sword made of wood?"

"Shh! There's a method to telling a baby a fairy tale like this."

"`Scuse me!"

The rumble of the land shaking as the beast Hack hit the grounded was felt miles around, but that was the day the people remembered most; when King Despayre became a King to the people! He stood atop that mountainside, a figure of majestic standing as he pulled off his armor helmet and his gray eyes scanned the horizon of his kingdom while his silken black hair whipped around in the wind...

"Oh brother..."

"The challenges to his rule did not end there! Another threat came from the high seas in the form of Black Heart, the most feared pirate of the land! ...

One would think you were watching an Errol Flynn pirate film with the slick moves fought aboard the pirate vessel of Black Heart's, the scourge of the sea; the Anal Annie! King Despayre, now dressed like a smooth talking pirate/sailor (he had an image to maintain y'know!), swung from the ship's mast and with one smooth stroke, sliced through the ropes with his sword...

"Cutlass."

"Huh?"

"A pirate's sword is called a cutlass."

"Can he please continue? This is getting good!"

"But perhaps the biggest threat yet to King Despayre's kingdom came not from a monster or a vile villainous pirate, but a chicken!"

"Come again?"

"Yes, the threat came in the form of Steve Roman, the dreaded Yellow Knight!"

"Yellow Knight? Shouldn't that be Black Knight?"

"No, I see what he did there. Yellow mans coward, so hence the chicken comment."

"Ha! Very clever! But waitaminute! What about the evil hypnotist, Sean Mentallo?"

"His page is strangely missing from this tale, but that's alright, because this is all about the threat posed by Steve the Yellow Knight!..."

The figure clad in yellow armor trotted along the countryside, perched on the back of what was assumed to be a stallion but really resembled a worn out old donkey...

"Would you look at that armor? Looks like he has a bladder problem!"

"And indeed he does as each time the Yellow Knight sought to usurp King Despayre and the love the people had for him, he practically peed his armor and rusted them shut! When facing down the same beasties as King Despayre, the same end result! That is why nobody ever laid eyes on the true face of the Pretender, because his armor could not be removed!"

High atop a hill was the Rower With No Door! And in that Tower was the imprisoned Princess Mikah. She sat on the edge of the lone window's window sill, texting (hey, it's fantasy people! Work with me here!), when a ladder casually propped up against the side of the Tower. The beautiful Princess was forced to tear her gaze away from her game of Candy Crush when the upper half of the Yellow Knight arrived at the window.

"Fear not, fair Princess! For I, the Yellow Knight, shall save you!"

"Feh!" Said Princess Mikah as she took one look at the imposter to King Despayre's throne and she nudged the ladder away from the wall, sending it toppling to the ground so very far below. Of course she could not resist watching the fool fall down, as that was just her way, and she leaned too far out of the window and ended up spilling her alcoholic beverage down to the ground blow, splashing it onto the Yellow Knight aka Steve Roman!

The Princess shot to her feet and started to scream, "You made me spill my drink you miserable ^#$*$#@*&%^$#@*!!"

"Wow! Can you say something like that in a nursery rhyme!?"

"Nope! That's why I used those symbols everyone reading this just saw."

"What's he talking about?"

"Just go with it."

It was then that King Despayre happened upon the Tower and Princess Mikah called out to him...

"Oh King Despayre! The one and only TRUE King of the land, won't you vanquish this annoying prat and reaffirm your reign -- and get me a new drink because that dink made me spill mine!"

"Fear not princess!" The King called up to her. "Your wish is my taking into consideration!"

"You have embarrassed me for the last time!" The Yellow Knight cried out in anger, drawing his sword. "Your reign and your title will be mine!"

"What about the princess?" The King asked.

The Yellow Knight shrugged, "I'm on the fence about her." And a split second later, a margaritas glass came crashing down atop the helmet of the Yellow Knight, followed by an angry shut from above, "I heard that!"

"You know not what it takes to be a King!" The true King declared, unsheathing his own blade. "I defeated you in the battle that brought me to power! You can not simply ignore history, declare yourself a King and expect the people to follow you!"

"I can if I defeat you!" The two gladiators circled as Princess Mikah watched from high atop her tower, putting her dukes up and jabbing as the battle ignited! The Yellow Knight yelled, "You issued this challenge to me, so all I have to do is defeat you and your Kingdom becomes mine!"

"That will never happen!" King Despayre decreed and their blades met in an unyielding clash between them!

"RIP HIS ARM OUT OF ITS SOCKET!!!" The always ladylike Princess Mikah bellowed, watching and dancing like a boxer in tune to the battle being waged below her window!

The ground shook and the wind ripped as the two titans struggled for supremacy! Blows were thrown, sword strikes blocked, but in the end, an over handed sword swing missed King Despayre by feet inches and the blade of the Yellow Knight found itself stuck in the ground. The pretender tugged and pulled but being the weak and wimpy sort that he was, he was unable to remove it!

King Despayre, ever the valiant soul that he was, tapped the Yellow Knight on the shoulder, rather than attack a foe from behind. The usurper turned around and the true King tossed his sword to the side and kicked his chain mail boot up between the Yellow Knight's legs...

Princess Mikah winced at the impact from her tower window, but that was soon lost upon her as the sound of metal on stone was heard in a "CLUNK! CLUNK!" noise, and soon King Despayre arrived at her Tower window, with a fresh martini in his gauntlet covered hand.

The Princess accepted this royal gift and took a sip, then went to give the King a peck on the cheek, when the King leaned back to avoid it and lost his grip...

"WHOAAAAAA!!!!"

*CRASH!*

The Princess sighed and leaned back against the window frame and took a sip from the glass.

"I lose more Kings that way."

"Hey, do you think anyone out there figured it out that the nursery rhyme was a cleverly disguised promo for Despy's match this weekend?"

"They'd be blind not to!"

"The End!"

And this weekend, for Steve Ramone, and his unending quest for greatness, it will be! Some Kings you just shouldn't start a war against, Steve!

24
Climax Control Archives / Love Thy Neighbor Act 1 ; Scene 4
« on: December 18, 2015, 10:35:54 PM »
 
DESPY'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow"

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white"


Yes indeed, everyone dreams of a white Christmas. Even those that lay claim to being tired of the snow or hating having to deal with it in the winter. They dislike shoveling the drive. They feel it too dangerous to drive on roads that have been slicked over thanks to the powdery white flakes fallen from the heavens. Perhaps it's just the cold that they have grown to despise that always comes with having a winter wonderland, but one would be hard pressed to find anyone who feels Christmas is just fine when one doesn't have snow to go along with it.

One such person is the star of this here promo, Despayre. Despayre loves the cold. He loves snow even more. He always did. Ever since he was a little boy, in body and not just mentality, he adored the Canadian winters that blessed him with enough snow to satisfy any child's delight. A rare thing it was indeed to wake up on a Christmas morning in Vancouver and there not be snow on the ground and floating through the air, all the better to play in and hold out your tongue and catch those tantalizing frozen crystals upon it, a child's game played for decades. Of course, living in Las Vegas, which was basically a great big desert, carried with it the unfortunate consequences of never having snow.

Heck! It was a rare thing to even see rain fall from the sky, let alone snow! Still, it did not detract Despayre from hope, a testament to his childlike personality: that anything was possible if you only believes hard enough for it to come true.

Is that why Despayre was at this very moment hanging out in the front yard of his homestead in the famed "City of Sin", behind the hedge that during warmer times of the year, sport varied floral growths? No, he did most of his fanciful snow dreaming later at night, when it just seemed more -- magical? Yes, that's the right word for it. Magical. No, he was out here for a more professional reason. This was business, or at least it was if you were to ask him. And as Angel would freely say, "'Business' business is private business." No more need be said about a topic once Angel added his two cents worth. After all, he didn't get his reputation by collecting bottle caps.

Despayre was just pondering the vast mystery of how a thermos keeps hot food hot and cold food cold without getting them mixed up, when he heard a vehicle slow to a crawl at the drive at the forefront of their yard and the engine shut off.

There! Despayre heard it from where he was crouched down on his belly, waiting. Oh that mailman thought he was so clever! Sometimes he would even send in a female-man or come early, just to throw him off! But Despayre was too smart for him! Yes sir! He knew the relative time frame the mailman had to deliver their mail every day. he also felt a phone call to the post office for a delivery time frame was entirely ethical. Using binoculars from the upstairs window helps too!

Despayre used his fingers to gently pull the shrubbery apart so that he might peek through and watch as the timid old mailman made his way up the path toward their mail box. He was constantly looking over his shoulder, and even at one point spun around having thought he heard a noise. Hunh! Where was the trust? The old man glanced about and seemed to relax if his frame was any indication. Could it be? Could he have managed to escape a day delivering mail to this particular house without suffering any form of...

"HI!" Despayre shot up from the bushes in a standing position, just as the mailman reached for the mail box with his right hand. The mailman let out a startled yelp of fright and turned tail and ran, scattering the mail for his dad (Despayre's, not the mailman's!) behind him. Despayre watched him go with wide eyes and followed his path as he jumped into the mail truck and practically burned rubber towards the next homestead down the road!

Despayre shook his head and started to walk along the yard, picking up the fallen mail to give to his dad as per usual, when his eyes fell upon a small, slim package addressed to him and his face lit up.

"Oh boy! It came! Just in time too!"

That being said, he quickly snatched the package up into his eager grasp and turned to dash up the drive to his house and...

<Be>BANG!</Be>

"I guess Joshua is finished with the mailman." Synn observed from his office, having a casual chat with Theresa who was seated in the chair opposite the head of the household's desk, on her break with a small glass of tea in her hand. Such was the nature of the working relationship and yes -- friendship -- that the live-in housekeeper was more than welcome to such intimacies normally frowned on between employee and employer.

Theresa asked, "Why do you allow him to continue to torment that poor old man, so?" She shook her had. "One of these days Joshua will go too far."

"You don't give him enough credit." Synn looked up from the computer screen on his desk. "Deep down Joshua knows where not to go when he's 'playing' with Mister Browne. And besides, I already spoke with the man, and he assured me there's no harm between them." Synn held back a chuckle but not the smile that came along with it as he added, "He thinks at his age it's doing him a world of good."

"You say the same thing about his little feud with that miserable, old neighbor." Theresa observed.

"What happens between Joshua and Missus O'Heaney are just harmless pranks." Synn stated simply. "And half the time Joshua gets as good as he gives."

"Harmless?" Theresa finished her tea and set the cup down on the desk's coaster. "The woman sicced her German Shepard on Joshua!"

Synn replied, "And Joshua bit the dog before the dog could bite him. No real harm done save for the dog's psyche. Plus, let's face facts..." Synn spread his hands out in open invitation. "Ever since he found her on the floor of her home, Joshua's actually taken a liking to the old woman. He's been going over there quite often."

"Where she wants him to or not." Theresa added.

"I have a feeling she enjoys the company more than she lets on with that hard exterior of her's." Synn said. "If she truly hated it, she wouldn't let him in or tell him stories of her youth as an actress."

"Speaking of that boy of yours..." Theresa shifted around in her chair to look towards the still closed office door. "Shouldn't he have barged in here by now with your mail?"

"Unless I didn't get any." Synn replied. "But that almost never happens, so... yes." He sighed as he slowly stood up from his seat. "Might as well go find out what he's gotten himself into this time and get it over with."

Theresa stood up and followed her boss and friend out of the office, pausing only long enough to quickly pick up her glass to clean it later. They walked down the long hallway of the modern house until they arrived in the foyer which ld into the living room where a large Christmas tree decorated the far corner. The entire home itself had been done up in holiday decor, the usual conceding on Synn's part on behalf of his son's wishes. (I know, shocker, right?) Garland, lights and holly were everywhere the eye could see, but nowhere was the festive mood more prominent than in the living room. Garland and lights lined everything from the mantle to the windows and everywhere in between. There was that dreaded mistletoe but the tree! The tree in all its glory was the most prominent display -- well, that and the presents!

Oh there was so many colorfully wrapped packages of all shapes and sizes positioned beneath and around the tree, and in some cases, the furniture itself. Probably one of the many reason why Synn was constantly teased by those closest to him that he spoiled Despayre terribly, a fact Synn never denied. Not that he could, really. And that eight foot tall Christmas tree was where Synn and Theresa walked in to find the aforementioned Despayre kneeling in front of, his back turned to them but with a large package in his hands.

"Can you see anything Angel? ... Me either. ... I `unno. Maybe they're not turned on?"

Synn interrupted -- whatever it was that his son was doing this time, and asked aloud, "What exactly do you think you're doing Joshua?"

Despayre jumped in startled surprise, spinning around and flopping from his knees to his butt, holding that colorfully wrapped package in his hands -- and a pair of novelty X-Ray specs on his eyes. Synn and Theresa's eyes shifted to Despayre's side and saw the teddy bear Angel, facing the tree but with a pair of 'his' own X-Ray specs perched on it's nose. Their attention turned back to Despayre who was staring at them though his glasses.

Theresa clucked her tongue, "What would Santa say?"

"You're not gonna nark on me, are you!?" Despayre cried.

"No. Synn answered, despite his growing amusement at his son's antics."Besides, it wouldn't be worth it. Your presents aren't in the house and those things..." He motioned with a forefinger towards the specs on Despayre's face. "... do not work."

Despayre's eyebrows rose up almost to his hairline before he took his special specs off and stared hard at them momentarily, before he slipped them back on and stared at his dad.

"Then how come I can see you're wearing that rubber thong Shipman gave you?"

Synn stared at his son, but felt the eyes of someone else on him. He did a double take at the house keeper at his left and simply said, "Don't judge me."

That being said, Despayre jumped to his feet, picking Angel up along with him by the paw and with his free hand, snatched a small package wrapped in "Grumpy Cat" wrapping paper and started to dart around his father and Theresa.

"NOW where are you off to?" Theresa asked.

"Fine." Synn called after him. "Just make it fast as I'm taking you two out to lunch!"

Despayre poked his head back into the frame of the living room with an impish, hopeful smile. "Panda Express?"

"Olive Garden." Synn corrected.

"Awww!" And Despayre vanished and they saw him through the window, running toward the old neighbor's house down the road...

>

"I have to admit that I am not entirely certain just how I should feel about this match that Despayre finds himself in. I mean, on one hand, I had felt that after winning the Going For the Gold Battle Royal in Canada, he had certainly earned a break and at least a week off, but then I also thought about it and believed if anyone should have a match at not just the 'homecoming' edition of Climax Control, but also the Christmas themed episode as well? Well, Despayre's name should be right there at the top of the list."

"Still -- Gabriel Asar?"

"Out of any and every Superstar that Despayre could find himself against, he gets signed to face a man that has not competed in an SCW ring since January of this year? And before that, his scheduled matches were few and far between. Three matches in August of 2014, two in September of the same year, then nothing again until January of this year. After that, vanished. Poof! Gone! But I was mistaken, wasn't I? It was just your career that pretty much vanished in a cloud of smoke, wasn't it Mister Asar? Hardly surprising. The most notable thing you were involved in wasn't even a wrestling match. It was an attack at the hands of your ex, Amy Marshall, that left you laying, out cold."

"Everything that happened after, just showed the world what a sad little human being you are. A boy that had finally experienced the world without ever having had his nose bled before. You displayed for the world to see, your true worth as a human being, and I must say, that value is worthless."

"So why here? Why now? Why does my son, Despayre. have to face you now all of a sudden? Why are you even here in the first place? You actually think you are going to use Despayre as a means to an end, a way to shake off the proverbial ring rust so that you can forge ahead in another endeavor that benefits you and you alone? No. I think not."

"Arrogance will be the root of your downfall, Mister Asar. It always has been. You speak as if the world owes you, well, the world, and act the part of the victim each time you are denied. The sad thing is that arrogance can be a powerful tool inside of the ring, so long as you know how to channel that emotion into a weapon and learn to not underestimate the man staring at you from across the ring. Sadly, I have seen no examples of you being able to accomplish any such thing. You are a mere boy, a child, playing the part of an adult. And doing so quite badly."

"Whatever is going through your mind right now? Whatever strategies you come into Las Vegas armed with? None of it is going to work. Despayre has suffered two defeats in his entire career. Two! One to his own 'big brother' in the real Gabriel, and one to Sean Jackson. And you? You of all people are not going to add a check mark to that very small tally. I don't care what kind of ridiculous holiday themed match the two of you get entered into, the end result will be the same; you walking into the Gold Coast Casino with high hopes and boastful dreams, and laving mere hours later in defeat with your tail tucked between your legs."

"Don't feel too bad for what's about to come, Mister Asar. It should only come as natural in the grand scheme of things. After all, Despayre is King, and every King needs a royal clown."

25
Climax Control Archives / Love Thy Neighbor Act 1 ; Scene 3
« on: November 06, 2015, 08:08:29 PM »
 The 2015 Bugatti Veyron pulled up into the smooth pavement that served as the drive to the home that housed Synn and Despayre in their hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. Once the engine is shut off, the driver's door opened and out stepped the familiar form of former two-time SCW World Heavyweight Champion, Gabriel. Despite his retired status, Gabriel was forever seen as a member of this team, and as a part of the pseudo family that it compromised. As such, he was well aware that he was welcome to stop by any time of day, on any day of the week, for whatever reasons might fill his head or heart. If he had a problem, he knew he could talk to Synn for some advice from the man he saw as a father figure. If he was depressed for whatever reason, he knew even the shortest amount of time with his 'little brother' Despayre would almost assuredly lift his spirits and make a dark cloud into a silver lining. The "little nutter" as Shane Boswell often called him just had that way about him.

Still, at this almost noon hour, Gabriel had come for neither of those things. Not really anyway. This was more of a social call as it were. Locking the car's state of the art security system behind him, Gabriel made his way toward the front porch. Sometimes he privately wondered why he bothered locking the car when Despayre might soon be a passenger. The little guy had this way about him, an ability to by-pass even the most secure locks as if they were little more than the average padlock. Stepping up onto the porch, Gabriel jammed his thumb to the door bell, causing soft chimes of toll bells to ring from within the manor, then followed up by rapping his knuckles sharply on the wooden surface of the front door.

Of course Gabriel was family, and Synn had long ago gifted him with a key to the front door in which to let himself in without ceremony. He was welcome, as was his wife who was not at his side this time. Only Gabriel preferred not to do so. He would often joke he shuddered to think what he would walk into a house where Synn called home, especially if Chris Shipman also happened to be in attendance at the time. But the truth was he simply saw it as a matter of respect to those that called this house their home; Synn, Despayre, and of course, Theresa. (And Angel! You can't forget Angel!) If it was an emergency, he might see himself using the key to allow himself in, but he'd prefer to do so rarely and not take advantage of such trust.

Soon enough, he heard the lock of the door being unlatched and it was opened to reveal the aforementioned Theresa Aguilera once again in her housekeeping uniform, back to work following her recent open heart surgery. Smiling at the sight of the live-in housekeeper and yes, also a member of this somewhat dysfunctional family, Gabriel leaned on the door frame with his hands and winked.

"Hey babe." He said with a coy lilt in his voice. "I was going to ask if the boss of the house was home, but she just answered the door."

Theresa snorted back a bout of unladylike laughter, and stepped aside to allow the man entrance. Wiping his feet on the doormat (not wanting this woman to chase him with a mop for dirtying her clean floors -- again), Gabriel walked past her and set foot into the foyer.

"Boss man putting you back to work, I see." He quietly observed, turning to her. "I take it you're recovered completely."

"I'm afraid I didn't give her much choice." The deep baritone voice that belonged to Synn drew their attention to the far hall where the leader of this family emerged from. hands deep in the pockets of his slacks, he approached, "It was either I let her return to work, or she force me to wash my own socks."

"Christ, nobody wants to go near those things." Gabriel joked. "Despy even told me Angel was afraid of tackling those things."

Synn shook his head at the joke at his expense, but played along and asked, "He did, did he?"

"Mm." Gabriel nodded. "Speaking of, where is the little bugger? He didn't come racing downstairs to greet me and I was going to invite him out."

"Upstairs, I imagine." Synn answered. "Putting a dent in that anime series "Tactics that you got for him off of EBay. Oh, and I believe Angel might be giving him a strategy session or two."

Gabriel frowned, "Strategy session? What for? He finally get a rematch with Jackson?"

"No," Synn shook his head. "Jackson is still refusing to compete until he gets Raab in a match. No, Ward signed Joshua to go up against Kris Halc, of all people."

Gabriel scoffed, "Wow. Beating a dead horse, or what? Despy already tore that guy into ground beef."

Synn smiled, a note of pride in his face as well as voice, "Yes, and now the powers-that-be are making them face each other again to see which of the former champions gets first crack at Jackson in a title match."

Gabriel stared hard at Synn, hardly believing his ears. "You're shitting me." He said. "Despy just lost the damn title and they're making him fight the bum that ran away and avoiding touring to see who deserves the shot first?"

Synn just held up his hands, having nothing to say on the matter itself to make things any better. Shaking his head in disbelief, before he turned and started jogging upstairs, going after his little brother.

<HR>


"So do you think dad suspects anything?"

Gabriel had arrived at the top of the stairs and had just about brought himself to rap on Despayre's bedroom door when he overheard the question emanate from within. Every so often one of the men or women involved in the Sins would be privy to these random one-sided conversations Despayre had with the teddy bear, Angel, and oh how often they wished they could hear both sides, or whatever was going through Despayre's head as far as Angel's part of the chat. It wasn't so much Gabriel found himself amused at possibly bearing witness to another of these little "talks". It was the question itself that drew him up short, and kept him from alerting Despy to his presence.

Inside of the spacious bedroom that was moderately furnished in everything save for the entertainment of the occupant(s) inside, Despayre was laying down on the bed, on his right side and his eyes on Angel who was propped up to look him in the eye while they talked. It was only polite, you know! An episode of the aforementioned anime series was on the plasma television, but Despayre had hit the pause button so he wouldn't miss anything that happened on-screen. When Angel wanted to talk, it was always best to give him your full and undivided attention.

What he had to say was always that important!

Despayre rolled over onto his stomach and smiled at Angel while he kicked his stocking feet idly, propping him chin in the cups of his joined palms.

Despayre said quietly, "Yeah, but if dad ever found out we lost on purpose, he would be very cross."

From outside of the bedroom, Gabriel frowned at what he had just overheard. Mouthing the very same words he had heard -- "Lost on purpose?" Did he really just hear Despayre say that he had lost to Sean Jackson intentionally?

Inside of the bedroom, Despayre smooshed his cheeks in his clenched hands and nodded. "Yeah!" He nodded to Angel, agreeing with whatever the teddy bear had just told him. "I think he would too! Even if he knew that it was all a part of your Master Plan! Dad is a smart guy but he might not understand what you have in mind."

Tracing an outline on the pattern of the bed's lush comforter with his fingertip, Despayre asked his silent confidante, "Do you think Gabriel would understand?"

Gabriel drew his head back on the outside of the bedroom door. It wasn't that often he could witness Despayre having a talk (with anybody) where his name came up for him to hear.

"How come?" Despayre asked the teddy bear. "He doesn't like Sean Jackson either, so you'd think he'd... oh. Okay that much makes sense. Not liking Sean would make him not like us losing on porpoise, huh?"

Despayre nodded and then helped turn his friend around to face the television once again, their talk having concluded. "Okay, I'll do what you think best. Gabriel doesn't hafta know." And with his hand, he grasped the remote at hand to turn the DVD back on, when on the outside, Gabriel had heard enough and reached up to knock on the door...

*knock!* *knock!*

"Despy?" Gabriel called out to be heard through the door. "You in there?" No reason for the time being to let the little guy know that his confession had been overheard. At least, not yet.

Despayre's head shot up at the sound of the voice, and his face was alight with the joy he always felt deep inside whenever Gabriel was around.

"It's Gabriel!" Gabriel heard exclaimed from inside of the bedroom. "Gabriel's here!"

Before Gabriel could open the door, as he knew he was even more welcome to set foot inside of Despayre's bedroom than the house as a whole, the bedroom door opened slightly ajar, seemingly of its own accord. Gabriel expected to see Despayre peeking through the crack, but somehow his gaze was drawn down to spot the face of Angel peering up at him.

Smirking, despite his disappointment at what he had overheard, Gabriel thought he could play along and he saluted the teddy bear and said, "Hey Angel. Can I talk to Despy there for a sec?"

The face of the teddy bar drew back and after a brief moment, the bedroom door was flung open and before Gabriel could brace himself, he was greeted by his little brother's usual enthusiastic greeting!

"Gabriel! HI!"

"Heya Despy!" Gabriel patted him on the back before they separated and Gabriel held a hand out toward Angel and asked, "What's with the added security there?"

"Oh, sorry!" Despayre moaned mournfully. "But ever since the Bogey Man came back to SCW with that witchy woman, Angel's insisted on extra precautions. Just in case."

"Very sensible, Angel." Gabriel knew it give the teddy bear its just due where Despayre was concerned, and the puffing out of the little guy's chest showed he appreciated the praise for his beastie, er, bestie.

Despayre held Angel close to his chest and smiled while he asked, "So! What brings you all the way out here?"

"All the way...?" Gabriel mused, despite himself. "I just like halfway across town buddy. But to answer your question, the little missus is hanging out with a few friends and has the baby, and wouldn't you know? I got a craving for that Panda Express so I..."

"Race you downstairs!" Despayre suddenly cried out in delight, and would have made it for the steps had Gabriel not caught him by the bend of the elbow and reeled him back in. He knew very well Despayre's voracious appetite for all things Panda Express. The young man really loved that fast food Chinese place, and the fact he could sit down with Gabriel (and Angel!) just doubled the pleasure of the lunch prospect.

"Hold on there Despy!" Gabriel called out. "Before we go anywhere, I have to have a little chin wag with your da."

Despayre tilted his head to the side and blinked, "Que?"

"Chat, Despy." Gabriel emphasized. "Gonna have a chat wit' your da."

"Ohhhhh!" Despayre nodded knowingly. "I'm sorry I didn't get that. I'm Canadian American so I don't speak English."

Gabriel smiled and just patted him on the shoulder. He said, "I'll try to be more clear next time."

"That'd be great!" Despayre's face then lit up with an idea. "Say! If you're going to wag on dad's chin, that'll gimme time to run over to Missus O'Heaney's and see how she is!"

"Er, Missus...?" Gabriel frowned, knowing full well the animosity that existed between the mean old woman neighbor of theirs and his little brother. "You sure you want to? I mean..."

"Of course!" He chirped. "I promised her I'd stop in to see her after San Juan but I haven't had a chance yet! I'm a man of my word, after all."

"Well alright." Gabriel relented. "If you're sure, just try and be nice to the old woman, okay?"

Despayre looked absolutely affronted as he protested, "I'm always nice!"

Gabriel tilted his head forward and a twinkle in his eye knew full well just how much mischief Despayre could get into when he put his mind to it. "Oh yeah?" He questioned. "How about that time you stretched Seran Wrap over her door and made her dog take that tumble?"

Despayre reasoned with his face the picture of innocence. "Oh sure! Things always seem worse when you remember the facts! And besides...!" He reasoned. "You said to be nice to her. Never said anything about that dumb dog."

"True." Gabriel agreed, and released his arm. "Okay, go to it. If I finish first, I'll track ya down."

"Cool beans!" Despayre shouted out as he took off out of his bedroom and raced for the stairs, with Gabriel calling after him...

"Make sure to get yer coat on! It's monkeys outside!"

"No foolin'!?"

Gabriel arrived at the bottom of the steps just in time for the front door to slam closed, and Synn stepping out into the hall, motioning toward the now closed door and direction his son had just taken off.

"Please tell me he's not going where I think he is?"

Just then, the door swung back open and Despayre stuck his head back inside, "Hey there's no monkeys out here!" Jetting out his bottom lip in a classic pout, Despayre stepped back out, slamming the door behind him.

<HR>


"Your regularly scheduled Despayre promo will continue after this brief commercial interruption..."

"I told Despayre that this would happen, and as usual, I was right. No, as you may have guessed, this is not Synn doing the shoot work like usual. It would appear he did some damage to his throat after a sleep over with Shipman, although I'm still unsure as to how. Maybe they were singing karaoke or something -- I know I heard a few loud shouts, but I digress!"

"Kris Halc hasn't been seen around Sin City Wrestling in a number of months, not counting his so-called return match last week against Gavin Stephens. Actually his last competitive match was the one where my Despayre upended him for the SCW Internet Championship. After that, woosh! Kris vanished from the wrestling scene and only made sporadic appearances on social media, declaring the reasons he vanished was because he simply did not want to take part in the world tour SCW was and is, embarking on. Ah! But was that the case? Was he really avoiding long traveling hours, or was it something else? or rather, someone,else?"

"You see it was my personal opinion that after all the false bravado that Halc shoved down everyone's throats about Despayre and how he'd never win the Internet title, he was simply too embarrassed to show his face in front of fans and his peers, because let's face it! Despayre pretty much took him apart when he won the championship! And of course during Despayre's reign, there was Halc on Twitter, running his mouth where he was safe and sound and Despayre didn't know where he was so he couldn't get close to him. Oh Kris told everyone that he was around and if Despayre wanted a piece of him, he knew where to find him. Except he never really did give out any specific location -- not that Despayre would sink to the level of hunting him down. "Ad when Despayre 'lost' the Internet title, well what did Kris do? He again ran his mouth like a blender on crack, talking as if it would have been only a matter of time before he would have returned to strip the belt from Despayre himself. HA!"

"See, I told Despayre to just bide his time and his patience would pay off. And here we are! Though even I'm stumped as to why this is a Number One Challenger's match. In my own humble opinion, Kris Halc forfeited the right to a chance at regaining the title when he refused to go on the road ... or ship ... or jet ... you know what I mean! If anyone deserves to face Sean Jackson for the Internet Championship, it should be Despayre! Not that he necessarily wants to do so, but you get my point. And if Despayre has to go through Kris Halc, you know, AGAIN in order to prove his own point, well then that's exactly what he's going to do!"

"I'm certain that Halc will walk into that ring, all sure of himself and full of poop, er, pomp and circumstance, but in the end, the only celebration that'll be had will be on Despayre's side when he goes two and zero against the man he already proved himself against. Despayre may not have won inside of a steel cage against Sean Jackson, but even that nut ball can't deny the fact Despayre took the fight to him and if you want to get technical, Jackson lucked out. But they're not in a cage this time, are you Kris? No! You're in a regular wrestling ring, one of which Despayre has rang up a bunch of wins left and right against the best SCW has to offer. And if he can take the fight to that level inside of a cage, just imagine what he can do to you in a normal environment."

"Despayre can and will run circles around you Halc. He can take to the air and fly like he had wings. He can wrestle with you if you press him, and if you want, and I feel bad for you if you do, he can fight and match you tooth for claw. You got a taste of how rabid he can fight when backed into a corner once. Are you sure you want to go through that again? I don't know if even Lloyds of London would carry insurance for such a grievous error in poor judgement!"

"Some might call this a rematch of sorts, but not me. I prefer to think of it as a rerun -- because the end will always be the same."

"Oh! We now return to your program already in progress..."

<HR>


"HellLlOoO!" The loud call came, along with an even louder bang of the front door of the neighbor's house as Despayre invited himself in, pushing the door wide open with a flourish. Such was this young man's nature when he felt close to someone, or perhaps having made a new friend -- or in the cases of Missus O'Heaney -- 'frienemy'. He just felt 'welcome' in their life -- whether he was in fact or not. The fact that her front door was locked was a trifle, but it did bring to question also why the elderly woman had not contacted the neighborhood watch or police to his entering her home in such a way.

Despayre happily skipped inside of the house to find his neighbor, but was greeted by a loud bark and the clacking of nails on the hard wood floor. The home's guard dog, a large German Shepard came racing in to confront whoever just entered his home, and came to a screeching halt once the pooch saw who it was exactly. That was when the dog uttered a soft whine and turned around and raced off in the opposite direction, much to Despayre's confusion. He walked off in the same direction, going right past Missus O'Heaney who was seated in her front room as she usually was, and she watched as he walked off into the interior of her house to check on her pet. A moment later, Despayre came walking back, shaking his head in faux dismay.

"Boy that's some attack dog you have!" Despayre declared. "He hid under your kitchen table, peed on the floor and ran out the back door!"

Missus O'Heaney's face flushed at the information, and she quickly hid a smile that had damn near fund it's way to her ever-present sour disposition. of course, it seemed a natural response from the canine, considering a few months ago Despayre had responded to thee dog attempting to bite him by simply biting the dog right back.

"Well it's hardly surprising, considering you bit the poor animal!" Missus O'Heaney argued. "And didn't anyone ever teach you to knock before entering someone else's home!?"

Despayre stood before her, momentarily chastised for his usual impulsive actions. he fidgeted and clasped his hands tightly together, his fingers interwoven and head down trodden. He shifted briefly from foot to foot and then turned around, hiding his face from her when something in her made her decide to ask, "What did you need?"

This question gave Despayre enough pause to turn around and raise his head to look at her. His eyes were red rimmed and thee dusty trail of a tear stain ran down his cheek. His usual reaction whenever he was scolded, an action he was not accustomed to. He took a moment to collect himself before he drew in a somewhat shaky breath and answered, "I promised I'd come visit if it was okay. You said you'd be here."

Missus O'Heaney answered back, "You said that weeks ago. I thought you'd decided not to." She then half muttered, "Just like everyone else."

Whether Despayre heard the last or not remained unclear. He did however shake his head in denial and he said, "I'm sorry. I really am! I meant to come sooner but dad said I should leave you alone for awhile."

The old woman said tartly, "I should think I can decide for myself whether I need to be left alone or not!"

Despayre shrugged, "Plus he thought I needed lots of recovery time after I got knocked silly on that show I was in."

"I take it then that you didn't win and avenge that teddy bear of yours?" She mused, curling her arthritic hand under her chin.

"Oh I avenged Angel alright!" Despayre declared. "But no. I didn't win." His face then brightened as he asked, "Did you watch??"

"Now why would I want to do such a silly thing?" Missus O'Heaney frowned, drawing herself up against the back of her chair and reached for her cup of tea. before she could, Despayre hurriedly got it for her and handed it over to where she snatched it from him. She finished by saying, "I don't watch such things. I watch the news and that's all."

"Oh." Despayre said, sighing. He supposed it had been too much to expect. He then smiled as he reached inside of his jacket pocket."Oh but I did bring you a present!"

The elderly woman watched as he withdrew a framed 8X10 color picture of himself and Angel, used in SCW merchandising. It was autographed in purple crayon (of course!), and had a paw print signature for you-know-who (again, of course!). Despayre happily placed the picture front and center on her mantle, right beside the picture she had showed him previously of her dearly departed husband.

"There!" He happily declared. Pretty as a picture!" And he bounded over to the small sofa in front of her own chair and had a seat, even without an invitation. He kicked his feet idly, and said, "So! I was hoping you'd tell me about all those." he motioned towards all of the framed photographs on the walls of her living room.

"What about them?" Missus O'Heaney asked, a faint trace of hesitation in her otherwise strong voice.

"Well who is that in the pictures silly!" Despayre questioned. "She's very pretty, whoever she is."

"That's me!" Missus O'Heaney retorted.

Despayre blinked, then looked over at all of the pictures, scanning them with his eyes, then back at her. Then back at the pictures, then back at her.

"No way!"

"Yeah, afraid so." She stated, her chest swelling with just a hint of pride. "Those were some of my publicity photos."

"Publicity photos for what?"

She answered, "Well you're not the only one who's been in show business, kid! I was an actress in the fifties."

Despayre's face lit up and he smiled, "Really!?"

"Really. Mostly on stage but I did a film or two." She shook her head. "Never would do television. Never did like the prospect."

"What was it like acting back in the old days?" Despayre asked, and the use of the term 'old days' drew another frown from the neighbor, even though that was about as easy to do as besting a pig in a game of chess.

"Harder than it is today, I'm sure!" She declared. "And there was a lot more pride in your work back then compared to the tripe they shove down people's throats these days!"

"Can I have your autograph?" Despayre smiled hopefully, shoving his fists deep between his knees. A subconscious act on his part whenever he was tense or excited.

"Heavens, no!" Missus O'Heaney declared hotly. "I gave up on such silly notions decades ago!" She then looked at the crestfallen expression on his face at having been denied and she sighed and retracted her words by saying, "Maybe another time." She glanced up and reiterated, "Maybe."

Satisfied for the time being, Despayre flopped back against the cushions of the sofa to continue the chat when there was a ringing of the doorbell.

"Oh for the love of... Missus O'Heaney rolled her eyes and then called out, "Who is it!?"

"It's prolly Gabriel." Despayre answered, jumping up to answer it. "He said he'd be by to pick me up for lunch!"

Despayre hurried over to the front door to answer it, not seeing the flickering of disappointment on the old woman's face. A moment later, Gabriel found himself being dragged into the front room by the wrist in order to be properly introduced.

"Missus O'Heaney, this is my bestest friend Gabriel!" Despayre motioned from one to the other. "Gabriel, this is..."

"I think we got the gist." Missus O'Heaney huffed at someone else having entered her home without invitation. Gabriel, in turn, paid due respect by silently nodding toward his elder.

"Gabriel's taking me to Panda Express!" Despayre hopped on the balls of his feet. "You wanna come!?"

"Uh, Despy..." Gabriel started to say at the same time Missus O'Heaney answered, "I'll pass."

"Okay." Despayre nodded, picking up his jacket and passing Angel to Gabriel to hold while he slipped his garment back on. "Maybe next time you can tell me more about acting?" He looked to Gabriel and said matter-of-factly, "Missus O'Heaney was an actress in the 1850's!"

"1950's!" She answered back hotly, correcting him.

"Really!" Gabriel nodded. "That's really ... interesting." He then patted Despayre's shoulder and said, "Okay Despy, we should get going."

Despayre nodded, "Okay!" He turned to Missus O'Heaney and said, "I'll come see you again when I get back from Jamaica. I'll wanna make sure you're okay after your operation."

"Operation?" She frowned. "I'm not having any operation!"

"You are too!" Despayre stated. "Gabriel here said you're gonna have a big stick taken out of your butt!" And he was promptly yanked away from the room by Gabriel who hurried him out of the door, closing it behind him and leaving the elderly woman alone, staring at the door.

"Well..." She said softly. "Thanks for the short visit..."

26
Climax Control Archives / Love Thy Neighbor
« on: September 18, 2015, 10:20:20 PM »
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           <td width="32%"><div align="center" class="rules">Ted E. Bahr Productions
Proudly presents:</div></td>
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"Love Thy Neighbor (Even when she's a mean old woman)
Act 1 ; Scene 1"
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         <td><marquee>
ANNOUNCEMENT: "The Wives Of Henry the 8th" will not be seen at this time, so that we may present to you another program you'll lose your head over.
</marquee>

"Yes indeed, we find ourselves in the famed "City of Sin", an appropriate place for the home of several men and women who were founding members of the controversial wrestling stable of the Seven Deadly Sins. And if you think that's something else, well here's a real trump card; we're at the house of none other than the father and son duo of that very stable, Synn and Despayre! Huh? Huh? What? Oh I get it! You expected this to be set in the city of Buenos Aries, Argentina where Climax Control would be held this coming weekend, didn't you? Well newsflash! There were more important tales to tell than what could be drummed up in yet another sight seeing..."

"Angel?"

"Yo?"

"Who are you talking to?"

"Oh just another certain someone who thinks they know better in what we should be doing with our time."

"Wow. Rude."

(musical interlude)


And now, it's time for another wacky adventure, featuring that Icon of Innocence, that Guru of Guffaws, that Sultan of Subdued Snorts....

Despayre stood on the very tips of his toes, even though it wasn't really warranted in this case. I mean, yeah he's a tad short for a professional wrestler, but even he's tall enough to gaze out of his bedroom window as he watched and waited for his intended to show up at the family's door step. Still, this was to be thee day he got what he had ordered online two weeks ago while on tour for Sin City Wrestling, and he had went with the slowest shipping option available for two reasons:

One, because he had to make absolutely certain that he would be here for the impending arrival. It was vital to ... THE PLAN!

And two, because his patience would be rewarded with the impending result. After their last little 'clash', she would be lulled into a false sense of security when so much time has passed.

Ah! The art of war!

"Oo! Oo! There he is! There's his truck!" Despayre cried gleefully, pounding his open palms against his window sill, almost bouncing with excitement (you know, more so than he usually was!). He immediately turned on his heels and started to made a mad dash, but his own feet tripped him up and he fell forward, landing with a soft "Oof!" on his bed! Boy it was a good thing his dad decided to position it where he had or else he would have had himself a mischief right then and there!

Quickly righting himself, Despayre mad a grab for that teddy bear that followed him everywhere to not just protect him, but to keep him out of trouble (and usually failing at the latter), and swung his bedroom door open and made a mad dash to get to the front door.

Wait ... truck? Who exactly was he waiting for that drove a truck? None of the Sins did so, and none of the Sins' associates did either. So who...?

The woman in the postal uniform walked up the path of the large estate to the house... (ohhh! a mail truck! I gotcha!), and as she stepped up onto the porch to place the mail in the chute, the door swung wide open and Despayre almost ran right into her but skidded to a stop with a hearty "Hi!"

But as quickly as he smiled at one of his arch-nemesis, the mailman (I know, I don't understand it either), he stopped just as fast at whatever he had planned to do or say when he saw that this mailman was not a mailman at all!

Despayre blinked, "Gee! I never saw a femailman before!" He practically pouted at this new face on his home's doorstep, and even worse, it was a girl! He couldn't offer up his special unique brand of hijinx to a girl! Well, most girls! You-know-who didn't count. She wasn't a girl. She was an old bat!

"Disappointed?" The mail carrier asked with a trace of sarcasm, having been informed by the vacationing regular mailman of this particular test on the route. She held up a package in particular and said, "If you don't want it...?"

"Oh no!" Despayre shook his head in the negative and extended his arms, making 'grabby hands'. "I'll take it, please!"

"Well alright." The postal worker handed over the package and several envelopes to Despayre's waiting hands. She gave him a silent nod in greeting and turned to walk back up the path toward her truck, leaving Despayre to watch after her, then look down at his plush buddy and confess, "You're right. It's a good thing we didn't set up that net trap!" And he ducked back into the house, slamming the door as usual behind him.

Across the house, in the room Synn himself used as an office, the man himself sat behind his desk, leaning back in his chair, but he was not alone. Seated across from him was one of his many other proteges, and Despayre's pseudo 'big brother', Gabriel. The new father of a baby boy was holding his small one in his strong arms, while his free hand held the bottle to the baby's mouth so it could comfortably eat.

"If that boy of yours spits up in here, I'm making you clean it." Synn said from where he was seated, the tone hard and unyielding but Gabriel knew the man long enough to recognize the hidden tone of jest. So much so that Gabriel was quite comfortable in returning the favor by saying, "Funny, but d you make the same threat whenever Despy does the same?"

"Every time." Synn countered with a smirk. "He laughed at breakfast just this morning and made a mess with milk coming out of his nose. Made him clean that right up."

The corner of Gabriel's lips twitched in amusement as he speculated, "Why do I have the feeling that it was Theresa who made him clean it up and not you?"

"Details..." Synn waved off his contradiction, when they heard the front door slam. Synn gazed towards the office door and said, "I would imagine that was the mail."

"And Despy answering it." Gabriel muttered. "That's never a good sign." Gabriel knew full well the little quirks that made Despayre so much fun to deal with and be around, and this feud-of-sorts that he had going with the mailman seemed to be just another one. Actually, it wasn't even limited to Despayre and Synn's mailman. He seemed to have it in for his and Odette's, and Rage's as well. Cats and dogs. Despayre and mailmen.

Gabriel went on, "Least it explains why he high tailed it out of here, to watch for the mailman. He never tends to leave this one's side when I'm over." And by this one, he obviously was referring to his son, of whom Despayre was an honorary 'uncle'.

Synn said, nodding his head towards the baby in Gabriel's arms, "Yes. I can't imagine it has anything to do with the fact the last time you let him hold the baby, he did something unsavory in his diaper."

Gabriel closed his eyes and his shoulders started shaking with the effort not to laugh at the memory of Despayre's reaction to holding a baby with a 'poopy' diaper, and thus disturb his son from his feeding. The door then gently nudged its way open, and the very young man they were just speaking of, Despayre, started to carefully tiptoe into his dad's office to deliver his share of the day's mail. He didn't want to disturb the baby either, and possibly risk another diaper bomb in the process. So instead he arrived (eventually) at his dad's desk and slid the bills and letters across the cherry wood top to the man's waiting fingertips.

"Thank you Joshua." Synn said with sincerity, and Despayre nodded, holding a finger to his lips for helpful silence for his nephew while he backed up toward the door.

"What have you got there Despy?" Gabriel asked casually, having noticed the little sneak had a package hidden behind his back.

Despayre looked at Gabriel with the same eyes a deer might get when facing oncoming traffic on the interstate, and those gray orbs only grew in size when he turned his head and found his father waiting for an answer as well. He shrugged, and casually brought the small box out from behind his back and held it up.

"It's just a ... package." Despayre answered wistfully. "A little something I ordered."

"Joshua," Synn started to address his son. "You haven't been ordering things out of catalogs for Theresa again, have you? She's starting to run out of room with all those Avon presents."

"No." Despayre smiled. "This one is for Missus O'Heaney."

"Oh." Synn started to turn back to Gabriel when the name hit him and just before his boy made it clear, he barked, "Stop right there!"

"Rats!" Despayre snapped his fingers and backed back up into the office and turned around to find his dad standing up from the desk and making his way around toward his son.

"Out with it." Synn demanded. "What are you planning to do to her this time?"

"Geez! It's just a little present!" Despayre protested. "You make it sound as if my sole reason in life is to make the old bat-er, bird, miserable!"

While this hot little topic was going on between father and son, Gabriel simply made himself comfortable in his chair and watched the proceedings like a fan at Wimbledon.

"Joshua," Synn sat back on the edge of his desk and folded his arms across his chest. "A month ago you placed an ad in the paper, advertising for a biker's party and gave her address. Thirty three Hell's Angels showed up on her front lawn and the police had to be called to clear things up."

"She can't prove that was me!" Despayre defended himself.

"No, but I can." Synn countered. "Plus there was the subscription you bought her for Playgirl magazine."

"I notice she didn't complain about that one." Despayre grumbled. "Dirty old..."

Synn interrupted the attempted change of subject, "So please tell me what's the latest you're planning on torturing this woman with?"

Despayre sighed and showed the package to his dad, saying, "It's just a bird call. An electronic one."

"An electronic bird call?" Gabriel frowned, not seeing the point of such a thing, but then sometimes it was damn near impossible to decipher the mind of his Despy.

Synn added, his own confusion evident, "And what exactly does something like that do?"

"Well," Despayre answered, rather pleased with himself. "Hunters or bird watchers hide the one piece in a shrub or tree somewhere, then click the button on the other piece to make a bird noise. That way it attracts birdies and they can watch from a safe distance -- or blow its head off."

Both Synn and Gabriel stared at Despayre for several long moments. Too long for Despayre's own personal comfort, and thus he started to fidget until finally Synn let him off the hook. "Go on." He shook his head. "But if she puts dish soap in our garden hose again, I'm making you explain it to the gardener."

"Okay!" Despayre smiled and turned and dashed out of the office, and only moments later they heard the front door slam open, and then shut again. Synn sighed and ran his hand down his face until he held his chin in his fingertips.

"It seems innocent enough, but he's up to something." Synn drummed his chin with his fingertips. "But what could he do with an electronic bird call?"

"Well," Gabriel shrugged with an answer. "From what he described, if he can get inside of her house, he could put that thing anywhere. Then he could be here pressing that button and the old woman would go crazy trying to find a bird that's not there."

Synn stared at Gabriel briefly before looking at the office door in the direction Despayre had just left and said, "That's brilliant. I just wish he wouldn't torment Missus O'Heaney the way he does. Last month she started circulating a petition to the Homeowner's Association about him."

"So what?" Gabriel frowned. "He's still here so it obviously didn't go anywhere."

"Of course it didn't." Synn replied. "Joshua stole the petition."

The neighborhood where the tars of this here promo resided within Las Vegas has never truly been described. Why bother focusing on others when Synn, Despayre and the rest were the stars? Understand? Hm? Good. But this time the scene happens to be shifting ever so slightly outside of their house and toward another. In truth, there were not altogether a grand number of houses on this street. They were spaced away from one another with even more spacious yards, allowing the residents the afforded luxury of privacy from the more close-knit neighborhoods in this and every other city. It was one of the reasons why Synn had chosen this house in this neighborhood: fewer people to antagonize his son, and vice versa.

It was upscale, as was explained in previous installments, and that meant not just Synn's household had their share of comforts, but those that lived in the few homes located on this neighborhood block. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, but private and comfortable within their own rights. Plus, it wasn't what one would call a socially rich neighborhood. Just those with money and the means to make more. They were not snobs, but basically good people.

Or at least, most were. The previously mentioned Missus O'Heaney was a rare exception, and one that had many of the others that called this neighborhood home, cringe when dealing with her. So it was not just Despayre and his way of thinking. She really was a mean old... *clears throat* well, you get the idea. Many in the Home Owner's Association thought it a miracle she gave out treats for Halloween, or decorated for the holidays.

This was the very same woman who Despayre bounded up the front lawn and raced right up the ramp on her porch as the elderly seventy-two year old used a motorized wheelchair regularly. How she managed to answer back with Despayre's shenanigans with her own was a mystery to many who knew of this little local "feud".

Reaching the front door, Despayre opted to ring the ornate doorbell with the bronze carving of a cat, rather than knock on the front door. He covertly (?) hid the bird call behind his back and rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, an expectant smile on his face at what clever ploys he was about to pull.

Suddenly he saw the drapes to the right of the porch shift and a German Shepard stuck it's head through the Venetian blinds and started barking. This was the same dog Missus O'Heaney had bought for the sole purpose to bite him, and it may have worked if the dog was not now scared of Despayre because he had bit the dog right back. Which explained why when the dog got a look at who was on the porch, it started whining and disappeared from the window. presumably to go hide in the kitchen and pee on the floor -- just like last time.

Still, no answer at the door. Did the old lady have security camera installed now so she'd be able to see he was there and thus avoid him? Hunh, rude. He would go through all the trouble of vexing her and she avoided him? Well that wouldn't do. She had to be at home. She never went anywhere. She had no family and nobody liked her well enough to have her pay them a social call.

He huffed. might as well try one last time. he reached up with a balled fist and gave a sharp rap on the front door -- when the door slowly opened of its own accord. The grocer who delivered Missus O'Heaney's goods every other day must not have shut the door the rest of the way on his way out. Despayre stood there, in thought and unsure of himself or what he should do. He bit his lower lip, frowning, when he opted to do what just seemed right.

He gently nudged thee door open a little further and stuck his head inside just enough to see the dark interior of his neighbor's home for the first time. "Wooooow..." He gasped in amazement at the sight of all the flowers on the tables and pictures, paintings and plaques on the walls. Not at all what he had expected. Angel had told him she probably had bubbling cauldrons and gingerbread walls, being an old witch and all.

"Missus O'Heaney?" He said in a quiet tone, one he didn't expect to be heard. Something didn't feel right, and he swallowed his apprehension and dislike of this mean neighbor and called a little louder, "Missus O'Heaney?"

There it was. He heard something that sounded like something hitting the floor and a grunt of pain. Not knowing what else to do, Despayre opened the door wider, and the protecting dog gave him a wider berth, perhaps sensing something as Despayre carefully made his way into the house's interior, in the direction he heard the noise originate from.

Turning the corner that led from the foyer and into the living room, Despayre stopped short at the sight of an over turned end table and the resident of the house struggling on the floor, having obviously taken a sharp spill.

"Missus O'Heaney!" Despayre cried out as all animosity was quickly forgotten and Despayre rushed up to her...

Back at Despayre's home, the conversation between Synn and Gabriel had shifted once again when there was a knock on the door to the office and the two men's heads turned as Theresa, the housekeeper, stepped inside.

"Synn?" She said. "Did Joshua just go to Missus O'Heaney's house?"

"Yes?" Synn answered, almost hoping this was just a random question as to the lad's whereabouts, but something about her tone was saying otherwise.

And yes, Theresa proved that true as she jetted a thumb back over her shoulder and said, "Then you should get over there." She said. "I just saw an ambulance pull up."

"Oh, Christ!" Synn growled as he jumped to his feet and rushed out of the office....

Across the road, in front of the house of Eimear Missus O'Heaney, Synn ran up to find the resident of the house being loaded into an ambulance while a very scared Despayre stood by watching, clutching Angel closely to his chest. Synn hopped up onto the curb and quickly approached his son...

"Joshua!" Synn called out, prompting his boy to spin around with wide eyes, and he immediately said, "I didn't do it!"



"I have to admit, had this match been announced several months ago, before Despayre had even won the Internet Championship, I think I would perhaps be a tad more enthused. Yet now the prestige and excitement of a championship defense against Connor Murphy just simply doesn't mean as much as I think it once would have. And why is that, I imagine you are now wondering? I can answer that querie with a single word: Nobody."

"What in hell were you thinking man, when you decided to join this little group of Tim Staggs? You who have scored impressive victories over some of the more established Superstars in Sin City Wrestling, now suddenly a Nobody. You defeated a former World Champion in Gene Banton Junior -- cleanly -- in the center of the ring. And yet, you're a Nobody. Goth. The first-ever Triple Crown Champion. Former World Champion. Former World Tag Team Champion. The current reigning Roulette Champion. And ... you beat him. Yet -- you're a Nobody."

"I don't know how the hell Timothy Staggs talked you into this nonsense, nor what happened to you that addled your brain to allow yourself to be talked into believing such things about yourself when you have already proven otherwise. Is all of this meant to be some colossal pity party on your part? Well if that's the case, then allow me to be the first guest of honor and say 'boo hoo'."

"What happened, Connor? Did these wins over such talent mean nothing to you? Did it not get you to where you had expected to be? Well who the Hell's fault would that be, eh? You left, came back. Left, came back. Go injured, came back. It's no damn wonder the promoters weren't sure what to do with you. You get injured and leave more than Rey Mysterio Junior! Wrestling is a savage mistress, Connor. It's one sport that is true to the saying of 'What have you done for me lately?'. What? Did you expect those big wins to carry you through your untimely injuries and gain you notoriety when you returned? Were you expecting championship gold and women to simply fall into your lap, all because you chose to grace us once again with your presence? Sorry Connor, but the sport simply doesn't work that way, and trying to tack on a guilt trip with your recent actions does little to give yourself any form of further credibility."

"Winning with outside interference. Attacking fans or other wrestlers. Under most circumstances I could almost respect such attitude as it tends to show you're willing to go to the extremes to gain attention. I could almost admire that, but not for the reasons that you're doing it. I respect much that others do not, but pity is not one of them. I save that emotion for very few, and sadly you are not amongst the chosen. I will watch everything that happens this weekend in Buenos Aries and smile with satisfaction rather than frown in melancholy clemency."

"Perhaps you think this Nobody business will simply lull Despayre into a false sense of security, allowing you to strike at a moment's notice and end his championship reign. Perhaps that's what each one of the Nobodies tries to do when they put on this mass pity party of this 'the world doesn't pay me any respect' routine of yours. Well perhaps the world would respect you, if you simply respected yourselves. You do not, so others will not, and this weekend, we will not. I won't allow Despayre to risk over looking what you have done in the past. That would be a fool's mistake and even were I not at his side, Despayre is no fool. He knows what you've done. He knows what you are capable of doing. He's just not going to feel sorry enough for you to not pulverize you into the mat and walk away, still the champion."

"Do you know what calling yourself a Nobody means to me, Connor? It means an excuse. A built-in reason should things not go the way you would intend or prefer. When you call yourself this degrading term, you are walking out there before thousands and telling them not to take you seriously. So really, can you blame them if they do not? I admit it's a bit of a double edged sword, but one that is made in your favor. If you were to win, you could rub it in the face of the loser by saying he just lost a match to a Nobody. Should you lose to Despayre, and you will, you can claim that it was to be expected, as you're just a Nobody. You can say that Despayre's victory will mean little, as you're a Nobody."

"Well therein lies where you are wrong. This is not about a Sin versus a Nobody. This is about a champion versus a challenger. Despayre, the champion, will certainly take you, the challenger, apart in front of everyone. The fans. Your peers. Your Nobody teammates. And in that, Connor Murphy, there will be no excuses."</td>
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27
Climax Control Archives / Bored of the Ring
« on: September 04, 2015, 07:36:19 PM »
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"Bored of the Ring"
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The Cambridge Hotel was seen as something akin to an institution of sorts in Wellington, New Zealand. Built in the 19th century, it has been a mainstay throughout the years for travelers in the heart of Wellington. Located less than fifteen minutes from such local attractions as the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum and the beautiful Oriental Bay, it has been a fixture amongst locals and tourists, both whom will congregate to rest and relax, whether it be during a vacation or business purposes. The rustic, old world charm of the exterior resembled an old world factory more so than a hotel, but once you set foot inside, it became something more to those who were more familiar

"Really? The Cambridge Hotel?" The voice on the other end of the cell phone spoke up with a questioning tone. One that spoke of disbelief but not in a  critical nature behind it. "You can't be serious."

"Unfortunately, I am." Synn sighed as he passed through the largest room offered to those staying, sharing it with none other than his own son, Despayre -- and of course, the always constant companion to that rambunctious young man, Angel. "Wellington has never been on my list of 'must see' locations so I gave Joshua free reign to choose where he wanted to stay."

"Wow. I can't remember you ever staying in a hotel that didn't involve you in a suite with an office and Jacuzzi." The person on the other end chuckled. It was fast becoming quite clear to Synn, and much to his annoyance, that this person was having a bit of enjoyment at his expense. No, a lot, if truth were to be told. They continued, "I did a little googling when Despy texted me where you were staying. Seems to be more of a first rate hostel or dormitory than a hotel."

"That was about the same way that I summed it up when I got my first look at it." Synn agreed as he passed the aforementioned Despayre who was perched on his bed, cross legged, with Angel nestled comfortably in his lap while they had their eyes glued on the open laptop in front of them. Yes, I said 'they'. When one is referencing Despayre, you must always remember to include Angel in the picture. So use your imaginations people! Synn continued, "But I did tell him he could choose this time so here we are."

"Did he explain why he picked that place in particular?"

Synn refrained from chuckling outwardly at the logic as he whispered into the phone, "He said it looked like the inn in those Harry potter movies."

"Ah." The voice on the other end said, as if no other explanation need be given. And where Despayre was concerned, it did not.

Synn paused and got a closer look at what had his son so enraptured, and he should have guessed well enough; Despayre (and Angel) were busying themselves watching the epic feature film, the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. No real surprise there. The Peter Jackson films had been filmed for the most part right here in Wellington, and Despayre was a huge fan of the two trilogy series. To his son, watching these films in Wellington amounted to brushing up on local culture.

Synn gave a reassuring squeeze of his hand on Despayre's slim shoulder, causing him to gaze for a moment up with adoration toward his dad. Synn then arrived at the glass sliding door that led to a small patio that over looked the city life down below, so that he could continue this conversation in private, and without disturbing his son's enjoyment of his movie.

Once outside, and with a final look in, he smirked as Despayre covered his mouth with both hands and gasped back in startled shock at something that had just occurred in the movie. A remarkable feat seeing as how he had seem each film in the series a considerable number of times and yet remained able to be surprised time and again. Only then did Synn turn his full attention back to his phone conversation, and this time not in as subdued a voice as before, but before he could say any ore, the voice on the other end beat him to it.

"So how is our boy? Really."

"Not as well as I would have hoped, Gabriel." Synn answered. Yes, the voice on the other end belonged unsurprisingly to not just the former two-time SCW World Champion, but also the staple member of the Seven Deadly Sins, Gabriel. A man that was seen as a friend and yes, a second son, to Synn himself, and as a big brother to Despayre himself who loved Gabriel like almost no other, save for Synn himself. With all of the many ways people got along, the Sins themselves, while controversial in nature, proved that people do not have to be blood in order to be family. Synn continued to say, "After the usual break period was over, he wasn't expecting to be booked on the first show after the cruise. He was actually hoping to be home awhile longer."

Gabriel asked, "He's not concerned about TNA, is he? Because Christ! The guy has talent but there's no chance in Hell he's going to take that belt from Despy."

"No," Synn replied. "If I'm to be truthful, I'm not sure Joshua knows who exactly Travis is any more than he remembered Simon Jones. What I would like to know is why in hell this man is receiving a championship match the show after he came out on the short end of the stick in another title match."

"Makes no damn sense." Gabriel agreed. "Probably a pity party. Though the real pity will be afterwards when Despy tears him apart. Reminds me of our days in AWA when they were making Despy defend that International title against absolute nobodies. Guys who just arrived or who flat out didn't deserve the title shot in the first place."

"I hope that it is not what this place is coming to." Synn grumbled, and by 'this place', he was obviously referring to their current place of employment; Sin City Wrestling.

"So what is it?" Gabriel asked from his own home in Despayre and Synn's own hometown of Las Vegas where he was holding his sleeping baby against his upper body, holding a bottle to his son's small mouth to feed him while he continued the conversation from the phone headset, a miracle for a new father who still kept in close contact with loved ones from around the world. "Come on now, don't be an arse. What's wrong with Despy? He never minded touring before. Matter of fact, he always loved seeing new places. What's changed?"

"Come on now, Gabriel." Synn reasoned as he drew one of the two patio chairs up toward the railing and had a seat so that he could continue this private chat while looking out at the descending night skyline of New Zealand. He went on, "You know Joshua almost as well as I do. You can see the signs as easily as myself. I think it's quite simple: he's growing bored with the business right now."

"Bored?" Gabriel responded with a hint of surprise. "How can Despy be getting bored? He's got his first singles gold since we were in AWA, and he's getting a right proper push. And it's about damn timed too, if you ask me."

"And I agree with you." Synn stated. "The problem is, Joshua does not. I think we all know how he feels about singles matches. He never enjoyed them. He never wanted to be involved in them. I thought once he started defending the Internet title on a more regular basis, he'd grow to change his mind but unfortunately..." he sighed.

And Gabriel finished the thought for him, and said, "Unfortunately, we misjudged him."

"It would appear so," Synn admitted. "And for that, it makes me feel as if I failed my own son."

Gabriel paused from removing the baby bottle from his son's lips and frowned while he asked, "Failed him? What the bloody he..." He stopped himself, casting a quick glance down at his baby, then fixed what he was about to say (and amazing thing to catch oneself at when one is a new parent), "heck, would make you think you failed him? You were only out to do what you thought best."

"I know." Synn sighed. "But Joshua told me, repeatedly, that he wasn't interested going down this path, and I pretty much pushed him along anyway."

"Has he said anything to you?" Gabriel asked as he slowly lowered his baby into the crib that was gifted to his new family by the Sins. He tucked the blue and yellow 'ducky' blanket around his child and watched as the small one slowly drifted into a peaceful slumber while he listened...

"Not so much." Synn replied. "But I can tell easily enough. Plus, I overheard one of his, shall we say, one-sided conversations, with Angel."

"And...?" Gabriel prodded.

Synn, despite his somber mood, stated, "Well I missed Angel's half of the conversation, but suffice to say, Joshua is unhappy. I overheard him use the word 'lonely'. It used to be more of a family endeavor, I guess you might say, but not so much any longer."

"What are you banging on about?" Gabriel asked. "You're his dad. That qualifies as family, doesn't it?"

"I'd like to think so, but I'm just the manager and trainer." Synn pointed out. "I'm outside of the ring while he's facing these people inside of the ring, and for the first time in recent memory, he has no support in his corner in the form of a partner."

"You could always come out of retirement." Gabriel stated, but the moment he said it, he knew it had been a mistake. Synn had retired years ago for physical and personal reasons both, and it was a sore spot for him that he was unable to set foot inside of the ring more regularly. Gabriel cleared his throat and said, "Sorry. More of a knee jerk reaction, Synn. Didn't mean..."

Synn interrupted him, stating, "I understand, Gabriel. No offense taken, so I will point out the obvious that you could more easily do the same."

"Ouch. Touche'." Gabriel winced.

"My point is..." Synn opted to cast aside that point of conversation and return to the immediate matter at hand. "First, you opted to leave tag team wrestling and then you retired in general. Rage had to step away for injuries and to take care of his brother. Big B had to leave for family business, and Shipman stepped away indefinitely. Joshua never did get to team with..."

"Step mom?" Gabriel chided his mentor, knowing full well the affectionate nickname Despayre had given Chris Shipman upon his return, based on the relationship the man had with Synn himself.

"Exactly." Synn agreed. "Four people he was used to at all times being around in one form or another, and suddenly here he is: going it alone, more or less. And he does not like it."

"Synn," Gabriel sighed as he quietly shut the door of his son's nursery behind him so as not to risk waking the baby so easily. He and O were getting little enough sleep as it was since the birth. "Are you trying to guilt me into returning?"

Synn answered, "Surprisingly, no. I figured I'd let Joshua handle that when he feels the need arise. But you asked me a question, and I answered you."

"Fair enough." Gabriel yielded. "Is all this why you've been making the extra effort to cheer him up when you hit New Zealand?"

"More or less." Synn conceded. At most times, Gabriel freely teased the man over how he often always gave Despayre whatever his heart desired, and coined the obvious 'whatever Despy wants, Despy gets' credo. He went on, "You know how much Joshua loves Tolkein and his work."

"That's putting it mildly." Gabriel chuckled, finding himself taking a brief walk down memory lane as he said, "I can remember him getting me to read him 'Lord of the Rings' when I was laid up with that knee injury a few years back. A captive audience he called it, despite I was the reader and he and Angel were the audience."

"Well someone was the captive in that case." Synn found himself smiling. "And I shudder to attempt counting the number of times he's sat through those movies..."

Gabriel jumped in, "I shudder to count how many times he conned all of us into watching them with him!"

"It's what he's doing now, as a matter of fact." Synn pointed out. "We spent all day today since morning on that Lord of the Rings tour."

Gabriel asked, "Did he have fun at least?"

The day planned for Despayre's enjoyment, and the hope to satiate his 'Lord of the Rings' fanaticism, started off early. Much earlier than Synn would have liked. An overly excited Despayre woke him up at the ungodly hour of just after seven in the morning so that their tour guide would be able to pick them up in front of the hotel at 8:30. The van that the tour guide picked the pair up in was small. Much too small for a man Synn's stature of 6'8" to be seated comfortably, and he found the eyes of four other tourists resting on him. Either they were unused to seeing someone so tall, or they recognized him and Despayre for who they were. Either way, one hard glance from Synn got them to turn aside, and not a word was said aloud between himself and the other tourists. Despayre did enough idle chatter for them both.

The guide, whose name was Jacob, issued a challenge immediately at the start of the tour as the van drove towards thee first destination; Mount Victoria...

Jacob said, "I like to think that I'm an expert on Tolkein trivia, so I am going to make you a deal. The first person who can ask me a trivia question on 'Lord of the Rings' that I can't answer, I'll refund what you paid for this tour."

The man seemed nice, but smug in the fact he believed none of them could ask him anything that he would not have an answer to. And to his own credit, he appeared to be right. Everyone in the van, with the exception of Synn, took him up on the challenge, and Jacob answered each and every querie. That was, until Despayre thought long and hard until he brought his hand up as if he were in school and asked Jacob, "What kind of creatures are the spawn of Ungoliant?"

Credit where it was due, Jacob was at a loss long enough to admit he did not know, and Despayre was quite pleased he had stumped the so-called "expert", even though later he had confided in his father that Angel came up with that one. (Oh and in case anyone was interested, the answer was giant spiders.)

Once they arrived on Mount Victoria and enjoyed a breath taking view that even the cynical Synn had to appreciate, Jacob started explaining what would come for the day's events and what they would and would not see.

Despayre brought his hand up again, "Will we see Peter Jackson's home?"

"I'm afraid not." Was the answer.

Despayre asked again, "Can we visit Weta Workshop?"

Jacob answered, "Unfortunately that is not allowed on the tour."

Despayre huffed and turned to give his father as good a withering glare as his innocent nature would allow and he grumbled, "Then what's the point of a tour if we don't get to see the good stuff?"

But Despayre's sour mood started to brighten as the tour group was then led to a forest which doubled in the original trilogy for certain shots, ones that Despayre was only to happy to point out to his dad in case he did not already have the movie memories seared into his brain.

"Oo! Oo! Looky!" Despayre grabbed Synn by the arm and pointed enthusiastically towards the hill side. "That's where Sam, Frodo, Merry and Pippin fell down the slope and almost hit a pile of meadow muffins!" The other tourists, and even their mutual guide, found amusement in how Despayre was best describing the scenes to his father, as he pulled again on his shirt sleeve and pointed just a number of steps away to a more infamous scene, one that gave Despayre (and Angel!) chills even now.

He exclaimed, "Oh see!? That's the spot where they had to hide from that Nazgul in that hole on the hill side!"

The tour went on as they were taken to locations where scenes for both Isengard and Rivendell were filmed, and Jacob offered them elf ears and swords in which to use to pose for pictures. Much to Despayre's chagrin, Synn passed on the opportunity, but Despayre had no qualms at all in donning the ears and posing with a sword in the same spot where Orlando Bloom had posed for publicity photos as the elf Legolas. Those snapshots were already well on their way to friends and family back in the states, as well as to SCW offices for a laugh or two. Especially when the recipients saw Angel taking his turn with the ears and sword!

The rest of the day went on, and even Synn found himself interested in how energetic and charismatic the tour guide was being in explaining many of the process of the making of those epic films. Synn was more so impressed at how his own son's mood brightened when the tour group found itself visiting Weta Studios, despite the fact they could not visit the previously mentioned Weta Workshop. Despayre was admittedly timid when they arrived at a special cafe where two of the employees were dressed remarkably as the villainous Orcs from the film series, so realistic that Despayre swore Angel almost leapt into action before Jacob explained they were just actors.

The weather had managed to turn somewhat disagreeable, but Jacob did not allow that to sour the mood of the day, and Synn silently thanked the man for that as even as the rain came down from the gray sky above, Despayre listened to everything the man said in rapture as his father slipped thee rain jacket over him.

The afternoon then moved on as they visited other locations in Wellington where scenes from the films were shot. Amongst them the Hutt River which doubled as the River Anduin, Harcourt Park  which served as the location for both the Gardens of Isengard as well as where the Orcs felled the trees. They saw a working quarry which originally was where Helms Deep and Minas Tirith was created. They even visited Kaitoke Regional Park, a thousand year old rainforest, which was the setting for Rivendell.

Then as the afternoon wore on and the hour of five struck, the tour was officially drawn to a close and Synn and Despayre were dropped off in front of the Cambridge Hotel, but not before two of the tourists, a couple, had asked for their autographs. Indeed they had recognized the father-son pair and wanted an extra memory to remember this day by.

Synn could hear thee smile in Gabriel's voice as he said, "Well, it sounds like my little buddy had himself one hell of a day."

The Inn Of The Dancing Teddy

The Dancing Teddy was a well-known inn in the land of Middle Earth, situated in the village of Bree. Named for the wee critters that worked tirelessly to fend off the murky fell beasts that swelled within the shadow realms, it was located at the very enter of the village square, in a place of honor for its namesake. Surrounded by a market square and many business stalls that sold goods, it was at the very height of the trade route, and as such, saw many a clientele that we might think only a part of myth and legend.

The inside was quaint, old fashioned and quite noisy. Those that came here did so to sleep and relax, and generally have a good time. They shared mugs of ale, imported from the mystical land of Cockney, and good food cooked by the very best. Seated amongst the many patrons and overnight guests were peoples such as Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, Teddy Bears, and yes, once you saw who pulled out a chair at the corner of the main hall, men.

Clad in a cloak and hood, the man known in forest legend as Despayre, and his miniature bodyguard, Angel, pulled up chairs and only minutes later, the serving wench placed down mugs of Cherry Coke and platters of bread and beef to enjoy. She moved on to the next table and the hero Despayre was forced to chastise his friend...

"Stop that! You can't loose at a woman there! It's uncivilized, and besides, we're guests!"

The two paused for the briefest of moments and ate while people watching (is it people watching when elves and dwarves are amongst the number?), when Despayre sighed, "I don't even know why we were asked here. All these folks seem nice to me. I..."

"Ahh! I am afraid that it is by my hand that you're here."

The deep, resonating voice caused Despayre to turn his head and watch as a rather tall and imposing figure made himself known. At least six foot eight, the robed man with long, gray hair drew out the third chair at their table and had a seat, allowing a passing wench to know he would have the same as they (and give Angel another excuse to sneak a peek, the dirty bugger!). Sitting at another's table without invitation?

"Rude..." Despayre murmured, but then started as the stranger drew his eyes to slits and his brow furrowed.

"It is by no accident that you are here, my young hero." The stranger spoke. "I have predicted that in only a few days time, you will find yourself on an epic adventure where gold will be at stake."

"Again?" Despayre huffed and shook his head. "Geez, I don't think it's fair for me to have another adventure so soon after my last one!"

He looked to his silent companion Angel for confirmation and nodded, "Yeah!"

"Why, whatever do you mean?" The stranger asked. "It is by the very nature of who you are, and what you have in your possession, that you will find yourself in this most epic of confrontations. It simply... is. Do you understand?"

Despayre nodded, "Nope!" Okay, maybe not.

The stranger sighed and shook his head. Gee, he sure was moody! He said in a hushed whisper, so as not to be overheard by prying ears, "In only two days the gold you have in your possession will be under threat by the Dark Lord..."

"Voldemort?" Despayre asked.

"Different fantasy." The stranger corrected. "No, this one is far younger, and only a hint of threat about him. he holds no qualms about doing battle before the eyes of many. In fact, one such as of his ilk feeds off such attention. He believes it makes him stronger. He thinks it will help him to overcome the hero and take away what is his."

"Me?" Despayre asks. "Who is this nefarious fiend!?"

"His name is not uttered lightly." The stranger said.

"Why? Is it filled with pure evil?"

"No. It just has a naughty word in it."

"Horrors!"

"Alright." The stranger, the wizard, the strange wizzer (ha!) said in hushed words. "His name is The Nefarious Arse. or, as those within my Order call him, TNA."

"You owe a quarter to the swear jar!"

"You asked his name!"

"That's besides the point. Quarter. NOW!"

The wizzer (snort) grumbled in mal discontent as he dug into the many folds of his robes until he procured a quarter and dropped it into Angel's outstretched paw. Only then was he allowed to continue, "TNA sees what you have, and like all that follow the path of darkness, he wishes to have it in his possession. This. Must. Not. Happen."

"For sure." Despayre nodded. "Cause it'll mean the end of the world, right!?"

"Well there's that." The wizzer nodded. "There's also the fact he'll bore everyone to tears with his speeches of grandeur. But the end of the world ranks right up there!"

Despayre nodded, "Yeah, because the gold belt is mine. It was put in my care after I defeated the two-faced villain Krys Hack. Ohhh I shudder at the memory of that battle!"

"Too bloody?" The wizzer asked.

"Too boring!" Despayre corrected him. "He made every excuse why he was going to lose! Even threw himself into the Fires of Mount Doom so he could say 'Oh I'm burned to a crisp! I can't fight! Wah wah wah!"

"Ah but TNA is not such an enemy!" The wizzer stated. "He sees what you have and thinks if he can wrest it from your possession, then he will be able to rule over one and all! He thinks himself to subjugate all the free peoples of our world once that gold belt is in his possession."

"I can't let that happen! Despayre pounded a closed fist onto the table, rattling their plates and mugs. "It'll be the end of the world as we know it if TNA comes out victorious!"

"I know." The wizzer said grimly. "Usually you have another at your side to fend off such attacks, but this time you face him alone. You must come out ahead or the end is night!"

"Don't you mean 'nigh'?" Despayre asked.

"No, I mean 'night'." The wizzer said. "Good night."

"Huh?"

"Joshua?" Synn shook his son gently by the shoulder, not wanting to awaken him too quickly or else he risk startling the lad and send him into a potentially unknown response due to his unstable mentality. The movie, 'An Unexpected Journey', had come to a close and Despayre's head had slumped forward, having fallen fast asleep due to his medicine.

Synn silently helped him remove his shoes, then removed his laptop and took to awakening him so he could get ready for bed.

"Hm?" Despayre stirred, then looked up at hi father with sleepy, dream filled eyes. "Is it time to attack Mordor already?"

"No," His bemused father answered. "Angel can lead that assault tomorrow. I just need you to wake up so you can get ready for bed."

"Oh." Despayre yawned. "`Kay."

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and started to stand so he could indeed get ready for bed when he blinked, then frowned, "Whaddya mean wake up so I can go to bed!?"</td>
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28
Climax Control Archives / Through the looking glass Act 3: Scene 2
« on: August 07, 2015, 05:06:15 PM »
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           <td width="32%"><div align="center" class="rules">Ted E. Bahr Productions
Proudly presents:</div></td>
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"A Boy And His Bear"
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         <td>Mulifanua

The Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey Resort is one of the finer establishments for the vacationing families to the proud island nation of Samoa. Located on the western coast of Upolu Island, it is situated less than forty five minutes from the Samoan capital city of Apia where in just a matter of days, the Oceanic leg of the Sin City Wrestling World Tour would kick off with the final edition of Climax Control before setting sail on a luxury cruise liner for Summer XXXTreme.

The resort in itself was a marvel to be a part of as a guest vacationing in tropical Samoa, whether it be at any time of the year, but summer where the warm weather made for a perfect excuse to rest and relax in the sun and waters of the ocean. Once you exited the perimeter of the resort itself, there was white sand as far as the eye could see, and waters that went on even further, perfectly clean and crystal blue. Peninsulas jetted out along certain points with palm trees standing tall and proud, their leaves swaying gently in the soft, warm breeze that drifted over the sands and peoples' bare, tanned skin. Even small outlets, or as Despayre would call them -- "miniature islands", were in the water off the beach coast, and people could and would often swim out to them to relax with the Pacific Ocean surrounding them.

As was tradition, this edition of Climax Control would showcase matches between the Superstars and Bombshells who put their bodies on the line on a weekly basis, the card's official lineup building to a grand crescendo for the coming Supercard spectacular. Much was the talk of this Samoan wrestling feature, but none so more than the Main Event when four of the top Superstars, one champion and three former champions, would pair off in tag team competition. The goal? To set foot aboard the Sun Princess in just over two weeks with the momentum of a victory on their side.

The teams? Current SCW Internet Champion Despayre along with former two-time World Champion Simon Jones. Their opposition? The man who wants to end Simon's quest to become the first three-time World Champion of SCW, 'the Mental Rapist' Sean Jackson, and a man from Despayre's own past, and former Internet Champion in his own right, Blaque Hart Bruce Evans.

Sounds great, right? It's no wonder why this match is the Main Event of Climax Control, and why so many fans are descending to the aptly named Apia Park Stadium in Apia itself to witness a true clash of the wrestling titans! So why then, are we here? In the city of Mulifanua, as opposed to the capital itself?

"So explain it to me Grandpa..."

"Gabriel," Synn hissed through his teeth as he set foot out onto the porch of the beach front bungalow that he would be sharing with his son, the star of this here promo. "I thought we discussed this rather liberal use of that nickname."

"What nickname?" Gabriel mused as he joined his friend and mentor, his button down shirt gently blowing open in the warm wind. "Grandpa?"

"Yes, that one right there." Synn turned around, leaning back against the polished wood railing. "You are well aware of my feelings in being called that. It insinuates..."

"That you're getting old?" Gabriel smiled, knowing full well that this was a debate that was innocent in nature between the two men. Had Synn really wanted him to stop with the affectionate title bestowed upon him for his first born son, he simply would have put an end to it. Gabriel clapped a hand to the man's still impressively sized and tanned bare arm, adding, "Well suck it up. The name ain't going away."

Synn shook his head as he dropped the towels he had been carrying across the rail of the porch where they could easily descend to the white, sandy beaches of the resort to make full use of the luxury beach that stretched from one end of the resort to the next with sparkling blue waters calling to them and the many tourists that had chosen this place for their stay. It was one of a handful of reasons why Gabriel was joining his son and himself for this particular show, as opposed to being back in London with his wife and child.

For one, it had been awhile since Gabriel had gotten much of a chance to spend any quality time with Synn himself, and perhaps more importantly, the man he had affectionately come to know as his little brother, Despayre. Gabriel was waiting for an appropriate amount of time following his son's birth before he moved his new family back to Las Vegas where he could have the love and support of friends and family alike in the Sins. However, on a more professional note, Gabriel also wanted to be out there on the off chance that Sean Jackson decided to try something funny with his little brother. Sean was a cruel and calculating individual, and it was in Gabriel's nature to watch over Despayre, just as Synn himself would often do.

It was simply a big brother's obligation. Screwing with Sean Jackson's mindset was just icing on the cake.

"So, you were saying?" Synn spoke up, opting for a change of subject.

Gabriel pulled up one of the bamboo fashioned lounge chairs on the deck and gave it a spin, facing Synn and had a seat, setting down a large cooler on the deck before he replied in earnest. "I was just wondering why you booked us here, all the way away from the city where the show is actually going to be taking place."

A single eyebrow rose on Synn's forehead, as he asked, "You object to the accommodations?"

"Hell to the no!" Gabriel laughed. "This place is luxury personified! Dare say it's the nicest place I've ever gotten to stay at while traveling with you guys!"

Synn folded his arms and tilted his head to the right, looking the magician over. "So the resort itself is satisfactory. That is a plus. And I would hardly refer to the distance between Mulifanua and Apia as 'all the way'" He said simply. "It is only a forty five minute drive along the coast."

"Simple enough." Gabriel admitted. "But wouldn't staying in Apia have been simpler?"

"Yes, and no." Synn acknowledged. "There were certain aspects of Apia that I was not fond of as I learned more about it."

"Such as?"

Synn stated, "Such as the night life leaves much to be desired from what I've read of other tourists' experiences. Not to mention I read about warnings of stray dogs at night."

"Stray dogs..." Gabriel questioned, his look of confusion inviting the man in front of him to elaborate, which he was only too happy to do.

He emphasized, "Violent stray dogs. It would seem at night they tend to descend on the city, and it's a great risk to be on foot when they are. They've been known to attack tourists and citizens alike. Hell, it was warned on one travel website that just passing by an open yard where a dog is, is inviting an attack."

"Jesus." Gabriel nodded. "Okay, that would explain why you don't want to be there for the most part."

"There is also no beach on Apia." Synn then frowned and corrected himself. "I should say there's no satisfactory beach near where Joshua will be competing. What they call a beach is mostly corral reef and dirty."

"And a beach is vital to this little trip of ours, why?" Gabriel asked.

To answer that very question, the patio door slid open and the slapping sound of a pair of swim fins for scuba was heard on the floor, drawing the attention of Gabriel and Synn to the emerging Despayre. Despy as he was known to his closest of friends, was wearing a pair of colorful Bermuda shorts, all the better to blend in with the natives, and a towel draped around his neck and down over his bare chest. His face was hidden by the scuba mask and the snorkel which his lips were wrapped around. His constant companion and bestest of pals, Angel, was wearing a pair of red swim trunks ala Baywatch and a bite-sized white tank top with the appropriate shades over his eyes.

A smirk drawn on his lips, Gabriel pulled his glance away from Despayre and back to Synn and he nodded.

"Ah." Gabriel chuckled. "Now{/I] I get it."

Despayre looked back and forth between his big brother and his dad and shrugged. "What?"



"Don't you hate commercial breaks? Those untimely moments when you are getting into whatever it is before you on the screen, only to find it interrupted with a infomercial or message about the latest kitchen gadget that you didn't know you needed so desperately until you saw it at that very moment in time?"

"You might say that's why I am here, right now. You see, in a matter of days Despayre and his partner will be competing in the Main vent of Climax Control, and it's time to pause and address the issues that their opponents will soon find themselves in. I admit that when this match was announced, I was surprised. Despayre? Well, he was thrilled to be allowed to have another tag team match as they are his personal preference, but he had admittedly been hoping to find Gabriel or perhaps Shipman as his partner as they are Sins. They are family. But who, instead, will be standing at his side this time around? None other than Simon Jones, a man making his return to Sin Cit Wrestling, and who has held the World Heavyweight Championship an impressive two times. True Simon Jones is not a Sin, but Despayre certainly could have done worse in regards to a partner."

"Now one of his opponents actually has quite a bit of history with the Sins, or one Sin in particular; Gabriel. Like Simon Jones, and like Gabriel, Sean Jackson has held the top prize of SCW two times, and also, like Simon, he would love nothing more than to become SCW's first three-time World Champion. That path is long and full of treacherous obstacles, and the one most likely to block him effectively is the 'little brother' of the man he dethroned, Despayre."

"You see Sean, you pride yourself on being known as 'the Mental Rapist', but the truth is you're a simple minded deceiver who went to great lengths to win the championship by the foulest means, and then sunk even lower to hold onto it for as long as you did. Your reign was your own, but how you regained the title -- that is where your problems like where Despayre is concerned."

"Family is what we are in the Sins Sean. I'm not certain that you understand that. And like any true family, they watch out for each other. They protect each other, much like Despayre will be protective Gabriel's name when he gains some measure of payback for how you snuck in below the radar and stole the World Heavyweight Championship. And Gabriel will be watching Despayre's back, just to ensure that those you keep in your corner don't find themselves tempted to try anything to give you an unfair advantage. He can keep that shifty ambulance chaser of yours on a short leash, and should those females that have you neutered have a mind to try and stick their noses in? Well, there are ways of neutralizing bitches in heat as well."

"You may worry about Simon Jones, Sean, and how you will try to keep him from realizing his goal and inserting himself into the championship picture as intended, but you need to keep an even closer eye on Despayre. He's not like anything you've ever faced before, and if you think Mister Jones is all you have to focus on, well then you may as well just tuck your tail between your legs and call it a night here and now, because the current Internet Champion will see to it that the only one you have mentally raped, is yourself."

"Now we return you to your originally scheduled broadcast."



Honolulu

Please, join us for a stroll into the distant past, only roughly a year past the time where Synn had first rescued the sixteen year old Joshua Young from the Canadian mental institution known as Broodmoore. Joshua, at that point on known in wrestling circles as Despayre, had just successfully gotten his licence as a professional wrestler, alongside his then full-time tag team partner Gabriel. They had been signed to the world--wide wrestling promotion, the Asylum Wrestling Alliance, and a dynasty that bore much success soon followed.

Mere weeks after their debut in the AWA, and having scored a string of impressive victories over more well established talents, Synn had decided to reward the two young men with a brief vacation at a location where many dream of visiting but few get the chance to realize and fulfill said dreams. Honolulu, Hawaii.

"I don't get it." Gabriel whispered as he stood at Synn's side and watched the young man with a wary eye at this point in time, well before their brotherly bond had taken root between them. "You'd think he'd never been to a beach before."

Despayre had jogged ahead of the two, overly anxious to get as close to the beach front as possible. He kept the teddy bear close against him, having only had possession of it for a few months but to the heart, it seemed a lifetime. He kept it chest high, so that Angel could have the same view that Despayre himself had, because that's what friends do: they share.

"He has." Synn addressed Gabriel quietly as they calmly approached Despayre. The beach was crowded, but only just so. It was a weekday, after all, and the numbers on the sands and in the waters would most assuredly sky rocket once the weekend set in. He was still new to them and his surroundings, and then as could be said for today, they never knew just what might set him off on a violent or emotional tangent. Synn continued, "It's just that it has been awhile. Several years, in fact. If what he told me is accurate, he hasn't been on a beach since before his accident. He barely remembers it."

Gabriel turned his head from Synn, silently pondering to himself the amount of things that he and others take for granted that were like anew for this enigmatic young man.

"Joshua, perhaps it would be best if you kept your sandals on." Synn suggested as he watched the young man slip them from his feet at the edge of the board walk where the sands of the famed Honolulu Beach met the equally impressive boardwalk filled with small booths, stalls and restaurants filled with merchandise, souvenirs and food. Despayre just looked up from the sand to Synn and you would think Synn just took away his favorite toy or best friend, as stricken as his expression was. He fumbled with his beach footwear to place them back on, when Synn yielded, as he was prone to do where the youth was concerned. Even at this early point before anyone knew of the family bond that was shared between the two as father and son.

"Alright." He said. "Have at it."

No more needed be said, as Despayre smiled at them and kicked the sandals back off and jumped from the boardwalk to the beach's sands, and immediately started digging his toes under the grains of sand, drawing in the memories of what it was like, as a child, to feel sand between your toes.

"Hm," Gabriel mused, watching as the affection he felt for "Despy" as he coined him, was only growing over time. "It has been awhile for him, hasn't it?"

"Yes, I think... Joshua?" Synn stopped his original train of thought and called out, "Joshua!" But as he and Gabriel watched, Despayre broke out into a full sprint across the sands, tossing off his towel from around his shoulders, making a straight bee line for the waters! Synn quickly gave chase across the beach, and Gabriel, though growing amusement was evident on his face, quickly followed suit!

The one time Synn had taken Despayre to a pool, the young man had been afraid to even set foot into the water, but once coerced, had taken to it like a fish. Still, Synn did not want to become separated from him and gave chase across the beach and weaving between vacationers and natives, until they came to the coast and Despayre jumped in...

"CANNONBALL!"

Landing with a loud splash and an equally loud "Oof!" emanating from Despayre himself as he landed in a seated position in the water that reached up just above is waist.

Laughing like a lunatic (pun intended), Gabriel caught up with Synn and stood at Despayre's side as he looked around, confusion evident on his face.

"I seem to recall the beach water being deeper." Despayre observed.

"I imagine it has something to do with the fact that you've grown since you last were at a beach." Synn replied as he and Gabriel helped him to his feet, Gabriel passing the soggy teddy bear back to him.



"Blaque Hart Bruce Evans."

"Oh man you have got no idea how long I have waited for you to show your sorry face again in our wrestling circles, just for the sole reason to see you get your teeth knocked down your throat! I bet you think that I have forgotten all about you, haven't you? I bet you think that as time moved on, I have forgotten about what you did to my son, what you did to Despayre, over two years ago during that Halloween show. When you took a fragile minded young man and locked him inside of a coffin and simply left him there, terrified and desperate!"

"Now I admit that in all likelihood, Despayre has blocked that memory from surfacing, and he has all but forgotten what you did. The horror you inflicted buried deep inside of his subconscious. You, Blaque Hart, should be on your knees, giving thanks to whatever God you choose to worship, that you left when you did because I personally had petitioned the SCW staff for a match -- one match -- where I could have taken you by that scrawny neck and twisted it until your head popped off! And quite honestly, you should watch your back because I can honestly say that the temptation is still there. But for now, it's not me you have to worry about. It's Despayre."

"Despayre is what you want to be again, a champion. He has been a champion from his first moments inside of the ring. He has faced men three times his size, dwarfing his five foot seven frame with statures of seven fee or more, and STILL he came out ahead with his head and arms held high! Men who were capable scientific wrestlers! Men who fancied themselves the epitome of the perfect brawler! He has fought them all, and he has walked away the better man! Pity you yourself don't fit into any of those categories, Blaque Hart. A damn shame all you seem to be good for is running away when things get too hot for your liking! And against Despayre? A young man capable of anything when backed into a corner? That ring will seem like Dante's Inferno because you'll find yourself experiencing every single Circle of Hell."

"Even though the memories of that Halloween are buried, he still has his suspicions about you, and that maybe, just maybe, you had something to do with a certain 'plush massacre' experienced in the locker rooms a few years back. Now I don't know what exactly you're hoping to accomplish with the recent name calling and accusations that Despayre is wearing what you say is rightfully yours. From what I remember, you lost that championship to a superior man, cleanly. You were neither robbed nor cheated, so thank your lucky stars that the staff consented to give you what you don't deserve, and that being a championship title match. If you make it past the match in Samoa."

"I mean, one has to wonder if you can really trust that partner of yours, Blaque Hart. Sean Jackson is a manipulative bastard, one of thee best as a matter of fact, and he wants, above all else, to arrive in Brisbane in one piece to hopefully reclaim the World title. The best way to do that would be to throw you to the wolves, and walk away, clean and easy."

"It's what I would do."



Having taken a break from as Despayre called it, "mermaid hunting", he had cast aside his snorkel, goggles and swim fins into the sand so that he could engage in a sand castle building competition with Angel as a means to pass a little more time in the sun and away from the clear waters. The competition was literally Gabriel's idea, as he and Synn both noticed Despayre's fair skin starting to color a light shade of pink thanks to the warm rays of the sun overhead, and the reflective surface of the waters he had been swimming in.

"That's a pretty god castle you got going there Despy!" Gabriel called out from where he was relaxing on the chase lounge.

"Thanks!" Despayre answered back with a smile, looking don at the basic sand castle with pride evident on his face. At least until he turned his head and spotted the colossal sand castle of superior design and size beside him, with Angel before it with a plastic pail an shovel on his paws.

"You show off!" Despayre said hotly, then looked at Gabriel and jetted a thumb at Angel's creation, stating, "He thinks it's all that just because it has a working drawbridge!"

Gabriel gave his buddy a bemused nod when Synn approached them and slapped his palms together.

"Okay you two..." Synn paused, noting his son looking up at him with a quirked brow. "Forgive me. You three." He gestured towards Angel and Despayre was immediately satiated. "Get packed up."

"What?" Gabriel frowned, looking up. "Already?" H objected just as Despayre cried, "Aww! But it's still early! There's plenty of swimming left to do!"

"I am aware, Joshua." Synn smirked. "But that is what we're going to do. Just somewhere else." Before Despayre could voice an objection to attempt to remain at the beach, Synn forestalled his arguments with a hand upheld and he said, "I promise. It' a surprise you'll enjoy. If not, we'll come straight back to the beach."

"Well..." Despayre bit his lower lip. "If you promise..."

To Sua Ocean Trench A ninety eight-foot-deep hole on the Samoan island of Upolu. Intrepid adventurers descend the steep ladder down into the hole, jump from the wooden platform and swim the aquamarine waters below, through a rock arch and among the fish into what visitors say feels like a movie. Nearby lush gardens, lava fields and tide pools await swimmers as a reward for braving this tropical thrill ride.

Despayre's face was lit with excitement at the top of the ladder that descended down into the aquamarine waters where the adventure of a lifetime awaited him and his family. Gabriel had offered to go first, knowing Despy would be more likely to take part in this thrill if Gabriel did so first, and after seeing what awaited them, including a deep cave that could be swum into, Gabriel was only to happy (and eager) to make the offer.

Halfway down the ladder, Gabriel called up, "Hey Despy! After we're done here, I owe Angel five dollars!"

"How come?" Despayre called after him.

"This!"

<img align=left src= "https://holidaythesamoanway.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/trench.jpg" height=266 width=400> And Gabriel turned at the waist on the ladder and leapt -- "FUCKING A!!!!" He yelled as he flew from the ladder and into the waters, crashing with a loud splash!

Despayre laughed with pride and started down the ladder while Synn watched on, ready to follow his son, and Gabriel broke the surface of the water, declaring, "Best. Vacation. EVER!"</td>
       </tr>
</table>
</div>

29
Climax Control Archives / Uncle Despy
« on: May 22, 2015, 11:47:05 PM »
 There, seated on the plush, living room carpeting that was of a deep burgundy in color, was the man of the hour. The star of the show. The... Suddenly the teddy bear known as Angel was drawn into an extreme close up. No, not him. Oh, don't get us wrong. Angel is the star wherever he appears. That's just the nature of the beast ... or of the world's most famous teddy bear. (Ted, eat your heart out!) But Angel is a teddy bear, not a man, so he can't rightly be the man of the hour, now can he?

Please don't tell him we stated that!

The visual returned to normal where Despayre (there we go!) sat on the front room floor, cross legged, with a colorfully wrapped package on the floor in front of him. It was small, square in shape, and one would assume that whoever wrapped it did so either in a hurry or simply wasn't the best at the given job. Hey, it's not like you can blame the kid! He has a PH.D. in unwrapping presents. He can tear the wrapping paper off of a prezzy from across the room, but wrapping a gift to give to someone else? That takes talent!

Which is why Angel was seated on the cushioned foot rest of Synn's personal recliner, overseeing the efforts that Despayre was putting into this little pet project. And not without his own fair share of criticism...

"I am doing my best Angel." Despayre huffed as he rolled the purple ribbon out over the floor and placed the package on top of it so he could add a little bit of flair to it. Presentation was very important, you know. "It has to look its best but this isn't my area of expertise."

Despayre then started to fold the ribbon up and over, then around the box until it seemed to resemble a square mummy as opposed to a gift for someone special. He cast a sidelong glance at his most personal of confidantes and nodded, "That's right. because we have to remember who this is for. We have to put everything that we are into it. Here..."

Despayre reached up and scooped Angel up under the bear's plush arm and sat him down by the box.

"Put your paw on that so I can tie it off all nice like!"

And it was purely a coincidence that the teddy bear picked that point in time to tilt forward and drop it's paw over the ribbon where indicated.

"Thanks!" Despayre said happily as he put the finishing touches on the ribbon, tying it off into a bow -- or what was assumed to be one at the very least. "There!" Despayre proclaimed the project finished, picking it up. "Pretty as a... Angel!"

Despayre rolled his eyes as Angel's paw was ensnared in the ribbon's knot, and he was dangling down from the box where Despayre was holding it aloft.

"Now isn't the best of times to be playing pranks on each other buddy." Despayre stated matter-of-factly as he set about freeing his buddy from the predicament he found himself in. "We have to deliver this package to Missus O'Heaney across the road and then get back home in time to help Gramma make Theresa dinner!"

Hopping to his feet with the package in one hand, and the freed teddy bear tucked in the other, Despayre beamed, "Thanks! I think it's a nice thing to do too!" And that being said, Despayre raced for the front door and pulled it open, vanishing outside into the warm Las Vegas air, allowing the door to clatter closed with a heavy slam behind him.

Back toward the rear of the house, in the downstairs guest room, Theresa Aguilera laid back in the bed, the soft covers folded over her body and pulled up to her waistline. Just a few short months ago, the cherished friend and live-in housekeeper had suffered a stroke and was forced to undergo a triple bypass surgery. Since then, everybody within the household and out, have been doing all in their power to help speed along her recovery. It was a slow and grueling process, and none of them, whether they be active Sins, family or friends, were about to let the older Hispanic woman give up when she had come so far.

The first step once she got home was to move her accommodations to the lone downstairs bedroom, along with all of her belongings so that she would be comfortable. And it was obvious she would need professional care, as those that also called this spacious house their home, were often on tour clear across the globe. So rather than hire a live-in nurse as the surgeon who performed the by-pass had initially suggested, it was Victoria Young, Despayre's own grandmother, who was tasked with the job of caring for Theresa. The older woman had been a successful registered nurse for well over thirty years and when Synn desired the best to care for 'his' Theresa. A rare display of emotion for the man that many assumed possessed none.

Victoria had been looking through the bedroom drapes and smiled at whatever it was that she had been looking at, the sound of the front room having alerted both women. As she stepped back and allowed the curtains to fall back into place, she turned around and started to measure out the pills, Theresa's medications from her surgery, into separate small cups.

Theresa glanced away from the small, portable television on the bed stand and asked, "Joshua?"

"Mm." Victoria nodded as she picked up a water glass in one hand, and filled it from a glass pitcher with the other. "He seemed to be in quite the hurry too. I think he was headed for one of your neighbors."

As she sat the filled glass down onto a tray, she failed to notice Theresa almost cringing from what Victoria had just stated. Synn tried his best to keep Despayre at home, especially when he was not there to supervise the young man's comings or goings, but he was by no means a prisoner in his own home. Indeed he could come and go as he pleased, so long as he stayed in relatively close proximity to their home. Just in case. Yet there was only one house that Despayre had really spent any time venturing to, and it was never good news.

Instead of explaining this though, Theresa said, "At first I thought it was Synn, but he doesn't slam the doors the way Joshua does."

"Well, I think I heard his car too." Victoria sat the tray across Theresa's lap and handed her both the glass of water, and the first plastic cup with a pill in it. "Joshua must have just missed him."

"He'll be home soon." Theresa said (hoped) as she took her first dosage. "Joshua never stays away from home for long."

While Victoria kept a close watch on her patient of sorts, they heard the front door close firmly and the heavy footsteps in the hall told them both that the head of the household was heading their way. Only a brief moment later, the already open door nudged open wider and Synn leaned in, "How are we doing?"

"We? Fine." Victoria smiled, answering with a bit of sass that seems to have ben passed down from mother to daughter, and perhaps even then to grandson if the stories she had heard tell from Synn and Gabriel alike were true. "Have you heard anything from Gabriel and Odette?"

"Not yet." Synn answered. "Just that last text that Gabriel had taken her to the hospital so I imagine it'll be any time now." He glanced around, expecting to see his boy somewhere in the room, assisting his Grandma in caring for Theresa, but obviously that was now not the case. He asked, "Where's Joshua?"

Victoria answered, "I saw him leave just a few minutes ago. Heading for your neighbor's house."

Synn cast a look toward Theresa who shared his expression, before he looked imploringly towards the Young matriarch and he asked emphatically,"Which neighbor?"

"Well I don't know your neighbors, Synn." Victoria answered. "You have few enough to begin with. But it looked like he was heading for the closest house across the boulevard."

"Oh Christ." Synn muttered. "Not again..." He sighed and rubbed his jaw with his large paw of a hand, but before the curious Victoria could question either of them as to why they were so concerned over Despayre visiting any of his neighbors, the sound of the front door swinging open with a loud 'wham' told them the aforementioned young man was already home. At the sound of racing footsteps heading in their direction, Synn stood upright from where he had been leaning against the dresser. "Speak of the little devil..." He whispered as Despayre leapt into the open door, landing in the middle of the room with his arms held wide open in an act of self-presentation.

"And presenting.... me!" They humored him as always, each of the adults giving him a round of applause and Despayre put on his best bashful act. "Please! You're too kind!" He then turned to face his father and, as always, his face lit up at the man who was both flesh and blood as well as his hero. "You're home!" And he practically threw himself into Synn's arms for the obligatory hug.

Once they finally separated, Synn held his son out at arms length, his hands resting on the smaller man's shoulders, and father asked his son, "Your Grandmother tells me that you went to visit Missus O'Heaney?"

Despayre blinked, then his eyes slowly opened wide like a deer caught in the oncoming headlights of a speeding car. Despayre looked slyly at Angel and whispered from the corner of his mouth, "We are so busted."

"Busted for what exactly?" Synn asked as his hand slowly guided his boy around to the lone and unoccupied chair in the room, giving him little choice but to take a seat. Despayre sat down, and placed Angel on his lap and he carefully looked everywhere but at the inquisitive face of his father. Even more so not wanting to see if his Grandma was giving him the same once over. He snuck a little peek in her direction and winced. Oo! She was!

"Joshua?" Theresa spoke up as Synn sat back against the dresser. "What did you do to Missus O'Heaney this time?"

'This time?' Victoria mouthed silently and Synn could not help but smile. Despayre's little hijinks were becoming something akin to legend in their social circle, and this was but just another example: his on-going feud with their seventy-seven year old neighbor, Missus Colleen O'Heaney.

Despayre fidgeted, reaching back behind his head to scratch his scalp and putting on his best, 'Who, me?' facade. One that his father simply wasn't buying.

"Joshua?"

Despayre smiled somewhat innocently and attempted the 'puppy dog eyes' routine, before he answered, "I just wanted to take her a little present."

Synn folded his arms across his chest and countered with, "The last time you took the woman a so-called 'little present', it took all year for her Rhododendrons to grow back." He cocked his head to the side, "What did you give her 'this' time?"

Despayre all but buried his fists into his lap as he answered simply, "A Rubik's Cube."

"Well that doesn't sound so bad." Victoria observed, feeling the obligatory need to defend her grandson. But before she could say anything further, Synn spoke up and stated, "The woman is color blind."

"Joshua." Victoria shook her head and clucked her tongue. Oh that was fighting dirty as far as Despayre was concerned. Nothing could whittle away at a young man's brave resolve like a grandma's guilt! Despayre smile of pride at his perceived joke slowly wilted and his cheeks flushed with a tint of pink as he bashfully looked up at her through his eyelashes.

She asked, "Why would you do such a thing to a sweet old woman?"

Despayre's head shot up, his eyes wide at the words he had just heard, "Sweet!? She's a devil in support hose!"

Victoria looked over to Synn who sighed and nodded, coming to agree with his son. Not out of obligation mind you, but because the words he spoke were simply the truth.

"But, what started all of this?" She asked.

"Halloween." Synn answered. "The first year we moved in to the neighborhood."

Despayre leaned over in the chair, edging closer to his Grandma and cupped his hand on the side of his mouth as he whispered loudly, "She gave out toothpaste for Tricks or Treats!"

"He got even the next morning." Synn went on. "Dressed up as a bloody zombie and stood on her front porch until she opened the drapes." He shook his head. "Thought she was going to have a heart attack the way she carried on." Synn the  paused in what he was saying to look at Theresa almost regretfully and said, "Sorry."

Theresa waved off his words and chuckled, "Don't be. I'm enjoying this."

Synn went on, "It sort of went on from there. Every so often one of them does something to antagonize the other. She sent Angel an invitation to an afternoon tea but not Joshua."

"So rude." Despayre murmured as his father went on, describing the feud.

Synn went on, "Joshua here put police tape around her property and drew chalk outlines on her drive. She bombed him with a garbage bag filled with pudding."

"That one wasn't so bad." Despayre admitted.

"Trust me, it's not all Joshua." Synn stressed to Victoria.

"Yeah!" Despayre nodded, his 'little angel' rep for his mom and Grandma all-too important to upkeep.

Synn stated, "There was the time that she attempted to sic her dog on Joshua."

"What?" Victoria's eyes widened with worry for her 'little' man, and she looked at him with concern while he himself put on his best pair of soulful eyes and nodded. She looked to Synn again and said, "I hope you phoned the police!"

"No." Synn said simply as the phone in his office started to ring. He stood upright and said. "She called the police, however."

"What?" Victoria asked. "The woman had her dog bite my grandson and yet she called the police? Why?"

Synn glanced up back at her as he stepped out of the bedroom to receive the call and he smirked. "Because Joshua bit the dog back." And he stepped out, leaving a baffled Grandmother in his wake, watching her grandson who chomped his teeth, displaying how good of a biter he was.

"Joshua." Victoria started to say. "You didn't really do that, did you?"

"Noooooooo!" Despayre shook his head rapidly from left to right, denying everything.

"Really?" Theresa spoke up. "You didn't bite Missus O'Heaney's German Shepard on the tail?"

"Oh that?" He blinked, then nodded at his Grandma. "Yeah that I did do'd."

"But..." This was perhaps the first time Victoria had heard anything really 'out there' in regards to her grandson's behavior in regards to others. She held her hands out towards him and asked, "... but why would you bite a poor dog's tail?"

Despayre looked at his Grandmother like she had just asked simply the most ridiculous question on the face of the earth, but recovered quick enough to answer simply, "Because it tried to bite me first!"

Before she could question him any further, Synn stepped back into the bedroom, his office cordless in one hand while he gently tapped it into the palm of his other. He had a subdued smile on his lips as he said, "Joshua, pack a bag. We are going to need to catch the first flight we can to London."

"How come?" Despayre asked.

"Because that was Gabriel on the phone." Synn said before he smiled at the two women in the room. "Odette had the baby."

Victoria clapped her hands over her lips in a exuberant display of joy while Theresa leaned back against her pillows with a smile of her own, one of soft contentment, while she whispered a soft prayer of thanks for the parents and the new baby.

Despayre had shot to his feet at the news. "Oh boy!" He exclaimed. "I'm a father! Or... say what am I anyway?"

Synn patted him on the shoulder and said, "Gabriel said to tell you that you are an uncle."

Despayre beamed brightly with a pearly white smile, his chest puffing out just a bit to show just how proud he was. His bestest friend and big brother was not a brand new daddy to a... to a.... Despayre frowned and looked up to Synn and asked, ""Say, did O have a boy or a girl?"

"Boy, Joshua." Synn answered and said to all three present. "Gabriel and Odette have a son."

"Oh that is wonderful!" Victoria almost wept as she spoke. "A blessing!"

"I'm glad it's a boy!" Despayre declared, his face taking on an expression of seriousness.

"Oh?" Synn raised his eyebrows. "Why is that?"

"Uh, hel-LO?" Despayre rolled his eyes. "I didn't want to be an aunt!"

His statement was met with a healthy round of laughter from both Theresa and Victoria, and Synn just nudged his son towards the door.

"Go on." Synn ordered. "Get packed so we can leave and see the baby."

Despayre whooped in glee and took off for the stairs like a shot, Synn just turning back to the happy women and shook his head at his boy's antics.</color>

<HR>

"Please excuse us while we interrupt this scintillating excursion into the world of Despayre, and move into something just a shy more ... direct. You see, in what we have witnessed so far, we have seen the usual light hearted comedic antics of Despayre, and discovered some wonderful news of a new life being brought into the world. It's something we will return to briefly, but for the moment, we are going to have to forgo pleasure and get back to business."

"You may have heard a rumor about history being made this weekend in Tunis, Tunisia where the Seven Deadly Sins will team for the first-time ever in six-man tag team action. I find it surprising that it took us this long to accomplish a match like this. Sxxxy Shane Boswell. Rage. Myself. We've all been around at the same time as Gabriel and Despayre at one point or another, and all three of us are credible competitors inside of the ring in our own right. Hell, even in the Asylum Wrestling Alliance where we first met Chris Shipman and he found himself drawn to our sides as a natural 'Sin', even then they did not find themselves together for a match. Yet now, after all this time, Mark Ward and Christian Underwood have finally deigned to give the fans what they have wanted for so very long, and give the opposition what they truly deserve."

"I find it strangely ironic that this team the Sins have been signed to compete against refer to themselves as Nobodies when they have been doing everything within their power to be recognized, and to some degree, have succeeded."

"Take Kris Halc for example. This man came from out of nowhere and secured enough victories for himself to defeat none other than Kain to claim the SCW Internet Championship. Very few men can state they hold victories over the 'King of Kings'. Halc is one of those few, and he wears the championship gold to prove it. Even the wins that lead up to that match, and what came after, have shown that the man is anything but a so-called Nobody, but now it just seems to be a thing, if you take my meaning. Perhaps that is something that Kris Halc thinks to use against his opposition, no matter who it may be. If his challengers for the title walk into that ring, believing Halc's own hype, then they will come to a natural assumption that an easy win will be theirs to claim and the gold will follow. Then, the trap is sprung. Halc's true nature and abilities come into play, and his opposition discover that Kris Halc is not even remotely close to what he claims to be, and is everything that he appears. He is a champion. One of Sin City Wrestling's chosen elite! By the time his opponents have that figured out, they find themselves flat on their backs, staring at the lights above the ring while the referee counts to three. Bravo, Kris Halc. Your trap is indeed ingenious, and that championship you wear is the proverbial cheese to which it is sprung."

"Yet it's not an advantage you hold this time around, now is it? No, not because this is a tag team match and your singles championship is in no jeopardy. But because I have figured out this little act of yours for what it's worth and as such, it will have no play once that bell rings. The Sins have watched you rise to the top, and we still ponder what was going through your head when you joined this little tandem. If you choose to continue trying to play your games against us this weekend, then the only one who will end up burned is you. You will not be taken lightly. If anything, Despayre, Gabriel and Shipman will up the arsenal against you and fight even harder. You can play dumb and dead all you like to try and lull them into a false sense of security, but do so at your own risk because in the end you will have proven yourself dumb, and you will most certainly end up dead."</color>

<HR>

Royal London Hospital

The elevator on the maternity floor slowly slid open with a soft chime, and Despayre practically darted out in his gleeful excitement, and probably would have raced into every room in order to find Gabriel and Odette, had his father not quickly caught him by the bend of the arm and reeled him in. Rather, Synn helped pull him along and draped an arm around Despayre's shoulder to steady him as they went in search of their comrade and his new family. Ever since Despayre had heard the news about Gabriel being a daddy, and he himself an uncle, the boy was a complete bundle of nervous energy -- more so than usual! And that was saying something!

They walked the clean and narrow halls, passing by the random nurse and closed doors, until they came to the room number that Gabriel had texted. Synn held up a hand to keep his son from barging into the room and disturbing anyone. he instead leaned in and saw that Odette was fast asleep, the wear ad tear of the birth having drained her so completely, she was still worn out. The baby was not on the bed with her, as is often the case, but Gabriel was there, seated in the chair beside his wife's bed and the proud poppa was himself seemingly dozing off. His head dipped forward, and this caused him to jerk back awake when Synn took the opportunity to rap his knuckles lightly on the door, just enough to draw his attention.

Odette remained asleep, but the sound drew Gabriel's attention up and the moment he saw his two closest friends, his face lit up with the joy of new fatherhood. The reigning World Champion stood right up and walked over to them and saying no words, he wrapped his arms tightly around Synn's neck and drew the big man into a fierce embrace. Despayre didn't even wait to get his own personal hug. He just joined the one that was already in progress and gave a squeeze for all he was worth.

No words really needed to be said. Not when you were as close as these men were. Indeed, that was what family was all about. Gabriel hen turned to his little brother and Despayre was worried at first, seeing the tears in his big brother's eyes, but a sense of calm came over him, realizing that these were not tears of sadness, and Gabriel gave him the hug that he had wanted for his own.

"Despy?" Gabriel started to say as he moved to let go, but as was the norm, Despayre was not anxious to release the one that he was embracing. At least, not yet.

"Joshua." Synn tapped him on the shoulder and only reluctantly did Despayre let Gabriel go. He took a step back and fidgeted uncontrollably until he asked, "Where's the baby!?"

Synn, wanting to know the same, turned to look at the new father for the answer. Gabriel smiled, running his fingers through his hair and he said, "In the maternity nursery with the other babies, staying warm."

"Awww!" Despayre pouted, jetting out his bottom lip.

"Don't worry Despy." Gabriel beamed, patting him on the shoulder. "You and Grandpa here go to the maternity window..."

"Grandpa?" Synn frowned.

Gabriel acted as though he heard nothing and gave his little brother a  nudge in the right direction. "I'll have the nurse bring the baby."

Despayre headed toward the direction Gabriel had indicated, and Gabriel had to push Synn along to follow his son, hearing him say, "What's this 'Grandpa' bullshi..."</color>

<HR>

"I must admit that it is always interesting when new talent is signed and sets foot inside of the ring, but... really. Isn't think akin to the same thing as when God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, his only son, mind you, Isaac, as a burnt offering? Do you believe this to be one and the same, Johnny Tsunami? Do you believe that as it was with Abraham, that your own impending sacrifice is a test of faith for Tim Staggs and Kris Halc?"

"Do you think them to calmly watch while the blood letting begins, and the pain never ends, and think to themselves, 'Johnny has passed our test. Let us reward him and continue on with the grace that he calls life.' Unfortunately, Tsunami, that is not the case on either account. I can not speak for either Staggs or Halc as to why they would stand back and allow a relative newcomer to stand by their side and face the sickest, most violent sociopath on the planet, Chris Shipman, the World heavyweight Champion and master of the psychological arts in Gabriel, or a young man that has an impeccable record of his own and capable of absolutely anything in Despayre. Perhaps this is as what it was not with Abraham and God. Perhaps this is not a test of faith, but an actual leading of the sacrificial lamb to the proverbial slaughter."

"I mean, it does make sense, does it not? Why else would they seek to oppose one of the most dominant forces in SCW in the Sins, with a completely unproven commodity at their side? They want to be big. They want to make a further name for themselves at our expense, but in doing so, they have put you in the cage and thrown away the key. You are the Christian in ancient times, in the arena being thrown to the lions. You had best pray they have a change of heart and the good grace not to tag you into this match because, Tsunami, it won't be pretty unless you show us why you deserve to be in there against us. Much like the Romans did, the fans will cheer for the blood and the pain. It's nothing against you personally. It is simply the nature of the beast. It is mans nature to want to see pain inflicted on another, and unfortunately that is the spot you will now find yourself in."

"Come hard, come fast. Show everyone that a Tsunami is more than simply a big bag of wind. Show us that you can fight! Show us that you can fly! Then you can show everyone else that you can take a loss gracefully and return to fight another day. That, in the end, is your only option against us."</color>

<HR>

Only minutes later, Synn and Despayre were standing at the forefront of the glass window where visitors could look into the nursery and see all the recently newborn babies. While Synn stood back, away from the glass but still close enough so that he might see, Despayre was pressed as tightly up against the window as he could get, his hands on the window and his breath causing a light fog against it. His face was alight with joy at seeing the newborns, his eyes randomly searching the multiple basinets for the one that was Gabriel's son, and 'his' nephew.

Gabriel walked around the corner, his hands tucked deeply into his pants pockets and his face showing just how exhausted he was. Synn turned his head and rose a single eyebrow in question, and to answer, Gabriel said, "She's coming in to show you here in just a sec Gramps."

Synn stared down at the man and said in a grated tone, "You and I are going to have to have a little chat about this whole 'grandpa' thing Ga..."

"Oo! Oo!" Despayre's excitement drew the other two men to look into the nursery where the head nurse walked in quietly so as not to disturb the sleep these babies needed so desperately. Despayre tapped a forefinger on the window, just enough so that the nurse was given pause and she glanced up from the direction she was headed. Despayre gleefully pointed off toward the right of the nursery and said, "We'll take the black one!"

The nurse blinked back and Gabriel waved off her startlement, his face betraying the hilarity of what the little guy had to have misunderstood. Perhaps it was his exhaustion talking, or that is what he'd like you to believe, but Gabriel paused, holding his head in his hands and chuckling without a care at what Despayre had just done.

Synn then took it upon himself to correct the young man, and he said, "Joshua, this isn't a buffet where you can pick whatever you like. You take the one that they give you."

Despayre huffed, clearly disappointed, but he turned back around to watch and Gabriel stepped up between both men. His arms draped around their shoulders and his face was one of joy neither Synn nor Despayre had ever seen on him, and the three watched as the nurse picked up a little blue bundle from its basinet and turned around so that they might see the newest member of their family.</color>

<HR>

"Tim Staggs. I don't want you thinking that any of us are looking the other way where you are concerned, or perhaps simply casting you aside out of disinterest. Between the two men you call your teammates, and yourself, you are the one I foresee the greatest of things from. You have a wrestling pedigree, if you will. Great talent flows through your veins, and it is simply a matter of time before you come to fulfill the prophecy that was bestowed upon you as a right of your birth."

"I admit I was unfamiliar with your exploits in ACW, but before you even set foot inside of the ring here in SCW, I took notice. You are brash, straight forward, and might I add, a touch arrogant. All qualities I can admire and ones that will serve you well on the road of your professional career. You had no qualms what so ever at walking right into the office of the owners of Sin City Wrestling and make not just yourself known, but your demands as well. You wanted to compete. You wanted a match, a chance to prove yourself, and against Kain you did exactly that. Granted, the match did not go the way that I am certain that you had hoped, but you made people, the Sins included, sit up and take notice. We saw the beating you took from Kain, who is known for laying in a punishing one. You might have felt something akin to shame at the brutality that was laid out before you, but it wasn't what Kain did to you that made people take note. It wasn't even the display of sportsmanship afterwards."

"It was the simple fact that despite the beating Kain dished out, you took it. You took it, fought back from the pain, and fought back. You gave it your best, and came from behind to return the favor and give as good as you got. No surprise there. Look at the stock you come from. Your parents. Your extended family. They have all played some small role in the breeding of what will soon be a future Superstar. Just not yet. Not now."

"And certainly not at our expense. We were all there watching, and we saw that despite your rookie status and relatively smaller stature, you can and will fight to prove yourself and defend your own sense of worth. That makes you a force to be reckoned with inside of the ring, and a threat to whoever sets foot inside of the ring. This time, that would be the seven Deadly Sins. That would be Despayre. The World Champion Gabriel. And yes, Chris Shipman. Men who each have a wealth more in-ring experience than you, but none of whom will make the grievous error of taking you lightly. They will fight, and they will be prepared for a fight."

"Just do yourself the favor when you get tagged into the match to do your own thing. Do not think to make the same mistake against us that you made against Kain. Do not think you are going to pull a fast one against us, and we'll be okay afterwards. Be straight up with us. Give us your best, because that is certainly what you will be receiving in return."

"We are not called the Seven Deadly Sins for nothing. Do this, or the Staggs family legacy will be cut short."</color>

<HR>

Later, at the Royal London Hospital, the scene is now in the more comfortable sitting area I=of the maternity ward, where new mothers could relax with loved ones and show off their newborns in a setting that was not a hospital room. The floor remained sparkling clean tiles, as did the walls, but the decor was simple and warm to the senses, a soft yellow with white paneling. the furniture was plush and comfortable, with several arm chairs and sofas stationed about the room.

Only two families were currently making use of this room, one being that of the new parents Gabriel and his wife, Odette Stevens. These proud parents sat on one of the aforementioned sofas, while their new son lay curled in Odette's arms. Synn had sent out for Italian, knowing full well what the taste of hospital food was, and that father and mother needed a little something better than whatever simple fare the hospital's cafeteria was capable of serving up.

They made certain that no mess was made to inconvenience the staff, and as such, Despayre was being kept a close watch on as he huddled close to the sofa where Gabriel was eating and helping his wife to eat something more substantial than what she had been receiving since she first came into the hospital two days prior. In Despayre's hands was one of the black, plastic containers filled with the remnants of his spaghetti dinner. He, with Angel's help, watched the baby boy like a hawk, because as an Uncle, it was his job! And until Angel located the baby's own guardian, he too would be working overtime, protecting the wee little one from whatever baddies would take advantage of a newborn's helpless nature.

While Synn ate, his eyes down, Despayre found himself casting continued glances back over his shoulder at one of the only other family unit's making use of this comfort room. He would tear his gaze away from them and to the baby, only to find himself looking back at the family with a disapproving glare.

"Is something wrong Joshua?" Odette asked, having noticed Despayre's level of discomfort.

Taking one last look at the family, he looked at her and Gabriel and asked them in a hushed tone so as not to let the family know that he and Angel were on to them, "is it alright for them to have a dog in here? It can't be good for all the babies."

"Dog?" Odette blinked and she looked over to the family, as did Gabriel and Synn. Gabriel saw what his little brother did and shook his head, then looked at him.

"Despy, buddy." Gabriel said. "That isn't a dog. That's their baby."

Despayre straightened his back in a sudden and tense surprise, looking at Gabriel like he was nuts (pun intended) and Gabriel nodded the affirmative. Despayre looked sheepishly back at the baby (the one that proved they were not all adorable), then looked back around and down, his cheeks pink and he said in a light and questioning tone, "So I guess I shouldn't have given it that meatball I dropped on the floor?"
</color>

30
Climax Control Archives / Vampire battle! No, really! Well, sorta.
« on: March 27, 2015, 10:11:05 PM »
 "It was a dark and stormy night..."

"Why is it always a dark and stormy night?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"These scary stories about monsters, ghosts and booger men. How come they always start off with dark and stormy nights?"

"Would it have the same atmosphere if we kicked it off during a sunny afternoon with rainbows?"

"... Might be a nice change of pace."

"*sighs*"

"Fine, be a traditionalist."

Immediately upon the opening of the scene, there is a terrible flash of lightning, so bright that it seems blinding to the eyes and the very fine hairs along the arms and back of the neck stand on end. The very lightning spoken of slices its path through the dark, dismal clouds that hang overhead, high above the Carpathian Mountains in the nation of Romania. Thunder rumbled hard in the distance, bringing with it the threat of more lightning, and the muggy, stifling atmosphere hits that rain will soon follow, heavy and unyielding.

"See? Tell me that's not how you properly start to tell such a tale."

"Well whaddya know? It really does beat sunshine and rainbows."

"That it does mon ami, that it does."

A small caravan was seen traveling alongside a narrow ridge in the vast stretch of mountainous peaks, with only the gravel and open air coming between the gypsy wagon, decorated with bright colors and silks seen through the window, and the plummeting fall of hundreds of feet to the nothingness so very far below. It maneuvered carefully, albeit expertly, along the pass, venturing between the high peaks of rock on both sides as it approached the coming destination in the distance... a decrepit castle.

A castle that was ancient. Hundreds of years old and seemingly in disarray as if it had gone centuries without use or occupation. Yet, if that were true, then why was this clan of Romani gypsies venturing there in such haste as the night had only too recently fallen? Most other living things in these parts took great care to be inside behind closed doors and the safety of the homestead when the darkness of the night passed the earth with its sinister caress.

Four horses drew the carriage down onto the road that led to the castle grounds, passing blue flame that rose alongside the road in rings, only to vanish into the night. Wolves prowled within the tree line, their eyes glowing like embers as they watched those within the carriage pass through the gate that was little more than ancient blocks of mortar broken away with time. The carriage drove through a crumbling tunnel, none the worse for wear despite the age. It had gone this journey many a time to contact the master of this land.

It slowed to a crawl, and came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs that led to a set of large double doors, and soon three Romani males exited, as did a lone female. They whispered in hushed tones and the female caught her breath as a dark flock of bats erupted from a thick and deep crevice in the castle. The flying rodents flew about the four "guests" and then vaulted into the night sky in search of prey. Only then did they make their way up the crumbling steps and as one grasped the heavy, iron door knocker and bang it against the great oak doors, another pulled a chain for a door bell, only to be greeted with the opening tones of "Westminster Chimes"...

One of the gypsies looked to the next and rolled his eyes. "Been watching that British sitcom again."

But whatever was to be said next was silenced as the doors opened on their own with a loud clatter and they slowly set foot inside. They looked along the shadows on the wall, dancing with the reflecting light of the many torches hung up along the wall. They paused in the middle of the grand foyer, looking in every direction when one of the men turned around to find himself facing...

>     width="650 height="100 quality="best">


Roxi Johnson...aka Commando Corset!

Despayre...aka Skrew Loose!

Angel...Beast Bear!

Cut to break as we shift to the broadcast news studio for Ted E. Bahr Productions, where we can now enjoy the broadcast of the nightly news, courtesy of the two broadcasters who had to be seen to be believed, a typical nerd in a patchwork suit and pencil pouch with pencil holder on the front of his jacket, and an insanely rotund woman of Asian descent.

<Be>Seamon:</Be> Good evening everyone, we hope you're enjoying this irregularly scheduled promo. I am Seamon Weener, along with Connie Chunk.

<Be>Connie:</Be> Hello everyone.

<Be>Seamon:</Be> Big news coming out of Romania this evening. An all crimson alert as vampires have been sighted all across this nation, led by, and this news comes at great cost....

<Be>Connie:</Be> You bribed them again, didn't you?

<Be>Seamon:</Be> Hey if you have a better way of getting a story out of that blood sucker, then I'm all ears.

<Be>Connie:</Be> Dracula?

<Be>Seamon:</Be> No. My boss. Anyway, on the lighter side of the news! Sin City Wrestling has arrived here in Romania, Bucharest to be more precise, and they will be appearing at the Dinamo Polyvalent Hall where seven big matches will take place.

<Be>Connie:</Be> Only one of which matters.

<Be>Seamon:</Be> Now I'm not certain that I can agree with that, Connie. There are several great matches, including a world title main event...

<Be>Connie:</Be> yes but this promo isn't about any of them, is it? This is about one match in particular. Namely the mixed tag team match.

<Be>Seamon:</Be> Yes, indeedy do! A mixed tag team match featuring the reigning Internet Champion for babes, er, Bombshells, Roxi Johnson, teaming with the feature attraction of this promo...

<Be>Connie:</Be> Angel?

<Be>Seamon:</Be> No... but the next best thing! Despayre!

<Be>Connie:</Be> ..... Oh. Well, that's okay too -- I suppose. And they will be opposing the tag team combination of Roxi's top contender, Krissy Flipaswitch...

<Be>Seamon:</Be> I believe that's Filopovich.

<Be>Connie:</Be> Hey I was close.

<Be>Seamon:</Be> And the man that Despayre himself will be opposing, namely Travis Nathaniel Andrews, otherwise known as Mister TNA. Connie, what chances do you think Despayre will have in the ring against Mister TNA?

<Be>Connie:</Be> Well before I can answer that, I have a small question of my own.

<Be>Seamon:</Be> Certainly! What is it?

<Be>Connie:</Be> Who IS this guy!?

The two news journalists turn and stare into the camera for a moment as a cricket could be heard loud and proud in the background. They then continue their witty banter about the upcoming wrestling event and one match in particular.

<Be>Seamon:</Be> An excellent question, Connie! Just who is this Travis Nathaniel Andrews and why does he feel he belongs inside of the ring against a proven tag team specialist and multiple time winner of the World Tag Team Championship, namely Despayre. My first theory, Connie, is that Mister TNA is out to attempt to use this match, and his opponent, as a means to an end. A way to catapult himself into stardom in SCW by besting one of their ... best?

<Be>Connie:</Be> Well that might be his intention but it never turns out the way that these people expect. He wants to become a household name, or SCW name at least, at Despayre's expense, and what do you suppose is going to happen? The exact same thing that happens every time that someone else attempts to do the same.

<Be>Seamon:</Be> Now that's not entirely true. Andrew Watts was victorious against Despayre's team in the third annual Blast From the Past tournament.

<Be>Connie:</Be> But he wasn't victorious against Despayre himself. That match ended between Misty and Despayre's partner at the time, Amanda Cortez. Mister TNA could stand to learn a thing or two from the example his predecessors set.

<Be>Seamon:</Be> Like how to stay out of the ring?

<Be>Connie:</Be> I couldn't have said it better myself.

<Be>Seamon:</Be> Well it stands to reason that will be within his best interests if he wants to avoid from suffering defeat at the hands of Despayre. The former three-time SCW Tag Team Champion of the World has met and bested many of the sport's top names, and while mostly in tag team competition, mixed tag teams are a different matter. As it is only the men versus the men and the ladies against the ladies allowed, it's something like a number of singles matches all rolled into one. Mister TNA against Despayre in a singles match only spells disaster for the Man Who Should Have Been Named Mister SCW.

<Be>Connie:</Be> Yes... well! I think that's enough for the match commentary for now. Stay tuned for our next editorial and just how our experts predict Despayre will defeat Travis Nathaniel Andrews once they set foot inside of the six-sided ring.

"Are you absotively sure this is posilutely necessary?"

"Will you just trust Bear? We have to get inside of the castle if we hope to end the reign of terror of these dastardly vampires. And if it comes to this..."

"Easy for you to say! You're not the one standing up here inn this goofy outfit."

"Hey Angel's fellow guardian stayed up all night sewing that to fit you. The very least you could do is..."

"Alright! Alright! I'm going!" Despayre, aka Screw Loose, grumbled as he climbed the steps, clad not in his ultra cool superhero costume -- but in a Girl Scout uniform. With a small box tucked under her, er, his arms...

"His!"

ALRIGHT! -- His arms! He walked up and grasped the door knocker and gave it a rap three times before he paused to wait. He looked quickly back over his shoulder and gave a thumbs up, and from her hiding spot, Roxi Johnson aka Commando Corset (clad in sexy lingerie of course -- and a mask!), returned the gesture with one of her own. The sound of the doors slowly beginning to open twisted Despayre's head back around and he put on his best and brightest smile -- no small feat considering he was also wearing his long, black hair in two "Pippy Longstocking" style braids and a pair of glasses that magnified his eyes many times over.

Ad there, standing in the door of the grad castle, was none other than their chief target, Dracula himself. The vampire lord looked over this strange bespectacled spectacle before he raised an eyebrow and spoke, "Yes?"

"Girl Scouts!" Skrew Loose called out cheerily. "I want to sell you my cookies!"

A soft snort of subdued laughter emanated from the box in his hands and Despayre gave it a quick shake to silence it, turning his attention back to Dracula who looked at him questioningly.

"Girl Scout Cookies?" Dracula questioned. "Here? In Romania?"

"Yessir!" Skrew Loose smiled. "It's all part of the international Ghoul, er, Girl Scout Exchange program! Now, I have Peanut Butter Patties, Savannah Smiles, Rah-Rah Raisins..."

"Thin Mints?" Dracula inquired hopefully, looking to the box with eager eyes.

"Ah HA!" Skrew Loose held a hand up and smiled widely. "Our most popular item!"

And with that, Despayre popped the lid on the box off, and out leapt Angel aka Beast Bear, but you know he doesn't need a costume. He's Angel! The small plush pal of Despayre's crashed into Dracula with a vortex kick that sent the Lord of Vampires crashing back into the castle and through a wall.

"Woo hoo hoo!" Despayre chirped merrily as he raced into the castle, calling, "C'mon Commando! Let's take these suckers down!"

And Roxi aka Commando Corset, came running into the castle, and it seemed that whenever she did run, it was entirely in slow motion so that all appropriate scantily clad parts moved in just the right way. Only when Dracula emerged from the large hole in his castles' wall with an enraged look of fury on his face did her movements speed up and she took flight and barreled right into him, knocking him through another wall.

"Hey we're not gonna have to pay for repairs, are we!?" Skrew Loose called and Angel used a broken pole to catapult himself up and over his buddy's head and crash into the form of Dracula's unwitting slave, Renfield, who tried to sneak up from behind with a scythe in hand.

"Of course not!" Bear Beast answered. "They're the bad guys. It's alright to destroy anything of the bad guys."

Skrew Loose turned to the emerging Roxi and held his arms out in wonder. "You see? There are so many things that we as non-teddy bears simply don't understand."

"Protect the master!" Came a heralding cry from the castle's door and the heroes turned their heads to spy the gypsy servants of the vampires swarm into the castle, armed to the teeth with various instruments that do badders do'd!

Despayre grabbed a staff and reared to meet one Romani warrior in battle but that battle was cut short as the gypsy sliced the staff into two pieces. Despayre stared at the poles with wide eyes, then went to swing one of the pieces at his attacker but the gypsy met the blow with a martial arts kicked that knocked it from his grasp! Despayre then tried to use the second piece but it too was kicked from his hand!

"Aw nuts to this!" Despayre sighed and he promptly kicked the attacker right in the bojangles, dropping him hard and fast! Despayre then promptly skipped away to rejoin his comrades in battle, whistling a merry tune.

The gypsies pet werewolf snarled up towards Angel who prepared to meet this most slobbering of all beasts when of all things, the teddy bear warrior whipped a big, juicy steak bone from behind his back and waved it at the werewolf to gain its attention! Angel then turned and gave it a toss out the window -- and the howling werewolf dove out after the tasty treat...

Wuh-OH! The werewolf's eyes bugged out and it scrambled to reach the window once again, right before it plummeted down into the castle's moat!

"That works too!"

Roxi was taking on the remaining two gypsies in unarmed combat, handling herself quite successfully! I'd say it was a shame the same could not be said for the bad guys, but they are bad guys and we're not supposed to be rooting for them now are we? One of the Romani males swung at Roxi but his hand struck her perky bosoms and caused the blow to ricochet back and he ended up punching himself right between the eyes. Little birds circled his head and his eyes rolled around and he collapsed to the ground. Roxi then turned to meet the second in combat again but her teammate Angel, aka Bear Beast, grabbed the man by the ankle and slammed him back and forth into the ground, over and over, beating him senseless!

"Hey! That one was mine!" Despayre aka Skrew Loose cried.

"You can have the next one." Angel replied, casually tossing the enemy aside.

"But I wanted that one."

"Perhaps I'll do instead." Dracula said, reemerging again from the fresh hole, his eyes now emblazoned in a blood red hue, a testament of his vampiric fury!

"Sure!" Despayre spun around, eager to fight the good fight. He was a superhero after all! "I'll take you d...Nyah nyah nyah!" He did the Three Stooges reaction, seeing who had spoken. All three of the heroes of B.E.A.R....

"Seriously! What does that stand for!?"

"I'll let you know when I figure it out!"

All three stood ready to defeat this king of all dark things when suddenly a stake plunged itself through Dracula's chest! The eyes of the heroes were wide with surprise as were the Vampire Lord's! He slowly started to sink but a powerful hand held him up and from behind him stood the dreaded Blood Countess with a twisted grin on her face.

She cooed to the heroes, "Oh my dear 'Lord' had no idea what I had truly planned for this evening! Luring you here was just a distraction for the poor fool. What I truly wanted was to bathe in his immortal blood, and it's energies will keep me young and beautiful forever!"

"Beautiful?" Despayre questioned with an arched eyebrow.

"Yes, beautiful!" Bathory screeched. "Now I go to carry out the ceremony! And just to ensure you won't disturb a lady's bath..."

She snapped her fingers and from the shadows, doors, nooks and crannies ... from outside the castle and crawling through the windows came what had to be dozens upon dozens of the undead!

Skrew Loose said, "And not a single one sparkles!"

Together Roxi and Angel shouted, "VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE!"

"Alright! Alright!"

"We must stop her!" Angel called. "If she bathes in Dracula's blood she will be unbeatable!"

"Hey!" Despayre said. "I have an idea!" Corset Commando and Bear Beast turned to stare at him and he huffed, hands on hips, "Oh don't look so surprised!"

"Go!" Angel commanded. "I'll hold these fangs off!"

"All of them!?" Roxi cried.

"Just go!" Angel ordered. "I have a plan!"

"You heard the bear!" Despayre called as he hopped on Roxi's back ala piggy back ride and they blew a path through the converging vampires to chase Bathory up into the castles' upper levels! Meanwhile, the growling, snarling (and slobbering) vampires surrounded the tiny teddy bear by the dozens...

And back to the news studio!

<Be>Seamon:</Be> Oooo! Be amazed! Will Angel be vampire chow? Will Despayre and Roxi be in time to enact the plan of Skrew Loose and defeat Elizabeth Bathory?"

<Be>Connie:</Be> "Will you get it though your head that the author of this promo isn't about to let anything bad happen to the stars?"

<Be>Seamon:</Be> "Well alright! I was just trying to stir the pot o'excitement! Now in addressing the upcoming mixed tag team match, Despayre's tag team partner, the buoyant Roxi Johnson will be tested for the third time against the woman who has taken her to extreme lengths in each and every encounter, Krissy Filopovich... wasthatright?"

<Be>Connie:</Be> "Yes!"

<Be>Seamon:</Be> "Kick ass! And despite the fact that Krissy has emerged as Roxi's biggest threat to date, Despayre has all the confidence that the champion can and will be able to handle herself again inside of the ring. It is Travis Nathaniel Andrews who Despayre himself will have to be concerned about!"

<Be>Connie:</Be> "Do you seriously believe that TNA has anything to make Despayre be concerned with?"

<Be>Seamon:</Be> "Aside from an abnormally large honker of a nose? Not especially, but you know there's an art to these promos. One must address the possibility of what an opponent can accomplish against the star inside of the ring."

<Be>Connie:</Be> "True, but when that opponent happens to be a nose-in-the-air snob like TNA, it by passes promo talk and becomes lip service, and not the dirty kind. The kind where you just say that he has a chance to hurt Despayre for the sole purpose of making him feel good."

<Be>Seamon:</Be> "Yeah and we don't want to make Mister TA feel good now do we? Despayre certainly does not. He admittedly is inside of the ring to have a good time and have fun, most of the time at the expense of his opponents, but in general he's a nice kid."

<Be>Connie:</Be> "Right up until his opponent does something to tick him off, and if anyone can press Despayre's buttons, it'll be this yahoo he's up against in TNA. And unfortunately for Mister Andrews, it'll be an action that equals his personal and professional swan song."

<Be>Seamon:</Be> "Oo! I liked that!"

<Be>Connie:</Be> "Thank you! This goes out to TNA and his supporters, all two of them. Play it smart buddy. If you manage to tag out, stay tagged out! Avid any and all physical contact with Despayre if you want to have any chances at sparking that considerable ego of yours from any bruising. Defeat is at hand. It's a given!"

<Be>Seamon:</Be> "Just stand back and let your partner take it, eh?"

The snarling grew louder as the vampires grew closer towards Angel who readied himself! It all looked lost as the small teddy bear was a fighter through and through, the best in his battalion against the forces of darkness! Still! The numbers were on the sides of the vampires when all of a sudden... an arrow shot through the air and took out two of the vampires at once! They fell in a heap, causing confusion, when something was then hard in the distance, fast approaching. It was the battle cry that caused fear to chill the spines of even the darkest of demons and foulest of the foul! It was...

"If you go down to the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down to the woods today
You'd better go in disguise!"

"For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain,
Because today's the day the
Teddy Bears have their picnic."


The vampires slowly turned their heads as over the horizon outside of the caste's walls emerged an army of their most dreaded of enemies -- teddy bears! Flags of the Teddy Bear Nation waved about in the wind as a lone teddy beat the drum against his fuzzy belly, announcing their arrival. Angel's battalion had come!

Teddy bears of all shapes, colors and sizes fast approached the castle as the vampires within fearfully prepared to face this force that none could face! The teddy bears poured through the castle doors and windows in waves and the war was on!

One little bear in a kimono spun around in the air ala the Matrix with two swords in her hands and cut a path of destruction! Little hearts floated above Angel's head as he watched his 'crush' do what she did best!

Another teddy dressed in Rambo garb opened fire with his F2000 Assault Rifle!

More and more teddy bears swarmed the vampire masses, outnumbering them by ten to one as Angel jumped into the mass, not one to stand by when there was fighting the forces of evil to be do'd!

***

The cast iron cage with bars adored with sharp spikes, held the now deceased Vampire King, Dracula, within it's confines. His flesh was paler than normal as it had been drained down into the porcelain bathtub beneath it, in the center of the otherwise empty room. The sound of the chains holding the cage aloft over the tub creaked with a dismal finality as Elizabeth Bathory stood starkers at the tub's side, staring up at the figure in the cage. A smile crossed her lips as she breathed in the scents of death and decay. She then stepped forward and placed her foot into the crimson within, then climbed in the rest of the way and lied back with a soft and contented sigh.

Until, that is, she discovered suddenly that something was wrong! Smoke started to rise from her skin and her eyes widened.

"No..." She cried and started to climb from the tub but fell back in with a wet, red splash! She struggled but the tub's contents acted as corrosive to her undead skin and she started to  shrivel up, screaming in immortal agony as she was reduced to her true age and finally she was nothing more than skeletal remains -- remains that slowly submerged beneath the contents of the bath tub.

Only then did Roxi drew the curtains away and she and Despayre stepped out with mutual expressions of amazeballs on their faces.

"Wow." Roxi exclaimed. "What did you switch the blood with?"

"V8!" Despayre declared, then looked to Roxi knowingly. "The spicy kind!" He tapped his forehead and Roxi simply turned to look into the bathtub and she nodded.



"Thanks for spending the time with him." Synn said as he opened the door to his hotel room and allowed Roxi Johnson and Keira Fisher to set foot out into the hall. "I'm just sorry he couldn't stay awake for the entire vampire movie marathon he promised you."

"Oh it's alright." Roxi smiled, snaking her arm around Keira's waistline. "I'm just curios as to what he'd been dreaming about since he fell asleep."

Synn looked back over his shoulder to the form of the diminutive shape covered in a blanket on the suite's sofa. He turned back to the two ladies and nodded, "You and me both. Sleep well."

"Good night Synn." Roxi said, as did her wife, and they made for their own room as Synn closed the door behind them and headed for the suite's bedroom, not wanting to wake his son and disturb his sleep for the sole purpose of putting him in bed. He seemed comfortable enough where he was after all.

Synn turned off all the lights and calmly went to bed.

Some time later when the night sky seemed at it's darkest, there was a soft rap on the door of the hotel suite.

Despayre stirred beneath his blanket until he kicked it off of his body and stood up sleepily in his sock feet. With Angel in his arms, he stumbled towards the door, so tired his eyes were barely open. He reached the door and unlocked it before he pulled it open with a twist of the handle. he gazed with tired eyes at the statuesque form standing in front of him, shrouded in darkness.

"Good evening." The vampire lord stated. "Permit me to introduce myself. I am..."

SLAM!

Despayre slammed the door in Dracula's face and calmly went back to bed as if nothing else had happened.

"Told you vampires sparkle."

31
Character Building Roleplays / When tragedy strikes - Following Climax Control
« on: February 22, 2015, 11:52:25 PM »
 It was near ten p.m., and the rear parking garage of Stockholm's Hovet was still filled with various rental cars, taxi cabs, and even a handful of limos, all ready to take the Superstars and Bombshells of Sin City Wrestling either out to celebrate at one of the local night clubs, to a restaurant yet remaining open at this late hour for a bite to eat, or simply back to their respective hotel to catch some much needed sleep.

Yet leaving the vicinity was a lot easier said than done, because as was the norm for after the usual wrestling events, fans of all ages hung out backstage near the cars to catch a glimpse of their favorites in the hops of getting an autograph or a picture, or for those of looser morals known as 'ring rats', an invitation back to the wrestler's hotel for a night of carnal pleasures.

"I really am not in the mood for this." Synn sighed as he led not just Gabriel and Despayre out through the exit, but the men were also accompanied by their special guests for the show, namely Despayre's mother, Margaret, and grandmother, Victoria.

Many fans were preoccupied by other men and women of Sin City Wrestling taking their leave, and in hopes of finding out where the traditional partying might be taking place so they could happen to show up as well to join their favorites in the festivities. However not all were distracted as Synn might have hoped, and a number of eager fans approached the Sins, taking respectful care not to get too near their guests. Hated as Gabriel himself was, and as controversial as Synn could be, they still had their loyal fan base.

"Price of fame." Margaret teased Synn as the big man scribbled his name on a scrap of paper for a young fan, while Despayre took his usual spot behind Gabriel and Synn due to his natural affinity towards strangers getting too close. Oh he would sign an autograph here and there and might shyly pose for a picture or two, but it was painfully clear the discomfort was there.

Yet when he did take a moment to scrawl his and Angel's names on a piece of paper with his usual purple crayon, it brought a smile of delight on the faces of Victoria and Margaret both that their 'little boy' had found such a place in the world where he was both loved and admired.

Margaret lovingly stroked his face and he fidgeted with the excitement of a son's pride as he said, "Amanda and I won! We're going to the finals of the tourney-o-ment!"

Margaret answered, "Your grandmother and I were so proud of you. And we'll be there cheering you on again in that match too."

Victoria looked over her daughter's shoulder and whispered, "Will he be alright?"

Despayre and Margaret both turned to look as a disgruntled Gabriel stood to the side, signing a picture here and there but it was clear his mind was not into it.

Despayre declared, "Gabriel will be fine! He's gonna win too!"

"He just wasn't expecting Drexel to do what he did." Synn said as he approached. "Or that Christian would have allowed it. But Joshua is right." He patted Despayre on the shoulder. "Gabriel will have no trouble retaining."

He was about to say something else when the tell-tale hum of his cell phone went off, and Synn groaned.

"Oh what now?" He mumbled as he reached into his pocket and fished out his phone. Taking a glance at the caller ID, he frowned. "It's Rage."

"Rage?" Gabriel repeated as he approached. "What would he be calling for now? It has to be just the afternoon there in Nevada."

"He probably wants to congratulate me an' Amanda!" Despayre stated confidently.

"Yes, I'm certain that's it." Synn said as he switched the phone on and answered, "Hello? ... Yeah, we're just leaving now. Why? ... What?" The frown creasing Synn's brow told them that all was not as it should be. He went on, his tone of voice growing more uncharacteristically frantic. "What happened!? ... Where! ... Never mind! We'll catch the first flight back!"

And with that, Synn switched off his cell and the first person to speak up was Gabriel who asked, "What happened? Was it Phil?"

"No." Synn said, his face having lost all color. "It's Theresa."

Synn looked up into their faces.

"She's had a heart attack."

32
Climax Control Archives / What's in a name?
« on: February 20, 2015, 09:22:30 PM »
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The Stockholm Arlanda Airport, an internationally renowned airport is located twenty three miles north of the town of Märsta, a municipality of the capital of Sweden. One of the largest and busiest airports the world over, having had over nineteen million passengers pass through in a year's time, it was a natural setting as the Sin City Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion, Gabriel, casually walked through the crowds that were venturing to and fro of their destinations, whether they be business, vacation or otherwise.

Many fans recognized him for who he was, an internationally known professional wrestler as well as stage magician. Few, however, braved the stomach butterflies to approach him for an autograph or perhaps a photograph to be taken at his side. Many fans were too busy and over time would come to regret not having taken the opportunity. Others saw him as the despised heel he was on-screen and felt they might anger him or annoy him, but either way they had little intention to disturb him and whatever reasons he had for being here where they busied themselves, gathering their luggage.

Gabriel's eyes stared straight ahead, against the far wall of the luggage terminal where no less than four escalators would bring the passengers of arriving flights down to this lower level to retrieve their belongings. It was the chief reason for his being here; to meet two very special guests for someone special, and bring them back to Stockholm itself in a quiet, discreet manner. He checked his watch, and knew that the flight he had been sent here to meet had arrived only mere moments ago, so those he was here to greet would be arriving shortly.

Glancing about casually during a brief respite in the influx of passengers, he saw several people standing at the forefront to greet their guests, holding signs in front of them. He shook his head and turned away, clearly not understanding the concept -- or simply was not interested. He recognized one professional rugby player being greeted by a man in a suit, perhaps a limo driver. Another greeted an incoming family. Why would these people need a sign if they knew the person they were there to meet? Pay attention and they'd see who they were there for and they might...

"Excuse us, please."

The soft, somewhat timid voice drew Gabriel away from his inner thoughts where he was 'dressing down' the random stranger and he turned his head to see a Japanese family facing him, just to the right of where he stood. The two adults were obviously the parents, an older man and woman, while the three children, two girls and a boy, couldn't have even broken past the age of ten. Gabriel said nothing immediately. His eyebrows rose questioningly and he waited for the adults to speak their piece.

"We apologize for disturbing you." The father addressed him. "But you are Gabriel?"

"Last time I checked." He answered, not wanting to be too much of an ass hole to these people. The Japanese were perhaps the most respectful towards him and other professional wrestlers. It didn't even seem to matter to them how much he did to piss them off. They continued to treat him and his peers like the proverbial 'rock star' and with the utmost care and respect. So thus, he could play along. He asked, "What can I do for you?"

The children chattered excitedly but the father got them under control quickly and this time, the mother, a woman who was still of an ethereal beauty as most women of Asian descent were, spoke up and said, "The children were hoping they might...? She held up a camera, almost hesitantly and it was obvious the family was almost embarrassed at the prospect of disturbing him. That embarrassment was also the sole reason why Gabriel complied with their request. Any pushy fan that might have simply walked up with a camera and posed would have been shot down -- and fast.

"C'mon." Gabriel beckoned and the three children were quite gleeful at rushing forward to join him at his side. He lowered himself down to a single bended knee and the three small ones leaned in to get as close to this hero, this wrestling champion, as they possibly could. Gabriel cast a wayward glance at their bright, eager young smiles and came to understand that it would not be all that long before he himself had a small one to call his own, just like them. He then spread his arms out in his classic pose and a moment later, the flash of the mother's camera went off and the children got what they had so desired.

Gabriel stood back upright and the children ran back up to join their parents, but not before the two girls grasped him in a fond embrace, and the smallest of the children, the little boy, shook his hand like the adult he thought himself to being.

"Thank you." The father bowed to him and Gabriel inclined his own had to the family before they continued on their way before approaching him had led them briefly astray. Gabriel watched after them for a moment when another voice, this one familiar to him, stated, "Boy you just can't help yourself, can you?"

"Hello, Margaret." Gabriel said, knowing full well who it was before he even turned around to greet the woman that was his 'little brother's mother. Margaret Young's face bore a teasing smile as she approached Gabriel and enveloped him in an embrace, taking into account that he was family, being her son's closest friend as well as a 'big brother'. Plus, it was Gabriel himself who talked Synn down from his unbridled hatred of the woman due to lies, manipulations and misunderstandings against her for a number of years. So thus, she had no qualms what so ever in taking him into her arms for a hug.

Once released, Gabriel looked to the second woman who had approached, this on a fair number of years older than Margaret; Despy's Grandmother, Victoria Young.

"Victoria." He greeted her, offering his hand and she clasped it with a somewhat surprising grip, but she too took the World Champion into her arms, as such displays of affection was of a second nature to Despayre's nan.

Once he separated himself from Victoria Young, Gabriel took a step back and along with the two women, approached the baggage carousel or their airline in order to retrieve their luggage.

As they did so, Margaret asked idly while her gray eyes that matched Despayre's own, scanned the carousel, "So where is Joshy? I'd have thought that son of mine would be here to greet us."

"Oh he isn't aware you're here, actually." Gabriel answered. "Synn hadn't planned to have you two ladies flown out to join us until we hit Copenhagen, but then Despy got a little something in that head of his and he needed his mum and nan to join us earlier than expected."

"He's up to something, isn't he?" Margaret asked as she spotted her first suitcase and quickly grasped it, but Gabriel had managed to grab it from her own grip and take hold of it himself. He shifted a sidelong glance back towards her and a cocky smirk creased the corner of his mouth upwards, indicating that yes, he knew that little guy was up to something, but he'd also be damned if he were to spill the proverbial beans.

Margaret looked to her mother and shook her head, "Apparently we're in the midst of some grand surprise."

"Well, not so much a surprise as a secret." Gabriel countered. "And it's not as much my place to tell you what's been going through his mind."

"Well this should prove interesting." Margaret stated matter-of-factly as she grabbed hold of her roll-away luggage and started to follow Gabriel who had confiscated Victoria's own and the remainder of Margaret's.



"You're up to something, aren't you?"

ironically enough, the same words that Margaret directed towards Gabriel had just been uttered exactly the same, but this time by Despayre himself as he kept his eyes glued to his father who stood at his side with a stoic demeanor that yielded the little guy no answers.

"Joshua, what on earth makes you think I'm up to anything?" Synn asked as he leaned back on the bench on the patio of the Stockholm Metro train station, awaiting for an arrival that had, surprisingly so, remained a closely guarded secret from every attempt of Despayre's to discover just what was going on. Despayre did not mind secrets. He loved them, in fact -- except for when he was not in on them. That was a whole other jar of peanut butter.

"Actually I was talking to Angel." Despayre said, his one brow arched up perfectly as his eye squinted, studying his father closely. "He says He's in on whatever it is that you say you're not up to. Plus I know my dad well enough to know that you're always up to something."

"Touche'." Synn smirked, but still gave away nothing. He turned his head and all that he would yield was to say, "And for the record, if that little friend of yours knew what I was up to -- if I was indeed up to anything, the entire countryside of Sweden would have heard about it by now."

"Heyyy!" Despayre accosted his father in a hot, accusing tone. "Are you trying to say Angel can't keep a secret?"

"Joshua, I am not saying anything that you haven't said time and again yourself."

Despayre bit his bottom lip and his wide, gray eyes shifted down to the teddy bear that was bundled up inside of Despayre's own winter jacket to stave off a chill and prevent him from getting sick. (Teddy bears make the absolute worst of patients, you know!) Despayre gave a hysterical little laugh and told Angel, "Ha ha! He's kidding. It was a joke."

"This one should be Gabriel's." Synn said as the commuter train slid to a slow crawl and finally to a stop at the station, and the doors opened and the people within started to flood outside. Despayre was immediately a bundle of excited energy (but then again, when is he not?), hopping around on the balls of his feet at the prospect of greeting Gabriel. It didn't matter whether or not the pair saw each other on a near daily basis, Despayre simply couldn't not greet his big brother warmly in the usual manner...

"Gabriel!" Despayre cried aloud, and that manner being proven to be a great big (teddy) bear hug. He ran right up and practically plowed Gabriel over, wrapping his thin arms around Gabriel's neck and squeezing for all he was worth!

"E-easy Despy!" Gabriel laughed at his enthusiastic greeting. "I might need my head to stay attached in the coming weeks! And besides, I think there might be someone else you'd rather give a hug t-"

"Mom!" Despayre cried in wonder and Gabriel was almost bulled aside as Despayre practically pounced into his mother's arms the moment he saw her emerge from the train behind Gabriel. And if his excitement was at its highest at seeing his mom, well every boy has that special place in his heart for his grandma. And when Despayre laid eyes on that special lady, tears of longing and joy welled up in his eyes and he buried his face in the nape of her neck as he hugged her as well.

"Surprised Despy?" Gabriel smiled as he and Synn approached the family trio.

Despayre was hesitant to separate himself from either woman but he yielded to answer Gabriel with a silent nod and he coked back a happy sob as he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Well we hadn't planned on surprising you until that big show in Denmark." Margaret answered. "But your father thought it would make a nice surprise..."

"Ah-HA!" Despayre barked, pointing an accusing finger at his father.



"Are you certain this will be alright?" Margaret had asked when Synn had announced the plan for Despayre to have the afternoon to spend with his mother and grandmother, while he and Gabriel discussed SCW related business. Her question was innocent enough, although she had her reasons for asking. The last time that Despayre had attempted time alone with his grandma and herself, it was that ill-fated overnight stay where he had purposely gone without his medications, and suffered for that decision. To date, Synn had been hesitant at risking the welfare of her mother or herself again, at least until now.

"It'll be fine." Synn had told her as he took her aside to pass her an envelope of Swedish currency. She had attempted, without success, to refuse, and yielded only when she promised to spend the vast majority on showing their shared child the best of times.

Synn continued as he all but shoved the currency-laden envelope into her purse while he said, "Joshua has been very good at taking his medication ever since he suffered that particular ... setback. I'm not certain he remembers what happened, but I know he doesn't like 'not' taking his pills now, so just keep an eye on him."

Margaret looked up at him and the smile on her face spoke volumes at the forgotten animosity that had once existed between them.

And Synn had been right. Everything was turning out quite alright. Mother, Grandmother and Despayre himself had started to spend a very pleasant afternoon together, just the three of them. The highlight for the ladies had been visiting the famed Djurgårdsbron bridge in central Stockholm, built for the Stockholm World Fair in the year 1897. The architecture was simply magnificent; with four of the Norse gods depicted on granite columns - Heimdall, Odin's wife Frigg, Freyja, and of course, Thor himself.

Despayre's highlight was, of course, the amusement park Tivoli Gröna Lund. It was small, with only fifteen acres and a mere thirty attractions, but still ... it was an AMUSEMENT PARK! `Nuff said! Of course Despayre openly refused to ride any attractions without his mom and grandma accompanying him, and both were admittedly hesitant at riding the more 'daring' rides such as the roller coasters. They did indulge the young man in the 'House of Nightmares' and a few others, but saved themselves when 'Angel' suggested they return tomorrow with the others to make better use of the offered features.

Despayre was only to eager to agree since he just knew his mom and grandma were delicate ladies and did not wish either to be ill at ease. Gabriel wasn't a lady though. He'd go on some rides with him! Maybe Synn and Shipman would too!

The day was quickly getting away from the three, and soon it would be time for them to head back to the hotel to meet the rest of Despayre's little family for dinner. Hopefully Synn had finished conducting his business with Gabriel so that they could all enjoy a nice, late dinner together. Now they found themselves on the other side of the aforementioned bridge previously, at the luxurious park in central Stockholm.

"So Joshy," Margaret said gently as she escorted her son over to the edge of the water where they saw some ducks gliding across the calm waters, and a scant few men in a small canoe, rowing across for sport and exercise. Her mother, Victoria, sat on a bench knowing her daughter wanted a moment alone with her son. Angel had offered to keep Victoria company, Despayre stated, but that was just an excuse to keep his plush pa away from the water.

Angel and ducks did not go well together.

Margaret said to him as she passed him a handful of bread crumbs she had purchased to distract him and he threw them bit by bit into the water for the ducks, "Gabriel and I talked on the train on the way here. He said you had something important to talk to me about?"

Despayre glanced up at her and his fair skin blanched to her eyes, and she gently caressed his cheek, sweeping his long, black hair from out of his eyes in the gentle, cool breeze.

"What is it Joshy?" She asked. "Is anything wrong?"

"Are you sure this is something you want to do, Despy?" Gabriel asked in the home he owned with his wife, Odette, in Las Vegas. "It's a big step. An important one."

There was a brief lull in the SCW World Tour, and everyone had taken the opportunity to return home to indulge in the small time they had away from business. Odette sat at Gabriel's side, her eyes on the legal paper in her husband's hand as Despayre stood before the both of them. He had been an invited guest to stay over that night, but while Gabriel had expected the usual fun and games Despy had been prone to indulge in, his little brother instead came from out of nowhere with this particular request for his assistance.

Despayre answered his question with a nod, fidgeting in place and absently clasping his hands together at the palms. "Uh huh." He nodded. "I want to do this for dad's birthday. I think it's important."

"Well, I admit it will be a touching gesture." Gabriel found himself saying. "I know it'll mean a lot to the man, but you might want to talk to your mom about it too, bud."

"Why?"

"Because it's her name, sweety." Odette answered for her husband. "And it's a very big step."

"`Kay." Despayre nodded. "Will you help me though? To get it ready just in case?"

Gabriel had one last look at the paper before he looked to Despayre and nodded, "You got it."

"You want to legally change your name?" Margaret asked as she looked at the document in her hands.

"No." Despayre shook his head. "I like the name Joshua. I just want to change my last name. That's all. If I can."

Margaret seemed unsure of what to say, as if she were at a loss for words. Out of everything that could have been a concern or a request for her child, this was not amongst any of the thoughts that passed through her mind when she had been told Despayre had something 'big' to talk to her about.

"Well..." She started to say, perhaps a bit breathless for obvious reasons. "Joshy, in the end it's your decision. Does your father know about this?"

This previous question was almost spoken in an accusing tone. She knew Synn would never try and take Despayre away from her. Not after the two of them had settled all of the issues that had existed between them. She might even dare admit they had grown closer since Gabriel had helped her to mend burned bridges between Synn and herself. Still, if this was Synn's idea....

"No. He don't know about it." Despayre answered honestly, and she knew his words were true. Her Joshua was an honest young man. He went on, "I wanted to do this as a kinda sorta birthday surprise."

"His birthday was last week, sweety."

"I know." Despayre said. "But this is a belated prezzy. Maybe surprise him at the Supercard after it goes through or... I thought, maybe... if it's okay with you...?"

"You thought this would make a nice present from son to dad?" She finished his thought for him, and his answer was a meek nod in the affirmative. She felt the hot moisture sting her eyes, but struggled to keep it in check so as not to alarm thee sensitive son she shared with Synn. She knew now that the man had nothing to do with this idea. It was simply a desired gesture to further cement the bond between father and son, and she could see why Despayre wanted to do it. It was Synn who had successfully saved Despayre from Broodmoore all those years ago, and now father was trying desperately to make up for so much lost time that existed between the two.

She looked up at her boy and forced a smile to her lips, the better to shield her hurt.

She passed the paper back to her son's hand and caressed his cheek with her finger tips.

"I think it's a wonderful idea." She lied.



"Hellllooooooo! It's me again! Angel! Yeah I know. It's not all that often I get involved in the business end of these little promos. I'm more of a figure head, really. I get paid to stand there and look adorable, which I am very good at if I do say so myself -- which I just did. Synn is a little tied up at the moment, if you must know. He was playing leapfrog with Synn and well... well let's just say that it's impolite to talk with your mouth full and leave it at that, shall we?"

"I am so proud of my buddy Despayre and his tag team partner, Amanda Cortez! To have gotten this far in the Blast From the Past III tournament against such great teams just goes to show that not only is Ms. Cortez an amazing grapplerette, but Despayre is a true and certified tag team specialist! There is nobody that he teams with that he won't find success with in the end. Just look at who Despayre and Amanda have gone through already too get this far!"

"In the opening round, they bested perhaps one of the single most credible duos (second to Despy and Amanda themselves of course!) in another tag team specialist in Veronica Taylor and the reigning Internet Champion, Blaque Hart Bruce Evans! Then they went on to face and beat Crystal Hilton and Bo Dreamwolf! Now, Despayre and Amanda are in the semi-finals, and just who do you think they're facing?"

"Another current champion in the Roulette Champion Alex Kaelin, and Jade Manendez-Arcador, a chick who has one of the single best won-loss records in all of Sin City Wrestling! Gnarly, huh? Well Despy and I are positive that Amanda can handle Jade! Amanda's not just one-half of the reigning World Bombshell Tag Team Champions, but she's also a former World Bombshell Champion so that means Despayre's partner is better than Alex's! So neener neener neener!"

"Boys are not allowed to compete against the girls in this event, which is as it should be, so while Amanda takes care of Jade, why don't we focus a little on you, Mister "I'm So Tough" Alex Kaelin?"

"Yeah, you think you're something special all right, huh/ You think you're like the toughest guy inside of that ring, don't you? well let me tell you, that if you were all alone in the ring with Holly Wood as the referee, you' still be the second toughest mug inside of the ring. So pth! You think you're tougher than Despayre just because you can fight? Well take a long, close look at my pal because Despayre is a lot tougher than you, and isn't afraid to prove it. So he likes to have fun inside of the ring. Good for him I say! That doesn't make him weak or a bad wrestler. Quite the contrary! Despayre is a lot better of an athlete than you are, and he's a whole lot tougher too! You want to take a cheap shot at him? Hey that's your funeral pal, because Despy can fight just as dirty as you can, and still come out smelling like roses. In the famous words of the immortal ... well, me:"

"Anything you can do, Despayre can do better!"

"Just be glad your title isn't on the line here Alex muh boy, because if it was, there would so be a new champion inside of the ring come Sunday. So for all the bravado you like to scoop up with a shovel and use as fertilizer for your growing dreams, I have this to say...."

"Fooey to you from me! PTHHHHHHH!"
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33
Climax Control Archives / Bappy Hirthday dad!
« on: February 13, 2015, 04:07:43 PM »
 
The Scandic Victoria hotel was one of the finer, more refined establishments for visitors in Oslo, Norway, constantly being ranked within the top ten hotels on traveling web sites and agencies alike. It was modern, luxurious, and most importantly: spacious. The last detail was generally a deal breaker when Synn was booking hotels for his tandem crew, as being professional wresters, most were larger than your average sized person with their height and athletic builds. But more importantly, he also knew full well how hyper active his own son was, how difficult it was to reign him in, and how much space Despayre usually required in order to run around to his heart's content without breaking anything -- and thus tacking on yet another addition to their bill upon leaving.

Trust us when we tell you all out there that enough broken beds (they have to be jumped on to test for maximum springyness!) and knocked over lamps have been credited to Synn's account for replacements or repairs over the years to get a feel for what was needed.

"I'm sorry Despy." Gabriel said as he walked down the hallway of the floor that housed the reserved rooms for the stable members of the Seven Deadly Sins that were  "But it's just a fact that you're going to have to understand."

Following Gabriel, of course, was the one member of this family of 'Sins' that he was perhaps the closest to, Despayre, of whom he affectionately thought of as a little brother. Theirs was a friendship and bond that spoke the truth that you did not need to be blood related in order to be family. Many found it odd, sometimes intriguingly so, at how such an innocent young man with a personality that drew both sympathy and affection as Despayre was known to do, could possibly be in the same vicinity as the tandem of heels that were despised now by the public to the extent that say, Gabriel himself was. Yet when Despayre looked at Gabriel, he did not see a heel that despised the same masses that cheered Despayre himself on. No, he in fact saw the same man that helped his own father, Synn, raise and care for him since they established this family of theirs well over five years prior.

Gabriel was a heel, yes indeed. A man that cared little for the fans and even less for the so-called honor bound rues of the sport of professional wrestling. Yet with Despayre, he was still the caring 'big brother' he had been since their first moments together in the public eye, and woe be to the unfortunate soul who tries to bring the little guy harm when Gabriel was around.

Following in Gabriel's wake, Despayre was obviously in a fidgety mood, his face in a classic 'pout' with his bottom lip jetted out for maximum effect, and his gray eyes looked at Gabriel with a pleading semblance for him to fix whatever it was that needed fixed. It was fairly well known within the circle of the Sins and the few close friends that they had, that Despayre was quite used to getting whatever it was that his little heart desired. Time and again, Gabriel would tease Synn with the fact that whatever Despayre wanted, Despayre got.

What Gabriel constantly forgot to address was that many times, he was just as guilty of the fact as Synn was.

They arrived at the double suite that Despayre was sharing with his father, and Gabriel paused to stop and turn around to face Despayre. 'Despy' as he was often called by those closest to him, had his eyes cast downwards, his fists crammed deeply into his pockets and kicked an imaginary pebble with his right shoe.

"Bud," Gabriel offered in a soothing tone. "You're just going to have to accept that there are no Panda Express restaurants here in Norway."

Yes. THAT was what had the little guy so worked up in a dither. No Panda Express. The horror! Anyone who knew Despy and his constant companion, Angel, knew that they held firm in their belief that when out and about, Panda Express was the only place to dine! Now hat were they to do for their meals? More importantly than that...

Despayre brought his glance up as he passed the key card for his and Synn's room over to Gabriel's waiting hand. "But..." he started to protest. "It's dad's birthday! Without Panda Express, what will we eat to celebrate?"

"Panda Express isn't the only Chinese food place, you know." Gabriel then looked at the aghast expression on Despayre's face and held up a hand in mock surrender. "Forgive me."

"Well *I* may but I can't promise the same about Angel." Despayre narrowed his eyes as the green light on the door's lock lit up and they heard the soft click of the lock being released.

"And besides," Gabriel smiled as he turned the handle on the door and pushed it open. "At least the place I found for you has the term 'Panda' in the name." And he walked inside of the suite.

Despayre jetted his bottom lip again, but this time in contemplation, and he finally yielded with a nod. Some Panda was better than no panda, he supposed. He -- and Angel (always remember Angel!), then followed Gabriel into the room. The very moment that he did, Despayre saw someone that didn't belong and let out a shrill shriek.

"AHH!" Despayre cried out aloud, pointing a forefinger at the person and protectively held Angel behind his back, shielding the teddy bear. "Intruder!"

Odette Stevens, Gabriel's wife, let out a yelp of surprise at Despayre's rather booming voice. Say what you will, for a little guy, Despayre could really project.

"Jesus, Despy!" Gabriel started to say, but was quickly interrupted.

"Really!?" Despayre leaned around Gabriel who was trying to calm him down in order to get a better look at this 'intruder'. "Wow is dad going to be disappointed. He always said Jesus was a bunch of baloney and here he came all the way for his birth -- heywaitiaminute! That's Odette!"

"Yes, Despy. It's Odette." Gabriel turned around to approach his pregnant wife and check on her well being. "And had you shouted any longer you may have caused her to drop the baby extra early."

"Really?" Despayre blinked, looking back and firth between them. "Is that what you want me to do?"

"NO!" They both answered quickly, and loudly, and Despayre huffed.

"Well alRIGHT!" He rolled his eyes. "No need to raise your voices." He leaned over slightly at the waist to whisper to Odette in a conspiracy manner. "It might make you drop the baby early."

"Really!" Odette exclaimed, and Despayre nodded with wide eyes, all but ignorant at the irony of his pointing out the exact same statement that Gabriel had stressed upon him.

"So what's Odette doing in my room?" Despayre set Angel down beside the flat screen television on the front dresser, the better that his best friend and protector could keep a close eye on the entirety of the suite.

"Did you forget so soon?" She asked, now showing some of the tell-tale amusement that Despayre's personality and antics were prone to drawing out in a person. "You asked me to get the decorations for Synn's birthday started."

"Ohhhhh yeahhhh!" Despayre nodded. He looked around at the head start Odette had gotten underway and nodded in satisfied approval. There were colorful balloons everywhere and streamers strung up as far as the eye could see. "I like it! I just wish everyone else was here! Melly and James are still in LA. Mom and Grandma in Las Vegas..."

"I know bud," Gabriel clapped him on the shoulder. "Rage says he and Phil..."

"And Aggie!" Despayre chirped as a reminder.

"And Aggie..." Gabriel nodded. "They wish they were here too but when we get back to Vegas for a break, we can throw a big belated party for Synn, but for now this will do in a pinch. At least Shipman is here."

"Yes." Odette smiled and spoke in her distinct Australian accent. "Besides, you know your dad appreciates smaller gatherings."

"Which reminds me..." Gabriel by passed the two and headed for the door. "I'm going to had Synn off at the lobby so you two can finish the decorating."

"Angel is gonna supervise!" Despayre declared.

"And he does a kick ass job at that." Gabriel said as he opened the door and stepped out into the hall. "The chow should be here soon so keep an eye out." And he closed the door behind him.

Despayre turned his head to look at Odette, "Is it PC to call Chinese food chow?"



"I am hoping that we are able to make this short and sweet because really, this whole humdrum bickering back and forth about who is going to do what to who, when and where? Honestly it can be a bit tedious and I am fairly certain that we all have better and far more interesting things to do. Well, most of us anyway."

"I have little to say about Crystal Hilton, as there seems little point to address her. Despayre is not the one who will be competing against her and I am confident that Amanda Cortez will have little to no trouble in putting her away in order for Despayre and herself to advance. Plus, if I am perfectly honest, the last time I saw her paired with Dreamwolf, I was not all that impressed."

"Bo, however, he does impress me but I am certain I can not say anything that has not been said before. The man is one of the few that almost everyone has something nice to say about within this industry. His technical skill, his training, his general attitude. It's all about respect, and that is something that Bo Dreamwolf carried with him in spades. Yet when all is said and done, respect will only take you so far, and once it is left between yourself and Despayre, you might as well signal the end because it will all be over and done with, and Despayre and Cortez will be the ones to advance in this tournament, and not yourselves."

"Your in-ring skills have always impressed Bo, but when you find yourself against a force of nature, there is little to nothing that you can do in order to prepare against the inevitable. Despayre is just that: A force of nature. A whirlwind of energy and emotion that reacts based on pure instinct, and there is simply no countering such a thing. All you can do is wait, and weather the coming storm."

"All due respect, it is a simple fact."



"Make a wish!" Despayre hopped along on the balls of his feet, clutching Angel against his chest while Synn stepped up toward the table in their suite with a very impressive birthday cake set in the center of the remnants of their catered Chinese dinner. Despayre would never admit it to Gabriel, but the food was pretty good -- the fact that he devoured his plate and literally licked it clean could have been a clue, however. On each of their heads was a colorful party hat, and on the bed several colorfully wrapped packages to be opened after the cake got cut.

"Five, candles Joshua?" Synn wrapped an arm around his son's shoulder. "Bless you."

"It wasn't Despy's idea." Gabriel countered. "It was the fire martial."

Synn shot Gabriel a withering look but the magician just winked. Doing as his son wished, Synn leaned over the cake with the candles and started to blow them out when...

*POP!*

One of the 'candles' exploded, taking the cake with it and sending the chocolaty goodness splattering everywhere. Everyone proceeded to wipe their cake covered faces clean and Gabriel looked at his 'little brother'.

"You got the candles mixed up with your fireworks, didn't you?"

34
Climax Control Archives / Through the looking glass Act 3: Scene 1
« on: February 06, 2015, 09:53:03 PM »
 12:15 PM

Synn sat back comfortably at the large desk set against the wall of his hotel suite in the luxurious Novotel Cardiff Centre in central Cardiff, Wales. Many of the roster of Sin City Wrestling had found themselves residing elsewhere while here in such a lovely country, but Synn had a penchant or making certain that the men and women he was responsible for was treated well, and this hotel certainly qualified for just that. The surroundings and decor was somewhat more modern and far brighter than Synn preferred for himself, but everybody that knew him, knew well enough that he did not book this hotel for his own personal pleasures.

It fit the colorful personality of one person, and one alone: the one that Synn loved above all others.

"Daaaad!" Despayre called aloud as the door to the adjoining room swung open and in bounded his son, his pride above all else, with that familiar plush form of the teddy bear known as Angel in his embrace. Synn knew that chances were that Joshua might find his way into his room to sleep when sleep did indeed come, but for the sake of giving him some needed privacy, he had booked a separate room that was adjoined to his own. Plus it might also help to keep him from out of any form of mischief that he tended to have a knack for landing in, with the assistance of Angel and Melody Grace, of course.

"Angel's hungry!" Despayre declared as he landed at his father's side and his gray eyes fell onto the screen of the open laptop in front of Synn and his eyes sparkled and face brightened when he saw the Skype program open and the familiar face of...

"Mom!" Despayre cried gleefully, his face alight with the joy of any boy would feel in reference to his beloved mom. He looked at the teddy bear in his arms and said, "Look Angel! Dad's talking to mom!" And then his arm with the bear swung outward in a wide arm, playfully clobbering Synn in the side as he reiterated, "Without us!"

Despayre sat his bestest pal on the desk (facing his mom of course), so that he might set his hands firmly on his hips and shake his forefinger at his father in a most playful scolding, "For shaaaame! You didn't tell us you were going to call mom!"

"It was a last minute thing, Joshua." Synn answered as Margaret, on the other end, watched on with a smile as her son read his father 'the riot act' for such a social faux pas. "I had to ask her a question, and this was far cheaper than phoning her long distance."

"Oh." Despayre blinked, unsure if whether or not any further chastising on his part was warranted or not. "Well okay, if you're sure. But you owe me an' Angel Panda Express for this."

"Fine." Synn sighed, knowing full well his son's voracious appetite for the Chinese fast food establishment. Whether one existed in Cardiff was a whole other story entirely, but for the sake of his own sanity, pun intended, he surely hoped so. "Now go get the others, alright? I'll join you in the hall in just a moment."

"`Kay!" Before he left, Despayre bent at the waist for a good view of his mother on the laptop's screen and he beamed with eager hopefulness. "Are we still on for breakfast tomorrow?"

"Of course, Joshy." Margaret answered. "Although your breakfast will probably be your grandmother and my lunch."

"You say potato, I say bacon!" Despayre turned about and hurried off. "Love you!" He called after him and swung the door of his father's hotel room leading to the hallway and his friends's own rooms shut.

Margaret watched after him and shook her head with a mother's smile on her face, then turned to meet Synn's eyes and she chuckled, "He has no idea..."

But Synn stalled whatever she was about to say, holding his hand up for a moment. He leaned aside in his chair and called out, "Joshua! Stop listening at the door!"

The door to the room opened ajar again and Despayre stuck his head in with a perplexed frown and he said, "Boy! You got radar in the noggin of yours, or what?" And he shut the door once again.

Once satisfied that he was no longer attempting to eavesdrop, Synn turned back again to address Margaret who finished what she was going to say previously, "He has no idea mother and I will be at that big show in a few weeks, does he?"

"No." Synn smiled. "I am amazed that for once I was able to keep a secret from him. The lad has a manner about him that he is able to find out even the most well kept of secrets."

"I can't imagine where he got that from." Margaret mused with a coy smile. "He seems even more excited than usual."

"Yes, he was given a bit of a treat for this Sunday." Synn stated. "He's been signed to a tag team match with Gabriel as his partner."

"Really?" Margaret said. "He gets to team with Gabriel after all this time? What happened to that friend of his? Bernard?"

"Best to call him 'B' if he's anywhere around." Synn answered. "But yes, Bernard. He's back in the states on some family business. It's pretty much why he hasn't been on television since their title loss. Plus, I think Bernard is blaming himself for the loss and has been avoiding Joshua."

"That's silly." Margaret said.

"That's Bernard." Synn smiled. "But this match will be a nice break from his rematch plans and the tournament with Amanda Cortez. It's been a long time since he's been able to team with Gabriel and I can't recall seeing him this excited in quite some time."

"Well, Gabriel means a lot to him." Despayre's mother pointed out. "I'm still new to your little family and even I can see that. I saw it from day one."

Synn smiled, and a softened chuckle escaped him. "Yes." Synn said. "I often think back to the first day those two actually met."</color>

03/2010

The red FT-86 slowed down to a crawl as it turned into the parking garage area in the small business district in midtown Manhattan. While New York City was a bustling metropolis of business opportunities, there were areas of the mot famous city in the world that was more quaint, more subdued, yet remained safe for the public that walked the streets, unlike the more unsavory areas of the city. That was where we find ourselves at this particular point in time, a point that is a fair number of years back before Sin City Wrestling had ever been a thing. Before the thought had entered into the mind of Christian Underwood and far long before Mark Ward had been pestered into submission and thereby agreeing to be a partner in the independent wrestling endeavor.

There were small restaurants lining this street district, many of them Italian, a Jewish delicatessen, one Cajun but all were relaxing in atmosphere and the perfect stop for the business men and women alike who would walk to this particular area from their work for lunch. In New York, the atmosphere was equal to, if not superior, to the food in the needs of the patrons who frequented their establishments.

Yet aside from the varied eateries, a lone law firm and small businesses, there was also a plaza with several small stores, a high end decorating firm, and on the far end, closer to the hub of the city traffic and just below a monorail that ran through this area, was an athletic gymnasium for the average weight lifter and exercise enthusiast. It was called 'Power Gym' and was owned by two of the best in the business of professional wrestling, a man known as Thunder, and one of his closer friends and peers in the sport, Titan.

"How come we're stopping here?" Joshua said meekly in a hushed breath, looking up at the front of the gymnasium with a slight tremor in his tone of voice. He pushed his clenched fists deeper into his lap, trying to stifle the discomfort that he was feeling at the experience of just being out in the open, in a new place and new surroundings. He looked down at the fists in his lap and shifted a sidelong glance at the man in the driver's seat as he turned the key of the ignition, shutting the engine off. "I thought we were gonna go to your home?"

"Our home, Joshua." Synn gently corrected him. "Remember, you'll be living there as well for the time being while we get you settled."

"Is it a nice home?"

"I'd like to think it is." Synn answered. "A bit small. Do you know what a brown stone loft is?"

Joshua, the young man who down the road would become known as the wrestling sensation Despayre, only answered Synn's question by shaking his head in the negative. Synn smiled and nodded, as if he had expected such an answer.

"Well not to worry." Synn stated amicably. "You will once we get there after this little stop."

Synn unbuckled his seat belt and shifted his impressive stature to accommodate his exiting the vehicle when he was given pause and glanced back into the passenger's side, and at Joshua who had not moved a muscle as of yet.

"Joshua?" Synn started to speak, and the young teen had flinched by sheer instinct, as he was prone to do whenever those brutal men who fancied themselves as doctors in Broodmoore would speak his given name. It always led to one thing or another, and each one quite unpleasant. He closed his eyes

How different this one was then compared to how he was a mere five years later in life, where we know him now as Despayre. He was just a boy then in age, as well as mentally. Yet his mind was not near so far along as his years were, and all due to a random act of chance with a drunken driver.

Joshua's eyes were closed tightly, his head bowed as if in submission. Perhaps in the broadest of senses, that was indeed where he was in his own mind. Waiting with a subservient attitude for what was to come, as he often did while he had been incarcerated in the walls of the asylum. Yet no harsh words or barking commands had been uttered as his ears were too often used to hearing. No shouts to orderlies to remove him from his room by force or to have him taken to the doctor's offices for his usual methods of treatments. No commands that it was time for his baths or meals, sometimes of which both were forced upon him when he had a mind to try and refuse. Try being the operative word.

Finally, realizing that no order or reprimand were forthcoming, Joshua's eyes opened and he turned his head to look in wonder at the man whom he saw as his 'rescuer' so-to-speak. Synn tilted his head forward in a questioning manner and asked, "Don't you want to come along?"

The lad's answer was an emphatic 'no', shaking his head and using his feet against the floor board of the car to push himself back further into the seat.

"Joshua..." Synn said, his voice low as he had been training himself to do ever since he first met the boy all those months back, when he had discovered a son he had never known existed before and sought to remove him from the torturous care of men who plied their trade with methods that resembled torture more so than it did any kind of medical treatments that he could ever imagine. The boy's eyes flicked away from him for only the briefest of moments before he looked once again to him, though admittedly his eyes did not meet Synn's own directly.

Synn continued, "I can understand your hesitation, your discomforts, but it has been some time since we have left..."

"The bad place." Joshua mumbled to answer for him.

"Yes." Synn agreed. "The 'bad place'. But you are no longer there, and you never will be again. I swore you that promise long before I took you away. I swear that with my life. But, you have avoided being around much of anyone, anywhere."

"That's not true." Joshua countered. "I went to McDonalds with you."

"Yes, and I am grateful for the company." Synn smiled. "But you yourself told me that you had wished you had been able to make friends when you were in ... Canada." Synn finished gently, avoiding the topic of Broodmoore being unearthed as much as was possible. He went on, "You wanted the same chances as everyone else to go out, enjoy the fresh air or what have you. Well?" Synn gestured away from the car and toward the gym. "This is just another chance."

Joshua blinked. He stared at Synn for what seemed like forever, and Synn was not in any hurry to rush his thought process and force whatever he was thinking to surface before he was ready. Then in a given sign of victory, Joshua reached down and with a click of his thumb against the release, the seat belt was unfastened from over his waist and shoulder and snapped back into place. Synn smiled as he stepped the rest of the way out as he watched carefully for Joshua to follow suit.

The passenger side door opened only part way, as if the thought of the one climbing out was to avoid damaging any other car near, despite the fact that the parking space at the car's right hand side was empty. Joshua then slipped both feet out and shifted his slim body into a contorted line to slide out ass carefully as he might, and then gently closed the door behind him. One might take a point of interest here that no teddy bear was removed from the car's rear seat nor found its way into the warmth of the boy's loving embrace. This was mainly because this unfolding scene we see before us was set a mere three months before the trio of Synn, Joshua and the man who would quickly become Despayre's 'big brother' by respect and love if not by blood, Gabriel, found their way into the Mall of America in Minnesota, and a certain 'best friend was brought to life in the mall's resident Build-A-Bear Workshop.

The air was still chilled here in Manhattan in this the month of March, and Synn walked around the car to join Joshua who huddled his arms against his body to try and shield himself from the cold air blowing in from across the Atlantic. A loud and thundering clattering rattled the area's comatose surroundings and almost sent Joshua into a panic attack, as he cried out in alarm at the noise that ambushed their ears. He fell back against the door of the car and quickly grasped the handle and tugged on it, but it had already been locked and he looked desperately at Synn who sought right away to bring him comfort.

"Calm down. Joshua!" Synn said in a commanding tone with the force needed to direct the boy's attentions. "Calm down. Calm. Down!" He grasped Joshua's arms and almost immediately he fell against him and wrapped his arms around Synn, as a child might a parent in seeking solace from something that frightened them. (Ironic, is it not?)

"It's alright, Joshua." Synn spoke reassuringly. His voice now brought down from where it had been in earnest. "There is nothing to be scared of. It was simply the monorail. That." Synn gently pried his arms loose and turned him just enough to see the elevated railway cars passing nearby. The sight alone was enough to open Joshua's eyes wide in amazement, and he took a step forward with his head craned back as far as it might to better glimpse this new 'thing'.

"Perhaps later when we're finished, we might take a ride on it?" Synn offered. "Would you like that?"

Synn's answer came in the form of Joshua shaking his head 'no' quickly and falling back against him.

"Alright. Alright." Synn again calmed him. "Perhaps another time when you feel better." And with that, Synn turned him around and escorted him towards the gym's entrance and they set foot inside.

Inside of the gym was a series of modern work out machines and free weights, stationed along the walls and at specific points along the floor plan. Yet most notably was what was set at the very center of the gym, one of the main business points of the gym itself; a full-sized wrestling ring.

"There you are!" came a booming voice and one of Synn's very first proteges, and to date his greatest achievement, 'Sxxxy' Shane Boswell, stepped away from the ringside where a sultry looking redhead, Fantasia to wrestling fans, was standing inside of the 'squared circle,' talking to a young man. The young man had a lean build, more of a swimmer's physique than any other but with proper training and the use of the offered weights, in time he would develop a more athletic build for the rigorous nature of the aforementioned sport.

No sooner did Shane approach the pair than did Joshua freeze up, staring with wide eyed fear at the sheer size of this mammoth of a man. Shane, at least initially, was ignorant of the boy's display of fear and what might be behind it and he smiled as he laid eyes on him. He looked at Synn and those pearly whites were warm enough to melt the polar ice caps as he motioned toward Joshua who was almost hidden behind the larger Synn.

"Is this him?" Shane asked, and Synn nodded.

"Yes," He answered. "This is Joshua. Joshua Young."

"Well! Pleased to meet you Josh..." But as Shane extended his hand, Joshua backed away suddenly in open fright, almost falling over a bench set behind him.

"hey, easy." Synn said as he caught him and helped him stand upright. Synn took note of Joshua's firm stance and stare at Shane, before he turned around to the 'Crown Jewel' of the Sins and he said, "Joshua is still getting ... used ... to things, including new people. He's still a bit uncomfortable around strangers."

"Understood." Shane yielded, holding his hands up in mock surrender. He turned his eyes back to Joshua and slowly lowered his hands. "Didn't mean to startle you, bud." Shane smiled, trying his best to ease the boy's mind. "I just like meeting new people and got a little carried away."

Despayre did not say anything in response, but the slight easing of his shoulders helped to tell the two men that Shane's words as well as his notable charm helped to set aside Joshua's fears, at least a bit and for the time being. Synn took this brief pause to address Shane, and nod towards the ring.

"How's he doing?" Synn asked and Shane nodded.

"Good." Shane answered as the men watched Fantasia scale to the top of the corner and after a brief pause, she launched herself backwards in a picture perfect display of a moonsault onto a large pad set in the ring. He continued, "Better than good, actually. Its not often you see someone with a natural affinity for the business. He's coming along well with the moves, but damn!" Shane did not notice the flinching displayed by Joshua for the uttering of the curse word. "This guy is a natural when it comes to the psychology."

Their heads turned again as they watched the young man follow suit from Fantasia's example set, and he climbed to the top of the same corner. Her hand steadied his own as he took a moment to balance himself, before he jumped backwards as best he could and landed on the mat. It was not as smooth of a moonsault as he was shown, but it was a fine start and in time, it would get even better.

The landing had rattled him somewhat, knocking the wind out of him despite the softened landing as opposed to the hard ring itself. As Fantasia lent him a helping hand to his feet, Synn noticed Joshua's eyes had been firmly glued to the proceedings inside of the ring and he asked him idly, "You said you are a fan of wrestling too, didn't you?"

"Mm hm." Joshua mused almost in a whisper. "I used to watch G.L.O.W. all the time."

"G.L.O.W.?" Shane turned to Synn questioningly.

"Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling." Synn answered. "An all-female promotion in the eighties that runs in syndication. Sort of sports entertainment meets Las Vegas show girls."

Hm." Shane nodded, as Fantasia and the young man in the ring arrived at their sides to join them. "I might just have to check that out."

"Nice attempt in there, just now." Synn said to the young man that now stood between Fantasia and himself. "You're getting better all the time."

"Should hope so." The man stated in a distinct British accent. "This one is running my arse ragged." Jetting a thumb towards a smiling Fantasia.

"Indeed. She has that way about her." Synn said, then noticed the man's eyes had fallen on Joshua and felt that introductions were in order. "Joshua, this is someone I'd like you to meet. The beauty there is Fantasia..." He gestured toward the fiery redhead, to which Despayre just idly twiddled his fingers toward her in a meek 'hello'. Synn then motioned to the young man opposite him and said, "And this here, is Gabriel."

Despayre's face lit with an interested smile, seemingly taking a liking to this 'stranger' more easily than any other, and before Gabriel's hand had even finished extending towards him, Joshua had grasped it in his own and shook it vigorously.</color>

"It still amazes me when I look back to those days, and they seem like only yesterday. I had worked so hard to get Joshua to trust me enough to even speak to me, and somehow, some way, Gabriel succeeded in mere moments where it had taken so many others days, weeks, and even longer. I had to admit that at the time, I felt a might jealous at how easily Joshua took to Gabriel, as if he had known him his entire life. Sometimes I wonder who had done him the most good at helping him to come out of his shell as much as he was able; Gabriel or Angel. It was even that first introduction that started to delve the young man who would become known as Despayre into the world of professional wrestling."

"It might come as a shock to many that initially, I had no intention for Joshua to set foot inside of a ring as a professional wrestler, but the more he watched Gabriel train, the more he himself wanted to be right there alongside of him, inside of the ring where he could help his new found friend the most. I tried to dissuade him. I tried so hard to talk him out of this sudden desire to put his body on the line for the sake of entertaining others, but he swore that above all else, Gabriel needed him. And, after a test run on an independent show, that would appear to ave become true. Gabriel got involved in some fisticuffs with the man he had just defeated and a second man that as friends with his opponent. Before I could even get inside of the ring, someone else had jumped the barricade and come to Gabriel's defense."

"Joshua. Despayre."

"From that moment on, I knew that I had to give the boy what he wanted, and that was a  suit that follows me to this very day. It was the start of something epic, and never before did I see such team work as I did when those two worked together. They took to each other like a fish to water during those training sessions, and although Gabriel was admittedly not as enthused about the budding friendship as Despayre was, there was no denying the chemistry that existed between them inside of that ring. And after a bit of time and patience, and Gabriel coming to an understanding how special Despayre is, that very same chemistry extended from inside of the ring to their friendship out, and the two became like family. Brothers. Two men who would go to the ends of the earth for the other, and who would fight anyone that stood in front of them if it meant defending the other."

"That is quite the contrast from the team that Sean Jackson and Drexel Matheson find themselves in. Quite the different tale to tell where Sinful Obsession is concerned, and where this makeshift combination comes from. The fact that 'the Mental Rapist' is a former World Heavyweight Champion speaks highly unto itself, but the key word here is 'former'. Sean Jackson is not the reigning champion any longer. Gabriel is, and for the second time. Sean is impressive, indeed, but he is so far out of his element that I would be moved to pity him if he was not such an ignorant ass that answers to his wife's snapping of the fingers."

"Both men are, actually. Oh I saw the very atrocities that Drexel Matheson was capable of last week, and I dare say I doubt we may ever see Gavin Stephens inside of an SCW ring ever again. Drexel could be thought of as a career killer with a thirst for blood and violence, but like his partner, this is not where he belongs. Somewhere, somehow, Drexel must have pissed the wrong deity off and resulted in this match being signed."

"Place either Sean Jackson or Drexel Matheson in a singles match with championship gold on the line, and even I would be forced to admit that either would be a formidable opponent, but against Despayre and Gabriel, a team who has not been beaten in well over four years, almost five? Defeat should be all these two men hope to suffer at the sound of that opening bell."</color>

35
Climax Control Archives / Besties and monsters and bears! OH MY!
« on: January 23, 2015, 08:58:14 PM »
 Loch Ness

What? You actually expected the stars of this here promo to appear in Scotland and they not find their way to the famous Loch Ness where reportedly a sea creature dwelled, making the large body of water it's happy home? Well if that's the case then shame on you because you obviously haven't been paying very close attention to Despayre these past few years!

Well as if being near the home of a monster isn't exciting enough, well how do you feel about a castle? I KNOW! A real, honest to goodness castle! Urquhart Castle to be more precise, and if you like a little trivia, this Castle came in third in tourist attractions for Scotland, behind only the castles of Edinburgh and Stirling.

>

36
Climax Control Archives / Building burned fences ... or something like that!
« on: December 19, 2014, 10:05:35 PM »
 
QUOTE
"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

Albert Schweitzer


"You know it's a sad fact that so many people these days don't realize or understand the true value and meaning of friendship. They have some people who they would refer to as buddies and pals, and yes indeedy do friends, but do they actually know what the true meaning of friendship is? Unfortunately, no. These same people who they claim to value ad cherish as brothers and sisters are the same ones they will openly lie to their faces to get out of some obligation that had been promised on a previous day."

"You don't feel like hanging out at the club or movies? Tell them that you're tired and have to be up early the following morning for work. Are you having second thoughts about loaning that friend of yours that fifty bucks you promised, and end up telling them an unexpected expense came up to refrain from hurting their feelings and say you don't trust them enough to pay the money back when promised. How about that friend who had just lost their apartment and you agree to let them crash at your place until they find a new place to call their own. Yeah, not sounding like too good of an idea now, is it?"

"Yet when you're dealing with the ailments and problems of a friend, and this time I mean a real friend, you won't even hesitate to be their for them. If they're sick, you'll be there at their home first thing in the morning with chicken soup and orange juice to help them get better. A real friend won't hesitate to drive twenty miles out of their way to pick up a friend who had one too many at a party and doesn't feel safe behind the wheel of their own vehicle."

"A real friend is not someone that talks well about you to your face, but instead someone that speaks highly of you behind your back."

>


(Remember what I said before about reading Melody's RP? Yeah that kinda has a point here as well.)

Melody waited, not looking him in the eyes. She was too afraid. Not just of him and his reaction, but of failing to supress her inner turmoil in front of him any more than she already had.

Synn stared down at Miss Grace, his hands gripping his own waistline to the point where he was almost hurting himself in the process. His eyes were like daggers, not giving her any sympathy as she let loose with her pent up emotions, begging -- pleading with Synn to understand and to forgive. Sadly, forgiveness was not something that came easily to this man's nature.

"That was a very convincing 'performance' Miss Grace." Synn said, the trace of venom in his words all too clear. Melody blinked back her tears, looking up at him after all and shaking her head. He ignored whatever she was about to say and he continued, "And trust me, I would like to think of myself as a forgiving person most of the week. Unfortunately for you..." Synn leaned in and grasped her by the upper arm. "...Today is Friday!"

"No... no!" Melody cried now openly as she tried pulling herself free from his grip but she had no chance at even coming close to accomplishing that. "Please!" She dug her heels into the carpet but Synn was far too powerful and he simply pulled harder, almost sending her collapsing to the floor but she righted herself in time, and one last frantic look behind her at a wide-eyed Despayre and she was in the upstairs hallway, well on her way out.

"Please! You have to listen to me!" She cried as Synn escorted her forcefully towards the staircase, and if she continued struggling this way, Synn knew he might well be forced to sling the girl over his shoulder and carry her downstairs.

As it would stand, he wouldn't have to. Due to the commotion he endured when finding Melody in his son's bedroom, he had not heard the further knocking on the door of which had obviously gotten Theresa from her downstairs bedroom. Gabriel was halfway up the stairs, and a very pregnant Odette was at the base, along with Theresa, staring up at what was unfolding!

Gabriel had only to take a quick look before he said with a stern tone that would brook no argument, "Let her go."

"Excuse me?" Synn raised his eyebrows in wonder. "What the hell is this? First this one..." He indicates Melody. ... finds it within her rights to sneak into my home and harass my son, and now you have the hubris to give me orders."

"I guess you taught me too well, eh?" Gabriel answered without batting an eye, taking another step closer up the staircase. "Now let her go. For Christ's sake! You already had this girl scared shitless 24/7! This is only going to make it worse!"

"Well you will pardon me if I feel relatively little sympathy towards the one who snuck into my house through deception and reduced my son to..."

"She knows." Gabriel stated, taking that final step and he grabbed Synn physically by the hand and pulled it away from Melody's arm. Synn gave no sign to show he tried to stop him, he simply stared at the magician, as Melody backed up against the wall, rubbing her arm.

"Knows." Synn shook his head. "Knows ... what?"

"The truth." Odette stated from the bottom of the steps.

Synn had his eyes locked on Gabriel's expecting wife, then turned to look at Melody. Whatever she saw in his eyes made her flinch uncontrollably, and when he turned that same gaze to Gabriel, Gabriel too felt the urge to do the same.

Synn said, "You told her. You found it within your rights to share secrets that were not yours to..."

"C'mon Synn." Gabriel replied calmly, the perfect contrast to Synn's own heated tone. "It wasn't fair for her not to know. Especially after what happened this week."

Synn could only shake his head and a harsh bark of laughter escaped him before he replied, "And, what? Knowing my son's, your brother's, secrets, is supposed to make this all better? It's supposed to make her look better?"

"No." Gabriel said simply. "It's supposed to help Melody here to understand a little better. Understand that Des... Joshua, isn't everything she sees on the surface, and to help her see that she has to be a little more careful in dealing with him."

After all the years knowing Synn, Gabriel knew that the first sign of his darkest anger was when he was not shouting or threatening heinous bodily harm upon you. It was when he was absolutely, and completely silent.

Like he was right now.

Still, Gabriel would not let this rattle him. He knew when Melody first told them about what had happened, that Synn would be in full over-protective daddy mode. He had seen it before in the past, knew that he would see it again at some point in the future. Hell! He knew that once his own wife gave birth, he himself would probably follow his example and have his own 'meltdown' episodes from time to time.

"C'mon man." Gabriel said. "You were able to look past your anger towards is mother and forgive her."

"In that case, there was little to forgive." Synn spoke in contrast. "I had been mistaken about Margaret as she had not committed the atrocities against Joshua that I had once believed. This one, however..." Synn glared at Melody who backed up almost to the point she was behind Gabriel. "... I know she said the things to Joshua that hurt him so badly." He looked to Gabriel. "And yet I am to simply forgive and forget, just like that?"

"I do."

The voice behind them made Gabriel and Synn turn around, and they found the weary and sleepy-looking Despayre standing there with his Marvin the Martian comforter wrapped around him. He was looking at everyone seemingly at once. He looked at his father but there was no mistake who his words were for.

"I forgive Melody." Was all he said.

"Y-you do?" Melody sniffed back a fresh wave of fearful tears, and her answer came in the form of a shy, hesitant nod of confirmation. That was all the young woman had to hear or see as she darted straight past Synn and Gabriel and enveloped Despayre in a fierce hug, one that only a true friend would understand. And one that Despayre returned.

Synn turned from staring at the scene and found Gabriel's eyes locked onto his.

Gabriel said, "If he can forgive her, can't you?"

Synn stared hard at the scene again, then at Gabriel and he exhaled sharply.

37
Climax Control Archives / The beginning of something wonderful
« on: December 05, 2014, 09:38:23 PM »
 Where has the year gone? That is a question on the mind of many as it seems only yesterday that the New Year of 2014 had been rung in with much fanfare, drinking of champagne and the dropping of the fabled Ball in Times Square. Streamers were thrown. Midnight kisses were stolen. Everyone was looking forward to beginning 2014 with a fresh start, to begin their lives anew with resolutions to better improve oneself, and not fail at within days of the first attempt. After all, is that not what a new year is all about? To leave the past of the old behind and kick things off with a fresh start, the proverbial slate wiped clean?

Then, what did you notice happening next? We were sitting around the grandly decorated tables for a Thanksgiving feast with family, friends, and even a few loved ones (I kid! I kid!). Some were looking forward to the 'official' start of the shopping season on the next day, Black Friday, while many others were content to wait it out, to begin their own shopping online during the Cyber Monday craze. After all, why risk being trampled to death or maced with pepper spray, or worse, all in the name of getting a flat screen or the latest video game, all for a few dollars cheaper? I tell you, people are bonkers! Yet once you proudly proclaim that your Christmas shopping is complete, it hits you right square in the mush! The end of 2014 is just weeks away!

Once the Thanksgiving traditions are complete, parade watched and turkey devoured, and the shopping is over, you start to truly realize something; Christmas is right around the corner. (Don't ask me which corner, because I've checked `em all and I haven't seen it!) Eggnog could now be bought up in bulk from the grocery store, and while we're at it, we can also toss in a bottle or two (or three) of that special holiday cheer that goes with it, although not everybody likes the flavor of that holiday cheer. Then there's the cookies! Oh those glorious homemade sugar cookies fresh and warm from the oven, the mouth watering scent wafting through the house as they slowly cool off, just waiting to be decorated with gobs of frosting and sprinkles! It would also soon be time for the lights to be hung up, and the festive tree decorated so outlandishly that it hurts the eyes once you ignite the colorful lights. Heck, decorate the outside of your home just right, and you just might get a visit from the lady in charge of the Neighborhood Association, asking you to tone it down. That's where you get to tell her to go blow it out her diddy bag.

Hey! It's Christmas!

Of course, by now you understand that the star of this promo will be making his grand entrance soon -- very soon! Well, 'stars' as it were if you count Angel, oh and by the way, you should always count  Angel!

The front entrance doors to the Petsmart store automatically slid open and into it raced Despayre pushing a shopping cart, with Angel perched safe and secure in the child's seat with the 'belt' fastened securely around the teddy bear's waist! (Soon enough for you?) Despayre raced right past a clerk behind the cash register before she could even greet him, and her eyes instead fell to the man who next set foot inside of the store, Synn himself.

"Welcome to Petsmart, sir." She said with an amicable smile. "Can I help you with anything?"

"No." Synn sighed as he simply walked towards the last place Despayre had vanished around a corner aisle in his haste. "I'm just here with the little hurricane that just blew past."

The cashier smiled at Synn's dry wit, then turned and resumed her duties as a new customer pulled up to her register with an arm load of items to purchase.

Synn was in no real hurry, as he knew immediately where his son had headed. It was the point behind this entire trip to the pet store, after all. Despayre had come to his office just that morning and asked if they could come here to Petsmart in order to get some surprises for his pet cat, Sebastian. Synn had proclaimed that he had a rather busy day ahead of him but it didn't take much on Despayre's part in order to get his father to clear his schedule just enough to help him do some Christmas shopping for the household cat.

Hearing the sound of tell-tale thumps in the appropriate aisle, Synn turned and found Despayre looking over all the shelves in the cat toy and accessory aisle and whatever he didn't think Sebastian had already, he grabbed and tossed it into the small cart wedged into the narrow aisle. A quick inspection in the cart and Synn saw a drinking fountain, several bags of catnip toys, teaser wands and some kind of battery operated toy in a flat canvas sack that spun in circles for the cat to chase. And still Despayre was wanting more, as he grabbed a brand new kitty bed that was in Christmas colors and threw it, too, onto the pileup of holiday prezzies for Sebastian.

Synn asked, "Don't you think you might be over doing it just a bit?"

Despayre held another large bag of cat toys over his head, ready to drop them onto the cart when his father's question brought him to a halt. He cocked his head slightly to the right in wonderment, casting a glance down into the cart's contents before he shook his head and answered with a firm, "Nope!" And he promptly dropped the toys onto the already high mountain of goods. It threatened to topple over but Synn himself managed to catch it, bating Despayre by just a fraction. Synn shook his head and gave his boy a faux sigh of exasperation.

"You're going to put me in the poor house over this cat, aren't you?" Synn asked.

"I am? How?" Despayre blinked. "I'm paying for this. Me, myself and I!"

"Are you now?"

Despayre nodded and quick as a wink, whipped out his red Build-A-Bear wallet and showed Synn his bank card, the one he kept in a desk drawer all by itself. "Never leave home without it!" He proudly proclaimed. "Unless I don't need it. Then it's alright to leave it home."

"I see." Synn observed, knowing that Despayre had quite a respectable amount of money earned from his wrestling over the past few years, as Synn preferred to indulge the lad by paying for everything every chance he got. It was his own way of making up for all the lost time he missed with Despayre as a child. Synn glanced around and shrugged, "Well then on that note, why not add one of those cat towers on? I've heard you talking to Gabriel about wanting Sebastian to have one of his own."

Despayre's eyes lit up and he shook his finger toward his dad, "Oo! Good idea!" And before Synn could stop him, Despayre grabbed the cart and wheeled it around to go hunting for the perfect cat tower for the perfect kitty. Synn was about to set out after him, hopefully yo prevent him from spending too much more of his own money, when a voice emanated from behind him.

"Christmas shopping?"

Not one for idle chit chat, especially with strangers, Synn was about to turn about and say something possibly (definitely) caustic remark but found that he was facing another in probably a long line of employees who were only seeking to do their jobs and hopefully up sales for this, the holiday season.

The employee, an older woman in perhaps her middle years, asked, "Was there perhaps something I could help you find?"

"Unlikely." Synn sighed. "I'm afraid my son is just grabbing whatever he fancies for his cat." He cast a brief glance behind him in the direction Despayre had vanished to, then added, "He apparently believes his cat is in need of its own Christmas presents."

"Well, why not?" The woman smiled. "They may have four legs but they're no less a part of our families."

"Little help!?" Came a call from somewhere off in the store, and a voice Synn knew all too well. he jetted a thumb back and said to the employee, "That would be him now." And Synn calmly turned around and walked as quickly as he could to see what form of mischief Despayre had already found himself into, with the employee following in the belief she might be of some assistance. Curiosity helped a bit as well.

They turned the corner where a large display of cat towers of varied styles and sizes were on display, and found Despayre balancing one of grand stature halfway on the shelf, and half over his head with his hands holding it up. The fact that this cat tower in particular was larger than Despayre himself would have lent a touch of humor to the sight if Synn couldn't see Despayre's arms wavering a bit under the weight.

"Joshua, what do you think you're doing?" Synn asked as he hurried up to lend his boy a hand, grabbing the structure and shifting it from Despayre's grasp and balancing it back onto its perch on the shelf.

Despayre wiped his hands and looked somewhat bashful at having been caught in such a position, and he cast a quick glance to the employee before shrugging his shoulders, "I wanted that one for Sebastian. It's the best."

"Because it's the largest?" Synn asked with amused scorn.

"Uh huh!" Despayre smiled and he pointed at the carpeting that lined the vast majority of the towers many levels. "Plus it has catnip everywhere! Sebastian'll love it!"

"It's also two hundred dollars. Synn quietly observed, picking the dangling price tag in his hand.

Despayre blinked, "Don't I have enough in the bank?"

"Joshua, you have more than enough."

"Then what's the problem?" Despayre wondered loudly with his arms held wide.

"The problem is..." Synn started to say, but found himself staring at his boy's smiling face. Synn looked quickly to the employee who seemed as amused by the antics displayed as she was pleased at the potential sale. Synn shook his head, "I know when I'm beat." He muttered as he reached down to the lower shelf to grab the appropriate box...

En route to the front of the store to check out, Despayre happily pushed the cart of cat presents and treats with Angel closely inspecting all of the bags and boxes with a critical eye, to ensure nothing was forgotten. Synn carefully accompanied him, his own hands making certain that the boxed cat tower remained where it was, laying across the basket of the cart. They had almost reached the cash registers when something caught Despayre's eyes and he lit up with excitement.

"Look!" He cooed. "Kitties!" And he promptly forgot all about the cart load of goods, grabbing Angel from his child's seat and hurried over to the adoption center where the local Humane Society had set up operations for the day to hopefully get some of their cats adopted out for the upcoming Christmas holidays. One man was filling out an adoption application at a table, while another family was inside of the room with the cages, looking at one of the three cats that were present for the day. One was a fully grown calico cat, its fur a colorful blend of white, black and orange. Another was a kitten with fur the color of cocoa powder. The other cat was another adult, a female with ebony fur. While the family was busying themselves looking over the calico and the brown kitten, Despayre somehow instinctively found himself gravitating towards the cage tat the black cat was inside of. Her green eyes looked up as he looked in through the doors and her whiskers twitched, taking in his scent.

Despayre pressed his face close up towards the grating of the plastic cage door and he wiggled his forefinger toward the cat as she slowly stood up and moved toward him for a closer look. He offered his finger closer toward the cage door and she sniffed at it through the holes and she promptly butted her head against the tip of his finger, prompting Despayre to laugh merrily.

"I haven't seen Aggie show anyone that much attention since we brought her yesterday." Despayre looked aside at a young woman in a white jacket and matching slacks who watched the black cat with the loving eye of anyone who adored animals would come to understand.

"Not much of a people cat, is she?" Synn observed in question as he stepped through the door while the family had made their exit, only having wanted to play with the cats and little interest in adding one to their own family.

"Oh no. Not at all." The volunteer answered. She's actually a very loving cat. It's just after people get to know her information, they don't pay very much attention to her."

"Her information?" Synn asked, reaching over to pick up the tag hanging from her cage and looked it over while Despayre leaned up on his tip toes to see over his dad's arm so he could read as well.

The volunteer answered, "Well, the fact that she's eight years old keeps a lot of people from wanting to adopt. Everybody has their hearts set on a kitten or at least a younger cat, but an older cat like Aggie? Not so much. Plus her medical conditions..."

"What's wrong with her?" Despayre looked away from the tag in his father's hand, and back to the cage where the cat seemed to be watching him carefully.

The volunteer said, "She was rescued a few months ago from a pretty bad home. Her owner had several cats, and wasn't kind to any of them. Her one hind leg was broken and didn't repair properly since she wasn't taken too a vet to get it fixed. Plus the house was in squalor and she has some respiratory problems that have to be monitored and treated routinely."

"Poor kitty." Despayre almost whined as he leaned in close to keep an eye on the same cat that was keeping an eye on him.

The volunteer said, "We've had hopes that she would get adopted out for the holidays but few have expressed any interest."

"What'll happen to her if she doesn't get a home?" Despayre asked, and immediately Synn had wished he hadn't as he himself knew what the forthcoming answer would be.

Sadly, the volunteer confirmed this fear as she said, "It hurts to admit this, but if we can't get her a proper home, she'll have to be put down."

"You'll insult her for being homeless?" Despayre frowned. "That's rude!"

"No, Joshua." Synn took up the mantle to try and ease his son into this sad fact. "Because of her age and medical issues, they'll have to put her to sleep."

Despayre looked at his dad for understanding, and it slowly dawned on him what was being said. He looked at the volunteer whose eyes brimmed with tears as she looked lovingly at the cat who was watching everything around her. It was obvious why this young woman was a volunteer at an animal shelter. She truly did love animals and it broke her heart when one couldn't be rescued or saved.

"No..." Despayre mumbled as he looked again to Aggie the cat's cage and saw her looking right back at him. Despayre then said from out of nowhere. "I'll take her."

"What?" The volunteer asked at the same time Synn stated, "Excuse me?"

"She needs a home." Despayre proclaimed. "I can give her one!"

Synn looked back and forth between his son and the volunteer, and before this could go any further, Synn found himself uttering the one word that he could not having ever recalled saying to his son ever before.

"No."

Despayre blinked, "No?"

"No." He reiterated.

Clearly not understanding, Despayre held his hands out and shook his head, "What does that even mean?"

Synn said, "It means that we already have a cat."

"Right! One cat!" Despayre argued. "So what's one more?"

Synn sighed and rubbed a hand down along his face, glancing at the volunteer who suddenly had that 'deer in headlights' look as she found herself in the middle of a family debate. Synn then looked at his son with a firm eye and said, "Joshua. You are on the road on a semi-regular basis. Theresa taking care of a healthy cat while you're away is enough of an added chore for her. A cat that needs regular medical attention is simply asking too much."

"Then I'll quit..."

"You are NOT quitting for the sole reason that you can adopt a cat!" Synn said with perhaps more force than he intended, and it showed in the result as Despayre's eyes blinked with the sting of tears at having his dad raise his voice at him, especially over something that meant so very much to him.

"But..." Despayre started to plead but Synn held up a hand, silencing his protest and shook his head. "I am sorry Joshua, but the answer is no."

Despayre looked absolutely devastated, the tears leaking from his gray eyes and trickling down his cheeks, pooling at the slight cleft in his chin. His face flushed a healthy pink in embarrassment. Then something in his gray orbs flashed in anger and his lips pursed together and he simply turned and stomped out of the adoption center. Synn exhaled sharply through his lips and turned to the volunteer.

"Sorry." And he turned to head off after Despayre...



"It's not FAIR!" The front door swung open with a hard 'bang', startling the three in the kitchen of the Sins, Theresa, Rage and Rage's younger brother, Philip. The heated exchange drew the trio from the kitchen and as they made their way into the main hall of the household, they witnessed Despayre throw and armload of Petsmart bags to the floor without a care and face off against his own father. He stomped his foot and said again, "Not fair!"

"How is it not fair, Joshua?" Synn stressed. "I have tried to give you everything that I possibly can. This is simply too much."

"Helping me save a kitty's life is too much!?" Despayre wailed. "How!"

"I already explained that to you, Joshua." Synn answered, his tones much smoother now than they had been in the store. "She needs a lot of care and she's old... her medical issues alone are..."

Despayre interrupted hotly. "You gave ME a home!"

"Yes, Joshua. I did." Synn said. "But there is a world of differe..."

"And I have medical issues!" Despayre practically hollered. "But you didn't let ME die!"

These harsh words, true though they may be, had the effect of nearly knocking Synn back on his heels as the truth of them hit him full on.

Despayre shook his head, the tears flowing freely down his face, "But you're gonna let Aggie die just because she's too much trouble?" he sniffled back a fresh wave of emotion before he, and Angel, turned and ran up the stairs. Only a moment later, they heard the sound of his bedroom door being slammed shut behind him, making Phillip flinch.

"What the hell was that all about?"Rage asked the question on all three of their minds.

Synn sighed and moved over to straighten up the bags that Despayre had thrown against the foyer's wall and floor, and as Phillip stepped in to pick up the random item that flew out, he answered, "The pet store had some cats up for adoption, and one, you might say, captured his affections."

"Oh no..." Theresa mumbled.

"The cat was older, I believe the volunteer said about eight years?" Synn said. "She also has a handful of medical issues that would need regular treatments, and with us being on the road every few weeks if we're lucky, there is just no way..." Synn shook his head. "Then the volunteer informed us that the cat would have to be put down if she didn't get a home by Christmas. It just broke the kid's heart but I don't see what else I could do."

"You did right." Theresa nodded, trying to reaffirm Synn's decision.

"Then why do I feel like such an asshole?" Synn whispered more so to himself than to any of the three standing there.



Later that evening at the same Petsmart, less than two hours before closing, the Humane Society volunteers were getting ready to place the only cat left that did not get adopted for the day, Aggie, back into her carrier, when a deep voice gave them cause to turn around.

"`Scuse me." Rage said, drawing their attention.

"Yes sir?" The same volunteer from earlier answered, stepping forward.

"Not sure if I got the right place or not." Rage started to speak. "Been to three pet stores already with no luck. Did a little guy with a teddy bear come in here earlier today? Big guy with them?"

"Oh yes sir." She answered with a nod. "Was there something I could help you with?"

"I think so." Rage nodded and looked at the cat in her arms, about to be deposited in the pet carrier. "That the cat the kid was having the fit over?"

"Yes." She said, stroking the top of Aggie's head before getting set to shut the door. Rage stopped her by saying,

"Don't bother doing that." The woman looked up, unsure if she heard right. Rage stared at her and followed his words up with, "I'll take her."



Synn knocked on his son's bedroom door and called in, "Joshua. Rage just called. He and his brother asked us over to their house for dinner. Get ready."

"I'm not hungry!" Came the protesting statement from the other side of the door.

"I'm certain that you will be soon." Synn said. Now come on. Get ready. Theresa deserves the evening off and Rage said he wanted you there specifically."

"Well boo hoo for Rage, then!"

Synn stared hard at the door and huffed. Rage had called earlier and explained what he had done, much to Synn's surprise. Thus, the need for Despayre to be present for this particular surprise so Synn could not code him to this tantrum, justified though perhaps it may be. Synn slammed a fist against the door, rattling it.

"Joshua!" Synn barked. "Enough of your tantrum! Rage asked us over and has a surprise for you so. Get. Ready!"

Synn waited and soon enough heard the sound of the fidgeting, fussing whine of his son behind the door and knew that his demand was being met. Despayre was quite angry with him right now, and Synn wondered if he was right to be so. Hopefully this would help soothe the issues that had arisen...



"About time you got here!" Rage said as he answered the door of the house he had bought many months ago with Despayre's expert (!?) assistance, and now was sharing with his brother to better ensure his care. "Thought you guys were going to snub us."

"I was." Despayre muttered, his hands jammed into his coat pockets with Angel tucked snugly in the crook of his arm. "But someone wouldn't let me be."

Synn shook his head and started to rest a hand on his son's shoulders, but felt the sting of Despayre shrugging it off. Rage shared a knowing look with the man that was both friend and mentor to him for the last several years, and although it was left unsaid, Rage had don this as much for him, as he did for Despayre's own mental well being. The man had a reputation to maintain, after all.

He opted for a slight change of subject and asked, "Theresa didn't come?"

"No." Synn answered. "She thanks you for the invitation but wanted to call it an early night as she didn't sleep very well..."

"Theresa didn't have to come..." Despayre mumbled again, just loud enough to be overheard. ""But me..."

"Joshua." Synn corrected. "Let's not be rude?"

Despayre frowned and looked back over his shoulder and gave Synn such a withering glare that even Rage noticed it and muttered, "Ouch!" But rage then tapped the little guy on the arm and when he turned his attention to the Sin of Wrath', Rage said, "C'mon into the front room, Despy. Got a surprise for you."

Despayre looked at the much larger man for a brief moment, before the invitation was silently accepted. Despayre stepped past him and through the door, setting foot inside of the house with Synn following in after him. As they walked through the house and toward the front room, Rage said casually,

"Realized earlier today that I can't drag Phil everywhere. He can come on the road when I have a match, but everything in between... got to start trusting him sometime. Still, I thought he might need a little company when I'm not here so I..."

"Aggie!" Despayre's sharp, happy cry cut off whatever else rage had planned to say and the little guy raced past Rage and into the front room, where the older black cat was curled up on Phillip's lap, a soft and content purring sound heard coming from her as Phil idly stroked her along the back of her neck. Despayre dropped to his knees in front of Phil and his face was awash with a bright joy that defied description, as if all his anger had suddenly ceased tone exist.

"Why did you do it?" Synn quietly asked.

Rage shrugged. "Didn't want the kid going through what he as." 'The kid' meaning Despayre. Rage turned his head to look at the man equal to him in stature. "Plus even I know animals can be good for healing emotional wounds. I think Phil will benefit from this as much as..."

"As much as the cat?" Synn finished for him, and Despayre was back up and raced over to rage, grabbing him in a big hug.

"You saved her!" Despayre said, his face buried in rage's shirt.  "You gave her a home!" He then turned and looked at his dad with what seemed to be a blend of shame and embarrassment. "I'm sorry for what I said. I knew you wouldn't let her die!" And he raced into his dad's arms for a hug.

"Joshua," Synn started to say. "I had nothing to do..." But whatever protest he was going to utter, Rage cut short with a sharp jab of his elbow into Synn's arm.

Maybe this once, Rage didn't care that Synn got the credit for this one.



"Well I must admit that this is an embarrassment of riches. Quite the tale to tell from the storied history of the group known once before and now again as NXT. No. In case you believe me making light of the teams troubled past, I can assure you that I am doing nothing of the kind. After all, it isn't your fault that your leader basically vanished off of the face of the earth, leaving you to hang like a noose in the blowing autumn winds. Perhaps it was the fact that you gathered more and more into your midst until the weight on your collective shoulders was simply too much to bear. Who knows? But when I heard that some of you were planning to salvage what was left of your gathering and make yourselves known to the world, back and better before, I had to admit that I was intrigued."

"And a fine beginning you have done for yourselves, scoring what has to be considered one of the bigger upsets in SCW history when Steve Ramone and Connor Murphy teamed together for the very first as NXT, and whom do they defeat? None other than Sebastian and Jeremiah Hardin, two men who took the tag team champions to the very brink of defeat not once, but twice! I don't believe anybody really expected that result to happen, but what happened afterwards was perhaps as much a surprise to you as it was to anyone else."

"You defeat the perennial number one challengers, and thus take that very spot for yourselves, and are granted a championship match right away."

"All of this had to have come as such a flood of euphoria, for the both of you. You, Steve Ramone, have gained some impressive victories over the past several weeks, one in fact being over a member of my little family itself in Chris Shipman. Yes,, that was indeed quite the gory display the two of you put on lo those many weeks ago, and I can't help but wonder if you are indeed at one hundred percent as of yet. But the confidence is there, is it not? The fact that you bested a Sin in his own environment, and now you believe you have it within yourself to do so again?"

"The same could also be spoken of as far as you go, Connor. Although you have not gained the same level of success against the Sins that your partner has, but success has not eluded you. Perhaps the biggest win of your career to date has been against none other than the former Heavyweight Champion, Gene Banton Junior. You were probably as surprised as anyone else with that win, but I'm certain the aftermath has carried over, hasn't it? It went alongside of you in your match against R.O.A.R. and look at what that got you? Success! Its just a damn shame that when Sunday comes about and your chance at making history will come to such an end."

"Despayre and Big B have held their championship gold since May of this year, and I see it going nowhere any time soon. They record is without a single blemish, and they have opposed the grandest opposition that Sin City Wrestling could throw their way. Former Heavyweight and Roulette Champions. Former tag title holders. They have faced the very best and have yet to have their shoulders pinned to the canvas for the count of three. And now, you? You, Steve and Connor, now you are considered by the match makers to be the very best that can be fed, I mean, offered to the SCW Tag Team Champions. It will be a great match, of that I am certain. I am sure that you will give it your all and fight the champions until you can fight no more. That's fine. It is exactly how I want it."

"You see, champions are only as good as their challengers. Right now, you two, being the number one contenders, are the very best, and the win over NXT will simply cement the status of the Bosom Buddies even more solidly in the annals of Sin City Wrestling."

38
Climax Control Archives / Happy Halloween!
« on: October 24, 2014, 09:39:24 PM »
 The old Victorian manor was tall, two stories, not counting the third level which had to be an attic. It was in blatant disarray, in need of obvious repair and judging by the looks, had been uninhabited for many years. Boards along the walls and on the front porch were worn in misuse and broken, the victims of either teenagers using the spectacle for fun or vandalism. Dust caked the windows that were tinted a sickly green and where there was no glass, more boards had been pounded diagonally across the windows frames, the better to block out the cool chill of the air at this untimely season.

Time itself was the enemy of what you see before you.

Trees could be seen spaced sporadically in the yard, but they, like the house itself, had lost the battle with the ages, as no leaves were seen sprouting from the bark and limbs that stretched out, dead, as if to reach for any that might dare pass this way and seek an audience of whoever, or whatever, called this once proud estate -- home. And along that path was a pave way crafted of old brick, worn and broken with weeds poking up from the many cracks in between the low blocks and up from the holes .

The only sign that this abode could be even remotely occupied was the upstairs window, where the glass was missing entirely, and ancient draped flapped in the wind, flickering both out of the frame and back inside of the house again, and past that very window, was the movement of a candle's flame, its illumination dancing on the interior of the very room within.

Above this house, dark clouds had slowly gathered throughout the night, blocking out all visual access to the stars in the heavens above, and only the faintest glow of the moon could be seen had anyone tilted their head back far enough to glance upward. The wind picked up, casting the clouds into a slow movement overhead, and there was the distant flash of lightning from within those dank clouds, followed by the tell-tale rumble of the thunder clap that would soon follow. The pelting sting of the following rain was a mere formality as the heavy downpour washed away all semblance of what would be a calm night, striking at all beneath the dark sky.

"Indeed it was a dark and stormy night for what would soon be heard of a freakishly terrible tale of woe."

"Why is it always a dark and stormy night?"

"Beg pardon?"

"Well it's just that every time a scary movie or ghost story kicks off, it always starts off with 'it's a dark and stormy night'. I was just wondering why they always hafta start off in such a gloomy way."

"It's a scary story. What were you expecting? Unicorns dancing across the sky and farting rainbows?"

"No, but I sure bet Melody would get a kick out of that!"

"Yes, well, she has her own tale to tell. This one is yours. She can tell hers however she wants, but there is an art to a good scary story."

"Sorry."

"Quite alright."

"I'm just worried we might scare away underage readers who might otherwise enjoy a scary tale."

"You of course understand the irony of that statement?"

"No. Theresa always does the ironing in our house. You know that."

".... Fiiiiiine!"

The Build-A-Bear workshop, where best friends are made, was located in the lower South-Est corner in the Mall of America, perhaps one of, if not THE largest shopping malls in the United States. Several stories high with everything from night clubs to movie theaters, four star restaurants and even a freaking ROLLER COASTER, were all reasons for the small detour of this the stable known popularly in the professional wrestling community as the Seven Deadly Sins.

On their latest tour in the Minnesota area before heading for their home territory in Las Vegas, Nevada, the gathered group of wrestling stars decided a trip to this spectacle of consumerism was too good to be simply passed by. Plus. there was a special intended stop by the youngest member of their group; Despayre.

Now please try to understand that ever since he had been released from that haunted hospital known as Broodmoore, Despayre had been carefully cared for by his father, Synn, and the rest of their group, especially that of Gabriel who had come to think of the young but disturbed Despayre as a little brother. The feeling was indeed mutual between the two, and Gabriel was even the very one who had coined Despayre's given affectionate nickname of 'Despy'. Yet as loving and supportive as the Sins had been to him, Despayre felt there was something missing in his life. A little piece of himself that was no more. A void that need be filled.

Hence, the trip to Build-A-Bear. Despayre wanted to build for himself a friend. One who could protect him in the dark recesses of the night when all of the others were themselves either sleeping or indulging themselves in those episodes of naked leapfrog. Though to date none of them were willing to explain satisfactorily why Shipman needed to wear one of those weird ball gags in order to play leapfrog. Anyway...!

"Hi!" The perky young blonde smiled as she skipped up to greet the trio of Gabriel, Synn, and yes, Despayre. She was one of those sorts who would be perky from the moment she woke up early in the morning, right up until you were at the point you just wanted to drive an ice pick through her skull for being a morning person. She said, "Welcome to Build-A-Bear! How can we help you today?"

"Well you could lay of the caffeine for one." Gabriel said and was rewarded with a sharp cuff to the arm, courtesy of Synn.

Synn then took Despayre by the arm and guided the shy young man up to speak to the clerk himself, the better to help him get used to being around people outside of the hospital setting in which he spent most of his young life.

"Joshua?" Synn directed him. "What do you say?"

Despayre fidgeted, stuffing his hands deep into his jacket pockets, looked seemingly everywhere but at the clerk as he said aloud, "I-I would like to build a friend."

"Of course!" She smiled brightly, but an ugly light cast in her eyes as she played her role perfectly. "All you have to do is select which bear body you'd like to stuff, then we'll take it from there."

"Thank you." Synn said and a guiding hand directed Despayre around toward the row of different teddy bears in many a color and style with Gabriel in tow.

None of the three saw the girl roll her eyes and blow a gust of air between her pursed lips. "Freak." She muttered beneath her breath.

Synn and Gabriel stood back and allowed Despayre his time and space as he searched stoically along the many different types of teddy bears the store had to offer. White ones, brown ones, rainbow colored ones... they had a little bit of everything to offer and Despayre knew he had to take his time because this was a very important decision for any young person to make. He then paused as he looked at the finished product of a cream colored teddy bear perched on a pedestal above a small bin filled with the empty 'skins' of the same style. Despayre then started to rummage down around the bin's contents, searching. he would pull out one, look at it carefully, then tucked it back down with care.

(Even empty teddy bears were people too, you know!)

Despite what anyone might think, the similarities aside, they each looked different to Despayre's eyes, and he would know the right one when he saw it. He then took up one particular little fella under the paws and looked hard into the eyes, and whatever he saw, satisfied him.

Synn said, "Decide on that one did you?"

Despayre shook his head, contradicting this, and instead said, "No. He chose me."

"Ahh." Synn nodded. "I see."

"Well c'mon, Despy." Gabriel said, patting his 'little brother' on the arm. "Let's go get him filled up." Gabriel then played along a little further and leaned in to whisper, "It is a boy, right?"

Despayre just nodded, eyes wide. How could he be anything BUT a boy? Despayre was then led over to the machine where the teddy bear would be filled up and have their own loving heart added to their small, plush bodies. And it was the same young woman who waited on them at the filling station, who continued with her personal 'charade' that the customer was always right -- at least until their backs were turned. Despayre did everything he was told in order to help bring his new 'bestie' to life. She had his rub the heart briskly between his palms to warm it up. She had him hold it to his own heart and make a wish while dancing in a circle on one foot. After Despayre picked himself back up off of the floor, she then had his make a muscle to give the heart strength, then finally, kiss it to fill it with love. All part of the corporate process to bring each and every teddy bear to life.

And the more foolish you made a customer look, the more fun she had. Wicked! Isn't she?

Once the heart had been sewn into the teddy bear's body and he had been dressed in a little sailor suit, Gabriel sat down at the computer stand to fill out the teddy bear's birth certificate for Despayre as he was prone to causing computers to crash with his random typing.

"Plus there was also the time he caused Nick Jones's flight to get changed to somewhere over Africa."

"Boy you're never going to let that one go, are you!?"

Dubbed Angel, Synn paid the necessary adoption fees at the counter, and Despayre walked out as happy as a camper, forgoing the usual blue and white box so he could carry his new guardian from the very get go.

"Thank you!" Despayre called as they left the store. he held up Angel and nuzzled his little black nose, saying "Boy! We're going to be friends to the end!"

The employee watched them go and sighed a disgusted breath, saying, "What. A. Retard."

"Here's a fun little fact for everyone out there. Did you know that, despite the fact each teddy bear is a sworn protector to a single person, that as a unit, they protect the happiness and welfare of all as a unit?"

"What does that mean?"

"Don't insult a teddy bear's charge where another teddy bear can hear you!"

Closing time came to the Mall of America, and each store was beginning its process of shutting down to prepare for the next day. Of course, all the young woman inside of the Build-A-Bear work shop cared about was the fact that she had the weekend off and was planning to go out and get completely wasted. Nothing else mattered! Elsie, because that was her name, finished locking the door and was about to leave by the store's back exit into the parking garage when she noticed her keys were no longer laying on her purse.

Frowning, Elsie looked on the floor in front of the counter but the keys had not fallen there. She then glanced around and then found the keys clear across the store, just under the machine that was filled with stuffing for the teddy bears. How had they managed to get all the way over there? Grabbing her purse, Elsie walked over to the filling station and bent down to retrieve the keys, when she hard a shuffling noise above her head. She just managed to look up where a hammer swung down and cracked her right in the forehead, sending her flying to the floor! And right after that, the sound of several soft feet on the carpet floor was heard, all running in her direction....

Several moments later, Elsie was bound by the cord of the vacuum cleaner, lashing her to the immobile wheel of the cart. Two small black paws shoved one end of the station's hose into the machine itself, tightening it. Another set of white paws pushed the other end into Elsie's mouth and held it there. Then a rainbow set of paws pushed down on the pedal that started the motor and the cotton contents of the station started to get sucked down through the hose and right into Elsie's mouth...

The following morning...

The manager of the mall's Build-A-Bear workshop, Justine Glade, unlocked the back door in the parking garage and set foot inside. Turning off the alarms before she set foot into the interior of the store itself, she had a sip of her coffee and begun the process of starting her day. She shrugged her coat off and tossed it on the back of her desk chair and walked into the store to get the opening duties started when she came to a shocking halt in her footsteps, and spilled her coffee... She then screamed at the sight of Elsie strung up to the filling station, stuffing spilling out from her lips and various teddy bear accessories attached to her dead body!

"See what I mean?"

"I had no idea!"

"Well now you do! Teddy bears are very ferocious protectors of their charges. They don't just lurk near the shadows of closets and the under bellies of beds to bear the creepy beasties back to where they came from. Oh no! They also see it as a personal affront when their friend is hurt physically or mentally. Do anything to bring about unhappiness, and you begin a path that might become very treacherous indeed!"



"Please excuse me for this most untimely of interruptions, but in accordance with the law, all stories must have a commercial break. Whatever would we be without our sponsors? We'd lose a match, that's what!"

"I understand that this is a grand opportunity for the man known as the 'Dark Tiger' aka Sebastian Hardin. To set foot inside of the ring, one on one, with one-half of the SCW Tag Team Champions, is opportunity in itself. But should you manage to defeat that champion, well that will mean even more, won't it? Of course, the win or loss is a mere formality in itself. You and your partner in the 'Big Tiger' Jeremiah Hardin are already guaranteed to receive a rematch for the championship gold in just a matter of weeks at High Stakes IV. But if you could manage to gain a win over Despayre, it would give you one HELL of an advantage going in to a championship encounter. Not only would you have momentum on your side, but possibly a mental edge as well. After all, only once has Despayre's shoulders ever been pinned to the mat for a count of three in his entire career. That victory belongs to none other than Despayre's best friend and former championship partner in Gabriel. If you could manage to become the second man to do so? Well! It would certainly cement your status as a competitor inside of the ring."

"In fact, many believe that the win, no matter what type of match this turns out to be, is a mere formality. After all, what is Despayre to be able to accomplish when he is at such a staggering disadvantage in height, weight, and power alone? Well, if you paid attention to his past... a great many things!"

"You see, Sebastian, you are not the first giant that Despayre has found himself inside of the ring against. True, to date you might be the largest of the long list, but certainly not by much. Take Casey Williams for example. A fierce giant of a man. Not that much shorter than you, and admittedly quite a bit heavier. Yet he had numerous matches against Despayre in years past in both singles and tag team matches, and yet each and every time, Despayre walked away with his share of the winner's purse. Casey was a beast. He pounded every opponent that happened across his path into mulch. He was a champion many times over in his prime, yet if one his caliber was unable to best Despayre, it speaks volumes on the monument of the given task at hand."

"Despayre is not even six feet tall. He is a mere 5'7" and 170 pounds at most, yet the fighting spirit he displays is beyond measure. True, at times he throws all he has learned out the window and simply fights by animalistic instinct alone: biting, punching, kicking... it is what any might do when fighting for survival. He is a talented young man as you yourself have acknowledged. Trained for the best, but capable of the worst. Should he resort to said tactics, take no offense."

"I do not want you to hold what Chris Shipman did against Despayre. I admit that Chris can be a handful at times, but your opponent this coming Sunday is not to be held accountable for the actions of another whom he deems a friend. Respect is accepted where you are concerned, and it is freely given. Despayre will do whatever he feels he has to to in order to not only be victorious, but in his own mind, survive."

"It is simply the nature of the beast."



Las Vegas, Nevada...

It was the early morning in the fabled City of Sin, and in the spacious abode that Despayre and his father called home, the residents of the household were already on the rise, preparing to begin a new day as the season of Halloween slowly drew to the excited climax.

"Gooooood mooooorning!!!" Despayre called aloud as he charged into the kitchen, finding his father at the island counter with a newspaper in his hands and a half empty cup of black coffee on a saucer in front of him. The plate before him had the remnants of toast and eggs, a light breakfast for this man in order to start the day for new things, the better to benefit his son and those who follow him in trust and friendship.

"Good morning, Joshua." Synn looked over the top of his newspaper as the young man slid onto a stool on the opposite side of the counter. "Sleep well?"

"Not really." Despayre shook his head. "I kept having dreams of blueberry pancakes, and it kept waking me up. I thought I was smelling them in my dreams." Despayre looked over happily at Theresa who was busying herself at the stove, preparing his own breakfast as she cracked an egg into a skillet to allow it to fry along with the strips of bacon she dropped into the hot plate. Despayre said, "Angel told me that you'd make me blueberry pancakes."

"Well Joshua, this time Angel is wrong." Theresa mused with a smile. "We're all out of blueberries after that little late night raid you had on the refrigerator."

"But Angel is never wrong." Despayre muttered miserably. "And my mouth was all ready for blueberry pancakes."

"Maybe tomorrow." Theresa said as she slid his breakfast from the skillet and onto a plate that she set down in front of him. "Right now I have to get everything together for your dinner party tonight."

"Our dinner party." Synn corrected her. "You are expected to attend to."

"Ohhh!" Theresa smiled in good humor. "I'm already swooning." And she exited the kitchen as Despayre looked pitifully at his unwanted breakfast, then at Angel who seemingly stared back into his eyes.



"Joshua, where's Angel?" Synn asked as he sat across from Despayre at the restaurant where they had chosen to meet the rest of the Sins for lunch while Theresa handled the affairs of the dinner party that evening herself so they would not get in her way.

"At home." Despayre said as he attempted for the third time to lift a chunk of honey sesame chicken between his chopsticks and for the third straight time, sent the food flying across the table, this time landing in Rage's beer! The surprise of this caused Rage-Face as he was nicknamed by Melody and Odette, to jerk his hand and knock over his mug and caused it to splash over the edge of the table and down along his pants.

"God DAMN it!" Rage roared, jumping to his feet and wiping the beer as best he could with a napkin. He glared at Despayre whose eyes were as wide as saucers, and Rage snarled, "Use a damn FORK next time Desp! You're dangerous with those things!"

A waitress hurried over with a bus boy to clean the mess as Rage headed for the bathroom to clean himself up. Despayre followed his movements, his bottom lip quivering and he sucked in a haggard breath before he put down his chopsticks and looked straight down to his lap, avoiding all eye contact.

"Aw don't let him get to you sweety." Odette caressed his shoulder with her hand. "Rage is like that with everybody. You keep trying with those chopsticks. You'll get it one day."

Despayre looked up at her smiling face and he sniffled back a tear and smiled in return.

"Why did you leave Angel at home, Despy?" Gabriel asked, curiosity eating away at him. "You told me once teddy bears were voracious for good Chinese food."

"They are." Despayre nodded. "But that's Panda Express. This is the Hu Flung Pu Garden." He shook his head. "It's just not the same. Besides, he said it wouldn't be fair for Theresa to do all the work so he stayed behind to help. I offered to but she said no."

"Well," Synn started to say. "She doesn't want you tiring yourself out before the party even starts."

Despayre just nods.

Meanwhile, back at the Synn and Despayre household, Theresa was busying herself in the kitchen, preparing a feast to delight the taste buds and dazzle the senses! It was truly amazing what this woman was capable of accomplishing in the kitchen in such a relatively short amount of time. It also helps when you do those time skips in these promos so more time has passed than you might let on. All of the food she had prepared thus far was on full display on the kitchen counter, as well as being held in storage inside of the fridge in the kitchen. Still not finished, Theresa prepared for the most important snack to munch on during the party: crackers with Cheese Whiz! Mm mm!

The housekeeper set a large platter of silver onto the kitchen counter and opened up a box of Triscuits, dumping them out onto the platter and spreading them around carefully. She then turned around and opened up the cupboard door in the corner of the kitchen, revealing the carousel shelving unit that she turned around in a circle to find the can of aerosol cheese spread, when a certain plush form came into view on one of the shelves as it passed by her.

Theresa glanced up just as a long stick of Genoa salami came swinging down toward her head....

...

"We're home!" Synn called as the group set foot inside of the house's foyer, hoping to alert the housekeeper that she could end what she was doing with her preparations and hurry and go upstairs to get ready herself. "Theresa?"

"Well while she's getting ready, I'll just hurry up and finish setting my hair." Odette gave her husband Gabriel a peck on the cheek and hurried upstairs to the guest room she and Gabriel would frequent on any overnight stays.

"Try not to take too long!" Gabriel called after her. "The party starts in an hour!"

"Oh how very amusing!" Odette called from upstairs and the sound of the guest room door closed behind her.

Gabriel sighed and turned to Synn. "I'll be damn lucky if we see her at all through the night." The rest of the group chuckled and Gabriel shook his head, "I swear if she says 'Be ready in a minute dear!' one more time..."

"Calm down." Synn said as he left his jacket on the hook of the coat rack and walked off in the direction of the kitchen. "Odette will be ready in due time and the party will be a smashing success."

"Wow." Shane said as he looked about the dining room table that was set up with enough food and decor to make even the hardiest of critics silent. "She really outdid herself!" There was everything from shrimp cocktail on ice to oysters on a half shell and even goose liver pate' in the shape of a swan on a plate.

"Yeah. Great." Rage turned and walked away, saying, "I gotta drop a few timbers."

"Charming." Fantasia huffed as they entered the kitchen. "That man wouldn't know class if it hit him in the head."

...

Speaking of which, Rage was rifling through the magazine in the bathroom, paying no mind to his surroundings when he had a seat on the can when a rustling was heard from behind the curtain...

...

"I don't see the crepes, do you?" Fantasia said as she looked around in the refrigerator, but seeing only the rest of the prepared foods and not her own personal favorite.

"Maybe she kept them in the freezer." Shane said and he walked over to the large double door freeze and pulled it open...

"JESUS HOLY HELL!!!" Shane bellowed and staggered back. Fantasia looked inside and gasped.

Inside of the freezer, suspended on a meat hook, was the aforementioned housekeeper, with a salami shoved down her throat.

"OH MY GOD!"

"Who would do such a thing!?"

"Why Theresa!?"

"Who the hell will bake the brownies now!?"

Everybody turned their heads to look at Gabriel who shrugged helplessly. "What?" he asked. "They're just really good brownies is all!"

...

Inside of the bathroom, Rage tossed the magazine aside and went to stand up, but found he was unable. He was stuck, literally STUCK... to the seat!

"What the fu...!?" he growled and continued to try to pull away but found he was unable. "What the hell is...!?" He struggled and pulled and was about to rip the seat right off of the john itself, when something on the floor, between the porcelain and the bath tub itself, attracted his attention.

"What...?" He extended his arm and grasped the tube, and found it sticky. he lifted it up to eye level and read, "Bulldog Cement Adhesive... bonds anything for li... FOR LIFE!? SONOFA....!!!" And a fresh wave of struggled ensued, and in such a fervor was he that Rage did not notice the medicine cabinet above his head slowly open, revealing a familiar plush form.

Rage really should have kept the bald look going because a plush paw grabbed a handful of his hair and jerked his head back...


"Wha...!?" He started to protest when a canister of shaving cream was shoved into his mouth and the handle pressed down on...

"MMMRRRGGHHH!!!"

...

"Okay, what are we going to do?" Fantasia asked. "The party is about to start and we have a dead body in the freezer!"

"Say when DID you lot get a walk in freezer anyway?" Gabriel asked out of idle curiosity, leaning against the kitchen counter. Again, all eyes turned to him and he looked around before asking hotly, "What!? Oh like you all weren't wondering the same god damn thing!"

They all shook their heads at the line of reasoning by the resident magician of their guild and in answer to Fantasia's question, Synn slowly shut the freezer door and turned away, leaning back against it.

"It is very simple what we are going to do." He said. "We are going to go ahead with the party, as planned. Theresa worked very hard to throw everyone a fun filled evening with good decor and good food. Let's not waste her efforts."

"Synn?"

"Yes Shane?"

"There is a DEAD BODY in your house!"

"Oh it's only the one! Call me when he have a second!" Shane set his hands on his hips and stared Synn down. "Oh fine!" their leader growled and he flung the freezer doors back open and started to reach inside. "Give me a hand then, will you? We can store her in the basement until the party is over."

Shane stepped into the freezer and started to assist him, saying, "I thought you didn't have a basement."

"Yeah well you thought we also didn't have a walk in freezer and look at us now!"

Gabriel rolled his eyes and walked out of the kitchen, needing to get away from this grisly scene. he stepped into the foyer at the base of the stairs and he called up, "Odette! You almost done!?"

"Be ready in a minute dear!" Came the answer from upstairs. Gabriel turned around and shook his head at the others who watched on.

...

Upstairs in one of the many guest rooms, Odette sat in front of the vanity mirror on the dresser, putting on a fresh coat of lip gloss. There was a slight thumb emanating from downstairs and she thought she heard her husband say something in a loud voice. Not paying very close attention, she assumed that he was calling for her again.

"Be ready in a minute dear!" Odette called while absently opening up one of the dresser drawers and rummaging in the contents blindly.

"Now where is that hair spray?" She wondered to herself when a cream colored paw reached from behind the mirror and held up a can of Vidal Sasoon hair spray and she happily accepted it.

"Thank you." She smiled and started to give her hair a final spritz.

"You're welcome."

Odette smiled for a brief moment, then frowned as she looked around but there was nobody else in the room. She turned back to look at the mirror when it swung downward...

...

"There!" Shane said as he and Synn emerged from the door that led to the basement. "That's taken care of."

"We'll alert the police after the party has dispersed." Synn followed up.

"Question." Shipman held a forefinger up to draw a point. "Wouldn't it make more sense to call the police now instead of waiting?"

Gabriel countered. "Wouldn't it make more sense for the dumb blonde in a horror movie to stay inside behind locked doors as opposed to going outside to retrieve her underwear from the clothesline with a killer on the loose?"

Shipman started to make a nasty retort when he paused, mouth open, then he looked at Synn and said, "Shit. That actually makes sense!"

"Frightening, isn't it?" Synn said and Gabriel made a mocking face.

"Oh ha ha!" Gabriel muttered and left the dining room and headed for the stairs. "Damn it, where's O? Odette!" And he hurried upstairs while Despayre reached for a cheese snack on the table and Fantasia pulled it out of his fingers.

"Not yet sweety." She said. "Not until the guests have arr..."

"OH MY GOD!" Gabriel's cry came from upstairs. "ODETTE!!"

The anguished cry alerted everyone else and they ran upstairs to find out what had caused such an outburst from their stoic Gabriel whom was seemingly bothered by nothing and nobody! Despayre, of course, took this time to snitch a finger sammich from one platter and shoveled it into his mouth before he too hurried upstairs to see what going on!

The group, with Synn in the lead, walked briskly down the hall until they came upon the open door of the one guest room and walked right in.

Synn said, "Gabriel? What's the... WHAT THE HELL!?"

There, seated on the chair before the mirror, was Odette; her face heavily made up with garish amounts of makeup and an insane amount of hairspray in her lovely locks, making it stand straight out... and UP... as if she had been electrocuted!

"What... happened?" fantasia whispered as she set foot closer to the scene to examine the only other female in their little group.

"If I didn't know any better..." Shane stated. "I would say she was hairprayed to death."

"And not even a good hair spray." Despayre said as he looked at the contents of the aerosol bottles on the desk. "You can buy these at any ol' dollar store." He looked up at the mournful face of his best buddy and big brother, Gabriel, and sheepishly whispered, "Sorry."

"It... it's okay Despy." Gabriel responded. "She would have chosen to go this way."

"She would?" Shane arched an eyebrow.

"Sure." Gabriel nodded, wiping his eyes with the back of his heads. "She'd want to go out looking her best."

"That was her best?" Shane wondered aloud, earning him a sharp cuff to the back of the head from Fantasia. "OW!"

"Maybe now we can  alert the cops?" Fantasia said to Synn directly. "I mean, one dead body is one thing, two might be a buzz kill to even one of your parties."

"True." Synn sighed. "I suppose we will have to call the police and cancel."

"But we can't cancel!" Despayre protested. "If we cancel then the people won't bring their presents and I won't get to open them!"

"Joshua..." Synn said. "It's a dinner party, not a birthday party. You don't get presents at a dinner party."

"You don't?" The little guy asked, slightly crestfallen.

"`Fraid not bucko." Shane chuckled, clapping a beefy hand on his shoulder and giving it a brisk rub before he escorted him out of the guest room, with the others in tow.

...

Downstairs, a fuzzy set of feet skiddaddled across the tiled linoleum floor of the kitchen and hurried to the oven. A paw reached up and turned on the gas stove carefully, then turned on the broiling setting of the oven. The oven door was opened and a canister of Cheez Whiz was tossed inside and the oven door hurriedly slammed shut.

...

In the upstairs hallway, the group was walking down the hall to the stairs when they passed the bathroom door that was slightly ajar. The light was on so it was naturally assumed whoever had used the bathroom last must have forgotten to turn the lights off after them. (How very rude!) Synn brushed the door open and went to turn off the lights, when he stopped and stared.

Rage was still seated, glued to the spot, and tilted forward at the waist where his head nearly touched the floor and foam dripped from his lips. Synn, Despayre, Shipman, Gabriel, Fantasia and Shane all simply stared in the doorway, then just as silently turned around slowly and exited the scene.

"I guess you really can have a brain aneurysm doing that, huh?" Despayre was heard asking as they headed downstairs.

...

"Yes, officer. Three dead bodies." Synn said on the house phone and nodded. "Fine. Please get here as soon as possible. Thank you." And he clicked his thumb to the 'end call' button and set it back down in its cradle.

"So..." Gabriel said. "What now?"

"All we can do is wait." Shane observed as he pulled out a chair at the table and sat down.

"And eat." Gabriel leaned over at the edge of the table, examining everything on the various trays and platters. "Be a shame to let all this food go to waste."

"Well then somebody had best alert Despy." Fantasia said, reaching for a little paper plate to load up. "he's been wanting something to snack on since we got home."

"Boy is a human garbage disposal when it comes to putting away food." Synn said when he glanced up and frowned. "Where is Joshua, anyway?"

The others stopped raiding the buffet and looked around.

"Despy?"

"But I don't understand Angel!" Despayre said as he clutched the teddy bear tightly against his chest, hurrying to the end of the drive way the led from the house into the streets. "Why did you need me to take you outside for a breath pf fresh...?"

**Ka-<size=15>BOOM!!!!</size>**

The explosion rocked the entire neighborhood, sending shockwaves across the estates surrounding this high end cul de sac! Car alarms went off! The glass windows in houses and vehicles shattered! Dogs barked! Fire erupted from the shattered remains of what had once been the Sins household, but now was nothing more than a charred ruin billowing black smoke and flame.

Despayre slowly pushed himself up from where the shockwave had thrown him to the pavement, and looked in wide eyed horror at the site before him! What was when the first of many sirens sounded, and the first police cruiser swerved into place, surrounding the young man!

"Police! Freeze!"



Despayre's tearful pleas did no good in the court as he had been found guilty and the jury had opted to forgo the maximum penalty and instead be faced with the stiff penalty of life in prison with eligibility for parole in a week! Afterwards, he would be placed in the sole custody of his mother and grandmother.

Yes, you heard me! A week! Sometimes it pays to be adorable and fun I guess!

In the prison cell, Despayre sat huddled on his bunk with arms wrapped around his legs which were drawn up against him. There was the sound of a prison gate slamming somewhere in the distance, and heavy footfalls heard slapping against the hard floors.

"Young!" The guard barked as he arrived at the cell, holding an opened box in his hands. "Joshua Young!"

Despayre glanced up from where his face had been pressed down on his arms and his gray eyes stared at the guard.

"Package for ya, kid." The guard said and he opened the cell door just far enough to slide the box in before shutting it again with a heavy clang. The guard locked it and proceeded back the way he had come and only then did Despayre slowly slide off of his bunk in the individual cell and walk over to where the box lay. He lowered himself to his knees and flipped the lid open and peered inside...

"ANGEL!" He cried happily, reaching in and pulling his teddy bear out and giving it a loving hug! "Oh I've missed you! It's been terrible in here! They don't even have a menu for breakfast!"

"Awwww! isn't that sweet!" the gruff voice from across the prison block called with a mocking laughter behind his tone. "Da widdle baby has his teddy! D'awww!"

Despayre flinched at the mockery against him and scooted back toward his bunk carefully and pushed himself back up onto it, his eyes never leaving the gaze of the prisoner across from him who watched him with a nasty gaze in his eyes. Despayre held Angel close against him and pulled the covers up over him, the better to hide from the prisoner's sight, save for a corner of the blanket that was pulled down and only Angel's right eye was seen... aimed right at the prison cell where the tormentor was laying down himself.

Lights out!

The lights in each cell had been extinguished. All prisoners were to get to sleep immediately. There was no noise save for the sound of soft breathing, and what appeared to be a... hand saw?

(Hunh! I guess Despy really does snore!)

The previously mentioned prisoner was sleeping well enough until he felt a slight tug on his blanket, pulling it away from his shoulder.

"Hm..? Wha...?" The prisoner murmured as he was roused from his sleep. "Bubba, I am not in the mood right..." The prisoner opened his eyes and found two round black eyes on a cream colored plush body staring into his own.

"Freak-a-boo!"

>

39
Climax Control Archives / Mary Mary Quite Contrary
« on: October 10, 2014, 09:24:49 PM »
 "Okay, so we have lots to do and very little time to do it! I... Angel? What are you doing?"

"Keeping a look out."

"Oh. For... who?"

"Mary. That rotten little friend of Shipman's."

"Now that's not very nice, Angel. You're usually much more welcoming to new friends. And, new friends of old friends. I dunno. Was Mary hanging around us when we were in AWA with Chris?"

"No. I guess he just met her. But I don't like her!"

"Ohhh! Now that's just plain silly! What's not to like? Everybody likes dolls!"

"Everybody, huh?"

"Well, not in that way! I'm a man and real men like teddy bears!"

"Atta boy!"

"So you'll try to get along with Mary?"

"Nope!"

"Awww!... You're better than that! What has she ever done to you?"

"Nothing -- yet. But I've seen the way she looks at me and quite frankly, it creeps me out."

"Angel's attracted a girl! My little teddy has grown into a... well, a teddy I guess."

"You mean like you and Melody?"

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Melody and I are buddies! Pals! Just like you should be with Mary! But time enough to cool the raging waters of dislike..."

"Raging waters of dislike?"

"Yeah! We have a lot to do! Bernie and I have a title defense this weekend against a very formidable tag team!"

"Formidable my fuzzy butt! Horace Jackson and Bruce Evans never teamed before in their lives!"

"They haven't? Well then why are they getting a shot at our titles? That doesn't seem very fair. Bernie and I had to work for our chance. So did *GROWLS!*"

"Eep! Don't DO that!"

"Boy! You do battle effortlessly against the biggest, meanest denizens of the closets and underbed world, and a little snarl startles you?"

"Well, not NORMALLY but I've been drinking a lot of Starbucks lately."

"Really? How come?"

"Those Peppermint mochas are gooood! Plus I'm so adorable the baristas keep making me freebies!"

"It must be so difficult to be so cute."

"It is. It really, really is. But what was with that snarl anyway? Trying to dislodge that meatball you swallowed whole at lunch?"

"Eventually, but no. I was just trying to pronounce the name of the last team we defended against. you know, the ones Bernie and I agreed to give a rematch too?"

"Oh! You mean R.O.A.R.!"

"Yeah. That's what I said. *GROWLS!*"

"No, they're name is pronounced *ROAR!*"

"What's the difference?"

"You forgot to conjugate your verbs. And besides, the bosses couldn't rightly give them a title match so soon after they lost to Gabriel and Rage, could they?"

"That's true. I hope this doesn't mean that Bernie and I have to defend against Gabriel and Rage! I don't WANT to defend against Gabriel and Rage!"

"I don't think Gabriel and Rage want to challenge you for the titles in the first place. They'd never want to take away what you worked so hard for. Plus, both of them have their eyes set on the big one."

"I didn't think either one of them swung that way."

"I mean, the Heavyweight title. Not... you know."

"Actually I don't but I thought I could fake a cover. Clever, huh? Still doesn't explain why Berni and I have to defend our titles against two guys who never teamed before."

"I believe it has a lot to do with SCW's Lethal Lottery system. They just like to freshen up things with random tag team pairings and sometimes, those teams get to go for the titles."

"Hm. Well, we'll do it, but it doesn't mean we have to like it. That Horace guy is kinda weird, you know? Thinks he's Darth Vader? Hel-LO! Luke! I am your reality check!"

*SNONK!* "That's hilarious!"

"Thanks! And that other guy? Blaque Hart? I know him from somewhere but I just can't quite place him."

"All that means is that he's not important enough to remember."

"That makes sense. Just so long as we get to wrestle! It's going to be a big weekend for us!"

"I know. This is going to go down as the first time in history that all the members of the Seven Deadly Sins will be in the same building, in the same ring, at the exact same time!"

"No fooling?"

"Uh huh! You. Gabriel. Rage. Synn. Shane. Fantasia. Kittie. Shipman. Hm... I'm forgetting someone."

"You, you silly bear! You're a Sin as much as any of us."

"I know. I just wanted to hear it."

"Well there. You heard it. And it'll be made even more special because Bernie and I will win and still B champions. It won't be a good thing to lose our titles to a n00b team! Uh uh! No sirree!"

"Right! But just remember; they're both quality singles wrestlers, so they'll still be a challenge. Don't take them lightly."

"I won't! Promise!"

"Good man! Now, I just have one more question for you."

"What's that?"

"Did you change your hair style or something? You look... different."

"I do? No. No I'm the same ol' Despy. I..."

A soft rap on the door to the hotel suite in Columbus, Georgia distracted this small, unique brand of camaraderie between man and teddy bear. Despayre looked up from where he was seated on the floor of the suite he was sharing with his father, the man known as Synn and he put his palms down onto the soft carpeting and pushed himself up to his feet.

"Just a moment!" He called happily, setting Angel down onto the edge of the bed so he could keep watch on the door in case there was any funny business to be had. Teddy bears took the topic of security very seriously, you know!

Despayre crossed the room and had a gander through the door's 'peep hole' as his father and 'big brother' Gabriel had drilled into him since they first met. Better to be safe, than sorry. Maybe it was one of the room service people with that glass of orange juice he had inquired about an hour ago? He had looked over the room service menu with much interest and found so many misprints that he had phoned down to the front desk to be of service and inform them of their hotel's errors. Only then to discover that they were not, in fact, misprints and that glass of OJ really did cost six dollars!

"Hunh. That's certainly weird."

"What is?"

"There's nobody there."

"Maybe they knocked and ran."

"That would be very rude of them!"

"Like you and I did to Rage's room last night."

"That was different! He was being very grumpy and I wanted to joke around with him so he could have a laugh."

Despayre looked away from his plush pal and looked through the peep hole again and shrugged.

"Nope! Still nothing." He said and grasped the lock on the door, just to have a quick look see. Maybe it was one of those nice ladies who snuck into their rooms every time they were away and rearranged everything. Despayre wasn't ever sure if he liked or appreciated those nice gestures. He and Angel worked very hard to make these hotels comfortable enough to live in and they go and mess everything up. Or clean it up. Well you know what we mean!

With a word for caution from Angel, Despayre opened the door and glanced into the hall, to the left and right, before he felt a presence and looked 'down' and his face brightened into a smile.

"Well hello there!" Despayre bent down and scooped up the doll that was at his door and turned around into the room, holding her out for his teddy bear to see. "Look Angel! You have a visitor! And a lovely young lady she is toOW!"

Despayre winced and whined, jamming his finger into his mouth to suck on it from where he had accidentally jabbed it onto the shard of barbed wire that the doll was draped in. He pulled the finger from his lips to inspect it, and seeing the skin was somehow not broken, he felt satisfied and looked down at the doll where he had dropped her on the bed, just a foot away from the teddy bear. Boy that could have been a terrible accident had she landed on top of his buddy! Angel could have been hurt!

AWKWARD!

"Geez, Mary!" Despayre frowned at the doll as he assisted her into a seated position. "One of these days we hafta get Chris to take you shopping for something else besides that getup! A people could get hurt!"

Despayre then hurried over to the dresser that the plasma TV was perched on and grasped both his wallet and the television remote. He left the remote on Angel's lap as he stuffed the wallet in his pocket.

"Now you two play nice!" Despayre wagged a forefinger at the pair on the bed. "I don't want to have to explain a hotel room brawl to security. Now I'll be right back but I hafta go see dad about our weekend plans. Be good!"

"Hey! HEY! You're not leaving me here alone with her, are you!?"

And Despayre turned and hurried out of the hotel suite, shutting the door behind him. Leaving Angel the teddy bear and Mary the doll staring at one another.

"*nervous chuckle* Hello."

Despayre down the hall of the hotel's top floor to Gabriel's room and rapped on the door. After a few moments, the door opened and Gabriel leaned against the frame and crossed his arms, a smirk on his face.

"Heya Despy! What's up?" He asked.

Despayre squared his shoulders and answered, "I was wondering if you wanted to join me for lunch? I have a lot of party plans to make for this month and I need someone to throw ideas at!"

"Party ideas, huh?" Gabriel mused. "What are we celebrating?"

Despayre said, "Well for starters, we have to throw a welcome party for Shipman! Dad was very happy he's back!"

"I bet he is. Got a feeling Synn is throwing him one right now." Gabriel murmured. "Alright, what else are we celebrating?"

"Well we have to plan my annual Halloween party!" Despayre smiled. "Oh! And Angel said we have to throw Odette a baby shower! Though he still won't explain to me where we're going to get the baby or how we'll keep it from going down the drain IN the shower."

"Despy." Gabriel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "That's not quite how a baby shower ... where's your dad? Shouldn't he be helping you plan these parties?"

"He's busy I think." Despayre said. "I saw Shipman pull him into his hotel room and they haven't come out yet. I guess dad is helping him plan his match strategy."

"Yeah." Gabriel nodded. "That's what they're doing." He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair before he said, "Okay. Go grab Angel and we can go hash out your party plans."

"Right!" Despayre saluted Gabriel and took off back up the hall to his hotel room.

Gabriel muttered, "And I'll go break up that little party." And he turned back into his room and shut the door behind him.

With a swipe of the key card, Despayre bounced into his and his dad's room and immediately stopped short. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Angel was gone -- and Mary was on the floor, seated against the closet door.

"What are you doing down there?" Despayre asked of the doll and gingerly pinched her plastic arm in his fingers and lifted her back up from the floor and set her on the bed side. He then turned around and looked about thee spacious room. "Angel?"

Despayre did not like this. Angel never just upped and left before. Well, not without a good reason. He wandered around the room and glanced in all the nooks and crannies that the teddy bear might have wandered into, but nothing. Gee! Could a beasty have reared its ugly head and, in defense of Mary, Angel leapt into the shadows to do battle? What a brave little soldier Angel was! defending a doll that he 'claims' not to like!

Despayre glanced down at the bed, leaning at the waist for a better look. There was no space under the bed for a battle to take place. So that left just one option: the closet! If Angel was in combat, he would need a way out so Despayre walked over to the closet door to open it and give his buddy an exit strategy. He grasped the knob on the door and gave it a tug. He glanced down and found the teddy bear in the closet, all tied up with rope wrapped all around him and a hanky over his mouth as a gag.

"Angel!" He cried. "What happened!?"

40
Climax Control Archives / Teddy bears and their toys!
« on: September 26, 2014, 09:39:52 PM »
 "I just wanted to thank you for arranging this little session for them." Synn said as he walked across the field, side by side with Colonel Kyle J. Kremer, the Commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing of Scott Air Force Base.

The most formidable man that commanded over three thousand personnel on this very base kept a close watch as the pair walked, their eyes glancing over a field where several members of this base were engaged in a recreational game of soccer. Across the field from the game, some more troops were taking part in field exercises that kept them primed and healthy for the possible future and what might always lie ahead.

"It was my pleasure." The Colonel returned the good words with the leader of the stable known as the Seven Deadly Sins. "The promotion you work for is doing us a favor by holding a show here on base for the troops and their families. It was the least we could do in return, arranging a little recreation of our own for your son and his friend."

Synn nodded as someone on the field had scored a goal, earning their team a point and his teammates softly applauded as the players again separated and headed back to their respective spots to continue.

He said, "I figure it'll serve a dual purpose." The Colonel turned and his brow creased in curiosity toward Synn's meaning so he emphasized, "Neither of the men have set foot on a military base before. A tour was welcome. Arranging this little obstacle course for them will be fun for them both, but I think it'll also help serve to keep them in shape and be prepared for anything when it comes time for their match this coming weekend."

Colonel Kremer was not an old man. He was relatively young in his middle years, for such a post as he held. He smiled and said, "Well that is the point of an obstacle course. Especially ours. Keeps the men and women on their toes, I think. Things can be difficult, anything thrown at you, whether during war times or peace. I want our soldiers to be prepared for anything." He chuckled a bit beneath his breath. "I still wish you had taken us up on the offer to join your son and his partner for the course."

Synn answered, "I'm not the one competing this weekend."

"Still," The Colonel debated. "..You never know what life might throw your way."

"Maybe another time." Synn smirked. True the interest had been there to possibly see what he could manage in such a setting, if he could run the course successfully as each of these brave men and women did time and time again. Yet he felt it would be better served if he remained on the sidelines to observe and not distract Despayre, nor Big B, from being able to complete it on their own. Plus his own pride would have been severely bruised had he not been able. He added for the Colonel's benefit, "Besides, I've laid eyes on a few of those obstacles and I doubt I'd even fit through some of them."

The Colonel cast a sidelong glance at Synn who paused to watch some of the Air Force troops move along the field towards the wooded area. Kremer tilted his head to the side and even at his age, could smell a line if bullshit from a mile away. He had to be able to, given the number of recruits he dealt with each year. And when one was being let loose at this close distance?

"I've seen that young man, Bernard..." Col. Kremer started to say when Synn interrupted...

"Perhaps it would be best to simply refer to him as 'Big B'." Synn stated. "He doesn't respond well to his given name."

"Just this year I had a male recruit name of Francis." Kremer said matter-of-factly. "But I understand, and he is a guest."

As they started to continue on, moving past the troops playing soccer and another gathering seen moving into the forest to practice troop movements, they gazed further down the field where the aforementioned obstacle course lay over two plus acres of the base's natural land. It was designed for the training and weeding out of new recruits to train them in movements and obstacles that might perchance be encountered at times that were not so peaceful such as this. As they came closer, two familiar figures could be seen amidst the troops.

Despayre and Big B were each clad in attire that would be deemed more appropriate for being on the field as opposed to traditional civilian attire. Known as PTs, or 'Personal Training' uniforms, Despayre was wearing a white t shirt with a reflective Air Force logos on the upper left portion of the chest and across the back, blue pants with silver piping and reflective stripes, and white sneakers. Big B, due to his sheer muscle mass, was wearing one of his own comfortable, custom-made t shirts, but he was able to get a pair of the standard pants in his size and shoes. Of course, upon closer inspection, the familiar sight of Angel in Despayre's arms could now be seen, and as would be expected, Angel was wearing the more dominant uniform of an Air Force officer. Both Big B and Despayre (and Angel, always remember Angel!) listened attentively as the troop captain gave them instructions for running the obstacle course. The small number of troops around them watched with smiles on their faces, albeit stiff ones as they wished to uphold the strict traditions of this base despite the celebrity guests they were now hosting.

"They appear to be enjoying themselves somewhat." Synn said offhand, then corrected himself for Colonel Kremer's benefit: "Your troops, I mean. One can read their body language, if not their faces."

Col. Kremer said, "Well if I'm to be honest, there was a bit of a competition with the troops over who would get to help your boys with the course and give them the tour. A few of them mentioned that teddy bear your son is carrying."

"Ah." Synn nodded, unsurprised. "Of course." Certainly he wasn't surprised. Angel somehow continued t garner such fanfare over the years since his son first gained possession of 'him', but to date even Synn was unable to process how a teddy bear was able to rise in such fame, above even many of the SCW's top Superstars themselves.

"In the end," Kremer continued. "I ended up having them draw straws to see who would get to work with your men and who would have to go about the usual routines."

"Well, either way, your efforts are appreciated." Synn stated. "I shudder to think how Joshua would have reacted had I told him he wouldn't be allowed to run the course."

"Looking forward to it, was he?" The Colonel asked with a hint of a smile on his face.

"That is putting it mildly." Came the answer as they approached the troops, and Big B and Despayre himself.

Upon seeing his father approach, Despayre's face brightened with a beaming smile and he practically hopped in excitement over to greet his father. "Ready!" Came his call as he then drew himself rigid and saluted his dad, who played along and returned the respectful gesture. Despayre then turned and did the same for Kremer, but with a bit more excited force than he planned and accidentally 'karate chopped' his own forehead.

"Ow!" He yelped, rubbing the spot where he struck himself. "How do you guys do that without knocking yourselves silly?"

"With a lot less force." The Colonel stated with good humor. "Are you ready?"

"Ready, willing... and possibly able!" Despayre saluted him again, careful this time not to give himself a good whack in the forehead.

"Good man!" Colonel Kremer stated in a commanding tone. The officer then turned to a particular young man and nodded to him. "Roberts! Do you want to take the teddy bear..."

"His name is Angel." Despayre corrected the officer, drawing a few smiles from the troops, ones that were fastly subdued by their commanding officer's hard stare.

"My mistake." Colonel Kremer nodded. He then turned back to the young man and said, "Do you want to take Angel aside so these two can run the course?"

"Oh that's not necessary." Despayre declared, pulling Angel aside and away from the trooper's reach. "He's going to run it with us!"

"Oh?" Kremer asked with a frown. The Colonel looked to Synn who simply shrugged, all together too used to his son's quirks where the teddy bear was concerned. At that, Kremer looked at the young grappler and asked, "Are you certain? This obstacle course can be messy and rough."

Despayre nodded eagerly, "Oh Angel's counting on it! He hasta train too! He didn't become a hardened warrior by running a Navy course, you know!"

Much laughter was shared amidst the troops surrounding them, the good natured rib at the Navy that the Armed Forces would often indulge in against each other. Kremer nodded.

"Very well." He stated, suddenly all business. "Alright!" He barked, drawing all attention to him, only to have Despayre wheel around and shout at the top of his lungs...

"TEN HUT!!"

The troops, used to this command from their superiors, snapped to attention much to Despayre's delight. Colonel Kremer leaned over to the boy and whispered, "I wanted to do that."

"Sorry." Despayre mumbled timidly.</color>



"Well, well, well! Isn't this an interesting turn of events? Here I had thought that the Bosom Buddies would be compelled into a championship defense and instead, they are signed to an even more intriguing match; a six man tag team match, teaming with the top man in Sin City Wresting himself!"

"Imagine the thrill of the Heavyweight Champion, Drake Green, teaming with the Tag Team Champions! Drake has held the cherished gold since July, and has turned back each and every challenger that has come his way, their sights directed on that target that was painted on his back the very moment he put Gene Banton Junior's shoulders down for the count of three. And the combination of Big B and Despayre? Their reign started just this past May, and as of yesterday, marks a four month length in their reign. Thus far, not a single team has bested them, although admittedly Jeremiah and Sebastian Hardin came ever so close! Now, they find themselves opposite the ring against not only one of the top challengers for Drake's heavyweight title, but two men who would love nothing more than to walk away with a win over the Tag Team Champions, perhaps qualifying them for a future title opportunity."

"Sean Jackson has made a name for himself ever since he arrived on SCW's doorstep, and both gold and wanton destruction has come his way fro near and far. His victory over Jamie Dean and the resulting injury is evident enough of the depths this man will go to earn a win and rise again to the top. I can respect that, almost admire it, but I dare say I believe that the Mental Rapist's mind games this time around will be for naught. His eyes will be solely on one Drake Green, and his grand error in judgement will be believing that he will not be dealing with either Despayre or Big B personally inside of the ring."

"Now it is true that the Bosom Buddies will be promptly fending off the attempts of Dying Breed to best them in the ring, oh but Mister Jackson? If you think you can look past the combined efforts of the Tag Team Champion without consequences, then it is you who will be the victim of what you so enjoy inflicting upon others. For you see, so many at one time or another have tried to get me to allow Despayre a chance at the Heavyweight title. His most adamant supporter being none other than Gabriel himself. To date, I have not convinced Despayre to permit the title match once the tag gold is no longer around his waist. Oh but if he were to defeat a top challenger to the title, if he were to best say, you, in a match? Well then, anyone who might think Despayre capable of only tag team wrestling will have their beliefs shoved down their throats and washed away in the tears of their own embarrassment."

"Your mind games will not work this time around, Mister Jackson. Your tunnel vision will be your own undoing, and that of your team. I would so hate to be you once that bell rings, and you find you have only yourself to blame and explain the loss to those rather large and intimidating partners you find yourself saddled with on Sunday."</color>



The troops gathered in front of the line where Despayre and Big B (and Angel!) were standing, ready to run this obstacle course as quickly as they could, and finish together (again, hopefully!). Many of the troops rallied behind the Tag Team Champions of Sin City Wrestling, cheering in unison, "ARE YOU READY!?"

"Ready!" Despayre and Big B answered back enthusiastically.

"Are you READY!?" The troops chanted a second time!

"We're ready!" Came the champs response -- again.

And for a third time, the troops sounded off with, "Are you..."

"Oh for crying out loud!" Despayre called hotly. "How many times do we have to tell you guys!?"

"Joshua!"

Despayre turned his head to spot his dad on the sidelines with the Colonel.

"Hm?"

"I believe they're just trying to motivate you and B." Synn said.

"Ohhh!" Despayre nodded, then he faced the troops and smiled in a most goofy manner. "Sorry!"

"Ready!" Colonel Kremer called aloud, then signaled and a trooper blew a whistle and with a whoop of glee, Despayre and Big B (and Angel!) took off like shots towards the start of the obstacle course!...

Despayre easily reached the trench, roughly three feet deep, before Big B but he turned around and fidgeted with excitement as his partner and buddy caught up to him. Despayre then held Angel out to Big B's arms and the smaller man turned and jumped, landing on the other side but slipping just barely to one knee. he jumped back up and held his arms out and Big B tossed Angel to him. Only then did B frown, realizing that with his bulk, he wouldn't be able to jump the distance like his lighter partner had. (Yes! despite his lack of shall we say, wisdom, in his brain, even B could figure THAT out!) So instead Big B shimmied down into the trench, hurried over and climbed back out, Despayre grasping him by the arm to lend a hand, even though it wasn't needed.

Despayre and B jogged up to a row of hurdles set up in their paths, and Despayre leapt over them with ease, and perhaps surprising even himself, Big B's leg muscles allowed him to jump over them as well and join his partner as they raced along the course that was in the shape of a figure '8'.

A maze of calf high poles was next in their path, each pole with narrow space in between and Despayre hopped smoothly in between the posts, catching his foot but managing to remain upright and avoiding a tumble. Big B went about it more slowly, but admittedly more smoothly, his legs much larger than that of the average man that ran this course so the space between posts was even narrower for him than it would be for them. Tripping once, then twice, Big B fumed, his face flushed red with agitation and he promptly stomped hard down onto the posts, driving them into the ground and making it through.

Kremer ran a hand down along his jaw line and admitted, "Well, that is one way to get past the maze."

A wall came up in Despayre and Big B's path, one that was at least twice even B's height. A rope dangled down from the peak for the troops to use to scramble up to the top and then lower themselves down the other side. Despayre stood at the base with his neck craned all the way back to look up when he shook his head in the negative.

"Nuts to this!" He declared and casually walked around the wall, much to the laughter of the troops, and his father's own bemused smile.

Big B looked up to the top, then at the sight of his buddy's back vanishing around the side of the wall. He chewed his bottom lip, trying to decide, when he shrugged his shoulders and took the easy war around, following Despayre. No sooner did B hurry around to the other side of the wall then he came to a halt and asked, "Where's Angel?"

"He should be coming along..." Despayre glanced around the wall's edge, then by instinct looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand and huffed. ""You show off!" he called and B looked up to find Angel perched at the top of the wall.

"How did..." The Colonel watching, started to ask but Synn held up a hand to forestall the question.

"It's best not to try to figure it out Colonel."

Despayre held his arms out and the teddy bear promptly plopped down into them and Big B and Despayre (and Angel!) turned around and raced up the track, right for the next obstacle. They came upon a ditch filled with wet, watery mud and only able to be transversed by the use of a horizontal ladder that stretched across the muddy obstacle.

"Ohhh! How are we going to do this without Angel diving in!?" Despayre moaned. He looked at 'Bernie' and nodded, "Teddy bears love playing in the mud! I can't let go of him!"

Big B looked at the teddy bear, then at the muddy obstacle. he rubbed his chin, thinking -- no jokes now! He then quickly leaned down to whisper in Despayre's ear, and whatever he said, caused Despayre's youthful face to light up.

"Bernie! That's brilliant!"

Big B flinched back, a look of complete surprise and disbelief on his face. Nobody had ever said anything even REMOTELY close to those words to him before! (and with good reason we might add!) But rather than quibble over details, Big B jogged up to the brink of the mud filled trench and hopped down into it.

"What is he...?" Kremer started to ask, but the answer came in the form of Despayre hopping on his big buddy's wide shoulders and Despayre held Angel on his own as the 'three' maneuvered carefully across ... at least halfway, when B lost his footing and he, Despayre, and Angel all plummeted into the wet mud with a loud, watery splash! Totally and completely submerged in the wet mess, Despayre jumped up, spitting mud everywhere and flinging it around in misguided attempt to clean himself off, as B simply stood up and peeled his ruined t shirt off and threw it down.

Despayre held up the now mud caked teddy bear and scolded him, "You did that on purpose!"

With an audible sigh, Synn turned to the Colonel and he said, "Please tell me you have showers?"</color>



"Now I have to admit, this is a pairing that I have been very interested in seeing against the Tag Team Champions. Yes, I am referring to the members of the Dying Breed, namely Andrew Garcia and Ivan Darrell. It's a pity that you are not meeting Despayre and Big B under different circumstances, namely a match with the gold on the line, but I suppose beggars can't be choosers, can they? Your time will come, I'm certain, whether it be before R.O.A.R. earns another chance at the gold, or perhaps you'll jump ahead of them in the line of contention? Who knows? But I will tell you that I have kept a close watch, a very close watch, on the two of you. And with good reason."

"You see, I am very familiar with the man behind your success, namely Casey Williams. Oh yes, that name is quite the familiar one with any member of the Sins, particularly that of Despayre, and his first tag team partner, Gabriel. They have quite the long and colorful history, dating back to the days where Sinful Obsession reigned supreme over the ranks of the Asylum Wrestling Alliance, right to present day. Casey has been a most perpetual thorn in the side of the Sins, and if anyone could tell Ivan and Andrew the nature of the Sins inside of the ring, it would be him. But please gentlemen, don't let that bit of knowledge fool you into thinking you're going to walk all over the champions en route to a championship match down the line. You see, you think you have the knowledge in how Despayre thinks and acts inside of the ring, but you'd only be fooling yourself. Despayre is a youth, a young man of instinct that simply reacts. His ring style is one that I would dare you to try and break apart and study, because even the most knowledgeable of wrestling experts would be unable to decipher anything that he does once inside of that ring. Will you find yourself against one of the more unique aerial artists of our time? Perhaps. Then again, you might find him pulling the most unorthodox maneuvers out of his hat and leave you unable to figure out how to counter what you were not expecting. Then again, you just might do something to scare or piss him off and you'll find yourself backing an animal into a corner. An animal that will tear into you like it's namesake. Punching. Kicking. Biting! Who knows?"

"Ask Casey. Despayre is an enigma. One that can't be figured out or interpreted. And Big B? The man will simply steam roll right over you the moment you think you have him figured out."

"So cut your losses, Dying Breed. Perhaps it would be within your best interests to just leave the ring and let your partner suffer the consequences. Live and fight another day? After all, why prolong the inevitable?"</color>



"So I am going to assume you had a good time?" Synn asked as his freshly showered and changed son, Despayre, hopped over to him, a bundle of energy, and Big B joined him as the troops gathered both around them and some drifted behind.

Despayre's enthusiastic bouncing around was almost a downside to this whole program as he had secretly been hoping that this tour and obstacle course would tire this bundle of never ending energy out and let him rest up for the coming event this Sunday.

"Yes!" Despayre nodded with much enthusiasm. He looked at the Colonel who was standing there with Synn and saluted him. "Thanks!" The Colonel Kremer returned the salute, and Despayre spun around with a hop, saluting the men and women who had so eagerly competed to spend this time with the Tag Champions. Despayre saluted them too and they, as well, returned the sign of respect.

"Hey, Joshua." Synn frowned, noticing something was missing. "Where is that little friend of yours?"

"Bernie?" Despayre blinked. "He's right here silly! And he's hardly little, are ya?" He asked his B-I-G buddy and Big B shook his head 'no' in answer.

"No." Synn said. "I was referring to Angel. is he still in the base laundry, taking a ba... getting cleaned up?" He corrected himself.

"No." Despayre shook his head. "He finished that up really fast. Boy these Air Force laundryomats get teddy bears clean fast!"

"Then where is he?" Synn questioned.

"Over there playing with the troops." Despayre answered, jetting a thumb back over his shoulder. "One of the captains is letting him play with the rocket launcher."

"What!?" Synn went rigid immediately and stepped to the side to glare across the field where, true to Despayre's word, the troops, obvious fans of Angel's, had the teddy bear perched on a seat with the rocket launcher stretched out in front of it. They had Angel posed just right so it looked as if the bear was peeking through the lens of the launcher, ready to fire, and they were taking candid photos and 'selfies' with the bear.

Synn looked at Kremer and asked, "Is that safe? I mean, should they...?"

"It's fine." The Colonel stated. "It's not live ammunition. Just a shell. Besides, it's just a model. The safety is on and I personally..."

Anything else the Colonel said was quickly silenced, drowned out by the shrieking noise of the rocket launcher going off and the 'ammo' streaking up into the sky and vanishing into the horizon.

Everyone on the ground was stunned into silence. The troops were frozen on the spot, none of them having even touched the trigger for the launcher to go off! The Colonel was watching closely, able to attest to this! So how...?

"Angel..." Despayre called out in a 'shame on you' tone. "What did you do!?"

If you saw the smoldering ruins of what USED to be the rental car of Nick Jones a few miles off base, one might start to wonder!</color>

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