Show Posts
41
Supercard Archives / DESPAYRE v LORD RAAB
« on: February 06, 2016, 08:59:51 AM »
(This is my RP for the world title gauntlet match as well)
While it had little to compare to the sheer magnitude of the WWE's Wellness Center, the training facility of Sin City Wrestling was impressive enough to say the least. Housed in a private gym facility in Las Vegas, it served as a training point for its Superstars and Bombshells to not only keep them in shape with the exercise machines and weights, but also to better prepare them for what was to come in an upcoming match. The large six-sided ring dominated the center of the gym's main floor, and it was not unusual to see men or women inside of it, throwing each other around or wrestling a foe to the mat to sharpen their in-ring skills.
It was also not unusual for the public to be seen at the large picture window, staring inside and watching the training of the Superstars and Bombshells who they have grown to adore over the past several years and possibly see what newcomers might be finding their way to their favorite local indy promotion that was growing by leaps and bounds worldwide. While WWE and other major organizations would keep their facilities away from the public eye and restrict access as far as watching, Mark Ward and Christian Underwood wanted the public to feel something akin to being a part of who and what they were. And although the fans were not allowed to set foot inside of the gym, and there were times that curtains were drawn for extenuating circumstances for privacy, there were no qualms at fans watching the wrestlers groom themselves for their next big event.
"Okay, so here's what I want to see." Former two-time SCW World Champion Gabriel said from inside of the ring. On one side of him stood a local indy wrestler, well toned and several scars on his body from the hardcore style his home promotion was noted for. His face hidden by a mask, he went by the ring name KORE: Python. He had agreed to this training session both to help out a younger wrestler, being a 20 year ring veteran himself, but also in the possible hopes he might be seen as talent that could be lured to the phenom that SCW had slowly become since its inception in 2011. Gabriel looked at Python and said, "All I am asking is simple; go all out. Be yourself, do what you're known for in your territory."
Gabriel then turned his head to address the other man in the ring and the smile of brotherly affection could not be smothered as he looked at Despayre who watched him wide-eyed. He also had a hint of trouble smothering the smile that hid the laugh at Despayre's unusual choice of training gear; namely a sleeveless Grumpy Cat short with the meme "I Trained Once -- It Was Awful" imprinted on it. "And Despy?" Gabriel winked in good humor. "Do what it is that you do."
Despayre clenched his hands tightly in front of him, waist bent, and laughed as Gabriel climbed through the ropes and dropped to the floor. Another teammate, Fantasia, stood in the far corner of the ring, ready to serve as the referee for this session, a fetching and bewitching sight in her belly t printed with referee's stripes, black booty shorts and high heel boots. It was a wonder the veteran Python had the ability to tear his gaze from her comely form and to his workout opponent, but when Gabriel took the small hammer and rang the ball on the ring apron, the masked man had little choice but to focus when Despayre literally pounced on him, taking him to the mat!
A face that had not been seen in some time in Sin City Wrestling circles, Chris Shipman, wandered over towards the ring, his eyes glued towards the training session that was currently taking place inside of the squared circle, but his words were solely for his teammate that stood in the corner by the timekeeper's bell, ready to bring an end to the contest when the time came.
KORE: Python managed to throw Despayre off, ever the bundle of energy, and return to a vertical base, dazed by the assault, but Despayre was on him before he could fully recover, jumping on his back and waylaying on the masked grappler's head with one hand, while reaching around with the other and pinching his nose and calling out, "HONK! HONK!"
"Despy!" Gabriel called into the ring with a commanding tone, but also being unable to hide the chuckle at his little brother's antics. "Try to be a little more serious!"
Indeed! Hard to stress that when Despayre's antics were known well enough, and Gabriel often found himself encouraging them by his own amused reactions. Still, he knew well enough what Despayre was going to be facing in just over a week's time. Not the possibility that he could find himself in contention for the World Championship, a well deserved opportunity he and Synn both thought the little guy deserved tremendously, but the more immediate threat of facing as brutal a competitor as Lord Raab was capable of being inside -- and outside -- of the ring.
Not that Gabriel wasn't confidant that Despayre couldn't handle what was to come, and overcome it at the same given time. The game little guy was only a demure five foot seven inches in height, and weighed less than one hundred and seventy pounds, but he had an uncanny talent for handling men far larger than he was that his own teammates found challenging inside of the ring. Casey Williams was a ring giant but Despayre had faced and defeated him both in SCW as well as their original turf; the Asylum Wrestling Alliance. Goth was a noted legend in the ring, one quite lethal in his mind games and in-ring skill -- not to mention Despayre's personal "Boogey Man" for the past attack on Angel. The two met twice before, and despite the differences in size and experience, Despayre managed to overcome him. Yet where Lord Raab was concerned, it was a different story.
KORE: Python reached behind his head and grabbed Despayre by the back of the neck and his long hair and used both as handles to throw the smaller grappler over his shoulder and harshly to the mat, stunning him! Raab then attempted to drop a fist down into his prone opposition but Despayre quickly rolled out of the way and Python accidentally ended up punching the mat. Opponents, even some of Despayre's most adamant detractors, would often testify that trying to get hold of him was like trying to catch greased lightning. 'Despy' was just that damn fast, and here was some trace of evidence to the fact.
"So where's Synn?" The proverbial "lost soul" of the Seven Deadly Sins, asked Gabriel whose eyes bore into the action as Despayre slung Python into the corner of the ring and dashed in, running right up his body and back flipping to his feet. Despayre then stuck his thumbs in both ears and blew Python a raspberry, but the veteran was taking his job seriously and answered by doubling the youngster over with a boot to the midsection. Python then grabbed his arm and whipped him into the corner himself, but Despayre brought both feet up and landed a double kick that knocked him back several feet. It was then that Despayre saw the second person outside of the ring and he smiled brightly and waved.
"Hi Step Mom!" He called out, resulting in a frown from Shipman, referencing the "illicit nature" of his origin into the stable and his 'relationship' with his father Synn. It also caused Gabriel to call out, "Pay attention Despy!" but the call came too late as Python then grabbed a big handful of his hair and threw him hard to the mat face-first, swinging a clubbing double axe handle to the back! Shipman continued, "I thought he said he was going to be here."
"Something came up." Gabriel answered. "Something important."
Shipman quirked a brow and folded his arms over his chest as he watched Python inside of the ring reach down to grab Despayre, only to have Despayre quickly grab him around the head with his arms and scissor his waist with his legs. "Like a little spider trying to grapple while upside down." Gabriel thought to himself.
"More important than getting his son ready for that sick bastard Raab?" Shipman asked, and Gabriel chuckled. If a sick shit like Shipman was calling someone 'sick' as well, that spoke highly of the named individual. Chris Shipman had a reputation in the business for being one seriously fucked up son of a bitch. It was a reason why he was such a natural when it came to being a member of the Sins. Well, that and the fact Synn was completely enamored by the man's backside.
"Trust me, it's important." Gabriel said while watching Despayre retain his entanglement on the mat with KORE: Python, all the while biting the poor man's fingers and Fantasia trying to dislodge them from between the little guy's chompers.
"I thought you quit." Gabriel said as he slipped through the door of Synn's office inside of his Las Vegas home. He carefully shut the door behind him, making as little noise as possible so as not to alert the household that he was even there in the first place at such an early hour, despite the fact that he was not told why.
"Lock the door please." Synn stated from where he sat at his desk, bringing Gabriel up short before he could make a move to take one of the two vacant seats that were on the opposite side of the cherry wood desk that dominated the center of the room.
Gabriel turned around and did as asked, and with a flick of the wrist, the door was locked against any outside intrusions. This act alone alerted Gabriel to the fact something was amiss in this little meeting with his friend and mentor, as Synn never bothered to lock the door to the office. Hell, half the time he didn't even bother shutting it since more often than not, Despayre barged in whether it was open or closed to see what his father was up to at any point of the day -- and usually made the attempt (and succeeded) at wresting Synn from his business activities to go and do something more fun (in Despayre's mind at least).
Only then did Gabriel finally pull the cushioned microsuede chair, beige in color, and take a seat. His eyes were narrowed, the frown evident on his otherwise handsome facial features, as his attention was not solely rested on the man himself, but the cigarette that was resting in between his fingers and over the ceramic ash dish on the desk's surface.
Gabriel crossed his ankle over his knee and flicked his fingers towards the cigarette, saying, "After that cancer scare you had ten years ago." Mentioning an event in Synn's past that was rarely brought up, when the 'Dark Priest' of professional wrestling's physician thought there was a chance he had cancer of the lungs. Only after repeated treatments and exams was he medically cleared, never having had the deadly disease to begin with, but the scare was enough. The doctor had strongly recommended he give up the smoking habit that Synn had at one point made liberal use of, and Synn had complied.
At least until now, apparently.
"It's just one cigarette, Gabriel." Synn had a stoic tone behind his voice, one that belied the fact he was not accustomed to having his actions questioned. Although ever since he had found this new family within the members of his wrestling stable, 'The Seven Deadly Sins', that was something he had slowly been forced to acknowledge and accept, especially when Gabriel came into the fold. The magician was quite outspoken and had no qualms at calling Synn out for something he said or did that conflicted with his own personal beliefs. One key example being towards the beginning of their journey together, when Gabriel laid into Synn verbally over Synn's refusal to celebrate Christmas, and how it had affected Despayre emotionally. It was that very point that the bond was truly forced between Despayre and his 'big brother', and when Synn started to see Gabriel as something akin to an heir.
"Don't bullshit a bullshitter." Gabriel shook his head, leaning back in the chair. "That pack you had hidden beneath a stack of papers is half empty. And if it were really no big deal as you seem to think, you wouldn't have hidden them from sight."
"Maybe I just did not feel like dealing with the lectures that I knew would be coming." Synn countered.
"Yeah, like the smell isn't going to give your little habit away." Gabriel frowned, fanning the air. "Seriously, when did this start?"
Synn sighed, extending his hand to press the lit end of the cigarette down into the dish, smothering it out. He answered, "A few days ago. After we found out what that stalker was all about."
The 'stalker' in question being a man that Despayre had discovered had been following them around the "City of Sin", no matter where they were headed at the time. Say what you might about Despayre and his innocence or quirks, the boy was incredibly perceptive at the world around him and often would take notice of things that others did not, or could not. The others, namely Synn, Gabriel -- even Odette -- hadn't noticed they were being followed or watched, but according to Despayre, Angel's "sixth sense" for danger alerted him, so he alerted his dad. The rest? History.
"I take it then that it's not good news?" Gabriel asked.
"When has being watched by a private investigator ever been 'good news' Gabriel?"
"Private...?" Gabriel frowned, and Synn finished the statement, "Investigator."
"What in hell would a PI be doing watching you?" The magician asked.
Synn answered, "Seems someone is looking for me, or was looking for me." He reached for the pack of cigarettes but instead, opted to drop the pack to the desk and forego lightning up another in front of someone who clearly disapproved of the filthy habit. A true testament to how he felt about Gabriel, and his opinion. Anybody else on the proverbial "outside" would have been met with a heart felt "Fuck off!" and the cigarette would have been lit. Synn instead leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers together. There were several long, uncomfortable moments of silence that followed until Synn's green eyes met with Gabriel's...
"It's my mother." Synn finally said. "She's been looking for me."
"Y-your mother?" Gabriel almost choked. Only once in their entire past did Synn ever make mention of the woman and man that had raised his up to his teenage years when Synn absconded from their emotional abuse and left to venture out on his own and become the man that he was today. And that one conversation revealed more about the man before him than he felt he had the right to know. From physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his so-called 'parents', to abandonment and sexual abuse at the hands of 'trusted' friends afterwards. That one conversation happened clear back in the AWA, and nothing about them had been mentioned since.
"After all these years?" Gabriel shook his head, the stark disbelief evident in his tone. "What the fuck would she be doing looking for you after all of these years!?"
"Honestly?" Synn asked. "Your guess is as good as mine. But as far as I can tell, she's looking to meet with me. I don't feel anything good will come from this so I've made some preparations of my own, just in case."
Gabriel shook his head, uncomprehending, "Preparations... wait. Is that why you had Despy's mum watch him for the weekend while you went out of town?"
Synn nodded. "I do not trust this woman, whatever she wants, so I thought it best to stay one step ahead just for emergencies. But..." He sighed. "She wants to talk to me about something, so I've arranged a meeting."
"Here?" Gabriel asked, a hint of disbelief in his words. "In your own home?"
Synn sighed, "Yes, I know. Not that I am fond of the idea of her setting foot into my home, but I would rather it be on my territory as opposed to her's, or neutral." He winked. "I like to stack the deck in my favor."
Gabriel nodded, "So I've noticed." He paused, then asked, "So, wait. Is that why you arranged this sparring session with Despy? For today?"
Synn nodded, "I'm afraid so. Far be it from me to be the manipulative sort..." Gabriel snorted back a contradiction to that rather untrue statement, and Synn went on, "...and I know that you have plans with your family this evening." Synn shook his head. "I don't expect you to keep him out forever, or for you to include him in your plans. I just..."
"Want to keep his exposure to her as little as possible?" Gabriel finished his thought process for him, and Synn nodded.
"Exactly." Synn stated. "I'd rather he not set eyes on her at all, but I know that might not be the case if our business, whatever it is, isn't concluded by the time you're finished. I just feel the less he sees of her, the better so as not to have to answer any undue questions."
Gabriel shook his head, not certain what to say except for, "What ... undue questions are you talking about? You told Despy and myself a few years back what your folks put you through. Despy's a smart lad. We don't give him nearly enough credit."
"True," Synn started to reply. "I just..." But he was interrupted by the fast free fall of hurried footsteps headed down the hall and to the office door, resulting in...
*THUD!*
"Ow!" They heard Despayre cry out from the other side of the closed office door. So often was he used to just being allowed to enter whenever he felt the desire, he clearly was not prepared for that door to be locked. What a ridiculous concept, amIright?
Synn and Gabriel shared a light hearted smile, and the father called out, "Joshua? Are you alright?"
"Something's wrong with your door!" Came the reply.
"That's because it's locked."
"Oh. Just a sec." Synn frowned at what his son could possibly mean, but Gabriel had a fairly good idea when he saw the door handle on their side start to wriggle, then the lock turned and the door was swung open.
"There we go!" Despayre bounded into the room, holding his nose! "That's better!"
Gabriel was fighting to restrain the smile on his face, and doing so without much success, as he asked, "Are you alright Despy?"
"Yep!" Despayre called aloud, wrapping both of his arms around Gabriel in his usual warm greeting, giving a good squeeze, then let go. He turned to his father, wide eyed, and said, "Boy! It's a good thing I came along when I did! You mighta been entombed in your own office!"
"Indeed?" Synn nodded, knowing it was usually best to just agree with his son, fulfilling his childlike fancies. "I am glad you're up, Joshua. I've arranged a little training session for you, to help get you ready for Lord Raab."
"Aw there's no need for that." Despayre waved off Synn's concern. "I am ready!"
"Well as much as I can appreciate your confidence, I still feel it warranted." Synn stated in a matter-of-fact tone that told his son there was little to no room for debate. "And as I had some business to take care of today, I asked Gabriel if he would lend a hand."
Despayre fidgeted, clearly not sold on the idea. Sparring or training sessions were never his idea of a fun time. There were so many other ways to have a good time. He clasped his hands and rocked from side to side and said, "Gee, I dunno. I had planned on watching the DVR of the Democratic debate today..."
"Got a bit of a crush on Hillary there, Despy?" Gabriel quipped.
"No." Despayre shook his head. "I just -- NO!" He gave Gabriel a playful glare. "I just like to stay informed, man of the world such as I am."
"We can go to lunch after if you do good?" Gabriel offered.
That gave Despayre pause. The offer to hang out with his buddy Gabriel, AND have lunch afterwards? He was clearly deep in thought and his eyes shifted to the right to give Gabriel a sidelong glance.
"Panda Express?"
"Is there any other place?"
"Gimme ten minutes!" And Despayre turned and bolted out of the office to go retrieve Angel from wherever he was adventuring, and of course he'd probably need his ring gear! Gabriel then turned back to Synn and both men's faces had now lost all traces of the humor that Despayre seemed to instill in whomever he was around at the time.
"Thank you, Gabriel." Synn said simply, not the easiest of things for this man to say.
"Sounds serious." Shipman observed while inside of the ring, Python used some strength to dead lift Despayre up from the mat and he just dumped the smaller man down hard to the mat. Python then grabbed Despayre and hauled him up from the canvas and draped his throat over the middle rope with a knee buried into the back of his neck, forcibly choking him out!
Shipman asked, "Isn't he being a little rough on Despy?"
Gabriel answered, "That's the point, Chris. Synn knows damn well that Raab isn't going to go easy on our boy, so he didn't want his sparring partner to do so either."
"He paid someone to beat up his son." Shipman smirked. "That's sick, even for me."
Gabriel turned his head slightly to simply look at Shipman, as if to silently inform his teammate that this was indeed not the case. "Hardly." He finally spoke. "It's no different than any other training match he's put him through, or myself for that matter. The whole point is for the opponent to try to win, after all. He just wants Despy to be ready for whatever Raab might throw at him."
"Think it would have been better if one of us had been in there to help Desp." Shipman countered, watching as Python's rough house tactics went into over drive, the very reason why Synn had sought out and hired the man in the first place. Python grabbed two handfuls of Despayre's waist-length hair and used it as a handle to drive the smaller man into the corner face-first. Shipman went on, saying, "If that's what Synn wanted, someone rough to train Despy, toughen him up a little more, then rage or I could have..."
"Well that's the point, isn't it?" Gabriel interrupted. "You two would have been ideal. No two sicker sons a bitches..."
"SWEAR JAR!" Gabriel and Shipman turned their heads to the ring and both admittedly smiled. Even while getting his butt handed to him, only 'their Despy' would have called someone out for cursing within ear shot.
Gabriel turned back to Shipman and went on, "You two are the two sickest ... SOBs, I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, but rough as you are, you both know damn well what Despy means to Synn." He paused, then added, "To all of us. So deep down you wouldn't have wanted to hurt him, and you would have pulled back, whether you want to admit it or not."
"And you don't think this joker is going to go easy on Despy?" Shipman asked, nodding to the inside of the ring where Python was throwing clubbing lefts and rights, boxing Despayre's head as the smaller man used his forearms to try and shield himself.
"Oh I don't doubt he will, at least to some degree." Gabriel stated. "He doesn't want to risk his pay check or actually hurt Despy, but he's also not going to go easy on him as we would. Raab won't, so Synn wants to make sure Despy's skin is extra thick for this one."
Despayre then shot his hands forward and grabbed KORE: Python by the mask and dragged him around into the corner, reversing their positions. Despayre doubled up both fists and buried them into Python's midsection, doubling him over and then started wind milling his fists down into the back of the head and neck of the masked wrestler!
Gabriel turned to Shipman with a proud and confidant smile, "Besides, do you doubt this little fireplug can take care of himself?"
Shipman snorted back as Despayre grabbed Python by the mask and sunk his teeth into his head!
Synn sat at his desk, and truth be told, he had not moved since Gabriel had left with Despayre. His elbows were propped up on the surface of the desk, and his fingers were currently mangling a paperclip into an unrecognizable shape. The computer screen was shut off, as he had long ago forsaken any attempts to get any actual work accomplished, what with this business currently hanging over his head. The lunch that Theresa had brought him earlier remained untouched. His mind was simply an entanglement of issues thought buried long ago. This situation came from out of nowhere, something like when Despayre's mother, Margaret, returned to his life two years ago. And although that situation ended up with a pleasant outcome, Synn had a deep suspicion that this one would not.
His thought process was cut off by a light knock on the office door, and it opened just enough for Theresa to step halfway inside.
"Synn?" She said with a hint of concern in her tone of voice. "She's here."
Synn frowned. He hadn't even heard the door bell, so intent was he on remembering all of the reasons why he absolutely abhorred this woman that gave him life. Something in his face and eyes must have spoke volumes to the friend and housekeeper as she silently pushed the door open further and stepped aside, and a petite woman stepped into the door frame. Ethel Winters.
Despite his age, despite his animosity, laying eyes on this woman immediately caused Synn's heart to plummet into his stomach -- and most certainly not in the good way.
He remembered how in his youth, he had loved her, or at least thought he did. But seeing her now, the anger just bubbled up like a pot boiling over. She looked the same as he had remembered, but older. It had been nearly three decades after all, since he last laid eyes on the woman. She was short, roughly Theresa's own height, and her frame was frailer and hair a snow white. He had admittedly lost track, but he would have to roughly estimate her age at being somewhere in the vicinity of ... seventy three? Seventy four perhaps?
"Rowan." She said in a crisp voice, the green eyes he had inherited from her staring at him. Age aside, she remained calm and cool in such an uncomfortable situation, and her back stayed straight and her head held high. That same righteousness fervor that he had always abhorred on the part of her and her husband, his father.
But of course she wouldn't know about the distaste for his Christian name, nor the fact he never went by it, nor allowed anyone else to call him it. He said simply, "Hello Mother."
"Don't I even get a hug?" She held her arms out in a gesture of an olive branch being offered, but all Synn could do was snort through his nose in disbelief and smile.
He said, "A bit late for an emotional family reunion, isn't it?"
Panda Express
"Having a spot of trouble there, Despy?" Gabriel asked from their booth where he and Despayre were joined for lunch by Shipman, who was yet disgruntled that the fast food Chinese place did not serve poodle in a noodle -- whatever that was. Gabriel was referencing the comedic sight of Despayre hunched over the table, his head dangling over his plate, and a large portion of chow mein noodles dangling from his lips to the plate, attempting to 'slurp' them all into his mouth at once.
Despayre looked up through his eyebrows and Gabriel took that to mean a silent "Help!" from his little brother, so he reached into his jacket pocket and took out a small pair of scissors and proceeded to snip away at the noodles until one half of the mound fell back to the plate, allowing Despayre to continue to chew for what seemed an eternity on his end.
Finally, he swallowed what had to be an uncanny amount and gasped for air. "Thanks! Thought I was in trouble there for a moment!"
Gabriel winked, Despayre's antics never unexpected but still always a surprise. The meal continued in moderate silence, Despayre pausing every now and then to look at the high chair where Angel was seated with his own rice and Beijing beef bowl (did you actually expect Angel not to dine!?) and lecture his buddy on finishing his food so he can stay strong for the usual nightly battles with shadow beasties.
"So..." Shipman started to say, shoveling a fork full of sweet fire chicken into his gaping maw. "Raab?"
Despayre nodded silently. "Yeah. Dad and Gabriel here told me about it last week." He frowned. "Not sure why, but meh." He shrugged. "I woulda rather teamed with Rage for a match, but I'm not worried."
"Really?" Gabriel smiled, already knowing his buddy was brimming with confidence. "Raab isn't an easy person to face. That's why your dad was working you to the bone, and had this rough guy to train with today."
"Pttthhh!" Despayre blew a raspberry, accidentally sending rice spittling across the table. He blinked, "Sorry." And he started to do as Theresa would have wanted him to do, and he took a napkin and started to wipe it up. "Raab is a toughie, but I think I've wrestled tougher. Casey for one. And Goth!"
"Goth is a tough son of a..." Shipman glanced up at Despayre who stared hard at him, and he sighed. "gun."
Despayre nodded, satisfied at the correction, and said, "Way to go Step-Mom!"
Gabriel had to put his soda down to keep from laughing, and resulting in choking, at Despayre's repeated use of the affectionate nickname for Chris Shipman. He watched as Shipman's narrowed eyes return to normal and they returned to their topic of conversation.
"So you're going to win against Raab, right?" Gabriel asked, and Despayre nodded eagerly.
"Yup! I'm going to beat him!"
"And what about the big match?" Shipman added.
Despayre was about to take another heaping mouthful of his meal when he paused, wide eyed. "That is my big match."
Shipman said, "No, I'm talking about the main event. The gauntlet. You're going to win that too, right?"
Slowly, Despayre set his fork back down on his plate and it was evident to the two men eating lunch with him that this was not a topic the little guy had hoped would be brought up. He started to play with the still wrapped fortune cookie on his tray and shrugged with indifference.
"I dunno."
"What do you mean?" Gabriel asked. "Anyone can enter the gauntlet, and you'd like to be the best, wouldn't you?"
"I am the best!" Despayre said hotly. "Dad says so!"
"And he's right." Gabriel smiled. "But winning the match against Raab, and walking out as the world champion would just make it official."
Again, Despayre shrugged. "I don't like singles matches though. I only do them `cause I have to for now. I;d rather be in tag teams."
"We know." Gabriel nodded.
Despayre went on, "And if I won the main event, wouldn't I hafta defend the title?"
Shipman scoffed, "That is the general idea."
Despayre turned and leaned over to whisper to Angel, "Told ya." He then sat back up and shook his head, "I'm afraid I won't be able to do that anyway."
"And why is that?"
Despayre sighed dramatically, and rolled his eyes. "Because..." He said in a sing song voice. "It's like I told dad: it's not JUST a world title, but a world HEAVYWEIGHT title! I only weigh a hundred and sixty eight pounds! What's a heavyweight?"
Shipman answered, "About two thirty five and over."
Despayre held a hand out to Shipman, as if to silently say "See?"
"Not helping 'Stepmom'." Gabriel quipped, drawing a stare from Shipman. Gabriel then tried reasoning and said, "It might be called a heavyweight title, but there's no official set weight limit on it. Guys under two thirty five have held it. Simon Jones for one. Drake Green, even Kevin Carter."
"Kevin Carter doesn't count." Despayre declared.
"And why not?"
Despayre shrugged, "He's a weenie."
Shipman looked at Gabriel and smirked, "Makes sense to me. Man loses his title both times on his first defense and leaves both times because of it?" He scoffs and goes back to stabbing his meal with his fork, "Man should be stricken from the record books."
Gabriel sighed, "My point is... that anyone is allowed to chase the title, whether they make weight or not. And just imagine what it would mean." He playfully gave Despayre a nudge on the arm. "You and me both having won that title."
Despayre started to look thoughtful and he mumbled, "Well...."
Gabriel knew he was getting through to the little guy and added, "Greatest tag team in SCW history, also the greatest world heavyweight champions in history?"
"That would be kinda cool..." Despayre admitted, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "But first I have to beat Raab! And I will!"
Shipman prodded, "And then you'll win the world title?"
"Wellllll...." Despayre drew on dramatically. "I'll make you a deal!"
"A deal." Shipman frowned. "What kind of deal?"
Despayre looked back and forth between his two dining companions, then said brightly, "If I can make weight by the time of the show, I'll win the world championship!"
"Make wei..." Shipman stammered, and Gabriel finished his line of thought, "Despy, that's over sixty pounds!"
"I guess I best get back to training!" And by training, he of course meant digging into his chow! Chow mein that is! (HA!) After all, that was one of the reasons why Panda Express was his favorite place to dine. Not only was the food delicious with a capital YUM! -- but Angel said it was a great way to make weight for spectator sports! Just look at the sumo! Though Despayre was quite sure he didn't want to put on THAT much weight!
Gabriel turned to Shipman and sighed, "I guess at this rate his grandma will be gone by..."
"Gramma!?" Despayre dropped his fork and almost spilled his drink. "Gramma is home!?" He jumped up from his chair and snatched Angel, and took off for the door. "Well why didn't you say so!? LET'S GO!!"
Gabriel closed his eyes at his little slip of the tongue, "Shit..."
"What do you want, mother?" Synn demanded, towering over the woman standing in the door and she sighed, gesturing toward the chair.
"May I sit?"
Synn exhaled sharply through his nose, but somehow he felt he should at the very least offer that small bit of comfort. He gestured to the chair and with the use of a cane, Ethel Winters took her first step into the office and approached the chair. Synn had not even noticed the cane at first, not until that moment. Her hand showed her true age physically, wrinkled skin and obviously arthritic, as she drew out her seat and lowered herself into it. Once settled, she took a moment's pause to collect herself before she asked, "You knew you were under watch?"
"I've known for weeks." Synn stated simply.
"How?"
Synn smiled and leaned forward, elbow on the desk and he answered, "Mother, here's a word of advice if I may? When you hire a private investigator? Hire a competent professional!"
Weeks ago....
Centennial Hills Park
The sun was setting over the sky, blanketing the heavens in colorful hues of pinks, oranges, yellows and deepening purples. It had been Despayre's turn to decide what to do, and surprisingly, he had asked if the entire family could go for a walk in the park and just enjoy the cool, crisp air. Everyone had agreed, from Gabriel and Odette with their baby, to Margaret and Victoria, and even Rage joined in with his brother Phil at his side. They walked the trails that weaved in and around the entire park, savoring this moment of pure relaxation as they passed a large row of hedge bushes.
Despayre called out, "Marco!"
And from the bushes emanated, "Polo! ... DAMN IT!"
Synn shrugged, "So after he was confronted, he pretty much sang like a bird and told me everything." He nodded, and she could tell that her son was openly mocking her. "Lack of professional morals, that one has."
"And you would know, I'm sure." Ethel bit back. That caused a frown from the man across from her, and she looked up through her glasses and she spoke again, "Your father died."
Okay, didn't see that coming.
Silence followed this declaration by Ethel, as she watched for her son's reaction -- any reaction -- but all he did was stare at her, his fingers still twisting away at the paper clip. She fidgeted, then a frown creased her wrinkled brow and she repeated, "I said your father has passed away."
"I heard you." Synn finally broke the uncomfortable silence between them. "I was just waiting to see if this was the moment where I was supposed to respond with some form of human emotion."
"That is a very unkind and disrespectful thing to say!" Ethel declared crossly. "He was your father!"
"No." Synn contradicted her. "He was a sperm donor. He lost all right to call himself a father the day he first laid a hand to me."
Ethel accepted this gauntlet and she said, "You shoved the man down the basement stairs after he attempted to defend me when you assaulted me!"
"I shoved you." Synn rose to the challenge, the feelings of animosity already rising to the surface between the pair. "And I only did so after you had once again tried to take a belt to me!"
"Honor thy Mother and thy Father!" Ethel finally did what Synn was waiting for. She was a devout Christian, as was his now late father. If you asked him, he would tell you that his parents were religious zealouts to such a degree that they made Carrie's mother look like a sorority girl in a late night HBO flick! "Spare the rod, spoil the child!"
Synn flicked the mangled paper clip to the desk surface and shook his head, "Oh Christ..."
Ethel barked, "Do not use the Lord's name in vain!"
Synn jumped to his feet, "Do not dictate to me in my own HOUSE!"
This outburst made Ethel Winters clearly flinch back and her already pale skin blanched. Until this moment she had not realized the full extent of her estranged son's growth in both physical stature as well as commanding presence. As others who have grown to know him over the years, Synn was downright frightening when he was angry, and he was clearly angry right at this very moment. He never wanted this meeting. He never wanted to lay eyes on this woman again, and the fact she had the sheer gall to attempt to preach to him and give him orders in the walls of his own house?
"Where is she!?"
Whatever Synn was about to follow up with was swiftly cut short at the sound of Despayre from inside of the house. Damn it! He hadn't even realized the time and had believed without much hope that this awkward situation would be done and buried by the time his son had finished his training session and before he was returned home. The office door swung open with a loud clatter, startling Ethel, and Despayre ran into the room, wide eyes looking around eagerly.
"Where's my gramma!?"
"Is ... is this your son?" Ethel whispered as she laid eyes on her grandson for the first time. For the first time she realized and understood that she was a grandmother. Despayre's eyes turned to her and he blinked in surprise at the 'new person' seated in his dad's office, and she brought her hands up slowly, "Oh sweety, I'm right here!"
But the moment she extended her hands toward him, Despayre took a hasty step back, almost tripping against the mini fridge that was stationed against the wall. His breathing deepened, quick paced, as new faces did not settle well with him.
He shook his head, "No. No, you're not my gramma."
"Technically? She is." Synn said simply. "Joshua, this is Ethel Winters. She's my mother."
"Oh!" Despayre turned back from getting confirmation from his dad, and once again looked over Ethel, the woman who he had just learned was family. He waved his hand. "Hi!"
"Well?" Ethel smiled and held her arms out to him. "Doesn't your grandmother get a hug?"
"Nope!" Despayre shook his head and dashed right back out of the office, leaving Synn with a proud smile on his face, and Ethel looking quite startled, and perhaps even a tad insulted.
She slowly sat back down into the chair, having known nothing of Despayre or his antics and what caused them in his own past. She pursed her lips and said, "How rude. I can see he's your son through and through."
Synn slowly took his own seat once again and a single inquiring eyebrow rose on his forehead and she continued, "What is wrong with him? A young man at that age, carrying a teddy bear? Is he afflicted mentally...?"
"Don't..." Synn held up a forefinger. "... finish that thought." He leaned back in his chair and went on, addressing the woman opposite him. "Not that it's any of your business, but Joshua has had a problematic past that has caused him to grow into the fine young man you just saw." Before she could interrupt him, Synn rose his voice, "And despite what you might want here?" He shook his head. "I have no interest what so ever in you walking back into my life and upsetting the balance of what I have accomplished in saving him from what might have been!"
"You?" Ethel's own eyebrows rose in mock disbelief. "What you accomplished?" She shook her head. "Arrogance! Whatever happened to help that boy, and I admit I know nothing of that, was not your doing! That was all the work of the Lord working through you!"
Synn bit back a laugh, but scoffed openly and said, "Yes, well... you should have seen him when the Lord had Joshua all to Himself."
Ethel frowned deeply at the sacrilegious statement from her own flesh and blood, but before she could say anything scathing toward him for using such words in reference to their Lord and Savior, Synn cut her off and said, "So why is it exactly that you're here? It can't simply be because of your husband's death. Unless, what is it? Money? You want me to help pay for funeral expenses? because if that's the case, you may as well just wrap him in a garbage bag and set him out on trash day."
"How DARE...!?" She started to sputter! "No! I do not want or need your money to pay for your dear father's funeral!"
"Well then," Synn said, standing back up. "I think that being settled, our business here is finished." He walked around to the office door and called out, "Theresa?"
Moments passed and the housekeeper, who was obviously nearby for the sake of her employer needing something during this uncomfortable situation he had found himself in. "Yes?"
"Show my mother out, if you would be so kind?" Synn went back around the room as Ethel slowly stood up, shooting daggers at him with her eyes.
"Is that all you have to say after wasting my time?" She demanded.
"No." Synn say down and pointed at the door. "Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out."
"Okay, now THIS is going to be exciting!"
"Hi! It's me! No, not Despayre. And it's not Synn either. You'll have to excuse me for stepping in here for this one, but as you probably saw, Synn's not in much of a sociable mood, so it's best that I handle this little portion of your regularly scheduled promo'ing."
"My Bloody Valentine II is fast approaching, and my bestest buddy Despayre is scheduled to go up against Lord Raab, a guy that most people are saying is one of the most dangerous individuals to have ever set foot inside of an SCW ring, or a wrestling ring -- period! That's all well and good, and I bet he's feeling pretty confidant about himself right about now. Well I'm afraid that I am going to have to bring him down from his pedestal and ease his woeful case of the "Me Me Me's"."
"Is Lord Raab a dangerous fella? Sure! We've all seen what he is capable of doing when inside of the ring against any normal individual! And has he been successful? Oh you bet! World Champion! One of the longest reigning Roulette Champions! But, and I'm sure you are all well aware, the fella he's got this time is anything BUT normal ... and I mean that in the best way possible!"
"Raab likes to beat down on his opponents, and loves nothing more than a good fight. Well bravo! Good for him! But see, the thing is that this match has rules, and in a match with rules, that sets limits on what Raab will be capable of doing in order to succeed. Not that he would if there were no rules, I'm just sayin'! My pal Despayre is as good a fighter as anyone! I mean, have you seen the matches he's had with guys like Goth? Despy may be a good deal smaller than the vast majority of the roster, but when the chips are down and he feels in danger, Despayre will fight like a wild animal to beat you down and walk away the winner. If you want to pull out the short cuts and choke and gouge? Well he's capable of doing the exact same thing -- only he looks a lot cuter when doing so. Despayre has thrown punches and pulled hair. he kicks and scratches! hey! Whatever it takes to survive!"
"But... he has also been trained in the ring by the very best, and that gives him an added advantage going against a monster like Raab. ... Monster? Do I have that right? When I think 'monster', I don't think a guy of Raab's average wrestling stature. Oh well! Back to business! Despayre might not be the greatest scientific wrestler on the planet, but he can work the mat when all is said and done, which is a lot more than can be said for Raab, a guy that thinks a good fight equals a quality grappler. But where Despy really excels is when he goes to the air!"
"Some call him reckless, while others call it death defying. Despayre has an unorthodox style inside of the ring that is going to put him head and shoulders above what Raab is capable of! Just like others have said time and again, Despy is capable of absolutely anything inside of the ring. We've often seen it, and still those poor simps think just because he's small, he'll be easy pickings! Ask the guys who are two or three times his size what it felt like when Despy stood over them victorious, huh? That could be you, Raab. Actually, that will be you! Your path back to the top of the ladder will have hit a broken rung, and you're going to get sent plummeting back to the very bottom once a little fire cracker by the name of Despayre is finished with you!"
"Good things come in small packages, and that makes Despy the very best!"
"And speaking the top of the ladder, that brings us to the big main event of the evening! Now while there are plenty of other good matches that could be main events, how can you possibly go wrong with a match to fill the vacant world championship? A match that anyone and everyone (so long as you're a dude!) can participate in?"
"A gauntlet match! We've seen them before, the first Supercard in SCW history, and used to fill the first ever world championships, Superstars and Bombshells! Now being signed again to crown the newest Superstar who will stand atop the mountain, and who is that man going to be? Yep! You guessed it! My buddy Despayre! After all, he's the King of SCW, and who better to stand atop the mountain, looking down at his kingdom and all he rules over? Oh I imagine that there are probably a lot of other guys who think they are going to walk away with this one."
"Ben Jordan, think he has a chance? Of course he does! The man is the Icon of ACW, and has been their Grand Slam Champion, so if anyone else would be capable of winning this, it would be him. Only one catch; he's Cockney, and I think it's against the rules for imaginary fellas to win the SCW title. Sorry Ben!"
"Can the ghastly Brother Grimm win the world title? Will he even try? Well even if he does try, it'll be impossible for him to win. Why you may ask? Because of the whole "good versus evil" thing. Good always wins, and since Grimm is evil, it's obvious that he is predestined to lose."
"If Casey Williams is in the gauntlet, he's the best odds size-wise, but that's also going to work against him. The biggest guys always get ganged up on, and when you have the entire roster working together to eliminate you? Zoop! You're out!"
"CJ Sharpe? Same guy who attacked our pal, J2H? Psht! Yeah, good one! Moving on!"
"How about Connor Murphy? If he's in the gauntlet, he stands a good chance at lasting awhile, although he won't win -- because Despayre is going to! He's a world tag team champion for now, and that's where his mind might be focused. he likes a fight though so I'd love to see him jump into this fracas!"
"Eric Steel? See CJ Sharpe. Though even CJ has a better chance than Eric does and that is saying a lot!"
"Goth? Now THERE'S a guy that's going to be a threat in this one! Triple Crown champion, and a guy who Despayre has had his share of run ins with over the years! He's Despayre's personal nemesis, or was, but suffice to say his tenacity and experience is going to put him right on the edge of victory -- right up until Despayre scores another win!"
"J2H is our pal and I don't want to see him up against Despayre! Those two faced each other once before, for Despayre's Internet title, and those two boys tore the house down! One of the first and only time limit draws in SCW history, and a Match of the Year candidate! That is what happened once before, and if it comes down to those two again, we'll get to see it once again! Only this time there won't be the possibility of seeing another draw. There would have to be a winner and with the chips down, that winner is going to be Despayre! It just HAS to!"
"We haven't seen much of Joshua Acquin, but I bet he'll be interested in this one. Pity he came back after all this time just to lose the big one."
"Lord Raab? We've already covered him, but here's a refresher course. The fact is that in a match like this, a fighter like Raab will excel because that's exactly what this will be: a fight! But he's not fighting one on one. he's going to be up against the entire roster and eventually, even a brawler like he could be overwhelmed. And let's face it: after he'll already have been defeated by Despy, his spirit will have been broken and there's just no way that he'll have been able to forge ahead in so short a time to win this."
"Rage. This one I don't want to see. I mean, does anyone want to see Rage versus Despayre!? I know I sure don't! Who wants to see two teammates fight!? Moving on!"
"Ahhh! Sean Jackson! Our old 'pal'! The man who thought he could use me to get to Despy! Well I admit things didn't go entirely according to plan, but also in a sense, they did. You go right on thinking you got the best of us, because when the chips are down, and if you show your face for this one, it'll be OUR turn to force feed you a piece of humble pie!"
"Simon Jones will probably want to get in on this to try and regain the championship he held before. Hey Simon! Let someone else have a crack at it!"
"Steve Ramone has a chance for the Roulette title early in the night, and if I hafta be honest? he's my pick to walk away as the new Roulette champion. He's ben here a long time and I dare say he deserves it? But if he thinks he's going to use that win to catapult himself to the main event and walk out a double champion? Uh uh! Sorry Steve! But if the rest of the roster doesn't toss you out on your caboose first, then Despayre sure will!"
"Tim Staggs... that poor kid! What he must be going through! He has to worry about defending his title because he has to be supportive of Connor, but to THINK that he's the focus of that dastardly Brother Grimm! I'm afraid I may have to intervene on that scenario, if pressed. I can't stand idly by and watch a poor kid like Tim be the target of evil! But even if he is successful in his defense, and moves on to give the world title a whirl, what'll happen if he gets caught in the ring against Brother Grimm? *shudders*"
"You know they say save the best for last, but for Travis Nathaniel Andrews, we can make an exception. He's got a shot at gold early like Steve Ramone and others do, but he has this over bloated sense of self worth that I just can't get past. Oh he's good, don't get me wrong! Far be it from me to poo poo a fella's sense of self but -- poo poo. I hope that he doesn't enter the gauntlet. Not because I'm afraid he has a chance against Despy, but I just hate to see him go down the drain twice in one evening! ... was that harsh?"
"Well will you listen to me? Rambling on like this was some kind of wrestling promo? It was fun while it lasted, but now that I've said what I have to say, we can return to your regularly scheduled RPing...."
"Here ya go!" Despayre called, days later from where we met last, as he darted into his father's office with a handful of envelopes. "I got the mail!"
"Christ, Joshua." Synn shook his head as he held out his hand and accepted the offering. "It looks like that's the whole neighborhood's mail."
"Nope!" Despayre shook his head, then smiled with pride as he held up the mail carrier's sack, showing evidence of a struggle, due to the natural clashes between he and their mailman. "This is!"
Synn closed his eyes, all too familiar that the good natured mailman put up with whatever reasoning Despayre had for tormenting the poor, older man. "Joshua..." He started to say, but then the door bell rang.
"Oops!" Despayre stood upright, eyes bright. "That's probably the mailman wanting this back!" And he did an immediate U-turn and dashed back out to finish his play so the mailman could finish his route!
Shaking his head at the lad's antics, Synn started to rifle through the envelopes, muttering, "Bill... bill... you may already be a winner...." He then paused as he came across an envelope from a local law firm here in Las Vegas. Not one of high particular standing, but familiar none the same.
setting the rest of the mail down, he slid the envelope open with the letter opener and slipped the legal form out and his eyes started to scan the contents ... and the more he read, the redder his face started to grow. His knuckles grew white with tension until...
"Son of a FUCKING BITCH!!!!" He practically roared in a rage not seen ever in the walls of this house!
Having been nearby in the kitchen, it was only moments later that Theresa had hurried into the office, breathless and wide eyed at the outburst!
"What is it!?" She questioned. "What's wrong!?"
"It's my ... mother!" Synn spat! He glanced up at her and Theresa was shocked to the core at seeing tears in the man's eyes, tears born of pure and unadulterated anger. "She's demanding custody of Joshua!"
While it had little to compare to the sheer magnitude of the WWE's Wellness Center, the training facility of Sin City Wrestling was impressive enough to say the least. Housed in a private gym facility in Las Vegas, it served as a training point for its Superstars and Bombshells to not only keep them in shape with the exercise machines and weights, but also to better prepare them for what was to come in an upcoming match. The large six-sided ring dominated the center of the gym's main floor, and it was not unusual to see men or women inside of it, throwing each other around or wrestling a foe to the mat to sharpen their in-ring skills.
It was also not unusual for the public to be seen at the large picture window, staring inside and watching the training of the Superstars and Bombshells who they have grown to adore over the past several years and possibly see what newcomers might be finding their way to their favorite local indy promotion that was growing by leaps and bounds worldwide. While WWE and other major organizations would keep their facilities away from the public eye and restrict access as far as watching, Mark Ward and Christian Underwood wanted the public to feel something akin to being a part of who and what they were. And although the fans were not allowed to set foot inside of the gym, and there were times that curtains were drawn for extenuating circumstances for privacy, there were no qualms at fans watching the wrestlers groom themselves for their next big event.
"Okay, so here's what I want to see." Former two-time SCW World Champion Gabriel said from inside of the ring. On one side of him stood a local indy wrestler, well toned and several scars on his body from the hardcore style his home promotion was noted for. His face hidden by a mask, he went by the ring name KORE: Python. He had agreed to this training session both to help out a younger wrestler, being a 20 year ring veteran himself, but also in the possible hopes he might be seen as talent that could be lured to the phenom that SCW had slowly become since its inception in 2011. Gabriel looked at Python and said, "All I am asking is simple; go all out. Be yourself, do what you're known for in your territory."
Gabriel then turned his head to address the other man in the ring and the smile of brotherly affection could not be smothered as he looked at Despayre who watched him wide-eyed. He also had a hint of trouble smothering the smile that hid the laugh at Despayre's unusual choice of training gear; namely a sleeveless Grumpy Cat short with the meme "I Trained Once -- It Was Awful" imprinted on it. "And Despy?" Gabriel winked in good humor. "Do what it is that you do."
Despayre clenched his hands tightly in front of him, waist bent, and laughed as Gabriel climbed through the ropes and dropped to the floor. Another teammate, Fantasia, stood in the far corner of the ring, ready to serve as the referee for this session, a fetching and bewitching sight in her belly t printed with referee's stripes, black booty shorts and high heel boots. It was a wonder the veteran Python had the ability to tear his gaze from her comely form and to his workout opponent, but when Gabriel took the small hammer and rang the ball on the ring apron, the masked man had little choice but to focus when Despayre literally pounced on him, taking him to the mat!
A face that had not been seen in some time in Sin City Wrestling circles, Chris Shipman, wandered over towards the ring, his eyes glued towards the training session that was currently taking place inside of the squared circle, but his words were solely for his teammate that stood in the corner by the timekeeper's bell, ready to bring an end to the contest when the time came.
KORE: Python managed to throw Despayre off, ever the bundle of energy, and return to a vertical base, dazed by the assault, but Despayre was on him before he could fully recover, jumping on his back and waylaying on the masked grappler's head with one hand, while reaching around with the other and pinching his nose and calling out, "HONK! HONK!"
"Despy!" Gabriel called into the ring with a commanding tone, but also being unable to hide the chuckle at his little brother's antics. "Try to be a little more serious!"
Indeed! Hard to stress that when Despayre's antics were known well enough, and Gabriel often found himself encouraging them by his own amused reactions. Still, he knew well enough what Despayre was going to be facing in just over a week's time. Not the possibility that he could find himself in contention for the World Championship, a well deserved opportunity he and Synn both thought the little guy deserved tremendously, but the more immediate threat of facing as brutal a competitor as Lord Raab was capable of being inside -- and outside -- of the ring.
Not that Gabriel wasn't confidant that Despayre couldn't handle what was to come, and overcome it at the same given time. The game little guy was only a demure five foot seven inches in height, and weighed less than one hundred and seventy pounds, but he had an uncanny talent for handling men far larger than he was that his own teammates found challenging inside of the ring. Casey Williams was a ring giant but Despayre had faced and defeated him both in SCW as well as their original turf; the Asylum Wrestling Alliance. Goth was a noted legend in the ring, one quite lethal in his mind games and in-ring skill -- not to mention Despayre's personal "Boogey Man" for the past attack on Angel. The two met twice before, and despite the differences in size and experience, Despayre managed to overcome him. Yet where Lord Raab was concerned, it was a different story.
KORE: Python reached behind his head and grabbed Despayre by the back of the neck and his long hair and used both as handles to throw the smaller grappler over his shoulder and harshly to the mat, stunning him! Raab then attempted to drop a fist down into his prone opposition but Despayre quickly rolled out of the way and Python accidentally ended up punching the mat. Opponents, even some of Despayre's most adamant detractors, would often testify that trying to get hold of him was like trying to catch greased lightning. 'Despy' was just that damn fast, and here was some trace of evidence to the fact.
"So where's Synn?" The proverbial "lost soul" of the Seven Deadly Sins, asked Gabriel whose eyes bore into the action as Despayre slung Python into the corner of the ring and dashed in, running right up his body and back flipping to his feet. Despayre then stuck his thumbs in both ears and blew Python a raspberry, but the veteran was taking his job seriously and answered by doubling the youngster over with a boot to the midsection. Python then grabbed his arm and whipped him into the corner himself, but Despayre brought both feet up and landed a double kick that knocked him back several feet. It was then that Despayre saw the second person outside of the ring and he smiled brightly and waved.
"Hi Step Mom!" He called out, resulting in a frown from Shipman, referencing the "illicit nature" of his origin into the stable and his 'relationship' with his father Synn. It also caused Gabriel to call out, "Pay attention Despy!" but the call came too late as Python then grabbed a big handful of his hair and threw him hard to the mat face-first, swinging a clubbing double axe handle to the back! Shipman continued, "I thought he said he was going to be here."
"Something came up." Gabriel answered. "Something important."
Shipman quirked a brow and folded his arms over his chest as he watched Python inside of the ring reach down to grab Despayre, only to have Despayre quickly grab him around the head with his arms and scissor his waist with his legs. "Like a little spider trying to grapple while upside down." Gabriel thought to himself.
"More important than getting his son ready for that sick bastard Raab?" Shipman asked, and Gabriel chuckled. If a sick shit like Shipman was calling someone 'sick' as well, that spoke highly of the named individual. Chris Shipman had a reputation in the business for being one seriously fucked up son of a bitch. It was a reason why he was such a natural when it came to being a member of the Sins. Well, that and the fact Synn was completely enamored by the man's backside.
"Trust me, it's important." Gabriel said while watching Despayre retain his entanglement on the mat with KORE: Python, all the while biting the poor man's fingers and Fantasia trying to dislodge them from between the little guy's chompers.
"I thought you quit." Gabriel said as he slipped through the door of Synn's office inside of his Las Vegas home. He carefully shut the door behind him, making as little noise as possible so as not to alert the household that he was even there in the first place at such an early hour, despite the fact that he was not told why.
"Lock the door please." Synn stated from where he sat at his desk, bringing Gabriel up short before he could make a move to take one of the two vacant seats that were on the opposite side of the cherry wood desk that dominated the center of the room.
Gabriel turned around and did as asked, and with a flick of the wrist, the door was locked against any outside intrusions. This act alone alerted Gabriel to the fact something was amiss in this little meeting with his friend and mentor, as Synn never bothered to lock the door to the office. Hell, half the time he didn't even bother shutting it since more often than not, Despayre barged in whether it was open or closed to see what his father was up to at any point of the day -- and usually made the attempt (and succeeded) at wresting Synn from his business activities to go and do something more fun (in Despayre's mind at least).
Only then did Gabriel finally pull the cushioned microsuede chair, beige in color, and take a seat. His eyes were narrowed, the frown evident on his otherwise handsome facial features, as his attention was not solely rested on the man himself, but the cigarette that was resting in between his fingers and over the ceramic ash dish on the desk's surface.
Gabriel crossed his ankle over his knee and flicked his fingers towards the cigarette, saying, "After that cancer scare you had ten years ago." Mentioning an event in Synn's past that was rarely brought up, when the 'Dark Priest' of professional wrestling's physician thought there was a chance he had cancer of the lungs. Only after repeated treatments and exams was he medically cleared, never having had the deadly disease to begin with, but the scare was enough. The doctor had strongly recommended he give up the smoking habit that Synn had at one point made liberal use of, and Synn had complied.
At least until now, apparently.
"It's just one cigarette, Gabriel." Synn had a stoic tone behind his voice, one that belied the fact he was not accustomed to having his actions questioned. Although ever since he had found this new family within the members of his wrestling stable, 'The Seven Deadly Sins', that was something he had slowly been forced to acknowledge and accept, especially when Gabriel came into the fold. The magician was quite outspoken and had no qualms at calling Synn out for something he said or did that conflicted with his own personal beliefs. One key example being towards the beginning of their journey together, when Gabriel laid into Synn verbally over Synn's refusal to celebrate Christmas, and how it had affected Despayre emotionally. It was that very point that the bond was truly forced between Despayre and his 'big brother', and when Synn started to see Gabriel as something akin to an heir.
"Don't bullshit a bullshitter." Gabriel shook his head, leaning back in the chair. "That pack you had hidden beneath a stack of papers is half empty. And if it were really no big deal as you seem to think, you wouldn't have hidden them from sight."
"Maybe I just did not feel like dealing with the lectures that I knew would be coming." Synn countered.
"Yeah, like the smell isn't going to give your little habit away." Gabriel frowned, fanning the air. "Seriously, when did this start?"
Synn sighed, extending his hand to press the lit end of the cigarette down into the dish, smothering it out. He answered, "A few days ago. After we found out what that stalker was all about."
The 'stalker' in question being a man that Despayre had discovered had been following them around the "City of Sin", no matter where they were headed at the time. Say what you might about Despayre and his innocence or quirks, the boy was incredibly perceptive at the world around him and often would take notice of things that others did not, or could not. The others, namely Synn, Gabriel -- even Odette -- hadn't noticed they were being followed or watched, but according to Despayre, Angel's "sixth sense" for danger alerted him, so he alerted his dad. The rest? History.
"I take it then that it's not good news?" Gabriel asked.
"When has being watched by a private investigator ever been 'good news' Gabriel?"
"Private...?" Gabriel frowned, and Synn finished the statement, "Investigator."
"What in hell would a PI be doing watching you?" The magician asked.
Synn answered, "Seems someone is looking for me, or was looking for me." He reached for the pack of cigarettes but instead, opted to drop the pack to the desk and forego lightning up another in front of someone who clearly disapproved of the filthy habit. A true testament to how he felt about Gabriel, and his opinion. Anybody else on the proverbial "outside" would have been met with a heart felt "Fuck off!" and the cigarette would have been lit. Synn instead leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers together. There were several long, uncomfortable moments of silence that followed until Synn's green eyes met with Gabriel's...
"It's my mother." Synn finally said. "She's been looking for me."
"Y-your mother?" Gabriel almost choked. Only once in their entire past did Synn ever make mention of the woman and man that had raised his up to his teenage years when Synn absconded from their emotional abuse and left to venture out on his own and become the man that he was today. And that one conversation revealed more about the man before him than he felt he had the right to know. From physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his so-called 'parents', to abandonment and sexual abuse at the hands of 'trusted' friends afterwards. That one conversation happened clear back in the AWA, and nothing about them had been mentioned since.
"After all these years?" Gabriel shook his head, the stark disbelief evident in his tone. "What the fuck would she be doing looking for you after all of these years!?"
"Honestly?" Synn asked. "Your guess is as good as mine. But as far as I can tell, she's looking to meet with me. I don't feel anything good will come from this so I've made some preparations of my own, just in case."
Gabriel shook his head, uncomprehending, "Preparations... wait. Is that why you had Despy's mum watch him for the weekend while you went out of town?"
Synn nodded. "I do not trust this woman, whatever she wants, so I thought it best to stay one step ahead just for emergencies. But..." He sighed. "She wants to talk to me about something, so I've arranged a meeting."
"Here?" Gabriel asked, a hint of disbelief in his words. "In your own home?"
Synn sighed, "Yes, I know. Not that I am fond of the idea of her setting foot into my home, but I would rather it be on my territory as opposed to her's, or neutral." He winked. "I like to stack the deck in my favor."
Gabriel nodded, "So I've noticed." He paused, then asked, "So, wait. Is that why you arranged this sparring session with Despy? For today?"
Synn nodded, "I'm afraid so. Far be it from me to be the manipulative sort..." Gabriel snorted back a contradiction to that rather untrue statement, and Synn went on, "...and I know that you have plans with your family this evening." Synn shook his head. "I don't expect you to keep him out forever, or for you to include him in your plans. I just..."
"Want to keep his exposure to her as little as possible?" Gabriel finished his thought process for him, and Synn nodded.
"Exactly." Synn stated. "I'd rather he not set eyes on her at all, but I know that might not be the case if our business, whatever it is, isn't concluded by the time you're finished. I just feel the less he sees of her, the better so as not to have to answer any undue questions."
Gabriel shook his head, not certain what to say except for, "What ... undue questions are you talking about? You told Despy and myself a few years back what your folks put you through. Despy's a smart lad. We don't give him nearly enough credit."
"True," Synn started to reply. "I just..." But he was interrupted by the fast free fall of hurried footsteps headed down the hall and to the office door, resulting in...
*THUD!*
"Ow!" They heard Despayre cry out from the other side of the closed office door. So often was he used to just being allowed to enter whenever he felt the desire, he clearly was not prepared for that door to be locked. What a ridiculous concept, amIright?
Synn and Gabriel shared a light hearted smile, and the father called out, "Joshua? Are you alright?"
"Something's wrong with your door!" Came the reply.
"That's because it's locked."
"Oh. Just a sec." Synn frowned at what his son could possibly mean, but Gabriel had a fairly good idea when he saw the door handle on their side start to wriggle, then the lock turned and the door was swung open.
"There we go!" Despayre bounded into the room, holding his nose! "That's better!"
Gabriel was fighting to restrain the smile on his face, and doing so without much success, as he asked, "Are you alright Despy?"
"Yep!" Despayre called aloud, wrapping both of his arms around Gabriel in his usual warm greeting, giving a good squeeze, then let go. He turned to his father, wide eyed, and said, "Boy! It's a good thing I came along when I did! You mighta been entombed in your own office!"
"Indeed?" Synn nodded, knowing it was usually best to just agree with his son, fulfilling his childlike fancies. "I am glad you're up, Joshua. I've arranged a little training session for you, to help get you ready for Lord Raab."
"Aw there's no need for that." Despayre waved off Synn's concern. "I am ready!"
"Well as much as I can appreciate your confidence, I still feel it warranted." Synn stated in a matter-of-fact tone that told his son there was little to no room for debate. "And as I had some business to take care of today, I asked Gabriel if he would lend a hand."
Despayre fidgeted, clearly not sold on the idea. Sparring or training sessions were never his idea of a fun time. There were so many other ways to have a good time. He clasped his hands and rocked from side to side and said, "Gee, I dunno. I had planned on watching the DVR of the Democratic debate today..."
"Got a bit of a crush on Hillary there, Despy?" Gabriel quipped.
"No." Despayre shook his head. "I just -- NO!" He gave Gabriel a playful glare. "I just like to stay informed, man of the world such as I am."
"We can go to lunch after if you do good?" Gabriel offered.
That gave Despayre pause. The offer to hang out with his buddy Gabriel, AND have lunch afterwards? He was clearly deep in thought and his eyes shifted to the right to give Gabriel a sidelong glance.
"Panda Express?"
"Is there any other place?"
"Gimme ten minutes!" And Despayre turned and bolted out of the office to go retrieve Angel from wherever he was adventuring, and of course he'd probably need his ring gear! Gabriel then turned back to Synn and both men's faces had now lost all traces of the humor that Despayre seemed to instill in whomever he was around at the time.
"Thank you, Gabriel." Synn said simply, not the easiest of things for this man to say.
"Sounds serious." Shipman observed while inside of the ring, Python used some strength to dead lift Despayre up from the mat and he just dumped the smaller man down hard to the mat. Python then grabbed Despayre and hauled him up from the canvas and draped his throat over the middle rope with a knee buried into the back of his neck, forcibly choking him out!
Shipman asked, "Isn't he being a little rough on Despy?"
Gabriel answered, "That's the point, Chris. Synn knows damn well that Raab isn't going to go easy on our boy, so he didn't want his sparring partner to do so either."
"He paid someone to beat up his son." Shipman smirked. "That's sick, even for me."
Gabriel turned his head slightly to simply look at Shipman, as if to silently inform his teammate that this was indeed not the case. "Hardly." He finally spoke. "It's no different than any other training match he's put him through, or myself for that matter. The whole point is for the opponent to try to win, after all. He just wants Despy to be ready for whatever Raab might throw at him."
"Think it would have been better if one of us had been in there to help Desp." Shipman countered, watching as Python's rough house tactics went into over drive, the very reason why Synn had sought out and hired the man in the first place. Python grabbed two handfuls of Despayre's waist-length hair and used it as a handle to drive the smaller man into the corner face-first. Shipman went on, saying, "If that's what Synn wanted, someone rough to train Despy, toughen him up a little more, then rage or I could have..."
"Well that's the point, isn't it?" Gabriel interrupted. "You two would have been ideal. No two sicker sons a bitches..."
"SWEAR JAR!" Gabriel and Shipman turned their heads to the ring and both admittedly smiled. Even while getting his butt handed to him, only 'their Despy' would have called someone out for cursing within ear shot.
Gabriel turned back to Shipman and went on, "You two are the two sickest ... SOBs, I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, but rough as you are, you both know damn well what Despy means to Synn." He paused, then added, "To all of us. So deep down you wouldn't have wanted to hurt him, and you would have pulled back, whether you want to admit it or not."
"And you don't think this joker is going to go easy on Despy?" Shipman asked, nodding to the inside of the ring where Python was throwing clubbing lefts and rights, boxing Despayre's head as the smaller man used his forearms to try and shield himself.
"Oh I don't doubt he will, at least to some degree." Gabriel stated. "He doesn't want to risk his pay check or actually hurt Despy, but he's also not going to go easy on him as we would. Raab won't, so Synn wants to make sure Despy's skin is extra thick for this one."
Despayre then shot his hands forward and grabbed KORE: Python by the mask and dragged him around into the corner, reversing their positions. Despayre doubled up both fists and buried them into Python's midsection, doubling him over and then started wind milling his fists down into the back of the head and neck of the masked wrestler!
Gabriel turned to Shipman with a proud and confidant smile, "Besides, do you doubt this little fireplug can take care of himself?"
Shipman snorted back as Despayre grabbed Python by the mask and sunk his teeth into his head!
Synn sat at his desk, and truth be told, he had not moved since Gabriel had left with Despayre. His elbows were propped up on the surface of the desk, and his fingers were currently mangling a paperclip into an unrecognizable shape. The computer screen was shut off, as he had long ago forsaken any attempts to get any actual work accomplished, what with this business currently hanging over his head. The lunch that Theresa had brought him earlier remained untouched. His mind was simply an entanglement of issues thought buried long ago. This situation came from out of nowhere, something like when Despayre's mother, Margaret, returned to his life two years ago. And although that situation ended up with a pleasant outcome, Synn had a deep suspicion that this one would not.
His thought process was cut off by a light knock on the office door, and it opened just enough for Theresa to step halfway inside.
"Synn?" She said with a hint of concern in her tone of voice. "She's here."
Synn frowned. He hadn't even heard the door bell, so intent was he on remembering all of the reasons why he absolutely abhorred this woman that gave him life. Something in his face and eyes must have spoke volumes to the friend and housekeeper as she silently pushed the door open further and stepped aside, and a petite woman stepped into the door frame. Ethel Winters.
Despite his age, despite his animosity, laying eyes on this woman immediately caused Synn's heart to plummet into his stomach -- and most certainly not in the good way.
He remembered how in his youth, he had loved her, or at least thought he did. But seeing her now, the anger just bubbled up like a pot boiling over. She looked the same as he had remembered, but older. It had been nearly three decades after all, since he last laid eyes on the woman. She was short, roughly Theresa's own height, and her frame was frailer and hair a snow white. He had admittedly lost track, but he would have to roughly estimate her age at being somewhere in the vicinity of ... seventy three? Seventy four perhaps?
"Rowan." She said in a crisp voice, the green eyes he had inherited from her staring at him. Age aside, she remained calm and cool in such an uncomfortable situation, and her back stayed straight and her head held high. That same righteousness fervor that he had always abhorred on the part of her and her husband, his father.
But of course she wouldn't know about the distaste for his Christian name, nor the fact he never went by it, nor allowed anyone else to call him it. He said simply, "Hello Mother."
"Don't I even get a hug?" She held her arms out in a gesture of an olive branch being offered, but all Synn could do was snort through his nose in disbelief and smile.
He said, "A bit late for an emotional family reunion, isn't it?"
Panda Express
"Having a spot of trouble there, Despy?" Gabriel asked from their booth where he and Despayre were joined for lunch by Shipman, who was yet disgruntled that the fast food Chinese place did not serve poodle in a noodle -- whatever that was. Gabriel was referencing the comedic sight of Despayre hunched over the table, his head dangling over his plate, and a large portion of chow mein noodles dangling from his lips to the plate, attempting to 'slurp' them all into his mouth at once.
Despayre looked up through his eyebrows and Gabriel took that to mean a silent "Help!" from his little brother, so he reached into his jacket pocket and took out a small pair of scissors and proceeded to snip away at the noodles until one half of the mound fell back to the plate, allowing Despayre to continue to chew for what seemed an eternity on his end.
Finally, he swallowed what had to be an uncanny amount and gasped for air. "Thanks! Thought I was in trouble there for a moment!"
Gabriel winked, Despayre's antics never unexpected but still always a surprise. The meal continued in moderate silence, Despayre pausing every now and then to look at the high chair where Angel was seated with his own rice and Beijing beef bowl (did you actually expect Angel not to dine!?) and lecture his buddy on finishing his food so he can stay strong for the usual nightly battles with shadow beasties.
"So..." Shipman started to say, shoveling a fork full of sweet fire chicken into his gaping maw. "Raab?"
Despayre nodded silently. "Yeah. Dad and Gabriel here told me about it last week." He frowned. "Not sure why, but meh." He shrugged. "I woulda rather teamed with Rage for a match, but I'm not worried."
"Really?" Gabriel smiled, already knowing his buddy was brimming with confidence. "Raab isn't an easy person to face. That's why your dad was working you to the bone, and had this rough guy to train with today."
"Pttthhh!" Despayre blew a raspberry, accidentally sending rice spittling across the table. He blinked, "Sorry." And he started to do as Theresa would have wanted him to do, and he took a napkin and started to wipe it up. "Raab is a toughie, but I think I've wrestled tougher. Casey for one. And Goth!"
"Goth is a tough son of a..." Shipman glanced up at Despayre who stared hard at him, and he sighed. "gun."
Despayre nodded, satisfied at the correction, and said, "Way to go Step-Mom!"
Gabriel had to put his soda down to keep from laughing, and resulting in choking, at Despayre's repeated use of the affectionate nickname for Chris Shipman. He watched as Shipman's narrowed eyes return to normal and they returned to their topic of conversation.
"So you're going to win against Raab, right?" Gabriel asked, and Despayre nodded eagerly.
"Yup! I'm going to beat him!"
"And what about the big match?" Shipman added.
Despayre was about to take another heaping mouthful of his meal when he paused, wide eyed. "That is my big match."
Shipman said, "No, I'm talking about the main event. The gauntlet. You're going to win that too, right?"
Slowly, Despayre set his fork back down on his plate and it was evident to the two men eating lunch with him that this was not a topic the little guy had hoped would be brought up. He started to play with the still wrapped fortune cookie on his tray and shrugged with indifference.
"I dunno."
"What do you mean?" Gabriel asked. "Anyone can enter the gauntlet, and you'd like to be the best, wouldn't you?"
"I am the best!" Despayre said hotly. "Dad says so!"
"And he's right." Gabriel smiled. "But winning the match against Raab, and walking out as the world champion would just make it official."
Again, Despayre shrugged. "I don't like singles matches though. I only do them `cause I have to for now. I;d rather be in tag teams."
"We know." Gabriel nodded.
Despayre went on, "And if I won the main event, wouldn't I hafta defend the title?"
Shipman scoffed, "That is the general idea."
Despayre turned and leaned over to whisper to Angel, "Told ya." He then sat back up and shook his head, "I'm afraid I won't be able to do that anyway."
"And why is that?"
Despayre sighed dramatically, and rolled his eyes. "Because..." He said in a sing song voice. "It's like I told dad: it's not JUST a world title, but a world HEAVYWEIGHT title! I only weigh a hundred and sixty eight pounds! What's a heavyweight?"
Shipman answered, "About two thirty five and over."
Despayre held a hand out to Shipman, as if to silently say "See?"
"Not helping 'Stepmom'." Gabriel quipped, drawing a stare from Shipman. Gabriel then tried reasoning and said, "It might be called a heavyweight title, but there's no official set weight limit on it. Guys under two thirty five have held it. Simon Jones for one. Drake Green, even Kevin Carter."
"Kevin Carter doesn't count." Despayre declared.
"And why not?"
Despayre shrugged, "He's a weenie."
Shipman looked at Gabriel and smirked, "Makes sense to me. Man loses his title both times on his first defense and leaves both times because of it?" He scoffs and goes back to stabbing his meal with his fork, "Man should be stricken from the record books."
Gabriel sighed, "My point is... that anyone is allowed to chase the title, whether they make weight or not. And just imagine what it would mean." He playfully gave Despayre a nudge on the arm. "You and me both having won that title."
Despayre started to look thoughtful and he mumbled, "Well...."
Gabriel knew he was getting through to the little guy and added, "Greatest tag team in SCW history, also the greatest world heavyweight champions in history?"
"That would be kinda cool..." Despayre admitted, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "But first I have to beat Raab! And I will!"
Shipman prodded, "And then you'll win the world title?"
"Wellllll...." Despayre drew on dramatically. "I'll make you a deal!"
"A deal." Shipman frowned. "What kind of deal?"
Despayre looked back and forth between his two dining companions, then said brightly, "If I can make weight by the time of the show, I'll win the world championship!"
"Make wei..." Shipman stammered, and Gabriel finished his line of thought, "Despy, that's over sixty pounds!"
"I guess I best get back to training!" And by training, he of course meant digging into his chow! Chow mein that is! (HA!) After all, that was one of the reasons why Panda Express was his favorite place to dine. Not only was the food delicious with a capital YUM! -- but Angel said it was a great way to make weight for spectator sports! Just look at the sumo! Though Despayre was quite sure he didn't want to put on THAT much weight!
Gabriel turned to Shipman and sighed, "I guess at this rate his grandma will be gone by..."
"Gramma!?" Despayre dropped his fork and almost spilled his drink. "Gramma is home!?" He jumped up from his chair and snatched Angel, and took off for the door. "Well why didn't you say so!? LET'S GO!!"
Gabriel closed his eyes at his little slip of the tongue, "Shit..."
"What do you want, mother?" Synn demanded, towering over the woman standing in the door and she sighed, gesturing toward the chair.
"May I sit?"
Synn exhaled sharply through his nose, but somehow he felt he should at the very least offer that small bit of comfort. He gestured to the chair and with the use of a cane, Ethel Winters took her first step into the office and approached the chair. Synn had not even noticed the cane at first, not until that moment. Her hand showed her true age physically, wrinkled skin and obviously arthritic, as she drew out her seat and lowered herself into it. Once settled, she took a moment's pause to collect herself before she asked, "You knew you were under watch?"
"I've known for weeks." Synn stated simply.
"How?"
Synn smiled and leaned forward, elbow on the desk and he answered, "Mother, here's a word of advice if I may? When you hire a private investigator? Hire a competent professional!"
Weeks ago....
Centennial Hills Park
The sun was setting over the sky, blanketing the heavens in colorful hues of pinks, oranges, yellows and deepening purples. It had been Despayre's turn to decide what to do, and surprisingly, he had asked if the entire family could go for a walk in the park and just enjoy the cool, crisp air. Everyone had agreed, from Gabriel and Odette with their baby, to Margaret and Victoria, and even Rage joined in with his brother Phil at his side. They walked the trails that weaved in and around the entire park, savoring this moment of pure relaxation as they passed a large row of hedge bushes.
Despayre called out, "Marco!"
And from the bushes emanated, "Polo! ... DAMN IT!"
Synn shrugged, "So after he was confronted, he pretty much sang like a bird and told me everything." He nodded, and she could tell that her son was openly mocking her. "Lack of professional morals, that one has."
"And you would know, I'm sure." Ethel bit back. That caused a frown from the man across from her, and she looked up through her glasses and she spoke again, "Your father died."
Okay, didn't see that coming.
Silence followed this declaration by Ethel, as she watched for her son's reaction -- any reaction -- but all he did was stare at her, his fingers still twisting away at the paper clip. She fidgeted, then a frown creased her wrinkled brow and she repeated, "I said your father has passed away."
"I heard you." Synn finally broke the uncomfortable silence between them. "I was just waiting to see if this was the moment where I was supposed to respond with some form of human emotion."
"That is a very unkind and disrespectful thing to say!" Ethel declared crossly. "He was your father!"
"No." Synn contradicted her. "He was a sperm donor. He lost all right to call himself a father the day he first laid a hand to me."
Ethel accepted this gauntlet and she said, "You shoved the man down the basement stairs after he attempted to defend me when you assaulted me!"
"I shoved you." Synn rose to the challenge, the feelings of animosity already rising to the surface between the pair. "And I only did so after you had once again tried to take a belt to me!"
"Honor thy Mother and thy Father!" Ethel finally did what Synn was waiting for. She was a devout Christian, as was his now late father. If you asked him, he would tell you that his parents were religious zealouts to such a degree that they made Carrie's mother look like a sorority girl in a late night HBO flick! "Spare the rod, spoil the child!"
Synn flicked the mangled paper clip to the desk surface and shook his head, "Oh Christ..."
Ethel barked, "Do not use the Lord's name in vain!"
Synn jumped to his feet, "Do not dictate to me in my own HOUSE!"
This outburst made Ethel Winters clearly flinch back and her already pale skin blanched. Until this moment she had not realized the full extent of her estranged son's growth in both physical stature as well as commanding presence. As others who have grown to know him over the years, Synn was downright frightening when he was angry, and he was clearly angry right at this very moment. He never wanted this meeting. He never wanted to lay eyes on this woman again, and the fact she had the sheer gall to attempt to preach to him and give him orders in the walls of his own house?
"Where is she!?"
Whatever Synn was about to follow up with was swiftly cut short at the sound of Despayre from inside of the house. Damn it! He hadn't even realized the time and had believed without much hope that this awkward situation would be done and buried by the time his son had finished his training session and before he was returned home. The office door swung open with a loud clatter, startling Ethel, and Despayre ran into the room, wide eyes looking around eagerly.
"Where's my gramma!?"
"Is ... is this your son?" Ethel whispered as she laid eyes on her grandson for the first time. For the first time she realized and understood that she was a grandmother. Despayre's eyes turned to her and he blinked in surprise at the 'new person' seated in his dad's office, and she brought her hands up slowly, "Oh sweety, I'm right here!"
But the moment she extended her hands toward him, Despayre took a hasty step back, almost tripping against the mini fridge that was stationed against the wall. His breathing deepened, quick paced, as new faces did not settle well with him.
He shook his head, "No. No, you're not my gramma."
"Technically? She is." Synn said simply. "Joshua, this is Ethel Winters. She's my mother."
"Oh!" Despayre turned back from getting confirmation from his dad, and once again looked over Ethel, the woman who he had just learned was family. He waved his hand. "Hi!"
"Well?" Ethel smiled and held her arms out to him. "Doesn't your grandmother get a hug?"
"Nope!" Despayre shook his head and dashed right back out of the office, leaving Synn with a proud smile on his face, and Ethel looking quite startled, and perhaps even a tad insulted.
She slowly sat back down into the chair, having known nothing of Despayre or his antics and what caused them in his own past. She pursed her lips and said, "How rude. I can see he's your son through and through."
Synn slowly took his own seat once again and a single inquiring eyebrow rose on his forehead and she continued, "What is wrong with him? A young man at that age, carrying a teddy bear? Is he afflicted mentally...?"
"Don't..." Synn held up a forefinger. "... finish that thought." He leaned back in his chair and went on, addressing the woman opposite him. "Not that it's any of your business, but Joshua has had a problematic past that has caused him to grow into the fine young man you just saw." Before she could interrupt him, Synn rose his voice, "And despite what you might want here?" He shook his head. "I have no interest what so ever in you walking back into my life and upsetting the balance of what I have accomplished in saving him from what might have been!"
"You?" Ethel's own eyebrows rose in mock disbelief. "What you accomplished?" She shook her head. "Arrogance! Whatever happened to help that boy, and I admit I know nothing of that, was not your doing! That was all the work of the Lord working through you!"
Synn bit back a laugh, but scoffed openly and said, "Yes, well... you should have seen him when the Lord had Joshua all to Himself."
Ethel frowned deeply at the sacrilegious statement from her own flesh and blood, but before she could say anything scathing toward him for using such words in reference to their Lord and Savior, Synn cut her off and said, "So why is it exactly that you're here? It can't simply be because of your husband's death. Unless, what is it? Money? You want me to help pay for funeral expenses? because if that's the case, you may as well just wrap him in a garbage bag and set him out on trash day."
"How DARE...!?" She started to sputter! "No! I do not want or need your money to pay for your dear father's funeral!"
"Well then," Synn said, standing back up. "I think that being settled, our business here is finished." He walked around to the office door and called out, "Theresa?"
Moments passed and the housekeeper, who was obviously nearby for the sake of her employer needing something during this uncomfortable situation he had found himself in. "Yes?"
"Show my mother out, if you would be so kind?" Synn went back around the room as Ethel slowly stood up, shooting daggers at him with her eyes.
"Is that all you have to say after wasting my time?" She demanded.
"No." Synn say down and pointed at the door. "Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out."
"Okay, now THIS is going to be exciting!"
"Hi! It's me! No, not Despayre. And it's not Synn either. You'll have to excuse me for stepping in here for this one, but as you probably saw, Synn's not in much of a sociable mood, so it's best that I handle this little portion of your regularly scheduled promo'ing."
"My Bloody Valentine II is fast approaching, and my bestest buddy Despayre is scheduled to go up against Lord Raab, a guy that most people are saying is one of the most dangerous individuals to have ever set foot inside of an SCW ring, or a wrestling ring -- period! That's all well and good, and I bet he's feeling pretty confidant about himself right about now. Well I'm afraid that I am going to have to bring him down from his pedestal and ease his woeful case of the "Me Me Me's"."
"Is Lord Raab a dangerous fella? Sure! We've all seen what he is capable of doing when inside of the ring against any normal individual! And has he been successful? Oh you bet! World Champion! One of the longest reigning Roulette Champions! But, and I'm sure you are all well aware, the fella he's got this time is anything BUT normal ... and I mean that in the best way possible!"
"Raab likes to beat down on his opponents, and loves nothing more than a good fight. Well bravo! Good for him! But see, the thing is that this match has rules, and in a match with rules, that sets limits on what Raab will be capable of doing in order to succeed. Not that he would if there were no rules, I'm just sayin'! My pal Despayre is as good a fighter as anyone! I mean, have you seen the matches he's had with guys like Goth? Despy may be a good deal smaller than the vast majority of the roster, but when the chips are down and he feels in danger, Despayre will fight like a wild animal to beat you down and walk away the winner. If you want to pull out the short cuts and choke and gouge? Well he's capable of doing the exact same thing -- only he looks a lot cuter when doing so. Despayre has thrown punches and pulled hair. he kicks and scratches! hey! Whatever it takes to survive!"
"But... he has also been trained in the ring by the very best, and that gives him an added advantage going against a monster like Raab. ... Monster? Do I have that right? When I think 'monster', I don't think a guy of Raab's average wrestling stature. Oh well! Back to business! Despayre might not be the greatest scientific wrestler on the planet, but he can work the mat when all is said and done, which is a lot more than can be said for Raab, a guy that thinks a good fight equals a quality grappler. But where Despy really excels is when he goes to the air!"
"Some call him reckless, while others call it death defying. Despayre has an unorthodox style inside of the ring that is going to put him head and shoulders above what Raab is capable of! Just like others have said time and again, Despy is capable of absolutely anything inside of the ring. We've often seen it, and still those poor simps think just because he's small, he'll be easy pickings! Ask the guys who are two or three times his size what it felt like when Despy stood over them victorious, huh? That could be you, Raab. Actually, that will be you! Your path back to the top of the ladder will have hit a broken rung, and you're going to get sent plummeting back to the very bottom once a little fire cracker by the name of Despayre is finished with you!"
"Good things come in small packages, and that makes Despy the very best!"
"And speaking the top of the ladder, that brings us to the big main event of the evening! Now while there are plenty of other good matches that could be main events, how can you possibly go wrong with a match to fill the vacant world championship? A match that anyone and everyone (so long as you're a dude!) can participate in?"
"A gauntlet match! We've seen them before, the first Supercard in SCW history, and used to fill the first ever world championships, Superstars and Bombshells! Now being signed again to crown the newest Superstar who will stand atop the mountain, and who is that man going to be? Yep! You guessed it! My buddy Despayre! After all, he's the King of SCW, and who better to stand atop the mountain, looking down at his kingdom and all he rules over? Oh I imagine that there are probably a lot of other guys who think they are going to walk away with this one."
"Ben Jordan, think he has a chance? Of course he does! The man is the Icon of ACW, and has been their Grand Slam Champion, so if anyone else would be capable of winning this, it would be him. Only one catch; he's Cockney, and I think it's against the rules for imaginary fellas to win the SCW title. Sorry Ben!"
"Can the ghastly Brother Grimm win the world title? Will he even try? Well even if he does try, it'll be impossible for him to win. Why you may ask? Because of the whole "good versus evil" thing. Good always wins, and since Grimm is evil, it's obvious that he is predestined to lose."
"If Casey Williams is in the gauntlet, he's the best odds size-wise, but that's also going to work against him. The biggest guys always get ganged up on, and when you have the entire roster working together to eliminate you? Zoop! You're out!"
"CJ Sharpe? Same guy who attacked our pal, J2H? Psht! Yeah, good one! Moving on!"
"How about Connor Murphy? If he's in the gauntlet, he stands a good chance at lasting awhile, although he won't win -- because Despayre is going to! He's a world tag team champion for now, and that's where his mind might be focused. he likes a fight though so I'd love to see him jump into this fracas!"
"Eric Steel? See CJ Sharpe. Though even CJ has a better chance than Eric does and that is saying a lot!"
"Goth? Now THERE'S a guy that's going to be a threat in this one! Triple Crown champion, and a guy who Despayre has had his share of run ins with over the years! He's Despayre's personal nemesis, or was, but suffice to say his tenacity and experience is going to put him right on the edge of victory -- right up until Despayre scores another win!"
"J2H is our pal and I don't want to see him up against Despayre! Those two faced each other once before, for Despayre's Internet title, and those two boys tore the house down! One of the first and only time limit draws in SCW history, and a Match of the Year candidate! That is what happened once before, and if it comes down to those two again, we'll get to see it once again! Only this time there won't be the possibility of seeing another draw. There would have to be a winner and with the chips down, that winner is going to be Despayre! It just HAS to!"
"We haven't seen much of Joshua Acquin, but I bet he'll be interested in this one. Pity he came back after all this time just to lose the big one."
"Lord Raab? We've already covered him, but here's a refresher course. The fact is that in a match like this, a fighter like Raab will excel because that's exactly what this will be: a fight! But he's not fighting one on one. he's going to be up against the entire roster and eventually, even a brawler like he could be overwhelmed. And let's face it: after he'll already have been defeated by Despy, his spirit will have been broken and there's just no way that he'll have been able to forge ahead in so short a time to win this."
"Rage. This one I don't want to see. I mean, does anyone want to see Rage versus Despayre!? I know I sure don't! Who wants to see two teammates fight!? Moving on!"
"Ahhh! Sean Jackson! Our old 'pal'! The man who thought he could use me to get to Despy! Well I admit things didn't go entirely according to plan, but also in a sense, they did. You go right on thinking you got the best of us, because when the chips are down, and if you show your face for this one, it'll be OUR turn to force feed you a piece of humble pie!"
"Simon Jones will probably want to get in on this to try and regain the championship he held before. Hey Simon! Let someone else have a crack at it!"
"Steve Ramone has a chance for the Roulette title early in the night, and if I hafta be honest? he's my pick to walk away as the new Roulette champion. He's ben here a long time and I dare say he deserves it? But if he thinks he's going to use that win to catapult himself to the main event and walk out a double champion? Uh uh! Sorry Steve! But if the rest of the roster doesn't toss you out on your caboose first, then Despayre sure will!"
"Tim Staggs... that poor kid! What he must be going through! He has to worry about defending his title because he has to be supportive of Connor, but to THINK that he's the focus of that dastardly Brother Grimm! I'm afraid I may have to intervene on that scenario, if pressed. I can't stand idly by and watch a poor kid like Tim be the target of evil! But even if he is successful in his defense, and moves on to give the world title a whirl, what'll happen if he gets caught in the ring against Brother Grimm? *shudders*"
"You know they say save the best for last, but for Travis Nathaniel Andrews, we can make an exception. He's got a shot at gold early like Steve Ramone and others do, but he has this over bloated sense of self worth that I just can't get past. Oh he's good, don't get me wrong! Far be it from me to poo poo a fella's sense of self but -- poo poo. I hope that he doesn't enter the gauntlet. Not because I'm afraid he has a chance against Despy, but I just hate to see him go down the drain twice in one evening! ... was that harsh?"
"Well will you listen to me? Rambling on like this was some kind of wrestling promo? It was fun while it lasted, but now that I've said what I have to say, we can return to your regularly scheduled RPing...."
"Here ya go!" Despayre called, days later from where we met last, as he darted into his father's office with a handful of envelopes. "I got the mail!"
"Christ, Joshua." Synn shook his head as he held out his hand and accepted the offering. "It looks like that's the whole neighborhood's mail."
"Nope!" Despayre shook his head, then smiled with pride as he held up the mail carrier's sack, showing evidence of a struggle, due to the natural clashes between he and their mailman. "This is!"
Synn closed his eyes, all too familiar that the good natured mailman put up with whatever reasoning Despayre had for tormenting the poor, older man. "Joshua..." He started to say, but then the door bell rang.
"Oops!" Despayre stood upright, eyes bright. "That's probably the mailman wanting this back!" And he did an immediate U-turn and dashed back out to finish his play so the mailman could finish his route!
Shaking his head at the lad's antics, Synn started to rifle through the envelopes, muttering, "Bill... bill... you may already be a winner...." He then paused as he came across an envelope from a local law firm here in Las Vegas. Not one of high particular standing, but familiar none the same.
setting the rest of the mail down, he slid the envelope open with the letter opener and slipped the legal form out and his eyes started to scan the contents ... and the more he read, the redder his face started to grow. His knuckles grew white with tension until...
"Son of a FUCKING BITCH!!!!" He practically roared in a rage not seen ever in the walls of this house!
Having been nearby in the kitchen, it was only moments later that Theresa had hurried into the office, breathless and wide eyed at the outburst!
"What is it!?" She questioned. "What's wrong!?"
"It's my ... mother!" Synn spat! He glanced up at her and Theresa was shocked to the core at seeing tears in the man's eyes, tears born of pure and unadulterated anger. "She's demanding custody of Joshua!"
</td>
</td>