Book 1: Silent Shadow
Chapter 9: Silent
~Part 1~
A plume of smoke rushes towards the ceiling as the sound of sizzling, frying grains fills the tiny kitchen. The flame is heavy, the pan moving about, grains of Jasmine rice sliding about, and then comes the name plat, the fish sauce; Poured atop the other ingredients like a rain storm, tinting the quick frying food in an amber color. Under normal circumstances, the dish would not have taken this long, it was quick and easy for a reason – the egg was the hardest part before, still was – but that was because it was normally prepared for one. Now it was being cooked for three.
It was unusual, to say the least, for Lucy to entertain guests. She stayed at Rachel’s small home USA home in Tampa, even smaller than a ranch style house, was just within the zoning limits to be considered part of the small Tampa neighborhood, but just far enough out of the way to not be a hotbed of activity. It was prime real estate, who didn’t want to own property just a short walk from the beach? A beach that, more often than not, was occupied by wind surfers and people stuck in the nineties and military men and women on leave from the nearby base.
Needless to say, for as long as Lucy stayed there, she hadn’t made the quick journey down to the beach; far too crowded, not a good place for her unusual workouts. Most of the time she was on different islands, because her gym was there and Rachel and Claude were there too. Russia and South Carolina were more homes to her than any place else, despite living there usually around a few days, give or take.
Claude: Damn it’s going to be so good!
And speaking of Rei and Claude, it was their presence here that facilitated the need for three portions instead of the paltry one. Claude, guided by the smell, was now standing in the doorway of the kitchen, watching Lucy walk about, tending to pans and minding heat. It took a moment for the silent superstar to even register that someone had spoken, but to be fair, Lucy was in the middle of cooking shrimp, and that was a very delicate procedure.
And the shrimp were expensive. Spare no expense for guests.
Claude: Are you sure you don’t need any help?
Claude remained in the doorway, his voice sweet with concern. Lucy couldn’t blame him, years of caring after a special woman and now that someone else was doing something as simple as meal prep it was…difficult to let it go. In response, Lucy took her eyes off the flames and gave an assuring nod to Claude.
Claude: Still not talking?
Claude couldn’t, or possibly didn’t, want to simply return to waiting in the living room watching non-cable television, meaning the news, and was thus determined to carry on a conversation in lieu of aiding in cooking. It was minor, but as far as Claude was concerned it was helpful in its own way and better than the alternative. Even the most patient and saintly of people could only take constant questions from a woman rediscovering the ability to speak after all.
Lucy returned to the jasmine rice and the various ingredients, now adding shrimp to the mix, jumbo shrimp with their tails still attached. Lucy was told they had been deveined properly and it was too late now to check. Claude’s question was met with a strange hybrid of a shrug and a nod, as if she was still considering the question herself.
Why was she still being quiet?
Like it or not, silence had become just as much a part of her as breathing. Both in private and public lives, people knew her specifically because of her silence. A living, walking example of the old cliché of ‘it’s the quiet ones you have to watch’. Granted, that cliché is usually used when interviewing a witness to a psychotic murderer so it may not have been apt. Then again, Lucy was certainly, in her mind, murdering the competition. ‘Controversial’ foibles of late aside.
She had gone over a decade without uttering a word. It sounded strange to do so now.
And by remaining silent.
Claude: Well alright, I’ll leave you to it.
Claude understood, she was impeding, she had to get out of the mindset of a singular care taker and into the mind of a guest.
Claude: Thank you, again, for this. It really does smell wonderful.
That would be the scent of the nam pla, it did have a way of making the dish pop.
It wouldn’t be much longer now; Though as Lucy was starting the finishing touches, final seasonings, lowering the flames, she let out a sigh of disbelief. This wasn’t how she expected the day to end. It had been Claude’s idea, the events of earlier. But it was Rachel who brought them all home, so to speak.
And Rachel couldn’t say no to Claude. Not anymore.
~Part 2~
It started, of course, because Lucy was upset. It was difficult for her to get upset about much of anything, so used to smiling and being positive was she, but in the wake of recent events, how could she be anything but upset over the ‘statement’ she had released. Of course she should’ve asked for Lucia to let her look over it before making it public; now she just seemed rude and disaffected, which would only add fuel to the still-burning fire.
Then again, the confrontation after the match against Alexis and Amy most likely would’ve happened regardless of anything, statement or not. Some people just couldn’t let things end. Some people are so used to getting their way that when it doesn’t, they can’t place the blame on themselves. Everyone looks for a scapegoat, and what better one than someone you couldn’t take down a peg.
Regardless, Lucia’s statement was not how she would have phrased it, and as such she needed to take her mind off things; things that had been bothering her ever since then. Lucy was letting herself be swayed, letting herself fall victim to the sorry excuses for mind games. Unacceptable.
What she needed to do was simply ignore it all, as always. She didn’t have anything to prove that hadn’t already been proven, all things pass in time. But she needed something, anything, to get her mind off of things. Because as Lucy sat at home, mindlessly flipping through basic cable looking for something other than daytime talkshows to watch, all she could think about was work. The hounds nipping at her heels, baring their fangs and marking their territory.
The television clicked off as yet another show about infidelity and irresponsible pregnancies switched on and Lucy sighed. How boring. Ever since her gym closed she had found herself spending more time in her house. Various gymnastics awards were hanging on the walls, framed certificates and photos, trophies hidden behind a glass case normally used for fine china; there were elements of Lucy’s passions in the décor. But still, she never truly felt at ease in her own place. That’s the price one pays for constant travel.
As if in response to Lucy’s boredom, a knock came at her front door. A package, probably, it was about time for the mail. That was always a hassle, the delivery guy never seemed to believe her when she nodded that she was Lucy Seraphina; thank the government for identification.
Sam: Lucy, hello!
What Lucy didn’t expect was to see Sam’s smiling face at her door. And next to him was the smiling Mel, who also greeted the stunned silent Lucy.
We were in the area and thought we would drop by…
Sam went on to explain, though why they were in the area was beyond Lucy; probably a tourist thing for Mel’s benefit, to show her Tampa now that she could comment and understand things better.
Sam: We’d understand if you couldn’t, on short notice and all, but if you’d like to join us we’d be happy to have you.
Lucy looked from Sam to Mel and back before shrugging her shoulders. Surely anything they had planned would be better than anything Lucy had wanted to do that day, which at the moment was take a nap and try the television later when the sun went down. At least this way she would be out of the house, get some light exercise done as well.
And above all, it would give her something else to focus on other than her creeping mortality in the wrestling world.
So Lucy nodded at the request, as no doubt Sam suspected would happen all along. Holding up a finger, the symbol for waiting, Lucy returned inside, leaving her guests on the doorstep – whether that was rude or not was beyond the point. Five minutes later, Lucy returned in a new outfit, shorts and a plain blue sleeveless shirt, and stepped outside, locking the door behind her.
Mel: So…how about the beach?
Lucy quickly shook her head no in rapid succession, there were plenty of destinations and the beach was low on her list.
Yeah, you’re probably right, Lucy. I didn’t bring a suit anyway.
Sam: Why don’t we get something to snack on and we can form a plan? I’m sure Lucy knows the local hotspots…
She didn’t, but she nodded as if she did anyway. It would be less complicated that way. With Lucy taking the lead, the three of them set out on their little tourist journey through the sleepy hamlet, a little slice of Florida paradise.
Of course, the presence of them only took Lucy’s mind off of her professional problem only to replace it with the lingering problem of her own guilty conscious. One day, perhaps even today, she’d have to come clean, speaking of dealing with consequences.
But until that moment came, all Lucy could do was smile. Smile and pretend everything was wonderful. After years of doing exactly that, even Lucy was able to fool herself.
~Part 3~
Maybe it’s my own fault, but I thought if I did what I did it would mark the end of this war. But I guess I was wrong. I’m dealing with it but for now I can’t even speak. It hurts my heart and well now I have to focus for this match. I have to win and move on so I can face Mikah but I know the task isn’t that easy. I’m facing Mercedes Vargas and Crystal Hilton.
What many people are assuming would be the self-destruction of the woman who proclaims to be the the Wisdom was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. What most do not know about me is that I hit rock bottom so much to where, this time, it finally made some sense to me that… it was my lowest that I’ve ever been at. No one there to extend their hands out to pick me back up, I was left there to tend to my reality. Can I confidently say that the situation is over? It isn’t. Can I say that this part of the story is done and over? Of course not because it isn’t... it is only the beginning.
Crystal Hilton, you are someone who has seen the spoils of war, you showed the world that you are not only a dangerous force to be reckoned with during your battles, leaving a pile of broken dreams, let alone bodies in your wake. You are and have not been someone that I have overlooked, rather, just sat back wondering how long would it take before you and I were face to face on opposite sides of the ring.
No, I am not blowing smoke up your ass, nor am I stating these facts for no reason. I am only giving credit where it is due because when everything is said and done. Like yourself, I need this match; I need this win to solidify myself as a contender. I lost my Championship…That is far from things. I want to do this because if I am able to defeat you, in the same manner and fashion as I would anyone... it would help me over one of my personal barriers that I believe hinders me from being one hundred percent me. Having situations where I have to either choose to hold back or go full on out – with the thought in the back of my head of wanting to hold back. Crystal, I cannot say that coming to this match is going to gain anything for you... but maybe, you and I may see things on a different scale.
In my reality, the one that I am attempting to show the world, facing me, Lucy Seraphina, the self-proclaimed Angel of Wisdom, only gets you a one way ticket back to the bottom where I have placed those who have tried me, have stepped up to the plate assuming they have what it takes to take me down a couple pegs. Though, we do have an issue with that don’t we love?
You have your own story that you are attempting to tell and that is the one that requires my presence. Yet, do you think that making an example out of me, showing that you are the head lioness here is going to stop me? Hell, I’ll give you that title because I hate it. I am the most dangerous woman in SCW, it speaks louder than some Godly moniker! Then again, how funny would it be, when the lowly human takes the Angel down a couple pegs?
Then we have Mercedes…I’m not sure what to say when it comes to her. But I will be damned if she’s going to use me as some way to get the win.So whether or not she thinks me winning is impressive enough or not… I’m not going to be giving up and I certainly will not stop from giving Mercedes everything I have. I will not hesitate to take out every frustration, every heartache. Every feeling I have for being repeatedly over looked and stepped on so other people can be big.
I know, I know… this is the same story from every person that comes back. Blaming other people for their failures. But the difference is that I don’t blame JUST those other people. It takes two to tango, so although my partner stepped on my toes, I’m the one that tried to lead and messed up the whole routine.
I intend to correct those mistakes this time around. I intend to wear that main gold around my waist and show every last doubter why I am the future.
I learned a long time ago not to care what people think of me. So ya, I don’t expect anybody on this roster to like me. I’m not here to make friends and I’m not here to hold anybody’s hand. I’m here to do this for myself because well to put it bluntly I deserve it. I’ve come a very long way in my life. I’ve experienced things in my twenty-six years that most don’t experience in their entire life.
It ain’t personal Mercedes. I know it probably isn’t for you either. But I am done letting anything stop me from getting what I want, with the exception of my daughter that is. Nothing comes before her but after that… that gold will be mine. Whether it takes a month, five months, a year… whatever. I’m going to do what I set out to do.
