Post by Adrien | Adam on Apr 1, 2018 18:22:32 GMT -5
(Jessica Sears appeared in this and was written by her handler)
Date: Sunday, March 18th, 2018
Cameras: OFF
“Where is he?!”
The frantic voice of Everalda Sears-Theron echoed within a hallway of The Spencer Hotel in Dublin City as she opened the doors. After Adrien Cochrane took a nasty hit to end the show, a double team move that was intended for Jessica Sears but Adrien shoved her out of the way to take the hit himself, he was immediately checked by paramedics on sight then released into Eddie Walker’s care, who immediately took him back to the hotel room. Without Everalda being in the loop of the plan, of course. Walker had no ill intent with this, he was just trying to get his client resting as quickly as possible.
Knowing this was bound to happen, Eddie Walker was sitting on the ground outside of the hotel room as Everalda enters the building, Jessica Sears following closely behind her. Walker stands up to his feet, dusting off his black slacks and polo shirt before giving a calm smile to the Sears sisters.
Eddie: “Ladies, ladies, ladies, it’s okay. I had to get him some much-needed rest as quickly as possible after he took that hit. He’s okay, he’s on the other side of the door, resting.”
Walker nods his head as a loud groan is audible from the opposite end of the door. The groan sounded like the Dropkick King. Nonetheless, Walker continues nodding his head.
Eddie: “Yup. Resting up. Getting lots and lots of rest. Just what the doctor ordered.”
Everalda: “Eddie…”
The young mother takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. Her attempt to reach out to Matthew Shields and ask him to keep the match professional was futile. Watching the main event of Dissension was heart-wrenching and the ending… She felt her heart twist in ways it’s never twisted before. It’s her dancer body that’s flexible, not her beating heart.
Everalda: “Please… I need to see him.”
Jessica stands back, silently watching the simple exchange between her older half-sister and her tag partner’s best friend. She presses her lips together and breathes through her nose. There seems to be some adrenaline running through her veins from the aftermath of the match. She stares blankly at the wall before her and keeps to herself for the time being. Walker tries to give the most reassuring tone to his voice as he tries to be empathetic with Everalda.
Eddie: “I know you do. I can’t imagine how you are feeling right now. That probably was harder for you to watch than it was for me. But he’s going to need some rest after what happened. That was a really nasty hit he took, Everalda. I’m trying to do what is…”
Another loud groan from Adrien is audible. He sounds like he is still in some pain.
Eddie: “...what is best for him. I’m sure you can understand that…”
Everalda: “What is best for him?”
She stares at the door behind Eddie, even more alerted by the pained noises Adrien makes. Everalda shakes her head slowly and clenches her fists.
Everalda: “What is best for him is the accompaniment of those who love and cherish him to be by his side while he rests. I need to be with him. WE need to be with him. Eddie, please…”
It’s at this point that the youngest Sears sibling has heard enough, her eyes moving from the wall and glaring towards Eddie.
Jessica: “MOVE!”
Jessica’s demanding yell resonates throughout the halls of the hotel. Everalda and Eddie turn towards the young German woman, her normally soft blue eyes emblazoned with fury.
In Dungeons and Dragons, there is a charisma skill called intimidation.
This would be a nat-20 on the intimidation check.
Everalda looks on, shocked by her younger sister’s emotional force. The easily intimidated Eddie Walker widens his eyes in a manner most are familiar with Adam Sanders doing. He leans his head towards the door before calling out to his best friend.
Eddie: “Oh, Adrien...you have some visitors!!”
He immediately sidesteps to allow both ladies to pass him to enter the room. The moment the door opens, the women see what was causing Adrien to make agonizing sounds: he was trying to reach the television remote on the end table.
Everalda: “Adrien…”
Immediately, Everalda makes her way over, grabs the remote, and moves in to hug him as gently as possible. She buries her face into his chest and her vulnerability breaks through the barrier. She sobs quietly and secures the embrace to the best of her ability. Jessica looks on from the doorway for a moment. She sucks in a breath of air and walks inside, but she pauses to look back at Eddie. There’s an apologetic look on her face, one of sincerity, before she turns to regard her sister and her tag partner.
It’s like deja-vu. It’s her turn to look on from the outside… and it hurts just as much.
Adrien, meanwhile, embraces his girlfriend back as she cries into his chest, trying to pat her on the back as best he can considering the circumstances. He was still in his shirt that he wore to the ring, though his ring tights have been swapped out for a pair of basketball shorts. His wrestling boots replaced by the sneakers he usually wears every day.
Adrien: “Oh, hey there, Everalda.”
He glances at Jessica, noticing her demeanor. He gives a nod as that is the only gesture physically possible at the moment.
Adrien: “Jessica.”
The Dropkick King continues to stroke his girlfriend’s back. He can feel how much watching the main event upset her from the tightness she is grasping one of his hands as she sobs into him.
Adrien: “Could you be a dear and turn off this soccer match though? I’d be okay with Doctor Who or something a bit funnier maybe. The only Premier League team I vaguely follow isn’t playing.”
It’s just like him to try and lighten the mood. Everalda slightly nods before she pulls away just enough to handle the remote in her clutching hand. She changes the channel to something nostalgic, a marathon of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and she sets the remote closer to Adrien’s grasp. Her arms drape around her boyfriend and she lowers her head onto his chest yet again. It’s no wonder she didn't bring her eighteen-month-old son, Klaus, with her. She didn’t want him to see her like this. He’s very young but quite intelligent and he can pick up on emotional cues very easily.
Jessica: “Everalda, if this is too much for you to handle…”
Jessica speaks up, her voice soft compared to the powerful yell in the hallway.
Jessica: “...then maybe you shouldn’t watch the shows anymore.”
Adrien chuckles lightly, as to not cause any discomfort.
Adrien: “I think she might just have to get accustomed to this being a possible outcome to any event I wrestle at. It’s all part of the business, right?”
He keeps stroking his girlfriend’s back, doing whatever he can to comfort her. Funny how he was the one who gets hit with a vicious attack and he has to be the one comforting his girlfriend over it.
Adrien: “Hey…”
He tilts Everalda’s head upwards so that they can make eye contact. His blue eyes were confident and calm. He was at peace with the events that took place tonight. It was on to the next mission to him.
Adrien: “...I’m okay. I promise. I got looked over. X-rays came back...Eddie, negative, right?”
Walker pokes his head into the hotel room to respond to his employer.
Eddie: “Yessir! Nothing broken! Just some nasty bruises!”
Adrien: “Bruises. All I got, Eve. A few bruises. I’m going to be okay. I promise.”
He gives a warm smile to try to calm down his girlfriend. She takes a slow, deep breath and lets it out. Everalda’s baby blue eyes shimmer softly in the ceiling lights as she looks back into her boyfriend’s eyes. The tears have yet to dry. In fact, a single tear falls down the right side of her face. She knew she had to be strong, stronger than this.
Jessica: “...a paladin is supposed to protect people…”
Jessica approaches the large window of the deluxe room and looks over the city of Dublin. Slowly, she shakes her head and slightly clenches her fists.
Jessica: “But how does a paladin protect someone when they do something dangerous… like approach a psychopath alone?”
She takes a sharp turn on her heels and looks towards her older sister with pain and remorse in her soft blue eyes.
Jessica: “...or take a bullet that wasn’t meant for them?”
Her attention shifts to her tag partner, the look in her eyes the same.
Jessica: “I’m supposed to protect the people I love, not the other way around. That guilt is eating me alive. I want to protect the both of you, but I can’t do that if you’re going to be reckless.”
Adrien attempts to sit up, Everalda pulling away when she sees what he is doing.
Adrien: “No. You don’t have the right to say that you are the martyr and the only one allowed to make sacrifices, Jessica. Don’t even pretend like you think you even have the right to say that because THAT IS RECKLESS. This wasn’t reckless.”
Cochrane gestures at himself in his current state. He may be in bed resting, but he knows he will be good to go after a few days. This was minor.
Adrien: “This was a calculated risk that I made the decision was the best for everyone involved. Because what would have been reckless was letting them END YOUR DAMN CAREER. Which is what would have happened, make no mistake. And what good would that have done, Jessica? Imagine what would have happened to your dear sister having to WATCH you perhaps be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of your life, because that was a worst-case scenario. What do you think I would have thought to myself for the rest of my time in the ring that I let this happen to my tag team partner and best friend?”
Eddie Walker is audible clearing his throat at the sound of Adrien calling Jessica his best friend.
Adrien: “Fine...ONE OF my best friends. Not to mention what the fallout would have been for this mission of ours. We would have been down a person and it would have been a huge demoralizing loss to have you shelved. So no. Don’t even THINK about trying to make me feel guilty about what I did. I’m in enough physical pain from this; I definitely don’t need anything else to pile on about that. I KNOW what I did was the right thing to do.”
It’s clear that Jessica’s listening when she visibly shakes to Adrien’s words. Beyond that, there’s no real movement from where she stands. She can’t seem to face her tag partner and one of her closest friends in this state, perhaps out of fear. Everalda looks on with a slight frown on her face before she sits up on the edge of the bed. She faces her sister’s direction and folds her hands on her lap.
Everalda: “...I’m sorry. I know what I did was dangerous. The plan to see Matthew and ask for his professionalism was my decision. If I had told you my intentions, you would have never let me proceed. That’s why when I walked away, I took a different path. If you look back at the show, you’ll know that he had every intention to end your career and Jack Tillman would have no objection to this dangerous act.”
The youngest Sears sibling lowers her head. She’s beginning to realize that she has no one on her side when it comes to this scenario. She hasn’t had the opportunity to watch the replay. There wasn’t enough time between the end of the match and now. Slowly, her hands settled down on her sides, but she still can’t find the courage to face them. Adrien glances back at Everalda.
Adrien: “We’ll discuss what you did in a little bit…”
He turns to Jessica, only able to see the back of her head.
Adrien: “To think you’re the only one who is allowed to make sacrifices is selfish, Jessica. You might be the Paladin but I’m supposed to be a Guardian. And that’s exactly what I was doing. Guarding you. Protecting you. I know that you want to take all the hits, but I knew I could take this hit, and I didn’t think your spine would hold up from that move. Dammit, Jessica, look at me!!”
Immediately, Jessica turns around to face Adrien and Everalda. The light from the window cascades her form, but it doesn’t hide the glossy look in her eyes. She’s holding back every urge to cry. She’s trying her best to be strong, but she doesn’t know how long she can keep up the emotional shielding.
Jessica: “...what do you want me to say? It’s clear I have no ground to stand on. For once in my life, I want to be the one to protect someone… instead of someone protecting me. That’s how it’s always been. In my childhood and in my professional careers, SOMEONE is looking out for me and I can never return the favor! Why?! Maybe it’s because deep down, I’m still the weak and powerless little girl I was when I was young and useless!”
She can’t make her wisdom saving throw. Her willpower diminishes slowly as tears finally spill down her face. Adrien’s eyes go from daggers to a much more calm blue like the ocean on a low tide.
Adrien: “Don’t you see how lucky that makes you? Do you know how much I needed someone to have my back in past moments of my career? When I was fighting Edward Nair and his attempt to oust me a title and a job, the people I had were Adrianna Rivers and Chris Marks. Notice that neither of them is in my life anymore. When I was just struggling to fight unfair treatment at the last company I was at against the favored two members of the roster, I had Kenzie turn her back on me. Think about the fact I have had to make so many line-up changes to the Guardians. I literally had Stacy Sterling no longer wrestling with me days before a tag team match against the Destroyers. If this is the biggest problem you have right now, I’d certainly love to trade. I WISH I had someone watching my back at all times. Because frankly, most of my career, I’ve been alone.”
Jessica: “I would rather be alone if I can’t protect someone! Someone, anyone that I care about! I’m tired of always being the one in danger! I can’t handle it when a cherished one protects me and yet I can’t do the same for them!”
Everalda presses her lips together. She’s well aware of the emotional tension between her baby sister and her boyfriend and she wishes to diffuse the situation. Taking a deep breath, she lets it out slowly and focuses on the task.
Everalda: “...you have protected someone.”
Slowly, Jessica looks towards her, and Everalda continues with a nod.
Everalda: “Dean Matthews. You protected him, didn’t you? That’s what he told us. When he was stuck in the middle of Oregon, hunted down by Michael Rivers and the Children of Nephilim, you were the one who acted. Because of you, the pilot of your private jet and the nurse aboard flew out to find Dean and bring him to the safety of your home in Manhattan. If it wasn’t for you, he may have been seriously hurt, or worse… You didn’t just protect him, Jessica. You saved his life.”
The young woman’s teary eyes widen for a moment. Her older sister’s right. She did protect the man who would eventually become her boyfriend. Everalda turns towards Adrien, reaches out, and takes one of his hands in hers.
Everalda: “And you… you must understand that you’ve never been alone. I-I know I haven’t been around long enough to study the entirety of your career, but surely a guardian angel has been watching over you the entire time. You just never saw them… But what you do see, what you should understand, is that there are people who want to protect you just as much as you want to protect them. Jazmyn Rain, Joshua Goldstein, and of course, my sister. You didn’t ask them to join the Guardians. They made the decision on their own. They support you, believe in you, and they want the Destroyers gone just as much as you do. You’re not the only one with the ability to guard someone’s life. Taking care of your family, the Guardians, is not your sole responsibility. All four of you share this equally. That’s why you have to work together.”
She squeezes his hand reassuringly and smiles.
Adrien: “I understand there will be circumstances where Josh, Jazmyn, or Jessica will have to make a decision like I have. But we were in a position where I had to be the one to make that move. But make no mistake, I will do it again if the situation calls for it.”
Cochrane nods his head as he says this, putting as much confidence in his words as he can.
Adrien: “All of you are my responsibility. I know that I’m your responsibility as well...I get that. But I do not want to be given a guilt trip the next time something like this happens. This is teamwork. This is working together. When one of your own is down, you do what it takes to help them.”
Jessica breathes slowly and nods. Somehow, they were brought back on the same page, but the guilt is still eating away at her moral compass.
Jessica: “You’re right… I’m sorry…”
She moves to lay down on the loveseat, curling up a little and turning her body away from everyone. She feels the tears spill down her face as she closes her eyes and tries to steady her breathing. Everalda sighs softly and hangs her head. Everyone is emotionally compromised. After such an intense and scary match, no one’s in the right mindset to be calm and composed. Walker, who has spent most of the time sitting outside the hotel room with the door cracked open, steps in.
Eddie: “I know it’s not often I’m the voice of reason. Everyone typically looks to Adrien for such sage wisdom in moments of turmoil. But there’s one thing that I think everyone in this room needs to remember. You all care so deeply about one another. All of you. There’s a lot of people out there who could only dream to have the amount of love that is shared between you three. And these frustrations are because of that. Each of you wants to prove how much you do care about each other. Everalda with her foolish attempt to reason with Shields, Adrien stepping in to take that double team move, and even Jessica’s frustrations that it wasn’t her taking it and that Adrien had to do it...all of this stems from how much you all love one another. And frankly, I think you three need to remember just how lucky all of you are.”
Walker nods his head a little bit before cracking the door open once more.
Eddie: “I’ll give you all a moment to digest all of that…”
Everalda tilts her head at the word used to describe her actions. Foolish. She tries not to linger on it too much and instead focuses on the bigger picture. What Eddie said was true. They care so deeply about each other. She looks at her sister who’s trying to keep to herself, looks back to Adrien, and gently squeezes his hand. Moving up, she leans in and kisses him lovingly.
Everalda: “Mr. Walker is right.”
She nods and lets Adrien’s hand go. Everalda makes her way over to Jessica curled up on the loveseat and she places a hand on her shoulder. Before Jessica can object, her older sister gently moves her and wraps her arms around her, embracing her tightly. Everalda kisses Jessica’s forehead sweetly and smiles.
Everalda: “Our love is limitless. We’re very lucky to have each other and we shouldn’t take that for granted. There’s no reason for us to be upset with one another for selfless causes. We are family. We’re stronger when we’re together, not apart.”
Jessica’s taken by surprise, but she knows and understands the message behind Eddie’s words. Everalda is trying to convey them and she wraps her arms around her older sister in return. She buries her face in her chest and quietly sobs, embraced by the warmth.
Jessica: “...you’re right. We are stronger when we are together. I’m blessed to have the family that I have now… Dad would be proud.”
Everalda nods and smiles softly. Even though she never met her biological father in person, she knew that he would feel this way. Adrien nods his head.
Adrien: “I never met Mr. Sears, but I’m sure he and my dad are looking down upon us three now with smiles on their faces.”
He makes himself smile, despite all the pain he is in.
Adrien: “I do need to rest though. Are you sleeping on the couch over there, Jessica?”
Jessica shakes her head, though she’s a little careful with the motion in the aftermath of Dissension.
Jessica: “No, Dean’s waiting for me in our own room. I’m pretty sure he’s thinking about causing some mischief. You know how he is: looks like Thor and acts like Loki.”
Everalda tilts her head, not quite understanding the reference. Still, she helps her sister stand up and releases her.
Everalda: “Alright. If you two need anything, don’t be afraid to ask.”
Jessica: “I think I’ll be content with some time in the hot tub…”
Jessica’s body is aching. She places a hand on the back of her neck and sighs softly. She begins to make her way towards the door as Everalda walks back over to the bed and sits on the edge. She places a gentle hand on Adrien’s forehead while she looks at her baby sister.
Jessica: “Take care of him.”
Everalda: “I will.”
Adrien: “She will.”
Adrien gives a warm smile to Jessica as she exits the room. She closes the door behind her. She can be heard wishing Eddie a good night on the other side of the door. Adrien looks up at Everalda.
Adrien: “We will talk more about you sneaking off another time when I have more energy to do so. But just know that as much as I appreciate how much you want to help, it would hurt more for Matthew Shields to do anything to you than anything they could physically do to me.”
He tilts his head a little bit as he says this to Everalda. She slips out of her high heels and climbs into the bed next to him. Reaching up, she places a hand on the side of his face and caresses his cheek with her thumb.
Everalda: “Adrien… I didn’t mean to be dishonest at the moment. I meant no harm, I really wanted to help, but soon I realized that my request would fall on deaf ears… I was foolish. I’m sorry.”
Adrien gives a reassuring smile.
Adrien: “I know. It’s okay. Just try not to put yourself in harm’s way, okay? You are too precious to me to have anything happen to you.”
Everalda: “As you are too important to me.”
With a smile, she leans in and kisses him, then she lays by his side and drapes an arm across his chest. Her hand gently caresses his chest in a circular motion and she sighs softly.
Adrien: “I love you, Everalda.”
Everalda: “I love you too, Adrien.”
FOR THE PROMO PORTION OF THIS PIECE, CLICK HERE!
If shame had a face,
I think it would kind of look like mine
If it had a home would it be my eyes
Would you believe me if I said I'm tired of this
Well here we go now one more time
I tried to climb your steps
I tried to chase you down
I tried to see how low I could get it down to the ground
I tried to earn my way
I tried to tame this mind
You better believe that I tried to beat this
So when will this end it goes on and on
Over and over and over again
Keep spinning around I know that it won't stop
Till I step down from this for good
Date: Sunday, March 18th, 2018
Cameras: OFF
“Where is he?!”
The frantic voice of Everalda Sears-Theron echoed within a hallway of The Spencer Hotel in Dublin City as she opened the doors. After Adrien Cochrane took a nasty hit to end the show, a double team move that was intended for Jessica Sears but Adrien shoved her out of the way to take the hit himself, he was immediately checked by paramedics on sight then released into Eddie Walker’s care, who immediately took him back to the hotel room. Without Everalda being in the loop of the plan, of course. Walker had no ill intent with this, he was just trying to get his client resting as quickly as possible.
Knowing this was bound to happen, Eddie Walker was sitting on the ground outside of the hotel room as Everalda enters the building, Jessica Sears following closely behind her. Walker stands up to his feet, dusting off his black slacks and polo shirt before giving a calm smile to the Sears sisters.
Eddie: “Ladies, ladies, ladies, it’s okay. I had to get him some much-needed rest as quickly as possible after he took that hit. He’s okay, he’s on the other side of the door, resting.”
Walker nods his head as a loud groan is audible from the opposite end of the door. The groan sounded like the Dropkick King. Nonetheless, Walker continues nodding his head.
Eddie: “Yup. Resting up. Getting lots and lots of rest. Just what the doctor ordered.”
Everalda: “Eddie…”
The young mother takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. Her attempt to reach out to Matthew Shields and ask him to keep the match professional was futile. Watching the main event of Dissension was heart-wrenching and the ending… She felt her heart twist in ways it’s never twisted before. It’s her dancer body that’s flexible, not her beating heart.
Everalda: “Please… I need to see him.”
Jessica stands back, silently watching the simple exchange between her older half-sister and her tag partner’s best friend. She presses her lips together and breathes through her nose. There seems to be some adrenaline running through her veins from the aftermath of the match. She stares blankly at the wall before her and keeps to herself for the time being. Walker tries to give the most reassuring tone to his voice as he tries to be empathetic with Everalda.
Eddie: “I know you do. I can’t imagine how you are feeling right now. That probably was harder for you to watch than it was for me. But he’s going to need some rest after what happened. That was a really nasty hit he took, Everalda. I’m trying to do what is…”
Another loud groan from Adrien is audible. He sounds like he is still in some pain.
Eddie: “...what is best for him. I’m sure you can understand that…”
Everalda: “What is best for him?”
She stares at the door behind Eddie, even more alerted by the pained noises Adrien makes. Everalda shakes her head slowly and clenches her fists.
Everalda: “What is best for him is the accompaniment of those who love and cherish him to be by his side while he rests. I need to be with him. WE need to be with him. Eddie, please…”
It’s at this point that the youngest Sears sibling has heard enough, her eyes moving from the wall and glaring towards Eddie.
Jessica: “MOVE!”
Jessica’s demanding yell resonates throughout the halls of the hotel. Everalda and Eddie turn towards the young German woman, her normally soft blue eyes emblazoned with fury.
In Dungeons and Dragons, there is a charisma skill called intimidation.
This would be a nat-20 on the intimidation check.
Everalda looks on, shocked by her younger sister’s emotional force. The easily intimidated Eddie Walker widens his eyes in a manner most are familiar with Adam Sanders doing. He leans his head towards the door before calling out to his best friend.
Eddie: “Oh, Adrien...you have some visitors!!”
He immediately sidesteps to allow both ladies to pass him to enter the room. The moment the door opens, the women see what was causing Adrien to make agonizing sounds: he was trying to reach the television remote on the end table.
Everalda: “Adrien…”
Immediately, Everalda makes her way over, grabs the remote, and moves in to hug him as gently as possible. She buries her face into his chest and her vulnerability breaks through the barrier. She sobs quietly and secures the embrace to the best of her ability. Jessica looks on from the doorway for a moment. She sucks in a breath of air and walks inside, but she pauses to look back at Eddie. There’s an apologetic look on her face, one of sincerity, before she turns to regard her sister and her tag partner.
It’s like deja-vu. It’s her turn to look on from the outside… and it hurts just as much.
Adrien, meanwhile, embraces his girlfriend back as she cries into his chest, trying to pat her on the back as best he can considering the circumstances. He was still in his shirt that he wore to the ring, though his ring tights have been swapped out for a pair of basketball shorts. His wrestling boots replaced by the sneakers he usually wears every day.
Adrien: “Oh, hey there, Everalda.”
He glances at Jessica, noticing her demeanor. He gives a nod as that is the only gesture physically possible at the moment.
Adrien: “Jessica.”
The Dropkick King continues to stroke his girlfriend’s back. He can feel how much watching the main event upset her from the tightness she is grasping one of his hands as she sobs into him.
Adrien: “Could you be a dear and turn off this soccer match though? I’d be okay with Doctor Who or something a bit funnier maybe. The only Premier League team I vaguely follow isn’t playing.”
It’s just like him to try and lighten the mood. Everalda slightly nods before she pulls away just enough to handle the remote in her clutching hand. She changes the channel to something nostalgic, a marathon of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and she sets the remote closer to Adrien’s grasp. Her arms drape around her boyfriend and she lowers her head onto his chest yet again. It’s no wonder she didn't bring her eighteen-month-old son, Klaus, with her. She didn’t want him to see her like this. He’s very young but quite intelligent and he can pick up on emotional cues very easily.
Jessica: “Everalda, if this is too much for you to handle…”
Jessica speaks up, her voice soft compared to the powerful yell in the hallway.
Jessica: “...then maybe you shouldn’t watch the shows anymore.”
Adrien chuckles lightly, as to not cause any discomfort.
Adrien: “I think she might just have to get accustomed to this being a possible outcome to any event I wrestle at. It’s all part of the business, right?”
He keeps stroking his girlfriend’s back, doing whatever he can to comfort her. Funny how he was the one who gets hit with a vicious attack and he has to be the one comforting his girlfriend over it.
Adrien: “Hey…”
He tilts Everalda’s head upwards so that they can make eye contact. His blue eyes were confident and calm. He was at peace with the events that took place tonight. It was on to the next mission to him.
Adrien: “...I’m okay. I promise. I got looked over. X-rays came back...Eddie, negative, right?”
Walker pokes his head into the hotel room to respond to his employer.
Eddie: “Yessir! Nothing broken! Just some nasty bruises!”
Adrien: “Bruises. All I got, Eve. A few bruises. I’m going to be okay. I promise.”
He gives a warm smile to try to calm down his girlfriend. She takes a slow, deep breath and lets it out. Everalda’s baby blue eyes shimmer softly in the ceiling lights as she looks back into her boyfriend’s eyes. The tears have yet to dry. In fact, a single tear falls down the right side of her face. She knew she had to be strong, stronger than this.
Jessica: “...a paladin is supposed to protect people…”
Jessica approaches the large window of the deluxe room and looks over the city of Dublin. Slowly, she shakes her head and slightly clenches her fists.
Jessica: “But how does a paladin protect someone when they do something dangerous… like approach a psychopath alone?”
She takes a sharp turn on her heels and looks towards her older sister with pain and remorse in her soft blue eyes.
Jessica: “...or take a bullet that wasn’t meant for them?”
Her attention shifts to her tag partner, the look in her eyes the same.
Jessica: “I’m supposed to protect the people I love, not the other way around. That guilt is eating me alive. I want to protect the both of you, but I can’t do that if you’re going to be reckless.”
Adrien attempts to sit up, Everalda pulling away when she sees what he is doing.
Adrien: “No. You don’t have the right to say that you are the martyr and the only one allowed to make sacrifices, Jessica. Don’t even pretend like you think you even have the right to say that because THAT IS RECKLESS. This wasn’t reckless.”
Cochrane gestures at himself in his current state. He may be in bed resting, but he knows he will be good to go after a few days. This was minor.
Adrien: “This was a calculated risk that I made the decision was the best for everyone involved. Because what would have been reckless was letting them END YOUR DAMN CAREER. Which is what would have happened, make no mistake. And what good would that have done, Jessica? Imagine what would have happened to your dear sister having to WATCH you perhaps be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of your life, because that was a worst-case scenario. What do you think I would have thought to myself for the rest of my time in the ring that I let this happen to my tag team partner and best friend?”
Eddie Walker is audible clearing his throat at the sound of Adrien calling Jessica his best friend.
Adrien: “Fine...ONE OF my best friends. Not to mention what the fallout would have been for this mission of ours. We would have been down a person and it would have been a huge demoralizing loss to have you shelved. So no. Don’t even THINK about trying to make me feel guilty about what I did. I’m in enough physical pain from this; I definitely don’t need anything else to pile on about that. I KNOW what I did was the right thing to do.”
It’s clear that Jessica’s listening when she visibly shakes to Adrien’s words. Beyond that, there’s no real movement from where she stands. She can’t seem to face her tag partner and one of her closest friends in this state, perhaps out of fear. Everalda looks on with a slight frown on her face before she sits up on the edge of the bed. She faces her sister’s direction and folds her hands on her lap.
Everalda: “...I’m sorry. I know what I did was dangerous. The plan to see Matthew and ask for his professionalism was my decision. If I had told you my intentions, you would have never let me proceed. That’s why when I walked away, I took a different path. If you look back at the show, you’ll know that he had every intention to end your career and Jack Tillman would have no objection to this dangerous act.”
The youngest Sears sibling lowers her head. She’s beginning to realize that she has no one on her side when it comes to this scenario. She hasn’t had the opportunity to watch the replay. There wasn’t enough time between the end of the match and now. Slowly, her hands settled down on her sides, but she still can’t find the courage to face them. Adrien glances back at Everalda.
Adrien: “We’ll discuss what you did in a little bit…”
He turns to Jessica, only able to see the back of her head.
Adrien: “To think you’re the only one who is allowed to make sacrifices is selfish, Jessica. You might be the Paladin but I’m supposed to be a Guardian. And that’s exactly what I was doing. Guarding you. Protecting you. I know that you want to take all the hits, but I knew I could take this hit, and I didn’t think your spine would hold up from that move. Dammit, Jessica, look at me!!”
Immediately, Jessica turns around to face Adrien and Everalda. The light from the window cascades her form, but it doesn’t hide the glossy look in her eyes. She’s holding back every urge to cry. She’s trying her best to be strong, but she doesn’t know how long she can keep up the emotional shielding.
Jessica: “...what do you want me to say? It’s clear I have no ground to stand on. For once in my life, I want to be the one to protect someone… instead of someone protecting me. That’s how it’s always been. In my childhood and in my professional careers, SOMEONE is looking out for me and I can never return the favor! Why?! Maybe it’s because deep down, I’m still the weak and powerless little girl I was when I was young and useless!”
She can’t make her wisdom saving throw. Her willpower diminishes slowly as tears finally spill down her face. Adrien’s eyes go from daggers to a much more calm blue like the ocean on a low tide.
Adrien: “Don’t you see how lucky that makes you? Do you know how much I needed someone to have my back in past moments of my career? When I was fighting Edward Nair and his attempt to oust me a title and a job, the people I had were Adrianna Rivers and Chris Marks. Notice that neither of them is in my life anymore. When I was just struggling to fight unfair treatment at the last company I was at against the favored two members of the roster, I had Kenzie turn her back on me. Think about the fact I have had to make so many line-up changes to the Guardians. I literally had Stacy Sterling no longer wrestling with me days before a tag team match against the Destroyers. If this is the biggest problem you have right now, I’d certainly love to trade. I WISH I had someone watching my back at all times. Because frankly, most of my career, I’ve been alone.”
Jessica: “I would rather be alone if I can’t protect someone! Someone, anyone that I care about! I’m tired of always being the one in danger! I can’t handle it when a cherished one protects me and yet I can’t do the same for them!”
Everalda presses her lips together. She’s well aware of the emotional tension between her baby sister and her boyfriend and she wishes to diffuse the situation. Taking a deep breath, she lets it out slowly and focuses on the task.
Everalda: “...you have protected someone.”
Slowly, Jessica looks towards her, and Everalda continues with a nod.
Everalda: “Dean Matthews. You protected him, didn’t you? That’s what he told us. When he was stuck in the middle of Oregon, hunted down by Michael Rivers and the Children of Nephilim, you were the one who acted. Because of you, the pilot of your private jet and the nurse aboard flew out to find Dean and bring him to the safety of your home in Manhattan. If it wasn’t for you, he may have been seriously hurt, or worse… You didn’t just protect him, Jessica. You saved his life.”
The young woman’s teary eyes widen for a moment. Her older sister’s right. She did protect the man who would eventually become her boyfriend. Everalda turns towards Adrien, reaches out, and takes one of his hands in hers.
Everalda: “And you… you must understand that you’ve never been alone. I-I know I haven’t been around long enough to study the entirety of your career, but surely a guardian angel has been watching over you the entire time. You just never saw them… But what you do see, what you should understand, is that there are people who want to protect you just as much as you want to protect them. Jazmyn Rain, Joshua Goldstein, and of course, my sister. You didn’t ask them to join the Guardians. They made the decision on their own. They support you, believe in you, and they want the Destroyers gone just as much as you do. You’re not the only one with the ability to guard someone’s life. Taking care of your family, the Guardians, is not your sole responsibility. All four of you share this equally. That’s why you have to work together.”
She squeezes his hand reassuringly and smiles.
Adrien: “I understand there will be circumstances where Josh, Jazmyn, or Jessica will have to make a decision like I have. But we were in a position where I had to be the one to make that move. But make no mistake, I will do it again if the situation calls for it.”
Cochrane nods his head as he says this, putting as much confidence in his words as he can.
Adrien: “All of you are my responsibility. I know that I’m your responsibility as well...I get that. But I do not want to be given a guilt trip the next time something like this happens. This is teamwork. This is working together. When one of your own is down, you do what it takes to help them.”
Jessica breathes slowly and nods. Somehow, they were brought back on the same page, but the guilt is still eating away at her moral compass.
Jessica: “You’re right… I’m sorry…”
She moves to lay down on the loveseat, curling up a little and turning her body away from everyone. She feels the tears spill down her face as she closes her eyes and tries to steady her breathing. Everalda sighs softly and hangs her head. Everyone is emotionally compromised. After such an intense and scary match, no one’s in the right mindset to be calm and composed. Walker, who has spent most of the time sitting outside the hotel room with the door cracked open, steps in.
Eddie: “I know it’s not often I’m the voice of reason. Everyone typically looks to Adrien for such sage wisdom in moments of turmoil. But there’s one thing that I think everyone in this room needs to remember. You all care so deeply about one another. All of you. There’s a lot of people out there who could only dream to have the amount of love that is shared between you three. And these frustrations are because of that. Each of you wants to prove how much you do care about each other. Everalda with her foolish attempt to reason with Shields, Adrien stepping in to take that double team move, and even Jessica’s frustrations that it wasn’t her taking it and that Adrien had to do it...all of this stems from how much you all love one another. And frankly, I think you three need to remember just how lucky all of you are.”
Walker nods his head a little bit before cracking the door open once more.
Eddie: “I’ll give you all a moment to digest all of that…”
Everalda tilts her head at the word used to describe her actions. Foolish. She tries not to linger on it too much and instead focuses on the bigger picture. What Eddie said was true. They care so deeply about each other. She looks at her sister who’s trying to keep to herself, looks back to Adrien, and gently squeezes his hand. Moving up, she leans in and kisses him lovingly.
Everalda: “Mr. Walker is right.”
She nods and lets Adrien’s hand go. Everalda makes her way over to Jessica curled up on the loveseat and she places a hand on her shoulder. Before Jessica can object, her older sister gently moves her and wraps her arms around her, embracing her tightly. Everalda kisses Jessica’s forehead sweetly and smiles.
Everalda: “Our love is limitless. We’re very lucky to have each other and we shouldn’t take that for granted. There’s no reason for us to be upset with one another for selfless causes. We are family. We’re stronger when we’re together, not apart.”
Jessica’s taken by surprise, but she knows and understands the message behind Eddie’s words. Everalda is trying to convey them and she wraps her arms around her older sister in return. She buries her face in her chest and quietly sobs, embraced by the warmth.
Jessica: “...you’re right. We are stronger when we are together. I’m blessed to have the family that I have now… Dad would be proud.”
Everalda nods and smiles softly. Even though she never met her biological father in person, she knew that he would feel this way. Adrien nods his head.
Adrien: “I never met Mr. Sears, but I’m sure he and my dad are looking down upon us three now with smiles on their faces.”
He makes himself smile, despite all the pain he is in.
Adrien: “I do need to rest though. Are you sleeping on the couch over there, Jessica?”
Jessica shakes her head, though she’s a little careful with the motion in the aftermath of Dissension.
Jessica: “No, Dean’s waiting for me in our own room. I’m pretty sure he’s thinking about causing some mischief. You know how he is: looks like Thor and acts like Loki.”
Everalda tilts her head, not quite understanding the reference. Still, she helps her sister stand up and releases her.
Everalda: “Alright. If you two need anything, don’t be afraid to ask.”
Jessica: “I think I’ll be content with some time in the hot tub…”
Jessica’s body is aching. She places a hand on the back of her neck and sighs softly. She begins to make her way towards the door as Everalda walks back over to the bed and sits on the edge. She places a gentle hand on Adrien’s forehead while she looks at her baby sister.
Jessica: “Take care of him.”
Everalda: “I will.”
Adrien: “She will.”
Adrien gives a warm smile to Jessica as she exits the room. She closes the door behind her. She can be heard wishing Eddie a good night on the other side of the door. Adrien looks up at Everalda.
Adrien: “We will talk more about you sneaking off another time when I have more energy to do so. But just know that as much as I appreciate how much you want to help, it would hurt more for Matthew Shields to do anything to you than anything they could physically do to me.”
He tilts his head a little bit as he says this to Everalda. She slips out of her high heels and climbs into the bed next to him. Reaching up, she places a hand on the side of his face and caresses his cheek with her thumb.
Everalda: “Adrien… I didn’t mean to be dishonest at the moment. I meant no harm, I really wanted to help, but soon I realized that my request would fall on deaf ears… I was foolish. I’m sorry.”
Adrien gives a reassuring smile.
Adrien: “I know. It’s okay. Just try not to put yourself in harm’s way, okay? You are too precious to me to have anything happen to you.”
Everalda: “As you are too important to me.”
With a smile, she leans in and kisses him, then she lays by his side and drapes an arm across his chest. Her hand gently caresses his chest in a circular motion and she sighs softly.
Adrien: “I love you, Everalda.”
Everalda: “I love you too, Adrien.”
I never thought I'd end up here
Never thought I'd be standing where I am
I guess I kinda thought it would be easier than this
I guess I was wrong now one more time
I tried to climb your steps
I tried to chase you down
I tried to see how long I could get it down to the ground
I tried to earn my way
I tried to tame this mind
You better believe that I tried to beat this
So when will this end it goes on and on
Over and over and over again
Keep spinning around I know that it won't stop
Till I step down from this for good
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