Post by Adrien | Adam on Jul 16, 2017 21:08:03 GMT -5
(OOC: Additional writing credits to the handlers of Josh Kennedy, Stacy Sterling, and Yujiro Fujiwara)
Run, whirlwind run
Further and further away
Into the sun
In twenty minutes
Everyone will remember you when you're gone
And your heart is a stone
Buried underneath your pretty clothes
Don't you know people write songs about girls like you?
Date: July 12th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
There was something that was always important to Adrien Cochrane when it came to the constant one-off tag team matches he found himself in: he always wanted to make sure he worked with the partner to make sure they could succeed together. Sometimes, that has proven difficult. Tyson Gregory was an example of that.
But his next one should be no problem whatsoever. The talent was there, proven by the Redemption Wrestling Heavyweight Championship he possesses. The attitude was there as well, they’ve spoken backstage on more than one occasion on friendly terms.
Adrien had to fly halfway across the country to visit this particular partner of his, but the payoff...defeating the Destroyers two shows in a row...was worth any amount of airline miles it took to get the victory. He stares at his watch, reading that it was five minutes to noon in the west coast time zone as he awaited the arrival of Yujiro Fujiwara at the City of Angels Wrestling Dojo. Adrien sat inside his rental car, anticipating seeing Fujiwara exit out of a vehicle in a few short minutes.
Adrien: “Ah, there he is!”
Adrien exits out of the car to greet the champion as soon as he exits his own vehicle, hand already extended.
Yujiro: “Forgive my lateness. Despite my early departure, there was an accident on the freeway.”
The two shake.
Adrien: “Don’t even worry about it. I’ve forgotten how much of a nightmare Los Angeles traffic was. It’s been a few years since I’ve been in this part of the state. Good to see you, champ.”
Yujiro: “Likewise, sir. Likewise.”
They then turn and proceed to walk towards the gym.
Yujiro: “Classes are over for the day. However, there may be a stray student or two around. There are a couple that stay over time.”
Adrien quickly grabs his bag of gym clothes as they walk past his vehicle towards the gym and shuts the trunk.
Adrien: “I know the feeling. This is Flex Johnson’s place, right?”
Yujiro nods.
Yujiro: “Indeed it is. He built it from the ground up. Everything inside is the finest of quality.”
Adrien starts to admire the place the moment he opens the doors. Adrien’s idea of a training facility was two major facilities, where he was trained by “Nightbringer” Ryan Corey twelve years ago in a small town in Missouri, as one of his first students with new equipment, but definitely not the state of the art stuff Corey and Flex have now. The other is where Adrien spent his time training Kenzie Rydell and Adam Sanders, which was basically just an exterior building behind Adrien’s home with a ring Adrien made himself, and Adrien’s personal equipment. Adrien was proud of the quality of his personal training building, but it definitely wasn't state of the art for training a bunch of people at once like this facility. The facility his eyes were gazing upon surpassed both his home and the original Camp Nightfall from twelve years ago by a long shot.
Adrien: “Better than training at my place, that’s for sure.”
Yujiro: “I trust everything shall be to your liking.”
As Yujiro had statemented, there are three students lingering about in the gym. They're huddled around a television in the far right side of the gym.
Yujiro: “The students enjoy watching and studying a variety of matches from all over. They seem to be engrossed, so they shouldn’t be any trouble.”
Adrien can empathize with the students. He watches videos of wrestling matches on his computer in his office, usually people he is about to face, work with, or has some other connection with. His manager, Eddie Walker, was very skilled at digging up all sorts of videos for Adrien’s indulgent.
Adrien: “No worries. I’m used to having people around when training.”
There was always either Eddie, Kenzie, Adam, or Stacy in the room when Adrien’s in his practice ring. Adrien feels like he does better with an audience.
Yujiro: “Very well.”
There are three rings positioned throughout the gym.
Yujiro: “I shall let you pick.”
Adrien points towards the middle one.
Adrien: “We’ll use that one. Anywhere, in particular, you want me to change?”
Yujiro: “The locker room is down the hall. Please use any locker you’d like. I must drop an item off in my office.”
Adrien: “I appreciate it. Thank you.”
Adrien Cochrane follows the directions of the Heavyweight Champion. He enters a very clean locker room, nicer than the ones he was used to from #FSociety and Inferno. He begins to change into his usual wrestling gear, pants length tights, and a sleeveless shirt, taking off his Apple Watch and other accessories. He stuffs his clothes into the first empty locker he sees before exiting the locker room, running into Fujiwara exiting the office as well.
Yujiro: “Are you ready to begin?”
Adrien: “Yessir.”
Yujiro rolls into the ring and begins to stretch. Once he is loose, he turns towards Adrien.
Yujiro: “There. Now we may get down to business.”
Adrien finishes up the last stretch he does as well.
Adrien: “Indeed. Fortunately, I was just in the ring with this particular set of opponents just last show. I noticed a few things that may be beneficial for us to use.”
Yujiro nods.
Yujiro: “I have been studying them myself. However, since you have the first-hand experience, I shall defer to you.”
Adrien smiles as he recalls every single move performed in the main event, not only from he and Honey taking on the duo but also the portion of the match where the Destroyers faced the Karloffs moments earlier.
Adrien: “So this is my analysis of them and what I think can be done about it.”
What will you do when something stops you?
What will you say to the world?
What will you be when it all comes crashing
Down on you little girl?
What would you do if you lost your beauty?
How would you deal with the light?
How would you feel if nobody chased you?
What if it happened tonight?
Date: July 15th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
If there was ever anyone who was used to feedback from a sound system coming from a microphone, it was Adrien Cochrane. He has been playing music since he was a teenager, starting with a Green Day influenced pop-punk band in the early 2000s before maturing to a more alternative sound. But as the singer for all these bands, he knows what has to be done the moment the speakers start screeching. Cochrane quickly grabs the microphone stand, turning the microphone off and moving it to a different part of the stage. He sees Eddie Walker on the side stage, barking at the person on the soundboard to make some adjustments so that it wouldn’t do it again.
The sunlight from the warm North Carolina sky is quite refreshing to all the rain that has been occurring in South Louisiana the past week. Adrien was surrounded by green as the grass was shimmering in the sun. The trees calmly waved in the gentle breeze. But even brighter than the sunlight was the smile on the person who places her hand on Adrien’s shoulder. He doesn’t even have to turn to look; he knows that hand as well as his own.
Eddie Walker: “Testing, testing, testing.”
The sound system sounds as it should. Not too overbearing, not bursting eardrums with loud screeches of feedback anymore. Walker places the microphone back on the stand and quickly slips off stage. Adrien takes a deep breath as he is about to step forward to start speaking, but he doesn’t do so fast enough. Stacy Sterling is already at the microphone before he could even realize what was going on.
Stacy: “Is this thing on?”
Stacy taps the microphone, a bit too hard, causing some static. She immediately catches a side eye from Eddie Walker to whom she mouths ‘sorry’. Clearing her throat, she spoke into the microphone again, this time a bit softer, but still with the same energy that you would expect from her.
Stacy: “A few months ago, in April actually, I found myself lost. How so? Well, the place I called home since late last year up and closed, and not only was I out of a job, I felt like I lost so much more. Friends, fans, it was a really rough time emotionally for me. Adrien, you felt something similar, didn’t you?”
Adrien tries nodding a foot or two behind Stacy and letting his nod do the answering for him. Stacy wasn’t having it as she pulls him up to the microphone to speak.
Adrien: “Yes. It was a similar feeling when I was told that the final episode of #FSociety was going to be the final show of the company. Not knowing where I was going next, it was a feeling of spatial disorientation.”
Eddie Walker can be seen rolling his eyes for Adrien’s use of the phrase spatial disorientation.
Adrien: “But it was not for long that we felt lost, was it, Stacy?”
Stacy: “It wasn’t! YOU guys wouldn’t allow us to walk along a lost path. Instead, we listened to each and every one of you. YOU found us...YOU pointed us to Redemption Wrestling!”
With the factual, albeit cheesy statement, the men and women on the grass in front of the stage let out a burst of cheers and applause.
Stacy: “So, to celebrate everything you guys have done for Adrien and me, we decided to give back. We chose Charlotte as the destination for this event, where all proceeds benefit a local charity, of course...you guys know what the event is, right? Adrien...care to do the honors?”
Adrien gives Stacy a look that could best be described as ‘why can’t you tell them?’ but Stacy massages her fingers into his shoulders, motivating him to step in front of the microphone once again.
Adrien: “Well, we got a few Redemption stars here today. Along with me and Stacy, you’ve got Josh Kennedy, Alechs Aurelio, Honey, and a few others. We’re going to be hiding somewhere in this large park of ours, not leaving the grounds of Freedom Park. Everyone who will be seekers will be kept inside a tent to try to find all the wrestlers as quickly as they can. The faster everyone is found, the more money we raise for the mental health fund for young people in the Charlotte area.”
Stacy: “So, all seekers get ready to head to your tents!”
Everyone excitedly begins heading to their designated sections as Stacy literally jumps off the stage and lands right in front of Eddie Walker.
Eddie: “Whoa, Stace. We just got you that contract, maybe you should be a little careful?”
Stacy: “Oh hush booger!”
She laughs.
Stacy: “Nobody is going to get hurt today. It’s all about fun, the sun, and raising some funds!”
Stacy glances up to Adrien who is on the edge of the stage.
Stacy: “Come on babybabe, jump off! It’s fun!”
Adrien hops off the stage, a bit more calculated in his jump than Stacy was. He safely lands next to them.
Adrien: “I’m not afraid of heights either, you know. I am a high flyer in the ring too!”
Eddie: “Yeah, yeah, yeah. By the way, a surprise I had for you, good sir. Your music equipment is…”
Adrien’s eyes widen before Eddie can finish his sentence.
Adrien: “Wait, you’re expecting me to…”
Eddie: “YUP!”
Stacy: “I’m confused here. Are you saying Adrien is going to have a mini concert or something when we finish the game?”
Eddie Walker smiles a bit.
Eddie: “Stacy, dear, that is EXACTLY what I’m saying. I got his acoustic guitar and all the stuff required for him to go back on that stage when the games are over and play a couple of songs.”
Adrien: “I haven’t rehearsed anything!”
Eddie: “You’ll be fine. It’s part of my job as your manager, right? Point at the stage, hand you a guitar, let you be the talented little bastard you are, right?”
Stacy: “Bad word...my ears are burning...ouch!”
Stacy playfully plugs each ear with an index finger for a moment before removing her fingers and grabbing Adrien’s hand.
Stacy: “You’re going to put on an incredible show like you always do, and if you get nervous, your biggest fan will be right at the foot of the stage, okay?”
Adrien shakes his head with a goofy smile on his face.
Adrien: “Can I have a bit more of a heads up next time, Eddie?”
Eddie: “It’s less fun for me but fine.”
Adrien wipes his eyes before Walker places his hand on Adrien’s shoulder.
Eddie: “Let’s just say I #Believe in you.”
Adrien: “Which guitar did…”
Eddie: “I got the Mahogany Taylor. I dunno which one you nicknamed that one. I know it’s your preferred acoustic.”
Adrien: “Alright. I’ll wing it and play a few songs.”
Stacy: “I’m proud of you babe. We really need to go hide though. Are you ready?!”
Eddie: “Don’t go getting lost again now, okay?”
Stacy sticks her tongue out at the sarcastic manager.
Stacy: “I won’t let Adrien get lost. Come on, let’s go!”
Adrien: “Oh, we’re hiding together?”
Stacy: “Well the quicker they find us, the more money is raised, so I think we should hide to make it fun, but not make it super difficult to find us. Besides, the sooner we’re found, the sooner I get to hear those beautiful vocal cords on stage.”
Adrien can’t help but laugh a little bit as Stacy throws all the compliments at him. He isn’t sure how he ended up being in this situation where he got to be loved by such an amazing woman.
Adrien: “Alright, alright. Did you have any specific ideas or…?”
Stacy: “I do, but it’s a surprise. Just follow me!”
The two run off deeper into the park as the countdown for the seekers in the tents nears the five minutes remaining mark before they can start seeking out the celebrities.
How would you cope it the world decided to
Make you suffer for all that you were?
How could you dance if no-one was watching
And you couldn't even care if they were?
What would you do if you couldn't even feel?
Not even pitiful pain
How would you deal if the indecision
Eating away at the days?
Date: July 15, 2017
Cameras: OFF
The hide and seek fest came to a conclusion fairly quickly. It only took the seekers about an hour to find everyone, including Adrien and Stacy in the first ten minutes. All of the volunteers were starting to gather back near the stage as they try to figure out how much money they raised for the mental health of all the young people in Charlotte.
Adrien Cochrane stayed off the stage this time as Stacy Sterling was immediately running back on the stage since this was her brainchild, after all. While Adrien tries to hang out in the back of the crowd to keep the spotlight a little less on him when he feels yet another hand on his shoulder, but since his girlfriend was on stage, it couldn’t have been her this time.
“Adrien Cochrane, we meet at last… Does the man live up to the legend?”
A voice asks, dripping in sarcasm, the strong Southern drawl giving its intonation enough warmth to communicate the ultimately friendly intent behind the ribbing. The voice belonged to Josh Kennedy, who had a warm smile on his face, something that had been quite the rare sight of late. Adrien Cochrane finally realizes the man he watched win a very violent match in CWC Slaughterhouse was the owner of the voice, his face lights up and he extends his hand.
Adrien: “Well if it isn’t Josh Kennedy. Look at you! About time our interactions with one another left the world wide web finally.”
Josh: “Ain’t that the truth. Seems like Twitter’s where half of this industry gets to know each other now.”
Josh observes with a chuckle as he shakes Adrien’s outstretched hand.
Adrien: “Well, with us sharing that Redemption locker room and doing similar activities, it was bound to happen one day, right?”
Adrien responds with a chuckle of his own as he even gives Josh a pat on the back of his shoulder with the handshake.
Josh: “You’re right, guess it was an inevitability. Hell, might even find ourselves on opposite sides of that ring soon enough, huh?”
Adrien: “Hey, I said I was willing to give you a fight when I was trying to throw some smoke and mirrors that I was maybe going to the CWC. But hey, I’m sure our paths will cross soon in that Redemption ring and we can have that friendly competitive match. You’re facing my one off tag partner from last show tomorrow night, right?”
Josh: “Gotta happen one day, I’d bet. I mean, c’mon, we both know there’s money in that. Sure am, half of the number one contenders to the tag team titles, there are worse ways to break a cold streak I guess.”
Adrien catches a glimpse of Honey in the crowd of faces hanging out in front of the stage. She’s chatting with Alechs Aurelio across the sea people.
Adrien: “Hey, make sure you bring it. She may be sunshine and absolute positivity outside the ring, but she can hold her own in it. But then again, you’re no slouch yourself.”
Josh: “I mean, you say that, but I certainly ain’t been provin’ it out here in Redemption. I need to figure somethin’ out. I don’t doubt Honey for a second, but I got like sixty pounds on her and one hell of a lot to prove.”
Adrien: “Well, you sure as hell proven yourself as a hider, it took everyone an hour to figure out where the hell you went.”
Adrien jokes, referencing the charity event that just concluded. While most of the people participating didn’t exactly try to hide in difficult places since it was for charity, Josh was the one guy who took it seriously.
Josh: “I tried to pick some place easy and all, was it really that tough?”
Josh laughs his guilt off. It had been for charity, a mental health one at that, a fact that hadn’t entirely been lost on Josh. He certainly hadn’t intended for his hiding spot to be too difficult.
Adrien: “Then what the hell were you doing in a storm drain?! That’s the last place someone would look!”
Adrien himself was hiding up a tree with Stacy. Of course, that encouraged some younger volunteers to sing a certain song at the couple.
Josh: “The storm drain’s always the first place you look, ain’t it?”
Josh asks, seemingly genuinely confused at Adrien’s apparent disbelief.
Adrien: “Clearly not. Alechs and Honey didn’t think that way either. They were found behind a bush and a water fountain respectively.”
Josh: “I dunno, nothing else seemed to stand out to me. Was it really that bad?”
Adrien: “Really good if you actually were trying not to be found. Exceptional even.”
Josh: “Well, hey, at least I won at something.”
Josh says with a laugh, making a self-deprecating joke at the expense of his own current losing streak.
Adrien: “I was the first one found. I guess I finally lost at something.”
Adrien is on the opposite end of the spectrum, not losing a match since December or even taking a fall himself since October.
Josh: “Oh look at you, Mr. Successful, huh?”
Josh teased with a wry smile.
Adrien: “Hey, I just go out there and try to win every match I’m in. I can’t help it I don’t quite know how to give up in the ring. Or maybe I can help it…”
Josh: “I mean, I’m doing the same, it’s not like I ain’t tryin’. Guess I just gotta get my head screwed on a little straighter.”
Adrien: “Hey, I’ve been there before. You’re like what...twenty-five...?”
Josh: “Bingo.”
Adrien: “...See, I literally had just won my first World Title around that age. I was like ‘How the hell did this happen?’ when I realized that belt was in my possession.”
Josh: “I’ve been around the block too, old timer, I felt the same way. I can still hardly believe it.”
Adrien: “Hey now, I got that word trademarked.”
Adrien winks at Josh jokingly.
Josh: “Aww shit, how much do I owe you in royalties?”
Adrien: “Just donate some extra money to the charity and we’ll call it even. The least you can do since you doubled the amount of time it took for them to find everyone with that spot of yours.”
Josh nods.
Josh: “Think I can manage that. How much did that little stunt cost, d’you reckon?”
Adrien: “More than your Redemption paycheck, but the amount doesn’t matter.”
Josh: “Well, damn…”
Josh says, guiltily before he continues.
Josh: “Guess I’ll have to work somethin’ out to make up for it.”
Adrien: “I’m sure this won’t be the last charity event that pops up in Stacy’s mind. You can participate in the next one.”
Josh: “It’s a start, I’ll take it.”
Adrien glances around the sea of people before he makes awkward eye contact with Eddie Walker, who was looking directly at him. As soon as Eddie sees him looking in his direction, the manager beckons him.
Adrien: “Well, hey, I am being summoned. Thanks for taking part in this, Josh. I’ll see you tomorrow at the show!”
And in a matter of seconds, Adrien finds himself trying to wiggle through the crowd of people. Going “Hey, I’m the guy co-hosting this charity” only gets him so far with some of the restless spectators of the event. After a few minutes, Adrien was able to fight his way to his best friend, who seems a bit impatient with his foot tapping on the ground and the overly exaggerated staring at the watch.
Eddie: “Took you long enough. Weren’t you a track runner?”
Adrien: “Yeah, well, it doesn’t exactly help when there was an angry mob between all of us.”
Eddie: “You done making excuses?”
Adrien rolls his eyes.
Adrien: “Fine. What do you have for me?”
Eddie: “First of all, I see you were speaking with Mr. Josh Kennedy. Anything worth mentioning there?”
Adrien: “Not exactly. We’ve been friendly with one another on the world wide web. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to chat with him in person.”
Eddie glances upon Josh Kennedy, who is mostly keeping near the back by a tree then back to the Dropkick King.
Eddie: “You have a habit of befriending people who are a bit of a wildcard with it biting you on your rear end.”
Adrien: “What do you mean?”
Eddie: “Just make sure Josh Kennedy doesn’t end up another Chris Marks, Sarah Selena Lacklan, Kenzi Grey, Zack Lifer, Jay Thunder, Heather Halliwell…”
Adrien: “HEY! Do you keep this list on you?! And Heather and I are good today!”
Eddie: “Doesn’t mean your friendship with her didn’t end up on hiatus when she betrayed you.”
Adrien: “Yeah, the betrayal that led to me winning a World Title. It ended up so badly for me…”
Eddie lowers his eyelids at Adrien.
Eddie: “You don’t get to be the sarcastic one. I’m the sarcastic one. You’re the talent. You know how this works. And one more thing…”
Eddie turns away from Adrien for a moment, grabbing something. He turns back around with Adrien’s Taylor Acoustic Electric Guitar in one hand, a pair of earbuds in the other.
Eddie: “Get ready to get on stage in the next ten minutes.”
Adrien: “And what exactly am I supposed to play? I didn’t rehearse anything. I have a match in literally twenty-four hours.”
Eddie: “Just wing it! You’ll be fine!”
Don't you know people write songs about girls like you?
About girls like you
About girls like you
Don't you know people write songs about girls like you?
About girls like you
About girls like you
FOR THE ON CAMERA PORTION OF THIS RP, CLICK HERE
Run, whirlwind run
Further and further away
Into the sun
In twenty minutes
Everyone will remember you when you're gone
And your heart is a stone
Buried underneath your pretty clothes
Don't you know people write songs about girls like you?
Date: July 12th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
There was something that was always important to Adrien Cochrane when it came to the constant one-off tag team matches he found himself in: he always wanted to make sure he worked with the partner to make sure they could succeed together. Sometimes, that has proven difficult. Tyson Gregory was an example of that.
But his next one should be no problem whatsoever. The talent was there, proven by the Redemption Wrestling Heavyweight Championship he possesses. The attitude was there as well, they’ve spoken backstage on more than one occasion on friendly terms.
Adrien had to fly halfway across the country to visit this particular partner of his, but the payoff...defeating the Destroyers two shows in a row...was worth any amount of airline miles it took to get the victory. He stares at his watch, reading that it was five minutes to noon in the west coast time zone as he awaited the arrival of Yujiro Fujiwara at the City of Angels Wrestling Dojo. Adrien sat inside his rental car, anticipating seeing Fujiwara exit out of a vehicle in a few short minutes.
Adrien: “Ah, there he is!”
Adrien exits out of the car to greet the champion as soon as he exits his own vehicle, hand already extended.
Yujiro: “Forgive my lateness. Despite my early departure, there was an accident on the freeway.”
The two shake.
Adrien: “Don’t even worry about it. I’ve forgotten how much of a nightmare Los Angeles traffic was. It’s been a few years since I’ve been in this part of the state. Good to see you, champ.”
Yujiro: “Likewise, sir. Likewise.”
They then turn and proceed to walk towards the gym.
Yujiro: “Classes are over for the day. However, there may be a stray student or two around. There are a couple that stay over time.”
Adrien quickly grabs his bag of gym clothes as they walk past his vehicle towards the gym and shuts the trunk.
Adrien: “I know the feeling. This is Flex Johnson’s place, right?”
Yujiro nods.
Yujiro: “Indeed it is. He built it from the ground up. Everything inside is the finest of quality.”
Adrien starts to admire the place the moment he opens the doors. Adrien’s idea of a training facility was two major facilities, where he was trained by “Nightbringer” Ryan Corey twelve years ago in a small town in Missouri, as one of his first students with new equipment, but definitely not the state of the art stuff Corey and Flex have now. The other is where Adrien spent his time training Kenzie Rydell and Adam Sanders, which was basically just an exterior building behind Adrien’s home with a ring Adrien made himself, and Adrien’s personal equipment. Adrien was proud of the quality of his personal training building, but it definitely wasn't state of the art for training a bunch of people at once like this facility. The facility his eyes were gazing upon surpassed both his home and the original Camp Nightfall from twelve years ago by a long shot.
Adrien: “Better than training at my place, that’s for sure.”
Yujiro: “I trust everything shall be to your liking.”
As Yujiro had statemented, there are three students lingering about in the gym. They're huddled around a television in the far right side of the gym.
Yujiro: “The students enjoy watching and studying a variety of matches from all over. They seem to be engrossed, so they shouldn’t be any trouble.”
Adrien can empathize with the students. He watches videos of wrestling matches on his computer in his office, usually people he is about to face, work with, or has some other connection with. His manager, Eddie Walker, was very skilled at digging up all sorts of videos for Adrien’s indulgent.
Adrien: “No worries. I’m used to having people around when training.”
There was always either Eddie, Kenzie, Adam, or Stacy in the room when Adrien’s in his practice ring. Adrien feels like he does better with an audience.
Yujiro: “Very well.”
There are three rings positioned throughout the gym.
Yujiro: “I shall let you pick.”
Adrien points towards the middle one.
Adrien: “We’ll use that one. Anywhere, in particular, you want me to change?”
Yujiro: “The locker room is down the hall. Please use any locker you’d like. I must drop an item off in my office.”
Adrien: “I appreciate it. Thank you.”
Adrien Cochrane follows the directions of the Heavyweight Champion. He enters a very clean locker room, nicer than the ones he was used to from #FSociety and Inferno. He begins to change into his usual wrestling gear, pants length tights, and a sleeveless shirt, taking off his Apple Watch and other accessories. He stuffs his clothes into the first empty locker he sees before exiting the locker room, running into Fujiwara exiting the office as well.
Yujiro: “Are you ready to begin?”
Adrien: “Yessir.”
Yujiro rolls into the ring and begins to stretch. Once he is loose, he turns towards Adrien.
Yujiro: “There. Now we may get down to business.”
Adrien finishes up the last stretch he does as well.
Adrien: “Indeed. Fortunately, I was just in the ring with this particular set of opponents just last show. I noticed a few things that may be beneficial for us to use.”
Yujiro nods.
Yujiro: “I have been studying them myself. However, since you have the first-hand experience, I shall defer to you.”
Adrien smiles as he recalls every single move performed in the main event, not only from he and Honey taking on the duo but also the portion of the match where the Destroyers faced the Karloffs moments earlier.
Adrien: “So this is my analysis of them and what I think can be done about it.”
What will you do when something stops you?
What will you say to the world?
What will you be when it all comes crashing
Down on you little girl?
What would you do if you lost your beauty?
How would you deal with the light?
How would you feel if nobody chased you?
What if it happened tonight?
Date: July 15th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
If there was ever anyone who was used to feedback from a sound system coming from a microphone, it was Adrien Cochrane. He has been playing music since he was a teenager, starting with a Green Day influenced pop-punk band in the early 2000s before maturing to a more alternative sound. But as the singer for all these bands, he knows what has to be done the moment the speakers start screeching. Cochrane quickly grabs the microphone stand, turning the microphone off and moving it to a different part of the stage. He sees Eddie Walker on the side stage, barking at the person on the soundboard to make some adjustments so that it wouldn’t do it again.
The sunlight from the warm North Carolina sky is quite refreshing to all the rain that has been occurring in South Louisiana the past week. Adrien was surrounded by green as the grass was shimmering in the sun. The trees calmly waved in the gentle breeze. But even brighter than the sunlight was the smile on the person who places her hand on Adrien’s shoulder. He doesn’t even have to turn to look; he knows that hand as well as his own.
Eddie Walker: “Testing, testing, testing.”
The sound system sounds as it should. Not too overbearing, not bursting eardrums with loud screeches of feedback anymore. Walker places the microphone back on the stand and quickly slips off stage. Adrien takes a deep breath as he is about to step forward to start speaking, but he doesn’t do so fast enough. Stacy Sterling is already at the microphone before he could even realize what was going on.
Stacy: “Is this thing on?”
Stacy taps the microphone, a bit too hard, causing some static. She immediately catches a side eye from Eddie Walker to whom she mouths ‘sorry’. Clearing her throat, she spoke into the microphone again, this time a bit softer, but still with the same energy that you would expect from her.
Stacy: “A few months ago, in April actually, I found myself lost. How so? Well, the place I called home since late last year up and closed, and not only was I out of a job, I felt like I lost so much more. Friends, fans, it was a really rough time emotionally for me. Adrien, you felt something similar, didn’t you?”
Adrien tries nodding a foot or two behind Stacy and letting his nod do the answering for him. Stacy wasn’t having it as she pulls him up to the microphone to speak.
Adrien: “Yes. It was a similar feeling when I was told that the final episode of #FSociety was going to be the final show of the company. Not knowing where I was going next, it was a feeling of spatial disorientation.”
Eddie Walker can be seen rolling his eyes for Adrien’s use of the phrase spatial disorientation.
Adrien: “But it was not for long that we felt lost, was it, Stacy?”
Stacy: “It wasn’t! YOU guys wouldn’t allow us to walk along a lost path. Instead, we listened to each and every one of you. YOU found us...YOU pointed us to Redemption Wrestling!”
With the factual, albeit cheesy statement, the men and women on the grass in front of the stage let out a burst of cheers and applause.
Stacy: “So, to celebrate everything you guys have done for Adrien and me, we decided to give back. We chose Charlotte as the destination for this event, where all proceeds benefit a local charity, of course...you guys know what the event is, right? Adrien...care to do the honors?”
Adrien gives Stacy a look that could best be described as ‘why can’t you tell them?’ but Stacy massages her fingers into his shoulders, motivating him to step in front of the microphone once again.
Adrien: “Well, we got a few Redemption stars here today. Along with me and Stacy, you’ve got Josh Kennedy, Alechs Aurelio, Honey, and a few others. We’re going to be hiding somewhere in this large park of ours, not leaving the grounds of Freedom Park. Everyone who will be seekers will be kept inside a tent to try to find all the wrestlers as quickly as they can. The faster everyone is found, the more money we raise for the mental health fund for young people in the Charlotte area.”
Stacy: “So, all seekers get ready to head to your tents!”
Everyone excitedly begins heading to their designated sections as Stacy literally jumps off the stage and lands right in front of Eddie Walker.
Eddie: “Whoa, Stace. We just got you that contract, maybe you should be a little careful?”
Stacy: “Oh hush booger!”
She laughs.
Stacy: “Nobody is going to get hurt today. It’s all about fun, the sun, and raising some funds!”
Stacy glances up to Adrien who is on the edge of the stage.
Stacy: “Come on babybabe, jump off! It’s fun!”
Adrien hops off the stage, a bit more calculated in his jump than Stacy was. He safely lands next to them.
Adrien: “I’m not afraid of heights either, you know. I am a high flyer in the ring too!”
Eddie: “Yeah, yeah, yeah. By the way, a surprise I had for you, good sir. Your music equipment is…”
Adrien’s eyes widen before Eddie can finish his sentence.
Adrien: “Wait, you’re expecting me to…”
Eddie: “YUP!”
Stacy: “I’m confused here. Are you saying Adrien is going to have a mini concert or something when we finish the game?”
Eddie Walker smiles a bit.
Eddie: “Stacy, dear, that is EXACTLY what I’m saying. I got his acoustic guitar and all the stuff required for him to go back on that stage when the games are over and play a couple of songs.”
Adrien: “I haven’t rehearsed anything!”
Eddie: “You’ll be fine. It’s part of my job as your manager, right? Point at the stage, hand you a guitar, let you be the talented little bastard you are, right?”
Stacy: “Bad word...my ears are burning...ouch!”
Stacy playfully plugs each ear with an index finger for a moment before removing her fingers and grabbing Adrien’s hand.
Stacy: “You’re going to put on an incredible show like you always do, and if you get nervous, your biggest fan will be right at the foot of the stage, okay?”
Adrien shakes his head with a goofy smile on his face.
Adrien: “Can I have a bit more of a heads up next time, Eddie?”
Eddie: “It’s less fun for me but fine.”
Adrien wipes his eyes before Walker places his hand on Adrien’s shoulder.
Eddie: “Let’s just say I #Believe in you.”
Adrien: “Which guitar did…”
Eddie: “I got the Mahogany Taylor. I dunno which one you nicknamed that one. I know it’s your preferred acoustic.”
Adrien: “Alright. I’ll wing it and play a few songs.”
Stacy: “I’m proud of you babe. We really need to go hide though. Are you ready?!”
Eddie: “Don’t go getting lost again now, okay?”
Stacy sticks her tongue out at the sarcastic manager.
Stacy: “I won’t let Adrien get lost. Come on, let’s go!”
Adrien: “Oh, we’re hiding together?”
Stacy: “Well the quicker they find us, the more money is raised, so I think we should hide to make it fun, but not make it super difficult to find us. Besides, the sooner we’re found, the sooner I get to hear those beautiful vocal cords on stage.”
Adrien can’t help but laugh a little bit as Stacy throws all the compliments at him. He isn’t sure how he ended up being in this situation where he got to be loved by such an amazing woman.
Adrien: “Alright, alright. Did you have any specific ideas or…?”
Stacy: “I do, but it’s a surprise. Just follow me!”
The two run off deeper into the park as the countdown for the seekers in the tents nears the five minutes remaining mark before they can start seeking out the celebrities.
How would you cope it the world decided to
Make you suffer for all that you were?
How could you dance if no-one was watching
And you couldn't even care if they were?
What would you do if you couldn't even feel?
Not even pitiful pain
How would you deal if the indecision
Eating away at the days?
Date: July 15, 2017
Cameras: OFF
The hide and seek fest came to a conclusion fairly quickly. It only took the seekers about an hour to find everyone, including Adrien and Stacy in the first ten minutes. All of the volunteers were starting to gather back near the stage as they try to figure out how much money they raised for the mental health of all the young people in Charlotte.
Adrien Cochrane stayed off the stage this time as Stacy Sterling was immediately running back on the stage since this was her brainchild, after all. While Adrien tries to hang out in the back of the crowd to keep the spotlight a little less on him when he feels yet another hand on his shoulder, but since his girlfriend was on stage, it couldn’t have been her this time.
“Adrien Cochrane, we meet at last… Does the man live up to the legend?”
A voice asks, dripping in sarcasm, the strong Southern drawl giving its intonation enough warmth to communicate the ultimately friendly intent behind the ribbing. The voice belonged to Josh Kennedy, who had a warm smile on his face, something that had been quite the rare sight of late. Adrien Cochrane finally realizes the man he watched win a very violent match in CWC Slaughterhouse was the owner of the voice, his face lights up and he extends his hand.
Adrien: “Well if it isn’t Josh Kennedy. Look at you! About time our interactions with one another left the world wide web finally.”
Josh: “Ain’t that the truth. Seems like Twitter’s where half of this industry gets to know each other now.”
Josh observes with a chuckle as he shakes Adrien’s outstretched hand.
Adrien: “Well, with us sharing that Redemption locker room and doing similar activities, it was bound to happen one day, right?”
Adrien responds with a chuckle of his own as he even gives Josh a pat on the back of his shoulder with the handshake.
Josh: “You’re right, guess it was an inevitability. Hell, might even find ourselves on opposite sides of that ring soon enough, huh?”
Adrien: “Hey, I said I was willing to give you a fight when I was trying to throw some smoke and mirrors that I was maybe going to the CWC. But hey, I’m sure our paths will cross soon in that Redemption ring and we can have that friendly competitive match. You’re facing my one off tag partner from last show tomorrow night, right?”
Josh: “Gotta happen one day, I’d bet. I mean, c’mon, we both know there’s money in that. Sure am, half of the number one contenders to the tag team titles, there are worse ways to break a cold streak I guess.”
Adrien catches a glimpse of Honey in the crowd of faces hanging out in front of the stage. She’s chatting with Alechs Aurelio across the sea people.
Adrien: “Hey, make sure you bring it. She may be sunshine and absolute positivity outside the ring, but she can hold her own in it. But then again, you’re no slouch yourself.”
Josh: “I mean, you say that, but I certainly ain’t been provin’ it out here in Redemption. I need to figure somethin’ out. I don’t doubt Honey for a second, but I got like sixty pounds on her and one hell of a lot to prove.”
Adrien: “Well, you sure as hell proven yourself as a hider, it took everyone an hour to figure out where the hell you went.”
Adrien jokes, referencing the charity event that just concluded. While most of the people participating didn’t exactly try to hide in difficult places since it was for charity, Josh was the one guy who took it seriously.
Josh: “I tried to pick some place easy and all, was it really that tough?”
Josh laughs his guilt off. It had been for charity, a mental health one at that, a fact that hadn’t entirely been lost on Josh. He certainly hadn’t intended for his hiding spot to be too difficult.
Adrien: “Then what the hell were you doing in a storm drain?! That’s the last place someone would look!”
Adrien himself was hiding up a tree with Stacy. Of course, that encouraged some younger volunteers to sing a certain song at the couple.
Josh: “The storm drain’s always the first place you look, ain’t it?”
Josh asks, seemingly genuinely confused at Adrien’s apparent disbelief.
Adrien: “Clearly not. Alechs and Honey didn’t think that way either. They were found behind a bush and a water fountain respectively.”
Josh: “I dunno, nothing else seemed to stand out to me. Was it really that bad?”
Adrien: “Really good if you actually were trying not to be found. Exceptional even.”
Josh: “Well, hey, at least I won at something.”
Josh says with a laugh, making a self-deprecating joke at the expense of his own current losing streak.
Adrien: “I was the first one found. I guess I finally lost at something.”
Adrien is on the opposite end of the spectrum, not losing a match since December or even taking a fall himself since October.
Josh: “Oh look at you, Mr. Successful, huh?”
Josh teased with a wry smile.
Adrien: “Hey, I just go out there and try to win every match I’m in. I can’t help it I don’t quite know how to give up in the ring. Or maybe I can help it…”
Josh: “I mean, I’m doing the same, it’s not like I ain’t tryin’. Guess I just gotta get my head screwed on a little straighter.”
Adrien: “Hey, I’ve been there before. You’re like what...twenty-five...?”
Josh: “Bingo.”
Adrien: “...See, I literally had just won my first World Title around that age. I was like ‘How the hell did this happen?’ when I realized that belt was in my possession.”
Josh: “I’ve been around the block too, old timer, I felt the same way. I can still hardly believe it.”
Adrien: “Hey now, I got that word trademarked.”
Adrien winks at Josh jokingly.
Josh: “Aww shit, how much do I owe you in royalties?”
Adrien: “Just donate some extra money to the charity and we’ll call it even. The least you can do since you doubled the amount of time it took for them to find everyone with that spot of yours.”
Josh nods.
Josh: “Think I can manage that. How much did that little stunt cost, d’you reckon?”
Adrien: “More than your Redemption paycheck, but the amount doesn’t matter.”
Josh: “Well, damn…”
Josh says, guiltily before he continues.
Josh: “Guess I’ll have to work somethin’ out to make up for it.”
Adrien: “I’m sure this won’t be the last charity event that pops up in Stacy’s mind. You can participate in the next one.”
Josh: “It’s a start, I’ll take it.”
Adrien glances around the sea of people before he makes awkward eye contact with Eddie Walker, who was looking directly at him. As soon as Eddie sees him looking in his direction, the manager beckons him.
Adrien: “Well, hey, I am being summoned. Thanks for taking part in this, Josh. I’ll see you tomorrow at the show!”
And in a matter of seconds, Adrien finds himself trying to wiggle through the crowd of people. Going “Hey, I’m the guy co-hosting this charity” only gets him so far with some of the restless spectators of the event. After a few minutes, Adrien was able to fight his way to his best friend, who seems a bit impatient with his foot tapping on the ground and the overly exaggerated staring at the watch.
Eddie: “Took you long enough. Weren’t you a track runner?”
Adrien: “Yeah, well, it doesn’t exactly help when there was an angry mob between all of us.”
Eddie: “You done making excuses?”
Adrien rolls his eyes.
Adrien: “Fine. What do you have for me?”
Eddie: “First of all, I see you were speaking with Mr. Josh Kennedy. Anything worth mentioning there?”
Adrien: “Not exactly. We’ve been friendly with one another on the world wide web. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to chat with him in person.”
Eddie glances upon Josh Kennedy, who is mostly keeping near the back by a tree then back to the Dropkick King.
Eddie: “You have a habit of befriending people who are a bit of a wildcard with it biting you on your rear end.”
Adrien: “What do you mean?”
Eddie: “Just make sure Josh Kennedy doesn’t end up another Chris Marks, Sarah Selena Lacklan, Kenzi Grey, Zack Lifer, Jay Thunder, Heather Halliwell…”
Adrien: “HEY! Do you keep this list on you?! And Heather and I are good today!”
Eddie: “Doesn’t mean your friendship with her didn’t end up on hiatus when she betrayed you.”
Adrien: “Yeah, the betrayal that led to me winning a World Title. It ended up so badly for me…”
Eddie lowers his eyelids at Adrien.
Eddie: “You don’t get to be the sarcastic one. I’m the sarcastic one. You’re the talent. You know how this works. And one more thing…”
Eddie turns away from Adrien for a moment, grabbing something. He turns back around with Adrien’s Taylor Acoustic Electric Guitar in one hand, a pair of earbuds in the other.
Eddie: “Get ready to get on stage in the next ten minutes.”
Adrien: “And what exactly am I supposed to play? I didn’t rehearse anything. I have a match in literally twenty-four hours.”
Eddie: “Just wing it! You’ll be fine!”
Don't you know people write songs about girls like you?
About girls like you
About girls like you
Don't you know people write songs about girls like you?
About girls like you
About girls like you
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