Post by Austen Blackwell on Jul 27, 2017 10:05:42 GMT -5
Poolside
The home of Austen Blackwell and Mercedes Carter
"I knew that I had given up my chance. I saw a friend in need, and I jumped. Selfless? Thinking of others? Giving up? Whatever people want to call it, I made my choice. I told my friend; Ruby, to head up the ladder and to take the title. A title that I wanted. A win that I wanted. But I match that I won't allow to define me."
Austen sticks his legs into the pool as Mercedes was holding the camera on him from inside of the pool, giving a vantage point that was not normal in his promo videos.
"I made my choice. Something you will hear me say and confirm. I could have taken the title, and the roles would be reversed. But I felt like a friend in need meant more. Plus, a title will never define who or what I am. I am and will always be true to myself."
He smiles to Mercedes behind the camera.
"And that is the way a certain, special someone wants me to always remain."
"Uh huh" is heard off camera.
"That said, Ruby knows that I am a competitor. And this match? There is no help this time around. This is my chance to show just why I was this close to walking away with the South Bay title. And at Crossroad: Rise, I plan on leaving the arena with it strapped over my shoulder. I have my eyes on the prize, and I have been readying myself for this match. I have been taking it easy on my knee, making sure to not put any extra strain on it. I have been stretching it out, and doing plenty of working out in the pool. The water actually helps to rehab a lot, and I have become best friends with this pool. And Mercedes has been helping me as much as she can. We are going to put on one heck of a match, Ruby. And I know that you are far from a slouch or a lazy champion; just know that I will make sure to do everything that I can within the rules to take the title from you. I want to shake your hand before the match, and shake it after. During the match, we are all business."
He splashes his legs a bit more.
“Babe. Don’t get the camera wet!”
He laughs and splashes once more, before a wall of water is sent his way and gets his shorts wet.
“That was deserved, I guess.”
“Uh huh.”
“Anyways. Ruby. This match? It is going to be fun. We are going to put on a show. Together? We might even steal the show as the best match on the card. It is important to me, win or loss, to have fun. To enjoy what we have. And to show that loud mouth, Julianna, how we can be both friends and amazing competitors. We do not need to hate each other, or talk crap. We do not need to call each other out. You are doing fine as a champion, and representing the South Bay. Would I or someone like Danni do a good job, as well? I am sure. But you’ve earned the right to be called champ, for now. And, for now, I will respect just that. I admire someone that is as nice as you have been and I cannot wait to see what happens at Crossroad. Two more weeks to go, enjoy the title time Ruby!”
Austen waves for the camera.
“All done?”
“Yeah. Stop the video.”
“You sure, babe?”
The camera pulls back some as Mercedes begins to swim away from him.
“Come on Mercedes.”
“Come and get it!”
He stands up.
“Fine. Brat.”
She turns the camera back towards her and sticks her tongue out. As she turns it back around, he is reaching out to grab the camera. The last thing we see is that Austen smiles as the video comes to an end.
* * * *
Gym
The home of Austen Blackwell and Mercedes Carter
Austen is laying on the floor as Mercedes has a hold of his leg. He braces himself on the floor as she begins to pull up, and then push the leg forward towards his torso.
"Careful. Careful."
"Shhh. You got this, babe."
He nods as he grimaces in pain, before Mercedes holds the position.
"I gotta make sure my leg is loosened up, and my knee is good."
"You will be fine."
"I know that you have confidence in me. I just; with everything going on. My parents. Not speaking to my father yet. Looking at houses. Knowing that right down the driveway, who knows if they are fighting."
"Babe, it will be okay. Concentrate on your match."
Mercedes smiles at Austen, trying to relax him. She starts to ease off on his leg as he gives some resistance.
"You are right. Yoga has worked quite well. And the meditation. I sort of did that, keeping quiet, at the beach before. But it does seem to help; and relax me."
"See? Mercedes knows best!"
She let's the leg go fully as he lays flat on his back.
"Get up silly."
She offers a hand to help him up. She helps to pull him up to his feet.
"Okay?"
He tests his knee out. He pivots, and hops up and down a little.
"I feel almost one hundred percent. Almost two weeks to go, and I am almost there. Thanks, babe."
She smiles and kisses his cheek.
"My turn."
She turns her back towards him.
"Okay. Okay."
He reaches out and begins to run her shoulders.
"Mmm, that is the spot."
"You sure love shoulder massages, Mercedes. Sometimes I think that you could just enjoy shoulder rubs all day long. Right?"
"I do. Plus where else they lead."
Mercedes looks back over her shoulder to Austen with a devilish look on her face as the video comes to an end.