Post by Aurora Graves on Aug 19, 2017 15:46:09 GMT -5
Shake Shack
Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, August 19, 2017
The hot August sun beat down upon the umbrellas that cast shade over the outdoor patio, cloaking the wooden tables where the restaurant patrons sat in scattered clusters. In the corner of the patio closest to the street, Aurora Graves sat by herself, sipping on a strawberry milkshake. Sitting on the table in front of her was a Double Shackburger, roughly half-eaten. Across the table sat an empty tray with a few crumbs scattered among what appeared to be smears of ketchup. Aurora picked up her burger, taking a bite before looking up at the camera. She scoffed, setting her food down as she rolled her eyes.
Aurora: I suppose you’re looking for a reason why I haven’t been exploding with rage over what happened at One Night Only. Am I angry? You bet your ass I am! But obviously, approaching the “boss” to air our grievances hasn’t done a damn bit of good, because Devlin Scott continues to employ officials that consistently make bad calls to the detriment of his top stars.
She reached for her shake, wrapping her crimson-stained lips around the straw as she took another drink. Afterward, she pulled the lid off of her cup, swirling the frosty concoction held within with her straw.
Aurora: You see, when it comes to the Graves’, Damon has always been the more impulsive one. So if you want a raw reaction to what happened, go see him. As for me, I’m not going to sugar coat anything, because that’s not the kind of woman that I am. I know what went down, and so to the Young Cubs. But the video says everything that even they can’t, no matter how badly they want to believe that they won...
We were NEVER pinned. FACT! That referee may have counted to three, but my husband’s shoulders were NOT on the mat, therefore the pin is invalid. The Young Cubs can say whatever the hell they want, but the way I see it, they will say anything to justify their illegitimate claim to the Tag Team Championships.
Granted, it’s not the first time I’ve dealt with incompetent referees; everybody fucks up once in a while, and if you claim that you don’t, you’re a fucking liar. But rather than own up to his mistake, that idiot zebra continues to hide behind his striped shirt. No matter. What he – no, what the whole fucking world doesn’t realize is that Rebel Ink ALWAYS has an ace up their sleeves.
But just what IS that ace? That’s for Damon and I to know, and everyone else to sit and stew over until we’re ready to reveal it. In the meantime, they’ve got my Puddin’ squaring off against the New Generation Champion – non-title, of course....
She rolled her eyes, then took another sip of her milkshake. As she pulled the straw away from her mouth, a miniscule amount of thick, pink liquid pushed out through the opening, running down the length of the straw. Aurora quickly swiped it up with her finger, licking it off.
Aurora: While I’m facing Matt Shields’ rampaging thundercunt of a girlfriend, Kayla Richards.
As if on cue, a woman walked past the patio, clad in just enough clothing to avoid an indecent exposure charge. At the mention of the words “rampaging thundercunt,” she shot Aurora a dirty look, as if she thought the words were directed at her. Aurora shrugged, returning the woman’s glare with one of her own, a sort of non-verbal “if the shoe fits...”
Aurora: You’re talking about a woman that has made a name for herself by latching onto the people foolish enough to get close to her. It started with her own sister Amber. Now, she’s so desperate to get out of Amber’s shadow, she takes pretty much any and every opportunity to run down everything her older sister has done in this business because she knows that Amber can’t do anything to shut her up while she’s pregnant. But by her own admission, Kayla has acknowledged that Amber is better than she can ever hope to be. And don’t even get me started on that grimy, hairy Garbage Pail Kid that Kayla calls her boyfriend. Now, she’s even piggy-backing off of his ridiculous gimmick, calling herself the Queen of Redemption...
She grabbed the straw, stirring her milkshake as she laughed.
Aurora: Do you know what I find absolutely hilarious? When someone throws the same tired insults that have been used since the human race first invented slang, knowing full well that every single word that spills out of their mouths could be put to FAR more accurate use if turned around on them.
But that’s what you do, isn’t it, Kayla? You project your own flaws onto everyone that isn’t part of your little group because it makes you feel like a bigshot. But just because you act all big and bad doesn’t mean that you’re the baddest bitch on the planet. You may have lucked your way into a shot at the Heavyweight Championship, but I’ve already proven myself to be at that caliber in every company that I’ve wrestled in. You may think that you’re going to be able to put me away like I’m nothing, but don’t be a fool. Don’t make the same mistake that so many others have made by underestimating me, because if you do, then you’re going to wind up like so many other wrestlers that I’ve stepped into the ring with... flat on your back.
She paused, staring down at the railing that marked the boundary between the patio and the sidewalk, a somewhat pensive look on her face.
Aurora: Nah... I’m not going to make THAT joke again. That’s about as trite as all of the jokes people have made about the fact that I’ve been a fan of Harley Quinn since I was a child, as if I was ignorant of all of the negative aspects of what her character stands for. And frankly, I’d rather pattern myself after her than that nasty, brother-fucking cunt from Game of Thrones. At least Harley Quinn eventually left the Joker, while that Lannister bitch just kept digging herself deeper and deeper into her hole of shame.
And you have the nerve to call ME unoriginal... Have you looked in a mirror lately? The black hair, the tattoos... you’re practically a clone of Amber! A poor-quality clone to be more specific, but a clone nonetheless. So for you to stand there and call me unoriginal is rather hypocritical. Tell me, Kayla... does that make you the pot or does that make you the kettle? I’m gonna go with the pot.
There is one thing that you and I do have in common, though. We both got into wrestling because of our siblings. But that’s where the similarities end. Unlike you, I didn’t take up this sport to spite anyone. I became a wrestler because I fucking WANTED to. And now, between me and my two brothers, I’m the only one that still does it, because I was the only one with the passion to keep at it. It’s that same passion that has led to me accomplishing more in one year than you have in two – tag team, singles... it doesn’t fucking matter – while your only claim to fame is that you were the first woman to hold a title that you eventually lost to someone that couldn’t hold onto it for even a couple of weeks. If she was able to be taken down so easily, then what does that say about you? What’s more, if you were indeed such a badass, then why is it that you haven’t held a single championship since then? Over the course of two years, that’s the only thing you can cling to. And you claim to be so much better than me....
Aurora shook her head, a look of almost pity in her eyes as she sighed. The pity in her eyes quickly gave way to a contemptuous glare as she stared into the camera.
Aurora: I’m convinced that to you, wrestling is just some silly little game where you constantly try to one-up your sister. Honestly, if Amber wasn’t pregnant, I’m almost willing to bet money that you’d be perfectly content being Matt’s walking jizz rag – that is, until he eventually gets tired of you leaching off of him and casts you aside like yesterday’s garbage. But you know what? I’m almost certain that at some point, Amber will be back in the ring, and when that happens, I hope you get to be one of the first people she steps into the ring with, so that she can show you how it’s done. I’ve been in the ring with her before – twice – and it’s because of that that she’s earned my respect. I know she still has it in her to become a champion again. You see, for someone that truly loves this business, the itch to wrestle is one that never leaves; it can only be temporarily sated by actually getting into the ring and doing what we know deep down we were born to do. That itch you’ve got... well, I think they have ointments for that. You might want to look into it.
I know... I said I wouldn't make any slut jokes, but when it comes to you, I can’t really help it.
She laughed, then finished off the last of her shake, moving the straw around the bottom of the cup like a vacuum as she sought out the last few hard-to-reach drops that clung to the seam where the wall met the bottom. Satisfied that the last dregs were gone, she set the empty cup aside.
Aurora: Oh, and by the way, I know that math is hard when you’ve had your head slammed into the headboard as many times as you have – oh, wait... that was your boyfriend – but you might want to go back and double check your numbers. Yeah, I may have been wrestling for just over a decade – six years pro, but who’s counting? – but I’m actually YOUNGER than you, even if it is only by a little bit more than a month. Not only that, but I’m more successful than you will ever hope to be, both in and out of the ring. You? This business that you got into just to spite your sister? Pretty soon, it’ll be all you have, and you’ll be lucky to eke out a living off of royalties and the odd convention appearance. I know! Maybe you can scrape a few bucks together selling Skype sessions with horny, basement-dwelling fanboys!
I know where I’m going in this world, Kayla. And because I’ve come into this business without the blinders of arrogance that you wear, I’ll still be around long after you’ve become just another casual mention in a “Where are They Now?” Blu-Ray special.
It’s a shame, really. You’ve enjoyed quite the meteoric rise here in Redemption. But from the research that I’ve done on you, it’s not the first time. Of course, you never were able to crawl out of the mire of mediocrity that you fell into during the end of your stint in IWF. Of course now, all of those girls that left you in the dust have long since faded into obscurity, so you decided now would be a good time to crawl out of your hole, mocking them because you know they aren’t around to hear you bitching. Careful, though. The stench of smegma coming from your mouth might catch their attention.
She shook her head, then looked at what was left of her burger in disgust. The familiar sound of a Harley Davidson motorcycle called her attention toward the street, where she spotted her husband sitting astride the red metallic beast. He nodded his head in the direction of the seat behind him, signaling that it was time to go. Aurora smiled at him, holding up her index finger to suggest that she needed another moment.
Aurora: You know what’s really fucked up? The fact that I can no longer eat this otherwise delicious burger, because thanks to you, I’ve lost my appetite. But that’s okay. I’m sure I’ll work it back up again after I’m finished wrestling circles around you tomorrow night.
She stood up, stepping away from the table to head out onto the sidewalk.
Aurora: We’ll see who’s doing the whining, then....
She left the patio, heading toward the curb where Damon was waiting for her. As Damon watched, Aurora straddled the passenger seat, wrapping her arms around his waist and smiling as she rested her head against his back.
Damon: Ready to go?
Aurora: Mm-hmm...
Damon: Good, because we still have plenty to do before we fly out tonight....
Aurora: Well, I suppose any amount of time at home is better than nothing. Can’t wait until we can actually enjoy our new place....
Damon chuckled as he released the kickstand, the engine roaring as they rode off down the street.
