Post by Danielle Basch on Oct 13, 2017 1:55:02 GMT -5
K-One Fitness
San Francisco, CA
It’s early Thursday morning, long before the heavy traffic of the morning rush is set to clog the streets. In the back of the empty martial arts studio, a single voice breaks the silence, peppered with the repeated sounds of impact. The voice is that of Danni LeBlanc, as the camera catches her reflection in the mirror, laying some lightning fast kicks into a target held by her fiancé, Donovan Basch. He smiles before tossing the target aside. The pair bow to each other before Donovan nods in approval.
Donovan: Excellent work, as usual. I thought you were going to knock the target right out of my hand.
Danni: As firm of a grip as you had on it, that’s saying a lot.
Donovan smirks, then looks over toward the camera. Silently gesturing toward it with his head as if to signal Danni of the camera crew’s presence, he turns toward the entrance to the men’s locker room.
Donovan: I know the drill, Nixy. I’ll see you in a few minutes.
The pair link hands for a moment before Donovan leaves the room. Once he’s out of sight, Danni walks toward the far wall, away from the mirror, and sits down on the floor next to a sports bottle bearing the BaschTech logo. With her back against the wall, she rests her hands on her knees as she looks into the camera and smiles.
Danni: You know, the last time a WCG camera crew caught up with me while I was training, I ended up kicking the damn thing to the ground, but I don’t think that’s going to be necessary here. You see, at the time, I was trying to prove a point to a self-righteous little bitch that is no longer employed with this company. This time, that’s not the case. And while I may not like having to step into the ring with someone that has come to be a good friend to people I’m close to, I don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing my opponents. No one does.
Almost from the get-go, the bulk of the people I’ve had to step into the ring with have been either close friends, or at the very least, associates that I would like to consider myself on fairly good terms with. But as I always say, that’s just the way it is in this business. Sometimes, the person standing between you and victory is someone you wouldn’t spit on if they were on fire; others, it’s the very person you travel the road with. But I didn’t get to be the number one contender for the South Bay Championship by taking it easy on anyone.
She picks up the bottle and pulls up the spout, taking a long, refreshing drink. Her thirst momentarily sated, she pushes the spout back down.
Danni: But I don’t really have to tell you that, do I, Jack? You’ve pretty much already said everything there is to say, haven’t you? You feel like everyone’s already counting you out, and you just want to throw all of the doubt they’ve thrown at you back in their faces. And honestly, I don’t blame you. You see, I know all too well how that feels. Oh sure, you hear people talk about me like I’m just about to reach that first milestone in my career, winning my first championship. But do you have any idea how long it’s taken me JUST to get this far? Five years, Jack. I’ve been wrestling for five years, and up until now, I’ve had nothing to show for it apart from a couple of title matches where I came up just a little short.
I get it, Jack. Having people knock you and say that you’ll never get anywhere in this business can be frustrating as hell, and sometimes, that same frustration can be the ultimate fuel; a chance to get back at everyone that looked past you like you weren’t even there. Despite what you may think, I often feel like you and I are in the same boat. And frankly, I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little tired of aimlessly drifting in the ocean. It’s about time to grab an oar and start paddling. There’s just one little problem. That boat only has one oar.
Danni stands up, setting the sports bottle up on top of a locker. She leans against the locker, staring at the floor and shaking her head.
Danni: Sure, it’s easy for you to look at me and see everything good that I’ve got going on in my life, but I know all too well what it’s like to have nothing apart from a means to keep a roof over my head. But I still go out there and bust my ass in every facet of my life like it’s the last thing I’ll ever do because for all I know, it very well could be. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that because I’m living the high life now, that doesn’t mean I’m not just as hungry... if not even more so... as you are. If you do get that idea in your head, then I’m afraid I’m just going to have to make you eat those words.
With her arms crossed, Danni stares into the camera, a determined gleam in her eyes.
Danni: But before I go on another needless rant about “my struggle vs. your struggle,” let me just say that you’re right about one thing. Once that bell rings, I will look across that ring and see yet another obstacle between me and where I need to be, and I will do what I have to do to overcome that obstacle and move forward.
We all know that this is one hell of an ugly business, but we go out there time after time and we do what we do because that’s what the fans pay their hard-earned money to see. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m all about giving the fans their money’s worth.
This Saturday, two people busting their asses to climb up that mountain will reach the same plateau, but we can only make it to the next checkpoint one at a time. But mark my words, Jack. Regardless of whichever one of us emerges the victor, I will stand in the middle of that ring and shake your hand, because I know that whoever wins at Hype will have fucking EARNED that victory. Just know that I have no intention of coming out on the losing end of this fight.
Danni takes a fighting stance, prompting the cameraman to jump back. Once he gets Danni back into frame, she starts to laugh.
Danni: You thought I was gonna kick the camera again, didn’t you?
As she continues laughing, Donovan emerges from the locker room. He moves over to where he had dropped the target and picks it up. With his free hand, he gestures for Danni to approach. She shoots him a quick nod, then turns back to the camera.
Danni: Well, looks like I have some training to finish before we get ready for Squared Circle Con! See you later, Jack....
She stretches out her legs before moving back to the other side of the room. We can see Donovan’s mouth moving, as if he’s calling for a specific move as he holds up the target. Danni gets into a fighting stance, bouncing in place before the sound of her bare foot impacting the target, courtesy of a 540 roundhouse kick, echoes throughout the studio....
Hotel Adagio
San Francisco, CA
Thursday, October 12, 2017
It’s been many hours since their signing at C² Con, Danni LeBlanc and Donovan Basch are enjoying some much-needed downtime in their suite on the sixteenth floor. The pair are sitting next to each other at a long, rectangular table, a small notepad sitting on the surface in front of Danni as she holds a pen in her hand.
Danni: So, I figured I’d open with “Spiderwebs,” then later, I’ll do “Shoop” and “Whatta Man.” Got any idea of what you’re going to sing?
Donovan: Do I really have to?
Donovan looks straight into Danni’s eyes, an expression that conveys pure dread on his face. It’s as if he’s silently pleading with her not to make him go through with it. Danni reaches up, grazing her hand lightly against his cheek as she giggles. Bringing her hand back down, her eyes light up.
Danni: I know! I’ve already told everyone you totally tear it up on “Crazy Train”! You could do that!
Donovan runs a hand over his face and lets out a groan.
Donovan: UGH... Do you have any idea just how much alcohol it would take for me to even CONSIDER making a fool of myself outside of singing along to the music playing on the car stereo? Never mind the fact that when we’re in the car, it’s usually just the two of us. You’re talking about putting me up in front of... well, everyone!
Danni stands up from her seat, resting her hands on her hips as she frowns at him.
Danni: You didn’t seem to be bothered by the people surrounding us when you proposed....
Donovan’s hand shoots up in a gesture of protest, but he gradually lowers it when he realizes that she has a point.
Donovan: Danielle, I... well, that was different. I wasn’tsinging.
She shakes her head at him.
Danni: No, Donny, you weren’t. This is just one of those things where you’re going to have to learn to live a little. No one expects you to have the vocals of Bruce Dickinson or Rob Halford. I know I’m no Celine Dion...
Donovan turns away, muttering under his breath.
Donovan: Thank God....
He looks back up at Danni, hoping that she didn’t hear him. The glare in her eyes tells him otherwise.
Danni: I heard that....
Danni pauses, closing her eyes as a light giggle leaves her lips. A little confused, Donovan cocks his head to the side.
Donovan: I fail to see what you find so humorous....
She stands behind him, wrapping her arms around his broad, muscular shoulders. Resting her chin, she leans her head against his, letting out a dreamy sigh.
Danni: Well, I’ve noticed something lately....
Donovan: Oh? And what may I ask could that be?
He reaches up, taking hold of her hands.
Danni: If anyone else were to call me Danielle, I’d kick them in the dick. When you do it, though... it actually sounds kind of cute.
He chuckles.
Donovan: Well, I think it suits you more. All things considered, a woman of your station deserves a more elegant moniker than a mere diminutive.
She raises an eyebrow.
What the fuck? Last time I checked, I was just another small-town girl. He’s talking about me like I’m royalty!
Danni: My “station”? Donny, you’re making me sound far more important than I really am.
Donovan: You might as well get used to it, Nixy...
She rolls her eyes at the thought, but still can’t help but smirk at his compliment.
Danni: Still, if anyone ELSE calls me that, I’m going to kick them in the dick.
As Danni releases her hold on him, Donovan cringes at the thought of her foot making violent contact with some poor hapless fool’s groin. He follows her with his eyes as she goes to pick up the notepad. As she goes over the items she wrote down, Donovan leans against the chair’s backrest, tenting his hands in front of him.
Donovan: And if they happen to be female?
She turns her head to flash him a wicked smile, with a playful wink of her eye.
Danni: Ever hear of a cunt punt?
He chuckles again before rising from his seat.
Donovan: I should’ve known better than to ask. Oh, before I forget, I figured we’d have dinner at the Mortimer. I’ve heard that their filet mignon is phenomenal!
Danni: Well, in that case, I’d better get changed.
She starts to walk toward the bedroom of their suite, but Donovan gently takes hold of her arms, pulling her close to him.
Donovan: My dear, you could walk in wearing a burlap sack and you would still be the most radiant woman in the room....
Danni sets the notepad down onto the dining room table.
Danni: You keep that up and we’ll end up just ordering room service....
Donovan leans in, letting out a dark, suggestive laugh before stopping with his lips little more than a hair’s breadth away from Danni’s. Danni gazes into his steel blue eyes as she bites her bottom lip.
Donovan: You say that like it’s a bad thing.
Danni giggles, but as Donovan makes a final move for a kiss, Danni puts a hand against his lips, blocking him.
Danni: Come on, Spidey... I didn’t buy that new coral dress just to have it sit in the closet.
Donovan: Fair enough. I’ll wait here while you get changed.
He kisses her before releasing his grip. After Danni leaves the room, Donovan takes a look at the notepad. Picking up the pen, he taps it against his temple, then quickly writes something down.