Post by JMav/JGold/RNorth/MKarloff on Nov 26, 2017 14:38:58 GMT -5
MARTIN KARLOFF
Pride
"You knew he was going to interfere." Danny says.
"Of course I did. He may as well have announced as much in a press conference. Joshua is nothing if not predictable when it comes to his emotions. I am confident I would have bested Mr. Tillman without Joshua's aid but I choose not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Although perhaps...I did a little bit of pushing on my own when Inwas staying with Josh." Martin says.
"You are going to bring me a new glass of wine and if your thumb touches the inside of that one I am going to snap it off. Understood?" Danny says to the waiter. The waiter nods and rushes off with the glass.
"Xaria doesn't trust you." Martin says.
"Do you trust me?" Danny asks.
"Johnny trusted you once." Martin responds.
"Good answer. I'm really longing for the day I attempt to stab one of my heirs in the back and they have the presence of mind to switch it around on me. Still, that day is a long way away for you. You can quote me on that." Danny says. A new glass of wine is set in front of him and Danny glares at the waiter who starts to leave.
"We are ready to order." Danny says, venom dripping off of every word. The Waiter turns back around and nods, taking out his notepad to indicate he is ready. The wait staff knows by now not to speak to Danny directly.
"I'll have a steak. Rare." Danny says bluntly.
"I'll have the avocado gazpacho." Martin adds. The waiter nods and takes their menus before heading back to the kitchen.
"I still don't understand how someone so bloodthirsty doesn't eat meat." Danny says.
"Perhaps one day I'll enlighten you as to why." Martin says.
"So, having reflected upon your sermon, what do you believe you have taught our Followers. The Nothing have been abuzz, taking all sorts of different interpretations away from your match." Danny says before taking a sip of his wine. Martin quietly contemplates for a moment.
"That two seemingly disparate halves of yourself can work together. The Manticore wrestled the match but while I was visiting him I...may or may not have encouraged Josh's interference in my match with Mr. Tillman. Jack may have been in the ring with ferocity of The Manticore... but the Phantom had been pulling the strings long before the bell had rung. Before you came into my life those two halves of my mind were at war. Now they are able to work in harmony." Martin says.
"Do you know what you are, Martin?" Danny asks.
"I am a mentally ill vegetarian professional wrestler." Martin responds.
"I'd say 'mentally ill' and 'vegetarian' go hand in hand but beyond that...you are a Philosopher. You are able to take lessons away from things and that was a talent Johnathan lacked to an absurd degree. That is why you will succeed but there are other matters I wish to address. Do you see how that Waiter acts around me? That's called respect." Danny says.
"He fears you." Martin says, almost as if to correct Danny. Danny let's it slide.
"Are you saying there is an inherent difference to either?" Danny says.
"A beaten dog fears you, but the moment you turn your back on it, it will strike." Martin says. Danny thinks on this a moment. The waiter places the steak in front of Danny without making eye contact but when he places the gazpacho in front of Martin their eyes meet. Martin stares him down and soon the Waiter looks away to break eye contact with Martin. The waiter leaves wordlessly until Martin clears his throat before looking at his half full water glass. The waiter fills the glass and quickly walks away.
"I assume that is more what you had in mind then?" Martin asks. Danny smiles.
"Damon Graves. What do you know?" Danny asks.
"The same sad story of a tag team specialist looking to make it on his own. He certainly hasn't been doing a very good job of it. I'd be halfway worried if I were facing his wife but as it currently stands... I'm not sweating. Johnny beat him. I am better than Johnny." Martin says, saying the name 'Johnny' like most people say the word 'moist'.
"He is in the past, Martin. Johnathan is a non-issue. Focus on the task at hand. What will this sermon be about?" Danny asks as he cuts into his steak.
"Hubris. It has a bad reputation. I believe it shouldn't. I think that the phrase 'Pride goeth before the Fall' was conceived by someone who had no clue what they were doing. At the very least it was created by an individual who had more pride in himself than he had ability. I am going into this match with pride, hubris, and perhaps an air of superiority and yet I will still be declared the victor at the end of the night. In the correct hands, Pride goeth before the Victory." Martin says.
"Well spoken. Do you consider this a prophecy, then?" Danny asks after swallowing his bite of steak.
"I am not your idiot blood-born. I don't believe in 'psychic warfare'. What I believe in is myself. Any fool can call a foregone conclusion 'prophecy'. No, what I do is Gospel. I am no Soothsayer. I am a Preacher." Martin says.
"Well said."
"I know." Martin says smugly, spooning a mouthful of his soup into his mouth.
"And how does Damon Graves fit into your planned sermon?" Danny asks.
"The same way a cow fits into your current meal." Martin responds. Danny stops eating a moment and actually releases a laugh. He's somehow even more sinister when he laughs.
"You know I really do look forward to the day you stab me in the back." Danny says., still chuckling.
"You'll change your mind about that when I'm twisting the blade." Martin says. Danny holds up his wine glass. Martin holds up his water glass and the two exchange a toast.
