Post by Aurora Graves on Mar 4, 2018 13:49:19 GMT -5
Perry Vacation Rental
Paris, France
Thursday, March 01, 2018
Aurora: Oh, what a day!
Aurora slowly stepped into the Jacuzzi, the foam from the jets bubbling up around her black bikini-clad body. She settled against the jacuzzi’s built-in pillow in the far corner, draping her arms against the edges as she leaned back. Aurora’s manager Alicia was already sitting in the corner across from her, sipping on a glass of champagne.
Alicia: See? I told you that extra session in the gym this morning would be worth the pain.
The brunette mother of three arched an eyebrow, smiling as she raised her glass in Aurora’s direction. Alicia turned around, grabbing one of the three remaining empty glasses and a bottle of champagne that had been chilling in an ice bucket.
Aurora: Yeah, yeah... I’m just glad the kids are all down for the night. Now us grown-ups can drop the G rating.
Alicia leaned forward, handing Aurora the now-filled glass. Aurora quickly accepted the libation, downing the glass’s contents in three quick gulps. She sat the empty glass down outside of the Jacuzzi, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Alicia: Damn! Someone was thirsty!
Aurora rolled her eyes and smirked at her manager.
Aurora: Don’t act like you’ve never seen me do that before, let alone done that yourself.
Alicia: Touché. Believe me... I remember what it was like being a new parent and still keeping up a full time schedule. Just be glad you only have the one.
Aurora: Yeah... can’t imagine how you managed to get through those first few months with the twins.
Alicia sighed, blowing away the strands of hair that fell in front of her face.
Alicia: You don’t know the half of it.
Male Voice: *AHEM*
Aurora and Alicia turned toward the sudden throaty sound, greeted by the towering, broad-shouldered form of Alicia’s husband Jason, the trainer of not only Rebel Ink, but the two top champions in West Coast Genesis. Aurora’s husband Damon stood beside him. Both men approached the Jacuzzi, clad in black board shorts.
Damon: Any room in there for a couple of assholes?
Aurora: Just as long as they’re not bringing a fuckton of shit with them....
Everyone laughed at Aurora’s joke as the two men made their way into the Jacuzzi, occupying the two corners closest to the apartment. Alicia poured champagne into the remaining two glasses, then passed them to the men as she refilled Aurora’s and her own glass. As the last drops of champagne fell into her glass, Alicia set the empty bottle aside and smiled.
Jason: Nah... we all know who’s REALLY full of shit, and if I ever see that motherfucker again, I’m gonna make him wish he’d kept his ass in the shadows....
Aurora and Damon both nodded their heads. They didn’t need Jason to drop any names to know that he was referring to someone they all knew too well. Someone whose name wasn’t even worth mentioning.
Damon: Well, in any event, let’s just relax and enjoy the quiet, and be glad that all the kids are asleep.
Jason: Hmph... consider it the calm before the storm.
Alicia: Well then...
She raised her glass toward the center of the Jacuzzi.
Alicia: To moments like this... enjoying the peace before all hell breaks loose!
Aurora: I’ll drink to that!
Damon & Jason: Hear, hear!
Together, the four touched glasses over the center of the Jacuzzi, toasting their all-too-brief moment of peace, until a small voice interrupted them.
Jaina: Mo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-om!
Alicia set her glass down, and everyone present turned to look at the Perrys’ middle child as she stood there in her purple thermal pajamas peeking out from beneath her Frozen robe.
Alicia: What is it, Jaina?
Jaina: Darion won’t stop kicking the wall!
Aurora giggled. Having grown up with two older brothers, she had given them plenty of grief as a child, and they in turn gave it right back. Alicia sighed, then pulled herself up and out of the water. Grabbing a towel, she wrapped it around her body and walked toward her daughter.
Alicia: Come on... let’s go talk with your brother....
Jason: No, hon. You stay put. I’ll deal with the twins.
Damon: Uh-oh... sending in the heavy artillery!
Jason: Wanna give me a hand? I’ll let you play the “good cop.”
Damon: Where’s the fun in that?
Jason: Suit yourself, kid....
Jason scooped up his daughter and carried her back into the apartment as Alicia sat down on the edge of the Jacuzzi. Aurora took a quick sip of champagne, then cleared her throat.
Aurora: So, I’ve been meaning to ask... what’s the deal with your Canadian friend?
Alicia: You mean Tristan?
She chuckled softly, shaking her head.
Alicia: Don’t let the obnoxious exterior fool you. He’s really not that bad of a guy. In fact, I see a lot of him in you, Damon.
Damon: Really?
He looked to his wife, his green eyes giving Aurora a pleading look, as if hoping she would debunk their manager’s words.
Damon: Harley, was I REALLY that much of a pain in the ass when we first met?
Aurora snickered, covering her mouth to keep from bursting into full laughter.
Aurora: Puddin’, do you REALLY want me to answer that question?
Damon: Fine, fine... I know when I’m licked. I think I hear Yssie crying, anyway. You two girls have your little talk....
He scoffed as he climbed out of the Jacuzzi, grabbed another towel, and headed back toward the apartment. Alicia and Aurora looked on, both with confused looks on their faces.
Alicia: Was it something I said?
Aurora: Maybe it was comparing him to an abrasive asshole like Tristan Kruise.
Alicia opened her mouth to speak, but paused for a moment.
Alicia: Well, I’ll admit that Tristan comes off a bit... impetuous at times, but when you get past all of that, he’s actually a decent person.
She pointed at the tattoo on her ankle, bearing three sets of initials in a banner beneath a winged red and black skull.
Alicia: You really think I’d include his initials in that tattoo if he hadn’t earned my respect? Much less name my youngest daughter after him?
Aurora: Point taken. But he’s certainly not making a friend out of Avery Miles III....
Alicia chuckled.
Alicia: You know who else he was like that with?
Aurora: Who?
Alicia: A certain large, raven-haired individual. Granted, they butt heads a lot, but there are very few people Jason trusts in this business. Tristan is one of them. That’s saying a LOT.
Aurora sat silent, nodding her head after a moment.
Aurora: I suppose you’re right. If you guys say he’s good people, I’ll take your word for it. Still, others may need a little more... convincing.
Alicia: Tristan’s never been the type to make friends. But if you’ve earned his respect, he’ll let you know... in his own way.
Aurora: Fair enough.
Alicia quickly shook her head.
Alicia: Never mind Tristan, though. You’ve got your own match to worry about, and the stakes are a lot higher than they were last time you two faced off....
Aurora: No shit. But if it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer to talk about that somewhere where I can get in... the right mindset.
Alicia recognized the shift in Aurora’s tone. The pause in her voice told her that her protégé knew she’d have to take a different approach to this match. The last time, it was just friendly competition in a triple threat match. This time, it was one-on-one, with the potential to snag a shot at the NGW Championship on the line. She had to focus; keep her eyes on the prize.
Alicia: I’m not going to say anything about it, anymore. We’ll save it for the gym in the morning. Now come on inside, before your fingers start to turn into prunes....
Aurora laughed, then pulled herself out of the water. Wrapping a towel around herself, she followed Alicia back inside. As they walked, Aurora cast one last glance at Alicia’s ankle tattoo.
Aurora: You know, if you ever wanna get that thing touched up, Damon always brings his equipment with him....
Alicia: I’ll keep that in mind.
Aurora: Just sayin’; that piece could use something to break up the negative space in the background....
Their conversation trailed off as they disappeared into the apartment.
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