Post by Danielle Basch on Apr 21, 2018 15:41:06 GMT -5
Creekside Inn
Palo Alto, CA
Friday, April 20, 2018
Danielle steps out of the shower, immediately reaching for the plush white bathrobe hanging on the hook beside the shower door. Slipping it over her body, she walks across the white marble floor, taking a deep breath.
Ah... nothing like a nice hot shower after a plane ride... I wonder what Donny’s up to?
With a smile on her face, she walks out into the hallway of the suite she shares with her husband, only to pause at the end of the hallway, stopped only by the sound of rhythmic breathing.
Hmm...
She takes a step into the living room, where she notices that Donovan is using the armchair beside the sliding glass door to elevate his feet as he does a set of decline push-ups. She looks on, biting her lip with each rep. Eventually, Donovan stops, getting back to his feet. His long hair falls in front of his face as he stands; he tosses his head back, letting it spill down the bare skin of his back.
Danielle: So, we’re still going on that run, right?
Donovan reaches over to the arm of the chair, where a red t-shirt is draped. He slips the shirt over his massive torso.
Donovan: Of course. I just wanted to get in a quick warm-up before we left. Was there anything else you wanted to do today? Perhaps some sightseeing?
Danielle nods her head.
Danielle: Oh, that’s a given, Spidey. There’s this soda shop over in Mountain View that I wanted to check out. Supposed to have all kinds of off-the-wall sounding flavors.
Donovan: What sort of flavors? Please tell me it’s not some place that has a steady supply of Pumpkin Spice soda all year round...
Danielle cringes in disgust at the mention of the words “pumpkin spice”.
Danielle: First of all... EWW! And second of all, there’s this Bubble Gum soda that’s supposed to be really good, and this store is one of the few places that actually carries the stuff.
As Danielle sits down on the nearby sofa, Donovan pulls his hair into a low-hanging ponytail, glancing sideways at her.
Donovan: You know, we could always order the soda and have it shipped home....
Danielle smirks, pulling her feet up onto the sofa.
Danielle: We could, but you know me. When I want something, I would prefer to actually hold it in my hand. And since we DID come here to kick some ass, I figured we should have the appropriate-flavored beverage to share beforehand.
Donovan: Ah yes... you always were one for instant gratification.
Danielle looks over at the clock, noticing how late into the morning it is. She quickly stands up, offering her husband a smile as she starts back toward the hallway.
Danielle: Anyway, I’ll go get dressed, and then we can get going.
Donovan catches up to his bride, hooking a finger under her chin as he moves in for a quick kiss.
Donovan: I’ll be waiting, Nixy...
Danielle giggles, winking at her husband before heading toward the bedroom.
Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop
Mountain View, CA
Later that afternoon
Our scene opens on Danielle Basch as she wanders down an aisle filled with shelf after shelf of bizarre soda flavors, ranging from tame-sounding offerings like Peaches and Cream to... Bacon and Chocolate?
Danielle: This place is really something else, you know? If you wander these aisles, you can find just about any sort of flavor of soda imaginable, and even a few you wouldn’t even think were possible. I mean... maybe I’m just lacking in imagination, but the idea of jalapeño-flavored soda is about as appetizing as a hot dog made of horse shit with a side of deep-fried stinkbugs.
She cringes as she puts the bottle back on the shelf and keeps walking.
Danielle: If nothing else, I could always wash it down with this...
She picks up one bottle filled with blue liquid, another filled with yellowish-green, and a third, filled with a pale, cloudy pink. The labels affixed to the bottles list the brand as “Always Ask for Avery’s”.
Danielle: Toxic Slime? Bug Barf? Dog Drool? Someone call Avery Miles III... I don’t think he would approve of these flavors having his name on them...
She looks into the camera and gives a knowing wink. She knows Avery Miles III has nothing to do with this seemingly unappetizing line of beverages; she’s just having a little fun. Setting the bottles aside, she walks onward.
Danielle: You know, Iphy... you might want to consider hitting this place up before you head back home after this is over. Aside from the off-the-wall flavors they have here, they’ve got some interesting stuff here.
But as much as I’d love to just wander around this store and talk about the thousands upon thousands of bottles of fizzy goodness, there is this ugly little business that we have to take care of at Escalation. After all, despite the fact that you and I have already crossed paths over the South Bay Championship not that long ago, you’ve gone through the effort of securing yourself another shot at my championship.
She stops in the middle of the aisle, bringing her hands together in a slow clap as she smiles.
Danielle: Good for you, Iphy... I mean that. But all pleasantries aside, you’ve been in the ring with me before; you KNOW what I can do inside that ring. Are you prepared to go at it again? To show the fans... let alone the world... what you’ve learned since the last time we faced off? Will we see anything new this time around, or will there be a repeat performance of our last encounter?
Well, I for one am going to go out there and once again show the fans and the WCG Universe exactly why I am the South Bay Champion, and once again, I’ll be looking to walk out of the arena Saturday night at Crossroad: Escalation the same way I came in...
As the West Coast Genesis South Bay Champion!
She flashes a confident smile into the camera before turning down another aisle full of various colorful bottles of soda. Her eyes scan the shelves, as if looking for something in particular.
Danielle: Now... where is that Bubble Gum soda I’ve heard so much about?
Her eyes narrow as she scours each and every shelf, until they stop on a patch of empty space. Looking more closely, the label on the edge of the shelf reads “Bubble Gum Soda.” Upon seeing her preferred flavor not currently in stock, she turns to the camera and purses her lips, placing her hands on her hips.
Danielle: Well how do you like that? All out of Bubble Gum! Oh well... only one thing left to do...
Danielle flashes one last smile into the camera before pulling her fist back and throwing a mock punch toward the camera lens. As soon as her fist fills the frame, the scene quickly cuts to black.