Priorities

Ballona Creek
Los Angeles, CA
Friday, March 24, 2017

The sun slowly began its final descent beyond the western horizon as Aurora carefully navigated down the jagged rocks that lined the banks of Ballona Creek. Or, about as carefully as she could with one hand clutching the hem of her black knee-length dress. Damon sat down at the water’s edge, still in his black suit, but with his bare feet resting on one of the bottommost rocks, the water rolling over his toes as it flowed out into the Pacific Ocean.

She sat down beside her husband, taking off her own shoes as she watched his eyes. They were blank, almost empty, as they stared out over the water, past the sailboats that bobbed up and down in the distance. She could tell that the reality of his grandfather’s passing – the finality of it all – was beginning to set in.

Damon: When I was a kid, he used to bring me out here with a loaf of bread; we’d take turns tearing off little bits of bread and tossing them up into the air; watch as the seagulls swooped down and caught it. But after Mom died, I think a bit of Grandpa Ted went right along with her. Still, whenever I couldn’t stand to be around whatever foster home they shoved me into, I’d come here and camp under the bridge. In a way, it was kind of comforting. Those few times I did get to see him, it seemed like he was always getting weaker. I knew he had a heart condition, but it was almost as if...

Aurora: As if knowing his daughter still needed him was what gave him the strength to keep fighting?

Damon turned to his wife, a mildly amused smirk on his face as she finished his sentence. He then shook his head, his eyes casting a somber gaze across the water.

Damon: Sounds pretty dumb when you think about it.

Aurora shook her head, looping her arm around Damon’s as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Aurora: Not at all! I see it happen all the time. I think that deep down, some people just want to feel like they’re needed. And then, once that feeling goes away, they feel like they’ve lost their sense of purpose, and then they just...

Damon sighed, slouching a little as the air left his lungs.

Damon: Fade away.

Aurora: There we go again; finishing each other’s sentences.

Looking at Aurora’s smile brought a half smile to his face. He arched his eyebrows before picking up one of the smaller rocks by his foot. He rolled it around in his fingers before tossing it across the water.

Damon: I guess we both needed to find a little bit of humor, all things considered. I know I haven’t exactly been a ray of sunshine these past few days.

Aurora: But I understand why. The man was the closest thing you had to a father. We all know that jackass Martin was certainly no help in that department.

He shook his head, his voice trailing off into a barely audible whisper.

Damon: Those two never could see eye-to-eye...

Aurora looked up into the sky. A few clouds dotted the bright blue expanse as a pensive expression formed on her face.

Aurora: You know what just occurred to me?

Damon: What?

She smiled, looking into the eyes of her husband. Damon returned her gaze with a look of mild confusion.

Aurora: Maybe your grandfather HAD been keeping up with you... watching every time you got in the ring. Maybe seeing you succeed made him realize that he didn’t need to worry about you anymore.

Damon: So you’re saying I’M the reason he no longer felt like he was needed? Thanks a lot, Harley...

He scoffed, staring across the creek as he leaned against the rocks behind him.

Aurora: No, Puddin’... that’s not at all what I meant. It’s not a question of whether or not he felt needed in the end. I’m sure he knew a small part of you would always feel like you needed him around. But – oh, how can I say this? He just wanted to make sure you were okay. Let me put it to you this way... remember that time in your old apartment?

Damon: How can I forget... you broke my couch!

For a moment, Damon was back to his old, wise-cracking self. He let out a laugh that Aurora couldn’t help but join in. She leaned even closer, wrapping her other arm around his arm and kissing him on the cheek.

Aurora: I’m talking about before that, silly! That painting you did of me... you wouldn’t let me see it until you felt it was finished – until every detail was absolutely perfect in your eyes...

Damon: Now right there, that’s where you’re wrong. It doesn’t matter how many strokes of the brush I put to the canvas – no painting, no drawing, not even a tattoo will ever do you justice.

She looked away, a flush of pink washing over her cheeks.

Aurora: Puddin’...

He leaned toward Aurora, kissing the top of her head as he squeezed her hand.

Damon: But I see what you’re getting at. And I appreciate it, more than you’ll ever know.

She carefully stood up, grabbing Damon’s shoulder to keep from slipping on the rocks.

Aurora: Come on... it’s starting to get a little chilly, and we didn’t bring any extra cash to cover any extended parking. We should probably head back; maybe grab some dinner. You haven’t really eaten much all day.

Damon rose to stand beside her, holding up her shoes. Aurora started up the bank to the concrete path at the top, stopping halfway to look over her shoulder.

Aurora: Not that I blame you, but I need you to keep your strength up. We got shit to do this Sunday, and we have to be at the top of our game.

Damon grabbed his own shoes and followed his wife to the top of the bank.

Damon: Don’t worry, Harley... We busted our asses to get those belts back; I’ll be damned if we lose them so soon.

Aurora: Now that’s the kind of attitude I like to see! Now, about that dinner....

Damon: I know just the place. It’s this little Mexican joint I used to eat at with Grandpa Ted. Maybe it’s time we made some NEW memories....

Aurora: I do believe that’s the most positive thing you’ve said all day. I’m sure your grandfather would be proud....

Damon: Maybe you’re right, Harley... maybe you’re right.



Adams Residence
Inglewood, CA
Friday Night, March 24, 2017

On a wall in the living room, a large, flat-panel TV dominated most of the space, flanked on either side with framed magazine clippings and photos of Damon Graves. Hanging above the TV was a pair of replicas of Rebel Ink’s first taste of championship gold – the NGW Tag Team Championships. The footage playing on the screen was of Aurora and Damon Graves – under the banner of the Angelz of Destruction – holding their then newly-won championships.

The camera pulled back showing the now two-time Redemption Tag Team Champions, Rebel Ink, standing in the middle of the room, their championship belts draped over their shoulders.

Aurora: The last few weeks, Rebel Ink has been doing a lot of thinking. And while we’ve seen other wrestlers divide their time between other companies, we’ve come to the realization that we’d be better off sticking with just the one. And in all fairness, no offense to the fine folks at #FSociety, we opted to dance with the one that brought us to the dance in the first place – Mr. Devlin Scott.

A mildly surprised look appeared on Damon’s face as he heard Aurora throw in the normally omitted honorific.

Damon: Harley, since when have you called anyone “Mr.” anything, let alone to anyone in any position of authority?

Aurora: What? Just because I’d sooner wipe my ass with anything written by Emily Post as read it, doesn’t mean I’m completely devoid of any sense of common courtesy. I’ll say this much, though. No one had better expect me to bend a knee before them any time soon...

Damon: Now THAT sounds more like the woman I married!

Aurora and Damon both shot a quick wink into the camera.

Aurora: Anyway, where was I? Ah yes... the billion dollar question...

Damon: Hmph...

Aurora: Ever since the moment those belts were first strapped around our waists, the one thing we wanted was to be given the chance to prove ourselves as champions – to show the world that we didn’t just “luck” our way into our titles. Time after time, we were criticized because we didn’t defend our titles as often as everyone else thought we should have, never mind the fact that even though we told Devlin Scott that we wanted to actually defend our titles, the fact remained that we DON’T get to pick when we fight.

Well, times have changed, and now, after putting our names on the map in three different companies as one of the best tag teams in professional wrestling today, my husband and I are FINALLY being taken seriously as competitors. Too bad it only took winning our FOURTH tag team championship in 10 months in order to do it.

But whatever. The point is, Devlin Scott is finally giving us what we’ve been wanting ever since we first signed with him – proper competition! And unlike those two goofs that decided they’d spend their time as champions PARTYING with the belts instead of defending them, we intend to step into that ring and put our titles on the line against any and ALL comers!

Now, we’ve been watching the tag team situation lately, because as true champions, we’re always keeping an eye out for any team that might be coming after our titles, and while the Young Cubs gave it a good go, it just wasn’t their night. So, my husband and I find ourselves facing a team that I have a decent amount of respect for – Burlesque Duplicity.

Blair Laroux and Joseph Setala – I’ve gotta say, you came in with a hell of a lot of hype. And while your time in IPW was over long before Damon and I had even met, I’m sure you two have a fuckton more history aside from all the World of Warcraft screenshots you two share on Twitter. In that respect, I have to give you props. But then again, up until a few months ago, I could hold up my clenched fists and count the number of friends I had on my fingers.

Damon: Um, Harley, if your fists are closed then...

Aurora: ¡Cállate, cabrón!

Damon feigned shock as he scoffed at his wife, stuffing his hand into the pocket of his pants.

Damon: Love you, too, Harley....

Aurora smirked and rolled her eyes as she continued.

Aurora: Ugh, never mind...

Anyway, I only know one tandem outside of my own parents that have been putting up with each other in some form or another for longer than you two, and luckily for us, they’ve imparted a combined 40+ years of wrestling expertise to us. I’d like to think we’ve done them proud with what we’ve done so far, and we have no intentions of letting them down any time soon.[/font]

She tilted her head toward the camera, mouthing the words “there’s your shoutout, folks” as she smiled.

Aurora: Bottom line, you two, is that while we may not have the history between us that you do, but we certainly have the chemistry. All in all, if nothing else, we can sure as fuck give you two a run for your money. Just don’t get used to the idea of walking out of Glory with these belts around your waists, because Damon and I aren’t looking to let these babies out of our sights any time soon.

I just hope for your sakes that you didn’t save room in your luggage, because if Rebel Ink has anything to say about it, this is how it’s gonna be for a long... LONG time. But hey, at least we can give the fans a damn good show, right?

See you in Minneapolis....

Aurora and Damon turned their backs to the camera as they sat down on the sofa.



Aurora picked up the remote control from the arm of the sofa, stopping the video and shutting off the TV. They stood up and carefully reached above the screen, pulling the NGW championship belts from their mounts on the wall. Each taking one of the belts, they draped the replicas over their free shoulders, giving each other a solemn nod.

Damon: We might as well take them; we’re the only ones in the family that seemed to hold any value in them.

Aurora: Your grandfather sure was proud of you... I can tell by all of these clippings on the walls.

Damon: I can’t believe he kept up with everything I did... look; there I am with my first indy championship...

Damon pointed to a picture cut from a magazine showing himself holding a regional junior heavyweight championship belt.

Aurora: Check it out. He even framed our wedding invitation!

She pointed to a moderately sized silver frame that held the aforementioned red and black stationery, a nostalgic smile sneaking onto her face as she lifted the frame from the wall.

Damon: You know... he definitely would have loved you, Harley.

Aurora: You think so?

Damon: I know so. But nowhere near as much as I do....