The Angel Returneth Vol. 1: Sparkle, Sparkle!

Christina Katz

The Rainbow Angel

Xaria Veronica Karloff

The Angel Returneth Vol. 1: Sparkle, Sparkle!

A young woman with watermelon-colored hair and sapphire eyes sits up on a white couch and crosses one leg over the other. She fixes her LG Aristo on the phone’s tripod stand and adjusts the angle to fully capture Xaria Karloff. The artistic woman touches the record button on the screen and smiles.

“You sure as hell surprised the world, Xaria.”

Donned in a bright yet beautiful rainbow dress, Xaria smiles in return and folds her hands on her lap. Her brown hair is nicely styled in an updo that holds her locks like a queen. There’s a faint sound of music coming from another room. Studying the decor and the gorgeous evening view of the city, this is one of the private rooms of the Glasshouses in Manhattan.

“How so, Rosalyn?” Xaria’s smile becomes ever-knowing.

The Artistic Genius, as Rosalyn Fernandez has self-proclaimed, chuckles softly. “The special episode of Glory: Strange Bedfellows. No one expected you to be Martin’s new tag-team partner. I don’t even think Martin himself expected that.”

“That’s because it was a surprise to me too.” Xaria answers honestly. She unfolds her hands for a moment and lightly brushes her fingertips along the silkiness of her dress. “Corey Bull was nowhere to be found and Devlin Scott was struggling to keep it together. I couldn’t let my husband wrestle alone and I brought an extra change of clothes with me…”

A huge grin spread across Rosalyn’s face. “Just in case of emergencies, right?”

“Oui!” Xaria lets a giggle slip free. Even in her age, there’s still a sense of youth and purity within.

“It’s no surprise that I always accompany Martin to the Redemption Wrestling shows. The kids and I even toured with him in Japan. The more we watched him perform, the more I lost myself in the art of wrestling. I wanted to come back and I promised I would. The opportunity was presented to me and I was quick to take it. I didn’t realize how much I missed it… The fans cheering me on, the flash photography, and the adrenaline rush of pure wrestling! There’s nothing like it.”

Rosalyn nods in understanding. She was a wrestling student not too long ago. She knows exactly what Xaria is talking about. “I’ll be honest, I kinda miss it. But at the same time, I’m more than happy to focus on graduating from Yale and developing my art career as a painter.”

Xaria offers a soft smile. In her mind, she can still see the artist in her teenage years, the first time they met one another. She’s grown up so much since then. “That’s your passion, Rosalyn. I understand. Wrestling is mine. Only family is more important than the sport I love.”

“You’re not worried about wrestling taking too much time away from your family?”

“Non, mademoiselle.” The Rainbow Angel shakes her head and she smiles sweetly. “Martin, Christian, Jacques, and Pénélope are my entire world. Without them, I am nothing. I would give up my own life for them. My husband knows that I’ve wanted to return. He’s supported me and trained with me every step of the way. My sons are my biggest fans and they’ve wanted to see me wrestle again. My daughter may be too young to fully understand, but I know she’s happy and that’s what matters to me. This is my chance to redeem myself. I won’t let that go.”

A genuinely happy smile crosses Rosalyn’s face. She’s admired Xaria for years, her passion, strength, and heart are leaps and bounds over thousands of people. The age of thirty, thirty-one in July, isn’t going to stop her from becoming even stronger.

“I know you’ve heard this before, but you’re amazing.”

“Merci.” Xaria politely bows her head.

Rosalyn nods and clears her throat. The time for admiration and nostalgia can wait until later. “Let’s focus on what comes next. You and your husband are set to face John Blade and Alicia Hixx in a Rags to Riches III Qualifier this Sunday. How are you feeling about it? Are you and Martin better prepared?”

“I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. I didn’t expect the added stipulation of the match, but I welcomed it with open arms. Our match against RC Tucker and the Jew Blazer was kind of improvised. Neither of us were ready, but we did our best. I was happy to congratulate Tucker and Josh for their victory. I was also more than happy to team up with my husband again. As of now, we don’t have an official tag-team name… yet. I’m sure we’ll think of something. In the meantime, we’re more than prepared to take on Blade and Hixx. I’ve done a little bit of research. They’re an unorthodox team.”

“That’s… a nice way to put it.” Rosalyn’s never surprised by Xaria’s strange kindness. “They call John Blade ‘The Face that Runs the Place’...” She finger-quotes and slightly rolls her eyes. “But you know, he’s never faced an opponent quite like you before.”

“Because there is no one like me. I’m a schizophrenic French wife, a mother of three, a wrestling veteran of ten years, a multi-time champion, and an LWA Hall of Famer. I’m kinda weird!” Xaria can’t help but laugh. “But weird has proven to be a good thing in this industry. I never let the critics bring me down. I never allowed my peers to discourage me. I rose above and became the LWA Undisputed World Champion four months into my wrestling career and I was only twenty years old.”

Rosalyn smirks. “There was no better way to kickstart your wrestling career. I highly doubt Alicia made that kind of a first impression.”

“Maybe not, but I’m not the kind of person to underestimate anyone. I wouldn’t have lasted in this industry if I was cocky and arrogant. That’s not who I am. I’m always willing to be true, kind, and respectful, but unlike my rookie year, I’m no longer naive to the reality. Not everyone is truthful. Some people refuse to be kind. There are those who will show nothing but disrespect. That’s why you have to rise above and go beyond. Be unique, stand out, and “level up” as the Nerd Nation would say.” Xaria winks.

A grin crosses Rosalyn’s face, easily understanding the reference. “Damn right. Xaria, if you and Martin win this match…”

Slight pause. Beat.

“When you and Martin win this match, are you going to be able to face him in the free-for-all scramble for the briefcases at WrestleForce?”

Xaria nods slowly yet firmly. “When you wrestle in the same company as your loved ones, there is always the possibility of facing each other in the ring. Sometimes it breaks a relationship, but Martin and I know in our hearts that no form of competition will tear us apart. We were tied together by fate and joined in holy matrimony by destiny. No matter what happens, we’re going to break through stronger than ever.”

“Good answer.”

“I’m glad you think so.” A smile resurfaces on Xaria’s face. She turns her head for a moment before she focuses on the phone’s camera once more. “Is there anything else, Mrs. Fernandes? We do have a reception to get back to.”

“You’re right. We shouldn’t keep Jess and Geki waiting.” Rosalyn straightens herself and takes her phone from the tripod. She keeps it focused on Xaria and smiles. “It’s always an honor. Let’s arrange another meeting, maybe in two week’s time?”

“Of course. Good luck on the rest of your finals and projects, mon étudiant.” Xaria smiles.

“Thanks Mrs. Monster.” Rosalyn flashes a grin.

“Hah! It’s a catchy nickname, oui?”

“Yeah, but no matter what, you are the one and only Rainbow Angel.”