Post by Ace Bennett on Dec 30, 2013 22:30:12 GMT -5
Backstage prior to the Scars and Stripes Battle Royal, Ace Bennett was where he would be prior to any of his other matches. In his locker room. Alone. Normally he would have headphones in and would be absolutely focused on the match at hand, but on this night, his mind was all over the place. He sat on the floor in the corner, simply staring off at nothing.
He knew full well that this match could be the very last of his career in the WFWF, and he found himself reflecting on what he had done with the company. And of what was to come. Of potentially going to college, probably majoring in something related to computers. Of maybe settling down and having a family. Of being normal.
But there he was, preparing for what was perhaps the biggest match of his career, and he was split. Did he want to go all out in the center of the ring and perhaps lose everyone that is important to him to achieve his lifelong goal? Or would he rather call it quits, happy with what he's done, and begin his true adulthood? He honestly didn't know.
As he set there, his attention was turned to the bench, where his cell phone was vibrating. He didn't normally receive calls at this time because he told people not to call him unless it was an emergency because he was focusing on the match. However, this time he didn't particularly care that someone was calling, until he realized it was in fact an emergency because it was his sister, Alicia.
Ace Bennett: Hello? Alicia what's-
Alicia Bennett: ACE! You have to find him! You have to get him away from them! You have to!
Ace Bennett: Woah woah woah, let's slow down a bit. What are you talking about?
Alicia Bennett: It's Dave! Somebody has him! Turn on a TV!
Listening to his frantic sister, Ace gets himself to his feet and turns on the TV that is situated right above him, mounted to the ceiling. As the picture becomes clear, Ace sees a battered Dave Demento taking a beating from a rather large bearded man. Was this the reason why he had been acting so strangely?
Ace Bennett: Alicia listen to me, did they say where he was?
Alicia Bennett: I don't know. I don't know! Please Ace, you have to find him! No no no no NOOOO!
As she screams the large man takes a boot to Demento's skull, sending him crashing to the floor. A puddle of blood is forming around Demento as the commentators say something asinine like always. Ace watches as the man smiles, saying nothing but “We're here” as the camera goes to static. Ace can hear his sister crying in the background, clearly traumatized by what had just happened.
Ace Bennett: Alicia, I'm sorry there was nothing I could do.
Alicia Bennett: Find him.
Ace Bennett: I will.
Alicia Bennett: Find him now. And make him pay.
Taken aback by her bluntness, Ace finds his mind returning to a place that it hasn't been in a very long time. A place that isn't afraid of hurting people. Vengeance is now the only thing on his mind. Vengeance for his friend.
Ace Bennett: We'll get him back sis, don't worry. We'll get him back. This Crow guy, he doesn't know anything about crazy. I promise you that.
Ace tries to compose himself, but finds the anger overtaking him. With his sister in such an emotional state, she can't help but support her brother in his words.
Ace Bennett: Crow thinks he's just gonna waltz in to the WFWF and take out someone, no questions asked? Well, he's got another thing coming. This is a war now.
Ace hangs up the phone, knowing that he's not going to be able to console Alicia right now. The case of Dave Demento has just found it's culprit.
–-----------------
The end of the year. It's a time of reflection and of looking to the future. It's a time to celebrate new beginnings and say goodbye to the past. And of course, it's a time for awkward parties with a bunch of people that you barely know. At least that was the case for Ace Bennett on this particular New Year's Eve. Things were beginning to get serious between he and Christine and it was time to meet the family. The whole family.
He had met both of her parents, aunts and uncles, and some cousins that night. They had set up some delicious Filipino food that they bought from a local market. All in all, it was a good time. He was pretty nervous, because he wanted to make a good impression on the family as his feelings for Christine grew more and more every day.
Ace Bennett: How am I doing?
He looked down at the petite Christine. He had been her shadow the entire night, following her wherever she went and sitting next to her whenever he had a chance to. She smiled at him and straightened the collar of his shirt.
Christine Martinez: You're doing fine, just lighten up a bit. I know you aren't this shy.
It was true, he was only speaking when he was spoken to. He folded his hands in his lap, in fear of getting in someones way or knocking something over. He had become a listener, not something he was particularly used. And now as he sat, he laughed along as he followed the flow of conversation, too afraid to dive in himself.
Christine Martinez: Poppa, I think we should fire up the karaoke machine.
Nodding, Christine's father removed himself from his chair and walked towards the television, where he begins to hook up a contraption which Ace came to find was their karaoke machine. It was one of those nice ones that you got a book with and typed in a code to find the song you wanted. This family took their karaoke seriously.
As the family gathered around the living room, creating a pseudo stage around the television, Ace became nervous. He wasn't sure if he wanted to perform a song himself, despite the fact that Christine would likely urge him to. And then, as the first brave family member came to center stage, he had made up his mind.
Nope.
As family member after family member came, he realized that he must be on the set of America's Most Talented Family. Every person who came forward would belt out whatever song that they chose, and not miss a note. Even Christine herself was an amazing singer, and her rendition of Queen's “Somebody to Love” sent shivers down his spine.
His confidence completely shot, he couldn't hold a note to save his life, Ace watched as Christine's father, who at this point was slightly intoxicated, stepped forward to sing. As he selected Creedence Clearwater Revival's “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?,” Ace sat back, awaiting yet another performance of a lifetime.
What he got, was the performance of a lifetime.
Ace sat, stunned as Christine's father belted out a rendition of the song that would bring a tear to your eye. A tear of laughter. As he came to the chorus, every word seemed to struggle to come from his mouth. It literally sounded like the poor man was constipated. And yet everyone laughed, clapped, and sang along with him.
It was at this moment that he realized that it didn't matter if he could sing or not. This night was about having a good time and being yourself. It was about celebrating the year, and not worrying about making a good impression, because the impression would come if you just had a good time. This kind of woke Ace up for the night.
He transformed back to his usual, talkative self that he knew Christine would appreciate more than the reserved man that he had became that night. And you know, he was told he passed one of the three Filipino “boyfriend tests” by one of Christine's uncles. And for some reason that was incredibly gratifying, despite never finding out what the other two tests were. As the night wore on, Christine pulled Ace aside.
Ace Bennett: Was that better?
Christine Martinez: Definitely.
Ace Bennett: So why are we out here then?
Christine Martinez: Have you seen the time?
Looking at his watch, Ace sees that it is nearly midnight. He looks back to the smiling Christine, who has clearly whisked him away for a reason. The two had the outside porch of her house to themselves.
Christine Martinez: I thought we could share a New Year's kiss.
Ace Bennett: You sure you want to share it with me?
Christine Martinez: Well, it's either you or a member of my close family. You're the only option I've got.
Ace Bennett: Mean.
She laughs at the frowning Ace.
Christine Martinez: I'm kidding.
There's a bit of a silence as Ace looks into Christine's deep brown eyes. She was truly the most beautiful girl that had allowed herself to come this close to her. Ace was beginning to wonder if she was crazy or something. And the moments became minutes as the two stared into each others eyes and smiled.
It was hard to believe how close the two had gotten in such a short amount of time, but here they were. And as the minutes went on, the couple heard a ruckus coming from inside as the clock struck midnight. Ace leaned in for his first New Year's kiss. Their lips met as the two embraced each other in the kiss for what seemed like an hour to Ace, but in reality was probably a couple of seconds.
Christine Martinez: Happy New Year Ace.
Ace Bennett: Happy New Year Christine.
He didn't have the heart to tell her that he had chosen to stay in wrestling for the time being and to not enroll into college for this upcoming semester. The two stood with one another in silence, looking to the stars as Ace held Christine in his arms.
Christine Martinez: Have you thought about what we talked about?
Well so much for that.
Ace Bennett: Yeah, I did. I gotta stay. At least for the time being.
Christine Martinez: I figured you would say that.
Ace Bennett: I got a lot of stuff going on there. One of my friends has been brainwashed by some psychopath, another is dying. I could potentially have my first big shot since I've been in the company. I'm sorry, but I've gotta sort that out first.
Christine Martinez: I support you Ace, I just hope you know what you're doing. I don't want to see you get hurt out there. Or worse.
Ace Bennett: We'll have to watch Scars and Stripes together, you'll see how much has changed since my first win. I know what I'm doing.
Christine Martinez: Yeah, definitely....maybe Fall semester?
Ace Bennett: Yeah, maybe.
He could hear the trepidation in her voice, but there was nothing that she could say to make him change his mind. The two sat down together on the front porch of her house, sharing the first moments of the newborn year together. Truth is, fall semester sounded nice.
–-----------------
“As the end of 2013 draws near, I've asked myself what my future holds for me. It seems like two paths have become apparent to me, and as time goes on it becomes more and more clear that the paths will never come together and form one. I have to choose. At Scars and Stripes, that choice became even more difficult.”
“You see, I was going into Scars and Stripes with no intentions on actually winning, or co-winning, or whatever happened at the end there. But I did. I am now one of five people who has a legitimate claim at the next opportunity at the WFWF World Heavyweight Championship. It's finally happened for me, right when I decide it may be time to walk away.”
“I've made my choice. At least a temporary choice. I must stay in the WFWF for the time being. There are too many loose ends, too many questions. There's everything that's happening with Shawn, my friend. He needs a friend while facing his imminent death and I fully intend on being that man that is there for him at his death bed, listening to his last words. I can't do that if I'm not traveling with him.”
“And then there's Dave Demento. I don't know what the guy has gotten himself into, but I'm sure as hell going to help him get out of it. This Crow guy, he's bad news, and whatever Demento has done to get himself in the man's bad graces, he's gonna need a hand to fight his way out. And I intend on being that man.”
“Which leaves me with just one final problem. The problem of the WFWF World Heavyweight Championship. At Scars and Stripes, by some miracle, myself, Malakai, Crow, and Thunder all managed to go over the top rope and hit the floor all at the exact same time. We are all co-winners. And now, our fate is in the hand of the owner and champion, Trace Demon, who will decide which of us will get the WFWF World Championship opportunity at Superbrawl.”
“You know, I wouldn't be surprised if Trace decides to go with whichever of the four of us he feels he has the best chance to beat. He's going to put us all through the gauntlet and then choose the one of us he feels is the worse for wear, and then breeze to an easy defense of the championship. That seems like the kind of spineless jack assery that Trace would pull.”
“But I digress. Because now here we are, on the next edition of Revolution and we are faced with a tag team match featuring the four winners. Myself and Shawn Malakai teaming up to take on Thunder and Crow. Seems fitting, I mean I'm sure one of us will step forward and show we are the one that deserves the shot. And heck, maybe Scarlett Quinn has something to say about the whole thing after getting screwed out of the belt herself.”
“This is normally the part where I'd talk about how why I'm going to win and how me and Shawn are going to be a well oiled machine that Crow and Thunder are unable to compete with. But you know, I've teamed with Shawn plenty of times. And I've won once, the very first time I teamed with him, when he was The High Horror. Since Revelation was formed, I've not won a single match with Shawn Malakai as my partner.”
“Since rekindling my friendship with Mr. Malakai, I think about the days of Revelation more than I ever have. I often wonder if I'd be where I was today if it weren't for what transpired those days. And to be honest, I don't think I would be. I would have never been brutally knocked out of the WFWF, and I wouldn't have gained the one quality that Malakai and I have over our opponents: resilience.”
“Malakai and I can both take a hell of a beating, and then turn around and give it back and then some. We've won matches that we've been counted out of. We've never given up, even with death staring one of us in the face. Thunder, he's just started getting back to being competent after realizing that he was destroying his own legacy. And Crow, I don't think he's anything without his goonies behind him.”
“What Shawn and I lack in ability, or in strength, we more than make up in heart and willpower. Thunder, I honestly have no problem with you at this point. We have cleared the air with one another, and I know you will do whatever you can to beat us and get your revenge on Shawn for what he did at Scars and Stripes. But Crow, I'm just getting started with you.”
“Crow, you're the reason I do not care about winning this match. I'm going to make you regret coming to the WFWF at the expense of Dave Demento. I'm going to make you regret being one of the four men lucky enough to be crowned winner of the Scars and Stripes Battle Royal. I'm going to make you regret ever crossing my friend. I'm going to make you regret the day you first heard the name Ace Bennett.”
“Win, lose, or draw. I will do everything in my power to make you bleed, Crow. I refuse to allow you as much as walk out of that ring without the aid of your big stupid doofs that you have following you around. You may win the match, but this war has just begun. And if I'm going down, you are going down with me. I will not allow you to run roughshod in the WFWF. I will not allow you to hurt my friend. I will not allow you to hurt my sister.”
“Regardless of the result, Crow, I will hurt you.”
OOC: Not my best, but I like what this does for future RPs. Bit rushed as well admittedly.
He knew full well that this match could be the very last of his career in the WFWF, and he found himself reflecting on what he had done with the company. And of what was to come. Of potentially going to college, probably majoring in something related to computers. Of maybe settling down and having a family. Of being normal.
But there he was, preparing for what was perhaps the biggest match of his career, and he was split. Did he want to go all out in the center of the ring and perhaps lose everyone that is important to him to achieve his lifelong goal? Or would he rather call it quits, happy with what he's done, and begin his true adulthood? He honestly didn't know.
As he set there, his attention was turned to the bench, where his cell phone was vibrating. He didn't normally receive calls at this time because he told people not to call him unless it was an emergency because he was focusing on the match. However, this time he didn't particularly care that someone was calling, until he realized it was in fact an emergency because it was his sister, Alicia.
Ace Bennett: Hello? Alicia what's-
Alicia Bennett: ACE! You have to find him! You have to get him away from them! You have to!
Ace Bennett: Woah woah woah, let's slow down a bit. What are you talking about?
Alicia Bennett: It's Dave! Somebody has him! Turn on a TV!
Listening to his frantic sister, Ace gets himself to his feet and turns on the TV that is situated right above him, mounted to the ceiling. As the picture becomes clear, Ace sees a battered Dave Demento taking a beating from a rather large bearded man. Was this the reason why he had been acting so strangely?
Ace Bennett: Alicia listen to me, did they say where he was?
Alicia Bennett: I don't know. I don't know! Please Ace, you have to find him! No no no no NOOOO!
As she screams the large man takes a boot to Demento's skull, sending him crashing to the floor. A puddle of blood is forming around Demento as the commentators say something asinine like always. Ace watches as the man smiles, saying nothing but “We're here” as the camera goes to static. Ace can hear his sister crying in the background, clearly traumatized by what had just happened.
Ace Bennett: Alicia, I'm sorry there was nothing I could do.
Alicia Bennett: Find him.
Ace Bennett: I will.
Alicia Bennett: Find him now. And make him pay.
Taken aback by her bluntness, Ace finds his mind returning to a place that it hasn't been in a very long time. A place that isn't afraid of hurting people. Vengeance is now the only thing on his mind. Vengeance for his friend.
Ace Bennett: We'll get him back sis, don't worry. We'll get him back. This Crow guy, he doesn't know anything about crazy. I promise you that.
Ace tries to compose himself, but finds the anger overtaking him. With his sister in such an emotional state, she can't help but support her brother in his words.
Ace Bennett: Crow thinks he's just gonna waltz in to the WFWF and take out someone, no questions asked? Well, he's got another thing coming. This is a war now.
Ace hangs up the phone, knowing that he's not going to be able to console Alicia right now. The case of Dave Demento has just found it's culprit.
–-----------------
The end of the year. It's a time of reflection and of looking to the future. It's a time to celebrate new beginnings and say goodbye to the past. And of course, it's a time for awkward parties with a bunch of people that you barely know. At least that was the case for Ace Bennett on this particular New Year's Eve. Things were beginning to get serious between he and Christine and it was time to meet the family. The whole family.
He had met both of her parents, aunts and uncles, and some cousins that night. They had set up some delicious Filipino food that they bought from a local market. All in all, it was a good time. He was pretty nervous, because he wanted to make a good impression on the family as his feelings for Christine grew more and more every day.
Ace Bennett: How am I doing?
He looked down at the petite Christine. He had been her shadow the entire night, following her wherever she went and sitting next to her whenever he had a chance to. She smiled at him and straightened the collar of his shirt.
Christine Martinez: You're doing fine, just lighten up a bit. I know you aren't this shy.
It was true, he was only speaking when he was spoken to. He folded his hands in his lap, in fear of getting in someones way or knocking something over. He had become a listener, not something he was particularly used. And now as he sat, he laughed along as he followed the flow of conversation, too afraid to dive in himself.
Christine Martinez: Poppa, I think we should fire up the karaoke machine.
Nodding, Christine's father removed himself from his chair and walked towards the television, where he begins to hook up a contraption which Ace came to find was their karaoke machine. It was one of those nice ones that you got a book with and typed in a code to find the song you wanted. This family took their karaoke seriously.
As the family gathered around the living room, creating a pseudo stage around the television, Ace became nervous. He wasn't sure if he wanted to perform a song himself, despite the fact that Christine would likely urge him to. And then, as the first brave family member came to center stage, he had made up his mind.
Nope.
As family member after family member came, he realized that he must be on the set of America's Most Talented Family. Every person who came forward would belt out whatever song that they chose, and not miss a note. Even Christine herself was an amazing singer, and her rendition of Queen's “Somebody to Love” sent shivers down his spine.
His confidence completely shot, he couldn't hold a note to save his life, Ace watched as Christine's father, who at this point was slightly intoxicated, stepped forward to sing. As he selected Creedence Clearwater Revival's “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?,” Ace sat back, awaiting yet another performance of a lifetime.
What he got, was the performance of a lifetime.
Ace sat, stunned as Christine's father belted out a rendition of the song that would bring a tear to your eye. A tear of laughter. As he came to the chorus, every word seemed to struggle to come from his mouth. It literally sounded like the poor man was constipated. And yet everyone laughed, clapped, and sang along with him.
It was at this moment that he realized that it didn't matter if he could sing or not. This night was about having a good time and being yourself. It was about celebrating the year, and not worrying about making a good impression, because the impression would come if you just had a good time. This kind of woke Ace up for the night.
He transformed back to his usual, talkative self that he knew Christine would appreciate more than the reserved man that he had became that night. And you know, he was told he passed one of the three Filipino “boyfriend tests” by one of Christine's uncles. And for some reason that was incredibly gratifying, despite never finding out what the other two tests were. As the night wore on, Christine pulled Ace aside.
Ace Bennett: Was that better?
Christine Martinez: Definitely.
Ace Bennett: So why are we out here then?
Christine Martinez: Have you seen the time?
Looking at his watch, Ace sees that it is nearly midnight. He looks back to the smiling Christine, who has clearly whisked him away for a reason. The two had the outside porch of her house to themselves.
Christine Martinez: I thought we could share a New Year's kiss.
Ace Bennett: You sure you want to share it with me?
Christine Martinez: Well, it's either you or a member of my close family. You're the only option I've got.
Ace Bennett: Mean.
She laughs at the frowning Ace.
Christine Martinez: I'm kidding.
There's a bit of a silence as Ace looks into Christine's deep brown eyes. She was truly the most beautiful girl that had allowed herself to come this close to her. Ace was beginning to wonder if she was crazy or something. And the moments became minutes as the two stared into each others eyes and smiled.
It was hard to believe how close the two had gotten in such a short amount of time, but here they were. And as the minutes went on, the couple heard a ruckus coming from inside as the clock struck midnight. Ace leaned in for his first New Year's kiss. Their lips met as the two embraced each other in the kiss for what seemed like an hour to Ace, but in reality was probably a couple of seconds.
Christine Martinez: Happy New Year Ace.
Ace Bennett: Happy New Year Christine.
He didn't have the heart to tell her that he had chosen to stay in wrestling for the time being and to not enroll into college for this upcoming semester. The two stood with one another in silence, looking to the stars as Ace held Christine in his arms.
Christine Martinez: Have you thought about what we talked about?
Well so much for that.
Ace Bennett: Yeah, I did. I gotta stay. At least for the time being.
Christine Martinez: I figured you would say that.
Ace Bennett: I got a lot of stuff going on there. One of my friends has been brainwashed by some psychopath, another is dying. I could potentially have my first big shot since I've been in the company. I'm sorry, but I've gotta sort that out first.
Christine Martinez: I support you Ace, I just hope you know what you're doing. I don't want to see you get hurt out there. Or worse.
Ace Bennett: We'll have to watch Scars and Stripes together, you'll see how much has changed since my first win. I know what I'm doing.
Christine Martinez: Yeah, definitely....maybe Fall semester?
Ace Bennett: Yeah, maybe.
He could hear the trepidation in her voice, but there was nothing that she could say to make him change his mind. The two sat down together on the front porch of her house, sharing the first moments of the newborn year together. Truth is, fall semester sounded nice.
–-----------------
“As the end of 2013 draws near, I've asked myself what my future holds for me. It seems like two paths have become apparent to me, and as time goes on it becomes more and more clear that the paths will never come together and form one. I have to choose. At Scars and Stripes, that choice became even more difficult.”
“You see, I was going into Scars and Stripes with no intentions on actually winning, or co-winning, or whatever happened at the end there. But I did. I am now one of five people who has a legitimate claim at the next opportunity at the WFWF World Heavyweight Championship. It's finally happened for me, right when I decide it may be time to walk away.”
“I've made my choice. At least a temporary choice. I must stay in the WFWF for the time being. There are too many loose ends, too many questions. There's everything that's happening with Shawn, my friend. He needs a friend while facing his imminent death and I fully intend on being that man that is there for him at his death bed, listening to his last words. I can't do that if I'm not traveling with him.”
“And then there's Dave Demento. I don't know what the guy has gotten himself into, but I'm sure as hell going to help him get out of it. This Crow guy, he's bad news, and whatever Demento has done to get himself in the man's bad graces, he's gonna need a hand to fight his way out. And I intend on being that man.”
“Which leaves me with just one final problem. The problem of the WFWF World Heavyweight Championship. At Scars and Stripes, by some miracle, myself, Malakai, Crow, and Thunder all managed to go over the top rope and hit the floor all at the exact same time. We are all co-winners. And now, our fate is in the hand of the owner and champion, Trace Demon, who will decide which of us will get the WFWF World Championship opportunity at Superbrawl.”
“You know, I wouldn't be surprised if Trace decides to go with whichever of the four of us he feels he has the best chance to beat. He's going to put us all through the gauntlet and then choose the one of us he feels is the worse for wear, and then breeze to an easy defense of the championship. That seems like the kind of spineless jack assery that Trace would pull.”
“But I digress. Because now here we are, on the next edition of Revolution and we are faced with a tag team match featuring the four winners. Myself and Shawn Malakai teaming up to take on Thunder and Crow. Seems fitting, I mean I'm sure one of us will step forward and show we are the one that deserves the shot. And heck, maybe Scarlett Quinn has something to say about the whole thing after getting screwed out of the belt herself.”
“This is normally the part where I'd talk about how why I'm going to win and how me and Shawn are going to be a well oiled machine that Crow and Thunder are unable to compete with. But you know, I've teamed with Shawn plenty of times. And I've won once, the very first time I teamed with him, when he was The High Horror. Since Revelation was formed, I've not won a single match with Shawn Malakai as my partner.”
“Since rekindling my friendship with Mr. Malakai, I think about the days of Revelation more than I ever have. I often wonder if I'd be where I was today if it weren't for what transpired those days. And to be honest, I don't think I would be. I would have never been brutally knocked out of the WFWF, and I wouldn't have gained the one quality that Malakai and I have over our opponents: resilience.”
“Malakai and I can both take a hell of a beating, and then turn around and give it back and then some. We've won matches that we've been counted out of. We've never given up, even with death staring one of us in the face. Thunder, he's just started getting back to being competent after realizing that he was destroying his own legacy. And Crow, I don't think he's anything without his goonies behind him.”
“What Shawn and I lack in ability, or in strength, we more than make up in heart and willpower. Thunder, I honestly have no problem with you at this point. We have cleared the air with one another, and I know you will do whatever you can to beat us and get your revenge on Shawn for what he did at Scars and Stripes. But Crow, I'm just getting started with you.”
“Crow, you're the reason I do not care about winning this match. I'm going to make you regret coming to the WFWF at the expense of Dave Demento. I'm going to make you regret being one of the four men lucky enough to be crowned winner of the Scars and Stripes Battle Royal. I'm going to make you regret ever crossing my friend. I'm going to make you regret the day you first heard the name Ace Bennett.”
“Win, lose, or draw. I will do everything in my power to make you bleed, Crow. I refuse to allow you as much as walk out of that ring without the aid of your big stupid doofs that you have following you around. You may win the match, but this war has just begun. And if I'm going down, you are going down with me. I will not allow you to run roughshod in the WFWF. I will not allow you to hurt my friend. I will not allow you to hurt my sister.”
“Regardless of the result, Crow, I will hurt you.”
OOC: Not my best, but I like what this does for future RPs. Bit rushed as well admittedly.
I really liked this. You've been putting out some quality and this was no exception. Alicia and Dave is such a great relationship.