Sown seeds come to fruit.
Oct 13, 2018 0:49:06 GMT -5
Post by Fujiko Mine on Oct 13, 2018 0:49:06 GMT -5
Cameras draw up to one of the backstage hallways in the Capital One arena, and it comes up just in time to see the FGA Pride champion, Fujiko Mine on her way out of the arena. She is out of her wrestling gear, and in a black hoodie and baggy jeans. Over her shoulder is a duffel bag, likely filled with her gear, and her championship. In a rare move, she’s not carrying it out on her person as she normally does. Even rarer, she is alone.
She sports, most importantly, a smile on her face. She marched into the night meaning to dispatch Ricky Valero and tie the record for most defenses of the Pride Championship...and she did so in spades. To her recollection, she was the first champion in a long time to win...either in capture or defense, a pride rules match 2-0.
She does not look into the camera, but she moves at a slow pace. It is as if she’s taking her time to leave the arena, and when a voice calls out to her, she stops in her tracks.
???: Looking for someone?
Fujiko looks in the direction of the voice to see Natalie McKinley stood leaning against a wall, with her arms folded. Dressed in a pair of dark grey leggings and a cyan sleeveless t-shirt, Natalie looks more like she has just come from the gym, rather than been at ringside for a world title match.
Natalie McKinley: A little dragon gave me the impression that I had an invitation to talk you.
Fujiko fights the urge to roll her eyes. She stops moving forward, but doesn’t quite turn her body in Nat’s direction.
Fujiko Mine: I wasn’t looking for anyone. No need to be coy, Nat. I appreciate you keeping to your word and not attacking me…again...
She applies an appropriate amount of bite to that last word.
Fujiko Mine: ...But it doesn’t excuse the first time.
Natalie McKinley: I know, Fujiko. I'm not sure anything does.
Natalie unfolds her arms and pushes herself away from the wall, taking a couple of steps towards Fujiko.
Natalie McKinley: Xena and her baseball bat not with you?
She gazes beyond Fujiko momentarily, looking for any sign of the aforementioned Xena. Satisfied that she is nowhere to be found, Natalie then returns her attention to the Pride Champion. Fujiko only offers a shrug.
Fujiko Mine: I sent her back to the hotel after the Pride title match. She objected plenty, but I figured you would stay away if someone who cared enough to make sure I stayed safe went away.
Fujiko’s bitter tone isn’t lost on either of them.
Fujiko Mine: That said, if you’re setting me up for Evan or Ricky to get themselves a little revenge…
She places her hand in the front pocket of her hoodie and pulls out a small black fob.
Fujiko Mine: I have to press this twice every minute or so, or my father and the rest of the Jones’ security force will be here in less than thirty seconds.
She raises an eyebrow at Nat as she places her hand, along with the fob back in her hoodie pocket. She then shuffles the duffle bag off her shoulder, lowering it slowly to the floor.
Fujiko Mine: So Xena and her bat are the absolute least of your worries.
Natalie raises both hands in the air, wanting to let Fujiko know that there are no tricks coming.
Natalie McKinley: It sounds more like I should be the one to be worried for their safety, not you.
She smiles despite herself.
Natalie McKinley: I'm not going to do anything to hurt you, Fujiko, and neither are Evan or Ricky. Evan is probably too busy agonising over losing the world title anyway, and as for Ricky...
There is a shrug of the shoulders from Natalie. She neither knows nor cares about Ricky's current whereabouts.
Natalie McKinley: Congratulations, by the way. I did rather enjoy the way your match went.
Fujiko’s expression paints a picture of distrust.
Fujiko Mine: I’d love to believe you on those counts, but there is the matter of you throwing our friendship in the trash and willingly attacking me because “The Chief” told you it was “business.”
She turns so that her body is at a ¾ position at Nat, almost as if she’s going to grab her bag and walk away at any moment. She pulls out her hand with the fob in it, clicking it in a way that Nat can see.
Fujiko Mine: What can you say that will make me want to push this again?
Fujiko makes no show to be threatening in her statement. It is a genuine opportunity.
Fujiko Mine: Because if that’s all, you’re wasting my time and yours.
Natalie bites her lip. She had not been expecting such an ultimatum, although she cannot possibly say that it is undeserved. She stands there fumbling for words.
Natalie McKinley: Okay, Fujiko, look... I... I'm not here to talk about Evan, and I'm certainly not here to talk about Ricky - I'm here to talk about me... and you. I know Lowri told you that I...
There is a pause as Natalie takes a deep breath. She then continues, hoping she can persuade Fujiko to stick around a little longer.
Natalie McKinley: She told you that I attacked you because I have a crush on you. And that much is true. But there's more to it than that, as you probably already guessed, and if you care to know the rest, I'll tell you everything; I'll tell you anything you want to know, and then... it's for you to decide whether or not you want to have anything to do with me beyond tonight.
Fujiko’s eyes narrow at Natalie, and then at the black fob in her hand. She seems a bit uneasy with how easy Nat lets her affections, which were previously unconfirmed, to the Apex Goddess. She takes a second, and then gives the fob an exaggerated double click, to make sure that Nat sees it.
Fujiko Mine: I’m listening.
Natalie pinches her lower lip, as she thinks over what she is going to say. She is desperate not to blow what in all likelihood will be her sole chance to explain herself to Fujiko.
Natalie McKinley: I've had a crush on you for a while, Fujiko. In fact, I'm kinda surprised that it was news to you. I know I never explicitly said it until now, but there have been things I've said to you in the past, messages and tweets I've sent you that... well… I didn’t think I ever made much of an effort to try to hide it.
She looks at Fujiko with a sheepish smile on her face.
Natalie McKinley: But I know then that begs the question, if I have a crush on you, why would I attack you?
She rubs the back of her neck with her fingers.
Natalie McKinley: What I did to you isn't the first thing I've done in the past few years that I'm ashamed of. I don't want to risk boring you by giving you a blow-by-blow account of all the things I've done that I've then come to regret, so let's just say I'm not particularly proud of who I am. No--
There is a slight shake of the head from Natalie. Fujiko clicks at the fob twice.
Natalie McKinley: Actually, that's an understatement. I pretty much hate myself, and the way that I act at times. I'm definitely not the person who I thought I would be. I’m a failed wrestler, I'm a gambling addict, and I’ve got a mother who loathes me - not exactly reasons to feel good about myself.
A sigh escapes her lips. Fujiko’s gaze softens a bit,
Natalie McKinley: I want to be happy though. I mean, I guess everyone does, right? And being able to call you a friend was something that made me happy. But... because of how I feel about myself and who I am, there's a part of me that thinks I don't deserve to be happy, and so at times... I do things just to spite myself; I suppose it’s my form of self-harm.
Natalie crosses her right arm over her chest, touching her left bicep.
Natalie McKinley: I may be strong physically, but emotionally, Fujiko, I’m weak and insecure, and when I agreed to help Evan and Ricky ambush you and Xena, I didn’t do it to hurt you - I did it to hurt myself; by sabotaging my relationship with you, that would be one less thing that I could draw happiness from.
She lets out another sigh.
Natalie McKinley: But then... straight away I realised the magnitude of what I had done, and I felt awful. You're the last person I want to hurt, Fujiko, and I am so, so sorry for what I did to you.
With feelings of guilt and shame washing over her, Natalie lowers her gaze towards the floor. However, she quickly looks up to make eye contact with Fujiko again, knowing that if Fujiko is to believe her, Natalie at least needs to be able to look her in the eye.
Natalie McKinley: And I'm sorry as well for how long I waited to apologise to you - and that I waited even longer to explain things to you. I just... I guess I was scared that I would just end up making things worse. If that was even possible.
She takes another step towards Fujiko, narrowing the distance between the two of them.
Natalie McKinley: I'm sorry, Fujiko. For everything. I really am.
She rolls her eyes upward a bit, empathy tears welling up in her eyes. She shakes her head, trying to will them away. She manages to get her emotions in check.
Fujiko Mine: I’m...I...learned long ago that in wrestling, you don’t make assumptions. Even with it comes to someone laying their affections bare at your feet. You only go with the information you have confirmed.
She opens her mouth to say more, but then chooses not to.
Fujiko Mine: I can’t even begin to wonder how you figured hurting me was the best way to sabotage yourself…
She raises the fob and clicks it again.
Fujiko Mine: ...when you could’ve done that by continuing to do what you were doing. You haven’t reached out...hadn’t really talked to me in months.
She uses her opposite hand to pull out her cell phone from her jean pocket.
Fujiko Mine: You haven’t called, texted...hell, you haven’t even tweeted at me in months. Not when you came back to FGA, nothing. If you had these feelings about me, and you felt like punishing yourself, I’d imagine that would be the punishment you doled out to yourself.
She places her phone back in its place.
Fujiko Mine: I know we’ve never ran in the same circles ever, but you have to understand that it’s hard to hear you say that, considering you’ve basically been a ghost in my life since last year.
She does her best to keep her emotions in check. She loses the battle near the end, but composes herself.
Fujiko Mine: It’s exhausting to sit here and hold this grudge with you, Natalie. It really does. So if it’s forgiveness you want? You can have it.
Her head shakes slowly.
Fujiko Mine: But you’ve broken my trust, and you’ve broken my heart, Nat. And that isn’t something that you can just place some apology tape on and it’s just instantly better.
She sighs.
Fujiko Mine: So you’re forgiven, Natalie. But I think I’d like it if you went back to being a ghost again. It wasn’t my favorite thing when you were off if your own world, but at least my heart would hurt less.
These are words that the FGA Pride champion does not want to say, but she has to. Her voice wavers a little, but stands her ground. Natalie nods her head solemnly, having little choice other than to reluctantly accept Fujiko’s request.
Natalie McKinley: Okay, Fujiko. If that’s what you want, then I’ll respect your wish.
Fujiko grimaces, coming to terms with what she’s just requested.
Fujiko Mine: It’s not what I want. Natalie. I wanted to learn what I did in pretty much any other circumstance than as part of your apology for an unprovoked attack. I wanted to...at the very least, still be friends with you. I did not want you to leave. So while I forgive you, I can’t forget that you did this.
Fujiko’s eyes drift away from Natalie’s, and onto the fob in her hand. It’s almost as if the wheels can be seen turning behind her eyes. She could just stop pressing it. Dozens of men in blue suits would swarm the place, tasers and other weapons at the ready. They’d just need her word.
She clicks it twice, then places it back into her hoodie pocket. After that, she picks up the duffel bag off the ground.
Fujiko Mine: Goodbye.
She is devoid of emotion in that last word. She then turns her back fully to Natalie, and makes the slow walk towards the parking lot. Natalie stands there silently and runs her fingers through her hair, with a mixture of emotions swirling around in her head, as she watches Fujiko disappear from view.
She sports, most importantly, a smile on her face. She marched into the night meaning to dispatch Ricky Valero and tie the record for most defenses of the Pride Championship...and she did so in spades. To her recollection, she was the first champion in a long time to win...either in capture or defense, a pride rules match 2-0.
She does not look into the camera, but she moves at a slow pace. It is as if she’s taking her time to leave the arena, and when a voice calls out to her, she stops in her tracks.
???: Looking for someone?
Fujiko looks in the direction of the voice to see Natalie McKinley stood leaning against a wall, with her arms folded. Dressed in a pair of dark grey leggings and a cyan sleeveless t-shirt, Natalie looks more like she has just come from the gym, rather than been at ringside for a world title match.
Natalie McKinley: A little dragon gave me the impression that I had an invitation to talk you.
Fujiko fights the urge to roll her eyes. She stops moving forward, but doesn’t quite turn her body in Nat’s direction.
Fujiko Mine: I wasn’t looking for anyone. No need to be coy, Nat. I appreciate you keeping to your word and not attacking me…again...
She applies an appropriate amount of bite to that last word.
Fujiko Mine: ...But it doesn’t excuse the first time.
Natalie McKinley: I know, Fujiko. I'm not sure anything does.
Natalie unfolds her arms and pushes herself away from the wall, taking a couple of steps towards Fujiko.
Natalie McKinley: Xena and her baseball bat not with you?
She gazes beyond Fujiko momentarily, looking for any sign of the aforementioned Xena. Satisfied that she is nowhere to be found, Natalie then returns her attention to the Pride Champion. Fujiko only offers a shrug.
Fujiko Mine: I sent her back to the hotel after the Pride title match. She objected plenty, but I figured you would stay away if someone who cared enough to make sure I stayed safe went away.
Fujiko’s bitter tone isn’t lost on either of them.
Fujiko Mine: That said, if you’re setting me up for Evan or Ricky to get themselves a little revenge…
She places her hand in the front pocket of her hoodie and pulls out a small black fob.
Fujiko Mine: I have to press this twice every minute or so, or my father and the rest of the Jones’ security force will be here in less than thirty seconds.
She raises an eyebrow at Nat as she places her hand, along with the fob back in her hoodie pocket. She then shuffles the duffle bag off her shoulder, lowering it slowly to the floor.
Fujiko Mine: So Xena and her bat are the absolute least of your worries.
Natalie raises both hands in the air, wanting to let Fujiko know that there are no tricks coming.
Natalie McKinley: It sounds more like I should be the one to be worried for their safety, not you.
She smiles despite herself.
Natalie McKinley: I'm not going to do anything to hurt you, Fujiko, and neither are Evan or Ricky. Evan is probably too busy agonising over losing the world title anyway, and as for Ricky...
There is a shrug of the shoulders from Natalie. She neither knows nor cares about Ricky's current whereabouts.
Natalie McKinley: Congratulations, by the way. I did rather enjoy the way your match went.
Fujiko’s expression paints a picture of distrust.
Fujiko Mine: I’d love to believe you on those counts, but there is the matter of you throwing our friendship in the trash and willingly attacking me because “The Chief” told you it was “business.”
She turns so that her body is at a ¾ position at Nat, almost as if she’s going to grab her bag and walk away at any moment. She pulls out her hand with the fob in it, clicking it in a way that Nat can see.
Fujiko Mine: What can you say that will make me want to push this again?
Fujiko makes no show to be threatening in her statement. It is a genuine opportunity.
Fujiko Mine: Because if that’s all, you’re wasting my time and yours.
Natalie bites her lip. She had not been expecting such an ultimatum, although she cannot possibly say that it is undeserved. She stands there fumbling for words.
Natalie McKinley: Okay, Fujiko, look... I... I'm not here to talk about Evan, and I'm certainly not here to talk about Ricky - I'm here to talk about me... and you. I know Lowri told you that I...
There is a pause as Natalie takes a deep breath. She then continues, hoping she can persuade Fujiko to stick around a little longer.
Natalie McKinley: She told you that I attacked you because I have a crush on you. And that much is true. But there's more to it than that, as you probably already guessed, and if you care to know the rest, I'll tell you everything; I'll tell you anything you want to know, and then... it's for you to decide whether or not you want to have anything to do with me beyond tonight.
Fujiko’s eyes narrow at Natalie, and then at the black fob in her hand. She seems a bit uneasy with how easy Nat lets her affections, which were previously unconfirmed, to the Apex Goddess. She takes a second, and then gives the fob an exaggerated double click, to make sure that Nat sees it.
Fujiko Mine: I’m listening.
Natalie pinches her lower lip, as she thinks over what she is going to say. She is desperate not to blow what in all likelihood will be her sole chance to explain herself to Fujiko.
Natalie McKinley: I've had a crush on you for a while, Fujiko. In fact, I'm kinda surprised that it was news to you. I know I never explicitly said it until now, but there have been things I've said to you in the past, messages and tweets I've sent you that... well… I didn’t think I ever made much of an effort to try to hide it.
She looks at Fujiko with a sheepish smile on her face.
Natalie McKinley: But I know then that begs the question, if I have a crush on you, why would I attack you?
She rubs the back of her neck with her fingers.
Natalie McKinley: What I did to you isn't the first thing I've done in the past few years that I'm ashamed of. I don't want to risk boring you by giving you a blow-by-blow account of all the things I've done that I've then come to regret, so let's just say I'm not particularly proud of who I am. No--
There is a slight shake of the head from Natalie. Fujiko clicks at the fob twice.
Natalie McKinley: Actually, that's an understatement. I pretty much hate myself, and the way that I act at times. I'm definitely not the person who I thought I would be. I’m a failed wrestler, I'm a gambling addict, and I’ve got a mother who loathes me - not exactly reasons to feel good about myself.
A sigh escapes her lips. Fujiko’s gaze softens a bit,
Natalie McKinley: I want to be happy though. I mean, I guess everyone does, right? And being able to call you a friend was something that made me happy. But... because of how I feel about myself and who I am, there's a part of me that thinks I don't deserve to be happy, and so at times... I do things just to spite myself; I suppose it’s my form of self-harm.
Natalie crosses her right arm over her chest, touching her left bicep.
Natalie McKinley: I may be strong physically, but emotionally, Fujiko, I’m weak and insecure, and when I agreed to help Evan and Ricky ambush you and Xena, I didn’t do it to hurt you - I did it to hurt myself; by sabotaging my relationship with you, that would be one less thing that I could draw happiness from.
She lets out another sigh.
Natalie McKinley: But then... straight away I realised the magnitude of what I had done, and I felt awful. You're the last person I want to hurt, Fujiko, and I am so, so sorry for what I did to you.
With feelings of guilt and shame washing over her, Natalie lowers her gaze towards the floor. However, she quickly looks up to make eye contact with Fujiko again, knowing that if Fujiko is to believe her, Natalie at least needs to be able to look her in the eye.
Natalie McKinley: And I'm sorry as well for how long I waited to apologise to you - and that I waited even longer to explain things to you. I just... I guess I was scared that I would just end up making things worse. If that was even possible.
She takes another step towards Fujiko, narrowing the distance between the two of them.
Natalie McKinley: I'm sorry, Fujiko. For everything. I really am.
She rolls her eyes upward a bit, empathy tears welling up in her eyes. She shakes her head, trying to will them away. She manages to get her emotions in check.
Fujiko Mine: I’m...I...learned long ago that in wrestling, you don’t make assumptions. Even with it comes to someone laying their affections bare at your feet. You only go with the information you have confirmed.
She opens her mouth to say more, but then chooses not to.
Fujiko Mine: I can’t even begin to wonder how you figured hurting me was the best way to sabotage yourself…
She raises the fob and clicks it again.
Fujiko Mine: ...when you could’ve done that by continuing to do what you were doing. You haven’t reached out...hadn’t really talked to me in months.
She uses her opposite hand to pull out her cell phone from her jean pocket.
Fujiko Mine: You haven’t called, texted...hell, you haven’t even tweeted at me in months. Not when you came back to FGA, nothing. If you had these feelings about me, and you felt like punishing yourself, I’d imagine that would be the punishment you doled out to yourself.
She places her phone back in its place.
Fujiko Mine: I know we’ve never ran in the same circles ever, but you have to understand that it’s hard to hear you say that, considering you’ve basically been a ghost in my life since last year.
She does her best to keep her emotions in check. She loses the battle near the end, but composes herself.
Fujiko Mine: It’s exhausting to sit here and hold this grudge with you, Natalie. It really does. So if it’s forgiveness you want? You can have it.
Her head shakes slowly.
Fujiko Mine: But you’ve broken my trust, and you’ve broken my heart, Nat. And that isn’t something that you can just place some apology tape on and it’s just instantly better.
She sighs.
Fujiko Mine: So you’re forgiven, Natalie. But I think I’d like it if you went back to being a ghost again. It wasn’t my favorite thing when you were off if your own world, but at least my heart would hurt less.
These are words that the FGA Pride champion does not want to say, but she has to. Her voice wavers a little, but stands her ground. Natalie nods her head solemnly, having little choice other than to reluctantly accept Fujiko’s request.
Natalie McKinley: Okay, Fujiko. If that’s what you want, then I’ll respect your wish.
Fujiko grimaces, coming to terms with what she’s just requested.
Fujiko Mine: It’s not what I want. Natalie. I wanted to learn what I did in pretty much any other circumstance than as part of your apology for an unprovoked attack. I wanted to...at the very least, still be friends with you. I did not want you to leave. So while I forgive you, I can’t forget that you did this.
Fujiko’s eyes drift away from Natalie’s, and onto the fob in her hand. It’s almost as if the wheels can be seen turning behind her eyes. She could just stop pressing it. Dozens of men in blue suits would swarm the place, tasers and other weapons at the ready. They’d just need her word.
She clicks it twice, then places it back into her hoodie pocket. After that, she picks up the duffel bag off the ground.
Fujiko Mine: Goodbye.
She is devoid of emotion in that last word. She then turns her back fully to Natalie, and makes the slow walk towards the parking lot. Natalie stands there silently and runs her fingers through her hair, with a mixture of emotions swirling around in her head, as she watches Fujiko disappear from view.
