Alive
Dec 25, 2015 14:56:28 GMT -5
Post by Fujiko Mine on Dec 25, 2015 14:56:28 GMT -5
Method?
or madness?
Maybe more of the first over the second.
In sitting on the sidelines, watching everything in Frontier Grappling Arts unfold over the past month, I learned plenty about my fellow competitors. I learned what their long games are. Most importantly, I learned about the intricacies of desperation.
The human ego will make a person do absolutely ridiculous things. It will make someone stab a friend in the back without any provocation. It will cause someone to become hopelessly paranoid. The human ego will scar the face you look at in the mirror every day, when in reality there are no scars there.
The human ego can enforce a sense of claustrophobia over it’s victims. It can absolutely ruin the very person it helped build up.
The human ego is a parasite. The ultimate saboteur. An incurable disease.
I was a casualty. But I learned about the other side. When I listened to people like Noelle Smith and others tell me I had an ego, I was offended. There was no way they meant me. I was, and am, the most approachable member of the roster. Few people are nicer. Few people go out of their way to be there for those that they love than me. But then I saw it. The desperation that slowly slid my ego poisoned food. The food that turned me against myself. It had help, of course. The poisonous, toxic words I had to listen to from my opponents. They gave my ego a vendetta. It wanted to prove them wrong for me.
That’s why I failed.
So I had to do a little soul searching. And I realized that I can’t be a casualty anymore. I can’t sit back and watch as people blame ‘the business’ on their change in attitudes.
That’s bullcrap, plain and simple. The nature of wrestling is competition. If you let it turn toxic on you, that’s YOUR fault, not the fault of the business. It seems like so many of you came in with a case of pistanthrophobia , the fear of trusting others; that you just needed to hide, until you couldn’t anymore. You can blame everyone but yourself if you want, but all you’re doing is pointing into a mirror you refuse to acknowledge is there. Most of those who suddenly turn their backs on the fans here in FGA seem so quick and eager to blame the fans, or the business. As if it was the pressure, or the caring for the fans that ‘broke’ them. In reality, they were just jerks in disguise, who all saw the same scapegoat. Honestly, I hope that you see sense, Go-eun. I hope that you’re not like the others.
It broke my heart to see what I saw. Go-eun, I know you claim that this is you with your eyes open. Open as they may be, I think you still can’t see. You can’t see that what you are doing is wrong. I’m not here to admonish you for what you did at Final Frontier. Saying ‘shame on you’ does nothing. You clearly don’t regret what you did, which is shame enough.
Go-eun, I hope you remember what happened the last time we faced off in an FGA ring. Ocean City, if I recall correctly. Remember that we fought to a draw. Two of the most popular women to ever stand in an FGA ring and we fought to a stalemate.
I want you to think back to that because I am bound and determined to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.
This time? You drop off the charts.
You see, Go-eun, I see what it is I’m here for, now. I’m here to prove that the fighting spirit that FGA was formed upon still exists. Yourself and others like you may see this as the cutthroat wasteland where you need to brandish a knife to stab into the nearest person’s back.
No. At its heart, FGA strives for a beacon of hope. Someone they can see who will won’t stop to those lows because the ‘pressure of the business’ got to them.
I won’t give up on that idea, Go-eun. And maybe I’ll be the only one. But that’s fine by me. I will stand alone against anyone who wants to prove me wrong. I will fight to prove you wrong, I will put you down on the mat…
...and then I will help you up. I will extend my hand to you, to show you that this is not the path to take.
This notion that you need to turn your back on what you were to become something more? It’s short-sighted, foolish, and untrue. You may not see it as turning your back. You said that you were now going to be fighting for yourself? It’s all the same when you boil it down.
What do I know about that, you might ask? I got seduced by the same thing. Here’s a fact for you, Go-eun. NO ONE in FGA has lost more in stature than I have. Earlier this year, I became the very first woman to hold a singles title in FGA. Maybe you’re tired of me harping on it, but you can’t deny it. I sat at the number one spot on the rankings. That’s right, yours truly...who everyone is so quick to disrespect...was in the top spot. Not the Pride champ, not the World champ….ME.
Since then, I lost the gold rush rumble, courtesy of Sean Sands. I lost the title I’d scratched and clawed up to courtesy of Noelle Smith. I failed in the quarterfinals of the Frontier Lions’ Cup, lost a Pride title shot to Johnny Karma, and lost the chance to be a two time Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion.
Why not turn my back on it all after that? Who had better reason than me to give up? Why didn’t I?
Because something miraculous happened.
They didn’t abandon me. The people that I cared about, they convinced me not to listen to the negativity that literally surrounded me. It didn’t matter what went wrong.
Fans supported me, family supported me, and they reminded me that no matter what, they were here for me. Look at the support that remained before it all, and is still there? That’s the message that I needed.
Keep your supposed clarity, Go-eun. I meant it when I said that I do this for the fans who cheer when I emerge from the back, and throw streamers and chant for yours truly. Because if they didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.
Jump on the train if you want, Go-eun. Tell me I suck. Tell me that I don’t belong here. Better yet, tell me that I’M the deluded one. Take your pick, or go for the sweep. It really doesn’t matter to me. I will take your best shot, and I will get back on my feet, stronger. I am going to match you, blow for blow, and kick for kick. But I will get in that last shot to put you down and show you that I am just getting started with turning everything around.
For them, Go-eun. The fans who believed in me. The detractors who thrive on my failure, telling me I can’t, and I won’t.
The last FGA show of 2015 will show you, Jimmy Page, and everyone else that the hope hasn’t died out yet. As a matter of fact, it’s being reborn.
Try your luck.
Fujiko exhaled, the heated vapor that exited her lungs via her mouth showed in the bitter cold around her for a second before it vanished. She clapped her hands together, and drew them up to her mouth before she exhaled again. Satisfied with the action of warming them, she jammed her bare hands into the pockets of her hooded zip up, and relied on the plush fabric to carry on the job of keeping warmth in her fingers. She sniffled a little, which drew some annoyance out of her.
Her creamy brown eyes, searched through the thin plastic lenses of her black glasses, focused on the architecturally unique building that drew closer as she took the trek out of her black Tesla model S. She still finds herself a little giddy over it, so she takes a second to look back at the sleek black vehicle for a second. It was gifted to her by her by a man she considered family: Thomas Jones.
She turned her thoughts towards the building again. She would have to tuck away that feeling to console her later. She looked at the sign, which never would evoke fear in her normally.
COLECTIVO COFFEE, read the sign.
Rather, it was who waited for her inside that filled her with the sense of dread. She reached the door, took her right hand out of the pocket and wrapped her fingers around the cold metal handle of the door. She winced for a moment, underprepared for the cold that transferred onto her hand; then pulled the door open and stepped into the warmth that lingered inside. She stood at the door for a moment, and looked around at the furnishings. Two of the three baristas immediately trained their eyes on her, and smiled. They recognized her immediately. She took her primary focus off of them, but continued to watch out of her peripheral vision as they pointed and whispered at each other. She fought the urge to sniffle. She wished she’d brought along some tissues from her car.
Fujiko glanced to her left, and saw the face that she expected to find.
Her mother calmly sipped at a dark black liquid in a stone mug; A black and white newspaper page kept her attention. The thought of getting coffee or tea for herself crossed her mind for a moment, before she decided to just sit with her mother and talk.
Fujiko moved past the small line of carts that held small bottles of cinnamon, honey, and various flyers that advertised local events. She took in a breath to prepare herself, and then moved into her mother’s line of sight.
"Hiya, mom."
Fujiko put on a small smile. She expected her mother to do the same. She was disappointed, as her mother chose instead to slowly lower the newspaper onto the table and eye her daughter just over her own black rimmed glasses.
"Katharine…" She began. Fujiko cringed. They’d spent months together at this point, and Marcia knew that Fujiko disliked being called Katharine. It was the name she was supposedly given upon birth, but Fujiko attached a great feeling of disdain to it. Perhaps she felt bitter from the circumstances surrounding its’ "origin". Maybe she just associated the name with someone other than herself. It might have been a combination of the two. Either way, she tried to hide the frown that wanted to form when she heard it.
"How are you?"
Fujiko was captured a little off guard, and wrapped her knuckles around the back of the chair that sat opposite her mother at the table. She thought a little about how she was.
"I’m okay…" She started, using her grip on the back of the chair to pull it away from the table, and slid herself into the seat. She adjusted herself to suit her comfort. "I mean, my birthday was amazing, as you know...but yesterday I started feeling a little achey. Last night I caught a little case of the sniffles. It’s been a while since I felt ill, so I guess I was kinda due…" Fujiko frowned slightly, but only for a moment before she let a smile shine through again.
"Oh no; that’s not good at all. Have you been taking care of yourself?"
Fujiko nodded. "But maybe I’m just a little stressed out."
"That’s also no good. What’s on your mind, dear? Trouble at work?"
Fujiko mentally held her breath for a moment. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to talk about ‘work’ in front of her again. The last time they did, it didn’t turn out so well…
"I mean, I’ve been preparing for a match on the twenty-eighth. A rematch against Go-eun Yun. We fought to a draw last time. Obviously, I don’t want that outcome to repeat itself. I’ll beat her this time, I just know it."
Fujiko placed a confident smile on her face. It rang a little hollow in her head, but she committed to it. Marcia, perhaps unimpressed; Shook her a head a bit.
"Katharine, I really wish you’d stop with all this ‘wrestling’ nonsense. I know you think it’s something that you have to do. However, if it’s only going to stress you out and cause you worry, then maybe it’s not for you."
She lifted a finger.
"And, let’s not forget the fact that you could become seriously injured."
A grave look washed over her face.
"One of my colleagues at work told me about your recent ordeal. Challenging Jimmy Page? Are you trying to get yourself killed!?"
Fujiko couldn’t stop her eyes from narrowing in contempt. They’d had this conversation more times than Fujiko cared to entertain. Marcia would attempt to persuade her to quit, Fujiko would refuse, and the cycle would continue. Recently, however, Marcia had the unfortunate advantage of being able to use her recent misfortunes against her.
"I’ve been fine, mother. I’m not going to stress myself out getting worried about injuries, and as far as Jimmy Page is concerned…"
Fujiko had to think about her words carefully. She was indeed intimidated by Jimmy Page, but she’d taken him on before, and she’d almost won last time. In fact, if it were for a little ‘assist’ by foe-turned-acquaintance in Johnny Karma, she might own a victory over him already.
"It’s something that I have to do. I’m not some fragile little doll who is bad at wrestling, like some jerkfaces like to think I am. I am good at what I do. In fact, I’m better than most of the people on the roster at it. I’ve just had a string of poor luck." She sniffled again. She supposed she’d rather put up with that annoyance than have snot leak from her face in public. "Look, mom...I’ve faced Jimmy before. He’s tough, that’s for sure. Tougher than most people I’ve faced off against. He was one of the most dominant champions for a reason."
"And didn’t Jimmy hurt you before?"
Marcia’s raised eyebrow told Fujiko that she was trying to use the negative reinforcement of her last match with the former FGA champion to her advantage. Fujiko recalled the dull pain that resonated in the left portion of her jaw, as if it was a fresh injury. It’s where Jimmy struck her months ago, during their match. It was the blow that gained Jimmy the victory. It hurt, true; But she wasn’t injured by it.
"He won the match, mother." Fujiko rolled her eyes. "I don’t need that fact rubbed in any more than it has been. But he didn’t injure me. It wasn’t until recently that I’ve been sitting on the sidelines. That wasn’t for injury, either." Fujiko crossed her arms in defiance.
Marcia rolled her eyes a bit, not convinced at her daughter’s statement. For a few moments, the two didn’t talk. Fujiko did her best to understand where her mother came from, even after the constant back and forth between them. For her to blatantly provoke the former FGA World champion was a bold move, especially considering her recent match outcomes. But she was adamant about proving herself.
"I’ve been training with Nina Stokes and Ryan LeCavalier. Nina’s a fellow wrestler, and Ryan just took the Macto Legion International champion to a draw. I don’t know if you’ve seen the guy, but he’s kind of a beast. And she basically kicked his tail, mom." Fujiko rubbed at her eyebrows, trying to wear away the budding frustration behind her eyes.
"They’ve helped me prepare for this...and I think I’m ready. I get to prove that against Go-eun. She’s been looking to get herself back on the right track, after her small war with Maurice Graham. "
Fujiko couldn’t believe she was having to take part in this conversation again. Her mother refused to relent, even after Fujiko warned her to let it go.
"Katharine, I witnessed what this girl did to that man, and his companion. Victoria, her name was?"
Fujiko winced. Marcia must have used the past tense on purpose. She’d heard about the beating that Go-eun put on Victoria, and her imagination caused her stomach to turn. To see someone have to endure that; Fujiko couldn’t let Yun think that that was okay.
"Mom, please. We are not going to go through this again. We really aren’t. For the last time, you are not going to convince me to quit. I am not worried about potential injuries, or anything like that. I’ve known the risks since I started doing this, which...to be honest...is much longer than I’ve known you."
Fujiko stopped, unable to hide her annoyance. "Mom...Christmas is in a few days, and it would certainly mean a lot to me...and to the rest of us, if you would spend it with us."
Fujiko tried to change the subject; Both to avoid a scene, and to keep her own temper in check. Marcia’s lips were pursed tightly. Fujiko cringed a little in response, the look on her mother’s face telling her that she wasn’t exactly pleased by Fujiko’s retort.
"I will happily be there, my love...but this conversation is not over."
Fujiko audibly groaned, which Marcia responded to quickly. Her face hardened, and she leaned in.
"I do not want my daughter suffering the indignities that she has been suffering anymore. All these crude comments, the insults, and the risk of potential injury? It’s all too much for me to bear!"
Fujiko’s eyes lit up, and she glanced around her. Her mother’s tone was not the hushed tone that she hoped for. It was one that attracted the attention of the other patrons, and it worried her.
"Mom...please…"
"No, I will not," She started. Fujiko wanted to shrink away. Just what she’d wanted for her birthday and Christmas combo: a public argument with her mother. She heard her mother continue on at a muted volume while she tried to plan an escape for herself. After realizing that nearly everyone in the cafe was likely looking at the two of them.
"MOTHER." Marcia stalled her tirade for a moment, her eyes searching her daughters’ for the defeat she was hoping to find. It was nowhere to be found.
"I am not quitting. I am not giving up. Go-eun fights hard, but not as hard as me. She only has herself to fight for. I have everyone who believes in me to fight for. Obviously, that excludes you." Marcia placed her left hand on her chest, shock in her eyes. "I did not mean-"
Fujiko waved her hand in dismissal. "You obviously don’t believe in me, because you keep telling me to quit. You’re not much better than those people who tell me I can’t do this. So nevermind it, mom. I’m gonna go ahead and rescind that offer to join us. I don’t know someone who doesn’t believe in me...and someone who isn’t willing to support me around. Mother or not."
"Katharine, you don’t--"
Fujiko pushed her chair back, causing her mother to flinch. She stood up, momentarily forgetting about everyone else in the cafe.
"No, I really think I do! And my name is not Katharine, it’s Fujiko. Goodbye, mother."
Fujiko stood up from the chair, and calmly slid it back in. She moved away from the table, and headed for the door, ignoring the calls that came from Marcia as she did so. She was now aware of all the attention that was focused on her, but she didn’t care. She had more preparations to do. She was facing a prime opponent soon. Go-eun may have been called “Seoul City’s Baddest Female”, but she would falter against the one true hope of FGA; The woman known as Lady Luck.
or madness?
Maybe more of the first over the second.
In sitting on the sidelines, watching everything in Frontier Grappling Arts unfold over the past month, I learned plenty about my fellow competitors. I learned what their long games are. Most importantly, I learned about the intricacies of desperation.
The human ego will make a person do absolutely ridiculous things. It will make someone stab a friend in the back without any provocation. It will cause someone to become hopelessly paranoid. The human ego will scar the face you look at in the mirror every day, when in reality there are no scars there.
The human ego can enforce a sense of claustrophobia over it’s victims. It can absolutely ruin the very person it helped build up.
The human ego is a parasite. The ultimate saboteur. An incurable disease.
I was a casualty. But I learned about the other side. When I listened to people like Noelle Smith and others tell me I had an ego, I was offended. There was no way they meant me. I was, and am, the most approachable member of the roster. Few people are nicer. Few people go out of their way to be there for those that they love than me. But then I saw it. The desperation that slowly slid my ego poisoned food. The food that turned me against myself. It had help, of course. The poisonous, toxic words I had to listen to from my opponents. They gave my ego a vendetta. It wanted to prove them wrong for me.
That’s why I failed.
So I had to do a little soul searching. And I realized that I can’t be a casualty anymore. I can’t sit back and watch as people blame ‘the business’ on their change in attitudes.
That’s bullcrap, plain and simple. The nature of wrestling is competition. If you let it turn toxic on you, that’s YOUR fault, not the fault of the business. It seems like so many of you came in with a case of pistanthrophobia , the fear of trusting others; that you just needed to hide, until you couldn’t anymore. You can blame everyone but yourself if you want, but all you’re doing is pointing into a mirror you refuse to acknowledge is there. Most of those who suddenly turn their backs on the fans here in FGA seem so quick and eager to blame the fans, or the business. As if it was the pressure, or the caring for the fans that ‘broke’ them. In reality, they were just jerks in disguise, who all saw the same scapegoat. Honestly, I hope that you see sense, Go-eun. I hope that you’re not like the others.
It broke my heart to see what I saw. Go-eun, I know you claim that this is you with your eyes open. Open as they may be, I think you still can’t see. You can’t see that what you are doing is wrong. I’m not here to admonish you for what you did at Final Frontier. Saying ‘shame on you’ does nothing. You clearly don’t regret what you did, which is shame enough.
Go-eun, I hope you remember what happened the last time we faced off in an FGA ring. Ocean City, if I recall correctly. Remember that we fought to a draw. Two of the most popular women to ever stand in an FGA ring and we fought to a stalemate.
I want you to think back to that because I am bound and determined to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.
This time? You drop off the charts.
You see, Go-eun, I see what it is I’m here for, now. I’m here to prove that the fighting spirit that FGA was formed upon still exists. Yourself and others like you may see this as the cutthroat wasteland where you need to brandish a knife to stab into the nearest person’s back.
No. At its heart, FGA strives for a beacon of hope. Someone they can see who will won’t stop to those lows because the ‘pressure of the business’ got to them.
I won’t give up on that idea, Go-eun. And maybe I’ll be the only one. But that’s fine by me. I will stand alone against anyone who wants to prove me wrong. I will fight to prove you wrong, I will put you down on the mat…
...and then I will help you up. I will extend my hand to you, to show you that this is not the path to take.
This notion that you need to turn your back on what you were to become something more? It’s short-sighted, foolish, and untrue. You may not see it as turning your back. You said that you were now going to be fighting for yourself? It’s all the same when you boil it down.
What do I know about that, you might ask? I got seduced by the same thing. Here’s a fact for you, Go-eun. NO ONE in FGA has lost more in stature than I have. Earlier this year, I became the very first woman to hold a singles title in FGA. Maybe you’re tired of me harping on it, but you can’t deny it. I sat at the number one spot on the rankings. That’s right, yours truly...who everyone is so quick to disrespect...was in the top spot. Not the Pride champ, not the World champ….ME.
Since then, I lost the gold rush rumble, courtesy of Sean Sands. I lost the title I’d scratched and clawed up to courtesy of Noelle Smith. I failed in the quarterfinals of the Frontier Lions’ Cup, lost a Pride title shot to Johnny Karma, and lost the chance to be a two time Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion.
Why not turn my back on it all after that? Who had better reason than me to give up? Why didn’t I?
Because something miraculous happened.
They didn’t abandon me. The people that I cared about, they convinced me not to listen to the negativity that literally surrounded me. It didn’t matter what went wrong.
Fans supported me, family supported me, and they reminded me that no matter what, they were here for me. Look at the support that remained before it all, and is still there? That’s the message that I needed.
Keep your supposed clarity, Go-eun. I meant it when I said that I do this for the fans who cheer when I emerge from the back, and throw streamers and chant for yours truly. Because if they didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.
Jump on the train if you want, Go-eun. Tell me I suck. Tell me that I don’t belong here. Better yet, tell me that I’M the deluded one. Take your pick, or go for the sweep. It really doesn’t matter to me. I will take your best shot, and I will get back on my feet, stronger. I am going to match you, blow for blow, and kick for kick. But I will get in that last shot to put you down and show you that I am just getting started with turning everything around.
For them, Go-eun. The fans who believed in me. The detractors who thrive on my failure, telling me I can’t, and I won’t.
The last FGA show of 2015 will show you, Jimmy Page, and everyone else that the hope hasn’t died out yet. As a matter of fact, it’s being reborn.
Try your luck.
Fujiko exhaled, the heated vapor that exited her lungs via her mouth showed in the bitter cold around her for a second before it vanished. She clapped her hands together, and drew them up to her mouth before she exhaled again. Satisfied with the action of warming them, she jammed her bare hands into the pockets of her hooded zip up, and relied on the plush fabric to carry on the job of keeping warmth in her fingers. She sniffled a little, which drew some annoyance out of her.
Her creamy brown eyes, searched through the thin plastic lenses of her black glasses, focused on the architecturally unique building that drew closer as she took the trek out of her black Tesla model S. She still finds herself a little giddy over it, so she takes a second to look back at the sleek black vehicle for a second. It was gifted to her by her by a man she considered family: Thomas Jones.
She turned her thoughts towards the building again. She would have to tuck away that feeling to console her later. She looked at the sign, which never would evoke fear in her normally.
COLECTIVO COFFEE, read the sign.
Rather, it was who waited for her inside that filled her with the sense of dread. She reached the door, took her right hand out of the pocket and wrapped her fingers around the cold metal handle of the door. She winced for a moment, underprepared for the cold that transferred onto her hand; then pulled the door open and stepped into the warmth that lingered inside. She stood at the door for a moment, and looked around at the furnishings. Two of the three baristas immediately trained their eyes on her, and smiled. They recognized her immediately. She took her primary focus off of them, but continued to watch out of her peripheral vision as they pointed and whispered at each other. She fought the urge to sniffle. She wished she’d brought along some tissues from her car.
Fujiko glanced to her left, and saw the face that she expected to find.
Her mother calmly sipped at a dark black liquid in a stone mug; A black and white newspaper page kept her attention. The thought of getting coffee or tea for herself crossed her mind for a moment, before she decided to just sit with her mother and talk.
Fujiko moved past the small line of carts that held small bottles of cinnamon, honey, and various flyers that advertised local events. She took in a breath to prepare herself, and then moved into her mother’s line of sight.
"Hiya, mom."
Fujiko put on a small smile. She expected her mother to do the same. She was disappointed, as her mother chose instead to slowly lower the newspaper onto the table and eye her daughter just over her own black rimmed glasses.
"Katharine…" She began. Fujiko cringed. They’d spent months together at this point, and Marcia knew that Fujiko disliked being called Katharine. It was the name she was supposedly given upon birth, but Fujiko attached a great feeling of disdain to it. Perhaps she felt bitter from the circumstances surrounding its’ "origin". Maybe she just associated the name with someone other than herself. It might have been a combination of the two. Either way, she tried to hide the frown that wanted to form when she heard it.
"How are you?"
Fujiko was captured a little off guard, and wrapped her knuckles around the back of the chair that sat opposite her mother at the table. She thought a little about how she was.
"I’m okay…" She started, using her grip on the back of the chair to pull it away from the table, and slid herself into the seat. She adjusted herself to suit her comfort. "I mean, my birthday was amazing, as you know...but yesterday I started feeling a little achey. Last night I caught a little case of the sniffles. It’s been a while since I felt ill, so I guess I was kinda due…" Fujiko frowned slightly, but only for a moment before she let a smile shine through again.
"Oh no; that’s not good at all. Have you been taking care of yourself?"
Fujiko nodded. "But maybe I’m just a little stressed out."
"That’s also no good. What’s on your mind, dear? Trouble at work?"
Fujiko mentally held her breath for a moment. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to talk about ‘work’ in front of her again. The last time they did, it didn’t turn out so well…
"I mean, I’ve been preparing for a match on the twenty-eighth. A rematch against Go-eun Yun. We fought to a draw last time. Obviously, I don’t want that outcome to repeat itself. I’ll beat her this time, I just know it."
Fujiko placed a confident smile on her face. It rang a little hollow in her head, but she committed to it. Marcia, perhaps unimpressed; Shook her a head a bit.
"Katharine, I really wish you’d stop with all this ‘wrestling’ nonsense. I know you think it’s something that you have to do. However, if it’s only going to stress you out and cause you worry, then maybe it’s not for you."
She lifted a finger.
"And, let’s not forget the fact that you could become seriously injured."
A grave look washed over her face.
"One of my colleagues at work told me about your recent ordeal. Challenging Jimmy Page? Are you trying to get yourself killed!?"
Fujiko couldn’t stop her eyes from narrowing in contempt. They’d had this conversation more times than Fujiko cared to entertain. Marcia would attempt to persuade her to quit, Fujiko would refuse, and the cycle would continue. Recently, however, Marcia had the unfortunate advantage of being able to use her recent misfortunes against her.
"I’ve been fine, mother. I’m not going to stress myself out getting worried about injuries, and as far as Jimmy Page is concerned…"
Fujiko had to think about her words carefully. She was indeed intimidated by Jimmy Page, but she’d taken him on before, and she’d almost won last time. In fact, if it were for a little ‘assist’ by foe-turned-acquaintance in Johnny Karma, she might own a victory over him already.
"It’s something that I have to do. I’m not some fragile little doll who is bad at wrestling, like some jerkfaces like to think I am. I am good at what I do. In fact, I’m better than most of the people on the roster at it. I’ve just had a string of poor luck." She sniffled again. She supposed she’d rather put up with that annoyance than have snot leak from her face in public. "Look, mom...I’ve faced Jimmy before. He’s tough, that’s for sure. Tougher than most people I’ve faced off against. He was one of the most dominant champions for a reason."
"And didn’t Jimmy hurt you before?"
Marcia’s raised eyebrow told Fujiko that she was trying to use the negative reinforcement of her last match with the former FGA champion to her advantage. Fujiko recalled the dull pain that resonated in the left portion of her jaw, as if it was a fresh injury. It’s where Jimmy struck her months ago, during their match. It was the blow that gained Jimmy the victory. It hurt, true; But she wasn’t injured by it.
"He won the match, mother." Fujiko rolled her eyes. "I don’t need that fact rubbed in any more than it has been. But he didn’t injure me. It wasn’t until recently that I’ve been sitting on the sidelines. That wasn’t for injury, either." Fujiko crossed her arms in defiance.
Marcia rolled her eyes a bit, not convinced at her daughter’s statement. For a few moments, the two didn’t talk. Fujiko did her best to understand where her mother came from, even after the constant back and forth between them. For her to blatantly provoke the former FGA World champion was a bold move, especially considering her recent match outcomes. But she was adamant about proving herself.
"I’ve been training with Nina Stokes and Ryan LeCavalier. Nina’s a fellow wrestler, and Ryan just took the Macto Legion International champion to a draw. I don’t know if you’ve seen the guy, but he’s kind of a beast. And she basically kicked his tail, mom." Fujiko rubbed at her eyebrows, trying to wear away the budding frustration behind her eyes.
"They’ve helped me prepare for this...and I think I’m ready. I get to prove that against Go-eun. She’s been looking to get herself back on the right track, after her small war with Maurice Graham. "
Fujiko couldn’t believe she was having to take part in this conversation again. Her mother refused to relent, even after Fujiko warned her to let it go.
"Katharine, I witnessed what this girl did to that man, and his companion. Victoria, her name was?"
Fujiko winced. Marcia must have used the past tense on purpose. She’d heard about the beating that Go-eun put on Victoria, and her imagination caused her stomach to turn. To see someone have to endure that; Fujiko couldn’t let Yun think that that was okay.
"Mom, please. We are not going to go through this again. We really aren’t. For the last time, you are not going to convince me to quit. I am not worried about potential injuries, or anything like that. I’ve known the risks since I started doing this, which...to be honest...is much longer than I’ve known you."
Fujiko stopped, unable to hide her annoyance. "Mom...Christmas is in a few days, and it would certainly mean a lot to me...and to the rest of us, if you would spend it with us."
Fujiko tried to change the subject; Both to avoid a scene, and to keep her own temper in check. Marcia’s lips were pursed tightly. Fujiko cringed a little in response, the look on her mother’s face telling her that she wasn’t exactly pleased by Fujiko’s retort.
"I will happily be there, my love...but this conversation is not over."
Fujiko audibly groaned, which Marcia responded to quickly. Her face hardened, and she leaned in.
"I do not want my daughter suffering the indignities that she has been suffering anymore. All these crude comments, the insults, and the risk of potential injury? It’s all too much for me to bear!"
Fujiko’s eyes lit up, and she glanced around her. Her mother’s tone was not the hushed tone that she hoped for. It was one that attracted the attention of the other patrons, and it worried her.
"Mom...please…"
"No, I will not," She started. Fujiko wanted to shrink away. Just what she’d wanted for her birthday and Christmas combo: a public argument with her mother. She heard her mother continue on at a muted volume while she tried to plan an escape for herself. After realizing that nearly everyone in the cafe was likely looking at the two of them.
"MOTHER." Marcia stalled her tirade for a moment, her eyes searching her daughters’ for the defeat she was hoping to find. It was nowhere to be found.
"I am not quitting. I am not giving up. Go-eun fights hard, but not as hard as me. She only has herself to fight for. I have everyone who believes in me to fight for. Obviously, that excludes you." Marcia placed her left hand on her chest, shock in her eyes. "I did not mean-"
Fujiko waved her hand in dismissal. "You obviously don’t believe in me, because you keep telling me to quit. You’re not much better than those people who tell me I can’t do this. So nevermind it, mom. I’m gonna go ahead and rescind that offer to join us. I don’t know someone who doesn’t believe in me...and someone who isn’t willing to support me around. Mother or not."
"Katharine, you don’t--"
Fujiko pushed her chair back, causing her mother to flinch. She stood up, momentarily forgetting about everyone else in the cafe.
"No, I really think I do! And my name is not Katharine, it’s Fujiko. Goodbye, mother."
Fujiko stood up from the chair, and calmly slid it back in. She moved away from the table, and headed for the door, ignoring the calls that came from Marcia as she did so. She was now aware of all the attention that was focused on her, but she didn’t care. She had more preparations to do. She was facing a prime opponent soon. Go-eun may have been called “Seoul City’s Baddest Female”, but she would falter against the one true hope of FGA; The woman known as Lady Luck.
