Josh #3: Crimson
Mar 16, 2016 9:58:13 GMT -5
Post by pete on Mar 16, 2016 9:58:13 GMT -5
Off-Camera
I’m still surprised you offered to help me like this.
Josh’s words come out in between elbows thrown into the punching bag, punctuating each impact.
Oh?
Bracing the punchbag is the woman known as The Crimson Baroness. She smiles as he throws more elbows her way.
Hey, you hardly offered the warmest of welcomes. I think this week was the first time you actually spoke to me, you know, not down to me.
She laughs.
I told you, I’ve turned over a new leaf. And I saw you freaking out about facing Terrence… I felt like I had to help. I mean, nobody else was offering…
An involuntary wince from Josh as she mentions that. The next few blows land heavier.
And I honestly do appreciate it… um...
What?
Sorry, it just feels weird calling you “The Crimson Baroness” in person. You know, face to face like this.
She smiles.
Tell you what. Whilst it’s only the two of us around, you can call me Katie.
It’s his turn to smile.
That’s a really nice name. Well, thanks, Katie.
Awww, thank you, sweetie.
He ducks her gaze, letting loose another flurry of strikes, before backing off, rubbing his elbows.
You’re improving. Your stance is stronger for one. Let’s take a break.
He nods, following her over to a side table, grabbing a bottle of LAZERADE!. She smirks.
You drink that stuff?
I like it. It’s refreshing.
She shrugs.
Hey, I just remembered something. Wait here.
She dashes out the room, leaving a slightly bewildered Josh in her wake. After a few moments she strides back in, large holdall in hand. She places it on the table top, then with an air of grandiosity opens it up, revealing two belts within: the RISE Championship and the GFP Junior Tag Team Championship. She smiles as she notices his eyes widen.
Wow!
Go ahead. Touch them.
He looks at her, a little shocked.
Really?
TCB simply nods, and he reaches out to them… stopping a few inches short of touching them.
No.
It’s the Baroness’ turn to look bewildered, and slightly put out.
Why not?
Josh, realising he’s probably offended her, starts talking fast.
No, sorry… they’re beautiful Katie, they really are… and it’s amazing you’ve let me see them in person… but I think… I’ve kind of decided just then… the first time I want to touch one… I want it to be mine.
TCB’s angry look fades to a gentle smile.
Well, you know, to get one of these, you’ve got some serious competition to get through. Like me. Like Nest. Like Triple T.
Josh nods.
Trust me, I know. And if anything… last Pride proved that to me. Robbie… I was prepared to lose that match, you know, thought I was going to lose… and then it didn’t happen. I mean, I didn’t win, sure, but I didn’t lose. I survived.
He shrugs.
Every week I’m facing tougher opponents. I’ve been doing this for what now? Two months? Everybody here’s been doing this for years, they’re miles ahead of me. Everyone keeps going on at me about confidence… well how would you feel in my situation, eh?
TCB merely raises an eyebrow.
But you know what I learned last week? Even though I thought I was going to lose… I didn’t want to. When I heard backstage what had happened, after I came to… It didn’t feel right. I expected to be… well… happy I guess, that I hadn’t lost. But that wasn’t it. I just felt… empty? And it was then, lying on that bench, that medic shining a torch in my eyes… that feeling of helplessness again… that made me realise. It’s not enough to not lose.
He focuses on the presented title belts.
I want to win. I need to win. The rush I felt that first week, against Brett Dunn… I need that again. I thought it was just the thrill of competing… but no. It wasn’t. It could never beat that feeling when you win. I mean, you’ve got to know about that right? You’re a champion.
TCB nods and smiles, smug smile acknowledging his statement.
I don’t want to beat Terrence. I need to. I have to. Somehow. I don’t know what. I need to find something… somewhere… to do the impossible.
Josh shakes his head.
I need to win.
He looks up at TCB, pleading with his eyes.
You won’t understand this. But I made a promise to a friend, and…
He looks down.
I can’t let him down again.
He’s brought out of it by Katie’s hand on his arm.
Well, if you need to beat him, you’re going to have to keep on training. You ready?
A sharp nod of the head.
You know what? I think I finally am.
Word Count: 800
I’m still surprised you offered to help me like this.
Josh’s words come out in between elbows thrown into the punching bag, punctuating each impact.
Oh?
Bracing the punchbag is the woman known as The Crimson Baroness. She smiles as he throws more elbows her way.
Hey, you hardly offered the warmest of welcomes. I think this week was the first time you actually spoke to me, you know, not down to me.
She laughs.
I told you, I’ve turned over a new leaf. And I saw you freaking out about facing Terrence… I felt like I had to help. I mean, nobody else was offering…
An involuntary wince from Josh as she mentions that. The next few blows land heavier.
And I honestly do appreciate it… um...
What?
Sorry, it just feels weird calling you “The Crimson Baroness” in person. You know, face to face like this.
She smiles.
Tell you what. Whilst it’s only the two of us around, you can call me Katie.
It’s his turn to smile.
That’s a really nice name. Well, thanks, Katie.
Awww, thank you, sweetie.
He ducks her gaze, letting loose another flurry of strikes, before backing off, rubbing his elbows.
You’re improving. Your stance is stronger for one. Let’s take a break.
He nods, following her over to a side table, grabbing a bottle of LAZERADE!. She smirks.
You drink that stuff?
I like it. It’s refreshing.
She shrugs.
Hey, I just remembered something. Wait here.
She dashes out the room, leaving a slightly bewildered Josh in her wake. After a few moments she strides back in, large holdall in hand. She places it on the table top, then with an air of grandiosity opens it up, revealing two belts within: the RISE Championship and the GFP Junior Tag Team Championship. She smiles as she notices his eyes widen.
Wow!
Go ahead. Touch them.
He looks at her, a little shocked.
Really?
TCB simply nods, and he reaches out to them… stopping a few inches short of touching them.
No.
It’s the Baroness’ turn to look bewildered, and slightly put out.
Why not?
Josh, realising he’s probably offended her, starts talking fast.
No, sorry… they’re beautiful Katie, they really are… and it’s amazing you’ve let me see them in person… but I think… I’ve kind of decided just then… the first time I want to touch one… I want it to be mine.
TCB’s angry look fades to a gentle smile.
Well, you know, to get one of these, you’ve got some serious competition to get through. Like me. Like Nest. Like Triple T.
Josh nods.
Trust me, I know. And if anything… last Pride proved that to me. Robbie… I was prepared to lose that match, you know, thought I was going to lose… and then it didn’t happen. I mean, I didn’t win, sure, but I didn’t lose. I survived.
He shrugs.
Every week I’m facing tougher opponents. I’ve been doing this for what now? Two months? Everybody here’s been doing this for years, they’re miles ahead of me. Everyone keeps going on at me about confidence… well how would you feel in my situation, eh?
TCB merely raises an eyebrow.
But you know what I learned last week? Even though I thought I was going to lose… I didn’t want to. When I heard backstage what had happened, after I came to… It didn’t feel right. I expected to be… well… happy I guess, that I hadn’t lost. But that wasn’t it. I just felt… empty? And it was then, lying on that bench, that medic shining a torch in my eyes… that feeling of helplessness again… that made me realise. It’s not enough to not lose.
He focuses on the presented title belts.
I want to win. I need to win. The rush I felt that first week, against Brett Dunn… I need that again. I thought it was just the thrill of competing… but no. It wasn’t. It could never beat that feeling when you win. I mean, you’ve got to know about that right? You’re a champion.
TCB nods and smiles, smug smile acknowledging his statement.
I don’t want to beat Terrence. I need to. I have to. Somehow. I don’t know what. I need to find something… somewhere… to do the impossible.
Josh shakes his head.
I need to win.
He looks up at TCB, pleading with his eyes.
You won’t understand this. But I made a promise to a friend, and…
He looks down.
I can’t let him down again.
He’s brought out of it by Katie’s hand on his arm.
Well, if you need to beat him, you’re going to have to keep on training. You ready?
A sharp nod of the head.
You know what? I think I finally am.
Word Count: 800