Believe in the Magic?

[Ryan LeCavalier]

[II.]

Enter: Foreigner.

In the past two months since Ryan’s found her footing in wrestling; not only is she wrestling in several different parts of the world, she’s fighting in high profile MMA fights. Some might say she’s good at it, while others beg to differ – critics are always hard to please, it’s a known fact – moreover, they absolutely challenge her at every turn. Recently, however, it began taking a mental toll on her, first came an awkward bout of depression, and then now in the form of her classic anxiety she’s had since childhood. Things weren’t going so bad; she was allowed to get over her slump so to speak, not to mention she just Monarchy Championship over in Monarchy Wrestling. Things were finally—well—with her, for once. She’s actually taking advantage of everything that comes her way, seizing opportunity after opportunity. If you didn’t know any better you’d say that she was one the biggest star wrestling, she’d say otherwise, that didn’t stop people from speculating what comes next.

In her down time she’s rarely had the chance to reflect on anything, be it her achievements, successes or lack thereof, as usually, she’s always on the go living out of a suitcase doing something she’s supposed to be “truly passionate.” about. It wasn’t like her to actually show when she actually doubted herself, ever.

At first people might’ve been quick to assume that winning a championship would change her outlook, that maybe she’d be humming a different tune. If you were one of those people who got your hopes up, sorry it didn’t do either. Instead, it actually played up on her onset fear – that she was enjoying the ride, again that wasn’t like her.

Monarchy Wrestling was an entirely different story. A story she wished to keep singular, kept further away from people knowing too much about it, even if it meant that she would sever ties with others. The Monarchy Championship was the company’s highest honor, and yet, it wasn’t even her highest honor. It was easy to misinterpret both her mood furthermore outlook on the situation, either she was twisting her face into makeshift expressions or she ‘didn’t want to talk about it.’

She felt she lacked validity in her win, she was right; there was a serious lack in competition. Wrestling in England wasn’t the problem, it was the fact that there was a lack thereof, either in her care for her craft or the reason she enjoyed doing it. They didn’t compel her to get excited each and every week, already she had been champion for two weeks, and they hadn’t even manage to fluster her. How in the hell was she supposed to function? Most of the contracted talent weren’t from the UK. Either they thought they could make a quick buck, or they thought they could try their hand at becoming a celebrity elsewhere. Her reasoning for going was simple. Her family at times would venture into the United Kingdom, they weren’t really known, so it was a good place to relax and focus on changing something about yourself.

At first she considered all the styles she’d encounter, per contra that wasn’t the case, rather it was everything she had already seen and more; talk about being a letdown.

“Is something on your mind?”

“Not really.”

“Are you sure? You’ve been staring at your title for over an hour.” Urged Nina who was only voicing her concern, it wasn’t like Ryan to be so fixated on something.

In reality wasn’t much she could do seeing as they were currently flying back to Miami, Florida via London, England; back to the home that they shared, Ryan had moved in almost a year and a half ago. At heart Ryan was always going to be a West coast girl, though she could appreciate Nina’s East coast charm. This was the life they chose to lead, the constant traveling wasn’t bad – not when she got to wrestle – at times she was either off into her books or off into Nina anyway.

Ryan sighed. “I’m just both a little underwhelmed and a little overwhelmed at the same time,” Ryan’s gaze fell on Nina who was sitting right across from her, surfing the internet, as she tried to cure her own boredom. “I didn’t think becoming champion would be so unfulfilling.”

“While it may seem unfulfilling to you, I think you’re a good example of what Monarchy Wrestling should be.” There was another click and a few keystrokes out of Nina before she said anything else; Ryan was left piecing the bits in pieces in between the keys. “Think about it like this, anybody else could’ve won the championship. You won it within months of signing with the company.”

Nina was definitely right; she did just win a championship somewhere. How things change over the course of a couple of week or two, for the first few days, she spent her time soaking it all in, running her finger over the large main plate of the championship as if she was enamored with it – and she was – not the belt, but the accomplishment. She caught herself making a mental list of the samplings she would do with the little power she now wielded, as a champion it’s widely known that you had slight pull in the office, she wanted that and more.

“I just need a challenge.” Ryan mused while adjusting in her seat; she didn’t think the competition and stiff enough. Outside of one or two individuals, she didn’t see it as a cakewalk, however there was a limit to what she’d subject herself to.

“Again, you just won that belt. That’s enough of a challenge, you know there’s thieves all around trying to scheme to get the belt in their grubby little hands.” Again Nina was as she gave Ryan an odd look, it wasn’t focused or mad even more so afraid of what she might purpose.

Again Ryan didn’t say much she bit her lip and looked down towards her feet. “I knew you’d say that. It’s why I’ve already contacted Frontier Grappling Arts,”

“Explain.”

“I signed on for the Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament. I originally asked Datura to rekindle the magic, but of course she got sick and I haven’t heard from her since then – I bet she’s going rounds with Cameron. I don’t even have a partner.” Ryan admitted, but she wasn’t opposed to putting the word out, if she had to she’d do anything to make sure that someone else was holding the other end of the tag rope.

“I don’t think you’ll have to look far. Do you mind if I call Salem up? Lately you’ve been socializing a lot. Some quality time might do you some good. I really want you two the mesh, you’re both one half of two amazing tag teams. Just knowing how FGA works, the two of you will have your work cut out for you.” Nina explained.

Ryan’s eyes lit up at the sheer mention of Salem, thinking back to their Girl Power Wrestling days when they feuded in one of the hottest feuds of the year. They brawled a lot, they’re matches were ‘legendary’ and judging how Nina explained it, she was really hoping that she’d agree to the idea.

“Salem? That’s fine, call her up.”

[II.]

Ryan, perhaps, should’ve been a little more wary of being complacent – beyond that there is nothing to protect her, nothing that stops a flashing moment of violence from quelling her from the inside. Certainly, her station as a competitor does attract more piercing eyes all wanting a crack at taking her, but she’s always levelheaded and unassuming of deceit at every turn, facades jumping forward, and those who are desperate enough to sip through the cracks, beyond the match. She’s used to it; she’s become a big name recently, after all. She remembers feeling at her hungriest, the gnawing, gasping from it in times of need, it’s that extra needed passion that got her through the worst, and even can recollect her fear of not turning into an adequate wrestler; or something remotely like it, by patricidal standards set forth by her own father that spans an entire family.

But she hasn’t arrived for nostalgia’s sake. Ryan’s ever sipping from a fountain of egotism and glory, always arriving late (unless you need her the most,) if there’s a challenge that lay dormant she’ll meet it head on. Call it crass, but it’s just something about her personality that gives the impression of: ‘You’re only as good as the rumors that surround you’ the nerve if she actually believed that garbage (some assume she does, but that’s all just a cleverly designed smoke screen.)

Dynamic Duos is an enigma of an event, not only is the event held in high regard, the event is comprised of the best Tag Teams in the world (both well known and makeshift.) As a member of KARMA, and a member of Wicked Strong, it was there’s for the taking. Both Salem and Ryan could’ve made waves, knowing that they’re tag team history teaming against one another. As a team, they needed to learn each other’s styles and become a well oiled machine. In preparation both Ryan and Salem called up Riley Owens (who Ryan’s close friends and teammates with in MMA to help prepare them for the match.) Not only is Owens an accomplished wrester, he’s been in a tag team situation before; also helps that he’s got insider knowledge of FGA as a whole. That’s why they decided to come up with some stuff during a training session that officially kicked off the union of “MagiCastle.”

“So, greatest move ever, right? Right?” asked Salem, who was still in the ring with the younger of the two wrestlers who Riley brought along for the ride, for the past few hours they were going at in the ring.

“Okay, I’ll admit it. That was nice, you’re form was a little off but we’ll work on it” Ryan conceded, and she looked up at her from the corner scoop slamming the ‘young boy.’

“So what’s the plan going into your match? Dynamic Duos is a huge deal, you could become tag team champions.” Riley questioned Ryan as he leaned against the ropes with both arms behind the top rope. He kept a watchful eye on Salem, who currently was slam-happy at the center of the ring.

“Getting our timing down,” Ryan chimed in not paying attention much to the conversation. “We were a little slow on the uptake. We’ve got potential. We’ve been in the ring together so that’s a plus I don’t take that for granted.”

“Are you worried?”

Ryan shook her head in response to Riley’s question, but it didn’t faze her that her friend was actually concerned about her. “I’m actually excited. Salem and I tore the house from within our tag teams, they've got to wrestle up to our standard to advance.That’s hard to do given our history. We put each other through hell and back over a set of championships, we (Datura and I) didn’t win those championships, they did, and then they left the company for good reason. In my mind, I’m doing this to make sure both teams are validated for being two of the best women’s tag teams ever.”

She pulled herself to her feet with the aid of the ropes, using them to steady her balance – her eyes on Salem who was having fun continuing slamming the students into the mat; at least it was for a good cause (they needed the mat time.) Ryan smirked and laughed slightly as Salem chased the boys around the ring, she didn’t seem to have a problem dropping them on their pride.

“I get It, don’t worry the two of you will be fine. I think you’ve got a chance to go deep within the tournament, don’t think for a second it will be any easier though. I’m saying this as a party to your training to the past few hours, you guys got skill. I know you’re both accomplished stars I your own right. Just trust your instincts” Riley exclaimed, smirking afterward as he noticed that Salem was done going rounds with the boys.

Ryan looked in Salem’s direction “Salem, are you still hungry?”