Into the Jungle
Jul 7, 2016 18:09:50 GMT -5
Post by sasso on Jul 7, 2016 18:09:50 GMT -5
Off Camera
6.26.16
Early A.M.
"Saaaraaa --." Skylar called across their booth at Denny's in a sing-songy voice, a couple of hours after they, along with The Systemic had left Annie Dupree along with Molly Reid laid out at All Star Showdown Five. It wasn't the most upscale spot for a celebration, but that wasn't stopping Skylar from buzzining with energy, even with it being well past midnight.
"What," Came the flat response -- the question framed more as a statement that she'd better be going somewhere with this -- as Sara listlessly twirled a stirrer in her cup of black coffee.
"You should be excited, that's what!"
"For starters, we're at a frickin' Denny's."
"I know it's not the most traditionally glamorous spot," Skylar protested, "But it's got character, and it's out of the way. Doesn't this take you back to your College days?"
A light sigh came in return, "I didn't take any classes past High School, you know this. I thought being a wrestler would be a good idea. See, this is why we didn't talk for --"
"Honest mistake, I swear!" The pale blonde interjected, "I'm just excited is all, and you should be too. Why are we arguing about this place anyways? It's open, and it's out of the way enough for nobody to even notice a girl with earmuffs, that's what matters. We should be celebrating, things went perfect for us!"
"For you."
"Well yeah, I'm part of 'us' by definition, silly."
"Don't play dumb, there's no cameras running; this is you and me here. The way I see it is I agreed to this whole thing because you promised to do me a solid. You still haven't given me any of those contacts in L.A. you were talking about, the only person I see who got anything out of this was you, who used me to get a bigger spotlight for your debut."
Realizing this would take some skillful mediation, Skylar decided to do what any master negiator would, and began to gesticulate with her hands to distract from the substance, or lack thereof in what she was about to say:" You worry too much, these things take time, they don't happen overnight. If they weren't busy, they wouldn't be big important media types. We have to work with their schedule, but anyways you're dwelling so much on hypotheticals and what ifs that you're not letting yourself enjoy the moment. The family's back together just like old times!" She concluded with a toothy grin.
"Are you talking family in the sense of us living in different states, and seeing each other every few years at family reunions? Or do you mean the word the way you use it when you talk about your little cult thing you've got go --"
Cloud cuts her off mid-thought, lacking her usual pep as she gives an abrupt rebuttal "It's not a cult."
"Whatever, I'm just glad those two aren't here, they smell awful, " Sara crinkles her nose, "That thing's not like a legit thing, is it? Like you just got a couple of friends to play up that whole deal for TV, right?" Cochran strains, but can't make out what Skylar muttered in response, "Say that a little louder?"
"Maayyybee you should Reach for the Skylar and work for some better hearing if you're gonna wear earmuffs when we talk!" She chirps in response, amused enough at her own wit for the huge grin to plaster itself back across her visage. It also didn't hurt the mood that she had realized to talk her cousin in circles enough that she had gotten completely sidetracked from her original complaint, and likely didn't even remember what her point had been, in her exhausted state. If Sara's faculties had been more present at the moment, she might think to ask why Skylar was scouting for additional members for their group if this was about their family, or if things were going as smoothly as she claimed. Of course things were going just fine, but people needed to learn to trust the process, you couldn't achieve greatness without trust and belief.
"Mrmm ok, can we just hurry up and leave?" By this point Sara was just anxious to get a ride back to their hotel, and was regretting even letting slip what had been bothering her.
Skylar was all too happy to oblige, "Of course, I'll get the check!" That was the key to earning trust. You put someone in an uncomfortable position, and then finally give a small concession to show your generosity. Yep, things were going perfectly.
Video Feed
7.6.16
Despite the sweltering heat outside, Sara Cochran is wearing her trademark earmuffs, and a large faux fur coat as she sits in a high backrest chair that she has recently bought for her apartment. Granted, the apartment is air conditioned, but being indoors only raises the question of why she's also wearing sunglasses. Her hands rest on a clutch, which sits on her lap, and she wears a deadpan expression as she begins to speak.
"I assume by now that everyone has seen the events which went down at All Star Showdown Five, where I marked my territory all over the stupid buttface idiots of the FGA roster. Even if you didn't order the show out of protest of the stupid buttfacery which has been defacing our great sport as of late, I know some bozos must have leaked the footage online somewhere. How do I know this? Because of the buzz I've created, making an impact even after Sister Nero Darling hired a fan to take her out of action so she could steal my moment. People saw what was up, and they're scared as all heck now, even outside of the company. Don't believe me? Let me pull up the twitter machine here."
Cochran opens her Chanel clutch to procure her phone, and starts fidgeting with it before continuing.
"This was earlier today, I challenged Jungle GIrl 43, that's @junglegirl43 to read this nonsense, but don't you dare follow her. I noted that she hadn't relinquished the number 43 yet, after I made it clear that it was mine now. So I challenged her to an interpromotional one off for the rights to the number 43, on her home turf, in the trees of the jungle. What does she say? 'Duurrr ... what challenge? I'm not a coward, just havent seen this challenge of yours, herp derp!' "
Sara scoffs after she concludes her interpretative reading of those tweets in a highly exaggerated, put on voice.
"That may not seem like FGA business to you, but that's the point! "
She exclaims while putting her phone back away.
"The whole wrestling world saw what I did, needing only a slight assist from Skylar Cloud and her buddies, and they are scared! Just like Sister Nero Darling was scared!"
After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, she clears her throat.
"That's what everyone needs to focus on; I'm not going to waste a bunch of time going into denial mode over whether I joined a cult or not, me still having my name and wearing my earmuffs like a normal, well adjusted individual can answer that. But most of all, I'm not going to lower myself to standards of these Hashtag Rubyway scoundrels. "
Her face briefly contorts in disgust.
"Come on, you all know what I mean, you can't be that ignorant. The whole neverending routine of fake whining on social media or whatever about 'Ooh, why does everyone say I want to hook up with my tag partner?' When that is like, 90% of what all their tweets are about, that and little faux-arguments that any two people who know each other could easily have in person if they were real, instead of dramatically acting them out for an audience. I give them credit, they seem to have some of the stupid buttface idiot fans eating out of the palm of their hands -- but me? Well, I for one, refuse to cheapen myself by stooping to that level, desperate for attention. Perhaps I would have at one point, but I'm a wisened veteran now, and my energy is better focused on cleaning up this locker room. So that's all I'm saying on that for now; I'll share more of the 'why' when I feel it's appropriate."
An affirmative nod follows.
"Speaking of wisened veterans, Ricky Valero, my other opponent this Vertigo. I actually sort of want to like and respect him, you know. He's talented and accomplished, even if he's slowed down a bit in age, as displayed when I used my cat-like reflexes to avoid his attack and cause his little tag-along partner to get eliminated from the Gold Rush Rumble. People thought that might be an implosion between them, and it's really too bad it wasn't, because Jackson's stupid buttface idiocy is rubbing off on him a little bit. It's not too late for him to save himself, and go back to the great man he can be. Really, a good start for that would be him taking notice of the nonsense his partners for this week spewed after the tag title match. About taking what was rightfully theres, or whatever."
She doffs her shades just long enough to show off a dramatic eye roll.
"Um no, it's not, they lost in the tournament to the team that just won the belts. Not even in the finals, to boot! Unless you've been constantly screwed over by horrible luck and being thrown in the ring with vicious felons like me, losing makes you a loser. I don't care that they won some tag gauntlet somewhere else. Has anyone actually seen where that WLW place ran shows? The venue is a tiny little dump in Tennessee; this is FGA, and my partners this week are battle hardened veterans of this company's tag division. They, like Valero, know what it's like to actually hold those tag belts. I'm sure that Hardaway saw some of what they were capable of, somehwere in his free time between running away from this place to San Diego, and crawling back when that company went belly up. And now that they've got a leader like this fine upstanding Rother fellow, they're going to be better than ever."
A brief pause follows while she adjusts her earmuffs.
"While I don't know them well on a personal level, I know plenty about the Suspects and their ideals. That's what matters, knowing what someone is made of, and knowing that has me confident that they're now wise to the plague of stupid buttface idiots running roughshod over our industry. That's enough for us to be a united front for this night, and to send a message on what they have planned for you tag teams, as well as what I've got in store for the Frontier Lions Cup where I can take another huge step in changing the lay of the land around here. Our opponents, they clearly have conflicting interests, and believe me I'm not saying that to drive a wedge. The last thing I want to hear is more squawking and arguing involving those Hashtag Rubyway bozos. I'm just stating a fact, a fact I'd like Valero to remember after my team here has put on an amazing display of wrestling ability. Because the times are changing here in FGA; it's a whole new landscape where everyone is going to need to choose sides.
Lucky me I've already chosen mine ... the right side."
Off Camera
Sara Cochran's Voicemail
7.7.16
Heeeyyyy!!!
What's up Sare Bear? Just saw your little promotional video you released, great stuff there! Just one thing I wanted to remind you of, and I'm sure you know this, but better safe than sorry ... I just want you to remember not to trust that Rother too much, and make sure that co-existing for one night is actually just one night. It might seem harmless now, but guys like him are manipulators, and before you know it they've got someone like you who's got a big heart all confused. Remember, he sees that the balance of power is up for grabs around here as much as ... you know what? Nevermind that last part, I'll let you know if someone's trustworthy, you just need to focus on wrestling, we're going to make this fun again for you!
Great job though, I was so proud that you sent a video out! I could feel your passion, so much better than that blog dealie you had going on! Anyways I'm sure I'll see you soon, remember to Reach for the Skylar, haha!
Fin.
6.26.16
Early A.M.
"Saaaraaa --." Skylar called across their booth at Denny's in a sing-songy voice, a couple of hours after they, along with The Systemic had left Annie Dupree along with Molly Reid laid out at All Star Showdown Five. It wasn't the most upscale spot for a celebration, but that wasn't stopping Skylar from buzzining with energy, even with it being well past midnight.
"What," Came the flat response -- the question framed more as a statement that she'd better be going somewhere with this -- as Sara listlessly twirled a stirrer in her cup of black coffee.
"You should be excited, that's what!"
"For starters, we're at a frickin' Denny's."
"I know it's not the most traditionally glamorous spot," Skylar protested, "But it's got character, and it's out of the way. Doesn't this take you back to your College days?"
A light sigh came in return, "I didn't take any classes past High School, you know this. I thought being a wrestler would be a good idea. See, this is why we didn't talk for --"
"Honest mistake, I swear!" The pale blonde interjected, "I'm just excited is all, and you should be too. Why are we arguing about this place anyways? It's open, and it's out of the way enough for nobody to even notice a girl with earmuffs, that's what matters. We should be celebrating, things went perfect for us!"
"For you."
"Well yeah, I'm part of 'us' by definition, silly."
"Don't play dumb, there's no cameras running; this is you and me here. The way I see it is I agreed to this whole thing because you promised to do me a solid. You still haven't given me any of those contacts in L.A. you were talking about, the only person I see who got anything out of this was you, who used me to get a bigger spotlight for your debut."
Realizing this would take some skillful mediation, Skylar decided to do what any master negiator would, and began to gesticulate with her hands to distract from the substance, or lack thereof in what she was about to say:" You worry too much, these things take time, they don't happen overnight. If they weren't busy, they wouldn't be big important media types. We have to work with their schedule, but anyways you're dwelling so much on hypotheticals and what ifs that you're not letting yourself enjoy the moment. The family's back together just like old times!" She concluded with a toothy grin.
"Are you talking family in the sense of us living in different states, and seeing each other every few years at family reunions? Or do you mean the word the way you use it when you talk about your little cult thing you've got go --"
Cloud cuts her off mid-thought, lacking her usual pep as she gives an abrupt rebuttal "It's not a cult."
"Whatever, I'm just glad those two aren't here, they smell awful, " Sara crinkles her nose, "That thing's not like a legit thing, is it? Like you just got a couple of friends to play up that whole deal for TV, right?" Cochran strains, but can't make out what Skylar muttered in response, "Say that a little louder?"
"Maayyybee you should Reach for the Skylar and work for some better hearing if you're gonna wear earmuffs when we talk!" She chirps in response, amused enough at her own wit for the huge grin to plaster itself back across her visage. It also didn't hurt the mood that she had realized to talk her cousin in circles enough that she had gotten completely sidetracked from her original complaint, and likely didn't even remember what her point had been, in her exhausted state. If Sara's faculties had been more present at the moment, she might think to ask why Skylar was scouting for additional members for their group if this was about their family, or if things were going as smoothly as she claimed. Of course things were going just fine, but people needed to learn to trust the process, you couldn't achieve greatness without trust and belief.
"Mrmm ok, can we just hurry up and leave?" By this point Sara was just anxious to get a ride back to their hotel, and was regretting even letting slip what had been bothering her.
Skylar was all too happy to oblige, "Of course, I'll get the check!" That was the key to earning trust. You put someone in an uncomfortable position, and then finally give a small concession to show your generosity. Yep, things were going perfectly.
Video Feed
7.6.16
Despite the sweltering heat outside, Sara Cochran is wearing her trademark earmuffs, and a large faux fur coat as she sits in a high backrest chair that she has recently bought for her apartment. Granted, the apartment is air conditioned, but being indoors only raises the question of why she's also wearing sunglasses. Her hands rest on a clutch, which sits on her lap, and she wears a deadpan expression as she begins to speak.
"I assume by now that everyone has seen the events which went down at All Star Showdown Five, where I marked my territory all over the stupid buttface idiots of the FGA roster. Even if you didn't order the show out of protest of the stupid buttfacery which has been defacing our great sport as of late, I know some bozos must have leaked the footage online somewhere. How do I know this? Because of the buzz I've created, making an impact even after Sister Nero Darling hired a fan to take her out of action so she could steal my moment. People saw what was up, and they're scared as all heck now, even outside of the company. Don't believe me? Let me pull up the twitter machine here."
Cochran opens her Chanel clutch to procure her phone, and starts fidgeting with it before continuing.
"This was earlier today, I challenged Jungle GIrl 43, that's @junglegirl43 to read this nonsense, but don't you dare follow her. I noted that she hadn't relinquished the number 43 yet, after I made it clear that it was mine now. So I challenged her to an interpromotional one off for the rights to the number 43, on her home turf, in the trees of the jungle. What does she say? 'Duurrr ... what challenge? I'm not a coward, just havent seen this challenge of yours, herp derp!' "
Sara scoffs after she concludes her interpretative reading of those tweets in a highly exaggerated, put on voice.
"That may not seem like FGA business to you, but that's the point! "
She exclaims while putting her phone back away.
"The whole wrestling world saw what I did, needing only a slight assist from Skylar Cloud and her buddies, and they are scared! Just like Sister Nero Darling was scared!"
After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, she clears her throat.
"That's what everyone needs to focus on; I'm not going to waste a bunch of time going into denial mode over whether I joined a cult or not, me still having my name and wearing my earmuffs like a normal, well adjusted individual can answer that. But most of all, I'm not going to lower myself to standards of these Hashtag Rubyway scoundrels. "
Her face briefly contorts in disgust.
"Come on, you all know what I mean, you can't be that ignorant. The whole neverending routine of fake whining on social media or whatever about 'Ooh, why does everyone say I want to hook up with my tag partner?' When that is like, 90% of what all their tweets are about, that and little faux-arguments that any two people who know each other could easily have in person if they were real, instead of dramatically acting them out for an audience. I give them credit, they seem to have some of the stupid buttface idiot fans eating out of the palm of their hands -- but me? Well, I for one, refuse to cheapen myself by stooping to that level, desperate for attention. Perhaps I would have at one point, but I'm a wisened veteran now, and my energy is better focused on cleaning up this locker room. So that's all I'm saying on that for now; I'll share more of the 'why' when I feel it's appropriate."
An affirmative nod follows.
"Speaking of wisened veterans, Ricky Valero, my other opponent this Vertigo. I actually sort of want to like and respect him, you know. He's talented and accomplished, even if he's slowed down a bit in age, as displayed when I used my cat-like reflexes to avoid his attack and cause his little tag-along partner to get eliminated from the Gold Rush Rumble. People thought that might be an implosion between them, and it's really too bad it wasn't, because Jackson's stupid buttface idiocy is rubbing off on him a little bit. It's not too late for him to save himself, and go back to the great man he can be. Really, a good start for that would be him taking notice of the nonsense his partners for this week spewed after the tag title match. About taking what was rightfully theres, or whatever."
She doffs her shades just long enough to show off a dramatic eye roll.
"Um no, it's not, they lost in the tournament to the team that just won the belts. Not even in the finals, to boot! Unless you've been constantly screwed over by horrible luck and being thrown in the ring with vicious felons like me, losing makes you a loser. I don't care that they won some tag gauntlet somewhere else. Has anyone actually seen where that WLW place ran shows? The venue is a tiny little dump in Tennessee; this is FGA, and my partners this week are battle hardened veterans of this company's tag division. They, like Valero, know what it's like to actually hold those tag belts. I'm sure that Hardaway saw some of what they were capable of, somehwere in his free time between running away from this place to San Diego, and crawling back when that company went belly up. And now that they've got a leader like this fine upstanding Rother fellow, they're going to be better than ever."
A brief pause follows while she adjusts her earmuffs.
"While I don't know them well on a personal level, I know plenty about the Suspects and their ideals. That's what matters, knowing what someone is made of, and knowing that has me confident that they're now wise to the plague of stupid buttface idiots running roughshod over our industry. That's enough for us to be a united front for this night, and to send a message on what they have planned for you tag teams, as well as what I've got in store for the Frontier Lions Cup where I can take another huge step in changing the lay of the land around here. Our opponents, they clearly have conflicting interests, and believe me I'm not saying that to drive a wedge. The last thing I want to hear is more squawking and arguing involving those Hashtag Rubyway bozos. I'm just stating a fact, a fact I'd like Valero to remember after my team here has put on an amazing display of wrestling ability. Because the times are changing here in FGA; it's a whole new landscape where everyone is going to need to choose sides.
Lucky me I've already chosen mine ... the right side."
Off Camera
Sara Cochran's Voicemail
7.7.16
Heeeyyyy!!!
What's up Sare Bear? Just saw your little promotional video you released, great stuff there! Just one thing I wanted to remind you of, and I'm sure you know this, but better safe than sorry ... I just want you to remember not to trust that Rother too much, and make sure that co-existing for one night is actually just one night. It might seem harmless now, but guys like him are manipulators, and before you know it they've got someone like you who's got a big heart all confused. Remember, he sees that the balance of power is up for grabs around here as much as ... you know what? Nevermind that last part, I'll let you know if someone's trustworthy, you just need to focus on wrestling, we're going to make this fun again for you!
Great job though, I was so proud that you sent a video out! I could feel your passion, so much better than that blog dealie you had going on! Anyways I'm sure I'll see you soon, remember to Reach for the Skylar, haha!
Fin.