Afterburn for Vertigo E79

[FGA Office]

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[Cordy]

Voice: There’s absolutely no shame in what happened out there tonight.

The FGA International Heavyweight Champion, Cordelia Stevenson is seen bent over in a chair, a towel draped over her head, her body still drenched with perspiration. The International Heavyweight Championship dangles loosely to the side off of her lap.

Cordelia Stevenson: Yet I still can’t help but to feel extremely disappointed. Fujiko and I went out there and fought the FGA World Tag Team Champions tooth and nail in what I honestly believe will be a match of the year candidate, and a perfect sequel to the masterpiece we gave you in Camden at Vertigo 78. However, the end result was quite different this time around...

Her voice trails off a bit and the disappointment in her tone is clearly evident. She lets out a long sigh and slowly lifts her head towards the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: … and for that I apologize. To the fans, and especially to you Fujiko because I can’t help but to feel that I let you down. Going into this, we both knew the task at hand and we knew the odds were against us — not because we weren’t capable; to even think that is ludicrous; but because defeating a team like Pendragon once is an extremely tall order, but doing it twice in a row?

Cordelia lets out a low whistle.

Cordelia Stevenson: Yeah, they showed just how hard that is to do tonight. They’ve established themselves as one of the World's Greatest tag teams and rightfully so. They’re the truth: even better than advertised, yet despite it all, you and I were right there Fuji, right there on the verge of making history and I —

She inhales sharply, cutting herself off. There is a brief moment of silence as she closes her eyes and snatches the towel from her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: — just couldn’t bring it home. I couldn’t finish the job. I let it all slip away.

Cordelia goes quiet and appears to be deep in thought as her fingers trail aimlessly along the face of her FGA International Heavyweight Championship.

Cordelia Stevenson: And I’m sorry.

There is a jarring sadness in her tone, as she casually shrugs her shoulders.

Cordelia Stevenson: But maybe this was just the wake up call that I needed, and maybe it couldn’t have come at a better time. The passion that Neal and Lowri showed, the vigor in which they fought, the desire to defend what they felt was rightfully theirs— it was —inspiring— to say the least. Definitely admirable, and something that Fujiko and I can relate too, because we know what it’s like when people have their eyes set on what is yours.

Cordelia gives an acknowledging nod to the camera, her eyes narrow into tiny slits.

Cordelia Stevenson: Hello again, Savannah.

Another sigh.

Cordelia Stevenson: Look, don’t think your words earlier fell on deaf ears. Granted, most tend to ignore you when you speak, but I may be one of the few stupid enough to actually pay attention to you and I swear you leave me feeling conflicted every single time, because I always end up wondering am I a bad person… for laughing at the village idiot. Every single time I listen to you, I swear I can hear my grandmother’s voice saying… ‘bless her heart’. It’s hard to think that someone could be so delusional, but then I remember that you were once a follower of Christum Furor and well, yeah, birds of a feather and such, right?

Cordelia shakes her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: Don’t talk to me about your grueling schedule, especially if you’re having trouble keeping up with it. Let’s not sit here and pretend that you’re setting the world on fire over in that other company. This is me you’re talking to, Savvy. I was just there, remember? I was in that locker room and I heard what they had to say about you. Let’s not forget that the only reason you even got a match on their biggest show of the year in your own hometown is because I--

Cordelia pokes herself in the chest.

Cordelia Stevenson: -- yes, I… challenged you to a match. Me. I walked over there and gave you your biggest match to date in that company. My name and my reputation kept you afloat and don’t you ever forget that. Because without it, you were dead in the water. You were drowning in a pool of mediocrity. But you want a participation trophy for that? Nah. You won’t get one from me, because I believe in quality over quantity. So miss me with that when you’re doing decent over here but getting washed over there. A smarter person wouldn’t wear themself so thin. And even if you want to cast FFW aside, let’s keep the focus here, shall we.

Cordelia shifts her gaze to the International Heavyweight Championship.

Cordelia Stevenson: While I was at home, sipping on mimosas and enjoying the retired life, you were here, putting in work for how long, and still couldn’t put together a resume quite like mine. I left this business for two damn years and came back to you still chasing my ghost; still trying to fill the Louboutins that just aren’t your size sweetie. Don’t get me wrong, you’ve definitely had your flashes.

Cordelia hoists the title onto her shoulder, displaying what once belonged to Savannah.

Cordelia Stevenson: But as I’ve said before, there are levels to this, Savannah. And no matter how you paint the picture, or how hard you try, there will always be a separation between you and I, and deep down you know it. Hell, you even proved it over in FFW, when you had to cheat just so you could finally get a win over me. Whatever it takes to get you over the hump, right? Well congratulations, Savvy. You finally got over it, but I hope you realize that things only slope downwards for you from here. But keep holding on to that false narrative that Cordelia Stevenson is fragile as a motivation to try and break me. Yeah, because someone going out of their way to purposely break my leg with a chair, means I’m fragile.

Cordelia rolls her eyes and sighs.

Cordelia Stevenson: Yeah, honestly It sounds just as stupid now as it did a few years back when Zero said it, but at least I could blame his rants and lunacy on drinking, but you? Yeah, stupidity, lack of common sense, idiocy, I could spin the frickin wheel here and anything it landed on would fill in the blank nicely.

Cordelia leans back crossing one leg over the other.

Cordelia Stevenson: Tonight, Lowri Moss and Neal Durden exhibited everything that a champion should. They refused to let Fujiko and I take what was theirs, and when you step into the ring with me, Savannah. You’re going to see that same passion. You’re going to see a woman possessed, and you’re going to see someone that will refuse to let you take away what is mine. And you're going to know exactly how it feels to sit right here., like I am right now. So I’m glad you’re not scared, Savannah. I’m ecstatic that you established that and let it be known, and I’m glad that you won’t run…

Cordelia slowly leans forward, gritting into the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: ...because I want you to look your killer in the eyes, and get familiar.

With that said, Cordelia pushes up from the chair and walks away. The camera slowly zooms in on the empty chair before fading away.