Afterburn for Vertigo E82

[FGA Office]

Catch up with your favorite FGA grapplers on Afterburn! Get their thoughts on the latest, their opponents, and other backstage happenings right here, only on Frontier+.

[LΞCAVALIΞR]

A second or two passes before the picture comes to life. The Frontier Grappling Arts United States Champion is posted up against a wall backstage. There’s an aloofness to her as she runs her fingers through her hair.

Nina Stokes: One challenger. One successful defense.

She lets out a small sigh.

Nina Stokes: There was a specific reason as to why I named Kazu as the first challenger. I desired to test his might and skill. Tonight? He showed me the extent of his power. It was honorable, I suppose. But it was not enough. It never is. And because of that, he met a swift end.

A second passes before she carries on.

Nina Stokes: A quick word of encouragement, Kazu. Grow stronger. Ambition will get you far. But that ambition will crumble if it is not fortified. You only experienced a portion of the beast that is Nina Stokes. I allowed you to walk away relatively unscaved this go around. But that won’t be the case the next time that we meet. And truthfully? There are others here in FGA that will do far worse to you. Therefore, you should prepare yourself for that.

She nods her head and takes a moment to breath before she continues on.

Nina Stokes: Now, it’s time to announce the next challenger. It’s a man that I’ve wanted to fight for a long time. For whatever reason, the opportunity never arose in Phoenix Wrestling. But we shall rectify that next show.

There’s a momentary pause.

Nina Stokes: Cassius Reed? You’re the next in line. Let’s show them what black excellence looks like, shall we?

She nods her head. Afterwards, the camera attempts to pan over and focus on an object that’s being blocked by her body.

Nina Stokes: Is this what you are attempting to see? Hmm?

Nina reaches down and takes ahold of the United States Championship’s leather strap. She holds the faceplate up to reveal an impact point.

Nina Stokes: Don’t fret, it’s just a dent. And to be fair, this sport has been putting in good hearted people since the beginning of the 19th century. We’ve been forced to continue and thrive in spite of all those lumps, so this belt will do the same.

She smirks before she turns and begins to leave. The remainder of the belt’s strap drags across the floor as the camera fades out.

[The Mason]

Our scene opens up, somewhat unfocused at first as our camera operator points us in the direction of FGA’s backstage doctor. He’s standing next to the trainer’s table, where Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter sits, legs extended, one heavily bandaged-- and judging by the small amount of flesh visible, heavily bruised from thigh to knee. He shifts uncomfortably, leaning back on his palms, but is otherwise silent. Jillian Clay sits beside him, one leg crossed over the other, eyes focused on the masked doctor as he removes a bag of ice from Fresno’s knee.

Jillian Clay: So how bad is it?

Doctor: Well. I don’t have reason to believe anything’s broken, if that’s what you’re asking. You know the deal though; if anything feels off, you need to follow up on it so we can make sure nothing’s torn. That’s my main concern.

The doctor peels his latex gloves off as he says this, moving across the room to dispose of them.

Doctor: Obviously you want to avoid putting pressure on that knee. I’d suggest a brace. Ibuprofen. Rest.

Nando nods, sliding his legs over the edge of the table. He winces in pain as he drops down to the floor. Jillian instinctively rises to her feet, ready to assist, but Nando raises a hand, waving her off.

Nando Fresno: I got it.

Jillian Clay: Let me help.

The tone isn’t necessarily a protective or nurturing one-- but a command. Nando raises his brow as he turns to Jill, but nonetheless, he doesn’t resist as she takes his arm, guiding it around her own shoulders for support as the pair exit the room. The camera operator follows behind, pointing us at the Saturnian Connection. The corridors are visibly empty, though we can hear the echo of voices and equipment coming from every direction.

Nando Fresno: Are we gonna talk about it?

We continue to trail some distance behind Jillian and Nando, but their voices are clear and audible through the noise.

Jillian Clay: About what? Pendragon? Or--?

Nando Fresno: All of it.

Jillian sighs softly.

Jillian Clay: You don’t need to tell me I got carried away. I know.

Nando Fresno: You know? So-- what the hell were we doing then?

Jillian Clay: Trying to win a match.

Nando Fresno: Yeah, but what was that? That isn’t our approach. That isn’t our style out there. We literally talked about stuff like this right before the match.

Jillian Clay: I was just doing… what I thought would work. Really.

Nando turns, looking at his partner the moment she pauses.

Nando Fresno: We have to have some sort of identity out there, Jill. For our own sake. I know it sounds monotonous but if we don’t know who we are when we go out there, we cannot win. And tonight, I just-- I don’t know.

A breath.

Nando Fresno: We waited a long time for this. Just… for a chance out there against Pendragon, you know?

The Saturnian Connection stop, finally reaching their dressing room. The camera operator stops as well, hanging nine or teen feet behind, still filming the backs of Nando and Jill.

Nando Fresno: I’m the one that let us down out there though. And I’m sorry for that.

He slips out of Jill’s grasp, walking limping under his own weight to the door of the locker room. Jillian shakes her head at him.

Jillian Clay: You didn’t let me down.

She moves a hand to Nando’s shoulder, for a moment, before letting it fall.

Jillian Clay: We’ll get them next time. When you’re better.

Nando’s head falls. He runs a hand through his hair, groaning under his breath for a moment before he continues.

Nando Fresno: This stuff with Sadie and Jaelynn-- we really have to talk about it.

Jillian’s head falls for a moment, maybe in solidarity with her partner, but she perks back up quickly and from her side-profile, it’s evident that a smile has crossed her face.

Jillian Clay: Gladly.

Nando shoots a look over his shoulder as he starts to push open the door, giving Jillian a long glance, lips parted as if he has something else he wants to say-- but he closes his mouth and turns, quietly walking into the dressing room instead. Jillian lingers out in the hall, the same smile on her face before she turns, shooting a glance at the camera operator. Jillian’s gaze stays there for a few seconds before she follows Nando into the room, closing the door behind her. We fade to black on the empty hall.