Afterburn for Vertigo E84

[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+.

[Cordy]

Mere moments after her intense encounter with FGA President Leonard T. Asherman and the reigning FGA World Champion Seth Iser to close out the show, International Heavyweight Champion Cordelia Stevenson is seen making her way back through the backstage area. A scowl lines her face as she storms through, marching like a woman on a mission.

Cordelia Stevenson: I swear they got some damn nerve…

She audibly mutters to herself in disgust as she shakes her head. She hoists the International Heavyweight Championship higher onto her shoulder.

Cordelia Stevenson: SO ready to get up outta here. These people are really killing my mood, maaaannnn. I swear. Not tonight, not tonight. No, no, no.

Clearly she’s still agitated. Having vented her frustrations with the fans of FGA just moments ago, the emotion is still boiling over. She wants nothing more than to get the hell out of dodge and have some time to unwind. She rounds the corner but then comes to a sudden halt. Her eyes travel down the corridor, locking on the figure standing in front of her locker room door.

Cordelia Stevenson: You’ve gotta be kidding me.

She lets out a deep sigh, adjusting the title again as she continues forward, once again muttering under her breath.

Cordelia Stevenson: Really not in the mood for this….

The figure standing in front of her door turns towards her now. Cordy gives an acknowledging nod she approaches.

Cordelia Stevenson: Lowri...

The now-former World Tag Team Champion seems happier to see Cordy than Cordy is to see her, greeting the International Heavyweight Champion with a smile.

Lowri Moss: Hey, Cordy.

In her right hand Lowri is holding a white box, which has a red ribbon wrapped around it, tied into a bow.

Lowri Moss: That was some announcement to end the show on, huh? Leonard T. Asherman doesn’t appear in front of the camera very often, but when he does, he certainly always has something big to reveal.

Cordelia scoffs.

Cordelia Stevenson: Yeah, some announcement. Lenny is clearly trying to work my damn nerves.

She raises an eyebrow as she eyes Lowri suspiciously.

Cordelia Stevenson: And something tells me he ain’t the only one. What do you want?

Lowri holds up her free hand in a placating gesture.

Lowri Moss: I’m just here to congratulate you on your victory at All-Star Showdown. I told you I wanted to do it in person, remember? So--

She pauses, taking a bit of an overly dramatic deep breath.

Lowri Moss: Congratulations, Cordy. You beat me.

Cordelia remains silent for a second, waiting for the other shoe to drop. She cocks her head sideways waiting for Lowri to continue, but Lowri doesn’t. The scowl leaves her face and she straightens up a bit, seemingly caught off guard by Lowri’s statement.

Cordelia Stevenson: Oh. That I did. Much to the disappointment of many it seems.

For some reason the small thought brings forth a semblance of a smile.

Cordelia Stevenson: But take it as a learning experience, chica. You may be disappointed now, but you’ll thank me in the long run. Sunny days wouldn’t be special if it weren’t for rain after all.

Lowri nods her head.

Lowri Moss: Joy wouldn't feel so good if it wasn't for pain, right?

A wistful sigh escapes her lips.

Lowri Moss: Anyway, not only did I come here to congratulate you on your victory, I also brought with me a gift that I want to give you.

She then holds out her right hand, proffering the gift to Cordy.

Cordelia Stevenson: A gift?

Cordy’s eyes dart back and forth suspiciously between the box and Lowri. Hesitantly, she reaches out and grabs hold of it.

Cordelia Stevenson: What kind of gift?

The smile on Lowri’s face broadens, with a hint of mischief about it.

Lowri Moss: A special gift, just for you.

The smile on Lowri’s face seems to make Cordelia uneasy.

Cordelia Stevenson: Should I open it now, or…

Her voice trails off as she looks at Lowri, unsure of what to do.

Lowri Moss: I mean, it’s your gift, so it’s up to you.

Lowri shrugs her shoulders.

Lowri Moss: You can open it now, or you can wait until later-- I guess it depends how eager you are to find out what it is.

Cordy glances back at the box quizzically and then slowly starts to open it. Her face scrunches up with confusion as she looks into the box. She then looks up at Lowri for an explanation.

Cordelia Stevenson: What are these?

A grinning Lowri responds.

Lowri Moss: Well, after how keen you were to get your hands on my tights at All-Star Showdown, I thought that I would give them to you.

Cordelia's face slowly melts into a full on scowl once more. Her eyes narrow as she glares a hole straight through Lowri’s bulbous head.

Cordelia Stevenson: You know….

She takes a small step forward.

Cordelia Stevenson: A part of me almost felt bad for the… accident… that occurred at All-Star Showdown. But you know what? What happened was exactly what you deserved for being so damn disrespectful. Telling the referee that you’d touch the belt when you won it….

A sinister smirk appears on Cordelia’s face.

Cordelia Stevenson: That same arrogance has brought you back to me in this moment, looking pathetic. That same arrogance is why your name will never be associated with this title, except as a miniscule footnote in the record breaking and historic reign of Cordelia Marie Stevenson.

She scoffs.

Cordelia Stevenson: Since you were so keen to get your hands on my tights…

She mocks Lowri’s voice.

Cordelia Stevenson: What happened, happened. But don’t you dare question my integrity when I told you to your face right at the beginning of the match that I would do whatever it took and you echoed that sentiment. Don’t be mad at me for being a woman of my word. You’re not a victim, Lowri. You’re a liar….

She adjusts the title on her shoulder as she waves the box containing the gift in front of Lowri’s face.

Cordelia Stevenson: … and successful title defense number four. So thank you for the memento. You should have tossed in a bottle of the tears I’m sure you cried over these past few months. It would have made for an amazing collector’s item to bundle with these. I’m sure I’ll get a grip for them on ebay… ya know…

Cordy nods.

Cordelia Stevenson: Seeing how much they love you and such.

Lowri places her hand on the back pocket of her jeans.

Lowri Moss: They loved you as well, until recently. But then… well, you know.

She then yanks her jeans up a bit.

Lowri Moss: Was that what you asked me in advance to forgive you for?

Cordelia shakes her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: No. Whether you want to believe that or not. That’s not why I asked for your forgiveness. I’ve been in your shoes, Lowri. The footsteps you’re following are the ones that I laid and I know how devastating it is to work so hard for an opportunity only to have your dream snatched away. I was apologizing ahead of time simply because I knew if I won, I’d be introducing you to that pain. Not everyone can bear it. Not everyone can overcome it. It’s not the ideal place to be in, and for what it's worth, I genuinely liked you. I hated that it had to be you. But that’s the essence of the business we’re in, chica, and I’ve been selfless long enough. If it boils down to you and I? I’m picking myself every single time.

Lowri takes a couple of seconds to digest everything that Cordy just said. She then gives a single nod of her head.

Lowri Moss: Okay.

She takes a breath.

Lowri Moss: You said it yourself though, prior to our match. “Destiny just simply cannot be avoided.” I know what my destiny is, Cordy-- what happened at All-Star Showdown hasn’t changed that. And whether I have to beat you, or Seth, or someone else, eventually, it’s going to become my reality.

Cordelia listens to Lowri intently, taking heed of the sincerity in her tone.

Cordelia Stevenson: Eventually…

She repeats in a whisper.

Cordelia Stevenson: Unfortunately for you, your eventually isn’t any time soon. So enjoy your climb back from square one. Now if you’ll excuse me…. may I?

She cocks her head to the side and motions towards the locker room door that Lowri is standing in front of; Lowri glances over her shoulder, before looking back to Cordy.

Lowri Moss: Good luck against Seth.

She then walks off, clearing the way for the International Heavyweight Champion to enter her locker room, and with that, the scene fades away.