Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in)

Mitch 'The Broken' Heart
Chaos Wrestlers

Just A Miserable Bastard From Detroit

Posts: 55

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 5, 2020 11:32:38 GMT -5

Post by Mitch 'The Broken' Heart on Jul 5, 2020 11:32:38 GMT -5

Jul 5, 2020 1:25:51 GMT -5 mystifyingoracle said:

As Mitch seemed to go into something between freeze and fight mode, Silvio automatically held up his hands in a placating manner and averted his gaze. Once the bulldog-like brawler relaxed, Silvio lifted his eyes to meet his gaze again with a smile.

"Ha, yeah, that's me! How are you liking Baltimore so far?"

Mitch shrugged. He didn't smile back but he didn't quite seem like a ticking time bomb anymore, though he still kept his body tensed far more than most people would while having a casual conversation.

"It's alright. Smells like dead fish when the wind goes in the wrong direction. Doesn't matter, I'm not staying long term."

He was well aware that more than a couple of his fellows had probably relocated here. He didn't have that luxury. Besides, Detroit was his home. The city had battered and bruised him and life was a fuckton more difficult than it needed to be sometimes, but he felt a kinship with the Motor City all the same. The bottom of the barrel, the butt of every joke, the worst city you could possibly live in. Kicked when it was down, yet it survived almost in spite of all the reasons it shouldn't.

Last Edit: Jul 5, 2020 11:34:09 GMT -5 by Mitch 'The Broken' Heart

30

Maggie Lockheart
Inactive

Posts: 20

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 5, 2020 12:41:35 GMT -5

Post by Maggie Lockheart on Jul 5, 2020 12:41:35 GMT -5

Jenova had been wandering the halls.

She wasn't quite ready to call it a day, despite her instincts telling her otherwise. Should she go back out into the ring and take more bumps? Or try to find this rumored gym that Raven was talking about? It seemed like the rest of the personal training that she had planned for the day could be done more efficiently in a gym setting. Finding it was deemed worth the risk.

When she finally found it, she was relieved. It wasn't just a rumor after all. Water bottle in one hand, towel in the other. Going through the threshold, the gym appeared to be empty at first. But after turning the corner, she saw them. Mitch Heart, and Silvio Leon.

She froze in place. Heart looked like a man ready to throw punches at a moments notice. Leon, conversely, looked somewhat different in person than he did on television, but she was enamored with the tarot-reading tattoo artist nonetheless.

Maggie cautiously approached. "Excuse me, boys. Are you planning on working out in here, or are you just chatting?"

3

Matt Knox "The Raven"
Inactive

Posts: 88

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 5, 2020 17:45:05 GMT -5

Post by Matt Knox "The Raven" on Jul 5, 2020 17:45:05 GMT -5

Jul 5, 2020 7:49:37 GMT -5 DistortedAmber said:

It was nice to see people weren't beyond recycling, even at this level of competition. Amber pauses, her attention likely lying a fraction of a second too long on the trash can than the introduction of yet another potential/future challenger.

"A pleasure I'm sure. You know, I feel somewhat rude not introducing myself, but I tend to presume you know who I am based off your 'tired ass line'.
Thats what our industry is built on- we're all a bunch of stupidly jumbled clichés trying to kick the shit out of each other for being a slightly shittier version of the last guy."

The redhead studies Matt for a moment because, after all, gauging competition was never a bad thing especially when you were the one people were looking to knock off the pedastal. A small chuckle eventuates from her pause.

"If you came up and simply gave me a compliment I'd think you were being insincere.
Still, Amber Ryan... Call me whatever you please though, everyone else does."

With the extension of a hand, and an show of trust and respect that was probably a little too willing after mere introductions, Amber waits for a reaction with a final quip.

"And I appreciate the congratulations- I'd say you'd be surprised by the scarcity of such things sometimes, by somehow I don't think you are."

He took her hand, giving it a firm grasp and shake before releasing it. He allows himself another chuckle at her words, nodding in agreement "No, certainly anything but surprised, Miss Ryan" He takes in her demeanor a split second. Just about as cold as Jenova, but already more talkative. Was there some sort of abusive background in this federation?

Or was it simply that they were all damaged enough to decide getting hit in the face was the best way to make a living?

"As far as all of us being cliche, I guess I can see that. Only as inconsequential though. The bravado, the imagery...hell that..that's for merchandising really, don't you think?" He frames a photo to the side with the thumb and forefingers of each hand "The real picture, what matters is whats in front of you as soon as that bell rings. Person can cut a twenty minute promo on how they're world renowned, feared and reviled...but as soon as the bell rings all you see if a scared, frightened person who realizes the gravity of their situation"

He drops his arms then, paying himself a chuckle "Forgive me...can you tell I've been social distancing before it was cool?"

8

mystifyingoracle
Chaos Wrestlers

Fortune Favors the Bold

Posts: 75

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 5, 2020 18:05:44 GMT -5

Post by mystifyingoracle on Jul 5, 2020 18:05:44 GMT -5

Silvio laughed. "Investing in some air freshener's not a bad idea."

At the mention of not sticking around, Silvio raised a brow. He'd grown up in poverty, and judging by Mitch's attire and the wear on his headphones, the tattoo artist could guess the gruff man was probably familiar with how to get creative enough to make ramen work for three meals a day.

"Do you need a place to crash? I just got my parlor set up; there's a loft upstairs. It's small but it works if you gotta stay overnight or something."

17

Mitch 'The Broken' Heart
Chaos Wrestlers

Just A Miserable Bastard From Detroit

Posts: 55

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 5, 2020 18:43:14 GMT -5

Post by Mitch 'The Broken' Heart on Jul 5, 2020 18:43:14 GMT -5

Jul 5, 2020 18:05:44 GMT -5 mystifyingoracle said:

Silvio laughed. "Investing in some air freshener's not a bad idea."

At the mention of not sticking around, Silvio raised a brow. He'd grown up in poverty, and judging by Mitch's attire and the wear on his headphones, the tattoo artist could guess the gruff man was probably familiar with how to get creative enough to make ramen work for three meals a day.

"Do you need a place to crash? I just got my parlor set up; there's a loft upstairs. It's small but it works if you gotta stay overnight or something."

"I'm fine."

He answered maybe a little too quickly, jamming his hands into his hoodie pockets. The music emanating from the headphones stopped. After a slight awkward pause, he looked down at his scuffed up boots and muttered almost as an afterthought.

"...thank you though."

His head tilted to the side, eyes narrowing slightly. Not in a hostile manner exactly, but as if he was trying to suss something out. See what Silvio wanted from him. Nobody offered a place to crash to a complete stranger out of the blue, after all. Not unless they wanted something.

Maggie Lockheart had been wandering the halls.

She wasn't quite ready to call it a day, despite her instincts telling her otherwise. Should she go back out into the ring and take more bumps? Or try to find this rumored gym that Raven was talking about? It seemed like the rest of the personal training that she had planned for the day could be done more efficiently in a gym setting. Finding it was deemed worth the risk.

When she finally found it, she was relieved. It wasn't just a rumor after all. Water bottle in one hand, towel in the other. Going through the threshold, the gym appeared to be empty at first. But after turning the corner, she saw them. Mitch Heart, and Silvio Leon.

She froze in place. Heart looked like a man ready to throw punches at a moments notice. Leon, conversely, looked somewhat different in person than he did on television, but she was enamored with the tarot-reading tattoo artist nonetheless.

Maggie cautiously approached. "Excuse me, boys. Are you planning on working out in here, or are you just chatting?"

Mitch's shoulders, which had just begun to loosen up slightly, tensed all over again at the introduction of a new person to the mix. Glass blue eyes assessed the woman who'd entered the gym, obviously there to make use of the facilities judging by the gear she carried with her.

He took a step backward, towards the door.

"I'm just familiarizing myself with the place. Don't let me get in your way."

30

Maggie Lockheart
Inactive

Posts: 20

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 5, 2020 18:52:53 GMT -5

Post by Maggie Lockheart on Jul 5, 2020 18:52:53 GMT -5

Jul 5, 2020 18:43:14 GMT -5 Mitch 'The Broken' Heart said:

Mitch's shoulders, which had just begun to loosen up slightly, tensed all over again at the introduction of a new person to the mix. Glass blue eyes assessed the woman who'd entered the gym, obviously there to make use of the facilities judging by the gear she carried with her.

He took a step backward, towards the door.

"I'm just familiarizing myself with the place. Don't let me get in your way."

"Don't get too familiar, this place has a way of dragging people down - even the best of us." She placed her drink and her towel down on a nearby machine then extended her hand. "Jenova. And you must be 'Broken' Heart, oh yeah, I'd definitely be careful if I were you. You might fit in too well."

3

Mitch 'The Broken' Heart
Chaos Wrestlers

Just A Miserable Bastard From Detroit

Posts: 55

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 5, 2020 19:13:25 GMT -5

Post by Mitch 'The Broken' Heart on Jul 5, 2020 19:13:25 GMT -5

"I'm from Detroit. I'm used to it."

He shrugged. He knew his city's reputation. He also knew it was well earned. Giving the woman another wary once-over, he shook the offered hand, briefly. Just long enough to be civil. His own was predictably calloused, the knuckles practically a mass of scar tissue.

"...Jenova. 'Calamity from the Stars'. Hell of a name you've picked for yourself."

Even he'd played that game. Cloud Strife, Sephiroth, Aerith, everyone knew that one.

30

Maggie Lockheart
Inactive

Posts: 20

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 5, 2020 20:33:24 GMT -5

Post by Maggie Lockheart on Jul 5, 2020 20:33:24 GMT -5

"Heh."

She smirks out of self-consciousness, lowering her head for all of a split-second with a slight twinge of embarrassment peeking through her cheeks. She peers back up at him.

"...I didn't pick it."

Her eyes dance over the Broken one a few more times before she decides to make her way toward one of the machines... a treadmill.

"But you... that leads me to assume that your oh-so familiar monkier is self-diagnosed. So tell me, Mr. Broken. Who was she?"

3

mystifyingoracle
Chaos Wrestlers

Fortune Favors the Bold

Posts: 75

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 5, 2020 21:18:05 GMT -5

Post by mystifyingoracle on Jul 5, 2020 21:18:05 GMT -5

"You're welcome," Silvio replied to Mitch. "I mean, we're co-workers, right? We should look out for each other."

At the sound of another person entering, Silvio turned and smiled. "Just finishing up here. Jenova, yeah? Nice to meet you in person. You were great in your match."

It was interesting watching Mitch interact with her. He was almost timid.

Last Edit: Jul 5, 2020 23:52:41 GMT -5 by mystifyingoracle

17

Maggie Lockheart
Inactive

Posts: 20

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 5, 2020 23:42:26 GMT -5

Post by Maggie Lockheart on Jul 5, 2020 23:42:26 GMT -5

"If that's your point of view..."

Jenova fires up the treadmill and pretends that the gravity of the situation isn't affecting her in some decimal of a degree. But, for once, she felt comfortable in the presence of the two embodiments... the two metaphors of how she sees her past self now. One man, so Broken that he carries the burden around with him as if its a part of his personality... and the other, a budding tattoo artist and promising performer who hasn't seemed too shy to dabble in the dark and mysterious.

"You weren't so bad out there yourself," she says as she tries to focus more on her running, turning the machine up, "But the warning goes out to you, too. Don't take this place for granted. It's not... of good fortune."

For a moment, she was gazing at him, trying to read him in the same way that he reads one of his cards. But she didn't mean to stare, or worse, tip off that she might have some interest in holding a conversation with him.

3

Mitch 'The Broken' Heart
Chaos Wrestlers

Just A Miserable Bastard From Detroit

Posts: 55

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 6, 2020 0:08:34 GMT -5

Post by Mitch 'The Broken' Heart on Jul 6, 2020 0:08:34 GMT -5

Mitch's eyes narrowed, jaw setting a bit.

"Pretty personal question for a guy you just met. I don't go asking you about who picked that name out for you, Ms. Calamity. Or why you had enough stock in their opinion to take them up on it."

A flare of hostility jumped into his words, though his voice didn't raise. The pale blue glass of his eyes went sharp, the kind that cuts deep with a single glare.

"But in the interests of being a gracious co-worker, I'll let you know who 'she' is. The same beautiful, revolting succubus that has everyone who's ever born, or ever will be born, both in love and in loathe with her."

30

Maggie Lockheart
Inactive

Posts: 20

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 6, 2020 0:31:29 GMT -5

Post by Maggie Lockheart on Jul 6, 2020 0:31:29 GMT -5

She turns the treadmill up even higher. Not here. Not now. She couldn't help but to smirk a little, hopefully keeping it hidden under her accelerated breathing. Witty retorts shoot through her mind and she has to dismiss them just as quickly. Why? She struggles to remind herself that it's not worth it. The real truth? She actually liked him.

"You can always... ask me anything... if you care enough... about the answer."

The faster her feet moved, the more she could restrain her thoughts.

"Personal is just... the way I... what I mean to... say is... you know what?"

Maggie sighs, slamming her fist down onto the button that stops the treadmill cold. She turns to face the Broken and raises her eyebrow.

"Mr. Leon here is an artist," she explains between gasps. "Maybe he can explain me to you better than I can."

3

DistortedAmber
Chaos Wrestlers

... Lady Hurricane Stained In Red ...

Posts: 26

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 6, 2020 6:02:42 GMT -5 via mobile Matt Knox "The Raven" likes this

Post by DistortedAmber on Jul 6, 2020 6:02:42 GMT -5

Jul 5, 2020 17:45:05 GMT -5 Matt Knox "The Raven" said:

He took her hand, giving it a firm grasp and shake before releasing it. He allows himself another chuckle at her words, nodding in agreement "No, certainly anything but surprised, Miss Ryan" He takes in her demeanor a split second. Just about as cold as Jenova, but already more talkative. Was there some sort of abusive background in this federation?

Or was it simply that they were all damaged enough to decide getting hit in the face was the best way to make a living?

"As far as all of us being cliche, I guess I can see that. Only as inconsequential though. The bravado, the imagery...hell that..that's for merchandising really, don't you think?" He frames a photo to the side with the thumb and forefingers of each hand "The real picture, what matters is whats in front of you as soon as that bell rings. Person can cut a twenty minute promo on how they're world renowned, feared and reviled...but as soon as the bell rings all you see if a scared, frightened person who realizes the gravity of their situation"

He drops his arms then, paying himself a chuckle "Forgive me...can you tell I've been social distancing before it was cool?"

Amber returns the chuckle with one of her own. Some people fit into places far too easily, like they'd always just been there.
Familiarity, even in strangers was a nice change though, regardless of its sincerity.

"Oh don't I know it, the amount of times I've been told I don't belong just because I happen to be a woman is astounding. Although it's far more satisfying when you cave their face in as well so... It's all very give and take I suppose."

Everyone else seemed to be leaving, or had fallen into smaller groups of reflective conversation.
It was almost as though the calm before a storm, except for the fact the only dark cloud seemed to be her own.

"Besides, I'd simply call you well practiced if anything, I'm not exactly the one to go seeking company generally anyway- I find the neon target on my back can be too inviting for some unlucky souls."

A half hearted shrug follows, as she continues to half watch Matt and half watch the rest of the room. Alert and paranoid, as any good champion should be- or at least she presumed.

"Besides, it's rare to find people to talk to that don't immediately try to sell you something."

33

Matt Knox "The Raven"
Inactive

Posts: 88

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 6, 2020 6:16:47 GMT -5

Post by Matt Knox "The Raven" on Jul 6, 2020 6:16:47 GMT -5

"Bad time to offer the weed in my locker then?" He quipped at her 'selling' joke. He turned his gaze to the room, noticing the calm as well. "It's not easy. That target. Broke me once before. Amazing, how you spend so much time trying to become the most targeted individual in a violent sport.." a dreaming glaze passed over his face for a split second as he found himself somewhere far in the past

"You wear it well though, if you don't mind my saying." He averts his gaze, clearing his throat "I'd tell you not to let the noise get to you but, far be it from me, the new guy to tell a damn thing to the champ" He shifted his weight once more considered his next words "I'd probably best get back to acting like I have a match to prepare for. Can't end up losing another, not if I want to chase that neon target of yours"

He moved to leave, but hesitated "Try and hold onto it yeah? It'd be an honor to fight you for it. Nothing worse than a paper tiger holding the gold, y'know?"

8

The Madness Menagerie
Chaos Wrestlers

"If you take away the voices we're just like YOU!"

Posts: 197

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in) Jul 6, 2020 13:57:45 GMT -5

Post by The Madness Menagerie on Jul 6, 2020 13:57:45 GMT -5

Jul 6, 2020 6:16:47 GMT -5 Matt Knox "The Raven" said:

"Bad time to offer the weed in my locker then?" He quipped at her 'selling' joke. He turned his gaze to the room, noticing the calm as well. "It's not easy. That target. Broke me once before. Amazing, how you spend so much time trying to become the most targeted individual in a violent sport.." a dreaming glaze passed over his face for a split second as he found himself somewhere far in the past

"You wear it well though, if you don't mind my saying." He averts his gaze, clearing his throat "I'd tell you not to let the noise get to you but, far be it from me, the new guy to tell a damn thing to the champ" He shifted his weight once more considered his next words "I'd probably best get back to acting like I have a match to prepare for. Can't end up losing another, not if I want to chase that neon target of yours"

He moved to leave, but hesitated "Try and hold onto it yeah? It'd be an honor to fight you for it. Nothing worse than a paper tiger holding the gold, y'know?"

And just as Knox turns to leave, he almost runs right into one Zephyr Quinn, headphones in, her attentions focused on a spot on the horizon that no one else can see. She mumbles a quick apology after deftly stepping to the side, freezes at the sight of Amber, but recovers quickly; and then grabs herself a bottle of water. Keeping an eye on the rest of the room, she proceeds over to a corner and takes a sip of water before pulling out her phone and flicking through it.

4

Act of Defiance 2021

Oh, the people we'll meet (Open ended, Join in)

Post by Mitch 'The Broken' Heart on Jul 5, 2020 11:32:38 GMT -5

Post by Maggie Lockheart on Jul 5, 2020 12:41:35 GMT -5

Post by Matt Knox "The Raven" on Jul 5, 2020 17:45:05 GMT -5

Post by mystifyingoracle on Jul 5, 2020 18:05:44 GMT -5

Post by Mitch 'The Broken' Heart on Jul 5, 2020 18:43:14 GMT -5

Post by Maggie Lockheart on Jul 5, 2020 18:52:53 GMT -5

Post by Mitch 'The Broken' Heart on Jul 5, 2020 19:13:25 GMT -5

Post by Maggie Lockheart on Jul 5, 2020 20:33:24 GMT -5

Post by mystifyingoracle on Jul 5, 2020 21:18:05 GMT -5

Post by Maggie Lockheart on Jul 5, 2020 23:42:26 GMT -5

Post by Mitch 'The Broken' Heart on Jul 6, 2020 0:08:34 GMT -5

Post by Maggie Lockheart on Jul 6, 2020 0:31:29 GMT -5

Post by DistortedAmber on Jul 6, 2020 6:02:42 GMT -5

Post by Matt Knox "The Raven" on Jul 6, 2020 6:16:47 GMT -5

Post by The Madness Menagerie on Jul 6, 2020 13:57:45 GMT -5