Post by Arcana on Apr 19, 2021 9:49:28 GMT -5
The world was quiet, awash with the shimmering glow of the moon, casting everything with a sterling coating. A gentle breeze twisted its way through the trees, making the branches dance. It tickles the strands of her crimson hair, causing them to lift playfully before settling back down upon her shoulders. Her feet make little sound as they cross the plush carpet of the field, unerringly finding their way thanks to the willing face of the moon shining down on her path. Her world wasn’t always peaceful like this though.
Sweat slicked bodies working together in a dance as old as time itself.
Harsh panting, echoing in the small room.
Guttural groans turning to a high-pitched squeal.
A flash of silver.
The brilliance of vermillion.
Pearly whites shown in a predatory smile.
Satisfaction.
The path she had walked from childhood had not been easy for sure. It had shaped her into the woman she was today. Many had had a hand in it, molding her like she was a lump of clay just begging to be worked with. Some for the better, others... having a hand in creating that creeping shadow that always lurked in the deepest parts of her. One in particular, she could thank for taking her under her wing the most taking a keen interest in the young girl. Learning under Cate had not always been easy, but it had churned out a stronger being than the one that had been first scooped up from the street.
“I can't do it!”
“You can, and you will. Try it again.”
“I can't!”
“You will remove those words from your vocabulary Arcana. One thing you must learn if you are to succeed in my order, is that I will not take pitiful excuses such as that. If you think you can't do it, you never will. You will work hard, and perfect your craft. I chose you for a reason. It is expected of you. Is that clear?”
“Yes ma’am.”
There had been many rough patches during her humble beginnings there, but the good had far outweighed the bad. She had proven herself time and time again, and had been rewarded heartily over the years. Cate was stern, but she was kind too. Her affection was earned with her approval, and it was something Arcana strived for and usually succeeded in. She was the chosen one of the acolytes after all. She was expected to have control over any situation that arose.
Screams.
Flashing lights.
Flames.
Terror.
She shudders as she shoves down the darker memories, locking them away where they belonged. That wasn’t her anymore. She was not a little girl lost and alone in the world. She had come into her own, was powerful in her own right. She had left the meek, scared, and unpredictable version of herself behind a long time ago. Much as she had left... Him. You could call him one of her biggest regrets.
She was hiding.
Footsteps.
She held her breath, but the closet door swung open.
“Found you!”
Giggles explode as she hops up and dashes off.
He chases.
A crash as she turns a corner too sharply, bumping a table and knocking over a vase.
A harsh bellow from down the stairs.
“Run.”
He gives her a shove and turns to take the blame.
She had left him behind. But she had to, there had been no choice. With a sigh she pauses at the crest of a hill, looking down over the scene before her. All eyes turn her way. It was her time now.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
You would think that I would be nervous, but I’m not. What I feel is anticipation. I’m sure there is nothing quite like the rush as you step out under the bright lights. To hear the screams of the crowd as they lay eyes on you. The split-second decisions your mind must make as you battle both wits and brawn with your opponent. The feverish embrace of the fight, battling your way through pain and exhaustion. The elation of getting your hand raised at the end, or the bitter taste of defeat on your tongue.
We all do this little song and dance on camera, trying to goad or opponents into slipping up. Perhaps to get into their mind just a little bit and throw them off their game. But in the grand scheme of things, do the words we use really matter?
Not to me. I can sit here and talk about Jason Ryan all I want to. I can mention that he probably thinks his size and weight will be an advantage. I can argue that my speed and agility trumps that. He can point out that he has experience whereas, I myself as none. I can rebut with just how much heart I have, and how much more I want this than he does. He can come and make his little jibes in the locker room about how I resemble a cartoon character, as I roll my eyes at his pathetic attempts to be relevant at all.
But none of that really has any effect on what happens in the ring, does it?
Because what is going to happen, Mr. Ryan... is that the two of us are going to step toe to toe and push each other to the limits. We are going to check each other's boundaries and drive right on by them. What's going to happen, is that you are going to find yourself on your back, staring at the lights wondering just how you came to lose to me.”