Post by gvb on Feb 12, 2021 17:30:18 GMT -6
1x16 HIC ET NUNC
The Gym
February 8, 2021
7:11 AM
It’s been a rough few weeks for Tiffany Rollins. Ever since arriving at the Academy, she’s been more exposed than ever, displaying how far she’s fallen from the Cloud Gate Champion that she once was. Her lack of confidence seemed to have made her weak and unable to stand up for herself, making her feel like an unwelcome addition to the facility. Last week was one of her lowest points yet; since confessing how lowly she regarded herself, she’s distanced herself from the rest of the students, avoiding as much social interaction as possible. She’s had a lot on her mind as of late, and even with her own mother turning up for a few lectures, she’s yet to rekindle that spark that once made her so special.
This week, we saw her standing alone in the gym, staring at the unsupervised training ring. Donning her gym gear, she was lost deep in her own thoughts. She’s been watching the other students week in and week out, fighting their hearts out, while she silently sat in the corner, quietly and uselessly. Not this time though. Slowly approaching the ring, this was the closest that she’s come to a ring ever since quitting one year ago. She seemed to have conflicting thoughts as she reached up to the bottom rope, desperately trying to remember what it felt like. It was obviously taking a lot for her to muster the courage to get so close to a wrestling ring, and with no one else in sight, this was the perfect opportunity for her to try and regain some kind of memory of her past life. She was about to step inside the ring for the first time since arriving.
Unfortunately she wasn’t alone for long, as we saw a familiar face arrive on the scene.
Faith Savell:
Finally decided to ACTUALLY train like the rest of us?
Tiff turned around to see the Gold Star herself, Faith Savell, approaching her. Faith was already in a poor mood, a fight with JJ had sent her to the gym early. When she had spotted Tiff making her way tentatively into the ring, she knew exactly how she could work out some of the frustration she was feeling.
Faith was the opposite to Tiff in many ways, one of which was burying her emotions beneath her smug exterior. It was what had seen her rise to the top of the Academy quickly and it was what gave her that sense of power over the former Cloud Gate Champion. Of all people to disturb her solitary moment however, seeing the Gold Star approach her seemed to fill poor Tiff with dread.
Tiff:
Faith… Now is not a good time…
Tiff tried to maintain her composure, even in the face of her tormentor, but it was very easy to see through. This was the first time they’ve been left alone together since their encounter in the cafeteria, and we all remember what happened then…
Faith Savell:
It never is with you, is it? How’s it feel Tiff? To watch me perform on my second Pay Per View in as many shows and you’re still here, cowering in the back of class afraid to get in the ring…
Faith had made her way to the side of the ring where Tiffany was, with an effortless movement she was in the apron. Faith kicked her boots back as though she was kicking dust in Tiff’s face before seamlessly gliding through the ropes to stand in the middle of the ring.
Faith Savell:
Not even having mommy come by to hold your hand last week did anything, did it? God you’re so pathetic even the most hated woman on the MWE roster is using you for the rub. Tell me Tiff, honestly, how does it feel to know you’ll never be as good as you were? To watch people like me, with god given talent, surpass you in mere months?
Faith flashes a cocky smile to Tiffany and flicked her hair, strutting about the ring as though she owned the place.
Faith Savell:
What’re you waiting for? Get in.
The look on Tiffany’s face was an understandable reaction. Faith had just waltzed in, disturbing what was a deep and emotional moment for Tiff, and hopped into the ring, daring the former Cloud Gate Champion to meet her. This was the closest she’s been to a ring in over a year, and now the Gold Star, mere days away from her upcoming match at Domino Effect, was challenging her to get in the ring with her. And why? To spar? To warm up? To vent some frustration? Or merely just to crush what’s left of her spirit? Whatever the reason, there was no one in sight to stop this from happening...
Tiff:
You can’t be serious…
Faith walked over to the ropes closest to Tiff, leaning over the top one, she swiped a little at the girl still standing on the outside.
Faith Savell:
You have to get it over with one day, if you’re gonna test your mettle, why not against the best? Or are you waiting to warm up with someone who will tell you how AMAZING you are?
Tiff:
It’s not that. I just…
Faith interrupted her again, this time as she held the ropes open for her.
Faith Savell:
Just nothing. No one’s around, it’s just you and me. What’ve you got to lose?
It took a moment, but against her better judgment, Tiffany finally mustered the courage to climb up to the apron; not as easily as Faith did, but as she did, you could tell she was in disbelief of her own actions. As Tiff stood up onto the apron, Faith changed her mind with the ropes; instead of holding the top and middle ropes, she switched to the middle and bottom ropes, making it a little easier for her shorter foe. Tiff recognized this as a jab at her height, but nonetheless, she bent down and stepped in between the ropes; a giant step forward, albeit a reluctant one.
Both young women were now standing in the ring together, standing opposite each other. The size difference was much more clear; Faith was more than a whole foot taller than Tiffany, who had to look up just to see the arrogant smirk on her tormentor’s face.Tiff clearly didn’t want to be there, but Faith was relentless. Daring Tiff to come at her, even going as far as to pie-face her, she did everything she could to get under her skin.
Faith Savell:
Oh come on, this is pathetic. No wonder anyone who hangs about with you is turning into a cowardly mess… you’re ruining people’s lives because you won’t even TRY. Maybe I should show that boyfriend of yours what he’s missing..?
That was the last straw. Something suddenly snapped. Overcome by anger, Tiffany suddenly charged at her tormentor, ducking down and aiming at her long legs for some kind of takedown. Faith was slightly taken back by this, but she wasn’t the Gold Star for nothing. She was prepared for this, and as Tiff tried to tackle her down, Faith stood her ground before reaching down, grabbing her by the gym shorts and tossing her to one side with unconvincing ease. Tiff landed on her backside, adjusting her wedgie and trying to roll back to her feet as quickly as possible, but as she reached one knee, she saw Faith looking down at her, already anticipating her next move.
Faith Savell:
Was that it? The great Tiffany Rollins with the legendary adoptive mother is bested by a wedgie? Ha, well… at least you know where you belong.
It was hard to tell whether she was shocked more by Faith’s display of strength or her own unexpected outburst, but Tiffany refused to look Faith in the eye after what she just did. Realizing she was nowhere near the same league as the Gold Star, Tiff was about to make her retreat. That all changed when Faith patted her on the head...
Faith Savell:
Stay down; there’s a good bitch.
Infuriated by this, Tiff once again snapped, this time reaching up and grabbing Faith by the hand she patted her with. With all of her might, she tried pulling Faith over her shoulder and onto the mat with some kind of Judo throw, but Faith stayed on guard, using her free hand to slap Tiffany’s grip loose before placing her boot on her exposed back and pushing her into the corner. While there, Tiff used the ropes to quickly scramble back to her feet and blindly charge at her oppressor again, only to be thwarted by a simple knee lift. Faith raised her knee just in time to clock Tiff in the jaw; the first blow to the head she took since quitting. The impact was enough to knock Tiff prone onto the mat, allowing Faith to drop all of her weight across her back before pulling her back by the hair, revealing Tiff’s now tearful face. Faith’s wicked grin returned to her face as she realized Tiff had nowhere to go.
Faith Savell:
Aww is the widdle baby gonna cry some more? You’re pathetic.
Faith’s overconfidence however got the better of her. While trapped in this variation of a hair-pull camel clutch, instincts started to kick in for the former Cloud Gate Champion. At the risk of having her hair pulled out, Tiff found herself fighting through the pain and the tears as she desperately crawled under Faith’s body, tripping her up and planting her on her face in the process. With Faith now face-first on the mat, Tiff rolled to the nearest corner and dragged herself back up to her feet. By then, Faith was already back to her knees, showing a different expression as she quietly cursed her shorter foe under her breath. That could have been her final thought though; she only took her eye off Tiff for a few seconds, but in that time, Tiff recognized a very familiar opportunity.
In the last possible second, Faith finally realized what she was in position for, and at the last possible split second, Faith managed to duck underneath the Death Kick; Tiff’s trademark charging superkick. Perhaps Tiff would have connected if she was a little more spry, but nonetheless, that wild miss left her vulnerable for Faith to take full advantage again. With all of her own power, Faith sprung back up to her feet and caught Tiff turning around with a massive savate kick. Her boot caught Tiff right in the throat, instantly winding her. Tiff fell onto the mat like a sack of potatoes, clutching at the throat and coughing in utter agony. With Tiff down, Faith regained her composure, brushing herself off before looking down at the damage that she caused.
Faith Savell:
Ew. You actually thought you could pull that with me? I’m the GOLD STAR!!!
Faith was not done there. Adding insult to injury, Faith once again joined her on the mat, this time trapping her in a grounded headlock. With all of her weight across Tiffany’s chest, there was nowhere she could go. Faith tried to squeeze the life out of the former Cloud Gate Champion; she took great pleasure in watching her face turn purple.
Faith Savell:
Come on Rollins, just give up. I know you want to, it’s what you’re good at!
Faith screamed in Tiff’s face as she ordered her to give up. However we’ll never know whether Tiff would have given up or not, thanks to some much needed help.
Keri Rabanne, one of the trainers at the Academy, had just walked into the gym to see these two young women fighting each other in the training ring. This was not allowed without supervision, so Keri quickly intervened. As she slid into the ring though, Faith finally relinquished her hold, holding her hands up to act all innocent.
Faith Savell:
I was just helping her re-adjust to being in a ring, but don’t worry. We’re done here.
Faith stood back up before wiping her boots on the mat, close to the young woman to show what she really thought of her. As Faith left the ring, Keri attended to poor Tiffany, who was coughing and struggling to breathe on the mat. She clearly needed medical attention, and Keri quickly called in the medical staff to look after her.
Before we cut away from the rest of this scene however, in between her agonizing coughs, Tiff whispered something to herself; it was hard to tell if this was intended to be heard out loud or not, but it was certainly something worthy of note.
Tiff:
No...we’re not done...
The Gym
February 9, 2021
5:56 PM
The scene opened inside the gym. A sweaty Millie Smith was hitting the heavy bag, practicing some boxing combo under the watchful eye of her new mentor Dez Ali. Contrary to the exhausted young girl, he didn’t actually break much of a sweat.
Dez Ali:
What was that?
He barked at the poor Millie.
Dez Ali:
You’re doing it all wrong!
Ali shook his head, frustrated at his student failing to put his teachings into practice. He stepped next to Millie, seemingly ready to show her the correct way to do it, but a buzz on his phone caught his attention. As he picked it up from the floor, the name on the screen read Veon Ortiz,
Dez Ali:
I gotta take this call, you keep trying… Hey V? Sup bro?
As Ali walked out of frame to talk with his friend, Millie was left alone in the gym. Or that’s what she thought. Just when she was about to strike, Olly appeared behind her. How long has he been there? Knowing him, for quite some time, watching the duo training.
Olly:
Why?
A simple and blunt question that caught Millie off guard and startled the blonde girl.
Millie Smith:
Um…
Millie said a little stumped. She took a little moment to rest her sore arms from the training she was being put through.
Millie Smith:
Why what?
Olly:
Why are you doing this?
He replied, walking closer to his fellow students.
Olly:
He’s not really your trainer, you know? You don’t have to listen to him, and I doubt he can even teach you anything, anyway...
Millie took a moment to really mentally chew on what he said to her, and then responded a little quieter.
Millie Smith:
But I got appointed by Dez, and exclusively Dez as….a tutor. How long have you been listening?
She said partly worrying about her performance now doubly if she had an audience who was a fellow classmate.
Olly:
Long enough to realize he’s just messing with you. He has no interest in teaching you anything, Dez Ali only cares about Dez Ali. He doesn’t want you to improve, if he did, he’d actually help you instead of shouting constantly.
Olly placed a hand on Millie’s shoulder, almost wanting to reassure her that his intentions were pure and, unlike Ali, he was actually trying to help her.
Olly:
You know what I think? He sees you as a threat
Which made Millie gasp, but she covered her mouth with her glove.
Olly:
and he’s trying to break you. That’s why he had you train for hours without giving you a break, that’s why he left you here while he’s gone doing his own business. He doesn’t care to teach you, hell he can’t teach you! You’re already above him.
Millie Smith:
But I lost the Gold Star match against Tiana, and Dez seems pretty sure of himself as the next person to win it... maybe that's why I'm trying to learn from him.
She said as a statement but Millie was clearly asking herself that question based on what Olly just said. She then gave the bag another punch but she was in need of a rest.
Olly:
What I’m saying is, you shouldn’t listen to a loser…
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
So tell me, why would she listen to you?
The ever fiery Russian-American popped around the corner, giving a small smile and nod to Millie before turning her attention back to Olly.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Dez, for all his flaws, at least had a shot at being the top of the Academy. You just...kinda exist here anymore, stirring up drama and holding onto Faith’s coattails.
Olly:
You have to admit I’m good at what I do, though.
He replied without even flinching, flashing that cocky smirk at the former Gold Star.
Olly:
I’m not even interested in the Gold Star, not until Princess is the one holding it. And she should listen to me because, believe it or not, I really have her best interest in mind. Unlike Dez, who’s just using her for whatever reason.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
You’re no better, so stop puffing up your chest like you are. If it wasn’t for Faith, you wouldn’t have a leg to stand on here. You’re lazy, you don’t care about anything but yourself and her, and worst of all…
She paused to sit on the floor with her gym bag, unzipping it to retrieve her gloves.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
You’re kinda a dick.
He chuckled at that last remark, apparently not offended even in the slightest.
Olly:
Just because I don’t live in the gym like you, doesn’t mean I’m lazy.. And if I only cared about myself, I wouldn’t have given Faizah the chance to get away from a team she never felt part of.
Tiana wasn’t even looking at him, pulling out the rest of her ring gear from the bag. The lack of attention he was getting didn’t sit well with Olly who kicked one of her gloves away to provoke the russian-american.
Ti paused the application of her handwraps, her focus shifting to her glove sliding across the floor. She took a deep breath, still not bothering to look up at Olly who stood above her.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
You have five seconds to go get my glove and sit it back here, Olly. Just five. You’re not going to walk over me like you do to others, and Faith isn’t here to have your back.
Olly:
Or what, Ti?
His tone was challenging, he was pushing Tiana and enjoying it.
Olly:
I don’t need Faith to have my back, I didn’t need her when I embarrassed your friend and Tiffany a few weeks ago, why would I need her now? We both know you’re not going to do anything about it.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
See, that’s the problem you have here. I’m not them. Five seconds, Olly, or you’re going to find out exactly what I’m going to do about it. Trust me, you won’t be a fan.
She held her fingers up, counting them down without even so much of an upward glance. Once her last finger clenched into a fist, she shook her head.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
You sure this is how you want this to go? I thought Faith trained you to be a good little doggy. Fetch my glove.
Olly let out a chuckle.
Olly:
Speaking of doggy… You’re all bark and no bite. I think my time is over, Tiana. And like I said, you didn’t…
With no more hesitation, Olly was quickly cut off by a fist being driven directly into his stomach. Not a playful tap as had been shared by the two before, but as much force as Tiana could muster from her seated position. As Olly doubled over, she stood up and gave him a quick push to the ground.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
I told you that you’re not going to walk all over me. Don’t question my bite again, because next time you want to get into a dick measuring contest, you know you’ll lose.
Coughing heavily, Olly looked up at Tiana, that smirk still present on his lips, despite everything. But his eyes were telling a different story. They were burning with the same fire and passion they had in the last days of his rivalry with Dez Ali, and you could tell he was doing his best to, barely, hold back from jumping on Tiana.
Olly:
A few months ago, you would have knocked me out cold. What was that, little Ti? Felt more like a caress than a punch, is that all you can do?
And was she triggered. The second the last word escaped her lips, she was quick to jump him, giving him barely enough time to move his hands from his stomach to his face as she started raining down forearms and punches, one after another without much reprieve for the loud mouthed Olly. Near as quick as it started, trainers and other students rushed to the commotion, trying their best to separate the two but little could pull them apart as Olly began returning strikes toward Tiana.
Amongst the worried faces of the students and the disappointed look on some trainers' faces stood Gianluigi Vaccaro. His expression was unintelligible, his eyes bouncing between Tiana and Olly who only know were beginning to calm down. And then, Gian spoke.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Save this for the ring, kids. You two are fighting this Friday.
And then he left, without saying a word. Was he angry? Disappointed? Whatever his feelings were, he hid them damn well.
Singles Match
Rian Ellis VS Dez Ali
WINNER: // BY: Double Count Out, 13:02 |
Singles Match
Olly VS Tiana Petrova-Hammond
WINNER: Olly BY: DQ, 15:41 |