Post by gvb on Mar 13, 2021 16:19:11 GMT -6
1x20 PALMA RES
Lunch Room
March 8, 2021
12:30 pm
Faizah Marshall, the brand new Gold Star Champion, is sitting at one of the lunch tables. On the table is a tray of food. Faiz is staring at it. What she doesn’t notice is Millie approaching the table with a box in her hand. She places the box down on the table. The sound snaps Faizah out of what trance she was in. She looks up. Faizah smiles at the sight of Millie.
Faizah Marshall:
Hey there!
Millie Smith:
Hey Hey.
The academy's resident Smith flashes a smile and takes a seat on the chair opposite Faiz.
Millie Smith:
I made you a little something
Millie says not intending to be vague, but rather she tries to put the attention on the box than herself. Faizah rubs her hands, itching to see what is in the box. Once she does, her eyes light up. She removes a cupcake from the box. There are gold stars on the frosting. Faizah looks at Millie.
Faizah Marshall:
You’re the best, you know that right?
Millie bashfully smiles and her shoulders drop with a bit of a relief. She knocks some of the hair that falls in front of her face aside and then pulls her chair in a bit, feeling welcomed by her friend.
Millie Smith:
Maybe, but you're the gold star.
She says as Faiz takes her first bite into the cupcake.
Millie Smith:
And you have your first match as champion too.
Faizah Marshall:
Yeah, it’s kinda crazy I am facing the first two Gold Star Champions. I still remember the days when Tiana was the best. Ti posting all those workout videos was intimidating. How was I supposed to compete with that? Then there’s Faith...
Faizah sighs.
Faizah Marshall:
I wish Tiff’s music would not have played. Whoever did it gave her the perfect excuse to run around claiming I’m a joke, the title is meaningless. I didn’t want to win that way. There will always be questions surrounding my win. But I can sleep at night knowing I had nothing to do with any of that. If the show was on the other foot, Faith would have taken advantage. Still. The biggest win of my career, doubt is cast. It’s annoying.
Millie Smith:
But you do have a chance to show us all Friday that you're the champion. When the title is on the line... you'll show... everyone you're.
And then Millie picks up the cupcake from the box and points to her gold star frosting.
Millie Smith:
There'll be no doubt of that either. You worked so hard to be the champion. I'm super proud of you.
Faizah can’t hide the smile that forms on her face. She grabs one of the cupcakes and takes a bite out of it.
Faizah Marshall:
Thanks. I meant what I said, you’re the best; I can always count on you. I may be the Five Star Champion, Millie, you are a five star person. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. As far as I’m concerned, you are the heart of the Academy. This place wouldn’t be half as enjoyable with you.
Faizah takes a deep breath after she showered Millie with the highest of compliments. Her eyes linger on her best friend longer than they should. Millie takes a little deep breath as her own match crosses her mind, but smiling bright after what Faiz just said to her.
Millie Smith:
I'm glad I joined here too. You have been wonderful to me throughout. Rian, on the other hand...he started out saying he hated me but recently.
Millie then shows Faiz her phone. We don’t get to see Faizah’s reaction as the scene fades.
The Principal's Office
March 10, 2021
11:03 AM
Cutting inside the principal’s office, we found Gianluigi Vaccaro sitting behind his desk. Nothing out of the ordinary, if it wasn’t for the fact that he was not alone. In front of him, watching the footage from the SKW event “The Community” was the former Cloud Gate champion. If Tiff’s eyes were glued on the screen rewatching, of course, the final moments of the Gold Star match between Faith and Faizah when her music played and costed the former champion her match, Gian was staring at the young girl in front of him, careful to catch any and every reaction she may have.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I’m sure you understand the gravity of what happened last week, Tiffany. I have to ask you, do you have anything to do with what happened then?
Tiff Rollins, almost with the demeanor of a scalded dog, expected some kind of fallout after what happened, although the noticeable left black eye seemed to indicate a little something more off camera. Nonetheless, although she looked rather disappointed in herself, she still pleaded her case.
Tiff:
Gian, I promise you. I even swear on my own life. I have nothing to do with it.
The principal simply stared back at her, without saying a word. The silence between them only lasted a few seconds but to Tiff, it looked like hours under Gian’s scrutinising eyes.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I believe you.
He replied as he closed the laptop.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I never thought you did, but… I had to ask, Faith is very upset about what happened and rightfully so. But I’m sure you already know that, don’t you?
With extremely slow movements he extends his hand toward her face, gently grazing her bruised face.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Did you get someone to look at this?
Not wanting to make a fuss, Tiff shakes her head, forcing Gian to move his hand back.
Tiff:
No…
She stops herself, seemingly from becoming too defensive as she quickly calms herself back down.
Tiff:
I mean… It’s nothing. Just a bruise. Worse things in wrestling…
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Do you mind telling me what happened? I can’t control what happens outside The Academy, but if something’s going on between these walls… You’re a guest here, but you adhered to the same rules and have the same rights of every other student.
He was being purposefully vague, but he was clearly trying to get her to shed some light on what caused that black eye, so that he could take actions if the situation required it. Tiff however was being very vague herself, as she clearly didn’t want to go into any detail.
Tiff:
I…
She hesitated for a moment, only to slump back into her seat.
Tiff:
...it was an accident. Accidents happen...
She looks like she’s ready to move on. Gian nodded his head, understanding what was going through her mind and why she shrugged it off and labeled whatever happened as an accident.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I guess they do. Twice this week, if I’m correct. And it’s only Wednesday.
There was a note of concern in his voice. Things have never been easy for the former Cloud Gate champion since joining the Academy, and they only got worse this week. But one thing about accidents is that no disciplinary actions can be taken against the people involved in them. The only thing that Gian can do about them is to prevent them.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Why don’t you take the rest of the week off?
He suddenly asked, taking Tiff by surprise.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I don’t want you to feel like I’m sending you home, and I can’t make you do something you don’t want. Consider it a friendly advice, up to you if you decide to take it or not.
Tiff takes a moment to think about it. On one hand, the reason why she arrived at the Academy was to get back into ring shape, but on the other hand, her presence has been nothing but trouble, especially for herself. After a brief pause, Tiff gave her response with a question of her own.
Tiff:
Do you think I should?
It took him a moment to reply, thinking carefully and weighing his words.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
If you’re asking me if I would do it, then my answer is yes. But we’re different people, and I can’t answer this for you. It’d be a couple of days, it shouldn’t affect your program to get back into ring shape too much.
He answered diplomatically, making it clear that he thinks this is the safest course of action without explicitly saying it. Seeing through these words however, Tiff acknowledged this and gave him a single nod.
Tiff:
Alright. I’ll do it. I ain’t exactly thrilled about it, but you’re right. It’s probably for the best…
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I understand it’s not the ideal solution, but sometimes taking a step back and letting things cool off is the best thing you can do. I’ll get the papers ready, you can go whenever you want.
Standing up from his seat, Gian walked Tiffany to the door. When he opened it, Olly was revealed to be waiting right outside his office, leaning back against the wall.
Olly:
Did she confess?
He asked Gian with that arrogant grin plastered on his face. Completely ignoring him, Tiff shuffled past him, not wanting to stir up any more trouble, leaving Olly and Gian alone.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Is that why you came here, Oliver?
The implicit allegation didn't seem to bother Olly.
Olly:
Well, it would be lame to confess something I didn't do, wouldn't you agree?
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Then why do you think Tiffany would do it?
Gian replied, reiterating the former Cloud Gate champion's innocence.
Olly:
Well, for once, she actually had a motive. Which is more than you can say about me, Gian.
The principal just looked at him for some long moments. Olly didn't look intimidated in the slightest, holding his gaze with that smug look on his face.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Is that so? If one wanted, they could find a reason why you would do it.
Olly raised an eyebrow, curious to hear what Gian was going to say.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
You love to pull strings, I figured you out. What you did with Dez, what you're doing with Tiana, all those mindgames. You just like to push buttons and see what happens, don't you? If you put the same effort you're putting in scheming and plotting in that ring, you could easily be the next Gold Star. But nothing satisfies you as much as manipulating everything and everyone around you, right?
Perhaps for the first time since he joined the Academy in October, Olly seemed speechless.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Now if I were you, and if i decided that I wanted the Gold Star, I wouldn't want to face my best friend for it. A match outside the control of MWE is a unique opportunity to cause a distraction and put the blame on someone else. My first choice would be someone who already has beef with Faith, someone who had a reason to cost her the title. Someone like Tiffany.
The young student shook his head and started chuckling.
Olly:
Man, you're just reaching... It's a cool story though, I give you that. And I'm flattered that you think I'd be that smart and twisted. But if there's one person in this place I would never stab in the back, that's Faith. Perhaps you should use the time you spent elaborating these conspiracy theories to find who played that damn music.
He walked past Gian, taking leave from the Principal. Before disappearing from the frame, he added in a dark and somehow threatening tone.
Olly:
Or I will. But you may not like my method of investigation.
Gianluigi shook his head and walked back into his office.
The Second Floor
March 11, 2021
4:47 PM
The hallway of the second floor, the one leading to the bedrooms, has never been the most popular location of The Academy. But on the bright side, that made it a rather quiet place for Tiffany Thompson to make her weekly phone call to her father. They must've been talking for a while when the footage started, catching them in the middle of a conversation. The topic was, obviously, the young student's time in The Academy.
Trinity Thompson:
Everything else is going great, yeah. The trainers are happy with my progress, they say I improved greatly in the past month.
A wide smile spread on her lips.
Trinity Thompson:
Yeah, I think so too. She really helped me a lot, having the chance to train with her is... Incredible.
Words from the other side of the phone caused her to stop mid sentence.
Trinity Thompson:
I'm not fangirling! I'm just saying, it's great to have her here and be able to learn from her. I just wish I could tell her what this means for me.
She must be talking about Tiff Rollins who, as everyone knows by now, is Trinity's favorite wrestler.
Trinity Thompson:
She doesn't deserve this, she has nothing to do with what happened last week. And she still got sent home, it's not fair...
The pause was longer this time, her dad talked for a good couple of minutes. Trinty kept nodding her head in agreement with her old man, a sad expression painted on her face.
Trinity Thompson:
I just wish they'd leave her alone.
Raising her gaze, she spotted the camera filming. A little detail that, even months after joining The Academy, the now blonde girl apparently forgot. Rolling her eyes, she started walking, heading down the hallway towards her room.
Trinity Thompson:
Yeah, well... I don't know. I still have a couple of months here so...
Something he said calmed her down, bringing back that smile on her lips. The conversation wasn't over yet, but she decided to keep the last part private, retiring in the safety of her room.
Team Title Match
Team Ali © (Rian Ellis & Millie Smith) VS Team Strike (Olly & JJ Night)
WINNER: Team Ali (STILL TEAM CHAMPIONS) BY: Pinfall (superkick), 14:01 |
Gold Star Match
Triple Threat
Faizah Marshall © VS Faith Savell VS Tiana Petrova-HammondTriple Threat
WINNER: Faizah Marshall (STILL GOLD STAR) BY: Pinfall (Running Blockbuster), 20:27 |