Post by gvb on Mar 20, 2021 1:02:03 GMT -6
1x21 CASUS BELLI
The Hallways
March 17, 2021
4:52 PM
We cut to one of the hallways, just outside the locker room. There we see Tiffany Rollins, minding her own business as she comes out of the room, looking like she just worked up a sweat. She clearly just finished another training session, possibly with one of the other students, and decided to leave early, possibly to avoid an unwanted confrontation. After changing back into her regular clothes, she stuffed her gym clothes in her backpack and was ready to leave. Unfortunately for her, someone was already waiting for her in the hallway.
Faith Savell stands in the hallway, dressed in a pair of slim fit black jeans and a cute cropped shirt, her long hair pulled back into a high pong as she regards Tiffany with a long glare.
Faith Savell:
And where exactly do you think you’re going? After that little accidental admission you made on Twitter the other day, do you REALLY think I’m gonna let you just slip right by me??
Instantly recognizing what she was referring to, Tiff turns around to see the former Gold Star champion herself. It seems as though their conversation had only just begun.
Tiff Rollins:
Look Faith… I already told you, I ain’t admitting anything…
Faith rolls her eyes, dropping a hand to the wall she leans towards Tiffany, towering over her with a glare.
Faith Savell:
You’re a REALLY shitty person, you know that? You play this sweet little girl role, but in reality you use people and manipulate situations to suit you. I mean, you only have to scroll through Asher’s twitter to see how much you emotionally abuse that poor, sweet guy…
Faith sighs and shakes her head in dismay as Tiff visibly restricts herself.
Faith Savell:
And of COURSE you won’t admit to your part in things, why would you? You’ve got half of twitter treating you like a toddler and holding your hand through life. You’ve never taken responsibility for anything you’ve done, so why start now?
Suddenly something in Tiff snaps…
Tiff Rollins:
Why don’t you just BACK OFF!
She uses both hands to shove Faith back, finally standing up for herself. Faith is taken back, but when they both realized what just happened, things looked to take a turn for the worst. Faith grabs a hold of Tiff by the shoulders of her shirt and slams her back first into the wall, she leans in so close there’s less than an inch between them.
Faith Savell:
Touch me again and that black eye you’ve been hiding from everyone will feel like a kiss from that loser boyfriend of yours.
Faith slams her hands, flat palms into the wall either side of Tiff’s head and actually laughs a little in her scoff.
Faith Savell:
I’m NEVER going away, ever since you came here, you’ve been a pain in my ass. So long as you look toward a ring in hopes of getting back in it. So long as you still dare to call yourself a wrestler, I’ll be right behind you… Reminding you how useless and pitiful you really are.
A mixture of hatred, fear and sadness overcomes poor Tiff, realizing the ultimate hurdle on her journey back into the ring laughing at her face. The look on her face seems to be that of lost hope. That is however until her training partner finally arrived.
Trinity Thompson:
Oh for God’s sake, you’ve been back for what? A few hours? And you’re already back to this...
Trinity Thompson bursts into scene, grabbing Faith by the shoulder and forcing her to turn around. That way, she gives Tiffany a chance to move away from that precarious position against the wall.
Trinity Thompson:
What part of “I didn’t do it” you cannot understand, huh? She had nothing to do with what happened two weeks ago, leave her alone now!
Faith literally pie faces Trinity with the palm of her hand to the girls face, pushing her away with a roll of her eyes and turning her attention back to Tiffany, who is still trying to break down.
Faith Savell:
Of course you need someone to save you, just like always. Even the people who you stood back and watched get trampled all over. It’s pathetic, your little fan club who believe you do no wrong when you’re nothing but a conceited narcissist.
Faith glances at Trinity and shrugs a little.
Faith Savell:
I guess when you’re never gonna make anything of yourself, aligning yourself with a trashy never was like Tiffany just makes sense.
Before Trinity can reply, Faith had turned her attention back to Tiff.
Faith Savell:
I know what you did. You know what you did. And I am never ever going to let you forget it.
You can literally see the anger building in the usually calm and collected Trinity. She clenches her fists and grits her teeth, once again spinning Faith around and getting in her face.
Trinity Thompson:
She. Did. Not. Do. It.
She spells out those words, struggling not to hit the former Gold Star.
Trinity Thompson:
I’m sick and tired of you bullying her, Faith. Why are you doing this, what did she do to you? Why can’t you let her live her life? Why you gotta harass her all the time? You’ve been doing that since the first moment she stepped through that door, you’ve been on her ass all the time, kicking her down when all she’s trying to do is to get up and pull herself together.
Nobody has ever seen Thompson this passionate. There seems to be no trace of the happy-go-lucky girl that the Academy fans and staff have grown to know. She’s not backing down, actually she’s slowly forcing Savell to back down against the same wall she pinned Tiffany to.
Trinity Thompson:
I’m sick and tired of you acting like you’re the queen of the Academy. You have no right to act like this and bully everyone who doesn’t agree with you. You may be more talented than anyone else here, but you’re not better than us. Actually, I think that YOU are a shitty person, and you deserved what happened to you. Someone had to teach you a lesson and make you pay for all your wrongdoings, and since nobody was doing anything about it…
Tiffany is the first to understand what is going on. She’s shaking her head and staring at her friend, almost in disbelief. Trinity inches closer to Faith’s face.
Trinity Thompson:
I DID.
Faith starts to laugh, as she does she pushes off the wall and crashes her body into Trinity’s. Leaning in so close she could almost kiss the girl she utters just one word.
Faith Savell:
Ok.
She steps aside and looks back at Tiffany with a slight nod of the head. She mouths the same word at Tiff before looking between the two and laughing again, not in any jovial way, more in an almost maniacal way. Turning away to walk down the hall, she nods to herself. Leaving the two girls with just that one parting word.
The tension that had been building up to that moment instantly drops as Faith walks away. Trinity herself seems to finally relax, slowly unclenching her fists as she lets out a long sigh. She doesn’t say a word, unsure what to say after confessing her action and, most importantly, not knowing how Tiffany would react to it. Bashfully, she glances in her direction. After everything that just happened, she’s understandably gobsmacked.
Tiff Rollins:
Trin…I…I mean...
Tiffany struggles to get her words out as Trin looks down at the ground below.
Tiff Rollins:
...what were you thinking?
Trinity shrugs her shoulders, unable to even look at Tiffany now. A drastic change from the bold and determined attitude she showed mere minutes ago.
Trinity Thompson:
She had it coming.
She simply replied. Clearly there was more she wanted to say, but that lump in her throat was blocking her words.
Trinity Thompson:
For too long she looked down on me, on Faizah, Millie… On you. You don’t deserve this.
Tiff simply shakes her head in response, knowing full well that this whole situation is far from resolved.
Tiff Rollins:
No. You don’t deserve this…
She’s about to walk away, leaving her friend to her thoughts, but before she goes, she turns back to Trin, who still can’t even make eye contact with her.
Tiff Rollins:
Don’t do this to yourself… Not for me.
Trinity doesn’t reply, she doesn’t move either. It’s only when she hears the sound of Tiffany’s steps walking away from her that she brings her hand to her face, wiping off a single tear from her eye. “I can’t…” She’s seen mouthing as she starts walking away in the opposite direction.
The Auditorium
March 18, 2021
6:49 PM
Though it was impossible to distinguish any word from the buzzing of the students leaving the Auditorium, the topic of their discussion could’ve been nothing but the seminar held by Seth Iser. For better or for worse, the MWE World Champion got the attention of the small group of students, leaving them commenting on his teachings. Faizah was talking with a perplexed Millie, Tiffany and Tiana left together with a glum Trinity walking a few steps behind them. One by one, they all left the room, heading to their rooms to get ready for dinner.
Only Olly and Faith were left in the Auditorium, making small talk after attending the veteran’s class.
Olly:
I’ll see you at dinner, ok? I just wanted to ask Seth something…
Faith smiled and nodded at her best friend, picking up her jacket and leaving the room. Olly glanced at the opposite side of the room where Seth was talking with Gianluigi Vaccaro, who was most likely thanking the veteran for sharing his knowledge with the next generation of wrestlers training at The Academy. When Iser finally walked toward the door, Olly approached him.
Olly:
Today was… Enlightening. Thank you.
The young student said as he walked next to the grizzled veteran. The World Champion, dressed simply in a pair of athletic shorts, his knee pad with the brace on his left knee, a pair of Nikes and a t-shirt supporting his beloved WVU turned toward Olly calmly noticing him.
Seth Iser:
I take it this was more your preference. Some people were highly engaged learning this style...others, well...not so much. But it seems you have something else to ask. I know that look well enough from my own students.
He just crossed his arms but kept his face light tone wise.
Seth Iser:
I know I’m not on the clock now but...go ahead. I don’t mind.
Olly looked up at the World champion and nodded his head.
Olly:
I mean, everything you explained today was very interesting. The positioning of all parts involved inside the ring, all those tricks to block the referee’s view.. I loved it and I’m sure they can come handy..
A smirk appeared on his face as his mind went back to Seth’s advice.
Olly:
But I’m more interested in the psychological aspects, if I’m being honest. One thing I admire about you is how you always seem to be one if not two steps ahead of your opponents. How you push them to do EXACTLY what you want them to do. Most times it feels like you won the match before the bell even rings.
The veteran contemplated where it was going and it really does look like a veteran thief teaching the new blood a trick to surviving when a devious smirk of his own crept onto his face.
Seth Iser:
Oh I see what you’re asking...how to get to that point. And not say the cliche answer of experience either.
The smirk vanished as his face morphed back into that stern teacher mode as he contemplated further.
Seth Iser:
The best way to figure out what to do when...is knowing your enemy. Listening to what they say...how they say it. Watching their own tactics a million times over and having counters upon counters already armed is the physical part. But if you’re looking for manipulation...always listen to what someone says. If you pay attention close enough, they always give a nugget on how they can be used to do something you want. Some need just a little nudge or coaxing. Others...playing their punk card. And then others yet...just get them to ask themselves one question to themselves. We’re dealing with people in our line of work, aren’t we?
He was calm as he stated this glancing at the youngster who came up to him for this.
Seth Iser:
As much as we want to train our bodies to learn, we deal with people everyday. Whether it’s a promoter, an outsider, or other wrestlers...you need to know how to deal with them. And then turn that into something that can become your advantage later. You play it right and well...you just neutralized a problem before it even has a chance to get you. Maybe even get a temporary ally or someone who owes you a favor. Just...if you’re going to play that route, you have to also be ready in case you misfire. Or a reaction happens that you don’t expect. You need to have a fallback ready at all times. Nobody bats perfect playing this game. Always be ready for the consequences you know…because it’s constant trial and error even when you have most of the data. It’s impossible to have...all of it.
He glanced at Olly real quick but he kind of wanted to see how much if any of it had sunk in right away. The young man appeared to be deep in thought, Seth’s words clearly put the cogs inside his head to work.
Olly:
I see.. That’s.. That’s a sound advice. Back when I was dealing with Dez Ali, it was all too easy. I knew exactly what buttons to touch and when, it made me think that making people dance to your tune was a piece of cake.. Even when I took a beating, I kind of expected it.
He finally looked up to the World Champion.
Olly:
Well, maybe not such a bad one, but I knew he would’ve reacted like that. It was brinkmanship, a calculated risk to make him feel safe and self-assured. I wanted him to think he could easily beat me, you know? That way, I lured him into raising the stakes, going all in… And then I took everything from him.
Again that wicked smirk appeared on the young man’s face.
Olly:
That felt so good.
And Seth’s stoic scowl was back on his face.
Seth Iser:
Some tactics have a shelf life and you’ll have to do something else. That worked that one time and it can work on someone who has too big of an ego but once they know what you got? Well...just as I always tell people to watch what people do...the inverse is also true. People in this line of work will always be watching you. Even more so when the target is on your back. So be mindful of that variable. The formula has to constantly evolve. Even if it’s subtle little things.
And then his face lightened slightly as he considered one last thing.
Seth Iser:
But finding a new way to break down someone is it’s own thrill sometimes. It can net you a reward you never expect...and then you almost have to thank the other person for giving you the ammunition to do it. Almost...being the key word of course. Unless of course...thanking them can mindfuck them on a whole different level.
It was devious that smile of his...the smile of a thief who has gotten away with a lot of robberies in his day. It was the exact same one that he had when he won the World Title.
Olly:
Yeah, some people have the tendency of digging their own grave. And then all you have to do is to give them a little nudge to push them in and bury them.
The young man nodded in agreement.
Olly:
Observation is key, then. Not only their movesets, but their mannerisms and words as well. Thank you, sir.
Seemingly satisfied with the lesson learned, Olly offered the World Champion his hand to shake. Iser did indeed shake the kid’s hand.
Seth Iser:
Formality has never been a strong suit of mine. Seth is fine if there’s a next time. Just for the record.
Fade.
Singles Match
Tiana Petrova-Hammond VS Cash Blye
WINNER: Tiana Petrova-Hammond BY: Pinfall (Roundhouse Kick), 11:54 |
Team Title Match
Team Ali © (Trinity Thompson & Dez Ali) VS Team Strike (JJ Night & Faith Savell)
WINNER: Team Strike (NEW TEAM CHAMPIONS) BY: Pinfall (Five Star Frog Splash), 16:03 |