Post by gvb on Mar 27, 2021 14:25:06 GMT -6
1x22 CUI PRODEST?
The Second Floor
March 24, 2021
11:51 PM
It has been a couple of rough days for Trinity Thompson since coming back to the Academy. Maybe it was just the sense of guilt, but she felt like everyone was judging her, and in some cases she KNEW for a fact that they were. That was the main reason why she tried to avoid contact with any of the other students, basically hiding behind her best friend Tiana Petrova-Hammond who so far had done a great job “protecting” not only from possible retaliations by Faith and Olly but from anyone else who wanted to snoop around.
This self-isolation drove her to work out alone in the gym, taking full advantage of the 24/7 availability of the facility. Whether it was early in the morning or late at night like today, the eighteen years old started training in off-peak hours. Careful not to make too much noise, she walked upstairs for a well deserved night of rest after an intense session in the gym. As she turned the corner heading toward her room, she heard a familiar voice talking.
Tiff Rollins was seen in the far end of the hallway, talking on the phone. Most likely with her boyfriend Asher, or possibly with her family. Hard to tell, the cameras couldn’t pick up her conversation. But Trinity did and froze on the spot, instinctively trying to hide behind the same corner she just turned. Tiff was the last person she would’ve wanted to meet, only walking into Faith would’ve been worse than having to confront herself with the woman she idolized, the woman she tried so hard to befriend in the past months, the woman she put in a rough spot with her behavior.
But Tiffany had already seen her, and she saw how Trinity hid out to avoid her, something she had done since confessing what she did at the SKW event “The Community”. After finishing her conversation on the phone, the former Cloud Gate champion let out a sigh and walked toward Thompson, finding her laying against the wall right behind the corner.
Tiff:
What are you doing?
Trinity sighed, tilting her head to meet Tiffany’s eyes.
Trinity Thompson:
I… I saw you were talking on the phone, I didn’t want to disturb you.
She tried to justify herself, though it was pretty clear this was an excuse she made up on the spot.
Trinity Thompson:
Thought you were already sleeping to be honest.
The young girl added in a whisper, lowering her eyes and staring at her feet. Tiff seemed to be completely understandable of the young girl’s shyness. She’s not oblivious to how much she looks up to her, and she knows how hard she’s been dealing with the fallout of her revelation last week. This was almost a role reversal of one of their earlier encounters when Tiff first joined the Academy.
Tiff:
Nah. Couldn’t sleep. Besides, this is the best time to be up. Not having to deal with you know who…
Trin’s eyes don’t move from the ground. Realizing this, Tiff mustered the effort to try and comfort the poor girl, even if she clearly looked uncomfortable doing so.
Tiff:
Trin. Listen. I don’t know what you were expecting from me when I got here, but I’m sorry I haven’t exactly been whatever it is you were hoping for…
Her words obviously caused a reaction in Trinity. She jerked her head back, finally glancing at Tiffany as she shook her head.
Trinity Thompson:
What are you talking about? You’ve always been so cool to me, you helped me with my kicks and..
She paused for a brief moment.
Trinity Thompson:
I was just happy I got to know you. It’s been, like, my dream since… Well for a long time. You’re the reason why I decided I wanted to become a professional wrestler and having the chance to meet you in person, to talk and train with you, to be your friend..
Once again she stopped mid-sentence, swallowing hard before she could continue.
Trinity Thompson:
It’s just the best feeling, you know?
Talking about this was making her very emotional, those long pauses struggling to find the right words were proof of it. Trin closed her eyes to push back the tears and bumped her head back against the wall.
Trinity Thompson:
Was, I should say. Since I fucked it all up.
That’s when Tiffany finally interrupted.
Tiff:
No. You didn’t.
Trin was taken back by this. Even Tiff surprised herself by this outburst, but after quickly calming herself back down, she continued in a more careful manner.
Tiff:
I don’t blame you for anything. Do you know why? I would have done the same thing.
She let out a deep breath, realizing what she’s about to confess.
Tiff:
Before she adopted me, I idolized Brytain. I grew up watching her, I never even dreamed of meeting her, let alone her welcoming me into her family. But trust me, if I ever saw some bitch treating her like how Faith treats me, and she just took it, I would have done something about it too. Impulses are a bitch sometimes…
Tiff then titled her face down to the ground herself.
Tiff:
I’ve made the mistake of thinking that no one cares about me anymore. That I have no fans, no friends... I’ve let myself get this way. I can’t blame you. I can’t blame Faith. I can’t blame anyone but myself. I’m the one who fucked things up. Christ, I shouldn’t even be here. All I’ve done is get in everyone’s way. I keep bringing everyone down to my level...
Trinity Thompson:
That’s not what you’re doing… Not at all..
It was Trinity’s turn to interrupt Tiffany and gently reach out with her hand, lifting her chin and forcing the former Cloud Gate champion to look at her.
Trinity Thompson:
You may not realize it, but you’re an inspiration. For me and for most of the other students as well.
Now that she had her attention, Trinity retracted her from Tiffany’s face and smiled at her.
Trinity Thompson:
Before you came here, I would’ve never dreamed to stand up to Faith like that.. And she’s been targeting me since day one. Literally, I posted a picture on my first day here and she was already calling me lame and stuff.
A soft sigh escaped her lips. Faith might have not been as hard with her as she was with Tiffany, but she took several shots at Trinity throughout the past months, undermining her confidence.
Trinity Thompson:
Then you became her target and I… I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t watch her kicking you while you were down and do nothing about it.
Tiffany was staring at Thompson, wondering where she was going with this and trying to figure out how she could’ve been an inspiration for her.
Trinity Thompson:
You know, there was a young girl not too long ago that wouldn’t let anything and anyone get in her way. She was the smallest of the bunch, something I could definitely relate to, and people thought they could just bully her and walk over her. Like hell they did! Big men tried to break her down, people who have harassed her for years, who never took her seriously, who always overlooked her. They came for her family, they came for her loved ones, they tried to destroy everything around her to break her spirit… But they could never do it.
She was clearly referring to Tiffany and her year-long run as champion.
Trinity Thompson:
You taught me that no challenge is too big, that no matter how hard they hit us, no matter how much it hurts, we always get up and fight back. And suddenly I wasn’t scared of Faith anymore. I wasn’t afraid of standing up for myself and the people I care about.
That speech seemed to have hit home, judging by the look on Tiffany’s face. Tiff came to the Academy in the hope of rekindling the spark of that former champion. She never saw herself as an inspiration, but merely a bystander at the Academy, and while the thought of her inspiring the students were slim at first, those hopes were immediately dashed with her first encounter with Faith. Hearing these words from Trinity reminded her of something though. She didn’t know how to respond, or even collect herself.
Tiff:
Trin…
She wanted to say something, only to stop herself at the last moment. It seemed that the moment had gotten the better of her. Trin noticed this, preparing herself for Tiff to bail, as she’s done several times in the past. Tiff was ready to turn around, but before leaving, she finally managed to whisper something loud enough for Trin to hear.
Tiff:
Thank you.
The widest of smiles appeared on Trinity’s face, a drastic change from the downcast attitude she had before the meeting. She took a step forward. inching closer to the Five Foot Death Machine.
Trinity Thompson:
I…
She started to speak again, but a beam of light hit her face, causing her to squint and shield her eyes with her hand, trying to see where it was coming from. Tiffany turned around as well, looking down at the foot of the staircase. Paul, the factotum of the Academy was there, pointing his flashlight at the two young girls.
Paul:
Sorry to interrupt girls but you know the rules… You gotta get back in your rooms.
Trinity glanced at the watch on her wrist and let out a sigh. It was midnight.
Trinity Thompson:
You’re right, Paul. Sorry about this.
She then glanced back at Tiffany and wrapped her arms around her in a quick hug that caught the former champion by surprise.
Trinity Thompson:
See you tomorrow, Tiff. And thank you.
With that said, she turned around and quickly headed to her room, leaving Tiff with a mixture of emotions. The scene ended as Tiff shrugged to herself before heading in the opposite direction.
The Classroom
March 25, 2021
4:00 PM
The classroom was pretty quiet, classes having been ended for a bit at this point, but there were faint sounds of the ever studying Tiana taking notes as she watched clips of her last outing. From the corner of the screen, in walked Lincoln, the oddly absent ‘manager’. The contrasting sound of him crunching into an apple jolted the former Gold Star from her trance, glaring over at him.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Not now, I’m busy.
Lincoln walked over casually, still chewing on his apple. He was rather disheveled, his usually well groomed and tailored appearance falling a bit on the...messy side. He took a seat next to his client, staring at her lazily.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
I don’t care, Linc. I have more tape to watch.
Lincoln Gray:
Do you remember, when your family and mine, we went to Niagara Falls for a vacation? Nobody had wanted to go, save for you and your sister. My wife and I, to be frank, didn’t even want to be in the same state as one another. My daughter wanted to go to Disney World. Again. Your parents were content staying home, but we went, of course, and most of us had a fun time, all things considered.
Tiana rolled her eyes and sat her pencil down, giving her attention to the guilt tripping man occupying her time.
Lincoln Gray:
Thank you for making something easy on me for once. I wanted to talk to you about this MMA thing you had contacted me about earlier in the week. I’ll speak to Luigi about it, of course, but I’d advise against trying to compete there, at least until you finish your studies. I think you’ve found your calling, love, and I have grand plans for you.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
I don’t want to compete there, I just want to get involved somehow. I’m not planning on jumping ship, and as for your plans, you don’t even share them, so what good are they?
Linc leaned forward, his tired eyes being covered by the mess of hair on his head.
Lincoln Gray:
I don’t tell you my plans because you are difficult, arrogant, selfish and most endearingly of all, a brat. The endearing part was sarcasm, mind you. You have this attitude that you’re still the best. You’re not, because you got complacent. Ms. No Days Off became Ms. I Hate Olly and Authority and FUCK YOU KAREN! It’s dreadfully exhausting.
Tiana opened her mouth to speak, but was quickly shushed by Lincoln simply extending a finger toward her.
Lincoln Gray:
From the day you walked into my life, I have done everything within my power to advance your interests. So, please, Tiana, let me finish. Let me work. Let me make you a star worthy of the grand stage, because right now, you’re far from it. The person that became Gold Star was a role model and someone that people could look up to. The person sitting next to me now is...not. You’re so consumed with Olly, with Karen, with Faith, you stopped being concerned with what really matters.
You. You need to go out there with Cash on Friday, you need to bring it to Faizah and Rian. You need to BE YOU, and not worry about what Olly is doing, or what Karen is saying, or what Faith is Mean Girl’ing about, unless it’s the pink on Wednesdays because that is just tragic. Just… I’m tired, Ti. Get your head on straight and keep it that way, please. Thank you.
Again, before Tiana could speak, she was shushed. Linc shoved what was left of his apple in her mouth and rose from his seat, moving toward the exit.
The Auditorium
March 26, 2021
7:28 AM
On the last day of the week, the students of the Academy were summoned in the Auditorioum by the principal Gianluigi Vaccaro. The former General Manager was flanked by the team leaders, Lady Magdalena to his left and Michael Ali to the right. The rest of the trainers was present as well. His soon-to-be wife Tobie Nox Thorne, Keri Rabanne and all the other teachers, the physical and mental coaches following the students in their journey. With all the personnel gathered there, this HAD to be something big, and you could see the worried look on the students' faces as they entered the room.
Most of them at least. Faith and Olly, sitting at safe distance from the rest of the students, didn't seem to share their concerns. They kept glancing at Trinity and Tiffany, commenting in hushed tones. We couldn't hear what they were saying, we can't say if the targets of their comments could hear them either, but their chatter was making Thompson quite nervous.
At exactly 7:30 Gian began to speak, and the whole room fell in total silence.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Ladies... Gentlemen... Welcome back to the Academy. I hope you all had a good week.
Different reactions on the students' faces. Some of them did, according to the smiles on their faces. Trinity sighed and lowered her eyes, clearly she had a rough time following her confession, even though after clearing the air with Tiffany, things were looking up, at least on that aspect. Part of her probably was thinking that this assembly was to announce the consequences of her actions. A punishment most likely, possibly even an expulsion. But that wasn't what Vaccaro was about to announce.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
We've been doing this for almost six months, and I want to say how proud I am of each and everyone of you.
He paused after pronouncing those words, taking time to look in the eyes of everyone of the students without exception. Even Tiffany Rollins, who joined only three months ago and, for her history and purpose of joining, couldn't be considered as a student. Nonetheless, Gian wanted to tell her that he was proud of her as well.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
There have been good days and bad days, for all of you. But each and everyone of them has been a forming experience that shaped you into the men, the women and the wrestlers you are destined to be. The potential your Team Leaders, your trainers and I saw in you is finally blossoming, more marked in some compared to the others, sure. But you all came a long way since you first entered those doors, you have a bright future in front of you and soon, you'll be ready to achieve your dream.
There was some buzzing amongst the students, but it quickly ended when Gian started speaking again.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
May 14. That's the date of your "graduation", that will be your last day as students of the Academy. It's not random, that's the day before the MWE pay-per-view Hic Sunt Leones, an event you all will be part of.
Excitement, apprehension. Those were the dominant feelings you could see in the students' reactions.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
There's still a lot of time, but I asked you to come here today to talk about your future. I've been working on the details all week, zoom meeting after zoom meeting with the Millennium and Riot General Managers.. It's been quite tiring, I'm not going to lie. But I'm very happy with what we came up with, and I'm sure you all will be too.
He pointed his finger to three papers on the desk in front of him. The students might have noticed the MWE logo on top of them.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
As you know, our goal as Academy is to form the stars of tomorrow. We operate under the banner of Millennium Wrestling Enterprise, but you are not, by any means, MWE talents. Your participation in MWE events was part of your learning process, a chance miss van Beek and her assistants kindly gave you. But coming May 14, you won't be bound to the company anymore and you will be considered to all intents and purposes free agents.
Unless, of course, you decide to continue your career with the company.
The principal took the leftmost piece of paper and showed it to the students.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
These are MWE contracts waiting that will be waiting for you on May 14. Whether you decide to sign them or not will be your choice alone, but I'd like to go through some details with you that, perhaps, will help you make the decision whether to continue with us or not. As you can see, there's three different contracts on this table, three tiers. The one in my hand...
He glanced at the contract, and so did everyone else in the room.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
This is the standard contract, also known as Grade C. It's a four month contract and it's meant as an instrument for us and you as well to test yourself on the big stage that is MWE. A trial period at the end of which you will be able to decide if you want to extend it or try your luck elsewhere.
As the student commented on it, Gian put the contract down and grabbed the middle one.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
A Grade B contract, instead, has a duration of one year and it's, of course, renewable. The same goes for the last type of contract, also known as Grade A.
He picked up the last contract left on the table.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
With one slight, yet important difference. The Grade A is reserved for the students who, throughout their time here, have excelled above their peers, achieving the ultimate goal for every student. I'm talking, of course, about the Gold Star.
So far then, Tiana Petrova-Hammond, Faith Savell and Faizah Marshall will be offered a Grade A contract, but nothing would make me happier than having to prepare more of these in the next weeks.
A smile formed on the principal's lips as he saw the look on the student's faces as they commented on the announcement.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Hold on, I haven't said the best part yet. The difference between a Grade A and a Grade B contract is that those who earned themselves a top tier contract will have a guaranteed shot at either the Millennium Lockdown championship or the Riot MENTV championship whenever they want for the whole duration of said contract.
Tiana, Faith and Faizah were, of course, the most happy to hear this. JJ Night instead looked at Marshall, knowing that he will have to beat her to get the same life-changing opportunity.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
You have eight more weeks to try get yourself the best possible deal for your future. Make the best of the time you have left, here at the Academy.
He then gathered all the papers and gave one last look at the students.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
You're dismissed now. Have a good day, and good luck to those of you competing tonight.
Singles Match
Millie Smith VS Faith Savell
WINNER: Millie Smith BY: DQ, 8:06 |
Team Title Match
Team Strike © (Cash Blye & Tiana Petrova-Hammond) VS Team Ali (Faizah Marshall & Rian Ellis)
WINNER: Team Ali (NEW TEAM CHAMPIONS) BY: Pinfall (Bridging German Suplex), 16:03 |