Post by gvb on Jan 15, 2021 18:16:09 GMT -6
1x12 QUALIS REX
The Courtyard
January 16, 2021
1:02 PM
After the morning sessions, the students of The Academy would normally flock to the cafeteria, aside from one noticeable absentee. The latest addition to The Academy, Tiffany Rollins, has been content to take her food to the courtyard and sit on a bench alone while everyone else ate in the cafeteria. Ever since what happened to her last week, this has pretty much been the norm for her, and today is no exception. After grabbing her lunch, she once again made it to her usual spot, purposely avoiding any interactions, especially Faith Savell.
That episode left its mark not only on the former Cloud Gate champion, but the other students as well. Surely, to a different degree than it affected Tiffany, but there was no denying it disturbed the harmony of the place. Some firmly condemned what could be seen as an act of bullying from the Gold Star, some agreed with Faith’s words, if not with her actions too. Others would rather not comment, perhaps out of fear to go against the young Savell, a few already made their stance clear, calling out the Academy’s top prospect.
And then there was Trinity Thompson, who had been in Tiff’s shoes already, having been the first person Faith targeted. The colored hair girl had been awfully quiet for her standards since witnessing that episode, the smile that always adorned her face seemed gone. She had barely talked to anyone, not even her best friend Tiana, not even the other half of Team Trillie, Millie Smith. Even at lunch she started to isolate herself from the other students, sitting at the table Rollins used to sit at when she still attended the cafeteria.
Today she finally decided to take the matter in hands and do something. After her quick lunch, she walked out of the lunchroom and headed to the courtyard, a small plate with a slice of cake in each hand.
Trinity Thompson:
Vanilla cake, Laura’s best of the best. You really don’t want to miss this.
She offered one of the desserts to Tiffany, accompanying the kind gesture with a soft smile. Obviously taken back by this, Tiff let out a feeble smile, only to hold her hand up to stop her.
Tiff:
I’m good thanks. I just ate.
As kind as this gesture was, it was clear that Tiff didn’t really feel comfortable speaking to anyone that wasn’t already close to her. Trinity nodded and left the plate on the bench, left to where Tiffany was seating, just in case she changed her mind.
Trinity Thompson:
Mind if I sit here?
She asked when she already sat down on that same bench, not too close but not too far either from the former champion. Tiff didn’t really seem to be bothered either way. Trin didn’t say another word, not for a few long moments, limiting herself to take a bite of the cake, her eyes staring into space.
Trinity Thompson:
You know, it’s not really bad out here. I get why you come here for lunch, it’s so calm and relaxing without all that noise, without The Kid screaming, or Rian starting food fights out of nowhere…
A slight smile appeared on her face. She didn’t really mind any of that, food fights were actually fun. But she was clearly trying to establish a contact with Tiffany, and this seemed a better approach than addressing last week’s facts. With that being said however, Tiff wasn’t exactly in a talkative mood. She knew what happened last week was the elephant in the room, and she knew that it was on everyone’s minds.
Tiff:
Look… I don’t know what this is, but I really think you’re wasting your time here…
This was her way of deflecting the young girl’s contact. She knew that she was only trying to be nice, but Tiff wasn’t exactly approachable, even before joining The Academy. Thompson smiled again, giving a slight shrug of her shoulders.
Trinity Thompson:
I don’t really have anything else to do until 3, I can use some fresh air.
She munched another small bit of her cake before speaking again.
Trinity Thompson:
You know, my first day here in the Academy was almost my last one too. I barely made it here in time, right before they closed the gates. I couldn’t sleep the days before, I traveled all the way from Maryland by bus and with the pandemic going on it was hell, took me two days to get here. I woke up late, got here at the very last minute and managed to get in. On my way to the gym for the principal’s speech I bumped into this other girl, Amelia. You never met her, but she was a total bitch. Like, top of the class in bitchism.. She made me feel so bad, I felt like crying and once I saw that airing on the inaugural episode, I thought about quitting…
That was the first time she spoke about those feelings to anyone, let alone publicly.
Trinity Thompson:
What I’m trying to say is that we all have rocky starts at some point in life. Heck, I’ve had a rocky one since I was born, my whole life has been an uphill run… But that’s just what it is, a start… It’s never the end of the road.
After sitting through that, Tiffany just let out a sigh. She knew what she was trying to do here, and she had to say something to stop it.
Tiff:
Listen… No offense or anything, but I really don’t need to hear this...
Trinity wanted to say something to that, but Tiff immediately interrupted.
Tiff:
I appreciate you trying to cheer me up or whatever, but it really ain’t worth it. You have your problems and I have mine. You really shouldn’t waste your time with a loser like me. You know what? I don’t even know what I’m doing here…
Trinity Thompson:
I think you do, actually.
She replied immediately, tilting her head to look at the former Cloud Gate champion for the first time.
Trinity Thompson:
Like, YOU decided to come to the Academy, YOU asked to come here because YOU thought it was what you needed, because YOU thought it was good for YOU.
She stressed that word, you every time she spoke it. She never moved her blue eyes away from Rollins, from the young woman, that was no secret, she idolized.
Trinity Thompson:
Am I wrong, Tiffany?
Tiffany was trying her best not to care. She didn’t want to show any emotions, even if it couldn’t be helped.
Tiff:
Well...that was before I actually came here. I thought I could get back into this. I thought that maybe this time, I could make things better, and not end it like how it did last year. But you know what? This shit is hard. Harder than I remember. I know I’m trailing behind everyone else. I can’t keep up like I used to. And Gian thought I could actually offer something to you lot by being here? No...maybe Faith was right…
Thompson shook her head decisively, not paying attention to the delicious cake anymore.
Trinity Thompson:
Faith is right a lot less often than she believes she is… And she surely wasn’t right last week. Not one thing she said, or did, was right..
The tone of her voice slightly raised during this heartfelt speech.
Trinity Thompson:
And that’s not just me saying this. A lot of the guys and girls back there agree with me.
That was probably true, and yet none of them was out here to tell Tiffany those things. As she realized that, Trin let out a long sigh.
Trinity Thompson:
Faith can say what she wants, but what her words do to you… That’s up to you. You can let them hurt you, you can use them to react and prove her that she’s wrong… Or you can ignore them.
She smiled softly at Tiffany.
Trinity Thompson:
That’s what I decided to do. She called me dumb because I like to dress up and cosplay, she said that I’m not on her level and that I’m not good enough to be here… But that’s just her opinion, other people have different ones, some good, some bad… But I came here for a reason, I came here to chase a dream. And I’m not letting a spoiled brat decide if I should chase it or not.
Unfortunately Tiff couldn’t share the same enthusiasm as Trinity, but she did finally muster a smile, as sheepish as it was.
Tiff:
You know...you’re gonna go far. Farther than me anyway…
Trin was quite taken back by this comment.
Tiff:
Just don’t make the same mistakes that I did. Mistakes that I’m still paying for to this day…
She let out a long sigh of her own as she huddled up slightly, feeling a chill in the air. She’s about ready to finish up here.
Tiff:
I think I’m done here…
Again?
The voice came out of nowhere, startling the two girls. As they both turned to the door, they saw Olly standing there, his back leaning against the wall. He had that smirk plastered on his face, his arms crossed on his chest as he shook his head.
Olly:
But I shouldn’t be surprised. That’s what you always do, right? When things get rough, Tiff Rollins takes her ball and goes home… So disappointing.
He looked straight into Rollins’ eyes as he spat his venomous words. She quickly turned away, not wanting to make any eye contact.
Trinity Thompson:
Go away, Olly…
Trinity said in a vaguely threatening tone, standing up from her seat. Olly didn’t even flinch, letting out a mocking chuckle.
Olly:
That was a great speech, Trin. I mean it. But you wasted your breath, she’s a lost cause. She’s just fooling herself and everyone else by being here. And the sooner you realize it and stop wasting time with her, the better it’ll be for you.
Tiffany just slouched down, not wanting to be in this situation anymore. She wanted to leave, but Trinity motioned for her not to move, refusing to be spoken to like this. Thompson was the one who stood up for her instead, walking in front of Olly.
Trinity Thompson:
If she’s just a waste of time for you, why are you even here? Why did you stand there for I don’t know how long and listened to us? And what are you going to do now? Are you going to crawl back to your Princess
She said that last word in a mocking tone.
Trinity Thompson:
And tell her everything for a pat on the head? Or a little peck on the cheek?
Olly didn’t seem too bothered by her words, laughing in her face.
Olly:
I was just curious to see where you were going, don’t give yourself too much credit. Faith doesn’t care about you, or your loser of a…
That was it. With a sudden and unexpected gesture, Trinity reached for the plate she left next to Tiff and smacked the cake in Olly’s face. Everybody, herself included, was shocked at what she just did. The look on her face was a mix of emotions. Rage, of course. Pride for standing up for someone she considered a friend. And regret. She even reached inside the pocket of her jacket, searching for a tissue or anything to allow him to clean his face… But Olly was already gone by the time she could find it.
Still in shock, almost shaking on her place, Trinity walked back to the bench and sat down, without saying a word about what just happened. Obviously after watching what just happened, Tiffany was gobsmacked. She never expected such a fiery passion to come from someone seemingly as gentle as Trinity Thompson. Although Trin was awkwardly silent after that, it was Tiff’s turn to break the ice as she gave her first genuine smirk in ages.
Tiff:
Damn… That was cool...
Almost in a role reversal to how things started here, Trinity didn’t say a word as Tiffany left her seat, slightly more upbeat after seeing this, but before leaving the scene, Tiffany looked back at her.
Tiff:
Hey Trin… Kick that bitch’s ass, alright?
The gloom look on the young girl’s face disappeared as she heard Tiffany’s words. She was still processing what just happened, it was so out of character for her and she never thought she could do something like that. But she did, her instinct kicked in and she really threw that slice of cake on Olly’s face. And Tiffany said it was cool. And she spoke to her, with simple, but so meaningful to her, words of encouragement.
Trinity Thompson:
I will.
She said with a renewed confidence. She stood up as she saw Tiffany turning to leave, wanting to stop her and continue their conversation. But the Five Foot Death Machine was gone, already disappeared through the door. Trinity sat back and finished her cake. Alone, in silence.
The Gym
January 14, 2021
4:11 PM
The scene opens with Faizah Marshall sitting on the ring apron. Her hands are resting on the apron, she has one leg draped over the over. Leaning slightly forward she addresses the camera.
Faizah Marshall:
What will it be like competing on another team other than Team Strike?
Faizah takes a deep breath. Giving herself a moment she pushes forward.
Faizah Marshall:
Liberating to be honest.
I was flattered when Lena chose me to be on her team. She is a bonafide legend. An industry stalwart. I would have been just as flattered if I was selected as part of Team Ali from the beginning. Fangirl in me went straight through the roof. It was an absolute honor to represent Team Strike. I learned very quickly that my own team didn’t want me around, especially Faith.
Faizah rolls her eyes.
Faizah Marshall:
Her and The Kid are douches. Them trying to get me traded wasn’t fun. Par for the course with them. Tiana and Braxton didn’t bother to come to my defense. We were supposed to be a team. Last time I checked, teammates are supposed to have each others back. I shouldn’t be surprised Braxton was a flake. Tiana; she can post videos about how hard she is working, that’s peachy. By the time Cash arrived, her insistence to be best friends with The Kid. I already knew I wanted a change. As luck would have it, Olly losing at Coup De Grae gave me an opening. Part of me questions if this was his plan all along. We know how close him and Faith are...
Faizah shakes off what she really wants to say.
Faizah Marshall:
But anyway. I could sit here and tell you Qualis Rex is all about getting Faith’s respect. I am not going to hold my breath. Doesn’t matter what I do, that piece of crap will never respect me; why would I want her respect anyway? Because she is the best The Academy has to offer? Because of the influence she wields? When this Academy experience is over, I am content pretending that girl doesn’t exist to be perfectly frank. What I want from Qualis Rex is to put doubt inside her head. I want her to know that when we face one-on-one for the Gold Star later on down the road, that she shouldn’t underestimate me at all. I do own a victory over The Kid, he can tell his boo how good I am. The only way to get it through her skull that I am a threat is by showing her. Maybe next time she won’t be so flippant.
Faizah glares into the camera.
Faizah Marshall:
Faith, I am coming for you. I meant what I tweeted on Saturday, I am your shadow. I am going to haunt you as long as we have to share the same space. People can say, including Olly, that I am not on your level. Sweetheart, I don’t call myself the Best At Everything because it's a cute nickname. I believe I am The Best... at EVERYTHING.. You’ll find out why I am The Best soon enough. Don’t sleep.
Faizah waves for the camera as the scene fades.
Singles Match
Rian Ellis VS Cash Blye
WINNER: Cash Blye BY: Pinfall (Backslide), 9:19 |
Team Title Match
Team Ali © (Faizah Marshall & Trinity Thompson) VS Team Strike (Faith Savell & The Kid)
WINNER: Team Ali (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (Running single leg dropkick), 16:24 |