Post by Raiden Ishimori on Jul 25, 2019 22:48:37 GMT -5
Date: July 22, 2019
Location: Kitamoto, Saitama
{Humidity still clung to the summer air in the city of Kitamoto but a recent wave of rainstorms had slowly begun to break the humidity apart, making life a bit more bearable but after each storm passed, the near-asphyxiating air came back to haunt the residents of the city. If the weather was more comfortable, then perhaps Raiden would’ve thought about taking a walk just to help clear his mind but the weather hindered that idea and instead, he was left upstairs topless with only a pair of athletic shorts on in order to keep himself cool. By his bedside, was an open suitcase containing what he had planned for his flight out to Minneapolis for the same event that first put his name on the map in the XHF when he was still a rookie to most of the folk in the company. Now, however, things were in a different light for him as he had grown a lot throughout his bouts for the X*Crown and his venture with AWF...and at least that was how things were looking from a professional standpoint. Outside the ring was different in the sense of situation but also friendships he had from years’ past had now been strengthened along with making some rather valuable allies.}
Reina: “Raiden, you up here?”
Raiden: “Yeah.”
{He couldn’t be asked to move off the bed even he wanted to move, he felt no desire to stand for the time being given his current thought process and also the torturous weather gave him even less motivation to move around. The door to the attic room opens and dressed in a black sports bra and dark purple shorts is Raiden’s girlfriend, Reina, hair tied up in a low ponytail. A groan emits from Bone Cold as he sits up, legs swinging over the side of the bed so he was now seated on the edge.}
Reina: “You got everything in there?”
Raiden (nodding): “For the most part.”
{An inquisitive look crosses Reina’s brow as Raiden glances over the suitcase. Something in his eyes wasn’t matching up to her. Curious, she approaches Bone Cold, gently taking hold of his face in her hands. There’s no resistance to it as Raiden looks up at her but with a blank expression but a certain hardness sits in his eyes.}
Raiden (confused): “What?”
Reina (tapping his chin): “Something’s on your mind.”
Raiden (averting his gaze): “Well…”
Reina: “You can tell me, Raiden. It’s just us two.”
{Raiden sighs at the statement as he brings his focus back around to Reina, who takes the time to seat herself in Bone Cold’s lap, arms shifting around so they were now loosely wrapped around his upper body with hands linked on top of his shoulder.}
Reina: “Come on, what’s got you wound up?”
Raiden: “Things...things I don’t know whether or not they’re in my control. I’m not referring to the Christmas Massacre or the whole Yakuza crap we’ve been on the run from. I just...I don’t know...I feel lost going into this and I don’t know why.”
{He balls up a fist, uncurling it as he brings it within his sight lines.}
Raiden: “Something feels like it isn’t adding up. More-so...it feels like I’m missing...me, in a sense. Almost as if there’s an emotion that’s been hollowed out from within and I’m genuinely afraid of what might happen if I don’t pull everything together. I’m a pro wrestler, my mind is meant to be whole, not fragmented but somehow...I soldier on like a broken man in this desolate landscape.”
Reina: “But you’ve shown you’re good at bearing the hardships. Look at what happened in your fight with Chris: Despite all the fear you managed to come out the victor and for once you actually looked happy. You weren’t...Bone Cold if I’m being truthful.”
Raiden: “Is that what it could be then?”
Reina (puzzled): “Hm?”
Raiden: “I’ve been numbing myself to the feeling of happiness. The dreams, the motivation, the fear...that’s all I’ve been living with inside my head. It’s always been life or death in my eyes but never would I have imagined the similarities and just how parallel they run…”
{He reaches up to his shoulder, placing a hand on top of Reina’s.}
Raiden: “I don’t want to keep killing myself like this, Reina. I’ve been wallowing in pain long enough and I’d kill for freedom so I can actually live a normal life again before the whole fiasco. I can’t take any more losses...I don’t want any more losses. I just want to gain things of value and live up to his words. If I fail now, then it will be for naught in the end.”
{He swallows hard at the thought, his other arm snaking around Reina’s waist and pulling her closer in order to gain a better sense of security and comfort. Unlinking one of her hands, she caresses Raiden’s face, gently stroking his cheek with her thumb.}
Reina: “You’ve done more than enough over the course of the last year, Raiden. Heck, back then most wouldn’t know who you are compared to now where you’ve gained a lot of traction. Some are just born and ready to take everything by the reins and you’ve shown the ability to do that with your career. Don’t dwell on the past anymore, it’ll only make you dread the coming days and what lies beyond.”
{She presses a kiss against his cheek, nuzzling against his shoulder.}
Reina: “You’ve always endured storms like this. I got faith that this one won’t be any different for you.”
Daisuke (off-screen): “Raiden. Need you down here for a minute.”
Raiden (sighing): “Great…”
Reina: “I don’t think it’s anything major.”
Raiden: “Let’s hope. Speaking of major things, you heading back to Koga or have you opted to stay here longer? Either way, it doe--”
{His statement gets cut off by a rather quick yet passionate kiss from Reina, leaving him momentarily stunned as Raiden attempts to process what just occurred.}
Reina (slyly): “That answer your question?”
Raiden (flustered): “Uh...yeah...yeah.”
Daisuke (louder): “Raiden!”
Raiden: “I’ll be down in a minute!”
{He lets out a groan, snaking his other arm under Reina’s legs and in a sudden burst of movement, stands up with her in a bridal carry, a look of surprise donning Reina’s face.}
Reina: “Well this is new.”
Raiden (shrugging): “Just felt like doing it.”
{Reina suppresses a giggle as Raiden steals a kiss from her before setting her down. With another deep breath, he proceeds out of the room, making his way downstairs as a new look of determination sets itself in his eyes.}
{The sound of metal tapping against metal fills the dark screen which quickly illuminates, displaying Raiden spinning a scalpel about in hand, surgical mask on his face as he stares down at a surprisingly real looking hand on the table before him. No blood appears to be anywhere on the table but it still leaves the question of whether it’s a prop or not. The tapping against the table continues the more Raiden just stares at the body part, now bringing the scalpel close to it with some kind of malice in his eyes.}
Raiden: “Let’s just see what’s so great about being a surgeon…”
{He stabs the center of the hand, dragging the blade through the skin. The camera quickly cuts back to Raiden’s masked face as blood begins to spurt. In precise movements, an inquisitive look begins to show on Bone Cold’s face as he inspects the inner workings of the hand, entranced by his findings.}
Raiden: “So that’s what gets contorted in there, huh? Clever….but not good enough.”
{He digs around more with the scalpel, trying to find more answers but instead only receives a spray of blood that covers his neck.}
Raiden: “Interesting...very interesting. So you twist that and if damaged enough, may as well be internal bleeding from there if it pops violently enough. Duly noted.”
{A gurgling emits from offscreen, the bloody scalpel now on display for the camera to capture the now crimson-colored blade. Raiden tilts his head upon examining it, eyes narrowing a bit.}
Raiden: “So this is a surgeon’s work huh? Just moving things around, modifying their shape and adjusting as they see fit? Shameful someone so scummy has to resort to such tactics but then again, I’m out here trying to split people like bananas because I’m just that damn edgy like our dear friend, the Surgeon of Death as some people know him. An interesting moniker to take Nathan and definitely one that carries some weight along with it but last I heard, surgeons were the people who helped those in need, not fuck with others.”
{He drags the back of his index finger along the flat of the scalpel, coating it with blood.}
Raiden: “You know, it’s been a while since I’ve made someone of your type bleed and wallow like the worm that they are. Sure, Card was only a little over a month ago but for me, that’s far too long of a wait to put someone in their place and you’re just itching to get yourself off the list aren’t you, Nate? Oh relax my dear prey, I’m strolling my way through the forest as we speak, following your scent, plotting my ways to subdue. Climhazzard? Bone Cold Seal? Or something more...vicious.”
{Turning the scalpel upside down, he jabs it into one of the fingers. A sickening crunch echoes for a brief moment as Bone Cold just looks on.}
Raiden (beginning to laugh): “Oh the sweet crunch and snap of bone...nothing more satisfying than that. Reminds me of the time I snapped Armageddon’s arm in half. You may have eradicated Fargo’s will to go on after what you did to him Drago but if there’s anything you haven’t picked up on, it’s my pain tolerance. The X*Crown encounters, the toll of the Yakuza, and the battle against Chris Card...I can’t be kept pinned down forever. I may waver, I may stumble, I may even fall face-first into the ground, but I will not yield no matter the cost. Even if it means breaking my back, tearing my shoulder out of its socket, or losing a few fingers, I will go on. Outside of your sob story of a personal life Nathan, not once have I seen you push yourself to the limit in any kind of contest. A certain game was brought in our tag match but I didn’t sense any overdrive protocol, only a man looking to gain the upper hand going into this waste of time.”
{He pulls the scalpel free once more, this time slathering blood across the mask with some cold laughter.}
Raiden: “What really makes you think you have a chance at actually winning this aside from your ability to twist things, Nate? Training since the age of seventeen yet there’s hardly any sign of improvement from what I can tell despite bearing knowledge in three different fighting styles. Why overcomplicate yourself like that? Maybe that’s why you lost the Phoenix Championship because you kept trying one too many combinations that obviously weren’t cutting it. Now you think you actually mean something to me all because of that contract you won at some random ass global show put together by some marks. You really are nothing more than a fly on the wall, and that’s all you ever will be to me so long as you’re still walking of your accord.”
{He pulls the mask down, drawing the scalpel in close only to spread more blood across his cheek this time with the same malic still resting in his eyes.}
Raiden: “I don’t just want a victory this time around...I want warm blood staining my palms. I want to make new gains that no one will have ever expected of me and I will start with you, Drago. I’m tired of being sympathetic and merciful with folks of your kind and it’s clear enough that I just need my inner wolf to come out and take the reins for a change and lead the spirit of the hunt. For blood, and for glory, I will make sure that you are the first victim to fall to the real Bone Cold. Not this bullshit facade I’ve been giving everyone but the kind the folks of AXW would be familiar with…”
{Turning the scalpel a bit, he raises it up to his mouth and presses it against his lips, staining them with the crimson liquid. Pulling it away, he drops it on the table before turning and walking away, heading down an empty corridor that wasn’t there from before.}
Raiden: “Anata no chi wa watashi no mono ni narudeshou…” (Your blood will be mine…)
{With the statement, the lights suddenly dim before becoming bright again only for all of them to turn off at once, followed by the sound of a wolf howling as the recording comes to a halt.}
Location: Kitamoto, Saitama
{Humidity still clung to the summer air in the city of Kitamoto but a recent wave of rainstorms had slowly begun to break the humidity apart, making life a bit more bearable but after each storm passed, the near-asphyxiating air came back to haunt the residents of the city. If the weather was more comfortable, then perhaps Raiden would’ve thought about taking a walk just to help clear his mind but the weather hindered that idea and instead, he was left upstairs topless with only a pair of athletic shorts on in order to keep himself cool. By his bedside, was an open suitcase containing what he had planned for his flight out to Minneapolis for the same event that first put his name on the map in the XHF when he was still a rookie to most of the folk in the company. Now, however, things were in a different light for him as he had grown a lot throughout his bouts for the X*Crown and his venture with AWF...and at least that was how things were looking from a professional standpoint. Outside the ring was different in the sense of situation but also friendships he had from years’ past had now been strengthened along with making some rather valuable allies.}
Reina: “Raiden, you up here?”
Raiden: “Yeah.”
{He couldn’t be asked to move off the bed even he wanted to move, he felt no desire to stand for the time being given his current thought process and also the torturous weather gave him even less motivation to move around. The door to the attic room opens and dressed in a black sports bra and dark purple shorts is Raiden’s girlfriend, Reina, hair tied up in a low ponytail. A groan emits from Bone Cold as he sits up, legs swinging over the side of the bed so he was now seated on the edge.}
Reina: “You got everything in there?”
Raiden (nodding): “For the most part.”
{An inquisitive look crosses Reina’s brow as Raiden glances over the suitcase. Something in his eyes wasn’t matching up to her. Curious, she approaches Bone Cold, gently taking hold of his face in her hands. There’s no resistance to it as Raiden looks up at her but with a blank expression but a certain hardness sits in his eyes.}
Raiden (confused): “What?”
Reina (tapping his chin): “Something’s on your mind.”
Raiden (averting his gaze): “Well…”
Reina: “You can tell me, Raiden. It’s just us two.”
{Raiden sighs at the statement as he brings his focus back around to Reina, who takes the time to seat herself in Bone Cold’s lap, arms shifting around so they were now loosely wrapped around his upper body with hands linked on top of his shoulder.}
Reina: “Come on, what’s got you wound up?”
Raiden: “Things...things I don’t know whether or not they’re in my control. I’m not referring to the Christmas Massacre or the whole Yakuza crap we’ve been on the run from. I just...I don’t know...I feel lost going into this and I don’t know why.”
{He balls up a fist, uncurling it as he brings it within his sight lines.}
Raiden: “Something feels like it isn’t adding up. More-so...it feels like I’m missing...me, in a sense. Almost as if there’s an emotion that’s been hollowed out from within and I’m genuinely afraid of what might happen if I don’t pull everything together. I’m a pro wrestler, my mind is meant to be whole, not fragmented but somehow...I soldier on like a broken man in this desolate landscape.”
Reina: “But you’ve shown you’re good at bearing the hardships. Look at what happened in your fight with Chris: Despite all the fear you managed to come out the victor and for once you actually looked happy. You weren’t...Bone Cold if I’m being truthful.”
Raiden: “Is that what it could be then?”
Reina (puzzled): “Hm?”
Raiden: “I’ve been numbing myself to the feeling of happiness. The dreams, the motivation, the fear...that’s all I’ve been living with inside my head. It’s always been life or death in my eyes but never would I have imagined the similarities and just how parallel they run…”
{He reaches up to his shoulder, placing a hand on top of Reina’s.}
Raiden: “I don’t want to keep killing myself like this, Reina. I’ve been wallowing in pain long enough and I’d kill for freedom so I can actually live a normal life again before the whole fiasco. I can’t take any more losses...I don’t want any more losses. I just want to gain things of value and live up to his words. If I fail now, then it will be for naught in the end.”
{He swallows hard at the thought, his other arm snaking around Reina’s waist and pulling her closer in order to gain a better sense of security and comfort. Unlinking one of her hands, she caresses Raiden’s face, gently stroking his cheek with her thumb.}
Reina: “You’ve done more than enough over the course of the last year, Raiden. Heck, back then most wouldn’t know who you are compared to now where you’ve gained a lot of traction. Some are just born and ready to take everything by the reins and you’ve shown the ability to do that with your career. Don’t dwell on the past anymore, it’ll only make you dread the coming days and what lies beyond.”
{She presses a kiss against his cheek, nuzzling against his shoulder.}
Reina: “You’ve always endured storms like this. I got faith that this one won’t be any different for you.”
Daisuke (off-screen): “Raiden. Need you down here for a minute.”
Raiden (sighing): “Great…”
Reina: “I don’t think it’s anything major.”
Raiden: “Let’s hope. Speaking of major things, you heading back to Koga or have you opted to stay here longer? Either way, it doe--”
{His statement gets cut off by a rather quick yet passionate kiss from Reina, leaving him momentarily stunned as Raiden attempts to process what just occurred.}
Reina (slyly): “That answer your question?”
Raiden (flustered): “Uh...yeah...yeah.”
Daisuke (louder): “Raiden!”
Raiden: “I’ll be down in a minute!”
{He lets out a groan, snaking his other arm under Reina’s legs and in a sudden burst of movement, stands up with her in a bridal carry, a look of surprise donning Reina’s face.}
Reina: “Well this is new.”
Raiden (shrugging): “Just felt like doing it.”
{Reina suppresses a giggle as Raiden steals a kiss from her before setting her down. With another deep breath, he proceeds out of the room, making his way downstairs as a new look of determination sets itself in his eyes.}
{The sound of metal tapping against metal fills the dark screen which quickly illuminates, displaying Raiden spinning a scalpel about in hand, surgical mask on his face as he stares down at a surprisingly real looking hand on the table before him. No blood appears to be anywhere on the table but it still leaves the question of whether it’s a prop or not. The tapping against the table continues the more Raiden just stares at the body part, now bringing the scalpel close to it with some kind of malice in his eyes.}
Raiden: “Let’s just see what’s so great about being a surgeon…”
{He stabs the center of the hand, dragging the blade through the skin. The camera quickly cuts back to Raiden’s masked face as blood begins to spurt. In precise movements, an inquisitive look begins to show on Bone Cold’s face as he inspects the inner workings of the hand, entranced by his findings.}
Raiden: “So that’s what gets contorted in there, huh? Clever….but not good enough.”
{He digs around more with the scalpel, trying to find more answers but instead only receives a spray of blood that covers his neck.}
Raiden: “Interesting...very interesting. So you twist that and if damaged enough, may as well be internal bleeding from there if it pops violently enough. Duly noted.”
{A gurgling emits from offscreen, the bloody scalpel now on display for the camera to capture the now crimson-colored blade. Raiden tilts his head upon examining it, eyes narrowing a bit.}
Raiden: “So this is a surgeon’s work huh? Just moving things around, modifying their shape and adjusting as they see fit? Shameful someone so scummy has to resort to such tactics but then again, I’m out here trying to split people like bananas because I’m just that damn edgy like our dear friend, the Surgeon of Death as some people know him. An interesting moniker to take Nathan and definitely one that carries some weight along with it but last I heard, surgeons were the people who helped those in need, not fuck with others.”
{He drags the back of his index finger along the flat of the scalpel, coating it with blood.}
Raiden: “You know, it’s been a while since I’ve made someone of your type bleed and wallow like the worm that they are. Sure, Card was only a little over a month ago but for me, that’s far too long of a wait to put someone in their place and you’re just itching to get yourself off the list aren’t you, Nate? Oh relax my dear prey, I’m strolling my way through the forest as we speak, following your scent, plotting my ways to subdue. Climhazzard? Bone Cold Seal? Or something more...vicious.”
{Turning the scalpel upside down, he jabs it into one of the fingers. A sickening crunch echoes for a brief moment as Bone Cold just looks on.}
Raiden (beginning to laugh): “Oh the sweet crunch and snap of bone...nothing more satisfying than that. Reminds me of the time I snapped Armageddon’s arm in half. You may have eradicated Fargo’s will to go on after what you did to him Drago but if there’s anything you haven’t picked up on, it’s my pain tolerance. The X*Crown encounters, the toll of the Yakuza, and the battle against Chris Card...I can’t be kept pinned down forever. I may waver, I may stumble, I may even fall face-first into the ground, but I will not yield no matter the cost. Even if it means breaking my back, tearing my shoulder out of its socket, or losing a few fingers, I will go on. Outside of your sob story of a personal life Nathan, not once have I seen you push yourself to the limit in any kind of contest. A certain game was brought in our tag match but I didn’t sense any overdrive protocol, only a man looking to gain the upper hand going into this waste of time.”
{He pulls the scalpel free once more, this time slathering blood across the mask with some cold laughter.}
Raiden: “What really makes you think you have a chance at actually winning this aside from your ability to twist things, Nate? Training since the age of seventeen yet there’s hardly any sign of improvement from what I can tell despite bearing knowledge in three different fighting styles. Why overcomplicate yourself like that? Maybe that’s why you lost the Phoenix Championship because you kept trying one too many combinations that obviously weren’t cutting it. Now you think you actually mean something to me all because of that contract you won at some random ass global show put together by some marks. You really are nothing more than a fly on the wall, and that’s all you ever will be to me so long as you’re still walking of your accord.”
{He pulls the mask down, drawing the scalpel in close only to spread more blood across his cheek this time with the same malic still resting in his eyes.}
Raiden: “I don’t just want a victory this time around...I want warm blood staining my palms. I want to make new gains that no one will have ever expected of me and I will start with you, Drago. I’m tired of being sympathetic and merciful with folks of your kind and it’s clear enough that I just need my inner wolf to come out and take the reins for a change and lead the spirit of the hunt. For blood, and for glory, I will make sure that you are the first victim to fall to the real Bone Cold. Not this bullshit facade I’ve been giving everyone but the kind the folks of AXW would be familiar with…”
{Turning the scalpel a bit, he raises it up to his mouth and presses it against his lips, staining them with the crimson liquid. Pulling it away, he drops it on the table before turning and walking away, heading down an empty corridor that wasn’t there from before.}
Raiden: “Anata no chi wa watashi no mono ni narudeshou…” (Your blood will be mine…)
{With the statement, the lights suddenly dim before becoming bright again only for all of them to turn off at once, followed by the sound of a wolf howling as the recording comes to a halt.}
