Post by Phoenix Roost on Jan 28, 2022 23:09:33 GMT -5
Keahi is snoozing on a lounge chair on Long Beach ahead of her pay-per-view match at Supremacy. She’s soaking up late afternoon sun in a bikini, possibly in defiance of how winter has struck her hometown. But as she rests, away from the promotional drive and endless grind, Keahi is roused from a nap by the sound of approaching footsteps.
Keahi: Hnnngh...?
She opens her eyes blearily to see two people looking down at her, a woman in a big floppy hat and a man in swim trunks and, bafflingly, a white hoodie. He is also carrying a fairly large watermelon.
Woman: Excuse me, Miss Sparks?
Keahi blinks as she stands up, looking from the woman to the man as he speaks up.
Man: I know you are resting, but it would be an honor for you to demonstrate the powerful punch that will earn you the NLW Heavyweight Championship!
Keahi leans back theatrically from the enthusiasm of the man, but the two fans put her at ease and she fires up a beaming smile.
Keahi: Of course....but only if you’re okay not having anything to carry back.
She winks, which prompts a demure giggle from the woman.. Keahi takes the melon, and a towel the man had tucked under his arm, placing it on the beach to protect the sand from the watermelon.
Keahi: Now, before I do this...you’re sure you want a punch and not a crush?
The woman with the floppy hat giggles.
Woman: There’s plenty of videos if I want to see that.
Man: Such a feat is simple for you. The punch is much more profound!
Keahi chuckles.
Keahi: Alright...
Keahi stretches her neck and takes a stance before the watermelon. The fans stand nearby, watching Keahi closely. She takes a moment to soak in the warmth of the setting sun before getting to business.
Keahi: Stand back...
Keahi smirks as they step back as bidden, giving her room to stand over the melon. Her eyes light up as she launches her hand down into the top of the watermelon. The sand compresses slightly, but she sticks the followthrough and sinks her hand into the fruit, and the melon explodes, splitting into several pieces as chunks fly out. Keahi looks up at her fans, who are beaming. She smirks back.
Keahi: Of course, Ric and Nate are going to be moving targets....but this is what they’re trying to avoid.
The two clap enthusiastically.
Keahi: Now come get some of this so it doesn’t go to waste.
Soon, the three are seated around the pulverized melon, grabbing clumps out of it as desired.
Woman: You must be confident you’ll win your match this Sunday, Miss Sparks, if you’re relaxing out here instead of preparing.
Man: As she should be. She is the most elegant athlete in a match against brutes!
Keahi chuckles.
Keahi: Couldn’t’ve said it much better myself. But if I had to try, I’d bring up the fact that Ricardo Goon seems like he has to have an entire Call to Arms team at his back in order to do anything anymore. It makes me sad, because he proved he can hang with the best of the best in the G1 where he earned his title opportunity, but he immediately became a chickenshit after winning it. Seemed all too eager when I watched the replay of our match to let Cage do the hard work for him, on top of all the help he gets from his brother. I get that family is important, but you gotta stand on your own feet, Ric. And we know you can because you showed us. So show me. Or get your fucking investors or whoever involved again, if that’s the way you want to play it. I’m not the one losing face if it takes seven people to beat me.
The woman in the big hat frowns, putting aside a handful of fruit to lean toward Keahi, concern coloring her face.
Woman: Doesn’t it pain you, agreeing with Nathan Cage?
Keahi responds with a dry chuckle.
Keahi: Stopped clocks are right twice a day, and Cage is not wrong when he calls out the Goon Squad on their cowardice. But just because he’s right about that doesn’t mean he’s absolved of all guilt. If he wants to take a chair to me or Goon, that’s one thing. If he wants to abuse security guards, that’s pretty shitty, but they knew what they were signing up for. But he doesn’t stick to just people whose job it is to be in danger, he lets his rage drive him to abuse people like Marty Watts, and bystanding cameramen, and radio DJs. It’s the sort of thing you’d expect a strong leader to stamp out when he says “There’s going to be changes.” So of course nothing has been done....but I’ve already said my piece on that. All that’s left is to show Cage how his reign of terror ends.
Keahi’s eyes darken as she looks at the pile of watermelon shards sitting near her feet.
Keahi: And if I have my way, it’ll end like this.
Keahi stares at the watermelon for what feels like hours but is actually a few silent seconds, during which the pair of fans share a glance, before standing up.
Keahi: Sorry. I need to step back. That side of me should stay in the ring. This energy is for Nathan Cage, not dear friends.
She starts walking back toward her lounge chair. Partway there, she turns back, weak smile on her lips.
Keahi: You guys can stay and finish up. Was lovely meeting you.
The swimwear-clad pair of fans retreat from the beach and the slumbering Keahi, bits of pulped watermelon sticking to their clothes. They walk past Sapphire leaning against a tree.
Sapphire: Was it how you imagined?
Woman: It’s strange, but satisfying still. It’s not quite as spectacular as I’d dreamt it, but very impressive for real life...
Man: Nonsense, Naru. The way she pursued the melon as it tried to escape her wrath was admirable!
Naru: Do you have to be so dramatic, Ryosuke?
Ryosuke: It is my nature!
Sapphire just chuckles and shakes her head as she stands up straight.
Sapphire: Alright, get going you two....give Katsuro my regards.
The pair bow, slightly, and in that moment it becomes clear, despite the orange sunset glow, that they are of Japanese descent. Sapphire doesn’t reciprocate, but that seems expected, and the pair leave as Sapphire approaches the snoozing Keahi. She gets right up to her and kicks her lounge.
Sapphire: Oi, Sleeping Beauty.
The shock startles Keahi, who sits bolt upright, flailing a bit and raising her fists, one of which glistens, before realizing it’s her trainer, at which point she relaxes.
Keahi: Nngh...what are you doing here?
Sapphire: Making sure you don’t drown. Come on, let’s get back. Gotta sleep properly if you’re gonna’ turn Cage’s head into an art project.
Keahi: Oh, you saw? It was weird...I’ve never seen them before, but it’s like I’ve known them forever...
Keahi furrows her brow as she tries to concentrate. Sapphire puts a hand on her shoulder to guide her.
Keahi: And I feel like I did the melon punch thing before...
Sapphire: Wasting fruit doesn’t seem like you. Maybe you dreamt it.
Keahi’s expression stays on intense focus, as though trying to remember a dream, as the pair walk back to the hotel.
Keahi: Hnnngh...?
She opens her eyes blearily to see two people looking down at her, a woman in a big floppy hat and a man in swim trunks and, bafflingly, a white hoodie. He is also carrying a fairly large watermelon.
Woman: Excuse me, Miss Sparks?
Keahi blinks as she stands up, looking from the woman to the man as he speaks up.
Man: I know you are resting, but it would be an honor for you to demonstrate the powerful punch that will earn you the NLW Heavyweight Championship!
Keahi leans back theatrically from the enthusiasm of the man, but the two fans put her at ease and she fires up a beaming smile.
Keahi: Of course....but only if you’re okay not having anything to carry back.
She winks, which prompts a demure giggle from the woman.. Keahi takes the melon, and a towel the man had tucked under his arm, placing it on the beach to protect the sand from the watermelon.
Keahi: Now, before I do this...you’re sure you want a punch and not a crush?
The woman with the floppy hat giggles.
Woman: There’s plenty of videos if I want to see that.
Man: Such a feat is simple for you. The punch is much more profound!
Keahi chuckles.
Keahi: Alright...
Keahi stretches her neck and takes a stance before the watermelon. The fans stand nearby, watching Keahi closely. She takes a moment to soak in the warmth of the setting sun before getting to business.
Keahi: Stand back...
Keahi smirks as they step back as bidden, giving her room to stand over the melon. Her eyes light up as she launches her hand down into the top of the watermelon. The sand compresses slightly, but she sticks the followthrough and sinks her hand into the fruit, and the melon explodes, splitting into several pieces as chunks fly out. Keahi looks up at her fans, who are beaming. She smirks back.
Keahi: Of course, Ric and Nate are going to be moving targets....but this is what they’re trying to avoid.
The two clap enthusiastically.
Keahi: Now come get some of this so it doesn’t go to waste.
Soon, the three are seated around the pulverized melon, grabbing clumps out of it as desired.
Woman: You must be confident you’ll win your match this Sunday, Miss Sparks, if you’re relaxing out here instead of preparing.
Man: As she should be. She is the most elegant athlete in a match against brutes!
Keahi chuckles.
Keahi: Couldn’t’ve said it much better myself. But if I had to try, I’d bring up the fact that Ricardo Goon seems like he has to have an entire Call to Arms team at his back in order to do anything anymore. It makes me sad, because he proved he can hang with the best of the best in the G1 where he earned his title opportunity, but he immediately became a chickenshit after winning it. Seemed all too eager when I watched the replay of our match to let Cage do the hard work for him, on top of all the help he gets from his brother. I get that family is important, but you gotta stand on your own feet, Ric. And we know you can because you showed us. So show me. Or get your fucking investors or whoever involved again, if that’s the way you want to play it. I’m not the one losing face if it takes seven people to beat me.
The woman in the big hat frowns, putting aside a handful of fruit to lean toward Keahi, concern coloring her face.
Woman: Doesn’t it pain you, agreeing with Nathan Cage?
Keahi responds with a dry chuckle.
Keahi: Stopped clocks are right twice a day, and Cage is not wrong when he calls out the Goon Squad on their cowardice. But just because he’s right about that doesn’t mean he’s absolved of all guilt. If he wants to take a chair to me or Goon, that’s one thing. If he wants to abuse security guards, that’s pretty shitty, but they knew what they were signing up for. But he doesn’t stick to just people whose job it is to be in danger, he lets his rage drive him to abuse people like Marty Watts, and bystanding cameramen, and radio DJs. It’s the sort of thing you’d expect a strong leader to stamp out when he says “There’s going to be changes.” So of course nothing has been done....but I’ve already said my piece on that. All that’s left is to show Cage how his reign of terror ends.
Keahi’s eyes darken as she looks at the pile of watermelon shards sitting near her feet.
Keahi: And if I have my way, it’ll end like this.
Keahi stares at the watermelon for what feels like hours but is actually a few silent seconds, during which the pair of fans share a glance, before standing up.
Keahi: Sorry. I need to step back. That side of me should stay in the ring. This energy is for Nathan Cage, not dear friends.
She starts walking back toward her lounge chair. Partway there, she turns back, weak smile on her lips.
Keahi: You guys can stay and finish up. Was lovely meeting you.
The swimwear-clad pair of fans retreat from the beach and the slumbering Keahi, bits of pulped watermelon sticking to their clothes. They walk past Sapphire leaning against a tree.
Sapphire: Was it how you imagined?
Woman: It’s strange, but satisfying still. It’s not quite as spectacular as I’d dreamt it, but very impressive for real life...
Man: Nonsense, Naru. The way she pursued the melon as it tried to escape her wrath was admirable!
Naru: Do you have to be so dramatic, Ryosuke?
Ryosuke: It is my nature!
Sapphire just chuckles and shakes her head as she stands up straight.
Sapphire: Alright, get going you two....give Katsuro my regards.
The pair bow, slightly, and in that moment it becomes clear, despite the orange sunset glow, that they are of Japanese descent. Sapphire doesn’t reciprocate, but that seems expected, and the pair leave as Sapphire approaches the snoozing Keahi. She gets right up to her and kicks her lounge.
Sapphire: Oi, Sleeping Beauty.
The shock startles Keahi, who sits bolt upright, flailing a bit and raising her fists, one of which glistens, before realizing it’s her trainer, at which point she relaxes.
Keahi: Nngh...what are you doing here?
Sapphire: Making sure you don’t drown. Come on, let’s get back. Gotta sleep properly if you’re gonna’ turn Cage’s head into an art project.
Keahi: Oh, you saw? It was weird...I’ve never seen them before, but it’s like I’ve known them forever...
Keahi furrows her brow as she tries to concentrate. Sapphire puts a hand on her shoulder to guide her.
Keahi: And I feel like I did the melon punch thing before...
Sapphire: Wasting fruit doesn’t seem like you. Maybe you dreamt it.
Keahi’s expression stays on intense focus, as though trying to remember a dream, as the pair walk back to the hotel.