Post by Shawn Warstein on Jan 25, 2021 11:04:18 GMT -6
“Come on Noah…. Quit messing around."
That’s how most of my evenings started, but ever since Noah moved out it’s become more and more of a rare occurrence. He himself had felt the need for something more, and who could blame him? I wouldn’t want to be known as the guy who still lived with their parents. The thing about Noah and I that most people don’t understand is all of the shenanigans we have gotten into over the past year and some change. Little did either of us know that we were about to embark on our greatest adventure yet.
“Yeah cunt, I’m coming." Noah said in a hurried tone. “It’s not like anyone died or is missing."
“I know, but we’ve got to get everything all packed up before we head to Denver for the show."
The room we were in wasn’t anything special. Two lounge chairs nestled on either side of a fireplace. What you can assume is a replica of a human skull sitting atop some old mail and a thick layer of dust covering most of the books on the shelves. The sound of clacking heels on hardwood echoes through the hall.
“Right on time." No sooner than the words escape my mouth a knock is heard on the door.
“Oi, come on in. We are decent." Noah said with a thumbs up.
Dressed as if she was about to walk down the runway in Pairs stands Atara Themis. Her long mocha colored hair falls down covering her clavicle. She takes one look around the room and shakes her head.
“James called."
“So."
“Next time don’t leave your phone downstairs unattended.."
“Well did you answer it?" In a huff she shakes her head no and tosses my phone towards me. It lands in my chest with a hollow thud. “Thanks Dear."
I open the phone and scroll through my messages until I reach the one from James, pressing play on the voicemail we can all automatically hear in his tone that something isn’t right.
“Shawn. I need you to do something for me. Like.. major. I need you to put on your detective hat and get to Buffalo ASAP… We might have a situation."
Noah and I look at each other. We are both smiling widely as Atara keeps looking between the two of us with a look of confusion. Noah and I begin to bounce up and down, our excitement can’t be contained.
“What are you two so happy about? Did you switch genres again? You guys really need to tell everyone when you’re doing that." Atara questions before stopping herself. “Doesn’t matter. I’m not going to Buffalo."
“Come on Atty…."
“Yeah Step-Mum…" I elbow Noah in the ribs. “Yeah cunt." Noah gives me a look of anger for correcting him.
“No. I’m not going up there for any reason."
“Raven will be there."
“Okay…. I guess I’ll pack a bag." It didn’t take long for us to get her to agree.
“Oh yeah mention he’s going to be there…"
“Shut up you ass. I’m the one in your bed…." Noah plugs his ears and begins humming loudly. “What’s he doing?"
“He doesn’t like it when we argue." Atara reaches over to Noah and yanks his hands away from his ears.
“We aren’t fighting…. Right Shawn?" Atara quickly turns her attention towards me.
“Yeah man… not an argument. Atty love, could you do us a favor?" With a condescending smile I turned to look at her.
“Ugh...what?" She rolled her neck and once again sighed.
“Could you get our flights changed to Buffalo instead of Denver?"
“Fine." She relented and held out a hand. “Give me your credit card."
I reach into my wallet and hand her the card as she saunters off. I turn towards Noah who is now rummaging through an old trunk. Tossing pieces of clothing left and right. Until he pops up wearing a deerstalker hat.
“Right, old chap…. off to the mediocre city of Buffalo…" He also produces a corncob pipe and begins to pantomime smoking it. I give him a quick head shake and snatch both of them away from him.
“Noah, you need to quit playing around. This is serious. Raven needs us."
Noah pouts for a second before snatching up his bag and heading out of the room. I stand there, holding the hat and pipe in my hands. With a quick shrug™, I jam them in my bag.
“The Game’s Afoot…" I quietly said to myself as I picked up my bag and headed out the door.
Aboard the Plane soon departing for Buffalo.
Noah leads the way, as Atara and I follow behind him clasping each other’s hand. Atara pulls her hand away and takes a seat in first class. When I give her a confused look.
“Uhh, dear…" She just gave me a smile and pulled me down giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“If I’m going to Buffalo, I’m flying first class."
“Yeah I get that…. what about us?" I said as I pointed towards Noah who was jamming his bag in the overhead compartment.
“There was only one seat left…."
“Well give this one to Noah, and you can be by me."
“Sorry Dove… You want me to go to Buffalo, this is what it’s going to take."
“Fine. Enjoy your flight."
“Oh I will." She gave me the smile she knows that I can’t resist.
I walk back and plop down in my seat next to Noah. Before long the flight was in the air. I couldn’t fall asleep but that didn’t seem to be a problem for anyone else, as it seems they were all out cold.
“Curious….they all must be watching a Zybala promo." I chuckled to myself and pulled out my phone and turned on the front facing camera. “Well might as well promo while I wait." With a quick smile I press record on my phone.
“What could James want with the two of us in Buffalo?"
“I know he and the Mafia are sorely disappointed in the Bills, and he’s sulking, but Noah and I clearly aren’t the people to bring him out of this funk. It’s not like the wings are anything special either. The whole town reeks of disappointment…."
“Zybala."
“You’ve been a thorn in my side for far too long. All the way back when Legacy first came into play. You couldn’t help but feel slighted. All the attention was on us, and not your dumpster fire of a lover’s quarrel with Duce. You couldn’t fathom to believe that people would care more about us than the two of you."
“Spoilers, no one cares about you."
“Then you somehow managed a way to leverage yourself into a title match against me. Using your business relationship with Deana. How did that work out? Right. Once again you were beaten and made to look the fool. Yet you didn’t realize what you had done. You started to open Legacy’s eyes on the true nature of Deana. With one simple request you had your shot, and all you had to do was what? Do something you’re so very good at…."
“Laying down."
“And with that you were off to the races. Hell bent on making my life a living hell. What exactly did that prove? It hasn’t mattered who they put in front of me. From Graves, to PerZag, to Vargas, to anyone not named Outcast in the Warriors of the Ring, my second match of the night mind you. They all felt the same thing."
“Defeat."
“If that’s what you’re looking for then by all means step right up and accept your defeat. Better men than you have attempted to take me down, and I’m still standing. I see you salivating at the thought of being the one to take this title from me. Hell I’ve barely defended the fucking thing. Do you want to know why?"
“Because there isn’t anyone worthy. Go ahead, take a moment and think about it for a second, better yet check the website. If you think for one second that you are on my level, look who else you’re competing with for this spot that you begged for. This spot that you have so coveted."
“Go ahead…. I’ll wait."
“Figure it out yet? No? Well allow me to spell it out for you. As I have stated since the day I walked in these doors… Other than Legacy… this place is garbage. You’ve got a convict running around with the World Title. An asshole who is about to get slapped by AQ with the TV title. Outcast, a fucking guy who doesn’t know which way is up and is about to find out the hard way what happens when you fuck with Legacy. And the Tag Team titles are being passed around like the clap in a frat house since Legacy lost them."
“Mikey, here’s what I need you to fully understand, and I know that like the egomaniac I am, I say it a lot but..."
“You are not on my level. You are not in my league. Fuck man you’re not even playing the same console. I’m over here on a fully tricked out PC and you’re still wondering why you’re getting headaches from a Virtual Boy."
“We are not the same."
“I do however have to give you some credit after all. You made it here. To this point. At this exact moment. You haven’t backed down one iota. That needs to be given some credence. While I have slain others to have this bravado, none of them have done so with so little to boast upon."
“Most of them are greats, legendary even. Neither of those words could be used to describe you. You are simply just some asshole who doesn’t know when to quit. Some peon, who doesn’t realize that they were played like a fiddle. Why else would I even agree to this? This wasn’t your doing. It was mine. At any moment I could’ve just said No. Yet I didn’t. Do you know why I didn’t Mike? Do you know the real reason why this is happening right now?"
“You are not a threat to me or Legacy. You are nothing. You will always be nothing, and you’ll never amount to anything more than slight hindrance. A mere bump in the road that my all wheel drive can handle without missing a beat. I can’t wait to just straight up beat you in a Buffalo Tables Match…"
“Congrats. You played the game, but ended up playing yourself."
I stop the recording, place my phone back into my pocket and attempt to fall asleep for the rest of the flight to Buffalo.
Meanwhile In Buffalo at a random home.
James Raven and Jackson Hart are standing there talking to an older woman. She seems distraught as tears are rolling down her cheeks. The two men nod their heads as they thank her for her time and walk back to their car.
“So you know we aren’t going to be able to find this kid right?" Jackson said to Raven without skipping a beat.
“We have to try." Raven responded while turning the key in the ignition. “That’s why I called them in. It’s why I had Atty deliver the message even. He can’t resist a good old fashioned mystery."
“Man… why’d you do that. He’s gonna make us call him Sensei." Jackson turns to look out the window in disgust. “He’s a cool guy and all, but a bit pushy with the nicknames."
“Well he’s basically a bloodhound for people like this. He can spot and track them with just a simple glimpse into their homes. Why else do you think I’ve got the key to this guy’s apartment?" Raven puts the car into gear and pulls out into traffic.
“I’m not calling him Sensei…"
“I wouldn’t expect you to do so outside of the Dojo." James jokes. “But I’m pretty sure he’s going by a different name when he gets here."
“Oh yeah what’s that?"
James pauses for a moment but doesn’t say anything. Clearly frustrated Jackson prods once again.
“Well…. what does he want to be called?"
“Ummm…. you see the problem with that is…. Well I guess it’s not a real problem, it is in the public domain."
“No."
“Yeah."
“Seriously? We are going to have to call him…"
“Sherlock Warstein for the next few days… Yeah."
Fade To Black.
That’s how most of my evenings started, but ever since Noah moved out it’s become more and more of a rare occurrence. He himself had felt the need for something more, and who could blame him? I wouldn’t want to be known as the guy who still lived with their parents. The thing about Noah and I that most people don’t understand is all of the shenanigans we have gotten into over the past year and some change. Little did either of us know that we were about to embark on our greatest adventure yet.
“Yeah cunt, I’m coming." Noah said in a hurried tone. “It’s not like anyone died or is missing."
“I know, but we’ve got to get everything all packed up before we head to Denver for the show."
The room we were in wasn’t anything special. Two lounge chairs nestled on either side of a fireplace. What you can assume is a replica of a human skull sitting atop some old mail and a thick layer of dust covering most of the books on the shelves. The sound of clacking heels on hardwood echoes through the hall.
“Right on time." No sooner than the words escape my mouth a knock is heard on the door.
“Oi, come on in. We are decent." Noah said with a thumbs up.
Dressed as if she was about to walk down the runway in Pairs stands Atara Themis. Her long mocha colored hair falls down covering her clavicle. She takes one look around the room and shakes her head.
“James called."
“So."
“Next time don’t leave your phone downstairs unattended.."
“Well did you answer it?" In a huff she shakes her head no and tosses my phone towards me. It lands in my chest with a hollow thud. “Thanks Dear."
I open the phone and scroll through my messages until I reach the one from James, pressing play on the voicemail we can all automatically hear in his tone that something isn’t right.
“Shawn. I need you to do something for me. Like.. major. I need you to put on your detective hat and get to Buffalo ASAP… We might have a situation."
Noah and I look at each other. We are both smiling widely as Atara keeps looking between the two of us with a look of confusion. Noah and I begin to bounce up and down, our excitement can’t be contained.
“What are you two so happy about? Did you switch genres again? You guys really need to tell everyone when you’re doing that." Atara questions before stopping herself. “Doesn’t matter. I’m not going to Buffalo."
“Come on Atty…."
“Yeah Step-Mum…" I elbow Noah in the ribs. “Yeah cunt." Noah gives me a look of anger for correcting him.
“No. I’m not going up there for any reason."
“Raven will be there."
“Okay…. I guess I’ll pack a bag." It didn’t take long for us to get her to agree.
“Oh yeah mention he’s going to be there…"
“Shut up you ass. I’m the one in your bed…." Noah plugs his ears and begins humming loudly. “What’s he doing?"
“He doesn’t like it when we argue." Atara reaches over to Noah and yanks his hands away from his ears.
“We aren’t fighting…. Right Shawn?" Atara quickly turns her attention towards me.
“Yeah man… not an argument. Atty love, could you do us a favor?" With a condescending smile I turned to look at her.
“Ugh...what?" She rolled her neck and once again sighed.
“Could you get our flights changed to Buffalo instead of Denver?"
“Fine." She relented and held out a hand. “Give me your credit card."
I reach into my wallet and hand her the card as she saunters off. I turn towards Noah who is now rummaging through an old trunk. Tossing pieces of clothing left and right. Until he pops up wearing a deerstalker hat.
“Right, old chap…. off to the mediocre city of Buffalo…" He also produces a corncob pipe and begins to pantomime smoking it. I give him a quick head shake and snatch both of them away from him.
“Noah, you need to quit playing around. This is serious. Raven needs us."
Noah pouts for a second before snatching up his bag and heading out of the room. I stand there, holding the hat and pipe in my hands. With a quick shrug™, I jam them in my bag.
“The Game’s Afoot…" I quietly said to myself as I picked up my bag and headed out the door.
Aboard the Plane soon departing for Buffalo.
Noah leads the way, as Atara and I follow behind him clasping each other’s hand. Atara pulls her hand away and takes a seat in first class. When I give her a confused look.
“Uhh, dear…" She just gave me a smile and pulled me down giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“If I’m going to Buffalo, I’m flying first class."
“Yeah I get that…. what about us?" I said as I pointed towards Noah who was jamming his bag in the overhead compartment.
“There was only one seat left…."
“Well give this one to Noah, and you can be by me."
“Sorry Dove… You want me to go to Buffalo, this is what it’s going to take."
“Fine. Enjoy your flight."
“Oh I will." She gave me the smile she knows that I can’t resist.
I walk back and plop down in my seat next to Noah. Before long the flight was in the air. I couldn’t fall asleep but that didn’t seem to be a problem for anyone else, as it seems they were all out cold.
“Curious….they all must be watching a Zybala promo." I chuckled to myself and pulled out my phone and turned on the front facing camera. “Well might as well promo while I wait." With a quick smile I press record on my phone.
“What could James want with the two of us in Buffalo?"
“I know he and the Mafia are sorely disappointed in the Bills, and he’s sulking, but Noah and I clearly aren’t the people to bring him out of this funk. It’s not like the wings are anything special either. The whole town reeks of disappointment…."
“Zybala."
“You’ve been a thorn in my side for far too long. All the way back when Legacy first came into play. You couldn’t help but feel slighted. All the attention was on us, and not your dumpster fire of a lover’s quarrel with Duce. You couldn’t fathom to believe that people would care more about us than the two of you."
“Spoilers, no one cares about you."
“Then you somehow managed a way to leverage yourself into a title match against me. Using your business relationship with Deana. How did that work out? Right. Once again you were beaten and made to look the fool. Yet you didn’t realize what you had done. You started to open Legacy’s eyes on the true nature of Deana. With one simple request you had your shot, and all you had to do was what? Do something you’re so very good at…."
“Laying down."
“And with that you were off to the races. Hell bent on making my life a living hell. What exactly did that prove? It hasn’t mattered who they put in front of me. From Graves, to PerZag, to Vargas, to anyone not named Outcast in the Warriors of the Ring, my second match of the night mind you. They all felt the same thing."
“Defeat."
“If that’s what you’re looking for then by all means step right up and accept your defeat. Better men than you have attempted to take me down, and I’m still standing. I see you salivating at the thought of being the one to take this title from me. Hell I’ve barely defended the fucking thing. Do you want to know why?"
“Because there isn’t anyone worthy. Go ahead, take a moment and think about it for a second, better yet check the website. If you think for one second that you are on my level, look who else you’re competing with for this spot that you begged for. This spot that you have so coveted."
“Go ahead…. I’ll wait."
“Figure it out yet? No? Well allow me to spell it out for you. As I have stated since the day I walked in these doors… Other than Legacy… this place is garbage. You’ve got a convict running around with the World Title. An asshole who is about to get slapped by AQ with the TV title. Outcast, a fucking guy who doesn’t know which way is up and is about to find out the hard way what happens when you fuck with Legacy. And the Tag Team titles are being passed around like the clap in a frat house since Legacy lost them."
“Mikey, here’s what I need you to fully understand, and I know that like the egomaniac I am, I say it a lot but..."
“You are not on my level. You are not in my league. Fuck man you’re not even playing the same console. I’m over here on a fully tricked out PC and you’re still wondering why you’re getting headaches from a Virtual Boy."
“We are not the same."
“I do however have to give you some credit after all. You made it here. To this point. At this exact moment. You haven’t backed down one iota. That needs to be given some credence. While I have slain others to have this bravado, none of them have done so with so little to boast upon."
“Most of them are greats, legendary even. Neither of those words could be used to describe you. You are simply just some asshole who doesn’t know when to quit. Some peon, who doesn’t realize that they were played like a fiddle. Why else would I even agree to this? This wasn’t your doing. It was mine. At any moment I could’ve just said No. Yet I didn’t. Do you know why I didn’t Mike? Do you know the real reason why this is happening right now?"
“You are not a threat to me or Legacy. You are nothing. You will always be nothing, and you’ll never amount to anything more than slight hindrance. A mere bump in the road that my all wheel drive can handle without missing a beat. I can’t wait to just straight up beat you in a Buffalo Tables Match…"
“Congrats. You played the game, but ended up playing yourself."
I stop the recording, place my phone back into my pocket and attempt to fall asleep for the rest of the flight to Buffalo.
Meanwhile In Buffalo at a random home.
James Raven and Jackson Hart are standing there talking to an older woman. She seems distraught as tears are rolling down her cheeks. The two men nod their heads as they thank her for her time and walk back to their car.
“So you know we aren’t going to be able to find this kid right?" Jackson said to Raven without skipping a beat.
“We have to try." Raven responded while turning the key in the ignition. “That’s why I called them in. It’s why I had Atty deliver the message even. He can’t resist a good old fashioned mystery."
“Man… why’d you do that. He’s gonna make us call him Sensei." Jackson turns to look out the window in disgust. “He’s a cool guy and all, but a bit pushy with the nicknames."
“Well he’s basically a bloodhound for people like this. He can spot and track them with just a simple glimpse into their homes. Why else do you think I’ve got the key to this guy’s apartment?" Raven puts the car into gear and pulls out into traffic.
“I’m not calling him Sensei…"
“I wouldn’t expect you to do so outside of the Dojo." James jokes. “But I’m pretty sure he’s going by a different name when he gets here."
“Oh yeah what’s that?"
James pauses for a moment but doesn’t say anything. Clearly frustrated Jackson prods once again.
“Well…. what does he want to be called?"
“Ummm…. you see the problem with that is…. Well I guess it’s not a real problem, it is in the public domain."
“No."
“Yeah."
“Seriously? We are going to have to call him…"
“Sherlock Warstein for the next few days… Yeah."
Fade To Black.
