Post by heavenstobetsy on Feb 18, 2021 21:53:01 GMT -6
2/18/21
Emerald eyes are the only thing that can be seen through the light of the phone’s camera; they shine brightly as they stare into the camera.
“You saw it right, kiddos: Betsy Granger is still in the hunt.”
And I could almost hear all my haters crying into their keyboards:
‘What the fuck, she lost to Mack O’Connor at Adrenaline Rush. Why does she get another shot?’
The answer is simple, children: Betsy Granger = Ratings = Money.
Did you really think I was going to allow what happened at Adrenaline Rush to rain on my parade for long?
I will admit that I was shocked when Deana was as accepting of our bargain as she was. I still trust her about as far as I can throw her; Even if we caught her off-guard with our request, she’ll recover quickly. Deana may not have directly cost me the world title, but her interference didn’t help. She knew what she was doing then, just as she does now. But I digress; I thank and appreciate you for allowing me this chance. I’d be entirely too ungrateful and arrogant if I didn’t admit that it was well within your power to say no. I’m sure you have something brewing in case I happen to make it past the mountains that stand before me. But perhaps you allowed me this opportunity because of what’s ahead. It’s clever, I like it. It’s going to backfire, but I can appreciate the thought behind it.
On that note, let’s get down to the real business at hand: My opponents.
I actually had to laugh at just what I was dealing with here: Three veterans of the industry that just don’t know when to say die.
First, we have ourselves a guy who has been a thorn in Legacy’s side for a while that suffers from breath-taking daddy issues. Then we’ve got the grizzled old man who should be looking into an AARP membership instead of a world championship. Then we have the man who just can’t stop, won’t stop. My stablemate and brother.
Listen well, Xavier Lux: I know the problems you’ve caused for my boys in the past and I don’t take too kindly to them. I may have been late to the party; but the moment I became part of the Legacy, I inherited any problems that they’ve suffered. I’m not a fan of someone messing with my family, Lux. I would rip apart the very fabric of the universe to protect them; what makes anyone think I’d hesitate to do the same to someone who tried to threaten them? Your previous transgressions against the Legacy and this match have put you in a very dangerous place: My radar.
Naturally, you were always there, but merely as a blip. You and your partner were responsible for liberating the tag team titles from James and Jackson; that alone tells me that you get lucky every now and then. I’ll grant you this; you are an absolute powerhouse and when you smell blood in the water… Well, I plan not to be underfoot when that moment comes. Taking you down won’t be easy; I find myself in a comparable David and Goliath situation. You offer me a challenge in which the best strategy is one I implement the most: Slow and steady. Everyone has a weak spot, even giants like you. I won’t make the same mistakes that I’m sure many of your opponents have. Your strength is your greatest asset; my big brains are mine. Make no mistake about it, Lux:
Outcast, on the other hand, is more or less every other opponent I’ve had. I’ve met veterans pushing their golden years that want to come back for one last shot at glory. I’ve looked them in the eye as I shook their hands and paid them proper respect… And there were times when I defeated them at their own game. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get to the top of the mountain one last time. I haven’t made it there myself yet, but having climbed actual mountains, I can see why the analogy is made. There’s like the journey upwards, the heart-racing, perilous climb; oh, but reaching the top, feeling the wind in your hair and looking out to see the endless bounty before you. The entire world at your fingertips; all you have to do is reach out and grab it. Perhaps you missed that shot before; is that what brings you back with such determination? Or perhaps you can feel that twilight is upon you and this is your desperate bid to outrun the night?
Whatever your reasons, the result will always remain the same: Darkness will fall.
This is your last chance to be the king of the mountain; Which makes it even more unfortunate that you find yourself in the position you are. Whilst dusk chases you like a shadow, my sky continues to brighten like a sweet promise. The universe was cruel when she decided to put the waning veteran against the shooting star. The phoenix. The very future of this industry. You’ve had a decent run as of late, nobody can take that away from you. What you’ve accomplished leading to now will follow your legacy forever. But it stops here. I won’t be the cocky kid who tells you to pack it up due to your age; if anything, your advanced experience makes you a dangerous player in whatever matches you compete in. I took on one of the arguable best in the business and defeated him within the ten minutes I had to do so. Experience doesn’t give me pause; determination and how far a man is willing to go to taste glory one last time does.
The two of you don’t even realize the trouble you have coming to you from all sides. Shawn and I fight as one; as long as Legacy leaves the match with the win, both of us walk out the victors. That being said, please don’t believe I’m going to be pulling back any punches against him.”
For the first time in the video, the camera pans out as a candle is lit. It flickers playfully, casting the lower half of her face into the light. Now her moving lips are the most visible thing on the screen. They tug into an involuntary grin as she continues on.
“What can I say that you wouldn’t expect? What can I do that you couldn’t calculate? People don’t understand that our affinity towards one another started long before our professional alliance. So here’s a little history lesson for the ignorant: When I was a mere college grad and wrestling stan, I pursued and incidentally won the heart of James Raven. That relationship introduced me to his friends, most of which are, of course, in the industry. Top of which happened to be Shawn Warstein. It didn’t take long to recognize that we had a natural kinship towards one another. What you see when we interact, that’s not for cameras or show. Shawn and I share the quintessential brother and sister relationship and have done since day one. We may squabble incessantly, but we’ll never fail to have each other’s back, no matter what. We may bicker and drive each other up a wall, but we always come together at the end of the day. That’s just what family does.
That’s why I know that when I say that I’m still going to wreck his shit for a shot at the title, he knows I do so with all the love I have for him.
Everywhere you’ve gone, you’ve made it a point to let that company know that you’re top of the class. You could retire tomorrow and the world would remember you forever as one of the very best. But that’s not enough for you; I know it’s true because you and I are cut from the same cloth. Being one of the very best is acceptable, but becoming THE best? That’s what we’re all here for, and I can’t think of anyone who has exuded that energy more than you, Shawn. Very few have been around as long as you and are still considered in their prime. You’ve been at this for double-digit years and haven’t lost a step in all of that time.
You come to this match as my best ally and greatest challenge. Loyalty beckons me to do what’s best for the Legacy; ambition wants what you’ve already had. And I do intend to have it.”
Blowing out the candle, everything turns to black. There’s a brief blip as the camera is shut off.
-----------
She and Atara step outside of Excellences’ doors, laughing at some joke only the two of them are privy to. Dressed in traditional ancient Roman togas, they continue to chatter as they walk the cobble-stone road towards Rome.
“Trust me, you won’t find a more wild time than the saunas in the city square,” Betsy promises Atara as they enter into the city through a massive stone pylon.
Aegean blue eyes survey everything in awe, though her perfect face remains neutral. “We’re really here, then... “
The Impossible Traveler nods with a grin. “Ancient Rome, baby. 59 BC, to be exact. The first Triumvirate reigns supreme despite the disdain from the rest of the senate. Julius Caesar is serving his time as Consul of Rome.”
“So he hasn’t conquered Gaul or crossed the Rubicon yet? Wow…” Atara whistles softly. “It’s easy to forget that there was a time before he declared himself dictator.”
“It sort of makes you curious as to what the man was like before ambition and power controlled his every move,” Betsy says, a ghost of a smile playing at her lips. She stops in front of a stone building with a wooden door. They both feel the heat hit their faces immediately. “Maybe we’ll go looking for him later. For now, let’s steam it up.”
Pushing through the door, they enter, quickly discovering that Betsy’s description of ‘wild time’ was a total understatement. In the far left corner, a group of at least six men and women were in the midst of a passionate orgy. The few others that occupied space talked amongst themselves, paying no mind to what was happening.
“Romans…” Atara mutters, the purr in her voice giving away her amusement.
Giggling, Betsy grabs her arm and gently pulls her along towards a quieter section of the room. A male voice calls out to them as they reach the wall to the right.
“You two gorgeous women can have a seat right here with us.”
They both turn around to politely decline; instead, their mouths both drop open in shock. All three men chuckle as one.
“I think you surprised them with such an offer, my friend.”
The girls pull their faces together even though they haven’t recovered from their shock. Even Betsy couldn’t believe their own dumb luck at the moment; The invitation had come from Julius Caesar himself. Flanking him were the other two members of the Triumvirate, Marcus Crassus and Pompey Magnus.
“Apologies, Doves. We just weren’t expecting such an offer from such handsome men.” Recovering first, Atara glides forward and accepts a seat next to Caesar, who seems absolutely enamored of the Goddess.
As the two engage in quiet conversation, Betsy sits eagerly next to Pompey and looks at him with open admiration. “I’ve heard many tales of your strategical military genius and prowess on the battlefield; I’d love to hear some of the stories straight from the horse’s mouth.”
A smile lights up Pompey’s face at this. He summons more wine for himself and a glass for Betsy as he eagerly dives into one of his stories about a battle he once fought in Egypt. Betsy sips the fruity wine and allows herself to get lost in the moment.