Post by alyadmirer on Dec 7, 2015 0:26:56 GMT
When the Thanksgrieving broadcast returned from a video package of highlights from the company’s most recent tour of Europe, Joanna Coleman was standing in the ring alongside Lenore Lemarchand. Though not dressed for battle, the Raven was still a sight in a short black denim skirt, the blood red ‘Bad Things Come in Threes’ tank top that was selling like hotcakes at the merch stand and her trademark black knee socks. The little red light on camera one told Joanna they were live so she got right to the point. “Lenore, you’ve asked for this time to address a match at Season’s Beatings. Can I ask if you’ve parlayed your victory over Olivia in September into a World Title opportunity?”
JOANNA COLEMAN:
LENORE LEMARCHAND:
This prospect raised an interesting reaction from those assembled. While hardly a ‘good girl’ in the classic sense, Lemarchand had slowly but surely won over a large number of the FAWN faithful with almost two years worth of show-stealing performances. While many still believed her an awful human being (she was Emily West’s right hand after all) they couldn’t deny the appeal of seeing the Raven sink her claws into Fortune’s Favorite. The prospect seemed to intrigue Lenore as well, but she shook her head ‘no’.
“I probably could have, Joanna, but Baby’s still off limits as long as she doesn’t meddle in Court business. And with Adrianna, Ashley and Pandora in firm control of the Tag Division there’s no real need to add another title to our collection. The Court is here to keep the peace, not lord over all of FAWN, no matter what the Shea London’s and Juliette Bloodwind’s of the world might have you believe.”
Boos from London’s Legions and the Bloodwind Nation, all of which the Raven ignored. Joanna looked simultaneously puzzled and intrigued.
“Well if you’re not looking to add gold to the Court’s coffers, what are you up to?” Lenore smiled knowingly. “Answer me this, Joanna. What could possibly be better than submitting Olivia Dare, arguably the best bendyback wrestler of the last thirty years to win a best of five series on FAWN’s biggest stage?”
“If it’s not capturing a singles title, I’m stumped.”
“Titles come and titles go, Joanna. I know we’re not supposed to say that, but it’s true. If you’ve got enough brains, enough skill or enough cunning there will always be another title shot. What I have right here…” Lemarchand reached behind her back and pulled out an envelope tucked into the waistband of her skirt. “… is a once in a career opportunity. The chance to test my skills in this ring against the only woman in FAWN who’s having a better year than I am. This is thee very LAST open contract on Sydney Deschain’s retirement tour. Now I know she’s facing…. someone… later on tonight, this isn’t about handing FAWN’s resident Mangler her first loss of 2015 but trust me when I tell you I would love to send the old lioness into retirement with an ‘L‘ around her neck. That’s not what’s most important to me, though. At Seasons Beatings I plan on linking our respective legacies in a small but incredibly important way. With all due respect to Olivia Dare, after the bell sounds and that match is over I want to look Sydney Deschain in the eye and tell her that the last great battle of her career was the first great battle of mine.”
Lemarchand paused to breathe and was quietly pleased by the applause her speech earned from the crowd. Once the butterflies in her stomach settled she opened the envelope with a little flourish and said, “Joanna, would you mind turning around?”
Joanna did not, indeed she actually cracked a smile when Lenore pressed the contract against her back. Pen was mere inches from paper when the speakers crackled into ‘Jenny Says’.
[b[JENNY JACOBS:[/b]
Startled in the best possible way, FAWNatics and Jacobites alike leapt to their feet as the NorCal Sensation stepped through the curtain. Like Lenore she was dressed in streets, tight blue jeans and a sea-foam green ‘Antonio Bay Rollers’ hoodie. Looking far more subdued than she did on a usual fight night, the Innovator strolled down to the squared circle without clapping a single hand, though she did make a brief detour to collect a microphone from the Announcer. From there she slid under the bottom rope and popped to her feet less than a yard removed from the Raven, who looked more than a little intrigued by the intrusion.
Eager to explain herself as quickly as possible, Jenny raised the mic to her lips. “I’ve never claimed to be intellectual equals with Emily West, but I’d like to think I’m not an idiot either. Yet here I am, about to make what may be the dumbest, most dangerous request of my professional career.”
Lenore smiled, she was most definitely intrigued. “Well with a preface like that, how could I refuse to hear you out? What can I do for you, Jenny Jacobs?”
“That.” Jenny pointed at the contract in Lenore’s right hand. “I want it. No, that’s not right. I NEED it, Lenore.” Lemarchand started to shake her head ‘no’, but stopped when Jenny raised a hand. “I know I have no right to ask. I have absolutely no leverage to use in making such a request, but I’m making it anyway. I need my name on the contract, Lenore.”
The Fair & Radiant Maiden arched an eyebrow. “And you thought I’d just GIVE it to you? You’re right, that is dumb request.”
Now it was Jenny who shook her head. “I’m not asking you to give me the contract, Lenore. I’m asking for the opportunity to wrestle you for it. You and me, later on tonight. One fall to a finish. Whoever wins gets to face Sydney in her last match.”
The crowd chanted ‘DO IT!’ at once, unfortunately for them Lenore was not so easily swayed.
“Not so dumb then. Honorable, even. But tell me something, Innovator. You’ve already admitted you have nothing to put up in return. The contract is already in my hands, by all rights it is mine, whether your fans like it or not. Why should I risk such an important moment in my career when all I have to do is add my signature?”
Jenny had an answer, she just didn’t want to voice it. Every instinct in her brain was warning her against it. Yet in the end she put the mic to her lips and said, “Because I’ll owe you a favor. Whether I win or lose, if you agree to put that contract on the line, I’ll owe you a favor.”
“You’re lying.” Lenore stated it flatly and emphatically.
“I’m not. Don’t you think I know how this could come back to bite me in the ass? I do know, Lenore. I’ve been thinking about this ever since the front office told me you’d scooped up that contract. And yet the offer stands. I’m willing to put the Sword of Damocles over my head, all you’ve gotta do is meet me in the ring later on tonight.”
Lenore considered the blonde’s words for a long time. Eventually she said, “You can’t beat her, Jenny. Twelve losses in however many years should’ve convinced you of that. Losing one more time won’t do you any good.”
Jacobs’s blue eyes crackled with anger, though it wasn’t directed at the Courtier. “Not thinking about her right now, Lenore. Just thinking about you.”
“You can’t beat me either.”
“Prove it.”
Lemarchand glanced to the stands where thousands of FAWNatics were on their feet awaiting her decision. Honing in on Jenny again, she said, “Raise that ‘J’ you’re so proud of, Jacobs.” Jenny looked startled, but did as bade. “Swear to me, Jenny. Swear to all these people who love you so very much. Swear ON YOUR HONOR that when the times comes for me to ask this favor of you, you will not balk. Swear to me and you’ll have your match.”
The NorCal Sensation’s bottom lip trembled ever so slightly. “I swear. On my honor.”
Lenore handed the contract to Joanna Coleman, who’d watched the whole scene unfold in silent fascination. “Hold that won’t you, Joanna? I’ll be needing it later.”
“No. You won’t. It’s mine, Lenore. I didn’t sell my soul just to lose.” Jenny said softly.
“But that’s exactly what you’ll do, Jenny.” Lemarchand dropped the mic and her music started to play a few seconds later. Neither woman made any move to leave however, they were still staring each other down when the feed cut to a package hyping Dominique Daly’s impending collision with Tiffany Mayes.
JOANNA COLEMAN:
LENORE LEMARCHAND:
This prospect raised an interesting reaction from those assembled. While hardly a ‘good girl’ in the classic sense, Lemarchand had slowly but surely won over a large number of the FAWN faithful with almost two years worth of show-stealing performances. While many still believed her an awful human being (she was Emily West’s right hand after all) they couldn’t deny the appeal of seeing the Raven sink her claws into Fortune’s Favorite. The prospect seemed to intrigue Lenore as well, but she shook her head ‘no’.
“I probably could have, Joanna, but Baby’s still off limits as long as she doesn’t meddle in Court business. And with Adrianna, Ashley and Pandora in firm control of the Tag Division there’s no real need to add another title to our collection. The Court is here to keep the peace, not lord over all of FAWN, no matter what the Shea London’s and Juliette Bloodwind’s of the world might have you believe.”
Boos from London’s Legions and the Bloodwind Nation, all of which the Raven ignored. Joanna looked simultaneously puzzled and intrigued.
“Well if you’re not looking to add gold to the Court’s coffers, what are you up to?” Lenore smiled knowingly. “Answer me this, Joanna. What could possibly be better than submitting Olivia Dare, arguably the best bendyback wrestler of the last thirty years to win a best of five series on FAWN’s biggest stage?”
“If it’s not capturing a singles title, I’m stumped.”
“Titles come and titles go, Joanna. I know we’re not supposed to say that, but it’s true. If you’ve got enough brains, enough skill or enough cunning there will always be another title shot. What I have right here…” Lemarchand reached behind her back and pulled out an envelope tucked into the waistband of her skirt. “… is a once in a career opportunity. The chance to test my skills in this ring against the only woman in FAWN who’s having a better year than I am. This is thee very LAST open contract on Sydney Deschain’s retirement tour. Now I know she’s facing…. someone… later on tonight, this isn’t about handing FAWN’s resident Mangler her first loss of 2015 but trust me when I tell you I would love to send the old lioness into retirement with an ‘L‘ around her neck. That’s not what’s most important to me, though. At Seasons Beatings I plan on linking our respective legacies in a small but incredibly important way. With all due respect to Olivia Dare, after the bell sounds and that match is over I want to look Sydney Deschain in the eye and tell her that the last great battle of her career was the first great battle of mine.”
Lemarchand paused to breathe and was quietly pleased by the applause her speech earned from the crowd. Once the butterflies in her stomach settled she opened the envelope with a little flourish and said, “Joanna, would you mind turning around?”
Joanna did not, indeed she actually cracked a smile when Lenore pressed the contract against her back. Pen was mere inches from paper when the speakers crackled into ‘Jenny Says’.
[b[JENNY JACOBS:[/b]
Startled in the best possible way, FAWNatics and Jacobites alike leapt to their feet as the NorCal Sensation stepped through the curtain. Like Lenore she was dressed in streets, tight blue jeans and a sea-foam green ‘Antonio Bay Rollers’ hoodie. Looking far more subdued than she did on a usual fight night, the Innovator strolled down to the squared circle without clapping a single hand, though she did make a brief detour to collect a microphone from the Announcer. From there she slid under the bottom rope and popped to her feet less than a yard removed from the Raven, who looked more than a little intrigued by the intrusion.
Eager to explain herself as quickly as possible, Jenny raised the mic to her lips. “I’ve never claimed to be intellectual equals with Emily West, but I’d like to think I’m not an idiot either. Yet here I am, about to make what may be the dumbest, most dangerous request of my professional career.”
Lenore smiled, she was most definitely intrigued. “Well with a preface like that, how could I refuse to hear you out? What can I do for you, Jenny Jacobs?”
“That.” Jenny pointed at the contract in Lenore’s right hand. “I want it. No, that’s not right. I NEED it, Lenore.” Lemarchand started to shake her head ‘no’, but stopped when Jenny raised a hand. “I know I have no right to ask. I have absolutely no leverage to use in making such a request, but I’m making it anyway. I need my name on the contract, Lenore.”
The Fair & Radiant Maiden arched an eyebrow. “And you thought I’d just GIVE it to you? You’re right, that is dumb request.”
Now it was Jenny who shook her head. “I’m not asking you to give me the contract, Lenore. I’m asking for the opportunity to wrestle you for it. You and me, later on tonight. One fall to a finish. Whoever wins gets to face Sydney in her last match.”
The crowd chanted ‘DO IT!’ at once, unfortunately for them Lenore was not so easily swayed.
“Not so dumb then. Honorable, even. But tell me something, Innovator. You’ve already admitted you have nothing to put up in return. The contract is already in my hands, by all rights it is mine, whether your fans like it or not. Why should I risk such an important moment in my career when all I have to do is add my signature?”
Jenny had an answer, she just didn’t want to voice it. Every instinct in her brain was warning her against it. Yet in the end she put the mic to her lips and said, “Because I’ll owe you a favor. Whether I win or lose, if you agree to put that contract on the line, I’ll owe you a favor.”
“You’re lying.” Lenore stated it flatly and emphatically.
“I’m not. Don’t you think I know how this could come back to bite me in the ass? I do know, Lenore. I’ve been thinking about this ever since the front office told me you’d scooped up that contract. And yet the offer stands. I’m willing to put the Sword of Damocles over my head, all you’ve gotta do is meet me in the ring later on tonight.”
Lenore considered the blonde’s words for a long time. Eventually she said, “You can’t beat her, Jenny. Twelve losses in however many years should’ve convinced you of that. Losing one more time won’t do you any good.”
Jacobs’s blue eyes crackled with anger, though it wasn’t directed at the Courtier. “Not thinking about her right now, Lenore. Just thinking about you.”
“You can’t beat me either.”
“Prove it.”
Lemarchand glanced to the stands where thousands of FAWNatics were on their feet awaiting her decision. Honing in on Jenny again, she said, “Raise that ‘J’ you’re so proud of, Jacobs.” Jenny looked startled, but did as bade. “Swear to me, Jenny. Swear to all these people who love you so very much. Swear ON YOUR HONOR that when the times comes for me to ask this favor of you, you will not balk. Swear to me and you’ll have your match.”
The NorCal Sensation’s bottom lip trembled ever so slightly. “I swear. On my honor.”
Lenore handed the contract to Joanna Coleman, who’d watched the whole scene unfold in silent fascination. “Hold that won’t you, Joanna? I’ll be needing it later.”
“No. You won’t. It’s mine, Lenore. I didn’t sell my soul just to lose.” Jenny said softly.
“But that’s exactly what you’ll do, Jenny.” Lemarchand dropped the mic and her music started to play a few seconds later. Neither woman made any move to leave however, they were still staring each other down when the feed cut to a package hyping Dominique Daly’s impending collision with Tiffany Mayes.