Post by Elena DeDraca on Aug 31, 2018 13:10:06 GMT -5
LAND OF BLISS on/off camera
There is no standing still because time is moving forward. ~ Greg Lake
Not that this was ever an option. It always was one thing or another, just on different days. In the end, she had gotten used to it many years ago, walking her own path. She had goals. She had flaws. But so did everyone else. Something like perfection did not exist in a human’s life. The moment you thought you had captured it, all it needed was a mislead step. Elena had started with nothing and would leave with nothing -- but there was still time till then.
Currently, she was standing inside her closed cupcake shop reading over numbers that confused her more than she expected. Yeah, she didn’t go to college. With a little luck, she finished school but never went as far as studying. So accounting was probably not her favourite thing to do. She just was too stubborn. Kicking against one of the closest, Elena cursed under her breath.
“It seems you may be in need of some assistance, Miss DeDraca.” Mark Kristianson stood in the doorway. A small, amused smile appeared on his lips as he tilted his head at Elena.
She looked up at him with that serious expression. The next moment she did something unexpected. She threw all the papers up in the air and rolled her eyes.
“Probably would be easier to burn the shop down. I have no clue what those numbers try to tell me. Who the bloody hell needs mathematics?”
His smile turned to a chuckle as he moved around and to her side, gathering up some of the papers to put them back in order.
“I can always help you. I’ve ran many businesses. I never trusted all my accountants, so I did a lot of it myself. I think I can improve your finances. If you let me.”
Elena looked at him for a brief moment. She made her way over to that expensive and tricky coffee machine, starting it up. Her eyes wandered back at him, patiently putting the papers back together.
“I am not used to letting other people do my work. But I guess this time I will have to. ‘Cause otherwise, I will lose my mind and add to my grey hair on my scalp.” She put a cappuccino in front of his face. “My day needs more hours anyhow.”
He couldn’t help but laugh again before picking up a pen and looking over them. “It’s okay to need help, Elena. I can’t wrestle your matches or come up with cupcake recipes, but finances is my thing.”
Elena tried to look over his shoulder but then decided to look underneath his arms. She scanned over the papers, understanding as little as before.
“So if I hire you to do that, I probably could concentrate better. Currently, I have been trying to be three people in one. Mother. Wrestler. Cupcake wizard,” she laughed, “I need to shift my focus. I got a big fish on my plate come Coup de Grace.”
“I’d be glad to help. You don’t have to take on so much. At least, not all alone. The shop I can help you with. Training, wrestling and being a mother? Not so much, dear,” Mark fixed one last part on the paper and slid them towards her with a wink. “It is amazing what a shift in decimal points can do.”
“I am sure you would look awesome in one of my dresses, dear. Making cookies with Izzy,” Elena laughed out loud, “but it might be the better idea if you watch the finances and I keep kicking asses.”
There was another pause.
“Would you wanna come to that big show? I mean, I got a ticket and if you got time… you know.”
“I would be honoured.” he looked at her deeply with a gaze that lingered for a few moments too long, betraying his feelings, “I mean, I am a fan, so being there in person to see you in action would be fun. I could cheer and lose my voice.”
Elena had a small grin on her face before getting back to business. They would remain in the shop for many more hours sorting out this mess, but Elena's head was already drifting towards the big show ahead of her.
HOLD THE LINEon/off camera
It was moments like these that she treasured. When the whole world seemed to be asleep, apart from a few owls. Every now and then, there was movement in the trees, but nothing that could keep her attention for long enough. Instead, she scanned over the property, or as far as her eyes could see.
Elena didn’t suffer from insomnia. She simply liked to be awake and get stuff done. It was odd. Most days, she functioned on barely four hours of sleep, yet she never found herself struggling. It was no different tonight when she kicked off her shoes before touching the slightly wet grass. Once more, her eyes wandered up to the one of the windows, where a little light was burning. A smile grew on her face knowing that her daughter was up there, probably snoring.
“It is so easy to lose your way. When everything goes good, walking the long way never seems too hard. But the good times never last forever and then we find ourselves battling our worst battles. Not everyone will understand this because if we are honest, some people in this industry are way too spoiled. They are at the right place at the right time, blah blah. But that doesn’t occur for us, Caden. We are good at what we are doing -- some would say great, but sometimes it needs a little more.”
She folded her hands together as if she was going to pray, but instead, she cracked her knuckles.
“Don’t think you have gone unnoticed, love. I have watched you ever since I signed with Union Battleground. That is one of the major keys, have your eyes everywhere. And while I can see the hint of a light in you, it is fading. Every time I look at you, it seems a little more faint. You might not understand this metaphor, but it is rather easy. Those that burn really bright often have the tendency to burn out quick. You could have achieved greatness, Caden. You could have been a leader -- but instead you are just, well… here. A name on the roster that is clinging to the last straw. I am not one to talk you down, but it seems necessary ‘cause you fail to talk yourself up.”
Her face was half in the shadows painting a contrast to her natural, pale face.
“You have everything a monster needs. The size. The strength. Maybe even the hunger. But none of this seems to matter. Let’s take your last match versus Kimitsu. I know as much as anyone that this lady is a force. But she is not unbeatable. Nobody is if you think about if for a moment. But while your words were big, I spotted something else. The look in your eyes. It was as if you had accepted defeat a long while ago. And that is where we’re probably different from each other. I lose matches. I lose battles. But never once have I lost a war. And that is what truly divides a fighter from a warrior. There is nothing wrong with going out there and losing. As long as you can look at yourself and say: I have given it my best shot. Is that the case, Caden? Have you really given it your all the past months?”
A mild breeze was messing up her hair, but she still smiled. Her teeth dangerously flashing.
“I will answer that for you. No. It is really as easy as that, but maybe not if you are the subject. They like to call me mediocre. And while this could very well insult me -- it doesn’t. I rather fight a good fight than being stuck with huge egos that only care about themselves. But please do not believe that I have always been this confident in myself. There will always be people that make certain you don’t reach the next level. Why? Because they are intimidated. In many ways, I look forward to this match. Finally seeing your best and dragging you to your worst. Don’t try to compare me to your previous opponents -- ‘cause you ain’t seen nothing yet. War is not for everybody, Caden. But this is the road I have chosen for myself. I will come for you just like I came for everyone they put in front of me. And when I am done, there will be no excuses. No next time. No more half arsing.”
Elena winked towards the camera before stepping fully into the shadows.
