Reluctant Reunion: Elaine Auclair Vs Van Arkride

[Cosmos]

Match Type: Pro Standard
Special Rules: N/A
Victory Conditions: Pinfall, KO, or Submission

Elaine Auclair

For what felt like the hundredth time, Elaine wondered if this was a good idea.

Some people wrestled for fame. Others for money. They had something to prove, to themselves. To others. But why was she here? Was this even the right place to begin? To track down a ghost from her past? One that potentially should stay buried? Conflict and doubt stirred within the pit of her stomach, blending into an unpleasant sensation that she couldn't completely shake off.

...It didn't help that the attire she had commissioned and put together came out as far more revealing than she intended, as she turned and grimaced slightly at her reflection in the mirror. Was that on the designer's part? He did seem to have had a thing for her when she approached him...but she had barely any time between receiving her gear and tonight's arranged match to request any changes. She'd have to make do with it. Perhaps the Frenchwoman would forget all about it, once she was in the ring with her mystery opponent tonight. Seems the promoters had someone in mind for her, but she had no idea who. She just wanted to ensure herself a debut that made an impression, that would show she was more than an heiress to a global corporation. That way, she wouldn't be just a figurehead. She'd have some actual sway and influence here.

And then Elaine could focus on her actual agenda.



The call came for her to approach the arena, and she emerged from her dressing room. Her cape flourished behind her as the platinum blonde beauty stepped out from the backstage, giving her the appearance of a female heroine or sharply steeled blade ready to do battle. The audience greeted her with rambunctious cheers, and the girl responded with warm smiles. Her palm slapped the hands of awaiting fans as she descended down to the ring, while ignoring the occasional wolf whistle from her gear.

Climbing the metal steps to the ring, Elaine would peer back across the crowd before gripping the top rope. She vaulted over them, as if she were a falcon soaring. Her cape flew in the air as she seized the clasp on her shoulder and dramatically threw it upwards, where it fluttered down. The move scored a big response from the crowd, shouting praise towards the woman as she caught her discarded cloak above her. Then, Elaine moved to the nearby corner, placing the cape just under the ropes as she turned and fixated her eyes upon the entrance to the arena. It was time to discover who her first opponent was.

Match Gear

[killcarrion]

Given the type of disreputable individuals Van can find himself becoming partnered up with, the Spriggan never was a fan of making deals where he didn't know all the details. Or getting into scuffles he wasn't at least assured he had a decent chance of winning. Flying blind here when it came to his debut match made him somewhat anxious as he tied up his wrestling boots in the locker-room, but he figured this was just par for the course when you start out in the type of business that chews up and spits out rookies for breakfast. They're not exactly gonna roll out the red carpet for ya on yer first match. Ah well, he figured. Van thoroughly doubted this televised matchup was going to be any crazier than the types of donnybrooks he's taken part in throughout his career as essentially a mercenary. Turns out business was down when it came to his work as a merc. And tempting though it was to use this time to relax on the couch underneath one of his favorite magazines, his cantankerous landlord would probably evict him on the spot if he caught him slacking off one more time. He heard from the grapevine the kind of payday wrestlers scores these days, and it certainly seemed like a more reputable way to make money with his fighting skills that don't involve underworld cage pits. Whoever his opponent was...he sure felt sorry for them. A relaxed and composed Van taking his time leaving the locker-room on his way to the gorilla position.

Van Arkride

Thrashing heavy metal blaring over the speakers signaled Van's entrance alongside "4SPG" showcased on the monolithic screen above the entrance ramp. A clever way to advertise his enterprising business as researching that phrase online takes them right to his website. The spriggan himself confidently jaunting out to a few spastic fireworks rocketing into the sky, unbeknownst to Van leaving a trail of smoke that curiously shielded his face from view of anyone within the ring. Van's charming smile winning over several ladies within the audience already as he casually strutted down the ramp with lackadaisical confidence. Adorned in a sleeveless jacket and wrestling tights he had a friend design for him that fit his style, and physique to a "T". Fans reacting with a decent pop and received the Spriggan favorably he figured, enough to the point he sauntered up to the top of a corner turnbuckle after climbing the steel steps and with his back to the wrestling ring struck a diamond hand pose with certain fans already engrossed by his natural charisma. But he figured he'd played around enough now. Van springing off the turnbuckle with his eyes closed and casually opened them while approaching the middle of the ring. "Hey there stranger. Hope we have a decent tussle. The name's-ELAINE!!!!!" Van barked out his mystery opponent's name in gobsmacked speechlessness, mouth agape until he swiveled his head and started asking the most obvious question. "What the hell are you doing here??!!...And since when have you been alright with wearing attire that revealing…"

Match Gear

[Cosmos]

The first real indicator Elaine got of her opponent was their entrance theme. Heavy metal erupting from the nearby speakers at the ramp between backstage and the arena. The letters '"4SPG" flashed onto the screen directly above, which caught the girl's eye. Naturally, she was curious as to what they perhaps stood for. Fireworks streaked into the air and left a dense layer of smoke that made it impossible for Elaine to make out the face of her opponent. The crowd seemed to be reacting positively to them however. Were they a face of some kind perhaps? The smoke was drifting down to the ring now, but she could hear the sound of her foe ascending the steel steps and clambering upon the corner turnbuckle. The elevation in height meant it was the first real glimpse she got of them. A bulked up physique, striking a pose with his hands...and...familiar...spiky...blue hair...

"...No. No, it couldn't be..."

He hopped down and walked towards the centre of the ring. She felt her face turning pale, her throat going dry. He opened his eyes...and promptly bulked at her. It was clear that he was just as shocked as she was. Someone, somewhere, was playing a very cruel joke on her. "V...Van...?" She offered up, almost breathless. So many emotions were swirling inside of her right now. Elaine had no idea which one to prioritise. Whatever she had been anticipating since signing up for the world of wrestling...this sudden reunion was certainly not one of them.

And then he remarked on her gear.

Elaine felt an instant need to stride over there and slap him hard. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves, pushing that desire down within her. Why the hell did he have to go and put his foot in his mouth like that? Well, truthfully...that was typical boneheaded Van. At least that part of him hadn't changed. It almost made her want to laugh. But the aching sensation in her chest overpowered her, and she gave her former acquaintance a huff. "Well, I could be wrong, but usually two people standing in a ring means they're going to wrestle until one of them succeeds over the other. So I suppose that makes you and I opponents for tonight, doesn't it?" Hands placed on her hips, she narrowed her eyes at Van. "Wrestlers do and wear what they have to, Van. But I would advise you from staring too hard, you degenerate. Unless you want to lie down and let me pin you quick and easy? Your choice." Part of her felt that would get what was an awkward situation swiftly done and dusted with. Yet, the other side of her was really keen to put the man through his paces after all these years...