It is a dark and stormy night. Rain strikes down the windows and runs down the side of the panes. Flashes of lightning assault the eyes. It is cold and damp, the moon sits high in the sky, hidden by thick, gray clouds. Foreboding. The threat ominous at best but still present. Like there was anything haunting the darkness, waiting to pounce. Taking its sweet time. Watching. Waiting. Malicious in intention. Brutal in practice.

At least, that’s what it feels like. What it always feels like to be standing at the front gate of Thomas Waters’ home. In reality, it’s a night like so many others in Los Angeles. Even at night, the city has a shine to it. No rain, no lightning, no comfort. The feeling of dread lingers. Kylie, known otherwise as Miss Fortune, looks down at her fingers. Twitching. She wraps one set around her other hand and recoils. Freezing. In the relative silence of the city, both her and Carson could hear her heart beat. Rapid.

What’s your problem?

Carson looks over at his associate and rolls his eyes.

I don’t like this place at all. Not one bit.

Her words come out soft. Her voice trembling. She turns her head and coughs into her elbow. Carson shakes his head and pulls out his phone. He swipes right and taps a few prompts on the screen before sliding it into his pocket.

From Kylie’s perspective, the next few seconds feel like hours.

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting some more. She pulls her arms closer to her chest and looks down at the ground. Still, at the very top border of her vision she could see the house’s lights. She could feel them. Cold, cold lights. that was it, she reasons to herself, that’s why I’m cold.

She shoots her glance in all directions, hoping that one of them will free her from the clutches of the freezing lights. For one brief moment, her eyes meet Carson’s and in that one moment she sees, something. Something inexplicable hidden behind his eyes. Often, she’s wondered whether or not her employer’s son was as dumb as he seemed. If all the silly ideas and dumb comments were genuine or some form of con. Whichever it is, she couldn’t be sure.

Finally a figure appears on the other side of the gate. Carson sighs and walks up to the gate, muttering something to the man on the other side that Kylie didn’t catch. Shaking her head, she makes her way over to him and shoots her glance down at the ground once more. She could hear music coming from the house. Not the kind she was used to, then again this whole situation forced her out her element.

I thought you said we were going to that one chick’s party.

She keeps her voice to a whisper as the man opens the gate and they step inside.

You should’ve picked up on this when we didn’t immediately get smashed.

Carson fumbles with his tie.

This look good?

It’ll do. I think the fact that you’re dressed up will give your dad a heart attack as is. He won’t care if it’s sloppy.

It’s sloppy? Shit! I told them…

Cool your jets, you look fine.

Carson nods his head and takes a deep breath before the pair push open the door to the house. Mozart’s Piano Sonata no. 16 plays softly as they walk, almost in a daze, through the large house. Kylie’s eyes widen with something faintly resembling glee as they pass by knickknacks and partygoers as if she had forgotten all about her prior apprehension. Carson however, walks briskly, almost leaving his companion behind. The look on his face is sheepish and his face was pointed directly at the ground, hoping to avoid anyone familiar.

Carson!

Really should’ve seen that coming.

Carson stops and shakes his head. Slowly, he turns around and comes face-to-face with one face he didn’t want to see.

His older brother Leonard.

And how are you, Kylie?

She grimaces and takes a step backwards, away from him.

Didn’t quite hear that.

He takes a step forward, running into Carson’s hand. Looking up down from Carson’s hand to Carson’s face, he chuckles and grabs onto his brother’s wrist. His plastic smile melts into a scowl.

What are you going to do, baby brother?

His grip tightens, and he twists Carson’s hand.

You don’t want a repeat of your tenth birthday, do you?

Carson’s face sours and he makes a fist with his free hand. Then, he opens his hand again and steps down. Leonard shakes his head in disapproval and lets go of his brother’s hand.

Catch up later, yeah? Dad wanted to see you.

Eat a dick.

Leonard shoots Carson a death glare and raises a fist at him but Carson turns away and walks off, towards the den. Kylie turns to follow and when she does, Leonard smacks her on the ass. Shuttering, she turns her head to see him winking at her. Her whole body feels cold now. Shivering, clutching her bare arms, she speedwalks through the gathering of nameless, faceless socialites to catch up with Carson. She finally does as he steps into the den.

The den is mostly empty and completely barren relative to the commotion outside. Thomas Waters’ eyes are glued to the television in the center of the room; a 120 inch monstrosity tuned in to C-SPAN.

Carson.

Thomas.

You disappoint me. You really do. Professional wrestler, seriously?

It’s not really your business to tell me what to do, is it?

When you’re living on my dime you best believe it’s my damn business. What’s wrong with you, boy? Do you really like pissing on the family name?

Why, dad? What is it to you that I want to wrestle for a living?

It’s everything to me. The blowback from having our name tained by your association with the XWF, a freakshow! Parading around like a blowout, reject bum and you!

He points at Kylie.

I pay you good money to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid and what do you do? Let him be stupid but not just that, you go out and help him be a fucking buffoon! They’re already talking about it, how I must be a terrible father because of how you turned out.

He explodes out of his chair and gets nose to nose with his son.

Well, you are a terrible father.

SMACK! The back of Thomas’ right hand collides with Carson’s face, knocking him off balance. The sound echoes throughout the room.

Why can’t you be more like your brother?

Why won’t you just fucking die already?

I gave you everything.

Not everything. Let’s get out of here, Kylie.

Yeah, go! Don’t ever think of setting foot in this house again! And forget about me paying your rent.

Carson snickers.

I moved out of that apartment a year ago. Mom’s been paying the rent at my new place.

Thomas’ eyes widen and he opens his mouth to retort, but the words don’t come.

Take care, Thomas.

The faintest hint of a smile appears at the corners of Kylie’s mouth as she turns away from her presumably former employer. Carson’s eyes light up as they walk out of the den and then soon after, the house.

Once they’re outside the gate, Kylie takes one more look at the Waters’ house. Long gone is the dread, the storming. Just a house. The smoldering ash pile of a freshly burned bridge.

----------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------

Transition. Away from the dark and into the light.

Hey, Carson Waters here. A little different style than usual, see I don’t have time to film anything to go along with what I gotta say. But that ain’t important right now. No, what is important is Nova Sin. Or, as she doesn’t want to be known, Ava. You know her. Probably. If not, she’s my opponent. Yeah, her. Good to see you guys recognize her now.

It’s funny. See, I’m the five year old in this scenario and her being my intellectual superior can only bring herself to call me by that one name. Seriously? Come on Miss Fortune, hit me up with some words she could’ve used in place of five year old multiple times.


Quote:His voice called out but I had pulled something from my father's bed before leaving his room. A gun. My uncle came down the stairs and smiled. I couldn't scream, words couldn't form the pain in my chest and feeling in my gut. He lunged for me and my brother and I sent one...two three...four...five...six shots into his chest. He fell to the ground and his blood ran to my feet. My brother cried loudly as blood splashed onto my face and mixed with tears. I was just a kid and I had killed family.
See? Something’s gotta give, Ava. Which one is it? Are you a killer, a liar, or both? And since there’s no way you come out of this as not a liar, I gotta ask why I or anyone should believe anything out of your mouth.

I got it!

I shouldn’t, and I don’t.

She really makes no sense. Nova Sin. None at all. She wants to let her actions do the talking, and yet she talked first. She speaks scornfully about cheaters, then says she can cheat as much as she wants too as if she would. Calls strategy a gimmick. Admits to playing ‘mind games’ as if that somehow excuses her ineptitude. The follies are numerous. And saddening. She thinks she has this match on lock, and she does. A rusty, flimsy lock that’ll snap with the slightest tug. Heads up, Nova. We’re pulling.

Now now, Miss Fortune. We gotta remember that I’m a cheater. She only said it a million and a half times. That woman is a broken record man, I swear. Cheater this, liar that. LIAR THAT! Right, I’m the liar. You’re funny. Hey, if you’re gonna act like that little bit we played earlier doesn’t exist, how about we try this on for size in regards to your perfectly happy family.

Quote:Nova can tend to be full of herself and headstrong. For the most part she is someone who is layed back and chill (as long as she has a blunt). She is the daughter of a Mafia boss or Don and her older brother is a shot caller for a gang in New York (Only half brother that's why he isn't in the Mafia)

Picture perfect family situation right there!

Oh, and what? You don’t cheat and you follow the rules? Right, again no reason for me to fear your ability to cheat then. Cool. And you’re right, the fact that you’re a cockhungry whore hiding behind the varnish

Veneer.

Veneer of sarcasm doesn’t really factor into this match, but it gets you all pissy so why not mention it? I mean, you’re vividly imagining my dick again so it’s only fair that I take another shot at your wholesomeness and your dishonesty.

Send me to Hell, Ava. Then tell me how you’re not trying to dark and edgy.

Aye-aye, you’re, one of the words for dumb Miss Fortune said at the top of the program. Actually, all of them.

Keep on thinking you got this shit locked up, it’ll be funny to watch you fall from gracelessness and land even further in the hole.