July 21, 1357

She had been beaten badly once before. Last time it was a bleeding lip and a few bruises around her face. This time was different. This time she thought he would kill her.

I must save my baby

She rushed to the child’s room and got her quickly out of the crib. She could hear him coming quickly after her, yelling drunkenly down the hall. This was a nightmare, but she couldn’t escape. The only way out was through the front door, and the only way through the front door was through him. She couldn’t waste time, this was different than the other times. She ran full speed at her husband and knocked him down, then stepped over him and ran.

Hugh Courtenay was a gentleman by all means, people around him respected the decisions he made. He was an ex-soldier, playing an important role in the Hundred Years War. He must have seen things that drove him to the drink. That was why she never tried to escape. But when he drank, he became angry and all his demons came out.


She glanced behind her as she heard his voice, Hugh was getting up. They had an older son, Peter, who was away at school, the only thing she was grateful for now was that he wasn’t here to see this. She burst down the stairs and made her way to the front door. This was the last obstacle before she was free, but it was a heavy door. She could hear her husband coming faster and faster yelling louder as he came.

He caught her before she got out the door and dogs barked in the distance
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 21, 1775

Moving in to a new place was always a difficult thing, but this house was so much bigger than the others. Even though he had wandered the halls many times in considering owning this castle, there were so many rooms in this house.

James Wyatt had spent much time deciding what expansions he wanted to do with the place, but he kept finding new areas in every little nook and cranny.

He had just discovered an extension to one of the rooms once he got past the wallpaper. He had known that this room was once a child’s bedroom, so maybe this was a play place? He wondered why they would have papered over this area. Perhaps there was some pain here, had the previous owners lost a child?

It pained him to tear the original wallpaper. This was original to the house, but the old has gone and it was time to make this his own. He tore it all away, and found what looked to be a storage area. A weird smell emanated once he got in there. It smelled old and musty. Like death. He took his torch and put his head in the area.
Too many cobwebs to see anything. He spent some time clearing them away before getting a view of something that looked ivory in the corner. Could this be something valuable? He continued cleaning and getting closer. Then it struck him what it was…

Bones

What the…?

It seemed to be a full set of human bones on one end, he wondered what else was here. On the other end he found more bones, but these were smaller. An animal’s remains? Then he saw it, a human skull, but it was smaller that what he’d seen before. This was a child. He sat back in bewilderment, curious at what he’d found.

What secrets this place must hold…

He never noticed the thick grey glow and weeping noises coming down the hall
--------------------------------------------------------------------

July 21, 2017

Neville, beyond his better judgment, had now moved inside Powderham Castle. He now sat in what used to be the music room in the building. A bubble-arched ceiling hung a glamourous chandelier, and he sat beneath in one of the chairs. Neville was playing Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concerto de Aranjuez” on an antique record player. The sound reverberated off the walls and the acoustics carried it through the house.



This, this is where music was designed to be played. Can you hear how clearly the acoustics in this room are heard? Whoever designed this room was amazing. I can only imagine how a live show must sound in here. I chose this room to address Jack Cain because I need to make sure he can hear me clearly. With the amazing sound quality found in this room, I can be sure he can hear me, whether the jackass will listen to me is another question completely. I feel like everything I’ve said has been skimmed over, instead of listening to the problems I’m pointing out for you, Jack Cain. It might do you some good to take the wax out of your ears and hear what I’m saying. Your responses to me so far have simply been reactive mentions before you point out another stereotypical thing about me. Yes, I’m start. Yes, I’m rich. Yes, I’m superior. Why are those the only things you can come back to? Then you noticeably move on to say something to get everyone in this federation to think your tough. I’m pretty sure childhood bullies do the same thing. It’s like hearing someone say, “Yeah well, I think you’re stupid, now I’m gonna kick your ass.” Maybe that’s why some people seem genuinely fearful of you in this federation. You bring them back to a time in their lives where bullying was simple and sheer force was enough to dissuade kids from doing what they want. The rest of us in this world have moved past that, listening to someone talk in that way is not culturally appropriate. So hear me well, Jack. Listen to me when I try to teach you something, it’s my way of giving a gift. Don’t be so dumb that you miss what’s being said because you’re so quick to respond in a predictable way. That’ll do you some good when the XWF finally give us other people to wrestle against.

Neville pours himself a glass of 100 Proof Springbank Whiskey and smiles as thinks of Jack’s promo this week. Jack wanted to make fun of him for drinking a man’s drink? And a rich man’s drink at that? He thought of Big Jack pouring himself a spritzer or a Palm Bay and that made Neville laugh. Neville drank because there was nothing finer in life than a drink that can take 50+ years to be made perfect. It wasn’t a problem, it was something that genuinely brought Neville pleasure.

So once again, I want to do you a favour and point out a few things you need to hear. And please do me a favour and… LISTEN. Jack, I know you can get this, watch my mouth if you need to but listen to the words coming out of my mouth.

Neville takes his shot

Lesson #1 –

Don’t prove the stereotypes you’re trying to speak against

I heard you loud and clear when you lamented the fact that people in this federation thought you were a Neanderthal at best, and I tracked you with that. But then you turned around and spoke like an eighth grader calling me names that I’m sure you thought was funny. Cunt, really Jack? And you threaten me physically by pointing out what you’d like to do to me. This was the funny part, you actually sounded like a 1950’s high school bully. I half expected you to do your best Biff Tannen impression and offer me a knuckle sandwich. We all know that everything you say is just talk. When was the last time you actually knocked someone’s teeth out? Have you ever actually stuck your fist down someone’s throat? I know that you’re going to try and give an example the next time you confront me. But the truth of the matter is, at best, you’ll barely beat me this week. You’re clearly all talk, people listen and roll their eyes because they know there’s no way it’s going to come to fruition. Learn something from me and say what you mean and follow it up. I’m not going to do something outrageous to you, like sticking my hand down your throat or some nonsense like that, but I am going to beat you. You might come at me with the unexpected, but I’ll adjust, and even it’s a simple roll-up victory, I’m going to get the win this Saturday. That’s all I need to say.

Neville smiles as he thinks of the next lesson. It was completely preposterous and showed that a lot of what Jack Cain says is sheer nonsense.

Lesson #2 –

How the hell can you hear punctuation?

You watch my promo and then decide to spend time mocking my punctuation? What… The… Hell…. Jack? I don’t even understand how this makes any sense, and just shows you to be the Neanderthal most people in this federation thinks you are. Do you actually hear when I capitalize letters when I speak? Are you that fucking crazy? It’s one of the funniest things I’ve seen to see you go on and on about me “capitalizing” the first letter of something I’ve said. Were you watching with subtitles, Jack? So here’s the thing Jack, I’m going to say the punctuation you think you hear as a favour to you. Maybe the rest of the federation won’t think you’re completely batshit crazy. I’m (apostrophe) going to beat you (comma) Jack (period). Be prepared (exclamation point).

Neville laughs, and it starts as a small laugh but builds to absolutely losing it. Laughs ring out in the incredibly acoustics of this place. Neville wondered if Jack Cain was trying to be a comedian or if he really was that dumb. Either way, he’s sure if there were a federation blooper reel, this entire section of his speech would be on it. What a moron.

Lesson #3 –

Fear is not an appropriate response in battle

You seem to think that fear is an appropriate response to battle, Jack. Maybe that’s what war taught you. Maybe that’s why you’re an ex-soldier. Here’s the thing, fear is an absolutely natural response to what war is. You’ll never find me arguing that. But is playing into you own emotions the way to be a good soldier? Absolutely not. Is giving into the emotions you feel what you should be doing? No. When MacArthur spoke on fear it was because he spoke about the boys of war. I think that’s what you need to be focusing on. You’re so invested with being the “little guy” and allowing your emotions into battle that you’ve missed becoming a man in battle times. Boys are the ones who are run by their emotions. They’re so busy playing with their own dicks because it feels good that they never think through a situation fully. They’re the ones who cave into fear and are dictated by how they feel. Men are the ones who feel things but keep it under wraps and make decisions based on what they think is best. Are you a boy or a man Jack?
Everything you’ve said is pointing to you being a boy in a man’s body. And yes, there is clear role between the two in battle. The boys have to listen to what the men say. And that’s exactly what we’re going to see in this meeting between me and you. Jack Cain will come out, get emotionally involved and lose, while the great Neville Sinclair will think through a situation and make the best decisions he can.

Do you think that I don’t feel fear either? Every match I’ve gone into I’ve been afraid I’d lose. I’m terrified that I’ll sustain some freak injury or lose the chance to represent this amazing company as it’s television champion. But I have a confidence that I’m going to win because I’ve put in the work, trained, and am smart enough to judge things on the fly. It’s called wisdom Jack, it’s knowing how to make the right decisions in spite of what you’re feeling. Listen to me when I say that, it’s what lost you the match the first time and it’s what lost you the rematch to get your title back. Then again, I know you’re not going to listen. You’re so set on spouting out some more shit about how tough you are. So, yes, fear is a natural thing. But no, emotions don’t make you a better soldier and shouldn’t be used in battle. Fear and emotion is what makes you careless and impulsive. The fact that an ex-soldier doesn’t get that is worrying. You don’t “use” emotions Jack, emotions use you.

The record player screeches to a stop without being touched. Neville nervously moves from the castle halls. As the piano plays from the room he’s just moved from.

Educating the XWF since 06/08/17