Post by Zahara Matisse on May 23, 2016 7:37:04 GMT -6
Epilogue
Wednesday, May 18th, 2016
1:12pm
Seated outside a modest coffee shop, a nervous and jittery Kelsey Spencer watches as the cars go by on the busy street. Taking frequent sips from her favourite caffeinated beverage -- a mocha latte -- she awaits the arrival of her frenemy, Zahara Matisse. The pair haven't been on speaking terms as of late, and the reason has been unclear; seemingly, Kelsey is jealous of Zahara’s recently-publicised relationship with their fellow VoW roster mate, Katalina Star. On the other side of the coin, Zahara doesn’t understand where Kelsey’s anger is coming from when the relationship situation was kept from everyone in the magician’s circle.
Anxiously bouncing her leg in its place under the table and checking the time on her phone constantly, she's a nervous wreck -- each passing minute more emotionally draining than the last. She doesn’t have much more time to remain nervous, however, as Zahara turns the corner a few moments later. It isn’t at her usual brisk pace, though, which would explain her being a few minutes late. Though she looks all right at first glance, it becomes apparent to Kelsey when Zahara gets closer that the rookie is moving very gingerly for some reason. Even so, she smiles at Kelsey warmly and eases herself into a chair.
“Sorry I’m late. It...took a little longer than usual to get moving this morning.”
When the server comes up to the table, Zahara orders an Earl Grey tea with honey and lemon before turning back to Kelsey.
“Oh, you're late? Didn't really notice…”
Lying through her teeth, she takes a long sip from her coffee cup, disinterested in getting the conversation moving -- her entire demeanour changes, from nervous to some kind of uncaring facade.
“Regardless, I apologize.”
The server is quick in bringing Zahara’s order, as it should be since, well, it’s a cup of hot water and a bag of ground-up leaves. Nevertheless, she thanks him kindly and dips the bag into the water, calmly steeping until the drink is to her liking. As she does, she addresses Kelsey and the distinct awkwardness of the situation, something the young magician isn’t immune to.
“I was surprised when you invited me here. Pleasantly so, but surprised all the same. What’s on your mind?”
Shifting her bright eyes to Kelsey, one gets the feeling that Zahara is seeing right past her mask of disinterest. But she’s only a magician, not a mind-reader. She’s just being herself. But for the first time since this began, it seems Kelsey is finally letting her guard down. She begins fidgeting with a tea sweetener on the table.
“Katie and Stacy’s fight kinda put things into perspective for me… Seeing what they were going through made me realise that...maybe I was being a little unfair on you…”
Stirring the honey and lemon into her tea, Zahara nods slightly, managing to lift her eyes to Kelsey’s.
“I understand why you were upset, I think. You mentioned how actually having real friends was new to you and when my relationship with Katalina came to light… I’m guessing you thought that I was abandoning you because of it? Forgive me if I’m wrong, I’m just… trying to understand, you know?”
There's no response at first; Kelsey remains perfectly silent, as if she's trying to piece together a sentence that can't be misinterpreted as offensive. She tosses the sweetener packet down and slouches a little in her seat, giving off the impression that she's feeling vulnerable.
“I admit it, it did feel that way. I felt crushed, I really thought we clicked in a way that was more than just buddies, y'know..? Like it was us against the world, no-one to tell us otherwise… And then when she came into the picture, I felt...tossed aside like refuse. Like I'd outlived my purpose, I guess…”
She hesitates for a moment, then decides to take the chance. Zahara reaches across the table and gently sets her hand on top of Kelsey’s as she speaks.
“Just because I enter into a relationship with someone doesn’t mean that any of my friends are gonna get pushed aside. Especially you, Kelsey. Look at us: we’ve run the whole spectrum, from enemies to friends, opponents to partners in a sense. In as short a time as we’ve known each other, we’ve been through so much already. There’s no way I’d cast any of that aside. Like I told you before…”
The magician gives Blue Thunder’s hand a squeeze.
“I’ll never stop being your friend. Ever.”
Forcing a modest smile to her face, Kelsey squeezes back gently to let her friend know that they're essentially on the same page. Her posture improves as she feels more relaxed and confident than when they began speaking.
“You really mean that..? Because I don't think I can go through all that again…”
“Every word. So don’t you try running on me, cause I’ll just chase you down and bring you back!”
Saying it to be funny, Zahara packs a smile and a wink with those words to let Kelsey know that, while she’s joking, she’s also sincere about their friendship. She adds more to the comment with a small chuckle, tucking some dark hair behind her ear.
“Unless, y’know, you run right now...because I don’t think I could catch a turtle with how I feel right now.”
As if she's only just realised the shape she's in, Kelsey pulls her hand away and looks Zahara over with saucer eyes.
“My gosh… What have you done to yourself?!”
“More like what has my trainer done to me. I’ve been training in mixed martial arts since I found out that Constance and I are going at it again at Fate of the Gods.”
Just the thought of it has Zahara quieting down a notch or two. Her confidence has been damaged as of late and various reactions amongst her friends and also the events surrounding them has left her not only exhausted mentally and emotionally, but physically as well thanks to the sessions she’s been having.
“My teacher, she...well, she doesn’t pull her punches. Or her kicks. Or her submission holds. Or her cursing.”
She adds the last part with a soft laugh before sipping of her tea. With both eyebrows raised, Kelsey’s left speechless that someone would willingly put themselves through that kind of physical torture.
“It must really mean a lot to you, that Xcel Championship… Are you even gonna make it to Fate of the Gods?”
“You bet I am! And I’m gonna give Constance an even tougher fight than I did last time!”
The intensity in the young woman ratchets up considerably at the mere thought of not making it to the show. The biggest pay-per-view of the year? Another chance to become a champion by facing someone she admires and respects? They’d have to kill her to keep her away!
With a smile and nod as her sole response, Kelsey finishes what's left of her beverage, placing the empty mug firmly on the table. Shielding the extent of her own nagging injuries from the public eye, her confidence has been fluttering ever since the brutal assault by the newly-formed Saint City Affinity. With less than a month to go until her fateful encounter with her greatest rival, it seems Kelsey Spencer is twice the Blue and none of the Thunder.
She awkwardly stands from her seat, slightly wincing as she clasps her shoulder for a brief moment out of instinct. She brushes it off like it’s nothing, however, and paints a faux smile upon her face.
“Thank you for showing up, Z… Glad we got to talk.”
“Hey…”
Rising, she steps in and hugs Kelsey. Zahara knows full well that the Australian isn’t fond of that kind of contact, but...well, she’s friends with a hugger. And when it comes from Zahara, she means every inch of it. Having spotted the wince, though, she’s gentler than she might have been. That probably goes for Kelsey, knowing the state Zahara is in at the moment.
“...good luck in the tag match. I hope you and Heath kick a ton of tail in your match, and that you take down Saint at the pay-per-view. I’ll be rooting for you all the way, you hear?”
Kelsey looks to the floor, then to her friend. Something about her stance seems different, like she's found a spark inside her that had been missing. All it took was one little push from the one she trusts the most to bring it out.
“Oh, you know I'm gonna do just that…”
“That’s the Kesley I know and love!”
Both women share a smile before Kelsey takes her leave. And yes, there’s just a little spring in Blue Thunder’s step. Or at least as much as the pain she’s in will allow. Zahara sits back down, sipping her tea and looking, for the first time in a few weeks, legitimately content.
