Post by MJ Bell on Mar 5, 2014 22:13:50 GMT -5
March 5 - Mariott
The hotel room was silent when MJ opened up her eyes. Even with her groggy, half asleep state of mind she understood that the hotel room was empty. Finn had left with her parents yesterday but she didn't realize how strange it would seem without him. The two of them were used to being on the road together. However,since Kenshin had offered to travel with her, MJ wouldn't have to travel all the way to Louisiana alone. At times she had almost fallen asleep at the wheel because the long highways blended together and her mind wandered. She wasn't easily distracted but when the trip was long, the radio stations started to become one huge play-list of static and it was unsafe to call someone, then she began to miss human interaction.
MJ was currently in bed with the covers up over her head as she traded text messages with Melissa. The two of them were in a furious debate on what happened Monday Night with herself and Ian. Melissa was on the side of a love triangle but MJ couldn't seriously handle that. She would end up hurting someone. Love triangles only worked on Televisions shows. In the drama, the woman never meant to hurt either one but she switched between the two men. Each man would be the polar opposite of the other. They’d kill each other over the woman’s affection in the name of love but it never ended well. One of them, at the end, would hate her. That thought, the tiny possibility that Kenshin could end up hating MJ because of this angle, well, she couldn’t put him through hell. It wasn't wrong to have feelings for multiple people but there was a point where it had to stop.
Melissa had a twisted view or perhaps she understood the angle better than MJ could. She was on the outside looking her. It would be MJ with her heart on her sleeve. It didn’t matter though. Kenshin and MJ didn’t share that kind of relationship. Despite what everyone seemed to think MJ had buried any feelings away because she couldn’t put herself through losing a friend again.
Unfortunately, it was for entertainment purposes. The fans don’t care who is hurt in the process as long as it gives them something to talk about. Some gossip to whisper while they wait at the edge of their seats for the next move. MJ and Jimmy's relationship had caused problems with Hilary in RCW, which in turn, gave her a great feud with Hilary. The audience loved it and eat it up each time it was on a segment or inside the ring. Inside though, it irritated MJ to see Jimmy actually consider Hilary as a choice after the two of them started dating. It was all on screen. Each kiss the two of them shared, every intimate moment and every single fight. It wasn't until Finn came in did it all stop. He kicked Jimmy's ass and MJ broke it off with him. The whole memory made her feel pathetic. Her phone rang.
MJ Bell: Hell--
Melissa Reed: All i'm saying is that it makes an interesting angle. Ian is attractive and I call Kenshin Hot Asian! I don't mean go sleeping with the whole roster but think about it.
MJ Bell: I don't want to be in a triangle. Ian and I don’t have anything between us. You are getting ahead of yourself. Plus, Kenshin and I are friends. F R I E N D S.
Melissa Reed: Whatever you say but you are fighting it pretty hard. Are you in denial about it?
MJ Bell: Mel... I don't want to screw Kenshin. I don't want to kiss him or cuddle him or--
Melissa Reed: But you two did cuddle.
Her eyes roll before she switched ears that the phone was pressed against. She twisted a piece of her hair around her finger.
MJ Bell: He wasn't even awake. It was like... rape. He cuddle-raped me.
There was laughter on Melissa's side and it annoyed MJ to hear her friend find it so amusing. She just slipped further down under the warm, welcoming covers with her cheeks puffed up.
Melissa Reed: How did it feel to have Ian had actually kissed you? Would it have actually started something? Could be just me but Kenshin didn't look too happy to see you-
MJ Bell: Melissa, Stop! For the love of everything wonderful would you please just stop. I don’t want to hear anymore about Kenshin and I. It feels like that is all I ever talk about. Just, stop!
Melissa Reed: Okay. I'll stop.
There was a pause. MJ’s legs curled up as she released some air through her nostrils.
Melissa Reed: Is Finn gone?
MJ Bell: Yeah. He left yesterday with my parents. It feels so weird without him. Is it weird that I got used to traveling with him again? I wish he would have thought about joining OCW.
Melissa Reed: Maybe one day he’ll rejoin wrestling again.
I wouldn't worry about it, love. Once you find something you love it is hard to let it go. Unless it's a one night stand.
MJ Bell: I hope he does. Really Mel, did you really compare this to a one night stand?
Melissa Reed: Are you traveling alone now? I get so bored all by myself on trains.
MJ Bell: Uh, no. Nope. I'm not alone but... I just. You know, I've never been on a train before.
Melissa Reed: Wait a minute! Is Hot Asian going to be traveling with you now?!
There was a knock at the door to save her from the embarrassing question. She sat up with wide curious eyes as she stared at the door. The covers were tossed away from her body. Her legs swung over the side of the bed. Melissa still questioned her in a very excited tone but MJ wasn’t paying attention to anything her friend said on the other line.
MJ Bell: I'll call you later.
Melissa Reed: Wait, I have news for--
She cut off whatever Melissa said when she clicked the end button, her eyes never left the door. She tossed her phone backwards then walked over to answer the door. She had on a long t-shirt with black shorts under, her fury hair was frizzy due to the static from the bed. Her hands smoothed down her wild locks before she opened up the door. Those bright hazel-green eyes widened at the sight of her tag team partner, Kenshin. She peered out in both directions before she took a step back and self-consciously crossed her arms over her chest.
MJ Bell: What are you doing here?
Before answering, Kenshin seemed to eye her. He didn't linger too long as it would make things awkward. Provided MJ even looked at what Kenshin was wearing, his gym shorts and a muscle shirt, she would have a pretty good idea as to why he was there. MJ looked at him and she seemed a little startled when he spoke.
Kenshin Takamura: Don't you remember? We were going to go work on our tag team chemistry today. It's imperative that we work together as a team so we aren't just running around like a couple of chickens with their heads cut off.
MJ Bell: I did. I remembered I'm just, uh, I'm having a slow day. As you can tell by what I'm wearing. So much for being on my A-game. I'm sorry about it, Kenshin.
She pushed the door open a little more for Kenshin, her arm waved out to the side as she spoke.
MJ Bell: Come in and I'll get ready. I need some serious coffee. I think we should look on the bright side... We did an amazing job in the Battle Royal.
MJ flashed him a large grin as she picked up her suitcase and slipped into the bathroom to change her clothes. She pulled on a form fitting tank-top and slipped on another pair of red shorts. Meanwhile, Kenshin lingered in the main area of her hotel room. He spoke to her even though she was in the bathroom changing.
Kenshin Takamura: You're right. We did do an amazing job in the Battle Royal, but tag team competition is a very different animal. You know that. If you aren't completely in sync with your partner, the match might get very ugly very quickly. There are so many teams out there that neglect the chemistry of their team and just assume that because they are top tier wrestlers that they can form up a team with some other top tier singles competitor and take on a premier tag team. That isn't how the real world works.
Yes, Takamura was up on his soap box, but he was finished when MJ walked out she was pulling her hair up into a short pony-tail. She gave him a half smile because he amused her.
MJ Bell: Are you saying we don't have chemistry because I thought we at least had some.
MJ immediately stopped talking after that comment left her lips. She could feel his eyes on her but she couldn't tell what expression he had because MJ had dropped her head to look at the floor. MJ cleared her throat as she sat down on the edge of the bed to pull both of her sneakers on. The room went quiet for a moment.
MJ Bell: Um, right so, what did you have in mind, O fearless slave driver?
She was up on her feet and ready to head out the door. MJ's cheeks had a faint red tint to them if Kenshin actually looked. She tucked the key card into her pocket and snatched her phone up then waited for Kenshin to walk out the door first, but he didn’t. Instead Kenshin pulled the door open for his tag team partner, allowing her to walk out ahead of him.
Kenshin Takamura: Well…
He began to speak as they walked down the hotel hallway, keeping pace with MJ as they did. She tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear.
Kenshin Takamura: There is a local wrestling gym here in Lubbock that I found. They welcomed us to come train there because of my status as an international fighter interestingly enough. The way I see it is it will be a good draw for them, but it will be an even better work out for us. They’re going to allow us to practice our team chemistry against a couple of their guys.
Kenshin seemed to be all business as they walked through the hotel corridor. His stride was showed confidence, but also an underlying intensity, along with a very slight limp. MJ on the other hand seemed dazed, a little lost. Her mind obviously wasn’t in the correct place today. She would still throw herself into their practice today despite her mindset.
MJ Bell: Team chemistry… That just sounds a little strange to me but I get it. I had a lot of team chemistry with my brother but he is my flesh and blood. I tagged with Harlequin a few times but we only did well because our opponents were so thrown off guard by her. We’ll need to find what makes us fit. I’m sure their guys are going to hurt after this.
As she spoke her eyes seemed to wander around the hallway. MJ twirled her keys around her finger, her eyes on Kenshin when she spoke next.
MJ Bell: Speaking of hurting… How are your ribs feeling?
She poked her finger into his torso to test what state his body was in. He winced a bit since there was a bit of bruising in the area, but he masked most of his pain as best he could. MJ had noticed regardless of him trying to cover it up.
Kenshin Takamura: They are fine. I have had a day to recover from that hellacious match with Mackenzie. Enough about my ribs, our mission is not to necessarily hurt these guys that we will be facing off against, but rather to work well as a team against them. If they get hurt, so be it, that’s a risk they took when they stepped into the ring with us, but that isn’t what’s important.
As Takamura spoke, he almost sounded like an adult talking to a child or a boss talking to his employee. He meant no disrespect by it. Takamura just took professional wrestling very seriously and thus he trains like he fights. MJ allowed a sigh to escape her lips before addressing Kenshin’s physical state.
MJ Bell: Kenshin, you are still hurting. Look, I know you take this very seriously, I do too, but it doesn’t mean that we have to kill ourselves. Don’t push yourself too hard, okay? I don’t want to be worrying about you during the match. Also, I didn’t really mean that we need to hurt these guys. I’m just saying that…
Both of MJ’s hands lifted in front of her. She didn’t really have a solid ending to that explanation to what he had just said. MJ just dropped it and gently prodded his torso again. A smile formed on her lips as she looked at him out of the corner of her eye, catching his slight wince in the process. MJ straightened herself up to mock his seriousness. She admired Kenshin and how serious he was about wrestling.
MJ Bell: Am I driving us there?
Kenshin Takamura: It would seem that way.
They both passed the elevator, opting to take the stairs instead as Kenshin opened the door for MJ then walked through the door himself after she passed through. The door slammed shut behind them as they made their way down the stairs at a rushed pace to get their blood pumping for the impending hard day of training that glared them directly in the eyes…
March 5 - A White Ford.
The camera didn’t wobble this time. It was stable when it screen opened up to reveal MJ and Kenshin both standing by her truck. She was leaned against it with her arms folded loosely under her chest.Meanwhile, Kenshin was standing out in front of her. His arms clutched at his newly won OCW Internet Championship, holding it steady upon his right shoulder while his feet were shoulder-width apart, giving him a strong outward appearance. At length, he spoke.
Kenshin Takamura: Well, here we are, everyone. MJ and myself have yet to leave for Shreveport, Louisiana, but make no mistakes about it, we will be there because this tournament leads to something we both look to attain: the right for one of us to call ourself the OCW Southern Champion, but we cannot look ahead because this whole Lethal Lotto Tournament is full of talented wrestlers. Talent including the man I defeated for this title right here, Noah Mackenzie.
As he mentioned his championship, one of his hands patted it gently, ensuring that the title would be acknowledged by his audience. In the background MJ had an amused smile on her lips. She shifted her weight from foot to foot and allowed her partner to continue talking.
Kenshin Takamura: Now I am getting too far ahead of myself because it won’t be until later down the road that we might have the opportunity to face off against Mackenzie and his partner, TGO. On Monday night, we’ll be facing Dangerous Dan and RM Strong. MJ and I have watched film on Dangerous Dan and his skills as a tag team competitor, which is nothing short of impressive, but this isn’t your brother you’re teaming with, Dan, so I guess we’ll see how you fair. I have no doubt that whether he is teamed up with his brother or not, Dan is a, well, for lack of better words, dangerous competitor especially in a tag team match. Dan, I’m afraid there’s a problem though.
The Internet Champion adjusted the strap on his shoulder whether it really needed to be adjusted or not, who knows, but he did nonetheless. As he shifted it, the silver plate on the front of the belt gleamed in the sunlight, sending a bright beam of light directly into the camera’s lens.
Kenshin Takamura: You’re going to need to be more than dangerous to defeat us. Noah Mackenzie proved to be more than just dangerous and look what happened. Everyone saw a small example of what MJ and I are capable of as a team at the Resurrection Battle Royal, but if that’s the extent of your knowledge of us as a team, then you’re sorely lacking on that front. Simply put, at Massacre, you and RM Strong are both going to come to a rude realization. I know what you’re asking. Kenshin, what the hell are you running on and on about? Well, quit over-thinking it.
Takamura took a step forward as the camera panned into him a bit more.
Kenshin Takamura: When we meet in the ring, you will see nothing less than the best display of tag team chemistry between MJ Bell and me, but you won’t have the opportunity to enjoy our chemistry as a team like the fans. No, you’ll have that honor next week when you’re on the sidelines watching us fight our next opponents in the Lethal Lotto Tournament.
In the background, MJ finally pushed herself up from her spot on the little white Ford before she walked up so she was by standing by Kenshin’s side.
MJ Bell: The sun is setting on your time in this Tournament, guys.
The screen faded to black and across the screen the words “#TsunamiSunset” flashed across before it clicked completely off.