Behind the Scenes

Defeat

Abby’s lockerroom

Post Warzone

 

Abby stood in the shower and looked at her hands Tonight had been a good lesson for her.  For one, she realized just how much a certain substance used on the weapons in the match could hurt.  For two, her and Akame had obviously underestimated Kara.  Because of that, Kara had come away with a win.  She could hear them now, the press gathering outside her locker.  Much as she wanted to use the portal trick to avoid them, she knew she couldn’t do that.  She finished her shower and stepped out of the shower.  Two snaps of her fingers.  First one dried her off.  The second replaced her makeup.  She had to admit, her Fae heritage made getting ready much quicker and easier.  She quickly threw on some clothes and headed outside the locker room.

 

On Camera

Post match interview

 

The moment she stepped out of her locker room, the press started bombarding her with questions.  She rolled her eyes and held up a hand.  “I gotta catch a plane so let’s make this quick.  Same rules as last time, one question each.”

 

James Collins stepped forward.  “You and Akame are tag team champs at the 4 Winds level.  Are you worried that losing to Kara tonight has given Bad Company a legit challenge for those belts?”

 

Abby shrugged.  “Dunno.  Have to ask Mr. Childress about that.”

 

Alyssa Lucci raised a hand.  “What went wrong tonight?  How did you and Akame lose to a single wrestler?”

 

Abby shook her head and laughed, frustration leaking into the laugh a bit more than she meant.  “Well the weapons helped.  But, the downside with tornado matches is everyone is in at the same time.  In a traditional tag match, Akame and I could have tagged out, given ourselves a breather while our partner fought and we could have worn Kara down.  We didn’t have that advantage and Kara has experience fighting while outnumbered.  She’s a great athlete and just outperformed us tonight.”

 

Another reporter came forward.  “You and Akame were partners tonight but you two have to fight each other at Civil Warfare for the Skirmish title.  Will it be hard to fight your best friend and partner?”  

 

Abby shakes her head.  “We spar most days in training.  Abby, Fiona or Akame are walking out of Civil Warfare as the Skirmish title.  Of course I think I have a good shot of doing that, but in truth, as long as one of us walks out as the champ, it’s all good.”

 

Another reporter comes up.  “What about Kat Hale?  Aren’t you being dismissive of her?”

 

Abby smirked and shrugged.  “Fi, Akame and I are all undefeated in this tournament so far.  Kat Hale got knocked out and won the wild card match.  Nothing personal against her, but she has exactly one more loss than Fi, Akame and I do.”

 

Abby looked around and decided she had answered enough questions and headed out.

 

Behind the Scenes

Hanging out with Rayven

Rayven’s hotel room

 

Abby was in the room and had listened to Rayven lay out the case for being watched by vampires.  Abby frowned.  “Well, shit.  They likely won’t wait long before they strike, but you might be protected somewhat since you’re a magic user and thus already in the know about supernatural stuff.”

 

Rayven nods.  “I think so as well.  Right now, I’m just trying to be aware of them.”

 

Abby nodded, that was the best plan for now.  She spent the night with Rayven.  The next day, she headed back home..

 

On Camera

FWA Presents Back in Business XX

London, England

 

Abby jumped and hit her flip piledriver driving the head of XYZ into the cold steel near the entryway.  3 seconds later, the TV title was given to her and Abby sank to her knees and placed her head on the TV title, as tears of joy flowed.  She had won a title in her homeland, in Wembley Stadium of all places.  She was on cloud 9 and there would definitely be celebrations before she left the U.K.

 

Behind the Scenes

Aftermath

London, England and Swansea, Wales

 

Abby began the celebrations with Rosalyn and then was sure to be back at Wembley for night 2.  After all, she needed to cheer on Akame and Siobhan van Rhys and the other members of the 3 Strong Blondes stable

 

After night 2, there was more celebration in London and later on, in Swansea as Rosalyn lays back on the bed, naked and sweaty.  “Wow.” was all she could say.  Abby was out of bed and made her way over, taking a drink from a bottle of water.  “Worth the wait, I trust?”

 

“Bloody hell yes.”  Rosalyn says, having rolled over to keep an eye on the naked form of Abby.  “How long are you here for?  Thanks to magic travel you don’t have to leave right away, do you?”

 

“Why don’t you come with me?”  Abby says as she glances over her shoulder at Rosalyn.

 

For her part, Ros considers and raises an eyebrow.  “I’d have to fly, right?  I can’t go your way.”

 

“You can as long as I’m there to guide you.  But even with me guiding you, there is a risk.”  Abby says with a shrug.

 

“I know.  Time passes differently and despite magical ability and being descended from
Alistair, I am still a mortal.  Luckily, I do have something I can take to help protect me.”  Abby nods.  “Sounds like a plan then.”

 

Behind the Scenes

Back in the States

Greensboro, North Carolina

 

Rosalyn looks out over the city from the hotel room and shook her head.  “From London.. To colonial backwoods.”

 

Abby smirks and nods.  “Yeah.  Probably could’ve picked a better spot for the pay per view.  But we’re halfway through the season and next season we finally hit Europe.  Just hitting Europe for two seasons.  If it were up to me, I’d spend one season in the U.K. One in Western Europe and then one in Eastern Europe, but I guess that would be asking too much.”

 

Rosalyn gives a smirk and nods.  “Of course.  Goddess forbid CWF spend too much time in Europe.  Best to charge through as quickly as possible never mind that 3 out of 5 former Conquest Champions were European and that the challenger to the Conquest title at the pay purview is European.  Never mind that 2 out of 5 former and current Elite Champions are European.  Which is 50% of current and former top tier title holders being European.  Half of the Skirmish title finals match participants being European.  Current tag team champs being European..”

 

“We get it.  I agree, Ros.  But CWF seems to want a short and quick burst through Europe.  I’ll worry about that later, for now i need to start getting ready if I plan to leave Civil Warfare as the first ever Skirmish title.” Abby says

 

Ros nods. “Kinda agree with your mum.  Should be focused on Conquest title or Elite title.”

 

“Did you watch Kara take on Akame and me?  I seem to not do too well in hardcore themed matches.  So might want to stick what I do know.”  Abby says with a shrug.  “So Elite title might not be a good call and as for the Conquest title.. Well.. we’ll see what the title picture looks like after Civil Warfare and I’ll go from there.”

 

“I hate to say it and maybe this says something about me as well, but.. Are you sure you can trust Fiona and Akame?  Or your mother for that matter?”

 

Abby sighs.  “I trust Fi and Akame.  Matter of fact, I kinda think we should be pushing Fi to be the Skirmish champ.  She already has the 4 Winds equivalent of it and she could really use a title win in CWF.  Same for Akame.  She could really use a CWF title reign,  Of the three of us, I need the Skirmish the least.”

 

Rosalyn nods.  “Team player.  Never could do that.  If you truly believe you can trust them then I’d say get together with them and decide whether to push one of you towards the title or to go everyone for themselves style.  I noticed you didn’t mention your mother.”

 

Abby nods.  “I trust her in most things.  But might she decide to stack the deck for or against me?  In dunno, maybe.Not much I can do about that.  I’m trusting mom to know that her cheating will permanently damage the relationship between her and me.  That seems to matter to her for some reason.  Would have been nice if it mattered when I was born but…”

 

Rosalyn smirks.  “If she had you would have been raised as an American.  I mean, my goddess.. Can you imagine?”

 

Despite herself, Abby laughs a bit and nods.  “Well, I mean there is that.  And she explained why she gave me up for adoption.  I guess it makes sense.”

 

“It does.  It shows she cared about you.  Trust me.  My parents took a bit too much after Alistair.. It was lucky they hired governesses and nannies to take care of me because if those two had to interrupt their drugged out orgies to tend to me, I wouldn’t have survived infancy.”

 

Abby paused and considered this.  “Well,  I don’t think mom is that bad.. Despite how much she drinks, she functions pretty well.  Still, I guess she does have a lot of enemies.  Also, like you said, I do appreciate growing up in Wales.”

 

“So, back onto the match.  How do you plan to approach the match?  

 

Abby looked at Rosalyn and shrugged.  “It’s a title match, I’m sure there will be a press conference.  That will give me a chance to feed my Lenan Sidhe.”

 

Rosalyn grins.  “Oh, this I gotta see,.;’

 

On Camera

Pre-Vanguard Press Conference

Greensboro, North Carolina

 

The press is gathering for the press conference.  At the moment, the table is empty.  Backstage, Rosalyn taps Abby on the shoulder.  “Hey.  Just a thought, for a nickname, why not let a bit of the truth out?  Nickname yourself ‘The Awen’

 

Abigail thought for a second.  “Not a bad idea but also one that might get me into trouble.  I’ll have to figure out something soon though.  I’m starting to collect too many titles to just be ‘Abigail, the girl from Wales.’

 

Rosalyn laughs and nods.  “Yes.  Best give it some thought.”

 

Meanwhile, the PA plays ‘You Got this.’ by Skindred.  Abby winks at Rosalyn before making her way out to the main press room.  She wears the FWA TV Title across her waist and carries the 4 Winds Albion championship slung over her right shoulder and the 4 Winds Dyad championship slung over her left shoulder.  She makes her way over to the table, setting each title down before taking a bottle of pepsi out and taking a drink as she sits down, propping her feet on the table and lowering her sunglasses a bit so she can peek over them.  “Let’s do this.”

 

Alyssa Lucchi jumps to her feet first.  “As we can all see, you have the FWA TV title.  A belt you just won in London, in your first ever FWA match.”

 

Abby nods.  “Uh huh.  There a question in there, Alyssa?”

 

Alyssa rolls her eyes and mutter.  “Ugh sound just like your father.”  She then resumes her question.  “Surely it must have been a big win for you to win a title on homefield?”

 

Abby nodded.  “Wembley.  I dreamed about playing football there someday.  I achieved my dream.  Wasn’t football, but I performed at Wembley and was crowned champion.  Yeah.  I’m kinda on cloud 9 at the moment.”

 

James Collins stands and nods.  “Moving the focus to the CWF.  You’re in the final match, the chance for history.  Crowning the first ever Skirmish champion.  You’ve said numerous times you’d be fine with either of your teammates winning,.. Are you really sure?  Given your competitive nature.  Given who your parents are.”

 

Abby lets out a sigh and a groan as she shakes her head.  “Right.  My parents are gloryhounds and title whores so obviously that must be the only focus for me as well, right?”  Abby gestures to the titles.  “Look at it.  3 belts.  I ain’t a bloody dragon, I got enough gold and I have always shown myself to be a team player.  So yes, if Fiona or Akame were to win the match, I’d be just fine with that.”

 

The next reporter gets to their feet.  “Rumor has it that you have been romantically linked with..

 

Abby lowers her sunglasses again.  “Finish that question and you’ll regret it.  Who I am or am not shaggin’ is my bloody business, alright?”

 

The reporter nods and sits back down.  James Collins comes back to his feet.  “What about your opponents?  Surely training with Akame and Fiona day in and day out, you must be keenly aware of their weaknesses.”

 

Abby nods.  “I am and they are keenly aware of mine.  I won’t give away the real stuff, but the obvious surface level things are there.  Fiona and Akame are amazing fighters.  But for some reason, they have yet to win a title in CWF.  Fiona nearly won the Conquest title from me.  She almost took the Valor title from Kat Hale.  Nearly.  Almost.  Akame?  She’s my girl.  I think her and I make a hell of a team, but she’s in the same situation as Fi.. just can’t seem to get her hands on a CWF.  See.. that’s why I’d be fine if they win.  They deserve to be champions.. Every member of the Upstarts has had my back when I needed it and I’ve had theirs.  We’re family.  Maybe not related by blood, but we’ve chosen to view them that way. I changed my stance on being a one fed girl because my big sis Akame needed help in FWA.  I love Fi and Akame.  I can’t wait to compete against them in something other than training.  But at the end of the match, I promise you we’ll be hugging and complimenting each other on their performances.”

 

Another reporter stands up.  “What about Kat Hale?  You seem to be dismissing her entirely.”

 

Abby shrugs.  “She lost.  Got eliminated, fought her way back in via the wild card.She is absolutely someone to take seriously.  But she’s also been…well in football we refer to it as a yo-yo team.. It’s a team that gets relegated, then fights back to their old division, gets relegated again, rinse and repeat.  That’s Kat Hale.  She can’t seem to put together a string of wins.  Maybe Civil Warfare is where she turns it around.. But with me, Akame and Fi in the ring/  I don’t think so.  Nothing personal against her.  Just not going to be her night.”

 

Alyssa stands up.  “Your mother is the special guest ref for this match, she claims it is to prevent you three from teaming up on Kat Hale.  But a number of conspiracy theories are floating around that she plans to interfere.”

 

Abby nods and takes a drink from her pepsi.  “Heard ‘em.  I take my mom at her word. I trust her to be fair and I also trust her to know that if she interferes or stacks the deck or anything, that she will make an enemy out of the Upstarts.”

 

James raises his hand.  “Nickname.  You used to joke that your mother said you hadn’t earned one.  Given your current and past titles, I’d say you’ve earned one.  Any ideas?”  

 

Abby shrugs.  “Dunno.  Right now I’m waiting for the right inspiration.  Like Akame.. Kara called her reckless and she turned it into her nickname.  Basically, nickname is still in the works, but yeah.  I’m thinkin’ of it.”

 

James stays on his feet.  “You’re the only single.”

 

“Not true, Fi is also single last I checked.”  Abby say.  “Come on, James, I thought you were above tabloid stuff.”

 

James smiles.  “I am.  However who you’re dating plays a part in things.  For example, there is a rumor saying that you and Rayven spent some time together.”

 

Abby smiles.  “Rayven is a good friend. So is Ros. I won’t comment on private celebrations and the like but I will say at the moment, my relationship status is still single.”

 

Another reporter gets up.  “Your mother famously is a lesbian.  Are you one also?  What is your status on the sexuality front?”

 

Abby rolls her eyes.  “Firstly, my mom is bisexual.  I’m literally living proof of that.”  Abby pauses as the assembled reporters laugh a bit and Abby continues.  “As for me?  I don’t know honestly.  I have been attracted to women more than men, but there are a few men that I would definitely consider a fling with.”

 

Alyssa comes to her feet.  “William McClancy, one of them?”

 

Abby laughs a bit and nods.  “Yes.  I’ve spent some time with him, talking baseball or rounders as we call it in the U.K.”

 

Alyssa pounces.  “You know, you call Akame McClancy your ‘big sis’ but your body language and sometimes the inflections in your voice lead me to think you might want more.”

 

Abby blushes and shakes her head.  “No comment and it doesn’t matter anyways, Akame is in a relationship.  I think you’re reading too much into things.  She’s my big sis and my tag team partner.  I’m happy with that.”

 

Alyssa starts to open her mouth and Abby leans over the table.  “I swear to the Goddess if your next question even mentions Akame..”

 

Alyssa holds up her hands.  “Well it does.  You have to survive and outlast 3 other talented athletes.  How do you gameplan for something like that?”

 

Abby shrugs.  “Well, I expect most people would see 3 paths to victory.  Try to pin everyone yourself, Try to stay out of the way and and let your enemies beat themselves and come in to take out the last one standing, or a mix of the two.  Given the nature of the title, and given who is involved, I expect you will see a lot of high tempo, high flying offense.  I plan to pick my spots.  Stick and move and, if all goes well, I’ll have a new title for my collection.  Or Fi or Akame will be holding the title and the Upstarts can add another title to our trophy case.”

 

Abby stands up and collects her title belts.  “Mark my words.  I guarantee one of the Upstarts will be the first ever Skirmish champ.  Good luck to Fi and Akame.  She then heads out of the press room.