Rayven couldn’t believe it.  She had just fought probably the best match of her life so far and yet she ran out of time!  Still, it wasn’t a total loss.  Ms. Salinas had been kind enough to give Rayven another shot at the Valor title in a triple threat match vs. Trelisa and Madd.

 

This time, Rayven meant to cash in her shot.  She proved she was someone to take seriously.  She fought Abigai, pushing her to the limit.  Then took Madd Morales to a time limit draw.  These two results would seem to indicate she was progressing well.  Rayven walked into the hotel she was staying at, food in hand when it hit her for the first time.  That small pressure build up in her mind that she learned long ago was her psychic ability giving her what she referred to as her ‘spidey senses tingling.’  A warning of danger.  Rayven had also learned from her mother and her roma clan that the worst thing someone could do would be to stop and visibly look around.  Instead, she never broke her stride, her eyes scanning covertly, breaking the lobby up into sections.  She pinned it down in section 2.

 

She took out her smartphone, and started scrolling.  At a glance, she was another young person lost in their phone.  In reality, she was bringing up her camera, covertly aiming and snapping a picture.  She continued with the act of her social media scrolling.  As she entered the elevator, she checked the picture and was stunned to see the picture distorted in a way that made her blood run cold.  She then sent a text message to her mother, Kara and Abigail.  I think I have one of Kara’s new friends following me.  She then sent an additional message to Abigail.  If you can use one of those cool ‘express lanes’ to visit me, might be safer for you to do so.  

 

As the elevator opened, Rayven walked out and was nearly knocked down by a woman who looked like she was trying out for a female version of Sons of Anarchy.  The bump was hard enough to knock Rayven’s phone from her hand.  Both women crouch down to pick up the phone, apologizing.  Rayven looks at the jacket and nods.  “Bitchin’ jacket.”  The woman smiles and Rayven catches a glimpse of what might have been another warning sign.  The woman nods.  “Your jacket is pretty cool too.”  She says reaching out and running a finger along Rayven’s choker.  “Cute.  A girl who doesn’t mind a collar.  No name tag.”  She leans in. and whispers.  “Might have to do something about that.”

 

Rayven gulped and nodded, deciding it best to stay in character and flirt back as she took her phone, while at the same time covertly picking the woman’s pocket.  “Well, I’m flattered.”  She says holding up her phone.  The two briefly exchange numbers and Rayven walks off, making her way to her hotel room.  Once inside, Rayven looks at the wallet she picked from the woman and smirks.  “Pure Pazaak.”  She says as she opens the wallet and quickly finds the ID inside and nods, taking a picture.  “She then sends Serafina a text.  Hey babe, Don’t forget tonight is game night..”  She knew Serafina would get the message and would soon be arriving and once she made it to Rayven. Rayven would be able to take the next steps.  Until then, she had to maintain the appearance of status quo.

 

After match promo:

 

The stream starts and Rayven is there.  “What a match, huh?!  Madd Morales got saved by the freakin’ bell, lemme tell you!  Oh!  By the way, I really think you need a new nickname, airdevil doesn’t seem to fit someone who runs out of gas mid match and can’t keep up with me, I mean I dunno, always kinda seemed like a dumb name but more so now.”  Rayven said, allowing a bit of her Roma accent to leak out.  She was building a fanbase and she had some knowledge as to how best to do that and was willing to go ahead and do it.

 

“So, old man Morales has to try and keep up with not just me but also deal with Trelisa as well, though I have a feeling it will be Trelisa v. me once old man Morales runs out of gas and has to go take a nap.  But don’t worry, I’ll have more to say about old man Morales later.  For now, it’s time to get some rest and begin preparing for Civil Warfare!  Stay tuned for updates on media day activities as we get closer to Civil Warfare.  See you later!”

 

After turning the stream off, Rayven ate her food while she waited for her guests to show up.  Serafina arrived first, coming into the hotel room and looking at Rayven.  “Game night?”  Rayven tosses the captured wallet to Serafina and nods.  “Contents are yours but I need to know everything you can find out about her.”  Serafina catches the wallet and begins looking through it as she nods.  “Shouldn’t be a problem.”  She said as she took a seat.  “So, why are we looking into her?”  Rayven shrugged.  “Because.”  She began as she took a breath.  “She might be a vampire, or one of their pets.”

 

Serafina’s expression got serious at this and she nodded.  “Identity is probably a stolen one then.  Can ask Ilyana.  Given her job, might help us narrow down whether or not your new friend is one of them.”

 

Both of the girls paused the conversation as both of them felt the build up of magic, a small portal opening and Abigail stepping out.  Rayven grinned.  “So, how are you feeling after the match?”  Abigail glared a bit and shook her head.  “Underestimated how much that iron would hurt.  Still, we evened the score.”  Rayven nods.  “The after match assault might provoke a response from Bad Company, just a heads up.  Haven’t talked to dad or Greg yet, but I imagine they won’t be thrilled with the after match assault.”  Abby nodded.  “Where do you stand?”  Rayven shrugs.  “I’m trying to play peacemaker and say everything’s even, let’s leave things as they are.”

 

Abby sits down and leans back.  “Well, the Upstarts kind of view things that way, that the scales are balanced, but we’re also expecting Kara to not leave sleeping dogs lie.  Now, we can get back to politics later.  You think vampires are following you?”  Rayven nods.  “I’ve run into one possible already and detected another possible keeping eyes on me in the lobby.”  Serafina cut in here.  “How can you travel like..”  She trails off as her mind connects the dots and she looks at Rayven who nods.  “This is my friend Abigail.  She’s the..”  She looks back to Abby who smiles. “ Lenan Sidhe.  When the fey can’t agree on something, which I’m learning is like, all the time, they call me.”  Serafina nods.  “You also inspire artists.”  Abby nods.  “Yes, though I tend not to do that as I’m not keen on burning them out which is the side effect of my inspiration.  Now, I’m trying to figure out if it’s something I can control and the others before me just never cared enough to control it or if the short lifespan and such is the inevitable result of me deciding to inspire someone.”

 

Rayven chimes in here.  “So, do all of the Upstarts use that spiffy travel?  Must save on jet lag.”  Abby shakes her head.  “No, too dangerous to bring non-fey in.”  “Why?”  Serafina asks.  Abby shrugs.  “Time dilation.  You attend a party for 3 hours in the Feywild and learn that 300 years has passed in the real world.  Also, it’s easy to get lost and the fey tend to view ‘mortals’ as potential pets, toys, and amusements.  So, if you have a guide and actually follow that guide, it’s not that bad, but Fiona, Akame and I are the only ones who use our special portals.”

 

Rayven blinks.  “But how is Fiona a… my head hurts.”  Abby laughs a bit.  “She’s a druidess, which puts her in a special status.”  Rayven nods.  Abby continues.  “Speaking of magic..”  Rayven grins.  “I’m Roma.  The myths about us are based in some truth.  Though points to old man Morales for figuring that out, finding a Roma book of magic and one of his freaks who can read it.”  Serafina stands up.  “I’m on that too.”  Rayven nodded.  “I already punished her.  She won’t get her sight back until I lift the hex.”  Serafina nods.  “Good.  But I’m still doing research on my end too.  Which I should get back to.  Nice to meet you, Abigail.”  Abby nods.  “Serafina, was it?  Nice to meet you too.  Though, I’m curious as to how you know each other.”  Serafina grins.  “Same clan.  We’re about the same age, we just got along with each other.”  She said as she stood up, said her goodbyes and left.  

 

Abby turns to look at Rayven and Rayven shrugged.  “Don’t take it personally.  Firstly, she has some things to tend to and secondly, a lot of Roma are.. Distrustful of outsiders.”  Abby grins.  “I’m still an outsider even after..”  Abby says with a grin.  Rayven doesn’t blush or show any hint of embarrassment, she shrugs.  “Well, we’ll have to decide that at some point.  For right now, we both have big matches to get ready for at Civil Warfare.”  Then, the lightbulb goes on for Rayven and she turns to Abby.  “You were in the nKo with both Trelisa and old man Morales, right?”

 

Abby nods.  “Yes.  I suppose you want a scouting report?”  Rayven nods and Abigail continues on.  “Trelisa is a second gen wrestler.  We Upstarts have our eye on her as we do you as well for possible recruitment prospects.  She is skilled and focused.  She has something to fight for and her and I were undoubtedly the aces of the nKo team.  Be careful with her.  As for Madd… I don’t know.  He should be amazing.  He has a lot of talent and potential, but just can’t seem to keep it going.  I’ve seen him arguing with himself, or possibly some kind of possessing entity, I guess?  I dunno.  I think that’s his biggest weakness.  You had the right strategy last match.  Do that again, only keep taunting him.  Try to get him arguing with himself.  But I fought you as well and let me tell you, Rayven.. You definitely have the talent to capture the Valor title and even to defend it 5 times in a row.  You got this, girl.”

 

Rayven smiled.  She could not put into words how much that helped boost her confidence.   It was one thing for her family to speak of the confidence they had in her but for a friend and ally to express that same confidence.  Especially when that friend and ally was a former Conquest Champion. She looked over at Abby and took a deep breath.  “Hey.. I was wondering.. What exactly was your super power again?”

 

Abigail looks up at Rayven and blinks.  “Oh I can fly, and shoot laser beams from my eyes.  Oh and Frost breath and you know every other super power supergirl has.”  Rayven smirks.  “Sorry, I mean..”  Abby nods.  “I know.  My mantle gives me the main role of basically lawyer and judge amongst the Fae.  Outside of the fae, I’m essentially a muse.  I can ‘inspire’ them.  The up side for them is they become a genius in their field.  I could help you become the next Fluer Jansen, for example.”  Rayven nods.  “What’s the downside?  And where is the benefit to you?”

 

Abby frowns.  “The downside is the person in question becomes fixated on me.  “You’ve seen Lost Girl.  The reactions that Bo, the Morrigan and a few others can do.. That’s me.  And the other downside is the mortal mind and body are usually unable to handle it, which results in them burning out, spiralling into insanity and early death syndrome.”  Rayven nods.  “What about someone who isn’t a normal mortal?  I mean, I’m mortal, but I also have magic and psychic abilities.. Think I could handle it?”

 

Abby opened her mouth to reply when the main voice in her head chimed in, leading to her seeming to think for a few moments and then sighing.  “I suppose?  Why would you want to try, though?”  Rayven shrugs.  “Couldn’t hurt to have some extra oomph for my next match.  I mean, I hit Madd with everything and ran out of time.  Now I have him and Trelisa to deal with.”

 

Abigail hesitates and then makes her way over and whispers something in Rayven’s ears, Rayven’s eyes almost literally lighting up as she nods.  “Holy shit, why didn’t I think of that earlier?!”  She runs off and grabs her phone making some quick notes so she doesn’t forget the ideas from her burst of inspiration.  She nods.  “Okay, I’m going to do this.  Want to play cameraman?”

 

Abby shrugs.  “Sure.  I find myself curious to see what I’ve inspired.”  Rayven smirks and the two head out…

 

Rayven promo 2 Electric Boogaloo:

 

The camera comes to show Rayven. She stands in center frame, decked out in her leather jacket over a Pearl Jam T-Shirt and torn jeans.  She wastes no time.  “Welcome to the revolution.  That’s right.  Pay Per view.  Championship on the line, there would be that boring ass press conference bullshit.  The hell with that.  I’m going to the people directly.  You guys have a question, post it in the chat and my little helper behind the camera will read it and I’ll answer.  But first.  Civil Warfare.  Perfect.  Because Old Man Morales.. Your punk ass declared war on me, and if you had more than 2 freakin’ brain cells, you’d know that pissing off some of Roma blood is just a bad idea.  Your lackey has already and is continuing to learn that lesson.  As for you?  Well, taking your title is a good start so on that note, you will lose the Valor title.  Of course, I feel confident that it will be me who takes your belt,”

 

Rayven pauses and reaches into her backpack pulling out a magic 8 ball and winks at the camera.  “How can I be so sure?  Simple.  I can see the future.  I’m not going to carry my crystal out for this so I got a stand in.”  She says as she gives it a good shake and peeks in.  “Huh.  I guess even a child’s toy can see the outcome of this match.  It says.  “Old Man Morales is a fake, a phony, a rice a roni jabroni who can’t keep up.  Rayven and Trelisa are both going to expose him for the cheap hack he is.”  Rayven lets out a little laugh and shrugs.  “There you have it, folks.  Pretty sure we covered this in the last show, but if I didn’t I do it now and if I did, a little recap in case your forgot.  See, Madd Morales is a study of a man who got everything he wanted and failed to do anything.  He wanted the Elite title.  He got it.  Then he lost it.  Lost it after sending the entire nKo after my aunt.  Now, he’s nothing, just a footnote.  A ‘Oh.  Yeah, he had the belt for a bit.”  He wanted to be the leader of the nKo team.  Wanted to prove that the von Krauss regime didn’t need to rely on Gabriel Tuck.  That they didn’t need to convince Abigail to stay with them.  Armand tried, his reward?  Madd failed to lead the team and the nKo and von Krauss regime are both just dust in the wind.”

 

Rayven turns and looks into the camera.  “Hey.  Old man, Morales.. What’s it feel like to fail that epically?”  She shrugs,  “I get the feeling old man morales has run out of gas and needs a nap so we’ll come to the other person in this matchup.  Trelisa.  Second gen wrestler.  For my money, the most talented regular member of the nKo.  The only real competition she had was Abigail’s temporary stint with them.  Maybe she’ll be able to keep up with me, but I doubt it.  What makes me feel that way?  Again.  History.  Trelisa has never held a singles title.  She never was nor tried to be the captain of team nKo.  She claims to have a big rivalry with old man morales, but aside from like, 1 sneak attack and some scattered shit talking, she hasn’t done much.  It’s odd.  She fought so hard to be a pro wrestler and doesn’t seem to be doing much to cash in on her supposed potential.”  

 

Rayven shrugs.  “But don’t worry fans.  I’m here to take the Valor title and hold onto it for five defenses so that I can cash it in and get a title shot of my choosing.  Stay tuned fans, this is gonna be a fun ride.”

 

Rayven looks up as her first question from the chat comes in.  “Hmm how do I feel about Valora using the G word?”  Rayven shrugs.  “She’s been a victim of real racism.  We’ve talked before and when she said it, she quickly corrected herself.  When she was growing up, that word was acceptable.  I know it takes time to change so it doesn’t bother me.  It’s far from the worst term that can be thrown my way.”

 

Once more, Rayven looks up and nods as the second question comes in.  “Why do I have Targoviste listed as my hometown?  Well, couple reasons.  Firstly, my dad and aunt are doing a pretty good job of repping Germany so there’s that.  Also, before giving birth to me, my mom went to Romania and joined up with her Roma clan.  She wanted me born there.. As it happens, I came a bit early, while mom and dad were in Targoviste to connect with mom’s people and so.. I was born there.  Nice little bit of future trivia there for you fans.”

 

The third question comes in and Rayven nods as she listens to her off camera partner relay it to her.  “Hmm.  How do I feel about losing a chance at the Skirmish title?  Man it hurt.  I wanted that belt bad.  But I lost to the most awesome person to ever come out of Wales and a former Conquest champion and someone who made it all five defenses as Valor Champion… which is another reason I’m confident.  Abby has been cool enough to give me some tips on what it will take to win and hold the Valor title.  So.. old man morales?  Make sure you shine my belt up because I’m coming for you and this time, you won’t be saved by the bell.”  Rayven winks as the camera fades to black.