Scarlett Quinn PC: Dropkicks On My Heart

[veronicaaaahhhh]

Scarlett couldn't have asked for a better Sunday night. After having waited hours upon hours for Emily to get home, she was finally on Skype. And so, with her hair pig-tailed up, Scarlett made sure she got herself ready for a long night in front of her laptop: some munchies, which were expected given Penny's semi-hourly ritual joint, and two big bottles of Snapple.

Scarlett Quinn: So, did you see the match?

Emily Hall: I did!

Scarlett: … And?

Emily: Oh my God, you and Penny were amazing! Honestly, when I saw the rest of those guys come into the ring, I didn't know if you were going to win.

Scarlett: Neither did I, but we needed this win. Penny and I decided that we were going into the pay-per-view with some pretty solid wins, and we didn't make anything stop us.

Emily: I'm glad to hear. It's so weird

Scarlett: What's so weird?

Emily: Well, I just saw you wrestle awhile ago and now here I am talking to you, like it's normal.

Scarlett chuckled, grinning a little

Emily: Yeah. It's just really different from what I'm used to.

Scarlett: Gotcha

Emily: But I'm proud of you

Scarlett raised her eyebrow.

Scarlett: You are?

Emily softened to a smile as she drifted her eyes away from her camera and started thinking a little.

Emily: I am! How often does one know someone that brave? I don't think I could do what you and Trace do.

Scarlett: You mean hurt people?

Emily laughed

Emily: Yes, if you wanna put it that way.

Scarlett: If you want, I can teach you some stuff.

Emily chuckled

Emily: That sound great, but I don't think I have the kind of nerve you do. No, I think I'm happier standing on the side and just watching you kick butt.

Scarlett: You could be my manager.

Emily: What do they do?

Scarlett: Be pretty and occasionally aid their wrestler win a match.

Emily: What do you mean?

Scarlett: Well, let's say I'm on one side of the ring, totally beaten up just a finishing move away from being completely done.

Emily: Okay, I can follow along with this...

Scarlett: My opponent will obviously running off the ropes, gaining the momentum to hurt me with a devastating jumping attack just a mere two, three feet off the mat. Now, it would be your job as my manager to see to it that I walk away with a victory, by any means necessary.

Emily: And they allow this?

Scarlett: It's frowned upon, but referees are generally feeble and weak willed, so it's easy to get away with this sorta behavior.

Emily: They condone this?

Scarlett: Some fans insist on it!

Emily: What the hell kind of place do you and my brother work for?

Scarlett: A pretty fun one if you can afford to be smart about it.

Emily: I see...

Scarlett: But it's not all bad.

Emily: Not all bad?

Scarlett twitched her pretty little head a little as her eyes rolled up slightly, a playful grin indicating that she was amused and in though.

Scarlett: Okay, it can get a little bad-

Emily: -But?

Scarlett: But, there is that room to sanctify yourself that you couldn't normally get in the real world we live in. Yeah, I get that some people think it's dumb, but what can you do? It just makes the whole ride a lot more worth it.

Emily sighed and gazed back softly at Scarlett

Emily: You know what?

Scarlett shrugged.

Emily: I think I'm actually starting to understand what you and Trace see in wrestling.

Scarlett smiled.

Emily: It's not the smartest thing-

Scarlett dropped her smile

Emily: It's not safest thing-

Scarlett was starting to pout

Emily: But, it's very brave and I can admire you a little more for that.

Something inside Scarlett softened. She started to sigh, but it wasn't emo or anything. It just felt good, like she was blushing because of something Emily just said that somehow wouldn't have felt the same if it came from another person.

Emily chuckled a little as she smiled at Scarlett.

Emily: What is it?

Scarlett: … Thanks.
…
…
…
Scarlett: … Still wanna be my manager?

Emily grinned a little as she leaned back on her chair and crossed her arms together.

Emily: So, I'd helping you cheat?

Scarlett: No, you'd be helping me win.

Emily: Which is a totally different thing altogether!

Scarlett: Exactly!

Emily: Any perks to this job?

Scarlett: Well, we can see the world! And, we get to finally hang out with each other!

Emily: You make it sound like a vacation.

Scarlett: It pretty much is.

Emily: Except you'll get hurt a lot.

Scarlett: It comes with the territory. So enough blab, whatcha say Emily? Do you want to be my manager?

Emily seemed to give herself a moment to think it through; gazing to the side as she bit her lip a little.

Scarlett: … So, what'll it be?

Emily smiled

Emily: I'll do it!

A Chelsea-grin crept across Scarlett's face as she looked into the screen, catching Emily's gaze she smiled back at her.
Scarlett couldn't help but feel torn, for that moment at least. On one hand, she actually wished that Emily was right in front of her just so she could give her the biggest hug in the world. But at the same time, there was a part of Scarlett that was thankful there was that kind of distance between the two of them, because truth, she was still trying to figure out what she wanted from this... Her feelings.
And then, an idea come into Scarlett's head!

Scarlett: Hey, do you want come with me to Psycho Circus?

Emily: What's that again?

Scarlett: It's the pay-per-view, my title match.

Emily: Oh, right! So, is this going to be a ringside seat?

Scarlett: More like a backstage pass. I just want you to be there with me when I win.

Emily awww'd.

Emily: I'd love to be there for that!

Scarlett: Then it's settled, you'll be my date to Psycho Circus!

Emily laughed

Emily: Oh Jesus...

Scarlett: It's not that inviting now I that I hear it in my head.

Emily shook her head.

Emily: It's not at all inviting.

And then, just before another gawk-fest, Penny burst into Scarlett's room, leaning against the door, chewing gum.

Penny Shannon: Hey!

Scarlett was caught of guard a little. Nodding her head as she blinked her eyes, Scarlett looked over at Penny.

Scarlett: What's up?

[color=PurplePenny:

[/color] I just need to borrow your grinder, I won't take you away from your girlfriend for too long.

Scarlett didn't know what to do or say, so she just kept her eyes locked on Penny and the moment she saw her pick up the pink lucha grinder Mama Sandoval got her from one of her Mexico trips, Scarlett excused herself from the call, jumped out of bed and shushed Penny out of her room, following after her.

Scarlett: Wait, what girlfriend?

Penny: Well, duh? Emily! Who else am I talking about?

Scarlett licked her lips for a second as her mind started to race.
It was sort of like all the weird, fuzzy feelings were starting to connect itself the moment Penny called Emily her girlfriend.
It shouldn't... Scarlett's never found anybody attractive, to tell the truth and after growing up with Wayne and Vanessa McGurk, a couple Kurt Burton once described as 'A couple so ungodly cute. I feel like I need an insulin shot from their sugary sweetness', Scarlett wasn't too fond of being in a romantic relationship. With anyone.
And then one day, she tries to bug Trace and ends up chatting up his sister, among all people and as it turned out, she actually had a chance to talk to someone who was smart, unintentionally funny, and genuinely honest- a kind of refreshing contrast from the kind of people she was used to.
So, what was wrong with enjoying her company?
… A lot.

By the time Scarlett came to, Penny was already halfway inside her room. Catching the door from closing, Scarlett walked into Penny's room

Scarlett: Wait up.

Penny tossed some thing off her bed as she turned back to face Scarlett

Scarlett: What do you mean girlfriend?

Penny: Come on, hun. You know...

Scarlett: No, I don't.

Penny: Sit down.

Getting up, Penny locked the door and sat on the bean bag with her legs crossed In'jun style, reaching out for the glittered up cigarbox Penny kept her weed in.

Penny: Be honest with me, do you have feelings for Emily?

Scarlett didn't answer just yet. She took a couple deep breaths, not really wanting to say the wrong things.

Scarlett: Define feelings?

Penny: No!

Scarlett: What no?!

Penny filled a couple buds into the pink lucha grinder and started grinding away, cracking the top like a pepper shaker.

Penny: You always do this thing where you cut people off with some redundant come back the moment they start getting to their point. Just shut up and tell me how you feel about Emily.

Scarlett: … Okay.

Penny: So, do you like her?

Scarlett: I like her more than I like most people, if that answers your question.

Penny: Does it feel nice?

Scarlett: … Kind of? I don't know, I've never liked anyone like this before!

Penny: Aha!

Scarlett: Oh God...

With her pipe filled, Penny took a large hit and held it in before her lungs couldn't contain it anymore, that she just had to give in and cough.

Penny: It's kinda starting to sink in, isn't it?

Scarlett: I like someone! How did this happen?

Penny got up and handed Scarlett the pipe and a lighter, taking a seat beside her with an arm over Scarlett's shoulder.

Penny: You found someone who caught your attention, it happens to me all the time.

Scarlett took a large hit herself, but she didn't have it in her to hold it in so she belted a cloud-full of coughs and reached fast for the bottle of water on the floor.

Scarlett: What if I end up falling in love?

Penny: So?

Scarlett: It's not cool, this isn't supposed to happen!

Penny: The good ones are never supposed to happen, hun!

Scarlett: … Fuck!

Penny dropped her head against Scarlett's and sighed.

Penny: Welcome to the club!

Scarlett: I can't go back to my room now.

Penny: Oh right, you were on Skype with her!

Scarlett: The hell do you expect me to do? It's going to be weird now.

Penny: Look, I know this is a lot to take in, but don't leave that girl hanging. Just put your grown-up pants on, march back to your room and tell her you have to sleep.

Scarlett: What if she thinks something's up?

Penny: I'm sorry to break it to you hun, but she already knows something's up. Now go!

With a grunt, pushed herself off Penny's bed and made the walk back to her room.
… Fuck!
[/center]

[veronicaaaahhhh]

Scarlett Quinn
In

A Psycho Circus RP

[veronicaaaahhhh]

Darkness,
The flame of a maiden's hair,
Trick curls branching out into shards of light.

Hands,
A stranger's hands,
A bad man's hands,
Running through her skin.
Touching something that does not want to be felt.

She struggles,
She fights,
But nothing she does seems to work,
If anything,
It only invites him,
It makes him want her more.

This has to be it,
The maiden thinks to herself.
It's going to happen anyway,
The maiden closes her eyes.
… Why not get it over with?

… There has to be a difference!
It can't just always be this way!

… But it will...
… But it will...
How these cruel voices remind her
… But it will...
… But it will...

Will she ever love and lust again?
Will her next moments of ecstasy serve as a reminder of the scars left upon her by the hands of bad men?
Could she ever feel good ever again?
Safe and secure in the amrs of the one she loves?
Or will she fall upon the capture of heaven; her body, her vessel, her physical being a reminder of the scars left upon her by the hands of evil men- of a time on upon the world when she was once innocent.
Forever unscarred, in a manner of speaking...

.
..
…
….
…..
…...
…....
…...
…..
….
…
..
.

Scarlett woke up from a bad dream, a really bad dream and she just didn't want to think about it. In fact, she was pretty glad she woke up at... Jesus, seven in the morning, when she did. She just wanted to stay awake for as long as possible and go about her day.
She had training.
Training was good.
It ought to distract her.
She just didn't want to think about that stupid dream, God damn it!

She was in and out of the shower in five minutes and waited a good forty five minutes just for Penny to get herself ready.
First she had to wake her up!
Then, she had to wait while Penny had her morning joint and tea.
Then, as always, Penny took her sweet ass time in the bathroom.
Scarlett was pretty tempted to walk to the school instead of waiting for her, but with the heat, she figured she'd be in a pretty foul mood by the time she got there. Plus, she'd be too tired to train, so forget it.

And just as Scarlett swore she was gonna snap, the two girls were out the door and inside Penny's Bratmobile, after long last, finally making the drive to the House of Hell Wrestling School.
… Penny was playing that stupid, old LFO song about a girl named 'Veronica' again.
It was terrible.
She had this song on loop!
Playing it over and over and over and over and again 'til the night closes in!

Penny: Someone's being sour.

Scarlett covered her eyes with her sunglasses and kept her gaze out the window.

Penny: I take it the call with the girlfriend didn't end well, huh?

Scarlett: For the last time, Emily's not my girlfriend. I don't even know what her deal is, so it's plenty presumptuous of you saying that kind of thing.

Penny: So, that's a 'No' huh?

Scarlett reached for the pack of cigarettes in her backpack and lit a stick, rolling down the windows as she puffed the cigarette before taking a deep drag.

Penny: Jesus girl, what's going on?

Scarlett took another drag and kept her gaze out the window.

Scarlett: I'm fine, Emily's fine. I just had a very unsettling dream.

Penny: You had a nightmare? What about?

Scarlett: … I don't want to talk about it.

Penny: Was it about Emily?

Scarlett: No...
And then she started thinking a little
Scarlett: … God, it'dve killed me if it was about Emily.

Penny reached for a small tin and handed it over to Scarlett

Penny: Come on hun, take the edge off.

Scarlett: I'm good.

Penny: … Well, it's here if you need it.

After hearing that lame LFO song about 'Veronica' for the forth time, Scarlett took Penny's iPod

Scarlett: You mind?

Penny shrugged

Penny: Go ahead

Scarlett started to flip through Penny's iPod. There was a lot of music but a bit of a problem: First off, she didn't recognize like half the singers on it. And the singers she did recognize, well she really didn't like their music that much to tell the truth.
Screw it. Scarlett put the thing on shuffle... Whatever it was, she knew there was the guarantee of not having to listen to that 'Veronica' song again.

The 'Veronica' song was the first song on shuffle.
God damned, stupid song...

Penny: Hey,

Scarlett: Yeah?

Penny: You're not, you know? … Weirded out by this whole thing abut liking girls are you?

Scarlett: You mean this 'lesbian' thing?

Penny: Yeah, if you're ready to call it that.

Scarlett: I don't even know what to call it.

Penny: Love. Just call it love.

Scarlett: No! Don't go there!

Penny: What's wrong with love?

Scarlett: There's nothing wrong with love, it's just that kind of love. It's dumb.

Penny: Seriously, let this girl open you up a little bit and let's see how you're talking afterwards.

Scarlett: The same way I am now.

Penny: But, you're totally fine with liking girls?

Scarlett: Wait a minute, aren't you the dyke here? I should be asking you questions.

Penny: Yeah, but before I let you ask me stuff I want an idea of where you stand. Take it from me, these things are better off dealt with as delicate as possible.

Scarlett: Fair enough, you're the expert. Ask away!

Penny: So Emily's the first person you've ever like liked?

Scarlett: Yes.

Penny: Have you ever crushed on anyone of either gender before?

Scarlett: Nope.

Penny: Alright, what do you find more attractive? Girls or guys.

Scarlett took a long drag and gave that one some thought.

Scarlett: I've never really thought about it before.

Penny: Think about it.

Scarlett: Guys are well, guys. There really isn't much more to it than that.

Penny: And girls?

Scarlett: Well, they are a lot more pleasing to look at, that's for sure.

Penny nodded her head.

Penny: Mhm

Scarlett took another drag and exhaled, tipping ash out the window as she turned to Penny.

Scarlett: So? What do you think?

Penny: It's too early to tell. You're just starting to figure yourself out.

Scarlett: What do you think?

Penny: Well, you're a bit of a tomboy, so having those tendencies come with the territory.

Scarlett: But?

Penny: But, I don't think you should call yourself anything until you know for sure what you are.

Scarlett nodded.

Scarlett: What was it like for you? I mean, did you always know you were-

Penny: -A big, awesome dyke?

Scarlett: Yeah, if you wanna put it that way.

Penny: I've just always liked girls. Ever since I could remember, so it was just natural for me to wanna chase after them.

With a soft smile, Penny sighed.

Penny: Still remember the first girl I ever fell for too... Her name was Darcy Gartner. She just had the most beautiful strawberry blonde hair ever. She used to keep it up in a pony tail and when she let her hair down, it was like time stopped and the only thing that mattered was how amazing she looked when she let her hair down.

Scarlett: Jesus, you had it bad.

Penny laughed.

Scarlett ditched the cigarette out the window.

Penny: I did, but you grow up and you learn better.

Scarlett: Right.

With the turn, they were pulling into the parking lot of the House of Hell Wrestling School.

Scarlett: Hey

Penny stopped the car and reached for her tin.

Penny: Yeah?

Scarlett: Thanks.

Penny was stuffing weed into her sneak-a-toke as she smiled at Scarlett.

Penny: Anytime, kiddo.

Scarlett: And one other thing?

Penny had the pipe to her lips

Penny: What?

Scarlett squinted a little as she gazed away.

Scarlett: Don't tell anyone about this just yet?

Penny smiled and took a quick drag.

Penny: What's there to tell, hun?

The two girls got out of the car after Penny's toke and hauled themselves inside the House of Hell Wrestling School. For about a month and a half now, there'd been some scheduling conflicts so it was agreed that the classes would happen in the morning, just to get it out of everyone else's way.
Scarlett and Penny tossed their bags to the side and met up with the rest of the class. There was around nine of them; six boys and three girls. They greeted Scarlett and Penny before Penny excused herself to hang with them for a little, leaving Scarlett to occupy herself until she caught her dad come out of his office.

Scarlett: Hey

Dad: I'm glad you're here, there's something I want to talk to you about.

Scarlett: What's up?

Dad nodded over to the bleachers at the end of the gym and walked up to the third isle up, sitting down in the middle as Scarlett followed after him and took a seat close by on the row beneath.

Dad: Alright, and I'm just going to ask this once.

Scarlett knew where this was going.

Scarlett: It's about Psycho Circus, isn't it?

Dad: Are you sure you want to go through with this?

Scarlett: You're damn right I want to go through with this!

Dad: And are you ready to face the consequences?

Scarlett: Consequences?

Scarlett scoffed.

Scarlett: Is that supposed to scare me?

Dad: I wish it did, but I'll settle for it being something you think about.

Scarlett: I'll consider the thought.

Dad chuckled.

Dad: So there's really nothing I can do or say that'll change your mind?

Scarlett popped her head forward and shook it slowly.

Scarlett: Nope.

Dad shrugged.

Dad: Fair enough.

Slapping her on the knee, Dad got up and started walking down the bleachers

Dad: Come on, people! Inside the ring!

Dad was the first one inside the ring, slipping beneath the bottom ropes and picking himself up while he waited to rest of the students, all ten of them now including Scarlett to pour into the ring.
Penny hopped over the ropes and kept herself by Scarlett's dad as he addressed the group.

Dad: Now, before I get any further, I just want to remind everyone here that regardless of how I know you, that all doesn't matter the moment you step into the ring with me. Unless I know I've got your support waiting a tag away from me, we're not going to be friends. When I'm in this ring, I am out there for one person and one person only.
Me.
I couldn't care less if I brake your arm or drop you on your head. I'm out there to hurt you just as much as you're out there to hurt me and I'm not going to allow my ass kicked just to walk away empty handed with a loss.
Are we clear on this?

There was a smattering of 'Yes''s tossed around by the students.

Dad: Scarlett, come here!

She was standing in line with the rest of the students when Dad called her out. Scarlett strolled over with a deep breath, looking at Penny'; something inside her knew that the next few minutes weren't going to be pleasant.
Scarlett stopped just a couple feet short of her father.

Dad: In just a few short days, our Scarlett's going to be walking into the main event of a major pay-per-view as one of four other individuals who will all be fighting for the WFWF Championship.
Now, you can say she got lucky and you can say she earned her shot at the title, but at that cost?
Everyone inside this ring wants to be a World Champion one day. You wouldn't be in wrestling school if you didn't. It's a beautiful dream and I ain't taking that away from you. But rarely does anyone ever recognize the price we pay for the gold that colors us champions, world champions.

A student raised his hand.

Student: What are the costs?

Dad: Well Hopkins, that's a pretty good question. Let's start of with the act of taking the belt itself: you have just beaten a champion, you are taking his gold and claiming the right as yours. Naturally, if you lost a title, you're going to want it back as soon as possible. Now, it gets personal. You've just made an enemy.
Then there's everyone in the back. You're the World Champion and regardless of what's going on, everyone back there is waiting for a chance to take the title from you through any means necessary.
Hey Scarlett, remember when you used to call Thunder 'Uncle'?

Scarlett: I'd rather not.

Dad: You see?
But that's not the end of it. Because while you're dealing with all that, your ego starts to get in the way. You're the World Champion, which means you are the best wrestler in that promotion. A virtue which entails you to have the best matches on the show, on every show. You're setting the standard everyone else has to live up to and if you don't keep the bar high, if you don't manage to maintain it, you not only lose your personal value, but but you tarnish the value and linage of that title.
Not to forget all the traveling, signings, and house shows, and local radio outlets you're going to have to deal with. It's a damn miracle you manage to show up to the matches that night!
That's how it is day in and day out.

Pulling down his ponytail, dad walked over to the ropes and leaned with one arm over the top rope, still keeping his eyes on the students.

Dad: You kids today have it all pretty easy, but sometimes something has to snap you all back to the realities of this business and that's what we're going to be doing with today's exercise.
Let this serve to each and everyone of you what being a world champion feels like.

Dad stepped through ropes and kept himself on the apron.

Dad: Now, this is it: A handicapped battle royal with the nine of you against Scarlett.

Scarlett's eyes popped as she turned back to her dad.

Scarlett: What?!

Dad: The match'll start with Scarlett and Hopkins. Every thirty seconds another person comes into the ring. Elimination occurs when you get tossed over the top rope.

Penny quickly walked over to him and started whispering.

Penny: Mr. Mc'G, come on now-

Dad: If she wants that title, if she wants to beat Obo. She's gotta prove it.

Penny: But, you can-

Dad: I can't what? Didn't we agree this'll be good for her?

Scarlett snapped towards Dad and Penny

Scarlett: Agree? You two agreed on something?

Penny turned to Scarlett and sighed.

Penny: I'm sorry.

Dad hopped off the apron

Dad: Out of the ring, Penny.

Pursing her lips, Penny closed her eyes and kept herself next to Scarlett; her eyes shut closed as this regretful look ached her face as she repeated 'I'm sorry' over and over and over again.

Dad: … NOW!

Penny hissed as she grabbed the ropes and begrudgingly flipped out of the ring, taking her place next to dad.

Now, Scarlett could accept what was coming to her. She just couldn't believe it was all happening and these people, people she knew and trusted and loved, actually had the stones to discuss something like this amongst themselves and spring it up on her in such an unexpected way.

Scarlett leaned over the apron.

Scarlett: This isn't fair, Wayne

Hmph, he didn't even say anything. He just crossed his arms and stood there.
Hopkins, the kid her dad called out awhile ago, sunk over, grabbed the back of her tights and pushed her over the top rope.
That fucker...
Scarlett managed to keep a good grip as she went over head and dangled off the apron, her legs just dangling there.
Swinging herself back and forth, Scarlett wrapped her legs around the bottom ropes and tried to get herself inside but that fucker Hopkins came over and started stomping on her knee caps again and again.

Penny: TAKE IT EASY, HOPKINS!

The fucker was distracted well enough that Scarlett was able to push her way through and nail him with a stiff low-blow.
Hopkins sank on two knees, a little cross eyes.
Quickly, Scarlett grabbed his head and dropped him on his stupid head with a ddt.
Scarlett pushed herself back up when she saw another student come into the ring and make a run at her. Quickly, Scarlett side stepped him and tripped him with a drop toe hold, landing him over the Fucker Hopkins and following with a leg drop across the back of his neck.
… She didn't know how much time she had, but she was going to have to get them over the ropes pretty quick.
Scarlett started off with Hopkins, figuring out that he was going to be the first one to snap out of his haze of complete hurt and she wasn't going to allow that to happen. Scarlett kicked him in the knee-caps and grabbed him by the hair, shoving him towards the ropes as she came forward with a superkick which would have been enough send him flying over the ropes, but instead, he managed to capture rag-doll physics mid-bump and direct himself hurling towards the turnbuckle.
It was weird and distracting, so much so that the next person that came in, another girl tried force her over the ropes with a clothesline.
Now, when it came to girls in wrestling there were either two kinds: the ones that weren't afraid to hit just as hard (if not, harder) than the guys and girls like her, girls that were afraid to hit something. Period.
Scarlett turned her back at her and nailed her in the skull with a head-butt before clotheslining her forearm into the girl's throat; her head, suffering some serious rope-lash. Scarlett kicked her in the mid-section and tossed her over the ropes as she eyed that guy she drop toe hold making a crawl to the ropes.
… Scarlett gave him some room to at least make it to the turnbuckle before she lept forward and sent a missle dropkick across the side of his head, jerking it back as blood started gushing down his nose.
Scarlett was on the verge of picking him up when the Fucker Hopkins jumped off the top rope with a dropkick of his own, knocking Scarlett right in the chest, hurling her over to the other side of the ring as the next person that came into the match started stomping her in the back.
She looked up to find the Fucker Hopkins pushing the other guy aside as he picked her by the head, hoisted her up and made a run for the ropes. Quickly, Scarlett's arms sprawled out and she started beating her fists into the Fucker Hopkins' back, landing each shot lower and lower before she started swinging for his kidneys.
The Fucker Hopkins slumped to a knee as Scarlett continued to smack him in the kidneys.
The guy who was stomping on her back came over and pushed her Hopkins, but Scarlett pushed him back and jumped back with another superkick, giving her something close to the effect she had wanted during the first one. He tumbled close to the ropes and Scarlett dashed forward and pushed him over the top, sending him to spill outside.
Hopkins was rolling on the ground and with that, Scarlett pushed herself off the ropes, but before she could land an elbow drop, one of the guys from earlier cut her off with a jumping calf kick, knocking her in the face as she turned around dazed only to meet another student fresh in the ring who planted her with a big boot right across the face.
Scarlett tried to make a crawl for the other side of the ring, but the students started to out number her, pummeling her with stomps and pounded fists across her back.

: Wayne, make it stop!

Locking her arms around one of the students, Scarlett closed her eyes and bit her lip, trying to build some tolerance to the assault as she willed herself up to her feet, but the hits kept on coming and they were just getting worse and worse.

: She's had enough! Make it stop!

Scarlett screamed into the air and pushed away the student and started throwing shots at any direction; she didn't care what she hit, all that mattered was she felt someone's flesh cave into bone behind her knuckle.

: That is our daughter!

Scarlett kept fighting and fighting, but more and more students seemed to come into the mix and pummel her down. It came to a point that they were taking shots at any part of her they could, that in a matter of moments Scarlett sunk into a fetal position, curled upon the canvas as she stopped fighting to protect herself.

Mom: ENOUGH!

The students parted away from Scarlett and scrambled at the sight of her Mom as she stormed to the ring with Penny in tow behind her.
Mom was the first one who got to her. She kept close as she held Scarlett, Penny came in a little after and started checking on her vitals.
Cradling her head, Mom popped her head up and looked straight up at Dad.

Mom: You took it too far, Wayne! This wasn't what we agreed on.

Dad: It's for her own good.

Mom: The purpose of this exercise was to get Scarlett ready for the rough road ahead of her, not to beat her down like this. You just had to make an example out of her, didn't you?

Dad: Instead of what? Sending her out there and allowing her to get swallowed up by this business the way we did? Do you really wanna see our daughter go through the same hell we did? I don't want her to have to make those sacrifices!

Mom: If having to sacrifice oneself and experience hell is what it takes for her to do what she wants, then we have to respect that. Our job is to love her and to take care of her.

Dad: What do you think I'm doing? I can't just stand here while the business tears her apart.

Mom: You've done a good job of that enough yourself today. Even after all these years it still hasn't occurred to you that 'being there' is enough in and of itself!

Mom looked at Penny.

Mom: Let's take her home.

Penny was the first to roll out the ring, reaching for Scarlett to help her get out of the ring. She caught her the moment her feet tough the ground, catching by by the shoulders to hold her up.
Mom came rushing over and quickly held Scarlett from the other side.
Both women holding up Scarlett now.

They passed through Dad and his horde of students,
Mom gave him the evil eye and the turn of disapointment.
Scarlett spat in his face.

Scarlett: Fuck you.

Penny got their things and not a moment sooner, the three of them were out the door and inside the Bratmobile. Mom stayed in the back with Scarlett while Penny made the drive back for the house.

Scarlett just felt uneasy. It was like there was nothing on her mind except this awareness of feeling completely sensitive to all this crap.
She knew she was angry.
She knew she felt betrayed.
She felt like she was set up to fail.
It was like the world just wanted to remind her of all this stupid crap and by virtue of her Dad reminded her of every reason why she couldn't go after what she wanted.
Scarlett closed her eyes and held it tight, taking deep breaths.

Mom came over and reached her arms around her, pulling Scarlett close and holding her tightly.

Mom: It's okay, baby... It's okay.

Scarlet never really said it, but fuck, she always looked for her mom's hugs. Like in situations like this, you know. There's something special about mom's hugs- you can count on them.
And Scarlett really wanted to close her eyes and just go to sleep. Like what happens every time her mom hugs her, but you know what? That didn't happen.
It didn't happen.
… That bad dream...
That bad, stupid dream.
.. Fuck..
When Scarlett closed her eyes... She saw that thick hair of fire and that lily-white skin... And she saw those hands! She saw those hands hurt her, and touch her, and now her was that woman in the dream holding her, trying to comfort her when she's probably dying herself.
With a deep breath, Scarlett pushed herself off her Mom.

Scarlett: Thanks, I'm good.

Scarlett leaned against the window and sunk into her seat.

Penny: Don't you worry hun, we'll be home soon.

Scarlett: I don't wanna go home.

Penny looked at Scarlett's Mom through the rear-view mirror and exchanged some glances.

Mom: Alright, do you want to get coffee or something to eat?

Scarlett turned her head.

Scarlett: I don't mean it like that. I don't want to go home, I don't want to be at home. And for the next few days, I would like to be as far away from home as possible.

Penny: We could do some serious sight seeing if we start the trip to Dallas tonight.

Scarlett: I'd like to be alone, please.

Mom: I can't just let you do that in good conscience.

Scarlett sighed.

Scarlett: Of course you can't.

Penny: Or you can go on vacation. Go out, check out somewhere you've never been to. Relax a little bit and when you're feeling all better, we'll just fly you out to Dallas for the show.

Mom: We could arrange that.

Scarlett: And where exactly would I be going?

Penny: Well, you've never been to L.A. Right? The Greyhound's just a six, seven hour trip. It can get a little funky and a little glitzy, but it's all good fun. And didn't just Trace move the family over there? You can finally hang out with Emily now that she's close enough!

Mom: That's right! I'll call Alexa and give her the head's up.

Scarlett: Wait, this is actually happening?

Penny: Apparently, it is.

[veronicaaaahhhh]

Scarlett was on the Greyhound heading to L.A. They initially went to the terminal, but with a good hour and a half to kill, they went back to the house, grabbed a few more clothes. Mom gave her some extra cash and Penny gave her a little extra weed, said something about making things a little more fun with Emily.
… Whatever...
She was getting away from home and all that stupid crap like feelings and examples and consequences.
For the next few days, she was going to completely free and Scarlett was going to make it a point to be as busy as possible.
She had a Championship match to get ready for!

There wasn't much people in the bus. If someone wasn't asleep at the front of the bus, you had all sorts of people talking in the back.
Up the middle of the isle, Scarlett sat by the window; an old man in a suit taking the seat next to her.
Scarlett wasn't really in the mood to listen to music or anything, so she picked up an old wrestling magazine from the 90's from her backpack and started flipping through. It was an issue of Turnbuckle Insider when they used to print in that sorta newspaper black and white that no one seems to do anymore.

: There's something you don't often see every day.

Scarlett turned to the old man.

Scarlett: Excuse me?

Old Man: A girl reading a Wrestling magazine, you don't ever see that.

Scarlett continued to flip through the magazine.

Scarlett: Well, you're looking at it... Not really much to look at.

Old Man: Times have really changed, haven't they?

Scarlett: You have no idea, grandpa.

Old Man: I'll take you're word for it.

Scarlett finally found an article worth reading; The Limp Canon: Sicko Sid's Descent Into Madness.

Old Man: Do you even watch wrestling?

Scarlett put down the magazine and looked the Old man straight in the eye.

Scarlett: Do I even watch wrestling?! What the hell kind of question is that.

Old Man: Well then, I apologize, but from where I come from, not a lot of girls aren't naturally drawn into wrestling unless they have some kind of valid excuse.

Scarlett: Like?

Old Man: Well usually, it's because of a boyfriend.

Scarlett: Do I look like I have a boyfriend?

Old Man: I wasn't saying you had one.

Scarlett: But you were alluding to that.

Old Man: I was just stating a fact: most of the women who've ever stepped foot in a wrestling ring usually somebody's girlfriend.

Scarlett: What about female performers?

Old Man: Women wrestlers?

Scarlett: Yes.

Old Man: Well, that's a whole different thing.

Scarlett: How's it different?

Old Man: … It's hard to put into words.

Scarlett was starting to like this.
Leaning against the window, Scarlett crossed her legs and arms together and stared him down.

Scarlett: I've got six hours.

Old Man: You're a little smartass, aren't you?

Scarlett: It's how the parental units raised me.

Old Man: Only child?

Scarlett nodded.

Old Man: Figures.

Scarlett: What's that supposed to mean?

Old Man: Forget it. I appear to have touched a nerve with my interruption-

Scarlett: -Glad you caught that.

Old Man: And what I believe you interpreted as a conservative, archaic and misogynistic view towards women in wrestling.

Scarlett: Right? This exchange would have been so chill if you had just straight up told me you were a wrestling fan.

Old Man: It would, but it's not every day you see someone like you read an old wrestling magazine.

Scarlett: A person like me?

Old Man: A girl, there.

Scarlett held up the magazine.

Scarlett: Let me ask you a question.

Old Man: Please.

Scarlett: Has it ever occurred to you that I could be the sole, individual owner of this magazine? Sure, I'm too young to be holding something this old, but do you honestly think I could have gotten this from someone.

Old Man: An older brother?

Scarlett: But you called me an only child awhile ago, so if you're as observant as you appear to be, and I don't think this is creepy, so don't worry. I'm not bothered at all, by this. But if you're really as observant as you figure yourself to be, you should have logically come to the conclusion that no one else but me could possibly own this magazine.

Old Man: You're not much of a thinker are you?

Scarlett: I reckon myself to be more calculated than anything.

Old Man: So, you're not somebody's girlfriend. You're certainly no one's sister. What are you?

Scarlett smiled.

Scarlett: I'm a wrestler.

Old Man: Hmmm

The Old Man started to stare her down.

Scarlett: What is it?

Old Man: … You're too short to be a wrestler.

Scarlett: Thanks, that's supportive.

Scarlett blinked and stopped herself for a moment.

Scarlett: Anyway, how do you know so much about wrestling?

The Old Man shrugged.

Old Man: Isn't it obvious? I used to be a wrestler.

Scarlett: Yeah, I should have figured that one out.

Old Man: It's fine, you can't really tell that I used to wrestle these days.

Scarlett: Where'd you wrestle?

Old Man: I worked the territories; Memphis, the Mid-West, Georgia.

Scarlett: Ever work North?

Old Man: New York? I had my start there.

Scarlett was starting to soften up to the Old Man, to tell the truth. If she could pick apart the brain of an old timer like this guy, it would be worth the trip and the terrible morning alone!

Scarlett: That's awesome. Who'd you know? Who did you feud with? We're half those guys really ex-convicts who couldn't do anything else with they're lives. What's the deal?

Old Man: Well, I generally worked the lower-mid card, talent enhancement.

Scarlett: … So, you're a jobber?

Old Man: I wouldn't call it that.

Scarlett: I'm sorry, what do you call it?

Old Man: Whenever someone was starting to build up a good momentum, prior to a big match, they would bring me into to work with him. It's my job to see to it that looks he looks as impressive in the ring as possible.

Scarlett: Don't try to fluff this up. You get paid to lose matches so other people can look good beating you up.

Old Man: It's a lot more than that.

Scarlett: So, you weren't allowed to put up a fight?

Old Man: It was within our limits to give them a struggle.

Scarlett: A struggle? I bet you've never hit anyone in the ring.

Old Man: I've been known to give a good chop or two.

Scarlett: And I bet you were the master of the arm-wrench.

Old Man: That ain't nothing against my side headlock.

Scarlett laughed.

Scarlett: I like you, old man. You're chill.

Old Man: Is that what they're calling 'cool' these days?

Scarlett: I guess?

The Old Man gazed out the window and chuckled.

Old Man: So, you've got a match awaiting you at the end of this journey?

Scarlett sighed.

Scarlett: I guess you can say that.

Old Man: First major event?

Scarlett: More like a shot at a World Championship.

Old Man: How old are you again?

Scarlett: Eighteen.

Old Man: An eighteen year old girl in a shot for a World Championship? How did that happen?

Scarlett: I earned it.

The Old Man nodded.

Old Man: I can believe that.

Scarlett raised her eyebrow.

Scarlett: Really?

Old Man: You don't seem like a pushover.

Scarlett: Thanks... So, what about you? What're you doing here?

Old Man: Though I'd pay my grand daughter a visit.

Scarlett: Well, that's sweet.

Old Man: I haven't seen her in awhile, actually. She's around you're age, come to think of it.

Scarlett: That's cool.

Scarlett held out her hand to him.

Scarlett: I'm Scarlett, by the way.

The Old Man took her hand and shook it.

Old Man: The name's Frank. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Scarlett: It's a pleasure to meet you too, Frank.

Scarlett smiled at him before looking at the window for a moment, taking a gander of the stretch of desert around them.

Scarlett: That's actually y grandpa's name. Never got a chance to meet him though-

Scarlett turned back and the Old Man was gone.
Literally like he vanished into thin air leaving behind an empty seat.

Scarlett: -He died when I was still a baby.

… Well, that was weird.

<***>
It was a quarter pas six when the Greyhound finally made it to L.A., and just as Scarlett had figured, Emily was already there waiting for her at the terminal.
Something started to sink in.
Something... Nice.
It was like, yeah, did she dream about finally meeting Emily? Of course she did, and as strange as it was, she always kinda figured that the moment they'd actually meet was when one of them would go directly to the other and what do you know? Here she was on a Greyhound that was pulling in and outside her window, Emily was already standing there, waving with a gorgeous smile.This whole getting out of town thing wasn't really well thought through, Scarlett began to realize.
It was all so sudden.
She was here.
Whey was she starting to feel jittery?
A little nervous, maybe even the slightest scared?

Oh God, it really is her, isn't it?

Scarlett picked up her backpack and filed out with the rest of the passengers. The moment she got off the bus, Scarlett just lost it; swinging her backpack over her shoulder, Scarlett marched over to Emily and threw her arms around her the moment was close enough.

Scarlett: Shut up and hug me.

Emily chuckled and held her back tight.

Emily: Better?

Scarlett: A lot better...

Emily: You're a lot taller than I expected in real life.

Scarlett wanted to kiss that girl.
There, she admit it!
She's just too fuking cute.

Emily: Come on!

The city of Los Angeles was a lot bigger than Scarlett had imagined. What she just figured would be a ten minute cab ride turned into an hour long, air-conditioned tour of the city and it's freeways.
However, the cab ride gave Scarlett the chance to just pour out everything (except her crush) to Emily.

Scarlett: So there, that's my day.

Emily: That sound terrible, I'm sorry.

Scarlett: It's not you're fault. I just wish everyone didn't have to be such a prick, you know.

Emily ran her hand over Scarlett's back.

Emily: How long are you gonna be in town for?

Scarlett: Just until Thursday.

Emily: The pay-per-view, right?

Scarlett smiled.

Scarlett: You remembered...

Emily: I don't plan on missing it.

Scarlett: I might lose, I dunno if you'd watch to watch that.

Emily: You might win. And what if I ended up missing that because you thought you were gonna lose so I decided not to watch it?

Scarlett: I'm young... Naïve... Far from ready.

Emily: Stop it.

Scarlett: It's true. Wat if I really don't have any business being in that ring?

Emily gently placed her hand on Scarlett's chin and lifted it to face her a little.

Emily: You can't let them steal your confidence.

Scarlett: But what if they're right?

Emily: You've already made it this far, the only thing you can do is prove it. You've got nothing to lose.

Scarlett took a deep breath and held herself for a moment.

Emily: That's actually one of the things I really like about: you're completely headstrong. Look at me Scar, if I only had half the nerve you do, I'd be taking over the world.

Scarlett took a deep breath as she started to rub her tired little eyes to keep them from completely swelling red.
Reaching over, Scarlett grabbed Emily's hand and held it tight.

Scarlett: I'm sorry for being all emo like this. I don't think you were expecting to see me for the first time this way.

Emily: I don't care, I'm just glad you're finally here.

The two girls glanced at each other and smiled. Emily scooted a little closer, while Scarlett could feel her heart jumping around inside her a hundred beats per minute.

Scarlett: Look before we get back to you're place, there's something I want to talk to you about.

Emily: Is this about last night?

Scarlett took a deep breath and stared Emily straight in the eyes.

Scarlett: … I think I'm starting to like you. And I know it might seem really weird and I'm sorry about that, but before I ended up going back home with you, I had to tell you and I just hope that things don't get all weird, even thought hey pretty much are now.

Emily started blushing!

Scarlett: Are you blushing?

Squinting her eyes, Emily nodded her head up and down.

Scarlett: ... Do you like me?

Emily: I like you, Scar. I like you a lot.

Scarlett: Yeah?

Emily: Yeah!

Emily leaned in and kissed her. It was like this cold shock went down her back leaving her feeling all twee 'n shit.

They were going to continue kissing and they wanted to had Scarlett not gave the rear-view mirror a glance to find the taxi driver, some black guy, grinning as he nodded his head, obviously watching the two of them.

Scarlett and Emily stopped kissing but continued to hold each other close for the whatever little was left for the ride.
Scarlett could feel it: she was starting to feel better.

<***>

Scarlett and Emily were up well into the wee hours in the morning. In between make out sessions that were so much better than Scarlett originally figured they'd be, they grabbed a few snacks and some beers from the kitchen, locked themselves inside Emily's room, where, Scarlett talked her into smoking pot for the first time.
It was a really nice evening.
She was miles away from home and miles away from all of the crap she left behind back there.

Scarlett: Hey, do you think I can run you through my promo for Psycho Circus?

Emily: That's backstage interview, right?

Scarlett: More or less.

Emily: … Can we dress up for it?

A few moments later, the two were standing in front of the mirror in Emily's room. Emily slipped on her blazer and used a hairbrush as a microphone while Scarlett slipped on the top of her ring gear.

Emily: Ladies and gentlemen, one of the four participants in tonight's- what's that match called again?

Scarlett came close and whispered into Emily's ear.

Emily: Holy crap... One of four participants in tonight's Psycho Circus Carnival Cage of Horrors for the WFWF title, Scarlett Quinn.

Scarlett stepped in front of Emily and stared that mirror down like it was some kind of camera.

Scarlett: It's starting to come to my attention that I haven't really allowed anyone that far deep into my personal life. Sure, I'll tell you what's going on, when I get around to it and every once in awhile, I will envision myself in the middle of some elaborately produced promo, but it's really there to get a certain point across while fluffing up this idea of me that I need just to get myself over a wrestler.
I've been showing up, I've been winning matches, but sometimes, and as insulting as it can be for the athletes performing in that ring- if I don't have some kind of character, some kind of gimmick to capture the attention of these fans, because apparently what we're doing in the ring isn't enough, they're not going to give a shit about me.
And I accept that.
I totally accept that.
However, if I'm going to be your WFWF World Heavyweight Champion, I'm going to need your empathy. If I'm going to be your WFWF World Heavyweight Champion, I'm going to need you to care about me.
I need you, all of you, to invest in me so that I when I do hold my arms up as your WFWF World Heavyweight Champion, you will be cheering for the only single person you want in this world to be your WFWF World Heavyweight Champion.

You might have favorites. I know there are a lot of people excited about Cam Nitta and Mak Cross, two guys on the verge of having an incredible year in this promotion and you can't help but feel a little excited for them. But neither one deserves the belt right now and in fact, it could even throw a giant monkey-wrench on the kind of momentum they got going.
So, I'm going to step ahead and make sure neither one of them walks off with my belt. They don't deserve it, they haven't longed for it as much as I have. And this belt would mean shit to them. It's just going to be nothing more than the prize in a very petty tug of war.
And to think, they used to be friends.
Be it as it may, I really don't have any concern for either of them. I hope they just beat the piss out of each other- I'm serious, the only time I'm stepping in is either one gets an inch to winning.
But no, I couldn't really care about them as much as I care about Philip Schneider.

Scarlett chuckled.

Scarlett: You see, this where wrestling fans can make me sick. Philip Schneider built his career in the WFWF by harming, torturing, and abusing it's talent and it all started with my parents, Wayne and Vanessa. I can't begin to count what he did to my Dad and shudder to think about what he did to my mom, because I'll tell you something, he broke her.
The career these people glorify was one from violence and abuse.
I'm no saint, I'm pretty sure that one day, I will commit sins and follies of my own, but I can kinda rest easy knowing that my wrongs will never amount to Philip Schneider's atrocities.

A twisted, crooked little smile grew across Scarlett's face.

Scarlett: I'm going to get you, Philip Schneider, I mean it. But I imagine it's going to be hard to get my hands on you when every one in this match has some kind of problem with you.
You've got me all riled up pretty good and I'm coming in there not just to take that title away from you, but I'm going to do it by beating you within an inch of your life. For what you did to me and my mom and my dad. For all the women you've laid a finger on- and to hell with it, let's just include everyone you have ever hurt in your life. For all those people, for every person left broken and beat up behind, I am taking that belt away from you!

…
…
…

Scarlett: How was that?

Emily stepped in.

Emily: Really intense!

Scarlett smiled.

Scarlett: Good, I think gold is going to look awesome on me.

[veronicaaaahhhh]

This one ended a lot longer than I imagined, but I'm pretty pleased with this RP. Enjoy folks!

[FLUX]

I thought the RP I just wrote up was long, apparently I've got a lot of work to do. I'll edit this with a proper reply once I finish reading all of this, but good lord.

[Prophet of Ash]

I like this. I think the thing I liked the most is that you're one of the few REALLY long term characters of the WFWF. That you've got such a supporting cast of characters and a lengthy mythology. Why they are who they are, why they do the things they do.. I mean, here alone you reference a match that happened almost six years with nearly identical stipulations (cage, scaffold.. all sorts of stupidity elsewise)..

[Prophet of Ash]

also, I still need your entrance for the PPV if you want anything special at all. Considering the cage and the like I'd figure you would want more than the typical.

[Deep Figure Value]

This is your best work to date with this character, and took me all out of the hatred I lobbied at you (not really) for ditching the however irritating as f*ck they were Slanted and Enchanted. This has all the makings for everything great, and the only, only, only thing that detracts from it at all is the yellow font on some names, and a few scattered spelling/grammatical/typographic errors. Otherwise, it's a brilliant, expository piece, and I loved that your monologue was more than just a run of the mill bit to mention the match.

Well played, here.

[bad guy™]

This is a classic McGurk RP.

What qualities must an RP have to fit into that category?

A classic McGurk RP must be unique. It must have the touch of the poet. It must flow off of the screen almost musically. It must be crisp. It must be strong. It must leave the reader with a strong and lasting image.

This RP did all of that.

Like I said, this is a classic McGurk RP and all of that and such. Haha.

[Deleted]

Now that the results are up I can say you deserved to win with this piece and I'm happy you did.

[veronicaaaahhhh]

Thanks a bunch for the awesome feedback, everyone! I spent a lot of time working on this rp and I'm glad it paid off.