Holly Adams vs. Selena Frost

[supremecw]

Holly Adams vs. Selena Frost
SCW World Championship

2 RP Limit (NO WORD LIMITS)

Deadline: Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at 11:59:59 pm ET

[SnowQueenSCW]

OOC: Warning - There is some imagery in this roleplay that may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised. Posted in two parts due to length.

Project: Black Ice

”Family Matters”

The wind howls as she walks across the desert of snow, whipping her hair in all directions. It’s longer now, her hair, the platinum ends – despite the vicious assault they had suffered at her own hands for the sake of her beloved wife – continuing to grow as they just pass the top of her shoulders. Still, it was a far cry to the work of art that had been her iconic braid.

Did she regret sacrificing her braid for Deanna? Never! She would defend that choice till her dying breath, which would probably be soon given her current state. Even if it had only bought her another day, another hour, another minute with her wife in her arms-

I would pay that price… Her mind thought darkly as she continued to step along the crunching snow. Nothing is more precious to me than her…

Even with that certainty, part of her missed being able to braid her hair. To clutch and twist the thick strands when she was nervous – hell, the wandering woman could even recall when she had reached for those ‘phantom strands’, only to be reminded of their absence. Sadly, she knew it would be a long time until her hair was even close enough to be braided again.

Just keep going… her mind whispered, bringing her back to the cold ‘reality’ she found herself in. Get through this-

CRUNCH!

The sound that filled her ears was not the same sound as the crunch of the snow beneath her boots. It was different, and it brought Selena’s attention down towards it. Under her feet, she could see the piece of paper that had blown under her foot at the right time, now trapped beneath her boot and the cold snow. Slowly, reaching down, Selena gathered the paper up, feeling its crinkled and wrinkled surface in her hands as she unfolded it, grateful the cold had not cost her any dexterity in her fingers.

Despite the poor condition of the paper and the storm raging around her, the platinum-blonde still recognized the grinning, obnoxious smile of Holly Adams. There was no mistaking the heavy makeup and smug expression that screamed “I’M BETTER THAN YOU” – the loud mentality of the woman. Almost as big as the picture of the woman were the letters that covered the rest of the poster that made up its message.

“VOTE FOR HOLLY ADAMS! IT’S REALLY UGLY IF YOU DON’T!”

With a sad sigh, a sad smile and a shake of her head, Selena released the paper, letting the strong wind pick it up and carry it past her. As she did, however, the storm seemed to clear, the curtain of white ended and she was able to gaze around the forest for the first time.

To her surprise, however, her eyes took in dozens – no, hundreds – of posters and pins that littered the ground and trees. Everywhere she looked, there were “Holly Adams” propaganda, all the same design and all with that vile woman’s face and message. Looking down at the ground, Selena saw more posters littered near her boots. She kicked a few of them and was surprised to see a few “Vote for Autumn Valentine” posters – an almost refreshing change of pace to the hundreds that buried that particular message.

With one last shake of her head, the Snow Queen looked up to spy the clearing of the forest and quickly resumed her marching towards it. She was certain the ‘end’ of this episode was in sight and she was determined to get it over with.

As she cleared the forest, her eyes took in the familiar sight of the temple before her, so similar to the others she had seen in her dream. Before her, however, were even more posters of pins and posters, all of them screaming their message, as if Holly couldn’t print enough of it. For only a moment, Selena took in the wasteland of propaganda, so much of it that it almost covered the snowy landscape.

Still… the storm would return, it always did, and it would bury this cheap trick of fake popularity under it, just like it had everything else.

Casting her eyes up towards the temple, the platinum-blonde saw the group standing before her several yards away.

First, foremost, she saw Holly, not because Holly was standing on the tallest step, but because her face was plastered on two large posters that covered the pillars of the temple. The posters stated the same message: “NEW WORLD CHAMPION”… as if it had already happened, even using an image of her holding the world title (probably from the time Cid Turner had held it for The Brand).

Speaking of which, it was him that Selena saw next, the former world champion standing to the side of one of the pillars. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the Snow Queen, but besides that, he said nothing. Cookie stood beside him and had an equally broody look directed her way, but Selena felt far more sorry for her than she did for Cid.

As for the ‘leader’, she was harder to find amidst the swarm of cameramen and reality stars that surrounded the base of the temple, but Selena eventually spotted her on the top of the steps with Giovanni ‘GiGi’ Aries standing there, both grinning smugly at her.

For a moment, Selena regarded them, a mixture of emotions fluxing through her. Anger, frustration, satisfaction – if she had been carrying the world title, she would have held it up at them, as if to say “Look what I’ve got!”

Instead, she turned her head to the side of the clearing, taking in the distant trees and surrounding area. She knew better. If this was an event with Holly, the attack would never come from her – not directly. Months of dealing with “The Brand”, the group consisting of Holly, Cid, Asher Hayes, and Giovanni, all worked the same way.

With Asher, it was with a weapon from behind.
With Holly, it was from the sides.
With Giovanni, it was a hired hand or plant.
With Cid, it was a combination of all three.

None of them attacked directly. None of them, unless forced, would take her head on outside of the ring, or even in it most of the time. So, Selena knew, if her end was going to come from some ‘crazed fans’ or ‘planted paid-off hands’ or even stars of Holly’s D-rated “reality show”, then she wanted to face it.

She didn’t care about the glowing eyes that watched from the sky, though she could see them. She didn’t care if it was Gleebnorb, or Killjoy, or Malcolm’s ghost – she just wanted to be free of this nightmare by waking up.

But the attack never came…

“Well?” she asked aloud, turning this way and that. “We going to do this or what?!”

No answer was given. No person moved towards her. In fact, as Selena turned her attention back towards the temple… she was stunned to see…

No one.

She blinked, thinking this was a trick of her mind, but the image before her didn’t change. Holly and The Brand were gone. The posters on the pillars had been slashed and ripped to shreds and now lay in a tattered mess on the cold ground! It was as if they had disappeared or run off-

“Hey.”

The voice caught Selena off-guard and she spun towards it, expecting to have her arm or leg ripped off in that second! Instead, she saw the emerald-eyed woman standing before her, a gentle smile on her face, which only grew as Selena’s sapphire eyes met hers. “Hi.”

It took a moment to regard the redhead. “Hey…” she replied slowly. “Are…are you the one that kills me this time? Some kind of warped fear of mine or something?”
“Nope.” ‘Deanna’ shook her head. “I took care of other matters instead.”

It was at this moment that Selena was able to see the bruises on Deanna’s knuckles and the dried blood that dashed along one cheek. What’s more, Deanna wasn’t wearing her usual street wear, but some kind of black, wrestling pants and an emerald green, form-fitting shirt. Her hair wasn’t in it’s red mane, but tied back into a fierce ponytail of some kind. She looked… Selena wondered… had Deanna been the reason that no attack had come? Had it been Deanna that was responsible for Holly and the others heading for the hills because it was no longer one against a group?

For a moment, Selena looked around the space. The posters and pins still littered the area and she could still see the glowing eyes in the sky, still watching her. But…

“What happens now?” Selena asked. “I’ve never gotten further than this.”

The redhead before her gave a shrug, offering the platinum-blonde her hand. “Now we just keep going.” She offered with a smile, allowing Selena to see into her emerald eyes.

Eyes filled with kindness.
Eyes filled with loyality.
Eyes filled with a love that was meant only for her.

Without hesitating, Selena reached out to take the hand with her own. “Lead the way.” She whispered before the two began walking past the temple and further on towards… Selena wasn’t exactly sure as the dark fell over them both…

And then… oblivion…


*********************************

Frost ‘Forever’ Home
Manhattan, New York
December 10th, 2021
7:23am

For the first time in so long, Selena did not wake up with a scream of terror in her throat. Nor did she wake up in complete confusion of where she was. Instead, she recognized the white of the ceiling of her bedroom. She recognized the lone fan-lamp that hung in the middle with its black and white design. She recognized the soft pillow under her head that supported it. And as she regained her senses slowly, she recognized the body that was snuggled up against hers perfectly and saw the red hair, identical to the hair she had seen in her dream.

With a soft smile, the previous night came back to her, as did the dream she had had. It was the first time she had walked away as an ending to those dreams instead of being obliterated in a gory fashion. The first time she had Deanna with her and both them still in one piece – literally.

In terms of reason, it did not take much for Selena to conclude why. She was holding the reason in her arms. Why had she dreamt of her beloved wife being some kind of defender and protector? Because that’s what she was! That’s what she had been the entire time! For a second, Selena quietly, so as not to wake her wife, reached up with her free hand (the one not wrapped around Deanna’s shoulders) to feel the short ends of her hair.

From the moment Deanna had rejoined Selena, the younger Frost had helped her wife achieve dreams she had never come close to accomplishing on her own in SCW. Defeating Syren cleanly, maintaining a 100+ day reign with the world title, headlining Rise to Greatness and winning the main-event! And all of that was on top of being the love of Selena’s life.

Feeling the surge of emotions that these thoughts were bringing was too much for Selena to resist, the older woman gentle slipping out of Deanna’s arms to quietly position herself on top of the redhead. Without a word, the platinum-blonde, began pressing her lips to Deanna’s jawline, giving soft kisses along the equally soft skin. At first, there was no reaction, but when she felt Deanna quietly sigh, Selena gave a wicked smile before descending to her wife’s throat, nibbling right at the pulse point she knew was there. Almost six years… her mind mused. Pretty sure I can say I know what will wake you up… she added as a pale hand snaked up her wife’s side to cup her face. She felt her wife’s heartbeat against her own, heard a sharp intake of breath, felt her wife’s body stiffen for a moment before slowly relaxing.

“Well, good morning.” Came Deanna’s throaty voice in a laugh. “Feeling good today?”
“Very.” Selena purred before throwing herself up to Deanna’s head, pushing her lips onto the redhead’s. She dove in, taking as much as she could from the younger woman, savouring how her body pressed into Deanna’s and how the redhead’s hands settled on the Snow Queen’s waist.

As the kiss ended, Deanna’s smile did not lose any of its mirth as she tilted her head at Selena, who was looking more and more – flustered? Warm? Hot? Deanna wasn’t sure. “Mmmm.” She teased. “Morning breath. My favorite!”

“Deal with it.” Selena shot back before diving in for another long kiss. “I need you.” She whispered into Deanna’s ear as her free hand reached for the nightstand drawer, pulling it open carefully, though she never took her eyes, or her lips, off Deanna. As for her redhead, hearing those three words, emerald eyes widened in surprise before smiling, the young woman biting her lip.

“I’m right here.” She assured her wife before fishing her hands lower to the magenta nightrobe Selena wore and hiking it up to settle around the wrestler’s waist, just as Selena pulled out the device. Again, Deanna’s eyes widened in surprise, but this time, her mouth hung open in a warped ‘surprise-open-grin’. “Oh my, Selena.” Her eyes flew back between the ‘toy’ and her wife a few times. “You mean that you really need me.”

Biting her lower lip this time, Selena nodded her head before moving herself up off Deanna to slide the strap-on over her wife’s bare legs, Deanna pulling up her own nightgown to accommodate. ‘Finesse’ was not a factor here, and both women knew this. This was need. Pure, undiluted, raw need. Selena’s need. And Deanna was more than eager to assist.

“Ready?” Deanna asked as she felt her wife set everything up and positioned herself properly.

“Don’t worry about me.” Selena hissed before lowering herself onto the object, a gasp escaping her throat as she felt herself slowly being filled with Deanna. “Okay, go.” She whispered, and immediately saw Deanna press a button on a remote, the item inside her suddenly pulsing and vibrating. She felt her eyes roll back into her head as the sensation filled her. “Yes…oh gods, that’s it.”

She was lowering herself down to kiss her wife as her hips seem to move and thrust on their own volition, pleasure spiking her very center, filling and fulfilling her. She felt the shaft vibrate faster and harder against her, Deanna adjusting it based on her wife’s expressions, reading each one expertly.

“This working for you, baby?” Deanna whispered against Selena’s ear as she held onto her wife riding her.
“Yes…Gods…” Selena barely managed to whisper out.

Nothing fake about this… her ‘working brain’ mocked. But we’re not planning to ‘accidentally’ post this for quick views…

Despite the raw passion in this moment, Selena’s brain registered that fact. That this, whether it was passion-fueled and aggressive like now, or slow and tender like so many other times they had made love, it was theirs and only for them. They weren’t having sex for some cheap ploy or to get popularity or to get views over an ‘accident’. They were making love because they were in love – because she was her Deanna and the platinum-blonde was her Selena. Compelled by these thoughts, she captured her wife’s lips once more as her hips continue to move and buck against Deanna’s ‘appendage’. “Maybe I love you so much.” She whispered, her voice breathy amidst the growing passion.

“I can tell.” Deanna whispered back, reaching up to caress her wife’s face with one hand while other kept a solid grip on the Snow Queen’s bare rear. “And maybe I love you.” Emerald eyes met sapphire ones. “Don’t hold back, baby.” She encouraged, giving a playful spank to the wrestler, which earned her a gasp from Selena.

With a wicked grin, Selena grabbed both of Deanna’s hands and used them to increase her movement, rocking over her wife’s hips. She kept her jaw clenched to keep from screaming out, her pleasure growing higher and higher-

“MOM! MOMMY!”

Both women’s heads shot over to the side of the room with the door, the sound registering a second before they heard the sound of footsteps bounding across the downstairs floor. Once more, emerald eyes met sapphire ones, but this shared look was filled with alarm.

“Oh no…” whispered Deanna as she reached over for the remote of the device, intent on turning it off. Of course, her wife had had the same idea, and when Selena’s hand collided with Deanna’s the second the redhead had the remote, the plastic electronic flew out of their hands, landing on the floor….

Immediately, Selena felt the device vibrate so hard she could hear it! Her body convulsed as pleasure continued to shoot through her. “Oh no…ahh…ahhh!” she gasped as she felt her body reacting from the continued stimuli. On pure instinct, she gripped the headboard, trying to balance herself. Her eyes were slammed shut and because of her position, Deanna was trapped under her wife’s weight, unable to reach the remote, that had fallen off the bed and onto the floor.

“Selena…” Deanna whispered. “They’re coming-“
“So am I.” Selena genuinely cried in a whisper, unable to stop herself as everything came crashing down! “I’m sorry, Deanna.” Her knuckles turning white from her grip on the wooden headrest, trying to push herself through the emotional paralysis she was experiencing – the sound of someone bounding up the stairs filling her ears.

The vibration within her suddenly stopped, causing her to gasp silently. Quickly, the Snow Queen managed to fall to the side of the bed, pulling the damned thing out of her as best as she could. She turned her head, which was currently buried in pillow, to see Deanna with the remote in her hands, having used the cable that attached the remote to the toy to regain it and turn it off. Quickly, Deanna hitched her knees up, lifting the blanket up to cover her ‘accessory’ as Selena pushed the protrusion down to allow Deanna’s legs to squeeze it, keeping it in place… all just before their door flew open, revealing their son, David.

“Mommy! Look!” he cried out, holding what looked like paper in his hands before rushing over to Deanna’s side of the bed, where Selena was currently lying down.

“David…” Selena tried, using one hand to halt her son’s movements, the woman taking deep breaths to try and calm herself. “You... you know our rule about coming into mommy and mom’s room.”
“Always knock first?” he asked, a look of guilt flashing across his face.
“That’s right.” Selena nodded, pushing herself up to fully face her son. “And did you knock?”

“But…this was super important…” he held up the paper before his mother. “See?!”
“I see a newspaper.” Selena replied, using her free hand to reach out and take it.
“Open it!” encouraged David, causing Selena’s eyes to widen.

She had no way to do that with her other hand currently occupied… which suddenly felt warm as she felt Deanna’s had squeeze it, the redhead working to conceal the toy they had been using under the blanket. Her hand free, Selena quickly wiped it against the bedsheets (to be sure) before casting an eye at Deanna. She could see Deanna pulling herself to a sitting position, seeming as if nothing was out of place.

“Okay…” Selena huffed, pushing herself to a sitting position against the headboard beside Deanna. “Let’s see what is going on here.”

Carefully, she pulled open the newspaper just as they spied Elsianna come into view, the eldest standing at the doorway with little Amiliah in her arms, a knowing smile on her face. “It’s amazing, mother.” She stated.

“Okay. Okay.” Selena laughed as she managed to open and turn the newspaper to the cover – where she spied her own face! In bold prints, the paper read “The New York Times” as the title but the headline read:

“Hometown Hero Becomes Winter World Champion!” Selena read aloud. She turned her head to see Deanna’s eyes light up as she took in the image. It was a picture of Selena holding the world title up with Deanna in the middle of the ring – clearly (if Selena’s memory was correct) a moment after the cameras were rolling last night.

“Caption…” she kept reading. “Local New Yorker and wrestling celebrity Selena ‘The Snow Queen’ Frost celebrates with wife, Deanna. Last night, Selena defeated Cid Turner to recapture the Supreme Championship Wrestling (SCW) World Champion for a fourth time.

“The story is beside it.” Elsianna called out.
“Right here.” Deanna pointed with one hand, the Snow Queen wondering which hand she had chosen given their previous ‘activities’.

Her eyes settling on the segment of the newspaper, she continued to read. “It was a suspenseful night for New Yorkers and SCW fans at Madison Square Gardens – their hometown hero Selena Frost was receiving her overdue rematch with rival Cid Turner for the coveted Supreme Championship Wrestling World Championship on last night’s episode of “SCW Breakdown”. The two had exchanged the title in a pair of matches previously – one in June and one in late September.

With her wife banned from ringside, much to the distaste of the audience, Selena and Cid traded blows, grapples, and pinfalls that kept the audience on the edge of their seat – with both competitors coming close to victory numerous times. A series of pinfalls eventually lead to the pinfall victory for the woman regarded as ‘The Face of SCW’.”

“That’s you.” Deanna gushed, pride in her voice.

“And while the victory could not be immediately enjoyed by the victor and the crowd due to poor sportsmanship by Cid Turner and an appearance by future challenger Holly Adams and her entourage, who will challenge for the title at the End of the Year event on December 30th, Frost did not hesitate to take time after the cameras had finished rolling to thank the crowd and celebrate with them and her wife, sending all of New York home happy. Pictures on page A14.”

Carefully, Selena flipped to the stated page. Immediately, she spotted herself again, this time kneeling in the ring, holding the world title seconds after defeating Cid Turner in the center of the spread of images. Others included Cid hitting Selena with the Ode to Caesar, Selena dropping him with the Icebreaker, the two staring at one another at the start of the match, and various other ‘moments’ of the match.

“Wow.” Selena smiled, folding up the paper and placing it on her lap. “The news must be really slow today.”
“Oh come on!” Deanna laughed, shoving her wife with her free hand. “It’s a big deal!”

Despite herself, Selena could not help the warmth that spread to her cheeks at the honour. Words like ‘hometown hero’ – she had meant every word she had said in her ‘Frozen Central’ segment about New York and Manhattan taking her in. So to have this, while perhaps nothing to such greats like Syren, Jason Zero, and other legends who had won the world title all over the world and far more times than her… it felt like winning Rise to Greatness all over again…

“I think we need to frame this.” Deanna declared, taking the paper from Selena to observe it. Her words caused Selena’s eyes to shoot across the room to the framed collage of photos of her main-event at Rise to Greatness, the center (and largest) picture of her wife holding up the world title in the middle of the ring as she kissed Deanna amidst fireworks going off. There were two copies of that collage – one in her bedroom and the other in her ‘wrestling room’ where most of her belts and trophies were kept.

“Hmmm?” she heard Deanna hum, the redhead gently nudging her wife with her shoulder. To answer her, Selena merely smiled and nodded her head. She wanted this moment to be on display in her wrestling room, alongside the other moments of her life like winning four different tournaments in SCW, being a Supreme Champion, and matching such Hall of Famers as Jake Starr, Greg Cherry, Shilo Valiant and even Cid Turner in number of World title reigns.

“So…” the voice came from David, who looked down at his hands guiltily. “Am I in trouble?”

For a moment, both Deanna and Selena were confused by their son’s question.

“For…for coming in without knocking.” He kept his eyes locked on the floor and he was fiddling with his fingers. “Does…does this mean I can’t go ice-skating?”

The Frost wives observed the most crestfallen expression on the boy’s face at the very idea. While the family had gone bowling last week (in memory of Malcolm Scythe’s passing), David had asked to go ice-skating next, and not just anywhere, oh no! He wanted to go skating at the Rockefeller Center with the pretty Christmas tree lights! He had been more excited than he had been for Selena’s World title match last night – but, in his defence, the boy didn’t quite understand what was so impressive about a belt with metal on it. A big tree with hundreds of lights on the other hand? Only superhero stuff could beat that – according to the five year old!

Selena and Deanna cast a glance at one another for a moment, a smile forming on both of their faces.

“No, David.” Selena answered. “We’ll forgive you this time. Long as you don’t make it a habit. Okay?”

Eagerly, the boy’s head lifted and he nodded his head.

“Alright.” Deanna smiled. “Elsianna, can you make breakfast for you and your siblings? Mother and I need to get ready for today’s outing.”
“Yes, mom.” The eldest child nodded before turning, little Amiliah in her hands. “Come on, David.”
“Can we have waffles then?”
“Okay.” They heard Elsianna answer the boy before the familiar sounds of stair-steps were heard.

Quietly, alone in their room again, Selena left the bed, moving to the door to close it, relief washing over her as she turned around. “Wow…that was close and…”

She stopped as she faced Deanna, who was standing up in front of the bed, her emerald-green nightgown covering her again, but clearly showing the large protrusion she was still wearing. Unable to help herself, Selena was suddenly laughing, covering her hands with her mouth. She caught a gulp of breath before looking at her wife with a playful smirk. “Is that a strapon in your nightgown, Deanna, or are you just happy to see me?”

In response, Deanna gave a smirk. “Yes.” She replied before she was suddenly pulling the straps off her shoulders, letting the robe drop down… where part of it hung over the fake-phallus, causing Selena to laugh so hard, she snorted!

Rather than be deterred, Deanna effectively removed the robe before striding over to her wife, reaching out to pin her against the wall, catching Selena by surprise.

“Really?” she asked. “After that disaster?”
“What can I say.” Deanna asked. “I like to finish what I start. And…” gently, she pulled at Selena’s magenta nightgown, carefully pulling it off her shoulders to allow it to fall off Selena’s frame and pool at her feet. “I need you.”
“I’m right here.” Selena repeated as she smiled, reaching up to caress the redhead’s face with her fingers lovingly, while her other hand gripped the rubber ‘member’ of Deanna.
“Good.” Deanna purred. “Because I want to finish you first.”
“Lead the way.” Selena whispered.

Grabbing the Snow Queen’s hand, Deanna, instead of heading back to the bed, veered right to head into the large bathroom that was part of their bedroom.
“Wait…” Selena asked in slight surprise, casting her head to the bed and then back to Deanna. “Why-“
“Because THAT room has a lock on the door.” Deanna shot back, a devilish grin forming on her face as she pulled her wife into the room. “And I’m not taking any damn chances this time!”
****************************

Rockefeller Center
New York, New York
December 10th, 2021
10:13am

They had taken a cab to get to the center. It was better than taking their own car and trying to find a parking space amidst the mass of traffic that was New York…

Sitting on the bench, Selena sipped on the cup of hot chocolate Deanna had bought her, letting the warm, sweet drink fill her throat and insides. Her eyes took in the massive tree of the Rockefeller Center, able to see the bright lights of every color despite it being early in the morning. The overcast weather had provided an almost grayish tint of one’s surrounding, which only enabled the lights of the Christmas tree to shine brighter to the human eye, catching the eye of every traveller and onlooker, at least for a moment. The New York tradition had been a favorite of Deanna’s since they had moved to New York, even before coming to their ‘forever’ home in Manhattan five years ago.

For a moment, Selena remembered those days. She had mostly travelled from place to place with her schedule in SCW, ULW, and IWC – being so overbooked with wrestling that having a permanent place of residence had not seemed vital, so she had picked one in New York that was affordable (when she had the money for it), though she rarely visited it. Still, with her ongoing relationship with Deanna – despite Selena’s stubbornness to ‘never fall in love with another woman again’ – she had to laugh at that now – as the couple had grown closer and closer, they were ‘living together’ more and more in New York.

The tree was always something Deanna wanted to see each year. Selena had lost count how many times they had walked past it together while Gerda looked after the children late at night – the late night walks just for them as a couple. Or how many times the children had gone with them to see it. And while Selena still did not enjoy or believe in Christmas as they did, she believed in their joy and wonder and she would be damned if she was the one to take that joy and imagination and belief from them. Besides, it wasn’t like her beliefs were cast aside. Every year, including this one, Deanna had joined Selena for her Yuletide traditions each necessary night. It was enough for the Snow Queen.

Again, Selena took a sip of her coffee, her bare hands feeling warm against the paper cup. She wasn’t cold in the least – she actually felt that she was wearing too much clothing, with a thick, brown coat covering her frame and a large, black hat covering all of her hair and top of her head. To top it off, she wore a thick pair of aviator sunglasses to help against the glare of the sun.

In short: nobody was going to recognize her as the woman that had just become the world champion of SCW last night.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like the attention or care about her fans, she did. Gods, did she. Especially the younger ones that were inspired by her and the parents that had thanked her for being a role-model for their children. Still, there was a time and a place for everything and Selena had no desire to take this day away from her family simply because “the Face of SCW” had shown up at the Rockefeller Center.

Looking down, she saw the white figure-skating skates on her feet. She had just wanted to rest after skating with the kids for a few hours. How do they have so much energy? she asked herself with a quiet laugh. If she had even a tenth of the energy David, Elsa, and Amiliah seemed to have, she’d be running circles around the entire Brand and not even be winded! Casting her gaze up, she tried to spot her family out of the dozens of people that were skating on the large ice rink/landmark of New York.

Deanna was the easiest to find. She had not worn a hat, so finding a woman with the most gorgeous red hair was as easy as finding the lit Christmas tree that stood just outside the rink. For a moment, a blush rose to Selena’s cheeks, and not from the hot chocolate, but from the memories of the earlier morning. While she was not, what one would call, a display-artist like the likes of Lexy Chapel, Kandis and Tommy, or Ace Marshall and Autumn (she had to roll her eyes at the last two), and neither would she use the language they all used on a regular basis when it came to matters of intimacy and love-making, she had to admit what had happened, at least to herself.

She had woken up horny and Deanna had satisfied her – ravaged her – so damn good.

Taking a slow, content inhale of breath through her nose, Selena exhaled the same way, almost a satisfied purr from the memory, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment. She had made sure Deanna was well rewarded as well, but still… seeing her wife skating, the smile on her face as she did, just like when Selena had been out there skating with her… Six years… Selena mused. Six years and she still felt like a lovesick puppy when she was with Deanna in moments like these and earlier this morning while in the throngs of passion.

From Deanna, she spied the small child skating around the redhead, and the Snow Queen felt an ‘aww’ escape her throat as she saw Amiliah, little Ami, pushing herself on the ice, her small, mittened hands grasping the orange pylon they had brought with them for her. The rubber and plastic contraption was as tall as Amiliah and kept her upright as she pushed and kicked her away in little circles around Deanna.

David? He was harder to find. The boy had been the one that had desperately wanted to be here and skate. Still, Deanna had been smart and made him wear the white and red coat – a design that she and Selena could find if they looked, which Selena was now doing. It didn’t take much effort for her to spy the boy zipping up and down the ice-rink as fast as he could, bobbing and weaving around other skaters and, perhaps to be smug, skating circles around Deanna and Amiliah.

That just left Elsianna and her nearly nine-year-old daughter was far more difficult to find. For Selena, she tried to find people with hair almost as platinum-blonde/snow-white as hers, but there were quite a few people that had white hair, mostly the older generation skating slowly and enjoying the day and one another if they were a couple – Selena prayed to Odin that that would be her and Deanna one day…

Still, after a few minutes, she had not spotted her oldest daughter, and her desire to was quickly overpowering the soreness in her feet. Finishing her hot chocolate, the wrestler pushed herself to her feet and back onto the ice, feeling the solid surface under her blades. She kept her pace slow, simply skating on the outskirt of the rink, her sapphire eyes scanning the crowd. She was about three-quarters of the way around when she spotted her eldest daughter on the far end, twirling on her left foot followed by her right, as if she was trying to-

Selena smiled at the realization. Of course she was trying to figure-skate. Elsianna had been trying to figure-skate since she was little, apparently the desire to was genetic and she had gotten it from Selena. She spun and jumped from one leg, stumbling a little, as the projected lights of snowflakes ran across the ice – part of the decoration of the center.

Quietly, Selena skated towards the young girl, stopping only for a moment in passing Deanna to give the redhead a kiss on the cheek, until she was just a few yards away from the child. She watched the young girl spin again, this time a bit better than the first one.

“You’re getting better.” She called out, catching Elsianna’s attention, the child snapping her head towards her mother.
“Thanks, mother.” Elsa replied quietly, pushing herself to approach her mother. Immediately, the Snow Queen, knowing her daughter, noticed that there seemed to be something on Elsianna’s mind, yet she didn’t wish to press it just yet.

“You know, Elsa.” Selena tried. “If you ever wanted to take professional lessons to figure-skate, you can just tell me. Your mom and I can easily get you a trainer.”
Looking up, a small smile came to Elsianna’s face. “You think I’m good enough?” she asked as the project snowflakes ran over her and Selena, temporarily illuminating their clothes.

Selena had to laugh at that. “It has nothing to do with being ‘good enough’, sweetheart.” She explained, gently taking Elsa’s hand in hers and pushing off on her foot to skate with her. “When I joined SCW, I didn’t know the first thing about wrestling, except what I saw on TV.”

“Really?” the eight-year old was stunned to hear this.
“Yep.” Selena laughed. “You can check on Youtube. I’m sure there’s a video there. Gods, I was horrible! I was tossed around like a beanbag and I think it was my second or third match, I got a concussion by being tossed into the ring barricade. I certainly wasn’t ‘good enough’ for anything.”

“But…” Elsianna tilted her head. “You’re the World Champion now.”
“Yes, I am.” Selena smiled. “And that’s eight years of me training and working and getting better each and every day. See, Elsa, being ‘good enough’ is a term people throw around because they want to seem like they’re this ‘natural talent’ or ‘prodigy’ or something. The truth is, to be really good, it takes time and training and work…” she paused for a second as they turned one of the rounded corners. “There’s an old saying, Elsianna.” She begun, using her free hand to adjust her beanie-hat. “To truly master something, you need to put in 10,000 hours of practice.”

“Ten thousand?” Elsa’s eyes went wide. “I’ll be an old lady by then!”
“I don’t think so.” Laughed Selena. “But it’s not really the number. What was meant by it is that ‘mastery’ of something – getting good at something – isn’t just about ‘natural skill’ or something but practice. And the more you practice, the better you get.”

“Oh…” Elsianna seemed to think about it. “So…like ‘practice makes perfect’?”

Selena’s mouth hung open at that question. That was such an EASIER analogy! Why hadn’t she used that one!

“Yes! Exactly!” she replied with a laugh. “I got to where I am because I got better. Your mom-“ she gestured towards the redhead, which again, was not hard to find. “She’s getting better and better as a manager with me because she practices. That’s what I am telling you.” She gave her daughter’s hand a comforting squeeze. “If you want to learn how to do this – or anything! Playing an instrument, dancing, acting, it doesn’t matter – mom and I will make it happen.”

The statement seemed to sit in Elsianna’s head a little, the child mulling it over as much as she could. “Can I think about it?” she finally settled on asking.
“Of course you can. There’s no rush.” Selena chuckled a little. “Besides, I know your mind must be on other things.” She added knowingly. “Isn’t your birthday coming up.”
“So is yours!” Elsianna countered.
“Yes, and Christmas. It’s a busy time for-“

Selena stopped mid-sentence as she turned back to her daughter to see the crestfallen expression once again. “What is it, Elsianna?” she stopped their travelling along the ice with her hands and skates, putting on the brakes to kneel down on the hard ice to face her daughter at eyelevel.

“You’re going back to Nome for Christmas.” Elsianna whispered, her gloved hands twiddling.

A sad sigh escaped the Snow Queen. She had – in all honesty, with the night she had had and the morning she had had – forgotten about the cold reality that surrounded her.

Malcolm Scythe was dead.
Killjoy had kept his word.

While none of this was news at this point, life had to go on. And, while he was an evil bastard that had made her family’s life a living hell, the truth was that Malcolm Scythe, to the public of Nome, was perceived as a good mayor. Still, Selena had been surprised when she had received an invitation – more like a summons – to make an appearance at his funeral.

Funeral… it was laughable because it wasn’t really a funeral. More of a memorial service. Malcolm was already buried in the ground – dead as a doornail as the Christmas Carol line went – but the service had been held off until Christmas Day…

And I’ll wager I know exactly who chose THAT day to hold it. Selena thought bitterly, her mind rushing to the face of Elsianna’s biological father, Ryan Scythe. He probably, Selena reasoned, was blaming Selena for Malcolm’s death. That or he just wants to make me as miserable as possible. Maybe both.

Still, Elsianna had a point. The invitation had not included Deanna or the children. Just Selena, which bothered the Snow Queen to no end. Was this just a snub by Ryan? She was sure Talia wasn’t behind it. It just seemed unreasonable after the time they had spent at Serpentine Springs. Elsianna and David were, by all accounts, Malcolm’s grandchildren and Deanna was Selena’s wife. Why weren’t they invited too? Was it just assumed she’d bring them?

“Mommy…” the voice of Elsianna broke Selena from her train of thoughts, the platinum-blonde refocusing back on her eldest daughter. “Can I ask for something?”
“You can ask for anything.” Selena answered.
“Can…Can I go with you to Nome?”

Selena’s eyes went wide. “Really?” she asked, her voice unable to mask the surprise. “Are…are you sure?” she added. “You know that…that I’m not going there to play or have fun.”
“I know.” Elsianna nodded her head. “You’re going there because grandpa died. But…you’re going to be all alone for Christmas.”

Selena said nothing as she tilted her head. The idea wasn’t as sad sounding to her as it was for Elsianna. Selena had spent many Christmases alone, more than she cared to count. Hell, she had spent her last one with just Deanna in the Frankfurt prison. Dismal Christmas days were just… Selena had come to expect them, so the idea of her standing in a cemetery wasn’t exactly something she was surprised at.

“But…if I go and David goes…and Ami goes… then mom can go with you.”

Selena felt her hand being squeezed by her daughter. One thing Elsianna seemed more in tune with than any of her children was how much Selena loved and needed Deanna and vice-versa.

“I…I appreciate that.” Selena smiled, reaching up to caress her daughter’s face with her thumb. “But you don’t have to worry about me, sweetheart.”

“Yes. That is my job.” Came the voice from nearby, both Selena and Elsa turning in time to see Deanna skating up to them, Amiliah in her arms and David beside them, holding Ami’s pylon. “And I think it’s a splendid idea.” The redhead added.

“What is?” Selena asked, gazing up at the emerald-eyed woman.
“That we go with you to Nome.” Deanna repeated.
“Deanna…” Selena tried in a whisper, pushing herself to her full feet. “We don’t know if-“
“I know that.” Deanna smiled. “But this is our first Christmas together since Frankfurt. Our first New Years, your first birthday and…”

Again, that look came into Deanna’s eyes – one that Selena had seen earlier this morning and, she was sure, Deanna had seen in hers.

“Our first anniversary…” she added in an even lower whisper. “I am not letting Ryan take that from us because he’s being a…” she stopped, as if to choose her next words carefully. “A petulant brat.”

Slowly, Selena could see Deanna’s reasoning. This time of year had been full of anniversaries and celebrations for the Frost family – something they were not shy in talking about on Twitter or elsewhere. And as much as Selena wanted to be worried that this was some kind of ‘Scythe-trap’, it just seemed too – what was the word Deanna had used? Petulant? Petulant to be worthy of a Malcolm-esque plan. Ryan had had his ego hurt over and over again during the ‘family reunion’ at Serpentine Springs – and this was how he was getting his ‘revenge’. It was so petty… and yet relieving at the same time, to see such an obvious ploy.

“Is…is everyone okay with this?” she turned her head towards David. “David, it’s going to be a lot colder.”
“Does Santa know that I’m going to be there?” he asked. “He might not leave any presents…”
“We’ll take care of that.” Deanna assured her son, messing his hair with her free hand.
“Ami?” Selena turned her head to look at the three-year old in Deanna’s arms. “Do you want to go with mommy?” she took the child’s hand in hers, leaning in to give her baby an Eskimo kiss.

The small redhead gave a cry of delight. “Go with mommy! Go with mommy!” she cried out, reaching out to take Selena’s cheeks in her hands to kiss her mother’s cheek.

“I guess that’s a yes.” Selena smiled tapping little Ami’s nose with her finger before turning her attention back over to Elsianna. “And you’re sure?” she asked. “I can’t promise I’ll be a pleasant mother while we’re there.”

Elsianna gave a nod.

“We do this together or not at all.” Came the final word from Deanna, re-earning Deanna’s attention. “They get the entire Frost family or none of us.”

“Which is probably what Ryan wants.” Selena added before releasing a sigh. “Alright.” She relented. “I’ll figure out the details after Breakdown.”
“And contact Santa!” David reminded her.

“Yes, my prince.” Selena laughed. “I’ll contact Santa – just make sure you stay good.”
“Yep!” David exclaimed before skating off, back to his darting and bobbing around the ice rink. Quietly, Elsianna excused herself to follow.

“I have to ask.” Deanna smiled as she tilted her head to give a loving expression to Selena. “Do we have Santa on speed-dial now?”
“Meh.” Selena shrugged. “Santa – Odin. Same guy if you think about mythologies and such.”

Deanna gave a roll of her eyes. “Well, you give the update to whomever. I’m going to make sure our son doesn’t bump into anyone.”

Skating the few steps necessary, Deanna stole a soft kiss from Selena before skating off, leaving Selena to her thoughts as she stood in place on the ice.

Alright, Odin… Selena sighed. Pow-wow. Sure you heard all that. You know me and Christmas. I’m like one bad day away from becoming the Grinch every year. So… if you’re not too busy during that day, can you just let us get through it? I don’t need you to smite Ryan or drop hale on his head or whatever. Just… let my family get through this. Like – zero surprises.

She was quiet for a moment, the only sound that came was that of other people skating and enjoying the day. With a nod of her head, she pushed off her one leg to catch up with her family. Whether Odin heard her and helped her or not was not immediately important to the Snow Queen. What was important was the promise she had made to Malcolm, his last words to her still ringing through her mind.

”You have to let yourself be happy.”

If that was the case, then she had two weeks left to do just that. One bad day in Nome, even if it was the worst day imaginable, was not going to spoil that for her… or so she thought.
_______________________________________________________________

[SnowQueenSCW]

The Royal Letter

The camera opens up to reveal the Snow Queen sitting on a black, vinyl lounge chair in a quiet lounge with a brick wall behind her. She wears black pants and a light blue shirt with snowflakes covering the right arm and shoulder. On her other shoulder, however, sits the SCW World Championship, almost shining in the lights of the room, the title that she acquired in her victory over Cid Turner earlier in the month. 

I wanted… she pauses for a moment, running a hand through her platinum-blonde hair. I wanted to start this off by saying something ‘noteworthy’. I mean, this is what the upcoming event is about right? The end of the year? The year in review? The most shocking moment, the best feud, the best match, the best wrestler. This event is all about reflection and I want to say something that could encapsulate everything that has happened in that span of twelve months. All the wars, the trials, the victories, the defeats, the setbacks, the ambushes – I wanted to start this off by saying something worthwhile that would honour all of that… 

An amused smile breaks across her face, pale fingers drumming against the gold plates of the world title.

But sitting here… and just feeling everything that has happened and everything that is set to happen, I just can’t. I can’t say anything that feels right. I can’t find the words that fit this tornado of emotion that is raging through me. But as I’ve said time and time again: actions speak louder than words. And with that in mind…

Gracefully, Selena pushes herself out of her chair, the camera following her as she stands and lifts the world championship above her head. She stands there for a few more seconds, proudly displaying the title she has regained, before settling back down in her seat, resting the belt back over her shoulder.

Says a lot doesn’t it? After being told that I was little more than ‘a dead horse’ that was going to get beaten? To having the winner of the End of the Year Vote guarantee that I wasn’t going to win this title? To having the supposed ‘savior of SCW’, with Gleenorb in tow, throw a tantrum and attack me after the match, we got some pretty loud statements made a few weeks ago, didn’t we? she shakes her head at the memory.

Because not only did we – yes, WE, SCW Universe – expose the Brand for the frauds that they are, we managed to silence Cid Turner for at least a couple of weeks! I mean come on! That’s a feat in and of itself!

Sitting back against her seat, Selena’s sapphire eyes focus on the camera. You told me, Cid, that nothing else matters than what happens inside the ring. That what makes a superstar is what they do in that squared circle. So… I guess I proved that I stand by my morals and my convictions, while you proved that everything I have said about you and the Brand is 100% true. Because, when push came to shove, when you came up short? Did you show hope? Integrity? No… in the end, Cid Turner was no different than Asher Hayes, Holly Adams, and Giovanni Aries. A bitter, jealous superstar that will sell out his morals on a whim!

Holding her hand up, a sharp smile appears on Selena’s face for a moment. And you see, I could just shrug off that attack as the work of a sore loser and nothing more. I could take the bigger prize that is the World Championship and just move on to what’s next – people like Jordan Majors, Xander Valentine, Glory Braddock, Syren…

But… that’s not how I want to end things. With the Brand, once again, getting the last word on us. For months, True Believers, the Brand has spat in the face of SCW and the standard that we have believed in. They mocked the World title, the tag titles, and the ideals of ‘integrity’ and ‘hope’. They’ve bullied people on Twitter, ambushed superstars backstage, and ran the reputation of SCW through the mud with not only the fakest ‘reality show’ tied to this company but a damn drug scandal!

And I… I don’t want ‘The Brand’ to enter 2022 with a single excuse, a single shred of credibility! I want to end the year having beaten The Brand and left them in the dust!

A sudden huff of a laugh escaped Selena as she shrugs her shoulders. And lucky me, thanks to the SCW Universe, I have that chance! her eyebrows move up and down at that statement. Because FINALLY, after dealing with member after member, from Asher to Cid to GiGi, I FINALLY get my hands on the brains behind it all. The supposed ‘mastermind’ of The Brand, Holly Adams!

There is a moment of silence as Selena allows that statement to sink in.

I’ll be honest, Holly, I was as surprised as anyone when you got picked. I mean, I scratched my head on it a little. I’m not saying you don’t deserve consideration for it, because you do, but for a woman that has gone on and on on Twitter – the biggest troll SCW has ever had on that platform, and that’s with a history of people like Bree Lancaster and Sienna Swann, by the way – a woman who has blasted every single person, wrestler and fan alike, with insults and jabs that are more reserved for kids in public school, why in the coldest circle of hell would the SCW Universe pick you?

A knowing smile crosses her lips as Selena holds up a finger, shaking that hand knowingly. See, I have an idea regarding that, but I’ll get to that in a second. Because you – oh, you! You’ve got an idea about that too, don’t you, Holly? I mean, you came out from your ‘life-threatening’ surgery as soon as your name was mentioned! Yes, we all saw it week in and week out following that chamber match! Holly Adams fighting for her life! Holly Adams fighting for survival – now I’m not sure if you were just sitting at home watching ER shows and tried to steal the idea or if you think you’re some kind of ripoff of the “Six million dollar man” when most people with enough sense aren’t even willing to pay X number of payments of – what is it now? $29.99? That what it is today? – to see you.

But you come out and say you were chosen because you’re the most loved and favorite wrestler in SCW! That ‘everybody loves Holly’. And I had the biggest case of déjà vu when I heard that. I mean, no joke, I checked my phone to make sure it was still December 9th, 2021, and we hadn’t travelled back a year or so to late 2020/early 2021 – you know, where you would just proclaim how anyone who mentioned you, talked back to you, were just saying that you were their ‘favourite wrestler’ right? Remember that?

Selena chuckles a little. I mean, what else you gonna do, huh? You gonna run around and touch more title belts so you can say you’ve ‘held’ every title in SCW again? I’m sure Lucas Knight will let you touch the Underground title if you ask him nicely. You going to take credit for the hard work your ‘associates’ did while you sat back and watched? You going to use the same old jokes and insults with me? The Snow Queen holds a hand up, as if waiting for those inevitable jabs.

See, Holly, I know where this whole thing is going to go, okay? You’re gonna get on your set with either your paid interviewer or fake audience, get asked all the questions YOU want to answer, have those hired-hands praise you up and down cause that’s what you pay them for and you’re gonna run me down with the same, tired one-liners you’ve been using since I appeared on your radar. And let’s face it, you can out smacktalk me. I never said I was gifted with wordplay or insults. I’m not. That’s why I let you have the last word last Breakdown. Because I’ve seen enough of you on Twitter to know that Holly Adams is never at a loss for words or excuses. 

Where I make the most noise – where I make the most difference – is in the ring and backstage, through defending my words and proving them through action. Selena leans forward.

Year after year, opponent after opponent, trial after trial, I have stayed true to those convictions, true to those beliefs. Not to ‘move merchandise’ or ‘get followers’ or land some quick cash for X number of payments but because, from the bottom of my heart, I believe in what I say. I believe in what I do!

And then there’s you. A woman that came back to SCW, used Infamous to get noticed, and then proceeded to build a group – a ‘Brand’ if you will. A brand that took SCW by storm when you interfered and screwed Chris Cannon out of the world and tag-team titles. And just like that, The Brand was off to the races! Yes! And it didn’t matter if you, personally, were tripping over your own two feet against the likes of Shilo Valiant and running and hiding from Datura, Cid Turner was the world champion, right?! Long as he had that, you were relevant… and that’s really what ‘The Brand’ has been about for you, hasn’t it, Holly? That’s what ‘The Brand’ has been about from the start, hasn’t it? Not enlightenment. Not empowerment. Not saving. Not redefining SCW. The Brand has existed for one single purpose: to make you relevant.

Quickly, Selena holds up her hand as if to silence someone. Don’t get me wrong, you’re talented. You don’t get hired by SCW if you can’t wrestle in this ring. Hell, you beat Syren on an episode of Breakdown not too long ago, didn’t you? And you sure as hell are one of the smartest people in SCW – look at the people you’ve hoodwinked into joining you! Look at the number of matches you’ve won through your typical ‘strategies’. You held the Adrenaline title for over 100 days… you are, without a doubt, a talent capable of much here in SCW…

But I look at you, Holly, and I can’t help but wonder – is it because you’re so damn good that you are where you are? Or is it because of Cid Turner running through SCW for a good fraction of this year as world champion? Are you as ‘popular’ as you say you are – as untouchable as you say you are? Or is it because of Asher’s issues that brought more attention to your D-rated reality show? Are you so ‘relevant’ because you are the supposed ‘greatest’, or is it because you’ve hitched your wagon to some real noise-makers like Aries?

Sapphire eyes narrow at the accusations. I look at you, Holly, and I wonder – you take away the A/C Unit, you take away GiGi and his ‘Nirvana’ and what is left? What is there that belongs to Holly Adams? A future world champion? Or a woman that’s running and hiding behind an Ipad or behind an injury for weeks?

And I wonder this because you’ve done a great job trying to paint me in a certain light, haven’t you? I’m not going to go into your overused insults about how I look and my marriage, but you… you’ve done all you can to discredit me, haven’t you? You’ve had your pals like Chardonnay talk about how any loss I suffer at your Brand’s hands was ‘done with ease’ like what happened in my match with Giovanni, but then you flip it and claim that every win I have over your associates was ‘cheating’ or ‘luck’ or ‘Alaskan hexes’? All the while, you’re saying you’ve got all the answers to ‘stop me’. All the powers to ‘halt the witch’, ‘melt the witch’…

Selena’s gaze drifts over to the title on her shoulder. So why am I the world champion instead of Cid, Holly? Why, if you have my supposed ‘Kryptonite’ didn’t you give it to Cid to use? Why didn’t you or Giovanni use your ‘crosses’ or ‘holy water’ or whatever and give the SCW Universe that promised match of “Cid vs. Holly” if it’s so easy?

Turning her head back to the camera, the platinum-blonde shakes her head. You’ve walked along these past few months, claiming to have the ‘magic formula’ to success and happiness, Holly. You’ve added new flavours like ‘nirvanna’ and ‘Gleebnorb’ into the mix, and yet, for all of those promises, all of those guarantees, I’m the one thing you haven’t been able to stop. Slow down? Absolutely. But I’m still here and I am, once again, the World Champion. Twice now, I have turned The Brand back and stopped them running roughshod in SCW, yet you walk around SCW and on Twitter like I’m some kind of pushover. Like I can be defined with a gif or a pun or a joke. And it’s because of one thing you have on me. One single thing.

It's the most glaring fact in all of this: the fact that I have never beaten you in this ring. From the one match we’ve had against one another, I do not have a victory over you while you can claim to have beaten me. That is true. I’ll give you that.

Selena pauses for a moment.

So maybe that’s why the SCW Universe voted for you. Maybe you’re right, Holly, and the SCW Universe chose you because I never have beaten you and you’re going to pluck the title out of my hands. Because you’re Holly Adams! You’re the counselor of champions! You’re the head of the Brand and it doesn’t matter who you face cause you’ve got all the answers, all the tools, all the secret weapons – NOBODY is going to stop you from walking out of End of the Year with the SCW World Championship, right?! a smirk forms on Selena’s lips such logic.

Wouldn’t that be interesting, Holly?! I mean, you begged for this! You campaigned for this! You tweeted more than anyone in SCW about this! I’m not kidding! You got out your photoshop and you LIT Twitter up! Not only that, but you told your followers to name you the Female Wrestler of the Year! Yes! That should be simple right? The ‘favorite wrestler’ that ‘everybody loves’? Why wouldn’t you be the ’wrestler of the year’, too?!

But I have a question for you, Holly. Something that may just shatter that whole line of reasoning in your little head. One single question.

What happens if you aren’t, Holly?

Selena is quiet for a moment, her eyes locked on her audience. What if you’re not picked as the ‘wrestler of the year’? What if the SCW Universe doesn’t chose you as their ‘chosen wrestler’… then what? What does that say about them ‘loving you’? What does that say about them choosing you to face me?

Was it really because they want you as world champion? Selena’s jaw clenches. Or is it because they’re sick of you and want me to kick your damn head off?!

A pale hand tightens its hold around the title sitting on Selena’s shoulder. See, Holly, unlike you, I don’t speak for everyone in SCW and I don’t pretend to always know what they want. I have to listen and hear them to know that, but I can speak for myself. 

And for myself? This couldn’t be more basic – couldn’t be simpler – for me. For me: I’m sick of you running your mouth about me ‘never beating you’ because of one match. I’m sick of you twisting the narrative of your ‘victories’ over me. I’m sick of listening to you laud a win over my head that you got by pinning my wife with help from Asher and Cid. And I’m sick of you running around here selling crap and calling it ‘gold’ week in and week out.

I’m sick of the nirvana. I’m sick of the counselling. I’m sick of the taglines. The payment changes. I’m sick of it because all it does is drag SCW’s name further and further into the mud with you acting like a damn infomercial and a con artist than a damn wrestler!

And maybe, just maybe – and I’m kind of banking on this - SCW is just as sick about that as I am. Sick of you hiding behind Cid and Asher and Giovanni while proclaiming a kind of ‘superiority’ over everyone else. Sick of your bullying on Twitter. Sick of the excuses. Sick of the BS. Sick of you. Maybe, just maybe, they want a repeat of you ‘getting yours’ like what you went through in that chamber match back at Apocalypse. The one where you got pinned by a clown and got your ass handed to you by Jordan Majors?

A slow smile grows on Selena’s face, her voice actually filled with some excitement. And that’s why I love this match so much, Holly. Because, on a personal level, I know that you can’t get out of this. You want this world title? You need to actually do what you say you can do so easily. You have to, literally, put up or shut up this time around! You can’t have someone else pin me. You can’t pin my wife this time. The only way you get this title back in your camp? You have to do what Cid couldn’t do in New York or back in June. You have to, legitimately, beat me. a pale hand rests on Selena’s chest, her eyes on the person she knows is watching, her words slow as she speaks.

I want you to think about that for a second, Holly. No, no… she holds up a hand. I want you to think long and hard about this, Holly. Because you can claim that I have no skill or that I cheat or that I have been lucky or I have hexes – you can run your ‘interview’ promos or your ‘Holly Adams Hour’ show or whatever you call it up and down with that kind of crap, making me out as some kind of pushover compared to your ‘greatness’ – but when you’re alone and no one is watching, I want you to REALLY consider what you are in for.

Because I don’t think you have. I think you have surrounded yourself with so many ‘yes-people’ and vapid reality-show characters that pander to you that you actually believe beating me will be as simple as waving a wand or throwing up a cross or dousing me with holy water. she gestures with her hand.

You think I’m someone that you can just bulldoze through? You think I’m going to burn out? But you fail to realize that I’ve heard the same words from people that didn’t need over a decade to get to where you are now. People like Kelcey Wallace, Christy Matthews, Kennedy Street, Vixen Cain, Xander Valentine, Dawn Lohan, Bree Lancaster, Syren, Ravyn Taylor, Ace Marshall, and Rachel Foxx, just to name a few. People that said the same words you’ve said: who thought they had the answer to me. Who thought they had the ‘magic bullet’ to ‘expose me’ and to take me down and out of SCW. she shrugs. Yet, eight years later, I’m still here. Eight years later, while many of them have come and gone, I’m still fighting for the world championship. Eight years later, I’m turning back people like that and beating them in this ring and I don’t need a crew of cameramen or makeup artists to do that, Holly. I do it because, quite frankly, I’m the best there is in SCW. I’m the Face of SCW and that is what the World Champion does.

Casting a glance at the title, she taps it with her fingers. I have earned the right to be called that, I have earned that right to call myself ‘the best’ and I have earned that right to call myself the ‘SCW World Champion’. before returning her gaze back to the camera.

That is who you are facing at End of the Year, Holly. That is the force you are taking on with all of your Brand on the line, Holly. Because what happens if you can’t beat me ‘with ease’ as Chardonnay puts it? What happens if, no matter how many secrets and ‘things you know’ that you and GiGi bring out, it isn’t enough? What happens when you – offering all this salvation from ‘evil Selena’ – can’t get the job done?

Slowly, the world champion shakes her head, pointing at the screen, her tone low and cold. You need this, Holly. More than anything you’ve needed in your entire career. You NEED this match. Because it’s not just the world title that you’re fighting for. Whether you got picked for popularity or because people want to see me beat you into the ground, it doesn’t matter – you have people watching you. You have people listening to you and you even have some people believing you!

But if you don’t back up every word that you’ve said when that bell rings, especially this Friday in Ottawa? Then you’re not some gifted counselor. You’re not some ‘superior being’. You’re not some ‘savior from witches’ and you’re not someone with all the answers. You know what you are, Holly? You’re just a loudmouth diva with an ego complex. A blonde brat – one of several that has walked the halls of SCW – and one of many that I have, personally, silenced over these past eight years.

Make no mistake here, Holly, you are fighting for your Brand’s very credibility. You are fighting for your brand’s very EXISTENCE against someone that will like nothing more than to see it crash and burn!

Selena sits back in her chair, adjusting the title over her shoulder. So you better bring it, Holly. You better do what I know you’re going to do and bring GiGi, bring your “reality-show crew” so they can capture this match from every angle. Bring your nirvana, your talismans or whatever you have, bring your ‘special discount prices’, bring your planted audience members, bring all of The Brand down on me – because I’ll still be there in Ottawa and I’m still kicking your ass. I’m stilling beating you into the ground. I’m still retaining the title and I’m still going to be the SCW World Champion.

Sapphire eyes narrow as Selena tilts her head a little. Believe it, Holly. Because this beatdown is headed your way… Free of charge.

The camera fades to black slowly, the sight of the smiling world champion the last thing seen.

[Holly Adams]

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: The Season Comes to a Close (Part 1)

OOC: good luck Hayden!!

[SnowQueenSCW]

OOC: Takes place after Selena’s first roleplay and Deanna’s first roleplay (EOY Royale). Promo takes place day of End of Year Event. Best of luck, Tyler! Ending 2021 loud and proud!

Project: Black Ice

”Saints Out of Sinners”

Nome Community Cemetery
Nome, Alaska
December 25th, 2021
10:13am

“We are here today to pay our tribute and our respect to a man of God, our brother, Malcolm…”

The strong winds blowing along the large field of snow could almost drown out the minister’s words as he stood near the large tombstone of black, his robed shoulders standing at the stone’s fullest height. “…and have loved him as a friend.  To know Malcolm was to love him!”

Selena preferred the sounds of the winter storm, her eyes fluttering closed as she stood amongst the crowd, feeling the cold wind push her front and back, her legs keeping her rooted into the snowy earth. When she opened her eyes again, she could see the multitudes of snowflakes dancing across the skies and everywhere in-between. She could see the numerous people of the small group that had gathered for the service standing behind her – oh, because she had been ‘invited’ by the family of the Scythe, she and her family were standing front and center, meaning so many eyes were on them – she almost rolled her eyes and growled at that, lowering her head to seem as if she was collecting herself.

Instead, sapphire eyes sought out the sight of her children, who stood just to her right. Much like her, the children had dressed for warmth amidst the cold than for a memorial service. All three of the children wore dark-colored, thick long coats with mittens/gloves and hats and durable, thick, insulated boots. Maybe it wasn’t as formal as the black longcoat and matching black suit and tie that Selena wore under said coat, but there was no way she was going to risk her children catching a cold because of one bitter man.

“Finally, we are here today to seek and to receive comfort.  We would be less than honest if we said that our hearts have not ached over this situation.  We are not too proud to acknowledge that we have come here today trusting that God would minister to our hearts, and give us strength as we continue in our walk with Him…” the minister’s words droned on and on and Selena spied her son, David’s, eyes opening and closing as he seemed to be nodding off, his balance teetering left and right between Selena and his sister, Elsianna. Quietly, Selena reached out a pale hand to rub his back, trying to get silently get him to hold on a little bit longer, her focus shifting over to her other children as well, Elsianna quietly fretting over holding her little sister, Amiliah, ensuring the youngest was being kept warm under these – not so much harsh, but unfavourable – conditions.

Her heart went out to them. The poor dears, having all decided to accompany the Snow Queen to this memorial service of the late former mayor of Nome, had had little time to savour Christmas and present-opening. Not only had Ryan Scythe chosen an ungodly day for this service, he had chosen the time for it to be earlier in the morning! The result had been Selena waking the children up at six in the morning to open presents – the three of them barely away and sleepily wiping crust out of their eyes as they tore open boxes to find their gifts. Even Deanna had been yawning all morning during their Christmas times, though she had been more insistent on the early wakeup call than Selena had.

At the thought of her beloved wife, Selena’s eyes drifted past her children, a little further down, to where her significant other stood. Like Selena, Deanna was combating the weather by wearing a thick, charcoal black coat. Unlike the older Frost, however, the redhead had opted for an inclined button side contrast maxi dress, the light-beige button and slit amongst the black standing out a little as the wind blew the skirt against Deanna’s legs, much like it blew the red strands of hair around her head.

Deanna… Selena’s eyes settled on her for a moment, the minister’s words reaching her over the passing wind.

“It is our human nature to want to understand everything now, but TRUST requires that we lean and rely heavily on God even when things seem unclear. Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Not understanding had been something Selena had settled on for only a short time with her darling. She had replayed their minor confrontation that had happened a few days ago back in Manhattan over and over again – recalling her wife’s tears, her refusal to explain and her shoving Selena, even if only a little.

Selena had refused to pry. She had no right to. How many things had she hidden from Deanna over the years? How many times had she chosen silence over simple communication despite her wife’s pleas?

Out of the corner of her eye, Selena watched her wife remain focused on the service to the late Malcolm. Since their tense moment back home, Deanna had returned, mostly, to being the woman that Selena knew. She was focused on being there for the platinum-blonde and their children, tucking what was bothering her away, it would seem, to deal with later. So like her… Selena thought with a quiet exhale, her breath instantly transforming into midst that rode the air. Always putting family first…

It was why she had been grateful to fate for giving her an answer without Deanna knowing – the Snow Queen’s mind quietly shifting to the folded piece of paper she had found under the bed that day after her wife had left the bedroom in Manhattan to help the children pack. For a split second, and for the umpteenth time, the young Frost threw a silent prayer to Odin - please let it be in Ottawa when we arrive…for Deanna…

“Philippians 4:7!” proclaimed the minister, unaware of the mental exercise the platinum-blonde was going through, his voice ringing louder as the wind picked up for a moment. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus!”

The turnout for the funeral had not been the largest Selena had attended in the past – certainly larger than her stepmother, Anastasia’s, or the one she had held for her father when she had been 11, unaware that the man was actually still alive, but the moderate size of the crowd didn’t surprise her. Who were her father and step-mother? Who was she? Nobodies. Low-class citizens, at the time, that nobody would miss. And she, the “crazy miner’s daughter”, “The Snow Queen”…

Her eyes swept over the tombstone that had Malcolm’s name etched into it, along with his date of birth and date of death. Little else had been placed there due to the strong winds and winter weather, not even a picture.

Not that she would ever forget that man’s face – one that could pop up at any time in her mind to mock her.

Another slow exhale provided another strip of mist in the area. She could see the Scythe family standing a bit to the left, Talia standing the closest, followed by Gavin and Ryan. They all wore thick coats, but Ryan had, surprise surprise, chosen a dark purple.

“Ashes to ashes…” read the minister, re-earning Selena’s attention. “Dust to dust. Amen…”

“Amen.” Replied the group, except for Selena. The masses were ‘praying’ to a god that she didn’t believe in in the same way that they did, so she remained silent, casting her gaze down to her hands. She was surprised when she saw the small hand reach up to take one of hers. Following the tiny appendage, Selena’s eyes met those of her little son, David looking up with her, his expression so drowsy.

“Is it over?” he whispered, rubbing one eye with the palm of his free hand.
The poor boy… The Snow Queen smiled sadly, giving his hand a squeeze. “Almost.” She whispered to him.
“I’m tired.” Came the quiet whine.
“I know, and you’re being so good.” Selena whispered back. “Can you just hold out a little longer?” she asked, keeping her voice low so as not to draw too much attention.

David gave a quiet nod before his head turned, his attention taken by someone. Turning her head, Selena followed her son’s line of vision as she saw the walking purple-coat stroll to where the minister had been standing next to Malcolm’s tombstone.

Oh great… the wrestler’s mind growled as Ryan adjusted his coat and observed the crowd, actually giving a smile to all of them! As if he was enjoying this kind of attention being on him. Of course, the expression was fleeting, lasting only a second before become somber again, but Selena had caught it, her eyes locked on her former fiancé as he took a deep breath to speak.

“The author Frank Clark wrote, ‘A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be.’” He let that statement hang in the air for a moment before continuing. “My father was the best man I knew. Even so, he expected us, his sons, to be better. He did this by holding us accountable for our actions.”

Despite herself, Selena actually found herself agreeing with that statement. Hell, she had witnessed it over and over again. It was perhaps one of the few traits Malcolm had possessed that she respected. Accountability. It was something that the former mayor had believed in more than anything. When Selena had bested him in their way, thanks to her stepmother, he had backed down and accepted defeat, honoring their deal in the years that followed. When Talia had failed in her mission to ‘dethrone’ Selena and take her crown as ‘The Snow Queen’, it had been Malcolm that had forced her to honor her deal with Selena and exiled her to Germany until they had freed Deanna from Frankfurt Prison III. And at the Serpentine Springs, Ryan had alluded to Malcolm’s demands that he stay away from Elsianna and David despite the former being the biological father-

For a brief second, Selena spied Ryan’s eyes settling on her and her unaware children. It was less than a second, if she were honest, but the look had gripped her spine with a sense of dread – Ryan’s threats back at the springs echoing in her ears. Threats of coming after the children and finish what he and Malcolm had started years ago now that Malcolm was ‘out of the way’. Still, the eldest Scythe’s gaze did not linger, shifting to engage the crowd that watched him as he continued his own eulogy.

"If Gavin and I weren’t living up to his expectations, he was sure to let us know. But he was never unkind about it. He showed us that real men needed to be compassionate as well as strong…” he paused for effect – He’d be decent at cutting promos. Selena thought, remarking on the man’s ability to use speech and emotion to get the desired effect, which in this case seemed to be sympathy and attention from the mourning crowd.

“I’ll never be able to express how grateful I am for the way he raised us. But I will continue to always try to exceed his expectations about who I could be.” Ryan vowed, casting a glance at the tombstone for a moment before returning his attention to the crowd. “I think… I think he would want to hear this now…” he started, immediately putting Selena’s senses on alert. What was Ryan planning?

“Because as much as he loved his sons, my father loved this town – this corner of the world. He loved Nome. He loved its people, every single one.” Again, his eyes settled on Selena before, again, stealing a glance to every other Frost family member. For a moment, Selena wished that Jean Black and Zoe Evers were here, but they had purposefully not been invited – perhaps by Ryan to leave the Frost family without support.

“And in this time of mourning and sadness…” Ryan continued. “We must be reminded of the season – the season of peace and kindness. Of hope.” For a second, Selena felt a strong sense of déjà vu, being reminded of The Brand, especially Cid Turner and Holly Adams. To say that she had thought of nothing else in the days that had built to this service would be untrue. Still, with her title defence looming closer and closer, The Brand had been living in Selena’s head, at least part of it, rent-free since the last episode of Breakdown.

Holly had a win over her.
Giovanni had a win over her.

And while she had survived her war with Cid Turner, emerging as the world champion, those two statements still haunted her. Did she believe what Holly had been saying? No. She knew, one on one, she could beat Holly. She knew, one on one, she could beat Giovanni – she had in the past.

The problem lay in the fact that, much like the Scythe family, The Brand had rarely fought one on one. Even her matches with Cid Turner – if interference was allowed, it was always attempted. She had been fortunate that both her match with Cid at Taking Hold of the Flame and again in New York had been made where ‘interference was prohibited’ but she didn’t have that this time with Holly. And, unlike Jordan Majors, she didn’t have a cage to keep Holly locked in and The Brand out.

Distraction and ambushes. It was a sound strategy and it had proven to work… and it was what Selena was expecting for the same reason she was dreading it.

Because she had no answer for it, aside for Deanna. Unlike the Brand and unlike the Scythes, she was one person – two if including Deanna. Her enemies were a faction, a stable, a group of individuals with no moral compass or rationale for fairness. All that mattered was getting whatever they desired.

Ryan Scythe wanted revenge or some kind of suffering on Selena.
Holly Adams wanted the SCW World title back and for Selena to suffer.
And then there was the wildcard of Killjoy-

Bitterly, Selena shook her head, trying to dispel the thoughts and refocus, using her hand to swipe at the snowflakes that had settled in her hair, small clumps of the white powder falling off her and landing on the ground. Her senses, dulled by her musings, sharpened and refocused back to the present, taking Ryan - Is he still talking?! Selena mentally whined. Gods, even I’m going to fall asleep as this rate.

“…and a message of hope and faith is what is needed!” Ryan stated, unaware Selena had been ignoring him for a few seconds. “So, it is with a heart filled with mourning, yet filled with love for my father and a love I shared with him for Nome and its people that I honor him and this season by announcing my candidacy to run for mayor of Nome.”

The crowd seemed silent for a moment – Selena, however, was stunned. Is he serious? she thought. He’s doing this now?!

The utter tastelessness was not lost on her, but she was far too stunned by the brazen nature of the statement to say anything. In truth, it was the ultimate ‘Scythe’ thing to do, taking advantage of a situation to better one’s own standing. Hadn’t Malcolm done the same thing in eliminating her father? Hadn’t Talia done it in blackmailing Selena to re-enter “the Snow Queen pageant” against her? In a way, Selena knew she shouldn’t have been surprised by Ryan doing what Scythes had done before him, and yet…

It’s still so wrong…

A slow applause started in the back and grew to a respectful volume, the group, perhaps out of respect, responding positively to the announcement. Despite their clapping, Ryan’s focus resettled back on Selena. In a quick decision, not wanting to give him any ammunition to use against her in that moment, Selena lifted her hands to offer a stern clap of her own, a fraction slower than the others. Out of the corner of her way, she spied Deanna adopting a similar clap, as did Elsianna. David, thinking the funeral was over, however, and still drowsy, snapped fully awake and began clapping madly.

“Wooo!” the boy cried. “Go grandpa!”

The remark was drowned mostly by the wind, but the few people that heard in the front, including Selena, could not help but laugh at the poor boy’s state – not at him, but rather in understanding. With a pale hand, Selena ruffled David’s hair, casting a satisfied smirk at Ryan for the break in his diatribe.

The purple-suited man’s eyes narrowed, almost imperceptibly. Yet, as the applause died back down, that smirk returned to his features, returning Selena’s feelings of uneasiness.

“Now…” he held up a hand to further instill silence within the crowd. “I’d like to turn the floor over to someone very close to my father. So much so that she travelled from New York just to be here-“

Oh no… Selena’s eyes went wide, her brain connecting the dots a fraction too late.

“Selena Frost.” Ryan gestured a hand towards Selena, the Snow Queen looking less queenly and more like a dear in headlights!

It suddenly made sense! The invitation, pushing her to stand at the front of the line as a ‘guest’… it was for this moment! She could see the smug smile hidden behind the ‘mourning features’ of Ryan. He had planned this! He had, effectively, put Selena on the spot. If she refused, she’d be the enemy of the people while endearing Ryan to them. But the only alternative would be to praise Malcolm!

And Ryan knows full well I would never do that after all that bastard has done! Selena’s mind raged. There was no other way to look at this but the obvious – she was trapped! Either hatred by the people of Nome, again, or submission and eating crow in praising a man she had despised for so many years!

I’m trapped… her brain whispered multiple times in the span of a second.

“Selena?” Ryan called knowingly, beckoning the wrestler to approach Malcolm’s tombstone.

A few shaky breaths spilled out of Selena, her eyes jerking to the left side where she spied the stunned and confused expressions of Talia and Gavin, the pair looking at her with as much uncertainty as she, but also a sense of sadness, the pair connecting the dots of this as well as Selena had.

“I…” Selena whispered but stopped as she suddenly felt a warm hand in hers. Turning her head, she saw Deanna standing beside her. She felt the eyes of the crowd on her suddenly disappear, or rather, the weight of it no longer affected her. Just the emerald eyes boring into hers as Deanna leaned forward to, in a comforting way, kiss Selena’s cheek. The intention, Selena realized, however, were the two words the echoed only into her ear from her wife.

“Royal Letter.”

Sapphire eyes widened at the sudden realization of what Deanna was implying. The worries melted off her and a smile came to Selena’s face. Carefully, she took the few steps necessary to approach the black tombstone, her hand reaching out to touch it, feeling the cold stone against her skin before turning back to the crowd.

Royal letter… her mind echoed as she took in a deep breath, feeling the wrestler part of her slide into place.

“Thank you, Ryan.” She said loudly as the elder Scythe retreated back to his spot in the crowd, his face not betraying an inch of the smugness he must have felt seeing her up there. “Thank you for that moving message. I mean, I was going to announce MY candidacy for mayor of Nome, but darn it, you beat me to it!”

A slight laugh came from the crowd, moreso from Deanna, who bit her lower lip to control herself a bit better. This was a memorial service after all.

Casting a glance at the tombstone again, specifically the name etched into it, Selena released a sigh. “I think Malcolm would have wanted us to laugh a little here rather than grieve. I mean, it’s Christmas day, and has there ever been a day in Nome where it wasn’t somewhere between ‘Holy cats it’s cold’ and ‘A second Ice-Age’?” she couldn’t help the smile that came to her face. “No… Malcolm knew that there was always a time to grieve and a time to laugh. There was a place for everything. Even someone like me…”

She turned her gaze to the crowd, recognizing a few of the faces of the Nome citizens. “Some of you know me. You know the kind of person I was. My father. The gold mine.” She shrugged. “We never really got along, I know. And I won’t be saying anything about that – the past is just that. The past.”

She bit her lower lip. “But I was a nobody. ‘The crazy miner’s daughter’. Somebody with no real significance – my family, me – that’s how I felt. Malcolm…” she cast a glance back to the name on the stone before returning it to the group. “Malcolm never felt that way. You know, for all he did, all he thought – he still had a place for someone like me. A nobody. Someone like me still had a part to play in his world…”

Reaching up a pale hand, the platinum-blonde scratched the back of her scalp, taking comfort in the sharp feeling of her nails against her skin.

“And I won’t say there were bad times between us. Every relationship has them. Moments where we disagreed, where we fought-“ her eyes caught the smirk, slight as it was, on Ryan’s face, the man believing this was where things fell apart.

Conceal… Selena’s mind whispered. Don’t feel.

“But…” she breathed. “In a way, that was Malcolm always trying to make me better. Make me fulfill whatever expectations he had for me – just like he did for his sons.” Her eyes moved down to the snow just in front of her. “Malcolm lived in a world that few of us have ever had to worry about in the small town of Nome. The world of politicians. A world of manipulations, of lies and half-truths, of backroom deals and betrayals. I’m sure we’ve all watched the news…”

“And while he tried to spare this town the dreads of that world, he still had to live by a rather ruthless manner to achieve what he could for Nome, its people, and for his family. And…” Selena shrugged her shoulders, finding the words easier to say than she imagined. “In a way… he taught me to never stop fighting.”

Lifting her gaze, the young Frost was surprised to see so many eyes on her, except they weren’t angry or condemning her for her words. They were patient, understanding, waiting for her to finish.

“Malcolm was partly the reason that I believed that I could be more than just the daughter of a miner. He made me realize that, if I fought for everything I wanted in life, I could achieve anything. And if that happened to be outside of Nome, then I needed to pursue it with all I had. He taught me that being greedy for something wasn’t always a bad thing if you believed in it enough and you used it for good.”

“I suppose, in a way…” casting one last glance towards the tombstone, Selena placed her hand back on it. “I wouldn’t be here now, where I am now, without the part that Malcolm played. And…” she took a shaky breath. “I will always be grateful to him for that. For the rest of my life… thank you.”

With a slight nod, Selena stepped away from the stone, moving a few steps back the way she had come.

A flash of light caught her eye as she moved however, drawing her head up to a spot beyond the crowd. Across the cemetery, several yards away…she spotted the biker helmet that the sunlight, temporarily breaking through the overcast clouds, had refracted off of….

And the skull artwork etched onto the helmet as it ‘stared’ over the crowd and straight at her.

No… her eyes grew wide. It can’t be…

The figure stood closer to the pavement-path that travelled throughout the cemetery for vehicles, its arms crossed as it viewed the service from a far. Seeing Selena’s eyes on him, however, he slowly turned and began walking down the path towards, disappearing from sight as several of the planted trees blocked Selena’s view of him.

Casting a quick glance at her family, she quietly rushed towards Deanna, taking her hand in hers and leaning towards her beloved as another speaker for Malcolm took her place by the tombstone to share their stories of the former mayor.

“Stay here.” She ordered. “Please.”
“Wha-“ Deanna started before she saw the look of terror in her wife’s eyes. “Is it?” her head jerked around.
To answer, Selena nodded. “The gun is in your purse.” She whispered. “Make sure he doesn’t get near our children.”
The redhead gave a slow nod. “Come back to me.” She whispered, her one hand gripping Selena’s tightly.

“I will.” Selena whispered, offering the kindest smile she could. “You still have to tell me what’s bothering you, remember?”

She didn’t let her wife reply, instead briskly moving through the crowd and across the field, passing numerous graves until she was walking the same path she had seen the skulled-being take. It wasn’t hard to follow at that point, the footsteps in the snow clear as day, even with more falling from the skies.

The wind howled as she walked across the desert of snow, whipping her hair in all directions. The crunch of the snow was suddenly louder in her ears, or was that just because of her heart beating faster and harder as she walked the path through the cemetery as it took her left and right and across the ‘field’. She knew she hadn’t been hallucinating. The footprints were proof of that! Yet, as she reached a hill and looked down it, she questioned whether it had been smart to leave her gun with Deanna…

The hill descended into a sort of valley of graves and, to the left of them stood a gray-stoned mausoleum, a sort of stone temple or church amidst a sea of the dead.

And the footprints lead right to it… Of course they did.

With a slow inhale and exhale of breath, Selena continued to walk the path, being careful not to slip or fall as she did. The valley seemed to protect her from the heavy winds as the whipping sensation around her began to die down and the snowfall began to ease. She could make out the stairs just in front of her as she reached the mausoleum and, with a few more jilted breaths, she stepped up them and pulled open the door, allowing herself access to the erected building of tombs.

Immediately, the sound of the winds and bite of the storm (what remained of it) was blocked, allowing Selena to shake off the snow on her shoulders and head. She stepped further into the room, her eyes taking in the gray stones and names that lined the walls. She could see the multitude of crypts surrounding her, but it wasn’t until she turned the corner that she spied the window against the stone wall.

He stood by it, illuminated by the clouded forecast raging outside. There was no mistaking the skull-design of the helmet he still wore – no mistaking him now.

“Came to admire your handiwork?” Selena called out, not surprised when he didn’t give any sign of surprise.
“No.” Killjoy responded. “I saw enough of it when I saw the light drain from his eyes.”

Selena’s jaw clenched. The bastard wasn’t even going to deny killing Malcolm – she even detected a hint of satisfaction in his declarations.

“I’d say you got a new head on your shoulders…” she gestured to the helmet as Killjoy turned to her. “But if you’re dumb enough to admit to murder, maybe that isn’t so.”

“And if you were going to have me arrested, you wouldn’t have come alone.” Killjoy countered. “You know the police can’t stop me anymore than you can.”
“That remains to be seen.” Selena replied. “How’s your arm doing by the way?” she gestured, pointing to the arm that Deanna had shot the last time Killjoy had made his presence known.

To answer, Killjoy held out the indicated arm. “Better than ever.” He simply replied. “Or would you like to test that right now?” he challenged with a tilt of his head.

Despite every fiber of her being wanting to rip him to shreds, the memory of their last fight played in her mind. How Killjoy had expertly evaded and blocked every attack she had made – how he had trounced her in a one-on-one fight.

Though her hands tightened into fists, she did not take a step closer to the madman, earning a small laugh from him. “Good girl.” He mocked. “You’re learning. Have you accepted that you are on borrowed time? That you exist presently simply because I wish it?”

“No.” Selena replied honestly. “I’ve accepted that, sooner or later, you’re going to make your move. And when that happens, you’re going to fail.”
“Are you so certain?” Killjoy asked, tilting his head the other way. “I’m not one of your enemies in SCW. You can’t be rid of me just by knocking me unconscious for three seconds.”
“I’m aware.” Selena replied, standing her ground.
“Then you are prepared to kill me?”

“If it comes to that.” Came Selena’s answer, crossing her arms. “I’d rather you give me some answers and we try and talk about this.”

“Talk?” laughed Killjoy, leaning up against the wall where the window was. “After what I did to Malcolm, you wish to reason with me?”

“I wish to know why you have such a hatred for us.” The platinum-blonde answered honestly. “I know you feel I robbed you of something. That you want what I have but I don’t understand why. I don’t understand what motivates you. I don’t get… I don’t get this!” she huffed.

“I admire your candor.” Killjoy remarked, his honesty surprising Selena, who gave a slight shrug.
“If you were going to kill me…” she started, paraphrasing Killjoy’s earlier words with a second shrug.

“Surely Malcolm would have told you by now – or at least given you something…” he turned his head knowingly, ‘eyes’ locked on the Snow Queen. “Of course he didn’t.” he added after a moment of silence from Selena. “Because knowing would destroy you, right? That what he said?”

“Yes.” Selena stated.

“Yet, you still wish to know?” Killjoy inquired. “Hmmm.” A laugh came from his warped voice, the same filtered tone that had filled some of Selena’s nightmares.

“I know Malcolm was a horrible person and did so much evil in Nome – maybe in the world-“

“You can’t begin to imagine what he’s done to me.” Killjoy growled, showing anger for the first time today.
“I get it!” Selena pressed. “You hate him. I suffered at his hands too – or did you leave that part out in your ‘study’ of me?”
“I’m aware of it.” Killjoy replied, calm once more. “But your suffering pales in comparison to mine. And you are as much to blame as Malcolm is for it. Unknowingly or not.”
“How is that fair?!” Selena asked. “I don’t know you. I don’t know what you went through but if you were suffering because of me, I’d have done everything in my power to fix it.”

“This is beyond fair.” Barked Killjoy. “This is justice. You are responsible, knowing or otherwise is irrelevant. You are responsible. Therefore, you will pay.”

The two stood there, staring down one another until Killjoy broke the silence. “This is not something you can change.” He stated. “You cannot turn a sinner into a saint, no matter how many times you’ve tried.”

“What are you talking about?” Selena asked.

“Regan, Kelcey, Kennedy, Anastasia, Nicodemus, even Malcolm Scythe… how many sinners have you tried to look past and see some good in them? How many of them did you give ‘second chances’ to? How many of them did you try and save? Or try to forgive?”

Selena’s mouth opened but no sound came out. She didn’t have a response for that – because it was true. Her life had been a constant flux of enemies turning friends, friends turning enemies, and then all back again and so many times, Selena had forgiven them. From Dawn Lohan to Regan Street, even the people that had almost destroyed her like her stepmother and Malcolm – Hell, she had JUST given a kind eulogy to the bastard that had tried to kidnap her own children!

“You don’t even realize how easily you forgive. How much you feel you NEED to save everyone.” Killjoy shook his head sadly. “You can’t this time around. You couldn’t save Malcolm, you can’t save me and you can’t save yourself.”

A lump formed in Selena’s throat and the Snow Queen gulped quietly, trying to force it down.

“I…” she tried. “I am still going to try.” She replied.
“I know.” Killjoy replied. “And it will cost you.”

Reaching into his pocket – causing Selena to immediately step back into a defensive position, her fists up – Killjoy held up a folded piece of paper between his two fingers.

Similar to the one I found under Deanna’s and my bed…the one of- Quickly shaking her head to stay in the present, Selena eyes Killjoy as he placed the piece of paper on the windowsill of stone, the glass of the window preventing it from being blown away by the outside storm.

“What’s that?” Selena asked, gesturing to the paper.
“Your destruction.” Killjoy replied. “The very thing Malcolm told you not to know.”

“Then what makes you think I’ll even look at it?!” Selena barked back.

“Because you won’t be able to help it.” She could almost imagine Killjoy grinning under that helmet. “Because you still think you can solve all of this. Because you can’t stand feeling so powerless in all of this. Because you’ll do anything for some semblance of control, even if you know it will destroy you…”

The skulled-madman gave a shrug. “Or not. You could prove me wrong and just walk away and wait for me to make my move. Take my advice…take Malcolm’s advice… and be happy-“

Sapphire eyes widened in alarm. “How…how do you know about that?”

The fiend gave a laugh before moving away from the window, walking past Selena and heading to the door. The Snow Queen did not move until she heard the door close, collapsing to the floor the second she did, her energy spent despite doing very little physically.

Her head turned towards the door, Killjoy long gone but it was like she could still see him. “My destruction…” she whispered, turning her head back towards the windowsill where the folded piece of paper lay. How long she stayed there, on the floor of the mausoleum, she wasn’t sure, the only sound filling her ears was the storm that kept coming and going outside within and around the valley.

Slowly, Selena pushed herself to her feet, her eyes still on that window. Don’t do it… her mind warned. There’s a reason Malcolm, of all people warned you not to. There’s a reason Killjoy wants you to know…

She wanted to turn away. To leave that paper and all its contents to rot with corpses in this ‘fancy tomb’.

But Killjoy was right – and he knew it… She couldn’t just walk away. She couldn’t let this go. She couldn’t stand to just be an ignorant participant in this war any longer.

She stepped towards the window. And again. And again. And again until she was standing in front of it. With one huff of breath, she grabbed the paper of the stone and held it in her hand, eyes squeezed shut as she tried to control her heart as it hammered with in her chest. She could almost hear Malcolm’s voice in her head.

Once you look…once you know… there will be no turning back…

“No, Malcolm…” Selena whispered as she slowly unfolded the paper. “We passed that point a long time ago.” She added with a growl as she stared at the paper. There, scribbled in pen were three words that Selena would soon wish she had never heard strung together…


Project: Black Ice


*****************************************************************
[/i]

The camera opens up to reveal the interior of the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa, Canada! It is the site of the final show 2021 show of SCW – the End of the Year Special! The arena is mostly empty at the moment, though the setup for the event has concluded. The only person seen is the young woman standing in the ring. She is dressed in a dark purple version of her wrestling attire, with the large snowflakes on her shoulders a contrasting white. Her platinum-blonde hair, iconic in its color, makes it beyond clear this woman’s identity as she looks around the arena, reflectively.

Eight years ago… her voice is soft but it clear as the camera focuses on her. It was eight years ago, at this very event, that a young nobody from Nome, Alaska, scrimped up what little savings she had, hopped on a plane, and flew to the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa, Canada, for a shot – one in a million – to change her life.

Her sapphire eyes continue to take in the empty arena, which would, in a matter of hours, be filled with eager members of the SCW Universe. It was five years ago that that same nobody, at the very event she took that risk, became the SCW World champion!

Turning her gaze to one of the farther turnbuckles, the woman spies the leather and gold title sitting elegantly on the top turnbuckle. Carefully, she reaches out to take it, placing it over her shoulder and returning her gaze to her audience.

And tonight, that same person – surviving eight years in this business – will defend the SCW World championship in the main-event in the very arena she made her debut!

Allowing a moment to let the history of this place sink in, Selena Frost offers a kind, happy smile. I mean…what more could I ask for? I feel like I have come full circle. For so many years, at least as a singles wrestler, I was defined by one particular time. “The Year of Selena Frost”. Considered to be a famous moment, but to me, it was infamous. It was a year that was above and beyond what anyone expected from me – what I thought I was capable of. A year where I won not only the Shot of Adrenaline Tournament, but also the Best of the Best Tournament and became the SCW World Champion.

The Snow Queen tilts her head for a moment, as if recalling that year. It was a year the cemented my legitimacy in this business, cemented my place as a top-tier fighter in SCW. But it was also a year that the world believed I could never duplicate. A year I could never achieve again…

And when I came back into the world title picture after my sister, Regan, was injured at the start of this year, that was the first fear that I had in my head. “How can I possibly reach that level again? How can I possibly be ‘that good’ again?”. I mean, how many people win the lottery twice? How many people get a second jackpot in their life? How many people win more than one Oscar? How many people get to go into the Hall of Fame more than once? How many people get a second chance to do something so incredible?

Looking down, a smile forms again and she slowly shakes her head. But I had to try. I had to at least try to do it, because if I didn’t, if I just accepted that the best was behind me, then I would not only be failing all of you, I’d not only be disrespecting SCW, I’d be abandoning everything that I believed in. The idea that hard work and patience and passion and never giving up – it all pays off! That anything is possible if you believe and are willing to stand by your morals of integrity and if you have the [i]heart to get through it. her free hand settles over her heart for a second before it lowers back down, the world champion raising that arm as a gesture to the side.

Now? Here I stand – the longest World title reign this year. The only person to have defeated Cid Turner twice in this ring, main-evented Rise to Greatness and won “The Unbelievable Main Event”, winning the world title in my home of New York… maybe all of that isn’t ‘as big’ to some people compared to 2016, but to me? It is so much more. It is so much more to have proven, after five long years, that while 2016 will always be part of my history, it does not, nor will EVER, define me! her voice stressed that word on emphasis.

No year, past, present or future will ever do that again. Because guess what? I’m going try to make 2022 better than this one. Same with 2023 and 2024 and 2025 and 2026 until I can’t do this anymore, THAT will be my purpose! Making the next year better than the last. For me. For SCW. For each and every one of you! she looks around the ring before returning her gaze back to the camera, giving a small shrug.

But that’s 2022… I’ve still got one more match left to head off 2021. she holds up one finger to indicate the number.

And if you heard me in my Royal Letter, you all know how much I am looking forward to it! I want nothing more than to kick Holly Adams’ head off. And the reasons? I mean, do I need any more? You’ve got scandals, lies, disrespecting titles, putting your hands on my wife, bullying on Twitter, hiding behind injuries, mocking the company, mocking legends like Regan Street and Syren – I could probably write a four-hour lecture just on the reasons why Holly Adams deserves the beating of the year – hell, the beating of a LIFETIME!

Instead of carrying on with her enthusiasm, the young woman holds up a hand for a second, to calm her audience. But the thing is…this isn’t just ‘match number two’ between Holly and I. It isn’t. This is match number eight or nine of ‘Selena Frost vs. The Brand’. Think about it, all the fights I’ve had with Asher Hayes, with Cid Turner, with Giovanni Aries, and with Holly Adams – 2021, I have been neck-deep in a war with not just one of you, but all of you – all of The Brand.

And…maybe with this being about ‘reflection’ as the End of the Year event often invites, I’ve had the chance to see it as that. And it’s allowed me to take a look at you, Holly, and understand you just a little bit better.

With her free hand, she scratches her head. See, like I told you, Holly, I wondered where you’d be if you hadn’t hitched your wagon to A/C Unit or Aries or Infamous. I wondered if you’d actually make it as you have or would you just crash and burn…

And from that, I realized…that’s something you don’t really like talking about, do you?

Because you’re not some person that came to SCW, struck it big, and then was handed this match within their first few years of her career, are you? No, you were here before, weren’t you? You were here before I was. Back in 2008, right? In the days of Greg Cherry, Lenne Perez, Dillusion, you were there.

See, this isn’t some ‘evolution of a rookie’ for you like it’s been in the past few years for people like Marie Jones, AJ Helms, and Ikiro Yoshida. This is a thirteen-year journey for you, isn’t it?

Because how did that first SCW run in 2008 go, Holly? How did you fare with the expectations of SCW? Selena shrugs her shoulders.

For what? Three or four years, you tried to measure up and you came close! You were number one contender to Syren’s women’s championship in 2010, right? But, you can’t really say that your first run in SCW was a success-story was it? Not compared to someone like Alistaire Allocco, right? Or Syren? Or me. she adjusts the world title on her shoulder.

And you don’t really talk about it, Holly, and I think I know why. I think I’ve figured it out!

See, you came to SCW off of making a big splash in Majestic and other smaller places, thinking the world was yours… and you pretty much crashed and burned in SCW. You crashed and burned so hard that you took off back to the indies and it took you seven long years to even consider wrestling inside this ring again. the Snow Queen gestures to the ring she stands in.

And while you now say that you’re ‘better than ever’, while you say that you’re ‘the greatest thing in SCW’, ‘the favourite’, I think that fear of ‘crashing and burning’ is still there in the back of your mind. I think that fear has been plaguing you for eight long years. That fear of not being good enough, of being found out that, maybe, you’re not as talented as you like to boast you are.

Her eyes do not leave the camera, the young world champion speaking slowly, analytically. And I think, because of that fear, you overcompensate. I think that fear of crashing and burning – of achieving so little like your first run – is why you grab titles and say “you’ve held them”. Why you dragged around a false accolade like being a Supreme Champion for months and months. Why you hid behind other people’s accomplishments and other people’s talents rather than relying on your own. Because you’re afraid. You’re afraid that if you try – genuinely try – and be as good as you say you are, you’ll crash and burn again.

I know what I’m talking about because, when I started? I was afraid too. I was afraid that I would crash and burn too. Hey, I LOST my first match, the End of the Year Battle Royale – being the last person eliminated. I was so scared that I had spent my last penny getting here only to fail – I thought I’d be homeless, that I’d die in the streets of Ottawa because of a gamble.

And when I was offered a short-term, trial contract, I, also over compensated. I blamed things like ‘protective clothing’ my opponents wore, I used over-the-top poetry to try and get noticed, I was fighting for my very survival in this business. So I get it, Holly. The fear of failing, of crashing, is SO real! Reaching up, Selena massages her forehead before turning back to the camera.

I mean, look at you, Holly! Do you even WATCH the show that you’re part of? I did. I sat down and forced my way through the latest episode. The one where your biggest concern isn’t me or the world title or the opportunity of a lifetime, but whether or not your boyfriend will like you even though you’ve got a scar or two…

Are you kidding me?! Selena shakes her head. Holly! That is the definition of shallow and superficial! That is what you want to be about? Where a little nose surgery is life threatening? Where a scar from work is a ‘deformity’ rather than a badge of honor? Your very world is all about overcompensating! And the saddest thing about it all, Holly, is that you don’t need it!

You’ve proven it, Holly! You won TLC at Rise to Greatness, you beat Syren in the ring, you’ve held a championship, legitimately. Holly Adams doesn’t NEED to overcompensate with Twitter bullying and false claims because you are good enough. Yeah, you’re hearing that from me, Holly, so I’ll say it again so you can make sure you’re not hearing things.

You are good enough. You are good enough that I know I am going to have my hands full tonight. I know I am going to have to be on my A game tonight. But the sad thing is, I also know that, while this should be about me and you, it’s not going to be. While this should be about Selena Frost vs. Holly Adams, I’m already expecting four or five other people to make their presence known to help you out. And the sad thing is… you don’t need them, Holly. You don’t! she gives another shrug.

Holly! You would get so much more accolades, so many more title opportunities, you could do what I’ve done and prove that the best is not behind you but it’s ahead of you! You could be something amazing, Holly, if you just shut the hell up and did the work!

If you did the work, Holly, you wouldn’t need to lie about being a supreme championship by ‘touching belts’. You’d BE a supreme champion because you won them all. You wouldn’t need to pay people to believe in you or pretend to, you’d have people believing in you because you were that good. You wouldn’t need to make buttons or posters screaming “VOTE FOR ME!” and post them twenty or thirty times on Twitter, Holly… your abilities would do all the talking for you.

Taking a moment, Selena turns to walk around the inside of the ring, the belt still resting on her shoulder.

And see, that’s the difference between you and me, Holly. I didn’t use posters or buttons or ultimatums or bullying tweets against every other person that spoke about the EOY vote. I was picked in 2016 because I spent the year beating the very best there was. Syren, Ravyn, Kennedy, Kelcey, Regan, my abilities were my selling point and people BELIEVED in that and believed in me. That’s the difference between you and me, Holly. You TELL them to vote for you. I SHOW them why they should vote for me.

Stopping near the middle, Selena’s gaze is towards the stage at the top of the ramp. But last Breakdown, Holly, even though I can understand the fear and your need for overcompensating, you crossed a line.

You stood on that stage, looked at me and said I would not be able to counter your heart.

Biting the inside of her cheek, the Snow Queen takes a deep breath in and out using her nose before she speaks, her tone slow and growing cold. And in that moment, Holly, all of my pity for you – all the understanding I could have had for you during this match? It went out the goddamn window. Because now, you’re not just mocking my name or my catchphrase. You’re not just making some lame insult about my marriage that Deanna and I can just ignore because it’s beyond stupid. You’re not just using insults that were old eight years ago.

You’re mocking and disrespecting that very thing that makes me me! her free hand pounds against her chest before she lowers it back to her side.

I’ve never claimed to be the strongest. I’ve never claimed to be the smartest. Never claimed to be the fastest or the most technically gifted or the most gorgeous, or the sexiest – none of that! But what gives me a chance in this world of SCW, what gives me a chance to be the best there is in SCW has always been my heart. My refusal to stay down. My need to keep fighting until there is nothing left of me.

You want to talk about scars, Holly? I could show you the ones lining my sides like spiderwebs. I could tell you about the hundreds of stitches I’ve had in my forehead over the last eight years from monitors, chairs and belts being smashed into it. I could tell you about fighting in an ironwoman match for an hour with a smashed up foot that a crate was dropped on to give the match of the year. I could talk to you about falling twenty feet from a scaffold and showing up the next episode of Breakdown, even though it hurt like hell!

Facing the camera, Selena shakes her head. While all it took was one chamber match and a broken nose to take you out of action for weeks, I have survived eight years without a break – eight years of practically every kind of hellish match SCW can contrive – because of my heart! The scars I wear, the badges of honor, are the proof.

Because that’s how I am, Holly. I don’t hide the wounds of war. I wear them proudly because it means I survived. It means my ideals are still alive. It means what I believe in still exists!

And if you had half the heart that I have, Holly, hell if you had ANY heart at all, you wouldn’t have screwed Suited and Booted out of that match at Retribution. If you had any heart, Holly, it would have been you running backstage, protecting Cid Turner from the Jackals and Brittany Lohan and everyone else, just to ensure the world title match coming up would remain fair.

If you had any heart, Holly, you wouldn’t have whined about being in a chamber match – you would have been the one to suggest it in the first place! If you had any heart, Holy, you wouldn’t have had your Real Housewives Crew try and distract Cannon and Syren at Under Attack. You wouldn’t have set up a paid hand to screw me out of my match with Giovanni.

Letting her words settle for a second, Selena shakes her head. Holly, if you had any heart at all, then my words of ‘integrity’, ‘hope’ and a ‘standard for SCW’ would truly mean something to you.

But instead, you hide behind an Ipad and a green screen. You hide behind your crew and your Brand members. You hide behind your photoshop and your computer screen as the resident Twitter troll.

A sad smile comes to the young woman’s features as she looks away for a second before turning back to the camera, shaking her head to her target. Holly, at the end of the day, while you can claim it all you want behind your computer or up on a stage, you are too afraid to have any heart in this business.

You’re too afraid to take those risks. To take those chances. To stand up to things that terrify you and keep on fighting. And you think you can take me on and beat me because you have more heart than I do?

Holly, that is a condition that you cannot win, regardless of your talents. That is a condition where punishment is the evaluator. Which means it doesn’t matter if you’ve got more years on me or more friends or more distractions. What you aren’t is tougher than me.

And at the end of the day, Holly, at the end of this year, I am going to prove that to you. I am going to teach you the true definition of what ‘having heart’ in SCW truly means. Because I don’t plan to be hiding behind an Ipad or in my changeroom or behind a computer or a poor excuse of a reality show when contenders like Xander Valentine and Glory Braddock come calling. she makes her way to the middle of the ring.

I plan to stand before them all as I will after I outlast your poor excuse for ‘heart’. In this ring, ready to take them on in the new year. With my heart full of belief and love for SCW and my hand still holding MY SCW World Championship!

Believe it! Slowly, as before, Selena lifts the world championship over her head, the picture that has defied The Brand’s promises at every turn and, if Selena’s heart is right… will defy them all tonight as the new year rolls in![/i]

[Holly Adams]

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: The Season Finale, Part 2, The Wonderful Land of [REDACTED]

OOC: This was probably my favorite role-play I've written to date because of how non-sensical I got to be in it, and I couldn't stop writing. I was having so much fun with it, so I do apologize in advance to the length, but I hope everyone who reads this enjoys it as much as I did writing it. Let's close out 2021 with a bang, good luck Hayden!