Tommy Valentine vs. Selena Frost

[SnowQueenSCW]

OOC: All characters appear with handlers' permission. In two parts due to length. Enjoy!

Project: Black Ice

”Party Favors”

The Starmaker
Santa Barbara, California
April 23rd, 2022
7:38 pm

For a moment, Selena’s eyes widened, and her mouth hung open a little as she beheld the space, taking in the details of the renovated theatre space. Before her eyes was the large main room, filled with a vast number of seating booths, most of which were either occupied or had drinks or remains of plates of food on them, indicating previous occupancy. Suffice to say, the place was packed with people.

Scanning around the area, the still stunned woman took in the large dance floor, people in various attires (there was not a specific dress code given after all, but many had chosen the safe ‘smart dress’ that an engagement party would typically demand) already there. Not as many as there were seated, for Selena could still see bare spots in the crowd that allowed her to take in the detail of the dance floor. Continuing her scanning of the area, simply taking it all in, she spied the bar on the far side beyond the dance floor, surprised that she had not noticed it first. Before her new sight was a myriad of bottles of various colors, almost a rainbow of shades and colors – it was almost beautiful if the idea of their contents did not make her stomach clench a little (it was alcohol after all, making her grimace a little). 

Her eyes caught sight of movement and her head jerked up in time to take in the balconies, a few of them overlooking the entire club main room, like kings and queens overlooking the ‘peasants’ or their own party; and for a moment, she wondered if that was where Kandis and Tommy were, the hosts of this event feeling powerful and untouchable in their makeshift “tower”.

Still, standing there in her shocked state as she took everything, Selena could not fault Tommy if he did, indeed, feel that way standing in this large space. He was the reason she was stunned in the first place. To be clear, the space was not obnoxiously opulent like some of the ballrooms and parties she had attended in New York and around the world. It certainly wasn’t a five-star hotel or – if comparing it to its previous existence as a theatre – the Metropolitan. But it didn’t have to be… 

She had waited outside to be allowed into the The Starmaker for about twenty minutes – thankfully not needing to be carded (she hadn’t thought about that – which she regretted), the time allowing her to take in the surroundings of the former abandoned, dilapidated theatre. While the buildings surrounding the club were functioning businesses by the looks of them, the buildings were far from being in great shape – one or two Selena had questioned if there was really any business still going on within. But maybe that was Tommy’s vision! For surrounded by all those poor-conditioned buildings, The Starmaker stood out. Like a diamond amidst a sea of coal. And to then go in?

It was why she had been stunned to silence, needing to take everything in. Because the contrast had been so massive.

It made her – she was not ashamed to admit it in her temporary distracted mind – question something profound about Thomas Valentine. 

Here was a man that had built not only a wrestling training facility with David Helms, but had taken over it (she did not dwell on the ugly story involving that – she didn’t have the patience to), but was expanding it! Growing the brand into something larger. On top of that, he had done this – turned a broken down theatre in a broken part of Santa Barbara into something… far greater…

It confused Selena, far more than she was willing to admit. Because why… 

The man clearly had a gift for creating things – even things that were broken down and abandoned, yet he chose to hurt and destroy whatever the hell he wanted over in SCW. For a split seconded in her adrenaline-fueled mind, Selena recalled how, upon being effectively kicked out of the Tag League, Tommy had decided to do nothing but ‘ruin’ and ‘spoil’ the massive tournament for everyone else. A tournament that was the first of its kind and meant to highlight, promote and better the division he has always claimed to safeguard and be ‘the savior’ of! It doesn’t make sense!

Of course, that said nothing about his latest escapades with throwing out his tag match with the tag champions of Hairless Penguin and Dancing Bear – Tommy choosing destruction over the idea of maybe ‘saving the tag-division’ from a – Selena didn’t want to mince words – the current tag-champions were little more than a jokey gimmick and she didn’t like the idea of them as the tag-team champions, a division she still held in high esteem after her time there with her sister, Regan. And yet, Tommy and Kandis had chosen destruction over creating a better case for themselves down the road, perhaps after Hollywood of the South had concluded. And then there was two days ago, when he had chosen to pick up that timekeeper’s bell rather than prove himself as the new number one contender to her world title-

The new number one contender.

The Snow Queen wasn’t sure what she had been surprised when Shaun had announced Tommy’s name. He HAD been one of the stronger choices across social media and it certainly made sense! Kandis’ fiancée, fighting in her stead? His credentials sure as hell spoke for themselves. Still, she had been a little surprised that he had been chosen to face her at the pay-per-view – but that wasn’t the point! He had been chosen and the first chance he got, he chose to try and cheat and hurt his opponent! That same man was responsible for creating the – Selena could say it – beautiful setting that met her eyes.

“It doesn’t make sense!” she didn’t know she had said those words until-

“What doesn’t make sense?”

The voice, an intrusion on her thoughts, seemed to almost snap her out of her bubble of mental reflection and stunned silence. It had been as her mind had put everything on mute, her disbelief and mental to-and-fro blocking out all her other senses except her vision. But with this new voice, the bubble burst and everything seemed to rush in like a cacophony – rampaging into her ear to alert her of all of its existence. Immediately, she heard the dull roar of the masses, nothing specific, just so many people talking. She heard the DJ at one of the sides of the room, specifically the music he was playing – some kind of dance ‘anthem’, Selena’s could quite make out the words with all the other sounds. She could smell the alcohol as people shuffled by her, her stomach – again – giving an encore performance of clenching and churning a little, causing a hand to fly towards it to try and quell it – feeling her cool skin against her hand. It was all too much at once, and Selena found herself turning away and closing her eyes to try and tone it out a little, or at least to sort it out to avoid further sensory overload.

Conceal… her mind whispered, her mantra aiding her slowly. Don’t feel…

A few more slow breaths, and she was able to catalogue all the noise and smells and sights in her mind properly – enough to tolerate it, including the feeling of a hand rubbing circles against her back. Lifting her head and turning back around, she spied the woman touching her – one where, if she had just met her, she would not recognize her.

“You okay?” Deanna asked through her black, plastic, large round sunglasses, the concern in her voice giving only Selena any indication who she was.

“Yeah.” Selena nodded her head, taking another slow breath. “Just got overwhelmed with everything.” She was glad Deanna was close enough to her so she didn’t have to scream her words over the noise of the club. It really was an eventful evening.

But, just as her senses had eventually returned, so too had her memories of why she, the SCW World Champion, was even here, in the ‘stronghold’ of two people that absolutely hated her: her current and former World title challengers in The Connection. 

The 23rd… 8pm… Santa Barbara… The Starmaker…

Gulping a little, Selena stood against the nearby wall, far as she could within the space, her eyes taking in the whole scene yet again. Somewhere, within this massive crowd… Killjoy was there, or would be if he was waiting to show up on the dot of his deadline. 

The tormentor had been clear in his demands. If Selena wanted to make a deal with him – WANT to? More like HAVE to! her mind thought bitterly – then here was where they would meet and talk. 

Of course he would choose here. Selena’s bitter mind ‘spat’. Jean had been right. Killjoy was obsessed with Selena and throwing her off, making her uncomfortable, tormenting her all over some sick vendetta he had against her, which she still had no idea after over a year of torment! Still, it hadn’t been the choice of venue that truly disturbed her…

What disturbed her was the sequence of events that had happened. Killjoy must have known about Kandis’ injury when he had made the demand for Selena to be here and, at first, the Snow Queen had just assumed that the skulled-man had wanted her to run into Kandis so the challenger – a woman that clearly hated Selena – might do something or have Tommy do something or have them get kicked out or embarrassed or something, like some of the dark pranks that had been thrown on her during the old Kelcey Wallace Halloween parties she had attended in her earlier years of SCW… something she could handle, especially with Deanna by her side.

But then three days later, Tommy Valentine had been named the number one contender for the SCW world title. And as her initial reactions subsided and she had travelled the short distance from Portland (Breakdown) to Santa Barbara, choosing a rented car to be less conspicuous than her massive Believe It bus (which was still waiting in Portland), a terrifying question had slowly grown in Selena’s mind.

Was all of this just to annoy Selena… or had Killjoy picked this venue because he had already known who her challenger was going to be? Her being here when Kandis’ had just been injured was one thing. At worst, she’d be pranked and maybe bruised. But with Tommy next in line? 

There was no ‘guess-work’ involved in what Tommy would do, or what Kandis would do – or have someone do in her case. How many times had they bragged they would do ‘anything’ to take her down, mocking her morality and ethics/code of conduct as a weakness – something Kandis had done in her Retribution promo. Hell, Tommy had not hesitated to bring that timekeeper’s bell into the ring during his match with Ace Marshall and if Selena hadn’t stopped him, he could very well of injured the obnoxious bastard. No, guess work wasn’t needed here. If either of them were found, they would be in danger – far greater now that Tommy was in line for the shot. The Connection would not hesitate to eliminate Selena from competition, perhaps permanently. There’s no way Killjoy wouldn’t know that… Selena growled.

But if that were true and Killjoy had chosen the venue on that premise, it meant he had known about Tommy. But if that were true… then… Then he either has an informant on the SCW Board of Directors… or he IS a member of the SCW Board of Directors…

The conclusion was just as terrifying to Selena now as it was during her travels here, because it always lead to a spiral of thoughts that triggered anxiety.

Who had dared her to capture the World title almost a year ago and headline Rise to Greatness?
Who had helped keep her as World Champion with empowering officials like Aaron Demitria?
Who had chosen Tommy Valentine?

The answer was either Killjoy or the Board of Directors, leaving a gnawing depression in her chest. Had everything she’d done – her goal for ‘integrity’ and bringing it back to SCW and the World title – had it all been planned by Killjoy? Had Ace Marshall and Kandis and Tommy and all the others been right and she had been ‘protected’ by management all along because of Killjoy’s sick, twisted game? 

It’s too broken… it needs to die… Kimberly Williams’ words echoed in Selena’s mind, now more powerful than when the Snow Queen had first heard them. Was Kim right? Was Selena just a pawn in a game and too simple, too drive in her goal to-

“Stop.” Came the sharp voice, breaking Selena out of her mental downward spiral, her eyes opening – when had she closed them? – to gaze into emerald eyes – when had Deanna taken off her shades? “You’re thinking about it again.”

“I can’t help it.” Selena breathed. “I thought I could control some element here in dealing with him, but the more I think about it…”
“I know.” Deanna’s strong hands grasped hers. “But that’s not important now!”
“But what if it’s true?”
“I refuse to believe that.” Deanna shook her head. “Aaron believed you, didn’t he? Shaun believes in you? Can’t we believe in them?”
“That’s just two people.” Selena sighed, feeling that trust for the two men that had done so much for her.
“Two is better than none, right?!” Deanna offered brightly. “And even if it is true, that doesn’t change what we want to do! If anything, it makes it all the more important! To stop another Katya from happening, right?!”

Biting her lower lip, Selena nodded her head.

“We’ll figure it out later.” Deanna assured her. “Right now…” her gaze flew towards the door they had used to enter The Starmaker. “Last chance to leave.”

Taking a slow breath, Selena tried to calm her nerves, but only partially succeeding. “No.” she shook her head. “We need to do this.”

“Then I hope you have a plan.”
“I have a plan.” Selena started, but stopped herself. “Well-“
“Half a plan.” Deanna finished knowingly, nodding her head with a smile, though the worry was still clear on her features.
“Right.” Selena bit her lower lip. “We’re going to find Killjoy, confront him and keep him here. Crowded like this, he can’t get far and I highly doubt he’ll try anything with so many witnesses.”

“And if he does?”
“Then we run like hell.” Selena answered.
“In those?” Deanna asked, her eyes cast down towards Selena’s feet.

Casting her own eyes down, Selena spied the pink pumps she wore that made her even taller than she already was. Doing so reminded her of her hand’s position against her bare stomach – and the whole ensemble that covered her (or, to be more accurate, didn’t).

Regardless of Killjoy’s influence and the motives behind his choice, the very real danger of being near The Connection, especially now, had driven the Frost wives to go shopping in Santa Barbara the moment they had arrived, opting for… was disguises a proper word for how dirty Selena felt?

She wore a dull-pink off the shoulder blouse, somewhat fluffy, and what felt like the shortest mini-skirt in the world! For Odin’s sake, her rear was BARELY covered with this thing and there was nothing covering her toned legs. She even had a midriff! What the hell was she doing showing her midriff! Coupled with a pair of plastic, white, star-shaped sunglasses and the piece-de-resistance: a dark purple wig that flowed from the top of her head.

To put it simply: Selena Frost had never felt more exposed with so much of her skin…well… exposed.

“Please don’t remind me.” She tried. “I feel ridiculous.”

She looked up at her wife, envying the disguise Deanna had chosen. The redhead had opted for something unlike her (as Selena had been forced to) in wearing a smart pantsuit with a charcoal-gray longcoat. On her head, to cover her recognizable red hair, she had opted for a simple brown wig, turning her into a brunette. The shades simply kept her face more hidden, as did Selena’s.

“I wish I had worn something less revealing…” Selena whispered, her hands fidgeting over her exposed parts, trying to cover them up.
“Selena Frost wouldn’t be caught dead in a getup like this.” Deanna explained (as she had when she had chosen it for her wife). “We can’t let Tommy or Kandis see you.”

“Alright.” Selena breathed, gesturing to the right. “You go that way and look around for Killjoy. I’ll go left and search.” Immediately, Deanna gave a nod and began to move the desired direction, only for a pale hand to reach out and take hers, causing the younger woman to turn back towards her disguised wife. “If you see him, do NOT confront him. Find me.”

“Okay.” Deanna nodded in understanding. “What if Tommy or Kandis or someone of theirs recognizes me?”
Selena took a slow, shaky inhale through her nose. “Then run. Don’t look back, don’t ask questions. Just head for the exit.”

It pained her to admit, but Deanna was in no less danger than she was. As her wife, she was, therefore, leverage. 

Quickly, Selena leaned in, pressing her lips to Deanna’s forehead. She felt the shorter Frost slowly melt under her touch before pulling back. “Be careful.” She whispered before letting Deanna go, the suited-woman disappearing into the crowd within seconds.

On her own, Selena gave one last inhale and exhale to steel her nerves before she, too, began walking her designated direction around the large space. “Alright, you skulled son of a bitch…” she whispered. “Where are you?”

She tilted her shades down her nose a little, allowing her to see far better into the room, scanning across the heads of people for any sign of a skull-mask. She was not in the mood for hide-and-seek, and she was sure Killjoy wouldn’t be either. She wasn’t exactly sure how he was going to get in with said mask with so much security, but she believed it was well within the madman’s power to do so.

“Where are you....where are you…” she kept whispering a few more times as she continued to scan the room, walking slowly, thankful Deanna had not chosen the super-high pumps that were her first choice for the world champion. She was able to walk in the ones she wore, but had they’d been any higher, she knew she’d have trouble.

Around the room, she kept walking, the various roars of speech and music filling her ears as she travelled until, distracted on her current mission, she sharply walked into the large counter that was the bar, her hands flying up to press into the wood and catch herself, wincing as she felt her knee bang against the lumber. “Ah, son of a-“ she stopped as she turned her head, seeing the man in a suit eyeing her from where he stood a few feet away.

She saw the dark-skinned person’s eyes go up and down her, feeling her skin crawl as he took in her exposed legs and abs, though it seemed merely in appraisal and not leering. What’s more, the suited-man’s expression was that of confusion, which was more than what Selena wanted at that moment. 

“Aaaa-aaa-I…” she continued her words, dipping into the first tone and voice she could think of. “I, like, totally didn’t, like, see that there! Do you, like, think they could, like, move it? Like?”

She jutted her hip to the side and tilted her head, one hand on her hip while she gestured to the man standing near her. The guest gave a raised eyebrow before turning his head and moving further into the crowd.

“Okay! Like, whatevs!” Selena called out, snapping her fingers before turning to lean on the bar, feeling sick to her stomach. There was no part of her that didn’t feel utterly stupid and disgusted with herself. What the hell had she just been doing? Had all those months of having to watch Holly Adam’s filth of a ‘realty-show’ and listening to Holly’s friend, Candi Hart, incessantly butcher the English language finally start having an effect? 

I can already feel a headache starting just from talking like that… she thought, reaching up a hand to rub her temple, using the sturdy wood of the bar as support. Lifting her gaze, she was slightly surprised at the gray eyes that met hers – forcing her to shove her shades up her nose to hide her own sapphire eyes.

“Hi.” Came the voice of the young man, seemingly in his twenties, one of the many bartenders serving tonight – which wasn’t surprising considering the mass of people in attendance. “How can I serve you?”

Okay…here I go again…Already in deep. Selena mentally moaned before slapping on a smile before the young boy. “O-M-G! So…. I’m a friend of Tom-Tom – he’s, like, the super-hot, owner here! Like tattoos – so sexy! – and, like, he said that all drinks are free, yeah?”

“Yes, ma’am.” The bartender nodded. “By order of Mr. Valentine for his engagement.”

“Totally! They’re gonna be, like, so, so, like, SOOOOOO….” She hated holding the word that long! “OOOOOO happy! Imma gonna bring, all my girls my boi’s wedding!”

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” The boy nodded. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Of course you can, you sweet boi!” Selena remarked, flashing her teeth in a smile. “I’ll take a screwdriver, EXTRA base!”
“One screwdriver-“
“Oh, make it, like, a virgin, a’right?!” Selena called out, stopping the bartender in his tracks to shoot her a quizzical look.

“I’m sorry?” he asked.
“A virgin – you know…” Gods, she hated what she said next. “Like you, sweet stuff.” Is it possible for a mind to gag and vomit a little? Cause that’s what I’m feeling.

“You want…a virgin screwdriver?” The bartender asked.
“You got it.”
“So…you want orange juice.”
“Is that what that is?! I always thought, like, oranges were a color and how do you make ‘juice’ out of a color? Like plum and purple, ya know?” She had no idea.

Understandably disturbed by this strange conversation, the bartender simply nodded his head before turning back to bar and counters of drinks. Reaching into the small fridge nearby, he pulled out a carton of orange juice, fill a cup before handing it – still puzzled – to Selena, who took it with a smile, sipping.

“Mmmm, peachy!” she grinned. “Oh! Have you, like, seen a big-headed guy here?”
“Big-headed guy?” the bartender asked.
“You know – he’s got a big head but no skin? Like, what the bone is? Skull! He’s got a skull for a head!”
“We…all have skulls.” The young man replied.
“Yeah but his is, like, super big!”

“No…. I haven’t seen anyone like that.” The bartender shook his head.
“Oh, okay! Well, I totally owe you for the super drink! Like tell Tom-Tom to give you a raise!”
“I guess I will.”

Quickly, the boy turned to gratefully get away from the purple-haired woman to serve another guest, leaving Selena to continue scanning the crowds for any sign of ‘Big-Head’. I should totally – NO! – I should really call him that from on.

A flash of white grabbed her attention, forcing the disguised Snow Queen to spy the veil that seemed to flow the short distance from where it stood to the bar as it reached its destination. Despite herself, Selena’s eyes followed the white-silk until her eyes reached its wearer, causing her spine to stiffen a little and her heart to jump, and not in a good way like with Deanna.

For standing there was Selena’s original opponent: Kandis.

Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! Selena’s mind screamed as she turned around, presenting her back to the bar staff and customers, gripping her cup tightly. This was exactly what she had been trying to avoid! She tried to breath slowly, as if to compel her heart to stop hammering in her chest. Why the hell was she here?! She was endangering her mission with SCW! She was endangering bringing integrity to the World title! There was no way Tommy or Kandis would miss a chance to take her out of SCW, maybe for good, if they saw her! Damn you, Killjoy! her mind repeated over and over again as she stood against the bar.

Slowly, as the minutes passed and she spied other people coming towards the bar to sit, effectively adding a sort of buffer between her and the bride-to-be, Selena slowly turned her head, allowing herself to steal a glance towards the woman.

Kandis was sitting on one of the barstools and hadn’t seen her, thank Odin. In her hands, she was nursing a glass of champagne – if Selena’s years as a server with Liam’s Bar and Grill over in Nome was worth anything to go by. As for the woman herself, Selena had to do a double-take when she spied what the former Tag-Champion was wearing. If the world champion thought her own clothes were skimpy, than the woman-of-the-hour of this event was positively scandalous! Aside from the veil and a matching garter on one leg, all Kandis wore was a matching white bra and panties, with a necklace that matched her large ring - she was practically in her underwear, sitting with someone similarly dressed but their colors were a pale green.

Seeing the engagement ring, even from here – Selena’s thumb of her left hand moved to stroke her bare ring finger, her heart aching at the absence of the symbol of her and Deanna’s love and vows to one another. Of course, neither woman could wear their rings while under disguise.

Despite herself, Selena turned her head a little more to take another look at the ring Kandis wore, yet her eyes were distracted by the one thing that stuck out like a sore thumb against the ‘fitting’ attire of the bride-to-be. The hinge brace that was strapped against Kandis’ knee, which the woman was currently adjusting before returning to her drink.

Despite herself, the sight made Selena’s heart ache a little. She didn’t like Kandis anymore than she liked Tommy. The two were obnoxious and arrogant and entitled. They were brats that thought they ran SCW when they had done nothing to show or prove it. They flaunted everything about themselves as the supposed ‘It Couple’ of SCW and… yes, Selena thought that Kandis was a bit on the ‘classless’ side with the way she handled herself and the way she dressed.

Even so, the young champion could not stop the bitterness she felt at seeing Kandis’ brace. She was upset – she recognized the emotion instantly. She had no problems facing Tommy Valentine, could even see the benefits in doing so for her mission of ‘integrity’, but Kandis deserved the shot. Kandis was the one that had worked hard to enter into singles competition. Even Selena could admit that. Now, not only was she having to deal with losing her biggest chance, but also have to deal with it on her engagement party? Possibly her wedding if the issue persisted.

“It’s not fair…” Selena whispered to herself, her eyes turning away to gaze at her orange juice. “It’s just not fair.”

“Drink?” a voice came from behind her, it’s sound a little chipper.
“No thanks…” Selena shook her head without turning around, forgetting about her ‘act’. “I’ve got one already.”

“Oh, well, in that case…” she felt someone leaning towards her from behind. “How about a dance?” The voice was suddenly behind her and its tone had shifted – altered – to something beyond familiar. A voice that made her drop her drink, the cup of orange juice crashing to the ground. Still, she couldn’t turn around. Her body would not obey her.

“I like the shades.” the voice mocked her. “Did you really think you could hide from me?”

Slowly, the figure walked around Selena until he was facing her, forcing Selena to come face to face with the figure. He wore the same outfit he always wore: the leather jacket and black pants. But his face… it was not a skull, but rather a porcelain-resin mask with cracks etched into it. It was stark white and was shaped like a human’s face, complete with a nose and mouth, the expression no less haunting than that damned skull. 

“I….” Selena tried, taking a deep breath as she rolled her shoulders. “I like the face.” She finished lamely.

“Well…” Killjoy tilted his head. “We both dress for the occasion.”

Biting her lower lip, Selena looked left and right, her eyes scanning the space for not only Deanna, but also for anywhere she could go to talk to Killjoy – preferably away from the still-nearby Kandis.

“Shall we sit and talk?” she asked, her voice shaking a little due to her nerves.
“I believe I asked you for a dance.”

Selena’s sapphire eyes went wide as she saw the masked bastard offer a gloved hand to her.

“Are…” she almost laughed at the absurdity of such a sight. “Are you serious?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” he answered in his distorted tone.
“I didn’t come here to dance with you.” Selena’s eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched. “I came here to talk.”
“Dance first, then we’ll talk.” Killjoy declared. “Or…” his hand started to move, raising a little higher. “I could always get the future-bride’s attention and ask her to-“

The pale hand shot out to take his hand before he could finish the threat, regaining the masked-man’s attention. For the umpteenth time, Selena felt her stomach clench as Killjoy squeezed her hand, carefully guiding her through the path, around various guests until they were both on the dance floor, the taller Killjoy giving a subtle gesture towards the DJ.

“I hope you can keep up.” Killjoy seemed to mock.

“I hope I step on and break a few of your toes.” Selena replied as a set of familiar chords filled her ear as Marc Anthony’s “I Need to Know” began to play, causing the Snow Queen to cast a concerned glance at Killjoy. “You…I mean…”

“Best not to step on my toes.” He replied back smugly before suddenly moving, wrapping his free arm around Selena’s waist while simultaneously stepping forward, forcing Selena to immediately attempt to the follow position as Killjoy lead. Taking both of her hands, Killjoy spun out, Selena just barely able to spin out with him!

The masked man pushed and pulled. He stepped forward and stepped back – his movements etched in with the notes and his timing was just that: well timed. To anyone observing, it was a simple Cha Cha that looked well-presented.

To Selena: nothing had ever felt more wrong.

None of it fit! The way her hand was in his, the way their bodies moved together, the way she wanted to run away every time he ‘released’ her hand, yet there he would be to ‘take it’ less than a second later before she could even contemplate fleeing – it all was WRONG! It all felt WRONG! 

And the longer the song progressed, the longer that feeling of wrongness grew until Selena could feel tears stinging the back of her eyes. She was too scared of messing up and thus, making a scene and gaining the attention of the party’s hosts. Desperately, with each turn and spin, her eyes shot out around her, desperately looking for her beloved wife. She needed Deanna! When she had danced with Deanna in the community center in Nome before the shooting, whenever they had danced in their kitchen in Manhattan or even done a bit of shuffling on the bus for fun – Deanna had always felt perfect in her arms. 

She was the only one that felt right in the woman’s arms…

Where are you? Selena’s mind cried. Where are you?

But still, the music played and still, she forced herself to comply to every demand Killjoy made on her body until, at last, he had dipped her low towards the ground as the song ended, stiffly pulling her back up to her feet, Selena immediately taking a step away from him as the tormentor gave a mocking ‘gentleman’s’ bow to her. Rot in hell, you bastard. Selena mentally cursed as Killjoy, once more, closed the distance so she could hear him.

“Now, then…”

“SOMEONE PLAY A DRINKING GAME WITH ME!” 

The voice came as a shock to both ‘dancers’ as they turned to see a woman drunk and dancing on a nearby table, some people unnerved by her antics while others were cheering her on.

“QUARTERS! NEVER HAVE A I EVER! THE ONE WITH THE BALLS! I DON’T CARE!” exclaimed the girl, shaking her hips to the music playing. “Come on, guys!” she shouted to the people near her and her table. “Don’t be pussies!”

Despite herself, recognition slowly ebbed it’s way into Selena’s mind! It was Nicole Kinneck! Or, rather, it looked like Nicole Kinneck. The girl was always friendly and kind to Selena whenever they ran into each other backstage at SCW events, but the poor girl had multiple personalities and, judging from the rocker-punk outfit of leather and fishnets, it was clear the kind girl that liked Selena was not at the ‘driver’s seat’ of Nicole’s mind. Sadly, Selena wasn’t sure which personality it was, which was the first thing that stopped her from going over there to see if Nicole or whoever it was was okay. The other reason was, if Nicole was there…there was a chance that Ravyn was there as well, which was the last thing Selena needed to be seen by – another person that wanted her hurt.

The third reason stood just the side, oddly quiet through all of this noise. Fortunately, a few people seemed to join ‘Nicole’ and begin a quiet game, effectively settling the matter down and allowing the party to resume without any difficulty.

The moment passed and everything returning to its usual state of ‘noise/partying’, Selena turned her head to return her gaze back to Killjoy – only to find an empty space to where the man had stood. The masked-bastard was gone.

No! No! No! Selena’s mind screamed as she turned on the spot, scanning this way and that for any sign of him! Of course he would pull a stunt like this! Force her to be here, make her dance with with – her skin shuddered and crawled, still feeling those leather-gloves hands on her! – only to bail at the last second and give nothing but discomfort and torment to Selena!

No different than Vixen Cain, Xander Valentine, Giovanni Aries, and Thomas- No!

Selena stopped her rampaging mind and ordered herself to calm down. Those people were nothing like Killjoy. Yes, they had lacked morals and, yes, they were ruthless in their seeking Selena’s defeat. But, even Tommy, with his hatred of Selena – so like Xander Valentine’s obsession with the Snow Queen years ago – only sought out her pain and, at worst, injury. She was certain that even Tommy Valentine did not wish Selena’s death or the death of anyone Selena loved.

That’s where Killjoy was different. 

But even so, Selena could not let her emotions get the best of her now. She needed to think clearly. She needed to see things like she had when she had faced The Brand last week in that tag match. Maybe it was having Deanna with her in the Frozen Central or maybe it was seeing Ace Marshall, Giovanni Aries, Kimberly Williams and so many others talking about her – the Snow Queen living in the heads of so many bitter superstars, all trying to discredit her title reign while hypocritically asking for her attention and a ‘title shot’, or in Kimberly’s case, running from one. Whatever the reason, a calmness had come over Selena last week, allowing her to see her opponents a little differently and even mock Giovanni a little, something she never thought would have been possible with such a mastermind.

With the roar of the crowd around her, Selena closed her eyes, staying still on the spot. She was sure she was still concealed by the crowd, but part of her no longer cared. She slowly inhaled and exhaled.

Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.

“Conceal…” she whispered, her breath barely a wisp on the air – even she almost didn’t hear her own words. “Don’t feel.”

Reaching a hand up, Selena pulled off her sunglasses to give one more scan of the room. She sought every balcony, table, booth, door and even the bar where Kandis was still sitting – with a large behemoth of a man standing nearby her, Selena assumed was the woman’s bodyguard, which made sense considering the bride-to-be’s injury and how often these kind of events played out with some kind of scandal or someone getting more than they bargained for.

Still, she left Kandis alone, continuing her slow scan of the space until she spotted him standing at the exit! Not just leaving, and not hurrying out the door, but just standing there, his ‘eyes’ on her – as if waiting.

Satisfied that she was watching him, Killjoy gave a nod to Selena before disappearing out the door. It was all Selena needed to see before her heeled feet moved, in pursuit of the mastermind as she weaved through the crowd, whispering out as polite “Excuse me”s as she could until she had reached the door. Pushing the entrance open, the young woman travelled down the hallway/lobby – she wasn’t sure what to call the space she walked, small as it was, until the cool breeze of the Californian weather hit her. To her right, she could see the still-existing lineup of people arriving to be allowed entrance into the club - Gods, Tommy is probably loving this much attention. she thought, allowing her eyes to roll as the large crowd, many of whom she was sure were simply here for the ‘free booze’ her challenger had promised them – before looking up and down the streets for any sign of-

She spotted him disappearing down an alley and was, immediately, back on the chase, ignoring whatever sounds or ‘cat-calls’ she heard as she walked the sidewalk as best as she could. She was too focused to consider her appearance or what it ‘triggered’ in the ‘nightlife’ of Santa Barbara. Turning into the alley, she was surprised to see how long it went, even twisting a little, a sort of ‘path’ or ‘maze’ that spaced the buildings around The Starmaker apart a little. Still, there were only two directions available to her – she could either go back to the club or continue further. 

Not really a choice… Selena huffed at the thought, giving her head a shake before she walked further into the alleyway, her eyes catching the black, rusty steps of old fire escape-staircases crafted into the walls. She passed by a large dumpster, also showing its years with its rust and discoloration, not to mention the holes in the plastic lid.

The setting was almost fitting in Selena’s mind, much in the same way the club was fitting of Kandis and Tommy. They both had – especially Tommy – bragged about their ‘rock n’ roll lifestyle’, Tommy even recently flaunting it, how had he put it? 

The rock n’ roll lifestyle…
The hot girl on my arm…
More money than I can count…

Despite her current predicament, the scantily-dressed woman could not stop her eyes from scanning down to observe her own attire and the large amounts of bare skin on display. No, such a lifestyle wasn’t for her. Even in her years in Nome, she was not the ‘party girl’. Such scenes had been more Gavin’s thing before he grew out of it. For a moment, though, Selena allowed her mind to wander – wondering how would things be like if she WERE such a person. If she wore revealing outfits like the one she had on or what she had seen on Kandis (she shuddered a little at the unpleasant memory). What if she flaunted her wealth like some kind of spectacle, lording it over the SCW Universe? If she was good not because she had heart, but because she was ‘superior in every way’ or some trope like that?

Quickly, she shook her head to dispel the thoughts. It all sounded so fake! The lifestyle, the bragging – she had come from nothing! Her current circumstances had been partly her but partly her father looking out for her. Regardless, she owed some of it to herself but so much more of it to her father, her wife, and to SCW – the fans and management and the people that had helped her get better and survive the trying times… How could anyone be so arrogant and entitled when such a thing was true?

It made no sense, even in Tommy’s case! Didn’t he have help with David Helms? Jake Starr? Even her sister Regan Street? She was sure the list was long with all the people that had helped Tommy out and yet he wanted to flaunt himself as some entitled ‘superbeing’ – a ‘Dream Killer’ when his dreams were being realized at the help of so many? It was disgusting-

A large sound broke Selena’s temporary musing, an attempt to calm herself as she drew further into the alley, though now her heart was racing again at the sound. Jerking her head towards it, she almost jumped out of her skin and few clothes as a black cat appeared from behind one of the trashcans sitting against the wall, looking up at Selena.

“Meow.” The creature replied before scampering away, causing Selena to breath a sigh of relief-

“Seven years bad luck.” Came the haunting voice, causing the wigged-platinum-blonde to almost choke on that sigh, her body twisting to see her target leaning against the wall. Though his attire was the same, the mask was long gone, replaced by that terrifying black-skull once more. Despite herself, Selena tried to remember the insult she had though of back at the bar in The Starmaker, something to give her more confidence, but the sight of that skull drove the thoughts out of her head.

Instead, she closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath before exhaling, her mantra repeating on instinct in her mind.

“Was all of this necessary?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Necessary?” Killjoy tilted his head, adopting Selena’s arms-crossed over chest position. “No. Fun? Yes.”

“Is that all this is for you? Fun?” Selena asked with a scoff. “You murder people, endanger lives – for fun?”
“We both know this is so much more than that.” The skulled-being replied, kicking himself off of the wall and moving to stand a few yards away from Selena. “We both know this is bigger than that.”

His words caused Selena to bite her lower lip. She had spoken such familiar words before in her promos. While other people were scoffing at her, calling her a ‘fraud’ or a ‘fake champion’ or whatever, Selena had chosen to emphasize how every match was much larger than simply winning or losing. How she was fighting for the integrity of the world title and also SCW. Similar words coming from Killjoy, however, just felt wrong – a familiar feeling of disgust further filling her.

“I don’t know anything.” Selena huffed. “All I seem to be doing is watching you burn everything around me.”
“Which has been very disappointing to watch.” Killjoy seemed to ‘sigh’, shaking his head. “You have everything you need to figure this out.” He stated. “I gave you your clue.”

“You asked me to find a needle in a haystack!” Selena shot back. “Malcolm has decades of files – thousands of them! And you want me to track down one particular ‘project’ of his?! And how am I supposed to do that when YOU are threatening my children?!”

“Your children?” Killjoy asked, tilting his head the other way. “How have my actions endangered them?”

For a moment, Selena’s mouth hung open in shock. Did…did Killjoy not know? Had he not figured it out? Was something missing?

For the first time ever, Selena could see a chink in the armor – a blindspot in Killjoy. He didn’t know everything, or if he did, he was great at hiding it.

“You…” she started slowly, her heart pounding inside of her chest. “You’re helping Ryan become mayor of Nome.”
“I am.” Killjoy stated, a hint of annoyance in his voice – though it felt to Selena that it was not directed at her.
“Well, that’s how.”
“Explain.” Killjoy demanded, his altered, deep voice sounding more like an agitated growl.

“Ryan wants custody of David and Elsianna. Presently, there is no law that permits that since he’s a donor for one and signed a contract at Malcolm’s ‘insistence’. But, as mayor, he plans to reinvent those laws and grant himself custody somehow.”

“Why?” Killjoy asked. “What does he hope to gain with taking them?”

“Aside from destroying me?” Selena asked, placing a hand over her heart. “Malcolm Scythe left David and Elsianna – his grandchildren – a fortune. Far greater than he left Gavin and Ryan. Ryan is bitter and wants it all for himself. He feels he deserves it.”

There was a moment of silence between the two – tormentor and tormented – and Selena almost feel those eyeless sockets reading her, studying her for any sign of deception.

“Even in death…” came Killjoy’s slow response. “Malcolm continues to surprise me.”

“It’s what he’s best at.” Selena replied, a part of her actually missing the old man – wishing he were here to give her guidance on the being before her.

“This…changes things.” Killjoy stated, lifting his head at her. 
“How so?” Selena asked, taking a step towards the masked-murderer.

“The two Scythes were meant to war with one another, not drag you into it. I did not believe you would ever help either of them: Ryan for abandoning you and Elsianna and all his other crimes and your childhood hatred of Gavin. I wanted Nome to burn with their obsession to take over their father’s position. I did not anticipate Malcolm tying you into it with his decision.” He seemed to be reflective, looking off down the alley before shifting his head and glare back to Selena. “I assume this is why you contacted me?”

“Yes.” Selena admitted, a flutter of hope filling her, despite herself, at Killjoy’s ignorance. “I know you hate me-“

“I don’t hate you.” 

Selena stopped – her words dropping to silence.

“What?” Killjoy asked, tilting his head. “You are surprised?”
“You wish to destroy me but you don’t hate me?!” Selena asked.
“Correct.” 

“That doesn’t make sense!” Selena all but screamed. “How can you want someone destroyed when you don’t hate them?!”

The answer came in a cruel laugh from the skulled-man. “You would know the answer if you knew about Project: Black Ice.”

“Then what is it?! Why couldn’t you just tell me?!”

“Because if I had…” Killjoy turned his gaze back over to the woman. “You would blame me. You would hold me accountable for what it will do to you. No… you chose to unlock this. You are chose to find out the truth. You could have just walked away… and waited for when I come to kill you.”

“Death or destruction? That’s not a choice!” Selena countered.
“It’s more than what I had!” countered Killjoy, anger in his voice. “I was never given a choice. I was never given any options or months and months of free time! You have disappointed me at every turn since Rise to Greatness!” he spat. “So consumed with your integrity-“

“Did you know?” Selena asked, cutting him off. “Did you know that Tommy would be chosen as my opponent? Is that why we are here? Part of your ‘fun’?”

Killjoy was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable under that skull helmet. “What do you think?” he answered. “Either I am far more powerful than you realized – or you’re far more afraid than you’re willing to admit… either way, I’ll keep THAT answer to myself.”

The familiar circles – that feeling of anger and disgust filled Selena. Once more, Killjoy was teasing her, testing her, anticipating her every move. Stay focused… she told herself, Jean’s words echoing in her mind. He is not the immediate threat…Ryan is.

“You want me to unlock Project: Black Ice? 
“I do.”
“But you admit…” she took another step towards Killjoy. “You admit that your actions and this war with the Scythes is distracting me! It needs to be resolved. Because my children will always come first.”
“A sad reality.” Killjoy replied.

“Then help us.” Selena implored. “Take Ryan out of the equation! Once my children are safe, I promise you that I will go back to finding out about the project. I will spend every moment of free time I have. Every second! Jean, Zelda, even Gavin will help Deanna and I.”

No answer came right away. Instead, Killjoy merely tilted his head, his ‘eyes’ never leaving Selena. “And how do you purpose I get rid of Ryan?” he asked, a knowingness in his voice.

“I…” Selena tried. “I don’t know. You know him. You clearly have the means – and I don’t really think you would work with a Scythe without some kind of plan to deal with him if he ever backstabbed you.”

“All interesting points and valid points.” Killjoy replied, again crossing his arms. “But that isn’t what I asked. How do YOU, Selena Frost, what me to get rid of him?”

“I don’t care!” Selena countered with a shrug. “Blackmail him, scare him off like you did Gavin, discredit him-“

“Kill him?”

Again, Selena stopped dead in her tracks, her voice choking inside her throat. “Wh…what?”

“You heard me.” Killjoy replied, it now being his turn to take a step forward. “The simplest and easiest way. The man bragging of being Nome’s ‘savior’ from the ‘killer’ is his latest victim. Ryan is exposed. Gavin is left as the only choice and will be heralded if I no longer act out against Nome.”

“But then Ryan dies.” Selena’s voice shook.

“Who cares?!” Killjoy shrugged his shoulders. “Can you honestly tell me that you’d lose any sleep on that?”

Her jaw clenched and her throat leapt up to meet it. The truth was, she wouldn’t. She had been saddened by Malcolm’s murder but the few months of kindness he had given her did not absolve him of the decades of wickedness. Part of her was glad the old man was gone – she could not deny that – no longer a potential threat to her family and Ryan was becoming far worse because of his obsession and anger against her. Even so…

“I do not believe killing is ever the answer.” She replied, her voice shaking. “If I could stop Malcolm with the skeletons in his closet years ago, we can do the same with Ryan.”

“And you have time for such an endeavour?” Killjoy growled. “What about me?”

“What about you?!” Selena countered, her annoyance spiking. “This is all YOUR fault, I might add. You killed Malcolm and then tried to kill Gavin. He was winning the people over! He could have won but because of YOUR actions, I’ve had to get more and more involved.”

“And I am offering you a solution.”

“More killing is NOT a solution!” Selena stated harshly.
“It’s an excellent motivator.” Countered the monster standing before her. “In fact, let’s use it.”

“What?” Selena shook her head a little. “What are you talking about?”

“I have given you a year to try and put everything together – from the moment I called you back in Oberwesel, you have had the chance to figure things out. You chose to ignore me until you couldn’t anymore. Then, when I gave you the means to uncover all this, you’ve let yourself be distracted-“

“Because of you!”

“- And when I offer you a solution, you waste my time with your morality. So, instead of helping you, I’m going to give you no other choice.”

“What- what do you mean?”

Rolling his shoulders back, Killjoy took one last step forward, now only a few inches away from Selena – almost as close as when they had been dancing together. “I am done being patient.” Killjoy warned. “At midnight, on the election night, after they announce the new mayor… if you have not figured out who I am and what this is all about… then I will kill another person.”

“No!” Selena cried out. “That isn’t enough time! What about my children?”
“Not my problem.” Killjoy mocked. “Midnight – June 1st  - one hour after they’ve announced the new mayor. Or someone will die.”

Helpless, Selena stared up at Killjoy. “Who?” she asked. “You’re going to kill Ryan? To motivate me?”

“No.” Killjoy slowly shook his head. “That ship has sailed. Since you don’t want me to kill Ryan to put me as a priority, then I’ll pick someone far more important-“

“No!” Selena cried out, immediately knowing what those words inferred.

“Yes.” Killjoy nodded. “Do I have your attention now?” he asked mockingly. “Find out the truth… or Deanna will die.”

The words had barely left Killjoy’s ‘mouth’ when Selena’s foot flew out, striking Killjoy in the chest and sending the man back a few inches, though he stayed on his feet. “You’re not touching her!” barked Selena.

She tried to rush forward, only to realize that kick had broken one of her high heels. The imbalance made her stumble forward, where she was met with a massive clothesline from Killjoy, a blow that flipped Selena around, causing her to crash front first onto the concrete beneath her, the cold wet stone driving the air out of her lungs.

Desperately, she tried to breath as her hands fought to push her back up, but a strong boot pushed into her back, keeping her down.

“Your children… or your wife…” Killjoy mocked. “Make your choice.”

The foot suddenly was off Selena but a swift kicked to her exposed abdomen kept her grounded, her ears filling with the sound of footsteps leaving her. When she had the ability to breath, her head jerked up to glare around her.

Killjoy was gone.

In the far distance, Selena could still hear the sounds of the Engagement Party at The Starmaker, a world she wanted no part of. Her eyes looked down at herself, seeing the dirt and dirty water that covered her clothes – clothes that she would never wear!

All for a deal that she could never make. And an ultimatum…

“Fool…” she spit out angrily pounding her fist like a hammer into the ground. “What the fuck did you expect?!” she half-roared, half-cried. Of course Killjoy would only want murder! What the fuck else would he suggest?! What did he gain from cherishing life or morals or integrity?!

“Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” her voice cried, her fist still pounding away on the ground, her cries becoming less and less anger and more and more sobbing. 

Don’t do this! This isn’t you. Making deals with monsters. This isn’t who you are. Don’t make this deal. Don’t give him that power over you. He’s already taken so much from you… what if… what if our children are next… or me… or… Or you…

“Oh gods…” the tears came freely from Selena’s eyes as she wrapped her arms around herself. Deanna had warned her – warned her because she knew. Knew better than her.

All of this had been wrong! NONE of this was Selena! Selena Frost didn’t make deals with monsters! Selena Frost didn’t dress like this – she clawed at her bare sides in disgust. – Selena Frost didn’t even consider murder as an option! Selena Frost didn’t go to clubs! Or dance with murderers! Or talk with the word ‘like’ after every word! Or hide from opponents in public! Or…or…or…

Angrily, her hands reached up and pulled at her wig, ripping it off and throwing it with all she had across the alley! Her hands thrashed into her platinum-blonde locks, freeing them from whatever pins were still in there, ignoring any pain she felt. But she could only do so much before the emotions overwhelmed her, leaving her to simply collapse back onto her legs from her kneeling position, her arms wrapped around her again as she cried – no longer caring if anyone found her, be it Tommy or Kandis. 

“How…” she barely whispered. “I can’t save them all.” She whispered. “I…I can’t…”

As the sobs and tears kept coming, she barely felt the long coat gently places around her frame. Barely heard the sound of footsteps and someone kneeling down towards her.

But she felt the arms wrapping around her frame. And, despite the despair in her heart, Selena recognized it. Where she had felt nothing but wrong and disgust dancing with Killjoy, she felt the heartbreaking perfection of these arms. The perfect size, hold, pressure, everything! 

Despite herself, the sobbing Snow Queen reached out to cling to the suited Deanna, the woman holding onto Selena, partly out of relief but also out of concern. “I’m here.” She whispered to Selena, not needing to know the details to know what had occurred. “It’s okay.”

“You were right.” Selena shook her head against Deanna’s form. “You were always right.” She cried, uttering the single word ‘sorry’ over and over again. 

They stayed like that for several minutes, Selena simply crying into her wife’s form until she had run out of tears and sobs. When Deanna felt her wife calming, she leaned back and held her wife a little back as well.

“Let’s go home.” She ordered Selena, her voice strong as she helped the trembling Snow Queen to her feet. “We have a lot of work to do...”

Despite herself, Selena nodded her head, letting her wife hold her as they walked together back to their park in the Starmaker parking lot, the taller Selena stumbling with her broken heel under her. She would tell Deanna everything in the days to come, that was for sure, and she would even regain enough of herself to make a daring challenge to Tommy Valentine through The Royal Letter…

But as the days passed and Hollywood to the South, the election, and everything else drew closer and closer, one thought would persist in the Snow Queen’s mind as she and the others continued to work.

And that was the very real fact that their time was effectively running out…

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