Post by kosm0s on May 31, 2020 23:16:03 GMT -5
He paced the sidewalk just down the street from the restaurant nervously. Only days ago he had gotten his bell via a set of brass knuckles courtesy of Sahara.
Vanessa had proven right, she’d warned him that Sahara was up to something after calling her shot. It wasn’t every day that your opponent blatantly said they would not win the match. Sahara said she would lose, and she wasn’t wrong.
Subconsciously his hand went to the left side of his head, she’d pay for that. Maybe even as soon as the upcoming Pay Per View if he had anything to do with it. But first, the battle that lay before him.
Tugging at the green scale print tie that felt tighter than any headlock he’d known thus far, he was clearly uncomfortable as he looked at the place. Undoing the chin strap of his mask, he took some deep breaths.
Maybe it was the mild concussion he’d received, but he suddenly felt hot and nauseous. This whole thing was Vanessa’s idea, she wanted to meet with him, she actually wanted to meet with him…and for the life of him he couldn’t figure out why.
As his agent, there wasn’t really much for her to do at such an early stage of his career, it was a wonder she’d gotten him a contract with an American promotion as big as OPW if he was being honest with himself.
“Oh Dios mío!” He muttered between breaths. He was completely uncomfortable and wasn’t sure why. OPW had been surprisingly good to him. His pay per view debut had gone as good as could be expected, now his agent, his pretty young agent, she was coming to meet with him. He couldn’t breath suddenly.
Pacing the sidewalk, he was thankful for the space the pandemic had afforded him. There weren’t very many witnesses to a roughly five and a half foot dinosaur in a suit talking to himself. “It is just dinner. Just business. Nothing more. Relax. She probably just wants to congratulate you on your success so far. That’s all. Why are you sweating? Stop sweating! Just calm down, take a deep breath and go in there.”
Summoning more courage than he’d like to admit. Pequeño Dinosaurio approaches the restaurant. The white stonework combined with framed glass windows gave the outside a simple, yet elegant look.
Pushing the door open, there was no turning back now.
Wood, stone and fabric comprise everything within his sight, he was in awe. Stonework floors, the dividers between each area and table were living bamboo, harvested bamboo combined with local wood made up the furniture and accents, all topped with natural cottons and silks. Even the nicest places he’d seen in Mexico, paled in comparison.
Flute and a lyre danced upon the breeze, as a hostess walked up to him. Not put off by the mask at all, clearly he was expected. “Welcome, my name is Yan. Miss Martinez regrets she is running late, though she has instructed us to ensure you are comfortable while you wait. Please follow me.”
Stone statues seemed to watch them as they passed through the deserted paradise, the young man showed his age. He was in awe, “This place is incredible.”
Nodding slightly, Yan had heard it all before. Working in this paradise had deadened her senses to its beauty. “Yes, thank you. We are all very proud. Very fortunate as well.”
Leading him through a tropical bamboo garden, he was brought past the tables and bar, to a secluded corner of the restaurant and then outside. With no proper roof, the moon hung large in the sky accompanied by a sea of stars. His stomach was in knots. “Please take a seat. Please enjoy the champagne.”
Moving with a practiced ease, Yan pops open the bottle and pours a perfect glass of bubbly.
Bowing slightly, she was gone. Left to admire his surroundings, a small fire pit cast flickering shadows all around him as he sipped champagne. He smiled, not bad for a rookie.
Not knowing how long she would be, he awkwardly took occasional sips from his glass before looking around the room once again.
It truly was amazing, a fusion of nature and mankind like he’d never seen. He’d experienced a world of firsts and he was only two matches into his career. Imagine what he could do going forward! Next, his first Championship match.
His father had to be proud! On set at his latest movie project, Tiranosaurio was unavailable, but the moment he was off set, he knew his father would call.
In fact, his father no longer referred to him by his birth name at all. He was Pequeño Dinosaurio now, or ‘for now’ as he constantly reminded himself. But, at least he was earning his father’s respect.
Picking up a second consecutive win to start his career, even one via disqualification had proven he could get in there with larger opponents and hold his own. In fact, he’d proven more than that. He had proven he could win, yet the next Showcase was always just around the corner. The future, his future, was right around the corner. He couldn’t help but wonder what was next for him? What if he became OPW Pureblood Champion?
“Glad to see you were able to get started without me.” Her voice startles him, snapping him back from his fantasy.
Inhaling sharply and nearly choking to death on two hundred dollar a bottle bubbly in the process, he had a moment to think about how it would have been an interesting cause of death as he quite literally inhales the sweet liquid. Would his final thought be wondering if she’d be kind enough to tell him why he was in paradise choking on ambrosia?
“Are you even old enough to drink?” She was laughing, she noticed him thinking about it himself, she knew damn well he wasn’t.
“Funny Vanessa, funny. I said I was sorry about the gum. I was a kid…I assume you didn’t come all this way just to keep me waiting and make fun of me?” Walking over, he does his best to remain calm as he offers to push in the chair for the lady. Nodding her head, she sits observing him as he gets settled.
“My my my, such a gentleman you turned out to be. You don’t clean up badly either, other than the mask that is, have a seat.” She didn’t need to see beneath his mask, he was bright red, sweat ran down his back. Sitting down, he was so stiff he could have missed the chair and simply held himself aloft.
His nerves got the better of him, and he found himself guessing why she’d brought him to this place. “So you’ve come all this way to show me what my life could be then?”
She smiled, answering as she poured herself a glass, nodding to her client she downs the first one in a single gulp before pouring a second. “Don’t take this the wrong way, you’ve done well, but not that well.” It wasn’t much of a compliment, but it was a compliment. “Actually, if you must know, my father thinks I should show you that this first title match is an important step in your young career.”
There it was; her father directed her career from his lofty perch, while his watched from afar rarely interjecting, if getting involved at all. In a way, he envied her.
“And what do you think?” He flinched a little after asking, he could tell from the way she spoke to him that she had a realistic approach.
Only hesitating long enough to finish her drink and pour another, she had no qualms answering. “I think you shouldn’t have won that first match to begin with. I think you weren’t focused. I think you knew it too. And, I think that’s why you called me in the first place. But what I think is less important than what I know.”
That was tough, almost brutal, but fair. It was also a lesson he had needed to learn. At his size, he was almost always one move, or one mistake, away from disaster.
Sarcasm dropped from his words as he entertained her, “And what do you know Vanessa?”
She smirked and leaned back in her chair laughing, “That my father’s paying for this little business trip, so we’re here celebrating your upcoming match.”
Shaking his head, was she putting him on? If she was truly paying as much attention as her assessment implied, he needed to know more. “PHa! Ok, fine. If you’re so smart, what else do you know?”
Appearing out of nowhere, Yan waits patiently to be acknowledged. Once the both of them looked to her, Vanessa answered his question. “Oh, hello Yan, me and my client here are involved in a little game. I hope you don’t mind but I’ll be ordering for both of us.
Nodding, it wasn’t unusual for someone to order on behalf of a table. “Very good, did you need more time?”
Vanessa glances over to her client for only a split second, “No.”
Her answer contained so much certainty that she instantly had his attention.
Without even so much as glancing at the menu, she practically purrs her order, “I’ll have the Thai Red Duck Curry please, and for the gentleman, Wagyu.”
Scribbling some notes quickly, the notepad disappears within the foods of her robe. “Excellent, our chef shall begin. In the meantime, please enjoy your appetizers. They were specifically selected by Mr. Martinez.”
The Vanessa that had ordered with power and confidence instantly evaporated at the mention of her father. Vanessa’s eyes roll almost out of her head. He smiled, Yan was gone and they were alone again.
Ok, so you nailed the order, that doesn’t really prove anything. The luchador wants meat after getting his bell rung. That doesn’t take a mind reader.”
Her reply was sharp, brought on by the annoyance she felt at having her father influence her meeting all the way from Mexico. “I know how you beat Aleister Davison.”Seeing his eyes sharpen, she finished. “I thought that might get your attention.
Topping up her glass, he politely declines with a wave of his hand, his interest was completely fixated on her.
“You need to spend as much time making this guy move as possible. He’s only a couple years older than you, but he’s carrying a lot of muscle and is a solid foot taller than you and then some. This guy signed with OPW right after you and already has a championship, so start out by avoiding going to the air for as long as possible. Don’t give him a chance to catch you while he’s fresh. The longer the match goes, the better chance you have.” Pouring another glass, she wasn’t done.
“This Guy isn’t going to pull any punches, Davison relies on power, even in moves like a drop kick, he’s going to be looking to take your head off. He’s looking to make an example of you. He’s said as much. But, don’t listen to the trash talk, none of that matters.” Slapping the table, Vanessa was intense. Did she care? Or was this all part of graduating to “real clients”?
Either way, his time to ponder the answer was limited as she carried on, “Because he’s arrogant. He’s underestimating you. He’s scared. He realizes this is his first championship defense and he has no idea if he’s going to be able to walk out still champion. That’s why he’s so stiff, so robotic. He’s nervous. You’re not. You have literally been training for this your entire life! Since we were children! Everything depends on you going out there and being you…not some third rate Tiranosaurio knock off…”
The champagne had maybe made her a little too honest. She saw his shoulders slump slightly. It was time for true honesty. “Look, I know you’re disappointed that your father didn’t name you Tiranosaurio Jr. but if you need something to prove, how about starting with why he should have given you his mask?”
His eyes closed, she’d cut him deeper than even he had expected with that remark. Yet, he found his head nodding as she continued, “You’re a rookie, keep making waves, keep winning matches and we’ll actually have something to celebrate when we do this for real. Maybe even a shiny gold belt. We don’t have to be friends, but if you want to be successful, I can help you with that. The dinosaur thing is marketable. Especially to kids. Stay clean and wholesome and I might be able to start small. Get plastic versions of your mask at the merch stands, get you a t-shirt, that sort of thing. But I need you to do two things. One: stay healthy. Comebacks only mean something if the people care to begin with. And two, you need to give Aleister Davison way more than he expects.”
He was disappointed, but he was slowly learning that in this business disappointment was all too often part of everyday life. The mask, working in America as opposed to Mexico, his new ‘business partner’.
Worse yet? She was right. He needed her help navigating the business side of things. The honesty door swung both ways. Now it was his turn, “Ok, I hear you. But since we’re being honest. I get that I’m just your way to the top of your father’s company, but I need your help to get noticed and you need me to be successful in order to get taken seriously. You make the shirts and masks happen and I’ll make sure Aleister’s first title defense, is his last.”
The gears were in motion, Vanessa had done something that Davison’s childish rambling never could. She’d lit a fire within the very heart of the young luchador.
Championship matches, replica masks, t-shirts? If he could pile enough of these accomplishments at his father’s feet, maybe he would be Tiranosaurio Jr. yet!
He’d gotten this opportunity by being in the right place, at the right time. He’d won his second match because his opponent chose to break the rules…making a statement rather than truly competing. Now, it was time to show OPW what they had…
A pure blooded, Mexican Lucha Libre prodigy.
The son of a legend.
The new OPW Pureblood Champion.
Vanessa had proven right, she’d warned him that Sahara was up to something after calling her shot. It wasn’t every day that your opponent blatantly said they would not win the match. Sahara said she would lose, and she wasn’t wrong.
Subconsciously his hand went to the left side of his head, she’d pay for that. Maybe even as soon as the upcoming Pay Per View if he had anything to do with it. But first, the battle that lay before him.
Tugging at the green scale print tie that felt tighter than any headlock he’d known thus far, he was clearly uncomfortable as he looked at the place. Undoing the chin strap of his mask, he took some deep breaths.
Maybe it was the mild concussion he’d received, but he suddenly felt hot and nauseous. This whole thing was Vanessa’s idea, she wanted to meet with him, she actually wanted to meet with him…and for the life of him he couldn’t figure out why.
As his agent, there wasn’t really much for her to do at such an early stage of his career, it was a wonder she’d gotten him a contract with an American promotion as big as OPW if he was being honest with himself.
“Oh Dios mío!” He muttered between breaths. He was completely uncomfortable and wasn’t sure why. OPW had been surprisingly good to him. His pay per view debut had gone as good as could be expected, now his agent, his pretty young agent, she was coming to meet with him. He couldn’t breath suddenly.
Pacing the sidewalk, he was thankful for the space the pandemic had afforded him. There weren’t very many witnesses to a roughly five and a half foot dinosaur in a suit talking to himself. “It is just dinner. Just business. Nothing more. Relax. She probably just wants to congratulate you on your success so far. That’s all. Why are you sweating? Stop sweating! Just calm down, take a deep breath and go in there.”
Summoning more courage than he’d like to admit. Pequeño Dinosaurio approaches the restaurant. The white stonework combined with framed glass windows gave the outside a simple, yet elegant look.
Pushing the door open, there was no turning back now.
Wood, stone and fabric comprise everything within his sight, he was in awe. Stonework floors, the dividers between each area and table were living bamboo, harvested bamboo combined with local wood made up the furniture and accents, all topped with natural cottons and silks. Even the nicest places he’d seen in Mexico, paled in comparison.
Flute and a lyre danced upon the breeze, as a hostess walked up to him. Not put off by the mask at all, clearly he was expected. “Welcome, my name is Yan. Miss Martinez regrets she is running late, though she has instructed us to ensure you are comfortable while you wait. Please follow me.”
Stone statues seemed to watch them as they passed through the deserted paradise, the young man showed his age. He was in awe, “This place is incredible.”
Nodding slightly, Yan had heard it all before. Working in this paradise had deadened her senses to its beauty. “Yes, thank you. We are all very proud. Very fortunate as well.”
Leading him through a tropical bamboo garden, he was brought past the tables and bar, to a secluded corner of the restaurant and then outside. With no proper roof, the moon hung large in the sky accompanied by a sea of stars. His stomach was in knots. “Please take a seat. Please enjoy the champagne.”
Moving with a practiced ease, Yan pops open the bottle and pours a perfect glass of bubbly.
Bowing slightly, she was gone. Left to admire his surroundings, a small fire pit cast flickering shadows all around him as he sipped champagne. He smiled, not bad for a rookie.
Not knowing how long she would be, he awkwardly took occasional sips from his glass before looking around the room once again.
It truly was amazing, a fusion of nature and mankind like he’d never seen. He’d experienced a world of firsts and he was only two matches into his career. Imagine what he could do going forward! Next, his first Championship match.
His father had to be proud! On set at his latest movie project, Tiranosaurio was unavailable, but the moment he was off set, he knew his father would call.
In fact, his father no longer referred to him by his birth name at all. He was Pequeño Dinosaurio now, or ‘for now’ as he constantly reminded himself. But, at least he was earning his father’s respect.
Picking up a second consecutive win to start his career, even one via disqualification had proven he could get in there with larger opponents and hold his own. In fact, he’d proven more than that. He had proven he could win, yet the next Showcase was always just around the corner. The future, his future, was right around the corner. He couldn’t help but wonder what was next for him? What if he became OPW Pureblood Champion?
“Glad to see you were able to get started without me.” Her voice startles him, snapping him back from his fantasy.
Inhaling sharply and nearly choking to death on two hundred dollar a bottle bubbly in the process, he had a moment to think about how it would have been an interesting cause of death as he quite literally inhales the sweet liquid. Would his final thought be wondering if she’d be kind enough to tell him why he was in paradise choking on ambrosia?
“Are you even old enough to drink?” She was laughing, she noticed him thinking about it himself, she knew damn well he wasn’t.
“Funny Vanessa, funny. I said I was sorry about the gum. I was a kid…I assume you didn’t come all this way just to keep me waiting and make fun of me?” Walking over, he does his best to remain calm as he offers to push in the chair for the lady. Nodding her head, she sits observing him as he gets settled.
“My my my, such a gentleman you turned out to be. You don’t clean up badly either, other than the mask that is, have a seat.” She didn’t need to see beneath his mask, he was bright red, sweat ran down his back. Sitting down, he was so stiff he could have missed the chair and simply held himself aloft.
His nerves got the better of him, and he found himself guessing why she’d brought him to this place. “So you’ve come all this way to show me what my life could be then?”
She smiled, answering as she poured herself a glass, nodding to her client she downs the first one in a single gulp before pouring a second. “Don’t take this the wrong way, you’ve done well, but not that well.” It wasn’t much of a compliment, but it was a compliment. “Actually, if you must know, my father thinks I should show you that this first title match is an important step in your young career.”
There it was; her father directed her career from his lofty perch, while his watched from afar rarely interjecting, if getting involved at all. In a way, he envied her.
“And what do you think?” He flinched a little after asking, he could tell from the way she spoke to him that she had a realistic approach.
Only hesitating long enough to finish her drink and pour another, she had no qualms answering. “I think you shouldn’t have won that first match to begin with. I think you weren’t focused. I think you knew it too. And, I think that’s why you called me in the first place. But what I think is less important than what I know.”
That was tough, almost brutal, but fair. It was also a lesson he had needed to learn. At his size, he was almost always one move, or one mistake, away from disaster.
Sarcasm dropped from his words as he entertained her, “And what do you know Vanessa?”
She smirked and leaned back in her chair laughing, “That my father’s paying for this little business trip, so we’re here celebrating your upcoming match.”
Shaking his head, was she putting him on? If she was truly paying as much attention as her assessment implied, he needed to know more. “PHa! Ok, fine. If you’re so smart, what else do you know?”
Appearing out of nowhere, Yan waits patiently to be acknowledged. Once the both of them looked to her, Vanessa answered his question. “Oh, hello Yan, me and my client here are involved in a little game. I hope you don’t mind but I’ll be ordering for both of us.
Nodding, it wasn’t unusual for someone to order on behalf of a table. “Very good, did you need more time?”
Vanessa glances over to her client for only a split second, “No.”
Her answer contained so much certainty that she instantly had his attention.
Without even so much as glancing at the menu, she practically purrs her order, “I’ll have the Thai Red Duck Curry please, and for the gentleman, Wagyu.”
Scribbling some notes quickly, the notepad disappears within the foods of her robe. “Excellent, our chef shall begin. In the meantime, please enjoy your appetizers. They were specifically selected by Mr. Martinez.”
The Vanessa that had ordered with power and confidence instantly evaporated at the mention of her father. Vanessa’s eyes roll almost out of her head. He smiled, Yan was gone and they were alone again.
Ok, so you nailed the order, that doesn’t really prove anything. The luchador wants meat after getting his bell rung. That doesn’t take a mind reader.”
Her reply was sharp, brought on by the annoyance she felt at having her father influence her meeting all the way from Mexico. “I know how you beat Aleister Davison.”Seeing his eyes sharpen, she finished. “I thought that might get your attention.
Topping up her glass, he politely declines with a wave of his hand, his interest was completely fixated on her.
“You need to spend as much time making this guy move as possible. He’s only a couple years older than you, but he’s carrying a lot of muscle and is a solid foot taller than you and then some. This guy signed with OPW right after you and already has a championship, so start out by avoiding going to the air for as long as possible. Don’t give him a chance to catch you while he’s fresh. The longer the match goes, the better chance you have.” Pouring another glass, she wasn’t done.
“This Guy isn’t going to pull any punches, Davison relies on power, even in moves like a drop kick, he’s going to be looking to take your head off. He’s looking to make an example of you. He’s said as much. But, don’t listen to the trash talk, none of that matters.” Slapping the table, Vanessa was intense. Did she care? Or was this all part of graduating to “real clients”?
Either way, his time to ponder the answer was limited as she carried on, “Because he’s arrogant. He’s underestimating you. He’s scared. He realizes this is his first championship defense and he has no idea if he’s going to be able to walk out still champion. That’s why he’s so stiff, so robotic. He’s nervous. You’re not. You have literally been training for this your entire life! Since we were children! Everything depends on you going out there and being you…not some third rate Tiranosaurio knock off…”
The champagne had maybe made her a little too honest. She saw his shoulders slump slightly. It was time for true honesty. “Look, I know you’re disappointed that your father didn’t name you Tiranosaurio Jr. but if you need something to prove, how about starting with why he should have given you his mask?”
His eyes closed, she’d cut him deeper than even he had expected with that remark. Yet, he found his head nodding as she continued, “You’re a rookie, keep making waves, keep winning matches and we’ll actually have something to celebrate when we do this for real. Maybe even a shiny gold belt. We don’t have to be friends, but if you want to be successful, I can help you with that. The dinosaur thing is marketable. Especially to kids. Stay clean and wholesome and I might be able to start small. Get plastic versions of your mask at the merch stands, get you a t-shirt, that sort of thing. But I need you to do two things. One: stay healthy. Comebacks only mean something if the people care to begin with. And two, you need to give Aleister Davison way more than he expects.”
He was disappointed, but he was slowly learning that in this business disappointment was all too often part of everyday life. The mask, working in America as opposed to Mexico, his new ‘business partner’.
Worse yet? She was right. He needed her help navigating the business side of things. The honesty door swung both ways. Now it was his turn, “Ok, I hear you. But since we’re being honest. I get that I’m just your way to the top of your father’s company, but I need your help to get noticed and you need me to be successful in order to get taken seriously. You make the shirts and masks happen and I’ll make sure Aleister’s first title defense, is his last.”
The gears were in motion, Vanessa had done something that Davison’s childish rambling never could. She’d lit a fire within the very heart of the young luchador.
Championship matches, replica masks, t-shirts? If he could pile enough of these accomplishments at his father’s feet, maybe he would be Tiranosaurio Jr. yet!
He’d gotten this opportunity by being in the right place, at the right time. He’d won his second match because his opponent chose to break the rules…making a statement rather than truly competing. Now, it was time to show OPW what they had…
A pure blooded, Mexican Lucha Libre prodigy.
The son of a legend.
The new OPW Pureblood Champion.