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 Posted: Sat May 06, 2023 2:05 pm
[The following takes place backstage during Wrestlemania. Proceeded by "Trouble".]
Walking fast with an entourage behind him, Salem looked anxiously about the carpool area to find the ambulance taking Emiko to the hospital. He'd been backstage with the Damones, celebrating Marcus' victory with his daughter and Erynys when he'd gotten word of her condition, and quickly searched the private parking area for the EMTs as the others trailed behind him. Finding the technicians working to load Emiko into the transport on a gurney, Salem waved them down and hurriedly approached."Hey, I'm her boyfriend," he explained excitedly, the paramedics pausing to take notice of him. "We have a kid together, what's going on?"
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2023 4:45 pm
It had been a Hell of a night and he knew he was going to be feeling it in the morning, but he felt some satisfaction in taking care of Cartwright's thugs both in and out of the ring. He was looking forward to an easy rest of the night when his partner got grim news.
He followed him out to the parking lot where he found the waiting ambulance and the unconscious woman strapped to the gurney. As Salem took care of the talking part, he took the opportunity to study the woman.
She had been through Hell. That was no mistake. Multiple lacerations and deep bruises covered her form; her one visible eye shut, but whether that was due to the swelling in her face or unconsciousness, he couldn't tell. He blinked when Salem told the EMT's about the little girl.
So this was the girl's mother? He could see the resemblance. He took a step back and continued to observe.
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 6:08 am
Meanwhile, the World Champion is also along for the ride, but for one reason. He's got Kyra with him, who is obviously concerned given the situation here. Following behind him are two younger and larger men, Marcus and newly shown and yet to debut Blaze, who has his mask on and one might think would scare the kid.
"Here, kid, hold this." Drako hands the world title belt to Kyra, who takes a few moments to properly situate it on her shoulder.
"I don't remember us getting to hold your titles as kids," Marcus comments.
"Yeah well, desperate times, and besides, she's not busy diving off a top rope in our training ring right now," Drako responds. "Now you two do the big gigantic person thing and block the view a bit."
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 2:13 pm
Rushing out to the ambulance, the Luca Leone waded through the spectators surrounding the emergency vehicle. "You're still here?" The Blue Blossom spoke with a distressed voice to the technicians as they were loading Emiko Sone into the back of the vehicle. Still physically exhausted from her match, Luca was hardly aware of the individuals that were present, but turned to see Kyra among them. "Oh Kyra, I'll go with your mom to make sure she's ok. Just stay with..." The Lioness paused to see the crowd consisted of Salem, a couple of the Damones, and another individual she vaguely remembered.
"The child can stay here with the spectators..." Approaching from seemingly nowhere, Mister Mirage spoke up as he stepped up to crowd. "This is a matter for those among Power, no others."
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 2:28 pm
Before the EMTs could address him, Luca Leone made her way through the building crowd, addressing Kyra without taking notice of him. Her eyes met his for a second, but as he tried to speak, Mirage appeared and started giving instructions, making Salem break from concern to confrontation, turning his attention to the man.
"...'the child' is my daughter. OUR daughter, me and Emiko's. She stays with me, and if you think her mom's health isn't something that's my business, then we've got a problem." he said defiantly, his eyes sharp as they stated at Mister Mirage.
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 2:55 pm
The chatter between everyone broke him out of his thoughts. His eyes widened as a familiar blue haired individual from the past appeared. What was she doing here?
His attention was diverted when another man appeared and began to give instructions as if they were children themselves. He clenched his fists as he took a step forward at the man
"Du blöde Kuh! Who are you to tell us who is to go and who is to stay? Salem has a valid point. He is the child's father and the child is worried about her mother. He has a right to join her if he wishes."
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 3:14 pm
Drako cocks his head to the side at the term spectator. "Did this creepy slow talker sum' b***h just call us spectators? How about we fold you and shove your head up your...."
Marcus elbows his uncle to cut off the sentence. "Small child present, remember?"
Drako rubs his arm. "Fine, maybe I won't engage in gratuitous graphic violence but he's still a douche. But I'm with Erynys here. They got the whole baby mama and baby daddy thing going so he should go if he wants."
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 3:24 pm
He switched his glance back to Drako for a moment and nodded in agreement. Before returning his attention to the speaker. "Ja, the champion speaks the truth. So do us all a favor and leave. You're not the only ones concerned about her."
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 3:49 pm
The Mysterious Stranger tilted his masked visage to the side and stared at Salem, showing disinterest in others as he ignored their input. "I am well aware of your brief history with that woman..." Lifting his hand he gave his glove a tug before continuing. "The Madman will stay here with the child, the German, and the Dragons... Whether he's still conscious is irrelevant."
"I don't care if he comes, Missy needs to get to the hospital." Luca spoke up, hoping to be heard over all the chest beating.
Mirage turned to her, giving the Lioness his attention.
"We don't have time for this. As long as Kyra is with someone safe, I'm sure we can both ride with Emiko." The revelation of Salem of all people being Kyra's father shook the Lioness, but the wellbeing of her friend came first.
Mirage gave a slight nod towards Luca. "If that is the wish of the Azure Lioness..." The Specter gave Salem a final glance before stepping aside.
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 4:03 pm
Salem took notice of Luca's interjection, inwardly thankful for her speaking up, but still stern in his expression as he simply gave her a brief nod and turned gaze back to Mirage. Kyra, for her part, was trying to pay attention but Drako was mitigating that by showing her details engraved on his world championship, his family shielding her from the conversation. Erynys was ready for a fight, and so was Salem, but this wasn't the time or place.
"You know, part of me wants to bounce your head off this concrete." Salem said quietly, not trying to startle his daughter. "But Luca is right. Emmy needs help, right now. We can settle this later."
Turning to the EMTs, Salem gestured to the gurney.
"Just please get her there, quickly. I'm not going to hold you up starting a scene here. Me and my girl will follow you." he informed them, turning from them back to Mirage while they made preparations to depart.
"I'm not going to fight with you here...and I'm not making my daughter ride with me in an ambulance next to her mother. Just know we're going to the hospital - ALL of us - and this isn't over." Salem said firmly, gesturing to Luca as he glanced over at her.
"If you're going, now's the time. Someone should. I don't know you the best, but I want to trust you. Just keep her company, for me and Kyra, please."
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 4:28 pm
This stranger was really starting to get on his nerves and it was taking everything in him not to lash out. However Salem brought up a good point. There would come a time to fight, but this was not the time. "If we are going, we should go now. Every moment we waste is a moment Frau Emiko cannot afford to lose."
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 5:03 pm
"Of course, I'll be with her the entire time." The Blue Blossom was relieved that the conflict had been briefly averted. She gave Salem a slight smile before climbing into the ambulance with Emiko. The doors shut behind them as the EMT's prepared to depart.
"No, it will never be over Mister Croft..." Mirage spoke up once again, turning to leave. "As I've said before, when the time comes, I will be the one to take you to hell." The Specter began walking away as the engines to the Ambulance came to life and the siren let out a blare. "I await that day."
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 5:29 pm
"Sooner than you think, a*****e." Salem said under his breath as the ambulance departed and crowd began to disperse. Turning back to his entourage, Salem noticed Kyra holding Drako's world title, crouching to ruffle the child's hair with a smile.
"Looks like you got ahold of that before I could, li'l monster.~"
"It's heavy." she complained, but still struggling to hold it respectfully across her shoulder.
"Well, you'll grow into it one day, I'm sure."
"Is mommy gonna be okay?" Kyra asked, the worry evident in her eyes and voice. Salem reached out and held his daughter's hands as he nodded reassuringly.
"Mom's gonna be fine, biscuit. She just needs to see the doctor. Don't worry, we're gonna go, too. I'm sure she'd love seeing you carry that belt around."
Kyra nodded and struggled a smile, no longer thinking about what the belt weighed as Salem stood and addressed the men around him.
"It's 'Mania, so I had Murphy bring us in a limo. We can all fit. I'll have him bring it around and get an officer to escort us. We better go." he said, fishing out his phone to contact his personal driver.
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