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 Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:12 am
[ The following happens immediately after Red Flags & Long Nights ]
Soon after Salem retired from Drako's dressing room, the camera pans out to show a figure almost walk past. He double takes, then turns and faces towards Salem Croft.
The arena cheered as The Man of the Hour stopped and looked Showtime up and down, a disapproving look on his face.
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:18 am
Salem exited Drako's private dressing room, only to notice a fellow wrestler accompanied by a cameraman pass by him. At first, Salem hadn't thought twice about the encounter, what with all the family affairs going on. But as he felt the presence pause and return a stare, "Showtime" turned around to face the man, somewhat perplexed by his expression but trying to be generous towards their intentions.
"Hey, uh...Avari? Name's Salem. I actually don't think we've ever met before, that's wild. Nice to formally meet you." the Savage said, offering a friendly hand while holding his title on his shoulder with the other.
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:25 am
Avari looked down at the hand offered to him, and then at the tag title on Salem's shoulder. He grunted a little, not taking the gentleman's greeting.
"If I didn't know better, it would seem to me like you've just slithered your way out of the Dragon's Den in there. Salem, wasn't it?
It seems like I was right to distrust you all of these years gone by."
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:32 am
Salem tilted his head slightly in perplexion, pondering the negative reception from a guy he'd never had any interactions with before. Pulling his hand back, Croft inquired as to the cold response. He was so wrapped up in the many balls he'd been juggling that he hadn't a clue what Avari's issue could be with him, personally.
"I mean...yeah, it's Salem. But I'm not in "The Syndicate", or anything. Drako's a friend of mine, was before he ever won the title. Hell, I had to beat him last year to try and win it, myself. I don't know why you'd be upset with me when you don't know me, man."
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Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:46 am
For some reason, Salem's response just didn't seem to sit well with Avari. He shifted his feet and grimaced a little, taking one small step towards Showtime.
"See, that's the problem, isn't it? You've always been so involved in your own life, that you never really cared for the others around you as much as you should have.
Years ago in your rookie years, my father took you under his wing. He saw something in you that has come to fruition, you're a top superstar, and Nuke saw that potential in you.
You took all the praise and ran with it.. but what you didn't realise was Nuke had a son, Avaritia Fusion, who then got pushed to the side. Now, he's been a fantastic father in many other aspects. But in that moment the fact that he put his attention and love in to you and not me.. that hurt.
What hurt even more, and what drove something dark inside me for years, was to see you just not give a s**t for the hurt you put on me. You walked past me so many times without looking my way, you saw me training in the ring as a young teenager and never once asked to help."
Avari looked down and shook his head, then looked back up. There was a glint in his eyes as the hallway lights reflected from the gold on Salem's shoulder.
"Congratulations, you're a Champion, and perhaps you do deserve it. But whether he was a friend before he became the man he is today, or not, makes no odds to me. You saw what he and his men did to my father, and yet you still call him a friend.
A wise man would question your loyalties, and might see past the veil you've put up. You will do anything it takes, and throw anyone you have to under the bus, just to get to the goals you desire."
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Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:15 am
Salem was pretty flabbergasted by the confrontational tone, listening to Avari voice his resentment towards him for transgressions he hadn't known he'd made. It was true, in his early years Salem had been wearing blinders, only focused on reaching his goals in a world that wanted to chew him up and spit him out at every turn he made. Nuke had been a big influence on guiding him to success - but in this business, so many come and go, Salem knew some people inevitably fall through the cracks.
Things had changed in recent years for "Showtime", however. He'd almost had his career taken from him by Cartwright, had to fight his best friend to get a shot at the world title, made new friends and enemies, and found himself a father which upended his whole perspective on life. For a brief moment, Salem's confused apprehension softened into sympathy, wondering how Kyra would've felt if he'd not been involved in her life until she was much older. Trying to put on an empathetic tone, Salem soaked in Avari's frustrations, pausing a second before replying.
"Listen, Avari...I'm sorry." he started off, cutting to the quick of the matter. "When your dad took me in, I had nobody. Thought I did, I thought I had friends and mentors looking out for me, but so often people will look both ways just to push you in front of the bus. I had no idea you felt that way, or what was going on between you and him. It wasn't personal, I promise. I wasn't trying to take anything or anyone away from you. Hell, I just found out I was a father. It's changed my whole outlook on life. I'm trying so hard to be a good dad to her, for these very kinda reasons. But I still kick myself that I didn't know sooner. I can't fix the times I wasn't there for her, or for you. But I promise, if you need something, I'll be here. It isn't easy to make friends in this business, so when you do, they tend to stick. But I'd rather us try that, than be enemies. I'm sure Nuke would agree about that. Why don't you come out with me tonight after the show? Was thinking of hitting the town, getting in a little trouble. C'mon out with us, see if we can't figure this out, man. Whaddya say?" he finished, extending his empty hand for a proper handshake.
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Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:54 am
Avari looked Salem up and down for a second, contemplating the words out of his mouth as he spoke. There was a clear distrust there, but he was mulling them over, chewing them over, trying to push past that inclination to just .. not trust anyone in this business.
Avari closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, audibly in fact. He looked at Salem,
"Showtime and The Man of the Hour out on the town? I'm not sure they'll be able to handle us.."
Avari offered his hand to Salem, but also quickly interjected,
"First round is on you"
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