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 Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 3:31 am
[ The following events occur between No Mercy and Cyber Sunday. ]
Avari Fusion, The Man of the Hour, sits at a bar downtown. Most fans had seen him in his classic blue jeans, tattoos out, but tonight was different. Black suit trousers and shoes to match, a white open-collar shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off his tats again. A fresh and sparkling silver watch accented the look, sitting pretty on his wrist.
He sits with a drink in front of him, his phone in his hand, scrolling through. A few faces have turned to look at him, and at that point a tall and stunning blonde stands up and walks over to him, taking the seat next to him.
"Hey hunny, this seat taken?"
Avari looks up from his phone, locks it and places it down next to his drink.
"I wouldn't be half the gentleman I am today if I said it was. Take a seat.. though, I am waiting on a friend to arrive."
The blonde sits next to Avari and looks him up and down with a smile,
"Thanks.. have I seen you somewhere before?"
Avari thinks for a moment, clearly she wasn't a pro-wrestling fan. He could have thought of something witty to say, maybe hyped himself up.
"I'm new in town, not here for a long time though, I do a lot of traveling. Are you from round here?"
The blonde sits a little forward and pushes her cleavage forward, clearly insinuating the thing she may be after.. attention.
"I'm from round here, maybe I can show you around some time? How about we start with.. my place?"
Avari smiles and leans in, whispering in her ear something out of earshot of anyone else. The blonde's eyes go wide before she smiles broadly, looking a little flustered.
"I'll tell you what, give me your number and we'll get in touch for sure later on. Like I said, I have a prior engagement with a friend of mine."
Avari reaches over and takes his phone, unlocks it and hands it to the lady. She gives the young man a look and then bites her lip, before typing her number into the phone, before handing it back to him.
"I'll be in touch as soon as I'm done tonight, darling. How about a drink on me to enjoy the night in the meantime?"
The lady smiles back at Avari.
"Only if you're sure?"
"It would be my pleasure, honestly. One moment."
Avari turns and gets the attention of the bartender, motioning to his new blonde friend.
"Whatever she wants tonight, put it on my tab."
He then looks past the blonde to what he can see is a large group of ladies, all leaning their necks over trying to see how it's going.
"Put all of their drinks on my tab, actually. Make sure they have the best night of their lives."
The bartender nods and moves away again, the blonde looking at Avari a little stunned.
"Are you sure? You really don't have to do all of that"
Avari smirks a little, takes her hand and gives it a light kiss, before nodding back to her friends.
"You all have a good time, I'll join you later. Best go and tell your friends the good news.. tell them it's courtesy of Avari."
The blonde smiles broadly and leans over, kissing Avari on the cheek before whsipering something back in his hear. She then takes an excited walk over to her friends, to tell them the good news.
Avari watches her leave and smiles as the girls all look over wide-eyed, before they immediately call over the bartender and order several bottles of bubbly.
He turns back to his phone, leaning back on his chair, and back to the waiting game for now.
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:26 pm
Some distance away, Salem spoke with a member of the staff, an inaudible conversation that ended with the concierge nodding and stepping away. "Showtime", however, stayed put, leaning against a wall as he watched Avari schmooze with a lady from afar. "Showtime" had invited Nuke's heir to come out with him and Apex tonight, picking this place specifically for the quality and casual nature to it, a restaurant/bar known by the locals for good food and glamorous guests who wanted a more liberated evening experience.
For that reason, it was kind of amusing to the champ watching the young buck mingle, a stark contrast to the tense tone he'd had for Salem earlier in the night. Sporting a lavender button up with his sleeves rolled up and a nice set of black Armani slacks and mandarin-collared vest, Salem adjusted his Copperhead print silk tie and waited for the young woman to depart before approaching the bar, leaning against it and tapping the marble-inlayed countertop to signal the bartender, who approached promptly. After whispering something in his ear, the mixologist began crafting a drink, Croft chuckling as he took a seat next to Avari.
"Well. Aren't you the heartbreaker." Salem teased as though a big brother, glancing over at the table of women who were trying hard to not glance back over at them. Catching one of their gazes, Salem pointed a finger gun at the maiden with his most winning smile, shooting a wink as he 'pulled the trigger', as a bottle of the establishment's finest red wine sat down in the middle of the group. The visual exchange between the pair prompted the lady to blush and turn to the others in her party, a series of giggles heard as Salem turned attention back to his guest.
"You're money's no good here, I'm afraid." he told Avari, a fancy looking mixed drink being sat in front of Salem. With a nod to the barkeep, "Showtime" stirred his drink lightly with the straw and took a sip before continuing.
"I invited you out, bud. You're not spending any money at my place. Don't worry, they still think you're paying. You can buy when we celebrate you winning the world title."
Propping his elbows up on the bar, Salem had another sip of his drink, glancing at his watch.
"Got here a little early. Don't think Jessie is drunk enough to start a fight yet, that's always good entertainment. No clue where Trent and Eryn are, but they're all around. Glad you showed up, though, wasn't actually sure you'd be coming out with us tonight."
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 1:12 am
Avari listened to Salem and looked around the joint, nodding to himself.
"Quite the place you've got here, Croft.. so did you invite me here just to show off, or was there business to attend to?"
'The Man of the Hour' chuckled to himself, taking a sip from his drink before continuing.
"I guess I should have expected the flash place from 'Showtime' Salem Croft, after all"
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 1:38 am
Salem chuckled and stirred his drink with his straw, the ice clinking around in his glass.
"Hey, man - I'm all about the presentation. This is just the product of investments I made while running the Marauders. But I'm not selling you on a time-share, or anything. On second thought, I kinda am, actually." he said bemused before taking another sip of his stout drink.
"I want you to join Apex." Salem said casually, looking up at the shelves of expensive liquor before him. "We're a bunch of misfits, so you'd fit right in. Plus, I have a feeling your father wants this, for both of us."
Gesturing to the barkeep for a pair of shots for himself and Avari, the man poured a fine vintage of whiskey in two glasses before setting them between the men, Salem waiting for the mixologist to conjure another concoction for a different patron before continuing.
"He never favored me over you. But we've both come to a point where we could use some friends. Cart's got it out for me, I could use another pair of sharp eyes watching my back. But you...I can sense things from people. Call it the Gypsy in me, but I know a kindred spirit when I see one. I see a lot of my reflection in you, Avari. I felt just like you when I first started here, and within a year I was facing the same challenge you are, now. Came up short taking the world title from Cartwright. I didn't have friends back then, though. I didn't see the importance of having people to support you, ones who help pick you up. But I found some, and it kept me from becoming a person I wouldn't want to be. I don't want you to make that mistake, your dad doesn't, either. I want you to succeed where I failed, and keep you from a similar path."
Finishing the last of his mixed drink after such a long-winded statement, Salem pulled out his phone, checking for any missed messages before tucking it back in his vest pocket.
"That is...unless you just want to fight. But you buy what you break." Salem said with a smirk, glancing over at the younger fella.
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 1:43 am
Avari contemplated the words coming from Salem, taking another sip of his drink before moving his glass around lightly in a circular motion. The single ice cube inside clattered gently against the crystal, almost echoing in those moments.
Fusion then looked up at Salem,
"How long are you giving me to decide on this?
Also, what makes you think I need help winning the World Heavyweight Championship?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 1:57 am
Salem chuckled at Avari's response, Propping a hand under his chin.
"Hahaha. I'm making you an offer you can't refuse, Avari. FG, it's at war right now. You've got Rex and his cult running amuck, you've got a group of Murder Hobos trying to cause chaos. Marauders trying to build back up. Power, those bastards haven't gone anywhere. The Syndicate lingering about. And on top of all that, Cartwright is ruling over us like a dictator, he's a threat to everyone. Even if you get to the top, staying there is another matter entirely with all these wicked forces floating around. The fans need heroes. The company needs it. The locker room needs it. Hell, that blonde over there needs it. She needs a he~ro." Salem said in a sing-song voice to the tune of Bonnie Tyler. "Besides, we're social creatures by nature. We work best together."
Salem slid one of the two whiskey shots over to Avari, pulling his own closer to himself.
"Or should I tell your Lannister looking friend over there you don't play well with others?" he teased, lifting his shot up.
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 2:37 am
Avari chewed on Salem's words for a few moments, he had some good points to make there. But he also wasn't convinced it was a thinly veiled threat, a warning to join them or else.
He never was one to make friends easily, there was always that doubt in the back of his mind about the intentions of others; everyone always wanted something at some point or another.
No, he had to shake those doubts for a moment. He was right, there were many adversaries out there, any most of them were already 'buddied up'.
"You're charismatic, Croft, I'll give you that. Tell me, I'm not going to have to suddenly start listening to anyone now, am I?
I'm a lone wolf by heart, but I'm sure we could to some form of mutually beneficial agreement here. You watch my back, I watch yours.. seems pretty fair to me, so long as there's no hidden catch."
Avari picked up the shot, raising it and readying himself to drink the fine whiskey.
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:29 am
Salem contained a laugh as best he could finding Avari's words somewhat amusing as he heard echoes of his own voice in them.
"Y'know, I've probably cut that promo half a dozen times at least. Everyone wants to be the 'lone wolf', but they never realize that wolves are pack animals. They struggle by themselves."
Clinking glasses with Avari, Salem saluted his younger counterpart.
"It's not about who tells who what. It's about being a family. Not always the kind you're born to, but the kind you choose."
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 8:50 am
Avari swallowed those words.. since joining WWFG he hadn't actually interacted with his father at all, in the pursuit of cementing his own legacy. He didn't want to be a shadow in his father's legend, he wanted to create his own.
"So long as nothing stands in the way of my goals, I think you have yourself a new member.. and I'll give you a cheers to that"
Fusion looked to lift his shot glass up, tipping it back ready to drink.
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 8:41 pm
"'Ey yo," began a voice that hadn't been there a moment ago "you're both too slow!"With perhaps more experience then one should feasibly possess, the newcomer snatched both whiskey shots from the clutches of Salem and Avari both with enough deftness that barely a drop of liquid sloshed within the glasses. Without a moment of hesitation nor inclination of possibly apologizing, the intruder downed one shot before chasing it down with the other. With a forcefulness that seemed utterly contradictory to the display from moments before, they slammed the empty glasses down onto the top of the bar;making a face as they did. "Blegh," they said licking their lips "mid a** piss water that is!"Who was the intrusive thief of adult beverages that dared to disrupt the (apparently) celebrating duo? Why it was none other than Kyra's favorite Aussie Aunt; Jessie Lee! Dressed up just enough to for security to not think about kicking her out, the brash bish gave Avari a wink and a smile (approving of his tattoos) before flagging down the attention of the poor bloke of a bartender/mixologist that had the misfortune of working. "'Ey yo," she shouted "We're gonna need some more over here! In fact, just line 'em up!"
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2023 1:07 am
Avari watched in stunned silence at not only the fact that his drink was taken from him, but of the stunning and beautifully tattooed woman in front of him. He took a few moments to digest what had happened.
"Well, damn, a woman after my own heart.. Jessie, wasn't it?"
Avari turned to Salem and gave him a quizzical look,
"Why didn't you tell me I'd be joining a beauty like this? You'd have had your answer a little sooner!"
Fusion chuckled to himself, leaning on the bar side a little and shifting his sleeves up a little more to show off more of his tattoos.
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 1:22 pm
Salem shook his head at the younger man's enthusiasm, gesturing back to the table of women Avari had just bought bottle service for, on "Showtime"s dime.
"How many girls you gonna flirt with, tonight? This one might just bend you over, anyway." Salem chuckled, reaching back to give Jessie an affectionate fistbump.
"Well, with business handled, let's have some fun. Where's Trent and Eryn, we should share the news." Salem said, setting a tip on the bar as he got up, looking to lead the group away in search of their comrades.
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 1:36 pm
"'Ey yo!" Jessie laughed in response Avari as fist bumped Salem in return; her ordered shots arriving. With no time to spare, as Salem seemed intent on fishing out the other two, the Aussie down each shot as if she were a fish out of water and moved away from the bar.
"Think I saw Trentaroni scamming bishes at a pool table and the Germie is........I don't ********' know. Listen for some random a** shouting."
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 7:08 pm
As the two would peer over, there would be a gaggle of people near the tables. And the center of attention being Trent. He was nearing the end of the game. There was six balls left in play. Two stripe, three solid, and of course the 8 ball. The man who was in a heated one on one with Trent was a ball behind. He had an open shot on the 6 and sunk it.
"Looks like I might be going home a loser."
Friendly competitor: "Did you expect any less?"
The two would joke and laugh. The man had no clear open shots, but decided to get a bank shot to either knock in the 3 or at least make it harder for Trent to close out the game. Unluckily for Trent, he would, the 3 slowly rolling almost inside the corner. Which means there is no scratch and he had to play, and the 8 ball was directly in front of any shot he could clearly make.
"Well, it was a good game."
Friendly competitor: "Yeah, you don't need to congratulate me just yet."
"I wasn't."
Trent would grab his personal cue, chalk it up, and get leaned into the table. Calling his shot and banking it off, knocking in the 10. A beautiful shot. And as the crowd saw the shot connect, they saw as the 13 was lined up perfectly. The crowd beginning to make a little bit more noise for the person the people they were cheering.
Trent adjusted around the table, leaned in, and struck it straight down the table and sunk the 13 as the lively crowd of drunk people continued. Luckily, Trent was used to this kind of situation and began to feed on it.
"Alright ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, and children of all ages. Apex proudly brings to you, the winner of this pool game."
It seems that Trent also had a few drinks as he was now quoting D-Generation X. But the crowd of other drunks were soaking it up.
Finally, Trent would line up his shot, leaning over for the last time for this game, and hitting the 8 ball. Hitting the rails and rolling directly in for a great win for Trent. The goons around would celebrate for a bit, pooling in the cash for the bets they made. After getting his expenses for the performance, Trent would put away his cue and sit down at one of the nearest tables to the pool tables.
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Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 1:13 am
Avari watched with interest as he leaned against the bar, taking in everything that was going on. He smirked after a few seconds and mentioned,
"An interesting crew you guys have got around here.. I think this could be fun, you know."
The young Fusion asked the bartender for a whiskey with a single ice cube, finest they have. After a small wait the drink was passed to him and he swirled it in his hand, before taking a sip with a smile on his face.
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