Post by Lord Hastings on Nov 19, 2009 23:21:58 GMT -5
Donovan stands gazing out the window, his arms crossed as he is lost in thought. Calypso enters behind him, appearing cautious.
Calypso: You okay?
Hastings: Hm? Yeah, I’m fine.
Calypso: You took a pretty bad beating on Sentinel.
Hastings: It simply speaks to the scum bucket that Dirge is, using an injured man’s own crutch against him. Who does that?
Calypso: What happened to the crutch?
Donovan shrugs.
Hastings: If it’s where it belongs, Dirge shoved it up his own ass. Otherwise I don’t know.
Donovan turns back to look at her.
Hastings: You’ve been quiet lately.
Calypso: What…what do you mean?
Hastings: Nothing. You’ve been quiet lately. Like there’s something on your mind.
Calypso quickly turns away. Donovan turns back and looks out the window. Calypso takes a step towards the door, but hesitates, and she rushes to him. Donovan turns back around in time for Calypso to grab him in an embrace. Donovan puts his arms up, a surprised look on his face.
Calypso: I love you.
After a moment Donovan puts his arms around her.
Hastings: I know.
Calypso sniffles, tears in her eyes.
Hastings: I know, Cal, I know. It’s okay.
He rubs her back, and they are interrupted by a knock at the door. Donovan pats her back, and she lets go and takes a seat on the couch, composing herself. Donovan looks to the doorway to see Owen standing in it.
Hastings: Yeah?
Peterson: There’s someone here to see you. Says he’s an old friend?
Donovan glances back at Calypso, but after a final sniffle she nods her head.
Hastings: Send him in.
Owen looks back.
Peterson: The Lord will see you.
Voice: Will he, now?
Cain Dolan enters the room. Calypso freezes, her mouth dropped open.
Dolan: Still calling yourself the Lord of Pain, are you?
Hastings: Cain…
They stare each other down for a few moments, as Calypso clenches her hands on the couch, when suddenly Donovan smiles and the two embrace.
Hastings: How are you? It’s been too long!
Dolan: Hanging in there, same as always.
Donovan looks back at the stunned Calypso.
Hastings: Cain Dolan…Calypso Desmona.
Cain puts out his hand. Calypso hesitates before reaching out. He takes her hand and nods his head.
Dolan: Charmed.
Calypso quickly pulls her hand back.
Hastings: Cain and I trained together years ago. He called himself the Lord of Pain.
Dolan: Until someone beat me, and he’s bore that mantle ever since. Done it proud, from what I understand. I heat you’ve got a big match coming up.
Hastings: At Horizons, yeah. Biggest of my career.
Dolan: I thought you might want an old friend at your side for me.
Hastings: Would be my honor, old buddy.
Calypso: Excuse me…
Calypso stands up, holding her stomach.
Calypso: I think…I think I need some air.
She walks quickly out of the room as the others watch her go. It is a few moments before anyone speaks.
Dolan: You think she knows?
Hastings: Nope. Not even a clue.
Owen looks back and forth between both of them.
Peterson: Know what?
After Toxic Intent…
Calypso sits next to Donovan on the steps outside the arena.
Calypso: Aren’t you even going to look at me.
He smiles.
Hastings: Do you know how long it took me to get past you? To let go of you, and all that happened? Seven months. Seven. Months. For a while I couldn’t even accept you were actually gone. I kept thinking that at any moment the door to the apartment would open, and you would walk in. I thought after every match that I would go back to the locker room, and you’d be coming out of the shower. Seven months of my life that I can’t get back.
Calypso: I’m sorry.
Hastings: I was angry at the world, and I took it out on anyone I could. Poor Owen, he didn’t deserve what I put him through. But he had a lot to do with why you left, didn’t he? Not that he did any of it on purpose, he was a victim of circumstance. But part of me still blamed him for that. Seven months of my life that I can’t get back.
Calypso: I’m sorry.
Hastings: I thought I could somehow convince you to come back. I even went to a church to plead with God about it, for christ’s sake. I thought I could punish Gabby, and you’d come back. I could decimate Dredd, and you’d come back. I could win the Unified Championship, and you’d come back. Bargains and promises, for seven months of my life that I can’t get back.
Calypso: Donovan…
Hastings: And I’ve been in therapy. I needed to, I didn’t have a choice. The thoughts that went through my head, I’ve never felt so depressed. I call myself the Lord of Pain, and that’s what I was, the lord of my own pain, for seven months of my life, that I can’t get back.
Her eyes water, as a tear runs down her cheek.
Calypso: What do you want me to say?
Hastings: SEVEN MONTHS!
She jumps. A second tear rolls as she puts her hand over her heart.
Hastings: I don’t want you to say anything. I didn’t need you to come here. I didn’t want you to come here. I got past it all, all of it. For the first time since I can remember, I was at peace, and you show up now, for what? What do you want?
She sniffles.
Calypso: I just thought…it really took me off guard when you saw me. I didn’t expect that, I didn’t know what to say. I panicked and ran. But I came back here to see you. I didn’t know how I would feel about it when I did, but now I do. And I’ve missed you.
Hastings: Have you.
Calypso: You really won’t even look at me?
He doesn’t respond.
Calypso: I just want us to talk.
Hastings: We did. And we’re done.
Donovan stands, and he starts walking into the parking lot. The tears are now free flowing down her face.
Calypso: Donovan…please…
He stops, and his head tilts to the side, but he doesn’t turn around. For a moment Donovan hesitates, and he takes the next step forward as she cries.
And he stops.
Donovan looks up at the night sky, and his hand runs through his hair. Calypso looks up and sees him, choking back her tears as she watches. Donovan puts his hands on his hips and stares at the ground.
Hastings: Ok.
He stands still, his eyes closed. Calypso slowly gets up and cautiously approaches him. She stops a few feet away. Donovan turns and looks at her, and he lowers his head slightly and closes his eyes. Donovan nods his head, and Calypso rushes to him and wraps her arms around him, tears flowing down her cheek. After a moment, he puts his arms around her back.
Calypso: Donovan…
Hastings: I know, Cal. I know.
He holds her tight.
Hastings: Listen. Give this…give it a couple days. I’ve got to take this all in. Then…call me. Or stop by the apartment.
Calypso: Same place?
Hastings: Yeah, I haven’t moved. We’ll work this out, okay?
Calypso: Okay.
Hastings: Alright. I’m going to go…but I’ll talk to you soon.
They embrace again, a lingering hug, and Donovan steps backs. He walks away, glancing back over his shoulder with a half-smile as he disappears behind a row of cars. Calypso watches him with a weak smile, and she sits back down on the steps. She wipes the tear from her face and stares at the ground for a minute. She looks in the direction that Donovan disappeared, and then takes out her cell phone. She dials a number and waits for a few moments with the phone to her ear.
Calypso: He bought it.
Across the parking lot, where Calypso cannot see him, Cain Dolan hangs up his cell phone. He takes a deep breath as he watches Calypso disappear.
Dolan: You’re sure about this?
Donovan steps out of the darkness behind him.
Hastings: We’re committed now.
Dolan: She’s carrying a lot of anger.
Hastings: It’ll work.
Cain looks back at him.
Dolan: She left you for a reason.
Hastings: And she’s coming back for one. Give it time. She knows she has to earn back my trust. More than enough time to earn back hers. In the meantime, show her why they call you the Masked Devil.
Dolan: You really think the two of you can be happy together again, after all this?
Donovan chuckles to himself.
Hastings: It is inevitable.
Calypso: You okay?
Hastings: Hm? Yeah, I’m fine.
Calypso: You took a pretty bad beating on Sentinel.
Hastings: It simply speaks to the scum bucket that Dirge is, using an injured man’s own crutch against him. Who does that?
Calypso: What happened to the crutch?
Donovan shrugs.
Hastings: If it’s where it belongs, Dirge shoved it up his own ass. Otherwise I don’t know.
Donovan turns back to look at her.
Hastings: You’ve been quiet lately.
Calypso: What…what do you mean?
Hastings: Nothing. You’ve been quiet lately. Like there’s something on your mind.
Calypso quickly turns away. Donovan turns back and looks out the window. Calypso takes a step towards the door, but hesitates, and she rushes to him. Donovan turns back around in time for Calypso to grab him in an embrace. Donovan puts his arms up, a surprised look on his face.
Calypso: I love you.
After a moment Donovan puts his arms around her.
Hastings: I know.
Calypso sniffles, tears in her eyes.
Hastings: I know, Cal, I know. It’s okay.
He rubs her back, and they are interrupted by a knock at the door. Donovan pats her back, and she lets go and takes a seat on the couch, composing herself. Donovan looks to the doorway to see Owen standing in it.
Hastings: Yeah?
Peterson: There’s someone here to see you. Says he’s an old friend?
Donovan glances back at Calypso, but after a final sniffle she nods her head.
Hastings: Send him in.
Owen looks back.
Peterson: The Lord will see you.
Voice: Will he, now?
Cain Dolan enters the room. Calypso freezes, her mouth dropped open.
Dolan: Still calling yourself the Lord of Pain, are you?
Hastings: Cain…
They stare each other down for a few moments, as Calypso clenches her hands on the couch, when suddenly Donovan smiles and the two embrace.
Hastings: How are you? It’s been too long!
Dolan: Hanging in there, same as always.
Donovan looks back at the stunned Calypso.
Hastings: Cain Dolan…Calypso Desmona.
Cain puts out his hand. Calypso hesitates before reaching out. He takes her hand and nods his head.
Dolan: Charmed.
Calypso quickly pulls her hand back.
Hastings: Cain and I trained together years ago. He called himself the Lord of Pain.
Dolan: Until someone beat me, and he’s bore that mantle ever since. Done it proud, from what I understand. I heat you’ve got a big match coming up.
Hastings: At Horizons, yeah. Biggest of my career.
Dolan: I thought you might want an old friend at your side for me.
Hastings: Would be my honor, old buddy.
Calypso: Excuse me…
Calypso stands up, holding her stomach.
Calypso: I think…I think I need some air.
She walks quickly out of the room as the others watch her go. It is a few moments before anyone speaks.
Dolan: You think she knows?
Hastings: Nope. Not even a clue.
Owen looks back and forth between both of them.
Peterson: Know what?
* * * * * * * * * *
After Toxic Intent…
Calypso sits next to Donovan on the steps outside the arena.
Calypso: Aren’t you even going to look at me.
He smiles.
Hastings: Do you know how long it took me to get past you? To let go of you, and all that happened? Seven months. Seven. Months. For a while I couldn’t even accept you were actually gone. I kept thinking that at any moment the door to the apartment would open, and you would walk in. I thought after every match that I would go back to the locker room, and you’d be coming out of the shower. Seven months of my life that I can’t get back.
Calypso: I’m sorry.
Hastings: I was angry at the world, and I took it out on anyone I could. Poor Owen, he didn’t deserve what I put him through. But he had a lot to do with why you left, didn’t he? Not that he did any of it on purpose, he was a victim of circumstance. But part of me still blamed him for that. Seven months of my life that I can’t get back.
Calypso: I’m sorry.
Hastings: I thought I could somehow convince you to come back. I even went to a church to plead with God about it, for christ’s sake. I thought I could punish Gabby, and you’d come back. I could decimate Dredd, and you’d come back. I could win the Unified Championship, and you’d come back. Bargains and promises, for seven months of my life that I can’t get back.
Calypso: Donovan…
Hastings: And I’ve been in therapy. I needed to, I didn’t have a choice. The thoughts that went through my head, I’ve never felt so depressed. I call myself the Lord of Pain, and that’s what I was, the lord of my own pain, for seven months of my life, that I can’t get back.
Her eyes water, as a tear runs down her cheek.
Calypso: What do you want me to say?
Hastings: SEVEN MONTHS!
She jumps. A second tear rolls as she puts her hand over her heart.
Hastings: I don’t want you to say anything. I didn’t need you to come here. I didn’t want you to come here. I got past it all, all of it. For the first time since I can remember, I was at peace, and you show up now, for what? What do you want?
She sniffles.
Calypso: I just thought…it really took me off guard when you saw me. I didn’t expect that, I didn’t know what to say. I panicked and ran. But I came back here to see you. I didn’t know how I would feel about it when I did, but now I do. And I’ve missed you.
Hastings: Have you.
Calypso: You really won’t even look at me?
He doesn’t respond.
Calypso: I just want us to talk.
Hastings: We did. And we’re done.
Donovan stands, and he starts walking into the parking lot. The tears are now free flowing down her face.
Calypso: Donovan…please…
He stops, and his head tilts to the side, but he doesn’t turn around. For a moment Donovan hesitates, and he takes the next step forward as she cries.
And he stops.
Donovan looks up at the night sky, and his hand runs through his hair. Calypso looks up and sees him, choking back her tears as she watches. Donovan puts his hands on his hips and stares at the ground.
Hastings: Ok.
He stands still, his eyes closed. Calypso slowly gets up and cautiously approaches him. She stops a few feet away. Donovan turns and looks at her, and he lowers his head slightly and closes his eyes. Donovan nods his head, and Calypso rushes to him and wraps her arms around him, tears flowing down her cheek. After a moment, he puts his arms around her back.
Calypso: Donovan…
Hastings: I know, Cal. I know.
He holds her tight.
Hastings: Listen. Give this…give it a couple days. I’ve got to take this all in. Then…call me. Or stop by the apartment.
Calypso: Same place?
Hastings: Yeah, I haven’t moved. We’ll work this out, okay?
Calypso: Okay.
Hastings: Alright. I’m going to go…but I’ll talk to you soon.
They embrace again, a lingering hug, and Donovan steps backs. He walks away, glancing back over his shoulder with a half-smile as he disappears behind a row of cars. Calypso watches him with a weak smile, and she sits back down on the steps. She wipes the tear from her face and stares at the ground for a minute. She looks in the direction that Donovan disappeared, and then takes out her cell phone. She dials a number and waits for a few moments with the phone to her ear.
Calypso: He bought it.
Across the parking lot, where Calypso cannot see him, Cain Dolan hangs up his cell phone. He takes a deep breath as he watches Calypso disappear.
Dolan: You’re sure about this?
Donovan steps out of the darkness behind him.
Hastings: We’re committed now.
Dolan: She’s carrying a lot of anger.
Hastings: It’ll work.
Cain looks back at him.
Dolan: She left you for a reason.
Hastings: And she’s coming back for one. Give it time. She knows she has to earn back my trust. More than enough time to earn back hers. In the meantime, show her why they call you the Masked Devil.
Dolan: You really think the two of you can be happy together again, after all this?
Donovan chuckles to himself.
Hastings: It is inevitable.