Post by Lord Hastings on Aug 15, 2020 17:54:58 GMT -5
It was a bright and lovely day in Scarsdale, New York, the sort of morning where no matter how much you want to lie in bed and no matter how heavy your curtains are, they’re simply no match for the sunlight streaming in. Which is why Eden found herself padding down the stairs with her hair piled atop her head in a messy bun, a robe tied firmly around her at what she would normally consider an “ungodly hour”.
Well. That was partly why. Another reason was because Gabriel had been late in coming to bed the night before and had also risen early that morning, which meant there was something bothering him.
She found him standing before the kitchen sink, staring out the window before him into the lush green field that was their backyard. Every now and again, the cup he held found its way to his lips, his throat working as he drank his morning tea down. She knew he already knew she was there, there wasn’t much that slipped by him, and so she knew he wouldn’t jump when she moved in behind him and pressed the side of her face to his back, her arms going around him.
Gabriel: You’re up early.
Eden: And you were up late last night and early this morning.
Gabriel: I’m sorry, love. I’ve had a lot on my mind.
Eden: Tell me about it? Maybe I can help.
Gabriel reached down and rubbed her hands where they clasped over him.
Gabriel: Some things even you can’t fix. And at any rate, it’s mostly about the review board, which I’m working on, but there’s also the increasingly pressing matter of some… disappearances.
Eden shifted, her chin now pressing into his back. If he found it uncomfortable, he didn’t say anything.
Eden: You mean those people who just… poofed?
Gabriel grinned.
Gabriel: They didn’t ‘poof’ so much as they’ve gone off grid, which is… concerning.
Eden: How many?
Gabriel: I’m not sure of the extent yet, which concerns me even more. It’s fairly quietly done and in such a way we might not have noticed, which makes me think the senator is involved. There’s a fine hand at work.
?: Oh, stop. Such a flatterer.
The sudden addition of another voice which indicated another presence had Eden jumping and spinning around, Gabriel’s cup clattering into the sink below. It wasn’t a dramatic clatter like in the movies that ends in shards of whatever material the cup is made of spraying all over, rather it was lazier, as if gravity decided to take a slow day. Still, a chip broke off as tea spilled everywhere, the couple turning to find Donovan Hastings sat in their kitchen, spinning back and forth on a stool that was oddly not squeaky. Because they always are.
Eden: What. The fuck. Are you doing here, Donovan?!
Donovan: We have a match.
Eden: I KNOW THAT!
Donovan: Well, then that was a dumb question.
Eden fumed, glancing around the kitchen, possibly for something to throw or maybe even a knife.
Gabriel: While I have no idea how you managed to get past security, the point is moot now. What did you mean about the flattery?
Donovan: Oh, you two were talking about your missing minions.
He stopped, as if that should explain everything. It didn’t.
Gabriel: … yes?
Donovan: Nothing, I just had them reassigned. But it sounded better when you said it, like it was a mastermind plot by a ‘fine hand at work’. Maybe it’s the accent…
Eden: Wait. How did you… why… what? Oh god. It’s too early for this shit.
Gabriel: Where did you have them reassigned to? And doing what?
Donovan: You know, I’ve been here for several minutes, some of those you were even aware of my presence, and neither of you have even offered me a cup of coffee. It’s very rude.
Gabriel: At least Ichabod came in and made himself a sandwich.
Eden: Or stole mine, but this is NOT becoming a habit.
She glared at Donovan who proceeded to drum his fingers along the counter as if to say… still waiting.
Eden: Ohmygod…
She turned and rummaged in the cabinet, finding a coffee cup, her movements accentuated by the slamming of doors and the emphatic placing of the coffee machine which she managed to jam a pod into. Within seconds, a steaming cup of coffee was in front of her cooperative partner, along with various means of customizing it.
Donovan glanced down at the cup and pushed it aside.
Donovan: Coffee is gross.
Eden: I… what?! You said—
Donovan: I said you hadn’t offered, not that I wanted one.
Before Eden could commit bodily harm, Gabriel stepped between them once more.
Gabriel: Right, well now that the niceties have been observed, perhaps you could be a bit more forthcoming about the whereabouts of my employees?
Donovan snapped his fingers as if remembering something.
Donovan: Oh right, the minions. No, sorry. They’re just kind of… around. They shouldn’t be too hard to find though, maybe even in walking distance.
He shrugged.
Gabriel pressed his finger and his thumb to the bridge of his nose in a pinching gesture before turning to his wife.
Gabriel: I have to focus on getting ready for the board, you handle this.
Eden: What?! They’re your employees—
Gabriel: He’s your partner!
And without another word, he retreated to the relative sanity of his office, leaving Eden to glare disapprovingly at Donovan who simply moved the still steaming cup of coffee further away from himself.
It was astonishing that a day that had started off so promising could end up— well. Like this. The relentless sun that had awakened her along with the absence of her husband was even more brutal now, beating down on Eden and Donovan as they walked the streets of suburban hell. Or that’s what it felt like with the concrete reflecting the sun’s rays back at them. Even in New York, the summer had been sweltering, and yet here they were, a few days before their first Cooperative title defense, having to hunt down Gabriel’s employees who had been somehow turned from their course by none other than Donovan.
Eden: You’re unbelievable. I hope you know that.
Donovan: I’m actually a strong believer in myself.
Eden: Of course you are.
Donovan: Do you know what I find unbelievable?
Eden: I’d prefer not to, but I know my preferences don’t come into play here and haven’t for some time.
Donovan: Seriously.
Eden: I’d seriously prefer not to.
Donovan: Your Owen has access to a legion of minions, and you never thought to mobilize them this way?
Eden: That’s it.
She stopped and spun on her heels in front of him.
Eden: Stop calling him that.
Donovan: Who?
Eden: His name is Gabriel.
Donovan: Whose name?
Eden: Gabriel’s.
Donovan: Who’s that?
Her hands balled up.
Eden: My Owen.
Donovan: Yes, he is.
He briskly stepped past her and continued walking. Eden had a moment where she stared daggers at the back of his head, clearly considering some rash action before her shoulders sagged a little. She rolled her eyes and followed.
Donovan: I think this is a great opportunity. Gives us an advantage, I’ll bet you Lucy and JC don’t bond like this.
Eden: They don’t need to, they spend their nights together.
Donovan: Well, I mean, I’m flattered, but I don’t think your husband would appreciate that.
Eden: What?!
Donovan: Sorry, your Owen wouldn’t appreciate it.
Eden: STOP THAT.
Donovan: I mean, I’m surprisingly enjoying your company, but I’m just not into you like that.
Eden: OH MY GOD STOP TALKING.
She stopped in place, closing her eyes and covering her ears. Donovan turned and gave her a puzzled look.
Donovan: Are you going to your happy place?
Eden: Are you still here?
Donovan: Obviously.
Eden: Then no.
Donovan: Does your happy place have those little umbrellas they put in cocktails?
With a resigned sigh, Eden opened her eyes and crossed her arms, glaring at him.
Eden: You’re vile.
Donovan: Because I like the umbrellas? They’re fun and they keep flash storms from watering down your drink.
She took a deep breath, searching for an exit strategy.
Donovan: We’re going to beat them.
Eden: I’m not sure I want to.
Donovan: When we win and have to be co-captains at Outlast, can we agree that I’m Co-Captain #1?
Eden: Not helping.
Donovan: You lost to Lucy two years ago at Battleground, and it eats at you.
Eden: I really do despise you, and also, you don’t know that. I was… in a very different place then. You remember, you were Creative Director at the time.
He turned and continued walking, with her catching up a moment later. Donovan continued on as if what he’d said were ultimate fact and she were merely prevaricating.
Donovan: JC’s been a champ everywhere he’s been, except here. Now he actually has a chance at it because Lucy’s content to make him a prop in her quest to complete the Grand Slam.
Eden: That might be a bit harsh.
Donovan: Is it? Seems to be a common trope around these parts. Guy shows tremendous potential, mixes professional with personal, plays second fiddle for the rest of time. A few months from now you’ll see Lucy Wylde challenging for the World Title while JC watches on a monitor and cheers in the back. You know all about that.
Eden: Careful, Donovan…
Donovan: Let’s be honest, linking up with you hasn’t done wonders for Gabriel’s solo career.
Eden: I’m the person he beat to win the World Title.
Donovan: Sure, but he didn’t really beat you, did he? There were other, shall we say, factors.
Eden: He did more to beat me than you did, and just to be clear, you think the best tactic right now is to remind me of additional reasons why I can’t stand you?
Donovan: Well you can’t accuse me of doing anything half-assed.
Eden: Bet.
They walked in silence for a few moments.
Eden: As much as it pains me to say this, you’re not entirely wrong about Lucy.
The look on her face showed how much that admission had cost her.
Donovan: Oh, I know, but which part in particular?
Eden: The Grand Slam part. It eats at her that those idiot Cool Kids managed to do something that she hasn’t. It’s why she entered the WrestleStock Open- she now has a win there to match Sarah and Kenzi’s. It’s why she chose to come for the Cooperative titles rather than go again for the World Title. That, and as you said, it’ll mean JC will have finally held UGWC gold. Even if she had to hold his hand to do it.
Donovan: Ah. So a lot of what I’ve said was correct.
Eden: You do manage to read people well when you aren’t pretending to be a complete moron. Tempest has been on for weeks about how Lucy is trying to take JC’s light by showing up here, when really her decision to go Cooperative before Chaos is a boon to him. Imagine if Lucy came in at WrestleStock, won the Open, and then challenged for the Chaos title and won it, doing what JC had just failed to do and already having more success in her one month return than he’s had in his several?
Donovan: I imagine that would cut him down a fair bit.
Eden: That’s before you get into the very real problems the two of them have stemming from what happened in Carnage. Basically, Lucy neutered JC there. No, her choice for the Cooperative titles goes beyond just the need to be a Grand Slam champion here, it also speaks to her very real and protective nature in relationships. She’s had just as many failed and badly ended ones as I have, and part of that is down to the fact that she loves too hard and too deeply. She suffocates them, all while trying to give them the world. In this, she’s found a way to accomplish her own goals of moving closer to Grand Slam status while also giving JC what he’s had trouble attaining on his own- his first taste of UGWC gold.
Donovan: And, of course, she feels it’s a safe gamble with us considering we’re a thrown together team who doesn’t seem to enjoy each other’s company.
Eden stopped and looked at him.
Eden: Lucy and I are friends. Are you so certain I won’t just walk away and feed you to them? After everything, Donovan?
Donovan was silent a moment.
Donovan: I’d be a fool to entirely trust you, and the same is true for you of me. But neither of us are one to just give up gold. I count on our greed, it’s more reliable.
Eden: I’ve left a partner before when we held the Cooperative titles. What makes you so sure I won’t do it again?
Donovan: Because it was a stupid move, and you’re not a stupid woman. And both of us have plenty of sins to measure against the other when it comes to Zane Scott, but he seems to be doing okay now. I hear his yoga with cats routine has earned him numerous accolades. Ah, there they are.
It took Eden a moment to make the jump from Zane doing yoga with cats to whatever it was Donovan was referencing. Oh. The minions.
Eden: What? Where?
He pointed at a front porch where two minions were knocking on a door.
Donovan: Let them finish.
The door opened.
Minion #1: Hello. Do you have five minutes to discuss your Lord and Champion?
Resident: Uh...
Minion #2: We have some literature to share with you.
Eden: ...are they?
Donovan: They’re Hastings Witnessing.
Eden: Stop it.
Donovan: And listen, they’re doing a great job. I say let them be, finish their rounds. Deal with it tomorrow.
Eden: I can’t.
Donovan: Tell you what, we came all this way, let’s get dinner before we go back. My treat.
She stared at the minions for a moment and shook her head.
Eden: You know what. Fine.
Donovan: Excellent.
They began to walk off.
Donovan: I think there’s a good steakhouse right around here.
Eden: Wait…
Donovan: Get a couple nice Kobe Steaks.
Eden: I hate you.
Well. That was partly why. Another reason was because Gabriel had been late in coming to bed the night before and had also risen early that morning, which meant there was something bothering him.
She found him standing before the kitchen sink, staring out the window before him into the lush green field that was their backyard. Every now and again, the cup he held found its way to his lips, his throat working as he drank his morning tea down. She knew he already knew she was there, there wasn’t much that slipped by him, and so she knew he wouldn’t jump when she moved in behind him and pressed the side of her face to his back, her arms going around him.
Gabriel: You’re up early.
Eden: And you were up late last night and early this morning.
Gabriel: I’m sorry, love. I’ve had a lot on my mind.
Eden: Tell me about it? Maybe I can help.
Gabriel reached down and rubbed her hands where they clasped over him.
Gabriel: Some things even you can’t fix. And at any rate, it’s mostly about the review board, which I’m working on, but there’s also the increasingly pressing matter of some… disappearances.
Eden shifted, her chin now pressing into his back. If he found it uncomfortable, he didn’t say anything.
Eden: You mean those people who just… poofed?
Gabriel grinned.
Gabriel: They didn’t ‘poof’ so much as they’ve gone off grid, which is… concerning.
Eden: How many?
Gabriel: I’m not sure of the extent yet, which concerns me even more. It’s fairly quietly done and in such a way we might not have noticed, which makes me think the senator is involved. There’s a fine hand at work.
?: Oh, stop. Such a flatterer.
The sudden addition of another voice which indicated another presence had Eden jumping and spinning around, Gabriel’s cup clattering into the sink below. It wasn’t a dramatic clatter like in the movies that ends in shards of whatever material the cup is made of spraying all over, rather it was lazier, as if gravity decided to take a slow day. Still, a chip broke off as tea spilled everywhere, the couple turning to find Donovan Hastings sat in their kitchen, spinning back and forth on a stool that was oddly not squeaky. Because they always are.
Eden: What. The fuck. Are you doing here, Donovan?!
Donovan: We have a match.
Eden: I KNOW THAT!
Donovan: Well, then that was a dumb question.
Eden fumed, glancing around the kitchen, possibly for something to throw or maybe even a knife.
Gabriel: While I have no idea how you managed to get past security, the point is moot now. What did you mean about the flattery?
Donovan: Oh, you two were talking about your missing minions.
He stopped, as if that should explain everything. It didn’t.
Gabriel: … yes?
Donovan: Nothing, I just had them reassigned. But it sounded better when you said it, like it was a mastermind plot by a ‘fine hand at work’. Maybe it’s the accent…
Eden: Wait. How did you… why… what? Oh god. It’s too early for this shit.
Gabriel: Where did you have them reassigned to? And doing what?
Donovan: You know, I’ve been here for several minutes, some of those you were even aware of my presence, and neither of you have even offered me a cup of coffee. It’s very rude.
Gabriel: At least Ichabod came in and made himself a sandwich.
Eden: Or stole mine, but this is NOT becoming a habit.
She glared at Donovan who proceeded to drum his fingers along the counter as if to say… still waiting.
Eden: Ohmygod…
She turned and rummaged in the cabinet, finding a coffee cup, her movements accentuated by the slamming of doors and the emphatic placing of the coffee machine which she managed to jam a pod into. Within seconds, a steaming cup of coffee was in front of her cooperative partner, along with various means of customizing it.
Donovan glanced down at the cup and pushed it aside.
Donovan: Coffee is gross.
Eden: I… what?! You said—
Donovan: I said you hadn’t offered, not that I wanted one.
Before Eden could commit bodily harm, Gabriel stepped between them once more.
Gabriel: Right, well now that the niceties have been observed, perhaps you could be a bit more forthcoming about the whereabouts of my employees?
Donovan snapped his fingers as if remembering something.
Donovan: Oh right, the minions. No, sorry. They’re just kind of… around. They shouldn’t be too hard to find though, maybe even in walking distance.
He shrugged.
Gabriel pressed his finger and his thumb to the bridge of his nose in a pinching gesture before turning to his wife.
Gabriel: I have to focus on getting ready for the board, you handle this.
Eden: What?! They’re your employees—
Gabriel: He’s your partner!
And without another word, he retreated to the relative sanity of his office, leaving Eden to glare disapprovingly at Donovan who simply moved the still steaming cup of coffee further away from himself.
It was astonishing that a day that had started off so promising could end up— well. Like this. The relentless sun that had awakened her along with the absence of her husband was even more brutal now, beating down on Eden and Donovan as they walked the streets of suburban hell. Or that’s what it felt like with the concrete reflecting the sun’s rays back at them. Even in New York, the summer had been sweltering, and yet here they were, a few days before their first Cooperative title defense, having to hunt down Gabriel’s employees who had been somehow turned from their course by none other than Donovan.
Eden: You’re unbelievable. I hope you know that.
Donovan: I’m actually a strong believer in myself.
Eden: Of course you are.
Donovan: Do you know what I find unbelievable?
Eden: I’d prefer not to, but I know my preferences don’t come into play here and haven’t for some time.
Donovan: Seriously.
Eden: I’d seriously prefer not to.
Donovan: Your Owen has access to a legion of minions, and you never thought to mobilize them this way?
Eden: That’s it.
She stopped and spun on her heels in front of him.
Eden: Stop calling him that.
Donovan: Who?
Eden: His name is Gabriel.
Donovan: Whose name?
Eden: Gabriel’s.
Donovan: Who’s that?
Her hands balled up.
Eden: My Owen.
Donovan: Yes, he is.
He briskly stepped past her and continued walking. Eden had a moment where she stared daggers at the back of his head, clearly considering some rash action before her shoulders sagged a little. She rolled her eyes and followed.
Donovan: I think this is a great opportunity. Gives us an advantage, I’ll bet you Lucy and JC don’t bond like this.
Eden: They don’t need to, they spend their nights together.
Donovan: Well, I mean, I’m flattered, but I don’t think your husband would appreciate that.
Eden: What?!
Donovan: Sorry, your Owen wouldn’t appreciate it.
Eden: STOP THAT.
Donovan: I mean, I’m surprisingly enjoying your company, but I’m just not into you like that.
Eden: OH MY GOD STOP TALKING.
She stopped in place, closing her eyes and covering her ears. Donovan turned and gave her a puzzled look.
Donovan: Are you going to your happy place?
Eden: Are you still here?
Donovan: Obviously.
Eden: Then no.
Donovan: Does your happy place have those little umbrellas they put in cocktails?
With a resigned sigh, Eden opened her eyes and crossed her arms, glaring at him.
Eden: You’re vile.
Donovan: Because I like the umbrellas? They’re fun and they keep flash storms from watering down your drink.
She took a deep breath, searching for an exit strategy.
Donovan: We’re going to beat them.
Eden: I’m not sure I want to.
Donovan: When we win and have to be co-captains at Outlast, can we agree that I’m Co-Captain #1?
Eden: Not helping.
Donovan: You lost to Lucy two years ago at Battleground, and it eats at you.
Eden: I really do despise you, and also, you don’t know that. I was… in a very different place then. You remember, you were Creative Director at the time.
He turned and continued walking, with her catching up a moment later. Donovan continued on as if what he’d said were ultimate fact and she were merely prevaricating.
Donovan: JC’s been a champ everywhere he’s been, except here. Now he actually has a chance at it because Lucy’s content to make him a prop in her quest to complete the Grand Slam.
Eden: That might be a bit harsh.
Donovan: Is it? Seems to be a common trope around these parts. Guy shows tremendous potential, mixes professional with personal, plays second fiddle for the rest of time. A few months from now you’ll see Lucy Wylde challenging for the World Title while JC watches on a monitor and cheers in the back. You know all about that.
Eden: Careful, Donovan…
Donovan: Let’s be honest, linking up with you hasn’t done wonders for Gabriel’s solo career.
Eden: I’m the person he beat to win the World Title.
Donovan: Sure, but he didn’t really beat you, did he? There were other, shall we say, factors.
Eden: He did more to beat me than you did, and just to be clear, you think the best tactic right now is to remind me of additional reasons why I can’t stand you?
Donovan: Well you can’t accuse me of doing anything half-assed.
Eden: Bet.
They walked in silence for a few moments.
Eden: As much as it pains me to say this, you’re not entirely wrong about Lucy.
The look on her face showed how much that admission had cost her.
Donovan: Oh, I know, but which part in particular?
Eden: The Grand Slam part. It eats at her that those idiot Cool Kids managed to do something that she hasn’t. It’s why she entered the WrestleStock Open- she now has a win there to match Sarah and Kenzi’s. It’s why she chose to come for the Cooperative titles rather than go again for the World Title. That, and as you said, it’ll mean JC will have finally held UGWC gold. Even if she had to hold his hand to do it.
Donovan: Ah. So a lot of what I’ve said was correct.
Eden: You do manage to read people well when you aren’t pretending to be a complete moron. Tempest has been on for weeks about how Lucy is trying to take JC’s light by showing up here, when really her decision to go Cooperative before Chaos is a boon to him. Imagine if Lucy came in at WrestleStock, won the Open, and then challenged for the Chaos title and won it, doing what JC had just failed to do and already having more success in her one month return than he’s had in his several?
Donovan: I imagine that would cut him down a fair bit.
Eden: That’s before you get into the very real problems the two of them have stemming from what happened in Carnage. Basically, Lucy neutered JC there. No, her choice for the Cooperative titles goes beyond just the need to be a Grand Slam champion here, it also speaks to her very real and protective nature in relationships. She’s had just as many failed and badly ended ones as I have, and part of that is down to the fact that she loves too hard and too deeply. She suffocates them, all while trying to give them the world. In this, she’s found a way to accomplish her own goals of moving closer to Grand Slam status while also giving JC what he’s had trouble attaining on his own- his first taste of UGWC gold.
Donovan: And, of course, she feels it’s a safe gamble with us considering we’re a thrown together team who doesn’t seem to enjoy each other’s company.
Eden stopped and looked at him.
Eden: Lucy and I are friends. Are you so certain I won’t just walk away and feed you to them? After everything, Donovan?
Donovan was silent a moment.
Donovan: I’d be a fool to entirely trust you, and the same is true for you of me. But neither of us are one to just give up gold. I count on our greed, it’s more reliable.
Eden: I’ve left a partner before when we held the Cooperative titles. What makes you so sure I won’t do it again?
Donovan: Because it was a stupid move, and you’re not a stupid woman. And both of us have plenty of sins to measure against the other when it comes to Zane Scott, but he seems to be doing okay now. I hear his yoga with cats routine has earned him numerous accolades. Ah, there they are.
It took Eden a moment to make the jump from Zane doing yoga with cats to whatever it was Donovan was referencing. Oh. The minions.
Eden: What? Where?
He pointed at a front porch where two minions were knocking on a door.
Donovan: Let them finish.
The door opened.
Minion #1: Hello. Do you have five minutes to discuss your Lord and Champion?
Resident: Uh...
Minion #2: We have some literature to share with you.
Eden: ...are they?
Donovan: They’re Hastings Witnessing.
Eden: Stop it.
Donovan: And listen, they’re doing a great job. I say let them be, finish their rounds. Deal with it tomorrow.
Eden: I can’t.
Donovan: Tell you what, we came all this way, let’s get dinner before we go back. My treat.
She stared at the minions for a moment and shook her head.
Eden: You know what. Fine.
Donovan: Excellent.
They began to walk off.
Donovan: I think there’s a good steakhouse right around here.
Eden: Wait…
Donovan: Get a couple nice Kobe Steaks.
Eden: I hate you.
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