I'm the Box. You're Pandora

[blizzardkaze]

Kaze looks at the ceiling just above Drewz door. She was about to knock, but somehow the simple action didn't quite go off without a hitch. The loss to Crossfire had been absolutely devastating. Not only losing to such a team, but the way they lost had been humiliating in every last sense of the word. Kaze was humiliated after being literally destroyed and out wrestled, 2 moves to 1.

Hell.

She took a deep breath and finally knocked on the Jennifer's door.

[Jennifer Drew]

Tough, yeah that was the word. At this time in the week Jen figured she’d be having drinks somewhere even nicer than the Tower View and laughing about the ”Crossfire Incident” with Blizzard and everyone who’d listen to the story. Instead she’d been forced to deal with days of “How’d they do that?”

There weren’t many candidates for who’d be knocking on her door and she knew one was back on the moors. She sits up on the couch and makes it to her feet as she hears the knock. Jen slides the door open and gives Blizzard a smile when she sees her face.

Hey, glad you came by, I almost got into a serious thing there. So, how’s it going?

[blizzardkaze]

See? You're always on top of things Drewz. I was about to bop on down to the library and see if I could find the answer to that question in the Reference section. But I thought I should drop by here first in case the results weren't so good.

Yeah, she smiled too. It was hard not too when she and Drewz talked. She peeked over Jennifer's shoulder into the room.

Are you busy?

She looks for a sign of movement in the room. Maybe a half naked body running for the closet or something. But doesn't see or hear anything. She stands down from her tippy toes.

Pity.

[Jennifer Drew]

Jen turns around for a moment trying to see what Blizzard was looking at, after staring blankly for a little while she turns back around.

Oh. No I’m not busy. You want to come in? We can compare notes and discuss research goals before we actually tackle this.

[blizzardkaze]

Kaze walks in the room and lets the door close behind her, locked in the Tower with Drewz. She lowers herself to the floor in front of the sofa, using it to for general support and comfort. She wasn't getting any younger.

I'm afraid to compare notes, actually.

She grins.

I have a feeling we've come to the same conclusion.

There they were: Drew, Kaze, and the humongous elephant in the room, all wrinkled and smelling like, well, elephant.

I've been in a lot of matches in my time. I've fought a lot of people. I've lost more than my fair share, and I've always gotten back on it. Ya know? But I've never been handled that way before. It was a slaughter, and I feel it. The slaughtered thing, I mean.

Did that feel any better? She wasn't sure. She wasn't even sure where this was going.

It was quick and ugly fall Jennifer, and since we both seem to be breathing down here---

She looks up, yeah she still managed to smile a bit. It wasn't too forced either.

What are you thinking babe? They've scheduled another Full Throttle--- and

Yep, that was as far as she had thought. She was pretty good at taking the reigns in the business. But behind the scenes, and after the past couple of weeks? She was at a loss for what to do.

The Greyhound has a schedule too.

She gives her another Kaze wink, before waiting for Drewz to pick up a line in that mess.

[Jennifer Drew]

Jen joins her on the apartment floor. Luckily for all involved that was a clear spot. She could see Blizzard was trying hard to find the right way through this, the same as her and it was nice that things were at least normal to some degree. Unfortunately she didn’t really have the answers either.

Oh God, you’re not shipping me off? On the bus no less, come on I promise I’ll be just as ashamed if I’m flying coach out of here.

She folds her hands, begging to be spared her fate for a moment.

This just sucks. I can’t really explain how much I hate that things had to end that way to the people it did. I just… should have been better that night.

Well, all of it was on the table now.

Yep, I heard they’re doing one more before the big one this month, I just don’t know what our game plan is. I wish I had a good idea for you. I’d lean toward staying here, watching TV and not being seen for a while, but that’s not really our style is it?

Jen started to look over to see if there was any flexibility on that last part, but she wisely decided it was stupid.

So, do you want to get in the back of the line for the belts or, do you want to give something else a try?

[blizzardkaze]

Kaze stretched her arms behind her until they rested on the sofa.

There it is.

She nods, at least Jennifer had gone ahead and said it. But they had always been straight up front with each other.

That's our elephant.



I don't know Jennifer. The Rose division is in a shambles from what I've been hearing. There's no doubt if we go in there, we'll be the center of attention in no time. Both of us could shuffle through the rubble and find ourselves back where we used to be.

But then there's that bitter taste in my mouth, and I don't like that one bit. I can't even think straight because every breath I'm taking has that taste on it.

Kaze pauses.

Sorry, that was a bit graphic. Even if it is true.

[Jennifer Drew]

No, no I understand completely. Believe me I’ve got plenty of that too.

She rocks her head back and stares up at the ceiling for a moment.

I just wish there was something we could do right now. I doubt we’re getting anywhere near Crossfire as long as they’re holding the belts. After the past couple of weeks I don’t think they’ll let us have another try out of the kindness of their hearts.

Knowing them they’ve probably forgotten all about this. Like the belts just magically appeared on them.

Having weighed all the options she resumes eye contact.

Tough spot. I have to say your first idea actually sounds kinda good though. I could be what we need right now. At least until we have another in.

[blizzardkaze]

Yet another 'there it is' moment as Kaze kept Drewz eye contact.

I thought it might come to this.

She opened the top button of her jacket, and rumaged through the over sized, inside pockets until she produced two silver cans that she promptly set on the table in front of them. The printing was unreadable unless one read Chinese. Kaze didn't, but she did know a Chinese drinking toast. She popped the tops of both the cans and handed one to her.

Wen Lie! Jennifer.

Blizzard took an impressive pull from the can.

[Jennifer Drew]

Wen Lie!

She raised her can and clinked for the toast. The sound wasn’t a satisfying as a champagne flute, but she really, really didn’t care at this point as she popped the top and took a nice big swig of it.

Here’s to the next big venture and highly successful solo side projects.