Post by Seleana Zdunich on Mar 10, 2018 21:02:43 GMT -5
New Orleans…
It had been a while since Seleana had been here regularly. She’d called this place home for her first few months in the country, taking a room at the residence of her middle sister, Zenna, just as their younger sister, Katra, had a couple of months previously before Katra had moved to New Jersey for a relationship and subsequent marriage to Eavan Maloney. Being only an hour and fifteen minutes from Baton Rouge, it had seemed natural to Seleana to come for a visit before L.A.W. 78 and, quite happily for her, Crystal and Brittany had both agreed. The first thing everyone had agreed on, however, was that the Lacroix House might be nice for Crystal and brittany to look at from the outside but going in and satisfying there would not do due to the fifth regular occupant for the home in question. Crystal’s rather violent pet dander allergy would make interaction with Alissa Lacroix’s beloved English bulldog, Lucy, dangerous enough to warrant avoiding the place altogether.
Bethany Kenyon, fellow New Orleans-based wrestler and current roommate of Katra up in Zenna’s Manhattan penthouse apartment had offered up an alternative. Since she had no pets, they could use her house. Linnéa Lacroix had a key and Bethany’s manager, Nikki Peltier, provided them with the security code to gain entrance to the structure without drawing unwanted law enforcement attention. Now, having been here in this house for the better part of two hours, Seleana can’t help but feel touched as she watches her fiancée and her sister talking animatedly in one room while Brittany hung out in the kitchen with Alissa and her own fiancée, Kelly Taylor.
Seleana Zdunich: You didn’t have to do all this, Li…
Sitting next to her on a loveseat near the staircase that gives them both a full view of the hallway to the kitchen and the living room and especially the oversized couch that Crystal and Zenna were currently occupying with their discussion, Linnéa Lacroix shrugs to Seleana.
Linnéa Lacroix: You told us about Crystal’s allergy…
Seleana nods, smiling sweetly.
Seleana Zdunich: I did but I didn’t expect you all to make sure you had clothes that Lucy could not have touched and showered like you were going into isolation just for her…
Linnéa shrugs, smiling back.
Linnéa Lacroix: Nothing’s too much for family, Sel.
She pauses, smirking playfully, amusedly.
Linnéa Lacroix: Besides, I wanted to see the Great Debate too!
Seleana can’t help but nod as they turn to watch Crystal and Zenna continuing to talk over the greatness of certain horrible horror movies. Both Crystal and Zenna were notorious for their love of such classic schlock and seemed to relish having the opportunity to share in their mutual fanatical obsession.
Seleana Zdunich: I should thank Lis and Kels too…
Linnéa waves off the idea.
Linnéa Lacroix: Familij!
Seleana nods, smiling yet visibly unsure of herself.
Seleana Zdunich: I know, you’re right, but they didn’t have to do…
Linnéa shakes her head emphatically, staring at Seleana as if the Swedish woman has three heads and has no idea of this fact herself.
Linnéa Lacroix: Lis LOVES being in the kitchen, Sel! Kelly loves being around Lis and the second Brittany there expressed interest in being in there with them, she was in!
Looking skeptical and almost afraid, Seleana glances up the hallway towards the kitchen.
Seleana Zdunich: Are you sure that is a good idea?
Linnéa almost laughs.
Linnéa Lacroix: If it was me?
She shakes her head as Seleana moves her own gaze back to Linnéa.
Linnéa Lacroix: No, I could burn water…
She nods sheepishly in acknowledgement.
Linnéa Lacroix: And have before!
Seleana’s mouth falls open.
Seleana Zdunich: You…?
Linnéa nods, patting Seleana on the near shoulder.
Linnéa Lacroix: More than once…
Her eyes narrowing as her mouth closes while she considers this concept, Seleana almost laughs but manages to stop herself.
Seleana Zdunich: I don’t wanna hear the story, do I?
Linnéa shrugs.
Linnéa Lacroix: Which one? Like I said, happened more than once. I was banned from our kitchen for years because of it.
Seleana’s eyes go wide again.
Seleana Zdunich: Banned?
Smiling lovingly, Linnéa nods.
Linnéa Lacroix: That is Lis’s kitchen, has been since our parents died in Katrina. She didn’t want me going in there and accidentally burning the place down because I tried to boil water or… whatever…
Seleana can no longer hold it back and starts laughing. Linnéa nods, laughing right along with her as if it was always going to happen.
Seleana Zdunich: You know I asked Eavan to be a bridesmaid?
Linnéa stops laughing and stares at Seleana in shock.
Linnéa Lacroix: You did?
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: Her, Alexi and Stacy.
Nodding slightly as she listens to the list, Linnéa stares at Seleana, obviously intrigued by the choices on this list.
Linnéa Lacroix: And Eavan and Stacy are ok with this?
Seleana nods, looking like she’s not as sure of this as she wants to be.
Seleana Zdunich: They both say yes.
Linnéa nods.
Linnéa Lacroix: And you have doubts?
Seleana shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: I know they both want things to go smoothly and they both respect me enough to try to make it work.
Linnéa nods yet again.
Linnéa Lacroix: So it’s basically trusting that they can both handle what the other might bring to the party…
Seleana smiles.
Seleana Zdunich: Now I just have to figure out who else to ask.
Linnéa’s eyes narrow in confusion.
Linnéa Lacroix: Who else? How many are you gonna have?
Seleana shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: Crystal wants a big wedding and a big wedding party.
Glancing over at Crystal and Zenna, the two of them still locked in animated conversation, Linnéa nods slightly before looking back to Seleana.
Linnéa Lacroix: How many is “big?”
Now it’s Seleana’s turn to look over at her beloved fiancée.
Seleana Zdunich: She said at least six…
Linnéa nods again.
Linnéa Lacroix: And how many does that usually mean?
Seleana shrugs, smirking knowingly.
Seleana Zdunich: Probably means I could hit double figures if I wanted to and she wouldn’t blink.
Linnéa starts to snicker as they watch Zenna excitedly expounding on something, demonstrating a large monster size with her hands. Crystal nods in response to Zenna and seems to take over the conversation from them, the two looking like they’ve been friends for decades at this point.
Linnéa Lacroix: Who all are you looking at?
Seleana shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: I don’t know. Crystal mentioned asking Zelda, but I don’t know if she meant Stacy’s Zelda or a different one since I’d seen a couple others mentioned. There’s Shenzi…
She nods to her sister as Zenna sits listening in rapt attention to whatever it is that Crystal is talking about.
Seleana Zdunich: There’s Brittany, though, I don’t know if Crystal is going to want her to do another role or not. There’s Kattunge, there’s Maja, there’s you, Lis, Kels, Bethy…
She trails of, suddenly looking a little sad.
Seleana Zdunich: I…
Linnéa nods, hugging Seleana.
Linnéa Lacroix: I know, but she’ll be looking down and happy for you. She loved you like a sister.
Seleana can’t help but nod sadly as they watch Crystal and Zenna start acting out a scene together.
Seleana Zdunich: God help us if we didn’t have match tomorrow in Baton Rouge…
Linnéa chuckles some more.
Linnéa Lacroix: If Crystal wasn’t main eventin’ and you didn’t have to fight that Blackwell kid, they’d likely go all night! Lord knows Z would and Crystal looks like she’s enjoying herself.
Seleana shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: She does like being the center of attention and Zenna is definitely giving her that at the moment.
She leans back and glances down the hallway, smiling at the sight of Alissa, Kelly and Brittany laughing over several pots and pans in the kitchen.
Seleana Zdunich: I can’t say I saw that coming either.
Linnéa glances down and smiles as well.
Linnéa Lacroix: Like I said, Lis loves to teach.
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: Wouldn’t have pegged Brittany as being interested but then I’m learning new things all the time myself. Had to deal with dirty laundry last time and this time it’s somebody almost young enough to be my daughter…
Linnéa nods as they turn back to each other.
Linnéa Lacroix: Is it messin’ with you, that kind of age gap?
Seleana stares ahead, pondering this question. Was it messing with her? If it was, why? And would it always be like that?
Seleana Zdunich: I don’t know… I’ll have to think on that.
Linnéa nods knowingly.
Linnéa Lacroix: Just don’t do that for too long or you’ll find yourself staring at the lights wondering how the match happened already.
Seleana nods and quietly starts pondering this last question while Linnéa continues to watch their respective significant others discuss the finer points of the wonders of George Romero.
Several hours later…
The camera opens on Seleana standing in the backyard, a sizeable white picket fence behind her as she stands in the perfectly manicured grass.
Seleana Zdunich: I have not been in L.A.W. very long but I have noticed a few things. Those that are champions are in such positions because they worked hard to maximize their talents and opportunities simultaneously and achieved…
She pauses, considering her words carefully so as not to mistakenly use the wrong one in English. Nodding, she looks into the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: Some would call it success. In certain cases, they’d call it greatness. Regardless of which you would think, Gabby Camacho, Roxy Cotton, Crystal Hilton, Etsuko Mitzusaka, Zoey Madigan-Star and Farrah Cornett represent that echelon everyone is trying to break into. They are the decorated few who can lay claim to being the best of the best in this company, some for so long that they have cleaned out an entire division and run some out of the company in the process. Others have only just gotten to that level and will now do their best to remain on the top shelf above those of us currently rated below them.
She raises her hand above her head to demonstrate the highest level.
Seleana Zdunich: They are here…
She lowers her hand to just below her chin.
Seleana Zdunich: We are here.
Her hand drops back to its original downward position at her side.
Seleana Zdunich: This is where I think what my next opponent said to Roxy as they were heading into Rising Stars is the absolute truth. Elizabeth Blackwell, you and I are not so different, are we?
She shrugs as she looks to the sky, watching clouds roll in some.
Seleana Zdunich: We’re both relatively new into this sport and relatively new with this company. Your first defeat came against a champion, as did mine. You have a mentor that only wants the best for you and has a reputation that may or may not be the most sterling example of goodness ever and so do I.
Moving her gaze to the ground, she stares at the grass beneath her feet for a second before looking back into the camera and sighing slightly.
Seleana Zdunich: I was recently asked if the age difference between us was messing with me and I couldn’t answer at the time. Now, I simply look at you and wonder why you would need the help…
She shrugs again as if expecting an answer to be coming.
Seleana Zdunich: You are capable, you have all of the natural abilities necessary and you showed you can go toe to toe with the best because you did so against Roxy Cotton twice now.
The camera zooms in slightly as Seleana nods pointedly.
Seleana Zdunich: I did as well with the Boardwalk Angels…
Nodding again, Seleana steps away from the fence.
Seleana Zdunich: So this brings up an interesting question for us, does it not?
Cocking her head to the left, Seleana’s eyes narrow as she poses the question.
Seleana Zdunich: If we are so alike, and we meet in the ring, what happens?
The camera zooms in as she seemingly begs an answer with her eyes.
Seleana Zdunich: What happens when you take a young girl, full of vivacity and enthusiasm and natural talent just waiting to be tapped properly and put her in with a woman who spent years working amongst the greatest the animal kingdom has to offer before making the transition she never thought making until she suddenly found herself in a ring a few short months ago?
She nods slowly, seemingly already knowing the answer.
Seleana Zdunich: I’m sure some will say I should expect to be dominated by the younger, supposedly hungrier animal but since I’m only just begun myself, who is to say which of us is actually the hungrier animal here?
The camera zooms in, tightly framing her face as she glares intently into the lens.
Seleana Zdunich: And by that logic, I should have been eaten alive the second I was walked into this field, but I have not been. Every woman here that I have faced has fit that description, including the one who was to be my mother-in-law in Farrah Cornett. Maria Salvatore, Kayla Winters, all of you should have eaten me by any natural law and yet, as we sometimes see in the animal kingdom, the younger fighter does not always prevail over the elder. This will be a good fight, Elizabeth, and I will show you and everyone else what I already showed Kayla, Maria, Zoey and Farrah…
She squats down on her haunches, seemingly ready to spring at the camera, claws up.
Seleana Zdunich: This Cat isn’t some sweet house cat that is easily made prey by whatever happens to walk by. This Cat dreams big and doesn’t let nightmares keep her down because in the end, a nightmare is just something your mind conjures up to prepare you for the worst the real world can actually do. This Cat doesn’t worry about bad dreams because this Cat… bites back!
She nods and stands back upright again.
Seleana Zdunich: Bring what you have dream warrior and we’ll see what you can do when reality takes a bite out of you!
It had been a while since Seleana had been here regularly. She’d called this place home for her first few months in the country, taking a room at the residence of her middle sister, Zenna, just as their younger sister, Katra, had a couple of months previously before Katra had moved to New Jersey for a relationship and subsequent marriage to Eavan Maloney. Being only an hour and fifteen minutes from Baton Rouge, it had seemed natural to Seleana to come for a visit before L.A.W. 78 and, quite happily for her, Crystal and Brittany had both agreed. The first thing everyone had agreed on, however, was that the Lacroix House might be nice for Crystal and brittany to look at from the outside but going in and satisfying there would not do due to the fifth regular occupant for the home in question. Crystal’s rather violent pet dander allergy would make interaction with Alissa Lacroix’s beloved English bulldog, Lucy, dangerous enough to warrant avoiding the place altogether.
Bethany Kenyon, fellow New Orleans-based wrestler and current roommate of Katra up in Zenna’s Manhattan penthouse apartment had offered up an alternative. Since she had no pets, they could use her house. Linnéa Lacroix had a key and Bethany’s manager, Nikki Peltier, provided them with the security code to gain entrance to the structure without drawing unwanted law enforcement attention. Now, having been here in this house for the better part of two hours, Seleana can’t help but feel touched as she watches her fiancée and her sister talking animatedly in one room while Brittany hung out in the kitchen with Alissa and her own fiancée, Kelly Taylor.
Seleana Zdunich: You didn’t have to do all this, Li…
Sitting next to her on a loveseat near the staircase that gives them both a full view of the hallway to the kitchen and the living room and especially the oversized couch that Crystal and Zenna were currently occupying with their discussion, Linnéa Lacroix shrugs to Seleana.
Linnéa Lacroix: You told us about Crystal’s allergy…
Seleana nods, smiling sweetly.
Seleana Zdunich: I did but I didn’t expect you all to make sure you had clothes that Lucy could not have touched and showered like you were going into isolation just for her…
Linnéa shrugs, smiling back.
Linnéa Lacroix: Nothing’s too much for family, Sel.
She pauses, smirking playfully, amusedly.
Linnéa Lacroix: Besides, I wanted to see the Great Debate too!
Seleana can’t help but nod as they turn to watch Crystal and Zenna continuing to talk over the greatness of certain horrible horror movies. Both Crystal and Zenna were notorious for their love of such classic schlock and seemed to relish having the opportunity to share in their mutual fanatical obsession.
Seleana Zdunich: I should thank Lis and Kels too…
Linnéa waves off the idea.
Linnéa Lacroix: Familij!
Seleana nods, smiling yet visibly unsure of herself.
Seleana Zdunich: I know, you’re right, but they didn’t have to do…
Linnéa shakes her head emphatically, staring at Seleana as if the Swedish woman has three heads and has no idea of this fact herself.
Linnéa Lacroix: Lis LOVES being in the kitchen, Sel! Kelly loves being around Lis and the second Brittany there expressed interest in being in there with them, she was in!
Looking skeptical and almost afraid, Seleana glances up the hallway towards the kitchen.
Seleana Zdunich: Are you sure that is a good idea?
Linnéa almost laughs.
Linnéa Lacroix: If it was me?
She shakes her head as Seleana moves her own gaze back to Linnéa.
Linnéa Lacroix: No, I could burn water…
She nods sheepishly in acknowledgement.
Linnéa Lacroix: And have before!
Seleana’s mouth falls open.
Seleana Zdunich: You…?
Linnéa nods, patting Seleana on the near shoulder.
Linnéa Lacroix: More than once…
Her eyes narrowing as her mouth closes while she considers this concept, Seleana almost laughs but manages to stop herself.
Seleana Zdunich: I don’t wanna hear the story, do I?
Linnéa shrugs.
Linnéa Lacroix: Which one? Like I said, happened more than once. I was banned from our kitchen for years because of it.
Seleana’s eyes go wide again.
Seleana Zdunich: Banned?
Smiling lovingly, Linnéa nods.
Linnéa Lacroix: That is Lis’s kitchen, has been since our parents died in Katrina. She didn’t want me going in there and accidentally burning the place down because I tried to boil water or… whatever…
Seleana can no longer hold it back and starts laughing. Linnéa nods, laughing right along with her as if it was always going to happen.
Seleana Zdunich: You know I asked Eavan to be a bridesmaid?
Linnéa stops laughing and stares at Seleana in shock.
Linnéa Lacroix: You did?
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: Her, Alexi and Stacy.
Nodding slightly as she listens to the list, Linnéa stares at Seleana, obviously intrigued by the choices on this list.
Linnéa Lacroix: And Eavan and Stacy are ok with this?
Seleana nods, looking like she’s not as sure of this as she wants to be.
Seleana Zdunich: They both say yes.
Linnéa nods.
Linnéa Lacroix: And you have doubts?
Seleana shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: I know they both want things to go smoothly and they both respect me enough to try to make it work.
Linnéa nods yet again.
Linnéa Lacroix: So it’s basically trusting that they can both handle what the other might bring to the party…
Seleana smiles.
Seleana Zdunich: Now I just have to figure out who else to ask.
Linnéa’s eyes narrow in confusion.
Linnéa Lacroix: Who else? How many are you gonna have?
Seleana shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: Crystal wants a big wedding and a big wedding party.
Glancing over at Crystal and Zenna, the two of them still locked in animated conversation, Linnéa nods slightly before looking back to Seleana.
Linnéa Lacroix: How many is “big?”
Now it’s Seleana’s turn to look over at her beloved fiancée.
Seleana Zdunich: She said at least six…
Linnéa nods again.
Linnéa Lacroix: And how many does that usually mean?
Seleana shrugs, smirking knowingly.
Seleana Zdunich: Probably means I could hit double figures if I wanted to and she wouldn’t blink.
Linnéa starts to snicker as they watch Zenna excitedly expounding on something, demonstrating a large monster size with her hands. Crystal nods in response to Zenna and seems to take over the conversation from them, the two looking like they’ve been friends for decades at this point.
Linnéa Lacroix: Who all are you looking at?
Seleana shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: I don’t know. Crystal mentioned asking Zelda, but I don’t know if she meant Stacy’s Zelda or a different one since I’d seen a couple others mentioned. There’s Shenzi…
She nods to her sister as Zenna sits listening in rapt attention to whatever it is that Crystal is talking about.
Seleana Zdunich: There’s Brittany, though, I don’t know if Crystal is going to want her to do another role or not. There’s Kattunge, there’s Maja, there’s you, Lis, Kels, Bethy…
She trails of, suddenly looking a little sad.
Seleana Zdunich: I…
Linnéa nods, hugging Seleana.
Linnéa Lacroix: I know, but she’ll be looking down and happy for you. She loved you like a sister.
Seleana can’t help but nod sadly as they watch Crystal and Zenna start acting out a scene together.
Seleana Zdunich: God help us if we didn’t have match tomorrow in Baton Rouge…
Linnéa chuckles some more.
Linnéa Lacroix: If Crystal wasn’t main eventin’ and you didn’t have to fight that Blackwell kid, they’d likely go all night! Lord knows Z would and Crystal looks like she’s enjoying herself.
Seleana shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: She does like being the center of attention and Zenna is definitely giving her that at the moment.
She leans back and glances down the hallway, smiling at the sight of Alissa, Kelly and Brittany laughing over several pots and pans in the kitchen.
Seleana Zdunich: I can’t say I saw that coming either.
Linnéa glances down and smiles as well.
Linnéa Lacroix: Like I said, Lis loves to teach.
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: Wouldn’t have pegged Brittany as being interested but then I’m learning new things all the time myself. Had to deal with dirty laundry last time and this time it’s somebody almost young enough to be my daughter…
Linnéa nods as they turn back to each other.
Linnéa Lacroix: Is it messin’ with you, that kind of age gap?
Seleana stares ahead, pondering this question. Was it messing with her? If it was, why? And would it always be like that?
Seleana Zdunich: I don’t know… I’ll have to think on that.
Linnéa nods knowingly.
Linnéa Lacroix: Just don’t do that for too long or you’ll find yourself staring at the lights wondering how the match happened already.
Seleana nods and quietly starts pondering this last question while Linnéa continues to watch their respective significant others discuss the finer points of the wonders of George Romero.
Several hours later…
The camera opens on Seleana standing in the backyard, a sizeable white picket fence behind her as she stands in the perfectly manicured grass.
Seleana Zdunich: I have not been in L.A.W. very long but I have noticed a few things. Those that are champions are in such positions because they worked hard to maximize their talents and opportunities simultaneously and achieved…
She pauses, considering her words carefully so as not to mistakenly use the wrong one in English. Nodding, she looks into the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: Some would call it success. In certain cases, they’d call it greatness. Regardless of which you would think, Gabby Camacho, Roxy Cotton, Crystal Hilton, Etsuko Mitzusaka, Zoey Madigan-Star and Farrah Cornett represent that echelon everyone is trying to break into. They are the decorated few who can lay claim to being the best of the best in this company, some for so long that they have cleaned out an entire division and run some out of the company in the process. Others have only just gotten to that level and will now do their best to remain on the top shelf above those of us currently rated below them.
She raises her hand above her head to demonstrate the highest level.
Seleana Zdunich: They are here…
She lowers her hand to just below her chin.
Seleana Zdunich: We are here.
Her hand drops back to its original downward position at her side.
Seleana Zdunich: This is where I think what my next opponent said to Roxy as they were heading into Rising Stars is the absolute truth. Elizabeth Blackwell, you and I are not so different, are we?
She shrugs as she looks to the sky, watching clouds roll in some.
Seleana Zdunich: We’re both relatively new into this sport and relatively new with this company. Your first defeat came against a champion, as did mine. You have a mentor that only wants the best for you and has a reputation that may or may not be the most sterling example of goodness ever and so do I.
Moving her gaze to the ground, she stares at the grass beneath her feet for a second before looking back into the camera and sighing slightly.
Seleana Zdunich: I was recently asked if the age difference between us was messing with me and I couldn’t answer at the time. Now, I simply look at you and wonder why you would need the help…
She shrugs again as if expecting an answer to be coming.
Seleana Zdunich: You are capable, you have all of the natural abilities necessary and you showed you can go toe to toe with the best because you did so against Roxy Cotton twice now.
The camera zooms in slightly as Seleana nods pointedly.
Seleana Zdunich: I did as well with the Boardwalk Angels…
Nodding again, Seleana steps away from the fence.
Seleana Zdunich: So this brings up an interesting question for us, does it not?
Cocking her head to the left, Seleana’s eyes narrow as she poses the question.
Seleana Zdunich: If we are so alike, and we meet in the ring, what happens?
The camera zooms in as she seemingly begs an answer with her eyes.
Seleana Zdunich: What happens when you take a young girl, full of vivacity and enthusiasm and natural talent just waiting to be tapped properly and put her in with a woman who spent years working amongst the greatest the animal kingdom has to offer before making the transition she never thought making until she suddenly found herself in a ring a few short months ago?
She nods slowly, seemingly already knowing the answer.
Seleana Zdunich: I’m sure some will say I should expect to be dominated by the younger, supposedly hungrier animal but since I’m only just begun myself, who is to say which of us is actually the hungrier animal here?
The camera zooms in, tightly framing her face as she glares intently into the lens.
Seleana Zdunich: And by that logic, I should have been eaten alive the second I was walked into this field, but I have not been. Every woman here that I have faced has fit that description, including the one who was to be my mother-in-law in Farrah Cornett. Maria Salvatore, Kayla Winters, all of you should have eaten me by any natural law and yet, as we sometimes see in the animal kingdom, the younger fighter does not always prevail over the elder. This will be a good fight, Elizabeth, and I will show you and everyone else what I already showed Kayla, Maria, Zoey and Farrah…
She squats down on her haunches, seemingly ready to spring at the camera, claws up.
Seleana Zdunich: This Cat isn’t some sweet house cat that is easily made prey by whatever happens to walk by. This Cat dreams big and doesn’t let nightmares keep her down because in the end, a nightmare is just something your mind conjures up to prepare you for the worst the real world can actually do. This Cat doesn’t worry about bad dreams because this Cat… bites back!
She nods and stands back upright again.
Seleana Zdunich: Bring what you have dream warrior and we’ll see what you can do when reality takes a bite out of you!