Post by Seleana Zdunich on Mar 18, 2018 21:47:22 GMT -5
Sitting in the house in the Hollywood Hills she’s called home now for six months, Seleana Zdunich glances to her phone as a movie plays almost vacantly in front of her on the television. Her fiancée, Crystal Hilton, and Crystal’s daughter, Brittany Williams, the other occupants of the home, were in the next room exuberantly playing a video game Seleana wasn’t familiar with and she’d come into this room fifteen minutes earlier to take a call from her cousin, fellow wrestler, Maja Lindström. That call ended, Seleana looks down and happily calls another fellow wrestler, her now former sister-in-law, Eavan Maloney.
Seleana Zdunich: Heya, Chickie, how’s it?
Eavan’s voice comes back bright and seemingly happy as well.
Eavan Maloney: It’s good. Eye is healing, got my girls curled up with me watching some old black and white movies. Loss to Maki aside, I’d say I had an impactful weekend. How are you doing?
Seleana starts to nod but stops herself as the question starts to sink in. How was she… really? Did she have an actual answer or was this just gonna be one of those answers you give when you don’t really wanna talk even with close friends?
Seleana Zdunich: I am… contemplating.
The tone and hesitation of her voice conveys everything without even meaning to.
Eavan Maloney: Oh? Everything ok?
Instantly regretting having done that, Seleana grits her teeth for a second and then glances back at the door. She could hear Crystal and Brittany continuing their animated competition and sighs heavily as she turns back towards the television.
Seleana Zdunich: I'm still finding this match weird. Your girl would probably understand.
Eavan goes quiet for a second, obviously contemplating this comment that had probably come off a little more confrontational than Seleana had actually meant it to be. A second later, Eavan has found the answer.
Eavan Maloney: Your match with Nova.
Seleana’s eyes close, grateful and relieved that Eavan has cottoned on to what Seleana was talking about without having a screaming match that would go nowhere good for either of them.
Eavan Maloney: I'm trying to shield Jackie from that. Nova tries to convince everyone her security team are to hold the fans at bay, but she's not fooling anybody. Declan seems to be relishing in his role as instigator to keep Nova angry. I'm glad I took her out of there when I did.
Seleana nods, her eyes still closed.
Seleana Zdunich: Yes. It's just…
She trails off, grateful that Crystal and Brittany are too busy trying to defeat each other for the right to pick what’s for dinner to hear what Seleana is talking about.
Seleana Zdunich: Robbie and Alexi always spoke so highly of him. I don't understand.
Eavan snorts with contempt.
Eavan Maloney: Then someone needs to come along and knock her off her perch. And you, Sis, can be that someone. I know you have the ability, I watch your matches. Never mind what Robbie and Alexi said in the past, Declan and Nova aren't who they used to be.
Seleana squeezes the phone. This was not what she really wanted to hear even if she knew it was the truth.
Seleana Zdunich: I can't believe he actually said Hybrid should have just handed him a title shot at their next pay-per-view. The woman getting the shot at Ashley beat him. The woman getting the shot at Stacy is a cash-in from months ago. The woman getting the other singles shot won her title shot and he doesn't have a partner to challenge for the tag team titles, what shot should they have just given him?
Eavan’s contempt seemingly only grows at the mention of this behavior.
Eavan Maloney: Those who demand title shots who haven't deserved them only do so because they can't earn them on their own.
Seleana can’t help but nod, taking a deep breath and then releasing it in a long, low sad sigh.
Seleana Zdunich: I am half-waiting for Nova to say she should be able to challenge Crystal if she defeats me just because I am her fiancée.
Eavan almost laughs, though it is a low, mirthless laugh that tells Seleana this isn’t really funny at all.
Eavan Maloney: Kinda wish Nova fought in Hybrid.
Seleana’s head droops at the sound of Eavan sincerely wishing she had the chance to slap Nova Sinclair around. This would probably not solve anything, even if it did make Eavan feel better at the the time. Seleana sits back in her seat and looks to the ceiling.
Seleana Zdunich: I wonder if this is telling about why Declan chose to not be on the same show as his others.
Eavan’s answer comes back almost too quickly as Seleana can hear the natives becoming restless on both ends of the call.
Eavan Maloney: I don't know, but I will say this. I'm watching Amy and Kendra closely. If Declan's actions start to affect them in any way, he's going to have one angry she-wolf on his hands.
Seleana nods, sensing it’s time to go back into the other room.
Seleana Zdunich: I suppose we'll have to see. Love you, Eavan.
Eavan’s voice brightens, cheering up immensely at this.
Eavan Maloney: Love you too, Sel.
The call ends and Seleana glances back at the door again. What was she gonna do about this whole situation? Nova and Declan had both assured her everything was fine between them but then she’d had to watch as Nova got into it with Crystal, Sam Tolson and several others on Twitter and almost always in the same manner with Declan usually right behind her to stir the pot some. Before she can consider this further, the phone rings again. She glances down to see her cousin’s name on the screen and smiles.
Seleana Zdunich: Heya, Lex, how’s it?
The sound of her cousin, former wrestler turned stay-at-home mother, Alexi “Storm” Zdunich-Priest, fills her ears.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Heya, Sel, how’s it?
Seleana smiles. It had always tickled her that Alexi and her mother, Seleana’s aunt, Scarlett Zdunich, had also moved to New Zealand and lived there for a time.
Seleana Zdunich: I’m…
She pauses, allowing herself to trail off in such a way that even as she tries to conceal the problem, it is readily apparent to the woman on the other end of the call.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Det är okej, Seleana, vad är det för fel?
Again, Seleana can’t help but smile at Alexi, this time for her usage of their native tongue, even if it’s just to tell her it’s alright to tell her what the problem is.
Seleana Zdunich: Nova and Declan…
She can almost see her cousin nodding and somehow smiling warmly despite the concern in Seleana’s voice.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: What you have to understand about Declan is that he’s absolutely driven to be the best, to leave a legacy. Sometimes that means he crosses lines for what he sees as the greater good. It may not make sense to you or to me or to anyone else but it will to him. He’ll see a big picture and look for ways to get to that ultimate goal. You also have to understand that he talks like a lawyer because he’s had to play their game so much over the years. He thinks that way, so no matter what you say, if he’s feeling righteous or contrary or just looking to entertain himself that day, he will have an argument for you. That means he can usually justify anything to himself, and possibly to others if he so chooses.
Seleana takes all of this in and starts to nod slowly.
Seleana Zdunich: Does he have a type when it comes to women?
Alexi can’t help but chuckle.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Yes and no…
Seleana frowns but before she can ask Alexi to elaborate and explain, Alexi starts doing just that all on her own.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Sometimes he’ll look like he has a definite type and sometimes, not so much. The ones he’s got now, are all a type in that they’re all relatively young, but then they’re not because…
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: They’re all very different. Redhead, blonde, brunette…
Seleana nods as Alexi takes over the list.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: All wrestlers yet all different styles. It’s Declan’s walking contradiction that I’m sure had bled over onto this… Nova?
Seleana nods even more.
Seleana Zdunich: She was all nice and friendly and ready to work harder than anyone else and now…
Seleana trails off and Alexi takes over the conversation again as if she knows exactly what her cousin is thinking.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Knowing Declan, if you imply she’s not working hard anymore, she’ll be offended because he would be. Even when he’s at his most ruthless, he’s working hard on something.
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: So, this change in attitude is likely just that? She’s still working just in a different direction?
Seleana almost holds her breath as she waits for Alexi to answer.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Very likely. Money means she has the means to accomplish whatever she’s working towards and simply need not worry about what other, less fortunate people would need to worry about.
Nodding slowly, comprehension dawning, Seleana exhales slowly, deeply.
Seleana Zdunich: Tack, Lex, jag älskar dig. Give my love to your family!
Alexi sighs happily, motherly.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Jag älskar dig också, Sarabi!
The call ends and Seleana sets her phone down, pondering what to do no with this preponderance of new information. She spends the next fifteen minutes sitting there, staring down at her phone while the video game noise continues to rage behind her. Finally, she looks up, glances back at the door and smiles before turning around again and grabbing her phone. She stands up and restrives the selfie stick Brittany had gifted her recently and quickly sets it up. Hitting the button, she looks up and nods to the camera as it starts filming.
Seleana Zdunich: This is the kind of match I should be excited for. Nova Sinclair is somebody in the same range of experience as I am and has the kind of natural ability that means she should be a wonderful test to see where I really stand at this time in terms of my own professional development.
She pauses, looking just above the camera’s lens, disappointment creeping into her eyes.
Seleana Zdunich: And this should be a special match even more than just that aspect considering she’s dating Declan Black and my cousin, Alexi, is married to his trainer, Robbie Priest. Declan is basically family in their eyes and thus, so is Nova…
Sighing, she glances back at the door for a second to make sure nobody’s there, nodding when she sees the entryway to the room empty and hears the others still going at it. She swallows hard and turns back to the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: I like you, Nova. You’re a great talent who everybody respected when I got here. They used to speak of you like it was absolute certainty that you would challenge the best of the best for championship glory in short order. All you had to do was stay on the path you were treading and the world was yours. You had it all, talent, ability, work ethic, pride, respect…
A particularly loud outburst from the next room causes her to pause and smile in spite of herself. She nods as the noise dies down and looks back into the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: And then you went away. Some said because of an injury, some said because of something mental, others said it was a confidence thing. I’ve heard some call you smart to do it and work on things in peace and I’ve heard some call you things that are not usually repeated in polite conversation for reasons I did not fathom at the time. Was this the same Nova Sinclair I’d heard so much about?
She pauses and shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: I would have to wait and see I thought since whatever your reasons were, you did stay out as I was coming in. Word of your talents even reached me from those in Hybrid since my sister and her tag team occupy the same locker room your other significant others in young Amy “Rain” Annis and Kendra “GoGo” Goganious. Zenna, Li, Lis and Maja all speak very highly of those two young ladies and they apparently speak very highly of you to my family there. The same basic ideas too, that you were young, talented, able, put in the work and took pride in doing it all while having respect for and the respect of your peers.
She switches hands with the stick and nods.
Seleana Zdunich: All of that conspired to make me feel levels of excitement to meet you here in L.A.W that I hadn’t felt in a long time when it came to meeting a potential new friend and colleague. That excitement was curbed somewhat upon your return promo.
She pauses to nod in acknowledgement.
Seleana Zdunich: Not completely, mind you, since it was just one promo and didn’t necessarily mean you were going to say that to me. On the next show, you said much the same to Maria Salvatore but...
Seleana shrugs, nodding knowingly.
Seleana Zdunich: I can’t argue with anything when it comes to that woman. She deserves all the scorn she gets and probably more because of the things she’s done. So, well done there!
She pauses again, looking for down for a second to collect her thoughts. Another outburst from the next room makes her grateful she paused and then dies down enough for her to continue.
Seleana Zdunich: I don’t know what to make of this new you but I do know you don’t owe me any explanations. If you choose to offer one, I will listen, but until that happens, all I can say is I hope when we enter that ring, I get to see the best of you. I want to see the talent, ability, work ethic and pride on display for the world to see so that we can truly see where we both are in this test of professional standing. I offer you my respect, Nova, and I hope we engage in honorable personal combat competition that makes all of our family proud of us. I want to know where we both stand…
She turns to face down the camera, both hands holding the stick like it’s Excalibur.
Seleana Zdunich: I hope to see your best there with no complications or added difficulties, just the two of us, one on one in a wrestling ring with a referee there to count three.
She nods pointedly.
Seleana Zdunich: Are you ready?
Seleana Zdunich: Heya, Chickie, how’s it?
Eavan’s voice comes back bright and seemingly happy as well.
Eavan Maloney: It’s good. Eye is healing, got my girls curled up with me watching some old black and white movies. Loss to Maki aside, I’d say I had an impactful weekend. How are you doing?
Seleana starts to nod but stops herself as the question starts to sink in. How was she… really? Did she have an actual answer or was this just gonna be one of those answers you give when you don’t really wanna talk even with close friends?
Seleana Zdunich: I am… contemplating.
The tone and hesitation of her voice conveys everything without even meaning to.
Eavan Maloney: Oh? Everything ok?
Instantly regretting having done that, Seleana grits her teeth for a second and then glances back at the door. She could hear Crystal and Brittany continuing their animated competition and sighs heavily as she turns back towards the television.
Seleana Zdunich: I'm still finding this match weird. Your girl would probably understand.
Eavan goes quiet for a second, obviously contemplating this comment that had probably come off a little more confrontational than Seleana had actually meant it to be. A second later, Eavan has found the answer.
Eavan Maloney: Your match with Nova.
Seleana’s eyes close, grateful and relieved that Eavan has cottoned on to what Seleana was talking about without having a screaming match that would go nowhere good for either of them.
Eavan Maloney: I'm trying to shield Jackie from that. Nova tries to convince everyone her security team are to hold the fans at bay, but she's not fooling anybody. Declan seems to be relishing in his role as instigator to keep Nova angry. I'm glad I took her out of there when I did.
Seleana nods, her eyes still closed.
Seleana Zdunich: Yes. It's just…
She trails off, grateful that Crystal and Brittany are too busy trying to defeat each other for the right to pick what’s for dinner to hear what Seleana is talking about.
Seleana Zdunich: Robbie and Alexi always spoke so highly of him. I don't understand.
Eavan snorts with contempt.
Eavan Maloney: Then someone needs to come along and knock her off her perch. And you, Sis, can be that someone. I know you have the ability, I watch your matches. Never mind what Robbie and Alexi said in the past, Declan and Nova aren't who they used to be.
Seleana squeezes the phone. This was not what she really wanted to hear even if she knew it was the truth.
Seleana Zdunich: I can't believe he actually said Hybrid should have just handed him a title shot at their next pay-per-view. The woman getting the shot at Ashley beat him. The woman getting the shot at Stacy is a cash-in from months ago. The woman getting the other singles shot won her title shot and he doesn't have a partner to challenge for the tag team titles, what shot should they have just given him?
Eavan’s contempt seemingly only grows at the mention of this behavior.
Eavan Maloney: Those who demand title shots who haven't deserved them only do so because they can't earn them on their own.
Seleana can’t help but nod, taking a deep breath and then releasing it in a long, low sad sigh.
Seleana Zdunich: I am half-waiting for Nova to say she should be able to challenge Crystal if she defeats me just because I am her fiancée.
Eavan almost laughs, though it is a low, mirthless laugh that tells Seleana this isn’t really funny at all.
Eavan Maloney: Kinda wish Nova fought in Hybrid.
Seleana’s head droops at the sound of Eavan sincerely wishing she had the chance to slap Nova Sinclair around. This would probably not solve anything, even if it did make Eavan feel better at the the time. Seleana sits back in her seat and looks to the ceiling.
Seleana Zdunich: I wonder if this is telling about why Declan chose to not be on the same show as his others.
Eavan’s answer comes back almost too quickly as Seleana can hear the natives becoming restless on both ends of the call.
Eavan Maloney: I don't know, but I will say this. I'm watching Amy and Kendra closely. If Declan's actions start to affect them in any way, he's going to have one angry she-wolf on his hands.
Seleana nods, sensing it’s time to go back into the other room.
Seleana Zdunich: I suppose we'll have to see. Love you, Eavan.
Eavan’s voice brightens, cheering up immensely at this.
Eavan Maloney: Love you too, Sel.
The call ends and Seleana glances back at the door again. What was she gonna do about this whole situation? Nova and Declan had both assured her everything was fine between them but then she’d had to watch as Nova got into it with Crystal, Sam Tolson and several others on Twitter and almost always in the same manner with Declan usually right behind her to stir the pot some. Before she can consider this further, the phone rings again. She glances down to see her cousin’s name on the screen and smiles.
Seleana Zdunich: Heya, Lex, how’s it?
The sound of her cousin, former wrestler turned stay-at-home mother, Alexi “Storm” Zdunich-Priest, fills her ears.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Heya, Sel, how’s it?
Seleana smiles. It had always tickled her that Alexi and her mother, Seleana’s aunt, Scarlett Zdunich, had also moved to New Zealand and lived there for a time.
Seleana Zdunich: I’m…
She pauses, allowing herself to trail off in such a way that even as she tries to conceal the problem, it is readily apparent to the woman on the other end of the call.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Det är okej, Seleana, vad är det för fel?
Again, Seleana can’t help but smile at Alexi, this time for her usage of their native tongue, even if it’s just to tell her it’s alright to tell her what the problem is.
Seleana Zdunich: Nova and Declan…
She can almost see her cousin nodding and somehow smiling warmly despite the concern in Seleana’s voice.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: What you have to understand about Declan is that he’s absolutely driven to be the best, to leave a legacy. Sometimes that means he crosses lines for what he sees as the greater good. It may not make sense to you or to me or to anyone else but it will to him. He’ll see a big picture and look for ways to get to that ultimate goal. You also have to understand that he talks like a lawyer because he’s had to play their game so much over the years. He thinks that way, so no matter what you say, if he’s feeling righteous or contrary or just looking to entertain himself that day, he will have an argument for you. That means he can usually justify anything to himself, and possibly to others if he so chooses.
Seleana takes all of this in and starts to nod slowly.
Seleana Zdunich: Does he have a type when it comes to women?
Alexi can’t help but chuckle.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Yes and no…
Seleana frowns but before she can ask Alexi to elaborate and explain, Alexi starts doing just that all on her own.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Sometimes he’ll look like he has a definite type and sometimes, not so much. The ones he’s got now, are all a type in that they’re all relatively young, but then they’re not because…
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: They’re all very different. Redhead, blonde, brunette…
Seleana nods as Alexi takes over the list.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: All wrestlers yet all different styles. It’s Declan’s walking contradiction that I’m sure had bled over onto this… Nova?
Seleana nods even more.
Seleana Zdunich: She was all nice and friendly and ready to work harder than anyone else and now…
Seleana trails off and Alexi takes over the conversation again as if she knows exactly what her cousin is thinking.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Knowing Declan, if you imply she’s not working hard anymore, she’ll be offended because he would be. Even when he’s at his most ruthless, he’s working hard on something.
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: So, this change in attitude is likely just that? She’s still working just in a different direction?
Seleana almost holds her breath as she waits for Alexi to answer.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Very likely. Money means she has the means to accomplish whatever she’s working towards and simply need not worry about what other, less fortunate people would need to worry about.
Nodding slowly, comprehension dawning, Seleana exhales slowly, deeply.
Seleana Zdunich: Tack, Lex, jag älskar dig. Give my love to your family!
Alexi sighs happily, motherly.
Alexi Zdunich-Priest: Jag älskar dig också, Sarabi!
The call ends and Seleana sets her phone down, pondering what to do no with this preponderance of new information. She spends the next fifteen minutes sitting there, staring down at her phone while the video game noise continues to rage behind her. Finally, she looks up, glances back at the door and smiles before turning around again and grabbing her phone. She stands up and restrives the selfie stick Brittany had gifted her recently and quickly sets it up. Hitting the button, she looks up and nods to the camera as it starts filming.
Seleana Zdunich: This is the kind of match I should be excited for. Nova Sinclair is somebody in the same range of experience as I am and has the kind of natural ability that means she should be a wonderful test to see where I really stand at this time in terms of my own professional development.
She pauses, looking just above the camera’s lens, disappointment creeping into her eyes.
Seleana Zdunich: And this should be a special match even more than just that aspect considering she’s dating Declan Black and my cousin, Alexi, is married to his trainer, Robbie Priest. Declan is basically family in their eyes and thus, so is Nova…
Sighing, she glances back at the door for a second to make sure nobody’s there, nodding when she sees the entryway to the room empty and hears the others still going at it. She swallows hard and turns back to the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: I like you, Nova. You’re a great talent who everybody respected when I got here. They used to speak of you like it was absolute certainty that you would challenge the best of the best for championship glory in short order. All you had to do was stay on the path you were treading and the world was yours. You had it all, talent, ability, work ethic, pride, respect…
A particularly loud outburst from the next room causes her to pause and smile in spite of herself. She nods as the noise dies down and looks back into the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: And then you went away. Some said because of an injury, some said because of something mental, others said it was a confidence thing. I’ve heard some call you smart to do it and work on things in peace and I’ve heard some call you things that are not usually repeated in polite conversation for reasons I did not fathom at the time. Was this the same Nova Sinclair I’d heard so much about?
She pauses and shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: I would have to wait and see I thought since whatever your reasons were, you did stay out as I was coming in. Word of your talents even reached me from those in Hybrid since my sister and her tag team occupy the same locker room your other significant others in young Amy “Rain” Annis and Kendra “GoGo” Goganious. Zenna, Li, Lis and Maja all speak very highly of those two young ladies and they apparently speak very highly of you to my family there. The same basic ideas too, that you were young, talented, able, put in the work and took pride in doing it all while having respect for and the respect of your peers.
She switches hands with the stick and nods.
Seleana Zdunich: All of that conspired to make me feel levels of excitement to meet you here in L.A.W that I hadn’t felt in a long time when it came to meeting a potential new friend and colleague. That excitement was curbed somewhat upon your return promo.
She pauses to nod in acknowledgement.
Seleana Zdunich: Not completely, mind you, since it was just one promo and didn’t necessarily mean you were going to say that to me. On the next show, you said much the same to Maria Salvatore but...
Seleana shrugs, nodding knowingly.
Seleana Zdunich: I can’t argue with anything when it comes to that woman. She deserves all the scorn she gets and probably more because of the things she’s done. So, well done there!
She pauses again, looking for down for a second to collect her thoughts. Another outburst from the next room makes her grateful she paused and then dies down enough for her to continue.
Seleana Zdunich: I don’t know what to make of this new you but I do know you don’t owe me any explanations. If you choose to offer one, I will listen, but until that happens, all I can say is I hope when we enter that ring, I get to see the best of you. I want to see the talent, ability, work ethic and pride on display for the world to see so that we can truly see where we both are in this test of professional standing. I offer you my respect, Nova, and I hope we engage in honorable personal combat competition that makes all of our family proud of us. I want to know where we both stand…
She turns to face down the camera, both hands holding the stick like it’s Excalibur.
Seleana Zdunich: I hope to see your best there with no complications or added difficulties, just the two of us, one on one in a wrestling ring with a referee there to count three.
She nods pointedly.
Seleana Zdunich: Are you ready?