Post by Evan Andrews on Sept 17, 2009 19:21:12 GMT -6
A few weeks ago...
Evan Andrews, better known to professional wrestling fans as "Terminus" stares out the living room window of his downtown Halifax apartment and lets his gaze focus upon a series of maple trees that line the street leading to his home. From his vantage point, he can note that some of the leaves on each tree are starting to display tinges of orange and yellow and red, and knows very well that in just a few short weeks those very same leaves will have turned a dull shade of brown as they wither away and fall lifelessly to the ground.
Terminus takes a deep breath of late summer air, and holds it in his lungs for a moment before releasing it in an extended sigh as he continues to stare at the trees below him. For the past couple of days, all he's really been able to think about is the upcoming change of season, and how symbolic it is of the events that are taking place in his own life at the moment.
For, in the past couple of days, Evan Andrews has watched helplessly as the friendship that he had forged with a woman named Mary Katherine MacDonald wither and fade into oblivion before his very eyes. He and M.K. had been friends for well over a decade, but all of that was forgotten when she found out that she was carrying the child of a man named Jason Sandman.
Evan and Jason had been stable mates in his previous place employment, but it always seemed as though Jason was always antagonizing him, and creating situations that caused them to spend more time fighting one another than actually fighting common opponents. After months of keeping his frustration about this contained inside of him, Evan found that he could no longer keep his anger in check, and finally expressed how he was feeling in an extremely violent manner.
When Terminus was in the process beating the holy hell out of his stable mate, he knew that this was the only course of action that he could take, but still took no pleasure in the punishment that he inflicted upon Jason during those moments. In fact, the only thing that he was feeling during that time was a mixture of guilt and sorrow, and that was what compelled him to contact M.K. in the days that followed.
He called his friend with the intention of explaining the reasons for his actions; and he was even prepared to issue an apology for not expressing his displeasure about this fact any sooner. Unfortunately, if not unexpectedly, Mary Katherine was in no mood to listen to any explanation or apologize that he wished to provide; and spent the entire "conversation" berating him, blaming him and calling him every name in the book- as well as a few names that had yet to be included in any recently published lexicon.
But there was one thing that M.K. said to him at the conclusion of their discussion that hurt more than any of the other insults that she hurled in his direction, and those words have be reverberating inside his brain ever since the call disconnected:
"You're a lousy friend, Evan Andrews! You don't have it inside of you to be a true friend to anyone you claim to care about, because you just know what the term "friend" really means! You never have, and you never will!"[/b]
Evan slowly shakes his head as he ponders whether there's actually any truth to statement; and much to consternation, has to admit that maybe she might have a point.
It does seem as though a fair number of the friendships that he's tried to maintain in the past have degenerated into violent blood-feuds. And, if he's to be honest with himself, he has to acknowledge the fact that he's been responsible, at least in part, for the dissolution of some of these alliances.
So...
Terminus: Maybe she's right. Maybe I am a lousy friend...
"The HELL you are!!!"
Terminus whirls around and regards the sight of the beautiful young brunette standing near the entrance of his apartment with her hands on her hips and an expression of disapproval etched upon her features.
This woman's name is Natalie Snow, and she's not only Evan's wife, lover, and manager, but also acts as his muse whenever he finds himself in need of inspiration, and verbal sparring partner whenever she feels that he's in need of a woman's perspective about any situation that's taking place in his life.
Right now, the look on her face indicates that she's ready and willing play that last role right now, and Evan can't help but smile slightly as he stares at her because he knows damned well that his wife just isn't going to relent until she finds a way to improve his less than stellar mood.
Terminus: Hi, Natalie. How was your day?
Natalie: Fine...But at the moment,I'm not the least bit concerned about how my day is going. Right not, the only thing that concerns me is the fact that the man I love with all of my heart is standing by the window with an expression on his face that's as dejected as I've ever seen!
Terminus: I'll...I'll be fine, Natalie.
I guess I'm still just a bit upset about what M.K. said to me at the end our last discussion, and about the fact that she doesn't want to have any further conversations in the future.
Natalie: Well, it's her damned loss, if you ask me. Time and again you went to the wall for her, and you'd think that she might have remembered that before she said the things that she did to you.
Terminus, shrugging: Well, maybe she did remember those times, Nat...But I guess those memories just weren't enough to prevent the friendship from ending in the way that it did...
*Stares out the window once more*
The same way that a lot of my friendships have ended, it seems...They all seem to wither away and die like those leaves on the trees are going to do in just a little while...
Evan feels his wife place her hands on his shoulders and then spin him around so that she can look into his eyes while she addresses him in an urgent tone of
Natalie: My love...Listen to me....
You can't keep blaming yourself because some of your friendships have ended badly. In most of those cases, you did everything you possibly could to keep them alive. You were kind and generous to your friends, and it's not your fault that they weren't able to appreciate the loyalty that you showed to them!
Evan...I know that you're a damned good friend to those people you care about, and deep down I think you know that just as well as I do.
Terminus considers his wife's words for a moment, before breaking out into a slight smile as he nods his head and then presses his lips to hers for a second.
Terminus: I appreciate your support, my dear. And you're probably right...I just wish that there was some way that I could prove it to others...And prove it to myself.
Natalie: Yeah, well-
Evan hears Natalie let out an exasperated groan as the cell phone in her pants pocket begins to ring, causing her to cut short whatever statement she had wished to make. He watches his wife fish it out of her jeans, and then watches her features soften as she stares at the call display as she answers the call.
Natalie: Megan...Hi! How are you and Brad?
Terminus then watches his wife's eyes grow saucer wide as she listens to the voice on the other end of the phone respond to this question.
Natalie: WHAT!? When...!?[/i][/color]
Terminus notices the look of fury ignite within his wife's eyes and begin to burn with an almost unnatural intensity.
Natalie: Brad's brother attacked the two of you!?
Well, I don't blame Brad one bit for feeling that way, Megan. How dare that pathetic pile of pigeon poop betray his family like that? How could he even think about betraying the two of you!? At least the damage wasn't that serious...
Yeah...Of course I'll tell Evan what happened...
What? Let me ask him and get back to you, OK?
Terminus watches his wife disconnect the call and then stare at him through eyes that contain equal measures of anger and urgency.
Natalie: That was Megan Kane. She and Brad were attacked recently by his brother...
Terminus: You're kidding...!
Natalie: I wish to God I was, Evan.
Needless to say, Brad's on the warpath, but Megan's concerned about the fact that Spike Kane is running with two other competitors, and thinks that there might be a possibility that Brad could face any number of three on one assaults as he attempts to exact his revenge...
She...She wanted to know if you'd be willing to provide a bit of back-up for Brad, and maybe even up the odds to make certain that Brad can fight Spike without anyone else interfering in the matter...
*Stares intently at her husband*
Should I call back and tell her that you're interested?
Evan takes a deep breath, and stares at the leaves in the trees, for a moment, and realizes that while they may wither and fall to the ground, new leaves will appear at a later date on those same trees....
And with that thought in mind, Evan turns his attention back to Natalie and provides her with what he knows is the possible answer that he can give to her question.
Terminus: Yes...Please do.
******************************
The Present...
It's getting chilly out here"
The sound of his wife's voice compels Terminus to return to the present and he nods his head while watches the rays of the setting sun flicker the series of grave markers that can been seen from outside the gate of a remote cemetery locate on the outskirts of his home town.
There is indeed a bit of a chill in the air, and that, along with the increased amount of color apparent upon the leaves of the trees, signals that the change of season will soon be at hand. The drop in temperature also serves to lend a vaguely ominous feel to this setting; and Evan suspects that this is the reason why Natalie is shivering in his arms has less to do with the cold, and more to do with the somewhat foreboding atmosphere that surrounds them.
Natalie: Why are we here, Evan?"
Terminus: Because it's the only place that I can think of that can truly emphasize the point I wish to make in this upcoming promotional appearance.
Natalie, brandishing the web-cam in her hand: OK...Well, then we shouldn't delay any further, I think, because it's certainly not getting any warmer out here, and I can think of much more pleasant places I would rather be at the moment.
Evan grins and nods his head once more as he watches his wife set the camera up on his shoulder and then give him the thumbs-up to signal that she's ready to begin filming, and stares into the camera noting the look of cool certainty that's apparent beneath his long dark hair and crimson face mask as he glimpses his reflection in the camera's lens.
Taking a deep breath, Terminus then begins to speak in a calm, even tone of voice, hoping all the while to make a statement that will be understood by everyone in New Championship wrestling.
Terminus: I would suppose that you're wondering why I chose this particular setting to film my first promotional appearance for New Championship Wrestling.
Some people might consider this to be nothing more than an attempt to intimidate the opponent that I'll be facing this week at Friday Night Suspense. I'm certain that those individuals are expecting me to utter a series of threats about the amount of bodily harm that I might wish to inflict upon William Spencer. And I'm certain those same people are just waiting for me promise that by the end of the match, William's next place of residence will be a place similar to this.
*Smirks slightly through his mask* Well, those people are going to be disappointed, because that's not the reason why I'm here.
No, the reason why I'm here is because a couple of friends of mine happen to be buried in this cemetery. My friend and former tag partner, Clarence "Killswitch" Collins is situated not too far from here...
Terminus takes a quick look back in the direction of his friend's grave marker, before turning his attention back to the camera.
Terminus: And, by sheer coincidence, the man who took his life in a fit of alcohol-induced anger, Drew Parsons, also happened to be a friend of mine...And also happens to reside here.
The eyes of Terminus grow a bit distant as the memories of the experiences he had with Clarence and Drew begin to flood his mind. Evan closes his eyes, and then blinks a couple of times so that he can regain his sense of focus before he continues to speak.
Terminus: I...I've known other people who have lost their lives, and to places like this far too soon. Worse yet, I've known people who lost their minds, and simply vanished without any trace of their existence ever being apparent for others to see.
Coming to this place reminds of the friendships that I had with those people, and, as it painful as it is, it also reminds that there have been points where I simply didn't do enough to prevent them from suffering the fates that I did.
Coming to a place like this reminds me that I haven't always been as good a friend as I could have been.
Terminus takes another deep breath and then continues his address.
Terminus: But, coming here also reminds me that, as long as I continue to draw breath into my lungs, I still have the chance to be a better friend to people going forward.
That's why I'm here....
And that's why I've come to New Championship Wrestling.
You see, there are two people named Brad and Megan Kane that I consider to be very close friends. They thought so highly of my wife and I that they named us the god-parents of their youngest children. Ever since they did that, I've been looking for a way to express my appreciation, and to express just how much I appreciated that gesture.
As it turns out, I think I'm going to get that chance sooner than I might have thought.
For, there are other members of this federation's roster who don't think quite so highly of Brad and Megan Kane...Who wished to do them harm...Who have succeeded in their attempts to do so, and may well make additional attempts in the future.
Unfortunately for those people, by making these attempts, they have gotten my attention. They have made me very displeased, and whether they realize or not, that was not something that they should have done.
Because as long as I'm here, I shall do anything and everything that is needed to make damned good and certain that I can honor my friendship with Brad and Megan...By making damned good and certain that anyone who wished to cause them harm are never in a position to do so at any point in the future.
Terminus feels a slight, almost sheepish grin flicker across his features after making that last statement.
Terminus: Of course, in order to gain the opportunity to prove my worth as a friend, I am first going to have to prove my worth as a competitor to other members of the roster....
And that, Mr. Spencer, is where you enter the picture.
You see, the first match that I have in nCw will likely be my very best chance to make a positive impression upon the other roster members. And, securing a victory in comprehensive fashion over you will go a very long way toward making everyone on the roster understand that the statement that I wish to make is one that should be taken seriously.
So, this Friday, I intend to unleash everything that I have at my disposal to make certain that this happens.
It really doesn't matter to me is the victory is gained as a result of securing a submission hold, and exerting enough pressure to knock you unconscious, or whether it occurs as a result of hurling myself from any elevated surface that happens to be available with enough force to knock the breath out of your lungs...Either way, victory will be gained...
And either way, the statement that I wish to make will be made.
Terminus leans back against the cemetery gate, folds his arms across his chest, and notes the contemplative expression upon his face as he pauses for a moment, before continuing to speak.
Terminus: In a sense, I think, William, that you're the best and worst opponent that I could have faced in my nCw debut. You're the worst type of opponent to face because I don't harbor and dislike toward you; in fact, I respect the fact that you're willing to acknowledge your failure and under other circumstances might wish you well in your attempt to secure a lasting legacy in the industry.
You seem like a decent enough sort and I certainly don't relish to prospect of having to make such a statement at your expense.
Then again, perhaps the fact that you're willing to fight with everything you've got for your legacy makes you the perfect type of opponent for me to face at this time. Because, by overcoming the type of resistance that I suspect you'll provide, and by securing a victory over someone that I can't say I dislike, I think two positive outcomes will result from the experience.
The first outcome is that I'll have caused other members of the roster that I might not hold in such high regard ponder the question of what might happen to them in the weeks to come, if they make the mistake of incurring my wrath.
But, of considerably more importance, is that I'll have taken the first step toward completing my quest of being able to look inside the mirror, and being able to smile in satisfaction about the fact that I really did honor my friendships...
That I really did have it inside of me to be a true friend.
And, honestly, I think that's the best type of legacy that one could possibly wish to have...
Don't you?
You'll see me on Friday, William, and if you don't understand what I'm trying to say now, I'm certain that you'll understand the statement that I want to make once the match has been concluded.
Terminus nods at his wife and signals to her that he's said all that he wished to say. Natalie shuts off the camera, and then steps forward, allowing Evan to note with some surprise that her eyes are glistening with unshed tears.
Terminus: You look like you're about to cry, Natalie. Did I say something wrong?
Natalie, as she breaks out into a broad grin: Not at all. The statement that you just made was perfect, and in time, I think everyone in New Championship Wrestling will understand that just as well as I do.
Evan breaks out into a smile of his own as his wife wraps her arms around him and kisses him for a long moment before leading him by the hand back to their car. Just as he's about to enter the vehicle, he gazes back into the cemetery, takes a deep breath of the cool night air, and feels his smile grow just a little bit wider in the process.
For he has the feeling that when he comes back here in the future, he won't be thinking about any friendships that he may have lost in the past...
Instead, he'll be thinking about the friendships that he'll have been able to say that he maintained...
He'll be thinking about how he honored the friendships of those that are still living...
And, by extension, how he was able to honor the friendship of those who reside in this ground.
(Fade)
Evan Andrews, better known to professional wrestling fans as "Terminus" stares out the living room window of his downtown Halifax apartment and lets his gaze focus upon a series of maple trees that line the street leading to his home. From his vantage point, he can note that some of the leaves on each tree are starting to display tinges of orange and yellow and red, and knows very well that in just a few short weeks those very same leaves will have turned a dull shade of brown as they wither away and fall lifelessly to the ground.
Terminus takes a deep breath of late summer air, and holds it in his lungs for a moment before releasing it in an extended sigh as he continues to stare at the trees below him. For the past couple of days, all he's really been able to think about is the upcoming change of season, and how symbolic it is of the events that are taking place in his own life at the moment.
For, in the past couple of days, Evan Andrews has watched helplessly as the friendship that he had forged with a woman named Mary Katherine MacDonald wither and fade into oblivion before his very eyes. He and M.K. had been friends for well over a decade, but all of that was forgotten when she found out that she was carrying the child of a man named Jason Sandman.
Evan and Jason had been stable mates in his previous place employment, but it always seemed as though Jason was always antagonizing him, and creating situations that caused them to spend more time fighting one another than actually fighting common opponents. After months of keeping his frustration about this contained inside of him, Evan found that he could no longer keep his anger in check, and finally expressed how he was feeling in an extremely violent manner.
When Terminus was in the process beating the holy hell out of his stable mate, he knew that this was the only course of action that he could take, but still took no pleasure in the punishment that he inflicted upon Jason during those moments. In fact, the only thing that he was feeling during that time was a mixture of guilt and sorrow, and that was what compelled him to contact M.K. in the days that followed.
He called his friend with the intention of explaining the reasons for his actions; and he was even prepared to issue an apology for not expressing his displeasure about this fact any sooner. Unfortunately, if not unexpectedly, Mary Katherine was in no mood to listen to any explanation or apologize that he wished to provide; and spent the entire "conversation" berating him, blaming him and calling him every name in the book- as well as a few names that had yet to be included in any recently published lexicon.
But there was one thing that M.K. said to him at the conclusion of their discussion that hurt more than any of the other insults that she hurled in his direction, and those words have be reverberating inside his brain ever since the call disconnected:
"You're a lousy friend, Evan Andrews! You don't have it inside of you to be a true friend to anyone you claim to care about, because you just know what the term "friend" really means! You never have, and you never will!"[/b]
Evan slowly shakes his head as he ponders whether there's actually any truth to statement; and much to consternation, has to admit that maybe she might have a point.
It does seem as though a fair number of the friendships that he's tried to maintain in the past have degenerated into violent blood-feuds. And, if he's to be honest with himself, he has to acknowledge the fact that he's been responsible, at least in part, for the dissolution of some of these alliances.
So...
Terminus: Maybe she's right. Maybe I am a lousy friend...
"The HELL you are!!!"
Terminus whirls around and regards the sight of the beautiful young brunette standing near the entrance of his apartment with her hands on her hips and an expression of disapproval etched upon her features.
This woman's name is Natalie Snow, and she's not only Evan's wife, lover, and manager, but also acts as his muse whenever he finds himself in need of inspiration, and verbal sparring partner whenever she feels that he's in need of a woman's perspective about any situation that's taking place in his life.
Right now, the look on her face indicates that she's ready and willing play that last role right now, and Evan can't help but smile slightly as he stares at her because he knows damned well that his wife just isn't going to relent until she finds a way to improve his less than stellar mood.
Terminus: Hi, Natalie. How was your day?
Natalie: Fine...But at the moment,I'm not the least bit concerned about how my day is going. Right not, the only thing that concerns me is the fact that the man I love with all of my heart is standing by the window with an expression on his face that's as dejected as I've ever seen!
Terminus: I'll...I'll be fine, Natalie.
I guess I'm still just a bit upset about what M.K. said to me at the end our last discussion, and about the fact that she doesn't want to have any further conversations in the future.
Natalie: Well, it's her damned loss, if you ask me. Time and again you went to the wall for her, and you'd think that she might have remembered that before she said the things that she did to you.
Terminus, shrugging: Well, maybe she did remember those times, Nat...But I guess those memories just weren't enough to prevent the friendship from ending in the way that it did...
*Stares out the window once more*
The same way that a lot of my friendships have ended, it seems...They all seem to wither away and die like those leaves on the trees are going to do in just a little while...
Evan feels his wife place her hands on his shoulders and then spin him around so that she can look into his eyes while she addresses him in an urgent tone of
Natalie: My love...Listen to me....
You can't keep blaming yourself because some of your friendships have ended badly. In most of those cases, you did everything you possibly could to keep them alive. You were kind and generous to your friends, and it's not your fault that they weren't able to appreciate the loyalty that you showed to them!
Evan...I know that you're a damned good friend to those people you care about, and deep down I think you know that just as well as I do.
Terminus considers his wife's words for a moment, before breaking out into a slight smile as he nods his head and then presses his lips to hers for a second.
Terminus: I appreciate your support, my dear. And you're probably right...I just wish that there was some way that I could prove it to others...And prove it to myself.
Natalie: Yeah, well-
Evan hears Natalie let out an exasperated groan as the cell phone in her pants pocket begins to ring, causing her to cut short whatever statement she had wished to make. He watches his wife fish it out of her jeans, and then watches her features soften as she stares at the call display as she answers the call.
Natalie: Megan...Hi! How are you and Brad?
Terminus then watches his wife's eyes grow saucer wide as she listens to the voice on the other end of the phone respond to this question.
Natalie: WHAT!? When...!?[/i][/color]
Terminus notices the look of fury ignite within his wife's eyes and begin to burn with an almost unnatural intensity.
Natalie: Brad's brother attacked the two of you!?
Well, I don't blame Brad one bit for feeling that way, Megan. How dare that pathetic pile of pigeon poop betray his family like that? How could he even think about betraying the two of you!? At least the damage wasn't that serious...
Yeah...Of course I'll tell Evan what happened...
What? Let me ask him and get back to you, OK?
Terminus watches his wife disconnect the call and then stare at him through eyes that contain equal measures of anger and urgency.
Natalie: That was Megan Kane. She and Brad were attacked recently by his brother...
Terminus: You're kidding...!
Natalie: I wish to God I was, Evan.
Needless to say, Brad's on the warpath, but Megan's concerned about the fact that Spike Kane is running with two other competitors, and thinks that there might be a possibility that Brad could face any number of three on one assaults as he attempts to exact his revenge...
She...She wanted to know if you'd be willing to provide a bit of back-up for Brad, and maybe even up the odds to make certain that Brad can fight Spike without anyone else interfering in the matter...
*Stares intently at her husband*
Should I call back and tell her that you're interested?
Evan takes a deep breath, and stares at the leaves in the trees, for a moment, and realizes that while they may wither and fall to the ground, new leaves will appear at a later date on those same trees....
And with that thought in mind, Evan turns his attention back to Natalie and provides her with what he knows is the possible answer that he can give to her question.
Terminus: Yes...Please do.
******************************
The Present...
It's getting chilly out here"
The sound of his wife's voice compels Terminus to return to the present and he nods his head while watches the rays of the setting sun flicker the series of grave markers that can been seen from outside the gate of a remote cemetery locate on the outskirts of his home town.
There is indeed a bit of a chill in the air, and that, along with the increased amount of color apparent upon the leaves of the trees, signals that the change of season will soon be at hand. The drop in temperature also serves to lend a vaguely ominous feel to this setting; and Evan suspects that this is the reason why Natalie is shivering in his arms has less to do with the cold, and more to do with the somewhat foreboding atmosphere that surrounds them.
Natalie: Why are we here, Evan?"
Terminus: Because it's the only place that I can think of that can truly emphasize the point I wish to make in this upcoming promotional appearance.
Natalie, brandishing the web-cam in her hand: OK...Well, then we shouldn't delay any further, I think, because it's certainly not getting any warmer out here, and I can think of much more pleasant places I would rather be at the moment.
Evan grins and nods his head once more as he watches his wife set the camera up on his shoulder and then give him the thumbs-up to signal that she's ready to begin filming, and stares into the camera noting the look of cool certainty that's apparent beneath his long dark hair and crimson face mask as he glimpses his reflection in the camera's lens.
Taking a deep breath, Terminus then begins to speak in a calm, even tone of voice, hoping all the while to make a statement that will be understood by everyone in New Championship wrestling.
Terminus: I would suppose that you're wondering why I chose this particular setting to film my first promotional appearance for New Championship Wrestling.
Some people might consider this to be nothing more than an attempt to intimidate the opponent that I'll be facing this week at Friday Night Suspense. I'm certain that those individuals are expecting me to utter a series of threats about the amount of bodily harm that I might wish to inflict upon William Spencer. And I'm certain those same people are just waiting for me promise that by the end of the match, William's next place of residence will be a place similar to this.
*Smirks slightly through his mask* Well, those people are going to be disappointed, because that's not the reason why I'm here.
No, the reason why I'm here is because a couple of friends of mine happen to be buried in this cemetery. My friend and former tag partner, Clarence "Killswitch" Collins is situated not too far from here...
Terminus takes a quick look back in the direction of his friend's grave marker, before turning his attention back to the camera.
Terminus: And, by sheer coincidence, the man who took his life in a fit of alcohol-induced anger, Drew Parsons, also happened to be a friend of mine...And also happens to reside here.
The eyes of Terminus grow a bit distant as the memories of the experiences he had with Clarence and Drew begin to flood his mind. Evan closes his eyes, and then blinks a couple of times so that he can regain his sense of focus before he continues to speak.
Terminus: I...I've known other people who have lost their lives, and to places like this far too soon. Worse yet, I've known people who lost their minds, and simply vanished without any trace of their existence ever being apparent for others to see.
Coming to this place reminds of the friendships that I had with those people, and, as it painful as it is, it also reminds that there have been points where I simply didn't do enough to prevent them from suffering the fates that I did.
Coming to a place like this reminds me that I haven't always been as good a friend as I could have been.
Terminus takes another deep breath and then continues his address.
Terminus: But, coming here also reminds me that, as long as I continue to draw breath into my lungs, I still have the chance to be a better friend to people going forward.
That's why I'm here....
And that's why I've come to New Championship Wrestling.
You see, there are two people named Brad and Megan Kane that I consider to be very close friends. They thought so highly of my wife and I that they named us the god-parents of their youngest children. Ever since they did that, I've been looking for a way to express my appreciation, and to express just how much I appreciated that gesture.
As it turns out, I think I'm going to get that chance sooner than I might have thought.
For, there are other members of this federation's roster who don't think quite so highly of Brad and Megan Kane...Who wished to do them harm...Who have succeeded in their attempts to do so, and may well make additional attempts in the future.
Unfortunately for those people, by making these attempts, they have gotten my attention. They have made me very displeased, and whether they realize or not, that was not something that they should have done.
Because as long as I'm here, I shall do anything and everything that is needed to make damned good and certain that I can honor my friendship with Brad and Megan...By making damned good and certain that anyone who wished to cause them harm are never in a position to do so at any point in the future.
Terminus feels a slight, almost sheepish grin flicker across his features after making that last statement.
Terminus: Of course, in order to gain the opportunity to prove my worth as a friend, I am first going to have to prove my worth as a competitor to other members of the roster....
And that, Mr. Spencer, is where you enter the picture.
You see, the first match that I have in nCw will likely be my very best chance to make a positive impression upon the other roster members. And, securing a victory in comprehensive fashion over you will go a very long way toward making everyone on the roster understand that the statement that I wish to make is one that should be taken seriously.
So, this Friday, I intend to unleash everything that I have at my disposal to make certain that this happens.
It really doesn't matter to me is the victory is gained as a result of securing a submission hold, and exerting enough pressure to knock you unconscious, or whether it occurs as a result of hurling myself from any elevated surface that happens to be available with enough force to knock the breath out of your lungs...Either way, victory will be gained...
And either way, the statement that I wish to make will be made.
Terminus leans back against the cemetery gate, folds his arms across his chest, and notes the contemplative expression upon his face as he pauses for a moment, before continuing to speak.
Terminus: In a sense, I think, William, that you're the best and worst opponent that I could have faced in my nCw debut. You're the worst type of opponent to face because I don't harbor and dislike toward you; in fact, I respect the fact that you're willing to acknowledge your failure and under other circumstances might wish you well in your attempt to secure a lasting legacy in the industry.
You seem like a decent enough sort and I certainly don't relish to prospect of having to make such a statement at your expense.
Then again, perhaps the fact that you're willing to fight with everything you've got for your legacy makes you the perfect type of opponent for me to face at this time. Because, by overcoming the type of resistance that I suspect you'll provide, and by securing a victory over someone that I can't say I dislike, I think two positive outcomes will result from the experience.
The first outcome is that I'll have caused other members of the roster that I might not hold in such high regard ponder the question of what might happen to them in the weeks to come, if they make the mistake of incurring my wrath.
But, of considerably more importance, is that I'll have taken the first step toward completing my quest of being able to look inside the mirror, and being able to smile in satisfaction about the fact that I really did honor my friendships...
That I really did have it inside of me to be a true friend.
And, honestly, I think that's the best type of legacy that one could possibly wish to have...
Don't you?
You'll see me on Friday, William, and if you don't understand what I'm trying to say now, I'm certain that you'll understand the statement that I want to make once the match has been concluded.
Terminus nods at his wife and signals to her that he's said all that he wished to say. Natalie shuts off the camera, and then steps forward, allowing Evan to note with some surprise that her eyes are glistening with unshed tears.
Terminus: You look like you're about to cry, Natalie. Did I say something wrong?
Natalie, as she breaks out into a broad grin: Not at all. The statement that you just made was perfect, and in time, I think everyone in New Championship Wrestling will understand that just as well as I do.
Evan breaks out into a smile of his own as his wife wraps her arms around him and kisses him for a long moment before leading him by the hand back to their car. Just as he's about to enter the vehicle, he gazes back into the cemetery, takes a deep breath of the cool night air, and feels his smile grow just a little bit wider in the process.
For he has the feeling that when he comes back here in the future, he won't be thinking about any friendships that he may have lost in the past...
Instead, he'll be thinking about the friendships that he'll have been able to say that he maintained...
He'll be thinking about how he honored the friendships of those that are still living...
And, by extension, how he was able to honor the friendship of those who reside in this ground.
(Fade)