Shu

FORGOTTEN REALMS - Gambit of Scoundrels

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“Awaken.”

Iliskra’s consciousness slowly returned to her, her first sensations being the impulsive twitching of the flesh around her eyes and the throbbing pain that filled her skull. Iliskra grimaced and took a slow, deep breath. She carefully wiggled her fingers feeling the recognizable texture of wood against her hands which were lying palms down. She was sitting in a chair, a chair with wooden arms and a cushioned back and seat. Iliskra tried to open her eyes only to squeeze them back shut as the flickering glow of a dull orange light made her head pound harder. A sharp crackling sound indicated that the light was from a fireplace.

Where are we? Iliskra tried to think amid the lingering headache. She remembered stepping into her room at the tavern and closing the door behind her. She, Leon, and Ibdur had needed to leave the tavern - maybe even the city. Jadarl’s estate had been a trap and the three of them were in danger. Iliksra had reached for something on an end table, some stray belonging that she needed not leave behind. She had heard a creaking sound behind her and started to turn around only to be bashed in the back of the head with something hard - something metal. The half-elf lay her head back against the chair and winced feeling a large swollen bump where she had been struck.

“It is very impolite to ignore your host.”

Iliskra felt a jolt in her chest. She had heard the words “wake up” but assumed it was Leon, Ibdur, or a figment of her imagination. It was a man’s voice that she did not recognize, low and oily. Iliskra tried to stand only to realize she could not move. A few futile jerks of her arms and legs revealed her wrists, ankles, and upper calves were bound to the chair.

“Do not bother struggling. Even if you could free yourselves you are in a well-guarded room and unarmed.” The voice had a hint of amusement this time. Iliskra forced her eyes open grunting in discomfort as the light from the fireplace assailed her sight. She looked down in front of herself, she was at a table. Before her was a smooth empty dinner plate with the appropriate silverware neatly aligned on each side and a clear glass absent of any liquid. Iliskra gingerly looked to her right noticing movement in the corner of her eye. Leon sat right next to her, tied in a chair as she was and slumped forward though he seemed to be awake.

Iliskra blinked several times, clearing the haze from her vision. She and Leon were being held prisoner in a dining hall, a rather nice one from what Iliksra could see. A chandelier with lit candles hung just overhead, a clean white cloth graced the long table they shared, and the walls were hung with fine paintings and accented by marble pillars. Despite the roaring fire and candles the place seemed gloomy and Iliksra could see through a window nearby that it was night outside.

“Can neither of you speak?”

Iliksra felt another jolt and gasped lowly as she realized that the voice was coming from right across she and Leon. A shadowy figure clad in black robes with red trim and decorative red sequins around the shoulders and chest was slouched forward in a chair in front of the two. How did I not see him? Iliskra blinked a few times and tried to catch a glimpse of the face of their captor but his hood hung low and shrouded his identity.

Shu’s 1x1 Index - V3 (CLOSED)

A final bump before I close this version of my interest check.

I can manage one more RP at this time. - First come, first serve. ☕️

I have a real craving for science fiction and military fiction as of late. I could also go for some historical fiction come to think of it. 💯 I am sated/currently uninterested when it comes to fantasy and fandoms so please keep this in mind when browsing. 🙏🏼

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

Kendra’s eyes continued to dart between Fiona and Gordon as Gordon’s arms dropped down to his sides. Kendra resisted the urge to wipe off her shoulder and asked, “Would Fiona be ringside or-?”

“Possibly,” Gordon butted in with a nod, “or maybe Fiona could have a seat at the announcers table!”

“You mean like… doing commentary?” Kendra asked with wide eyes and raised brows.

“No, no, no,” Gordon chuckled with an erratic waving of his right hand, “I mean… look… we can worry about where Fiona will be stuck later. The point here is that a promo would be good for Fiona and it would definitely fire up the fans to see Defiant Dream make a comeback like this! It would be good for you too, Kendra!”

“Well,” Kendra started to wring her hands together, “I can definitely see how it would-…”

“I have both of youse interests at heart here,” Gordon interrupted again, “and as assistant producer for NMW it is my responsibility to give the fans the best show that myself and my team can put together! Trust me on this, ladies.”

“Alright… yes, Mister McKinney.” Kendra nodded.

“Good, now, you two are officially ‘off the clock’,” Gordon winked at Fiona, “so get back to the hotel and get some well-earned rest. Again, Fiona, great job this evening. I will email you both on Monday. Or maybe I will call you. Whichever! Have a good night!”
And with that Gordon left Fiona and Kendra standing together as he hurried off to whatever or whoever his next point of interest was.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

There was a digital click as Gordon locked his phone and slipped it into his jacket pocket. “Well, in fact,” he said, “I had already planned on Kendra having a place on the next show. On the mid card of course.”

Kendra’s face lit up though there was a glint of hesitancy as Gordon’s expression suggested he had something more on his mind, his next words confirming that. “I think it would be a great idea,” Gordon seemed to be dragging each syllable out, “to have you - Fiona - cut a promo next Friday night in Los Angeles and introduce Kendra!”

Kendra blinked, her eyes at first moving down to the tile floor and then back up to Gordon’s round mug. “A… promo and an introduction, Mister McKinney?” Kendra asked.

“Yes! Just think for a moment,” Gordon said excitedly, reaching his arms out and pulling both women against him, his sweaty palms on their shoulders, “Fiona Chevalier, just off her unexpected win over The Neon Diva, arrives in Los Angeles, California to declare herself and her intentions to the NMW fanverse and then polishes off a fine performance on the mic by introducing Kendra Snipes and letting everyone know that Defiant Dream is back. Which Kendra then accents with a win over a choice opponent!”

Kendra chewed her bottom lip as she looked from Gordon to Fiona and back to Gordon who meanwhile glanced between the two women, that plastic smile of his never leaving his face. He turned his head to Fiona and asked with a twitch of his right eye, “It sounds too good to even think about refusing, right?”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

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BACKSTAGE

The cheers followed Fiona all the way out of the arena, her name riding the waves as she exited through the tunnel out into the backstage area. The staff and gorilla crew were too caught up in their usual bustle to pay any attention to the passing Fiona, though several of the other wrestlers - women and men - offered her head nods and positive lines like “Nice win!” or “Great job!” Fiona soon ran into Gordon McKinney followed close by Kendra who was now dressed in her casual ware, a pair of black yoga pants and a light gray sweatshirt. Kendra had a huge grin on her face and looked like she was about to say something when Gordon suddenly lurched forward between she and Fiona. Gordon smiled at Fiona as he extended his left hand this time for a shake, his smartphone clasped tightly in his right.

“That was a fine performance,” Gordon rasped, his pudgy hand grabbing Fiona’s like a python snapping up a mouse, “Ada and yourself gave the fans a fine spectacle and your win over her has social media abuzz!” Still gripping Fiona’s hand Gordon raised his phone up for her to see a few posts on X.

“I will say,” Gordon said, then lowering his phone and releasing Fiona’s hand, “I do wish the fight had gone a little longer given the feedback from the fans but it was a mid card match and we still have the second half of the show tonight!”

Kendra rolled her eyes slightly before stepping forward past Gordon and grabbing Fiona in a tight hug, saying, “You did great!” into her partner’s ear as they embraced.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

“And now a corner finisher and a cover by Fiona!”

The official dropped for the count, the crowd chanting along with his strikes to the mat, ”One!… Two… Three!” And with that the referee leapt up and pointed to the timekeeper’s table calling the match, the bell rang and Madison Square Garden erupted as Fiona Chevalier clenched her first win under the newly risen No Mercy Wrestling.

“And Fiona Chevalier has done it!” Dan Rich smiled, “After a hard fought match Fiona has come out on top, outlasting The Neon Diva.”

“I mean, hey, I’ll own it,” Brent Christi shrugged, eyes still on the ring, “I thought Ada had this one but tonight she just did not bring her A-game and unfortunately for her is starting her NMW career with an L next to her name.”

The official gingerly helped Fiona stand and once she was upright raised her right arm as she was declared the winner. “And here is your winner by pinfall… Fiona… Chevalier!” Ada Eberhard lay on her back nearby, eyes wide and mouth hung open in disbelief as she stared up at the glaring red and white lights high above. Ada had lost not just the wrestling match but much of the crowd’s support with her illegal strike to Fiona and as a result most of the arena was now chanting Fiona’s name in a massive sway.

“Well, Fiona Chevalier took the win tonight - finishing The Neon Diva off with a corner slam and getting the pinfall and concreting her debut for NMW!” Dan shouted over the thunderous cheers and clapping. “This is the Fiona Chevalier that I know!”

“This was a fun match and that win was earned,” Rhonda nodded, “I am looking forward to seeing just what Fiona will show the No Mercy Wrestling world in the coming weeks and months.”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

“Fiona for a cover!” Dan Rich yelled as the official dropped and started the count.

“One!… Two!… Th-…!” Ada popped upright shoving Fiona off just as the referee’s hand was perhaps half a foot from the canvas. Fiona’s fans all released a collective groan as Ada’s went wild. The referee held up twin fingers with a shout of “Two!”. With Fiona’s back still facing her Ada had a small opening - and that was all she needed. With gritted teeth Ada leaned forward, despite the lingering pain in her torso, and swung her arms around simultaneously striking both of Fiona’s ears from behind in a dangerous hit. The crowd went near silent for a moment only then for jeers and boos aimed at Ada to rise up over such a cheap shot as well as shouts at the referee when he did not disqualify Ada on the spot.

“And Ada with a double strike to Fiona’s ears after a kickout! Which is not even legal… and listen to the fans all showing their disdain as well!” Dan Rich pointed out.

“Well, the ref’s not calling it.” Brent shrugged as Ada struggled into a full stand.

Ada slowly walked around a stunned Fiona, Ada wincing visibly as she rubbed at her chest and stomach with both hands. She positioned herself in front of Fiona, sizing up her opportunity for a finisher as she rolled her head and neck side to side. Seeing a chance to put this match away and not wishing to waste another second Ada took four short steps back and then sprinted toward Fiona. When in striking distance Ada dropped to her left, bringing her right leg around for a finishing hit. Leather met flesh as Ada’s shin cracked across the bridge of Fiona’s nose knocking the latter flat on her back.

“A Shining Wizard from Ada!”

“Fiona must be seeing stars after that one.” Rhonda shook her head.

“Match.” Brent said with a knowing smirk.

Ada sat upright and scrambled over to Fiona, sprawling across her torso and laying her left forearm across Fiona’s face. The referee went down for the count, the crowd electric.

“One!… Two!…”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

Fiona’s gamble paid off as all one hundred and nineteen pounds of her rained down across Ada’s back just as the latter was up onto her hands and knees. Ada was plastered against the floor padding, Fiona rolling off of Ada and down beside her after the collision.

“And Fiona Chevalier with a slingshot right over the top rope and down onto Ada flooring them both!”

“You know Ada wishes now that she hadn’t went for that wild tackle!” Rhonda grinned sideways at Dan Rich.

“And Fiona has a chance now to reclaim the advantage if she can be the first one up.” Dan replied.

”One!…” The referee started a ten count. Both women had ten seconds to get back inside the ring or take a loss or - if neither made it in time - a no contest. Ada’s arms and legs moved about in awkward, random motions against the padding though she did not rise up again. The sudden impact of Fiona’s body weight battering down onto her had flattened Ada and The Neon Diva needed a moment to recover.

”Two!…”

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

“And The Neon Diva keeping Fiona down for a two count but not getting the win,” Dan Rich said, “it looked like Fiona had the match in hand only for Ada to turn things around with a dodge and a couple of German suplexes.”

Ada approached Fiona slow and careful, the confidence still resonating from her despite the close save for Fiona.

“And I think Ada knew that was not enough to put Fiona away, credit to Fiona,” Brent stated, “that counteroffensive and pin was as much a psychological attack as a physical one. Fiona was riding high with the crowd behind her only for Ada to snatch the momentum back to her side.”

“And we see Ada now preparing to make her next move with Fiona on the ropes.” Dan nodded to the ring.

Ada reached out with her left hand and grabbed a handful of Fiona’s hair, the official rushing forward to interject for the first time in the match, “Off the hair.” Ada ignored him and wound up her right arm and delivered a vicious punch to Fiona’s chin.

“A hard right from Ada!”

Ada held onto Fiona’s dark locks and wound up for another punch, the official once again shouting for her to release Fiona’s hair - Ada once again ignoring him. Ada delivered a second punch, this time to Fiona’s left cheekbone. The resounding smack caused the fans ringside to either recoil or cheer Ada on.

“A second hard right!”

Ada prepared for a third punch only for the official to grab her right arm and pull her back, Fiona now free of Ada’s grasp. Ada snatched her arm away from the official and shouted something at him as he waved his hands in a gesture of final warning.

“And the official breaking it up and warning Ada to stay away from Fiona’s… hair.” Dan Rich snorted.

Ada turned her focus back to Fiona and suddenly rushed forward, intent on tackling Fiona between the ropes and sending them both down onto the floor.

💀 NO MERCY WRESTLING LEGENDS 💀

Ada ricocheted off the ropes back towards Fiona, however, just as Fiona swung her forearm The Neon Diva ducked and rolled under the strike attempt. Ada came up and around fast behind her opponent. Before Fiona could react Ada wrapped both arms around her midsection, then lifting Fiona off her feet and falling backward slamming her headfirst onto the mat.

“A dodge by Ada and a German suplex!”

“What did I tell you?” Brent asked rhetorically as Ada’s fans broke into cheers.

Still holding onto Fiona, Ada rolled from under her and then slowly stood - hauling Fiona up with her. Ada re-secured her grapple and then lifted and tossed Fiona backward a second time for another hard slam into the center of the ring.

“A second German suplex!”

“Are we about to see shades of Eddie Guerrero?” Rhonda wondered aloud.

“Doesn’t look like it.” Brent observed as Ada let go of Fiona, sliding from under her and standing up. After a quick intake of breath Ada ran for the north side ropes, bouncing off them and striding right over the downed Fiona. Ada then connected with the southern side ropes and, with momentum built, ended her counter sequence with a running senton straight across Fiona’s torso. With a confident look on her face Ada reached around and took ahold of Fiona’s left leg and raised it as she lay her back across Fiona’s midsection for the count.

“Ada now for a cover!”