(Ashlyn): Guys! The reunion special is starting! I’ve got popcorn!
Ashlyn turns on the massive 80” 8K OLED television that occupies the better part of the theater room wall inside the Wilkinson’s Upper East Side residence, navigating the guide to CBS to join the HWA Reunion Show and joining in just a few minutes after the broadcast has started. While she waits for Talon and Aubrey to join her, she walks across the room to the classic popcorn machine where she makes herself a large bucket and grabs the bottle of “movie theater butter” to add to it. It was one of her guilty pleasures, she had to eat clean for her wrestling career and to keep her body in great shape, but popcorn was a weakness she wouldn’t even try to overcome. Ashlyn loved her time with Aubrey and Talon, they gave her a semblance of family she had never really had and being able to learn from both personally and professionally. She worked out and trained at the Ice Box with Talon’s other students from time to time, but primarily she worked privately with Aubrey in a small private dojo the Wilkinson’s had set up years ago for when they did not want to be in the public eye. The Ice Box had become a world class training academy and there was also wrestling media with an eye on the front door trying to get the latest scoop for their dirt sheet or podcast. For as loud as she could be in the ring or when she was around those she felt comfortable with, inside she was a quiet insecure kid that still felt like she was going to wake up from this dream at any time. As she plopped onto the couch with her large bowl of popcorn, she couldn’t help but smile. The HWA was a large part of her childhood. She watched regularly and it was one of the reasons she was inspired to train as a wrestler in the first place, she would be glued to this reunion even if Talon and Aubrey hadn’t been in her life; The surround sound kicked in and the commentary became audible, causing her to snap into viewer-mode, her eyes glued to the screen as Talon and Aubrey came down stairs and into the theater room.
(Vanessa on TV): It is our extreme and most grateful pleasure to present to you, HWA Owners, Mr. and Mrs. Butch and Wisdom Parker.
Talon dressed in a casual pair of sweats and a white ice box t-shirt that the sleeves and neck were cut out for comfort, looked at the TV and took a deep breath, seeing the Parkers on the screen made the entire event real.
Aubrey took a seat and patted the leather cushion signaling for her husband to join her, but first he had to pour a glass of wine. He really wanted a bourbon but he knew that if he poured something hard Aubrey would know something was bothering him, after all he had hardly drank after Ed’s death, instead having the occasional glass of red wine or champagne if the setting called for it. He poured his glass and then a second for Aubrey before sitting down and watching the show.
(Aubrey): What’s with this guy in the hot tub??
Talon smirks at his wife’s expression, her confusion part genuine but also equally exaggerated.
(Talon): Luscious Lenny. He was before my time, apparently the gimmick was better when he wasn’t an old man.
(Aubrey): Yeah, old guy in a hot tub isn’t my thing, but do you boo.
(Ashlyn): Oh my god you did roast him one time didn’t you? I mean, like back when you did the trolly t-shirts and trash talk, I remember something about you in a hot tub ripping him a new one.
Talon grins and let’s out a laugh, having forgotten about the encounter until now.
(Aubrey): Okay Ashlynpedia, I’ll just ask you the questions since Mr. Wilkinson here has clearly suffered one too many concussions.
The banter continues throughout the show, the trio enjoying the event. When the show cuts to aa classic Bitch Parker match Talon leans forward, recognizing a familiar voice.
(Aubrey): Oh someone’s getting interested, I guess this match was before your time huh?
Talon doesn’t say a word, hearing Blush’s voice for the first time in nearly a decade. The soft nearly vulnerable voice brings back a flood of memories and feelings, feelings he thought were long gone.
(Aubrey): Earth to Talon… hello?!
Aubrey waves her hand in Talon’s face, snapping him back to reality. He looks at her and shakes his head with an uneasy chuckle.
(Talon): sorry, just a little time travel, but I’m back now.
Ashlyn snickers to herself quietly, clearly having seen Talon and Blush’s relationship form and dissolve on national television as a child. She scrolls her phone again looking up things to help get a clearer picture of the HWA puzzle on the HWA-wiki while Aubrey shakes her head, now slightly annoyed.
(Aubrey): you know I don’t appreciate being ignored.
Talon puts a hand on his wife’s thigh, reassuring her as the show continues. They settle back in as the show progresses. Eventually AC James introduces Ronnie McNeil and the newly minted Hall of Famer steps onto the stage to speak.
(Aubrey): oh here we go, what do you think he’s going to say about you?
(Ashlyn): I mean, he’ll probably at least thank you for forming the nWo and helping him win another world title, obviously.
Talon doesn’t say much, simply listening to his rival turned stablemate turned enemy enjoy his moment in the sun, but as the speech goes on his mood shifts gradually. He wouldn’t say it, but he felt snubbed. From the day he debuted in HWA until the day he left his career had been intertwined with Ronnie’s, classic matches at Ring Master, even his debut match after the RWF invasion, and at least a pair of World Championship matches, and all he got was a little reference in passing?
(Ashlyn): ….or not.
An awkward silence filled the room, the show continues but all three of them were quiet until the rest of the HWA universe discovered that Eddie Phoenix had died. Talon watched the reactions, biting the inside of his lower lip to keep his composure during the highly emotional segment. The death of his best friend was still a raw wound and moments like this were just a handful of salt being rubbed across that wound. It was not lost on him that the HWA higher ups had no idea Ed was gone, but the fact that they never found out on their own only irritated him more. What kind of company loses track of one of their legends, so much so that in the modern age of social media they had no idea that Eddie was gone?
When he gave the eulogy at the funeral, Talon was well aware that there was no “whos who” of HWA legends or executives at the service, and it was something he had no intention of ever letting slide. It could have just as easily been him and his family being left in the cold when they needed support the most.
(Aubrey): They really didn’t know? Come on, how?!
(Ashlyn): I mean, I guess Mrs. Phoenix really kept things quiet. Remember, I couldn’t even get in to the service because they didn’t want “fans” to be a distraction.
(Talon): No card. No call. No benefits payments. They left Pilar and the kids in the cold. Parker wants to be in charge but then puts on this show like he gives a f*ck that Ed is gone; He’s as big of a fraud now as he was then. F*ck them. F*ck ‘em all.
Talon stands up and walks out of the room and onto the balcony.
(Aubrey): Babe!
Aubrey gets up and follows him outside. Ashlyn, reading the room, slumps into the couch with her popcorn and keeps watching the show, knowing full well that this is not her discussion.
Outside, the crisp night air blows as Talon leans on the balcony railing, looking downtown towards the swarming spotlights shining from MSG, where the reunion show is taking place. Aubrey walks up behind her husband, wrapping her arms around him from behind, resting her head on his back.
(Aubrey): …hey. It’s okay. We understand. Maybe you should just not watch the rest of the show and leave the HWA in the past, like you said, yeah?
Talon turns around and kisses Aubrey on the forehead as if to thank her for the support. They don’t speak, they don’t need to; and after a few brief moments he takes her hand and squeezes it before leading her back into the room.
(Blush on TV): Talon Wilkinson…
Both Talon and Aubrey’s heads snap to attention at the sound of Blush’s voice speaking about Talon. Seeing her on the TV, live and in person again stirs strong feelings and this time Aubrey senses it.
(Blush on TV): I was hoping to see you tonight, but now I understand why you might not be here. I’m so terribly sorry to hear about Eddie. Talon has the biggest heart I’ve ever seen in this business. You not only took me under your wing, but you where there for me when I was my most vulnerable. When I had my accident and got amnesia, where others would exploit me you protected me in ways I couldn’t imagine. You became my savior and my friend. I will forever be grateful and forever love you for it.
Ashlyn’s eyes are the size of saucers as she sees her mentor beginning to turn red. Aubrey stares daggers at Talon as she begins to put pieces together.
(Aubrey): So you guys had a thing?
Talon searches for the right words, but in a whirlwind of confusion he can’t find them. Ashlyn can’t help but interject, doing her best to help.
(Ashlyn): no, it wasn’t like that Aubs, I mean… it started like that but then Senester—
(Aubrey): You know what, I don’t f*cking care about the details… is THIS why you really didn’t want to go to the show? You didn’t want us to run into your little blonde ex and make it awkward??
Talon puts an arm on either side of Aubrey trying to calm her down, clearly shocked by her reaction. She had never shown such jealousy, ever. He was stunned as he scrambled to say the right words.
(Talon): Babe, Lexie and I are just friends, I haven’t even spoke to her since you and I –
Aubrey forcefully shoves his arms away, backing up like a cornered animal. Suddenly she feels isolated and foolish as if she has been betrayed.
(Aubrey): Oooooh Lexie, you know what, maybe you should rush down the street and go catch her before she flies back to wherever the hell she came from. Little Ms. Ditz nEeDs HeR sAvIoR.
(Talon): What is this, why are you acting so—
(Aubrey): so what? Say it. Clearly you hid her from me, we’ve talked about a ton of women you had flings with or dated but I’ve never heard of Blush or Lexie or whatever the shit her name is, and what does that say, Talon? CLEARLY she meant something more to you, and you didn’t think I should know about her…. I’m going to bed. Don’t go f*ck Lexie, or do, whatever!
Aubrey storms off in quite the huff. The sound of her footsteps fill the penthouse until the bedroom door closes harshly followed by a very obvious sound of the lock being turned. That uncomfortable silence creeps back into the room as Ashlyn searches for an escape hatch. She takes her popcorn and heads to the stairs.
(Ashlyn): umm…I’m going to finish the show in my room? …Goodnight.
As she walks away, she pauses and turns around hesitantly looking back to Talon down on the couch.
(Ashlyn): she’ll be fine, and for what it’s worth, I know nothing is… yeah, umm.. night.
All alone, Talon leans back into the couch and closes his eyes. “What the hell just happened?” He thinks to himself. Taking a series of deep breaths to calm his suddenly shot nerves, he couldn’t help but to think about everything. Aubrey, Lexie, all of it. She was right, why hadn’t he ever told her about his relationship with Lex? Was it because he didn’t want to talk to her about HWA and Senester like he had told himself before or was it because deep down he still had feelings for Lexie?
~
Opening his eyes, he realizes he just have fallen asleep. The TV was on something new, it automatic lights had shut off.. Talon stood up and walked to the stairs to try to get back into his bedroom, hoping Aubrey had unlocked the door after cooling down, but instead at the last second he bypassed the steps and walked to the door. Taking the elevator down to street level, he hailed a cab and climbed in.
(Talon): Take me to the Garden.
The taxi dropped him off outside of Madison Square Garden and in the sea of humanity exiting the arena he began walking towards the arena, specifically the security checkpoint that gave access to the talent valet and VIP parking. He knew his chances were slim but if he could catch Lexie before she left the arena, maybe just maybe…
He approached the checkpoint and security was obviously right. Pushing his way through a throng of fans and media he faced up to one of the security guards.
(Talon): Do you know who I am? Talon Wilkinson. Former HWA Champ. Can I get through?
The security guard hardly looks at him, watching the entire crowd for threats. He responds with an annoyed laugh and a thick Staten Island accent.
(Guard): Yeah, sure you are, pal. Hit the road. Nobody is getting through this line. NYPD orders. Fuggetaboutit.
Talon protests but is cutoff but the guard.
(Talon): Come on, look at me, I’m Ta—
(Guard): Guy, nice cosplay, but get the hell out before I break your face, grandpa.
Clearly frustrated, Talon eyeballs the guard as he backs up and turns to walk away, but as he does he notices aj unmistakable figure walking across the street at the intersection. Long legs, tan skin, blonde hair, it was Blush!
(Talon): LEX!!
He shouts as he runs to cross the street, the sudden sound of a horn blaring as he nearly runs into oncoming traffic! She doesn’t hear him though as she walks and talks with a male she is walking with. Was it a husband? Agent? Fan? It didn’t matter, he needed to talk to her.
(Talon): Lexie! Lexie Love!
He shouted again as he finally made it across the busy Manhattan street. This time it worked, she turned around at the sound of her full name and as she did Talon waived his arms and caught up.
(Talon): Lex! Hey, it’s me...
Blush’s friendly warm smile greeted him, but he could tell she didn’t recognize him yet. She took a moment, looking through the grown out hair and salt and pepper beard and finally made the connection.
(Blush): Talon?!
Talon smiled as Blush reached and hugged him. He took a in the embrace, she felt like he remembered, even smelled like he remembered. Releasing the embrace Blush beamed with excitement.
(Blush): where were you tonight? I was really afraid I wouldn’t see you, and it made me sad!
(Talon): I’m sorry, it’s a long story but hey, do you want to go get coffee?
Blush smiled and pointed at her hand to a large wedding ring and engagement ring combination.
(Blush): I would love to, if you don’t mind my husband coming?
She motioned to the man standing with her, his back still facing the duo. As he turned around, Talon’s face turned from excitement to confusion. He recognized him immediately…
(Blush): Talon, you remember Stephen, right? Well, we got married last year!! Isn’t that amazing!! I’m so happy!
Talon’s eyes nearly burst from his skull as he looks at “Stephen” the clever alias of Senester. There he stood, tailored black suit, purple tie, not a hair out of place, hellz he hadn’t even aged a day.. the coy smirk is followed by a haunting laugh.
(Stephen): Oh of course, how could I EVER forget Talon Wilkinson?
(Talon): …no. Lex… no no no… not hi-- anyone but… Lex, why?!
Senester’s laughter grows louder as Blush wraps her arms around her husband and pulls him in for a kiss. Beside himself, Talon staggers back off of the curb and into the busy street.
*BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!!*
A shrill horn blares as he turns and faces the box truck as it speeds towards him!
Talon throws his arms up instinctively but its too late!
Suddenly his eyes fly open. Talon reaches out and grips the cushions of his couch, his heart racing, his shirt soaked in a cold sweat. It was all a bad dream, a very realistic dream, but a dream. He hadn’t had a dream like that in years, the medication he had received had helped with the nightmares, but this one was different.
Standing up to collect himself and get a glass of water, Talon is drawn back to the TV as he hears a commotion at the end of the show.
(Young Man on TV): Get your f*cking hands off me. This is your fault. This whole company ruined my family, you ruined my dad.
Talon watches intently, recognizing Ash immediately. After all, he was the boys Godfather for a lack of better terms. But so much changed after Eddie’s death. His mother made him swear at the funeral that he would keep his distance and that he would, under no circumstances, train Ash to wrestle. He agreed to her request and had only supported them through anonymous meal deliveries, gifts, and of course helping make sure a trust fund was in place for when the kids came of age… but now there he was, Ash Phoenix on his television in an HWA ring. It was worse than any nightmare he could have had and it was playing out before his very eyes.
(Talon): …F*ck!
Message Thread
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