Flashback. (Hans): Ready? (Red Dragon): It’s not me who should be asking that, are you ready? (Hans): For what you’ve told them about me? No… Dragon grins at this. (Hans): … but for me being able to teach them wrestling? Hör auf so depp zu sein! (Red Dragon): Aw c’mon man, you know I don’t speak German. Not fair. Hans just flashes Dragon a smile as he starts to walk up the corridor, the latter falling into step beside him as they walk back up the corridor and towards the training areas. (Hans): So, what have I missed since the Reunion ended? He catches Dragon’s quizzical look. (Hans): I took Vanessa away for a few days, somewhere for her to get away from the memories that seeing Thane brought back. Barely looked at my phone the whole time. Caught up with what was going on the other morning, or at least what CBS were showing. So what’s the view from the guys in the academy? What’s the view from you…? (Red Dragon): What’s new? Nanite kotoda! What’s not been happening?! The academy has been going well. Not as high a turnover as when we started. The core students are doing me ever so proud. You might remember Matt before the old regime went under, he arrived shortly before that. Jeremy, Michelle, Sarah, Erica and of course Sean too, they’re pretty much the crown jewel of what Butch and Wisdom have striven for. In short though, Sean decided to attack AC James, decided to keep it from everyone, then admitted it, ballsed up a German suplex on Jeremy, punched me, I gave him six hundred push-ups, he snapped at Butch, Wisdom grounded him and now no one’s heard from him. (Hans): Scheiße… He blows air out of his pursed lips before making a soft low rumble of laughter. (Hans): Seems somewhat reminiscent of the old days. A sideways glance at Matthew as he carries on,. (Hans): Me, you, Maniac, Anton, all of us crawling out of the wood work, who else is it going to be? These kids ready for it? Red Dragon replicates Hans’ air gush. (Red Dragon): That’s why I’m glad mostly of the outside of the ring these days. Matt has Maniac at Havoc. I’m not nervous for him, he’s more than capable of handling himself but Maniac has NOT changed… the man is bat-shit crazy… They reach one of the double doors, leading towards the training areas. (Hans): Maybe he’s got the right idea of it. Maybe you do have to be verdammt verrückt to be in HWA, no? (Red Dragon): So how’s your brother getting on? Is he not tempted to come back too? (Hans): Oh he’s doing fine Matthew and no, he’s not tempted. Having too much fun being the boss of his own management firm now, plus his second’s on the way. (Red Dragon): Ah nice, boy or girl? (Hans): No idea, they liked not knowing the first time round, decided to do the same again. A small shudder runs through his shoulders, Hans’ voice lowering slightly, as if conspiring with Matthew over the next words out of his mouth. (Hans): I’ve no idea how he can be happy not knowing. It just… Hands go up to his head and then out, a mock explosion as he exhales loudly. (Hans): Just… y’know, jah? I’d want to know! (Red Dragon): Thankfully, that is one thing I don’t have to worry about. I have plenty of little nippers to keep me occupied here. I hear they call themselves the Little Dragons… I don’t know whether that’s cute or cringe… or both… Hans’ eyes go wide, mock horror fleeting across his face as his mouth moves though nothing but silence comes out. He closes it, swallowing, as the twinkle of amusement catches in his eyes, on their own now that his eyebrows are arched up. (Hans): No… I’ve nothing… The two laugh loudly as they continue their way down the corridor, the sounds bouncing off the walls and amplifying it. (Red Dragon): So, is there anything you particularly wanted to work on or look at specifically now that you’re here? (Hans): Honestly Matthew… I just… He sighs. (Hans): I just don’t really know. All I know is that these past few months, all of this really gathering steam, gears clicking into place and seeing hints at what you and the others have been building… seeing how… scheisse… seeing how ‘alive’ Vanessa’s been since she’s gotten back into this. He glances sideways at his friend. (Hans): She was in HWA long before any of us. Seeing how excited she is to make it something that it wasn’t before… maybe it’s just rubbing off on me a bit. Red Dragon nods knowingly, understanding Hans’ meaning perfectly. (Red Dragon): I know what you mean… Maniac has been trying to push my own buttons when he’s been addressing Matt-Kun with some unsavoury comments. I’d be lying if I said there isn’t some semblance of an itch I’d like to scratch. When I’m in the ring in there… Red Dragon gestures his behind him, pointing with his thumb. (Red Dragon): … teaching the students, I have to remind myself I’m their instructor, their Sensei and I have to put that mental barrier up when, truth be told, sometimes I’d love to put that mask on again even if it was just one more time… They come to a halt outside of the doors leading to the gym and training area proper. (Hans): Well, look at me. He jabs the thumb from his free hand into his chest to emphasise, following up by nodding his head towards the door and the trainees beyond. (Hans): Not even three months ago would I have thought I’d be lacing up my boots to come be a part of HWA… The two share a knowing silence, before Hans gives a slight shrug of the shoulders and carries on. (Hans): Scheiße, even this morning if I’m honest… He throws the door open, the sounds of the trainees hard at work hits like a freight train. (Hans): So never say never mein freund. Red Dragon acknowledges Hans’ point with a nodding incline of his head. (Red Dragon): Just keep that little nugget between us for now, Watashi no yūjin, if Butch-San thinks I want to wrestle again, he’ll not let it go, you know how he gets when he has an idea in his head he can’t let go… A low almost guttural rumble of acknowledgement comes from Hans at this as both men step through the door. (Hans): My lips are sealed. They come to a halt a few steps past the threshold, surveying the scene before them. (Hans): Now, introduce me to who I'm working with and we'll get started, shall we? Red Dragon purses his lips out, breathing out through his nose, a look of contemplation on his face. (Red Dragon): Hmmm… He clicks his tongue. (Red Dragon): You know what, Matt-Kun is actually a good shout. He came into HWA right before things went sideways, he had experience in WWE and New Japan before he came to us and he stuck around after the sponsors pulled out and everything. He’s one of the more experienced guys here. (Hans): And he's also one that you've had time to wind up about that baseball bat, right? Red Dragon smiles, chuckling lightly. (Red Dragon): Among others, yeah. Hans' smile matches that of Red Dragons, as he sets eyes on Matt. (Hans): Well, as good a place to start as any. He claps Dragon's shoulder as he begins to walk past and towards the trainees. (Hans): Let's see how this goes. The scene slowly begins to fade to black as Red Dragon calls over some of the other trainees to begin the days teaching, others going about their own routines and efforts.
The scene opens up inside of the HWA Academy a little later in the morning from when we last saw Hans and Red Dragon together earlier in the week.
The camera starts out in the lobby, before beginning its drift down the left hand hallway. Passing by memorabilia and iconic photographs of various HWA-alumni, it comes to rest outside of the office of recent arrival; Hans von Richtoven.
On cue, the door opens to reveal The Baron, clad in appropriate clothing for a day of in-ring work, simple black trunks contrasting with a pair of white wrestling boots and a sleeveless dri-fit top also in white.
Catching the door with his left hand, he pulls it shut, as he uses his right hand to finish applying some Kinesiology tape to where his bicep muscle rests. As the door shuts fully, he flexes out his left hand and goes through the range of motions, making sure the tape is applied correctly.
Satisfied, he cracks his head to the right, a somewhat grim delight crossing his face as he does it. The camera pans around, catching Dragon emerge from his respective office, attired similar to Hans, albeit HWA Academy-branded.
Hans pushes one of the doors aside, holding it open for Matthew to walk through. Falling into step alongside him once they’re through, Hans drapes his right arm across Matthew’s shoulders, index finger of his left hand gesturing towards him and across Hans’ body.
Hans turns to face Matthew, one hand on the door handle.
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