Walking along the beach barefoot, attired in a pair of faded denim shorts and a charcoal coloured sleeveless top marked with a washed out pop-culture-esque logo on the front is Hans von Richtoven.
Next to him, attired similarly, albeit with a different top altogether is his younger brother, former HWA wrestler Heinrich von Richtoven.
Mirroring one another, they hold a can of juice in one hand, in the other a slice of pizza.
They slowly meander down the beach, talking between themselves and occasionally taking a bite of food or a swig from their cans.
In the distance, playing together, are Heinrich’s two children, alongside his wife and Vanessa.
They both move closer towards the water, letting their feet get touched occasionally by the advancing and then receding waves as they stare out, chatting away in their native tongue.
(Hans): Think we covered their eyes quickly enough?
(Heinrich): I think so brother. F*ck, was a close one though.
A sharp intake of breath through his nostrils is Hans’ immediate response, his eyebrows rising up as he then nods.
A few moments pass, before Heinrich turns to his elder sibling.
(Heinch): Heard from Matt or Jeremy?
(Hans): A message or two from Matt, but nothing long. He’s getting care though, that’s the main thing.
They fall silent again, letting the sun beat down on them and the waves lap at their feet.
Through a mouthful of pizza, Heinrich has a thought and voices it.
(Heinrich): Think they’ll… think they’ll…
He swallows, as Hans smirks at his brothers efforts. A quick thump of the chest then follows, before the next attempt is made.
(Hans): Come again?
A side eye follows, along with another thump to his chest before Heinrich attempts again.
(Heinrich): Think they’ll believe it was all an act?
He’s of course meaning his two kids, who were in attendance with Heinrich in one of the upper boxes.
A glance over to where they’re at follows, both brothers looking up the beach and where they’d walked from.
(Hans): They still believe in Saint Nicholas, yes?
(Heinrich): Yeah, keeping that magic going as long as possible.
(Hans): There’s your answer then.
A contemplative expression rapidly morphs into a smile from his younger brother, as he then bites into his pizza slice once again.
(Hans): Helped that Matthew was more interested in making them do those Dragonball Z poses when he came up after as well, they forgot all about the baseball bat…
A shudder of revulsion moves through Hans, visible to anyone standing nearby, like he’s caught a cold blast of air.
(Hans): F*ck…
This time it’s his turn to bite into his pizza.
(Heinrich): No word on who hit Matthew?
A shake of the head.
(Heinrich): F*ck…
Both brothers stare out at the sea, lost in their own thoughts.
(Heinrich): What about that creepy guy in the lab coat?
(Hans): Urgh, who knows? Maybe? Did you catch his hacking into that podcast?
(Heinrich): You know the answer to that brother…
Another bite of the pizza follows, Heinrich dead-eying his brother who snorts in amusement, taking a swig of his can.
(Hans): Well, he hacks in, Wolfy and another new guy was chatting on the podcast about how he’s trying to goad Tobias… ah, something about being related and that he’s here to torture us all.
A burst of laughter erupts from Hans at the absurdity of it.
(Hans): F*cking hell… I mean, this place at times. Is it an act? Is it not? I just want to wrestle… but… yeah…
(Heinrich): We were both always at one end of the spectrum when it came to the roster… yeah… there were some characters that’s for sure… nothing new there brother.
(Hans): Sh*t, I know.
Another bite of the pizza slice, rapidly now diminishing. He chews and swallows quickly.
(Hans): I just hope Butch stops being such a recluse and takes the reins again, lays down the law like what he did after Chicago. We need that now, things are only going to get worse.
A knowing look between them, they both know who he’s referring to.
(Heinrich): Think she’ll try things again?
(Hans): Sure as the sun rises and sets.
He gestures out over the pacific ahead of them.
(Hans): Last time I had pizza and a walk on the beach, I was just about to face Herr Chaos. I told him he was risking a lot, going swimming with the beasts in the deep. He didn’t listen. With her, I wasn’t so direct until the end… so perhaps I’ll just have to skip right to it in future.
A glance over towards his wife in the distance.
(Hans): She’s not getting touched. Our child is not getting touched. End of.
Heinrich grunts in acknowledgement, mouthful of his own pizza as he slaps his brother on the back in solidarity with him.
Chewing the last piece, he smiles at his elder sibling.
(Heinrich): I believe every word of it Hans… maybe you’ll get your chance come Ringmaster?
A gleeful glint follows in his eyes, the chance to rib his brother not going to pass him up.
(Heinrich): Hell, can you imagine if you have to team with her in the first round?
Hans almost spits out the last mouthful of pizza, ending up throwing the small cardboard board it was on at his brother who dodges easily, cackling with laughter.
Bending down to retrieve the board, he jabs it towards Heinrich.
(Hans): Don’t even joke.
Seeing the smile still there, he somewhat reluctantly sees the funny side.
(Hans): Oh god, can you imagine?
He tilts his head up, groaning, as another bout of laughter comes from his sibling.
(Heinrich): Get a crucifix or something to hand, you’ll be fine.
(Hans): I’m sure she’s Catholic, Heinrich, not sure that’ll work…
(Heinrich): A photo of the baby scan?
(Hans): That’ll just trigger her more.
(Heinrich): Yeah, into doing something stupid. She’ll see red, then you take her down. Easy.
Yet again, the head goes back.
(Hans): It’s not going to be like that…
(Heinrich): Fun to imagine though!
(Hans): Heinrich, you’ve spent too long out of the ring and too much time playing video games…
A nod of the head and a further smile follows from the younger von Richtoven.
(Heinrich): Guilty as charged.
He points up the beach towards their family.
(Heinrich): Speaking of which, Nico was wanting to give you a game of Mario Kart, so shall we see if they’re ready to pack up and head back?
(Hans): Yeah, lets.
With that, the two brothers begin to retrace their steps back down the beach, as the scene fades to black.
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