HWA Message Board: Meeting the Media

(OOC: Sorry for this being an hour or so beyond the deadline, my internet connection got screwed last night, so I've had to wait until I could come into work the next day to get this thing posted. Nevertheless, enjoy!)

The scene opens out onto the media room in the Wells Fargo Arena, early in the morning. Hans von Richtoven is already seated, quietly surveying the media assembled on the floor below him, as his younger brother Heinrich steps into view.

(Heinrich): Hey Hans.

He claps his brother on the back of his left shoulder, before pulling out the chair next to him, and plopping down into it.

His next action is to reach for the glass of water placed to him with one hand, while the other rubs his eyes, an air of tiredness about him.

Hans makes an amused noise at the back of his throat as he appraises his brother, who turns to look at him.

(Heinrich): What?

He gives Heinrich a knowing look.

(Hans): Good weekend?

His younger brother exhales slowly as his eyebrows rise up momentarily.

(Heinrich): You could say that, yeah.

(Hans): You ever find out how many rounds the pair of you had?

(Heinrich): Nope. And I've no intention of finding out.

(Hans): Probably for the best…

He fingers the name plaques placed in front of them.

(Hans): I see they’ve taken steps to help the Sons of Anarchy distinguish between the two of us…

Heinrich’s response is drowned out, as the HWA official in charge of the interview session steps forward.

(HWA Official): Ladies and gentlemen, this interview session is now open to questions to the floor.

He then signals to the first reporter down the front.

(Tom Dalton): First off. Heinrich, are you feeling confident about your tag match this Havoc?

(Heinrich): Yeah, quite, quite confident all things considered.

(Tom Dalton): Given that they're the reigning champions, and you and Logan are tagging together for the first time, that's not what I'm sure many would have thought you'd say.

(Heinrich): Well they may be the reigning champions, but given their last two matches as a primary example, there's nothing we've seen that backs up what they've been saying. Add to that, that we've not only got our game plan worked out, but we're also aware of our own strengths and weaknesses in relation to theirs.

(Tom Dalton): This would be your intention to force them to draw Fallen out, would it not?

(Heinrich): In part, yes.

(Tom Dalton): I'm sure you're aware then, of the Sons of Anarchy's rebuttal to that?

(Heinrich): I am. And much what I've already said, it doesn't back up what they're saying. So Draconis got into a ring with a few wrestlers, and beat them up, big deal. Who's to say that they weren't amateurs? Or even stunt-men? What they come out with the rest of the time is pre-scripted, so I'd put good money on that being the same…

He leans back into his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. Besides him, Hans quietly sips at a glass of water.

(Heinrich): … but regardless of who these people were, they're not in the league that Logan and I are in. It's like stealing candy from a baby and then expecting a pat on the back and a 'well done' from Danny Ocean.

Hans smiles at the reference, while a few light chuckles come from the assembled reporters.

(Heinrich): As it is, they've come out and essentially admitted that stamina is a problem for Draconis. Now I'm sorry, but there is no way that a stamina deficiency can be rectified in the course of a weekend. No way. End of story. Now they can drag however many people into that practice ring to try and paper over the cracks that Draconis has, but the outcome it will have over our match is next to nothing. I'm coming off a win over Butch Parker, while the two of them combined couldn't beat Bryan Deas. Now I can't speak for Logan on this one, but I know who's got the momentum going into this one!

Satisfied with the quotes he's managed to get, the first reporter sits down, while a second gets to his feet as the HWA official to the side of Hans and Heinrich gestures at him.

(Bryan Smith): Hans, much has been made recently by both your opponents and team mates about win records over one other, yet you've remained quiet. Any reason?

Hans leans forward, settling his glass of water on the table.

(Hans): Firstly, it's getting quite childish. That you've beaten people one-on-one isn't a good basis to go from when there's another six people, who can so very easily interfere, around you. That certain people persist in such a thing though, well, more fool them. It's getting tit for tat now, and not something I'm interested in indulging myself with.

(Bryan Smith): You do have wins over five of the competitors involved. The sixth, you've never fought, and losses to the seventh; Butch Parker. Is it perhaps that final point that stops you getting involved more so than any other?

Heinrich's eyes swivel towards his brother, interested in what reaction has been caused.

(Hans): The losses I've suffered against Butch, or anybody else for that matter, play no part in my decision to avoid this one-upmanship going on. There is no 'I' in team afterall, and the last match we could use as a benchmark between Butch and myself happened five years ago now. A lot's changed, I'm sure you'll agree.

Another reporter gets to his feet quickly, cutting across the already standing one with his own question.

(Wendy Turk): Are you perhaps referring to the number of defeats that Butch Parker has suffered since returning?

(Hans): Putting words into my mouth aside, in part, yes. And not just to when he came back a few weeks ago, even this time last year, after losing his World title, he's not exactly been setting the world alight. *Shrugs* I'd say that's only a fair assessment.

(Heinrich): It's not through lack of trying though.

Heinrich leans forward, pulling up his sleeve to show his bare arm, the scabbing now nearly gone.

(Heinrich): I'd say he's using everything in his arsenal to try to win.

Laughs ring out across the press pit, as Heinrich makes a show of pointing out the marks for the benefit of the cameras.

(Wendy Turk): Heinrich; do you think your brother's team has what it takes to come out victorious?

(Heinrich): They're four guys coming off the back of some impressive wins, they're no slouches when it comes to any one aspect of the sport, they want to win… the reverse is true aside from the first point of the other team, but I see no reason why they can't carry the day.

His tone as dry as desert, Hans speaks.

(Hans): Given that we have the Living Legend on our side, all else is moot.

The two reporters sit down, the first giving the second one dark glances as they write their notes.

To be continued…