HWA Message Board: To Your Health

The scene opens out onto the sun-kissed back yard of Hans and Vanessa von Richtoven’s home. It’s mid-morning and the wider city of LA is as bustling as ever, not that you’d know it from here.

Panning around, the camera takes in the lush green grass manicured to perfection, palm fronds from the small trees that line one of the paved paths to the pool waving gently with the low breeze that flows in. It comes to rest on the pool itself, framed on one side by a pair of loungers and on the other with a small table and a set of chairs.

Sat on the edge of the pool roughly in the middle, feet dipped into the water and waiting on the camera focusing on him, is Hans ‘The Baron’ von Richtoven. A pair of denim shorts and a sleeveless top cover his frame while a pair of aviators shield his eyes from the rising sun.

To his side is a glass filled with what looks to be beer, half empty as it is at this stage.

He seems completely lost in thought, feet occasionally kicking out to disturb the water. From time to time, the glass is raised to his lips and the liquid within diminishes in volume

(Hans): Enschuldigung, you’ll have to forgive me for not feeling the need to have done what my peers seem to be scrambling over themselves to do and record a training montage of myself.

I’ve not shied away from recording myself or having a camera crew present while I’ve been in the gym or training, so I feel that we can all be comfortable knowing what that looks like, jah?

A wry smile, as his feet gently move, stirring the water and causing ripples to gently form.

(Hans): Rest assured, I’ve been training hard. Those at the Academy who have seen me can attest to that… so firstly, to those that I’m both facing und paired with… Jesse. I’ve beaten you once, though in truth, our match was more of an… an exhibit of your skills, jah… you’ve progressed since then, even if Herr Clarke doesn’t see it that way…

Another wry smile.

(Hans): Another to add to the list of things he disagrees with versus the rest of us though, jah? But in all sincerity Jesse, I know what you can do und I am prepared. You will find me quite the different foe to when we last competed. I didn’t need to beat you last time, that was not the purpose of the match… jetzt ist es.

A moments pause to reflect on his words, before he turns to the next opponent he’ll face in the first round.

(Hans): Legion… we have not yet been properly acquainted… Ich war… I’ve been pleased to see you shed Fallen und act less of his shadow und more of your own man. Sehr gut. You haven’t faced someone of mein caliber however. That, that will be the difference.

Once more, a short pause, Hans taking the time to adjust his aviators.

(Hans): Und last but not least. Professor. Your ability to hack into podcasts is clear to see… your in-ring skills, well, mein freund, science won’t help you there.

Your… ’motivation’ for winning the championship is certainly… unique, jah, no denying it. But better men… or worse, depending on perspective have tried und failed. I do hope that this…

His hand rises, gesturing as if trying to help him find the words.

(Hans): … this rhetoric is just that, but if not, then jah, we will be facing one another soon after Ringmaster.

The taut line that his lips form leave little doubt that he’s unimpressed with what he’s heard his tag-partner threaten the roster with.

Reaching down, he lifts up his glass of beer, taking a good measure of it, before letting the glass rest in his lap, cradled by both hands.

(Hans): Now speaking of rhetoric… I find myself drawn to respond, as have many… Sean, es ist gut, sie gesund zu sehen… but…

He chuckles, nodding his head towards the camera as if conceding a point.

(Hans): Always a ‘but’, isn’t there…

The glass is once more lifted to his lips, drunk from and then returned to where it was in his lap.

(Hans): Ich finde your statement to be full of bravado Sean. Now, don’t take that the wrong way, Ich bin nicht… I’m… I’m not doubting your sincerity, but what you said was as much for your own benefit as it was the rest of us.

I can understand Sean. You have made great effort to get back onto das active roster for Ringmaster. You have pushed your body in recovery much the same way you push it in das ring…

Speaking as one of the Academy trainers now Sean, less of the latter, will see you needing less of the former. Und das ist auch gut so… believe me.

Now, if I’’m reading das card correct, we may well face one another in round three… I sincerely hope that we do Sean. We’ve sparred in das Academy. I’ve taught you und you have taught me in turn. Much like you’ll discover when you face Matthew, you’ve not been taught everything, und what we have imparted on you only goes so far. You need to wield it correctly, und while I have no doubt that you will do so well, do not be so hasty to presume that you und you alone wants, nein, needs this more.

The glint in his eyes are steel, the conviction unwavering.

Another slight nod of the head towards the camera.

(Hans): You anoint yourself das ‘Sky Assassin’ now Sean? Very well, I shall endeavor to bring you back to earth with a bump. I have eyes in the back of my head from needing to observe for Herr Chaos und his saps, I can use them for other things now that he says he’s wrestling cleanly… so danke for telegraphing you’ll be coming from above mein freund…

The remainder of the glass is drunk, Hans nodding once more.

(Hans): I do mean this, train well Sean. Your presence on das cards have been missed.

The empty glass is lifted up.

(Hans): To your health.

With that, he swings his feet gently from the water, moving gracefully to his feet and walks out of view, as the scene fades slowly to black.