HWA Message Board: Visitors (Part 1)

The scene opens out onto a private ward within the Iowan hospital that Hans von Richtoven was dispatched to the previous night through the actions of the still unknown assailant.

It’s a well apportioned room, blinds across the wall looking out onto the city around it currently drawn open, letting in the early January light.

Facing out, propped up in bed and strapped to a monitoring unit through a set of wires taped to his head and to his wrist is The Baron himself.

An impatience with his situation is clear as he listens intently, but yet with an air of distraction to the doctor currently articulating the latest tests that have been ran on him.

(Doctor): … so we’ve just got this test and one other to perform Mr von Richtoven. They’re looking good so far and I’ve been in contact with Doctor Funnells, your company specialist in these matters to appraise him. Concussion protocol will be in effect for you until you satisfy him that you’re safely out of the woods, ok?

(Hans): Jah…

A small glance towards Hans shows the doctor picking up that he’s not truly been listened to.

With a slight purse of the lips, the doctor clearly understands given what he himself knows of the situation the German finds himself in.

(Doctor): We’ll catch up more once I’ve ran these two tests, ok?

This Hans seems to be more aware of, his eyes focusing on the doctor and he nods in acknowledgement.

(Hans): Jah, danke herr doctor.

With a nod towards him, the doctor places his clipboard under one arm and makes for the door, finding that it’s already swinging open to reveal a new arrival.

The Head Coach of the HWA Academy, Matthew Kiriyama, aka Red Dragon enters, politely stepping aside to allow the doctor to leave, closing the door behind him before turning back to Hans.

He looks somewhat tired from the day’s toil, from both what occurred on the show as well as in the aftermath and closing moments. He noticed the doctor’s reaction as he takes his leave and attempts to lighten the mood.

(Red Dragon): Ahh, hai. Let me guess, more stubbornness. You and Butch-san are cut from the same cloth.

(Hans): I don’t know what you mean mein freund…

It’s silent between them for a few moments, Red Dragon impassive, just assessing his friend as he slowly crosses his arms over his chest.

With a tilt of the head towards his friend, Hans then faces forward, groaning, one hand going to his forehead.

(Hans): Scheißdreck. Who am I kidding?

Placing a supportive hand on Hans’ shoulder, Red Dragon offers a consoling tone.

(Red Dragon): It’s seen you this far Hans-san, it’ll continue to do so.

(Hans): Will it?

Not meeting his friends eyes, Hans continues to stare ahead.

Red Dragon settles himself into the seat next to the bed.

(Red Dragon): What ails you my friend?

He nods his head at Hans, taking in his current position.

(Red Dragon): It can’t just be this, can it?

(Hans): Nein…

Pursing his lips, Hans searches for what to say.

As if going to continue, he clamps down, even as he reaches for his phone. Unlocking it, he passes it to Red Dragon.

Taking it wordlessly, the latter scans the messages, eyebrows arching skywards as he does so, lips moving wordlessly as he follows along the dialogue on the phone screen.

After a minute or so, he comes to the end, gently passing the phone back.

(Red Dragon): So are you…?

Another nod in the direction of the phone now in Hans’ grasp.

(Red Dragon): Are you leaving?

Shaking his head, Hans nevertheless sighs, the weight of the world on his shoulders it seems.

(Hans): Nein… I’m not leaving mein freund.

Holding up his phone, he scans the last message he’d had from his wife even as he continues.

(Hans): I don’t want to. I… I can’t. Und it’s not for me, jah? It’s…

Another groan of frustration at the situation he finds himself in.

(Hans): Scheiße! I’ve got this verdammt knock to my head… Erica ist still on the warpath it seems… someone attacks me und Senester resurfaces after all these years…

(Red Dragon): That is a heavy burden for any man to bear Hans-san.

(Hans): Und mein schatz, Vanessa… Matthew…

He now looks over at his friend.

(Hans): I’m done running mein freund. Up here…

He taps his forehead, a slight wry smile forming.

(Hans): Up here ist scrambled right now, jah? But on this it’s not. I’m not running. I’m sick of being targeted. I’m sick of the cheap shots und the backstabbing. When I find who did this to me, I will make an example of them, jah. See them all scurry back into their holes after I’m done.

A low exhale from Hans, releasing what had been pent up inside of him.

He cracks another small smile at his friend.

(Hans): Danke for visiting mein freund. I hope to get out later today und then out to New York for a few days.

(Red Dragon): Not back to the Academy then?

(Hans): Not yet mein freund, not with the fires. Vanessa und Kai are already out in New York, flew this morning.

A nod between them, knowing that safety came first for Vanessa and their son.

(Hans): What’s been happening with you though?

This time it’s Red Dragon’s turn to pause, fishing out his own phone from his pocket.

(Red Dragon): It’s funny you should mention Erica… Butch-San shared this with me earlier. It’s not for release until tomorrow, but so you know…

This time it’s Hans’ turn to take the outstretched phone, eyes going wider slowly as he reads the upcoming Havoc announcement and the intergender tag matches that would be occurring.

The two men fall deep into conversation once the phone is passed back, as the scene fades to black.