HWA Message Board: A Moment of Reflection Please

The scene opens out onto your kitchen.

You’re standing at the stove, having already cracked a trio of eggs and whisked them with some cream and salt, and poured it into a hot pan.

Some paprika and chives had been added along with various diced meats from what you’d haphazardly grabbed from the fridge and you’d just finished grating some cheese to finish off.

You had enquired if your wife wanted an omlette but she’d declined. Coffee was all she wanted first thing it seemed.

You take the time to think on what you’d been working on that week, the classes you’d run in amongst your personal sessions. You were feeling good, no niggles or aches. Still no closer to finding out who had assaulted you or burnt your lockerroom down, but…

Speaking of that.

Even as you flipped the omlette over, you considered that now was the perfect time to respond to what the Draconis clan had been saying. Sure, you could head into the Academy later and use the booth. You could even call in one of the crews and they’d come out here.

But no, you’d keep it simple.

Propping your phone up on the counter, you swipe to and open up the camera app, selecting the video function and having it go to ‘selfie’ mode so that you could see yourself.

For a few minutes, that’s where it stays as you move the now cooked omlette onto your plate and make a start on demolishing it, all the while going over what you’d heard them say and how you’d respond.

After demolishing most of the food, you park the plate besides the camera and then click the record button proper.

’Hallo HWA-fanverse.

I’ll keep this brief, jah’

You hold up a slice of your omlette, taking a bite out of it for emphasis.

You’re polite and chew and swallow before continuing your words.

’Angelus, you first.

Paranoid?

Not the word I’d choose to describe myself, nor anyone else for that matter who has been assaulted und clubbed unconscious from behind one show und then at the other having their locker room set on fire…

Someone, or some group wants to get to me. Das ist clear, jah?

Could it be you und the family? As I said to Draconis, I’ll take his word that it’s not, but if I find out he’s lying…’

You shrug your shoulders, before then sticking your fork into the omelette, carving off a small piece with your knife and then popping it into your mouth.

Again, you wait until you’ve swallowed before adding anything else.

’I hope I’ve made myself clear Angelus, jah? If you’ve done nothing, then you have nothing to fear.

Speaking of fear however…

Jesse. You seem to have been privy to some conversation that has not actually happened.

Afraid of your family? Nein mein freund. There ist one person on this planet who scares me, as he should scare you und everyone else on das roster. Last I checked, you were not Senester, jah… so nein, I’m not afraid.

Next, I want to face you as your sister “scared the crap out of me”? Nein mein freund.

I know you have been gone for a while und were only just getting properly started in das business proper when you left, but I have no control over booking my matches. Herr Chaos flogged this line to death in 2023, please don’t resurrect it.’

You hope that will sink in, but part of you knows that it won’t.

’Und finally, I’m not so certain of what you were trying to say at the end, something about how I can't beat Draconis with ease… it got messy, jah… something involving you…’

You drop the fork and knife to the plate.

A moments pause to consider your next words.

’Jesse. I have faced you or your family before in one way or another five times. Your father twice, Luna at Havoc just there… und yourself twice actually, I had forgotten about our match at Ringmaster after you were brought up to the roster proper… I’ve won all of them. All of them.’

You brace your outstretched arms against the kitchen top either side of your phone, leaning into the camera view now.

’As I said before, I will treat you as I treat all of my opponents und I will train hard. I shall not approach this match thinking it’s already won, because I know from experience that das ist ein foolish way to think.

But I think that you und your family need to take ein moment, set aside the bravado und just remember who you are truly facing at Havoc.

I think it would do you good.’

With that, your tap the record button, ceasing the recording.

Picking up the phone, you play it back with the volume up full, idly cleaning the remaining food from your plate before running it under the tap at the sink and then into the dishwasher.

Satisfied with your effort, you upload it to the HWA site and the Youtube channel before sliding the phone into your pocket.

You could hear your wifes footsteps approaching from the hallway, likely in search of a fresh coffee and you turn to face the doorway as the scene fades out slowly to black.