Post by Astrid Hall on Jun 28, 2017 16:48:49 GMT
It’s funny the sorts of things you take for granted. Being able to stand up and not feel like you’re going to pass out and fall on your face was definitely one of those things. Astrid had taken her share of injuries in her life, of course – it was part of the Warrior’s life she led. Generally speaking the injuries she endured in the IWF were fairly shallow compared to what she’d take at the other battles in her life. Sometimes a lance wouldn’t break properly in a joust, and it would slip through her armor and into her shoulder. Sometimes she’d take splinters to the face through her helmet since she had a habit of not flinching when the riders clashed. And that was just the mounted combat – things would get even nastier on the ground. The number of times she’d been stabbed, clubbed, or slashed open by an inexperienced fighter who lost their head and forgot it was a family show and they were supposed to pull their blows? Armor or not, show or not, it was a dangerous life.
It never bothered her. Danger was a part of the life – and honestly, probably Astrid’s favorite part at that.
She stood outside the hospital, grinning like a fool in the sunlight as the warm breeze played through her hair. Freedom. A week in the hospital and she was right as rain, ready to get back to the life she lived – the life she loved. But freedom wasn’t the main reason she was in such high spirits that morning – it was the woman who pulled up in the parking lot next to her, and the smile that greeted her freedom that did it.
“About time!” Astrid exclaimed happily, striding forward and gripping the shorter woman by the arm as she got out of the driver’s seat, pulling her into a hug. “I was beginning to worry that you were resting on your laurels of victory. Perhaps losing yourself being fed peeled grapes by beautiful men?”
Shea O’Hara laughed freely, moving as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from her shoulders. The dark circles under her eyes were gone, showing Astrid clearly that she had finally enjoyed a night’s sleep untormented by nightmares. “Oh, absolutely. That’s what happens when you’re Shieldmaiden, you know. Though the peeled grapes aren’t the best part – It’s the big guys fanning you with giant ferns, scented with fine perfumes. It’s a life of luxury and I want for nothing. Perhaps I should have sent my manservants to pick you up?”
Astrid laughed as the two of them got back into the car, Shea taking the wheel. “Careful now! Tales of such opulence might make a girl jealous enough to come for that sweet title of yours.”
Shea scoffed. “Please. I know you, Astrid – if people actually started feeding you grapes and fanning you with perfumes you’d lose your mind within minutes. I’m trying to make you go after Pandora’s title instead. I hear that one has all you can eat roast boar and limitless quantities of mead.”
The Valkyrie beamed. “Now you’re speaking my language!”
The two of them smiled warmly at each other before Shea started the car. “I’m glad you’re better,” she said softly. “And I’m glad we were close enough that I could pick you up. I’m sorry that it’s all I could-“
“None of that,” Astrid interrupted kindly. “I told you already not to blame yourself with what happened. Besides, I’m fine. More than fine, I’m positively giddy. Getting to watch you take Rowan down on the mat the other night… I’d have endured much more pain to see that happen. Through that alone you’ve made it up to me. I don’t want to hear any more of it. No dwelling on the past – it’s time to look to the future with Heiress to the Throne.”
Shea smiled. “As you wish, Shield Sister” she replied. “I’m glad you’ve recovered in time to participate in the tournament. I’m sure you’ll kick all kinds of ass. Though… if you win, that might mean you’ll have to fight Pandora again. Are you going to be okay doing that?”
Astrid nodded. “She got the best of me once, yeah, but I’m not afraid of her. It would be an honor to stand against her again should she retain her championship until Extreme Endurance. Honestly I hope that she does.”
Shea paused. “That’s… not quite what I meant.”
Astrid hesitated, and then sighed. “Yes… I know. I’ll be fine, Shea. But… thank you.”
They were silent for a few moments as Astrid watched the scenery outside, Shea glancing at her friend with a mix of concern and sympathy. After a few moments, Astrid broke the silence. “Even if it’s her… even if it’s you… I made a promise to the Shield Wall and to myself about Vegas next year. I’m honor bound to keep it, even if it means I have to fight those I love. Pandora. You. Doesn’t matter. I’d die for either of you, but Oaths are sacred. I’ll do whatever it takes to climb to the top of the pile and claim that championship.”
Shea smiled. “I remember. You came at me hard in the buildup to the Shieldmaiden.”
Astrid chuckled and returned the gesture. “A battle for the ages, that. I’m glad it didn’t cause a rift between us. Your friendship is valuable to me, Shea. Truly.”
“Feeling is mutual, Shield Sister. Now let’s get you to the training center so you can take Charity Crowne to the curb next week… but first, lunch. If I know you, you’re starving after a week of eating normal-people meals. Let’s get you someplace where you can get some real food.”
Astrid beamed. “You’re damn right! This right here? This is why we’re friends. Step on it!”
“Seriously, girls. Targeting the head? Everyone knows that true warriors of the North have thick skulls solid as steel.”
Astrid is grinning wide as she lounges happily in the training center, shining with sweat as she pumps iron. “I hope you all don’t mind me filming this here in such an informal setting. After a week of bedrest I have some catching up to do. Stay strong and ready for whatever comes next. After all, it seems that ambushing your enemies and striking like cowards and vipers has become the expected norm for the Imperial Wrestling Federation of late. A sad state of affairs. So I have to keep strong, firm, and bold in case such a creature tries to take advantage of me in such a way… especially since I’m now the only one to represent the honor of the North in this company.”
Her face contorts briefly like someone who has just tasted something extremely sour. “Ulf. I am saddened to see you hold your honor so cheaply. Were that this company had differing rules I would demand to face you at Open Fight Night to make you pay for shaming our people. Ambushing like cowards, encouraging the childish power-fantasy of Xavier Cross. I am ashamed to have ever called you bror. You have shown your true colors, Ulf. You have turned your back on the Havamal, and even though the IWF will never sanction a match between us… you should pray to whatever gods you turn to that we never meet outside the ring.”
She levels her eyes at the camera, eyes flashing with anger. “Du er ingen kriger. Du er en skam.”
She shakes her head. “But enough of that. This is not what we are here to speak of today, ja? For save the craven actions of a former brother, this is a happy occasion! My dear friends, Shea and Pandora, retain their championships against their would-be assailants, proving their right to stand at the heights of the Diamonds Division for all to see! The demon Rowan MacDonnough finally pinned, unable to weasel her way out of her loss as before, pinned for the world to see! And, yet more thrilling for me, within a day after Bloody Assizes I am told by the doctors that I have made a full recovery in a fraction of the time they expected. There is a song you Americans enjoy, yes? I get knocked down, but I get back up?”
She laughs happily. “And this brings us to the Heiress to the Throne event… and I remember the promise that I made you, my Shield Wall, right after Night of the Immortals. I remember the promise I made before I stepped into the ring with those four other women and brought them all crashing down. I remember the Oath I swore in the empty ring after the show ended… that in Las Vegas next year, it would be my turn to walk away victorious with a championship in hand. I haven’t forgotten – and a warrior of honor always keeps her Oaths… no matter who or what gets in her way along the journey.”
She smirks. “And that brings us to Charity Crowne, the Diamond in the Rough. First off, I want to say that I am glad that Charity is still competing. Regardless of the differences of opinion that she and I have – and Odin knows there are many – I always approve of someone swallowing their fear and continuing to stand and fight after suffering trauma. I have witnessed first hand what Rowan MacDonnough can do to someone’s body and mind, and I know that – at least physically – Charity Crowne has suffered more than any other. Some wondered if she would come back after that beatdown at Night of the Immortals, and I am glad that she did. Regardless of my opinions of her as a woman, she has shown her right to stand among warriors by winning the Diamond in the Rough tournament. She is a strong fighter, capable of impressive feats of athleticism, and her Diamond Cutter is the finest I have ever seen.
It's almost a shame that she’s in my way. I’ve seen what she’s capable of, and I know that she doesn’t have what it takes. In truth, I feel sorry for Charity Crowne. I pity her for what has happened to her, and what will still happen to her yet when she enters the ring with me on Monday Night. She might be the Diamond in the Rough. She might have a damn fine Diamond Cutter. Fortunately for me… I’m not made of Diamond – I’m made of Steel.”
She sets the weights down and stands, smiling and holding her arms wide. “We Vikings have a long standing tradition of looking at rich spoiled English Nobility and kicking their teeth down their throats. Monday Night I’ll get to share a history lesson with you, Charity – You’re standing between me and my Immortal Moment in Las Vegas, and though I will show you the respect you deserve as a warrior in battle… I’ll take you down and take you out. It’s Heiress to the Throne time, Charity – and you are just the first conquest of many in this Rise of the Valkyrie. Bring your best, girl – you’ll need it."
She reaches over to a water bottle, takes a long pull, and raises it to the camera. “Skål!”
It never bothered her. Danger was a part of the life – and honestly, probably Astrid’s favorite part at that.
She stood outside the hospital, grinning like a fool in the sunlight as the warm breeze played through her hair. Freedom. A week in the hospital and she was right as rain, ready to get back to the life she lived – the life she loved. But freedom wasn’t the main reason she was in such high spirits that morning – it was the woman who pulled up in the parking lot next to her, and the smile that greeted her freedom that did it.
“About time!” Astrid exclaimed happily, striding forward and gripping the shorter woman by the arm as she got out of the driver’s seat, pulling her into a hug. “I was beginning to worry that you were resting on your laurels of victory. Perhaps losing yourself being fed peeled grapes by beautiful men?”
Shea O’Hara laughed freely, moving as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from her shoulders. The dark circles under her eyes were gone, showing Astrid clearly that she had finally enjoyed a night’s sleep untormented by nightmares. “Oh, absolutely. That’s what happens when you’re Shieldmaiden, you know. Though the peeled grapes aren’t the best part – It’s the big guys fanning you with giant ferns, scented with fine perfumes. It’s a life of luxury and I want for nothing. Perhaps I should have sent my manservants to pick you up?”
Astrid laughed as the two of them got back into the car, Shea taking the wheel. “Careful now! Tales of such opulence might make a girl jealous enough to come for that sweet title of yours.”
Shea scoffed. “Please. I know you, Astrid – if people actually started feeding you grapes and fanning you with perfumes you’d lose your mind within minutes. I’m trying to make you go after Pandora’s title instead. I hear that one has all you can eat roast boar and limitless quantities of mead.”
The Valkyrie beamed. “Now you’re speaking my language!”
The two of them smiled warmly at each other before Shea started the car. “I’m glad you’re better,” she said softly. “And I’m glad we were close enough that I could pick you up. I’m sorry that it’s all I could-“
“None of that,” Astrid interrupted kindly. “I told you already not to blame yourself with what happened. Besides, I’m fine. More than fine, I’m positively giddy. Getting to watch you take Rowan down on the mat the other night… I’d have endured much more pain to see that happen. Through that alone you’ve made it up to me. I don’t want to hear any more of it. No dwelling on the past – it’s time to look to the future with Heiress to the Throne.”
Shea smiled. “As you wish, Shield Sister” she replied. “I’m glad you’ve recovered in time to participate in the tournament. I’m sure you’ll kick all kinds of ass. Though… if you win, that might mean you’ll have to fight Pandora again. Are you going to be okay doing that?”
Astrid nodded. “She got the best of me once, yeah, but I’m not afraid of her. It would be an honor to stand against her again should she retain her championship until Extreme Endurance. Honestly I hope that she does.”
Shea paused. “That’s… not quite what I meant.”
Astrid hesitated, and then sighed. “Yes… I know. I’ll be fine, Shea. But… thank you.”
They were silent for a few moments as Astrid watched the scenery outside, Shea glancing at her friend with a mix of concern and sympathy. After a few moments, Astrid broke the silence. “Even if it’s her… even if it’s you… I made a promise to the Shield Wall and to myself about Vegas next year. I’m honor bound to keep it, even if it means I have to fight those I love. Pandora. You. Doesn’t matter. I’d die for either of you, but Oaths are sacred. I’ll do whatever it takes to climb to the top of the pile and claim that championship.”
Shea smiled. “I remember. You came at me hard in the buildup to the Shieldmaiden.”
Astrid chuckled and returned the gesture. “A battle for the ages, that. I’m glad it didn’t cause a rift between us. Your friendship is valuable to me, Shea. Truly.”
“Feeling is mutual, Shield Sister. Now let’s get you to the training center so you can take Charity Crowne to the curb next week… but first, lunch. If I know you, you’re starving after a week of eating normal-people meals. Let’s get you someplace where you can get some real food.”
Astrid beamed. “You’re damn right! This right here? This is why we’re friends. Step on it!”
“Seriously, girls. Targeting the head? Everyone knows that true warriors of the North have thick skulls solid as steel.”
Astrid is grinning wide as she lounges happily in the training center, shining with sweat as she pumps iron. “I hope you all don’t mind me filming this here in such an informal setting. After a week of bedrest I have some catching up to do. Stay strong and ready for whatever comes next. After all, it seems that ambushing your enemies and striking like cowards and vipers has become the expected norm for the Imperial Wrestling Federation of late. A sad state of affairs. So I have to keep strong, firm, and bold in case such a creature tries to take advantage of me in such a way… especially since I’m now the only one to represent the honor of the North in this company.”
Her face contorts briefly like someone who has just tasted something extremely sour. “Ulf. I am saddened to see you hold your honor so cheaply. Were that this company had differing rules I would demand to face you at Open Fight Night to make you pay for shaming our people. Ambushing like cowards, encouraging the childish power-fantasy of Xavier Cross. I am ashamed to have ever called you bror. You have shown your true colors, Ulf. You have turned your back on the Havamal, and even though the IWF will never sanction a match between us… you should pray to whatever gods you turn to that we never meet outside the ring.”
She levels her eyes at the camera, eyes flashing with anger. “Du er ingen kriger. Du er en skam.”
She shakes her head. “But enough of that. This is not what we are here to speak of today, ja? For save the craven actions of a former brother, this is a happy occasion! My dear friends, Shea and Pandora, retain their championships against their would-be assailants, proving their right to stand at the heights of the Diamonds Division for all to see! The demon Rowan MacDonnough finally pinned, unable to weasel her way out of her loss as before, pinned for the world to see! And, yet more thrilling for me, within a day after Bloody Assizes I am told by the doctors that I have made a full recovery in a fraction of the time they expected. There is a song you Americans enjoy, yes? I get knocked down, but I get back up?”
She laughs happily. “And this brings us to the Heiress to the Throne event… and I remember the promise that I made you, my Shield Wall, right after Night of the Immortals. I remember the promise I made before I stepped into the ring with those four other women and brought them all crashing down. I remember the Oath I swore in the empty ring after the show ended… that in Las Vegas next year, it would be my turn to walk away victorious with a championship in hand. I haven’t forgotten – and a warrior of honor always keeps her Oaths… no matter who or what gets in her way along the journey.”
She smirks. “And that brings us to Charity Crowne, the Diamond in the Rough. First off, I want to say that I am glad that Charity is still competing. Regardless of the differences of opinion that she and I have – and Odin knows there are many – I always approve of someone swallowing their fear and continuing to stand and fight after suffering trauma. I have witnessed first hand what Rowan MacDonnough can do to someone’s body and mind, and I know that – at least physically – Charity Crowne has suffered more than any other. Some wondered if she would come back after that beatdown at Night of the Immortals, and I am glad that she did. Regardless of my opinions of her as a woman, she has shown her right to stand among warriors by winning the Diamond in the Rough tournament. She is a strong fighter, capable of impressive feats of athleticism, and her Diamond Cutter is the finest I have ever seen.
It's almost a shame that she’s in my way. I’ve seen what she’s capable of, and I know that she doesn’t have what it takes. In truth, I feel sorry for Charity Crowne. I pity her for what has happened to her, and what will still happen to her yet when she enters the ring with me on Monday Night. She might be the Diamond in the Rough. She might have a damn fine Diamond Cutter. Fortunately for me… I’m not made of Diamond – I’m made of Steel.”
She sets the weights down and stands, smiling and holding her arms wide. “We Vikings have a long standing tradition of looking at rich spoiled English Nobility and kicking their teeth down their throats. Monday Night I’ll get to share a history lesson with you, Charity – You’re standing between me and my Immortal Moment in Las Vegas, and though I will show you the respect you deserve as a warrior in battle… I’ll take you down and take you out. It’s Heiress to the Throne time, Charity – and you are just the first conquest of many in this Rise of the Valkyrie. Bring your best, girl – you’ll need it."
She reaches over to a water bottle, takes a long pull, and raises it to the camera. “Skål!”
Well howdy there pardner.