Post by Fiona McFly on Nov 21, 2017 21:53:55 GMT
CHAPTER 13
"In Which The Journey Begins"
~Part II + The Oath~
15 November 2017 + 1600 GMT
Calm. Serene. Peaceful.
Those were the traits that gave the old Kimble Ranch, two miles away from Fredericksburg, Texas, its charm.
It is where we find Fiona McFly on this warm and sunny afternoon. From a distance, she watched as her husband Jack Gaither and their new student Sarah Dawkins bring the load of suitcases and other items into the old farmhouse, which looks as if it had seen better days on the outside with its chipping exterior paint scheme. Yet for all its faults, the Northern Irishwoman found it strange to be back on these grasslands after all these years.
It felt like the Northern Irish farmland that her family has held for generations.
This place, however, had an entirely different aura. As a gentle, light breeze blew from the south, Fiona closed her eyes for a moment, hearkening back to a time long since passed but never forgotten. In her mind, she began to conjure up the images of her younger self being served a mug of piping hot Earl Grey by the late Regina Kimble, the woman who would eventually become a central figure in her life.
She still remembered the voices, the happy, wonderous, and cheerful voices, that rang true on the very first day Kimble brought her into her home...
MISS KIMBLE:
How do you like your tea hunny-boo?
YOUNG FIONA:
Tea? Earl Grey, hot please.
MISS KIMBLE:
(laughs)
Silly gander, of course it's hot! What would you like in it?
YOUNG FIONA:
Nothing...excellent tea madam. I've loved Earl Grey ever since I was a small girl...
MISS KIMBLE:
Nothing brightens your day more than a piping hot cup of tea. My name's Kimble...Regina Kimble..
...Fiona opened her eyes. The voices trailed off.
And she shed a single tear, reflecting upon the memories of that first meeting.
Sarah Dawkins walked up to Fiona after helping Jack clean out the Niro. She was left in awe at the serenity of it all, the one singular place that defined her teacher's very essence.
SARAH DAWKINS:
You okay Miss McFly? You look like you're seein' ghosts...
FIONA MCFLY:
I haven't been here in over twenty years...
Fiona knelt down next to Sarah, emphasising just how special these sacred grounds were in her own life.
FIONA:
...the very spirit that resides within me soul was born here.
The two proceeded to slowly walk around on the freshly-cut grass, gazing up at the cirrus clouds that dotted the blue skies above. Sarah's mind began to drift back to when she watched Fiona belt out a rendition of "The Prophet's Song."
SARAH:
When we were on the road, I got to thinkin'...I didn't know ya could sing, but wow...you've got a lovely voice.
Fiona smiled warmly.
FIONA:
Hidden talent. That's what wrestling does to a person--makes you expand upon your core, revealing things you never dreamed you could do in life, both in and out of an arena. No matter what your hidden talents are, it takes time and patience to allow yourself to grow and blossom.
But Sarah shook her head, taking a deep breath.
SARAH:
I...I still don't understand.
FIONA:
With time and training love, you will.
Sarah and Fiona stood up and made their way towards the house and the gravel driveway where the Kia was parked. The 9th grader wondered about the reason for the wrestling couple bringing her out into the virtual middle of nowhere.
SARAH:
What are we gonna do here?
FIONA:
We're going to get settled in first, then tomorrow....the fun will begin when we start your training. We've work to do--lots of work. January and the tournament will be there before you know it.
SARAH:
That's what I'm afraid of. You think I got a chance of beatin' those gals?
FIONA:
Ah! Don't worry about it...remember, win-lose, it doesn't matter. You go out to that ring, give everything you've got, and you will -earn- respect. Then, nobody will ever bother you.
They stopped once they got onto the house's front porch; Fiona stood in front of Sarah, just shy of the front door. She spoke with an aura of authoritative foreboding, yet just a tinge of maternal charm.
FIONA:
Listen Sarah, the journey you take here these next two months will be long, it will be hard...but we know you can do it. Are you ready?
SARAH:
Ummmm...I think so.
Fiona shook her head slowly...
FIONA:
Love...we need to really get serious. Let's talk for a moment.
...before leading Sarah to the front porch swing, where they sat next to each other. Fiona spoke to her again, this time in a more direct manner.
FIONA:
Close your eyes. Breathe. Relax...and imagine yourself riding a roller coaster. You're on the train and see three seats. You sit on the left-hand side, which has a seat belt and lap bar--you'll be safe. You then sit on the right-hand side...same thing. But you sit in the middle of the row, which has no restraints, and when the ride starts to careen down that first drop...
The Northern Irishwoman threw her hands into the air, like a rider going down the initial plunge of the Iron Rattler.
FIONA:
...WHEEEEE--splat! You're dead. Wrestling is the same thing--you either commit to it or you don't. You "I think so"....WHEEEEE--splat! You're dead. Do you understand me?
Sarah nodded quietly.
FIONA:
Now...are you ready for the journey that lies ahead?
She turned her head, looking her prospective teacher directly in the eye...
SARAH:
Yes ma'am.
...Fiona grinned lovingly, admiring Sarah's willingness to commit to their ways and rules.
FIONA:
Now, we must make a sacred oath. Jack and I promise to teach you wrestling and bestow upon you the gifts of strength, knowledge, and peace--that will be our part. You promise to learn and grow, and give one-hundred per cent of your best efforts at all times. What we say, you will do without question--that will be your part.
Sarah bowed her head, quietly accepting the oath. Fiona patted her on the back before they stood up and headed inside the old farmhouse to settle in for the rest of the day...
...yet the transformation was only beginning.
~TO BE CONTINUED~
"In Which The Journey Begins"
~Part II + The Oath~
15 November 2017 + 1600 GMT
Calm. Serene. Peaceful.
Those were the traits that gave the old Kimble Ranch, two miles away from Fredericksburg, Texas, its charm.
It is where we find Fiona McFly on this warm and sunny afternoon. From a distance, she watched as her husband Jack Gaither and their new student Sarah Dawkins bring the load of suitcases and other items into the old farmhouse, which looks as if it had seen better days on the outside with its chipping exterior paint scheme. Yet for all its faults, the Northern Irishwoman found it strange to be back on these grasslands after all these years.
It felt like the Northern Irish farmland that her family has held for generations.
This place, however, had an entirely different aura. As a gentle, light breeze blew from the south, Fiona closed her eyes for a moment, hearkening back to a time long since passed but never forgotten. In her mind, she began to conjure up the images of her younger self being served a mug of piping hot Earl Grey by the late Regina Kimble, the woman who would eventually become a central figure in her life.
She still remembered the voices, the happy, wonderous, and cheerful voices, that rang true on the very first day Kimble brought her into her home...
MISS KIMBLE:
How do you like your tea hunny-boo?
YOUNG FIONA:
Tea? Earl Grey, hot please.
MISS KIMBLE:
(laughs)
Silly gander, of course it's hot! What would you like in it?
YOUNG FIONA:
Nothing...excellent tea madam. I've loved Earl Grey ever since I was a small girl...
MISS KIMBLE:
Nothing brightens your day more than a piping hot cup of tea. My name's Kimble...Regina Kimble..
...Fiona opened her eyes. The voices trailed off.
And she shed a single tear, reflecting upon the memories of that first meeting.
Sarah Dawkins walked up to Fiona after helping Jack clean out the Niro. She was left in awe at the serenity of it all, the one singular place that defined her teacher's very essence.
SARAH DAWKINS:
You okay Miss McFly? You look like you're seein' ghosts...
FIONA MCFLY:
I haven't been here in over twenty years...
Fiona knelt down next to Sarah, emphasising just how special these sacred grounds were in her own life.
FIONA:
...the very spirit that resides within me soul was born here.
The two proceeded to slowly walk around on the freshly-cut grass, gazing up at the cirrus clouds that dotted the blue skies above. Sarah's mind began to drift back to when she watched Fiona belt out a rendition of "The Prophet's Song."
SARAH:
When we were on the road, I got to thinkin'...I didn't know ya could sing, but wow...you've got a lovely voice.
Fiona smiled warmly.
FIONA:
Hidden talent. That's what wrestling does to a person--makes you expand upon your core, revealing things you never dreamed you could do in life, both in and out of an arena. No matter what your hidden talents are, it takes time and patience to allow yourself to grow and blossom.
But Sarah shook her head, taking a deep breath.
SARAH:
I...I still don't understand.
FIONA:
With time and training love, you will.
Sarah and Fiona stood up and made their way towards the house and the gravel driveway where the Kia was parked. The 9th grader wondered about the reason for the wrestling couple bringing her out into the virtual middle of nowhere.
SARAH:
What are we gonna do here?
FIONA:
We're going to get settled in first, then tomorrow....the fun will begin when we start your training. We've work to do--lots of work. January and the tournament will be there before you know it.
SARAH:
That's what I'm afraid of. You think I got a chance of beatin' those gals?
FIONA:
Ah! Don't worry about it...remember, win-lose, it doesn't matter. You go out to that ring, give everything you've got, and you will -earn- respect. Then, nobody will ever bother you.
They stopped once they got onto the house's front porch; Fiona stood in front of Sarah, just shy of the front door. She spoke with an aura of authoritative foreboding, yet just a tinge of maternal charm.
FIONA:
Listen Sarah, the journey you take here these next two months will be long, it will be hard...but we know you can do it. Are you ready?
SARAH:
Ummmm...I think so.
Fiona shook her head slowly...
FIONA:
Love...we need to really get serious. Let's talk for a moment.
...before leading Sarah to the front porch swing, where they sat next to each other. Fiona spoke to her again, this time in a more direct manner.
FIONA:
Close your eyes. Breathe. Relax...and imagine yourself riding a roller coaster. You're on the train and see three seats. You sit on the left-hand side, which has a seat belt and lap bar--you'll be safe. You then sit on the right-hand side...same thing. But you sit in the middle of the row, which has no restraints, and when the ride starts to careen down that first drop...
The Northern Irishwoman threw her hands into the air, like a rider going down the initial plunge of the Iron Rattler.
FIONA:
...WHEEEEE--splat! You're dead. Wrestling is the same thing--you either commit to it or you don't. You "I think so"....WHEEEEE--splat! You're dead. Do you understand me?
Sarah nodded quietly.
FIONA:
Now...are you ready for the journey that lies ahead?
She turned her head, looking her prospective teacher directly in the eye...
SARAH:
Yes ma'am.
...Fiona grinned lovingly, admiring Sarah's willingness to commit to their ways and rules.
FIONA:
Now, we must make a sacred oath. Jack and I promise to teach you wrestling and bestow upon you the gifts of strength, knowledge, and peace--that will be our part. You promise to learn and grow, and give one-hundred per cent of your best efforts at all times. What we say, you will do without question--that will be your part.
Sarah bowed her head, quietly accepting the oath. Fiona patted her on the back before they stood up and headed inside the old farmhouse to settle in for the rest of the day...
...yet the transformation was only beginning.
~TO BE CONTINUED~
Well howdy there pardner.