Post by Caroline Machado on Sept 9, 2024 2:39:02 GMT
It was 8:00 AM on an absolutely perfect Sunday morning.
Caroline was back at her "home-away-from-home" in Arlington after the whirlwind tour that was Japan. As she outstrectched her arms and slowly trudged into the bathroom, carrying her iPhone 15 Pro with her, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror while pondering the voice note she was going to leave RAM on WhatsApp.
At that moment, a flood of memories began flooding into her mind.
She hearkend back to the days when RAM was feuding with James Gilmore, observing just how cruel the 20-year-old was against the very man who brought both of them into wrestling in the first place. When RAM resorted to kidnapping JJ's twins Luke and Leia and nearly blowing up the very Academy they trained at together, a rare hint of anger came filtering in. It was a line that he had crossed, and certainly there was no way that she was going to let him forget about that.
Her lips quivered a bit as the Brazilian hit the microphone button on the app.
"Ummm...hi, RAM…"
Her vocal registry sounded rather meek, almost timid in a way.
Caroline closed her eyes, wondering what the lady in the mirror would say next. She allowed herself to enter into a state of meditative thought, breathing in and out as more memories began racing into her brain. Yet unlike RAM's cruelty, she hearkened back to his charity -- looking no further than the day he fixed up her laptop.
A slight chuckle came across Caroline's mug.
She knew just how mechanically gifted he was, especially when it came to building and maintaining computers. She would see someone like Robert as a man who had a bright future in the industry, helping others as an IT technician someday. Caroline nodded warmly, noting that there was still good in RAM, even after all the stuff he pulled. As Caroline continued with her voice note, her message was two-pronged in nature.
"...I know what you did to JJ and his family was wrong. I know that your plan to blow up the Academy ended in a messy disaster! But...I never thanked you properly for helping me with my computer all those years ago...and I'm very sorry…"
She paused, releasing only a deep sigh.
"...I hope you can firgive me for that, and I hope you're doing well. All I want to know, however, is what happened to you during the tour...?"
The voice note seemed like an eternity, for it would last around ten minutes. But Caroline smiled from ear to ear as she sent the message to RAM. It was baby steps, Caroline thought to herself as she placed the phone on its charger back in the room.
Yet in life, baby steps often led to bigger things.
All she hoped for was a response -- but it was going to take more time than she realized.
---
"Hi!!!
September is underway now, and...IT'S VOLLEYBALL SEASON!! The time has come for thousands of talented players to take the court and pursue their dream of becoming a champion. In the wrestling world...same-same!!! My pursuit of another Championship is getting started, but...but after that Gladiatorix match, I felt a common thread among Itami or Rini when the final bell rang.
Desapontamento.
Many choose to handle disappointment in a variety of ways. Anger, hatred, respect...they are all reasons for feeling as if we didn't finish what we started. Yet it bothers me, to no end, when I watch the Discord blow up with a banana-measuring contest that always comes out as one person saying that they are better than another both inside and outside of the ring.
It really, really does.
While I feel disappointed after what happened at Legacy, I want to say that I harbor no ill will against Rosa de Luca for becoming the first Gladiatorix Champion. I have no intention of spiting her or taking revenge, okay?! To some, that might sound as if I'm simply giving up on the pursuit of a championship -- but those people are wrong.
Completamente errado.
If anything, I feel a sense of comfort. I feel it because when I get up in the morning to go train, I know that there will be more dances ahead of me. Every day, I treat it like it's that big dance. Every day, I go out and face the world once more, trying to conquer the very doubters that often put me down.
Yet serve as a reminder to never let the moment get into your head!!!
This Odyssey, I'll be doing something I never saw myself doing two years ago -- compete against a man in a friendly competition. In life, I've made a solemn vow to always look at the people -- and not the signs -- to guide me. The biggest sign of them all is the question I face this week against Tytus Rost.
Will he dominate me?
Or will I shock him?!
Hehehehe...umm, that's two questions! But...oh, AHEM!!
He's 304 pounds and possesses a great stature for a man his size. He can move around the ring, he can hit very hard, and he can take the hits too! Thing is...I find myself listening to the haters in my mind, telling me that I should fear Tytus Rost. Yet there's a part of me that understands where the challenge lies -- for it's so much more than just conquering a big man in the middle of the ring.
To me, it's about standing my ground and conquering my fear.
Even if, in the end, I end up losing the match.
I respect him enough to know that I'm going to have to make him compete for longer than he is expecting. He knows so much when it comes to the sport of wrestling, but...even he can't know everything, right?! The longer this match goes, the more flustered he gets, and despite the odds?! I will go after him with everything I've got!!!
I will stand my ground and be stronger than he'll ever be.
I do not wish any bad things upon Tytus, okay?! I don't plan on doing anything to hurt him because he has done no harm to me. Yet...in this sport, there is only one level that really matters, and that's warp speed!! I will not make any compromises or cut corners. I will not look for the easy path or settle for anything less than what I'm capable of doing once the bell rings.
I want Tytus to understand one thing: to beat him, I am ready and willing to take as much punishment as I can. If he wants to beat me, he's gonna have to be prepared to take every shot I can throw at him. While this isn't a title match, I will treat this like it IS a title match, and I hope he does the same!!
After all, the dance only happens when you see the moment and you take it!
Win or lose."
PROMO COUNT: 685
Well howdy there pardner.