003: The Hardest Part (#1 vs La Cucaracha)
May 12, 2017 23:18:23 GMT -5
Post by Admin on May 12, 2017 23:18:23 GMT -5
Pinky's Vlog || Stardate 94880.69
"Forty-nine days as champion," Mia's voice rang out softly, sweetly with a hint of reverence there. "Not even your first run with it either. And some people might scoff at that when there are folks in our business who go an entire year with gold around their waist – undefeated. That's the thing, isn't it?"
Mia sat at the top of a short flight of stairs, the words EMERGENCY EXIT, DO NOT BLOCK painted on the door. She looked down for a second as if collecting her thoughts.
"Tom Petty sang about how the 'waiting is the hardest part', but we both know it's not that. Waiting for something to happen is just so…" she gestured helplessly, "ineffective, I guess? Boring. I'm not that kind of person to wait for things to drop into my lap. To wait for opportunities. I'm more the type to charge in and just attack, throw myself blindly into the pool without even looking." She got up, shaking her head as she pulled open that door, stepping inside the arena and making her way down the hall.
"Seven years ago, these corridors seemed so massive and intimidating. Now?" She turned, looking back over her shoulder with a huge smile on her face. "Now, this is… God, I can't even describe the way I feel. The walls…" she trailed her hands over the cinderblocks, "the smells – it's like that ozone before a storm – anticipation. Do you smell it too? Do you feel the crackle, that electricity? Do you bring that home with you, I wonder?"
She paused, looking out towards that empty space where the ring would be set up once the trucks rolled in within the next couple hours. "It's six o'clock in the morning and I'm… well, I'm here. Early, I know, but I had to walk the walk. I had to."
She cocked her head, clapping her hands in delight as she bounced on the balls of her feet, looking flushed and excited. She tossed her pink hair back, squared her shoulders, and looked right into the camera. "I'm sorry about your loss but you know that won't change it. They'll still love you. They'll still be chanting your name because they know what it meant to you. I know, too."
That smile just wouldn't quit. "La Cucaracha." She said the name with reverence. "Wow," she trailed off, looking flustered, "y'know the term 'thrown to the wolves'? Yeahhhh. You're," she squealed, clearly fangirling, "you held the Heritage Belt twice. You've beaten probably more people than there are on the roster past AND present and…"
Mia sighed.
"Can't get all twisted up because out there's where it all comes together… or falls apart. Depends, I guess. And I know I've got this whole stigma, this label of 'quitter' hanging over my head still and while I know I'm never going to be considered one of the greats, I'm here. I'm busting my butt day in and day out. I'm not gonna claim to be damnation or salvation – I don't play word games. Honestly, I find it all hilarious how some people want to tear others down and it's like why? Accomplishments mean something. You have to focus on the progress, y'know? The losing is the hardest part but doesn't have to…"
She gestured vaguely, "people care too much about winning… about this little two-step of success. Climbing the ladder isn't all it's cracked up to be, believe me. I used to care about all the petty, glittery shit. But now? I don't know. It's not everything."
Mia held up her hand, looking at her wedding band, "maybe it's cliched but it's like I've kinda had my eyes opened on the whole thing. Don't get me wrong though. I'm not trying to paint myself as some perfect little know-it-all here. Not trying to say I'm too good for this. For facing you. I'm only human – just heart and passion – nothing poetic or prophetic. Aspiration-wise? Rather be a hush in the stillness like this moment right here. A moment of calm before the storm, the moment where dusk and dawn come together, clashing. A moment of brilliance, gone in a flash. Unlike some others, you never rip it all off, and hang it all on the line. Leave a surprise in the tank. Hold something back for a moment like this. I want to leave them wanting more – craving more."
She paused.
"That's what's important."
