A Letter to Cassandra Baumer (Baumer vs. Lacklan vs. Grey)
Jun 7, 2017 3:46:13 GMT
Cass Baumer likes this
Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 3:46:13 GMT
Sarah Selena Lacklan sits at the short desk within a hotel room in Lincolnshire, England. The girl is dressed for bed, though her red eyes shine in the little light available from the lamp at her side. There is no rest for her, at least not yet, though her body craves it. Her face bruised and there is a lump on her forehead, evidence of what had been a harsh weekend of fighting. Her endeavor to simultaneously honor her father’s legacy and grow more complete as a wrestler was tiresome and painful, but she thrived on the pain and the thrill. The travel was harsh, the jet lag was constant, and the need for drugs was alway just a fingertip away, beckoning her. But there are no drugs for her this night, no DRIVE to ease her pain or her mind. Instead, she looks to the king-size bed in the center of the room, looks to her dark lover asleep under the sheets.
As always, the view of Kenzi Grey fills her heart with equal parts love, lust, and dread. Her Beloved had joined her on this quest, this NEED to prove herself and grow, but she could tell that it was wearing on her. She put on a smile when they set off to the next location, but little comments like, “Oh boy! Another three matches in three days!” or “Wow, didn’t we just get OFF a plane?” as they boarded another were slipping through. Kenzi vowed to be on this trip with her, vowed to make Sarah’s dreams her own, but it was clearly difficult.
And, to Sarah’s own surprise, she realizes that if Kenzi asked her to stop...if she asked her to walk away from it all and instead focus on Kenzi’s budding career as a filmmaker...she would.
Sarah turns away from the bed and looks down at the desk. Seeing the complimentary pad of paper and the pen, she places them in front of her and begins to write a letter.
Cassandra,
You charged me with the accusation that I have become everything I once mocked. Tea parties, relationships, and the sisterhood of the travelling pants. You accused me of becoming something that I hate. To this charge I say…
You are correct.
She leans back for a moment and studies her words. Giving herself a small nod, she continues.
Six months ago when I turned pro I did indeed rail against certain things that I saw within the business. I hated how chummy people in the business were when our job was to hit each other in the face as hard as possible. I hated how people got sidetracked with senseless blood feuds when the whole point of this business is to become champion. I hated...well…
Let us be honest here, Cassandra.
I hated everything.
I lashed out at every person and thing which upset me. I fought everyone that faced me. I cursed away everyone who had a word, kind or otherwise.
But why did I hate?
There were those early on, even those not long again in the example of Ryan Callaghan, who loved to say that I had “daddy issues,” that there was an issue of my not feeling loved by my father. This could not be further from the truth. I loved my father, and he loved me, and was proud of me. But my father’s sickness...the realization that neither of my parents would be able to see me become a truly successful woman...that made me hate.
Hate everything.
But the last six months? Things have changed. The change has not been easy; indeed, it has been rather difficult at times. But the change is there. I have a sister in Stacy Sterling, who has refused to give up on me, who has seen the good that I can do, even when I could not. And through her, I have a brother in Adien Cochrane, and as silly as it may sound, I Believe. Along with Stacy, I have an older sister figure Melissa Reeves, a woman who could have laughed in my face when I first asked to come train with her in a time of need, but who gave me the chance to set aside my admittedly hefty ego and learn from her. I have gained somewhat of a mother figure in Amy Jo Smyth, though she would hate to hear it, given our age differences. I have gained friends.
Most importantly, I have gained insight on who and what I am. I am, as you and I have even discussed personally, what I call “mostly gay,” and have found a partner how understands that. And while we are not exactly going to go the route of first date to marriage in three weeks like so many seem to do in our business, our 4-month relationship has been intense and powerful.
So yes, I have in many ways become what I mocked before. While I have not exactly had tea parties, I have shared a cup with Melissa when we forgave each other after a fight. Both Mackenzie and I delight in her braiding my hair. And I can say, without hint of sarcasm, that I love the friends and family whom I have gained in these six months, and that I am head-over-heels in love with Mackenzie Michaela Grey.
Do you know what all this is called, Cassandra?
Growth.
Maturation.
I have learned to leave behind the tantrums of the Blood Princess in favor of the power of the Red Queen.
What of you? What have you done in the past six months?
You went from failed wrestler to reporter and then back to wrestler. You pinned Kate Bass to become a champion and then lost it on your first defence. In those six months I have been active, you have, by my count at least, won exactly two matches. And your greatest claim to fame has been the creation and development of the Baumer Report, a rumor-mongering service for reporting unvetted and unsubstantiated gossip spread around as truth under the view of anonymity and with the excuse of “Well, the rest of the media gets to be goddamn fucking jackasses without consequence so I get to as well.”
And what has that brought you? What has your increased fame and notoriety given you?
Destroyed friendships.
Destroyed relationships.
And a business of peers who once simply laughed at you for lack of ability and now hate you for your lack of scruples.
You speak of consequences. But you still do not understand the consequence of your actions as a terrible person and friend.
Dirty Deeds? It is NOT a triple threat match.
It is NOT three people fighting one another to determine the Fucking Awesome Hardcore Champion.
It is Cassandra Baumer going up against Sarah Selena Lacklan and Mackenzie Michaela Grey. It is a 2-on-1 handicap match. And while my Beloved simply wants to knock some sense into you, I am looking to end your career. Literally. I will not be happy unless I break your nose so bad that it shoots into your face and cracks your orbital bone. That is how hard I am going to kick you in your face over and again. And after that? After we leave you laying in a pool of your own blood? Kenzi and I will figure out between us who the Hardcore Champion shall be. Hell, maybe she and I will play a best two-out-of-three Ro Sham Bo. But no matter what it will not be you.
And as you lay in the hospital bed I am going to put you in, as you spend what will hopefully be weeks and weeks of being unable to move and absolutely painful to breath, I hope that you will take time to reflect and think about what you have done and the pain you have caused. Because you HAVE caused pain with your report and your actions, Cassandra, you HAVE broken the hearts and trust of friends and lovers. My father believed that no person has ever gone so far into the darkness that they cannot be brought to the Path of Light, and I earnestly and honestly hope that you take a long look at that Path while your face heals.
In the last six months, I have learned to set aside my hate for love, learned to both lose and win with grace, and become someone my parents could be proud of. In that same time, you have become a spiteful troll who is despised by everyone around her due to the hate within her.
And now you pay the consequences of that hate.
Your favorite Queen,
Sarah sets down the pen and nods. She then puts truth to her words about darkness finding the light and takes a step towards mending relationships. Taking out her phone, she pulls up the picture of a raven-haired beauty only a few years older than her and sends a text.
Hello Godmother.
As always, the view of Kenzi Grey fills her heart with equal parts love, lust, and dread. Her Beloved had joined her on this quest, this NEED to prove herself and grow, but she could tell that it was wearing on her. She put on a smile when they set off to the next location, but little comments like, “Oh boy! Another three matches in three days!” or “Wow, didn’t we just get OFF a plane?” as they boarded another were slipping through. Kenzi vowed to be on this trip with her, vowed to make Sarah’s dreams her own, but it was clearly difficult.
And, to Sarah’s own surprise, she realizes that if Kenzi asked her to stop...if she asked her to walk away from it all and instead focus on Kenzi’s budding career as a filmmaker...she would.
Sarah turns away from the bed and looks down at the desk. Seeing the complimentary pad of paper and the pen, she places them in front of her and begins to write a letter.
Cassandra,
You charged me with the accusation that I have become everything I once mocked. Tea parties, relationships, and the sisterhood of the travelling pants. You accused me of becoming something that I hate. To this charge I say…
You are correct.
She leans back for a moment and studies her words. Giving herself a small nod, she continues.
Six months ago when I turned pro I did indeed rail against certain things that I saw within the business. I hated how chummy people in the business were when our job was to hit each other in the face as hard as possible. I hated how people got sidetracked with senseless blood feuds when the whole point of this business is to become champion. I hated...well…
Let us be honest here, Cassandra.
I hated everything.
I lashed out at every person and thing which upset me. I fought everyone that faced me. I cursed away everyone who had a word, kind or otherwise.
But why did I hate?
There were those early on, even those not long again in the example of Ryan Callaghan, who loved to say that I had “daddy issues,” that there was an issue of my not feeling loved by my father. This could not be further from the truth. I loved my father, and he loved me, and was proud of me. But my father’s sickness...the realization that neither of my parents would be able to see me become a truly successful woman...that made me hate.
Hate everything.
But the last six months? Things have changed. The change has not been easy; indeed, it has been rather difficult at times. But the change is there. I have a sister in Stacy Sterling, who has refused to give up on me, who has seen the good that I can do, even when I could not. And through her, I have a brother in Adien Cochrane, and as silly as it may sound, I Believe. Along with Stacy, I have an older sister figure Melissa Reeves, a woman who could have laughed in my face when I first asked to come train with her in a time of need, but who gave me the chance to set aside my admittedly hefty ego and learn from her. I have gained somewhat of a mother figure in Amy Jo Smyth, though she would hate to hear it, given our age differences. I have gained friends.
Most importantly, I have gained insight on who and what I am. I am, as you and I have even discussed personally, what I call “mostly gay,” and have found a partner how understands that. And while we are not exactly going to go the route of first date to marriage in three weeks like so many seem to do in our business, our 4-month relationship has been intense and powerful.
So yes, I have in many ways become what I mocked before. While I have not exactly had tea parties, I have shared a cup with Melissa when we forgave each other after a fight. Both Mackenzie and I delight in her braiding my hair. And I can say, without hint of sarcasm, that I love the friends and family whom I have gained in these six months, and that I am head-over-heels in love with Mackenzie Michaela Grey.
Do you know what all this is called, Cassandra?
Growth.
Maturation.
I have learned to leave behind the tantrums of the Blood Princess in favor of the power of the Red Queen.
What of you? What have you done in the past six months?
You went from failed wrestler to reporter and then back to wrestler. You pinned Kate Bass to become a champion and then lost it on your first defence. In those six months I have been active, you have, by my count at least, won exactly two matches. And your greatest claim to fame has been the creation and development of the Baumer Report, a rumor-mongering service for reporting unvetted and unsubstantiated gossip spread around as truth under the view of anonymity and with the excuse of “Well, the rest of the media gets to be goddamn fucking jackasses without consequence so I get to as well.”
And what has that brought you? What has your increased fame and notoriety given you?
Destroyed friendships.
Destroyed relationships.
And a business of peers who once simply laughed at you for lack of ability and now hate you for your lack of scruples.
You speak of consequences. But you still do not understand the consequence of your actions as a terrible person and friend.
Dirty Deeds? It is NOT a triple threat match.
It is NOT three people fighting one another to determine the Fucking Awesome Hardcore Champion.
It is Cassandra Baumer going up against Sarah Selena Lacklan and Mackenzie Michaela Grey. It is a 2-on-1 handicap match. And while my Beloved simply wants to knock some sense into you, I am looking to end your career. Literally. I will not be happy unless I break your nose so bad that it shoots into your face and cracks your orbital bone. That is how hard I am going to kick you in your face over and again. And after that? After we leave you laying in a pool of your own blood? Kenzi and I will figure out between us who the Hardcore Champion shall be. Hell, maybe she and I will play a best two-out-of-three Ro Sham Bo. But no matter what it will not be you.
And as you lay in the hospital bed I am going to put you in, as you spend what will hopefully be weeks and weeks of being unable to move and absolutely painful to breath, I hope that you will take time to reflect and think about what you have done and the pain you have caused. Because you HAVE caused pain with your report and your actions, Cassandra, you HAVE broken the hearts and trust of friends and lovers. My father believed that no person has ever gone so far into the darkness that they cannot be brought to the Path of Light, and I earnestly and honestly hope that you take a long look at that Path while your face heals.
In the last six months, I have learned to set aside my hate for love, learned to both lose and win with grace, and become someone my parents could be proud of. In that same time, you have become a spiteful troll who is despised by everyone around her due to the hate within her.
And now you pay the consequences of that hate.
Your favorite Queen,
-Sarah Selena Lacklan
Sarah sets down the pen and nods. She then puts truth to her words about darkness finding the light and takes a step towards mending relationships. Taking out her phone, she pulls up the picture of a raven-haired beauty only a few years older than her and sends a text.
Hello Godmother.