VBL

FLASHBACK:

It’s the golden hour on a Sunday. A young Faith (around 6 years old) is climbing on a makeshift fort of chairs, towels, and blankets. The DIY fort is shaped just like a wrestling ring with the ropes tying the fort together also acting as the side ropes. 1 of 3 of Faith's older brothers, Isiah (9) has long flowing blonde hair, and a “stone cold” shirt. He's pretending to be unconscious. When Faith finally reaches the top of the third rope she screams –

“From the top rope!”

Right before she jumps off and lands right on her older brother. Isiah pretends to be incapacitated, while Faith jumps back to her feet. Although she doesn’t see the other young boy lurking behind her, beyond the makeshift ropes. Until he jumps over them and in one quick movement, RKO’s young Faith to the mattresses laid out on the floor. The young boy is Faith’s second brother, Demetri (10). Sporting red hair, a black hoodie, and shorts.

Now it’s Faith’s turn to pretend to be hurt, while her brother Demetri shoots his arms up, for the invisible audience. But Faith isn’t out yet. She kicks Demetri in the leg, knocking him off balance. Giving Isiah enough time to get behind him, turn him around and performed a classic “Stone cold stunner” on him. Demetri then lays on the mattress, pretending to be knocked out. Faith gets to her feet, and runs toward Isiah, but he sees her in his peripheral vision. Grabbing her and using his superior strength to force her over the ropes and out of bounds.

“And with that, we have our current champion! Guilty Isiah!” Isiah yells triumphantly.

Demetri looks up at his youngest brother, out of breath and filled with the energy only a child has. Ready to keep playing. He looks over to Faith, seeing if she’s feeling the same energy only to see her hunkered over her newly bleeding knee. His eyes widen.

“Oww, I scraped my knee.” Faith declares to her brothers.

Her brothers immediately stopped what they were doing and walked over to her, afraid that she would cry. Which meant the fun times were over. But to their surprise Faith didn’t cry out. Even though they could clearly see she was in pain. A slightly older boy comes walking around the corner with a book in his hand. His hair is blonde, but more kept than Isiah’s, and he’s wearing an open buttoned shirt, and jeans. This is Dorian (11). Dorian rushes over to Faith.

“Faith are you okay?” Dorian asks. Immediately he saw her bleeding knee. Shooting a stern look toward his two brothers. While both brothers look away awkwardly.

“I’m fine. We were just playing wrestling.” Faith responds.

“Yeah, that much I gathered. Go to mom, so she can disinfect that,” Dorian orders. “Now, for you two!”

Isiah and Demetri both flinch, awaiting a scolding or a lecture, or both. Instead, Dorian gently places his book down on a nearby coffee table, and takes off his buttoned shirt, revealing a plain blue shirt underneath.

“You ready to take on the reigning champion?” Dorian asks.

All the brothers smile at each other and run toward the make-shift ring. Faith sees this and runs toward the kitchen, almost forgetting about the pain immediately. Once in the kitchen she sees her mom smoking a cigarette, while talking to one of the housekeepers. Whatever her mom and the housekeeper were talking about was interrupted by Faith running in with a bloodied leg. The housekeeper (This is Samantha. White, 38) runs over to Faith, and kneels to her leg.

“What happened sweetie?!” Samnatha asks.

“I hurt my leg, Samantha.” Faith answers.

“Playing with your brothers, I presume,” Faith’s mother says. Still smoking her cigarette.

Faith doesn’t dare make eye contact with her mother. Instead keeping her gaze lowered.

“Yeah, but I was having fun. We all were.” Faith pleads.

“It doesn’t matter, I told you about letting them rough you up. It’s not becoming of a woman to just have scrapes and bruises on her, Faith!” Her mother lashes out.

Samantha the housekeeper ignores the conversation and walks over to a nearby drawer in the kitchen. Taking out a first aid kit. Immediately treating Faith’s leg.

“Why mom? Why can’t I play with Demetri, Isiah, and Dorian?” Faith asks.

“Was Dorian behind this?” Faith’s mother immediately asks.

“No, he told me to come to you after I got hurt.” Faith answers.

“Good. I’ve already talked to him about that. Now for you. Baby girl, you don’t have to sink yourself to the level of your brothers. You are a “Storm.” Do you know what the means?” Faith’s mother asks.

“No.” Faith answers honestly.

“That means you don’t have to get dirty, or sweaty or any of that barbaric stuff. People will do what you say and give you what you want simply because you’re you. That is, if you look the part. People will expect you to look elegant, beautiful, and above all… womanly. This sweety… isn’t womanly.”

Faith’s mother coldly stares into her young daughters’ eyes. This moment seems to last forever for young Faith.

END OF FLASHBACK.

**

Faith opens her eyes, waking up in a cold sweat. She clutches her knees through her blanket. Allowing her blanket to absorb her silent tears.

**

Nora is walking down the front yard of the VBL HQ. Ignoring her surroundings and looking at her phone. She’s scrolling through a video that’s titled “Great beginner weapons in VBL.” She opens the front door and walks inside, feeling the cool transitional breeze from the AC.

Nora inner thoughts: I had no idea the weapon system in VBL was so robust. Every weapon was a special ability. Some even have two. I wonder what goes in to balancing all these weapons. How does VBL properly make sure one weapon isn’t too overpowered?

Nora walks to the center of the lobby. On the other side of the lobby, sitting on one of the benches is Javier, and his friend Rem. Rem spots Nora first, and slaps Javier’s shoulder. Javier rips his attention from his phone, immediately seeing what his friend what’s him to see. Javier jumps from the bench, running up to Nora.

“Nora Maxim!” Javier calls out.

Nora flinches back when she turns and sees Javier running up to her.

“Whoa!”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” Javier says.

“No worries. I’m sure you had a good reason to run up to a stranger, while calling her full government name.” Nora teases.

“Well, I had a good reason to run up to You.” Javier flirts.

Nora blushes but doesn’t call attention to his advance. At this time Rem walks up, but allows the interaction between Nora and Javier to play out.

Nora inner thoughts: Wait. I recognize this guy. I watched one of his matches. He was using gauntlets. He seemed like he was pretty good, but he lost the match I watched.

“Okay, well. Why did you run up?” Nora asks.

“I want a match. With you. In VBL.”

“Playing VBL, at the VBL HQ?” Nora teases again.

“Crazy, I know but I saw your match, and I had to find out for myself,” Javier pleads.

“Find out what?” Nora asks.

“If you’re just a pretty face.” Javier flirts again.

“Then give it to me straight. Were you looking for a date or a match? Because I’ll say yes to the second.”

“Good. Because I’m over this flirty back and forth! Nora. I challenge you to a match. To assess your skills and to see what you’re made of.” Javier says.

“You’re not the only one. I want to assess my skills too. So, you’re on!” Nora states, while smirking.

END OF PART 2