A knot of tension had settled deep in the pit of Ria Graziano's gut as she and Maria Graziano-Bojangles took side-by-side seats next to the Wrecking Crew's equally on edge press secretary and in front of a room full of reporters and photographers. Except for Kheldar who was always reliable and stable, allowing a member of her extended family to be in a room full of microphones, recorders, and journalists was a risky proposition.
To make matters worse, Maria was already up in arms over an article that had claimed she did not deserve her second MVP title. She snorted and leaned over to Ria to whisper while the press secretary set the ground rules for the press conference. "Do y'know what their problem is?"
Ria leaned over to turn off Maria's microphone as she was sure that whatever the woman was about to say could not be stopped and was not suitable for public consumption. "No, but I'm sure ya gonna tell me."
"They... and by they, I mean all the rest of the world... are pissed that I'm smarter, wittier, and more talented" she said, ticking the qualities off on her fingers, "than they can ever hope to be."
The press secretary cleared his throat and gave Ria a sidelong glance, signaling that it was time to jump in and make the announcement. "Yah, I'm sure tha's it, really," Ria replied in a dry whisper to Maria before flipping the switch to turn her microphone back on. Maria merely gave a sage nod in return.
The eyes of a roomful of people turned on her and to stave off the butterflies in her stomach, Ria plastered on a wide smile. "Maria an' I're here today wit' an announcement tha we're really psyched 'bout."
"Towards the end of last season I became concerned with the limited amount of attention I was able to give WRC due to having a young child at home. I feel that my focus, for now, should be primarily with my daughter," Maria spoke up in a tone that was so obviously bored and rehearsed that Ria nearly rolled her eyes.
Instead, she kicked Maria under the table and broke into the speech. "Since TJ an' Alicia are a lil' older now, I got more time ta take carea the administrative crap. So, this season, I got captain an' Maria got my back as assistant."
The announcement was not life-altering nor shocking. The Crew saw minor changes in its leadership from season to season as one of the guiding principles of keeping it fresh. There were the appropriate soft murmurs of interest from those gathered. However, she could see what was coming next. The articles would be a yawn without a completely outrageous and WRC-like quote. Ria braced herself for what she knew would be questions meant to rile her.
"Josh Greman from the RhyDin TDL Report," one reporter in the front row identified himself. The organized manner in which questions were being delivered suggested that the order had been predetermined. Ria made a mental note to praise the press secretary for this move. "Doesn't the Crew fear that all this inconsistency in that captaining positions will lead to chaos?"
Maria spoke up to field the question with surprisingly little disdain in her voice. "Not at all. Ria's the mouthiest of the bunch anyway."
"If ya wanna see chaos, ya should see a Thanksgiving dinner wit' alla Crew," Ria added in. The reporters laughed appreciatively but the quote wasn't outrageous enough for what they were looking for. Ria was hoping against hope that they would have to go away disappointed today.
A balding man in a threadbare sports jacket immediately jumped into the fray with a challenging tone. "Christopher Heart from Dueling Reporter. After yet another disappointing second place finish this time in IFL, is there a feeling on WRC that you all might be destined to always be the bridesmaid and never the bride?"
"That's such a dumbass saying," Maria spat.
Ria quickly broke in. Maria and Christopher Heart were a bad combination. "We're comin' back as TDL champions. How ya gonna call tha never a bride? 'Sides, second place's pretty damn good in its own right, 'specially when we can get ta the finals year in an' year out. Ya ever been tha consistent?"
"Gary Stinwich. RhyDin Morning News," a man announced with a bright smile to Ria and Maria. The sight of Gary allowed Ria to relax slightly and Maria even flashed him a bright smile in return. He was a favorite of the Crew. In fact, Maria had given him such an exclusive on the birth of her daughter that he broke the story before some members of the Crew had found out. There was no way a question from him would set them up for failure.
His arms were crossed in front of his chest and there was no notebook or pen to be seen. He had an uncanny memory and, despite his avoidance of note-taking, never seemed to misquote his interviewees. "It seems that since Kaja Adair left the Crew you have been playing musical chairs with that last spot. Do you feel that WRC has been hurt by Adair's absence and who is going to fill that slot this season?"
"That was two questions, Gary." The press secretary gave the reporter a stern look.
Gary shot him the same disarming smile and raised both hands innocently. "Sorry, sorry."
"It's okay. I can answer them both," Maria jumped in quickly. Ria's stomach turned at the sharp tone her sister-in-law had suddenly adopted. She wanted to stop the train that had just been set into motion. She could see it coming, she could see this becoming very bad very fast, but her voice failed her.
"As you can see by Kaja's record since she left WRC, winning isn't exactly her strong suit. We certainly don't miss her."
It was worse than Ria could have imagined. Stunned, her gaze leapt over to Maria. Maria ignored the imploring look for her to shut her mouth and continued on. "As for who is going to fill that slot, I can guaran-damn-tee you that she will be the hottest young star that TDL has seen to date."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the room became a buzz. Maria had given them the quote that they had been waiting for. Pens flew across pieces of scrap paper, napkins, the backs of reciepts furiously as every reporter in the room attempted to copy down what she had just said.
Gary grinned at Maria's antics and rose his voice once more. "I'm sorry. I know I'm already over my limit on questions but I know a lot of people in the room are wondering right now, Maria, just how do you spell 'guaran-damn-tee'?"
The press secretary, who looked a bit green around the gills, rose to his feet before Maria could respond. "Well, folks, I think we'll end it here. I trust you all have what you came for anyway."
With that Ria snatched Maria's arm as she too pushed back her chair and stood. Shooting Ria innocent glances along the way, Ria led Maria back into the empty green room. When the door had shut on the room full of reporters, Ria gave her sister-in-law her best motherly glare. "Please tell me ya got a candidate for the statement ya just threw out there ta the press."
A mischevious grin slowly spread across Maria's face. "Nope but I'm sure you'll come up with something, Ria. After all, you're the best!"
Fresh Meat
Moderators: Ticallion Carter, Myria Graziano, Ria Graziano, Maria Graziano
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Maria Graziano
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:28 pm
- Location: New Haven, RhyDin
-
Maria Graziano
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:28 pm
- Location: New Haven, RhyDin
A business meeting between Maria and Ria was never easy to organize as it would consist of the two women, a preschooler, two toddlers, two nannies, three sippie cups of apple juice, several sandwich bags of those cookies with the holes in the middle so they fit on your finger, a battered Tonka truck, a stuffed bunny who was missing one eye, a toy piano, hopefully three blankies (because if one was forgotten all hope of getting work completed could be forgotten), and two diaper bags.
Despite the logistical nightmare, Thursday afternoon found the two woman at the dining room table in Maria and Bode's penthouse suite while TJ made truck noises, Alicia sang to her one-eyed bunny, Adie pinged the keys of her toy piano, and the nannies had a highly intellectual discussion over the qualities of the rear ends of both Tical and Tony.
Spread out across the table were head shots of possible candidates put together by WRC's talent scout. Paper clipped to each head shot was a resume of accomplishments, previous dueling experience, martial arts training, and even beauty pageant titles held. Despite the numerous choices they seemed to have available, they were getting no where very fast.
Maria reached out a grabbed the headshot and resume of a particularly perky blonde to flip through her resume once more. "What about this Benita Adams girl?"
Ria looked up from shuffling through a stack and her features immediately twisted in disgust at the name mentioned. "Have ya ever met tha girl? I did once. She hit on Chris while I was in the same room."
Maria looked up from the resume and shook her head. "I'm sure it was just in Chris's head. He once told me that a girl in his class hit on him. When I asked him what she said, he told me that she asked for a pen but it was the way she asked for the pen that told him that she was hitting on him. Now tell me, how does one ask for a pen in a suggestive manner?" Maria continued on without a pause, pointing to a line in the resume. "Benita Adams spent two years in a amateur dueling league before she got the analyst job with Sports Scoreboard."
"She got thaa analyst job cuz she slept wit' tha producer," Ria replied. "And Chris was actually tellin' the truth this time. I overheard her ask 'im, 'Should I call ya in the morning or nudge ya'"
Maria's brown eyes turned on Ria in horor. "She did not!"
"Yah, she did."
"That's a horrendous line," Maria stated, immediately shoving the Benita Adams headshot off to the side.
Ria held up the head shot of a brunette with particularly bushy eyebrows. "Wow. Seriously, some wax would do wonders for this chick."
Maria glanced up long enough to look at the name on the resume of the girl before snorting in disgust. "I've seen her duel before. It reminded me of this idiot stray cat that we always saw in the neighborhood growin' up. Once it got stuck in a plastic bag and ended up runnin' up and down the street with it stuck on its head."
A moment's pause passed before Ria decided that asking Maria how the woman's dueling reminded her of a cat with a plastic bag stuck on its head would be a rambling explanation that she really did not have time for. "Wha 'bout Kelly Montangro?"
"No," Maria said dismissively and quickly. "We had to ban her from the stadium. She sent Tical all of these very graphic letters saying how she was fated to be with him and if that she couldn't have him nobody would. A real psycho."
Ria dropped the head shot and put her head in her hands with a hefty sigh. "We're gettin' no where."
A terrific cry went up from the other room and the nannies sprung into action to quell the crying child. The wail caused Maria to check her watch. "Maybe we should take a break. I need to get Adie down for a nap, anyway."
Ria's hands dropped and her tired green eyes met Maria's. "M, what're we gonna do?"
It was the look of true concern on Ria's features that caused Maria to realize the full weight of the promise she had laid out to the press. They had to deliver a star. Maria took a moment but she was able to brave up a confidant smile to Ria and reached out to pat one of her hands reassuringly. "No worries. Trust me."
Despite the logistical nightmare, Thursday afternoon found the two woman at the dining room table in Maria and Bode's penthouse suite while TJ made truck noises, Alicia sang to her one-eyed bunny, Adie pinged the keys of her toy piano, and the nannies had a highly intellectual discussion over the qualities of the rear ends of both Tical and Tony.
Spread out across the table were head shots of possible candidates put together by WRC's talent scout. Paper clipped to each head shot was a resume of accomplishments, previous dueling experience, martial arts training, and even beauty pageant titles held. Despite the numerous choices they seemed to have available, they were getting no where very fast.
Maria reached out a grabbed the headshot and resume of a particularly perky blonde to flip through her resume once more. "What about this Benita Adams girl?"
Ria looked up from shuffling through a stack and her features immediately twisted in disgust at the name mentioned. "Have ya ever met tha girl? I did once. She hit on Chris while I was in the same room."
Maria looked up from the resume and shook her head. "I'm sure it was just in Chris's head. He once told me that a girl in his class hit on him. When I asked him what she said, he told me that she asked for a pen but it was the way she asked for the pen that told him that she was hitting on him. Now tell me, how does one ask for a pen in a suggestive manner?" Maria continued on without a pause, pointing to a line in the resume. "Benita Adams spent two years in a amateur dueling league before she got the analyst job with Sports Scoreboard."
"She got thaa analyst job cuz she slept wit' tha producer," Ria replied. "And Chris was actually tellin' the truth this time. I overheard her ask 'im, 'Should I call ya in the morning or nudge ya'"
Maria's brown eyes turned on Ria in horor. "She did not!"
"Yah, she did."
"That's a horrendous line," Maria stated, immediately shoving the Benita Adams headshot off to the side.
Ria held up the head shot of a brunette with particularly bushy eyebrows. "Wow. Seriously, some wax would do wonders for this chick."
Maria glanced up long enough to look at the name on the resume of the girl before snorting in disgust. "I've seen her duel before. It reminded me of this idiot stray cat that we always saw in the neighborhood growin' up. Once it got stuck in a plastic bag and ended up runnin' up and down the street with it stuck on its head."
A moment's pause passed before Ria decided that asking Maria how the woman's dueling reminded her of a cat with a plastic bag stuck on its head would be a rambling explanation that she really did not have time for. "Wha 'bout Kelly Montangro?"
"No," Maria said dismissively and quickly. "We had to ban her from the stadium. She sent Tical all of these very graphic letters saying how she was fated to be with him and if that she couldn't have him nobody would. A real psycho."
Ria dropped the head shot and put her head in her hands with a hefty sigh. "We're gettin' no where."
A terrific cry went up from the other room and the nannies sprung into action to quell the crying child. The wail caused Maria to check her watch. "Maybe we should take a break. I need to get Adie down for a nap, anyway."
Ria's hands dropped and her tired green eyes met Maria's. "M, what're we gonna do?"
It was the look of true concern on Ria's features that caused Maria to realize the full weight of the promise she had laid out to the press. They had to deliver a star. Maria took a moment but she was able to brave up a confidant smile to Ria and reached out to pat one of her hands reassuringly. "No worries. Trust me."
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Maria Graziano
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:28 pm
- Location: New Haven, RhyDin
"She's in the Aerobic Room, Maria." Jenna, Maria's long-suffering assistant greeted her at the front door of the nondescript brick building that served as WRC's training facility.
Maria nodded politely to the security guard who briefly glanced up from his newspaper to respond with a nod. Maria then turned her attention back to Jenna. "Did anybody see her?"
"Nope, brought her through the service entrance. Remember you have that meeting with Ria at noon," Jenna reminded before pushing open the door to the gym.
"Thanks," Maria replied as she scooted through. Jenna nodded as she closed the door behind Maria.
Come on, ride the train, hey ride it, woo woo!
Quad City DJs assaulted Maria's ears as soon as she stepped inside the main gym. Dread immediately over came her -- it was Tony's day to pick the music.
The brother in question was easily spotted standing in front of a mirrored wall beside Bode as they compared their "guns". Maria briefly considered contesting the music selection but then decided she would fight fire with fire. Tomorrow, on her day to pick, classical would blast from the speakers all day. If Tony was going to use his day merely to annoy her, she would do the same to him. Content in this thought, she continued through the large gym towards a far door labeled "Aerobic Room".
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!
Only twenty-five yards more and she would escape. If only she could make it there without being noticed. If the boys found out what she was headed there for, she would be teased mercilessly. She lengthened her strides, focusing her dark eyes on that door.
"Maria!"
Maria released a heavy sigh, coming to a stop in place as Ria bellowed her name. She summoned up a bright smile as she turned to face her stern-looking sister-in-law. "Mornin', Ria."
"We gotta lot ta talk 'bout--" Ria began. Maria could see where this was going. They had still not made a decision on that final duelist and it was getting awfully close to the beginning of the season.
Quad City DJs gratefully come to an end but now the speakers were beginning the thumping beat from another "artist" that Maria truly hated -- Vanilla Ice.
Alright, stop. Collaberate and listen. Ice is back with my brand new invention.
"About Tone's music choice?" Maria broke in. "You really need to do something about this. His little joke has really gone too far this time."
Ria gave a dismissive wave at the speaker. "Look, Maria, I'm bein' serious here."
There was no getting out of this easily. Maria sighed heavily and ran a hand through her long dark locks. "I know, Ria. Really I do. Look, I have somebody waiting for me. You can yell at me later, promise."
With Ria staring sternly at her back and the speakers blasting "Ice ice baby", Maria left the craziness behind and stepped into the side Aerobic room. Immediately, she flicked the lock to keep her family out and turned to take in her yoga instructor -- Naiya Lenai.
Her family would never understand Maria's new found love of yoga and up to this point Maria had been able to keep it under wraps. Initially she had been hesitant to try such a new age approach to her stress but her publicist, another young mother desperately trying to balance a baby and a career, had made her give Naiya a try. Maria was quickly hooked and not just by the increased flexibility or decreased tension but also by Naiya herself.
Naiya was posed with her arms gracefully outstretched in two parallel lines above her head. She was balanced perfectly on her left foot while her right heel was tucked against her left thigh. What would look awkward and uncomfortable to anybody else seemed effortlessly natural when Naiya did it. Her rich dark hair was pulled into a bun with wispy strands framing her exotic features.
Her right foot was brought to the floor before Naiya turned towards Maria. Ice white contact covered eyes greeted Maria along with a ready smile. Again, what would appear odd on anyone else, appeared stylish on Naiya. "I thought you were going to stand me up."
Maria allowed her gym bag to slide off her shoulder and drop to the floor before kicking off her sneakers. "I'm so sorry. Ria caught me on my way in and my brother--" She cut her sentence off mid-stride as she approached Naiya's position. "Never mind. If we get into why I'm stressed I'll ruin my yoga high before we even get started."
Naiya lips parted in a bright grin again and she nodded as she slid a simplistic water bottle holder off her own shoulder and let the tiny bag drop carelessly to the cushioned floor. "Don't need my work cut out for me."
She immediately began spinning her arms in controlled circles and Maria followed along through the stretches. "We're going to go easy today since this place isn't heated exactly like mine, it's not nearly the right temperature but I'll work you extra hard when we go back."
"Sounds good," Maria replied. "Sorry about having to meet here. Ria and I are meeting in an hour. I'm due for a lecture because I haven't delivered on a promise I made." Maria followed Naiya's lead and bent at the waist. The tips of her fingers brushing against the tips of her toes.
"Oh?" Naiya asked, leaving her voice her voice deceptively non-chalant to hide the curiousity. Naiya clearly loved learning about anything and everything and soaked it up like a sponge, but she was also very careful not to pry into what wasn't her business. She held the toe touch for a few minutes before slowly bending her knees with her fingers still on her toes to begin stretching her calf muscles.
Forgetting her earlier statement about not discussing her stress, Maria readily jumped into the issue. After all what she really enjoyed about these sessions with Naiya was being able to vent to someone whom she trusted. Why she trusted Naiya so readily when she failed to trust even those closest to her, she had not quite pinpointed. "I said something stupid to the press. It certainly wasn't the first time I have done that nor, let's be honest, the last time I probably will do that."
Naiya began moving her arms in pinwheel style with her right hand touching her left foot after slowly bending into a sideway lunge to stretch the left calf even more and the inside of her right legs. Instead of saying anything in return to that, she nodded and remained quiet, allowing Maria to continue on that topic or change the subject.
Maria drew to a stop, failing to follow Naiya into the next set of stretching. She heaved a heavy sigh as she frowned back at her own image in the mirror. "This time I'm in some trouble," Maria continued, her tone growing somber.
Her tone and sudden stop caused Naiya to shift her full attention in Maria's direction. Realizing that Maria was not going to continue on with her stretching without being snapped from her thoughts, she straightened to her full height. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
The question seemed to pull Maria back to the present moment. Her dark gaze moved back to Naiya and a smile suddenly softened her face. "Not unless you have a double life as a famous dueling star."
Naiya mirrored Maria's smile as she reached for her bottle of water. "Nope, sorry. Some kickboxing and martial arts but I've never stepped foot inside the Arena."
"How many years?" Maria asked curiously.
"Seven of kickboxing. About the same of martial arts," Naiya answered casually as she dropped the bottle of water back to the floor after having taken a sip. "You ready to get started?"
The question was not immediately answered. Naiya turned back to Maria to find her frozen in place, staring at her as if something had suddenly started erupting from Naiya's forehead. "What?" Naiya asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Got a minute? I want to introduce you to someone."
Maria nodded politely to the security guard who briefly glanced up from his newspaper to respond with a nod. Maria then turned her attention back to Jenna. "Did anybody see her?"
"Nope, brought her through the service entrance. Remember you have that meeting with Ria at noon," Jenna reminded before pushing open the door to the gym.
"Thanks," Maria replied as she scooted through. Jenna nodded as she closed the door behind Maria.
Come on, ride the train, hey ride it, woo woo!
Quad City DJs assaulted Maria's ears as soon as she stepped inside the main gym. Dread immediately over came her -- it was Tony's day to pick the music.
The brother in question was easily spotted standing in front of a mirrored wall beside Bode as they compared their "guns". Maria briefly considered contesting the music selection but then decided she would fight fire with fire. Tomorrow, on her day to pick, classical would blast from the speakers all day. If Tony was going to use his day merely to annoy her, she would do the same to him. Content in this thought, she continued through the large gym towards a far door labeled "Aerobic Room".
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!
Only twenty-five yards more and she would escape. If only she could make it there without being noticed. If the boys found out what she was headed there for, she would be teased mercilessly. She lengthened her strides, focusing her dark eyes on that door.
"Maria!"
Maria released a heavy sigh, coming to a stop in place as Ria bellowed her name. She summoned up a bright smile as she turned to face her stern-looking sister-in-law. "Mornin', Ria."
"We gotta lot ta talk 'bout--" Ria began. Maria could see where this was going. They had still not made a decision on that final duelist and it was getting awfully close to the beginning of the season.
Quad City DJs gratefully come to an end but now the speakers were beginning the thumping beat from another "artist" that Maria truly hated -- Vanilla Ice.
Alright, stop. Collaberate and listen. Ice is back with my brand new invention.
"About Tone's music choice?" Maria broke in. "You really need to do something about this. His little joke has really gone too far this time."
Ria gave a dismissive wave at the speaker. "Look, Maria, I'm bein' serious here."
There was no getting out of this easily. Maria sighed heavily and ran a hand through her long dark locks. "I know, Ria. Really I do. Look, I have somebody waiting for me. You can yell at me later, promise."
With Ria staring sternly at her back and the speakers blasting "Ice ice baby", Maria left the craziness behind and stepped into the side Aerobic room. Immediately, she flicked the lock to keep her family out and turned to take in her yoga instructor -- Naiya Lenai.
Her family would never understand Maria's new found love of yoga and up to this point Maria had been able to keep it under wraps. Initially she had been hesitant to try such a new age approach to her stress but her publicist, another young mother desperately trying to balance a baby and a career, had made her give Naiya a try. Maria was quickly hooked and not just by the increased flexibility or decreased tension but also by Naiya herself.
Naiya was posed with her arms gracefully outstretched in two parallel lines above her head. She was balanced perfectly on her left foot while her right heel was tucked against her left thigh. What would look awkward and uncomfortable to anybody else seemed effortlessly natural when Naiya did it. Her rich dark hair was pulled into a bun with wispy strands framing her exotic features.
Her right foot was brought to the floor before Naiya turned towards Maria. Ice white contact covered eyes greeted Maria along with a ready smile. Again, what would appear odd on anyone else, appeared stylish on Naiya. "I thought you were going to stand me up."
Maria allowed her gym bag to slide off her shoulder and drop to the floor before kicking off her sneakers. "I'm so sorry. Ria caught me on my way in and my brother--" She cut her sentence off mid-stride as she approached Naiya's position. "Never mind. If we get into why I'm stressed I'll ruin my yoga high before we even get started."
Naiya lips parted in a bright grin again and she nodded as she slid a simplistic water bottle holder off her own shoulder and let the tiny bag drop carelessly to the cushioned floor. "Don't need my work cut out for me."
She immediately began spinning her arms in controlled circles and Maria followed along through the stretches. "We're going to go easy today since this place isn't heated exactly like mine, it's not nearly the right temperature but I'll work you extra hard when we go back."
"Sounds good," Maria replied. "Sorry about having to meet here. Ria and I are meeting in an hour. I'm due for a lecture because I haven't delivered on a promise I made." Maria followed Naiya's lead and bent at the waist. The tips of her fingers brushing against the tips of her toes.
"Oh?" Naiya asked, leaving her voice her voice deceptively non-chalant to hide the curiousity. Naiya clearly loved learning about anything and everything and soaked it up like a sponge, but she was also very careful not to pry into what wasn't her business. She held the toe touch for a few minutes before slowly bending her knees with her fingers still on her toes to begin stretching her calf muscles.
Forgetting her earlier statement about not discussing her stress, Maria readily jumped into the issue. After all what she really enjoyed about these sessions with Naiya was being able to vent to someone whom she trusted. Why she trusted Naiya so readily when she failed to trust even those closest to her, she had not quite pinpointed. "I said something stupid to the press. It certainly wasn't the first time I have done that nor, let's be honest, the last time I probably will do that."
Naiya began moving her arms in pinwheel style with her right hand touching her left foot after slowly bending into a sideway lunge to stretch the left calf even more and the inside of her right legs. Instead of saying anything in return to that, she nodded and remained quiet, allowing Maria to continue on that topic or change the subject.
Maria drew to a stop, failing to follow Naiya into the next set of stretching. She heaved a heavy sigh as she frowned back at her own image in the mirror. "This time I'm in some trouble," Maria continued, her tone growing somber.
Her tone and sudden stop caused Naiya to shift her full attention in Maria's direction. Realizing that Maria was not going to continue on with her stretching without being snapped from her thoughts, she straightened to her full height. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
The question seemed to pull Maria back to the present moment. Her dark gaze moved back to Naiya and a smile suddenly softened her face. "Not unless you have a double life as a famous dueling star."
Naiya mirrored Maria's smile as she reached for her bottle of water. "Nope, sorry. Some kickboxing and martial arts but I've never stepped foot inside the Arena."
"How many years?" Maria asked curiously.
"Seven of kickboxing. About the same of martial arts," Naiya answered casually as she dropped the bottle of water back to the floor after having taken a sip. "You ready to get started?"
The question was not immediately answered. Naiya turned back to Maria to find her frozen in place, staring at her as if something had suddenly started erupting from Naiya's forehead. "What?" Naiya asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Got a minute? I want to introduce you to someone."
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Maria Graziano
- Proven Adventurer
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:28 pm
- Location: New Haven, RhyDin
An hour later found Maria and Ria side-by-side watching Naiya face off against WRC's head trainer in a ring. Tony and the rest of the guys had left some time ago for their typical two-hour lunch but Tony's torture was still pounding through the speakers.
If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe, I'd been married long time ago. Where did you come from? Where did you go? Where did you come from, Cotton-Eye Joe.
Sporting a wooden broad sword from the practice rack, Naiya spun with the grace of a dancer into scoring position, tagging the man's left thigh. With utter smoothness, she swept back out of his range before he even had a chance to pull his own wooden sword around on her in return. It was Naiya's fourth unanswered point.
He brought disaster wherever he went. The hearts was to hell broken sent. They all ran away so nobody would know and left only the men cause of Cotton-Eye Joe.
Ria leaned over closer to Maria and rose her voice to speak over the music. "Where did you find this girl?"
Maria merely grinned and shrugged back to Ria without taking her eyes off the ring. The trainer was beginning to mount an offensive, pushing Naiya towards the ropes. Each time she managed to keep from getting hit but his press was causing her to fall back. Suddenly, he lunged forward, aiming for a hit towards her ribs. The move did not surprise Naiya, she dropped back and stopped the thrust in its tracks, lashing at the trainer's wrists. He pulled back stunned as she secured an obvious fifth point.
"Grab some water, Nayia," Ria called to the young woman as the trainer dropped his wooden sword in the ring and approached Maria and Ria.
As the jaunty beat of Cotton-Eye Joe faded into nothing, it was quickly replaced by the smoothness of Raffi.
Baby beluga in the deep blue sea, swim so wild and you swim so free. Heaven above and the sea below, and a little whale on the go.
"What the hell is this?" Ria glanced towards Maria, motioning towards the speakers as they waited for the trainer to approach.
A smile cracked Maria's lips. "Raffi. Tony's favorite singer when he was, like, five."
Ria merely shook her head but held her tongue. Insulting Tony, even when right, always led to an argument when Maria was around. It was as if she was permanently locked in "big sister" mode when it came to him. Instead, she turned to toss the trainer a fresh bottle of water.
He quickly twisted off the top and took a long sip before he was able to speak. "It's like she's dancing out there. Completely effortless," he finally advised the sisters-in-law breathlessly.
Both women nodded slowly and exchanged a knowing glance. They had each come to the same conclusion. She was as beautiful as Kaja, as even keeled as Kheld, and seemed to have the natural talent of Chris. Her attitude made her a perfect fit. The problem all along had been that they weren't looking for an eigth duelist, they were looking for another family member. Naiya showed all the makings of becoming a part of their rag-tag extended family. "So?" Maria asked of Ria.
"Fine, fine. You are so lucky that she's that good though," Ria grumbled in return before lifting her voice to call to Naiya. "You're hired!"
Naiya swallowed down her gulp of water and turned her eyes on Maria for an explanation. "To teach yoga to everybody?"
"You, Naiya Lenai, are the newest member of the reigning TDL champions," Maria replied with a grin.
For a long moment while Naiya stood in stunned silence, only the jaunty chorus of "Baby Beluga" filled the facilty. However, after several attempts, Naiya recovered enough control of her agape jaw to speak. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
Ria laughed dryly before stating as an aside to Maria, "Now that is a good question."
When it’s dark, you’re home and fed, curl up snug in your water bed.
Moon is shining and the stars are out. Good night, little whale, good night.
If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe, I'd been married long time ago. Where did you come from? Where did you go? Where did you come from, Cotton-Eye Joe.
Sporting a wooden broad sword from the practice rack, Naiya spun with the grace of a dancer into scoring position, tagging the man's left thigh. With utter smoothness, she swept back out of his range before he even had a chance to pull his own wooden sword around on her in return. It was Naiya's fourth unanswered point.
He brought disaster wherever he went. The hearts was to hell broken sent. They all ran away so nobody would know and left only the men cause of Cotton-Eye Joe.
Ria leaned over closer to Maria and rose her voice to speak over the music. "Where did you find this girl?"
Maria merely grinned and shrugged back to Ria without taking her eyes off the ring. The trainer was beginning to mount an offensive, pushing Naiya towards the ropes. Each time she managed to keep from getting hit but his press was causing her to fall back. Suddenly, he lunged forward, aiming for a hit towards her ribs. The move did not surprise Naiya, she dropped back and stopped the thrust in its tracks, lashing at the trainer's wrists. He pulled back stunned as she secured an obvious fifth point.
"Grab some water, Nayia," Ria called to the young woman as the trainer dropped his wooden sword in the ring and approached Maria and Ria.
As the jaunty beat of Cotton-Eye Joe faded into nothing, it was quickly replaced by the smoothness of Raffi.
Baby beluga in the deep blue sea, swim so wild and you swim so free. Heaven above and the sea below, and a little whale on the go.
"What the hell is this?" Ria glanced towards Maria, motioning towards the speakers as they waited for the trainer to approach.
A smile cracked Maria's lips. "Raffi. Tony's favorite singer when he was, like, five."
Ria merely shook her head but held her tongue. Insulting Tony, even when right, always led to an argument when Maria was around. It was as if she was permanently locked in "big sister" mode when it came to him. Instead, she turned to toss the trainer a fresh bottle of water.
He quickly twisted off the top and took a long sip before he was able to speak. "It's like she's dancing out there. Completely effortless," he finally advised the sisters-in-law breathlessly.
Both women nodded slowly and exchanged a knowing glance. They had each come to the same conclusion. She was as beautiful as Kaja, as even keeled as Kheld, and seemed to have the natural talent of Chris. Her attitude made her a perfect fit. The problem all along had been that they weren't looking for an eigth duelist, they were looking for another family member. Naiya showed all the makings of becoming a part of their rag-tag extended family. "So?" Maria asked of Ria.
"Fine, fine. You are so lucky that she's that good though," Ria grumbled in return before lifting her voice to call to Naiya. "You're hired!"
Naiya swallowed down her gulp of water and turned her eyes on Maria for an explanation. "To teach yoga to everybody?"
"You, Naiya Lenai, are the newest member of the reigning TDL champions," Maria replied with a grin.
For a long moment while Naiya stood in stunned silence, only the jaunty chorus of "Baby Beluga" filled the facilty. However, after several attempts, Naiya recovered enough control of her agape jaw to speak. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
Ria laughed dryly before stating as an aside to Maria, "Now that is a good question."
When it’s dark, you’re home and fed, curl up snug in your water bed.
Moon is shining and the stars are out. Good night, little whale, good night.
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