Post by #ChewySweettartsLife on Nov 11, 2014 14:50:01 GMT -6
•11/11/2014, 12:09 PM. Location: Unknown -
A camera flickers on, unfocused for a moment in a dimly lit room. As the picture adjusts, a desk in an otherwise empty room is revealed. It’s set-up like a panel for a press conference, donning only a mic and a bottle of water. Behind it is a large, comfortable looking desk chair. This is all the viewer of this video sees for several moments before a shadow hits the wall behind the the chair. Light footsteps can be heard out of view. The shadow grows large as the figure casting it approaches.
Someone finally comes into view, a female wearing a white and silver shimmering hooded cape. She are rather short and move graceful and silent across the floor to the desk. She stops just before sitting, resting a hand on some sort of document. A lock of blonde hair falls out from under the hood, giving the smallest of clues as to the identity of hooded woman. She pulls the chair out with deliberate slowness, falling gracefully into it.
She sits with her head covered for a few moments, before small, well manicured hands rise slowly and slip the hood down revealing the beautiful face of Heather Halliwell. Her hair is once again blonde, held out of her face by a sparkling diamond headband. Her turquoise eyes are painted uncharistically dark, making them a brighter blue and more cat-like than usual. Her luscious lips are a dark blood red.
The dramatic look of her makeup is matched by the flowing, white dress she’s wearing under the cape. The neckline dips low and is hemmed with sparkling diamonds that match her headpiece. The entire look is a throw-back to her House Halliwell days, stunning and regal. She sits behind the desk for a few moments, staring blankly into the camera. When she finally begins to speak, her voice is low, the Texan accent more feathery than usual.
“I always knew life had a way of testing you when it sees fit. I’ve gone through my fair share of trials and I’ve always managed to come out of them relatively unscathed. I may not have always been victorious, but I’ve always learned a valuable lesson in the end and in that, I considered myself a winner. But I suppose there comes a time in everyone’s life where the trial set before you is unbeatable… And when that happens, how do you face it? What do you do when you know you can not defeat the challenge put before you?”
Heather sighs and leans back in her chair. She reaches into her cape and pulls out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. She shakes one out and taps it gently against the desk before placing it in a tortoiseshell, old fashioned cigarette holder. She lights it up, inhaling it deeply. She exhales the smoke slowly, her red lips giving it a dramatic flair.
“I know many of you are probably thinking that Lady Magdalena Evelyne Lasiewicz is the unbeatable challenge. And while she does pose a threat to my livelihood… Well, let’s just say that she isn’t what scares me the most.
But I digress…”
Heather takes another drag, her eyes staring off into space for a moment. She looks back towards the camera and her eyes widen, as if she’s surprised to see it there. She waves a hand over her face, as if to refocus herself.
“I have a lot to say today. There has been so much going on, such strife, betrayal and pain. It breaks my heart to see former allies torn asunder by blind hatred and acts of betrayal. Regimes are falling and the soldiers will fall with them.
I remember a time when I was as bloodthirsty as the next warrior. I couldn’t wait to jump into the heart of the battle for the cause I believed in. I’ve got a lot of blood on my hands, some of which I regret to the very depths of my being.
Perhaps this is why I feel the need to attempt the impossible and try to end this war in EXODUS single-handedly. I learned a long time ago to never judge a book by it’s cover. This is why I choose to extend a friendly hand to anyone willing to take it. This is why I’ve got connections with all three sides of this power struggle EXODUS is going through. In my mind, I suppose I thought that if I could find someone from each side who was willing to listen, I could bring them all together.
Look at Savannah Taylor. Yes, she’s still under the dark shadow of Christum Furor and a chief member of Gods & Monsters… But she’s shown me that the darkness hasn’t consumed her completely. Her affections for Chandler Scott, her own willingness to reach out to Angela Jameson and myself show me a young woman who is just looking for her place in a world of chaos and confusion. Many had, and still have, their doubts and reservations about her… But I choose to keep at it until she becomes her own entity. I truly believe that with the right guidance, she’ll one day break free of the chains and influence of Furor and shine brightly. She is unquestionably going to play a large role in the future of EXODUS… I’m just doing what I can to help her do it for all the right reasons.
Then there is the Seikigun, my friends, my allies, my family…”
Heather holds up her wrist, which is wrapped in a blue cloth, the blue of the Seikigun. She places her trembling hand back down on the desk.
“Despite what some of the members may believe, I’ve always had the back of my friends. For better or for worse, my loyalty to my friends has been unyielding. Whether I agree with why or what you are fighting for… I’ll never judge you, condemn you, hate you for it. I know as much as the next person that everyone has to do what they believe is right. I’ve made some decisions that my friends have questioned. But never once did they turn their backs on me.
Darrin, I know you and I haven’t exactly seen eye to eye lately. And some things were said recently that I truly am sorry for. I was angry and acted out, like I always do. But I don’t hate you and I don’t think any less of you. My only wish is that you could find your way out of this darkness that’s threatening to consume your soul. I can see it in your eyes, the anger is taking over and I’m scared for you. To quote a wise, old master…
“Fear leads to anger… anger leads to hate… Hate leads to suffering.”
I don’t want that for you. More to the point, I will do everything in my limited powers to save you from yourself. You deserve better than the hand you’ve been dealt recently..”
Heather sighs and extinguishes her cigarette. Her turquoise eyes take on a sad glow.
“Chris Strike… I told you that I had a lot to say. I made it brief that night because you had a lot on your mind and I didn’t want to pile onto it. But I still have a lot more to say. I don’t think you realize…”
Despite her resolve of recent weeks, her lips tremble and a tear falls from her eye. She flicks it away and licks her lips. She takes a deep breath.
“Once upon a many moon ago, there was a young girl who was having her debut match in her first major wrestling promotion. During that match, a man was watching her from the stage, a man that would become the love of her life and the father of her children. Despite all the odds, they always managed to end up back together in the end… Until that young girl tasted corruption for the first time. In that time, she broke off her engagement to this perfect man and started down a path of betrayal and self-destruction. It took a long time, but eventually, the girl finally grew into a woman and realized the error of her ways.
But by then, it was too late and this man that she loved with all her heart, body and soul had built up his wall around her and wouldn’t allow her back in. And from then on, that young girl was in and out of relationships, unable to fill the void that her true love had left. She was starting to think that she’d never find a love like that again…”
Heather bows her head, speaking softer than ever.
“Then along came a handsome Brazilian, and he completely swept her off her feet. It was just a casual thing a first, both of them just having come out of a relationship and just looking to escape the bullshit. Two rebounding adults, looking for a good time. And they did have a lot of fun, never doubt that. But as time went on and they continued to grow… Eh, screw it. I’m tired of telling it like it’s a story.
Feelings were caught, Chris. On both sides. And despite the third party we had invited in, you and I, we grew into something wonderful… And I found myself feeling whole again. The void that couldn’t be filled before grew smaller and smaller until finally, it diminished completely. You did that for me, Chris, and for that, I wanted to give you everything I had. I was yours, heart, body and soul. You had me in the palm of your hand, you were my entire world. The first time you told me you loved me... It was like everything that was wrong in my life was suddenly cured and nothing could touch me anymore. I loved you hard, so much that it was sweet agony… Until that sweetness turned to bitterness.
I’ll never forget that moment when you told me it was over. My entire world stopped turning. It was as if I lost my sense of sound and vision all at once. I was a shell of a woman, empty on the inside. I remember sitting in the dark for hours in my room, buried under my blanket trying to figure out where we went wrong. Trying to figure out what I had done wrong.”
Heather’s voice cracks as she lets out a little sob.
“So many sleepless nights, wondering how something that seemed so perfect had suddenly turned to ashes. All the wondering why, followed by the depression and the desperation that if I waited long enough, you’d come back to me. Because you were all I wanted. I didn’t really care if we ever got married, started a life, raised a family… I just wanted you. All I ever wanted was you, you were my everything. I have no idea what I was to you by the end of our relationship, but somewhere along the way… You had become my Ayla.”
Heather hesitates, wincing as if Chris were actually there to reprimand her for using the name of his beloved wife.
“I don’t say that lightly. But it’s the best way I can bring home the point of what you were and on some level, still are to me. I really can’t describe it any better than that.”
She lets out a heavy breath, a whistling sound coming from between her lips.
“With that said… I still want you in my life. I’d rather have you as my friend than nothing at all. You mean too much to me to just let you go. Will it be easy? No, probably not. And I’m sure it will ruffle more than a few feathers… But I don’t care. I missed you terribly after you left and I still miss having you around. Even if it’s as casual as getting a drink after a show or the occasional lunch… Yeah, you get it.”
Heather nods and clears her throat.
“That was like a huge weight being lifted. I’m really glad I got all that off my chest, because now comes the business part of this little public service announcement of mine.”
Heather clears her throat again and takes a sip of the water. Her right hand flutters to the document folder on the desk in front of her. She fingers it mindlessly as the warmth in her face grows cold, her turquoise eyes turning to ice chips.
“Magdalena… I made a lot of mistakes with and about you. I pulled you in, and as you’ve been accusing me of doing lately, I took what I wanted. I wanted you at one point, and I had you… And it was so easy. I’m not saying that to brag, really I’m not. I’m admitting that when it came to you, you are absolutely right. I took what I wanted and then I pushed you aside like you were yesterday’s news. You opened yourself up to me and I took advantage of that in a state of rebound. And for that, I can never be sorry enough. It was unfair and cruel of me to do. That was a regret I carried with me until recently.
Your dear brother, he warned me not to get involved with you. I ignored that advice and got involved anyway. He then warned me not to lose my taste for French Cuisine. I remember it well. And at the time, I was still so enamored with you that I assured him that wouldn’t happen. At that point in time, I had no idea how hard in love I would fall for Chris Strike.
Then again, at the same time, I had no idea at that time how hard in obsession you would fall for him.
My vanity kicked in that night you and Chris fought and you wished him dead. I truly thought you were angry at us becoming just two because of your feelings for me. It was a fatal oversight brought on by ego. Then again, I think anyone from the outside looking in may have thought the same. Maybe it was an easier mistake to make than I’m giving it credit for. Either way, it was incorrect and the consequences are playing out presently.
Let me lay this out for you, Mags. I have no desire to fight you. My own guilt with how I handled you after Chris and I became a couple kept me silent for too long. You were sent away and I thought a crisis had been averted. Such a naive thought, a mistake I’ll never make again. I underestimated just how far you would go…”
Heather chuckles lightly, despite the stormy expression on her lovely face.
“It’s funny to me, actually. All these accusations of me taking everything away from you when all you’ve done since you’ve returned is attempted to manipulate and fight to force others to give you what you want. I mean, Christ, you tried to stipulate a marriage proposal from Chris through a match that could have also taken away his world title shot. What exactly was that, dear? Oh, that was trying to take what you wanted and failing miserably. Good thing too. You… YOU might have been happy for a time, having obtained what you wanted if you had won. But that joy would have turned to sorrow when it hit you slowly that he didn’t love you, could never love you. I know it’s easy for you to get lost in illusion, but everyone has to come back down eventually.
I’m glad you failed, Mags. Not out of jealousy or spite. I’m glad you failed because what you did was wrong. Trying to take away someone’s life… It’s just wrong. How could you sink to such low levels of manipulation and desperation, when you claim to love him so dearly? Love can’t be forced through a match. And what you feel… It’s not love, its just not. It’s obsession, infatuation and it’s not healthy.
I feel for you though, I do. I know how it feels to have your heart ripped out by that man. The difference is, I picked up myself up, brushed myself off and moved on. You are clinging on to hope where there is none. Trust me, I tried holding on for a time myself. I had hoped for the same thing you are, that he’ll come around, realize he wants me and come back…
But he’s not coming back. Not to me, not to you.
And I, knowing that, started moving on. Got on with my life and that’s when Andreas happened... “
Heather’s eyes grow warm and her expression softens as she speaks the name of the other Lasiewicz sibling.
“Oh yes, I know you aren’t too pleased with what’s been blossoming between Andreas and me. Join the club, even if other's haven't spoken aloud their displeasure, I know many are thinking it. I don’t know if it’s jealousy or just pure hatred at my happiness. Honestly, I don’t much care either way. As far as you go, your threats, your accusations… Yes, they scare me some, I admit it. I’ve seen what you are capable of, and top that off with how unbalanced you’ve proven to be, I’d be an idiot not be concerned. But there are a few things you should know before you believe you’ve got me hiding in the dark, trembling in fear. Your threats to break me, to kill me don’t scare me, because...”
Heather taps the folder on her desk and takes a deep breath. She opens it and pulls out a thick packet of paper. She flips through it as she begins speaking again.
“First and foremost, there’s something I need to announce to the entire word… Something I’ve put off telling many people because it wasn’t hitting home for me at the time. When I retired, I did so due to some lingering health issues. Unexplained muscle spasms and body shaking, lack of peripheral vision, little things that I believed just came with age. However, I had them checked out and…”
Heather stops, her nerves getting the best of her. She takes few more breaths, collecting herself. She holds up one of the papers and points it.
“What I have hear is three sets of results from three different blood tests from three different doctors… All with the same diagnosis. The reason I’m not afraid of the death you threaten to bestow upon me Magdalena is because… I’ve already been given my death sentence. And that sentence is Huntington’s Disease.”
Heather sets the paper down and sighs heavily.
“For those of you who don’t know, Huntington’s Disease is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and behavioral symptoms. In English, that pretty much means my brain is going to deteriorate until I lose control of my body and my mind. The losses of vision and the shaking in my body are the early stages and they usually show at my age. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease and the only real treatments are diet and exercise, pills to control the shaking and eventually, speech therapy to maintain communication.
So there it is, Mags. This is my lot in life now. My death sentence was signed and sealed before you. I may have another 20 years left, maybe even less than that. But I do know one thing.”
Heather leans forward and now there is fire in her eyes.
“You are not going to be the death of me. As I’ve stated, I’ve no desire to fight you… But you clearly want to start a war. You want me to give up your brother? I won’t. What I have with Andreas, it’s new, it’s exciting. Is it love? Perhaps it isn’t yet, but… I could definitely see myself falling in love with him. He fascinates me and he brought me out of the darkness that was threatening to consume my life. He keeps me on my toes and he opens my eyes to things I might have missed otherwise.
As far as Chris goes, I did not manipulate him. I did not take him from you. He chose to be with me. He had his pick between us and he picked me. I’m sorry, but that’s just the way it went and you have to get that through your head. And despite what you think, I didn’t manipulate him at the last show. I saw him, I spoke my piece, we cleared the air. If he is to remain in my life, it will be as a friend. I believe that the romantic period of Heather Halliwell and Chris Strike is over.
And if you understood the reasons why he left me, then you’d understand why he’ll never be with you… Why he’ll never marry you.”
Heather shakes her head and leans back in her chair again.
“I don’t hate you Mags, but I know that those words mean nothing to you. I don’t want a war to start between us, but I know that you won’t let this go until my blood is on your hands. I don’t want to fight you… But I’ll be at Autumn Effect, ready for battle. Just be warned, Magdalena… If we do this, you’re going to see a side of me I don’t show too often. The reason for this is simple: I hate that side of myself. The child of war, the soldier… The survivalist. If I have to fight you, I’ll be fighting for my life and I know it. And it won’t end well for either of us.
I really wish you would just talk with me. Sit down and hear me out, really hear me. If not for your sake or mine, then for that of your brother. I know for his sake, I don’t want your blood on my hands. I would never want to harm anything so dear to him… But if you force my hand, then it can’t be helped. I know he’d just as soon protect me from you, but he can’t stay with me at all times… And I know you’ll find a way to slip through the crack eventually. If I don’t put a stop to this now, you’ll just keep going until you find a way to get your hands on me… And by then, it’ll have built up, that hatred and need for vengeance…”
Heather looks sad as she stares directly into the camera.
“I know that despite what I say or do, blood between us will be spilled. It’s an inevitability that I wish I could evade. So perhaps sooner rather than later is for the best. So as I said once before, Magdalena.
If you want me… Come and get me.
I’ll be seeing you soon.”
Heather finally rises from the desk and glides towards the camera. It remains on, focused on the desk for several moments before it finally flickers off and the screen turn to static.
