Taking Hold of the Flame 2026

[SnowQueenSCW]

OOC: Here are the roleplays (in order) for Selena and Deanna. Sorry it took so long to get these up, guys. Been a hell of a week.

Frost No More

”Deal with the Devil”

Breakdown
Capitol One Arena
Washington, D.C.
June 4th, 2026

The hallway outside Frank Delatosso’s office felt too small the moment she had stood in front of the man... Which was saying something, considering she had used the space throw Dawn Lohan around. But as soon as he had come forward, it all had just become... too bright, too loud, too small. She wanted to run. To change her mind and flee. Forget about Enigma/Veil, this man was corrupt and powerful on a level that made the former SCW ‘resident monster’ look like some two-bit magician performing at children’s birthday parties!

Yet, for all of that, it only took Deanna a millisecond – conjuring a specific image of Selena into her mind – for her to stand her ground.

Flowing white...
A tiara of vines...
Sapphire eyes full of hope and unshed tears...
A smile brighter than any star in the sky...

The sounds of Breakdown carried on throughout the concrete walls, but all of it felt muffled beneath the weight pressing against her chest.

Five weeks... Five weeks since Hubris. Five weeks since everything had shattered...

Seeing Frank’s eyes register her before him, then travel down to her shoulder then waist, it didn’t take a genius like Ravyn or Selena to see what he was searching for – what she had left in her changeroom. The Adrenaline Championship... Once, carrying the championship had made her feel proud.
Now it felt like another responsibility piled onto a mountain of them: Champion. Mother. Wife. Searcher. Failure.

The last one was the one she couldn't escape. Every morning began the same routine:

A text.
No response.
A call.
Straight to voicemail.
Another message.
Another silence.

Then another day wondering where her wife was - Wondering if she was safe, wondering if she was hurt, wondering if she was angry, wondering if she was alive – the whole process making her stomach twist in knots over and over again.
Deanna squeezed her eyes shut. No. Not now. Not here.

She had stepped in before the thoughts had gotten too loud – and before her nerves failed her. The office was larger than most dressing rooms. A temporary executive space converted from one of the arena suites – it all fit Frank Delatosso’s MO – all glitz to hide the crap underneath..., Deanna thought darkly. What I wouldn’t give to... she stopped the thought before it could even fully be formed. There was a fine line between brazen and stupid. Jumping Dawn and shoving Ericksson? Brazen. Attacking the man that had orchestrated a basic ‘takeover’ of SCW and could eliminate her with a snap of his fingers? Stupid.

Speaking of which, as she took the room in, Deanna saw the ‘acting COO’ or whatever new title he had given himself tonight, move to sit behind a polished desk. She also spotted Eriksson and Dawn Lohan off to one side.

As for Delatosso, he merely offered a smile to the redhead – one that immediately irritated her.

"Deanna Frost."

“Mr. Delatosso...” she almost swallowed her tongue trying to get that name out of her mouth as she felt all eyes on her. Give me fifty to sixty thousands eyes of the fans over the few in this room... she thought nervously, pushing that one image, again, to the forefront of her mind... for courage.

She watched the suited Frank lean back, a confident smirk plastered on his face. "Congratulations on your title defense."
The remark threw Deanna off a little. “What title defences?” she asked.

“Exactly.” in an instant, the smirk had disappeared to be replaced by the coldest expression. “Almost three months without a title defence...” he gave a tilt of his head. “Rest assured, I’ll be reviewing that. A supposed ‘defending champion’ needs to defend said championship. I understand CHBK gave you a bit of ‘wide-berth’ given... recent events-” she heard the scoff escape at the inference. “Certain... failures of certain people... but that ends as of now.”

Deanna had to bite her lower lip to prevent from mouthing off. To tell him to take his veiled threats and shove them where the sun didn’t shine. Instead, she inhaled a strong breath in and out of her nose, centrering herself. “You book it, I’ll defend it.” she answered.

“Splendid.” Frank grinned. “Just want to make sure you’re... ‘properly motivated’.”

In other words, that she wasn’t going to be a thorn in his side for his plans. “I am glad we are both on the same page regarding the well-being of SCW.” he added with finality. “And speaking of well-being...still looking for Selena, I see."

The room immediately became noticeably quieter, Deanna's jaw tightening amidst its increased pressure.

Frank noticed. Of course he noticed. That was exactly why he'd said it. The man practically fed on discomfort.

"Yes." Deanna answered.
"Interesting." Frank replied. "Because after what happened at Hubris, I have to admit... I'm surprised."

Deanna already knew where this was going - and she hated that she knew.

"Surprised?" she asked, playing along.
"That you care."

Silence. She would give him nothing to that bait, even if he didn’t need anything to continue.

Frank tilted his head. "No, really." he added, his fake tone of incredulous-nature on full display. "She forged your name." Deanna's fingers tightened around the armrest of the chair she sat in. "She stole your title shot." He leaned forward, never taking his eyes off of Deanna. "She betrayed you."

Every word landed like a hammer: because they were true. That was the worst part.

It had taken her weeks to be honest with herself about the platinum-blonde’s actions, but when she had... she remembered the realization. Remembered the shock. The disbelief. The hurt. The feeling that the floor had disappeared beneath her feet. The memory still hurt every day.

She saw Frank watching her carefully – waiting... Looking for a crack or a weakness. Some kind of reaction.

Instead Deanna straightened her posture. "It's none of your business." she answered as strongly as she could. "My relationship with Selena is none of your business." She spoke again, a bit stronger. “What happened between us is none of your business and why I still care is none of your business."

She saw Frank's smile fade slightly. Good. It wasn’t much, but it felt as incredible as winning the damn SoA tournament. She wasn't there to entertain him or to explain herself. "I want to find her." she stated with finality. "I don't care what you think about that." She hated the next part – the true part. "I just need your help."

There was silence for a moment, making the redhead more and more uncomfortable... only to be broken as Delatosso laughed. Loudly and with zero hesitation.

"Now that's interesting!" he shook his head. “And how, pray tell, would I be able to assist you in finding that blonde needle in a haystack? I don’t suppose there’s an ice castle you could visit where-”

"Selena is still owed a tag title rematch."

Frank's eyes narrowed slightly at Deanna’s interruption – actually thrown off, if only by the smallest of margins, all pretenses of humour and jovial nature gone. "Continue." he said sharply.
"Xander Valentine is injured." Deanna explained.
"Unfortunately." The sarcasm dripped from every syllable.
Deanna pressed onward.
"CHBK said he would honour Xander's rematch clause."
Frank leaned back in his chair. "He did."
"He said he would allow Xander to choose a partner."
Frank nodded slowly. "And?"

Deanna took a breath. This was it. The idea she'd spent days building. Days hoping might actually work...

"Do the same thing for Selena."

...

The room shifted. Frank's expression didn't change. But she saw the spark in his eye - the interest. The calculation. The businessman emerging.

"Explain." he ordered calmly, his tone never rising.

"Selena is owed a rematch." Deanna moved around the point carefully."I want to propose a rematch...” she gulped at the next part of her idea. “Immediately after the World Championship and Tag Team Championship match at Taking Hold of the Flame. No delays. No excuses. No waiting...” Deanna took another breath.

“And...” Delatosso gave another tilt of his head. “Why do you think I would honour that?” he asked. “That puts Amelia and Luz at an incredible disadvantage. Hardly be fair if I allow Selena to swoop in and steal the tag-team titles from the rightful champions.”

It was at that moment that Deanna notices the television on in the room. Before her eyes, she saw the very episode of Breakdown she was in playing before her, specifically Light in the Darkness fighting against Hollywood. Her eyes softened in worry at the sight of her friends, Luz acting every bit the amazing wrestler that she was.

But Amelia...

Deanna was not blind – she could see it. The same steps, small, but still there. The same descent... but she couldn’t worry about that now. Her own partner needed to be found. She watched as Amelia sucker-punched Gina (or was it Gia?) in the jaw before mouthing off at Luz, the discord between the newlyweds beyond clear with the world title in the picture.

“Seems as if the Glimmers are getting under your world champion’s skin.” Deanna stated, turning her attention back towards Delatosso, who was also watching the match.
“Amelia won her match, didn’t she?”
“Perhaps... but from a former tag-team champion who teamed with their wife? I recognize discord when I see it.”

“Your point?” Frank asked darkly, his eyes narrowing, which almost made Deanna flinch and gulp but she herself, albeit barely.

"My point is that if The Glimmers win the World Championship..." She paused. "Then Selena won't stay away."

That statement landed and everyone in the room understood why: The rivalry. The history. The obsession. The unfinished business.

“I’m not saying that Light in the Darkness won’t prevail.” Deanna pressed a little. “But you know as well as I do that they are playing the Glimmers’ game and by the Glimmers’ rules.”

Frank nodded once. "Maybe."
"Not maybe." Deanna's voice hardened. “And with your new ‘order’ just emerged, how is it going to look if THEY get the world title off Amelia AND hold the tag-team titles at the same time?”

Frank studied her, his eyes narrowing again. It was clear the man did not like the idea. It was one thing to have the Glimmers running around in the tag-team division. That could be semi-controlled. But with the world title? And their egos? After he had just made such a big deal about the new direction of SCW?

No one would take him seriously... and he knew it.

"And her partner?" There it was! The moment!

Deanna swallowed, the words felt heavier than she'd expected. "She can choose one." she offered.
"And?"

With one last, deep breath, Deanna looked him directly in the eye. "Me."

...
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Even Delatosso seemed surprised.

"Me." She repeated it. "The House of Frost."

The words hung in the air. House of Frost - Former champions. Former partners. Formerly inseparable. A team built on trust. On friendship. On marriage. On love...

A team shattered by the very woman Deanna was trying so desperately to save – the woman that had betrayed everything the name ‘House of Frost’ stood for. Yet here Deanna was... offering it anyway.

Because none of that mattered if Selena was gone:

Every argument.
Every betrayal.
Every hurt feeling.
Every ounce of anger.
All of it came second to one question. Where are you?

Frank stared at the redhead for far too long than Deanna liked... only to smile again. Except this time, it wasn't amusement. It was curiosity.

"You'd do that." he asked, almost in disbelief. Had... had she really surprised him?
"Yes." Deanna answered.
"After everything?"
"Yes."
A soft, amused chuckle came from the runner of SCW. "Fascinating." he remarked. “Truly, utterly fascinating.”

From the corner of her eyes, Deanna spotted Dawn shift slightly, as if ready to speak. Eriksson did too. Frank raised a hand without even looking their way. Both superstars immediately stopped. The message was clear: Not now.
The silence back in play, Delatosso focused entirely on Deanna. "You love her that much."

The statement felt less like a question and more like a challenge. As if he was trying to disprove what he just heard through sheer fact.

Deanna met his gaze strongly. "I said it's none of your business."

For a second she thought he might push. Instead he smiled - A shark's smile: Predatory, thinking, and calculating. Looking for angles. For a moment, her simply tapped a finger against the desk.

"Interesting proposal." Deanna waited for him to continue. "Financially-speaking... House of Frost sells merchandise." His finger tapped the desk again. "House of Frost moves tickets." Tap. "House of Frost gets attention." Tap. "Selena Frost gets ratings."

There it was: The truth. The thing he cared about.

Not Selena.
Not Deanna.
Not their family.
Not their pain.
Not their marriage.
Ratings. Money. Revenue. Power.

That’s what it came down to and Deanna hated him a little more for it. So many people had been hurt, cheated, and betrayed because of this man’s greed...

"So, yes." he continued, unfettered. "It has merit."

The redhead felt hope flicker in her chest, though it was faint.

Then Frank immediately crushed it. "But."
"But?" Deanna asked.
"I'm not making a decision." Deanna felt her stomach sink all the way down to the floor. "Not until Selena shows up."

The words hit hard, almost taking the breath out of Deanna’s lungs.
"Mr. Dela-"

"No." the man interrupted, his voice sharpened and the room instantly becoming tense.

"You want me to commit resources? You want me to commit airtime? You want me to commit championship matches?" He spread his hands. "Then I need Selena."

Deanna clenched her jaw. " But that's the problem."
"I know."
The answer came too quickly. Too casually, and Deanna mentally cursed herself for not seeing it sooner. Frank knew exactly what he was doing and he enjoyed it.

"You need to find her." he stated.

Deanna looked away.

The words stung because she'd been trying – Gods, had she'd been trying. Every lead. Every contact. Every friend. Every family member. Nothing!

“Or...”The most powerful man in SCW leaned forward.
"Or?" Deanna hated that word.
Frank’s grin returned. "There are other ways."

Her stomach twisted, her mind immediately conjuring up a dozen horrid scenarios over what he could mean. "What...” She tried to keep her voice from shaking. “What are you suggesting?"

Frank's eyes glimmered. "Taking Hold of the Flame."

Deanna couldn’t stop her eyes from widening. Not in intrigue... but in terror.

The battle royal - The winner earning a World Championship opportunity at Rise to Greatness. The biggest stage. The biggest prize. The biggest spotlight.

Frank let the idea sit. And it only made Deanna’s nerves fire off in more panic. “N-no...” she replied shakily.

"Why not?” he shrugged. “If Selena is hiding... Maybe give her a better reason to come out."

The implication was obvious to everyone in the room: Win the royale. Challenge for the world title and offer it to Selena. Force the Snow Queen’s hand. Create something she couldn't ignore either by becoming world champion or miss the main-event the platinum-blonde had owned for five years straight!

But either way... Delatosso won. And he knew it.

"Unless you're worried she still won't care." he dared and Deanna immediately glared.

There it was: The bait. The pressure. The deliberate attempt to exploit every emotional wound she had.

“It’s not that simple.” Deanna stated.
“Oh?” Delatosso asked knowingly. “You went undefeated in that stupid tournament...” He eyed, looking for a reaction but got none, despite the heat burning deep within Deanna’s chest. “Are you saying you can’t win a royale?”

Deanna didn’t hesitate in her honesty. “That’s exactly what I am saying.” she stated. “I’ve never been in the royale before – at least not to win it.” She admitted. Last, and only, time she had entered in it had been to dismantle and hurt Enigma/Veil, immediately eliminating herself to do it. That royale had been merely a means to get to her enemy, not try and win and headline Rise to Greatness! Not to try and become World Champion!

She had no place in it! Her EOY shot had proven it! She wasn’t good enough to last against 39 other wrestlers! It’s why she had avoided this match every other year she could have entered. What the hell did she have against such winners like Cid Turner and Xander Valentine and Josh Hudson and gods knew who else? When entrants like Asher Hayes, Syren, and Kimberly Williams – people that had beat her before – were going to be there?

There was no way... the odds were almost as massive as her turning the corner and RUNNING into Selena Frost then and there!

“So...” Frank pressed. “You’re saying you’re not good enough to win?”

She inhaled and exhaled deeply for a moment, before lifting her head to eye the SCW power-figure. “There isn’t anyone in SCW that believes I am.” Deanna answered. “It’s just a fact.”

“Well...” he shrugged, sitting back in his chair. “I guess that means you don’t love Selena enough to even try.”

She almost hissed at him! Of course the bastard would play that card! He was a heel in a suit. A goddamn snake! Gods, I want to piledrive HIM into the ground!

But again... she couldn’t. Anymore than she could win the royale.

With a shrug, Frank turned his attention away from the champion. "I'll think about your proposal." he stated distantly. “Thank you for stopping by, MS. Frost.” he added.

The words sounded empty – corporate and meaningless.

Deanna stared at him but said nothing. Arguing wouldn't change anything. The meeting was over.

Without a sound, she stood from her chair and turned, walking past Lohan and Eriksson, and opening the door. The hallway felt colder somehow and the uncertainty felt endless.

As she walked towards... towards... she wasn’t even sure where, her thoughts immediately began spiralling again.

What if Selena was hurt?
What if she was sick?
What if she'd simply decided she didn't want to come back?
What if she'd decided she didn't want Deanna anymore?

That thought hurt most of all. Because she couldn't dismiss it like Selena’s actions.

Not completely.
Not after Hubris.
Not after the lies.
Not after the betrayal.
Not after the silence.

A silence she couldn’t explain to their children. To Elsianna trying to act brave. To David trying to understand. To Amiliah simply asking where her mother was.

The memory tightened her chest – constricting. She stopped walking and for a moment she simply stood there, simply trying to breathe. Around her, people were rushing past, seemingly headed to the ring because of some kind of chaos going on... it all paled in comparison to what was going on inside her heart.

The royale – not even Selena, with all her abilities and all her resolve and all her angles – had managed to win the royale. Not even Syren! One of the greatest of all times had done it – failing more than any other person in SCW!

And she had just been told to do what they couldn’t! To do the... the... the impossible...

All for a woman that had betrayed her and abandoned her! WHY?! she almost screamed the question, but what question she was asking... she wasn’t really sure.

A championship match felt easy compared to this. A tournament felt easy. An entire career felt easy! This? THIS?

She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and she nearly ignored it, only by instinct pulling it out of her pocket.

But as the screen lit up, Deanna froze...
The name immediately caught her attention. ‘Selena’... Her pulse quickened and she almost fumbled the phone, desperately trying to connect to the call. “Selena?! Selena, is that you?!”

There was nothing at first, only silence. But just as Deanna was about to say her name again, she heard someone’s voice on the end. "This Deanna?"

Something about his tone made her stop breathing. “Y-yes.” she whispered, rushing into a corner in the hallway to hide from prying eyes and ears. “This is Deanna. Who is this?”

“It’s Liam, kid.” came the voice, only by name making it recognizable to Deanna. Liam Jacks – Selena’s adoptive uncle in Nome. "Look, I uh... I need you to come here.”
“Come where? To Nome?” Deanna asked. Her mind reeling.
“Yeah.” came the voice again. “She’s here.”

The words hung in the air, almost driving the oxygen out of Deanna’s lungs. “S...Selena?” she asked, too rattled to allow any hope to foster.

“Yeah.” Liam answered. “She’s been here for months but... whatever happened the last time she left here..." she heard him exhale slowly. "...it's worse than any of us thought."

Deanna barely heard the next few words, her mind racing! Nome. Selena. Alive. Found. But not okay.
The uncertainty remained.
The fear remained.
The questions remained.
Yet for the first time in weeks-
There was a direction.

And somewhere thousands of miles away, hidden in Alaska, Selena Frost was waiting...

Whether she wanted to be found or not.