01-24-2021, 12:57 AM
Somewhere in Colorado
(Off Camera)
Time, according to physicists, is not as simple as we were taught in elementary school. There is more to time than just the ticking of a clock or counting down the remaining seconds in the fourth quarter of a basketball game. The thought that time travel into the future seems to be a technical challenge, meaning that it’s possible if one could move at the speed of light - or faster.
Lyza reflected on not moving fast enough to get Kimberly Williams back inside the ring, setting up the win for her team. Kimberly would have not been as accessible to Datura, the match could continue and everyone gets to go home with the realization of a win or loss in their column.
Neither outcome was realized, once again leaving a sour note for Doom & Groove.
“If what physicist Carlo Rovelli says is true, viewing things not so far out, nor narrowly, we can have a better grasp of time. And maybe reality?” Lyza ponders. She’s not the first “normy” to entertain these thoughts after watching an early morning news segment or listening to a Mysterious Universe podcast.
With no Devin around, Lyza proceeds to get out of her car, wearing her workout clothes and using a bandana to cover her face. She enters one of her favorite places to let off steam, the batting cages. It had been just about three years since she last set foot in one. The place is run by a Puerto Rican family, one of the owners being a former minor-league baseball player. She is happy to see the same familiar faces behind the counter and on the floor. Where there are steel fences used as safeguards between multiple parties, plexiglass partitions have been added in accordance with CDC guidelines.
“As long as they remain open,” Lyza says to herself after the clerk scans a QR code on her phone. She makes her way to a cage further away from the service desk and other guests, preferring little to no distractions, and also in consideration of her tag team partner.
Before picking up the bat, she shoots Devin a quick text message that reads: “Hey slowpoke, I couldn’t wait any longer in the car. Find me all the way in the back after you check-in. Cups are recommended.” She then puts her phone in her bag, leaving it to the side to pick up a bat. The pitching machine releases a ball at about 65mph.
Swing and a miss. She sucks her teeth, not smacking them as she had wanted.
“I’m still cold,” she says, adjusting her stance in preparation for the next ball.
Another swing and a miss. She was cold and rusty like an abandoned lawnmower in a shed during winter. Regardless, she usually knew how these sessions would go. She’d strike out various times throughout the course, but for every hit, she imagined it being the important one needed in a life or death scenario. Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, with Spike Lee giving a side-eye, communicating, “don’t fuck this up.”
She takes a deep breath, relaxing in position. The machine releases another fastball going about 70mph this time; she does not hear anyone else besides her. Everything but the ball becomes a blur. She raises her bat once again, swinging at the approaching ball. The bat falls out of her hands when she sees the ball fly across the cage, bouncing off the wall on the opposite end.
“Final-freaking-lee,” she says, stepping aside to roll down her sleeves. She looks around in all directions for anyone, though they all seem to be focused on their own performances or their phones. She then scoops up the bat, getting back in position before the next ball comes flying in her direction. Coming in at 72mph, she has one hand on the top and the other on the bottom half of the bat. Curious about bunting, she steps forward, and with the bat, in front of her, she bunts the ball. She takes several steps back, leaning against the fence in amusement.
Some of the patrons from earlier begin to make their exit out of the training facility. By now, Lyza grows curious about Devin’s whereabouts as he’s usually not one to be late or flake out. She goes to check her phone, seeing her last message marked as “Delivered,” assuming he has yet to get to his phone or he didn’t have a response when the message notification popped up on his screen.
She decides to send a follow-up message, “Please don’t tell me you’re in line waiting to pay for a cup??? I was mostly joking. I’ll be here for maybe another hour.”
Giving him the benefit of a doubt, she decides to hang out a little longer. Why leave so soon? She was getting into a groove after all.
SUBSEQUENTLY
ELSEWHERE IN DENVER, COLORADO
(Off Camera)
People stared and Devin felt it. He trudged through the busy streets, moving around anyone who got too close. He couldn’t shake the feeling of danger, no matter how long he was away from his prior lifestyle. He checked his abdomen, fearful to see a knife there. Nothing came that way, and he let out a rough sigh. Turning his attention elsewhere, he looked towards the store nearest him. It was a high-end clothing store, one catering to women. Maybe he should get Lyza a gift as an act of good faith. He wasn’t sure why it crossed his mind, and it made him pause.
“What am I thinking?” he asked himself, chuckling to himself. It would provide the wrong idea if he got herself something extravagant. Maybe a nice scarf would work, something that just caught his eye. As he began for the door, he looked into the reflection and caught a glimpse of something unusual. Of course, there had to be something. The rainfall barely shrouded the sight that caught his attention, because said thing wanted Devin to recognize it.
“Unusual” not referring to something outlandish, but rather someone. As he looked up, he saw a man holding an umbrella with his eyes trained on him. Tucked close to his side, the unknown man carried a gun with a silencer. Devin turned to gaze at the dangerous individual, who motioned for Devin to follow him. Obligating the quiet demand, Devin made his way to an alleyway across the street. As he went deeper in, he heard a voice call out to him.
“Turn your phone off.”
Experience told Devin to follow orders without any resistance. As he did, the figure from earlier made his reappearance, creeping from behind a few crates. He brandished the gun without any apprehension. Devin raised his hand to show off that his phone was off, and the person let out a snicker. It was familiar. Not bothering to hide it on his face, the older man scrunched his features in retaliation to what he realized.
“Haywood,” Devin said. “You’ve grown.”
“I’m no longer just a teenager working under you, Mr. Brando,” the one called Haywood said, lowering his umbrella. He had scraggly brown hair that reached his shoulders, matched with green eyes that were too hostile for their shade. He waved the gun freely in the air, chuckling at Devin’s expression. “And with you gone, I had to find new work.”
“And you pulled a gun out in a crowd to meet up again?” Devin asked, his features going from stiff to annoyed and relaxed.
Haywood grinned and stowed the gun away. “Mr. Brando, are you late for something?”
Devin let the rain speak for a moment before he straightened up. “Yes, but that’s beside the point.”
“Actually, it’s more than that,” Haywood began, looking up at the sky for a brief moment. His face began to harden, countering Devin’s earlier grimace. “Normally, I would celebrate you throwing yourself out there again, but I have the understanding that this woman is special.”
Remaining silent, Devin’s attention landed closer to the weaponry on Haywood. His former student lowered his head to glare down at Devin. “I believe you’re starting to get it and what this conversation is about.”
“You’re working for Stolzen?” Devin bluntly asked.
“This is a professional courtesy to you because we’re old comrades. You taught me how to weave my way through our work field. In addition to that, I’m asking you to step away from Lyza Reyes. For your own good.”
Without any more words, Devin turned his back and began to walk away from Haywood.
“Nothing to say?” Haywood cried out.
Devin’s silence gave him the reply he needed. Instead, he opted to check his phone, seeing several messages from Lyza. He needed to provide a full explanation or else face her wrath. But as Devin turned to look into the alleyway, he knew that he wouldn’t find Haywood standing there. No, it was the last courtesy to leave on neutral ground. Gunfire wouldn’t happen until they saw one another again.
[TEXT TO LYZA REYES]: “Just a meeting with an old friend.”
Maybe he should stop by that store.
-
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
(On Camera)
Over at the Colorado Rocky Mountains, one of SCW’s newly signed teams, Doom & Groove decided to make a pit stop at the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Dillon, Colorado. Lyza was looking forward to riding the lift several times while allowing herself to have fun and enjoy the change of scene until returning back to New York.
There wasn’t any reluctance on Devin’s behalf as this was a familiar environment to him. Surrounded by mostly locals, the resort was far from reaching its peak visitor capacity, ideal for the cameraman to get decent B roll footage prior to setting up his equipment in the log cabin. Devin exits the scene, wearing a practical sweatshirt and “lumberjack” pants. The camera does not follow him, instead deciding to go to the nicer team member--the “Groove” as she was. Towards the back, Lyza is standing next to the fireplace, her hand's inches away from the flames to warm up before addressing the viewers. Satisfied, she adjusts her knitted hat, brushing her hair with her fingers. She walks over to the couch, taking a seat on the other end, and looks at the camera.
“Greetings and Salutations, everyone. Lyza Reyes over here with my tag team partner, Devin Brando. For those that tuned in to Breakdown over a week ago, it’s not unusual that you may have felt bewildered by what happened during our match with Vengeance. Like I had expressed to Datura, the timing makes all the difference. She felt the need to come down with a staple gun, and who am I to pass judgment on her choice of weaponry? No, by all means, do what makes you happy - all I ask is for a little consideration. Would it have hurt to sit next to the fans and wait until the end of the match to chase Kimberly? In another instance, Datura may have gained more enemies as a result. I digress. Don’t make me regret this, Datura. May you get what you’ve always wanted, but not at the expense of those who wish you well.”
A sigh escapes the New Yorker.
“This doesn’t mean I wouldn’t object to another bout against Vengeance. We had a good thing going. Neither side held back, just as Devin and I wanted from worthy opponents. Unlike Jay Gold and Kelsai Mason, there was no denying Vengeance was physically and mentally there. Alas, there were some things we did not anticipate, though I have a feeling this will not be the last of Vengeance to cross paths with Doom & Groove. As the Archangel, Jessica Lasiewicz would say, do zobaczenia.”
To conclude her statement, Devin makes his entrance to the video by chopping a log of wood in half. The camera cut may startle, but it does what it needs to do. It snatches the attention of the viewers. He does so with ease and experience and raises the ax onto his shoulder. The camera tracks the shot from the blade to his shoulder and then outward. Devin stands there, garbed in a faux fur coat and the usual hostile glare of his.
“It vexes me when people interfere with my affairs. I made noise about that to Datura, and she may never understand why exactly I took umbrage with it, even with her pisspoor apology,” Devin hisses, taking up the wood and offering it to the pile nearby. It was a task that he was able to volunteer for to relieve some stress. “However, I cannot zero my anger in on the culprit, so I have to play to my darker functions and take it out on our opponents.”
“Though, it’s impolite to do anything without an introduction. Blythe and Luz, it’s my pleasure to meet both of you. That may change, but for now, I offer you my respect.”
Devin takes another log of wood and positions it perfectly on the chopping block.
“But that doesn’t come with mercy.”
He splits the log.
“This match could have been different for Lyza and me. Frozen Hell may have some contenders if it was not for a silly girl with a stapler,” Devin stops himself, sighs, and readjusts to prevent a troubled glare from his partner. “Alas, all four of us are here trying to make sense of our division before the Tag League is over.”
“We all want to be contenders, and Lyza and I want to make it a reality. You two are perceptive, knowledgeable, and you watch one another’s backs--as per the definition of lovers, yes?” a small smirk cracks on Devin’s face. “Congratulations, you two made a long journey here, both physically and emotionally.”
“Only to lose to us.”
Devin strikes the ax into the ground, sending bits of snow up onto his upper garments. Done with his solitary activity, he starts for the interior again. Once inside, he brushes the snow off himself and makes his way closer to Lyza.
“The story of enemies pulling a 180 isn’t unique, but it tells me what kind of team The Light In The Darkness is. Your understanding of each other will make it difficult to defeat you. The bond you two share is beautiful, annoying, and strong in the same breath. Lyza and I cannot do anything to match it, but it's the world championship experience we bring that may turn the tide in our favor.”
Devin stands behind Lyza, trying to get warm from the fire.
“I believe in your love and your partnership, but there’s no love in the world that can stop us from progressing.”
Lyza nods in agreement. There was a time and place for all of that. This wasn't it.
“Nothing beats belting out a hearty love ballad from the comfort of your car. You resonate with the lyrics; it hits you in all the feels. Take a look at your partner as they control the wheel, they look back at you when you couldn’t hit the note quite like Anita Baker, but they love you anyway. Apply more pressure on the gas pedal, and before you know it, you’re met with a huge semi-truck.”
Her eyes light up at the notion.
“And you know what happens next. Not to be all dark or disturbing, it’s just not going to be easy for you ladies. In an ideal world, love would conquer all and we’d never have to send our boys to war. Easier said than done when those in power have no regard for anyone but themselves and their own interests. Societies progress because of ambition and greed. Love is left for the poor because that’s the only thing that can keep them going. It’s a harsh reality, and we’re willing to work with that so that it eventually works for Devin and me. Now what about you, Amelia, Luz? It’s a difficult question and must suck to even consider. We all want to find the light at the end of the tunnel in moments of adversity. You keep fighting until you reach the light, that’s your thought process. It’s the best one to have, but it’s not as simple as walking a straight line to get there. There are unexpected bumps, traps, and others racing to get there before you. I trust you both to understand that?”
The sounds of firewood crackling in the flames are prominent while there’s a brief moment of silence from the duo. Devin prods the fire with the proverbial poker.
“And if you don’t understand that, we’ll be happy to educate you.”
A somewhat evil grin crosses his features.
“It’ll do wonders for your relationship.”
(Off Camera)
Time, according to physicists, is not as simple as we were taught in elementary school. There is more to time than just the ticking of a clock or counting down the remaining seconds in the fourth quarter of a basketball game. The thought that time travel into the future seems to be a technical challenge, meaning that it’s possible if one could move at the speed of light - or faster.
Lyza reflected on not moving fast enough to get Kimberly Williams back inside the ring, setting up the win for her team. Kimberly would have not been as accessible to Datura, the match could continue and everyone gets to go home with the realization of a win or loss in their column.
Neither outcome was realized, once again leaving a sour note for Doom & Groove.
“If what physicist Carlo Rovelli says is true, viewing things not so far out, nor narrowly, we can have a better grasp of time. And maybe reality?” Lyza ponders. She’s not the first “normy” to entertain these thoughts after watching an early morning news segment or listening to a Mysterious Universe podcast.
With no Devin around, Lyza proceeds to get out of her car, wearing her workout clothes and using a bandana to cover her face. She enters one of her favorite places to let off steam, the batting cages. It had been just about three years since she last set foot in one. The place is run by a Puerto Rican family, one of the owners being a former minor-league baseball player. She is happy to see the same familiar faces behind the counter and on the floor. Where there are steel fences used as safeguards between multiple parties, plexiglass partitions have been added in accordance with CDC guidelines.
“As long as they remain open,” Lyza says to herself after the clerk scans a QR code on her phone. She makes her way to a cage further away from the service desk and other guests, preferring little to no distractions, and also in consideration of her tag team partner.
Before picking up the bat, she shoots Devin a quick text message that reads: “Hey slowpoke, I couldn’t wait any longer in the car. Find me all the way in the back after you check-in. Cups are recommended.” She then puts her phone in her bag, leaving it to the side to pick up a bat. The pitching machine releases a ball at about 65mph.
Swing and a miss. She sucks her teeth, not smacking them as she had wanted.
“I’m still cold,” she says, adjusting her stance in preparation for the next ball.
Another swing and a miss. She was cold and rusty like an abandoned lawnmower in a shed during winter. Regardless, she usually knew how these sessions would go. She’d strike out various times throughout the course, but for every hit, she imagined it being the important one needed in a life or death scenario. Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, with Spike Lee giving a side-eye, communicating, “don’t fuck this up.”
She takes a deep breath, relaxing in position. The machine releases another fastball going about 70mph this time; she does not hear anyone else besides her. Everything but the ball becomes a blur. She raises her bat once again, swinging at the approaching ball. The bat falls out of her hands when she sees the ball fly across the cage, bouncing off the wall on the opposite end.
“Final-freaking-lee,” she says, stepping aside to roll down her sleeves. She looks around in all directions for anyone, though they all seem to be focused on their own performances or their phones. She then scoops up the bat, getting back in position before the next ball comes flying in her direction. Coming in at 72mph, she has one hand on the top and the other on the bottom half of the bat. Curious about bunting, she steps forward, and with the bat, in front of her, she bunts the ball. She takes several steps back, leaning against the fence in amusement.
Some of the patrons from earlier begin to make their exit out of the training facility. By now, Lyza grows curious about Devin’s whereabouts as he’s usually not one to be late or flake out. She goes to check her phone, seeing her last message marked as “Delivered,” assuming he has yet to get to his phone or he didn’t have a response when the message notification popped up on his screen.
She decides to send a follow-up message, “Please don’t tell me you’re in line waiting to pay for a cup??? I was mostly joking. I’ll be here for maybe another hour.”
Giving him the benefit of a doubt, she decides to hang out a little longer. Why leave so soon? She was getting into a groove after all.
SUBSEQUENTLY
ELSEWHERE IN DENVER, COLORADO
(Off Camera)
People stared and Devin felt it. He trudged through the busy streets, moving around anyone who got too close. He couldn’t shake the feeling of danger, no matter how long he was away from his prior lifestyle. He checked his abdomen, fearful to see a knife there. Nothing came that way, and he let out a rough sigh. Turning his attention elsewhere, he looked towards the store nearest him. It was a high-end clothing store, one catering to women. Maybe he should get Lyza a gift as an act of good faith. He wasn’t sure why it crossed his mind, and it made him pause.
“What am I thinking?” he asked himself, chuckling to himself. It would provide the wrong idea if he got herself something extravagant. Maybe a nice scarf would work, something that just caught his eye. As he began for the door, he looked into the reflection and caught a glimpse of something unusual. Of course, there had to be something. The rainfall barely shrouded the sight that caught his attention, because said thing wanted Devin to recognize it.
“Unusual” not referring to something outlandish, but rather someone. As he looked up, he saw a man holding an umbrella with his eyes trained on him. Tucked close to his side, the unknown man carried a gun with a silencer. Devin turned to gaze at the dangerous individual, who motioned for Devin to follow him. Obligating the quiet demand, Devin made his way to an alleyway across the street. As he went deeper in, he heard a voice call out to him.
“Turn your phone off.”
Experience told Devin to follow orders without any resistance. As he did, the figure from earlier made his reappearance, creeping from behind a few crates. He brandished the gun without any apprehension. Devin raised his hand to show off that his phone was off, and the person let out a snicker. It was familiar. Not bothering to hide it on his face, the older man scrunched his features in retaliation to what he realized.
“Haywood,” Devin said. “You’ve grown.”
“I’m no longer just a teenager working under you, Mr. Brando,” the one called Haywood said, lowering his umbrella. He had scraggly brown hair that reached his shoulders, matched with green eyes that were too hostile for their shade. He waved the gun freely in the air, chuckling at Devin’s expression. “And with you gone, I had to find new work.”
“And you pulled a gun out in a crowd to meet up again?” Devin asked, his features going from stiff to annoyed and relaxed.
Haywood grinned and stowed the gun away. “Mr. Brando, are you late for something?”
Devin let the rain speak for a moment before he straightened up. “Yes, but that’s beside the point.”
“Actually, it’s more than that,” Haywood began, looking up at the sky for a brief moment. His face began to harden, countering Devin’s earlier grimace. “Normally, I would celebrate you throwing yourself out there again, but I have the understanding that this woman is special.”
Remaining silent, Devin’s attention landed closer to the weaponry on Haywood. His former student lowered his head to glare down at Devin. “I believe you’re starting to get it and what this conversation is about.”
“You’re working for Stolzen?” Devin bluntly asked.
“This is a professional courtesy to you because we’re old comrades. You taught me how to weave my way through our work field. In addition to that, I’m asking you to step away from Lyza Reyes. For your own good.”
Without any more words, Devin turned his back and began to walk away from Haywood.
“Nothing to say?” Haywood cried out.
Devin’s silence gave him the reply he needed. Instead, he opted to check his phone, seeing several messages from Lyza. He needed to provide a full explanation or else face her wrath. But as Devin turned to look into the alleyway, he knew that he wouldn’t find Haywood standing there. No, it was the last courtesy to leave on neutral ground. Gunfire wouldn’t happen until they saw one another again.
[TEXT TO LYZA REYES]: “Just a meeting with an old friend.”
Maybe he should stop by that store.
-
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
(On Camera)
Over at the Colorado Rocky Mountains, one of SCW’s newly signed teams, Doom & Groove decided to make a pit stop at the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Dillon, Colorado. Lyza was looking forward to riding the lift several times while allowing herself to have fun and enjoy the change of scene until returning back to New York.
There wasn’t any reluctance on Devin’s behalf as this was a familiar environment to him. Surrounded by mostly locals, the resort was far from reaching its peak visitor capacity, ideal for the cameraman to get decent B roll footage prior to setting up his equipment in the log cabin. Devin exits the scene, wearing a practical sweatshirt and “lumberjack” pants. The camera does not follow him, instead deciding to go to the nicer team member--the “Groove” as she was. Towards the back, Lyza is standing next to the fireplace, her hand's inches away from the flames to warm up before addressing the viewers. Satisfied, she adjusts her knitted hat, brushing her hair with her fingers. She walks over to the couch, taking a seat on the other end, and looks at the camera.
“Greetings and Salutations, everyone. Lyza Reyes over here with my tag team partner, Devin Brando. For those that tuned in to Breakdown over a week ago, it’s not unusual that you may have felt bewildered by what happened during our match with Vengeance. Like I had expressed to Datura, the timing makes all the difference. She felt the need to come down with a staple gun, and who am I to pass judgment on her choice of weaponry? No, by all means, do what makes you happy - all I ask is for a little consideration. Would it have hurt to sit next to the fans and wait until the end of the match to chase Kimberly? In another instance, Datura may have gained more enemies as a result. I digress. Don’t make me regret this, Datura. May you get what you’ve always wanted, but not at the expense of those who wish you well.”
A sigh escapes the New Yorker.
“This doesn’t mean I wouldn’t object to another bout against Vengeance. We had a good thing going. Neither side held back, just as Devin and I wanted from worthy opponents. Unlike Jay Gold and Kelsai Mason, there was no denying Vengeance was physically and mentally there. Alas, there were some things we did not anticipate, though I have a feeling this will not be the last of Vengeance to cross paths with Doom & Groove. As the Archangel, Jessica Lasiewicz would say, do zobaczenia.”
To conclude her statement, Devin makes his entrance to the video by chopping a log of wood in half. The camera cut may startle, but it does what it needs to do. It snatches the attention of the viewers. He does so with ease and experience and raises the ax onto his shoulder. The camera tracks the shot from the blade to his shoulder and then outward. Devin stands there, garbed in a faux fur coat and the usual hostile glare of his.
“It vexes me when people interfere with my affairs. I made noise about that to Datura, and she may never understand why exactly I took umbrage with it, even with her pisspoor apology,” Devin hisses, taking up the wood and offering it to the pile nearby. It was a task that he was able to volunteer for to relieve some stress. “However, I cannot zero my anger in on the culprit, so I have to play to my darker functions and take it out on our opponents.”
“Though, it’s impolite to do anything without an introduction. Blythe and Luz, it’s my pleasure to meet both of you. That may change, but for now, I offer you my respect.”
Devin takes another log of wood and positions it perfectly on the chopping block.
“But that doesn’t come with mercy.”
He splits the log.
“This match could have been different for Lyza and me. Frozen Hell may have some contenders if it was not for a silly girl with a stapler,” Devin stops himself, sighs, and readjusts to prevent a troubled glare from his partner. “Alas, all four of us are here trying to make sense of our division before the Tag League is over.”
“We all want to be contenders, and Lyza and I want to make it a reality. You two are perceptive, knowledgeable, and you watch one another’s backs--as per the definition of lovers, yes?” a small smirk cracks on Devin’s face. “Congratulations, you two made a long journey here, both physically and emotionally.”
“Only to lose to us.”
Devin strikes the ax into the ground, sending bits of snow up onto his upper garments. Done with his solitary activity, he starts for the interior again. Once inside, he brushes the snow off himself and makes his way closer to Lyza.
“The story of enemies pulling a 180 isn’t unique, but it tells me what kind of team The Light In The Darkness is. Your understanding of each other will make it difficult to defeat you. The bond you two share is beautiful, annoying, and strong in the same breath. Lyza and I cannot do anything to match it, but it's the world championship experience we bring that may turn the tide in our favor.”
Devin stands behind Lyza, trying to get warm from the fire.
“I believe in your love and your partnership, but there’s no love in the world that can stop us from progressing.”
Lyza nods in agreement. There was a time and place for all of that. This wasn't it.
“Nothing beats belting out a hearty love ballad from the comfort of your car. You resonate with the lyrics; it hits you in all the feels. Take a look at your partner as they control the wheel, they look back at you when you couldn’t hit the note quite like Anita Baker, but they love you anyway. Apply more pressure on the gas pedal, and before you know it, you’re met with a huge semi-truck.”
Her eyes light up at the notion.
“And you know what happens next. Not to be all dark or disturbing, it’s just not going to be easy for you ladies. In an ideal world, love would conquer all and we’d never have to send our boys to war. Easier said than done when those in power have no regard for anyone but themselves and their own interests. Societies progress because of ambition and greed. Love is left for the poor because that’s the only thing that can keep them going. It’s a harsh reality, and we’re willing to work with that so that it eventually works for Devin and me. Now what about you, Amelia, Luz? It’s a difficult question and must suck to even consider. We all want to find the light at the end of the tunnel in moments of adversity. You keep fighting until you reach the light, that’s your thought process. It’s the best one to have, but it’s not as simple as walking a straight line to get there. There are unexpected bumps, traps, and others racing to get there before you. I trust you both to understand that?”
The sounds of firewood crackling in the flames are prominent while there’s a brief moment of silence from the duo. Devin prods the fire with the proverbial poker.
“And if you don’t understand that, we’ll be happy to educate you.”
A somewhat evil grin crosses his features.
“It’ll do wonders for your relationship.”