Post by Jessica Matthews on May 27, 2017 23:30:40 GMT -5
J e s s i c a | N i t o h
P h o e n i x | Q u a g l i a t e r r e
The Paladin and the Firebird, Level Up!
File 001: A Proper Meeting.
Sitting in one of the favorite places in her estate… Phoenix’s immaculate and beautiful designed large kitchen, she picks at her late night snack at one of the kitchen’s counter islands and sighs. There was a lot going on in her mind that she was trying to put on hold to keep everything together. Earlier, she had finally gotten home from staying at the hospital in San Francisco after Xavier was released into her care. Already in house were her children, the in house staff and security detail, obviously; Jason, who was staying for a while with Santana and their twin daughters; Siren, who had also decided to stay for a while and was tending to Miguel, Jason’s cousin who Phoenix had heard had gotten into a brutal fight Monday night and was beaten up pretty badly; and Jessica, who had wanted to stay for a while to be close to Xavier and be near him since neither of them really had gotten much time with him in the hospital.
Today had been… well it had been pretty okay but a bit trying and busy. The gemelli were asking about their father and Sindaya seemed to be busier and busier, barely being around the house lately. She seemed to be spending nights more and more at her best friend’s house and Phoenix chalked it up to it being that she probably was worried the two friends would go off to separate colleges since high school was over. Then Xavier.. Phoenix made sure to rush to the guest room he had taken over whenever he needed his meds, more water or anything that required lifting a finger. Now finally… late Thursday night, she had made herself a banana split complete with two cookies and cream scoops as well a one solitary strawberry scoop, whipped cream, caramel topping, salted nuts and two cherries that looked so delectable but hadn’t been touched yet. She couldn’t dig into her dessert because she was busy digging around in her mind, trying to figure out things. Her love life laid in shambles.. and was so complicated. Business, both legal and illegal ones, were going smoothly and her social life was chaotic but to be fair, when wasn’t it?
She sighs again before picking up her silver spoon to dig into the mouth watering dessert when suddenly, her phone vibrates. She wonders immediately if it’s Xavier texting her to say that he needs her, Tony maybe deciding to check in finally or Sindaya having changed her mind about staying over at her friend’s and wanting to come home. Phoenix picks up her iphone and sees that it is a twitter notification and smiles when she sees it’s from Jessica. She responds back to her and moments later, Jessica tweets back asking if Phoenix was going to share and she once she tweeted back of course, the Firebird rose from her stool to head over to the utensils drawer to retrieve another spoon as she actually looks forward to this encounter. Sitting alone in this kitchen was forcing her to think about so many things that she did not want to think about at the moment so friendly conversation with one of her house guests and newest friend would definitely keep her mind off of the painful things she was trying to escape if only for a moment or so.
Within the last seventy-two hours, this was the first time Jessica could relax. To fly from Kyoto to New Haven, New Haven to Queens, and suddenly Queens to San Francisco without sleep, it would be considered “insane” to some. It was the life of a professional wrestler with insomnia and anxiety. Just when she was going to relax with her husband Geki, the dark and outspoken Gabriel Laroux tore her attention away. The truth he had to share, answering the simple question… “Why?” She couldn’t believe what she read. The anger she was attempting to suppress exploded. What brought her back to Earth was the miserable breaking news her friend Cass Baumer shared on Twitter: Xavier Laroux was involved in a car accident.
There were two people she owed a life debt to. Xavier was one of them. The other was Blair Kivistö. To see either of them suffer would shake her to the core. Upon learning the hospital Xavier was transported to, Jessica knew she had to leave for San Francisco. She was a little sad that her husband wouldn’t join her, but his reasoning was sound. Xavier was one of her closest friends. They’ve known each other for a long time. When he awakened-- and he would-- he would appreciate seeing Jessica more. Someone needed to take care of priorities around their home. Geki knew they would see each other again on Sunday the 28th. The show must go on.
When it was announced that Xavier would be released into Phoenix’s care, Jessica reached out to her. It wasn’t the first time. They’ve spoken to each other on Twitter before. They officially met at the hospital, but Jessica didn’t consider it a proper meeting. At the time here was so much stress and anxiety whirling around. With some encouragement from her friends, the poor girl allowed herself to eat and pass out on a small couch in the same vicinity of the medical ward. It wasn’t the most comfortable time, but it would suffice.
Now that she was a guest in Phe’s estate, Jessica was able to relax a little more. She peeked into Xavier’s room, just to check up on him, and a weak smile on her face. He could rest easier now. This was a calmer environment than the hospital. Taking a slow, deep breath, Jessica sighed softly and quietly closed the door. She pulled her phone from the back pocket of her blue denim jeans and checked on Twitter, catching Phe’s new tweet. A banana split? She hasn’t had anything sweet in three days. She responded accordingly and their short conversation would draw her attention to the kitchen… If she could find it. It was a very expansive estate in Los Angeles.
It took a minute of curious wandering, but Jessica managed to find her way to the kitchen. Upon entering, she offered Phe a gentle smile and a cute little wave. She saw the second spoon and happily made her way over to take a seat.
Jessica: “Thank you for inviting me. I’m honored.”
Phoenix: “Of course! Not a problem at all..”
She shoots Jessica a friendly smile as she takes the seat next to her, eying her second spoon. Phoenix thought with them together finally settled down and getting some sort of relaxation and peace of mind in private, maybe this would be the best chance for them to dive into a little one on one. Sure, Phoenix was the investor of SAP that Jessica was one of the top stars signed to the company but they never really had a proper chance to really say hello or speak to one another. Phoenix’s first on camera appearance showed her hunting down the Hellfire Club like a madwoman on a mission and the other connection she had to one another was that Phoenix was friends with Jessica’s husband, Geki and that they both were close friends of Xavier’s. They had corresponded on twitter a couple of times, offerings words of encouragement and just overall support of one another but they never had the chance to really just sit down and… talk since coming back to the estate a mere few hours ago..
Phoenix: “I know it has been a trying last few days.. But we are finally here… with Xavier discharged and resting comfortably with no worries, i know it gives us that strong sense of relief that things have somewhat now mellowed down. How are you feeling??”
Jessica: “A little better than I was, that’s for sure.”
She smiles softly before she reaches out and takes the second spoon. This is the first time they’re able to meet like this and yet there’s already a sense of comfort. Jessica’s social skills have developed over the years. In the past, she would’ve been too shy and timid, unable to approach Phoenix, let alone talk to her. Three years can change a person’s lifestyle. She found solace in the estate, knowing that Xavier is resting peacefully. The past few days have been far more difficult for him than anyone else.
Jessica: “Xavier is going to be okay. He’ll make a full recovery… and he’ll be back to causing trouble again. But that’s why we like him and look out for him.”
As much as she wants to think positively, she can’t help but reflect upon Gabriel’s words. All the stories he shared, exploiting his younger brother, her body tenses up a little. She tries to cool herself down with a spoonful of strawberry ice cream, enjoying it slowly.
Phoenix: “I definitely agree… if he didn’t cause conflict, it would honestly be… weird-ish, you know? He always has that… twinkle in his eye with that sneaky smirk of his that’s filled with mischievous. I definitely never want him to change… but i also do not want him to suffer as well…”
Phoenix sighs heavily as she tries to meld her spoonful of cookies and cream into some of the caramel and nuts topping before she takes that bite, her green eyes closing to show the content that washes over her face from the taste.
Phoenix: “Mmmmm…. Nothing says comfort like cold spoonfuls of deliciousness. One thing he was bothered with is feeling as if he was shoved into a corner… being told don’t do this, don’t do that. You know how men are… they have to be the man. So when told what to do, they feel a type of way. He was okay with the, ‘be safe and be careful’ because he knows that’s a common phrase to say when you want to wish someone well. When you want them to take care of themselves and be… okay. But he was beginning to feel coddled… smothered… feeling like what he wanted to do, he was being told he shouldn’t do it. He knows here that he is safe from all of that. Because i will not judge or scold him… unless he gets behind the wheel of a car again inebriated, then he knows I’m kicking his ass.”
She laughs lightly, trying to help keep those good positive vibes flowing in the atmosphere before she finds herself sighing again, digging her spoon into the dessert to cut into a bit of the banana, scooping up some ice cream and whipped cream before enjoying the spoonful.
Phoenix: “He just… wants to make sure that whatever he does, we do not look at him any differently.. It’s one of the things he is most afraid of…”
Quietly, Jessica moves her spoon to acquire some cookies n’ cream ice cream, a little bit of whipped cream, and especially walnuts. She enjoys the bite slowly, considerate of Phoenix’s words. She’s trying to keep the positive energy around them as well, but this is the aftermath of a trialling time. It’s going to take more to fuel that energy. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, her mind wandering for a moment.
Jessica: “I can’t say I’ve always been on Xavier’s side. Well over a year ago, he thought I was just some nerdy little brat and I disagreed with his arrogance. He was antagonizing my brother and I tried to stand up to him, but he retaliated with a steel chair shot to my head…”
Remembering that, she absently rubs the back of her head with her free hand. She’s quick to shake it off and continue.
Jessica: “Xavier defeated me in a professional wrestling match and that was supposed to be the end of that. But when my brother ambushed Xavier and strangled him, I couldn’t help but feel responsible. Zachary’s hatred was that of a man possessed. He wouldn’t stop, even when I screamed at him. Finally when he walked away, I ran over to check on Xavier. It must’ve been weird for some people to see, but I’m a girl of compassion. Even though he was my enemy, I couldn’t just walk away. He suffered by my brother’s hands… literally. The least I could do was make sure he was okay before medical assistants came to his rescue. It was the start of a strange yet amazing friendship. Ever since that night, I’ve done everything in my power to watch over him. When people were spreading rumors about us, we proved them wrong together. We convinced Blair that nothing was happening between us and we stayed true to our word. Unfortunately, my boyfriend at the time didn’t agree. He said he couldn’t trust me… Honestly, if he never trusted me, then why bother being in a relationship with me for seven months? Was it a goddamn lie the entire time?”
It’s the first time Jessica’s actually cursed in front of Phoenix. A slight hint of red, of past frustrations, covers her cheeks for a moment. She takes a few deep breaths before she composes herself and enjoys another spoonful of the dessert.
Jessica: “After I broke up with Ryan, I packed as many of my personal belongings as I could into my Honda Civic and drove away without a second thought. It was his beach house, not mine. I didn’t have a place of my own, so I drove aimlessly without a destination. When I needed to stop for gas, I’d buy nothing but water. When I needed to rest, I’d sleep in my car. It wasn’t until a couple days later when I was driving through Nevada that I realized I couldn’t keep this up. I was too afraid, maybe even too embarrassed to call my mom, so I contacted Blair and Xavier. I told them what happened and where I was. They invited me into their Las Vegas home with open arms and without judgment. They let me stay for free and provided me with food, water, clothes, everything I needed until I could find a place of my own. They saved me, Phe… Without them, I’m not sure I would even be here, enjoying this wonderful banana split with you.”
She says this with a genuine heart, but in her eyes there’s a show of hardship and pain. She does owe her life to Xavier and Blair after all.
Phoenix: “I could only imagine…. That was very considerate of them to let you into their lives and their home like that. A lot of good people like that… are rare to find. In a world filled with so much… bitterness… hate… it seems nowadays it is easier to hate than to love… because people fear love. They fear the negative feelings that are attached to it when it comes to risking being hurt… feeling pain. So hating everything makes it easier to not risk being hurt.”
Pondering on her words as she twirls her spoon around absentmindedly, Phoenix’s mind being taken away to seemingly a whole different land of time.
Phoenix: “I met Xavier early last year on twitter when we begin to follow each other out of nowhere. I was… going off about something, i believe my former friend had pissed me off and he had subtweeted i was about to beat someone’s ass…”
She pauses as a smile spreads across her face in remembrance, causing her to shake her head with amusement.
Phoenix: “Was a start of a great friendship. And Alessandro.. He is usually the type who rarely has friends because he barely likes people. My friends ended up becoming his friends. But somehow, he seemed to gravitate towards Xavier. Even told Xavier he was his number one fan boy. I thought it was cute and both amusing. I had so much going on last year with reconciling with Alessandro and well… being devirginized. Which led to me getting knocked up a few weeks later. Xavier and I… we were good friends, yes, but we did not talk as much as we had soooo much going on in our own lives. Then two months ago in March, we started talking a bit more. Last month in April… it’s when things really grew between us i guess since we actually had the time to give to our close friendship. His marriage was over, my marriage is… practically over… and we agreed we had so much shit to catch up about.”
Phoenix smiles, thinking about all the time that had been spent thus far. They both were going through… So much. A lot of pain they were in and they just both wished they could take the other’s pain away.
Phoenix: “And now.. I am dealing with tabloidism wanting an explanation for why i am not stepping down as Gabriel’s manager after what happened with Xavier. I do not.. Want to choose sides, because i would rather the two repair their spiraling relationship… which i know it’s going to be a while for that to happen.”
In the moment, all Jessica does is listen. They’re sharing so much about their personal lives, it’s amazing. For them to trust one another in a proper meeting, she feels more at ease with Phoenix. It must be rare for people to see the gentler flames of the Firebird, but the Paladin will never take it for granted. Rather, she appreciates Phoenix’s perspective and nods.
Jessica: “Even after what happened, I respect your decision. You care about Xavier and Gabriel, respect them, and trust them. Turning your back on either one of them isn’t the answer. If the tabloid journalists can’t accept that, then they’re out of luck. I would do the same thing if two people I cared about weren’t getting along. I wouldn’t pick a side… I would support them both and hope for the best. My brother and I have been through a similar situation before. We lost our father over three years ago… It nearly tore us apart. But through patience, time, and hard work, we mended our bonds. Sometimes my brother is still overprotective and sometimes I’m a little overbearing, but in the end we’re family. Aside from our mother, we’re all that we have left. Family is so important to us… I’m sure Xavier and Gabriel can get through this.”
She smiles a little before she digs into the cookies n’ cream by itself and enjoys a bite. She sighs softly and regards Phoenix carefully yet honestly.
Jessica: “If I do see Gabriel… No, when I see Gabriel, I’m going to kick his ass. I know Xavier wants to handle this on his own, but it’s clear to us that he won’t break his addiction to conflict. We won’t stop him on his quest. We won’t tell him he shouldn’t do it or it’s wrong… But we will fight alongside him. I hope he realizes that there’s no stopping us from helping him. You don’t have to fight Gabriel, but we will. It’s okay.”
Phoenix: “I’m still trying to process it all, just from knowing there was a bit.. Static between the two but for it to get this far? It’s so unexpected and mind blowing. A lot of people are upset at his girlfriend and even have accused her of corrupting him because he wasn’t like this before he got all intimate with her. Personally.. She isn’t a factor to me. But if any of them step up to me, they can be put down like a rabid dog. People have been shown what happens when they try to come between me and a Laroux… I’m never the one on the short end of the straw so they better keep that in mind.”
She stares down at the half eaten treat before looking back at Jessica, smiling warmly at her.
Phoenix: “You’re definitely appreciated… if you have to beat Gabe’s ass, I am sure in time when this is all over, he will appreciate that as well. Sometimes you gotta give someone you love a swift kick in the ass until they come to their senses, it’s tough love. We all need it every now and then… but yes i know once Xavier gets to one hundred percent perfect and fully back on his feet, he is definitely going to be a man unhinged, so relentless and determined to get things done his way.”
Jessica: “I know. I expect nothing less from him.”
She returns the smile, just as warmly as Phoenix does, and she looks to their dessert. For the first time she cuts off a piece of the banana and enjoys it with a giggle.
Jessica: “It looks like we need to make some more desserts. We’re almost done with this one. Maybe we can make one for Xavier too?”
A few strands of blonde hair fall loose and she rises up from her seat. Jessica turns to Phoenix and extends a hand out to her.
Jessica: “We still have a couple more days until Sunday… Let’s enjoy them before the show.”
Phoenix beams as she takes Jessica’s hand and gives it a shake while nodding her head.
Phoenix: “I agree… it’s definitely going to get wild on Sunday especially with not knowing what to expect at Nend Sudes… so let’s relax our minds and cleanse our spirits, try to keep smiles on our faces and enjoy our down time. And oooo let’s make him an ummmm, turtle sundae! And then make him eat every…. single bit of it too!”
Jessica: “That sounds like a great idea! Let’s get started!”
Jessica giggles and bounces a little. This is the first time in three days that she’s been able to express her happiness like this, but she’s glad. She’s needed this. She turns to regard the refrigerator and the freezer with starry eyes.
Jessica: “We’re going to need vanilla ice cream, caramel, hot fudge, pecans, whipped cream, and cherries!”
Phoenix nods and laughs lightly, getting right down to work as she goes for one of the cabinets to open, retrieving a glass bowl to place on the counter before opening the freezer to get the ice cream out first. As she opens the refrigerator, her smile grows even brighter as she reflects on a few things. At this moment… she was happy. And she was going to make sure everyone in this house enjoyed their stay at her estate.