Sunset (Invite)

[alundra]

Alone Alundra sat in her dressing room. Her eyes were closed as she meditated, concentrating her energy on what was to come tonight. She takes a deep breath and releases it, opening her eyes as she does. Her eyes wander around the room as she ponders to herself. It wasn't a feeling of regret she felt, or a feeling that she was making a mistake or stepping away from the industry she dedicated the last 22 years of her life to. It was an almost ethereal calm. One she'd never felt before. Perhaps it was the realization that after tonight, win or lose against Lakoda Rose, her journey would finally be over. She could return to her home in Japan and be a full time mother to her two children, and a full time wife to her husband. Something she'd looked forward to for a long, long time. She rises up from the place mat she'd set on the floor, but before she could gather it up, there was a knock on the door.

I think I know exactly who that is.

[hel]

Into the room comes Helena Troy. A woman who Alundra had a long, heated history with. For over 5 years, both went tooth and nail against each other in other promotions. In many ways, her battles against Alundra is what molded Helena into the competitor...and champion...she was today. There was always animosity between the two of them, but also a deep rooted respect for how fearsome they were, against others and each other. Helena stands in the doorway and after opening the door and glares at Alundra for a moment before speaking.

You know, I really do hate you. If not for all that we've been through, for the fact that you're just going to walk away from this. You're just going to have you final match and ride off into the sunset.

[alundra]

With a raised eyebrow, Alundra responds to Helena's statement.

Mymy, Temperance. It sounded like you're actually getting nostalgic about all of this. There comes a time where you realize you have nothing left to prove as a competitor. You're still young, but in ten years you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

She begins to put on her arm sleeves and adds.

Besides. I think I've left a strong enough legacy in this business. There's you, You sister, Okami, Jordana, Phenyx, Amber Rae...I can go on. That's the benefit of lasting as long as I have. I've left my influence be it through training or competing against a number of women. And I have no regrets for any of it.

[hel]

Helena scoffs at the mention of her sister Ashley Diamond, as well as Phenyx, another one of Alundra's most prominent pupils. She folds her arms and replies.

You know damn well it was supposed to be me you face in your last match. Not Lakoda Rose. I'm insulted that you're even doing this, but I guess I obviously have no say in the matter. If there's one thing I've learned about you over the years, it's that when you're mind is set to do something, you see it through to the end.

A smile creeps up onto her lips soon after.

But at least with you gone, there'll no doubt as to who the alpha female is. So I guess I should thank you for that at the very least.

[alundra]

A small chuckle follows Helena's statement. Alundra looks to her and replies yet again.

An interesting way of spinning it, I guess. I will miss your flare for the dramatic, that's for certain. Besides, I think you have more important things on your itinerary then facing me in my final match. Like defending that title of yours. My final hoorah should be the least of your concerns, but I'm glad that you cared enough to come and wish me well.

Alundra knew Helena well enough to know she was far to proud a woman to outright say "goodbye". But her mere presence here was in fact her doing exactly that, in her own individual way.

[hel]

Her smile turns to a satisfied smirk, and she speaks.

Going out on your own terms is something not afforded to many in the business. It's something only those who've paid their dues earn. It's even more rare for us women to earn that, since we have to bust our asses two times as much as the men do. You're one lucky bitch, Alundra. But then again, lasting 22 years in the game as a female competitor has nothing to do with luck.

Helena's demeanor then changes unexpectedly.

I spent 5 years of my career trying to take you out. And I damn near succeeded on a couple of occasions. But you never even once backed down. And when I thought I'd finally done it, you came back even better then you were before. I can honestly say here with no hesitation that...well...I admired that about you. Your ferocity. Your tenacity. I even resigned myself to aspire to become more like you, because you represented something greater then the business. For years I hated you, not because you were a better competitor then me. But because you were a better woman then me. But in a lot of ways, that made me a better woman because I came to realize that to go the distance as you have, I need to see the world beyond what my eyes do.

Gritting her teeth, Helena knuckles up and concludes her humble words by saying.

Thank you, Alundra.

Those would be the last words she would say to her long time rival. Before Alundra could get another word in, Helena was already gone. Few people in her life have ever gotten to see a glimpse into the heart of the woman behind "Helena", Temperance Elizabeth Troy. Alundra had earned the courtesy. As she heads back to her own dressing room, she walks past her half sister Ashley, who presumably was on her way to visit Alundra as well. Their eyes meet for the 1st time since their battle for the unified Pearl Title in February, and Helena gives Ashley the slightest of nods in dutiful respect, despite the ill feelings the siblings harbored for each other still.