The Brief Case of Tanja Devereaux
Jul 22, 2017 19:20:08 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2017 19:20:08 GMT -5
Drake was more than a little disappointed at the news that Victory Combat Systems didn’t have the capital to expand yet, but Sadie had a tactful way of expressing things that kept Logan’s business partner from sinking into that silent sulking he sometimes did. Judging by the polite look on Drake’s wife, Mia’s, face, hiding the mild disinterest within, Logan wasn’t the only one who didn’t want to talk shop on this double date.
“We can’t keep turning away clients if we want to grow,” Drake mused in frustration, “but we’ve got nowhere for new clients in our current schedule.”
Sadie squeezed Logan’s hand beneath the table. She could sense his mood, and had been trying to steer the conversation away from business for the last few minutes. “Don’t overthink it. Something will come along. Let it grow naturally and it will happen.”
There was a momentary pause, and the look Drake gave him told Logan that he wasn’t going to like what his business partner was about to suggest. “What about finding a third partner? Or maybe just an investor?”
Thankfully, the server arrived with their meals before the conversation could continue. If there was anything that would take Drake’s mind off of the gym for a few minutes, it was food. That, or his wife. The unexpected sound she made as she sat back and placed both hands on her pregnant belly made everyone else at the table look up in concern.
“I’m alright,” Mia insisted apologetically with a grimace. “It was just a strong kick.”
The worried expression on Drake’s face made Sadie and Logan share a quick, curious glance. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” she nodded, sitting up straighter in her chair. “Let’s eat, maybe he’s just as hungry as I am.”
Logan looked to Drake, still very much on edge, hoping all was well with the baby. After faintly smiling at Sadie, Logan looked to Drake. “I want to follow Mia’s lead. She pushes forward, staying optimistic. No investor, no shares, just us.” He was firm in this, not wanting to split what they'd built with some outsider.
Later that evening—into the next morning, in honesty—Sadie awoke to find herself alone in bed. Swaying with fatigue and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she wandered from the bedroom to where the upper level looked down into the open seating area. Logan was on the couch, his arms stretched out to either side of him, staring at the flat screen on the wall. “What are you doing up?” she asked rhetorically, seeing a muted wrestling match playing out on the TV.
Logan looked to Sadie, somewhat startled. His focus was clearly fixed on the television. “Oh, hey babe… the usual studies.” Nodding toward the TV, he extended his hand for her to join.
After wearily traversing the stairs, she sat beside him on the couch. Her fingers curled into his outstretched hand before she snuggled up against his side. “Tanja Devereaux?” she asked after watching for a few moments and assessing the two individuals on the screen.
“Yeah, unfortunately. She's traveled a few, so there's plenty of footage available.” Logan shook his head and looked at Sadie with a bit of struggle in his eyes.
She studied his expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Just isn't the same. Something feels off with her. ”
“How so?” She looked to the television for a few moments. “Can’t get a bead on her style, or what?”
“I can… just seems that, despite a clear knowledge of the ring and exceptional composition, she's very simplistic. I expected a bit more I suppose, especially when she's more refined than I am in a few areas.”
That she could understand, and she nodded to the affirmative. “I see what you mean. She’s got a wide variety of skills, a jack-of-all trades. But you know the problem with being a jack-of-all trades?”
“You never specialize in one?” Logan asked, waiting for verification.
A slow, tired smile spread across her lips as she nodded. “Exactly. I see three, four ways you have advantages over her. You’ve got plenty of options to win this match, and I daresay it will be just as decisive as your first, if less flashy for having fewer opponents.”
“That's true. If I stick to the fundamentals and attack her strengths with mine, I can out-strike and muscle my way to victory. If there were ever a time for my power, it's this match that will showcase it.” Logan looked to the screen once more.
“Physical size isn’t everything,” she mused, knowing full well he knew that, “but putting that strength behind your grappling effectively neutralizes her speed, and your strikes outweigh her ability to bounce back. She’s not running or flying anywhere if she’s in a hold or seeing stars.”
“That's exactly what I'm thinking. I have to leave zero chance for escape. Even though intelligence is key in finding ways to elude, there's also an imposition of my will that will be greater. That's what I teach our students.” His hand rested upon her leg and gripped gently.
A soft giggle followed the squeeze, and her fingers tightened on his other hand. “As technically skilled as she is,” Sadie added, “so are you. Put your size, your strength, all that extra weight and muscle you’ve got on her behind a hold, and she’ll tap faster than Fred Astaire. She’s good, but you’ve got more than enough to overcome what she throws at you.”
“And… ” Logan added, smiling as he thought to himself. “Don't forget the X factor. I have more to fight for. Not just myself, but you, Drake, Mia, Victory, and the briefcase.”
His smile was infectious, and her own grew even as she tried to burrow closer into his side. “More than that, it’s a special match; Fans bring the weapons. The options will be endless. All of you behind a regular strike is practically deadly by itself, but put that behind a weapon? Tanja will be lucky if she wakes up. So-Cal wanted the predator? I hope they’re ready for what they’re going to get.”
He looked up for a moment, closing his eyes. “Dangerous territory for me, but I'm not one to not give someone what they came to see. One thing you haven't seen yet: I'm very proficient with weapons.” Logan had a somewhat different look in his eyes, as though the stipulation stirred thoughts in his head.
Both his tone and the look on his face made Sadie shiver, and not in a bad way. “And don’t forget,” she whispered, voice taking an edge he was familiar with, “I’ll be there, and I am a fan.” The implication, of course, was clear.
Logan laughed and moved closer, leaning into her. “Then choose wisely. I want to make the finish poetic. It can be the shot that echoes through World War.”
Sadie grinned. “Then I’ll make sure it’s one for the ages.”
“We can’t keep turning away clients if we want to grow,” Drake mused in frustration, “but we’ve got nowhere for new clients in our current schedule.”
Sadie squeezed Logan’s hand beneath the table. She could sense his mood, and had been trying to steer the conversation away from business for the last few minutes. “Don’t overthink it. Something will come along. Let it grow naturally and it will happen.”
There was a momentary pause, and the look Drake gave him told Logan that he wasn’t going to like what his business partner was about to suggest. “What about finding a third partner? Or maybe just an investor?”
Thankfully, the server arrived with their meals before the conversation could continue. If there was anything that would take Drake’s mind off of the gym for a few minutes, it was food. That, or his wife. The unexpected sound she made as she sat back and placed both hands on her pregnant belly made everyone else at the table look up in concern.
“I’m alright,” Mia insisted apologetically with a grimace. “It was just a strong kick.”
The worried expression on Drake’s face made Sadie and Logan share a quick, curious glance. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” she nodded, sitting up straighter in her chair. “Let’s eat, maybe he’s just as hungry as I am.”
Logan looked to Drake, still very much on edge, hoping all was well with the baby. After faintly smiling at Sadie, Logan looked to Drake. “I want to follow Mia’s lead. She pushes forward, staying optimistic. No investor, no shares, just us.” He was firm in this, not wanting to split what they'd built with some outsider.
Later that evening—into the next morning, in honesty—Sadie awoke to find herself alone in bed. Swaying with fatigue and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she wandered from the bedroom to where the upper level looked down into the open seating area. Logan was on the couch, his arms stretched out to either side of him, staring at the flat screen on the wall. “What are you doing up?” she asked rhetorically, seeing a muted wrestling match playing out on the TV.
Logan looked to Sadie, somewhat startled. His focus was clearly fixed on the television. “Oh, hey babe… the usual studies.” Nodding toward the TV, he extended his hand for her to join.
After wearily traversing the stairs, she sat beside him on the couch. Her fingers curled into his outstretched hand before she snuggled up against his side. “Tanja Devereaux?” she asked after watching for a few moments and assessing the two individuals on the screen.
“Yeah, unfortunately. She's traveled a few, so there's plenty of footage available.” Logan shook his head and looked at Sadie with a bit of struggle in his eyes.
She studied his expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Just isn't the same. Something feels off with her. ”
“How so?” She looked to the television for a few moments. “Can’t get a bead on her style, or what?”
“I can… just seems that, despite a clear knowledge of the ring and exceptional composition, she's very simplistic. I expected a bit more I suppose, especially when she's more refined than I am in a few areas.”
That she could understand, and she nodded to the affirmative. “I see what you mean. She’s got a wide variety of skills, a jack-of-all trades. But you know the problem with being a jack-of-all trades?”
“You never specialize in one?” Logan asked, waiting for verification.
A slow, tired smile spread across her lips as she nodded. “Exactly. I see three, four ways you have advantages over her. You’ve got plenty of options to win this match, and I daresay it will be just as decisive as your first, if less flashy for having fewer opponents.”
“That's true. If I stick to the fundamentals and attack her strengths with mine, I can out-strike and muscle my way to victory. If there were ever a time for my power, it's this match that will showcase it.” Logan looked to the screen once more.
“Physical size isn’t everything,” she mused, knowing full well he knew that, “but putting that strength behind your grappling effectively neutralizes her speed, and your strikes outweigh her ability to bounce back. She’s not running or flying anywhere if she’s in a hold or seeing stars.”
“That's exactly what I'm thinking. I have to leave zero chance for escape. Even though intelligence is key in finding ways to elude, there's also an imposition of my will that will be greater. That's what I teach our students.” His hand rested upon her leg and gripped gently.
A soft giggle followed the squeeze, and her fingers tightened on his other hand. “As technically skilled as she is,” Sadie added, “so are you. Put your size, your strength, all that extra weight and muscle you’ve got on her behind a hold, and she’ll tap faster than Fred Astaire. She’s good, but you’ve got more than enough to overcome what she throws at you.”
“And… ” Logan added, smiling as he thought to himself. “Don't forget the X factor. I have more to fight for. Not just myself, but you, Drake, Mia, Victory, and the briefcase.”
His smile was infectious, and her own grew even as she tried to burrow closer into his side. “More than that, it’s a special match; Fans bring the weapons. The options will be endless. All of you behind a regular strike is practically deadly by itself, but put that behind a weapon? Tanja will be lucky if she wakes up. So-Cal wanted the predator? I hope they’re ready for what they’re going to get.”
He looked up for a moment, closing his eyes. “Dangerous territory for me, but I'm not one to not give someone what they came to see. One thing you haven't seen yet: I'm very proficient with weapons.” Logan had a somewhat different look in his eyes, as though the stipulation stirred thoughts in his head.
Both his tone and the look on his face made Sadie shiver, and not in a bad way. “And don’t forget,” she whispered, voice taking an edge he was familiar with, “I’ll be there, and I am a fan.” The implication, of course, was clear.
Logan laughed and moved closer, leaning into her. “Then choose wisely. I want to make the finish poetic. It can be the shot that echoes through World War.”
Sadie grinned. “Then I’ll make sure it’s one for the ages.”