Post by Peter Vaughn on Jul 31, 2022 22:55:42 GMT -5
The Road So Far:
The Search For A Mother Figure, P1
The Search For A Mother Figure, P2
The Search For A Mother Figure, P3
The Search For A Mother Figure, P4
A Father's Day Interlude
The Search For A Mother Figure, Finale
For several months, the story was the same. Peter Vaughn and Thomas Hill, searching for the mother that had borne both brothers, from different fathers. It was a tale that many have gone through in their lives, but few have experienced the crazy journey this search took for Peter and Thomas.
After all, how many of these searches for mothers ends with finding out your mother is connected to espionage and the spy game?
Through's Peter's help, using an extremely tricky series of events, his mother, Angela Hill, has been released from the constant threat of pursuit from a sinister group known only as the Society. Mrs. Carly Freely, her main nemesis, has been placed away in an undisclosed location, where she may likely spend the rest of her days.
But with the danger level lowered, the tension between the two seems to still be high. Despite what he knows now, Peter still is having trouble forgiving his mother for abandoning himself & his late father and moving on to another family. It's something Vaughn may never find a way to be over.
But for Thomas, his half-brother, Vaughn is willing to try.
July 31st, 2022
~The picture comes up inside a fancy restaurant. Maybe it's not the most exclusive, expensive establishment around, but it's no McDonald's or Golden Corral, either. At the very least, most of those there to eat at the restaurant seem to be decently dressed. At one table, we see two figures sitting, staring at the appetizer plate in front of them. One of them, Thomas Hill, hesitantly reaches forward and picks up another fried mushroom, taking a bite out of it. On the other side, Angela Hill, his mother, restlessly stirs.~
Angela: He should have been here 15 minutes ago.
Thomas: Peter's never been one to make an entrance on time. I've heard tales that he has arrived at the arena just minutes before a match at times, a match they had to move to later in the card.
Angela: It's remarkably inconsiderate. I would have thought John would have taught him better.
Thomas: Well, Mom, maybe if...
~Angela looks over at her son, who suddenly gets self-conscious and takes another bite out of the fried mushroom. But she understands too well what he was likely going to say: "Maybe if you had been there". She shakes her head, once again feeling the remorse for all she put her son through in the pursuit of worldly goals.~
Angela: So are you being honest with me? Is he really usually late, or is it because I'm here?
Thomas: I don't know, Mom. I've been his half-brother officially for the last six months, and I'm still learning how to read him. The man is... extremely complex.
Angela: Yes... I've noticed he's a bit...
Thomas: Here he comes! Finally!
~Thomas pops up, relieved, as Peter Vaughn makes his way into the restaurant. Unlike most of the others in here, he's only wearing a dark t-shirt and jeans. But let's face it, he could have been wearing a lot worse. Peter glances around, picking out his family members and, after a moment's hesitation, heads their way.~
Thomas: Where have you been?
Peter: Hey, brother. I just had, umm... a few things to take care of. Sorry I'm late.
~The two brothers turn and go back to the table, where their mother stands up and awkwardly goes for a hug. Vaughn sort of returns it, but nobody watching it would think of it as a true hug. They all take their seats, with Peter sitting across from Angela. Thomas sits somewhat between them, nervously smiling.~
Thomas: So, here we are! Together again!
Peter: Yes... look at us...
Angela: Always good to be with... family...
~Vaughn lifts up the menu, checking out what to order, while giving him a few extra seconds hidden away from the family. Thomas looks from Peter and Angela, feeling the anxiety raising up another notch. He raises his hand to the waiter.~
Thomas: Excuse me, can I get another glass of wine here? Thanks...
~The waiter acknowledges him with a nod, moving away, as we fade away for the moment.~
In this world, you don't always get to pick who you're paired up with.
I'd say in my life, that's proven to be true way more often than I'd probably like. I've ventured a lot into the tag-team ranks over the past couple of months, with a variety of different tag-team partners. Few have turned out to be successful. Just look at the tournament here in Level Up. Out in the first round. Disappointing.
I really haven't had the best of luck with partners elsewhere. But I do have to say, I did have one memorable partner here in Level Up recently: teaming with Buster Gloves to get a big victory over Paul Montuori and Miss Michelle Riggs. It apparently made an impression on the people in charge here, as once again, I find myself partnered up with Gloves. This time, we're fighting against the biggest combined threats in Level Up: The Game Changers.
I'm not saying they're threats on their own. Most of them have struggled to find any sort of long-term success. Really, without Larry "Toe-Tapper" Tact at the front, would anyone really care about the Game Changers? I don't think so. Oh, Isaac's rattled a few cages here and there, but he has come up short a few times recently, hasn't he?
Strangely, it was decided that Buster & I weren't enough to take on the OG-GC's, so we've also been paired with Donny Mason. Can't say I know that much about him, but I hear he's got a good pedigree. I suppose I'll have to wait and see if he turns out to be a good tag-team partner too, or if he's another weak link. I really hope that's not the case, personally, because then I'd have to knock him out.
But I think I can lean on Buster to really give us a command performance at EXP 29. He's been a marvelous champion, after all. Some might say he's held that belt of his a little too long, but hey, the same could be said about Tact. I guess that makes them both targets, doesn't it?
Not from me. From others. Those who wish them harm.
I'm actually a fan of Buster's now. I'm going to do my best to keep him safe during this match.
Tact, though? Oh, Tact I would love to injure if I got the chance.
~The meals have come for the three family members. Thomas is chowing down on a plate of pasta, likely fettucine alfredo. Peter has in front of him a well-made salad, complete with grilled chicken pieces mixed in. And Angela has what appears to be a combination of tofu, vegetables, and some other substances. It's hard to fully identify, and Angela doesn't seem too pleased with it, as she just is picking at it. Thomas, noticing, can't help but smile.~
Thomas: I told you not to get the daily 'special'. The chef here really likes to experiment with his food.
Peter: I think I'd call that experiment an utter failure.
Angela: Well, I've eaten worse. Although at the moment, I'm having trouble remembering anything worse than this.
~Angela pushes her plate away from here, shaking her head. Thomas immediately gets the appetizer plate, which still hadn't been cleared, and starts to put some of his fettucine on it.~
Thomas: Here, this is a lot better. Trust me.
Angela: You don't have to share your food with me, Thomas...
Thomas: Oh no, I insist. Just try it...
~Angela takes the plate reluctantly, getting her fork and trying a taste of the fettucine alfredo. She nods.~
Angela: Yeah, that's not bad.
Peter: Do you, uh... do you want some of my salad, too?
Angela: That's... not necessary, Peter.
~Vaughn shrugs, showing that he wasn't sure about giving her some of his food, anyway. Angela picks at the noodles, while Thomas clears his throat.~
Thomas: So, Peter, how are things on the wrestling front?
Peter: They've been better. I've hit a few roadblocks here and there. But I'm working through them. "The only way out of a tough situation is to go through it."
~Angela starts, looking over at Peter~
Angela: You... you remember that phrase? I used to say that all the time...
Peter: .... I learned it from my father. Great man.
~Angela winces, going back to her pasta, as Thomas shakes his head at Peter's response. But Vaughn can't help it. That's indeed where he heard it from, even if his father had picked it up from somewhere, or someone, else. He goes back to his salad, as the waiter comes back by with a pitcher for refills.~
Waiter: Excuse me, Miss, let me top off your glass...
~The waiter leans over Vaughn's right shoulder, tilting his pitcher forward. The iced tea begins to fill Angela's glass... but the accuracy isn't perfect, as the waiter isn't quite centered. Some of the liquid spills off the glass, hitting the tablecloth and splattering towards Angela. She gasps, pushing backwards in her chair to avoid the splash.~
Waiter: Oh!! Oh no! I'm terribly sorry, ma'am! I didn't mean to...
~As Angela starts to dry off the edge of her dress, which wasn't able to avoid the spill, Vaughn suddenly gets up, shoving the waiter backwards. He gives a short shriek, landing on his backside. Vaughn takes a step towards him, as Thomas grabs his arm.~
Thomas: Peter! Relax!
Angela: Stop it, son! Don't overreact!
~Vaughn, still fuming, glares down at the waiter, who starts crawling backwards like a crab, apologizing from the ground. He gets up and hurries to the kitchen, out of harm's way. Vaughn looks down at the spill, then around at the stares from the various patrons in the restaurant. He looks at his startled brother and his mortified mother, and shakes his head.~
Peter: This... this was a mistake...
~Vaughn turns and walks away, leaving the restaurant, as Angela and Thomas watch him go. Angela sighs.~
Angela: We've got a lot of work ahead of us.
Thomas: You're telling me. This is looking impossible.
Angela: Son, I just survived a year on the run from one of the most dangerous organizations on the planet. That was impossible. This? This is just family...
~Angela gets out her wallet in order to pay for the food, not expecting any more service to come their way. We slowly fade out.~
