Post by Julian Tijerina on Sept 25, 2016 1:35:15 GMT
Chinatown
Los Angeles, California
It is the middle of the day. A restaurant adorned with three dragons finds itself home to three lifelong friends, friends that haven't seen each other for a long time. In a C-shaped booth, a blonde German with glasses is sitting alone, minding his business, satiating his hunger with a plate of dumplings and a tall glass of water. Julian Tijerina arrives and immediately finds him sticking out like a sore thumb. The Spanish Sweetheart takes a seat right in the middle of the C-shaped couch, grinning at the man known as Karsten Greiser.
Karsten Greiser: You're late.
Julian continues grinning at him. Effortlessly, he catches the attention of a giddy waitress. In a span of seconds, he orders a plate of xiaolongbao and asks the young girl her recommendation for a drink. The girl suggests a tea he can't pronounce, which Julian orders anyway, confident that the way the girl looks at her to be a sign of sincerity. He turns to Karsten who has not looked up from his plate.
Julian Tijerina: I'm not late. You're just too early. As always.
Karsten sighs, not pleased with the answer. Julian frowns, knowing he has offended his longest friend.
Julian Tijerina: At least I'm not as late as Enzo. He's always the last one to arrive.
Karsten takes his time wiping his mouth despite the fact that there's nothing there. He takes a careful sip from his glass of water without even looking back at Julian.
Karsten Greiser: Well, that is true.
As if on cue, the door opens wildly and in comes Enzo Mazzaro, scratching his head. It doesn't take him a long time to find his friends, both of whom are the only non-Asian in the restaurant. He makes his way to the booth as eyes are all on him. He doesn't mind. He doesn't care. Arriving at the booth, he drops his entire body next to Julian's, in front of an indifferent Karsten. Julian grins at him and in response Enzo ruffles his hair. Julian pretends to hate, though he appreciates the nostalgia. Karsten continues ignoring them both.
Enzo Mazzaro: So, what's up, weirdos? Why are we here again?
Enzo grabs Karsten's plate, much to the latter's dismay, and plops a dumpling in his mouth. Karsten immediately takes his plate back, shooting Enzo a death stare. Enzo isn't intimidated. Enzo just grins at Karsten. Karsten sighs.
Karsten Greiser: Julian's feeling down. Also, I needed an excuse for you to sign this.
Karsten takes a piece of paper from inside his coat and slides it down the table. Enzo raises an eyebrow while reading it. Julian doesn't care. He sits back, his entire body melding with the C-shaped couch, both arms outstretched. He already knows what's in the paper and it doesn't really concern him. Enzo frowns and pockets the paper. Karsten takes a drink of his water, not staring at anyone. Turning to Julian, Enzo puts and arm around him, bringing him closer.
Enzo Mazzaro: What's wrong, buddy? Is it another girl?
Julian breaks free of Enzo's hold. In a wrestling ring, it would be the same case. Enzo isn't a master of submission holds unlike Julian whose proficiency is near expert level.
Julian Tijerina: No, it's just... My GOL career hasn't really turned out the way I want it to. I've been losing my matches since I debuted at Eternal Lucha. I lost the Gods of War Ladder Match and the opportunity to hold Pandora's Box. Then I also lost the Trios Title Match at Chapter Cinco.
Both Enzo and Karsten turns to him. Julian's order finally arrives, with the same waitress from before. Enzo immediately grabs the plate and plops a xiaolongbao in his mouth. Big mistake! The Italian Instigator quickly takes Karsten's glass of water, much to the latter's annoyance. He starts speaking with his tongue out.
Enzo Mazzaro: I saw that. With Mohammed Al Thani, right?
Karsten Greiser: And Angel Kash...
Enzo instinctively turns to Karsten with a perverted look. Karsten gets caught offguard. He blushes and looks away. Enzo laughs.
Julian Tijerina: Yeah, those guys. We lost.
Enzo stops laughing. Karsten turns to Julian with a concerned look.
Julian Tijerina: I've lost two of my matches here on GOL. I'm starting to think it might not be the place for me. I might not be a fit here.
Enzo puts a hand on Julian's shoulders. Karsten takes another sip of his water.
Enzo Mazzaro: Listen, man. You're a world champion the world over. You'll do great. Besides, aren't you in the Lucha World Cup?
Julian Tijerina: Yeah, with Helena Noir and two other guys.
Enzo does a double take. He turns to Karsten in disbelief. Karsten nods without looking at him.
Karsten Greiser: He's teaming with Helena on Night One of the World Cup against three other tag teams representing the three other World Cup teams.
Julian Tijerina: Canada, Mexico, and the USA, of course.
Enzo carefully takes a xiaolongbao and just holds it in his hand. He takes a small bite of it and carefully sips the soup inside.
Enzo Mazzaro: Wow. Elimination Tag?
Julian Tijerina: TLC.
Enzo Mazzaro: Really? Man, I hope Helena doesn't get her face hit. She's super hot.
Karsten rolls his eyes. Julian chuckles to himself.
Julian Tijerina: On Night Two, it's me against three other guys in a Firework Death Match.
Enzo finally plops the soup-less xiaolongbao in his mouth.
Enzo Mazzaro: Firework Death Match? What the heck is that?
Karsten Greiser: I believe it's like a death match. But with fireworks.
Julian and Enzo stare at each other before breaking into laughter, confusing Karsten.
Karsten Greiser: What? What did I say?
Enzo Mazzaro: Sometimes, buddy, you crack me up.
Karsten rolls his eyes while Julian continues laughing. Ignoring Enzo, Karsten turns to Julian with a serious expression on his face.
Karsten Greiser: Listen, Julie, if it doesn't work, just go. You're one of the greatest talents in the world. If it's not working, then there's no use wasting your talents there.
Julian suddenly gets sad. Enzo turns to Karsten with fury. Karsten is caught bewildered, shrugging. Enzo puts a hand on Julian's shoulder, rubbing it. Karsten sighs, fumbling through his thoughts. Unexpectedly, Julian perks up, catching both friends offguard. With a smile on his face, Julian starts speaking excitedly.
Julian Tijerina: You're right. Third time's the charm! I'm not going to just give up that easily. The Lucha World Cup is a great place to start a winning streak.
A smile forms on Enzo's face, born from a look of confusion. Karsten fixes his glasses, smiling to himself, relieved.
Enzo Mazzaro: Yeah, that's the spirit, buddy! You'll knock them dead.
Julian Tijerina: I will! But for now, let's go get more things to eat!
Enzo Mazzaro: Yes!
A look of concern streaks across Karsten's face.
Karsten Greiser: Hey, Enzo, are you going to pay for anything? Anything at all?
Enzo Mazzaro: Yeah, you already know the answer to that.
Karsten sighs, shaking his head. He takes out his wallet and starts counting his money. Like before, Julian effortlessly catches the attention of the giddy waitress. She immediately heads to them, excited about the prospect of talking to Julian once more. However, this time, it's Enzo who powers his way into the conversation and starts ordering a lot of things he can't even pronounce.