Post by "Paragon" Joule Ortiz on Aug 11, 2023 21:13:11 GMT -5
It’s deflating when you expect something great from a goal you’ve been looking forward to achieving. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is move on to a new opportunity. That’s what I had to do. Maybe this grass is greener. Maybe the sights are higher. There’s only one way to find out…
~~~
Joule is currently driving on a highway in an orange Porsche Carrera 911-997, with someone else in the passenger seat, during a bright, sunny day. The GPS shows that the destination is the famous Madison Square Garden. The slightly tinted windows are rolled about halfway down, causing Joule’s hair to flow a bit wildly in the wind. The passenger’s hair is a bit similar, although their hair is thicker, and not as long as hers. They have pale skin, with a rat tail at the end of their hair, and a little AIBO dog on their lap, although it isn’t currently powered on. There’s music playing as well, although it isn’t too loud. They’re currently listening to a Japanese band called Humming Bird.
Joule: I appreciate you wanting to come with me, Robin. You really didn’t have to do this.
Robin: Of course! I wanted to be there to support you for your debut. I didn’t get to do it when you first wrestled in Action Wrestling, because of all that shit with Mauve, so I’m happy to do it now. I’m sad Quinn isn’t with us, and I especially don’t like that Mauve has them, but I can’t do anything about that.
Joule lets out a sigh, paying as much attention to the road, but still glancing a couple times at Robin.
Robin: I mean, that’s fair. I still don’t like them being with Mauve though. You know I don’t trust her.
She sighs again, even more heavily this time.
Robin gives her a look of uncertainty. Joule senses it after a quick glance, bringing a bit of tension into the air of the vehicle. After a bit of silence, Robin looks back at her, still clearly concerned, but they try to put on a smile, not wanting to ruin Joule’s excitement.
Joule: I mean, he was my opponent because of the tournament we were in at the time. I have a lot of respect for the guy. He’s a veteran and a multi time world champion. To be honest, I feel really honored that he decided to shake my hand and agree to work with me. Shame about his leg, but he seems to have figured out a good way to make up for that.
She pauses for a bit, until she smirks and giggles with a glint in her eyes after she takes a look at the GPS.
Before Joule can continue, the sound of sirens can be heard. Robin frantically turns the music off once they see the red and blue lights of a police car driving towards them. They both give each a confused look after it’s clear that the car is specifically after them. Joule rolls her eyes and slows her car down before pulling over. The cop car also pulls over, and a tall, bald, stocky officer wearing aviators walks over as Joule opens her window the rest of the way and takes out her license for him, handing it to him before he can even ask for it, which seems to throw him off. He does a double take and raises an eyebrow at her.
Joule: I’m actually unsure, officer.
Officer: You were driving over the speed limit. I’m also unsure about this license of yours.
She pinches the bridge of her nose, but then attempts to compose herself.
Officer: So, you’re a male named—
Joule: Yes, unfortunately. Sorry, sir, I just don’t like hearing that name and I haven’t had time to get my name or gender marker legally changed yet.
Robin is looking on anxiously. The officer seems a bit unsure, flicking his fingers at the card. He hands Joule her license and pulls a finger up, letting them know that he needs a minute. He walks over to his car, so Joule rolls the windows up for the time being.
Joule: I don’t know, but this is irritating. I know there’s still a lot of time, but I’d rather not be dealing with this. I get if I drove a bit faster than I realized, but he could easily just give me a ticket and be on his way.
Robin looks behind them at the cop, their eyes darting back and forth between Joule and the cop. The officer seems to be talking to someone through his communicator. He has his arms crossed, looking suspiciously at their direction.
Joule’s looking at the officer through her side mirror, drumming at her door where she’s resting her arm. She watches on as he continues to talk to whoever it is on the phone.
Robin: Too late for that! I’m beyond worried.
Continuing to look at her mirror, Joule sees the cop beginning to walk back over, so she rolls her window back down.
Joule: Ma’am, please and thank you. That’s why the license is confusing, sir. If it didn’t belong to me, I would’ve been more reluctant about handing it to you. I took that photo in the year 2020. It’s now 2023. My hair was shorter, I wore different glasses, and my features have changed a bit since then, due to the meds I’ve been taking for close to five years now. I understand the confusion and uncertainty, but I assure you that the person in the picture is me. I have an important event to go to, so unless there’s anything else, you can fine me however much for the speeding tick–
Officer: Please don’t tell me how to do my job, Ms uh…
Joule: Julianna. It’s technically Mrs… for now, but Ms is fine. My apologies, sir. I just would like to not be late or miss this event. I can show you the license again, if need be. I have older photos of me that fit the image better.
Robin shakes their head, getting frustrated and impatient.
Officer: Ma’am, I need you to calm down.
Joule stares daggers at the officer after he calls Robin “ma’am.”
Officer: Excuse me?
Joule: Robin goes by sir… sir.
The officer stops and looks back and forth between the two of them, filled with confusion. It takes him a few moments to process what’s going on before he finally begins to write a ticket. He hands it to Joule.
He begins walking back to his car, but not without looking back at Joule’s car a couple times, still looking flabbergasted. Finally, the cop goes into the car and drives off. Joule plants her head on the top of her steering wheel and rolls her window halfway up, the way she originally had it. Both of them sigh heavily before Joule starts the car back up and goes back to driving.
Joule, clearly frustrated, keeps her eyes on the road, this time anxiously keeping track of the speedometer and any speed limit signs they drive past.
Robin: Well, no, he made that way more difficult than it needed to be!
Joule: At least he didn’t make me go to the station or anything.
Robin: He could’ve just given you the ticket. I don’t think you were even going that fast!
She shrugs, still annoyed, but trying her best to calm down. The wind is once again blowing through, but Joule is keeping a very stoic expression on her face as she drives.
Robin: I’m just upset about it.
Joule: I am too, but I’m not going to let that distract me from the fact that I have a debut to look forward to. FPV and I are facing eight other teams at Summer Madness for the tag team titles and we’re doing it at Madison Square Garden, of all places. I can’t let a random cop take my focus away.
Robin looks at Joule somberly for a few moments, before turning the music back on. The song “Ano Sora no Mukougawa e” begins to play and they instinctively sing along to it. Joule smirks and scoffs, glancing at them with a soft smile.
They nod at her, continuing to sing instead of verbally replying. Joule can’t help but giggle and shake her head. She lets Robin sing the rest of the song, driving over to a rest stop afterwards. The two walk over to the small building, both going over to the vending machines. Right before Joule is about to choose her drink, her phone rings. She looks at the number, and seems a bit confused. Joule shrugs and hangs it up before pressing the button with the Cool Blue Gatorade. She grabs the drink, and then it rings again, showing the same number. She sighs and answers it.
Robin mouths the words “who is it?” with a look of concern, but Joule gives them her index finger. Her expression begins to sour as the call goes on.
She hangs up, looking annoyed again.
Joule nods to give them confirmation. She takes a picture out and gives it a somber look.