Schooled

[Icon Lady Eva Hikari]

Eva: Careful Georgie, don’t want you falling.

Georgia: I won’t! You got me!

Standing on the top turnbuckle with the kind of confidence even some of the rookies here didn’t possess, Georgia held tightly to her mother’s hands. The young woman had been here for the better part of the day, and was still dressed in her training gear. Their school had a show coming up, and as usual it meant all hands on deck. The kids were still riding the buzz from seeing their teachers go toe to toe, you could feel the excitement in the atmosphere. The hunger and energy from the young talents was almost catching. The children were oblivious to that though, to them this was just the boring place mum and dad worked. Lucy and Daniel were sat front row, though it had less to do with being a fan than it did a small emergency calling their baby sitter away. Katrina had dropped them here straight after school, with the promise she’d be back as soon as she could. Lucy had decided to do her homework, and was making a point to ignore everyone while reading her assigned book. Daniel was swinging on the metal chair, his attention shifting between the crew building the lighting and stage, to the wrestlers acting out promos. Lucan was watching Daniel, his eyes bright, his tongue poking out the corner of his mouth as he tried to decide how he could do the chair thing. Georgia had scrambled, literally, into the ring. Making a beeline for her mother, she’d wrapped herself around her leg before she’d even registered that Katrina had brought them here. Trystan was here somewhere, so was Leon. Right now though she couldn’t see either of them. Letting her gaze flicker over the other children Eva smiled brightly at her baby girl.

Eva: Aren’t you tired, sweetheart?

Georgia: Nope! Not tired, never tired!

Eva: Aye, I know that one well……

Scanning the assembled masses for a sign of her husband, Eva shook her head. She should get the kids out of here before the crowds started arriving. They had their own small fanbase here, loyal, devoted and well versed in the art of bawdy chanting. Daniel’s songs were already too bawdy as it was.

Georgia: Hey! Mummy?

Looking at the youngster still holding tightly to her hands, she had seconds to register before the child launched herself at her. It would have been an impressive crossbody. Would have if it wasn’t executed by a three year old. She didn’t have the body weight to throw Eva over, but her cry of “Splat attack!” and the sudden movement had caught her off guard. Eva wanted to be annoyed, but then she had been holding her when she jumped, and she had caught her.

Eva: Georgie….

Giggling and shaking with the kind of infectious laughter the very young seemed able to inspire, the little girl’s voice turned high pitched. Raising her hands above her head, ignoring her mother shifting her weight to hold her better, she wriggles her tiny fingers.

Georgia: Now it’s…..TICKLETIME!

The threat she’d been about to issue died on the raven haired beauties lips, as tiny fingers attempted to tickle the life out of her. Squirming she put the little girl down on the mat, she was still laughing as she backed away. The other children were paying attention now, Lucy was looking over her book. Lucan had been helped into the ring by his cousin, and in the few seconds it took Eva to notice both these facts the twin terrors had stormed her. Running into her they wrapped themselves around her legs. Struggling to keep her balance, Eva stumbled into the ropes. Hooking her arms around it she lifted her right leg. Lucan cackled as he became airborne, his vice like grip unrelenting.

Eva: Is this how we’re playing now? You’re going to turn this into a handicap match?

Laughter came from the twins as she lowered her leg and tried to straighten her stance, shuffling away from the ropes she raised her own hands. Her voice took on a curious tone, shock tainting her words.

Eva: Oh no! What’s this? I’m…….I’m….I’m turning into a tickle monster!

Laughter and screams mingle and she tickles them both before they manage to wriggle away. Lucan makes a clean break, running for the ropes near Daniel. Georgia stumbles on the long sock that was hanging off her foot. Her stomach was exposed and taking the full brunt of the monster’s attacks. At ringside Daniel was whispering to Lucan. Jogging back to his seat, he returns seconds later with a slightly tatty stuffed leopard which he hands to the tot. Eva was on her knees laughing with her daughter. She might not have spotted her son running towards her at first, or the plushie raised behind his head. He swung as hard as he could, the tail of his toy giving it reach so he didn’t need to get too close to the monster. He missed his mother by millimetres, yet she sold it as if it was the most devastating chair shot of her career. Head flicking back, the illusion helped by her hair hanging loose in her face, she tumbled back wards onto the mat.

Daniel: Pin! Pin! Pin!

Rolling in under the bottom rope, he carefully kicked the leopard out of the ring. In true heel manager style, he would leave no evidence of the misdeed he instigated. Leopards weren’t legal weapons in any sport he knew of anyway. The twins looked bewildered, eyes moving from Daniel to their mother. Lucy had been watching, the exploits of the BFG become a lot less interesting when there was fun elsewhere. Moving towards the ring she shook her head at her cousin. The twins didn’t know what that meant. They didn’t actually watch wrestling.

Lucy: Squish Mum!

That they knew, and without hesitation they threw themselves on top of the woman. She was still doing a pretty convincing impression of knocked out, though the elbow her son accidently planted in her ribs caused an intake of breath. Sliding under the bottom rope Lucy stopped at the same time as Daniel dropped to the mat. In sync they counted to three. Yays echoed around the ring as the twins climbed off Eva. With each of the bigger kids raising a smaller hand, Daniel spoke into an invisible mic.

Daniel: Your winneeeeers, and newsuper heavyweight-

Eva: Oi, lightweight sunshine.

Daniel: –champions of the universe……Lucan and Georgia!

Pulling herself to her feet using the ropes Eva shook her head. Sarcastic little sod was grinning his head off. Though they were all still happy and she loved to see them together like this. It was the little moments that you clung to. This would definitely be logged away as her favourite defeat. Pulling her hair back from her face, she let it drop again. She still couldn’t see Leon, though she had spotted Trystan in the far corner. His usual cool mask was slipping under the attentions of three very eager young women. Smirking with her decision that it’d do him some good, she turned her full attention back to her brood.

Eva: With the ticklemonster defeated, what do you guys say we get out of here and go get some tea?

Daniel: Actual tea? Like fooood?

The shift between cities annoyed Daniel. He was never more disappointed when he was invited somewhere for tea and handed a mug of something hot and wet.

Eva: Yep and you guys can pick what…..within reason.

Lucy: Don’t you need to be here?

There was a hopeful tinge to the little girl’s tone. She wanted to keep this, wanted the close bit of silliness and family time to continue. Yet a lifetime of the business playing such a huge role had made her painfully aware that it wasn’t always possible.

Eva: Well I just lost my super heavyweight title…..no point sticking around, is there?

Lucan: Muuuuum, need a wee!

He was tugging on her vest fiercely enough to earn her an indecent exposure rep, untangling his small hand, Eva ruffled Lucan’s hair.

Eva: Okay, I need my big guys to take my little guys to the bathroom. I’ll go find your dad and tell him where we are going. Luce, don’t let Georgia put soap in her hair again. Danny, don’t let Zippy near the urinal.

Taking a small hand each they head off with an almost infectious enthusiasm. Until Katrina had to bring them here their evening had been all about homework then bed. Some days they did see little of their parents, and although they understood, you could tell they didn’t like it. Rolling out of the ring, Eva stooped to pick up the stuffed leopard.

Kate: That was quite a show.

Hands pushed into the pocket of her cream coat, Katrina looked as out of place in here as Eva would at a My Little Pony convention. She smiled apologetically as she let her eyes sweep the place. This was the second time she’d ever been in here, the first was a few short hours ago when she’d dropped off the kids. Shaking her head, Eva smiled brightly. Usually they’d hug, but she was sweaty and Katrina looked rained on. Still it was clear they were at ease with one another.

Eva: Unfortunately it’s not the first time I’ve lost because of a plushie. Everything okay? Are you okay?

Smile fading, with a flicker of her lashes the red head nodded. She was dressed to kill in a fitted calf length skirt and black heels. Her hair and make up were perfect. Something she managed even with six children running around her. Eva had always found herself slightly envious of the grasp her sister in law had on the whole parenting thing.

Kate: Yeah….William hit his head at school. Ran into another kid and bumped it pretty bad. He started throwing up so they panicked.

Eva: Bloody hell Girlie, what are you doing here?

Kate: My phone died, and I said I’d watch the kids tonight, and-

She was growing upset, the bump her son had taken had done its usual thing. While the kid was upset the parent couldn’t be. Now she was away from him she was struggling to stop the tears. Fanning her face with her hand she swallowed hard. It was a movie star response and Eva had expected it. Her babies getting a splinter was cause for drama, though how much of it was real she didn’t know. Nobody could look THAT pretty when they cried, not when it was genuine. A single tear trailed from a perfectly made up eye leaving the raven haired beauty to wonder if you had to learn to cry like that. In her experience it usually involved more facial contortions and snot, and the kind of sounds usually only heard from mating badgers. Still, Kate was her friend and she did love her dearly. Offering a comforting smile, she was almost too relieved when Katrina managed to pull herself together.

Kate: He’s okay, he’s just in overnight for observations…..I was just worried is all. His dad and sister are with him…

Eva: And you should be too lass. Go on, your my sis in law first, remember. Do what you have to do. We’ll catch up with a drink or two tomorrow when he’s home and it’s less scary.

Nodding her head, she moved in to hug the woman anyway. A brief squeeze and a loud sniff and her cool composure was hers again. Stepping away from Eva she took a slow breath her attention sweeping her surroundings as if seeing them for the first time again.

Kate: I’ll say hi to the kids before I go. We were going to make clay ashtrays tonight….

Eva had a windowsill full of those at home, and more in boxes than she cared to think about. Not one of them was a usable ashtray. Eyes flashing brightly, a mischievous smile curled the red head’s lips. The trauma of red rover gone wrong was momentarily forgotten.

Kate: Where’s your handsome shadow this evening? Mr tall, dark and chivalrous?

Her laughter betrayed the fact that she was a smoker, it was deep, rich. The implication of bad intentions wasn’t as buried as it usually was. She had a side almost as wicked as William’s.

Kate: Seriously, he almost makes me wish we were still doing the whole “open” marriage thing.

Eva: I’m not sure that’s his style….

Kate: Aw, that’s a shame….still, have you tried?

The look Eva aimed at the woman was enough to make her cackle. Elbowing her, Kate followed Eva’s averted slightly too late gaze to where Trystan stood. A flicker of her heavily lidded eyes betrayed that she was checking him out. It was only slightly less obvious than the women surrounding him.

Kate: I think he likes you, y’know. He’s always watching you when you’re not paying attention.

Eva: He’s just protective, love. He watches everyone.

Kate: Not me he didn’t. God…..didn’t we run into him when we were out drinking? I could’ve stripped naked and draped myself over him and he wouldn’t have noticed me. Heck, I might have if you’d not dragged me away.

You could almost hear the pout in her voice as she finally pulled her emerald stare away. It didn’t last long, within a blink she was scrutinising him again. Drinking in his image as if she was appraising a piece of cake she couldn’t decide she wanted. Eva was used to this, she was worse when she’d had a few.

Eva: Why would you want him to?

Scratching her head and finally dragging her attention back from the official she exhaled in an entirely good natured way.

Kate: Why not? It’s nice to feel wanted? You telling me you don’t flirt with other men….or women?

Eva: I don’t notice other men or woman….Leon broke that part of my bloody brain. I can’t summon up much more than meh for most folk.

Kate: Awww, that’s sweet……AND depressing. Still…..Fact is, that boy is a bit of alright…..Maybe we should fix him up with someone?

Eva: Not a good idea.

The playful gleam was back in her bright green eyes as she turned them to her sister in law.

Kate: Jealousy speaking?

Smiling despite herself, Eva pushed a hand through her hair. It was tousled and not obeying her at all. Standing beside Katrina, made Eva feel untidy.

Eva: Over protectiveness, I’m not watching one of your catty little friends scratch away at him.

Kate: What about the slutty ones? He might like the slutty ones?

Eva: You’re bloody terrible……

Kate: Of course, sweetness, but that’s one of the reasons you love me. Drag him out to lunch with us! If you’re not going there I know a few girls who might.

Cackling in a way that gave a scary glimpse at the naughty old woman she would become, Katrina’s tone changed instantly. The children had finally resurfaced from their trip to the bathroom, and spotting Katrina they ambled over. Eva had heard the “war story” from Daniel. Red Rover wasn’t yet banned at their school. It might be tomorrow though, much to the lad’s disappointment...

Still surrounded by the three woman, another one enters the fray for Trystan, pulling him over for a selfie before she rushes back to her friends "OMG you won't believe this!" The man was out of his depth. He was used to being in the background yet somehow, even being just a referee in GZW had given him some star power in the Corbin Academy and among the few with special tickets for a preshow gathering. Yet he was begging for a chance to get away. There was only so many times he could smile and nod and if he was honest, he couldn't always understand what these women were saying with their Southern English tongues and slang. The wrestling gods were looking down at him. Or perhaps just the one across the room as Leon finishes talking to one of the young wrestlers due to take part in the show later and spots the uncomfortable ref grinning through clenched teeth by now. He pulls out his phone and brings the screen to life before pressing the set to his ear. Trystan's phone starts ringing and he didn't hesitate to answer the damn thing.

Trystan: Hello?

Icon Corbin: Where's my dinner, bitch?

Trystan: Oh! I'll be there in a moment!

Cackling to himself, Leon hangs up, watching the display as Trystan tries to excuse himself from the bombardment of Oestrogen but not before one pulls him into a hug and an awkward kiss. Leon shakes his head, storming over and just grabs him by the arm anyway, pulling Trystan away from them. Out of earshot Trystan breathes a sigh of relief.

Trystan: Thank you...

Icon Corbin: Can't have them bitches touching expensive goods.

Trystan: Oh...

Icon Corbin: And I see Evalyn...and the kids? Come on.

Straightening up after a few big squeezes with the little folk, Katrina smiled brightly at Leon as she passed. Shamelessly checking out the official, Eva did her best to avoid cracking a smile at the devious look her sister in law aimed at her after. The children reacted to Leon before she did, scrambling over themselves and each other to shower both men with attention and stories of the monster’s defeat. Trystan tried not to notice the look he was given, more so as he got on very well with her husband. He heads in Eva's direction with a genuine smile while Leon listens to the play by play of how the TickleMonster lost her Heavyweight title.

Trystan: Hey...

Eva: How do love? You escaped then?

She was vaguely aware she was still hugging Lucan’s Leopard, even as she returned his smile. Part of her felt she should apologise for Kate, another part of her knew she could be much, much worse.

Trystan: I've never felt so awkward. Well...I have but I don't like to.

Eva: I hear ya. That love, is what it’s like being as woman at those fan expo things.

Trystan: Then I'm glad I'm not a female.

Eva: So are most of the women here, hun.

Trystan: I have no idea why. I'm just plain old Trystan Lloyd. I never even held a GZW title during my lacklustre tenure.

She actually snorted through the effort of trying not to laugh.

Eva: It’s not the status they want love. Ask Kate……..

Trystan: Oh good God...

Laughing at his tone as much as his expression, she hits him on the arm with the leopard. She was in a pretty good mood all things considered.

Eva: Aww don’t worry. I’ll protect you. These wrestling groupies don’t like me much.

Trystan: I'll just stay out of the way of these people. I came here for you two anyway.

Eva: I know love. Looks like you’ll be Leon’s moral support tonight though. I gotta get the brood home.

Trystan: Want a hand with that? I don't mind getting out of here and Leon's a big boy.

Eva: You just want to escape the lasses don’t you?

Trystan: That too...

Smiling sweetly she shrugged her shoulders. The movement caught the attention of her son, the little boy pulled himself away from the over enthusiastic crowd his siblings created. Reaching up to her he takes his Squishy, hugging him tightly before rushing back to his dad. He was demonstrating his devastating swing.

Eva: You know you’re always welcome, love.

Trystan mimes his thanks and looks over briefly to where he once stood. The women were still watching, waving violently over at him and even beckoning him back. Shaking her head the raven haired beauty exhaled heavily.

Eva: I like to think I was never like that.

Trystan: We probably wouldn't be as close as we are if you were...

Eva: Aww, you know you’d be blinded by my amazing personality……even if I was a drooling, fawning, banshee sounding lass. Besides you should be flattered apparently.

Trystan: Not my thing. Even if Joy thinks otherwise.

Eva: What?

Trystan: I am shameless man who has playthings apparently. Can't you tell?

Eva: Oh yeah……totally…..Does she consider herself a plaything?

Trystan: No, she considers herself a woman who is about to marry some guy and have him replace me as Secret's father, no doubt. She's allowed to move on and do what she wants, play happy families but the mere thought of me with anyone has her ranting on the phone to me. It's as if no one else should have me just because she doesn't want me. She probably wouldn't believe me if I said I haven't been with anyone since her.

Eva: Why do you care? Not about Secret or the replacement bloke, but about her ranting on the phone? Why does it bother you? Her opinion should mean bugger all to you, and your phone offers a chance to hang up. If she’s cutting you out of Secret’s life anyway, what do you have to lose?

Trystan: I don't know. It does disturb me how wrong someone can be about another though.

Eva: It happens, love…..

Trystan: All too often for me.

Pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear she let her attention shift to the kids.

Eva: Aye. There’s a reason I never did relationships.

Trystan: She says, married to easily the most awkward man to ever exist...

Eva: I know, sometimes I still catch myself wondering how the hell that happened.

Trystan just smiles, staring over at his ex-lover playing family man. The Red Rover story was making the round. What Eva hadn’t told Kate was that William was trying to break through Daniel’s link when he got hurt. Lucy was filling Leon in on that little fact with some relish. Bored of the story and growing tired, Georgia wandered back to her mum. Rubbing her eyes she threw up her arms to her godfather.

Georgia: Lifts?

Trystan: From me? Of course, my little Georgie.

The much huger man scoops her up as if she weighed nothing at all, giving the child a good view from over six foot. Nestling her head against him the little girl shifted her weight.

Eva: You sleepy Georgie?

Nodding her head from where she’d buried herself she reaches out a small hand to brush her mother’s face.

Eva: What happened to never tired?

Georgia: Ticklemonster stole it….

Trystan: Ticklemonster? Is that you, Eva?

Kissing the little fingers as she moves her hand away from her face, Eva avoided looking at him.

Eva: No idea what you’re talking about, hun.

Trystan: Of course not. So, Georgie? Shall we take you home and put you to bed? You can get all your strength again and steal your never tired back?

Her reply was muffled, though it sounded vaguely as if she agreed.

Eva: You okay with her for a few while I go round up the others and let Leon know we’re leaving?

Trystan: Of course.

Ruffling her daughter’s hair and offering him a smile, she heads for the other kids.

Eva: You guys ready to go home?

Icon Corbin: You all off?

Eva: Aye, Kate’s got an issue with her lad.

Lucy: Mum’s going to make us chips.

Daniel: Yep, from actual taters n’all.

Eva: Wait, what? Super heavyweight’s shouldn’t eat chips, sweetie.

Icon Corbin: Yes they should. I'll have some too when I get in!

Eyes flickering to her husband in a way that called him a traitor without actually voicing it, she sighed. He winks at her, then gets down to one knee, opening his arms to the children. They throw themselves into his arms in one big jumble of hugs and kisses. Trailing on one by one they obediently collect their school things.

Eva: Trys is holding George, apparently I stole all her energy.

Icon Corbin: I know...I saw...

He smirks before standing up straight again and ushering all the children towards Trystan and Georgia.

Icon Corbin: My baby girl's going home now. Hug for daddy?

Ignoring his smirk in a way that made it clear, that’s what she was doing and he better acknowledge it, she takes Georgia’s coat from Lucy, the little girl already throwing her arms out to her dad. Her eyes were heavy lidded, barely open as she looked up at him.

Icon Corbin: Aww...Love you sweetheart. You all behave for mum, okay?

Eva: Oh they will. I’ll have to try and take my title back if they don’t.

Daniel: ‘sides, we’re always good.

Lucy: Well you’re not……

Eva: Aye, well. You guys can do your homework while I make tea.

Opening his mouth to protest Daniel thinks better of it. He couldn’t argue that he didn’t have homework, she’d checked. Sighing heavily he runs his hand through his blue tipped hair. Waving briefly at his uncle he drags his feet towards the door. Lucan trailed behind him, his leopard over his shoulder. Leon watches them walk to the door with Trystan in tow.

Icon Corbin: You guys gonna be okay?

Eva: Yeah, I’ve been babysitting you for years. The little folk are nowt I can cope with. How about you? I feel kinda bad for abandoning you.

Icon Corbin: Don't know whether to be offended by that or not. And don't worry about abandoning me here. I'll be making an early exit anyway.

Eva: Yeah? Are you allowed to do that?

Icon Corbin: Who's gonna stop me? I'm not on the show itself.

Eva: Isn’t it kinda like teacher cutting class early? Are you allowed to skive?

Icon Corbin: Allowed?! Ha! No, they know I am not staying tonight. Go on, you lot better get off. Warrior Princess needs her beauty sleep.

Eva: Alright lover. Come love me before I go.

He obliges, pulling her over into an embrace. Tiptoeing to kiss him she holds him close. From the door way she could hear Daniel despairing over them being weird. Leon just grabs her face and into a deep kiss before letting her go again. Pulling away amid catcalls and whistles from the few wrestlers and crew still loitering, her finger tips brush his face as she sinks back to her normal height.

Eva: Have fun sweetheart.

Icon Corbin: You too. See you in a bit, lover.