Latest Roleplays
Jace Parker Davidson is my friend.
Sunday, January 30th, 2022.
I stand beside Blaire Moise with a microphone to my face in a conversation that never aired on Refueled. It’s early in the afternoon but as your #97MarioRed, it’s my job to be the first in the building and represent this company as the guy. I set the tone, plus I know everyone is aiming for me. Blaire looks ready, yet awkward. I assure her my iPhone sitting on the table across the way is recording and won’t fall off its stand. She wonders when she can start, I tell her I have editing abilities and can take out any mistake.
“It’s for my Twitch stream and Insta story,” I remind her. I thought Blaire would be into these kinda things but I’ve been mistaken. “I’m not doing it live. I’ll throw my video up in an hour or so. I need to take tons of footage of me doing stuff, Blaire. It’s what the gamers demand. Montage mixed with interview. So we’re good to go whenev’.”
She still seems apprehensive but since I’m not a guy who tries to hit on her 24/7, her apprehension isn’t directed towards me, only a general confusion. Unsure of what I’m trying to accomplish. Either way, she looks into the direction of my iPhone and smiles.
“Okay Conor, you have your first World Title defense against the man who won a battle royal for the right to challenge you, Scott Stevens. I’d like your thoughts. You’ve been very outspoken about how Scott didn’t deserve the victory.”
I pause and nod in Blaire’s direction. “Great job,” I reassure, “yeah, that’s perfect.”
She has a WTF look on her face. “I’m sorry, did you need me to start this again?”
“Oh no no no,” throwing my arms up, I realize I’ve confused her. “I was saying yeah that’s perfect, let’s treat this like a real interview.”
I lean over and give her a nudge. “I’ll simply edit this part out in post,” I say with a wink. “Always fix it in post.”
“Okay?” She questions.
I should start talking.
“Okay! You’re right, Blaire. Stevens didn’t deserve that battle royal victory. He officiated the match. My friend, Jace Parker Davidson… he had the thing won. It SHOULD BE Conor Fuse vs. JPD.”
Really grinds my gears talking about Stevens.
“Jace. While he is my friend, we have yet to wrestle in a true singles campaign. It was the initial plan for ICONIC but, as you know Blaire, in the land of High Octane plans can change on a dime. Jace once head stomped me in the octagon. I never forgot and due to this, I need to see who the better man is. HOFC isn’t my thing but inside the four corners of my gaming world, yeah, damn right Blaire, wrestling is my thing.”
I look into the direction of my iPhone and point a couple of gun hands at it. Then shoot the bullets.
“Stevens screwed my friend from a title opportunity. And I stand up for Jace, because right now he’s out and he isn’t able to seek redemption. Jace deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, he deserves to be across from me in the middle of the ring with THIS on the line. Let me tell you Blaire and the gamers streaming at home, JPD would waste Scott Stevens in a fair battle. Imma do this in Jace’s name and I’m gonna beat the fucking piss out of Scott because nobody messes with a friend of mine.”
I take a deep breath and turn to Blaire Moise.
“Is it odd for me to have Jace’s back when two months ago we were supposed to wrestle each other?”
Realizing my demeanor changed, I answer my own question.
“Well I suppose Jace and I, our match was never based on anything personal. You want to talk about success… the man had an incredible HOTv Title run. We have similar skills, work ethic, etc. And there will be a time Jace and Conor face off. For now, I know JPD is at home watching. So I’ll put a smile on his face…”
Pause for dramatic effect.
“While I rip that smug as shit look off the moron who did him wrong.”
I take the World Title from my waist and flip it across my shoulder.
“Thank you, Conor. Good luck tonight.”
“Thank you, too,” I reply. “But I won’t need luck. Not tonight. Scott won’t be sneak attacking The Vintage. And I won’t be going easy on that dipshit, either. Jace, Jatt, Mario and I are united. Fuck with us, I’ll make you sorry. I’ll make you contemplate the meaning of life. Both in this game and outside of it. Tonight, I put Stevens in the hospital.”
100%.
“Because that’s what friends do for each other.”
— — — — —
Monday, March 28th, 2022.
I haven’t felt this dejected in a long time. Not even being abandoned by the Grapplers left me in this sense of distress. I storm the hall of the Dearness Living Community, a place I no longer reside but a location I certainly make appearances in. The residents have learned to avoid me at all costs when I’m down on myself. This level of frustration, though… I mean, I didn’t even have this kind of response after losing the World Title.
And yet, I’m unable to chill. Trust me, if it was easy to do, I’d have done it already.
“I can’t believe he’s bailing. I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it,” over and over I repeat these words, feeling like I’m losing my mind. Is it me? Is it us? Perhaps it’s a little of both. Deep down I knew never to play in High Octane as more than a one player campaign but it’s hard when there’s co-ops everywhere. It forces you into making these choices. It’s survival. I witnessed the Group of Death from afar. I’ve seen the Best Alliance here for the majority of my High Octane career. I even saw H.A.T.E. It’s not mentioned a lot but I caught in on some of those vintage HOW highlights in-between commercials.
I even had the context of Argonauts of Awesome. This was supposed to be a new direction. Excuse me, THE new direction.
“I understand he was hurt and came back, but how can you change your fucking mind that quickly!?” I’m speaking to no one. Even Walter, my favourite Elder has learned to keep his distance from me. There’s a rage building inside my head. I’m a leveled up Conor Fuse, someone who has the pressure of making real World Championship noise, not like my first run with this thing. No. With Lee Best gone, the Best Alliance finally DoA and Mike legitimately retiring, it’s my fucking show.
And yet this goes well beyond me.
I can take care of myself. I can deal with wins and losses. Make no mistake, one day I will lose 97red but I’ve hung here for two years, I have no issues with worrying about The Vintage. AoA or DOA, who gives a fuck.
Like I said, this was never about me.
“Couple of weeks in this group and he’s done!?” Storming into the vacant commons room, I slam my hands against a desk and collapse on the chair across the way. Head down, fists wound tight, I think back to defending him… how I took it upon myself to fuck up a BOT who did him wrong. Oh, and I fucked that BOT up good, real good.
Twice.
Made the SOB tap out to his own submission move. How’s that for Weapon Getting?
“Guess this doesn’t matter, so fuck ‘em. Fuck ‘em all,” I would go on to say more but I hear the rustling of the commons door and Walter, of course, wandering inside.
I think he heard the whole thing.
“You need to relax, son,” Wally begins. “Why do you take everything so personally? Why do you remember every single detail? You need to let things go, Conor.”
So that’s a loaded statement to start on. Walter’s lucky I like him.
Slowly, I pull together my thoughts… or at least, I try to. News flash, if you didn’t know by now, I’m pretty OCD. Harrison has called me out before. I don’t need a manila folder in my hands explaining the moves Xander Azula performs in matches. Even though I’ve never fought the guy, I can tell you the date he had hemorrhoids and the day he got over them. My mind is foolproof. I remember small details, big moments and everything in-between.
I’d like to think I fall in line with the top gamer’s of the world, their OCD is through the roof. And I use mine to my advantage.
“First off, Walt,” I begin to verbally convey my anger, since I’m able to refocus. “It’s because I care. I had JPD’s back and this is the thanks I receive? Also, you’re damn right I take it personally. He’s DIRECTLY saying to Jatt and I we aren’t good enough. If we were, then why wouldn’t he stay?”
“Maybe he was bullied into this decision,” Walter answers. “You think the Best’s are going to be nice about taking no for an answer?”
We’re a minute into our conversation and the old man’s already grasping at straws. I don’t have time for this.
“Wally,” I start in a stern tone, trying to maintain my composure. “What’s done is done. Jace walked out on Jatt and I, before we could even press start. Joined alongside The Board and it’s only a matter of time before the big boss revives himself for added protection to those who align with his family. It’s a safe spot for Jace to be in. It’s a safe space. Mother fucker might as well be a Gen Z. Let’s make sure the snowflake is trigger free, in a quaint little spot where he can wreak havoc and still be coddled…”
When I gather these thoughts together, I guess I can’t blame him.
“And play second fiddle to The Board.”
Then again, maybe I can.
“Fuck that guy, I’m never trusting anybody again.”
Walter shakes his head. “You say this now.”
“No, Walt,” I snap. “I say this forever.”
I can sit here all day and be bitter about Davidson’s decision but as the champion I am supposed to be, I’ve got matches to prepare for.
“Thanks, Walter,” I stand from the chair, walk over and pat him on the back.
“For what?” The Elder is confused.
“For letting me vent,” I reply. “In the end, Jace showed me his true colours. And when our paths cross, I’ll be ready for him. I’ll show him what he missed out on. I’ll make him beg for the days of Conor Fuse’s friendship. I’ll make him suffer… beyond anything he could imagine.”
With that, I gather my belongings and exit the Dearness Living Community. I’ll put aside JPD. I won’t forget this betrayal. I’ll see him again. Hopefully, much sooner than later.
Jace Parker Davidson is was my friend.
— — — — —
Thursday, August 25th, 2022.
Jace,
Hey motherfucker, what’s shaking? It’s Christmas 2021 all over again.
Guess we finally have that long awaited one-on-one match. We will see who the better man is.
You god damn right I took walking out on the AoA personally. That’s what separates you and I. For a while there… for a long time… I racked my fucking brain over what makes Conor Fuse different from Jace Parker Davidson. Not much, I thought. Throughout 2021 I knew our paths would cross. You were on a roll, I was finding my way up and I considered the two of us to be equal.
Then ya showed me the real definition of JPD.
Funny this is as you showed me who you truly are, I also showed myself who I really am.
I’m a guy who’s driven to take a small, tiny, insignificant thing and blow it up to be a massive motivator.
Plus you leaving the AoA wasn’t even that small of a moment.
Did we not have a plan? Did we not have a goal? Was I not a good enough partner? Because when you left us, STRONK GODSON TALK REAL LOUD wasn’t even in HOW yet. As a result, Mike could only promise you a couple of things.
-Team with Cecilworth Farthington (yeah, how’d that work out?)
-Be on the same side as Chirstopher America (yeah, how’d that work out?)
-Also be The Board’s on-call whipping boy (yeah, how’d that work out, too?)
Point number two may sound neat to the average schmuck but it does NOT work out in your favour. Christopher is World Champion. It means you play mini boss to his 8-4 status.
In AoA there was no fucking hierarchy.
I will take this rage that’s built up inside of me… this anger I have regarding why you chose those nimrods over Jatt and I… and I’ll eviscerate you from this fucking game, like the n00b, trash panda bitch you are. Stand behind some guards outside gorilla and tell me I can’t work a promo inside the ring? Do it again, I dare you. Point me in the direction of the parking lot. Tell me what limitations The Board has deemed upon cOnOr fUsE. ‘Cause you’re pushing me back to a ledge I haven’t walked off in a long time, pal.
Did you enjoy being superkicked off the saloon? If I wasn’t trying to win the Tag Team Championships for someone who’s proved to be a REAL friend of mine, I’d have done you one better. I’d have sacrificed myself in order to break your body in half. I’d have jumped off the roof and crushed you with my 450 splash, from the exact position I watched you fall.
I’m willing to do it, Jace. I will put myself in the hospital just to deliver you directly into a coffin. No life bar, take every HP and toss them out the window. Maybe it’s crazy for me to risk a career ending injury merely to ensure I place you on the shelf for life but ya know what… I call it a championship attitude. The Power-Up King is willing to do anything.
This is a match you can’t wiggle your way out of. I will show you where you are in the High Octane pecking order and it’s dead center in the middle.
…Plus I have the opportunity to re-establish myself as one of THE main players in the HOW game.
It’s win-win for me.
Lose-lose for you.
But nothing you’re not used to.
Yeah, solid HOTv title reign. Hell of a month before I got back this summer, capturing WOTM honours. I mean this, it’s no sarcasm. You’re not a bad wrestler. Christ, you have the POTENTIAL to be incredible. Former World Champion JPD, capture the ol’ glory days. I’m always game for a sweet vintage story, bro. You’re good, dare I say excellent. That’s why I WANTED to team with you. That’s why I would have eventually wrestled you in a gentleman’s agreement and we could see if that curb stomp you gave me in HOFC was a prelude to MOAR.
It’s your attitude that’s shit, Jace.
Your attitude, your inability to believe in who you ARE and not who you surround yourself with… well, that’s what puts you in the middle of the pack. There’s a time and place where the big boys need to walk away from the EASY mode.
Go ask David Noble what an “easy” mode is. Seek Clay Byrd’s opinion. He’s a former HOW World Champion who was able to see the opportunities in front of him and not get his ballsack tangled up in the MiKe BeSt eXpErIeNcE.
Wait.
Check that LOL.
Jace Parker Davidson… you don’t have the championship heart that pumps inside you. If you did, we’d have a much different story on our hands.
I don’t even know why I’m STILL wasting my time on the kInG oF eVeRyThInG. You did what you did and now I will live with it. You’re full of bullshit and only walk the path you want to. Before going into ICONIC all I heard outta your fucking mouth was how much you were looking forward to us wrestling in a FAIR contest. As we started teaming, I heard how much you wanted to wrestle with honour.
Take a little time off… return… and realize you didn’t have the work ethic it takes to make it to 8-4. So let’s ride the cheat codes of others and play in the middle levels.
Wow, super fun… for a person who wants to rack up monthly wrestler trophies. Meanwhile guys like me go out there and achieve the important HIGH SCORES. Real elite players.
For the record, I thought you classified yourself as a high flyer? Why switch to brawling? Easier? Less work? Not as hard on the body, eh. I get it. Half you dipshits rip on me for my ability to soar through the sky… say it’s a fun little gimmicky style which captures a kid’s imagination but when push comes to shove, it doesn’t get results.
Two World Championship reigns in a two year span. I think that sounds like results to me.
I promise you Jace, after I stick you with the 450 splash, I throw so much velocity into the move I might wind up breaking your ribs.
If you’re lucky.
Fuck it, let’s go Phoenix splash instead.
Two weeks ago I called you the Kevin Durant of High Octane. After putting further thought into things, you have a lot MOAR in common with Russel Westbrook. Highly skilled and yet totally overhyped and overrated. A piss poor attitude and willing to latch himself onto whatever shit he can find. He plays selfish, he is selfish and he tries to put himself in winning situations.
…That ultimately are the furthest fucking thing from winning situations.
He simply doesn’t have the ability to recognize what he is truly capable of. He doesn’t use his skills in the right context. And neither do you.
Clearly, you don’t use your brain, either.
Conor Fuse is off on his own again, with a sidekick BFF who will weave in and out as she pleases. And I’ll blaze my own trail, pick up victories left, right and center… and certainly find a few pitfalls, too. But in the end, when it’s all said and done…
I know where I’m gonna be.
You know where you’re gonna be?
I can answer for you.
While Dead or Alive is over, sadly, I didn’t have the chance to finish the job because, sadly, I had other matters to attend to. However, this weekend I have only one person standing directly across the canvas from me. He’s a former friend, a guy who makes stupid decisions and could be so much more if he ever puts his mind to it. He didn’t wanna man-up so I had to put the man down. For good. Perhaps, forever.
Jace Parker Davidson was my friend.
May he burn in hell.
May he rest in peace.
And may I move on to bigger and better things.
That’s why I make the hard choices.
And JPD? I thought I was pretty clear what kinda choices you make but if, for whatever reason, I haven’t been straight-forward, I’ll make sure no doubts are left when Chaos 006 is over.
Conor Fuse is a gamer.
And Jace Parker Davidson is just another guy in the background.