One meeting, two meetings...

[Faceless]

OOC: This takes place a couple days before the tour to Australia.

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The scene opens up in a small bar just few blocks away from the Solid Core Gymnasium. Even though wrestlers show up here to relax and have a drink often, one of the EVPW competitors has managed to gather quite some attention. Most everyone in the said bar constantly keep glancing to the corner, where a decently build figure is chugging a mug of beer. Which is understandable, after all, not every day you get to see a guy with a theater mask on his face enjoying a pizza and cold booze in the middle of the afternoon. Indeed, the one with all this attention is none other than Faceless, the resident weirdo of EVPW. He is wearing the modified mask, with an open mouth, the one he demonstrated to Matt Violence during the awkward chat by the coffee machine. The Nameless one is well aware of all the eyeballs that continue to glance over at him, but it doesn't bother and actually even amuses him, as shown by the little smile his lips form after he scouts the bar.
Faceless continues to devour his pizza, washing it down with a mouthful of beer every few bites, treating himself with a nice lunch after a good morning workout. Yet it seems "Billy" is expecting someone, as every so often he turns toward the entrance to the bar, especially when the door opens up. Finally, the one he awaited swings the said door open, making their entrance. While excited at first, Faceless is left in slight shock moments later, upon getting a better look at this person. As his companion approaches, "Billy" remains frozen in awe, only to suddenly jump out of his seat the last second.

Hey, Katie...

Hey. Sorry I'm late, the traffic is crazy here.

It was indeed Katie, but she looked quite different since the last time Faceless saw her. The long black hair she had all those years "Billy" has known her have now became slightly shorter, but more importantly, turned shinning yellow. The girl the Nameless one knew ever since they were teenagers now looked almost unrecognizably different.

I see you noticed my hair. What do you think?

Faceless didn't knew how to respond right away and just kept staring for couple more seconds. It's not that he didn't like it, it was just so different from what he has gotten used to.

It's... different. But I like it. Looks great on you.

Thanks.

While still slightly amazed, "Billy" shakes off the doofus look and they both take a seat at his table. They remain silent until the waiter approaches less than a minute later, in hope to take an order from the young lady.

I'll have some tea, please. Thank you.

After the response, the waiter leaves and Faceless finally manager to utter some words.

So... mind if I ask you why dyed your hair?

Just felt like I needed a chance. If you can have a new start, why can't I?

Katie follows up her sentence with a careless laugh, while the Nameless one just smiles, silently agreeing with her line of thinking.

Besides, I figure this way I'll reduce the risk of your identity being revealed.

How so?

Well, if we are going to keep hanging out, one of the old guys by a small chance could end up remembering and recognizing me. It would be rather easy to then trace me back to you, don't you think?

Yeah, I guess so...

Unless, of course, you don't want to hang out with me more.

You know I do, Katie. I lost an amazing friend in you once, not gonna repeat the same mistake again.

Once more the two share smiles, which say more than any words could. Soon enough the waiter brings tea for Katie and the two begin to chat, catching up on some old times, sharing fun stories of the past, once in awhile filling the bar with laughter.
However, the careless conversation of the two is interrupted about twenty minutes later, when the door of their bar swings wide open again and another interesting persona walks in. Neither Katie, nor Faceless pay attention to it at first, but when the mysterious man begins to slowly make his face towards their table, "Billy" takes notice and his mood quickly changes. Whether he knows the person or just has a strange feeling about him, Faceless doesn't seem to be quite as excited to see him.

TBC by that guy

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[Vladimir Strife]

As the man reaches under his jacket, Faceless watches his every motion, not trusting the lanky misfit. He produces a manilla envelope and briskly strolls over to the table, dropping it down flat. He plops down into a chair nearby and sets his legs up on the table. His eyes peer up over his knee toward the masked man, the two locking gazes. The Reaper nods his head down, motioning for the cruiserweight to read the contents of the portfolio he'd been given.

"Is... is everything okay, Billy?"

The Nameless One doesn't respond at the moment, keeping his eyes on the wiry whacko as he flips the cover open, paranoid about what might await him inside. Katie is becoming more noticably concerned with his silence, choking on her words as she speaks.

"Sh.. should.. I go?"

'Billy' remains still as he utters a single word to her calmly.

"Stay."

Katie had no idea what was going on, but she trusted Billy enough to trust his judgement in the matter. He knew that the man before them wouldn't have come alone if the encounter was meant to become physical. Men like him never passed on an opportunity to tip the odds in their favor. He looks down to the inside of the file and is nearly amused at what he finds.

A profile of him on a single sheet of white paper held little more than the information one would gather listening to his entrance being announced. His fans would be insulted to see so little known about the man behind the mask. His smirk can be seen in the opening as he closes the file and looks back to the Collector of Lost Souls. As if an exchange of tone, the grin slowly recedes as the corners of the Reaper's mouth happily and devilishly twists up.

"That's what my boss knows, anyhow.. And he thinks you are just the man he needs.."

The Reaper carelessly slips his feet over the side of the table, planting them on the floor with a stomp as he leans in close and slaps his hands onto his thighs. Katie is startled and jumps back a bit, staring at the strange man.

"But we know better, right? You, me, and what was it again? ...Katie. Yes, that's it. We all 3 know what you're going to say.. and we all know why.."

Across from Faceless, his female companions complexion flushes until she is nearly as pale as his mask. Billy, angrily balls his fists, contemplating whether or not to teach the errand boy a lesson.

"Are... are you mad? Have I upset you? Don't think I didn't notice your change in demeanor... I notice MUCH more than you think, Billy boy. You may have gone soft, but don't you dare for a second get that stupid!"

Razetti stands up from his seat and looks down onto the shadow of a man in plain sight before him. He presses his palms down onto the table where he and his friend sit and leans in, staring through the holes in the masquerade and into the eyes of a man that would tower over him were they standing.

"Take my advice... when a man holds your fate in his hands, don't test his mettle."

Billy lets out a deep sigh and looks away from the Loose Cannon, calming himself in a solemn recognition of his situation.

"So, choose your words wisely: What would you like me to tell him?"

TBCB Faceless

[Faceless]

As the last sentence from Reaper's mouth echoes through Billy's ears, Faceless once more turns to the uninvited guest. The eyes of the two lock-up and Razetti now notices the fire burning inside the Nameless one.

To be honest, I would love to tell both you and your boss to literally go fuck your own faces.

The tone of Billy's voice and even more the words themselves further amplify what his body language has already made clear. Faceless seems to be just seconds away from bursting and unleashing all the rage that's piling up inside upon the Loose Cannon. Only moments away from starting to bash Reaper's face and stopping when his brains become scrambled eggs. And yet, the Collector of Lost Souls is not worried, nor does he feel threatened. For one, Razetti isn't one to get easily insulted. In fact, the words of the Nameless one actually draw a little smile of amusement. And second of all, he simply does indeed know Faceless that well. As angry as he is, the masked one wouldn't risk it. Or rather, wouldn't risk her. And indeed the Reaper is right. Only mere moments later, Billy's eyes glance over to Katie, who looks rather scared and lost in this tense situation. The fists of Faceless unclench and he lets out another heavy sigh. His eyes shift back to the crooked errand boy, as his mouth opens up to speak again.

Then again, I guess it's not really an option.

The Collector of Lost Souls leans away from his target as a self-confident smirk covers his face.

You can always test you luck if you desire.

Faceless isn't amused with Reaper's attempt to be cute, grinding his teeth and trying not to snap. After a short pause, he's ready to address the Loose Cannon again.

Tell your boss I'll think about it. But if he really wants to do any kind of business with me, he better do it in person.

The Nameless one turns his sight to the table, glancing at the file Razetti presented before him, only to look back at the man before him a couple seconds later.

And unless you're planning to share your knowledge, tell him to make sure that he knows who he's dealing with, cause it might just turn out badly. Of all people, he should know that.

As calm as ever, the Reaper picks up the sheet of paper and folds it nicely, before placing it back into the inside pocket of his jacket.

Don't worry, I'll pass on your message. I'm but a messenger after all.

A sick grin follows his last sentence, as the errand boy steps away from the table and turns around to leave.

Have a good day.

Not long after those words Razetti is already by the door, exiting the bar in a swift pace. Faceless followed the shadowy figure all the way through and even continues to stare at door after it closes, not moving at all. He's snapped out of this trance only after the sound of Katie's voice reaches his ears.

Who was that? What's this all about? Billy!

The Nameless one switches his focus upon his lady companion as the tension and fury inside of him begin to disappear. He's relieved that the situation didn't got ugly, but can't help but feel sad about Katie being here for this. She shouldn't be involved in this. This thing that Faceless has tried so hard to get away from. And protect those who he cares about from.

How in the hell did he know about you?

I don't know. But it doesn't matter. People like him don't give away information unless it benefits them. And information about me doesn't benefit him in this situation... not for now at least.

What about this boss he was talking about? Do you know who it is?

I do... And so do you.

What do you mean? How would I know him?

He's... you could say that he's an... old friend.

What the masked one told her does little to answer the many question she has. But just like the Reaper, the young lady knows Faceless very well. Thus instead of asking question, Katie decides to remain silent and give the masked one a minute or more to re-assemble his thoughts, trusting that Billy would explain all of this later. As silence overtakes the half-empty bar, the scene begins to fade away and darkness is all that's left.

The End

[Desperado]

I can't believe this is happening but if it goes ahead... OMG!