* STATIC *
Vision cuts in and out of a recording video camera for a few seconds before revealing
Eve Taylor playing around with the hardware settings, adjusting everything around. When she is satisfied, she moves away from the lens and sits cross-legged on a neatly-presented double bed in her regular yet still fashionable casual wear. She rummages through her hair before fixing it up, looking directly into the camera. Eve takes a deep breath and does her best to give a small smile. The feed seems to skip ahead a few seconds at random intervals, as proven by the recording timer in the corner of the video.
"This might sound crazy for someone who makes sure to keep up with the latest trends but this is my first time attempting a v-log. It's not like I didn't have the time. I just never really understood the appeal of talking into a camera with nobody else around but then again I've never been so lonely whilst travelling as much as I do before..."
Eve trails off, looking away from the camera and running her hand across the bed sheets beside her for a couple of seconds whilst still trying to maintain a smile but it is visible to see that the last few words really affected Eve. She lets out a quick chortle before continuing.
"Aubrey Sloan was an excellent partner when we went on tour through all the house shows and fan interaction events. Never heard her complain and she would sit and listen to everything I had to say. She was my 'road wife', as they say in the wrestling business. It was great; I wasn't able to experience such exclusive time with a friend as a model since our dates and contracts for photo shoots were always different."
Taylor stops rubbing the sheets and looked up towards the camera. Her happy attitude had slowly faded over the duration of her speaking.
"But times change, don't they? I'm now aligned with the allegedly evil and corrupt WZCW World Tag Team champions Cerberus and Aubrey is nowhere to be seen. I'm not saying that being the Third Head of a once expansive now successful empire has been second-rate compared to the past, no. That's like comparing apples and oranges. Flex & Ramparte have been nothing but supportive to me and I truly value their friendship... but why couldn't I be a member of Cerberus and Aubrey's road wife simultaneously?"
Eve shakes her head as she looks away from the camera.
"I don't understand. What did I ever do to Aubrey to achieve such ire from her and lose her as a friend? All I did was make two more acquaintances and fellow competitors into people whom I could trust and share my secrets. I was merely expanding my circle and much like Jesus did when he opened his arms, I've been crucified for it. Why? Can't a woman know more than one person, even if that one person is completely inept at almost anything social? It's not like I'm dumping Aubrey in a ditch and removed her from my life. She was the one who cut herself from the world but not investing in any mobile devices. What do you expect me to do? Use smoke signals? Leave encoded messages?"
Eve scoffs at the absurd notions.
"And now, because of some simple miscommunication and a female's grudge, I find myself standing on the opposite side of the ring to Aubrey in a match she ruined yet somehow managed to insert herself into and surrounded it with steel meshing. You've painted me as the villain; cost me the chance at making history; and now, boxed me into a prison with yourself. For what? So you can extract some revenge on me? That's rich."
Eve lets out a chuckle.
"Let's not forget that it was you who betrayed me by coming out to the aid of Lexi Hayes, someone who posted all their faith in the true evil and corrupt corporation formerly known as Young Justice, instead of your best friend in the entire world, me. But people tend to forget the subtleties and remember the hard hitters like when I 'ambushed' you on Meltdown. Ambushed... yeah, that's exactly the word many have used to describe what happened, Aubrey. If it was ambush, Flex & Ramparte would have joined me and hung you out to dry... but we aren't those kind of people, unlike those high-society assholes who follow the creed of the Elite."
Taylor takes out a picture of the three men who belong to the aforementioned group that has a big red circle around one particular member, Constantine. She looks at it, pointing to the three.
"Now, these people are the scum of the Earth. Sadistic, ego-driven vermin that will utilise every resource and underhanded tactic to make sure they stay relevant and at the top despite being past their prime... especially this one, the man they call John Constantine."
Eve taps the part of the picture that features the Elite X champion and smiles.
"He's a spineless individual that one, Aubrey. I suggest you keep your eye out for him but you probably already know that since you've recently gone toe-to-toe with him for his precious championship. He's the kind of person that'll make deals with those he know will eventually turn their back on him just so he can line his pockets and achieve great success in the short term... and he'll do it multiple times over. The friendships he values are the ones for financial or personal gain, nothing like the mutually-beneficial and heart-warming relationship that we once had, Aubrey. Whatever you may believe, I was never like this man and would never stoop so low to get as high as him."
She takes the photo and rips it in half, throwing the two pieces into the air.
"I'm not as evil as Constantine yet you treat me like I'm on his level, avoiding me like the plague... and after all the betrayal I've suffered from my friends in the past, I'm not going to sit here and take it any more Aubrey; I'm not suffering any more of your infernal bullying. You've put me in this position; you've cornered me in this cage: you're the one who is going to see what happens when you take an exotic model and turn her into a dangerous animal. Whether that means I become the Elite X champion or not doesn't particularly matter, we're going to sort out this little friendship issue of ours Aubrey before it becomes detrimental to our health. The special bond that we shared shouldn't have to suffer any longer."
Eve gets a closer to the camera. She holds up her index fingers.
"But because I'm such a forgiving person and I believe in giving everyone second chances, it's time for you to make a choice Aubrey. Whichever out of the two you choose will tell me how much you value this friendship and will determine which course of action I take going forward. Will you help me take down the filth that is known as Constantine who has nowhere to hide and no allies to rely on, ending his pathetic reign as the Elite X champion? Or will you do what you seem to do best and turn your back on me?"
Taylor stares into the camera with an intrigued look on her face, as if she is waiting for someone to answer her question. She shrugs before putting her hands back down.
"The choice is up to you, Aubrey. I just hope for your sakes that you make the correct one. If you're having trouble trying to decide, here's a little bit of free advice."
Eve looks around the room before turning back to the camera, whispering.
"All you have to do is bel-Eve in yourself!"
Eve winks at the camera.
"See you at Ascension, baby."
Taylor leans forward into the camera, puckering up as she plants a kiss onto the lens. She pulls back, leaving an outline of her lipstick on the lens.
"Hail Cerberus."
Eve fumbles with the camera for a second or two before the feed disconnects.
* STATIC *