Carstein RP Thread

Woah, it's been a very long time since I've written an RP for Carstein.  10 years I think!  I didn't realise how rusty I'd become until I started writing this.  It's an idea that popped into my head a while ago, and it's one that'll be going somewhere.

The Son Becomes the Father

Manchester, United Kingdom – November, 2019

It was a cold Saturday afternoon up in Manchester, as the winter winds were blowing, though thankfully it was dry.  And the crowd huddled close together for warmth outside HMV were extra thankful for the dry weather, for queueing in the cold November rain is never a pleasant experience at the best of times.  And so with the dry weather, the crowd’s mood was a good one, and doubly-so for today some of the wrestlers of 4CW were signing autographs.  4CW was currently in the UK as part of its European-wide winter tour, with some of the major stars were holding meet and greet sessions in the large cities, giving fans the chance to have items signed and to pose for a photo with their heroes.  And today, on that cold Saturday afternoon in Manchester, was the Lord of the Night’s turn.

Carstein very rarely held any autograph sessions.  It wasn’t because he didn’t like them, but rather he always felt slightly uncomfortable with such large groups of people.  Wrestling in front of crowds didn’t bother him, as he would more often than not shut out the crowd and focus on his opponent.  In fact, he very rarely acknowledged the crowds.  When talking on the microphone, he would address his opponents, not the crowd.  When wrestling, he wouldn’t showboat or taunt to the crowd, just systematically and methodically take his opponent apart before going in for the final kill.  And what could he say to people?  There are only so many ways to say “Thanks” and “I appreciate your support” before it starts becoming tedious.  And then there were the fans themselves.  Most of them were alright, but you always had a few nutters turn up causing an incident, though thankfully nothing major ever happened to him at these meet and greet sessions.  Carstein remembered one hardcore fan who tried to propose to [chux] McCool at one event.  He smiled slightly at the memory. 

Carstein checked his watch.  It was a few minutes before one o’clock.  He was sat at a table in HMV, a large DVD and entertainment retail chain in the UK, and was facing the shop doors, looking at the crowd of people through the glass outside.  He could hear them all chanting his name.  “CARSTEIN!  CARSTEIN!  CARSTEIN!  CARSTEIN!”  Though he disliked the autograph sessions, it was humbling to hear the fans cheer for him.  He looked down at the table, making sure he had enough pens and some spare pictures in case a fan didn’t have something to sign.  Then he took a large gulp of water from a glass.

One o’clock.  Showtime.  The doors opened, the crowd let out a loud cheer, and quickly entered the shop, making its way towards him.  The shop staff were keeping an eye out for any trouble makers, and were getting everyone into line to keep things organised.  The first fan in the queue came up to Carstein.  He was a teenager, slightly rotund and spotty, wearing glasses and sporting greasy hair.  Oh great, Carstein thought, why are there always dweebs at these things?  Whatever, play nice.

*******

Carstein checked his watch.  Half past four.  Not long now, just half an hour.  He looked at the line and saw that there weren’t many fans left now, maybe about a dozen or so.  All in all, it had been a good afternoon.  No incidents and everyone seemed happy to meet him.  In fact, Carstein actually enjoyed being able to talk about the wrestling with the fans.  He didn’t realise how much he missed wrestling and 4CW while he was away for the past few years, not until he was here talking about it.  He took a sip of water from his glass as the next fan approached the table.  She looked about 20 or 21, with shoulder length blonde hair and bright blue eyes.  She was wearing a black t-shirt with a Carstein graphic on the front and “Lord of the Night” in red on the back, a blue denim mini-skirt and a pair of black and white Vans.  Carstein looked at her, and quickly realised that he was old enough to be her father.  All of a sudden he felt very old.

“Hi, nice to meet you” he said, holding his hand out to the girl.  She shook his hand and smiled politely.

“Hi, I’m Tracy”.

Carstein noticed she was trembling.  A lot of the fans today were star-struck and were a bit nervous, but this was something else, more than just nerves.  Tracy handed him her copy of the new Carstein Blu-ray to sign.  He took it off her and began to write.  To Tracy –

“Does the name Emma Baldwin mean anything to you?” she quickly blurted out.

Emma Baldwin?  That name sounded somewhat familiar, but from where?  Carstein stopped writing on the Blu-ray box and looked up at Tracy, concentrating hard, his grey eyes staring into hers.  Emma Baldwin?  Then it hit him.  He put the pen down.  “Emma Baldwin’s a name I haven’t heard for a very long time.  I’m guessing she’s your mother”. 

Tracy nodded.  “She said you two used to date”.

“Yes, when I was living in the UK, about 20 years a-“

Oh hang on.  This girl was about 20.  All of a sudden Carstein felt sick.  His throat went dry, his heart started racing.  No, he thought.  No, she can’t be.  She isn’t. 

“She said that –“

“I’m your father”.  The words were barely a whisper, emerging from Carstein’s parched throat.  It didn’t even feel like him saying it, it was if someone else had taken control of his body.

Tracy nodded.  Carstein’s hand trembled slightly.  He looked around.  “Right, I haven’t got long until I finish.  You stand over there and wait until I’m done, then we can go somewhere to talk about this”.  She nodded again and went to stand near a rack of CDs where Carstein had pointed.

Shit.