New Crew Blue - Jay Capistrano

[Maria Graziano]

"What do you think this is about, Gary?"

Gary Stinwich, the veteran dueling reporter for the RhyDin Morning News, shot Josh Greman of Sporting Report a brief smile in greeting as the younger man took a seat next to him in the AMD Training Academy's media center. "It's the Grazianos, Greman. It could be anything."

Josh gave a huff of laughter as he flipped open his notebook. "Got to be the Governor. The announcement was yesterday. They're probably just making her available for questions today. Maybe we'll get some quality time with Maria as well," he replied with a roll of his eyes.

As if on cue, the eldest Graziano stepped out with David Ballard, the Wrecking Crew public relations (a thankless job if there ever was one), whispering in a low tone at her side. The brunette gave a brisk nod as she took a step forward to take a position at the podium.

"I'd like to thank the members of the press for coming today and I promise to make this quick. I know how little you all enjoy working on Fridays," she stated sharply without looking to the prepared notes that David Ballard had been sure to leave on the podium. "The Wrecking Crew has always been about finding the very best talent but more important than even talent is the right attitude. You've gotta have balls. Very large balls. And, with that in mind, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Crew's Hydra Cup team."

A breath was taken in and a measured breath was released, drawing out the moment of suspense just a bit further.

"Jay Capistrano."

Jay was in a hallway off to the side, zipping up his new Crew workout jacket and fidgeting nervously in place. He had spent most his life dodging attention, trying to be anonymous, so the thought of standing in front of a crowd of people he had never met before and talking about himself was nerve-wracking. He bent the bill of the blue, black, and silver baseball cap he had been given to wear, before placing it on his head, and tried to sneak a peek at who was seated in the crowd. No one he recognized, but that wasn’t too surprising. The only people he knew were on stage, and he had just met David earlier that day. He had laid down the rules of the press conference. No profanity, no slander, and for God’s sakes, be interesting.

He went over a mental checklist of David’s tips as he came out of the wings -- walk slowly, let them see your face, look at the crowd, let them take your picture, smile. He looked more than a little like a deer in the headlights as he came out into view, to the flashbulbs of cameras.

Maria's smugness as the surprise the name created among the crowd was palpable. Her dark eyes surveyed the faces of the reporters and cameramen gathered before them, enjoying the shock on their expressions rather than studying how her newest teammate was handling the pressure. The reporters' surprise eased some of Jay’s nerves, though he didn't quite have that Crew swagger down yet. As he approached the podium, it was time for another photo op - he held his hand out to shake Maria's, and the flashbulbs started going off faster and faster.

"Did you realize that David Ballard and douche bag have the same initials?" Maria murmured through the handshake, keeping her voice pitched low enough not to be picked up by the microphone. Her smile remained bright and innocent. "Please say something that will piss him off. Turning him multiple shades of red and purple is really the only reason I get up in the morning."

Jay glanced over at David, who seemed either unaware of what Maria had said, or was ignoring it. He lowered his voice also, smirking. "Should I point out who else shares the initials J.C.?" Maria’s smile widened but practice kept her from laughing. As she stepped to the side, leaving Jay center stage, he faced the reporters, photographers, and cameramen. Before them the gaggle of reporters were waiting -- hands in the air to indicate questions, all their pens or recorders poised and ready.

Jay couldn't help but chuckle, seeing all those hands up like schoolchildren. "So...I get to pick who asks questions and who doesn't? Or are you all just gonna try to shout over each other? I don't know any of these dudes - who don't you like?" He turned to Maria as he asked that question, catching a glimpse of David frowning as he did so.

"You're the man," Maria shrugged absently but her smile turned a bit less rehearsed and a bit more amused. Although, taken by surprise by the announcement, RhyDin's media seemed to recover quickly with hard hitting questions.

"All right...bald dude in the front," Jay pointed.

"Roger Meyerhoff, RhyDinSportsDaily.com." About half the reporters in the room turned and glared at Roger, who seemed to visibly shrink under the attention, though he eventually got his question out. "Why are you joining the Crew now? You've been an active dueler for over four years now, but always on your own. What made you change your mind?"

"They gave me this sweet hat." Most of the room laughed, and Jay cracked a smile before continuing. "No, seriously, though, I've busted my a- butt to get where I am today, but there's things I can't do on my own. I got better training facilities now, a, uh, a nutritionist who yells at me if I eat cheeseburgers, sparring partners. I'm only gonna get better with support."

"Would you say that you're selling out to the highest bidder in order to take down Candy Hart and her Team Beat Down? Rumor has it that you and she haven't gotten along so well as of late." The question was asked by a face in the back. A pretty brunette with a sly smile and a name tag that read "Intern Beast, Gossip GangSTAR".

He gritted his teeth and scowled at the GangSTAR representative, before putting on a clearly fake smile. "Listen, dude. The idea of selling out is bull - b.s. I should know better than anyone here about that. I used to be a skateboard ridin', The Man tauntin', punk rock lovin' straight edge dude a long time ago. When I was a kid. You grow up, shit happens, the Nexus steals your tattoos, and you change. In the words of one of my favorite movies: 'I didn't sell out. I bought in.' "

“On the subject of that pathetic group of barely ranked talent,” Maria leaned in towards the microphone, sarcasm dripping from her tone with the word ‘talent’. “The Wrecking Crew does not extend offers to nobodies. If you are a nobody -- and you know who you are, even if nobody else does -- rest assured, no offer has been or will be extended to you. There will always be a Judas running about, claiming to have rebuffed our offer, but this is not the case. Our offers are not refused.”

It was Ballard who motioned to the next reporter as he attempted to shut down Maria’s rant before additional Hydra Cup teams could be insulted. Christopher Heart’s question was tossed Jay's way without looking up from his notebook and without bothering to introduce himself. "The Wrecking Crew has a reputation for being arrogant and egotistical. Is this the organization you wish to be associated with and the reputation that you are looking for?"

"It's better to be thought of as arrogant and egotistical than to not be thought of at all. All I can control is what I say and do inside and outside of the ring. If people think I'm being that, that's on them. They're probably just jealous, though." He smirked, before looking at the hands raised. "Next? You there." He pointed at Josh Greman, who seemed a bit shocked at having been called on.

"Uh...what are they paying you?"

Jay had been prepped for this question, and his answer was quick and curt. "No comment. Next?"

"Gary Stinwich, RhyDin Morning News." A confident voice spoke up from the left hand side of the room. There was no shrinking when people turned to face him. In fact, his hand had not even been raised but not a soul dared call foul when his voice broke through the clamor. In fact, there was a slight hush over the room. Maria even shot him a sunny smile. "Just looking around this training facility can make the 'why' obvious but my question is -- what now? What do you plan on doing as Crew?"

"Win titles. Defend titles. Write my name in the record book, or whatever you call it. And we're gonna win the Hydra Cup."

((From live play with Jay.))

[Capistrano]

June 1, 2012

The AMD Training Academy was a campus-like complex on the outskirts of New Haven. One of the premier local training grounds for basketball, baseball, and dueling athletes, the facility made its money catering to the wealthy who wanted to turn their children into college or professional athletes. However, it also served as host to a multitude of professional athletes looking to sharpen their skills. Since the close of the Team Dueling League and the Wrecking Crew's affiliation with Kitsune, the AMD Academy had been the training grounds of the Wrecking Crew.

In four years in RhyDin, Jay had seen most of the city, but he was pretty sure he had never spent much time in New Haven, and definitely not during the day. He had heard people talk about it, in the various jobs he had worked, and he had an inkling of what it was like. Big mansions, tree-lined streets, boutique clothing stores with $100 t-shirts and high heels that cost half a year's salary. It reminded him of Rodeo Drive. He'd hated Rodeo Drive, the one time he'd been there. And back then, he was many times richer than he was now.

He walked down the streets, trying not to make eye contact with anyone he saw in nicer clothes. Which was just about everybody, if he was honest with himself. He had at least washed up and removed the extreme spikes from his hair, though the black dye didn't come out that easily. He had also shaved, though some stubble remained on his chin. Unfortunately, he didn't have anything nicer to wear than hastily washed jeans, a gray t-shirt, and cheap sunglasses.

When he arrived, he was surprised by how big the facility was. He was expecting a gym of some sort, maybe a building like the Outback, but a campus filled with basketball courts, baseball diamonds, football and soccer fields, as well as outdoor dueling rings, was not on his mind. Instinct made him reach for his pockets for a cigarette, but he quelled it as he walked up to the glass doors to the main building. They slid open with a pleasant *shunk* sound, and he approached the main desk. The woman there, a few years younger than Jay and dressed in a white tennis outfit with a blonde ponytail, smiled as he walked up.

"Can I help you?" she asked, with a broad smile. Too broad - it was clear to Jay that she was forcing it.

"Yeah, I've got an appointment with Maria? Graziano?"

Unable to leave the main desk, the receptionist called an intern to escort Jay down the cobblestone walkways to the Wrecking Crew's facility. One of the older buildings with brick walls showing signs of wear and few windows, it was the more expected gym. In fact, it seemed to be lifted right out of Queens and plunked right down in the middle of New Haven. The Grazianos were creatures of comfort, after all. Maria had always been the most frequent team member in the gym and, at the moment, she was the only Graziano present.

A gray-haired trainer was leaning against the wall watching her form with narrowed eyes as her braid bounced in time with the bouncing of her feet. Jab, jab, cross. Jab, jab, uppercut. The sound of wrapped hands meeting a body bag echoed through the room.

The rapid gunfire fistfalls against the bag continued as a heavy metal door was swung open for Jay. While the interior had the expected low ceilings, the equipment within was only the best and the lighting was nowhere near as dim as the hole in the wall gyms the Grazianos had grown up in. The trainer straightened from his lean, giving Maria an upward nod of his chin to signal they were not alone.

The sound of fist against bag came to an abrupt halt and her hands fell to her sides. A glance over her shoulder confirmed the guest's identity before her eyes moved back to the trainer at hand. "Give me ten, alright?"

A solemn nod was given in reply and the man crossed the room in the opposite direction headed towards the offices. Maria's dark eyes fell to her wrapped hands, flexing them carefully. "So. You came. I think that means we're making progress."

Even though the gym was well lit, it wasn't sunlight, and that meant Jay’s sunglasses weren't really needed. He pushed them up so they rested on his forehead, then gave up on that idea and just took them off, folding them over and placing them in the neck of his shirt. Jay thanked the intern as he left, then watched the end of Maria's work with the body bag.

"Did you think I was going to no-show?" Jay looked at Maria, but his eyes never seemed to look directly at her - and he never made eye contact.

In short runner's shorts and a tank top, she was dressed more for a jog than for a boxing match but, then, maybe it wasn't all that surprising since she typically dressed more like a yoga instructor than a duelist when at the Arena. Her eyes never lifted either as she began to unwind her right hand.

"I think that you don't do teams so, no, I wouldn't have been surprised if you hadn't shown."

"I'm a lone wolf." He smiled fiercely, though she probably didn't notice as she unwrapped her hands. "I haven't done teams here, but dueling's been a solo sport since I got here. Wasn't always the case, I take it." He sniffed at the air, taking in the gym's smell: sweat, plastic, hints of leather, and mortar from the old brick.

There was nothing she loved more than being surrounded by old brick. The amount of exposed brick was one of the things that had caused her to fall in love with her brownstone. It never felt like a prison. It felt good to have strong walls surrounding her. The end of the wrap slipped off her hand and was tossed towards a laundry bag. Her eyes slipped up to him as she tightened the right hand and then released it. It would seem that the hand had been wrapped too tightly or swelled too much with the workout. "It wasn't. And maybe we're returning to that. It's going to take more than one person to break this stranglehold the Overlord has on the Baron's Council."

Seeing her loosen and remove her hand wraps reminded him of the bandages on his own hands - the wrapped fingertips of his left thumb, index, and middle fingers, and his entire right hand. He could see the darker red spots on his right hand, the side effects of the jab he had thrown against Jedi to close out his duel the previous night. Jay grit his teeth as he thought about his recklessness. "And you want to know if I'm interested. Or - you want to test me, and see if I'm worth being on your team."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure you're worth it. Sweet Sixteen in this year's Madness including a win over Harris. The Elite Eight two years ago. You were actually knocked out that time by my sister-in-law. And the year before that it was the Final Four, right? You're a Madness powerhouse." Once complete feeling had returned to her right hand, she untucked the wrap on the left side and began the slow even roll outward. "How old are you?"

"The Final Four year, I think, there weren't a full 64 people in it." Jay scratched the back of his head. He had never really taken time to let his Madness performances fully sink in, and having someone bring them up and compliment him on them? Well, that was new to him. "I'm 26, as of a couple months ago."

"Then you still have time to make your mark." Oh, but to be 26 again. With the thought, she tossed the second wrap towards the laundry bag. Dark brown eyes moved back on Jay. "I'm 31. Both of my younger brothers have retired and professional female athletes tend to have shorter career spans than their male counterparts. I can't make it through a Warlord Tournament. We have to use questionable technology and medical procedures to keep me being able to perform on a level near where I did five years ago when I was making my MVP runs. I'm almost done. But there are things I haven't done yet and, to be frank, I want my legacy. You help me get it, you help me be known as the best captain of any house, guild, or crew that ever stepped foot in that place...? Well, I can introduce you to the right people, I can get you access to the best facilities and trainers, and I can set you up in a position to begin taking titles. But you've got to make the decision to trust me. Just a little bit."

As Maria spoke, his piercing blue eyes widened slightly, then blinked rapidly. He rubbed the back of his neck, and then fidgeted in place, tennis shoes pawing at the gym floor. "Trust you in what way? Like, the whole smoking bit, you mean? I've been meaning to quit." Jay muttered the last sentence, in a way that made it clear that he'd probably said those words to himself more than a few times.

She gave a laugh. Uncharacteristically warm and open. At least it wasn't the sort that she typically gave in public but the way it broke easily suggested that it might be a more common occurrence in private. "That would be a start but I mean more in what direction I want to head. What's in your best interest here will collide with what's in mine. If I suggest something, it's because I think it's best for you, not because I have any secret motivation to keep you down. I believe in you and I think this is going to be a lot of fun."

He was very near to laughing along with her, but he felt a twinge of guilt, at the possibility of having wasted her time. "There's something you should know, though, and if it changes things, I understand, but...yeah. I should've told you before, but it's not the sort of thing you go out just telling people." He hesitated, looked down at the tops of his hands where a pair of tattooed "X's" used to be, and frowned. "How do I put this? I don't fight on full moons."

Despite the decade spent in RhyDin, she was, at her heart of hearts, a girl from Queens. Thus, such statements usually took her an extended moment to process, and while she did, her head remained tilted to the side slightly, brows drawn together in confusion, and dark brown eyes focused in on him.

The moment broke with realization and her eyes widened with surprise and a hint of amusement. "Really? No worries. I hear that all the time." The sarcasm came dry but playful and she nodded her head towards the office. "Come on. I'm going to introduce you around."

Then, without waiting for a confirmation, she turned on her heels and began heading for the offices.

He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath until it all came whooshing out, once she had spoken words of acceptance. He allowed himself a small smile, before he followed her into the offices, ready for his introductions.

((Edited and adapted from live play with Maria))