Guest Muzz Report post Posted December 19, 2002 ”The thoughts of yesterday forgotten, I like the way this new skin feels, Bring me splinters of tomorrow, Collect the parts where I win… Against the grain, Against the odds, I’ll rise, and I won’t trip again, The dawn of a new day, never looked, As good as this…” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I know you’re staring at me, don’t even pretend to look away… Walking down a tree-line gravel path, through a pristine park, light snow only beginning to fall. A couple shares a joke with each other, laughing together, then looking at each other with loving eyes, sharing a kiss. The woman attaches herself to her man, as the two smile and try to keep warm. Walking towards them, in a long, black overcoat, hands in his pockets, is a man, trying his best to cover his face, his collar upturned to shadow himself. As the couple look up at him, they’re mindlessly happy expressions soon turn sour, as they look at the man in confusion. As the two parties pass each other, the couple looks away, trying not to be rude… The man just sighs and turns away, his eyes slowly closing as he regrets even showing himself to the world. The one thing that he can be thankful for is that, the mask covering his face protects him from the harsh cold… I wish I didn’t have to hide myself, but I have to, and I loathe every second I do… He forgets about his troubles, and looks up into the sky, looking up at the cemetery gates, seemingly frozen in place, and not by the weather. With a belated sigh, he walks through into the cemetery, keeping his head down low as he passes many other people, visiting the resting place of their loved one’s, not wishing to interrupt their mourning with his ‘appearance’. He passes many gravesites, looking at the names of those who have passed, before he finally comes across the site he was looking for. Anna… I… He glances up at the beautiful stone angel sitting atop the grave, smiling through the leather that covers his face. He crouches, holding up the rose in his hands, looking at it for some time, before placing it at the foot of the angel. Climbing to his feet again, he silently stands, closing his eyes and praying for his dearly departed wife. Before he came today, he promised himself he would not weep, but he can’t help a tear from escaping at he looks at her name, and reminisces. Before he can let the memories flood back to him, he turns away and walks back through the cemetery… Avoiding the large crowds of people that come through the park, he finds a hard wood bench to sit on, looking out at the lake. As darkness continues to befall the city, the streetlights flicker to life, casting a reflection on the lake, creating a beautiful sight. He leans over and looks in the lake, smiling, admiring, then he suddenly stops… his smile vanishes as he looks at his own reflection, his eyes cast a scornful look as he clenches his fists, starting to hyperventilate. “Now, now, don’t work yourself up.” As he looks down into the water, he finds someone looking over his shoulder. Throwing the hood of his jacket over his back, Andrew Loire turns around. “You stalking me now?” “No, no…” The man replies with a chuckle, “Simply observing.” “I don’t need your help anymore, you can’t help me now, not after what I’ve been through” Loire snaps in reply, angry. John shakes his head, “And why is that? I saw so much improvement in you a month ago, what’s changed since then? When someone like me takes on a case like this, he doesn’t want to see his efforts go all for nothing, now tell me…” Loire holds his fingertips up to the mask covering his face, wishing he could feel his skin again. Knowing that’s impossible so soon, Loire growls, “It’s none of your concern…” “But it is,” John replies warmly, “Your uncle has asked me to stick with you, he doesn’t want to see you destroy your life, and he can see it happening, and I can too, and no one wants that to happen” “Anna’s dead, my friends have left, and now… You can’t help me John, no one can… Do you think anyone cares what happens to me? After all I’ve been through, I haven’t been accepted, by anyone, when I’m gone I’ll be but a fleeting memory in their minds, and I don’t want that, but life doesn’t seem go my way” Wolf turns around, looking at John, who has that all encompassing smile, and Wolf can’t help but grin, “But that won’t stop you now will it?” “No my friend, I’ve been working with you too long to give up on you, I still think there’s a good person inside of you, even if no one else does.” Andrew Loire gets up from the bench as John walks along the lake, hands behind his back, as if he were pondering the workings of the universe every second of the day. Andrew couldn’t deny it, John had been with him for a long time, and tried his best to help, the least he could do was show some gratitude, one of the few people who deserved it in his life. John looks at Loire as he stares blankly at the ground, only just seeing his eyes peer through the crimson mask that hides his face… “Tell me. Tell me what’s going on, and then maybe I can help. I’m not asking just as a professional, or if I was paid to, believe it or not, I like you, and as I said, all I want to do is help… ” Wolf sighs, closing his eyes and shaking his head, “I’ve already told you… you can’t. I know I may seem fine right now, but in a few days, you won’t want to be around me…” “You won’t shake me that easily. Andrew, I’m a psychiatrist, trust me, what you’re going through can be treated for.” “Are you a qualified plastic surgeon too…” “Ok, you just lost me.” John stops, putting his hand on Wolf’s shoulder and turning him around, looking at him, “I know you want help, you’re the one that came to me remember. Now, whatever is the problem, I’m sure it can be dealt with.” “NO!” Loire looks away, breathing heavily, “I don’t need your help anymore, aren’t you listening? I’ve gone over the line, and I can’t be saved!” “I don’t know that until you tell me what the problem is.” “You want to know?” Andrew asks, knowing he’s fighting a losing battle, as usual, “Fine…” John waits for an answer, but instead, Wolf undoes the straps at the back of his mask, slowly lifting it from his face, and letting the strap dangle from his fingers. He looks up at his good friend John Flaro, afraid to show himself… John just stands in shock, turning away from the sickening sight and nodding his head, “Oh god, I’m sorry, I didn’t know…” “Well it’s not like I’m the most open person, but at least you can see what I mean now…” John shakes his head in defiance, “The physical scars will heal in time, so will the emotional, and… who did this to you?” “Like I said, in a few days, you won’t want to be around me.” “As hot-headed as always.” “Wouldn’t you be if you had suffered like I have.” “I guess so…” “I can’t let this go on anymore. I have been the subject of abuse and criticism all my life, but I just weathered it, and I became stronger for it. Then I came to the SWF, and it was like a whole New World… a very harsh and ugly one, but again, I weathered the abuse, and I thought… I had earned respect, so I wouldn’t have to go through any of this ever again. But now, It’s my turn…” Flaro sighs, “It’s in my expert opinion that…” John looks at Loire, intense eyes staring back at him, filled with a fire he hasn’t seen in a long time, “… Well, just take care of yourself, but please, don’t hide yourself for too much longer, if I ever ask you8 for one favor, it would be to help yourself.” Wolf looks up, watching more people fill into the park as the fireworks are about to be launched. He looks down at his mask, then at John, and ties his straps back up. He turns and walks away, leaving John by himself, to watch the fireworks creating a dazzling display in the distance… … I dream of one day, when I would be in the ring, standing square in the center, as the crowd applauded, my and my accomplishments. It would be the greatest feeling in the world, to be respected, and remembered. But it’s only a dream for me, some people feel the need to take that away from me… Today is the dawn of a new day, one where I dictate what happens in my life, not my enemies… . . . . . . . . . . . . ”Concrete breath and dust filled tears, A one way ride to inner peace, I never though I’d join the others, Those who use the dice to solve… Against the grain, Against the odds, I’ll rise, and I won’t trip again… The dawn of a new day, never looked, As good as this…” In Flames – Dawn of a New Day Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest realitycheck Report post Posted December 19, 2002 ...wow. That was quite awesome. Like so many of your promos, it feels like I'm reading art. Nicely dramatic, it almost feels like something out of a movie, too. Sacr--erm, Bayawolf is such a tortured soul, I love the way these promos give an introspetive into his mind. I've also gotta say his decent into angsty self-loathing has been wonderfully choreographed. Although, if you've dropped any hints, I can't piece them together... yet. I'll keep reading, though. -Z Good song choice, too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Thoth Report post Posted December 19, 2002 I wonder two things about Bayawolf. Will one day he feel his mask and think it is skin... and will Anna ever not cause him to tears? This promo makes me think both are imminent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Edwin MacPhisto Report post Posted December 19, 2002 Physical deformity now? Strange. The mask is a great hook, though. It conveys a lot of what Andrew's feeling--especially now--without words. These words helped a lot, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kibagami Report post Posted December 19, 2002 Sacred is one of few characters in the fed whose motivations (other than Anna) and plans I can't begin to guess, even with expositionary promos like this one. Bayawolf/Sacred comes off so damn despairing here... This promo's yet another reason Muzza deserves so much more respect than he gets. Excellent stuff, man. K. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest crusen86 Report post Posted December 19, 2002 Still not over Anna? Geese. Does Axis have to come back in wheelchair again? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crowe Report post Posted December 20, 2002 *hands Bayawolf bout $500* Get yourself a hooker already, jeez. (Rockin promo, btw.) Crowe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Powerplay Report post Posted December 21, 2002 Great, sad promo. Really explains why he has gone back to the Bayawolf persona, and all the pain he carries around with him. Top-notch job, Muzz. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
