(Note: This is a repost of a RP I did for APW. Considering that I'm playing the same character in both feds, and that this is a pretty big development for my character, I figured I'd also post it here.)
Sunday, February 14, 7:00 pm
Seattle, WA
Gary Biggerstaff (Biggs) and Ellie are seated at a very upscale, and crowded, restaurant in Seattle. Gary is dressed to the nines in a black suit with a white shirt and blue tie, while Ellie is simply stunning in an elegant purple dress. The fabric of her dress shimmers thanks to the candle light, and the two are waiting for their food to arrive. The restaurant is dimly lit, mostly by candle light, with elegant white table linens and fancy plates with golden trim. There's more forks than Ellie knows what to do with, while Gary explains to her playfully what each one is for. He has the smallest fork on the table in his hand, and a grin on his face as he talks to his girlfriend.
Gary: And this little one here is for when you baby corn. See how small it is? It's perfect for poking those little suckers so you don't have to pick them up and eat them with your hands.
Ellie lets out her infectious giggle.
Ellie: No it's not! You're just having fun at my expense! I've never been to a restaurant this nice before!
Gary: Yeah, I guess I am having fun at your expense. But you wouldn't have it any other way, would you?
Ellie: Nope! Because it means I get to have fun at yours!
The two chuckle a bit before Gary gets a little more serious.
Gary:Y'know, this is my first Valentine's Day where I've actually had a reason to celebrate. This being my first real romantic relationship, I can't help but feel that I'm somehow not doing enough for today.
Ellie: Believe me, you've done more than a enough so far! Between all the chocolates and flowers, the afternoon picnic, and now this, I definitely feel loved! Plus, you're doing a lot better than my last boyfriend did. His idea of a romantic Valentine's Day was going to see Monster Trucks. My left ear still hasn't regained it's hearing since then!
Gary chuckles a bit.
Gary: Well, I'm glad that the bar wasn't set too high for me!
Ellie: It sure wasn't. Still, despite his romantic ineptitude, Steve was very sweet. Not very bright, mind you, but sweet nonetheless. But we're not here to talk about my romantic past, we're here to enjoy the one we have now!
Gary: Actually, I don't mind hearing about your old flames at all. It'll actually help me to know what not to do in order to keep you happy!
A slightly perturbed expression crosses Ellie's face, as she obviously didn't like what Gary just said there.
Ellie: What's that supposed to mean?
Gary suddenly realizes his mistake and starts stammering.
Gary: W-w-well, I j-just thought that if I heard m-m-more about the guys you used-d-d t-t-to date, well, then I'd find out what you liked and didn't like, and that w-w-would help me to no mess this up!
Ellie: And that's your problem. You're too worried with messing up that you can't be yourself. That first night I met you, I knew instantly that you were different from everyone else I'd ever met. Once we started going steady...
Gary: Rather abruptly, if I may say so...
Ellie: You may. But back to what I was saying, since we've gone steady, every time there's a “big event†you get too worried about how you look to others, about how you compare to other people, that you just don't let yourself be happy with who you are. The fact is is that I love you for who you are, not by how you compare to my old boyfriends! You need to quit worrying about what other people think and just be happy that something is going well for you!
Gary: I know. It's just that I've never really, experienced any of this before, and it's as exciting as it is scary. You know better than almost anyone the confidence issues that I have, how the only way that I've been able to have success in wrestling is by going out there play out the part of me that I don't like. You know that it's a constant worry for me that I may not be in full control of my actions at all times, that when I'm in the zone as my Biggs persona, I'll do things that I later regret. I'm just worried that Biggs may surface in our relationship.
Ellie: He has, but only in the ring. When I go out in front of that crowd, they aren't seeing the real me. I act like the biggest spoiled brat in the world, but that's not who I am. I realize that you've been wrestling with the question of who you really are for some time now, and that it's not quite as clear cut with you as it is with me. After all, Gary the person has to live with Biggs the character's actions, because they actually effect other people. But the fact is, Gary, is that in your line of work, they understand the risks that are inherent when they sign up for it. You know how much you love wrestling, but you also realize the inherent danger. That being said, the thing I like most about Biggs is he's confident and doesn't care what other people think. I think that you should accept the fact that it's okay to mix in a bit of Biggs with your personality, that who you are in real life doesn't have to be mutually exclusive from who you are in the ring. Granted, if you were all Biggs, all the time, I'd probably leave you in a heart beat, but the fact is that you don't have to be afraid of who you are. We all have parts of us that we don't like, but we don't have to let them control us. If we're honest with ourselves, take responsibility for our mistakes, and move on, then there's no room for second guessing or regret!
Gary sits there for a moment, thinking about what Ellie just told him. After a few moments, he responds.
Gary: You know what, Ellie, you're right. Personally and professionally, I've been too preoccupied by keeping my two lives separate that neither life is the true me. In the ring, I'm brash, arrogant, and a despicable human being, but I'm confident. Outside the ring, I'm polite, reserved, and in all honest, a scaredy cat. Maybe the real me is somewhere in the middle.
Ellie: Exactly! These last few months have been great, and I can't wait to get to know the real you better along with you for the rest of my life...
Gary: Huh?
At this point, Ellie gets out of her chair, and adjusts her dress, getting down to one knee and pulling a box out of her purse. She opens up the box, and inside is a silver ring.
Ellie: I know that we've only known each other for a few months, but they have been the best few months of my life. I love you more than anyone I've ever known, and I want to ask you, Gary Joseph Biggerstaff, will you marry me?
Gary is taken aback by Ellie's actions, and is stunned. After a few moments, he begins to laugh, shaking his head in disbelief as Ellie looks on confused. At this point, Gary pulls a box out of his pocket, and reveals a ring as well. It has a golden band with a shiny, green emerald on it. Ellie breaks out into laughter as well as Gary gets down to one knee, joining her on the floor. He has a goofy, though obviously happy, grin on his face as he speaks.
Gary: I was going to ask you the same thing. My answer is yes...
Ellie: Mine too.
They slip the rings on each others fingers and embrace, kissing each other as they do so. Ellie gives Gary a peck on the cheek, and tears of joy run down both of their faces. The people in the tables around them clap and cheer as they get back up and get seated, both overjoyed at what has just occurred.
