The Blackhawk Valley Campground was small, at least one of the smaller campgrounds that Lucy had ever seen (Not that she’d seen very many in her life, regardless). She’d enjoyed herself though, even if there wasn’t necessarily very much to do within the confines of the campground itself. In the least surprising statement in the history of well, ever, Lucy’s been fully content just living the simple life with Rogan and a campfire.

The entire experience thus far, it’s been freeing – to say the least.

But back to the Campground itself. While its size leaves something to offer, it does boast a decent sized pond where Lucy’s watched many people swim and splash about over the last week or so. And that’s exactly where she finds herself this evening – Seated on a blanket under a tree, watching the last few people laughing and enjoying the last bits of sunshine before heading back to their own campsites for the evening.

As Battleground and her date with destiny moved steadily closer to being reality, Lucy couldn’t help but to do what she has always done – think herself to death over it. She’s been here before, in this very same position, more times than she can remember and each time, she struggled with feelings of inadequacy, and of plain old fear.

Fear of what, exactly?

Her life at one point was nothing but fear and misery. It was almost a bad habit, one that she couldn’t (or didn’t want to) break. She’s seen success. She’s tasted failure. All of it brings her to moments like this.. A week before a world title match that could change everything, and nothing all at once.

But before she could even fathom thinking about Montague and Tony and that world title on the line, she had to juggle Montagues buddy, her old pal Tempest… And Tony.

She hated matches like these. She hated facing Tony before Battleground. She hated that Tempest loses against Sebastian one week, and then is thrusted between Tony and herself as if he isn’t simply there to weaken the two of them before Battleground. It frustrated her, and it made her feel like the world was making her pay for wanting to be in this position to begin with.

“Penny for your thoughts, lass?”

Rogan’s voice brings her back to reality, where she quickly realizes that the sun has taken its leave, and the sky has darkened. The sounds of people splashing and playing are gone too. How long had she been lost in her own mind?

“Oh, um.. Just thinking about this week. And next week. And everything in between.” She replies, chuckling to herself. “I’m a Goddamn mess, ain’t I?”

“Not at all.” Rogan says simply, bringing himself down onto the blanket beside her. But instead of replying further, he sat back, reclining on his elbows and staring out at the pond.

After a few moments of silence, however, Lucy continued – exactly as he knew she would.

“The World title match is one thing. And I know I need to save that for next week, when it’s the right time. But this week is fucked. I know Tony and I can have a good match, fantastic even. We’ve already done it. So I’m not necessarily worried about him. Even though I wish we were saving it for Battleground.”

She glances down at her hands in her lap for a fleeting moment.

“But…”

“Tempest.” Rogan says quietly.

Lucy nods her head. “Exactly. It’s just.. He’s in the perfect spot to make sure Montague has an easier time at Battleground. And in my humble opinion, Montague doesn’t need any assistance to help things go his way. But Creeps gotta creep, I guess.”

She sighs.

Silence settles between them for a few minutes, enough time for Rogan to bring a hand up to the small of Lucy’s back.

“You know..” Rogan begins, rubbing Lucys back softly. “There’s an advantage in knowing what your opponent is going to do before they do it.”

Once more, Lucy nods. She knew his statement to be true, but it was of little comfort to the Dark Lady in this moment. There was nothing Lucy Wylde disliked more than the kinds of shenanigans that the Astro Creeps were known for.

“I’ve always held myself to a certain standard, you know?” Lucy says, turning her head slightly to see Rogan out of the corner of her eye. “From the moment I started doing this, wanting to be someone in this business… I always wanted to do it the right way. Even at my worst…”

She motions towards her face, signifying the mask that once adorned it.

“…I still never stooped to those depths. When I went to OWF as Jenova, I belonged to a group that wasn’t too dissimilar to the Creeps and we often found ourselves at odds with one another because I wasn’t willing to insert myself into things that weren’t my business. What business do any of us have doing this if we can’t accomplish things on our own? It just… It cheapens it.”

As she finishes, she looks away, back towards the pond as the breeze picks up.

“And that’s one of the things I admire most about you, Lucy Wylde.”

“Yeah?”

Lucy can’t hide the surprise on her face, which garners a soft chuckle from the Dark Man.

“Of course.” He says, as if it were just another day and he couldn’t fathom not admiring the woman sat beside him. “You’re a woman of integrity, and that’s why you’ve seen the success you’ve seen. And in failure? You show just as much grace and dignity. That’s why, no matter what happens on Monday, Montague and Tony are going to have their hands full.”

In the darkness, Rogan can’t see the pink rising to Lucy’s cheeks – but there it is. She brushes her hair out of her face and shakes her head despite the smile forming on her lips.

“You really know how to hype a girl up, Mr. MacLean. I gotta give it to you.”

Rogan sits up and wraps an arm around Lucy’s shoulders, pulling her closer. “Well… I’m not blowing smoke up yer arse. That is how you say that, right?”

“Aye.” Lucy replies half mockingly. “Thank you.”

“I’m only telling you the truth as I see it. So the way I see it…” His voice trails off as he shoots Lucy a dark grin. “Monday is just a warm up for you.”

“Maybe so. I just hope Tony doesn’t let Montague’s waffles go to his head…”

Rogan tilts his head to the side. “What?”

Lucy laughs.

“You must have missed that. But all I’m trying to say is that I know Tony and the Creeps have something going on, and I don’t know if it’s still a thing or not.. But I hope Tony doesn’t put too much faith in Tempest to not be a complete fuck.”

Rogan nods.

“Tony is a smart man.”

“He is. But I’ve gotta look at all the possibilities coming into this thing and I can’t overlook the possibility of it being two on one on Monday, even if it’s only a minute possibility.”

“Smart.”

Lucy shrugs her shoulders.

“On occasion.”

Lucy shivers as the breeze picks up again and Rogan sees that as his cue to rise back to his feet. He turns around and offers Lucy his hand. “Let’s get you home and warm you up a bit by the fire.”

Taking his hand, Lucy climbs back to her feet and collects the blanket from the ground.

“You know the way to a womans heart, Mr. MacLean.”

Rogan grins. “Maybe cook up a few s’mores?”

Lucy takes his hand as they begin walking back towards their site.

“S’more of what?”

Rogan howls with laughter as the two disappear into the night.