Danni the Pink Sugarplum Fairy -- Ohhh, Shiny! Issues #1-10

Backstage at the US Cellular Center, things are, as usual, a rush of activity. Agents are darting back and forth between locker rooms and Gorilla, making sure people are ready for their matches and that all the moving parts are in place. Producers on headsets are running down checklists and yelling across rooms and halls to get messages between the bosses, the truck and the crew in the arena. And that says nothing of the wrestlers themselves. The only person in the building at this point who seems to have any manner of peace in their manner is Eric Donavan, the owner of HYBRID. He moves fluidly from place to place, bringing that calm along with him and doing his part to keep events running smoothly. And it does appear to have that effect; the stress evaporates once he hits a spot, though it eventually comes back, because of professional wrestling.

He makes his way to catering as the next match starts, walking over to the hot beverage area and fixing a cup of tea. Not Irish tea, thankfully; that might not go over well during a broadcast. As he’s fixing the beverage, a small-yet-fierce woman with dark hair comes up to him, nursing a cup of coffee blacker than the abyss. They greet one another and begin to chat, the woman eventually recognizable as HYBRID’s Executive Producer, Farrah Cornett.

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Fluttering around with curious steps across the floor, a pink-haired and sparkly blue-eyed young woman was exploring. There was a HYBRID Wrestling lanyard around her neck attached to a backstage pass. Her bright and colorful clothes were a stark contrast to her soft pale complexion. Her eyes were moving, searching for something or someone as she wandered around aimlessly.

"M a r k u s, where are y o u?"

She seemed to be looking for her lost friend. Or maybe she was the one who was lost? Before she can focus on the task at hand, however, there's the distant smell of one of her favorite treats (and her kryptonite according to her friends). Coffee. Was that hazelnut? French vanilla?? The moment she turns the corner, she spots catering accompanied by two dressy individuals.

"!"

She recognizes one of them without a doubt. Eric Donavan, the Owner of HYBRID Wrestling and the uncle of Dean Matthews.

"Mr. Eric! Mr. Eric!"

She takes a step forward but fails her perception check as the shoelaces of her right hot pink and white Converse sneaker are loose. The young woman plummets onto the floor and she whimpers a little before she immediately hops up. Sheesh, that’s embarrassing. With a slight grumble, she leans down to tie her shoe, securing a double knot for both shoes before she clears her throat. Now she approaches them without any other interruptions.

“Ahh… hi! It’s me, Danni! Danielle Lydia Anderson, but please call me Danni. I feel like I’m in trouble when somebody says my actual first name. Anyway, hi! Wait, I said that already… nice to meet you!”

She extends her right out in hopes that she hasn’t made herself look TOO foolish.

Farrah eyes the young woman curiously and, to the careful eye, is clearly trying not to laugh. Eric notes this and gives his friend a nudge. His first instinct upon seeing Danielle topple was to move to help her up, but the pink-haired sprite picked herself up before he could manage. When she extends her hand, he takes and shakes it, as does Farrah around a sip of her own coffee.

“Danni it is, then. And no need for the ‘Mister’ part, young lady. I feel old enough as it is without having other people emphasize it.”

He winked, laying on just a bit of that Irish charm. There’s a tiny giggle from the pink-haired Danni. Farrah rolls her eyes and shakes her head before nodding to Eric.

“I’m heading out to the truck. See you after the show?”

“At the Soul Garden as usual.”

With a nod, Farrah takes her leave, Danni suddenly alone with the man who makes the wheels turn. Eric strokes his chin for a moment, thinking before it dawns on him exactly who this is. Remembrance brings a smile.

“Ah, of course… Miss Anderson. We received your package recently. I’m glad you were able to make the show on such short notice. I hope your trip was pleasant?”

“It was! I was surprised when the plane tickets were first class! The seats were sooo comfy, I kinda curled up with Markus…”

Blink. Blink. That’s someone who is not here. Markus Rael, her friend whom she met at the Lovelace Westside Hospital in Albuquerque a month ago. Danni scratches the back of her head and lets out a sheepish giggle.

“...I, ah, kinda lost him… or he kinda lost me? Knowing me, I wandered off without even realizing he wasn’t by my side anymore… But I’ll find him again! I promise!”

She hops a little before she steps forward and looks up to Eric.

“Were you… able to review everything? Was the application okay? How about the video demo? Mari and Jaime helped me with both of them.”

Eric started to reply to the first comment but paused when Danni kept going, instead smiling and sipping his tea while she ran herself out of breath and words, rocking back and forth on her heels. After a couple moments, assured that she was done, for the time being, Eric nodded.

“Everything checks out just fine I have a contract in my office for you to look over and sign… tonight, if you wish, though I suggest having a lawyer look at it just to be sure.”

When prompted for a lawyer, Danni shakes her head and smiles.

“That’s okay, Eric! You’re a trustworthy man. Your nephew Dean told me this himself. I’m ready to look over the contract and sign where I need to sign!”

She’s bouncing in glee and excitement, bringing her hands together in front of her and lacing her fingers in a gesture to contain herself. After all, she needs to demonstrate that she can be professional.

“I don’t need to do anything flashy. I don’t have to make a video for people to see what I can do. I want to show them what I can do in the ring when the time comes. I just recently graduated from Santa Monica College and the Maverick Wrestling Academy in Los Angeles... It’s time for me to ascend into HYBRID: Ascension.”

“Well, your enthusiasm is infectious… that’s a good thing. We need more happy people around here in my opinion.”

He chuckles a little, sipping more of the tea before continuing.

“I’ll sit down with Trenton and Rebecca and talk to them about setting up your debut. As to the video, I think it would give people a good idea of what they’re getting into when you make your debut. What do you think?”

She tilts her head, losing herself in the thought for a moment. It may not be such a bad idea to create something for the fans to see. Looking up to Eric, Danni nods and smiles.

“Okay, I’ll do it! I’ll ask Mari and Jaime to help me with a really cool video. Maybe even ask Jaime’s goddaughter to help. She’s really artistic and tech-y!”

She claps her hands and giggles, bouncing from foot to foot.

“I’m sure Markus can provide the music! Ohhh, this is going to be awesome!”

“And, if it turns out that you need assistance, my Executive Producer who you met before she wandered off should be able to help. Tell you what…”

He finishes the cup and tosses it into the nearby waste receptacle.

“Usually after these shows, most of the crew and wrestlers head over to my wife’s restaurant in town. We can discuss the final bits of your signing there, if you want, allowing you to enjoy the rest of the show. What do you say?”

Her sparkling blue eyes light up at the word “restaurant”.

“Ohmygoodness, really? That sounds amazing! I lovelovelove food! Let me find Markus and we’ll meet you there!”

The hyperness cannot be contained. She’s bouncing as if her life depends on the energy. Her pink hair is dancing around her in a sugary sweet way. Eric looks after her with another small laugh. Certainly looks like the young lady is growing on him...