Pro Wrestler Bray Wyatt died yesterday. And this is probably the most shook I’ve been by a celebrity death in a while. For one thing, I actually knew who he was. Mostly, though, he was only 36.
Hug your loved ones, people.
I don’t want to turn this into a whole, big eulogy, but if you’re not into Pro Wrestling, let me just quickly explain that Bray was recognised as one of the most charismatic and creative Wrestlers in recent years, and probably ever — you can read up on some of his career highlights here and here.
And, he was clearly one of the nicest Wrestlers in recent memory, given what pretty much everyone who worked with him is saying about him online.
Now, today’s scene isn’t necessarily a tribute to Bray, but it’s at least tangentially inspired by Bray. In brief, Bray would, consistently across his various different gimmicks, make his entrance with the arena lights off and most of the crowd with their cellphones out, making it look like the ring was surrounded by fireflies.
I went to a Smackdown event once and had floor-level seats. Even in a comparatively small arena for a comparatively inconsequential match, being in the middle of the fireflies was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced.
So, basically, today’s theme is “melancholy” and “fireflies.”
A million little lanterns light up the dusk.
“Wow!” Dunstana exclaims. “Look at all the fireflies!”
As the stars begin to peek out overhead, they are joined below by the countless flickering lights of the fireflies.
Kat, Amara, Dunstana, and Annie stand quietly, staring raptly at the dancing lights.
“But why are they called fireflies?” Dunstana mutters. “Fire isn’t green! They should be called, like, Green-Glowy-Flies.”
“Way to ruin the moment, Captain Kid,” Kat mutters.
“Also,” Annie adds. “They’re beetles.”
“Oh!” Dunstana says. “I know! Twinkle-Bugs!”
“Ugh,” Kat groans.
“Okay, but, like Twinkle-Bugs would be an awesome name,” Dunstana insists.
She turns to Annie.
“Right?”
Annie shrugs. “I guess.”
“Well —” Kat says, her voice trailing off as she glances at Amara.
She gently puts a hand on her best friend’s shoulder.
“What’s wrong, Amara?”
“I miss Mother,” Amara says quietly.
“Oh,” Kat says. “Should we go inside? Maybe a change of scenery would —”
“No, Katherine. The fireflies remind me of her. We used to watch the fireflies together,” Amara says, reaching up to dab her eyes.
“Well. I’m here if you need me,” Kat offers. “Always.”
“I know, Katherine,” Amara assures her. “Thank you, Katherine. I —”
Her voice trails off as she starts sobbing. Kat puts her arms around her and pulls her close.
Dunstana turns to Annie.
“We should hug Amara, too,” she declares.
Annie nods and the two of them almost put their arms around Amara.
“I miss Mother,” Amara sobs. “I miss her so much.”
“I know,” Kat says. “And I know it’s not the same, but I’m here, Amara. You’ve still got a lot of people who love you. And always will.”
“Yeah,” Dunstana says. “You’re like the big sister I’ve always wanted.”
Still tightly hugging Amara, Kat kicks at her sister.
“I’m here too, Amara,” Annie says. “And I know we’re not family, but we’re like family. And, at least for me, you actually are like the big sister I’ve always wanted. Since I don’t really have a sister…”
Kat pulls away from Amara.
“Feel better?” she asks, her hands on her friend’s shoulders.
“Yes, Katherine,” Amara says, wiping her eyes. “Thank you. And thank you, Dunstana and Miss Annie.”
“You know that I love you, right?” Kat asks. “You’re my best friend, Amara. And I always hate having to say it, but I want to make sure that you know it, Amara.”
“I know, Katherine,” Amara answers. “And I love you, too. And maybe I don’t say it enough, either. But you are my very dearest friend.”
Dunstana nods thoughtfully.
“Well, I was sad that you’re sad, so I wanted to make you feel better,” she says. “And I like hugs. And I like hugging you, because you always smell good.”
“Don’t make this weird,” Kat tells her sister.
“I was helping!” Dunstana insists.
“Well,” Amara offers. “Thanks to you all, I am feeling better. I do miss Mother, but knowing that I have so many friends who care so much about me is quite comforting.”
“Let’s hug Amara again!” Dunstana says.
“Yeah,” Kat agrees.
“I was sad that you’re sad.”
That’s really just the textbook definition of empathy, isn’t it?
In conclusion, I’d just like to say:
“Cover! Spear! And Bray wins!“
Godspeed, Bray. Thanks for everything.
Again, hug your loved ones, people.
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