Being the psychotic fan that I am, I've been pestering the people at the local FYE all week about the Trish dvd. Today I decided to stop by after classes to just make sure they weren't putting it out a day early. I was disappointed to find out they didn't put it out yet, but the helpful Managed (that I just happen to bump into *grin*) showed me exactly about where it would be the next morning and assured me that they won't be putting it out till tonight AFTER they close.

Needless to say I was disappointed and as I walked through the mall in a depressed hazed heading toward the local Hogan Daas (what better way to cheer up a bad mood the ice cream!) I remember that there's another video store in the Mall, Saturday Night Matinee. I instantly remember that I got the Divas 2002 and 2003 there and that it was a day early! So I double time it over there hoping beyond hope that my inside information about the CE edition not being exclusive to FYE was correct.

I walk in, power walk my way to the DVD section and come to a screeching halt. There it is! No, not the collector's edition DVD, not the normal DVD, but the VHS version! My eyes light up with excitement like a small child on christmas morning seeing the tree and gifts for the first time. The anticipation sends a shiver down, I blink and I was at the DVD section in no time. The sweet begins to trickle down my face as I search frantically for the DVD.

Where is it? Why can't I find it? No that's not it.

I check behind every last WWE dvd to make sure it's not buried and find nothing. My shoulders fall dejectedly knowing how close I just was. Just then a beam of hope casts down from the heavens on a lady wearing the store uniform. My composure straightens with determined resolve as I make my way toward her, my hand snatching the VHS tape off the shelf without even looking to make sure I grabbed the right one.

I approach like a hungry wolf. I can hear the sound of her heart beating in my ears, maybe it's my own, it does not matter. I need to feed, I must have it.

"Hi," I say. "Can you help me find the DVD copy of this?"

"Sure," she replies walking away without another word.

I follow, my eyes drilling holes into the back of her head finding her every thought, her every desire, knowing everything. I am ready to destroy this minx if she leads me astray.

And then the world stops. I can't breath. It's as if everything, all laws of physics and time end. There it is, the object millions desire. The Trish Stratus Collector's DVD with Bobblehead.

I stare at it for what seems to be a life time before reaching out careful not to touch it, afraid that my hand will pass through it like some conjurer of spell's phantasm. That my touch would dispel this illusion springing the Tricksters trap. As my fingers drawn nearer, my eyes close. They connect with something solid, something smooth and it feels... feels almost like plastic!

I open my eyes and in my hands is the DVD, the Collector’s Edition DVD. The Trish Stratus 100% Stratusfaction Guaranteed Special Collector’s Edition DVD. It is mine!

Paying for it goes without delay. My card is swiped; I leave without being noticed by the Trickster’s ever alert sensors. My chariot awaits me ready to return me home, away from this den. I entered begin my ride home, aware that I am not yet safe, that Trickster’s agents may be following me waiting till the time is right.

The voyage home is a familiar one, one that shouldn’t be difficult. But it is. I can hear the Siren’s call in my ears, drawing my eyes off the road toward the small package resting in the seat next to me. I can hear the all too familiar giggle, which cause my pulse to quicken in excited. Was this the Trickster trap?

I look up, the signals have changed, green has turned to red and I must stop. But I can’t, the Siren’s song is too powerful. Somehow I break away, coming to a safe stop, knowing that I risk everything, even the Maiden if I don’t.

Yes, I can do this.

I continue forward when the signals change again, ready to make my way uninterrupted. I feel confidence now. I know that during my moment of weakness the Trickster’s agents would have taken me if they were aware of my success. But then I understand my folly, the Trickster can not be so easy defeated.

Another signal change, I must stop, I must be delayed again and then again. It’s as if the Trickster has taken over the world around me, controlling it, playing its strings as only a Grand Master could.

I make it to the last stop before my destination. My sense are keenly aware of my surroundings, waiting, preying that now won’t be the moment I am over taken. The signal changes again and I proceed forward.

What is he waiting for? Why has the Trickster allowed me to get so close to safety?

I can not and do not know, but I made it home. The perils were behind me and I only needed to walk a few feet now and my voyage would be at an end. I spring from my chariot and dash across the grass opening the gate with ease and making it inside as if I’d never left.

I was safe. I had my treasure, my Maiden was saved. I let out a deep sigh of relief hoping that no other would fail in such a similar quest. Hoping that the Trickster would be defied, and that 100% Stratusfaction would be delivered.
 

A new journey began on the 18th of February in the two thousand and sixth year of our lord. The Maiden had returned to the Island so Long. The journey was long and perilous across highways and parkways that would end at a cleverly hidden castle. Hidden within those high towering walls of stone, what some would call a shopping center, held the Maiden. After a wrong turn and circling for more then what should have been needed I arrived. Almost a full thirty minutes later then I expected!

Things had been carefully planned, timed, but everything had gone wrong. The moment I arrived I headed to the Trader. Prices had increased! But that did not matter, that would not prevent me from reaching my goal. I paid the scoundrels what they wanted and climbed the staircase to see what awaited. I stood and stared, a terrible feeling entered my stomach. So many where already there, hundreds, maybe even thousands awaited her arrival, what if there were more then she could handle.

I quickly took my place in line and watched the trolls that stood as guards. One was barking and snarling at another attendee about a camera he was using to take pictures of his children while two others watched on. Disgusting! Any other day I wouldn't hesitate to slay them, but today was not a day of violence, but instead, one for celebration. I would wait.

And wait I did. The remaining time passed. Then five minutes passed. Another ten. The Maiden was late! Fifteen went by and many were getting anxious. I could see the hunger in the eyes of those around me. As if the Gods could hear my silent swear, there was a roar from behind and I turned. There she was. Her small but proud frame entered, surrounded by Knights. Her blonde hair contrasted the blast leather jacket she wore to keep her safe from the bitterly cold wind blowing outside. Even at this distance she was beautiful.

As more people took notice, the cheering grew louder, and when she smiled and waved, the cheers became deafening. I realized that I was amongst those cheering, too caught up in the moment I smiled at myself and looked around some what embarrassed. No one noticed, everyone's eyes were on her, just like mine had been.

She sat and made herself comfortable. A poorly constructed wall blocked my view of her but it did not matter. I knew she was there now, nothing else mattered. Several minutes went by, the line did not move. What was going on! Unreal. I dared not look at my time piece in fear of what it might reveal, I instead focused on the objective ahead of me. The maze of ropes and tape I had to make my way through, this Labyrinth that stood between myself and Trish.

Too keep my mind off of going Diablo on the imps ahead of me, I looked down at the items I'd brought with me. Where they the right choices? I'd had known what to bring until moments before I left. Would I regret these choices? I hoped not. They would have to do, the choices the Traders below offered down below were no better.

We moved forward slowly. It seemed almost drone like. I watched the trolls that had taken up position around the Maiden hurry people along. People that had brought gifts and hopes for the Maiden. Their homage was surely appreciated, but the trolls did not care. They would not stop me, nor rush me. I would have my day with the Maiden, it had been overdue. Too long overdue some would say.

I did not want to look, but I had to now. So much time had seemed to go by and when I looked at my time piece my heart was broken. Nearly an hour had gone by since the Maiden arrived and I'd only made one turn in the maze. Another 3 turns. The one ahead was the shortest. If only I'd prepared, a few well placed spells would devastate those that separated me from her. I remind myself that most of those that stood before me were innocent and if I was worthy I would make it.

Another half an hour went by. I made two of the remaining three turns. I was half way to the last, if I could make that turn, nothing would stop me from reaching the Maiden. I would go Doom 3 on anyone that tried to stop me if I had to. Nervousness filled me as I approached the last corner, was within reach of it.

Fewer then a hundred people stood between us now, I could see her smiling. How easy it would be to cut threw them all. The troll guards would be the hardest to get through. I glanced at my time piece now, ready to do whatever it took. Fifteen minutes remained from what the advertisements had said. Would she leave or stay will everyone that came met her. I looked behind as I moved forward again. The line was as long as it was when I arrived. More had come to see the Maiden. Would we all be denied.

I watched as the minutes continued one. I knew I was close, I could feel the anticipation in my stomach when I could hear the sound of her voice from where I stood. The Gods had smiled on my this day, blessing me. When it was just me now I forgot everything. What was I supposed to say, what was I to do. The trolls took my items and places them before her. Another grunt for me to stand on the side while they used their magical device to capture our images together.

This was my chance, I had to say something. So I did. I said hello, told her who I was, where I was from. She smiled, but didn't recognize it right away.

Stupid! You should have abbreviated, I berated myself silently. When I corrected myself, told her Stratusfaction411 instead of 411 her eyes lit up with recognition. She was as happy to meet me as I was her. The compliments and the appreciation flowed from her in sweet words. I couldn't believe she was even asking for my help. She was amazing and I wanted to say more, talk to her more. But I knew there were others waiting and that she had some place else to be, as did I, only she had to get there there a lot sooner then I did.

I took my items she had signed, I smiled at her, she smiled back. I looked into her eyes, her into mine, I wished her good luck tonight... was that the right thing to do?... and said my good bye. She turned back to those that waited for her and I walked away, not looking back. She was everything everyone said she was and more, that's the last way I wanted to see her.