Whee, two chapters in one day! Jammie me :)This might be relatively short this chapter, I keep thinking of bits and bobs to add later XD And I'll keep updating whenever I have pieces of artwork to go along with the story.
The bright flash of the camera left spots circling in front of Vincenzio's eyes, making him blink and rub them childishly. His heavyweight belt was draped over his left shoulder, so that he could pose with his knockout inducing right fin, as he had done in his previous four victory photographs. When the photographer had cleared, the reporters rushed in, microphones at the ready and questions buzzing on their lips.
"Herty Herring. How does it feel to win the heavyweight boxing title for the fifth year running?" asked the bright red fish, his camera-fish eagerly pushing his way further forward to get the best shot.
"It feels great, it feels great!" replied Regis, the tatty looking puffer fish that was Vincenzio's manager. A coffee shade of brown all over, his fins were quite ravaged, earning him the nickname 'Ragtag Regis.' Vincenzio didn't even get a chance to answer questions whenever Regis was around, and he had a curious habit of saying things twice.
Herty pulled a face that pretty much said 'I asked him, not you.' The questions continued, with some as bizarre as 'Did you eat a special diet in training?' and 'I heard rumours that you worshipped an ancient shark god to bring you good luck today, is it true?' Vincenzio was glad for once that Regis answered these types of questions, and he was even more relieved when he called time on the interviews.
Vincenzio sighed heavily when they'd finally left the room, flopping onto the bench, his heavyweight belt across his stomach.
"You did good kid, you did good!" Regis beamed. "I knew I'd picked a winner with you. How does it feel to be a record-breaker?"
"It feels tiring," Vincenzio replied with a smile, his eyes half-open. Regis was too giddy to calm down for long, a trait that ran in his family, along with fast speech.
"Well, you can rest up for a few weeks then get back into training for next years match," Regis said optimistically. "One more win and you'll hold the world record for most heavyweight wins in a row."
"Rest for a few weeks? Regis, I have a pup on the way," Vincenzio leaned up a little.
"I know that. But think of how proud junior would be if you had that world record, you'll be part of history!" Regis swam in close and took hold of Vincenzio's cheeks, rattling his head a little as he spoke.
"Regis. Let go of me," Vincenzio stared at him. Regis quickly let go. "The last time you got that close, you blew up and got me right in the eye!" He looked about the changing room, the lockers a rusted shade of green, the interior a sickly shade of yellow. Only his belt glistened. He sighed.
"Yeah well, a sixth belt would be nice…but I'll have to wait and see. You know how Mona feels about this," Vincenzio said, a little more solemnly. He thought it was just the hormones that had brought out the worst in his wife over the past months, but it was certainly a side of her that he didn't like to see.
Regis was about to say something, but was interrupted as the referee knocked on the door and poked his serpentine head inside.
"Phone call for you Mr. Vincenzio, in the office," he hissed, a long 's' sound lingering on his tongue.
Vincenzio looked puzzled. He wasn't expecting a phone call, no less one here at the stadium. He entered the darkly lit office, a solitary desk light illuminating the phone and several folders. He picked it up.
"Hello?" was all he said before he grimaced and held the handset away from his head. Regis swam in, seeing Vincenzio shaking his head in a dazed way.
"Who is it, Vin?" he asked.
Vincenzio swallowed hard. "Hi Mona," he gritted his teeth in anticipation of another ear bashing, eyes flashing towards Regis. Regis understood everything then. He could hear the frenzied voice of Vincenzio's wife even from where he was floating.
Vincenzio was finding it hard to make out everything that was being screamed at him, but the little bits of information that he did get didn't make sense either.
"But…I didn't think you were due for another week yet…" Vincenzio replied in disbelief, and then surprise as his wife finished the call abruptly and hung up. He just stared at the handset for a few moments. The referee, who was on his way home when the phone rang, was still lurking by the door, attention rapt on the situation.
"Well? What was that all about?" Regis asked, agitated.
"I gotta go! I'm going to miss it!" Vincenzio hurried to the door, almost knocking over the snake.
"Miss what! What are you going to miss?" Regis shouted after him, watching Vincenzio's distinctively white tail move as fast as it possibly could. "And what about your belt?"
"I'll get it tomorrow! I gotta hurry, I don't wanna miss it!" and Vincenzio hurtled out of the stadium and into the deep blue.