ASK ME ANYTHING
As ReVival comes back from commercial, we join Angie Brooks and Ria Nightshade, sitting at a folding table. Angie has a tablet in her hands.
Angie: Hello PRIMEates and welcome back to ReVival! We put the call out to you on social media earlier this week, giving you the chance to ask Ria Nightshade any question you want! We had a tremendous amount of submissions. Ria’s been kind enough to join us so we can get as many questions answered as we can! Thanks for your time, Ria.
Ria: Yeah, sure, whatever.
Angie: Okay, let’s get started.
Angie taps away on the tablet before reading off the first question.
KTK80 asks: Hey Ria! Huge fan! Can you tell us the significance of your tattoos?
Ria: Damn, leading off with a deep one… So my left sleeve is about who I was. It’s about transitioning. There’s things I liked as I grew up; A Jason mask, a pair of hockey sticks, a Sega Genesis controller… There’s things that bothered me; a busted up beer can for my absent father, a question mark with the male symbol as the period, a colorless rainbow… It’s the past and who I was.
As Ria mentions the different objects, she points them out on her arm.
Ria: My right sleeve is one I’ve been working on of experiences since my transition. A small wrestling ring, a trans flag, a bottle of pills signifying both my struggle and my acceptance of my mental health issues… There’s more things I could list, but we only have so much time here. Good question!
MelBeauMGM asks: Do you want to hang out with my wife and I again? We could go to the park! Or out to eat! So many ideas for great friends like us.
Ria sighs in exasperation and rolls her eyes, shaking her head.
Ria: Melvin… You could’ve just asked me in person! This was supposed to be -you know what? Whatever. Yes Melvin, we’ll hang out again.
MortyKnonymous asks: Don’t you feel it’s shitty that Anna Daniels is being all selfish not wanting to help a fellow human guy out by not preventing something bad from happening in the past?
Ria: Couple things… My sis is awesome, not shitty. She hates most humans. I’m also pretty sure that would be some form of abuse of power. Sorry for your luck, mafia dude.
Ria NightSTAN asks: Hi I just wanted to know what your workout regiment is thank you for doing this!
Ria: Yeah, sure. I’d love to be a smartass and say I don’t work out, but since this is a legit question… 4 sets, 10 reps of 350 lbs on the leg press every other day. I squat 190 lbs for 10 reps on non-leg press days. Dumbbell curls and shoulder presses, more to keep tone than bulk up. I run 5 miles on the elliptical every day. I also do an hour of yoga every day.
SoleBrotherman696969 asks: I think I found your stiletto, I wanna make sure it’s yours. Is it?
Ria smirks.
Ria: Is it a size 9? Is it black? Is it leather? Does it have a 5 inch heel? If the answer to any of those is no, it’s not mine.
ShippingLordBartholomewIII asks: Hello! I started a subreddit all about our favorite ships in PRIME, on r/PRIMEShippingMaterial! We’re all big fans of RhineXBlueberry. So, I was wondering who your favorite ship in PRIME is! 😀 😀 😀
Ria: I dunno… BranDsay is funny to think about. DeanZer is a good one.
Angie: I’m partial to RiaZen myself.
Ria slowly turns her head to face Angie before she glares at the host.
Ria: You’re skating on thin ice, missy.
TheEn1gma asks: I know not of your political beliefs nor do I care. Admit, Ms. Nightshade, to the world at how you are perpetuating a conspiracy at the global level by changing your hair as a celebrity “endorser” to the hair coloring industry. What is in those hair coloring products? Neurotoxins? Mind altering hallucinogens? Or is it subliminal messaging for the uninformed masses to do thy bidding?
Ria raises an eyebrow and tilts her head for a second.
Ria: … It’s just hair dye, dude.
DefinitelyNotRoderickMcR asks: Have you ever considered buying a reverse mortgage, preferably from one handsome devil named Roderick McRatrick?
Ria: No, because I’m not 75 or a homeowner. I’m considering stabbing you if I happen to see you in the near future, though.
SwooshTheDouche asks: Who do you like in the Stanley Cup playoffs?
Ria’s eyes light up for a moment as she smiles slightly.
Ria: Colorado. I think they have the best balance at all 3 positions of the 4 teams left. I probably just jinxed them.
original_EMMJAYEFF says: As a woman in a male dominated sport, how do you cope with the additional hurdles and barriers put up against you when you’re kicking just as much ass, if not more, than everyone else around you?
Ria: Weird name. Glad your question showed up. Honestly, I’m not the right person to ask this question, since I don’t think I’ve kicked that much ass. Lindsay Troy or Anna Daniels would be better examples. Hell, Angie here or even Cally would be better suited to answer that.
I will say, when it comes to hurdles or barriers… I’m not exactly pragmatic most of the time. I’ll just try to smash through, even if it takes me a few tries. I’m stubborn, if nothing else.
Incontinent Carl asks: What is the appeal of goth culture? Seriously. I don’t get it.
Ria: Some of us are wired differently. We like the macabre, the dark, the ghastly. It just appeals to us. If you don’t get it, it’s not for you to get.
Bolambadore Crunchwrap Supreme asks: How would you apply a Juji Gatame, and if you do, what is the defense for an opponent? Do you know anybody that can help you learn these techniques locally that might be opening a gym in the near future?
Ria looks to Angie for a moment.
Ria: Juji Gatame… That’s a cross Armbreaker, right?
Angie: I believe so, yes.
Ria: Okay. So how would I apply a Juju Bean Gatame? Poorly. Submission wrestling isn’t really my forte. How to defend against it? That depends. I don’t mind fighting dirty, so I’ll rake eyes, bite fingers, whatever I have to do to escape. If you’re a bit more honorable than that… Do your best to lock your hands. Don’t let your opponent get your arm straight or you’re done. If possible, you can try to slide your free arm in-between their legs and actually put them on full guard. If you’re strong enough, you can lift them when your hands are locked and slam them down.
As for gyms… I know Timo is opening one soon. Lindsay Troy has a gym in the area. Another guy I’m familiar with, Nate Robideau, has a gym in the Vegas area. Quite a few to pick from.
Below Average Scott asks: Who are the influences that inspired your storied and impressive career? And what advice can you give to someone who has lost their way and looks up to you?
Ria: I wouldn’t call my career either of those things, but thanks. I dunno, I haven’t really had any. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years, but I’ve kinda always just done my own thing. I picked up stuff from people, sure, but that’s about it. Lately, there’s some people that might end up that way for me… But we’ll see. I guess my mother has always been an influence on my life as a whole.
Someone who lost their way and looks up to me… Tomorrow is always a chance to start over. Had a shitty day? Well tomorrow is a chance to put it behind you. Had a great day? Tomorrow is a chance to keep that positive momentum going. Tomorrow can be whatever you want to make it. Also, don’t look up to me. I’m a shitty role model.
DebSNS#1Fan asks: Hiiiiiii it’s meeeeee, Deb Warenstein! So like, what’s your favorite Urban Decay palette and eyeshadow shade and isn’t Sephora totes better than Ulta?
Ria: I like the Naked3 Eyeshadow palette since it has the father shades I prefer. I’m not terribly picky with my makeup, so if the eyeshadow is a dark shade, I’ll probably like it. Sephora or Ulta? Eh, whichever is having the better sales.
Hans Gruber4ever asks: Settle a spirited debate between a friend and I:. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie or are you a blithering idiot just like him? Hi Mark!
Ria: I’m not a blithering idiot like Mark because Die Hard is obviously a Christmas movie.
Craig Hamburgers asks: hello my name is craig hamburgers and i am a new fan of prime and I’m about to turn seven years old, what are your top three favorite pizza toppings thank you
Ria scoffs.
Ria: I refuse to believe that’s your last name. Anyway, I can’t be too nasty to a kid… I’ll give you my top 3 pizzas I like to have as an alternate. Extra cheese with pepperoni, Italian sausage with pineapple or a meat lovers. You can kiss the whitest part of my ass if you’re gonna bitch about pineapples on pizza.
TotallyNormal666 asks: Hey Ria, ur hot as shit. I know you ain’t preggo yet but when u r, can I have it?
Ria starts cackling. Even Angie has to stifle back a laugh. After a good 30 seconds, Ria finally composes herself.
Ria: Next question.
Little Louis Person asks: If you could be any animal in the jungle, what toppings would you prefer on your pizza?
Ria: What’s with the pizza questions?! Answer is bottle nosed dolphin.
brandeeblaze4daze asks: Like, this,is like amazing!!!?. ok, so rhea your a badass chik right? lolz u totarly r. ?. as a social media influencer I’m torn between 2 new makeup lines, maria la Fontaine or blazzenthap like which would you use an y?
Ria: Spelled my name wrong, but it’s cool. I’m not really familiar with either. I’ll say this; cruelty free is something I’m big on. If either donates any profits to a good cause, that’s cool too. Other than that, just whatever your preference is.
LilDeb269532 asks: do u know a good criminal defense lawyer?
Ria shrugs.
Ria: Shit, I dunno.. You’re better off asking Melvin that.
srslynotaberryboy asks: hi ria this isnt a question but i wanted to let you know that i think ur cool and appreciate you as a person i know sometimes u get down on yourself but plz know that there r people here whove got your back
ps – pls dont stab whoever is asking this question out loud
Angie slowly pans her eyes over to Ria, who gives her a sly smirk.
Ria: You’re safe.
The smile fades as Ria’s face grows dark. Slowly, she inhales and exhales.
Ria: People who have my back… It’s a nice thought. It’s too bad someone fucked that up for everyone else. You know the crappy thing about someone having your back? You begin to trust them, so you stop watching. Makes it that much easier for them to put the knife in! So you can go ahead and say you wouldn’t do that. You might even be genuine when saying it. I’m watching my own back again, just to be safe. My trust has been compromised and that’s a big damn deal to me! Thank The Asshole Luchador for that.
Ria roughly rips the clipped-on mic off her top, tossing the battery pack recklessly onto the table. She bolts to her feet, furiously pushing her chair out of the way as she storms off the makeshift set. Angie is left alone, a look of disappointment on her face as she can only shake her head.