October 13, Saturday, Carnegie women's dorms 6:29 am "Come on, papa, pick up already," she whispered desperately. "I don't have much time. My ride will be here soon." Her wishes were soon granted as she heard a relieving tone, and a groggy, hoarse voice greeting her with as much cheer as it could muster at this early hour. "Mmn, Nadia. Good morning...huuuah. Excuse me...whew." "I am so sorry, papa," she grinned, almost bursting with gladness. "This was the only time I could call you. We won't be having any phones at our hotels and I'm not allowed to take my cell phone." "All right, slow down there," he implored, grunting softly as he rubbed the sleepiness away. "Why are you even calling this early? You have not been partying too hard, I hope." "Well, sometimes," she admitted sheepishly, "but that's not what this is about. Ah...oh, darn." She glanced at her clock and noticed the lapse in time. "Urgh, I wish I had more time to explain, papa. Gosh, I...now that I think about it, we have so much to catch up on. I'm sorry I haven't been calling." "Yes," he said warily, "mother said you found a new girlfriend. She's not the one that's keeping you up all night, is she?" "No, papa, of course not. We're still in that beginning stage. You're as bad as Nana sometimes in your assumptions. Oh, darn it, now I'm really falling behind! Just listen, okay? Ow!" "Are you all right?" Nadia winced and gnashed her teeth. She had bumped her knee against an end table in her haste to get packed. She started cursing in English since she knew her father wouldn't understand. "[Damn all! Damn freak son of bitch!] Ohh, just bumped my knee, papa. Big game today." "Are you all right? Wait- don't tell me you stayed up all night worrying, Nadia. Your mother and I have told you before- " "No, that's not it. Ow! [Freaking ass-rape!] Ach...okay, I think I feel better. Listen, papa, I just called because I needed to hear your voice. We have a big game later today, and...I'm sorry I have never called you before. I'm so sorry; I've been very busy." "With the girlfriend?" "With everything," she sighed in resignation. Her knee didn't feel much better but now wasn't the time to worry about that. Nadia was already running late; she would have to make do with what she had already packed. Freya's Porche was in the driveway and she could hear Maria approaching the door (she knew it was Maria because her visitor wasn't nearly as graceful with her footsteps). "Papa, just listen," she continued. "I'm heading over to another town to play an away game. I'll be there all day and so we'll be staying at a hotel- I mean the other players and me. I had to call you because...it would mean the world to me if you and mama and everyone else would come and cheer for me." "All right, dear, we'll do that. Which town is it?" "The one with my other hero," she announced before hanging up. Not even an "I love you". Nadia felt terrible and hoped she could make up for it later that day. That is, if she could keep herself together that long. In this wide world People you're meant to meet can be seen Beyond the window, beyond the rainbow I think you're aware of them Take off that restrictive weight Let your feelings go Now keep your ears open and wait for that time Awaken now Cherish the little dream you've drawn in the vast sky If you do, you can always become happy It's certain, whoa whoa! "The Blood Bond" "And I thought I was supposed to be the pale one," Freya sighed as she observed poor Nadia trying to catch her breath. She offered a small cooler with chilled coffee, Red Bull, juice, and chocolate milk, and insisted her guest indulge. "Listen, Nadia," she resumed, "if you're having any problems, you know we'll be there to help you." "I have just being in large hurry this morning," she said, taking a moment to catch her breath before she drank the juice. "I needed to call papa. I wish we have been given okay for phones so I would not need to be so fast. Also hurt my knee a little." "Do you think you'll be able to play on it?" Nadia shrugged. Normally she would be a bundle of energy, despite the hour, but she was always like this before a game. Only a few people knew of how much she dreaded the pressure and the anticipation that built up before playoffs: how the knots in her belly would bundle together and wring out her courage until there was almost nothing left- until she felt ready to throw up and run away. Once the game itself started, of course, most of that went away, and her mind was cleared- but it was the calm, not the storm itself, that Nadia feared above anything else. "Waz not big bump. Will be fine for later. Still wish I could have said more with papa. Have not spoken with him for very long." "I know what you mean," Freya replied softly. "My family doesn't exactly keep in touch with me on most occasions. You know, living in Germany and whatnot. But I've heard they're all taking some time off to watch us play." "Really? How have you...uh, trick them into it?" "I told them it was our biggest game so far," she chuckled faintly. "It's the first time we're going against an undefeated team. I couldn't keep Ida away, of course, but Alita and Gauss are a little different. Um, they're my older sister and brother. Grandmutter Lutecia wouldn't be there, of course, but I've resigned myself to that." "I wish the elder mistress would act her age for once and support you," Shiki announced from the driver's seat. "Yes, well..." Freya smiled sadly as she trailed off. Nadia's curiosity was stoked. "You have been having problem with Nana?" "Oh, Grandmutter Lutecia sort of disowned me a long time ago," Freya replied skittishly. "She's more into Ida now. I think she hates me because I steal all of Ida's affections away!" "Not intentionally, I'm sure," Maria smirked. Freya laughed; Nadia was amazed. She wouldn't be able to live in a world without close contact with her family. She had one of those large, fun-loving Russian families that were very close, very proud, and very protective of each other. Going so long without calling her most immediate relatives was like depriving herself of food and water. "Maybe is good thing she is not there," she mused. "My Nana would make lovink eyes to her." "Oh, that wouldn't do!" Freya exclaimed. "My Grandmutter is very traditional...which is probably why she doesn't want anything to do with me. Ah, it seems like we're here. All right, everyone, thank you for taking the Araya-chan express!" "Please keep your hands firmly placed on the nearest woman's chest at all times!" Maria said, demonstrating the proper way to perform this action. Freya shrieked and Shiki reprimanded them for acting so lewdly in public. Nadia was starting to wish Elisa had ridden with them as well. "I didn't expect either of you to be here," said Miss Berkeley as she stiffly hugged her father. "Right, well..." He trailed off lazily and crossed his arms; family time appeared to be over now. Her mother was perched at a bench, content to read the paper without interacting. The three of them positioned themselves in a kind of loose triangle, all three points relative to each other but not necessarily affecting. It was as if they were only connected by an air-thin string- Elisa had known about this for awhile, ever since they told her the truth. "So," her father said after a few more minutes of quiet, "have you been making any friends? I hear you're getting into this sport now." "Oh yes, it's probably the best thing that's happened to me in a long while. I have actually made a few acquaintances: there's my roommate first, a darling young lady from Boston named Shannon. She's really the perfect person to live with, if you're someone like me." A bad joke, of course, one that even she didn't find amusing. "Robin and I have been getting along, too, and Fausta as well. She's still as spirited as ever. Um...and there's this new girl at Parody, too, though we really don't talk much. I'm, uh, especially close to a young Russian woman. We have...good communication." "Ah, so all that time you spent studying has been put to good use," her mother said, briefly looking up from her morning news. "Yes ma'am." She didn't tell them about Rain, though she wanted to. The two of them, as polar as they were in terms of...well, practically everything, had at least one thing in common. Elisa had never known her biological parents. "That's good," she said, before resuming her news. Elisa habitually dusted her clothes and was content to sit in the park and take it easy before the big game. Once she believed her parents were uncaring, emotionally abusive statues, little more than moving bodies one conversed with that sometimes threw her their attentions. It wasn't until much later in her life when she resigned herself to be content with this, for she knew theirs was a rough marriage, made all the rougher by the broken hopes that were stillborn before her time. This was normally as loving as they became, and she was smart enough to understand how really fortunate she was. Alice, poor dear, and Amy, bless her, had no families at all. Even so, she was filled with relief as Shannon came by at last, some bags of breakfast in her hands. Elisa had driven her over (in her small silly little Beetle) and now her roommate was repaying the debt. Introductions were made as Berkeley glanced at Shannon's family with more than a little envy. She understood by now that Mr. Threal was usually on the road and rarely saw his wife and daughter, and yet Shannon was closer to him. That did make a bit of sense, considering her tomboyish character: he was a trucker, heart and soul. He made it today, though, but only because he was passing through. He was still strong enough to carry her on his back, and even hauled her around for a few steps before attacking his breakfast. "It's too bad ya gotta stay on a diet, Shan," he said, brandishing a biscuit. "You an' I both, kid. I dunno how we're gonna keep this up. What's ya secret, rosy tush?" He slapped his wife's bottom, causing her to shriek. Elisa had never seen her adopted parents playing with each other, not even a hint. "I'll tell ya one thing, Ahnald, it ain't cuz' o' sittin' around in a truck all day. Why don't'cha try a treadmill every now and then?" "Or takin' up sports?" Shannon mumbled. She swallowed and wiped her mouth with her sleeve (Elisa preferred napkins). "Ha," he grunted, "I don't got time." "So, how long do you think you might be staying, Mr. Threal?" Elisa asked. "Mmm, not as long as I want," he said after giving it a moment's thought. "Iffit were up to me, now, it'd be somethin' like a yeah. Coas', the trucka's union already got their claws in me, but I'll stay as long as I can. Um, if ya don't mind my sayin', Miss, uh, Berkeley- you're a fine lady, I think, and I was wonderin' if..." "Oh, daddy, honestly!! Not this again!" He made a face and shrugged as he resumed eating. Elisa blinked. "If what, sir?" "Ah, nothin'," he grunted. "Jussat Shannon heah needs to be moah like a lady now that she's growin' up." She threw her muffin wrapper at him and he flinched. "Hey, I didn't say I didn't love ya, sugah pie! You're a saint and an example to women everywheah! I wish they was all this good!" "Wouldn't that be something," his wife muttered. "I just wish somebody'd teach her what it's like to be a lady. I'm not sayin' you should put her in dresses or make her walk with books on her head- just some poise and dignity. Feminine wiles and all that. I feel like it's my fault sometimes she's like this." "Wasn't my doing," his wife muttered again. Elisa sighed maturely. "You and I have something in common, Mr. Threal. We both love Shannon exactly the way she is and would not want her to change. And I know it is not your choice, sir, but if you would just spend a bit more time with her, I think you'll find she's an astounding lady in her own right." "I think sending her to this school was the right idea," Elisa's father said to her mother. "She's grown quite well, and she's certainly more outspoken." "Yes. Oh, here comes another one, I think. Elisa, did you ask another one of your friends to meet us here in the park?" Elisa froze solid as she suddenly remembered that she did. What would her parents think- or Shannon's, for that matter- when they saw this spectacle unfolding before them? It was Nadia. - Rain Howlet, Hair/eye color: dirty blonde, bluish-grey, defensive midfielder- Because the game wouldn't start for a few more hours, the girls' families were able to spend some time with them- some, admittedly, more in need of it than others. Alice didn't know whether to feel relieved or depressed when no one came for her; she couldn't help but feel envious when Nadia's family arrived and practically suffocated her. She even got to see Kasumi's mother and younger brother, who didn't usually attend her games. The family had been divorced for most of Kasumi's life and so it made sense that half of it would not be in attendance; Kasumi tried hard not to let her anger show as she gave her mother a stiff hug. "You look pretty good," Diana offered. "You're starting to have a healthy glow on your skin, and it looks like you've put on a little more weight." "My life's changed," she mumbled. "I live somewhere else now." "I know, your father told me that. I never did like that ramshackle old place he picked out...but I guess he couldn't get any better on his salary." "Things are getting better for him," she replied numbly. Her father came by later, smiling, and Kasumi's mood lifted considerably. Even Kasumi's strained relationship with her mother would be better than two people who have cut off all ties to you; Alice could only wish things were that good for her. Of course, she had to count herself lucky: at least her father didn't harass her like Felicity's, or annoy and frustrate her like Terra's. Vu and Lien Tu were predictably absent, to Terra's great relief, but in their place was her younger sister, Mai, who could almost pass as a twin. "She very cute too," Nadia commented. "I wish I knowing what iz like for brother and sister." "Overrated," Lauren grumbled. Her family was completely absent, once again taking custody of her helpless brother. Amy was probably the most miserable at all, though, since all of her close relatives had been killed, and she didn't know if it would be wise to attach herself to Felicity, since her father was bearing down on her. "You're looking well," he said curtly. "School isn't too easy for you, I presume." "Oh no, every day is a challenge," she smirked. Samuel was a little surprised to see her smiling so easily; normally she just hung her head and listened without any reaction. Felicity's life had turned around and he was too focused on something insignificant to notice. "What about the team, or the coach? They haven't been holding you back, have they?" "Not at all. I've actually made a lot of new friends here." "Friends come and go," he replied coldly. "I don't want you spending too much time around them. Take advantage of whatever you can and concentrate on your own development." "That's not a very nice thing to say," she muttered. Samuel suddenly flared up and almost struck her. "I am going to pretend I did not hear you say that, young lady, but next time, show some prudence and respect towards me." "Sure," she said lamely. "Father, may I change the subject for a moment, please? I have a request for you." He frowned and crossed his arms. Why was his daughter being so forward and laid-back all of a sudden? He was beginning to wonder that maybe, taking her to Carnegie might not have been such a great idea. She was losing focus and becoming frivolous. "Hmph, all right. What is it?" She folded her hands, cleared her throat, and stood straight, wanting to sound as mature and professional as she could. One thing a strict upbringing affords is the ability to perform graciously for one's elders and superiors. "Father, I'm nineteen years old, and I'll be twenty in nine months. I'm an adult now, and I feel it's time that I make my own choices in life. I know that sometimes I don't always live up to your expectations, but I do try. What I want to ask you is...do you think it would be possible for me to see mother?" "No," he stated almost immediately. "You're near the end of the autumn season and you don't need any distractions. You'll get a Christmas card from her over the holidays, but spring and summer are when you need to focus." "Father, I don't think soccer is more important than my mother." Incensed, he stormed up to her, glaring eye to eye, ready to raise his fist. He wouldn't, of course- not with all these people around- but he was very close, and he knew the fear of force was worse than the force itself. "I asked you not to speak to me that way. You may be an adult but I am still your father." Felicity was frightened, to be honest, and certainly would've backed down a few weeks ago. It was incorrect to say she had any more courage than before; she just had that much less fear. "I know, but I'm not asking for a lot. If you're going to get angry and hit me, then go ahead. Prove whatever point you're trying to make. I still want to see her." If looks could kill, or at least smolder, Felicity would have been a puddle of goo by now. Flames were very nearly shooting out of Samuel's eyes, and he was shaking with rage. The fact that he could control his anger to an extent (and was too proud to resort to violence) was Felicity's saving grace. "We'll see," he snarled quietly. "But for right now, I want you to concentrate on this game. St. Thekla's is an easy opponent but for their goalie. They say she's perfect, so I expect you to rise to this challenge." "Oh, don't you worry about that, father," she beamed. "We're going to break that wall even if we have to do it brick by brick." "You're going to break it," he emphasized. Felicity merely shrugged, as if to say, "maybe". No matter what kind of a man her father was, or what restrictions he placed on her, he was still her father, and she wanted to make him proud. Just not at the expense of her other interests. The strangest thing yet happened shortly before Leena arrived to check on everyone. Her own parents obviously couldn't make it, but she had seen them recently and so didn't feel quite so left out. Kathlyn's brother was there on one of his rare days away from work, still amazed at who his in-law was, and how much his older sister had progressed since those dark days of her youth. Lauren was hiding out with them too, glum despite her professed hatred of her family, and Amy soon joined them, feeling lonely without Felicity. She wanted to be by her side, but now was not the time: why, if Samuel Velur knew his daughter was a lesbian, violence would be the least of her concerns. But onto the peculiarities. A middle-aged Frenchwoman strolled into the crowd, waved to Fleur, and took her in her arms. Fleur kissed her cheeks and, for a moment, almost looked like she had a heart. Her face glowed with love and her eyes flickered in fascination, and she even smiled. This was clearly Fleur's mother and the only person in the world she genuinely loved and cared for. "Ah, so she does have a heart after all," Fausta noticed. "And here I thought she was a homunculus." "Who?" Fausta's parents had flown in from Italy, taking her older brothers with them. They were all on business but decided to stop by and witness this potentially monumental game. The youngest Nazario of the five pointed to Fleur. "That one. Normally she's something of a black widow. I guess even a glacier can have a warm side now and then." She made a face and rubbed her bad shoulder; Alonza Nazario noticed it and clucked his tongue. "You're still pushing yourself, aren't you? We have told you before it's that recklessness of yours that will cause you the greatest suffering." "Better to burn out than fade away," she grunted, trying to ignore the brief, fiery stabs of pain. Fausta knew it would go away eventually; the spasms weren't agonizing so much as frustrating. She never could predict when they would strike. "Let me introduce you to Elisa...and I suppose I had better show you who Terra is, too." Terra heard this and tore away from chatting with Mai. "Uh-oh, here comes trouble," she mumbled. Fausta looked unusually peaceful today- and rather beautiful, admittedly- Terra was paralyzed momentarily as her coworker made introductions. "They don't speak good English, so if you have anything to say, make it simple." The spell was soon broken. Same old Fausta. "Hello," she said, bowing slightly. "I'm...just her coworker. Um, and her teammate, too." "She's humble, but very cute," Fausta translated with a smirk. "Also very unpredictable. One minute she's a mouse, and the next, a tigress." "We really wish you could just find a nice man to settle down with," her mother sighed. "Why do you feel the need to embarrass us with this...infatuation with other girls?" "It's just who I am," she grunted as she rotated her bad shoulder. The pain was awful but it gave her sharp clarity. She said to Terra, "They're very happy to meet you. They were wondering if you could marry one of my brothers." "You liar!" she blurted, as Mai laughed out loud. - Elisa Berkeley, Parents: George and Nell Berkeley (adopted), left midfielder/reserve- Rumor had it that before she entered into her prestigious soccer career, Shannon Wilson was a kindhearted but slightly spoiled socialite, the kind of person who could look down her nose at most of the world and find solace only in the company of people like Valencia or Freya. She had had little athletic skill or interest, and viewed sports with the same stiff indifference the majority of her fortunate brethren did. More interestingly, though, she was among the last students of the ill-fated Canaan Academy, supposedly a woman of exceptional talents, and had only recently been transferred to St. Thekla's. Videos of her past performances were widely available for those who disbelieved the claims. "Incredible," Randy Beckett whistled as he watched one. As always, Freya was prepared, and had brought a laptop so that everyone could watch and take some last-minute pointers. St. Thekla's seemed like your everyday mediocre team, and they certainly played unexceptionally, but Wilson was a miracle. No matter how fast the ball came at her, or at what angle, she always managed to catch it dead on. Usually she moved to a certain spot well before the ball came and simply waited, almost as if she could read into the future, and tell exactly where it would go. She caught a total of fifteen balls in one video and eight in the next. "Not just incredible," he muttered- "magnificent! So this is what you're going up against. Does your coach have a strategy?" "If she does, she hasn't shared it with us yet," Kasumi replied emptily. Freya ran a third video while the Becketts moved away to think about what they had seen. "You know, dad," Kasumi said, "I was actually worried a little about this game, but my mind's just not on it. I dunno, maybe I feel like if I think about it too much, I'll just worry myself to death." "That's a good way to look at things. A clear mind ensures greater victory, I always say." "Mm-hmm. I've actually been thinking about you and mom." "Getting back together?" he chuckled. "No, that won't work out. We had a great thing while it lasted but I just can't provide for her anymore." "That's not what I meant," she said, although deep in her heart she wanted it quite badly. "I mean, I've been thinking about mom, and about what I...put in that letter." "Which one?" "You know," she mumbled. "About my...thing. You haven't mentioned it at all." "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, princess," he chuckled. "You're gonna have to be more specific than that." "That...thing in the letter," she emphasized. This was getting her nowhere. Was her father teasing her, playing dumb, or did he honestly not know? Kasumi knew it had to come out in the open, but she was afraid of saying it. "You know," she sighed. "That thing about me being..." Her father still looked confused, so she decided to just come out and say it. "Uh...gay and stuff. Didn't you get that?" "I got it. So? What about it?" "What do you think?" she murmured. "I mean, I'm just asking because...I think I might be a little afraid. That's part of the reason mom left." "No, honey," he said, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We got divorced for many reasons, but your mother's sexuality had nothing to do with it. Trust me." "Then what for?" she grunted, feeling angry and abandoned all of a sudden. "Well, your brother Charlie set us back with his hospital bills, remember, and we were forced to move to a rough neighborhood. Your mother and I spent a lot of restless nights trying to come up with a way to keep the ship afloat, but...when I got fired from the CIA, it was almost impossible. We knew we couldn't keep our marriage together under those circumstances, so we separated." "You mean you divorced." Randy bit down on his lip. "Yeah. And I know that hurt you, but...it was the only thing we could've done at the time. Listen, Kasumi, no matter what you might think, it wasn't because your mother came out about something or that she left you." "So, what, should I be mad at Charlie now?" Randy sighed, feeling defeated. Kasumi knew she had crossed a line and hastily apologized; she was just feeling emotional. "No, don't worry about it. You have every right to be angry. We old people can be selfish sometimes. And I really don't have anything wrong with you being gay, Kasumi. All I care about is you getting a better life than we did." Kasumi offered a watery smile as they hugged; she kissed him on the cheek and wiped her eyes. "Thanks, dad. That's a real load off my mind. If that's your answer, maybe I should introduce you to Valencia." "Anyway, Felix sends his love, and that's better than nothing, I suppose. So which one is Kasumi?" Marina Durante stood on her toes and peered through the crowd. Knowing her sister, her new love interest would be tall, dark, gorgeous, energetic, seductive, and fun. Kasumi was a Japanese name, so logic entailed she would be of that region. She saw two Asian girls and pointed to the tallest one, a gloomy and quiet woman dressed like she came from the bargain bin. "Ugh, please don't tell me that's her." "No, stupid, that's Amy. And don't judge her by what she's wearing. She's a good person." "All right. What about that short girl over there?" "That's Terra. Come on, you know me." "Right, sorry. What about...her, over there?" "Who, Fausta?" Valencia paused for a moment as she considered something that had been in her mind for awhile. She definitely liked Kasumi, but Fausta was really closer to her type. Not only did she match all the physical and emotional traits Valencia sought out, but she was very fashion-conscience and intelligent as well. The two of them only spoke on occasion, and yet Valencia felt more comfortable around her than anyone else (except for Marina, obviously). Of course, she wasn't so shallow as to leave one woman for another, but...maybe Kasumi could be talked into having a threesome. Eventually. "Sorry," she grinned, "but that's a good guess. Kasumi's the one over there." "Her?" Marina winced as she saw the silver streak. "She's not Japanese! She's not even Asian." "I didn't say she was, Moron-a. But yeah, that's her. She's a little shy sometimes, but she's got this really sexy smile- and you should see her abs!" "I'm sure that's all you look at while you shower together," Marina smirked. "Actually," Valencia announced proudly, "she does have very beautiful fingers, and her bare feet are really cute." She rolled her eyes. "Ass. Let me see her. Santa Maria, if mama and papa knew you had a girlfriend, they'd be speechless, and not in a good way. You should be so lucky to have me as a confidante." "I know, especially since I never told them about how you aren't a virgin!" The Durante sisters walked up to Kasumi as she was chatting with her father and politely interrupted her. Nadia also made introductions for her parents' sake (they loved Elisa as much as Svetlana had), but was pulled aside for a moment by Felicity, of all people. "Come with me for a second," she asked. "I have to prove to my father I'm actually making friends. He doesn't believe me." Nadia blushed and felt her stomach flip a little as she followed her. Not a teammate. Not a coworker. A friend. Whatever anxiety she had been struggling with earlier was long gone by now. Good thing, too: the fated hour was soon upon them. Farewells were understandably brief prior to battle.
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