July 29th, Saturday, Greendale Apartments
3:05 pm
"I'm very glad to hear you've finally settled in. Tell me
about the place."
"It's...pretty calm here. It's far away from my old school,
so the rumors won't follow me. Nobody will know who I am here. I'll be
a complete stranger. It's going to be nice."
"Hmm, that should help you recover well. What about the
surrounding area? Is it full of life? Are there many colors? Are you
in a place where you can conveniently get to places?"
"Yes, it's a very nice apartment. It's called 'Greendale'.
There are lots of trees, and it's very quiet, and there's even a flower
garden I can walk in. The landlord here is very nice. He just leaves
me in peace. Nobody disturbs me."
"I see. Well, you finally seem to have some organization in
your life. Uh, the main reason I called is that I've had this idea that
might help in your therapy. If you're open to it, I was thinking that
you could try out for some kind of sports team."
She stood perfectly still, breathing carefully, eyes wide
open and glassy, the phone cradled in her hand. The idea of interacting
with people again, after what she did, was as far removed as her old
life. She chewed on her lips, hissing softly.
Misanthropic lone wolf, isolated world that cries
Cynical and estranged, left alone with her festering madness
Desire bore pursuit, now her work might bear fruit
Alice Hawthorne
"No. I don't think that would be a good idea. I'd have to
pass a drug test, see, and the medication... Besides, you know, being
in a group like that, with my condition... And I've have to take it
every day. They'd never let me pass."
"I can make the arrangements. Several friends of mine have
recommended it to their patients, and they've all progressed. I can
talk it over with somebody if you're willing to meet me halfway."
"But IT might happen again. I want to, sir, but I can't."
"If you really want something, Alice, you can have it, but
you have to work for it. Playing a sport would be very healthy for you.
It's great exercise, and it'll help you regain trust in others. I can't
force you, of course, but it's my professional opinion that your therapy
could benefit from this. I hear Carnegie's trying to implement a soccer
program. You could get in on that. Think about it, okay? Keep in
touch."
Alice hung up, pursing her lips, chewing on a nail. There
was no way she would do that--no way she could. A freak like her didn't
belong in normal human society. She took a deep breath and, chewing her
lip until blood spurted out, she touched her bare wall, leaving a
crimson kiss.
"Like blood...amidst the purity..."
You complete my fate
The world unwinds inside of me
You complete my fate
The halo crawls away
You repeat my fate
Rewinding all we can
You refill my place
You refill my place
Come and save me
Come and save me
You complete my fate
The heavens stroll inside of me
You repeat my fate
Revealing who we are
You refill my place
You refill my place
Come and save me
Believe in me
Drink the wine
Take my hand
Fill me up
Believe in me
Drink the wine
Take my hand
Let me follow
"Take Me Under Your Wing"
Despite Tuesday's poor turnout, word had indeed spread about
the new soccer team being started at the fledgling college--it just took
some time to proliferate. Gardenia, Robin, and even Odessa were doing
everything they could to plug the new sport; the players already
accepted were encouraged to tell their friends, and those on the board
of directors informed contributors and families that had helped them get
ahead, weaving promises and hopes for the young. Chairman Fitzgerald
was helpless to stop it once word started to spread; all he could do was
hope that someone would make a huge blunder. He had respect for
Rosewood and her ideals, but she had taken the wind out of his sails by
suggesting such an uncouth way to spend the budget. He cursed those
"wishy-washy" members of the board and their susceptibility to idyllic
euphemisms, but they had spoken and he was powerless, for the moment, to
take it back.
One individual who had answered the seductive call of the
sport had worked until the wee hours of the morning assembling a
presentation on why she would make a good candidate. She had been one
of the first to really hear about it, having picked up the information
while the board was still debating the use of their budget, several
weeks earlier. She kept careful tabs on their decisions as they went
back and forth, and after it was confirmed that Carnegie would have a
soccer team and not a music class, she went straight to work (being the
adaptable type). By the time she received one of Kathlyn's fliers, she
had nearly organized the entire team herself--all on paper, of
course--and planned to go visit the field the first chance she got. Of
course, staying up all night to finish her work took its toll, and she
spent all of the morning and part of the afternoon in bed. She came
down with a mild cold and was instructed not to leave the house, but
thankfully got over it in time to be there on day two.
Most students walked, took their bikes, rode public
transport, or drove cars they were "borrowing" from their parents; she
had a personal maid chauffer her to the field in a silver Porche 997.
She was still recovering from her illness, so the maid had to move her
around in a wheelchair, which she was quite happy to do. Another woman
jumped out of the car, frisky and very fashion-conscious, pulling
custom-made designer sunglasses over her eyes as she went ahead of the
other two, drinking in everything around her.
"It's a gorgeous day," noticed the woman in the wheelchair.
"Yes, it is," the maid said. "Maria, take those things off
and start looking. It's not that bright out."
"I can see just fine, Araya-chan," she replied smarmily.
She jerked her thumb and placed a hand on her hip, looking very full of
herself. "See, they're over there. That must be Coach PK."
"Parkin-Katajisto," the maid sighed. "Get it right."
"But that's such a mouthful. 'PK' is much nicer."
"It is a little breezy, though," the third woman said,
paying no attention to their squabbling. She punctuated this very
nicely by adding, "Oh, I'm sorry, were you two saying something? I
honestly couldn't hear a word you said. Shall we quit wasting time and
proceed?"
"I'm ready to go whenever you are!" Maria exclaimed.
"Araya-chan here is the one holding us up."
"Quit calling me that," she grumbled as she rolled her
mistress onto the grassy field. It was cut so meticulously that even a
wheelchair could get through, but the maid was still concerned. "I'm
not jostling you too much, am I?"
"No, Shiki," she smiled. "You know I love it when you push
me."
"Yes, ma'am!" she giggled brightly. Maria rolled her eyes.
"She's not the only woman you push around! Oh, hey, I guess
we're not the first ones here. There are already a few women...and it
looks like two are having a spat!" Maria ran over to satiate her
curiosity, leaving Shiki Araya and her mistress to follow at a more
prudent pace.
"Somebody's full of energy," the maid commented. "Maybe she
should join the team as well."
"You're more suited for that!" the mistress giggled. Shiki
smiled warmly and curled her finger around her lady's silky golden hair.
"My place is by your side." As they drew closer, they
couldn't help but overhear the conversation several of the players were
having. Discerning the coach was quite easy: she looked older than
everyone, although not necessarily old, and she also had a take-charge
glint in her eye that made her stand out.
"There's nothing wrong with seeing who your future teammates
are," said a woman about Shiki's age. "It's all for reference, Leena.
I just want to see what I have to work with."
"You mean who you have to work with," the coach corrected.
She smiled craftily and turned to face a middle-aged man. "You know, I
think I have just the volunteers you need." Shiki watched as he clapped
his hands, smiling broadly as the girl was dragged over to him. The
coach--Leena Parkin-Katajisto, she assumed--also summoned a player who
was doing some warm-up stretches, and requested that she go with him.
After a minimal debate which Shiki couldn't hear, the girl gave up and
got into the man's car, and soon it was off on the horizon.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Arthur," the coach
sighed. Another woman sensed that they had visitors, and approached
Maria with a friendly smile.
"Uh, hey there! I hope you didn't overhear any of that.
We're just trying to, uh...pick up someone that'll be a little late.
You did come to try out, right?"
"Oh no, not me!" Maria laughed. She stared intently at the
older woman, studying her height, weight, mass, and proportions, which
made Kathlyn quite uncomfortable. "Mmm, you'd be perfect for me," she
purred.
"Err, uh, no thanks!" she blurted. "I'm sort of spoken
for!"
"Not like that!" Maria chuckled, "Although you are really
cute. I mean as a model."
"Oh. Well, uh, okay... So if you're not here to try out,
then why are you here?"
"Support," she replied, pointing over to the woman in a
wheelchair. "Also, I can't leave those two alone for very long! They
may not look like it, but they actually act like nympho rabbits!"
"Be quiet, Maria!" shouted a woman in a maid outfit. Maria
stuck her tongue out.
"But I'm right, aren't I? You and the little princess go at
it night and day!"
"You're describing yourself, baka!"
"My, isn't it pretty today!" exclaimed the handicapped lady
as she rolled ahead, oblivious to her companions. "This has got to be
one of the most gorgeous days I've ever seen! But isn't it breezy?
There certainly is a lot of HOT AIR around here!" She reached her hand
out for Kathlyn to shake; the other woman stoop gaping as she tried
wrapping her mind around the kind of bizarre relationship these three
women had.
"N-nice to meet you," she murmured.
"And a great pleasure to meet you, liebkind!"
A frail genius, a phenomenal star doomed to burn out
A woman who faces her grim destiny without flinching
Two lovers eternally by her side, utterly devoted
Freya von Hohenheim
"Hohenheim?" Kathlyn repeated. She smirked and said, "Like
the guy from Full Metal Alchemist?"
"No. I get that a lot," Freya giggled. She had a
discernable German accent that seemed to naturally go along with her
personality. "If you please, these are my best friends and companions,
and they'd like to help out with the team. On my right is Maria
Maethers, an excellent fashion designer, and behind me is Araya Shiki,
my personal maid and bodyguard."
"We've met," Maria chuckled as she shook Kathlyn's hands.
Shiki settled on bowing.
"The pleasure is mine. You would not happen to be Coach
Parkin-Katajisto, would you?"
"It's Leena," said the older blonde woman they had spotted
before, turning to face them. "Just Leena, if you don't mind. My last
name got too difficult for most people in this country to pronounce, so
I just settled on my first name. Really, I don't mind."
"See?" Maria grinned, poking Shiki in the side. "Even she
agrees her name is too complicated!"
"All right, fine. Stop pestering me."
"You love it!" she gushed, tackling Shiki and groping her
breasts. The maid blushed and slapped her away; Freya purred and
decided to tease her maid as well.
"She definitely likes being poked, Maria! I should tell you
about some of her more sensitive areas one of these days!"
"My lady, please! Not in public!" Freya blinked in
amazement as she realized the coach and her assistant were listening in
on their playful banter. Throats were cleared and apologies were
quickly made.
"So, um, how can I help you, Frau Hohenheim?"
"Oh, yes, that's right! I came here for a reason! Somebody
must've been distracting me!"
"Don't look at me," Maria and Shiki protested. Freya glared
coolly before resuming.
"Ahem, yes. I came here to apply for the football team. I
already brought some ideas with me, so if you'd be kind enough to look
over them and tell me what you think..."
"Ideas?" Leena said. She looked down at Freya's wheelchair,
then at Freya herself, concluding that there was no way this young lady
was seriously considering being part of the team.
"Oh yes. I was only able to create fifty or so before the
deadline, but I hope they'll go over well. Maria and Shiki were a
phenomenal help."
"Um, listen," Kathlyn said gently, "it's not that we're
ungrateful. We're very happy that you decided to sign up for our team.
It's just that...well, how do I put this?"
"We're not sure if you can handle the physical stress,"
Leena stated bluntly. Freya's face lit up and she grinned, signaling to
her companions. With their assistance, she was able to get out of her
wheelchair, though her legs were a little wobbly.
"I just got over an illness, so I'm not as strong as I
usually am. But I assure you, I can walk perfectly well under normal
circumstances."
"That's not what I meant," Leena said, but Freya interrupted
her again.
"Oh, I know. I'm hardly the physical specimen you are, Frau
Leena. I didn't mean I'd join the team. What I want to become is its
manager!!"
--Freya von Hohenheim, 18, Computer animation major, team manager--
"...and thus concludes my five basic strategies for team
victory under any circumstance. This is just a generic model, of
course, and since I don't know the exact stats of the other players, it
is subject to some change. These, however, are the basic principles
behind my theorem. Since I'll be running for Vice-President of the
student body, I may not always be here to offer my advice, so this will
fill in the blanks. Now if you'll allow me to present Maria's ideas
about team uniforms, we'll move right along."
"No thank you," Leena managed, feeling overwhelmed. She
didn't think Freya was serious when she proposed fifty ideas for the new
soccer team, but the young lady proved her wrong, and announced every
one until Leena couldn't take anymore. She had lasted all the way up to
#9. "All right, you've convinced me. You'll make a fine manager.
I'm...assuming your two friends will also be involved."
"Oh yes, quite," Freya replied. "They contributed several
ideas, so it's only fair that they get to take part in this. Would you
like to hear them?"
"Maybe another time!" she blurted frightfully. Freya was a
little scary; she went into great detail about her thoughts, and had
obviously obsessed over most of them for days on end. If only a few of
the other players were that serious!
"Well, all right," she murmured, stuffing her ideas back in
their portfolio. She felt a little weak, so she climbed back into her
wheelchair and took a place next to Kathlyn (who was still a little wary
of Maria). Unfortunately, since Freya's "presentation" ate up a lot of
time, Leena couldn't possibly devote much of her attention to the other
ladies. They all performed well enough, but none of them really stood
out to her--none, that is, except for one woman who showed excellent
martial arts skills. Terra had brought her in and introduced her to
Leena, who gave her a chance to prove herself. The woman's name was Amy
Nguyen, and as awkward as she was around people--the poor thing
stuttered and grunted--she was in great shape, and Leena felt that such
skills would be useful. Amy blushed as Leena announced she had made the
cut, and Terra gave her new friend a heartfelt congratulations.
It wasn't entirely fair to say that only one person had
drawn Leena's attention. There was another girl there who impressed
her, taking long, upfield passes that was not unlike an outlet pass in
basketball. She was certainly forceful and persistent, at least as much
as Fausta--she even played the same position. Leena could tell she was
a solid, experienced player, and wanted to include her, but feared that
a violent rivalry would spring up between the two girls. She nearly
considered cutting one of them, but then she noticed how defensive the
woman was about the other applicants: how she looked after them, cared
for them, and called unfair plays whenever one of them was slighted.
That sporting attitude made Leena reconsider, and she wondered if it
would ever rub off on Fausta. Only one way to find out.
A good ol' gal from Boston, a tomboy raised by a trucker
A loyal soul who's not afraid to duke it out and defend her team
A daddy's girl and a sports fan, rough-and-tumble princess
Shannon Threal
"That wasn't half bad, huh Coach?!" she exclaimed
breathlessly, shining beautifully in the late afternoon light. Leena
shook her head warmly.
"You were actually quite impressive. I admire your
sportsmanship...uh, or is it sportswomanship? However, I'm going to be
relying on you to guide some of the less experienced girls, and I may
call on you to settle arguments if necessary. Are you capable of doing
that?"
"I've nevah been one for diplomacy, Coach," Shannon replied
honestly. She held up her fists proudly. "Usually I just settle my
fights with these babies. But if it means gettin' to be on the team, I
could prob'ly just hollah real loud. Would that work?"
"As long as you don't start any fights," Leena answered.
Shannon grinned and rammed her fist into her palm.
"Awesome! I'll do my best! So when do I get to meet the
othas?"
"Soon enough. We have eight so far; we'll need three more
at least. Well, at the rate we're going, we may yet find them all
before Wednesday."
"Uh, what happens on Wednesday?" Leena smiled tightly and
closed her notebook.
"Classes start." Shannon turned pale.
"Oh. Uh, maybe this ain't the best time for it, but I nevah
was good at school work. Not good, at least."
"That shouldn't be a problem," she murmured, eyeing Freya as
she introduced herself and her crew to Amy and Terra. Shannon grinned
and slapped Leena on the shoulder.
"Well, if you say so, Coach. Thanks for puttin' me in!"
"My pleasure. Now if only that man would hurry up," she
sighed to herself--"or at least keep in touch. You'd think he would
know how a cell phone works!"
--Alice Hawthorne, 23, Neurochemistry major, no position--
"So now comes the hard part. You've gotta decide, Miss
Beckett. We only have a week left to recruit a full team." Kasumi
looked into her father's eyes, searching for his approval, or at least
his opinion. This had been her greatest dream for as long as she could
remember, but now she hesitated, worried what her father would do if she
left him. He didn't answer her, because he didn't want her decision to
hinge on what he wanted: this was all about his daughter, and what she
believed to be the right course of action. Kasumi gradually began to
understand her father's heart the deeper she peered into his eyes, until
finally she released a warm, uncertain smile, and took a breath that
sealed her fate.
"I'm sorry about lashing out earlier. You don't know how
much your offer means to me. It would be...a dream come true for me to
go to college and play soccer. Really...thank you." Warren sighed with
relief; the hard part was over.
"Don't thank me, Miss Beckett: I just came here to talk you
into it. If you wanna show your gratitude, go see the Coach or the
Dean. They're the instigators, not me. Welp, Randy, looks like you'll
be short a daughter. Think you can manage?"
"Oh, don't you worry about me," he chuckled. "This old
guy's got plenty of fight left in him. Kasumi's the only one that
matters now. When are you planning on leaving?"
"A-sap," he grunted as he stood up. "I'll go warm the car
up and notify the Coach. Girls, you help the newcomer pack up."
"What?!" Felicity shrieked. "Why are you giving us the hard
job?"
"That's unfair of you," Fausta snorted. "If you were any
gentleman, you'd give us a hand."
"So're you saying you want me raiding through a young
woman's possessions? I'm trying to spare the newbie some embarrassment.
Besides, this'll give you time to get acquainted! Ugh, young people
just don't think anymore..."
"Ass!!" Fausta roared as Warren slipped outside. She threw
her shoe at the door, and retrieved it stuffily. "I hope you don't have
anything heavy, bambina! Let's get moving!" She stormed off to
Kasumi's room, leaving her alone with her father and Felicity. Velur
blew out some steam and glanced up at the taller woman.
"Uh, I'm pretty sure nobody else on the team is as bad as
she is. I'm Felicity, by the way. The ghibli you saw is Fausta." They
shook hands.
"Mmn, you already know my name. Dad, do you think you
could..."
"Just show me what to lift!" he exclaimed cheerfully,
flexing his biceps. Kasumi giggled softly and led the way, weathering
the worst of Nazario's curses.
While the girls were busy packing what few belongings Kasumi
owned (including the old X-Box system her father had bought for when she
moved out), Arthur was taking what he believed to be a well-deserved
rest. In all honesty, he could have helped them with moving, but...nah,
that wasn't his thing. He chuckled slyly and dug for his cell phone,
but grumbled as he saw how depleted its reserves were.
"Ach, damned battery. Of all the times! And of course,
fool that I am, I didn't bring anything to charge it with. Shoot, I
didn't even give Leena's number to the girls. Ach, stupid idiot! Well,
nothing to be done about it now. I guess she'll just have to be
surprised."
He eventually helped them haul a few boxes in his car, and
even promised to come back to pick up the rest. Kasumi was
speechless--not only because of the way her life was changing, but also
due to the sudden kindness of these strangers. Growing up in that rough
neighborhood taught her to be wary of others, but these people were
showing her a generosity she had not seen in...oh, probably ever. She
was numbed by it, and said very little as she gave her father one final
hug before squeezing into the passenger seat, next to Felicity. She
closed her eyes and didn't open them again until they were out of DC.
The car was deathly quiet during the long drive back, except
for the radio. Fausta was reclining in her seat, breathing gently as
she tried to nap, while Kasumi and Felicity sat patiently, their hands
folded and their faces void of emotion. Beckett was still trying to
come to grips with her recent decision; she thought the process of
moving out would take days, or even weeks, and she would ease into it
slowly. Felicity was just naturally silent, the type of person who
minded her own business and never got involved with others if she could
help it. She did notice how Kasumi was looking at her back there in her
house, but what did that really mean?
I have to admit, she's beautiful! I wish I could be that
tough. I wish...I had a father like hers. We're so different.
"So are you both on the team?" Kasumi asked out of the blue.
Fausta grumbled an affirmative and went back to sleep; Felicity nodded.
"Hmm. What's the coach like?"
"I don't really know," Felicity whispered.
"A hell of a woman," Arthur repeated. "That's sufficient
enough."
"Oh. And where is this school?"
"Uh, not too far. You could visit your old man on the
weekends. Right now, we just need to get you registered and situated.
I don't think there's going to be any problems, though--and knowing
Leena, she'll take you in a heartbeat!"
"I see." Arthur clucked his tongue, feeling discouraged.
"Jeez Louise, I never thought I'd be the most talkative
person in a car full of girls! Well, you are perfect strangers, pretty
much. I guess you just need time." Kasumi hummed softly and shifted in
her seat; Felicity risked glancing over, and felt her heart get caught
in her throat.
I wish I had the courage to talk to her. She's so
beautiful! But how would she react if she knew I was a...if she knew I
was "that way"? How would anybody react? Ugh, just don't think about
it. Concentrate on the game. Just the game. Put your mind on
practice. Uh...oh, screw that--I can't help it!
"Are you okay?" Kasumi murmured. "You look like you need to
make a pit stop."
"No, I'm fine. Just trying to focus on the game."
"We're not playing the game yet," Beckett sighed, resting
against her seat. "If you're the type who obsesses over something so
trivial, we won't get along well. If you can relax, we might pull
through as friends. The choice is yours, lady."
God, she looks so hot just lying there... And she seems
pretty smart, and nice! Oh...maybe I should just go to sleep and forget
about all this! I've got enough on my mind as it is!
And so, three angels spent the rest of the trip in dreams.
--Shannon Threal, 19, Sociology major, stopper position--
"There they are," Leena exclaimed in relief. She looked at
the women she had recruited for the day--a decidedly smaller number than
before--and clapped her hands, drawing their attention. "Well, ladies,
now we'll find out if we get another volunteer or not. Of course, this
wait would've been much easier if Mr. Warren had remembered to call me,
but I digress."
Amy, Freya, Shannon, and Terra watched a middle-aged man and
two girls around their age--a brunette and an Italian woman--emerge from
the vehicle. The man, presumably Mr. Warren, faced Leena and waved his
arm in the air, flashing a thumbs-up. Then a tall, dark-haired woman
came out of the car, crossing her arms defensively, looking like all of
this was too good to be true. Warren pointed her in Leena's direction
and dismissed the other two, who chose to stay behind and practice a
little.
"Uh, hello," Kasumi mumbled, shoving her hands in her
pockets. "I guess you're Coach Leena. The old guy said you were a hell
of a woman."
"Did he, now?" she grinned. "Katt, remind me to thank Mr.
Warren later. Am I correct to assume that you're the star player he
discovered in Washington, DC?"
"Yes ma'am," she nodded, remembering her manners. Kasumi
may have grown up in a seedy part of town, but she wasn't crude. "I'm
Kasumi Joan Beckett, age twenty."
"All right. What position did you play before, Miss
Beckett?"
"Usually the striker, ma'am, but I don't mind being put
anywhere else. Um, if you need me to demonstrate, I can do that for
you." Leena smiled and turned down the offer.
"No, I'll take Mr. Warren's word for it. You'll make a fine
addition to the team, Kasumi. Kathlyn here will help walk you through
the academic process."
"Yeah, you'll never find anyone more accustomed to the
aggravating nightmares than me!" she joked sourly. Kasumi smiled
feebly, but was afraid that she was out of place. It would only take
one meeting of the rest of her teammates to change her mind.
Author's note: "Ghibli" is an Italian word for hot wind from the Sahara
Desert--quite a fitting description of Fausta!
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