grasshopper 19, video to all from the gymnasium

[blitzcheer]

'Sup everyone, how's it going? Got a more fun proposal than I last time I was here. [ A grin. ]

So I've been thinking we could run some sports groups! The gym's emptier these days with the training one used for all the fighting and magic classes, and it's going to waste! I don't know all the games they have the equipment for here, but there's a few I've been practising, and I figure we can spend a few days seeing what everyone likes and setting up different times people can come in and have a go.

I got a few friends to help out show some off: volleyball, badminton, tennis. Been practising basketball too. But if there's any you know and want people to get involved with, let's do it! Let's get some partners and have fun. There's hoops and nets gathering dust here.

I'm thinking we could do something around after lunchtime for the next few days, but I'll let you guys know the times for sure later. There's instructions on the ICP too if we wanna try something new once in a while, so come and check 'em out--I can even show you a few games now!

( OOC post about this here! )

Comments

[adregem]

That's right.

[ He tries to get into position, his body beginning to bend by the hip, but he knows the distance hasn't been closed enough for this to work. So he straightens up and motions for Tidus with a wave of his wrist, beckoning. The ball is nestled momentarily against his opposite arm. ]

Wait. This won't work. Come closer. Back to chest almost.

[ He's saying this with a straight face. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Tidus's brows dip at the motion, how close does he need to be?, but he shuffles forward, attempting to get close without knocking any heels or other body parts. ]

Uhhh-- here? Do I have to be standing straight-?

[ He thinks he gets what Roland means by back to chest, but also...? No, it can't be whatever he's thinking. ]

[adregem]

Hmm. Hold on, I think it might be better if I get into position first, so you know how close I need you to be.

[ Tidus, he asks you inwardly not to panic because at this very moment, Roland fully commits to the hike stance, bending while keeping his thighs steady and tight. The ball is gripped in one hand, positioned between his legs.

He turns back, looking to him expectantly. ]

This is basically the hike stance to start the throw. So I need you as quarterback to come catch this ball fast, so if we were playing against a team, I can pass it to you and you can go long without interference. I'd be your shield, keeping the opposing team away from your throw.

So you need to be close. Really close. See?

1/

[blitzcheer]

2/

[blitzcheer]

3/

[blitzcheer]

4/

[blitzcheer]

[ ........????????????

what is this butt getting up in his crotch ]

5/5

[blitzcheer]

[ ok, no, Tidus took a step back once Roland started shuffling himself into position, and this game is taking a drastic turn from the horsehide back and to before. Now it's got old man hide showing itself.

He's watching. He's listening. But he's pretty sure he still doesn't understand. ]

So to do a hike, the person comes behind the one with the ball... and takes it between their legs?

[adregem]

[ The confusion is what registers to Roland and nothing else, but what is he but patient? He retains the stance and even takes time to steady his core even more, so he's as stable as can be despite playing just one person. ]

That's correct. I'll pass you the ball fast, like so - [ Roland does the action slowly for demonstrative purposes, his left arm passing the ball into the gap between parted thighs, as if Tidus was there to catch it already. He does this twice for emphasis. ] - and as soon as you grab it, I'll run to the other end of this lane and try to catch your throw.

Ideally, in a real game, as soon as we put the ball into play, a bunch of well-padded players would rush us and I'd have to push them back so you could throw the ball farther. But since it's just us two...

[ With the explanation out of the way, Roland resumes the stance and the expectation is clearly written on his face now. What else did he need to know? ] Ready?

[blitzcheer]

[ Tidus moves more into a position where he can bend without putting his face in Roland's ass, 'cause that's an absolute legit worry here, right? It's almost comical that this is a move, an actual in-game position! And if he thought Roland was the type--well, he could be--, he'd think the guy was taking him on a joke right now. ]

You know this is going to look stupid, right? [ There's no way this can't once Tidus thinks he's somewhere that can handle this exchange. And he's got to be ready to make the shot-- er, throw next? ]

Just give me a few slow test grabs first before you run off anywhere. --Wait, wouldn't I be the one running in a real game?

[ Wasn't there something about Roland being a Shield? Ehhh, he'll have to read the ICP info for this some time. ]

[adregem]

[ He scoffs, eyebrow quirked up. He's fully aware of how silly it can seem from an outsider's perspective, but it was just a game anyway. No big deal! ]

Hey, come on. You're a pro, right? Sometimes you gotta look stupid to get the best play. And this just so happens to be a legal form, so get closer. I can't pass you the ball if I reach my arm out too far. Ok, here's some practice --

[ And Roland begins, just testing out the motion, making sure Tidus's grip gets used to the shape of the football. ]

And yeah, you'd be running too if the opposing team had to throw the ball to center. You'd need to grab it, mid-air if you had to. It's why the gear for pro football is so bulky. It's a contact sport. [ Swing. Pause. Back to place. Swing. Pause. Back to place... ]

[blitzcheer]

[ This is weird. The gear is bulky? Tidus doesn't know what that means in terms of being a contact sport--it's not like that matters in Blitzball, grabbing and kicking plenty--but he has the practice of the ball passing between Roland's legs to better understand what he should be expecting here, what he should do.

He still can't imagine how exactly it'd play out in action, but maybe he'll check out the cinema car, see if he can find any movies on the game. For now, he's the one to go- ] Alright, I think I get the idea, [ to end their practice turns, and to show the real thing. His thighs parted, arms low and hands ready to receive. Tidus can't help but murmur, ] I'm ready to catch the baby, [ wryly, whether or not it's distracting before Roland prepares the pass and run.

But give it to him, Roland. Let's make this delivery a success. ]

[adregem]

[ He throws him a look over his shoulder. ] You don't catch babies, Tidus. [ Meaning, you don't throw them in the first place!! Should he be concerned? He gets the joke, just...ugh. Roland shakes his head and he readies himself for a real play. Instead of the usual rally - the hut, hut, hike! - Roland just counts to three.

He hopes Tidus is ready for this one; it's gonna be a lot faster passing the ball now. ]

3...2...1!

[ At one, the arm holding the ball snaps back like lightning. If Tidus manages to react and receive in time, he will find Roland already making a light jog backward, eyes following the ball so he can catch it with his body. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Oh look at him being a sourgrapes over a dumb joke. Tidus just makes a motion half-close to rolling his eyes, but there's sports to be had, and his hands are ready to catch the baby--I mean, the horse ball.

It doesn't seem to matter if he's ready though. Once Roland passes the ball, it's quick, there in his hands before he can think about it, and Tidus forgets if he's supposed to do something else or letting Roland do all the legwork. Oh wait, he's just meant to be throwing, right? And he remembers the way to grasp the ball, catching the glances Roland's taking, waiting until he's made some distance before rearing back his arm- ]

Hike!

[ And he throws it, not exactly aiming for Roland, but turning it into a whizzing bullet somewhere to the side of Roland in direction, but with a height so that it falls down in a curve--and hopefully he'll be able to catch it before it hits the ground.

Maybe. Probably. ]

[adregem]

[ He's more or less expected that Tidus was going to throw that with force again - kid had muscle! - so he was a bit more ready for it than before. But what he forgot to account for was the speed. The trajectory was clear, but the speed always gets him knocked out. At the very least, the huff that leaves his windpipe as he practically barrel rolls to receive the throw with his entire body weight, like real football, isn't audible anymore.

The catch connects and he stands up, wipes himself down before throwing the ball back into the air. ]

Touchdown. [ He smirks and throws the football down, play acting as if he had just gotten a goal. Then, he starts...what looks to be, a dance. A shuffle in place. It's not as energetic as the movements are demanding it to be but it's weirdly coordinated, like he's not making it up as he goes - it's a learned dance. It lasts all of five seconds before he stops to pick up the ball. ]

Good throw! Getting better at the control.

1/2

[blitzcheer]

[ It's a good catch, and Tidus can be impressed--did this guy actually play sports much in his later life? But it's a short-lived response to seeing the ball meet his body, the impressed turn of his mouth pausing when he sees-

that

shuffling.







]

[blitzcheer]

...did a jellyfish swim into your pants? What're you doing?

[ Roland. What even. What is that? The compliment completely whizzes over his head as he just stares at this apparent 48 year old man. ]

[adregem]

[ Roland shakes his head, a wide grin on his face. He grabs the ball again, and practice throws it up in the air, once, twice. Despite Tidus's embarrassed reaction, it was honestly part of the game. He expresses as much as he crosses the distance back to the start. ]

Heh. No, is that what that looked like to you? It's called a Victory ceremony. Football players usually have a particular ceremony they perform when they touchdown, or what you call a goal when the ball reaches the opponent's field.

So start coming up with yours. I'll hike this time.

[blitzcheer]

Ours is more an audience effort, but I'll show you what people do. Alright.

[ It was still dumb, but if he had to teach Roland what a better team and crowd did in sports, then whatever, he'll get this hike thing done so he can put on a proper show for Roland. Unfortunately, he couldn't do any flips in the air like he could in water--but that was the problem with most of these non-water games.

But this now this meant he had to get into that weird half-crouched position, didn't he. Taking the ball when offered, Tidus inches out his feet, letting his thighs spread apart; asking, ] Kinda like this? [ while trying not to feel like he was locking in his knees. He wasn't going anywhere if he did that. ]

[adregem]

Oh yeah? Okay, sounds interesting. Let's see it after, then.

[ It's exciting for Roland to watch Tidus adapt to this like he's been learning it all his life. Maybe he has - maybe that's the kind of rigor that's demanded of blitzball. You didn't just become the star player of a team without the elbow grease. He takes to it fast, the movements are natural and he looks like he's having fun. It's enough to get Roland to jog faster to set in place, opposite roles now. He stands behind Tidus in a crouched position, hands ready to receive the ball. ]

Yeah, that's right. Chest out a bit more, it'll be easier to run after you pass the ball. Or...the baby, if you want to call it that. [ He grimaces. Regardless! Time to play! ] You can count to three, or say - [ And Roland demonstrates the usual cheer, to see if Tidus can do it, if he's in the mood to follow the usual mechanics of the game. It's breathy with hard vowels - hut, hut, hike!. ] Let's go.

[blitzcheer]

[ The baby. Tidus spits out a laugh, and Roland might need to give him a few seconds -- okay, no, more than that, interrupting this set-up. His legs unbend and an arm wraps around his stomach, his other about reaching his mouth. He takes a few stumbling steps away, turning and facing Roland, but not looking at him as he shakes his head and waves a hand. ]

What are you doing to me! I can't take this serious if-- [ pfffft ] -- a baby!

[ It's not a long or belly-rumbling laugh, but there was no way he could keep standing in the baby delivery position with that. Grinning after, and. Okay. Just give him a tag, Roland. ]

1/2

[adregem]

[adregem]

Well, that's what you called it!

[ He shakes his head, trying not to show his own amusement. Well, he had said it...Okay, he'll cave as he watches Tidus try and catch his breath, get back into the game; he chuckles under his breath, like it doesn't really quite leave his throat. But it's there. ]

Heh. Come on. I gotta go long with this kid. Let's see if you can catch -

[ What's this? Roland has a sense of humor? It's dry, his face looks utterly serious, too serious for the punchline as he lifts the ball and pretends to look under it for something, humming. Then he nods and resumes the hike stance, smirk threatening to break out. ] - him.

[blitzcheer]

[ Oh no, it's one of those laughs. The laugh that just won't go, keeps hitting the back of his throat and tickling him to come out. Tidus's grin stays wide regardless of the small chuckles that escape, and Roland is not helping. ]

Alright. Alright! [ Tidus slaps his knees, straightens his back. Does a jog on the spot, short and sweet. ] I can do this. I'm gonna do this! Don't distract me Roland!

[ He won't be beaten, he won't!! Tidus turns back around, getting into position--the threat of a laugh being coughed into a fist, slowing him. He won't give in! ] I've got this! We're doing this game! Gimme the hike!

[ He sounds intense. ...or like someone trying their hardest to push through the urge to break into laughter.

Please don't keep him waiting. ]

[adregem]

No distractions. Got it, coach. Head's in the game.

[ ...He really likes that jog on the spot maneuver, huh? Roland is perpetually amazed at the energy, the level of enthusiasm when you get Tidus going. He makes an amused sort of sound, an affirmation, before the message sticks - it was time to play, right? Shaking off his own bout of giggles, Roland begins again, walking behind Tidus and assuming the position, arms ready, hands hovering as close as possible to receive. ]

[ When he bends down, eyes watching for that swinging movement when Tidus finally passes it to him fast, and he knows it's going to be fast with this kid's strength...Roland takes a breath, counts down. ]

Hut, hut, hike!

[ As soon as Tidus hands him that ball from beneath his legs, as soon as the Zanarkand Abes's star player starts running, Roland will throw the ball with his right arm wound back, getting in as much tension as he can before letting go. ]