Touch Football mega thread

[nola_eleanor]

There was a field not too far from Phoenix Effect that was too small for all the various sports leagues in the city to have snapped up for weekend practices or games, but big enough for the fairly flexible game of touch football, so that's where they played. People came and went for most of the afternoon, though the game itself only lasted an hour and change. Almost everyone played, but there were several people watching, choosing to cheer or heckle or talk amongst themselves as it suited them.

When everyone got together enough to actually start the game, they divided into two teams, with Matteo as the referee. Zach's team was made up of Hazel, Max, Hanne, Nori, Nick, Alex, and Oliver; Kyle had Elspeth, Joel, Carrie, Caleb, Irene, Sam, and Elena on his team. It wasn't a blowout, but Zach's team won by a few touchdowns and were crowned the victors. Despite a couple minor accidents, everyone came out of it in one piece. More or less.

Comments

[nola_beast]

"It's pretty friendly," Zach agreed. "And I didn't say you had to stop hugging me." Because Sam had seemed like he really needed it.

[nola_cyclops]

"I still have my limits," Sam replied with a smile, but it was such a nice thing to say. "But thank you. What do you think we should do now?" Because Scott listened to everyone's ideas, but he (generally) always heard Hank's.

[nola_beast]

Zach sighed and looked up at the sky, mouth pursed thoughtfully. After a few moments, he said, "Have you all compared experiences together? Maybe there are trends that can lead to clues."

[nola_cyclops]

Sam nodded. It was a good idea -- their best information resources, right now, were themselves. "We have, but not in any way I'd consider particularly meaningful or measurable; most conversations have gone through the shock of this understanding. But that's a good idea. We should take down notes. Alex doesn't want to be involved, but he would probably give you information."

[nola_beast]

"Why would he give me the information when he won't even share it with you?"

[nola_cyclops]

"Because he's not an idiot." Sam refused to believe that his brother would walk away from this entirely.

[nola_beast]

Zach grimaced. He'd never loved interpersonal conflict, then or now. "Wouldn't Pietro be a better fit? They worked together more."

[nola_cyclops]

"Maybe." Sam couldn't help it; his eyes flickered across the field, looking for Oliver, just because he had been mentioned, and Sam wanted to be able to place him. "But we can work with those who want to work with us first."

[nola_beast]

"And maybe he'll come around," Zach suggested. "Alex, I mean. He just needs time to process, sometimes."

[nola_cyclops]

"I have to believe that he will," Sam said, nodding. Everyone knew Alex was a reluctant, but good-hearted, hero.

[nola_beast]

"I'm sure he will," Zach replied, convincing himself and hopefully Sam as well. "He loves you."

[nola_cyclops]

Sam rolled his eyes, because this was too much time spent on Alex’s tantrum. “Whatever happens, our team is only getting stronger.”

[nola_beast]

"Pardon me for having feelings, Sam." Zach crossed his arms and looked at him levelly. "And is a growing team something we should be happy about?"

[nola_cyclops]

“Why wouldn’t it be?” If they were stuck here, they needed to be able to work it out.

[nola_beast]

"Because it means more and more of our friends and loved ones are stuck in this strange, somewhat horrifying situation?" Zach raised an eyebrow.

[nola_cyclops]

“Well… yes. But I’m talking about problem solving.”

[nola_beast]

"I'm talking about feelings again, pardon."

[nola_cyclops]

Sam took a second, took a breath, and nodded. “I know. I appreciate that you are.”

[nola_beast]

Zach shrugged. "It's fine. I know they're hard for you. And I appreciate that you're here to keep me from drifting and getting distracted, as usual."

[nola_cyclops]

“I’ll do what I can. The hardest thing is that there’s nothing to fight.”

[nola_beast]

"It's probably for the best—I just saw what your offense is like out on the field." A little levity never hurt anyone, right?

[nola_cyclops]

“I should have been team captain,” Sam said, smiling a little. “I could have taken you down.”

[nola_beast]

"Alex wouldn't have listened to you. And I had some very fast people on my team," Zach said meaningfully.

[nola_cyclops]

Despite himself, Sam laughed.