Approach Mars and Valentine

“Well, that was a little unpleasant,” Val says, giving Mars a half-amused look. She gives you a cheery wave as you approach.

“What have we gotten ourselves into?” you say, recalling the looks you saw cross Daphne’s face.

“I guess we just lucked into a hard-ass coach,” Val laughs. “I don’t mind though. It wasn’t entirely undeserved…” She shoots you a meaningful look.

“Hey, hey, I’ve got my hospital excuse. I’m still recovering, remember?” you say, and Mars and Val both roll their eyes.

“Daphne’s not bad at all,” Mars says. “My high school coach? Way, way worse.”

“What, did she yell at you or something?” Val asks.

“I mean yes, but it was more that she was brutal,” Mars says. “I’m talking personal insults that were so bad that some of the girls would get anxiety attacks before the end of matches, knowing what was waiting in store for them.”

“Shit, that sounds unhealthy,” you say.

“No kidding,” Mars says. “Even I had a lot of trouble dealing with her, and I was the team captain, meaning that I was pretty much the only one on the team that she liked.”

“It’s only the first game of the season. There’s still plenty of time for things to go off the rails,” Val says.

“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” Mars says flatly.

“You know what will? Look at the way that Jack’s making a fool of himself over there,” you say, pointing at him. He’s still cozied up with the twins, standing on the sidelines and jawing off about who knows what.

“You can hear what they’re saying?” Mars is a little incredulous and she leans closer to you, as if that tiny distance would suddenly let her hear the words the three of them are speaking.

“No, it’s just a given when Jack’s involved,” you say, but Val holds up a hand.

“Not so fast,” she says, and when you look over at Jack again, Katie is doubled up laughing, while Khloe has a hand on his shoulder. He’s impressing them?

“Wow, how the fuck did that just happen,” Mars says, and you find yourself agreeing with her. This is getting ridiculous, and you have half a mind to head over there and set things straight, but Mars grabs you by the arm. “Hey, hey, don’t get too riled up.”

“That asshole does need to be shown his place, and his ego’s only going to get more inflated unless somebody does something to stop him,” Val says, and you point at her, highlighting the very good point that she has just made.

“I’m not saying you’re wrong,” Mars says. “Just, maybe, don’t do this when we’re about to play the second half of a game together as a team? I still want to win this thing, and I have a feeling that everybody being at each other’s throats is going to do Kale much more good than harm.”

“Fine, fine, fair enough,” you say. You weren’t that invested in shutting down Jack anyways. His actions don’t matter if you get into all their pants eventually anyways. With that comforting thought, you make sure that you’re well-watered and use the bathroom, and step back onto the pitch, ready for the next half of the game.

Mars +7
Valentine +7