Go Speak with Daphne

“D’you have any advice for me?” Keegan asks, and Daphne thinks for a moment, a cute expression crossing her face.

“The one save you made was good,” Daphne says, “and I’ve seen the way you’ve been tracking the ball, that’s all been good. Just watch for the left side of the goal a little more, you’ve undercovered it a bit during practices.”

“Yeah, I’ll watch for that,” Keegan says, giving you a sympathetic wince at what you’re about to receive.

Daphne turns to face you, and her expression shifts, for the worse.

“What were you doing just now.” Coming from her lips, the question sounds like a statement.

“I was just… talking to the Kale striker. She’s been doing quite well,” you say, hoping that’s explanation enough.

“I could see that.” Daphne pauses a second, letting the words sink in. “Could you see that we were having a team huddle?”

“I didn’t notice until just now, and then I came over as soon as I did,” you say. It sounds insufficient.

“Fine. I was expecting better from you during the game,” she says bluntly, and you purse your lips, taking the heat. A dressing down is deserved, and you aren’t proud of how you performed. “I picked you as a defender because you have skills with the ball, but it was a close call. Look, I hate to be so blunt, but your stamina is simply… unacceptable. You’re going to need to condition outside of practice, you know?”

“I know I’ve been underperforming,” you say to her frankly. “But I should explain the stamina thing. I’m out of shape, I’ll admit it, but a lot of that is because I just got out of the hospital last week. I was bedridden for quite a few days and… well, sickness takes a toll on you, and so does not being able to work out.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Daphne says, a look of genuine concern crossing her face. “How are you doing now?”

“I should be in the clear now, the doc said there wasn’t much of a chance of the parasite making a comeback,” you say. Seeing the startled look on Daphne’s face, you clarify: “It was bad seafood. It wasn’t fun.”

“Americans and their seafood,” Daphne says, shaking her head. “We eat sashimi and all kinds of raw fish all the time, and yet I don’t hear about this back home.”

“Yeah, maybe I’ll have to go to a Japanese restaurant next time,” you say, but Daphne continues to shake her head.

“No, the Japanese restaurants around here are all quite bad,” she says frankly, “but then, we were talking about football a moment ago. I understand the situation with the hospital. Do you need to be subbed off before getting into form?”

“No, no, I’ll be back in peak condition before you know it,” you say. Then, to make it really clear that you’re repenting: “In fact, if you have any advice for me, I’d really appreciate it.”

“Cardio comes first, make sure that you can run,” she says. “Then, or better, at the same time, train with free weights. {if DaphnePlan==1} I’m looking forward to seeing how you’ve improved since our last time.{else} I work out in the gym, if you ever want to join me.{endif}” She nods at you, dismissing you, and you head back to your locker room to relieve yourself and gulp down some more water.

The second half approaches.

Daphne +7