Friday, October 9, 2015
Friday, October 9, 2015
2015
Today's Horoscope (Virgo): Exciting, life-changing events are just around the bend.
Early Morning
Pinkie seems rather contrite when she comes down for breakfast. She sits meekly at the table. Her hair isn't quite as puffy as it usually is.
Once everybody's gathered, she looks around at all of us. "Guys, I...I'm sorry about last night." She fiddles with a napkin. "I just...I'm not really feeling very Pinkie-keen lately, and..." She sighs. "I guess maybe I'm just a little out of control, and...and I shouldn't have acted all...you know, wacky oversexed and stuff." She bows her head. "Sorry."
"It's alright, darling," Rarity says. "Everybody has their off days."
"Yeah, Pinkie," Rainbow says. "We're not mad at you. You just...kinda grossed us out a little."
Pinkie smiles. "Thanks." She looks at me expectantly.
I shrug. "After all the crazy stuff you girls have done since I got here? I'm used to needing to take cold showers when I least expect it. It's cool." Everybody giggles.
Cadance walks in. "Twilight's still sick," she says.
"Is it bad?" I ask.
"If her fever doesn't break sometime today, it could be," Cadance says. "I think it will, though."
"I hope so," I say.
After School
The tennis team has already gotten changed, and Suri is already putting us through stretches when the coach arrives, a girl I've seen around campus in tow. The girl has light grey skin and blond hair; one of her golden eyes is drifting lazily, and she has a placid smile on her face. "Alright everyone!" the coach yells. "We've got a new team manager!" She claps the wall-eyed girl on the shoulder. "Do your best!"
The girl salutes and wanders off to the benches.
"Right," the coach says. "So...uhh...let's do twenty minutes of return drills, then doubles matches for the rest of the day."
Coco is still nervous about playing in front of others, and a few shots from the ball machine hit her. Suri's snickering and smug glances don't help. After five minutes, I say, "Ignore her. Ignore everything but the balls. Just...do what I know you can do. You're an amazing player. Just shut everything out except the returns."
Coco nods. Her nervous expression changes to one of determination. She starts hitting balls back over the net with more confidence. After another five minutes, she's returning with force and accuracy. Some of the other team members are getting hit with balls from their own launchers, because they've stopped to stare at Coco. A lot of her returns are hitting the launcher itself, and it's actually wobbling a little each time she hits it.
Five minutes later, the coach calls a halt to the drills. Our new manager runs up and down the other end of the court, trying to shut off the launchers...from the wrong side. A couple of the guys rush over and help her.
"Pommel!" the coach yells suddenly, making Coco jump.
"Y-yes?" Coco stammers.
"That was VERY impressive." The coach frowns slightly. "You need to work on your return force a bit, though. You could hurt somebody with that kind of power."
"S-sorry," Coco says.
"No need to apologize," the coach says, smiling. "Just...don't let that killer backhand become a literal killer backhand. Besides, you could sprain your wrist hitting the ball that hard."
"I-I'll work on it," Coco says, blushing.
We spend the rest of practice playing doubles. Our opponents seem to be afraid of hitting the ball to Coco, and with good reason. Every time she hits the ball over the net, it's a point. Even when she softens up her serve, the others are rattled by her sheer skill.
After practice, half the team gathers around Coco. "Where'd you learn to play like that?"
"Do you have a private teacher?"
"Is your mom or dad a pro or something?"
"Have you ever killed anyone with a tennis ball?"
Coco shrinks into herself, her face red as questions batter her from every side. I put a hand on her shoulder. "You did great out there, Coco," I say. "We're all glad to have you on the team. Right, guys?"
"Totally!"
"You bet!"
"I can't wait for your first match!"
Coco blushes. "Th-thank you," she says.
The Tennis Team Social Link of the Hermit Arcana has reached rank 6!
Your power to create Personas of the Hermit Arcana has grown!
"But...you know the girls' season isn't until spring, r-right?"
That's right...
Even though the tennis team practice is co-ed, competition is split into the boys' season and the girls' season.
The coach runs up and claps her hands to get our attention. "Good job, everyone! Don't forget, the boys' first match is next Saturday, so I want you guys to work extra hard next week! We haven't made the playoffs in two years, and I want this to be Canterlot High's year to shine!"
I've never played on a school team before...I'm a little nervous.
I hit the showers and head home.
Evening
I'm practicing guitar with Rainbow Dash when Cadance comes downstairs, smiling. "Twilight's fever just broke," she says. "She still needs rest, but I think she'll be back on her feet tomorrow."
"That's great!"
Pinkie suddenly bursts through the front door, frantic and sweating. "You guys...!" She pants for a minute.
"Pinkie? You're off work early."
"Had to...close the shop...for the rest of the day..." Pinkie gasps out, bracing her hands on her knees. "Mrs. Cake...she's in labor!"