semifreakingnormal | ( 018 ) Ω ( VIDEO )

[The feed clicks on and Scott is standing outside his door. He's holding the device in one hand, his lacrosse stick in the other.]

Okay, so I sorted out teams for lacrosse. Lydia helped make sure they're...mostly fair. [The odds are stacked against him.] I hung the sheet up outside my room, but - here.

[He turns the camera on the team listing, just to the right of his door:

Scott's Team
Cassel
Chris
Slevin
Archer
Jack
Bucky

Stiles' Team
Steve
Peter
Ben
Mindy
Andrew
Needy

He holds it there for a solid thirty second before turning the camera back on his face.]

So we're gonna start practice on Friday, in the CES around noon. And we haven't really decided on team names yet....What do you guys think? The Badgers and the Bears? The Bears and the Bengals? The...Okay, I can't think of anymore animals that start with a B. Consider this a, like, open call for suggestions.

And way, way more importantly - teams are supposed to be ten players, and we only have seven each. So come on! There have to be six more people who are bored and want to do something new around here. Lacrosse is, uh, it's a contact sport, kind of like....field hockey, but with sticks in the air.

[Nailed that description.]

It's easy to learn, and it's great for burning off energy, and it's - it's a lot of fun! Who's up for it?

[Private to Daneca]

[Early in the evening, he sends Daneca a text.]

are you busy???

[Private to Lydia]

Hey, um, this - this is gonna sound dumb, but do you think you can, uh. Keep Allison away from the CES tonight?

[Filtered to Peter, Cassel, Stiles]

So I have this really...really dumb favor to ask you guys.

[Beacon Hills Filter]

Hey, so Cassel gave me this charms for you guys. You can stop by my room, and I'll explain what they're for.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Public]
I'd like to add that people with super/supernatural abilities are not allowed to use them. Under any circumstances. We have a lot of humans out there when you're playing and anyone with strength and speed above normal could cause serious injuries.

We don't have a selected referee, so I will be keeping a close eye on the match until we do. [And with the tone she's using for all of this, you would be crazy to question her. HBIC Lydia Martin.]

[Private to Scott]
[And it takes her just a second to continue in private because she's almost disappointed he's going through with the date considering him and Allison are still making puppy eyes at each other.] Hot date?

[Beacon Hills]
[Really, Scott? You just asked her to keep Allison away and now...]
When should we stop by?

Ma'am, all due respect, but you do understand that for many of us, our abilities are normal, and it is difficult to gauge what is allowable and what is not in the midst of a physical activity such as this?

Yes, I'm aware. And I know some accidents will happen. But I expect everyone to at least try. That's what practice is for, so you can get a better idea what to expect. [And there's a reason Ben is in Stiles' team.]

Those of us in the selection of players who have these abilities have had them for quite some time if not all of our lives. I know I, for instance, will not accidentally harm anyone in the use of them, just as you would not accidentally harm anyone with your strength level just because you possess it.

[He's not being particularly argumentative for most people; his voice is calm and even, anyway.]

Edited (how do ben speak) 2014-07-17 04:33 (UTC)

If you have control over your strength and will not harm anyone, then this doesn't apply to you, sweetheart.

My name is Ben, and I am a person, participating in this event, with what you would consider supernatural abilities. You addressed me specifically, and specified my use of what is rightfully mine is not to be used under any circumstances - including, presumably and by definition, the circumstance under which I am no more inclined to injure anyone accidentally than anyone else with any level of ability, supernatural or otherwise. Ma'am.

Well, Ben, I'm Lydia. [Not ma'am.]

I think you're taking things a little too literally here. What I want to avoid is anyone who doesn't possess those advantages getting hurt. I don't think any of us want an accident, right? And since you've now mentioned twice that you are not likely to hurt anyone, clearly I have nothing to worry about with you.

[And now she will be watching him closely just to be sure.]

I meant no offense to those with abilities such as yours, I hope you didn't take any.

I process information based on the words used to convey it, which admittedly causes some complications when those speaking do not say exactly what they mean. I have learned I am frequently in the minority in this case.

The offense is not taken in the sense that anyone wishes to avoid accidents. The offense is inherent in the insinuation that because some of us have abilities others do not, we will be the likely source of injury.

Those trained in lacrosse have abilities others playing do not. Would you posit that they pose more or less of a threat to the inexperienced players, Lydia?

This seems to be one of those cases.

The abilities I'm talking about aren't abilities like the ones used to play sports. I know some people back home who can crack someone's bones with very little effort. And those same people aren't likely to get their own bones cracked as easily. So you see how -- if they can't control their strength -- it could be a danger to others, right?

Sports are a series of athletic actions performed in deliberate tactics and for the specific purpose of proving superiority of one specimen or team over another. If you honestly believe there is no danger in this without superhuman abilities, I cannot prove it for you.

I understand your intent. My rebuttal is that in this environment, your expectations and your assumptions are unrealistic.

[The way he talks seems a little odd to her. But her manners are too proper for her to mention or ask anything. So she will just shrug a shoulder.]

I'll tell you what. We see how the first practice goes. If I have any concerns, I'll come to you. Does that work?

[He can tell, though. She is far from the first, she won't be the last. He knows when he's being dismissed, but also when the compromise being offered is tactically sound enough to be going on with, too.]

As you like, Lydia.

Yeah, I'm with Ben on this one. I can't just turn them off, especially when we're doing stuff like this - believe me, I've tried. But we're not like, gonna beat anyone up.

Just....a date....

[He's not sure if this was a bad idea or not, now. He thought that asking Lydia would be the smartest choice. It would make the most sense. But Allison is her best friend...He stares blankly for a second, then shakes himself.]

I mean. If that's okay with you?

[She's very protective of her best friend. Obviously. Especially now. But she also knows that neither one of them are ready to realize what Lydia already knows.]

No, it's fine. I can come by with her to get the charm and then just spend time with her the rest of the evening.

Okay. Cool.

I, um-- [He's thinking about adding something more - like he's sorry, or he won't ask again, but it all just sounds so absurd in his head that he just waves it away.]

Thanks.

[She can see the hesitation there, but she doesn't comment on it because she's not entirely sure what to make of it.]

Sure. Good luck.

Now's good. It'll be quick.

[There's time!! He still has to check with Daneca!!]

What Ben said. I don't even 'ave a clear idea of exactly what might or might not give me an advantage, never mind able to turn it off.

Yes, ma'am? [Or, you know, he'll try. He's kind of only really got experience on the two vastly different ends of the spectrum, that last port notwithstanding. But Steve would rather hurt himself a hundred times over before he'd hurt someone else. So.] I'll do my best, but I don't think anyone's out to get anyone hurt intentionally, here.

( 018 ) Ω ( VIDEO )

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