[SCENE] Gumshoe and Colias in: Playing With Balls
Gumshoe: *Having just finished chowing down a filling Cohdopian sandwich at the embassy's cafeteria, Gumshoe lazily wanders his way to the gift shop to redeem yet another coupon. He's grown familiar with these halls after making countless visits, taking advantage of the kind ambassador's hospitality and knows exactly where to go.
Gumshoe: *When he enters the shop he immediately spots Ambassador Palaeno and heads straight for him, printed coupon gripped tightly in his hand* Hey, Ambassador! I stopped by just like I said!
Colias: *Busy speaking to the woman working in the gift shop, he doesn't notice the detective's approach, but he turns immediately at the sound of the word "ambassador". He beams when he sees Gumshoe.* Detective, what a pleasant surprise. How nice to see you here! I'm so glad you could make it. How are you?
Gumshoe: I'm great, pal! How about yourself? *without wasting another second he thrusts the crinkled coupon towards Colias* I'm here to get those balls!
Colias: I've been quite well, thank you. *looks down at the coupon, then up at the detective, and comprehends the situation at once* Of course, the balls! Here, let me get you a set. *He goes directly to where the sets of packaged balls are stacked and selects one thoughtfully. The cashier watches him, mildly amused.
Colias: He presents Gumshoe with the aahnrühd balls, with a slight bow of his head.* Please, accept these with my compliments.
Gumshoe: *blinks three times, a mystified expression on his face* B-but the coupon says 30% off, pal.
Colias: Detective, I wouldn't dream of accepting money from you. You helped Mr. Edgeworth with the investigation! The people of Cohdopia are in your debt. Please accept this simple token as a symbol of our regard.
Gumshoe: *his jaw hangs open and his eyes slightly tear* Wow. That's just--wow. I'm speechless, pal. *the corners of his eyes crinkle and he grins as he accepts the package from Colias* Well, y'know, it was my pleasure! Glad to be of service to you and your people. And thanks for the balls!
Colias: You're very welcome, Detective. It's the least I can do. I hope you'll enjoy playing with them. Aahnrühd is a challenging game, but it's quite enjoyable as well. Not to mention good exercise. Do you have somewhere suitable to play? It takes a fair amount of room, a small backyard, at least.
Gumshoe: A backyard, eh? *his brow knits* I don't have a backyard, unfortunately...
Colias: *ponders* You could play in a park or garden, perhaps? Or does the police department have a games yard?
Gumshoe: *brightens* Hey, that's a great idea! You could teach me, pal! Even if I tried at the department, I wouldn't have anyone to play with anyway.
Colias: *pressing his hands together, he tries to remember making such a suggestion* I certainly--could, Detective. *nods* Yes, I'm not the strongest player, but I can teach you the basics. And perhaps, once I've taught you, you could play it with Mr. Edgeworth. He might enjoy it as well.
Gumshoe: *chuckles at the image of Mr. Edgeworth decked out in a pink football helmet and matching uniform* All these years of working with him, I've never once seen him lay a finger on any kind of ball or sports equipment. But who knows, maybe he's a closet aahnrühd fan!
Colias: *nods, filing this information away* He doesn't like sports? I see. I suppose they're not for everyone! Then perhaps you could play with Kay or another of your friends. Or you're welcome to come by the embassy--we have games here sometimes, in the garden. *considers, then glances over his shoulder guiltily as if to see if anyone is listening*
Colias: In fact, I could show you how to play there now, if you like.
Gumshoe: Oho! Private lessons from the Ambassador of Cohdopia himself! It'd be an honor, pal! *he raises his eyebrows in awe, even though it was him who made the suggestion in the first place*
Colias: Wonderful! Then, if you'll follow me, Detective. *A few minutes later, they find themselves in the garden. There are staff members about, but they seem to expect their ambassador to show up unexpectedly and aren't surprised.* We'll have to play the 2-player version, but that's better for beginners anyway.
Colias: *he unwraps the set of balls and places the stakes in the ground, which is easy, as there are already holes for them.*
Gumshoe: *watches with interest, trying to put together the pieces in his head* I read the game rules you wrote in your newsletter, but I can't say I remember them all that clearly. *considers for a moment before pointing* I'm supposed to hit those things sticking out of the ground with my ball, right?
Colias: Yes, that's exactly right. *he nods, pleased* You take a ball and roll it on the ground so that it hits one stake, then bounces off of it and hits another. *he picks up a ball and rolls it gently to illustrate. It hits one of the stakes, bounces off, then almost hits a second stake.* I didn't score that time, but you get the idea, I hope.
Colias: *he hands a second ball to the detective* Now you try.
Gumshoe: *scratches the back of his head, unsure* Alright, here goes. *His brow furrows in concentration as he grips the ball in his sweaty palm, squinting at the same stake Colias just hit. He pulls his arm straight back, much like how someone bowling would and he follows through completely before finally letting the ball go.
Gumshoe: The ball spins through the grass riding on momentum, before bouncing off the stake and colliding with Colias' ball, sending it off into the bushes. With much satisfaction in his eyes, he grins wide* How was that for my first shot, pal?
Colias: *he's starting to remember why he doesn't play aahnrühd often, but instead of frowning, he smiles* Not bad for a first try. Wait a moment, I'll fetch the ball. *he hurries into the bushes. Locating the bright-colored ball is easy. However, once he's picked it up, he realizes he has a slight problem* Detective, I appear to be stuck on these branches.
Colias: Do you think you could help me?
Gumshoe: *curiously watches Colias poke around the bushes from afar, not showing any signs of lifting a finger to help. But when the ambassador calls out, he perks up and walks over* You okay in there, pal? *he grabs a hold of the hem of the other man's vest and heaves without warning*
Colias: *comes sprawling out of the bushes at once, ball in hand* Thank you very much! The branches got caught on my vest. *He rises to his feet and brushes himself off.* I'll make another practice shot. *he rolls his ball again, and this time, it bounces off one stake and manages to hit another.* Ah, there! Now, you try again with yours.
Gumshoe: No problem, pal! Glad to help. *dusts his hands off* Oh hey, you got a little twig there in your-- *but he isn't able to finish because Colias is already back in the game* Oho! Good shot! I guess I could use some more practice throws too.
Gumshoe: *He glares in concentration at a stake in the far right corner of the garden. Pulling his arm back, he swings with even more force than his first throw. The ball soars through the air and straight through an embassy window with a most horrible shattering sound*
Colias: *stares at the broken window, giving a pained smile.* I think you threw that one a little too hard.
Gumshoe: *winces* I-I think so too. *turns to Colias, horrified* I'm really sorry, pal! Just uh, send the bill to the prosecutor's office under Mr. Edgeworth's name. W-we'll take care of the damages, promise!
Colias: That's all right, Detective. They just replaced those windows anyway. After the fires... *his smile starts to falter* So--it'll be a simple matter to replace them again? I don't want to trouble Mr. Edgeworth, he's already done so much for us.
Gumshoe: Yeah...Mr. Edgeworth is a busy man. *hopefully* I, uh, could bandage it up with some duct tape in the meantime if you like?
Colias: Oh, no! Please, don't do that. You might cut yourself. We have people to deal with such things. It's fine. *he considers the situation.* We still have two balls. You could try another practice shot...
Gumshoe: *he's not completely convinced, but isn't going out of his way to push the subject any further* Yeah, I'd be happy to continue practicing if that's okay! But, uh...maybe we should go somewhere more spacious...and maybe where there's no glass around to break.
Colias: *some people appear in the broken window, looking out, and Colias waves at them apologetically.* That's an excellent idea. Aahnrühd is a difficult game to master, and there must be somewhere safer-- *he holds his hands up, arms spread wide, as an idea occurs to him.* I know!
Colias: *For the most part, the theatre has been closed off and unused since the murders at the embassy, as it's undergoing renovations. There's no harm in going there, in Colias' opinion. In fact, it's quite safe, as almost everything is covered up, with one notable exception: a huge pipe organ that completely dominates one wall.* What do you think, Detective?
Gumshoe: *looks around with a grin and nods* I think it's perfect, pal! Nope! Nothing fragile or breakable here!
Colias: Of course, we can't put stakes in the ground inside, but I thought of what we could do instead. *he gestures towards the stage, where a number of sawhorses have been placed* We can use them, since it's just a practice game.
Gumshoe: *nods vigorously* Just aim for those, huh? Got it, pal! *tosses a ball from hand to hand, anxious to start playing again* Wanna go first?
Colias: I'd love to. *smiles* It might be easier if we play onstage. *he climbs the stairs up to the stage, leading the way, then pauses to rearrange the sawhorses.* That's better. Now, I'll try a standard front shot, meaning I bounce it off one stake and onto the one directly across from it.
Colias: *his windup seems clumsy, but somehow he just barely manages to pull it off.* Do you think you can do that?
Gumshoe: Yeah, pal! I'll give it a shot. *does a similar windup, however his attention is not entirely on the target as he's busy checking out the big theatre* You guys doing some renovations in here or something?
Colias: *chatting conversationally as if Gumshoe is not about to let loose a heavy ball* Oh yes, we're renovating it, since it's going to be rededicated and renamed. *his eyes light up at the prospect.*
Gumshoe: *with interest, but still winding up* Oh yeah? What are you gonna be naming it?
Colias: Well--it hasn't been confirmed yet, because of course I wanted to check first, so please don't say anything to anyone yet--but I'm hoping to be able to name it after Mr. Edgeworth.
Gumshoe: *beams, the idea that he now holds classified, Cohodpian Embassy, top secret information makes him absolutely giddy. Boy, he sure can't wait to tell Mr. Edgeworth the good news! He can practically see the surprised look on his face now. Mr. Edgeworth's going to be so pleased! With those thoughts running wild in his brain, he finally lets the ball free. It flies above their heads and disappears without a trace in the shadows of some equipment stored above the stage. His mouth hangs open*
Colias: *looks up and waits a beat. The ball does not seem inclined to return. He tries to think of something complimentary to say.* You have--an impressive arm, Detective! I--maybe the stage wasn't the best idea, after all.
Gumshoe: *because they're indoors, there's obviously no sun, but he shields his eyes with a hand and looks up too* Thanks, I guess? *Puzzled, he scratches the back of his head* Guess I should have actually aimed before throwing that one...
Colias: *continues to look up, gravely, though the ball continues to not return* Yes, aiming is an important aspect of aahnrühd. Perhaps I should have stressed that more.
Gumshoe: Noted, pal. *looking a little glum, he pulls a ball out of his coat pocket* Guess this is my last one. *significantly brighter* Better make it count, huh?
Colias: *nodding* Yes, why don't you go again, since that throw didn't work out so well? This time, remember to aim. I'll be sure not to distract you. *he takes a careful step back*
Gumshoe: Aye aye! *gives a quick salute. As instructed, he takes careful aim this time. It's the last shot he's got, and he wants to make it a successful one. He holds his arm steady, winding up only once before tossing the ball with as much control as he can manage. The moment the ball leaves his hand, out of the corner of his eye he belatedly notices a giant, familiar-looking pipe organ looming behind his target. However by then, it's too late*
Colias: *The ball ricochets off the sawhorse with a sharp report. Colias presses his hands together in dismay, as he can see, before it happens, where the detective's ball is headed. For once, the ball seems to move slowly through the air, but there's nothing he can do to stop it as it slams into the organ.
Colias: By a stroke of bad luck, it hits one of the pipes, denting it, then ricochets off that and smashes into the keyboard* Oh dear.
Gumshoe: *grins wide when the ball hits the sawhorse right on target. However, his happy expression soon fades in horror as the ball goes on to seemingly attack the old organ in slow motion. The blood drains from his face as he mirrors Colias' sentiment* O-oh dear.
Colias: *the ball hits the floor, at last, mercifully without damaging anything else. He blinks. It takes him a moment to think of what to say.* I--I'm sure that can be repaired.