SCENE: Jake and Daryan playing football at People Park
((OOC: Takes place Wednesday, May 28th.))
Daryan: *On Wednesday, three days before the Battle of the Bands, Daryan walks into People Park where he is supposed to meet Jake. He arrives decked in his usual jacket, jeans and boots except that he is wearing black gloves with a splash of white on the back of each hand.* Now where is Tex...?
Jake: *somewhere in the distance, Jake calls out:* HEADS UP! *a football whirls through the air in an arched path towards Daryan. It's not the most powerful throw, but it's nice and clean, and it looks like a drill as it rapidly propels forwards*
Daryan: Huh-*WHAP! Just as Daryan turns to the voice, the football smacks him right in the forehead, which is an amazing shot considering the pompadour was in the way. Daryan falls on one knee as he holds his head.* OW! What's the big idea, man?!
Jake: *quickly approaches to survey the damage* Oof. What's yer skull made of? Iron? *bends down and picks up the ball, nudging up the rim of his hat* Sorry, boy; if I hadn't decided to hold back, you would've been a goner! *chuckles* I was testin' yer arm, that's all.
Daryan: *Daryan takes the hand that was on his forehead off and looks at it, there's no blood. However, it left a bruise that Daryan can't see.* Well, if you want to test my arms, let me know BEFORE you throw a football!
Jake: *tosses the ball in the air and lets it drop in his hands, repeating this action as he speaks* Never tried catchin' a pigskin before? *grinning*
Daryan: *Daryan stands up, rubbing his forehead* Oh I've caught a football before, man. I just didn't expect a cowboy to bring one with him to a meeting about being a detective, ya know?
Jake: *starts taking wide strides backwards with the ball* Life's full of surprises, unexpected events, and other general un-pleasantries, boy! You'd best be glad a ball flyin' towards yer head'll be the least of yer worries when you enter the academy.
Daryan: ...Right. On that note, what kind of pointers do ya have on getting to the academy and being a detective?
Jake: *speaks louder the further away he gets* I'll get right to that -- but first, let's play catch. *throws the ball; another clean shot*
Daryan: You have got to be- *Daryan didn't finish that sentence as the ball spins towards him. This time, he knows it's coming and catches it with both of his hands, though it still spun when he put his grip on it.*
Jake: Good catch! *grins* Ever thought about joinin' a team? *holds out his hands* Over here. I wanna see yer throwin' arm.
Daryan: Nah, I never really played much. *Daryan throws the ball, but it goes about a foot to the right of Jake. Daryan frowns at the throw.* And you can see why, Tex.
Jake: *quickly steps to the right and reaches out a hand to catch the ball -- he fumbles, and it falls to the ground.* Me neither. *bends down to pick it up* I only know how to throw.
Daryan: *Daryan grins, figuring that putting up with this little game will be worth whatever he can get out of Jake* Heh. It's why I stick to boxing for sports. Don't have to worry about the details, just get in there and knock the other guy down, man.
Jake: *puts his arm back* You'd make a good linebacker, then! In this game, there's a role for everybody -- even fer a greenhorn who only knows how to throw. *launches the ball; this time, he puts a bit more push to it*
Daryan: *Daryan tries to catch the even faster ball, but it bounces off his hands upon impact. Daryan tries to grab the fumbled ball before it hits the ground, but he only manages to hold it with two fingers before it slips and falls to the ground.* Let me guess...you used to be a quarterback, probably even called yourself somethin' like "The Kid", am I right? *Daryan picks the ball up and then tosses it back at Jake, this time, it's too low, heading for Jake's legs.*
Jake: *crouches down; this time, he's able to intercept the pass. He stands up, tossing the ball in the air and catching it.* Nice distance. Could work on yer form. *chuckles* Naw, I ain't never joined a sportin' club in my life, but my brother? His receiver skill equaled that of Joe Montana. *puzzled* ...How'd you guess his high school nickname?
Daryan: I was guess that was your nickname on account of the cowboy getup, man. I didn't even think about your brother.
Jake: *walks towards Daryan* My brother star of the football club back in school. He was a jack-of-all-trades, master of one -- he could catch any bullet. We'd come out here and I'd help 'im practice.
Daryan: *Daryan tenses up and tries to, for once, pick his words carefully.* Your brother being...Neil Marshall, right? The same one from SL-9?
Jake: Yep. *a wistful smile* I was able to improve on my own throwin' arm thanks to him -- though I've only ever played a few matches. *he stops a foot away from him and squints up at the sky, his eyes unshielded from the sunlight* Wish I had joined 'im out on the fields more often. Playin' football helped prepare 'im for his job. Helped me, too.
Daryan: ...So that's why you started this little game of catch, Tex? Because it will somehow help me when I'm in the police force?
Jake: *still looking up* Think football and law enforcement are as related to each other as a chicken and a mule? Think again. *returns his gaze to Daryan* Tell me -- what do you say when you're playin' yer guitar, and someone comes up 'n' says you need to work on yer fingerin'?
Daryan: Hmmm...something like.. *Daryan changes the expression on his face so it looks like he would punch out Jake* "Shut up before I punch your lights out, man."
Jake: *an amused laugh* See now, that just won't do. Neil used to think pretty highly of himself -- and he had every reason to! -- but bein' in the club took 'im a few pegs down. Can't be a proper player if yer ears ain't open fer suggestions. *tosses Daryan the ball*
Daryan: *Daryan fumbles the ball again, but this time managed to catch it with both hands before it hits the ground.* It's not that I ain't open for suggestions, it's who the suggestions are coming from, man. Like I'm not going to be taking down anything from that Gumshoe guy. *Daryan throws the ball back, this time it is too high and is heading for Jake's cowboy hat.*
Jake: *reaches up, the ball landing in his hands -- Daryan's throws may be off-aim, but they're slow and easy to catch* Fair 'nuff. What I'm sayin' here is... football's all about teamwork, boy, and so's law enforcement. People of various skill sets, workin' together for one goal.
Daryan: Like...instead of the team going for points, you have prosecutors and detectives going for the guilty party, yeah?
Jake: *grins* Now you're on the trolley! Now, I hear people givin' this sport a lotta slack, not realizin' it puts this -- *taps the side of his head* -- to good use. Can't win a gunfight without usin' yer brain some, either. It ain't always 'bout who has the most ammo.
Jake: *eyes Daryan* Now, if you're aimin' to be an officer... *takes some steps backwards, then crouches down to get ready to run* I've got the ball right here. *holds it out, then tucks it against himself with one arm* I'm runnin' your direction, and you ain't gonna let me go through. Can't let me get away. Ready?
Daryan: *Daryan bends his knees slightly.* Yeah. You are not going to get past me, Tex.
Jake: *with his free arm, he takes off his hat and lets it drop off to the side. He looks almost predatory as he grins at the young man, a glint in his eye. His voice is low and ominous.* You got sand talkin' to a cowboy like that, shave tail. *his grin falls and he charges straight at Daryan -- for a guy wearing tall boots, he's quick on his feet*
Daryan: Heh heh heh...I got you now, Tex! *Daryan lunches forward to try to tackle Jake, going for the torso.*
Jake: *he can tell Daryan has a lot to learn -- as he gets close, he can spot many vulnerable areas. He moves to the side to pass Daryan, and when he sees him lunge forwards, his arm quickly shoots out to shove him in the shoulder, hard.*
Daryan: What the- *The hard shove from Jake caused Daryan to stumble a bit before falling to the ground on his right arm.*
Jake: *slows to a stop a few feet away as soon as he takes Daryan down* Shame on you, boy. You let the bandito get away with his prize! *turns to face him, smirking*
Daryan: *Daryan is shocked that he was easily pushed away and bitter about losing like that.* D-Dammit!
Jake: *walks up to him* Don't let it get you down -- you're just a shave tail. *chuckles* Y'see now? Football has its physical benefits. To climb that long path to detective, you're gonna have to learn how to run fast and knock down men bigger, meaner, and uglier than you.
Daryan: ...I get your point, Tex. *Daryan gets up from the ground, never taking his eyes off of Jake.*
Jake: *his tone is firm as he points to Daryan with two fingers* But most important of all is teamwork. The power of yer brawn's just a bonus. Don't you ever ferget it.
Daryan: *Daryan doesn't say anything, or rather, nothing needs to be said and he just nods as he brushes himself off.*
Jake: *Daryan's got the point -- he smiles to himself and hefts the ball, fingers against the stitching* American football reigns king in Texas. You wanna see the cream o' the crop? See how the men of Houston and Dallas play... if you're interested.
Daryan: Well, ya got me interested, Tex. I haven't been doin' much boxing lately anyway. Maybe it's time to pick up something else, man.
Jake: *tosses the ball in the air and catches it as he steps away from Daryan again* Got some time to pass back a few, then? *toss, catch* Been a while since I had someone there to intercept my throws.
Daryan: *Daryan grins as he smooths his hair with his hands* Yeah, I've got time. Need a break from the guitar playing, anyhow.
Jake: *an appreciative look* ...Try not to break any bones. I haven't shown you half o' what I'm capable of. *runs back and gets ready for a throw*
Daryan: *Daryan readies himself for a catch* I can take anything you've got, Marshall!
Jake: *a sharp, intense look in his eyes before he seemingly shoots the ball at Daryan -- it's different from anything Jake's given him before. The spinning ball's path is straight, clean, and most noticeably of all, fast.*
Daryan: *Daryan is shocked by the speed of the throw* Wha-OOF! *The ball hits Daryan square in the chest, knocking him back and the wind gets knocked out of him. But Daryan manages to get his arms around the ball so it doesn't bounce away.*
Jake: *calls out playfully* You okay there? Should I call a doctor?
Daryan: *Daryan starts panting for breath and his chest is sore as hell, even more than his head. His eyes are wide as he has NEVER seen anyone throw a ball that fast before.* I-I'm fine, man. *Daryan takes another breath before passing the ball, veering off course to the far right of where Jake is standing.*
Jake: *stands there with his arms at his sides, his eyes following the ball as it flies past him. After a beat, he returns his attention to Daryan, trying to look humourless as he deadpans* You got a lot to learn.
Daryan: *Daryan manages to show a weak grin.* I guess I do. Though that's the whole point of asking you for advice, Tex. *Daryan then braces himself for another pass whenever Jake picks up the ball.*
Daryan: *On Wednesday, three days before the Battle of the Bands, Daryan walks into People Park where he is supposed to meet Jake. He arrives decked in his usual jacket, jeans and boots except that he is wearing black gloves with a splash of white on the back of each hand.* Now where is Tex...?
Jake: *somewhere in the distance, Jake calls out:* HEADS UP! *a football whirls through the air in an arched path towards Daryan. It's not the most powerful throw, but it's nice and clean, and it looks like a drill as it rapidly propels forwards*
Daryan: Huh-*WHAP! Just as Daryan turns to the voice, the football smacks him right in the forehead, which is an amazing shot considering the pompadour was in the way. Daryan falls on one knee as he holds his head.* OW! What's the big idea, man?!
Jake: *quickly approaches to survey the damage* Oof. What's yer skull made of? Iron? *bends down and picks up the ball, nudging up the rim of his hat* Sorry, boy; if I hadn't decided to hold back, you would've been a goner! *chuckles* I was testin' yer arm, that's all.
Daryan: *Daryan takes the hand that was on his forehead off and looks at it, there's no blood. However, it left a bruise that Daryan can't see.* Well, if you want to test my arms, let me know BEFORE you throw a football!
Jake: *tosses the ball in the air and lets it drop in his hands, repeating this action as he speaks* Never tried catchin' a pigskin before? *grinning*
Daryan: *Daryan stands up, rubbing his forehead* Oh I've caught a football before, man. I just didn't expect a cowboy to bring one with him to a meeting about being a detective, ya know?
Jake: *starts taking wide strides backwards with the ball* Life's full of surprises, unexpected events, and other general un-pleasantries, boy! You'd best be glad a ball flyin' towards yer head'll be the least of yer worries when you enter the academy.
Daryan: ...Right. On that note, what kind of pointers do ya have on getting to the academy and being a detective?
Jake: *speaks louder the further away he gets* I'll get right to that -- but first, let's play catch. *throws the ball; another clean shot*
Daryan: You have got to be- *Daryan didn't finish that sentence as the ball spins towards him. This time, he knows it's coming and catches it with both of his hands, though it still spun when he put his grip on it.*
Jake: Good catch! *grins* Ever thought about joinin' a team? *holds out his hands* Over here. I wanna see yer throwin' arm.
Daryan: Nah, I never really played much. *Daryan throws the ball, but it goes about a foot to the right of Jake. Daryan frowns at the throw.* And you can see why, Tex.
Jake: *quickly steps to the right and reaches out a hand to catch the ball -- he fumbles, and it falls to the ground.* Me neither. *bends down to pick it up* I only know how to throw.
Daryan: *Daryan grins, figuring that putting up with this little game will be worth whatever he can get out of Jake* Heh. It's why I stick to boxing for sports. Don't have to worry about the details, just get in there and knock the other guy down, man.
Jake: *puts his arm back* You'd make a good linebacker, then! In this game, there's a role for everybody -- even fer a greenhorn who only knows how to throw. *launches the ball; this time, he puts a bit more push to it*
Daryan: *Daryan tries to catch the even faster ball, but it bounces off his hands upon impact. Daryan tries to grab the fumbled ball before it hits the ground, but he only manages to hold it with two fingers before it slips and falls to the ground.* Let me guess...you used to be a quarterback, probably even called yourself somethin' like "The Kid", am I right? *Daryan picks the ball up and then tosses it back at Jake, this time, it's too low, heading for Jake's legs.*
Jake: *crouches down; this time, he's able to intercept the pass. He stands up, tossing the ball in the air and catching it.* Nice distance. Could work on yer form. *chuckles* Naw, I ain't never joined a sportin' club in my life, but my brother? His receiver skill equaled that of Joe Montana. *puzzled* ...How'd you guess his high school nickname?
Daryan: I was guess that was your nickname on account of the cowboy getup, man. I didn't even think about your brother.
Jake: *walks towards Daryan* My brother star of the football club back in school. He was a jack-of-all-trades, master of one -- he could catch any bullet. We'd come out here and I'd help 'im practice.
Daryan: *Daryan tenses up and tries to, for once, pick his words carefully.* Your brother being...Neil Marshall, right? The same one from SL-9?
Jake: Yep. *a wistful smile* I was able to improve on my own throwin' arm thanks to him -- though I've only ever played a few matches. *he stops a foot away from him and squints up at the sky, his eyes unshielded from the sunlight* Wish I had joined 'im out on the fields more often. Playin' football helped prepare 'im for his job. Helped me, too.
Daryan: ...So that's why you started this little game of catch, Tex? Because it will somehow help me when I'm in the police force?
Jake: *still looking up* Think football and law enforcement are as related to each other as a chicken and a mule? Think again. *returns his gaze to Daryan* Tell me -- what do you say when you're playin' yer guitar, and someone comes up 'n' says you need to work on yer fingerin'?
Daryan: Hmmm...something like.. *Daryan changes the expression on his face so it looks like he would punch out Jake* "Shut up before I punch your lights out, man."
Jake: *an amused laugh* See now, that just won't do. Neil used to think pretty highly of himself -- and he had every reason to! -- but bein' in the club took 'im a few pegs down. Can't be a proper player if yer ears ain't open fer suggestions. *tosses Daryan the ball*
Daryan: *Daryan fumbles the ball again, but this time managed to catch it with both hands before it hits the ground.* It's not that I ain't open for suggestions, it's who the suggestions are coming from, man. Like I'm not going to be taking down anything from that Gumshoe guy. *Daryan throws the ball back, this time it is too high and is heading for Jake's cowboy hat.*
Jake: *reaches up, the ball landing in his hands -- Daryan's throws may be off-aim, but they're slow and easy to catch* Fair 'nuff. What I'm sayin' here is... football's all about teamwork, boy, and so's law enforcement. People of various skill sets, workin' together for one goal.
Daryan: Like...instead of the team going for points, you have prosecutors and detectives going for the guilty party, yeah?
Jake: *grins* Now you're on the trolley! Now, I hear people givin' this sport a lotta slack, not realizin' it puts this -- *taps the side of his head* -- to good use. Can't win a gunfight without usin' yer brain some, either. It ain't always 'bout who has the most ammo.
Jake: *eyes Daryan* Now, if you're aimin' to be an officer... *takes some steps backwards, then crouches down to get ready to run* I've got the ball right here. *holds it out, then tucks it against himself with one arm* I'm runnin' your direction, and you ain't gonna let me go through. Can't let me get away. Ready?
Daryan: *Daryan bends his knees slightly.* Yeah. You are not going to get past me, Tex.
Jake: *with his free arm, he takes off his hat and lets it drop off to the side. He looks almost predatory as he grins at the young man, a glint in his eye. His voice is low and ominous.* You got sand talkin' to a cowboy like that, shave tail. *his grin falls and he charges straight at Daryan -- for a guy wearing tall boots, he's quick on his feet*
Daryan: Heh heh heh...I got you now, Tex! *Daryan lunches forward to try to tackle Jake, going for the torso.*
Jake: *he can tell Daryan has a lot to learn -- as he gets close, he can spot many vulnerable areas. He moves to the side to pass Daryan, and when he sees him lunge forwards, his arm quickly shoots out to shove him in the shoulder, hard.*
Daryan: What the- *The hard shove from Jake caused Daryan to stumble a bit before falling to the ground on his right arm.*
Jake: *slows to a stop a few feet away as soon as he takes Daryan down* Shame on you, boy. You let the bandito get away with his prize! *turns to face him, smirking*
Daryan: *Daryan is shocked that he was easily pushed away and bitter about losing like that.* D-Dammit!
Jake: *walks up to him* Don't let it get you down -- you're just a shave tail. *chuckles* Y'see now? Football has its physical benefits. To climb that long path to detective, you're gonna have to learn how to run fast and knock down men bigger, meaner, and uglier than you.
Daryan: ...I get your point, Tex. *Daryan gets up from the ground, never taking his eyes off of Jake.*
Jake: *his tone is firm as he points to Daryan with two fingers* But most important of all is teamwork. The power of yer brawn's just a bonus. Don't you ever ferget it.
Daryan: *Daryan doesn't say anything, or rather, nothing needs to be said and he just nods as he brushes himself off.*
Jake: *Daryan's got the point -- he smiles to himself and hefts the ball, fingers against the stitching* American football reigns king in Texas. You wanna see the cream o' the crop? See how the men of Houston and Dallas play... if you're interested.
Daryan: Well, ya got me interested, Tex. I haven't been doin' much boxing lately anyway. Maybe it's time to pick up something else, man.
Jake: *tosses the ball in the air and catches it as he steps away from Daryan again* Got some time to pass back a few, then? *toss, catch* Been a while since I had someone there to intercept my throws.
Daryan: *Daryan grins as he smooths his hair with his hands* Yeah, I've got time. Need a break from the guitar playing, anyhow.
Jake: *an appreciative look* ...Try not to break any bones. I haven't shown you half o' what I'm capable of. *runs back and gets ready for a throw*
Daryan: *Daryan readies himself for a catch* I can take anything you've got, Marshall!
Jake: *a sharp, intense look in his eyes before he seemingly shoots the ball at Daryan -- it's different from anything Jake's given him before. The spinning ball's path is straight, clean, and most noticeably of all, fast.*
Daryan: *Daryan is shocked by the speed of the throw* Wha-OOF! *The ball hits Daryan square in the chest, knocking him back and the wind gets knocked out of him. But Daryan manages to get his arms around the ball so it doesn't bounce away.*
Jake: *calls out playfully* You okay there? Should I call a doctor?
Daryan: *Daryan starts panting for breath and his chest is sore as hell, even more than his head. His eyes are wide as he has NEVER seen anyone throw a ball that fast before.* I-I'm fine, man. *Daryan takes another breath before passing the ball, veering off course to the far right of where Jake is standing.*
Jake: *stands there with his arms at his sides, his eyes following the ball as it flies past him. After a beat, he returns his attention to Daryan, trying to look humourless as he deadpans* You got a lot to learn.
Daryan: *Daryan manages to show a weak grin.* I guess I do. Though that's the whole point of asking you for advice, Tex. *Daryan then braces himself for another pass whenever Jake picks up the ball.*