02 ▸ VIDEO.

[bragnificent]

[ Who's that on the screen? Why, it's Reggie "New and Improved" Mantle! Looking awfully... well, a whole lot surlier than he ever tends to look on the network. He's wearing a loose jersey tee and has a backpack slung over his shoulder, evidently in a school hallway. ]

Hey, so! You wanna know what's bullshit? [ He slams his locker door shut for emphasis, hitting his fist against it to make sure it closes. ] And I mean complete and total BS-- you ready? Okay, listen to this.

[ He raises his eyebrows at the screen in an almost matter-of-factly, mocking way, but it's clearly angry, not meant in good humor whatsoever; judging by his tone of voice, which is almost uneasily calm, he's only barely managing to keep his temper in check.

Or not even barely-- the locker is definitely dented where he hit it, and noticeably (perhaps he's a bit strong, who knew!). Reggie narrows his eyes slightly, jaw clenching, but then he continues animatedly: ]

Guess what we just found out in practice today? Well, apparently football season's ending a little early this year, cuz both Archie and me? Were just fucking suspended from the team, pending-- [ Cue the one-handed air-quotes: ] an "investigation of our powers." Which is obviously a load of crap, because by the time it takes to do all that the season will have actually ended-- and also because Archie and me having powers doesn't make us fucking cheaters!

[ That's about when he loses it, kicking something off-screen. Maybe a trashcan? Damn, he is so mad. ]

So don't bother trying to go see us in any games! [ There's another off-screen crash as something else gets kicked, or maybe punched. ] God! Son of a--

[ Aaaand feed cut, since he's mostly just yelling in frustration now. ]

Comments

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[fehus]

[whoah]

-- They can't do that. Isn't that like, discriminatory?

[Magnus has come to awkwardly sit in on a few practices with Alex, though they mostly seem to spend the time cheering at the wrong moments and eating snacks (chili they brought from home is a snack)]

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[bragnificent]

I know, what the hell!

[ Reggie has not calmed down much. ]

And as if the team will be able to actually win any games without us.

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[khajidont]

Have you asked them if they've checked if any of their local playeres have powers too?

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[bragnificent]

He said something about... [ God, what was it? Reggie exhales in frustration. ] That there was concerns about our powers, like, specifically-- which is completely bogus, because we've never needed powers to be great at football. I dunno, I didn't hear the full story before the coach kicked me off the field.

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[nicetouch]

[ Spooky winces in sympathy. Yikes. He doesn't know Reggie that well, but Archie never struck Spooky as the cheating type. ]

Damn, suspension? That's harsh, dude. No wonder you're pissed. Do you know if your coach had anything to do with it?

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[bragnificent]

Thank you. [ He heaves an aggravated exhale, but continues slightly more calmly: ] I mean yeah, it had to be his choice to actually go through with it, right? But I'd bet it was some other team that complained in the first place-- bunch of sore losers.

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[am_i_a_monster]

That sucks and it's not fair. But you can't let them see you this angry. As bad as it is now, it'll get worse if you give them a reason to be afraid of you.

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[bragnificent]

Gee thanks, mom. So what do you think I should I do then, just lie back and take it? Because it's not like I can get my anger out on the field now.

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[eloquentness]

[wait what?

Had this been a regular high-school football kind of misfortune, Iris might've expressed her condolences, but this is pretty clearly linked to their budding superpowers. Not cool, administration. ]

Yeah, sounds like a bunch of garbage to me too. You'd think there would've been other imPort players in the past, right?

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[bragnificent]

[ He almost starts off by saying "Damn, you're hot," but the fact he doesn't really speaks to the gravity of this situation. ]

I mean yeah, you'd think, right? I don't even know if it's so much just the fact we have them at all, as it is they think we're actually using them. Which is honestly just insulting.

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[lempereur]

[ After classes are over because Yusuke is a Good Boy who isn't on his phone during school! ]

I think you can request a power nullifier to wear during athletic events, in the interest of fairness.

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[bragnificent]

[ So... he's a nerd... ]

Wait, seriously? Dude, that's awesome. [ Thank god?! ] So have you done that before? Man, I'd love to see anyone try and start shit then.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Great! Now you'll have more time to take shifts at the hospital.

[What a godsend.]

[fehus]

Don't be a douche. You're like, a grown-ass man.

[bragnificent]

How is that great?! Unless you're gonna let me start tackling patients...

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[catchacold]

What powers do you have, kid?

[He's been the cause and witness to plenty of adolescent temper tantrums, so it doesn't overly bother him.]

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[bragnificent]

[ Reggie squints in irritation, but then hesitates before answering. ]

Well it's a luck power, but-- even if I could use it to win games, it's not like I would.

VIDEO.

[specialise]

[ as someone who hails from a post-apocalyptic world and from space, raven cannot understand what's so good about football. she's seen a few games while here, and she's fallen asleep during most of them. but she's had some personal experience with being rejected from pursuing what she's passionate about, and it sure does seem like this "new and improved" guy is pretty passionate about this football. ]

If these guys are anti-powers, how did you make it on the team in the first place? Besides the charm you're obviously oozing right now, imPorts are known for powers, no?

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[bragnificent]

[ There's honestly very few people who might share Reggie's opinions on what's so good about football, even among those born and raised on regular Earth-- back home he's even got something of a reputation for his passion for it, so... it's probably wise she doesn't question it to him as an opener. Lest he overreact even more. ]

Oh, it's way worse than that-- the two of us are being singled out just because someone could use our powers to cheat. [ Reggie that isn't worse. ] I mean while they're at it they might as well suspend every other decently buff player since they could be juicing, right? Or damn, why even have a team at all?!

Also, thanks. Though I already know I'm charming.

[ And also selectively immune to sarcasm. ]

[songwrite]

[Archie doesn't look quite as angry as Reggie. Instead he looks... a lot more guilty. He knows his Team Spirit power could be a problem, but he can't turn it off! He tried.

But suspended? One game and that's all they get?]

What are we gonna do, man?

[bragnificent]

[ Reggie's still mad, but he's cooled down... a little bit since originally getting his frustrations out in this post, which means he might even try to apply some of the suggestions people have been bringing up. ]

Here's what I'm thinking, bro: I go back and tell Coach off, and you talk to the rest of the team and make sure they're on our side. I mean, you're good at that... and he can't bench all of us, right? Unless those creeps sold us out because they're jealous we're better players than them. [ Naturally, Reggie sounds like he believes that's a distinct possibility. ] But if we can just get cleared to play again, someone said they have, like-- nullifers? we could get to wear during games.

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[ex_firecross517]

[ Wait for it............. ]

you mad??

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[bragnificent]

[ Bruh...... ]

not mad just disappointed
I dunno u tell me

also, 🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽

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[pillz]

i'm sorry sweetheart
you need a lawyer or something? i got one
also somebody to kiss it better

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[bragnificent]

do I wanna know why u have a lawyer
nah probably not
but to answer ur question... maybe actually
since apparently a lot of ppl consider this discrimination, who knew

well I am gonna have extra time on my hands now
are u volunteering