Story:Playing Second Fox
Playing Second Fox
Written by MigeYeFoxe
January 8
Kresta could not see the basket. Or anything else for that matter, what with the blindfold and all. But that was her conviction. She grabs a basketball and shoots. Rim, far side, did not go in. She was training for the three point contest a little over a week away. In order to stand a chance against the big names of the east as well as those in the west Kresta felt it necessary to have such a firm grasp of where the hoop is that she can find it reliably even without being able to see it. Near rim, three bounces, did not go in. Tomorrow she’ll do some practice runs of the real thing after normal practices are over. Hopefully by the time the big day comes she’ll be able to get at least fifteen reliably in practice. Bounce of rim, went it.
“My, my. Don’t we look silly,” a voice speaks, alluding to her appearance for wearing both a headband and a blindfold. Her headband, being custom made for a particular fit, would not work as a blindfold.
And of course it would be His voice she hears. Blythe Nacht. A fox from Dakota that usurped her position on the team. Not that she could blame the coach. He has a ring and the ball hog can outscore her. Kresta knows that it isn’t really him. Unless he managed to teleport or walk without making any sound there is no way he can be on the court. She would have heard him approach. Bounce off near rim, went in. He wouldn’t really have any particular reason for being here, either. Though she did have a crush on him her rookie year she had made it fairly clear she wanted nothing to do with him outside of an official capacity. He is a fox after all, and everyone knows how they can’t be trusted, even if they do have a cute butt. Air ball, missed completely.
“How cute, someone like you actually thinking that they’ll actually get into the three P contest. I have a much better chance than you do. After all, I’m in the first three bench spots and you? You’re barely playing at all,” the voice continues, her subconscious giving it His voice.
The assessment isn’t wrong. He is the top fox right now. This season Kresta had a brief stint as starter before dropping down to third bench. Shortly after He showed up she was dropped down to the reserves, barely getting four minutes at most. Nothing but net. And of course she blames Him for her losing her spot in the team, relegated to nothing more than a scrub.
“Why don’t you just give up on all this silliness of someone like you actually standing out?” Nothing but net. “All you need to do is learn to suck up to your betters, learn to be the best fill you can be and maybe you’ll be given a token contract so that you can stay in the league.”
Bounce off far rim, did not go in. “Because that is not good enough for me.”
An evil, sadistic laugh erupts from the voice of Blythe created by her mind. “Not good enough? Not good enough?! Oh that’s rich coming from you. Spent half the season last year starting and did your team even make the playoffs? Not good enough she says. Hoo boy. You’re in the reserves and that’s all you’ll ever get unless one of us gets injured. Do you honestly think the coach cares one bit about you? Do you think anyone cares what happens to a pathetic slinger like you? You’re on the cheap right now. The team could buy you out right now and probably wouldn’t feel it. And do you honestly think anyone in the league would give two shits about what happened to you after you’re gone? So go be a good little fox and play nice-like with your betters.”
Kresta hesitates then lets the calm flow over her. “No,” she states resolutely. Off the rim, goes in.
“No?” the other fox asks in a rather mocking tone.
“I’m training because I deserve to go. And when I do get invited for the contest I will be sure I’m ready. No one who is good enough to be at this level would ever be happy to be a scrub. Some simply become resigned to being one. I would have never gotten this far if I was the type to simply be happy with my lot in life.” Nothing but net. “I will not go quietly into the night. I will not go down without a fight. I will keep training and trying to improve. I don’t care if I have to go through hell to do it but I will get better. I will take back my spot on the team. And then I will keep going until I’ve gotten so good that I’ve left them all so far in my dust they’ll quake in fear at the mere mention of my name. Now be gone! I have training to do.”
To further illustrate her point Kresta removes the blindfold to stare menacingly at the empty court. She leaves her spot to go collect all the balls and then start at the next position. It was good to have a rival, even if the consideration wasn’t mutual. It gave her a specific focus, a singular goal that she was reminded of each and every time she saw him. An hour later she puts everything away. Time to go shower off, then to home and stream some gaming to unwind. She sees Blythe coming out of the weight room, a towel around his neck.
“Just you wait. I will catch up to you!” she states at him, perhaps a bit overloud. “And nothing you say can stop me.” Kresta saunters off, leaving behind her a very confused fox.
Featured Characters
Kresta Renstill The wikipage input value is empty (e.g. <code>SomeProperty::, [[]]</code>) and therefore it cannot be used as a name or as part of a query condition. The wikipage input value is empty (e.g. <code>SomeProperty::, [[]]</code>) and therefore it cannot be used as a name or as part of a query condition. The wikipage input value is empty (e.g. <code>SomeProperty::, [[]]</code>) and therefore it cannot be used as a name or as part of a query condition. The wikipage input value is empty (e.g. <code>SomeProperty::, [[]]</code>) and therefore it cannot be used as a name or as part of a query condition.