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Short series of stories of what transpired at the Show Your Colors bootcamp at the Hawaii Kahunas facility.
Julian Cross-Kiraly's days at the bootcamp got sour after the home team's General Manager paired him up with the caustic Trent St.Croix, whom the saluki had a long-standing rivalry. This put Julian on edge, read the development of that phase here.
Characters copyright to their respective owners.
FBA owned by
BuckHopper
First and third part co-written with
PaulShep
After finding out their assigned teams, Julian was less than impressed about his fate and began seeking answers on Twitter, only to receive some backslash and replies by fellow teammate, Wesley Lachs, who was just annoyed with how Julian was dealing with this. The two decided to meet up later that evening to settle their differences. It was necessary.
Wesley and Julian met in the lobby of the hotel, decked out in casual outfits. Wesley lead Julian out of the room and the two proceed down the street. Wesley proceeded the talk.
“Look, Julian, you're a great player. You showed your stuff on the CFIS level. But now we got a challenge ahead. I don't like it either, but it's something we gotta do, man.” the salmon looked over to the saluki.
"I know and I'm willing to do so.” Julian spoke up. “But the thing is that everyone will show their skills perfectly, while I'll be forced to show how much shit I can deal with... It's been like that since forfuckingever"
Wesley nodded. "I know. It hasn't been easy for me either. But we will have to play as a team. No excuses. We gotta forget our differences and just play our game. Otherwise we're not impressing anybody."
Julian frowned. "Sorry Wes, but you don't have it as hard. The worse than can happen to you is Ahti playing on another team and I bet that happened before... This guy just wants me down..."
"Well, Ahti is on another team, and I don't mind it anymore. We can't play together forever, and it would be childish of me to complain about it. Life just ain't fair, and that's ok. We find ways to deal with it."
With a sigh, Julian just looked on. "It's just fucking disappointing. Looks like my Basketball experience is just how long I can deal with shit. First this teammates at UCF stealing medicines and planting vomitives, now fucking this. I swear, is like my fucking agent set this up..."
"I'm sure he had nothing to do with it, man. Anyway, at least we're talking about this. I don't like some of my teammates either, the way they've been talking on Twitter and such. But this is a challenge we have to face, whether we like it or not." Wesley reached one hand and put it on Julian's shoulder, padding him. "I just want you to know I'm here for ya and I still want us to have a great time here."
"I'm just fucking glad at least someone has his stuff right in my team..." Julian snickered. "I'm ready to bring it. I'm not standing for any shit thrown towards me and you better know that."
"Oh you bet I'm not either. I'm ready for this one too." Wesley smiled. "Hey, you wanna head back and have a drink? I know I'm in the mood for one."
"And I'm in the mood of drinking your wallet dry..." Julian grinned.
"Hey, I don't have that much on me!" the salmon cracked a laugh.
"If anything will just go with Edwin. Honker's got the team lottery so I'll bet he'll get wasted tonight..."
"How about we give him a bad aftertaste and beat his team, hmm?" the salmon looked over to Julian with a slight grin.
"Sure do hope so... And if the worse happens, at least you're big enough to stand in our way if we try to kill each other" Julian laughed. Making jokes of the negative was a nice way to cope.
"Haha, I'll be sure to get in the way for good reasons." Wesley chuckled.
The two made their way back to the hotel and decided to enjoy some drinks. It was what the two needed before the big gig, to get to know each other and ease off some of the stress. Maybe this tournament was going to be a blast. Maybe.
__________________________
((This story takes place the day of first round of the Hawaii Kahunas Camp Tournament. Note that nothing said on the confession scene is supposed to be known ICly, since he ranted by himself. If you think your character was represented in a wrong way, please be sure to let me know and I can edit as your liking. Strong langauge))
Between the shocking news that he was sorted to play with Trent St. Croix in the Hawaii Kahunas Tournament, the blowout of both GM's and the apparent beef Wesley Lachs held against him, everything was taken a toll on the saluki. He knew that there was only one thing of being taken of the black list of both GM's: Play the game of his life. After all: the PR nigthmares with a list of way worse doings than any of his' were still getting drafted.
The team was still a team, so, one apology for his conduct later to both GM's, he went to the drills with his team, who included apart from the caustic bear and the apparently divisive Atticus Polyphemus, thakfully also got Free Agent Ricky Beltran and friend with beef Wesley. The canine accepted tough drills, the canine excelled on on-court resistance. He did what he was told and then some of his own style of drills. But there was something...
"How LITTLE can you bench press?"
"Imagine there's a fight behind you.. any fight. And run away from all of it like your countrymen do"
"Pick it up bones!"
Insults, bullying, for 8 hours straight. Enough French, tattoo, freak and build related insults to last a lifetime. Mainly Trent, but Atticus was no help by being the follower of the bigger, louder fur. Just like freaking high school. He would've snapped, but he knew it was a dead giveaway he'd fail the task Wilmer gave him. Just for that day, he'd ignore all the crap thrown and play the better fur game to impress the GM's. The team possibly noted some instances of fist clenching or slight growling, though.
The big game came by and surprisingly, the team got the machine working well. Dominating the first half and most of the third quarter, Julian felt they could make it.... until the fatal final quarter. Most notably Atticus fouling out and Trent's sloppy pass to the dog sentenced the team to the Loser's tourney.
The bear and the moth were livid, the former basically forcing the whole team to punishment drills, the latter just insulting everyone, especially the saluki some more. Julian was having none of it, his lid about to blow. After the obligatory interactions with the GM's, Wesley and Ricky, the only ones he considered tolerable at their worst, the saluki scrammed of the place as quick and discreetly as he could.
Julian had his mind dead set: He had to go to his room. Sliding the key card, glad that neither Adam, Sebastian or Clifford were in at the time, he ran to his bedroom, locked the door... And let it all out.
"Trent, shut the hell up for a second. You think you're perfect? You think you're great? It was because of YOUR FUCKING sloppy pass we lost! And don't try pegging it on me you vermin; Wesley was at a much easier reach and aim than me. You're so fucking easy to get over, Roni and Orca kid were scoring circles around you. Go do your whippings and punishment yourself because YOU lost the game for our team. You proved your trohpies are as worth as the ones you buy in Chinatown, your parents must be ashamed of you, you failed abortion"
Without flinching, he attacked the other irritating factor
"Atticus you fucking worthless moron, You're so... vapid, bitchy, whiny-You're worthless, no wonder Beulah's way ahead of you while you're rotting on the D's"
Time for the big ones.
"Wilmer, Dorian, I hope you proved your fucking point and that your little social experiment turn out right. I can deal with assholes, I can play with assholes, I can show my best game with assholes and I can make it without in-game complaining, bad attitude or animosity, I've been doing that for all my damn University life with that dyke of Genesis trying to sabotage me at every second and a team she manipulated to hate me. So better get me with a team of fucking sane players, good or shitty, for once and stop playing the piss off game with me. Can any gay fur be of help for once? At least not try to stand in the way of my progress?! Fuck..."
He vented as much as he could at that point, but then a last one came to his mind. Quite odd, but still made a strong case on angering the saluki.
"Edwin, you should've kept your beak shut. "I don't give a ~honk~ if you loathe your teammates. You will not like everyone you play alongside. This is how you play under pressure & grow" Course, says the bastard with the team full of Top 24's and a living legend, while I got stuck with the guy who made a dartboard with my face on it, thanks for telling me that by the way! and a decaying college dropout. Also, tell that to Dewitt Ghakar and Wendy Brown, probably that makes them lesser players, no? You just went full hypocritical man; you don't even need to be here, Grehr hates you..."
A moment of silence followed before the final closing in French, the saluki's language. [["...Fucking hell, kill me... Stupid bastards... all of you..."]]
With all that out of his system, he went out, still sour, but much less angry; better to deal with anyone, regardless that being the gloating of his much fortunate friends or the ramblings of a spoiled bear.
First things first. Needed to talk with his agent.
_________________________________________________
Yesterday was a pain. After being on a team that was apparently made just to spite him and spitting all the venom he had at the time against a lot, Julian was despondent. He had to call his agent. Managing to work over the Internet settings in his phone, the saluki started the call to his agent, Blake Toivonen the next day of that horrid first game. Early morning Hawaii mean't reasonable nighttime in Oulu, no? If anything, it was a planned call, so he'd know. "Hello sir..." he said dryly.
"Hey Julian. I saw your tweet a while ago. What's on your mind?" the reindeer replied calmly. Something didn't seem right in Hawaii, but there's not much he could do out of his native Finland.
"I'm... Not, that good around here..." The saluki was notably having a hard time. "Is just like the worst case scenario happened over and over, with the GM's gloating over it... A bad Schadenfreude" he said in his thick accent, that last word almost incomprehensible.
"Tell me exactly what's wrong, Julian. I can't help you otherwise." the reindeer sighed briefly, sitting back on his chair.
And so, the saluki let it all out. "Jumalauta!" he said rather loudly, taking the reindeer off guard. Some investigation of Finnish common phrases for common courtesy with his agent quickly turned into swear searching, like every other language. "Was forced to play alongside Trent, endured all kinds of bullying over eight fucking hours, verbal and borderline physical, played the game and, unsurprisingly, lost. To top it off, it seems it was all plan of the... fucking GM's to set me to fail and play the piss off game! What's the fucking point!? I just want to prove my game without anymore crap thrown at me! Like the rest of the pool!" Julian took a deep, shaky breath, visibly upset.
Blake was surprised but that faded quickly to an unimpressed expression. "Look, Julian, I know how much you want to play in America. It's the worst part of the job, and I'm no stranger to it. I have had bad times myself in Rome and in Zagreb. I just couldn't get along with some of my teammates, but that's life."
"No. That's a moment. Those kind of bad times in the basketball world are just that, moments. Dealing with crap has always been my life! And it would be understandable if everyone was subjected to this kind of crap evenly! Even since my time at UCF I had to deal with teammates sabotaging me all the time! I only disliked one guy in the draft pool. FUCKING ONE, and now everyone's been trying for me to cope with him, pairing him up with me to see how long until I explode. Hope that deer got the answer: Yes I can play with crappy people, can I play with normal guys FOR A CHANGE?!"
The unimpression changed and Blake aimed sights. "Look, Julian, I saw your tweet, accusing me of setting you up with this St. Croix guy, and I was not happy with that whatsoever. I don't know what made you think that, but me and Wilmer are in two separate businesses, and I would not in any way put you in a situation like this." Blake began to show some of his anger and annoyance towards his client.
"Putain... Je déteste cette connerie! Je désteste..." the canine notably passed from anger to angst and sadness. On the verge of breaking down, he tried to hold it in just enough. "I don't want to break down or complain anymore because I know I'm your most hopeless client..." he veered his focus away from the camera, struggling to keep himself stable.
"You're not my most hopeless client. Now sit up straight and look at me, like someone with true American spirit." Blake grinned, sitting up himself as he takes a quick sip from his water glass.
He sat straight, but it didn't stop there. "Of course I am. Look at your list! Sure #1's Jake Turner and Adi Anggun, Top 24 Sebastian, possibly the best PF out there... Even Brad, who you taken under to have better PR...And with this beef with Trent obviously magnified and taken out of proportion, a surprise you didnt' let "the freak" go..."
"Okay, okay let's pause..." Blake sat up. "Julian... let me get something straight. I took you on because I saw a little bit of my son Erik in you. He hangs out with friends who have piercings and tattoos, but that's where he feels at home, and I'm happy about that. You have a humble spirit, and you know what you want out of your career. I want to help you get there in the best way possible. Trent... let's say he's out of my league, and if anything..." he leans forward as if he wants to whisper. "He's overrated."
The saluki chuckled at the last part said, but took the whole lot to heart. "I just want to play my best game. I know I'm not going to get along with everyone, but what everyone doesn't get is that... that's normal. Dewitt and Brown, Hopper and Malone or Onca; some just hate each other adn that's ok. You shouldn't try to buddy me up. I think Dorian or Wilmer got a tape of my game with him and Atticus. Try to get it; it went perfectly fine despite losing. Fine, I can play with bad people. Get me a nice team and I'll get journalists asking why aren't I top 24" refering to a combine article published earlier in the year.
"I saw, I saw, and I couldn't agree more." Blake nodded. "It sounded like you played very well despite the circumstances, and that's great. Teams will be looking to someone who can deal with adversity and still perform well. If you can prove that throughout the tournament and even win the rest of your games. Get a smile on your face, because it's like you are shaking a steak around for the GMs to take a bite of. Make them hungry!"
He gave Blake a reassuring nod, but Julian touched the issue again "I can only play the cold shoulder game for so long... I wish you or someone could tell Wilmer to make the bullies behave. I'm doing my part on tolerating, they should do their part on shutting up. I went against my principles and endured all kinds of French, build, tattoo or freak related insults without ever arguing, when I swore I would've stand up... Truth be told I heard all the insults in the book." He laughed, but then retook seriousness once again "I'm not made of stone, I might explode against my will if this keeps going. I already shouted my lungs out to myself against everyone alone in my room"
"I see." Blake sighed and readjusted his seating. "I'll see what I can do. The way it's been going down on Twitter, I don't know what Corker has been teaching them, but if anything, Atticus is going to keep experiencing karma with that type of behaviour. As for Trent, I don't know. But if it becomes way too serious, I'll make sure you get on a team where you can grow instead of fighting more than you should be. On Draft Day that is. Does that sound good?"
Julian scratched his hair... Well his ear at that too. "Sure... Sorry for this. I know not everyone wants to see or hear a tattooed mess rant for so long, but figured this was something an agent should know... And my reflection can't take that much longer... But please, I know it's not a draftee's right, but try talking to Wilmer and make him see my point, schedule a one-on-one, something that makes him see that I proved that I can play in adversity, did that all my life, and I'm the only guy doing so here. Throw the dog something nice for a change... I bet Norwich isn't that much of a handful to deal with if that's the point he's trying to make, heh..."
"Unlike you, Norwich didn't go to college, and his background is far more controversial than yours. Your case is at least still within the normal." Blake added on. "But tell you what. YOU talk to Wilmer and Scoonie in private and arrange a one-on-one showcase. You're already in Hawaii, so use that opportunity to gain a good reputation. If Wilmer asks for me, I will give him my insight of it. But you're becoming a professional, so you should make the first move, not your agent. Do you understand?"
"Was refering more to the team relationship with him and the tolerance of hardheaded individuals, but that's also reassuring..." Julian shifted on his sat, now much less anxious. "I will. Never really knew all of the agent deal, but I'll do as I'm told. Thanks sir..." he smiled, a long while has passed since the last instance he felt good with himself.
"You're welcome. If you have any more questions, don't be afraid to ask. I know we have a big time difference right now, but once I've moved to the USA, I will be available more." Blake cracked a smile for Julian. "And I'll extend my invite to you to come to Minnesota sometime."
"Same to Montreal with you sir... Just tell me in time to convince the parlor to scrap that deer pin-up logo" He joked.
"Heh, I'm not sure I understood that, but I'll take your invitation regardless." Blake chuckled lightly. Come to think of it, good thing he didn't catch that.
And with that, the chat was closed. "Good thing I booked a couple of extra days after this event is over... Let's see if I can survive this..." thought Julian, finally heading outside to practice some more.
____________________________
Epilogue
It was deep in the Hawaiian night, the once crowded hotel room turned more spacious the days since the closing of the Show Your Colours events. Julian was eventually left alone; his flight scheduled the latest in comaprison to his roommates. His suitcases wide open in what used to be the bed of Clifford Carlin, whether it was assorting his toiletries or stuffing dirty laundry in plastic bags, the saluki was kept busy preparing to depart, his flight so late at night it was debatable to say it was on the early morning. in the silence of the room, he started to reflect on that week.
"This was an experience... that really rocked me to the very core and showed me not only what I'm capable of and where are my limits, but broke my walls, opened my horizons and prepared me for what's to come..."
This Hawaii camp was a rollercoaster for the canine indeed, the highests of peaks and the rock bottom and everything in between, there was no break to his psyche. Whether it was deep moments of self-consciousness...
"All about last night... I just felt kind of out of place... Country days were never my sing, and I felt... ostracized? And I dun kno' if that "unpatriotic behaviour" will end up with some sinking I'm not wanting sis enouf... yanno..."
---To Desperaton...
"I know and I'm willing to do so.” Julian spoke up. “But the thing is that everyone will show their skills perfectly, while I'll be forced to show how much shit I can deal with... It's been like that since forfuckingever"
...
With a sigh, Julian just looked on. "It's just fucking disappointing. Looks like my Basketball experience is just how long I can deal with shit. First this teammates at UCF stealing medicines and planting vomitives, now fucking this. I swear, is like my fucking agent set this up..."
---To just plain breaking down...
"No. That's a moment. Those kind of bad times in the basketball world are just that, moments. Dealing with crap has always been my life! And it would be understandable if everyone was subjected to this kind of crap evenly! Even since my time at UCF I had to deal with teammates sabotaging me all the time! I only disliked one guy in the draft pool. FUCKING ONE, and now everyone's been trying for me to cope with him, pairing him up with me to see how long until I explode. Hope that deer got the answer: Yes I can play with crappy people, can I play with normal guys FOR A CHANGE?!"
...
"Putain...I hate this! I hate..." the canine notably passed from anger to angst and sadness. On the verge of breaking down, he tried to hold it in just enough. "I don't want to break down or complain anymore because I know I'm your most hopeless client..." he veered his focus away from the camera, struggling to keep himself stable in front of his agent.
It was the side effect of heavy training, effort, blood, sweat and anger... A hell of A LOT of the latter since I found about Team 2.
Gym settings. He hated those. The drills started almost immedaitely after the teams were published, and the bear had a plan that everybody had to follow to, in his mind, win. Julian's body gave out quicker than the rest since he was made for cardio, resistance and movement, not for weights or lifting. He prefered to stay on court and hone skills, but the rich bear was having none of it.
"How LITTLE can you bench press?" asked Trent St. Croix in his usual snobby tone.
"Pick it up, bones!" Atticus butted in not long after.
Julian was nociteably struggling to keep with the bear's program. No wonder, it was made with only him in mind. Claiming it was actual FBA ad nauseam didn't help the case.
"I did my sets at 350! Wesley did 300! And you can't even last at 170? C'mon Frenchie... You're staying there until you're finished". Both Trent and Atticus walked away towards other devices.
"Damn, this guy's a wimp..." said the moth to Trent
"No kidding, let's see if this "can't carry his weight" thing is also not literal. If it is, we'll carry him, he's like what? 20, 30 pounds?" they both laughed, not snickered, laugh. They were unaware of the canine walking towards them.
"Yeah, I mean, he may play like he wants to look, all show no actual ski-"
"You are a piece of shit and you're a whiny bastard, that simple!" the canine interupted, pointing at Trent and Atticus respectively. "You've both been nothing but a pain in the ass to me so stop. Now."
"Pen een ze az' to me..." Atticus mocked Julian's accent, snickering. Wesley, who was watching nearby, walked closer to his volatile teammates. He knew they could blow up at every instant of conversation.
"Really? I didn't spew my venom at the GM's at the start of this tourney! I didn't bitch about my teammates! But of course... if you just want to QUIT and dissapoint everyone that'd be understandable" Trent said that part out loud in purpose. If a team member quitted, the team was disqualified. Wilmer did say the decision to team the dog with those two was a deliberate one, so he knew the ungulate had a plan all along. Tension was palpable; between Wesley pleading Julian to let it go and that cold reminder of "one quits, all out", the canine turned around and seeked another device without a word more to add.
"Remember snail chomper, complete the program!"
To the punching bags it was.
"But it wasn't all that bad. I met amazing people, made friends and had experiences to last a life time. There was some humor in all of this..."
"Remember Pack, if there's a photoshoot, I'm calling dibs on the leash!"
(The statement was met with laughs and playful banter by Clifford, Cassidy and Kalsang)
--
"Yeah, mainly because..."
*burp*
The saluki turned to the toucan, a strong stare in reply. "Is that a challenge call? You're ON!"
--
"C'mon inkdude! You got it! That's it! Lik-Ow... a bad wipeout..."
...
"I'M OK!!!" sounded on the distance...
And most importantly, success...
"Yes... YES!"
There was it: The saluki's name placed #1 in Wilmer's personal list. His team maybe didnt' win, but he managed his main mission, which was blow everyone away. Congratulations, handshakes and hugs galore... None like the spanish tortoise's on the latter...
The suitcases ready, he gave one last glance at the crazyhouse that was this room.
"Adam, you might be the most complete player in this whole thing. And possibly the best bud of mine here as well; never had a pal like that at UCF. I truly hope paths will cross and I wish you the best, dude"
"Sebastian, possibly the funniest and coolest bird there is. I noted some difficulty in bringing that cool bird to the court; if you show your colors, you're as good as an All-Star. You're possibly the best 4 in here, so loosen the tie doc."
"Clifford, the perfect opposite of the guys like Trent. A player that furs want to play with, mad skills to boot, but really sorry about your family's situation. Is guys like you that need a shot at this, and winning the whole thing? You made your point, you'll kick tail in the league"
"Mr. Toivonen, couldn't have done it without you. You DO know your job..."
"Wes, thanks for keeping me sane; Ed, you made a strong case redeeming yourself in front of Mr. Grehr; Aurora, you pretty damn shut me up and proved you're my deadliest rival in here; never trust a book by it's hippy demeanor indeed... Baltasar, Ahti, Cass, Fluff, Benny, Kevin, Voodoo Kid, Orca boy and everyone else in here... There'll be a long, long way. We'll all become competition, but I'm thankful there's virtually no bitterness in here. This will make a very interesting year, and hoping the FBA's ready for this... and for me.... because I'll make everything possible to be in those 48, you'll see...C'est mon fucking truc!"
And with a smile, Julian locked the door, his mind more than made up to make it big time.
Julian Cross-Kiraly's days at the bootcamp got sour after the home team's General Manager paired him up with the caustic Trent St.Croix, whom the saluki had a long-standing rivalry. This put Julian on edge, read the development of that phase here.
Characters copyright to their respective owners.
FBA owned by
BuckHopperFirst and third part co-written with
PaulShepAfter finding out their assigned teams, Julian was less than impressed about his fate and began seeking answers on Twitter, only to receive some backslash and replies by fellow teammate, Wesley Lachs, who was just annoyed with how Julian was dealing with this. The two decided to meet up later that evening to settle their differences. It was necessary.
Wesley and Julian met in the lobby of the hotel, decked out in casual outfits. Wesley lead Julian out of the room and the two proceed down the street. Wesley proceeded the talk.
“Look, Julian, you're a great player. You showed your stuff on the CFIS level. But now we got a challenge ahead. I don't like it either, but it's something we gotta do, man.” the salmon looked over to the saluki.
"I know and I'm willing to do so.” Julian spoke up. “But the thing is that everyone will show their skills perfectly, while I'll be forced to show how much shit I can deal with... It's been like that since forfuckingever"
Wesley nodded. "I know. It hasn't been easy for me either. But we will have to play as a team. No excuses. We gotta forget our differences and just play our game. Otherwise we're not impressing anybody."
Julian frowned. "Sorry Wes, but you don't have it as hard. The worse than can happen to you is Ahti playing on another team and I bet that happened before... This guy just wants me down..."
"Well, Ahti is on another team, and I don't mind it anymore. We can't play together forever, and it would be childish of me to complain about it. Life just ain't fair, and that's ok. We find ways to deal with it."
With a sigh, Julian just looked on. "It's just fucking disappointing. Looks like my Basketball experience is just how long I can deal with shit. First this teammates at UCF stealing medicines and planting vomitives, now fucking this. I swear, is like my fucking agent set this up..."
"I'm sure he had nothing to do with it, man. Anyway, at least we're talking about this. I don't like some of my teammates either, the way they've been talking on Twitter and such. But this is a challenge we have to face, whether we like it or not." Wesley reached one hand and put it on Julian's shoulder, padding him. "I just want you to know I'm here for ya and I still want us to have a great time here."
"I'm just fucking glad at least someone has his stuff right in my team..." Julian snickered. "I'm ready to bring it. I'm not standing for any shit thrown towards me and you better know that."
"Oh you bet I'm not either. I'm ready for this one too." Wesley smiled. "Hey, you wanna head back and have a drink? I know I'm in the mood for one."
"And I'm in the mood of drinking your wallet dry..." Julian grinned.
"Hey, I don't have that much on me!" the salmon cracked a laugh.
"If anything will just go with Edwin. Honker's got the team lottery so I'll bet he'll get wasted tonight..."
"How about we give him a bad aftertaste and beat his team, hmm?" the salmon looked over to Julian with a slight grin.
"Sure do hope so... And if the worse happens, at least you're big enough to stand in our way if we try to kill each other" Julian laughed. Making jokes of the negative was a nice way to cope.
"Haha, I'll be sure to get in the way for good reasons." Wesley chuckled.
The two made their way back to the hotel and decided to enjoy some drinks. It was what the two needed before the big gig, to get to know each other and ease off some of the stress. Maybe this tournament was going to be a blast. Maybe.
__________________________
((This story takes place the day of first round of the Hawaii Kahunas Camp Tournament. Note that nothing said on the confession scene is supposed to be known ICly, since he ranted by himself. If you think your character was represented in a wrong way, please be sure to let me know and I can edit as your liking. Strong langauge))
Between the shocking news that he was sorted to play with Trent St. Croix in the Hawaii Kahunas Tournament, the blowout of both GM's and the apparent beef Wesley Lachs held against him, everything was taken a toll on the saluki. He knew that there was only one thing of being taken of the black list of both GM's: Play the game of his life. After all: the PR nigthmares with a list of way worse doings than any of his' were still getting drafted.
The team was still a team, so, one apology for his conduct later to both GM's, he went to the drills with his team, who included apart from the caustic bear and the apparently divisive Atticus Polyphemus, thakfully also got Free Agent Ricky Beltran and friend with beef Wesley. The canine accepted tough drills, the canine excelled on on-court resistance. He did what he was told and then some of his own style of drills. But there was something...
"How LITTLE can you bench press?"
"Imagine there's a fight behind you.. any fight. And run away from all of it like your countrymen do"
"Pick it up bones!"
Insults, bullying, for 8 hours straight. Enough French, tattoo, freak and build related insults to last a lifetime. Mainly Trent, but Atticus was no help by being the follower of the bigger, louder fur. Just like freaking high school. He would've snapped, but he knew it was a dead giveaway he'd fail the task Wilmer gave him. Just for that day, he'd ignore all the crap thrown and play the better fur game to impress the GM's. The team possibly noted some instances of fist clenching or slight growling, though.
The big game came by and surprisingly, the team got the machine working well. Dominating the first half and most of the third quarter, Julian felt they could make it.... until the fatal final quarter. Most notably Atticus fouling out and Trent's sloppy pass to the dog sentenced the team to the Loser's tourney.
The bear and the moth were livid, the former basically forcing the whole team to punishment drills, the latter just insulting everyone, especially the saluki some more. Julian was having none of it, his lid about to blow. After the obligatory interactions with the GM's, Wesley and Ricky, the only ones he considered tolerable at their worst, the saluki scrammed of the place as quick and discreetly as he could.
Julian had his mind dead set: He had to go to his room. Sliding the key card, glad that neither Adam, Sebastian or Clifford were in at the time, he ran to his bedroom, locked the door... And let it all out.
"Trent, shut the hell up for a second. You think you're perfect? You think you're great? It was because of YOUR FUCKING sloppy pass we lost! And don't try pegging it on me you vermin; Wesley was at a much easier reach and aim than me. You're so fucking easy to get over, Roni and Orca kid were scoring circles around you. Go do your whippings and punishment yourself because YOU lost the game for our team. You proved your trohpies are as worth as the ones you buy in Chinatown, your parents must be ashamed of you, you failed abortion"
Without flinching, he attacked the other irritating factor
"Atticus you fucking worthless moron, You're so... vapid, bitchy, whiny-You're worthless, no wonder Beulah's way ahead of you while you're rotting on the D's"
Time for the big ones.
"Wilmer, Dorian, I hope you proved your fucking point and that your little social experiment turn out right. I can deal with assholes, I can play with assholes, I can show my best game with assholes and I can make it without in-game complaining, bad attitude or animosity, I've been doing that for all my damn University life with that dyke of Genesis trying to sabotage me at every second and a team she manipulated to hate me. So better get me with a team of fucking sane players, good or shitty, for once and stop playing the piss off game with me. Can any gay fur be of help for once? At least not try to stand in the way of my progress?! Fuck..."
He vented as much as he could at that point, but then a last one came to his mind. Quite odd, but still made a strong case on angering the saluki.
"Edwin, you should've kept your beak shut. "I don't give a ~honk~ if you loathe your teammates. You will not like everyone you play alongside. This is how you play under pressure & grow" Course, says the bastard with the team full of Top 24's and a living legend, while I got stuck with the guy who made a dartboard with my face on it, thanks for telling me that by the way! and a decaying college dropout. Also, tell that to Dewitt Ghakar and Wendy Brown, probably that makes them lesser players, no? You just went full hypocritical man; you don't even need to be here, Grehr hates you..."
A moment of silence followed before the final closing in French, the saluki's language. [["...Fucking hell, kill me... Stupid bastards... all of you..."]]
With all that out of his system, he went out, still sour, but much less angry; better to deal with anyone, regardless that being the gloating of his much fortunate friends or the ramblings of a spoiled bear.
First things first. Needed to talk with his agent.
_________________________________________________
Yesterday was a pain. After being on a team that was apparently made just to spite him and spitting all the venom he had at the time against a lot, Julian was despondent. He had to call his agent. Managing to work over the Internet settings in his phone, the saluki started the call to his agent, Blake Toivonen the next day of that horrid first game. Early morning Hawaii mean't reasonable nighttime in Oulu, no? If anything, it was a planned call, so he'd know. "Hello sir..." he said dryly.
"Hey Julian. I saw your tweet a while ago. What's on your mind?" the reindeer replied calmly. Something didn't seem right in Hawaii, but there's not much he could do out of his native Finland.
"I'm... Not, that good around here..." The saluki was notably having a hard time. "Is just like the worst case scenario happened over and over, with the GM's gloating over it... A bad Schadenfreude" he said in his thick accent, that last word almost incomprehensible.
"Tell me exactly what's wrong, Julian. I can't help you otherwise." the reindeer sighed briefly, sitting back on his chair.
And so, the saluki let it all out. "Jumalauta!" he said rather loudly, taking the reindeer off guard. Some investigation of Finnish common phrases for common courtesy with his agent quickly turned into swear searching, like every other language. "Was forced to play alongside Trent, endured all kinds of bullying over eight fucking hours, verbal and borderline physical, played the game and, unsurprisingly, lost. To top it off, it seems it was all plan of the... fucking GM's to set me to fail and play the piss off game! What's the fucking point!? I just want to prove my game without anymore crap thrown at me! Like the rest of the pool!" Julian took a deep, shaky breath, visibly upset.
Blake was surprised but that faded quickly to an unimpressed expression. "Look, Julian, I know how much you want to play in America. It's the worst part of the job, and I'm no stranger to it. I have had bad times myself in Rome and in Zagreb. I just couldn't get along with some of my teammates, but that's life."
"No. That's a moment. Those kind of bad times in the basketball world are just that, moments. Dealing with crap has always been my life! And it would be understandable if everyone was subjected to this kind of crap evenly! Even since my time at UCF I had to deal with teammates sabotaging me all the time! I only disliked one guy in the draft pool. FUCKING ONE, and now everyone's been trying for me to cope with him, pairing him up with me to see how long until I explode. Hope that deer got the answer: Yes I can play with crappy people, can I play with normal guys FOR A CHANGE?!"
The unimpression changed and Blake aimed sights. "Look, Julian, I saw your tweet, accusing me of setting you up with this St. Croix guy, and I was not happy with that whatsoever. I don't know what made you think that, but me and Wilmer are in two separate businesses, and I would not in any way put you in a situation like this." Blake began to show some of his anger and annoyance towards his client.
"Putain... Je déteste cette connerie! Je désteste..." the canine notably passed from anger to angst and sadness. On the verge of breaking down, he tried to hold it in just enough. "I don't want to break down or complain anymore because I know I'm your most hopeless client..." he veered his focus away from the camera, struggling to keep himself stable.
"You're not my most hopeless client. Now sit up straight and look at me, like someone with true American spirit." Blake grinned, sitting up himself as he takes a quick sip from his water glass.
He sat straight, but it didn't stop there. "Of course I am. Look at your list! Sure #1's Jake Turner and Adi Anggun, Top 24 Sebastian, possibly the best PF out there... Even Brad, who you taken under to have better PR...And with this beef with Trent obviously magnified and taken out of proportion, a surprise you didnt' let "the freak" go..."
"Okay, okay let's pause..." Blake sat up. "Julian... let me get something straight. I took you on because I saw a little bit of my son Erik in you. He hangs out with friends who have piercings and tattoos, but that's where he feels at home, and I'm happy about that. You have a humble spirit, and you know what you want out of your career. I want to help you get there in the best way possible. Trent... let's say he's out of my league, and if anything..." he leans forward as if he wants to whisper. "He's overrated."
The saluki chuckled at the last part said, but took the whole lot to heart. "I just want to play my best game. I know I'm not going to get along with everyone, but what everyone doesn't get is that... that's normal. Dewitt and Brown, Hopper and Malone or Onca; some just hate each other adn that's ok. You shouldn't try to buddy me up. I think Dorian or Wilmer got a tape of my game with him and Atticus. Try to get it; it went perfectly fine despite losing. Fine, I can play with bad people. Get me a nice team and I'll get journalists asking why aren't I top 24" refering to a combine article published earlier in the year.
"I saw, I saw, and I couldn't agree more." Blake nodded. "It sounded like you played very well despite the circumstances, and that's great. Teams will be looking to someone who can deal with adversity and still perform well. If you can prove that throughout the tournament and even win the rest of your games. Get a smile on your face, because it's like you are shaking a steak around for the GMs to take a bite of. Make them hungry!"
He gave Blake a reassuring nod, but Julian touched the issue again "I can only play the cold shoulder game for so long... I wish you or someone could tell Wilmer to make the bullies behave. I'm doing my part on tolerating, they should do their part on shutting up. I went against my principles and endured all kinds of French, build, tattoo or freak related insults without ever arguing, when I swore I would've stand up... Truth be told I heard all the insults in the book." He laughed, but then retook seriousness once again "I'm not made of stone, I might explode against my will if this keeps going. I already shouted my lungs out to myself against everyone alone in my room"
"I see." Blake sighed and readjusted his seating. "I'll see what I can do. The way it's been going down on Twitter, I don't know what Corker has been teaching them, but if anything, Atticus is going to keep experiencing karma with that type of behaviour. As for Trent, I don't know. But if it becomes way too serious, I'll make sure you get on a team where you can grow instead of fighting more than you should be. On Draft Day that is. Does that sound good?"
Julian scratched his hair... Well his ear at that too. "Sure... Sorry for this. I know not everyone wants to see or hear a tattooed mess rant for so long, but figured this was something an agent should know... And my reflection can't take that much longer... But please, I know it's not a draftee's right, but try talking to Wilmer and make him see my point, schedule a one-on-one, something that makes him see that I proved that I can play in adversity, did that all my life, and I'm the only guy doing so here. Throw the dog something nice for a change... I bet Norwich isn't that much of a handful to deal with if that's the point he's trying to make, heh..."
"Unlike you, Norwich didn't go to college, and his background is far more controversial than yours. Your case is at least still within the normal." Blake added on. "But tell you what. YOU talk to Wilmer and Scoonie in private and arrange a one-on-one showcase. You're already in Hawaii, so use that opportunity to gain a good reputation. If Wilmer asks for me, I will give him my insight of it. But you're becoming a professional, so you should make the first move, not your agent. Do you understand?"
"Was refering more to the team relationship with him and the tolerance of hardheaded individuals, but that's also reassuring..." Julian shifted on his sat, now much less anxious. "I will. Never really knew all of the agent deal, but I'll do as I'm told. Thanks sir..." he smiled, a long while has passed since the last instance he felt good with himself.
"You're welcome. If you have any more questions, don't be afraid to ask. I know we have a big time difference right now, but once I've moved to the USA, I will be available more." Blake cracked a smile for Julian. "And I'll extend my invite to you to come to Minnesota sometime."
"Same to Montreal with you sir... Just tell me in time to convince the parlor to scrap that deer pin-up logo" He joked.
"Heh, I'm not sure I understood that, but I'll take your invitation regardless." Blake chuckled lightly. Come to think of it, good thing he didn't catch that.
And with that, the chat was closed. "Good thing I booked a couple of extra days after this event is over... Let's see if I can survive this..." thought Julian, finally heading outside to practice some more.
____________________________
Epilogue
It was deep in the Hawaiian night, the once crowded hotel room turned more spacious the days since the closing of the Show Your Colours events. Julian was eventually left alone; his flight scheduled the latest in comaprison to his roommates. His suitcases wide open in what used to be the bed of Clifford Carlin, whether it was assorting his toiletries or stuffing dirty laundry in plastic bags, the saluki was kept busy preparing to depart, his flight so late at night it was debatable to say it was on the early morning. in the silence of the room, he started to reflect on that week.
"This was an experience... that really rocked me to the very core and showed me not only what I'm capable of and where are my limits, but broke my walls, opened my horizons and prepared me for what's to come..."
This Hawaii camp was a rollercoaster for the canine indeed, the highests of peaks and the rock bottom and everything in between, there was no break to his psyche. Whether it was deep moments of self-consciousness...
"All about last night... I just felt kind of out of place... Country days were never my sing, and I felt... ostracized? And I dun kno' if that "unpatriotic behaviour" will end up with some sinking I'm not wanting sis enouf... yanno..."
---To Desperaton...
"I know and I'm willing to do so.” Julian spoke up. “But the thing is that everyone will show their skills perfectly, while I'll be forced to show how much shit I can deal with... It's been like that since forfuckingever"
...
With a sigh, Julian just looked on. "It's just fucking disappointing. Looks like my Basketball experience is just how long I can deal with shit. First this teammates at UCF stealing medicines and planting vomitives, now fucking this. I swear, is like my fucking agent set this up..."
---To just plain breaking down...
"No. That's a moment. Those kind of bad times in the basketball world are just that, moments. Dealing with crap has always been my life! And it would be understandable if everyone was subjected to this kind of crap evenly! Even since my time at UCF I had to deal with teammates sabotaging me all the time! I only disliked one guy in the draft pool. FUCKING ONE, and now everyone's been trying for me to cope with him, pairing him up with me to see how long until I explode. Hope that deer got the answer: Yes I can play with crappy people, can I play with normal guys FOR A CHANGE?!"
...
"Putain...I hate this! I hate..." the canine notably passed from anger to angst and sadness. On the verge of breaking down, he tried to hold it in just enough. "I don't want to break down or complain anymore because I know I'm your most hopeless client..." he veered his focus away from the camera, struggling to keep himself stable in front of his agent.
It was the side effect of heavy training, effort, blood, sweat and anger... A hell of A LOT of the latter since I found about Team 2.
Gym settings. He hated those. The drills started almost immedaitely after the teams were published, and the bear had a plan that everybody had to follow to, in his mind, win. Julian's body gave out quicker than the rest since he was made for cardio, resistance and movement, not for weights or lifting. He prefered to stay on court and hone skills, but the rich bear was having none of it.
"How LITTLE can you bench press?" asked Trent St. Croix in his usual snobby tone.
"Pick it up, bones!" Atticus butted in not long after.
Julian was nociteably struggling to keep with the bear's program. No wonder, it was made with only him in mind. Claiming it was actual FBA ad nauseam didn't help the case.
"I did my sets at 350! Wesley did 300! And you can't even last at 170? C'mon Frenchie... You're staying there until you're finished". Both Trent and Atticus walked away towards other devices.
"Damn, this guy's a wimp..." said the moth to Trent
"No kidding, let's see if this "can't carry his weight" thing is also not literal. If it is, we'll carry him, he's like what? 20, 30 pounds?" they both laughed, not snickered, laugh. They were unaware of the canine walking towards them.
"Yeah, I mean, he may play like he wants to look, all show no actual ski-"
"You are a piece of shit and you're a whiny bastard, that simple!" the canine interupted, pointing at Trent and Atticus respectively. "You've both been nothing but a pain in the ass to me so stop. Now."
"Pen een ze az' to me..." Atticus mocked Julian's accent, snickering. Wesley, who was watching nearby, walked closer to his volatile teammates. He knew they could blow up at every instant of conversation.
"Really? I didn't spew my venom at the GM's at the start of this tourney! I didn't bitch about my teammates! But of course... if you just want to QUIT and dissapoint everyone that'd be understandable" Trent said that part out loud in purpose. If a team member quitted, the team was disqualified. Wilmer did say the decision to team the dog with those two was a deliberate one, so he knew the ungulate had a plan all along. Tension was palpable; between Wesley pleading Julian to let it go and that cold reminder of "one quits, all out", the canine turned around and seeked another device without a word more to add.
"Remember snail chomper, complete the program!"
To the punching bags it was.
"But it wasn't all that bad. I met amazing people, made friends and had experiences to last a life time. There was some humor in all of this..."
"Remember Pack, if there's a photoshoot, I'm calling dibs on the leash!"
(The statement was met with laughs and playful banter by Clifford, Cassidy and Kalsang)
--
"Yeah, mainly because..."
*burp*
The saluki turned to the toucan, a strong stare in reply. "Is that a challenge call? You're ON!"
--
"C'mon inkdude! You got it! That's it! Lik-Ow... a bad wipeout..."
...
"I'M OK!!!" sounded on the distance...
And most importantly, success...
"Yes... YES!"
There was it: The saluki's name placed #1 in Wilmer's personal list. His team maybe didnt' win, but he managed his main mission, which was blow everyone away. Congratulations, handshakes and hugs galore... None like the spanish tortoise's on the latter...
The suitcases ready, he gave one last glance at the crazyhouse that was this room.
"Adam, you might be the most complete player in this whole thing. And possibly the best bud of mine here as well; never had a pal like that at UCF. I truly hope paths will cross and I wish you the best, dude"
"Sebastian, possibly the funniest and coolest bird there is. I noted some difficulty in bringing that cool bird to the court; if you show your colors, you're as good as an All-Star. You're possibly the best 4 in here, so loosen the tie doc."
"Clifford, the perfect opposite of the guys like Trent. A player that furs want to play with, mad skills to boot, but really sorry about your family's situation. Is guys like you that need a shot at this, and winning the whole thing? You made your point, you'll kick tail in the league"
"Mr. Toivonen, couldn't have done it without you. You DO know your job..."
"Wes, thanks for keeping me sane; Ed, you made a strong case redeeming yourself in front of Mr. Grehr; Aurora, you pretty damn shut me up and proved you're my deadliest rival in here; never trust a book by it's hippy demeanor indeed... Baltasar, Ahti, Cass, Fluff, Benny, Kevin, Voodoo Kid, Orca boy and everyone else in here... There'll be a long, long way. We'll all become competition, but I'm thankful there's virtually no bitterness in here. This will make a very interesting year, and hoping the FBA's ready for this... and for me.... because I'll make everything possible to be in those 48, you'll see...C'est mon fucking truc!"
And with a smile, Julian locked the door, his mind more than made up to make it big time.
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FINALLY! I'm able to comment on this awesome story.
Every time I try to read it I keep getting pulled away from dumb stuff D:<
Anyway, I love this, plain and simple. This right here shows that not ever member of the FBA can just "deal with it" but it also shows that there are good people out there who can give you the help that you need. Julian has endured various harassment from various sources, so the fact that he must deal with one in the early blooming of his career, that's just painful.
It is understandable that you will not always like who you work with, but there's also a limit to what a person can take, I'm kind of echoing your Julian's statement here, but it's the truth.
And Blake rules, he knows how to deal with Julian without making him feel inadequate, because he's not. And sure, that's what an agent is supposed to do, but Blake takes this a step further, almost fatherly. Julian knows what is expected of him and is not afraid to show what he's made of, but under conditions like this, it's too much for even the most patient person in the world.
And I really like the exchange between Julian and Wesley, they didn't quite see eye-to-eye but they reaffirmed that they have a common goal: to be the best that they can be, and they kind of developed a friendship out of it. This is a long comment, but I really wanted to tell you how much I loved this story.
I think that you portrayed each character just fine, and I really liked that I got to see a little bit into Jules' past. He's had a hard life, haven't we all, but the fact that he must sit there a be verbally oppressed in something that he loves doing, well, that can break even the toughest of
defenses.
TLDR: You. Rock. Harlow.
Every time I try to read it I keep getting pulled away from dumb stuff D:<
Anyway, I love this, plain and simple. This right here shows that not ever member of the FBA can just "deal with it" but it also shows that there are good people out there who can give you the help that you need. Julian has endured various harassment from various sources, so the fact that he must deal with one in the early blooming of his career, that's just painful.
It is understandable that you will not always like who you work with, but there's also a limit to what a person can take, I'm kind of echoing your Julian's statement here, but it's the truth.
And Blake rules, he knows how to deal with Julian without making him feel inadequate, because he's not. And sure, that's what an agent is supposed to do, but Blake takes this a step further, almost fatherly. Julian knows what is expected of him and is not afraid to show what he's made of, but under conditions like this, it's too much for even the most patient person in the world.
And I really like the exchange between Julian and Wesley, they didn't quite see eye-to-eye but they reaffirmed that they have a common goal: to be the best that they can be, and they kind of developed a friendship out of it. This is a long comment, but I really wanted to tell you how much I loved this story.
I think that you portrayed each character just fine, and I really liked that I got to see a little bit into Jules' past. He's had a hard life, haven't we all, but the fact that he must sit there a be verbally oppressed in something that he loves doing, well, that can break even the toughest of
defenses.
TLDR: You. Rock. Harlow.
Thanks for the intricate comment!
That's something I want to elaborate soon, and intended to elaborate, but never took into account a lot of fun events that could've happened. He's not this traumatic past kid, but stuff did happen. I should be getting into Julian's backstory...
At first it took me by surprise that there was intended beef between Wesley and Julian, but I took it mainly as Julian's poor reaction to the situation what pissed Wes off. So for me it was understandable.
You reminded me. I did write a final wrap-up in the forums. Let me post it here :)
That's something I want to elaborate soon, and intended to elaborate, but never took into account a lot of fun events that could've happened. He's not this traumatic past kid, but stuff did happen. I should be getting into Julian's backstory...
At first it took me by surprise that there was intended beef between Wesley and Julian, but I took it mainly as Julian's poor reaction to the situation what pissed Wes off. So for me it was understandable.
You reminded me. I did write a final wrap-up in the forums. Let me post it here :)
You're DEFINITELY welcome!
I often find myself re-reading stories like this to see if I catch things that I missed before, and I can see what you mean about Julian's poor reaction and Wes response to said reaction. I love all of these characters because they're so believable and relate able, I love it!
And WHOO New Story!
I often find myself re-reading stories like this to see if I catch things that I missed before, and I can see what you mean about Julian's poor reaction and Wes response to said reaction. I love all of these characters because they're so believable and relate able, I love it!
And WHOO New Story!
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