Dance the First [Video]

[defeat_sorrow]

In Spira, people play a game called Blitzball. Every year there's a big tournament in Luca, and people come from all over to watch it and root for their favorite team. It was one of the few really good things we had in Spira. A time for everyone to get together and have fun, and forget about their sorrows for a little while.

I wondered if there's anything like that here? Maybe not a sport, but some kind of regular event where everyone gathers to celebrate and have fun?

Comments

Video;

[chore_boy]

[Fun? What the hell is that?]

Well... I think soccer, maybe. How do you play Blitzball, though?

Re: Video;

[defeat_sorrow]

Oh, I've never heard of soccer!

Blitzball is played underwater in a huge dome. There are two teams, and the object of the game is to get the blitzball into the opposite team's goal--usually either by throwing or kicking it in.

I've never played, but it's so much fun to watch.

Video;

[chore_boy]

I've never heard of many sports you could play in the water--none that have that much mainstream influence.

['Huge dome' was a tip-off.]

Though, how could you really watch it in the first place? From the surface, it seems like nobody could be too visible.

Re: Video;

[defeat_sorrow]

Oh, no, the whole thing's clear. Like a giant bubble. There are rows and rows of raised seats in a circle, with the dome in the middle. You can see everything.

Video;

[chore_boy]

I would ask how one gets such a thing to work, but I'm certain I couldn't fathom the engineering.

Though, it sounds like a popular sport to have such an undertaking of science going into it.

[video]

[theboywhodied]

It's a little difficult to find a sport that everyone can play. I'm best at Quidditch, but we don't have enough flying brooms for that. But I think we could all play football---that's just kicking a ball around on the ground.

Re: [video]

[defeat_sorrow]

Your people fly on brooms? Don't you worry about falling off?

[video]

[theboywhodied]

That's part of the fun. We've trained for years for this, but there are always people ready to break our fall if it happens. The last person who fell wasn't hurt too badly.

[video]

[defeat_sorrow]

Well, that's a relief. I guess I can see why something would be more fun if it was a little dangerous. It makes it exciting, right?

[video]

[theboywhodied]

Yeah.

Do they say the same thing about Blitzball?

Video

[showmeyourwreath]

I'm not sure if there is or isn't, but something like that could be very useful, not to mention fun.

Re: Video

[defeat_sorrow]

That's what I was thinking. People have to have something fun to do, to keep their minds off all the bad stuff that might be happening.

Video

[showmeyourwreath]

I agree. It's probably more important to have something like that now than ever.

Blitzball, though, do the players hold their breath for that long, or are they breathing underwater? It sounds really interesting!

Video

[defeat_sorrow]

It is interesting! And lots of fun. They have to hold their breath, they do a lot of practicing to be able to hold it for so long.

Video

[showmeyourwreath]

No way! That sounds incredibly intense, trying to keep track of your team, your opponents and all of that while holding your breath.

_{[Flora is incredibly impressed, here. That sounds pretty remarkable.]}

video

[chittybang]

You should speak with Utena! Pink hair. She's been working on organizing a couple of sports for a little while now. Maybe you could pitch Blitzball to her.

video

[defeat_sorrow]

Has she really? I'll have to talk to her, then. Do you know where I can find her?

video

[chittybang]

I don't know her exact whereabouts, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind you dropping a line; her surname is Tenjou, if you want to look for her in the system. I'm sure she'll really appreciate the interest.

But enough about that! How've you been? I haven't seen you in a while.

video

[defeat_sorrow]

Wha- I-I'm fine, thank you.

Um, I'm sorry, do I know you?

voice;

[skilful]

Whoa, Blitzball sounds amazing!

[ Not wanting this girl to explain twice, he's looked at the explanations above. Though Totsuka's never been one for sports, but hearing new things excites him all the time. ]

How long does a match last? If they play the game in water, do they hold their breaths the entire match?

voice;

[defeat_sorrow]

It is amazing! And so much fun to watch!

Each match is made up of two halves, and they each last for several minutes. Blitzball players are good at holding their breaths.

video;

[sidecar]

Weren't you here back in February? They go all out for their holidays.

video;

[defeat_sorrow]

No, I've only been here for a few weeks. What sorts of holidays do they have here?

video;

[sidecar]

[He pulls a confused face for a brief moment because this girl sure looks familiar, but eh, that's Exsilium for you.]

I dunno about the rest of the year, but last month they had a big thing to celebrate being separated from the UE.

If you ask me this place could use that kind of cheering up all the time.

Re: video;

[defeat_sorrow]

I think so, too. No matter how hard a journey might be, filling it with laughter makes it easier to bear.