Wherein Falcon tells Max a story.

[raced_god]

No one's seen Pit, huh?

Lots of new faces again. I guess it's only natural for this time of year. I missed a lot of first posts to the network, so feel free to introduce yourself if you'd like. I'm sure a lot of the new students weren't around for tryouts, so if you've just arrived at the school and are interested in joining the football team, just leave a comment.

Why's everyone whining so much about the cold? It's not even Halloween. Save the complaining for when we're in three feet of snow or something.

Speaking of which, if anyone sees Professor Olimar wearing a sweater vest, let me know.
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He's been here for over five months now and neither of us are dead. I'm...surprised.

I guess that means we're both miserable failures.

...I think my island was broken into how is that even possible.
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YOU'RE OLD. Happy birthday. I have something for you, but it's over on the island. Do you want to take a ride out there with me this weekend?
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Hey. Hey. We should spar again sometime. Before we're in the aforementioned three feet of snow and incapable of doing anything but sit on the couch in a pile of blankets and watch movies.

And no Powersuit.

But anyway, how have you been? Did you like my mom. I haven't had much luck on tips for our bounty. What about you?
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Tell me about Blacky.
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[Sit tight, Max. It's *~*storytime*~*.]

I've been thinking a lot about your question.

To be honest, I don't think I ever decided to be strong. I mean, now I am, sure. But...I think I am because I was made that way. And now I can't afford to not be strong, so. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we're shaped by our experiences.

I never went to college. Joined a police force instead. Not necessarily because I wanted to be a cop. Mostly because I didn't know what else to do with myself. And by luck or whatever, I was good at it. Really good at it. That's where the "Captain" comes from, actually.

I was on a four-person team. Two sets of partners. We didn't get along at first. At all. But we worked well together. Did a lot of good for the force. We were great, actually. Really great. I guess we got a little cocky. Only natural when you're the best of the best for six or seven years or so.

Anyway, my partner got killed. I don't know if you've ever had anything like that happen to you, but it's...surreal. There one second and gone the next before you even know what's happened and certainly before you could do anything about it. I think the most difficult part of losing someone is realizing that it's the little things that are gone, things you'll never see or hear again. It was hard on all of us. The other two worse than me. They were devastated, obviously. Angry. But still, it was no excuse for what they did.

Police brutality. It was vicious. I couldn't...it was not our job to act that way, not our right, no matter what had happened to us. It got to the point where I couldn't stand by and watch anymore. I reported them for acting so out of line. There was an investigation and they were removed from the force. They were my best friends, and they hated me for what I did. Still do. I quit after that. Erased everything I could find and disappeared. Not because I was ashamed, but because I knew where I had to go. That's when I went to bounty hunting.

And I think the whole experience helped me find the answer to your question. You have to be strong or you compromise yoursef. It's not easy, but if you're not strong enough to stick by your principles, then you're nothing. I didn't want to report my team. My friends. But I had to because it was what I felt was right. At the end of the day, if you don't have the strength to make those kinds of decisions, to do what you know you have to do, no matter how painful or difficult it is...how can you possibly be strong enough for others? People who need you to be strong for them?

I think...I think that's my answer. I'm not sure if it's yours. Probably not, but there you go.

Comments

Private

[leadthemalong.livejournal.com]

Thank you...

For me? Ah... if you would like me to. I couldn't imagine what would have to be put on an island for me. I'll come by as soon as I can.

My whole family is going out tonight. You could... perhaps come along, but you don't have to.

Re: Private

[raced_god]

Yes. You have to come. It's amazing, and you're going to love it.

Oh, really? You want me to?

Re: Private

[leadthemalong.livejournal.com]

Really? Thank you so much! Now I'm going to be eager with anticipation all day and tomorrow!

We would love it if you could accompany us! You're my best friend...

[umbreon-blacky.livejournal.com]

[FFFFFFFFFALCONNNN]

Olimar in a sweatervest? That sounds quite cute. I'll be sure to keep an eye out.

[raced_god]

[YAAAAEEEEEES?]

Not so much when he's human. Then he just looks like a dork.

[umbreon-blacky.livejournal.com]

[I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER.]

Nonsense. I'm certain it would suit him either way.

[leadthemalong.livejournal.com]

It's a matter of taste and opinion!

[monotreme-101.livejournal.com]

I like sweater vests well enough. Char wears a sweater vest and it suits him pretty good. I don't think I could pull it off.

It would be awesome to see some new people try out for football!! I think we're doing pretty great as is but the more the merrier, right?

[raced_god]

I am not a fan, personally.

I'd like that too, yeah. Especially with the new students we've gotten recently.

[Private]

[blondprodigy.livejournal.com]

Oh god how am I going to do this Aaaaaaaaaaaa

Can I stay at your place, Mr. Falcon?

Re: [Private]

[raced_god]

...Did something happen?

THIS COULD NOT EXIST LESS

[brutalemperor.livejournal.com]

HEY. HEY I DIDN'T TOUCH YOUR STUPID ISLAND. THIS TIME.

Re: THIS COULD NOT EXIST LESS

[raced_god]

YOU BETTER NOT HAVE OR I WILL KILL YOU.

[badasscopters.livejournal.com]

Huh, come to think of it, I ain't seen Pit in a while. Maybe he left on a flyin' trip or something! Wouldn't be surprised.

I'll keep a look out for the kid.

((strikes = thoughts))

[raced_god]

Yeah, that's kind of strange.

Thanks.

[solarock.livejournal.com]

Oh... you're the coach of football. I've seen you, but we have never met. My name is Anshu; it's a pleasure to meet you.

Personally, I've never felt temperature in my life before. This is a new experience to me, and the most I have felt was the warmth of summer. I'm sure I'll get used to it...

[raced_god]

Hey, Anshu. Nice to meet you too.

...Never? Are you from a place without seasons or something?

[Private]

[icequeen-aran.livejournal.com]

and snow wouldn't keep me from a spar. ...even without the Powersuit. Consider it a generous handicap, Captain.

No tips either. but something's got to give eventually. Quite frankly I can't wait for it. Sometimes I get so antsy just sitting around.

...When did you want to spar again?

Re: [Private]

[raced_god]

Did you like my mom did you huh I think she liked you.

It seems I'm a little busy this weekend. Jeff wants to stay over? Maybe you could come too, it could be like family night or something. And Sunday I'm giving Ollie his birthday present. But after that, I'm pretty much free.

I keep hoping we'll get one when we least expect it and have to drop everything and disappear. Pfff.

TELL ME ABOUT THE PATRIOTS. [Private]

[whitedeviljack.livejournal.com]

...What about her?

Re: TELL ME ABOUT THE PATRIOTS. [Private]

[raced_god]

What's going on between you two?

Private?

[tank-rockarms.livejournal.com]

That was a bit more involved than I was lookin' for. You didn't need to tell me about all that police stuff. But you had the answer I was lookin' for in there, mixed up with the rest of the stuff, I think.

And it's good knowin' that. And it's good knowin' more about you. You're gonna make me think a lot again, though.

I'll tell you my answer if you want it, sir.

And I will tell you this right now. I never lost any of my good friends in the line of duty, but I've lost a lot of men under my command. Sorta comes with the territory. Different than losin' a partner but still heavy on a guy.

Though there was one time I guess I came close. I told you about Grit leavin' for Blue Moon but I don't think I ever told you why I hate clones so much. Don't know that I ever told you I hate clones. But I do.

Anyway, in the last war, Black Hole ran around and made clones of other COs. One of them was a clone of Andy. We had to fight against somebody that looked and sounded just like Andy. Then after we beat him Kindle deserted him and left him there and we found him.

He asked me if the real Andy had any friends. I told him he did. And everybody liked Andy. And I was Andy's best friend. And then he told me and Sami and Jake that he was happy. I made him happy by tellin' him the real Andy had friends.

And his body just. . . fell apart. And he died.

It was like watchin' Andy die in front of me with nothin' I could do about it.

It wasn't real Andy but it was like watchin' real Andy die in front of me.

I know it ain't the same thing as you but it was hard on me when it happened.

It's private now.

[raced_god]

Well, I figured it might make more sense if I put it in context. Sorry if it was more than necessary. Sorry for MAKING YOU THINK, GEEZ, MAX.

I don't think you ever told me about that. I am...not entirely fond of clones myself.

[blazinglizard.livejournal.com]

You got somethin' against sweater vests, coach?

[raced_god]

I just like making fun of Professor Olimar.