The following were written from the middle of July to right about now as a stress break from studying; most of which was before the draft. Hope they're fun to read about.

STORY I - FOCUS

It was another pleasant enough Saturday for Nevada Battleborn player Anton Harrier, for he was actually on a break from his proper work as a player and he was now fully invested in his part-time casino gig. With his hockey obligations starting to weigh more by the hour, he was almost certain that his time working there would be over sooner than later - and a wake-up call from the hockey organization that had drafted him ensured this.
In his mind, things were in the state of a perfectly fine situation: He never did a lot there besides some minor stuff like cleaning up aisles or dealing cards to the old lady tables so it was usually more of a pleasant situation than an actual high-effort job, but it seems the world of hockey would rather have him focused full-time instead.
He observed the sun slowly arriving from the table he was dealing with, letting out a sigh of disappointment as the slowly-growing light gave away that his time there would be done soon-ish.
Mrs. Simpson: I'll say, my boy, you're looking sad...
Anton's eyes went back to the table and the people playing there, a trio of old ladies. He considered them friends and often heard their tales - he imagined it was compensation for the money they blew there but he was fine with just listening to people for hours anyways. He chuckled at the thought of it before explaining his situation.
Harrier: Well, Mrs. Simpson, you're not wrong. It's just that my time here's coming to an end.
The three madames expressed shock and disappointment.
Mrs. Simpson: How?! How come?
Harrier: The head office said I should start getting very serious about hockey if I want to remain in the league and... well, they're not wrong, to be fair.
One of the madames, an African-American lady that probably had to be the eldest one of the bunch from her full white head of hair, decided to interject.
Mrs. Jones: But why can't you visit us once a week? Have some tea talk...
Anton chuckled, nodding afterwards.
Harrier: I guess that can be done... but it won't be often, I'll have to work hard on the training sessions. Also, you'll have a new card dealer soon. I'm sure the house will get a good one.
Mrs. Simpson: Oh, but you are a good one, my boy. And hopefully, you'll do gracefully in hockey as you do here.
Harrier: Well... one day, I'm sure. For now, I need to work hard. In any case, are you ladies still interested in dealing a wee bit or want to just have a chat for now?
Mrs. Jones: Well, given you'll leave the job soon, why don't you run the table for the day, then? For old times' sake.
Harrier: I mean... it is my job here, right? So sure, what's the bet?
The last of the three, a ginger old lady snorted.
Mrs. Robin: The bare minimum, yung'un. Let's make the day last, yes?
Harrier: Eh, sure stuff.
As they pushed a couple of red chips in, Anton thought about what he could start with before deciding to start with a recent tale while he shuffled the cards.
Harrier: So, have I told you about the story of how one of my teammates is literally a Wurmple?

(...)

Hours passed, the night had arrived and Anton was already done with his work.
He was now busy making sure the clothes he used on the casino were clean and nice.
Of course, he then heard a trickle and by that point, he knew that he wasn't alone anymore.
More importantly, he knew who was near him.
Harrier: Kasumitsu arriving this late?
A girl dropped from the ceiling, landing feet first near him, an innocent smile on her face, her orange hair shining against the lights of the room.
Kasumitsu: Man, I thought I got you by surprise this time.
Harrier: You'll get better, love, worry not.
Kasumitsu nodded, clapping her hands.
Kasumitsu: So... I'm done with my classes and you're done with work, right?
Harrier: You can say that last bit again.
Kasumitsu: You're done with work.
Harrier: Aye. Final day here.
Kasumitsu: Final day here in Las Vegas?
Harrier: N-No. The final day on this casino. I got a call from the head office from Manhattan themselves. They said I have to focus hard on hockey if I want to get a shot of going up. Besides, money's getting a bit better so I imagine I can sit down and focus on the "right things".
Kasumitsu: An ancient shinobi secret states "He who focus on many things, focuses on nothings", so I understand why they're doing that. Don't you love hockey?
Harrier: Oh, I do. I certainly do. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made all those trips for the experience.
Kasumitsu: Indeed. So this is a move-up, right?
Anton couldn't hide some disappointment.
Harrier: That's... that's true, yeah.
Kasumitsu: You're not gonna finish this talk by giving me that kind of answer, y'know.
Harrier: ...Man, you sure know me. Alright.
Anton sat on a bench, looking at her.
Harrier: I guess I'm just used to things here, you know? It's hard to move away when you're fond of things.
Kasumitsu: And so, you're not a fan of moving away from these things, right?
Harrier: Well... that and the certainty that I'll have to step away from almost everything else.
He sighed, shaking his head.
Harrier: I know that's life but...
Kasumitsu: Am I included in almost everything else?
Anton looked at her, tilted his head a little bit and then replied.
Harrier: Hopefully not. I'll be very cross if you ever leave me.
The kunoichi giggled while he got up from his seat.
Harrier: Guess it's time to drown this on pizza...
Kasumitsu: No, sir! As a professional sportsperson, you're supposed to eat light stuff.
Harrier: Eh, my mouth doesn't go well with light bulbs...

STORY II - FINNISH

Once the Battleborn went down on the playoffs, everyone was free to use their free time to prepare for international play or focus on their training. Unsurprisingly, the roster decided to keep in touch via some sort of chat app.
Larkin-Conway: I think this is everyone in. Welcome to the post-season convo, everyone!
Carrigan: Ah, nice. Glad to keep in touch with everyone, then.
Miller: Yeah, that way we can talk about what we can change up for next season. Like...
Harrier: Kuinka paljon kyyhkynen painaa?
A message says "Wing Wang has left the chat". Typical, he had scared the Wurmple again.
Kysoka: ...Can anyone translate that?
Suthermer: WTF
Harrier: Calm down, calm down. I'm just trying this fancy book Dante got me as a gift.
Siege: Dante?
Harrier: Yeah, yeah, Dante. The guy who helps with my schedule and stuff.
Larkin-Conway: And what's the book about?
Harrier: "Five Hundred Expressions in Finnish". He bought it since I got called as a loanee to Finland, said it'd be good to speak their language and all.
Miller: You know it's more likely that they'll speak English, right?
Carrigan: And their team is mostly loanees, so more people don't speak the language at all than the other way around.
Harrier: Eh, I'm always about improving myself in any way or shape. Or like they say in Finn, "ankerias housuissani, minulla on niitä".
Siege: And what's that supposed to read?
Harrier: It means "Improved Mind, Improved Body". Besides, it doesn't hurt to be in the know-how about anything that might prove advantageous.
Carrigan: Even when it doesn't.
Harrier: Nonsense, I'm sure these beacons of knowledge will make us paramount in the competition for international junior gold. You're just worried that my improved Northern European lexicon will prove to be the quintessential piece that will lead us forward.
Kysoka: ...That's not Finnish, is it?
Miller: Nah, that's English. Silly English but English still.
Larkin-Conway: You know you can talk normally on the phone, man. We know you don't speak like that.
Silence followed from Harrier until he broke into laughter.
Harrier: Alright, fair. I'm just messing with you all. But I do think this book is pretty good.
He then sent a picture of the book cover.
The page also showed a logo of a smiling fox over a globe, it belonged to a joke editor - but nobody knew of that.
Harrier: Even if it doesn't end up useful for the games, I was thinking of making a little trip to Finland before the tournament starts.
Miller: I thought you were broke.
Harrier: Well... Me and my housemates are going with Kasumitsu's folks. They apparently have ways to get people across the world pretty easily.
Kysoka: Don't get killed then.
Harrier: No guarantees!

(...)

Sure enough, Anton found himself in front of an old, beaten-up airplane in the middle of the Canadian forest.
Getting there was rough, especially when it came to bringing friends along.
Suffice to say, his small group of friends were rather shocked by what they had seen so far.

"Dante": Uh... Tony, are you sure we're supposed to travel on that thing?
Harrier: I... I think so, yeah. Let me check...

He walked towards Kasumitsu and a couple of her siblings, confused.

Harrier: Hey, uh, love?
Kasumitsu: Yes, hun?
Harrier: Are your folks sure this plan will work?
Kasumitsu: Oh, we've used this plane pretty often, should work fine.
Harrier: Oh, so you did maintenance to it plenty of times then.
Kasumitsu: Uh... not really, no.
Harrier: Oh. So... uh, love?
Kasumitsu: Yes, hun?
Harrier: Can we not?
Kasumitsu: Oh, don't worry, hun! It's safe and sound, a genius built it! We'll be in Finland safe and sound, I'm sure.
Harrier: Uh... what kind of genius are we talking about here?
Kasumitsu: She's my sister-in-law.
Harrier: I meant degrees.
Kasumitsu: Uh... she likes cold weather, from what big brother told me.

He blinked and walked towards his skater friends, a forced smile on his face.

Harrier: Yeah, uh... say, did you guys write in your wills yet?
"Dante": I did, actually.
Harrier: You did?
"Dante": Always ready, man. Always ready.

STORY III - FAMILY

The skaters complained as they watched the nearest lands coated in white, thanks to the snow.
While Anton seemed to be busy watching a local hockey game on the large room's television, Dante was understandably freaking out from the cold.

"Dante": Goddamn, this place is cold...
Harrier: Well, yeah... I play hockey for a living, being somewhere cold is usually part of the adventure.
"Dante:" Well... aye... yeah, but that doesn't make it any less cold. Can't you and your uh... flying ninja posse get us some coats or something?
Harrier: Now that you mention it...

He turned around to his girlfriend, who seemed to be mostly enjoying a book at the moment.

Harrier: Love, didn't one of your sisters use to make coats and stuff?
Kasumitsu: Oh, you mean my seamstress sister, Kunimitsu. Yes, she was on the trip as well, you could tell from the fox mask.
Harrier: Ah, the one with the... uh... Blade-looking fellow?
Kasumitsu: Blade?
Harrier: Uh... yeah, Blade. Black guy, X scar on the face, big sword behind him, kinda looks like that Snipes fella but legally distinct so we can't be sued...
Kasumitsu: You mean Sceptre? Sceptre is a very respected ninja from another clan, so it makes sense that the two hooked up.
Harrier: Huh. Fair. So... uh, I saw your twin sister and the one in the red were also on the plane.
Kasumitsu: My twin is Ayanemitsu and the "one in the red" is Takimitsu.
Harrier: Your family was pretty fond of that end on the name, eh?
Kasumitsu: Well, sorta.
Harrier: I mean... Kasumitsu, Ayanemitsu, Kunimitsu, Takimitsu... You also had that sister who played in France, right?
Kasumitsu: Mizutimitsu, plays for Le Chic de Paris on the Magnus League, yes.
Harrier: And, of course, there's Yoshimitsu, the most famous sibling.
Kasumitsu: Hm-hm. He's gonna meet us in Finland, actually. His wife got repatriated by the Swiss and she promised to work for some fancy technological conglomerate from the Alps... so he joined the local hockey team to get his head out of retirement for a while.
Harrier: Ah, must be like... Bern or Basel.
Kasumitsu: He's the star of the Thun Lakers.
Harrier: ...That's a team? Sounds a bit silly.
Kasumitsu: And now you know why he's not a fan of your guts.
Harrier: ...Fair enough. So, Thun Lakers, yes?
Kasumitsu: Yup, they got promoted recently and he's a signing they made so that they'd have a better shot at staying on the top division.
Harrier: Ah, promotion and relegation. Fair. I don't think I've ever played at a place with that.
Kasumitsu: My brother Hayabumitsu, who's currently working on something in England, said that they have it over there. You never played there?
Harrier: Oh, uh... well, you see, my family moved around a lot, I never got a chance to experience relegation or promotion. I played for Belfast's academy for winter and then we moved to Hong Kong... My most stable stint in hockey before the Battleborn was around eight months for the Petrópolis Royals in Brazil.
Kasumitsu: You know... You never told me what your family does.

Anton blinked, thinking about the best way to approach the question. Kasumitsu looked skeptically at him, wondering if he was hiding something from the kunoichi herself.
Eventually, however, the silence that suddenly appeared ended when a yell came from the other end of the room.

"Dante": Oi, Harrier. Did you get the coats?
Harrier: Ah! Uh... not yet, Dante, sorry.
"Dante": Well, I was just gonna say we're goin' for some vodka. Lucas got the numbers of some mad Finn chicks, we kinda worked out the language barrier issue and she's inviting us for drinks.
Harrier: Are you sure you want to go do that?
"Dante": Eh, it's a holiday trip, Tony. Might as well have some fun while you go do that World Junior thing.
Harrier: Ah... Well, take care. If anything happens, give us a call.

He turned back around, finding an inquisitive Kasumitsu staring straight at his eyes.

Kasumitsu: So? C'mon, hun. Speak out.
Harrier: ...Well, I guess I could share the story but it'll be a bit... rough to believe.
Kasumitsu: I'm an Irish kunoichi. My brother is a professional hockey player married to one of Switzerland's greatest scientists. My parents were hired killers with an amazing track record yet managed to hide for ages in County Meath. I'm used to bizarre things, just try to surprise me.

Anton sighed, grabbing his suitcase.

Harrier: Ever heard of the time the Devil went down to Georgia?
Kasumitsu: I... beg your pardon?
Harrier: Well, legend has it that at a time not too long after the North beat the South, the Devil travelled to the state of Georgia citing a lack of souls to damn forever and ever.
Kasumitsu: Uh... is that a song?
Harrier: Eh, it's how the tale is kept preserved. So happened that he stumbled upon a boy called Johnny, dared him to duel for his soul over a fiddle battle.

The Kunoichi looked puzzled, but Harrier continued.

Harrier: Well, the Devil gave it a major attempt and Johnny beat him hard. They kept going at it for around six or seven times throughout the next three years until the Devil just had enough of it and decided to give up on his soul. 'Course, by then the tales had reached London and he was recruited by a group of folks, including the daughter of Van Helsing herself.
Kasumitsu: And what's the relevance of that?
Harrier: Well... You could call him Johnny...

The Irish one took a picture from his suitcase with a large grin of him playing with a fiddle to the side of what seemed to be a sharply dressed but rather old man, his beard hitting the ground. In the background, laid a golden fiddle hanging on the wall.

Harrier: I call him grandpa.

STORY IV - CHALLENGE

It was a cold afternoon in Finland and the WJC was about to start in a couple of days.
Anton Harrier had already met his teammates and was also shocked to find that those phrases he learned in Finnish were not only needless but also very much wrong.
By now, he was chilling with some of his buddies that came along for the ride.

Harrier: I'm still shocked to find that you and the lads got to drink with a bunch of Snow Elves, of all things.
"Dante": I like how you say that nonchalantly.
Harrier: Well, I was the one who figured their real identities out, after all. Happy they didn't try to kill you or something like that.
"Dante": Gee, we were saved by Mr. Devil Hunter from Elven hugs and kisses, how neat.
Harrier: Eh, you say it like that would've happened either way.
"Dante": Because it WOULD have happened either way. They were harmless, you probably would've known better if you didn't want to show off to your girlfriend.
Harrier: Well, she did want proof... Although now, she's been on this loop of depreciation saying that her ninjitsu training is pointless...
"Dante": Well, Lucas at least got them to agree to go for another night out on town and they're fine if you and the missus show up as well as a way to say sorry.
Harrier: Eh. Assuming the drinking isn't obligatory. I gotta train for the Championship later, hard to do that when you're drunk.
"Dante": Don't worry about it. Someone needs to be sober anyway and those elves were pretty good with their beverages, it's safer with you and Kasu around.

Anton chuckled, only to briefly move his head to the side, avoiding what seemed to be a ninja knife thrown at him.
The knife held a message on the wall behind him.
Dante, understandably, freaked out a bit before grabbing the letter.

"Dante": "I dare you to a hockey shootout."
Harrier: Hm? You're daring me to a hockey shootout?
"Dante": Not me, you buffoon. Kasu's brother.
Harrier: Well, she has a couple but who could... Oh, right.
"Dante": I mean... She does have a brother that plays-
Harrier: Hockey for a living. Yeah. Yoshimitsu.

Anton rolled his eyes, sighing.

Harrier: You'd think the guy would've gotten over it after I survived his family's trial thing.

Another knife soared past him, landing another message.

"Dante": "It's not over after the trial. You challenged our rites and I still doubt your skill."
Harrier: Heh. Well, I guess I better go find him, then. Hopefully, this will be over by the time we're going for drinks.
"Dante": I thought you weren't gonna drink, man.
Harrier: Oh, I won't. You are. I'm just gonna watch and see how silly you all get when hammered, that's all.

Not too long after that, Anton found his way through the woods towards a makeshift hockey rink.
The sight was unfamiliar for some but the armour was a dead giveaway.
Didn't help he had a couple of player cards of him that he couldn't get rid of.

Harrier: Hey, Yoshi!
Yoshimitsu: Hmpf. Your insolence is impressive.
Harrier: Now, now. I haven't done a single thing for you to give me that.
Yoshimitsu: You've insulted my team!
Harrier: Uh... how do you know I did that?
Yoshimitsu: So you did!
Harrier: Well, besides your goofy-sounding team, what else?
Yoshimitsu: You've made my sister question the truth of ninjitsu. That's an insult above any others.
Harrier: Well... She did ask about my folks. I just told her what they did.
Yoshimitsu: Demon hunting is certainly an interesting job. We ninjas have done similar in the past.
Harrier: With music?
Yoshimitsu: No. Properly.
Harrier: Heh. I think you're trying to egg me on, Yoshi.
Yoshimitsu: Stop calling me Yoshi!
Harrier: Look, you're the one who doesn't give me a break. Tell me what you want.
Yoshimitsu: A shootout to define who's the best.
Harrier: On hockey? You sure you want to leave this sort of matter on that?
Yoshimitsu: Yeah. We'll see who's the best by solving the question on grounds of fairness.

He threw him a hockey stick and dropped a puck between the two. He pointed to the goal with a smirk, which Anton couldn't see for obvious reasons.

Yoshimitsu: Score on my goal ten times and you win.
Harrier: You sure about that, eh? Alright.

The two got set.
And it was all a blur, Anton sneaked past Yoshi, his stick following behind as he kept the puck just about Yoshi's reach, only to pull it harder back, forcing him to move in circles, chasing the younger player.
Eventually, Yoshimitsu seemed to get fed up and stopped in front of the goal.
Anton smirked, flipping the puck upwards before slashing it diagonally, scoring between his brother-in-law's legs.

Harrier: One to nothin'.
Yoshimitsu: Hmpf, don't get too cocky. I'll have you know I'm an experienced player.
Harrier: Sure you are.

Without skipping a beat, Yoshimitsu dropped the puck on the ice and shot it forward, only for Anton to lock it with his stick, without showing any sort of grin although the ninja could feel the cockiness from miles away.
For the next half an hour or so, Anton took the duel with ease, tricking through the angry ninja, getting his goals with slight ease.
At last, it was over and Anton had won. Yoshimitsu remained grumpy.

Yoshimitsu: How did you do it?! How?
Harrier: What explanation do you want? Lexical or proper?
Yoshimitsu: All of it!
Harrier: Well, lexically speaking, I got the puck through your defence into the net five times, as you challenged me to do.
Yoshimitsu: Hmpf!
Harrier: Properly speaking, you were so upset over the thought of me doing your sister that I scored five times.

Anton chuckled, leaving the ice and a perplexed Yoshimitsu, waving the hockey stick he was given with a smile.

Harrier: Cheers for the gift and the fun, Yoshi. See ya at the hotel!

STORY V - NIGHT OUT

The sushi bar itself was an establishment built on what looked to be old wood. He wasn't sure if it was just the look of it or if it was proper wood but their two guests weren't particularly enthralled.
The towering pair of elves - light skin and pointy ears hidden under fashionable knit caps plus all else - didn't seem to be too insulted by the appearance that Mother Nature had been stripped to build the place.
From what Anton could gather, the taller one was called Myra and the shorter one was called Lara; although his experience with elves dictated that their names were probably larger than that.
The round table was then filled up with the rest of his skater gang.
"Dante", whose real name was unknown, seemed to be busy trying to keep warm under layers and layers of coating, to the point all they could see were bits of his black hair and eyes.
He was to the side of the blond, Lucas. Lucas was surprisingly fine with the cold, wearing a sleeveless open shirt over a sleeved shirt. His usual tanned skin could still be seen, even if he hadn't been under a proper tanning sun for a while.
The ginger Aiden: was next, sitting to the side of the elves. He wore a skull cap and a black long-sleeved coat. His eyes had some black eyeliner on the corners.
He happened to look a wee lot like his sister, Mercy. The main difference between the two besides their gender was that she opted for some fishnets on the arms, whatever little piece of the skin one could catch over the table.
Finally, Meghan, who made it her god-given duty to dress and smell better than everyone else, now wearing a pale long dress with a denim jacket over it and a large yellow scarf that they apparently got the way there. She said it complimented her blonde hair.
Mercy, who liked to bicker with her now and then, denied.
His girlfriend, Kasumitsu, was there as well, using her finest Japanese schoolgirl costume, to the protest of just about everyone else bar the elves who found it funny and Anton, who knew better than to get another ninja pissed at him for the day.

Once everyone got comfortable, they started to talk.
Myra:: So... sorry about yesterday.
Harrier: Well, I should apologize instead.
Lara:: I guess both sides were in the wrong...
Harrier: Eh, Nah. It's all on me. I started it, so I'm sorry.
"Dante": Well, hopefully, we'll make it a very fun night to compensate for it, right?
Kasumitsu: I like very fun nights.
Meghan: That would be very good, like.... we could have fun here then go to the hotel and do braids-
Mercy: Look at her, starting her old shtick with elves for once.
Meghan: Why you-
Aiden:: So, she does raise a good point. I'm still surprised we found elves and that our friend here is a demon hunter.
Harrier: Well, I'd rather you don't make that too publically known. There's a good reason I don't have it on my card or something.
"Dante": You have a card?
Harrier: A player card, I think. I remember taking a photo for it but I was kinda hammered that day.
Aiden:: Huh. And what did you write about it?
Harrier: That I like to skateboard and to fiddle, I guess.
Lara:: So nothing about demons?
Harrier: People would think I'm crazy.
Mercy: I still think you are crazy.
Kasumitsu: It's just reality that is a bit crazy.
"Dante": Or the guy who's writing this is taking the piss.
Myra:: That sounds like a nice creation of you hu-
Lara:: A nice creation of you foreigners, keeping memories of players via pictures and cards.
Lucas: Don't forget the games. Big fan of 'em.

The skater gang all looked at Lucas, who shrugged.

Lucas: What? Just because I like the beaches, doesn't mean I don't like playing games.
Mercy: And yet, you never invited anyone to play.
Lucas: That's... true, yeah. Well, I mean, when we get home...
Myra:: Say, what's this... game?
Meghan: Ah, it's this thing that you can spend a load of time on while pressing buttons.
Myra:: Sounds fascinating!
Lara:: I think neither of us has ever interacted with that sort of object. Is it electronic?
Harrier: Uh... yeah, it is. Well, usually. There are ones that do not require electricity but the ones this goofball enjoys are of that kind.
Lucas: Hey, stop treating me badly just because I haven't invited y'all yet. I... I just wasn't aware y'all would be down for it.
Mercy: Eh, that's a new one.
Aiden:: That's a weak excuse, man.
Lucas: 'Sides, Tony here has no excuse to give me guff - he plays hockey!
Kasumitsu: My brother played both, actually...
"Dante": A ninja that plays hockey and video games? For real?
Kasumitsu: Uh... yes, that's correct. Just because of our hidden talents, doesn't mean we don't do things normal people do.
Harrier: Indeed. They still have normal lives outside of that sort of stuff.
Myra:: And you, young sir?
Harrier: Eh, I'm doing fine. And you?
Myra:: Oh, I'm doing fine myself and- no, I meant as in if you have a life outside of your two jobs.

Anton shrugged, laying back on the chair's support as he did so.

Harrier: Of course... I mean, I have the skill to hunt stuff but I don't have it as a job, only when I have to defend my friends. Hockey is my proper career but I did work as a cards dealer on a casino not too long ago as well.
"Dante": And you skate.
Harrier: Yeah, whenever I got the free time. Can't miss dates as well.
Kasumitsu: Or he'll wake up with his head severed from his body.

The group fell into a weird silence.

Meghan: Like... you'd do that to the guy you like?
Kasumitsu: Oh, not me. My brother would.
Harrier: Good ol' Yoshi McCloud hates my guts for some reason.
Mercy: Maybe because you're too insolent, calling him after Mario's little dinosaur pet won't help.
Harrier: Oi, you're having a laugh? I've been as respectful as possible towards every member of her family, even the Wesley Snipes-lookin' fella.
Kasumitsu: Except for my brother.
Harrier: Ehhhh... I'd say I've been treating him pretty well all things considered. He got pissed from the start just from the thought of me being with ye, remember?
Kasumitsu: You asked for an autograph when you first met him.
Harrier: And in response, he tried to slash my head off, thanks.
"Dante": Yeah, that's a bit of an overblown response.
Lucas: Aye, like what did ya expect?
Mercy: You idiots. They probably wanted Tony to bow first, her family's from Japan, aren't they?
Kasumitsu: Well, Ireland after Japan, but yes. Guess I should've told you beforehand to do so.
Harrier: Eh, no harm. Good thing your boyfriend is awesome and dealt with enough swords pointed at him to know how to avoid it, ain't I right?
Mercy: Grown a bit of an ego, didn't ya?
Harrier: ...Yeah, guess bringing the matter up makes me have a bit of ego for once, my bad.
Kasumitsu: Good... we ninja don't like people with egos...
Aiden:: Common folk ain't big on that either if it helps.
Lara:: Or us elven folk.

Anton nodded, acknowledging it while grabbing a menu to see what he'd go for.

Harrier: With that out of the way, do y'all have anything in mind for dinner?
Kasumitsu: I think I'll have the offer of sixteen rolls of sushi.
Lara:: We would rather have salads. Like the ones from yesterday.
Myra:: Except intact and not torn up all over the room after someone slashed it.
Harrier: No promises on that last bit.
Mercy: Eh. I'll have the house special.
Aiden:: Make it two.
"Dante": Three.
Meghan: Like four, I guess.
Lucas: I'll have three of those cone things.
Harrier: Eh, guess I'll grab what love's havin'.
Kasumitsu: Are you sure about that, Hun?
Harrier: Sure as you're the cutest in the whole room.

Mercy rolled over her eyes while the rest of the table jeered.

Aiden:: That was so schmoozy, man.
Harrier: Eh, wee bit. But the lass likes it and that's all I care for.
Kasumitsu: That's correct...

The kunoichi let out a giggle and a smile. Anton grinned before requesting the waiter's attention.
A couple of lines later, they were now on the wait for their food.

Lucas: So...
Harrier: I think your question is when are y'all gonna get drunk, right?
Mercy: Well, yeah. I was promised vodka.
Aiden:: Sis, you can't even take normal beer...
Mercy: Yup. And that's why I'm with you all, so you can carry me back to the hotel.
Lara:: Such an ingenious human.
Mercy: I'm the smart one, yes.
Meghan: I thought you were the contrarian one.
Mercy: That too.
"Dante": Well, having dinner first would prepare us for the punch, y'know.
Kasumitsu: Hm-hm. You can't have sake on an empty stomach unless you're like me.
Harrier: Pretty?
Kasumitsu: No, hun. Ninja. We use alcohol to breathe fire at opponents.
Lucas: For real, that's a thing?
Kasumitsu: Yup. Big brother in particular did that a lot... but he had to scale back on alcohol because of post-match testing.
Harrier: Eh, I can imagine him having some trouble.
Myra:: Did you ever have trouble with that too?
Harrier: I had a confrontation with a succubus once since she had sneaked her way into the commission but beyond that, Nah.
"Dante": Wait, they're a thing in normal society?
Harrier: Uh... yeah, pretty much. Not to worry too much, I think... My folks and their friends hunt the bad ones and the good ones ain't half bad to deal with.
Myra:: Figures. Some elf tribes are mean to outsiders. Good thing we're of the outgoing kind.
Lucas: And you can fight too.
Harrier: Aye, not that I'm that great of a demon hunter myself but still... you're pretty tough.
Lara:: Heh. We appreciate the kind words.

Silence fell again.

Lara:: Say, uh... your job means you travel a lot, right?
Harrier: Playing hockey? Uh... yeah, pretty much. But I usually stay a chunk of time in Las Vegas, so I technically have a home.
Myra:: Is it too stressful?
Harrier: Eh, not really.
"Dante": It's more stressful for us that live with him, to be honest.
Meghan: Yeah, he has a couple of annoying fans and stuff.
Harrier: Eh, wee bit. They're good lads and ladettes.
Lucas: Oh, uh... when they're not trying to throw a rock at the windows, sure.
Harrier: I guess that's a problem.
Kasumitsu: There was that one girl that tried to strangle you.
Harrier: I think her criticism was understandable.
Mercy: The choking?
Harrier: Eh, a bit of an overreaction. Still...

He chuckled, looking at everyone with a grin.

Harrier: I like the sport way too much to quit.

(...)

Five hours later, Anton and Kasumitsu looked at each other while their friends essentially were in a drunken stupor.

Harrier: Well... I guess we signed up for this, right?
Kasumitsu: Hm-hm. Still, it was fun to get together with these folks.
Harrier: Eh, I agree. Could do without listening to the puking though.
Kasumitsu: C'mon, hun. That messes you up, of all things?
Harrier: It's just... not natural, you know.
Kasumitsu: Don't worry. They're down already. We just need to get in a taxi and go back to the hotel. It'll all be fine.

He signalled for a lone taxi that was in the region.
Soon enough, they were into the car.
The driver looked somewhat shadowy.
Then his eyes lit red.

Driver: Where we goin'?
Harrier: Great Helsinki Hotel.
Driver: Alright. Think it'll be thirty.
Harrier: Sure, worry not.

The driver let out a little evil chuckle.

Harrier: Say, you just came out of hell, right?
Driver: ...How did you know?
Harrier: Red eyes, bad breath.
Driver: Yeah, I ran out of Tic-Tacs.
Harrier: Happens. Try to speak lower when you do that, people won't notice it as much.
Driver: S-So, where are you from? Fourth circle?
Harrier: Oh, I'm from Earth. My grandpa's the fiddler.

The driver blinked, not starting the car.

Harrier: Are ye gonna start some trouble?
Driver: Uh... N-No.
Harrier: Are ye takin' souls?
Driver: Not at all! I'm just trying to start a nice life.
Harrier: Heh, fair 'nuff. Then we won't have any trouble.

He looked to the side, noticing a shocked beyond belief Kasumitsu.

Harrier: What?

Word count: 6737

Player Page - Update Page

Former Players: Yoshimitsu McCloud (LW, #64) -
Won a Four Star Cup once, knew ninjutsu, picture editors hated him, never tried free agency
Anton Harrier (LW, #90) -
Won WJC gold, liked skateboarding a lot, went to the finals with Manhattan, kept his seat glued in LR

Loved the article. Try to maybe break it up a little more in the future, Thun. And the total wordcount was about 1000 less than you posted (5825 words)

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