[Action/Voice]

[most_unwanted]

[Finally, after all this time! Mulder has found that much-desired basketball. He's in luck too, as it's well-inflated, not a sign of wear or tear on it. Too many times, he's come across half-deflated or otherwise messed up ones. But this one is perfect. It's as if there's finally some compensation for all the usual rounds of disappearances and so on. He's really needed this. He starts dribbling the ball right as he leaves the shop and continues bouncing the thing everywhere he goes throughout the day. It can also be heard in the background of his voice transmission.]

Does anyone have any unique birthday traditions they care to share? I wonder how similar these traditions might be between the worlds... Let's just say I'm curious, for purely theoretical reasons.

...By the way, is there anyone out there who'd be up for shooting some hoops or even getting together a pick-up game of basketball? Of course, we'd actually need to throw together a hoop somehow first, but minor details! If you've never played before, I promise I'll go easy on you.

Comments

[Voice]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

I'm sure. Ah- you mentioned basketball before. Is that something you'd like to do for your birthday?

[She promises she won't even clean up the court with him. The teletia-s disguise and abilities will stay firmly at home.]

[Voice]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

If you're down with shooting some hoops, then definitely. I'm just outside C7, setting something up now.

[Voice]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

I can be there shortly.

[Voice]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

Great, I'll be waiting.

[And back he goes to bouncing the ball around and taking a few shots, making some and missing some.]

[ACTION!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

[Ami arrives dressed in casual clothes light and loose enough to move in easily. She smiles a bit nervously at Mulder; she still isn't sure whether she's 'joining in to let him do something he'll enjoy' or 'interfering and putting herself forward'.]

Shall we warm up awhile first or are you ready?

[ACTION!]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

[Definitely the 'something he'll enjoy', since he's missed playing this the way he used to back home.]

I'm pretty warmed up. Though I can be fair and give you a couple minutes if you need it.

[ACTION!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

It's alright. I may not be very good with basketball, but I stretched for a few minutes before I came here.

[ACTION!]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

Well, it can't be so bad since I think you're used to running around. [He bounces the ball a few times.] Any preference on getting the ball first? We could take a few free throws to figure that out.

[ACTION!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

[She shakes her head.] It's fine to begin like this, unless you'd prefer differently.

[She keeps a sharp eye on the ball and Mulder's dribbling and handling. Analysis of his playing style is her best shot.]

[ACTION!]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

That'll work for me.

[Mulder begins dribbling along, and it'll show that he's used to playing the game. Not on the level of professionals, but he's been on teams in school, and he's kept up recreational playing after that.]

[Action!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

[Not so for Ami. She's in good physical shape as a soldier, but sports will never be her strong point without cheating help from her powers.

She moves quickly, though; enough to give Mulder a challenge to keep and reclaim the ball.]

[Action!]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

[It's definitely a challenge, in a good way. Even though he's been without the game for a couple months here in Luceti, it's not too hard to get back into the rhythm of the game, keeping his feet moving and the ball going along... aaand he gets to the point where he shoots- the ball going in.]

[Action!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

[Ami seeks approval before she's competitive. She grins and even applauds lightly.] Congratulations!

[Action!]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

[He grins happily.]

Good to see I haven't lost it in all these months.

[Action!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

We keep ourselves in shape even here. [Especially when trouble pops up and she gets a workout as Sailor Mercury.]

[Action!]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

That's true, even if I've been without a ball all this time. Luceti really is a few steps up from the average prison.

[He still runs and things, after all... but playing any sort of game hasn't been possible until now.]

Your ball.

[Action!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

[There's just a second's hesitation before Ami takes the ball, dribbles, heads closer to the basket and shoots - from closer range, but she has the satisfaction of seeing her shot make it. She pumps her fist.]

Yosh!

[Action!]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

Good one! [The excitement is contagious, he has to admit. He's only playing for fun himself, after all.]

[Action!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

Ah- Yours now, right? [She lightly bounces the basketball over to Mulder.]

This is sort of fun after all.

[Action!]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

You've got the right idea.

[He grins and starts bouncing along.]

Thanks for coming out here.

[Action!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

[She looks shy for a moment.]

I just thought... if it was your birthday... you shouldn't spend that alone.

[She has experience in this area. It wasn't a nice feeling.]

[Action!]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

[So does he, sadly. He spent a lot of them alone, back home.]

Thanks, for that. It actually means a lot.

[Action!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

And, actually... I'm really glad you let me join in. [She grins, and she's ready to play some more.]

[Action!]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

Good, I'm having fun too. As crazy as it seems, in a place like this...

[And off he goes to start back in playing.]

[Action!]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

Things seem too serious to be able to just play a game of basketball, don't they sometimes?