AN: 05/26/2013 Part two! I consider these little blurbs to be world building. It helps to get it out in writing instead of keeping it all in my head. This way, things make a little more sense for you as you read my bigger story. I am still working on War of the Oranges! Current page count- 41. Still haven't finished the first part of the second chapter. Oh what fun I have in store for our heroes )
This bit is supposed to take place during the second half of First Face Off. This is after they've landed, but before the NHL accepts the ducks as a team and before they've built their base. I'm thinking of pushing this one a little further, maybe in a second part. Either way, stupid writing muse is still pestering me! We'll see how this one goes over. I LOVE the reviews! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know what you think of my stories =)
Phil Palmfeather stood on the stairs leading down to the rink, watching the alien ducks fly over the ice, shooting the puck back and forth, trying their hardest to get it past Wildwing. Occasionally, one would break from the team and run through what the human figured was a type of practice drill before rejoining the game. They were still dressed in the orange and burgundy uniforms they had found in the locker room. Somehow, Phil thought the colors weren't going to stick around once the team had been officially introduced to the world.
"Hey, guys! I got the paperwork!" He waved a stack of papers at his new team. "Come on up to my office when you're finished and we'll start getting you set up to join the NHL."
Wildwing smiled. He didn't know much about humans, but this one certainly seemed to be eager to get them in the National Hockey League. He could hardly believe their luck, finding an empty rink in a city without a team, and coming to the planet just before the start of Earth's pre-game season. Miraculously, it looked like they were going to be able to play with Earths best teams.
"We'll be up in a few," Wildwing called. "Okay team, practice is over."
Mallory and Tanya headed to their locker room while the guys went towards the away teams lockers. The locker room for the away team was nice, but the home team's was much nicer with better showers and a little more space.
"How come they always get the better showers?" Nosedive complained once he had stowed his gear in his temporary locker.
"Because they're ladies," Grin rumbled. "It's the polite thing to do."
Duke studied Nosedive thoughtfully, trying to guess his age and experience.
"You've obviously never lived with a woman. Have ya, kid?"
"Well, our mom."
"Nuh-uh. Not the same. If you're sharing living space with a woman, you learn pretty quickly that there are some things you never argue with them about. One is the bathroom. They will always get it first. Complain about how long they take at your own peril."
Nosedive made a dismissive noise at Duke. "Ah, you're full of it." He turned towards the showers, towel in hand.
"You should listen to him, baby bro. I'm sure Duke knows what he's talking about."
"Trust me," Duke warned. "Women can make your life hell in ways you wouldn't dream about if you get between them and a hot shower."
0000
Phil had six neat stacks of paper on clip boards waiting on his desk for the team when they walked in. A larger set of papers sat in front of him.
"You guys need to fill these out," he said as he handed each duck their set of papers. "And I've got the bulk of the paperwork for setting up the team. So, what are you guys going to name the team?"
Wildwing was a little surprised by the question. He'd never thought of a name his inherited team.
"The Mighty Ducks," Nosedive piped up, rescuing his brother from brain freeze.
"After Drake DuCaine's team?" Wildwing mused. It seemed like a good name.
"Yeah, why not?" Nosedive leaned back, his arms crossed behind his head and put his legs up on Phil's desk. "You've got DuCaine's mask, so that automatically makes us Mighty Ducks."
"Sounds good ta me," Duke added.
"I don't know, guys," Tanya waffled. "I mean, doesn't it seem a little, uh- pres-presumpto- arrogant to use that name?"
"The distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion," Grin rumbled.
"Then, we're the Mighty Ducks," Wildwing said. The name just felt right.
"Okay..." Phil wrote it down. "Now, I'm going to need your team colors." He glanced at the armor the ducks wore and realized there was a distinct color theme. "How about purple, teal, and white?"
"How did you know Puckworld's flag colors?" Tanya asked.
"Call it a lucky guess," Phil grinned.
"Works for me." Wildwing
"I guess we'll have to get some graphic designers to do a logo for you."
"No way, man! The mask is our symbol-o-choice." Nosedive nodded towards Wildwing. His brother may have put the mask back in his ammo bag after practice, but Phil would know what he was talking about.
"Who's captain here?" Duke asked Nosedive. "I don't recall Canard giving you the mask."
Wildwing raised an eyebrow at Duke, confused, annoyed, and still hurting from the loss of his friend.
"Lay off," Mallory finally joined the conversation. "He's had some good ideas so far."
"I don't need some kid making my decisions for me." He stood and started towards the door.
"Sit down," Wildwing ordered. He may not have fully accepted the role of leader; but, he certainly acted like one, whether he knew it or not. "This is for the team and we should all have our say."
Grumpily, Duke resumed his seat. He crossed his arms, slid down in his chair with his legs sticking out and crossed at the ankles. The one-eyed duck kept his head down a little, using his body language to close himself off. If there was one thing he knew, it was how to put people off without saying a word.
"Oohh-kay," Phil hunched over the papers once more, looking for the next question. "Aah, team roster. I need all of your full names and sizes for jerseys."
"Why do you need our last names?" Tanya asked, her expression showing wariness.
"For the backs for your jerseys."
"Nuh-uh!" She refused. "You're not putting my last name on a jersey."
"Come on," Phil tried to convince her. "It's the way we do things here. What's your last name?"
"Actually, she has a point," Wildwing said. "If we do last names on the jerseys, there'll be two Flashblades on the same team. That could get confusing for the other team. Just put our first names on them."
"Two Flashblades?" Phil was confused. "What, two of you are related?"
Nosedive laughed. "Come on, Phil-meister. Don't you see the family resemblance?" He pointed between himself and Wildwing, who was trying to hide a grin.
"Uh... No?" He thought for a moment. "You do have a point. I'll just put the first names on the jerseys. But! I'll still need your full names for the team roster we have to give the ref before each game."
Tanya groaned, but complied. "Vanderflock."
Phil kept the team cooped up in his office for hours, mercilessly forcing them to do the mountain of paperwork.
