Coach Eizen Raycrest looked at the incoming roster of players. Coffee in one hand and papers in another, he muscled enough strength to carry out the rest of his day. Being in the Navy gave him experience, comradery, and position he was comfortable with.

At the cost of seeing his only sister.

She was a young one. A bit of a spitfire with a tongue that could burn any of his crewmen. Some things are just happening, and working towards fixing their relationship was all part of it. Uncle Phenex was an oddball, sure, but he's been watching over Edna.

She'll grow up to be a wonderful woman.

Back to the topic on hand. With five players leaving the University, it left open slots. Better players coming from lower, or new transfers from other universities. He's done some research on the players coming up. Nothing too out of the ordinary for this school. It wasn't a big hockey university.

However, one name did pop up.

Eleanor Hume. One of the starting defensemen from Meirchio Academy.

The one that Velvet got into a fight with.

Rubbing his temples, he set the papers down. From freshman year, he knew Velvet was a bit of a hothead. Aggressive, powerful, demanding, and resolute. It was that attitude that helped them get to the semi-finals after all.

But from the scouting reports he got for Eleanor was something different. Poised, controlled, and unwavering. A solid foundation for defensemen and even better as one joining the rush.

Gods forbid these two clashes again. Both sides were throwing cheap shots, but escalating to a fight, and getting both ejected left a sour note on the Telliesin Pirates.

Now, it's time to reclaim their rightful place at the top.

The fresh smell of cut ice wavered around the rink, bringing light chills down his spine. He leaned against the walls, watching the team assemble. Benwick passed colored jerseys to everybody, keeping wingers with their centermen, defense in white, and goalies in grey.

And first one out of the locker room was Velvet.

She was a traditionalist, having all her gear from the same company. She really likes that red-black color trim. Even with her new stick, the Therion lineup from Le Noire.

"Ready for a good stake?" Eizen chuckled.

"Meh."

As Velvet took the ice, Eizen frowned. No matter what happened in school, she was never one to problems to the ice. Unless something about Eleanor being here made her upset.

Other players stepped out, warming up on the ice. Finally, the redhead emerged, closing the door behind her.

"Miss Hume, right? Eizen. A pleasure." He held his gloved hand in a fist.

Eleanor returned the fist bump, taking on the ice. "Coach Eizen. I remember you from last year."

"Heh, it was game I think everybody there remembers."

"Yeah, it was… something."

Skating off, Eizen watched the redhead go. The scouts were right about her style, but something felt off about her. Something weighting her down as she took off.

Ahh, that must be it.

Velvet and Eleanor. Seeing each other must've ticked the other off. So long as they don't disrupt the tryout too much, it'll be fine.


-.-.-


Eizen spun his stick in his hands, seeing the players loop back in line. Velvet's line and Eleanor were up next. It was a simple play. He dumps the puck in behind the net, the goalies play it out to the breaking out defensemen, a double-regroup and go down three-on-two.

"This is a simple play ladies, please get rid of the puck early…" He growled, "Ok, let's go again!"

He launched the puck behind. Magilou stopping it quickly and passing it to Meghan. Meghan to Olivia, off the boards to Velvet. Velvet to Orianna. To Eleanor, up to Helen. Regrouped and slide across to Meghan. Passed to Velvet.

The raven-haired girl blazed down the left wing, Eleanor closing the gap. A simple tap and swat, Eleanor knocked the puck away and ended the play.

"Velvet!" Eizen barked, skating towards her. "You have an open trailer, use her."

"Yes, sir…"

"Come-on Velvet, I have you running this play."

The girl held her stick tighter. A flash of a moment was all it took.

She slugged Eleanor right in the face, spinning her as she fell.

The Navy Lieutenant frowned, hearing the rest of the team comment.

"The hell? Uncalled for."
"Heh, nice hit Vel."

Eleanor held her head, blinking. She dropped her stick, fists up.

"Let's go!"

They skated, grabbing each other's jersey and punched. Blow for blow, circling one another as one of Velvet's linemates tried to pull them away. Meghan stepped out, pushing her away. Benwick almost skated passed Eizen.

"Ben, let'em fight."

He looked over, confused and worried. But Benwick stayed at his side watching the brawl continue.

Mimics of professionals fighting, Velvet yanked Eleanor's jersey over her head, bombarding her with punches. One more hit and she tumbled over her.

Everybody pulled them off, both tired. Both with bloody foreheads.

"Well, ladies." Eizen spoke up, looking at both. "What do you think Benwick? A barrel of monkeys trying to fuck a football, eh?"

The younger man shifted on his skates. "Just about."

"Crowe. Hume. I'll speak to you two after the practice. And I don't want to see another burst like that, got it?"

The ladies looked at one another, uncomfortably spinning their sticks.

"Got it?" He commanded again.

They nodded.

"Good. Since you have enough energy, that means all of you still do." He pointed at the far goal line. "Goal line. You all know the drill."

Groans and angry slaps all around. As they skated off for their punishment drill, Magilou awaited at the goal line, swiping the snow off her stick.


-.-.-


Velvet spat out, heading over to the coach's locker room with Eleanor. Coach Eizen was right, it was out-of-line.

All the building up aggression she had last week exploded on her.

Even if she had a rivalry against the redhead, she (probably) didn't deserve that.

Helmets off, sticks to the side, they entered the room.

A simple room, more like the referees changing room. Two benches sat across from one another with various bits of equipment here and there. Eizen had a skate off while Benwick had his street shoes on.

"Take a seat." Eizen waved off Benwick as he left. The girls took his spot.

"Velvet, I get it. She's the rival from last year's game. But what about your beef Eleanor?"

"Currently, we are living together in Elffin Towers. We always get on each other's nerves."

The young coach cupped his face. That explains a lot.

"Ok, so how about introductions? Get to know each a little more. You've got an entire season and year to do that."

Eleanor rubbed her temple, peeling off the caked and frozen blood.

"E-eleanor Hume. Cadbury, Northgand."

"Velvet Crowe. Aball, Eastgand."

Eleanor turned to her curiously. Before she could say anything, Eizen untied his skate and set it aside.

"Good. I personally don't care if you still hate one another off the ice, but when you step on it, you'll be allies. No old rivalries. That will get us nowhere." He slide the caked snow off his skate and continued. "Right, if I don't see any better improvement for both of you, you'll be sitting out the first game."

"What?!" Both leaned forward, astonished.

"Don't think I won't do it. Now go, do whatever."

Mushed out of room, Velvet turned to Eleanor. The two stared at one another, awkwardly heading back to the locker room.

"I'm… sorry for punching you in the face." Velvet finally said, trying not to grind her teeth. It was a part of who she was. Going back on something like that didn't suit her.

"No, you're not." Eleanor weakly shook her head. "You're sorry you acted like that."

"Well… maybe."

Entering the locker, they took their spots, undressing. A few people already left.

"You take showers after practice?" Eleanor asked across the room.

"Yeah. I have shampoo if you don't."

Unclothed with nothing but a towel, they toed around other people's equipment. Some laid out across their small bench spaces for airing out, other's brought their equipment with them, going off to some adult 'beer' league.

At least the showers were the best part.

Integrated with the locker room, it was nothing but glorious. Never too cold and never too hot, they were perfect. Letting the water rain off their stress, Velvet heavily sighed. Perfect bliss.

"H-hey." Eleanor said from the next stall.

"What?"

"You never said you were from Aball."

"What'd be the point?"

"Then you must know Artorius of the Silver Knights, right?"

Velvet grew quiet, muzzling over her shampoo bottle.

"Velvet?"

"Ask me after dinner."


-.-.-


"Well now! Look at you two! Getting along now?" Magilou smirked, fingering up a fry.

"Hardly." Velvet rolled her eyes, taking bites out of her steak.

"Coach said if we don't get along, we'll sit."

"Wow, you're taking it seriously aren't you?"

"Yes."
"Of course."

Magilou chuckled. "Aww, my two hockey nuts, cozying up."

"Anyways, Vel, did you finish the homework?"

"… Shit."

The goalie shook her head. "Pulling another all-nighter?"

"Don't remind me."

"At least you have company, eh?"

"Eat your vinegar-fries you witch."

"Fine. All for me." She slid her basket closer.

"I think I'll get some for myself. Excuse me." Eleanor stood up, heading back in line.

Magilou slid closer to Velvet, nodding. "And so, the honor student goes for her snack, leaving her dastardly duo behind."

"Did you finish the homework?"

"Eyup. All set for handing in tomorrow."

"Mind if I copy some of it?"

"Only if you give me five gald."

Her eyes slanted. "Go fuck yourself. Not helping a friend in-need."

"I am. In my own way."

"More like ignoring the problem." She rested her head down.

"It's more like, your problem set right?"

Velvet dipped her fingers in her drink and casually flicked the liquid at her.


-.-.-


Eleanor left her basket of fries on her desk, watching Velvet pout and scribble on her homework. Velvet did her best to pay attention in class, but the professor taught everything in a low monotone voice.

She couldn't blame her.

"Need any help?"

"No." She growled. Her fingers dug into the paper. Velvet leaned back, grabbing her water bottle and chugging down some.

"… So, about Aball…"

The raven-haired woman turned to her, eyebrow raised. "Now? You want to talk about that now?"

"It'll help get your mind off that."

She groaned, tossing her pencil to the desk and turned to her. "Tax. One fry."

"Here."

Velvet munched on the fry, breathing deeply. "So what do you want to know?"

"Artorius of the Silver Knights. He's like a hometown hero isn't he?"

"He is." She nodded. "Arthur Colbrande. The next Great One, they call him. Physical, powerful, fast, quick. He's every damn package you can get with a player wrapped neatly into one person."

"So cool, so mysterious. It's that aloof nature that makes him stand different from his peers."

"It's also what makes him a fucking hardass."

"He's captain of his team, a leader. I know he'll bring the Silver Knights to the champion."

"He plays so damn boring now."

Eleanor lifted a finger up, mouth agape. "Why do you say stuff like that? It's not like you know him."

She glared, turning back to her homework. "He's my older brother."

She looked at her. Did she hear that right? Velvet Crowe was the sister of Artorius? But they looked nothing alike! Playstyle, authority, weightiness, nothing. They were nothing alike.

"What do you mean, 'older brother'?"

"Exactly what I mean. Now leave me alone." Velvet stuck her earbuds in and grinded away at the problems.

This left Eleanor fuming. Getting mad at her wouldn't do anything. Getting a fight calls Kayle over and neither of them wanted that. I can't let her get the best of me like that! Over and over, Eleanor mulled over her words. Brother, sister? Half-brother? Half-sister? Related or not?

Maybe she meant in spirit? Eleanor snapped her fingers. Yeah, I bet she means that. But, then how would she know him a personal level?

… Was it a personal level? Velvet's irate attitude was hard to decipher. Eleanor chewed on the insides of her gums, slouching over the bed.

Hours later, and still no answer. Venting, Eleanor took a quick look at her phone, searching up Artorius Colbrande. Married as of the last seven years. Has a young son. Celica Colbrande.

Celica Colbrande.

Come to think of it, Artorius's wife hasn't really been on the news. Only a few shots of her existed here and there. She said she likes her privacy, something that's hard with such a star.

Searching for her picture, she got a nice one. Celica standing by Artorius with his broken arm. He keep how it got it on the hush-hush, but both of them looked a little… Nervous?

She really is pretty… Eleanor smiled.

She blinked. The same kind of face. The same pitch-black hair. The same eyes.

Eleanor leaned up from her bed, seeing Velvet turned around, facing the wall. Her eyes guided her to the homework she scratched together. Frustration and anxiety nearly torn the paper apart, but at least she had answers.

Sighing, she plugged her phone in to charge and fell asleep.