I do not own anything within this fan fiction. All rights belong to Andrew Hussie.
Warning, may contain Out of Character moments.
Just as the four leaves the Group Date Café, John's phone goes off to the instrumental rendition of How Do I Live. "Seriously John?" Dave asked. "What? I like the song… The afternoon events are going to start soon." John said, checking his phone. "Was that what it was? I thought you might be like Edgar and got some text from some secret girlfriend from Canada." Roxy commented. "Do you?" Jade asked, curiosity in her eyes. "No. So you guys want to check it out?" John replied. "Depends on what's going on right now." Dave answered. "Jousting Team's first home game against their rivals, The Peach Creek Marauders." Sakaki answered, joining them. "Well, that's one event I'm missing, mostly because I don't want to support Captain Infuriating in any way." Jade commented. "It's the same for me. Why go and show that Cactus you care? It'll all go to that damn ego of his. You can fly a balloon with all the hot air he has." Dave agreed. "For me, it's not about supporting Grant, he's a lost cause on all fronts. It's about supporting the others on the team. I want to let them know that there are still some of us that are there for them, to cheer them on, to see them win. I know I can't force you all to support Grant, but at least drop by for the other Knights fighting this battle. It would mean a lot to them, especially since their last two matches ended in close draws." Sakaki replied.
"If you're going to say it like that Cap, then we're sure to go down to the jousting fields." Roxy commented. "I'm not trying to convince you or anything. I'm just saying that someone should be out there cheering them on, and not judging them for who their captain is. So, I'll be off to be that someone." Sakaki replied before leaving. "We're going aren't we?" Dave asked. "After what he said, I can't find myself not going. Does your Captain always guilt trip you guys into doing things?" Jade asked. "Only if he believes something is important and deserves the attention, and most of the times he's right. Grant shouldn't the first thing we think of when it comes to the Jousting Team. He is, to quote Eridan, a pile of garbage rotting in the sun. The Jousting Team are a bunch of guys and girls who have the balls to charge people with giant sticks on horseback for SPORT, there are not that many people who would do that. And I have to respect that, even if their Captain is a giant douche." John explained.
"Pretty convincing argument there John, count me in. Someone has to keep the team's spirit up when their captain finally gets them slaughtered." Roxy agreed. "Don't say that, I know they're going to win. And I will be the first one to see them do it." Jade replied. "After their last two matches, don't count on it. But hey, I like being wrong once in a while so why not." Dave said. "So why are we hanging around here? Let's get down to the fields and see some wood on steel action." Roxy said, dashing off. "Any one going to comment on how weird that sounded? Is it just me?" Dave asked. "This is coming from the guy who says all sorts of weird things as some kind of cryptic metaphor. But we should be going, don't want Roxy to think we ditched or something." John said before walking to the jousting field. "I'm not that cryptic am I?" Dave asked. "Sometimes we just can't handle your cool kid speak. Don't worry about it, come on." Jade answered, dragging Dave with her.
It wasn't a far walk to the Jousting Fields, but took quite a while to reach there as a crowd began congesting the field's entrance. And after a long five minutes, John, Jade, and Dave were finally through the crowd and in the bleachers. "See Roxy anywhere?" John asked, looking around the seats. "Hey! Over here!" Roxy yelled, arms waving to the three. "There she is. Oh! Tavros and your captain is over there too." Jade replied. "Your bro's not blind Jade, he can see them. Still, what the hell is with all these people? We're going to be sardines in tin cans at this rate." Dave commented. "All the commotion all over the team might have something to do with it. Let's hurry up and get to Roxy before her arms hit someone." John replied, watching Roxy as her waving grew more erratic.
"There you guys are, I had to fend off like twenty dudes to hold this spot." Roxy said to the approaching group. "Uhhhh, Rox? No one actually bothered us." Tavros commented. "Oh… Then what was I thinking about?" Roxy replied. "Probably the time where you fought your way in and out of the Bakery down at the shopping strip that last month. What do they put in those cakes anyway?" Sakaki answered. "I don't know but it's drugging my brain with delicious mind poison." Roxy answered. "You okay Toro? You seem to be on edge." Dave asked. "Well… The Jousting Team haven't been doing so well, and it makes me kind of worried. We have never tied a match in five years, makes me think we're about to have a bad time." Tavros answered, tapping his fingers together nervously. "Finally opened your eyes Tavros?" A voice asked. The group turned to see Vriska sitting right behind them, casually drinking from a Styrofoam cup. "Oh, hey Vriska. Come to see the team for once?" Tavros asked. "Only to see Captain Asshat finally bite the dust. And don't say it Tavros, but the team is going to lose this time. No amount of cheering or optimism would change that fact." Vriska replied bluntly. "Don't be like that Vriska, I'm sure Arthur would turn this around somehow." Tavros said optimistically.
"And I'm sure you're fucking with yourself bull man." A voice replied behind him. The group turned to see Caliborn sitting in the row just behind them. "Oh God! Not you again!" Jade yelled. "What are you doing here Caliborn? You don't seem like the guy to hang out here." Dave asked. "What can I say? I got bored. And what better entertainment than to see Team Overcompensation finally eat the dirt they 'gallantly' ride on." Caliborn answered. "And you chose this spot because?" Roxy asked, suspiciously glaring at him. "Because it'll piss you all off to no end. Other than that, my damned sister and matron is on the other side and I don't want to be there. Would you believe that bitch plotted with my homeroom to make me actually work for my class' little shit shop? I'm starting to regret taking that bribe now..." Caliborn answered. "They bribed you? Why didn't you just leave after taking the bribe?" John asked. "What? You haven't heard of something called honor Egbert?" Caliborn asked. "I find it hardly believable that you are capable of any kind of honor! You insult people for a living! How is that honorable!?" Jade asked furiously. "Well I can assure you it's way better than whatever shit the Big Armored Fool calls chivalry. I even heard that you would rather side with me than that faggot." Caliborn argued smugly.
"Argh! You know what!? I'm just going to ignore you from now on." Jade said. "Yeah, good luck with that. I'm sure you'll just do just fine." Caliborn replied sarcastically. "Can we get a new conversation started? I don't want to have to listen to the Bald Fury for any longer than I should." Jade asked. "How many people could this field hold? It seems kind of ridiculous if everyone who wants to watch could cram in here." Roxy asked. "That's why we don't. Look around, you'll see some camera crews setting up. And before you ask, it's the Broadcasters team. They do all the camera work and anyone who can't make it here could watch it in certain places around the school." John explained. "One of those places is my class' Group Date Café. Though I'm not sure if anyone could get it working…" Sakaki replied. "You should probably get that looked at… I mean, I could get Equius to look at it." Tavros commented. "You're better off asking my bro. Nothing's wrong with the strong man, but there is a good chance it'll end up more broken than the school grounds after the meatball destroyed it." Dave commented. "I could never find out what happened. Everyone I ask just said it was nothing important. I can't even find any articles on it! Was it really that bad?" Roxy asked. "Oh it was horrendous! The carnage! The destruction! The shit that was fucked up! If only I had a camera…" Caliborn commented.
"Is anyone going to tell me what happened? Or am I going to be reduced to bribing the Caped Baldy?" Roxy asked. "As much as I would love to tell you… I ain't going to say squat! You're frustration is most delicious…" Caliborn answered. "We'll tell you some other time Roxy. Right now, there's this." Sakaki said, turning his attention to the Jousting fields. "Welcome to Skaia High's Autumn Fair! I hope you are enjoying everything we have to its fullest! But now, our first afternoon event! Today we have a match between the Skaian Round Table! And their eternal rivals… The Peach Creek Marauders!" The announcer yelled out. And on the two opposite ends of the field came out the players. For Skaia, both Arthur and Grant were on the fields with five other team members. While they were standing tall for the crowd, most of them looked tired, even Arthur's legs were wobbling slightly. "They don't look so good…" Roxy commented. "I heard Grant has been training the team beyond their limits, with only a day or two of rest every two weeks. The team maybe tough but… Everyone has their limits…" Tavros explained, fist clenched. "They're going to get slaughtered aren't they?" Vriska asked bluntly. "Yep, it's going to be a massacre." Caliborn agreed. "Will you two shut up!? Don't listen to them Tavros, they'll be fine." Sakaki said with an encouraging tone.
"I hope so… I hope so…"
And that is Chapter 37.
Next week is going to be the return of my "favorite" character, Grant Nomad. I hope you look forward to his inevitable failings.
Also, to warn you all ahead of time, after chapter 40 is posted, I will be taking a break from writing Skaia HS and work on something else. This is my way of making sure I don't burn myself out.
And other than that, I have nothing else to say. Just leave your questions, comments, and concerns in the usual place and I will see you next week.
So, until next time. T1.
Class is dismissed.