Victor Van Dort's Rugby Dilemma

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original Corpse Bride characters… Vincent, Victor's school bully and Fredderick (his new found best friend) are of my own shrewd imagination… (winks)

Enjoy…this is yet again a quite emotional fan fiction…and please review!

A field of grass somewhere off the school grounds of the village near the forest, Victor's class is out for Sports practise. Victor is standing in a row, with Fredderick behind him, all of them are wearing shorts and white linen shirts. A little further in the other row, Vincent is standing, examining his fingernails, smirking to himself, being the rugby champion of the village and quite sure of himself. In front, Pastor Galswells is standing in his usual Pastor clothing, holding his cane. Victor is looking absentmindedly at the ground, bored and is a little embarrassed showing his long, thin legs in shorts, occasionally crossing them shyly. Around the field are a group of trees and beside Pastor Galswells is an old crate of patched rugby balls.

Pastor Galswells: The idea of rugby is to obey by the given rules in order to achieve an appropriate coordination and team effort as to gain pace in the playing by….(drones on, Victor sighs, scratches neck absentmindedly, Fredderick taps him on the shoulder, Victor turns around and Fredderick rolls his eyes, smiling, Victor smiles back weakly, but looks worried)

Victor: (whispers) I don't understand this….

Fredderick: Neither do I… (Shrugs)

Victor: (sighs, bored, looks around blankly, beginning to daydream)

Pastor G. :( has stopped lecturing) Everyone understand...? (There is a general murmur, Vincent looks enthusiastic) Good…now we'll do a number of exercises to show you the process of the game…Williams….! (Gestures to crate) Hand out these balls to everyone in the first row, will you..? (A stout, athletic boy steps up and follows instructions)

Pastor G.: Now…the thing you will be doing is you run forward, each one keeping a little back from the other and you will pass the ball back…since in rugby it is compulsory to ONLY pass to the back…and then you will …(continues, Victor isn't listening, absorbed in his daydreams) Everything clear…? (There is another general murmur from the students, sees Victor looking forward, eyes glazed, rolls eyes and sighs) Van Dort! (Victor jumps, awoken from his daydreams) Pay attention! …Alright…first row! (Students start jogging forward, Victor looks around, dazed, not sure what to do…)

Fredderick: (notices, pushes Victor forward) Vic…!

Victor: Oh… (Realizes and runs forward, balls is thrown to him, it falls out of his hands and bounces away) Oh….I...I… (Bites lip, the others groan, Fredderick looks worried)

Pastor Galswells: VAN DORT! You blundering fool! Get that ball immediately! (Victor rushes forward and gets ball)

Victor: I...I…I'm terribly sorry…I-

Pastor Galswells: Go back to your position and start again, before I lose my patience!

Victor: Y-yes sir… (Walks back to original position, Fredderick pats his shoulder)

Pastor Galswells: And keep your hands to yourself Valence before I give you a reason to! (Fredderick mumbles something, Victor suppresses a giggle) Alright…..from the beginning…(student steps up in his turn runs forward and catches the ball, passes it to Victor, who just manages to catch it on his fingertips and passes back, carefully) Right! Next! (Next row takes their turn; Fredderick joins Victor at the end of the line)

Fredderick: (smiles) Relax Vic…that was a good catch! (Everyone else takes their turn)

Pastor Galswells: Alright now…Valence, Merusimer, Williams, Van Dort! Step forward, we'll do it again! (Williams runs forward, passing the ball to Vincent, who smirks and passes it hard to Victor)

Victor: (ball hits him in the face Oww….! (Clutches nose, reeling)

Pastor Galswells: Van Dort! Pull yourself together! (Goes up to him, frowning) You are trying my patience! (Hits bare legs with cane, Victor gasps and winces) Now get back into line this instant! (Victor limps slightly back to the row, Vincent sniggers)

Fredderick: (joins him, frowning, sighs) Are you-… (Breaks off) Victor?

Victor: I...I...I-'m fine… (Looks back)

Fredderick: Um…Victor… (Bites lip) …Your nose…

Victor: W-what..? My n—(touches it gently with fingers, pulls them back, covered slightly with blood, and turns pale) Oh……No… (Groans silently)

Fredderick: Here… (Hands him a handkerchief) ….and breathe….

Victor: (holds it to nose) Thank you… (Takes a deep breath) I'm useless….

Fredderick: (laughs a little as to cheer Victor up) Only in rugby… (Victor smiles a little)