I have really no idea how long this story's going to be anymore. I have the plot planned out, though, so I guess I'll just go with the flow.
I have this chapter late because of Hurricane Rita. I think it's a good excuse. No school today or tomorrow, though, so that's good.
If you want to use my version of crunchball (the game Holly played in the LEP), you're free to as long as I get some credit. I thought this was how the game should be played.
Summary: Right after Holly gets a job in the LEP, she cuts her hair. Each auburn lock falling through the floor makes her think about choices, and especially their consequences. What will happen after?
Disclaimer: I don't own Artemis Fowl. I do, however, own my version of crunchball. Yay.
Haircut
Chapter Nine
Holly led Mulch to the Commander's room, with the guard sprites trailing behind her. All of them were rather muscled, for sprites, anyhow. It was quite hard to navigate through the many hallways of the LEP building, however, because all of these sprites were introducing themselves to her, along with one or two random facts.
The one who called himself Hero (sprites are so big-headed) was currently bragging about his collection of rare Mud Man artifacts or something of the like when she arrived.
"Alright, guys, I can take it from here." She gripped Mulch's collar harder to prove her point.
"Ouch." The dwarf himself had been much more sullen since his slip-up. This was good, because he was also much quieter.
"Quiet, you." Holly ignored his protests and dragged him into the office, where she could tell Commander Root that she did well.
The commander was still fussing over his red piece of paper. Not really fussing, more like sitting down and furiously reading the paper over and over again, trying to figure out the case.
"Uh, sir?"
He looked up.
"Ah, Short. What do you have for me?"
She took a deep breath. "Here's the tape, sir. Mr. Diggums openly confessed that he's been into a Mud Man dwelling."
"Openly?" Root surveyed the tape, interested.
"Well, not exactly openly. I sort of- tricked him out of it, if you will."
Mulch made some muffled noises, stifled by the shirt that Holly had such a good grip on. He probably was insisting that it had been a common mistake; that Holly hadn't even used any wit. Which, in a way, was true.
"Couldn't the convict say that he'd only been into one Mud Man dwelling and deny all the rest that we know he's ransacked?" Of course, the Commander already knew the answer to this. He was just testing her.
"Yes, but this house that he's admitted to is a famous Mud Man actor, and if the dwarf had been caught, the theft would've been all over the news very, very, quick. That alone should get him into a great deal of trouble."
The dwarf in question managed to get his oversized jaws around the shirt. "But I DIDN'T get caught!"
Both LEP workers ignored him.
Root nodded, pleased though he tried not to show it. "Good. I can use this to testify against him in front of the Council."
Holly let out a breath of relief. At least she'd done well on her first day as temporary officer, even if it was by pure luck.
"Go ahead and have the rest of the day off."
She gaped at him for a moment, furious. How could he—how did he—
The commander had just given him what a normal officer would want, any officer, in fact, except for her. She was a Recon worker, for three wonderful days. She wanted to work all she could for those days. Did Root know what he had done?
Judging by the you-can't-do-anything-about-it smug look on his face, yes.
"I want my snack." Mulch spoke up again, annoyed at being talked about in third person.
"Tough luck, convict." The commander glared at him. "You've had all the cashews you're going to get for the next ten years, at least."
Dejected, Holly left the room. A hefty scowl weighed on her face as she made her way towards the Recon lounge. At least she could check it out before being placed back on Traffic.
The room was about ten sprillion times more luxurious then the Traffic one. Even more so, considering the Traffic workers didn't even have a lounge.
The couches were of one color, a pretty green that went with the gray walls. Matching green counters were splattered around the room, displaying all sorts of delectable snacks. It was obvious that Council member Vinyáya had done the decorating.
But this wasn't what caught Holly's eye. Above the coffee machines was a large poster that said, in big red letters:
CRUNCHBALL TRYOUTS TUESDAY AFTERNOON
Which really made her happier then everything else that day.
Figures—the Recon workers put the signs up in the Recon only areas, thus not allowing the Traffic workers to know when the tryouts are, and therefore not being on the team. It was typical prejudice—or snobbishness, either or the other.
Crunchball—how could one even explain it? Crunchball was a sport, typically played by adults or rebellious teenagers. The rebellious teens usually realized just why it was played by adults, though. Kids play a easier version of it, called bounceball. In that, the ball was made out of sponge instead of aluminum.
Crunchball was played by three teams on a triangular field, each with nine players. The players started out in positions that together, looked like a giant arrow pointing towards their point of the triangle, where their goal was. First dunker, second dunker, and third dunker were the middle line in the arrow, first dunker being the closest to the center of the field.
First, second, and third right and left wingers, which went by (for example) FRW for First Right Winger, took their positions as the two slanted sides that made up the point of the arrow.
The ball was placed in the exact center, and when the game started, all three teams would rush towards the ball. Of course, if you were First Dunker, you'd get to the ball much faster. The Second and Third dunkers would follow close behind, and the wingers would spread out on their side (i.e. FRW to the right, SLW to the left) enemy goals.
When the dunkers get the ball, they would literally try to "crunch" it. Hence the name of the game. This would mean throwing the ball (it was made of a softer kind of aluminum and circular) anywhere, so it would flatten, making a sickening crunching noise. Anywhere means anywhere, so you could throw the ball at an enemy's skull and crunch it, and it'd count.
Then the 'crunched' ball would have to be thrown around (if you're skilled, the ball will be crunched into a Frisbee-like structure and easier to throw) to a winger, who'd score into an enemy's goal.
But anything can happen with a metal ball. There is no such thing as a 'red card' in Crunchball.
It really is a dangerous game-- and just Holly's type, too.
END OF CHAPTER
Be nice in your reviews, please. It's rather hard to make up a game. Which is why it isn't a very good game. Sorry if it doesn't make much sense, it should later on. I'll try to upload a pic or something onto my livejournal of the field, if enough people ask.
Oh, by the way, a red card is what players get in soccer for foul play.
