Witt Residence, Three years prior
It was a very quiet night in the community and an intense atmosphere permeated a quaint classically-decorated living room.
The room crackled with anticipation as the big game was about to begin.
//THE ONCE-IN-A-DECADE EPIC BATTLE BETWEEN THE BELOVED THUNDERBEARS AND STALLIONS IS FINALLY UPON US!!//
The loud voice of the announcer echoed in the room, transferred to them from miles away using high-end surround sound audio systems.
The television screen was also bright, (every other light was off) and the audience was brought very intimately to the scene—almost as if they were there as well.
/Are you ready for this?!/ The announcer asked and two people yelled in unison.
"YES!!!" They yelled, though they whipped their heads to look at each other in a frown, not liking to be in sync with the other.
Althea, who was sitting behind, sighed.
She chewed on some cheese popcorn as her two companions—Ansel and Winona—had their eyes glued to the unfolding spectacle on the screen.
It was the national finals or something and the atmosphere (at least in the small area those two occupied) was electric, to say the least.
At this time, the snacks and drinks filled the room. There were bowls of crunchy popcorn, crispy nachos, various-flavored chicken wings, and a cornucopia of cold beverages.
The room was adorned with flags and banners from both teams. Even Althea found herself amidst the fervor and was forced to wear merchandise from the two teams.
She looked very… eclectic with her current appearance, being forced on a Thunderbears blue jersey by Winona and a Stallions' red hat by Ansel.
She sighed and just ate her food.
/The two teams are entering the field!! AHHHHHH!!/
"Ahhhhh!"
"Ahhhhh!"
She flinched as the two followed the hyper announcer's yell, and she pouted when she saw some of the popcorn that had been on her hand on the floor.
Althea was about to nag them when she saw that they had calmed down and just stared as the two teams met each other on the field.
The tension in the room was more and more palpable as the game started, with the two's eyes never leaving the screen.
Then the whistle started and the two… exploded.
"Stalliooons!! Yes, Ben, crush him!"
"Thunderbears gogogooo! You can do it! AH!!"
The two cheered passionately for their respective teams and voices rose in unison against each other.
It was as if whoever cheered louder would have their team winning the game.
The game went on and Althea swore her ears was already ringing. Soon it was half game and the game was tied.
The stakes were at their peak, and it also meant the two's lungs were also working overtime.
The two were also leaning forward and she worried for their eyes.
"Ha! Did you see that! Our Stallions soaring high!"
"Oh, you mean the donkeys, right?"
"My Thunderbears have a secret weapon tonight!"
"Oh please, they'll need a miracle to beat us "
Then there was something that happened in the game—Althea really didn't understand these things and terminologies—that made Ansel laugh.
"Nice defense, Winona." Ansel said with sarcasm, "'Going hard into the paint', you say? Hehe."
The blonde pouted, her large eyes glaring at him. "It's called strategy!"
Then another scene happened—again, Althea had no idea what was happening—and this time it was Winona who raised her hand in cheer.
"Your donkeys are tired! They're taking a nap on the court!" Winona yelled with a smug smirk on her face.
Althea looked at the screen and saw no one napping.
Ansel sneered in response, "They're just resting for a victory celebration."
Then… whatever. Althea just ate and let them duke it out on their own. Actually, Althea just ended up watching the two passionate audiences instead.
"If only the Stallions were as great as they trash-talk…
"If the Thundercubs played as well as they celebrated too early, maybeee we could actually be in trouble but alas!"
She watched the two's interactions with interest, eating popcorn. Their banter was as much part of the game as the plays themselves.
Eventually, the so-called secret weapon—a new player, very tall and quite good-looking—appeared on the courts and the game tilted a bit in their favor.
She could tell that it was an intense game, because there were plenty of times that Winona sobbed and Ansel just tapped the floor in despair. It went to and fro, sometimes with Winona celebrating, and other times it was Ansel.
It was quite fun to watch.
Not the game, but their reactions…
Soon a buzzer-beating three-point shot was made, sealing the game.
Thunderbears won, apparently. And Althea only knew this because Winona screamed in glee.
Winona pumped her fist in victory while Ansel looked like a betrayed housewife.
But then he looked bitterly at Winona, "We could've gotten that."
Winona blinked and pursed her lips. Sadly, that last shot was really based on luck. So she sighed and reluctantly had to give credit where it was due.
"Well, you guys fought well. A little."
"Che," he said, "In the rematch next quarter, I'm sure you wouldn't be so lucky."
"Hmph!"
"Hmph!"
"Your ace's shot wasn't bad."
"Your guard was also very fast."
Althea didn't really know when the conversation turned, but it did. The next thing she knew, the two were shaking hands like the opposing teams on the field.
Sports enthusiasts were so mysterious…
Anyway, it was a good game (based on the reactions). Althea couldn't help but look at the crowd live on screen as well.
Friends or foe… they were united in the appreciation of that thrilling game.
The camera panned closer to the audience, and the scene captured the excitement, camaraderie, and friendly rivalry of the fans of the sport.
As the people filed out of the stadium, blue and red mixed. There were sobs and frowns, but they were all united by the same passion: Sports.
This was a unity, a community; She saw in this.
And this was why she still watched with them even if she didn't appreciate the sport herself.
_________
Altera Village
[47 days after The Migration]
Ansel visited his sister as she played with the kids on the rug. The kids, surprisingly, could now crawl very well. It was only a matter of time before they sat up on their own.
At this moment, the twins were circling around each other. It was snails' pace, and there were plenty of times their little butts moved them more than their small arms, but it was something.
"Good morning~"
"Morning," Althea said, taking Little Pepper—who happened to be closer—on her lap. She then held Pepper's little hand to make a wave gesture directed at him. "Say hello to your uncle."
"Mwahwhywaah," The little girl purred out, opening and closing her palm as if to greet him.
His heart melted and he quickly leaned down to give her a smooch, which made her laugh adorably.
Little Meatball on the other hand was, as usual, ignoring him. He even crawled away from him so all he could see was the dumpling's butt.
Ansel suspected Garan taught something to this little guy.
"Where's Garan?" He asked, watching Althea also take in Little Meatball—who had successfully crawled near her—in another arm.
"Training," she said as she smooched the baby boy's cheek. "There's a lot to do in that aspect…"
Garan was also developing the barracks, in addition to the personal property of the mercenary team, into the best model in Terran. He had been improving them with Terran, as well as local techniques and technology.
Especially—those who handle elements well. And it should also be big enough to handle non-guards as well.
Although it wasn't confirmed yet, it was very likely every Terran that was transferred were elementalists!
Ansel nodded, unsurprised. When he found out that guy became the leader of military affairs, he knew there'd be a revamp. He had already seen him working with Rowan and Drake, and he was a bit excited what they would do.
Anyway, hearing about that block of ice wasn't what he was here for.
He sat down on the carpet with the family of three and faced Althea with a sycophantic look on his face. Althea's eyebrows rose immediately.
"What do you want?"
Ansel smiled at the question. In order to facilitate his request for setting up an entertainment company and an entertainment facility, Ansel decided to begin with the development of the basic amenities first.
After all, having a stage was weird when there weren't enough playgrounds! Or, at least, some basic leisure areas that were NOT the peaceful garden!
"Now that the basics have been considered…" He started, referring to the defense and economic aspects of the territory. "I think it's time to add more on… the spiritual needs."
Her eyebrows rose at this. She was pretty sure she added a lot of leisure amenities in her village already. Some people would even say they were already excessive.
"I mean… the more active ones," he added, "You know, not everyone can be satisfied with leisurely walks in your garden!"
Althea sighed and waved her hand at him. "Fine," she said, "Tell me more."
Anyway, she was still a good lord who listened to others!