Play BALL! And uh Pool

[Fleet]

Kyle groaned in frustration as Cyclops scored another point on him. If that wasn't bad enough Cyclops was celebrating like he just won some kind of epic match. He was beginning to wonder if Cyclops was getting off on beating a student at foose ball, of all things. Kyle just smirked at the reaction and reached up to run his hand through his hair once again. Like before though, he stopped before he reached his head and lowered his hand back down to the knob on the center line of the foose ball table. Cyclops had taken the time to play this game with him, and in the end it did seem like he was trying to guide Kyle a bit.

As Cyclops was trying to tell him how to feel everything, down to the palm of his hand, he idle spun the knob with his fingers and rolled it all the way down along his palm, causing the platers on the rod to spin slowly. Trying to act like he really didn't care if we played or not, even though inside this was the first bit of normal activity he had in a long time, he just shrugged and a small grin pulled to his lips "Whatever old man, I'm sure your age will be slowing you down soon enough."

Kyle settled on his side of the table and grabbed two knobs waiting for the ball to drop in. He was trying to understand what Cyclops meant by feeling everything. His hands slowly rolled the knob around in his palm. Glancing up to Cyclops, Kyle nodded for the drop of the ball, and waited eagerly. For the time being there was nothing else going on. he wasn't getting crap from the other students, he wasn't getting hurt or stuck in the Med Lab again, he wasn't having to try and defend himself to everyone or his own team. He was just being a teen boy playing a game. Losing wasn't an issue here, the fact he was able to relax even for the moment was all that mattered.

Kyle knew that if he could just dial himself up a notch or two he would be able to react faster, hit the ball faster, switch to the different rows faster, and it wouldn't be so hard to score. Kyle also realized that if he did this, he would never know if he were capable of actually scoring against Cyclops on his own. As Kyle considered this, it was all forgotten, the ball was dropped. Kyle concentrated on the table and the knobs in his hand. For the briefest second he though he could almost feel the ball hit the table and roll. Spinning the rod and sliding it along slowly he tried to pull the ball closer to his line. Once the ball was under control as that split second it took Cyclops to reach his on knob after dropping the ball, was enough to get the ball. Kyle was about to do his usual impatient action and spin his players hard and try and slam the ball in to score. Kyle stopped as the players reached the top, and before he spun them hard to hit the ball, he shift his second line closer to the goal and passed the ball lightly to them. He didn't know if Cyclops was expecting him to try and slam it in yet again or what, but the light pass made it to the next line.

Kyle was concentrating intently on the game. He wanted to show up this old man and prove to him he could learn, even if it was just a game. Kyle's tongue poked out a bit and he was biting on it lightly. He was juggling the ball lightly between the platers on the rod and when he saw a chance he tried using a move Cyclops used on him earlier. He slid the ball to the side lightly, then quickly reversed the pull on the rod and spun the players around quickly. The ball was hit hard and went flying past his players and then toward the goal. Cyclops was quicker, and ready. The ball hit Cyclops's goal, but only barely on the side. The ball bounced toward the goal and then hit the very corner, knocking the ball back into play. Kyle growled deeply in frustration, but his hands were already moving to intercept the ball and prepare for Cyclops to try his best. Kyle had almost scored, the closet he came all game. In his head he knew he could do it. Looking up to Cyclops and into his red glasses, there was a look of determination. "Come on old Man, what are you waiting for?!"

[Tempest]

Tia was sitting with the rest of her group, but she wasn't really paying much attention to anything any of them were saying. She wasn't really all that bothered about what shade of eye shadow would look good on her, or what colours flattered her figure. Instead, her eyes were dwelling on the pool table where a couple of the other students were. It wasn't a well known fact, but many people who were close to her would know that Tia really enjoyed watching pool- she wasn't too bad at playing, but seeing she didn't practise too much, there wasn't much scope of her getting any better.

Tia looked away from the game for a moment and she spotted Kris staring at her hair. Tia raised an eyebrow at him, giving her friend a rather ackward and creeped out look before turning her head back towards the pool game blushing a bit.

Tia didn't like being stared at, especially when it was Kris. 'Cause Kris staring at her hair just meant danger for her poor hair.

[Hemlock]

He defended himself, tilting his head as he continued to stare at Tia's hair. After a couple more seconds of scrutinizing he turned his head to look at Ana instead. "What do you think Ana darling? Highlights for little Tia?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and he got up and moved over to sit besdies Ana on the floor. "Maybe... red. Red and black always looks good... but no, it might look too emogoth like. Hmm... does it say anything in the magazine about dark hair and pale face? Tia's hair's far too boring - no offense sweetie, I think it'd look good if we jazzed it up a bit!"

Kris turned around to wink at little Tia. "Oh! By the way... Ana..." Kris lowered his voice to ensure that no one around them could hear. "... what were you and.... him doing?! When you... left us??" Despite the excitement in his voice, there was a hint of worry. He trusted Ana, and knew she wouldn't be foolish like Frostbite was, but still- he just had to be sure. Kris didn't want to use Rumble's name, because he didn't want any form of unwanted attention right now. Kris was always up for a bit of drama and taking the spotlight, but right now, he was a teensie bit concerned for Ana. He'd caught a glimpse of Frostbite while making his way up to the Rec Room, he'd come alone because he'd spent too much time picking out a t-shirt, and she didn't look very good.

[FreezeFrame]

"Ahhahahaa! I will take anybody's money any day of the week. I thank you all for contributing to my car fund I want to- oh, what the hell!?!" Chase was miffed to see the next batter up just almost stand there watching as three beautiful fastballs went screaming past him. "Did he even try? Is that bum awake!?! What the HELL Piniella! Kick his ass when he gets back to the dugout." he yelled at the TV in hopes that coach Sweet Lou would hear his cries.

The sides changes as the game went to a commercial for beer and Chase got up off the floor to stretch his legs. Grabbing a handful of pretzels from the bowl on the table he saw another opportunity to make a little money, and possibly something else he had been kicking around in that twisted head of his. 'S'cuse me sportsfans I gotta - Whoa, looky what the cat dragged in. Everybody got their mittens and, galoshies? Our little blue headed bimbette has, uh, arrived?" He announced as he saw Frostbite walk past the doorway of the rec-room heading to the kitchen.

He didn't have time for her bullshit and if she was going to pull any of her stupid crap he was ready to shut her down himself this time, as any good team captain would. He was starting to take to the role even though he had started out reluctantly at first, but he was inspired by Ian and Riker. So he had decided, or rather he had come upon the decision almost unknowingly, to take his role a little more seriously. "False alarm, looks like she's avoiding us. Hmm, I wonder why?" He was glad she didn't come in and upset the mood, he didn't want to deal with her and all the drama and the Rumble, that she inevitably brought.

He turned to walk over to the pool table and sat down next to Kevin. "This seat ain't taken is it?" he started. "Pretzel?" he offered holding out his handful to share with the little gay boi who he had caught moments before giving him the eye. Chase was not sure where he was going with it all, the fantasy of doing some freaky shit to the blonde sissy was probably more dynamic than what might come to pass in reality, but he just wanted to see what would happen. "So, uh? Who do you like?" he asked deliberately being open ended with his question.

Seeing the look Kevin gave him in response he clarified his question. "To win this game, of course?" He leaned over and gave him a nudge in the shoulder with his elbow. "What did you think I was askin ya?" He met his eyes then and held Kevin's stare. The angle he sat at left no one but Kevin able to see his face as it was turned to him and knowing he was safe to flirt he winked at the kid and popped his eyebrows up and down a few times. "C'mon, they wont make ya fat have a pretzel." He said offering again.

Turning back to the pool game he said "I know how bad ass Sky is with a stick in her hand, well a riding crop at least, so Kev my friend, before this game gets too deep in," he turned back to Kevin and softened his tone, to one of nearly open flirtation that Kevin would pick up on after his eyebrow action but others would consider him just teasing the boy as they heard him speak, and asked "- who do ya want?"

[Ripple]

Finally walking into the rec room after a long and wonderful shower, Lian chewed on her gum and headed towards the poker table. "Alright fuc- I mean dudes," she said with her infamous smirk. She caught herself once she realized that the Headmaster was in the room. "Time to play a real game." With that, she put down a hundred dollars that she had saved from working. Ok in reality, the majority of it was from her dad sending her money once in a while. Lian only wondered how much of it was stolen compared to actually winning it. But that didn't mean she was dependent on him. She was a bartender some weekends at an Irish place in her neighborhood. The great thing about Irish bars was that they never carded people and they didn't care how old you were when working. As long as you were over 14 and able to handle yourself in rough situations, the Irish didn't care.

Taking her seat, Lian rubbed her hands together and smiled. "You guys ready to lose?" She was a good player, very good in fact. Where Sky was able to hustle for pool, Lian's gift was counting cards and winning big money. It was what she did for a while a couple of months before she came to her current home. Looking around the table, Lian popped her gum and folded her arms. She was ready to start getting some 'moo-lah' and nothing was going to stop her.

[Decay]

The sound of a large CRACK rang through the air as Sky expertly hit the ball right into the pocket. "And that, my sexy Wingman and my hot Wolfman, is how you shoot pool," she said winking at Kat and looking around the table and pointed out a new angle for Kat to try out. "See it's all a process you know, with a keen eye, the ass sticking out all nice and juicy." She looked at the four guys in turn and winked at them. "That part works best when a skirt is involved, but I can work it either way," Sky giggled and twirled the stick in her hand, walking around the pool table, proud a ever in her pajama shorts and tank top and of course her big Homer Simpson slippers.

"Anyways you gotta hit the ball with the right force, sliding your hand ever so lightly up the stick." She demonstrated when she stopped at the spot between Riker and Chase. "Roll the tip in between your fingers, making sure you got that nice sweet spot and then you pull the stick through that sweet spot and let it slide nice and smooth. Kinda like a rhythm thing." She was doing her best to stifle laughter and the red that sprung on some of their faces. "And that ladies and gents, is how you do it." Sky wined at Kat and made as if to present her. "And now please watch as my dear partner demonstrates this very detailed technique. Pay close attention to the ass part, cause shes got those nice tight pants on," Sky said pointing with her pool stick as if she was a teacher conducting a lesson. In truth, right now she was imitating a manner and style seen by many in the ever favorite, always a pain in the ass English class, taught by everyone's favorite former White Queen that never wore a full set of clothes.

Sky grinned and stood next to Gavin, reaching over and taking a sip of his drink. "Nice to see you're not the whipped one in this relationship Croft. You jut keep putting Bubbles in her place there, hold those pants up higher and tap that belt buckle!" Her hand reached over and she tapped his belt buckle for him giving him a wink. Pool was Sky's game and she was damn good at it. Her brother Rex was a professional thief and hustler, and he taught her close to everything he knew, hell even used her a couple of times to help him hustle out some of the big money. They made a damn good tag team in the best, but Sky found that she worked alone just as well, and by the end of the night, she planned to have a full fifty in her pocket.

[Glitch]

"Gonna have to wait till next game, we're finishing up though," Dante said taking a sip of his sweet tea and barely glancing at Ripple as she sat down in the middle of their game. It didn't bug him, he was used to this kind of stuff all the time at home. His blue green eyes slid to Maddy and a slight smirk came up on his usually stoic face. "You were only lucky cause I came too late for that round of poker Cajun." Dante was serious, but at the moment he was too relaxed for it to mean anything other than a good natured comment. Cards were a common game that they played in his town, it was cheap and it required a level of skill that were similar to those needed in chess.

Living in the poorest area of Chi-town, he had to learn how to learn as much as he could from what there was available. Learning to play some mean games of cards was just a couple of the things that Dante picked up, others being how to hot wire and lift cars, how to scrape the serial numbers off guns and make them all clean without being detectable, and his best skill that came with years of running the streets was knowing his way around the Black Market in Chicago. It was all about connections and keeping relations with people, a business so to speak, and Dante knew that world well.

Perhaps that was a reason he felt more at ease with his team and the people he had played cards with the past half hour. The girl Niki, was street through and through, a brand she wore proudly and he could respect that. That cute Cajun that arrived today seemed to know her way as well, just a look they had about them that he recognized right away, and it was a taste of home almost. He could dig it though, and right now allowed himself to relax, occasionally glancing around the room for some eye candy, like the hot broads he saw the other day, although the Cajun next to him with the hot tongue ring was a good alternative.

He threw down a 2 of spades and slid his now empty glass over to Maddy. "Gimme a refill Dolly, you brewed some good stuff there," Dante nodded in approval, itching to go out and have a smoke soon. It was a bad habit, but he wasn't planning on kicking it. He would be 18 in less than a year and he as far as he knew, in these parts of New York it was legal to smoke at 17 so he wasn't sweating it. "We can finish this hand and start up another round of poker," Dante said sticking a cigarette behind his ear and reaching for another sip of his refilled glass.

[Allure]

Veronika fluttered her eyes at Kris and winked at him discreetly, silently communicating her message with him as her eyes slid over to the teachers nearby. In a place like this, it seems that even the walls had ears and anything like this would be best spoken in the privacy of their quarters. "Besides darling, you know that it is impolite for a lady to speak of her exploits in public company," she winked at the group and took a sip of her hot tea.

She had already taken the time to grill Ana about what happened, and in truth she was tickled by the whole thing. She knew from the start that Rumble was the right one for her future, and the string of twisted and psychologically scarring ideas that his great mind generated only proved that he was indeed the equal of the young Russian Mafia Princess, a girl with the sweetest and most alluring appearance that charmed the world like a snake hypnotized his prey, but on the inside she was as cold hearted and venomous as a black mamba.

Her small pale hand moved over to the radio, turning up the music as Dazzler's new song came on. "Oh I cannot wait for her new album. Is not the guitar in this song amazing?" Veronika said, setting the steaming cup on the table and picking up the fashion magazine with Dazzler on the cover, looking just plain out amazing. She flipped it open and folded her legs under her, scanning the contents of the article about Dazzler in her band. "Oh they are coming to New York in a couple of months! I will get my papa to get us all the best seats there are, maybe even backstage passes if I am extra sweet." She grinned at them all, a grin that was innocent and devilish at the same time before she giggled cutely. "Tia darling, I think you should get you're hair cut short! It would look so chic on you!" she added and turned the magazine around to show a picture of a model with the same face shape as Tia.

[Hardlight]

"uH, Wha?" Kevin looked at Chase with a blinky kind of a stare as he tried to figgure out what the guy was doing. He knew flirting when he saw it and Chase was deffenately flirting with him. He squinterd his eye down and looked closer at Chase, he was trying to see if he was kidding around or if he was for real. His heart fluttered a little at the idea that it could be for real played in his mind.

"Oh-? OH!" Kevin looked down at the offering. "Sure I'd love one." He reeched over and took a pretzel from Chase's outscretched hand and let his fingers play just so on the red headed boys in the slightest and softest way. He could flirt too and if Chase was wanting to keep it descreat then Kevin could do that for him if it meant seeing where this was going to go.

"But I don't know about a bet." He knew about a bet, but he was'nt about to bet money. "If I had to pick I think I would go with the girls, but I dont have money Chase." he let the tip of his tonge slip out and he licked his uper lip in a sugestave way. He leaned in and whispered "Can we bet something else?" Sitting back he cockted his head to the side and flashed him a look and a little smile. Oh Kevin WHAT are you getting your self into? he thouht.

[Riff~Raff]

Riker growled playfully at the two ladies tapping Sky lightly on her behind with his pool stick. "Tis exactly what I been sayin' all along. Women be bloody evil an' live only to play with our heads," he said and watching Kat as she prepared for her shot, leaning back to take a nice lone look at her back. The small gentle curves of her body were very pleasing to the eye that led down to a small pert behind. "Did you see if she made the ball in?" Riker asked Gavin when Kat made her shot again and stood up, getting Riker out of his trance. "I was too, er distracted. Eh feck it."

He stepped back and let the girls go again, grabbing his drink and taking another sip. "I keep bloody forgettin' that ta play pool with that one ove' there, tis bloody impossible." His head indicated Sky, managing to catch the little teasing with Gavin's belt. "Tell me again why we bloody bother eh? May as well jus' give em our many an' demand othe' favors." Riker laughed and took another gulp of his rootbeer.

"An' as for ye Birdy." He grabbed him in a headlock and punched him lightly in the stomach. "What I do be me bloody business. Yer job is ta keep that wee lass ove' there." He pointed to Heather and waved at her innocently. "Smilin' an' happy. Cause ya hurt her, an' it won't end well for ye my friend." Riker ruffled his hair again and then pushed him away. He moved next to Kat so his tail could brush against the back of Kat's legs. "Yer gettin' bette' at this game love, but yer not there yet." He smirked at her and leaned over to take his shot.

[StormHawk]

Gavin fixed his hair and scowled at Riker. "Did that really warrant you messing up my hair? I'm already getting sexually harassed by Sky, do I really deserve this?" His face fell as if he was serious and he sniffled. "I just wanted to play some pool. No means No man." Gavin cracked a grin and hip bumped Sky hard, sending her flying right into Chase and Kevin since she weighed like 90lbs to begin with.

"And you know what? You two ARE evil. And theres gotta be some kind of cheating call I can make for trying to seduce the other players. That's it." He took his pool stick and started using it like a shield. "Back up! Back up! Down girls down! And you!" Gavin swung the tip of his stick at Sky, using it to poke her in the stomach. "Keep your hands away from this!" He used his free hand to circle around his crotch area. "I'm not that kinda guy, you didn't even buy me dinner! Just because I'm friends with Riker doesn't mean we share habits!" His voice was all high and dramatic, and he put a mock look of outrage on his face.

"I'm going to take my turn now see, no funny stuff ye hear?" He said in a 1930s gangster voice and walked slowly over to the pool table, looking at Kat and Sky suspiciously. "Now I'm gonna take this shot see, so no funny stuff." Gavin looked between Sky and Kat and leaned over to take his shot, lining up his stick and hitting the ball smoothly. "I'm watchin' ya see, don't think I am," he said even adding the classic cocked mouth with it.

[Lymited~Ink]

Kat grinned as Riker and Gavin took their turns. "Oh come now Gavin, I know ye can't trust Sky," she said, grinning at Sky with a wink before walking up as Gavin took his shot, "But ye can trust me, ye know I be a well behaved little kitty cat," she said as she giggled, giving his behind a quick pinch and stepping back quickly so he couldn't get her as soon as he turned around. "See, I told ye, well behaved," she said, flashing him a Cheshire cat grin as she proceeded to run and hide behind Riker. "Ye'll protect me from the deranged Birdy, won't ye Riker?" she asked innocently, her blue eyes wide as she looked up at him, giving him her own version of the Puss in Boots eyes.

"I'm afraid to take me own shot now cause I'm afraid he'll get me," she said, one hand resting on Riker's shoulder only to slowly run down his back as she leaned up to rest her chin on his shoulder for a moment. Her other hand held her pool stick behind her back as she grinned again and then decided to come out of hiding to take her shot. She had a game to win, after all. She stepped out from behind Riker, her free hand traveling down the rest of the way to stroke his tail as she wielded her pool stick like a sword when she saw Gavin. She growled playfully at him and smirked. "Now I'll be takin' me shot, and I know ye won't pull nothin' cause you'll be too busy watchin' me do this," she said as her hands set themselves up with her pool stick like Sky had described so amusingly, bending over the table slowly to take her shot.

She could feel eyes on her back and knew it worked like a charm as she hit the cue ball. It hit the ball she wanted, but she also scratched when the cue ball went in after the ball. She shrugged it off with a dismissive little huff and went to stand back with Riker. "I always knew I was a wee bit forceful...only works that it be showin' in me pool game," she said before grinning again. "Least I be learnin', aye? Maybe next time you ought show me the right way, hm?" she asked, smirking at the opportunity to tease him more.

[Cyclops]

"OHH HO! Nice shot, lucky break for me..." Scott called out recovering his side and hitting hard and fast with a double pass. "Oh a little of that sonny is what I was thinking. Now don't blink" he said stepping hard and torquing his body to look like he was taking the shot. The kid was getting the hang of what he said and here was the test.

His body told the story to Kyle's eyes that he took the shot FAST. The speed and ease with which he had passed the ball up to scoring position was evident and yet here was the rub... He didn't shoot- it was all a feint, and then a heartbeat later he took his shot. He had to see how much Kyle's pride still ruled him, the boy was obviously filled with his own brand of ego and listening to directions had never been his strong suit.

If he had taken the next step he would have felt not a bit of action from the handles on his side, yet if he had decided that he already knew better then the game was won, there would be no point continuing and the match would end at that. Scott wasn't one to play a lesser opponent if there was nothing in it for him. In this case the enjoyment he would get would be in seeing if Fleet could learn, could follow his advise and grow as a player and as a person.

It took great courage to step outside of one's comfort zones and baby steps were required to start, so playing games made sense as wonderful enjoyable training. Scott smiled as he thought of the tradition he was upholding, certainly not unlike the Mayan culture or the Native Americans with their simulated battle 'games' of Pitz and Lacrosse, albeit Foose-Ball was way down on the tough-guy scale.

[D'mnchyld]

"Oh, me too partner?" k'8 said sliding out her glass to Maddy as she looked at her hand. She had learned from her Aunty and her Grammy some card games, but this one was new to her. Spades, named for the trump suit, but they had told her it was like HEARTS only with slight differences. "Okaaay uh, how about this?" she said cautiously as she tossed out a six of spades, the lowest spade in her hand, since Dante had led with that suit.

"I'm not sure, but I guess that'll do?" she shrugged and grabbed up her tea. Sipping slowly at first but it was so delicious that she just couldn't help herself and she started to slug it down. "AAAHHhhhh! Wow, that is incredible stuff. You said it's what kind of tea?" she asked Maddy as the play went next to Haven and Katie wondered if she hadn't just messed up for her team.

[Diesel]

"WHAT??!!! OH HELL NO!" Ian yelled and threw a fistful of popcorn hard enough to make an indent with the popcorn in wall behind the TV. "YOU MORON! HOW DID YOU NOT SEE THAT COMING?!" He yelled at the TV after the Cubs stole third base. "Oh Come ON! Damnit!" he said shaking a fist at the TV and then falling back against the couch. Needless to say, Ian was increasingly becoming less and less unhappy with the game, taking a handful of chips and shoved it in his mouth.

"Hey Ricki, pass me the orange soda will ya?" he asked her with a scowl, still staring at the game. "I'm thinking the hippies finally got to the Angels and they're all doped up." He crossed his eyes and wondered how much more he could watch. Right now, he wasn't happy and was playing with the idea of asking Niki if he could sneak into her room tonight and spend the night.

Not just cause he was pissed about the game, but he wanted some time with the two of them and not be swarmed by everyone else. That and he always wondered what her room was like, he never even stepped foot in there with Niki's insistence that Aideen was a very private person. She was gone this weekend though, and Ian wasn't gonna bug Gavin to take the rec room or anything when they had a free room.