Chapter Text
"Alright team." Laudna clasps her hands together eagerly as she addresses the Bells. "It's been a strange week, but I'm pleased to see most of you sticking to the training program."
Fearne follows Laudna's gaze to each of her teammates. She rests for a second or two longer on Ashton. They're looking much better now, with just the remnants of a black eye.
"It's almost a blessing in disguise that you got an extra week to learn my line change and break-out system. Ank'harel won't know what hit them." Laudna smiles her wide, toothy grin.
Once the Greenseeker's press release went out, Chetney had been on the phone all day rescheduling games. The home opener would have to be toned down, but he had secured a couple of acts to fill in the intermissions for the rest of the homestand.
"Ank'harel always fields a good team. They have solid financial backing from J'mon Sa Ord, and that really attracts talent year after year." Chetney gives the scouting report. He tells them to look out for a couple of players who like to run the ball on their own.
"Since Ank'harel plays a zone defence." Laudna chimes in. "The way we break them is to make lots of passes and keep cycling. Move your feet, cut through the zone, and move the ball quickly. Remember that special play you ran in the Lake Korron tournament?"
Fearne nods as Laudna looks to her.
"You could do something like that all game long, not worrying about any other play. You probably won't even need to worry about setting good picks." As a refresher, Laudna draws out the sequence and passing options.
Pre-game pep talk complete, Orym stands. "Alright Bells, let's give 'em hell!" And leads the team jogging and cheering out and into the bright lights of the arena.
The sell-out crowd is roaring, and Fearne is having the time of her life. She had forgotten the special feeling that comes with playing in front of a home crowd. Her crowd. There are signs being held up with her name and number. Little kids, adults, and senior citizens alike chant "Calloway" each time she dishes out a big hit. This is what all those boring practices are for. Fearne thinks. All the repetitive wall-ball that makes her feel insane. How could I forget this feeling?
She sprints up the floor, receiving a pass from a fresh Orym. Ashton is braced in their favourite spot by the crease, and she makes eye contact with them to start their little play.
Fearne fakes running in, causing two defenders to collapse to her. She's shown her shot off this game, and Ank'harel knows not to let her fire away if they can help it. The fake-out allows her to step back and quickly toss the ball over to Orym who's playing at the top of the house. His shot isn't as much of a threat, but if he gets up close and personal with the goaltender, he's deadly.
Orym challenges the defenders, and they're forced to collapse towards him. Fearne and Orym play this game with each other, making it look like they're going to challenge the net, only to step back and pass the ball off. With less than ten seconds left on the shot clock, they've drawn their defenders out quite far.
Seeing her opportunity, Fearne lobs the ball towards the net and a streaking Ashton. He catches the pass easily, takes a step towards the goal, and loops the ball backwards over his left shoulder. It's a beautiful goal. The crowd goes absolutely wild. The Bells are up by one, with minutes left in the game. They're able to hold off Ank'harel, and as the final buzzer sounds, they extend their win streak to four.
Laudna awards the hardhat to Ashton. "Where did you learn that move?" She's grinning.
"I had some extra time on my hands this week..." Ashton replies sheepishly. "Thought, if I couldn't practice, I may as well do some studying. I know Orym and Imogen can score like that, but I always thought it was too high level for me." They shrug. "Worth a shot right?"
FCG is beaming from the back of the room. Imogen gives Ashton a big thumbs up. Fearne feels a warmth in her chest spread as Laudna places the hardhat on Ashton's head, and a genuine toothy smile spreads across their face.
Fearne pulls the car up to the curb outside of Milo's house. "You sure you're good tonight?" She asks Ashton. Orym got a ride home from the game with Dorian tonight, so it's just the two of them in the car.
"Actually, for the first time in a while, yeah. I think I am okay." Ashton has a funny expression on their face. Fearne thinks it's contentedness, but she isn't quite sure. If it is, it worries her slightly that she's rarely seen it before.
"You played really well tonight." Fearne lowers her voice. "And that's despite being very bruised everywhere."
That causes Ashton to laugh. "Sometimes I think the pain helps me focus. Lets me push everything else away, except for the one thing in the moment that matters."
Fearne nods at that. Sometimes she could be too good at focusing on one and only one thing. But she knows Ashton's brain doesn't work like hers does.
They're sitting in the passenger's seat, seatbelt undone, but Ashton doesn't make a move to leave.
Fearne turns the engine off, turns to them, and asks. "What is it?"
A few beats of silence, before Ashton lets out a heavy sigh. "I'm going to ask Milo about Hexum. Are you busy? Can you..." They trial off uncomfortably, turning away from Fearne.
Fearne thinks she knows where this is going. "Hey." She puts a hand on Ashton's knee. "I can come in with you. If that's what you want?"
Nodding, Ashton makes a move to get out of the car. Fearne follows and helps them grab their gear out of the trunk. They deposit the gear in the garage and Ashton bangs around loudly in the mud room. "Hey, Milo!"
A short figure greets them as Fearne and Ashton step into the main hallway of Milo's house. The strong scent of something herbal hits Fearne's nose. Then it mixes with the smell of stale cat litter and canned soup.
"Hey, I saw you got a big 'W' tonight. Congrats." Milo greets Fearne and nods at Ashton. "Haven't seen you in a minute Fearne, how you been?"
Fearne smiles with her mouth closed. "Good to see you Milo. I've been good, busy but good."
"Milo, did you see that press release from the police the other day?" Ashton leaves their shoes on and waves Fearne into the living room, as he makes his way to the kitchen. "Want a beer?"
Fearne hears the sound of two bottlecaps being removed as she sits heavily on the couch that smells less like cat pee. "You know the answer to that, Ash."
Milo sits on the couch that smells more like cat pee, and a calico hops up into their lap. "The one about the Mayor's would-be assassin?"
Ashton enters the living room and passes Fearne a beer, keeping the other for themself. "That one. You read it?"
Milo nods, looking between Fearne and Ashton, while they pet the cat on her lap.
"Okay, so you saw this guy was connected to the Hishari. And Jiana Hexum." Ashton is looking Milo straight in the eye.
"I recall reading that." Milo responds curtly.
Fearne stays quiet, ready to jump in if need be. But for now, she feels this is a conversation Ashton needs to have with their sibling.
"How do I know Jiana Hexum, Milo?"
Five seconds pass. Then thirty. Milo doesn't say anything. She sips at the mug she's holding in one hand, still stroking the cat with the other. The silence stretches on, and just before Fearne is about to say something, Milo clears their throat. "Do you remember anything other than the name?"
Ashton looks at them eagerly, leaning forward, elbows on their knees. "Not the name, but the face. I know her face. Why?"
Milo's eyes are searching Ashton for something, but Fearne doesn't know what it is.
"That woman is bad news. Don't get mixed up in her shit." Milo spits, tweaking out a bit and shaking their head.
The tone surprises Fearne. She's used to Milo being cagey, but they're always either laid back or jittery. This tone holds warning full of spite or hate, or something else acidic.
"You're going to have to give me more than that buddy." Ashton leans back and sips at their beer.
"The reason you remember her face." Milo gives in after another few minutes of silence. "Is because she used to be around the house a lot. When we were kids. Dad did work for her sometimes."
"Were they friends?" Fearne ventures a question.
"You could say that." Milo's voice still full of acid. "As much as dad could be friends with anyone."
Ashton is looking up at the ceiling, a pensive look on their face. "Milo. Were mom and dad Hishari?" They sit up straight and look at Milo.
Milo looks back at Ashton. "Now I know that look, Ashton. You remember something."
"When I saw the Ashari exhibit was coming to town, it triggered something." They tap the side of their head. "There's a lot of real cool stuff in there, and some of it looked weirdly familiar. Like, I had assumed I'd seen it on TV or something."
Fearne is nodding, that's what Ashton had told her the night before the museum.
"But, and don't get mad. I was in a fight last week." Before Milo can protest, Ashton pushes on. "And I got knocked around pretty good, but I think it may have knocked some memories out of me? Cuz when I was reading that article, about Hexum, and the Hishari... I am certain I've heard it before."
Milo nods slowly. "First of all, you should do your research. That's a bad group of bad people. You do not want to get caught up with them, understand me?" Spiteful Milo has turned to older-sibling-warning Milo.
"I swear I'm not looking to get into any more trouble than I'm already in." Ashton rolls their eyes at them.
"They'll bring you, me, this lovely lady friend of yours, more trouble than even you know what to do with."
"Okay, I get it. So, mom and dad?"
"Yeah." Milo nods. "Yeah, they were Hishari. You know a little about the drug business dad was in? Well, it's all connected. I don't know all the details, just that I didn't want anything to do with it. That's why I left home when you were still little."
Fearne didn't know this part of Ashton's past. She feels a little bit badly now for how hard she's been on Milo. Now that she knows more.
"Just, please. Promise me you'll stay away from this?" Milo pleads. "I don't want to see you hurt again."
"I pinky promise, Milo." Ashton holds up their right pinky finger.
Chetney successfully rescheduled the entire home-stand of games in the Bells' main arena. Much to the delight of the Screeching Bells' owner Eriks Eshteross. He pays the team a visit after the fourth game, congratulating them on a seven-game win streak to start the season.
"This is wonderful." The old man grins holding his hands together on the top of the cane he carries. "Keep this up, and next season will be a no-brainer. You are all giving Jrusar something to rally behind, and it'll continue to bring wealth and prosperity to the city!"
Fearne notices excitement in some of her teammate's eyes, but not all of them. Eshteross seems to notice this too, when he adds. "I know I sound like this is all about money... and the truth of the matter is, to the league, it is all about money... But where this game came from and what it represents, is so much more than that."
Eshteross' eyes get misty as he continues. "Lacrosse has a full and rich history. The culture of building community, settling disputes. Developing skills of communication, teamwork, and resilience. It set the foundation for who I am as a person, and who each of you is becoming as young adults. I want, more than anything, to give back to my community. To foster a healthy, safe, environment for young people to face the challenges of life, together. I look at all of you, and I am inspired. I want others to see that too, to achieve what you are achieving."
"We are ever grateful for the chance you gave us all." Orym stands up, walks over to Eshteross, and shakes the older man's hand. "We will do what we can to continue your legacy, and that of Mr. Bell's."
One by one, Fearne's teammates get up and shake the owner's hand. When it's her turn, Eshteross says. "You are an inspiration out there, Miss Calloway. I hope to be seeing you play much more after this season."
Fearne smiles softly, still not sure what her future will bring. But for now, she knows there are many lacrosse games left in the season. She is pretty sure Laudna has packed their schedule full of away tournaments too. Basking in the brilliance of her team and their unprecedented win streak, Fearne feels full of confidence on the road ahead to the Tal'Dorei Cup.