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The Shark House - Chapter 17 - Canadian Standoff
Having been directly challenged by Julia, Popuri prepared some Hockey gear dropped off by her uncle, she'd never played outside her goal net even during selection trials for the Olympics.
Popuri could've played for both United States and Canada given that she has dual nationality due to her parents but chose her mother's Canadian side as it offered more opportunities to remain part time.
"I'm glad I'm against you first, we need you as a pro" Julia says watching Popuri take to the ice.
"I don't want to play pro Julia, nor do I want to marathon run full time, I can't live off sport as a career" Popuri says putting on a Calgary Flames jersey.
"First off, ew" Julia not impressed by Popuri's choice of NHL side. "Secondly I don't want you to waste your talents on a useless degree, you never let in a single goal when you played, you could even get the NHL talking" Julia pulls her visor down, Popuri followed as they circled the puck at center ice, once the horn sounded the face off began, the game was first to five goals and Julia made quick work out manoeuvring Poppy and scoring the first goal, Julia quickly followed with a second goal to put the pressure on Poppy.
"You were always sloppy with technique even in PeeWees" Julia fires a slap shot but Popuri catches the puck and fires back to score.
"You talk too much!" Popuri's eyes glow yellow as the normally pleasant Poppy gets serious, Popuri's speed increases as she starts to out skate Julia, Julia normally a center tries body checking but Popuri avoids it easily and slaps in another two goals.
"She doesn't even practice, how is she this good?" Julia ended up conceding another goal bringing it to match point, Julia tried spraying ice from her skates but Poppy just kept avoiding it, the attention Poppy was getting attracted a huge crowd, Julia fired her strongest shot but Poppy stops it dead with just her skate, Popuri finished with one final shot, Julia falling over to try and stop it but failed, Popuri wins.
Julia was disappointed to lose and felt dejected leaving the ice, "I still wish you'd reconsider"
Popuri held out her hand. "Good match, but I've made up my mind, I'll still be at the next winter games" Julia shook Poppy's hand as the crowd chanted Popuri's name.
The Shark House - Chapter 16 - Fall of Romanum
Popuri's job at the ice rink was quiet for once although it didn't stop some fans asking for her autograph, on her break she was greeted by Dawn but she wasn't alone, with Dawn was a little girl no older than five holding Dawn's hand, the normally intense Dawn gave a much more pleasant aura. Popuri didn't know what to ask but Dawn started the conversation.
"Poppy, I want you to meet my daughter May" Popuri knelt down to greet May.
"Are you a princess?" The innocent May asked, this made Popuri blush as no one had ever called her that before.
Once all the greetings were done, Dawn explained why she needed to see Popuri.
"I owe you an explanation about Razzmatazz and why he acts the way he does, it was six years ago"
Six years ago, both Dawn and Razzmatazz were part of a video game team called Romanum, they had battled there way to the finals despite losing their team captain Lazeld to heart failure, they only had Slippy Squad to beat to qualify for the world championships, but on the decisive match day, Dawn didn't show up, that morning she found out she was pregnant, the father was Lazeld.
It was Lazeld who saved Dawn's eye sight by paying for her bionic eye implants, the two even planned to marry if they made it to the World Championships but it never happened, Romanum lost to Slippy Squad despite Razzmatazz's best efforts.
The defeat infuriated Razzmatazz, he called Dawn a traitor and never spoke to her again until Popuri showed up at Quarter Bros Arcade and kick started Bayside's tournament. Romanum disbanded two years later when Razzmatazz and Intrepid Cave Troll fell out following a failed crypto venture.
"I tried to call him after the qualifiers but he wouldn't listen and to this day, he still doesn't know about May. It's my fault he's like this and it's my fault that you're now his target for his pathetic revenge" Dawn bowed her head to Popuri.
"I have a bad habit of being caught in the spotlight, it's been happening my whole life, it happened at the Winter Olympics when I played for Canada Ice Hockey, it happened at the Summer Olympics when I was able to keep pace with the world's best marathon runners, I don't want to let people down and if Razzmatazz wants a battle, I'll battle" Popuri spoke with a maturity that had seen so much more than Dawn ever could.
"I'd be happier if I could battle you in the finals instead of Razzmatazz" Dawn's smile proved that her worries were easing but the peace was interrupted by an Ice Hockey player.
"Popuri Meadows, jersey 94 of the Canadian national squad, I never thought you'd be my first opponent" the tall girl with a strong Canadian accent approached Popuri and pointed a hockey stick at her.
"I Julia, jersey 9 of the Canadian national squad, challenge you to a one-on-one" Popuri knew Julia from the Olympics, Julia held up her phone showing the details of the match up which Popuri confirmed, a frenzy started building as the rink was setting up for their battle.
The Shark House - Chapter 15 - Always Second Best
A night in Giro's cafe always seems busier than it should be, the concept of a night time cafe seems backwards but with half the residents working night jobs it only seems right; the night before the first round of the tournament, Razzmatazz showed up at the Cafe, in just casual clothes, glasses and a cap in an effort not to be noticed he approached Giro at the bar.
"I guess you're not so famous that you'd visit your old home" Giro calmly said.
"Don't remind me, I'd rather not be here but I want answers, why are you and the Slippy Squad in the Tournament?" Razzmatazz kept his normally boastful voice down as he knew that Intrepid Cave Troll was watching his every move.
Giro just cleaned another glass, "not all of us are competing, Ascension Zero turned it down, Jester of Malice has family, Hidden Ace's job frowns on competitions and Jimbo Nix wasn't interested, not enough Halo" Giro still calm with his speech.
"You don't belong in a tournament, a waste of talent like you has no business in a competition like mine" Razzmatazz trying but failing to intimidate Giro.
Giro's demeanour changed. "I'm entering because you doxxed and threatened one of my residents publicly, not to mention you've poked all the pros who were waiting for you to snap"
Razzmatazz scoffed at the idea of being beaten, "let them come, I don't care if it's Firestorm, Speed of Light Suzuka, Blood Raven, Silent Viking or even you Cerulean Wizard, I will get what I want and only I will be recognised as the true King of Games" Razzmatazz finished his drink and left.
"Idiot didn't even realise Popuri was sat metres away from him" Giro just casually dumps the glass in the sink.
Luke walked up to the bar amused by the exchange, "wanker, he never changes, this will be the easiest money I've ever made; I didn't know he used to live at the Shark House" Luke surprised by that reveal.
"When you spend your gaming career always being second place it gets to you the longer it goes on, money seems to be a safety blanket for him. You seem confident of winning Luke" Giro smiles at Luke's comments.
"Got a prediction Wizard?" Luke spoke sarcastically.
"Dawn will probably kill Razzmatazz, as for who will win the tournament, probably Speed of Light Suzuka" Luke surprised by Giro's prediction.
"And here I thought you were supporting the Shark House princess" Luke looking over at Popuri.
"Well, we'll see if Popuri can make an impact"
The Shark House - Chapter 14 - Troll Hacks
"Explain to me why you've dragged me out of my apartment?" Freddy known online as the Intrepid Cave Troll was dragged to the cafe by an angry Dawn.
"You provoked Razzmatazz, so you fix it so I battle him before he ends up fighting Popuri, so get to it helpdesk!" Dawn was not messing around, the tournament starts at the weekend so Freddy was asked to manipulate the bracket, they gambled on Dawn's history with Razzmatazz to avoid him noticing the change.
"Hey Giro, anything you want to add?" Giro was just making a coffee and shook his head.
"What about you Dave? You want to change something?" Dave got up and walked over to Freddy, he handed over the black book and asked him to make it so his opponents were female.
"Say goodbye to that Audi Quattro you wanted, this is going to cost you" Freddy picked out a few random girls from the book, Dawn just stared at Dave with her intimidating yellow eyes, Dave just hid behind Freddy scared.
"Dawn ain't going to kill you" Freddy joked, Dawn just walked away muttering "simp" under her breath; Dave crawled out from hiding and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Freddy, you still have that troll statue you bought off Glenn?" Dave asked.
"Is he still complaining about that? My offer was fair and reasonable for that type of cave troll, if he wanted more money he should've had the limited release red shackles model troll. Take my advice for this tournament, you will not get to choose what type of game you'll play, it's where ever you find your opponent and whatever games are available at that location, for example Popuri's latest job is at the ice rink, if she finds her opponent there, her game will be ice related such as ice hockey or speed skating, so you can't always rely on driving for your game, this is what makes Bayside's tournament so fascinating; as for you Dave, your first opponent will be Sasha" Dave reacted to the mention of a girls name ignoring the rest of the explanation.
"Let's see what Luke wrote in here, Sasha is a theatre actress, she's fun and energetic but a little exhausting, she's easy to spot as she frequently quotes from her extensive list of roles shes played not to mention you can't miss her shocking pink hair and clothing that is a mixture of street wise and punk with a sprinkle of pirate thrown in. A quick look at the theatre programme and you'll find her in no time" Freddy throws back the black book, Dave bowed several times thanking Freddy and sets off.
Before Freddy could logoff, Barry slapped some dollars on the table.
"I want you to look up a particular incident" Barry shows a news clipping of "Hero school girl prevents school shooting", Freddy was uncomfortable looking up the story, he pushed the money back.
"Ask Popuri about it, I don't deal with this sort of thing. All I know is that whenever I try and bring it up, Hellcat immediately shuts it down, it's not worth risking my reputation over" Freddy packed away his laptop and returned to his apartment.
The Shark House - Chapter 13 - Two Tickets To Paradise
Dave had a lot to process following the previous night after the announcement from Razzmatazz but that had to wait as Chaos Engine had an emergency meeting, Dave was worried as to what leader Joel might say considering how much freedom he gave Lisa a few nights back.
When Dave arrived, Hellcat was waiting as well as Joel, Hellcat didn't look impressed while Joel had concern written all over him.
"I've just got back from the Bayside Motor Council, our team have been selected for the gold card for 2024" Joel explained.
Dave was excited, the gold card meant the team were exempt from all car and car related purchases for that whole year, along with a chance at millions from winning Razzmatazz's tournament, all of Dave's debts would be clear and he could finally leave Shark House, but why was Joel concerned?
"There is a catch, we receive the card at the Gracies Christmas Eve Charity Ball, attendance is mandatory for a couple, and me and my wife can't go as were expecting our first child in the autumn. If no one from our team arrives with a partner, the card will be withdrawn" Joel very thorough in his explanation.
"Can't Hellcat go? She's second in command" Hellcat frowned while holding her left shoulder at the mere suggestion of going to the ball.
"My sister will have to take command of the team for the second half of the year, I'm leaving this to you my highest ranked commander" Joel stood up.
"But I'm single?" Dave pointed out.
Joel opened his desk drawer and throws Dave a black book.
"I prepared for this, your friend Luke gave me this, there are 30 single women listed in that book, fully detailed from those who have dated them in the past, I'm sure you'll find one person to date you, at least long enough to clear the charity ball. As for Lisa, I'll leave her to Hellcat, don't waste time pursuing her, you are dismissed" Joel showed Dave the door.
Dave had a new goal to achieve but he was more worried about fitting everything in, not to mention his mind was still fixed on Lisa.
"Joel, I'm sorry I let grandpa down" Hellcat was upset but Joel was calm.
"You know our team law, parenting takes priority, our older two brothers went through the same thing, I'm just making sure you're ready to take over Zoe" Joel trying to comfort his sister.
"No, I meant the ball, I should be the one to go, not Dave Dreamer" Zoe ready to burst into tears, Joel petted Zoe's head to calm her down.
"It's the other thing you are hiding in Dad's old over sized pizza delivery jacket, we'll never ask you to reveal something so sensitive, grandpa would never forgive himself if he asked you to do that, you probably should go home sis, you're not fit to drive tonight" with a warm hug, Joel sent his sister home.
Dave returned to the Midnight Cafe reading through the Black book over a coffee.
"Damn it Luke, none of these explanations help and there aren't any photos of any of the girls, I need a miracle here" while Dave had his head on the table, Lisa walks passed unnoticed on her way to work.