Altador Cup Quick Questions is back! This is a segment in which brief interviews are held with a select few Altador Cup players to give insight into the preparations they put into the sport, team dynamics, their lives outside of the Cup and anything else they feel like sharing with us in the few quick moments we are able to talk with them! These interviews were held right before the start of the games so that the players could stay focused throughout the tournament! With that said, we will be kicking things off with the goalkeeper, Jurin T. from Team Kreludor!

Interviewer: “Thanks for meeting with us, Jurin! We appreciate you taking this interview in place of your captain, Derlyn Fonnet. We hope you’re excited to get started.”

Jurin: “Ya, no problem. Cap sends her best, but she ain’t really up for interviews no more after all that mess with the old rumours of her being canned and whatnot.”

Interviewer: “I assure you that isn’t the sort of journalism we’re looking to write here!”

Jurin: “It’s cool, no press is bad press as far as I’m concerned. That’s why I offered to take her spot. So, have at it. Ask the hard questions, pal.”

Interviewer: “Well, alright. It’s been reported that you and the team’s right forward, Motor Dahy, are fairly close, all things considered. Due to his famously prickly attitude, many fans are wondering how this came to be.”

Jurin: “Oh, um… I– uhh.”

Interviewer:“Is everything alright? Why do you have your phone out?”

Jurin: “Ya, ya just sending a quick text. No worries, everything's cool. I just sorta figured you’d ask me like sports things. Like how was it winning first place, or do you think your lack of technical know-how has affected your team in the long run?”

Interviewer: “You seem ready for those sorts of questions. Plus, you asked me to give you hard questions. So, here we are. There’s been two first-hand reports of you and Dahy getting into scuffles. Yet, you are looked to when he gets out of hand. Why is that?"

Jurin: “It ain’t all that big a deal. And Dahy’s a private guy, so like I’m not trying to share his business or nothing. You may want to drop it.”

Interviewer: “Come on now, your fans want to know. Is there secretly a big softie behind that Pteri’s gruff exterior?”

Jurin: “*sigh* I tried giving you an out, man.”

[Loud crashes come from the next room before Dahy breaks through the door]

Dahy: “He said drop it, numbskull, or I’ll bash your head in! This interview is over!”

[Dahy proceeds to pick up Jurin, who is shaking his head, and carries him away]

Jurin: [To Dahy] “This is not what I meant when I texted ya to come pick me up!” [To Interviewer] “Sorry about your door, man. You can bill this idiot later.”

Interviewer: “Hello, Miss Cardenas! Welcome to Quick Questions, where we—”

Camila: “Hi! Oh my gosh, I’m so excited to be here. After Tyrra and Rowdy Roo got to do this when we debuted, I jumped at the chance.”

Interviewer: “Literally. I’m probably going to have a couple of fresh bruises come morning…”

Camila: “Heehee… Sorry about that. But really, you got Rowdy to talk before, and he’s nothing but hot air. I’ve got plenty I want to talk about, so come at me with anything you’ve got!”

Interviewer: “Wow, love the enthusiasm! Okay, first off: how does your team feel going into the Altador Cup this year? You placed 17th out of a possible 19 during your debut year, and I heard you had rather higher hopes than that.”

Camila: “...You had to bring that up, didn’t you? *Sigh.* I mean, nobody wants to place that low, and I really don’t think we deserved it. We’re a lot better than you might think even if we’re technically new. But… the Altador Cup’s no joke. We’re going to work harder than ever before, and this year we’ll do much better, I’m sure of it!”

Interviewer: “Well said! With your innovative style and fresh plays, you’re sure to impress.”

Camila: “Thanks! And… heehee… I’m sure there’s a few people we’ll impress in particular~!”

Interviewer: “Oh?”

Camila: “I’m talking about a certain hunky Mynci from Team Mystery Island, of course. Have you SEEN the eyes Ty-ty makes at him? Magnus is thinking about dating again, too. Good for him, he and his daughter are close as Crabby-bots in a construction site, but sometimes you just need a cuddle-buddy, you know? I’m sure impressing someone with your mad Yooyuball skills is a good way to find someone to spend some time with. And don’t even get me started on Rowdy. You know he shuts up about that silly rivalry of his with Tandrak Shaye. Ooh, maybe I should introduce myself to him [Shaye] just to get under that uppity pup’s fur…”

Interviewer: “That doesn’t sound like—Miss Cardenas? C-Camila? Where are you going?”

Interviewer: “...Erm, unfortunately it seems we’ll have to cut this interview short, as Camila Cardenas has flown off muttering something about a plan. I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised – she’s well-known for her drive and ambition, but it seems that Yooyuball isn’t the only thing she applies herself so ardently to!”

Interviewer: “Welcome, Miss Stokes. Everyone has been very excited to finally have a Neopia Central team in the Altador Cup. How’s the new team coming together?”

Stokes: “Excited to be here, and even more excited to be a part of the Cup. The team is fabulous, of course! We’re more than ready to get on the field.”

Interviewer: “That’s great to hear. The try-outs were quite the performance. The fact that you all came from separate teams was a twist that really tugged at many fans' heartstrings. But, how is everyone feeling with so little time to get to know each other?”

Stokes: “We may all come from different teams, but that’s actually been an advantage I don’t think many other teams out there have.”

Interviewer: “Really? How so?”

Stokes: “A few other lands maybe have one or two reserve teams they can scrimmage with here and there throughout the year, but not like us! We’ve got 5 whole other teams in our back pockets. All with different playing styles to keep us on our toes!”

Interviewer: “Oh wow, that never occurred to me. That really does sound like a great way to get ready in time for this year’s Cup.”

Stokes: “You never have to get ready when you stay ready, darling. We may all be new to each other, but we aren’t new to the game. Every single member of the team is giving it their all, and I’m beyond proud to be called their captain.”

Interviewer: “With such talented players and such an unconventional way of coming to be, how did the team choose a captain?”

Stokes: “It wasn’t easy. Everyone on the team was initially vying for the position, except for Raya [Valensi]. He was just sorta happy to be there. To be honest, the obvious choice seemed like Nat [Eyser]. They’re beyond skilled at everything they do. Yet after a few rounds of letting everyone have a crack at playing captain, we took a vote, and it was 1 vote for Nat and the rest for me. I was the vote for Nat.”

Interviewer: “That’s very touching. Did the team give a reason behind why they voted for you?”

Stokes: “Oh, I definitely asked, because I know me. I know I can get a little intense when it comes to competition, and that usually turns people off. But they said while they saw I was quick to call out mistakes, I was just as quick to provide solutions and give praise… That’s when they gave me the nickname, Coach. They… they really saw me, you know? ”

[Stokes pauses to sip some water and compose herself]

Stokes: “And it’s that sort of connection that shows while we may not have been playing together as long, we’re just as synced as the rest of the teams in the Cup. We’re ready to face them on equal footing and take home the gold!”

Interviewer: “Strong words from Altador Cup’s newest Captain, I’m sure everyone is excited to see you and the rest of your team live up to them!”

Keep an eye out for our next round of Quick Questions, as we will be returning with more intriguing player interviews soon!

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