The King Behind the Cup: Altador on Yooyuball by smurts
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ALTADOR - As I step into the light-filled, beautiful Council Chamber of Altador’s Hall of Heroes, King Altador catches sight of me from his throne. With a pleasant but stern face, he grandly announces, "In continuing memory of your great service to our land, I'd like to present you with a gift. It's only a small token of our appreciat-"
I clear my throat to interrupt him and hold up my notepad and brain tree pencil. “Actually,” I say, making an awkward curtsey, “I was hoping to interview you, your Majesty.” “Really?” King Altador asks, looking somewhat more alert. “Well, Jerdana is far better at telling the story than I...” I shake my head, smiling. “I’m familiar with that story; all of Neopia was enraptured by it not long ago! No, Your Highness, I was hoping to speak with you about the Altador Cup.” The King sits up straighter, more regal than ever. “Ah! What a splendid idea! I played Yooyuball myself when I was younger, you know.” “No, I didn’t!” I say, impressed, though his prowess as a warrior and hunter does suggest that he’d be excellent on the field.
“Yes,” he says, rising from his throne and falling into a quick stride through the halls. I have to jog a bit to keep up with him. “Yes,” he continues, “I was fond of slinging the Yooyu around, though I wouldn’t say I ever reached professional level. We Altadorians invented Yooyuball, you know,” he adds.
My pencil and pad bouncing in my hands as I try to follow him and take notes, I ask, “Where are we headed now, Your Highness?” “Why, the Colosseum, of course! I wonder why it hadn’t occurred to me to go watch sooner than now. Of course, ruling a kingdom leaves one so busy, one forgets to have fun at times. But please, young lady, you had some questions?” By this time, having rushed along, we have come to the entrance of the Colosseum. I can hear the roars of the crowd as we proceed down the path, and the area is thrumming with energy. “Yes, a few questions.” As we slow down and enter, I’m able to catch my breath enough to ask him. “First, King Altador, what do you think of the addition of the new team and Yooyus this year?” The King has led us to a semi-empty booth overlooking the field, and he sits upon a red velvet-covered bench. This must be one of the Royal booths! “I am highly impressed with the Shenkuu team. Their players, despite not having long to become as familiar with the game as others, are a welcome addition. And personally, I find the new Yooyus to be a wonderful concept. They enrich the game, and challenge the otherwise excellent players.” The King points to the field, where some players are chasing after a glimmering purplish-pink ball. “I probably find the Faerie Yooyu the most amusing,” he confides, “because I think it requires delicacy, which not all Yooyuballers have mastered.” “If I may ask, King Altador, with which Yooyu do you think that you would have the most difficulty scoring?” I watch him carefully, not sure if this question will be something he’s comfortable with. “Hmm...” The King looks thoughtful and steeples his paws in a pose I find very familiar, having seen him like this almost daily. “Having not played with the new Yooyus, I imagine that I would have trouble with the Darigan Yooyu. The mirrored-aspect of it, the way that you must aim away from the goal... I am not sure I’d be very patient with it.” He nods, encouraging me to continue with my questions. “Okay,” I say, scribbling quickly to try and get down the most important concepts. “Which team do you feel has the most potential?”
“Ah,” he says cunningly, giving me a wink, “now that is a question I must refuse to answer, both as a diplomat and as a Yooyuball fan. Obviously, I have high hopes for the Altadorian team, but overall, I do wish the best team to win, regardless of which that may be. Besides, it’s early in the round robin yet, and who knows how the standings may change before the Cup reaches its fiercest competition?”
“A balanced answer,” I say appreciatively. “Well, then, I suppose you wouldn’t want to answer about your favorite player, either...?” He nods. “In that case, Your Majesty, what do you think about the supplementary scoring of the Cup this year, where fans can contribute by assisting in food services and in cheering?” “I think it’s a marvelous way of showing support to one’s team without strapping on guards and striving for the Yooyu,” the King proclaims. Loud cheers arise from below, suggesting that another goal has been scored. “Why, being able to get a nice, cold slushie or seeing a fan truly raving about the game would inspire me if I was playing out there, and I imagine it gives the players a morale boost.” “Oh, I hadn’t considered that,” I say, surprised. “So the fans really do serve quite a purpose.” “As long as they take part,” he corrects me. “Simply sitting in the stands, especially if they’re critiquing the players but offering no support, doesn’t particularly ease the players’ burden.” “That makes sense,” I agree. I shuffle through my pre-planned questions to see what I may have skipped. “Your Highness, what position did you play when you played Yooyuball?’ The king gazes upward in memory. “Well, my dear, I was a Defender. I usually played Left Defender.” “And lastly, Your Highness, what do you feel the most important aspect of the Altador Cup is?” I wait eagerly for what must surely be words of wisdom. “Simply this: good sportsmanship. Win or lose, what is valuable is that you have participated, whether as a player or a supportive fan, and been respectful of your opponents. If another team beats you, rather than condemning them, admire them! And if you beat another team, do not make fun of them, but thank them for forcing you to improve your game! These are the key lessons behind Yooyuball, in my opinion.” I stand from the bench where I’ve been sitting, brushing off my skirt and gathering my notes. “Thank you so much, King Altador. I really appreciate your input on this topic. After all, without Altador, there wouldn’t be an Altador Cup!” The king smiles. “Thank you for your interest. It’s done this old Lupe good.”
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