February 17, 2001
Coralis flew to the flyball practice an hour earlier to attend a meeting with the team officials. Remembering what the EBEE elders told her a few days ago, she hoped to have her contract renewed with The Northerners. She knew the team officials wanted to offer her a new one, but it wasn't official yet.
She also remembered the elves attacking the royal vampire family in Chicago, and Prince Hendrick calling her the following day to let her know that their elf prisoner was a militant for a movement pushing for the elementals to go out of hiding. She felt that the elves striking King Matthew's stronghold a few hours after EBEE elders told her to cut ties with the king's youngest child wasn't any coincidence.
"Three days ago, we received words from an EBEE representative verifying that your contract with us was going to end, stating that it was in everyone's best interest. However, we had been discussing signing you for another 3 years, as you know. What are your thoughts about it?" said one of the team officials.
"I spoke with the EBEE elders 3 days ago. I made it very clear to them that until my career officially ends, my priority is flyball, and that I wasn't planning on ending it at the end of this season. If The Northerners want me on their team for a few more years, they shall be my priority for a few more years."
"That's good to hear," said another team official, pulling a copper knife out of his cloak. "Our current team captain will be retiring at the end of this season, and we want you to take over his role for the next few seasons. If you accept, we will renew your contract as our official team captain for the next three seasons."
"If The Northerners want me as such for the next three seasons, I will agree to it."
"Excellent. If you don't mind, we will also mention the EBEE call to a CMMA representative. We are aware that you also work for them, but we do not believe that it gives them the right to interfere in your business with us and pass veiled threats," said the team officials in front of her.
"Please do. I did not appreciate them pressuring me to quit flyball. I'm already doing enough work for them."
When their practice time started, Mylo, their coach, announced to the team that Blue Thunder was set to become The Northerners' new captain for the upcoming three seasons. Practice ended an hour and a half before the game started and with some teammates, she went to eat at The Wooded Tavern, an establishment owned by werewolves near the flyball field.
"We'll need to go for drinks after the game, to celebrate your promotion," said Lydia.
"Yes! Congrats on becoming Captain! Although to be honest, it won't make much of a difference, as you've been acting like one since last season," said Sebastian.
"Thanks! Sorry Lydia, I can't go with you guys, I already got plans after the game."
"Of course, she does, we're playing The Imperialists. Lydia, you know Blue got history with them," said Sebastian.
"I know, and they could join us. They're rivals, but I don't hate them."
"Maybe next time, I promised Erik and Henry that I would introduce them to my boyfriend. I won't hear the end of it if I bail on that, and I haven't told Frank about what we are, so I can't invite him to our after-game drinks. We'll be going to my place after the game."
Coralis knew that the coach's mate was human and that some of her teammates had human relatives, so she trusted them knowing she was dating a human.
"Well, then, let's celebrate right now," said Lydia.
Coralis told them about the EBEE calling The Northerners' officials regarding her contract, and how they wanted her to quit flyball.
"Seriously? Can they do that?" said Lydia.
"I'll talk to my dad about it, something doesn't sound right. You know that he works for General Tobly, maybe he can do something. Have you considered transferring to the CMMA? I'm starting an apprenticeship with them at the end of the season," said Sebastian.
"Honestly, it came to mind, Eva is trying to talk me into it. Next time I'm in London, I think I'll dig up my contract with the EBEE to figure a way out. I think I could when my apprenticeship is over, but it's not like they are going to let me walk away."
They returned to the flyball field 20 minutes before the game started. As usual, the game between The Northerners and The Imperialists kept the crowd on their feet from the beginning to the end of it. During the third period, the announcers mentioned that Blue Thunder would be replacing Brono as captain for the next three seasons and the crowd erupted in cheers. The Northerners won their game 15-13.
When the game ended, she met with Erik and Henry by the players' take-off area.
"I want to say congrats sis, but truthfully, I can't say I was surprised, so I'll just say that it was about time!" said Henry.
"That made our coach upset, I think he's still mad that the team officials didn't recruit you when they had the chance," said Erik, laughing.
Coralis saw journalists coming their way. She jumped on her stick and took off. The twins followed.
"Journalists-dodging is becoming a beloved sport of mine," said Henry.
"They love talking to me, but the feeling is not mutual. They'll get my comments some other time," said Coralis.
While they were on their way to Victoria's and Coralis' apartment, Frank rang their bell. He had tried to reach out to her during the afternoon, but Coralis didn't call him back and no one answered the phone. Coralis had told him to be there around 21:30, so he was hoping their plan was still on. He heard the buzzing sound coming from the locking mechanism, and he opened the door to climb up the indoor stairway.
"Hey Frank," said Victoria, from the landing. "Coralis isn't home yet, but she should be here soon."
"Good. I tried to page her earlier, but she didn't call me back, so I was hoping that she didn't cancel."
"Even if she wanted to, Erik and Henry wouldn't have let her. I got home 5 minutes ago, I went to my parents' house for dinner. I know that Coralis had a lot on her plate today, she probably didn't get the chance to call you back. Want a beer?"
"Sure, you said she'll be here soon?"
"Yeah, uh, when she works in Mirabel, she usually doesn't have to stay there longer than she's supposed to."
Victoria had been watching the flyball game with her family, so she knew that Coralis would have left the field shortly after unless she got cornered by journalists and fans. She was usually good at evading them, but considering the team had announced she'd become their new captain, there was a chance that she wouldn't be able to get away quickly. However, she couldn't tell that to Frank.
Ten minutes later, Coralis, Erik and Henry landed in the wooded park nearby, within shadows.
"Not on the rooftop tonight?" said Erik.
"Frank is probably at my place already, so we can't exactly pass through the back window in our cat forms. He doesn't know about what we are, and I forgot to call him back earlier. If he's already there, I'm hoping Victoria was home to let him in, she went to her parents' house to watch the game."
"Let us know when you tell him about our world," said Henry as they walked toward Coralis' apartment, "so we know when we can safely talk game and business in front of him."
"We told you often, we'll help you protect him," said Erik.
"I will let you know when it gets to that point, and there is a lot that I need to tell you."
It was almost 22:00 when they arrived at her place. Frank was on the phone with his boss. Erik and Henry hugged Victoria.
"It's been quite a while, nice to see you again," whispered Erik, taking off his winter coat.
Frank got off the phone, visibly annoyed. He stood and went toward Erik and Henry to introduce himself.
"Sorry guys, my boss called just before you arrived. I'm Frank," said Frank, shaking Erik's hand.
"Hopefully you won't have to leave just yet, we have been wanting to meet you for quite some time. I'm Erik."
"Finally, we get to meet the man behind all of the voicemails we've been listening to. I'm Henry."
"I don't have to leave right now, but I will have to in about an hour. I need to be at work at 5 tomorrow morning, so I can't stay the night," said Frank, shaking Henry's hand.
Victoria handed them beers, and they sat down, Frank beside Coralis, with his right hand on her tight.
Shortly after Frank left, Coralis's hologram went off. Three EBEE elders wanted her to come immediately to their London headquarters for a meeting with her and Andrew.