To: All those who saw that strange flyer [Dated: January 25th]

[whereishe]

Dear: Those it May Concern,

I noticed that my moogle had put up flyers about my first game this session. I am not too happy that he did even though his excitement is admirable. I missed the game due to the importance of traveling to Esdham. I will be playing on the team here as a regular player and while I am excited I am sorry if those flyers seemed odd. I do not plan to make it a habit to post such a thing and I have asked Celes to refrain as well.

That being said, I think that it is always better to have hope when things appear to be difficult or sad. Blitzball is a hope that I would like to share with others. It has kept hope alive in my world for so long. To be able to cheer for your favorite team and get caught up in the simple excitement of the game. It isn’t a solution but I will work to keep that hope alive anyway.

-Yunie

Comments

[charming_jerk]

You're right. People can't be expected to sit around in misery. Keep playing, and keep giving people something to cheer for.

The last place I was at didn't have anything like that, so I know how important it is.

--Johnny

[whereishe]

I definitely will.

Thank you for saying so.

-Yunie

[elevatoravatar]

Is that that full contact battle arena with the ball that seemed to be under some sort of water?

I attempted to watch it for a bit, but I was unable to figure out exactly what was going on. If it is a duel they seemed preoccupied with the ball, if the ball was some sort of focused, there still seemed to be too much violence to be a sport.

I do not suppose you would be able to explain what I saw?

-Elizabeth

[whereishe]

I think you might be a little confused. It is a contact sport but it isn't in a battle arena. It's called a the sphere. It's not a creative name for a sphere of water but that is the playing field for the game.

There are 6 players on each team. A goalie who protects the goal. Two defenders that defend the goal. Two offense who shoot towards the other teams goal and then a mid fielder who helps pass the ball between players to score.

You use skills and strategy to score with the Blitzball. If you run into someone they will try to tackle you to get the ball.

I hope that makes sense.

-Yunie

[elevatoravatar]

Not really! However, I have almost no experience with sport other than arena fighting at all. Still if it is your calling I wish you nothing but luck at it!

-Elizabeth

[whereishe]

I don't know about calling but I really do love it.

Why don't you come and watch again sometime? I might be able to explain the rules better if I'm able to point things out to you.

-Yunie

[elevatoravatar]

When is your match? I only half looked at the flier I admit. My mind was preoccupied with understanding this place more so I only vaguely remember it.

-Elizabeth

[whereishe]

Well, I missed my first match because of what happened in Esdham but the next one is coming up. I should be at the beginning of next month.

-Yunie

[elevatoravatar]

When you know the date let me know and I will be certain to be in town for it.

-Elizabeth

[whereishe]

I will!

I believe it is on the 6th but I need to check the schedule.

-Yunie

[line_piece]

What kind of game is it?

-Chiaki

[whereishe]

It's a contact game, played in a large Sphere pool.

We try to score points on the other team while moving through the water. Each half is about 5 minutes long.

It might be easier to show you, you know?

-Yunie

[line_piece]

Oh. So it's more of a sport, then.

-Chiaki

[whereishe]

That's right!

The team the scores enough points at the end wins!

-Yunie

[line_piece]

I'm better at board games and card games than the kind you play with your body. It sounds exciting, though.

-Chiaki

[whereishe]

Why not come and watch then.

It isn't the same but I think that being able to cheer and feel the excitement in the air is fun. Before I started playing I loved going to watch the games. A lot of good friends of mine played.

-Yunie

[line_piece]

I knew some people back home who would have loved a sport like that.

When is the next game?

-Chiaki

[whereishe]

I think it is on the 6th of this month.

It would be exciting to see you there.

-Yuna

[line_piece]

Oh, good. I don't have a Triple Triad game that day.

I'll be there, probably.

-Chiaki

[whereishe]

I can't wait!

-Yunie

[neverfirstclass]

Yuna,

I'm still sorry I'm not the person you were hoping I was, but if you need people to come out and cheer for you then you can count me in. I'm still trying to learn how the game is played though. Triple triad seems more my thing.

I'm sorry if you get asked this a lot but how are players able to hold their breaths that long?

Cloud

[whereishe]

Cloud,

You are exactly who I think you are and I'd be happy to watch you play triple triad. I'm afraid the game confuses me some but I'm sure I can pick up the rules if I have the chance to watch you play.

As for holding their breaths it just takes practice. They also have a potion that you can drink that lets you breath underwater. For me, well, I can hold my breath for 7 minutes.

-Yunie

[neverfirstclass]

Yunie,

I'd be happy to teach you how to play sometime. I don't know if I'm good enough to go into the tournaments, but I tend to pick up things like it pretty easily.

Seven minutes though? I thought you were all using magic or something. I didn't know it was possible for someone to hold their breath that long. That's amazing.

-Cloud

[whereishe]

Cloud,

I'd be happy to learn but I don't know if I will ever get very good. As for holding my breath, well, I've had a lot of practice and I was motivated to try my best until I could.

Though I've heard in some worlds people can't hold their breath that long.

-Yunie

[neverfirstclass]

Yunie,

So how do you practice it anyway? Do you just hold your breath as long as you can and try to do better?

Sorry, I'm asking about that too much. So you played this game in your world too? What was it like there?

-Cloud

[whereishe]

Cloud,

I held my breath while moving in the water. Holding your breath and staying still is very different compared to holding your breath while moving. I did play Blitzball at home and I suppose that's why I like playing it here. It is almost identical to the game from home and its nice to have something like that here. More so if it is able to bring hope like I wish it too.

It's alright to ask about it. I hope everyone can enjoy it.

-Yunie

[neverfirstclass]

Yunie,

The game does look fun, but I think I'll just stick to watching right now. I'll be sure to cheer for you when you play though.

They didn't have this game in my world, and I don't think a lot of the others had it either. I wonder why this one and yours both do.

-Cloud.

[whereishe]

Cloud,

I'm not sure but I'm sure it was bound to happen somewhere. I don't think our world is the only one who thought of the idea. I can't wait to see you there.

-Yunie

[not_most_days]

Miss Yuna,

A symbol of hope is a good thing to have. By the sound of it, it seems like the world you call home had this blitzball as well? I've seen the arena and some of the players, but I'm still a bit confused about what it is. Would you mind explaining it?

-James Kidd

[whereishe]

James,

I'd be happy too.

I do have Blitzball in my world and I've been play for a little under two years. It's been on and off because of certain situations but I love the game very much. It is like most sports with teams. It is 6 on 6 with one goalie, two defenders, two offense and a mid receiver.

The goal is to score the most points but it is a little difficult when you are in the sphere pool. Each half lasts 5 minutes and the team with the most points at the end wins. Each position is a little different when playing it. I play an offense so my main task is tackling and shooting the ball into the goal post.

-Yunie

[not_most_days]

Miss Yunie,

This sport sounds a bit like some of the ones played back in my world. It's the fact that you play it in water. I've done some diving of my own and I know from experience how hard it is to get any speed or agility in the water. The ball seems to move remarkably well as well.

The prospect of holding your breath that long is shocking as well. I thought I could hold mine decently enough but these players put me to shame. You don't need to elaborate on this though. Someone at the arena already explained it to me.

-James Kidd

[whereishe]

James,

It just takes practice to move efficiently underwater. It took some time for be to become a full member of the team and I was a Blitzball player back home. Though we didn't have potions to help us hold our breaths.

It would be exciting to see you at my next game if you are interested.

-Yunie

P.S. No need to address me as miss. Just Yunie is fine.

[not_most_days]

Yunie,

Forgive me. I'm not used to such casual letter writing or even such swift delivery.

I'll be sure to attend and see what I think of the game in person. Thank you.

-James Kidd

[whereishe]

James,

Your welcome!

And no worries. I'm not really used to these letters either.

-Yunie