#cade mitchell

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, JESSA!

Thank you for everything you contribute to TFC!

@cadxmitchell, @lucaservine, @cartermaddx

THE FOXHOLE COURT + THE ONION HEADLINES (1 of 2)

THE FOXHOLE COURT: JANUARY 7-JANUARY 13

ONLINE:

“The start of the Spring Championships is just around the corner, and the schedule for the first round has been revealed. In the first round, teams are matched up within their brackets for three games. The teams that win the fewest games, one or none, will face an early exit from the Championships.”

“The Palmetto State Foxes may have drawn the short straw in first round scheduling, with two lengthy trips to play away games in California: first they kick off the Championships against the UC Davis Aggies on January 18; and then they return home to face off a familiar opponent from their own district—one they lost to 6-2 back in September to begin their season—when they take on the Breckenridge Jackals on February 1; and then it’s back to California to close out the first round against the UCLA Bruins on February 15. For all teams in this subset of matchups, the Jackals will be the team to beat as they try to win the evens bracket and make it to the semifinals for the second consecutive year.”

- COLLEGE EXY ONLINE, “WELCOME TO THE SPRING CHAMPIONSHIPS: FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS.”

“We’re back for 2019, and not a moment too soon. Sound the trumpets and let us say: we told you so, because it seems like the Fox-Vixen pair we’ve had our eyes on all year has decided to finally cut the bullshit—and get caught hot and heavy all over Palmetto while we were all enjoying our holidays at home. After all this waiting, it’s a Christmas miracle.”

“You might have thought that the Foxes’ Captain broke out into hives or turned into a pumpkin anytime he got too far away from an Exy Court—we certainly did. And that’s why we were shocked to see him gallivanting around the Big Apple with the Foxes’ resident Hollywood Star. Only time will tell, however, if this duo is silver screen material.”

“And while some people the question might be ‘what does the Fox say?’ we can tell you that we said ‘what the fuck’ when we saw this Vixen out and about with an acoustic guitar and some choice accessories: some ears and a tail. Is this the new Vixen uniform? And does this guitar-strumming cheerleader take requests? Because we have one, and it’s not Wonderwall: it’s, please god, never again.”

- FOXWATCH, YOUR SOURCE FOR GOSSIP AT PALMETTO STATE UNIVERSITY

ON CAMPUS:

With the holidays behind them, it’s time for a new semester: the start of new classes, and the return to their regular practice schedule—but this time with the added intensity that comes from the looming Championships. But before the Foxes can get into the swing of Championships, there are a few things they have to go through:

First, a required meeting with Team Psychiatrist Dr. Betsy Dobson. The Foxes first met with her over the summer, and it’s time to check in again for the second semester. During the week, each Fox is exempted from one practice session during the week to meet with Betsy for an hour-long session. These appointments are as formal or as informal as each Fox wants them to be: they can be an in-depth discussion or a simple check-in about how they felt about last semester and how they’re feeling heading into the Championships.

And then, the University has a surprise for them: the board has mandated that the Foxes undergo media training before the increased attention that comes from the Championships comes crashing down. And though Wymack knows this won’t be popular with his players, when he breaks the news that they have to give up their Saturday to do it, he isn’t entirely apologetic: the less stupid shit you say, the less time I have to waste answering phone calls, he tells them. And, with the Vixens in hot water alongside the Foxes a few times last season, they’re on the hook as well.

And so, on Saturday morning, they all show up at the court for media training, including a presentation on general guidelines for talking to the press and posting on social media, and then followed by a number of practice interviews—which are recorded and played back, to review both the substance of their responses and their body language and delivery. 

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT TASK: You have two options: write a self-para of any length detailing your character’s appointment with Betsy. (This is a Fox-specific task: Vixens can meet with Betsy if they choose to, but it’s not mandatory for Vixens the way it is for Foxes.) OR as part of media training, you can write out a practice interview for your character, using the questions below as guidelines (though you are welcome to tweak them or come up with more of your own!)

(Resources for media training and suggested interview questions are under the cut!)

THE FOXHOLE COURT: DECEMBER 17-DECEMBER 23

ONLINE:

“Are you all studying? We certainly are—if by ‘studying,’ you mean ‘studying various Exy players’ social media for clues about what went down at the Winter Banquet.’ And, lucky for you, when it comes to gossip we always get an A-plus.”

“There were so many Fox-Fox and Fox-Vixen couples that we can’t keep track, but you let us know, who were you surprised to see together? We might have said our favorite recurring soap opera, if only it had a happy ending—but judging by the tears on this Vixen’s face, happily ever after isn’t in the cards.” 

“And another Vixen, caught looking mighty ragged in the lobby of the Foxes’ hotel, might have fallen flat on their face as well—though at least this time it wasn’t in front of a screaming crowd. What’s the matter? Did your date not go well? There’s more dirt here, we just know it.”

“But while some people cry, others throw punches—or, at least, they come close. We’re not surprised there’s no love lost here, but we’re kind of disappointed in the lack of follow-through. There was one Fox involved who’s known more for breaking heads than having a cool one. We think he picked the wrong time to turn over a new leaf.” 

“But, don’t fret, punches were definitely thrown at the banquet—they were just friendly fire, one Fox goalkeeper taking a Vixen down. You couldn’t have settled this one behind closed doors? We don’t know why we bother asking: we should know by now that Foxes—and Vixens—will always choose the messiest and most embarrassing path. Why would we ever expect anything different?”

“So what’s the tally? Tears? Check. Punches? Check. Why not go for the trifecta and add in a drunken family reunion? We thought that was what Christmas was for, but I guess Christmas came early for one Fox, who was spotted outside of Castle Evermore with his brother, looking none too steady.”

- FOXWATCH, YOUR SOURCE FOR GOSSIP AT PALMETTO STATE UNIVERSITY

ON CAMPUS:

The Foxes return to Palmetto just as finals fervor really sets in across campus: and the Foxes, even with their lighter courseload and five-year path to graduation, aren’t immune—they still have to maintain their grades to maintain their spot on the team. For the Vixens, who don’t have the same five-year luxury, their study schedules are even more jam-packed.

 As students wrap up their finals, the campus begins to thin out for the upcoming break, but the Foxes and the Vixens have time for one last party: their holiday party, and the exchange of Secret Santa gifts. The Vixens decorate the Den in between finals in string lights and paper snowflakes, a Christmas tree with ornaments for the Vixens that will stay over break, ready for the party on Friday, December 21, with Christmas cookies provided and ugly sweaters encouraged.

For some of the Foxes, and some of the Vixens, it might be the closest they get to Christmas: while campus will close over the weekend and the rest of the students will leave, Wymack has received special permission from the school for any Foxes who want to to stay in Fox Tower over break.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, CADE MITCHELL!

I don’t have a ton of money, but wear this for the first week of next semester (and I do mean ALL week!) and I’ll give you 20 bucks.

THE FOXHOLE COURT: NOVEMBER 5-NOVEMBER 11

ONLINE:

“The Wilkes-Meyers Hornets will come to Palmetto on Friday night to take on the Foxes, and this game will be a reunion of sorts: junior Fox goalkeeper Emmett Ashford spent part of a season on the Hornets—though you’d be forgiven for forgetting, as he never made as much a splash on the court with them as he did off of it before leaving the team and the school midway through his freshman season.“

“The game will also be another installment in the saga of freshman dealer Raphael Peruggia: not on the court, but on the bench, where he’s spent the majority of his first season. After a red card against the Edgar Allan Ravens earlier in October, the ERC stepped in and suspended Peruggia for one additional game, sending a message to a young striker who has already shown a disturbing intent to injure on the court.”

“Almost one month since an AC separation took him off the court, all eyes are on sophomore Fox striker Akira Sato, whose return to the court should be imminent. Will he come back against the Hornets? We’ll find out on Friday. But for junior striker Leo Duarte, injured in the same game, recovery looks to be further away.”

“The Foxes may have pulled off an impressive win against the Dolphins in Florida, but it’ll take much more than one win to prove that this year’s Foxes are the real deal. The Hornets are eager to bounce back after a tough loss against the Terrapins, and the Foxes have yet to string two wins together this season.” 

- COLLEGE EXY ONLINE, “HORNETS AT FOXES: PREVIEW.”

“Did any of you brave the Fox Halloween Party? Did any of you brave the kissing booth? Buckle in, because we have a Very Special Halloween Edition of Foxwatch to share with you...”

“Which Vixen do you think got the most action at the kissing booth? We’ve got our money on a certain redhead, who certainly seemed to take to it with gusto. Among her victims? A bambi-eyed blonde. Hey KP, what’s the sitch? Or maybe we should say: Mamma Mia! Though only time will tell if it’s a ‘Here We Go Again’ kind of deal.”

“We know one person who didn’t brave the party: the Foxes’ own Vice Captain, spotted sneaking through the back door of the Vixen Den without a costume—and then not seen again. What’s the matter, can’t stand the company of your own teammates? We can’t say we blame you, but we’re not sure if that’s exactly leadership material. And what about the Vixen who let her in? We call collusion, and we can’t imagine his Captain would be too happy about it, either.” 

“But more than one Vixen seemed to have their fun at the kissing booth, including one of their newest and youngest. This Juliet seemed to be drawn to one of the Foxes like, well, a moth to a flame. Or lamp. But this is one moth that sure seems to get around: she seemed to spend most of the night with a—well, we’re not exactly sure how to describe it—BDSM kitty cat? And doesn’t she have a history with Juliet’s step brother? Shakespeare must have forgotten about that one.”

“And, finally, let this be a lesson to us all: if you don’t make a move, there’s one Fox who will. And we’re not talking copout cheek kisses here, either—this is one lion who definitely isn’t cowardly, and who doesn’t need two hands to steal your girl. A certain someone else should take notes—but who are we kidding? He probably won’t.”

- FOXWATCH, YOUR SOURCE FOR GOSSIP AT PALMETTO STATE UNIVERSITY

ON CAMPUS:

With the fun of Halloween behind them, the Foxes return to practice: if they want to keep themselves in Championships contention, they need to start stringing wins together, can’t afford to slack off for one game—or, as their Coach and Captain would have it, for one practice.  

It’s a rare double-header for Palmetto State Athletics: not since homecoming have both the football and Exy teams been scheduled to play at home on the same weekend, and the town is bustling more than usual with orange-clad fans. Despite the buzz, the Foxes stick to their familiar routine: a short practice in the morning on Friday, November 9, followed by a full day of classes.

For both teams, it’s an important weekend: the football team’s place in their own playoffs is far from secured, after their strong start to the season turned into a losing skid, just as the Foxes are starting to build momentum.

(OOC information related to the game under the cut)