When offered the job as Director of Football, Gabe did it on one condition: that the team not have to sit through, in his words, “another stupid fancy dinner to celebrate the draw like you used to make us do.”
After sitting with the team to watch the draw, he knew he made the right decision. The last time a room had been that silent was that fateful day ten years ago, when Legalese was drawn against Starblaydia.
Yes, Starblaydia, he reminisced. ”RAWRCRUSH!” he had said between guffaws. “More like PURRRRRWHIMPER!”
Gabe grimaced. Even though that turned out well then, it wasn’t exactly the proudest of moments for him. Nor could it be said to be true now, with the Starblaydis having been to as many World Cups (two) as his teams had in that same time span. Both also had the pleasure of losing to the new major power in the area, Audioslavia, however where Legalese fell to them in an AOCAF, Starblaydia was able to accomplish it by heading all the way to the World Cup Final.
Still, he was impressed by the reactions. The silence was followed not by shocked or downcast reactions, but looks of preparation and determination. The few who had been around the last time the purple menace was drawn a decade ago - Sam, Monte, Liam, and Jimmy - all seemed unperturbed. Liam especially was calm, nodding and discussing histories of some of the other opponents with the youngsters.
“Krytenia? They used to be good, so I hear,” he commented, answering Irwin’s confused look. The Cyan Menace from AO. They’ve been pretty weak the past decade, though - right about the time they packed up and left The Druidish Lands.”
The reaction that caught Gabe the most, however, was that of the newest starter, Cyrus Damhan. Hunched over in his chair, the 5’8” midfielder watched intently, focused on the names as they came up. As soon as the group was announced, he smiled, a gleam in his eye saying “let’s get to work.”
Yeah, they’re ready, Gabe thought. Or at least they think they are.
-------------
Later that week, Gabe stood in his office, looking at his white board, divided into five parts. Each part had a different name: Phoenix, National, Coastal, City, and International, with enough space to decide who played where.
“You see, Stan, when I was manager, they never made me do this” he said to Stan Thate, seated across from him. “We just played everything in Legalese City, with the occasional game on the Island. Either way, Bernie took care of it.”
Stan sniffed. “Then why’re you making me help you? I’m pretty sure this is on your plate until they pick a new President.”
“Well, I’m going to want to clear it with you anyways,” Gabe replied, so we might as well do it together.”
He turned to the board. “Okay, let’s start with the first match: Europa Brittania. What do we know about them?”
“Lots of history, sure, but it’s all older than our ancestors, even.” Stan replied. “We’ll have the advantage wherever we go.”
Gabe thought for a second, then wrote them in under International, placing the home opener in Tyrellia. “That was easy. we’re away next, so next home game is The IOM Sports Association.”
Stan didn’t hesitate. “Let’s play them here in LC.”
Gabe added IOM to the National list. “Okay, follow-up is with Hutt River. Thoughts?”
“Eh, decent team, could be a problem if they get some luck results. Let’s pit our luck against theirs, and play it in Tiberia.”
“Well, we are undefeated there, so far...” Gabe wrote “Hutt River” under the Phoenix list.
“The Kryties next on a long fight, with Zwangzug afterwards. I hate to say it, Stan, but I’m pretty sure there’s never been this many World Cup titles in a single qualifying group before.”
Stan grimaced. “Gee, thanks boss. I did sort of notice that. they’re a bit down, so how about we do that in Tyrellia as well?”
Gabe complied, adding Zwangzug under Europa Brittania. “Okay, so that’s the two spots in Tyrellia filled. That leaves us two more slots for here at National, one more up north, and one on each coast.”
“Next home game is with Aels. They’ve played in Tiberia, obviously, so somewhere else, perhaps?”
“Agreed. Make them beat us here, instead.”
Gabe nodded. “National it is. Last four left are The Pazhujeb Islands, Krytenia, the Lemmings, and Starblaydia. Obviously not in that order.”
Stan stared at the board. “So, we put one here, one in Sagdineo, one in Francis City, and one in Tiberia. Let’s just assume that Starblaydia will not being going to Tiberia.”
“Good choice. May I suggesting trying to let history repeat itself?”
Stan laughed. “Sure, though I guess Red kits aren’t an option this time.”
Gabe nodded, writing in Starblaydia for the last home game at Legalese City. “That just leaves the Kryties, Lemmitania, and Pazhujeb.
Stan paused, staring at the board. “Of the three, I’m worried about Neo Lemmitania. Sure, Krytenia has history, but that cuts both ways. The Lemmings seemed to not stop, even after they were knocked out of the BoF. They just keep marching and marching, no matter what’s in the way. I hate to say it, but if we need a win that game, I’ll be a little worried - though at least we’ll have them at home.”
Silence filled the room, as Stan thought some more. Finally, he replied.
“Let’s put them in Tiberia, at Phoenix, play the Pazhujeb Isles in Francis City, and the Kryties on the Bekk. Hell, maybe they’ll wish they were back on the other side of the lake, and it’ll distract them.”
