"So, what do you want to do first, Darius?"
"As long as I can do it, and you don't cheat, then I'm in.
You, Kain?"
"Same goes for me. No using powers, cause we don't have any."
"No promises.
I didn't play much games growing up as a kid, but their was one I loved more than the rest."
"An oldie but goodie?"
"You know it, but I'm gonna need everyone."
"If we're playing tag, then count me out."
"Ohh…..don't leave just yet. You haven't even heard what we're playing."
"And what are we playing?"
"Wait right here."
*Knock, knock, knock*
"Come in.
Oh, hi Ruby.
Tired already?"
"Not even close.
Can I steal the Kids?"
"Depends on where you're taking them."
"Just around back, behind the house.
I got a plan to train the Kids, foster creativity and drive, assess each one's abilities, and have fun in the process."
"That sounds like a lot."
"Don't worry. You two can watch, but it might be best to watch from inside the back window. Could get messy."
"Guys vs. girls?"
"No.
I may not know romance, but I do know how to train and have fun."
"I'll believe it when I see it.
You can take the Kids."
"Thanks.
I just need a rope and a ball."
"You can't train people with only those."
"Watch and learn, mom. Watch and learn.
You Kids ready to have some real fun?"
"YEAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
"Owww…Ruby, could you also work on their voice boxes as well?"
"Sorry, but again, it is going to get a whole lot louder than that, real soon."
"What are we playing, Ruby?"
"You'll have to wait and see.
Here, can one of you grab this end of rope and walk as far as you can....that way?"
"Is…...this part of the game?"
"No, but you're helping.
Here. Place that ball in the middle."
"This is a basketball?"
"No. That's bacon."
"No, I think this is basketball.
Do you need your eyes checked?"
"Nope. But you might.
Okay, I need all of you to line up spaced out, so I can count you off and give you all numbers."
"I'm not going back to the Ward."
"Nobody said you are.
Now, hold still while I write you down.
One...."
"Presesnt."
"No. You don't need to say present. I'm just counting to myself out loud."
"Oh."
"One.....Two....Three...Four....Fi...…Hey. Please don't move."
"Shoot. You saw."
".................Kay. I'm done.
I'm gonna shake up this bowl now, you all pick a number and all Odds on one team, Evens on another."
"How is this supposed to train us, again?"
"You trust me, don't you?"
"We trust you, Head Mistress."
"Then trust the process.
This game is called 'Steal the Bacon,' and here is how it'll work.
The ball you see in the middle of the rope is called the bacon."
"No, that's called a basketball, remember?"
"Your teams are who you see standing beside you. They will be your allies, and your closest….."
"Sorry I'm late. Pack wouldn't let me go."
"Wolfgirl, you don't need to return home, but I am glad you did.
Pick a number."
"Why?"
"We're playing, 'Steal the Bacon.'
"Okay.
...….Does she know that that is a basketball, and not a piece of Bacon? Even I know what Bacon looks like."
"That's what I said."
"Shh."
"Here's how the game…."
"One sec. I want in on this. Saw you were a player down, so….why not. I'm not getting any younger."
"Mr. Heartchild, I advise you this may look like a Kids game, but these in fact are not Kids."
"Ruby, I can pull my own weight. Just write me a number and tell me where to go."
"Okay.
You're fourteen then.
So, here's how this game plays. You may be on teams, but their are only two winners. First place individual winner, and first place team winner with the most points.
When I call your numbers, you will race towards the Bacon."
"BASKETBALL!!!!"
"Basketball!!!
You will race towards the Basketball, grab it, then race back towards your team's line...….all...without...getting....tagged.
Questions?
"Me…Me.
Can we use our powers?"
"That's the whole reason why we're playing this game."
"Ruby, but you said…."
"I didn't promise.
Anything else?"
"I got one."
"Yes, Princess?"
"....Aren't you going to have anyone sign waivers or something, in case of injury?"
"Waivers?
Like I told, Mr. Heartchild; we're not Kids. We're animals.
Besides, I never had to sign anything growing up, and look how I turned out!!!!"
"YEA....DEAD!!!!!!"