Story by Harlow and ada_oz. Art by the latterbune.

Characters belong to their respective owners. Only IC knowledge for Julian and Adi. Some strong language.

FBA belongs to buckhopper now lead by steviemaxwell

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Monday, January 14th 1157, Santa Ana, California.

The island team was preparing to face the reigning division team in their turf. Dividing their time between the gym and the room assigned to talk strategies, it was a pretty hectic day for the Kahunas. As decided as they were, there was still this thorn against playing against a very strong team.

For Julian Cross-Kiraly, it was a whole different thorn.

The results for the much expected ASW were published, and needless to say, the saluki wasn’t happy at all. He had set his goal to get in that starting line, but it wasn’t up to him. He made sure his game was consistent and tried to keep in touch with fans. Sure Hawaii wasn’t the runaway winning team, but he always tried to put his best foot forward and let people see who he was…

…And for what? For a guy with a sob story and a fake personality who was carried by his team to just sail through? This wasn’t fair in the slightest. All his hard work for someone to just talk his way to the top? Unacceptable.

Between the walking back and forth between the gym and the planning room, guys did catch some SAS players as well, some chitchat in the hallways and whatnot. In one instance, Julian noticed the viverrid walking into a lavatory. That was the chance.

“I know it’s not a good time, but I need to talk to Mr. Anggun. He needs to know this, and damn the consequences, for this is important.” He thought as he headed to the room as stealthily as possible, locking the door; no one else but the two of them inside. Parfait.

“Oh… Hi Mr. Kiraly”

He just cocked his head in reply. “May I talk to you?” he asked, the civet accepting, but noting the seriousness in his voice.

The delivery deadpan and straightforward: “The few times I came to talk to you, whether it being with Blake or the Huntsville camp, it was all very vague details about you, despite the rest of the guys being relatively open, that you were a military guy, studied in an academy and all that. Later you got to the top 24. Then came this *amazing* moment that you said “I’m going out for a mission, Might not make it alive” where everyone’s eyes focused on you and your applause on your return. You got picked by Santa Ana with one of the juicier contracts; you came to play and the chance to show yourself, the team rising up… And I got to think about it all…. After all these months with your team and what you have done so far…that all that you said and did is all a crock of shit...”

The swearword had Adi make a double take at Julian.

“I believe you came to the FBA… with an act, so everyone will lift you up and kiss your tail regardless of you being an average guard; they only see your story and support you for it, which could be a big hoax…”

"Hmm? An act? I'm afraid I don't understand Mr.Kiraly"

The frustration slowly came to the limelight “Don't lie. This "oh I'm a freaking military guy holier than thou, but it's still all about the team"- it's fucking obvious you're faking it for fame. I can get more points and was a way better combo guard for all these months. You only rely on word of mouth you cultivated"

"I see. I'm sorry you think that way, but I am not here for it for the fame. There are more important things than that."

"You don't need to fake it all to me. For all YOU let know, you're making all up to get sucked by the whole league. So explain what your deal is..."

"Um..."

"Quickly"

The civet lowered his head and sighed, slightly saddened “I didn't realize that that was happening, was primarily staying low key and doing what I need to do, for the team that adopted me, and for myself… Is that so wrong?" Julian’s scowl pretty set in stone, staring him down. "Did something wrong happen...?"

"No one did anything wrong here but you, everyone got played as fools with your act. Neither Blake, Warren, Kevin or whoever fell for it are wrong. Not their fault you're a conman…"

“A... conman you say... Hmmm, why did you come up with that conclusion? Was it something that I have done?"

“Pretty much everything. You came in here waterworks, "woe is me the humble military guy who happens to play basketball", getting that act to the top 24 to almost quit it for something you could've made up JUST for getting everyone kissing your tail and getting you a high pick. To top it off, this... cult who follows you for your fucking daily ego boost, never mind you're just an average guard. If I made 2 shots every game, my accuracy would be through the roof too. I have shown more skill than you and I'M fucking not passionate one, I'M the fucking average guy, I’M the one whose background gets all judged and disregarded. You only rely on faking it all up and having it easy in life by having McDyess and Vos carry you around"

"I see... I'm sorry that you think that way"

"Sorry that I'm right you mean"

Aditya smiled compassionately, if a bit morose. "If you wish to think so, then I guess it's hard to change your mind otherwise. I haven't paid as much attention to scoring for myself, I've always been picky, not a very strong shooting percentage, I do not deny that. But scoring isn’t everything; you do know that, Mr. Masalia is a good example on your team, as is Mr. Cross I believe."

"Scoring is what matters and you get it in any way possible. Shoot, assist, rebound, making it happen, regardless if you have to shoot or take another route"

"We know I'm the better guard...And you're not going away until you tell me your REAL deal, your real history. No more secrecy, no more bullcrap"

He sighed, but pondered the statement for a lengthy while. "Can you keep a few secrets?"

"I can, but it better be none of this crap you've built so far"

"I see..." Adi took a seat and motioned for Julian to do the same “I hope it won't take too long, but if you're willing to hear me out"

The saluki stayed by the door, arms crossed. "I'm good."

"Alright then... Do you remember the time I left for my mission, and then returned after?" he said as he pulled out his fairly advanced-looking phone.

"Who can't? Everyone believed it"

"I am a military sniper, was deployed for the mission. Initially, the mission details were kept confidential, but they were later released to the public."

The canine couldn’t help but eye roll. ("There we go with this bullshit again") he muttered in his mother tongue, French.

"It may be hard to believe, but here's a photo of us, ChannelNews Asia's web report, we were part of the group that carried out the rescue mission after locating the whereabouts on where the trafficked victims are." The civet facing the phone screen to Julian “The news was published on the 2nd of August, 2014, shortly before the Combine showing… And as to why I went, the mission had a personal stake to myself" the civet explained as he sat down, palms clasped as he looked down to the floor, emotionless, if a little sad.

"And as to why I went..." Adi flips through his gallery, finding images of the little Gem-faced Civet he helped rescue and himself... seeing the bandaged, bloodied little child, smiling as the bigger civet supported him up on his arms, and turned the image over to Julian. "Is because of people like him... I was once in his shoes.” It all seemed pretty legit, then again the guy wasn’t as questioned as before and who knew what lengths someone can go with this.

“As to why I'm in the FBA. I guess you can say it's for a few reasons; mainly to eradicate things like what happened to him, and what I experienced. I know that's impossible in this lifetime... But at least, I guess it's possible to do something..." Either honorable or twisted to use that cause...

" I'm sorry you think that I'm lacking, I don't debt that I am in some ways, but I'm more of someone who moves the ball, whether the assist is mine or otherwise, it doesn't matter, what matters is that the high percentage shooter gets the shot, which on my team are Mr. Vos and McDyess. And I believe that Hawaii is a team that's reforming right now, right? That's why there are so many rookies there, and 2 sophomores?"

Julian’s tone mellowed ever so slightly, still keeping its strength. All hard to believe, but not impossible; he knew the Peace Corps, he seen guys lying about being on big positions. It was all a thing to mull it over. "I've been pulling my weight. And I'd do so regardless my team's brand new or full of vets...but sadly that only gets you *so* far into this league. Be it clear that I've fought the hardest so far in my life to be here: detractors from day 1, people telling me I’m not good enough, people who tried to sabotage me just because I wanted to play, but I don’t voice it to the world unless asked; and it's only story, regardless or real or fake, that got you here. We both know by effort alone that I deserve the spot they voted you in... And they fell in love with your case, not your skills. Got it?"

Adi chuckled. "That is relative"

"Please, each time you got more time, Santa Ana lost. You lose it at the 20 minute mark..."

"To say as such, while it may be true, does not discount that you are maybe discounting the hard work others have undoubtedly put in to get here too. And it's true that Santa Ana has had lost when I started, but on the other hand, there are times I started where we won as well, even though that was a long time ago…You could say the same thing about your position in Hawaii, right? It is similar, just that there are more proven veterans who deserve floor time too in Santa Ana…"

"Difference is your fucking fan club, who cheers for crappy plays, feeding your ego. You only have to put half the work, others need to put double even triple to get to that level to be begged to start that you get. You’re being handed that in a silver plate while not being as polished."

"Sorry you think that way, but actions do speak louder than words in the long run. You don't have to understand, not right now, but I believe you will and, to be honest, I don't care about this “fanclub”, my obligations are not to them, and right now, my obligations are not to you either. Our teams tonight are our responsibility, and kids like Iman, victims like him, they're my obligation, and as to why I fight and will continue to fight"

"Whatever you say. Just remember who really deserves the merit if this league didn't have double fucking standards..."

"The game is not a one man show, Julian, this is not about me"

"You certainly made your stay in a one man sob story…"

Adi shrugged "If you think so. Hard to convince you otherwise if you come in with that thought right? My obligation is not to you, and for a 'fan club' I don't care for it really. Our obligation is to entertain the watchers, the audience out there tonight, and my final obligations lie elsewhere"

"Just think out there. They were blinded by your story, not your gameplay. I deserved it, others deserved it. But no one can compete with a well constructed… ploy"

"Yet you don't find me pitying myself, and you don't find me kicking up a fuss on... tweeter was it? I just focus and do what I need to do. All of us worked hard to get here, but if I judged you for what you are right now, the way you judged me as a player, I believe it would be premature, because there's so much more that we are learning. Whatever the terms we leave on, though, one thing I wish you would do is to look upon yourself. Should you focus on that negative energy to work on yourself, there's a lot more that you can achieve. With your thoughts, as you stand… you lack focus"

That last part was the straw that broke the camel’s back; whatever shred of believing the civet’s story and leaving tense, but understanding shattered. Reporters? Rivals? Whatever, but him? The pot and the kettle at their finest. Julian thought himself as many things, good and bad, but unfocused or unpassionate was the worst quality he could be described as; his major pet peeve.

Enraged, the saluki grabbed the civet by his collar.

"I lack focus? How DARE you say that!? The guy who almost walked away from the combine, is telling the guy who deserted his fucking parents and every detractor in every way, shape and form to just keep playing ball that he is unfocused. You’re telling me that *I* lack focus..."

Calmly, the civet took the saluki's arm, and put it aside.

"Life and death Julian... Basketball is an important to us yes, but if you have the ability to make a difference on whether one lives or dies, or a group of people for that matter, by you taking absence from the game, would you?"

Really? One of these ‘would you?’ ploys? Might as well respond with the cold, hard, objective truth. "I'd have to. It's sad, but it is how it is. If I want to work here in this league, you'd sacrifice what it takes, leave what you need to leave behind!"

"So that's what you say, but… I can't help but doubt that you'd really make that choice. One of those people I saved could stand here one day you know..."The civet pointed to himself. "I'm such an example. Imagine yourself in their shoes, being traded away for slavery, guns pointed to their head. Wouldn't you wish someone would stop whatever it is they're doing to save you?"

Why… bringing all this outside stuff? This is pointless, he thought. “In the real FBA world, it's not our duty to make. We have to sacrifice much of our lives out of the court to adapt. Whether it is slaves or starving kids in Africa or wherever, in this world, your devotion goes to the court foremost. You either choose the FBA or leave to be on the corps. You know there are plenty of guys in both sides that can easily replace you and replace me regardless of what we end up doing"

The real world huh..." the civet sighed. "As it stands, we know little, there's more for us to see out there. Fact is, if they died, it's on my hands, and I cannot live with that. Their lives make a difference to me, to my conscience, to my past. Knowing that I'll let them die, I will not be able to live with it and play…”

"In the end, if you want to be on the FBA, it’s not our choice to make. Work with a NGO, do charity, whatever. But court comes first and foremost. If you say it isn't and that the most important thing is out there, then who's the unfocused one here?"

The viverrid sighed. "As it stands Julian, I believe it's you.” The civet places his hands into his pockets.

"I've seen this before. You say that my history of getting here may be made up, that you deserve more than you do now when most out there only can dream of what we both have. Here… you blame me… for doing what is important, being locked into a tunnel vision that, for you to think to improve in basketball, you'll let people die when inconveniencing yourself for even a bit, failing to see that improving as a person allows one to become better as both a person and athlete as well. What I see, is someone so unfocused from what really matters while he pities himself, blaming someone else for what he wants. What I wish, if for you to reflect upon yourself and focus that negativity, and dare I say… selfishness, elsewhere. You'll become a better person, and baller, due to it." the civet walked past the saluki, unlocking the door and walking away.

"I'll see you on the court tonight, and even if it's from the bench, do not expect me to go easy on you" the civet told the saluki as he walked off.

This was it. Saying that, what he chooses to do outside of the court is what makes him not passionate? He didn’t know what he went through, didn’t know the work he had done. Only because he isn’t Mother Theresa, or says so that he is, doesn’t mean he is not focused on the sport or was a selfish jerk. He fought, he desired, he made sacrifices, he took risks… He’s showing he wants this and he STILL gets criticized for it? For a guy for all that its worth, could’ve had it easy all his life?

Santa Ana is going down. Aditya Anggun needs to go down.