[Console: Video]

[leaptopudding]

[The feed kicks on to an empty chair. The video is streaming, but there's no sign of Makoto anywhere. She may or may not be sitting on the floor, out of view.]

Alright, real talk.

I have something super important to ask you all, so listen up.

[She actually sounds pretty serious here too.]

How uh... How many of you know baseball?

[Home is far away and out of reach, so she's on the hunt for common ground.]

Comments

[starspangled]

[Steve hasn't thought about baseball since he got here, but all someone has to do is mention it and suddenly he can taste the mustard on a hot dog and hear the crack of a bat.

He would understand what she's doing. Hearing someone else mention it makes him feel something close to happiness.]

I know it. It's only one of my favorite things.

[leaptopudding]

[Even as she'd voiced the question, Makoto had been bracing herself for silence. Getting a reply at all, let alone one saying that they both know and love it comes as a surprise.]

Wait. What really?

[And with that, a skinny Japanese girl peeks out from under the table, looking to see who's talking.]

You're not just saying that are you? You really really know it?

[starspangled]

August 26th, 1939. The Dodgers beat the Reds 6 to 1 on one of the happiest days of my life. It was the first Major League game on television, but I was there.

[Steve pauses, grimaces, and the pain on his face just isn't the kind that can be faked.]

That was before they moved to Los Angeles.

[leaptopudding]

[Her face lights up the more he speaks and Makoto slides onto her chair. Once she's settled though, she catches his pain and her smile drops.]

That's so cool... A little old school compared to where I'm from but still really awesome. I'm kinda jealous I didn't get to see it too.

[The words are soft but genuine. Happy is she is to have someone to talk baseball with, seeing him hurt kind of kills the moment.]

I've been to a few night games, but nothing on that level.

[starspangled]

[He's been through worse. And hey, he still has the Yankees and the Mets to root for - the latter was new for him.]

Do you ever play?

video;

[problematical]

It was very important in the 20th and 21st centuries, on Earth-That-Was.

[ She knows this because she read it, but she's never seen it played. ]

video;

[leaptopudding]

[Weirdly put, in Makoto's opinion, but it's not wrong. She doesn't show her face right away, keeping to her place off screen, but it shows in her voice that she's more than a little confused.]

Yeah it is important... Hang on, what do you mean Earth-That-Was?

[Holy smokes. Is this person from THE FUTURE?]

Re: video;

[problematical]

The planet was depleted... some people on the Rim even think it was just a myth.

video;

[leaptopudding]

O-oh.

[That's... a terrifying thought. That Makoto thinks as much rings through clear in her voice.]

When did this happen? What year? Please, I... need to know.

Re: video;

[problematical]

There isn't an exact date... the stars don't have memories like that.

video

[backwordscompatible]

I'm familiar with the concept, yeah.

[Moreso the insanity of fans during the season. Mets...Yankees....she was barely old enough to remember the 2000 Subway Series, but she'd heard stories.]

Why do you ask?

video

[leaptopudding]

Hey, I'll take familiarity. It's better than nothing.

[There's a little bit of hope in her voice that wasn't there before.]

It's kind of a big deal back home. My friends and I used to play it a lot. Every day after school we'd get together and smack a ball around. There were only three of us, but we made it work.

video

[backwordscompatible]

Ah, is that what you're looking for? People to play with?

[Just a guess, really.]

video

[leaptopudding]

Kinda. I mean, in the long run yeah, that'd be really cool.

[And she peeks into view, sliding sheepishly into her chair.]

I just miss them, y'know?

video

[backwordscompatible]

[And here, Zatanna momentarily put aside the wit in favor of leaning forward and offering the girl a sympathetic smile.]

I know the feeling.

How long have you been here?

[lasergrenades]

I know baseball pretty well. I kind of have to - Yankees or die, it's like a family prerogative or something. Or maybe just a New York prerogative. Whatever.

[In any case, yes, she's a sports fan. You should see her at Academy basketball games.]

[leaptopudding]

[Somewhere out of view, the girl is smiling at that statement. She sounds a little less hopeless in her reply.]

Did you ever go to a game? That'd be pretty awesome. My friends and I would go to night games whenever we could.

[lasergrenades]

Yeah, I've been to a few. Usually up in the nosebleeds, but sometimes dad gets good tickets from one of his buddies at work.

What's your home team?

[leaptopudding]

Pfft yeah, that's where my buddies and I usually end up. Unless it's like, a present from someone's folks or something.

[But, it's better than not going at all.]

I back Yomiuri Giants. They're Tokyo's main team. I mean, there's a few others, but the Giants get all the love.

[lasergrenades]

It's still a seat at the ballgame.

[Which was all that really mattered - hanging out with friends and family just having a good time.]

Oh, I'm not super familiar with the Japanese teams. We've got Giants in San Francisco, though. Are you asking about baseball because you wanted to set up a team or something?

[pushtheboundaries]

Never played, but I'm familiar with it. Why?

[leaptopudding]

Just curious. I mean, it's like the best sport ever.

[A beat.]

You are seriously missing out.

[pushtheboundaries]

Hmh. Let's just say I was one of those kids who'd rather tinker with the pitching machine than throw the ball.

[leaptopudding]

[He gets a snicker, but she's still out of sight.]

Hey, that's cool. Each to their own and all that.

[Neeeeerd. Though there's a pause from the girl.]

If I get a group together, you should totally come play for a bit. Cross baseball off the bucket list, y'know?

[pushtheboundaries]

How about if you're a player short I'll consider what positions you have? [and then build a robot to fill it oh wait parts and materials...]