Sun and Shade (14 May 2013)
It's always a spectacle when a team arrives at the Colosseum, but Mystery Island brought a whole new meaning to 'making an entrance' when their ship docked in Altador Port earlier today. It appeared as though half of the island had made the trip with the team, as the packed boat was full near to bursting with both fans and MI personnel. The excitement among the passengers, already at a high level from the first sighting of land nearly a half hour prior, reached a fever pitch as the gangplank was lowered, and the flood of passengers from the ship turned into an impromptu parade complete with dancing and musical accompaniment as they escorted their team from the docks all the way to the Colosseum. "That was quite a welcome," forward Teylor Nix laughed during the team press conference. "In a way, it's rather humbling to think of all of the hopes our fans have pinned on us this year. I'm hoping to prove that their confidence is not unfounded."
Team Haunted Woods' arrival was much more sedate, though their fans were no less joyful to greet them. Before heading to the media room for their first press conference, the players took some time to chat with fans and sign autographs, and "Brains" Mortigan even posed for a few pictures until Zo Junior dragged the Usul away. The first half of HW's press conference was mostly the owner talking about his hopes for ACVIII, and his last act before turning over the podium was to introduce the new head coach he'd hired during the offseason. To no one's surprise, the new HC was the former offensive coordinator of Team Kreludor, and one of the hottest coaching prospects coming out of ACVII. The Koi discussed briefly some of his plans on the offensive side of the Yooyuball, then introduced the rest of the new coaching staff, many of whom were top assistant coaches and trainers from around the league. After a few more questions, HW's owner abruptly ended the press conference, stating that he wished to give his team a rest after the long journey from the Haunted Woods, but promised one-on-one interviews with each of his players before the Cup began.
There's nearly three weeks left to go before the annual Tournament begins, but the anticipation is already building in the city of Altador. Inns and restaraunts are packed to near capacity, and the greens outside of the Colosseum are slowly being covered by a swelling crowd of festively bedecked fans.