Feathers and Caps (17 May 2013)
For most teams, the first order of business after settling in to the Colosseum is to get right down to YYB practice, but this was not the case with today's most recent arrivals. "We thought it was time to mix things up a little!" Roo Island captain Lilo Blumario shouted to reporters over the noise of Clutch Billaban and Fenny Vail competing to see which one could be the loudest. "So often the fun of the Altador Cup gets buried under all the work we put into it, so we decided to relax and enjoy some of the side games this time around!" Realizing the futility of trying to talk in that situation, he led the media to a quieter area of the practice field, where they spent some time discussing team strategy while watching Jair Tollet kick Yooyuballs at a poor assistant coach that had been dressed up in a Jelly Chia costume. The interview came to a sudden halt when reporters were forced to dive to the ground to escape a barrage of flying Oranella Slushies, one of which the agile Blumaroo plucked out of the air for himself before running for cover.
Team Faerieland also sat out their first day of practice in the Colosseum, albiet for very different reasons. When the team bus rolled up outside of the huge amphitheater, fans were shocked to see not one but two FL players sporting obvious injuries. "It was all a problem of miscommunication," defender Delma Harrence said of her wing brace. "We were running a passing drill, and both Elbin and I thought we were supposed to be the ones that Kakoni would throw to." "It was just a mess of feathers and fur," Ciona Broan interjected, shaking her head. "Frankly, we were lucky that none of the injuries were severe." Elbin Kroe, due to his eye injury, was not able to attend the press conference, but the head coach confirmed that both players were expected to be well enough to start practice within the week, and back up to 100% in time for the Tournament.
Over half of the teams have now arrived in Altador, but a few of the top names are still noticably absent. With the Colosseum unofficially closed until Monday, the remaining teams will have less than two weeks to be fully prepared in time for the start of Altador Cup VIII.