GRADED: Year of the Scorbunny: Meet Allie Bunson

[Beavie]

The neon lights of Tokyo fill the night sky with the tall downtown buildings cutting into the sky. On one of the rooftop gardens, trees line the side of the building cut off by a fence. They are just beginning to bloom, the green leaves peaking from their buds. Along the flower beds are benches for people to sit on, with bright lights on the bottom, creating a vibrant glow. Resting on the side is a young woman. American with dark hair fashioned into a ponytail. She has a light sports coat on, there a small chill from the cool night air. She has in her hands a tablet. The screensaver is a logo with a soccer ball (football for our European friends) with the name  "To the Pitch Online." In her other hand is a phone where she is in the middle of a call. 

"Why couldn't you get me a translator!?" She cries out. "You have me tasked for an interview with a 'Japanese Soccer prodigy' and no-"

She stops and listens to the person on the other side of the call. There is a look of relief on her face. "Oh, she speaks English, thank goodness. What is her name?"

...

"Allie Bunson. Okay. Quite a strange name for someone listed as living in Tokyo and who is registered for the Japanese International team. But I'll get the prospect highlight article done for the week. Bye." 

She hands up and gives a long sigh. She knew she should have kept up her Duolingo streak to learn Japanese. Tasked with covering Asian Pacific region, she writes for the online site. "Who is this Allie" she thinks to herself, and why is her last name is Bunson. But, she'll get her answer.

There is a slight tug on her pant leg as she hears a somewhat high pitched.

"'Ello, are you Maddison?" 

Maddison leaps as she looks down and sees...

A small Rabbit. 

Or rather a fairly large one. 

The creature is white with tuffs of orange, yellow, and red fur. It is about up to her waist in height. The creature has a pink top on and green skirt. The bunny smiles.

"The name's Allie." Her accent is fairly British, Scottish maybe?  "Allie Bunson. I'm here for a chat." 

"Uh.." The reporter is shocked. Blinking her eyes, she asks. "Was there something in the sushi I had earlier?"

The small bunny chuckles. 

"Nah, you are right fine. I know not everyone's met a Scorbunny before in the flesh. But I can assure you that this lass here is a top quality Footballer." She puts her paws on her hips and gives a proud look. Maddison goes along with it and sits down. Allie plops herself on the bench next to her.

"Yeah, I uh, I guess. Sorry. But I guess I do have a few questions." 

"Ask away." Bunson grins. she wiggles her nose and waits. 

The reporter places her phone down to record and uses her tablet for notes. 

"Well, uh, I suppose I should start with asking you to tell me a little about yourself." 

Nodding her head, Allie smiles.

"Not a problem. Name's Allie Bunson. I live here in uh, as you humans call it Tokyo, but I am originally from Postwick, in Galar, but one day I was playing footy with the lads and lasses, and a Hoppa appeared and uh..." 

Allie chuckles. "I ended up here."

"That sounds unfortunate, you miss your family?" 

Maddison asks and Allie smirks.

"Nah, me Mum's here too. She rushed out on the pitch to 'save me' and we both ended up here. Still miss one of my friends, Bailey, she's a Wooloo. Friendly one." 

Maddison blinks. This is unlike any interview she's had. "Uh, and how has adjusting to 'our world' been?" 

"Could be worse. A lot of kids try to pet me. My mum though found a job as a fitness instructor and she's been havin' a blast. I miss the Curry back home, but been loving the food here. Best of all, you still have Football and even been watching this thing called 'Hockey.'" Allie chuckles. "I saw this 'Claude guy' who was cool that played it. I tried it but my feet uh, melted the ice." 

Bunson kicks up her feet and smiles. Maddison, getting past the 'shock' of interviewing a bunny, has eased herself in slightly and finds the small footballer charming. 

"I can imagine. How long have you been playing?" 

"Since I cracked out of the egg at level one." She has a proud look on her face. "It has always come natural to me. In fact I lead Postwick United in Assists for the Scorbunny league." 

"And you consider yourself a playmaker?" 

The rabbit nods her head.

"It has been fun setting people up for goals. Though I had quite the boot before, here I'm a wee bit smaller than everyone else, so I lost some power. But I settled into midfield well and I'm enjoying the wing. Even learned some Japanese to communicate with my teammates on the pitch. So I know Scorbunny, English, and Japanese." 

Seeing Allie's face light up with a smile, Maddison can't help but smile. This rabbit is a cute one. 

"You're expected to be reporting to the SSL academy soon. What are your long-term ambitions in your career?" 

"Well, I dunno." The Scorbunny shrugs. "I'm just surprised you humans can get paid for playing football. But it is as big a deal here as Pokemon battles in Galar, except without dynamaxed Pokemon accidentally sending you from your seats, haha. But I just want to adjust to playing humans, enjoy myself, and see some new places."

Typing a few notes on her tablet, Maddison follows up.

"What do you think your biggest adjustment will have to be?"

"-The fact everyone is bigger than me." Allie sneers, answering quick. "And maybe trying to keep my emotions in check. I can be a wee bit of a hot head like any fire type. But my nature tends to be pretty jolly despite that." 

She winks. Maddison asks another question.

"And are you hoping to play for a team in the Asia region, or elsewhere?" 

"I'm just wanting a spot more than anything. I've learned a few languages, can pick up some more. I hear London is a lot like home. Cairo's got some lovely pyramids. I enjoy it in Tokyo. So I am open. But I do hope there's some good snacks, hehe."

"Favourite snack?" Maddison asks.

"Well, either curry, carrots, chicken nuggies, or pocky." 

Maddison glances through her notes and realizes she has hit them all quick. 

"Oh, that was uh, fast." She clears her throat. "My website has your email, so if we have anything else to talk about we'll message you, but it was nice meeting you." 

Maddison extends her hand but Allie doesn't reach her paw forward. 

"Nah, bring it in. I know you want to hug me. I get it all the time." 

Snickering, Maddison picks up the Scorbunny and gives her a hug. It is quite warm, comfortable. She takes a quick picture with her tablet for socials and lets Allie down.

"Thanks, haha. I wish you good luck in the upcoming season. Take care, Allie!"

Maddison grabs her belongings and walk towards the stairs. Allie stands on the bench and looks out to the city. There is a twinkle in her eyes as she says to herself.

"I'm going to be the biggest Scorbunny in football the world has ever seen... Just watch me!"

[denisbigfan1]

Welkom to di league ALLIE BUNSON.
I, Badman Badrick, clench my fist at the harrowing thought of my go-to invective of 'Fiyah Bun' becoming completely ineffective...
I hope you will STAND WITH ME against the Dark Forces of Babylon within the SSL.