Cows Are Friends, Not Footballs! {Ethan}

[kingarthur]

Time to nut up, or shut up. And shutting up was not Ainsley's plan for the day. It had been brought to her attention that not only was Barrie University condoning animal disscection--but they were currently still using leather footballs. Leather. As in moo. Leather.

Ainsley loved cows--they were big and soft, and so sweet. From what she remembers--she never actually had a cow before. But she'd seen them at farms, and they just had these big brown eyes and just--stupid jocks. They probably didn't even know! The cow they were kicking and tossing around was probably a mother! Or a baby!

Ainsley tugged on her shirt and shorts, and kicked her feet into her converse, before grabbing her neatly printed sign. She ran down the stairs after saying goodbye to the two foster cats, and Percy--her dog. Couldn't leave without making sure they didn't think she was abandoning them.

This girl was a strange one--it was almost impossible to embarass her. Because she honestly didn't see what was so emabrassing about standing up for what you believe in. If you don't speak--who will? Surely not the cow she was watching the boys on the field toss around. She felt her nerves jitter--it was always a bit harder when she didn't have a group of people at her side.

"Hey!" Ainsley bellowed, resting the sign on her shoulder, grasping with both hands. All the sign had--was a picture of a football, and a giant X across it. "Do you know that there are about one-hundred-thousand cows killed per day in the US a day?!" She shouted, feeling her blood rush under her arms. This was right--she was supposed to be doing this. Even if they just switched to the pleather footballs like NYU had done.

"That adds up to about thirty-six-million a year! And the only things that get used are their hides and meat! And only part of that meat is edible!" She continued, the rush causing her head to spin. A few of the guys were laughing, but that only made her want to press on harder. "Back in two-thousand-seven, New York University switched its footballs to pleather! The entire high school district has also switched to fake-leather! What's stopping you?" She shouted, standing on the track that wrapped around the grassy field.

Her face was turning pink with the effort to make her voice carry, the grey sky seeming ominous with the ran it was about to drop. For some reason--lightening and Ainsley never went well together. But she belived, that if God was with her on what she was doing, that he wouldn't strike her down where she stood.

Her hands tightened on the stick of her sign, and she glanced warily back at the sky, shifted on her feet, before looking back at the players. "So who do I talk to about the switch?" The corner of her mouth lifted, dimples appearing in her cheeks.

Tags: Ethan / Kara / Ainsley / Olley
Notes: Oh, Ainsley.
Outfit:Headband included!

[ETHAN CAMPBELL]

Football was one Ethan's main priorities. It was the only thing that was really the same from place to place. The rules were always the same no matter what. Eleven guys were counted on the field. It didn't matter that everyone had funny accents (or he was the only one with a southern one.) Since arriving on campus it was clear he was in a whole new world not just a switch from North to South - with no Chic-Fil-As to be found - but the campus had its own politics that decided the popularity of everyone there that he had to learn.

Around New York City with its traffic, skyscrapers, huge flashing lights, Ethan felt out of place from spacious ranches in Texas. But no one would guess he didn't belong there on the football field. It was the place he could be completely sure of himself. The first thing he did after switching to NYC was try-out for the team. He had been the quarter-back for two winning seasons in his last years of high school, going all the way to state championship. Now he was playing at running-back since his hands were a bit on the small side and he was the fastest damn thing on the field on that side of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Coach had split up the offense and defense to start warming up and running drills. Ethan grabbed a sack of footballs and handed it to the QB and got into position. Getting set he crouched down and with a nod from the QB he took off into a sprint and caught the ball at the 30 yard-line. He jogged back with the football and gripped it with his fingers spread over the laces to throw back. As he was stretching it back to toss back, he noticed they had gained a cheerleader. Oh this was gonna be too great! He started to smile and ran over to where the guys were huddling up when the protest began.
"Do you know that there are about one-hundred-thousand cows killed per day in the US a day?! That adds up to about thirty-six-million a year! And the only things that get used are their hides and meat! And only part of that meat is edible!"

"Back in two-thousand-seven, New York University switched its footballs to pleather! The entire high school district has also switched to fake-leather! What's stopping you?" She shouted at the team and raised her sign. Ethan pushed through to the front of the line. The guys were roaring with laughter. Even he couldn't hold back laughing at this little hippie girl. Yankees sure were crazy! The more everyone laughed the more fired up and redfaced this girl was getting. He stopped laughing when he saw how worked up she was getting. Man, she really meant this stuff, though he didn't see why it mattered to her. It was just tossing a little bit of pigskin around; aint nothing off her hide if they used real leather.

He shook his head and turned back to get back in formation when Coach arrived. "So who do I talk to about the switch?" He looked back over his shoulder and gave a little smile at the way she called it "the switch" like it was a done deal. Man was she convinced about this thing. He watched as he waited for his turn in line to make a pass, Coach dealing with their new cheerleader/protester. Whatever he said made her turn and leave the track back towards the school. He flagged the QB and motioned he needed a water break and ran after the girl.

"Hey-hey slow up!" he called out as he caught up to her. He was a little out of breath from sprinting hard all practice and then chasing her down. Ethan never really thought of it like that. Course he knew it was real leather, but it never bothered him; he didn't know the facts about how many cows died. Looking at it like that he could kinda see why the girl was so crazy about switching to synthetic footballs. "Do you really believe all of that?" Sweat rolled down his neck and he lifted his shirt up showing off a set of toned abs to wipe it off.

[kingarthur]

The Coach had threatened her with suspension. Like she was in fricken high school or something. And being in college--missing one day of class could fuck up your entire year. And the way he spoke down to her--was like she really was back in high school. Her face prickled with heat and embarassment, though she never looked ashamed. She head her head up, and looked down her nose at him. Before flipping her hair, and striding back to the school. Fine, if the Coach wasn't going to be willing about it--she could do a sit in until the Headmaster decided to hear her.

Ainsley slowed her pace when she heard someone call to her, and she stopped walking and turned looking up at the boy. He had a nice accent, and an even nicer body. She lowered her eyes, openly looking at his abs while he lifted up his shirt, before turning her eyes onto his face. Hesitating for a moment, her brown eyes tried to read his expression. "Yeah, I do." She said quietly, "It would be a different story if all of the cow got used. But only in rare occurances does that happen. Most of the cow goes to waste, as well as most leather companies treat their cows with cruelty." She was a little more toned down now that she wasn't shouting across the field.

"Plus, synthetic footballs last longer--because they won't be as damaged by the rain and the elements. Footballs can get some major wear and tear on them. And they're a little more expensive, due to the leather. Synthetics are cheaper, also. As well as most are now biodegradable." She lowered her eyes down for a moment, her jaw tightening. A slight muscle in her cheek switching, before glancing back up at him.

"Today's generation is very selfish. They think that...just because animals don't have as many facial muscles to express pain and sadness--that they don't feel it. And if I can get this school to switch to synthetic, even just once--that's one less animal in pain. Don't you think that's worth something?" She tilted her head curiously, and smiled at him. The dimples in her cheek revealed themselves, and she opened her eyes a little more. She had seen this guy talking to the Quarter Back, or at least motioning to him. If she could get through to this guy--maybe he'd go to the QB, and from there to the Coach.

Ainsley tucked her hair behind her ear, and rested her sign on the ground, folding both hands over the end of it, swaying side to side. "What do you think? Think you can help me?" She slid her eyes over to the field, and nodded her head a bit, "They obviously, won't listen to me if I'm not showing my ass all over the place. But, maybe they'd listen to you. Right?" She bit the insides of her cheeks, and leaned in a bit. "We could do a trade, or something. You help me get them to switch to synthetic and I'll uh..." She waved her hand, "Help you with an essay. Or something you need."

[ETHAN CAMPBELL]

"Yeah, I do. It would be a different story if all of the cow got used. But only in rare occurances does that happen. Most of the cow goes to waste, as well as most leather companies treat their cows with cruelty." She was a little more calmed down that they were alone. His breath too had slowed and he could talk without any trouble -- not that he was getting much conversation in. She just kept on going.
Ethan listened on to what she had to say. Her ideas were foreign to him; he'd never have thought of things like that on his own. Leather footballs weren't such a big deal in comparison to the multiple leather couches and chairs he had at home. Although he didn't really have a stance on PETA type issues, he believed that animals shouldn't be mistreated or abused. Those commercials about starving kitties always got to him; they were just so darn heartbreakin'. Ethan could never stop eating meat, he loved his steak dinner like any man, but it got him to wonder about what she was saying.

"Plus, synthetic footballs last longer--because they won't be as damaged by the rain and the elements. Footballs can get some major wear and tear on them. And they're a little more expensive, due to the leather. Synthetics are cheaper, also. As well as most are now biodegradable."

Finally there was something he could actually talk about. He knew about footballs and could talk about the game like a pro. As she talked he couldn't help but notice she had dimples just like he did when she smiled. Hers were really cute though.

"Just hold on there little missy," he held up his hand to stop her for a second.
"How many footballs have you handled? Ya don't gotta preach to this choir, cowgirl.." He paused to collect his thoughts and started again when she was definitely intrigued by his interruption.
"Synthetics are cheaper but not necessarily the best option. They last a lot longer, but that's not always good. Synthetic footballs don't degrade so good and that my girly aint too good for the environment which I'm sure you are aware of."

Ethan gave a shrug and thought back to his home. Braxton and him spent hours out on his ranch. Every time he had to do a cattle drive he invited Brax a long with him cause he needed all extra hands he could get. Cattle are stubborn and stupid animals. They couldn't get a drink of water unless you stuck them right in front'o it. He tried to help them out and they'd just make a bigger mess unless he used some force on them (he never REALLY hurt them, just enough to make them change their mind and go in a safer direction.) But it weren't their fault they didn't know better... They were pretty gentle creatures. Those big brown eyes sure made him feel like a soft-hat when he was a boy. This girl had brown eyes just like that. He felt a blush creep up his neck to his cheeks and gave a friendly smile.

"I aint gotta thing against that -- it's as true as Moses parting the sea." He didn't know if she were religious or not, but it was the way he was brought up and his Mama would be proud that he still cared about it.

"What do you think? Think you can help me?"
Ethan thought about it and debated what he really thought on the issue. Her enthusiasm drew him like a moth to the flame. Pretty soon it was obvious to him that he'd do whatever she said and would tend to agree with it as she gave speeches.
"They obviously, won't listen to me if I'm not showing my ass all over the place. But, maybe they'd listen to you. Right?" Ethan laughed gleefully. He switched his weight to his other leg uncomfortably and supposed that might actually help get their attention. "I suppose I could help you....I'll have to keep that idea in mind! Do you think the guys will listen to me if I do this in a pair of them?" Ethan pointed at her jeans shorts and turned around swinging his hips and butt up in the air like he was a black lady in a rap music video.

"We could do a trade, or something. You help me get them to switch to synthetic and I'll uh..." She waved her hand, "Help you with an essay. Or something you need."

Man! That hurt low. His pride was down right insulted that she thought he wasn't capable of being intelligent because he was a jock. Why would she think that he'd need help?

"Well thanks, but uh, I don't need help with that. How about a date instead? You can tell me some more of your ideas about leather." Oh wait. That sounded like he was talkin' about some kinky fetish.. "I mean...we can talk about switching our footballs from leather. Maybe just for practice and use official leather footballs for games." He blushed again and gave a smile to make up for his mess up like nothing happened.

[kingarthur]

At least he was listening to her, without laughing at her. Or looking completely disinterested. Still--Ainsley was jaded from high school. She still believed that guys were stupid, and didn't care too much about anything other than food and hot chicks. But there was intelligence in Ethan's eyes, that made her straighten her back out a little more.

Though he stopped her, and her lips pressed tightly together, and pushed to the side like she was trying to keep from grinning. Admittedly, he liked the way he said 'Just hold on there little missy', it had the 'Good Ole Boy' feel to it. "Not many footballs, actually. But I know that the synthetics can be recycled and used for other products." He knew what he was talking about--granted his grammar was a bit off, it was charming.

Luckily, he didn't shut her down. And her smile only broke out across her face with Moses reference. Maybe not all the jocks were bit and dumb. Ainsley looked down when he pointed at her cut off shorts and then started to dance. Her hands shot up to her mouth, her sign falling to the floor. Her brows raised up, giggles bursting out from behind her hands. "Oh my god, what are you doing?!" She blurted out with her laughs, before doubling over, grasping her knees. She had completely underestimated him--he was hilarious, charming, and understanding.

One hand wrapped around her stomach, letting her laughter die down, and she slowly straightened up. Her hand rested on her side, and her other hand grasped her wrist, trying to push the stitch in her side that her laughter had caused. One brow shot up when he mentioned the leather--her brain going right in the same direction that his was--which caused a small burst of laughs.

"Of course you did," She teased, making sure to keep a mental note to not let him live that one down. "I'd love to talk about leather with you, but," She tried to force herself to be serious, and she held out one hand towards him, "My momma told me never discuss my ideas of leather with a stranger," Her dimples flickered in her cheeks again, and she pursed her lips, trying not to laugh again. "I'm Ainsley. Who are you, and when are you picking me up?"

If he was this funny--a date shouldn't be so bad, right? At least she'd laugh. Or...was she laughing this hard because she was nervous? No, no. Her nervous laugh had a bit of a snort. And she didn't snort yet, right? Oh merciful heavens above, did she snort? Sweet Jesus.

[ETHAN CAMPBELL]

"What?! You've never seen MTV?" Ethan stopped swinging his ass in circles and came back down to earth with a huge smile that he made her laugh. Boy was she cuter than a speckled pup! Ethan put his hand on his hip and laughed along with her til he about died next week sunday.

He hand't laughed so hard with a girl in ages. Then there he was laughin' again like it was goin' out of style when she picked up on his mix-up.

"I'd love to talk about leather with you, but..."

Ah man. This was when she was gonna turn him down and tell him she had a boyfriend already lined up. He was probably another hippie-vegan-tree-hugger type that looked like he could use a big steak or two.

"My momma told me never discuss my ideas of leather with a stranger."

And he was still in the game!

"I'm Ainsley. Who are you, and when are you picking me up?" She stuck out her hand. Ethan met hers and shook it, "Ethan. There-- I aint a stranger no more so your momma aint got a thing to worry about."

Ainsley, that sure was a pretty name. It fit her fine now that he thought about it. Thought it kinda reminded him of that one girly pattern.... What was that again? Paisley! Paisley Ainsley. One time at a dance his date made him wear a tie with that stupid pattern on it.

Just like that he heard a loud whistle from the field and he knew his time was up. Coach was back and he better get his butt back to practice before his ass was grass.

"How about tomorrow, 5'oclock?"

Ethan gave one last hopeful smile and started jogging away towards the football field. He couldn't wait to get back to practice now that he had a goal in mind since Ainsley got him thinkin' about footballs and leather and their date tomorrow. Oh Lawdy! The team was gonna holluh when they sure found out about him taking her out. She was a sweet lil' thing, though.