Battle to the Death

This week, more people are at the toy store. On one side of the store, Mr. Piccolo, Loud Mouth, and Eevee sit around the television while Mr. Piccolo and Loud Mouth play Gundam on the X-Box. On the other side, Star Lord, Rocket, Van Winkle, Guy, and I sit at the tables. The other members of the group talk about how their week has been while I sit and observe them. Guy then asks Star Lord if he would like to play a game of Hero clix. Hero clix is a game that I have heard Star Lord describe as “chess with super heroes”. The players decide on the number of points they want their team to be and build a team from there. They take turn doing different actions whether it be attacking, moving, or resting. Star Lord agrees to play and asks if the other guys would like to join. They all agree and agree on a 600 point game. Eevee stays on the other side of the store, wanting to watch Teen Titans and draw in her sketch book. 

Each member of the group has a different team. Star Lord has a Sailor Moon team that he customized himself. Rocket has a team of Nova’s. Mr. Piccolo has a team of Pacific Rim pieces that Star Lord made for him really quickly. Loud Mouth has a Blue Lantern team. Van Winkle and Guy don’t really have a system for their team. They just put together pieces that they liked. The teams seem to be another reflection of their personalities. 

The battle begins. The playing styles immediately become evident in each of the players. Loud Mouth clearly has a competitive edge and desires to win. Rocket wants to win, but feels that it is more important to have fun and play a team filled with one of his favorite characters. Van Winkle does not really care if he wins, but rather just wants to have fun. Guy wants to win, but does not really seem to know the strategy to win. Star Lord and Mr. Piccolo do not seem to have a desire to win and are just playing because they enjoy playing.

As the game goes on, the players talk to each other about their usual subjects. Eevee continues to be engrossed in Teen Titans and her sketch book. I started to notice some patterns around the group. Eevee and Mr. Piccolo are married, yet she wants to stay apart from the entire group because Mr. Piccolo mentions that she is not comfortable around large groups of people. Star Lord and Mr. Piccolo are close friends. It seems as if they have known each other the longest. Rocket and Van winkle are more friends to both Star Lord and Mr. Piccolo, but they don’t seem like they have known each other that long. Loud Mouth seems to a long time member too, but everyone makes fun of him at one point. Guy is probably the newest member of the group. This is because he tries to fit in with the group, but still is seen as an outsider.

The game finally ends with Loud Mouth winning. Star Lord looked a little annoyed towards the end. This is probably because he does not like the competitiveness that Loud Mouth brought to the game when it was supposed to be something they do for fun. The members of the group continue to talk, but some leave. Van winkle takes off, saying he will see the group next week. Then Loud Mouth leaves too, without saying goodbye to anyone. He just yells out bye to the group. Star Lord mentions that he will probably not be buying any more Hero clix and sell a lot of the ones he already owns because no one really comes to play anymore. Apparently, this many people was a rare occasion for the toy store. Next week will show if this statement is true or if several people will continue to show up.