⚽️ Vox was on a roll. She had a new job, with a boss she respected. Professionally, she was excelling in her role. Her circle of friends was larger, and stronger than ever. It felt wrong, ungrateful even, to admit that something was missing. Who was she to ignore this good fortune? It hadn’t been so long ago that she’d been wrongly accused, had her character assassinated and been fired. It would have been all too easy to give in and resign herself to being the villain. But she’d stuck to her convictions and proved her detractors wrong. The high of defying expectation had carried her to this point, but what was next? 

Inspiration hit her, literally, while walking in the park. A football flew out of nowhere and slammed into her head with such force that it knocked her down. The group - a local football club - ran over and began apologising profusely. As she sat there, slightly dazed, she realised the collision had knocked something loose in her mind - a memory. 

Suddenly, she was 10 years old again. Running full pelt towards the goal, weaving through the  opposing team like water. Her foot drew back and then connected with the ball, sending it flying with an almighty whoosh. She watched it arc past the goalie and straight into the back of the net. Cheers erupted from all angles. And then, in a blink, she was back in the park. Staring straight into the eyes of a concerned woman. But Vox didn’t have a head injury, she’d had an epiphany.

That was what she’d been missing. Adrenaline pumping through her. A team roaring her name. It was a high she hadn’t felt for a long time. It was why she’d even become a Pilot in the first place, but even that had lost its sparkle. It was just work, dressed up in a shiny new Mech suit. But with football, she was physically connected to the sport. Running down the pitch, dodging round team members, controlling the ball herself. She asked to try out for the team on the spot. They agreed. 

Vox quickly proved her worth. She was lightning on the pitch. All the skills she’d been refining as a Pilot, spatial awareness, reaction time and battle instinct, could be applied here. But most of all, she had the spark – a raw passion to play. Joy. Her look of pure elation while on the pitch said it all. She wanted to be there. Victory or defeat – it didn’t matter, all that mattered was the thrill of the game. Vox could show up in any mood, and 90 minutes later, her head was clear. Football has helped Vox realize that the true goal in life is to find, or reconnect with, the things that bring you joy. 

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