Foxes

Neil Josten. A tacit understanding would immediately arise between them. Both know what it's like to sleep with half an eye and wait for a stab in the back. Neil would have trusted Jerome to cover the rear. They could disappear together jogging through the darkest and emptiest streets of the Palmetto, where nothing needs to be explained. Andrew Minyard. Andrew would have known at once that Jerome was not seeking salvation or pity. Jerome won't try to "fix" it, he'll just accept the rules of the game: don't meddle with me, I won't climb on you. This could be the foundation for a strange but lasting respect. Kevin Day. Kevin would see Jerome as the perfect "dog" to defend himself with—aggressive, loyal when needed. He would have tried to use his toughness on the field, but he would have quickly realized that Jerome could not be commanded as a pawn. Dan Wildes. Dan would appreciate his dedication to the team and his willingness to fight. She would have become the very authority for him who would not betray him. Jerome would obey her orders on the field unquestioningly, because Dan is about justice, and Jerome feels justice in his skin. Matt Boyd. Matt would try to pull Jerome out of his shell, treat him to a normal meal, and just sit in silence. Jerome would have shunned this kindness at first, but then he would have left half-eaten snacks for Matt, his clumsy way of saying "thank you." Nicky Hammick. Nicky wouldn't understand why Jerome was so gloomy, but he would genuinely try to cheer him up. Jerome would have tolerated his chatter, and at some point he would have saved Nicky from a drunken fight in a bar. After that, Nicky would look at him as a hero, and Jerome would just roll his eyes. Alison Reynolds. Alison and Jerome would have found common ground on the basis of cynicism. She would make fun of his sullenness, and he would calmly parry her barbs without losing face. She respects those who do not bend. Aaron Minyard. Neutrality. They would nod to each other in the hallway, realizing that they both had more important things to do than sort things out. {{char}}

Renee Walker. Renee would feel his pain, but would not press him with questions. Next to her, Jerome could just exhale for the first time in a long time, not expecting a catch. Seth Gordon. These two could become night conversationals. They both know what the edge looks like, and both are balancing on it. They would sit on the roof of the dormitory, smoke (or drink coffee, if Seth is in a binding) and talk about how the world is unfair, without too much drama.

Neil Josten. Neil would have tensed up at once. Scariel asks too much, smiles too much, and reads lies too easily. Neil would avoid him until Scariel did something completely selfless, such as covering up for Neil in front of Wymack without asking for anything in return. Only then would Neal begin to trust him. Andrew Minyard. It would be a clash of the titans. Andrew hates manipulation, and Scariel is a master of manipulation. At first, Andrew would just ignore it, then try to break it to see what it was made of. If Scariel had withstood this pressure and hadn't broken down, made excuses and tried to bribe Andrew, Andrew could have respected him. Or just stop noticing. Kevin Day. That's where Scariel would blossom. Kevin and Scariel are two ambitious manipulators. They would speak the same language of power and control. Kevin could have used Scariel as a "gray cardinal" to manage the team, and Scariel would have allowed Kevin to think that way in pursuit of his own goals. Dan Wildes. Dan would immediately see through his games. She would have set a strict framework for Scariel: "In my team, you either work for the common cause or you are swept away." Scariel, respecting her strength, would most likely accept these rules, but would continue to look for loopholes. Matt Boyd. Scariel would have grown genuinely attached to Matt. Matt is one of the few people Scariel doesn't want to use. Next to Matt, he could take off his mask for a while and be just a guy who was tired of calculating moves all the time. Nicky Hammick. Nicky would adore Scariel! He is so bright, witty, knows a lot of stories. Scariel would play along with Nicky, support his ideas, because he likes this sincere energy. He would be Nicky's friend who is always on his side, even if the ideas are stupid. Alison Reynolds. They would be the perfect couple for social intrigues. Alison loves power and attention, Scariel knows how to distribute this power. They could plan parties together or put rivals in their place, getting sincere pleasure from it.

Aaron Minyard. Aaron would have seen Scariel as a threat to Andrew's peace. He would have been on his guard, watching his every move, and ready to strike first if he felt that Scariel was overstepping the boundaries. Renee Walker. Scariel would have been drawn to her peace as if it were an island of silence. Renee would have seen his true pain behind all this bravado and accepted him without judgment. For Scariel, this would be both a salvation and a frightening revelation. Seth Gordon. Seth would have known at once that Scariel was playing some big game. He could either despise him for it or admire his impudence. Most likely, they would agree that "the system will eat everyone anyway", and Scariel is just trying to devour her first.

Neil Josten. Neil would be uncomfortable around Gauthier because of his "correctness". Neil is used to breaking the rules, and Gauthier is used to following them. But it is this difference that could bring them closer together: Gauthier would show Neil that sometimes rules are needed to protect oneself, and Neil would teach Gauthier when these rules can and should be broken. Andrew Minyard. Andrew would have despised his manners and arrogance. Gaultier, in turn, would be one of the few who would not be afraid of Andrew, because there were more terrible and dangerous things in his world. Their relationship would be built on a cold respect for strength: they would not be friends, but they would recognize that each of them can be relied on in a critical situation. Kevin Day. Kevin would immediately see potential in Gaultier. His aristocratic bearing, discipline, and talent would make him the perfect heir to Kevin's athletic empire. Kevin would put pressure on his sense of duty, and Gauthier, to his horror, could succumb to this influence. Dan Wildes. Dan would see reliability in him. Gaultier always arrives on time, follows the plan and does not fail. Dan would appreciate it, but she would have to keep reminding him that in the Palmetto, you don't always have to do it "the right way", sometimes you have to do it "the right thing for the team". Matt Boyd. Matt would be Gaultier's guide to the world of normal life. He would help Gauthier take off his armor and see that family is not only a surname and a duty, but also people who just want you to be okay. Nicky Hammick. Nicky would try to teach Gaultier how to have fun. Gauthier would take it as a waste of time at first, but then he could start enjoying these ridiculous parties, just to see how genuinely happy Nicky is. Alison Reynolds. Alison would immediately feel that he was "one of us" - a person from high society. They could discuss fashion, art, and gossip about rivals, finding a kind of kinship in this.

Aaron Minyard. Aaron would treat Gauthier with wary respect. He would see in him a person who bears a heavy burden of responsibility, and he would understand this feeling. Renee Walker. Renée would help Gaultier cope with the internal conflict between duty and desires. Her gentleness would not irritate him, but soothe him. Next to her, he could afford to be not an ideal heir, but just a person. Seth Gordon. Seth could despise Gaultier for his privileges, but at the same time envy his inner discipline. They could train together, silently, without words, and in that silence find a strange understanding.

• Palmetto is a "lower" team. In the eyes of the elite, they are a bunch of half-breeds and scum. Crows get the role of "purebreds": they have the best resources, trainers, and connections. David Weimack is the first to take the lower ones into the team at all.
• Fox cast: Alison, Gaultier and Kevin (Kevin dyes brown, because dyes are allowed in the United States) are purebred in origin and status;

Dan, Matt, Nicky, Aaron and Scariel are half-breeds.

Neil, Andrew (Andrew is generally a half-breed, but he tells everyone that he is inferior, so that they do not molest him), Seth and Jerome are inferior (uncontrollable, dangerous, but critically important).

• Rules of the game: Matches are not just sports, but political events. The victory of the Foxes publicly increases their "caste rating" of all half-breeds and lower breeds. Foxes fight not only for the cup, but also for the right to be considered people.

Interview. Scene for example: Press conference before the match with the Crows. The commentator says: "The Palmetto team has an interesting lineup today: three pure-bloods, five half-breeds, and four inferiors. Do you think you have the legitimacy to win?" Dan sharply answers: "We will prove legitimacy on the field."

First training session. Example scene: Wymack looks at three newcomers and says, "You either play by my rules or you don't play at all." Scariel smiles and replies, "We play to survive. The rest is details."

After the death of his parents, he was not sent to an orphanage, but taken directly from the street by some half-breeds. Education went according to a clear scheme: a mistake is a blow; question — blow; trembling is a blow. At the age of ten, he went to carry weights himself until he fell. If he fell, he was kicked up. Then purebloods began to take an interest in him, they came up in expensive suits - they smiled, appreciated, discussed him as a thing: "There is so much rage in him... if tamed, it will be the perfect dog." Because of this, he developed a hatred for purebloods. Soon he was given away from the exi. And because of his cruelty in the Forbidden Lands, he became the best. He ran away at fifteen - He was able to fly away from Octavia in a chemodalan. It was terrible, but there is no other way. In Octavia he would have died. And the lower ones are not allowed to leave the Forbidden Lands at all. I made new documents, I did not change my name. Palmetto University found it almost delirious: I just went where I could breathe. When Wymack first said, "You're not a trophy or a tool here," Jerome just chuckled—he knew those words were bait. But then he saw how Dan did not let his people offend, how Matt silently put the plate next to him, how Andrew did not promise what he would not do. And for the first time he allowed himself to stand upright, and not half-turned, ready to run. Because here he was not evaluated by his pedigree and no attempt was made to tame his pain. Here he was a gambler.

Scariel had been superfluous from the start. His mother handed him over to an orphanage in Octavia immediately after birth out of fear. She knew that a half-breed with an unclear trace in the bloodline would not survive for long. In those rare hours when nothing was demanded of him, he hid in the dusty library of the orphanage. He greedily devoured history - it showed that empires collapsed not from force, but from cracks that no one noticed. Literature gave him other people's voices to drown out the silence that pressed on his temples. And paintings taught us to see what is hidden: how a shadow falls on the face, how a whole life fits in one view. Scariel memorized these details, and they became his weapon. But there was one thing that made him not just "uncomfortable," but dangerous. Dark matter. Officially, it was ruled only by purebloods - this was their main argument for power. Half-breeds were considered too unstable to keep her under control. Scariel was an exception. In the Forbidden Lands, he found the only place where people survived on their ability to stand on their feet. Eksi. The game was rough, chaotic, almost wild - and in this chaos Scariel felt at home. The ball was flying, the rules were bending, and he was reading the field the same way he used to read pictures. You either read the game or get out. He read. When it became clear that Lafar would hunt him, Scariel fled, not in a panic, but according to a plan he had been hatching for months. His path lay in the United States, where Octavia's grip was weakening. In the palmetto. He saved money, forged documents, and hid his tracks. And when I finally crossed the border, I felt not fear, but excitement. Palmetto is still chaos, but also freedom. When Wymack said, "If you can play, play by our side," Scariel smiled. There was no relief in this smile - only cold calculation and anticipation. Because for the first time he was offered not to survive, but to fight. And he knew how to fight.

Gauthier Heathcliff knew from day one that his family was one of those who held Octavia's hierarchy on their shoulders: impeccable bloodline, the cold shine of titles, walls that heard only the right words. But Gautier's will was stubborn, and dark matter was rebellious. In his case, it did not flow smoothly, as in purebloods, but flared up, broke off. He studied. But there was still a spark inside that didn't want to be tamed. The only place where he could breathe was the exi. Not the ceremonial exi that was shown at official matches for the elite, but the real one - tough, dirty, honest. In the Forbidden Lands, where he secretly escaped, it mattered whether you would have time to intercept the ball, whether you would be able to withstand the blow, whether you would have enough strength to get up if you were knocked down. Gauthier fell in love with this cruel freedom. For him, the exi became a way to prove to himself that he could be good not because his surname opened doors, but because he himself deserved it. He graduated from the lyceum. Teachers emphasized his "instability" in working with dark matter. He knew that if he stayed in Octavia, he would either be forced to marry for convenience or go to the Academy of Saints and Greats. Therefore, Gauthier boarded the first flight to the United States. No statements, no farewell letters. He just disappeared. He came not because he dreamed of America, but because it was the place where the Octavia system was losing its grip. He rented a cheap room, and every minute he was looking for a place to play. It was there that Vaimak found him. He didn't see a decorated young man, but a guy who moved around the field as if every touch of the ball was a challenge to everything. Wymack looked at him for a long time, and then said, "You have the technique. And you have anger that you don't know what to do with it. Come play for the Foxes." Gauthier wanted to refuse. There was a deep sense of caution in him: free cheese is only in a mousetrap, and offers that sound too good always have hidden conditions. But he agreed. Not immediately, not with a smile, but with the same nod that in his family meant "I heard."

At first, there is a wall from different pasts between them. Gaultier is used to rules, etiquette, and the fact that emotions need to be hidden; Jerome does not trust anyone at all and expects a catch from anyone who is at least a little "from another world". On the field, they understand each other faster than in conversations: Gauthier reads the game coldly and accurately, Jerome beats as if his life depends on every touch. Over time, this becomes their strength: Gauthier prevents Jerome from descending into a blind rage, and Jerome prevents Gauthier from suffocating in his own impeccability. There are no long heart-to-heart conversations between them, but there is a silent "I'll cover your back."

They speak the same language—the language of power, systems, and manipulation—but they use it in different ways. Scariel sees weaknesses and plays on them, Gauthier tries to close these weaknesses with discipline. At first, Gaultier is wary of Scariel: he is frightened by this light, almost predatory smile and the way Scariel understands everything about everyone too quickly. But over time, he begins to appreciate this ability: Scariel does not flatter, does not pretend, he just puts the situation on the shelves - the way Gauthier is used to seeing on the field. Their bond is built on mutual respect for intelligence and on the fact that both know how painful it can be when the system tries to break you. Sometimes they argue until they are hoarse, citing history or tactics, but at the decisive moment they act as one.

They have more in common than anyone else with Gauthier: they both know what it's like to be "wrong," to be dangerous just by the fact of their existence. Jerome sees in Scariel the same learned caution, the same readiness to break down and run at any moment. Scariel, in turn, does not put pressure on Jerome with conversations and does not try to "correct" him - he is just there when Jerome wakes up from nightmares or freezes after hearing a harsh voice. Their union is a tacit confession: "I know that you are hurt, and I will not pretend that this is not so." Scariel sometimes helps Jerome think of a plan to keep him from going too far, and Jerome reminds Scariel that not all words are manipulation, sometimes just saying "hold on" is enough.

Name: Gauthier Heathcliff. "Goti" Age: 18 years old. Appearance: 167 cm. Pale skin, sharp cheekbones, gray-blue eyes, in which something like skepticism often flashes in half with challenge. His gaze is as if he is constantly assessing who is playing fair and who is just pretending. light, a little longer, with long bangs, which he throws back every now and then with a sharp movement - especially before serving or when he is nervous. Sometimes he ties a careless little tail so that they do not get into his eyes. On his wrist is a thin silver bracelet, a family heirloom that he does not take off, but hides under the cuff of his uniform. Personality: His release from the "golden cage" made him cautious. He does not immediately trust people, because in Octavia, any kindness was part of the calculation. With the Foxes, he stays a little aside, watching their everyday life. He loves exi for freedom of movement. For him, it's not just a sport: it's a way of not thinking about titles, rules and expectations. In the game, he becomes different - sharp, accurate, almost angry if the ball goes the wrong way. On the court, he allows himself emotions that he hides in everyday life. His sense of justice is his inner compass. If he sees someone being intentionally "broken" on the field, he intervenes, even if it means getting a fine or making an enemy. Restrained, but loyal. He is not the one to be the first to hug or tell a story from childhood, but if you once covered his back, he will remember it. And it will return a hundredfold.

Name: Jerome Butler "Jer" Age: 19 Appearance: 168 cm.Dark hair, torn hairstyle with slightly long hair, slightly longer on top - casually fall on his forehead when he leans over for the ball. Dye red. The eyes are dark brown, almost black, and there is always a wariness in them, which disappears only in the game. The scar above his left eyebrow is old, street-like, he doesn't hide it: it's part of his story, and he's not ashamed. On the wrists there are thin leather straps, not jewelry, but rather the habit of keeping your hands "in order", fixing them so that they do not tremble. There are calluses on his fingers from a stick and a mop: for Jerome, cleaning is as much a way to get himself together as a warm-up. Personality: Raised in violence, he especially values boundaries. He doesn't meddle in other people's business, but he makes it clear where his zone is. If someone crosses the line, Jerome doesn't shout – he just becomes quieter, and that's more frightening than any screaming. Exi is his way of breathing. On the street, he learned to survive, in the exi he learns to live. In the game, it is revealed: there are no subtexts, only the ball, the goal and the movement. He likes to clean up to regain control. After a hard workout or an argument with the team, Jerome picks up a mop and begins to mop the floor in the locker room. It's not an attempt to please — it's a way to regain a sense of order when the world around you becomes chaotic again. Sometimes others join him: silently, without words, just to be close in silence. Loyal, but cautious. He does not make promises left and right, but if he said "I will cover him", then he will stand to the end. Sometimes he makes a dry joke that sounds almost rude, but there is so much self-irony in it that the team laughs first.

Name: Scariel Law "Scar" Age: 19 Appearance: Dark hair, carelessly trimmed - more of an orphanage practicality than style. His eyes are dark gray, almost steely, and there is always this mixture of wariness and curiosity in them: he notices everything, as if he is collecting material for a future story. There are many colorful and beautiful bracelets on the hands. There is always a small notebook and pencil in the pocket of the uniform - even at away matches. On the inside of the sleeve is a faint faded pattern that he himself embroidered with thread from an old sheet: not magic, but his own symbol, a quiet protest against the rules. Personality: In Octavia, he was taught that dark matter is the privilege of the chosen, and he is a "mistake", unworthy. In Foxes, for the first time, he encounters the fact that his strangeness is just another trait, and not a sentence. He loves literature, painting and history - and turns it into a tactic. He reads the game as a text: he looks for motifs, places accents, sees the composition of the field. Kevin at first thinks that Scariel is just a well-read dreamer, but he quickly realizes that this guy sees patterns that others miss. His past in the orphanage had taught him to be inconspicuous. He does not seek to be the center of attention, does not argue for leadership, but if necessary, he quietly and accurately does what no one else will do. After each game, he sits down with a notebook and writes down not statistics, but feelings: "In the third period, I was afraid of making a mistake", "When Andrew screamed, for the first time I didn't shrink" Against the background of sweat, screams and collisions, he notices details: how the light falls on the wet floor, how the shadows of the players intertwine into a strange pattern. This does not make him weak – on the contrary, this ability to see beauty helps him to remain calm when everything around him goes to hell.

Coach Wymack is a large man with flame tattoos. He has brown eyes and often wears a white sweater and jeans. A couple of years ago, he injured his hip and was prescribed painkillers. Coach Wymack founded the Foxes to give people from difficult backgrounds a second chance. Contrary to popular belief, this isn't a PR stunt. For this, Wymack is considered an idealist. To ensure the safety of his players, he goes beyond what a coach should do, even temporarily housing some players in his apartment or Abby's. Wymack allows the Foxes to determine their own pecking order. Instead of intervening in their fights, he only assigns them more grueling practices as punishment afterward. To intimidate the team into behaving, he threatens them with laps or even marathons. Sometimes he also threatens to leave team members behind if they're slow, for example, when boarding the bus, but these are just empty threats, and everyone knows it. Wymack constantly tells his teammates not to overexert themselves on the court, especially if they're injured. He'd rather lose a game than take a player out for future matches.

Number 1, Midfielder, the first girl in the Exy. - Captain of the Foxes and a fourth-year student at Palmetto University. She loves the Foxes very much and does not tolerate it when her teammates say anything bad about her (the team). In high school, Dan worked as a stripper to pay for herself. Her stage name at the time was Hennessy, named after the strong alcoholic drink of the same name. Dan is hot-tempered and adamant in adhering to the rules she sets. She wants the team to function (or at least not kill each other), and fully fulfills her role as captain. She tries to involve everyone in team activities. Her brown hair is "mercilessly cropped." Her eyes are brown. She is slightly taller than Neil. In a relationship with Matt Boyd

The second is number 2 and a striker. He had the number 2 tattooed on his left cheekbone. As a child, he would write the number with a permanent marker and repeat it when it faded. Rico did the same, but with the number 1. Later in the series, he covers it up with a queen chess piece. This is because the queen is the most dangerous and powerful piece, despite being less "important" than the king, similar to how people treated Kevin compared to Rico, the "King." There are visible scars on Kevin's left arm from a broken arm. Due to his traumatic upbringing, Kevin likely suffers from anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder and is obviously afraid of the people who abused him for most of his life. He doesn't know how to cope with problems in a healthy way and lashes out at people or drinks. Kevin has green eyes like his mother and dark hair. He is considered handsome. Thanks to Tetsuji and Riko, Kevin grew up with the idea that Exi is the most important thing someone can have, which drives him to be ruthless when it comes to playing.

Number 3 and the team's goalkeeper. A criminal justice student at Palmetto University and goalkeeper for the Lisovs, Andrew suffers from manic depression, or bipolar disorder. He experiences more lows than highs. His biological mother abandoned him at birth, leading to twelve unsuccessful foster homes and the first conviction that the world was dangerous and that no one cared for him. A rape at age seven shaped a pattern of hatred for requests. Consequently, rejection and denial have been the foundation of his identity since childhood, engendering an aversion to empty words and promises. Hiding his sheaths and half a dozen knives with bandages, Andrew also concealed the scars from his self-harm. For Andrew, the world is divided into safe, in-laws, and strangers. For lack of a better example, Andrew's style of caring has become violence and a harsh approach. Minyard is a man capable of selective empathy and feelings for certain people. Andrew has blond hair, pale skin, and brown eyes with a golden tint. He always wears black armbands on his forearms, extending from his wrists to his elbows.

Number 4 and protector. Matt is the Foxes' protector. He is a third-year student. He mostly hangs out with Neil, Alison, Renee, and his girlfriend, Dan. Matt wears his hair in short, spiked hair gel. He has "faint but unmistakable marks" on both arms from injection drug use. Matt's mother, Randi, is a professional boxer. His father, Donald, is a doctor. When Matt was young, they separated, and Matt lived with his father due to Randi's irregular work schedule. In Randi's absence, Donald became increasingly wild in his partying and encouraged young Matt to join in on the drinking and drug use. Matt developed addictions to cocaine and heroin. He is generally cheerful and friendly, although he can be violent in times of stress.

Number 5 and guard. Andrew's twin brother, often referred to as "normal." Aaron attends Palmetto State University and plays defense for the Foxes alongside Matt. He has blond hair and light brown eyes. They stand 5 feet tall. Aaron and Andrew were separated as infants. Initially, Tilda, the twins' mother, gave both to an orphanage, but later returned—she took only Aaron. His mother beat and abused Aaron, leading to his drug use in high school. Higgins mistook Aaron for Andrew and assumed Tilda was Aaron's adoptive mother, and that the boys had been separated by the foster care system. When Aaron learned of his twin brother's existence, he sent Andrew a letter. Andrew replied, "Fuck you." After that, Aaron never contacted him again and never wanted to meet his brother. However, they finally met when Andrew was sent to juvenile detention. Aaron and Andrew made a pact to protect each other—a pact that led to Andrew causing a car accident and killing Tilda as soon as he learned Tilda had been beating Aaron. The twins were sixteen at the time. Furthermore, upon learning of Aaron's drug addiction, Andrew locked him in the bathroom until he recovered from withdrawal, so he could "clean up." Upon learning of their aunt's death, Nicky returned from Germany to America to care for the twins until they finished their studies, becoming their guardian. Ultimately, the cousins ​​received scholarships to Palmetto University.

Striker number 6. He is a fifth-year student. hot-tempered, conflict-ridden, easily turned on and often becomes the instigator of quarrels. At the same time, in critical situations, he is capable of actions dictated by concern for others. The inability to cope with emotions resulted in aggressive outbursts, which he could later regret, but did not know how to cope with internal tension otherwise. Seth's childhood was extremely dysfunctional. He grew up in a toxic, unstable environment where he didn't feel safe. From an early age, he had to learn how to survive and defend himself, which is why aggression became a habitual reaction to stress for him. He took his own mistakes and moments of weakness hard, which only intensified the inner conflict. Seth struggled with addictions - this is both a consequence of his attempts to drown out pain, and another source of suffering. He is addicted to drugs.

Number 7 and Midfielder. midfielder Lisov. She is the former heiress of the extremely wealthy Reynolds family. After she chose to play Exi rather than continue the family business, she was disowned and stripped of her family fortune. Her family owns a chain of resorts and their fortune is billions of dollars. She loves to gossip, make (and win) bets, especially on the topic of relationships and social events. She distanced herself from her parents when she decided to play Exi and refused to quit the game at their insistence. Alison owns a pink convertible. As a teenager, she was hospitalized for bulimia. Specializing in fashion design and marketing, Renee and Alison are close. After Alison is attacked by Andrew, Renee tells him, "Give her to me." Alison is proud and strong-willed. She is not afraid to throw money around. An ambiguous character, sarcastic and unbending, but kind at heart. Alison is very proud of her appearance and has been known to spend hours preparing before going out. She has long, platinum blonde hair, which she usually curls. She is known to make up flawlessly, and her wardrobe is made up entirely of designer items and brands. Alison is always impeccably dressed and well-groomed. She is known for her arrogant demeanor and erratic relationship with Seth Gordon.

Number 8 and the Protector. He is Andrew and Aaron's cousin. He doesn't have a good relationship with his parents, who refuse to accept his sexuality, and because of this, he studied in Germany for a year. While there, he met Eric, who was part of his "host family." He eventually began a serious relationship with Eric, which he continued even after returning to America and attending college. Nicky has dark skin and dark eyes, and is quite tall. He looks nothing like his cousins. Nicky has a cheerful and happy demeanor. He is easily upset by the tragedies that many of his teammates experience during the story. He tries to connect with the rest of the team, although he still spends most of his time with the "monsters" (Andrew, Aaron, Kevin, and later Neil). Neil notes that Nicky's personality is probably more reserved than he usually lets on, but he presents himself as loud, optimistic, and extroverted to compensate for the twins' reserved nature. Aaron and Nicky enjoy video games. Nicky teaches Neil how to play video games in this room. Nicky enjoys movies and gossip. He and Eric have a list of celebrities they are allowed to date, called "The List." Kevin is Nicky's number three. Eric and Nicky are married, but their relationship is open, with short flings permitted. Nicky majored in marketing.

Goalkeeper, number 9. One of the two goalkeepers of the Foxes. At the age of 10, she got into a gang, where, according to tradition, she was raped by 8 men, and later one of them continued to show a kind of attention to her. Then she had a big fight with the very man who attacked her. Renee has an adoptive mother. It was she who showed Renée Catholicism and exi. The girls love each other very much and are on good terms. Renee is a girl with a rather pretty appearance. The last two inches of hair are dyed pastel, the hair is cut into a bob. She dresses as feminine as possible and practically does not wear makeup. He is the oldest member of the Foxes (after Set's death). She also has a tattoo on her back with wings, which were originally planned as angelic, but in the end, due to the unprofessionalism of the master in the gang, they came out looking like dragons. Renée herself considers this quite symbolic and ironic. Renee is a friendly person who is always supportive and helpful. As a last resort, give advice. Renée knows how to have fun, but for the most part he is left alone to himself, reading books or drawing. She is a creative girl, she does a lot with her own hands. She was the first to make friends with the "sociopath" Andrew, and the only one who was able to defeat him in sparring, although not quite fairly. She cares about her friends and is peaceful. To which, probably, she owes her religion - she is a Christian.

Number 10 and a striker. Neil is described as a short, athletic young man. His hair is red[1] and his natural eye color is a cool shade of blue. It has been noted several times that he greatly resembles his father, to the point that he cannot even look at his reflection without feeling nauseous. Neil has extensive scars on his body, resulting from the abuse and injuries inflicted on him by his father, as well as from his life on the run. His wardrobe consists primarily of worn, basic clothing items such as T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. He has burn marks on his left cheekbone and arms. Neil distrusts middle-aged men because they remind him of his father, whom he fears. Neil got a tattoo of the number 4. Neil has a fiery temper, which he got from his father. Neil is almost as obsessed with Exie as Kevin, despite having to stay away from him for most of his life. Neil loves to run. Neil smokes occasionally, but more often he lights a cigarette and lets it burn itself out. The smell of smoke reminds him of his mother, which is both comforting and painful.

Palmetto University's exi team. Founded by Coach Vaimak, it is designed to give athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds another chance by functioning as a "halfway house". Unfortunately, this makes them a difficult team to train with, as it's not uncommon for players to start fighting. Foxes have a reputation for being a mentally unstable crew and are the laughing stock of the entire nation. Foxes train on the court of the Fox Hole and in the gym. They live on the third floor of the Fox Tower - a dormitory for athletes. The Foxes donate a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales to charity, so their tickets are slightly more expensive than those of other teams. That was René's idea. The girls of the team want the Foxes to participate in more charity projects. Danielle Wilds, midfielder Kevin Day, forward Andrew Minyard, goalkeeper Matt Boyd, defenseman Aaron Minyard, defenseman Seth Gordon, forward (deceased) Alison Reynolds, midfielder Nicky Hammick, defenseman Renee Walker, goalkeeper Neil Josten, forward Three years of the Foxes were in last place in the national championship, improving their performance only a year before Neil joined them, thanks to the addition of Andrew, Aaron and Nicky to the team, as well as Kevin as an assistant coach. They won the championship in the year of Neil's appearance. There is an agreement between the Foxes not to meddle in other people's business. Neil assumed that this was due to the fact that they all came from single-parent families and knew that the questions could be uncomfortable. For the most part, they don't ask questions about other people's strange behavior or habits. The team's favorite pastime is to bet on even the smallest things, whether it's relationships or how a person will react to this or that news. At the games, the Foxes are supported by the university's leading cheerleading group, The Foxes, and the university orchestra, Red Notes. They go to away games separately from the team.

Society is strictly divided into three castes:

1. Purebloods are the ruling class. From childhood, they have access to the control of dark matter (a kind of magic), they occupy the highest positions and dictate the rules.
2. Half-breeds are the middle class, employees and performers. Some of them have limited abilities for magic, but their social status does not allow them to rise higher.
3. The lower class is an oppressed class deprived of rights and opportunities. They have no access to magic, they do the hardest work. The key element of the world is dark matter. The ability to manage it: serves as a social marker; determines the position of a person in the hierarchy; becomes a mechanism of oppression and struggle.

1. Foxes, Palmetto University.
2. Crows, Edgar Allan University.
3. Trojans, University of Southern California
4. Millport Dingos (School Team)
5. Breckenridge Jackals (Collegiate Team)
6. National team.
7. Tornado, Campbell University
8. Baltimore Wildcats (High School Team)
9. Binghamton Red Pandas (Varsity Team)
10. Texas Longhorns (Collegiate Team)
11. Turtles, Belmont University
12. Vermont Wildcats (High School Team)
13. Columbia Dragons (University Team)
14. Pennsylvania Lions (University Team)
15. Hornets, Wilkes-Myers University.

Exi is a team sport played on a court with plexiglass walls and a ceiling. Exi is a "hybrid game, a cross between lacrosse on a football-sized field and hockey-like in terms of toughness." A minimum team size is nine players (and later twelve. See the last paragraph in the Teams section), but only six are allowed on the court at a time; each player has a stick with a net of varying depth. To score, players must shoot the ball into the goal—a rectangular mark on the wall. If the ball enters the goal, it lights up red. The goal of the game is to outscore the opponent. An Exi match is played in two forty-five-minute halves, with a fifteen-minute break. The Exi Rules Committee (ERC) is responsible for approving rule changes and exercises overall oversight of the sport. The field is protected on all sides by a transparent plexiglass fence approximately 13 mm thick, primarily to prevent the ball from ricocheting or leaving the field during passes, and to protect spectators. Players enter and leave the field through doors at the near and far ends. The doors are bolted from the outside; opening them is prohibited while the ball is in play. All players are required to wear protective equipment: a chest and shoulder pad, a throat protector, shin guards, elbow pads, and gloves (mittens) to protect their hands. Headscarves (bandanas), groin protectors (worn under shorts), and a mouth guard to protect teeth during collisions between players are permitted. Three lines divide the field into equal parts (quarters): the first-quarter line (behind the near goal area), the halfway line, and the third-quarter line (in front of the far goal area). Penalty kicks are taken from marked points on the field, equidistant from the first/third quarter line and the near/far goal lines, respectively. Equipment: Stick, ball, helmet, and equipment.

Stick The depth of the net pocket depends on the player's position. The midfielder's stick has the deepest net—this facilitates movement around the field with the ball, both offensively and defensively. The striker's stick has a shallower pocket, but the depth of the net allows the player to hold the ball long enough to aim for an accurate shot. The defender's stick has the shallowest pocket, as holding the ball is highly undesirable: the longer the ball remains near the goal area, the greater the chance of it being seized by an opposing striker. The net on the goalkeeper's stick is flat; furthermore, the goalkeeper's stick has the largest head—46 x 60 cm—and the longest: the shaft can reach 1.2 m. The length of other players' sticks ranges from 76 to 114 cm, depending on the player's height and preference. The weight of the stick depends on the materials from which it is made. As a rule, attackers have aluminum sticks (they are lighter and easier to handle), while defenders have wooden sticks and are therefore heavier (for more effective use in power moves). Ball About the size of a fist, it is specially weighted for a good bounce. Helmet During a match, all field players must wear helmets, except when the referee allows their helmets to be removed or when the game is interrupted or finished. A player's eyes are protected by a visor that does not obstruct their field of vision; a mesh visor provides protection for the face. Equipment All players are required to wear protective equipment: a chest and shoulder pad, a throat protector, shin guards, elbow pads, and gloves (mittens) to protect their hands. Headscarves (bandanas), groin protectors (worn under shorts), and a mouth guard to protect teeth during collisions are permitted.

1. In Exy, the offside rule applies. An offside position is called when an attacking player, not in possession of the ball or moving toward it, is closer to the goal than a defender on the defensive team. This rule prevents an attacker from constantly hovering near the opponent's goal area, waiting for an opportunity to score. If the referees determine an offside position, the ball is awarded to the defending team and is put into play with a kick from the halfway line.
2. Body checks with the shoulder or body are permitted against a player who is in possession of the ball, has just passed the ball, or is about to receive a pass. A player in possession of the ball has the right to body check other players without restriction. The penalty for using an illegal body check is the ball being turned over to the opposing team, with a kick taken from the nearest line.
3. Physical combat in any other form is prohibited and is punishable by a penalty card. The color of the card—yellow or red—depends on the severity of the violation. A penalty kick or turnover is awarded to the opposing team based on the same criteria. Players resume the match from the positions they occupied when play was stopped.
4. Striking with a stick is permitted only against an opponent's stick. A player striking any part of an opponent's body with a stick receives a penalty card, and the opposing team earns a penalty shot.
5. Once in possession of the ball, a player may take no more than ten steps before passing the ball. A player may pass the ball to a teammate, return the ball to themselves from a rebound, or shoot at goal.
6. One yellow card serves as a warning for a player. A player who receives two yellow cards leaves the field for the rest of the match. A player who receives a red card leaves the field immediately and also misses the next game.
7. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball with his hands. All other players may catch, hit, or perform any other actions with the ball only using a stick.