[b]Solid Adila![/b]

Good soldier. Your successor interposes herself in order to keep you in optimal condition. You avert your not-eyes in order to avoid being blinded by the silver flash that leaves everyone else staggering about blindly— except for Kazelia Swiftlance, who’s groping around in the grass, looking for her missing spectacles.

This is a perfect opportunity to observe Eupheria’s reaction to an unexpected and attention-seizing assault, in order to optimize the Iluminan’s later theft of the Caduceus. You stand and wait a moment, in easy parade stance, as everyone else flounders. Typical princesses.

Eupheria screeches like a devil that’s just caught you cheating at shogi, and there’s a blast of silver light that rocks you back on your heels. You lean out of the way as the other Adila is sent flying, ripping the tent off the ground when she collides into the ceiling and shattering it into shards of quivering light, revealing...

Ah. Of course. An Olympic arena. Euphie always was an enthusiastic spectator of the asinine, convoluted “Noble Games.” Perhaps she had her toys play for her while... under incarceration. Yes. That‘s consistent with what you knew about her.

The hedges are impeccable, and so is the figure of the Grail on the left flank. The statuary is in Euphie’s stained glass style, and doubtless the supply plazas would be of a similar design. Now—

“[i]Bad dog![/i]”

Eupheria’s curse has materialized in the form of a makeover. Her previous outfit has been overwritten in favor of, presumably, what she intended for you. It is a bridal gown in the daring Imperial Konkon style: a snug bodysuit of white silk decorated with both lacy frills designed to emulate the flowers of the Archipelago and a white leather body harness and cuffs, trailing from which are a multitude of chains, each one with a lockable carabiner on the end for connection or restraint. A long half-skirt flows in a train behind her, but remains open in the front to show off her spindly legs. A white veil lies over her hair, muting its garish colors, and her lips are asymmetrically painted, with a full lower lip meeting an upper lip only painted in the center. Psychologically revealing: it’s possible she still harbors a childish infatuation for you, or that she wants to make you feel as if you have no control over your circumstances, hoping to put you off balance.

Naturally, she still holds the Caduceus tightly.

“Kyouko,” Eupheria says through furiously gritted teeth, herself thrown off balance by Adila’s daring, “announce the teams.”

“ASSUME! YOUR POSITIONS! LET’S! GO AND WIN SOME!” The Konkon heir shakes her pom-poms, kicking up with impressive flexibility. Eupheria did a good job of neutralizing the fox’s natural strengths of stealth and misdirection; she’s likely useless except as a distraction now. “PUPPY, DOLL AND SLAVE! GIVE IT UP FOR TEAAAAAAAM LEASH!”

Your successor, Eska, and the Askaian girl. Hopefully, she would be able to communicate more than “good at ball,” given her recent clarity. You would have to remind her of her duty, most likely, but—

“EUPHIE GETS HER BRAT A NEW HORSE! GIVE IT UP FOR TEAAAAAAAAM PRANCE!”

The Iluminan ex-king, the Felorian, and Kazelia Swiftlance. A solid block, one that would depend on Kazelia being able to take the reins, ha, and—

“AND THREE SPOILED BRATS! LET’S HEAR IT FOR TEAAAAAAAAAM SPANKIES!”

There is a chorus of boos from the vast stands encircling the arena. You have the attention of the Nightmare Army, which will likely serve to hamper escape attempts. More pressingly, you have the chance now to take the Cascade under your wing at a vital moment, provided you can sideline the Rider Princess.

You can work with this. Yes.

Eupheria flounces away, the ground rolling up to meet her feet as she marches up towards the Royal Box, her train dragging through the grass behind her, and you march over to take possession of the Cascade as the traditional pre-match Team Strategy hourglass turns and begins the steady trickle of sand down into the lower chamber.

[Please explain some of the rules of the Princess Olympics at this time, before the match properly begins.]