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Collab with [@YummyYummy]
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Khaliun was the one to make the first move from team Pravda and the others, even the de facto leader Vasily, obediently followed. For such a silent and overall small presence, she appeared to command a lot of authority with the mysterious veil around her person flashing every red flag in a stranger’s head that something was definitely being hidden from the world. She held Yuliya’s hand when the gong rang, solidifying the collaboration between the two teams before the hour of planning could commence.

Zarina seemed to take the lead in that regard, providing ample opportunity for Khaliun to subtly drag the Sanguinaire a few feet away and under pavillon. At first she said nothing, merely levitating very close to the royal blonde. But before any break of the silence by Yuliya, Khaliun would cut her off, [color=78CBE8]”Your father weeps, Your Grace.”[/color] she uttered with a deep but still feminine voice in Vossoriyan, hushed just enough to be heard but easily drowned by the uproar surrounding them, [color=78CBE8]”Vossoriya would weep even more should it lose its Princess.”[/color] she added, turning her head to the princess. The shade provided by her hood lessened in efficiency from this close, revealing parts of Khaliun’s tanned jawline, [color=78CBE8]”It’s already lost its mother - Its queen.”[/color]

Yuliya cocked an eyebrow. The last thing she’d expected to see coming to the meet was a sentry from the palace. She did not object to being dragged away, nor did she object to the conversation. It had been so long since she’d gotten to speak her native tongue, that she almost relished the small lecture, In fact, she was. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t homesick, to say that she didn’t miss the weather, the shade of the palace, the sun setting sooner, the Lednikrayva, and most importantly, her family. 

[color=pink]”I would not die here, sentry. I have taken many precautions to keep my identity a secret, and these events are reportedly non-violent. That being said, do any of your teammates know? About me, I mean.”[/color] she spoke, looking the girl over. Her head was glad that the girl had seized such initiative, but her thoughts weren’t occupied with that presently. All she could think of currently was her family. The tale of her father weeping worried her, even if it was metaphorical. 

[color=78CBE8]”No.”[/color] Khaliun immediately answered the question, [color=78CBE8]”But a well-dressed Vossoriyan girl will raise questions. I will keep them silent.”[/color] reassured the sentry as her eyes turned back to the group that was too caught up in planning to take notice of this brief absence, [color=78CBE8]”Not non-violent. Non-lethal.”[/color] she corrected with the same direct and monotonous tone she had been employing thus far, [color=78CBE8]”The games are not what concern us.”[/color]

Khaliun conspicuously oriented her attention toward a few teams that had made an echo even before the event. CUBED, Covenant, Vyshta’s favoured … These were not normal student teams, even among prodigies. Something was very off about this year and it was certainly not reassuring to the crown, [color=78CBE8]”Few take kindly to the existence of those with your blood, Your Grace.”[/color] she remarked as she let her index slide over the wooden railing of the pavillon, only to scoop quite a bit of dust she would brush away with her thumb, [color=78CBE8]”So many will use this noise - this chaos to exact things they wouldn’t be able to otherwise do in the Free City.”[/color] steam erupted from the darkness created by the hood as Khaliun loudly sighed, [color=78CBE8]”Be careful, Princess Yuliya. I can only do so much outside of home.”[/color]

The blonde girl cocked her head as she talked and looked over the others, taking in her words. She was concerned - as she should be - but was it because she thought little of her abilities? Or because she thought highly of the others? There were some strong ones out there. The group had been considering Cubed purely for the one in the parka, and she’d felt something off about one of the church teams, Alas, she shrugged her shoulders. She was thankful that she had a watchful eye near her, but she was not nearly as paranoid as her sentry. 

[color=pink]”You’re very sweet, Khaliun. But you should be participating in the event without worry. I can handle myself, and I bet it’s rare for you to get a moment off like this. Enjoy it to the fullest.”[/color] she spoke, her more serious face switching to a smile. [color=pink]”But, while we still have a moment, do tell me. How is Papa and Andrei? Is their condition stable?”[/color]

[color=78CBE8]”Deteriorating.”[/color] she claimed with no reservations, [color=78CBE8]”But taking it in stride. Only the sentry and Head Advisor Raskolov are aware. We’re keeping it that way.”[/color] Khaliun began to float forward, aiming to reconnect with the team, [color=78CBE8]”I am not here for fun. I am here to ensure your safety. And if possible-”[/color] she halted but didn’t turn her head, [color=78CBE8]”Bring you back home.”[/color]

She frowned, though only slightly. She’d expected as much. It still made the news no more easier to hear. And this talk about coming back home? She’d not have it. And she’d let it be known.

[color=pink]”There are few that take kindly to my blood. There are few that can do anything about it.”[/color] she spat confidently. [color=pink]”And I will not quit here. My job’s not done. ”[/color] she spoke, softening her voice so that the others could not hear, as she spoke to the back of the cloak. She took a deep breath and got closer to the girl before she left for good and regrouped with her teammates, to leave one last parting message. 

[color=pink]”Your princess commands you - enjoy yourself.”[/color] she whispered with a grin, before leaning back once more on the pavilion.

There was a desire to deliver an important lesson to the royal blood she had pledged herself to, but Khaliun abstained. Her hooked fingers, looking just about ready to squash something invisible in her palm, eventually relaxed. It wasn’t her place to act. Another steamy exhale escaped her, and she silently departed the little hideout and sought out the team. Zarina was enthusiastically introducing the dragons they would be using while Olga hatched up a convenient plan with Kaspar to maximise normal melon production, ensuring victory even without a single rare melon. Khaliun remained a discreet, ghost-like presence for most of the time, serving her role as defender and long range attacker as she always did, even if the only contested thing was a melon.
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(To be continued)