[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/BQaRYer.png[/img][/center]

[hider=Melon Preparation with Kaspar!]
[h2][b]Assani 31st[/b][/h2]

[b]Location:[/b] Zarina’s Quarters
[b]Day of the week:[/b] Taldes
[b]Time:[/b] 1:40 HE
[b]Characters:[/b] Kaspar [@Wolfieh], Zarina

[color=C78A2C]“So I’ve been thinking, like, being able to replicate the melons would be key here.”[/color]

Zarina was sitting at the end of the dining table in her merchant dormitory with the cage containing her recently acquired Blueberry dragon sitting on it and at arm’s length of her. Beside the cage were plain melons commonly found in the market for dirt cheap as the event was coming and many commerces were capitalising on the hype. The little dragon was hiding the makeshift wooden house she had made for him, only making the occasional clicking noises but otherwise quite discreet, [color=C78A2C]“Issue is, you don’t know what they would look like or how the, errr-”[/color] she raised her hands next to her head to mimic quotations, [color=C78A2C]“elemelons truly work. How do you think we can go about it? Can’t train these little guys without at least a good replica, after all.”[/color]

Kaspar’s eyes were on the small Blueberry dragon as his teammate spoke. He didn’t reply immediately, head tilting in a way that indicated the boy was considering her words despite his silence. Eyes drifting to the melons present, he offered quietly, [color=#B8041A]“The most difficult part is the whole… structure, of a melon. The innards and then the rind and the very outer skin. Making something of different parts, it takes more…[i]finesse[/i].”[/color] His hand reached out, palming one of the plain melons and rolling it closer to him. [color=#B8041A]“First, we find someone who knows what the melons are like. Then it’s simply practice.”[/color]

Zarina was also eyeing the cage when it was her turn to listen, although the little critter still refused to emerge. A knife was taken from behind the cage and used to cut open one of the melons in half. The presentation of such an easy treat had the blue reptile poke its goofy head out of its humble abode and sniff the nearby treat, [color=C78A2C]“You’re right, we need to know more. Someone who actually did the derby, yeah?”[/color] she mused for a moment whilst watching her little avian approach the opened fruit until it could wiggle its head between the thin, metal bars. Mercifully, the Virangishwoman nudged the fruit closer for it to enjoy, and it did with big, wet chomps and rapid chewing, [color=C78A2C]“But before we get any targets, could you replicate this melon you got there? Just a perfect copy, or close enough.”[/color] she nodded in Kaspar’s direction with her attention oriented to him as well.

[color=#B8041A]“Who did the derby, or who grows the melons,”[/color] he responded, watching as she sliced a melon in half. He reached out, sliding the unused half towards himself and trying to be careful of the juice. His crimson eyes scanned the object, taking in its constitution, and he began to draw heat from the air around him—slower than drawing one of the melons, but he’d need the subjects whole. Focusing, he pulled the cherrywood wand from his vest and began to cast. The progress was slow, but in the end the melon was… more or less correct. A bit sloppier than Kaspar would’ve preferred, the proportions perhaps a bit skewed and the color a touch too grey, but a good start for practicing.

Zarina checked on the process and the results, albeit with her attention alternating between her new pet and Kaspar’s endeavour. The dragon was just too cute to ignore, especially with its wide eyes and fruit slop leaking from its maw with the occasional lick from its iguana-like tongue. When the strange melon came to be, even the little avian was captivated by it and just observed whilst taking a whiff of the different aroma that came from it, [color=C78A2C]“Huh. Looks kinda … Not fresh.”[/color] she crossed her arms and let her back sag against her seat, [color=C78A2C]“But I’m no melon expert, he is. How about we let him judge?”[/color]

Kaspar nodded, taking the knife Zarina had used earlier. He sliced into his counterfeit melon and found the inside was a little more…[i]wet[/i] than he’d been expecting. Not tragically so, but certainly something requiring more practice. The rind was thick, likely within the bounds of normalcy—he was no melon expert either—but pushing the envelope. He slid half the melon to the edge of the cage, and the dragon inside was quick to scamper over, squeezing his head through the bars and sniffing at the melon presented. He took a bite—or several, rapidly—chewed, and swallowed the flesh of the fruit. The little creature did not explode, or keel over dead, or regurgitate his consumed portion. He took a few more bites, pulling his head back through the bars as he swallowed, and simply returned to the treat Zarina had offered. 

Kaspar watching, nodding like he expected this outcome. Then he sliced his own half into wedges, brought one to his mouth, and bit in without reservation. He chewed, thoughtfully analyzing his creation, and pushed a wedge towards Zarina in case she wanted to test it as well. [color=#B8041A]“It is not rotten, at least,”[/color] the boy spoke as he swallowed. [color=#B8041A]“It is… damp. More than it should be. But it tastes fruit-like, and I would not call it a ‘last resort’ meal.”[/color]

Zarina was very hesitant to take a bite after Arlo’s deliberation on the matter, though with Kaspar still living after a bite she went for it, [color=C78A2C]“Eh. You’re right, could be worse.”[/color] one bite was enough, as were three gorges of melon for the little critter. She didn’t want him to get fat. The fruits were shoved to the side and the little blue animal retreated in the cage to curiously explore its surroundings now that it was exposed, [color=C78A2C]“So, if we wanna make good fakes, you’re gonna have to practice a lot, right? What about just basic replicas? You know, the plain one-pointers. How easy do you reckon it’ll be to just make loads of them?”[/color]

[color=#B8041A]“Once the basic concept is grasped, it should be more reliable,”[/color] he offered. [color=#B8041A]“Practice until the day, and the concept should be grasped.”[/color] He sighed, mulling something over for a moment. [color=#B8041A]“The most difficult part is having the energy to cast. I am… slower, drawing energies instead of materials. But… we [i]will[/i] have plenty of material around to draw from,”[/color] the Binder reasoned, raising an eyebrow towards Zarina. [color=#B8041A]“What are the lower bounds on acceptable melon size, do you think?”[/color]

[color=C78A2C]“You’ve got five days for the special melons.”[/color] she was quick to correct her colleague while adjusting her posture, [color=C78A2C]“I need to be able to train our little ones before the due date. It’s already a tight fit with just under two weeks.”[/color] using the same knife that split the melon, she cut a small piece and offered it directly to the blue reptile but from her hand. It was hesitant, at first, but the delectable was just too much to ignore, [color=C78A2C]“Smallest melon would be the smallest you’d find in the market, probably? I feel like you’ll have to be careful with that, since every binder ever probably has had this idea. Might need to be subtle and settle with small margins.”[/color]

Kaspar nodded as she spoke. [color=#B8041A]“Then I practice with the special melons for the next five days. After, I will practice with the plain ones.”[/color] She had a fair point—he could not be the first Binder to think of this tactic, though he wondered how many of his peers would focus on creating protections rather than using the melons to make more melons. It was a question for another time—if no one else was doing it, it would provide an edge. If others were… He would need to make sure their team didn’t [i]lose[/i] that edge. [color=#B8041A]“We may know more by the Derby. But even if it’s simply turning one melon into two, it still doubles our count.”[/color]

Zarina squinted, [color=C78A2C]“Wouldn’t that kind of make the melons too small if we go for double?”[/color] her crossed arms unfolded with her right hand drumming its fingers over the wooden surface before her, [color=C78A2C]“... Try making a melon that bursts into flames. Just to test.”[/color] a second, uncut melon was rolled toward Kaspar. Zarina watched attentively, leaning forward a little.

Kaspar eyed Zarina, unsure what exactly she wanted with a flaming melon, but obliged. Concentrating, he redid his previous attempt with a slight adjustment—lacing miniscule trails of sawdust and powder into the rind and a little deeper into the flesh itself. Chemical magic set alight one of the trails on the interior, and in a few seconds glowing red lines surfaced on the melon, indicating where the materials burned hottest. 

Unanticipated, though, was the heat that would build up, trapped in the rind—and the expansion of the material caused by it. After perhaps fifteen seconds of this burning, the first crack of rind could be heard. Near instantaneously, the pressure of the expansion released with a loud pop, exploding the crafted melon into small bits that shot out in all directions, flinging juice and flesh with pure abandon. 

Zarina observed with great anticipation Kaspar’s creation. Being a chemical mage herself, she could begin to distinguish oddities in the melon’s composition, although the details eluded her. But this remark troubled the tall female, prompting her to cross her arms again as she continued to observe. It worked, of course, but it was going to pop. The fire itself caused the little Arlo to retreat in his shelter, and Zarina thought it wise to hide the cage under the table as melon-popping was inevitable. With a quick duck, only her hair would be covered in melon-goop, [color=C78A2C]“... You’re cleaning that.”[/color] she emerged, hands passing through her hair to get the debris out, [color=C78A2C]“Now I’m kind of thinking, like … How do they put LIGHTNING into a melon? Is it a chemical process, or is it some sort of special magical storage system that unleashes a spell?”[/color]

Kaspar required less thought before answering this time, having encountered such concepts in study. [color=#B8041A]“Binding magic can create stored spells in objects to be activated later,”[/color] he offered, continuing, [color=#B8041A]“It is typically a little higher-skilled, and triggered by both drawing from the object and speaking a command word. Theoretically, though I’ve not learned personally, a nuanced Binder with perhaps some other specialties could store a spell using this basic method and a different type of trigger. Usually, too, the object is consumed, but… If the melon itself is not the triggering object, or the mage is quite skilled, this might not be the case.”[/color]

A lot of words came from Kaspar, giving Zarina time to give her hair a proper scrub and a chemical cleanse, [color=C78A2C]“So what you’re telling me is it’s pretty damn hard and would need some big knowledge.”[/color] a third melon was rolled over toward the budding Binder. Yes, she had stocked up for this occasion, [color=C78A2C]“Make one, even if it kind of sucks. Try … A lightning spell, actually. If you need someone to cast one, I can help.”[/color] then she paused and tilted her head, [color=C78A2C]“Wait. Isn’t that touching the realm of the not-so-legal binding sort of magic you may have informed me about, hmm?”[/color]

Kaspar shrugged, pausing for a moment. [color=#B8041A]“The Promises of Aun-Shune and Shune-Zept are well-established binding magics. The legality would likely be much more tied to the stored spell itself.”[/color] As he spoke, he grasped the melon and began to focus, trying to tie in the capability for holding a spell. Nodding towards Zarina, he indicated her turn to cast her choice of lightning spell into the target.

At first Zarina seemed just about ready to unleash a flurry of electricity from her fingers but she quickly snapped out of her delusion, [color=C78A2C]“Okay, one sec.”[/color] she got off her seat and went to seize her prized obsidian shamshir, Il-Kabus, and began to run her digits through the flat surface of the blade, [color=C78A2C]“Yeah, uhm, be ready. This is lightning after all.”[/color] she warned before wordlessly thrusting her blade in Kaspar’s direction, causing a weak bolt of electricity to lunge and strike whatever was in its way. It definitely wasn’t enough to critically hurt anything, but failure could lead to burns and a toasted melon!

Kaspar shifted so he wasn’t between the melon and the dark blade as lightning emitted from it, striking the melon directly. A bit of the energy arced off, unable to be held by his spell, and left small singes in the wood of the table. One found its home in the gold ring on his left hand, something he had not had the foresight to remove. The shock was minor, though the skin beneath was somewhat branded and the boy exhaled sharply at the pain. Satisfied that all the energy was contained, he pulled his hands back and quietly twisted off the still-hot jewellery, setting it on the table and sparing only a short glance to the circle of red on his hand. Just a minor burn, not properly cooked—something that wouldn’t be difficult to fix. 

Zarina blinked at what she was seeing. The poor lad had burnt himself doing this operation and she hadn’t even gone full force, [color=C78A2C]“Okay, I’ll admit, maybe lightning was a bit ambitious as a first attempt.”[/color] she raised her hands in concession after having dropped her catalyst onto her mistreated table.

He gave the melon a moment to settle, this time having the intelligence to undo the gold necklace that rested just below his throat. Satisfied that he was less likely to be roasted now, the boy reached out, touching the melon, and drew a little. [color=#B8041A]“Gå, melon,”[/color] he spoke in Eskandish. He felt the electricity creep up his skin, markedly less powerful than it had been. Like static, the hairs along his arm prickled and raised, expending the spell Zarina had cast, but… weaker. Brows furrowing, the boy concluded that his magical container—in whatever capacity it [i]existed[/i] was simply too small or too porous. More work would be needed.

Zarina’s focus was on the melon itself: What did it smell like? Was it deformed? Overcooked? It was important to get it right, so as to keep the smell of a melon but also keep the energy of a spell within to make it more alluring to creatures that also drew energy. [color=C78A2C]“At least it didn’t blow up this time.”[/color] she remarked, walking over to Kaspar’s side of the table to get a closer look of the fruit, [color=C78A2C]“... Because that’s a two thousand-pointer, my dude.”[/color] she gave a congratulatory tap onto the binder’s shoulder. He had made a good first attempt, after all.

Kaspar nodded in agreement with his observations, a quick glance toward the hand on his shoulder before refocusing on the deformed melon. [color=#B8041A]“It would perhaps be better to make the vessel a small object on or in the melon, or a thin coating of something. Less likely to damage the melon in the process.  I… do not know if they were accept counterfeit melons of a higher point variety, but when we obtain any… I will be sure to leave them untouched, just in case.”[/color]

[color=C78A2C]“I heard there was something like that, actually. A thing they keep inside to recognize some melons.”[/color] Zarina added to Kaspar’s proposal, essentially agreeing with him, [color=C78A2C]“I do think it’s best we stay cautious. The dragons,”[/color] she peered down at the cage, with Arlo only sporadically peeping out, [color=C78A2C]“will handle the bigger values. You will be our fallback with the commons, plus a potential decoy for other teams. We should maybe even preemptively make some with some intel, scatter them and make sure their smell is something the dragons want to avoid.”[/color] she smirked, raising one leg over the other.

[color=C78A2C]“Will you be okay, love?”[/color] she nudged her chin toward the lad’s hand, taking notice of his wound, [color=C78A2C]“Hate to see you beat up before the trial even begins!”[/color]
[/hider]

The hour was used as efficiently as possible when we were speaking of teens and language barriers. Zarina was consistently the one to blather on and let others in on the plan while Olga did her best to unify the ideas with her own team’s strategies with Kol serving as translator for more complex formulation. Yuliya was an important, unifying figure, and yet she would be absent for a time, leaving the squads to find common ground on their own.

[color=C78A2C]“Alright, that’s how we’ll divide ourselves. Olga, Kaspar, Vieri and Khaliun will man the house,”[/color] the Virangishwoman’s index then pointed at Jomurr, [color=C78A2C]“You’ll have your red and speedy dragons so you’ll be our scout along with …”[/color] she grinned as she saw Kikimoras, [color=C78A2C]“With this handsome fella.”[/color] this earned her an enthusiastic “Bep” along with Anna’s happy giggles with simple one-word replies. [color=C78A2C]“I’ll go with Vasily with two three dragons, Yuliya and Kol can take the last two, yeah? Good.”[/color] she clapped her hands together just as the missing duo returned.

[color=C78A2C]“It’s showtime. Look alive. Remember, the big goal is to get points, not collect all the shiny ones. We can easily make the top if we remember that.”[/color] Zarina announced just as they began to go at it, with her dragons already catching wind of a rare melon nearby, [color=C78A2C]“Of course, get the rare ones if you can!”[/color]

The first big fight of team Afraval would be with team Colloy over the earth elemelon. A fight where they’d end with Colloy securing it, but a curious interloper named Penny seizing the opportunity presented. A chaotic battle ensued with Marljin nearly escaping with the melon for herself and Vasily barely catching her. However, a wave of cold hit both of them hard. A tall figure wearing a parka picked up the Eskandish runner and casually hurled her to the lake after claiming the melon. Vasily froze and just watched the all-powerful being grin in his direction.

[b][color=B0E0E6]"Wanna make a deal?”[/color][/b]

[hr][hr]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1UKcTzx.png[/img][/center]

[hider=A Frigid Encounter]A lot had happened between losing the Supreme and narrowly missing out on the earth melon, and after retreating to the Afraval home for the remainder of the third hour, Zarina emerged with a determined look. There were no dragons with her - they needed some rest after all the mess they've been through - and she was off to search for something that definitely wasn't a melon. Scouting the walls of Ersand'Enise, she sought out a being that stood out among even among the Gods that walked this land. His chilling aura was impossible to miss, and soon she would attempt to be granted an audience with the Ice King himself.

It took Zarina an entire half hour to find him. He had covered an entire section of the wall in frost, but it had been outside and, strangely, there did not appear to be signs of an energy draw. He sat there, perfectly still as she drew closer, making no secret of her approach. With startling suddenness, he turned, smiling with his wide wide mouth and perfect white teeth. His eyes, where they peeked out from under his hair, were upside-down crescents. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Been waitin' for you,”[/color][/b] he said, voice disarmingly casual.

It was so cold and yet the sun was still up, coating Zarina with what was supposed to be its warmth. Luckily, she could still draw from it and generate her own warmth, but still, it wasn’t the most pleasant experience for a Virangish. Soon, she found him, as tall and monstrous as she remembered him. That smile in particular - It just didn’t seem quite human. Still, there was a big difference between her demeanour and Vasily’s. She did not falter or recoil into defensive postures, and instead set her hands on her hips as she tilted her head up to stare the parka-man right at the near-lidded eyes, [color=C78A2C]“Really? That’s … I want to say weird, but I guess some girls would find that charming.”[/color] she replied, returning a cheeky grin to the frosted enigma.

[color=C78A2C]“I just heard of your deal with my Vossoriyan Colleague.”[/color] she started, peering over toward the direction of the city where her home base was, [color=C78A2C]“Little shits doing you wrong, and you’re willing to give up a melon to get back at them.”[/color] she chuckled, [color=C78A2C]“And I thought I had a bad temper.”[/color]

[i][b][color=B0E0E6]"Justice,”[/color][/b][/i] he practically hissed, [b][color=B0E0E6]"not 'temper'. Justice.”[/color][/b] His smile fell away and he looked at her with his wide blue eyes. [b][color=B0E0E6]"This world is pretty short on that, I think.”[/color][/b] There was an uncertain certainty in his voice. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Now, you're not here 'cause you wanna chat.”[/color][/b] The smile was small and toothy now, and he seemed like some great cold cat looking for a mouse. [b][color=B0E0E6]"So, if I'm the devil, what's your deal?”[/color][/b] His eyes flicked out over the city with a brief flash of eagerness. 

[i]Justice.[/i] Zarina did not expect that at all. This caught her enough off her guard that she was left blinking a few times in reaction, [color=C78A2C]"I can't say I disagree."[/color] she replied back, turning her head again to face the city as he did, though she didn't share the eagerness. Not yet anyway. [color=C78A2C]"Like you, I- My team and I have been wronged."[/color] she said with confidence, [color=C78A2C]"Strong-armed by people with far too much power, over the flimsiest of pretexts. Seriously, one tried to douse me in chemicals over a practical joke."[/color] she scoffed, [color=C78A2C]"I want to level the playing field. And make a point that neither I, nor my team, are to be fucked with."[/color] she then turned her head back to the titan a few meters away from her, [color=C78A2C]"So, I came to ask you for help. The same way you helped my friend. Which would involve kicking this unholy alliance hoarding the supreme melon down a notch."[/color] she nudged her chin forward, facial expression neutral and lips pursed to dampen them after being exposed to the cold air, [color=C78A2C]"And what does the devil want in return? More assholes put in their place?"[/color]

The boy, a peer in age and, while tall, not as imposing as his moniker might have made him out to be, still exuded... something. He gazed intently at the city, his eyes pausing on where a dozen future leaders had battled ferociously for a fruit some forty minutes earlier. It was so funny! Inexplicably, it made him start laughing. He laughed and laughed, though it was not hysterical, he did not double over. He just... kept laughing. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Sorry,”[/color][/b] he announced, smiling the girl's way. [b][color=B0E0E6]"I had a thought. That was all.”[/color][/b] His eyes were slitlike again in his amusement.

[b][color=B0E0E6]"Anyhow, the devil wants you to flip a coin.”[/color][/b] He produced one in his palm. Both sides were the same. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Pick,”[/color][/b] he said, taking her hand gently and placing it in her palm. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Heads or tails.”[/color][/b] 

Zarina was just staring at the hysterical lad not too far from her. At some point she even felt almost obligated to force a giggle. Thankfully that eventually stopped and she could actually let out a genuine titter, [color=C78A2C]"All good."[/color]

With her hand taken, her heart actually skipped a beat. There was still something unnerving about this individual, even if in the end his demeanour didn't suggest any sort of hostility. The coin was held between her index and major fingers, only to notice a lack of differing sides, [color=C78A2C]"Huh."[/color] she cocked a brow with a playful smirk, [color=C78A2C]"Alright I'm game, heads."[/color] and then she flipped it, palm flat to then catch it.

Predictably, it landed on... heads. The Ice King tilted his head to one side. [b][color=B0E0E6]"You knew it would land on heads,”[/color][/b] he replied thoughtfully. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Why'd you go along with the farce?”[/color][/b]

Zarina kept the coin in her hand, letting it flip between her fingers playfully as her eyes shifted between it and the Ice King, [color=C78A2C]"I asked what the Devil wanted in return. And the Devil said he wanted me to flip a coin and pick a side."[/color] she shrugged, [color=C78A2C]"I obliged. You trusted my associate with the melon, I'll trust you'll deliver your side of the deal if I play along."[/color] she smirked playfully once more, [color=C78A2C]"Can't make these sorts of deals without being good faith actors, yeah?"[/color]

[color=C78A2C]"But if I'm to be fully honest,"[/color] she closed her hand around the coin, [color=C78A2C]"I was just super curious to see where this would lead, Ice King. Do your friends call you that too?"[/color]

He merely grinned at her question. His eyes met hers briefly with a tilt of his head, but there was no answer. Wind stirred the lick of yellowish hair that stuck out from his parka and he turned back to face the city, eyes roving across it. [b][color=B0E0E6]"I'll see justice done,”[/color][/b] he decided. [b][color=B0E0E6]"The justice that I ask for in return is simple and absolute, as all justice is: the next person you encounter under bondage, you will free them, no matter who they are or what the cost. Do you agree?”[/color][/b]

Zarina chuckled and nodded at the lack of response from the Ice King. It was to be expected, and so she turned her attention to Ersand'Enise as well with her idle hand pressed to the frosted stone before her. She wondered what could pass through such a peculiar being's mind when he so consistently watched over the city. Then came the cost, and one that had Zarina's mind running. Slavery, indenture servitude - A normalcy in her life, and yet now a touchy subject that ushered in the ugly of the Refuge mixed with the rationalizations inherent to her origins. Was this deal worth the cost? Zarina was not brilliant enough to consider all the facets here, but in the end she had to give an answer.

[color=C78A2C]"Yes. I agree."[/color] she turned her head to face his. No more cheeky smiles, the contract was signed and she will have to deliver, one day. No matter the cost.

He held out his hand, smile gone, and there was not so much as an inkling of mirth or, for a moment, even so much as movement. Within his great jacket, one could not even see his chest rise or fall, though his breath let a frosty sort of steam. [b][color=B0E0E6]"I know which teams you want me to hurt,”[/color][/b] he stated. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Who among them first?”[/color][/b]

Zarina exhaled from her nose and contemplated the question, [color=C78A2C]"We can start with the team that wronged me. The one with the four eyes."[/color] she chose, [color=C78A2C]"No need to, well, hurt them."[/color] she clarified, the recent thoughts having had a bit of an effect of her volatile mood, [color=C78A2C]"Ass kicking without rule breaking."[/color] she felt a strange need to clarify that, [color=C78A2C]"The next with the supreme ..."[/color] she paused for a moment, and then chuckled to herself, [color=C78A2C]"I actually have an idea."[/color]

[b][color=B0E0E6]"Speak,”[/color][/b] he commanded. [b][color=B0E0E6]"I am hearing.”[/color][/b]

She gestured for him to come closer, and she leaned in to whisper, as if greater beings could hear them. Given who she was talking to, this may not be all that farfetched.

The Ice King planted a kiss on her forehead, out of nowhere. It was... cold, as one might expect. Then he backed away, smiling. [i][b][color=B0E0E6]"JUSTICE,”[/color][/b][/i] he agreed, gathering a fantastic amount of energy and leaping free. He rocketed away into the distance.

Zarina blinked. This definitely caught her off-guard. But then came the final salute, which prompted her to shake her head in laughter, [color=C78A2C]"What's with me and these crazy, crazy superhumans."[/color] maybe she was developing a type.[/hider]

[hr][hr]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/b9qVZmi.png[/img][/center]

[hider=Eek and the Coastal Crusaders!]On a bench near the Cathedral, Zarina was peacefully witnessing the upcoming chaos that the frosted calamity was to usher in. One leg over the other, Zeno Bucks cup in hand and little snowflakes sticking to her hair from the King's arrival, it looked as though she had no worry burdening her at this point, [color=C78A2C]"Ahhh, hot or cold, Justice sure tastes kinda good. Or is that revenge? Oh well.'[/color]' She sipped some of her hot café au lait and continued to watch while eyeing the Firebrand abode from time to time. The Afraval house had the loose order to keep tight security, although they were their own individuals and could do what they thought was right.

Marching down past the side of the Cathedral was a squad of eeaiko marching, their arms pumping up and down as they called cadence as they marched in Avincian, believe it or not. 

[color=4796EC]”We like melon, we like gold!"[/color] The five of them chanted in unison but Yaufin was at the head of the small column leading the other four while his trusty companion Eek bounced around happily on all six of his appendages.

Yaufin continued with the verse solo, [color=CCE878]"Eeaiko are on the roam!"[/color] The five joined together and repeated, [color=4796EC]”Eeaiko are on the roam!"[/color] They continued as they turned the corner and marched. [color=4796EC]”We want your melon, we want your gold!" "Better be smart or be scold!"[/color]

Eek, having been the team's mascot and well nose of the team had caught something interesting in his senses just ahead. A human that reeked of an interesting smell of coffee and perfume. He bound on all six legs in a sprint, long tongue dangling out of its open mouth, smelling the trail in the air that led right to Zarina. Eek naturally huffed and puffed through his mouth while his tongue darted around, pulling in closer to the coffee with great interest, even willing to hop up his frontal half up on Zarina to get closer!

What was this amusing little fanfare playing behind the sounds of destruction and chaos? It was upbeat and resonated so well with the feelings that ran through Zarina as she witnessed Justice be delivered in all its cold ruthlessness. Her attention deviated from the two star hours of the hour and focused on the group of fish people she had only noticed in passing. But now they were here and quite the sight to behold - And a tune to admire too! The way she had turned her head left a consistent blindspot for Eek to capitalise on Zarina's intrigue.

[color=C78A2C]"Oh my!"[/color] she wasn't quite startled as the aquatic beast wasn't exactly being discreet, but a little gasp of excited me escaped her when she saw that thing, [color=C78A2C]"Who. Is. THIS handsome lad?!"[/color] she made sure to keep the coffee at a distance while the shrimp dog attempted to hop onto her with at least a couple of his limbs, [color=C78A2C]"Hey, hey now!"[/color] she  presented her index finger right before his eyes and took on a tone of authority, [color=C78A2C]"If you wanna taste, you gotta be a good boy now!"[/color]

Yaufin and the rest of the team came to a halt as Eek attacked a poor meeiko. [color=CCE878]"Eek! Hakkani wah!"[/color] He hollered running over to where Zarina was. Eek had gotten his command and eased off, plopping down in a laying positon, curling his limbs right next to himself much like a cat would. He watched with a vested interest as Yaufin finally caught up. [color=CCE878]"Sorry you have no melon."[/color] He spoke in the meeiko language. [color=CCE878]"We train Eek to be better than that."[/color] He explained before turning to his shrimpy companion and blew air through his teeth, making a hissed whistling sound. An eeaiko scolding sound which Eek understood, lowering his head but not taking his eyes off of the coffee Zarina had.

Zarina perked up at the call made by the Eeiako owners, [color=C78A2C]"Eh, no worries. First time I see an animal liking coffee, though."[/color] she chuckled whilst peering down at the submissive beast, [color=C78A2C]"I guess you guys don't get much of that where you're from?"[/color] she took another quick sip from her cup before presenting the beverage to Yaufin, [color=C78A2C]"Feel free to try. On me."[/color] she flashed a friendly smile to the fish person, [color=C78A2C]"I also trained a few creatures to sniff melons. Very hard thing to do."[/color]

Yaufin and the others eyed the hot beverage, heads turning and tilting in interest. He finally took the offered cup and took a sip. [color=CCE878]"Lak!"[/color] He exclaimed, shaking his head while passing the cup to Tiakah without a second thought. Tiakah took a sip and made a similar sound although she didn't shake her head. She passed it Memaru who then did the same and so forth until Wenkak handed it back to Zarina.

[color=CCE878]"So much hot. Taste like something we know. Better ice cold."[/color] Yaufin spoke, not just to Zarina but to the others as well. They five of them all collectively sounds, different, but they all sounded in agreement. [color=A447EC]"What is?"[/color] Memaru being the most curious about what they just drank.

[color=C78A2C]"Coffee, with milk."[/color] she answered plainly after gauging the responses. Zarina actually seemed amused by their reactions, as if she expected it. Most people didn't like coffee the first time around. She would then lower her cup and shake it a little to get Eek's attention, [color=C78A2C]"Hey, Eek,"[/color] she probably didn't pronounce it perfectly, [color=C78A2C]"want some?"[/color] she held the cup as to not let it tip over if he did taste it, [color=C78A2C]"Cold coffee ... Maybe if it was made very cold, not just lukewarm, it could maybe be good, yeah?"[/color] she pursed her lips and nodded at the thought, [color=C78A2C]"Like a sort of dessert, you think?"[/color]

[color=CEA427]"Korffee"[/color] [color=47EC88]"Koffee"[/color] [color=27CECD]"Cawfee"[/color] They all tried the new meeiko word to see how it sounded. They were all learned in meeiko speak since no meeiko could speak eeaiko fluently... Their language relied on too many clicks and unique vocalizations so it was much easier for the more friendly eeaiko communities to just learn meeiko speech.

[color=A447EC]"Ice coffee."[/color] Memaru spoke, bowing up and down in an exaggerated nod. She gasped suddenly and the team looked at her. [color=A447EC]"Takats dip in ice coffee."[/color] The team all gasped and began bowing up and down in a similar exaggerated nod. [color=CCE878]"Coffee takat may be good!"[/color] Yaufin added and the team continued to nod.

Meanwhile Eek perked up and shot his tongue into the offered cup hastily and due to the small tongue, felt it was too hot and instantly retreated. He gurgled twice, spurring the offered drink with a turned head.

Too hot for the doggy too. Zarina sighed and opted to exact the innovative idea of just freezing the stuff, or at least getting it cold enough. [color=C78A2C]"Takat? What's that?"[/color] she inquired, a bit mesmerized by the near-synchronized choreography of nods going on here. It got to the point where it was almost contagious and Zarina found herself caught in the hysteria, [color=C78A2C]"Maybe this is better? I made it colder."[/color] she offered up the drink, [color=C78A2C]"So, wait, you guys actually live in the water?"[/color]

They turned to Memaru when Zarina asked the question as she had brought it up and an explanation was required. That was typical in eeaiko culture. [color=A447EC]"Takat is good. We make together with sugar and sweet. Big and stretchy!"[/color] Memaru threw her arms out wide, shaking them before snapping together like the was a glob of gum that pulled them back together. [color=A447EC]"Eeaiko grab and pull to eat."[/color]

The offering for colder coffee had caught their interest. They passed it around although this time each chirped [color=4796EC]”Hah!"[/color] before going back to a few exaggerated nods in agreement. They liked it.

[color=27CECD]"We live with water."[/color] Wikooroh replied after taking his drink and offering it back to Zarina.

Very little of the drink was left, so it would be offered to Eek as consolation for the likely stinging tongue, [color=C78A2C]"Ahhh, with sugar, huh?"[/color] an opportunity, [color=C78A2C]"I'd love to try Takat, actually. Maybe in exchange for ... Maybe a Brioche?"[/color] she smirked knowingly.

[color=C78A2C]"Eek is very cute and well behaved, by the way!"[/color] she got quite chipper when focusing on the animal, [color=C78A2C]"Is he also typical of where you're from? He does look funny to us, but his personality is just so ... Radiant~"[/color]

[color=CCE878]"Breeo?"[/color] [color=47EC88]"Breeoak?"[/color] [color=A447EC]"Bree...?"[/color] They tried that word but with less success. [color=47EC88]"We trade?"[/color] Tiakah piped up, showing interest as she had scored quite a few interesting fabrics. Pretty fabrics. Shiny fabrics. Rare though they were. [color=47EC88]"You give us try of Bree-oo-ke. We give you try of Takat. If we like. We trade."[/color]

Eek considered the offered cup. His feathered flaps, twitching as he brought his full nose up to the cup. He couldn't fit his muzzle in but he was close enough to smell and feel if there was heat. There wasn't and he stuck his tongue in swirling it around before withdrawing. He shook his head, remaining uninterested.

[color=CCE878]"Eek is good."[/color] Yaufin began to explain. Eek perked up, his tail flapping up and down patting the ground, believing something good was coming for him. [color=CCE878]"Eek fastest swimmer. Eek get most food. Eek protect kelp. Good Eek."[/color] Yaufin reached down to tickle his feathered flaps with Eek responding with a low-pitched clicks, his eyes closed.

Zarina reached for her messenger bag and ruffled through a few items until she found a leather pouch containing one small slice of brioche remaining. The smell was still strong with a few crumbs falling onto the pavement and Zarina's lap, [color=C78A2C]"Here you go, courtesy of Zeno Bucks~"[/color] she flashed a smile as the sweet bread was given.

The cup was then put away in her bag once emptied and she then adjusted her posture as the Eeiako assessed the value of her treat, [color=C78A2C]"Ahhh, so he protects your crops?"[/color] she inquired, quite interested. Her hand reached out, hesitant at first, toward Eek, [color=C78A2C]"May I?"[/color] she asked, clearly eager to give some scritches to the critter, although that beak looked a little intimidating.

[color=CEA427]"Zeno Boocks."[/color]
[color=27CECD]"Zeno Baucks."[/color]
[color=A447EC]"Zeno Buhcks."[/color]
They all tried the new word on their mouth, finding it rather easy to say. They took the slice of brioche and carefully divided it among themselves, and all ate it. [color=4796EC]”Hah! Hah!"[/color] They all huffed, seemingly pleased. [color=A447EC]"Like Takat. Sweet. But not Takat. Soft."[/color] Memaru commented and all the eeaiko nodded vigorously.

Yaufin gestured towards Eek, who looked around expectedly between the two. [color=CCE878]"Yes. You can. Soft touches."[/color] He advised and left Zarina the chance to 'pet' the critter as it were. Eeks head tilted, watching Zarina expectedly.

A bit eager, Zarina reached out toward Eek and began to give very light scritches onto the critter's 'ear'. The texture was unique to say the least and the smell far more noticeable from up close and without coffee steam to help mask it, [color=C78A2C]"Who's a good boy? Mmmm?"[/color] but it did little to deter this animal lover. And soon, her own natural gift when it came to gaining their favor began to target Eek.

[color=C78A2C]"So, is it good enough for me to try a Takat?"[/color] she smiled and tilted her head expectantly, [color=C78A2C]"Oh, and ... Where do you find an Eek, actually?"[/color]

Eek remained still, lowly clicking from the attention to really the only externally sensitive part of the armored animal.

[color=A447EC]"We bring no Takat."[/color] Memaru responded though she looked to be considering something. [color=A447EC]"We can make. Need right material. You part of team. We all make Takat. Big Takat. Good?"[/color] The eeaiko all nodded, even looking excited to have a project and to make Takat at that. They all turned to the meeiko, watching her expectantly, unsure as they have never worked with a meeiko before.

The scritches continued, and Zarina tried to get a little creative with the animal. Eventually she got off the bench and just crouched to give both ears an equal amount of affection, [color=C78A2C]"Ooohhhh, you like that, don'tcha bud? Yes, yes, yes!"[/color] silly faces ensued.

[color=C78A2C]"Make it together, huh? That's ..."[/color] she paused for a moment and then grinned a toothy smile, [color=C78A2C]"An amazing idea, actually. Would you be fine if I brought maybe a friend along, for that? She is good with making delicious things!"[/color]

[color=CCE878]"Friend? Yes bring. All work together. Eeaiko way."[/color] They all nodded but it occurred to Yaufin that they had other things to do. Like finding melons. [color=CCE878]"Come new day. We make Takat. Here."[/color] He pointed to this spot and then turned to start speaking in his native language to the others. They all moved away but not without a [color=4796EC]”KuuKuu'[/color]' offered in their native tongue, collectively as a farewell.

[color=CCE878]"Eek. Takkan!"[/color] Yaufin snapped and Eek hurried off to rejoin his master by his side. He cleared his throat and began to march with the others following in step. 
[color=4796EC]”Better hide your melons because we come to play."
"Better hide your melons because we come to play."
"Eeaiko are here to stay!"[/color][/hider]

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[color=BAC02A]”We should just grab the melons from the neighbours, I don’t get this peace.”[/color] Vasily scoffed at Vossoriyan as he just finished discussing a sort of union with Ayla under Zarina’s orders, [color=BAC02A]”They have TWO elemelons. You could probably grab them, Kha.”[/color] Khaliun was sitting quietly by him, locking onto a strange energy that had been bothering her for a while. She did not appear interested in entertaining the de factoleader's strategic perspective.

The silence got awkward for the nervous thunderchild, and at some point he’d make what appeared to be a random observation, [color=BAC02A]”That girl from Vossoriya,”[/color] Khaliun perked up just a tad, [color=BAC02A]”it’s strange that she is here. Few ever leave home, even for this school.”[/color] he shook his head, and speaking of the devil, Yuliya came out from the back yard and performed a brief lookout, [color=BAC02A]”When I think about it … I remember that first name. And those eyes.”[/color] Khaliun’s hand emerged from the cloak, fingers idly wiggling in little waves as if she was about to pick something up, [color=BAC02A]”And with you being put on our team just last month- Is that why you chose this te-”[/color] Vasily found it very difficult to breathe, [color=BAC02A]”Kha-li …”[/color]

[color=78CBE8]”When things are uncertain and the stakes high, you always keep your piece, Gredenko.”[/color] a hush voice came from under the hood. Khaliun’s fingers hooked, as if she was trying to tightly grasp something on her palm, [color=78CBE8]”And yet you decide to break silence now of all times.”[/color] the thunderchild couldn’t utter a word. His hands seized his throat, although the lock Khaliun had on him was purely internal. He tried to draw at capacity, but each time his energy levels were too high, his body would violently jerk in place to interrupt his focus, [color=78CBE8]”Olga won’t protect you from me. Nor will I hold back for the sake of this game, Gredenko.”[/color]

Vasily was released, leaving him in a coughing fit and a very sore throat, [color=78CBE8]”Do yourself a favour and avoid even looking at her from this point forward.”[/color] she turned to look down at the curled up male Vossoriyan, [color=78CBE8]”Utter one word even alluding to her family, and I will be taking permanent action.”[/color] her still hooked fingers suddenly balled into a fist, prompting a random flower pot in parade street to burst, [color=78CBE8]”Do you understand?”[/color]

Vasily nodded frantically, with the same look he had given to the Ice King once the terms were set. A minute later, Khaliun and Yuliya would be tracing the energy signature, right toward Benedetto …

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[i][color=C78A2C]Justice.[/color][/i]

Zarina wanted to see what this Justice, ushered in by a force of nature wearing the body of a boy, would look like. The impression he had left on had completely changed her priorities. It did not seem like she cared about the supreme itself, but rather what would happen once the Ice King would find it. Trypano was stalling, the team was anxiously waiting outside. Something was off, but tunnel vision was strong in this crucial moment.

Benny and Jocasta were long gone, nothing could stop the Ice King as he walked unobstructed in the Mozaru home. [color=C78A2C]“Here.”[/color] she called out, and the disappointed Ice King with the plain melons in hand manifested himself at the back of the house where Zarina stood.
Just a half-minute remained. It was as if time was still. The Virangish girl stared in anticipation at the calamity’s reaching for what was believed to be a hidden melon. But just as he reached down, a familiar voice called out.

Carmillia stepped onto the lawn, along with Dante. The former held a single terramelon in her hands, smiling beatifically. Then, the Ice King was there. He placed his hands around the melon. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Justice,"[/color][/b] he said

In the distance was Silas. [color=7B68EE]"It's her!"[/color] he shouted. [color=7B68EE]"She has the supreme!"[/color]

Zarina, panicked, dashed toward the voice that called out, [color=C78A2C]"Justice!"[/color] she huffed! Words echoed in her mind as she exerted herself as much as she could to witness the end. That single phrase she whispered to this God among men just over an hour prior.

[center][i][color=C78A2C]“Do what you think is just.”[/color][/i][/center]

The Tall, frosty figure looked Silas' way. He nodded. He looked Zarina's way, meeting her eyes. He nodded. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Strength alone does not win this game."[/color][/b]

He took the melon from her hands. There was nothing that she could realistically do.

He stood there as the bells began to chime.

Zarina simply nodded. She understood. [color=C78A2C]"If that is what you see as just."[/color] she approached the King and then flashed a wink at Carmillia, [color=C78A2C]"Good game."[/color] Then, she struck a quick, dramatic pose, [color=C78A2C]"Justice!"[/color]

Trypano walks out onto the lawn, small bruise on her cheek and a cup of coffee in her hands. [color=crimson]"Care to stay for a cup?"[/color] She wore the rare small smile. Zarina turned on her heel and clapped her hands together as she faced Trypano, [color=C78A2C]"Me?"[/color] Trypano gave a nod. She meant the Ice King but back in the kitchen was a couple more cups for who remained. With that, she handed over the cup to Zarina. [color=crimson]"Of course. As well as anyone else, if we're staying the moment?"[/color]

Yuliya breathed once more. She wanted more.. but a moment of clarity struck her as the bells begun to chime. She realized she was in front of others. She returned her hearing, and let out an awkward but obviously bitter laugh, attempting to brush off the previously violent interaction. She shouted in response to Zazzy from the lawn.

[color=pink]"Justice."[/color]

Zarina got giddy, [color=C78A2C]"Oh my, don't miiiiiind if I do!"[/color] she rushed in, although not before turning to look over at the Ice King. She actually turned back briefly and approached him, [color=C78A2C]"I've uh, got your coin, by the way."[/color] she presented the coin between her index and thumb, both faces still the same.

The Ice King smiled. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Strength alone is not Justice."[/color][/b] He pressed his right hand to his heart and took the coin with his left. Then, he paused, both his hand and hers on it. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Actually,"[/color][/b] he said, [b][color=B0E0E6]"[i]you[/i] keep it."[/color][/b] He smiled. [b][color=B0E0E6]"Good luck in the coming trials."[/color][/b]

[hider=Tl;dr]
-Zarina and Kaspar worked to understand how the melons worked to get an edge and train the dragons prior to the Derby.

-Team Pravda and Team Sunbeam make their plans known and get into some trouble for the earth melon, leading to an encounter with the Ice King and a deal to be made with him for the melon.

-Zarina meets with the Ice King to make a deal with him as Vasily spills the beans on the deal. She wants team Luna to be messed with a bit, and leaves the fate of the supreme a secret until the very end. In exchange, she must free the next person she meets in bondage.

-Zarina meets the coastal guardians, and their mascot Eek! They promise to meet again to make their famous delicacy known as ‘Takat’ in exchange for some brioche.

-Khaliun threatens Vasily as he pieces together that Yuliya is the princess. There is no nuance here, she will kill him if he speaks a word of it.

-The Ice King deems it just to let team Mozaru have the melon, and it was the secret request from Zarina that he decides the Justice today. It ends on a happy note![/hider]