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[i]And now, you will bear witness to the trial of the century, pitting the ruthless Prosecutor, Zorino Chorizo, and the legendary defence attorney, Horisius Justiceman, in one of Dami’s most challenging cases![/i]

[center][h2][url=https://youtu.be/_PlRyio8-GA]♫[/url][/h2][/center]

The curtain split open, revealing the stage. Flat, wooden props created an improvised courtroom with a witness stand, a judge’s bench and other minor elements that were filled with shadowy silhouettes.

[color=#E5E4E2]“It may as well be case closed, Horisius! The evidence is overwhelming …”[/color] spoke a ‘man’ with exaggerated mannerisms and a fake-deep voice. It was Zorino, wearing a cheap costume of a Perrench attorney, a false moustache and a pair of round glasses. Her index finger waved accusingly to the opposite side of the stage she was standing from. [color=#E5E4E2]“Your client clearly stole the Monseigneur Box!”[/color] she accused dramatically.

A new light shined upon a small, dark figure that waddled into the middle of the stage. It was a black feathered monkeybird! [color=#000000]“You are wrong! You are wrong! ZOZZY ZOZZY! You are wrong!”[/color] it waved its wing-arms in the air as it paced around to deny the prosecutor’s conclusion. At the tip of its beak was a mustache much like Zorino’s, and a white wig on its head. That was it. [color=#000000]“Wrong wrong! Your evidence is bad!”[/color]

Zorino blinked as he stared at the talking bird. [color=#E5E4E2]“Mister Justiceman, why are you not wearing any attire?”[/color] he crossed his arms. Although not before quick tossing a treat into the animal’s beak and briefly let out a girlish giggle.

[color=#000000]“Because! Because! BECAUSE! I only wear one suit in trial! One suit!”[/color] it bobbed its head rapidly before turning to the audience. [color=#000000]“A lawsuit!!!!”[/color] and with the inevitable laughter of at least some, the animal flailed its arms in an overdose of excitement. It even squawked in celebration.

 Zorino nodded. [color=#E5E4E2]“Touché.”[/color] he grumbled, then turned to the audience, head by his cheek as if whispering to them. [color=#E5E4E2]“This guy’s good … His confidence off the charts!”[/color] and Horisius let out another howl of joy hearing this, earning him a treat. 

[color=#E5E4E2]“But your client has yet to deny the allegations and you have to refute the evidence! And now I turn to the suspect …”[/color]

A light shone onto the witness stand. And it was none other than another monkeybird popping its out from below. This one with a bonnet and a small dress. [color=#6283E9]“Didn’t do it! Didn’t do it!”[/color] it bobbed its head like the other did. [color=#6283E9]“Innocent! Was not me! Innocent!”[/color] and it earned itself a treat.

Seeing a treat being given, the lawyer also joined in. [color=#000000]“Innocent!”[/color]

[color=#E5E4E2]“And yet, miss Maatilda, how can you explain Captain Nibblar spotting you the previous night by the auction house, hmm?”[/color] hands on her hips, he leaned into the bird’s space, and then looked to the audience

Then, an awkward pause. 

Someone even coughed. 

Zorino blinked, the monkeybirds were wide-eyed and grooming themselves.

A little sack of treats had to be shaken. That woke them up!

[color=#000000]“OBJECTION!”[/color] shouted the dark attorney.

[color=#6283E9]“Objection! Objection!”[/color] added the suspect, waving one arm in the air.

The veil on the judge’s bench opened, revealing none other than …

Judge Duyuniros, the Gurgler! The big Skuggvar almost looked to be standing on two feet, both front legs on the big podium, wearing a judge’s wig, a proper magistrate’s attire and a fake beard. 

[i]*Gurgle Gurgle*[/i]

[color=#E5E4E2]“SUSTAINED?!”[/color] explained Zorino in disbelief. [color=#E5E4E2]“That was my key witness statement!! Lord Justice!”[/color]

A low growl escaped the beast.

[color=#E5E4E2]“No, I apologize.”[/color] he raised his hands in surrender. [color=#E5E4E2]“No contempt intended!”[/color]

[color=#000000]“Shame! Shame! You should be shame!”[/color] it was Horisius’ turn to point fingers, this time at the prosecutor. [color=#000000]“So bad! How do you sleep at night?!”[/color] its little feet couldn’t stop hopping in excitement as it looked at the audience.

[color=#E5E4E2]“Well, that’s easy. Like any good public prosecutor …”[/color] he turned to look at the audience. [color=#E5E4E2]“I lie on one side. And then I lie on the other!”[/color] big, goofy smile, followed by more treat distribution.

[color=#000000]“Question question question!!!”[/color] Horisius turned to the witness/suspect. [color=#000000]“Who stole? Who stole? Who stole?”[/color]

Then, another pause. This one, purposeful, as Maatilda raised her wing to point at Zorino.

Everyone gasped, and the judge burped.

[color=#E5E4E2]“W-what?! Impossible!”[/color]

Then, a box resembling a bootleg Monsigneus music box fell out of his suit. The audience was stunned!

[color=#E5E4E2]“I can explain!”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Enough!”[/color] a voice clearly coming from the back shunned the attorney. It sounded masculine, and the deepness artificial. [color=9e0039]“As Lord Justice, I condemn you to five months in Eskand!”[/color] the foot-gavel stomped. 

[color=#E5E4E2]“NOOOOOOOO!”[/color]

[color=#000000]“Take away! Take Away!”[/color] said one monkeybird. [color=#6283E9]“Take, take, take!!!”[/color] wailed the other.

Another skuggvar, one with a lamplighter uniform and a goofy constable hat, walked from one end of the stage to the other, dragging Zorino with it, without a single care in the world.

[color=9e0039]“Another to my flawless record!”[/color] the disembodied voice said. [color=9e0039]“If I keep dishing out justice like this, I should become a chef!”[/color] then, the judge gurgled.

[color=#000000]“Justice! Justice! Risotto Artist. Did you get?! Did you get?!”[/color]

A light shined on the one last spot that was left dark. There was a white horse’s head with a paintbrush held in its mouth. The canvas was turned, revealing only a carrot. Everyone, including the animals, facepalmed.

Then out came Zorino, now in a prisoner’s attire.

[color=#E5E4E2]“Looks like he couldn’t draw a reasonable conclusion!”[/color]

And then everyone struck a pose.

[center][h2][url=https://youtu.be/_V2sBURgUBI]♫[/url][/h2][/center]

The curtain closed, only to open a minute later with every participant. Zarina, Abdel, Dayanara, Qadire, Horus, Maat and Riesco. With claps, they bowed!

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[center][h2][url=https://youtu.be/KQetemT1sWc]♫[/url][/h2][/center]

[i]Leon Solaire sat on the edge of the stage, allowing his legs to dangle off the side. He was close enough to be in talking distance to the student's who filtered in earlier. He spent the time chatting away and telling stories as the crowd filtered in.

Once the audience was in full attendance, or close enough, he addressed the crowd.

[color=fff200]"Welcome, welcome, I'm glad you could make it."[/color] He declared with arms open. [color=fff200]"While it pains me that I can only be here tonight before the road calls me back, I plan to give you all an unforgettable show."[/color]

Leon stood up and grabbed his lute. He gave the instrument a final check to make sure it was tuned. [color=fff200]"I would like to introduce the Spirito Dell'alba band who will be providing back up music. Although, they are very good musicians, very good. I'm a little nervous I'll only look like a pretty face by comparison,"[/color] he joked.

[color=fff200]"Well, I think I've kept you all waiting long enough. My first song will be a new song, first heard tonight! I was inspired by a figure who I met a few days ago on the road. A king of honour and kindness. Despite wearing a mask, I could tell that he was unnaturally handsome and charming as well. I was surprised to find he is competing in your trails. So please give all your love and support in my place. This is Flight of the Sun King."[/color]

The song begun with about thirty seconds of Leon alone playing a simple tune on the lute while singing along. Until the light displays characteristic of the performer started and the show had truly begun.[/i]

Here came Zarina, along with this Tarlonese Yasoi girl she had been one upping with for the majority of the faire. The looks she not-so-subtly returned to that girl were not going to stop, even with a show like this one. But, it was about fifty-fifty. [color=#E5E4E2]"Hey, you still owe us for the trials last year!"[/color] she called out and waved.

Back up on stage, Leon prepared for the finale.

[color=fff200]"Before we begin, I have two tokens to hand out. One a token for these faire game, and one a token of my undying appreciation."[/color]

He tossed a token into the front of the crowd, then a rose straight into the middle of the audience. 

[color=fff200]"Now without further adieu, the finale."[/color] Leon set his lute aside and took the lyre out from his back, playing a divine melody for the crowd.

Zarina was the lucky one to catch the rose. 

Zarina, gaining the rose, would feel a metal clink around the rose. Three tokens painted green had been tied to the rose.

The Virangish winner grinned, realizing the spoils she had just won. But, her focus was on something else, truthfully. A token was flung toward her close friend's direction - Marci's. And two others were tossed into the air, letting Dami choose the worthy! 

And now with the symbol of Ahn-Ipte, Zarina turned to Miret with the look. The rose-prop in hand, and then cornily placed into her mouth. [i]Come.[/i] She gestured. She wanted to dance. 

Miret leaned in, trying to snatch it away with her own lips. After a moment, she pulled back and giggled playfully. [color=9e0039]"Yes. Let's!"[/color]

All the while, Zarina was unusually fixated on her dance partner. They radiated an energy that would be promptly denied if ever asked afterward - one of passion and want! She was, after all, a dancer since her childhood. It was her element, even if she had long since lost the passion for it. She led the footwork, and taught Miret as they went, and in turn was receptive to her partner's own style.

[color=9e0039]"I never knew yanii dances could be so fuuunnn!"[/color] Miret squealed, giggling and trying to snatch the rose away every time that they came close. Zarina was always a half-step ahead of her, though: light and elegant and... Miret usually preferred men, but - by Ypti - she felt a stirring and would not be one to deny the goddess. On their next pull together, she squished herself right up against her partner and winked. She reached down to smack her bottom... as a distraction. Then, she'd get the rose. For sure.

Zarina eep'd! And so loosened the rose. Just slightly, not enough to fall. And just as she faltered, lips met and everything around her went quiet. Completely frozen, a foot still off the ground. It lasted a short moment, and ended with Miret as the new avatar of Ipté. [color=#E5E4E2]"... Wicked Yasoi."[/color] she grumbled, burning red and forehead pressed to the other's. [color=#E5E4E2]"Making me so, so foul."[/color]

[color=9e0039]"We're all a little foul,"[/color] replied Miret, eyes searching Zarina's. [color=9e0039]"It's the sinning that makes sainthood worth something, you know. Over here, though, nobody cares. Ypti only desires love... of every kind."[/color] She backed off slightly, dancing: smooth and svelte, strong and graceful and elegant.

Oh the little sweet nothing sayings and mental gymnastics. The admitted foulness they seemingly mutually shared only deepened her fixation over her partner. Now she was the one pursuing. And she played with her food - perhaps out of playfulness, or maybe out of hesitation. Did she want this? He body said yes, but ...

Their eyes met once more, Zarina behind her Yasoi partner, one arm coiled around Miret's waist, and the other extended out with the other's, her's over it, reaching for the rose that was now at the very tip of her fingers. Any sort of conflict washed away in this moment of closeness and warmth. For the first time, she felt intimately close to someone - and loved it. 

After a kiss for their audience to see and judge, she whispered. [color=#E5E4E2]"Let's go."[/color]

Miret took the rose, gently, and held it up to her nose. She smiled and took Zarina's hand. [color=9e0039]"Let's."[/color]

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[center][h2][url=https://youtu.be/yatS6ErWVoo]♫[/url][/h2][/center]

[i][color=#E5E4E2]“You won’t hurt me, right?”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“I wouldn’t dream of it, suunei.”[/color]

[color=#E5E4E2]“I’m trusting you. Fully.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Don’t be scared. Look into my eyes. And join me, Zaz.”[/color][/i]

It had been a while since Zarina had a full night’s worth of sleep. Although maybe not the entirety of the night, the sun had long since risen. Birds were chirping, and other birds were whining for attention - Zarina’s Monkeybirds to be precise. But today, they were not her problem. Today, she was a transformed dragon with nobody really questioning it, and as such chores were taken over by the residents of her home.

Today, she had her favourite new friend to hold close and [i]feel[/i] things she had never allowed herself to before. Thoughts of the future ran like a film in her head, from their endless love for eachother, to marriage, to kids, to whatever else a girl could dream when they found their one, true love - generally their first ‘love’. It was all impossible and even silly, and she knew this. But it didn’t stop her from feeling all these fuzzy feelings. The shame and regret was going to come later, so for now it was all goodness and indulgence.

Except, there would be no woman at her bedside. Only an empty spot without even a trace of heat from a recent level.

Zarina refused to open her eyes. It couldn’t be real. Was she really just a one night stand? Surely, she was dreaming.

But she couldn’t help it. Her eyes opened and the worst case came to be: Nothing. Dumped like a used rag. The poor girl just went limp on her bed, one eye peeked out of her pillow with her long, brown hair partially hiding it. She so wanted to cry, but her ego and anger toward herself stopped her from showing such vulnerability. She wanted to scream, however …

The smell was still there. Her smell - Miret’s. On the opposite pillow, in particular. Zarina reached out weakly to pull in the fabric and just clutched it like it was her lover. 

She stayed like this for an hour, drowned in self-pity with sniffles managing to escape her despite her stifling efforts.

It was only when she heard a noise that she noticed more than the pillow before her and the white wall of her room. A note on her nightstand, and again she slowly reached out to read it. 

[color=#E5E4E2][i]Going off to war after a memory-making fling.[/i][/color]

Zarina grit her teeth and felt her fingers hook. She was angry, at first, but then she giggled with a wide, mirthful smile on her visage. There was even a light blush on her face.

[color=#E5E4E2][i]Kinda romantic. Even bothered to write a note.[/i][/color]

She carefully folded the paper and delicately placed it back onto the nightstand.

[color=#E5E4E2]“Scandalous Sanguisoi. Gods, don’t crush my little heart, you heartthrob.”[/color] 

She bit her lower lip and sprawled on her bed. No magic today, and so no worry. But, even with the relief that came with a myriad of emotions, there was a certain loneliness that took her. Even as Somnes came, it felt a tad cold in Zarina’s bedroom.

Until they came.

[color=#000000]“ZAZZY ZAZZY!”[/color]

[color=#6283E9]“ZAAAAAAZZY!”[/color]

The Monkeybirds had managed to push the door open and noticed their mother in bed. And they were sorely lacking in morning attention.

Zarina smiled as she was bird-piled in mere seconds for cuddles and playing.

[color=#E5E4E2][i]Thank Vyshta for this fortune.

Now to make sure the others don't realize I'm as useful as a fire sword ...[/i][/color][/color]