[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ze7epWJ.png[/img]
[h1][color=steelblue]All Fun and Games, Until...[/color][/h1][/center]
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[center][h3]The Cappening[/h3][/center]
	The time came quickly for Xiuyang to choose whether or not to fully trust Ciro Volta. Her original plan for her middling haul of faire tokens was to secure free access to the Silk Gate. Though the Solaris could afford it, it would save no small amount of money. It was at the very least what her family would [i]expect[/i] her to spend them on. Now, however, she stood among the crowd of eager students, gleefully parting with their hard-won tokens in exchange for... hats. To be fair, they were magically imbued hats, and their enchantments were not to be scoffed at. It just [i]felt[/i] a little silly, on the surface—no, perhaps it was. Students lined up in droves to throw away free tuition, and the empty space between them and the students lining up for other prizes held a palpable negative energy. [color=steelblue][i]The gap between the privileged and those scraping by,[/i][/color] Xiuyang noted as she stood between the droves of students, looking to either side of her. Never had the student body been more clearly and visibly divided.

	After eyeing the prize pool with some scrutiny, Xiuyang threw her hat in the ring, so to speak, and entered the raffle. She came out one of the lucky ones, and managed to snag one of the hats she had her eye on. The Belcher was a suitable prize indeed. She could feel its power, and was just imagining how she might have used it in her battle with Seki and Hitoshi when a familiar face approached her. It was Taleja. She was also wearing what, in some circles, might be considered a hat: the Beanie of Weggosi Relaxation. It was another one of the prizes Xiuyang had her eye on, and Taleja wished to propose a trade. She even boasted—in a manner befitting her, and insultingly accurate besides—that she already knew Xiuyang would agree to it. [color=steelblue]"Yes, something like this does suit me much better,"[/color] she remarked as the two exchanged hats, each placing their hat upon the other's head.

	As the fabric of the beanie slid over her eyes, Xiuyang found herself disoriented. From her perspective, Taleja had already taken her leave of Xiuyang, and was more than a few feet away. She saw [i]herself[/i] take a few steps forward in confusion, adjust her beanie, look around, snicker, then turn to face Taleja in a panic. [color=steelblue][i]I'm seeing the future?[/i][/color] She moved forward, following the footsteps of her phantom self. It was a bit too much to get acclimated to, right now. Could she turn it off? She adjusted her beanie, then looked around to see... well. With an effect like this, she could probably deliver an inaugural speech as Queen of Torragon. [color=steelblue][i]The ladies of Ersand'Enise will be relieved to know that a boy didn't get this,[/i][/color] she thought, snickering. Then, she realized. Had Taleja seen [i]her?![/i] She whipped around to face her, but she was already long gone.

	Xiuyang would stick around to see what her friends managed to snag, before they could, and tease them with her reactions. Living ten seconds in the future was harder to comprehend than she thought it'd be, but as long as she stood mostly still and ignored as many of her other senses as possible, she could account for the ten second delay in what she was hearing. Fittingly, it was possible with a few meditative techniques to grow accustomed to it for short periods of time. Already, her mind was swimming with the possibilities of how she could use this to her benefit. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Juulet shoving Niallus's head up his own ass with that strange kind of magic Kaureerah had. Everyone's eyes were drawn to Xiuyang as she burst out laughing for seemingly no reason, at what was about to happen. [color=steelblue]"So [i]that's[/i] what she did to Lady Matsuhara! That's hilarious!"[/color] she wheezed. Something she wouldn't normally dare say came out so easily, knowing in advance that Niallus would take it like a good sport, and Juulet wouldn't target [i]her[/i] next.

	What a useful item indeed...

[center][h3][i]Fait Accompli[/i][/h3][/center]
	The dreaded and anticipated day came—the time to choose her teammates for the Trials. In the first round, her choice came third last, giving her a choice between Ingrid, Talkhan, and Roslyn. Xiuyang was surprised to see Ingrid and Talkhan left to her as options. If her sole objective in the Trials was to win, Talkhan was almost objectively the correct choice. Ingrid was also strong, but a potential wildcard. While she couldn't be completely sure, she had reasonable suspicion that both Valerian and Ingrid were now sanguinaires. Though she could easily imagine how a long life as a sanguinaire could corrupt a soul, she had a much harder time picturing how a brand new one would think and act. Would she be essentially the same person for the time being?

	Then, there was Roslyn. An unknown factor in terms of strength, but a friendly one who had been useful during the faire, and her primary concern right now was befriending someone. In the end, Xiuyang chose her, but as she approached, she could immediately tell that something was off. Roslyn wasn't her usual chipper self. Was it a hangover? Her thoughts were interrupted as the time came to choose once more. Xiuyang chose Trypano without a second thought, hardly even considering the other options. She attempted to administer chemical magic to dull the pain in Roslyn's head, but it was to little to no avail. Was it aberration sickness, then? The time to choose again came annoyingly fast. She almost wanted to point at a random face, but then she saw Ciro Volta. The frustration in her eyes immediately vanished, and she waved him over with an invisible but evident smile. On the second attempt, she managed to give Roslyn some reprieve, but it wasn't as effective as she would have liked.

	Then came the final choice.

	All eyes were on Xiuyang as she was enviably given her first pick. She could have anyone she wanted.

	With a deep breath and a trembling hand, she lowered the fabric of her beanie over her eyes, and saw it.

	Juulet's face. She was glaring right at her.

	It was already decided. It was [i]Fait Accompli.[/i]

	As she had done in all the previous rounds, Juulet loudly and arrogantly staked her claim on...

	[color=steelblue]"Tyrel,"[/color] Xiuyang interrupted.

	Juulet [i]glared[/i] at Xiuyang. Then, however, her face unexpectedly softened as an announcement came; it was time for the various teams to negotiate trades. She traipsed up to Xiuyang. "[i]Oira, suunei![/i]" She smiled sweetly. "For um... [i]obvious[/i] reasons, I feel a sense of kinship with Tyrel." She glanced down at her missing leg, beneath her odd pant-skirt-like garment. "Might we trade our picks for the round?" She made a face that looked anxious and a bit sad. [i]"Please....!"[/i]

	Xiuyang almost cringed at the level of faux desperation. Perhaps, if she had even once earned the right to be called [i]"Suunei"[/i] by Juulet, or any yasoi for that matter, she might have relented. She glanced at Tyrel, Juulet's would-be victim—perhaps to strengthen her resolve—then shook her head apologetically, for what little the gesture would be worth. "No offense to Chad, of course," she said, as if that were her worst offense in refusing. Her heart was still pounding in her chest after her bold and very public choice, and it only grew even faster as her perceived offenses against Juulet piled up.

	Juulet's right eye twitched for a second. She bit the inside of her cheek hard enough to momentarily draw blood. Tyrel and Chad exchanged looks with each other and then the other two. "I will see you on the other side, [i]luush'elar.[/i]" The former reached for the latter's hands. "I'll kick your ass, [i]luush'elar,[/i]" teased the latter. Their fingers met, but then Juulet stood in between them. "I'll see you in the games, [i]hax'doiyap,[/i]" she hissed at Xiuyang, coming inches from her face as her teeth clicked shut with the insult. "You're fucking [i]dead,[/i]" she snarled, turning on the spot to stalk away. Then, she paused and twisted around. "Well, figuratively, of course," she added with cloying sweetness. She rolled her eyes and continued. "Wouldn't be allowed to [i]actually[/i] kill you..." It was barely more than a murmur.

	Xiuyang stood her ground while being threatened by Juulet. It was an insult she was used to hearing, and a reaction she expected. Still, it stung. What if most, or even all yasoi reacted to her like this? She shoved the thought aside forcibly. She'd made her choice. In choosing Tyrel, she was sending a message: she was done hiding her support for the yasoi behind a veneer of childish curiosity. Tyrel reached out and squeezed her shoulder, glaring at Juulet's back. "Fucking cunt," she mumbled. Xiuyang snorted, releasing some of the tension. [color=steelblue]"Thanks for that. They say fortune favors the brave. I'm not very brave, but your support would mean the world to me."[/color]

[center][h3]Dubious Dealings[/h3][/center]
	Xiuyang watched as the scene unfolded in front of her: Niallus had chosen Ingrid—and Ingrid wanted nothing to do with him after their breakup. Xiuyang's heartrate had barely settled from the Juulet affair, and the constant state of fight-or-flight had begun to get exhausting. Could the two of them just [i]stop?[/i] Close to her other ear, as well, Ciro was questioning why Xiuyang didn't choose Ingrid herself, instead of Roslyn. She was beginning to feel regret, herself, after seeing the state of her. Her regret at being unable to help Roslyn outweighed her regret in choosing her while she was in this state, but the latter was undeniably [i]there,[/i] all the same.

	She was in a difficult position. On the one hand, she wanted to befriend Tyrel, and showing Tyrel her loyalty to a friend would help in this regard. However, she [i]also[/i] wanted to impress Ciro with her quick wits—and she had just thought of something juicy she could do in this moment. Borderline [i]terrible,[/i] yes—opportunistic, absolutely—but smart. Again, she consulted her beanie, but this time the results were inconclusive. She'd have to be a bit assertive, and it might not even work. Success or failure, either way she would feel awful about it later, but she had to try.

	Xiuyang sighed, and approached Niallus. [color=steelblue]"Roslyn for Ingrid, if you're having regrets."[/color] Roslyn looked down, swallowing her irritation. She knew why Xuiyang was trading her and she couldn't blame her. She felt useless due to the sickness and she was surprise she was picked at all instead just tossed to the last team. [color=#3d5a88]"Ciro for her,"[/color] Niallus countered, pointing at Ingrid. [color=steelblue]"Denied,"[/color] she replied flatly. [color=steelblue]"I'm doing you a favor,"[/color] she added, buying time. As she watched Niallus's expression change, it was nearly in view... [color=steelblue]"I mean you no offense,"[/color] Xiuyang assured Roslyn quietly. [color=steelblue]"You get along with Niallus too, don't you?"[/color] she asked, acting as if she were second guessing her judgment.

	[color=crimson]"If you wish you may also trade me for Ingrid,"[/color] Trypano offered to Xiuyang. [color=crimson]"No offense to yourself but Roslyn and Ingrid are more likely to operate more effectively than I and Ingrid currently, as you understand."[/color] [color=#ebe7a3]"Yeah..."[/color] Roslyn said, but her tone sounded more hurt than she intended. [color=#ebe7a3]"Honestly, you shouldn't have picked me at all. We both know I'm just going to drag the team down."[/color] Xiuyang's heart sunk. While she watched Niallus, Ciro and Tyrel for their reactions, she'd neglected the opinions of the rest of her team. This was quickly turning into a mess. She started to feel glad that, while wearing the beanie, no one could see her eyes.

	[color=#86608E]"I'm willing to put things aside if I don't have to deal with him,"[/color] Ingrid said as sincerely as she could, [color=#86608E]"I promise that Trypano."[/color] Trypano nodded back, expression unchanged. [color=crimson]"Good t'hear. It's all business after all."[/color] She seemed to have a bit of a different accent, possibly owing to her new hat.

	[color=#3d5a88]"I wouldn't trust her,"[/color] Niallus spat back.

	Ingrid held her voice at what he said. She just couldn't with him anymore.

	[color=#3d5a88]"Guy I'll trade Sven for Ingrid,"[/color] Niallus tried, turning to him. Guy considered it, but keeping Ingrid on Niallus's team was a guaranteed loss for him, which meant one less team to worry about. [color=#2E5894]"You chose a scorned lover Niallus, and I have no reason to trade,"[/color] he said politely. [color=#3d5a88]"I thought she'd be willing to move past it, but clearly not,"[/color] Niallus replied. [color=steelblue]"Offer's still valid,"[/color] Xiuyang added, pretending to inspect her nails. She knew that her stubbornness was surely being grating by this point, but victory in these hastily and ill-conceived negotiations was finally within sight. Soon, it would finally be over. True to her visions within the beanie, Niallus reluctantly agreed to receive Roslyn for "the bitch."

	With negotiations finalized, it was time for damage control. Though, Xiuyang kicked herself mentally for thinking in such cynical terms, when her new friend was clearly hurt by her decision. [color=steelblue]"You're only a liability if you imagine yourself to be one,"[/color] Xiuyang whispered to Roslyn, stopping her as she turned to go to Niallus's team. [color=steelblue]"I don't think of you that way—and if you think I do? Prove me wrong,"[/color] she said with a fake smile, giving the girl a supportive pat on the back, and a ceremonial "push" towards her new team, The Invisibles.

	Roslyn paused when Xuiyang whispered to her, half the wisdom lost due to her hearing issue. But somehow she got the idea of what the masked woman said. Her fingers still clenched her arm as she inhaled, trying to keep her irritation down. 

	She sighed, [color=#ebe7a3]"I'll try."[/color] 

	Roslyn hoped the day would end without them being dead last.

	Ingrid offered her thanks to Xiuyang. [color=#86608E]"I promise I will perform the best I can."[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"I'm counting on it,"[/color] Xiuyang replied with a hidden smile. [color=steelblue]"I know I said I was doing him a favor, but you seemed uncomfortable, and I know you're talented. I'm happy to have you."[/color] As she turned away, she winked at Ciro. She'd certainly scored the deal of the day.

	[color=#86608E]"Truly, thank you,"[/color] Ingrid gave a small smile. It was overly vulnerable to be put in that position. Stuck under your ex who has been turning a private matter into the gossip of the day. She looked at Trypano and contemplated how things turned. [color=#86608E]"I know I said I won't cause issues but I would like to also get better with how things have been if that's alright."[/color]

[center][h3]The Floatmelon Heist[/h3][/center]
	Within the hour, [i]Fait Accompli's[/i] plans for the Melon Derby were decided. While the looming terror of Juulet was still fresh in the minds of all, Xiuyang would pretend to cower within the perceived safety of their base. She would join Trypano in digging a tunnel to Dami's Cross, the entrance to which the Sea People would deliver any giant floatmelons they found within the canals of Ersand'Enise. Tyrel and Ingrid would set off on their own misadventures, serving as distractions and grabbing any high-value melons they could find to place inside the floatmelons. If they were lucky, other teams would simply assume that Ciro and Trypano were kept at base to protect Xiuyang from Juulet.

	For the most part, the plan went off without a hitch. Ingrid went unopposed and came back with a floatmelon, a grenade melon, many other melons of smaller value, and an interesting message in a bottle. Tyrel acquired a dark melon and attempted to steal some even more valuable melons from Penny, but the one-legged girl somehow managed to fend her off and escape into the safety of Balthazar Hall. Juulet, meanwhile, was obsessed with acquiring the Fat Bastard, leaving [i]Fait Accompli[/i] to their own, dubious devices. Once the tunnel was fully constructed, Trypano began dumping the team's rather large number of skunk durians directly into the bases of any unfortunate teams that left their bases fully unattended. Unfortunately, it would be of little effect, due to the unfolding chaos and the resulting sudden termination of the event.

	Xiuyang returned to base and set to work producing counterfeit melons, with Ciro as a lookout. In the end, he never left her side during the Melon Derby, not even once. Xiuyang could never guess what exactly gave him so much confidence—in her estimation, she was just [i]slightly[/i] stronger than him, as a mage—but his confidence was slowly but surely rubbing off on her. By the end of the Melon Derby, she was starting to think that maybe Juulet wasn't that angry after all. Perhaps the fun of the Melon Derby would take her mind off of things. Could it even be that Juulet had thought it over and understood what Xiuyang was trying to do?

	Suddenly, all of the main cathedral's windows glowed an incredibly bright white, as if a lineup of muzzle flashes from the cannons of the Grey Fleet itself had just pierced through the fog of night. Xiuyang couldn't resist the urge to open the curtains and take a look outside. [color=steelblue]"What the [i]fuck?"[/i][/color] she remarked. [color=steelblue]"I've never seen a student move that fast. Holy shit... Well, that's where Juulet is going to be,"[/color] she supposed, not knowing that the true Melon Supreme had already been discovered, and this one was a decoy. That was for Ingrid and Tyrel to deal with, at any rate. She returned to her business, continuing to craft melons until... suddenly, there was a [i]massive[/i] draw of energy from the King's Ear base, and Xiuyang fainted.

	When she came to, Ciro was there to help her to her feet. Thanking him, she tried to stand, but there was [i]another[/i] massive draw from nearly the same location. [color=steelblue]"Gods damn it... What in all the hells is happening outside..?"[/color] she groaned, trying to struggle to her feet but failing. Fuck! She had the work of Oraff to do! [color=steelblue]"No shit the Derby is over! What the hell happened?!"[/color] she barked impotently at no one in particular as the announcement came.

	Just then, a pair of Eeaiko emerged from the secret entrance of their underground tunnel. Only a pair of them, along with a total of 9 giant floatmelons—a substantial haul that had, by and large, only been brought into the base and collected so that the unconscious bodies of the remaining three Sea People could be rescued from the sewer-adjacent tunnels. At the end of the day, though, a score was a score. With the Zenos allowing all of the students to collect any melons currently in their possession, Tyrel was able to return with the dark melon she had obtained. In total, [i]Fait Accompli[/i] was able to achieve a 5th place standing with a final score of 3264. Just one sacred elemelon would have taken them all the way up to 2nd place, with its point value doubled inside a giant floatmelon, of which they had a whopping ten. An unfortunate end to what was, in Xiuyang's less-than-humble opinion, a 1st place winner of a strategy.

	At the end of the day, though, they had placed above Vyshta's More Favored, who took 7th place after multiple penalties for use of violence.

	Xiuyang would hear that story at a later date, however. Immediately, her focus was on the second event: The Dragon.

[center][h3]Venomous Smiles[/h3][/center]
	After a selection process, it was determined that [i]Fait Accompli[/i] would be allied with the Dark Protectors for the Dragon. As soon as this was decided, a Rettanese girl with a rebellious attitude approached Xiuyang. [color=olivedrab]"You and me. Doesn't matter what event, I'll leave you in the fucking dust,"[/color] Hill's Pond declared, asserting herself immediately. Xiuyang blinked. [color=steelblue]"I'm sorry, have we met?"[/color] she replied in Rettanese. [color=olivedrab]"Nah. Name's Hill's Pond, and what you've got there,"[/color] she pointed at Xiuyang's hip. [color=olivedrab]"—is Mountain Spring's gourd. It looks ordinary, but I'd know it anywhere. So you're the one who took it!"[/color] Xiuyang raised her hands up defensively. [color=steelblue]"No, he gave it to me. We met during the battle with... Anyway, he gave up alcohol. That's what he told me,"[/color] she replied. [color=olivedrab]"No way that would ever happen,"[/color] Hill's Pond retorted, unconvinced. The Dark Protectors' leader, Vigorous Salmon shot her a look, and she stormed off, leaving Xiuyang to ponder their future partnership in the Dragon. It had, apparently, already been decided.

	Despite much reflection on the matter, Xiuyang couldn't think of a better alternative. After debating with Ingrid for a while on who should do the thresher-riding leg of the race, they decided that Xiuyang's advantage in the Mushroom Maze was too great to ignore. She gave Ingrid a few pointers on how to handle the animals, and sent her on her way. Now, she stood at the entrance of the maze alongside Hill's Pond, waiting for her turn. [color=olivedrab]"I still don't believe jack shit of what you said,"[/color] she suddenly piped up. [color=olivedrab]"I heard about what you did in the Melon Derby. Holed up in your base, shakin' in your boots like a coward. You're afraid of a fight, and no doubt. Ain't no fuckin' way you earned Mountain Spring's respect like that,"[/color] she spat, both figuratively and literally.

	[color=steelblue]"Of course I'm afraid of a fight. Only a fool isn't,"[/color] Xiuyang replied, earning herself a scoff. [color=steelblue]"But, when lives are at stake, your body moves on its own. ...I barely remember what I did in ReTan, now. I only know that I killed a man, when I've sworn to avoid doing so as much as I can. I can't tell you what Mountain Spring may or may not have found admirable about me. He was my superior in every way—but, perhaps, we were similar. Maybe he saw himself—a foolish, younger self who has learned much but practiced little, until the day I met him,"[/color] she finished wistfully. Hill's Pond eyed her suspiciously, but let her speak. [color=olivedrab]"You talk like you know the man,"[/color] she replied skeptically. [color=steelblue]"I'd like to think that I do. Who knows? With everything that happened during the fall of the Jiang Dynasty... Maybe this is a family heirloom, and he's the only one in on the joke,"[/color] she japed. [color=olivedrab]"Only if your ancestor is as much of a big-headed [i]bitch[/i] as you!"[/color] Hill's Pond screeched back as Xiuyang laughed her ass off.

	Finally, it was time. Tyrel and Vigorous Salmon arrived, sending Xiuyang and Hill's Pond on their way. [color=salmon]"Go easy on her, Xiuyang!"[/color] Salmon called out teasingly. Hill's Pond flipped him off as she ran, determined to beat Xiuyang to the end of the maze. With redundant layers of protection from her mask and Devourer mana type, and additional perception from her beanie, navigating the maze—purportedly the most difficult part of this challenge—was easy for her. The difficult part for her was dealing with other challengers and the local fauna, which she made a point to avoid with her Arcane illusions whenever necessary. She was nearly caught a couple of times but managed to steer clear, and in the end, both girls made it to the finish line, with some time-wasting hassle from Desmond. [color=olivedrab]"You're actually... pretty good..."[/color] Hill's Pond panted. [color=olivedrab]"But I'll drink you under the table after this! You'll never win!"[/color] As if to emphasize the point, she took a drink from her gourd. Xiuyang did the same. Reaching out to gauge how strong of a drink Hill's Pond had using Binding magic, she smirked as she realized it was non-alcoholic. [color=steelblue]"Sure, we'll have a drinking contest—and if I win, you'll stop trying to steal my gourd!"[/color] she declared. Hill's Pond flinched, unaware that Xiuyang knew she was trying. [color=olivedrab]"It's not yours! If I win, I'm taking it!"[/color] she retorted.

	The two shook hands on it, exchanging venomous smiles. Then, Xiuyang turned her attention to Desmond. The Raffscallions reportedly had a box that [i]Fait Accompli[/i] needed to steal. Sure enough, Desmond had a box on him, and without much thought, she stole it, using Blood magic to deconstruct and rebuild it in her hands. It was a simple action that could have been brushed off as a branch of Binding magic, but she still felt a cold chill—guilt, perhaps, at her underhanded tactic? She decided to rebuild the box using Binding magic, with the unsettling feeling that there were eyes on her. In the end, though, nothing came of it. However... she [i]did[/i] make a mistake when rebuilding the box. She'd reconstructed the hinges the wrong way, such that the box couldn't be opened. [color=steelblue]"Not exactly my best work as a carpenter, eh?"[/color] she mused, earning a genuine chuckle from Hill's Pond. [color=olivedrab]"Nice job, dumbass."[/color] Xiuyang couldn't inspect its contents now, but when she did, she'd be in for a nasty prize from the fake Cherune box.

[center][h3]The Hills Have Eyes[/h3][/center]
	As promised, Xiuyang took Hill's Pond out to drink, at a Mudville tavern both agreed was [i]the[/i] place to be. There, they would exchange stories: all of Xiuyang's were, of course, about Mountain Spring, the Black Guard, and the Twin Emperors—anything Hill's Pond was interested in asking about. However, she would never dare say that she was close enough to Cold Soup's demise to feel the shockwaves from Seki's attack. Hill's Pond started with stories about herself and her upbringing, but they were becoming less and less coherent as time went on. It wasn't long before it became obvious who was going to win their drinking contest—though, amazingly, even Xiuyang was just a little bit drunk. She was just about to launch into the story of how she met the Soul Sisters backstage when she felt it: a cold chill.

	Eyes. There were eyes on her—angry eyes. She looked around, but didn't see them through the alcoholic haze.

	Her instincts told her to run, and her instincts didn't lie. So, she ran, and sure enough, footsteps followed her—familiar footsteps—and they didn't belong to Hill's Pond. Soon, an equally, dreadfully familiar hand grabbed her by the collar.

	[color=gray]"Would you spare a moment of your precious time for me?"[/color] the man asked impatiently.

	[color=steelblue]"Fuck! No!"[/color] Xiuyang spat as she struggled.

	[color=gray]"Don't raise your mother's voice to me, you rebellious girl!"[/color] he rattled off, pinning her against a wall.

	[color=olivedrab]"Uh, 'scuse me..."[/color] a very, [i]very[/i] drunk Hill's Pond interrupted, staggering along. [color=olivedrab]"Izzat man, (hup!) ...botherin' you, Xiu?"[/color] she asked, drawing heat from the air threateningly. Though in this state she was almost entirely inept, it seemed to intimidate the man just slightly. [color=steelblue]"...He's my father,"[/color] Xiuyang confessed, after a pause. [color=olivedrab]"...Oh,"[/color] Pond replied, blankly. [color=olivedrab]"...OHH!"[/color] she repeated, as if it were suddenly making sense. [color=olivedrab]"So it's like that, is it?! Well, come, (hup!) ...get some, abusive dad-guy!"[/color] she cried, throwing herself at the ground. Well, she [i]tried[/i] to throw herself at Mr. Solari. He clicked his tongue. [color=gray]"Look at you, hanging about with this filth—and that one-legged yasoi girl! You should know better, Salome! You should know what that looks like!"[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"I know perfectly well what it looks like!"[/color] Xiuyang fought back, raising her hand against an incoming slap. [color=steelblue]"I've never once let you down, have I?! You've never [i]demanded[/i] to know what I'm up to, until recently! You used to just [i]trust me,[/i] let me [i]do things![/i] What happened?! Why the sudden change of heart, giving the company to Maria?!"[/color] she demanded. Her father's eyes widened; he looked like he was going to ask who told her that. Then, he narrowed them, ignoring that concern for the moment. He looked into the eyes of his smug daughter, confident that she knew more than he thought she did, and that somehow meant she knew [i]better.[/i] [color=gray]"This school has changed you—much for the worse,"[/color] he judged. [color=steelblue]"What do you know?! I've accomplished so much here!"[/color] she countered. [color=gray]"Accomplished [i]what,[/i] Salome?! Tell me, if you're so clever, why you never write to us of matters concerning anything but the present?!"[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"Stop calling me that,"[/color] Xiuyang growled. [color=steelblue]"I know you only care about passing your legacy on. You're only interested in my marriage prospects."[/color] Tears welled up in her eyes. [color=gray]"It's your future at stake, Salome. Dark and difficult times are ahead. Hard times are survived only by hard men. I know you know this. Your brothers-in-law—they are wealthy, but weak. I had hoped you could find better, here. Clearly, I was mistaken. ...Come home, Xiuyang,"[/color] he pleaded. [color=gray]"We both know what's about to happen. If no man here will have you, let your mother and I protect you instead."[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"...I have a boyfriend, though,"[/color] Xiuyang replied, feigning confusion. [color=gray]"If you mean that redheaded—"[/color] he began angrily, but Xiuyang cut him off. [color=steelblue]"Not him. We're close, but... he's just a friend,"[/color] she forced. [color=gray]"...Then who?"[/color] he prompted, his tone confused but encouraging. Xiuyang drew a breath.

	[color=steelblue]"...Ciro Volta,"[/color] she replied.

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	In the end, Cosimo and Salome Solari talked, for the first time since ReTan. She shared a hollow laugh with her father about how Maria's husband was a doormat, and Desi's husband let her spend their money lavishly on frivolous things. Xiuyang, he assured her, knew what a good man was. She agreed, reassuring him that Ciro was strong but kind, and very market savvy. In fact, the two of them together could one day be the wealthiest merchants in all of Constantia! She tickled his ears with whatever he wanted to hear and sent him away with a hug, presumably to try and dig up some more information on Ciro. Truthfully, she was glad that he would. Where [i]Le Volpi[/i] failed, perhaps the head of the Solari family might succeed. Sadly, she wasn't confident that it would result in what she wanted, more than anything: to stay at Ersand'Enise. With her mind swimming with new things to think about, and her heart still semi-racing in that unsettled way it always did after awkward and unwanted conversation, she laid on a rooftop under the stars.

	[color=steelblue]"...Now I've [i]really[/i] done it,"[/color] she sighed. [color=steelblue]"Suppose I'll have to apologize to Ciro for lying about that, after my dad inevitably gives him some long-winded, [i]excruciatingly[/i] boring lecture about how he's not good enough,"[/color] she muttered to herself, taking a cynical drink from her gourd. She snickered a little, imagining a very confused Ciro patiently listening and taking it all in stride with his winsome smile. [color=steelblue]"What a... m-mess..."[/color] she yawned.