Interlude β
“Two new players,” Melinda noted, “and one who got here on his own.”
“They’re not new,” Gary corrected, “I’ve been watching. They were here the whole time.”
Caroline made an effort to remember the two new competitors from her mortal life, but could not. Odd.
“How long has it been since Liz left?” she asked restlessly.
“Patience.” Gary grinned.
Melinda checked the watch that had just popped into existence. “About 6 minutes.”
Caroline shook her head. It had been much longer than that. Hadn’t it?
Gary’s grin grew. “When you’re a nearly-immortal Avatar, your sense of time shifts a little.”
…Chapter 8a: Tournament
To the tune of One Short Day, from Wicked
KUSHAL: Well, we’re here, at the Tournament City
(BACKGROUND VOCALS): One Two short days, at the
Tournament City
RICHARD: Oh, I’ve always wanted to see the Tournament City!
(BACKGROUND VOCALS): Two short days, at the Tournament Cityyyyyyyyy!
FLORA: Two short days, at the Tournament City!
PERSIA: Two short days, and I’m double-entered too!
CHRISTINE: I’ve never seen so much Speech in a city
IVY: But we’d better find a place to unwind
JIN: A bathroom, please, too!
GORDON: There’s food as cheap as $2.50.
RICHARD: Liberals!
KUSHAL: And libraries!
PERSIA:…
Chapter 7: I
I was getting rather bored, actually, sitting against a log for about the eighth time today while the girls discussed which way to go. By “the girls” I mean, of course, Christine, Persia, Flora, and another Persia. Being lost is stressful for anyone. Being lost with a friend who has a multiple personality talent is…well. You can understand.
The only one not participating in the “discussion” was Ivy, who had decided right at the start that sitting on the log with me would be much more amusing. By my count she had already taken more than half of what was…