Second pt 6- FIVE HOURS LATER

Segun: You look funny sitting in the Master’s chair all alone, Nill.

Nill: Well, sitting in the entry chair, you look like Prima with a makeover.

Segun: Do you think it’s a good idea for you to go sit in the audience, really?

Nill: I do it all the time with the Masters for Prima’s races.

Segun: But never by yourself. Have you ever seen a Synth alone in the audience?

Nill: I’ve never seen a Synth be a temporary Master before either, but you’ve got the Server on your side, right? And I’ll be there to cheer for you. Since you have no fans, you’ll kinda need me.

Segun: I guess you’re right, just...ask the Server for help if you need it, okay?

Nill: I don’t know that I trust the Server, but it’s a little late for doubt now. You ready?

Segun: Yes!

Nill: I’m pushing the go button in three...two...one...

Segun: Ack! That still makes me feel all twisted inside.

Server: You will become accustomed to it.

Segun: I hope so. Oh, this place is so cool! My Start Space is a whole room!

Server: The polished marble columns are a nice touch.

Segun: And the floor is so shiny I can see my reflection and...Server, did you change my clothes?

Server: Yes. Do you like them?

Segun: The shirt is so soft and scoops nicely across my shoulders. And I like how it ties and kinda looks like a skirt in the back, even though I have pants.

I’ve never worn shoes before, but these are so light, they’re like leggings, and they come halfway up my thighs!

Server: Nill found the clothing in eShops and traded feathers for each piece.

Segun: So sweet of him.

Server: Please do not spin. I am trying to analyze your reflection. Yes, the deep blue and rich brown of this attire really brings out the conspicuousness of your gold and green features.

Segun: They are so comfy and fit perfectly, not like my human disguise.

Server: Those were not digitally rendered specifically for you.

Segun: Is this the door that will open when the race starts? It’s so big and solid looking! I’m so excited!

Server: Please do not bounce.

Segun: I can’t help it! I feel like I’ll explode if I don’t move!

??: Hehe, newbie nerves. I remember those.

Segun: Are you in the race, too?

??: That would be why I’m on the other side of these bars—no, don’t try to squeeze your head between them—in a Start Space just like yours.

Segun: And you don’t get nervous anymore?

??: Not really.

Segun: Not at all? Even a little bit?

??: Nothing compared to you anyway, Darlin’. Do you think you could lean back in your chair like this, feet propped up, so utterly relaxed?

Segun: I don’t have a chair.

??: Hehe, true. Most don’t, and it would be a waste if they did. But me? I’ve learned some things over my long years.

Segun: Tips you can share?

??: Sure, here’s my number one tidbit: put your heart and everything you’ve got into every moment and see what you get in return.

Segun: And that helps you be so calm?

??: It helps me thrive. My first Expert Race, I was a bit of a nervous wreck, and when I’m nervous, my brain kicks into overdrive, and it makes me a little...quirky. That quirkiness earned me a lot of fans, though, and they’ve stuck with me.

Segun: You’ve been in an Expert Race before?

??: Not just been in. I won that first one, and the one after that.

Segun: Quintis.

Quintis: Don’t whisper my name with such reverence, Darlin’. It makes me feel dead.

Segun: But you’re the only one ever to win two Expert Races, and no one’s even been in three before!

Quintis: Until today.

Server: He is older than he looks.

Segun: He is off the charts smart! The biographies say he got that black hair from his Intelligence stats in his First Cocoon, and no Cocoon has changed it since. It kinda sticks up funny, though.

Server: He told you he is quirky for his fans, though I would rather he strive for suave. Those sharp, chilly eyes lend well to that image.

Segun: That would kinda go with his fancy suit, too, I guess, though the patches of snake skin on it would have to go.

Server: Did he manifest the Blue eyes of Adaptability for his Second Cocoon, then add a Green tint to them in the Third? He clearly manifested Speed third, with those elven ears, pointed teeth, and tanned skin.

Segun: Why does he have no mods? I know he’s won lots.

Server: Why not inquire of him?

Segun: No, I’ve stared at him too much.

Quintis: You alright, Darlin’? You’re blushing like a lobster sitting on a stove.

Segun: S-sorry you won’t win your third title in this race because I’ll be winning today. I have to.

Quintis: Hehe, everyone thinks they have to win today.

??: Do not speak to Lord Quintis like that!

Segun: Hey! You can’t be in here, I think. Get out of my start space!

Server: He is humongous, and why is his hair on fire?

Segun: Red flame hair is the result of manifesting Strength in your Fourth Cocoon.

Server: Those enormous claws are impressive. The Third Cocoon imparts those to ones with high level Strength?

Segun: Yeah, and his blood red eyes mean he manifested Strength in his Second Cocoon, too. I can’t fight him, but he’s stomping like he wants to smash me!

Quintis: Knight, you’re not supposed to hop over the Start Gates.

Knight: But she was insulting you, Lord Quintis.

Quintis: She didn’t do me any harm. Come on, you’re scaring her. Look, she’s backed all the way against the bars, and her cute little fox ears are down.

Segun: I...I’m not scared.

Knight: Of course not, now that I’m climbing out of the Start Spaces.

Server: I question Knight’s choice of attire. It is similar to the default jumpsuits, and its onyx snakeskin material added to the hood, plus the mask covering the bottom half of his face, result in a very low Adorability level.

Segun: If he wants to look intimidating, I’d say he got it right.

Server: His size helps in that. On small Nill, the outfit would look comical.

Quintis: You can peel yourself away from those bars now, Darlin’, and smooth down your hair. Those are some interesting knots you have it tied in.

Segun: Thanks. I like to come up with different knots when I’m bored.

Quintis: Do your fans like your creations?

Segun: I don’t actually have any fans yet, not that I know of...don’t look so pitying and confused. I will totally win today, fans or no fans!

Quintis: Hehe, I welcome challenge. I know there’s an end to every streak and fickle fanatics will move on. It’s perfectly fine to admit defeat to a worthy successor. I don’t really think that’s you yet, though.

Segun: You don’t know how amazing I am.

Quintis: In my first Expert Race, there was a Synth who was Worst Class in everything, which should be legendary in itself.

Segun: And nothing like me. I have desirable stats.

Quintis: Listen. He had won the race before, even though his run was more like a waddle and he didn’t have the strength to push a pebble, but his fans loved him because he always found a way. Intelligence and the love of the crowd are everything in this race.

Segun: But he didn’t win, not against you.

Quintis: No, ’cause I’m just as smart.

Segun: Your grin is a little terrifying.

Quintis: It’s for the fans, Darlin’. They love it.

Segun: They can see us right now?

Quintis: In the Expert Race, the fans see all.

Segun: Server, can Nill see me right now?

Server: He could if he attempted to turn and look at you.

Segun: What do you mean? Is he watching someone else?

Server: His reflection, perhaps, though your door didn’t appear quite shiny enough for that.

Segun: Nill! I see him, Server! Why is he in the Start Space on the other side of Quintis?!

Server: He belongs in the race, not in the audience. It is more interesting this way.

Segun: Nill! He’s not answering me. Is he in shock? Is he hurt? He’s not moving. He’s just standing there, staring at the closed door.

Server: It is a gallant pose. With his over large wings slightly unfurled like that, if you discount the tremendous terror on his face, it would make a striking portrait.

Segun: Nill’s not here to pose for a portrait! This is the Expert Race, and he’ll die.

Server: You believed if he accompanied you outside he would die, and he did not.

Segun: Nill! Can’t you hear me at all?!

Quintis: He a friend of yours, Darlin’? He looks a little overwhelmed. You want my Second to go snap him out of it?

Segun: Your Second? What?!

Quintis: Don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t seem very bright, Darlin’. If you do intend to win this thing, shouldn’t you have looked up your advantages and options before reaching this point?

Segun: I don’t need to cheat to win!

Quintis: A Second is not only legal, it’s smart. They can’t start the race and can’t win because they aren’t actual Contenders. They’re a close friend there to help if you need it and to share fan popularity.

Segun: You share fans?

Quintis: Knight’s fans are just as eccentric as my own, though not as numerous yet. He’s hoping to remedy the latter by association with me, and he keeps me alive out there, so win-win.

Segun: But you don’t share code?

Quintis: If anyone did, that would be a glitch, and they would probably get deleted.

Segun: *gulp* So you don’t regulate Level-Ups so that you only get the maximum valued ones and Knight gets the others?

Quintis: No, that sounds like it would be an annoying way to train. Worth it, maybe, but still annoying. I’m smart, but I get my Level-Ups like everyone else.

Segun: Server, did you put me in this race as Nill’s Second?!!

Server: That would be too cruel. A Second cannot win, and I know how much you want and need victory.

Segun: Then why is Nill here?

Server: I told you I wished to see him in this race.

Segun: But he doesn’t want to race!

Server: Left to that misguided desire, he is a waste of potential. Either he will rise above his fear and move forward, or as you predict, he will die.

Server: The gates have closed and the Expert Race will begin in five...four...

Segun: Ack! Why is it raining on me? And the water is pooling. It’s up to my knees! My waist! It’s almost over Nill’s head, and he still hasn’t moved!

Server: ...three...two...

Segun: The water’s covered Nill completely, and he’s panicking! He’ll drown, Server! Get him out of here!

Server: Quintis is calmly floating.

Segun: Well he’s an idiot.

Server: Segun, you cannot fit between the bars. If you wish to assist Nill, you will have to leave the start spaces and reenter through his exit.

Server: ...one...

Segun: The door vanished, but there’s a giant boulder sealing the exit! I can’t push it, and the water’s all the way to the ceiling!

Server: Quintis is calmly examining the boulder.

Segun: I don’t need you to narrate everything Quintis is doing!

Server: Quintis has found that the crag has a flaw, a weak spot.

Segun: Did he just shatter that rock? There’s water on the other side, too?

Server: Your boulder must also have a weakness.

Segun: I’m looking! I’m looking! There! Ow, my foot!

Server: Your kick, while hardly graceful, succeeded.

Segun: Get out of my way, shattered boulder! Nill! Hold on, I’m coming!

Server: Swim to the surface and breathe first.

Segun: No, Nill can’t breathe either! And I can’t find the weakness in his boulder!

Server: There likely is not one from this side.

Segun: I’ll have to pry it free.

Server: Go get air.

Segun: Only once I really have to. Every second counts, Server. Nill is drowning in there.

Continued in pt 7- SIX MINUTES LATER

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