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Viacia had watched the teams assembling. The various levels of the Stratorium now occupied. Many had been thinking on the previous days tournaments. Actual physical, one on one; not like today where it was all simulated? True, the realism was startling. For Ocasa and the rest of the team, the challenge that lay ahead seemed to be rather tame as they entered the waters of what we would have called a river.
Think white water rafting and you would have been close to what transpires. The waters turned, from the effortless steady river flow to a raging torrent amidst rocks and other obstacles thrown their way. They HAD to work as a team to navigate the waters.
Move, to be in the right part of the boat, as we would know it. Ensure the power and drives were functioning correctly, which thanks to the Icarian twins worked perfectly. Their final adjustments, helping them to keep ahead of the competition.
The clone, Ocasa, had not known of Viacia or the original with his feelings for her? If she had thought her flirtation with him, might have given him thought, to letting his favorite Ket win, that was wasted where the clone was concerned.
Worse still when their eyes met, he did not acknowledge her at all! She was furious. Not so much the realization, that she had failed, in the attempt at using her female wiles on him, but the unfolding truth, she actually DID, have feelings for Ocasa.
"What are they doing!" Doire was staring at the approaching craft, it looked as though they were going to ram them? If they did the chance of them staying in one piece was slim. Where they were, the rocks and other obstacles, were borderline suicide, to any fool, who did not give them the respect and attention due. One wrong move, kind of springs to mind; it would be all over!
"Ram them." Jacra was staring at Viacia. Fury in her eyes? The mood she was in, not good for the rest of the team.
If he hesitated, the opportunity to do what she wanted had slipped away.
Ocasa had taken his teams craft in a different direction, risking all, taking all of their strengths their weaknesses and gambling? They headed down the rapids, at speed, with them all holding on. Praying might have been on their minds, as they hit the worst of the scenario. Their expressions, revealing all of their angst, all too clear to see when they watch the replays later!
Minutes passed before they were through. It would be some time later when the news of who had won came to the fore.
They were the winners! Perhaps the biggest wins came from the bond that had been established between them. Doire, Roija talking to the Icaraian Twins?
No animosity between them? Likewise Ocasa and Xugan at ease. Surprisingly relaxed. Sat in the Ovir, taking refreshments. Viacia, had stepped towards Ocasa. Her brothers had not been far behind her. In front of him, she stopped to glare at him.
Not a movement, a gesture, an intimation of any sort that he recognized her? Slaaaaaaaap! Her hand hit home, as those present, looked on in total surprise? None, one might add, moreso than the clone Ocasa!! Followed by the loud and more than distinct words "Stay away from me. Or else!"
Zar and Csek her brothers watched as she moves back and joins her friend Bdes. She was totally gah gah; but amused, by what she had just seen. Her suspicions had been confirmed. So there had been something going on, between her and Ocasa.
The Icarian twins had stood up, as had Doire and Roija, joined by Xugan in blocking her brothers from getting to Ocasa.
His hand was on his cheek, rubbing it, confused? Listening to the abuse from her brothers that if they caught him anywhere near their sister, it would be far more than a slap he had to worry about!
Sophen had seen what had happened. Arriving in the middle of it all? No! From across the far side of the Knurling.
By the time she got to where he was, the brothers had left. Everyone was sat talking through what had just happened?
Ocasa looked up to see Sophen as she came towards him, ah a friendly face! Her hand up and slaaaaaaaap!
"Enough that I have to put up with Jelli, after you told me, you loved me, there was no one else and I find you've been cheating behind my back with Viacia!!" She turns and storms off.
"Well one consolation. She hasn't got brothers." Xugan was laughing, followed by the others. Interrupted by the arrival of Szji who moved towards Ocasa and slaaaaaaaap!
"That's for cheating on my sister Jelli. I heard and saw everything! You wait until I see her. Cheating louse."
Her leaving had them burst into laughter. The sight of Jelli headed towards him? Ocasa did not know what she looked liked or who the female had been talking about, no enlightened by words from Cyb. "Uh oh, here comes Jelli!"
Jelli could not to her fury, get near Ocasa. Blocked by Cyb and Cyn who warned her to leave, she left. Ocasa watched and was relieved to see her go.
Settled back sipping on his Frubu. Cyn had moved to stand in front of him. "Viacia, Sophen and now Jelli?"
Sslaaaaaaaap! The drink he was holding went all over him.
"Serves you right!" Cyb slid her hand under her sisters arm and they walked off. Roija looked at Doire as they looked at Ocasa and then at Xugan. Doire pointed at the twins and then at Ocasa as Xugan nodded before once more they fell about laughing.
Across the Strat other teams, other competitions. Winners, losers. Played to the last. Tomorrow would be the awards and a party to finish it all off? Now that might be more challenging than what had happened today, put together!
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