458 Tembai Academy: Short Break (1/2)

Ducky glanced at Fey, nudging her slightly while Raine was distracted. ”He's handsome too.”

Raine nodded. ”I think so.” It was a few seconds before she realized her words, her pale face blushed.

The white-haired mage nodded in agreement. ”For a human, he's nice to look at. Although, I believe Floyd is best. Muncie is also very nice.”

”Everyone likes Floyd. Too bad there are two hundred Lamia Acolytes that follow him around.” Ducky's smile widened, ”Muncie? Haven't you been helping him with aerial combat?”

”Yes.” Fey opened her hud, her pale blue eyes showing confusion. ”Why would she be here?”

Ducky peeked over her shoulder, Fey had her friend's list up. There were hundreds of names. ”You have that many friends?”

Fey nodded and pointed to one that was lit up, indicating they were in the same zone. ”She shouldn't be on any of these teams... How would she even get here?”

Ducky shrugged. ”Adventure takes you places, right?”

”May I ask where you are from originally?” Raine found the two female spirit companions to be easy to talk with. Neither seemed shy around her.

”I use to live in a swampy area in the Trifelez Kingdom, although at the time I didn't know the name of it.” Ducky noticed the confused look on Raine's face and continued to speak. ”I've evolved twice since then, my current form is fully sentient.”

Raine didn't comment, she'd heard from Fajii and Bev about Nix's companions. Ducky's CC abilities were formidable. ”You met Nix in a place called Dunham's Cove? That's in Colonial, right?”

Fey pursed her lips slightly. ”I was the drake companion to an Aquarion Mage.” The white-haired teen shuddered slightly. ”Then out of nowhere, this human/salamander roasts her and I'm left high and dry.”

Ducky leaned over hugged Fey tightly. ”Nix does smart things.”

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The Fir'Dhassi leaned closer, her brown eyes watching the taxidermist as he experimented with different types of puppets. She pushed a stray strand of hair behind one pointed ear, her beautiful face showed her obvious interest. ”Amazing. These are low-level puppets?”

”Aren't you tired?” Raine covered a yawn, it was already past midnight. Fajii had told her that Nix loves to sleep in, she was beginning to understand why; he barely slept at night. ”Nix?'

”Hmm?” Nix looked up from the winged Nether Rat he was trying to create. ”Oh sorry. I'm not tired yet, still got an hour or two in me.”

Raine wagged a finger at him. ”Shouldn't you be well rested for tomorrow?” Instead of leaving she curled up on a large cushioned chair under the window.

Nix watched as she grabbed a blanket and sunk down into the cushions. ”Gonna throw you out of here if you start snoring.”

Raine popped her head up, her face showing a serious expression. ”With no warning? First offense and I'm kicked out?”

Nix nodded. ”Gonzo...”

*****************

The group ate breakfast together the next morning. Nix read the message from Ronnie while the rest of Alpha team talked amongst themselves.

Nix,

Sorry for the delay, I spent most of the evening reading up on Necromancy in my library. The only related thing I could find that connected Dragons and Necromancers was a small story about Ayulla the Dragon Lich. There is a second story that contradicts the first, saying that Ayulla was just a normal Lich King. However, both agree that he was the most powerful of them all. My take-away on this is that dragons plus Necromancers are a lethal combination. On a side note, Bali and I want to take you camping when you get back. We can say we're training! Remember the Turtle Cave where we found Soup? Let's get more turtles!

Ronnie.

Nix chuckled and closed his hud.

/Alpha: Una: We still have a few hours until the finals. Here's the scouting report, although we've already seen three of their fights.

Dotha: Necromancer: DPS, CC

Raya: Spellsword: DPS

Milamber: Spellsword: DPS

Moktaw: Guardian: Tank

Nini: Cleric: Heals.

Shoman: Ranger: DPS, CC

/Alpha: Nix: I'll let Morti play with their tank, we can play the rest by ear.

/Alpha: Una: I think we should eliminate Dotha right away.

/Alpha: Pon: He has that necro-fire, so odds are he's immune to fire damage.

/Alpha: Ducky: I will handle him.

/Alpha: Wind: Raine and I can take out the ranger.

/Alpha: Pon: That leaves the cleric, Fey and I will handle her.

/Alpha: Una: I will jump in where needed.

/Alpha: Nix: Relax a bit and walk around, I'm going to mess around with my puppets.