You've Got To Be Kidding

//LEONA//

You've got to be kidding me. I did absolutely nothing and still pass? I swear by the old gods and new, this is just ridiculous.

I don't need to be here.

I don't particularly want to be here either.

But do I get a say in the matter?

Of course not.

My face doesn't betray any frustration. Because, I'm not terribly frustrated I suppose. I get to keep a better eye on the twins anyhow. I just hope that they're either both chosen by the same heir or only one gets chosen. If both are chosen by different heirs, there's no telling what the repercussions will be.

What would happen if they had to battle each other? The heirs will be relentless and the twins might get hurt. Killed even. By each other. Sure the heirs will be the wielders, but either one of them would hold guilt if the other died.

The albino heir.

Ylfa.

They seemed excited. They're not terribly unreasonable either. I hope they get chosen by them.

What a sight they'd be. A trio of white-haired individuals. I wonder if the heir was born albino or developed it when they came into their shifting abilities.

I realize that I've been staring at the room wall for too long when a knock at the door manages to startle me. Although, room is too nice a word, because it really is just a cubicle with a somewhat comfortable bench and a rack to hang a few garments.

I was tucked in here after our round to change into something "palace worthy," and it hangs two sizes too big, but I enjoy the extra movement I get out of it.

The boy who opens the door can't be older than me, not that I'm old thank you very much. 19 is hardly old.

He bows lightly and I notice a flash of tattoo on his neck before he's straightening up again and I incline my head in turn.

When we're both right-side up again, he stretches a hand out in the direction of the hallway before turning that way. I take it for the signal it is and follow behind him.

Being in the furthest corner gives me the chance to survey the rest of the candidates that performed in the first round.

I spot the twins near the front before a massive wall of muscle blocks my view. I blink and refocus on the individuals in front of me. and I must say, if this person was a chip, they'd clearly be one of those pre-Cataclysm ones. Doritos I believe they were called.

The Dorito looking individual turns to her guide who is practically the smallest one there is, and asks them a question.

Spoken too low for me to hear, I see the guide crane their head up to reply. The Dorito shaped woman seems satisfied and continues following the line. I lean as far to the side as I dared, to peer around them.

I'm greeted with the sight of a stout looking individual with the thinnest, yet curliest mustache I have ever seen. They're arguing with their guide and it looks like they're losing. The guide points and stout mustache huffs before trudging after the other pair.

That's all I get to see before my guide cuts in front of me to catch Dorito's guide by the arm. Dorito's guide looks annoyed and my guide just whispers excitedly.

I catch the words "working together," and "be SO awesome," before Dorito's guide cracks a small smile.

Dorito and I catch each others' eye and I nod my head politely with a smile of my own. Dorito seems to deem me not a threat and smiles back.

As we all continue to meander down the longest hallway I've ever had the misfortune of walking through in my life, we pass by a window that gives an alright view of the stadium. Perfect timing really, as I look down, there's a burst of something, and then-

Yup.

Someone is on fire.

No one seems to be doing anything about it so I assume that it's all part of the act. And I'm proven right, as the individual shakes themselves free of their flames and gives a gracious bow.

I'm about to pass the window when another thing catches my eye. The pyrokinetic has a mop of hair in the brightest shade of pink I've ever seen.

Cool.

________

Finally, the hallway ends and we're greeted by massive double doors.

Inside...

Has to be the most boringly decorated room.

Ever.

No joke, I swear.

The grey brick walls are adorned with an exposed lightbulb every meter and a half or so. The planks of wood lay atop simple metal poles to serve as benches and...

That's it.

Oh wait. There are numbers written in marker on the sides of each plank. The guides lead us towards the front where the #1 bench must be.

Mm yes. There it is.

Lovely.