NOVPUB--- Kat ---
Despite Thyme's statement that they'd need to double check how the enchantments worked to confirm what would happen… they didn't go and check on things right that moment. Instead, they went through several other minor clarifications with the team of dwarves asking several variations of the question "Do we really have to give up our familiars if we want a Timmy"
To which of course, Thyme always answered "Yes," without fail. Every time. The only one who seemed a bit annoyed about this course of action was Long. It seemed that while the rest of his team had gained a familiar just for the tournament he'd found a partner for life and had no plans to exclude him from the round… well presumably. It was possible he wanted to keep his familiar safe but considering the dog was built like a tank with teeth that seemed like they could chew through metal it seemed silly to leave it out of the fighting.
Eventually though, Thyme decided to wrap the questions up claiming, "Nobody seems to be asking anything new, so instead we'll go on break. You'll be able to come see me for answers after at least an hour passes but remember… if you want to ask questions everyone has to hear the answers,"
Thyme paused to see that everyone had taken things in before pulling out five medium sized boxes. "These are the enchanted chests that will be storing your storage artifacts," Thyme then pushed one open and forward to show that inside where five bangles. "They also store your bands. They will need to be applied to your wrist before sundown. You can still add or remove contents until you leave the airship but you must be wearing one by six.
"Now, you are all free to go to your rooms for the trip. They are soundproofed and separated based on team. Just follow the line underneath your table and you'll get there," said Thyme.
Kat glanced around and didn't see anything around the tables… but a check through Lily's eyes revealed that she could see the line just for their team, so presumably Thyme was only allowing everyone to see their team's line. Made sense,"
"Let's get to planning," said Nixilei as she stood up. Green let out a groan and flopped over to Gareth who was standing up as well. He chuckled and scooped Green up into his arms as the rest of the team got up as well. The line led them into the ship and around a few corners, though Lily was able to tell they'd transitioned elsewhere in space and not just around a corner or two. Apparently Thyme was keeping the sleeping quarters of each team very separate.
Kat was expecting a fancy room once they stepped inside but it was in fact painfully barren. There were five beds all lined up against the wall, a small nightstand for each bed and a door on either side of the room with 'Shower' printed over it. Presumably there would be toilets inside as well… but that was it. No fancy artwork, no tables, no chairs even from the looks of things. It was a bit weird…
Before Kat could really take too much notice of it Thyme rose up out of the floor. "Greetings all. I need to make a small note to your team, or really, just Kat. The bracelets for your team are the same but they all restrict you to Rank 2 strength. This is of course, mostly for Kat… but notably they are only for contestants not familiars," said Thyme.
Kat open her mouth to ask… but closed it soon after. Nixilei however, was not so limiting. "Why?"
Thyme shrugged. "I can't speak on the details of course, and really I shouldn't be saying much at all… but technically I am not interfering. Let's just say that… while the rules were informal before they were made very formal for this particular round and it was not through my choice. It seems I someone wanted that very specific rule to be ironclad and paid for the privilege.
"On an unrelated note I heard you had some issues getting into the town. That's a shame and I will be investigating them. It seems I already have a few leads. Odd that," and then Thyme vanished between one moment and the next.
"Well that's a bombshell and a half," said Kress as he sat down on the edge of a bed, claiming it for his own. "Seems Thyme is getting a bit of revenge,"
"Indeed, it seems I'll need my big strong girlfriend to protect me from all of the meanies," sighed Kat as she swooned, allowing her tail to catch her before she crashed into the floor.
[How were you even able to speak that nonsense?]
*Yeah not too sure. Strong I'm not surprised but 'big' you're not exactly tall even in your human form but… it worked so whatever.*
"This is serious," said Nixilei. "If Thyme is willing to give us such a major edge there must be more going on here then it seems. While it is possible the… issues we had before might be enough for Thyme to leave such a loophole… these rules were put in place weeks, perhaps months ago,"
"What do you mean?" asked Kat.
"The rules. This final round was likely planned out in most ways before we had the 'vacation' round. In fact, I now suspect that Thyme was using that as a bit of a testing bed for this final round to ensure that all the ideas would work… but the rules? No there's no way they were finalised any later than two weeks before today. There's no way Thyme could've left in that specific loophole as payback in this instance,"
*Oh. That's… not good. What do you think it's payback FOR?*
[I have no idea and that's a problem. Thyme didn't mention the fact these are restraining in the rules… do you think the other demon needs them? No… you mentioned they felt weak so it's probably not that right?]
*I doubt it? They really don't feel all that strong so… I mean it's technically possible but they'd be Rank 3 at most and a very weak one at that so I find it hard to believe. This… I don't really know what to do with this.*
"Does it change anything though?" asked Kress. "I mean… we've got know real way of knowing so…"
Nixilei tapped her glasses a few times. "I think it means we should be more careful teaming up. There's no evidence to suggests the teams know about this… just that someone is trying to tilt things in their favour. Of course… there's nothing suggesting they're ignorant either, hence the need for care.
"The issue is that we don't know who is behind this and Thyme's not going to tell us. They would've already done so if they were. So… who is safe to team with? Is it worth the risk regardless? I'm going to say… perhaps? Going solo is something to consider for everyone here. Kat likely doesn't need to fear anyone but she also doesn't need the help in all likelihood,"
"Wouldn't it be better for her to team up in that case?" asked Green.
"Why?" asked Kress and Nixilei.
"Well… if she's safe teaming up maybe it would be good for her to make a big team with as many people as she can get away with forcing to work together. That way she can monitor them and keep them from doing anything to the rest of us? Honestly Kat can probably take on at least five people, or escape without too much issue… and that's before you consider Lily gets to use her full strength," explained Green.
Kat felt her lips trend downward. "Not sure how keen I'd be to work in a big team… but I see where you're coming from. I think my problem would be that we'd need to… sort of range? Like go out in smaller teams to avoid picking an area dry of orbs… a bit like overfishing or overhunting an area and that gives them way too much time away from me. I think I'd still be best with a team of two or three people,"
Green shrugged. "Just a suggestion really. You're right it probably wouldn't work but it seemed like a good idea when I said it and it might still be one. Just keep it in mind I guess? Definitely keep it in mind if you find a three person team. Might be better to join them instead of trying to fight them all,"
"Alright I'll keep it in mind," agreed Kat. *Though I'd be needing you to keep your eyes out for me Lily. Actually… how well do you think you'll manage to stay awake during the tournament?*
[I think I'll be fine. If I eat extra and have at least some downtime I should be fine. Don't worry about waking me. If I can get an hour or two here and there I think I'll be fine. I could also use my human form more and that might help… but we don't know how many people realise I'm a person.]
*Hmmm… something to think about.*
