Rising Shards

Despite everything (most annoying at the moment: the enchanted binding rope had started to make Kalei’s wrists really cramp up), Kalei couldn’t help but laugh at Ovie storming around, smashing tables.

They were in the VIP/kid pizza party room at Chumblerosa, which Kalei didn’t even bother to try understanding. It was a weird void thing, it was a weird Chumbler thing, time to roll with the punches here.

“Where is it?” Ovie seethed. 

Upon their arrival in Chumblerosa, the Sharai Daggers had somehow left Ovie’s possession. Just completely vanished. Either Ovie was dumb enough to drop them or they got pickpocketed. Or the weird Chumbler/void nature of the casino just zapped them away somewhere. So instead of processing it logically (as much logic as you could apply to a magic casino in the middle of an evil army’s major city), Ovie was smashing up and slicing tables, chairs and Chumbler cardboard cutouts.

OK, gotta admit I do kinda vibe with her smashing everything. That’s what I did last night, so I’d probably do the same if I was her right now.

“Did you take them?” Ovie asked 09. “Or was it one of you?” Nobody flinched even with Ovie pointing a bloodsaber dripping with acid at them.

Kalei had a snarky comment ready, but before she could make it, she felt a subtle kick at the back of her shin. Her mom could sense when she was about to snap back at someone. I’m guessing she picked a time to jump these idiots.

Mahina had a rule that she imparted to her daughter about waiting for the right time to strike, mainly that you can’t snark in the buildup to the big attack for maximum impact when you finally strike. She showed Kalei this through board games and multiplayer party games mainly, but the tactics were potentially coming in handy here. 

“Ovie, I told you that I was sensing some reality altering effects here,” 09 said. “You could have scanned it too. And I know I’m right because we didn’t get brainwashed entering the back door.”

Another subtle kick that Kalei answered by jabbing her heel backward. I wasn’t even gonna say anything that time. But I can guess what you thought I was gonna say. Gross. But funny.

"We came in through the second floor." Ovie said. Her pouting and whiny tone in the middle of aesthetically a kids' playpen made her look like a five year old that wasn't getting her way. "On the side. Very different from going to the back and—"

“Hey kids!” Chumbler said, a video of her playing on a TV in the corner of the room. “While your families are out gambling, enjoy the pizza in this room, pizza brought to you by Blegs Spicy Honeyjack Barbecue Brothers Blend Wings. I especially recommend the Blegs Spicy Honeyjack Barbecue Brothers Blend Wings pizza, which has Blegs Spicy Honeyja—"

“I can’t take this noise!” Ovie screeched as she sliced through the TV. “09…” Ovie’s shoulders rose and fell with heavy breaths. “If the daggers were moved by some reality breaking BS in here, where would they be?”

“Probably in a main office,” 09 said. “Backstage, maybe?”

Ovie stomped towards the only door out of the VIP room (which stood for Very Important Pizza according to the signs on the ceiling).

“I’m going out there, and I’m getting the daggers back.” Ovie said. “You make sure none of them leave.”

“OK…” 09 said.

09 watched Ovie leave. She turned slightly back. “I’ll…I’ll be right back. So none of you move. Please.”

“We’ll stay right here!” Narkissa said, maybe a bit too eagerly, but 09 didn’t react to the fake sweet voice as she left.

Kalei’s mom kicked her again.

“This party room makes me a bit thirsty for a certain grape flavored beverage,” Mahina whispered.

“Huh?” Kalei asked.

“The code words, dummy,” Mahina said. “Time to strike is imminent. If she doesn’t come right back we can just leave, if she does come right back we can overwhelm her as soon as she’s here. So start brainstorming what you're going to say.”

“Mom, we can’t beat up a clybrid, they’re like super strong.” Kalei said.

“Don’t underestimate me,” Mahina said. “I’ve beaten plenty of clybrid ass in my day. And if we’re all together, it’ll be even easier.”

Kalei grinned. Her mom’s confidence was infectious.

“What’s your plan?” Kalei asked.

“I’m gonna get you three freed, then we’ll get her,” Mahina said.

“Hell yes, Ms. Koridia.” Ko said.

“Simple enough plan.” Kalei said. “What took you so long to come up with that one?”

“It’s all about timing,” Mahina said. “Are your powers blocked?” 

“I think so, they tied me up with these ropes that glowed for a sec,”

“Then here.” Mahina said. Her mom shuffled around. Kalei felt something in her hands. Her mom had similar ice-based powers, and by the touch had made a small blade of ice. Kalei began cutting at the ropes. “I can break binding charmed to block powers.”

“What took you so long to do that?” Kalei asked.

“It takes concentration!” Mahina said. “And some quiet and stillness. So it took me longer than I would have liked.”

"Can't you just untie me?" Kalei asked.

"These ropes are such a pain to untangle, easier to just cut em." Mahina said.

“Geez mom, excuses much?” Kalei asked.

“Well, what’s taking you so long?” Mahina asked.

“I almost cut through the rope already.” Kalei said.

“I’ll get the others; you have til that’s done or I’ll make fun of you for being so slow at this.” Mahina said.

Once Kalei had gotten out of her binding, Mahina was finishing cutting Risa’s binding.

“Thanks,” Risa said.

“No problem,” Mahina said. “Now, very quickly before we plan an attack/escape.” She rushed over to Kalei and gave her a bearhug, which Kalei returned gladly.

“Thanks for coming to get me.” Kalei said. “Is it just you and Ko?”

“No, we brought like, everybody.” Ko said. “A bunch happened on the way though. Kai tweaked her knee, Iris and Maia got beat up by Scrungy…but yeah. Lots of people came to help you, dude.”

Kalei’s eyes welled up, but she did not want to show that in front of Ko. “So let’s get the hell out of here?”

“Afraid not,” 09 said. She waited in the doorway, getting into a fighting stance.

“Alright, grape soda,” Mahina said quietly. “Which, if you forgot, means that now we strike. Anyone have any snarky retorts to the lovely girl waiting to fight us?”

“Afraid so!” Ko said.

“Oof,” Mahina said. “We can do better than that.”