He remarked that she had managed to surprise him yet again, and that, per their agreement, his body was hers to do with as she pleased. And what pleased her, did so for him as well, and for many hours at that.
By the time morning rolled around the two were not only well-fed but also rested in both body and mind, their powerful pigment additions boosting their natural abilities both in and out of the bedroom to their great delight. There was also something strange happening. Interesting. Dorrin said it wasn’t true Infala bonding, but as their Infalas had been enhanced by the same pigment only moments apart while the two then remained in such close proximity, it seemed the “family” of microorganisms making up the new colonies within each of them had sensed one another, drawing the two closer without their realizing it.
The pigment wanted to be as one, and as a result the two lovers couldn’t get enough of one another, pulled viscerally closer by the Infala pigment’s inexorable draw.
“Shall we break our fast and see what the final event is to be?” Dorrin asked his love.
“Might as well get it over with. I just hope it’s nothing too brutal.”
He chuckled, leaning in and kissing her forehead tenderly. “My dearest, from what I can gather, that was yesterday’s event. I would expect today to be difficult, no doubt, but as the final event it will also need to have an element of risk to keep the gambling community happy.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. The opportunity for an upset always goes over well with them.”
“Well, then. Let’s go see what they’ve got in store for us.”
They made their way to the dining area, piling up their plates high, fueling their bodies for whatever madness the day might bring. But when the final event was displayed on the floating scoreboard for all to see, everyone, even the elites, were shocked.
“No,” Dorrin gasped, utterly at a loss. “This is impossible.”
Ziana wasn’t nearly as surprised as he was, but she was stillnotexpecting this. “Didn’t you say it hadn’t been used as an event in a super long time? Like, longer than anyone could remember?”
“I did.”
“But the board saysBolaxis.”
“I can see that. And it is certainly no mistake.” He shook his head looking at the faces of the other competitors, gauging each and every one of them. None had expected this. Not in a million years. “It looks like Bolaxis is it, and there is nothing to do about it.”
“How? I mean, won’t this upset the gamblers?”
“Perhaps not so much as we’d think. I see now that they will be holding multiple rounds per pairing with the winners advancing.”
“So, like a championship tournament, basically. Win and advance a slot until the finals.”
“Yes. You speak like you are familiar with this sort of thing.”
“An ex was really into sports. I’ve watched way more playoff games than most people, I’d wager.”
“We cannot wager as players.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Ah, another figure of speech.”
“Now you’re getting it,” she chuckled, refraining from giving him a kiss in public, but the look in her eyes making her intent clear enough.
He actually blushed a little, just a hint of color darkening his cheeks, but she saw it. He was smitten, just as she was. And they both had the same idea now that the die had been cast in regard to the day’s game. They would sit back and observe the others, watch for normal behaviors so they could later note any irregular ones. It wasn’t going to be a poker game, but bluffing was very much a part of Bolaxis strategy.
Everyone ate in relative silence, the shock of the revelation setting them all on-edge. By the time they made their way to the arena where Bolaxis boards had been set up on a series of raised platforms, the final one looming above the others, Dorrin had made a decision. One that could change his life forever.
The first-round pairings were listed, and the teams fanned out to their respective platforms. There were five seats on each. One for each male player and one for his female attendant and their pitcher of Lectrolis cooler.
The fifth seat was for the officiant who would oversee the gameplay and enforce the rules. Of course, with this being the finals, as well as a game that was easy to observe and pretty much impossible to cheat at under such scrutiny, it was essentially an honorary position.
Nevertheless, officiating was an honor, and the officiants were gathered together in a huddle with the main overseer while the teams took their positions.
“I will join you in a moment,” he said as Ziana headed to their designated spot.
