As she returned to camp, Kaara wonder what she should do for the rest of the day. She needed something to keep her mind off of things.

Her train of thought was interrupted by a warm breeze and a pair of hands cupping over her eyes, "Guess who!"

The warm wind had already told her who it was, “Hey Arik!”

“Keep your eyes closed, Kar-Kar. I’ve got a new outfit.”

“Okay!” Kaara said, closing her eyes.

“Alright, open your eyes Kar-Kar!”

A mischievous grin was spread over Arik's face as usual, "Like my outfit?"

Kaara took a glance over, and to describe it in a single word would be to call it abstract. Arik was wearing an amalgamation of different colored feathers, furs, and skins ranging from long and poofy to rigid and scaly.

While it might have looked completely out of place on anyone else, it was perfect for Arik. The mismatched and clashing patterns complemented Arik’s mismatched horns and eyes. While at first glance it looked like complete chaos there was intent and order behind it all. It spoke for itself. This was Arik as a person expressed through clothing.

"You look great! But- you're not the type to ask most days."

Arik pat Kaara's shoulder, "I know, but I was wearing it before I got into a fight, and I was wondering if it still looked alright. Plus, I haven’t seen you in so long! I wanted to make sure I looked good."

Kaara noticed all the cuts and bruises littering Arik's dark skin. "Did you win?"

"Of course I did! If you think I look bad, you should see the other guy."Arik said, pulling her closer, "And you don't need to worry about healing, I like the look of these cuts, got it? I’m trying to get a scar or two y’hear? I think I’d look pretty hot with one on my cheek, what do you think?"

"You’d make anything look good. But you usually don’t bother with other people’s opinions about your looks. What changed?"

"Yeah? Call it character growth. I wanna get feedback on my style so I can do better. Plus, I trust your opinion more than anyone else’s."

"Well I think-"

“Hold that thought, actually. You remember when we were kids and you used to turn me into a snow monster?"

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Yeah?"

"Let's do it now, like, right now."

"But why?"

"For old times sake! Cmon, turn me into a snow monster! I’m thinking of a hydra this time."

“...Okay!” she said, clapping her hands together. The snow around them instantly enveloped Arik molding and shaping into a beautiful hydra. Kaara stepped back and nodded, admiring her work.

"Hey! You! Blood haired girl!"

Kaara jumped to see what looked like a Malaki that had been stung by a hundred bees, “Ah! Malaki in the camp! Help!”

“What? I’m not a Malaki! I’m Raktus!”

“Oh. You got fucked up huh?"

Raktus was a quick healer, though, she could already see the welts and swelling going down.

“Such vulgar language. These are only surface level wounds. He cannot break my fighting spirit! Where has that coward gone? I must challenge him again!"

Kaara glanced over at the snow hydra. Now she was confused, "Who?"

"The xio with wind magic known as Arik Tibur. I heard him talking nearby earlier. I must find him to reclaim the honor he stole from me."

"You can hear people that well? Are you sure you’re looking for Arik?" Kaara asked, trying to understand better. Did he really not know?

"Uh, yeah? Unless he’s lied to me about his name. But I know I heard his voice! You know where he is right? And I can tell if you're lying, so don't piss me off."

"How can you do that?"

"I can hear your heart- anyways, where is he?"

Kaara's jaw dropped, "Wow that's amazing! You're able to hear a heartbeat?"

The xio sighed heavily, his head in his hand, "Yes, it’s not that impressive, I’m sure Arik is also capable of that too! You’re his friend right? He’s about this big, black dreadlocks shaved at one side and braided with bones. Purple tail, Mismatched eyes, one horn is curled like a ram’s the other’s the shape of an S, He’s got dark brown skin, and he’s wearing the dumbest looking outfit. You couldn’t miss him if you tried!"

Kaara wondered if the snow hydra behind her would melt or explode first. She put a finger on her cheek, "You seemed to have missed him if you can’t find him.”

“That’s because the coward is so good at running away while I’m unconscious.”

It seemed Raktus wasn’t the brightest, “Well I don't know any guys in my clan with that description, and I know almost everyone in camp."

"Well you're not lying, but...How can you not? He was just here. I heard him. I know he’s nearby somewhere!"

“Why do you want a rematch right now?”

"They put up a good fight, but now that I know their tricks, I know I can win! Their last victories were flukes. Even if I admit they are strong, I know I would be the victor in eight out of every ten matches! I was just distracted by their graceful technique. That’s all!"

"Well Raktus, you wanna look at this snow monster I made? Pretty cool huh?"

"No I'm trying to find-" He paused, "why does it have a heartbeat-"

Kaara spread her arms out, and obliterated the snow hydra to reveal Arik, "Tada!"

Arik was wide-eyed, "Kaara, you bitch!"