52)

We got lunch, for everyone who had competed, along with their guests.

After hitting the showers of course. Which I had planned on doing anyways, I didn’t need Grandpa to play up putting more anti vampire stink gel on his upper lip.

Lunch was buffet style of course, it was the only to feed that many people. Plenty of it as well, werewolves weren't the only ones with big appetites. Magic, chi, mana, call it what you will but useing it burns calories.

And veggies weren't going to fill me up this time, I went for the meat. Salmon, roast beef, fried chicken, and two biscuits on top. With butter. I was planning on at least one more plate which would have some more healthy things to eat, but to start with I wanted proteins.

The dinning hall was nearly as big as the floor of the arena so we had plenty of room even if everyone was scattered along several tables, but people sat at different places between trips to the banquets tables. So they could get to chat with different people each trip.

I got a few dark looks from the people I had beaten, but there was a few adults, like Uncle Dave, circulating the room to break up any confrontations before they got beyond harsh glares.

Then Irving plopped down at my table with a two plates piled high with meat, he glaceed around at Neal, Austin, Randy and Dare. “Wolves?”

The boys stared, before Austin nodded. “Bear?”

Irving nodded in return, then the two large boys turned their attention to what was important. The rapidly clearing plates in front of them.

I look at the other three guys who seems a little stunned. “So, Bear? Is everywhere in the Dakota Thing bears?”

Irving looked up long enough to shake his head as he shook his head, “Bears, wolves, cats. Two kinds. Some Vampires, Ghouls, Shamans, Berserkers.” He grinned, then stuffed a slice of Kielbasa in his mouth, closing his eyes to apprciate the taste.

Boys. They turned lunch into an eating competition.

I got my second plates of salads and casserole, before filling a smaller plate with a selection of deserts. Okay, it was stacked up in two layers, but it was all small slices and scoops of a bit of everything and still only one plate.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

After lunch I led the way to the volley ball courts with half of my classes mates, along with my Grandfather giving the last bits of food on the buffet tables some last lingering looks.

The old man complained as we left, “But I didn’t get third deserts.”

I don’t care how fast his metabolism is, that can’t be healthy.

The courts were in the hotel, but above ground with some high windows, with thick glass of course, so we didn’t have any vampires in attendance. Instead it was again responsible people like Uncle Dave heading off any fights. Which was easier with everyone having a full stomach.

In fact is was another good half hour before anyone was up to play, instead people sat around chatting or lightly dozing from their near sugar comas.

As much as I was looking forward to playing a few games, I did regret not being in the arena to watch the adult tournament. I wasn’t sure how much or how well I could have watch the fights, let alone pick up anything I could try out. But right now I wanted to win something, or at least have a few other people to blame if we lost.

Besides, my Mom had said she was going to get the recording of the adult fights. It wouldn't be the same as seeing things with magically enhanced senses. But I would take what I could get.

Eventually, it was some people from my group who steeped out first to knock the ball backs and forth with four people on each side. Then some guys with short haircuts stepped out.

I chatted with one of the girls in the lounge that was with them, since I needed a little more time to digest lunch.

Turned out the guy who had been in tactical gear, Jeff, was out there playing and his team were all part of a ROTC training program for magically enhanced people from all over the country. Some of who were members of families who had been serving in the military since the revolutionary war.

Turns out in addition to inspiring the Society of Cincinnatis, Washing had inspired a group called the Society of Spartacus.

Sally, who was Jeff’s sister, was also a member and planning on joining the same ROTC program when she graduated from high school.

It also turned out that there was a basketball court next door.

I looked around. “Elise! Irving! Chain guy! Basketball! Horse if we can’t get full teams.”

Chain guy glared at me. “My name is Nigel.” I waved at him. “Hi Nigel! Come play.”

We got teams. Every one here, other then some guests and family members were all intensely physical people, and they wanted to burn off some calories.

Elise slipped away from her dad, and I got her on my team. We got into sync pretty fast, and while we didn’t get to talk, we did exchange some grins at each other as well as mocking looks when one of us missed a shot.

Freaking Irving ended up on Sally’s team. He could reach up nine feet without jumping. I’m pretty sure standing between me and the basket was against some rule, but it wasn’t as if I had gotten to play that often to know if he was allowed to do that or not.

We, Team Near East, won the first game, and narrowly beat the second game before Team ROTC rolled in. They were used to working as a team, so dispute being relatively weak as magical warriors, their teamwork won that game.

Plus my team was a little worn out.

Energy drinks, cut veggies, fruit, and some unhealthy things like chips, cheese, and jerky had appeared in the sports lounge while we had been playing. Which refreshed me to jump into a volleyball game with another scratch team which included Neal, and Irving.

This time the giant was on my team.

I got Elise contact info for social media sites, as well as Sally’s. I gave mine to Irving, as well as Nigel. He turned out to be pretty cool, he had just wanted to try out his new favorite weapon in something closer to a real fight.

It was getting late by the time things broke up, but break up they did. Some people had long drives the next day or had to catch flights.

So after a quick shower and some goodbyes I was off to a supervised slumber party with the werewolves.