Is it over? asks Shorty-Tartus.
Yes, says Terence. You can stop being a stone now.
The Tarti uncurl themselves, readjusting their feathers.
The Slender Bleating ninjas slide down from the tree.
Now for competition two, says Graceful. The boxing.
Will it be two against two? asks one of the ninjas.
Graceful looks at Gaius.
What do you think?
Run two boxing matches concurrently, says Gaius. There's plenty of room.
Okay, says Graceful.
Quiet-Tartus pairs up with one of the ninjas, and Shorty-Tartus pairs up with the other.
Go! says Graceful.
Quiet-Tartus makes a quick jab at his ninja.
His ninja hops sideways.
Shorty-Tartus, seeing what's happened, tries a hook.
His ninja anticipates this.
Quiet-Tartus and Shorty-Tartus try a series of jabs, crosses, hooks and uppercuts, but each time, their ninjas avoid them.
Sometimes the ninjas hop sideways.
Sometimes they rise.
Sometimes they appear to have vanished, momentarily. Glowing eyes peer down at the Tarti.
Hey, says Terence. It's not fair. They're not fighting.
Heeee-ya! cries a ninja, dropping onto Quiet-Tartus.
Heee-ya! cries the other, dropping onto Shorty-Tartus.
Both Tarti recieve sharp blows to the back of the head.
They tumble over, in a flux of loose feathers.
Bumhole! We lose, says Terence. Bad luck team.
Wait, says Graceful. Ninjas, roll up your costumes!
The ninjas obey her.
I thought so, says Graceful. You have both dropped onto the wrong opponent. You're disqualified.
Yay! says Terence. That means we win.
No, it doesn't, says Graceful. Your team is also disqualified.
What for? asks Terence.
For being knocked out by the wrong opponent, says Graceful.
A bit strict, don't you think? says Gaius.
Strict but fair, says Graceful. How are they? Should we check for concussion?
Shorty and Quiet are recovering. They stagger to their feet and rearrange their feathers.
We are fine, says Quiet-Tartus. Bring on the next contest.
Luckily, the next competition is: Best Noises.
Even a frog with potential concussion has a good chance at that.
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