Yoon – What is the longest you have gone without sleep?
A dark expression slid over Yoon's face.
"An excellent question," he said with a vehement stare at the Four Dragons. "What do you guys think?"
"Zeno doesn't have a clue!" said Zeno cheerfully. "Zeno has been sleeping like a log!"
Shin Ah shook his head innocently, his way of saying, "I don't know either." Kija was looking blankly at Yoon. Jae Ha, however, was smiling rather widely, and averting his eyes from the young genius.
"The first night we slept in a tent," reminded Yoon, eyes popping dangerously. "You don't remember?"
"Remember what?" asked Kija in genuine confusion.
Yoon drew himself up. "The snoring? The God-awful snoring that was so loud it raised earthquakes from Kouka all the way to the Kai Empire?"
"Was my snoring that awful?" gasped Kija, covering his mouth. "I never knew!"
"It wasn't you, it was this sunny-side up idiot!"
Yoon stabbed his finger at Zeno.
The Yellow Dragon turned up his mouth in protest. "It's apnoea," he said fretfully. "At Zeno's age, there's no helping a weak constitution."
"Are you making fun of me?" demanded Yoon. "And you, Shin Ah! Well, there were no problems from you… But you!" Yoon's finger skewered Kija this time. "Either start learning to retract your claws like a cat's or cease the habit of slashing the air every time you wake from a nightmare!"
Kija scratched his cheek unhappily. "But I could have sworn someone had attacked me..."
"That was Jae Ha tickling your nose." Yoon threw a scowl at the Green Dragon. "You woke screaming and then dropped back to sleep like the dead. It's a good thing no one was hurt."
"And that's the story of how I almost committed second-degree murder," proclaimed Jae Ha dramatically.
Zeno applauded.
"I'm sorry, Yoon," apologised Yona. "You should have let me sleep with you."
Yoon shrugged. "The second night on was peaceful, thank heavens for it. I guess these morons just weren't used to sleeping under a roof." He rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Just thinking about it gives me a headache."
"There, there. If you're tired, you can borrow Shin Ah's shoulder," said Jae Ha comfortingly.
"Shouldn't you be the one offering?" questioned Hak dryly.
Shin Ah – If you could bring someone back to life, who would it be?
Shin Ah remained quiet for so long everyone thought he had dropped off.
Finally, the Blue Dragon said quietly, "Ao... Whoa, I'm good."
"Er, Ao?" blinked Yona. "Ao is still alive, Shin Ah."
Shin Ah shook his head insistently. "Ao."
"It seems that Shin Ah doesn't understand," said Kija sympathetically. "Shin Ah, Ao is still alive. A-l-i-v-e. Do you understand?"
"Kija, you're insulting his intelligence," said Lilli.
Kija was taken aback.
"Zeno thinks Shin Ah is talking about a different person," said Zeno.
Yona addressed Shin Ah puzzledly, "Come to think of it, you told me that Ao taught you swordsmanship."
The Blue Dragon nodded.
"Ao taught him swordsmanship?" laughed M'Lady. "What an interesting take."
"Ridiculous," scoffed Tae Jun. "How can a squirrel teach a man to fight?"
"So what?" demanded Hak. "Is Ao an undead squirrel that teaches swordsmanship to strange-masked men?"
Shin Ah remained silent.
"Shin Ah doesn't have to answer if it's not a Truth question. Right?" beamed Zeno.
Hak scowled. "Somehow, the way you said it really annoys me."
Tae Jun – Yell "I believe in fairies" loudly three times while clapping your hands as fast as you can.
Tae Jun made a face.
"I don't believe in fairies," he protested.
"What are fairies?" asked Lilli in confusion.
"It's just a dare, Your Highness," said Jae Ha.
"But I don't believe in mythical creatures," insisted the Prince.
Jae Ha quirked an eyebrow. "You do know you're sitting among the four legendary Dragon Warriors?"
"The four legendary Dragon Warriors?" repeated M'Lady slowly.
Yoon forced a laugh. "Jae Ha, you sure love a good jest!" Surreptitiously, he bent over and hissed, "Idiot! Are you forgetting we're supposed to keep a low profile?"
"Are you referring to King Hiryuu's Dragon Warriors?" asked M'Lady with a frown no one could see.
"You seem to be well-acquainted with our kingdom's history, M'Lady," drawled Hak.
"It depends on your perspective," she returned neutrally.
Hak shrugged. "Well, I'll disregard it this time, M'Lady. Right now I want to see Tae Jun acting the idiot."
"Don't use that tone against M'Lady!" reprimanded Lilli indignantly.
Hak ignored her. "Your Highness?" he prompted delicately.
Tae Jun went red.
"Fine!" The Prince struck his palms together, all the while bellowing, "I BELIEVE IN FAIRIES! I BELIEVE IN FAIRIES! I BELIEVE IN FAIRIES!"
Laughter erupted all around Tae Jun. He crossed his arms, fuming.
"Sorry, Tae Jun!" choked Lilli. "That was adorably funny!"
"Was. Not." Tae Jun gritted his teeth.
Kija – Lick the face of the player to your right.
Tae Jun was horrorstruck. He grabbed Kija's shoulders and shook them frantically.
"Forfeit this round!" he ordered. "Forfeit, I say!"
"I can't," protested Kija. "The next one that goes will be my robe!"
"So take it out!" demanded Tae Jun.
"No!"
"It's not an option!"
"NO!"
"Stop," said Shin Ah, trying to break up the pair. "Stop fighting. Whoa, I'm good."
"Fantastic," grinned Jae Ha. "Now I know what you mean when you say it's refreshing to see your enemies fighting themselves for a change, Hak."
"Isn't it?" nodded Hak.
Jae Ha smiled. "Although, Kija is less of a nemesis than His Highness over there."
"Everyone but the Princess is my enemy," said Hak.
"Well, thanks a bunch," scowled Yoon. "Enough already you two, or I'll have you both undress!" he snapped, rounding on the grappling pair. "Kija, make your decision already!"
"I cannot defile the Princess's eyes!" breathed Kija, pulling at his face anxiously. "For the Princess's sake, I will not forfeit! I will let myself be defiled!"
"For the love of all, it's just a lick," sighed Hak.
Knowing it was inevitable, Tae Jun shut his eyes tight, fingernails digging into his palms. M'Lady's eyebrows were way up high. Yona and Lilli turned away, scarlet.
It was over in a second.
"The gods save me," shuddered Tae Jun, goosebumps popping up all over his skin.
Kija had his face in his hands.
"That was for the Princess, the Princess… " he kept muttering agitatedly.
"How did he work that out?" questioned Yoon.
"One thing leads to another, Yoon," said Jae Ha wisely.
"Why are you saying as if it makes total sense?" said Hak irritably.
"It's OK, Kija. You still have your purity," assured Lilli, stroking the White Dragon's back like a pet dog.
Zeno – Exchange shirts with the person to your right for the rest of the game.
Kija was still muttering into his hands.
"Woo-hoo! Zeno finally gets to be the White Dragon!" cheered Zeno victoriously.
"If wearing his clothes would turn you into Kija, we would have had Yona in your garments a long time ago," said Yoon exhaustedly.
His words didn't have the impact he wanted. Kija's head snapped up so fast it was a surprise his neck was still intact.
"The P-Princess, in my c-c-clothes?" he stuttered, eyes swelling at an alarming rate.
"Now you've done it, Yoon," sighed Jae Ha. "You've put lewd thoughts into Kija's head and Hak's. Look at Hak, look at the fever in his eyes – "
The Green Dragon ducked as a spear came swinging at him in a blur of silver.
Zeno leapt to his feet, offering Kija a hand.
"Let's go, Kija!"
"I-I don't know…" said Kija doubtfully. "No offence, but a clothes exchange with you sounds unhygienic."
"Is it bugging you, Kija?" grinned Jae Ha.
Kija scowled. "You be quiet!"
And so the trade was made. Zeno skipped happily back to the group, flaunting his new white robe.
"At least this White Dragon isn't afraid of bugs," said Hak.
Now it was his turn to avoid being sliced open by deadly claws.
"This sure is a violent game," remarked M'Lady with amusement.
"Just an occupational hazard of travelling with circus freaks," said Yoon.
Lilli – How good-looking is the player across from you?
"Hm… " Lilli stared appraisingly at Yoon. "He's definitely a looker… "
Yoon puffed up his chest, smiling smugly.
"…if you're talking about feminine charms, of course," finished Lilli.
Yoon looked startled. "Feminine charms? I'm a handsome genius!" he protested.
"There's nothing wrong with feminine charms, Yoon, " beamed Lilli. "It dazzles the maidens."
Jae Ha eyed Hak meaningfully. "Hear that, Hak? It's time to work on your femininity."
"What does this have to do with Hak?" asked Yona in surprise.
A mischievous twinkle came into Jae Ha's eyes. Leaning over, he said softly, "Yona dear, remember what I said about spiders…?"
"Don't associate me with bugs," scowled Hak. "Princess, plug your ears before they get infected."
"I don't understand what you're both saying," frowned Yona.
M'Lady – Come up with a cutesy pet name for everyone in the group.
M'Lady flew to the task. She thought for a while before turned to Lilli.
"Yours will be Lilli-Pie."
"Lilli-Pie..." said Lilli, as though she was tasting poison.
"Zeno next! Zeno next!" exclaimed Zeno.
"You're Zeno-Boo," said M'Lady.
Kija shrank back as M'Lady's gaze moved onto him.
"Ki-Kins."
Next was Tae Jun. "Tae Tae."
And then Shin Ah. "Shinnums."
"Yoony."
"Jae-Bun."
"Hak Huns."
"Princess."
The sappiness was too much for all of them.
"I can't take this," groaned Hak. "Why the heck did I wind up with the fluffiest name on the list?"
"It suits you well, Hak Huns," cooed Jae Ha.
"What about you, Jae-Bun?" snapped Hak.
"Tae Tae?" repeated Tae Jun blankly. "Me?"
"Ki-Kins?" whispered Kija.
Yoony, huh? I could go with it, thought Yoon.
"What adorable names," beamed Yona. "You're really good at this, M'Lady."
"You're the lucky one, Yona," said Lilli with a twist of her mouth. "M'Lady spared you from certain death."
Yona – SPECIAL: Challenge any player of your choice to the Yes and No Game. The loser has to draw an additional slip.
There followed a short list of instructions on how to play.
"Well, this is a first," remarked Yoon. "A game within a game, huh?"
"Zeno wants to play!" volunteered the Yellow Dragon enthusiastically.
Yona beamed. "OK! Let's play."
The Princess and the Yellow Dragon each wrote a name on a slip and stuck them on their foreheads without the other knowing what they had written. The winner would be the one who figured out the name first.
Zeno began.
"Let's see… " he said, thinking hard. "Am I… human?"
Right from the start, Yona found herself stumped.
"What's wrong, Yona?" asked Lilli.
"I… don't really know if this person could be considered a human," she admitted.
Everyone stared at the slip on Zeno's forehead.
"He is definitely not human," said Hak.
Lilli giggled nervously. "Don't be rude, Hak."
"I'll have to agree with Thunder Beast," said Yoon curtly.
M'Lady was confused. "I do not understand the debate. This is obviously a human."
"Right?" Yona breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, Zeno. You are human."
"Now it's your turn to ask, Yona," said Yoon.
"OK. Am I human?" the Princess returned the question.
"Yup!" answered Zeno brightly. "Am I pretty?"
Yona hesitated again.
"Stop wavering, Princess," said Hak. "You'll give yourself away."
"No," said Yona at last. "Am I nobility?"
"Yup! Is Zeno nobility?"
"No."
"Oh. So Zeno is neither pretty nor nobility. And Miss didn't seem to know for sure if Zeno was human." Zeno scratched his chin ponderingly. "Is Zeno Hak?"
"Wrong," said Yoon, as Jae Ha gave a loud snort. "Jumping to the final answer inconclusively gives the opponent an extra turn. You're up, Yona."
Yona mulled over the facts she had in hand. Human, as well as a noble. There were not many names she could call upon.
"Am I male?" she asked.
Zeno shook his head. "Nope!"
"Was I born in Kouka?"
"That's right!"
Come on, Princess. You should have it figured out by now, thought Hak wearily, when he saw that Yona still looked uncertain.
"Zeno's turn now!" said Zeno. "Is Zeno Miss?"
And we have another who's slow on the uptake, thought Hak exasperatedly.
"Wrong," said Yoon. "Yona gets another two gos."
Yona suddenly brightened up.
"Am I Lilli?" she asked excitedly.
"Nope," said Yoon. "Arriving at the final answer inconclusively with two tries removes you of said tries."
This is going to go on forever, thought Hak with a sigh.
"Is Zeno powerful?" asked Zeno.
Urgh! He's getting warmer.
"Yes," said Yona. "Am I alive?"
"Very much. Is Zeno Zeno?"
"And Zeno wins!" declared Yoon, as Hak dropped his head. "Yona will now have to draw another slip."
"Wait! Zeno wants the game to continue," said the Yellow Dragon. "Zeno wants to win fairly."
"But you just did," said Jae Ha.
Zeno didn't heed him. "Go on, Miss! Ask Zeno!"
Yona stared at the Yellow Dragon. Mentally, she tried to sort out the jumble of facts she had gathered.
And just like that, the answer came to her.
"Am I myself?"
Zeno looked very serious. Yona's face fell. Had she guessed wrong again?
"With that bit of paper stuck to your forehead? Zeno thinks not," said Zeno. Next moment, he threw back his head and laughed. "Joking! Miss is right! Miss was Miss all along!"
Yona blinked. Then she, too, was laughing.
"How did you not guess it was you?" asked Hak exasperatedly.
Yona's smile became one of embarrassment. "I don't actually consider myself a Princess for the time being."
"So why did you put down your name? You could have picked any number of people."
"I thought I would be the last person he would think of," shrugged Yona. "Seems I was wrong."
"Sorry, Miss. Zeno thought it would be rude to lose on purpose, so Zeno gave it his all."
"Go on, Yona. Pick another," said Yoon.
Yona - How far have you gone?
"This again?" frowned Yona.
"Princess, you don't have to answer. We all know what it is," assured Kija.
"We're not sure about that, Kija," warned Jae Ha. "Who knows what kind of unspeakable things Hak Huns has been doing to Yona these nights past… "
"Thunder Beast, if you swing that spear one more time, I'll have you forfeit thrice."
"Hak seems to have a short temper," smiled M'Lady.
"You're a good judge of character," said Hak idly. "Unless, of course, you've experienced my skills firsthand."
"What are you implying?" demanded Tae Jun.
"Are you threatening M'Lady?" insisted Lilli.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"Hak Huns, don't forget that M'Lady is Yona's sister now," reminded Jae Ha. "Threatening her is as good as threatening your beloved Princess."
"I think a fly just buzzed in my ear. Sorry, Jae-Bun, you were saying something?"
"Can we move past this pointless banter?" said Yoon in annoyance.
...
Kudos to NekoRyuuko and Mrs Zala for the awesome ideas!