Chapter 3: The New Big Mountain
Parry: yay! A long chapter!!! Woohooo! I'm glad you all like my stories, but I have to say that this is FAR better than any of mine! I love helping Drum writing this story! The man is a GENIUS!
Drum: She lies! This is my first fic ever...I'm only a newbie! Oh yes. For SSX Fan who asked about the pairings. Yuri's love will be revealed...hehehe.. and Drum's pairing? Maybe.
Parry: *sings* Yuri's love revealed soon!! Wooo! So FUNNY!! ^_^ You guys are in for a BIG-no, make it HUGE-surprise about Yuri's pairing!
Drum: I'll give you a hint about the pairings...it's NOT going to be Yuri/Drum
Parry: Here's you much anticipated chapter! Okay...maybe I'm just exaggerating, but here it is! ^_^
At "The Lodge"-as it was referred to by the SSX riders-a familiar figure sat in the lounge area in front of the fireplace, beat boxing to himself, who was none other than Rahzel. With his binder and clipboard in his hand he waited for the arrivals of the SSX riders. Now that Atomika has stepped down from event manager to actually ride, he was asked back to whip things into shape.
Outside, the heli-plane touched down, sending the snow into a whirlwind of fury as its first group of riders got off, carrying their bags. The doors swung open as Elise Riggs bound into the room, running to hug Rahzel.
"I just heard! Your back!" she smiled as she hugged Rahzel.
"What? Did you think they were going to keep me away for too long?" he smiled and glanced over her shoulder at Eddie and Mac, who had just walked in behind her. The two were both in a deep conversation about the newest music.
"Oh, they let Eddie and Fraser back in here?" Rahzel sighed, "This is going to be a looong year."
"Yo! Razzle!" Mac said as he slapped Rahzel's hand. He was wearing his trademark beanie, but also he had something different on his face...his eyebrow was pierced.
Elise chuckled at Mac's new jewelry, "Did you trip and land face first into a rail road spike?"
Mac didn't even look at her as he muttered with a hateful undertone, "Depends...does your chest double as a floatation device?" Immediately, Elise lunged at him and Eddie began laughing. However, the doors swung open again. A short kid about 15 looking stomped in, his combat boots laced over his pants, his black trench coat flowing behind him. Elise, Eddie, and Mac stared at the youngster in horror. Griff's face was covered in heavy pale make up and he was wearing black lipstick.
"Whatcha looken at?"
Elise looked at Eddie, who looked at Mac. They all burst into a fit of giggles on the floor. Between his laughs, Mac managed to get a few words out. "Elise! I...didn't...land...on...the...railroad tracks! I...landed...on...GRIFF!" he choked out, tears streaming down his face as he tried to control himself. This sent even Rahzel over the edge as he began to laugh, using his clipboard to hide his face.
"Figures that you preps would try to pick on me, you losers," Griff declared and jumped onto the couch, crossing his arms as another plane landed outside dropping off another set of riders.
Outside of the doors a familiar laugh cackled over the howling winds, they all knew this voice to be none other that Psymon Stark, certified lunatic. What he was laughing so hard about, they didn't know. However, their question was soon answered when they heard someone shout, "OHMIGOD! What did you put on my pants!?" The doors burst open and Psymon came though, still looking like he hadn't changed clothes since their last tour, but had a big cake eating grin on his face.
"Elise...Eddie...Mac.....who is this kid?" He nodded at Griff, completely skipping over Rahzel.
"You know who I am, loser." Griff muttered darkly as he looked up at Psymon with a look of disgust. However, if this were three years ago, he would of been bouncing off of the walls.
"...GRIFF!?" Psymon looked wide-eyed. "You mean this little punk was the littler punk from last season!?"
"Yeah, looks like he grew up a bit." Elise chimed in, helping herself back onto the couch.
"Gotta problem with it, old man?" Griff said threateningly.
"OLD MAN!?" Psymon said deafeningly, "Did he just call me...?"
Mac nodded.
"You..." Psymon growled slightly as he pressed his face into Griff's angrily.
"You heard me, you're the oldest one on the circuit." Griff said again, standing up a bit to get in Psymon's face as well.
They both glared at each other for a second before Psymon burst into insane laughter.
"PUBERTY MUST HAVE HIT THIS KID LIKE A TON OF BRICKS! HAHAHA!" Psymon cackled.
"Why do you say that?" Eddie asked, looking confused.
"Because his balls are even bigger than mine!" Psymon laughed and slapped Griff on the back, nearly knocking him over. Griff took the "compliment" and sat back down.
Walking through the door next was Moby Jones, and he, too was also laughing at something. Eddie and Mac both gave a hateful glare at Moby as he entered; Elise was the only one who actually spoke up.
"Heya Moby" she said, and then became interested with the patter on the couch cushion.
"Ey, did you see the newbie bloke outside!?" Moby grinned, at the sound of that all of the riders looked up, to keep the surprise high, Atomika neglected to tell them that there was a newbie this year. Drum was outside.
"A newbie!? Another one?" Griff moaned, "We just got a horde of them last season! They should be good for another three or four rounds!"
All of the other riders looked at him.
"Dude, you were ONE of those newbies last year..." Mac said quietly, "You're whack,"
"Yeah, that was last year...but this year I'm a vet!" Griff said proudly. Obviously, Griff was already letting his "veteran" status get to his head.
"So what are you going to do?" Elise asked, "Pick on this newbie kid?" Elise knew that Griff had changed his shell, but deep done on the inside, he was still the same old immature Griff.
"Why not? There's nothing else to do." Griff began to head for the door, outside he ran smack into Drum.
Griff grunted as he bounced off his frame.
"Hey! Get out of the way! I gotta see somethin'!" Griff yelled at that large man he ran into.
"What's the hurry?" Drum asked, as he offered Griff his hand to help him out of the snow.
"There's a new newbie, I wanna see this kid!" Griff stood up on his own without the man's help, brushing snow off of him. Elise looked at Drum and blinked oddly.
"You know, tourists aren't allowed up here..." Elise started to say to him, before Moby came up behind her still laughing. Moby pointed at Drum before barely making out his words between laughs.
"That...IS..the newbie."
Mac's mouth was hanging slightly open. Eddie stared at him in awe and Elise, it seemed, had nothing to say. Psymon broke the silence with snickering. "Wow...Atomika really knows how to pick 'em..."
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Drum looked directly over...and down at Psymon.
Eddie glanced at Moby, who was busy snickering to himself, "Oi, there will be none of that, tubby." Moby spoke to Drum as if he were speaking to an infant, "Bad enough you are a newbie, mate. We don't need you here starting fights on the first day..." Moby said strictly.
Drum clenched his fists and looked like he was going to drive Moby's head through a wall...and he very well could of, too.
The next few hours weren't really groundbreaking. Moby proceeded to tease Drum at every chance, Elise later found out that Moby thought Drum was trying to move in on his market...the African-American viewers of the SSX.
Psymon kept a close eye on Griff as the other boarders arrived, Griff seemed to have a snide remark to all of them...except one person on the last set of riders. By eight o'clock all of the riders had already arrived except for Yuri, Kaori, Zoe, and Allegra. Viggo and JP already had an earlier clash of egos.
"This is going to be one VERY long year...they are going to try to out- pretty themselves." Nate stated, chewing on a straw.
At sign of the last plane, Mac and Moby both jumped up and headed for the door, they both had someone important on the plane. As the plane touched down, a familiar Japanese girl stepped out and brushed her hair from her face.
"KAORI!!!" Mac yelled as he ran full speed and hugged her tight, lifting her up and spinning her around, then he planted a deep kiss on her lips.
"Mackie-chan...mmm.." she took the kiss and cuddled him.
JP and Eddie looked at themselves as if they had missed something. "Wait...you mean...Mac and Kaori...?" JP said blankly.
"Yep, going on four years..." Atomika was standing behind them.
Next person off the plane was Yuri, at this Mac stopped cuddling Kaori and turned to Yuri. "...You came back..." Mac said with a distasteful undertone. Yuri looked up at Mac, they had started off as good friends last season, but when she beat him at his own event, Mac didn't seem to like her anymore.
"Why else would I not comeback?" Yuri narrowed her eyes and dared him to say anything, not really caring about Mac's bad mood, but really caring about Kaori's good mood. Kaori let go of Mac and hugged Yuri.
"PANDA!" she lifted Yuri up off of the snow. Yuri and Kaori discussed what had happened over the dormat years as Allegra got off the plane. Viggo near trampled everyone trying to get over to her.
"Ally! You came back!" Viggo reached down to kiss her hand only to notice that it had been taken by JP.
"'Ello there..." JP kissed Allegra's hand. "I am Jean-Pierre...you can call me JP...what is your name?"
Allegra blushed a little and looked between JP and Viggo. Viggo was staring daggers into JP. "May I take your bags and board?" JP offered, then without her answer he picked up her bags and walked her inside. Viggo kicked the snow in a feeble fit of rage before going inside as well.
At last, Zoe Payne stepped off the plane, looking around for any signs of one of her best friends, Moby Jones.
"HAY! LOVE!" Moby ran up the ramp and hugged Zoe, and tried to move in for a kiss...but Zoe turned her head and he got nothing but cheek.
"Hey, Mobes." Zoe slung her bag over her shoulder and walked in, leaving Moby in the snow. After a few seconds Moby grabbed Zoe's board and walked in as well.
Inside the lodge was a different atmosphere. Everyone was talking to one another, catching up on their off time. Griff seemed to jumped off of the couch when Yuri entered the room. Yuri looked at Griff oddly, she obviously recognized him.
"Griff...you got...er...tall..." Yuri looked at him eye to eye, last season he barely came passed her shoulder. Griff blushed, but it was barely seen through his deep makeup.
"Yuri...you grew...out..." Griff's head had slunk down and focused on Yuri's chest. Yuri blushed a deep shade of purple and headed for Nate, who welcomed her with open arms.
"Yuri! You're here! Your hair!"
Yuri grinned, "Like it? Decided to get it cut!"
"It's...really...short..." Nate said, tilting his head to one side. "You really grew up, Yuri,"
"Thanks, Griff already...mentioned...that..." Yuri said quietly as she glanced at Griff, who was still staring at her in fascination.
"Yeah, I talked to little man. Did you see-"
"Oh yeah," Yuri said quickly, "How could you NOT see all that stuff on his face?"
"Weird, huh?"
"Weird?" Yuri blinked, "Hmm. I think it's kinda cute...in a Griff way,"
Nate laughed as Yuri screwed up her face in disgust when she noticed Griff was still staring at her.
Everyone was seated except for Drum by the time Rahzel finally re-entered the main area.
"Okay, Okay! Everyone settle down..." Rahzel let his voice boom over the riders as they all fell silent. "Thank you, for you of those who don't know me. I am Rahzel, returning event manager of SSX, and for those of you that do know me, shut up and listen." Rahzel walked over to the large shutters in the room and pulled them open. The window overlooked "Big Mountain" there was something noticeably different. "As you know, Big Mountain is known for some pretty strange weather. Here is one of its testaments...Big Mountain has suffered from countless avalanches and rockslides." All of the riders looked at Big Mountain closely. "Thus, from all of the rocks and snow...Big Mountain is no longer only three peaks..its now five peaks." Psymon and Nate gave a small round of applause. Rahzel looked at them sternly. "Now, that means there's two peaks previously unexplored. We know you won't let that happen for long."
"DAMN RIGHT WE WON'T!" Atomika blurted out from under Elise, who was sitting on his lap.
Rahzel frowned disapprovingly at Atomika and shook his head. "Anyway, this goes without saying. Be careful up there...and the SSX Council thought it would be better if we put a bit of a twist on this year's circuit...any rider who has been here for three years are longer now has a special title: Snow God." All of the season one vets looked at each other with confused expressions.
Kaori raised her hand shyly, "Snow God?"
"Well, it's simple. Now there's only a few of you...put it this way, you all are the 'bosses' of the mountain. Instead of having one of you rule a certain peak, all of you can rule a certain event, or you can make up one of your own. For riders to get into higher areas of the mountain, they have to beat you when you challenge them....even if it means Snow God against Snow God."
Moby smiled at this, but JP frowned, "...I skipped last season...that means I can't be a Snow God..." JP pouted, using it merely as an excuse to rest his head on Allegra's shoulder. Viggo threw a pillow at his face in a rage.
"Actually, JP, Since you are a season one veteran, the council has granted you Snow God status as well.."
"Anyway, there are more matters of business. I would like you all to meet Jordan Williams." He motioned over to Drum, who was leaning against the board rack. Drum walked over and stood awkwardly next to Rahzel. Drum made Rahzel look like garden gnome compared to him. "He is this years only new rider...I wouldn't really call Atomika a newbie, he has had time to get adjusted to the peaks."
Drum waved shyly and caught the eye of Zoe who was looking him up and down.
"So, since Luther didn't agree to come back you picked anotha fatass to fill his shoes?" Moby commented. No one laughed at the comment; instead Zoe gave Moby a disgusted look and slid away from him.
"That wasn't even remotely cool, Mobes." Zoe muttered, looking at Drum again.
Drum hung his head and whispered to Rahzel. "Can I sit down now..." Rahzel nodded and Drum took his seat in the back, behind everyone...
Yuri looked over at Drum as he sat down and frowned as she whispered to Nate, "I remember what it was like being the newbie...poor guy, Moby's just gonna give him hell,"
Nate nodded.
Rahzel turned the page in his binder and smiled. "Last order of business..."
Psymon and Griff both simultaneously yelled, "THANK GOD!"
"Rooming arrangements..."
Everyone shut up to hear who they would be rooming with, even Drum had leaned forward a bit in his chair.
"Well, myself and the council thought it would be a bad idea to put a couple in the same room...so Mac and Kaori aren't rooming together, despite their request."
Mac and Kaori both gave Rahzel the evil eye.
"So...the rooming arrangements will go as follows: Stark rooms alone. Drum rooms with Mac, Griff rooms with Elise, Zoe rooms with Kaori, Allegra rooms with Viggo, Nate rooms with JP, Eddie rooms with Atomika, Moby can room alone if he wants...Well, that's it. You can all leave now."
Yuri just blinked blankly. "Rahzel? Er...sir?"
"Yes?" Rahzel grinned; he wasn't used to being called 'sir'.
"You kind of...forgot about me." Yuri said quietly, glancing at Kaori.
Kaori frowned, "How do you forget one of the boarders?"
"She can room with me again!" Griff shot his hand into the air.
"No, Griff, you're rooming with Elise,"
At this, Elise snorted and muttered, "This is going to be interesting..."
"What!?" Griff said.
"Nothing. I just find it odd that I'm rooming with the antichrist over here."
Griff glowed with anger.
"Anyway," Rahzel said quickly in a feeble attempt to break the tension, "Yuri, you can room with Zoe and Kaori, I suppose. We have a bigger room in the back that's really supposed to be the supply room, but since you three girls will be in the same room, I could let you bunk there for now,"
Kaori and Yuri squealed in delight. Zoe sighed. She was friends with Kaori and all, but with Yuri, it was neutral.
As everyone got up, Atomika shifted from under Elise and yelled. "Raz must of forgotten about our tradition!" All of the riders looked up at Atomika.
"Tomorrow, all rider race down Happiness!" All of the riders cheered except Drum. All of them were used to this kind of thing...racing down the snow. Drum however...this was his first time ever seeing snow. In Florida he learned and practiced snowboarding on sand.
As Drum got up to head to his room, Zoe stopped him. "Don't mind Moby...he can be a real jerk sometimes." Zoe said to him, walking alongside him.
"Sometimes? He seems like he is a permanent asshole." Drum said, not really wanted to get pity talk from Zoe.
"Well, he is a really nice guy if you get to know him..." Zoe trailed off a bit as Moby popped up beside her and grabbed her arm.
"Wanna go check out my room, love?" Moby smiled at her, again going for a kiss and getting all cheek.
"Sure...fine" Zoe answered apathetically and followed Moby down the hall, not before waving at Drum.
Drum headed to his room and just plopped on his bed and watched Kaori help Mac unpack.
Yuri appeared in the doorway, "Kaori, you coming?"
"Get out of here, you snotface," Mac growled.
Yuri only frowned, "Shut up before I pull that metal thing attached to your face off,"
Mac's face twisted into pure hatred as he slammed the door in Yuri's face after Kaori whispered, "I'll be there in a second," in Japanese.
"Mac, you're such a jerk-off! Just because I'm better than you!!" Yuri said from behind the door.
Mac clenched his fists and ignored her. Kaori smiled and rubbed Mac's back soothingly, "You were the one who started it in the last circuit..."
"No I didn't..." Mac protested.
Kaori glanced over at Drum and sighed. "Mackie...I don't think Drum is happy..." Kaori whispered to Mac.
"Nah, he's okay...just nervous." Mac smiled.
"Yeah...I'm fine...just...nervous...yeah..." Drum lied; he really didn't like it here. He knew that he was in way over his head...and he was scared shitless about tomorrow's race.
Parry: yay! A long chapter!!! Woohooo! I'm glad you all like my stories, but I have to say that this is FAR better than any of mine! I love helping Drum writing this story! The man is a GENIUS!
Drum: She lies! This is my first fic ever...I'm only a newbie! Oh yes. For SSX Fan who asked about the pairings. Yuri's love will be revealed...hehehe.. and Drum's pairing? Maybe.
Parry: *sings* Yuri's love revealed soon!! Wooo! So FUNNY!! ^_^ You guys are in for a BIG-no, make it HUGE-surprise about Yuri's pairing!
Drum: I'll give you a hint about the pairings...it's NOT going to be Yuri/Drum
Parry: Here's you much anticipated chapter! Okay...maybe I'm just exaggerating, but here it is! ^_^
At "The Lodge"-as it was referred to by the SSX riders-a familiar figure sat in the lounge area in front of the fireplace, beat boxing to himself, who was none other than Rahzel. With his binder and clipboard in his hand he waited for the arrivals of the SSX riders. Now that Atomika has stepped down from event manager to actually ride, he was asked back to whip things into shape.
Outside, the heli-plane touched down, sending the snow into a whirlwind of fury as its first group of riders got off, carrying their bags. The doors swung open as Elise Riggs bound into the room, running to hug Rahzel.
"I just heard! Your back!" she smiled as she hugged Rahzel.
"What? Did you think they were going to keep me away for too long?" he smiled and glanced over her shoulder at Eddie and Mac, who had just walked in behind her. The two were both in a deep conversation about the newest music.
"Oh, they let Eddie and Fraser back in here?" Rahzel sighed, "This is going to be a looong year."
"Yo! Razzle!" Mac said as he slapped Rahzel's hand. He was wearing his trademark beanie, but also he had something different on his face...his eyebrow was pierced.
Elise chuckled at Mac's new jewelry, "Did you trip and land face first into a rail road spike?"
Mac didn't even look at her as he muttered with a hateful undertone, "Depends...does your chest double as a floatation device?" Immediately, Elise lunged at him and Eddie began laughing. However, the doors swung open again. A short kid about 15 looking stomped in, his combat boots laced over his pants, his black trench coat flowing behind him. Elise, Eddie, and Mac stared at the youngster in horror. Griff's face was covered in heavy pale make up and he was wearing black lipstick.
"Whatcha looken at?"
Elise looked at Eddie, who looked at Mac. They all burst into a fit of giggles on the floor. Between his laughs, Mac managed to get a few words out. "Elise! I...didn't...land...on...the...railroad tracks! I...landed...on...GRIFF!" he choked out, tears streaming down his face as he tried to control himself. This sent even Rahzel over the edge as he began to laugh, using his clipboard to hide his face.
"Figures that you preps would try to pick on me, you losers," Griff declared and jumped onto the couch, crossing his arms as another plane landed outside dropping off another set of riders.
Outside of the doors a familiar laugh cackled over the howling winds, they all knew this voice to be none other that Psymon Stark, certified lunatic. What he was laughing so hard about, they didn't know. However, their question was soon answered when they heard someone shout, "OHMIGOD! What did you put on my pants!?" The doors burst open and Psymon came though, still looking like he hadn't changed clothes since their last tour, but had a big cake eating grin on his face.
"Elise...Eddie...Mac.....who is this kid?" He nodded at Griff, completely skipping over Rahzel.
"You know who I am, loser." Griff muttered darkly as he looked up at Psymon with a look of disgust. However, if this were three years ago, he would of been bouncing off of the walls.
"...GRIFF!?" Psymon looked wide-eyed. "You mean this little punk was the littler punk from last season!?"
"Yeah, looks like he grew up a bit." Elise chimed in, helping herself back onto the couch.
"Gotta problem with it, old man?" Griff said threateningly.
"OLD MAN!?" Psymon said deafeningly, "Did he just call me...?"
Mac nodded.
"You..." Psymon growled slightly as he pressed his face into Griff's angrily.
"You heard me, you're the oldest one on the circuit." Griff said again, standing up a bit to get in Psymon's face as well.
They both glared at each other for a second before Psymon burst into insane laughter.
"PUBERTY MUST HAVE HIT THIS KID LIKE A TON OF BRICKS! HAHAHA!" Psymon cackled.
"Why do you say that?" Eddie asked, looking confused.
"Because his balls are even bigger than mine!" Psymon laughed and slapped Griff on the back, nearly knocking him over. Griff took the "compliment" and sat back down.
Walking through the door next was Moby Jones, and he, too was also laughing at something. Eddie and Mac both gave a hateful glare at Moby as he entered; Elise was the only one who actually spoke up.
"Heya Moby" she said, and then became interested with the patter on the couch cushion.
"Ey, did you see the newbie bloke outside!?" Moby grinned, at the sound of that all of the riders looked up, to keep the surprise high, Atomika neglected to tell them that there was a newbie this year. Drum was outside.
"A newbie!? Another one?" Griff moaned, "We just got a horde of them last season! They should be good for another three or four rounds!"
All of the other riders looked at him.
"Dude, you were ONE of those newbies last year..." Mac said quietly, "You're whack,"
"Yeah, that was last year...but this year I'm a vet!" Griff said proudly. Obviously, Griff was already letting his "veteran" status get to his head.
"So what are you going to do?" Elise asked, "Pick on this newbie kid?" Elise knew that Griff had changed his shell, but deep done on the inside, he was still the same old immature Griff.
"Why not? There's nothing else to do." Griff began to head for the door, outside he ran smack into Drum.
Griff grunted as he bounced off his frame.
"Hey! Get out of the way! I gotta see somethin'!" Griff yelled at that large man he ran into.
"What's the hurry?" Drum asked, as he offered Griff his hand to help him out of the snow.
"There's a new newbie, I wanna see this kid!" Griff stood up on his own without the man's help, brushing snow off of him. Elise looked at Drum and blinked oddly.
"You know, tourists aren't allowed up here..." Elise started to say to him, before Moby came up behind her still laughing. Moby pointed at Drum before barely making out his words between laughs.
"That...IS..the newbie."
Mac's mouth was hanging slightly open. Eddie stared at him in awe and Elise, it seemed, had nothing to say. Psymon broke the silence with snickering. "Wow...Atomika really knows how to pick 'em..."
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Drum looked directly over...and down at Psymon.
Eddie glanced at Moby, who was busy snickering to himself, "Oi, there will be none of that, tubby." Moby spoke to Drum as if he were speaking to an infant, "Bad enough you are a newbie, mate. We don't need you here starting fights on the first day..." Moby said strictly.
Drum clenched his fists and looked like he was going to drive Moby's head through a wall...and he very well could of, too.
The next few hours weren't really groundbreaking. Moby proceeded to tease Drum at every chance, Elise later found out that Moby thought Drum was trying to move in on his market...the African-American viewers of the SSX.
Psymon kept a close eye on Griff as the other boarders arrived, Griff seemed to have a snide remark to all of them...except one person on the last set of riders. By eight o'clock all of the riders had already arrived except for Yuri, Kaori, Zoe, and Allegra. Viggo and JP already had an earlier clash of egos.
"This is going to be one VERY long year...they are going to try to out- pretty themselves." Nate stated, chewing on a straw.
At sign of the last plane, Mac and Moby both jumped up and headed for the door, they both had someone important on the plane. As the plane touched down, a familiar Japanese girl stepped out and brushed her hair from her face.
"KAORI!!!" Mac yelled as he ran full speed and hugged her tight, lifting her up and spinning her around, then he planted a deep kiss on her lips.
"Mackie-chan...mmm.." she took the kiss and cuddled him.
JP and Eddie looked at themselves as if they had missed something. "Wait...you mean...Mac and Kaori...?" JP said blankly.
"Yep, going on four years..." Atomika was standing behind them.
Next person off the plane was Yuri, at this Mac stopped cuddling Kaori and turned to Yuri. "...You came back..." Mac said with a distasteful undertone. Yuri looked up at Mac, they had started off as good friends last season, but when she beat him at his own event, Mac didn't seem to like her anymore.
"Why else would I not comeback?" Yuri narrowed her eyes and dared him to say anything, not really caring about Mac's bad mood, but really caring about Kaori's good mood. Kaori let go of Mac and hugged Yuri.
"PANDA!" she lifted Yuri up off of the snow. Yuri and Kaori discussed what had happened over the dormat years as Allegra got off the plane. Viggo near trampled everyone trying to get over to her.
"Ally! You came back!" Viggo reached down to kiss her hand only to notice that it had been taken by JP.
"'Ello there..." JP kissed Allegra's hand. "I am Jean-Pierre...you can call me JP...what is your name?"
Allegra blushed a little and looked between JP and Viggo. Viggo was staring daggers into JP. "May I take your bags and board?" JP offered, then without her answer he picked up her bags and walked her inside. Viggo kicked the snow in a feeble fit of rage before going inside as well.
At last, Zoe Payne stepped off the plane, looking around for any signs of one of her best friends, Moby Jones.
"HAY! LOVE!" Moby ran up the ramp and hugged Zoe, and tried to move in for a kiss...but Zoe turned her head and he got nothing but cheek.
"Hey, Mobes." Zoe slung her bag over her shoulder and walked in, leaving Moby in the snow. After a few seconds Moby grabbed Zoe's board and walked in as well.
Inside the lodge was a different atmosphere. Everyone was talking to one another, catching up on their off time. Griff seemed to jumped off of the couch when Yuri entered the room. Yuri looked at Griff oddly, she obviously recognized him.
"Griff...you got...er...tall..." Yuri looked at him eye to eye, last season he barely came passed her shoulder. Griff blushed, but it was barely seen through his deep makeup.
"Yuri...you grew...out..." Griff's head had slunk down and focused on Yuri's chest. Yuri blushed a deep shade of purple and headed for Nate, who welcomed her with open arms.
"Yuri! You're here! Your hair!"
Yuri grinned, "Like it? Decided to get it cut!"
"It's...really...short..." Nate said, tilting his head to one side. "You really grew up, Yuri,"
"Thanks, Griff already...mentioned...that..." Yuri said quietly as she glanced at Griff, who was still staring at her in fascination.
"Yeah, I talked to little man. Did you see-"
"Oh yeah," Yuri said quickly, "How could you NOT see all that stuff on his face?"
"Weird, huh?"
"Weird?" Yuri blinked, "Hmm. I think it's kinda cute...in a Griff way,"
Nate laughed as Yuri screwed up her face in disgust when she noticed Griff was still staring at her.
Everyone was seated except for Drum by the time Rahzel finally re-entered the main area.
"Okay, Okay! Everyone settle down..." Rahzel let his voice boom over the riders as they all fell silent. "Thank you, for you of those who don't know me. I am Rahzel, returning event manager of SSX, and for those of you that do know me, shut up and listen." Rahzel walked over to the large shutters in the room and pulled them open. The window overlooked "Big Mountain" there was something noticeably different. "As you know, Big Mountain is known for some pretty strange weather. Here is one of its testaments...Big Mountain has suffered from countless avalanches and rockslides." All of the riders looked at Big Mountain closely. "Thus, from all of the rocks and snow...Big Mountain is no longer only three peaks..its now five peaks." Psymon and Nate gave a small round of applause. Rahzel looked at them sternly. "Now, that means there's two peaks previously unexplored. We know you won't let that happen for long."
"DAMN RIGHT WE WON'T!" Atomika blurted out from under Elise, who was sitting on his lap.
Rahzel frowned disapprovingly at Atomika and shook his head. "Anyway, this goes without saying. Be careful up there...and the SSX Council thought it would be better if we put a bit of a twist on this year's circuit...any rider who has been here for three years are longer now has a special title: Snow God." All of the season one vets looked at each other with confused expressions.
Kaori raised her hand shyly, "Snow God?"
"Well, it's simple. Now there's only a few of you...put it this way, you all are the 'bosses' of the mountain. Instead of having one of you rule a certain peak, all of you can rule a certain event, or you can make up one of your own. For riders to get into higher areas of the mountain, they have to beat you when you challenge them....even if it means Snow God against Snow God."
Moby smiled at this, but JP frowned, "...I skipped last season...that means I can't be a Snow God..." JP pouted, using it merely as an excuse to rest his head on Allegra's shoulder. Viggo threw a pillow at his face in a rage.
"Actually, JP, Since you are a season one veteran, the council has granted you Snow God status as well.."
"Anyway, there are more matters of business. I would like you all to meet Jordan Williams." He motioned over to Drum, who was leaning against the board rack. Drum walked over and stood awkwardly next to Rahzel. Drum made Rahzel look like garden gnome compared to him. "He is this years only new rider...I wouldn't really call Atomika a newbie, he has had time to get adjusted to the peaks."
Drum waved shyly and caught the eye of Zoe who was looking him up and down.
"So, since Luther didn't agree to come back you picked anotha fatass to fill his shoes?" Moby commented. No one laughed at the comment; instead Zoe gave Moby a disgusted look and slid away from him.
"That wasn't even remotely cool, Mobes." Zoe muttered, looking at Drum again.
Drum hung his head and whispered to Rahzel. "Can I sit down now..." Rahzel nodded and Drum took his seat in the back, behind everyone...
Yuri looked over at Drum as he sat down and frowned as she whispered to Nate, "I remember what it was like being the newbie...poor guy, Moby's just gonna give him hell,"
Nate nodded.
Rahzel turned the page in his binder and smiled. "Last order of business..."
Psymon and Griff both simultaneously yelled, "THANK GOD!"
"Rooming arrangements..."
Everyone shut up to hear who they would be rooming with, even Drum had leaned forward a bit in his chair.
"Well, myself and the council thought it would be a bad idea to put a couple in the same room...so Mac and Kaori aren't rooming together, despite their request."
Mac and Kaori both gave Rahzel the evil eye.
"So...the rooming arrangements will go as follows: Stark rooms alone. Drum rooms with Mac, Griff rooms with Elise, Zoe rooms with Kaori, Allegra rooms with Viggo, Nate rooms with JP, Eddie rooms with Atomika, Moby can room alone if he wants...Well, that's it. You can all leave now."
Yuri just blinked blankly. "Rahzel? Er...sir?"
"Yes?" Rahzel grinned; he wasn't used to being called 'sir'.
"You kind of...forgot about me." Yuri said quietly, glancing at Kaori.
Kaori frowned, "How do you forget one of the boarders?"
"She can room with me again!" Griff shot his hand into the air.
"No, Griff, you're rooming with Elise,"
At this, Elise snorted and muttered, "This is going to be interesting..."
"What!?" Griff said.
"Nothing. I just find it odd that I'm rooming with the antichrist over here."
Griff glowed with anger.
"Anyway," Rahzel said quickly in a feeble attempt to break the tension, "Yuri, you can room with Zoe and Kaori, I suppose. We have a bigger room in the back that's really supposed to be the supply room, but since you three girls will be in the same room, I could let you bunk there for now,"
Kaori and Yuri squealed in delight. Zoe sighed. She was friends with Kaori and all, but with Yuri, it was neutral.
As everyone got up, Atomika shifted from under Elise and yelled. "Raz must of forgotten about our tradition!" All of the riders looked up at Atomika.
"Tomorrow, all rider race down Happiness!" All of the riders cheered except Drum. All of them were used to this kind of thing...racing down the snow. Drum however...this was his first time ever seeing snow. In Florida he learned and practiced snowboarding on sand.
As Drum got up to head to his room, Zoe stopped him. "Don't mind Moby...he can be a real jerk sometimes." Zoe said to him, walking alongside him.
"Sometimes? He seems like he is a permanent asshole." Drum said, not really wanted to get pity talk from Zoe.
"Well, he is a really nice guy if you get to know him..." Zoe trailed off a bit as Moby popped up beside her and grabbed her arm.
"Wanna go check out my room, love?" Moby smiled at her, again going for a kiss and getting all cheek.
"Sure...fine" Zoe answered apathetically and followed Moby down the hall, not before waving at Drum.
Drum headed to his room and just plopped on his bed and watched Kaori help Mac unpack.
Yuri appeared in the doorway, "Kaori, you coming?"
"Get out of here, you snotface," Mac growled.
Yuri only frowned, "Shut up before I pull that metal thing attached to your face off,"
Mac's face twisted into pure hatred as he slammed the door in Yuri's face after Kaori whispered, "I'll be there in a second," in Japanese.
"Mac, you're such a jerk-off! Just because I'm better than you!!" Yuri said from behind the door.
Mac clenched his fists and ignored her. Kaori smiled and rubbed Mac's back soothingly, "You were the one who started it in the last circuit..."
"No I didn't..." Mac protested.
Kaori glanced over at Drum and sighed. "Mackie...I don't think Drum is happy..." Kaori whispered to Mac.
"Nah, he's okay...just nervous." Mac smiled.
"Yeah...I'm fine...just...nervous...yeah..." Drum lied; he really didn't like it here. He knew that he was in way over his head...and he was scared shitless about tomorrow's race.