The European competitions where they were to perform as a team were approaching. They all met in Glasgow, at Johnny's house, to train. She sat down on the bench, wanting a good view of the duels. The young husky, Nikita, lay down in the shade, under her, keeping head at his mistress's feet. She adjusted a slightly draped black leather skirt with a belt studded with two rows of studs, holding a sparkling black-gold blouse with a white collar in check. For this, she chose color-matched, brocaded toe and heel flat, leather ankle boots. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a loose bun held in what looked like a pencil with a shiny red pebble. From under the right sleeve was a snake's head, lying on near her middle finger. She chose the same outfit the day Robert met Nadia and her sister, Tatiana, on the Champ Elysees. That day he felt clearly jealous of a French boy they had met by chance. It was one of the times his reaction hurt him terribly. He behaved towards her as the last, and brutal, boorish. The only consolation for him was that it was much better now. He had no intention of staining in front of her, he had gathered to do his best. Their success at tournaments also depended on the results of the training. They decided to fight each other, he played last. Pulled up to his elbows the sleeves of a green blouse over a white loose turtleneck blouse, tucked into black, wide pants fastened with a leather belt, tucked into calf-high military boots. If he didn't choose an elegant suit or jacket, he loved it when it was comfortable and practical, especially during training and competition. He sat down next to her, his arms wide on the backrest, his arms around her lightly, his fingerless black gloved hand resting on her round shoulder. He didn't even notice when she took a medium-sized notebook and a raspberry pen from her leather bag, examining everything that was happening. In a short time, a fairly extensive note was created on the basis of one fight. He peered in curiosity, and she continued taking notes, watching the next clash. Nadia had a beautiful, legible handwriting, each letter was shaped, some decorated with loops. She amazed him once again - described all the advantages and disadvantages of each player very meticulously, emphasizing the elements that they could work on, so that it would bring the fastest possible effect. Ba! In some places, she even wrote down ready-made solutions.
- Team analysis? - he asked.
- Yes. I noticed some quite serious shortcomings during the fight with Johnny. - she replied, continuing to take notes. - I found it useful to evaluate you all from the side. The worst you will find is that I am wrong, eventually. No big deal.
It was his turn. He was very curious what Nadia would write about him. He knew that she was a good player with extensive experience, he appreciated her knowledge. Felt no pressure, he wanted to know what she would catch. He had won all three duels, was bursting with pride. Gryffolion was in exceptionally good shape. They sat down near the girl expecting an answers.
- It's not bad, but could be much better. - she began, handing everyone a note of guidelines. - We will not fix many bugs for the competition, but a few smaller ones are possible. If you want to win, it's worth trying.
- Why I have so much to correct ?! - Johnny pouted.
- Because from the duel in Robert's castle, I can see that you are bathed in hot water, and it doesn't help your fiery salamander. You don't think, rely on your instincts, brute force ... and whatever comes out. - she replied, then sighed heavily. - I regret it, but even in its present form you wouldn't be able to cope in difficult conditions. Possibly, Robert would have survived, relying heavily on Gryffolion's strength.
-Maybe you will finally be persuaded to fight? - Jurgens asked quite seriously. - Such a little Battle Royale. You have the most experience with your beast, I'm curious what you can really do.
- If you ask ... - She smiled, getting up and taking something out of the bag. - I will have the opportunity to test the prototype.
- Prototype? - Enrique asked.
- Yes, I'll tell you later. - She threw coming to the battlefield.
She took the ornament out of her hair, loosening it to the wind. She twirled the stick in her fingers, and it expanded considerably, forming a staff that Robert had first seen during the fight with Johnny. A smart way to hide the launcher. She unhooked the medallion from the silver disk, then attached it to a second, slightly darker, still iridescent blue. He had noticed the difference since the start of the fight, even though he had only seen her disk once. This time it was much faster, easily avoided all attacks, practically didn't react to anything. From the corner of his eye, Robert noticed that she had managed to pin her hair back.
- Take us seriously! - Enrique huffed.
- You don't want to keep playing? - She laughed heartily, then one of her eyes flashed blue. - Vasyl! Lednikovyy period*!
The disc swirled at the very center, and the monstrous beast appearing among them dissipated its frosty aura. The ground of the arena and the ground beneath their feet froze in the blink of an eye. It was similar to Wolborg's attack during Yuri and Tyson's fight at the championship. The other discs slipped, unable to keep their balance. Oliver's Unicolyon tried to crush the ice with his earthquake, Johnny's Salamalion tried his best to melt it with fire. Nothing helped. Eventually, all the beasts fell out of the ring. She surprised him again. The black streak on the ice didn't lose speed, balance or agility, despite the difficult ground and the shooting of funny eights. The basilisk hid into the medallion, then returned to its owner.
- Gosh! What was that? - Enrique choked out.
- Area attack, let's say ... medium range. - She replied calmly coming up to them. - What do you think about it?
She stretched out her hand with a disk that was dark, or properly threaded with dark threads. Robert picked it up. It was surprisingly light, solid.
- Carbon fibers, Kevlar lower rings and a stabilizing titanium bearing in the center. - she explained after seeing the inspection. - Light, agile, stable. In addition, it is resistant to high temperatures and doesn't conduct electricity.
- Sounds like a weapon ... - Oliver sighed in surprise.
- Or military weapons. - Johnny added shocked.
- I know a man who makes bulletproof vests and he is a huge Beyblade fan. He was very happy when I came to him with the project. - She smiled radiantly.
- Majestics just got a coach! - Enrique announced happily, throwing an arm over the girl's shoulder, then turned to Jurgens. - What do you say, Captain?
- You're right. - he replied with a smile, glancing admiringly at Nadia. - Now we need the designs of our ...
He did not finish, seeing as the blonde pulls sheets of paper with models drawn and described from the bag, looking at him coquettishly. It flashed through his mind, once again that he would be terribly sorry if he had let her go. She was clever and forward-looking. Could guess what his next move would be, they inexplicably complemented each other. He studied the drawings of Gryffolion. They amazed him with their accuracy.
- How did you do it? - Enrique asked. - It looks exactly like my disk!
- Apparently, there is at least one artist and one technician in every family. My sister is a full-fledged artist and I am a technician. - she explained hastily. - If it happens that I have a free moment or can't sleep, I love disk drawings.
Another surprise, though he could tell in truth. It wasn't for nothing that they talked so lightly on many topics that most girls had no idea about. There was nothing else to do but hope that the discs will be ready before the finals.
- Oh, that's right! I would forget! This year my parents are going away alone for Christmas. They prefer to bask in the Seychelles rather than organize a Christmas party. - Enrique said, resting a hand on his forehead. - I'm not going to sit alone in an empty mansion, so I take my friends and we go to the cottage in the Swiss Alps, stay at least until the New Year. Will you join?
Lednikovyy period - Ice Age;