Chapter 70: Race Wars

Hours of grueling training had finally come to an end. The vast white-walled training room was now quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of feet as people stretched or leaned against the walls to catch their breath. Yuuna, however, was anything but quiet. She practically kicked the door open as she burst into the room with her usual energy. 

"IT'S TIME TO EAT!!" she shouted loudly enough to make a few Clerics jump in alarm. 

Xyenn, who had been sprawled out on the floor like a starfish, sat up immediately, his sharp teeth glinting in the light as he grinned. "Finally! I thought I was gonna die out here!" His voice carried a dramatic whine, but his face was pure joy. 

Gorran, sitting cross-legged on the floor, didn't even flinch. He simply glanced at Yuuna with his usual stoic expression before muttering, "Hmph." 

Kivorn, on the other hand, wiped the sweat off his brow and leaned heavily on his staff. "About time…" 

Quinara clapped her hands together gleefully. "Yes! Food! I'm starving!" she said, practically bouncing on her feet. 

Mertha, cracking her knuckles, smirked. "Good. I could eat a whole damn mammoth right now." 

As the group began to shuffle toward the door, one of the Clerics stepped forward, their voice curious. "So… who's cooking for all of us?" 

Yuuna spun around mid-step, her wild grin spreading across her face. "Me, Kivorn, and Mertha!" 

Kivorn stopped mid-step, turning to glare at her. "No. Absolutely not. I didn't agree to this." 

"You did now!" Mertha barked, grabbing him by the arm. 

"Wait, wait, I'm not a—HEY!" Kivorn's protests were cut off as both Yuuna and Mertha latched onto him like wolves dragging a wounded deer. 

"Let go. I'm not cooking. I'll burn everything." Kivorn said blankely, his feet dragging uselessly against the floor as the two women hauled him away with devilish smiles. His staff clattered to the ground. 

"Kivorn, you're gonna help make the best meal ever!" Yuuna chirped, completely ignoring his protests. 

"Xyenn, Quinara, Help me." Kivorn called out desperately, his voice echoing through the hall. 

Quinara, standing near the door, gave him a cheery wave. "Good luck!" 

"QUINARA!" 

"Gotta save my energy for eating!" she called back, grinning like a troublemaker. 

Xyenn, meanwhile, just leaned against the wall, smirking. "You've got this, Kivorn. I believe in you." 

"You're both the worst." Kivorn yelled as he disappeared around the corner, still being dragged away by Yuuna and Mertha. 

The rest of the group made their way to the dining hall, which was already buzzing with energy. The long tables were quickly filling up with Clerics, some still in their robes, others having shed their ceremonial attire after training. At one end of the hall, a group of orphanage children had gathered, their mischievous energy palpable. 

As Xyenn walked in, one of the kids immediately pointed at him. "Hey, it's the guy with the shark teeth!" 

Xyenn raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah? What about it?!"

Another kid, smaller but clearly braver, piped up. "Bet you can't eat faster than me!" 

"Oh, you wanna bet, squirt?" Xyenn crouched to their level, baring his sharp teeth in an exaggerated snarl. "You know what happens to kids who challenge me? They get eaten first!" 

The kids screamed, half in terror and half in delight, scattering like a flock of birds. Xyenn stood up, laughing as they peeked at him from behind the tables. 

Quinara, sitting nearby, smirked. "Wow, you're really out here terrorizing children now. Classy. First a woman beater, now THIS?! Threatening to EAT literal children. So low."

"Hey, they started it!" Xyenn shot back, pointing at the group of giggling kids. "And you're still on about that?!"

"Yes! And forever will be!"

One of the braver kids returned, tugging on Quinara's sleeve. "Are you his girlfriend?" 

Quinara froze, her face twisting into a mix of horror and laughter. "What? No!" She shoved Xyenn in the shoulder. "Don't give them ideas! I AM NOT!" Quinara growled, her blue aura flaring slightly as she tried to grab him by the collar. Xyenn, laughing, sidestepped her. "I hate Xyenn sooo much! And plus he's like a little brother to me. Gross."

The kid, clearly enjoying the chaos, ran off yelling, "They're gonna get married!" 

Quinara groaned, planting her face into her hands. "I hate children."

"Wow. Saying you hate children, literal children…so low."

"Shut it!"

Nearby, Gorran was sitting quietly, but the children had already targeted him. A small group had gathered around, tugging at his arms. 

"Why are you so grumpy all the time?" 

"Do you even smile?!" 

"Bet you can't lift me!" one of them challenged, climbing onto his arm before he could respond. 

Gorran sighed deeply but didn't shake the kid off. Instead, he lifted his arm slightly, causing the child to squeal in delight as they dangled from his bicep. 

"See? He's not grumpy, he's just pretending!" one of the other kids said. 

Gorran's lips twitched into what might have been a smile, though it disappeared just as quickly. 

"Tch."

At one of the tables, Klem and Mertha had engaged in an impromptu arm-wrestling match. Mertha's sleeves were rolled up as she leaned into it, her muscles straining. Klem's face was a mask of concentration, sweat dripping down his temple. 

"You're stronger than I thought," Klem admitted, his voice strained. "Just a quick match before you go run off cooking!"

Mertha grinned. "You're not half bad either. But I'm gonna win this." 

"Not a chance," Klem replied, his voice tight as he pushed back. 

The table creaked ominously under the pressure, drawing the attention of a few nearby Clerics. 

On the far side of the hall, Faera stood with Vektor, observing the lively interactions between the Tyrants, the Clerics, and the children. 

Faera nudged Vektor with her elbow. "You seeing this? They're all smiling. Even Gorran. It's..refreshing." 

Vektor chuckled softly. "This is what happens when we evolve. We get stronger, yes, but more importantly, there's hope. And hope changes people." 

Faera raised an eyebrow. "You getting all philosophical on me now? What's next, you gonna start writing poetry?" 

"Maybe I will," Vektor shot back, smirking. "And it'll be about how annoying you are." 

Faera pretended to gasp, clutching her chest dramatically. "Me? Annoying? Never. Is this how you treat your comrades? No wonder you don't have friends." 

"Comrades is insane after what happened in my office—," Vektor replied flatly. 

"Vektor."

"Yes."

"Silence please."

Their banter continued as the hall filled with laughter, the energy buzzing as everyone prepared for the meal to come. 

The kitchen of the Holy Branch was a sprawling, chaotic masterpiece of medieval design. Long wooden counters stretched across the room, stacked with piles of fresh vegetables, cuts of meat, and bowls of spices. Massive cauldrons bubbled over roaring hearths, and the scent of herbs and simmering broths filled the air. Clerics in white and green aprons shuffled nervously, their usual stoic composure replaced with uncertainty as they stared at Yuuna, who had somehow taken complete control of the situation. 

Standing in the middle of the kitchen like a conductor in an orchestra, Yuuna clapped her hands together, her wild grin spreading across her face. "Alright, everyone! Today, we're making something special! But…" She paused dramatically, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You can't just cook it. Nooo, no, no! You have to cook it with FLAIR!" 

The clerics exchanged confused glances, shifting awkwardly. 

"What does she mean by flair?" one of them whispered. 

"I think she's going to make us dance," another muttered, already dreading what was to come. 

Yuuna didn't wait for their hesitation to die down. She twirled on her toes, humming a tune as she grabbed a handful of flour and tossed it into a bowl with a flourish. "Like this! You mix the flour, you hum, you sway your hips—softly, gently! It's all about rhythm!" She spun around, her hair flipping dramatically, and grabbed a knife. "And then you chop like THIS!" Yuuna's pink flames flickered to life around her hands as she diced vegetables with precision, the fire adding a theatrical flair to every movement. 

The clerics stared, wide-eyed. 

"You… you want us to dance?" one of them asked hesitantly, holding a wooden spoon like it might attack them. 

"Yes!" Yuuna exclaimed, grabbing their hands and spinning them in place. "Cooking is an art, and art needs movement, grace, passion! If you don't move with your ingredients, they'll never trust you enough to taste good!" 

"That makes no sense," muttered Kivorn, standing stiffly in the corner with his arms crossed. 

Yuuna spun toward him like a storm. "Kivorn! You're part of this too!" 

"No," Kivorn said flatly, his voice deadpan. 

"Yes," Yuuna replied, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the counter. 

As Kivorn stood there, his expression completely emotionless, Yuuna placed a bowl of dough in front of him. "Kivorn, knead! Knead with passion!" 

Kivorn sighed, his hands pressing into the dough with all the enthusiasm of someone being forced to dig a ditch. 

"No, no, no!" Yuuna cried, waving her arms. "You're doing it wrong! You're just… squishing it. You need to feel it, become one with the dough!" 

Mertha, standing nearby, barked a laugh. "He looks like he's tryin' to smash a bug." 

Kivorn gave her a blank stare. "I hate this." 

Yuuna clapped her hands. "Kivorn, you have to dance! Move your hips!" 

"I don't dance." 

"You do now!" Yuuna spun him around, forcing him to sway awkwardly. He moved stiffly, like a puppet with broken strings, while the clerics tried not to laugh. 

Meanwhile, Mertha had taken over one side of the kitchen, barking orders like a ship captain. "Alright, you lot! Grab those onions and chop 'em like your life depends on it! I want that garlic minced so fine it disappears! And don't just stand there like statues—MOVE!" 

One cleric hesitated, holding a knife awkwardly. "I'm not used to… well… dancing while I work." 

"You're not here to be used to it!" Mertha boomed, slapping their shoulder. "You're here to learn! Now chop!" 

Another cleric, who had been trying to mimic Yuuna's flourishes, nearly flung a carrot across the room. "This is chaos," they muttered under their breath. 

"Chaos is good!" Yuuna called out, somehow hearing them. She twirled again, tossing a handful of spices into a pot like she was scattering rose petals. "Chaos makes food taste better!" 

Mertha rolled her eyes but smirked. "She's not entirely wrong. But you keep throwin' things like that, and we'll be eatin' dirt." 

The clerics began to loosen up, their movements becoming less stiff as they started to follow Yuuna's and Mertha's instructions. A few even began humming along with Yuuna's tune, their feet shuffling awkwardly but enthusiastically. 

One of the clerics laughed. "This is actually… kind of fun?" 

"See?" Yuuna said, grinning. "Cooking is the best when you're having fun!" 

As the energy in the kitchen grew livelier, Yuuna grabbed a small jar from one of the shelves and held it up dramatically. "Now, for the secret ingredient!" 

Mertha glanced over, her brows furrowing. "What the hell is that?" 

"Fermented radish paste!" Yuuna declared proudly. 

Mertha's face twisted in disgust. "Radish paste? That smells like a dead animal's armpit!" 

"It's delicious! It adds depth!" Yuuna argued. 

"It adds stink," Mertha shot back, crossing her arms. "No one's gonna eat that." 

Yuuna grinned mischievously. "Wanna bet?" 

Mertha leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Fine. If they spit it out, you owe me." 

"And if they love it, you have to wash my hair every day for a week!" Yuuna shot back. 

"Deal—wait! Your hair doesn't even get dirty, it stays all silky smooth and wavy, that's cheating."

"Haha!"

The clerics watched the exchange with a mix of amusement and horror as Yuuna gleefully stirred the radish paste into one of the pots. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of chaotic cooking and awkward dancing, the food was ready. Bowls of steaming stew, fresh bread, and roasted vegetables were carried out into the dining hall by Mertha, Yuuna, and the clerics. 

As Yuuna passed Xyenn his bowl, she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. 

"Wha—?!" Xyenn froze, his face instantly turning red. 

The clerics, watching from the sidelines, gasped and covered their faces like scandalized aristocrats. 

The orphanage children, however, had a very different reaction. "EWWWW!" they howled, pointing and laughing. "Xyenn got kissed!" 

"Shut up!" Xyenn snapped, waving them off as he tried to hide his face. "Stop looking at me!" 

One of the kids grinned wickedly. "Are you blushing?" 

"No!" Xyenn barked, his voice cracking slightly. "Buzz off!"

Yuuna, laughing so hard she nearly dropped her bowl, gave Xyenn a playful nudge. "You're so easy to mess with." 

The children, emboldened by Xyenn's flustered state, continued to tease him mercilessly. 

As everyone finally settled down to eat, the room was filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking bowls, and the occasional groan of satisfaction. Gridd sat at one of the tables, quietly eating his stew with a look of approval. 

The dining hall was alive with the sounds of chatter, clinking bowls, and the occasional scrape of a spoon against the bottom of a dish. At the center of it all, Xyenn was tearing through his meal with the speed and ferocity of a starving wolf. His sharp teeth glinted between bites as he devoured the food with single-minded determination.

Across the table, a group of orphanage children watched him with narrowed eyes, their competitive spirits flaring. 

"You eat like a beast!" one of the braver kids shouted, pointing his spoon at Xyenn. 

Xyenn paused mid-bite, narrowing his eye at the child. "What did you just say?" 

"You heard me! Bet you can't eat faster than us! Right, guys?" The kid turned to his friends, who nodded furiously, their grins wide with mischievous intent. 

"Bring it then, brats," Xyenn barked, slamming his bowl down and grabbing another. "You little demons are about to get humbled!" 

The kids grabbed their bowls, and the challenge began. 

It was chaos. 

Xyenn inhaled his food, shoveling it into his mouth with an intensity that could rival a dragon devouring a kingdom's worth of livestock. Across from him, the kids were no less ferocious, their hands a blur as they stuffed their faces, chewing furiously. 

"Faster!" one of the kids yelled, his cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. 

"I am going faster!" another retorted, slamming his bowl down for a refill. 

Xyenn, his face absolutely covered in stew, grinned maniacally as he threw his bowl aside and reached for another. "You're too slow, kids. Too slow!" 

"Cheater!" a girl shouted with her mouth full. "You're eating like an animal!" 

The entire hall had stopped to watch this absurd competition. Quinara leaned back in her chair, smirking as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. "You know, for someone who acts so cocky, he's just a big kid." 

Mertha, standing by the food table, laughed loudly. "Oh Xyenn can eat. Don't underestimate him."

Finally, with a loud, dramatic slam of his spoon onto the table, Xyenn stood up, his chest puffed out triumphantly. "DONE!" 

The kids froze mid-bite, staring at him in disbelief. 

"You cheated!" one of them yelled, pointing at him accusingly. 

Xyenn's grin vanished, his face twisting into comedic outrage. "Cheated?! How can you cheat at eating?! It's literally just shoving food in your face!" 

"You distracted us with that sharp teeth of yours!" another kid accused. 

"My teeth is badass!" Xyenn shot back, pointing at himself. 

The kids erupted into protests, their voices rising as they ganged up on Xyenn, who squealed comedically, backing away from their tiny but relentless accusations. 

Meanwhile, the others were finishing their meals. Quinara leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. "This is actually pretty good," she said, swirling the last bit of stew in her bowl. 

Klem, sitting across from her, nodded in agreement. "It's amazing!" 

Gridd, seated at the end of the table, gave a single approving grunt as he continued eating. 

"Human food never disappoints."

Gorran, as usual, remained silent, though his empty bowl said all that needed to be said. 

Standing off to the side, Illyana, Faera, and Vektor watched the scene unfold. Faera leaned over to Vektor. "I can't believe they actually liked it. I was half expecting someone to drop dead." 

Vektor shrugged. "Guess Yuuna got lucky this time." 

Yuuna, overhearing this, skipped over to Mertha with a grin. "Told you they'd like it!" 

Mertha rolled her eyes, arms crossed. "Yeah, yeah. You got lucky. They're probably too hungry to care." 

Yuuna leaned closer, nudging her. "Admit it—I was right!" 

"Pfft. Fine," Mertha replied, though a small smirk tugged at her lips. 

Yuuna tilted her head, her voice softening. "How you been doing, Mertha?" 

Mertha grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Doin' good. Feels nice to punch things again..and cook alongside you once more. You?" 

"I'm alright," Yuuna said, her smile dimming slightly. Then, her expression brightened again. "This reminds me of that time at your pub in Vördrheim, when we had to feed Xyenn because of his draconic side effects." 

Mertha laughed, her voice booming. "Oh, gods, that was a mess! That was the first day I met him. Kid was practically frothing at the mouth." 

"Yeah," Yuuna said, her grin widening. "Look at us now. We've come so far. Feeding orphans and clerics who are as barbaric as Xyenn."

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted. It started slowly—a faint gurgle, like the distant sound of thunder. Then, another. And another. 

The laughter and chatter died down as people began to glance around nervously. 

Faera, standing with Illyana and Vektor, frowned. "What was that?" 

Then it started. 

First, a long, drawn-out groan came from one of the clerics. They clutched their stomach, their face pale. "Oh no…" 

Another cleric doubled over, their voice trembling. "Something's… wrong…" 

The gurgling sounds grew louder, spreading like an invisible plague. People began clutching their stomachs, their faces contorted in panic. 

Xyenn stood up abruptly, his eyes wide. "How many bathrooms are there?!" 

One of the clerics managed to gasp out, "Twenty." 

Xyenn blinked. "Oh." 

For a split second, the room was silent. Then, chaos erupted. 

"OUT OF MY WAY!" 

A horde of people—clerics, children, even Tyrants—bolted from their seats, racing for the doors. They shoved and tripped over each other, flipping chairs and knocking over tables in their mad dash. 

"I WAS HERE FIRST!" one of the children yelled, shoving another aside as they sprinted toward the hallway. 

"MOVE, BRAT!" a cleric shouted, jumping over three kids like a hurdler. 

Kivorn, normally calm and composed, was speed-walking with a grim expression, his staff clattering against the floor as he tried to beat the crowd. 

Xyenn, caught in the middle of the chaos, was frantically dodging elbows and flying bowls. "This is a nightmare!" 

Yuuna, meanwhile, was doubled over in laughter, tears streaming down her face. "This is AMAZING!" 

Mertha turned to her, her face a mix of shock and irritation. "You knew this would happen, didn't you?!" 

Yuuna straightened, her devilish grin practically glowing. "Of course I did! That radish paste was guaranteed to cause chaos. You're welcome!" 

"You crazy goddess, why am I not surprised?"

Yuuna shrugged, her grin widening. "Things were gloomy before we showed up here. This'll liven things up forever! You should be thanking me!" 

From the sidelines, Faera and Vektor had their noses covered, their faces twisted in disgust. 

Illyana, standing calmly beside them, smiled faintly. "I'm used to this. Yuuna's definitely behind it." 

As the chaos continued, Yuuna cupped her hands around her mouth, cheering loudly. "GO, Xyenn! Tyrants forever!" 

The race to the bathrooms had begun. 

The dining hall erupted into complete chaos. The moment the first cleric bolted for the hallway, the dam broke, and everyone sprang into action like a stampede of desperate animals. The air was filled with the sound of chairs clattering, bowls crashing to the floor, and frantic shouts echoing through the corridors. 

Xyenn stood frozen in the middle of it all, his sharp eyes darting around the room. His legs tensed as his instincts told him to run, but he quickly shook his head. "No way. I can't go all out. There are kids here…" 

'But I have to shit! What was in that food?! It was so good too!'

His hesitation was his downfall. A group of children zipped by him like a well-coordinated pack of wolves, one of them tripping him up with a broom handle. 

"Outta the way, shark boy!" one kid yelled, laughing maniacally. 

Xyenn stumbled but quickly recovered, glaring at the tiny saboteurs. "Oh, you little gremlins wanna play dirty, huh?!" 

The children didn't answer; they were already gone, weaving through the crowd like seasoned warriors. 

Meanwhile, traps were already being set. A particularly devious group of kids had rigged one of the hallways with a cleverly laid tripwire, causing two clerics to tumble forward in comical unison. 

"BOOM! Double score!" a boy yelled, fist-pumping as the fallen clerics groaned. 

"I'm gonna remember your face, kid!" one of the clerics growled, scrambling to his feet. 

"Oooh, scary!" the boy taunted before running off. 

Kivorn, moving at a steady yet determined pace, sidestepped the chaos with his usual stoicism. A small child tried to grab his leg to trip him up, but Kivorn simply lifted the child by the collar of their shirt and set them down on the other side of the hallway like a piece of furniture. 

"Don't touch me," he said flatly, continuing forward. 

Quinara, meanwhile, took a more tactical approach. She used her moon-tainted magic to lightly push aside anyone in her way, her glowing blue aura giving her an almost ethereal presence. 

"Move it, folks! Moon magic coming through!" she called out, laughing as one cleric stumbled into a wall. 

Gridd was less graceful. Barrel-chested and determined, he simply plowed through the crowd like a dwarf-shaped battering ram. "Outta the way! Yer takin' too long!" he barked, sending two clerics spinning into a corner as he advanced. 

Gorran, on the other hand, relied on sheer intimidation. His dark glare and massive frame were enough to part the crowd like a tide. "Move," he said coldly, and people practically dove out of his path. 

The bathrooms were filling up fast. Frantic pounding could be heard from behind locked doors as people yelled, "Hurry up!" and "I was first!" 

One child clung to the doorknob of a bathroom, trying to keep a cleric from entering. "It's mine! I claimed it!" 

"You're like ten! You don't even need it as bad as me!" the cleric yelled, trying to pry the kid off. 

In the chaos, Xyenn, Quinara, Kivorn, Gridd, and Gorran all spotted the same thing—a lone, unclaimed bathroom at the end of the hallway. Their eyes locked on it simultaneously, and for a moment, they froze. 

"That's the last one," Xyenn muttered. 

"Not for long," Quinara said, narrowing her eyes. "Ladies go first, guys! Be respectful—!"

The five of them bolted, shoving and elbowing each other as they raced for the bathroom. 

As they ran Quinara tried to seduce Gorran, saying, "Come on, handsome. You wouldn't mind letting me get the bathroom right? Help me take out the others—."

Gorran replied, "Fuck that."

Xyenn approached, and Gorran saw him. "Move it, Xyenn!" Gorran shouted, trying to push him to the side. 

"Not a chance!!" Xyenn shot back, ducking under his arm. 

Kivorn, keeping his usual deadpan composure, grabbed Xyenn by the back of his shirt and yanked him backward. "You're in my way," he said calmly. 

"Aye!" Xyenn yelled, flailing as he stumbled. 

Gridd, not one for subtlety, shoved Quinara aside with his shoulder. "Ye ain't takin' this from me, lass!" 

Quinara twisted back toward him, her blue aura flaring. "Say that again, dwarf!" 

Gorran, meanwhile, surged ahead of all of them, his Xenith blade glowing faintly in his hand as if daring anyone to challenge him. 

"Touch me, I'll lop your heads off."

"That's cheating!" Xyenn yelled, pointing at the blade. 

"All's fair in war," Gorran replied, his tone cold. 

The five of them reached the bathroom door at the same time, colliding in a heap of tangled limbs and curses. 

"Get off me!" Quinara yelled, trying to shove Gridd's elbow out of her face. 

"You're the one on top o' me!" Gridd growled. 

Kivorn, still emotionless, simply muttered, "This is undignified." 

Xyenn scrambled to his feet first, his eyes wild as he looked at the group. "Alright, that's it! If you don't leave, I'm taking my clothes off!" 

The group froze. 

"You wouldn't," Quinara said, her tone half-challenging, half-wary. 

"Oh, I would!" Xyenn shouted, his hands already on his shirt. 

"Try it, and I'll kill you before you finish," Gorran said flatly, his blade now pointed directly at Xyenn's chest. 

Before the situation could escalate further, Illyana appeared in the doorway, her calm presence immediately cutting through the chaos. She was smiling faintly, her violet eyes glowing softly as she raised her hands. 

"Everyone, calm down," she said, her voice soothing. "I've got this." 

With a faint glow, Illyana's hands traced intricate white runes in the air. The markings shimmered as they floated forward, pressing gently against the stomachs of each person still clutching themselves in agony. As the glowing runes settled, the tension in their faces eased, and they let out sighs of relief. 

The glowing rune of ease pulsed softly, dulling the pain in everyone's stomachs. 

Quinara stood slowly, stretching. "Finally. I thought I was gonna explode." 

Gorran crossed his arms, his tone as stoic as ever. "Why didn't you do this earlier?" 

Illyana tilted her head, her smile apologetic. "I started helping people when the chaos broke out, but… you all moved so fast." 

Gridd grunted, rubbing his stomach. "Fast? They were like bloody animals." 

Illyana's smile widened slightly. "Still, you'll all need to use the bathroom eventually. The rune only eases the pain—it doesn't solve the problem." 

There was a collective groan from the group. 

The others glared at him, and the tension returned immediately. 

Xyenn, already sitting on the toilet, told everyone to get out, he claimed it first. And everyone held their noses and left.