EVENT ✨ Tournaments & Trust

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This is the event log for IC comments only! Ask OOC questions/plot/view event notes HERE or use the FAQ for general questions. Click here to view top-level comments only.

SUMMARY: King Arthur needs to go meet with Queen Elphame. Celliwig holds a tournament to invite other people to come with during the communication and celebrate their newfound friendship. A temporary barrier was put up so the river is currently mostly impassible. After the departure from Celliwig last month, the people of Celliwig have been working hard to make the area around their town safe again from the angered specters. For now, there are makeshift barriers that are preventing anything from crossing the river, dead or alive, except over the Pure of Heart bridge. It will, at the very least, prevent more from coming over and overwhelming the land surrounding Celliwig again. The city is open and, while the Elphame traders have stuck around to help train people in the proper use and treatment of mounts, the safest way to speak to Elphame is through Celliwig's hall of mirrors. King Arthur, Merlin, and a couple of other members of the royal court entered to speak to Queen Elphame directly in order to find out what information she knew about the Calamity and to begin discussion of what it would take to reclaim Excalibur. With the magics of Avalon having recovered significantly enough to not be at risk of falling apart if some of the otherworlders leave while still maintaining the barrier to keep Avalon safe, they need to begin discussing action. At the same time, in celebration of King Arthur's arrival and a royal wedding within Celliwig, a tournament is underway! Celliwig's tournaments work a little differently, however, and focus on a little more than just combat skills-- a modern tournament for the modern person. (Though there is fighting as well, of course.) Celliwig's Top Talents Tourney hasn't been held in a good many years since it's been closed off, so everyone is invited to participate. Invitations have been sent to all of Camelot's residents. The tournament categories are as follows: Cutthroat Cooking - For the chef's out there! Compete against other chefs to show off who has the best culinary skills. All contestants start with 2,500,000G which will be theirs to lose through the course of the tournament. This money can be used to purchase sabotages to use on other chefs throughout the course of the competition. Vicious Vocals - Singing competition. Anyone may participate, there are no auditions. Each contestant will compete solo first, then have to do a competitive duet with another person who moved onto the second round. The final round involves performing and singing at the same time, so you may want to go find friends to give you tips between each round and help you come up with an awesome set-up that will wow the judges! Speed Sculpting - This one's for the artists! Celliwig is really big on art, in particular sculpture. Any decent sculpture can be sold whether it wins or loses. Sculpture form can be made with anything you want-- glass, sugar, and ice are popular choices in Celliwig because of the city's aesthetic, but any materials are possible-- plants, stones, clay, chocolate, fabric, whatever you want as long as it stands on its own after you're done creating. (You can use your magic to sculpt if that's what you want.) Melee Mania - Fight your fellow competitors one-on-one. Weapons and magic are both allowed. Healers will be paid generously for assisting after combat is finished. Familiar Feud - Let your familiar have a little fun and combat each other! They're the star of the show here and otherworlders are only there in a support role. Mario Party - It's literally a series of Mario Party games. If you win your block, you move onto the next round and so on. 4 max players per game. If you don't rage quit at any point, you get free energy drinks throughout the day because this party isn't stopping. Silent Assassin - This competition will take place throughout the course of the tournament. All competitors are kept confidential, but required to wear a hidden body cam so that the experience can be shared online for audience viewing later. All competitors are given fake weapons (paintball guns, rubber knives, and so on) with sensors in them and have to find and "kill" the other competitors throughout the tournament period. Anyone who shows up to either participate in or watch the tournament will receive 50% off a hotel room and a single (Potion) Counter-curse. How the tournament will be run is a little different from an OOC standpoint. Any characters can participate, but in order to determine a winner, we will need anyone who thinks their characters skill is great enough to win to comment to the name of the tournament they are entering HERE! If your character would have canon advantages in a category, write +1 advantage in your comment. (So if you are from an idol series, you'll have a leg up on singing, or if your character is a skilled assassin in their canon, they could gain a +1. It won't guarantee they win, but it will give them a leg up so we're not ignoring their skill!) If you do not think your character has any chance at winning, please do not comment. (Someone who's never cooked a day in their life isn't going to magically win the cooking competition, you know?) If you think/want your character to lose even if they may have skills, we do not need your information. This is only an RNG for potential winners. We will RNG the winners from those who comment for each competition as linked. ICly, anyone who wants to thread any part of it out, go for it! You can thread out watching, you can thread out participating, interfering, anything you want! Thread out having an intimate moment with a healer after a battle, a tearful failure and hurt/comfort consolation, buying a round of vodka flashes for your fellow losers. Whatever you want! Just have fun. SUMMARY: King Arthur & Co. are still in chambers. A woman shows up and claims they're in danger, argues with Glwelwyd that she saw it despite that those abilities are not possible right now. Players voted to determine the next course of this prompt. (This section may be skipped for prompts now, but is still posted for reference.) The day after the end of the tournament days, all seems well and peaceful as usual within the city of Celliwig. The mirror hall that King Arthur's party had gone into is still closed shut. The Hall is guarded by a 7 foot tall man with a long, scraggly beard and huge rippling muscles named Glewlwyd IV. (You may have seen him around at past events.) None may enter until negotiations are completed, and it is his sacred duty passed down by his ancestors to ensure that none shall pass his guard. Most in Celliwig won't even try, knowing the futility of such an action, which is why it is particularly peculiar that Gwion can be found yelling outside of the halls that they need to be let in. After an argument and a call to action, some other worlders chose to find Gwion and ask questions. "Listen to me, there's something wrong, you need to let someone in there! Look for yourself! I saw it!" "Time is frozen, the future cannot be seen. A dream is but a dream, not a prophecy. Disrespect from the people of Celliwig interrupting a meeting of the fae and King Arthur's party would spell much more certain fate. After one more failed attempt to get past him, the woman stomps off to a nearby bar to blow off some steam, and ends up posting to the AOL Network instead. The King's party is in danger. No one is allowed in or out, but they're going to die if you don't work together to get past Glewlwyd. You can ask how I know, but it's a real long story and we're real short on time, so I'm kind of going out on a limb here. I'll be at Celliwig's bar if anyone wants more details. SUMMARY: A very close battle ensues in front of the Hall of Mirrors, with the doors eventually being forced open to reveal a dark, possessed hall. Reflects prey on characters' deepest insecurities and anyone who falls victim to them are trapped within the reflections. King Arthur and the Pure of Heart and Brave of Soul Mirror used to communicate with Elphame are possessed by angry specters trapped on Celliwig's side after the river barrier was put up. After the drama caused by Gwion's warning, the city of Celliwig is rather unsettled. There's an air of tension thick enough that you could hear a pin drop, and enough people who thought it was more important to protect the integrity and wishes of the fae than to worry about the unlikely chance that a seer had a vision while time was stopped. A large number of people have shown up to stand by Glewlwyd's side and defend the Hall of Mirrors, a show which will not be forgotten by the people of Celliwig... However, the strength in both numbers and battle goes to those wishing to enter the Hall of Mirrors. The battle is strenuous, a mixture of both Celliwig citizens and Camelot's otherworlders, and anyone wishing to play out part of it should put either defense or offense indicators in their prompt title to clearly attract those wishing to play out the fight. Those who manage to break through the line will make it into the Hall of Mirrors. The first and most notable thing once the door is open is that it's as dark as night. Not at all conditions for a meeting. And it's cold, condensation and fog forming at the door where the freezing night of the hall and the summer heat outside. It is not at all like it was the first time visitors were allowed in to place their Pure of Heart and Brave of Soul crystals in the mirror to communicate with Elphame. There is absolutely something going on, and those on either side of the battle may want to redirect their attention to the Hall. None of the party seems to be seen. Those who dare to venture forward into the hall will find themselves rather quickly at a loss for where the door went. There is a dim light still visible from it, highlighting the other people in the room and the edges of glass and mirrors throughout the hall. An eerie blue glow reflects through the number of the mirrors, but it seems to move about as if passing impermenantly. Those who try to chase it will find themselves further lost from the entrance, until they find themselves face to face with a reflection that doesn't seem to follow their own movements. This reflection will begin to speak with the character's voice, then immediately target the character's deepest insecurities. Every bad thought that they've thought of themself is fair game. If the character can remain calm and keep moving forward, then they will not fall victim to the trap. However, should they react with a burst of emotion, argue, or be unable to move forward when faced with their own insecurities, they will find themselves trapped in the mirror, replacing the reflection. Those who manage to pass the mirrors will find themselves at the Pure of Heart and Brave of Soul Mirror. The communication is still open to what appears to be an ornately decorated, natural throne. The Queen is long since gone, having been escorted to safety to keep her safe from the cursed mirrors. Notably, every crystal lining the edge of this mirror seems to have been infected by the blue, almost spectral color. Approached, a chilling laughter echoes from the possessed mirror, but the laughter is finished by King Arthur himself, back turned and facing the mirror. He turns around and wields his sword, ready to defend the mirror, eyes filled with the same blue as the mirror. As more people approach, reflections of Arthur seem to walk out of the mirrors as well to fight more and more people. It's hard to tell which is the real one, so can you really kill him to get him out of the way and get to the mirror? Fight the small army of King Arthurs and gather enough death mages to exorcise the spirits out of the mirror.. or maybe just smash it. Did you think this was the last choice you'd make this week? Please refer to the plotting post for any additional plotting needs and to check added notes for the third prompt. Timeline-wise, the new/third prompt doesn't start until the 23rd. The poll for it is here.

Comments

[peninhand]

It's fine, don't worry!

[ She wasn't that great of a singer herself... And even though they rarely knew anything about music themselves, audiences always cheered on the best artists. It was maybe something that came naturally to people. Recognizing good music? ]

I'll just sing the first couplet, alright?

[ She smiled and proceeded to sing the first couplet of Your Reality. She was more relaxed than she would otherwise have been, being with only one person helped a lot. ]

[conciliant]

[Whether it's perfect or just fine, 2B wouldn't know the difference. What she does know is that she finds herself somewhat enamoured by it. In awe that a human so small could have such a voice. There were a lot of odd things about them and what they did, but there are some feats that they should be proud of, this being one of them. It was unexpected, but a welcome surprise.

And when Monika is done the couplet, 2B is silent for a while longer. From where Monika stands, it might not look like she's impressed at all with the way her lips are pursed in a thin line, but behind her visor, eyes are wide and glossy. Is she... crying?]

Mm... [2B makes a noise and brings her hand up to wipe her cheek.] That was...

[She finds herself at a loss for words. It's silly, probably, to be amazed by something as simple as what—vibrating of the vocal cords?]

Good.

[Nailed it!!! Realizing that isn't sufficient, she goes on quickly.]

How did you do that?

[peninhand]

[ Thankfully enough, Monika didn't seem to notice at all that 2B may have been crying. Though something did seem a bit off... Mayhaps she was just pretending to have enjoyed it? No, she seemed genuine. Well, she wasn't going to inquire. If it was her and she was trying to hide something, like her emotions...

Well, she knew she'd be thankful if her interlocutor didn't bring it up. ]

Thank you very much.

[ And that next question— How had she done it? Did she mean how she'd sung? Or how she'd managed to write the lyrics? ]

How? Ah... [She looked a bit embarrassed for a moment. It was a bit personal... But she'd decided to sing before everyone, so that wasn't really an excuse any more.] I actually wrote that song when I was in a pretty dark place... And I had someone in mind, too. [That hurt a bit, thinking back, seeing how... Said person had hated her then deleted. How her reality was gone. But she was here now... Surely this shouldn't hurt any more.] I guess... I was hoping it would convey my emotions, my hopes.

[conciliant]

[Perhaps the reason that the song hit her as much as it did is because 2B understood what those lyrics were trying to convey. Somewhere deep down, there are feelings that she'd much rather not touch. The fact that a song could explain all of that... It's both incredible and frightening at the same time.

So, she focuses on Monika's answer instead, shifting awkwardly between her feet again.]

Your hopes... I assume this person isn't here.

[peninhand]

[ Words had a strange power... They could never truly describe things such as "love" or "hope." But they could awaken those emotions in people. More so when they were sung— When life was breathed into them. ]

That's right.

[ Maybe this was for the best. The player and her hadn't exactly parted on friendly terms. Even so, the feelings that had inspired her to write this song remained unchanged. She marked a pause, the emotions threatening to burst forth. She closed her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath and collecting herself before continuing. ]

I never got to play this to them in person. [She'd played a recording, but that wasn't exactly the same.] Honestly, I'm not sure they would like it or even want to listen to it... [Even then—] But I'm kinda hoping if I play it here, in a world between worlds, maybe it'll reach them... Ahaha! Silly, right?

[conciliant]

A little.

[Sorry Monika. 2B's strong suit is not softening the blow of her words. She'd much rather be straightforward and honest because she sees little point in mincing them, but she's learning... slowly...

Because she realizes how harsh that might have sounded. She's so used to working only with 9S, who's used to that sort of attitude and can easily shrug it off, but humans are built differently, in that they aren't built at all.]

I think with the magic here, it could be possible. I have heard that 'hope' is something that can help humans move forward.

[peninhand]

[ Ironic, perhaps, that Monika wasn't even a proper human. Well, she felt like one, had the body of one and even vague memories of a normal life... But she'd still been created. An AI in some cheesy romance game...

Still, she nodded at the remark about hope. ]

That's right. I know I'd have given up without hope.

[ Wait— She just now picked up on something 2B had just said. She'd spoken about humans as if... She wasn't one herself? ]

Wait, do you mean you're not human?

[conciliant]

[2B sighs. Not out of frustration at the question—far from it—but at herself for forgetting about that. She's still having a hard time even giving the fact that she's an android in a world of humans a second thought, so she keeps spewing things that will naturally bring about the question. One day, she'll get used to that fact, but today is apparently not it.]

No, an android. YoRHa Number 2 Type B.

[She gestures to her Pod, a silver box with arms and claw-like hands hovering behind her.]

This is Pod 042.

[It beeps in greeting before speaking in its tinny, metallic voice.]

"Greetings. I am Pod unit 042, support unit assigned to YoRHa unit Number 2 Type B, also known as 2B."

[peninhand]

[ An android... She seemed so real! She was virtually indistinguishable from a human. That was one of the ideas that had crossed Monika's mind back when she had been thinking of ways to escape Doki Doki Literature Club. If she had been able to transfer her data into a mechanical body, she effectively could have escaped from the game and lived in the real world.

Of course, the technology wasn't there yet, so she'd quickly given up on that idea. ]

Oh wow, that's... That's amazing.

[ She shook her head and stopped staring like that. It was impolite, and 2B might not be able to say it was genuine awe and not something else. ]

Um... You come from Earth, don't you? Is it... Like, far in the future? [An awkward pause.] I mean, I come from 2017, ahaha!

[ Monika hoped to make her happy ending come true in Avalon. And even if she was sent back to her homeworld, she was dead back there. So there was really no point in that question. She was just... Curious if perhaps there would have been a way for her to be happy back there. ]

[conciliant]

The year 11945.

[So yes, very far into the future. 2B had no sense of just how far until she came here, and people started asking her and telling her that they were from 2017. The time difference is so vast that even she can barely comprehend it, or a time when humans still populated Earth.]

All humans have been moved to the moon, until we can rid Earth of the machine lifeforms. Then, we may know peace.

[Which sometimes feels like too long a fight. Three years now and she still sees no end to it, and the thought alone makes 2B sigh.]

[peninhand]

[ That was... A lot to swallow. She could only imagine it was an alternate future. And wait, rid Earth of the machine lifeforms? But she's an android... Monika really doesn't want to be the carrier of bad news here, but androids are machines. Well. Maybe there's a difference she's not aware of... ]

Wow... [That was much further into the future than she'd imagined.] Guess that would be hopeless for me then.

[ Oops, wait no she hadn't meant to say that. ]

Honestly, I'm pretty amazed to hear humans made it all the way to the... What's that, 120th century?

[conciliant]

Hm?

[2B doesn't quite interpret the century thing—there's very little sense of time when you are born into a world without it. No day and night cycle means no weeks, months, years... Without a way to measure it, it might as well no longer exist.

But she shakes her head.]

Humans are far more advanced. It was the humans that built us.

[There's something interesting about the way that Monika had said the first part though, so she loops back around, dropping the subject about what YoRHa is, and what that all means for Earth later.]

Why is it hopeless? It would be silly to stop.

[peninhand]

[ Gah, she'd made a mistake with that comment. Honestly, telling the truth to 2B didn't sound like that bad of an idea... She would really feel better letting a few people know what she really was, and an android wouldn't judge her for sure. But she knew it would break the dam if she said everything now. She'd have to prepare for next time. ]

Oh, I'm from the 21st century. That's like, nearly 10 000 years before your time, ahaha!

[ She raised a finger, hoping her excuse would be convincing enough. ]

So even if I were to go back home, I probably wouldn't see android technology in my lifetime.

[conciliant]

You are meeting one now.

[As far as 2B is concerned, meeting her here still counts as meeting one in her lifetime, but she is one of a very simple mind.]

I never thought I would meet a human too, and here I am, giving a human advice on how to sing.

[And surrounded by them while they compete against one another over trivial things... Competitiveness is in their nature, isn't it?

Speaking of the contest, 2B looks to the stage.]

Are you ready to go up soon?

[peninhand]

[ Ah, well she was indeed technically meeting one, but that wasn't at all what she'd meant. She laughed awkwardly, gosh this was becoming embarrassing... Thank goodness 2B gave her an easy way out. ]

Yes, actually! I probably should get ready to go on stage...

[ She marked a pause, her instinct was to just go now and avoid further embarrassment, but that would be just plain rude. ]

But I'd like to talk with you again, sometimes. You're really nice and I feel I could learn a lot from you.

[conciliant]

[Ah. A compliment...

2B shifts on her feet, embarrassed that she doesn't know what to say. 'Thank you' doesn't seem apt enough to convey how it makes her feel, much to her chagrin, so she settles with a simple, curt nod. She would very much like to meet her again...!]

Would it be alright if I stay and watch?

[peninhand]

Yes, of course.

[ She was actually flattered that 2B would want to stay for that. She didn't really think her singing was that good, so it was really encouraging. Monika quickly looked at her phone-- Yep, only a minute or two left. ]

I'll be singing the full version of the song and play piano with it. I hope the judges will like it.

[conciliant]

They will.

[She believes it with her entire being, and even if they don't? She got her song out there and heard, and that's what's most important, as far as she's concerned. The contest itself is so silly, and humans have more talent than they give themselves credit for—they shouldn't need a judge to tell them whether or not they do.

Before Monika heads off, she stammers a bit while she tries to string her next set of words together.]

Afterwards... would you like to get flavoured ice?

[peninhand]

[ She couldn't help but smile at her confidence in her success. She'd like to have that sort of confidence herself, but having someone else be that confident for you was even better. She nodded at her, and-- ]

Flavoured ice...? [She tilted her head, wondering what that was for a second.] Oh! You mean ice cream? Sure, I'd love that~

gonna wrap if that's ok! :) they'll go get their ice cream! ❤

[conciliant]

I think they called it something else.

[2B glances over her shoulder over the crowds of people, but the details of what it is aren't particularly important right now. She got the gist of what it was, and that was good enough. Right now, Monika has a competition to win!]

I will meet you outside the audience when this is finished. Good luck.